Reika lay flat on her back atop the mound of sand and rubble, her chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm as her body finally yielded to exhaustion. The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the desert in hues of soft gold and amber. The towering walls she had summoned stood like guardians against the relentless winds, their jagged edges catching the sunlight and casting long, protective shadows over the patches of green she had brought to life. The air was cooler now, the harshness of the night fading into a tentative calm as the warmth of the sun began to touch the land. Reika’s eyes fluttered closed, her senses attuned to the faint trickle of water seeping into the soil and the rustling leaves of newly sprouted plants swaying in the gentle breeze. Her chakra felt drained, but a quiet pride steadied her heart as she rested. For a moment, the chaos and sorrow of battle ebbed away, replaced by the soft, unspoken promise of renewal spreading across the barren sands.
Kihone slowed to a halt as he found the end of a shadow he was following along the thirty-ish foot tall wall. He had a bit of a realization and whispered back to Izanagi, "Uhh... we don't wanna try the front door IF they are actually bad guys again, right?" He then looked up toward the top of the wall, noting it to be close to about eight times as tall as he was. Those math classes usually seemed really hard, but now he was getting the point of strange word problems. Kihone put a hand on Izanagi's shoulder and began channeling his magnetic powers into them and an opposite charge into the nearby section of stone wall. "Before the sun gets too much higher, let's just try to go over real quick. We probably won't be noticed." He remembered how most ninja know that technique for walking up trees or other vertical surfaces, but he didn't know it. However, he had already come up with his own version of it using his magnetic powers. It didn't usually work so great when he practiced, but he was definitely better with his chakra control now than during those ambitious first few attempts.
"Now we can stick to the walls like ninja do! Trust me and follow my lead, but lets be alert. If they see us first we're probably cooooked." He nodded after giving his little debrief of their mission. If he weren't scared for his life, this would be the coolest game of ninja they'd ever played. Kihone took the lead again to show Izanagi how it worked. He planted one foot up against the wall then stepped up so that he was, awkwardly, standing widely against the side of the wall. "S-see? I-it's super ea-easy-yy..." His voice trailed as he brought his feet closer together to regain his balance. It was like gravity was pulling them against the wall more than down toward the ground. 'Okay Kiho! You can turn into lightning! You're awesome! You got this! See? Already doing way better than last time. We're still stuck to the wall.' He continued to work himself up as he tried not to look like he didn't know what he was doing as he scrambled up the side of the wall on hands and feet, rather than trying to risk running.
As he reached the top he first poked only the top half of his messy brown-haired head over the wall, peering out for any signs of guards or, more likely, prisoners. His jaw slacked open in awe at the oasis that presented itself instead of either of his wildest nightmares of tonight. "No way! There's a place like this in the ruins?!" His exclaimed turned into a stifled gasp as he tried to reign in his excitement. He'd take several more seconds to make sure that nobody else was going to come into view then pulled himself over the wall and onto the other side to make his way back down. "Keep it together... keep it together..." He softly chanted under his breath as he shimmied back down the wall, doing his best to maintain concentration on keeping he and Izanagi magnetized to the wall. Kihone found himself absorbed in the view of fertile soil and foliage that hadn't become mummified by the harsh desert sun, save for a very few that he'd read about doing well in this climate. In the back of his head, he almost started to wonder if this could be one of those genjutsu things that some ninja also used. 'As soon as I get down there, I'll know for sure.' His wandering eye would cause him to lose focus on his task, or maybe it was just exhaustion catching up with him. Next thing he knew, he and Izanagi would find themselves falling off the inside of the wall and into that nearby stream. All composure was lost in the sudden decent and Kiho yelped, "WAAHH!" This was promptly followed by a thump or two, depending on if Izanagi also ended up falling onto the ground below. Kihone would gasp, laying on his back for a moment before rolling over to pick himself up. He moved along the wall toward the nearest bunch of plants he thought could hide him and his brother and took a dive for it. His heart was pounding as his teal eyes frantically scanned out through the simple foliage for any signs of danger.
Reika stirred as the faint light of dawn began to edge over the horizon, the desert still bathed in the cool, muted hues of early morning. Her body ached from her previous efforts, and she had just begun to push herself to a sitting position when the sharp sound of tumbling rocks broke the quiet. Her gaze snapped to the stone wall she had raised only a short hour earlier, her eyes narrowing as two solid thuds followed shortly after. The moist sand at the base of the wall muffled the impact, but she could make out the hurried rustling of movement. Her sharp eyes soon found two figures scrambling to hide themselves among the sparse greenery she had coaxed into existence. The plants, young and sparse, offered little cover, and she immediately recognized the boys she thought had been lost.
Inside, her heart twisted, a swell of disbelief and relief that they had survived, mingled with the guilt that she had ever doubted it. Yet, as the emotions threatened to rise, she clamped them down, her features remaining calm and composed. Rising to her feet with slow deliberation, Reika approached the foliage, the soft light catching the red strands of her loose braid. She stopped a few paces away, crouching slightly to meet their wary eyes. Her expression softened into a small, gentle smile as she spoke, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. “I created this oasis,” she said quietly, her tone carrying an undercurrent of determination, “and I plan on making it as big as the Land of Wind. Hello, I’m Reika Amane.”
---
no chakra used •
Kondo Kaicho
Regenki
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 9:02 am
Izanagi crept alongside Kihone, his heart still racing from their tumble over the wall. His brother's admission to secretly practicing without him wasn't all that shocking. Truth be told, Izanagi had been doing the same thing. But he'd been swinging his stick at least one hundred times every morning before the other two got up. He sighed, feeling like perhaps he should have been focusing on a wider variety of fighting. Kihone insisted that Izanagi could do it too. But...could he? He didn't have any special powers like Kihone, Koroto, or even the bandits who seemed to command fire. Kihone only was able to swing his sword. He felt the weight of the blade in hand he'd lifted during the fight. ' Guess I'll have to do two hund- NO. ONE THOUSAND swings every morning to get better now!' He thought to himself, resolving himself not to fall behind. If he couldn't do those cool ninja tricks, he'd be so strong with his sword he'd never lose. Not again.
