Personal Retreat [T]

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

Indomitable Fortitude
Rank: "C" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own fortitude power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their Fortitude. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train as a regular "C" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Fortitude bonuses.
Limit: Universal TaiJutsu Technique.

This area usually brought about a sense of calm and peace to the young Shinobi, Zeriq would look around the area; a soft meadow with some trees around, rocks here and there with some a decent size, and even a lake to bathe and swim in. This was a nice place for Zeri to come to for some alone training, or just to relax and meditate. The air was calm, a slight breeze blowing through, the sounds of insects and birds coming through loud and clear; a very relaxing paradise for someone as hot headed as he. Moving to a place near the lake, Zeri puts down some of his equipment, mostly his pouches and such, before beginning his pre-workout stretches. Today he feels he needs to increase his fortitude; doing that would help with the gates that he has released so far.

In his mind, he needs to increase his endurance, and the best way to do that is to keep going until his body fully passes out, his body gives up and he is no longer able to move. With a deep breath, Zeri moves to stand before a tree and takes in a deep breath, getting within Jod Muay stance with a grin... his crimson eyes going from a pale coloring, to bright and vibrant... fighting, that's what he lives for. A grin spreads on his face as the darkness flows through him, and he begins his training; to continue pummeling this training tree until either the tree falls over, or his body is no longer able to move.

His body flows on its own, going from a straight punch to a kick to an elbow; his whole body is a blade to him, to use and hone as he sees fit. The bard begins to chip, and after a while, his fists and elbows begin to bleed profusely from repeated smacking on a hard surface. Zeri grits his teeth, continuing to go and fight, moving his feet so he's always on the move, side stepping before kneeing the tree; jumping and kicking a bit higher, his fists slamming against the tree with power and force. More, more, more, this rush of combat not complete; he's not facing anyone... no one is suffering... he growls under his breath as the tree gets stained by the blood on his fist; this is going to be a long training session. It would be better if he had someone to train with, but... considering this isn't for combat purposes, this is fine as well.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

Indomitable Fortitude
Rank: "C" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own fortitude power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their Fortitude. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train as a regular "C" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Fortitude bonuses.
Limit: Universal TaiJutsu Technique.

His breathing was staying calm and slow, as his fists continue to fly into the bark of the tree, his eyes glowing a vibrant red; his mind only thinking about the mock fight he is having with the tree. Fists fly faster and faster, shins and knees being forced to take on the texture and form of the bark again and again, the flesh on his body slowly beginning to give way through the repeated force of the blows. The bark begins to take on the color of his blood; peeling away to the wood pulp underneath with enough punches being forced onto it. More and more, again and again, his body is brought to to the tree to punch and swing at, more of his own blood being used to anoint the tree; Zeri was enjoying this, his body starting to burn from the workout. Breathing was starting to become labored, his lungs burning not from exertion, but from the pain that was coursing through his body.

This training was to get his endurance limits to increase, so no matter how much it burned his lungs, no matter how much pain he was in; no matter how much blood he lost, he would continue going. Taking in a deep breath, Zeri moves quickly to give the tree three consecutive straight punches, followed by an elbow as he closes the distance. This was fun, beating the tree and training his body, was fun to Zeriq; his body moving on its own now as his mind continues to cloud with tunnel vision... he hasn't fought anyone for so long, that this is exactly what he needed. Punches, kicked, knees, elbows; all flowing endlessly into a barrage of attacks that feel like they're not going to end for a while now. More and more, his body continued, wishing for this to continue for a while longer yet.

His feet continue to move side to side, keeping himself moving to he can deliver different strikes from different angles, his smile growing ever wider beneath his mask. Arms were beginning to grow heavy, every punch bringing him closer to the limits of his endurance, his legs beginning to throb and pulse from the many kicks he has been delivering to the tree. Much of the bard on the tree has either fallen off and is accumulating at the base of the tree, and is plastered and dyed red from the blood pouring from his open knuckles. His bones were beginning to feel like they were on fire, his muscles were screaming as he continued on; this was true bliss, to feel the fire burning in his body from over working himself, expanding his endurance to higher levels than where he was before.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

Indomitable Fortitude
Rank: "C" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own fortitude power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their Fortitude. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train as a regular "C" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Fortitude bonuses.
Limit: Universal TaiJutsu Technique.

This was insane, his body continued to move at a rate befitting a specialist in Taijutsu, though he began to feel sluggish and the burning feeling in his muscles was beginning to cause his breathing to come in harder and shallower. Arms were swinging ever slower, his body feeling as if he could barely move as it was, but he continued to force himself on; forcing his arms to strike at the hardest they could. Even with his breathing coming in haggard gasps, his smile hasn't gone down, it was as always a wonderful feeling when he was forcing his entire body to do as he willed it to; the tree itself was looking to be a little... red, from the blood. Though this was bringing back unpleasant memories from the before times, his old servitude in the pitt, and the people he was forced to fight and in the end kill.

