Free Ability (Former ANBU)
Shadow Tactics (+1)
1) Bull's Strength
2) Self-Trained (+1)
3) Nimble Hands (+1)
4) Quickdraw (+1)
5) Jutsu Creator (+1)
6) Jutsu Mastery (+1)
7) Weapon Mastery: Unarmed
8) Free Slot: Medical Knowledge
Ability Slot (0) -Free- Shadow Tactics
After ten years of psychological exams, profiles and physical testing Kuro finally qualified for entrance into the House for advanced Sennin training. Kuro sat by a murky bench with his face down seemingly asleep. The warmth of the dark apples he had managed to acquire suffusing him. Alone and without guidance most of the time he could train in whatever way he felt necessary to become something more; Following his mother’s guidelines he had just re-mastered the use of shurikens and throwing knives. Tomorrow was a brand new night and there was much for him to do. Stretching out he looked upon his beloved sword and wondered what was going on back at the dojo. He'd been studying with the ANBU corps and if he could happen upon a true challenge he wouldn’t have to wear his special guards or ANBU uniform everywhere The door opened and a wispy yet strong voice called out "Come inside and let us see the future of the true Sennin." He looked around as no one else seemed to move. Breaking ranks and heading for the entrance he didn't dare look back to see who followed that was not the shadow way. Kuro entered the house and although he couldn't believe it somehow the shadows grew darker. A sense of foreboding came upon him as he stood firm and waited for directions... none came. Kuro waited no more and began to explore... ((Swift, Silent & Deadly)) as his father had once told to him. Whether he cared or not the testing had begun.
Kuro stood center of the massive room and willed the shadows to test the locks of the many doors available to him. About two days past before he found three he could open, stealthily moving forward, Kuro tried to be ready for anything, He simply could not have been prepared for the massive ever changing rooms and setup of the house. Its interior dimensions were completely malleable and subject to the whims of a Greater Demon who apparently trained whomever he deemed worthy or at his whim. “State your name and your purpose.” boomed the Demon Master, waiting patiently as Kuro fumbled his introductory papers for Sennin training. Taking the introduction letter swiftly yet without malice, The Demon Master read the psychological profile very carefully. Smiling he produced a scythe, a bastard sword, a pair of tonfa, a magical set of weighted gear, and a huge book with a shadow lock and leather straps for carrying on your back. “All of the spells in that book are performed by shadow writing, hand symbols, and blood scrolls, so you need not speak to master them; also beware of the Wolf Master he will not suffer failure. Now choose your path and may you become true Sennin.” At that the Demon Master faded into shadow motes, Kuro was now theorizing as he watched the Demon Master fade , ((the Demon Master is probably an extension of the House and the House is actually a Greater Demon or even a group of Demons, this aside the House is definitely the greatest training challenge in all of Makai))
Kuro quickly donned all the gear, starting with the weighted vest, leggings, bracers, belt, and helmet. He then strapped the bladed shield and sword to the book by hooking them in its straps. He placed the tonfa in the sides of his weighted belt and kept the belt, vest, and bracers just loose enough so he could reach his throwing knives, shurikens, and needles. Kuro quietly stalked off, loaded with gear as he used his natural control of chakra to move like his father had. His hands were large but quick like his mother‘s had been. He strode through a doorway and the blue flames of ancient mystical torches come alive. A being sat there before him wrapped in leather, metal, blades, and spikes. This Akuma sensei was slimmer than Kuro and he breathed very lightly, he was silent like Kuro was both in speech and movement.
His demonstration of techniques was like liquid, he flowed like a riptide, his use of his particular brand of combat skills was incredible, but these were not the combat techniques and skills a scion of the Toraono lineage should appreciate. Still Kuro was not above learning anything new because he wasn’t exactly like his father had been; nothing was above his notice, nothing was overlooked and so the first dance of darkness was joined. The quick, flirtive flow of blades, and tonfa became enmeshed in an orgy of duel and lesson. He could not match the flexibility of his teacher/assailant but he could just barely match his speed somewhat; so the lesson became defensive. Dodging and parrying with the bars of enchanted dark wood against his forearms, his strikes careened against the katars. The training magic of his gear kicked in as the instructor struck a panel on the wall. His tonfa, his weighted leggings, his vests, his bracers and gloves all increased in weight by ten times. Weighed down just enough for his pair of tonfa to drop a few bits, the blade skimmed into his chest jolting him enough to force him to slump over. The second and what probably would have been vicious if not fatal blow never fell as his arm was enwrapped and trapped in the natural shadow of the room just enough to stop the blow. A spark of crimson came to his eyes as he focused his family gift upon the flames, pulling the arm back so far that even with his sensei’s natural flexibility it could be heard popping. Exhausted by his use of chakra control Kuro collapsed, having succumbed to the poison of the Shadow-Sensei‘s katar. Three Shadow Sensei literally stepped from the surrounding shadows to observe the unconscious trainee. “You‘vedonewell Hissori, neverhaveI seena Shadow trainee resisttheduelist firstscar of acceptance, notsince , Sokkou was silenced as quickly as he spoke by the chakra grasp of the Demon Master who appeared in the doorway “That name is forbidden without the expressed permission of Azame hime." Garou Sensei crawled down the wall slobbering in hunger, oh how he longed to eat the young trainees their taste was always so Demon Master and fresh to him but this trainee had an even tastier scent he smelled of human and demon. Garou Sensei hadn‘t had human since the last Shadow Budokai and for this bit of meat he knew he would savor all of the flavor. “Does he pass Hissori?! Is he ready for me?!” snarled Garou. Hissori shook his head to say no. Sokkou being released and finally able to speak again grinned in his insane way. All looked upon the Jinchuuriki known as Kuro with questions in their heads.
“He’s no where near strong enough for your exam yet Garou, but he does show promise, his techniques are unpolished, but his control is formidable, it shall be interesting to see how he fares after Hissori‘s training.” Sokkou added in his swift speaking manner Hissori nodded and took his seat as he waited for Kuro to wake up he realized the young demon avatar had been awake the entire time just unable to move from the poison in his body. Hissori silent as ever realized the ninja‘s weakness, and just as silently switched his katars from poison to ice blades. Kuro slowly rose to his feet his following the saliva trail of Garou up the wall and through a now not so hidden panel. The swift talker was gone before he could even look about as a swish of air signified his leaving; the Demon Master also had faded away in his own special way of splitting into motes of shadow leaving Hissori. Hissori felt a special kinship to Kuro as they were both stricken mentally to where they were silent never to know the joy of full magic that comes from somatic and hand symbols. As soon as Kuro was fully standing he could see the poison blades against the wall and from their positioning he knew full well that Hissori had discovered one of his unusual half human weaknesses.
Hissori nodded to the blades then nodded to the weight panels. Kuro knew what he meant and struck the panel himself his weights became ten shades heavier. His movement slowed all the more but instead of attacking him Hissori took a meditative stance and with his chakra control activated something deep within the house. Spikes, lances and blades and rods began to ooze and lurch up from the walls and using himself as a living shadow Hissori took all the weapons in multiple tentacle grips and began slow yet ever increasing in speed attacks with spears, swords, axes, katars, and shadow fists, dodging, parrying and generally getting lucky Kuro dodged the best he could. Kuro leapt left and right parrying with the tonfa whenever he could. As Hissori had demonstrated shadow could form weapons so even though it drained him to do so Kuro summon multiple shadow kunai and shuriken striking the swirling mass that was Hissori and forcing him to go on defensive now and then. Their skirmish of wills took Kuro‘s training to a higher level as he began to run and leap off the shadow bursts and even using his own shadowmass to cling to walls and leap attack Hissori. Kuro’s gifts became an art form as his body mass became lighter by will alone as he was able to concentrate more through chakra control. He became ever more flexible like his mother had taught him leaning this way and that at impossible angles and standing by his will and the chakra he used. His eyes shimmered a deeper crimson as he leapt upward carried by the momentum of his body his demonic chakra willing what tentacles he could away from him. Weaving his way ever closer to the mass of swirling shadow that was Hissori sweat poured all through his uniform. Another of his human weaknesses, but he also had half human strengths as the spear jabbed straight on he took it in the chest and though it caused him no small amount of pain he only let it pierce enough to where the spear dented his arm and jolted his collarbone then swiveling off the lance to leave a reasonable scar to his chest he struck Hissori a glancing blow to the chest before collapsing in a heap of exhausted muscle. Hissori congratulated him with a soft tap to the shoulder before levitating him with chakra control into his personal healing chambers.
WC: 1759
Ability Slot 1 Bull's Strength
Bull’s Strength Training (Training session 1)
Kuro had come a long way from the carefree ANBU captain he had once been. He had once been so naive as to believe anyone could become a friend. He had once believed that as long as you were faithful to another that your trust could not be betrayed he had found out the hard way that this was not so and though circumstances differed between betrayals, betrayal was simply that betrayal. Kuro had once been the epitome of demon and human hybridization, able to channel all his abilities in specific bursts of power so as to become superhuman and save the day time and time again. Little did he know that in the end his sharing of power in the form of demonic seals and blood had actually thinned the natural barriers his body and soul had developed in order to protect him from the real demonbeast king inside him. His body had been ravaged the first time he lost control to his inner spirit and even though his revelation had saved the lives of his team and those he had been escorting had they been amongst the enemy when Hyakujuuonouu had been unleashed then they all might be as scarred, or worse destroyed as the mountain range and landscape was from his excursion. The fall of the Titan and the shattering of the dojo’s wards had been a drop in the deep rage filled ocean that threatened to engulf Kuro every time he was forced to call upon his inner demon. Kuro had begun a regiment of heavy inverse gravity training that would bring his physical capabilities beyond their previous limits. His weighted iron gear weighed well in excess of eight pounds altogether but the culmination of mountain runs, ceiling squats, combat drills and chakra assisted pushups had allowed Kuro to reclaim his intense fabled strength without calling upon his inner demon. Kuro checked his calendar he still had two months to go before the next council summit and he had already recovered his strength.
WC: 343
Ability Slot 2 Self-Trained (Physical Style)
Kuro left a note for Sashi to possibly expect a woman named Asayada to come by. He also left an explanation of the events that happened during the tournament and how Kokuryuu had tricked him into doing his dirty work and further mocking him. Having grabbed his silver laced katana, three masks and four changes of clothes Kuro promptly closed his locker up and placed the seals surrounding the dojo on standby and exited the main entrance of the dojo to walk square into a group of twelve Yakuza from the Arishinikage.
Dabito Mamoto (lead thug): "Well, I can't believe it a Toraono that really isn't a Toraono. They must be scraping the bottom of the barrel if they will let mongrels like you into their family. Well most of the Toraono‘s are women anyway so it is no surprise to see a muscle bound beast of a man working for them." Dabito was dressed in a high priced black silk suit it was easy to distinguish him from the other thugs who wore little more than common black clothes or cast off Kimono’s.
Kuro paid them no heed, not sensing enough spirit or chakra energy in any of them to even give him pause he simply performed shishimai and was past their little blockade before they even knew he was past them, except Dabito. Dabito smirked as he appeared just in front of Kuro not but two steps ahead.
