Volition & Virtue [Exam]

[Okada Kaji]

The Forest of the Ancients seemed unchanged since the last time the master and apprentice had come to this place. A long year had passed since Kaji and Tatsuo last conducted a training session in the forest. Their last foray into the weald included a sudden appearance by a White Elk— the symbolic creature seen by all Rangers at the time of their choosing, at least, that was how Kaji saw it. It was also the day when they discovered a strange fruit which activated latent powers within Tatsuo and furthered his potential with the Kyoubaku bloodline. That day, Tatsuo also challenged Kaji for the first time, only to be told that he was not ready, and was turned away, advised that more training was needed. Now, after a year’s time passed, Kaji and Tatsuo found themselves back at the same place with similar intentions. It still didn’t seem as if Kaji was very eager to test his pupil, but with the huge gap in time, a direct assessment seemed like the most effective way of seeing how far Tatsuo had come in the passing year.

It was about mid-day with moderate shade offering relief from the Land of Lightning sun beaming high overhead. There was just enough overcast for a seasonal chill to keep them cool throughout the day. The clearing Kaji chose was surrounded with coiling trees that reached for the sky, and live with the whispering wind, and a bird song echoing through the forest. In the far background was Kaji’s house— the yellow bungalow with a rustic quality.

Despite only attending an intended spar, Kaji came ready for war in his favored studded leather armor over travel apparel. The fur-lined brim of his jacket collar waved softly with the mild breeze. His raven strands were bound to the back of his head, and his face was attentive, stern and ready. His pale olive eyes took in the environment, aware of the terrain advantage the woodland gave his pupil— that was deliberate. Eelspine was on his hip as always, practically pulsating as it sensed its wielder’s readiness for battle, and resonated the energy back in unison.

"I wasn’t joking when I said a test of your progress was in order,” Kaji said, breaking the silence between them as they entered the determined area. “Show me what you can do for a few rounds… if you meet expectations, I’ll send a letter of my recommendation for your promotion back to Lord Hokage.”

WC414
Kaji has entered the thread.
This will be a spar.
Requesting Tatsuo.
This is a private thread.

 

[Tatsuo]

"Are you sure you want to do this, Kaji-sensei?" Tatsuo rested an arm on his much more humble sword. It hung off his hip in a torn leather scabbard and had seen much abuse. Tatsuo himself was wearing a reinforced leather jerkin with a thick fur collar, not only warding off the cold but potential blows. It felt like a life time since the two had stepped into this forest, but it was as if nothing changed. It was as if for a moment they went back in time. "You didn't wish to fight last time, nor do you seem to eager to fight now." he said as he unbuckled his belt with the scabbard letting it fall to the ground making a light crunch in the light snow peppering the area.

The boy bit the inside of his cheek as he took in the environment, it definitely was to his advantage but he would need more than some trees and brush to give him any real good grounding against Kaji. He was outclassed in every way and he knew it. Whilst he might have said things that looked like he wasn't wanting to fight his actions showed quite the opposite. It didn't take him long to get his gloves off and toss them near his scabbard. He rolled his shoulders before crossing his arms. "So any ground rules or is it just going to be me surviving whatever I can?"

While the forest had not changed a bit, at least one of its inhabitants had. Tatsuo once had a fire that burned in his heart brighter than most, but now he felt that gone. His newfound reverence to Kaji was unsettling, even to Tatsuo. At one point he would've given anything for Kaji to give him the right to spar as if to finally earn the sensei's acknowledgement but it all seemed different now. As much respect as Tatsuo had for Kaji something was missing and he couldn't figure it out. He dismissed the thoughts to just some side effect to the mourning of his mother but even he could tell he acted different in front of Kaji. Perhaps it was a good thing, the boy could use a reason to keep his mouth shut sometimes. But something still was nagging in the back of his mind, filling him with a growing void in which he couldn't pinpoint, but oh well, he wouldn't have to worry about much soon. Other than the sharp edge of Eelspine at his neck.

 

[Okada Kaji]

There was no doubt in Kaji that this test was absolutely necessary. “I must admit that the situation has changed since this time last year— back then we still knew some idea of peace, but now there are forces at work that you must be prepared to face. If you are still meant to follow me, I have to know that you are ready to fight when I fight. The cloud is putting their trust in me to find these enemies and uproot them from wherever they hide… You must understand that I cannot afford any liabilities in the time to come.”

Kaji then shifted his posture, taking the first stance of his sword style, known as the Water Dance. He traced one foot across the forest floor, creating a c-shaped arc before balancing the foot behind him on his boot toes. His hand wrapped around Eelspine and the sun blessed the blade with an immaculate glow as he pulled it from its sheath. The metal sang out as he unleashed it, and spun it till the blade rested against the back of his shoulder. “The purpose of this spar will be to judge your methods of attack, defense, and judgment on the battlefield. Your objective is to connect attacks without exposing yourself to counter attacks as best as you can. Self-preservation is a key against an experienced opponent, so I don’t want to see you wasting energy or becoming reckless, or else I’ll bring this to a quick end.” Sure that his message was clear, Kaji held out a hand with his palm facing upwards and curled his fingers in the gesture which commanded: “come forth”.

wc280
Calling B-Mod.
Actions Sent.

