One Too Many Himurama's

[Hayate]

Perhaps it was an effect of having entered his twenties, but lately, Himurama had felt a bit sentimental. A bit of longing. Longing for something more than just missions and combat but for kinship. Friends. People who he would understand and that would understand him no matter what. Perhaps it was some dire need for a semblance for the childhood he had been robbed of, or perhaps it was simply just human nature to wish to stave of the feeling of loneliness... but in either case, one chance meeting with an old academy classmate led to meeting another... and the feint promise of something new. A new team. Peers... dare he say, friends.

Himurama's grin was ear to ear as he set up shop at the hallowed Konoha training grounds.

He was surrounded by at least a dozen clones, each one a near perfect copy of himself... indistinguishable in any way, even in their chakra network. It was the pinnacle of his Evolved Mokuton and his signature move. It also was what allowed him to be incredibly efficient at training, as similar to shadow clones when they were destroyed or released he received their memory. Today though, he was going to try a new application.

Using them to train others.

He was excited to see where his peers were and to see how they could become something stronger together, like the pieces of rope that intertwined to give a much stronger support on a suspension bridge or the many mismatched rocks that formed the foundation of a castle.

He leaned against a log stump, in his green kimono and looked at the other eleven clones. What would his new friends, dare he call them that, think of his idea?

[Lunanana]

Tsuki was already on her way to the training grounds they agreed to meet in. Her Byakuugan and vision fully restored after the Hyuuga took her away from the hospital. Summer was a burning hot time in Fire Country so her usual mission gear was a little less lighter today, yet still baggy and unrevealing. She was carrying three bento boxes, as promised, in her backpack, filled with their lunch for the day. Tsuki was happy and excited – training brought the best progress, especially now that there will be three of them.

Soon, Tsuki would take a corner and notice Himura… Himuras? In the distance. Curious, she approached, a bit of embarrassment or confusion on her face, as she looked between all of the clones, not sure which to address first. ”Good morning, Himura-san.” Tsuki chimed and felt how she was beginning to fidget with her hands again, a little unsure if from the five clones she addressed one of them was the real Himura. Tsuki lingered for a second and then turned to the nearby bench, placing her backpack down.

She soon turned back to Himura. ”I’ve seen the mission registry fill with some higher rank missions recently… M-Maybe… Maybe if you and Yoshinori wants, after our training, we could register for o-one.” She suggested, and slightly tilted her head to the side, patiently waiting for an answer.

[Niro]

Dressed in deep blues and sleek black, Yoshinori moved through the sun-dappled streets of Konoha with an easy rhythm, humming a quiet tune as he made his way toward the training grounds. The idea of their team still felt a little surreal. Like something borrowed from a daydream but it was real. The paperwork was signed, approved, and official.

Their squad wasn't just a strategic unit anymore. It was a recognized jounin team, formed with both him and Tsuki freshly promoted. More importantly, it gave him a perfectly legitimate reason to see her regularly which was something the Hyuuga elders couldn’t protest without looking petty or political. With another prominent clan's member also part of their group, any interference would only risk scandal. That thought brought a subtle smile to his lips.

He reached the designated training field just in time to hear Tsuki’s voice carry through the crisp morning air, mentioning a few missions that had popped up on the registry. Slipping in as quietly as he could behind her, he stopped just short with a mischievous grin. “Yeah… a mission sounds like a good idea,” he said lightly, his voice teasing at the edge of her ear.

His eyes shifted past her to the dozen figures occupying the clearing and blinked. “That’s… a lot of Himuras.” They stood nearly identical, still and waiting. They were clones, obviously, and looked insanely realistic but upon studying them without the mayhem of combat he could see they were made of something flesh-like but not flesh. He tilted his head slightly, curiosity etched across his brow. “They’re not made of wood?” he wondered aloud, stepping stand next to Tsuki. “But they’re definitely not flesh either. What are they made of?”

[Hayate]

All Himura's, in unison, would turn to greet his team mates with a chorus of applause and a warm smile. After the chaotic flapping of hands finished, he would smile, then speak.

"My Mokuton is... evolved, as they say. It's the life part of being a tree... plant? Turned up to 100. Also, congrats on becoming Jounin!" the young man said emphatically, though his tone dipped slightly on the last part. Had he stagnated? He'd been a Jounin for several years already but hadn't really gotten any stronger. He took a deep breath, then continued.

"Before" "we" "take" "that mission" "we need" "to train" . "We're strong, "but we "can be "stronger, "and more organized "in our strategy."

He was having fun hamming it up, with each Himura saying one or two words at a time to form the entire sentence, before finally, a Himura in the middle stepping forward and speaking alone.

"I figured twelve of me is an adequate place to start on training. Don't worry about me too much- like shadow clones I'll get the experience they get."

One of the clones chuckled, in a low tone, "I'm not the clone" as another poked it and they began to squabble on who was or wasn't the clone.

