Deep Fried Dumb-lings [P]

Miyamoto excused himself for a visit to the privy. Quite an emergency it had been for him to be unable to spend an hour or so on training. His bowels truly had to be on the verge of explosion. It was also possible that Miyamoto didn't want to bother with training after all. A series of successful results in battles fought to this point may differ from individual to individual.  And a lack of interest in honing your skill is a common symptom for  people who grow confident in their current Lvl of abilities. Perhaps Miyamoto was one such.  Even if that was the case Ayato wouldn't barge into that. Miyamoto does Miyamoto. The same way Ayato does himself. 

Shouhei on the other hand, not only did he accept the challenge but also revealed he was casually carrying with him scrolls containing jutsu inside. Ayato couldn't help but feel fascinated. For the orange haired shinobi definitely had all the makings of a rival. At least displayed potential to be one in the future when they would both be fighting for honor and glory in missions of great importance. Not dusting up courtyards or trimming plants by the village gates missions that most Genin found themselves occupied with.  

Maybe we should go someplace else that’s less people-y? Ayato heard him say and nodded in response. Placing a bandaged arm upon the shorter's shinobi shoulder he spoke. His eyes would narrow and a small smirk would appear on his face to add further weight to his words. "Hmm, Casually carrying scrolls around with you all day. You must be someone with a burning desire to learn everything you come across. As expected from my eternal rival." Ayato said with a serious tone, proclaiming Shouhei rival without even his consent. He was aware this action was bound to puzzle but this was the perfect moment to make such proclamation and didn't want to miss it. 

Without waiting for a response from his new rival Ayato took off his arm and turned around to scout for a location to train. "I bet I sounded cool saying that. Anyway, perhaps I should consider incorporating his tactic for myself. He thought and the voice in his head was louder than that of Shouhei. As such the young Hyuuga missed the completely the part where Shouhei stated that he didn't have a habit of carrying around scrolls. Or perhaps it was his subconsciousness that didn't allow him to hear, for his delusion would shatter into a thousand pieces. 

Anyhow, the search for a suitable area to train proved to be more of a challenge than Ayato initially believed. There was barely an isolated area into the City Square since the streets had been crowded with people and the buildings were all but uninhabited.  Did Ayato have to propose to travel into the water gardens or into a forest, it was possible but that would be running away instead of figuring out a solution to the situation at hand. So his eyes swept back and forth kept searching, but it was only the sky that appeared to be empty. And it was then he thought he had figured it out. No, they were not going to fly, but they could climb. "We can't risk hitting someone with the jutsu we plan on training. The citizens of this City hate us shinobi enough already. So I say we climb to the rooftop of a tall building and use them there." Ayato said and pointed his fingers towards a three-story building ten meters away from where the duo stood. "That one will work just fine." He said and then turned and walked towards it hoping Shouhei would follow him. Using his Walking upon surface his feet became glued to the brick wall and slowly began his ascension towards the rooftop. When he reached it he took a moment to catch his breath and then spoke. "Let's do this."

WC - 658

Shouhei looked at the young man in front of him, and all one could get from his expression was a blank stare that told you his inner voice said ’well that happened.’ However, all he could utter were an audible, “Huh.” Who really wanted to be his rival? What he had in himself were mostly doing his own thing, letting the world flow in front of him, and only occasionally cutting through the stream to reach an alternative goal. To say the least, being a mover of people in the world was troublesome. Not to mention few people actually needed saving but the world needed saving from them thinking the world needed to be saved or changed. However, that was not what bothered him the most. It was that Ayato hadn’t heard the part where Shouhei audibly and specifically clarified himself that he does not normally carry around scrolls. That was not to say he was about to correct him. Ayato seemed to have excessively too much fun that Shouhei didn’t feel like challenging. At least he was no longer pale nor sickly looking from having to cure himself from excessive eating.

While Shouhei were busy being annoyed, it would seem that Ayato had already decided on a place to begin his little challenge. Following him towards the three-story building, Shouhei decided to opt for scaling the building in two even jumps holding onto a platform in the first jump, and landing on the roof in the second.

Shouhei turned towards his allegedly new rival. It was still a silly idea to him even if he was going to punch the innocent smirk he had on his slips off his face at the very moment. “Okay then!” Breathing in then out, Shouhei made sure to put himself in a zen like state so he wouldn’t be annoyed or anything. The only thing Ayato saw before Shouhei disappeared behind him was Shouhei doing the hand seal ram at a speed of 20.

