Poe Man's Dreams

Spoiler:

The morning air was crisp, as Zokuro's early jog took him throughout the inner city of Kumogakure. Above the village were the warming rays of the sun, casting their glow of greeting upon their descendants. And amongst them was a hue of orange and blue skies which cascaded elegantly amongst the clouds. Along the limited amount of greenery that Zoku jogged past were due, symbolic of the condensed water vapor in the air. And to add to the ambience were birds chirping their singing song, which was the only noise aside from the pitter patter of Sarutobi's pace. It was common for him to go on these morning runs, and what came after was typically a rigorous training regiment. So in his mind, today would be no different.

As he jogged his mind wandered off, reflecting on the most pressing issue of his life at this point in time. The Gorilla could not seem to shake the fact that his shinobi records had been lost over the years, which effectively reset his progress as a ninja. It felt as if all of his hard work had been taken and stripped from him. Normally things like this had a way of working themselves out, and Zokuro was relatively perceptive to this fact. However he couldn't help but feel like he had a chip on his shoulder, as if he had something to prove. To whom? He wasn't quite sure. Perhaps to himself. Maybe he needed to remind himself that although he currently bore the rank of Genin, his experiences and capabilities told a different story. As he ran and thought more on the subject, he'd come to theorize that perhaps the stress this was bringing him was related to his upbringing as a workhand around his clan's farm. The manual labor was less than stimulating, and so perhaps the thought of failing as a shinobi led to a subsequent thought of having to return to the farm life. Although he still helped tend to his family's farm occasionally, the idea of returning to that full time and leading a life of mediocrity was unsettling.

His run had taken him just outside of the training grounds at this point, and though he had been going for over an hour he had not really worked up a sweat. It was a testament to his cardiovascular endurance, as well as his resilience to the absorbed heat from his black clothing. This could have been due to his Sarutobi nature and Ash affinity, meaning he himself was born to withstand the heat. And it was almost as if he was born to withstand both the heat and pressure of moments like this, where his will was tested. But during times like these, he calmed himself by thinking of Shogi. To him, he was either a gold or silver general, so it was important to maintain his composure and premeditate all of his actions. To help with this, he'd light a cigarette and sit upon a bench just outside the training grounds. Leaning back in his chair, he'd lift and fold one leg over the other so that his ankle rested upon his knee. And in silence, he thought. Hoping that this reflected allowed him to center himself before today's training session.

WC = 546

Herozen rolled over and pressed the snooze button on his alarm, “I just need five more minutes.” He said as he closed his eyes. Just then the light in his room turned on as the smell of ozone filled Herozen’s small bedroom. “Get up, Herozen; you started the academy late in your life; there are eight-year-olds with more experience than you. You’ll need to work harder to catch up to your full potential.” Herozen’s mom, Takunare, said in a sharp straight-to-the-point tone. Herozen’s mother, Takunare, was Herozen’s idol, the pinnacle of the idea of Uchiha in Herozen’s eye. She was a jounin for the village of Kumogakure, where she had accomplished high-level missions since Herozen was a small child. “We are from the mighty Uchiha clan, I allowed you to try your hand at a different profession than the one I dreamed for you when you were first born. Look at your brother; he’s a chuunin at seventeen.” Herozen groaned as he rolled over and turned off his alarm. “Alright, mom, I’ll get up. I’m going to have a smoke and then get ready.” He said as he walked over to his dresser, where his pack of cigarettes lay securely in their pack. He flicked one out, held it to his mouth, and sparked his lighter. He pulled a few times before putting it in his ashtray and placing the cigarette in its pack. Herozen quickly got ready and dressed.
Herozen walked out of his room and into the kitchen to grab a cup of tea where he spotted his father. “Good morning, Herozen, are you off to start training? I know it took you a while to recognize your dream of being a shinobi. Understand your mother and I are always available for help.” He smiled at Herozen as he poured tea for him. Yokuba Uchiha was just an ordinary man save for the black eyes and black hair that most Uchiha was known to have. Herozen loved his dad, but he used him as a minimum. If he just did the minimum, he would wind up just like him, forty-one and just a subpar jounin teacher in the academy. Herozen was disappointed in his father and couldn’t use Uchiha’s famous Sharingan, unlike Herozen’s mother and brother. Herozen grabbed his cup of tea and gulped it down. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll see you at the academy later for class.” He said as he bowed and exited the Uchiha house.
As Herozen ran toward the training grounds, he was so lost in thought that he wasn’t aware of the sun beginning to peak over the horizon, casting orange and purple into the clouds as the earth began to heat up. The air cut deep into Herozen’s skin through his clothing. The rhythmic beating of his feet as he raced through the streets of the sleepy city helped his thoughts invade his mind, even though the cold air kept him in reality. He was thinking about his mom's words from earlier; his brother was a gifted shinobi, a chuunin with the abilities of the Sharingan; what if he could never awaken his? What if he failed the academy and brought shame to his family name? If you were looking at Herozen, you would never have been able to tell he was worried. The man exuded confidence even if he was filled with self-doubt. Herozen picked up the pace and needed to train to prove to himself and his family that he could also be a powerful shinobi like his brother and mother.
As Herozen approached the training ground, he reached into his pocket for his pack and found his partially smoked cigarette from earlier in the morning. He reached into his other pocket to find his lighter, and instantly, his mood was ruined. “Ah, come on. Please don’t tell me I left the fucking thing at home.” Herozen whispered to himself as he patted down his pockets in vain. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!” Herozen got a little bit louder; he wanted to smoke before he started training. After a few moments, he smelled the sweet aroma of cigarettes from one of the park benches. He finally noticed the man sitting on the bench; he was darker than most shinobi and had braided long black hair. He hadn’t noticed Herozen’s outburst, or if he had, he hadn’t looked over at Herozen quite yet. “Uh, excuse me, I have forgotten my lighter at home. Could I bother you for a light?” Herozen said, regretting having to ask this stranger for a lighter; he felt so irresponsible.

