Mastering the Shadows Part #1 (Training)

[Akio Nara]

Kagemane no Jutsu, 影真似の術 (Shadow Imitation Technique)
Rank: "C", "B", "A" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The signature move of the Nara family, this jutsu allows the user to control their own shadow and merge it with their opponent's shadow, combining them. This links the movements of the user with the target; the target is subsequently forced to make any movement the user makes. It is an extremely versatile technique, as the user can contract and change the shape of their shadow, potentially grabbing multiple targets at once. The degree to which the user's shadow can be stretched is limited by its total surface area.
Special: "Hanseals"
Drawback: Must Be Learned Multiple times in order to truly achieve something grand. Must hold Rat hand seal until the technique connects with the targets shadow.
Description: Using the shadows of other objects, the user can extend their shadow beyond its normal range. The amount of time for which an opponent can be held is limited by the user's chakra, since the user must constantly maintain the jutsu. The jutsu is also more difficult to maintain at greater ranges or for multiple opponents, since the user's shadow must be stretched constantly. At closer ranges, it requires considerably less effort on the user's part. Additionally, the target can force their way free with enough effort, though the amount of effort required to do so is considerable. There are two tables or understandings for this technique that consists of the Difficulty class of the User as well as the Opponent, and as to how far the user is capable of using this technique. When first learned the user is only capable of using this technique at a distance of Ten meters. Each higher Rank archived, the user is capable of extending the shadow another five meters. The user must first however, learn each rank a certain amount of times before then next rank is obtainable. The C rank version must be learned five times total. At which point the distance is upgraded to "B" Rank training and now extends ten meters each time trained. This version must be learned 3 times total. The "A" Rank version, extends the range to Seventy meters, and every additional "A" Rank training extends it another ten meters. This technique caps out at 100 meters. The user is capable of making their shadow split and by doing so takes up the distance of the total form of the original technique. This means that if a user has this technique to where they can use thirty meters and wishes to make this technique split to three shadows the maximum distance is ten meters per shadow.

Difficulty on Escaping: Escaping the Kagemane is a tricky art for some, easier for others. Depending on your Stamina and Difficulty class depends on how well the opponent can escape the Kagemane. The Kagemane is held for a Certain time frame depending on Rank of the technique learned. "C" Rank can be held for 18 seconds before it breaks no matter what. "B" Rank 36 seconds, "A" Rank 54 Seconds. For every difficulty class the user is above the opponent, add another five seconds. If the opponent for every difficulty class above th user, subtract five seconds. If the Opponent captured is a Taimaster, subtract 15 seconds additionally. If the opponent is a Tai specialist, subtract 5 additional seconds. If the opponent is a Taijutsu No specialist, leave it as is. After doing the math, the amount of turns held will be apparent.
Limit: Nara Clan Technique

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[0/30] Training 2/5
Rain. That one though seemed to stream through Akio Nara's mind as he looked out the window into the never ending downpour. His hopes and his fears seemed to be washed away by this never ending rain, but Akio held his hope up. The fighting, like the rain, would have to eventually end, and when it did Akio would seize the day. He would avenge his parents death, help his kin in this god forsaken land, and bring about a revolution, ending the fighting and becoming known throughout the land. But, all of that had to wait. A mountain did not become a mole hill in one day, and so Akio's powers would not rise that fast. But, training was the key to everything, and if Akio was as good as everybody though he was as a direct descendant of the original user of Kagemane no Jutsu, then he would have to be great. Akio now turned his attention to the business ahead, his Kagemane no Jutsu training. Sweeping some dirt blond hair out of the way of his face, Akio's mind set to work.

