Back to Basics 2: Electric Boogaloo

Today’s training consisted of mokuton techniques that Tōri hadn’t practiced in far too long, starting with the simplest of techniques and then ramping up real hard to some advanced techniques he had only tried a couple times before. This one was simple, no hand seals required, just formed small tools like a key from its own body, producing a wooden shield from his arm and plucking it off to test its durability. Smashing against a tree he was satisfied with it and reabsorbed the materials back into himself to not leave debris about to be cleaned up by someone later. He always found it so annoying when he’d go to the training grounds only to find them a mess of earth and blackened targets left smoldering or sometimes even on fire still. Seriously, the training grounds etiquette was getting worse and worse these days. Damn kids.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Hand Tool Manipulation (D-Rank) | 146 / 100 WC

The member 'Tōri' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Bunny Arrival' :

Similarly basic this next one was helpful for placing restrained targets, though anyone with truly monstrous strength could break free. Still, it was a useful technique to be certain, the single hand seal required was formed and the wooden stocks rose from the earth and took shape before ending the technique and walking around the new creation to inspect his work. It seemed to be well formed and durable, he grabbed it and shook it around as best he could with it holding up just fine. Not that he was any paragon of strength in any regard, but it wasn’t so flimsy as to be knocked over by the meager muscle he was able to rattle it with. Laughing to himself at the pathetic display he put on he realized he really needed to come up with some sort of doton technique that could augment his strength. It had always been a point of weakness that he’d made up with ninjutsu and his deep chakra reserves.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Stocks (D-Rank) | 166 / 100 WC

Quite a useful technique, this transformation variation allows for the physical creation of the transformed shape that allows for, at times, a more accurate representation of the changed appearance. Focusing his chakra he weaved through the three hand seals tendrils of wood wrapped themselves around him as he poofed into the visage of his mother, running around with an increased height felt weird. Releasing the technique his height returned to normal after shedding his wooden cocoon, glad to have remembered such a vital technique. This was certain to be of use on missions where discretion was of the utmost importance. It was such an incredibly advanced application of such a simple technique that he couldn’t believe he hadn’t trained it before, most of the techniques he was exercising were ones he’d learned years ago and hadn’t really come back to. This one astoundingly slipped through the cracks in his youth, there were many missions where it could have been put to terrific use.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Transformation (D-Rank) | 163 / 100 WC

The ability to tie up an opponent without the need for materials was an invaluable one, this technique would allow for the restraint of a subdued target as well as motivation to not struggle with spikes pointing inwards towards the point of resistance. Releasing his chakra he formed the ring of wood around himself, complete with its thorned edges that pricked him and urged compliance with the threat of prickly harm. Satisfied with the technique he released it and tore the now lifeless and dry branch from his torso. Thankful that he wouldn’t be on the receiving end of this technique he prepared himself for the final simple technique before getting into the heavier stuff. It was good that Tōri finally saw himself fit to get into the swing of practicing these long neglected techniques. It was unbecoming of a jōnin such as he was, ensuring to himself that he would never let himself go like this again.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Wood Spikes Ring (D-Rank) | 158 / 100 WC

The last simple technique on his list for the day was one that had always fascinated him, in fact it had so fascinated him that he was curious how much of the village’s buildings were composed from use of the technique. Forming the five seals Tōri sent his chakra through the ground and up rose a wooden house, complete with a door and windows. Moving forward he pulled open the door, which slid effortlessly on its newly formed grooves. Stepping inside Tōri looked at his father’s childhood bedroom as described to his mother and then to him. He always wondered what details he was missing or had gotten wrong, so in his head he’d narrated his own envisioning, making alterations throughout the years to its blueprint in his mind. Occasionally he would erect a new version, just as he had today, with new additions that went largely unnoticed unless one was looking for them.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique (C-Rank) | 154 / 150 WC

Perhaps one of the most important of the techniques in a senju clan shinobi’s arsenal; one capable of defending against the terrible might of the biju with marked success. Thankfully requiring no hand seals Tōri simply poured a great deal of chakra into the earth that nigh instantly formed a protective mask over him, forming from two halves on either side that slammed together violently before the seam down the middle vanished and the two pieces became one. Glad that he was able to get the speed down he only could hope that the durability was up to snuff to defend against something as mighty as a biju and their wrath. Not exactly something I can test out in the training grounds, is it? While there was no way to know, he would just have to have confidence in himself and his own power that the technique was delivered as promised by the archives in the senju clan district he had written today’s training session from. Next were some more helpful techniques for combat that he would surely see in his future. While the leaf had remained relatively unmarred in the many conflicts of this age this was a peace that could not be sustainable and was bound to break eventually. We must make sure the roots are deep enough that not all is upended. Gritting his teeth he released the hōbi technique as the two pieces split once more and retreated back into the earth. Next were some techniques too that utilized growing new trees as offensive and defensive capabilities which he was excited to be reintroduced to.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Hōbi Technique (A-Rank) | 269 / 250 WC