WC: 764

The cigarette within Zokuro's grasp smoldered with its ash dancing in the breeze. His eyes fell upon their dance, and as they would his mind couldn't shake that thought that how they blew away was akin to the fleeting of his career highlights among the lost files. Zoku would exhale, allowing the smoke to coalesce in a swirling motion before dissipating in the air. With each puff of his cigarette his mind cleared more, and his worries started the fade. However the gravity of the situation remained. There was still more of the game to play. He'd think on this more, and how it was somewhat similar to shogi, where even if one lost many pieces they still had a path to victory. It was a matter of playing one's pieces correctly. The long play. Strategy beyond the present. This idea brought him some peace, as another comforting element about the situation was that it was reported the Raikage had already begun investigating the matter. And like all Kage which he served before the Twelfth, Zokuro had complete confidence in him to make the best move. Hopefully, this would be Zo's path to victory. So while he smoked he reflected on this, he trusted that even if his board was in a state of disarray, he'd find his place once things were resolved. Similar to how the ash from his cigarette settled on the ground beneath his feet. 

When the cigarette was finished and only its stub remained, the Gorilla's mind segued to the next topic. He'd smother the ember and flick its butt, precisely so that it landed in a nearby wastebasket, right as another shinobi began to approach him. Interestingly enough this shinobi also seemed to be in a state of frustration. Although his words suggested that it was simply due to forgetting his lighter and needing a cigarette, which Zo understood all too well, his demeanor portrayed a facade of confidence. Zokuro's own eyes would flicker, taking in the appearance of the man which bore a similar statue to his own, thus much stockier. Perhaps the fighter type. Though the heavy jacket and cargo pants he wore seemed relatively restrictive, so perhaps not.

In any case, Zokuro would unfold his leg and rise to his feet to look the man in his eyes. He'd stuff both hands into their respective pockets, and from the left one he'd grab ahold of his trusty lighter. Pulled his hand from the pocket, it was revealed to be a picture of sleek gun metal black composition, accented by ornate designs of contrasting light grey ash. The edges of the lighter along with its lid were made of silver, which matched the silver jewelry which its own displayed in his necklace and earrings. Those same silver edges were in the shape of monkey figure engraving, a testament to his lineage's close connection to their summoning race. 

With the lighter in his hand, he'd give it a light toss to the man which stood only two meters from him. He'd expect him to catch it, though if he were to fumble and drop it, Zo would certainly be disappointed. But assuming that he did indeed catch it, the Sarutobi would respond to the man.

"Been there before," he'd offer to make the man's forgetfulness normalized. He'd pause before continuing, "The name's Zo. Can't say I've seen you around before. You new?" Zokuro's last comment was an indirect way of saying that after his two decades of servitude to Kumogakure's forces, he was somewhat astonished that he did not recognize the man before him. Based on his stature and the fact that he stood outside the training grounds suggested that he was was a shinobi as well. But given that Zokuro was unfamiliar with him, potentially he had been a new recruit. 

