Just Keep Running [Tento | Hana ]

“Good, good”. Tento gave a nod of approval, a hint of pride in his eyes as Hana pointed. She was improving in her foundation much faster than she made it sound she would. By the end of the day she may be close to fixing her insecurities, or at least lessing them. The real test would be how she responded in live combat. Fear and stress were the biggest tests after all. "Excellent, Hana. You’re starting to tune into your surroundings better. It's a crucial skill, especially in a place like this."

As shinigami, their spiritual pressure could be quite cumbersome to others. He walked over to where Hana had pointed, observing the young girl's weak energy from behind the wall drawing in the dirt. "Your instincts are spot on. Nice job on being mindful of your reiatsu. It helps sense others but also can make enemies sense you”.

Returning to Hana, he continued, "Let’s keep practicing. Try to get a fuller image of her. Then move again. Track it. The more you do this, the clearer your senses will become”, Tento said, taking note of the mental shift. She had grown less nervous as they got her feet wet. She was focused and became still like a pond. She remembered that it wasn't just about physical speed, but also about your spiritual awareness when they used shunpo. Ah that was such a pain for him at Shino and yet here she was.

With a gentle smile, he added, "You’re doing great. Keep it up, and soon you’ll be able to sense everything around you with ease. Maybe even pick out a fly from a crowd, eh? Let's move on to the next exercise and see how far you can push those abilities."

Tento's encouragement and calm demeanor hopefully created an environment of growth and learning, reinforcing Hana’s confidence in her own potential. “After you shunpo again. I want you to do second. But cut your steps in half using two to cover the distance you would do in one”.

The request suddenly from Tento was sure to shock Hana. They had only been at it for at most half of the day so far but this was still a large task to take. It was challenging and it was going to push her. That was what he wanted and if she fell along the way they wee going to pick her up and help her do it again. Either the same challenge or a refined task that was better for where she was at.

It was clear she was nervous and shaken by it. The firmness in her voice showed him that alone. Beyond just her shunpo, they needed to work on that voice and basis of confidence. Her voice gave a sign of what the mind believed. And what her mind belived or not limited what her body could do in its capacity and what it could push itself to do. When the second came she started off well, the burst of speed was the same and the start of the steps was nice, cutting down the movement a bit---

And she went tumbling. Tento watched as she went rolling along the ground coming to smack into a large piece of rubble with her head, body, and guts. Now how would she respond to this failure???

When it was all said and done. The first shunpo was done perfectly. Tento watched Hana with a mix of concern and admiration. He knew the exercise was challenging, but he believed in her potential. Tento stood where he was before his arms in the same position as before as he looked at Hana with a firm gaze. Care was still in his eyes and voice as he spoke but he wasn't about to run to her side and coddle her. At least not yet. She sat up, she took that dizziness from the world smacking her down.

And she stood up!

A good cut with blood dripping d9wn her face. Rattled from the blow. Butbhe was up and that made a fine smirk filled with a little bit of pride on his face. “Hana Aoyama. Again!”, he said with a sudden turn of stern vigor and firmness. “Center yourself and try again”, he said in a calm firmness with a mixed of encouragement.

Now it was up to her. If she was in a battle and got hurt facing an enemy what would she do? Would she say she couldn't do it and crumble? Would she limit herself in her options? It would be so much easier if he just advised her to slow her steps try to increase the distance. An error in his part of consideration. Perhaps he would go that path later but for now he was more curious at what this young woman would do.

As long as she wasn't too hurt or tired they could try again and again if needed. This was a mental challenge as much as it was physical. But he was quite ready to move to her side at a moments noticed if he felt it was needed. Seeing her determination, even after the fall, only reinforced his respect for her.

It was her choice to go on. Beyond her head injury, he was sure from looking at her that those were minor injuries. A far less than she had to endure during the invasion. Despite that, although he did not let all of it show on his face, as he watched her try there was a bit of concern inside. Her determination was undeniable and he was the last one to stop someone from breaking past their limits in a way that hurt them. He had done that far too many times in his years of service and she was more contained and safe. He believed in her though.


