Switching gears before going into more ninjutsu based techniques, he decided he would start down his Taijutsu and Bukijutsu paths. The goal of doing this would be to be able to beat his opponents that were going to potentially have superior equipment. But, through over preparation his chances of losing would be significantly reduced. Of the Taijutsu styles that interested him, he found himself intrigued most by the the Vital Piercing Art. At the 1st Stage that he would be allowed to learn in, he would first take a stab at the actual stance that would help him deliver the blows.
Devastation Stance would be a technique that set him up for future Taijutsu techniques. Following a sensei skilled in this, he began by bouncing on the pads of his feet and loosening himself, keeping his footing keen. Jabbing fingers were then extended and his fists kept at eye level. It was like looking at an honorary Hyuga clansmen. He breathed in and out inhaling and exhaling as he practiced this stance until we really understood it. Learning the key art of the taijutsu would take a lot more time to master. [Devastation Stance learned]
Now that he was ready to learn the actual core taijutsu technique. He first studied and listened to his sensei describe it. Vitality Destruction was the antithesis to the Gentle Fist that damaged chakra networks. Using the middle and index fingers to strike the targer's muscular system. No special eyes would be necessary. His sensei demonstrating this on a target dummy several times using that same stance that was shown previously. [1/5 learning Vitality Destruction]
Following his sensei's demonstration it was not time for Ryuken to try it out for himself. He first found his center and began bouncing on his pads in the Devastation Stance, before striking at the dummy. It was clear he was missing the target spots but as he struck it repeatedly, he began to get a bit of a rhythm and understanding. It would be a process before he was quite good at this ability, but he felt like it was natural for him. He would spend this time practicing the motions as his sensei had shown him before. [2/5 learning Vitality Destruction]
With greater understanding, now Ryuken would pick up speed to increase the efficiency of his technique. His strikes his their mark, as he had been shown previously. Now he would strike the same spots more than once, twice, three times. His sensei would note what he was doing particularly well, as well as give him fair criticism on how to better strike the dummy. Noting particularly how real combat was entirely different and a dummy would not be a true test for learning if it was working. [3/5 learning Vitality Destruction]
With that in mind, his sensei offered to allow him to test it out on him directly. A man of integrity he would ready himself for Ryuken's assault. Striking with the Vitality Destruction, Ryuken aimed for his sensei's torso hoping to damage his muscular system and make it harder for him to stand. At first his sensei seemed unphased as he had been struck by far worse in his lifetime and the grueling training regiment of Amegakure. But, the last strike seemed to be hurting sensei somewhat. [4/5 learning Vitality Destruction]
Finally his sensei used a defensive technique to reduce the damage that he was taking. Taking on the Devastation Stance, Ryuken closed his eyes and replayed the motions in his mind. He then followed through as he directly struck his sensei one blow for blow swiftly, hitting his sensei where he desired. His sensei's defense held for so long before it was broken and Ryuken had successfully struck him enough to make his sensei call for a time out. [5/5 Vitality Destruction learned]
For his bukijutsu training, Ryuken decided he would learn a katana and then an odachi based style. For the katana style he would study the Kakumei no Hono Ryu. It's first technique was the Flame Wheel which was mainly a counter to an incoming attack. He had the same sensei strike towards him with a fireball, as Ryuken decided to imbue his blade with Suiton, sidestepping and unleashing the Suiton into the fireball and dissipating it. Following that movement, he would thrust the borrowed katana towards his sensei's torso, stopping only inches from piercing. This felt like a natural skill to utilize. [Flame Wheel learned]
The following technique in this bukijutsu style would be Imposing Flame. Essentially channelling an element into the katana, a vertical slash of the element is launched. Ryuken did so, charging his katana with Suiton and aiming towards a training dummy. Raising the blade above his head and slashing the the wave towards the dummy with great strength. Another tool for his graduation match. [Imposing Flame learned]
Flame Waltz is the third ability which would empower an element even stronger to an overwhelming level. Given that Ryuken knew his Raiton was not as powerful as his Suiton, he decided this time he would imbue the Katana with Raiton chakra. Striking the katana with an angled slash from the right to the upper left, he released amplified Raiton into the dummy. With this, he mastered the 1st Stage and had another tool for his arsenal. [Flame Waltz learned]
Next, Ryuken borrowed and odachi. He would learned a two-handed sword style called Edge Punisher. The first of the three techniques to learn would be the Downward Crash. The main point is to launch the two-handed blade and cleave the target in half with greater strength and brutal force. Raising the odachi over his head, he would bring it down attempting to split the dummy in half. It came down with great strength carving into its head area. [Downward Crash learned]
The following technique would be the Breaking Crash. Quite literally pressing the odachi into the defense of a target to break it was point of the swing. He had his sensei take on a shield and prepare for him. Ryuken would then swing with all of his might to strike at the defensive shield. The resulting noise was a loud bash that pushed his sensei back as the shield was knocked to the side. [Breaking Crash learned]
Finally for the first stage of this style, he would learn the Backdraft. A side swing, it knocks attacks that are coming to a different direction with concussive force. Swinging his odachi horizontally, he then knocked an incoming set of kunai away repelling them from being able to connect against him. Ryuken had no intention of letting such a good defensive skill get away from him. [Backdraft learned]
