The Void Expands

[ShinobiTruth]

Kumogakure Training Log

Subject: Arashiyama Ookurikara

Training Regimen: Taijutsu, 2 Points (2084/2000)

Day 1 - Swordsmanship Training

Most people would be hyping themselves up on their way to a workout or training, mentally recounting the goals they were trying to reach and preparing themselves for the hurdles they'd have to overcome. A mix of trepidation and optimism would color the mind of most on their way to the training field. For this particular Arashiyama, there was no optimism, and trepidation was nothing nearly as serious as the sensation that ran through Ookuri's veins. His companions were fear and determination. However they may have dwindled these past three years, he still had plenty of fear and some determination to spare.

Walking towards the center of the field, Ookuri wore his training outfit, his katana the only piece of equipment he'd been instructed to bring. The particular training field had a large variance in the topography it offered, to the west side of the large field was a cluster of dense trees and foliage; in the center was flat, untouched terrain; to the north rest a large pond with various crags jutting from beneath the water's surface, to the east was a large cliff with various footholds, and to the south, near where he entered, were a variety of stone pillars upon sand. If nothing else, he had a variety of terrain he could fight on.

Drawing his sword, Ookuri held firmly onto his scabbard as he brandished the blade in his other hand. His eyes scanned the surroundings. He'd been told that he would be working on his swordsmanship from the missive, but he didn't know what exactly that would entail. Would he be facing another opponent? He dreaded the idea. He was a poor swordsman and lacked skill in Taijutsu in general. He knew enough not to cut himself with his own blade and not an iota more.

From behind the stone pillars facing to the south kunai sprouted into view, curving between pillars as they sliced through the air towards the lone genin standing in their path. Ookuri relaxed a bit; kunai were easy enough to deflect. Brandishing his katana, Ookuri parried each projectile, the vibrations traveling down the hilt of his sword with the clash of each projectile against his weapon. At first, Ookuri was confused by the flow of weaponry, as even by his lowered standards, they were easy enough to deflect. Almost as if fate was displaying its contempt for the young man, the volley increased in intensity, both ramping up in speed and the number of projectiles. Quickly realizing his predicament, Ookuri quickly started running as fast as his feet would take him, which was not very fast even by a genin's standards, away from the stone pillars and sand and towards the large cluster of dense evergreen trees, hoping they would provide him cover.

It seemed that there was indeed an effective range for the firing mechanisms that were positioned in the pillars, but the projectiles that had been launched were still tracking him. Frantically backpedaling, Ookuri continued to flimsily deflect as many of the kunai as he could before jumping behind one of the trees, the last three kunai slamming firmly into the opposite side of the tree trunk. Ookuri took a moment to catch his breath. For his three years of constant training and work stamina was never his strong suit. He'd settled with learning to use what little chakra he had efficiently... since it was the only thing he was even somewhat good at. Progressing into the trees, Ookuri kept his sword brandished, each step considered carefully. He had a pretty good idea what this training was going to entail now that he'd gotten a taste from the previous biome.

Sure enough, the echoing of clicking gears and straining wires gave the genin a brief advanced notice of the incoming assault before a mixture of kunai and shuriken whizzed through the trees towards the forest floor where he was located. Ookuri, his blade in hand, strafed to the side as he resumed his parrying. Several of the shuriken zipped through his guard, one of them grazing his left bicep as it ripped through clothes and sliced flesh. He grimaced, not even having time to evaluate the depth of the cut. It didn't feel serious, so he had to keep moving. Dodging between trees, the kunai were less of an issue than the shuriken. Their thinner, multi-pronged design often vexed the genin when he tried to defend against them with his katana or another weapon. Many times, they would crash against the edge of his blade and simply slip around to either cut him or stab him anyway. As he ran through the forest, two more slipped through his guard and one cut across the top of his thigh, causing superficial damage.

At this rate, he'd be torn up before he could reach the end of the tree-line. Thinking quickly, Ookuri momentarily twisted the blade in his hand, presenting the flat of the blade to the incoming projectiles. Even as he tried it, he was berating himself, thinking the concept was silly. Despite his self-defeating attitude, however, the ploy worked. The increased surface area of the flat of the blade was enough to sufficiently blunt the shuriken and render them ineffective. Ookuri was so beside himself with surprise that he almost forgot to keep blocking, and three kunai slipped through and further sundered his training clothes. Tightening his guard, he continued to make use of this trick to parry the shuriken and, eventually, all of the projectiles that flew his way as he neared the end of the cluster of trees.

The attack was relentless. Even as his foot crossed the threshold of the treeline, the shuriken and kunai continued to fly towards him, a storm of sharp metal death quickly burying itself all around him it wasn't until he was about ten meters out that the shuriken and kunai stopped following him. With that onslaught abated, the Arashiyama stopped and kneeled on the ground, breathing heavily. Stupid weak constitution. What was the point of the training if he didn't last long enough to finish it? He couldn't wait much longer. A real enemy wouldn't wait for him to recover his energy. This little reprieve was the most he could expect. Taking up his sword, Ookuri moved towards the large pond. Channeling chakra to his feet, he didn't waste time probing his surroundings. He was on a clock the moment his first foot stepped upon the lipid blue surface. He had passable chakra control, but his chakra and physical stamina reserves weren't very high. He couldn't afford to spend any more time than necessary in this particular biome.

Like clockwork, the metallic arsenal shot forth, some of the weapons bursting from the water, and as a glint of light in the corner of his eye was followed by a fierce scratch on his right calf muscle, the genin inwardly cursed. It seemed that this particular area was only shuriken. He would not have the comfort of the slightly easier kunai to assuage his tumultuous mind. Brandishing his katana, Ookuri set to parrying the onslaught of shuriken that zipped towards him, some of the arsenal slipping past him as he ran to quietly slip back into the depths below. As he set into the groove, however, he relaxed slightly, realizing that over even the short time he'd been training thus far, he'd learned how to handle the sword a little better. Well! Seems like even a screw-up like himself could learn a thing or two still. With a more practiced hand, though it still certainly wasn't easy, fewer and fewer of the shuriken managed to slip past his guard, more and more of them clanging and ricocheting off of the Arashiyama's weapon into the water beneath his feet. All in all, about sixty seconds of raucous clashing of steel against steel ensued, echoing out of the training field into the skies above. He was glad no one else was watching. He could only imagine how silly he looked, a hapless seventeen-year-old still struggling to learn what his contemporaries had learned so quickly.

