Eleven Minutes to Midnight

Ren would move quietly through the grand konoha training facility, there was very little time left for him to get done the training he needed done, but that was not going to stop him from trying at the very least. Here over the past few days Ren had been pouring himself over the Salamander scroll trying to learn all the secrets about it that he could about it, and now he was here to put what he had learned to the test and see if he could actually accomplish what it was that he was trying to accomplish. He picked this time of the evening to come here to train, as there were less people around that would be able to witness if he failed. Only Jounin and higher were allowed within the grand konoha training facility at this time of night, and even then there were rarely any there. On the rare occasions when there were other Jounin in the training area it was still as if being alone, unless you were actually training with someone, this was simply due to the massive amounts of rooms the building had within. There were enough rooms that every shinobi in Konoha could have their own, let alone all the Jounin.

There were a few techniques that he would be testing out tonight, but none of them as important to him as the first one he would be practicing. The King of the Salamanders, and largest summon in his contract, Ibuse. There was a reason he was the King, and it wasn't just because he was big enough to eat the other Salamanders, it is because of his unique as well as deadly poison. Ren knew that he would need the the power of Ibuse on his side in the coming days, so it was better to get it tested out now. Forming the summoning technique as he bit his thumb and pressed it to the scroll bringing forth Ibuse, it took some convincing, considering the last shinobi he allowed to call upon him was a Kage, Ren was eventually able to win the salamander over to his side.

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Trained S-Rank (Canon) Summon Ibuse (300/300)

The next technique wasn't as important to Ren for him to learn as it was for him to learn Ibuse, however considering its ability it would still be useful to him if the situation called for it. A much more powerful version of a technique that he had only recently learned so there was no guarantee that he would be able to perform it, which was why it was important that he was alone. No need for an audience in failure, it would be better for him to be able to show it off after his mastery of it. Ren would talk for a few more moments with Ibuse, finding him much more pleasant than the hot-tempered dragons that he had tried talking to in the past, afterwards Ren would dismiss Ibuse to return to his own world as Ren would pursue the continuation of his training. Ren would attempt the Odama Rasengan for the first time, but it would not last long before dissipating as Ren would frown. As he tried it once more and failed he came to the realization that he was going to need some help with it. Forming the Tiger hand seal, Ren would create a shadow clone to help him in the process of creating such a large Rasengan. With the clone's help it was much easier for him to be able to accomplish the creation of the Odama Rasengan, to the point that he would try it out more than once just to ensure that it was done right. Afterwards he would dismiss the shadow clone and aim to do it without the assistance of a clone. Using chakra to boost his coordination to the point that he was able to shape the Rasengan with one hand as he held it with the other, it took some doing but he was able to pull it off.

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Trained Odama Rasengan (300/300)

Now that the larger version of the Ransengan, Ren was going to attempt a technique that only few others have tempted in the past, combining the power of Rasengan with the power of purple lightning. It was something that he had only seen done once in the past, but in retrospect one time is all he really needed thanks to the Sharingan. Focusing his Raiton chakra of the purple electricity technique into a spiraling sphere of purple raiton, that with the exception of the color and the crackling energy around it, it looked just like the rasengan. It would start small fitting in the palm of his hand just as it's parent technique, however once he released it sending it flying forward it would begin growing larger and larger to the point that by the time it reached a hundred meters in distance from Ren, it had grown to a size of fifty meters in diameter. Smiling as he watched the resulting explosion in the distance, from what he had learned about it, the technique maintained the quality of purple lightning that allowed it to generate storm clouds. An ability that Ren himself was particularly fond of as it gave him options for other techniques. It was a power unlike any other thing he had experienced before, even after firing it off he could still feel it as though it was in his hand, the residual energy of the technique resonating in his hand. Like with the Odama Rasengan, Ren was not going to leave one go at the technique and leave it at that, no he was going to try it out a few more times to really get a feel for it before he would move on to the next technique. Of course, he would likely have to take a break and go home to rest at the way he was burning through his chakra training these techniques. They were so powerful, yet they were also so costly to his chakra. If he could find a work around that, he would have it made but for the time being he would rest.

