Mamoru Advances in the Shikotsumyaku

[1]
Deviating from his daily routine, Mamoru walked through the dark halls of the deepest parts of the Grand Training Facility, at a very late hour. This area he learned about from when he and few others  stumbled upon the room Sero trained them against a few of his bone creations and some pirates. He later realized that Sero taught them a valuable lesson, though his methods were a bit dark, to say the least. The staps of a backpack weighed his shoulders down. The contents of the backpack were the reason he had decided to train so late. He held Kaguya clan scrolls his father left him before he died. He wanted Mamoru to prosper with his Shikotsumyaku. He felt a much stronger control over his bones and knew it was time.

The young kaguya paused at a door. Pulling out a key, Mamoru peered around, ensuring that he was not being followed. Slowly unlocking the door, he slipped in to the dark room. He didn't bother turning on the lights. Mamoru went to the far end of the room, the light of a flame radiated in the darkness, illuminating a small area of the room. He removed several intricate scrolls from his backpack and gently placed them on the floor in front of his bent knees. Each of these scrolls contained instructions on new techniques that he would learn. He already glanced at each of them. Of course, the Kaguya Taijutsu style didn't fit his style of fighting. But he would still use them as a foundation to create his own style. One that fit him

[2]
Mamoru sat, his legs crossed over one another, as he looked over each of the Kaguya Scrolls. He had each one in order from easiest to most difficult to learn. So far, from accidentally hurting himself recently and pulling bones from his body, he knew he had tapped into the Regeneration passive; his body pulling chakra from his pool to mend his wounds much quicker than usual. He could feel just how taxing it was every time it would happen, even the smallest cut. The realization of Sero mentioning for the two young Kaguya to train their Stamina become apparent. He didn't want to lose a fight, or end up dead, because his body was automatically trying to mend and completely drained his chakra pool. Nonetheless though, it was a very useful ability to have. It would save him so much time recovering from injuries than ever before. Since there wasn't much insight on the regenerative properties and how to properly prepare one's self to be able to handle the ability, he pondered on the best method to train his Stamina, but didn't want to think too long on the matter. Maybe he could get some help from Lady Kit or Sero. It seemed they've been all too keen to help before.

Moving on, his fingered traced each character of the next scroll, as the young Kaguya memorized the contents on the new technique. Dead-Bone Pulse. "That sounds awesome" Mamoru said in an excited hushed tone. It was simple and similar to what he's been doing, except this seemed to be all about control. As he read on further about Kaguya being able to control cells in his body, called osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the puzzle was pieced together. Instead of controlling the bones to penetrate his skin, the cells produce the bones on the top layer of his skin. There was a diagram depicting multiple spike-like bones forming on multiple portions of the Kaguya's body. He wondered if there was more he could do than just spikes. Sure useful, but thanks to Sero, he was trying to think outside the box, rather than adhere to the simple ways of the Kaguya. He wanted to improve them. Discover different branches, for future generations to have more options in Taijutsu, just like Sero did with his Ninjutsu. Maybe he should give him a visit sometime. Actually learn more about the clan leader, instead of continuing to be a hermit. He was certainly inspiring, in a way.

Mamoru washed away the thoughts and focused on the new techniques. Maybe he should start light. Get a feel for it, first. His eyes shut. His breathing even. Focusing inwardly, he instinctively went to his chakra. Followed the flow of the invisible river throughout his body. But he would have to think smaller. They were cells, after all. His focus became ever so sluggish as it branched away from the flow of his chakra, to the micro level. His head swam with new 'images'. Eh, he didn't really know how to describe it. Just like when he would imagine his chakra being a river, this was completely still. It's like he could feel every microfiber of his body. His focus crawled along, time unknown, as he felt around for something. He honestly wasn't even sure what he was looking for. Just blindly searching for anythi- There was suddenly...some strange ping he could feel. Like something that he could touch. Control. He wasn't quite sure where he was along his body, so his focus shifted outward a bit. Following the flow of chakra, before he shifted his focus, had taken him to his right hand. He could still feel -the..thing- whatever this was, so he pulled. It took a long moment, but damnit was he elated to feel a long thin spike of bone rise from the surface of his skin. Just one.