Ryuken believed learned techniques from almost every different area would make him beyond marketable post graduation. He decided to pick up puppetry techniques next perhaps to retrieve lost weapons or use for maneuvering around and not literally for puppetry. Starting with the base Puppetry String Technique, he would use chakra control to create very thin lines of chakra. Forming one line, then two, eventually he was able to create a set of five. He used these to reach out and lift a katana at a distance and bring it back to him. [Puppetry String Technique]
The other technique he wanted from the puppetry techniques was the Grappling Hook. Reversing the chakra from the strings this time, instead of sending it outward after having connected it to an object made it sturdy and usable for grappling. He would send a chakra string to the ceiling and then begin to reverse it. Once it was nice and sturdy, he climbed up the string and could see he would be able to swing it and use it for various purposes.[Grappling Hook learned]
Next Ryuken would learn techniques from the sensory tree. The first technique up was Signal Fire. Using a kunai that he borrowed, Ryuken would follow his sensei's instruction imbuing it with chakra. He then tossed it outside into a nearby bush. From inside the room he focused on the chakra attached to the kunai in order to see where it was. This would be valuable to use as a tracking measure. [Signal Fire learned]
Following Signal Fire is Echo, Echo is used to hone in on vibrations and sounds. His sensei left the room and went somewhere to make noise by kicking at a tree. Forming a handseal and listening carefully, Ryuken began to hear the sound of a tree being struck. Moving outside towards the noise, he tracked down his sensei and they headed back inside. Another good tracking skill. [Echo learned]
The medical techniques were next up. Using his knowledge of chakra control that he had gained from puppetry training, the first medical technique he wanted to learn would be Thread. While it was not an actual healing and more of a stopgap, it would be useful to be able to close a wound and keep fighting. Allowing his sensei to slash his palm, Ryuken winced at the pain before using his chakra to thread the wound closed. He could see the bleeding stopped and this would work for external wounds only. [Thread learned]
The next technique which was more of an ally assisting technique, Ryuken figured he would be put on a team eventually, was transferring chakra or stamina to an ally. It was called Donation and Circulation in exchange for giving a larger amount as a cost, they can then give it to the ally. Allowing Ryuken to transfer into his sensei, his sensei had made a clone first to be at lower chakra. Using Donation and Circulation, Ryuken sent the chakra amount into him to replenish his lost amount. [Donation and Circulation learned]
Following the Donation and Circulation, Ryuken saw was called Cleanse. A smart idea when dealing with wounds after combat had ended considering infections were possible. Holding his free hand over the previously cut palm, Ryuken then used Cleanse in order to keep his hand clean. He did not want the damage he incurred on himself from training to become a time dieing from sickness later. An effective and useful ability for any shinobi. [Cleanse learned]
Next up was the Massage technique which could heal chakra or stamina used. Having his sensei once again sit there as his training dummy, Ryuken then began to use the Massage on him. Carefully sending in chakra he relaxed his sensei's muscles and helped him recover some of his lost stamina. This would not be useful in combat, but perhaps following training or in a safe location it could well be. [Massage learned]
Following Massage is Extraction. Extraction is very literally taking foreign objects out of a target. His sensei swallowed a metal ball and had Ryuken extract it. Holding his hand over his sensei's stomach, Ryuken began pulling the metal ball from the area and proceeded to take it from him. It did not immediately come out but eventually it did come out. A very useful ability for extracting stray projectiles like senbon that went too deep. [Extraction learned]
Next would be Pain Intensification which seemed kind of a cruel technique, but no one said the shinobi world was kind. Essentially if a target suffered from a trauma strike, that trauma would be increased. His sensei allowed a more advanced student to bash his arm so trauma occurred. Then Ryuken used Pain Intensification and his sensei fell to one knee as the pain became truly unbearable. A very effective technique at further weakening an opponent until they gave up. [Pain Intensification learned]
Power of Resistance seemd like a self buffing ability in order to give the user an advantage. Following his sensei's lead, Ryuken would use it on himself and empower himself to be boosted by adrenaline surge. This allowed him to move faster and more reactively safe. Ryuken actually quite enjoyed the feeling thinking this would be an awesome way to make his fight lean more in his own favor. [Power of Resistance learned]
The final medical technique available that Ryuken thought would be most useful for allies was the Diagnosis technique. Essentially chakra goes into the palms and like sensory, senses for specific problems on the body. His sensei got poisoned and did not reveal it to Ryuken, so Ryuken then used Diagnosis on his sensei prodding around to find out what was wrong with him. He would then discover his sensei was poisoned and advised him to handle it. [Diagnosis learned]
Next up on the learning spree was going to be sealing techniques. Of the list he would start with the Enclosing Technique. Borrowing a scroll and a kunai, Ryuken would begin practicing sealing the kunai within the scroll. Forming a single handseal and using chakra to place the kunai within, he found himself pretty adept at making this happen. As a bukijutsu user it made sense to take some sealing techniques to assist with being able to carry equipment to the field. He did this technique a few more times on kunai, shuriken, and eventually a kunai proving he understood it. [Enclosing Technique learned]
Knowing how to enclose techniques in scrolls was useless without the Unsealing Technique to go along with it. Laying out the scrolls that he had sealed borrowed kunai and shuriken, Ryuken watched his sensei demonstrate how to use these techniques. First unsealing one scroll, he then unsealed a scroll containing multiple items. Nonetheless it was another very useful technique that he would find many applications for in the future. Ryuken was pleased with his progress. [Unsealing Technique learned]
