[Graded][rmfwib] A Single Step

[Nick]

Fuhen had gone back to the inn that Gendo had procured them a room in, ate a rather big supper with a few mugs of the local ale, and went to bed somewhat early. Normally he would have taken the opportunity to drink, sing, and have a good time with his newest traveling companion, but he felt an almost stalwart solitude in the duties he had agreed to perform the next morning. He felt like he had agreed to take a child under his wing, and if he didn't help to raise the boy right, he could turn into some kind of monster. It was grim thoughts, but that was another part of the play the Frog had mentioned yesterday that he hadn't brought up.

He drank plenty of water before going to bed, hoping that the full bladder would wake him up at a reasonable time, and it did. Relieving himself in a ditch out behind the inn, he made note of the suns positioning, just rising above the tree line in the distance. It was early morning, and even as he pulled his trousers back up, people were getting out of their homes to go about their days farming, fishing, and whatever else their local struggles were.

The Frog sighed and took a deep breath, which proved to be a mistake as others had also relieved themselves in the ditch, and so of course it stunk. Then he began to make his way to the agreed meeting grounds. Gendo hadn't woken up yet, and he figured it was better to let his large companion sleep, as generally speaking he needed the extra energy more than Fuhen. When he arrived, he made note of the clearing around him, before moving to sit in the center, unclasping his basket of swords from his back and laying it on the ground, allowing him to lean against it for a back rest as he closed his eyes, and promptly fell asleep once more.

[Zao]

It had taken the young traveler a bit to find an inn, not really because they were all full but instead it took a bit because Sato had to find a room at a rate that he could afford. He even helped out at the small inn's tiny restaurant for a few hours that night to knock off a bit more off of his room fee. Finally the aspiring samurai managed to eat and find his way back to the small cude that was his room for the night. Washing up and removing his blades and robe the man fell backswards into the bed but didn't immediately fall into a slumber.

The young one's thoughts about the events that might transpire tomorrow filled his mind and it made it difficult to go to sleep. Finally enough just after midnight his body couldn't resist any longer and drifted off into a rather sound sleep from all the walking and work that he had put in on this exciting day. And just like that time would pass quickly and the first rays of the morning sun broke through the single window in the room which just happened to face out towarda the east.

The warmth from these illuminating rays struck the exposed skin of the truly thin man's unclothed upper body it caused for the young man's eyes to flutter open after a few second. Judging by the sun's position it was a little after six and probably oushing towards six thiry. Taking in a deep breath the man who was still slightly groggy reached up woth both arms stretching towards the ceiling for a moment. It was at that moment that Sato remembered what this day was, he was to meet Fuhen this morning to demonstrate his swordsmanship and this would determine whether or not he would be able to become his student and train under this righteous and famed swordsman.

This thought allowed for the Dragon country native to instantly become energized and he kicked up off the hard bed and landed onto his bare feet feeling the cool wooden floor under these feet. A bright smile was now upon the slight long and thin young man's face as he quicky washed up and went through the normal morning routine. It inly took a few mintues before a door opened and the dressed and arned youth stepped out into the morning sun again feeling it warm his body.

With a nod to himself, Sato set off to the meeting grounds shown to him by the older man yesterday as he adjusted the two machetes strapped onto either hip at the moment. He only hoped that the swordsman had kept his word and would be there whenhe arrived, while he felt the man one of trustworthy character it was hard to jusge one just based on a first meeting. But sure enough when he arrived right at seven o'clock in the morning he found the multi sword user seated in the clearing, appearing to be resting against his numer okuokus swords and their carrier. How long had he been there? No one could be sure but as he approached the young man called out to him from about fifteen meters away, "Good morning, Fuhen-sama."

[Nick]

The Frog, despite being moderately superhuman, was not so much that he could sense the presence of others at a moments notice. He did wake up when he was called out to, however, slightly startled and stumbling to his feet in a hurry. "Eh? Oh! Eh... Sato, right?" Fuhen said, before dusting himself out a bit, and using one of his feet to grab a blade out of his sheath on the ground, passing it up to his hand. "Ah'm really nae sure what yer hopin' ta learn from me, so you tell me if this is workin' out, aye?"

