Shinobi legends regarding Heiwana Mountain state that it formed around Okame as he lie sleeping, exhausted and satisfied after a "great blood frenzy" that ravaged the world and frightened even the bijuu caught in his wake. Others suggest Okame took refuge within the mountain to escape the hatred and revenge of loved ones of the many he'd killed in rage, contest, or sport; While some say Okame created the mountain himself, a safe home for himself to finally retire to and protect with ease. Only Okame himself may know at this point, hidden away at the core of the mystic mountain.
Heiwana Mountain is a particularly difficult to reach area of the world just a day or two south of the arctic circle. The dark, dense forests surrounding the area only give way to the thinner more hospitable woods of Heiwana Mountain after breaking through the constant miles wide fog that encompasses the edge of the thinner treeline. Should one manage to survive the journey, make their way through the fog, and emerge on the other side of the woods, they are greeted with the breath taking sight of the serene mountain decorated sparsely with small white clouds collecting and floating lazily near its edges, cliffs rife with patches of bamboo and saplings of different kinds of trees. The gentle hum of bees can sometimes be heard while passing through patches of wild flowers leading up the mountain's base, beehives occasionally visible in the branches of tress. Subtly carved into the mountain face are sets of stairs, the main continuous branch ascending into the darker, denser clouds hiding the mountain summit. Few and far between, shorter sets of stairs branched off the main set leading to caves in the mountain face, or bluffs with cozy wooden homes built on them. Several streams wound their way down the mountain as well, flowing into small ponds on the way down, all eventually dumping into a larger river that flows along the western edge of the mountain, featuring several waterfall of varying sizes where fish can occasionally be spotted jumping. The bears here have chosen, for one reason or another, to embrace the true solitary nature at the core of every bear. Groups and families of bears do reside in this realm, but they are rare and often extremely small, with young bears setting out on their own as soon as physically capable. Wise bears occasionally hold classes, and bears of the martial persuasion take on apprentices, but their teachings often focus on the abilities and importance of the individual.
One who wishes to wield the power of nature as the bears do must gain the respect of the Bloody Bear, Okame. Traditionally, a hopeful disciple would ascend the mountain, gathering an offering to Okame along the way that consists of rosemary and lemongrass from the valley, a fish caught from a river, a few ounces of honey fresh from the hive, red berries from the blue bush near the summit, and a pink crystal from atop the cave entrance to Okame's Lair. The potential discipline must then descend into the entrance of the dark cave, winding further and further into the core of the mountain, the darkness and silence becoming more prominent with each step. Those with the will of the bear will eventually find their way to the dwelling of Okame. Those who do not will turn back, or perish.
Way of the Bear: Those who have learned to process nature energy through the isolated teachings of the bear find it to bolster their strength and presence in a manner that is rivaled by few. Bear Sages take on a bulkier appearance, noticeably effecting their hands and strengthening the nails into hard claws. While in Sage Mode, sages cannot have their Strength reduced and apply Tier 4 Bleeding Trauma with their taijutsu techniques.
Bear’s Elements: Earth, Wind
Current Sages: 1. Himitsu Uchiha [Contract holder, DarkMockingbird] 2. 3.
Summoners: -None
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 7:48 am
▰▰▰ Yamashira Rank D | Chakra: 450 | Stamina: 400 Str: 2 | Spd: 0 | Agi: 2 | End: 0 An older panda roughly the size of the average human that has devoted his life to studying the Arts of the Warrior Monk. He is proficient with taijutsu and bukijutsu, and wields a long bamboo staff. Yamashira is a kind and inspiring bear, who maintains his smile even in heated battle.
Ability:Walk Without Fear Yamashira's monk training allows him to move over disturbed/difficult earthly terrain with ease. Techniques that reduce Speed and/or Endurance are treated as 1 rank lower in effectiveness by Yamashira.
▰ Weakest Link | Rank D | Cost: Simple Yamashira quickly identifies a structural weak point in a targeted clone, chakra construct, or jutsu-created structure and strikes it with precision and power. The target's defenses are treated as 2 ranks lower.
▰ With the Wind | Rank D | Cost: Chakra Harnessing the power of the wind to hasten the movements of himself and his ally, Yamashira and his summoner gain [2] points in speed and agility for three posts.
▰ Returned to the Earth | Rank C | Cost: Complex Yamashira takes a powerful step forward, loosening the earth beneath his opponent's feet before swinging his staff down forcefully on the target's head, burying them up to their knees in the loose earth just before it settles again. A successful attack deals damage and applies Tier 2 Petrification to the target.
▰▰▰ Tengen Rank C | Chakra: 1000 | Stamina: 550 Str: 1 | Spd: 3 | Agi: 0 | End: 0 An average sized black bear that's faster than he is strong. Not exactly the bravest of bears, he prefers to keep his involvement minimum and off the front lines. Tengen is quiet and cautious, often choosing to take cover behind his summoner when not in combat.
Ability:Bear-ly Traceable When summoned, Tengen actually appears just below the ground, giving the impression of a failed summoning attempt and gaining the element of surprise. Any time he is underground, Tengen may move about freely, as if affected by the Underground Fish Projection [ Dochuu Eigyo ] technique. Once per post, Tengen may sink into the ground after using a Doton technique for a D-Rank amount of chakra. After doing so, Tengen may not use any offensive actions until the following post.
▰ Ride Along | Rank C | Cost: Complex Tengen hides under the earth briefly before emerging to grab the target's ankles. He then uses his earth nature to propel himself backwards rapidly, dragging the target along with him for 1 post. This applies Tier 1 Trauma, and prevents the target from forming two handed seals until released.
▰ Earthly Winds | Rank C | Cost: Chakra Tengen uses his earth and wind techniques in tandem, slamming his paws into the ground to form a thin crack in the ground that travels quickly toward up to 2 opponents within 30 feet of him. When it gets near the opponent, the crack splits to encircle the enemy before the ground crumples and a gale of wind erupt from the circle, launching the target(s) up to 50 feet in the air and applying Tier 1 Vertigo. If the target does not redirect their momentum and falls back into the wind geyser, they are afflicted with Tier 2 Vertigo and are stuck in the air current just above the ground for 1 post.
▰ Bear Claw Coffin | Rank B | Cost: Chakra Tengen sinks into the earth and makes his way under the intended target(s). He then creates ten foot tall stone bear paws that rise up around the target and trap them within the area, even curving slightly to prevent escape from above. Two of these stone walls then slam together with the target in their center, effectively smashing the target into a pulp. RPC's at B-Rank or lower have their bones shattered and require medical attention within five posts before going comatose.
▰▰▰ The Triad Rank B | Chakra: 1100 | Stamina: 700 Str: 2 | Spd: 2 | Agi: 0 | End: 8 The Triad is comprised of three small bears (a panda, a grizzly, and a polar bear) that have traveled the world using their numbers and small size to burglarize homes for anything delicious, shiny, or entertaining. Having grown up together after being cast out for their small stature, The Triad works and fights as a single unit. To those unfamiliar with them however, they seem to move around in random, nonsensical ways with little to no logic or reason.
Ability:Definitely not three bears in a robe. Each bear has a single activation and are capable of making their own attacks separately. The listed stats are a model of each of the bear’s physical abilities. In addition, resources are shared between the triad. The Triad may activate a special Korabo by collectively using their activations to use all three techniques in conjunction. They must first use [Bear Totem] to get in sync, then may Korabo ["Now Push!"] and [Triad Tussle] at one rank higher than normal. This special Korabo has a 6 post cooldown.
▰ "Now push!" | Rank B | Cost: Complex Polar Bear engages the target with a taijutsu barrage in an attempt to push them back as Grizzly squats a few feet behind the target and opens a hole in the ground 10 feet wide and 30 feet deep with small but sharp stones along the bottom. Panda then unleashes a torrent of wind at the target, knocking them into the hole as Polar Bear disengages. A successful attack applies Tier 2 Vertigo, and has a possibility for fall damage.
▰ Triad Tussle | Rank B | Cost: Stamina One bear make a large show of "charging up" while growling, roaring, etc. When he finally feigns an attack, a second bear attacks from the side, sweeping the opponent's legs from under them. The third bear them makes a powerful attack from above, knocking the target into the ground face-up. Collision with the ground at this force causes Tier 2 Blindness for 3 posts.
▰ Bear Totem | Rank A | Cost: Chakra The Triad stacks themselves vertically, allowing the middle bear to channel nature energy to mix with the other bears' chakra for a quick buff. The Triad gains a [2] point bonus to either Strength or Speed for 6 posts. If the summoner joins the Bear Totem, they receive this bonus as well. If that summoner is a Sage, they may take some of the energy to recover 80 Nature Chakra.
