To become more than tradition

Deep within the lands of Ota is an ancient sanctuary. Long ago abandoned but hardly forgotten. Merely a respected landscape by the descendants. Perhaps still considered a holy place. But one did not keep onlookers from a cathedral long since abandoned. Left to nature and ruin with no recollection of the names of the old gods. Yet none tried to reclaim it because it was history. Broken statues covered in moss and bushes sprung up through the once strong marble tile. Shattered now and little more than a glisten to distinguish it from the ground around it. Grass sprung up to hide what once was. A fountain overgrown in flowers and a hedge maze now more hedge than anything. This was a place of worship to the old gods. Those it was said granted the Hozuki their power...their lack of human weakness. How they had let such a monument decay. There were signs of those who had come and looked upon it but saw nothing more than ruins. Not even a broken promise to recall. Or to whom they might have made such a promise to. However in lack of old gods with forgotten names in ages passed. New gods would rise.

So it was that a path had been burned in a perfectly even circle through the hedge maze. Sero merely walked in a straight line through it as it burned away before his chakra. Red embers falling from where he passed but somehow smothering to coal and ash moments after his passing. As if the air had been pulled away before it could cause a brush fire. The embers suffocated and extinguished as soon as he had no more use for them. A blanket of fog rolling into the garden fountain lost to nature as it coated the ground white and pure beneath Seros bare pale feet. No nettle harmed him, no sharp rock could scratch him. Instead the head of the Hozuki and the Kaguya clan would merely glide forward as all life grew still. The plant life around him seemed to shrink and wilt as he stood there near the center. Looking over the long dead fountain. Dried up and overfilled with leaves and moss. Defying even the rain to fill it now. Cold blue eyes would regard it with disdain before he would lift his hands into his sleeves. Forming quiet hand seals before breathing across the fountain and the surrounding area. A mist blanketing it all.

The hedge maze...the plant life...everything short of stone seemed to wilt and blacken for fifty meters around Sero as he burned it all away. Boiling black ooze in its place cleaning the marble of every living bit off it. Only the cold dead stone statues,,, the broken marble and the fountain remained. Finally the acidic mist faded and though still broken...the temple was restored. Sero knew little of these old gods...or the statues before him and whom they had been. Yet there was no life outside himself for fifty meters around him. Far enough that his ten meter fear aura would bother no living thing. There in front of the fountain he would settle cross legged. Focusing on the air of Suiton. Slowly he would fill the fountain with his suiton chakra. Filling it with water and forcing pressure through. Slowly his meditation would allow him to fill the fountain and make it preform as it had when it was built A beautiful fountain in a broken temple courtyard. Whoever these old gods had been would only matter to him so he could surpass them. He was seeking a new level of his bloodline. To unlock something new only he could do.

slowly from the flowing pool of fountain water thin wisps would begin to rise. Barely noticeable at first but gradually they would thicken. Pure white tendrils rising like long thin tentacles and grasping at nothing. Before fading to the ground and joining the fog below. Only to be replaced by more. Each one upon leaving the fountain would falter and fall as if losing strength only to join the infinite white mass below. However this mass only seemed to grow as they rose higher instead of outwards to form an ever flowing great white tree. Formed upon the new life below even as the old life at the top fell away to what lay beneath. A cycle of life, death and rebirth formed entirely of mist from the fountain before Sero. Towering and branching out to appear like the tree of life itself. If nothing else Sero was a master of chakra control. However slow and methodical this symbol had been in its creation...it was unlikely many other suiton users could match it. This was his practice...his refinement. He would focus inwards to this power instead of the power of the body as so many had before him. As so many would fall because of him.

A voice however would seep into his mind. The depths of his thoughts as he focused so much energy towards this task. So much that despite the seal...it could at least speak to him. The beast sealed within him that he was used as a container for. Forced upon him by another but useful when his own power had not been enough. During the war at the beginning as he fought in Iwa. Destroying the mountain and the dam but failing to capture his prey....and at the end when he melted away the core to the great beast that united the nations against it. He had been instrumental as a weapon because it had allowed him to use its power. So since he now knew its name...he would allow to speak unbidden to him...now Sero would listen.

"Despite your reputation it appears you have a guest. One of the Yurei no less based on those eyes." Kokuō would say within Sero's mind. Having sensed the obvious presence nearby. Quietly wondering if those Yurie eyes could detect a bijuu sealed within a Jinchurikee.