After a long while, his arms slow down from their natural speed, his legs no longer able to raise to kick the tree, but he continues; filled with determination he continues to punch the tree through a gritted grin. His eyes now a blazing crimson, bloodlust alone keeping him going throughout the pain and the sluggish feeling of his limbs. This was exactly what he needed, to fight for himself, and to force everything out of his system; cover the target in blood to get rid of the pain in his heart. All the built up rage, all the emotions welling up inside him, finally coming out in a punch that causes a sickening crack to be felt throughout his arm... his body falling backwards to land heavily on his back. Eyes staring up at the sky with his breath coming and going rather heavily, ragged breaths causing his body to shake... he had gone further in training right now than he usually did back in the Pitt...

"It really is a beautiful day out... with a beautiful sky... now to rest and wait for this damn blood to patch me up."

[Nekomata Minh]

+30/learned

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

Indomitable Fortitude
Rank: "C" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own fortitude power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their Fortitude. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train as a regular "C" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Fortitude bonuses.
Limit: Universal TaiJutsu Technique.

It was a few hours before Zeriq would stir from the place where he lay, to any other person it would have appeared as if he was sleeping; but it would be impossible for him to sleep, only meditate on what he has learned. His head would turn to look at his right side, able to move his hand properly now that he has had time for his blood to take effect... lucky he was born a freak then. Slowly, groaning as he does so, Zeri sits up into a sitting position, his body protesting with cracking bones and sore muscles; he really did lose himself and go overboard on it this time around. Perhaps he should figure out something else to do for the next round; one that doesn't involve him nearly breaking his arms and legs to stupidity... swimming sounds like a good idea right now. His eyes look up at the sky, it was still rather beautiful out, the sun setting to a beautiful orange and blazing red sky... he would rather enjoy a swim at this point, and he could use a rather nice bath.

Taking his time in getting up, Zeri would begin to slowly remove his clothes; the lowering rays of day warming up the scars that he keeps hidden behind layers of clothing... a soft sigh escapes him as he looks over himself; muscles were still developed well, but he needs to eat more food if he was to put on some more weight and be more healthy, and the scars weren't going to go away anytime soon if at all. The last thing removed was his facial mask, feeling the sharp teeth beneath his gums with a frown, another trait gained through his blood that allowed him to heal as quick as he does. Then Zeri jumps straight away into the water of the lake, the refreshing feeling of chilled water instantly waking up his tired mind and making him more alert, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. His arms begin to lose their sore feeling as he begins with a simple warm up of swimming in circles once he resurfaces, taking it slow as to warm himself up once more; but to say swimming was probably a better choice for endurance training than beating the living fuck out of a tree.

He starts off slow, moving his arms rhythmically to propel himself forward in the water, utilizing his legs to increase the speed slowly as time allows. It wasn't that big a lake across, so Zeri begins by doing straight laps from one side to the other, enjoying the cool water as it begins to glide against his skin. The cool water already cooled off the burning sensation in his muscles that the tree beating had developed, but he was in no way cooled off, his passion for training his body only being fueled more and more by the coldness of the water. His arms and legs would work tirelessly, propelling him forward fast and faster until he reached the other side, before turning around and kicking off to begin again swimming to and fro, back and forth, again and again... he felt like going a couple hundred laps could be beneficial.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

Indomitable Fortitude
Rank: "C" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own fortitude power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their Fortitude. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train as a regular "C" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Fortitude bonuses.
Limit: Universal TaiJutsu Technique.

So far he had been swimming for only a few minutes, but he had already completed ten or so laps, his arms and legs moving faster and faster, forcing his body through the water ever further until he is at fifteen laps. He can remember his first time swimming, a couple of years back he found this nice lake and went for a swim, learned how to in no time, and has enjoyed it since as a way to relax and enjoy himself... two hundred laps will be pushing his limit from that time, but he's willing to go the distance. Every so often he would roll onto his back to stare back at the sky in the dwindling colors of the fiery sky; which would fill him with a burning resolve to continue on, his legs beginning to get that achy burning sensation that they were before. fifty laps, sixty laps, seventy laps, they kept going by and by, the sky had dwindled down to a starry night sky, the moon itself was looking particularly beautiful, watching over the strange shinobi as he swam laps to make himself better.

It was around the one hundred mark for laps that his arms and legs started to scream at him to slow down and rest, but he ignored their screaming and pushed himself even further; find your limits then rip straight through them without any remorse. This was without a doubt the better of the two different training types for this, he's not damaging his body to bring about any change, and it feels like it's having an even greater effect on his body. The hundred twenty mark is what's going to nearly kill him as he can feel his muscles begin to tense up, a combination of both bits of training, back to back, wasn't a good idea. He begins to sink into the water as he forces the muscles in his arms to work; keeping himself afloat and moving, this wasn't going to stop him no matter what.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

Indomitable Fortitude
Rank: "C" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own fortitude power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their Fortitude. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train as a regular "C" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "C" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Fortitude bonuses.
Limit: Universal TaiJutsu Technique.

