Nishiho

Nishiho’s pink backpack contained three coils of rope, seven different types of climbing chalk, and a hand-drawn map of the entire cliff face of Waterfall City. Their master, Isojuurou, simply pointed to the glowing rock chakra strapped beside it. "You have packed an argument," their mentor said gently. "The stone only asks for a whisper." Nishiho's eyes crinkled with embarrassment above their mask. They had spent weeks preparing for this ascent, wanting so badly to prove themself. But under Isojuurou’s guidance, they left the heavy gear at the base. They learned to feel the vibrations in the stone, to trust the energy flowing from the chakra, finding holds that maps could never show. At the top, they didn't feel like a conqueror, just a listener who finally understood the language.