WC = 638. TWC = 1184

Herozen hadn’t noticed the shinobi was in deep thought before he uncrossed his legs and stood up. He caught eye contact from the stranger as he fished around in his left pocket. It was a quick transference hand from pocket to lighter sailing in the air towards Herozen. With every ounce of grace Herozen could muster, he stretched out his hand and caught the sleek gunmetal black lighter Zo passed to him. “Thank you very much, today would have been the absolute worst if I couldn’t have a smoke before training.” He smiled at Zo. “It’s good to meet you, Zo, mine’s Herozen.” He said the last two syllables mumbled as he held the cigarette in his lips and lit the beautiful torch in his hands. “I am a new shinobi, and I just joined the academy. I was actually going to train a bit before class started so I don’t look like a complete newbie in front of the children.” He said with a slight chuckle. Herozen puffed a few more times, realizing he held onto the lighter a bit longer than he should have. He glanced at it and realized just how beautiful the object was.

He held out his hand to return the lighter and puffed away. The cold air didn’t bother the shinobi as much anymore. With this precious cigarette, he could focus and banish his nerves.  He thought about the awkwardness he was about to face with being the only adult in his class, he suspected. Was this really his path? He was an excellent entrepreneur and a decent cook. He would be the eldest in his class. He thought between puffs of his cigarette.

Zo brought peace to the situation for Herozen. He’d forgotten how many people frequently asked him for a lighter. He’s right; this is a minor inconvenience at worst; why was Herozen so nervous? It’s like ever since his girlfriend got captured by bandits, Herozen hasn’t been the calm, cool, and collected person he was used to being. He knew he’d have to work through that, and joining the academy was just the first step. He would learn the shinobi way and gain his confidence back. He drew the cigarette down to the filter, flicked the burning cherry onto the hard ground a short distance from his foot, and stamped it out.

Honestly, Herozen didn’t even know what he was planning on doing for training. He hadn’t done much of it, and his parents were always helping his brother, who chose to be a shinobi as a child. Should I just run laps? How would that help? Maybe throw a few shurikens? Now Herozen was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. This Zo guy seemed alright by him; maybe he’d have an idea. The older shinobi would probably have a few ideas. Herozen had already bothered him

“Any tips for a beginner?” Herozen asked, hoping Zo might be in a charitable mood. How annoying must I be? A twenty-one-year-old academy student must be awkward for him to address. It’d be like talking to an adult going to primary school. Now Herozen blushed in embarrassment as he looked at the Genin back in the eyes. Would it be a shame he saw in those calming eyes or acceptance?

WC: 546
TWC: 1310

Zokuro was completely understanding of the predicament this Herozen had been in. It was never easy to curb the cravings of a cigarette, especially when the stresses of life and its obstacles were ever so present. And to be without one, because of forgetting a lighter, was almost like a punishment. But Heorzen confirmed Zokuro's suspicions, he was indeed a new shinobi. One which seemed to admire Zoku's reliable lighter. When offered his flame back, the Gorilla would extend his hand to grab ahold of it then return it to its rightful resting place. Following this, Zo would offer a pleasantry of his own and a response to Herozen's status.

"Nice to meet you as well." The man was a little taken back that this older gentlemen was an Academy Student, though everyone developed at their own pace. Besides the current Raikage had also started his shinobi career later in his life. "My suggestion to you is to disregard whatever notions you have about the Academy and how you'll come across. It's highly likely there will be others your age which are newly enrolled as well."

He'd pause, briefly enough to smell the scent of Herozen's own cigarette. The way he had been smoking it suggested that he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Perhaps there was a separate stressor which was making him feel discouraged as an older Academy student. But when he'd conclude his cigarette by putting it out on the street when there was a perfectly good wastebasket only a few feet away, Zokuro was slightly vexed. Not enough to comment, but instead he offered a sigh with a slight shaking of his head. This mannerism was subtle, not enough for either man to focus on.

Following this the student inquired if Zokuro had any tips for a rookie shinobi. Seeing as he had experience beyond his rank, he certainly did have some advice. "It depends on what you're looking for. In general though, I always found success when I casted aside my doubts and focused on my own development. Outside of classes and instructions. My biggest growth has always been a result of hard work, training, and being challenged during missions." He'd refrain, glancing towards the training grounds, then look back upon Herozen. "I suppose the training grounds is why we're both here today. If you want, I can teach you a few jutsu. Whether it be the basic ones to prepare for your eventual Genin test, or something more sophisticated."

