A Round of Training

There were some days where Kouen didn't do his duty as a Genin, nor always take advantage of his break days to their fullest... some days, he imagined the power he could have as a ninja if he could somehow unlock his kekkei genkai. His father had revealed his bloodline to him much earlier on as a child and that's one of the factors as to why he became a ninja in the first place. He thought that around this point in his life, or at least a little earlier he would've accessed his bloodlines power but it hadn't awaken him in just yet. This is what drove him to start fitting a training every now and then into his schedule as a shinobi.

The grounds itself seemed to be a pretty busy day, most of the Genin seemed to be conversing while others were going at it, sparring and training themselves but he also felt a bit shamed that some of them were far younger then he is. He took his duty as a ninja pretty lax after graduating as a Genin and he clearly paid the price for it, still being a Genin at his age. He hoped that as long as he stayed consistent with his training, he can achieve a milestone and at the moment, his goal is to awaken his bloodline.

He would start the training by revising what he knew at the moment, he began by practising his Arhat Fist... a Taijutsu style that most Taijutsu users would know... or rather, should know. He began by putting himself in the Arhat Fist stance, taking advantage of one of the straw dummies placed variously around the training grounds for practice. He did a simple forward thrust with his palm, sending the dummy back but it flickered right back up. Afterwards, Kouen rushed towards the dummy and gave a light jump, his knee raised towards the air and hit the stomach of the dummy, which almost knocked it off the pole it's attached to. He gave the final effort and used a shoulder charge, finally forcing the dummy to fly off from the pole.

At least his Arhat wasn't out of shape, but there were other areas he had to practice on.

Learned: Arhat Fist - 100 WC
Rising Knee - 100 WC
Shoulder Charge - 100 WC

Total WC of post - 376

He was about to begin training his ninjutsu next, since that's the main key area that his bloodline focuses on but it came to a pause when somebody made themselves known, Kouen had turned around to see somebody around his age talk in a well-spoken manner. He took a few seconds to register what's going on, but it seemed this stranger meant well in his words. Though his dressing lead him to suggest that he must be... somebody in this village, definitely a shinobi if he's allowed in the training grounds.

"Yeah, though the times I come here to train is occasional so that might be why you haven't seen me before." giving a pretty straightforward answer. His red eyes looked over his figure, curious as to who this person is. "I'm sorry, I feel like I should know who you are... care to tell me? my name's Kouen." he'd reveal his bloodline if he felt like it was necessary, or if this person really is as nice as they show themselves to be but just for now, he'd stick to a first name basis.

And there came the occasional question of why his eyes were red, though it's a fair question since it's a rare eye colour in this Land. He gave the answer since he seemed to be a pretty nice person so far. "I'm apart of the Korikane clan that specialises in Crystal Release, it's said that members of the clan can be born with unique eye colours that decide the colour of the crystals they create, should they inherit the bloodline." he had doubt that the kekkei genkai is in his blood due to not unlocking it at this point in his life, then again... he hasn't been training as consistently as others in his generation so he wouldn't rule it out quite yet.

"The Inazuma clan, huh? do you really control the storm?" it sounded like a pretty useful ability to have, and he could imagine the power one wielded with such a kekkei genkai. It isn't to say he's not proud of his own bloodline, but other clans abilities he had heard of sounded more useful and appealing to Kouen's eyes instead of his own. Regardless, he was born within the Korikane Clan and he'd make the best of it.

And then came the part that he didn't want to admit, that he felt a bit ashamed about but he opened up with him about it anyway. "That's just... the thing, I haven't manifested my clans ability to produce crystals. A bit embarrassing, right? I should have it at this age." there was a hint of worry in his voice, he wanted to believe that he really does have the kekkei genkai in his blood but considering there hasn't been any signs so far in his life to indicate any manifestations or signs of him utilising crystal release, it worried him that he might not have it at all.

"But it seems you have your clans ability, looks very useful." he commented as his red eyes gazed on that demonstration of his chakra, just for him to squash it with water coming out, wiping it on his sash. "A nice demonstration, I only wish I had something to return the favour." making his regret known once more of not having his kekkei genkai. "But I'm sure you didn't want to talk with me just to hear me complain, what's your rank?" if he had already unlocked his kekkei genkai early on, he believes that he's got at least be Chuunin.

Kouen answered speedily enough to his question about the chakra natures of Crystal Release. "Yeah, Earth and Lightning which I have both." just to prove that he indeed have both chakra natures, he started off by suddenly jumping into the Earth which created an adaptable hole around Kouen to which after waiting a few seconds in the Earth, he jumped right back out. using the double suicide decapitation technique. He then formed the dragon handseal afterwards and a electrical discharge started to course through his hands, using his hands to aim it at the air and soon enough, it soared through and it gave a "signal" of sorts. The basic starting Raiton technique and the basic starting Doton technique.