It was with great satisfaction that Ookurikara finally slipped away from the large pond and moved his way to the fourth topographical section of his elaborate training field: the large cliffs. It seemed that as opposed to starting from the bottom and climbing to the top, there was a lift he was expected to take all the way to the top and descend down using large slabs of rock jutting out of the cliff face that practically served as platforms. Not wasting any time, Ookuri took to the lift, and with a single press of the button, the lift slowly began to ascend amidst the chorus of creaking and whining coming from the lift itself. Things were incredibly quiet... and Ookurikara knew that meant he needed to be expecting an attack. Almost like clockwork, two shuriken and a senbon bit into the wood near his feet, and Ookuri immediately brandished his sword upward. A new lethal combination, shuriken and metal senbon, or throwing needles, were placed before him as an obstacle to completing the course. Of course there had to be senbon. Ookuri did his best not to panic. He learned quite a bit just from blocking the shuriken. Perhaps the same lesson could work against the senbon. Annoying as they were, these senbon would serve as a good test for Ookuri's skill. Bringing his katana to bare to block the errant metal weapons, Ookuri stood ready. There wasn't really anywhere to hide or run, anyway; most of the platform was a targeted zone and didn't afford the genin much opportunity to play evasively. It looked like he was going to have to be a guest in his own house, so to speak. Taking his katana, he started frantically parrying the shuriken and senbon that rained down from above him. At first, it seemed like a highly coordinated mess. However, as time progressed, more and more of a semblance of order and control washed over Ookurikara's mind. The seemingly intimidating shuriken and senbon mixture didn't faze the young boy anymore. He'd finally gotten acclimated to defending against most throwing weapons.

As Ookurikara leapt to the first of several platforms, the genin saw a flash of motion rising up from the rockface. Ookuri's face nearly flushed of its color in fear as he realized what was happening. That was a literal burst shot of senbon needles. Their thin profiles made them difficult to see against the reddish mountain rock. At his current level of skill, there was no feasible way he could individual parry each one of the needles on their own. He had to come up with something fast.

In a fit of panicked ingenuity, Ookuri spun the katana with his fingers as fast as he could. The strength of the needles rattled his fingers and wrist, delicate as they were, as they pinged loudly off of the spinning blade of steel that stood between Ookuri and a very bad time. Some of the needles slipped through, several of the needles poking neat holes through the sleeves of his training jacket. Landing on the first platform, the Arashiyama took a moment to catch his breath. Why was this so hard? This was what any one of his other classmates could do with ease. His constant irritation, however short-lived it might be, continued to push him forward to jump off of each of the other platforms, the spinning of the katana in his hand becoming more fluid with each repetition. The strain on his fingers went down bit by bit as well; it seemed that the strain on his fingers had something to do with his poor execution, and with enough practice, the tendons in his fingers relaxed just slightly.

Jumping off of the last platform, Ookuri rolled and got to his feet, spinning his blade with both hands as he managed to deflect the last volley of needles. One final needle punched through his guard and stuck into his shoulder. The boy winced at the pain. Once again, he was reminded of his fragility, but for now, that painful remembrance was blunted by the realization that he'd completed the training. Gritting his teeth, he yanked the needle out of his flesh and threw the bloodied instrument with contempt before walking out of the training arena.

[ShinobiTruth]

Kumogakure Training Log

Subject: Arashiyama Ookurikara

Training Regimen: Genjutsu, 2 Points (2187/2000)

Day 2 - Genjutsu Studies

Finally, a method of training Ookurikara was fairly confident he could manage.

It wasn't because Ookuri had any proficiency with Genjutsu. On the contrary, his skills were subpar even for a genin. Rather, it was because of the very few things that Arashiyama had going for him, he actually had a fairly sharp mind and was able to grasp things quickly. So long as it was reading or something involving mental strength instead of physical, he was fairly confident he could compete. In most Ninja villages, and raising shinobi skilled in Genjutsu is a serious trial, as it requires both the natural-born talent to effectively control Yin chakra and the imagination to craft illusions persuasive enough to lay bare a weakness in even the most powerful of shinobi. This was a particular talent that Ookurikara did not have, nor did he plan on cultivating it. All he needed was the ability to know what it was and defend against it. Right now, the Arashiyama's knowledge was no more than the most basic knowledge that he'd learned when studying back at the academy. He'd never even faced an opponent, classmate or otherwise, skilled in the art of Genjutsu, but he wasn't about to wait until he met such a foe on a mission. Ookuri wasted no time in starting his day of Genjutsu training. He'd woken up early and taken his breakfast an hour earlier than normal just so he could go to the Academy library before it started to fill up with other shinobi. He didn't want to have to wait for his learning materials.

Ookurikara made it to the Academy roughly five minutes after 7 AM. After checking in with the librarian, a grizzled ex-jounin who had the sharpest eyes he'd ever seen, she would lead him to the locked scroll cabinets and retrieve the materials for him. Considering that what was in the scrolls were considered village secrets (those outside the village were not yet being taught ninja arts), all documents were to be viewed and inspected in the main study area, under her watchful hawk-like eyes. Ookuri followed the woman to the cabinet, and after opening its locked doors, she reached in and immediately produced a truly massive scroll. His jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the scroll. This was supposed to cover the very bare-bones basics of Genjutsu? The Arashiyama's imagination conjured up images of what he thought more advanced scrolls would look like and shivered.

The genin sat down and began to unfurl the scroll as the librarian returned to her desk in front of the study area. Looking at the scroll, Ookuri began to read the text to himself. "Genjutsu, or Illusionary Techniques, use Yin chakra nature to create and insert illusions and hallucinations into an opponent's mind. These illusions and hallucinations can vary greatly in how they manifest and how they affect the opponent. They can range from simple optical illusions to powerful hallucinations that alter an opponent's thoughts and emotions, using their own minds against them."

Ookuri made note of that. The instruction they'd received at the academy had been pretty basic. There hadn't been time to go into detail on all of the different ways that a genjutsu could be constructed. Reading this gave him the reason why that had been the case. The form a genjutsu can take could be more diverse than even ninjutsu because none of it was real. For young academy students, that was too much for them to chew. It would be better to teach the basics and how to defend against it. Still, if he didn't want to spend eternity as a genin, Ookuri's current scope of knowledge on Genjutsu wouldn't be enough. He had to learn more. He had to be ready to face an opponent proficient in using genjutsu and make sure he had the tools to come out the victor.

