Private The Eternal Dance of Guidance and Growth

[Kyuji]

It was finally time to bring out my old friend to taste the flesh, blood and possibly steel of another weapon in combat. The last time that we had fought another was when we won the World Martial Arts Tournament in Tea Country for our village against the Cloud Medical Sennin Tsuyoshi Junko - a long time ago for both of us and my body was itching for combat. It was mentioned by me during the Council of Clans that I was looking to get back into battle sooner than later - it seemed that day would come sooner than I expected. Yesterday, I had met the newest bright-eyed Genin that were going to be under my watchful eye and hopefully would be guided by me to become great shinobi. One of them had been mentioned by the Academy about being promoted soon after graduation to Chunnin and I was going to be one of her obstacles along the way before she got there. Yes, I was technically not requested nor asked for permission to meet with her today but if people were thinking of promoting her so quickly after graduating from the Academy, I wanted to see if their thoughts were truly accurate or if they were making a grave mistake sending her to an early grave.

Her invitation to the Byakko Clan's arena was a simple one as she was provided clear, straightforward directions to get to the area and instructed to come here ready for a spar against me. She likely would appreciate this letter more than the other as it was no 'Where's Kyuji' and a simple 'You are summoned for a spar - come here.' Yet, if I was in her position being summoned by someone known within the village well, would I make that appearance or be nervous about what would happen to me? Yes, I was always open to testing anyone in the village in combat and I did enjoy a good old throwdown as some would call it, but I also was a member of the Toraono and Byakko Clan - we were the protectors of the village and always ready for a fight. Hopefully, she would not get cold feet and come soon.

If she did, she would see me leaning against one of the pristine, white walls of the arena with my sword in hand ready for combat. I would be wearing my typical Byakko Clan armor that others in the village apparently started to use during and after the Tea Tournament if you can use Chikamatsu Kohana and Shin as examples. She would notice that my eyes were closed as I was emptying my mind while I waited to prepare myself mentally for what was going to happen next. However if she appeared, I would open my eyes which would have a slight glow to them and simply ask: "Sabaku Rika, you know why you are summoned here. Are you ready to begin the exercise?"

 

[Sabaku Rika]

It was early morning when Rika received the letter. She didn't expect it. It was straightforward this time, unlike the letter from the other day. Summoned for a spar against Kyuji. Rika was excited. A normal kid - or genin in her place might be nervous, or even scared, but Rika wasn't normal. She did have a little doubt in the back of her mind, 'What if I disappoint Lady Kyuji?', but Rika brushed that thought to the side. 'Finally, a challenge, not a snot nose thats going to cry,' Rika thought. Before she left her tiny apartment, Rika made sure her gear was in order.

Her black har tied upin a high ponytail, and her black cowl was in place on her shoulders. Rika checked her pouch and adjusted the padding under her tunic. While most would not want to be hit, she knew there was a high probability of getting hit. In the academy, when she faced other kids in spars, they rarely landed a hit. If she didn't expect it, like a surprise, then they'd land a hit. However, Rika expected Kyuji to be far beyond the skill level of a kid in the academy.

Rika arrived at the Toraono Dojo, and she spotted Kyuji immediately. The armor made her easy to tell apart, though the Dojo was empty, no one else except Rika and Kyuji, for now. Rika stopped about a meter away from Kyuji and smiled. She crossed her arms as Kyuji greeted her. "Lady Kyuji. Thanks for the invite. Straight to the point. I'm ready whenever you are," Rika replied, as she shifted her weight. Her chakra flared, which would be faintly visible. It was almost like a distortion that rippled around her. Rika was ready for a fight that she hoped would push her past her limits. The air thickened with battle spirit.


"Don't hold back just because I'm a kid, I'm better than all the other kids," Rika stated as if it were a fact, confident, maybe borderline arrogant in her tone.



[Topic entered]

 

[Kyuji]

A smile would surface on my face as I heard her response to my question. She was ready to lock up with her sensei and show everything that she could without holding her punches unlike when was in the Academy according to reports that I read when I first summoned her the other day. She seemed from the initial meeting to be the strongest and maturest of the three that were seated in front of me and indulging in my treats to them as I was learning about them slowly that day. It was time to test her in combat and see if everything I read and heard about her was true and she was ready for what the village would throw at her.

Standing at my spot, I would roll my neck emitting some cracks and simply say: "I do not hold back against anyone and you are not an exception. Let's begin!" The time was now to see if I still was able to hold this blade in my hand and use it as effectively as I did back in Tea Country eons ago or fighting Barynx with other shinobi of our village. Yes, I should have asked this from someone of a higher ranking than a Genin. But, if this squad was going to work with me, then I needed to ensure that they were ready for what would be thrown at them with the Baron Twins on the horizon and all the other unknown variables that we were not even aware of yet. There was also the scum of the Red Light District that could be cleaned up if we had the opportunity. Many things they would encounter and experience so quickly in life - Rika was the first to be tested and then I would see about getting Fire & Ice together to dance with me in combat to see if they were also ready.

I did wonder if Rika would be the only guest aside from members of my family or the extended of the Toraono Clan that would make an appearance. It did not matter either way as long as nobody got involved in my dance with Rika. I wanted a duet only and Rika was my partner this time.

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OOC:

• Calling B-Mod.
• Spectators Are Allowed.

 

[Sazuki Nao]

You have found a battle mod!
Good morning/afternoon/evening towards you all! I'll be your battle moderator for this battle. If you happen to have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask them. You can contact me either through NC or through Discord. Yet please keep in mind with my work I can react at odd times and varied in time.​

Send, in a PM on NC, not discord, your actions, and all your battle information: Stats, class, abilities, jutsu, items, weapons, etc. When sending this information, I would prefer to have hyperlinked stuff or regular links. This greatly decreases the time it takes for a moderator to mod as it cuts down on searching. Do NOT just link your dojo, your profile or anything. I really want that information in my DM box. Rolls are in Discord -> Bmod-rolling. This is an open channel for you all to see. UBR rules do apply, meaning you have 48 hours to post and send actions. You have 5 days to send in actions after I posted the round.

