Fitness II

[Oda Nobunaga]

It seems you were able to make it through the first round of ridiculous trials! You will be given more, to see just how far your body could take you!

Objective: In minimal attire, you must deliver four large jugs of water to a home atop a mountain. The jugs of water would rest on a stick of bamboo you must hold atop your shoulders for the entire trial. First, you must travel through a river, upstream. The river stretches four miles before your next path. From there, you will continue up a mountain path barefoot, and set each of the jugs of water down at the top. Once at the very top and the jugs have been set down, you must proceed to the top of a large wooden beam (18 feet in height) and retrieve a medallion, as a symbol that you passed your trial.

Rewards: Up to +3 Str. Proficiency: Fitness - C

Prerequisites: You must have completed Fitness Training and have 15 base Str.

Location: Any river/mountain range in the country.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro recently took a job with a Daimyo, but that Daimyo specifically requested any men under his employ prove they were at peak physical condition. The little trial he set up for the mercenaries to prove their worth, well... it was just ridiculous, even more than the stuff he previously had to do. Running barefoot in the rain and mud and shit. This was just insane. Sighing, Takehiro hoisted the rod holding the jugs atop his shoulders. They were heavy as fuck, but he had dealt with worse in the past. And he would be terrified with the thought of trudging upstream through a river with weight like this on his shoulders, if he felt the weight was too much. So he just shoved both of those thoughts out of his head and proceeded to the river.

Dipping a toe into the waters, the mercenary found it was actually a rather bearable temperature, and the current wasn't too strong. Steeling himself for what he knew was going to be a difficult endeavor, he stepped into the river and began to walk upstream. "Let's get down to business... to collect... the funds!" A few men would walk in after him, each carrying water with them as well, and they all seemed to speak - or rather, sing - that line in unison. It kind of freaked Takehiro out a little.

It didn't take long for any of the men to feel worn down. The waters were thigh-high, and the current seemed to feel stronger with each step they took. Not even a mile down the river, and it was though the weight on their shoulders doubled. Some of the men felt like giving up already, but Takehiro urged them all to push on. They needed to earn this pay, and damn it, they would prove they were worthy! "Come on, men! Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons?!" The Daimyo shouted from the land, as if to urge them on. They seemed to trudge on with his biting words, pushing further. The man grinned and continued onward, leading them through the river.

Halfway down the river, one of the men collapsed, shattering his jars of water. It was clear he couldn't keep up, but Takehiro and the others kept pushing, even though it felt like their legs were about to give out. "You're the saddest bunch I've ever met! But you can bet, before we're through, Misters, I'll make a man out of you!" At this point, the speech was tiresome, and Takehiro just wanted it to be over with. He felt like collapsing, his legs ached, his shoulders were on fire, and his elbows seemed to be going numb, but somehow, he just kept pushing.

The final stretch of the river was here, and the mountain path was in sight. By this point, it was only Takehiro and three other men. And the Daimyo did not cease in his speeches. "Tranquil as a forest, but a fire within! Once you find your center, you're sure to win!" It seemed like poems at this point, and the motivation now was to get out and complete everything just so he could choke the bastard.

Once out of the river, Takehiro felt relieved! His every muscle was on fire, but it felt like it was all so close now. Two hours were spent in that damn river, and it felt like two days. "You must be swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon! With all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon!" Takehiro didn't know what that meant, but Takehiro nodded to the man and raced up the mountain path. It seemed to stretch on for miles and miles, and each second that passed felt like an hour, but he knew he could overcome it. His breath was heavy, but he managed to keep it controlled.

Finally, at the top of the mountain path, Takehiro and two other men managed to set their jugs down, but they were all beat. Two of the fell to their faces from exhaustion, and they had one more trial in front of them. Takehiro himself rested next to his jugs, but it seemed the Daimyo who was going to hire them was not pleased. "You're not suited for the rage of war. So, pack up. Go home. You're through. How could I make a man out of you?!" Determined to show his resolve, Takehiro stood to his feet and approached the large wooden beam, untying his kimono. He had to make it to the top, and with how exhausted he was, it would be difficult to do this without some sort of leverage. So, he would find that in his belt.

