The Eyes into the Past... (Training)

Okabe felt a little relieved that Zeo felt alright. It probably was just exhaustion from studying and working too hard. Spending some time with friendly faces would do him good, help the kid relax a little. Okabe wasn't used to being too friendly with people, especially new people. He would try though. It couldn't hurt to know some more of his co workers.

Both Misaki and Zeo got his point about resolve but made good points about technique being just as important in swordplay. "Yeah, you guys got a point. But just remember that all the skill in the world won't save you if you don't have the heart to end a life with each swing." He thought about the stories his father would tell him while they trained. He always emphasized how scary war was, but he never seemed to despair over the lives he had taken. If you let yourself get caught up in emotions, you won't make it far as a soldier.

"Crystal and water weapons. Ninjutsu sure sounds useful. I've got almost no talent for the stuff. Nobody in my family ever really did. The doctors tell us something is wrong with our Chakra networks, so we have to rely on our blades." He would say while pacing around, letting his swords blade drag in the dirt behind him. "I don't let that get me down though. Who needs flashy techniques?" He would shrug.

(WC 238)×2 For the event = 476
(TWC 1443)

Soma Shin Misaki looks at Zeo has he says that he is fine. He gives a genuine look and says “Are you sure I have never seen any genjutsu do anything like that to its user before but if you insist I will not argue with you. Let’s get some training done.” He has genuine concern for Zeo and has decided that he is going to keep a close eye on him during their training session then he normally would. He his thinking about making a suggestion that they should maybe take it easier today just to be safe but he is worried that Zeo might take offense and get upset. So Soma will keep it to himself.

He then looks to Okabe and says “well if you are looking for a fist fight or sword fight I am definitely not your guy.” Soma Shin does not look weak but he definitely is not above average for strength. His focus is usually on ninjutsu and boosting himself that way. “I use mostly ninjutsu and am waiting for my grandpa to finally teach me but I will definitely give you something to beat up if you want?” He looks at this other shinobi with his sword which by the way he holds it and carries himself he knows how to use it.

Soma Shin starts to concentrate and then starts stretching to do a workout and see what the other two shinobi plan on doing. Then he turns and asks “what do you guys want to work on?”


WC 258(x2=516 for event)
TWC=1539

Okabe's explanation of his own abilities made Zeo feel a little bad, but he didn't seem to be put down by his own lack of chakra efficiency. Even a poor shinobi should still be able to manipulate some chakra, even if it was just internal. Taijutsu for example required physical energy and control of their chakra on an internal level. He was sure at least that Okabe was more than capable of holding his own. For Zeo, he didn't realize just how strong his own chakra was. Even the academy teachers were baffled by his chakra's strength, but Zeo didn't really understand their fascination. In the end, he just chalked it up to his own patient temperament... most of the time anyway. What Zeo lacked in the physical attributes, he made up in mental performance-- his true strengths as a shinobi.

"I'm sure your more than capable as a swordsman," Zeo commented, seeing for certain how strong the taller man was. "I am just more inclined from using range tactics. Still, I want to be able to hold my own as a last resort. "

Soma's concern for Zeo was well placed. Zeo honestly didn't know what happened. His vision had just become distorted. If he didn't know better, he would think he was under a genjutsu himself for that moment-- but he sensed no other chakra around him. Plus, his chakra was not disturbed. He could sense it. The first thing as a shinobi he trained under was how to prevent Genjutsu on himself. He even knew how to do it without weaving signs of any kind. His sense of reality was not altered either. So he didn't understand what he saw, that and it was over in a split second.

While Zeo was more than willing to actually get some real swordsman training-- Soma seemed to not be interested. He felt a bit bad now. He did want to train with him too, but like him, Soma was more attuned to Ninjutsu and range tactics. Zeo frowned a bit, his sword sagging in his grip at Soma's unwillingness to do it. "But isn't that all the more reason to try? It doesn't matter what are strengths are if enemies catch on. Its the simplest tactic to close the gap on an enemy who attacks from a distance. You should learn some martial skills for close range. Do you have any jutsu that is ideal for close-range defense? LIke armor or something?"