The oasis on the other side was unlike anything he’d expected from a place buried in the ruins. It was a stark contrast to the barren dust and jagged stones they’d been wading through. Each step he took felt careful, as though the wrong movement might alert another enemy or trigger another disaster. He cast a quick glance at his blood brother, who was leading them through the sparse greenery. “Kiho” he whispered, voice hoarse with lingering fear, “Do ya' think it's really safe here?” Despite the dryness in his throat, he forced a smile, hoping to steady his own nerves more than Kihone’s. Seeing the lush plants and hearing the trickle of water among the rocks made him want to believe they’d finally found a measure of safety, but he didn’t dare drop his guard just yet. The two scrambled behind the foliage, ready to hide for just another moment before moving.
Footsteps quietly approached, nearly inaudible to Izanagi until they were upon him. He poked his head from the hiding place only to see an older girl with scarlet hair kneeling before him. Her bright blue eyes had a sharpness to them that overshadowed the kindness she tried to show for only a moment. Izanagi's heart pounded as his mind flashed back to the other hardened eyes of Scar-Cheek he'd faced down in the previous hours. He clenched his sword tightly for a moment, adrenaline readying his body for another bout while his muscles ached in rebellion. Then Reika would speak, explaning her part in this place. The word 'Oasis' was one that Izanagi had heard often, and had always dismissed the idea of an oasis in the desert as fantasy. But this girl said she made this? " So. You're a ninja too then?" Izanagi probed, still slightly cautious.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank
Description goes here.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here.
Combat Modifiers & PA's ▰ Singularity | Jūryokuton users have an inherent gravitational pull towards themselves. Because of this, they are able to utilize close range Taijutsu and Bukijutsu with greater effects, reducing the opponents Agility by half once every [3] posts when using an appropriate Taijutsu or Bukijutsu. Additionally, Jūryokuton are able to cast their Gravity techniques with somatic gestures. Once per [5] posts, gravity chakra can be applied to a complex Taijutsu and Bukijutsu technique which causes the technique to count as spiritual in collisions but loses the stat buff. Using this PA itself never consumes a combat action. ▰ Piercing Accuracy | The clansman is more proficient than his fellow clan members at striking tenketsu. One's gentle fist application allows them to reduce 1.5 times the amount of chakra spent in a juken strike instead of 1.25. For example, if one spends 80 chakra on a gentle fist technique, the attack robs the target of 120 instead of the 100 normal clansmen would reduce. ▰ Purest Lineage | The clansman's thoroughbred lineage allows them access to the Byakugan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. In addition, should they unlock the Tenseigan, they may have 50% less reserves to maintain it than other clan members and may also activate the Tenseigan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. ▰ Signature Style: Infinite One Sword Style
Discipline & Cross Class Abilities ▰ Bukijutsu: Expert [ Katana ] | The user has achieved a sense of mastery and focus unlike others and are known as an Expert, a dedicated focus over a weapon they use to near perfection. The shinobi can pick a single weapon, or two if dual wielding, to apply this focus toward with examples such as Katana, Spear, Bows or even Dual Daggers. They acquire a Keystone technique that is unique to them with an additional 2 Custom Techniques derived of this special ability. Refer to the Keystone Guideline for more information. They gain a [+1] boost to both speed and agility & techniques cost [5] less Chakra and/or Stamina per rank of the technique when wielding attacks with their specialized weapon in attack or defense. With a minimum of 5 chakra or stamina paid.
▰ Bloodline: Dual Ancestry | Dual Ancestry allows you to have full access to two bloodlines upon creation including all techniques, abilities, and personal attributes associated with them. For biographical purposes, your secondary bloodline may be genetic or implanted at your discretion. This discipline gives you [4] bloodline PAs to be used only for the bloodline attributes of your dual bloodlines on top of the [2] personal attributes you receive at base for a total of [6]. If two elemental bloodlines are chosen then the primary bloodline's elemental affinities become your base elements and you gain full access to those elements while your secondary bloodline gives you locked elemental affinities that you cannot learn ninjutsu techniques from but you gain full access to the secondary bloodline. Locked elemental affinities can be unlocked through methods such as ninjutsu class or personal attributes. Elemental affinity personal attributes are automatically allotted to locked affinities. Jiongu users do not have access to Dual Ancestry nor can they be chosen as a secondary bloodline. Dual Ancestry users do not have access to the implant system including the Genetic Palette personal attribute. If you use multiple techniques from both of your bloodlines in the same post without Korabo then those techniques are increased in effectiveness by one rank. This discipline cannot be taken with the Elemental Mastery discipline from Ninjutsu Class. ▰ Bloodline - Bukijutsu Cross Class | Bloodline abilities that effect stats are increased by [1] per rank of the technique. In addition, the user is able to combine a bloodline technique and a bukijutsu technique together for a single action, paying the resource cost of both every three posts.
Title: Group Training! Paragraphs Counted: 2 Rank: E Reputation: Neutral Impact: Global Information: Train and hone your skills with other Academy Student Level characters! **Name of Mission - [ Rank | 1/1 Posts ]
Kihone softly apologized for dropping him and his brother off the wall on their way in after Izanagi asked about the safety of their location. Kihone wished he could say for sure how safe it was, but they couldn't afford to assume anything but the worst. As he was about to refocus on looking out for any signs of people, he noticed Izanagi's eyes seemed to focus on something behind them- on the other side of the foliage they were taking cover in. "Ah... sand biscuits!" Kiho exclaimed with a sigh as he promptly emerged to interpose himself between the woman and his injured brother who was reaching for his sword. His arms were held out at his sides and raiton chakra was already gathering to blind the lady if she seemed even a little dangerous. Before he could even get a word out, his guard was washed away by her kindly-toned intent and introduction. His hands sunk lower toward his sides as he was just left speechless.
