Back to Basics

Lounging in the dappled sunlight of the training grounds, Natsuki let out a yawn. The forest around him was peaceful, but he had a nagging thought that never bothered him before. Maybe I should do something productive... The thought barely crossed his mind before they moved to Tōri and his "other" student- mostly, how he didn't want to embarrass himself.

Shrugging to himself, he decided it was as good a time as any to brush up on the basics he kind of neglected in the academy. He got to his feet and removed his hanoi, placing it in front of him as he focused his chakra. Natsuki attempted to blend into his surroundings, the fabric in front blurring slightly as he nearly disappeared from view. He pulled it to the side and looked at the tree-like material. "Not perfect, but it's a start."

[Learned Jutsu]
Cloak of Invisibility - E rank - 1 CP - 143/50 words

49/50 CP

The member 'Natsuki Uchiha' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Bunny Arrival' :

After managing a passable invisibility trick, Natsuki’s attention shifted. Clones next, I suppose?? He hadn’t tried the Clone Technique in ages. Putting his haori back on, he wove a few seals and concentrated, chakra swirling as he aimed to create a copy of himself. With a poof, two versions of him appeared beside him. They soon dissipated, wafting into the breeze. Finding a use for that one should be interesting.

Clone Technique - E rank - 1 CP - 70/50 words

48/50 CP

The member 'Natsuki Uchiha' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Bunny Arrival' :

Next up, the Rope Escape Technique. Natsuki frowned at a length of rope he’d brought along. I didn't think this through... Instead, he looked up to the nearby trees and their vines that hanged low. Without much hesistation, he ran up and jumped into the mess of tangle. Within moments, he was enwrapped. Concentrating on slipping free, he manipulated his chakra to ease his escape. Soon after, the vines loosened and he dropped to the ground. Easier than I thought. A small smirk tugged at his lips.

[Learned Jutsu]
Rope Escape Technique - E rank - 1 CP - 70/50 words

47/50 CP

The member 'Natsuki Uchiha' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Bunny Arrival' :

With the afternoon sun warming his back, Natsuki contemplated the next jutsu, the Transformation Technique. Turn into someone else, or something... Focusing, he envisioned the form of a badger, a creature he’d always found fascinating. The change was brief, his appearance flickering before settling back to his usual self. Well, that was... something. He chuckled with slight amusement.

[Learned Jutsu]
Transformation Technique - E rank - 1 CP - 58/50 words

46/50 CP

Feeling somewhat accomplished, Natsuki leaned against a tree, pondering his next move. Clone technique came to mind, it was so simple. He thought that, with a little extra effort, a more nuanced clone technique that prove useful.

He took a deep breath, focusing deeply, channeling his chakra into creating not one, but many clones. The clones that formed was no more substantial than his earlier attempt, capable of moving and mimicking his actions, though it lacked solidity. Now that’s more like it. Natsuki observed, a sense of pride filling him as he watched the clone mimic his movements. Tōri and the other one better be ready; I’m not just lazing around anymore. A determined glint appeared in his eyes, the training session igniting a spark of anticipation for the challenges ahead.

[Learned Jutsu]
Haze Clone Technique - D rank - 3 CP - 131/100 words

After a morning of "intense" training, Natsuki's stomach growled, reminding him of more mundane needs. He reached for his sealing scroll, infusing it with the requisite chakra to unseal his lunch. A simple rice ball appeared in his hand. Rice... again. Wish I could afford some Okonomi-Yum right about now... Despite his disappointment, he took a bite, the blandness a stark contrast to the flavorful okonomiyaki he craved.

[Learned Jutsu]
Unsealing Technique - E rank - 1 CP - 68/50 words

42/50 CP

Natsuki sat and "enjoyed" his lunch. His brief respite, however, was interrupted by the sound of voices piercing the serene ambiance of the forest. He barely had a moment to register the incoming group of shinobi, their laughter and chatter echoing through the trees, before he had to act. Bah, cmon, not now! With a twinge of annoyance flickering within, he quickly formed the tiger seal and melded his body into the shadows. Hidden in plain sight, he watched as the group passed, their steps and voices gradually fading. From his concealed vantage point, Natsuki couldn't help but think on the nature of this technique. Despite its versatility, the young Uchiha yearned for the earth that he was really in. The moment also afforded him a rare, uninterrupted observation of his peers, their dynamics and camaraderie a stark contrast to his own solitude. As the sounds of their departure dwindled, Natsuki emerged from the shadows, a solitary figure in the dappled light, contemplating the silent paths he preferred to tread. Still, that would soon change, he thought, with his new relationships with Tori and Sera.

