Jagged Edge

He remembered that there training grounds that he could not enter in his time in Kumogakure. Before he was a lowly Genin then. His power was nothing to note and he was regularly jabbed at about it. Another reason he leaped at the opportunity when Honiko came knocking. She radiated power and took notice of his hidden talents more than the Kumo ninja ever did. Now he was strong enough to survive by himself if needed.

Raijin wanted to get stronger. No...he needed to. If not for his sake but for his pledge to the Society. Whom took him in when he needed a home the most. Also the award Honiko was going to present him, he wanted to show he was worth it. Now he could train in one of the toughest locations. He awaited his master to show. Maybe she could teach me a new technique.

Honiko arrived on the village training grounds along with her clone which had been steadily gathering natural energy. The clone remained in view but did not speak. The leader of the Society walked up to Raijin and spoke to him. "You are taking your training seriously which is good. But ultimately you will need to find ways to increase your effectiveness on your own. I suggest using your creativity to come up with new and powerful techniques and strategies". It was a piece of advice that she hoped he'd take to heart. "For now, let's work on your speed and coordination. Strength means nothing if you cannot hit your target as Nozomi noted. Twenty laps around the training grounds should be a good start." The pale woman crossed her arms and waited for him to take off. He needed to warm up before they did anything major.

Clone Nature Chakra: 80 Gathered

The stunning clone of his master strolled into the training ground area. They were allowed to use the areas, something Raijin believed he would never see again. But Honiko had a way with words and so things were ok...for now. Honiko came to explain where his focus should be. His coordination was off terribly when he fought the Kaguya. She moved around his attacks effortlessly. Although his strength was enough to quell any beast like his vicious attack on the Specimen, he needed to hit his opponents.

To warm himself up she instructed Raijin to run twenty laps around the training ground. He nodded without word and started to move past the clone to set up his run. The wind was nice and strong, perfect for weathering himself in these type of conditions. Being on top of the mountain had an effect as well. The higher altitude and the wind pressure was more than enough to challenge most people by simply being there.

He arched forward and placed both of his hands down. He shifted slightly as he pushed off the ground and began his running. Bayushi started off a little slow but he began to pick up speed. The Missing ninja was used to this type of physical work and liked it to get him ready. He thought about Honiko saying he needed more powerful techniques. He could think of a few things he could of think of.

He wondered if Honiko knew of any techniques that she could train him to learn. But knew she would not unless he showed some improvement. And before long he was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice he was finished with the twenty laps. He came to a stop in front of Honiko breathing slightly. "Finished master. I have ideas of creating techniques with my Nature affinity." Raijin would eventually show her a whole new spectrum of power before long. He had to perfect the Sage Transformation.

Honiko watched as Raijin ran around the training grounds. He was eager to push himself which was good but ultimately he'd need more than that if he was to reach his full potential. After Raijin had completed the laps, he told her that he had ideas for creating techniques that would make use of his Nature affinity. "Good" was all she said in response. If he wanted to volunteer more information on the subject then she would give her input but she did not want ask him as they could only be ideas without any real concrete mechanics behind them. Honiko stood in front of him and gave his next task. "Now try to land a blow on me without using any of your Sage Transformation techniques. You must learn to build your agility without relying on supplementary jutsu" The Dragon Sage waited for him to come at her.

After finishing his laps. Honiko eyed him and began to give him his next task. To land a single a blow on his master without the aid of his Sage Transformation. Raijin frowned. He had never been able to land a hit on Honiko before. She never made it easy, if anything it became harder as the years went by. But his fight against the Kaguya had given him some much needed experience. He felt much more confident about his strikes now.

"Yes Honiko-sama." Just like their earlier spars before. He positioned himself a few meters away from each other. His hands were stretched out in a familiar stance. He had perfected Arhat after all these years, it was for power, and he needed power to put Honiko off her feet. Even momentarily. Raijin dashed forward and stomped straight to Honiko.

Getting within a meter he swerved to his right and he arched his right hand back. He would send a right kidney blow to his master. Then continue with a left straight towards her breast. These would be quick blows.

-----------------------

Arhat -3 = 87/90

Strength C > B

Honiiko watched as Raijin snapped into the Arhat stance. His form was good but now she'd see how far he'd come in terms of actual fighting capability. He dashed towards her and made a series of blows which she dodged effortlessly. The Sage backpedaled a bit aiming to keep just out of his reach. The purpose was to train him on how to hit a fast moving target. Part of the reason why he lost to Tsubaki was because she had out-classed his agility. With more training sessions like these hopefully Raijin would be able to run with the best of them.

Raijin had a habit of fighting nothing but women. But it was not a testament of his character. Most of them were powerful Kunoichi whom all had cat-like reflexes. His master stood apart from them all. His attempt to land a blow on her was of course unsuccessful. She backpedaled to get out of the young ninja's reach. Bayushi frowned as he was becoming irate that he was unable to catch his opponents speed. He had gotten faster, but nearly as fast as what was needed. He tried to follow her by planting a foot firmly on the ground and dashed after her. Though entirely fast, he appeared in front of her again. He tried to punch her abdomen with a three hit combo. Aiming twice with his right and once with his left, all straight punches.