Ookuri read onward. "Casting a genjutsu on an opponent requires one to meet three conditions. First, the individual casting the genjutsu must have the required skill level to cast the genjutsu they wish to use and an equal skill in chakra control to successfully force the genjutsu into an opponent's chakra system once they cast it. Due to this requirement, many shinobi skilled in Genjutsu often have ninjutsu-based arsenals as well; this makes further use of their above-average levels of chakra control. Next, the user of the genjutsu must choose how they want to initiate the genjutsu. While a shinobi can initiate the genjutsu in practically any number of ways, there are typically one of six different types of initiators, which shall be explained later in this text. Finally, the genjutsu itself needs one of the kinds of illusions that the caster of the genjutsu is capable of using. More skilled users of genjutsu will, consequently, be able to use a greater number of classes of genjutsu as well as a greater number of ways to initiate the genjutsu in question."

Ookuri took a breath and sighed. What had started out as a pretty straightforward discussion of one of the three most basic forms of combat a shinobi can use was rapidly developing into a veritable cat's cradle of many different factors that he would need to consider when fighting an opponent who was skilled in using Genjutsu. There was an even greater mountain of information to consider now. First off, a person who was skilled in the use of would also have to have at least above average chakra control. The best-case scenario would be the individual casting the genjutsu being able to last at least as long as he could in a fight, and the worst-case scenario was the opponent possessing an equal arsenal of potent ninjutsu sitting in their back pocket in case their genjutsu didn't make the cut. Next, casting a genjutsu was not limited to one method of execution. He knew he'd learn more as he read further, but it seemed that just within the basics of genjutsu, someone who specialized in the art of Genjutsu had flexibility on their side. Ookuri knew that one of the only things he had going for him was his decent battle sense. He realized that his fighting instincts would be pushed to their absolute limit if he were to ever face a Genjutsu Specialist in the field.

The next section Ookuri was about to start studying involved one of the three conditions that a Genjutsu user had to meet to use an illusion on an opponent: initiators that could be used to cast them. "The number of potential initiators that can be used to cast a genjutsu are limitless. With that said, in a majority of cases, a genjutsu typically has one of six different types of initiators required to cast it. The first, and most commonly used, initiator is sight. A genjutsu with a sight-based initiator requires the caster of the genjutsu to either make eye contact with the opponent or make the opponent see a particular action that the caster is performing in order to inject the genjutsu into the opponent's chakra stream, effectively trapping them in it. Even seemingly mundane movements, such as pointing at the target, swinging a sword, or having the target see you wave, are good enough to sere as initiators for some genjutsu. Sight-based initiators are highly effective and, as such, are a staple in the arsenal shinobi specializing in genjutsu. Genjutsu specialist shinobi should beware opponents that do not require sight in order to fight, as these opponents are naturally more difficult, if not impossible, to target with sight-based initiators."

Ookuri took note of this information, stopping to think for a moment. Sight-based initiators were the most common type of initiators. Sure, why not? Sight was one of the most prized physical senses a human could possess; most people who didn't have their sight either didn't last long on the field of battle or were famous for being able to fight and survive in the shinobi world despite being blind. Based on the information he was reading, if Ookuri thought he was likely facing a genjutsu user, it would be a good idea to have a backup strategy for fighting them that didn't involve his eyesight. Frankly, for where he was right now, he'd be screwed if he had to fight without eyes on his opponent. That was for a later time, though. For now, he had more information to consider.

"The second most common initiator used to initiate a genjutsu is sound. Just like the versatility allowed by sight-based initiators, sound-based initiators allow the caster to use a variety of sounds or auditory signals, such as their own voice, the clapping of their hands, or the sound created by a ninja tool or their own jutsu to successfully trap their opponent in an illusion of the caster's design. Being both equally as versatile as sight-based initiators and sometimes harder to defend against, sound-based initiators are very commonly found in studying the art of genjutsu."

Ookuri's brow furrowed in consternation. Ugh. Now he was imagining how he could fight an opponent without having access to his hearing, and he was coming up blank, which was not good. Voluntarily cutting off your sight was one thing. Cutting off one's hearing to reliably defend against a sound-based genjutsu was another matter entirely, especially considering how well sound can travel through the air or even certain liquids like water. Still, not all was lost; perhaps producing a louder outside noise could possibly block or stop a sound-based trigger that used a softer or more subtle sound to initiate the genjutsu. It was just something he came up with on the fly, but Ookuri was certain he could test it at some point. His hungry eyes quickly returned to the aged texted written on the scroll in front of him.

"The remaining four initiators, while still seeing some use, aren't as commong as the previous two initiators that were mentioned before. The first of these four less common initators is smell. By producing an odor, either using a tool or through another jutsu, the caster of the genjutsu turns the opponent's sense of smell against them, using it to trap them in the illusion. Though there are ways to use smell to initiate a genjutsu without special measures, it is common practice for genjutsu casters using smell-based initiators to have a ninjutsu of some sort that makes a smell or substance that they would then use as a base to more readily catch the opponent in the illusion they want to use."

Ookuri had never thought about using smell as a way to catch someone in a genjutsu before. It was crazy to think about exactly how versatile genjutsu was as an art form. The Arashiyama knew that it wasn't where his natural talents resided (what few he had, at least), but after reading the material in front of him, he was going to spend some quality time learning even just a few basic genjutsu to have in his back pocket. The potential game-changing element they could provide for him were simply too much to ignore. Besides, in a world where one's situation could literally change at the tip of a hat, there was no telling how he might be able to use them.

"The last three initiators are less commonly used, as they are harder to execute. Touch, for example, uses any form of physical contact to initiate a genjutsu. Taste-based initiators use some sort of consumable food or substance to initiate the genjutsu. Sensory-based initiators rely on using the opponent's ability to sense the caster's chakra to initiate the genjutsu, turning their sensory abilities against them. Because these initiators are typically harder to pull off in the heat of batter, most genjutsu that use these initiators tend to be more potent than those using simpler initiation methods. It's important to remember that these are simply the most basic initiators available. Custom initiators can be used with genjutsu to further diversify the Genjutsu specialist's strategies in battle."