Smiling Kuro strained his senses further without drawing upon Hyakujuuonouu. Dabito was heavily enchanted, possibly carrying items of power of some sort. Sighing Kuro spoke up as the rest of the thugs ran up to catch up to them and surround him once more. "Before you start something that will end rather quickly and brutally as I am in no mood to be bothered, Please get out of my way. Not that I will not hesitate to destroy every bone in your bodies if you don't get out of my way."
Dabito smirked " You foolish Toraono’s always underestimate us, we know all about your training and your fights in the shadow tournaments, once we take your head back to our master we will be promoted and showered in riches and women and I will receive a second hell forged item." Dabito smiled brandishing a necklace with six points of swords spiraling out from a man in flames. "Let's get him!!"
Each man pulled a weapon with a dark aura around each one, Kuro decided instantly not to allow a hit from one of those. The men rushed in as fast as they could, Save Dabito following him step for step none were even a real threat save their weapons. (({Some offended lord's lap dogs} came the thoughts from Hyakujuuonouu)) Kuro simply weaved and smashed not even allowing a full shishiken attack to muster and efficiently demolished eleven men without wasting any energy. The first man in a blue kimono received an elbow to the face completely knocking him out. The second man received a short upper to the stomach forcing him to crumble to the sand in intense pain. The third attacker got it even worse as he received five swift body blows with a roundhouse kick finisher that knocked him on top of the first and second gangster that had fallen down earlier. The fourth attacker received a flying Knee to the face for an instant knockout as Kuro dodged Dabito whom made sneak attacks between Kuro’s counter assaults. The fifth attacker actually had the audacity to wear pink underwear until Kuro realized he was actually a she, a really ugly, overly muscled woman but it was too late as she received a vicious spinning hook sending her body twirling in mid-air before landing in a crumpled heap near the other four. Dodging Dabito again Kuro somersaulted over the sixth attacker, striking him after landing with a ridge hand to brachial plexus tie-in where his neck meets his shoulder. The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh guy were all laid out after a series of shishimai -(Toraono style shadow dance technique)- enhanced spinning back hands put them down for the count. It had been an effective warm up, Dabito slashed and stabbed a dozen times at Kuro with an efficiency that was unnerving as if he was learning Kuro's moves as they fought. Other newcomers to the dojo that were exiting or coming to visit the dojo stopped to take pictures, others ushered their children indoors. Dabito was getting faster and faster until he finally landed a slash across Kuro's left forearm which immediately began to burn and ache. Dabito smiled rather wildly as he spoke quietly and quickly in rundarian terran (a twisted demonic version of runic terran) then slid his hand along the dagger. He quickly followed up with tapping the dagger with his now glowing necklace which lost a sword on it transformed into a double edged long sword. Kuro retrieved his katana from his pack before tossing his pack thirty feet aside. Slowly Kuro's eyes became purple and golden as he forced the spirit poison out of his soul and watched as the murky black energy dissipated into black pungent motes and ash.
WC: 870
Ability Slot 3 Nimble Fingers
Kuro had practiced many weapons besides his fists growing up, spear, katana, staff, sai ,even simple knives but he had to admit this was going to be one hell of a refresher. Even after shoving all the poison out Kuro felt slowed. Leaning back and taking an easy stance Kuro poured a decent amount of chakra into his runed silver laced Daibatsu Toraono special made barrier destroying katana. The blade shimmered with the amount of energy it carried. Squared off evenly Dabito became a flurry of stabs and slashes effectively keeping Kuro from attacking. Had Kuro been trying to attack it would have been even more or less but Kuro was simply waiting for an opening. After twenty four strikes, Kuro finally found an opening taking careful aim Kuro committed himself to one massive and hopefully precise strike. Kuro had timed it as best he could having analyzed Dabito's series of haphazard stabbing motions and slashes that Dabito had just attempted to strike him with.
Kuro held the sword in a reverse two hand grip with the hilt resting on his left hip and the sword freed from the scabbard. Time motioned to a slower pace as Dabito began to recover from his rushed attacks, Kuro simply slashed into the opening. The katana gleamed with energy and excellent craftsmanship, its edge heightened by spirit energy. It whispered through the air as Kuro brought his arms forward and across his chest as he subconsciously performed shishimai blurring past Dabito. The silver laced spirit enhanced katana slashed clean through Dabito's spirit aura barrier, his necklace and a small portion of Dabito's chest with the highly audible sound of metal striking metal follow by the sound of heavy breathing as Dabito crumpled to the ground. Kuro re-sheathed his katana after a quick inspection for dents which it didn't carry and yanked the necklace from Dabito and picked up the other piece of medallion. As Kuro held it Dabito's sword became a switchblade again and the dark murky aura faded away. Dabito pulled himself to one knee and screamed as his body slowly smoldered then burst into a roaring inferno. As his human body fell to ashes, a demon stood in his place. Stepping forth from the inferno stood a demon the height of seven feet, humanoid for the most part with a rather large black spiked tail. Claws on his hand and feet were also black, as were his horns. Kuro knew it was a lesser demon but still his aura made him as strong as a media rank. Dabito’s skin was like marble stained red with blue splotches, seemingly burned into the center of his chest was a man writhed with in flames. His neck looked to be thirty inches in diameter, his arms about twenty inches a piece, his build was rather broad and wiry. His eyes were black with silver fiery pupils. The rank scent of brimstone and burnt flesh became overwhelming.
Knowing a fight when he saw one Kuro immediately performed Kagewoutsusu no jutsu (mirror technique) with his left foot creating a sigil on the ground. Kuro poured even more energy into his fists and his katana as he prepared himself for a full force shishiken. For all his occult knowledge Kuro knew few things were the same about demons except for three things, the longer they stay in the human world the stronger they became. The more they devoured the more solid they became and each demon had some form of master and counter element. So Kuro knew he had to finish this one rather quickly.
They both rushed each other and the exchange of blows began... Kuro took several rapid punches to his face, chest, and stomach, but still managed dodge all the claw strikes. Kuro landed three solid shishiken strikes to the neck, stomach and right arm and a rather vicious sword slash to its left arm nearly severing the limb. As they passed each other they both took stock of each other's condition and noticed one another regenerating. For both Kuro and Dabito to be evenly matched made them both extremely angry.
Dabito hissed "You should be dead by now, that you match me stride for stride is pissing me off Toraono!!! I am Dabito the bone-gnawer and I shall be the instrument of your destruction!!!"Hellfire spiraled forth engulfing him in a nimbus of energy and granting Dabito fiery wings and claws. Slowly the majority of that hellfire collected into his right elbow as a gigantic bone spur emerged surging with hellfire. The onlookers and other students of the dojo got as far back as they could but they could not seem to peel their eyes away from the spectacle of this battle.
Seeing that the demon had made up his mind to end the fight Kuro knew what would happened if he countered that with his shishiken, he'd end up impaled like his battle with Mononoke. Smiling Kuro placed his sword in its sheath and placed it on his back as he focused as much natural energy as he could into his wrapped hands. His wraps began to shine like a smaller blue version of the sun. "I'd like to say thank you Dabito for the chance to use this technique... it's been too long since I used my own style of martial arts." With less than ten feet between them their swings would meet one another rather easily and as such they both swung their respective weapons with heartfelt killing intent.
Dabito screaming "By Makai's wrath!! Die TORAONOOOOooO!!!!"
Kuro using Kagewoutsusu no jutsu (mirror technique) to enhance his subtle movement and with his normal techniques becoming mundane used a technique he'd mastered long ago as he had practiced his hand to hand martial arts far more than he had practiced his mother’s kenjutsu. Now, however having learned the error of his ways in countless battles Kuro was ready to bring all his weapons to battle.
No scream, nor battle cry was uttered but inside Kuro's mind the name of the technique he would now learn to master passed across his lips as he struck in a concentrated whisper "Shishi ten haga ken.." (lion of heaven spirit strike) A massive energized shishiken attack poured forth from Kuro’s left fist, which blasted away a great majority of the hellfire barrier surrounding his foe and tore Dabito into five separate parts which began to disintegrate after they struck the sand. This left Kuro slightly drained as the remaining hellfire blasted him back ten feet leaving ruts in the paved stones leading to the dojo entrance. Kuro unsheathed his sword for another inspection finding it completely unmarred and even shinier and more refined. Checking himself he noted his gi hadn't burnt or carried a singed thread (hellfire resistant clothing) came the thought. "Arigato gozaimasu Sensei." Atop the dojo Daibatsu watched Kuro with pride, his puppeteer students had bound and gagged the remaining human gangsters and were dropping them off at the Suna ANBU station. High in the sky however a single figure stood in the mid-day sky, admiring Kuro's fight with hawk-like vision. Massive blue bat like wings extended from his shoulders, clawed feet gripped involuntarily, as red eyes took in every detail of Toraono Kuro. A humanoid body with twelve foot bat wings, eagle talon feet and eagle talon hands simply watched like a hawk watching its prey as he glided and maintained altitude on the massive warm currents of the desert.
Yomi Arashini: "How interesting he banished a lower demon as if it were as easy as swatting a disobedient child, yes this will be the final demonbeast spirit that will grant my lord all the power he needs."
WC: 1285
Ability Slot 4 Quickdraw
(A memory from a childhood of swordsmanship that carried over the rest of his days)
Kuro went home that evening after a long day of what he called play but the other kids called training. Running and leaping from tree to tree, pretend fights with the other kids and music from all over the world. Today he had even got to watch TV and saw other kids doing the most amazing things. They called the show "American Bandstand", and it was highly entertaining. Kuro found himself mimicking their movements during their snack breaks. As he ran up the stairs to the loft Kozue was already waiting for him in the doorway. She looked a bit angry, as she had her hands on her hips and a tremble to her lips. "Kuro did you forget something at the class today?" Kuro thought back to himself before answering "No Sensei." Kozue immediately reverted to normal as she removed the stern look and replaced it with a happy smirk. "You forgot to walk home with me, silly little man, your mother doesn't want you traveling alone until you're at least one year old (although you'd probably look as if you were seven or eight years old by then)." Kuro nodded as he apologized "Gomen nasai Sensei." Kozue hugged him gently as she replied "At home it's Aunty K, dai-jo-bu?" Kuro smiled wide and full in the manner only a child could manage. "Hai, Daijobu Aunty K" as he took her hand and went inside Kozue began to make Kuro's evening snack of broiled salmon and breaded and fried pickle spears with ranch dressing. She steamed some rice for good measure before sitting down with Kuro to eat as well.
While they ate Azame flew in from the balcony entrance. "I'm home! How is my little Tora?" Kuro stood giggling and tossed two pickle spears at his mother which she caught with her teeth and began to munch on. "I've been good Mama, I got to race the kids through the trees, turn cartwheels, and I got to do stick practice." Azame smiled as she had finished eating her two pickle spears. "That's good son now go put your gear on so you can come to the training grounds and play with all of Mama's friends." Kozue nodded to Kuro as he went into his room and proceeded to put on his elbow pads, gloves, helmet, chest pad, shin guards, in that order. He jogged back out and saw Kozue and his mother at the door. "Race you to the training center Kozue yelled out before running down the stairs. Kuro peeled off after her as Azame simply shook her head and shut the door as she watched Kuro valiantly sprint to keep up with Kozue. She then proceeded to shadow step to the training circle to await their arrival. Today and every day until he had all thirty six advanced striking techniques committed to muscle and mental memory he'd be training with Kozue under her watchful eye.