Sero of course would offer no response in turn to the beasts mutterings and observations. Not verbally anyway. The tree in the fountain however would turn black and murky. As if replaced with a dark swamp water as a warm breeze began to stir the mist at their feet in a slowly rotating circle. Sero would appear to melt into himself and unmelt still sitting cross legged. He didn't turn so much as one moment he was facing away from the Yurei and the next his face formed out of the back of his head...and then his legs turned to liquid and reformed still cross legged facing the guest. Cold blue eyes with the whites of his eyes turned black would regard the red eyed stranger. The black seeming to make the blue glow in the dark garden. The now black ever flowing mist tree symbol of life and rebirth towering over him from behind. He would speak and as he did his voice would carry along the mist. Despite the distance it was as if he were whispering in her ear....or someone was.

"Come forward and speak with me if you wish human.... But be warned...within ten meters of me you will enter my domain....you will sense a fear as if you will either fight or die on the spot. I urge you to contain this fear. Do not approach if you can not contain yourself. Otherwise if you share your name. I shall share my own."

Achana's eyes seemed to stare ominously at Sero for a moment, only adding to the creep factor she was often accused of having, but it was more due to the fact that he was a curious individual. She could see two chakra signatures, but within one body. It seemed that the way he addressed her as human was likely an accurate acknowledgement of the fact that he was very much not the average as far as what would classify as a human being. Though, he looked normal enough on the exterior, the warning that Sero gave Achana forced her to keep her distance.

"So, you think yourself superior, or are you just so convinced you're different enough to greet a stranger like you do?", Achana asked with a slight smirk, only evident by the movement of her cheek at first glance until she removed the respirator and let it hang freely around her neck. She was not in the Village, so anything that might pose a hazard to her breathing was minimal. "Whatever your reasons, they matter little I suppose. I am Sonozaki, Achana... Genin of the Village Hidden in the Mist.", she said with a formal bow. Despite her analytical mannerisms, it seemed that she actually had manners.

She kept her distance, not so much that she felt that she could not contain her own fears, but more or less that she felt it was prudent to make sure this was not a trap, or she was not in any danger. She was cautious and observant. It was clear she was talented in the fields that might make her an excellent hunter kunoichi if introduced to the proper teacher. Though her analytical personality already had her off to a good start.

Sero would merely listen for a moment. This one had a smart mouth but was cautious enough to stay out of his aura. As far as they knew this was one of those old folk tales that spoke of demons luring people to their doom. However the shadows seemed to dance behind the statues as a low growl seemed to emanate from everywhere. There was an echo of it however that if one paid attention sounded odd. Like children laughing barely within earshot. The mist continued to swirl around them in a slow rhythm. So this one was another genin of the mist? How interesting. But Sero of all people knew how little the rank really meant. Despite his position of influence the village had not raised him beyond genin himself. Though he took students and pushed them to new heights...few remained that had once sworn to him they could handle it. Some gone mad from his presence alone and forced to be put down...some dwelling in their own madness and shutting down on themselves. Sero held no time nor pity for those without the mental fortitude to withstand him. Yet this one seemed confident. So he would speak up in turn. Every word seeming to echo in this empty place. Each one with distant laughter barely heard in the distance.

"Superior? Hubris is something mankind suffers greatly from....and perhaps my time among them has left me with the same sin. Different however...I have never known what it was to be what one considers normal among your kind."

Sero would rise to his feet and as he did green fires would light in the long forgotten lanterns scattered about the garden. Casting a green light despite the dim light already provided. The flames seemed to reflect off his eyes as he spread his hands out as if to show he held only one weapon at his side. A black katana with purple wrapped into the hilt. A sword renown in Kiri to be as legendary as one of the seven swords. The Hai no Ha: Blade of Ashes. Its wielder had been one of Seros students before his slumber. Now it served Sero and radiated katon energy. Beyond that though there were no other weapons and no hint of armor.

"I am the clan leader of the Hozuki and Kaguya. Known as the abomination. Commander of the Nightmare Brigade and Dread Knight to the Queen of Endless Winter. My name is Jaakuna, Sero and I assure you, Sonozaki, Achana... Genin of the Village Hidden in the Mist, that I am liken unto no man you have met before. Those who seek to gain power seek me out by pure will or fate....But the training weighs heavy on the mind and transforms all who partake in it. But they do gain the power they seek if they can withstand me. So I suppose the question is....do you seek power?"