WC = 418. TWC = 1602

“Well,” Herozen thought out loud as he put the butt of his cigarette into the pack he pulled it from. “I think a cool genjutsu or some form of ninjutsu would be cool.” Herozen thought it over. He really didn’t know exactly what he wanted to learn from this guy. What was the extent of this guy's abilities? Herozen decided to try to size this guy up again. His mom and brother had been teaching him different strategies when they had the time. “Hey, do you know anything about one handed seals? That might make me stand out amongst the rest if I was able to show that off.” Herozen was starting to get worked up and motivated. “Honestly, whatever you want to teach me I’m sure it would be a big help.”

The air was starting to warm up, and Herozen knew he only had a few more hours to train before class started. It made him anxious thinking about his first day, but if he thought about Zo’s words about older people being in the academy with him, this gave Herozen a chance to breathe. Were there really others who would be his age? This motivated Herozen to do his best. His mom's words rang in his head, “You’ll need to work harder to catch up to your full potential.” That work would start here, and thanks to Zo, he would have some solid instruction. Maybe after this training session, he could work on training alone.

Herozen took a breath and looked at Zo; he seemed like a guy who knew what he was talking about. Herozen didn’t notice the angular and sharp facial features; they made him look more masculine. As he looked into the older shinobi’s eyes, he caught a wave of calm, almost disarming, but he knew this shinobi was a killer and was capable and quick-witted. The look in his eyes was that of being detached as if this situation wasn’t something he was looking forward to, but he was focused, and Herozen knew Zo wasn’t about to slack off in training, even if Herozen was nowhere near his level. This made Herozen want to impress Zo in the training. Herozen thought about the line, “My biggest growth has always been a result of hard work, training, and being challenged during missions.”  Was he willing to work hard to become a great shinobi? He was here to train, but he was practically forced to come out here by his mom; no, she’s not out here training for him. Herozen knew he had what it took to put in the hard work and train as hard as possible.

“Don’t go easy on me!” Herozen said with a renewed vigor. “What’s the first thing you want to teach me?” Herozen asked as he stretched to get himself physically ready. He was now focused and determined to impress his new friend and learn at least one new jutsu to impress his mom and brother and show them he had what it took to become a great shinobi. Herozen was starting to warm up from the stretching he was doing. No point in getting hurt before he goes to class from a pulled muscle.

WC: 536
TWC:1846

Herozen seemed ambitious. Unlike other academy students who just wanted to learn the basics in order to pass the exams, Herozen wanted to take it a step further. Learning something like One Handed Seals was not for those with subpar chakra control, concentration, or discipline. It required the upmost level of focus, and typically was learned by advanced Genin or even Chuunin. Perhaps Herozen's goal of making himself stand out was to offset the late start he felt he had. Nevertheless, Zokuro would look to entertain the request. And although he would barely be of use when learning a Genjutsu, Zo did admittedly know a number of Ninjutsu which may have been of interest to the student.

Thinking for a moment, Zokuro would reflect silently. "Alright. I'll teach you a couple of things to help you stand out from your peers. And although the training grounds are suitable to practice at, the Noboru Kaito Martial Arts Academy, or our advanced training facility is a bit more sophisticated. I've found it accelerates our development, and is nearby too." 

Leading the way, he'd assume Herozen to follow. The Gorilla kept his hands in his pocket, proceeding towards the Advanced Training Facility at a cool pace with a calm demeanor. He tried not to carry himself as a Jounin would, avoiding things like taking Herozen on as his student or seeing the rank disparity between the two of them as too grand for Zo to offer his time. Instead he wanted to come off as helpful, as he always did. And because of his reverted rank to Genin, he no longer had the time commitment to high profile missions. Instead his tasks were predominantly in the village, whether training or menial job assignments. But today, helping Herozen, was different. It had almost reminded Zoku of the time he spent leading a team of his own, specifically as a Chuunin.