Ookuri closed the scroll. Even for as much as he'd tried and struggled in the academy, Ookuri felt a tinge of shame. This was something he should have known long ago. He was simply glad that he'd learned it now instead of in the middle of a life-and-death battle. Some of these initiators seemed like double-edged swords. For example, using a touch-based or sensory-based initiator in order to cast a genjutsu most likely required the caster to be in the opponent's range, which was a risky gambit. Considering how rare it was to hear about anyone using both genjutsu and taijutsu in tandem with each other, it was pretty likely that most genjutsu-focused shinobi were mid-range or long-range fighters. They'd likely engage in a battle of attrition instead of simply unloading all of their damage at once. The last sentence of the scroll caught Ookuri's eyes. What other kinds of initiators could a person come up with?

[ShinobiTruth]

Kumogakure Training Log

Subject: Arashiyama Ookurikara

Training Regimen: Stamina, 2 Points (2101/2000)

Day 3 - Chakra Fatigue Training

When Ookuri received instructions to report for training at one of the clan's many practice fields, he made sure to arrive with plenty of towels and a medical kit. There's only one person who would call him like this out of the blue for sudden training: his oldest brother and the firstborn of their immediate family, Arashiyama Kouta. Ookuri loathed every instance in which his brother pulled rank to bring him out for these training exercises, but there was little he could do. He outranked Ookuri, and he always issued the instructions as official orders, meaning they had the clout to back them up. It wasn't that Ookuri hated his brother. Even despite everything he'd endured (including things his brother Kouta was responsible for), Ookuri wasn't so heartless as to hate someone who ultimately wanted what was best for him. What he resented, however, was the fact that his brother was thoroughly convinced that his lack of progress was due to nothing more than his own laziness. He knew nothing about the sudden and random short-circuiting of his chakra in high-stress situations. He didn't know about the images of the massive golden-eyed black beast that stole sleep from his eyes and haunted his waking hours. What point was there in telling him about them? Kouta would never believe him. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong with him. What else could he believe other than that his little brother suffered from a chronic case of apathy?

Kouta was not like the rest of his clansmen. He had absolutely no level of chill about him. He didn't become the youngest jounin in his graduating class by having chill to begin with. Every move he made was deliberate, every action intentional and with urgent purpose. When Ookuri arrived, he was sitting atop a large stone platform jutting from the mountainside, piercing green eyes gazing down coldly at his failure of a little brother. That's what Ookuri imagined, at least. It was nearly night time, but even with only the light of the moon and the massive pitch-black shadow of the rockface looming over them, Ookuri could clearly see those eyes he'd come to associate with his own failure. "Maybe one of these days you'll choose a normal time to train, Kouta," Ookuri called up as he entered the training field.

"And maybe one of these days you'll actually impress me with your progress. Neither are likely to happen anytime soon," the brother retorted, his voice curt and controlled. Kouta was not one to trifle with pleasantries, preferring to get straight to business. "Now, if you're done wasting time, I can explain the basic premise of this training exercise."

The younger Arashiyama clenched his jaw. Getting into these word battles with his brother was pointless. Kouta always came out on top.

The jounin continued. "The premise is quite simple. I'm going to conjure a number of orbs of Raiton chakra using one of my jutsu. Your job will be to shoot down as many of them as possible. However, there's a minimum threshold you must meet. There's a storm coming tonight. If you wish to leave this training field and sleep in your warm bed, you must shoot down no fewer than twenty of the orbs that I conjure. If you fail, you will spend the night out here, exposed to the elements. One way or another, your stamina will increase. Are there any questions?"

Ookuri resisted talking back. If someone were to look on and didn't know better, they'd never be able to guess that the two were brothers. Would it kill him to have some level of compassion? Heck, he'd take sympathy at this point. It was better than the outright derision he faced from him. Still, he said nothing to the effect. It would be more effective talking to the stone ground he stood on. "Let's just get this over with," Ookuri stated, his voice flat and clearly not entertaining any further conversation.

Weaving a short series of hand seals within what seemed like a fraction of a second, ten orbs of Raiton chakra, each measuring about one foot in diameter, seemed to rise up from the ground from nowhere, as if the lightning itself was summoned from the ground. Ookuri knew that if he shot at one of those orbs with just his basic jutsu alone, they likely wouldn't hit their targets. Ookuri had to make sure that they would be destroyed on the first try. Weaving a set of seals, Ookuri first channeled his Suiton chakra into the ground. The ground beneath his feet became thoroughly soaked. The parched ground beneath his feet would splash with each step he took. Immediately following the execution of his first technique, Ookuri weaved another set of hand seals and channeled Raiton chakra into the same area. The water that had been drawn to the surface from deep within the mountain served as a conductor for the Raiton chakra that Ookuri was now imposing upon the area directly surrounding him. This created a 15-meter wide area of interwoven Raiton and Suiton chakra. It was within this domain that Ookuri was within his element, both figuratively and literally.

Jutsu UsedShow

Suiton • Subterranean Reservoir
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After making the needed hand seals, Ookurikara draws water up from underground, the water seeping into the surface within a 15-meter radius of his person. For the next five posts, Ookurikara can cast Suiton or Ranton jutsu from any point within the waterlogged area. If Ookurikara uses Raiton • Thunderclap Sigil in the same area of effect as this technique, its range will be increased to match this technique's range. Any Suiton or Ranton jutsu cast within this area will have its Speed increased by 2 points until it exits the area. Ookurikara can prematurely end this technique at will.

Raiton • Thunderclap Sigil
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After making the needed hand seals, Ookurikara sends a pulse of Raiton chakra in the form of static electricity out from his body in a 10-meter radius around him at 5 Speed. This technique does not damage opponents nor does it apply Raiton's shocking passive. Instead, this technique imposes an electrical charge in the area that resonates with Ookurikara's own chakra. Future Raiton and Ranton techniques launched by Ookurikara at the opponent will have their Speed increased by 2 points until it exits the area. This electric charge lasts for five posts or until the opponent is hit by one of Ookurikara's techniques. Ookurikara can prematurely end this technique at will.

Kouta narrowed his eyes. The last time they had trained, Ookuri hadn't had these jutsu in his arsenal. What were their purposes? It seemed they were designed to work together. He frowned, clearly critiquing the amount of set-up time required to execute his plan of action.

Ookuri didn't pay him any mind. Weaving a series of seals, the genin channeled a stream of Ranton chakra underneath the ground from his location. It looped up from underground to strike up at one of the orbs. He weaved this set of seals multiple times. So far, everything seemed like your typical fare. There wasn't much of anything different from the normal technique itself. Kouta noted that the technique made his Ranton jutsu just a little faster. After the fifth orb was taken down, Kouta started moving the orbs in multiple directions, making it more difficult for Ookuri to target them.