The mercenary leaped toward the beam, wrapping his kimono's tie around it to hold himself. He would extend his arms and squeeze the beam just long enough to bring up his legs. He would essentially crawl up the beam in its entirety. Getting to the top was very strenuous, but he managed, and snatched up the medal. The mercenary roared a cheer, seating himself atop the beam and showing the medal to the heavens, as if to proclaim his success. The Daimyo who would hire Takehiro smiled. He seemed to have a very capable man under his employ.

"Somehow, I've made a man out of you."

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Amakusa Takehiro: +3 Str.

You receive: Proficiency: Fitness - C and a nomination for Japan Idol.

[Kuroshi Maki]

(Trying to join Date, so i will do this under there banner sort of say)

It seems there was another test of strength in this fraction as well. I could always train more and build up my strength in ways I would train my whole body. But this time it wasn't as simple as just running and doing push ups. No its worse, we have to carry up 4 jugs of water on a stick that we would balance on the shoulders, we have to get them up on a mountain. Would we be finished after that? No, we still have to walk high on a beam and grab a medallion before we could call it a success. The odds were high and I would not back down from it as I would never in my life back down from anything.

I walked up to the man in charge and he pointed me to the bamboo stick and the 4 jugs, Lucky for me I didn't had to place the jugs on myself as there were soldiers that would do It for me. I listen to the instructions before walking up to the jugs. I would place the bamboo stick on my shoulders. I myself was able to tell them were to place the jugs so I can balance it better. I would place two close to my shoulders as my hands would be in the center of both sides, the last to jugs would be place near the end parts of the stick. I was ready and I can tell you feeling the stick on your shoulders with those 4 jugs on there didn't feel good at all. I was pointed to the start and if things could have gotten worse they did now. I had to walk in a upstream river for 4 miles. I had to show my strength and will power and never giving up attitude with it.

I placed my feet into the water and took off, I didn't run or anything because I needed the balance but the water was crashing against my legs making it harder to make every step up the river. The beginning wasn't that bad but the more steps I would make the more I could feel the pressure on my legs. It didn't take that long for the first pain to sink in. But this was the point were warriors would keep going and a common man would stop. I would just bare with the pain and make one more step after another. being half way didn't really ease the pain but it made it more do able as I knew I was making progress. In the face of dead you could never give up either and I would just use my hate to keep myself up. I just kept thinking to myself that those men were on top and I just had to get there. stopping wasn't a option anymore. The river was getting stronger and the pain would get bigger as I saw the path coming closer. I would feel the pain take over my legs as they started shake abit. I was better then this I would not let this stop me, I made it to the end of the river and stepped upon the lands but the real challenge wasn't even done.

I had to climb the mountain now, this path was going up and it would put more pressure on the legs then the river probably would. Keeping balance now was the key factor. I made my way up and once again wasn't able to pick up any passe as I would have to make sure those jugs didn't fall off, I could hear them slide sometimes but was able to keep them up. Step by step I came closer to my goal but the pain was getting the best of me at this point. Every step I made just made me release a small yell of pain before clenching my teeth together. I then made a step and felt the knee bend as I almost fell, I was barely keeping the bamboo steady for the jugs to stay up. I could not get my knee straight and felt like failing at this point. I knew I was being watched to see if I was able to finish and not cheat my way up there. I had to force myself and before I knew it, because of the pain I would see flashes of my mother, she was dead but I could see her cheering me on and telling me I can do everything I want. I had to finish for her and grow stronger for her. With all the strength I had left I raised up and just kept going and going until i reached the top and had to place the jugs down. I raised the bamboo above my head with all the strength I could muster and raised it over my head and slowly placing it down in front of me.

There was just one more thing to do but my body was tired, in pain. I had to climb up 18 feet to grab that medallion that was above that wooden beam. I just took a big breath before walking up to the beam. Reaching the top would be another success in my life, one thing that I had fallen short of as for late. With a loud roar I jumped up against the beam and grabbed on with my arms and legs. I was about to climb up and used all the strength I had in my arms to go up bit by bit and holding myself in place with my legs. half way there but I felt like I was slipping and was falling. I could just in time grab hold of the beam again but by doing so I burned the inside of my arms. It felt really painful but I wasn't about to stop here and kept going up and up until I was able to grab the medallion. I would try to climb back down but soon felt no strength left and around half way I would slip until the burning was to painful I would just let go falling down. Crashing against the ground knocked the air out of me but I made it that was all that counted. The body will heal sooner or later. I just wanted to prove the Date they would have a great fighter in me...