It wouldn't take long before the pair would walk through the entrance to the Noboru Kaito Martial Arts Academy, where they would each check in at the receptionist desk. Following this, Zokuro would lead the way through the main corridor and down the hallway which was coupled with a series of doors on each side. Adjacent to each door were large glass windows, allowing onlookers to spectate at the training regiments occurring within each room. He'd proceed until they reached room 004, the one assigned to them at the receptionist desk. When they would arrive, Zokuro opened the door and revealed its interior to Herozen. It was a large 25 x 25 meter room, with absorbent and durable walls, ceiling, and floor. Aside from that, the room was completely empty. It allowed a shinobi to truly focus on just their craft, rather than being distracted by other objects. 

Proceeding inside, Zokuro would stand immediately in the center of the room, before Herozen began to stretch and prompt Zoku to begin the training. He was eager, and it was admirable. So Zo would waste no time. 

"Today's lesson will be complex, and I will not hold your hand through it. I suggest you pay close attention. We will begin with One Handed Seals and a jutsu to display it. Channeling techniques with just one hand is a skill, meaning it does not require a specific jutsu to utilize. It is predominantly a passive ability which shinobi are able to learn and benefit from. For instance," he pause. Subsequently he would perform the Ram, Ox, then Snake hand seals with both hands.

"This is the Thunderclap Arrow technique." Upon completing the hand signs, Zokuro's arms would radiate a marvelous display of Lightning Chakra. The chakra would then condense upon his right arm, which he would violently swing to his right so that his fingertips point towards the wall perpendicular to his body. In that same motion, the lightning would hurl off of his arm in the form of a bolt of electricity before colliding with it. When it would, it would dissipate harmlessly, a testament to the facility's durability. "Performing jutsu with two hands is the norm, but occupies two of your four limbs. But with just one hand," he say before repeating the handseals with just his left hand. "It functions much smoother, while freeing up your other hand." The land hand would now bear the bolt of electricity, which he'd again throw it into the wall his left fingertips pointed out towards. He'd then lower his arms, concluding the demonstration.

"I am unsure of your elemental affinities, but should you be capable of Lightning Release then I suggest replicating my actions. If you don't, try this with another jutsu. Perform it as you regularly would, then attempt it by focusing and channeling all your chakra into just one hand."

WC = 795. TWC = 2397

Training Summary:

Travin awoke to the sound of the alarm going off at his head. Reaching up and slamming his hand down on the button to shut it up. He then rolled up wrapping the blanket tight around his body like a lover he hadn’t seen in a long time. The thought of a tear started to form before unrolling and sitting up in bed. He was not a fan of getting up this early but if he wanted to regain the skills that he had lost due to his injury a few months ago now. He was going to have to put in extra work. Sitting on the edge of his bed Travin pulled his fingers one by one back and forth as far as he could go. The doctors told him that he would regain his fluid motion with his handseals with time, and had given him a few exercises for his fingers to help regain their dexterity. After a few minutes he would get up and while still stretching his fingers he would make his way to the bathroom for his normal morning routine.

Walking back out of the bathroom his hair wet from the water as he continued to run the towel through it. He eventually just let it fall on his back and had the same thought about getting it cut he had every time he got out of the shower. However, he had started to like it longer and it fit his new look as well. With the tattoos covering most of the scars on his body and the long hair now he looked like one of those bad guys he always read about in his books. The anti hero he was pretty sure they were called, but he wasn’t sure if he was really going to go down that road. Walking out of his small apartment now that he wasn’t living with his parents anymore. He realized how hard it was on you when no one was there to have food on the table before you left to train or go out on a mission. It made him miss his parents a little bit as the morning light was starting to come over the mountains.

Stopping by a food cart on his way to the training facility. It was the same one he had been stopping at every day for the past few weeks since he moved into the apartment. The guy knew his order by now this early it was going to simply be a rice ball to get the hunger pains to go away. Travin would already have the money in hand as walked up and slid the exact change to the guy as he was handed the rice ball. Travin walked down the street a little ways to a fountain that he normally sat at, sitting down and opening his rice ball he would take the first bite. He wasn’t sure what the guy did to these rice balls but they were the best thing he ate every morning. With the sound of water falling behind him as he ate, Travin watched as the light got closer to breaking over the mountains.

Making his way to the Advanced Training facility Travin waved a few other people that he had started to meet since moving in. After all, there weren't a lot of people up this early in the day, and so everyone started to get to know him as much as he was starting to get to know them. With the Advanced Training Facility in sight as the sun topped the mountain tops. Travin knew it was about time to get to work. Walking into the building they had the heat on currently but he knew that it would be switched to the AC soon enough once the sun was fully up and heating up the village. Walking over to the counter he would present his ID badge to the lady behind the desk. “Morning Linda” he would tell her as she took the badge and scanned it granting him access to the facility.