Now, Akio examined his surroundings. He was in a completely empty dojo in the side room of his small apartment. Akio now lived by himself, working hard to support himself and keep his own ass off the streets. The dojo was completely empty, except for a sleeping young girl, who layed curled up on the floor. Akio had taken pity on the girl, and had allowed her to live with him and eat his food. Akio saw this as her small way of repaying him. Now, onto the lighting. The lighting was supplied by a small lamp which was directly above Akio's head, providing little to no shadow for him to use. This was good, for their would likely not be anymore shadow and incombat, and Akio had to learn to use the bare minimum. And now, he had to use it as best he could. Now, Akio had had sat the girl exactly 15 meters away, and this was his goal, to be able to reach her while she was 15 meters away, when his usual Kagemane only reached about 10 meters. With all the facts review, Akio prepared himself for the first test run.

Akio let a light sigh escape from his lips as the pitter patter of the rain hitting the walls intensified. It was time to begin. The genin now sat himself cross legged on the floor of the dojo, which was slightly dusty, and began to make a hand seal. Both of his hands folded together for a second, forming the Rat hand seal. This hand seal was not particularly uncomfortable for Akio's hands, and he would be able to keep it up for a decent amount of time. So, with that, Akio said slowly:

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

as his shadow seemed to come alive, and began to stretch out towards it's full capacity, as if it had been squished or put down and was trying to reach it's full intended height. The shadow continued to thin and stretch, as Akio closed his eyes and concentrated on the shadow, which he willed to move with his chakra. Finally, after a grueling few moments, Akio opened his eyes and looked at the shadow. It had stopped growing at about 10 meters, reaching it's maximum length with the thinnest of shadows to mark the spot. Akio's job now was to hold the shadow there for 30 seconds, since there would be not resistance to the shadow. The dark haired girl, whose presence Akio had almost forgotten for a moment even though she was only 15 meters away, slept safely a decent distance away from the shadow. Akio shook his head at his own inability and counted the seconds his Kageman would hold:

"Five....... Ten....... Fifteen........ Twenty....... Twenty-Five..... Thirty"

almost as soon as the word thirty slipped out of his lips, the shadow receded and returned to it's original position surrounding Akio. This was the high point of the not so young genin's skills, and so he would work to improve them. But first, he had to review what he had accomplished and figure out how to improve.

Akio had managed to cast Kagemane no Jutsu without a hiccup, forming the Rat seal and holding it easily while his shadow stretched to it's limit. This limit was 10 meters, which indicates a novice level of skill on Akio's part. Now, he had managed to keep his shadow up for a good thirty seconds, which is decent considering their was no resistance to his jutsu. Finally, the shadow receded as normally.

What to improve on seemed all to simple for Akio to figure out. #1 He had to place more of his chakra into the jutsu and get a better feel for it, to give his shadow the chance to stretch it's limits. It is not that Akio does not have the right chakra for this, it is that his chakra management was not something somebody would call "Top notch". #2 He had to work on extending his time for the jutsu. This means that he has to be able to hold it for longer, and have the same steady hold throughout. And, finally #3. Akio, if he ever reached her, had to take control of the sleeping dark haired girls show and manage to maneuver her, and keep her in his hold, even if she does wake up. Not the easiest of tasks, but Akio in no way doubted his own ability. A clan master like himself must have the firmest of grips on his techniques.

And, now, on to trail #2.

[Koori.]

+9

9|30

[Akio Nara]

[9/30]
Akio sighed his sigh once more as he allowed himself a small break. Stretching might not seem like much, but when you where a shinobi who was on the move, you had to be able to move with the best of them. And, it was always possible to get a cramp, even when you did not have layers of gear and weapons on you. So, Akio did his normal stretches, loosening his hamstrings, feet and arms. Again, loosing the feeling in your legs was never nice. So, after finishing his stretches, Akio swept his blond hair out of his face, and brushed some dust off of his shirt. Now, as Akio finally sit down and set his mind upon the next task, it seemed that it was time for trial number two.