▰▰▰ Tezuka Rank A | Chakra: 600 | Stamina: 1450 Str: 6 | Spd: 4 | Agi: 4 | End: 8 Tezuka is a nearly bijuu-sized polar bear clad in silver heavy samurai armor. He's a quiet, serious bear that treats his summoner as a target worth protecting with his life.
Ability:Art of the Blade Tezuka is skilled in the ways of Tetsunami Ryu and Tetsuishi no Ryu, his Bukijutsu techniques are treated as Spiritual techniques in collisions.
▰ Gale Blade Slash | Rank A | Cost: Complex Tezuka slashes at the target with his sword, leaving a powerful gale in the blade's wake. The sudden rush of the displaced air is often enough force to immobilize larger summons and severely damage, or potentially even destroy, unfortified structures. Bijuu sized living creatures are stricken with Tier 3 Paralysis while anything smaller is blown in the opposite direction a hundred feet and applies vertigo to the target for two posts.
▰ Bear Tooth Barrage | Rank A | Cost: Stamina After rushing the enemy, Tezuka bites down on the target's shoulder and grabs the opponents' arms, applying Tier 4 Bleed and grappling them for up to 3 posts. A C-Rank amount of stamina per post can be spent to upkeep the technique for up to 3 additional posts.
▰ Confidence of the North | Rank S | Cost: Complex Tezuka collects his summoner then lets loose an ear splitting roar that shakes his entire body, giving him and the summoner a [2] point bonus to Strength (sages may use this time to instead recover 100 Nature Chakra), inflicting Deafness on anyone within 100 feet that are not protected from the sound, and pushing anyone within 30 feet of the roar out to 50 feet away. Those of lesser constitutions often flee or hide after bearing witness to this monstrous noise, which can be heard throughout the entire topic.
▰▰▰ Okame Rank S | Chakra: 1400 | Stamina: 800 Str: 8 | Spd: 4 | Agi: 4 | End: 8 Okame is an exceptionally large grizzly bear nearly the size of a house that wears a black chest piece and black gauntlets, all with red bear claw insignias painted on. Considered the strongest and most feared of the bears of Heiwana Mountain, Tsubaki resides within the mountain itself, accessible to visitors only through the cave entrance at its summit.
Ability:Blood Frenzy Okame's bloodlust is second to none on Heiwana Mountain. The grizzly bear has tempered and honed his claws to unbelievable sharpness, granting his basic combat offensive abilities the power to inflict Tier 4 Bleed. For every stack of Bleed he applies in combat, Okame gains [1] point of Speed up to his max of 8.
▰ Hurri-Cave | Rank S | Cost: Complex Okame begins to in a circle rapidly, claws out to fend off attackers, channeling the air in the environment. After brief moment, a nearly solid wall of wind begins to form in a 50 foot-wide circle around Okame. Touching the wall simply repels the touch, but any forceful contact will launch the object/person 50 feet into the air in an instant, applies Tier Four Vertigo, and Tier 2 Bleed. The technique lasts for up to 5 posts, but can be extended up to five more posts by paying a B-Rank amount of chakra each post.
▰ Bear of the Mountain | Rank S+ | Cost: Chakra Okame shakes the ground an ungodly loud roar, causing the earth in front of him to ripple up into a rolling wave of stone that eventually takes the shape of a bijuu-sized bear head. The wave destroys structures in its path, displaces those just outside its wake. Once the head fully forms, it collapses on the intended target (a 50 foot wide space), appearing to eat them as it buries them under a small mountain's worth of stone and rocks. The subforum is filled with dust and debris from the massive movement of rock and destruction of terrain. This dust applies Tier 1 Blindness to anyone inside without eye protection of some form, and lasts for 12 posts before settling.
It felt like hours that he'd been wandering the fog surrounding the Heiwana Mountain Valley. The fog was so dense that it had begun to dampen his clothing and condense on his skin, gradually making him more and more uncomfortable as he trudged along. Eventually though, his persistence paid off. The fog slowly began to clear, giving way to the sight of a beautiful mountain valley, dotted with various trees, clusters of bamboo, and long sprouts of wild grasses. Himitsu took a moment to stare in awe, shocked by the beauty of the scenery, and that his studies had been right. Heiwana Mountain existed, and he'd traveled here to find it. He fought back tears for a moment, then collected himself and pushed forward with his journey. Of course this trip was about finding this land of myths, but Himitsu had his reasons for even pursuing this knowledge in the first place.
Thinking back to his studies, he recalled that the first of the various offerings one was meant to bring Okame was a bouquet of rosemary and lemon grass. So the boy set about the valley, searching each cluster of wild flowers and grasses for the plants he needed. These particular plants seemed to be the most scarce, taking Himitsu nearly an hour just to collect a handful. After he'd finally collected a decent amount, he tucked them into his senbon pouch, leaving them hanging out of the open top. With his lovely scented bounty in tow, he made his way through the valley toward the stairs that had been carved into the mountain face and began climbing the steps.
It took a few hours of climbing and resting and climbing some more before the sounds of wind, and birds, and bugs was interrupted by the splashing of running water. A smile broke across his face as he realized he was almost to his next part of the offering. Himitsu broke from the stairs and followed a nearby path the ran toward the sound of the water. It didn't take long to find the edge of the river than ran down the eastern edge of the mountain. Himitsu set his backpack down, and released his bow from his Lightning Seal, then released his arrows as well. Slowly he nocked and arrow, and connected a chakra string to the feathered end of the bow. He activated his sharingan, and stepped up to the river bank. For several minutes, he stood there silently, staring into the water. Then in an instant, he pulled back the string, swiveled down stream slightly, and let loose his arrow. Certain he'd hit his target, he began pulling on the chakra string to collect his catch. Every now and then, a weak tug came from the string, but by the time the boy hoisted the salmon out of the water it was dead. With his catch in tow, he made his way back to the steps.
Himitsu diverted from his his original path slightly, and was grateful he had once the sound of bees buzzing hit his ears. He followed the sound to a decent-sized beehive and thanked the gods for his luck. Attempting not to get stung, Himitsu gathered up some damp leaves from the area, and piled them up on the ground directly below the hive. He then made a single hand sign and snapped his fingers at the pile, igniting them and releasing a puff of smoke. The smoke drifted up lazily and wafted over the hive, lulling the bees into calming themselves for a few minutes. Himi then dumped his water container out on the leaves and stomped them out, making sure they were soaked and cold before climbing up to the hive. With the bees now napping in their little cubbies, Himitsu was able to crack open the hive slightly and scoop a decent amount of honey out and into his now empty water container. Eager to be long-gone before they awoke, Himitsu filled his container halfway and climbed down, making a beeline for the steps.
"Cool... Now I just need to finish climbing to the top, grab those berries, and head into Okame's Cavern!" Himitsu thought to himself cheerily, trying to ignore how much of a mission the remaining hike itself was. The cheer declined about as quickly as the sun did. Each step was a little heavier, and little harder, and a little farther away. Just as the sun began to set atop the horizon, Himitsu toppled over the final step at the summit of the mountain. His legs were exhausted, and his back ached. He lied there for a moment, enjoying the sensation of not holding his own body up for a few moments. Eventually the soft bubble and trickle of water caught his attention, and motivated him to drag himself off the ground. Nearby was a small spring that bubbled up into a round divot of rocks, deposited cold, clean water into the little basin. Himi knelt down and took a long drink from it, letting the water freeze his mouth and throat as he continued to gulp it down. Eventually he pulled away with a satisfied gasp, and wiped the water from his face. Just a few feet away stood the berry bush mentioned in the myths. The boy collected a large handful, cupping them against his body as he went. When he'd begun dropping more than he was grabbing, he gave up and walked to the wide opening of Okame's Cavern. "Alright... Here we go..."
Despite his nerves, Himitsu was able to start his descent into the mountain, one slow step at a time. Each footfall echoed out into the dark, vast cave, giving back no indication as to how deep the tunnel actually ran. It didn't take long for the limited light from the cave mouth to wane completely, leaving Himitsu completely in the dark. He did his best not to let it bother him, but eventually the darkness began to actually feel heavy around him. The gentle sounds of nature had quickly been drowned out by the echoes of Himitsu's steps, but by now they had been silenced completely. Scraping, shuffling, and thumping echoes bounced around Himitsu, melding into an ever-present white noise that practically hypnotized the Uchiha. After a couple hours of this mesmerizing cacophony, shapes began drifting in front of the boy's eyes, hallucinations taking form in the blackness.
First to make itself visible was the Uchiha crest, bobbing along in front of Himitsu as he walked. The boy rubbed his eyes a few times, but gave up when it didn't help remove the image. Eventually he reached out to grab it, irritated with the spot in his vision. When his hand passed through it, the crest burst into flames, eventually crumbling into its top and bottom pieces before burning away to ash that erupted into several crows that silently blasted off into the darkness. A pang of guilt crept from his heart as he remembered how he'd sworn off the patrons of the Uchiha, a symbol of the classic ideals of the Uchiha. Anger flushed the guilt out almost immediately however, as he recalled battling back the foul animals after their boss had sent a monster to Konoha.
