[social] a forest for Goji

[Isyldrin]

The parks inside of konoha were often the preferred place for training for many ninja. This was one of those cases. Goji was hard at work practicing his techniques much as he did nearly every day.

A hard leap put Goji in range to grab the incredibly high branches of the great trees of the park. With both hands he swung himself up higher with a full tight body spiral. While in midair his hands began flying together in hand signs. With the appropriate amount of chakra Goji channeled some acid into his mouth and then spit it out on a rock directly below him. A few more twists in a he air landed him safely on his feet.

jutsu usedShow

*[Acid Release • Viper's Spit]
D-rank ninjutsu
After forming the needed hand seals, the user is able to spit at their opponent and change the saliva to acid as it travels. This acid, due to the small amounts that make contact in various spaces, are unable to do as much damage as most acid techniques, causing a painful tingling sensation at the worst.

[Mino]

"Ok Girl, this time you're hunting me. Ready?" Minoru took the time to focus his energy whilst Hikari lounged in some tall grass, awaiting her next orders. As a matter of training, at the word "ready" the young panther covered her face with her front paws, effectively blinding herself to the "hide and seek" game that she and her Master played so often. It was usually a useless exercise, the Awai was much larger than most prey, and struggled to hide, he was nowhere as limber as frightened rabbits or even other cats, so running wasn't a good option for him unless he took to the trees, (she was getting much more comfortable with climbing as her body gained strength so that wasn't much of an advantage) and finally while he was faster than she was, his thoughts were more playful than survival based- she always caught him in the end.

This time would be no different.

Minoru allowed his eyes to take in and convert a small amount of light, exuding it through his palms. He took care to properly balance the Hiton chakra, really ensuring the ratio of Hiton to personal chakra was perfect. Once he was satisfied, he ran his hands carefully over his arms, and watched them disappear. The bent light focused and reflected the surroundings perfectly, making it appear as though his arms did not exist. The eye would bend around whatever his hands touched. Within seconds the boy himself was gone- leaving only a faint scent behind for Hikari to hunt.

"Go!" Holding the last seal of the technique, Mino grinned and sauntered toward a nearby clearing, where another ninja was apparently melting rocks with spit. Man some people just got all the cool abilities.

Jutsu UsedShow

~Light Release • Empty Light Technique
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
Prerequisites: At least +2 above average control
Focusing chakra into their body, the user performs hand seals and then manipulates the way light refracts around their bodies, allowing them to make themselves visually invisible. They still have a chakra signature, must breathe and still make noise, but they are completely invisible to the naked eye. The user must hold the last seal or the technique fades, so they may only walk while invisible. This lasts for 3 posts.

[Isyldrin]

Goji prepared for another leap into the air this one was meant to be accompanied by an even larger blast of acid on the unfortunate rock that bore the scars of his training. He didn't see the new arrival. How could he possibly? The fellow was apparently rendered invisible by some trick of the light.

His other senses, however, seemed up to the task of identifying a new arrival. The call of "go" wasn't a surprise. This was a public park after all. People were around making noise. What was a surprise however was the gentle rustle of foliage off to his right with no apparent source. The acid burn ninja adjusted the course of his leap to put him up in the tree branches, perched in a sturdy speck one. His left hand rested lightly on his thigh a few inches from his tool pouch in what he hoped was a nonchalant gesture.

An attack in his own village was highly unlikely. Especially since he had no enemies so far as he knew. It was hard however to ignore years of training that said put some distance between you and an unknown potential threat. Goji gave a toss of his hair to put the long silver braid behind him. Maybe he looked cool now instead of paranoid.

[Mino]

Hikari's hunt went a little different. The panther was terribly confused, its senses conflicting. By sound, there were more than one two legged animal in the area. By smell Minoru hadn't gone far, couldn't have. She did hear him run away like he normally would. The panther kept her nose to the ground and sniffed, taking in long and steady breaths as she moved toward the scent, ears flat, back legs stretched carefully so that she moved quietly in the brush. Her eyes were focused and intense, her movements became slow- fixed. She settled into the natural movements around her, the shifting of the grass, the blow of the wind. Minoru's scent got stronger, and she knew in her heart he was close.

