Puppet Strings and Falling Snow (Training)

[touketsu]

Defense cloth agility.
Rank: E-ranked
Skill: Ninjutsu, supplementary
Effect: see below
Special: see below
Drawback:---
Description: With this minor training, a puppet covered in, or using any special cloth, do not lose any movement, speed accuracy.
A puppet no longer takes the penalties of wearing or using "Defense cloth" (heavy type). The puppet is now and forever will be able to move freely.
Limit: Puppeteers only

(0/5)

Ren smirked, looking up at the crystalline snow falling gently from the cloudy sky. He sat on the branch of a tree, his scarf pulled up over his nose and his knees pulled up to his chest. Below him, a faint layer of loam, covered with a faint layer of snow, covered the earth below. He was in a grove of solemn trees, perhaps ten meters in diameter and set in a secluded corner of the Village Hidden in the Snow. It was here that Ren came to be alone.

His onyx eyes glanced down to the ground below, moments before his feet lightly impacted the snow, leaving a faint impression below him in the snowy loam. His hand rose to his scarf, pulling it down below his mouth. He expressionlessly bit his thumb, drawing a faint amount of blood. His other hand swept expertly down to his belt, tugging open a scroll. He swiped the bloody finger of the scroll, causing a burst of smoke to defile the sanctity of the grove.

As the smoke cleared, chakra burst forth from his finger tips, twisting into strings and attaching themselves to the pristine white puppet that had appeared. Ren's face remained as expressionless as ever, with only a slight smile to indicate his emotions had registered the puppet's appearance in any way. He stood for a moment, letting the smoke clear from the white form of the puppet. A white cloak, similar to Ren's scarf covered the mouth of a white face, which was overhung with white hair. The entire body of the humanoid puppet was the same, save for the sinister black eyes.

Ren's hands twisted suddenly, sending the puppet jerking back into the air. He manuevered his hands skillfully, sending the puppet to land deftly on a branch, its midnight eyes surveying the angelic snowfall from above. Ren glanced upward at the snow, sighing. With another quick motion of his hands the puppet leaped, landing on all fours before Ren. The puppeteer frowned, his hands resting idly in the air before him.

Sluggish. He thought calmly. The defense cloth is slowing Retsu down. He pulled on the strings again, sending the puppet running forward, then leaping backwards and bouncing off trees until it perched once more on the branch above Ren. I need to do something about this. He twiddled his fingers deftly, sending Ren dropping to the ground and performing an elegant spin, before standing still as a statue before its master.

Perhaps if I were to channel chakra into it through the strings... Ren thought logically, his fingers twirling to send the puppet leaping from tree to tree as he observed the deficit in its motion potential. He nodded to himself, mulling over the idea. It seemed, all and all, a logical solution. Retsu landed before him, straightening ominously with a gentle tease of Ren's fingers. He glanced at the snow above again, before centering his eyes on the fluttering cloak on Retsu's back.

He channeled chakra up through the cloak, stretching a faint film over it. He then twirled the strings of the puppet, sending it dancing forward. Ren nodded. Retsu seemed lighter on its feet. With another quick twist the puppet leaped, resting upon a branch and staring intently with unseeing eyes at the snow before Ren's feet. Ren smiled slightly, twiddling his fingers in a quick pattern. Retsu dropped to the ground, white on white for a moment before racing forward, his hands crossing in an 'x' shape as the 'snick' of hidden blades sliding forth was heard.

Ren nodded to himself. Definitely a problem solved. He thought calmly, pulling back on the strings and bringing Retsu before him, standing straight like a sentinel. He allowed his slight smile to widen briefly, before his face dropped to an emotionless mask once more. The problem, he decided, was thus resolved. A heavier snow began to fall from above, as though sky begged to differ with him. He glanced up at the darkening clouds. It seemed like there would be a heavy storm tonight...

[//Talo//]

Over-killage 0.0

Learned.

[touketsu]

(=P Thankee, Talo.)

Trembling Puppet
Rank: E-ranked
Skill: Ninjutsu, supplementary
Effect: (see below)
Special: Chakra strings usage.
Drawback: (see below)
Description: At the will of the puppeteer, selected puppet(s) begins to shake, rattle, quiver and vibrate very fast. Individual body parts or the entire puppet may tremble at the command of the puppeteer. Though this may not seem to be very useful at all, it does suite have its purposes.
A puppet becomes much more difficult to grasp, a puppets attacks can deal additional damage (like moving a knife while in a wound), this maybe used as a scare tactic, the list goes on…
Limit: Must be a puppeteer

(0/5)

Ren's eyes glanced over at Retsu. The puppet, solid white in his existence, was tall and intimidating, standing taller than most people. His eyes, ominous black, were enough to scare most sorts of typical villain. The question that plagued Ren, however, was more than a simple scare. How could he terrify them, in the deep of the night? he grinned slightly, thinking back to a technique his father often used.