Next to make an appearance was a monster those crows had created, The Poisoner. A violent, twisted persona forced out of Kai Uchiha by the crows when he'd gone to them for help, training, and guidance. They'd given his best friend strength, but nearly broke him in exchange. The Poisoner had come to Konoha to wipe out the remnants of Kai Uchiha, and had the potential to succeed had Kai not been such a strong personality to have to destroy. Seeing what the crows had done to his friend, the price they demanded for their help, and the horrible ideals they upheld had disgusted and infuriated Himitsu. Once the Poisoner had been dealt with, Himitsu broke his ancestral pact with the crows and forever gave up his access to their assistance.
Eventually the visage of the villain faded away into the dark, giving way to more images. Flashes of broken friendships, allies that hadn't made it home from missions, memories of training alone as a child because the other kids thought he was a quiet weirdo. Feelings of anger and loneliness bubbled up in him as he continued, the darkness and messy echoes closing in on him. His emotions welled up and pressed against his guts, contained only by the oppressive weight of his environment. When it became too much, Himitsu took a deep breath and screamed into winding tunnel into the earth. It came out low and powerful, shaking his torso as he let it loose. When he'd exhausted his breath, he took a few deep breaths, and collected himself, feeling better. The thoughts of earlier still filled his head, but the sadness that had begun to leak in had been forced out, replaced with reassurance that he'd been right to isolate himself from the crows, from the Uchiha ways, from people that hadn't earned his alliance and affection. The anger toward those who had wronged him still lingered and festered, but now it fueled him. His stride hastened, and he stood taller.
After his ordeal in the darkness, it wasn't long before the echoes that had surrounded him opened up slightly, taking longer and coming back quieter each time. Eventually he could actually feel the cave open up and he stepped into the widened den that rested at what he assumed to be the heart of the mountain. It was warm here, but the air was dry and almost... maple scented? Now visible in front of the chunin was a large, lumpy mound which was silhouetted by what Himitsu assumed was a fire on the other side of it. After a deep breath, Himitsu spoke. "Lord Okame. I've come with an offering." A soft grumbling came from the mound in the center of the room before it began to grow and change shape. From his position in the entrance, Himitsu heard a soft sigh before the calm flickering light from before erupted into a full inferno, illuminating the room fully. In the middle sat a massively overgrown grizzly bear with occasional swaths of missing fur where scars showed through. On its face was a grumpy, disheveled look, not one you'd typically like to see from a bear you're staring down. The grizzle sniffed a few times before his face softened and a pink tongue slid over the bear's lips.
The tense silence in the room broke as a deep rumble came from the bear. "Very well... Come here, boy." Nerves rooted Himitsu to the ground for a moment, before realizing that not moving after offering a bear food would likely end worse than trying to escape now. His first steps were slow, but he regained his confidence quickly, and steadily approached the Lord of the Bears and bowed. In an instant, he could feel the hot breath of the grizzly on the back of his neck, and heard the sniffling of his nose just over his back as Okame sniffed out the Uchiha's offering. "Smells like you've brought the right stuff. Although these berries seem... sweeter... than I remember. They'll do though. Place everything on the table and I'll have Panda cook it up." Satisfied with the boy's gift, the bear stood and stepped away from the boy, standing to his full height and stretching out after his long slumber. When he finished, he let out a short, contented grunt and sat down near the fire. While Okame did his thing, Himitsu did as ordered and unloaded the groceries he'd collected onto the wooden table pressed against the wall near the roaring fire. Once he'd finished, he stood next to the table silently and awaited further direction, not wanting to upset or offend the animal. It wasn't until Okame finally gestured him over to the blaze that he moved again.
"So... What brings a human here? I thought I'd made myself clear to Suzaki that dealing with his kind was his problem now." Okame spoke quietly, but the pitch of his voice still reverberated in Himitsu's bones, making his stomach twist from the feeling. It took the boy a moment to put together the bear's statement, but he gave his response once he'd connect the dots. "Lord Okame, I'm sorry, but if you're speaking of the Suzaki from the Earth Lands, the Suzaki of the Bear Claw... He's been dead for nearly 200 years. Most people aren't even sure he existed anymore." The bear seemed almost sad to hear this information, but it didn't take long for him to speak once again. "Hmmm... I see. So it's been that long out there? Guess I lost track of time! Ha!" The grizzly paused for a moment as he pondered the idea again. "Well if Suzaki is dead, then I guess I'm going to have to start dealing with people again... If I've really been away as long as you say though, maybe it'll do some good to receive some guests once in a while again. Speaking of which, you brought me an offering and woke me from my sleep. Why? What favor are you looking for?"
Himitsu's heart skipped a beat, and his voice caught in his throat briefly. He let out a soft cough before standing and looking at the grizzly. "Lord Okame, please take me on as an apprentice." The boy confidently made his request and bowed, staying low as he awaited a response. Nothing but silence came from the bear for several seconds. Finally, the walls shook and pebbles bounced along the ground as Okame laughed deeply. Having not considered this response, Himitsu stayed low until the laughing subsided and the bear caught his breath. "Kid, I can smell the crow on you! Really I'm not even sure how you got into the valley, let alone all the way here. Unless... Ha! You told those creepy birds to eat it, didn't you?"indigo] Without straightening up, Himitsu nodded his head silently in response to Okame's question. "Good for- Oh stand up already! Good for you, kid. You know what? Sure. If Suzaki's dead, I'll need somebody to help sort out at least some of the rabble that'll be sure to turn up here." Himitsu stood as ordered and watched Okame make a handsign, creating a puff of smoke nearby. It dissipated to reveal a human-sized sloth bear wrapping his arms around a large scroll. The bear lord made a gesture toward Himitsu, and the slot bear approached the boy before unfurling it to reveal the Contract of the Bears. The sloth bear made a quick addition to the scroll and added a seal before fully presenting it to Himitsu. "Add your print, and you'll be one of us. kid." Without hesitation, Himitsu channeled chakra into his hands, then pressed it against the paper, leaving his hand print on the scroll. Once done, the sloth bear rolled the contract up once again, and handed it over to Himitsu.
The boy's eyes went wide as he took the massive scroll into his arms. His excitement was taking over, and his legs felt weak. He took a few breaths before setting the scroll down and resting it against his leg for now. "All yours now. Don't go signing any weirdos on. Although you bird boys have never been known to make many friends anyway. Ha! Anyway, come, sit. First lesson is now."brown] Slightly offended but still compliant, Himtisu did as directed. As he sat down on the ground and crossed his legs, the rock around him sprung up and formed an open dome around him, resembling a small cave. "Get comfortable. You might be sitting a while. Your job is to sit in that little cave there, and keep absolutely still. Once you've got it down, you'll start to feel the energy of the mountain. If you can feel it, you can use it. You've just gotta give it time to soak into your body, into your own chakra." The pair would spend the next several hours meditating as Himitsu tried to coax the energy from the earth surrounding him. Being entombed within the mountain, Himitsu lost any real sense of time within moments, but it felt like days he'd been working at it before he could finally feel the nature energy surrounding him. The tiny cave Okame had crafted for him seemed to help channel it, but it also may have just been a fun "doghouse" joke for the bitter old bear.
Finally after several hours of actually sitting and gathering energy, feeling it build inside him, Himitsu could feel his body changing and adapting to the new kind of chakra. Careful not to break his concentration or move, he sat through the odd sensation of his muscle slowly expanding, his hair thickening and puffing up, his fingernails hardening and growing quick enough to feel. Once the tranformation ceased, Himitsu opened his eyes and looked at his body. What he couldn't see were the brown curved lines above his brows and bent lines on his cheeks that framed his face into a more bear-like shape. As he stood and exited his tiny den, his shoulders bumped the edges and knocked a few pebbles loose. The sound drew Okame's attention, and the sight brought out a slight smile. "Ha! Good work! Now, lets see how long you can keep that going while under pressure."
"Wait, what?"
A strange pulse came from the back of his mind that alerted him to the sudden attacks of The Triad who had swooped in from the cave's insanely high ceiling. Just knowing they were there gave the boy an edge as the descended on him. Without effort, Himi stepped around all three of their initial attacks. Clearly prepared for this however, the bears turned and continued their triple barrage mercilessly. Each hit was closer and closer as Himitsu stepped around, over, and between the bears and their strikes. It didn't take long for his heightened state to fade away however, and Himitsu almost immediately tripped over Panda, causing him to eat a roundhouse kick from Ice Bear. The Triad disappeared into smoke the instant Himi hit the ground, letting out a quiet "Oww..." The Bear Lord chuckled and plucked the Uchiha from the ground, setting him on his feet again. "That's not too bad. Almost useless for actual use, but as a start? Not bad. Now go get better." Okame smiled and lumbered off to a corner of the cave to curl up and nap in once again.