Kozue came running up not more than six minutes later with Kuro huffing and puffing happily behind her. Such potential was all anyone could say when they saw the little one who in actuality was no more than a baby, running playing and learning at a phenomenal rate. The other Kensai sat in a circle as they prepared to bear witness to the child of their mistress another feat that many, including Azame herself had believed impossible. Over Twenty seven years old now she had gotten married on her birthday to a monstrous warrior by the name of Toraono Kaibudo. She had always loved the most daring and dangerous of men and that curse had given her the most startling thing. A child more dangerous than any in known Nobuku/Toraono history. Kozue picked up two boken and passed them to Kuro who nonchalantly plucked them from the air as easy as one might grab a cup from a counter. She then manifested her spirit blades and used her natural energy to forge them into a twin set of boken. The kensai were a bit unsettled by this; but they said nothing Yamanosuke (Kuro's Grandfather) did. "Sumimasen ...Kozue kun why are you wielding such a weapon against my grandson." While settling into a stance that Kuro instantly mimicked she answered "Because Kuro is a natural genius and if I used anything lesser I stand the chance of teaching him improperly...I need swords that I know and know me in return for precise fluid motion." All the other kensai nodded satisfied with the explanation Yamanosuke grinned at the thought. "Gomen Kozue kun I meant no offense I just thought you were expecting him to do that too." Azame almost shuddered as she thought about his comment. Kuro still carried the hilt of his father's broken katana wherever he went, even now he kept it wrapped in his sash.
Azame was not worried enough to take it from him though so instead of contemplate she got right to the matter at hand and called out the techniques she wanted demonstrated and mastered tonight. " Nijuu-ken Jutsu!! Juuni-maru Jutsu!! Ryu-bakuhatsu Justu!! Ni-shougeki Jutsu!! Tenraku-mikaihatsu Jutsu!! ((and the last and most difficult technique of the Nobuku twin blade style that she wanted him to know from childhood)) Karamiau Hissatsu Battou no jutsu!!!" All the kensai looked up as she shouted it, only four of the nine had mastered it and even they were loath to attempt it under scrutiny. Kozue nodded and turned to Kuro and became the teacher again. Kuro noticed the change immediately and stood firm and in wait, the tension he began to feel made his eyes dilate and the central pupil amid the violet iris sea of elongated from a circle to a cat like slit, a low aura began to emit from his body as he felt the need to concentrate.
Kozue moved so fast that only Azame could catch the movement as she appeared beside Kuro. "Follow my moves ok Tora." she told him and as she used his nickname he visibly relaxed and his aura lowered itself a couple of notches. She whispered to Kuro as she performed the first technique Nijuu ken no jutsu, Kuro smiled and nodded. She began and in perfect sync almost as if he had done it before they fell into motion from horse stance with left sword in a simple hammer grip trailing with the blade edge toward the ground, right hand blade held in a reverse single hand grip with the blades tips both pointed the same direction. The right blades came forth from his scabbards reflexively and flickered across the body defensively in a near imperceptible feint to hide the first strike; a vicious stab with the left hand sword lurched forward with a smooth yet delicate speed. The defensive swipe and feint became an abrupt slash in reverse to strike a point just above the original deep lunging stab.
Following the withdrawal of the original stab came a dual crossing swords slash before the blades were resheathed. "Four strikes.." They said in unison as Kuro did something entirely unexpected that made Kozue smile and everyone look on in a small tingle of awe. Completely caught up in the moment he turned a flip with no hands drawing his boken and double slashing during and after the cart wheel before sheathing his boken once again. "Eight strikes..." Now it was Kozue following his movement as they were once again in synch, spinning after a tiny leap for a combined draw and dual slash followed by a pirouetting blade chasing the other slash for six more slashes. "Fourteen strikes..." they said in unison as Kuro followed Kozue again their left hand moved as that of a fencer might stabbing in quick jab like movements for twin stabs. "Sixteen strikes ..." and even though he stumbled over a rock he was able launch himself into a horizontal twirl with his blades held defensively close to his body using the momentum and weight of his body to augment the centrifugal force to complete the final four strikes. They both landed in their original stances. Kozue was beaming and Kuro was sweating heavily with his long hair slightly plastered to his neck and forehead with a huge child-like grin as he stood before his Grandfather whom wore a matching huge grin. Azame raised her judgment card for an Eight point Five. The surrounding Kensai thudded their scabbards, selected weapons, fist, or even feet into the floor for recognition of such a high score. A perfect was a ten and no one ever got that but to get above an eight in Azame's eyes with the fluid nine point zero scoring movements of Kozue to follow was truly impressive. They bowed and took a break; in two minutes he had completed what it took Kozue three months to master and with his own variation. The next techniques would be taxing, even for her but she held no doubts that Kuro could do it.
WC:1496
Ability slot 5 Jutsu Creator
Kuro hopped into the reinforced training ring, Gaul stepped into the other side of the ring. They both began to stretch and twist readying themselves as they both looked each other over as if neither was sure what was about to happen. Kuro was smiling, Gau was a little apprehensive but he had a stark look of determination. After wrapping their hands and putting on helmets they both turned to each other and bowed. Yamanosuke was impressed at Kuro‘s manners, it seemed Kozue was rubbing off on him. He leaned over to Gau and whispered “Could you show me some moves as we go?” Gau nodded as he whispered “Sure just keep up with me and don’t hit too hard, it’s hard to concentrate when you get hit real hard.” Kuro nodded as Yamanosuke stepped up pretending he couldn‘t hear the two planning their match. Gau rushed in with an obvious right cross Kuro did the same at almost the same speed. Although they tried not to hit each other too hard the impact of their fists knocked each of the young men back. Kuro smiled, Gau grinned and they rushed each other again Gau threw a right sidekick, Kuro reacted with a block. Gau followed up with a left hook, Kuro blocked this as well then countered with a spinning roundhouse. The fight was on, Kuro learning as he kept up with Gau’s techniques and Gau gradually losing his shyness.
Gau’s chakra wasn‘t rising near as fast as Kuro’s however so it seemed that Yamanosuke might have to call the match but Kuro was showing remarkable restraint or was he? Yamanosuke paid closer attention, as he focused his eyes on more minute details he noticed Kuro was truly going all out, it was Gau that was tempering his techniques and allowing Kuro to counter. In truth had Yamanosuke not looked closely he wouldn‘t have noticed how much faster Gau actually was compared to Kuro. As Gau’s mindset eased up his abilities increased as if he had been in a slump of some kind. The kicks were the first to become too fast for Kuro to keep up with battering him about the ring much to Mononoke’s satisfaction. Then the punches came in much, much faster demolishing Kuro with body blows. Gau was still holding back, when Kuro actually managed to catch one of his hooks, he looked up with a bruised face, “I’ve seen this combo already Gau, show me something new.” Gau nodded as if they had some unspoken agreement that no one else could ever know “Ok, I’ll show you three of my strongest techniques, keep your guard up ,” Kuro interrupted “Don’t worry about me, Sensei has watchers to keep us from hurting each other too much.” Gau nodded again as he closed his eyes and chanted to himself “Wari wa motikinai, nothing can withstand the might of my Kage Ryu, with these techniques I am unstoppable!! " Yamanosuke nodded as he realized what Gau was doing. He was using self-hypnosis to unleash his full potential, and as such Gau‘s chakra increased exponentially.
Kuro smiled as Gau realized his full attack and defensive ability. “I see, that technique is very impressive, I have something like that, my first teacher told me to never use it when practicing swordsmanship, but I can’t see her getting mad at me for using it in hand to hand combat.’
Kuro took a Toraono channeling stance. Yamanosuke shook his head as if to say no as he realized this was something else Kaibudo had unwittingly taught Kuro without prior conditioning. It began as a small spark as a violet aura began to leak from Kuro’s hands. Gau’s aura had taken on a vibrant crimson, as slowly more aura began to leak from Kuro’s body in wisps then like gas caught fire it exploded forth around him in flame as pieces of the ring flew off into the air as the both unleashed their all. Gau became a massive blur as he whipped in with his second technique. “Kage Ryu Jutsu -Juuichi Senpuu Ken!!!” Eleven whirlwinds roared to life and stringed into one hundred and ten punches as they connected one after another into Kuro flinging him into the air as Gau appeared above Kuro “Kage Ryu Jutsu… Fray!!” A series of eleven explosions followed by a massive earth shattering fist striking him as it slammed Kuro into the center of the ring as Gau landed exhausted. He got ready to exit the ring content he had given his all when a massive surge of chakra told him the match wasn’t over. Kuro walked from the crater that he had created in the center of the ring. He was a battered mess but healing steadily “That was great Gau, I’m really impressed, it gave me the idea for this technique; I’ll name it in honor of your school and my father’s Toraono Kage Ryu Jutsu… Sunder” Moving nearly as fast as Gau had Kuro appeared just beneath Gau’s guard giving him a fierce body blow which launched him into the air, but where Gau’s technique allowed him to appear above Kuro appeared beneath Gau again striking him in the stomach three more times, swiveling mid-air to back hand Gau beneath him, and although his guard was still up Kuro kept pummeling him all the way down into a new but lesser crater than what he himself had been bashed into. Both kids stood exhausted after the impact and then fell out to be caught by blurs and taken to medical chambers by medical nin. Yamanosuke shook his head “I’ll have to remind them not to kill themselves training …”
WC: 942
Ability slot 6 Jutsu Mastery
Kuro found himself blushing before asking "Hyousei-chan anatta wa dai jo bu?" Hyousei smiled and nodded as she began to play in his silky silver locks “I’ve never seen young men with silver gray hair before, but it looks very cute on you; what nationality are you exactly?” Kuro blushed a little more as he answered “I’m Sunagakure Toraono Clan and Wind Country Nobuku Royalty.(he didn’t mention the demon beast portion)” Hyousei nodded as if to say of course. “Well I’m getting ready to go home after I finish my pull-ups for the day mind if I braid your hair before I go?” Kuro had finally stopped blushing and shrugged “Sure, I guess, why not? (as it would get in the way during practice.)” Hyousei had Kuro sit down and she sat behind him. Kuro was sitting cross-legged but Hyousei was right behind him and even without his heightened sense Kuro could smell the perfume mixed with sweat and her own natural scent. It was actually quite intoxicating and reminded him of Kozue except where Kozue smelled like the forest Hyousei smelled like flowers.
Swiftly she had his hair forming one single braid kind of like her father’s hair. “So how old are you Kuro?” Hyousei asked a question as she began to finish the third portion of his braid. Kuro almost blurted out five years old but looked at how he had grown and spoke a generalization instead “Oh, I’m ten years old.” Yamanosuke was standing at the corner once again impressed that his grandson had even mustered the courage to lie about his age and hide his secret. Although the elder council and the master kensai knew of him, No one wanted any problems with his growth spurts or anyone to question them. He was already going to have to be sent to study with Azame again in just over a year so Yamanosuke was scrambling to make sure everything was ready. Hyousei finished the braid and took a silk ribbon from her own hair and tied the final portion. “Well I think you are very cute and when you turn thirteen I shall be fifteen and I’d very much like it if you were to take me to my home village winter formal, having a handsome man like you with me would make all the other girls there jealous.” Kuro didn’t quite understand what she meant by formal but he had heard of his mother arranging one and knew it involved a lot of food, it must take three years to get all the food ready. Still food was always good thing. Kuro smiled and replied “I would be honored to go to your winter formal in three years, but I grow really fast, you might not recognize me in three years.” Hyousei smiled as she played with his braid a little, “No, with hair and eyes like yours, you’d be impossible to forget and I’ll hold you to your word.”