Izanagi covered for that by asking her if she was a ninja... too? 'Wait. We're not ninja yet...' Kihone looked back at his brother with a did you really just ask that kind of look before returned his attention to Reika. His soft teal eyes studied her carefully for a few seconds as she would likely answer his brother's silly question. 'If she did all this... then maybe she is the one from before who created the rock walls that saved Nagi from Scar-cheek.' As he concluded his mini detective guesswork, Kihone's thoughts wandered to her enchanting red hair and eyes that were a deeper blue than the sky. These thoughts bubbled to the surface and he then wondered out loud, "Are you an angel?" His ears then promptly alerted him to what he had vocalized and he slapped both hands over his mouth the bits of raiton chakra he previously charged zapped his lips with an audible bzzt noise and he reared in shock to the sharp pain. "Yaooww!!" Kiho hissed the pain away and shock the rest of the jitters out of his system.
He pulled his scarf up over his face a bit to hide his blushing as he asked Reika, "Ahem! I meant... uhh, that its nice to meet you, Ama-neechan." He paused, finding himself still hesitant to trust this lady with his name and home, but then he realized that he couldn't make things much worse for Sorai village than it was now. "I'm Kihone, and this is my little brother, Izanagi. We're from Sorai village- not far from here." He paused again, but this time his expressions just spelled despair and worry. He tried to let his gaze wander around the beautiful garden that stood out like a flower on a dune in this unforgiving environment. The sun was still low and the cool evening temperatures were quickly being lost to its rising magnificence. "If you're strong enough to change all of the Land of Wind into an oasis... could you help us save our village? We found some bad guys talking about raiding our home... and we're not strong enough to stop them. Nobody we know probably is either. Not even Koroto-niisama." Kihone's fists clenched as his gaze fell toward the nearest pond. He didn't expect a favorable answer. Adults always scolded them for not understanding how the world works and refusing the most obvious of solutions just because they were proposed by sand-scuffing brats. If nothing else, Kihone still at least hoped they could get back to Sorai before the worst came to pass. They at least had to be warned about the impending danger.
Noticing the tension in their stances, Reika remained calm, her gaze steady and unyielding. The cool dawn air carried a faint chill, brushing against her flushed cheeks as she crouched slightly to meet their eyes. Her red braid, slightly frayed at the edges, rested over one shoulder, swaying as the desert breeze stirred ever so slightly behind the tall rock wall. The sparse foliage around them whispered softly, a fragile testament to her earlier efforts, but her focus remained on the boys. She spoke evenly, her voice low but clear, a thread of warmth woven into her tone.
“I have the skills of a ninja, but I’m not actually one, officially.” The words hung in the air for a moment, and she hesitated, her composure slipping briefly as memories surged unrestrained, flashes of her village, alive with hope and laughter, consumed by fire and despair. Her heart clenched, but she masked it well, continuing without breaking rhythm. “I used to live in a small village with others like me, but I don’t anymore.” She paused again, glancing at the budding oasis she had created, its humble beginnings a stark contrast to the vibrant greenery she remembered. “I’m hoping to make another place in the world look like my old village. And since there isn’t much here…” she gestured faintly to the barren land surrounding them, “…I thought it would be perfect.” Her words carried a certain simplicity, a directness that might have seemed lacking in detail, but she didn’t dwell on it. The truth was enough.
When one of the boys blurted out a question, asking if she was an angel, his cheeks quickly turned crimson with embarrassment. Reika’s expression didn’t waver; she simply shook her head, her braid swaying gently with the motion, giving no attention to his awkwardness. But his next question was more serious, cutting through the fragile quiet like a blade. Her brows knit together, and her eyes darkened, anger flashing briefly in their depths as she recalled the bandits from earlier.
“You mean they didn’t get taken down by the roots and boulder?” Her voice grew sharper, a tempered steel edge in her tone. She turned her gaze toward the battleground, scanning the horizon as if expecting danger to rise from the ruins. “If someone got away, I couldn’t tell. Sorry.” She knew her limits well enough. Her chakra reserves could handle large-scale techniques, but she lacked the tracking skill to ensure no enemy escaped. Her jaw tightened briefly, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior.
Looking back at the boys, her voice stayed firm, her crimson eyes unwavering. “You two are going to need help if they managed to get away,” she said, the weight of her words heavy in the still morning air. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to your village.” The small greenery around them rustled as the wind picked up, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and the promise of what could be. Reika’s resolve, as unyielding as the stone walls she had raised, shone through in her words and in the quiet strength of her presence.
Izanagi cast a quick and sidelong glance at his brother whose cheeks still glowed red from calling Reika an angel. Kihone seemed a bundle of both embarrassment and earnestness, his teal eyes darting around the unusual oasis. Izanagi couldn’t help but offer a faint smile. Even after everything they had been through. Scar-Cheek’s brutality, the terror of nearly losing their lives...Kihone still wore his emotions so openly. Neither of them could be entirely sure what to expect next, but at least this stranger had yet to show signs of aggression. Instead, she had explained her dream of expanding this oasis, her desire to create life where there had only been barren land. The idea resonated strangely with Izanagi, stirring up images of Sorai Village, that safe but dusty place he and Kihone called home.