Minoru held the seal and his breath, cursing the fact that he hadn't figured a way to mask his scent. She would find him, but it was interesting to see her truly hunt: most of what they'd done had been mere games prior to this, and he'd never really been able to push Hikari outside of her limits in anything but climbing and other feats of strength. He let the seal go, reappearing just before she reached him. Hikari jumped and pounced without claws, roaring in surprise. Mino caught her and rolled backward laughing. "You did so good, Girl!" He was careful not to hit her with his horns protruding from either side of his head, as the rolled about. He sprang upward and she attempted to pounce him again- he evaded this time, without much difficulty. "You'll have to be faster than that, Hikari!" he teased as they circled around each other. The young Awai noted the other Konoha ninja with a quick smile, and that brief lack of focus gave Hikari the moment of weakness she was looking for. This time, the pounce landed straight on, with the panther colliding with Mino and knocking him down.

Mino didn't struggle, just shook his head. "You are relentless! And look now you've embarrassed me in front of company." The panther licked his face in response, making him squirm.

[Isyldrin]

First an invisible ninja, and now a panther just roaming the park here in the leaf village! It was dangerous to assume that this was the norm, but so many strange things took place in a Ninja village at any given time it was sometimes hard to ascertain threat from social quirk. Goji maintained his vigil a moment longer before the scene played itself out for what it was. Playing hide and seek with a panther... Well now He had seen everything!

Goji took a moment to watch the two jump at one another before allowing his weight to casually drop from the tree. He landed easily on his feet, taking a moment to dust himself off. He had to look cool whenever possible, it was practically required of a young ninja such as himself. "That’s a hell of a stealth trick you have there. Doesn’t seem to have thrown the panther off, though. Have you considered rubbing some foliage on your body to try and blend your sent with your surroundings? Though I have to admit I don’t know how strong a panthers sense of smell is, maybe that wouldn't work."

[Mino]

Mino chuckled and gave the newcomer a smile. It was by far his best feature, it lit his face and perhaps(if you were a woman or inclined to see such things) an entire room if put to the test. Pushing Hikari to the side with a measured gentles, Mino stood and kept his grin going. "Yeah it's pretty hard fooling that nose- I've got some ideas on how to do it though, just have to .. get in the right mind frame, I guess." He was really alluding to Aturasu- in his first form unlocking the Genma, Minoru had discovered Kaenton, the chakra associated with heat. He'd been thinking for a while about how to use heat to mask or intensify his scent to throw off trackers and the like, but honestly hadn't been able to dig into possibilities with Aturasu, as certain risks are involved when allowing the Genma's chakra free. If only he had a handler.. "Awai, Minoru" The chunin said, wiping his face with his left hand, and extending his right to be taken in greeting. Glancing to the remnants of the rock that was still sizzling he nodded toward the stranger, awaiting a response.

[Isyldrin]

It was good to meet a friendly ninja, when so many in the village were so intent on being cool or mysterious. His own smile spread across his face before slapping his right hand into Minoru's and giving a firm but non-aggressive shake. Too many people were intent on crushing hands, he supposed as a method of asserting dominance. Goji felt no inclination toward such bravado. "Aborata, Goji"

The acid burn ninja bent down to eye level with the panther but remained otherwise very still so as not to offer threat to the powerful creature. From what he had learned about felines he guessed that this was a female of the species, something that he could only be certain of by violating her personal space in a rather dangerous way. He was certain enough however to use a gender in his next inquiry. "And who is this beautiful girl?" The question delivered to Minoru, though he never took his eyes from the panthers.

[Mino]

Hikari crouched low, stretching her front paws out before her in a large show of lethargy. She yawned wide, her pink tongue lolling out whilst she did, before padding over toward the new Nin, drinking his scent and storing it, as she did for every thing. She stopped before him and sat, gazing up at him, her eyes the same hue of gold as Minoru's.

Mino nodded quietly toward her and then spoke. "That's Hikari. She's got better manners than I do." He chuckled and then took a deep breath. "training acid release, huh? Sounds pretty dangerous. What rank are you?" He was direct, though he hoped the question didn't come off as rude, it was curiosity and not judgment that motivated the young Awai.

[Isyldrin]

there were two unfortunate side effects to the acid style. One was the inherent danger of working with acid. The second was that he most often smelled like it, so that’s the smell that the lovely little panther was taking in at the moment. Goji smiled up at Mino but remained crouched in front of the panther for a moment longer. No offence was taken, the acid burn ninja preferred bluntness to the endless cycle of propriety that marked their civilized society. It was better to say what you mean, that way you could actually accomplish something.

