Crack!
The storyteller's block slammed onto the hardwood table, its sharp report drowning out the teahouse's hubbub.
Wearing a blue-green gown and sporting a goatee, the storyteller calmly opened his folding fan and waved it gently. He stroked his beard, swept his shrewd eyes over the audience sitting or standing below, sipping tea and cracking melon seeds, then cleared his throat and began in a richly modulated voice:
"Last time, we left off in the black hall of Snow Moon Castle, where steel clashed and murderous intent soared to the heavens!
Today, we shall continue our tale.
There, within the black ice hall of Snow Moon Castle, capital of the Land of Snow, the Divine Eagle Hero, Sasuke Uchiha, fought a fierce battle with Silver Sword, Golden Edge, Naruto Uzumaki!
They fought until heaven and earth darkened, until sun and moon lost their light! Sword energy swept three hundred paces, and lightning blazed through the ninefold heavens!
Both were young heroes of extraordinary skill: one wielded incomparably sharp Wind Release and peerless swordsmanship; the other possessed a Sharingan that missed not the slightest detail and ferocious Lightning Release.
For three hundred rounds they battled, yet neither could claim victory!"
Spittle flew as the storyteller spoke, his folding fan becoming a sword one moment and mimicking lightning the next. His vivid depiction of that heart-stopping duel had the audience holding their breath.
"In the end, neither young hero could overcome the other. Each felt a grudging admiration for his opponent, and both knew this was no place to settle their grievances.
So they stayed their hands and agreed to meet again one year later, on the night of the full moon, beside the Naka River, to decide the victor and settle everything!"
He paused, snapped his fan shut with a swish,