Hearing Reika’s steady voice affirm that she wasn’t an officially recognized ninja but had skills and the will to protect struck a chord within him. The mention of the bandits sparked Izanagi’s own fear again. His mind flashed back to Scar-Cheek’s taunts, the chilling impact of those kicks, the unyielding ferocity in his eyes. He wondered what would happen. He knew the bandits planned on returning...now they had a vendeta, right? A shiver raced down Izanagi’s spine. We need to do more, he thought. Just beating them once isn’t enough... when they come back, who’s to say we can stop them again? His fingers twitched, remembering the weight of the blade he clung to so desperately. I’m no ninja. I can’t even use ninja tricks Kihone does…
The thought lodged in his chest, spurring him to step forward, away from the plants that barely concealed them. He swallowed hard, ignoring the burning protest of his bruised ribs and throbbing arm. “Reika… I...I want to help” he began, voice soft but building with each word. His gaze flicked to Kihone, who had asked Reika for her aid, and then back to the woman before them. “You saved me earlier, didn’t you? Those walls… they protected me from that guy. His mind flashed back to the four walls that rose up and created the box around him, the turining point in their conflict that gave Izanagi a moment to recollect his thoughts and fight for real. He'd continue "....And this place...its impossible but you made it possible. But I can’t do anything like that. I don’t even know how to use my chakra. I’m...” His words broke off, face coloring with frustration at his own inadequacy. Finally, he drew a shaky breath and pressed on.“Please… can you teach me? Teach me how to be a real ninja, or at least how to use my chakra so I can help defend my brother… my village…” Izanagi threw himself to the ground, adopting a kneeling, bowing position as he pressed his forehead to the earth below. After a passing moment of silence, he would look to her. His eyes shone with a raw desperation, a need not just to survive but to stand on equal ground with those who possessed the power to shape the world around them. “I don’t want to be useless, helpless, watching everyone else fight. I want to stand in front of everyone next time, not behind them.”
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank
Description goes here.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here.
Combat Modifiers & PA's ▰ Singularity | Jūryokuton users have an inherent gravitational pull towards themselves. Because of this, they are able to utilize close range Taijutsu and Bukijutsu with greater effects, reducing the opponents Agility by half once every [3] posts when using an appropriate Taijutsu or Bukijutsu. Additionally, Jūryokuton are able to cast their Gravity techniques with somatic gestures. Once per [5] posts, gravity chakra can be applied to a complex Taijutsu and Bukijutsu technique which causes the technique to count as spiritual in collisions but loses the stat buff. Using this PA itself never consumes a combat action. ▰ Piercing Accuracy | The clansman is more proficient than his fellow clan members at striking tenketsu. One's gentle fist application allows them to reduce 1.5 times the amount of chakra spent in a juken strike instead of 1.25. For example, if one spends 80 chakra on a gentle fist technique, the attack robs the target of 120 instead of the 100 normal clansmen would reduce. ▰ Purest Lineage | The clansman's thoroughbred lineage allows them access to the Byakugan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. In addition, should they unlock the Tenseigan, they may have 50% less reserves to maintain it than other clan members and may also activate the Tenseigan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. ▰ Signature Style: Infinite One Sword Style
Discipline & Cross Class Abilities ▰ Bukijutsu: Expert [ Katana ] | The user has achieved a sense of mastery and focus unlike others and are known as an Expert, a dedicated focus over a weapon they use to near perfection. The shinobi can pick a single weapon, or two if dual wielding, to apply this focus toward with examples such as Katana, Spear, Bows or even Dual Daggers. They acquire a Keystone technique that is unique to them with an additional 2 Custom Techniques derived of this special ability. Refer to the Keystone Guideline for more information. They gain a [+1] boost to both speed and agility & techniques cost [5] less Chakra and/or Stamina per rank of the technique when wielding attacks with their specialized weapon in attack or defense. With a minimum of 5 chakra or stamina paid.
▰ Bloodline: Dual Ancestry | Dual Ancestry allows you to have full access to two bloodlines upon creation including all techniques, abilities, and personal attributes associated with them. For biographical purposes, your secondary bloodline may be genetic or implanted at your discretion. This discipline gives you [4] bloodline PAs to be used only for the bloodline attributes of your dual bloodlines on top of the [2] personal attributes you receive at base for a total of [6]. If two elemental bloodlines are chosen then the primary bloodline's elemental affinities become your base elements and you gain full access to those elements while your secondary bloodline gives you locked elemental affinities that you cannot learn ninjutsu techniques from but you gain full access to the secondary bloodline. Locked elemental affinities can be unlocked through methods such as ninjutsu class or personal attributes. Elemental affinity personal attributes are automatically allotted to locked affinities. Jiongu users do not have access to Dual Ancestry nor can they be chosen as a secondary bloodline. Dual Ancestry users do not have access to the implant system including the Genetic Palette personal attribute. If you use multiple techniques from both of your bloodlines in the same post without Korabo then those techniques are increased in effectiveness by one rank. This discipline cannot be taken with the Elemental Mastery discipline from Ninjutsu Class. ▰ Bloodline - Bukijutsu Cross Class | Bloodline abilities that effect stats are increased by [1] per rank of the technique. In addition, the user is able to combine a bloodline technique and a bukijutsu technique together for a single action, paying the resource cost of both every three posts.
Title: Group Training! Paragraphs Counted: 2 Rank: E Reputation: Neutral Impact: Global Information: Train and hone your skills with other Academy Student Level characters! **Name of Mission - [ Rank | 1/1 Posts ]
'I have the skills of a ninja, but I’m not actually one, officially.' Reika's reply hung in Kihone's front thoughts while he was briefly mesmerized, but he quickly snapped back when he admitted to having also lost her original home. She was so matter of fact about it that Kihone couldn't help but wonder how she had come to peace with such agonizing loss. "Me too... before the Jashinists came. I met Izanagi at the orphanage in Sorai..." His eyes reflected the pain of his lost friends, family and life. However, they also glinted in the light of dawn with an unbroken hopefulness and determination as Izanagi began to talk. Were it not for the fact that Izanagi was barely standing, Kihone would have jabbed him for forgetting to at least say thank you once.
Then Izanagi beat him to asking Reika to teach them to be at least as ninja-like as she is. "HEY! NO FAIR! I wanna learn from Ama-neesama too!!! Please teach us both! We'll work super hard and do whatever you say we need to do to be as strong as you are!" He stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Izanagi, his expression becoming more hardened on his young, plump face. "Ama-nee, on behalf of my rude little brother, I want to thank you for helping us escape those bandits back in the ruins earlier. I was really confused, but boy was I glad for the chances it gave us to survive." He gave Reika a bow low and respectful enough to hopefully cover for the two of them.
