Awakening Of The HollowShadow

Chapter 11

After hearing Emekah's relayed words to the question of the chief's deputy. The atmosphere of the hall was intense, as all scouts on seat was anxious to hear his reply, while most were expecting his answer to be yes, due to their belief in Tobi's credibility, and others, had mixed feelings not sure of what to expect.

While the vice-captain was disturbed by how things was playing out, as a bit of tension was stirring up inside him, giving him fright as to what the reply of the chief's deputy might be, due to his personal feelings toward Tobi.

"I can't say for sure, but what are your thoughts on the matter, sir?" the deputy chief said, asking for the chief's thoughts on the matter, believing Emekah's answer could probably aid him.

"I see… so you also had the same thought as I… I guess, it's safe to say the topic might have picked your interest then" the chief thought, amused by his aid.

"If what you say is true, then it's a possibility… But can you elaborate on what you meant by cutting through the air?" the chief asked, hoping for a better understanding of the uttered words, as regards to Tobi's action.

Emekah mumbled not sure of how to explain, what he saw, since from his perspective all he saw was Tobi swinging his sword against the smoke in the room, and somehow was able to cut through it. He couldn't give anything but a vague definition of the scene.

And his partner wasn't much of a help, as he seemed to remain silent, bowing his head as he fell deeper into the haze of his own thoughts, wondering if to ask about his thoughts, or not. While the others were unaware of his troubles.

"I believe what his trying to say is that, the pet cut through the flow of the energy… It's an annoying technique you know who, use to neutralize energy by destroying the core of the energy chain flow…"

"If memories serve, I believe that was what aid him in repelling all the demons raid of the village close to the mid region… Am guessing he must have taught his pet the same" the vice-captain explained in a bit of annoyance, subconsciously refusing to acknowledge Tobi's credibility, while explaining what he believed Emekah was trying to say. As he hoped his answer would help conclude the chief's thoughts, and his fear of Tobi being the solution.

"How interesting, I didn't know you knew much about him… If I didn't know better I would think you were a fan boy… But truly, the technique is rather impressive, and could change things for us…"

"However regardless of how impressive the technique is… I doubt such will be of use to us… At least, if Tobi is the wielder… Judging from the report, he seems to still be a novice, if truly he was taught the shadow-blade art" the chief relayed in disappointment, as to how Tobi status truly was based on his assessment of the technique he seemed to have been taught. While making the credibility of his master known.

The other scouts on seat were shocked to hear such word, being tagged, or used to qualify Tobi, especially when most had seen him in action, or heard of his credibility. They knew the chief probably had his reasons, for saying such, which they were still in the dark about, but it was hard for them to fathom novice being used to qualify him.

While the vice-captain was disturbed, to picture him, being stronger, since he believed Tobi was already a threat in his own right, but yet the chief was stating otherwise. He couldn't help but ponder on why, and how that could be.

As he realized the uttered words of Tobi not being the solution didn't feel, as he thought it would. Instead the uttered words of the chief, kept itching his brain, which made him wondered, if maybe him being the solution might had been better to hear.

In denial to what they heard, the ordinary members froze in shock. Contemplating on what the definition of strength was for the chief, and how powerful the person the chief referred to, as Tobi's master would be. While the deputy of the chief still had his unchanging look of boredom, as he observed the others reactions. Comprehending the words of the chief, but felt comparing Tobi to his master was too much.

However, the vice-captain, was a bit relief knowing he won't need to call Tobi for assistance, given their relationship. But he couldn't help, but felt somewhat puzzled as to what the chief meant by his words. Since like the others he has witness Tobi in action.

Not in person but in clips, from the tower system a few times, and from what he could gather he didn't seem to be a novice, when it comes to utilizing his blade art techniques, from his perspective at least, while worried if the chief truly has no solution to their predicament.

In absent of figuring out the meaning behind the chief statement, and in fear of the chief having no actual solution. The vice-captain came out, and asked about the chief's reason behind his statement, with hope of getting an insight of the chief's solution. The chief paused for a moment, knowing his answer might not be all that pleasant, but knew no other way to phrase it, at the time before answering.

Explaining the basic concept of the technique to clear the air of things. He stated that each techniques had their own unique trait that makes it, most productive. Some focus on power, or strength, while some on speed, but each is in a way define not just by the principles behind it, but the wielder as well. However, the shadow-blade art unlike most techniques, was highly dependent in an incredible level of sensing.

In other words utilizing heighten senses, which allows one to sense, or see the detailed composition of an energy flow to its core, it could be used as a defensive, or offensive technique. But the stronger one's opponent was, the difficult it was to sense the core, or cores, depending on the situation, and the tougher it was to cut down the core.

The trick was to strike the links within the core, or compress one's energy enough to cut through the core with high speed and precision.