[Oda Nobunaga]

Kuroshi Maki: +3 Str

Proficieny: Fitness: - C

[Shinomori Katsumi]

"Can, uh... I at least keep on my kimono and hakama?" asked Katsumi uncomfortably. She was expected to deliver four jugs of water from the river to the Ito family, who consequently lived atop of the nearest mountain, and for some reason this guy was insistent she barely wear anything. Sure it was a trial and it was more than just the delivery, but... the demand was odd, to say the least. And there were obvious reasons why the archer needed to cover up a few things. She certainly couldn't go without her kimono, as that would reveal a few things she didn't want revealing. Shifting a bit under his stare, Katsumi muttered, "I'm, uh... allergic to the sun. I have to keep most of my body covered, or else I'll get really, really sick."

The man sighed and seemed to wave her off, telling her to forgot about it and to just be sure to bring him back the money. As long as she got to keep her shit on, the woman could've cared less and nodded, admittedly in joyous relief. He seemed wary about her strength, considering her small frame and size, but with enough convincing he had hired Kat for the job. With help, he put the two bamboo sticks holding the water onto her shoulders and the archer took a few minutes to get adjusted to the weight. It was quite heavy and a bit of a struggle for her, but she could handle it.

Moving onward, Katsumi went about a mile before reaching the river. Because the ground was rough, she was going to need to wade through the river... upstream. And she heard it was four fucking miles. Grimacing at the thought, Katsumi went into the water and began the first leg of the journey. After a mile of this, she began to feel it and slowed, taking several short breaks during the remaining miles. In a particularly strong area where the current threatened to wash the archer away and her muscles screamed at her from the strain, Katsumi waded over to a rock and took a thirty minute break. Sweat beaded down her face and body, and so she washed herself off, panting heavily. It was a relief to have the jugs off of her body, having that weight off of her small shoulders. This was about three miles in.

After taking a much needed rest and feeling somewhat refreshed, she went back in the water and finished the remaining mile. She had started in the early morning and, after glancing up at the sky, she saw that it was now early afternoon. So a few hours had passed. That was good. Despite her small frame, Katsumi was making much better time than she thought.

Upon reaching the path, see saw that it led up and bit down on her bottom lip. There were miles yet to cover, and all uphill. And she was sure that once she hit a certain point, there would be rocky terrain. Finding this a good point to take another break, Katsumi consumed an apple and some dried meat, wanting to make sure she had something in her belly to keep up her strength.

With a huff, the bamboo sticks went back on her shoulders and Katsumi began her trek. Besides the weight and her thighs burning, it wasn't too bad until the road became steeper and there was a lot of rock. Wincing from her bare feet walking over the rocks and occasionally being cut, the woman slowed down drastically and carefully move forward.

Again, sweat beaded down the length of her body, kimono and hakama growing damp. Fuck, it was hot, and Katsumi wiped off her forehead with her arm. The sun beat down on her and her muscles screamed at Kat, and every hour or so, the woman would sit on the ground and take a break. At this point, everything was burning and sore, and Katsumi kept contemplating why the fuck she even agreed to this trial shit as she grumbled while going forward.

"I so need a fucking drink after this," hissed the woman as she shifted the bamboo poles on her shoulder and stepped over a larger rock. Nodding in agreement with herself, she added, "Multiple."

And to have a good time with Haji. But... she was so tired that perhaps that could wait a day... or five. At least with a certain kind of fun, the thought causing her to blush a bit.

Entire body strained and practically begging to die, because it certainly felt like that, Katsumi kept on, and it was late afternoon when she began to feel the affects of the high altitude. She had to be close now. Kat was going to fucking scream if she wasn't.