Honiko could have blocked each of Raijin's attacks quickly and decisively but that would defeat the purpose of the exercise. Instead, she weaved from side to side dodging each of his punches before leaping backwards just a hair faster than he was able to keep up with. If he ran at her again then she'd use her maximum speed to put even greater distance between them. She wanted him to push himself to his uppermost limits. Once he had gotten a bit winded then they'd shift to a different form of training but for now the name of the game was speed, pure and simple. "You have been given tremendous gifts Raijin but if you do not train as hard as Nozomi has then you will have squandered them." She said this to get his blood boiling. To increase his desire for combat and to give him a goal: catch up to Nozomi. Honiko would not be there to protect him forever and if he was to be a wise and effective soldier for the Society he needed to be able to fend for himself. He had the raw power and capability, she had seen it firsthand when they had destroyed the Specimen. He just needed to work harder at growing and developing himself. Nozomi would not give him any passes and if he couldn't keep up with her then it was only a matter of time before she disposed of him or let someone else take him out. And if he wasn't ready to fight for his own survival by that point, then the Dragon Sage could hardly blame her.


Clone Nature Chakra: 110 Gathered

The amazing speed of Honiko was on barely on display. As she flowed with accurate precision and avoided his attacks. After weaving through his attacks she began to put some space in between them. Raijin planted a quick foot on the ground continued his assault on her. He had never been able to touch her before. That would soon change, his emotion was banked on his physical prowess. The more he trained, the better he would become. He could hear Honiko's silky voice taunting him as he pressed the attack.

His hair whipping in front of his face slightly obscuring her. But he swept it away from his mind. He had been similarly distracted by Tsubaki during the Jounin Tournament. Raijin swerved to her rear and tried to punch her kidneys. And then he would really lay it on her with a two-piece leading with his left and then his right to her chest.

Honiko effortlessly dodged his strikes once more before retaliating with a sudden and powerful roundhouse kick designed to knock him flat on his behind. If it connected then he'd be dazed, hurt, and on the ground. Honiko had cut the training session a bit short to tell him something. "Raijin you must not be afraid to push yourself beyond your limits even if it means putting yourself in dangerous situations". Honiko recalled when they had first met at the Valley. He had eagerly joined her cause yet she did not ask anything of him. Nozomi had arrived and had agreed to join but had made it clear that she was here to fight. And fight she did. Their two approaches revealed two separate mindsets. Honiko had tamed Nozomi's recklessness but the girl's drive for power and adventure was still there. Raijin played it safe meanwhile. Hiding behind his betters and relying on them to give him the freedom he sought. In reality he would need to seize it for himself.

"Your approach to the ninja way is too straight-forward. Too orthodox. I know everything you are going to do before you do it. If you are a to become a truly fearsome heir to your ancestors power then you must learn to break the mold, endanger yourself, and deliver results.".

Clone Nature Chakra: 120 Gathered

She folded her arms and looked down at him.

"Remind me of your elemental affinities Raijin"

The pale woman moved like a white blur in between Raijin's eyes. He had hard enough time keeping his eyes on her, but she moved with such fluidity and grace. He was aiming mainly at the white blur after-images left behind from the woman. She dodged his attacks yet again, but this time she retaliated. She responded with a swift roundhouse kick and that connected to the side of his head. He felt the brunt of the attack send him reeling sideways, and he went crashing into the ground. As Bayu tried to recover his perception after being dazed by the attack. Honiko spoke to him. Telling him he should be more unorthodox, his movements were to easy to read. Also to state his elemental affinities again. "I only have lightning Honiko-sama." He said getting back up on his feet. She was also right. He must not allow on his nature, it was becoming more of a crutch.

Honiko nodded in response. Lightning. It was a very potent element. Nozomi had the same one but she doubted that her favored disciple had any inclination to teach him. It wasn't an element that she possessed but she was willing to find him a tutor so that he could learn to implement it in his fighting styles. If he was going to rely on his kekkei genkai less then he'd need a worthy substitute.

"Learn to hone your lightning element in place of your Nature Clan abilities. Elemental ninjutsu is more valuable than many realize" Honiko offered.

"That is enough for today Raijin, we will train again another time"

Honiko and her clone then turned to walk away.

Exit

So he needed to master the art of Lightning. And be true to his name. The one he chose for himself. His more dangerous nature clan powers would be needed to be mastered at a different time. He nodded his head to Honiko. "Yes Master. I will be utilizing my element more efficiently." She cued that there ttraining session was over. The high altitiude made for a great training spot, but they couldn't be here for long. Honiko and the her clone began to walk away. Raijin brushed himself off, his masters swift feet implanted on the side of his face. He would have to get better.

[Exit]