Achana felt herself tense up slightly and the hairs on the back of her neck raise in alarm. Everything was telling her that it was not a good idea to step forward into the area of Sero's fear, but she was offered a gift. "You know nothing about me, and you would offer me power? Awful trusting, but it is not misplaced. Though, Sero, I've no intention of just using you. So...", she said with a pause as she felt the tension and anxiety swelling up around her mind. "... I. I will offer you something in return.", she said with a slight stutter as she continued closer to the individual with the alien chakra signature. Every fiber of her being was telling her to run, take cover, but her will caused her to furrow her brow and extend a hand, jerkily though, as it was forced from trying to overcome the paranoia gripping at her conscious thoughts.

The young woman had never been the sort to frighten easily. Hell, in her time of training and as a Genin, she had been groomed and primed to perform some truly heinous deeds in the name of the Hidden Mist. Achana was a killer at heart, but never had she felt her body betray her as she did her best to try to remain calm and collected. Her crimson eyes stared at Sero as she extended her hand and did her best to make it remain stable and unwavering. "I will be your squire. An assistant. Your student. Maybe even your friend if you're interested in a little comradery with a human?", she offered the senior ninja.

It was clear that she did not fear Sero, himself, but just the power around him that was trying to influence her mind. No, if anything, Achana was dangerously curious about the individual and what he could offer her. It also went further than that to a point of that she felt like a door had been opened in her career to become a Hunter Nin. She would be a fool not to step through it, so to speak. The Yurei-clanswoman just settled it into her mind that she would need to endure, withstand, and learn to tolerate this power that was trying to make her afraid. A training on its own, if Sero accepted her offer of an exchange and she got to spend enough time around him to attempt the exercise in self-control.

Sero would remain still. His arms out to his sides and hands loose. No sign of any aggravation or hostile intent. He simply was there. And yet as she approached it was like walking towards a war zone. Like she was being hunted by some great and hungry beast. He could sense her fear and sense her pushing through it as she approached him step by step. Each foot fall parting the fog at her feet only to be swallowed up once more once she moved on. Cold blue eyes seemed to shine against the black around them as he observed her. Patiently and yet calculating. A cold man that showed no expression on his features yet. Instead blue eyes met red and neither flinched. They spoke of possibly misplaced trust and he refrained from correcting her. He had no intention of trusting anyone other than Sayuri. Humans were corrupt by nature. They sought their own designs despite the effect on those around them....yet he did as well. He sought power for himself to strive and be more than he was. More than the village thought he was. He knew power beyond his own...but to him this was a temporary measure. For each person he raised or put down his power only grew. If this new on betrayed him too....he would put her down as he had those before her.

Still she stretched out her hand. He had seen this greeting and participated in it once or twice. Humans liked a solid touch to confirm their words it seemed. As if there was some vow made by embracing each others hands. Yet most had avoided going near him...yet alone touching Sero. The laughter in the distance cut out suddenly once they were so close he could touch her. A hot breeze rolling through the ancient place making the green flames flicker. Slowly his hand would raise. Pale despite the green glow cast over them. His hand reaching out to touch her own. Softer than one might have expected...however touching his skin for someone sensitive to chakra and life force as she was would be an experience. Like dipping your hand in oil. Contaminating it as she essentially touched the tar pit that was his chakra. Only a passing moment before he released her...but it was clear his chakra was tainted. Some black thing like the towering oozing tree behind him. Which he had not let falter yet. Still he would release her hand before speaking once more.

"If you seek to assist me than we shall find a place for you in the Nightmare Brigade. Assuming you do not mind slaying criminals the village deems unsalvageable. For now we will work on the basics first. Having graduated the academy you should be well aware of your talents and affinities. So what is it you specialize in and what are your elements? We will first master what you are talented in before seeking to gain more. Before delving into the darkness together."

Achana would nod her head to Sero. She was making sure she listened clearly to what he was saying, as his manner of speaking was foreign to her. Full of metaphors and illustrations, she needed to figure out the literal meaning before agreeing. It was clear by the way she seemed to observe him that she was doing just that. "Makes sense. The basics are a good foundation.", she agreed with a soft smile, even if the aura around Sero still made her feel uneasy. "My goal is to become an assassin on the beck and call of our ladies in power, so it seems like fateful happenstance that I should meet you.", she explained further before lowering her crimson gaze to her registration card.

