Target Practice Deux (Open)

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

The steel arrow already fed at the mouth of the scorpion, a diminutive man aimed it towards an iron target far away from where he stood. Judging from the numerous broken targets made of different kinds of material, it should be taken note that he had used these targets, but without knowing the true strength of the weapon, all of them broke into pieces when the arrow from the weapon came in contact with them. This was the final target within his reach, and if this one also broke due to the arrow that he would fire, he could not practice again unless he would squander his fortune to buy a large amount of tamahagane to forge a steel target with those. He would hope that he would not resort to that.

He then aimed the scorpion towards the target 150 yards away from him, and then, with a push of a lever, a muffled explosion sounded from within the scorpion, and the arrow swiftly moved its way towards the target, until it lodged on the bulls-eye of the target. Seeing what happened, Ryunosuke jubilantly rejoiced on both his bulls-eye and the fact that the iron target withstood the arrow... or not. Cracks formed on the iron target from where the arrow lodged, until it crumbles with a loud metallic sound.

"Now damn it, how should I continue my target practice," he muttered.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would never ceased to be amazed at the event he came across on his travels across the land in his duty towards the Takeda, as a courier. He had met Takehiro Amakusa, a man who when they had met had been a traveller like he was himself, and now was a Daimyo quickly growing in power and prestige. Katsumi, a women mercenary pretending to be a man, and unknowingly the man that she was in love with Haji, though he had been masked in one meeting, and there second was cut short. There had been Brandt, a giant of a man, with the strangest sword and shield he had ever seen. But one event stuck in his mind. Numa. 

So Shou was shocked when he came across what he was seeing now. One of those who had been part of the group that had helped him through that dreadful place, appeared to be training. With the strangest looking weapon, stranger then his sword or even that of Brandt. A weapon that looked more like a living thing then a weapon. And the small man using it. Shou didn't know much about the man, beyond his name and that he was skilled with ranged weapons, which he had displayed in Numa. 

Broken target littered the ground near him, and he seemed slightly dejected that they hadn't been able to stand up to the weapon that he wielded. "Ichimaru-san was it not?" Shou greeted, making sure that his memory of the man was correct. "I am slightly flabbergasted, so I must ask. What is that strange device of a weapon your using? It is almost as big as a man is." Shou asked, slowly approaching. "And why train with it out in seclusion like this?" Shou added another question. Maybe his curiosity would appear rude, but nevertheless he was intrigued and couldn't stop himself asking. 

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke wiped away his sweat with his left hand as he carried the large weapon with his right hand. The weapon's capabilities were outstanding as he researched it, but he did not expect the strength of the weapon to be like this. Truly, the rumors about that ancient weapon that could behead a soldier from a small distance was indeed true.

When he heard someone addressing him, he turned around to see who that was, and was surprised that it was the person who he had helped to retrieve his liege's treasure: as much as he could remember his name was Yamabara Shou, an officer of the Takeda. Fortunately he had not  caught wind yet of what happened 2 years go in Shinano, and so he could still converse with him.

"Yes, Yamabara-san, it's me, Ichimura Ryunosuke," he said, turning towards Shou. When asked about the weapon, he just replied, "Uh, this?" while holding the weapon with his two hands. "This was one of those I came to know while researching about every weapon within the world we live on. People in the far reaches of the world call this weapon a scorpion, due to what it looks like before. I just made it to something that more resembles the animal." He then loaded a steel arrow into the mouth of the scorpion. "The reason why I trained to use this weapon while outside the towns is that it is meant to be used as a heavy war weapon, and could easily undermine any defense. It is known for its very ferocious firing and accuracy capabilities that it could behead a person from a near distance."

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou listened to Ichimaru awnsers. Filling away the man's first name in his memory so as not to forget it this time. It was a amazing Weapon, Shou had to admit. A piece of impressive craftsmanship. Ichimaru made it sound like he made the weapon himself, something else that he found impressive.

"Well makes me glad there no reason for it to be aimed at me." Shou said laughing, ironically missing possible reason due to not knowing certain facts. He didn't know Ichimaru was with the Amakusa, who were at odd with the Takeda in recent days, nor did he know of Ichimaru's own history when it came to the Takeda. "A powerful weapon in skilled hands, isn't my idea of a good day." He added still some mirth to his voice.