Broadening his focus was much easier, now that he knew what he was searching for. Minutes later, spikes of bone began forming along the full length of his arm. They were rugged, not so perfectly formed, but there. With his will, Mamoru was able break them off. As each spike clattered to the ground, he tried again. This time was a bit easier. He told the cells to produce rows thick, stubby, smooth bones with sharpened tips, along his biceps. And four longer sharpened bones emerged from below his joint, each one placed specifically around his forearm, pointing down towards his wrist. He shifted his focus to his left arm, repeating the same process he did to his right. As Mamoru moved along his body, pulling bones of various sizes from his torso, back, and legs. The process becoming much easier as he went on. As his excitement faded, he realized that his clothes were now shredded with many different holes. "Damnit..." He said aloud. But thankful that he brought spare clothes to change to.
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Techniques learned:
-Regeneration(Already unlocked but touched on for development/story purposes)
-Dead-bone Pulse

[3]
Standing after reading over the next scroll. This next technique, Dance of the Camilla, was just a continuation from the base stance, Dance of the Blossom, Mamoru was fairly familiar with. He wasn't much of a 'dancer', but this technique had it's perks. To others the chaotic strikes were unpredictable and he could either use Taijutsu or Kenjutsu, incorporating his his bone sword. Maybe even other weapons. He would just need to accustomed to being both unpredictable and precise with Taijutsu and Kenjutsu.  

A puppet moved to the center of the room, facing him with dead eyes. Mamoru stood staring back at the puppet for a moment, swaying his body. Trying to loosen his posture. Up until now, he had styles that dealt with brute force, so he would need to retrain his body to be more fluid. Unless... he developed a variation to the Kaguya Style that fit him. First, he needed to learn the fundamentals, to help him branch off. There might be more that could further help him. Casting the thoughts aside, Mamoru surged forward, both of his open palms slapping against the puppet's wooden torso in a flurry of blows. He wasn't just throwing straight jabs at the puppet. Mamoru was coming at it from all angles. Every second that passed he understood the dance. The puppet's body rocked in every direction as Mamoru moved faster with each passing second.

Somehow between strikes, Mamoru didn't even realize, but he had retrieved his bone sword. As he continued to twist and turn around the puppet, he was now in-cooperating swift thrusts and swipes from his bone sword in one hand, as well as open palm strikes. Not even trying to be forceful with each strike. He was just bombarding the puppet with relentless attacks. He kept this up for what felt like an hour, until his body was just moving on it's own.
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Technique learned:
-Dance of the Camilla

After spending an hour to rest on the floor, Mamoru scooted over to stack of scrolls, and picked the next technique to learn. 'Dance of the Clematis: Flower'. This one seemed promising. Right up his alley. Just from the depictions, though, it was going to be tough. The first step was to have a thick bone protrude from the user's palm and then more through each side of the forearm. But it didn't stop. The user would have to continue the growth, which looked like the bones on the forearm spiraled around the arm. Once finished it looked like a drill. A massive drill arm. But what happened to the hand once the drill was forming? Since it looked like the bone protruding from the palm grew to about three feet and was as wide as the hand. It was unnerving thinking about it. But thankfully, he had Regeneration, so that set his mind at ease. The pain though. This was going to HURT.

With a heavy sigh, Mamoru rose to his feet, and held out his left arm, palm extended upward. Just like with the Dead Bone-Pulse, Mamoru focused inwardly. He controlled the growth of a thick, pointed bone to first extend from his palm. While that bone was growing, he put every ounce of will for it to twist, but while that was growing, so were the bones are his forearm. The pain was nothing like he felt before. As all the bones spiraled into place, conjoining to create a drill, there was a pause as Mamoru's hand was being mangled and twisted. Feeling the pain had halted the progress. His body was completely drenched with perspiration. With clenched teeth, blood dripped from his mouth as he accidentally bit his tongue and cheek, in the process, trying to hold in a roar of pain. Luckily they were already healing.

Closing his eyes to keep the room from spinning, Mamoru continued to push the growth of the bones. Pushed through the immense pain of his hand being ravaged. His breathing was heavy, but when he opened his eyes, the sight of the complete bone drill was more than enough to calm him. He was still standing. He didn't pass out. There wasn't even any blood. He didn't even feel the pain any longer. Moving his arm to test the weight of the drill, Mamoru began to thrust forward. At first it was weak, half hearted thrusts, but then he eventually in front of the dummy. Reeling his arm and body back, Mamoru threw it all forward. Putting his entire weight into the attack. The Puppet did not stand a chance. The point of the drill pierced through the wooden carapace of the puppet and as it went in deeper, the girth of the drill, stretched the center of the puppet, until it's body burst. The force sent limbs and splinters scattering across the room.

