Pinnacle. [T]

[Umehara]

Mind's Eye of the Kagura
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Skill: Passive
Effect: The basic technique needed in order to learn all Sensor Techniques.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The basic yet complex ability that allows Sensor's to find, sense, and track individuals over a vast range. This ability is done by the user closing their eyes and opening their mind's eye in order to see the advanced chakra systems around them. At A rank and above, Sensors no longer need to close their eyes in order to access their mind's eye. The user of this jutsu can only sense those up to the equivalent class rank of the rank they know. (i.e. If the user knows up to B rank in this jutsu they can sense characters of all the way from D to B rank. The basic range of this technique is ten meters.
Limit: Must fulfill all requirements to become Sensor in order to learn this technique.

0.70 - A-Rank Version

The course of the day had grown stagnant.

I jettisoned across the earth with relative ease, my mane occasionally caressing my ears with every step that I took to create leaps and bounds over the landscape. Boots of obsidian kicked up small mounds of dirt before I launched myself into the trees, traveling swiftly along the branches that granted me release from gaia. My thoughts continued to focus intently on the Sensor's abilities that I had discovered only hours ago. Having mastered only a quarter of its true potential, I suspected that further investigation into this type of sixth sense would free my mind of its restraints. Leisurely, my hands found my pockets as I fished for nothing in particular. There was only the inevitable flicker of my eyelids over their indigo windows - I'd made use of the Soulcaster's ability to alter my appearance, reverting only my eyes to the natural blue that they had been so long ago.

My travels swift, I began to concentrate on the Sensor's Perception to locate chakra signatures within the distance. The refreshing feel of the gale at my skin only served to amplify the experience. Meters I traveled, yearning for the advanced function of my Mind's Eye to reveal a new world in the form of locating those whose power surpassed my limitations. I was one such creature, and yet I could not find the familiarity of my power anywhere within my realm of influence. Thankfully, I had extended the range of my technique. Over fifteen meters I felt outward, my chakra creating that usual ping that occurred only when I was attuned to the nether. But nay, there was no such signature that I could make out.

As such, I would simply have to create my own. A sudden halt was put to my footing as I became statuesque, perched upon a branch. My left hand lowered until the palm came into contact with the bark, granting me balance as my right performed similar action and removed itself from my pockets. My extremities loosened their grip as I suddenly leaned forward; shifting my weight, I came into a brusque fall before landing in a crouch. Still, I searched out and into the nothingness with my Sensor's ability. Perpendicular to the thought of finding one who I'd come into contact with, I quickly allowed nimble digits to join one to the other at the center of my abdomen. A flurry of seals was crafted in those fleeting moments of serenity - it would not be so once I had finished this string.

One. Two. Three. Four. Plumes of smokes, a multitude of which broke out all around me, created doppelgangers that mirrored my youthful features down to the very hair follicles. Existing along the same plain as myself, I need not have spoken to them for them to have known the intent of my beck and call. My whim was rule. And as such, they began to scatter in different directions. Their speed was swift as they became engulfed in shadow. The original creator would stay behind, turning toward the distance toward an opening within the forestry. Yet again did my eyes find themselves facing the darkness. I concentrated, pouring my passive skills into fruition and extension. The game of cat and mouse had begun.

[~Emi~]

*starts stalking*

+10

10/70

[Umehara]

10.70

We had begun our training the very moment they had begun to scatter, my senses beginning to fan out as my eyelids once more veiled my proper vision. A shinobi's eyes could be a great asset, but I was a man of illusory magic; the eyes could also be the window to great peril. And so I had to focus on attempting to find the chakra signatures of my "kin" without allowing my pools to suffer a hindered vision. With the distance increased by way of my former training, I knew that the task would be a daunting equal. Still, I could not elude the truth that haunted me. If I did not master this particular level of the technique, then I was as good as flanked. My right hand drew back into the confines of my cloak as I left the edifice now. Taking to the trees, I'd maneuver myself toward my clones.

Their signatures were faint, my open eyesight making it difficult for me to focus solely on the spiritual essence that emanated from living things. The scenery before me was taken in and automatically fed to my cognizance, effectively splitting my desire to sense nothing more than that which I could not openly see. The clones were surely aware that I desired for them to attempt to break my focus by way of means that would have proven fatal. But in this regard, the reality of my situation would show me just how futile my efforts would be if I attempted to use the Mind's Eye prematurely. My iris defined everything to a great degree. How hard it was, I figured, to train myself not to practice such habits.