One hundred forty, his arms were nearly frozen from overuse, his legs not obeying his commands to the point where he's in danger of sinking to the bottom of the lake and being unable to do anything about it. His eyes begin to shine the vibrant crimson as he begins to fight with his body to do what he is decreeing it to do, letting out a growl as he forces the muscles to obey, swimming to the surface of the lake and continuing on without hesitation. Fighting, continuing on with his training, these were things that he held with heavy convictions; and as the god of this vessel he will have respect from his own body, reaching the one hundred fifty lap mark. He has pushed passed the point he reached last time, smiling with satisfaction as he has beaten his past self in sure tenacity; but this isn't all, he is going to blow his past self out of the water and into the next country.

Once he gets over the original slow down of his muscles, Zeri is able to easily go through and force his way to continue swimming, his muscles now numb from overuse. It was without a doubt, pure bliss to be in this state; enjoying the cold water of the lake, enjoying the darkness of the night sky, his body either on fire, or numb from everything that has so far happened today. One hundred and seventy, so close to the two hundred mark that he had set for himself, body was beginning to feel like lead now, but he wasn't about to end it here as he continues on; one hundred eighty, his limits being pushed every farther. One hundred and ninety, the end of his goal could be seen now, without a doubt he was going to make it and finally put an end to the nagging feeling that has been in him since he started; he will prove to himself that he is able to do something as simple as swim two hundred laps. Nearing the end, four more, three more... two... as he was nearing the final lap of the swim, Zeri would give a push with his numb legs and force it all the way to the finish, letting out a loud roar that echoed throughout the area; two hundred laps complete.

As soon as two hundred laps were complete; Zeri would turn over onto his back and stare up at the night sky, the stars twinkling from away and the moon shining the way it does. Now it was time for post workout relaxation, and what better way than to have the chilled water relax and fix the numbed muscles and stare up at the sky... such a beautiful sky... floating back to the bank where his clothes are, he lays there on the shore line for a short time staring at the sky. It wasn't for some time until he got out and allowed himself to dry, putting his clothes back on and relaxing against a tree, leaving his face mask off for the time being, as there's no one to see the deformity of his fangs.

"Even the night sky is rather beautiful, when you can look at it for what it really is... I am glad to be here and to enjoy it."

[Nekomata Minh]

+30/learned

[Zeriq Haruk]

/exit

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

??/30
Gentle Touch
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A chakra technique applied to weapons allowing the user to strike with heavy non-lethal Damage.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: All Gurus learn to master the art of the Gentle Touch, a mystical technique that involves with dealing non-lethal damage with focusing bursts of Chakra. By investing at least 1 point of Spring Time of Youth Points in this ability the user can charge a weapon granted by their Philosophy with a rarified form of Chakra Energy. All attacks made with that weapon deal additional damage equal to the user's Indomitable Fortitude, but all damage dealt by the user while this ability is active is non-lethal. A user can assign Spring Time of Youth Points to their Gentle Touch ability as Handseals equal to the Rank of this Jutsu. For every point of Spring Time of Youth Points invested in this ability, the Charged weapon deals an additional 4 Armour Points of Weapon Damage. This ability only works against living targets; undead and constructs are immune to its effects.
Limit: Must be a practitioner of The Eight Celestial Gates.

/Enter

Zeri walks back into his personal retreat, the sun glinting off the water in a relaxing way and the wind stirring the fallen leaves to dance within the air; truly a calming area for training of the techniques the old geezer used to talk about. Walking up to the tree he used for the training that took place some time before, he'd look at the blood painting that his fists forced onto it... feeling the wood fibers beneath his finger tips and a soft frown comes across his face. The Geezer would talk about how; "Everyone has the ability to kill; it takes a true master to gain the ability to keep their blade from cutting." to which Zeri did understand, as he would continuously call the fighters in the pitt; Swords that required Tempering. One who masters their own body, is a sword in itself, can cut and kill without thinking on it; but truly, one is only a master of themselves when they can change the potential killing intent of their sword into something that can't cut even the softest substance. Theoretically, it's easy to understand... but in practice, you have to train yourself as hard as you do to become a killing machine in the first place; as the geezer would say.