Kuro smiled and waved as she got up to go finish her pull-ups. Tenmou had been on the roof with Mononoke eavesdropping on the conversation and was quite angry that a ten year old was chosen to go to the Harenochiame Formal over him, Mononoke was simply upset that Kuro existed. Tenmou slammed his right fist into his left palm “I hate this runt, how did he manage to get the attention of the most beautiful girl in class?” Mononoke wasn’t really concerned about that but an ally was an ally “How about after we get stronger we beat him up so he can’t walk much less go to the formal.” Tenmou thought about it for a moment then replied “Nah that’s too harsh but beating him up period over the next few years sounds good.” Mononoke managed a soft smile although his actual one was quite feral “Sounds good as soon as we know what we’re up against we’ll start doling out the extra lessons.” A ninja automatically reported this to Midori ne chan whom after entering their plans into a daily journal notified Yamanosuke. Yamanosuke almost laughed ((If the two of them had any idea what they were actually toying with they’d run for their lives.)) He decided to let it play out, no child grows up without a few hard knocks in their life.
Mononoke and Tenmou followed Kuro into the abandoned training grounds the next evening. They had been excused from class early for finishing all their studies for the day. The evening mists were just rolling from the large grass fields that had grown over the old training grounds. There they found Kuro practicing on some old ironwood dummies that still managed to swivel when struck. Tenmou zipped right over and struck Kuro in the side, bowling the startled youngling over, more dismayed than hurt Kuro stood with a questioning look on his face. “What’s going on Tenmou, Mononoke? Did you come to train?” Mononoke stood nearby watching, waiting, hating as Tenmou spoke up “Yeah we came to train ((then looking at Mononoke and noticing the intense look in his eyes))well at least I did. So what do you say Kuro, want to have a match?” Kuro shrugged the difference between a real spar and a training dummy obvious. “Sure, I have two hours before class that I normally spend in meditation, but I haven’t had a sparring partner in quite some time, I can meditate later.” Tenmou grinned “Sure a sparring partner is just what you need, how’s about we make it interesting, if you lose I get to take Hyousei to her Winter Formal.” Kuro shrugged again as he stretched out before taking his stance. “Umm ok, but I think that’s her decision, she asked me, I don’t even know exactly what a formal is.” Tenmou got even angrier at Kuro’s ignorance and apparent innocence. Mononoke had went and leaned on a tree intent on finding some weakness he could exploit as he watched the fight. Tenmou took his traditional Seiryuu stance. “Ok Kuro, just like the initial tournament you better go all out or this will hurt a lot.” ((this is gonna hurt you period.)) Tenmou thought to himself.
Tenmou charged Kuro and with his high speed easily closed the distance, he lashed out with an energized kick that knocked Kuro across the field along with all the air in him. Struggling to breath Tenmou fell from the sky viciously pummeling Kuro with left and right combinations. The initial kick had been the damaging one, everything else Kuro was just going through the motions. Tenmou raised his left fist and charged it with energy then brought it down into Kuro’s chest once again knocking all the air from him and shocking him. He had been straddling him since the kick but not seeing much fight coming from Kuro he picked him up by the throat further impairing his breathing, “Fight back, or are you a cowardly demon like your father was?!” Kuro had heard from the old master that his father had changed into a demon during a training session gone wrong but to have him called a coward was too much for his young mind to accept. He knew both from memory and instinctively that his father was anything but a coward. The medical nin got ready to intervene when Kaibudo grabbed them by the shoulders “They’ll be fine, watch and document is all Yamanosuke requires for now, I will personally interrupt this if it becomes truly life threatening.” The two ninja nodded and continued to maintain their vigil while Kaibudo went to another tree to watch over the students more carefully.
Kuro grasped the left hand that had been choking him by the thumb and peeled his grip away from his throat, completing the release and defensive stance with a one armed monkey toss. Mononoke was no longer leaning against the tree as he watched intently as the real Kuro he had sought began to emerge. Tenmou was stunned and looked the part completely as he got up to find Kuro was now quite upset. “NO ONE CALLS MY FATHER A COWARD!!!!” Kuro took an advanced Toraono stance one neither Mononoke nor Tenmou had ever seen, one his father had always used. Tenmou laughed “All demons are COWARDS and since your father was one he must be a COWARD!!” Kuro couldn’t take anymore as his chakra surged violently as he and his dark side synchronized. His nails darkened turning completely black, then became claws. Aura surged from his body as the earth around him began to shudder and crack. The clouds above them darkened and swirled as a storm began to react with Kuro’s anger. The winds became violent and swirled through the trees and the forest as Kuro swiped at Tenmou. Five violet streaks of chakra tore the air and the earth like a massive claw. Mononoke was amazed as Kuro instinctively performed Shishiken the lion’s strike.
Not unlike Tora no ken the Fist of the tiger which the Byakko Clan wielded, but far more violent, unpredictable and with a shorter range. Tenmou dodged all but the last portion of the strike. Taking a large cut to his left arm. “I see that you can use your inner power but you have no destructive arts if that had been a destructive art I’d probably have lost all or part of my arm. Since you’re finally serious I can be serious too.” Using the lightning from the storm clouds as fuel Tenmou surged with chakra calling a bolt down upon him, as lightning struck him Tenmou performed Tengokusatsu opening his heaven gate, His wound healed in a bright flash of electric blue aura as his tattoo filled in a little more, now no longer an outline, it had eyes and scales but it was still flesh tone. Mononoke understood it as he understood his tiger stripes, every time they summoned some of the power of their God Beast they were changed bit by bit but Tenmou had opened Heaven’s Gate as well which meant he would be unstoppable for a short time. Tenmou’s hair went from black to shimmering blue, his eyes became completely electric blue as well. His hair seemed to be caught in a perpetual wind as he rushed Kuro again. “Now let’s see what you can really do.” Mononoke was nodding “Yes let’s see.” Tenmou was still faster than Kuro so Kuro couldn’t evade his attacks so he parried them one after another.
Kuro blocked a spinning heel kick, then used his right elbow to block a vicious left cross. He hopped over a spinning leg sweep only to get caught by the follow up flying spin kick which knocked him clean through a set of old practice dummies. After that every punch landed with brutal, powerful efficiency. A heavy right cross to the face flung Kuro into a tree making a deep impression with his skull. A fierce right handed body blow made him double over as the force lifted him off the ground to make a deeper impression in the tree with his body. Kuro collapsed as he fell from the ever growing impression in the massive tree grabbing his stomach. Tenmou caught Kuro by the chest with his left hand lifted him back up, charging his right with excess energy from the lightning bolt, he bashed him massively into the tree sending a surge of lightning through Kuro causing the air to smell like singed flesh. Kuro hit the ground seemingly unconscious, Tenmou began to walk off his hair turning black again but his eyes still hyper charged as his Tengoku gate closed inside him once again. Kuro’s clawed hands gouge the earth as he stood. His voice deepened by the surge of electricity that had went through him earlier sounded truly demonic “Is that the best you can do TENMOU?! Opening the bridge to heaven’s gate is only temporary, now you suffer the temporary weakness that comes from using that technique, or did you think calling upon Seiryuu’s power would offset that weakness?” Tenmou did not seem too surprised as he turned around and rushed Kuro again.
“You are fast so that did give you a temporary advantage but that advantage is gone I’ve seen this attack before.” Kuro performed shishi no mai flawlessly and stutter stepped to the side of Tenmou and struck his entire flank with a shishiken. Tenmou endured the violent chakra with a defensive surge of his on taking five scars to the ribs instead of being ripped asunder. Tenmou grinned “That won‘t work on me either. “ Kuro grinned back at Tenmou, then he took a deep breath his pectoral muscles hyper flexed beyond their maximum limits stretching his diaphragm. Like the Ancient Indian Yoga practice of taking in a breath to its maximum extent and oxygenizing one’s blood so that one could live for an extended period without breathing from sunset to sundown. Instead Kuro used the Shishi-ken principal of attack, instead of using the air gathered by increased pectoral muscle practice to live on a single breath, he exhaled that air in a focused burst of chakra and used it as a weapon performing Shishi ku - The Lion’s Roar and paralyzed Tenmou. Tenmou’s nerves were in sonic shock when Kuro performed another Shishi ken technique. Shishi ha - Lion’s blast like a clap of thunder he summoned a compressed ball of air between his hands and channeled it with his anger into a compressed fireball that knocked the stunned Tenmou into the same tree he had been pummeled into. Mononoke’s rage increased as well for this technique resembled Byakko Ko Ken that used wind and ice to stun and injure the opponent all at once.
Tenmou stood back up and used his Double Barrel Electric Barrage, Kuro performed shishi no mai - dance of the lion, dodging the blow and closing the distance between him and Tenmou where they both used their blast techniques close up. The techniques canceled one another out but they had charged in behind their attacks and began an all-out battle fist to fist, kick to kick, neither was dodging anymore just waiting for an opening to finish their match. Both were tired and their chakra wavering, Mononoke saw his opening and leaped to attack Kuro only to be stopped by a massive grip to his shoulder. He looked to his right in dismay to find Kaibudo standing beside him with his arm draped over him like a little brother. “You weren’t going to interfere were you?” Mononoke had to think of an excuse quick “Why umm yes, I was going to stop the fight , they are getting a bit too serious.” Kaibudo nodded accepting the answer although he was certain Mononoke was going to blindside Kuro. Tenmou smashed Kuro in the jaw with a left hook, Kuro caught Tenmou with a fierce uppercut. They both saw the opening at the same time Tenmou gave out one last massive electrified punch, Kuro flipped backwards with a somersault kick, the punch missed and the kick connected knocking him cold. Kuro moved in to finish the fight only to find Kaibudo kneeling in front of him with a calming touch to the chest. “Calm down son, Tenmou-san held back he knows destructive arts and could have used them, he showed restraint and you should as well, he fought you on the same level when he could have really upped the ante and fully transformed.” Kuro calmed down and his claws dissipated into normal finger nails, as he grasped what had transpired. “So if he had wanted to ?” Kaibudo nodded “Yes, he could’ve seriously injured you or even possibly killed you had he went all out.” Kuro shuddered as he felt very small and powerless he had been fighting at his limit and Tenmou knew it and worse still Mononoke was sitting there watching him flailing at his limits. He had been extremely lax in his training ((in his mind anyway) “Gomen Atuinsah, I will head to class and train harder when next you see me fight I will surpass Tenmou. Mononoke was utterly flabbergasted at what he had just overheard, Kuro having found out he was seriously weaker than Tenmou and therefore himself was going to train harder to surpass them by next month’s scheduled mid-term tournament. Remembering he had to master his own bestial transformation Mononoke went home to talk with his father it was time for some intensive training. He was going to need his first six Tora no Koroe before he faced Kuro, if Kuro was going to return stronger then so would he.