With that, the man from River country took a deep breath, clearing his mind, and centering his body, bringing his blade up high in his Zantou stance. "Come at me, and try to keep up. Blunt end of the sword, eh?" The Frog chuckled, before rolling his own blade in his hands so that it was held in reverse as he'd instructed the would be student to do.

When Sato got within 3 meters, Fuhen would let out a powerful Kiai, pressing the advantage from the attack onto Sato by stepping in, and aiming to deliver a blow to his left shoulder.

Combat LogShow

Zantou • Effect Focus
B-Rank Kenjutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 20 Taijutsu, 15 Instinct
A technique requiring just as much mental focus as the ability to control one's body and a core technique of it's style, the user learns to plant their feet in unison while setting their shoulders and lifting their sword, drawing all of their thoughts away from anything but the opponent or target. This technique is meant to be complimented with drawn out breathing practice and meditation to create a state, temporarily, where the senses are narrowed towards a specific goal. This allows the user of the stance to ignore outside stimuli in a fight incredibly easily, focusing solely on the body movements of their opponent, aiding in predicting their moves based on muscle tensions. This also focuses the user to a point where things such as extreme heat or cold no longer bother them on a mental level, even while physically being burned or frozen.

Zantou • Pups Yipping
B-Ranked Kenjutsu Manuever
Prerequisite: Must be under the effects of Zantou • Effect Focus
A more advanced form of pushing one's will onto their opponents, Zantou • Pups Yipping pushes disadvantage onto targets. By letting out their mighty kiai yelp, the Zantou user puts any foes within [Instinct+Taijutsu]/2 in meters under the negative effects of Zantou • Effect Focus, giving them tunnel vision towards the user, narrowing their focus, and making them act with more reckless abandon towards the user. This also offers a debuff of -6 Instinct towards the targets. Effectively acting as a taunt, the targets Instinct must be greater than the users [Stamina+Taijutsu]/2 in order to resist the effects. This effect may be maintained as long as the user continues their kiai at least once every two posts, but otherwise lasts a total of two posts.

[Zao]

The manner in which the swordsman work up made the youd lad laugh light, Fuhen truly was different from any other swordsman that he had met up to this point in his life. But being unique was a good thing, after all Sato xoyld be considered to be relatively unique himself if one knew what his body was capable of. "I wish to learn every aspect of being a powerful samurai, to have the strength for my name to be known outside of just a single country." Their was aspiration in his words and a sense of pride as he nodded to the older man's words removing the thick, heavy machetes from their holsters.

Wish a flick of his finger the cleavers twisted within the youth's hands before be grasped again now in with the blunt top edge of the blade flip flopped just like Fuhen had done with his own single blade. An uncertain but energetic smile emerged on the slender swordsman's lips, he had found another teacher. Someone who could possibly surpass all those that he had encountered up to this point and he needed to demonstrate his worth and potiential. He truly held no hope in defeating such a man but who still give one hundred percent ti this sparring bout.

Both hands tightened on the dark wood gandles of the weapons before the kid's body tensed up and after a moment he burst forth attempting to accelerate up to his top speed that his almost fragile looking body could muster. Eneter within a few meter the boy felt as if something invincible had effected him due to the man kiai but was to inexperienced to understand stand what had just hapoened to him in that moment. As the blade descended down the upright youth leaned back as his feet pushed forwards, turning his movements into a slide that were aimed between the man's feet.

A technique that he had picked up from a Toryu user whom he had met along the road during his short time of traveling, it was this technique he had been planning to use from the very start. It was a but unconventional and that was something he had relied upon to catch the man he hoped to become his master off guard. As he slide both machetes would slash towards the shins of Fuhen with the blunt portions of their blades. It was a bit of a reckless maneuver eithout a doubt but perhaps unexpected as well...