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Trained Hollow Purple (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Ren would let out a slow breath as he went back to work on training the techniques that he had come here to learn, there was still a list of things he needed to learn before he went on this mission and he was running out of time as the night went on. The technique that he chose to learn next, was less about dealing damage to the opponent and more about trying to make them lose their footing. Of course, considering where his mission was taking him, this technique worked in a unique way if his opponent was underground it would actually cause damage to the person. He knew about some of their techniques, but he doubted that he knew all that they had to offer their shinobi. Of course, there were various types of techniques that allow moving underground that the world knew about, but he was sure that there were bound to be at least a few that the village hidden in the stone had at their disposal. Of course, he would also think that the hidden leaf village would have more secret katon techs, considering the fact that that they were within the land of fire, or at the very least techniques that dealt with nature. The thought then would pop into his head about the Senju clan, though he couldn't learn those techniques even if he wanted to without some kind of help in the process. Ren would shake his head at the thought, he didn't need to think about such things, he needed to focus his mind on the techniques that he could actually learn. He would focus his mind on the technique meant to knock his opponent off their feet, clearing his mind as he took in a slow breath. Once he was ready, Ren would form the three hand seals that the technique required and caused a fierce tremor to overtake the land around him to the point that he almost lost his own footing, that was something that he was going to have to work on as he couldn't have his own technique cause him problems in an actual fight.

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Trained Grand Tremor (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Satisfied with the grand tremor technique, Ren would end the technique and move on to the next one that he had to learn. This one was slightly easier for him considering the fact that it was lightning, and in his time training he had learned to harness Raiton just as easily as his Katon, well almost as easily. It helped in the fact that he found the strange artifact on his last mission, they called it Nesaku's coil, and while they did not know what it was made of or where it had come from the village leader of Rain seemed to hold it in high regard when he handed it to Ren. Whatever the Ring was, it allowed him to manipulate his Raiton chakra almost as easily as his natural affinity to Katon, that was helpful considering he had just as much raiton techs as he did katon ones. Though now he was also growing his repertoire in Suiton and Doton, though he wasn't sure how to make it easier for him to use them, but he might figure out a way for that in the future. For now, Ren would take advantage of one of the techniques that Anzo had shown him, allowing him to fly up into the air. He knew that the building was meant to house techniques like this to prevent any unintentional damage to the village during the training process, still he felt better about aiming the technique at the ground rather than at the wall of the building. Once he was was high enough in the air, without hitting his head on the sealing, Ren would prepare the technique as he formed the rat hand seal before forming his hands into a triangle in front of his face aimed at the ground. Releasing a powerful blast of Raiton chakra as he activated Kikoho, Ren watched as the blast would destroy the ground he had been aiming at as well as good size area beyond that. Ren would smile to himself, it seemed he was developing all kinds of unique and powerful techniques.

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Trained Kikoho (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Seeing the destruction, Ren let out a sigh before using his Doton chakra to refill the missing earth by using the earth moving core technique to return it to its once pristine state. After that was done Ren would set up on the task of gathering up a bunch of dummies to practice with, mostly because of the fact that this next technique needed target in order to ensure that he was performing it correctly. Though it would be effective against a single opponent, it's real power stemmed from its ability to hit multiple opponents at least if they were in close proximity to each other that was of course. There was of course another stipulation in that in order to perform the way he wanted it relied on a heat source to attract it from target to target, if he had other people to test it on that would be no problem, but considering he only had dummies, he was going to have to improvise for this to work. Using a simple ember technique, that had little purpose outside of starting fires when out of the village on mission, Ren would start a small slow burning fire on each of the seven dummies before walking sixty meters away from the last one that he lit on fire. He was sure to place each dummy approximately sixty meters apart to ensure the maximum range of effect for this test. Once everything was set up and Ren was in place he would deftly form the four hand seals that made up the technique as he concentrated his Raiton chakra. Sparks began flying from his finger tips as he pointed his left hand at the first of the dummies, the one that was the closest to him. It just so happened that the small flames he had created on the dummies was working. After the lightning hit the first dummy, Ren would watch as it arc'd and sparked as it leapt to the next, and then the next, and so one and so forth before ending after hitting the sixth dummy. Ren was disappointed in the fact that it did not hit all seven dummies, but every jutsu had it's limit and six seemed to be this one's limit. That was more than fine with Ren, taking down six foes at once was better than none. He did notice the technique getting weaker with each arc to a new target, that was something he was going to have to keep in mind about it when he used it.