Following that up him formed the dragon -> tiger -> hare signs, and from his big mouth ushered forward a small waterfall of water. However, instead of shooting it directly at Ayato he intentionally overshot to the right allowing the water to flow down the side of the building on some random birds, in case he weren’t hit by the torrent of water.

“How was that, Rival kun sama dono? I can do another one if you want.” Shouhei asked in a voice that sounded like a parody of his usual tone.

Notes wrote:AP Used: 10 + 20 = 30.
AP left: 142 - 30 = 112.

Word Count: 423
Total Word Count: 3553
Jutsus Claimed: Body Flicker (1000|1000)
Water Trumpet (2000 | 2000)
Claiming Towards:
Mist Servant (553 | 1000)

From where they stood, Ayato could take a view of the houses and shops around the City Square in a way that he wouldn't be able to do if they were in ground level. The people below them moving like tidal waves of countless different hues and the building would be the rocks that shifted its course. This scenery had its own unique beauty but it also made Ayato feel a bit nauseous. He had always used the Surface Technique Walking technique to leap from rooftop to rooftop when he was in haste to get to a destination. However being in a hurry meant that he didn't remain stationary. Perhaps this was the reason he felt lightheaded. Remaining on such high point like this for several minutes or perhaps they were just seconds that felt like a veritable lifetime. No matter, this experience had given Ayato a great realization or a grim reminder if you prefer, he was scared of heights. Scared is a heavy word actually. Uncomfortable sounds better. A Hyuuga must never be scared.

Breathing Heavily Ayato attempted to slow his heart and focus on the Jutsu he wanted to execute. Wait, what did he want to train again. Damn. Drunk in his excitement from finding a rival, he hadn't put much thought into it. Taijutsu would be his pick but feeling nauseous his movements would be very sluggish and he'd mess up.

Genjutsu didn't cut it. In theory, he understood but in practice he sucked. Bukijutsu appealed, at least more than Genjutsu did , but Ayato never fancied himself the dashing swordsman. A ninjutsu technique would do the trick. What kind of ninjutsu though? Ayato was interested in training his elemental technique but breathing Fire like a dragon was unmarked territory for him. Just as he was thinking what kind of jutsu to use he felt cold fingers touching the back of his hair and the skin of naked neck. Gingerly feeling the back of his head his fingers came out 
with water. Distracted by his fear of heights Ayato didn't notice that Shouhei went on to execute an elemental technique on his own. And apparently, the orange haired midget found it within him to mess with Ayato. 

"How was that, Rival kun sama dono? I can do another one if you want." The words gave a nervous tension to Ayato that came close to anger. But what put him really at awe was that Shouhei had the water element, and if Ayato found himself taking it head on with his own element he would find himself at disadvantage. Since Fire is weak against Water. Still, he had to match Shouhei blow for blow and he wouldn't back down.

Thankfully Ayato recently had witnessed a Chuunin when he was training into the Water Gardens using a Fire Release technique. A flame shot that left the user's mouth and be shot towards the intended target within a range of approximately 10 meters. Ayato took interest in that and watched the man's action closely. The name he remembered, Fire Release: Exploding Flame Shot. The hand seals as well Tiger-Ox-Rat-Bird-Tiger in that order. Down to the last detail, this was his creed. Rather than spewing the fire chakra in a small stream this will have to come out as a ball of pressured flame.And being a flame orb so I don't want the Jutsu immediately exploding. Controlling this might just be the trickiest part.

He turned to face Shouhei who stood about 7 meters away from him. Placing his hands together Ayato inhaled softly from his nostrils, his torso puffing forward while shoulders and back would bend. Elemental chakra began to build within him and the burning in his stomach followed. Visualizing a yellow ball of flame spinning in his chest Ayato executed the Tiger-Ox-Rat-Bird-Tiger in quick succession. "Fire Release: Exploding Flame shot." Ayato let out and released the technique. The 5-centimeter fireball left his mouth and traveled towards the blue sky exactly above where Shouhei stood. About 10 meters into its flight the yellow orb exploded into a bright flash that it would be more than enough to startle Shouhei. 