JutsuShow

Ranton • Rising Comet x 5
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After making the needed handseals, Ookurikara forces a stream of Storm chakra down through the ground, targeting any single opponent within a 10-meter radius in any single direction from below at 4 Speed and hits with 6 Strength. Upon impact, this technique will spread out into three ribbons moving at 4 Speed and hits with 3 Strength in different directions for up to 1 meter, gouging into skin and tissue directly next to the point of impact if it hits.

The genin had been waiting for this opportunity. He'd intentionally fired every single one of the Rising Comets before this point to mislead Kouta into thinking that they were still only able to originate from his person. He could already feel a little chakra fatigue setting in, but that was the purpose of this training. Now was the time to play his trump card. Weaving the same set of seals again, Kouta was ready to move the orb that his little brother was clearly targeting.

Ookuri sprung his trap, weaving the seals for Rising Comet. Instead of traveling through the ground from Ookuri's own position, the stream of Ranton chakra erupted directly from behind the orb, clashing with the Raiton chakra and destroying the orb. Kouta's eyes widened in surprise. He was harder on his little brother than anyone else, but for all of his misplaced strictness, even the jounin had to commend his failure of a brother on a good idea. "That's a convenient set of jutsu you've cooked up. You use the techniques to both increase the speed of your techniques cast within them as well as shift the origin point of the jutsu in the affected area," Kouta observed, the closest thing Ookuri would receive to a compliment.

The genin was silent, trying to focus on reach deeper and deeper into his chakra reserves. His body was already glistening with sweat, despite all of the moisture and water in the air to keep him cool. He'd destroyed six of twenty orbs so far. He still had a lot to go. Single targeting these orbs would drain him of all of his chakra before he finished, and he wasn't planning on spending the night out in a middle of a mountain storm if he could help it. Kouta was shifting the positions of the orbs all around him, more of them continuing to rise up from the ground as the jounin calmly assessed the training genin down below. Catching a group of four orbs clustered closely together, Ookuri weaved the seals for the Wave of Subterfuge technique, a three-meter tidal wave suddenly bursting from the ground and crashing into the orbs. Two of the orbs were snuffed out, but the wave was too weak to destroy the other two. Ookuri cursed. He couldn't recall the last time he'd rapid-fired so many jutsu at once. His skin glistened with sweat, and his breath began to become more labored. He was dangerously low on chakra. Only destroying eight out of twenty orbs? Was that really his limit?

Reaching deep within himself, he pulled up more chakra, seemingly from nowhere, and began molding it for his next jutsu. No. He was not done. Not even close. He would reach that goal one way or another. Weaving the seals for the Wave of Subterfuge once again, Ookuri returned to a normal execution, catching the other two orbs on the side. That was about ten orbs down, but that was only half of them, and his charka was waning fast. Kouta was also making the exercise even more difficult; all of the orbs were dancing near the edge of range of his Subterranean Reservoir's and Thunderclap Sigil's areas of effect. The pair of jutsu made the rest of techniques faster, but only while they were in the aread of effect. Once they left that area, they'd lose that Speed boost, and Kouta would be able to maneuver the lightning orbs away from his jutsu. He'd have to gamble everything on the next jutsu.

JutsuShow

Suiton • Wave of Subterfuge x 2
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After making the needed handseals, a 3 meter x 3 meter x 1 meter wave of water will appear up to 10 meters away and move toward the opponent in a single direction. This wave moves at 4 Speed and strikes with 6 Strength. Ookurikara can prematurely end this technique at will.

Ookuri's hands were shaking from the chakra fatigue, and his vision was starting to blur. His breathing was labored and heavy, and he could feel waves of heat eminating from his body. Kouta expression soured in disappointment. Really? This was all his little brother was capable of? The pitiful sight of his brother struggling after such little progress irritated Kouta to no end. He didn't place much stock in destiny, but Ookurikara's regular failures were making him start to believe in the concept. He'd never met someone as wholly ungifted and untalented as his little brother.

Thankfully for him, Ookuri was too tired to notice or care about his brother's belittling opinion of him. He didn't have quite enough chakra for the jutsu he needed to perform. He had to find it within himself. His brother was clearly underestimating him at this point, and if there was one thing that Ookuri hated more than failure was being underestimated. He did that enough to himself. The genin wouldn't tolerate it from anyone else, even his family. He continued to search for more chakra, more energy, anywhere in his body he could find it. Even as his chakra threatened to sputter out, Ookuri kept up the search. The image of the dark beast flashed in his head, a shot of pain lancing through his head, but the young Arashiyama pushed through it. Almost as if cradling a small flame in his hands, Ookurikara gathered up all of the chakra he had left, pulling deeper from within himself than he ever had up until that point. Weaving the seals, Ookuri channeled the last of the chakra he had to spend into his mouth.

From his gullet came a rushing, spinning torrent of water rushing around and outward as Ookuri executed his Twisting Barricade technique. Kouta was so surprised by the display that he forgot to pull the orbs back past the range. All at once, the ten remaining orbs of Raiton chakra were obliterated by the cyclone of water that whirled around his dimwit little brother. Somehow, he'd managed to break through his limits. The tiniest smirk arose on Kouta's face as Ookuri fell to his knees, completely spent. The twisting wall of water fizzled, water rushing in all directions and soaking the genin to his core.

JutsuShow

Suiton • Twisting Barricade
C-Rank Ninjutsu
After making the needed handseals, Ookurikara expels water from his mouth to create a spinning wall of water, spiraling up and outwards with 10 Speed and 10 Strength in a 10 meter tall and two meter thick circular wall. The technique leaves a 5 meter space within the boundaries of the wall for the user and allies to move around freely. The water pressure from this jutsu can be used to defend against attacks and jutsu, and anyone caught in the water with a strength of less than 10 are trapped in the barricade. During the execution of this technique, Ookurikara is able to form handseals for other techniques if he so wishes. This barricade lasts for up to four posts, though Ookurikara can prematurely end this technique at will if he wishes.

Under fluttering eyelids, Ookuri scanned his surroundings. Everything was dark as he faded into unconsciousness. Though he wasn't awake to feel it, his scorning older brother caught him and slung him over his shoulder, carrying him home. There would be plenty of times where he'd have to sleep out in the rain. But tonight...