SpoilerShow

*[Toryu • Sweep Cutter]
C-Ranked Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Taijutsu
During close quarters or after engaging a foe via a rush, the user quickly forces themselves back as they divert body weight downwards typically causing a quick and controllable slide under the opponent's field of control, usually between the legs or to the side. During this slide the user attempts slashes, stabs or even hooks or drags the opponent down with them to open up for more techniques or just deal considerable damage.

Slash
D-Ranked Taijutsu Maneuver
The user arcs their machete and slashes at their target in an attempt to hit a large surface area. This can be done in a variety of different directions and can be quite devastating to those that are impacted by the blade as the wound is often quite deep and runs across wherever it connected.

[Nick]

The boy seemed to have good speed, and he was actually better at taking off at a running start than Fuhen, as well the boy didn't seem to have too bad of combat instincts either, taking advantage of his Zantou's high style by striking low instead. Fuhen did have fairly good defense against attacks from below, however, thanks to his odd nature.

When Sato began his slide, the Frog would respond quickly by suddenly jumping into the air, just as the stretchy man had seen him do yesterday while looking for a place to fight. "Not bad!" Fuhen called as he ascended, the blade in his hands moving out as he shifted his center of balance to control his fall. "Ye shouldnae of listened to me though, never do what your opponent wants or expects!" He said as he fell, offering some simple advice, and lightly mocking the boy for rushing in, even though that was exactly what Fuhen had asked.

In an attempt to demonstrate the nature of unpredictability, Fuhen would reel back with the weapon, looking as though he was about to throw it, but instead carrying the momentum forwards, spinning around and attempting to use the momentum to land a solid blow on Sato from above.

Combat LogShow

Aerobatics
D-Ranked Taijutsu Discipline
Prerequisite: 5 Taijutsu
Hefty bending exercises have lead the user to be able to contort, and otherwise control, their body while under abnormal situations. Namely being able to use momentum to better dodge mid-air, and allowing great feats of taijutsu that normally require ones feet planted firmly on the ground.

[Zao]

As the older samurai dodged the attack by leaping upwards the man couldn't up but gasp slightly at the distance the man was able to leap, it was even more impressive then what he had demonstrated the previous day. Using his right hand the Dragon country native twisted the wrist of the arm inward allowing for the blade to come into contact with the ground to bring him to a sudden stop from the slide he had been in the process of. Borrowing from the momentum and slight direction change the boy twisted his body with great precision, a testimate to how well he understood the limits and ability of his own body.

This allowed for the kid to end up in a high kneeling position with one knee still on the ground as the Frog man descended from above now with a powerful strike as he fell. Unsure if he would be able to block it fully he brought up both blades in an x style block. While he pushed both arms upwards to almost their full extension he focused the elasticity of his body into his tongue in that moment. Though he didn't wish to expose to much about how unique his body and the bodies of his fellow family members were the man's shout earlier had unknowingly made him to solely focused on this bout and not about the consciences of anything else. Plus, he wished to find a way to impress the fellow swordsman in order to be accepted by him and finally be able to leave the restraints of his home country and travel the word to make a name for himself.

As the blades were there to block the attack, Sato waited for the last moment when the blade would impact his own and the man still wouldn't be fully on the ground but still in the air. It was at that moment in which he opened his mouth and his tongue shot outwards with a single target being the leg or ankle nearest it, like a snake it struck out attempting to coil around the limb. If successful it would then be used to throw the man off to the side in a form of toss, though this was a fight it was truly only a spar and such a technique could cause injury and their wasn't a need for that..

JutsuShow

Tongue Hand
C-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
The user must focus their elasticity to their tongue. When applied, the user can use their tongue like a hand and extend it forward. By wrapping their tongue around objects, they have the same strength and speed as their hand and arm would.

[Nick]

Fuhen's telegraphed attack being blocked didn't shock him so much, but Sato's tongue leaving his mouth and wrapping around him shocked him enough that he didn't manage to react fast enough. Unable to respond fast enough, and still being vulnerable in the air as he was attacked, all he could do is let out a yelp as he was tossed away. Being flung like that wouldn't be the end of the world though, as Fuhen was quite adept at rolling with his momentum, acrobatically flipping and landing on his feet with a bit of a skid.