His concern was sound, but Zeo figures that Soma should try even if a little bit. "Why not just try using a kunai for now, okay? After a bit of sparring, we can develop some other jutsu." Zeo suggested and turned to Okabe.

Zeo raised up his sword, feeling particularly heavy. It was true that Zeo's stance was amateurish at best. He had his footing placed, but not the ideal way to wield a Jian. He soon charged, with the intent to deliver a parrying blow-- but like Okabe so bluntly put it, the lack of resolve to strike was there. Even for training, Zeo didn't put the strength behind it to drive it forward to cut into him. Partly due to the fact it was supposed to be practice. He didn't want to truly hurt Okabe. But also, cause Zeo was a kinder soul. He lacked the 'killer instinct' needed. In the end, it was a will to protect, and not a will to kill.

As Okabe would be able to deflect and match Zeo's simple strikes, that amount would be clear to him about Zeo. It was what he had to work on somehow...

WC: 610 (X2 from anniversary event) 1220
TWC: 3928

Both of Okabe's new training partners were Shinobi that specialized in long distance tactics and ninjutsu. It was a respectable fighting style at the end of the day. Okabe knew his sword meant he needed to get in close and put himself at much greater risk than ninjutsu specialists, but that is precisely why he trained to dodge and block effectively.

"Nothing wrong with wanting to keep your distance but, like Zeo said, if you can't even defend yourself when someone closes the gap you are gonna get yourself hurt. Or worse if you catch my drift." He would say to Misaki as he took a relaxed stance across from Zeo. "You don't have to be good at hand to hand, as long as you have some ways of dealing with a threat up close. I'm sure you could figure something out. You look like a smart kid," He would finish saying to Soma.

Moments later the blue haired ninja would charge and throw a few half hearted swings against Okabe's guard. He would block the strikes with relative ease at first, waiting for the kid to try a little harder. He could tell that Zeo was not putting his all into the swings, most likely out of concern. He seemed like he really didn't want to hurt Okabe, a normal feeling after all that for some reason ticked him off a little.

The tall swordsman would parry upwards one of Zeo's attacks, sending the boy's sword hand out of the way and then quickly bonk him on the head with the butt of his sword's hilt, "C'mon you can't worry about hurting me. Getting cut is part of learning!" He'd shout taking his stance up again. "Really come at me. At least swing into my guard hard enough to make my hand hurt" he would laugh.

(WC 307)

Soma Shin Misaki looks at Okabe and says “your right I do have a plan or two if people get close. But when in doubt I still will use jutsu up close. Plus all this metal is not my favorite stuff to use. But it’s all good.” He pulls out one of his kunai and gets ready for some hand to hand combat instead of what he is comfortable with. He knows he needs to work on it but it is not always his favorite. He is not especially strong but he has some speed and if in doubt he always has a few tricks up his sleeves. He always has a plan for the what if. He can always try to think ahead, that is what his grandfather taught him. That Misaki style is about deceit and confusion. It is not always about being stronger than your enemy but about being smarter. However he knows from experience that strength is sometimes necessary.

Soma Shin looks at Zeo “I am down to practice whatever you want. We need to probably work on some of our weaknesses and hope that we can improve enough to get the job done and do what we need to do in the future.” He then turns back to Okabe and says “You misunderstand something. some of the jutsu I choose to use thinking they are flashy and big but it is the smaller ones you need to watch out for. You never know what to expect when fighting a Ninjutsu user.”

Wc 256 X2=518

TWC2057

Youch! Zeo had been doing what he could to keep the fight light and work on form rather than strength. However, that appeared to be the wrong way to go about it. Zeo focused on contact, not force and that was what Okabe disapproved of. With a strong knock of Zeo's sword, it left him open--- and was rewarded by a blunt strike to the head with the hilt of his sword. Had it been the real thing, Zeo would have been dead, naturally.