"My skills really fall into my bloodline and Suiton Ninjutsu. With my eyes I can locate those with chakra... and if I train hard enough, I can even see into a person's soul. Good to know when a person is close to death. At least from my point of view.", she remarked with a firm nod. Achana was pretty much a blank slate at this point, which would be good news to any would-be instructor who would gain access to her mind. It meant that if she had any bad habits, they were few and far between. It also meant that there was plenty of room for improvement in her current skillset.

She then looked to Sero for approval, before Achana added with a serious furrow to her brow. "The Yurei Clan have always been overlooked for being sickly and weak. I want to be more than that. I want to be recognized as a lethal asset, and to experience the rewards for being useful. I just need a chance to prove myself.", she admitted before folding her arms. Achana did not know why she said that other than it was possibly due to the fact that it was a latent fear in the back of her subconscious mind. The fear of being looked down upon. The fear of being useless. It was all part of her lack of understanding the purpose one had in this world.

The ladies in power. What an amusing if not entirely accurate statement. He held no respect for one of the three and knew little to nothing of the other. Only Sayuri held his loyalty. However it was true that they obeyed orders handed down by the village in general. Kit and Sero simply had a long standing stand off. She believed him dangerous and he believed her foolish. Playing hero while he went to war. As alarming as it was Sayuri was the one keeping the peace between them. A tense one at that. However there were other things to focus on. Their goals fell in line well with the nightmare brigade. Ideally even. Still their hands would separate and Sero would choose instead to focus on another point they had made. She wanted to be an assassin by trade. Truly a ninja in nature instead of someone like him who was more like a sorcerer. Not that he couldn't move in stealth to a degree....but he preferred large shows of power. Instead he would speak to her as he took it all into account.

"Suiton is well suited for an assassin. There are techniques within this village that will hide you from any eye other than perhaps your own....and that will eliminate any sound you may make. You are uniquely talented in this regard. As you can pinpoint targets positions and their defenders despite barriers. For now we will focus on your suiton. Once we achieve a certain level...you can petition the village for these exclusives. The hidden mist and Silent Killing techniques."

He would finish speaking and the green fires would flare up as the dark tree of liquid would falter and fall. Splashing around the nearby fountain and the excess sinking between the cracked stone. He had released his control over it and thus the fires were maintained more directly. Giving off more light now. He would step to the side before lifting his left hand to indicate the fountain. An invitation of sorts as he would walk closer to it if she joined him. Almost to the edge of it before he would stop. That maddening aura ever present. As if he could turn on her at any time and consume her. Yet his expression held only calm. The green fire seeming to dance within his blue and black eyes. Ever watching and as of yet...never blinking.

"I am familiar with your clans struggle. For the majority of my life I was left...all but forgotten by but a couple of medical professionals in a wing of the hospital. You see my mother could not survive child birth...and my father under commands from his clan leaders attempted to put me down. Leaving me crippled for years as a result of an assault on me as a newborn. Now those leaders are in hiding from me and my father did not survive the encounter. My strength is not questioned and my reward is my own command. So unto you I say utilize all your hate and despair. Up until now the academy taught you to use your chakra as a blunt instrument. However we will refine it. As an assassin you need precision more than brute force. So feel out the connection to the water in the fountain. Feel your chakra connect to it and mold with it....then shape something in your mind. Will your chakra to shape it within the water and make the water do your bidding. Control your breathing...your heart rate....your thoughts. All of you is in control of all of it. In due time this precise control will come as naturally as breathing."

Achana closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she gathered her strength to begin the exercise of control that Sero had put before her. The fear and paranoia of never being able to become recognized for her skills seemed to melt away over time as she focused on slowing down her breathing. 'Calm and relaxed', she reminded herself as the young kunoichi continued to try to gather her emotions. It seemed like eternity, in what had actually been a few minutes. It was not so much that the effort to calm herself and collect her emotions back into the inner part of her conscious thoughts.

With an exhale of breath, the younger ninja looked up at Sero and brushed a rogue lock of hair out of her face. "So, should I call you Sero-sensei from here on out?", Achana asked as her scarlet eyes looked over the individual with the same curiosity and intrigue as they had when they had first set upon him. So much there was to learn, and from just one person. The fact that the world had hundreds of thousands, if not millions, only seemed to cause the Genin to realize just how great the task was before her. It was not enough to be great, or greater than anyone. No, if she wanted to achieve her goals of recognition, fame, and infamy it would serve her nothing to settle for anything less than being the greatest. This would mean that even then, in that moment, she was already waiting to learn from Sero so she could one day hope to even surpass him.