As he stood up he would then chime in with his own formal request, "Please, Reika Ama-neesama, I want to be strong enough that no more ninja bandits, or..." He paused as his knuckles went white with each fist clenched, another flash back of his parents' final moments as they sacrificed themselves for him to get away from a Jashinists' sacrificial mass murder, "Or anyone else will ever dare to attack my home as long as I'm around." Kihone sighed and looked to his little brother once again and placed an assuring hand on Izanagi's shoulder, "We want to be strong like the ninja heroes that protected this world- even if we can only get strong enough to protect Sorai." Kihone look around this amazing oasis she created out her her sheer force of will and thought for a moment. "It sure would be nice if people from the village could see this place. Some might even move here, hahah!" He chuckled at his hopeful little jest then fell silent as he awaited Reika's responses.
The boys spoke with fervor, their voices tinged with a mix of youthful determination and lingering fear. They spoke of protecting their home and growing stronger, their words tumbling over one another in a chaotic rhythm. Reika listened carefully, her expression unwavering, though her heart stirred with a deep understanding. She had once been like them: driven by dreams that felt both impossibly large and achingly necessary. When they finally fell silent, her voice cut through the stillness, measured and firm.
“It isn’t going to be easy for either of you to get where I am as quickly as you think it will,” she said, her words weighted with the hard truth of her own journey. For a moment, the gravity of her tone seemed to settle heavily between them, but then she softened, allowing a faint smirk to tug at the corner of her lips. “But I do believe you can get stronger.”
Her determined expression melted slightly as she considered their futures. They would face countless battles ahead, and she knew the path they envisioned was fraught with hardship. Still, they needed guidance, not blind encouragement. “Molding chakra is more about feeling once you understand the basics, but even the basics are hard to describe,” she admitted, scratching the back of her head as a low hum escaped her lips. The simple gesture added a fleeting touch of humanity to her otherwise stoic demeanor. Suddenly, she stopped and held her hand still, her gaze sharpening as she began to explain.
“Think of it like this: you have two kinds of energy in your body. One is physical strength, and the other is your will: the ability to push beyond your limits when your heart says to save someone from danger.” Her voice was steady, though a faint flicker of memory passed through her eyes. She spoke slowly, drawing from lessons Kaoru had drilled into her long ago, layering them with her own experiences. “Then you mix those two together and make a new energy: chakra. It will take a lot of practice, but that’s the best way I can explain it.”
Reika’s expression softened as a fleeting memory surfaced: the first tree branch she had ever created for her sister. A small, fragile thing, but one that had held so much promise. The smile that graced her lips vanished almost as quickly as it had come, chased away by the shadow of her clan’s destruction. Yet she pressed on, determined to share what she could.
“Better yet, it’s like mixing two colors together,” she continued, her voice quieter but no less resolute. “If you add too much of one or the other, the color can change to something you didn’t want. One color overpowers the other, and the result isn't quiet right. But if you mix them evenly together…” Her words trailed off as her eyes closed in focus, her hands moving through a series of intricate seals with practiced precision.
The earth trembled faintly beneath their feet as the transformation began anew. To the boys’ amazement, massive stone walls erupted from the sand in the distance, rising with deliberate purpose. Trees and shrubs followed, their verdant leaves unfurling as if awakened by her chakra, while water bubbled up from the parched ground, soaking the sand until it glistened. On the same scale as her earlier display, the creation was no less impressive to see a second time, if they had. Reika took several deep breaths, steadying herself as the final elements of the transformation settled into place and her eyes gently opened back to focus on the boys rather than the work.
“The color comes out just right,” she finished, her voice tinged with both pride and exhaustion. She rested steadily despite the toll it had taken on her, her sapphire eyes glimmering with the resolve to show them what could be achieved. The dawn light framed her figure, and for a moment, she appeared as steadfast and enduring as the landscape she had transformed.
---
360 chakra used • Ram Head x10 at C-Rank • Waterfall Basin (learned) x3 at C-Rank • Wood Manipulation (learned) x10 at D-Rank
Kondo Kaicho
Regenki
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2025 5:41 pm
Izanagi stood at the edge of the newly formed oasis, struggling to catch his breath as he watched the towering walls and fresh greenery that Reika had raised. The sight left him speechless. It reminded him of how scarce hope had felt in these ruins just hours ago. Now, with the desert floor damp beneath his sandals and slender trees swaying in a soft breeze. "So...this is real ninjutsu?" He thought back to Scar-Cheek’s cold eyes and cruel blade, recalling his own fear. Fear so crippling he could barely hold a sword. 'If chakra requires willpower and physical strength then I’m in trouble.'
Even now, his ribs ached and his legs felt weak. The injuries from their battle with Scar-Cheek stung more than he cared to admit. He clenched his fists, remembering how he froze when he should have acted. When Reika said you need willpower to push beyond limits, he immediately doubted himself. I almost gave up. 'I’m too scared... Maybe that’s why I can’t even mold chakra like Kihone.'He realized he was physically frail too; every cut and bruise only proved the distance he had to grow.
"So how can I learn if I’m not strong in either body or spirit?" He blurted out, the thought manifesting into the air accidentally. His eyes widened as he realized he spoke the ugly truth he felt of himself. His eyes darted away in shame for a moment. However, the memory of Kihone’s electrified form rushing into danger flashed through his mind, along with the ache he felt watching his brother get hurt. Izanagi knew he couldn’t stay behind again. If his brother was brave enough to face real shinobi, then he couldn’t be the one trembling in the corner. Taking a shaky breath, he stepped forward, ignoring every twinge of pain. “I’m not strong enough right now.” he said plainly, words slow and steady. “I don’t have the power to keep people safe. But I’m going to change that. I’ll train harder than I ever have, even if it means I have to get beaten to death like last night every day until I win!”He raised his gaze to meet Reika’s, voice rasping with the strain of conviction. The dark eyes of the boy had a fierce, steady glow that made him appear more predator than prey in that moment.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank
Description goes here.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here.