Tonight wasn't going to be one of those times.

[ShinobiTruth]

Kumogakure Training Log

Subject: Arashiyama Ookurikara

Training Regimen: Strength, 2 Points (2039/2000)

Day 4 - Weight Lifting

Ookuri scratched his head at his brother's set of instructions for his training. Ookuri had already established himself as a Ninjutsu-focused shinobi. Why was he being instructed to train himself physically? He shrugged as he walked towards the training ground that had been set up for his use. Donned in his normal grey and red jogging suit, the Arashiyama continued to meditate on the enigma of this trainng regimen. What was even weirder was that his brother had given an assigned day to go to the training field. Was there really any reason to wait? It wasn't like Ookuri was physically strong to begin with. He could have just as easily used the equipment offered to him in the Academy. It wasn't like he didn't have to report there most times anyways. All genin did until they were chuunin.

His questions continued until he reached the field, where Ookuri shook his head. Of course. It wasn't simply that he had to do the exercises. He had to do them in less than ideal conditions. While the equipment was fairly standard for any sort of gym, it was old and rudimentary. Ookuri would be having to constantly pick up and remove weights off of the machines, and what's more, his training lot was facing out towards the open sky, where the cross-breezes were stronger and the cold winds bit more fiercely. Ookuri checked his instructions again with a futile hope. Yep, he was in the right place. An uneager sigh emerging from his lips, Ookuri set his water and towel down and slipped on his gloves. There was no use in complaining. It looks like his brother at least set up a pulley system to handle the weight of the chains on the machines. When his elder brother had told him in the instructions that he'd need to be ready to break a harder sweat than he ever had before, he hadn't been kidding. Ookuri was about to hate himself tomorrow morning. Grabbing hold of the chains, the first exercise he had to complete were standing tricep extensions. His brother had put down a requirement of thirty reps.

Taking the chains into his hands and leaning over, Ookuri leaned forward at roughly a forty-five-degree angle and began, pulling the chains over his back as he fully extended his arms outward. One... two... three... four... five... he mentally counted along with each rep. He'd been expecting the weight to be a lot heavier than it actually was, which was a pleasant surprise. Of course, the weight was quite small, and he hadn't done any real weight training since before becoming a genin, so that wasn't saying much. Ookuri knew that the weights would get heavier as he started doing more exercises in the future. Six... seven... eight... nine... ten... He'd only done a few reps, and he was already starting to feel the burn in his arms. It was just another reminder of how weak he really was. Still, when you were starting from the bottom, the only way you could go was up. No point in complaining. Eleven... twelve... thirteen... fourteen... fifteen... The Arashiyama had managed to find a groove, knowing he'd have to find a balance between making the exercise as intense as possible while not burning through all of his energy in one go. Having a controlled pace and rhythm of motion was just as important as being strong enough to lift and lower the weights. He felt his skin getting hotter as his heart started beating faster and pumping more blood through his body. Sixteen... seventeen... eighteen... nineteen... twenty... The Arashiyama started letting his mind go elsewhere while he maintained part of his mind on keeping count of his reps. Not focusing too much on the exercise itself was a good way to get through it more easily. Thinking too much about it could be a roadblock. Twenty-one... twenty-two... twenty-three... twenty-four... twenty-five... He was glad that he was alone. He could only imagine how pitiful he looked from the outside, these tiny weights requiring considerable effort for him to move while other genin younger than him could move them with ease. Twenty-six... twenty-seven... twenty-eight... twenty-nine... thirty".

Finishing the rep, the Arashiyama started making adjustments to the pulley, looping the chain through an extra set of pulleys on the ground, reversing the direction of the lift. His next exercise, standing bicep curls, would require this change of setup. He’d been assigned thirty reps, just like the last exercise. Focusing on using only the muscles in his arms, Ookuri exhaled and started to pull the weight up. One... two... three... four... five... The previous exercise hadn't really touched this muscle group at all, so they were still ready to be put under the strain. There weren't many exercises that Ookuri could say he liked, but he had the least amount of distaste for this one. However weak he really was, he at least felt a little bit stronger when he did this one. IT was a much-needed boost to his confidence. Six... seven... eight... nine... ten...

The harsh mountain breeze threw him a curveball, a single, chilling draft managing to penetrate through into his little training area. It chilled him to the bone, but he continued. Yeah, he definitely had to find something that would be interesting enough to distract him from how cold the mountain winds, combined with his sweat, made him feel. He was already sweating a considerable amount, and he was only on his second exercise. Eleven... twelve... thirteen... fourteen... fifteen... Despite how high up they were, he could see a small colony of mountain birds, managing to carve out an existence in their harsh environment. He admired their tenacity, and he took them as an additional source of inspiration. If those tiny little birds could manage to eke out a life in such a hostile, unforgiving world, certainly his dreams weren't so horribly far out of reach, right? Sixteen... seventeen... eighteen... nineteen... twenty...

The sight of the birds were joined by another fantastic display of nature's majesty. On another peak nearby, he could spy a mountain goat, its powerful and mechanically marvelous hooves and legs, climbing what almost appeared to be a sheer cliff face, save for a slight slope. The goat had probably lived on the mountain all its life, facing death each time its mother coaxed it out of its den. Surely, if the goat could survive, he could become a chuunin eventually, right? Twenty-one... twenty-two... twenty-three... twenty-four... twenty-five... Ookuri's lower back was now profoundly drenched in sweat, and the rest of his body would soon follow suit. The endorphins running through his body were pushing him on. He wasn't yet feeling the pain of exerting his muscles so strenuously, and he used that moment of dulled senses to push through the last reps. Twenty-six... twenty-seven... twenty-eight... twenty-nine... thirty".

Once again, he made sure to set the weights down as softly as possible, not simply dropping them onto the training field floor. Next, Ookuri moved over to an incline leg press machine. He noticed right away that the weights were not on the sides; rather, there was a platform on top where it seemed the weights were supposed to be placed. Of course. It wasn't enough that he had to put the weights on the platform simply to use the machine. No, he had to pick up these oversized merchant scale weights and lift them up with his already somewhat sore arms in order to progress. Man, he knew his brother was having him do what was best for him, but he still hated the guy sometimes. Unhooking one of the weights from the other pulley machine, Ookuri lifted it off the ground, making sure that he lifted with the muscles on his legs instead of straining his back. This wasn't simply a one time process. Several times more, he would have to unhook a weight from a pulley and move it over to the leg press machine. Eventually, his pre-workout workout was finished. Finally sitting down in the seat below the panel, Ookuri readied himself for the leg presses. He had to reach thirty reps, exactly like the other exercises. One... two... three... four... five...