But before I could close my eyes and relinquish this form of training, I could see what looked to be crystalline glints that had been fired from the distance. I hadn't picked up on the chakra signature, and yet it had been easy enough for one of my clones to have flanked me at my western position. Swiftly I allowed myself to stop upon one of the branches. My feet planted firmly along its surface, my form turning sideways so that the projectiles might pepper the unguarded side of the tree in which I lingered. Hearing the thunk of every one of them, I thereafter dropped down to a lower degree and resumed my pacing forward.

My chakra signature felt out and around me for signs of life. Only the faintest of energies was returned to me, giving me the knowledge that I had somewhat begun to attune myself to the nether. The concentration was much more formidable while the eyes were open. I would even allow my pools of indigo to dart to and fro, attempting to pick up the signs of my kin closing in. Twenty five meters pinged out as my chakra began to rise from the depths of my being. I waited, crouching down upon another branch and pushing my locks from my countenance in those following seconds. I had to locate them before trying to do so without closing my eyes, or I would suffer another surprise attack.

[Umehara]

- 2 -

"Destroyer!"

The sound that rang within my head was so vicious that I was forced to take a knee, the sleeping Burakku's voice causing my mind to rock against the walls of my cranium. My Mind's Eye technique was altogether ceased in function as my hands lifted toward my ears. My palms pressed thoroughly against their openings, I attempted to find my equilibrium once again. Maw agape, I regarded him with annoyance. "Dragon. You awaken now...? But why..?" I asked, continuing my concentration despite the voice that interrupted my train of thought. My chakra began to rise once more, dancing along my tenketsu before beginning to splay across every pore. Reaching out into the distance, I would attempt to locate the shadow clones I'd created only moments ago.

"I have gone dormant so that I might find rest. But you...I see that you have been a very busy Uchiha. This Curse Seal...it fits you.." he mocked. I could hear the rattle of the chains within, every blink I made bringing me closer and closer to the monolithic being that I had not summoned in quite some time. Burakku's form was as imposing as it had always been, but this time it was far stronger in its presence. Regardless, I used my sixth sense to attempt to ignore him. The task was much more difficult as I kept my eyes open, Ekirei's baritone voice creeping out and along my eardrums. "It wasn't a fool's errand, beast. I have acquired power. So much power, in fact, that it has enhanced every aspect of my being. You simply have yet to bear witness to it." My words were true, though my heart was settled upon the Mind's Eye picking up the essence of my brethren before dealing with Ekirei.

My words were followed by the familiar ping of the shadow clones. Two of them were approaching quickly, my fingers retreating into the shade of my cloak before I unleashed two kunai into my grasp. Turning upon the ball of my right foot, I was able to pick up their chakra signatures easily as they reached a small distance of ten meters. I would meet them head one, one right after the other, our blades clashing time and time again. The sparks that flew from metal creating friction against metal fell to the earth below. "Whatever the case, I have now awakened and realized my full potential. The others....they grow weary. You have kept your contract with us stagnant since we last did battle. Why?" he asked.

But I chose to allow my senses to reach out yet again as the clones vanished. Footfall picked up with a brusque pace as my head dipped low, my features vanishing behind the high collar that rest around my neck. I looked from side to side in an attempt to visually see my targets; perhaps then I would be able to discover an easier method of detecting them through this Sensor's Perception. "I've had no use for you other than to wait for my command. There have been no formidable foes. I cannot change that easily." It was true. Even now, as I began my training anew, I could not have thought of a greater peril than the inexorable wait that I had had to suffer at the hands of Oto's safety. I could only wonder what was in store.

[KoKoKo]

+20

[Umehara]

30.70

Little time passed as I conversed with the dragon, his voice reminding me of just what had transpired so long ago when the "Infection" had come to pass. Lingering images of Juliet remained against my cerebral as I continued my training, a momentary stop in my kinetic energy forcing me to lift my right hand to my cheek. Once again, that same pulse of life ran about. It coursed through my fingertips, threatening to disturb the Mind's Eye that was working diligently to master the technique of sensing chakra signatures without having to close my eyes. My clones continued to scatter about. Masterfully, they worked their magics without the need for much movement. As I felt the earth beneath me begin to quake, it was already coming to fruition what I had intended.

"Move!"

The warning was like an instant pounding within my head, but it would not deter me long enough to keep me from concentrating. Like a mental precipice that I had almost spun over, the immediate action taken to my legs would prevent me from suffering the earthen hands that shot forth through the gaia. My Mind's Eye was slightly interrupted. However, I could feel its ease of use beginning to reach my understanding. My tenketsu awakened yet again as I became familiar with my own chakra signature. Though it was altogether still very familiar to me, reaching out and finding it from a usual point blank range would serve to amplify my concentration. And so I would focus, that same wave of essence filtering out and into the air.