 

[Kaen]

[col3]

Tatsuo
HP: 11,800 - 242 + 354 = 11,800 HP (Maxed)
CP: 8,575 - 827 = 7,748 CP
NP: 1,287 - 0 = 1,287
AP: 6 - 5.75 = 6.25 NR
Status:
Fog - Rank 1|

Doqhull (Kaji's Contract)
HP: 2,400 - 0 = 2,400 HP
CP: 1,000 - 0 = 1,000 CP
AP: 2 - 0 = 3 NR
Status:|

Kaji
HP: 36,000 - 0 = 36,000 HP
CP: 36,000 - 1,775 = 34,225 CP
AP: 10 - 9.5 = 10.5 NR
Status:
Stealthed[/col3]

~ 0.0 Sec -- Tatsuo enters "Defensive Mode"

~ 0.83 Sec -- Tatsuo draws his weapon; "Wood Reinforced Skeleton"

~ 1.50 Sec -- Kaji uses "Active Camo" [Mastered] w/ affinity move "HS Expert"

~ 1.50 Sec -- Kaji uses his "Initiative" ability to attempt stealth
--------- Stealth check vs Tatsuo - 41 vs 16, Success - Tatsuo is not aware of Kaji

~ 3.50 Sec -- Kaji performs a sneak attack
--------- Tatsuo is now effected by the "Fog" effect
--------- 20% chance to remain in stealth - Rolled 26, Failed. Kaji is no longer in stealth

~ 3.33 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "Rain Dance" [Mastered] w/ affinity move "HS Expert", converted to wood

~ 4.50 Sec -- Kaji attempts to re-enter stealth
--------- Stealth check vs Tatsuo - 37 vs 18, Success - Tatsuo is not aware of Kaji

~ 5.83 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "Armor of Thorns" [Mastered]

~ 6.00 Sec -- Kaji performs a hidden action
--------- 1st check - 35 vs 12, Hit
--------- 20% chance to remain in stealth - Rolled 86, Failed. Kaji is no longer in stealth

~ 7.00 Sec -- Kaji attempts to re-enter stealth
--------- Stealth check vs Tatsuo - 41 vs 27, Success - Tatsuo is not aware of Kaji

~ 7.50 Sec -- Kaji performs a hidden action

~ 7.91 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "4-hit Combo" [Rank 1] targeting Kaji
--------- Awareness check vs Kaji - 26 vs 30, Auto-miss

~ 8.00 Sec -- Kaji performs a hidden action

Notes:
~ Moderate Cover: +1 Stealth /// Average: +0 Stealth
~ Terrain effect: Changes the stealth modifiers to: Heavy Cover: +2 Stealth /// Dark: +2 Stealth
~ Terrain effect: All Water-based jutsu -15% chakra cost and +6% chance of activating secondary effects. Fire-based damage have a 18% chance of dealing -15% base damage, and Lightning-based damage have a 24% chance of causing 20% backlash damage to the user.

~ Kaji wanted to perform more actions, but ran out of AP
~ Doqhull wanted to perform more actions, but ran out of Time

 

[Tatsuo]

As far as Tatsuo could see, nothing had changed in the short year that they had spent apart. Unless the Lightning Country was preparing for war, he saw nothing of a lapse in the peace in which the world currently enjoyed. What had Kaji gotten into, Tatsuo began to wonder but was quickly taken aback by the task on hand. He continued to listen to Kaji's reasoning in testing Tatsuo's abilities, the only one that seemed to get any bit of rise out of him was that of the open championing of the Cloud. Still uneasy about the whole idea of his sensei forgoing his allegiance to the village he called home things like these would take time for him to get used to and for now would still be a sore spot between them, even if Tatsuo kept his mouth shut out of respect.

When Kaji motioned him closer, Tatsuo grew closer before getting into a defensive position. Arms raised to block potential blows, legs separated by the length of his shoulders. The boy seemed ready to fight as much as he was ready to flee. But he had no intention of fleeing and that would become apparent instantly, as his hands flew together in a flurry of seals. Soon it'd seem the very essence of nature began to flock to Tatsuo. The floating essences looked akin to green lightning bugs, they glowed softly and seemed to invigorate the boy. And just like before when Tatsuo was given the gift of his thorny armor, it came to his aid here as well. The armor seemed to grow out of the boy, at first as a series of vines wrapping around his body. Looking much like the muscle of a flayed man. After the vines had completely covered his body, series of wooden plates grew down making a scale like armor which covered him from head to toe. Thorn like spikes grew from the wooden plates at nearly every inch, giving a viable offense to the defensive armor.

Kaji was undoubtedly a master of stealth, but even masters slipped up from time to time. Briefly throughout the beginning of the battle, Tatsuo would catch a glimpse or two of Kaji. And at one of these particular glimpses he sprang into action, giving a series of four blows. An opening jab, followed by a powerful right hook which lead into a spinning double kick. Despite all of the effort Tatsuo put into the move, Kaji had slipped from Tatsuo's attention once again fading into whatever shadow the Hunter could slip into. As Tatsuo reeled back into his defensive stance he made a quick scan of the battlefield and that's when he noticed the lizard. "So that's how we're doing this." he'd say under his breath. At some point he had been hit during the battle, but it barely even scratched his armor and whatever damage was done was soon regenerated naturally by the energy around him. It had been a while since he felt the actual rush of battle and who better to fight than his sensei, but he had other things to focus on rather than the fun he was having.

 

[Okada Kaji]

And so the assessment had begun.

Given he was the behind this scheme, it made sense that Kaji would have to press the offensive. The upper-hand obviously went to the senior of the two fighters, so Tatsuo chose a reasonable course of action by closing into his defensive first. It is impossible to gauge your opponent and find their weaknesses if you let them kill you by acting brashly. But rather than testing that defense first, Kaji challenged Tatsuo’s perception by engaging in his own specialty: the arts of stealth and deception. If he wanted to obliterate his pupil outright, he was confident that he could, if not for the inevitable moral restraint that would never allow such a thing. This wasn’t about cutting, this was a test.