Excited that he'd made progress, Himitsu climbed back into his miniature den and set back to mediating again. He'd go on to repeat his process of charging up, changing, and fighting The Triad, for a couple of days. Each time, he improved only slightly, only gaining seconds at best on every attempt. But after nearly a week of training and occasionally getting advice from Okame, Himitsu was able to charge and change inside a few minutes, and fight for even longer. Nature Chakra had truly begun to feel natural to him, and being without it now felt as tiring as going without food all day or lacking sleep. It wouldn't break him, but it was noticeable. It was hard to believe that days earlier he hadn't even truly understood what this force was.
Once Himitsu was able to defeat The Triad before losing his Sage Mode, Okame dismissed them from the cave and smiled at Himitsu. "Well kid, that's about the best I can do for you for now. I've got plenty more to show you, but for any of that you'll need to really master Sage Mode. Besides, you're still too... socialized, to really understand those techniques anyway. I'll teach you when you're a little more cynical. The bear's statement made little sense to the boy, but he nodded for now. As excited as he was to learn more from the Great Grizzly, he was eager to get back to Sadayo, who he'd kept waiting while he chased myths, and even more so to get home. "Thank you, Lord Okame. I'll return when I've made progress." Okame smiled and nodded, then made a hand seal which caused a long tunnel to open up in the cave wall near them. It was long, but at the end was a small light. The scent of wildflowers drifted into the cave from the tunnel, exposing it as a hidden entrance into Okame's Den. "By the way, kid, there's a flat gray stone on the other side there. Put your hand on it while in Bear Sage Mode and this tunnel should pop right open. Save yourself some time next trip." Himitsu gave his thanks once again, and headed out for the edge of the Sage Lands, excited to tell Lady Sadayo all about his adventure.
❃Shinobi Missions Complete❃ D Rank | 10 C Rank | 4 B Rank | 0 A Rank | 0 S Rank | 0 S+ Rank | 1
Ryo: 両76,450 [-250] XP: 7,820 Passive XP: 55
Techniques Used: -None
Current Status Effects: -None
Current Active Techniques: -None
Modifiers: • Those with Ninjutsu class as a single class, may apply a weaker form of Elemental Status appropriate to the element used to all Base Elemental Ninjutsu. If single classed, use the following scale: Tier 1 E-C | Tier 2 B-S • The Elementalist's wide understanding of the elements reduces the cost of their elemental ninjutsu by [1] whole rank without losing their potency but elemental ninjutsu cannot be lowered in cost beyond this • Burn will cruelly apply at [1] tier higher than the rank of the technique at a maximum of the fourth tier on contact.
Passives: ▰ Flame-Resistance Technique [ Bounetsu no Jutsu ] | Rank E | Passive This is a passive Jutsu that is the first in two steps to protect the user from damaging themselves with their very own techniques. Those practicing Katon must learn this technique or take E Ranked fire damage when utilizing katon techniques. ▰ Fireproof Technique [ Taika no Jutsu ] | Rank C | Passive After learning the Fire Resistance Technique, the user's mastery over self protection from their own element has become more refined. By passively circulating chakra over their skin, they are able to negate burns upon their own body. Additionally, the user is able to increase the chakra circulating their body to match the rank and potency of a fire based technique directly impacting them in order to nullify that technique. This can be done for no activation cost once every three posts. ▰Electrical Resistance Training [ Teikou no Kuntou ] | Rank E | Passive This is a passive technique that is the first in two steps to protect the user from damaging themselves with their very own techniques. Those practicing Raiton must learn this technique or take E Ranked shock damage when utilizing raiton techniques.
Personal Attributes: ▱▰▱ "Remember, keep QUIET." | When channeling chakra to a body part for purely-mobility purposes, Himitsu is able to manipulate it as wind chakra in order to mute the sounds of the motions (clothes shifting, footsteps, rocks shifting underfoot, etc.). Indirect sounds (falling branches, tumbling rocks, kicking up leaves, etc.) are not affected by this. ▱▰▱ "...with one hand behind my back!" | Jutsu can be performed with one-handed seals. ▱▰▱ Illusory Prowess | This attribute allows any and all genjutsu to be cast through eye contact with the Uchiha. In addition, the genjutsu cast in this manner have the sight sense added to them at C Rank body. At S Rank body, the user's genjutsu are given the chakra sense. Also, mental stress or insanity can be added to any genjutsu cast through eye contact for an additional fifty percent chakra cost. ▱▰▱ Melee Prodigy | The user obtains a [1] point increase to agility while their sharingan is active for each body rank they have obtained. In addition, the user's first physical offensive activation every three posts gains a [1] point increase to speed per rank of their body, also requiring the eyes to be active.
Himitsu and The Triad popped into place near the river that flows down Heiwana Mountain. The Uchiha's knees buckled the instant his feet touched the ground, and he crumbled. How body ached as it desperately attempted to fix itself from the horrible contortion it bad gone through during his transformation. "Never again..." For a beat he expected a snarky response, but when none came he recalled what he'd done. "Oh. Yeah..."
For a moment Himitsu rested on all fours. When he was certain he had the energy, he heaved himself back in order to stand up again. Instead, he merely flopped backwards onto his back. A grunt escaped him involuntarily, but he resigned himself to his fate quickly. "You know what, guys? I'm just gonna... rest here for... for a..." Flat on his back in the soft grass of the riverside, Himitsu was asleep before he finished his thought, let alone his sentence.
Day Three
The sudden roaring of the forest's midnight soundtrack ripped Himitsu back into the waking world. Himi gasped slightly in confused surprise and sat up quickly. Or at least he tried, instead only managing to lift his arm and should up enough to glance around slightly. He let his head fall and bounce slightly in the springy grass once more. As he got his bearings he relaxed slightly and sorted out his two and a half days of dreams from his nightmarish reality of the day prior.
The longer he thought on it, the more he hoped he was wrong. Had Miki really attacked him? Had he really acted like that? Really said those things? "Gods, and Mina...[/i Himitsu had just made friends with the woman, and barely days later she nearly ends up collateral damage of his ego fueled rampage. She'd shown up to help, and he'd shouted at her like some common nuisance.
Himitsu sat silently to himself for some time, letting the echoes of the nocturnal bugs and wildlife call out over the babbling of the river. It was a loud silence, not unlike the bustle of an ever busy town, but more peaceful. More natural. It was the most thorough peace he'd had since he'd left the mountain, as it wasn't barely a day's journey from the mountain that he had encountered Matatabi. Since then he hadn't been alone once. Not really. The beast was always just below the surface of his mind, waiting to antagonize him or goad him into some harsh reaction to something. Now she'd been locked down, a prisoner to her own temple within his mind.
The idea of the demon sitting alone in the dark mindscape, chains strapping the doors closed, her torch the only one lit, gave him a twang of guilt. He grew up a solitary person, but he never *liked* being alone. And now he was inflicting that feeling on the demon; a sentience that's spent most of its existence shackled inside the mind of one human or another for humanity's benefit. Maybe she didn't mind the silence, but he had a feeling she might just be stuck in a lonely cell while still watching the boy live his own life.
A sigh escaped him as he sat. "We were supposed to be partners, Mata... Why can't we get along?" This time he didn't expect an answer, and wasn't surprised by the silence that answered him. After another few minutes in silence, Himitsu crossed his legs and closed his eyes, slowly drifting into a deep meditative state.
Soon the jonin stood outside a large blue and black marble temple, adorned with bakenenko heads on corners and posts. Several blue torches flickered around the temple's steps, with two large ones flanking the temple's door. Centered on the door and covering nearly 80% of it was a massive unfurled scroll, a Seal of Loss inscribed across it. Puncturing the paper, without interrupting the sealwork itself, were over a dozen metal anchors for the massive chains that pulled the door shut tight. Several slots for brace bars rested over top the seal as well, another precaution to contain the demon residing within. The sight made Himitsu feel guilty again, saddened by the measures he'd gone to, and the loneliness he might be inflicting on Matatabi.
Another dejected sigh escaped him before he got to work. Well if I'm going to get anywhere, some of this has to go..." He began by sliding the massive brace bars out of their slots, revealing large swaths of the seal that had been previously obscured. Himi took a step back and looked at the giant scroll again, before stepping up to wrench the slots from the door as well. It took time, and plenty of effort, but eventually he was able to see the entirety of the seal, only the slight lines of the chains anchored to the door interrupting his view. With a clear view, Himitsu descended the temple steps and looked at it from a slight distance, staring in silence at the oversized paper.
