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As the departure date approached, Shikaku summoned Rai to his study. Rai had always been intrigued by the locked room and wondered what secrets it held. However, Shikaku had never allowed him to enter it. But now, As Rai stood in front of the door, Shikaku cleared his throat and began to speak.
Shikaku put his hand on Rai's shoulder and spoke in a serious yet proud tone. "Rai, you've grown up to be a strong and responsible young man. I trust you to take on more responsibility now that you're older."
Shikaku's face softened as he let out a sigh. "I've come to the realization that I haven't been as present in your life as I should have been," he confessed. "As a shinobi, I've been overly occupied with my responsibilities, and as a father, I've neglected my duty to you. However, with the ongoing war, I want to ensure that you have all the tools and information necessary to protect yourself and our clan."
Rai looked up at his father with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "What do you mean, dad?"
"I mean my study," Shikaku explained. "It contains some of the most valuable knowledge and secrets of our clan. It's been off-limits to you until now, but I think you're ready to access it.
"As the leader of our clan, I have a lot of responsibilities towards our people and the village," Shikaku elaborated. "However, as a father, my responsibility is to ensure that you are ready to face the obstacles that come your way. You possess the ability to become an exceptional shinobi, Rai, and I have complete faith in your abilities.
You have made tremendous progress in your training, and I am confident that with access to the knowledge and resources in my study, you will become an even stronger warrior."
"I promise to do my utmost, dad," Rai responded with conviction. "I'll work hard to live up to our clan's values and make you proud."
Shikaku smiled, a rare expression of warmth and affection that he reserved only for his family. "I know you will, son, but remember, The knowledge and secrets within my study must be used wisely, and only for the good of our clan and village."
With those words, Shikaku opened the door to his study and motioned for Rai to enter.
Upon entering the room, Rai was hit with a wave of musty air, a sign that the room had been locked up for some time. Looking around, he saw an overwhelming number of scrolls and books neatly organized on shelves and tables, filling every inch of the space.
The interior of the study was lined with dark wood, which exuded a cozy and welcoming aura. The central point of the room was a grand desk with piles of old, yellowed scrolls and ancient tomes scattered across its surface. The desk was made of the same dark wood as the walls, and it was clear that it had seen many years of use.
The room was illuminated by a soft, warm light emitted from lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The flickering light created an almost mystical ambience, adding to the feeling that Rai had entered a sacred space filled with arcane knowledge and secrets passed down through the ages.
Rai walked around the room, examining the countless scrolls and books with curiosity, but he quickly realized that most of them were beyond his current comprehension. The texts were written in a complicated script that he couldn't decipher, and some of the scrolls were so ancient that the ink had faded or the paper had started to decay.
"What is this?" Rai asked his father, gesturing to the foreign text.
"These are scrolls and books containing the knowledge and secrets of our clan. Many of them are written in yōso gengo, the written language of our people. To begin comprehending these texts, you must first master hiragana and katakana, which are the fundamental components of yōso gengo.
With a firm grasp of yōso gengo, the next step in your learning journey would be to tackle kanji, a more intricate writing system that encompasses thousands of characters. As the leader of our clan and your successor, it is imperative that you possess fluency in yōso gengo and a fundamental level of proficiency in kanji.
This will not only enable you to delve into the wisdom and enigmas concealed within these scrolls and books but also to communicate proficiently with other shinobi clans and individuals beyond our community. Your mastery of these language skills will serve as a crucial asset in navigating the complexities of the wider world, as well as preserving and advancing the legacy of our clan."
Rai looked at his father with a puzzled expression. "You mentioned that I only need to have a basic level of proficiency in kanji. Why not strive for complete mastery?"
Shikaku took a deep breath and began to explain. "Kanji is an intricate writing system comprising of thousands of characters, each possessing unique meanings and pronunciations. Achieving complete mastery of kanji is a demanding and time-consuming endeavor, requiring years of unwavering commitment and diligent practice.
As my heir, it is important that you have a some foundation in kanji, but it is not necessary for you to have complete mastery. Basic proficiency in kanji would enable you to comprehend and interpret the most significant texts housed in this chamber.
Nevertheless, mastering all of the kanji characters is a formidable undertaking that could take a lifetime of dedicated study, and it's not necessary for fulfilling your duties as the future leader of our clan. As the bulk of our written records are in yōso gengo, proficiency in this language would serve as the most important skill for your role in preserving and passing on our clan's knowledge and secrets to future generations.
It is customary for official documents, including contracts and mission orders for shinobi operations, to be recorded in our native language. Nevertheless, some of the most crucial and confidential documents, such as ancient scrolls and secret techniques, are inscribed in yōso gengo.
These texts contain invaluable insights and knowledge that have been passed down through generations and require a deep understanding of our language and culture to interpret accurately.
Additionally, it's worth noting that access to documents written in kanji is restricted to a select group of individuals. Kanji is a complex and intricate writing system that not only conveys ideas and concepts but also incorporates hidden meanings and symbolism, which can only be deciphered by those who have attained a mastery of the language.
Therefore, access to these documents is restricted to individuals who have undergone extensive training and possess a deep understanding of the language and culture of our people. This is because these documents contain confidential and sensitive information that must be protected from unauthorized access, and only those with the necessary expertise can be trusted with their safekeeping.