Please be clear on your actions and conditionals, even when stating what you're maintaining. For this fight as there are multiple people, you will need to specify who are your allies and who are your enemies in your opening actions. This way I don't have to do any guesswork and you don't get upset if an item is modded the way you didn't wish.

I am human which means mistakes can happen; feel free to point these out! Let's enjoy!​

 

[Sabaku Rika]

Rika smiled as Kyuji confirmed she would not hold back. "Good, that means I don't have to hold back either," Rika said as sherolled her shoulder. This was her first time going all in. If she didn't hold back in the academy, there was a high chance she would have killed another child. She knew Kyuji was skilled and strong enough; she didn't need to worry about hurting her.

Kyuji had the advantage of experience, with the martal art tea turnament under her belt. Rika wasn't going to underestimate Kyuji, but she couldn't help the excitement she felt to be able to fight her sensei. She could feel the tension in the air rise. Rika took a step back as she prepared herself for whatever Kyuji might throw at her.

Rika wasn't sure what to expect, since it would be her first time seeing Kyuji fight. The tournament was forever ago, 'At least I don't have to be careful,' Rika thought as she grinned widely, a genuine grin that would reach her eyes.

[Actions sent]

 

[Kyuji]

Another smile would surface on my face as she responded to me. She had confidence in her voice and she was not going to turn and run of me. A brave decision as it showed me a lot about her character at a young age. This would be a fun test for both of us to see if Rika could handle herself in a tense situation and allow me to see if I was still able to move and act like I was used to prior to my incident in the Red Light District. Hopefully, we both would be able to showcase our skills and talents elegantly in this spar and then we could see what Tsumugu and Ryuchi would be able to do in the same kind of situation.

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OOC:

• Actions Sent
• Short post is post. I will ramp it up next round.

 

[Masaru Renji]

Rika HP: 36,000 CP: 42,000-1985-2613-874-719-285= 35,524 AP: 10-9= 1 AP Next Round: 11 Status: Expanded her Domain, her Multi-presence is a Grade 1 Technique.... second to Satoru Gojo of course

Rika vs Kyuji 0.00 Rika exerts her [Unreal Celerity] 0.00 Kyuji passively equips the Blade of Celestial Judgement [+] The blade shrieks in pain as her god's blessings are expunged 0.00 Kyuji activates True Steel 0.00 Kyuji activates Duelist [+] Focuses on Rika [Kyuji’s Initative] 0.00 Kyuji has polished their Defensive Techniques 0.00 Kyuji gathers the Wind with an Easy Breeze [Kyuji’s Initiative ends] 0.50 Rika starts creating afterimages witth Synchronized Multi-presence 0.50 Kyuji blooms with Blood Splattered Cherry Blossoms 1.50 Rika makes the World Standstill [+]Kyuji is Frozen in place [World Standstill Sub Round - 3 Seconds] 3.00 Rika expands her domain, secret art Boundary Field! [+]Kyuji begins to experience time & space altering [World Standstill Ends] 2.00 [Unreal Celerity Ends] 2.50 Kyuji starts defying physics with Anti-Gravity 3.25 Kyuji attempts to cut Rika at the legs with a Called Shot - Rika Dodges! 4.00 Rika tries to grip Kyuji with Mind Lock - Kyuji barely has to Dodge! 5.50 Kyuji unleashes a flurry of slashes with Kill Driver Kyuji finally lands some Hi- [+] Rika completely GTFO with her Body Switch leaving behind an after-image [+] Rika has a quick reaction and casts an Electroshock - Kyuji Dodges! 7.75 Kyuji swings heavily with an Executioner .... Rika easily Dodges Notes: - Rika, your Sonar did not go off. - Kyuji, I've addressed issues in the info with you - Easiest Round 1 of my life lmao - Thank you both for sending your actions properly, it made my life so much easier <3 - If you have any questions, concerns or complaints please DM me and I will address.

Kyuji HP: 42,000 CP: 32,000-560-625-735= 30,080 AP: 10-8.75= 1.25 AP Next Round: 11 Status: Defying Gravity, Showing off many styles and stances

 

[Sabaku Rika]

Rika drew in a slow, measured breath—deep enough that it settled in her chest—then let it slide back out through parted lips. The noise of the dojo, the weight of presence around her, all of it dulled as her focus narrowed. For a fleeting instant, her eyes closed.

When they opened again, they were sharp, bright, and locked squarely onto Kyuji.

Her chakra surged outward in a sudden release—not wild, not explosive, but dense. Heavy. The kind of pressure that didn’t simply push against the world, but pressed into it, bending perception at the edges. It wasn’t genjutsu. There was no illusion to unravel, no falsehood layered over reality. Instead, reality itself seemed to hesitate, like it had forgotten which rules it was supposed to follow.

Rika stepped forward into her stance, feet grounding her as chakra coils deep within her body flared awake in unison. She wasn’t testing the waters. She wasn’t probing. This was her full weight, laid bare.

Her hands snapped together into a seal—

And the world froze.

Time locked in place, suspended mid-breath. Dust hung unmoving in the air. Sound vanished, swallowed whole. The dojo became a still image, caught between moments. Rika stood alone inside it, heart steady, mind clear. She had learned long ago that touching another living being would shatter this state instantly, so she didn’t try. Three seconds wasn’t much—but it was enough.