Day Six
It felt like weeks that he'd been here, staring, poking, prodding, and pulling at the threads of the seal. To say he'd made no progress would be a lie, but hardly. Breaking another person's seal was one thing, but altering it was another entirely. Not only was he altering it, his objective ultimately was to force the seal to operate almost exactly the opposite way it was intended. These inherent obstacles were only made worse by the actual quality of the seal itself. It had clearly been done with focus and intent, but it was rigid and almost by-wrote. It was quality for certain, but it lacked flexibility and dynamic. Each piece was locked in place tightly, threatening to snap the entire seal when tugged at too hard.
Seemingly defeated for the moment, Himitsu flopped to his butt on the temple steps and groaned. The moment he'd begun, he suspected that keeping the temple chained shut would inevitably impede his progress, but hoped it wouldn't happen so soon. "If she's been bleeding through since tbe beginning, then there has to be a weak point somewhere that's always been there. I just need to find it..." Of course, that meant weakening the seal again, something he'd hoped to avoid until he finished.
After a short rest, Himi stood again. He removed his Windmill shuriken from his belt and used it to snap a handful of chains nearby. The gigantic marble doors groaned slightly as the pressure on them eased. Himi put the weapon aside for a time, and returned to his work staring, poking, prodding, and pulling at the threads of the seal.
Day Seven
By now only four chains remained tethered to the ornate temple doors. Himitsu's heart rate spiked as he attempted to stretch a portion of the seal's inscription, and it moved along with his fingers. He'd finally found a place to manipulate the seal from. The Uchiha shouted from excitement, his weeks of work finally validated. It took a moment to calm his nerves, but once he had, it was straight back to it. With a finger on the seal, he began to trace over it and feel the chakra. Once he knew it, he dragged his finger away from the shape, deforming it to his needs. Before he could pull it how he wanted however, the ground shook violently, flinging him down the temple steps painfully. The shaking occurred in waves, one direction, then the other, back, then forth, then paused. Himi feared he'd actually broken the seal, but it appeared intact from where he lay. When it didn't stop after several minutes, the true source occurred to him. "Wow, that is awful in here!"
A second later he was once again sitting riverside on Heiwana Mountain. Next to him stood the polar bear of The Triad. He offered a plate of honey glazed ham, eggs, and an assortment if fruit chunks. The tiny bear grunted and snorted a few times at the man. "Oh, umm, yeah, thanks." Himit took the plate and took a bite from the ham. "Mmm! Hmmm. Has it really been a week?" He dug into the meal, speaking between bites. "I guess that makes sense. I've been in there for ages. I found something finally though. At least I hope it's something." it didn't take long for him to clean his plate. When he finished, he stood up slowly, stretching out his muscles thay hadn't moved in days. Grunts and groans accompanied the movement, but ceased once he finally got stand and shook his legs out a little. He tested them by strolling to river and rinsing the plate off with the water, before returning and handing it off to the bear once again. Plate in hand, the bear gave a short bow, then scurried off up the mountain, likely to one of his many secret holes to Okame's Den.
Beginning to smell the funk of sitting outside in the elements for a week, Himitsu stripped down and hopped into the cool river stream. There he took his time bathing in the river and rinsing his clothes. He remained in the water until his clothes had largely dried out on a branch he'd placed them on. He used his jacket to dry himself before replacing it on the branch. Himi only bothered dressing up to his boxers and undershirt, choosing to feel the mild chill of the lower mountain air. Once dressed, he wandered about the area and collects branches, slowly building a small shelter for himself and making a tiny fire pit in front of it. As the sun set, Himitsu set the last leafy branch over the shelter to finish insulating it for the night, then lit the pile of logs he'd placed in the pit. Surprisingly cozy in his forest gifted hovel, Himitsu drifted off to actual sleep for the night.
❃Shinobi Missions Complete❃ D Rank | 12 C Rank | 7 B Rank | 3 A Rank | 1 S Rank | 2
Ryo: 両147,300 XP: 11,140
Techniques Used: ▰ None
Current Status Effects: ▰ None
Current Active Techniques: ▰ None
Modifiers:
• Apply a weaker form of Elemental Status appropriate to the element used to all Base Elemental Ninjutsu. If single classed, use the following scale: Tier 1 E-C | Tier 2 B-S [Ninjutsu Class] • The Elementalist's wide understanding of the elements reduces the cost of their elemental ninjutsu by [1] whole rank without losing their potency but elemental ninjutsu cannot be lowered in cost beyond this. [Ninjutsu H.E. Discipline] • [Vertigo] will cruelly apply at [1] tier higher than the rank of the technique at a maximum of the fourth tier on contact. [Ninjutsu H.E. Discipline] • Scholars are automatically of the Veteran title for Scroll Crafting. [Scholar Class] • All sealing techniques are considered overwhelming when in collision with other techniques of the same rank. This benefit only applies to techniques S-ranked and below. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • You are able to summon beings at one rank lower than normally required and 50 chakra and stamina is granted to them per rank of the summoned creature starting at 50 for D-Rank and ending with 250 for the boss summon, or 300 if a mythical summon is contracted. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • The user's summoned creatures are able to use any ninjutsu the user has access to that they share an element for as well as any genjutsu, taijutsu, and bukijutsu. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • Your summoned creature's unique techniques are considered overwhelming at S-rank and below in collisions. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • The Academic's body is considered a scroll so seals can be used and stored on your direct body. Your body may be treated as three scrolls equal to your body rank. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] Fuuinjutsu and sensory skills do not require handseals and are one rank less in chakra cost (Following the one rank max reduction rules). [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • All three of your actions can be used on fuuinjutsu and/or sensory for one post every three posts in combat. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • In addition, the duration of all sealing techniques and all sensory techniques are increased by two posts. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • You automatically inflict one tier higher of Hex status (maximum of tier 4). [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • Fuuinjutsu and sensory techniques used by this specialization are reduced in chakra cost by five per rank with a minimum of five chakra. [Scholar Specialist] • Your seals and summons cannot be hijacked. [Scholar Specialist] • Seals that require multiple activations will require one less so long as you're contributing at least one activation to the seal in question. [Scholar Specialist] • The ability to sense intent to do harm within the topic and its source. [Bear Sage] • Able to regenerate 375 nature chakra per post. [Bear Sage] • You can naturally sense chakra around yourself. You can sense chakra up to 5 meters away without the use of a sensory technique. This radius is increased by 5 meters every time you rank up. This natural talent is also able to sense the presence of demonic chakra within its range. [Bear Sage] • Demon Techniques do not consume technique slots. [Matatabi Host] • All Demon Techniques have the overwhelming property. [Matatabi Host] • The jinchuuriki is able to draw chakra from Matatabi as an action during combat equal to two ranks above their body rank. [Matatabi Host] • Reihi style fire techniques are classified as katon but lack the weakness to suiton and advantage to fuuton. [Matatabi Host] • All complex and spiritual taijutsu and bukijutsu techniques can emit blue fire that can apply tiered mental stress or insanity depending on the rank of the technique on sight. [Matatabi Host] • Fire release techniques can act as a visual trigger for all genjutsu. [Matatabi Host] • The host's flames are classified as "spirit fire" and can become cobalt blue and more easily ignite objects. All fire techniques apply [1] tier higher burning. [Matatabi Demon Cloak Stage 1] • All fire based techniques produced by the Uchiha are considered bloodline techniques. [Amaterasu's Cloak PA]
Personal Attributes: ▱▰▱ Amaterasu’s Cloak | All fire based techniques produced by the Uchiha are considered bloodline techniques.The flames are turned black and fire based techniques are reduced by 5 chakra per rank with a minimum of 5 chakra to be paid for a technique. For each rank of a technique, it's flames burn actively for one post or one additional post if a limit is given. ▱▰▱ Illusory Prowess | This attribute allows any and all genjutsu to be cast through eye contact with the Uchiha. In addition, the genjutsu cast in this manner have the sight sense added to them at C Rank body. At S Rank body, the user's genjutsu are given the chakra sense. Also, mental stress or insanity can be added to any genjutsu cast through eye contact for an additional fifty percent chakra cost. ▱▰▱ Pass Without Trace | When channeling chakra to a body part for purely-mobility purposes, Himitsu is able to manipulate it as wind chakra in order to mute the sounds of the motions (clothes shifting, footsteps, rocks shifting underfoot, etc.). Indirect sounds (falling branches, tumbling rocks, kicking up leaves, etc.) are not affected by this. ▱▰▱ "...with one hand behind my back!" | Jutsu can be performed with one-handed seals. ▱▰▱ Blessings of the Bakeneko | All temporary speed and agility stat boosts for the jinchuuriki are double. Additionally, if the jinchuuriki cannot boost their agility any further then they can use the agility stat to dodge spiritual attacks [6] times per battle rather than [4]. ▱▰▱ Melee Prodigy | The user obtains a [1] point increase to agility while their sharingan is active for each body rank they have obtained. In addition, the user's first physical offensive activation every three posts gains a [1] point increase to speed per rank of their body, also requiring the eyes to be active. ▱▰▱ Chilling Flames | Able to truly channel Matatabi's essence of death and fear, Himitsu may alter his Spirit Fire. His Spirit Fire radiates an unsettling coolness, and burns inflicted by them feel as if they came from extreme cold. Intense flare ups and rapid spreading of flames take on a frenzied whisper sound instead of the typical roaring of flames. Himitsu may change his Spirit Fire to feel and sound like normal fire at will. [Endgame Slot] ▱▰▱ From the Ashes | Himitsu may cast fire-based Ninjutsu from any Spirit Fire actively burning within 100 feet of him. [Endgame Slot] ▱▰▱ Phantoms of the Bakeneko | Himitsu's Phantom Slayer Bukijutsu techniques take on a theme based around Matatabi. Tengu/Oni phantasms take on the shape of Matatabi, and their roars are replaced with the wild growling howl of a large cat. Colors are changed to align with the demon's blue and black colors. [Endgame Slot]
Time had lost any real meaning for the Uchiha man by now, actual days on the outside meant untold weeks inside the mindscape. This coupled with his determination not to give up until his project was finished meant keeping track of the time was pointless. Of course losing track of time here presented the risk of wasting your body away and going mad trapped within your own mind until your consciousness fades away, but he'd eliminated that problem by assigning The Triad to wake him once a week.