A combination of five well-practiced hand seals allowed Kaji to mold what had become one of his most favored jutsu— a trademark technique from a village where the namesake was coined: The Hidden Mist. The increased humidity of Tatsuo attempting to spread his elemental affinity chakra via the rain dance only eased the formation of Kaji’s jutsu, in fact, Kaji was synergizing with Tatsuo’s terrain modification. Kaji was a hurricane of movement before he became one with a shrouding silver haze. It swirled around the wintry wood until all sense of direction was lost and the time simply became day. Kaji was difficult to keep an eye on before, but now he offered little more than the occasional shadow which drew close, only to vanish again. “Your defensive stance has a pretty good foundation” Kaji admitted, encouraging Tatsuo with an echo bouncing his voice through the woods. It was as if it were coming from everywhere. “You clearly haven’t wasted the gift of the White Stag. Your armor looks dependable, but I won’t know for sure until I start trying to pierce through it.”

Out from beneath his collar, a small voice whispered to Kaji all of a sudden. "Taming the hatchling again, huh?" Amidst all of his activity, Kaji had jostled Doqhull from his slumber within the warmth of Kaji's outer-layers of apparel. The small lizard crawled out from within the jacket and perched across Kaji's shoulders, all the meanwhile admiring the contest at hand.
"Just a bit of training" Kaji answered, almost muted in order to uphold his furtive tactics. "Perhaps you should join in the fun, Doqhull. You can do more than stealing bites of my meals for a change."
"Eh, fine" the black-scaled reptile replied, "but this is certainly going to work up my appetite. Heh heh heh... Don't say I didn't warn you."

wc456
Sending actions.

 

[Kaen]

[col3]

Tatsuo
HP: 11,800 - 1,902 + 354 = 10,252 HP
CP: 7,748 - 1,684 = 6,064 CP
NP: 1,287 - 0 = 1,287
AP: 6.25 - 6.25 = 6 NR
Status:
Fog - Rank 1|

Doqhull (Kaji's Contract)
HP: 2,400 - 1,005 = 1,395 HP
CP: 1,000 - 110 = 890 CP
AP: 3 - 2.5 = 2.5 NR
Status:
Shadowy|

Kaji
HP: 36,000 - 30 = 35,970 HP
CP: 34,225 - 2,137 = 32,088 CP
AP: 10.5 - 7.5 = 11 NR
Status:
Stealthed[/col3]

~ 0.0 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "Cancel" [Mastered] via his Willpower ability
--------- No effect

~ 0.0 Sec -- Kaji maintains Active Camo and Hidden Mist Technique
~ 0.0 Sec -- Tatsuo maintains Rain Dance and Armor of Thorns

~ 2.38 Sec -- Kaji performed a hidden action
--------- 1st check - 28 vs 21, Hit!
--------- 27% chance to cause "Crush" - Rolled 76, Failed
--------- Kaji utilized his Stalker ability to remain in stealth

~ 2.85 Sec -- Kaji performed a hidden action

~ 3.33 Sec -- Doqhull attempts to enter stealth
--------- Awareness check vs Tatsuo - 20 vs 25, Failed, Tatsuo is still aware of Doqhull

~ 3.57 Sec -- Kaji performed a hidden action
--------- 35 vs 22, Hit
--------- 25% chance to sprain - Rolled 99, Failed
--------- 34% chance to activate thorns - Rolled 26, Success - Kaji takes some backlash

~ 4.00 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "Water Shark Bomb" with the special action, converted into wood, 1 targeting Doqhull, 4 targeting Kaji
--------- Check vs Doqhull - 24 vs 14, Hit!
--------- 12% chance to cause "Crush" - Rolled 97, Failed
--------- Awareness check vs Kaji - 27 vs 31, Failed - Auto-miss remaining shots

~ 4.28 Sec -- Kaji performed a hidden action
--------- 34 vs 20, Hit
--------- 25% chance to sprain - Rolled 66, Failed
--------- 34% chance to activate thorns - Rolled 96, failed
--------- Night Owl - Rolled 90, Failed
--------- 20% chance to remain in stealth -Rolled 40, Failed, Tatsuo is now aware of Kaji

~ 6.19 Sec -- Kaji uses "Water Prison" [Mastered] via Nimble Hands, with affinity move Feint, targeting Tatsuo
--------- 26 vs 33, Miss

~ 6.19 Sec -- Kaji uses his Initiative ability to quickly attempt stealth
--------- 29 vs 26, Sucess - Tatsuo has lost sight of Kaji once more

~ 8.00 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "Weighted Rock Technique" [Rank 1] converted to wood

~ 8.33 Sec -- Doqhull uses "Shadow's Crawl"
--------- Special Action used to attach to Kaji
--------- Doqhull doesn't know where Kaji is, blindshot check - 16 vs 36, Failed

~ 10.0 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "4-Hit Combo" [Rank 1] targeting Doqhull
--------- 1st check - 25 vs 15, Hit!
--------- 2nd check - 15 vs 14, Partial hit
--------- 3rd check - 19 vs 25, Miss
--------- 4th check - 22 vs 18, Hit
--------- 25% chance of suppression - Rolled 37, Failed
--------- 34% chance to activate thorns - Rolled 57, Failed


[/b]

Notes:
~ Moderate Cover: +1 Stealth /// Average: +0 Stealth
~ Terrain effect: Changes the stealth modifiers to: Heavy Cover: +2 Stealth /// Dark: +2 Stealth
~ Terrain effect: All Water-based jutsu -15% chakra cost and +6% chance of activating secondary effects. Fire-based damage have a 18% chance of dealing -15% base damage, and Lightning-based damage have a 24% chance of causing 20% backlash damage to the user.