Ren jerked on the puppet strings, sending Retsu leaping forward, his eyes glaring forward as the hidden blades in his forearms extended with a frightful 'snick' of metal. Ren nodded to himself. Yes, frightening indeed. He needed more, however. More than that. With a quick motion of his hands, Ren brough Retsu standing straight, his cloak fluttering around him.

Ren sent a faint burst of chakra down the strings, testing them. As the chakra hit Retsu he trembled all around, his joints clattering quietly. Ren blinked, vaguely suprised. He had not expected that to happen. He was rather lucky, however. Apparently, he had hit the nail right on the head in this case. He brought Retsu back around, making the puppet face him.

A gentle tease of chakra would have the puppet quivering once more. Ren watched the pristine white puppet jerk in place, it's blades shaking and it's joints rattling. Ren nodded to himself, watching the vibrating face stare darkly at him. This would be frightening, he thought idly. With a quick motion he sent the still quivering Retsu to stab his blade into one of the trees. The blade quivered within the cut, widening it and making side slashes within it.

Useful for more than just fear. He concluded, ceasing the shaking with a wave of his hand. He twirled his fingers, sending Retsu leaping from tree to tree to land above him once more. The long tail, hooked with a vicious looking stinger, snaked out from beneath the cloak and waved hypnotically. Ren grinned. He was beginning to enjoy training. A moment later his face dropped to emotionless silence again, preparing to continue...

[pandoru]

+5

Learned~

[touketsu]

Ningyou Shinkan (Puppet Silence)
Rank: D ranked
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Users creates chakra to suppress noise made within the joints and weapons of the puppet. Puppets can now move in complete silence.
Special: A pulse of chakra down the chakra strings
Drawback:---
Description: The puppeteer is able to mask and suppress all sound that is created in the joints and weapons of a puppet. The user sends additional chakra down his or her chakra string(s) which targets multiple joints and weapons that create noise.
Limit: Must have mastery of chosen puppet class. Must be puppeteer.

(0/10)

Ren smirked, pulling Retsu back. A flutter of wind followed the motion, and Ren frowned. There was noise within his puppet. He yanked back on the strings, sending Retsu moving past Ren at high speed, his body still whistling in the wind. He then sent it leaping into the trees, where the joints creaked as it grabbed hold of a branch, whipping itself up unto the tree. With another quick twist the puppet landed before him again in a familiar pose.

He sighed, glancing up at the snowy sky above. He needed complete silence from his puppet. Complete and utter silence. He sent the puppet scurrying forward again, this time listening closely to the creaking of it's joints, pinpointing each sound that he heard from the puppet. With a quick motion he pulled it back, bringing it before him again.

He studied the puppet, examining each of the joints, and moving the experimentally. As he suspected, the majority of the sound came from the creaking of the joints. He inspected the rest of the puppet over, checking the woodwork and the workmanship. He nodded after a moment, reattaching his puppet strings and sending the puppet bouncing forward. Once more, the joints creaked as the puppet moved.

Ren frowned, sending a faint pulse of chakra down the strings. They bled into the joints, coating them, almost like oil. With another quick motion the puppet flew, gliding almost silently, in a gentle leap to the next branch. Ren frowned. Still, a faint crease of noise could be heard from the joints. He sent a further pulse down the chakra strings, oiling the joints fully.

Ren sent Retsu spiraling through the air, listening to the joyful silence that came from his joints. The chakra had coated them fully, silencing them. Ren nodded, sending Retsu leaping from tree to tree and reveling in the quiet his motions produced. Still, a faint sound, almost a whistle, could be heard each time Retsu moved. Ren frowned. It would appear that there was more work to do.

Ren twisted the strings, sending Retsu flying forward, his cloak fluttering. He listened closely, trying to discern the source of the sound. He pulled Retsu back before him, listening to the wind whistle around the puppet. That was it. Ren grinned. Retsu was causing sound via his wind disruption. Ren nodded to himself, looking up at the snow once more. That could be resolved...

[touketsu]

(?/10)

Ren's black eyes, hard as stone, locked on his puppet Retsu. With a quick twist of his fingers, he sent the blades within Retsu's arms sliding out, this time with no 'snick', rather only silence. He nodded to himself, sending Retsu leaping forward with a quick motion of his hands. The puppet's joints were silent as it moved, the only sound coming from it's fluttering cloak.