Finally the archer saw the house overhead and quickened her pace in excitement. Placing the jugs down in front of the house and taking their money, the woman sat down and graciously took their offer of water. There was still more to do before she could stay the night in their home and sleep off some of the soreness, and so Katsumi only rested for about forty minutes, nibbling on a small bowl of rice they offered her.

After finishing the food and bowing to show her appreciation, Katsumi moved into the wooded area and reached the clearing, the husband pointing her in the right direction. Seemed like the family and this other guy were in on... whatever this shit was. Eventually reaching it, Katsumi looked up and grimaced again. The beam looked close to being twenty feet tall and she had to grab the medallion... all of the way at the top.

Releasing a heavy sigh, the petite woman removed the cloth belt around her hakama and stepped forward. Partially wrapping the cloth around the back, Katsumi jumped up and began to climb the pole. Her legs wrapped around it, thighs gripping tightly so that she wouldn't slid down onto her ass and fall. Slowly, the woman would work her way up, inch-by-inch it seemed. Kat's arms and thighs ached from the strain, body trembling, and she had to take short breaks every foot or so.

The woman was panting, sweat beading down her forward as she would look up at her goal. She was getting close as the sun sunk low in the sky. Gritting her teeth, Katsumi kept going, basically crawling to the top, before extending one of her arms and snatching off the medallion.

FINALLY!

Sighing in relief, Katsumi glanced down and gulped. That was a long way down and she immediately stared ahead, inhaling deeply as she slipped the medallion into the inside of her kimono. It was all over. She just needed to get down. Closing her eyes, the archer slowly made her way down, sort of hopping, feet hitting the wood. By the time she made the end, Katsumi fell and landed on her back, both irritated from the slip and grateful that her back was on the ground. Oh, the sweet, ol'd ground!

It was dark by the time that Katsumi got onto her two feet and headed towards the house. She was certainly going to take their offer, and was hoping they had some sake they were willing to share before she crashed on the mat in their spare room.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Shinomori Katsumi: +3 Str.

You receive: Proficiency: Fitness - C and award for longest SPQ ever.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Weeks after Yukimura had completed Lord-Takeda-sama's request that his men take part in a mandatory exercise training, he had set up another trial, this time for his men to prove they were at the peak of physical conditioning, and this one was, to say the least, even more ridiculous than the exercise training. In fact, this one made the previous one look like a cakewalk. Clad in nothing but a hakama and a belt, Yukimura stood in front of the four jugs of water he had to deliver to a home atop a mountain, by resting them on a rod of bamboo he would hold atop his shoulders for the entire trial. Needless to say, while many of the men started to complain about the task, Yukimura quietly resigned himself to the task, and would hoist the jugs up, laying the rod across his shoulders, though he nearly fell over in the process. The jugs were heavy as all get out, but after a few minutes of carrying the jugs, he grew somewhat adjusted to the weight, though he was sure even a light breeze would knock him over.

Proceeding to the river at a quick but steady pace, to avoid tiring himself out almost immediately, he would cautiously dip on foot into the river, to literally test the waters out. Thankfully the temperature wasn't bone-chilling, and the current wasn't as fast as he thought it would be, and he would proceed to wade into the river and make his way upstream, though this would be no easy task by any means. Remaining focused on the task at hand, leading the men through the river, about a quarter up the river, the weight of the jugs was already starting to settle in, and each step taken felt like a mile. The height of the river and the current wasn't helping either, as it started out at his knees, and had steadily risen to his his thighs, and it felt like he was fighting against Ryujin, the God of the Sea himself with this current. Behind him, he could hear the ragged breaths of the men, but he couldn't give up... no, he wouldn't give up. He would encourage the men as best as he could, and not giving up in the face of exhaustion was one of the best ways he knew how.

"Come on men, we can do this! We've faced worse before, if we fail at this, how can we hold our heads up high and call ourselves men of Lord Takeda Shingen's army!?"

