Onto the Intermediary

In the burgeoning dawn, Natsuki ventured deeper into the forested heart of the training area, a place where tranquility and the untamed converged- a perfect sanctuary for the challenge he was about to undertake. Today, he wasn't just another Genin; he was a shinobi determined to breach the limits of his current capabilities. The techniques he planned to explore were a far cry from the basics that had once been his sole focus. The first step of this journey required a demonstration of his newfound prowess.

Standing amidst the ancient trees, Natsuki gathered his chakra, focusing it more intensely than he ever had. The complexity of the technique before him was daunting; it demanded a level of chakra control and manipulation far beyond the elementary jutsus he'd mastered in the past- ones he previously could only hope for under the supervision of Tōri. He formed the seals, each one linking to the next with deliberate precision, feeling the chakra swirl and condense at his fingertips.

With a final seal, the earth before him roiled, and from it, a serpentine dragon of earth and stone took shape, its form winding and coiling with a life of its own. It brought its head down low. Natsuki stepped onto it, and as it lifted him from the earth, a rush of exhilaration surged through him. Riding the dragon required constant attention, each undulation and twist a test of his will and focus. It was like nothing he'd experienced before—the sensation of controlling something so powerful, so dynamic, it was both terrifying and intoxicating.

The dragon glided through the forest, its passage violent as it tore through the foliage. Natsuki marveled at the complexity of the jutsu, the intense concentration required to maintain the dragon's form and trajectory. This was chakra manipulation at the next level, a stark reminder of the path he had chosen to walk- a path that demanded everything he had to give and promised nothing but the chance to surpass his former self. Natsuki was anew.

[Learned Techniques]
Earth Release: Earth and Stone Dragon - B rank - 336/200 words - 10 CP

100/110 CP

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

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'Bunny Arrival' :

As his stone dragon descended and melded back into the earth, the thrill of his previous success still tingling in his veins, Natsuki was drawn to a clearing encircled by towering trees. Here, he intended to confront a technique that both intrigued and intimidated him- a method to create a not a wall, but a dome; not to protect, but to trap.

Positioning himself at the clearing's center, Natsuki closed his eyes, envisioning the dome he was about to construct. He brought his hands to his chest and wove seals before dropping his palms to the ground. He concentrated deeply, channeling his chakra into the earth beneath him. The sensation was unlike anything he had experienced before; coaxing the earth itself to rise and envelop the space around before him

With a slow, deliberate, intent he enwrapped his chakra, feeling the ground respond. A fine layer of dirt lifted, swirling as if caught in a silent whirlwind, then began to solidify into a translucent dome. The formation of the dome was a meticulous process, demanding precise control and a steady flow of chakra to maintain its integrity and transparency.

Inside this dome, the atmosphere was starkly different. While Natsuki remained outside, he could sense the dome's potential to sap the energy of anyone enclosed within it. It was designed to isolate, to create a void where strength seemed to diminish with each passing moment. The air within felt denser, charged with a latent power that could drain the will and vitality of any trapped inside.

Natsuki stepped back, observing his creation. The dome stood as a testament to his growing mastery over the earth, a structure that held the paradoxical ability to protect and to imprison. In this moment, Natsuki realized the depth of his connection to the earth- how it obeyed, shielded, and, if necessary, could even weaken.

[Learned Techniques]
Earth Release Barrier: Earth Prison Dome of Magnificent Nothingness - B rank - 309/200 words - 10 CP

90/110 CP

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

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'Bunny Arrival' :

As Natsuki took a step back to admire the dome he had crafted, a faint rustling from behind caused him to freeze. His heart skipped a beat, the recent tensions with Hirito still fresh in his mind. Could it be Hirito spying on him, or perhaps another shinobi curious about his activities? He turned sharply towards the clearing, every sense heightened, only to find... nothing. The forest remained as serene and undisturbed as it had been moments before, save for the gentle sway of leaves in the breeze and the carved earth from his initial entrance.

"Who's there?" Natsuki called out, his voice betraying a hint of unease. The lack of response only heightened his suspicion. Could they be underground? The thought struck him as he devised a method to uncover what was hidden beneath the earth.

Determined to confront the source of the disturbance, Natsuki quickly wove a series of seals, his movements precise and deliberate. With a final seal locked in, he slammed his palms to the ground, channeling his chakra to disrupt the earth below.

The response was immediate, a volcano-like mound of earth suddenly lifted into the air. The result, however, was unexpected- a small mole, previously hidden and minding its own business beneath the surface, was suddenly propelled into the air with a startled squeak. Reacting quickly, Natsuki jumped up and caught the tiny creature in his hands, its small heart beating rapidly against his palm.

Realizing his mistake, Natsuki couldn't help but let out a short laugh, the tension draining from his shoulders. "Sorry, little guy,," he murmured, gently placing the mole back on the ground, watching as it quickly burrowed away, disappearing from sight. The clearing returned to its peaceful state, leaving Natsuki alone once again with his thoughts and the earth as his witness.