She pushed outward. Chakra poured from her in a controlled flood, saturating the space around her. The dojo responded like a living thing under pressure—walls subtly bowing, lines bending where straight edges had once been. Space twisted just enough to be felt. A deep cobalt haze began to bleed into the air, faint at first, then unmistakable, rolling outward to form a visible boundary. The space within it felt thicker, heavier, like moving through water that didn’t exist.

Blue motes of light sparked into being around her, drifting and orbiting like fireflies caught between seconds, their glow reflected faintly in her eyes. This wasn’t just a release of power—it was a claim. The battlefield itself bent under her will, its rules tightening, resisting anything that dared to move against her control.

Three seconds passed. For Rika.

Time slammed back into motion. What had been stretched and shaped in stillness snapped into place all at once, the shift sudden and disorienting. Rika’s eyes tracked movement the instant it resumed, her body already responding—reality warping around her as she moved. An afterimage lingered where she had been a heartbeat earlier, dissolving into the blue haze left behind.

“Hah! Nice try!” she called out, her voice sharp and bright, carrying easily through the distorted air.

Her hands flowed into another seal without hesitation. “Mindlock,” she murmured under her breath, chakra surging into the attempt—only for it to collapse in on itself. The jutsu failed to take hold. Rika clicked her tongue, scowl flashing across her face for a split second. Wasted chakra. Annoying—but irrelevant. Momentum mattered more than efficiency right now.

She kept moving.

The boundary field pressed in around them, space subtly resisting anything that tried to move too quickly, too cleanly. Rika ducked low, dove aside, twisted her body with fluid precision as she stayed just ahead of the moment. Whether it was seconds or fractions of seconds no longer mattered—within her domain, timing itself felt off, stretched just enough to give her the edge.

She shot a grin over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out, utterly unbothered.

“Neeeahh~”

Lightning crackled to life around her fists, chakra snapping and coiling violently along her arms as she attempted to surge forward with a shocking strike. The electricity hissed and sparked against the distorted air, leaving jagged trails of light as she pushed the attack through her claimed space—aggressive, relentless, her presence filling the battlefield as completely as the deep blue haze that marked it. Rika didn’t slow. She didn’t retreat.

Within the warped confines of her boundary, she pressed forward, intent on keeping control—on forcing the fight to move on her terms, for as long as she could hold the world bent around her.

[Actions sent for round 2]

 

[Kyuji]

With quickness and elegance, I shifted into my family's stance in front of my guest as I saw her quickly making her moves across from me. Her moves seemed to flow like a natural wave of the ocean that matched my own as we both prepared to initiate combat with one another in the hopes of showcasing a beautiful duet set under the training ground lightning and sand blowing outside of the dojo. Yes, we would blow the roof off this place figuratively I would hope as I did not want to have to ask Lady Yanshi to repair our home yet again after a careless training session with a student, apprentice or fellow shinobi of the village - she was growing tired of destruction following me around when I was using her home for guests. Unfortunately, it would probably not be the first nor the--

Well, damn. I was frozen in place by Rika as she seemed to get the first attack out after her preparations. It was like time had slowed down around us as she did her own thing even though I didn't see any change at least for now or my eyes were simply deceiving me since I was much older than her. This frozen in time like something out of a sci-fi movie or an animated television show would be temporarily before I was able to move again and nod at her as I saw the game that she was going to play it appeared - she was going to alter time in this battlefield to try to sway the decision her way. An admirable tactic and one I could not fault her for as this would be the first time that I fought someone able to bend the very reality of time around us - a very good challenge for me as a shinobi and also an Oracle of the village.

It would seem the fun would truly begin after this as I would try to cut her leg open with my sword to slow her down - you can't blame me as she is a teenager and I am a seasoned lady. Besides, I was a medical shinobi so this was good research for me and also a good test of attribution for her on how to handle a minor injury and push through it. She was going to get bruises and cuts as she continued to be a shinobi either way so this was a controlled test for her to see how she could handle it. Ultimately though, I missed her leg and then proceeded to miss her again, and again, and again as she body switched from an assault on me. The icing on top of the proverbial cake was when I swung my sword heavily at her to try to slow her down and she easily dodged it like I was in half speed or she was in 2 times speed. Yes, she did try to lock me in place during my assault and managed to lift me slightly off the ground but I stopped that uppies before it got too bad - it was nice to be a little taller though even momentarily since I was a wee little lass at 5 foot 3.

I would take a moment and smirk to myself yet again as it was good to see that she was taking this serious and she was able to focus when it mattered unlike when we had food the other day and met her two squadmates. Their days would come soon as I needed to test them to gauge where they were as well and know where to place them if the Kazekage or his Sennin wanted to input into matters. Considering they reappointed me to Medical Chief less than a day from resurfacing to the living world from my home, it showed that they still had trust in me and knew what I was capable of or at least I thought as well.

But, my focus at this moment was to get serious with Rika and stop playing with my prey like a feline did when it caught a mouse. She showed me that she was capable of holding herself against someone she looked up to or at least showed respect to - it was time to give her the same courtesy and let her see why I earned the accolades that I did. This was going to be a fuck of excitement as a good friend of mine spoke of things before.