He continued saying, knowing that, speed and precision was also a luxury one must afford, to make the technique executable. And judging by the previous report, it seems he got that much covered, but he was lacking in the sensing capability department.

Adding that if he had partly the sensing capability of his master, there was a high chance he could had sensed the energy of the darkness gathering in the sky, but that was not the case.

And that was why he called him a novice. Especially when that's the basics of the technique, concluding that, at his current state he seemed to have only focused on building up his speed, and possibly strength, but nothing else on the main basics of the technique, if truly he was utilizing the shadow-blade art.

After hearing the chief's answer, and explanation, the vice-captain comprehended the meaning of his uttered words, as regards to Tobi being a novice. And the status of things, which made him realize that he won't be much of a help. If the only way of destroying the darkness was by sensing its core, since his techniques, and arts focus more on power than sensing capability.

Although he believed his art could destroy the darkness, if it could make contact to the core, but knowing otherwise would mean the darkness absorbing, or feeding of it, made him doubt his capability. Which made him believed he was practically useless at the time, while wondering of the actual sensing capability of the chief, and his deputy.

The two senior scouts, began to fathom the words of the chief after hearing his explanation. Understanding that although Tobi was incredible, it would appear his technique was not yet balanced. The words gave them a new understanding of things, as they realized the gap Tobi had gave them in terms of strength, and the ones they believed to have gave him in terms of balance of their own fighting style.

The uttered words opened a door to a new arisen for them, as it gave them a comprehension of where to improve, as that of how much of a gap Tobi would still give them, if they remain as they are.

The ordinary members on the other hand were still a bit puzzled, as they were still finding it hard to believe Tobi could be regarded as a novice. But could understand to some point the concept, behind the logic of the chief, since they knew how importance sensing was to their work, and could imagine how incredible heighten sensing capability would be.

"But sir, apologies if am being intrusive, but what you said… Is that why we were unable to sense the darkness, even as we speak… And is that, the same reason why we were unable to sense the demons of yester night, as well? Because we're lacking in sensing capability..."

"Are we even useful? I mean, if Tobi can be called a novice, because of that what does that make us?" Thomas asked in agitation, as his words seemed to hold the stain of despair, thinking if that were true, then what would be their use, while the other ordinary members couldn't help, but feel the hopelessness of his words, as they too were being lured to it, as they recall how many people had been killed, due to their hesitation, and weakness.

"The art of sensing one's foe is an important concept, and you've all acquire that much… Four of you have even learnt energy circulation and concentration… Which is an impressive feat, given when you were all recruited… But improving one's sensing capability is a feat not that simple, only few can endeavor to try it, and less has acquired it…"

"With that said, you should know your standing by now… It's good to have ambition, and a sense of duty… But being too ambitious, and losing sight of self-value, regardless of how noble your intent might be, will only help you carve the path of your death, if you don't drag a few along, that is…"

"For now, I'll advise that you just focus on the basics, and try not to trouble yourself about issues you can't solve, nor should you worry about things you can't do, but focus on what you can" the chief answered making certain things clear, and putting Thomas in his place.

"However, as regards to your worth... Your report is what has grant us an insight of things… So, I guess, in a way you could say you are rather useful, than I am… Knowing that, I would appreciate it, if you don't insult me by letting negative thoughts and emotions overwhelm you…"

"At least till I prove my worth" the chief added, after sensing a certain level of depression, from the lad and a few of his mate, while hoping his words could reach them and help them find comfort.

Since he believes a literal answer to his question would only worsen the case regardless of how it was phrased, especially when his a bit short of solution and factual knowledge of things. And he believed an answer to his question was not what he seek but an evaluation of his worth

The words of the chief help drive the expected roles of the ordinary members' home, to all on seat. Decreasing the lingering thought of despair Thomas words poured out, as they find a bit of worth to the complements of the chief. Especially Thomas, as he came to believe, and was made obvious that he was out of place.

While the thought of whether or not, the vice-captain and the chief were trying to keep them out of the loop, was made clear to him, as he believed that they probably didn't feel the need to address the topic, probably due to their present, and possibly the delicacy of the topic. Especially when it could expose disturbing facts.

Although, all knew the question was dodge, and the senior scouts were not satisfied with the answer, but like the chief they knew an answer to his question was not what Thomas seek, but words of comfort as he believed his worth was being questioned.

While the other regional scouts chose to play along. Believing it was not in their place to question their superiors, so, long as they could help stop the chaos of things, after the words of the chief had helped escaped from the sinking words of depression of Thomas.

Since they knew ordinarily they won't be called for such meeting, due to their rank, and experience, as that of the fact that they could always read through the content of their reports submitted, to get all the intel they wanted, or needed.

Knowing that, they believed them being here was probably because of the absent of most superior hunters' who were allocated to the soul sector, along with the captain, since they knew based on their strength, and knowledge they couldn't do much. Especially, due to the abnormality of the issue at hand, as that of its threat level.