Despite performing a much different exercise and being in a different position than before, Ookuri continued to try and observe the hardy, majestic creatures of his homeland. Nature often served as a good source for lessons and wisdom, and Ookuri wasn't one to skip out on that. Six... seven... eight... nine... ten... Ookuri braced himself as another chilly mountain gust crashed down on him, sending cold into his skin like icy spikes. In order to endure, he focused harder on the animals. Eleven... twelve... thirteen... fourteen... fifteen... Ookuri was now thoroughly covered in sweat. Making sure he was exercising the appropriate muscles, Ookuri focused on using only the muscles in his legs, once again avoiding straining his back by accident, a fairly easy feet when working the legs. There was no telling how he'd get to a medic if he messed up and pulled a muscle or slipped a disc, kami forbid. Sixteen... seventeen... eighteen... nineteen... twenty...

Ookuri's legs started to burn around the twenty rep mark. Despite already being coated in a thin veil of sweat and shimmering body heat, Ookuri was fairly content with his progress, pushing forward onto through the last ten reps of his exercise. Twenty-one... twenty-two... twenty-three... twenty-four... twenty-five... twenty-six... twenty-seven... twenty-eight... twenty-nine... thirty". With a sigh of relief, Ookuri set the restraint bars on the leg press machine, slowly rolling out from under the contraption.

His next and last exercise of the day was thirty shoulder pulldowns. As he started this exercise, the Arashiyama remembered how he and his classmates would often meet after school to train. There would be a hosh-posh of kids doing a variety of things: everything from shuriken practice to kumite to ninjutsu targeting practice to genjutsu duels. He'd stuck mostly to the ninjutsu targeting practice since he was fairly good at it, but he could never last long enough to take whatever informal victory title they were handing out. They'd had such vivid imaginations as kids.

One... two... three... four... five...

His arms burned, but his shoulders were holding the majority of the weight now. It made it a bit easier. Despite nearly being out of breath, Ookuri continued to push himself through this final exercise, knowing rest would soon follow once he finished.

Six... seven... eight... nine... ten...

He allowed his mind to clear of thought and memory. There was a calming feeling to it all. The pain of his muscles seemed to start to disappear, and even the mountain winds were starting to become an afterthought as he entered the lifter's zen state for the very first time.

Eleven... twelve... thirteen... fourteen... fifteen...

No worries about family, his future, his inadequacies. It was like the weights were impartial listeners, ready to help him overcome his issues. They made no excuses, they cared not for his sob stories, and they did not rebuke him with their pity. They only asked him what he could do to become better, to become more than his faults.

Sixteen... seventeen... eighteen... nineteen... twenty...

The image of the Kazekage sharpened in his mind. He imagined Hayate-sama standing atop the mountains, staring down at a multitude of enemies below. Two shadowy figures stood behind him. Neither of the men started out having clear silhouettes, but as time passed, one of them started to come into focus.

Twenty-one... twenty-two... twenty-three... twenty-four... twenty-five... "

For just a split moment, Ookuri allowed himself to imagine he was one of them.

Twenty-six... twenty-seven... twenty-eight... twenty-nine... thirty".

Setting the weight back down slowly, he could feel his muscles twitching and pulsating with blood and energy. He'd always thought people who worked out were just wasting their time. Why worry about fighting up close when ninjutsu could hit just as strong from far away? Now, however, he understood the release they felt when pitting their body against iron and stone.

And he had to admit that he kinda liked it.

[ShinobiTruth]

Kumogakure Training Log

Subject: Arashiyama Ookurikara

Training Regimen: Speed, 2 Points (2059/2000)

Day 5 - Racing a Dog

For once, Ookuri thought he was going to enjoy the training his brother had set up for him. Usually, training wound up being either dangerous to comedic levels of hilarity or mind-numbing repetitive grind fests, enough to make him want to pull his eyes out of their sockets. It seemed that his "wise older brother" knew this (or probably simply conceded to their mother's lectures to appease her) and decided to shake things up. He would have to race the family dog. Of course, their family dog was no ordinary dog. It was the offspring of what had once been his uncle's shinobi partner, and he was as fine a tracking dog as could be found in the village. Though his uncle didn't receive the same level of notoriety as his father or brother due to the undercover nature of his work, they were a fearsome pair. After taking a serious injury in a mission, however, the dog was retired from active duty and allowed to live out his days in comfort with the family. Eventually, he and another shinobi dog gave birth to a litter of pups. The family dog was the runt of the litter, much like Ookuri himself. The genin felt a certain kinship with the pup. Unlike him, who had proven to be a failure through and through up until this point, the pup, Akumarashi, had excelled after only a few short training lessons. His sister, also a shinobi, was seriously considering training him to be her partner. Until that happened, Ookuri was going to get as much quality time in with the dog as possible.

"Alright, Akumarashi, let's go," the genin called, and Akumarashi was quick to follow. It was clear that the dog was at least a few strides faster than Ookuri, even despite his more diminutive size at the moment. It was for this reason that he was training with Akumarashi to increase his speed. He stood just outside of the clan compound and looked towards one particularly high peak. He would race the dog from here to that peak and try to win. Yep, the training was a simple as that. That, of course, meant that it wasn't nearly a simple as he thought it was. His brother wasn't one to give "simple" training. Even if the threshold for execution in what he's asking you to do is low, there will be some sort of handicap, crutch or sequence of specific steps Ookuri would need to take into consideration. He imagined it would be the same here.

"Akumarashi, are you ready?" he asked, expecting the dog to simply continue wagging its tail at him and waiting for him to start moving. Instead, the dog's ears shot up at attention, he turned to face the mountain peak, and he remained completely still. Ookuri stopped, surprised by the development. How far had his sister gotten in training him?

As soon as the word "Go!" exited Ookuri's mouth, he knew that he may have bitten off a bit more than he could chew. Right out of the gate, Akumarashi was fast, faster than he was. The genin supposed that this meant he would be a good training partner, but he'd have to catch up to the pup first as he blazed through the streets, Ookuri trying his best to catch up. Across drawbridges and through city streets, the small furball zipped between the legs of many an unknowing villager. Seeing the Arashiyama chasing after the dog cleared up the confusion for most people, but Ookuri could tell who was a shinobi and who wasn't by how long they paid him any head. Any seasoned shinobi could see an impromptu training regimen when they saw it.

