Exploration of the Void

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko focuses, but it will not be enough.

Not a surprise for a shugenja against a Kakita, really.

(Your answer is 1
Focus 17, https://orokos.com/roll/822284)

[Kakita Kenji]

Kenji was waiting for the right moment to strike. When he saw him, he slid mercilessly forward and suddenly stood behind Sasaiko. His bokken had barely touched her belly.

Kenji turned around and bowed.

"You did good, but there is much to learn onwards from here"

---
D5 Serpent Iaijutsu(Strike)/Reflexes + Center Bonus: 5d10o10k4+1 30 Exceptional Success!
D5 Serpent Damage: 2d10o10l1 1

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Kenji was waiting for the right moment to strike. When he saw him, he slid mercilessly forward and suddenly stood behind Sasaiko. His bokken had barely touched her belly.

Kenji turned around and bowed.

"You did good, but there is much to learn onwards from here"

Sasaiko turns and returns the bow.

"Thank you for the lesson."

[Kakita Kenji]

"I am grateful that I have trained the skills of my dojo, I don't want to rust too much," he replied.

[Togashi Dao]

Yotsuo faces Dao and bows. He gets into his stance and tries to do what he can to assess his opponent, but it is rather an exercise in futility since he's never done so before. He sees nothing of his opponent's capabilities other than that Dao is capable of holding a bokken and standing on two feet.

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D5 Serpent, Assessment, Iaijutsu / Awareness, TN 15: 2d10 4

Dao also seems a little lost, but almost finds an understanding, as he glares down his opponent, but is unable to stop a little smile creeping on his face. Serious is just too hard for him to pull off convincingly.

Day 5 Serpent Iai/Awa: 2d10 12

Day 5 Serpent Duel focus Iai/Void: 3d10+2 14

[Kuni Yotsuo]

The Kuni may not be able to read his opponent very well, but he was pretty well practiced in focusing his mind. When he saw the slightest twitch from Dao the bokken was out and away, seeking to strike his opponent. It was far from a clean swing.

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D5 Serpent, Focus, Iaijutsu / Awareness: 3d10o10+2 22
D5 Serpent, Strike, Iaijutsu / Reflexes, TN ?: 2d10+2 14

Armor TN: 10 in case I missed

[Togashi Dao]

The Kuni may not be able to read his opponent very well, but he was pretty well practiced in focusing his mind. When he saw the slightest twitch from Dao the bokken was out and away, seeking to strike his opponent. It was far from a clean swing.

----

D5 Serpent, Focus, Iaijutsu / Awareness: 3d10o10+2 22
D5 Serpent, Strike, Iaijutsu / Reflexes, TN ?: 2d10+2 14

Armor TN: 10 in case I missed

Dao was definitely slower to react than Yotsuo, but he had an instinctive sense to get his ass out of the way of the stick that came rushing at him (Armor TN: 20) as he levelled his own strike at the Crab.

Day 5 Serpent Duel strike Iai/Ref + Center. TN10: 4d10+2 33 Double exceptional success. Using the two raises for damage.
Day 5 Serpent Duel strike Damage. 2 exceptional success FR For damage: 5d10o10l1 1

He definitely didn't want to hurt his opponent, so he pulled his blow at the last second in an effort to leave Yotsuo unscathed.
"Did...we do it right?" He asked Yotsuo in a whisper after it was all said and done.

[Kuni Yotsuo]

The hit was only a small sting so he didn't even react to it. But he felt it and knew that he had missed completely. He would need to practice this more to gain a better understanding. He was slow and didn't know how to watch his opponent. Knowing himself only took him so far.

Bowing to Dao. "Thank you for the match."

He turned to the Kakita, wondering the same thing the Togashi was.

[Kakita Kenji]

"You've done well. Togashi-san was lucky that you didn't hit Kuni-san, otherwise this duel would have been a draw. If you practice, you'll be even better" Kenji said instructively

[Togashi Dao]

Dao offers a bow to his opponent and their judge. "That was fun," he admits with a broad grin once th er formalities were observed.

"I might see if the sensei will let me try it out for realsies. I hear there's an official lesson on it soon."

[Kuni Yotsuo]

"It would make sense for them to train us in it formally if they expect some to attend the Topaz Championship," the Kuni replies with a nod.

[Togashi Dao]

"That's a thing that might actually happen?" Dao exclaimed, his excitement obvious. "I've heard a little about it. Maybe the best of each clan from here will...."

His face pales and he gulps past the lump forming in his throat.

"Kuso," he mumbles much softer than his speaking voice. "I'm the only Dragon here."

[Kuni Yotsuo]

"I mean, I imagine that Agasha-sama would hope that our training here would be enough to prepare us to be among those that would be considered worthy. She is trying to produce ideal training results after all."

[Togashi Dao]

"Exactly. So I imagine she only wants the cream of her crop to be placed under such intense scrutiny, no?" Dao asked, hovering on the precipice between great opportunity and great trepidation.

[Kakita Kenji]

"You will be all right, Togashi-san. Just do your best and your ancestors will guide you.

[Togashi Dao]

Having not yet been informed of the Togashi reincarnation principle, the thought of his ancestors guiding him sent a shock of fear through Dao and his face paled visibly.

"Th...thank you for your confidence Kakita-sama." Dao hurriedly offered a deep bow before scooting over to replace his bokken and take a few deep calming breaths to himself.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Going to try the winner of that one, Kakita-san?"

[Kakita Kenji]

"Togashi-San seems a bit troubled, but i have nothing against it" Kenji said. He waved at Dao. "Togashi-san, you fancy a practice duel?"

[Togashi Dao]

"Ummmmm. I guess so Kakita-sama. Do my best, right?" Dao parrots the advice he was just given as he moves into position, his heart hammering in his chest.

Somehow, the adrenaline gave him clarity in his purpose though...

D5 Kenji duel. Initiative: 4d10o10k3 31

D5. Kenji duel. Assessment: 2d10 13

((Learning reflexes?))

[Kakita Kenji]

The small Dragon moved quite faster than Kenji had thought it, besides he could recognize that he paid attention very well.
An opponent not to be underestimated, Kenji thought to himself.
---
D5 Dog Duel Dao Initative: 4d10o10k3 22
D5 Dog Duel Dao Iaijutsu(Assesment)/Awa TN10: 3d10o10k2 12

Kenji has Reflexes 3
Kenji wants to know your Reflexes