[Learned Jutsu]
Hiding in Shadows Technique - C rank - 5 CP - 185/150 words

42/50 CP

Feeling slightly more on edge after his encounter- or, rather, the avoidance of one- Natsuki eyed the steep hill before him. Memories of a less-than-graceful descent on his previous attempt using the Earth Flow River technique prompted a determination for improvement. With a deep breath, he wove the seals once more but, this time, added the snake seal to the end of the sequence. Aiming to extend the range and ensure a smoother ride down, he forced more chakra into this technique than was required.

The earth beneath him responded with eager compliance, transforming into a rapid stream of mud that surged forward. That's more like- "Whoa!" The excitement quickly turned to alarm as the enhanced speed caught him off guard. His attempt at control was futile; the ground moved too swiftly, and his balance faltered. With a mixture of surprise and a rush of adrenaline, Natsuki found himself once again at the mercy of his own jutsu, sliding uncontrollably and gathering speed. The end of the technique came abruptly as he splashed violently into a muddy heap at the hill's base. Once again, he was covered in mud, he lay there for a moment, catching his breath, Guess I didn't think that through... Despite the outcome, a reluctant smile formed; the thrill of the ride was undeniably exhilarating.

[Used and Learned Jutsu]
Earth Release: Earth Flow River - C rank - 5 CP
Focused Amplification - C rank - 5 CP - 219/150 words

32/50 CP

Drenched in mud and feeling every bit the part of a disgruntled swamp creature, Natsuki grimaced at the thought of returning home in such a state once more. The creek, with its promise of cleanliness and refreshment, beckoned him. Yet, as he neared, the familiar chatter of approaching shinobi halted his steps. Not now... Desperation tinged his thoughts, the recent tumble still fresh in his mind. Without hesitation, he yet another performed the technique to phase into the ground, his form blending seamlessly with the earth, but not within the earth. Bah, I feel so sluggish....

Concealed just off the path, he held his breath, the voices of the shinobi passing overhead in blissful ignorance of his presence. They spoke of training achievements and upcoming missions, their footsteps and laughter a stark reminder of the camaraderie he often evaded. As the sound of their passing finally faded, Natsuki emerged from his earthen hideaway, a figure cloaked in the residue of his escape efforts. The creek's waters, once a mere convenience, now felt like a sanctuary as he approached, his thoughts a tangled mess of longing for solitude and the fleeting desire for connection.

[Learned Jutsu]
Hiding in Surface Technique - C rank - 193/150 words - 5 CP

Just as Natsuki finished washing up, clean but wary, A figure approached unseen. Suddenly, the ground beneath the young Uchiha seemed to open up and swallow him whole What the- Panic set in, someone had captured him somehow. Try as he might to use his techniques to burrow through it, none seemed effective. He was caught.

Then, a familiar voice rang out. “We need to talk about what happened last time.” It was his cousin Hirito once again. Hearing his voice, Natsuki simultaneously felt a wash of relief and a renewed fear. “Remember your training, what's not right?”

"It's the earth," Natsuki started, attempting to calm as he thought aloud. "Unless you were still using some kind of technique, I should be able to escape..."

“Soo?” Hirito asked, expectantly.

"So... Kai!" With a burst of chakra through his mind, the illusion was shattered and, once again, he found himself simply standing next to the creek. Except, this time, so too was Hirito there.

[Learned Techniques]
Genjutsu Kai - C rank - 163/150 words - 5 CP

22/50 CP

Natsuki stood opposite Hirito, the weight of their last encounter heavy between them. Hirito, pulling a kunai from his side pouch, broke the silence, "How about we spar? It might help us move past what happened." Natsuki hesitated, his hand gripping the sword's hilt tightly. Can I really face him after...?