It was likely that Sero would expect that Achana had the ambition that might drive her to try to be better than him. She only reasoned that such was the logical conclusion when one entered into the role of instructor and student. It was usually with the hope that one day the student would become the master themselves. Still, she only hoped that she could reign in her drive for power enough to be a loyal companion, undistracted by her own wants and desires. After all, they both served the same master in a way. The idea of eventually competing to be superior in one field only went so far. Her success would be his, and his would be hers. This was the truth of friendship and teamwork. "Ano... You mentioned Nightmare Brigade. I assume this is a team, sensei. So, will I get to train with them too?", Achana asked as the thought occurred to her.

Sero would watch as progress was slow but in his eyes necessary. Control of ones own abilities meant control in a battle. Control in a battle meant higher chances of victory. Chakra was the source of power so control over chakra was the primary way to gain strength. He could hear the beast within him chortle about another follower soon to fall to his madness but he ignored it. Instead he watched the water stir and begin to take shape before faltering for a minute. Before Achana would inquire of what to call him. Sero would turn those black and blue eyes to meet those crimson orbs as he seemed to almost be irritated at the question. Or impatient with these human customs. He had shared a name...what purpose did a title have? To polish his pride constantly? It was just a silly thing these humans did.

"You may call me what you wish. Focus on the water. Do not try to make it solid or stationary. Water is flowing constantly...a ripple becomes a wave. A wave becomes a Tsunami and rises ever higher before crashing back down. Becoming a ripple once more and reestablishing the process. If you stand at our shores the crashing waves are endless and even stone eventually falters. Make it continuously flow from you and command its waves to ascend and recede how you need."

It seemed like a strange explanation. After all water could be still. However still water held no power. It could be consumed of course but one did not fear a cup of water. One feared endless depths. Still he did not seem to grow impatient with their progress. Instead his hands would fold into his coat sleeves as he simply watched. Those green fires never dimming as he never blinked. Always watching and waiting for progress. Evolution of the shinobi before him. Still another question would be posed before those blue eyes shifted from the dark surface of the water once more. Studying Achana again. Like a scientist discovering something new about a species. Before he spoke once more in regards to the question. Calm and plain in tone.

"The Nightmare brigade is similar to the ANBU or Hunter nin division. It isn't so much a team as a military group specializing in elimination missions. The division itself only handles the elimination of threats to the village. Individually its members can take other missions...but when acting on behalf of the division...we are designed to kill. Tell me Achana....have you taken a life yet?"

Achana would do as she was told by her senior. Sero had given her instruction and she was clearly intent on aiming to impress. She looked to the fountain and held up one hand as she began to make seals. Focusing on the water and moving the surface with her chakra. It was a simple exercise, in truth. Even one with the basic proficiency in chakra manipulation could do such, but what this needed was control. Sero had ordered that much.

As the water in the fountain began to bubble and surge. Achana would then cause the water to raise up and then drop down. Ebb and flow, all created by gathering her chakra to one point in the surface of the fountain and then letting it fall back down once it had raised up. It was something she was able to get the hang of rather quickly, but it was really just flexing her chakra control like one would a bicep. This was still nothing compared to things like an experienced shinobi would be capable of.

The genin then paused the exercise as Sero had asked her a striking question. It caught Achana off guard, and it was not something she expected anyone to ever ask her. "No.", she said swiftly, before her crimson eyes went to make eye contact with him. "But is it wrong to admit that I want to? Is the drive to kill some sin that I must come to terms with? It is what we were trained to do after all, right?", she questioned. Though, it seemed like she was more questioning herself than Sero. "Probably makes me a terrible person, but honestly, if it advanced my position... I think I could put a blade to anyone if given the order from the top.", the raven-haired girl said with no hesitation in her voice. Again, this was her ambition and pride talking.

Sero would watch as she did as she was told. A small rise and fall before it was repeated of the fountain water. What she likely didn't understand yet was how important such practice was. Growing more comfortable and attuned with ones element granted the wielder greater power. One could simply wield jutsu based on hand signs and chakra but to truly wield power was to respect it. In order to respect it one had to understand it. These were basic building blocks but ones many never practiced and thus never gained real strength. Still her progress was acceptable for the time being.

