The leopard snarled, slamming its shoulder into the bamboo gate as Hattori watched from the other side, impassive as he waited, not at all concerned that the beast may escape. Where would it even go to? Catching the creature had been harder than he would have liked, but his companions had served him well in doing their part, in luring the beast deep into the bamboo where it had quickly lost its bearings. The bamboo here was thicker than most, providing makeshift prison bars too thick and sturdy to squeeze through, with only one way in and out of this little dead end. And the dappled cat knew it too, was throwing a hissy fit, shoving its paws through the gate as it tried and failed to claw out his eyes.

He waited a moment longer, knowing one of the clan's youngest warriors would have caught the cat's scent or heard the ruckus by now and was likely on their way to investigate.

One would not say that Akito was always looking for fight, but he wasn't necessarily not looking either. While he spent most of his days training, learning, soaking in all that he could, he could also feel the itch. Right under his skin, inaccessible to his paws, always out of reach. It was something he needed to satisfy the longer he let it linger. So as he made his morning rounds through the bamboo, pretending to be on official patrol, the monochrome pup's ears shot up at the distant sound of snarling. This could be his chance to take on something larger.

Containing any emotion outside of passive, his steps pick up their pace as he darts through the bamboo. His insides are boiling with excitement as he races to the commotion. Loud banging noises, a feline's roar, and the creak of bamboo as it was tormented. Has someone pissed off a big cat?

In no time, he was there. Skirting into the clearing in front of the gate that the leopard attempted to get through. His fur bristled slightly at the sight of the sharp claws pawing through the slender gaps. Already, Hattori was there, staring, silent, foreboding in his lumbering image. Akito glances up at the man with a slight tilt of his head. Though he wants to jump in, he contains himself and stands steady beside his Kaicho. "Can I assist?" He asks in his own rightfully monotone tune as his grey eyes fall back down to the issue at paw.

"speech"

"Mm." Hattori confirmed in a deep rumble, not at all surprised Akito had arrived. "Tell me, what do you intend to do." He wished to know before he opened the gate and let the boy loose on the feline. As the boy was quickly learning, there was more to fighting than being faster, stronger, it took cunning and know-how, a willingness to embrace underhanded tactics if needed.

The cat snarled at the boy, its gaze flickering between the two of them as it paced, shoulders hunched and tail twitching.

"The beast is fierce, it will see you dead if you give it the chance."

The only thing that separated them from the leopard was the gate. And Hattori had all the power. Once the latch was released... it was game time. He had to have a plan. Jumping in to attack the beast was simply no longer an option. Even as he grew in size, that was not all that mattered. Through his training, he was beginning to understand that. The downside now was that the leopard had already seen both of them. If he had been smart, he would have hidden and attempted to surprise the enraged feline. But now that its beady eyes lay upon him, his task was that much more difficult. A thoughtful hum rumbled in his own throat as he looked from Hattori to the creaking gate. "I suppose I would use a length of bamboo to keep him at a distance. With you here, the task would be easier. I would direct you to pin the cat while I kept it at a distance with the bamboo pole. Then once you have secured it, I would go for the throat and end its life," Akito spoke simply and directly. His words and decision were firm as he looked up from the ferocious beast back to his uncle.

Hattori listened patiently, not rushing the boy or pushing him into any conclusions. It was a test, there was no denying that, but it was one Hattori suspected the boy would pass. And if not, then it still would remain a chance to learn and better himself. That was all that was required of him, for now, whilst he was so young.

"Mm, " Hattori acknowledged with a deep rumble of his voice, eyes narrowing slightly as he eyed the cat once more. It was clearly getting more erratic and frustrated, could sense they were scheming and plotting in a language it could not understand. He moved to unlatch the gate, waited till Akito was ready so they could pass through the gap before having a companion shut it behind them. The cat snarled, infuriated by the turn of events. "I will not let it harm you. Do what needs to be done. "

The acknowledgment speaks volumes. Akito is sure now that he has passed part of the test as Hattori moves to unlatch the gate. His eyes are quick to move around the small clearing. There, off to the side, a bundle of bamboo that had been cleared to make a new path. One ear turns to pay attention to what Hattori is doing. Akito would not allow himself to be caught off guard. Even as the other wolf's words reach him, he only nods in affirmation. The pup knows that the Kaicho will not allow harm to come to him. This leopard is nothing for the mass of power that stands right on the other side. In a way, having the Kaicho there eases the fear that ticks at the back of his breath, causing his mouth to go dry and his heart to beat slightly faster. Instead, Akito uses this change in his body to guide him. He does not succumb to the fear but lets him propel him forward. His paws are sure and firm as they hit the dirt. Closing the gap between him and the stack of bamboo, he grabs a piece lengthy enough that it can hold back the leopard and not throw him off balance. It is lightweight and sturdy. Swinging it a few times, he turns to Hattori. Readying himself by slightly spacing out his paws, setting his shoulders, raising his hackles, and folding his ears, he lets out a chuff to alert Hattori that he is ready.