Next he would learn the Collaborative Summoning Technique alongside his sensei. Luckily for them, one of the other senseis needed to be brought back. Focusing their chakra together, Ryuken assisted his sensei in bringing the other sensei back. It did not work the first few attempts as Ryuken had to learn to meet the chakra control level that his sensei was using. Then when it succeeded they were able to bring the other sensei to the academy. [Collaborative Summoning Technique learned]
Next up would be the Time Sealing technique. A somewhat more complex sealing technique, it essentially prolonged a seal or set a seal to activate at a later duration. Using his Enclosing Technique on a kunai in a scroll, Ryuken then attempted to set it to future Unseal. A clock formed on it showing it would be opening shortly before dissipating. Standing there and waiting eventually the sealing kunai scroll opened as the technique promised. [Time Sealing learned]
A much more applicable technique, Tethered Blade was something Ryuken believed was a highly useful ability. While puppetry technique could help him retrieve a lost item, having the ability to resummon weapons immediately was far more valuable. Placing a seal on the katana he was using before, Ryuken moved across the room. He would then hold out his hand and use a single handseal, focusing chakra to activate the seal and bring the blade back to his hand. [Tethered Blade]
The final sealing technique that Ryuken could learn was the classic Detonation Technique for explosive tags. Essentially using an explosive tag and placing it is fine, but without the Detonation Technique the tags are mostly useless. Borrowing a single explosive tag for this training exercise, he would place it on a dummy before moving away. Following his sensei's demonstration, Ryuken practiced a single seal and then watched as the tag burst, exploding on the dummy. A useful and dangerous technique. [Detonation Technique learned]
Finally getting into the elemental bread and butter, Ryuken would start with Raiton techniques. Up first was the Telegram Flash, for this technique needed the assistance of his sensei. Both Ryuken's sensei and Ryuken would slam their palms into the earth as bolts of lightning come down on both Ryuken and his sensei merging together. The increased numbers made a more powerful lightning attack strike at the damaged dummy. It would explode with a crackle. [Telegram Flash learned]
Next Ryuken found this technique a momentary distraction or annoyance for fighting in close proximity which was right up his ally. Flickering Light literally means to cause the chakra around the body to burst in a bright blinding light. Forming a single handseal, he would then allow his body to burst in the bright light. He could hold this for an extended duration, allowing the brightness to flare. His sensei had a hard time looking at him and Ryuken then released the technique. [Flickering Light learned]
An extention of the clone technique he learned before, Ryuken would then learn the Lightning Clone. Forming a handseal and this time imbuing Raiton into in the clone, he made a copy of himself. When his sensei struck the clone, it would burst and send a bolt of lightning at him that seemed to track towards him. Ryuken practiced the clone making three more times to be sure he understood what he was doing at this point. With the Lightning Clone, he now had a lethal clone option. [Lightning Clone learned]
Next Ryuken would learn the Static Strings. Thin strings of lightning are created that are virtually impossible to spot and can be used to detect movement and latch onto objects. Forming a handseal and using what he's learned previously, Ryuken created some static strings that he placed near a doorway. As people walked by he saw the chakra flare momentarily and could the benefits that came with such an ability. [Static Strings learned]
It made sense that every shinobi utilizing Raiton learn Electricity Resistance Training. After learning this skill Ryuken would have to worry less about harming himself with his techniques. Practicing Raiton moves he's used before like the Lightning Clone he exposed himself to his own chakra. A bit of shock and light burns helped him hone himself and be able to no longer harm himself to his own Raiton techniques. Probably the most valuable Raiton academy level ability. [Electricity Resistance Training learned]
The final academy level technique of the Raiton tree that Ryuken could take now was the Lightning Style: Electric Shock Needles technique. Using Raiton chakra, five sparks of lightning are formed able to be launched approximately ten feet. Forming a handseal and creating the electric sparks, Ryuken would then launch each of them consecutively at the dummy. He practiced this a few more times to ensure he was able to do it. Now Ryuken had a projectile he could create without having physical projectiles. [Lightning Style: Electric Shock Needles learned]
Finally getting to his strongest element and what Ryuken was meant to be using, he would learn the Suiton academy student level techniques. Beginning with Water Manipulation which is arguably the core to all of the Suiton studies, Ryuken felt quite natural with this ability. He would learn how to draw moisture from the air using a single handseal. With his great chakra control, Ryuken was able to fill a gallon of water in a container that the sensei let him borrow. He could then heat it up and even lower its temperature. This technique was the world's oyster of creativity. [Water Manipulation learned]
Next would be the Trick of Water technique, which was setting Suiton into the eyes of an opponent causing them blindess. Having his sensei assist him once more, Ryuken formed a handseal and began manipulating the Suiton into his fingertip before flicking it into his sensei's eye. His sensei slipped and fell back with the water blinding him. A tricky and less honorable technique, but nonetheless had its viability when necessary. [Trick of Water learned]
A technique to be able to see opponents using pools of water came next. Forming a handseal, Ryuken would use the gallon container and take the water out. He would turn the surface of that water into a mirrored surface with the Water Mirror technique. With this in mind he could use the water mirror to see behind him and throughout the room. It was quite useful for infiltration. [Water Mirror learned]
Finally, and arguably the most useful of the academy student techniques was the Water Sword. Forming a handseal and manipulating the water he had available, Ryuken found himself creating a wakizashi of water. Now he could fight with a bukijutsu style even without any weapons available. This made Ryuken pleased. Such a technique was super useful for his graduation. [Water Sword learned]
