Namikaze Minato - 003

[wind_upon_waves]

Who: Namikaze Minato
Where: Espoir, field
Style: First
Status: VERY OPEN! COME AND BOTHER MINATO!

[Minato had found a spot in a field, and was starting to go through basic taijutsu maneuvers. It felt good to be outside in the crisp, spring air.

And it had been a while since he'd been able to just relax like this, letting his body go through the

Comments

[phantomfenton]

A dark haired boy is on his way past the field, but unlike other spectators Minato's had so far, he has nowhere important to be. When Danny sees what Minato's up to, his first reaction is a double-take, and his second is to stand and watch.

He has practically no idea of what exactly Minato's doing, but he knows that whatever it is, it's extremely impressive. No doubt in his mind that it's also just as effective for whatever Minato uses for, too.

[wind_upon_waves]

Minato chooses that moment to do an impressive combo of moves, ones that have always challenged him a bit; it wouldn't do to get out of practice doing the harder but more damaging taijutsu maneuvers, only to falter in a real battle.

When he finishes, he breathes out slowly and starts a series of slower, more flowing moves to cool down. The he straightens and stretches, turning to the boy who's been staring at him for quite a while.

"Hello, there." The Yondaime smiles. "I haven't seen you around before. I'm Namikaze Minato. Who might you be?"

[phantomfenton]

Cue for an even more impressed Danny, when he sees that new combo. After that, even though the cool down, his eyes are wide and mouth slightly open.

Only when Minato turns to him does Danny realize he's been staring. He closes his mouth with a 'click' and grins a little sheepishly. "Uh, sorry for staring and all... Nice to meet you. I'm Danny--Hey, how did you do all that?" No, he's not fighting the urge to tell him exactly how awesome he thought it was. Not at all. (He probably doesn't have to say anything, considering the admiring look he's givng Minato right now.)

[wind_upon_waves]

Minato's friendly smile turns into a wide grin.

The boy's admiration is very plain to see despite his attempts to hide it, but the blond more than welcomes any person's appreciation for the shinobi arts.

"Nice to meet you, too, Danny-kun. What I was doing is called 'taijutsu.' The hand to hand form of combat of the shinobi arts. I think most of the people here just call it 'martial arts.'"

[phantomfenton]

Danny listens most attentively, pausing a moment while mentally compares Minato's 'martial arts' to the moves he learned from his Mom and through experience. It's... kind of hard not to cringe, so he tries not to think about it.

It's unsurprisingly easy to focus on Minato instead. "That was really cool what you were doing--'tay-jutsu', right? Did it take you long did it take you to learn it? Or is it magic, instead?" Poor Minato. He's got a new fanboy.

[wind_upon_waves]

The Yondaime is quite pleased to have someone show such an interest; he's heard that his student, Kakashi, is thinking of taking up a student of his own...

"'Tai-jutsu,'" he laughingly corrects. "I started learning since I was six years old, and have improved it constantly over the years. It's not magic, though it seems to push the limits of human capabilities, at times."

If he thinks taijustu is magic, wait until he sees ninjutsu, Minato thinks.

He surreptitiously appraises Danny's own physique. "It looks like you're no stranger to fighting either."

[phantomfenton]

Danny deflates a little when he hears how long Minato's been at it (seeing as that means it would take Danny at least that long to learn anything like it, if he can at all.) He's hopeful when he hears it's not magic, though; after all, if it's not magic and Minato's human, shouldn't that make it (mostly) universal?

Danny finds himself torn between squirming uncomfortably and denying any involvement with non-wimpy activities, and blushing with pride at Minato's accurate comment. "I, uh, don't fight much," he finally mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck. "In fact, I don't really fight at all, but I sometimes practice stuff at home..." Moving along! "Is it hard to learn 'taijutsu'?" He asks, taking care to pronounce the word properly this time.

[wind_upon_waves]

Minato notes that Danny isn't that skilled at subterfuge -- at least, not compared to a shinobi -- and he wonders why the boy would hide his abilities (thought that is certainly something a shinobi would do). But Danny's reasons are his own.

The fact that he's obviously interested and respectful (he took the time to correct himself on his pronunciation) puts Danny on the Yondaime's good side.

"Well, it's certainly no easy feat. Occasional practice at home won't be enough if you want to become proficient at it." He looks at Danny, his gaze assessing.

"But, with dedication and frequent practice - a true desire to learn - it won't be impossible," he amends, because he senses an earnestness in the dark-haired boy. And Minato wouldn't be adverse to having a student, as long as he swore an oath not to use his skills for harm and to help his comrades.