Briefly the Frog pondered that they could be related. The tongue was certainly something they seemed to share, though looking at the tongue compared to his own it would be somewhat plain to see that they were quite different. Fuhen's own tongue, when fully extended, seemed to have more of a round shape to it, while Sato's was more like that of a human tongue.

"Ooh, a fellow freak o'nature, eh?" The Frog smiled broadly, clearly enjoying the confrontation. "I think we're startin' t'get somewhere, ye ken?" He finished, before taking off at a sprint, his blade held high in his zantou pose once more. He would, once more, go for a powerful overhead slash, expecting it to be blocked. If it was, he would let go of the blade, it held up and still pushing down against Sato with the use of his Shogun ability, while he carried through, and aimed a punch towards Sato's guts.

If Sato would dodge to either side, a similar scenario would play out, though instead of the gut punch, Fuhen would move to sweep Sato's legs out from under him instead.

[Zao]

Sato tilted his head slightly as the long tongue that had stretched out from his mouth began to retract after successfully throwing the older man, to his surprise actually. But even though he hadn't thrown him with his all out strength it still should have been enough to cause the man to be unable to control his descent which was quite the opposite to what would happen as Fuhen was able to actually transfer his body weight near perfectly in midair rotating to land on his feet. To a point this left the young guy a bit dumb struck as he truly didn't know how skilled the samurai before him could not even be compared with the average swordsman one would run into on the roads. "A fellow freak of nature?" His head actually tilted the other way at Fuhen's remarks after making his quick recovery from the thrown, it puzzled the Dragon country native not sure exactly what the man meant by this.

He was actually rather familiar with the word though, as those who met his family often whispered this behind their backs or even some said it to their faces and it was something that truly got under the young guy's skin. But when it was mentioned that they were both freaks he didn't get angry but instead was interested in just what the implications of those words were. By this time the long tongue had un-stretched itself and had disappeared back between Sato's lips as he shifted his stance so that the left foot and arm were slightly forward, they were about to clash once more. Again the man attacked with the same style of attack, an over head slash, which had learned from their last exchange that he was a bit stronger then the man but was unable to match his speed so it couldn't be put into its full use against the samurai.

Fixing his feet to the ground and bracing himself he was forced to only block this time as he pushed his blades up at an outward angle to meet the incoming blade but to his surprise, after striking with the blade Fuhen had let go of the blade and started to move in close to attack his midsection. But the attack itself wasn't surprising but the fact that Sato still was fighting against the downward force of the blade that had no owner using it. Truly at a lost all he could do was continue to defend as he knew he wouldn't be able to dodge and instead reverted to softening the impacts of his opponent as he elasticized his abdomen area allowing for the blows to turn into light blow instead of something that could have taken his breath away or damaged his internal organs. As he leaned back from the impacts of the strike using one hand to continue to manage the sword above the right hand let go of the blade and the right foot that came off the ground from the strike moved at the same time as the hand.

Using the elastic ability and focusing it from his stomach into the arm and leg he then caused for the pair to suddenly stretch and extend as they attempted to entangle the long haired man in front of him with both limbs that were able to stretch to an additional five meters past their normal length. Moving like a pair of pythons attempting to entangle and constrict the prey at which they had just struck at...

SpoilerShow

Soften the Blow
C-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
This technique allows the user to elasticize a part of their body that they know is going to be hit. This allows the user to soften the blow and turn a blunt attack that could cause damage, into a minor pain reducing the force of the incoming blows caused by blunt attacks by ten strength.

Entanglement
B-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
This technique, as its name suggests, is utilized to completely entangle a foe if given the chance. The user focuses their elasticity to their four limbs and upon contact with each causes them to expand like pythons that attempt to constrict around each limb and then the rest of the body of the target.

Basic Serpent Control
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Prerequisites: 5 Taijutsu and 5 Instinct
When controlling a limb or their tongue after focusing on their elasticity in the body part they are able to manipulate the path of the limb from start to finish when striking or attacking causing for it to be more unpredictable like the head of a serpent. Allowing for it to slip through openings in the opponent's defense or such.