Feeling as if he had a strong grasp of his taij/buki and ninjutsu options, Ryuken would then turn to genjutsu options. From the Illusory track, he would start with Mark of the Unfamiliar, which was a genjutsu that changed writing or inscriptions. Following his sensei's lead, Ryuken formed a handseal and would manipulate the writing a paper that said originally that there was no school today to notating that there is school today as well as extra homework. An illusion like this could be great to hide secrets in documents. [Mark of the Unfamiliar learned]
Scent of the Familiar would be the next illusorry technique that he learned. He would cast it on his sensei changing the smell of the area from a stagnant air to a fruity presence. It relaxed his sensei, as Ryuken then turned the smell into a sewer filth causing his sensei to want to leave. The technique was quite effective for changing the environment and being fairly effective. [Scent of the Familiar learned]
Next Ryuken would learn the Chameleon Skin. While it did not have much use for more advanced shinobi situations, Ryuken thought perhaps he could use it against his graduation opponent. He had his sensei demonstrate the best way to use the technique. Then he practiced a few times very carefully, considering genjutsu was far from Ryuken's specialty. Once he felt he figured it out enough to hide himself and act, he was ready. [Chameleon Skin learned]
The final technique he would take from the Illusory tree would be the Spooky Ghost technique. A genjutsu technique designed to instill fear in an opponent by manifesting an image of a ghost. He would form a handseal and attempt to scare his sensei with the visage of a ghost. This was practiced a few more times really well. Once Ryuken thought it was practiced well enough, he would move on to other genjutsu. [Spooky Ghost learned]
Ryuken sought to learn the Sounding of the Unfamiliar, as he had been following the unfamiliar genjutsu techniques. Casting this on his sensei, he made him see the place in a dark poorly illuminated place. And then made Ryuken's voice sound like wolves howling wildly. And the crying of hurt wolf puppies. This made his sensei look outside thinking it was potentially reality. [Sounding of the Unfamiliar learned]
Next Ryuken would learn enchantment genjutsu techniques. The first he wanted to learn was the Thunder Voice Technique. He would start by focusing chakra to his throat allowing him to yell with voice that seemed to make the area quake. After practicing with his sensei who seemed to back away from him in fear, Ryuken did this a few more times to ensure the technique was learned. [Thunder Voice learned]
Next he thought having the Discharge Technique would go well with his Raiton techniques. He performed the genjutsu on his sensei once more. After casting it upon him, his sensei would touch a surface and feel a jolt of electricity. This would pronounce the strength of his Raiton versus opponents to make them hesitate when facing him. Ryuken liked this quite a bit. [Discharge Technique learned]
The next technique Ryuken wanted to have from the enchantment tree was Static another sound based technique designed to stop the victim from hearing outside of the area. Forming a handseal and using it on his sensei as per usual, Ryuken found his sensei placing a hand on his own head. The static noise was annoying and in some ways something that made individuals sleepy. That was something that Ryuken thought would be highly useful. [Static learned]
Next Ryuken would learn the Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Technique. A classic that caused the opponent to see a fireball coming that they could not evade. Using it on his sensei outside, his sensei appeared to be trying to avoid the fireball coming from the sky. To those around him there was no fireball. They watched as he slipped on the water outside trying to avoid an illusion. [Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell learned]
Ryuken also desired the Mist Technique which really only worked one the user disappeared. Ryuken would use this on his sensei, after hiding behind a nearby wall. He heard his sensei bounce and jump in fear as he saw false images coming for him that would disappear into smoke. Ryuken would then walk through the smoke facing his sensei that seemed to be in true fear of Ryuken's capacity to learn. [Mist Technique learned]
Ryuken wanted to learn some instant genjutsu. Of those techniques he found himself seeing the Thunder Trap Seal first, like Electric Strings, but an illusory technique that made noise. Paying attention to his sensei that made a series of handseals, Ryuken would prime an area with the genjutsu. His sensei walked through the area and loud thunder seemed to scream out in the area surprising everyone but Ryuken. Since that was the point to be unsettling and loud, but also as a place to see people coming. [Thunder Trap Seal learned]
Next Ryuken would learn the Through the Familiar technique. It was meant to trick opponents into thinking they've already been down a path or seen a tree once before. He would use this on his sensei who followed him into a forested area. Quickly he cast the genjutsu on him and watched as his sensei walked past the same tree four times. Clearly he knew what he was doing with genjutsu and maybe was a genjutsu shinobi in another life. [Through the Familiar learned]
He would then learn Touch of the Unfamiliar next. This genjutsu's illusion was something meant to make them question if they saw what they saw. Ryuken thought to himself perhaps this would chain well with seeing bad images. He practiced it with his sensei a few times to ensure that he understood how it worked. Then once he succeeded he would show his sensei the appearance of a bird flying by only then the bird disappeared as if it was there but not there. [Touch of the Unfamiliar learned]
The final instanced genjutsu he sought to learn was the Sound Technique. With this genjutsu they could make the opponent hear things that they were not hearing. Forming a handseal to cast it on his sensei, he then had him hear the sound of a cow mooing. The cow would moo louder and louder before turning into a lion's roar. That was when he realized just how devastating this technique could actually be. [Sound Technique learned]
Feeling that Ryuken had sufficiently trained himself up, he had decided to go and take on some internships in various careers. He would head over to the hospital first to get some more awareness on how medical shinobi do what they do. After all, Ryuken was not entirely sure which careers most interested him. There was a chance many of them were particularly interesting and useful.