"Damn, it looks like I got a long way to go. I aimed to hit you with that." Ayato said sarcastically and a smile brimming with confidence formed across his face. Even though he didn't expect to successfully execute the technique without completely messing up a couple of times. Surely the pressure he felt from Shouhei's presence made him increase his focus. Doing something with your back against the wall is all that exciting. And Ayato was not going to fall behind. He could try another Fire Release but to go deep into unmarked territory there was always dangerous and in all honesty what the Fire Release: Exploding Flame shot was simply scratching the surface. No, this jutsu had to come from within Ayato's comfort zone. Taijutsu. He could do it now, unlike before where he felt nauseous and dizzy from the height. And even though he had a ball of fire literally spinning into his stomach seconds ago, he was feeling just fine.

The taijutsu technique he would perform was going to be a kick-based attack known as Leaf Gale. It was a sweeping kick executed not with the back leg to throw an opponent of his feet in a similar fashion as pulling the carpet down of him where he would meet the ground with his head or back in a loud thud. Ayato understood this was particularly useful as a counterattack to a charging opponent rather than a straight forward that would do devastating damage if it landed. But counters have their own strength since in actually they used the opponent's strength against them. 

This suited Ayato's fighting style perfectly since despite his close range proficiency he was not one to simply jump into a battle blindly. Additionally, he might have been unfamiliar with kicks since Gentle Fists as the name suggest involves mainly using your fists but lately Ayato had been building his lower body with rigorous roadworks and weights. Of course, following such a training regime there was always the danger of him growing sore and sluggish but he made sure to stretch properly before and after so that his footwork and free run wouldn't deteriorate.

"Stretching is important even though most people neglect it. But today I'll have to do so as well. It may throw me off rhythm and I have to take advantage of the momentum from before." He thought with a sigh before widening his stance. He put his pivot left forward while his right trailed close behind it. Slowly he began to shift his body weight accordingly to develop a steady and solid form. At the same time, he transmitted chakra to his legs that would increase their speed and power.

This kept up for a few moments until Ayato felt he was ready. "Leaf Gale!" He yelled and with a long but sharp exhale he made a quick small step to the side with his pivotal leg and launched a powerful medium kick in front of him that traveled parallel to the ground. It was stronger and faster than expected but the momentum was exactly what he needed to execute the second step. At the aftermath of the chakra enhanced right kick made that his body spin 180 degrees to the left, Ayato shifted his weight to his right leg. The moment the ball of right foot made contact with the ground  Ayato ducked down and launched a sweeping low kick at speed of 85 that kicked up dust and dirt from the roof in a gust of the wind.

He had succeeded in executing his second jutsu as well. But...Shouhei's earlier words and tone of voice made it apparent that this wasn't over yet. The orange haired shinobi had executed successfully two jutsu with his first try as well and even challenged Ayato to one more. The young Hyuuga still hadn't responded to that since focused too much on getting back on Shouhei for messing with him. But now it was time to give a response it was time to answer his challenge. "Damn he is keeping up quite well. This is a close contest. Perhaps I should call it a day, but then I will be the loser." Ayato thought before he rose up to his feet and met Shouhei's gaze.  "Go on then. Use what you have in mind. But I'll beat you to it and I don't need any scrolls for that." Ayato said and his eyes would narrow, his voice calm and confident with a small flavor of arrogance within. He needed to rouse himself, the next action would decide the winner. 

WC: 1450

It would appear that Shouhei wasn’t the only person who had plans to do shenanigans today. He still thought his flood idea was good though. The short peek over the railing even confirmed to him that no one got hurt down there. Those things aside however. The explosion going over his head did indeed startle Shouhei causing his head and shoulders to cover down a bit as the noise went over his head. He should have seen that coming when with how Ayato yelled exploding flame shot.

His head and shoulders back in place he responded more confidently to Ayato. “You can try that again and see what happens!” He taunted back having his usual coy grin. As for Ayato’s next move, Shouhei knew what was coming having felt it on his body when he was training with Kyousuke. To make sure he was not caught again by that technique, he jumped backwards seeing Ayato performing what now looked like a dance move instead of an attack. “Nice try, but I know how that dance goes.”

Listening to Ayato’s response Shouhei suggestion that they do another, and the response he got from Ayato made him smile. “No more use of scrolls then.” Shouhei took out a kunai, and he slammed his hands together. At a speed of 20, he performed the following hand seals Boar and Rat. Causing an interesting effect to Ayato.