Walking down the hallway Travin was making his way down to the normal room he had been using at the end of the hallway room seven. However, on his way through he noticed a few people that he knew starting to work on some training. Looking through the glass windows near the door Travin saw Zo the man he had recently done a mission with to escort some snotty rich girls around town, and keep them safe at their manor party. He was wearing a similar outfit now that he was then with dark braided hair. He was trying to think what people were calling him when it hit him, he was called the Gorilla. Still unsure as to why Travin was sure that he would eventually find out just why Zo was called Gorilla. Also in the room with Zo was no other than Travins cousin Herozen. Travin remembered that they had met a few days ago in this facility and had a short training session of their own. Part of him felt a little bad for Herozen being so old when he joined the academy, but he knew that he would be able to pull it off and in no time would catch up to the rest of them.

Travin watched through the glass and was able to hear what Zo was saying, telling Herozen about performing one handed seals. Travin knew that it was an advanced technique that required great chakra control, and had even seen Zo perform it in their last mission. Lifting his hand and pushing the hair back behind his ear Travins eyes would take on the familiar feeling of his Sharingan activating and the world slowing down around him. He watched as Zo focused his chakra into his hand, performing the handseals with just the single hand, and then forcing out what appeared to be a small bolt of lightning almost from the tips of his fingers. While the first time Travin had seen the jutsu he had now seen how lightning had formed an element he was planning on picking up, as well as now getting another look at how Zo was performing the handseals with only one hand. With the power of his Sharingan active Travin was sure that he would be able to reproduce these effects for himself with a little practice. After all, he was starting to get really good at using his Sharingan to copy peoples jutsu and skills. With his injury he needed to take all the shortcuts he could to get back to his previous form.

Travin kept his Sharingan active so he could read Zo’s lips with ease, as he explained to Herozen what he just did. Travin knew without the explanation of what just happened and now he would also be able to do it. Knowing for sure why everyone feared the Uchiha’s for their Sharingan it was a weapon unlike any other. Allowing you to steal others' work for yourself while also slowing everything down around you for you to react to everything, and then to top it off granting you powerful genjutsu. Travin would open the door to the training room once Zo had finished talking. “You mind if I sit in” he would say as he stood in the doorway with his head poking into the room. Assuming that they both agreed and allowed for Travin to sit in he would close the door behind him and take a seat near the window, his Sharingan still active the entire time taking everything in as he watched.

WC-1,277

Stealing Lightning Release 75% discount

Herozen knew he was asking a lot from Zo, but he strongly desired to prove himself. He had only recently learned of the ability to perform one-handed seals. He didn’t want to impede Zo’s time too much, but he appreciated the help. Herozen was aware that as soon as he finished at the academy, he would be called upon for serious missions. There was no point in entering the shinobi world unequipped.  He gazed at the tanned-skinned shinobi as he silently pondered Herozen’s request. Zo agreed with the proposition and referred the duo to the Noburu Kaito Martial Arts Academy. Herozen was acquainted with this facility; he had been training there every morning since he became an academy student.

As the pair made their short trip to the Advanced Training Facility, Zo took the lead, which Herozen didn’t mind. He watched as the shinobi carried himself as a jonin would, relaxed, with an air of confidence. Herozen thought it was nice that a Jonin would take the time out of his day to help someone as inferior as he was. Herozen wasn’t sure what Zo was thinking about, but his hands in his pockets made it seem like he was just being nice and helpful but not committed to taking Herozen on as a student for the long term. That was alright with Herozen; he knew his genin exams were coming up soon, and he would most likely pass. This didn’t give Herozen the right to slack, especially with someone else spending their time to help him, so he knew he would have to pay extra close attention to his instructions.

Zo and Herozen arrived before Herozen could get completely lost in thought. The Noburu Kaito Martial Arts Academy was a beautiful building that Herozen had come to admire. The amount of training this building saw and was able to sustain helped many shinobi reach their potential. The pair crossed the lobby and arrived at the reception desk. Herozen quickly scanned his identification card as he still couldn’t remember the receptionist’s name, and together the pair entered the main corridor where Zokuro would take the lead once again. When they arrived at training room zero zero four, Zo opened the door, revealing an empty space. They both entered the room and took positions. Zo took the center of the room, and Herozen stood about three meters away.