Combat Modifiers & PA's ▰ Singularity | Jūryokuton users have an inherent gravitational pull towards themselves. Because of this, they are able to utilize close range Taijutsu and Bukijutsu with greater effects, reducing the opponents Agility by half once every [3] posts when using an appropriate Taijutsu or Bukijutsu. Additionally, Jūryokuton are able to cast their Gravity techniques with somatic gestures. Once per [5] posts, gravity chakra can be applied to a complex Taijutsu and Bukijutsu technique which causes the technique to count as spiritual in collisions but loses the stat buff. Using this PA itself never consumes a combat action. ▰ Piercing Accuracy | The clansman is more proficient than his fellow clan members at striking tenketsu. One's gentle fist application allows them to reduce 1.5 times the amount of chakra spent in a juken strike instead of 1.25. For example, if one spends 80 chakra on a gentle fist technique, the attack robs the target of 120 instead of the 100 normal clansmen would reduce. ▰ Purest Lineage | The clansman's thoroughbred lineage allows them access to the Byakugan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. In addition, should they unlock the Tenseigan, they may have 50% less reserves to maintain it than other clan members and may also activate the Tenseigan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. ▰ Signature Style: Infinite One Sword Style
Discipline & Cross Class Abilities ▰ Bukijutsu: Expert [ Katana ] | The user has achieved a sense of mastery and focus unlike others and are known as an Expert, a dedicated focus over a weapon they use to near perfection. The shinobi can pick a single weapon, or two if dual wielding, to apply this focus toward with examples such as Katana, Spear, Bows or even Dual Daggers. They acquire a Keystone technique that is unique to them with an additional 2 Custom Techniques derived of this special ability. Refer to the Keystone Guideline for more information. They gain a [+1] boost to both speed and agility & techniques cost [5] less Chakra and/or Stamina per rank of the technique when wielding attacks with their specialized weapon in attack or defense. With a minimum of 5 chakra or stamina paid.
▰ Bloodline: Dual Ancestry | Dual Ancestry allows you to have full access to two bloodlines upon creation including all techniques, abilities, and personal attributes associated with them. For biographical purposes, your secondary bloodline may be genetic or implanted at your discretion. This discipline gives you [4] bloodline PAs to be used only for the bloodline attributes of your dual bloodlines on top of the [2] personal attributes you receive at base for a total of [6]. If two elemental bloodlines are chosen then the primary bloodline's elemental affinities become your base elements and you gain full access to those elements while your secondary bloodline gives you locked elemental affinities that you cannot learn ninjutsu techniques from but you gain full access to the secondary bloodline. Locked elemental affinities can be unlocked through methods such as ninjutsu class or personal attributes. Elemental affinity personal attributes are automatically allotted to locked affinities. Jiongu users do not have access to Dual Ancestry nor can they be chosen as a secondary bloodline. Dual Ancestry users do not have access to the implant system including the Genetic Palette personal attribute. If you use multiple techniques from both of your bloodlines in the same post without Korabo then those techniques are increased in effectiveness by one rank. This discipline cannot be taken with the Elemental Mastery discipline from Ninjutsu Class. ▰ Bloodline - Bukijutsu Cross Class | Bloodline abilities that effect stats are increased by [1] per rank of the technique. In addition, the user is able to combine a bloodline technique and a bukijutsu technique together for a single action, paying the resource cost of both every three posts.
Title: Group Training! Paragraphs Counted: 2 Rank: E Reputation: Neutral Impact: Global Information: Train and hone your skills with other Academy Student Level characters! **Name of Mission - [ Rank | 1/1 Posts ]
Kihone paused when Reika warned them about things not being easy, and neither of them honestly believed it would be at this point. Those bandits had all but shattered Kihone's conceptions of gliding into the role of a ninja hero of legend. At the very least, her confidence in them definitely kept the hope alive. Kiho smiled with grateful eagerness as she explained the nature of controlling chakra despite her difficulty finding the words to explain it to a pair of eight year olds. The boy held up his left hand and more attentively attempted to replicate that feeling of causing sparks to form on the surface of his palm. "Mix physical strength with will... and get chakra." Sure enough, just a few sparks would begin to form after a moment, but then he remembered another basic thing. "Ama-nee, is that why-" He stopped as soon as she started forming the very hand seals he was about to inquire about.
Kiho's palm sparks fizzled out as Reika effectively doubled the size of the oasis she was creating, one step at a time. "WOOOOWWEE!" He gasped with delighted wonder for a moment until Izanagi brought a very relatable question which was soon followed by his natural tenacity and convictions. Kihone approached Izanagi and placed his left hand on his shoulder for reassurance. "You're a lot stronger than you think, Nagi. I still have a long way to go too, but we'll both go the distance!" He offered his brother a vow in the form a seemingly simple fist bumb with his right hand. From there he looked back to Reika and gave her a very deep bow of his own, "We won't let you down, Ama-neesama!" So to prove it, Kihone would take a step back and form a ram hand seal as he started practicing gathering more lightning chakra through his body. It was to be similar to how the Lightning Transformation worked, but without changing his form this time. He'd have to figure out the hand seals later, but for now just gathering enough chakra to do it would suffice as progress.
Reika listened quietly as Izanagi spoke, his determination filling the space between them like a tangible force. His words carried the weight of someone striving to prove his worth—not just to others, but to himself. She admired the resolve she saw in him, though her mind sifted through the right response, something that would resonate without crushing his spirit. The stillness of the desert morning wrapped around them like a cloak, the dawn’s faint light spilling gently over the horizon. To the boys, the silence might have felt unbearable, as if the weight of her contemplation was a judgment in itself. When she finally broke it, her low, melodic giggle was as unexpected as it was comforting.