Hearing Yukimura's encouraging words, slowly the men's spirits would be lifted, and with renewed vigor, they would trudge on through the water, following after the young General. It was not easy by any means, and the remaining three quarters of the river were absolutely exhausting, but with each step taken, the mountain path drew closer and closer in sight. By the time he reached the final stretch of the river, his shoulders were on fire, his legs ached, and he just wanted to curl up into a ball and die, but he also knew the men were just as tired as he was. Once out of the river, Yukimura felt much better, and even though his hakama was soaked to the brim and his muscles were screaming at him in agony, he legitimately felt the end was almost in sight. Even though only three hours were taken up getting through the river, to Yukimura, it felt like he had been in it for a week.

Now faced with the mountain path, even though he didn't have to run up it if he didn't want to, he rather get it over with than prolong the agony. With his muscles protesting in agony, Yukimura would begin the ardous climb up the mountain steps, and he was right, it was just as exhausting as getting through the river, but he would soldier on. The men falling further and further behind him, he was just as ready to drop as they were, but the thought of failing in Lord Takeda-sama's eyes was enough for Yukimura to fight through the pain and continue climbing. About an hour later, Yukimura finally reached the top of the path, and would rest his hands on top of his thighs while panting next the water jugs he placed down, to catch his breath. His muscles were about ready to murder him at this point, and all around him, the men laid on the ground or slumped up against the water jugs, all of them at the point of passing out. Yet still, one more trial laid before them, and if he could get past this, he would be able to take the rest he felt he earned.

Straightening up and approaching the beam, he would untie his cloth belt and wrap one end around his left hand, before leaping towards the beam and literally hug it, grabbing hold of the other end of his belt and wrapping it around his right hand. With his legs wrapped around the beam, he would slowly inch his way up the beam, a look of determination in his eyes. Once or twice he ended up slipping down the beam, but managed to catch himself, and would snake his way back up the beam. As he neared the top, with an almighty roar, he would lunge towards the medallion... and grasp it in his hand. With a happy roar, he would perch himself up top the beam, holding the medallion up in the air, as down below, the men felt invigorated. If Yukimura, who was tired as all get out, could complete it, they could too.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Sanada Yukimura: +3 Str.

You receive: Proficiency: Fitness - C.

ROOOOAAAAR!!

[Zhuo Jina]

Jina wasn't all that excited when she heard about the task ahead of her. Once again, she had to prove herself to some man that she wasn't a shrimp with no abilities. The guy, to prove her worth as an employee, set up a trail for her. He told her that she had four jugs of water that had to be carried on a bamboo beam ontop of her shoulders. She was to wade through four miles of river until she reached the mountain. Still carrying the jugs, she needed to reach the top and then somehow retrieve a medallion that rested at the highest point.

What. That was the only thought Jina had at first. Then, This is ridiculous. She sighed and asked the man when she should begin. His response? "Now"

"Ugh." And with that, Jina removed her armor, all except for her shirt, pants and her good luck charm. She knew that trying to walk through the river with extra clothing would just make her job more difficult. She removed her shoes, knowing that they could get stuck in the mud at any time and she would have no way to "unstick" them.

The bamboo stick was placed centered across her shoulders with the jugs of water balancing ontop. "Go, I'll see you before sundown." Jina sighed again and began her journey.

The river was flowing against her legs as she dipped them into the water. Luckily, the water wasn't moving extremely fast, but it was just fast enough to put pressure against each step she took. Again, she sighed. After about twenty minutes, her legs were feeling a burning sensation. She strained against the river but she wasn't ready to face being a failure.

About another twenty minutes passed and she had almost gone two miles. It was then that she considered resting, but knew it would just be harder to get back in the water. Plus, the guy told her that she had to carry the jugs the whole time. Would he really even know?

Jina shook the thought from her head and continued on. Another hour and a half passed before she reached the mountain. Her hair was drenched from the splashing of the water. Her shoulders were almost numb from the weight of the slim stick and her quads felt like they were on fire. Other than that, she was cold. She didn't dare shiver, knowing that any wrong movement could knock the jugs off.

She climbed a muddy bank carefully, not wanting to slip. Jina looked up, the mountain path stretching around the rocks ahead of her.

"Uhhhhgggg..." Instead of stopping, she just continued the journey. The sun was just two hours from setting, so the man seemed to know the distance ahead of her was reasonable. So up she climbed, no shoes with stones stabbing at her soles. 