WC: 2777
Shadow Tactics (+1)
1) Bull's Strength
2) Self-Trained (+1)
3) Nimble Hands (+1)
4) Quickdraw (+1)
5) Jutsu Creator (+1)
6) Jutsu Mastery (+1)
7) Weapon Mastery: Unarmed
8) Free Slot: Medical Knowledge
Ability Slot (0) -Free- Shadow Tactics
After ten years of psychological exams, profiles and physical testing Kuro finally qualified for entrance into the House for advanced Sennin training. Kuro sat by a murky bench with his face down seemingly asleep. The warmth of the dark apples he had managed to acquire suffusing him. Alone and without guidance most of the time he could train in whatever way he felt necessary to become something more; Following his mother’s guidelines he had just re-mastered the use of shurikens and throwing knives. Tomorrow was a brand new night and there was much for him to do. Stretching out he looked upon his beloved sword and wondered what was going on back at the dojo. He'd been studying with the ANBU corps and if he could happen upon a true challenge he wouldn’t have to wear his special guards or ANBU uniform everywhere The door opened and a wispy yet strong voice called out "Come inside and let us see the future of the true Sennin." He looked around as no one else seemed to move. Breaking ranks and heading for the entrance he didn't dare look back to see who followed that was not the shadow way. Kuro entered the house and although he couldn't believe it somehow the shadows grew darker. A sense of foreboding came upon him as he stood firm and waited for directions... none came. Kuro waited no more and began to explore... ((Swift, Silent & Deadly)) as his father had once told to him. Whether he cared or not the testing had begun.
Kuro stood center of the massive room and willed the shadows to test the locks of the many doors available to him. About two days past before he found three he could open, stealthily moving forward, Kuro tried to be ready for anything, He simply could not have been prepared for the massive ever changing rooms and setup of the house. Its interior dimensions were completely malleable and subject to the whims of a Greater Demon who apparently trained whomever he deemed worthy or at his whim. “State your name and your purpose.” boomed the Demon Master, waiting patiently as Kuro fumbled his introductory papers for Sennin training. Taking the introduction letter swiftly yet without malice, The Demon Master read the psychological profile very carefully. Smiling he produced a scythe, a bastard sword, a pair of tonfa, a magical set of weighted gear, and a huge book with a shadow lock and leather straps for carrying on your back. “All of the spells in that book are performed by shadow writing, hand symbols, and blood scrolls, so you need not speak to master them; also beware of the Wolf Master he will not suffer failure. Now choose your path and may you become true Sennin.” At that the Demon Master faded into shadow motes, Kuro was now theorizing as he watched the Demon Master fade , ((the Demon Master is probably an extension of the House and the House is actually a Greater Demon or even a group of Demons, this aside the House is definitely the greatest training challenge in all of Makai))
Kuro quickly donned all the gear, starting with the weighted vest, leggings, bracers, belt, and helmet. He then strapped the bladed shield and sword to the book by hooking them in its straps. He placed the tonfa in the sides of his weighted belt and kept the belt, vest, and bracers just loose enough so he could reach his throwing knives, shurikens, and needles. Kuro quietly stalked off, loaded with gear as he used his natural control of chakra to move like his father had. His hands were large but quick like his mother‘s had been. He strode through a doorway and the blue flames of ancient mystical torches come alive. A being sat there before him wrapped in leather, metal, blades, and spikes. This Akuma sensei was slimmer than Kuro and he breathed very lightly, he was silent like Kuro was both in speech and movement.
His demonstration of techniques was like liquid, he flowed like a riptide, his use of his particular brand of combat skills was incredible, but these were not the combat techniques and skills a scion of the Toraono lineage should appreciate. Still Kuro was not above learning anything new because he wasn’t exactly like his father had been; nothing was above his notice, nothing was overlooked and so the first dance of darkness was joined. The quick, flirtive flow of blades, and tonfa became enmeshed in an orgy of duel and lesson. He could not match the flexibility of his teacher/assailant but he could just barely match his speed somewhat; so the lesson became defensive. Dodging and parrying with the bars of enchanted dark wood against his forearms, his strikes careened against the katars. The training magic of his gear kicked in as the instructor struck a panel on the wall. His tonfa, his weighted leggings, his vests, his bracers and gloves all increased in weight by ten times. Weighed down just enough for his pair of tonfa to drop a few bits, the blade skimmed into his chest jolting him enough to force him to slump over. The second and what probably would have been vicious if not fatal blow never fell as his arm was enwrapped and trapped in the natural shadow of the room just enough to stop the blow. A spark of crimson came to his eyes as he focused his family gift upon the flames, pulling the arm back so far that even with his sensei’s natural flexibility it could be heard popping. Exhausted by his use of chakra control Kuro collapsed, having succumbed to the poison of the Shadow-Sensei‘s katar. Three Shadow Sensei literally stepped from the surrounding shadows to observe the unconscious trainee. “You‘vedonewell Hissori, neverhaveI seena Shadow trainee resisttheduelist firstscar of acceptance, notsince , Sokkou was silenced as quickly as he spoke by the chakra grasp of the Demon Master who appeared in the doorway “That name is forbidden without the expressed permission of Azame hime." Garou Sensei crawled down the wall slobbering in hunger, oh how he longed to eat the young trainees their taste was always so Demon Master and fresh to him but this trainee had an even tastier scent he smelled of human and demon. Garou Sensei hadn‘t had human since the last Shadow Budokai and for this bit of meat he knew he would savor all of the flavor. “Does he pass Hissori?! Is he ready for me?!” snarled Garou. Hissori shook his head to say no. Sokkou being released and finally able to speak again grinned in his insane way. All looked upon the Jinchuuriki known as Kuro with questions in their heads.
“He’s no where near strong enough for your exam yet Garou, but he does show promise, his techniques are unpolished, but his control is formidable, it shall be interesting to see how he fares after Hissori‘s training.” Sokkou added in his swift speaking manner Hissori nodded and took his seat as he waited for Kuro to wake up he realized the young demon avatar had been awake the entire time just unable to move from the poison in his body. Hissori silent as ever realized the ninja‘s weakness, and just as silently switched his katars from poison to ice blades. Kuro slowly rose to his feet his following the saliva trail of Garou up the wall and through a now not so hidden panel. The swift talker was gone before he could even look about as a swish of air signified his leaving; the Demon Master also had faded away in his own special way of splitting into motes of shadow leaving Hissori. Hissori felt a special kinship to Kuro as they were both stricken mentally to where they were silent never to know the joy of full magic that comes from somatic and hand symbols. As soon as Kuro was fully standing he could see the poison blades against the wall and from their positioning he knew full well that Hissori had discovered one of his unusual half human weaknesses.
Hissori nodded to the blades then nodded to the weight panels. Kuro knew what he meant and struck the panel himself his weights became ten shades heavier. His movement slowed all the more but instead of attacking him Hissori took a meditative stance and with his chakra control activated something deep within the house. Spikes, lances and blades and rods began to ooze and lurch up from the walls and using himself as a living shadow Hissori took all the weapons in multiple tentacle grips and began slow yet ever increasing in speed attacks with spears, swords, axes, katars, and shadow fists, dodging, parrying and generally getting lucky Kuro dodged the best he could. Kuro leapt left and right parrying with the tonfa whenever he could. As Hissori had demonstrated shadow could form weapons so even though it drained him to do so Kuro summon multiple shadow kunai and shuriken striking the swirling mass that was Hissori and forcing him to go on defensive now and then. Their skirmish of wills took Kuro‘s training to a higher level as he began to run and leap off the shadow bursts and even using his own shadowmass to cling to walls and leap attack Hissori. Kuro’s gifts became an art form as his body mass became lighter by will alone as he was able to concentrate more through chakra control. He became ever more flexible like his mother had taught him leaning this way and that at impossible angles and standing by his will and the chakra he used. His eyes shimmered a deeper crimson as he leapt upward carried by the momentum of his body his demonic chakra willing what tentacles he could away from him. Weaving his way ever closer to the mass of swirling shadow that was Hissori sweat poured all through his uniform. Another of his human weaknesses, but he also had half human strengths as the spear jabbed straight on he took it in the chest and though it caused him no small amount of pain he only let it pierce enough to where the spear dented his arm and jolted his collarbone then swiveling off the lance to leave a reasonable scar to his chest he struck Hissori a glancing blow to the chest before collapsing in a heap of exhausted muscle. Hissori congratulated him with a soft tap to the shoulder before levitating him with chakra control into his personal healing chambers.
WC: 1759
Ability Slot 1 Bull's Strength
Bull’s Strength Training (Training session 1)
Kuro had come a long way from the carefree ANBU captain he had once been. He had once been so naive as to believe anyone could become a friend. He had once believed that as long as you were faithful to another that your trust could not be betrayed he had found out the hard way that this was not so and though circumstances differed between betrayals, betrayal was simply that betrayal. Kuro had once been the epitome of demon and human hybridization, able to channel all his abilities in specific bursts of power so as to become superhuman and save the day time and time again. Little did he know that in the end his sharing of power in the form of demonic seals and blood had actually thinned the natural barriers his body and soul had developed in order to protect him from the real demonbeast king inside him. His body had been ravaged the first time he lost control to his inner spirit and even though his revelation had saved the lives of his team and those he had been escorting had they been amongst the enemy when Hyakujuuonouu had been unleashed then they all might be as scarred, or worse destroyed as the mountain range and landscape was from his excursion. The fall of the Titan and the shattering of the dojo’s wards had been a drop in the deep rage filled ocean that threatened to engulf Kuro every time he was forced to call upon his inner demon. Kuro had begun a regiment of heavy inverse gravity training that would bring his physical capabilities beyond their previous limits. His weighted iron gear weighed well in excess of eight pounds altogether but the culmination of mountain runs, ceiling squats, combat drills and chakra assisted pushups had allowed Kuro to reclaim his intense fabled strength without calling upon his inner demon. Kuro checked his calendar he still had two months to go before the next council summit and he had already recovered his strength.
WC: 343
Ability Slot 2 Self-Trained (Physical Style)
Kuro left a note for Sashi to possibly expect a woman named Asayada to come by. He also left an explanation of the events that happened during the tournament and how Kokuryuu had tricked him into doing his dirty work and further mocking him. Having grabbed his silver laced katana, three masks and four changes of clothes Kuro promptly closed his locker up and placed the seals surrounding the dojo on standby and exited the main entrance of the dojo to walk square into a group of twelve Yakuza from the Arishinikage.
Dabito Mamoto (lead thug): "Well, I can't believe it a Toraono that really isn't a Toraono. They must be scraping the bottom of the barrel if they will let mongrels like you into their family. Well most of the Toraono‘s are women anyway so it is no surprise to see a muscle bound beast of a man working for them." Dabito was dressed in a high priced black silk suit it was easy to distinguish him from the other thugs who wore little more than common black clothes or cast off Kimono’s.
Kuro paid them no heed, not sensing enough spirit or chakra energy in any of them to even give him pause he simply performed shishimai and was past their little blockade before they even knew he was past them, except Dabito. Dabito smirked as he appeared just in front of Kuro not but two steps ahead.