Ren pulled the puppet back, frowning slightly. He sent another pulse of chakra through the puppet, coating the entire thing of it in a very faint layer of chakra. He sent the puppet forward again, this time listening closely. A faint layer of snow dusted his head now, as the snow above began coming down a little harder. Retsu leaped forward, making little noise. He still made some, however, and Ren sighed. He pulled Retsu back again, observing the motions.

He nodded, looking over the puppet again. After a few moments of analysis, he focused more chakra through the strings, creating more of a bubble around Retsu than a coating. He sent the puppet forward again, parting the wind around the bubble. He grinned, listening to the utter silence of motion. With another quick motion the puppet was above him, swinging unto the branch.

The next moment the puppet was behind him, it's mysterious tail waving dangerously from beneath the cloak. With another quick motion the tail was hidden again, and Retsu leaped forward, his arm blades slashing. No sound of ringing metal was heard, no sound other than that of silence. Ren grinned, his scarf covering the show of emotion. In the next moment he was blank again, pulling the puppet back before him. Silence... He thought approvingly...

[//Talo//]

~Learned.

[touketsu]

Kugutsu Henge (Puppet Transformation)
Rank: D
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Changes the appearace of a puppet into whatever the user desires, making it useful for confusing an opponent.
Special: A small surge of chakra through puppet strings
Drawback: If striked with force, the puppet converts back to normal
Description: Just like the academy technique, Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Skill) except applied to the user’s puppet. The puppeteer invisions what he/she wants their puppet to transform into and then performs the hand seals. Once the puppet is transformed, it is unable to perform any attacks until it returns back into its usual appearance. The user can also transform their puppet from a distance, as long as it is in the user’s view.
Limit: The transformation cannot be larger than 10 feet. (ex: You can’t transform your puppet into a bridge to crush people under it.) Must be a puppeteer.

(0/10)

Ren yawned slightly, his solid eyes staring forward at Retsu. His fingers were extended, receiving a dusting of snow on them as he focused on the chakra strings. He pulled Retsu back, bringing it close to the solemn puppeteer. He looked the puppet up and down for a moment. The next technique to learn, he decided, was the Kugutsu Henge.

Ren sent a burst of chakra down the puppet strings, with the intent of transforming the puppet. As the surge of chakra hit the puppet it jerked manically, twitching like some sort of demented toy. Ren sighed. Definitely not what I'm looking for. He thought, straightening the puppet with a flick of his index finger. He sent another surge of chakra down the strings, concentrating.

A burst of smoke erupted from the puppet, clouding upwards into the sky and surrounding the falling snow. As the smoke cleared, Ren squinted, regarding Retsu's new form. The puppet had taken on an appearance similar to Ren's, though a vastly misshapen one. He sighed, looking at the form that was supposed to represent him.

Sure, the coloration was the same, but the resemblance ended there. The puppet had simply transformed its colors, giving it a tone and hair color identical to Ren's. He sighed, twisting the strings. The puppet was still indeed a puppet, only with changed colors. He released the technique, letting the colors fade away.

He sent another burst down the line a moment later, watching another plume of smoke arise. Underneath it, once again, was a miscolored puppet. Ren sighed. Obviously, he wasn't using enough chakra. With a quick flick of his fingers, He drew the puppet back, noting it still retained a decidedly fake appearance. He released the henge, frowning. He was missing something....

He closed his eyes, trying to remember how he had completed the henge originally. With a quick motion he flicked his hands, sending Retsu to stand before him, in the most casual, human pose Ren could think of. He sent a burst of chakra down the strings, transforming the puppet again. This time, however, the result was different. Ren saw himself underneath the smoke. Or rather, himself, colored in pure white. He sighed. There was still a lot of work to be done...

[touketsu]

(?/10)

Ren sighed, releasing the transformation. His onyx eyes, icy in their feeling, were directed upward at the skies, which continued to drip with a perpetual snowfall. It was this time of year that Ren liked best. Which a hand he brushed the snow from his hair. He then turned back to his puppet, thinking. No matter how you put it, he couldn't manage to form the chakra properly.

He closed his eyes, molding the chakra around his fingertips before sending it running down the line to Retsu. The puppet bowed, before being engulfed in a burst of smoke. As the smoke cleared, Ren smiled, seeing a replica of himself before him. With a quick flick of his fingers that replica straightened, standing casually. Ren smirked, turning the transformed puppet around.

He frowned, seeing the fully black eyes. He had not transformed the eyes properly. With a quick motion, he sent the puppet backwards a meter and released the henge. The puppet took it's sinister, pure white appearance once more, standing still before its master. Ren sighed, then focused more chakra down the invisible threads, attempting to transform the puppet again.

The smoke erupted once more, and it cleared to reveal Ren, or so it would seem, standing straight and tall. Ren smirked at the copy of himself, noting the onyx eyes had been fixed properly. He coughed slightly, adjusting his scarf. He nodded to himself, then released the henge. It seemed, more or less, that the technique was downpat...