Taking in a deep breath, Zeri would place both palms on the trunk of the tree, fingers facing outwards, arms level with his shoulders. His stance was neutral in all ways, there was no plan to cause damage to his body at this time; as he needs to learn not to cause damage, not to cut. Mind was constantly moving through with a singular thought process; you are a sword, a blade that can cut or not cut, depending how the blade is facing. Bringing both hands back, Zeri would move them slowly in a meditative way, breathing in to seven seconds, holding both hands before his chest as he holds for five seconds, then striking the tree with his left hand's blade, exhaling out for seven seconds. Breath in, hand retracts, holds, left hand strike with blade and exhales; continuing this pattern while alternating between left hand and right hand. The pattern starts off slow, moving with precise and very soft movements... following the movements of the geezer with a glint in his eyes; a soft smile under the mask as he recalls the very fatherly way he'd teach Zeri... slow and deliberate.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

??/30
Gentle Touch
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A chakra technique applied to weapons allowing the user to strike with heavy non-lethal Damage.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: All Gurus learn to master the art of the Gentle Touch, a mystical technique that involves with dealing non-lethal damage with focusing bursts of Chakra. By investing at least 1 point of Spring Time of Youth Points in this ability the user can charge a weapon granted by their Philosophy with a rarified form of Chakra Energy. All attacks made with that weapon deal additional damage equal to the user's Indomitable Fortitude, but all damage dealt by the user while this ability is active is non-lethal. A user can assign Spring Time of Youth Points to their Gentle Touch ability as Handseals equal to the Rank of this Jutsu. For every point of Spring Time of Youth Points invested in this ability, the Charged weapon deals an additional 4 Armour Points of Weapon Damage. This ability only works against living targets; undead and constructs are immune to its effects.
Limit: Must be a practitioner of The Eight Celestial Gates.

His arms started to move fluidly, striking at the bark of the tree without much power behind the limbs that propelled the blades of the hands. Feet began to move from a neutral stance to something more of a defensive stance, shifting to the right foot being behind the left, keeping his balance as arms struck out again and again. The words from the geezer would continue to echo in Zeri's head, all other thoughts and distractions being filtered out as if they were the silent breeze flowing through the trees; movements coming to him from memory as if they were natural to him. It has been a while since the geezer had died in the pitt, another combatant having taken his life in exchange for a more comfortable bed... a small bit of anger welling up in Zeri's heart and head from the memory, but this was only more training, to keep his strikes from cutting down any life even while he was in a state of rage. His elbows began striking at the tree now, a two hit combo with every strike from the blades as he continue to flow with each strike, continuing to force himself not to cause any damage to himself or the tree.

The speed of the strikes begin to increase as his rhythm starts to get set within a gentle dance, arms fully being used from hands, to elbows, to shoulders. In no time at all, Zeri was spinning around the tree as his feet danced their way to allow his full arms to strike wherever they wanted, aiming for what would be considered head and body blows. Breathing, keeping your breath deep and calm was the key to keeping the blows gentle and non damaging to the target, keeping calm, stay within tune to your own body. Left foot moving forward to allow the strengthened right elbow to the face of the opponent, the spin being put in applying more force into contact with the hard surface of the wood; currently no damage has been put onto Zeri's body, but the tree is showing some small bits here and there which could be construed for nonlethal damage.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

??/30
Gentle Touch
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A chakra technique applied to weapons allowing the user to strike with heavy non-lethal Damage.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: All Gurus learn to master the art of the Gentle Touch, a mystical technique that involves with dealing non-lethal damage with focusing bursts of Chakra. By investing at least 1 point of Spring Time of Youth Points in this ability the user can charge a weapon granted by their Philosophy with a rarified form of Chakra Energy. All attacks made with that weapon deal additional damage equal to the user's Indomitable Fortitude, but all damage dealt by the user while this ability is active is non-lethal. A user can assign Spring Time of Youth Points to their Gentle Touch ability as Handseals equal to the Rank of this Jutsu. For every point of Spring Time of Youth Points invested in this ability, the Charged weapon deals an additional 4 Armour Points of Weapon Damage. This ability only works against living targets; undead and constructs are immune to its effects.
Limit: Must be a practitioner of The Eight Celestial Gates.

"You must keep your breathing slow and steady, that allows you to control the flow of Chakra within your body; this technique is mostly about staying calm and keeping your inner combat beast in check. However, you need to control your inner chakra to coat the striking surface, be it weapon or your body, to blunt the blow enough that the opponent will not be killed. But this does not reduce the damage, instead, the more of yourself you put into this, the more damage it seems to do." The words from the Geezer would flow through his mind without stopping, as a slight silver sheen would begin to cover Zeri's knuckles and elbows, the damage area being blunted enough to force the damage to the tree not to cause pulp breaking damage. Breathe deeply, control your chakra through force of will and fortitude, keep it at places where the most damage would be caused along your blade. Once the feeling of the Chakra flow was examined, Zeri would take a good mental note of what it felt like and take in a deep breath to begin mentally preparing for the next step.

Taking in a deep breath, Zeri would begin to feel his own inner energy, the one that runs alongside Chakra but dwells within the eight chakra gates; he didn't have a name for that power, but he would start small and try to force a little bit into the silver sheen of chakra around certain parts of his blade. The silver sheen of chakra would slowly bagin a bit more of a solid appearance to them, exhaling the deep breath before he does a quick twist with his feet, bringing himself around to give a strong elbow to the trunk of the tree; a good dent being made by the increased damage of the blow. With the point of the gate's little power pool, Zeri's fists and elbows were giving the tree a bit more damage; a pleasant surprise to the young warrior. Again and again, strike after strike, more and more of the bark was coming off the tree with no damage to Zeri's flesh or bones coming through.