With a gloved hand, she reached out and placed her palm lightly on Izanagi’s shoulder, her touch steady but gentle. Her azure eyes softened, holding a mix of reassurance and something deeper: understanding. “From the creation of something as small as a flower to a tree that can shade an entire mountain, the color you create will never change,” she said, her voice calm but brimming with a quiet intensity. As her hand slid back to her side, she knelt gracefully before him, leaning just enough to meet his gaze fully. “Once you find your color, that’s when you’ll truly begin to grow.”
Reika shifted her attention to Kihone, raising her hand to point at him deliberately, ensuring Izanagi followed her motion. “He’s already found his color,” she said, gesturing to the faint sparks of lightning crackling in Kihone’s hands, alive with the energy of his chakra. “Find your perfect color and hold onto it. Don’t forget how it feels when you do. That’s where your journey really begins. The strength to grow can only come once you’ve found that foundation.”
Her words lingered in the air, mingling with the faint rustle of the desert breeze. With a calm exhale, Reika pushed herself to her feet, brushing the sand from her knees as she stood tall once more. The dawn light caught the faint edges of her figure, her loose braid swaying slightly as she stretched, her shoulders visibly relaxing as she reclaimed her composure. Her gaze drifted briefly toward the direction of a small village, a flicker of concern crossing her features before fading. She would allow the boys time to master the feeling of their chakra before focusing on the battles to come. Their potential was undeniable, far beyond what she could have imagined for herself at their age. Yet, even in their strength, her thoughts strayed back to the peaceful days of her own childhood, to the village that once thrived under the shade of trees she could no longer touch. ---
Izanagi stared at the spot where Reika had knelt a moment before, her words about “finding your color” echoing in his head. He swallowed, fingers clenching and unclenching at his sides. So that was it? He had to dig into his physical strength and his desire to protect the people he cared about, until something sparked inside him. Or, in Reika’s words, until he uncovered his own “color.” His eyes flicked to Kihone, whose faded emerald sparks still crackled faintly, reminding him again of how far he had to go. Alright, he told himself, squaring his shoulders. I can at least try.
He inhaled deeply, bending his knees and tightening his core, imagining himself sinking into the ground while his spirit lifted upward. The morning air felt cool against his sweat-streaked skin, but his cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and determination. He closed his eyes and focused on the two things Reika said mattered: his physical energy and his willpower. A sharp jolt of memory snapped in his mind. That would be the vision of Scar-Cheek’s blade, Kihone lying in a crater, the helpless panic he felt. His entire body tensed as he tried...really tried... to combine that raw emotion with the strength still left in his exhausted muscles. He half-expected some surge of power, maybe a dramatic gust of wind ripping around him, dust swirling in a halo of newfound strength. Instead, a strained grunt escaped his throat, and… nothing. Maybe a faint prickle coursed over his arms, but it felt more like goosebumps than any real sign of chakra.
For a moment, he couldn’t help imagining he might suddenly glow gold or feel lightning crackling in his veins, just like his brother. But no sparks, only a burning frustration. Forcing his eyes open, Izanagi glanced at his clenched fists and sighed. No flash, no thunder, no huge stone walls. He let out a shaky breath and turned to Kihone, offering a sheepish half-smile. “Guess I still have a long way to go.” he admitted quietly, voice tinged with resolve. “But I’m not giving up. I’ll keep doing this until something changes” He spoke the last words with a soft plea, eyes briefly lowering before he steeled himself once again. Then, resetting his posture, he inhaled and prepared to try all over, committed to pushing through every awkward failure until he finally touched that power Reika believed was waiting for him. This process would be one that he repeated several times.
Izanagi’s breathing came faster and shallower with each attempt, his brow damp with sweat despite the morning chill. Every new effort to channel chakra left him more drained, as though someone had siphoned the scant energy he had left after all their battles. His limbs felt heavier by the second, and his temples throbbed in protest of his sleepless night and empty stomach. Finally, the exhaustion simply became too much. A weak tremor ran through his legs, and he staggered forward, vision dimming. Before he could even call out to Kihone or Reika, his knees buckled, and he collapsed into the sand, the world fading to black around him. The collapse owed as much to fatigue as it did to hunger. A small cloud of dust that seemed to mock the idea he had of his chakra exploding to life. "Ki...ho." Izanagi murmured before he gave way to his body's desperate call for rest.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank
Description goes here.
Technique Active: ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here. ▰ Technique Name | Rank Description goes here.
Combat Modifiers & PA's ▰ Singularity | Jūryokuton users have an inherent gravitational pull towards themselves. Because of this, they are able to utilize close range Taijutsu and Bukijutsu with greater effects, reducing the opponents Agility by half once every [3] posts when using an appropriate Taijutsu or Bukijutsu. Additionally, Jūryokuton are able to cast their Gravity techniques with somatic gestures. Once per [5] posts, gravity chakra can be applied to a complex Taijutsu and Bukijutsu technique which causes the technique to count as spiritual in collisions but loses the stat buff. Using this PA itself never consumes a combat action. ▰ Piercing Accuracy | The clansman is more proficient than his fellow clan members at striking tenketsu. One's gentle fist application allows them to reduce 1.5 times the amount of chakra spent in a juken strike instead of 1.25. For example, if one spends 80 chakra on a gentle fist technique, the attack robs the target of 120 instead of the 100 normal clansmen would reduce. ▰ Purest Lineage | The clansman's thoroughbred lineage allows them access to the Byakugan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. In addition, should they unlock the Tenseigan, they may have 50% less reserves to maintain it than other clan members and may also activate the Tenseigan without the use of a hand seal, chakra cost, or activation. ▰ Signature Style: Infinite One Sword Style
Discipline & Cross Class Abilities ▰ Bukijutsu: Expert [ Katana ] | The user has achieved a sense of mastery and focus unlike others and are known as an Expert, a dedicated focus over a weapon they use to near perfection. The shinobi can pick a single weapon, or two if dual wielding, to apply this focus toward with examples such as Katana, Spear, Bows or even Dual Daggers. They acquire a Keystone technique that is unique to them with an additional 2 Custom Techniques derived of this special ability. Refer to the Keystone Guideline for more information. They gain a [+1] boost to both speed and agility & techniques cost [5] less Chakra and/or Stamina per rank of the technique when wielding attacks with their specialized weapon in attack or defense. With a minimum of 5 chakra or stamina paid.