Mamoru held his arm out stretched, blinking in surprise. With this new weapon, he had obliterated the puppet. Pulling his arm back, Mamoru examined the bone drill and worked through his mind, just how was he supposed to get rid of it now. It took him close to an hour, but just as he forced the growth, Mamoru was able to retract the large bones back into his body. He grimaced at the sight of his mangled hand, but within a few seconds, the regeneration had already worked it's magic. His hand was good as new. Flexing his fingers and rotating his wrist, Mamoru's nerves eased. If he could get used to the pain, this would be an extraordinary technique.

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Technique Learned: Dance of the Clematis: Flower

Kazuki arrived at the Grand Kirigakure Training Facility intent upon training. Upon him was his sword, Umbra, as well as the armor he had received from Ryuko. Now of course the coat was black, having used a transformation jutsu upon it to make it appear black for the time being. He simply hadn’t had the time to dye it yet. As he wandered through the training grounds he came across Mamoru. He flexing and twisting his wrist and looking like a weirdo. That meant it was time to interrupt. But how..

Kazuki had moods where he could be a tad be mischievous. It was never anything too insane but he could play the odd prank or two around the shrine and he had been antsy for a few days now. This seemed like a good time to do something ‘stupid’. Looking around for a potential option Kazuki saw a tree not too far behind Mamoru that had a kunai with a rope tied to it. Probably a remnant of someone practice the tree climbing exercise. Moving around the perimeter as sneakily as he could. He climbed up the tree, hoping Mamoru had not noticed him yet. Once he reached a good height he grabbed the rope and swung.

The swing of course was right at Mamoru and as he swung upon the rope he called out. “I came in like a wrecking ball!” and if successful would ideally smack into Mamoru with all of the momentum and knock them both, flat on their ass. If that happened he would croak out “Hi Mamoru, I’m bored.” the air having obviously been forcefully expelled from his lungs.

[1]

"Let's see. What's next..." Mamoru said as he bent over and unraveled a scroll, reading the contents of the next technique. 'Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets'. Another useful  technique. He definitely needed some range in his arsenal to deal with other shinobi that favored ninjutsu. This technique required the user to mold chakra into their finger tips and, with a quick explosive burst of chakra, fire their finger tips like projectiles. But to increase the penetrating force, the bones had to rotate at a high velocity, like a drill. That's two drill like techniques, so far. He was beginning to like drills. Drills equaled power.

Mamoru held up a single hand and concentrated on it, guiding the river, that was his chakra, to flow to ends of his each of his fingers. With his immense will and heavy concentration, he pictured a dam, blocking the chakra from flowing away from his finger tips. The chakra kept filling and filling behind the dams, until he mentally couldn't handle anymore. With his hand still poised upward, Mamoru 'PUSHED' the chakra with every ounce of his will, causing the bones pop through his finger tips, and shoot upward. Not too far. Maybe a foot into the air, before the finger tips fell to his feet.

He could feel the regenerative ability already mending the skin of his fingers and the bones within. This time he needed to figure out a way to make the bones fire at high rate and have a high velocity. After a moment an idea came to mind. Instead of holding still chakra behind 'dams', why not continue the flow, but have the chakra rotate like a whirlpool. 'Fucking brilliant.' Mamoru thought as he beamed a smile.

Concentrating on guiding the flow of chakra to his finger tips, once more, except this time he didn't just hold the chakra in place. This time the chakra swirled under the finger tip bone. Sweat beaded down his face and he pushed the flow of chakra faster and faster. He could actually feel and hear the bones under his skin rotating. Now he just needed to forcefully push the ckakra. As the chakra built up, there was a sudden shift in the tree behind him. Mamoru's head spun around, but didn't see anything at the trunk of the tree. When he turned his attention back towards his hand, the chakra ready to be expelled, Mamoru heard another rustle, but this time towards his right. And in the tree. Assuming it was just a squirrel or some other rodent, Mamoru's vision was filled with Kazuki's form swinging towards him and his ears rang with the his squad mate's shouting about a wrecking ball. Mamoru's eyes widened. He tried moving, but there was no damn time. The impact from Kazuki's swinging form knocked Mamoru off his feet, but also displaced his arm, causing it to extend and swing outwardly towards the tree. The sudden shock made Mamoru's body reflexively tense, which was the catalyst. There was a loud series of 'POP' as the bones propelled from Mamoru's finger tips. The following noise, besides Mamoru and Kazuki slamming into the ground, was the hard impact of wood as the finger tips drilled deep into the trunk.