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OOC:

• Actions Sent

 

[Masaru Renji]

Rika HP: 36,000-4175-1030-1236-1811-1659= 28,355-382= 27,973 CP: 35,524-108-927-1133-504 AP: 11-1-2-.5-2.75-2.75-1= 1 AP Next Round: 11 [12 (+1) after Epoch] Status: Expanded her Domain, her Multi-presence is a Grade 1 Technique.... second to Satoru Gojo of course, Anti-Gravity, rocking some gloves

Rika vs Kyuji [Unreal Celerity] 0.68 Kyuji swipes at Rika with a Called Shot - Dodge 0.91 Rika uses Epoch: Slow [+] Kyuji slows down for 2 Seconds 1.36 Rika dons her Fingerless Gloves [Unreal Celerity Ends] 2.27 Kyuji leaves a Blade Trail in her wake - Hit [+]She's craft and she Body Switches with an after image! [+] Rika counterattacks with Storm Bolt! - Hit 3.18 Rika uses Anti-Gravity and floats 4.09 Kyuji is shows no mercy with a Zantetsuken - Hit [+]Rika starts Bleeding [+]Implacable activates, Rika's bleeding disappears 5.68 Rika gets dubious with a Fist of Sin - Miss [+] She gently strikes with a Fist of Virtue [Kindness]! - Miss 6.14 Kyuji really shouldn't be doing this Kill Driver Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit, Miss, Hit [+] Kyuji draws blood from Rika.. or so she thought, Implacable activates again 8.19 Kyuji really really shouldn't be doing this Kill Driver Hit, Hit, 50% Partial, 75% Partial, Hit, 75% Partial, 25% Partial, Hit, Hit, Hit OOC: - Had some things i needed to clarify and thank you both for any questions. All should be well at this point. Good luck to you both. Amendments: - I flubbed and missed a passive on Rika. She can actually automatically carry over 2 AP so she has 12 AP for next round. - I missed Rika's changes that were valid before cutoff time, slightly changed the beginning of the mod but nothing really changed beyond timing.

Kyuji HP: 42,000-320+382= 42,000 CP: 30,080+-280-625-2065-420-32-625 AP: 11-.75-1.75-2.75-2.25-2.25= 1.25 AP Next Round: 11 Status: Defying Gravity, Showing off many styles and stances, wielding an ancestral blade

 

[Sabaku Rika]

The blue haze of her boundary field hummed around her, but Rika needed to be faster. Reality was hers to bend, but gravity was a shackle she didn't need. She focused her chakra, reversing the pull of the earth. 'Anti-Gravity.' Instantly, she felt weightless, her movements sharper, unburdened by the world's drag.

Kyuji came at her—a blur of steel. Rika didn't panic. She didn't even blink. As the blade sliced through the air where her neck had been a fraction of a second ago, it met only a fading afterimage. The real Rika materialized instantly to the side, her hand already crackling with raw electricity.

"Too slow!"

She snapped her hand forward, unleashing a Storm Bolt. The jagged streak of lightning tore across the short distance, crashing into Kyuji before the woman could recover from her swing.

But the veteran was relentless. Even as the lightning struck, Kyuji’s momentum carried a deadly slash—Zantetsuken. Rika felt the bite of steel, a hot line of pain opening up on her skin. Blood began to well, red against the blue tint, but then the air rippled around her. The bleeding stopped as fast as it started.

Gritting her teeth, Rika pressed the offensive. She threw a Fist of Sin, aiming to crush Kyuji's defenses, followed immediately by a gentle, deceptive Fist of Virtue. But Kyuji was everywhere and nowhere, weaving out of the way of both strikes. Rika clicked her tongue in annoyance. 'Slippery...'

Then, the atmosphere shifted. Kyuji wasn't just attacking; she was unleashing hell.

Kill Driver.

The first slash caught Rika. Then the second. Then another. It wasn't a duel anymore; it was a shredder. Rika tried to move, tried to let her afterimages take the brunt, but Kyuji’s blade seemed to find her with terrifying precision, each strike guiding the next. Pain flared across her body in a staccato rhythm—cut, cut, cut. There was no dodging this, only enduring it.

Rika skid back as the onslaught finally paused, her breath hitching. Her tunic was tattered, and the sting of a dozen fresh wounds burned under her armor. She wiped a smudge of blood from her cheek, her green eyes narrowing not in fear, but in a dangerous, sparking excitement.

"Okay," Rika breathed out, her grin returning, sharp and feral. "Now it's a party."

[Actions sent]

 

[Kyuji]

The dance continued with a sweep of the leg, Johnny, which I missed completely again as I sighed. It would seem trying to slow her down by targeting our legs was not going to work as that was the second failed attempt of the spar - maybe a third would come shortly at her, but maybe it would not. There was no time to dwell on it as she would put on some gloves after using a technique that I demonstrated in the initial moments: Anti-Gravity. She was going to do the same thing that I was doing to her it would appear which was be incredible difficult to hit with any attacks while trying to chip away at me slowly. She likely had better chakra reserves than I did due to being younger and was able to manipulate it more easily. A pity really, but unfortunately, something that came with age and a lack of routine training of the body and mind.

A forward slash at her and she was gone again from my attack with a basic technique known as the Body Switch with something that was hard to see with the naked eyes, even my advanced eyes due to my lineage. I shook my head at the thought as she came towards me with a lightning technique and managed to hit me with no real effort. Well, she managed to get the first hit of the match so she could boast about that to her friends, family and squadmates when we next saw one another. I would have applauded her for that but while she was nearby, I used the experience advantage on her and landed a clean blow that caused blood to start to trinkle from the open wound. Good - she knew not to get cocky - but I sighed again as her bleeding subsided almost instantly. What a pain to fight someone who could stop bleeding almost instantly from an open wound with no Medical Ninjutsu. Truly, what a frustrating trait that she had from either her family lineage or that she picked up in her free time.

Either way, she was not holding back as she threw two strong fists at me that I sidestepped with no effort honestly. What would one expect when I was the descendant of Byakko, a feline deity? Cats were not for being agile creatures and always falling on their feet after all. Maybe that didn't apply to demigod like myself, but again, maybe it did. Logic didn't always have to make sense in this world. However, she was not holding back now so I was pleased with what I was seeing from her and could only hope her teammates would do the same when I had a chance to test them both - either one one or as a duo against me.