As with many a doton technique this next one was a terrific defensive barrier consisting of intertwining trees that made up an impressive front while also emerging with a speedy haste. Forming the three hand seals required a multitude of trees to rise in the open field of the training facility he found himself in, glad that he had the space to himself to practice the far-reaching technique. With terrific speed the wall formed, while it was susceptible to particulate like poisons passing through its woven surface it would be effective in stopping ninjutsu and at least impeding any sort of natural flood or disaster. Climbing up the tall trees Tōri made to see how difficult it would be to try and physically pass over the wall. It proved a difficult task, the tree weren’t grown like normal with branches stretching out horizontally but instead their branches intertwined with one another and pointed upward. Finally grasping a hold he began the slow ascent until he finally reached the peak before leaping over. It was quite the annoying task, glad that the formation of the trees and their branches made for a formidable obstacle for your average shinobi to get over or deal with. The next three were more offensive, getting progressively more aggressive until the day was ended by a brutal and lethal technique that would fit his arsenal nicely. A formidable part of the mokuton element was the ability to create tools from chakra alone, allowing for more sparsely equipped and thus faster, in theory at least.

Trained:
- Wood Release: World of Trees Wall (A-Rank) | 258 / 250 WC

Returning to the hair techniques he had played with so long ago Tōri's hands flew through the three seals required to enact the parent technique. Once his hair had grown tremendously the appendage then sprinkled even further with a series of needles that covered its surface as they prepared to fire out. It was difficult to aim all of the needles in the same direction, how they were first formed was simply released all around the area including around himself and that was no good. Carefully pivoting the individual spikes towards a shared trajectory he fired them off in a line down the targets, nailed them all with clusters in the chest with scattered shots below the belt and in the neck and head. A successful volley to be sure, the speed of the technique impressed him but he knew he could strive to make it faster on his own, something he had become increasingly interested in and really needed to stop procrastinating on and actually do something about it. After that strange tirade we need not linger on, Tōri released the hair technique as his hair returned to normal and the spikes unsharpened their threatening edges. Ready for a bit more before calling it a day he drew a big breath in and pressed on forward.

Trained:
- Needle Hell (B-Rank) | 217 / 200 WC

For some reason the techniques that utilized fully realized trees grown from nothing was always a marvel to the jōnin, this next technique made use of rapidly growing trees to ensnare its victim with its sprouting limbs. With just two short hand seals the growth of trees sprouted just beneath one of the poor target practice dummies, their intensive use almost done for the day. Though I can promise to keep easy on you poor lot in the days to come. Letting out a small chuckle at his thoughts surrounding these inanimate objects he’d instilled a strange sense of character to. The grouping of trees exploded around the dummy, wrapping it up in its branches so much that it was pulled from its anchored position in the ground until the bottom of its long pole was revealed as it was carried into the tree with the now high branches. Realizing it must be such a pain to get rid of all these trees he quickly halted the tree growth before it got too truly huge. No need to make things excessively hard to clean up after myself. Releasing the technique entirely he jumped up into the tree branches and located the target practice dummy. It was lodged high in the tree, the first branches wrapped intricately around it. Taking out a kunai he sliced through a thin branch that held it all together, the dummy falling back down to the training yard to be placed back in its home. Wanting to do his part with the clean up he took the dummy back to its spot and slammed it back into its hole as best he could, unable to fit it back in perfectly but well enough for target practice.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees (A-Rank) | 290 / 250 WC

Just when he’d thought he’d slain all there was to know about hair jutsu there was this final glimmering, nay, shining ray of hope to complete the known techniques that dealt with hair growth and chakra shenanigans to weaponize one's hair. This one was another off-shoot form the Lion’s Mane, once more forming those familiar three hand seals as his hair grew and readed itself for the next step. One additional hand seal was required to enact this technique, chakra releasing from his system and creating a defensive layer of needles around the hair that wrapped itself harmlessly to him around his body. It was actually quite comfortable, it felt like he had some sort of inner padding that was incredibly warm. This was something he could get used to. Not wanting to get cozy and nod off or anything he quickly undid it and collapsed to his knees as he panted. Today had been a taxing one, he hadn’t expected to push himself this far with what he’d planned. Nevertheless he knew he had to be hitting the road and getting rest, he might even need the day to recuperate fully and be really for any outing let alone more bloody training.