Still she would admit to not having killed yet and he would frown. Her questions would fall upon him and his eyes would settle on the waters now growing still in the fountain. She had real concerns but it seemed as if she was easily distracted. Still he would remain silent a moment longer before returning to meet her crimson gaze. His own black and blue eyes never blinking and never wavering. There was something endless in those eyes....a hunger or hate within them. As if they could see all truths and feast upon the fears of others. Finally he would answer her in the same monotone as before.

"Sin is a term for those who have faith in some god or another. Like the worshipers of the old gods who built this place. The answer to your question in a matter of perspective. Death is inevitable and we are the harbingers. To greet it eagerly is to invite it upon yourself. However you will find there are others within our ranks that enjoy killing immensely. For myself it is a talent I am perfecting. Yet while one is a tool to the village to be used...we should be aware of how we are being used as well. Humans are fallible and prone to corruption. To kill without thought is to be a mere tool. The Nightmare Brigade is more than that. Should proof be provided that even our leaders have fallen to corruption we must be prepared to seal their fates as well. Should myself or you fall to evil and greed...someone will rise to put us down. Know that not all our princesses see value in the brigade. Some see violence and disdainful. I however am a necessity because humanity will always break from the path of righteousness. That beings said...we will have to change the lack of experience while you have supervision. One hesitation in the field without it and the blood on your hands can become your own."

Achana nodded her head to Sero. She was surprised at how much of what he spoke actually seemed to resonate with her. It was as if she were in front of the picture of how she saw herself in the years to come. "As you say, I will do. I feel like this is the path I am destined to walk, and I would walk it alongside yourself and the others of the Brigade if you will allow it.", Achana said firmly before making the seals again with one hand, trying to return to the practice of controlling the water with her chakra, but at the same time, working on developing her speed with the one-handed sealing technique. It was stressed that those who could accomplish this to a greater extent than others would have an easier time in the field of a Hunter Ninja.

It was clearer still, as Achana trained, that she would need to make a kill. Taking a life and dreaming of doing so, were complete worlds apart. Yeah, she was a trained killer, but if she was to be anything more than a latent shadow soldier, she would have to stain her hands red sooner or later. This was a nature of her profession she embraced with wide arms. It didn't take much to separate the clinical hunter from the psychopath. The fine line of good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, law and chaos were ever present in the path. If she were expected even to assassinate one of the three princesses, then it was with her first kill and hopefully the many more after that, she would need to steel her mind and resolve. This was now about more than being a weapon. It was about becoming the hero that sometimes wasn't asked for, but was needed anyway.

Her practice seemed to be going well, as she made the water leap up and drop down at faster intervals. Though it was clear, even with her chakra reserves, as a Genin that the training was taxing. It was nothing on the level of executing an actual technique, but even the most trivial of things like lifting weights broke down muscle, only for it to regrow stronger. Achana got the feeling that this was what this was, not so much a demonstration on her end, but actually working out and making Water as much a part of her body as her fists and feet.

Sero would listen as he watched a moment. Cold blue eyes taking in the water as it shifted under her control. Still he did not blink as she spoke. Her practice was going well but it was a muscle she had not flexed much up until this point. She was correct in her inner assessment of the training however. It was an incredibly basic building block but one that was sure to produce results. He was waiting still however. He wanted to see her limits and when this would exhaust her. To see where she stood currently. However in response to her comment he would speak without taking his eyes off the water.

"You are not strong enough yet. Our enemies are many and among them there are those who are truly strong. Bringing you as you are now into our battle would only serve to kill you. However I will help you gain that strength. The power to dominate the battlefield. To drown your enemies in blood and let them fear you."

Sero would lift his own hand and adjust the suiton chakra with his own. Her flow would feel push back against it. Like adding weights to physical training. It would serve to exhaust her quickly. As she was now it would not be long before her chakra caved before his own. Though surprisingly he could feel her own power pushing back. She wasn't entirely a novice at chakra control. If anything she was only mildly behind his own chakra. However his was infused with that of the Bijuu within. It would dwarf hers as she was now with that in mind. Gradually making the practice harder. Seeing how hard she could push and hold on with the intent of pushing until she broke. Until she was forced to give in under the dark presence.