Ryuken realized there were 2 more techniques he decided he needed to learn. The first was from his Hoshigaki bloodline. Blood in the Water was a technique that passively activated after inflicting a wound they could follow the target to follow the blood on the wound. Having his sensei cut his own palm and disappear, Ryuken followed him viciously. No matter where his sensei went, Ryuken was able to find his sensei with great ease. This was a very natural move for the academy student. [Rank E | Blood in the Water learned]
For one more genjutsu technique, Ryuken thought learning the Cloud Cover technique from illusory tree would be useful. He formed a handseal to create an illusion of a cloud that was touching the ground. Hiding behind the cloud he had another academy student sit there. His sensei looked at the cloud with a confused eye, but walked past it. Clearly, this was good enough to convince someone that it wasn't that unheard of. A useful technique to hide weapons or something that should be easily seen. [Rank E | Cloud Cover learned]
[Enter from ☔ || Earth Sector Dwellings [ Residential ]]
As Ryuken was thinking about his upcoming fight with another academy student, he had noticed a strange figure beckoning him. Following the man, he left the academy building without notifying his sensei. Something about him was off, different. But, it wasn't a feeling of menacing death or danger and it did not seem like something good either. A neutral energy or vibe was what the man gave off. The man carried a staff and seemed to have a long beard and in his right hand held a pocketwatch, a mechanical piece of clockwork that was quite advanced. Standing against a nearby tree some distance from the academy, Ryuken approached the man and called out, "Who are you and why are you here?" There was some hostility in Ryuken's tone because he was both nervous and curious, but he genuinely did not want to let someone who should not be here go unquestioned.
"It's never a matter of why or who, but when and how." The older man responded, a calculating smile forming on his face at the youngster that had so daringly approached. Only someone with an analytical and scientific mind as well as the courage to follow such questions would be so bold. "Have you ever heard the tale of Evergreen and Jashin? The battle between Order and Chaos has existed since before you were born. Jashin the true evil in this world existing as the greatest threat." Ryuken blinked and his arms rose to a guarded stance. He had thought, how great, a religious zealot was here to preach to him. But, what did the gods do for him? For his family and the people of the Cistern? ""What of the gods? They're only stories, stories that my father used to speak of to make me carefully go to bed on time." Ryuken bellowed back, his growing frustration at this man's rambling.
"They are not just stories, my child." He would form a single handseal and the pocketwatch glowed, a seal activating, as the story of the past came to life. How Evergreen beseeched the aid of Utu and then Uta who came ot Zelel up until the present when Utu had disappeared, but Evergreen and Zelel continued fighting against Jashin. "This all happened so long ago. Why does it matter now? What could I even do?" Ryuken rebutted, even with such vivid images, perhaps it was all an elaborate genjutsu. Forming a handseal as he countered the thoughts, he attempted to use Kai, finding himself not awakening from a dream or illusion. No, these images were real. This history was real. "The funny thing about time, my child, is that to one as powerful and old as Zelel the past and present and the future, are understood differently. You see, unlike the other dieties, Zelel always was and existed far before they did."
The thought of a being existing even older than Evergreen perplexed Ryuken. Did that mean perhaps, Zelel was somehow an even more potent or powerful existence? But, despite that, it all went back to what this old man was even getting at. Why reveal such religion to an academy student. What did he hope to create? "I don't understand what my purpose in all of this is supposed to be. I'm just an academy student... The old man smiled, laughing before taking out his staff and waving it forward, the sound of clocks ticking as he showed Ryuken a glimpse of a figure that seemed somewhat familiar to himself, someone that could be a distant relative or even a sibling? Ryuken looked closer and reached towards them as he saw what could only be an older version of himself with proper shinobi gear, and a much stronger build, and greater determination. "It's not what you are, or how you are. But when you are."
The thoughts excited Ryuken. The potential of the future, what will be, what could be. The academy student genuinely was proud of that image. And with that image, he saw the staff wave once more as it burst apart into a ticking sound to only become no more. "But there is more to Zelel than time and space. If you wish to become this path, which there are many paths, you must go on a journey. You must see the world. You must master your crafts and become the strongest you can be. But, you must also master discipline. You must understand that every moment in time is as important as the last, but is transient, fleeting. When you take one step into a river, you can never step into that same part of the river." There was a charm to such wisdom that was being imparted from Zelel's teachings. Ryuken was truly invested at this point. He had his awakening. Perhaps, the stories of the gods and goddesses were not fiction after all. Perhaps, they exist just as chakra exists, as a form that has always been and always will be.
Handing Ryuken that same pocketwatch, the old man had turned from him, bowing. "Remember, the path you will be travelling on a journey, one that is beyond the physical. There is a war happening beyond the physical fabric. Your mind will open as you come to grips with the truth that everything that happens is transient. Shinobi career. Sadness. Happiness. Life. It all begins and ends, and is ultimately short. So live it to the fullest you can and leave your mark, your history, your legend on this world as you can." Fading into a burst of clocks ticking, the old man faded from view and Ryuken slid down against the tree processing all that had just happened to him. He had discovered a new fire in his heart, a passion for spirituality, and a belief in the power of Zelel. [Revelation Rank D | Birth of a Zelelanite narrative mission complete]
Ryuken had asked his sensei for permission to pursue a lead into Zelel worshippers. While it seemed he was going to find them and expose them, instead he went to do missions for them to learn more about Zelel and how to best worship this god.
