Refining [Shouyu]

[Kiri]

After being given the lunch tickets by Osu, Kiri and company would grab a quick meal at the hospital’s cafeteria. Needless to say, the experience of the combat class was still fresh. By the time they were done, they quickly dispersed. Or so it was supposed to be. However, it was strange (far too coincidental) that Kiri was walking in the same path as Shouyu was. Did they live near the other? That can’t be possible.

He suddenly thought of dropping by the academy. It wasn’t because he missed the place, rather, he remembered that he didn’t spend much time here. Even if he was studying in the academy not too long ago, he didn’t really make good use of the facilities. It was also due to that he never got close with those in his batch. Come to think of it, he could barely remember who they were.

“That’s bad,” he muttered as he stopped his walk and then looked at the gates of the academy. Then, he turned to the side to see if the other was still there, and then said, “Say, do you want to try simulating this morning’s exercise in the training facility here? I can’t help but feel it could have gotten smoother.”

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

He was walking rather quickly, though he was hungry he was upset at what Osuteno had told him at class. He did lack in team work, and discipline, but that could be easily expected of from an orphan with a very few friends. Team work involved a friendship or some kind relationship. You had to understand your team, and your own personal strength and weaknesses to contribute. He was passing the academy school before he caught someone in his peripheral.

It was Kiri, and it made Shouyu wonder if he was being followed by him the whole time. He didn't say much or acknowledge Kiri at the moment, being lost in his thoughts at the moment. His pace slowed down passing the academy, head turned to to face its gates. "I should just continue training... Of course, why take a break now, I'm feeling really good after Osu's healing prowess."

Just then Kiri had mention about going in and training, hoping they could figure out what they did wrong in that lesson. This made Shouyu stop, slowly cock his head over to Kiri with a right eye brow raised high on his face. This was also teamed by a chip tooth grin and a thumbs up.

"You bet! I'm always ready to train!"

He would then turn to face the academy gates, pocketing his free lunch ticket, he brought a right fist into his left palm and rubbed them into each other, ready as ever.

 

[Kiri]

He grinned at the other’s enthusiastic spirit. That was how they first met, if he remembered correctly in the forest, which is quite strange. He had always thought people of that lineage– at least by the way Shouyu looked– were supposed to be dead serious and reserved. However, this kid was just breaking all boundaries, it seems. And while it was annoying during their first encounter, it didn’t seem to annoy him anymore now. In fact, it was so much like a contagious thing.

“I shouldn’t have asked,” said Kiri with a smile.

The two would enter the academy grounds. By memory, he would make his way along the corridor. Past a few turns, there would be a long pass and then the training facility just up ahead. This was his usual routine here during his time in the academy. It wasn’t so much about the classroom lectures nor the interaction with the people that made an impact on him. It was the facilities that the academy had which allowed for optimum training and basic learning for the shinobi. In fact, the training facility had in it different configurations that allowed from simple to complex tasks.

And of course, it meant that they could recreate the scenario from this morning.

In one of the grounds, they placed three dummies, all of which would have been imbued with a chakra meant for retaliation. Now, because they would want to test their efficiency, it was best to set those chakra to a random pick, so that he and Shouyu would truly be caught off guard if necessary.

“That’s what I was thinking,” said Kiri as they stood in the grounds, looking at the three dummies before them. “After all, there were other people in the area in the morning exercise. I suppose they could have moved if they wanted to and wouldn’t it be better to be outnumbered? So that we can think carefully on how to approach this?”

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

The sound of the rubbery leather being rubbed together with palm and fist, was a squeaky one. His hyuuga gauntlets was nothing more than his fists bandaged up to his elbows, covering his forearms, the gauntlet itself just had a strap around each palm, a wrist guard to help him keep his wrists straight during strikes to avoid injury, a slight thin layer of leather padding, on the back of his fists up to his knuckles, of course to guard from any scarring and tearing from attacks.

"Right, I will follow you Kiri."

So he followed behind him, his eyes were fixated at his toes, contemplating deeply to himself. He had almost been in Cloud for a year, and surely he has grown a lot. His first encounter with Kiri was a while back in the forest, and he thought that he himself had matured and disciplined himself enough to not bother others. He was a sensitive boy, and most times his emotions got the best of him. Today was no different, training would change that though. Down a few corridors and turns they reached the practice field.
There, Shouyu Hoshi stood tall gallantly.

The dummies were set up, each randomly given X amount of chakra to fight back. This would stir things up a bit. Shouyu stood where he was at, drew a line in front of him as Junko sensei did before. He inhaled deeply, eyes closed, and when they opened during his exhales, many veins began to bulge from surging chakra all through his cornea and face. He had unlocked the 360 degree vision of the byakugan.

"So, shall we try this again? I'll strike from a distance with my long range Lightning Jutsu, split up the three, and we will try for a one on one until its 2 v 1. Deal?"