She winced in the face a couple times, small cuts being made on her uncalloused feet. Soon enough, though, she reached a small home. Jina was sure that was where the water was supposed to go so she walked up to the door and kicked it. She didn't really have a free hand, plus her arms were totally numb. She was hoping that someone was home to help her with the jugs.

After a couple minutes, no on answered. She walked around to the other side of the home and noticed a table that was thin. It looked as if it was meant to hold these jugs, as rings were marked into the wood. She looked around again. Nobody was going to help her. She knew that if she tried to move the jugs all at once, they would fall. 

Somehow, she managed to scoot one of the jugs onto the table while balancing the weight using her arm strength. Trying to put enough pressure on one side strained her arm a lot and pain started shooting up to her shoulder. She quickly turned and managed to get one off of the other side. Two jugs remained, but that was easy. She finished her task with the jugs and pushed them onto the spots with the rings.

Satisfied, she looked up the path and could see a large beam a few hundred feet away. Her feet pounded the ground as she ran to the beam, not even feeling the rocks under her feet. She was ready to be done with this task, and felt light as a feather without those jugs on her shoulders. As she approached, she could see the medallion hanging off a small hook at the top.

"Greattttt." She muttered, she really wasn't happy about this. Jina didn't have any of her weapons or even a sheath to support her weight enough to climb the pole. She found a branch laying a little farther up the path and grabbed it. It was thick enough that she couldn't break it with her knee, but she was hoping she was light enough that she could use it as leverage up the pole.

Jina placed the branch on the opposite side of the pole, leaning away from it as she held it. She reached it up as high as she could and began her decent. The friction of the branch with the pole along with the pulling of her arms was able to hold her weight. After a little over half way up though, the branch began to crack!

Just as it broke, she released it and wrapped her arms around the pole. At this point, she was just a couple of feet out of reach of the medallion. If she could use her feet as leverage, she could try and pull with her arms. It took enormous strength but she was able to make slow progress up the pole. She had to hurry though or her arms would give on her. 

Just as the medallion came into reach, Jina grasped it, pulled it into her body. She slid down a bit, causing her feet to bleed from the cuts earlier and soon enough, her arms did give out. She fell about ten feet but was light enough (and knew how to fall) and was able to stand without injury.

"Finally" She began walking and made it back to the river in no time. Her feet hurt but she could barely tell, she was sore all over her body. Once she got in the water, she could basically walk twice her normal speed as the water carried her down river. The water felt good on her aching muscles and she arrived back to where the man had left her. He was snoring against a tree when she reached the spot.

She quietly got out of the river and tossed the medallion against his chest. She flipped her hair out of her face as his eyes opened in shock. "Do you believe i'm strong now?"

[Oda Nobunaga]

Zhuo Jina: +3 Str

Proficiency: Fitness - C

[Miyamoto Kenji]

"We have had yet to properly meet, Miyamoto-san," stated the governor sitting before him

Kenji simply nodded in response. He had been summoned by way of another courier to meet the still-new governor one-on-one, having yet to actually discuss the details of his continued contract, and because the two had seen eachother already when he'd been given the mountain test.

Exhaling softly, the governor continued. "My name is Rusu Yukikaze, general under Mogami-dono. I am member to a branch family of the Rusu clan; the main branch governs Taga. Now, or rather recently, I have assumed control in town." He paused for a few moments, appearing to analyze Kenji as he patiently listened. "You were one of the men who performed most admirably in the camp I arranged. You also partook in Mogami-dono's exercise in stealth, did you not?"

Once more, he nodded. "Yes."

"Though I grant that your performance was respectable, you were under no obligation to accept. What prompted you to do this, as well as running the path up the mountain?"

"Simple, really. I want to become better than I am now, and it works for me to take up opportunities for training whenever they arise," Kenji declared.

Yukikaze stroked his chin, exhaling again. "I see... I commend your drive for self-betterment. You seem the type who should be on musha-shugyo than stationing yourself here."

Chuckling, Kenji clarified, "I am shugyosha, Rusu-sama. Though I don't currently move about the land, I did once, and will likely do so again if I don't end up pulled into a daimyo's service. For the time being, I'm maintaining my career as a mercenary, and since my clan is situated in Dewa now, I've ended up on persistent contract for this eastern end of the Mogami clan. Specifically, I was under contract by your predecessor."