By forcing this however his power flowed through the mist. Slowly the fog blanketing the ground would begin to spin faster and faster as the green flames would burst into pyres of their own right. For her as she was now the distance between them would be impossible to overcome. But this was not to show dominance. This was to demonstrate the level of chakra control he expected her to achieve. Like a pressure choking the air out of the area. Almost like a claw against her forcing her down. In a minutes passing it would feel like forever if she struggled until she would no longer hold domain over the water at all. Until her chakra would snap back to her leaving her exhausted if she did not quit of her own volition. Once it was over though one way or another it would all die down. Sero would lower his hand as the chakra training would be done for the day. He had found her limits and how she responded to reaching them...be it retreating or fighting to the end. Either way Sero would turn to her as the world slowly would turn to a very still place. As if he had never changed the very nature around them. As if it wished to be quiet when he wished it to.

"Do you have any weapons?"

Achana had felt pretty accomplished as she strove to work on her chakra control with Sero. She knew well that what he said was true. She was not strong enough to fight any of the threats that existed and would just likely end up a liability herself at this point.  The Genin kunoichi still did her best to focus and work on gathering more strength. But then she felt the resistance as Sero upped the difficulty by making her work against his own chakra. It was like lifting weights, only for the personal trainer to begin pushing down on the weights, making each lift harder and harder as it taxed her stamina more than the standard repetition she was doing.

"I do not have a weapon other than myself.", Achana noted as she was eventually out of chakra to push back with any real effort, and to continue to try would not only be fatal, but also detrimental as one could not completely exhaust their chakra reserves without some negative side-effects, up to and including death. It was likely only due to the bijuu's power that Sero could match her in the stamina department, but he was also a lot stronger than her too. The power of the fear and paranoia that surrounded him also was enough to keep her on edge, but she was growing used to the feeling. "I never trained in swordplay, mostly ninjutsu and the basics of taijutsu.", she explained while she caught her breath. Breathing was normally difficult for her anyway without the aid of her mask, and it left her open to asthma attacks, so she put it back on, in case the chance of a flare-up occurred.

Achana remembered when she first started this journey, to become a ninja of the Village, that she wanted to contribute. To be more than the frail girl who could see chakra. Still, for Sero to state it so plainly, that she was not ready to do what she desired hurt her pride in her accomplishments thus far. It was not so much a discouragement, but more that it lit a fire in her to not be content with where she was, but to aim higher. "Sensei, what must I do to get as strong as you?", she asked curiously while she recovered from the chakra training. "Outside of your innate qualities, just how vast is the gap between your power and mine?", the raven-haired girl asked. She only hoped that Sero was not offended by the question.

She would finally falter and he would find her chakra reserves impressive for a genin. Though he was as well so what was that really stating? Perhaps it was her strong suit. If she had focused in cultivating her chakra already there were other things to focus on. Still she would admit to having no weapons. Sero would nod slowly. He understood lacking one due to having found Ninjutsu to be all he needed prior to now. However he had met many people who were effective strictly due to equipment and the ability to utilize it. Bombs and traps that had wiped out entire waves of enemies. However Sero had never been entirely skilled at stealth due to his aura. He could hide his physical presence but not the manifestation of his corrupt chakra. So most of his attacks were direct and designed to wipe out entire areas. Wide range multi elemental ninjutsu was his specialty.

However he would tilt his head a little at the mention of taijutsu. Of course Ninjutsu would also be her specialty though with taijutsu....he noted her put back on her mask and his eyes would study her a moment longer. As if they saw through her...into her very mind and no secrets could long be hidden from such a dreadful gaze. Still she would inquire of him how to become as strong as he was. That she saw the gap between them and wanted to cross it. There it was. The goal that anyone training with Sero had to obtain. They had to want to become strong like him. They had to desire something to keep them going. If only to surpass him. If it was strong enough that desire would carry them passed their breaking point. It would carry them beyond the levels of the average human.

"Time and Willpower are the only two testaments to my power. Though I was born with the aura you feel....my two bloodlines did not wish for me. One of them attempted to have me slain at birth. Believing me crippled and no longer a threat after the event they let me be. I assure you those responsible now regret doing so. I rule both the clans who shunned me because I refused to be anything less. I stand with power at my fingertips palpable to the air around us because I refused to falter time and time again. If you can do the same...if you can stand even when the world pushes you to the brink time and time again...you will reach me."

With that Sero would hold out his right hand. The palm facing upwards with the fingers outstretched. The flesh of his hand turning into a pool of water as out of it would slowly emerge a bone dagger. Roughly the length of a large kunai with no guard or grip. Simple a bone handle with a one sided curved blade extended from it. Once it was fully emerged his hand would snap it out of the air before turning and tossing it casually. Letting it lodge into the stone like butter in front of her. It was said that Kaguya bone was one of the strongest materials one could find. The way it cut through even stone was impressive.