It was almost invigorating. My body soared through the heavens with majestic resolve, just out of the way of the Mimicry of Earth technique that I had learned so long ago. My Sensor ability began to pick up on the clone that worked his magic within a radius of at least twenty meters. And to that end, I would return his kindness with an attack of my own. I began by allowing my feet to land upon the earth, picking up speed and beginning to dash forward for all that I was worth. I wouldn't waste the movement of a Shunshin, though. Nay, my abilities splayed across the board with much more potency than that. Pounding along the earth, my very breath was becoming labored. I was experiencing the nirvana of the Mind's Eye.

Every nook and cranny was mine to discover as I searched the area with a mental prowess that not even the Sharingan had given me. Of course, this was not to take away from the scarlet pools that birthed my meticulous care. It was simply that this was no Doujutsu - this was a manifestation of chakra control and mastery, engraved into the eternity that I had settled myself into when I had reached this pinnacle of power so long ago. I would even be able to pick up the chakra signature of the shinobi who trained within the village. They were faint, but they were still enough for me to have approached them without difficulty. As I spotted my clone in the distance, he'd already known that I planned to engage. And in that regard, his hands clapped together.

The formation of handseals was clear to me. I could have closed the gap between us at a mere flicker's notice. But I would wait and allow my curiosity to hold in contingency. What machination would he set for me so that I might be led astray to the location of mine other kindred adversaries? Only time would tell.

[Umehara]

"So...your quest for more power couldn't elude you. Interesting.."

The words were almost venomous as the dragon's maw opened, his acidic spittle dropping from that gargantuan set of twins whose daggers gleamed against the beams of light that cascaded mentally downward. I hadn't the time to truly decipher just where my Mind's Eye was coming from. But as the pieces began to fall into place, so would I recognize that my attempt at mastering this supplementary technique had only been aided with his cognizance coming into play. Was it Burakku who had given me such divine guidance in my time of need? Indigo eyes watched as my clone summoned forth a great amount of lightning all around him. I recognized the technique just for what it was. Unfortunately, this did not make it easier to deal with.

My Mind's Eye couldn't have been bothered to focus on he who I could visually see, however. I noticed that my own chakra signature had become all too familiar to me. It was as if I had identified it all over again, coalescing physical presence with a spiritual link to the soul. "The quest for power has never vanished. You can see that from the mark upon my face. The things I've done. The people I've had to slaughter.." I muttered. I stopped dead within my tracks as the tigers reached forward to swipe at the air, their currents traveling the distance betwixt us and threatening to create static along my clothing. Still, it wouldn't deter the concentration that I'd put out with the Sensor's Perception. I dare not close my eyes. For if I did, then it would have spelled my defeat.

Once more did my breathing pick up its labored habits. I turned upon the ball of my right foot; I would not be able to engage him with five of the lightning tigers surrounding him. But if I could force them to flank alongside me, then perhaps I could arc into an attack of sorts. The Mind's Eye worked yet again. I felt around and out for the sources of other shinobi or power. And as I did, I could feel my own chakra signatures beginning to converge on my position. I was fully awakened, it seemed. There was no longer a certain stress that clouded my mind. Time and time again, as I activated the technique and searched, it was becoming easier to execute. But there was still the matter of projectiles. The tigers zipped along the ground, thunderous maws meeting me at every turn.

I narrowed my pools of intrigued eyes. While I noticed the other clones beginning to close the gap betwixt us, I had already resolved to use a technique of my own to create distance. And so I would unleash my katana. Its razor edge responded to me as I grit my teeth. "Your self-righteousness returns, I see. And you would honestly believe that anyone would want to befriend the bane of his own clan? ....Laughable, Destroyer. LAUGHABLE!" His attempt at dissuading my thoughts of concentration had utterly failed, however. I was still very much within my right mind, leaping over the tigers just as they reached upward with their extremities to claim me. A single front flip would relieve me of their reach, my blade beginning to descend.

...And yet, it would find its home within the earth. Just as quickly as I had struck, my Mind's Eye had suddenly lost the ability to feel out and into the distance to pick up the chakra signatures. I could no longer sense anything aside from other shinobi, my own chakra signature divided to minuscule amounts and falling stealth along the atmosphere. I turned to and fro, searching for the solution to this eccentric problem. And all that Burakku could do...was roar.

[Umehara]

Genjutsu...?

My mind didn't have time to process the thoughts as I narrowed my eyes, searching frantically for the answer that would allow me to pursue the greater of my Mind's Eye ability once more. Deep breaths were taken as my cloak whipped about violently. I would even go so far as to allow my hands to reach into the depths of my utility vest, pulling forth my mask and sliding the porcelain Wolf over my features. To and fro did I turn my attention. I disengaged the Mind's Eye technique in its entirety as I brought myself back down to the world around me. "I don't care to have friends, dragon. Recognize my indifference for what it truly is. There is no cry for help. There is only the divination of a flawed character. This Curse Seal is not simply for show.." I murmured. Yet still, I would not relent as I began to produce the greater portions of my focus.