Soma was true with his words. Zeo knew the smaller jutsu was always the more game-changing ones. His entire strategy when it came to combat was using smaller bits of jutsu to influence the flow of events. It was why he was interested in Genjutsu. The use of that art not only allowed to use his more intellectual talents, but a small genjutsu could go a long way in a fight. It especially applied to water style ninjutsu. Every drop of water around was a potential weapon if you knew how to use it. But for now, Zeo didn't have the use of his hands to weave signs while he used a sword. If Okabe wanted to push the fight into a more realistic situation, then Zeo would comply.

For now, he reacted to the blow to the head and of course the somewhat snide remark to egg him on. Zeo's brow furrowed as he felt the sting of the anger in the pain and urge to use more force. Instead of charging forward angry, as most would, Zeo took a breath and steeled his resolve. He didn't know how far to take it, but if Okabe was certain, Zeo wasn't going to hold his own strength back.

He soon kicked off again. He wasn't sure how Soma was going to jump in or try to strike, but if anything he hoped he didn't have to fight him too. IF anything, Okabe was the 'senpai' in this situation as he had the most weapons and hand-to-hand combat training out of all of them. Zeo's gaze was more serious, now taking things a step further as he applied more force. This time he attempted a stabbing gesture to the core of Okabe. Likely he would dodge it. Zeo hoped he would dodge it, or parry or whatever... But the strike would be far stronger now with Zeo's resolve to not hold back in this spar. He showed his best physical strength. While it wasn't much compared to other shinobi, it showed that Zeo was giving more than before.

In the next blow, he would strike again, a switch, and shift in his weight to strike his sword in the other direction with more force. He was applying his weight well but probably wouldn't intimidate the swordsman much. His footing was firm. He learned that much from the academy, but his grip and application of force on the sword was sloppy. It was clear Zeo lacked the upper body strength' that was needed to handle a blade efficiently.

But it was why he wanted to practice. To improve, and be able to use a sword in battle!

WC: 530 (X2 for anniversary event) 1060
TWC: 4988

Soma Shin turns and looks at Zeo and says “I do not really have a blade but I did finally learn some Crystal Jutsu which might be able to help you. But I also need to learn more about hand to hand combat. Otherwise this jutsu is worthless. We can maybe learn some things from Okabe who is probably a lot better with a blade then we are. Do you mind showing us some stuff Okabe even if it is getting back to the basics? Do you think this is a good idea, Zeo, to have a teacher teach us to use our blades?” He looks at both of them expectantly and then wonders what it would take for him to actually learn about swordsmanship and how to use his new technique that he had learned. He hoped that maybe someone with more experience with blades and weapons would teach him.

He gets ready to maybe start doing some basic exercises and looks around for maybe a practice blade to start with he sees a bunch of different weapons that are used to practice with. He is not sure what to use so he turns to his training companions and asks “I do not what would be best for me to use maybe this tanto, or this scythe oh oh oh or maybe a practice katana. What do you guys think?” He chose these three weapons on purpose and none of the other ones because he does not want to give too much away about his new technique.

WC 259 x2=558

The battle with swords was helpful, to say the least. Okabe was skilled with the blade, at least to handle third-rate sword strikes with real effort behind it. He held his own, as suspected of a shinobi who mastered swords as a priority over other arts. It was a concept Zeo learned. While not all shinobi were experts with chakra, many were bare fist fighters or swordsmen. Chakra didn't make a shinobi but the promised one had in martial combat and in the field of battle.

While within about half-hour of sparring, Zeo got a general feel for wielding his sword better and how to swing and strike with it. At least he didn't look like some kid with a wooden sword and more of a fledgling swordsman. Either way, Zeo had improved from where he was before. The goal was to polish up his melee combat in the event of an enemy attack. Combine that with other diversion tactics, jutsu and other tools, he could hold off an enemy and defend against other blade-wielding shinobi.

