[center][h1][b][color=00aeef]平和[/color][/b][/h1][sub]Peace.[/sub][/center]

The word peace. Often misunderstood; or seen through a misconception. In the shinobi world, it is frequently said that peace is only achieved through war. Why? The question plagues the very existence of Usagi Orihara, one of those various shinobi that inhabit the world. This one, in particular, is not a very well known one neither a great, powerfully gifted shinobi. Usagi is a simple woman with a simple mind and an insatiable lust for answers that the world itself can't give her. What is the true meaning of peace? Is it individual, where one's mind and their peace is enough? Is it political, where the great leaders of the world apply it within their villages? Or is it worldly, where peace must exist as one for every living being? 

[center][h1][b][color=00aeef]鋼[/color][/b][/h1][sub]Steel.[/sub][/center]

The clinking sound of steel hitting steel exploded as Usagi's blacksmithing hammer came crashing down on the thin layer of steel she held with her left gloved hand. Sweat dripped from her forehead and she breathed heavily but that didn't stop her from raising her hand and bringing yet another blow, shaping the steel slowly into something: A tool of war. What else were swords used for, if not a tool of war? Killing? Destruction? Idly, the woman's eyes glanced upon her own sword, the Peaceful Rabbit. It was hanging by the blacksmithing store's back door, tied by an elegantly made leather cord. She exhaled a deep breath as the hammer collided against the steel again. 

Her hands were calloused due to this very work. Hours spent at the forge shaping the finest weapons all for the shinobi of Konohagakure to spend their hard earned money on. Her muscles tense and her sweaty form was a sight to see, truly; she was a strong woman. Not in a bulging manner but the muscles were clearly visible on her arms. The expression on her face was a mixture of tiredness and content; this was her time. Whenever she worked at the forge, she had time to think of her personal inquiries, try to find answers in that troubled mind of hers.

[center][h1][b][color=00aeef]戦争[/color][/b][/h1][sub]War.[/sub][/center]

And despite the questions, it was that time once again. This... was war; at least, not publicly declared war where the shinobi fought for their lives and failure meant death. No. This was a test, both for amusement and recognition. The chunin competition was based on being recognized, moving further into the ranks of their respective villages. For this reason, they would give everything they got. Usagi pondered why she fought, why she desired to become a jounin? Why she trained every night until she could no longer bear the exhaustion just so she could become stronger?  

There was no answer. So, what motivation was behind this woman? She never quite wanted to fight. The idea of harming someone simply to prove herself fitting for a jounin role wasn't rolling all that great within her. The idea of being potentially harmed wasn't, either. But still, there was a stinging sensation that propelled her forward, that made her put extra work on Tetsuo's shoulder so she could leave the blacksmithing shop earlier and walk through the busy streets of Konoha - even overhearing a boy scolding a drinking female - into the open gates where the exam would be held. Usagi didn't look very formal; she was wearing an open black jacket with a dark red top underneath, revealing her stomach and neck, loose blue pants tucked inside black sandals and fingerless leather gloves. Her short hair was left loose, with some strands falling over her eyes but nothing problematic for her sight. 

The Hokage was already here and more and more shinobi poured in by the seconds. Usagi could recognize some of them, yes, but she decided to keep mostly to herself and wait what would follow.