This is the point that I maaaaaaay have gotten a little carried away as I continually swung at Rika landing blow after blow after blow after blow. Her skin was being cut open and she had begun to bleed again, but somehow she managed to stop the bleeding almost instantly again. Seeing her skin being cut, but not trinkling out the life essence that all humans had, was annoying - truly annoying. I might have tightened my hold on my blade after this and swung at her again with a barrage of strikes out of frustration, but with my carelessness as I was not as accurate and didn't give the same level of punishment to her as before. Yes, I should have lightened up on her after the first barrage on her, but when you were well-known and had a reputation of making your opponents bloody by the end of a fight - well, you had to try to keep that up. I doubted I would be seeing the levels of bleeding that I was used to at this point as I swung my blade staining the dojo floor with her blood that had managed to get out of her.

Staring at her, I was done playing around with her now. My eyes began to glow that well-known green that was reported during the tournament and I was not giving her any more freebies to play cat and mouse with her defensive techniques. Now, I was serious and focused on showing her why her sensei and the Medical Chief of this village was the winner of the World Martial Arts Tournament and known as "She Who Walked Through Titans, the Blade That Ends Legends." She was no carnasaur-human hybrid and she was no legendary sandworm like Barynx. She was merely a kid that had excelled in the Academy and was stuck with me as her sensei. She would be able to say that she fought me, but she would not be walking away from this saying that she had defeated her sensei - no, that would not be something they could write in the legend of Sabaku Rika once I was long gone and she was leading the village as a Jounin, Sennin or even the Kazekage.

...still something was stirring in my head, giving a slight pounding as I stood there readying myself to continue this dance. I was hearing a faint voice saying maim, injure, kill. I didn't know what it was, but I had heard it before when talking to Chikamatsu Shin and his sister, Kohana. Maybe, I had taken some form of brain damage when I was patrolling the Red Light District that one night and had been viciously attacked and left for dead by my assassilants. I wasn't sure, but the thoughts kept occurring sporadically since I had left my home the other day for the Council of Clans. This was something that I was going to need to monitor and report to probably the Kazekage as he was the only shinobi with the excessive medical knowledge similar to my own that could pinpoint what was going on. Yes, I would need to be careful...but for now...I needed to evaluate Rika more and KILL see what she could do. I was getting kind of hungry though.

---

OOC:

• Actions Sent

 

[Masaru Renji]

Rika HP: 27,973+1260-1277-5925-4175= 17,856-853= 17,003 CP: 31,610+1080-1311-266-1985-4389-532-865= 23,342 AP: 11+1= 12-1-4.5-1-2-2.5= 1 AP Next Round: 11 [12 (+1) from Epoch] Status: Her Multi-presence is a Grade 1 Technique.... second to Satoru Gojo of course, Anti-Gravity, rocking some gloves, Rika's Domain is still expanded!

Rika vs Kyuji [0.00 Unreal Celerity] 0.83 Rika casts World Standstill [0.00 World Standstill Begins] 3.00 Rika begins casting, Broken Timeline [3.00 World Standstill Ends] [2.00 Unreal Celerity Ends] 1.58 Broken Timeline completes its casting [+] Rika-Echo is created 1.59 Kyuji uses Vanishing Slash on Rika - Hit 1.66 Rika uses Epoch: Haste on herself [+] Ends in 2 Seconds 2.49 Rika-Echo uses Epoch: Slow on Kyuji [+] Ends in 2 Seconds 3.33 Rika uses Chakra Jumping [+] Rika is airborne 4.09 Kyuji uses Fatal Draw on Rika - Dodge 4.75 Rika-Echo uses Anti-Gravity 5.41 Rika casts Fast Forward on Kyuji - Dodge 6.59 Kyuji performs Higuma on Rika - Miss, Hit, Crit, Hit, Hit [+]Rika starts Bleeding Rank 1 [+]Rika's Implacable acttivates and negates Bleeding Rank 1 [+]Rika's Acc/Dodge is lowered by -2 for 20 seconds 7.26 Rika-Echo uses Fist of Sin - Miss [+]Combo with Fist of Virtue, Kindness - Miss 8.33 Rika lands on the ground [+]No longer airborne 9.09 Kyuji performs Zantetsuken on Rika - Hit

Kyuji HP: 42,000 CP: 26,033-280-370-1900-2065-2065= 19,353 AP: 11-1.75-2.75-2.75-2.75= 1 AP Next Round: 11 Status: Defying Gravity, Showing off many styles and stances, wielding an ancestral blade

 

[Renmei Tsumugu]

His eyes locked immediately onto the center of the arena where his teammate was already engaged, after a door had opened. Watching as movement flashed in quick bursts of dust and impact from the fighting between Rika and their sensei. The way dust displaced with each step told him more than watching their body ever could. The stage was set and the condition had been met, he was to treat this as if his teammate was in trouble.

Water gathered quietly along the edge of his gourd, drawn from the moisture in the air and the small reserve sealed within his gear. It didn’t surge outward, but instead it coiled close to him. He entered the fight the same way he entered everything else without waste.


"RIKA! Support incoming"

He would have to try his best to impress...or at least show some aptitude.

[WC: 144]
[Topic Entered]
[Fight Entered w/ approval from participants =3]

 

[Sabaku Rika]

'Again,' Rika thought, Stop time, rewind. As she froze time again, she had three seconds to begin performing one of her most advanced techniques.

The time echo - it was her from the past, but acted more like a ghost. Attempting to repeat what she had tried doing in the past, but it was still too slow. Rika found herself getting hit, again and again. Thanks to the chakra shielding she had, the bleeding stopped quickly. But the slashes were still left behind. She knew the pain would catch up sooner or later. Her taunting stopped as she started to feel worn down. She still had enough in her to keep fighting, to keep trying. Her boundary field finally fell; she could only maintain it for so long.