And so I would cast my cares to the wind as chaff, activating my chakra and allowing it to rise to the surface. How grand it was that I could control it at a moment's notice, having come far from the days where forming a single fireball was not enough to produce the results that I desired. My tongue slid forward to wet my twins as I began to feel out and into the distance. The first few meters, done without me having to close my eyes, felt like an anomaly had fallen over me. It was subtle at first, a direct influence of my mastery pilfering my attention and making itself known in the form of control and seizing opportunity. It lunged out for a greater radius thereafter.

And there was naught that I could do to stop it. "Azur. Mayu. Duke. Have you forgotten all of them so easily? Not long ago, you stood within the care of the Otokage and sought audience. Now you feign ignorance?.." the dragon protested.

But he did not know my true intent. They were altogether unaware of the transgressions that I was responsible for. The Curse Seal beneath my right eye began to activate as my chakra almost unwillingly bathed itself in the malevolence of my thoughts. The Mind's Eye was beginning to pick up on where my "opponents" were. And with this knowledge, I had to spring into immediate action. "NOTHING has changed, dragon! My feelings, even for Kogaku, are FULLY present! But what separates me from a child is my ability to control just what I do with them!" I shouted outward. I knew that none could hear his voice. Still, I cared little for their opinions.

My feet left the earth once more as the tigers, all at once, dived downward toward me. Ensuring that I had given myself enough distance from them, my hands shot outward and caught along a branch before I used it as a catalyst in my escape. A large blast of lightning shot outward and nipped at my heels. But amazingly, my Mind's Eye was yet uninterrupted. Just what was this newly formed ability truly capable of? Passively - altogether easily - I was now extending my range and thoroughly piercing the gap between fact and fiction. I had been under the influence of Genjutsu that had been generated from one of my clones. Such a mistake would not be made again as I doubled my efforts.

[Holy Grail]

30+

[Umehara]

The price to pay for power was a steep one..

I'd come to find this out over the many years of my training, forced from one decision to the next. I could recall my days in Sunagakure. I could recall the turmoil that had transpired within Mizu No Kuni. I had even recalled what had happened through my days with Pandoru and Tensai the Mighty, names that I had not come to hear as my path of darkness descended further into an oblivion that I simply could not tear myself away from. The hospitality of Oto had been nothing but a godsend, and yet my unwillingness to relent and my actions at Juliet's influence were direct contrasts to the ways that I had intended to repay them. As I began to focus once more upon the Mind's Eye technique, my conviction would have to fall by the wayside in favor of my ability to perform the supplementary focus without a single bat of my eyelashes.

And so would it be. The clones had finally begun to come at me all at once. I could feel their very chakra signatures lending me the true purpose of our training. All that we had accomplished so far, the lightning tigers long since perished at my crafty escape, was for this very moment in which I would come to test my knowledge of a Sensor's road to mastery. I felt out and into the atmosphere with a final push of my resolve. It was as if my will was manifest through the Sensor's Perception, and I wanted nothing more than to display unto my cognizance every single essence that dare threaten to walk without my knowledge. It was almost arrogant, the power that I felt when the information was returned to me. "Hmph.. A Destroyer with the ability to lock away emotions is still under captivity.

You of all people should know this. Uchiha Genesis, even in his prime, knew that he had been a slave to time. You must rend these fabrics of humanity, Anotsu. The time has come.." he growled lowly. But I knew better. I knew that the savage beast within, given the chance, would have shattered his chains and taken hold of my ability to settle myself into apathetic sway. My lips curled downward so that I might grimace at the approach of my adversaries. But when I truly honed in on their positions, not even the slightest of interruption could deter me from seeing them. It was crystal clear. Every fragment of their power was like a puzzle that I had seen many times before.

Amazing that I could piece them back together. It was almost amusing that I could deactivate the ability, only to restore it yet again and find that they were only twenty meters off in multiple directions. As they began to converge, just as I had commanded them to do before this bout had begun, my right hand slid toward the left and relinquished the Apashi blade. Within seconds, I could hear them coming at me from seemingly every direction. The Sensor's perception knew just how many there were, just WHO they were, and just what they were capable of with the general presence of identification. I lifted the blade heavenward just as they would descend. And in that fleeting moment of omnipotence, they simply landed only five meters before me and joined me in this silent celebration.

Who could truly hide from my eyes now...?

[Holy Grail]

10+

[Umehara]

[. Exit Training]