Returning to the Academy, a look of darkness had been burrowed on Ryuken's face. He knew what he was returning to do as the grim graduation requirement. But, life and death were normal cycles in the shinobi world. This first kill would be his awakening, and a reassertion of his nindo. Only the strong deserved to prevail in this world. There is no place for weakness. No place for wasted space. And if he were to think on the teachings of Jelel, there was nothing he could do about the results of this match anyway. Life is truly a short battle. Whether he prevailed or fell today was to be a result of the training and the knowledge he absorbed from his internship missions. But, regardless, no matter what opponent that they academy decided to face against him, Ryuken was ready to crush them and earn his right to be a Genin, even if it meant standing atop their corpse and planting an Amegakure flag deep within their bone marrow.
Slapping his face, after pushing open the entrance doors Ryuken called out, slamming his chest, "I'm ready! Send the fool to their death. I'll leave them for the crows to judge upon as the rain pelts what's left all away." Despite his confidence and the strength behind his words, the truth was this was his first time taking someone's life. He was nervous, scared. But, he knew this was the next step in his evolution. On the day his father died, Ryuken had sworn an oath to himself to never be so weak as to not be able to follow through on his own resolve. He wouldn't run from this challenge, instead he would dive first boldly, bravely, and without hesitation. Someone was going to die today, but it wasn't going to be him.
[ Enter from ☔ || Neon Alley [ Red Light District ]] ]]
Rank: E | Title: Academy Student | Class: Ninjutsu/Bukijutsu | Elements: Suiton/Raiton | Bloodline: Hoshigaki
▰▰▰ |SHINOBI • INFO| ▰▰▰ • Kiyoshi Takenaka | Rank E | Amegakure | Academy Student | Earth Sector
▱▰▱One of Ryuken's classmates, Kiyoshi, stepped out into the courtyard in the dedicated examination area. "That's tough talk from a gutter rat." The pompous young man was from the Earth Sector's upper crust. His father and mother owned the various Takenaka Markets in the village and always made a large profit. He was several years older than Ryuken but they had a few specific classes together in the past. Kiyoshi was always talking about how important his parents were, especially when there were no Sky Sector students around to one-up him. Kiyoshi was among the richest of the Earth Sector and the only reason he was not in the Sky Sector was the circumstances of his parents' birth. He made sure that everyone knew that he was rich enough to be among the Sky's elites. The young man wore fine clothes and styled himself after the Amekage. He only hoped that Ryuken's cistern trash blood did not soil his glorious raiments.
▱▰▱As Kiyoshi stared at his younger colleague with a condescending glare, rain began to pour into the courtyard once again. The academy student retrieved an umbrella from his waist to shield himself from the raindrops. Meanwhile, one KASA agent stepped between the two before they could commence their match. He had a clipboard and made several marks on the pages with a pen. The eyes of his mask glowed a neon indigo light as his umbrella loomed above his head. "Kiyoshi of the respectable Takenaka family, Earth Sector, facing Ryuken Dozai Hoshigaki, Cistern Sector." The KASA agent had two very different tones when saying each person's name. He had a certain disdain for Ryuken just for being from the impoverished portion of the village beneath the streets. The KASA agent looked up from the clipboard and glared at Ryuken momentarily. "Perhaps you'll do better than Hikari. It's been a long time, but I still remember having to scrub his blood off the floor of this very courtyard." The KASA agent was heartless in his speech as he stepped back to proctor the match. Kiyoshi laughed haughtily at the agent's cruel taunting.
▱▰▱As he stepped back to get into position for monitoring the death match, the KASA spy spoke once more. "Before we begin, go into that room and supply yourselves. Once you've taken the gear you need from your sector's armory, come back out here and go ahead and start when you're both ready. Neither of you are Sky Sector so I shouldn't have to interfere. There are no rules for this match. Just fight for the glory of the Amekage." Kiyoshi whinged as the umbrella warrior noted that he was not from the Sky Sector. Ryuken and Kiyoshi would walk into separate armory rooms. Kiyoshi's room had the kanji for "Earth" above it. He retrieved a standard katana, some kunai, shuriken, and other weapons. Once Ryuken entered the "Cistern" room, he would find an assortment of rusted and broken scraps of weapons that were not suitable for the Earth or Sky sectors. Once Kiyoshi was supplied, he walked back out into the courtroom and tossed his umbrella to the side. He would run in and fight as soon as Ryuken was ready. "Begin!" The KASA agent shouted through his rebreather once both were on the field and being pounded on by the heavy rain.
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 12:12 pm
Ryuken Hoshigaki
Listening to the KASA agent, Ryuken was not the least bit surprised by his words the seemed to shine praise and support of the Earth Sector opponent named Kiyoshi Takenaka. But, the words that cut deep was him reminding Ryuken of his brother who lost to his opponent on that bloody graduation match before. Gripping his fist and grinding his teeth, Ryuken did not let the taunting words provoke him. He did not train and work so hard just to lose his cool at his moment of triumph. Listening to the KASA agent telling him to go into the supply room, Ryuken entered and sighed looking at the poor scraps of metal. Everything was against people that came from the bottom. Who was this Amekage? Why would they perpetuate such a system? Nonetheless, Ryuken was not going to consider this disadvantage a total loss. Even scraps could be used for projectiles and even rudimentary weapons.