▰ Bloodline: Dual Ancestry | Dual Ancestry allows you to have full access to two bloodlines upon creation including all techniques, abilities, and personal attributes associated with them. For biographical purposes, your secondary bloodline may be genetic or implanted at your discretion. This discipline gives you [4] bloodline PAs to be used only for the bloodline attributes of your dual bloodlines on top of the [2] personal attributes you receive at base for a total of [6]. If two elemental bloodlines are chosen then the primary bloodline's elemental affinities become your base elements and you gain full access to those elements while your secondary bloodline gives you locked elemental affinities that you cannot learn ninjutsu techniques from but you gain full access to the secondary bloodline. Locked elemental affinities can be unlocked through methods such as ninjutsu class or personal attributes. Elemental affinity personal attributes are automatically allotted to locked affinities. Jiongu users do not have access to Dual Ancestry nor can they be chosen as a secondary bloodline. Dual Ancestry users do not have access to the implant system including the Genetic Palette personal attribute. If you use multiple techniques from both of your bloodlines in the same post without Korabo then those techniques are increased in effectiveness by one rank. This discipline cannot be taken with the Elemental Mastery discipline from Ninjutsu Class. ▰ Bloodline - Bukijutsu Cross Class | Bloodline abilities that effect stats are increased by [1] per rank of the technique. In addition, the user is able to combine a bloodline technique and a bukijutsu technique together for a single action, paying the resource cost of both every three posts.
Title: Group Training! Paragraphs Counted: 2 Rank: E Reputation: Neutral Impact: Global Information: Train and hone your skills with other Academy Student Level characters! **Name of Mission - [ Rank | 1/1 Posts ]
Kihone nodded reassuringly to his brother when Izanagi seemed to be braced to try a type of training that was understandably far out of his comfort zone. "You can do it, Nagi!" With that cheer he'd fall silent and refocus on the viridian sparks that had all but faded from his small body. Kihone closed his eyes and focused on moving the tingly feeling of the lightning chakra throughout his body like he had with the flashing light and lightning transformation techniques. "If I just change the flow a bit more... it should be somewhere between those two jutsu..." He hummed his notes aloud to himself as he did in fact raise and lower his chakra output until it felt and looked like it was reaching the desired effect. Originating from his maintained ram hand seal, Kihone's body suddenly burst with a dense layer of vividly green electrical flows that formed a sort of layer over his body. 'I DID IT!' He exclaimed internally just before his jubilant grin was met with Izanagi's debilitating struggle with this chakra control business.
"Ki...ho." His brother weakly called out before starting to collapse. "NAGI?!" Kihone quickly released his jutsu as he sprinted to attempt to catch Izanagi before he fell. "Careful!" He threw himself under Izanagi, letting his exhausted brother collapse onto him as they both landed on the soft grasses of Reika's oasis. "Uugh... I guess it... awwwwhn..." At first Kiho tried to push Izanagi off, but then he just found himself yawning and also losing all of his own strength at once. "S-sorry Ama-neesama, but I think we- aaaaawhn... need... to... rest..." Kihone nodded off mid sentence under Izanagi, finding the whole thing to still be much more comfortable than the beds back at the orphanage.
Reika watched as both boys wrestled with her words, their brows furrowed in concentration as they tried to make sense of the concept in their own way. Kihone surprised her with how naturally he adapted, his chakra responding with a precision that even he seemed unaware of. Each spark of energy he conjured was deliberate, efficient, and clean, a testament to a skill he had yet to fully understand. But her eyes kept drifting back to Izanagi, whose stubborn resolve drove him to approach the task with brute determination rather than balance. She watched as he forced his way through the process, his chakra fluctuating wildly, the strain evident in every movement. He isn’t going to make it, she thought, her expression neutral but her mind tense as she observed his faltering attempts.
“You’re trying to force it. I wouldn’t-” Her calm warning was cut short as Izanagi’s legs buckled and he crumpled to the sand, unconscious from overexertion. Before she could move, Kihone darted forward, catching his friend and softening his fall, only to collapse himself moments later, his body succumbing to the strain of their efforts. Reika exhaled softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the situation. With measured movements, she crouched beside them, carefully pulling Izanagi off Kihone and laying them side by side. Her gloved hands moved with practiced care, checking them over for injuries. For reasons she couldn’t quite place, she felt compelled to stay by their side, a quiet pull urging her to protect these boys who had unknowingly tied themselves to her vision. She didn’t know how long she would remain here, but she was certain now: if she wanted to change the Land of Wind, this was her home.
As the first rays of dawn crept higher into the sky, Reika finished tending to their wounds, wrapping bandages tightly around scraped arms and bruised legs. She untied her tattered cloak from her neck, the fabric worn and weathered from countless battles, and draped it over the two boys to shield them from the desert chill. Pressing her kunai into the sand through the edge of the cloak, she secured it against the wind, adding yet another scar to the frayed garment that had accompanied her for so long. Rising to her feet, she glanced toward the horizon, her azure eyes reflecting the soft hues of the morning light. The sky above was painted in muted shades of pink and orange, streaked with thin clouds that drifted lazily by, as if the world itself were at peace for a fleeting moment.
Reika stood watch, her hands resting lightly at her sides, her senses attuned to the stillness around her. She knew they had at least a day before the next attack, and she doubted the boys would be of much use in their current state. Their exhaustion ran too deep, their wounds too fresh. For now, all she could do was guard them and wait. The Land of Wind demanded resilience, and if these two were to survive its harsh trials, they would need rest and strength to face what lay ahead.