Shou looked off over to the side, towards the targets that the weapon had destoryed. "Though I think you need some more resiliant targets, if you really want to get some practice in with that." Shou added nodding over to targets.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke just laughed and said, "Yeah, it seems that no target could be able to withstand the arrows from this weapon." He then aimed the scorpion at a tree. "Why, you want to suggest yourself to be a target for this one?" He then lowered the scorpion, thinking that there's no spot in the tree that could be used as a target, and it was doubtful that the tree could hold back the arrow from the scorpion.

He then turned again towards Shou, and said, "Then again it is doubtful that a target of steel could withstand this weapon without breaking." He then pointed at the broken iron target. "By practice, steel is often harder than pure iron, but it is more fragile. And so, if an iron target could not withstand the arrow without breaking it is doubtful if a steel target could do it."

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would instinctively gulp to himself, when Ichimaru put forth the idea of him suggesting to be a target for the weapon. That was not a good idea in anyway shape or form in his mind. Though when Ichimaru went into the properties of steel over iron, the idea that he made the weapon himself seemed more likely. The man must have been a craftsman or blacksmith of some kind, on top of being a excellent marksman as well.  "While I may be a fast man, I very much doubt I could consistently dodge. Nor would I want to risk the harm. It would be foolhardy on my part." Shou would explain, dismissing the idea. Before a hand going to his chin in thought.

"However, I may have a idea." Shou would start, closing his eyes and concentrating. "I recently saw something, something I wouldn't mind attempting." Shou would continue without opening his eyes. Slowly beside him, the light nearby would twist. As would the expression on his face as if what was happening was taking quite a bit of effort for him to try as he hadn't done so before. The light would slowly seem to become solid, a figure of white light would be standing beside him. A little trick that he had only seen while training with the Takeda. "Maybe this would be a reasonable target, certainly won't hurt me if you shot it." Shou would say opening his eyes and turning to look at the doppelgänger. It was crude, not as well formed as those he had seen, but it was the first time he had tried to do so and it was taking some mental effort to maintain. 

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OOC: Musou - 1 of 8 posts used.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke watched as Shou meditated. After some time, he felt a strong glare at the corner of his left eye. He turned towards that direction, and he saw a figure of a man glowing beside Shou. It was an awesome sight, but it was also familiar. He had seen the same thing days ago when he defeated the bandits in the marketplace of Totomi. He then realized something about the person in front of him.

"You have also been blessed by Izanagi, right?" Ryunosuke said, a faint smile evident on his lips. "Anyways, you're right in your assumption, a moving target is even better for training with a ranged weapon than a stationary target, as it also boosts awareness of approaching enemies. The doppelganger that you have created is a perfect idea. I thank you for expending your energy to help me do a good training." He then bowed deep, but he was also ready for anything that might start the training.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou found it curious that apparently Ichimaru knew something about the origin of his powers. He himself hadn't decided in his mind who exactly he believe had helped him though the times that had led to him getting his powers. He did however believe the Izanagi was up their along side Amateratsu as most likely contenders. Both had connection to light, Izanagi was more direct though. IT made it the more likely of the two, and Ichimaru words seemed to reinforce that as the most likely. 

Both Shou and the Doppelgänger would make a short nod of a bow in answer to Ichimaru thanks. It was indeed more of a effort then he had originally expected. Mentally he made the doppelgänger move. From the looks of it the Doppelgänger wasn't exactly like him, it moved slower for a start, not by much but Shou could tell. That was a slightly annoying fact in Shou mind but he wouldn't let it stop the idea. "Well shoot it then." Shou would say with a smirk and the Doppelgänger would take off running as fast as it could sideways as he spoke so as not to be a easy mark. He didn't want it to fade before he got to test it. 

It would always face Ichimaru, trying to figure out where his aim would be at all time and when ever it seemed about to pass over him, taking into account the obvious leading of the target. The Doppelgänger pace would change up. IT would slide or jump, or even just turn on the spot and head back the other way. Doing everything not to get hit by the other man's insane weapon.