Finding the sharpest rusty pieces of metal, Ryuken would gather these and utilize them as ghetto kunai. He had known he wouldn't be able to get an actual workable katana for his bukijutsu. Ryuken had alternative tools at his disposal as a future shinobi. Judging his opponent's distance, and feeling it was as good a time as any to make this fight get started, he decided he would give Kiyoshi a hard time by increasing the power behind how hard he throws his rusted kunai. Concentrating, he measured the distance between them carefully and entered a stance so that he could move his leg forward as he threw increasing the force behind the throw. Ryuken then leaped upwards and would hurl a rusted kunai at Kiyoshi's mid torso with the increased speed.
Using the kunai throw with decent speed for an academy student, Ryuken would follow it preparing to close the distance with taijutsu in mind. He would have to respond to whatever Kiyoshi was planning to send back, but he was already planning his next step in his exchange. "Better hope that the gutter rat's weapons don't come with rabies." He called out, as he started to close the distance with Kiyoshi. One thing Ryuken considered was how much energy he possessed and knowing it wasn't a lot conserving it and using it sparringly would be critical to surviving this match alive. He had hoped his opener was worth the cost.
Bingo Book Data:
Active XP: 0 Passive XP: 0 Body Rank: E Title: Academy Student Ninja Classes: Ninjutsu-Bukijutsu Kekkai Genkai: Hoshigaki Elements: Water Style - Suiton + Lightning Style - Raiton
Chakra Reserve: 100/100 - 20 = 80 Stamina Reserve: 100/100 - 20 = 80 Status Effects: N/A
It had been a fairly exciting day for Soyeon, given the results of what had happened directly after the meeting of the minds with the other hosts' via their telepathy. With their plan currently in action, all everyone save for the three could do would be to wait. To clear her head some out of her little funk, the Minister would decide to take a brief walk through the the rainy village. One of the Amegakure guards had been stuck on umbrella duty, holding it over Soyeon's head. She'd stride around the village, feeling the movement of her twin crows inside of the collar of her feathery coat. A hand fell over Tsukiko's head while impatiently waiting for any kind of feedback from the others. The thought of sending more people with the group besides just 3 people crossed Soyeon's minds, although the boat had long since sailed on that train of thought. For now, the woman would only just try and find other ways to distract herself from the mystery. Her distraction came in the form of visiting the academy as one of the stops. As luck would have it, it would appear to be very good timing. A KASA agent would fill her in up to speed about what was going to happen. It seemed like yet another fight between students was about to occur. A coy smile slithered up to the woman's lips as she was elated at the chance to see the next superstars of Amegakure in action. "Wonderful. I hope they won't mind an audience then. I do enjoy a good fight to the death between the polar opposites of the city." Just barging right in, she'd shush and maneuver her way to watching from the sidelines a respectful amount of distance later.
Just as Ryuken and Kiyoshi were done preparing themselves in the armory and coming out to fight, Soyeon would smile at the both of them, raising a silent hand in greeting while the two agents nearby continued to hold the parasol over her head. "Do give us a good show, boys. We'll be watching~" The fight would begin and soon enough, there would be a development with the tailed beast hosts sent to investigate the disturbance. Impeccable timing as always. There would be the pale skinned woman whom she had recognized at the Kage Summit not a few months ago. The jashinist force that had made their intentions clear. Yet the way she addressed everyone was...worrisome. She wished to hold the beasts back where they came from? What was she planning on doing? "You..." Soyeon said to herself, catching the two off guard. She blinked, flashing both an apologetic smile once out of her little daze. Her attention focused between the fight and the sensations of speech that she was experiencing from the telepathy's effects.
〖×〗【TITLE: Amegakure Minister of Propaganda】▰【RANK: S+】▰【STRENGTH: 01】▰【SPEED: 00】▰【AGILITY: 00】▰【ENDURANCE: 01】▰【CHAKRA: 5,000 || 5,000】▰【STAMINA: 4,400 || 4,400】▰【NATURE CHAKRA: 1,500 || 1,500】
Techniques Used: 1.
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2022 6:19 pm
▰▰▰ |SHINOBI • INFO| ▰▰▰ • Kiyoshi Takenaka | Rank E | Amegakure | Academy Student | Earth Sector
▱▰▱Kiyoshi grabbed newly forged kunai, shuriken, and a katana from the Earth Sector storeroom. Once he left the armory, he walked out into the courtyard where the rain persisted in pounding into the pavement. When he saw Soyeon arrive his face instinctively flushed. Before Ryuken stepped out, Kiyoshi approached where the woman was sitting and took a knee out of high respect. The teenage boy's face was pink as he tried to hold in his emotions before a sudden vocal outburst. "You're so beautiful, Lady Soyeon! I'm honored to be in your presence!" He took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles before standing and bowing three times from the waist. "This battle is for you and Lord Amekage! He is so cool too..." Before Kiyoshi could continue singing the praises of the ruling couple of the village, he was called back to the battle by the KASA agent.