Left alone with his mental puzzle and nothing else to focus on, he'd made leaps and bound on his project. Although the time to completion was unknowable, he'd at least achieved proof-of-concept. Assuming that chakra seals do function in the mindscape as they did in the physical world (so far all signs pointed this way), then he'd successfully altered his Seal of Loss to divert chakra to a partnered seal nearby. It wasn't consistent or stable, but it did move. Now all that was left was to dial it in.
Days passed for Himitsu as he tirelessly made minute adjustments to each of the seals before testing them, repeating the process each time it inevitably failed. When the time came that seal didn't fail, Himitsu almost canned it and made further adjustments again before snapping out of his fog. "Holy s**t. Holy s**t! Himitsu began shouting in excitement, shocked and overwhelmed to finally have succeeded. He'd finally managed to pull chakra from the seal and attach it to an object through a seal without compromising the integrity of his original Seal of Loss.
Once he'd calmed down, he removed his windmill shuriken from his waist and used it to break the remaining chains anchoring the temple door closed. Each shrieking clang of a broken chain was accompanied by a soft groan of the marble door on its hinges. When the fourth and final chain had snapped, the doors relaxed in the frame once again, pulling the oversized paper seal taut. With a deep breath, Himitsu reached up and yanked the seal away, letting it fold over and tumble down the steps behind him.
Himitsu gave the doors a shove and let them swing slowly open. Inside flickered a single large blue brazier in the center of the room. As the doors opened wider and wider however, other smaller flames ignited around the edges of the room. When all had lit, the center flame grew noticeably and began to shift. A second later a large feline face peered at the Uchiha from the flames. "Hmmmm...? Back so soon? You couldn't manage a month without my power, huh?" Matatabi's sarcastic tone filled the temple, the slight echo adding an addition level to her taunts. Himitsu shook his head quietly then sat down on the floor before her.
"Oh, no, I've actually really enjoyed the quiet." Himitsu answered her calmly and with a slight smile. The demon rolled her eyes and spoke once again. "Don't lie, boy. I felt you trying to yank at my chakra through thay grisly barricade you put up. The Uchiha let out a little giggle, but stifled it when Matatabi glared at him. "Hehe, oh uh, sorry... I thought you were... You said grisly, and... ya know... grizzly...? Grrrrrr? No? Okay." He gestured to himself and made bear paw motions when he half heartedly growled, before going quiet at her glare again. Himi cleared his throat, then spoke. "Uhhh anyway, yeah, I was pulling at your chakra. I've been working on something. I kept my promise, come see."
Himutsu opened his eyes slowly, blinking them quickly and shielding his eyes from the sun. It'd been the better half of a week since he'd physically seen any light, so it took him a moment to adjust. When he had, he stood and stretched, then wandered to the treeline in search of a log. When he found one, he dragged it out and over to his little hut. By now Matatabi had stretched out as well, so to speak, and was back to her usual perch just under Himi's own conciousnes. She watched on as Himi flashed dozens of handsigns and his hands began to glow with her chakra. Just as they looked like the might explode, he thrust his hands forward and placed them on the log, creating an altered, mirrored version of his Seal of Loss that encompassed the wood. From within the circled area around the central seal, demonic chakra flowed freely and began to burn and crackle over the log, but without damaging it. When it had accumulated a significant mass, it suddenly seemed to Matatabi to invite her in, welcoming her to join it. With some encouragement from Himitsu, she did.
She gave into the tugging sensation she'd felt since the ritual had begun, and suddenly felt herself shift from Himitsu to the log. It wasn't quite the same as roaming the countryside free, but it was certainly better than sitting in her mindscape brazier. She felt as if she was wearing some kind of harness, tethering her to her host, but not necessarily leashed. Strapped together, not pulled along. "You... Why...?" Although the demon had certainly experienced human kindness, she'd never come to expect it, and had certainly gave up on promises from humanity.
"I told you early on that I'd find a way for you to stretch your legs. I want us to be partners, Mata. Not a hostage and her captor. Yes, we're stuck together, but we don't have to fight each other about it. And now we can actually get a little space from each other from time to time. The connection is only stable for about 150 feet, but I'd say that's a lot better than 'literally occupying the same space'." Himitsu smiled at the materialization of Matatabi standing before him, scarcely bigger than a small dog due to the technique's limit of scaling the demon's torso to only slightly larger than the object the seal is placed on.
Unphased by the significant reduction in size compared to her uncompromised form, the demon began running up and down the riverside, zoomies at max. She ran, jumped, spun, and climbed through the area, leaving tiny blue flames behind her that sputtered up in seconds. When she'd satisfied her urges, she approached Himitsu and stretched out once more, back in full arch. "You've done well, Himitsu. Thank you."[/color.] Himitsu smiled at her as she sat down near him inside his tiny branch hut. "You're welcome, Mata. I figured if I showed you I really do want to work with you, maybe you'd get on board with me? Maybe stop trying to get my goad all the time? Actually help me think things through?" If he didn't know any better, he mightve said the beast looked guilty. She sat quietly for a moment before laying down with a sigh. "You keep your word, and offer cooperation where I expected conflict. I'm sorry, Himitsu Uchiha, for encouraging recklessness. We may work together." She closed her eyes and seemed to go to sleep, but the longer Himitsu sat there , the more he wondered whether bijuu actually slept or not.