[Tetsu]

+22 Sorry dude but you need to have a bit more than that. It's a bits short and could really use some more length. The Training that is present is good though. Just do something of that quality but with a bit more length!

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

22/30
Gentle Touch
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A chakra technique applied to weapons allowing the user to strike with heavy non-lethal Damage.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: All Gurus learn to master the art of the Gentle Touch, a mystical technique that involves with dealing non-lethal damage with focusing bursts of Chakra. By investing at least 1 point of Spring Time of Youth Points in this ability the user can charge a weapon granted by their Philosophy with a rarified form of Chakra Energy. All attacks made with that weapon deal additional damage equal to the user's Indomitable Fortitude, but all damage dealt by the user while this ability is active is non-lethal. A user can assign Spring Time of Youth Points to their Gentle Touch ability as Handseals equal to the Rank of this Jutsu. For every point of Spring Time of Youth Points invested in this ability, the Charged weapon deals an additional 4 Armour Points of Weapon Damage. This ability only works against living targets; undead and constructs are immune to its effects.
Limit: Must be a practitioner of The Eight Celestial Gates.

Zeri sighs softly as he steps away from the tree for a little bit, moving his arms slightly to see how the feeling was... he was starting to get a little sore from the repeated abuse of hitting the tree, but at least he's not getting any external damage. Taking a breather, he closes his eyes and things over everything so far that he has been doing, as he feels as if he's not quite getting this technique. The Geezer would have had a field day with him at this point, a sad smile spreading under the mask as he recalls words given to him by the old guy...

"Honestly, they want to call you some kind of demon, even though you have no skill for fighting. You can't get the techniques I teach you, no matter how simple... but, you have the most tenacity of all the young'ns here. Calm is the key to the abilities I teach you, that alone will ensure your victory."

Taking in a few deep breaths, Zeri gets back into an attack pose, but expanding his his Chakra and dipping a bit deeper into the Gate's pool; the silver sheen and solidity expanding to his shins and knees. Once he felt calm and that the guards on his shins and knees were solid enough, he's deliver a quick jab to the bark; the increased Gate power making the dent in the pulp deeper without splintering. Then a kick with the shin would quickly follow at the punch, Zeri giving a small shocked smile at how much of a reaction the pulp had to that, caving in almost like putty but nothing that would kill a person. It was surprising how well this technique worked when it wanted to; properly that is. This was a rather fun technique when one takes the time to think it through, as Zeri's fists find themselves meeting the pulp of the tree again and again. With this, once could continuously pummel an enemy, without the fear of killing them on accident, and it could come in handy within the near future; once Zeri had some more fighting prowess under his belt.

After some time, Zeri would step away from the tree while breathing pretty heavily, having gone nonstop with the punching for some time now... but a small smile would cross his face as he stared at the damage he gave to the tree. Zeri felt that he had a small grasp on what it means to have this tech under his belt... what the geezer was meaning by that it was sometimes best to not kill. Though, he would still kill if he wasn't told directly not to kill, at least now he had a way that he could keep from killing.

[Nekomata Minh]

+8/learned

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

??/10
Prapai Lom Singkorn (Straight Punch)
Rank: "D" Rank, "D" Rank Variations
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A powerful, straight punch thrown with the rear hand.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture The Boxer Throws the straight right punch and twists the body by that punch, stepping with the right foot forward. The Boxer must consider about the distance between him and the opponent. The target is the chin or the heart of the opponent. This trick is used for attack, defense, or escape. If used for attack use both left and right alternately. The Straight Punch is one of the heaviest punches in all of Muay Thai. It can be used in attack and defense. If used properly it can stop your opponent right in his tracks. However if used at the wrong moment it may put the boxer in a difficult situation because if the punch misses the target the boxer will have wasted a lot of energy and will be left exposed to a counter attack. The strength of this punch comes from moving the foot forward and from the transfer of force from the leg to the moving body and finally to the fist. To further enhance the power in his punch the boxer must twist his hips, waist, and shoulder while punching. The result is a very powerful blow that draws upon the boxer's weight, the muscles of the feet, legs, hips, waist, and shoulders, and the proper technique in releasing the punch for its forcefulness.

Variation: Full Body Straight Punch - This straight punch uses the force of gravity thrown in the perpendicular plane. The boxer throws himself forward and the momentum of his falling body is added to the punch making it very powerful. To practice this punch, start by standing at ease with guards up. Then move either foot forward and use the rear leg to push the body forward, similar to falling forward towards the target. The momentum from this movement transferred to the arm and fist, giving the punch its characteristic power. When connecting against the opponent's torso area will stun the opponent for 2 movements.