▱▰▱He stared across the courtyard at Ryuken who immediately threw rusted scraps at his body. He unsheathed his katana as fast as he could and clashed with the crude projectiles. A clink could be heard as the sword blocked the thrown objects with equal power. "Weapons don't give you rabies, you impoverished and ignorant fool!" He took a battle stance to enhance himself physically. "The worst I'm getting is tetanus from those rusted hunks of s**t you call weapons!" Kiyoshi sneered at Ryuken with a cruel sense of disdain. "You shouldn't even be in the same room as Lady Soyeon! It's time for you to die!" The boy ran toward Ryuken with his sword drawn as he formed a one-handed handsign. He grabbed a stone off the ground and used chakra to enhance its size before hurling it at Ryuken. He continued running toward him to close the wide distance as he watched the three-foot stone fly through the air.
Techniques Used:
▰ Basic Block [ Katana ] | Rank E | Simple | Endurance Stat Boosted to Rank C Kiyoshi used a katana slash to skillfully deflect Ryuken's projectiles.
▰ Rock Throw Technique [ Iwa Tounyuu no Jutsu ] | Rank E The user channels chakra into their hands, molding the earth into a stone measuring up to three feet in width. The user is then able to hurl this at a target within ten feet, causing mild bruising if defended with taijutsu.
Bount Aaron
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2022 6:55 pm
Ryuken Hoshigaki
The fact this student had the audacity to go and try and show off to a superior kind of made Ryuken sour. He was already irritated by the mentioning of his deceased brother. But, this pompous a** was even more of an annoyance. First reacting to the incoming rock that was thrown, Ryuken would move his body and slide to the right, avoiding its impact, the rock crashing some distance behind him. Keeping his eyes on the man with a nice katana it was obvious that his best bet would be to disable him.
"If you think my weapon is the trash they gave me to end you, then you are mistaken." Forming the Tiger into Dog handseals, he would then utilize the Flickering Light Jutsu. Manipulating his chakra, a massive burst of bright amethyst color would be emitted. Assuming Kiyoshi was still determined to stare at him directly, he would have to deal with blinding light. Hoping this would not only surprise but inconvenience the distance closing Kiyoshi into being less likely to hit Ryuken, he would return to an offensive posture. If Kiyoshi wanted a katana fight, then he would receive one.
Forming the Tiger to Ox to Monkey handseals, Ryuken used the Water Manipulation Jutsu, using the free water in the moisture in the air to create 4 gallons of water that flowed into the area directly in front of him. With this water, it opened up some new possibilities. One of them was making a weapon that he would do next, after analyzing Kiyoshi's next move. "My weapon... Is all around you. And I possess enough of it to drown you." Ryuken hoped he might instill a bit of fear into the arrogant man. What technique did Ryuken possess? Could it be something devastating? The water he introduced could be used for anything and even Kiyoshi had to ponder that.
Bingo Book Data:
Active XP: 0 Passive XP: 0 Body Rank: E Title: Academy Student Ninja Classes: Ninjutsu-Bukijutsu Kekkai Genkai: Hoshigaki Elements: Water Style - Suiton + Lightning Style - Raiton
Chakra Reserve: 80 - 15 = 65 Stamina Reserve: 80 - 5 = 75 Status Effects: N/A
Techniques and Activations: ↳ Basic Dodge [ Left ] | Rank E | Simple Ryuken slid to the right, avoiding the incoming rock. ↳ ▰ Flickering Light [ Touei no Jutsu ] | Rank E ↳ ▰ ▰ Water Manipulation [ Mizu Soujuu ] | Rank D
The Tempest Rank:Wanderer 磁気 | Classes:Taijutsu | Taijutsu | Bloodline 力 | Body Rank:S+ 勇 | Elements:Lightning,Wind
How long had it been since Mano had left his office in the KASA facility? The Minister of Security was a diligent man, but even he needed fresh air every now and again. The curtain of rain that was perpetually drawn over the city of Amegakure continued to fall as the masked man stepped outside, his ears filled with the rush of water after days of silence. As he stood under the overhang just outside of the KASA doors, Mano frowned up to the storm clouds. Something was weighing down on his gut, but the man couldn’t place his finger on it. Ame seemed as quiet as usual today. For now, anyway. Since the Jashinist attack on the summit, the village of rain had seen very little action. Mano supposed his feeling of unrest stemmed from the sudden switch from the echoes of war to the sounds of silence within the country.
Mano shook his head as he stepped out into the rain, holding his personal umbrella over his head. He needed to clear his mind. Clouded thoughts led to a lack of focus which led to death. As he removed his anxieties from his mind, Mano let his body wander instead of his mind. His feet took him to the Amegakure academy, where he could hear the sounds of combat even while inside. Mano furled his umbrella and made his way into the building, immediately walking towards the private booth reserved for Ministers. It was, however, to his surprise that he found someone already occupying a seat in the booth. “Oh, hello Lady Soyeon.” Mano said, silently appearing next to the woman. While he spoke, his masked gaze fell to the two boys fighting in the arena. Both of them seemed a little… flamboyant for Mano’s liking. It was hard to determine who would walk out of this fight with their own strength, and who would leave inside of a body bag.
“I found myself with a rare moment of spare time.” He explained, keeping his eyes on the fight. “So I thought I would scout for any potential prospects for KASA, or to gauge the strength of the graduates. I assume you’re here for a similar reason?” Mano turned his head just enough to leak to Soyeon. She seemed as chipper as she usually did, but the Minister of Security still held concerns from her injuries from the Summit. “Are you doing well, my lady?” Water flooding the arena caught Mano’s attention, pulling him back to the fight. “Interesting move… surprisingly uncommon, despite the environment. My lady, what do you think of these two fighters?”