[Lunanana]

”Yes, you’re right, and then we ca- AHH!” Tsuki jumped her eyes widening in horror as her hand flew to her chest, face turning bright red from the unexpected surprise of Yoshinori being just behind her. She breathed in, almost almost pouting, when the many Himuras started talking again, her eyes darting between each one that spoke. Himura congratulated them both on becoming Jounin, and Tsuki finally composed herself, expressing her gratitude with a slight head bow and looking to Yoshinori. They made it!

The mood was slightly shifting to a more serious one, as Tsuki regained her focus. She didn’t know how this will go, so her hand sliding into her weapon’s pouch stopped. Instead, Tsuki took the liberty of walking around the many clones, her Byakuugan active, searching for something, anything that could help her with the training or in other words, doing research. Once she was done, she stood on the other side, slowly getting into her fighting stance.

She was ready. A little excited. There was a certain thrill flowing through one’s veins when training. She’d never tell that, though.

[Niro]

Yoshinori flashed a wolfish grin at Tsuki’s surprise; catching her off guard was a rare win, especially with her Byakugan. He dipped his head in thanks to Himura, then cast a small, knowing smile toward Tsuki. Their shared accomplishments spoke louder than words. Who would’ve guessed that two Chuunin, overlooked and underestimated by their own families, would rise to Jounin so quickly? The thought filled him with quiet pride at the proof that they had rewritten the paths others had tried to script for them.

As the Himuras spoke, Yoshinori’s gaze shifted between them, his attention occasionally drifting to Tsuki as she studied the clones. Even just one Himura was a lot to keep up with; for someone more on the reserved side, having a dozen voices chiming in at once was enough to rattle the senses. Still, he followed her lead as she slid into a practiced stance, settling into his own with casual readiness.

“Trading blows is great and all,” he said lightly, eyes flicking toward the real Himura, “but once we’re done here, we should probably go over what we’re all actually bringing to the table.” He offered a short nod, his grin returning. “Ready when you are.”

[Hayate]

Himura had flipped the switch into combat mode. Two tours in the great war and a medal of valour to his name he was here to test the mettle of his friends... but it wasn't to prove it to himself, but rather, for them to prove to themselves they were worthy.

"My moniker is the One-Man Crimson Leaf Army." Himura said as he stepped back; letting 11 of his clones step forward. His previous fun, humours mood had switched on a dime to a razor-sharp focus, with an almost scary apathy behind it. His tone divorced from the Himura the others had known until now. This was the master tactician Himura.

The Shogi player.

"This is what I bring to the table- clones like you've never seen them before.". With that, two clones would step forward on either side. They'd bow their heads then, the pairs would go after the other pair, two to each respectively. "Talk is cheap- these clones aren't me so don't hold back. Show me what you bring to the table." he said in a sinister tone.

King in the back line.

For each of Tsuki and Yoshi, one clone would attempt to shoulder tackle them, throwing their full body into them, while another clone would, from the front try to throw an upper cut aiming to launch them. First he would see how they could handle taijutsu.

For now, he would avoid ninjutsu. He needed some time to bolster his reserves.

USEDShow

He's going to match what he sees from you guys; so it's a non-lethal speed/strength. On part with whatever you put out.

[One Thousand Hands・Double-Fisted Uppercut]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
The Senju will tense the muscles in their lower body and lock their hands together, moving the down and building torque before swinging both hands up into the opponent in a single-explosive strike. Targets with 5 or less strength than the Senju will be dazed slowing their ability to act considerably for a few seconds as they are launched 1 meter into the air for every point of difference in strength.

[One Thousand Hands・Falling Trees Get Their Revenge]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
The Senju will crouch for a moment, building their power in their legs before utilizing all their strength to leap. This allows them to effectively throw themselves in a single direction at their maximum speed without needing to build momentum.

[Lunanana]

Tsuki blinked owlishly as the clone bowed to her. She looked to both sides and unsurely nodded her head, maintaining politeness. Himura’s tone shifted and so did her gaze, her face shifting to focus now. She has seen the clones before – they are strong, for sure, something that Tsuki was lacking in. The feeling of being not good enough bit into the back of her head but she shrugged it off mentally. She’ll just have to make do with what she had, and that was speed. At least, until she figures something else out.

The clone launched at her, aiming to shoulder tackle her. While it was a split second decision… The clone was a little slow in her eyes. Not from a bad side – she was just focused on her speed in her training usually. Before the clone could grab her, she jumped up, placing her palm on its shoulder and with one swift move appearing behind it, winning herself an additional second to think of something. The clone turned around throwing punches at her, as she planned, and Tsuki began re-directing and avoiding the clone with fluid movements, both of them now in a rhythmic taijutsu dance.

One of them will grow tired faster than the other. But before she thought of her next move, she took notice of the dirt under their feet. If they continue, she’ll use it to her advantage.