Once Mamoru caught his breath, he looked up as Kazuki had greeted him followed by announcing his boredom. The young Kaguya burst into a fit of wheezing laughter. This was the break he needed after the long strenuous training he was doing. "That was some entrance, Kazuki." Mamoru said as he fought to sit up. He had to push Kazuki off of his chest. With another fit of laughter, Mamoru pushed under Kazuki's legs, wanting to send him sprawling backwards. "What brings you here?
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Technique learned?-Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets

His entrance went as well as could be expected. In hindsight however, bodily swinging full force into a person while yelling ‘I came in like a wrecking ball’ was not his wisest course of action. However he had done, and now he needed to own it. So he began to rise, still a bit wheezy as Mamoru began to push him off. Then without warning Mamoru pushed Kazuki’s legs out from under him. Causing him to sprawl like a moron for the second time in thirty seconds. Sitting up once as he heard Mamoru ask what brought him along he stood and dusted himself off. As he did he looked at the Kaguya with a grave dignity before speaking in an aloof manner. “Boredom, as I already said.” He would say before dropping the air and relaxing with a cheek grin.

“Really though, I was bored and looking for something to do. Then saw the kunai and the rope. So I decided to use it for fuckery.” He would explain before turning to see where he had heard the impact from the bone bullets hitting the nearby tree. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity he spoke again “Training are we? Though I suppose you wouldn’t be doing anything else here now would you?” He would ask, coming to the obvious conclusion quickly. “Fancy a training partner? I’ve clearly got energy to burn.” He said as he rested a hand on the hilt of Umbra over one shoulder. His small grin showing that he was interested more in a fight than simply training.

2

"Actually Yes. There is one you can definitely help with." Quickly rummaging through the scrolls, Mamoru found the one he was looking for. He stood, holding the unraveled scroll in both hands, and examined the contents. Smiling, Mamoru's gazed at Kazuki and his sword from over the scroll as he contemplated "Fuck it. I should be able to take it." Dropping the scroll, Mamoru began to focus inwardly on the cells of his entire mass. Just to be safe, Mamoru tensed his muscles and activated Body of the Bear, to further boost his toughness. Just in case.

Starting from his feet and hands, Mamoru's body began to stiffen as white ivory slowly coated his limbs. Once only his head remained, Mamoru grinned. "I need you to hit me." Mamoru said briefly as the ivory coated his head. Now his entire body was a motionless white statue, just waiting to be hit.
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Technique Learned - Shell

1Stats

• Strength: C
  
• Constitution: C -> A++ (+2 tier Shikotsumyaku Bloodline passive and Shell; ++ Body of the Bear)
  
• Stamina: C -> C+ (+ Lifestyle passive)
  
• Speed: C
  
• Coordination: C
  
• Intelligence: C
  
• Perception: D
  

Techniques Used:

Kazuki expected Mamoru to say yes. What he did not expect was for him to say ‘I need you to hit me.’. Kazuki nodded in response, his eyes closed as he responded matter of factly, “Yes yes, of cour-Wait what?” He would say in surprise, his eyes shooting open and looking at Mamoru as a layer of bone armor formed over him like the outer shell of something. Blinking rapidly Kazuki walked over and knocked on Mamoru’s head, now covered in ivory white bone, twice. “About as hard as I expected.” He said jokingly as he drew ‘Umbra’ “If you’re sure about this then..” He would say as he stepped back a pace and swung his weapon as hard as he could at the man.

With a resounding ‘crash’ the weapon slammed into Mamoru with B rank force, throwing him back if his strength wasn’t strong enough to withstand it. However even then Kazuki would watch closely and note the armor had held the attack back. That caused Kazuki’s eyebrows to rise in surprise, however he nodded in acceptance and understanding. He would have to really find a way through that bone of the Kaguya clan. He doubted they were the only ones that created powerful physical objects from their chakra.

Moving over to Mamoru, wherever he may be. Kazuki would comment “Yup, about as hard as I thought.” He would say, shooting another jibe at Mamoru about him being ‘hard headed’ for fun. “That do? I could do the fire thing too if you wanted to test that against it.” He would ask his eyebrows rising in question. Personally he would rather not try that. However limit testing a technique was important lest you find out the hard way it wasn’t as powerful as you thought it was. So he would do it if Mamoru asked.