~ Had to consult B mod team, Doqhull, even though he is your ally, he still has to know where you are. Much like a medic still has to try and hit you to heal you.

 

[Tatsuo]

As they continued to fight, Tatsuo remembered that his sensei was not against using Genjutsu. He looked around for anything that might seem off and made a quick cancel sign. Nothing changed so he doubted he was under any Genjutsu, but better safe than sorry. It wasn't long before the shark emerged from the mists. As if Tatsuo was the defenseless pray, bleeding in the ocean the shark gave him no mercy. If it weren't for his armor the blow would've torn him apart. He had no time to react and was hit in the chest, sending him flying a few back into the mud. As Tatsuo tried to pull himself up, he felt a quick blow from the shadowy mists. The speed and intensity could only be from Kaji, and where Tatsuo was too slow to react. His armor was not. Whatever damage Kaji did to Tatsuo, his armor would've reminded him to keep his hands off the young shinobi. Realizing that he had finally connected a blow with Kaji, even if it wasn't technically his own filled him with a renewed vigor to continue. Even when he couldn't see his opponent.

Beginning with a flurry of hand signs he focused on what he could actually see. Doqhull had tried to sneak away but Tatsuo managed to keep his attention on the pesky lizard. After he finished his handseals, he slammed his hands into the ground nearly sinking them into the mud. For a moment it was quiet, but that silence did not last long as a roaring bear had rose from the mud. A wooden bear nearly fifteen feet tall, the wooden construct then got on its hind-legs and let out an intimidating roar. Half way through the roar, the bear tore itself apart each limb making a bear nearly 1/5th the size of the previous construct. Each of them hastily chased after the opponents into the mist. One of the bears crashed down onto the lizard, whilst the four others sought out Kaji.

It wasn't long before Tatsuo realized the blow on the lizard was all he was going to get. As he stopped providing chakra to the bears they sunk into the very mud they came from. While Tatsuo's stiff face wouldn't show it, he was beginning to grow frustrated with his inability to land any blows on Kaji. And he was quickly reminded by that fact as he was hit once again by Kaji. However this time Kaji hadn't gone back into stealth, instead he began to do a few handseals and tried to trap Tatsuo in a prison of water. The water began to wrap around the boy, but using a small patch of dry land, he propelled himself into the air and did another set of handseals. It was difficult for anyone to tell, Tatsuo had figured out how to lighten his whole body using chakra. It made his movements more fluid and quick despite taking away from some of the intensity of his blows.

The moment he landed again, he looked to see if he could strike Kaji but with him nowhere in sight he settled for the lizard in which he offered a quick flurry of blows. His armor failed to react to any of his blows, or perhaps the aged lizard was just skilled enough to outmaneuver the spikes in which grew from his armor. Any summon of Kaji's was not to be underestimated, no matter their size.

 

[Okada Kaji]

Doqhull was struggling to maintain his grasp on Kaji as the shinobi performed one high-speed movement after another. For the gecko, which was almost a foot long at best, hanging onto Kaji Okada during a battle was like clinging to a dashing horse during a hurricane. Kaji was a bit too busy to pay his little buddy much mind though, as it too additional focus for him to perform jutsu so expertly with a single hand. His hand was in a flurry, making crisp transitions from seal to seal, until freezing to form a modified, single handed dragon seal: “Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!” Seemingly from nothing, Kaji’s chakra materialized into a massive aquatic force, and a manifestation of one of Nature’s supreme hunters: the White Death. Kaji sent the dangerous construct sailing through the dense fog as if it were the deep sea, moving slowly and stealthily until it rushed at Tatsuo— the boy was hopeless to evade it. Just as Kaji promised, he intended on challenged Tatsuo's defenses, and nothing would do that like the jaw of the White Death. Alas, that was a mere source for an opening, meant to inspire Tatsuo with the fact that Kaji wouldn’t continue to play nicely.

Before the apprentice could finish reeling from the first assault, Kaji returned with precise shots from the flat of Eelspine— they were mere taps warning the lad. He was scraped by the thorns in passing, but the scratch failed to draw blood. “Watch your form” Kaji would say as he passed Tatsuo by, slapping him across the back of his arm, and again at the top of his shoulders. In a real battle, those strikes might have taken the arm, and did half the work of a two-blow decapitation. “Watch your form” Kaji repeated again as he passed by, chosen by the shadows.

But then, Kaji came to a halt in the wide open space once he realized that his little buddy was no longer hanging on for dear life. Doqhull was missing, and with Tatsuo looming of the wise sensei’s shoulder, he had to act keenly, or else Tatsuo might vent his frustration on the wrong target. Kaji went into motion once more with his free hand, molding chakra in a flurry of seals while the opposite hand turned Eelspine into a blocking position. In close quarters from his pupil, Kaji didn’t waste time naming his maneuver and began aiming a manifestation of water around Tatsuo to create an enclosure. This wasn’t a technique he used often, but he also couldn’t afford for Doqhull to get caught up on the action. As he expected, the technique was performed too shoddily, and Tatsuo evaded, escaping with ease as the challenging battle had him fueled with adrenaline.