 

[Kobura]

Kobura had been returning from the Ancient Forest where she had been training her new found jutsu in the poison affinity. While on her journey she saw Shouyu and some other boy walking together off in the distance. Before she was in range to call out to him they momentarily disappeared from her range of view seeming to head towards the training grounds.

She raced towards the direction she thought they were going in hoping to catch up with them and not only get some extra training in but also see who the fellow with Shouyu was. She was also eager to tell Shouyu that she would soon consider what branch she was going to be in and she was thinking hard on being a mednin but wasn't 100% sure. Once she had finally made it to where they were she shouted out, "Shouyu! Hey I wanna join!" Breathing heavily from running a great distance.

Once she got a bit closer she could see that they were about to start training and was curious as to what they would be doing for the session. She was also curious as to who the other boy was, "So who's your friend Shouyu?" She wasn't interested in him like that but she also wanted to know every ninja in the village for knowledge in the future when things happened she could determine on who to suspect if it ever came to that.

 

[Kiri]

After setting up the field, Kiri would listen to Shouyu explain the details of their plan. Indeed, it would be beneficial if they were to begin with a long-range assault in order to spread the enemies. However, that would also mean blowing up their cover. It seems they’ll have to think this through first.

“Shouyu, if we begin with a long-range, it will alert the others of our presence. While it could distract them and divide them, but it could also raise their guards up and act unified. Since we don’t know much about the enemy, we can’t simply rush in as such. After all, in the real battlefield, it’s not just about static enemies,” said Kiri.

Just then, another shinobi would appear. She seemed to be acquainted to Shouyu and so he figured that she was from the academy. Being someone who never got to meet much with the academy students, Kiri didn’t know her, but the way she asked about him made him feel like a stick in the mud. It was so weird. People never asked much about him unless it was for fighting.

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

He turned his head as Kiri began to speak, and he nodded. His plan seemed good enough to an extent, but what Kiri said was true. A surprise advantage should be a ninja's priority. A sensory type like himself though, would be able to snuff out a hiding enemy in stealth. But here, this was one thing Shouyu needed to practice on. Being one with the shadows, normally he figured clones would be the best thing for every battle, judging your opponent and getting to know them with only a shadow of yourself, that way, Shouyu wouldn't need to expend unnecessary chakra, or take any damage. He was going to respond before a voice rang out.

Oddly familiar the voice was, and when Shouyu turned his body in its direction and found Kobura he simply smirked to himself at his educated guess. She was insisting she join, making this a 3 on 3 with the figures they stood up for retaliation. Kobura didn't introduce herself, instead badgered Kiri on his introduction. He just responded by rubbing the back of his head with his right hand and chuckling shyly.

"Hey Kobura, this is Kiri, a med nin in training. Today we are practicing stealth, and speed."

He pointed out to a bell pole and three people who seemed to be pacing around in a rather quick manner, they were extremely alert but haven't caught on to the group yet. Shouyu extended his arm, a finger pointing to Kiri, then to Kobura, and back to Kiri. He was the youngest of the three, and his jittery personality showcased that.

"Well... Properly introduce yourselves?"

 

[Kobura]

Kobura nodded at Shouyu's response on what they were training for stealth and speed something that would help every shinobi in every aspect no matter what kind of mission they were in. She was the type that preferred to be felt first then being seen afterwards. Reason she preferred poison which would subdue or hinder them before they even knew she was there. "I'm Kobura by the way" she said turning to Kiri and bowing.

"So what was your plan of action for this stealth and speed exercise that we are about to do?" Kobura looked to the group that Shouyu pointed and looked at the bell pole that they were pacing around and seemed to be the ones they would have to bypass. She was unsure of Kiri's strengths so if he had something that could help them as a group it would help her in leading them to achieving the goal. She squatted down to the ground pulling her Kunai out that was coated with Wraith's Dream poison.

"This poison on this kunai reduces the targets ability to fight back that produces a fear in their mind. If I can take out one of the targets with this we will only have two others to worry about. Now with that being said I would launch this from a distance as getting to close might cause them to notice us right away, but if we strike at the same time that I hit the target it'll make it a lot easier. With your clones that should make it twice as easy."

She paused for a moment to see if they had any suggestions or a previous game plan that should could adapt to and become more useful.

 

[Kiri]

This was quite the surprise. The academy students seem to be rather prepared and eager. Almost the same for those of his batch. Then again, everyone would be eager to prove their worth in this dogs-eat-dog world. Still, it wasn’t a bad thing. It was just that they were born into a time where fighting was necessary. Looking at Kobura, he nodded and answered briefly, “Kiri.”

Then, the three seemed to have formed into an impromptu team about to tackle this course. Kiri wasn’t sure about it, since it was very abrupt that someone would join, but he wasn’t entirely against it. Still, the way Kobura was confident in her skill was so similar with Shouyu.