Finally, the Akio began the preparations. His hands flashed and tangled into the Rat Hand Seal, and Akio's shadow trembled for a second, as if with anticipation. Then, still holding the tangled Rat seal, Akio spat out:

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

with zealous, but not too loudly to wake up the sleeping girl. His shadow trembled once more, and then it began a steady progress forward, like an obedient servant. The shadow continued to stretch and extend, like a piece of chewing gum. Except, of course, the shadow was not tangable, and could not be broken. The shadows progress slowed until it reached about the same spot where it had stopped before give or take. Here was where the training really began.

Akio could manage to have his Kagemane reach 10 meters without effort, so, why not try to extend the shadow by using momentum and his own chakra? So, as his shadows progress slowed to a stop, Akio tapped into his chakra, which seemed to flow through him like a river. Akio then directed his chakra into his hands, which still held the Rat hand seal, and into the jutsu, which seemed to suddenly slightly increase it's pace, as it inched closer and closer to the sleeping girl. Akio kept pumping and pumping the chakra, beginning to sweat and tire rapidly as the jutsu kept on going till.....

It would go no more. Kagemane just seemed to stop, now about thirteen meters and closer then ever towards the sleeping girl. But, this was all that Akio could manage at the moment and he was happy with the attempt. So, now, he had to hold the jutsu for thirty seconds. He counted to himself in his head:

"Five...... Ten..... Fifteen...... Twenty........ Twenty Five....... Thrity"

and, Akio released his hand seal, as he shadow shrank to it's normal size. This latest attempt had exhausted Akio, and so he would take a longer break to look things over. The genin plopped onto his back with a sigh and looked up at the ceiling light for a moment, enjoying the simple beauty of the light which it radiate onto him. It was a good pure light, as white as his shadows where black. The light seemed to cause Akio's mind to go into motion, like the gears in a machine.

Akio noticed a few flaws when he thought of his last attempt. #1 He did not apply the chakra at the right time, and missed using the momentum, which could have possibly carried the shadow towards it's target. #2 His chakra was applied in the wrong amount, wasting good chakra while minimizing the overall effect the chakra had on the shadow. Basically, a waster of chakra. And, finally #3 his position was slightly off. This might be view as a small error to others, but small errors get you killed in battle. By being even an inch to the right of his target, this increased the distance his shadow had to go slightly, and wasted his energy. A grave, stupid, and easily avoidable mistake in Akio's mind. Akio thought:

"On to attempt number three! I must reach her on this attempt!"

With a confident mindset, Akio's mind opened up to the silence, enjoying the pitter patter of the rain which cleansed his soul.

[Tieren]

+10
(19/30)

[Akio Nara]

[19/30]
Akio's mind seemed to wander from his goal for a second, and his will to work wavered as he enjoyed the beautiful sound of the falling rain. He simply lost himself in his thoughts. His desires, his will to be better. A will which drove him down the path of power, to a land where need good nor evil existed, and war was frowned upon by all. Such a world was likely beyond the reach of Akio and the current generation of Rain shinobi, but together, nothing was impossible. Akio's will strengthen as he blooded heated up at the thought of peace. His will returned and his desire increased to limitless bounds. It was time for test number three.

Akio first however, walked over to the girl, and lightly poked her. She simply shrugged off his poke, and waved her hand vaguely, saying:

"In a minute..... in a minute"

and then she returned back to her usual sleep. Akio was ashamed of himself for not being able to remember her name. He would remeber to find out later and pay her back. I a way, actually, she was the only family he ever had. If it was not for this war, they would both likely be happy with parents. Akio turned his back on her for a moment as he walked back to the his original sitting spot, fifteen feet away from her. Akio promised himself that he would make it up to her. He would make it up to all the Rain nin. Akio sat down quietly and was prepared for attempt number three.