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Trained Chained Lightning (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

The next techniques he was planning on training would be much more situational than the others he had trained, but they were still worth learning as they would be helpful if the situation provided. This of course required him to find a place that held a large water source, luckily for Ren the grand Konoha training facility provided all. After beginning his search for the right room to train the techniques in, it did not take him long to find a room with a large water source within it the size of a pond. Ren felt confident that this pond would be large enough area to test the two techniques that he required it for, but of course there was only one way to truly tell and that was to attempt the techniques and see what happened. Using the supernatural walking practice skill, Ren would step out to the center of the pond so that he would have a wide range of water in all directions from him for this test. Considering the technique he was about to attempt, this was the best choice for the largest results in his opinion, though considering he had never attempted the technique before so he could not really be sure, he was mostly just guessing. Standing perfectly still on top of the calm water of the pond, Ren would begin slowly taking in deep breaths as he prepared himself for the use of the technique. Like all the others he had been attempting tonight this was a costly technique on his chakra reserves, but it was something that needed to be done. With one last deep breath, Ren would form the horse hand seal as he seeped his chakra into the water he was standing on. His chakra causing the water of the pond to churn and clash producing small waves at first but before too long it was as if he was standing in the middle of a storm at sea. The waves much larger crashing, if he had an opponent in the water with him they were sure to be swept away with the technique.

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Trained Crashing Waves (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

The crashing waves would subside as Ren ended his technique, and the rapid shifting of the water would let up giving way to the calm still water of the pond once more. A small smile would form on Ren's face as he began walking back to the shore of the pond, though it quickly faded to that of a frown. It would be so muchore effective if he had someone to test these techniques on, then he would be able to see the techniques true strength, but at the same time it was better for him to be testing these techniques for the first time alone. The main reason being that he did not want anyone to get hurt during the training, and considering he had lost control of a technique or two in the past, whose to say it would not happen again considering these are much stronger and wilder techniques than the ones before. There was of course another reason that he did not want others around, one that in Ren's eyes was just as important as the first. The lack of witnesses when he failed, as much as he did not want anyone to get hurt during training, he also did not wish for anyone to see him attempt a technique and fail to perform it. To become a joke or a punchline in a joke, was not something Ren was interested in doing. Reaching the shoreline, Ren would take some more deep breaths as he tried his best to clear his thoughts so that he could focus on the next technique. While it did require a large source of water like the last technique did, it would not be smart for him to stand on the water with this one. Where the last one mad the waves out around him and he had control over their movements, this one he did not. It was more dangerous for him to be in the water as it might suck him up with it. Forming the bear hand seal, Ren would release a giant whirlpool that had the entire pond churning as a result. Rapidly spinning water creating a vortex meant to pull anyone who was atop it to the bottom.

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Trained Grand Whirlpool (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Ren would allow the Whirlpool to continue for a few moments, losing himself in the spinning of the vortex before finally ending the technique. Taking a little time to relax before moving on to the next technique, Ren would take a seat underneath a small tree that was also in the training area he had chosen for these techniques. Like the previous two, this one was also a water technique, though it did not require a water source to pull off. Ren saw no need to change rooms just yet, as this room did not hinder any of the future techniques he had planned to train tonight. As he sat there he would contemplate other techniques, ways to manipulate his chakra. Tapping into the nature chakra and finding out what it could really do, it was all untested and for now it was unobtainable at least for the moment. After some rest, Ren would stand up and move away from the tree he had been sitting under. Normally he would not care if the tree got damaged in his training, considering the Senju that worked here could just regrow it tomorrow, however he rather liked the spot and might use it again to rest before the night was over. Ren would take in a deep breath before forming the Rat hand seal, as he exhaled the breath through his mouth, what came out was not air but water. This water would quickly form a massive drill looking shape as it began to spin rapidly, at ten meters wide the drill would shoot off across the pond Ren had been facing. As it reached its maximum distance of a hundred meters, the drill would splash down into the water of the pond. Ren thought to himself for a moment before deciding he needed to see how it did on impact with something. Quickly finding another tree, far away from his that he had been sitting under, Ren would form the rat hand seal once more as he took in a breath. Releasing the drill of water at the tree, Ren watched as it drilled straight through the tree as well as several more behind it, piercing through all that stood in its path.