"So you were, which brings me to my next point..." He gestured to a scroll sitting on his desk, between himself and Kenji. "I have gone over your contract and see no issue with any detail within. That said, would you care to remain as our man, or would you prefer to offer your services elsewhere?"

Kenji declined, bowing his head. "For now, I intend to maintain my work here. Use me as you see fit." He paused to lift his head again, grinning. "And if you have any more opportunities for me to improve upon myself, feel free to throw them my way."

The governor returned his grin, knitting his fingers together. "Indeed. As it happens, I've something that you may find rewarding, for it is both a job, and an exercise..."

--------------------------

As Kenji trudged through the coursing river, he reflected on the task given to him. He was to take a bamboo pole of four large water jugs onto his shoulders and march through a river, moving upstream toward a mountain path, from which he was to ascend to the top - mercifully, this mountain was not under a perpetual winter nor as tall - in order to put the jugs down, one by one, upon arrival at a small home. The last part was to further ascend, this time up a tall wood beam and acquire a medallion, at which point he was done. The medallion was both proof that he had done his job and, according to Yukikaze, was the keepsake of a friend whom had ran this same test of his own volition.

Wearing but his hakama and nothing else, Kenji waded up through the water. It ranged roughly between his hips and his knees in depth, minimizing his mobility, something that proved a hindrance. Pondering as he went, he conceived of a possible idea to expedite his progress, even if only by a little bit. Kenji tipped and bent his upper body forward some, and shifted the gourds to hang in front of his arms and shoulders, not above his arms. This gave him forward momentum supported by the weight of the drinking water, hastening his pace through the otherwise hard-to-manuever-through river.

After a successful upward walk, Kenji made it out of the river and to the base of the mountain path. Without giving himself time to rest, he shifted the jugs back to their previous position and commenced his ascent. He moved at a brisk pace, occasionally looking around both to monitor his surroundings, and eagerly drink them in. Compared to the frigid peak Kenji had climbed previously, this was an exceptionally pleasant trip, and while he enjoyed how much the prior mountain tested him, this one was to be admired, not challenged. Halfway up the path, he decided to expend a bit more energy and jog instead of briskly advancing. The weights on his shoulders bounced harder with his movement, but it didn't faze him enough to hinder the climb.

Kenji reached the top after five hours, slowing from his jog to a walking pace once more. The house lay just ahead, and he made to approach it, catching his breath while he had the opportunity. Individually, he untied the jugs from the pole as it remained on his shoulders, and put each down in a neat line. At the end of it, Kenji was left with the bamboo, and as he looked to the wooden beam a few yards to the hut's left, he already knew how to surmount this particular challenge... Or at least, how he should attempt to.

First, Kenji walked to a spot close to the beam, and sat on his knees, laying the pole down. Diligently, he proceeded to dig in the dirt, creating a deep hole, then spread the dug-up dirt away from the hole. Next, he stood up, picking the pole up and walked over to the path, turned around, and took several long moments to analyze the distance, the wind, and the flexibility of his bamboo implement. At last, he was ready.

The mercenary took off at a dead charge toward the wooden beam, pole held before him, but both hands fixed toward one end and pointing the other ahead. As Kenji neared the hole, he tipped and thrusted the tip of the pole down, driving it down. He leapt up, vaulting with the bamboo's assistance and flying up the wooden beam's length. His athletic effort paid off well, his leap peaking at about seventeen feet before he began to fall, but he grabbed onto the beam before that could happen and wrapped himself tight about it. Though he slid for the briefest moment, losing a couple inches and receiving a splinter in his chest, he was otherwise fine. Glancing up, Kenji saw that his prize was within reach. All he had to do was pull himself up another foot, grab it, and go back down.

In a short timeframe, that's exactly what he did. Pricking the splinter out after his climb down to the ground, he chuckled about the whole thing.

That was certainly a rewarding workout.

[Oda Nobunaga]

Miyamoto Kenji: +3 Str

Proficiency: Fitness - C