Variation: Over the Shoulder Straight Punch - This punch is released by a sudden jerking and twisting of the body. It derives its power solely from the muscles and is less powerful than the other versions of the straight punch. It is best used in close fights and emergencies. When the punch is thrown with the left hand, the right hand is automatically jerked backwards. As a result, the muscles of the shoulder, back, stomach, waist, and the two legs will work together transferring the weight from one side of the body to the other. This twist of the body prepares one for an over the shoulder punch with the right hand. This twist should be practiced so that one is comfortable throwing the over the shoulder punch using the twist of the body and the corresponding transfer of body weight as the source of the punch's power. This technique hits as a "B" Rank technique instead of the basic "C" Rank.

To Protect: Brushes it with the fist or the arm which in the front, if the opponent boxer is a right handed fighter, the user will use the left fist or the left arm to swipe the punch out to the left side. (If user knows The Cross/The Straight in Boxing, or Cross-Body Punch in Krav Maga the user does not have to learn the base Technique.)
Limit: Must learn from a Muay Thai Master.

Cracking his neck, Zeri would take up a combat position in front of his now slightly worn training tree, thinking it's time he took up more of the Geezer's more robust combat techniques. He didn't really have time to learn them much in the Pitt, but now that he was out and free, and didn't have to fight for food, he had as much time to train as he needed. A small grin spreads under the mask as he contemplates the technique he should go through the motions for, recalling all the ones that he had gone through multiple times but never had the time to learn properly.

"Well, why not start at the fundamentals, get those down before I try anything too hardcore for my liking." With that, Zeri would stand before the tree and move through his mind to get in the proper position, though he could almost feel the Geezer's hands on him, moving his body to where it needed to be. Start off with the left foot forward, with the left fist's knuckles at shoulder level, making sure to stay on the balls of his feet. Right foot was prepared to step forward, right fist at chest level to prepare for a right straight, Zeri bouncing a bit on his feet as the old man used to do. Small little mistakes in the form were being fixed by some other worldly force, or it could easily be muscle memory from the "gentle" whacking from the old teacher, a soft smile would cross Zeri's face at the memories.

"Now then, this technique is quite simple. Just throw a straight punch directly to the face, heart, or stomach of the enemy. It uses quite a bit of kinetic force, so what you want to do is step into the strike and twist your whole body. This will increase the speed, and the force applied to the area you hit. Depending on the enemy, it could put them out for a little while; or they could brush it off, but we'll get to that later."

Without any hesitation, the small bouncing Zeri was making with the balls of his feet would act as a small springboard as Zeri launched himself at the tree, right foot moving forward slightly as he twists with his hips and shoulder simultaneously. The right fist would be brought forward with a great deal of force, the cocked elbow straightening and the wrist twisting slightly as the momentum increases. Targeting the "head" of the tree's punching area, Zeri would unleash the full power of the straight he has, a loud thwack echoing around the clearing as he makes a solid contact. However, this wasn't good enough as Zeri would hop back and prepare a reverse straight, a left straight in his right handed case. Same steps, only in the reverse order, bounding forward to have the left foot giving the initial kinetic energy to the punch. Hips and shoulder work in tandem as he goes in for a strong left straight, elbow straightening and wrist twisting at the last moment to deliver another strong solid hit to the tree's abdomen.

"Remember young blade, that the fundamentals are the most important thing anyone can do again and again. They're the groundwork of any good fighter, and no one can skip these... else they end up dead by someone who had done the full amount of work. You have the making of a great fighter, but you need to remember to keep practicing the fundamentals."

For the next hour, Zeri would continue to practice the basic straight punch, alternating from right to left back to right. After some time into the hour, he would begin to quicken the pace of the punches, trying to get them to a proper combat speed and preparation, as the heat of combat would be different from training. Stance was taken into account and fixed wherever needed, almost as if silent hands were forcing his legs, arms, and body into proper alignment. His eyes begin to have that crimson look as he continues on for the entire hour, speeding up more and more up to the point where a normal person would normally stop due to breaking their bones... but he was reckless, so he didn't really care too much.

Once the hour was over with, he would step away from the tree, breathing heavily as he cracks his knuckles by moving his fingers. The tree has some bits of blood on it, as he had beaten his knuckles to a slight pulp once more, but this was nothing new and not something that would stop him from continuing.

[Skulking Shinzu]

+10 TP. Learned.

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

??/10
Prapai Lom Singkorn (Straight Punch)
Rank: "D" Rank, "D" Rank Variations
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A powerful, straight punch thrown with the rear hand.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture The Boxer Throws the straight right punch and twists the body by that punch, stepping with the right foot forward. The Boxer must consider about the distance between him and the opponent. The target is the chin or the heart of the opponent. This trick is used for attack, defense, or escape. If used for attack use both left and right alternately. The Straight Punch is one of the heaviest punches in all of Muay Thai. It can be used in attack and defense. If used properly it can stop your opponent right in his tracks. However if used at the wrong moment it may put the boxer in a difficult situation because if the punch misses the target the boxer will have wasted a lot of energy and will be left exposed to a counter attack. The strength of this punch comes from moving the foot forward and from the transfer of force from the leg to the moving body and finally to the fist. To further enhance the power in his punch the boxer must twist his hips, waist, and shoulder while punching. The result is a very powerful blow that draws upon the boxer's weight, the muscles of the feet, legs, hips, waist, and shoulders, and the proper technique in releasing the punch for its forcefulness.