"Oh I’m a chunin. and as to the acid style" he reached up and pulled the forehead protector back a bit to show the side of his face that had all the acid burn scars on it. the eye was still in tact, but Goji preferred the minor inconvenience of keeping it covered. "And yes you are right, acid release is very dangerous. but the combat advantages it offers are worth the pain it took to learn it. Besides if you are careful, you can avoid most of the danger."

[Mino]

"I'm interested. Tell me about some precautions you have to take." Hikari wrinkled her nose at the scent of the corrosive substance, and backed a few steps, for the sake of clean air. This lasted but a moment, and once she assimilated the scent and categorized it to Goji, she nuzzled his hand and went to lay down, a few paces away- close enough to hear, see and smell Mino, far enough to pretend she was distracted with other things. Minoru quietly checked his equipment and grinned. "You know what? Don't tell me.. let me see some more of your work. I'm interested in new jutsu" He sat back expectantly, wondering if the Chunin would indulge him a bit.

[Isyldrin]

Goji gave an obligatory scratch to the panthers head as it pared away. The offer to show off for Minoru was not an unappealing one. What young ninja didn't like the opportunity to show what they could do? But nothing was free, Minoru would have to reciprocate. "I'd be more than happy to my friend but you gotta do the same for me. Show me something good."

Goji nodded to himself then and began gathering chakra. Next he put together the hand signs for a jutsu with no particular hurry. His focus turned to a puddle of water a few meters away from himself and several away from the others. It soon swelled and burst as a large splash of acid that was headed right for him.
*[Acid Release • Viper's Salve]
D-rank Ninjutsu
After forming a pair of hand seals, the user is able to force small amounts of Suiton chakra to an acid-afflicted area no more than one foot in diameter. With the Suiton chakra, they are able to protect the subjected area from their own acid by making their chakra into water with elemental re-composition, and then pushing the like-ranked acid off of their body with the water thus created
The next step required more speed and precision. His hands came together again at high speeds and another jutsu was cast. A thin but sturdy layer of suiton chakra spread up over his torso and head as he knelt down to block the oncoming acid.

jutsu usedShow

Acid Release • Acid Burst]
C-Rank Ninjutsu
After forming the necessary hand seals, the user swells a puddle-sized body of water, transforming it into acid in the process. S/he then pulses chakra through the acid, making it splatter in all directions for a short range (up to five meters.)

[Mino]

Minoru watched casually, seeing the interaction between the different types of chakra- it was incredible how chemically precise it was: so often chakra and techniques are labeled as bland motions of power. This level of technique was actually sort of artistic.

Minoru felt obliged to show a little artistry. "Hey, that really was something. You've got it down to a science. I'll show you something. Hold up your hand." Minoru started slowly performing hand seals, letting a grin slip across his features.

[Isyldrin]

The acid splashing down over his body slowly faded away as he let the chakra binding it go. He could smell the acrid stench of acid scorched dirt, and couldn’t help but smile to himself at the notion. He had purposefully lowered the power of the acid splash so that his viper salve technique could block it. otherwise it would have burned right through it.

Goji stood and held up his hand for the horned ninja's pleasure. He found himself feeling a thrill of excitement for what this man could show him. You didn’t make it as a ninja unless you were genuinely bad ass. So what ever this guy could do was sure to be exciting. Goji opened his senses to what was about to happen. Maybe, just maybe he could absorb enough of the chakra molding it give himself a new direction to take his own talents in.

[Mino]

Mino took a deep breath and smiled. A few quick hand seals and everything was ready. He put his hand up in one smooth motion, slowly pushing it in a jab toward Goji's head, straight between his eyes. At the speed the blow was coming, it wouldn't do anything more than make a slapping sound. This of course, was for effect. As the punched neared his face, instead of his hand harmlessly coming in contact with Goji's forehead, it disappeared, and appeared striking the outstretched hand of the acid user. Any faster, and the eye wouldn't been able to differentiate the trajectory of the blow. It would seem like he got hit in the head, but the impact would be in his hand. Enough to confuse the senses, easily.

"There you are. I could have done it the opposite way, but I figured this would be a little flashier. No genjutsu either."