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Trained Pressure Drill (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Ren would wipe his brow, surprised by how much that technique seemed to take out of him. It was then he realized that all of the techniques he had been training, not just tonight, but for the last long while, they had all been offensive or defensive techniques. It was all combat, which of course with the way the would seemed to be right now was likely a good thing. Ren however felt he needed more than just combat techniques, he needed more techniques for scouting and information gathering. It wasn't all just about the strongest attack or the best defense, sometimes all it came down to was just a little information. Knowledge could be just as powerful as the strongest technique, because with knowledge you could learn your opponent's weakness. Ren wasn't the brightest bulb in the drawer, but he understood the power that came with knowledge, which is why he had started to develop techniques with which he could use to increase his own knowledge. Well at least a few, the first one he developed he still had not tested though, so tonight might as well give it a try. What better time than when he is test all of his other techniques and ideas, and if he was right about his theory with this technique, it could likely double his passive sensory range. Sure he had techs like rain tiger at will that gave him a wider brush with which to sense with so to speak, it was not the same as the sensing technique itself. All it requires is the creation of a unique clone, this clone would be able to relay information to him faster than a normal clone on the premise that he would be mentally connected to the clone, whereas with normal shadow clones he would not get the information from them until they dispersed. That wasn't it either, because he stayed connected with them, they would be able to link up their sensory technique, use them together and increase the overall range of them, at least that was the theory.

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Trained Sensory Clone (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Despite Ren wishing to think about non combative tactics, that could serve him both on and off the battlefield, his brain had other ideas in mind. Not long after finishing his thoughts on the Sensory clone theory, his thoughts would shift to that of Raikiri and a way for a more dangerous and deadly attack. His idea was simple, take the Raikiri and wield two of them at the same time. There would be no need for hand seals, he had learned enough from manipulation of purple lightning to know how to manipulate the Raiton chakra without so many hand seals now, though of course it took a little bit for them both to charge up. About half a second, though he felt confident that he could lower that charge time with enough practice. As he moved both of his arms down to his sides lightning would begin to crackle around both hands as he charged the technique. Though he viewed it as one technique, it was effective two. That being due to the fact that both his hands now held a Raikiri within them, he could strike two opponents at once or one opponent twice, dealing the full damage of a normal Raikiri each. Of course it was just as costly on his chakra as it would be to cast the technique two time in a row, this cut down the wait time on it so to speak. As he listened to the crackling of lightning around him and thinking about how closely it sounded to the chirping of birds like the Chidori did, a large boulder would come into his view followed quickly by a smile crossing his face. The perfect target for his technique, in his mind anyways, at least perfect as it could be short of an actual person for him to use it against. Ren would dash forward towards the boulder at full speed, raising his arms slightly just before he got close. Leaping into the air as the lightning on his hands trailed behind him, Ren would launch both hands forward as he began his descent onto the boulder. As contact was made the twin Raikiris would tear the boulder apart reducing it to a pill of rubble.