"There you go, I'm not that skilled in Ninjutsu but I think that's the area I have to improve on if I want to unlock my Crystal Release..." so in other words, what Lei had said. He has to grow more used to his chakra natures if he wants to unlock his kekkei genkai... though the rank he mentioned had really surprised him, a Jounin at that age?! now he really felt like he was behind... but if he's at that level, maybe he could give some pointers to him? "I hope this isn't too much to ask, but can you... train me? it doesn't have to be constant, it can just be whenever we meet each other again in the training grounds if you want." he didn't want to make himself seem clingy or too much of a burden to him, even just meeting him... but he felt like if he had someone guiding him in the right direction, he would unlock his bloodline in no time.

Technique Descriptions:

Learned: Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique - 100 WC
Lightning Release: Lightning Signal Fire - 100 WC
Total WC from post - 287

His eyes had lightened up when he accepted Kouen's request of being trained, though quickly thought as to how he could get trained... he believed his Taijutsu was fine at the moment, being a user of the Storm kekkei genkai, surely he would specialise in Ninjutsu? that's what Kouen could get the extra help on for sure. "Do you have either Lightning or Earth as a chakra nature? I think by advancing with the chakra natures I currently have, it might pave the way for me to get Crystal Release. Do you know any jutsus of those chakra natures that are around my level so to speak?" he tried to learn higher Raiton and Doton techniques through other means but those jutsu he had just performed were the only ones he could use, he's happy about them to the point that he has two chakra natures to rely on, adding variety to his techniques but they were limited in combat use.

Before he would reply to Kouen though, he gave a quick bow down to him as a way to thank him. "And really, thank you so much for taking me on... I think with your guidance, I can become a capable ninja." he then raised his head up, making sure that the time and effort he's going to push forward for Kouen won't go unnoticed or unappreciated.

So he knew Raiton, it wasn't a favourite of Kouen's but if he wanted to learn Crystal Release, he couldn't be picky about it... however, he got shot down when he mentioned that he didn't have Raiton techniques for his level. He should've expected that but that doesn't mean he'd give up just yet, he would at least try to train his body to that point so he can use higher level Ninjutsu, just for now however he would go along with his suggestion and spar him in a round of Taijutsu. "Are you sure? I don't think I can match up to you..." Arhat Fist gave him incredible strength that he normally wouldn't have, so he can see himself matching up to him from that possibly but if he meant an all out fight, he was worried that he could seriously get hurt.

Regardless, he took a few steps back and nodded to the request... he was a bit nervous about how it'd go down, scared that something might go wrong or he could actually hurt Kouen but he'd do his best to strengthen through his doubts and simply do the best he can, cause the bright side of it is this wasn't a match to the death so if he did get hurt, it can heal in time.

As soon as it was given that Kouen can go on ahead, he went in a battle-prepared stance, relying on his Arhat Fist once more, thankfully Taijutsu was one of the skills that he developed early on at the academy so it's one of his core skills that he could rely on in this fight. It was reassuring that Lei would also take it easy on him. That meant he could do his best and Lei could adapt to it, giving a fair match to him. He hopes that with enough dedication and training one day, Kouen could perhaps fight him all out evenly, but just for now he would have to make his way there, one step at a time.

Kouen began his assault with a shoulder charge, he wasn't expecting anything crazy from Lei to counter this but surely he would pull something out to try and defend this attack. Kouen went with this first because he wanted to get a feel for what Lei might do in this match, what sort of counters and attacks to expect.

Stamina: 44/50

Techniques Used:

Kouen could've changed the directory of his shoulder charge, but he decided not to because he wanted to see what Lei would do next if he had resorted to simply rolling out of the way. However, as soon as Kouen had recovered his eyes couldn't track him at all to the point that his movements looked like instantaneous teleportation. The force carried behind that kick of his alone did indeed send Kouen forward, but just barely a meter forward as the actual impact behind that kick felt weak, it gave a bruise to Kouen's back for sure but that's all he felt really... Kouen instantly turned around and stepped back, did he intentionally have that much impact behind his attack? His speed was impressive but that kick wasn't as hard as he thought it would be.

OOC Note: In case you're wondering, an E-Ranked powered kick against D-Ranked constitution wouldn't do well.

Kouen didn't know why he was doing such acrobatics, but it didn't mean that Kouen would stop his offence if there was an opening like this. He ran forward and began his second series attack, all though it was exactly the same as the first time. He activated his arhat fist once more and tensed his muscles up, supposedly getting in a rather defensive stance until he completely changed it, rushing himself forward towards Lei once more but except this time, he wouldn't do it in a linear fashion. If he were to roll over or just shift to the side like he did the first time, he would change his shoulder charge accordingly to try and still hit him but otherwise if he just stood there, he would still do his best to hit him.

Stamina: 38/50

Techniques Used:

Kouen had stopped his shoulder charge about halfway, realising that he was starting to get a bit exhausted on the battle and quickly bowed down once more for Lei, before raising his head back up to his normal height. "I'm sorry for the sudden pause, but something just came to mind. I have to go for now, I apologise." Kouen said before he gave a smile and a wave towards Lei before running off. This training between them gave him a few perspective on several things and utilising those ninjutsu from earlier gave him an idea on how to use crystal release.

[Exit]