It's important to note that access to documents written in kanji is usually limited to the upper echelons of the clan or village hierarchy. Typically, only the highest-ranking officials and leaders are granted access to these documents, and even then, the level of clearance and authority may dictate which documents they are permitted to view.
The decision to grant access is taken with the utmost care and deliberation, as the safeguarding of such knowledge is critical to the stability and security of our community. Therefore, strict protocols and guidelines are in place to control access to these documents and ensure their protection from any potential threats or breaches.
Kanji holds a pivotal position in the practice of fuinjutsu, a sophisticated form of jutsu that employs seals and symbols to restrain, manipulate, or contain objects, people, or even chakra. Fuinjutsu is a potent and potentially perilous technique, and hence, only a select group of skilled shinobi can master it.
To excel in fuinjutsu, a thorough understanding of kanji is essential, as the intricate seals and symbols that are central to the practice are frequently inscribed in kanji characters.
The significance of kanji in fuinjutsu cannot be emphasized enough. A slight error in the creation of a seal could have dire repercussions, such as unleashing a hazardous entity or triggering a catastrophic explosion. To avoid such mishaps, it's imperative that only those who have achieved a mastery of kanji and possess a thorough comprehension of the meanings and subtleties of the characters are entrusted with the creation of seals.
I cannot stress enough the difficulty of mastering kanji. Achieving proficiency in this intricate writing system requires an extraordinary amount of dedication and concentration. Those who undertake this task often have to forgo other pursuits and devote all their efforts and attention to mastering kanji. However, when the application of kanji extends to fuinjutsu, the task becomes even more daunting.
Shinobi who have achieved mastery in both ninjutsu and fuinjutsu are among the most formidable warriors in the world. This rare combination of expertise allows a shinobi to excel in both offensive and defensive tactics.," Shikaku continued. "Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, was renowned for his expertise in both ninjutsu and fuinjutsu, which contributed to his reputation as one of the most powerful and influential figures in shinobi history.
Similarly, Minato Namikaze, a rising star in our village, is known for his exceptional proficiency in both these disciplines. A mastery of ninjutsu and fuinjutsu is an invaluable asset, enabling a shinobi to become a nearly unstoppable force on the battlefield. It's a rare and highly coveted combination that can only be attained by the most talented and dedicated individuals.
In addition to its significance in combat scenarios, fuinjutsu also plays a crucial role in iryo ninjutsu or medical ninjutsu. The ability to use sealing techniques enables medical shinobi to seal away diseases and injuries, thereby preventing their spread or limiting their impact.
Furthermore, by using sealing techniques, medical-nin can preserve the bodies and organs of deceased individuals for research and study purposes. This allows for a deeper understanding of the human body and diseases, which can contribute to the development of new medical treatments and cures."
Shikaku paused for a moment, deep in thought. "Rai," he said finally, ""It's crucial to understand that you shouldn't aim to excel at everything. Rather than spreading yourself thin trying to become a master of all trades, it's wiser to focus on your strengths and work towards achieving exceptional proficiency in them. However, this doesn't imply that you should restrict yourself to a single skill or discipline.
As a shinobi, it's vital to have a well-rounded skillset that encompasses a variety of abilities. Therefore, while it's essential to identify your strengths and strive towards excellence in them, it's equally important to diversify your skillset and expand your capabilities."
Shikaku leaned forward, focusing his attention on Rai, and emphasized his point, "You have already displayed exceptional potential in your physical training and your grasp of chakra manipulation. These are undoubtedly your strengths, and you should persist in refining them to reach their full potential. However, it's imperative that you don't overlook other aspects of your training.
For example, having a strong command of yōso gengo and a fundamental level of proficiency in kanji is imperative for effective communication. As we have previously discussed, fuinjutsu is another vital tool in a shinobi's arsenal that can be utilized in various situations, including iryo ninjutsu."
Shikaku sat back and folded his arms. "My point is, Rai, don't be a one-trick pony. Focus on your strengths, but don't neglect other areas of your training. Be well-rounded and adaptable, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with as a shinobi."
Rai pondered for a moment on his father's words. He knew that he had certain strengths that he could build upon, but at the same time, he didn't want to limit himself to just one area of expertise.
After a moment of thought, Rai spoke up. "Dad, I understand what you're saying, and I agree that I should focus on my strengths. But I don't want to limit myself to just one area. I want to explore other fields as well and see where my talents lie. Maybe there's something out there that I'm even better at than what I'm currently focusing on."
Shikaku nodded, understanding his son's perspective. "It's good to have an open mind and explore different avenues. Just remember to always come back to your strengths and keep improving upon them. That way, you'll become a well-rounded shinobi with a diverse set of skills.
But remember, you're still young and just starting to lay the foundation for your future. Don't worry too much about branching out and exploring other areas just yet. Focus on building a strong foundation in your strengths first."
He continued, "As you grow and develop, you'll naturally find yourself drawn to certain areas and discover new strengths." Shikaku paused for a moment before continuing, "But all of that is in the future. For now, focus on mastering the basics and building a strong foundation. As you grow and gain more experience, you'll naturally find your path."
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A/N: Hiragana + Katakana= yōso gengo
yōso gengo >>>> Kanji >>>> Fuinjutsu