“Inflicting fear is good, but I can manage in a way that does not even need a weapon. Shouyu should know that,” said Kiri. “And as you say, it would seem like a good start. And since you two seem to have worked together before, why don’t I leave you two with the offensive. I’ll cast the illusion to their fears, and in the middle of their confusion, you both can rush in. However, be wary.”

With that, Kiri would bring his hands up in a handseal formation. “If that is alright, shall we proceed?”

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

Kiri and Kobura had introduced themselves and Shouyu then became more comfortable with the group as a whole. Kobura began to speak her piece, of which Shouyu nodded and raised a brow to. Kobura proposed her plan which seemed to fit well with her own personal strengths, and he nodded before stopping abruptly. Kiri has also added, that fear could be induced from afar without any contact. Shouyu knew this because of his previous battle with Kiri.

"Kobura, he is right. Kiri-San is a Genjutsu specialist. From a distance, without weapons and sheer mind power, Kiri could easily distract these three. And honestly Kobura, striking one with your effective poison? We should aim to strike them all, while they are unable to defend. I will strike the bell at every direction!"

He made a few hand seals and two clones were made. The two dashed, in position now to flank said enemies, those these two would be in stealth, and the real shouyu would play as a mere decoy, a distraction so they would not see his plan of attack. Before everything commenced, he nodded, and continued his actions, but he halted, waiting for the others to make their move.

 

[Kobura]

Kobura nodded she didn't know what type of techniques Kiri possessed so she could only make plans on what she knew, but now that she did know she had to think of her part and instantly she knew. They needed someone to ring the bell and if Kiri had them in a Genjutsu and Shouyu was using his clones as a distraction as well that we leave her unaccounted for. She pulled back making her way to behind them still a distance away for them not to pay attention to her.

She kneeled down in what seemed to be a stance to take off in. If this was to happen it had to happen fast and she needed to be ready to react as soon as possible as a split second could be the difference of them achieving their goal. She nodded in the direction of Kiri and Shouyu letting them know she was ready when they were. Her teeth were clenched not because she was nervous but anxious to see how fast she was. It had been awhile since she had to due such a task that would rely heavily on time, speed, and surprising the enemy. She was up for the challenge and ready to see what the 3 of them could achieve as a unit.

 

[Kiri]

With the others seemingly agreeing into the plan, they begin their offensive. Kiri completes the hand seal and summons up a reddish like mist to cover the entire area, immediately effecting the targets with what seemed to be an illusory attack. Falling prey to this would plunge them into chaos and confusion as they would be tormented by feelings of despair and depression, often wanting to inflict self-harm. This was what he chose for he knew Shouyu was aware of this, which would make it unlikely that the other would fall prey to it. As for Kobura, he just hoped that her will would not easily stagger.

In any case, he would wait for the others to get into position and begin the assault before he would make his next move. Drawing out his blade, Kiri would position himself at a ready. The fault in the exercise was the way they all rushed towards the opponent. Indeed, should there be a wrong move, they may end up hitting one another as opposed to their opponents. That’s why it was best to prepare for any outcome as much as possible.

At that point, his third eye would open, a vertical slit on his forehead opening, and the golden eye would scan the surroundings as he held on the sword tightly. He would leave the bell to someone else while his role was to support and assault.

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

Red mist filled the air, and he was aware of this immediately, his reaction was stopping the course of chakra flow in his body, emptying his body of energy, it gave the Genjutsu no effect onto him. He hoped that Kobura had been attune to Genjutsu before, but these three obstacles would never. Shouyu's clones came within twenty feet before launching kunai and shuriken in unison at the three. One to the left and on to the right of them at the flanks. His final clone was in the air, an open palm he held, facing the ground, fingers extended.

This last Clone was conducting electricity through each finger, causing a thin line of lightning to stream from five fingers, accurately making it's way down at the three with intense speeds, if connected, these would have stunned the three and he was sure to strike true if they flinched in movement from his kunai and shuriken flank at ground level. He felt his job was done, at least for his clones. The real Shouyu was performing shadow play, a buffing Taijutsu that creates an even larger shadow of the user, used to distract opponents and deter actions. If they were focused on this enlarged shadow, it would allow for Shouyu to help Kobura bolt at the bell.

His two flanking clones would maintain position seemingly throwing an endless array of projectiles so that three bodies would never time to breathe, or slip up, lest they suffer a crucially agonizing death by Ninjutsu, or Kiri's blade. Kobura seemed ready to pounce like a hunting cat, a tiger or some sort, and after his clone casting it's Lightning Torrent, and Hoshi providing an adequate distraction with his enlarged shadow he would shout out to Kobura. Hopefully all eyes were on him, and no attention was paid to Kobura or the Genjutsu caster.

"Kobura! Now or Never!"