[phantomfenton]

It probably doesn't help Danny that he's conflicted over hiding what skills he has in the first place. Oh well.

Danny imagines for a moment how quickly fighting back Skulker would go with skills like Minato's. It probably wouldn't even be very fair to Skulker, but then, it's not exactly fair of Skulker to hunt the kid like he's some rare kind of animal game. After that he also remembers how few people have ever dissapeared from Somarium, returning to their homeworld instead of staying forever. As far as Danny knows, he could be here a while. "Hey, uh... Do you think I could, uh... learn?" He knows it'll be hard, but he thinks he can handle it!

[wind_upon_waves]

"Martial arts is something almost anyone can learn. I'm sure you'd do well," Minato answers. But the shinobi arts

[phantomfenton]

Danny's hopeful look fades, but he clearly understands what Minato is trying to get at. The whole 'willing to kill and be kill' seems to have sobered him up more than anything, as though the ideas of doing so are something he's managed to avoid up until now.

"Okay..." He goes for a grin, trying not to let his dissapointment show. "I guess that makes sense. And you're right, I'm not really... looking for ways to kill." He's never needed to, and hopes to continue never needing to: his only serious opponents have almost always been dead already.

In spite of the fact that he logically knows exactly why Minato can't teach him the arts, he still can't help but wonder if he could find some other way to learn them. After all, all martial arts are technically designed for injury/killing. Maybe he could keep watching and try a few things out on his own, or maybe he could find someone willing to show him a few moves--just a few! Hmmm...

[wind_upon_waves]

Minato stifles a sigh.

He can already see the scheming look in the boy's eyes. Well, he has tried to let him down easy, but it seems that will not be enough.

The Yondaime will just have to be extra careful not to do any particularly dangerous moves in front of Danny. In fact, the blond will probably either stick solely to taijutsu - the lesser kinds - or run away altogether.

Like student like teacher, eh, Kakashi? He thinks, because it seems Minato is also going to be playing cat and mouse across Somarium if Danny is as stubborn as he seems.

[phantomfenton]

Poor Minato.

After all, Danny may be awful at lying, but he has several advantages to sneaking that some others might not; for example, he can turn intangible, and become invisible. (True, it might not keep his presence completely covered, but at least it's a start.)

This will certainly be interesting.

"So..." Danny starts to say, meanwhile. After all, just because Minatos not going to teach him doesn't mean they should stop talking, right? "Are there lots of other shinobi?" Hopefully he got the name right this time.

[wind_upon_waves]

Something tells Minato there's a challenge coming his way. He shakes the eerie feeling off and lets his shoulders relax at the change of topic. Unfortunately, disclosing information on his shinobi is something Minato will also have to censor

[phantomfenton]

Danny listens attentively, trying to keep his expression steady. He's picking up on the fact that most of what's being said is vague, and probably loaded with phrases that would tell him a lot more if he knew the whole story, and is understandably annoyed over it. The news about the shop is helpful, though; if he can watch different shinobi, and see their styles... Assuming that he keeps his interest for that long, then Danny might be a very, very busy teenager.

Danny nods solemnly, studying the hitai-ate. "Okay." He's already deciding to keep an eye out for them and decide for himself, unfortunately. After all, this is the kid who goes out fighting ghost crimes every night: potential foolishness is practically a given.

"I'm guessing that since they're traitors, they wouldn't like the idea of meeting anyone from their village, or anyone on friendly terms with them," Danny states. Okay, maybe not entirely as foolish as he seems. Just rebellious.

[wind_upon_waves]

- and in one ear and out the other. The Yondaime resists the urge to smack his face in exasperation. What is it about teens that makes them to be so willful? But it's not like Minato can force Danny to comply, and he most certainly does not have the time to shadow him everywhere to keep him safe. The most he can do, then, is to impress upon him the direness of the situation.

"The 'missing-nin' that are known were members of an organization that had the power to bring the world to its knees. Fortunately, the means of accomplishing that here are gone, but they're still extremely dangerous. You need to understand Danny-kun, to you, the extent to which Shinobi are capable of fighting might as well be magic. I have, at one point, torn apart two halves of a soul and sealed it away. I have even summoned a god of death. Do you think you can defend yourself against that?"

We play by entirely different rules.If this doesn't work, well, there's not much he can say to deter Danny. There might be the slightest chance that if the boy doesn't