Kaji could see the change in the boy— he knew this was his moment; his sensei had made a mistake and was wide in the open, and he was going for it. Kaji had not seen much of an offensive showing from Tatsuo yet, but that was about to change as he called upon the forest to spawn an elemental grizzly bear with flesh and bone made from contorting wooden fabric. “Impressive” Kaji noted, taking on an agile stance as the bear reared onto its hind legs and let out a powerful roar. And then it charged; but before it could aim at Kaji and ask him to do his best impression of Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant, the bear suddenly split into five cubs, which almost offset Kaji by their cuteness. “Why make the big bear in the first place— just start with five” the sensei criticized as he barely evaded four charging beasts. One by one he beat them with fancy footwork and energized cuts from Eelspine until they became bundles of bark, branches, and leaves. Kaji kept track of the numbers like a simple arithmetic game, counting aloud as he down the bears, but by the time he sang the number “Four” he was interrupted by a cry from Doqhull. The small creature had been hunted down and ensnared in the jowls of a bear before the construct rammed its prey into a large boulder and shattered into debris in the process.

“Kaji this isn’t fun, I don’t want to play anymore” the young lizard whined as it climbed out of the woodpile. But as it looked around, Kaji was nowhere to be seen, only his surprised pupil, while was undoubtedly frantically searching for him again. “Guardian Okada” Doqhull cried out again, this time with a bit more anger and gusto, “I’m gonna f*** this brat up if you don’t do something about this. Avenge me!”

Sending Actions this evening.

 

[Kaen]

[col3]

Tatsuo
HP: 10,252 - 846 + 2,102 = 11,508 HP
CP: 6,064 - 1,107 = 4,957 CP
NP: 1,287 - 0 = 1,287
AP: 6 - 2 = 7 NR
Status:
Fog - Rank 1|

Doqhull (Kaji's Contract)
HP: 1,395 + 734 - 0 = 2,129 HP
CP: 890 - 130 = 760 CP
AP: 2.5 - 0.75 = 3 NR
Status:
Shadowy|

Kaji
HP: 35,970 - 0 = 35,970 HP
CP: 32,088 - 4,684 = 27,404 CP
AP: 11 - 10 = 11 NR
Status:
Stealthed[/col3]

~ 0.0 Sec -- Tatsuo maintains Armor of Thorns, Rain Dance and Weighted Earth Technique
~ 0.0 Sec -- Kaji maintains Active Camo and Hidden Mist

~ 0.45 Sec -- Kaji performs a hidden action

~ 2.72 Sec -- Kaji performs a hidden action
--------- 1st check - 37 vs 17, Hit -Tatsuo is bound
--------- 20% chance to remain in stealth - Rolled 92, Failed, Kaji is now visible to all parties

~ 3.00 Sec -- Doqhull uses "Shadow's Bane" targeting Tatsuo
--------- 1st check - 26 vs 24, Hit
--------- 34% chance to activate thorns - Rolled 53, Failed
--------- Tatsuo is no longer bound

~ 4.09 Sec -- Kaji uses "Mystical Palm" [Rank 1] targeting Doqhull
--------- 1st check - 25 vs 24. partial hit/heal

~ 5.45 Sec -- Kaji uses "Mystical Palm" [Rank 1] targeting Doqhull
--------- 1st check - 24 vs 12, Hit/Heal

~ 6.33 Sec -- Tatsuo uses "Case of Life" [Rank 3] targeting himself
--------- Tatsuo encased in a wood barrier of 2,323 HP and is healed for 1,748

~ 9.09 Sec -- Kaji uses "Glacial Shot" [Mastered] w/ special action, targeting Tatsuo
--------- 15% chance of being a sneak attack - Rolled 88, failed
--------- Auto-hits barrier - barrier destroyed, remaining damage attempts to hit Tatsuo
--------- 1st check - 31 vs 33, Miss
--------- 10% chance to be deflected - Rolled 97, failed
--------- 5% chance of being placed into stealth - Rolled 46, Failed


[/b]

Notes:
~ Moderate Cover: +1 Stealth /// Average: +0 Stealth
~ Terrain effect: Changes the stealth modifiers to: Heavy Cover: +2 Stealth /// Dark: +2 Stealth
~ Terrain effect: All Water-based jutsu -15% chakra cost and +6% chance of activating secondary effects. Fire-based damage have a 18% chance of dealing -15% base damage, and Lightning-based damage have a 24% chance of causing 20% backlash damage to the user.

~ Tatsuo ran out of time to perform the rest of his actions
~ Initiative can only be used to make 1 ap or less actions 0 AP timing, they cannot reduce the timing of larger AP attacks
~ Doqhull had to try and dodge the healing techniques as there was no conditional saying for him to not dodge them

 

[Tatsuo]

Time. You never really have enough. When you don't need it, you've got too much. And when you need it, you've never got enough. Tatsuo needed nothing more now than time, some to plan, catch his breath, or figure out how he was going to deal with Kaji's frustrating use of the shadows. He had few options, getting hit with another blow like that would end him. He reeled backwards, looking to distance himself between his opponent but Kaji was having nothing of it. As if in a blink of an eye he was bound, in what he couldn't tell but the stiffness in his limbs were all the information he needed. He struggled to break free but a small hit from the lizard was all it took. His armor failed to pay retribution to the pesky lizard once again, but he was now set free. And he finally achieved what he needed most. Time.

As Kaji was busy nursing his lizard back to health, Tatsuo made his way backwards making more space between the two. With the quick formation of a handsign Tatsuo knelt down and the very earth rose to protect him. Mighty logs broke from the forests surface and made a tough barrier around Tatsuo. There was no light for him to see, but he felt like had more vision than ever before. He began to think of what to do next, it wouldn't be much time before Kaji pressed his offensive but Tatsuo wasn't opposed to sitting in his barrier. He could already feel his strength returning to him, all the wear and tear of battle slowly being returned to him as a gift of nature. The calm of his barrier gave him a moment to actually think of what to do next, during the whole spar he had been on his toes avoiding whatever he could or trying to minimize the damage of whatever came next. But he finally felt like it was in his hands. The words of Kaji echoed in his head "Connect without exposing myself.." he whispered to himself.