Despite his doubts, Natsuki lunged forward, his attack a statement. "This was all just a big mistake," he half-whispered, swinging his sword in a clumsy arc towards Hirito. Their weapons met with a clang, a physical manifestation of their unresolved tension, as the boy's cousin sighed.

Hirito blocked Natsuki's uncertain strike with ease, lowering his weapon to foster a moment of peace. "I know you didn't mean for any of that to happen. Nightmares can be terrifying... I'm just glad you're okay."

Shifting the mood, Hirito's eyes darted to the sword. He pushed back off of it and put some space between the two. "Try focusing on quick, precise strikes. Like this," demonstrating a fluid motion. Natsuki watched keenly, but with an unmistakable dour about him. He attempted to replicate, swinging more intently than before. Each strike, while fewer in numbers, felt stronger, more accurage. The change in technique felt odd, but right, giving Natsuki a fleeting sense of accomplishment amidst the complexity of his emotions.

"Yeah, that's it," Hirito affirmed, his voice calm as he continued to deflect these strikes that were now coming at him with more intensity. Natsuki, however, was anything but calm. A sour expression began to take root upon his face. This fervor continued to build as the strikes got more and more difficult for his cousin to deflect, all in the pursuit of his own deflection.

[Learned Techniques]
Kendo - C rank - 5 CP - 186/150 words

[Relevant Stats]
Strength: D+ (+ from Kendo)
Coordination: B (+1 from Kendo)

17/50

"It's nothing, really. I've got it under control," Natsuki hissed in insistence, deflecting Hirito's concern with a practiced ease that fooled neither of them.

Hirito persisted, "You're improving, but remember to use your whole body, not just the sword. It's about balance."

Natsuki's response was tinged with reluctance, "Taijutsu was never my strong suit, like most things..."

Hirito's encouraging smile attempted to cut through the tension, "We're shinobi. Our entire body is a weapon- it's just about finding the right way to wield it." Still, he was doing just what everyone had always done. He didn't want to be a weapon, he just wanted to be left alone. As his emotions roiled beneath the surface, and his breath began to escape him, Natsuki's composure continued to decline.

[Used Techniques]
Kendo - C rank - 5 CP

[Relevant Stats]
Strength: D+ (+ from Kendo)
Coordination: B (+1 from Kendo)

12/50

As their sparring session intensified, Natsuki's frustration reached its boiling point. Each of Hirito's blocks and counters seemed to underline Natsuki's own insecurities and doubts, pushing him closer to the edge. "I said drop it, Hirito!" His voice cracked with emotion as he anchored his sword into the earth, using it as a pivot to launch a forceful kick toward Hirito's chest. The move was born out of desperation, a need to make Hirito see and to make him understand.

In the split second before impact, however, Hirito's eyes shifted, his sharingan igniting within them. It was a necessity to counter the unexpected ferocity of Natsuki's attack, but one that seemed to cut into the young Uchiha like any other blade. The sharingan was not just a tool but a reminder of the legacy of their clan, and of his own failure. Natsuki, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of those red eyes, felt a sting of envy and self loathing that was quickly overshadowed by the realization of his own actions.

"Hirito, I-" he started, but the words were lost, swallowed by the tension between them. The revelation of the Sharingan, in that moment of heated confrontation, laid bare everything between them. Hirito was counted among the prodigies of their clan, and for good reason, while Natsuki was nothing.

[Learned and Used Techniques]
Moonlight - C rank - 5 CP - 221/150 words
Kendo - C rank - 5 CP

[Relevant Stats]
Strength: C (+ from Kendo, ++ from Moonlight)
Coordination: B++ (+1 from Kendo, ++ from Moonlight)

2/50

Panting, Natsuki turned aside and let his sword drop to the ground, a mix of shame and envy clouding his expression. "Let's just drop it," he murmured, the sight of Hirito's Sharingan a stark reminder of what he lacked, of what his mother would never let him forget.

Hirito, not needing his special eyes to notice the shift in Natsuki's mood, receded his sharingan and approached with an open heart and a hand to the shoulder. "I didn't mean to upset you. Just remember, I'm here if you need anything..." The earnestness in Hirito's voice softened the edges of Natsuki's resentment, but he wasn't ready for that just yet. With a roll of his shoulder, the boy walked away, defeated.

"Yeah. I know."