Variation: Full Body Straight Punch - This straight punch uses the force of gravity thrown in the perpendicular plane. The boxer throws himself forward and the momentum of his falling body is added to the punch making it very powerful. To practice this punch, start by standing at ease with guards up. Then move either foot forward and use the rear leg to push the body forward, similar to falling forward towards the target. The momentum from this movement transferred to the arm and fist, giving the punch its characteristic power. When connecting against the opponent's torso area will stun the opponent for 2 movements.

Variation: Over the Shoulder Straight Punch - This punch is released by a sudden jerking and twisting of the body. It derives its power solely from the muscles and is less powerful than the other versions of the straight punch. It is best used in close fights and emergencies. When the punch is thrown with the left hand, the right hand is automatically jerked backwards. As a result, the muscles of the shoulder, back, stomach, waist, and the two legs will work together transferring the weight from one side of the body to the other. This twist of the body prepares one for an over the shoulder punch with the right hand. This twist should be practiced so that one is comfortable throwing the over the shoulder punch using the twist of the body and the corresponding transfer of body weight as the source of the punch's power. This technique hits as a "B" Rank technique instead of the basic "C" Rank.

To Protect: Brushes it with the fist or the arm which in the front, if the opponent boxer is a right handed fighter, the user will use the left fist or the left arm to swipe the punch out to the left side. (If user knows The Cross/The Straight in Boxing, or Cross-Body Punch in Krav Maga the user does not have to learn the base Technique.)
Limit: Must learn from a Muay Thai Master.

Once he felt like he had the hang of the basic form of the straight punch, Zeri felt that he should probably also work on some of the subtle variations that the geezer told him about. Bouncing on the falls of his feet to ensure he stays in a limber feeling state, he tries to recall which one was the easier one to learn; going through the motions in his mind before deciding on the one that goes for a full body blow. His mind goes to a better place as he gets back into the basic position of the basic technique; left foot lead with the right foot behind, left hand at chin while the right is at chest. Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Zeri cracks his neck and thinks of the difference in this technique, that instead of a step forward, you springboard launch towards the enemy.

Taking in a deep breath, Zeri looks back at the tree and thinks it over, the different motions of the technique so he can fully understand what he's doing. Again, he felt the hands keeping his form in proper position. Breathing in a calm fashion, he smiles slightly before he moves takes a step forward with his left foot; then using the rear right foot, he springs forward in a way that looks as if he is falling straight towards the tree. While in the air, cruising towards the tree, Zeri would do the motions similar of the basic straight punch; hips and shoulders would twist into the punch, while the elbow straightens and the wrist gives a small twist to increase the power. This was all done in a split second before he strikes the tree, a resounding solid thwack echoing around the area, the tree giving a little shake from the force of the hit. Once the hit has gone through, Zeri 's left foot would touch the ground, then he'd quickly bound back to the space he was before.

"The key to the variations of the straight, would have to be the differences in their power base, and how quickly you have to do them. The first variation utilizes the full force of of the "falling" body, you don't actually have to fall to use this. Instead you use the force of a tremendous kick off, to fall horizontally in the absence of a large cliff. Do not worry, there are ways in those cases to not die, we'll go over that late. But if done correctly, this technique should stun your opponent for a set amount of time, which allows you to do more to them."

With a sigh, Zeri would resign himself to continuing the exercise for a bit longer, continuing to bounce on the balls of his feet to he can more readily springboard towards the tree. Every so often he would switch from the right straight to the left straight, making sure that he is able to utilize both sides to use this move. Speeding up to ensure he is able to use this in a more combative fashion, should find a training partner to help him train these techniques at some point; or he could take a mission where he fights.

After some time had passed, and quite a few times of using this technique in multiple different ways, Zeri would step back once more from the tree and fall onto his ass, breathing deeply as that in itself was a workout. The tree was beginning to look more and more like a training tree... perhaps he should cut off the top of it and use it properly. He looks at his hands, and sees them shaking slightly, he was pretty rough with them this time as well, but it would seem he was beginning to grow a bit tougher in the flesh due to this training style.