"Thank you." he said to the wooden barrier for providing him with a much needed sanctuary in the heat of battle. But with that blow shooting straight towards him he couldn't stay for long. As the arrow broke through his barrier, shattering his would be sanctuary into a mess of wooden shrapnel and debris, Tatsuo had already ejected from the back. As the dust settled, Tatsuo faced Kaji, he reestablished his stance and shouted from accross the field. "I won't go down that easy!" Then he sprung into action, finally feeling confident enough to truly go on the offensive.

 

[Okada Kaji]

The emeraldine light of Eelspine was undaunted by the shrouding mist and guided Kaji as he maneuvered the battlefield. Kaji planned on finalizing this game until the outcry from Doqhull forced Kaji to change his plans. Kaji would have never heard an end to the ire of the elder Oasis Clan Lizards if little Doqhull were injured while adventuring with him— especially if it was at the hands of his own pupil. They would easily confuse the action as using the poor salamander as target practice, which was unthinkable to Kaji. So, the sensei flocked to intervene, and emerged from the shadows with his hand outstretched.

The hand seals were already performed while racing through the mire, and once Kaji emerged, he pressed his open palm into Tatsuo’s chest and sent a force rushing through the boy’s body. “Petrify” he ordered, activating one of the signature binding techniques taught to him while serving in the Stone’s ANBU. Within the mind of Tatsuo, he was thoroughly convinced that Kaji was turning his flesh to stone with the illusion as if his touch replicated the power of Medusa’s gaze. “Wait a moment, Tatsuo,” Kaji said calmly as he relaxed his pose. He then sauntered over to the squirming lizard on the woodpile, stood Eelspine in the ground, and reached down to lay a healing hand on the creature. “There there little guy— sorry you got stung. That wasn’t part of the plan.” With Tatsuo left frozen in place, Kaji became something like a doctor to the lizard. “Show me where it hurts,” he asked kindly while using two fingers to focus his healing touch on Doqhull’s small frame.
“Everywhere…” Doqhull answered, full of anguish.

So Kaji scooped up the obsidian reptile and allowed it to continue siphoning healing chakra from him as he turned to witness Tatsuo, frozen and glaring, still in a total combat-ready state. “Your defensive techniques seem to be your developed specialty; honed to an instinctual degree where your wooden armor has become almost automatic. You are accomplishing everything I hoped to see from you—” Kaji said, all encouraging before Doqhull interrupted him with renewed vigor.
“All that lumber isn’t going to protect you now, little bastard” the Lizard threatened before leaping off of Kaji’s shoulder. From his petrified state, Tatsuo could see the flying lizard approach him in slow motion, and Kaji’s bewildered reaction as the lizard willingly resumed the fray. Tatsuo then learned something important about Doqhull, as the salamander had two natural offensive capabilities in his tale, this time revealing a corrosive toxin which it whipped across Tatsuo’s face, from temple to cheek.

The single strike was enough to shatter the powerful genjutsu which bound Tatsuo in place, and the control over his body returned instantly. Doqhull fled from Tatsuo’s reach before he could get a hold on him, and the boy manifested a new barrier of wood, expecting to trade blows in resuming combat. Whether this was Kaji’s plan remained to be seen, but Kaji now had to take action again if he was going to keep Doqhull safe from Tatsuo.

As always, Kaji’s command of Eelspine seemed effortless and under perfect control. The blade was singing as it cut through the air with chakra swelling. He had to put a wedge between his pupil and the fleeing lizard, whom he’d address later as well. With a mere turn of his blade, Kaji used the momentum to fire an arc of chakra through the air, and manifested it with dueling heated and cooled air, resulting in a vortex-like blast. The force chased down Tatsuo and took shape of an emeraldine arch of chakra which collided with his wooden wall. "Not bad, kid," Kaji said approvingly, "I remember when spawning a twig used to be a challenge for you... I think I've seen enough. The scrapping is done."

Kaji calls off the battle— the combat portion of Tatsuo's exam is complete.

 

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo had already prepared for his next attack when Kaji called the fight. He had been sprinting towards Kaji and Doqhull while performing a set of hand seals. Just as Kaji had told him to stop, three large wooden tendrils grew from the ground rotating around Tatsuo. They reacted to his movements like his armor, as if they were just another limb.

When he was sure the fight was over the tendrils went still and slowly sunk into the ground as Tatsuo stepped past them. After the bout Tatsuo was struggling to catch his breath. Normally training wouldn’t leave him so winded. but an opponent like Kaji offered little time to catch your breath. He took a moment to breath before continuing.

In order to look humble, he tried to stifle the prideful grin that crept on his face. Kaji had certainly gone easy on him but Tatsuo couldn’t help but feel proud in how he handled things. He itched to ask what Kaji thought, but just as the boy fought, leaving himself open to anything was against his nature.

He picked up his sword from the ground and tied it to his waist while moving closer to Kaji and Doqhull. Keeping a close eye on the pesky lizard just in case he had a second sucker punch planned. As he went to rub some of the mud off his face, he stopped short feeling a large calloused line that ran from his eye down to his cheek. Thanks to the adrenaline rush of battle he hadn’t even felt the pain of Doqhull’s cheapshot. His barrier had healed it so quickly that Tatsuo had no time to register he’d even been hit, but due to the acid it was not able to heal completely. Leaving the young man with quite a nasty scar that would stick with him for a lifetime. “You little shit, you scarred me! I should’ve sent all those bears after you.” he said with a pompous snort.