- Needle Cloak (B-Rank) | 203 / 200 WC

This next technique was a particularly impressive variation of the shadow clone; the wood clone. A terrific ability they allowed for was the instant telepathic communication between the user and wood clones, as well as an extended range they made for perfect additions to scouting missions. Sure he would get terrific use out of this technique he wove through the extra seals required to form the advanced clone. It rose from the ground as a shapeless piece of wood that morphed into his shape before it lost its grainy texture and completed the mirror image of himself. It was certainly true that they were able to share their thoughts immediately, this would certainly be useful with having multiple clones out as it essentially gave him additional eyes and ears to be in constant communication with.

He wanted to test the range and really see if the clone could so instantly communicate with him if it was far away. The clone took off running, making as much distance between the two before the hold on the technique became too tenuous. It went out to about a kilometer before the connection became loose, though he was still able to communicate with the clone just as easily as he had when it was right next to him. Having the clone run back he was sure he’d be able to make use of them in his continued training, there was certainly to be some use for them at this juncture. The clone finally made his way back, catching his breath from all the running before giving a thumbs up.

Trained:
- Wood Clone Technique (A-Rank) | 265 / 250 WC

A terrific move to use with the enemy slipped into close quarters, this technique was explosively powerful with the lethal speed at which the branches grow they are capable of piercing through flesh if approached without caution. Wanting to ensure that there was no one else around he found a training field that was completely empty, forming a clone to practice the move with. Having the doppelganger move several feet away the clone ran back at him, the original frantically weaving the four hand seals in an attempt to unleash the technique before the clone could hit him. The clone’s fist mere inches from Tōri's chest, he formed the final seal causing a growth of tree to erupt from his arm with the branches growing into and around the clone to take them out. They didn’t last a moment as they poofed back into a cloud of smoke that dissipated in the empty yard.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Great Forest Technique (C-Rank) | 154 / 150 WC

Now was time to prepare for truly storied battles against jinchūriki or bijū with this next technique that was designed to be used against such foes. Thankfully this technique would be useful with helping any fledgling jinchūriki the leaf might create. While these events were nothing he sought out it was better to be prepared then caught unawares when such situations arose. Requiring no hand seal but to simply write the number of seals on the user’s hand before controlling specifically designed wooden creations to pacify bijū chakra. He’d always heard that mokuton had unique properties that helped against such beings of legend, glad once more to be a part of his historic lineage. Moulding his chaka he inscribed a seven on his hand as he recalled the terrible bug’s chakra that could be felt as the bijū ravaged his village. Wooden protrusions burst from the ground and latched to the target dummies he found himself in front of , spikes stabbing into the dummies without hesitation. Obviously he didn’t have any bijū chakra on hand to practice with so this would have to be done until he practiced on the real thing. Shuddering at the thought he hoped it would be with an ally rather than foe.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Foo Dog Heads (B-Rank) | 207 / 200 WC

Getting into a simpler move next, this was a simplified version of the house technique that formed a small wooden prison that can form fairly rapidly. After forming the four seals Tōri's chakra shot underground and rose from beneath wooden bars that began to form a box. While costly to make it was just as sturdy, able to put up with quite the beating before finally relenting. To test this he formed a wood clone inside the prison once it was fully formed and had them try to break free. Obviously Tōri wasn’t a good test for breaking out with physical strength, but still the sturdiness of the bars could be felt with putting all of his weight into trying to get them to budge at all. Satisfied that it was formed properly he released the clone and prison together, all slinking back into the earth to ensure there wasn’t a whole mess to clean up in the training grounds once he’d left.

Trained:
- Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison (C-Rank) | 163 / 150 WC

Lastly, he wanted to finally grasp this advanced form of this shadow clone that took form using his raiton chakra. He’d seen it used in the training grounds before and thought it looked the coolest thing as well as being incredibly useful in combat. It was an incredibly useful clone for a decoy to be tricked into coming into contact with a target, allowing for easy set up with its even composition to its maker. Forming the classic hand seal a poof of smoke appeared next to him as his raiton clone completed its duplicate appearance. Having the clone run off towards one of the many target practice dummies in the area its raiton make up splashed into the target dummy as it transformed into its electric content and zapped the poor little dummy. Smoke rising from the target he was satisfied with its potency and output, it surely would have fried an enemy combatant who wasn’t freakishly resilient to damage or raiton techniques. As opposite to his other elements as raiton was, it always held a special place in his heart. Having a close connection with Suiton to his late father with Doton and Mokuton always feeling close to his mother. Raiton always felt like his own, something neither parent possessed and helped to set him apart from the twin heritage that so defined him most of his life. It had been this act of self discovery in his chunnin years that helped spark the drive that got him to where he was today.


Trained:
- Lightning Release: Lightning Shadow Clone(A-Rank) | 255 / 250 WC