Smiling Kuro strained his senses further without drawing upon Hyakujuuonouu. Dabito was heavily enchanted, possibly carrying items of power of some sort. Sighing Kuro spoke up as the rest of the thugs ran up to catch up to them and surround him once more. "Before you start something that will end rather quickly and brutally as I am in no mood to be bothered, Please get out of my way. Not that I will not hesitate to destroy every bone in your bodies if you don't get out of my way."
Dabito smirked " You foolish Toraono’s always underestimate us, we know all about your training and your fights in the shadow tournaments, once we take your head back to our master we will be promoted and showered in riches and women and I will receive a second hell forged item." Dabito smiled brandishing a necklace with six points of swords spiraling out from a man in flames. "Let's get him!!"
Each man pulled a weapon with a dark aura around each one, Kuro decided instantly not to allow a hit from one of those. The men rushed in as fast as they could, Save Dabito following him step for step none were even a real threat save their weapons. (({Some offended lord's lap dogs} came the thoughts from Hyakujuuonouu)) Kuro simply weaved and smashed not even allowing a full shishiken attack to muster and efficiently demolished eleven men without wasting any energy. The first man in a blue kimono received an elbow to the face completely knocking him out. The second man received a short upper to the stomach forcing him to crumble to the sand in intense pain. The third attacker got it even worse as he received five swift body blows with a roundhouse kick finisher that knocked him on top of the first and second gangster that had fallen down earlier. The fourth attacker received a flying Knee to the face for an instant knockout as Kuro dodged Dabito whom made sneak attacks between Kuro’s counter assaults. The fifth attacker actually had the audacity to wear pink underwear until Kuro realized he was actually a she, a really ugly, overly muscled woman but it was too late as she received a vicious spinning hook sending her body twirling in mid-air before landing in a crumpled heap near the other four. Dodging Dabito again Kuro somersaulted over the sixth attacker, striking him after landing with a ridge hand to brachial plexus tie-in where his neck meets his shoulder. The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh guy were all laid out after a series of shishimai -(Toraono style shadow dance technique)- enhanced spinning back hands put them down for the count. It had been an effective warm up, Dabito slashed and stabbed a dozen times at Kuro with an efficiency that was unnerving as if he was learning Kuro's moves as they fought. Other newcomers to the dojo that were exiting or coming to visit the dojo stopped to take pictures, others ushered their children indoors. Dabito was getting faster and faster until he finally landed a slash across Kuro's left forearm which immediately began to burn and ache. Dabito smiled rather wildly as he spoke quietly and quickly in rundarian terran (a twisted demonic version of runic terran) then slid his hand along the dagger. He quickly followed up with tapping the dagger with his now glowing necklace which lost a sword on it transformed into a double edged long sword. Kuro retrieved his katana from his pack before tossing his pack thirty feet aside. Slowly Kuro's eyes became purple and golden as he forced the spirit poison out of his soul and watched as the murky black energy dissipated into black pungent motes and ash.
WC: 870
Ability Slot 3 Nimble Fingers
Kuro had practiced many weapons besides his fists growing up, spear, katana, staff, sai ,even simple knives but he had to admit this was going to be one hell of a refresher. Even after shoving all the poison out Kuro felt slowed. Leaning back and taking an easy stance Kuro poured a decent amount of chakra into his runed silver laced Daibatsu Toraono special made barrier destroying katana. The blade shimmered with the amount of energy it carried. Squared off evenly Dabito became a flurry of stabs and slashes effectively keeping Kuro from attacking. Had Kuro been trying to attack it would have been even more or less but Kuro was simply waiting for an opening. After twenty four strikes, Kuro finally found an opening taking careful aim Kuro committed himself to one massive and hopefully precise strike. Kuro had timed it as best he could having analyzed Dabito's series of haphazard stabbing motions and slashes that Dabito had just attempted to strike him with.
Kuro held the sword in a reverse two hand grip with the hilt resting on his left hip and the sword freed from the scabbard. Time motioned to a slower pace as Dabito began to recover from his rushed attacks, Kuro simply slashed into the opening. The katana gleamed with energy and excellent craftsmanship, its edge heightened by spirit energy. It whispered through the air as Kuro brought his arms forward and across his chest as he subconsciously performed shishimai blurring past Dabito. The silver laced spirit enhanced katana slashed clean through Dabito's spirit aura barrier, his necklace and a small portion of Dabito's chest with the highly audible sound of metal striking metal follow by the sound of heavy breathing as Dabito crumpled to the ground. Kuro re-sheathed his katana after a quick inspection for dents which it didn't carry and yanked the necklace from Dabito and picked up the other piece of medallion. As Kuro held it Dabito's sword became a switchblade again and the dark murky aura faded away. Dabito pulled himself to one knee and screamed as his body slowly smoldered then burst into a roaring inferno. As his human body fell to ashes, a demon stood in his place. Stepping forth from the inferno stood a demon the height of seven feet, humanoid for the most part with a rather large black spiked tail. Claws on his hand and feet were also black, as were his horns. Kuro knew it was a lesser demon but still his aura made him as strong as a media rank. Dabito’s skin was like marble stained red with blue splotches, seemingly burned into the center of his chest was a man writhed with in flames. His neck looked to be thirty inches in diameter, his arms about twenty inches a piece, his build was rather broad and wiry. His eyes were black with silver fiery pupils. The rank scent of brimstone and burnt flesh became overwhelming.
Knowing a fight when he saw one Kuro immediately performed Kagewoutsusu no jutsu (mirror technique) with his left foot creating a sigil on the ground. Kuro poured even more energy into his fists and his katana as he prepared himself for a full force shishiken. For all his occult knowledge Kuro knew few things were the same about demons except for three things, the longer they stay in the human world the stronger they became. The more they devoured the more solid they became and each demon had some form of master and counter element. So Kuro knew he had to finish this one rather quickly.
They both rushed each other and the exchange of blows began... Kuro took several rapid punches to his face, chest, and stomach, but still managed dodge all the claw strikes. Kuro landed three solid shishiken strikes to the neck, stomach and right arm and a rather vicious sword slash to its left arm nearly severing the limb. As they passed each other they both took stock of each other's condition and noticed one another regenerating. For both Kuro and Dabito to be evenly matched made them both extremely angry.
Dabito hissed "You should be dead by now, that you match me stride for stride is pissing me off Toraono!!! I am Dabito the bone-gnawer and I shall be the instrument of your destruction!!!"Hellfire spiraled forth engulfing him in a nimbus of energy and granting Dabito fiery wings and claws. Slowly the majority of that hellfire collected into his right elbow as a gigantic bone spur emerged surging with hellfire. The onlookers and other students of the dojo got as far back as they could but they could not seem to peel their eyes away from the spectacle of this battle.
Seeing that the demon had made up his mind to end the fight Kuro knew what would happened if he countered that with his shishiken, he'd end up impaled like his battle with Mononoke. Smiling Kuro placed his sword in its sheath and placed it on his back as he focused as much natural energy as he could into his wrapped hands. His wraps began to shine like a smaller blue version of the sun. "I'd like to say thank you Dabito for the chance to use this technique... it's been too long since I used my own style of martial arts." With less than ten feet between them their swings would meet one another rather easily and as such they both swung their respective weapons with heartfelt killing intent.
Dabito screaming "By Makai's wrath!! Die TORAONOOOOooO!!!!"
Kuro using Kagewoutsusu no jutsu (mirror technique) to enhance his subtle movement and with his normal techniques becoming mundane used a technique he'd mastered long ago as he had practiced his hand to hand martial arts far more than he had practiced his mother’s kenjutsu. Now, however having learned the error of his ways in countless battles Kuro was ready to bring all his weapons to battle.
No scream, nor battle cry was uttered but inside Kuro's mind the name of the technique he would now learn to master passed across his lips as he struck in a concentrated whisper "Shishi ten haga ken.." (lion of heaven spirit strike) A massive energized shishiken attack poured forth from Kuro’s left fist, which blasted away a great majority of the hellfire barrier surrounding his foe and tore Dabito into five separate parts which began to disintegrate after they struck the sand. This left Kuro slightly drained as the remaining hellfire blasted him back ten feet leaving ruts in the paved stones leading to the dojo entrance. Kuro unsheathed his sword for another inspection finding it completely unmarred and even shinier and more refined. Checking himself he noted his gi hadn't burnt or carried a singed thread (hellfire resistant clothing) came the thought. "Arigato gozaimasu Sensei." Atop the dojo Daibatsu watched Kuro with pride, his puppeteer students had bound and gagged the remaining human gangsters and were dropping them off at the Suna ANBU station. High in the sky however a single figure stood in the mid-day sky, admiring Kuro's fight with hawk-like vision. Massive blue bat like wings extended from his shoulders, clawed feet gripped involuntarily, as red eyes took in every detail of Toraono Kuro. A humanoid body with twelve foot bat wings, eagle talon feet and eagle talon hands simply watched like a hawk watching its prey as he glided and maintained altitude on the massive warm currents of the desert.
Yomi Arashini: "How interesting he banished a lower demon as if it were as easy as swatting a disobedient child, yes this will be the final demonbeast spirit that will grant my lord all the power he needs."
WC: 1285
Ability Slot 4 Quickdraw
(A memory from a childhood of swordsmanship that carried over the rest of his days)
Kuro went home that evening after a long day of what he called play but the other kids called training. Running and leaping from tree to tree, pretend fights with the other kids and music from all over the world. Today he had even got to watch TV and saw other kids doing the most amazing things. They called the show "American Bandstand", and it was highly entertaining. Kuro found himself mimicking their movements during their snack breaks. As he ran up the stairs to the loft Kozue was already waiting for him in the doorway. She looked a bit angry, as she had her hands on her hips and a tremble to her lips. "Kuro did you forget something at the class today?" Kuro thought back to himself before answering "No Sensei." Kozue immediately reverted to normal as she removed the stern look and replaced it with a happy smirk. "You forgot to walk home with me, silly little man, your mother doesn't want you traveling alone until you're at least one year old (although you'd probably look as if you were seven or eight years old by then)." Kuro nodded as he apologized "Gomen nasai Sensei." Kozue hugged him gently as she replied "At home it's Aunty K, dai-jo-bu?" Kuro smiled wide and full in the manner only a child could manage. "Hai, Daijobu Aunty K" as he took her hand and went inside Kozue began to make Kuro's evening snack of broiled salmon and breaded and fried pickle spears with ranch dressing. She steamed some rice for good measure before sitting down with Kuro to eat as well.
While they ate Azame flew in from the balcony entrance. "I'm home! How is my little Tora?" Kuro stood giggling and tossed two pickle spears at his mother which she caught with her teeth and began to munch on. "I've been good Mama, I got to race the kids through the trees, turn cartwheels, and I got to do stick practice." Azame smiled as she had finished eating her two pickle spears. "That's good son now go put your gear on so you can come to the training grounds and play with all of Mama's friends." Kozue nodded to Kuro as he went into his room and proceeded to put on his elbow pads, gloves, helmet, chest pad, shin guards, in that order. He jogged back out and saw Kozue and his mother at the door. "Race you to the training center Kozue yelled out before running down the stairs. Kuro peeled off after her as Azame simply shook her head and shut the door as she watched Kuro valiantly sprint to keep up with Kozue. She then proceeded to shadow step to the training circle to await their arrival. Today and every day until he had all thirty six advanced striking techniques committed to muscle and mental memory he'd be training with Kozue under her watchful eye.