[Learned Techniques]
Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation - B rank - 303/200 words - 10 CP

80/110 CP

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

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'Bunny Arrival' :

As Natsuki turned away from the brief interlude with the mole, his gaze fell back upon the dome he had erected earlier. Curiosity drew him closer and he reached out, fingertips brushing against the structure's surface. He half-expecting to feel the thrum of chakra that had pulsed through it during its creation. Instead, he found it markedly diminished, a mere shadow of the potent energy that had birthed it. It seems to lose its strength without constant chakra flow... Interesting.

With the dome no longer serving any purpose, and remembering Tōri's lead on removing concluded techniques, Natsuki decided it was time to dismantle his work. He prepared to channel his chakra in a way that would unmake what he had created. Weaving through the seals, he readied himself for the final gesture. Instead of the traditional method of placing his palms to the earth, Natsuki, perhaps subconsciously influenced by his recent thoughts on technique and form, stomped his foot down with decisive force.

The ground beneath him responded instantly, the vibrations of his chakra-infused stomp traveling to the dome. With a low rumble, the structure began to crumble, the once-solid earth breaking apart and crumbling into the earth from which it had risen. This subtle deviation in technique-using a stomp rather than a palm touch- was lost in the moment's significance, Natsuki himself didn't register the change. It marked a spontaneous adaptation, a natural evolution of his understanding and control over his earth release abilities, even if he wasn't yet aware of it. As the last remnants of the dome scattered, Natsuki stood amidst the clearing, markedly not yet breaking a sweat.

[Learned Techniques]
Earth Release: Rock Lodging Destruction - B rank - 272/200 words - 5 CP

75/110 CP

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

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'Bunny Arrival' :

After dismantling the dome, a sense of accomplishment washed over Natsuki. He wasn't particularly tired, but something within insisted he'd earned a moment of respite. Glancing around the clearing, he decided on a spot where the earth looked inviting.

Natsuki stood still for a moment, gathering his focus. He began to weave through a series of hand seals- Ram, Dog, Rat, then Bird- each movement fluid, a silent dance of fingers through the air. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, feeling the familiar thrum of chakra pooling in his palms. This time, his intention was not to create or destroy, but to reshape. He pressed his hands toward the ground, envisioning the earth moving aside, not with force, but with grace.

The sensation was unique, as if he were both commanding the earth and requesting its aid. The ground before him began to shift, opening up to form a tunnel, the walls smooth and the air inside cool and inviting. Natsuki watched, a sense of wonder in his eyes, as the earth molded to his will yet again, creating a sanctuary from the sun overhead.

Satisfied with his handiwork, Natsuki descended into the tunnel's depths. The further he went, the more pronounced the coolness of the earth became, a natural balm against the warmth of the day. Finding a comfortable spot, he lay down, the ground beneath him firm yet oddly comforting. Here, in this self-made haven, he closed his eyes, the peace of the moment enveloping him like a blanket. For Natsuki, this was more than just a break; it was a testament to his growing connection with the earth, a moment to reflect on the path he had chosen and the strides he had made.

[Learned Techniques]
Earth Release: Tunneling Technique - B rank - 286/200 words - 10 CP

65/110 CP

Natsuki awoke to the soft, muted light of dusk filtering into the tunnel, the day's heat replaced by the cool embrace of early evening. Rising from his makeshift earthen bed, he stretched, feeling surprisingly refreshed from his brief respite underground. As he made his way back to the surface, the crisp air of twilight greeted him, a stark contrast to the enclosed warmth of his subterranean refuge.

Stepping out into the clearing now bathed in the gentle hues of sunset, Natsuki turned to regard the tunnel he had crafted. It stood as a testament to his skill and a reminder of the earth's accommodating nature. However, leaving such a structure open was against the principles Tōri had instilled in him—every creation borne of chakra must be responsibly dismantled.

With this in mind, Natsuki positioned himself at the tunnel's entrance. He flowed through a series of hand seals. each one a conduit for his intention to seal the passage. As he did so, a mysterious portal opened overhead. Is this some kind of summoning technique or what?

All the same, a sticky and more cohesive form of chakra would drip from this opening to that. Slowly, the tunnel filled, the depths disappearing in a smooth, deliberate motion until the opening was no more. The tunnel was filled, its presence marked only by the slightly raised earth that blended back into the landscape, leaving no trace behind.

Satisfied with his work, Natsuki took a moment to observe the forest around him, now quiet and serene in the twilight. The day's training had been rigorous, but as he stood there in the gathering dusk, he was not yet winded.