[Nick]

While Fuhen managed to get a solid blow or two in, he quickly noticed something was wrong. His blows began to feel like they were rebounding, rather than hitting solidly like they would on someone else. To a small extent, it was like the fancy training dummies he had come across in Pebble country, during his brief training excursion there.

When the elastic man let go of one of his cleavers, the sword batting against it would knock it away. Seeing Sato's intention to strike, though not knowing the full capabilities of the man, the Frog would quickly transition into a grapple. Looking up, his tongue would shoot out, attempting to wrap around the man's neck, while his hands went to his hips. Overall, he would attempt to throw him to the side away from him.

Of course, with Sato's stretching, he could possibly take Fuhen down with him, or maybe with clever use avoid being taken down altogether.

[Zao]

It would seem that the pair were indeed rather similar, for at the moment when Sato went to entangle his for with the stretching right hand and leg the frog man opened up his mouth and it shot out much like his did only it didn't seemed to be simply stretching like his own had done a short while ago. The inexperienced kid wasn't sure what to do and could only follow through with his own movements which allowed for the two limbs to continue on their path. His right leg bent and stretched as thought it had not a single bone within its as it would find itself wrapped around leg directly in front of its, Fuhen's left leg.

While the right arm also expanded and like a slender snake attempted to wrap around the left arm and then around the man's back, under the right arm bit and end with its stretching hand upon Fuhen's throat if all went well in the end. Though the kid also found himself in a predicament at the moment being on only one leg with his opponent using his tongue his own. Focusing on the elasticity within his mouth again, focused on his tongue one more, the man allowed for the slender pink appendage to slip from his lips attempting to slap away the opposing frog tongue.

Yet, this would end in a rather embarrassing moment as the boy's ability to control multiple appendages was still limited and instead of slapping the on coming tongue away it would become entangled with the fellow samurai's if the black haired man was unable to stop this even from happening. Meanwhile he was still attempting to resist the sword with the left hand and single remaining cleaver...

[Nick]

The Frog didn't expect Sato to simultaneously be as skilled, fast, and strong as he was. The boy had a degree of natural talent that most people would kill for, and he was so well versed in the usage of his own body that even Fuhen, who felt like every piece of himself was supercharged at all times, felt a little jealous. His ability to stretch his limbs so seamlessly like that was definitely something to be envied, and, Fuhen realized, the only way to seriously fight the boy and overtake him would be to keep his distance, and generally his distance attacks couldn't be non-lethal.

When their attacks all landed simultaneously, and their tongues became intertwined, Fuhen had a sincere look of shock on his face. The boy was kind of cute, but a relationship between master and student this early was probably disreputable. His hands left the boys hips, and he brought them together in the traditional "T" as he mumbled over his extended and tied tongue "Thtop, thtop!" He called, trying to end the fight before one or both of them lost their tongue for good. His hands would come up, attempting to undo the tangle and knot they'd gotten themselves into, groaning and mumbling to himself all the while.

When the tangle would finally be undone, he would spit a couple of times at the ground to rid himself of Sato's saliva, stabbing his sword into the dirt next to himself. "Sheesh pal, if'n ye wanted to make out, all ye had to do was ask." He teased, chuckling as he wiped his hands together. "Awright then, I like yer style. But I need ye to tell me somethin' before I let ye travel with me." A more serious look passed over his face as he thought of how best to phrase his next words. "What are ye really wantin' t'get strong fer? Is it just yerself? What's inspirin' ye to do such dangerous things as learnin' from travelin' samurai?"

[Zao]

The moment the two men's tongues ended up wrapped around the others all the bearing and fighting spirit of a swordsman within Sato instantly flew out the window, dropping the blade that had been in the left hand while trying to hope back on his left foot. While this was happening the right arm and leg that were elasticized wiggled uncontrollably, "Ewww! Ahh!!" Unlike his counter part who could manage some mumbled words the kid wasn't even able to do that as he understood the words from Fuhen but was still trying to back away.