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Trained Raikiri: Unmei no Ketto (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

Ren stood on the pile of rubble, nearly out of breath. The last technique had been intense, of course no more so than any of the others he had been training. It was then that Ren realized he had not practiced much with the Doton element tonight, it wasn't surprising considering the fact that he just recently learned of his connection to the element. Still, beyond training his grand tremor, he had not practiced any beyond the basics he had already picked up. So, shaking out his hands to rid himself of the residual numbness that his hands had undergone from the lightning cutter technique, Ren would move to a more open area. There was one more technique he was going to learn before taking his rest, it was a powerful technique, and if used properly he could catch his opponent unaware and the literally pull the carpet out from under them, or rather pull the ground out from under them. Fissure was not a technique that should be taken lightly, it was dangerous if used improperly considering the fact that one could be swallowed by their own technique if they used it too close to themselves. Ren would take in slow deep breaths to slow his racing heart, he needed his mind calm and focused for this technique, he could not afford any distraction or mistakes. With one last long breath, Ren would quickly form the string of seven hand seals that was associated with the Fissure technique, watching as a large rift would form in the ground in front of him. Though it was only a ten meter wide scar in the earth, the scar was a hundred meters long as well as one hundred meters deep, it would be an unfortunate fall for those that were caught in this technique.

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Trained Earth Release: Fissure (S-Rank Canon) (300/300)

Ren would leave the fissure open, just a giant scar across the training field, at least for now. If he remembered about it, he might close it before he left, of course if he did forget it the attendants would see that it was repaired before someone got this room for training again. Ren was more annoyed with himself for having thought he was done training Suiton techniques that required a water source, the reason for this annoyance came from the fact that as the fissure opened he remembered the technique he had been shown by the villager of the hidden rain. It was a more enhanced of one he was already all too familiar with, the thousand flying water needles of death. The reason it required a water source was due to the fact that rather than just making Senbon sized needles to poke the opponent this one made two meter long javelins of water, hundreds of them to skewer the opponent. Of course in the land of rain, they never really had to worry about a water source with it raining all the time so this technique was of high use there, almost every that knew how to manipulate Suiton chakra learned to wield this technique, it was like the technique was a rite of passage for the Shinobi of the village or something. Still Ren would move back to the small pond, he had not gone far from it to begin with. He had mostly been concerned about damaging the tree he had been resting under throughout this process of training. With this technique though he needed the water from the pond, he would just have to try his best not to destroy the tree in the process of this technique. Ren would stand directly on the edge of the pond looking out over the calm still water of it, inhaling a slow breath he would form a string of three hand seals as he molded his chakra into the water and created the large spears of water in the air above the pond before sending them all hurling towards the center of the pond.

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Trained Water Release: Grand Thousand Flying Needles Impalement (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

As Ren watched the javelin sized needles of water impact the center of the pond all at once with a rather loud splash, Ren would chuckle slightly to himself. He could not wait for the chance to actually be able to pull that off in real combat against someone, it was sure to be interesting. Now with that done, he would move on to the other water technique the villagers of rain had shown him, the Whirlpool Tornado. According to the villagers you didn't even need a water source to create it, Ren wasn't quite sure how they would know that or not considering how they were constantly surrounded by water and so would probably not even notice if they did need a water source or not because the rain provided them with all the water they would ever really need for jutsu. Still, Ren would form the three hand seals for the technique as he concentrated his chakra, and very quickly he was surrounded by a raging whirlpool. He remained on the ground in the center of the whirlpool, the water rising quickly to twenty meters in height, but with how the technique was design he wouldn't be underwater. It was like he was standing in the center of a column of water, it was a perfect all around defense, well almost perfect. Nothing was truly perfect and Ren knew that somewhere out there, there was likely someone who had a technique that could punch through the whirlpool or something to that effect. Of course, defense was not the only thing the technique was for either, it could even be used as a way to attack an opponent, well that is if they got close enough. Just as he had seen the Shinobi in the hidden rain village do, Ren would exert his will over the water and then watch as it expanded the radius of it by twenty meters. A good way to attack as well as push the enemy back, he didn't like it when people got too close to him, he preferred they kept their distance, and if they didn't well now he could help with that.