Rika hopped into the air to dodge another strike, then attempted to strike Kyuji with a ninjutsu, Fast forward, which failed. She was just too slow, it felt like. She landed right after getting struck again. Then, without even a second to breath Rika saw the flash of Kyuji's sword again, striking her, and causing her steps to falter. The look in Kyuji's eyes was something she had not seen before. Rika felt her chest tighten, and her breathing grew uneven. It was like the world was shrinking down on her, and she felt like she couldn't breathe. The corners of her sight were starting to darken, as she felt panic start to set in. The sense of dread was overwhelming, and her eyes were beginning to water.

"RIKA! Support incoming"

The sudden shout made Rika's head turn. "Tsumugu-" Rika said, surprised, but if he wanted in on the fight too, she guessed it would be helpful.

For the moment, Rika felt her head clear up. None of her big attacks were landing; she would have to change things up. Electricity sparked at Rika's fingertips. She shook the lingering dread off, pushing it down. 'No time to doubt myself now...' Rika thought.

"Thanks! Welcome to the party!" Rika said to Tsumugu with a lopsided grin. She was covered in cuts; none were bleeding. Not yet anyways.

[Actions sent]

 

[Kyuji]

Sighing to myself, I would swing my blade again as the blood that had left Rika's body would fall to the ground from my weapon. It did not matter where I hit her or how hard or precise my cuts were, she was not giving her life essence to me as I would expect from most opponents, aside from those that had altered their bodies through science and technology. Unfortunately for her, I did not need to make her bleed as there were many other options to finish a fight. Though, her alternating space and time to try to throw me off was becoming quite annoying especially since she was not capitalizing on her opportunities when she used her abilities - delaying my swings or freezing my body should have opened up some opportunities for her to get a blow or two in. She did try to punch me again with the 1-2 combo of the Fists, but I was able to see through her techniques with no real issues.

The blade would connect with her multiple times as I could see what looked like her skin screaming in agony from the steel meeting it - it didn't help her that her uniform was being torn apart with each blow I made. Hopefully, she had some money saved up from her missions or chores to have it repaired. But with torn clothing, blade markings on her skin and a sensei that was still in a good place chakra wise, things were not looking promising for her. I did hear Renmei Tsumugu approach and let Rika know that support was incoming which made me smirk. He must have came to the Toraono Dojo to train today and heard the commotion in the Byakko wing or someone told him. It did not matter as I would be able to kill two birds with one stone as the saying went and then summon their teammate after this to test him.

Admittedly though, entering a situation unwelcomed was not exactly the politest thing to do and I would have rather tested him solo than in a duo. But if he wanted to join this dance and replace his partner after she fell, I wouldn't say no to the challenge! I had to wonder if he would bleed for me and give me what I wanted to see against all my opponents: a bloody mess. Surely, my squad had not developed something to counteract how their sensei fought after only meeting me a few days prior even though they had all the reports and newspaper articles from when the tournament happened to use as intel. Yes, maybe, they had. We would have to see if Rika was a fluke or if Tsumugu also was going to be steel with his blood. All I knew for sure was I was getting very hungry and I was going to need to eat before too long or I was likely going to get hangry and grumpy which nobody wanted to see.

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[Masaru Renji]

Rika HP: 17,003+1260+840= 19,103 CP: 23,342+1080-266-532-741-1311+720= 22,292 AP: 11+1= 12-1.5-1-4.5-3= 2 AP Next Round: 12 Status: Synchronized Multi-Presence, Anti-Gravity, Fingerless Gloves, [Short Summer] Tsumugu HP: 15,500 CP: 29,400-560-480-1080-2500= 24,780 Nattural CP: 6195 AP: 10-9.75= .25 AP Next Round: 10.25 Status: Sage Mode, Mystical Pond, Hidden Mist Style, Freeflow - Water Style Ice Hidden Mist Clone HP: 108 Status: Looks like his daddy Garupa [Hivemind 1] HP: 12,349/5= 2469.8 CP: 12,958/5= 2591.6 AP: 10 [Shared] Spoiler: Hivemind 2-5 Garupa [Hivemind 2] HP: 12,349/5= 2469.8 CP: 12,958/5= 2591.6 AP: 10 [Shared] Garupa [Hivemind 3] HP: 12,349/5= 2469.8 CP: 12,958/5= 2591.6 AP: 10 [Shared] Garupa [Hivemind 4] HP: 12,349/5= 2469.8 CP: 12,958/5= 2591.6 AP: 10 [Shared] Garupa [Hivemind 5] HP: 12,349/5= 2469.8 CP: 12,958/5= 2591.6 AP: 10 [Shared]