Tatsuo’s expression softened as he took a quick glance of the once tranquil forest scarred by the shinobis spar. From the large uprooting of earth where Tatsuo was forced back into the mud, to the torn paths of Tatsuo’s bears, the forest lost it’s charm of tranquil perfection. The Kyoubaku had a special connection with nature, while he was no tree hugging hippie he felt a certain remorse for tarnishing such a beautiful and natural landscape. Especially for the simple purpose of testing one's abilities. Bringing his hand to rub the back of his neck. he looked around. “I’m sure you’ve got something else in mind, but before we go home, do you mind if I clean up a bit?”

 

[Okada Kaji]

The black and red salamander had leaped and crawled its way back onto Kaji’s shoulder by the time Tatsuo released his wood jutsu. There was nothing but ill-will between the lizard and the boy— both of them exchanged angry glares with enough animosity that static formed from the friction between them. “I bet you like picking on the little guy for a change, eh peewee?” Doqhull was full of fire still, but his bark was certainly worse than his bite, despite the nasty mark he left on Tatsuo. “Yer’ lucky I don’t make Kaji call on my big brother to set you straight… Aligar could swallow you whole with one big chomp!” The animated lizard arose on his back legs and clapped his claws together, imitating the powerful jaws of the massive alligator he was referencing.
“That’s enough, Doqhull” Kaji corrected his small friend. This was enough to quiet Doqhull as the sensei then took a step closer to observe the mark that toxic tail left behind. It was, unfortunately gnarly, and worse than anything he ever intended on dealing with one of his own students. “Yeah, I guess you can pick up around here a bit, but let’s put some be brief. We need to head inside and see if we can do a bit more about that wound.” He wasn’t blind— it may have been healed hurriedly, but the scar-tissue could be reduced if he acted soon enough. After his battle with Kaen, Kaji had learned unique treatments for scar-tissue, courtesy of his Lizard kin’s regenerative abilities. Minimizing the scarring was the least he could do.

“Doqhull, I’m sending you home for a bit” Kaji told his little friend, suddenly. “Tell Bhelzira that I’ll be needing more of that healing salve for one of my pupils… Hurry and I’ll agree to not tell her what happened if you don’t.”

As Tatsuo would have begun correcting the damage caused by their spar; almost all of the work found would be restoring the wood and bark of trees damaged by hurled ninjutsu. The boy’s talent would come in handy exclusively, with Kaji standing back to simply witness it all. He took the moment to reverse the summoning for Doqhull, which sent the lizard away with a single burst of interplanar steam created from the rift in space and time. The pesky reptile vanished, and the forest was restored.

“A shinobi can’t afford to learn once they are dead,” Kaji remarked suddenly as he began a few steps around the forest clearly, gravitating back towards his house. “Every element of your combat skill suggests survivability, and the forest really accepted you without a bit of resistance. I think the White Elk would be proud. Your potential has gone through the roof.”

 

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo rolled his eyes at the baiting of the lizard, he was too focused now on trying to repair the broken parts of the forest. It didn't take him long. Spawning a patch of grass here, repairing the bark on some tree there. He slapped his hands together to get the dust off them, "All better." Looking back to his sensei, he had almost forgotten about the nasty scar on his face. That was until he overheard Kaji speaking to the lizard in regards to healing salve. "Is it really that bad?" he said as he rubbed the scar. "I mean does it at least make me look cool?" he said as a cheeky grin filled his face. "And yeah, I mostly don't like getting hit, ya' know." Tatsuo placed both his hands behind his head basking in the praise he was getting from Kaji. "You're a real tough opponent, though." he said rubbing his shoulders where there was a nasty bruise from where the blunt of Eelspine had connected with him. Able to even hit him through his wooden plate armor.

As they entered the house, Tatsuo rushed to the mirror to check the scar. It really was a nasty thing, thick and calloused. He'd really need to work on his healing ability if this was how he'd look after every strike. Luckily Kaji said something about being able to heal it. Making his way back into the living room, he looked to Kaji. "Damn, Doqhull really got me." Tatsuo picked at the scar, before asking. "You have a healing salve for it?" He sure hoped so, he wasn't particularly vain but he'd have a hard time swooning the ladies with such a gash.. unless he could come up with a good excuse to where he got it. "Hrm.. maybe I can tell people I was outnumbered, A thousand samurai vs me and this is the only hit they got on me." he joked, "Sound realistic enough?"

 

[Okada Kaji]

“Scars are proof of the deed— I have scars and each one tells a story, but you don’t want a huge one from the time a lizard smacked you, do you?” As they walked through the forest and the last remnants of his fog cleared, and their chat fell to small talk. “I mean, I guess it looks cool, but less cool to me because I’ll always know what really happened... You don’t want to spend your lifetime lying to bar maids about that gash.”

And so, a moment passed until Kaji and Tatsuo returned to the yellow house not far from where they sparred. While Tatsuo went to take a closer look at his face in the bathroom, Kaji moved into the kitchen and began filling a teapot with water at the sink. The novelty teapot was porcelain white, with the face of a man with curly hair and a mustache; and the words “Hello… is it tea you’re looking for” painted on it. This wasn’t Kaji’s particular style, but the house simply came with everything, and he was too pragmatic to throw away useful things just to buy replacements. With the pot nestled in his hands, he began transmuting heat into it using his chakra, until steam was billowing out of it.