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Trained: Water Release: Whirlpool Tornado (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

As Ren ended the whirlpool tornado, he felt as though he was lacking. All these techniques were great in all but they lacked the finality of it all. Though that might not even be the right word for it, it was the word that came to his mind first. He had only been training his normal techniques, nothing so far that held the new power he had obtained. Sure, he had experimented with the Senjutsu enhancement of his normal techniques before, but he had also been working on something new, something that would really put the fire in someone. Ren would let out a loud chuckle at his own inner joke about the fire, before shaking his head and inhaling a breath as he entered his sage mode. The power of the sage of the six paths flowed through him as he opened his eyes, only slightly changed from how he once was. His skin slightly paler, and small horns would protrude on the top of his head. Looking at his reflection in the water, Ren wasn't too disappointed in his appearance overall. This was the first time he had seen himself in sage mode, and he thought based on how others seemed to change when they entered sage mode he assumed he would too, but he had too say he still looked good. After a few poses as he watched his reflection in the still water of the pond, Ren would get back to work. Finding himself a good spot with a target not far off from him Ren would turn to face the target, forming the Tiger hand seal a ball of Katon would appear at the tips of his fingers. While still holding the tiger hand seal, Ren would point his fingers at the target as he released the small ball of fire. The dummy he aimed at never stood a chance, exploding in a burst of fire as soon as the fire ball made contact. Of course, with an actual human target, the results would be different, the dummy burned because of the straw that made it, but this technique could eat through flesh as well.

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Trained Sage Art: Purifyre (S-Rank Custom) (350/350)

While still under the boosting effects of his Sage mode, there was another technique that Ren was going to attempt. Unfortunately, on his own he wasn't fast enough to use it, but with the increased speed of his sage mode, he was more than fast enough for it. He would have to work on his speed though, he hated the fact of not being able to use the technique unless he was in sage mode as it wasn't like with his purifyre technique where he needed the use of sage chakra, it was just a simple technique that allowed him to use his chakra to make temporary images of himself as he moved and then by moving between the images he could make them appear corporal at least for a time. Of course, it wouldn't be that effective against others of the Sharingan or even the Byakugan, but against an average shinobi it could be helpful and give him the edge that he needs in the fight. Ren would take off at a run as he quickly formed the three hand seals that were associated with the technique, the way he darted around making several copies of himself before ending the technique pleased with himself.

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Trained Afterimage Clone (B-Rank Canon) (No WC)

Ren would drop out of Sage Mode, not wishing to use up too much energy from it all at once. There was still more to be trained after all, and he needed to ensure he had the energy for all of it. Returning his focus now to training more on the Doton element, Ren would attempt to make himself a shadow clone. He had only seen this technique done once in class at the academy, before he had fully developed his sharingan and just copy it, so he had to hope that he remembered how it was that the instructor did it. There were so many different types of shadow clones out there, and he was aiming to learn them all. The basic shadow clone was just a doorway into a plethora of techniques that Ren wished to learn about, and the Mud Shadow clone was but one that he has learned, but it seemed like it would be the most resourceful considering the fact that it operated slightly different than the other clones did. The ability to reform after its destruction, would make it extremely useful, and could even offer an opportunity for a surprise attack against an enemy. It's limitation to only doton elements was of course a downside to it all, but it was not enough of a downside for it to render the technique useless, it would be more then efficient to serve its purpose that he would need it for and thats really all he needed.

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Trained Earth Release: Mud Shadow Clone (A-Rank Canon) (No WC)

After the mud clone there was another that he aimed to learn, though this one was more of a specialized type clone similar to the sensory clone. Unlike most of the clones, this one would only use a small amount of his chakra instead of taking an equal portion of what he had. It would be used to attempt to catch the target unaware, and to get them in close proximity. Without the use of chakra, like the other clones had, this one was for one purpose. Causing a large explosion in its wake in an attempt to catch the target in the blast. It was very conditional consider if the opponent attacked it at a range, then it could explode before it got close enough to them, but it was something that would be perfect against those that liked to fight at close range like he had seen from Raika. Ren would form the clone seal once more, creating yet another copy of himself and sending it forth towards the mud clone that he had previously created. Looking for the chance to test both of the clones' abilities at the same time, as the new clone would get closer and closer to the mud clone, the anticipation of what was about to happen made Ren feel as though he would explode himself. Upon contact the explosive clone would erupt destroying the mud clone with ease, but that was not the end of the mud clone, as it would reform itself into Ren's image once more.