"Whew..." Zeo sighed as he lowered his sword to the ground and took a breather. He was feeling a bit dizzy from the constant movement, in addition to the strange sensation he had a while ago. He didn't understand what he saw or what caused it. It was very possible he was overexerting himself and needed to get more rest.

Resting, he turned to Soma, curious how he was doing. "To be honest, I'm quite jealous of you. You have a cool bloodline t rait. I wish i had something like that," Zeo said as he sat up. "I mean, while earth release is not my skilled area, I find it cool your family traits gave you an amazing power other shinobi cannot easily get."

It was at that time, Zeo thought he should ask him something. "Hey, Soma, can I ask you something. I need help with this," he said. Slowly, he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out the scroll he had from before, sealed in the metallic case. "This... is something my mother gave me before she died. It was the last thing they gave me. It must have been important, but I cannot open it. It's sealed and I have no clue how to open it. I don't suppose you use Fuinjutsu?" he asked.

WC: 396 (X2 due to anniversary) 792
TWC: 5780

Zeo and Soma were both shinobi that were seeking to improve. Okabe could see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. They were striving for something big and knew that there would be hard work involved in getting there. It was a trait he wished he saw in himself. He was better than Zeo with a sword, but the kid was a better Shinobi at the end of the day.

The blue haired ninja's sword swings got stronger and his footing looked more and more solid as the sparring went on. After a while Okabe was beginning to get tired and he could see his training partner was feeling the same. They called the sparring off and the Shukai fell to the ground on his back to relax. "Damn its been a long time since I've worked out that hard. You've got at least a little talent with a blade. If you keep at it, I'm sure you've got what it takes to call yourself a swordsman."

He would close his eyes as he laid back and listened to the other two begin to talk. Zeo praised Misaki for his family's jutsu. A special bloodline was not all that uncommon in Hoshi but even still Okabe had never met a crystal user. It was an interesting concept for sure, but as a ninja it always comes down to the person weilding the technique.

He would lift his head and look at the two as Zeo pulled a scroll from his vest. It was the same thing that he was reading when Okabe first approached the boy. His curiosity was piqued but not enough to get up off the ground. His muscles were still aching and he was short on breath. Plus Zeo mentioned the scroll being a memento from his late mother. Okabe always sucked at talking about family, he figured it would be better to leave something sensitive to someone who knew the kid better.

As he laid flat on the ground he clutched his sword tightly. It too was a gift from his parents, but he didn't like thinking about it. He didn't like thinking about them.

(WC 362)

Soma Shin turns and looks of into the distance a little daydreaming about the training he has done and the training that will come in the future and thinks about what he should learn next. After sparring with an assortment of weapons like a tanto, scythe and katana soma Shin felt like he was starting to get the hang of it. It was not that soma Shin had never used weaponry or hand to hand it just was not his go to. He was starting to feel tired but Zeo started to look worse “ You all right there buddy? I am starting to learn how to use my crystals. I have learned how to make one thing with them so far but I am going to be working hard to get more before the Chunin exams. And yeah the only way is to get a transplant from someone in the family. Good luck convincing someone to do that plus if your body cannot handle it, it will turn your body into a crystal according to the family legends”. I do not know if it is true or not. I have never heard of anyone getting a transplant.”

Then Zeo turned to Soma and asked for help with a package of some sort. It was a scroll case a metallic one. It looked a little fancy and it looked like it would be very important but it was sealed with some sort of technique. “If it was sealed with Fuinjutsu you can borrow my technique encyclopedia but there is not much I can do I decided I am going to work be a medical ninja. I am hoping Masashi will help train me in it once I get a little more advanced but I am sure we can ask around and see if anyone has seen this kind of technique before or if anyone can figure out how to open this. If it is from your mother I am sure it is very important to you.”

335 x2= 670

TWC=3285