[3]

Mamoru's entire body shuddered moment's after the sword impacted the layer of ivory bone. The shell began to crack, starting from where the sword struck, quickly cascading throughout his body. Pieces of the shell fell to the ground like Mamoru was emerging from an egg, just as Kazuki began to speak. The joke completely going over Mamoru's head, he took it as a compliment, thinking Kazuki was talking about the armor. Not his head. He shook the remaining pieces of the shell to the ground, pondering the usefulness of this technique. Maybe Kazuki could give some insight. "Yeah. I kind of felt the impact, but I couldn't see and all sound was muffled, so I don't know why I would use this in the middle of a fight. I would rather armor that I can still be aware of my surroundings and mobile with. Mamoru paused though. Contemplating Kazuki using fire on it. "Nah. Better not use fire. Maybe some other time. Maybe there's some sort of Bone Armor I can find. These were scrolls my father passed on to me before he died. Mamoru bent down to pick up one more and read it's contents. His face morphing into a grimace. "Well this is going to be just as fun as the Bone Drill. Mamoru said sarcastically as he dropped the scroll. "I'm not sure if you've ever seen me pull out my bone sword, but this is going to be ten times worse." He said, lifting his arm and resting his hand just above the top of his spine

Mamoru stood motionless for a moment, concentrating, but suddenly, with a ripping sound, a rigged bone protruded through his back and into his hand. The young Kaguya took a deep breath and then pulled, his long spine now out of his body and being wielded like a sword. Mamoru grimaced, but a long moment later he was fine. He straightened his body and examined the new weapon. "Well this seems a lot better than the short bone sword. And I can do this, too Mamoru flexed his will into the long Spine Sword. In response, the length of the sword went limp, falling to the ground like a whip. But then Mamoru's eyes narrowed and his face had an expression of stifled laughter. He couldn't bring himself to make the joke, but he knew damn well Kazuki was thinking it as well. With another flex of his will, the Spine Sword was now straight and stiff as before. "I guess it's time to test it out" Mamoru said, kicking off towards Kazuki, and swinging the Spine Sword with one hand
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Technique Learned - Dance of the Clematis: Vine

As Mamoru described the drawbacks of the armor form Kazuki would nod in understanding. “Doesn’t seem worth it in the end really. I mean what if you used it and they changed it up on you? You wouldn’t know.” He would say. Nodding again at him declining his offer to hit him with the fire. Which was arguably the strongest part of the sword, he simply leaned it on his shoulder. Mamoru would begin to read a scroll and grimace while commenting that something would be ‘just as fun as the bone drill’ whatever that meant.

Then Kazuki watched as Mamoru stood motionless and seemed to concentrate. He watched as…as..”Is that your fucking spine?!” He yelled in both horror and a sick fascination. Gorge started to rise up his throat and after a moment he lost it, turned, ran for a nearby bush and threw up into it. That, was going to take some getting used to. As he was on his hands and knees he heard Mamoru speak. When he got to the ‘I guess it’s time to test it out’ part Kazuki moved suddenly, knowing what was coming. Umbra still lay next to him and he grasped the hilt and spun, swinging the great weapon up as he did and rising to one knee before the ‘crack’ of impact could be heard. He had the weapon in one hand but he could wield like that without issue.

He used his other hand to take a cloth from a pocket and wiped the corners of his mouth before pocketing it and raising an eyebrow at him. “That, was rude.” He would say before moving to angle the sword away from him by turning his wrist sharply. The move was a fencers move and not typically used with a greatsword. However because he did in fact have the strength to do it. It would work well enough, the act would bounce Mamoru’s spine away from him suddenly and off of Umbra too and then he would turn away, keeping his great blade between him and the weapon as he slashed down with it at the exposed Mamoru. The angle shallow but there and difficult to defend against.

[4]

Mamoru laughed as he realized Kazuki was spilling had thrown up after witnessing Mamoru pull out his own spine, and then deflected his spine weapon. It was rather impressive that he was able to wield the great sword with such deftness. Mamoru's spine weapon was knocked aside, but nonetheless, as Kazuki swung his own sword, he angled his body to avoid the blade. Standing next to the black blade, Mamoru lowered his own weapon just above Kazuki's shoulder and held it there. The ridged bones resting against his skin. But Mamoru pulled his sword away, not inflicting any damage. Instead he just stepped away, the spine weapon dissolving to dust. "It's actually getting late and I've already exhausted myself before you got here, so maybe we can do this some other time" Mamoru said as he waved goodbye to his friend and exited the training facility
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Exit Thread

[OOC: Because Kazuki was banned from the site I'm just gonna end the topic]