By the time Tatsuo was back in the room Kaji was setting the teapot and a bowl on the dining room table. The table was a simple round one with a mahogany finish. The only other things on the table were some scholarly tools spread across it: a Backpack Kaji never wore, a book of local lore, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, a few sheets of parchment, a little bag of sand, a letter opening knife. It was all the things he needed to send a letter of recommendation for Tatsuo back to The Leaf.

“Bhelzira’s salve should be ready in a moment, I’m just giving her time” Kaji answered, regarding his pupil’s inquiry about it. Tatsuo was still fixated on it, and rightfully so, going so far as to work on his story about how he earned it. Kaji seemed very skeptical of the claim, and asked “Have you ever faced a samurai in combat before, or even met one? One thousand is a far-fetched, let alone one well-trained Samurai. Have a seat.” He drummed his hand on the table for a few beats, and then took a sheet of parchment and a pen to write with. “With any luck, the days of trouble with the old Daimyo’s regime have ended, and you’ll never have to worry about battle with the Land of Fire Samurai in your lifetime. They are some of the toughest opponents you’ll ever face— infamous sword breakers and soul takers” Kaji said, sounding more like an old man full of stories the longer he spoke. “History has proven that they are the shinobi’s worst enemy... besides themselves, I suppose.”

He then began writing a letter, dashing across the parchment with a message dressed to the Hokage himself. “Listen, there is still a lot for you to learn… the lessons will never be over; life ensures that— but I think you are ready to receive proper authority to adventure on your own. All things considered, you have already been operating solo for some time, so all you need now is the rank and title to reflect that. Chuunin seems appropriate.”

 

[Tatsuo]

“I mean.. No.. I’ve never fought one..” when instructed to sit he complied and looked over to what Kaji was writing. “If any more samurai pop up, i’ll be sure to return home quickly. I’m sure I could do short work of a couple of ‘em, maybe not a thousand but enough to make a difference.” Tatsuo’s innate hatred for samurai was rooted from the political turmoil surrounding his time of birth. Even his mother who was more soft spoken, seemed to strum up hate for them whenever they happened to come up in conversation. Unjust and evil conquerors who destroyed the way of life for thousands of shinobi out of nothing more than greed and envy. He was too young to ever engage in combat with them but just as every boy dreamt of fighting his father’s enemies, Tatsuo did too.

Tatsuo grinned as Kaji began to write. He couldn’t tell what he was writing, but it wasn’t hard to guess. Opting to not speak, he listened as Kaji reminded him that he would always need to learn. The proper authority to adventure on his own was something Tatsuo had always sought after, even if he never was able to materialize it in thoughts. Always being one for adventure and such, the limits of his rank always tended to bother him. Both as a ninja and just a child in general. Though he was now rising through the ranks. As Kaji finally admitted to him being ready for Chuunin, he was barely capable of keeping in his excitement, but his newfound professionalism wasn’t something he was going to throw away so quickly. The boy stood, faced towards Kaji and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Kaji-sensei.” He wanted to say more, but he could save the celebrations for later.

 

[Okada Kaji]

With a bit of chatter between the two, Kaji and Tatsuo completed the A to Z of a successful trial by combat. The master had evaluated his apprentice in the ways of defense, offense, perception, and mobility. Fundamentally the boy was sound and had enough of an understanding of his own abilities. To say the least, Kaji was sure he had the skill to do more good in any random community than harm. The idea of defeating samurai was a bit more complex, but Kaji wouldn’t bother dampening the moment with discouraging remarks about facing highly trained opponents. He understood that the history of conflict was always a sore spot for Tatsuo, though that was a discussion for another time.

With the letter complete, Kaji put his pen aside and prepared an official seal stamp with hot wax. He would have the letter in the hands of a courier by the evening’s end, and on its way to The Hidden Leaf soon enough. “Yeah no problem,” Kaji answered the grateful show of appreciation from Tatsuo with an informal reply.

He then performed another summoning jutsu, making a well-practiced combination of hand seals before planting his palm flat on the table. With a burst of interplanar steam, the same obsidian-scaled salamander from before emerged, sitting standing in a four-legged stance on top of a jar of a special healing agent. Hurriedly, Doqhull scurried away and leaped from the table to a nearby counter, and onward to the bread cabinet in search of sweet rolls. “Here, take this salve and mix some in hot water in the bathroom” Kaji instructed in a flat, informative tone. “It’ll take care of your scar for the most part, but keep the rest for something serious— I have the feeling you might need it once you start getting your feet wet out there.” While he certainly couldn’t have seemed any more ominous, Kaji had not ideas in particular of what was yet to come. He just knew it did a miracle on his burn wounds after the battle with Kaen, a year ago.

Exam complete
Topic left unless stopped.

 

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo bit the inside of his cheek at Kaji's relaxed response, he truly was confused on how to act around Kaji. His loud and brash behavior seemed to annoy the sensei back in their original adventures, but even when trying his best to be respectful it'd seem Kaji couldn't care less. He shrugged his shoulders and faked a smile anyways. Though he heeded the advice of Kaji carefully as he began to explain how to use the ointment, he'd rather not be scarred on the face for the rest of his life. He took the vial and sneered in the direction of Doqhull. As he was headed to the bathroom Kaji explained how he should save some, just in case things get serious.

Tatsuo turned around facing Kaji and smiled wide, "No worries, this is as worse as it's ever gonna get." he said pointing to his scar, before laughing and heading back to the bathroom to apply the salve. Just as Kaji explained he mixed the salve with hot water and applied it generously to his scar. Only taking a small pea worth he rubbed it in, immediately he could feel the tingling sensation. He decided to leave it alone as to let the stuff do it's magic. As he walked out, he waved to Kaji and told him he was going out.

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