Her determination was undeniable, but he could see the toll it was taking on her. As she pushed herself to the limit, he knew that Hana may not have anything left in the tank after this. He just had to watch and let her try. And when she succeeded, he roared. “That's it, Hana! Well done!" Tento called out, clapping his hands together in applause. "I knew you could it!". However, she did not stop there. She did another and then another. Pushing herself beyond what he had asked so soon. A he saw her start to waver and then stumble, his concern grew replacing pride. He quickly moved to her side in a flash step, his expression serious but supportive.

Poor girl was hurting up her lunch it seemed. "Hana, you've done an amazing job. Pushing through pain is one thing, but this is too much". need Tento knelt beside her, offering a supportive hand. "You've proven your strength and determination. Now it's time to take care of yourself. Ignoring your injuries won't help you in the long run”. As he spoke, Tento placed his hands over Hana's head and began to channel Kaido. A soft green light enveloped his hands, and he directed the soothing energy toward her injuries starting from her head.

“Let's take a break for a bit”. Through it, hopefully she cooperated giving him time. If not, she was gonna see a different side to him. Gradually he would move to each different spot in terms of need. Slowly, her vision should have began to clear and the pain in her head and body started to ease. Through the healing there was a few things he wanted to say to her.

"You've already shown incredible resilience, Hana. Don't push yourself to the point of breaking," Tento continued, his tone gentle and encouraging. "Rest and recovery are just as important as training. I respect the determination you have gained but. Keep yourself centered as you try to reach where you're going”. When she was ready he would helpHana to her feet, guiding her to a more comfortable spot. "You're strong, Hana. And with a little help, you'll be even stronger before you know it”.

Tento felt a wave of concern as he watched Hana push his hand away and get back to her feet. Her determination was admirable, he respected that will but her stubbornness could be dangerous to herself. But it wasn't like he was one to tell anyone about that.

He stepped back giving a rub back of his head at her words. “Fine fine. Have it your way little lady”, Tento said, allowing her the space she needed, but his gaze remained vigilant. She was determined to keep going, unless he was going to force her to stop he doubted she would yet. No matter, she gave him enough time to handle that concussion a little bit and that mattered right now. She wasn't a baby. With what happened, she was an adult. One that may have been the last of her family.

She was getting it step by step, but the pace she was trying to push at was more than he expected. As she started to practice again, Tento stayed close, ready to step in if things got too intense. She may be doing more than training today, she may be chasing someone. A heavy sigh came from his lips, filled from much more of Hana’s stubbornness.

Tento watched Hana's impressive progress, following close behind with his own hoho. She was relentless in pushing herself, going beyond what She was before. He could only imagine the level of soreness she was gonna have waking up tomorrow and the rest needed. Her determination and resilience to meet this goal was evident to him. But as he finished his flash step ahead of her and watched, during her approach he noticed her growing unsteady steps, the weariness in her eyes. Stepping forward to meet her, Tento placed a gentle firm hand on her shoulder to steady her.

Even now. She was seeking it. Dizzy and about to push herself to pass out. "You did incredibly well, Hana," Tento said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "Your control over your reikaku and reiatsu was remarkable, and you’ve improved your shunpo significantly. I'm proud of you”.

Seeing her struggle to stay upright though Tento's expression softened with concern. "But you also pushed yourself hard. Please remember that there's a difference between pushing your limits, and pushing your body. You're practically barely up right now”.

He gave a sight slowly removing his hand from her should once he felt she was able to stand or she moved to rest. “But you did very well, yes. Good work today. Tento then went to guide her to a nearby bench, gesturing a hand to hint at the fact he wished for her to sit. If she did so he would say, “it's important to recognize your limits and give your body the time it needs to recover". He knelt down beside her, offering a reassuring smile. "You've made great strides today, Hana. Now let's make sure you take care of yourself so you can keep progressing today. Remember, even the strongest warriors need to rest”.