Wait, what was he doing?! He needed to be focusing on catching up with Akumarashi, not worrying about who was watching! He pushed his legs to move him as fast as he could. Though his chakra was stubborn, and yet again he started experiencing flashes of the glowing eyes in the darkness in his head, he pushed through the pain. He could start to feel his legs tighten under the strain, but as his body directed more and more chakra to his legs, he started to eventually increase his speed. It was about a third of the way through the route that he'd shown the dog that Ookuri managed to reach a relatively equal Speed with the superpowered mutt. "I... do NOT... have the money... to buy him more chew toys!" he hissed to himself as he ran, the Arashiyama once again cursing his stubborn, unresponsive body. Every inch of progress he made felt like it required a liter of blood with his weak constitution. It took all of his willpower to not let the pessimism kick in and override his will to win and improve.

Reaching deep within himself, Ookuri pushed himself even harder with each and every single running step he took. At first, it seemed like his efforts would be in vain; the pooch still seemed to be creeping away from him ever so slowly. Dangit, how far on the route were they? He couldn't risk pulling out his map and trying to read. He was liable to run straight into someone at this point. No, he had to push that out of his mind. Right now, all he needed to do was focus. He had to take all of those pointless, negative, distracting thoughts and push them out of his mind. Right now, the only thing that he needed to focus on was that dog. Ookuri especially wasn't going to focus on the sharp pain he started to feel climbing up his shins. Nope, wasn't gonna focus on that at all, because he'd likely stop running altogether if he let himself think about it for even the tiniest fraction of a second. Before he knew it, he realized that Akumarashi wasn't pulling ahead of him anymore. The realization itself almost made him slow down, and he had to keep pushing himself to make sure he didn't slow his pace for even the smallest fraction of a second. Every movement, every step, every breath would make a difference. This was the time to start closing the distance. He had a feeling they were just a little over halfway to their destination, and Ookuri still had the entire gap to close between them. That wasn't even counting trying to pull ahead before they reached the "finish line", which was her sister's house in the Arashiyama compound.

Searching deeper within himself, Ookuri continued to try and drive his legs as fast as they would go, feeling the chakra continuing to seep into his muscles and cause them to tighten further. It was strange, but he could feel himself getting faster as his body started acclimating itself to moving normally at these speeds. Hey, perhaps this would be easier than he-

Another flash of the glowing, ominous eyes in his mind put a damper on that budding sense of overconfidence he felt for the most minute of a second. Thankfully, he had enough time to start circulating his chakra again before losing any speed, but had he taken a second longer, he would have fallen behind again, too far behind to catch up to the small puppy that he was racing. He laughed mentally at the thought, despite the pain of a minor migraine lancing through his head. He was racing a puppy to train. As a shinobi. In some other world, it probably seemed just as laughable to someone else as it did to him. His eyes continued to focus on the sight of the small puppy dashing through the mountain paths of Kumogakure no Sato, staying in hot pursuit of that animal and what victory over it represented. Ookuri had fought hard just to match in speed. If he pushed himself even harder, surely he could at least shrink the gap before they arrived at his sister's house in the compound, right? Hey, he didn't really have anything to lose at this point.

Ookuri continued to scavenge the most profound depths of his soul to find any last untapped ounce of strength and energy in his body, chakra or otherwise, to help aid in his present endeavor. As he did so, he started to notice something that confused him at first. He was still running towards Akumarashi, but instead of the dog simply staying the same size, it appeared to slowly be getting bigger. His constant self-depreciation made it difficult for him to understand or accept the obvious right away. Ookuri instead first assumed there was something wrong with his eyesight. He quickly ruled that out, however, when he realized that the strange visual distortion was centered solely around the dog. The rest of his surroundings he could see clearly. It took him a solid minute longer of his ragged breathing while he was chasing after the canine to realize that he was actually slowly gaining on the dog. The sudden realization was like seeing light after being trapped in darkness for an eternity. It was a pitiful hope for victory in the grand scheme of things. What pride was he to take in beating a ninja dog in a foot race that wasn't even fully trained yet? Still, Ookuri didn't care. For one whose life had denied him many a victory, he would not be greedy or proud. He would take every little victory he could get his hands on.

They were about three-fourths of the way there, and Ookuri could see the entrance to the Arashiyama clan compound emerging into view as they crested a final hill. It was still a long stretch of straight road, but there wasn't much time left, and Ookuri still had a bit more distance to gain before he was equal with the dog. He was close. So close. Success was within reach, and while he dearly loved that little puppy (Akumarashi was not nearly as scornful or judgemental as his siblings, who all thought him to be a lazy or apathetic waste of talent), he would be damned if he was gonna let the dog take the win from him. The darling creature wouldn't even know what to do with victory (not yet, at least). The Arashiyama summoned every last ounce of strength that he had left in him and pushed it all into his legs. His legs felt like they were on fire. He wasn't certain if he'd make it to the finish line or if his legs would choose to give out first. His muscles threatened to cramp and spasm, but he willed them to work for him for a little longer. The compound gates were the finish line, and as they approached, Ookuri started making significant progress on overtaking the small pup. It seemed that when they had started, the dog had indeed been faster than its young master. That, however, no longer seemed to be the case, and as Ookuri finally caught up with Akumarashi, barreling towards the finish line neck and neck, Ookuri knew that he had to give one last push to take what was his. Pouring the last bit of energy he had into the final fifty-meter stretch, Ookuri made it a couple of strides ahead of Akumarashi, man's best friend, and it was with this smallest of leads that the Arashiyama reached his finish line. Skidding to a stop, he leaned up against one of the house's walls near the gate to the compound. The dog stopped and happily trotted up to the genin, blissfully unaware of its defeat.

Ookuri looked at the pup, its tall pointed ears and wolf-like features made less threatening by the cuteness that often came with animals in their youth. With a smile, he knelt down and started petting the small canine, who immediately sat down and flopped on the ground, exposing his belly in a sign of implicit trust. "Well... So much for gloating... You're too cute to brag to, dog," Ookuri lightly chuckled, still catching his breath. He'd learned quite a bit about himself over the last five days of training, things he hadn't realized about himself.

Perhaps Hayate-sama had been right. Only time would tell.