[Nekomata Minh]

+10/Learned

[Zeriq Haruk]

SPOILER: Click to show

??/10
Impeccable Will
Rank: "D" (Special, See Description)
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User has gained mastery over their own will power.
Special: ---
Drawback: May Learn at a maximum of 6 times.
Description: Each time learned the user gains 1 extra point to their save against the opponent's Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 1st 2 times they train it as a regular "D" Rank Jutsu. When the user learns this technique the 2nd 2 times they train it as a "D" Rank Jutsu +10 Training Points. When the user learns this technique the 3rd 2 times they train it as a "D" Rank Jutsu +20 Training Points. This technique stacks with other Will saves.
Limit: Universal GenJutsu Technique.

Deciding it was time for a break, Zeri would sit next to the pond and begin removing his sandals and foot wrappings, cracking his toe knuckles before putting them in the cool refreshing waters. It was a lovely day, the sun shining through some sparse cloud cover, a gentle breeze blowing nicely and calming through the trees. A contented sigh escapes from him as the scent of wildflowers passes over and through his nose. This kind of day bring it up to his mind, that he had a glaring weakness when it came down to it... a lack of willpower, a lack of being able to see through quite a few things an enemy brings to the table. He noticed this weakness during the first few months at the academy, when a kid wanted to fight and then after taking a beating, used a Genjutsu to distract him. It was some time before a teacher came and smacked him out of the Jutsu; though he has yet to train himself out of the weakness.

The question is, how does one train their mental fortitude; make it harder for opponents to get one over on him. All he has ever done is train his body, physically he could train almost anything to the point of a fine razer edge. He could do what the old geezer used to do and have him do for opening the Gate, meditation was a rather simple solution. Though he may have to do some drastic bits to train this, as he was used to meditation, and it didn't seem like this would get him going all too easily if it was simple; he was weak willed after all.

Zeri removes his shirt and mask, letting the cool breeze move over him, but he also needed access to his arms and sides. Taking a couple of his Kunai, and some of the bandages he uses to wrap arms and under his overshirt, Zeri would tie his Kunai to his upper arms about an inch below his shoulder. Finishing that, he would then find some good sized rocks that he could hold onto for some time, then steps into the water and stands there. Outstretching his arms he would hold the rocks up in a way the points of the Kunai would stab into him if he were to drop his arms at any point. To him, this would be a really great training for willpower, to see how long he can hold this pose without losing balance or stabbing himself in the sides.

The wind would continue breezing through as he would just stand there with his eyes closed, the rocks weighing heavily in his hands after some time passes. He could feel the sore muscles and bones from the training he had been doing before, lucky that he wasn't bleeding as it was. Steeling his mind, he removes all conscious thought of keeping his arms up, letting instinct take over for the most part. His mind was beginning to wander in the sunlight, beating against him as thoughts of his days in the Pitt and the Academy started flowing through his mind. The toughest points in his life were beginning to flow through him, the amount of pain he had to go through on a daily basis just to get a small slice of bread; the will and forethought to not eat every last bite the night before so he has a small breakfast. The Pitt was excellent for training one's mental fortitude, as you would have to have a strong will to actually survive. These memories flowing, his mind would begin to harden like his heart had long ago; surprising that he has the willpower to keep some bread and cheese enough to last him a week when he didn't fight.

"Life wouldn't have been as easy without the geezer having been there, we'd have died quite easily without his tutelage. We're still benefiting from his training, as not a lot of people can say they have opened the first Chakra gate, nor can they say they had been fighting for life since the tender age of five."

Deep breathing, in and out within a meditative style, his body standing rather still but the weight of the rocks beginning to weight heavily in his tired arms. Sheer force of will would keep his arms aloft, though they were rather shaky and he could feel them buckle slightly. It would take a bit longer than this for him, his body was strong; his mind keeping itself steeled as he continues to stand as still as he can in the pond's water. The geezer has him do this kind of training before, but it wasn't for the same reasons; his mind moving to the day that the only person who ever cared had died in the Pitt... the day he had decided to get his revenge. Though he could still remember the body, the blood that was all over the place, it had been a bloody battle with the Whipper; the one who would go around and whip the slaves who didn't pull their weight. The Geezer had gotten sick of him whipping the children, so there was a fight, that ended with the whipper's neck being broken; however, also ended with the death of the geezer. "Remember, that you are more than this... keep your head up... and never forget to smile, and go live your life." were the last words ever said by him, and those words alone have kept him going for the longest time... the memory causing his arms to slightly dip before they snap back up with enough force that an untrained body would have broken.

Zeri was beginning to feel the burn in his arms after thirty minutes of holding his arms up, but he would continue to hold them up, steeling his mind from the pain. From anything, he was steeling his mind from the graphic images of the death that still weighs heavily on him, and from everything else that had happened to him in the past. It could be that he was doing his best to forget, but to him it was better to remember everything; the steeling was to keep from letting all the memories bother him, his will keeping him sane. Without this past, Zeri would not be the Shinobi that he is today; he wouldn't have the skills nor the proper training to be what he is, and that is not going to change anytime soon. His mind, even with all these memories flowing through it and keeping him busy, felt as if it was the wind that blew through the trees; with the sweet scent of wildflowers clinging to it.