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Trained Clone Great Explosion (A-Rank Canon) (No WC)

Ren would grab the Salamander contract once more and look over it for a few minutes, there were still more salamander that he had left to learn about. Ibuse had been most informative on his children as he called them, even if he wasn't their actual father, as King he claimed all Salamanders as his children. From his stories, Ren was able to gather that Akemi would likely be the most beneficial to him. in the respect that due to her size as well as her abilities, she could easily hide within his Kisode and heal him if he was ever in need of it in battle. The other Salamanders where large and meant for fighting, but Akemi due to her size as well as what Ibuse called her soft heart was never one for the battle field and instead chose to treat the wounded. Considering the fact that Ren's mission were often solo and he had no way of treating himself, Akemi being able to be called and heal him would be a benefit that he couldn't ignore. Forming the summoning technique, Ren would call forth Akemi, a small glowing pink Salamander. He would take some time introducing himself and explaining how he was now the holder of the contract, unlike Ibuse it took less convincing as it seemed she was smarter than the King and knew that only the contract owner could summon them. This made things go a lot smoother, as he didn't have to repeat himself as much, and pretty easily got Akemi to agree not only to fight on his side but to help him convince the other salamanders as well.

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Trained Akemi (A-Rank Custom Salamander Summon) (No WC)

With Akemi perched upon his shoulder, Ren would move to summon another Salamander. This one much larger than Akemi, which the small salamander said that Ren would be capable of riding her rather than how the two of them are now. Still, Akemi was highly respected in her tribe due to her intelligence as well as healing capabilities, so even the largest of them would heed her words which was why Ren kept her out, in case this new one needed convincing. From what he read Sanshouo could be the most dangerous simply due to her volatile and unpredictable nature, she was a wild card that would only listen to the master if she found him worthy. Of course, what she defines as worthy changes like the whether according to Akemi, so it would be anyone's guess. Still it was better to test it out here and now and get a read on the situation first, find out if he would be able to use the salamander in a fight or not. If Sanshouo seems him worthy now, then according to Akemi it would last for eternity. So all he had to do was earn it's trust, if not then he would never summon her again because she would be just as likely to attack him instead. Finding Sanshouo's name on the contract Ren would form the summoning technique and call forth Sanshouo. The large yellow and black salamander was only mildly intimidating for a moment until with Akemi's help Ren was able to explain everything and get Sanshouo to agree to help him should he ever call upon her.

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Trained Sanshouo (B-Rank Custom Salamander Summon) (No WC)

After some time speaking with Sanshouo, Ren would dismiss both her and Akemi back to their realm while he went back to training. He was tempted to summon one of his dragons, just to see how the salamanders would react to them, but ultimately decided against it for the time being. He would practice his dragon summons but not just yet, there were still a few techniques of his own that he wanted to get out of the way as well. One in particular that he thought would come in handy in a fight against another Doton user like they were sure to find on the mission to Iwa. It was a unique type of Doton Technique that would lace the area with his chakra, making it easier for him to use Doton Techniques however costing other more chakra as his chakra provided resistance to them making it harder for them to mold the earth the way they wanted. If they got into it with Shinobi over there it could very likely come in handy, of course assuming that all Shinobi over there had Doton elemental nature or even only that element was ignorant. He had mastered four of the five basic elements, it was possible that there were those from Iwa that have done so as well or even more, not to mention those of the unique clans that Iwa possesses. Still, Ren would focus his mind as he formed the hand seals, his chakra spreading out and forming a barrier of compresses earth in a radius around him.

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Trained Earth Release: Iron Prison (A-Rank Canon) (No WC)

Releasing the technique, Ren would contemplate on his next move. There were so many options for things he had yet to try, it was hard to pick them one at at time. He decided he would start with the dragon summons, there were more than a few of them and he knew all of them would be helpful in his future, he just hoped that gaining their support was as easy as gaining the Salamanders. Ren formed the hand seals for the summoning technique, but just before he touch the ground to summon one of the dragons, there was a hint of hesitation and doubt about him. When the smoke cleared from the summon appearing, rather than a gargantuan dragon standing before him he was met with the sight of a small green lizard looking creature. Had it not been for the creatures winged arms he would have thought it a normal lizard, speaking with it he learned that it's name was Ulraos, a Pseudo Dragon that served as a messenger of sorts.