Rika & Tsumugu vs Kyuji: Round 4 [0.00 Rika's Unreal Celerity activates] 0.50 Tsumugu enters Hidden Mist Style 1.00 Tsumugu enters Water Chakra Style 1.25 Rika casts Barrier: Wall of Spirits [+] Rika is [Protected] 1.82 Kyuji performs a [Hidden Action] - Hits the Barrier: Wall of Spirits [+] Fail [2.00 Rika's Unreal Celeriy ends] 2.08 Rika activates Epoch Slow - Kyuji is slowed down 3.00 Tsumugu uses Hidden Mist on Kyuji - Miss 3.64 Kyuji performs a [Hidden Action] - Hits the Barrier: Wall of Spirits [+] Fail 3.96 Rika starts a combo with Thunderclap [+] Rika's breaks her Barrier [+] Rika is no longer protected - Miss, Hit, Miss, Miss, Hit, Miss, Hit [+] Combos with Fireball Thunderclap - Hit [+] Combos with Thunderclap - Hit, Miss, Hit, Miss, Miss, Miss, Miss 4.08 Rika's Epoch ends [+]Kyuji's speed returned 6.37 Kyuji performs a [Hidden Action] - Success [+] Rika uses Rewind 5.00 Tsumugu casts an [Ice] Tempest w/Focus on Kyuji - Miss, Hit, Hit [+] Kyuji is Uplifted [1/2] [+]Tsumugu generates an [Ice Hidden Mist Clone | 48 HP] 7.50 Tsumugu casts an [Ice] Mystical Pond/Debilitate + Control on Kyuji - Miss [+]Tsumugu generates a new [Ice Hidden Mist Clone | 108 HP] [+]Kyuji is unaware of the real Tsumugu 8.87 Kyuji performs Zantetsuken on Rika - Crit [+] Chronostasis Delays this attack by 20 Seconds 9.75 Tsumugu Summons Garupa the Fish Contract [+] Tsumugu activates Sage Mode 10.00 Kyuji falls on her @$$ and takes damage [+] She experiences a [Short Summer] from Tsumugu 10.00 Rika's Boundary Ends Notes: - Amended Tsumugu's Clone, Kyuji is unaware of the real Tsumugu and Tsumugu's CP pool to account for Natural Pool - Amended Rika to have Short Summer

Kyuji HP: 42,000-645-900-430-810-420= 39,173+56= 39,229 CP: 19,353-280-600-600-1580-2065= 14,288-198-123= 13,976 AP: 11-2-2-3-2.75= 1.25 AP Next Round: 11 Status: Anti-Gravity, Easy Breeze - Wind Style, Defensive Techniques, [Short Summer], Muramasa Tingz

 

[Renmei Tsumugu]

Tsumugu’s fingers moved through the hand seals with quiet precision, each motion controlled as his eyes watching Kyuji. Experience was everything and it was something that he lacked. Despite keeping a track on their sensei, he couldn't make heads or tails at what she was doing. His breathing slowed as he centered himself, drawing the faint moisture clinging to the air and the thin reserves of water he carried within his own chakra flow. When the final seal formed, his voice came out calm and low.

“Hidden Mist Technique.”

Mist spilled outward immediately, rolling across the arena floor towards Kyuji and rising upwards, thickening until the battlefield dissolved into shifting fog. He moved inside the veil, reading the subtle disturbances that rippled through the mist. A faint shift to his left drawing his sudden attention. Without hesitation, he flung a single kunai forward. The attack cut cleanly through the fog with a sharp hiss....It struck nothing. Evident as the mist faded and where he had thought Kyuji had been, was nothing but the simple kunai.
Tsumugu stilled, jaw tightening slightly. He exhaled once, steadying himself.

Then came the sound. Crackling of the air and the roaring of flames. He shifted slightly, the mist dispersing and lingering at ground level, enough for him to see. Rika was already in motion, having obviously kept track of Kyuji where he had failed. Fire jutsu spilled from her hands in rapid succession between them came streaks of lightning, tearing thin glowing paths through the arena. Most of the attacks struck empty space, exploding harmlessly into the ground, but a few hits landed.

Fire, Lightning....Water, all seemed to do nothing against Kyuji, something he expected but to see their sensei's actions personally would still leave him with a sense of awe. Unlike his teammates, he hadn't been a fighter and maybe it showed, but he was adaptable like water should be. His right palm flashed through handseals. Tsumugu watched Kyuji’s footwork, waiting for the moment his balance shifted. His hands formed seals quietly, a spiral of wind rising from the arena floor. The air grew sharply cold as he fed ice chakra into the current. Frost glittered within the spinning updraft. The chilled wind surged upward, lifting Kyuji off her feet and sending them airborne. As the spiral tightened, three thin blades of compressed air formed inside it, lashing out. Tsumugu didn't wait to watch what happened.

Tsumugu wasted no time, bracing himself, hands already moving through another series of handseals. His chakra flowed low and steady, not explosive like a Ryuni's flame, but deep like pressure beneath the sea. Water erupted from beneath his feet, not in a violent burst, but in a heavy, controlled surge initially that covered up to his waistline. After a moment, it spilled outward in a wide sheet, racing across the arena floor until it would vanished beneath a shimmering layer of water. The surface rippled and settled, rising just high enough to swallow ankles and distort reflections.

“Water Release”

He didn’t stop there, suddenly biting his thumb and moved to press his palm flat against the water’s surface. His blood would slowly drift out of the wound, the water responding instantly as chakra began threading through it like ocean currents. A seal circle bloomed across the flooded floor in front of him, glowing faintly beneath the water. The surface bulged then split upward as something massive displaced the arena’s shallow pool. Garupa emerged in a surge of foam and water droplets, scales slick and dark with a faint blue sheen.

“Summoning Jutsu.”

His breathing slowed until it nearly matched the gentle pulse of the water itself before he began to draw. It wasn’t chakra, not at first but it was something older. Natural energy seeped toward him like invisible currents answering a tide call causing the water around his feet to become stilled completely. Garupa’s massive body gave a slow, steady ripple, acting as a living conduit between the energy and Tsumugu. The summoning’s presence stabilized the energy flow initially, preventing the imbalance that normally came with gathering nature chakra. His posture remained perfectly controlled, shoulders relaxed, expression calm—like someone standing at the bottom of a deep lake. Then the change appeared along with his body suffering a sudden backlash. Fine patterns spread across his skin, starting at his temples and flowing downward in branching lines across the sides of his face. They shimmered faintly, like fish scales catching sunlight beneath water. The colors shifted between blues, greens, and hints of violet to form a rainbow sheen across his cheekbones and along his forearms. Internally however Tsumugu felt different, his body experiencing pulsating sensations of pain and pressure that made him for a split moment grasp at his abdomen. It was foreign, beyond the normal feeling when he was training to absorb natural energy, a feeling that he would of understood as improper usage if it wasn't for him being so inexperienced. Instead of stopping then and there, Tsumugu would ignore this feeling...as a cold dark began to slowly flood his chakra network.