Out of the young man’s vision appeared several clones of Shouhei, all of the very believable and armed. They also acted independently moving around Shouhei. “I saw you tried to make a clone back at the restaurant.” Shouhei said among the clones that covered him up for now. “And seeing that it did not leave any traces I will guess it was a shadow clone, right? Well I have already beat you in that department.”

Shouhei rarely lied – okay that is not true – but today it was a special day, and so far, it had been fun with how they have riled each other up. “Are you ready? Here we go!” Shouhei moved with his clone, with them occupationally attacking Ayato, and if he hit them back, they would multiply. However, that would also reveal that they weren’t shadow clones. Unless Ayato somehow thought Shouhei was that big a genius that he could improve upon the shadow clone technique that much.

Coming close, Shouhei attempted to pat Ayato on the shoulder “Having fun mate?” He said as he did a summersault away both in case he was able to pat him on the shoulder, and in case he struck at him. Midair he would do finger guns at him and wink, and hopefully he got a secure landing.

Notes wrote:Word Count: 453.

Despite the sweeping low kick coming with a speed of 40 to pull the rug under him, Shouhei casually jumped back successfully avoiding. Ayato was taken aback by this. Not because it didn't land since this meant to be a way to get back to Shouhei a bit more after he showered him with the water so there wasn't any tremendous strength or speed behind it. It was rather the way it happened. Shouhei did not appear to make the dodge based on his instincts but from experience. And not in the art of taijutsu but the technique itself, as if he had seen it before at some point in the past.

Nice try, but I know how that dance goes. The rival's words came only to confirm what Ayato had suspected. Shouhei was indeed familiar with the leaf gale, and be able to dodge so casually meant that the kick Shouhei had known didn't pale in comparison to that of Ayato, more likely it was far better for him to dodge with so little effort. Well, no matter even if that was the case. Always room for improvement in the future and despite being the first time he ever tried the Leaf Gale it went pretty smoothly.

The next verbal blow Ayato wouldn't be able to parry. Shouhei mentioned the half-assed attempt at the shadow clone he made back in the restaurant which felt like a kunai to his gut more than anything.  He was positive that he had learned the technique at a previous training session but today's events proved otherwise. To be honest after that mess he didn't even want to hear of the technique for a long while. Not until he felt comfortable enough to at least try and learn it again.

"Words alone cannot beat me." Ayato proclaimed with a serious tone calling Shouhei's bluff. Hell, even his hand seals were wrong, the shadow clone required a unique cross-shaped one. Shinobi creed is dedicated to foul play and deception, but learn your stuff before you lie. The moment Shouhei unleashed the technique several doppelgangers appeared out of thin air beside him and after of few seconds Ayato couldn't tell who the real one was. The horde of Shouhei(s) slowly began to move toward him, stainless black steel in their hands.  Was I was wrong? Ayato thought and took several nervous steps backward. Is he actually some kind of genius that can create an indefinite amount of Shadow Clones? But the hand seal was all wrong and the movements of those clones are slow and sluggish. Before Ayato could process this any further he realized that the clones had spread all over the rooftop, effectively surrounding him. And one of them was right behind him. Unsure if it was the real Shouhei or not and purely led by instinct he turned and threw a back fist at speed of 50 meeting him square in the jaw. The impact made the Shouhei exploded with a small of *puff* revealing he was a clone after all. But before he dispersed completely, two more Shouhei(s) emerged in his place looking at Ayato with eyes of a dead fish. 

What the hell. He thought and leaped back into the air, landing on top of the chimney that was two meters behind him. His feet glued to the dark red bricks thanks to the Surface Walking Technique, he gazed down at the clones twelve of them in total. I'll have to search for the real one. Ayato thought and narrowed his gaze, activating the Byakugan to look for Shouhei, with a new set of white lavender eyes. As he did, he realized that the clones appeared to be composed entirely of chakra lacking any real substance behind them, there was no blood no muscle, no bone. Only chakra. 

"I just don't get it anymore. I'll blow them all away!" Ayato shouted and reached for the weapon pouch. The last part was true at least. With his right hand, he pulled out two of his shuriken and threw simultaneously towards the clones with throwing speed of and a slight curve. The small black steel stars slashed through the clones in their path. For each one they slashed two more began to emerge, but Ayato was not done yet. Putting his hands together he executed the hand seals for the Fire Release: Exploding Flame Shot and four bright orbs of flame were shot from his mouth. They traveled at speed of 15 and exploded upon impact with the rooftop causing a small fiery explosion, burning the clones that weren't hit by the shuriken and those that were ready to emerge. But as the fire began to extinguish the clones continued to multiply even though they should have burned.

