Personality: Saizo is a generally cheerful kid, semi typical of an extrovert. Generally charismatic and confident, he often can be looked to for quick decision making and follow-through. Often displaying old-shinobi traits like ruthless rationality- using his drive, determination, and sharp(ish) mind to achieve goals that he believes in. Despite seeming a little brash, he is energetic, self confident, strong willed, and generally always thinking around problems.
Saizo enjoys a good solid challenge, and believes that given enough time- he can overcome any obstacle. Never one to give up, he can push goals through with sheer willpower, where others would be looking to give up.
If there's something he respects, it's the ability to stand up to him both physically and intellectually. Basically- people who are rather like him in intellect and physical capabilities. He knows he's certainly not the smartest, but he absolutely tries. As far as physical matches, this is more difficult for meeting those his age, as he relentlessly climbs after his goal to be one of the most capable physical combatants.
He tends to be a bit blunt, as well. He has no qualms pointing out other people's' failures… and usually with chilling insensitivity. This is where he sort of runs into trouble, as he's not the emotional type- and has a hard time expressing emotional responses.
He also tends to border the line between self confident and arrogant. Recognizing his own strengths, he tends to rely on his own self image quite a bit.
Stubbornness is also second nature to him. Sometimes all this confidence and willpower can go too far, and Saizo is all too capable of digging in his heels, trying to win every single debate and pushing their vision, and theirs alone.
Intolerance is also part of his personality, and it sort of ties with his stubbornness. He's not generally willing to support ideas he doesn't agree with his own line of goals.
Impatience puts the cherry on top for this one, as it is something he is painfully aware of, and really wishes he weren't. A lot of the stress he puts himself under is because of his impatience- and wanting to always be learning, training, or generally being a sponge to the new shinobi world.
History:
Saizo was born to the Urabe clan- a clan originally from the mainland of the Mizu territories, and within Kirigakure. Due to their pure nature of being Kirigakure nationals, they have a bit of an elevated status due to their long standing loyalty to the village. Due to their roots, they were affluent, so Saizo grew up not wanting for much. Born a third sone, that meant he also didn't have much real responsibility to the clan itself. His eldest brother was the heir to their clan, and their second born was the backup.
His status didn't include an easy upbringing by any means, however. Constantly trying to live up to the name of his elders, and even his elder brothers and sister, he was constantly 'at work'. The Urabe clan is one of the progenitors of a specific style of taijutsu, so this was something he grew up with, as well. The style maximizes efficient use of strikes and traps, and doesn't involve much flash- or overly decorative movements.This is why he's got such a diligent and stubborn attitude. Never accepting less than his absolute best... because if he did- he feels he would bring shame to himself, and worse (in his mind)- his Father.
His eldest brother was something of a genius, and his middle brother and sister were pretty advanced for where they were, as well. This made training for him hard- because they were all so advanced, they were always tough teachers. Knowing that every loss meant knowledge gained, they never 'took it easy on him'. Despite being a noble clan of Kirigakure, they tended to keep their taijutsu 'in house', and didn't reach it to folks outside the clan (without good reason). That meant all his sparring partners and sensei's for this were his family members. To keep him sharp, his siblings trained with him, and sparred with him during most their available time to do so. Constantly being at odds with his family members in a sort of competitive fashion kept his abilities sharp. Despite this competition held between the four of them, there was still plenty of love and admiration.
His father acted as both a father, as well as a sensei- teaching him what it means to be a ninja, as well as what it meant to walk the hilly roads of life. The relationship was not strained- but it was never super warm and loving. Despite this, Saizo loves and greatly respects his father, and always wanted to reach his approval- something never given easily.
His mother was something of an enigma, however. She was often away, being part of the village's ANBU group. He never had the opportunity to nourish much of a bond with her. Of course he respected and obeyed his mother, it certainly wasn't warm- and borderlined awkward most the time.
He was put into the shinobi academy, and seemed to do pretty well from a young age. It allowed an outlet and socializing a biut allowed him more training partners closer to 'his level'. His focus was on taijutsu- of which his sensei's attempted to get him to stretch his boundaries with ninjutsu- to widen his approach to conflicts and situations. It was difficult, but some of the teachers got through to him. He's certainly not a wealth of jutsu information or skill, but those that he knows- he's good at using- and recognizing. Growing up in his household, everyone sort of understood he'd be a natural at the physical arts, but would require more pressure and focus elsewhere to get him to really use his brain. Taking to the challenge pretty well, he did his best.
At the age of ten- a tragic, but unfortunately commonplace situation arose. During a trip to see relatives of their 'cadet branch' who temporarily settled off the mainland- due to the outbreak of the junchuuriki destroying their home- their group was attacked in the streets heading toward the docks. The Urabi clan were a target- being staunch supporters of the current Mizukage during time of rebellion- and in their arrogance travelled with only a few experienced members of their clan.
Saizo was actually hidden away by his elder sister Saya in the chaos, who is still missing after the incident. She stuffed him into a nearby home's thankfully unlocked cellar. However his father and elder brother perished in the short conflict, his eldest brother survived, as did their grandfather. Two cousins and an uncle were also slain. His mother has yet to return home after the incident as well, pointing to her possible involvement in the attack. Saizo emerged after the sounds of battle had silenced, and he heard the calling voice of his brother. Seeing bodies of people he didn't know didn't seem to affect him much, until he saw the limp figures of his family members scattered in the street around their caravan.
This has put him in a particularly guarded state, and has some issues talking about the incident and expressing himself. The kid already had father issues, and this seemed to make it worse. Seeking approval of his superiors is important to him now more than ever, a way to sort of cope, and deal with the loss- maybe even attempts at filling the role of his father. His eldest brother is now the head of the household, which he seems to handle quite well- being a now established jounin. It's just the two of them and their grandparents now. They haven't seen their mother or sister in two years, a point of pain for everyone in the family.
This was a tragedy for him, yes, but he doesn't allow it to define who he is. He still attempts to put it out of his mind rather than just 'dealing with it', as he's just now a teen- his emotional maturity is still growing. This means he works extra hard on his studies and building relationships. This also has lead to a bit of a personal realization that he had been living in his family's shadow, and hadn't really considered a life of his own choosing. That maybe he felt oppressed living in the shadow of his father... And has turned his attentions inward, to better himself for the sake of himself, rather than the approval of his father.... Surely- easier said than done, as he still seeks apprval from external sources. This has also tipped his political siding from moderate- being an uninvolved teenager- to slightly in favor of the current Mizukage.
He graduated from the academy and became a Genin at thirteen. The teachers recognized his aptitudes for conflict resolution, and efficiency of thinking smart- not 'hard'. He had a great attitude toward constructive criticism- borderline on being 'too hard on himself' in times of failure. Despite being pretty one-sided as far as his 'combat' abilities went, he did put plenty of effort into expanding his horizons. In due time, he may be a candidate for leadership given his natural skill, partnered with driven and charismatic natures. Though as long as he can overcome his impatience, stubborn-ness, and borderline arrogance- this may be an up-hill battle for him. Passing the examination with moderate effort, he remains eager to get his life moving forward again.
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