[Learned Techniques]
Earth Release: Sticky Earth Drop - B rank - 276/200 words - 10 CP

55/110 CP

As dusk continued to settle into the forest, casting long shadows and painting the clearing in hues of orange and purple, Natsuki's thoughts drifted to the debris scattered around him. The remains of his earlier exercises with the earth lay in uneven piles, marring the natural beauty of the area. Inspired by a desire to restore harmony to the forest that had become his sanctuary, he contemplated a method less conventional than brute force or basic ninjutsu.

Natsuki's long black hair, usually left untamed and flowing freely down his back, became the focus of his next endeavor. He positioned himself in the center of the clearing, his hands moving through a series of intricate seals. The final seal held, he focused his chakra, feeling it surge through him with a purpose.

A sensation akin to a gentle current flowed from the crown of his head, cascading down the lengths of his hair. The strands began to move of their own accord, thickening and strengthening, yet remaining as pliable as if they were extensions of his will. With a deep breath, Natsuki directed his hair to sweep across the clearing, the powerful strands gathering stone and debris, lifting and dispersing it to the forest's edges.

The process was mesmerizing to behold. His hair acted as both broom and hand, clearing the space with a finesse that belied the strength behind each movement. Bit by bit, the remnants of his training were either buried under the earth or blended into the surrounding foliage, leaving the clearing as pristine as it had been upon his arrival.

Natsuki watched his handiwork, a small smile playing on his lips. The satisfaction of restoring balance to the clearing filled him with a quiet pride.

[Learned Techniques]
Lions Mane - B rank - 288/200 words - 10 CP

45/110 CP

With the clearing now returned to its natural state, Natsuki's attention shifted from the earth beneath his feet to the weight of the sword at his side- a reminder of paths chosen for him rather than by him. Drawing the blade, he held it before him, its surface catching the last rays of the setting sun. The steel, unyielding and cold, mirrored back his own reflection, a silent witness to the turmoil within.

Why did she have to force this on me? The thought of his mother, and the kenjutsu training she insisted upon, stirred a mix of resentment and reluctant acceptance in his heart. Yet, as he gazed into the reflective surface of the blade, Natsuki saw not just the boy his mother wished him to be but the shinobi he had become- defined by his choices, his struggles, not her.

This is my life, my path. The realization ignited a newfound resolve within him, a determination to wield the sword not as a burden imposed upon him, but as an extension of his will, a tool to carve his own destiny.

With purpose fueling his actions, Natsuki moved through a series of hand seals, focusing his chakra. Around him, figures began to take shape, flickering into existence with ephemeral solidity. These afterimage clones would serve as suitable targets for his practice.

[Learned Techniques]
Afterimage Clones - B rank - 223/200 words - 10 CP

35/110 CP

As the last light of day faded, casting the clearing into twilight, Natsuki faced the silent figures he had conjured, his resolve as sharp as the blade in his hand. The afterimage clones, barely more substantial than the shadows stretching across the forest floor, awaited his next move. Natsuki took a moment to center himself, his eyes fixed on the nearest clone, a manifestation of his own will to confront and overcome.

With a deep breath, he launched forward, the air around him seeming to thicken with anticipation. As he moved, Natsuki swung his sword in a circular pattern. In the space of a heartbeat, an afterimage of Natsuki appeared beside him, mirroring his movements with ghostly precision. The collision of blade and clone was silent, the impact sending ripples through the air as the targeted afterimage dissolved into nothingness, like mist under the morning sun. Natsuki's afterimage faded a moment later, leaving no trace behind except for the stirring of fallen leaves in its wake.

Natsuki stood alone in the clearing once more, his breathing growing heavy, the echoes of the encounter still resonating in the quiet of the forest. The sword in his hand still felt heavy... But it was lightening.

[Used and Learned Techniques]
Afterimage Clones Upkeep - B rank - 5 CP
Hazy Moon Night - B rank - 203/200 words - 10 CP

20/110 CP

Winded from his rigorous training session, Natsuki realized that summoning the strength for another grand jutsu to exit as impressively as he had arrived was beyond his current reserves. The twilight deepened around him, the forest a quiet witness to his solitary endeavor as his afterimage clones dissipated. Time to go, but let's keep it simple this time. With a weary yet determined resolve, he decided on a more subtle departure.

Natsuki took a moment to center himself, focusing inward. He drew upon his knowledge of chakra control, a skill less flashy than the jutsus he had practiced but no less vital. Carefully, he began to suppress his chakra, diminishing his presence to the point of becoming undetectable. To any sensors, it would be as if he had simply vanished.

With his chakra signature muted, Natsuki made his way out of the training grounds. The forest's shadows cloaked his passage, aiding his stealthy retreat. He moved with a quiet efficiency, each step taking him closer to the boundary of the area and further from the day's challenges. As he emerged from the shadow of the trees and into the night beyond, Natsuki couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. Today, he had pushed his limits, and now, he left as silently as a whisper, unnoticed and unseen.


[Learned Techniques]
Chakra Suppression - D rank - 221/100 words

20/110 CP