Kozue came running up not more than six minutes later with Kuro huffing and puffing happily behind her. Such potential was all anyone could say when they saw the little one who in actuality was no more than a baby, running playing and learning at a phenomenal rate. The other Kensai sat in a circle as they prepared to bear witness to the child of their mistress another feat that many, including Azame herself had believed impossible. Over Twenty seven years old now she had gotten married on her birthday to a monstrous warrior by the name of Toraono Kaibudo. She had always loved the most daring and dangerous of men and that curse had given her the most startling thing. A child more dangerous than any in known Nobuku/Toraono history. Kozue picked up two boken and passed them to Kuro who nonchalantly plucked them from the air as easy as one might grab a cup from a counter. She then manifested her spirit blades and used her natural energy to forge them into a twin set of boken. The kensai were a bit unsettled by this; but they said nothing Yamanosuke (Kuro's Grandfather) did. "Sumimasen ...Kozue kun why are you wielding such a weapon against my grandson." While settling into a stance that Kuro instantly mimicked she answered "Because Kuro is a natural genius and if I used anything lesser I stand the chance of teaching him improperly...I need swords that I know and know me in return for precise fluid motion." All the other kensai nodded satisfied with the explanation Yamanosuke grinned at the thought. "Gomen Kozue kun I meant no offense I just thought you were expecting him to do that too." Azame almost shuddered as she thought about his comment. Kuro still carried the hilt of his father's broken katana wherever he went, even now he kept it wrapped in his sash.
Azame was not worried enough to take it from him though so instead of contemplate she got right to the matter at hand and called out the techniques she wanted demonstrated and mastered tonight. " Nijuu-ken Jutsu!! Juuni-maru Jutsu!! Ryu-bakuhatsu Justu!! Ni-shougeki Jutsu!! Tenraku-mikaihatsu Jutsu!! ((and the last and most difficult technique of the Nobuku twin blade style that she wanted him to know from childhood)) Karamiau Hissatsu Battou no jutsu!!!" All the kensai looked up as she shouted it, only four of the nine had mastered it and even they were loath to attempt it under scrutiny. Kozue nodded and turned to Kuro and became the teacher again. Kuro noticed the change immediately and stood firm and in wait, the tension he began to feel made his eyes dilate and the central pupil amid the violet iris sea of elongated from a circle to a cat like slit, a low aura began to emit from his body as he felt the need to concentrate.
Kozue moved so fast that only Azame could catch the movement as she appeared beside Kuro. "Follow my moves ok Tora." she told him and as she used his nickname he visibly relaxed and his aura lowered itself a couple of notches. She whispered to Kuro as she performed the first technique Nijuu ken no jutsu, Kuro smiled and nodded. She began and in perfect sync almost as if he had done it before they fell into motion from horse stance with left sword in a simple hammer grip trailing with the blade edge toward the ground, right hand blade held in a reverse single hand grip with the blades tips both pointed the same direction. The right blades came forth from his scabbards reflexively and flickered across the body defensively in a near imperceptible feint to hide the first strike; a vicious stab with the left hand sword lurched forward with a smooth yet delicate speed. The defensive swipe and feint became an abrupt slash in reverse to strike a point just above the original deep lunging stab.
Following the withdrawal of the original stab came a dual crossing swords slash before the blades were resheathed. "Four strikes.." They said in unison as Kuro did something entirely unexpected that made Kozue smile and everyone look on in a small tingle of awe. Completely caught up in the moment he turned a flip with no hands drawing his boken and double slashing during and after the cart wheel before sheathing his boken once again. "Eight strikes..." Now it was Kozue following his movement as they were once again in synch, spinning after a tiny leap for a combined draw and dual slash followed by a pirouetting blade chasing the other slash for six more slashes. "Fourteen strikes..." they said in unison as Kuro followed Kozue again their left hand moved as that of a fencer might stabbing in quick jab like movements for twin stabs. "Sixteen strikes ..." and even though he stumbled over a rock he was able launch himself into a horizontal twirl with his blades held defensively close to his body using the momentum and weight of his body to augment the centrifugal force to complete the final four strikes. They both landed in their original stances. Kozue was beaming and Kuro was sweating heavily with his long hair slightly plastered to his neck and forehead with a huge child-like grin as he stood before his Grandfather whom wore a matching huge grin. Azame raised her judgment card for an Eight point Five. The surrounding Kensai thudded their scabbards, selected weapons, fist, or even feet into the floor for recognition of such a high score. A perfect was a ten and no one ever got that but to get above an eight in Azame's eyes with the fluid nine point zero scoring movements of Kozue to follow was truly impressive. They bowed and took a break; in two minutes he had completed what it took Kozue three months to master and with his own variation. The next techniques would be taxing, even for her but she held no doubts that Kuro could do it.
WC:1496
Ability slot 5 Jutsu Creator
Kuro hopped into the reinforced training ring, Gaul stepped into the other side of the ring. They both began to stretch and twist readying themselves as they both looked each other over as if neither was sure what was about to happen. Kuro was smiling, Gau was a little apprehensive but he had a stark look of determination. After wrapping their hands and putting on helmets they both turned to each other and bowed. Yamanosuke was impressed at Kuro‘s manners, it seemed Kozue was rubbing off on him. He leaned over to Gau and whispered “Could you show me some moves as we go?” Gau nodded as he whispered “Sure just keep up with me and don’t hit too hard, it’s hard to concentrate when you get hit real hard.” Kuro nodded as Yamanosuke stepped up pretending he couldn‘t hear the two planning their match. Gau rushed in with an obvious right cross Kuro did the same at almost the same speed. Although they tried not to hit each other too hard the impact of their fists knocked each of the young men back. Kuro smiled, Gau grinned and they rushed each other again Gau threw a right sidekick, Kuro reacted with a block. Gau followed up with a left hook, Kuro blocked this as well then countered with a spinning roundhouse. The fight was on, Kuro learning as he kept up with Gau’s techniques and Gau gradually losing his shyness.
Gau’s chakra wasn‘t rising near as fast as Kuro’s however so it seemed that Yamanosuke might have to call the match but Kuro was showing remarkable restraint or was he? Yamanosuke paid closer attention, as he focused his eyes on more minute details he noticed Kuro was truly going all out, it was Gau that was tempering his techniques and allowing Kuro to counter. In truth had Yamanosuke not looked closely he wouldn‘t have noticed how much faster Gau actually was compared to Kuro. As Gau’s mindset eased up his abilities increased as if he had been in a slump of some kind. The kicks were the first to become too fast for Kuro to keep up with battering him about the ring much to Mononoke’s satisfaction. Then the punches came in much, much faster demolishing Kuro with body blows. Gau was still holding back, when Kuro actually managed to catch one of his hooks, he looked up with a bruised face, “I’ve seen this combo already Gau, show me something new.” Gau nodded as if they had some unspoken agreement that no one else could ever know “Ok, I’ll show you three of my strongest techniques, keep your guard up ,” Kuro interrupted “Don’t worry about me, Sensei has watchers to keep us from hurting each other too much.” Gau nodded again as he closed his eyes and chanted to himself “Wari wa motikinai, nothing can withstand the might of my Kage Ryu, with these techniques I am unstoppable!! " Yamanosuke nodded as he realized what Gau was doing. He was using self-hypnosis to unleash his full potential, and as such Gau‘s chakra increased exponentially.
Kuro smiled as Gau realized his full attack and defensive ability. “I see, that technique is very impressive, I have something like that, my first teacher told me to never use it when practicing swordsmanship, but I can’t see her getting mad at me for using it in hand to hand combat.’
Kuro took a Toraono channeling stance. Yamanosuke shook his head as if to say no as he realized this was something else Kaibudo had unwittingly taught Kuro without prior conditioning. It began as a small spark as a violet aura began to leak from Kuro’s hands. Gau’s aura had taken on a vibrant crimson, as slowly more aura began to leak from Kuro’s body in wisps then like gas caught fire it exploded forth around him in flame as pieces of the ring flew off into the air as the both unleashed their all. Gau became a massive blur as he whipped in with his second technique. “Kage Ryu Jutsu -Juuichi Senpuu Ken!!!” Eleven whirlwinds roared to life and stringed into one hundred and ten punches as they connected one after another into Kuro flinging him into the air as Gau appeared above Kuro “Kage Ryu Jutsu… Fray!!” A series of eleven explosions followed by a massive earth shattering fist striking him as it slammed Kuro into the center of the ring as Gau landed exhausted. He got ready to exit the ring content he had given his all when a massive surge of chakra told him the match wasn’t over. Kuro walked from the crater that he had created in the center of the ring. He was a battered mess but healing steadily “That was great Gau, I’m really impressed, it gave me the idea for this technique; I’ll name it in honor of your school and my father’s Toraono Kage Ryu Jutsu… Sunder” Moving nearly as fast as Gau had Kuro appeared just beneath Gau’s guard giving him a fierce body blow which launched him into the air, but where Gau’s technique allowed him to appear above Kuro appeared beneath Gau again striking him in the stomach three more times, swiveling mid-air to back hand Gau beneath him, and although his guard was still up Kuro kept pummeling him all the way down into a new but lesser crater than what he himself had been bashed into. Both kids stood exhausted after the impact and then fell out to be caught by blurs and taken to medical chambers by medical nin. Yamanosuke shook his head “I’ll have to remind them not to kill themselves training …”
WC: 942
Ability slot 6 Jutsu Mastery
Kuro found himself blushing before asking "Hyousei-chan anatta wa dai jo bu?" Hyousei smiled and nodded as she began to play in his silky silver locks “I’ve never seen young men with silver gray hair before, but it looks very cute on you; what nationality are you exactly?” Kuro blushed a little more as he answered “I’m Sunagakure Toraono Clan and Wind Country Nobuku Royalty.(he didn’t mention the demon beast portion)” Hyousei nodded as if to say of course. “Well I’m getting ready to go home after I finish my pull-ups for the day mind if I braid your hair before I go?” Kuro had finally stopped blushing and shrugged “Sure, I guess, why not? (as it would get in the way during practice.)” Hyousei had Kuro sit down and she sat behind him. Kuro was sitting cross-legged but Hyousei was right behind him and even without his heightened sense Kuro could smell the perfume mixed with sweat and her own natural scent. It was actually quite intoxicating and reminded him of Kozue except where Kozue smelled like the forest Hyousei smelled like flowers.
Swiftly she had his hair forming one single braid kind of like her father’s hair. “So how old are you Kuro?” Hyousei asked a question as she began to finish the third portion of his braid. Kuro almost blurted out five years old but looked at how he had grown and spoke a generalization instead “Oh, I’m ten years old.” Yamanosuke was standing at the corner once again impressed that his grandson had even mustered the courage to lie about his age and hide his secret. Although the elder council and the master kensai knew of him, No one wanted any problems with his growth spurts or anyone to question them. He was already going to have to be sent to study with Azame again in just over a year so Yamanosuke was scrambling to make sure everything was ready. Hyousei finished the braid and took a silk ribbon from her own hair and tied the final portion. “Well I think you are very cute and when you turn thirteen I shall be fifteen and I’d very much like it if you were to take me to my home village winter formal, having a handsome man like you with me would make all the other girls there jealous.” Kuro didn’t quite understand what she meant by formal but he had heard of his mother arranging one and knew it involved a lot of food, it must take three years to get all the food ready. Still food was always good thing. Kuro smiled and replied “I would be honored to go to your winter formal in three years, but I grow really fast, you might not recognize me in three years.” Hyousei smiled as she played with his braid a little, “No, with hair and eyes like yours, you’d be impossible to forget and I’ll hold you to your word.”