"That will fade within the hour. However for now it will serve. Pick it up and attempt to utilize your taijutsu with it. Even if you are effective with bare hands...most humans will die when cut with a blade far easier. Attack me with it to get used to it...Once you are unable to fight any further we will end the lesson for the day. I expect you to at least get a kunai for yourself though. Some missions can not utilize chakra without being noticed and it is better to have a weapon for stealth kills."

Achana stood upright after picking up Sero's bone dagger. She had enough coordination that she spun it around in her hand, into a reverse grip before lowering down into her K.B.S.D.S (Kirigakure Basic Self Defense Skills) stance. It was some basic taijutsu she had learned to help her better protect herself in hand to hand, even if she did specialize in chakra-based manipulations. "I will do as you say.", Achana confirmed as she prepared herself not just physically, but mentally as well. She had a feeling that her new mentor would not hold back just because she was only partly recovered from her earlier training. If there were any cracks in her resolve due to her weakened state, she tried to fill them in with raw determination.

Achana knew she was not physically strong, but strength mattered little when you could immobilize a target and just slit their throat. There was a lot more to winning a fight than just beating another down, and at this point, she felt it was up to her to try to figure out how to withstand what was sure to come from Sero so that she might be capable of bringing down somebody of similar strength someday. Though, Sero claimed not to be human, so would she need to become more than human to even come close to his power? It was there, in her mind, that she resolved herself to do whatever it took to get on her new sensei's level. Even if what she must do was to sacrifice everything about her humanity to become something more.

Then after those brief moments after catching her breath, Achana lunged at Sero and swung out with an empty hand as if to try and back-hand across his face while the dagger wielding arm slashed outward at his midsection while she spun with the backhand maneuver. It was almost like a graceful pirouette of violence, and one might want to observe it for what it was; a feint meant to disguise the more lethal strike behind it. She knew Sero would likely be able to perceive such a tactic, but Achana also knew this was not the day she would ever best this man before her. No, it was her job as the student to try her best.

Sero would await her with out any signs of distress or preparedness about him. He was not one to simply fear what was to come. Hand to hand had never been his specialty but in combat he would wait till the last second to show his own hand. The twirl of the dagger gave him some sense of her coordination and training. A show to switch her grip it seemed. Was it a bluff however? It would seem like she was capable of bluffing her hand speed. After all this would come down to who was faster under normal circumstances. He had armed her with a weapon yet showed no intention of reaching for his own sword. Truth be told if he used such a thing it would cut through her dagger despite it being Kaguya bone. The sword held the properties of midnight ore which was perhaps the strongest metal on the planet. Its properties literally weakening other materials it came in contact with. As if draining them of their ability.

Still Sero would watch with menacingly cold eyes. They would never seem to blink but instead shine as the warm breeze picked up once more. Carrying with it the light of the rejuvenated green flames. Yet despite those flames casting off a dim green light, it hardly seemed to do anything against the swarming darkness. It was impressive to charge death so readily. Most would not dare to approach him yet alone do as he demanded and come at him armed. He was impressed. Those shadows seemed to swallow his face all but the glowing blue eyes. She would charge him but he would be ready. Eager to meet her with his bare hands.

There was a new technique he was eager to try. Most never reached him. Burned or cut to pieces for such a blatant approach. Humans knew fear but knew to fight it as well. However often caution was a life lesson hard learned. If purely for the fact that as expected Sero was faster than her. Nor did his body have to move as normal humans did. She would charge to back hand and slash him only to find water in his place. Rising up and enveloping her at the last second as she passed through him. Allowing him to reform behind her at B rank speed. His hand adjacent to her own with the dagger moving to secure that wrist while his other shifted to attempt to grab her hair from behind. His foot kicking out at the back of her knee if he managed to get a hold of either.

If she couldn't counter the sudden shock of being shifted and attacked from behind at B rank speed and coordination she would hopefully find herself forced prone. However there was more danger here than simply being taken to the ground. The veins in his arms would turn black as dark chakra would emerge from his hands. The sensation of some hungry beast out of sight would grow like she was about to be devoured. If she couldn't find a way to immediately break free...he would devour a chunk of her chakra. Not enough to kill her but enough to leave her feeling exhausted and consumed. His touch alone was parasitic.

Training jutsu:

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