Just as I though! This is Genjutsu after all." The technique that Kamina-sensei talked about during a lecture in the Academy span in his in fits and flashes. That technique if executed with enough focus could successfully put a user or his ally out from the effects of Genjutsu. The name he remembered so did the number of hand seals. Just one. He couldn't quite recall which one, though. But Shouhei wouldn't come out to interrupt his attempt to try to recall it. In fear of being sliced or burned that is. Ayato had seen to that with his earlier display. "Tiger. The seal is tiger." Ayato finally remembered and he brought his hands in front of his chest to form the Tiger hand seal. He closed his eyes and deactivated the Byakugan so his mind alone could unveil the truth. "Release!" He yelled and unleashed the jutsu.

When his opened his eyes all the clones were gone. Only blackened spots in the rooftop an aftermath from his fire release and his Shuriken pinned on the ground. "Shouhei show yourself. I know you are there." Ayato said as he leaped down from the chimney landing with a soft thud on the ground. The location of his rival known to him, no longer with a dozen of his doppelgangers to hide behind. 

Ayato felt a soft a pad on his shoulder “Having fun mate?” The orange haired midget said and Ayato turned to back fist him with a lousy swing, more to shoosh him away rather than hit him. When his rival would have landed away and be done with his jesting Ayato would speak. "I do. For this little game has come to and end and I have won. " The tone in his voice calm and serious but underneath there were hints annoyance and perhaps insecurity. "I figured this out thanks to the Byakugan. It is possible that without it I would have kept punching and kicking the clones until I ran out of stamina." Ayato thought but wouldn't leave an opening to his  eternal rival to question his victory. The score was even now. And he would run away with it if need be. 

"I told you I'm not planning on losing to you anywhere. Be a contest or the Chuunin Exams. Next time I see you I'll completely defeat you. You do well to hone your skills before that as best you can." Ayato proclaimed not turning to look at Shouhei as he walked towards the edge of the building's rooftop, his jet black hair moving as fingers of wind brushed gently through it. His steps magnificent as they were echoed upon the rooftop of the building.  He was about to use his Body Flicker technique to exit in a flash of speed he looked down to the City Square from the rooftop's edge for the last time today. "I'm not scared of heights anymore." He thought in delight before he addressed his rival one last time. "Until we meet again Shouhei Sato." Ayato said and performed the Ram hand seal before he disappeared with a swishing sound. 




WC - 1290
TWC - 6422

Claiming

32 Stat points 

Chakra Suppression [2000/2000]
Genjutsu Release [500/500]
Leaf Gale [1000/1000]
Exploding Flame Shot [1000/1000]
Eight Trigrams: Thirty-two Palms [500] Already at 500 [1000/1000]
Mist Servant [500/1000]
Gentle Fist Art: One Blow Body [900] Already at 1305 [2205/4000]

By the time Ayato had cancelled his mist clones, and Shouhei had landed back on his feet, he gave Ayato a thumbs up. However, Shouhei quickly started to feel the heavy air as Ayato did his response and the speech that followed afterwards. ‘Not quite the mood I was expecting’ was all his mind could opine from it.

“That’s nice. Maybe next time I should take you serious.” Was his response as he put his kunai back in his pouch, then extended his index fingers to do the finger gun stance.

“Of course we will see each other later, Ayato.” Shouhei put his hands back in his pants, and he then started to scale the building in three jumps and walk home. While Shouhei would be able to restore his chakra pretty fast, he did not feel like using the body flicker technique to flee the scene like he had witnesses Ayato do.

Walking home, he wondered why Ayato was trying so hard to outcompete him. Shouhei did not have a special technique that affected your eyes like he had witnessed Ayato use, when he used the mist clone technique, nor any bloodline limits. “That would be cool to have a bloodline limit though”, he thought aloud as he disappeared into the distance.

[EXIT]

Notes wrote:Word Count: 213
Total Word Count: 4219
Jutsus Claimed: Body Flicker (1000|1000)
Water Trumpet (2000 | 2000)
Mist Servant (1000 | 1000)
Stat Claim: 21 (4200 / 200)

Updated Claim

+10 Stats

Sorry... WC: is 2,028