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Trained Ulraos (D-Rank Custom Dragon Summon) (No WC)

Ren and Ulraos would talk for what felt like hours, the little dragon explaining everything there was that Ren would need to know about the different dragons of the Watahshi Wasteland. With his newly found information, Ren would no longer summon blindly, instead he would be able to focus his energy towards calling forth the correct dragon needed for the situation. It was a blessing in disguise really if he thought about it, had he not hesitated in the first summon he might not have met Ulraos, and then he would be just blindly summoning hoping that he could earn the dragon's trust after the fact. Now however, he knew the dragons and what they wanted so he just needed to provide it. First he would attempt to call forth Ulraos brothers and sisters, though unlike him they stuck to the pack. This could be a hindrance or another blessing, while Ulraos did not look like much on his own, Ren imagined several of them swarming someone could be quite the hand full. Either way he wouldn't know until he summoned them, and so without waiting any longer Ren would form the summoning technique again for the purpose of summoning the Horde.

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Trained Dragon Horde (C-Rank Custom Dragon Summon) ( No WC)

After dismissing the Horde without attempting to talk to them, Ren would turn his attention to the summoning of larger dragons. He felt that the Horde would listen as long as they had a target, but the larger dragons might be more difficult. Based on what Ulraos had told him most of the dragons were children of C the mighty dragon that was the King. C and his wife Raava that is, there were some that did not come from the legendary duo, as Ulraos described them as, but most of them did and those were among the strongest of them all. Of course, every brood batch was bound to have a bad egg or two in them and according to Ulraos, Curdir was one of them. Of course by bad he meant weak, though Curdir was still stronger than Ulraos so he wouldn't admit it to her face, but he also said that all of the dragons seemed to dislike her due to her sickly nature and weak appearance. Ren considered not worrying about Curdir, as he didn't need weakness in a fight, but ultimately decided that if he was going to earn the dragon's trust it was better to start at the bottom.

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Trained Curdir (C-Rank Custom Dragon Summon) (No WC)

After Curdir, the summoning of Tuseoth, Isu, and even Myrddin, were all a breeze. Like Curdir each of her older siblings would swear allegiance to Ren, none of them really putting up a fight against it, they were all more than willing to fight by his side. This of course was more than pleasing to hear for the young Uchiha, with them as well as Meviarot and C, he was slowly growing a large draconic empire. There was another name that interested Ren, the Dragon Raava, but when he mentioned her, Ulraos coward underneath some nearby shrubs. The small pseudo dragon would say something about if he summoned her he did so at his own risk or something before puffing away. Ren really didn't pay attention, he didn't need the small dragon's help, he was more than capable of taking this dragon just as he had all the others up to this point. Just because she was considered one of the bosses of the dragons didn't scare him, C was already terrifying, but Raava was described as smart, smarter than Isu. So, Ren could only assume that a wise dragon would be easier to convince than C was, though due to the agreement he had to make with C he would only call upon the dragon as a last resort. He had to hope that this Raava, would not require such a deal for her to agree to fight with him, as her ability with Fuuinjutsu would help him immensely. He had to rest before summoning Raava, his non-stop training was beginning to wear him down, but he was far from done and would keep pushing himself with everything he could to continue to grow stronger and stronger. After an hour of resting and getting his strength back up Ren was ready to call upon the mother of dragons, the white dragon that held only one equal, her husband the black dragon C. There were those that would advise against such a summon, but Ren would have told them to buzz off either way. Slamming his palm to the ground, Ren would call forth Raava. Her beautiful white scales shimmering in the light, Ren didn't know why Ulraos acted so scared of her, she was much more pleasant than C had been and easily enough agreed to help Ren in his endeavors.

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Trained B-Rank Custom Dragon Summon (Tuseoth) (No WC)
Trained A-Rank Custom Dragon Summon (Isu) (No WC)
Trained A-Rank Custom Dragon Summon (Myrddin) (No WC)
Trained S-Rank Custom Dragon Summon (Raava) (350/350)