After a few moments their tongues were freed from the entanglement and the thin man was using his left hand like a rag and was wiping at the tongue as though their was something to get off while spitting trying to bring the tongue back into his mouth. The right arm and leg were still long and waved in the air back and forth wobbling like boneless snakes at the mention of him wanting to make out. "Woah, woah, woah! No way, uh huh! I'm definitely straight, back it up!" Finally he was able to get control of his arm and leg as they returned back to their normal length and a few meters space had been put between the pair of samurai.


"Tell you something?" Sato truly thought this man was going to make a pass at him or crack some gay joke at the moment and had already narrowed his eyes a bit as the response was given to the man. But to his surprise the man seemed to take on a more serious tone, perhaps he was able to completely disregard the actions that happened a short few moments ago or was attempting to change the subject. Either way it caused for the young man to stand up straight as he prepared to answer. "I am from the Kyōhō family, we are renown for our cooking skills, but everyone in my family is fine with that and doesn't strive to be anything more. I, Kyōhō Sato, wish to become a famous samurai to earn the respect of my family for leaving!" The man made fist with the slender right hand and came across his chest, lightly patting where his heart should have been.

[Nick]

The Frog chuckled at the wannabe samurai's reaction, slowly making his way back to his basket of swords on the ground, the sword that had been pushing down against Sato on its own now majestically floating over to join its brethren in the oversized sheath. Hoisting the blades up over his shoulder once more, he'd return to the young man and place a hand on his shoulder, a gentle smile on his face. "Well, I don't think either me nor Gendo could turn down a cook on our journey..." He started, bringing his hand back down to his side.

Sato's was often a plight of the little people, those who found themselves content to sit the rest of their lives barely scraping by, farming, fishing, making clothing, or any number of tasks. While there was nothing wrong with finding joy in these works, especially if you were good at them, it was those who didn't aspire to greater depths of their art that worried the Frog, as it was something he'd seen many samurai fall victim to, ceasing their training too young, and being satisfied with strong enough rather than stronger and stronger. "Ye've got a fair answer, Sato." He said, seemingly having made a decision.

"I like the gut o' yer jib." He said, readjusting his basket of swords and giving the younger man a wink. "Just need ye t'promise me one thing..." And once more, Fuhen's face was grim serious, as he bent over slightly to look directly eye to eye with Sato. "Never... And I do mean never... Twist tongues with me again."

[Zao]

As the older man's sword flew over to rejoin the large basket of swords, Sato had almost forgotten about the strange ability the man had to control the sword without touching it earlier in their fight. He didn't feel that he'd even really tested the ability of the Frog as he looked at the numerous swords and recalled that in their own fight the older man had only used a single one. Just what kind of fighting capability would this strange samurai have if he went all out and used that whole basket of swords to fight someone? 'This guy is truly a mysterious one...'

Sato had become a bit lost in thought about this powerful samurai whom he wanted to be his master, to travel with him to lands far away from his homeland here of Dragon country when the man's hand landed upon his shoulder waking him up from his momentary day dreaming spell. The gentle smile on Fuhen's lips caused for one to form upon the kid's mouth as well in return, though he couldn't manage any words in that moment he nodded twice in rapid succession to the words that came to him next about his answer earlier.

"What do you need me to promise, sir?" Sato became serious as well, seeing the change within Fuhen who's face had gone from gentle to grim serious in the skip of a heart beat now. Was the man about to ask him to make some sort of solemn promise to always aid the poor, sick, and injured? Just what was it that the man had become so serious about? And then the words hit "Never, never, never ever!" The thin man almost yelled the words as he realized what the fellow samurai was wanting him to promise, his hands once more waved back and forth in front of him as he tried to forget the memory of his tongue stuck around Fuhen's.

Luckily no one else had been there to witness such a seen or neither of them would have ever been able to live it down. His words were more like he was swearing to the heavens then making a simple promise, but in the end it felt like he had found a strong master to help him along the way and to keep him on the straight and narrow path. To ensure that he didn't fall to the wrong side as he grew stronger...he could be considered to be a lucky young man today.