The genin brought his hands together slowly, forming the rat hand seal. Akio held his hand in the knotted seal for a moment, allowing the chakra in his body to flow into the seal and into his shadow. Akio calmly said, words slipping over his lips as if they were made of water. He said:

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

as he almost spoke the words into his hand seal, like a walkie talkie. Akio's shadow once more tremble, and now empowered with extra chakra, began to grow rapidly, coming closer and closer to the sleeping girl. In Akio's mind, he was almost cheering his shadow on, yelling:

"GO!!! GO!!!"

and his shadow did keep on going, till it finally joined with the girls shadow. Now, their shadows where one, and a seemingly decently wide shadow connected them both. Akio could almost hop with joy as he looked upon the shadow. It proved that progress indeed was possible. Akio now decided to test the strength of the bond. He slowly lifted up his right arm, to see if the girls arm would follow suit. The girl mumbled some nonsense about raspberry pudding and brought the arm back to it's original spot with no effort, while Akio simply stood there, stunned at how weak his just was that a girl who was younger then him could soo easily beat it. Akio canceled the jutsu and returned his shadow to it's normal properties. He simply shook his head and looked at the girl again, who did not seem to be bothered at all. How strange, how strange indeed.

Akio simply sat down and closed his eyes, hiding inside his own head, trying to figure out what was wrong this time. If trial and error was the best way to train, then what the hell just happened? Akio answered himself in his own thought:

"Well.... I guess she is either stronger then I thought she was or I gotta work on that jutsu."

Akio smiled to himself, and thought about what had caused the jutsu to be soo weak. In the end, it seems that the damage was a result of a loss of concentration, which sapped his chakra and wasted it. Akio shook his head. Another silly stupid mistakes. Sometimes, Akio did the stupidest things, especially for a Nara. BUt, that was no big deal. Akio would really made attempt number four count for something. Akio simply stared at the girl, feeling a strange determination and curiosity from this friend whose name he could not remember.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

29/30 This is your second Kagemane training not first, starting with thechnique is considered learning it once.

[Akio Nara]

OOC: Oh really? Thanks for the grade ^^
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[29/30]
Akio had made up his mind. Now, after all of his tinkering around. he would take his Kagemane one step higher. Akio sat down, adjusting his butt cheeks accordingly, and began to make his hand signs. The tangled Rat hand seal appeared once more, as the pitter patter of the rain outside slowed down and hold it's breath. Akio had already come to decision to be decisive in this attempt, and as his chakra once more flowed into his shadow, the genin exclaimed:

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

a little louder then he should have, for the girl suddenly stood up and yawned loudly, as if appeased by her little nap. But, it was too late, as his shadow streamed forward like a red tide, looking to fuse with her shadow. In a moments notice, their shadows where connected and her movements where under his control. Akio decided to try it out. Akio released the rat seal, and placed his hand on the top of his head. The now startled girls hand was now on top of her head, as she noticed Akio and the room and began to yell various profanity at him. Akio, however, ignored her as he counted the second he could hold her in his head.

"Five...... Ten..... "

Akio decided upon another test of his skill, clapping his hand over his mouth. To Akio's delight and the girls annoyance, her hand flew over her mouth, and her tirade was severely mumbled. But, Akio's control began to slip as the counting in his head winded down:

"Twenty.... Twenty-f........ "

And, with that, Akio's shadow retreated as the girl regained control of her body and fell to the ground, tired. Akio rushed over to her and held her up, telling her:

"I am sorry I did this to you, but I have nobody else to practice on! Can you please forgive me,... umm?"

Akio cursed himself for not remembering her name as the girl looked up at him in out rage. The girl brought her hand back and slapped Akio full on in the face, leaving a red, hand shaped mark on his face. Akio staggered backwards as the girl brushed her hair angrily and said:

"You don't even remember my name, yet you ask forgiveness for an unforgivable deed! Well, I will tell you once more. My name is Ami, Ami Uchiha! And I hurt you badly the next time you do that to me, got that?"

Ami angrily tossed her hair once more, and left the small dojo. Akio, despite the giant slap mark on his face, smiled. His training worked, in a way. Quietly running his hand through his sweaty hair, Akio walked out the same door, leaving the dojo and follow Ami.

[End Thread]

[Elgar]

+1

Learned