❃Shinobi Missions Complete❃ D Rank | 12 C Rank | 7 B Rank | 3 A Rank | 1 S Rank | 2
Ryo: 両147,300 XP: 31,140
Techniques Used: ▰ None
Current Status Effects: ▰ None
Current Active Techniques: ▰ None
Modifiers:
• Apply a weaker form of Elemental Status appropriate to the element used to all Base Elemental Ninjutsu. If single classed, use the following scale: Tier 1 E-C | Tier 2 B-S [Ninjutsu Class] • The Elementalist's wide understanding of the elements reduces the cost of their elemental ninjutsu by [1] whole rank without losing their potency but elemental ninjutsu cannot be lowered in cost beyond this. [Ninjutsu H.E. Discipline] • [Vertigo] will cruelly apply at [1] tier higher than the rank of the technique at a maximum of the fourth tier on contact. [Ninjutsu H.E. Discipline] • Scholars are automatically of the Veteran title for Scroll Crafting. [Scholar Class] • All sealing techniques are considered overwhelming when in collision with other techniques of the same rank. This benefit only applies to techniques S-ranked and below. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • You are able to summon beings at one rank lower than normally required and 50 chakra and stamina is granted to them per rank of the summoned creature starting at 50 for D-Rank and ending with 250 for the boss summon, or 300 if a mythical summon is contracted. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • The user's summoned creatures are able to use any ninjutsu the user has access to that they share an element for as well as any genjutsu, taijutsu, and bukijutsu. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • Your summoned creature's unique techniques are considered overwhelming at S-rank and below in collisions. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • The Academic's body is considered a scroll so seals can be used and stored on your direct body. Your body may be treated as three scrolls equal to your body rank. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] Fuuinjutsu and sensory skills do not require handseals and are one rank less in chakra cost (Following the one rank max reduction rules). [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • All three of your actions can be used on fuuinjutsu and/or sensory for one post every three posts in combat. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • In addition, the duration of all sealing techniques and all sensory techniques are increased by two posts. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • You automatically inflict one tier higher of Hex status (maximum of tier 4). [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • Fuuinjutsu and sensory techniques used by this specialization are reduced in chakra cost by five per rank with a minimum of five chakra. [Scholar Specialist] • Your seals and summons cannot be hijacked. [Scholar Specialist] • Seals that require multiple activations will require one less so long as you're contributing at least one activation to the seal in question. [Scholar Specialist] • The ability to sense intent to do harm within the topic and its source. [Bear Sage] • Able to regenerate 375 nature chakra per post. [Bear Sage] • You can naturally sense chakra around yourself. You can sense chakra up to 5 meters away without the use of a sensory technique. This radius is increased by 5 meters every time you rank up. This natural talent is also able to sense the presence of demonic chakra within its range. [Bear Sage] • Demon Techniques do not consume technique slots. [Matatabi Host] • All Demon Techniques have the overwhelming property. [Matatabi Host] • The jinchuuriki is able to draw chakra from Matatabi as an action during combat equal to two ranks above their body rank. [Matatabi Host] • Reihi style fire techniques are classified as katon but lack the weakness to suiton and advantage to fuuton. [Matatabi Host] • All complex and spiritual taijutsu and bukijutsu techniques can emit blue fire that can apply tiered mental stress or insanity depending on the rank of the technique on sight. [Matatabi Host] • Fire release techniques can act as a visual trigger for all genjutsu. [Matatabi Host] • The host's flames are classified as "spirit fire" and can become cobalt blue and more easily ignite objects. All fire techniques apply [1] tier higher burning. [Matatabi Demon Cloak Stage 1] • All fire based techniques produced by the Uchiha are considered bloodline techniques. [Amaterasu's Cloak PA]
Personal Attributes: ▱▰▱ Amaterasu’s Cloak | All fire based techniques produced by the Uchiha are considered bloodline techniques.The flames are turned black and fire based techniques are reduced by 5 chakra per rank with a minimum of 5 chakra to be paid for a technique. For each rank of a technique, it's flames burn actively for one post or one additional post if a limit is given. ▱▰▱ Illusory Prowess | This attribute allows any and all genjutsu to be cast through eye contact with the Uchiha. In addition, the genjutsu cast in this manner have the sight sense added to them at C Rank body. At S Rank body, the user's genjutsu are given the chakra sense. Also, mental stress or insanity can be added to any genjutsu cast through eye contact for an additional fifty percent chakra cost. ▱▰▱ Pass Without Trace | When channeling chakra to a body part for purely-mobility purposes, Himitsu is able to manipulate it as wind chakra in order to mute the sounds of the motions (clothes shifting, footsteps, rocks shifting underfoot, etc.). Indirect sounds (falling branches, tumbling rocks, kicking up leaves, etc.) are not affected by this. ▱▰▱ "...with one hand behind my back!" | Jutsu can be performed with one-handed seals. ▱▰▱ Blessings of the Bakeneko | All temporary speed and agility stat boosts for the jinchuuriki are double. Additionally, if the jinchuuriki cannot boost their agility any further then they can use the agility stat to dodge spiritual attacks [6] times per battle rather than [4]. ▱▰▱ Melee Prodigy | The user obtains a [1] point increase to agility while their sharingan is active for each body rank they have obtained. In addition, the user's first physical offensive activation every three posts gains a [1] point increase to speed per rank of their body, also requiring the eyes to be active. ▱▰▱ Chilling Flames | Able to truly channel Matatabi's essence of death and fear, Himitsu may alter his Spirit Fire. His Spirit Fire radiates an unsettling coolness, and burns inflicted by them feel as if they came from extreme cold. Intense flare ups and rapid spreading of flames take on a frenzied whisper sound instead of the typical roaring of flames. Himitsu may change his Spirit Fire to feel and sound like normal fire at will. [Endgame Slot] ▱▰▱ From the Ashes | Himitsu may cast fire-based Ninjutsu from any Spirit Fire actively burning within 100 feet of him. [Endgame Slot] ▱▰▱ Phantoms of the Bakeneko | Himitsu's Phantom Slayer Bukijutsu techniques take on a theme based around Matatabi. Tengu/Oni phantasms take on the shape of Matatabi, and their roars are replaced with the wild growling howl of a large cat. Colors are changed to align with the demon's blue and black colors. [Endgame Slot]
Shortly after sun rise, Himitsu roused himself from his slumber and stretched slowly. Content, he let out a big groaning yawn which woke Matatabi from her own rest. She glared and blinked slowly at her host, clearly displeased with being awoken in such a manner. "Must you be so loud, so soon?" Himitsu smiled wide at the cat and getting to his feet. "Good morning, Mata. How was your first night out in months?" The tiny blue cat of flames stood, stretched, and flicked her tail about before wandering outside the stick hut and looking around. "Actually rather pleasant.... Thank you..." The bijuu's voice was quiet, and she refused to look at the Uchiha, embarrassed to be showing gratitude to her host. Himitsu pretended not to hear her, to save the bakenenko some dignity in her mind, as he strode past her and splashed himself with some water from the river. After a quick drink, he turned the to bijuu and spoke. "So, ready to meet Okame?" The beast merely sighed lightly and stood, taking a spot near the Uchiha's feet.
It didn't take long for Himi to make his way to the back entrance of Okame's den, but it did take him a moment to find the hidden door itself. Eventually he let out an exasperated sigh and sat on the ground, legs crossed. He sat there for nearly ten minutes before dark marks began to take shape on Himitsu's face, darkening his upper eye area and drawing lines down his cheeks and jaw line. Another five minutes passed before they solidified, and Himitsu stood up again. It was hard to tell at first as the change was gradual, but after standing it was quite clear how much larger Himitsu had grown during his transformation. His normally baggy attire still fit comfortable, but lacked the typical bounce and flow it typically had. A savage look of concentration now dominated the normally kind man's face. With no issue this time, Himitsu approached the wall and placed his hand on a small stone sticking out just a bit further than the pile it rest in. Seconds later the mountain face groaned and rumbled as it slid apart to reveal a dimly lit tunnel. Himitsu let out a slow breath, and the marks on his face faded quickly, as did the excess muscle mass. The pair then strode through the stone gate before it slide shut behind them.
It didn't take nearly as long to reach the bear boss's dwelling from the hidden entrance as it did the summit one. Within a minute or two, Himitsu was standing beside a large mass of fur that slowly swelled then retracted with each breath. "Hmmm... I see where you get your habits." Himitsu looked down in shock, feigning physical injury. "Wow, Mata... Uncalled for." The demon seemed to smile, but quickly hid it. Himitsu nudged the lump of fur a couple times before it groaned and sat up, somehow taking up even more space now that it woke. A deep yawn rumbled the cavern and blasted hot damp air through the cave. When it ceased, Okame shuffled around to face his apprentice.
"Hrrrmmmmmmmm.... Why hello, little bear. I see you've brought an... unpleasant... guest." The giant bear spoke slowly, still sleepy. Himitsu smiled sheepishly and explained. "Well... she's not really that bad. Mata's actually-" A swift, flat response cut him off. "A demon created by an evil god." Himi winced at the clear displeasure in his master's voice, but still he persisted. "Well.... Yeah... But Mata's not inherently evil. An a*****e, sure. But not evil. For reference, there's plenty of histories and cultures that consider you evil. So maybe lets have some perspective...?" The man had started so confidently, but deflated slowly as he went on. Silence filled the room for several seconds before it was replaced with the booming laughter of a bear the size of a house.
"Bwahhahaha! That's a fair enough point, little bear. Just know if it harms my mountain, I'll squish you both. Hahaha!" Himitsu laughed nervously along with the bear, glad he wasn't angry, but confused as to why it was quite so funny. When the bear had gotten his giggle out, he gave an amused sigh and addressed Himi again. "Ahhh....... So what brings you back to the cave so soon? I can't imagine it's been more than a year or so...?" Himitsu admitted it'd been only a couple months at most, which the bear grinned at again. "Ha! Hungry to learn more, so soon?" Himitsu nodded. "I didn't really understand before how to hold on to the kind of power sage mode brings. You helped me feel the nature energy and even wield it, but trying to upkeep that much power, or be able to hold it for another time was just beyond me. But after spending time learning to use Mata's energy, I think I'm ready to push on with my sage training." Okame smiled and nodded, before creating a small stone dome near him. On Himitsu's first journey here, that had bene what Okame had used to help him feel and channel nature chakra. But this time Himitsu was determined to do it with a crutch. "No. I don't want training wheels this time."