Jutsu usedShow

Light Release • Misplacement of Blows
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
After Minoru has completed the needed hand seals, he will bend light around his arms. This will make his melee strikes appear up to 6 inches off from where they are being actually aimed. The bent light will last for a total of 3 posts. This technique can be seen through if the opponents wit is equal to or higher than Mino's control.

[Isyldrin]

Not a genjutsu? How in the nine hells.... unless of course it were a blood line trait. He had said his name was Awai, and what little Goji could remember about the Awai was that they used light some how. Maybe he was bending the light to make it look like his hand was going one way when it was really going another.

The wheels spun in his head at speeds that should have had smoke coming out of his ears. The possibilities for this one jutsu were pretty fantastic. Some Ninja had all the luck it would seem. Goji gave a shake of his hand to relieve the stick of the hit. "now that’s a power!" Goji took a few steps back. Now it was his turn to show off a little more. "alright Minoru I want you to throw your least favorite kunai at my face as hard as you can. You can even use some of that non genjutsu witch craft if you want." The last part added with a playful sort of grin.

[Mino]

"My least favorite?" The Chunin could guess at the fate of the kunai in question, but that took the fun out of the game they played. He picked one out and balanced it. It was expertly made, and tested, much like all of his other Kunai. This was probably one of his older ones, and admittedly he hadn't re-equipped himself in quite some time. Perhaps this was a good time to reinvest in equipment, losing a few pieces would be a good excuse to spend a few dollars at this favorite shop.

Lining his sight up took a fraction of a moment, and he brought his hand up in one fluid motion and released the kunai, no tricks, straight for his mock-opponent to see what he would do.

[Isyldrin]

A few hand signs crashed together at blurring speeds as the Kunai took flight, It wouldn't take long for the projectile to to penetrate his face and leave him closer to dead than alive. Thinking ahead, Goji put himself near the puddle of water he had turned to acid before with his acid burst technique. this was the new source for his next technique.

With an upslice of his hand a wall of acid formed from the puddle, between him and the oncoming kunai. as it crashed thru the acid wall, the effect was almost instantanious. The acid began wearing away at the edge untill it was little mroe then a blunt hunk of steel. Further the steel was warped untill it could no longer maintain a flight path and dropped uselessly to the ground at his feet. acid vapors curling up from what was once a very nice Kunai. Goji offered a smile of triumph at his display of power.

jutsu usedShow

*[Acid Release • Cobra's Hood Technique]
D-rank Ninjutsu
After forming the necessary hand seals, the user is able to make uplift nearby sources of acid (within five meters) to create a thin wall up to five meters in height. The wall itself does not stop any techniques, but may be used to weaken physical attacks, eating at weaponry to a point of harmlessness or putting a wall of acid in the way of a taijutsu assault. Suiton techniques are unhindered by this jutsu. This technique only lasts until the end of the post in which it was created, and is about an inch in thickness.

[Mino]

"Whoa." The inherent dangers of such a technique were, of course, openly visible, but the reward was equally as impressive. Minoru wondered about the effects of Fuuton on such a wall- could a gale force wind blow that sheet of acid back into the face of the Chunin? Could Suiton dilute it, or even serve to splash through it? Could Raiton pierce it? So many questions fluttered through his mind, but one important fact stood out to him like a pinprick of light in a world of shadows: taijutsu was a dangerous game with this one. Acid was both long range and short- putting oneself near the release gave a greater chance of blowing it backward, or effecting its trajectory, but also increased the chances of being ravaged by it's undeniable destructive force.

It was quite a puzzle.

It was right then that Minoru knew he wanted to fight Goji. He wouldn't- not now at least, but the thirst itched in him as he pondered how Acid Style could be countered. It was a worthwhile venture, he may encounter acid or something like it in the field, but the Awai held himself back. "This is nothing short of amazing. You have a unique skill I haven't seen much at all. It would be interesting trying to defend onceself against what eats the skin and ignites the flesh."

[Isyldrin]

Goji nodded along to what Minoru was saying. It had been a challenge getting to this point in his training. Especially with no support from his family, they just didn't understand the inherent value of branching out your skills. It was all about tradition for them. But Goji had mad his decision and would see it thru to the end.

"You know you have some serious talent yourself friend. I think some day you and I should have a friendly fight. We could certainly learn a lot from each other."