Kuro smiled and waved as she got up to go finish her pull-ups. Tenmou had been on the roof with Mononoke eavesdropping on the conversation and was quite angry that a ten year old was chosen to go to the Harenochiame Formal over him, Mononoke was simply upset that Kuro existed. Tenmou slammed his right fist into his left palm “I hate this runt, how did he manage to get the attention of the most beautiful girl in class?” Mononoke wasn’t really concerned about that but an ally was an ally “How about after we get stronger we beat him up so he can’t walk much less go to the formal.” Tenmou thought about it for a moment then replied “Nah that’s too harsh but beating him up period over the next few years sounds good.” Mononoke managed a soft smile although his actual one was quite feral “Sounds good as soon as we know what we’re up against we’ll start doling out the extra lessons.” A ninja automatically reported this to Midori ne chan whom after entering their plans into a daily journal notified Yamanosuke. Yamanosuke almost laughed ((If the two of them had any idea what they were actually toying with they’d run for their lives.)) He decided to let it play out, no child grows up without a few hard knocks in their life.
Mononoke and Tenmou followed Kuro into the abandoned training grounds the next evening. They had been excused from class early for finishing all their studies for the day. The evening mists were just rolling from the large grass fields that had grown over the old training grounds. There they found Kuro practicing on some old ironwood dummies that still managed to swivel when struck. Tenmou zipped right over and struck Kuro in the side, bowling the startled youngling over, more dismayed than hurt Kuro stood with a questioning look on his face. “What’s going on Tenmou, Mononoke? Did you come to train?” Mononoke stood nearby watching, waiting, hating as Tenmou spoke up “Yeah we came to train ((then looking at Mononoke and noticing the intense look in his eyes))well at least I did. So what do you say Kuro, want to have a match?” Kuro shrugged the difference between a real spar and a training dummy obvious. “Sure, I have two hours before class that I normally spend in meditation, but I haven’t had a sparring partner in quite some time, I can meditate later.” Tenmou grinned “Sure a sparring partner is just what you need, how’s about we make it interesting, if you lose I get to take Hyousei to her Winter Formal.” Kuro shrugged again as he stretched out before taking his stance. “Umm ok, but I think that’s her decision, she asked me, I don’t even know exactly what a formal is.” Tenmou got even angrier at Kuro’s ignorance and apparent innocence. Mononoke had went and leaned on a tree intent on finding some weakness he could exploit as he watched the fight. Tenmou took his traditional Seiryuu stance. “Ok Kuro, just like the initial tournament you better go all out or this will hurt a lot.” ((this is gonna hurt you period.)) Tenmou thought to himself.
Tenmou charged Kuro and with his high speed easily closed the distance, he lashed out with an energized kick that knocked Kuro across the field along with all the air in him. Struggling to breath Tenmou fell from the sky viciously pummeling Kuro with left and right combinations. The initial kick had been the damaging one, everything else Kuro was just going through the motions. Tenmou raised his left fist and charged it with energy then brought it down into Kuro’s chest once again knocking all the air from him and shocking him. He had been straddling him since the kick but not seeing much fight coming from Kuro he picked him up by the throat further impairing his breathing, “Fight back, or are you a cowardly demon like your father was?!” Kuro had heard from the old master that his father had changed into a demon during a training session gone wrong but to have him called a coward was too much for his young mind to accept. He knew both from memory and instinctively that his father was anything but a coward. The medical nin got ready to intervene when Kaibudo grabbed them by the shoulders “They’ll be fine, watch and document is all Yamanosuke requires for now, I will personally interrupt this if it becomes truly life threatening.” The two ninja nodded and continued to maintain their vigil while Kaibudo went to another tree to watch over the students more carefully.
Kuro grasped the left hand that had been choking him by the thumb and peeled his grip away from his throat, completing the release and defensive stance with a one armed monkey toss. Mononoke was no longer leaning against the tree as he watched intently as the real Kuro he had sought began to emerge. Tenmou was stunned and looked the part completely as he got up to find Kuro was now quite upset. “NO ONE CALLS MY FATHER A COWARD!!!!” Kuro took an advanced Toraono stance one neither Mononoke nor Tenmou had ever seen, one his father had always used. Tenmou laughed “All demons are COWARDS and since your father was one he must be a COWARD!!” Kuro couldn’t take anymore as his chakra surged violently as he and his dark side synchronized. His nails darkened turning completely black, then became claws. Aura surged from his body as the earth around him began to shudder and crack. The clouds above them darkened and swirled as a storm began to react with Kuro’s anger. The winds became violent and swirled through the trees and the forest as Kuro swiped at Tenmou. Five violet streaks of chakra tore the air and the earth like a massive claw. Mononoke was amazed as Kuro instinctively performed Shishiken the lion’s strike.
Not unlike Tora no ken the Fist of the tiger which the Byakko Clan wielded, but far more violent, unpredictable and with a shorter range. Tenmou dodged all but the last portion of the strike. Taking a large cut to his left arm. “I see that you can use your inner power but you have no destructive arts if that had been a destructive art I’d probably have lost all or part of my arm. Since you’re finally serious I can be serious too.” Using the lightning from the storm clouds as fuel Tenmou surged with chakra calling a bolt down upon him, as lightning struck him Tenmou performed Tengokusatsu opening his heaven gate, His wound healed in a bright flash of electric blue aura as his tattoo filled in a little more, now no longer an outline, it had eyes and scales but it was still flesh tone. Mononoke understood it as he understood his tiger stripes, every time they summoned some of the power of their God Beast they were changed bit by bit but Tenmou had opened Heaven’s Gate as well which meant he would be unstoppable for a short time. Tenmou’s hair went from black to shimmering blue, his eyes became completely electric blue as well. His hair seemed to be caught in a perpetual wind as he rushed Kuro again. “Now let’s see what you can really do.” Mononoke was nodding “Yes let’s see.” Tenmou was still faster than Kuro so Kuro couldn’t evade his attacks so he parried them one after another.
Kuro blocked a spinning heel kick, then used his right elbow to block a vicious left cross. He hopped over a spinning leg sweep only to get caught by the follow up flying spin kick which knocked him clean through a set of old practice dummies. After that every punch landed with brutal, powerful efficiency. A heavy right cross to the face flung Kuro into a tree making a deep impression with his skull. A fierce right handed body blow made him double over as the force lifted him off the ground to make a deeper impression in the tree with his body. Kuro collapsed as he fell from the ever growing impression in the massive tree grabbing his stomach. Tenmou caught Kuro by the chest with his left hand lifted him back up, charging his right with excess energy from the lightning bolt, he bashed him massively into the tree sending a surge of lightning through Kuro causing the air to smell like singed flesh. Kuro hit the ground seemingly unconscious, Tenmou began to walk off his hair turning black again but his eyes still hyper charged as his Tengoku gate closed inside him once again. Kuro’s clawed hands gouge the earth as he stood. His voice deepened by the surge of electricity that had went through him earlier sounded truly demonic “Is that the best you can do TENMOU?! Opening the bridge to heaven’s gate is only temporary, now you suffer the temporary weakness that comes from using that technique, or did you think calling upon Seiryuu’s power would offset that weakness?” Tenmou did not seem too surprised as he turned around and rushed Kuro again.
“You are fast so that did give you a temporary advantage but that advantage is gone I’ve seen this attack before.” Kuro performed shishi no mai flawlessly and stutter stepped to the side of Tenmou and struck his entire flank with a shishiken. Tenmou endured the violent chakra with a defensive surge of his on taking five scars to the ribs instead of being ripped asunder. Tenmou grinned “That won‘t work on me either. “ Kuro grinned back at Tenmou, then he took a deep breath his pectoral muscles hyper flexed beyond their maximum limits stretching his diaphragm. Like the Ancient Indian Yoga practice of taking in a breath to its maximum extent and oxygenizing one’s blood so that one could live for an extended period without breathing from sunset to sundown. Instead Kuro used the Shishi-ken principal of attack, instead of using the air gathered by increased pectoral muscle practice to live on a single breath, he exhaled that air in a focused burst of chakra and used it as a weapon performing Shishi ku - The Lion’s Roar and paralyzed Tenmou. Tenmou’s nerves were in sonic shock when Kuro performed another Shishi ken technique. Shishi ha - Lion’s blast like a clap of thunder he summoned a compressed ball of air between his hands and channeled it with his anger into a compressed fireball that knocked the stunned Tenmou into the same tree he had been pummeled into. Mononoke’s rage increased as well for this technique resembled Byakko Ko Ken that used wind and ice to stun and injure the opponent all at once.
Tenmou stood back up and used his Double Barrel Electric Barrage, Kuro performed shishi no mai - dance of the lion, dodging the blow and closing the distance between him and Tenmou where they both used their blast techniques close up. The techniques canceled one another out but they had charged in behind their attacks and began an all-out battle fist to fist, kick to kick, neither was dodging anymore just waiting for an opening to finish their match. Both were tired and their chakra wavering, Mononoke saw his opening and leaped to attack Kuro only to be stopped by a massive grip to his shoulder. He looked to his right in dismay to find Kaibudo standing beside him with his arm draped over him like a little brother. “You weren’t going to interfere were you?” Mononoke had to think of an excuse quick “Why umm yes, I was going to stop the fight , they are getting a bit too serious.” Kaibudo nodded accepting the answer although he was certain Mononoke was going to blindside Kuro. Tenmou smashed Kuro in the jaw with a left hook, Kuro caught Tenmou with a fierce uppercut. They both saw the opening at the same time Tenmou gave out one last massive electrified punch, Kuro flipped backwards with a somersault kick, the punch missed and the kick connected knocking him cold. Kuro moved in to finish the fight only to find Kaibudo kneeling in front of him with a calming touch to the chest. “Calm down son, Tenmou-san held back he knows destructive arts and could have used them, he showed restraint and you should as well, he fought you on the same level when he could have really upped the ante and fully transformed.” Kuro calmed down and his claws dissipated into normal finger nails, as he grasped what had transpired. “So if he had wanted to ?” Kaibudo nodded “Yes, he could’ve seriously injured you or even possibly killed you had he went all out.” Kuro shuddered as he felt very small and powerless he had been fighting at his limit and Tenmou knew it and worse still Mononoke was sitting there watching him flailing at his limits. He had been extremely lax in his training ((in his mind anyway) “Gomen Atuinsah, I will head to class and train harder when next you see me fight I will surpass Tenmou. Mononoke was utterly flabbergasted at what he had just overheard, Kuro having found out he was seriously weaker than Tenmou and therefore himself was going to train harder to surpass them by next month’s scheduled mid-term tournament. Remembering he had to master his own bestial transformation Mononoke went home to talk with his father it was time for some intensive training. He was going to need his first six Tora no Koroe before he faced Kuro, if Kuro was going to return stronger then so would he.
WC: 2777