Okame laughed once more. "Fine then." In a dark blur, his massive furry arm flew toward Himitsu, who narrowly avoided the strike. What he hadn't avoided was the follow up kick the bear delivered to where Himitsu was about to land. The kick sent Himitsu pinballing into the corner of the den for a second before he rolled back to. Himi hadn't prepared to spar with anyone, let alone have Okame swinging at him so soon after a nap. The bear really wasn't holding back either, as the bruises already forming on his arms clearly communicated. Slightly more prepared, Himitsu picked up the pace and found a rhythm in Okame's attacks, dodging them each but just barely, lightyears from actually being able to strike back. "Come on. Hit back, little bear." Himitsu's response came back broken , between breaths and dodges. "You know! I can't! Too. Fast!" The bear grinned as he kept up his onsluaght. "For one man, maybe!" Even with the answer dangled in front of him, it took Himitsu several more minutes to grasp what he'd been told. "I'm an idiot."
"Correct."
"Not helpful!"
On his last dodge, Himitsu made a handseal midair, exploding into a puff of smoke. The follow up attack through the cloud caused a second smoke cloud to poof out, before two Himitsus burst from it. Okame sighed though as the pair just began dodging around him, scarcely gaining any leeway from having a second copy jumping around the bear. Every now and then one would lunge in for a strike, but would either miss or need to be saved by the other copy before they were hit with a counter. After nearly another five minutes of hopping around, the pair misjudged each other's trajectories and collided midair. Okame dind't hesitate to take the chance, and swatted the pair into the wall. Upon collision, both exploded into smoke, revealing them to both be clones. This surprised Okame, allowing the real Himi to trigger his sage mode from his place on the ceiling and drop onto his master, punching him down onto the cave floor. The pair tumbled about the enclosure for a second before coming to a rest. Dust swelled about the room for several minutes before settling, revealing the bulky man and the giant bear sat on the floor near the middle of the room, rubbing their fist and head respectively. Another few seconds passed before the looked at each other and stood up. "Alright. Five minutes then we go again. Keep it on during rests." Himitsu nodded, and the two began their new regular training routine. They would rinse and repeat the process all day for several days.
Their rest days would find Himitsu wandering up to hte summit to meditate at the frozen, windy peak. On particularly cold days, Matatabi would sit around his neck to keep him more comfortable as the pair wandered what Himitsu liked to call "the mindscape". Occasionally on these days Mata was close, Himitsu would find the mindscape to warp slightly, taking on aspects of the surrounding area, but rapidly shifting. It was inconsistent, but Himitsu did his best to investigate when it did occur. It was during one such investigation that he was interrupted by a strange, invasive feeling. Something sinister enough to concern even the demon Matatabi herself.
❃Shinobi Missions Complete❃ D Rank | 12 C Rank | 7 B Rank | 3 A Rank | 1 S Rank | 2
Ryo: 両112,300 XP: 37,140
Techniques Used: ▰ None
Current Status Effects: ▰ None
Current Active Techniques: ▰ None
Modifiers:
• Apply a weaker form of Elemental Status appropriate to the element used to all Base Elemental Ninjutsu. If single classed, use the following scale: Tier 1 E-C | Tier 2 B-S [Ninjutsu Class] • The Elementalist's wide understanding of the elements reduces the cost of their elemental ninjutsu by [1] whole rank without losing their potency but elemental ninjutsu cannot be lowered in cost beyond this. [Ninjutsu H.E. Discipline] • [Vertigo] will cruelly apply at [1] tier higher than the rank of the technique at a maximum of the fourth tier on contact. [Ninjutsu H.E. Discipline] • Scholars are automatically of the Veteran title for Scroll Crafting. [Scholar Class] • All sealing techniques are considered overwhelming when in collision with other techniques of the same rank. This benefit only applies to techniques S-ranked and below. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • You are able to summon beings at one rank lower than normally required and 50 chakra and stamina is granted to them per rank of the summoned creature starting at 50 for D-Rank and ending with 250 for the boss summon, or 300 if a mythical summon is contracted. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • The user's summoned creatures are able to use any ninjutsu the user has access to that they share an element for as well as any genjutsu, taijutsu, and bukijutsu. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • Your summoned creature's unique techniques are considered overwhelming at S-rank and below in collisions. [Scholar P.S. Discipline] • The Academic's body is considered a scroll so seals can be used and stored on your direct body. Your body may be treated as three scrolls equal to your body rank. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] Fuuinjutsu and sensory skills do not require handseals and are one rank less in chakra cost (Following the one rank max reduction rules). [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • All three of your actions can be used on fuuinjutsu and/or sensory for one post every three posts in combat. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • In addition, the duration of all sealing techniques and all sensory techniques are increased by two posts. [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • You automatically inflict one tier higher of Hex status (maximum of tier 4). [Scholar E.A. Discipline] • Fuuinjutsu and sensory techniques used by this specialization are reduced in chakra cost by five per rank with a minimum of five chakra. [Scholar Specialist] • Your seals and summons cannot be hijacked. [Scholar Specialist] • Seals that require multiple activations will require one less so long as you're contributing at least one activation to the seal in question. [Scholar Specialist] • The ability to sense intent to do harm within the topic and its source. [Bear Sage] • Able to regenerate 375 nature chakra per post. [Bear Sage] • You can naturally sense chakra around yourself. You can sense chakra up to 5 meters away without the use of a sensory technique. This radius is increased by 5 meters every time you rank up. This natural talent is also able to sense the presence of demonic chakra within its range. [Bear Sage] • Demon Techniques do not consume technique slots. [Matatabi Host] • All Demon Techniques have the overwhelming property. [Matatabi Host] • The jinchuuriki is able to draw chakra from Matatabi as an action during combat equal to two ranks above their body rank. [Matatabi Host] • Reihi style fire techniques are classified as katon but lack the weakness to suiton and advantage to fuuton. [Matatabi Host] • All complex and spiritual taijutsu and bukijutsu techniques can emit blue fire that can apply tiered mental stress or insanity depending on the rank of the technique on sight. [Matatabi Host] • Fire release techniques can act as a visual trigger for all genjutsu. [Matatabi Host] • The host's flames are classified as "spirit fire" and can become cobalt blue and more easily ignite objects. All fire techniques apply [1] tier higher burning. [Matatabi Demon Cloak Stage 1] • All fire based techniques produced by the Uchiha are considered bloodline techniques. [Amaterasu's Cloak PA]
Personal Attributes: ▱▰▱ Amaterasu’s Cloak | All fire based techniques produced by the Uchiha are considered bloodline techniques.The flames are turned black and fire based techniques are reduced by 5 chakra per rank with a minimum of 5 chakra to be paid for a technique. For each rank of a technique, it's flames burn actively for one post or one additional post if a limit is given. ▱▰▱ Illusory Prowess | This attribute allows any and all genjutsu to be cast through eye contact with the Uchiha. In addition, the genjutsu cast in this manner have the sight sense added to them at C Rank body. At S Rank body, the user's genjutsu are given the chakra sense. Also, mental stress or insanity can be added to any genjutsu cast through eye contact for an additional fifty percent chakra cost. ▱▰▱ Pass Without Trace | When channeling chakra to a body part for purely-mobility purposes, Himitsu is able to manipulate it as wind chakra in order to mute the sounds of the motions (clothes shifting, footsteps, rocks shifting underfoot, etc.). Indirect sounds (falling branches, tumbling rocks, kicking up leaves, etc.) are not affected by this. ▱▰▱ "...with one hand behind my back!" | Jutsu can be performed with one-handed seals. ▱▰▱ Blessings of the Bakeneko | All temporary speed and agility stat boosts for the jinchuuriki are double. Additionally, if the jinchuuriki cannot boost their agility any further then they can use the agility stat to dodge spiritual attacks [6] times per battle rather than [4]. ▱▰▱ Melee Prodigy | The user obtains a [1] point increase to agility while their sharingan is active for each body rank they have obtained. In addition, the user's first physical offensive activation every three posts gains a [1] point increase to speed per rank of their body, also requiring the eyes to be active. ▱▰▱ Chilling Flames | Able to truly channel Matatabi's essence of death and fear, Himitsu may alter his Spirit Fire. His Spirit Fire radiates an unsettling coolness, and burns inflicted by them feel as if they came from extreme cold. Intense flare ups and rapid spreading of flames take on a frenzied whisper sound instead of the typical roaring of flames. Himitsu may change his Spirit Fire to feel and sound like normal fire at will. [Endgame Slot] ▱▰▱ From the Ashes | Himitsu may cast fire-based Ninjutsu from any Spirit Fire actively burning within 100 feet of him. [Endgame Slot] ▱▰▱ Phantoms of the Bakeneko | Himitsu's Phantom Slayer Bukijutsu techniques take on a theme based around Matatabi. Tengu/Oni phantasms take on the shape of Matatabi, and their roars are replaced with the wild growling howl of a large cat. Colors are changed to align with the demon's blue and black colors. [Endgame Slot]