Hattori followed the boy's lead, acknowledging his chuff with a grumble of his own, low and deep in his throat. The cat surged forward, the end of the bamboo jabbing into its chest, keeping it at arms length as it thrashed, having effectively pinned itself into a corner and now it was being held back by bamboo it didn't have much leeway to move, let alone defend itself, Hattori moved closer, slowly, watching Akito's grip on the bamboo, seeing if he had the strength to maintain it, would it begin to shake before too long? The cat was a fierce opponent and it shifted, Hattori matched the movement, moving so that it couldn't back away from the press of the bamboo stick. Just a little longer, a little closer and then Hattori could strike. Could Akito hold out?

"Speech"

The latch on the gate is released. In the next moment, the cat is surging forward. Dirt and spit fly up into the air as he watches the beast jam its chest against the bamboo. For as ready as he thought he was, he is still shifted backward a few inches. His paws digging into the dirt as he lets out a little 'oof'. But he holds firm. Pressing back into the feline with all his might, he holds the bamboo steady so that Hattori can begin to slowly inch forward. This was so no match of power and will. They would need to outsmart the cat. To be patient and fluid. His eyes watch the larger forms in front of him as sharp claws swipe inches from his face. Already, not a few minutes in, his muscles tense and begin to shake. Akito can feel the all too familiar burn of his muscles breaking down and strengthening. Instead of giving in, he shoves forward again, driving the end of the bamboo into the furious beast's chest. Welcoming the burn, though his legs tremble under the pressure, Akito does not relent. He will not let Hattori down.

The cracking of splintering bamboo fills Hattori's ears, sharp shards of wood pierce the cat's shoulder and the scent of blood fills Hattori's nostrils. And yet Hattori was impressed, Akito was displaying a note worth show of strength and determination, held on long enough for Hattori to get in close as he used his own body weight to try and shove the cat down, to force it into a position it would struggle to defend itself. The bamboo snapped again, bending and breaking,  forming a make shift spear that would do quite nicely. That could end the cat's life with ease, in one fell strike. Hattori tuned slightly, his breathing rapid and muscles tensed as he nodded at Akito. He knew what to do.

"Speech"

Akito did not allow the cracking of the bamboo to distract him. A flick of his ear backward is the only reaction as he feels the bamboo bend and moves under his hold. Clamping down tighter to the bamboo, he presses forward. Blood is seen trickling down from the jaguar's shoulder. Distressed and furious snarls and yowls fill the air around them. Sharp claws swipe at him, nearly reaching his nose as he takes another step forward. One paw inching closer, pressing the bamboo further as it continues to snap into shards. His gaze moves to Hattori as the Kaicho nods at him. The jaguar was all his. Though he pants around the bamboo, his tongue swelling, and every inch of him aching, he was determined. Setting his paws once more, he takes a moment to build up his strength. Slowing his breathing, inhaling deeply, and letting his eyes close, he focuses. Fuck, it's almost as if he's an anime hero about to take out the long-sought-after villain. With every ounce of energy left in his body, Akito launches forward. Driving the splintered and sharp end of the bamboo pole into the jaguar's chest, he listens to the gurgling howl of the dying cat. Blood splashes back against his face as he takes another step forward to ensure the jaguar will not get back up.

Hattori watched in a tense silence, his gaze taking in the boy's movements, it was a heavy weight upon his shoulders but a necessary burden all the same. It wasn't simply a matter of judging which life had more value than another, it was a fact of survival. That for Tojo to continue to thrive this cat needed to die. It was a harsh lesson to learn and yet Akito seemed to understand well enough, had the potential to do what needed to be done, even if he didn't necessary like it. The scent of blood filled the air, a red stain seeped into the dried leaf litter beneath their paws. It was like a scene from a painting, almost, a callous affair yet beautiful in its own way. The end of one life to preserve that of the many.

"Well done." Was all Hattori said.

Finally the pressure from the jaguar relents. The bruise blooming along his jaw and cheek muscles worsens as the adrenaline seeps from him. He pants hard as he drops the bamboo that is covered in spit and blood. His own tongue falls from his lips as he is unsure if the blood is the cat's or his own. Standing there with his head hanging low and his shoulders hunched, he closes his eyes for a moment. Taking the time to catch his breath, he is stirred from the moment when he hears a stir of leaves. Opening one eye, he sees the lifeless cat's muscles twitch. A dying endeavor to try and continue, but Akito knows it is pointless. He has won this battle. Whether that cat deserved it or not, Akito was proud. He had helped save Tojo from danger. Akito glances up at Hattori once he has taken a few collective breaths. "What do we do with it now?" He questions softly. Do they have a ceremony? Do they strip it? Do they leave it at the gate as a warning?

A good question. If nothing else, Hattori thought the boy could take a trophy from his kill. Mark the occasion. There was still so much to learn and Hattori was willing enough to be the paw that guided him. Did he have a full set of fighting equipment yet? Perhaps he could make use of the creature's pelt and make a defensive cloak. Or use its claws and teeth to craft some offensive weaponry. It was up to him really, it all very much depended on how the boy felt most comfortably carrying himself on combat.

"Their death had a purpose," he pointed out, his voice a deep, apathetic sounding rumble. "But there is more you can take. Craft something. I will assist you."