Listening to Zokuro’s warning about the complexity of the training he was going to undergo, Herozen paid close attention to every word and instruction. Herozen watched as Zokuro performed the Ram, Ox, and Snake hand seals with both hands, a demonstration of the lightning-powered jutsu, which Zo called the Thunderclap Arrow technique, sprang to life, radiating off of his body and quickly condensing and then shooting off his arm at a wall leaving a black mark but leaving no damage on the wall. Herozen was so caught in awe of the spectacle he had just witnessed that he almost didn’t catch the next set of instructions. After his quick lecture, Zo performed the same hand seals with only his left hand, and the jutsu flashed and shot at the wall Zo pointed at.

As Herozen listened to Zo’s instructions, he was excited to practice using one-handed seals and trying to learn the Thunderclap Arrow technique; he heard the door to the room open. His younger cousin Travin stood at the door and wanted to join the pair in training. Seeing his cousin out of the hospital and recovered from the hospital was a welcoming sight. “I was just learning some cool techniques from Zokuro; I don’t mind if you join in, do you?” Herozen asked Zo, noticing Travin’s eyes were red, meaning his Sharingan was activated. Herozen didn’t have time to worry that he hadn’t activated his own as Travin closed the door and entered the room.

“I’m going to try the Thunderclap Arrow technique with both hands just to try to get that down,” Herozen said with determination in his eyes. “And then I’ll try to do it like you did with one hand.” Herozen took a few paces back and away from Zo and Travin; he wanted some space so Zo could correct any flaws he found with his form. He quickly performed the Ram, Ox, and Snake hand seals and focused his lightning chakra down his arm and off his body toward a wall that wasn’t near the two others in the room. A glowing bolt of electricity shot from Herozen’s arm and struck the wall he was pointing at. “Alright, that wasn’t too incredibly hard. I guess I have to try that with one hand now.”  

Herozen performed the same hand seals he had just done, this time with one hand, and pushed his chakra to do the same thing. This time only a few sparks zapped out off of his arm. “Uh, Zo, what did I do wrong there? I performed the seals right and focused my chakra into my hand, but it didn’t work.” He asked inquisitively, apprehensive at the fact he failed to perform the jutsu. He awaited the new instructions; maybe there would be a tip or something he overlooked when he made his first attempt.

WC: 871
TWC:2717

Upon concluding his demonstrations, Travin would walk into the room and ask if he could partake in today's training session. As Zokuro had met him just a few days ago and was rather fond of his work and impressed with his professionalism, Zo had no quarrels to this request. So when Herozen relayed the question to the Gorilla, the man would stuff his hands into the pockets of his haori and offer a shrug. "Fine by me."

With that out of the way, Herozen announced that he was going to give the Thunderclap Arrow technique a shot, first by attempting it with two hands. After a brief moment of separation, Herozen's attempt was underway. And from what Zokuro observed visually, the student caught on quickly. He was able to replicate the technique and execute it so that electricity fluidly shot from his fingertips and surged into the wall. Though the Gorilla was devoid of any divine eyes or dojutsu, his observation skills were particularly keen. With his passive Chakra Sensory active, he'd "feel" how Herozen's chakra transferred from his center of mass and into both hands harmoniously. However when the man went about performing the technique with just a single set of handseals, Zoku sensed a disturbance in his chakra flow. It was almost as if he began to channel the technique with both hands, yielding a distribution of chakra into each hand rather than solely into one.

"Valiant attempt Herozen. This time however, I want you to close your eyes." Zokuro began, pausing until he saw Herozen shut his eyes. "Now, I want you to feel the chakra within yourself. Feel how it flows, sharply as a dagger. Swift as a bird. Energetic. It should pulse within yourself, rapidly seeking to follow the channels throughout your body. But control its course. Do not allow it stimulate itself, but instead empower it to flow through just a single limb as you attempt to perform the technique."

Those were all the words he had to offer, as this tip should get Herozen back on track. What he felt was that the student's chakra control was distracted, perhaps with Travin entering the room or simply because of a non - disciplined chakra control. But in either case, Zokuro's lesson was now introducing the Chakra Sensory skill to the student. For if he could begin to understand the chakra channels within his own body, he should quite easily be able to navigate them to just a single one of his limbs. Thus, performing One Handed Seals may become more simplified.

WC = 426. TWC = 2823