Unaware of what he was starting to lose at the price of what he was trying to gain.

[WC: 845]
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[Sabaku Rika]

Rika started with a barrier, simple enough. The barrier took the hits Kyuji aimed at her, but the barrier gave her a little bit of a breather before she decided to break it by starting an attack. Comboining, her hands forming hand seals, first thunder clap, shooting off 7 lightning bolts, some hit, the rest mist. The ones that missed hit other areas of the Dojo, destroying parts of the walls and mats. Some areas caught fire. "Lightning Release," Rika murmured. She then grinned. The more she moved, the more the air stung her fresh wounds. But she was pushing through the wounds.

"Fire release." Then she formed hand seals for a fireball, hit, she grinned, and kept the energy up. The fireball burned a patch of the tatami mat, leaving the area black. It warmed the air. RIka wasn't done yet, "Lightning release," she repeated. She decided to do a thunderclap again, letting the lightning roar through the air. Causing more damage to the area than Kyuji herself.

Rika was getting the hang of her time abilities. One attack, she sent to the future with a flick - that definitely won't bite her in the ass. The next time, she rewound time, as if it had never happened. Rika was on a roll now. She trusted Tsumugu would have her back. She glanced over and saw he had summoned... a fish?

"That's... huh," She mumbled before her attention went back to Kyuji. "As long as they don't touch me..." She muttered as she prepared to move again. She hoped they could tire Kyuji out together. She sensed Tsumugu gathering chakra, or something, from the area around them. She wondered what kind of jutsu he was planning to do. Maybe a strong jutsu, Rika was unaware if it was anything else. Their target was Kyuji, and she'd survived this long without help; she probably could go longer, but she appreciated the help more than she would admit outloud.

Rika noticed Kyuji still had that look in her eyes; the look unnerved her. But maybe this was a normal Kyuji thing. Rika knew she wouldn't be able to last too many rounds more, but she would have to see where this went and how far she could push Kyuji.

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[Kyuji]

Another opponent enters the fray and yet, the tactics remained the same to stall it out until I was exhausted. On the one hand, it was a wise decision as I would not be able to keep going forever as my chakra would burn out and then I would be putting strain on my body and mind in the process. On the other hand, the tactic was not something that I enjoyed implementing or teaching as waiting allowed a situation to swing aggressively one way or nothing which could result in an opportunity that was there initially to vanish. For now, I would allow the two of them to fight me as they saw fit which seemed to be throwing up as many opponents and distractions as possible that they could to make the situation hopefully swing their way and have me slip up. A wise move based on the difference in experience, but one that they would learn was not advised soon. Frustrating or angering me while fighting only fueled me to fight more efficiently and effectively - there would be blood spilled now. It did not matter if it was Rika, Tsumugu #1 or #2, the school of fish that were summoned or myself - someone was going to be bleeding out by the end of this, I can promise that. There would be a bloody mess in the dojo and I could only hope that I could control myself when I saw the pools of blood leaking from bodies and not want to see more art on the pristine floors.

As we clashed, I noticed Tsumugu managed to enter a form of Sage Mode related to his buddies on the field from what I could tell. It was hard to tell exactly as I was falling onto my ass and having time alert around me where nothing I did apparently was successful from what I could tell. I swore I saw my blade slash Rika at a peculiar spot but it magically poofed into thin area - how annoying. Of course, the carelessness of some elemental techniques that were used had damaged parts of the Dojo and started fires which meant Lady Yanshi was going to give me an earful later...again. Hopefully, this would not drag on for too much longer before we burned down the entire room and had to evacuate everyone from the estate...again.

When the action slowed down and I could study Tsumugu more, I frowned as what was happening was not ideal at all. While he was successful in activating Sage Mode and drawing in Natural Energy which was great and expected, he was also drawing in lingering energy from others within the general vicinity of my home, other members of the overall Toraono Clan and myself. Each one of the branches of the Toraono Clan had their own distinct energy from the others, but we all were related and the overall energy was similar regardless of where you were. This typically would not be a problem for a shinobi that had a strong control over their chakra and were able to filter out the normal chakra of the body and world from tainted or specific chakra exclusive to a specific group. In front of me though was a child who was gifted enough to gather natural energy, but unable to filter out tainted, corrupted or special chakra that was around him which honestly was probably coming primarily from me due to being so close to him.

His body was in pain from looking at him as he grasped his abdomen, his body shaking at times uncontrollably. Fear could have been one reason for shaking, but he seemed fluid in his tactics towards me and he was not showing any signs prior to opening his Sage Mode. From the initial meeting of Rika, Ryuni and Tsumugu, I knew he was not going to stop himself if I spoke to him and his mind was likely fighting the same kind of fight as his body so he was going to be hazy with his decisions anyways. The only thing I could do was end this as soon as possible for Rika and Tsumugu's sake before one of them were to push themselves beyond their limit and burn their chakra system, receive mental auguish or worse died. The Hospital was already short-staffed, I did not need to take care of more patients who were being careless with their bodies and mend them back together to be reckless over, and over, and over.

I knew Rika was likely unaware of what was happening to her teammate so I would need to try to stop her sooner than later before her ally lost control of himself and possibly took her as collatorial damage in what was happening to him. He was safe for now as he only began to gather energy, but if this dragged on too long, he was going to be in danger.

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