[Okami]

+10. ^_^

[touketsu]

(Thanks, Ookami. ^_^)

Ningyoumawashi no jutsu (Puppet Operator Technique)
Rank: D
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: This technique allows the puppeteer to use chakra strings to move objects such as rocks, and other inanimate objects. Can be quite useful for triggering traps and switches without getting caught
Special: Surge of chakra through chakra strings
Drawback: Strings can be seen by people with the ability to see chakra. If object is too heavy, strings may snap.
Description: The puppeteer activates their chakra strings and aim them at the object they want to move. The chakra strings then stick to the object, allowing the puppeteer to pull on them, making the object move. The heavier the object, the more chakra is used through chakra strings.
Limit: Must be a puppeteer. Can only move objects as far as the puppeteer is able to control their puppet (Puppet Technique)

(0/10)

Ren sighed, detaching his puppet strings from Retsu. The puppet slumped, resting beside a tree and gathering snow upon its white visage. Ren's eyes tracked the various branches on the trees, examining them. He was curious to see if he could use his puppet strings to attach and manipulate something other than a puppet. His hands clapped together, and then his finger reached out to shoot puppet strings at a nearby branch.

The lines of chakra pierced through the branch, passing through it. Ren sighed. Perhaps more finesse was needed with objects not built to receive strings. He retracted the strings, then projected them again, with much less chakra this time. A lone strand snared to the branch this time, and Ren smiled slightly. He brushed his hair out of his eyes, a single finger extended. With a quick motion, he pulled back on the string.

The string snapped, leaving Ren blinking in mild surprise. He quickly reattached the string, pulling on it lightly to test it. The string snapped again easily, leaving Ren with a frown on his face. He closed his onyx eyes, his breath frosting the air. Perhaps he was considering it to be too much like a puppet, built to respond to his commands.

He clapped his hands together, testing the chakra strings once more. He flowed chakra down through the strings, imbuing a little of it into the object. He frowned. He pulled on it again. The string snapped once more, letting the building chakra dissipate into the snowy air. He Ren nodded to himself, then closed his eyes. He focused his chakra around himself once more.

A chakra string thudded into the wood, making a slight dent. Ren retracted it, then released another, this one sticking firmly to the branch. Ren slowly flowed chakra up and down the strand, thickening it and reinforcing it. After a few moments he opened his eyes, nodding in approval. He pulled back on the string.

Ren grinned, pulling harder. The thread of chakra did not snap, rather tensed. He smirked. He had perfected the thickness, it seemed. However, he now had another problem. No matter how hard he pulled, the only thing that moved was the thread. His face became emotionless once more, as he yanked on the thread, only to have the string tense and the branch remain stationary...

[touketsu]

(?/10)

Ren frowned, yanking on the thread. Still, no motion occurred in the branch it was attached to. He detached the string, regarding his hands for a moment. He focused chakra around him, observing the motion of the chakra. He clapped them together a moment, then released another string, sticking it to the branch.

He pulled back, feeling the string tense. There was motion in the chakra, but not in the branch. Ren frowned, then smiled. The answer was within the problem. He focused chakra down the string, forcing it to spread over the branch. He closed his onyx eyes briefly, feeling the chakra melting the snow. He sighed, his face returning to it's statuesque state.

Ren pulled on the branch, this time feeling it bend slightly. He nodded, attaching another string and yanking on them. The branch bent back further, and then splintered, cracking apart under the strain of the chakra. Ren looked at it for a moment, then focused on another branch. Less force in the chakra, more of a gentle touch. He thought to himself.

Ren reattached a string to another branch, spreading his chakra down it and unto the wood. He sunk it into the branch, letting the motion capability of chakra spread over it. With a quick pull, the branch bent. Ren held it there for a moment, the severed the string, letting it whip back into place. He smiled, nodding to himself. Another skill, learned...

[//Talo//]

~Bolded Learnage 0.0

[touketsu]

(Thanks Talo =3)

"Tsugime Jiten" (Joint Rotation)
Rank: E ranked
Skill: Ninjutsu, supplementary.
Effect: Parts of puppet can rotate
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The puppeteer channels chakra strings into a specific limb/body part of puppet. The joints and mechanism within that chosen part can spin or rotate very quickly. This is useful in adding additional damage to a weapon (such as blades) or used defensively (if someone attempted to latch onto the said body part).
Limit: Must be puppeteer.

(0/5)

Ren reattached strings to Retsu, causing the puppet to straighten, sending a cascade of snow off of the puppet's body. Retsu leaped back, standing before its master. Ren nodded, feeling the familiar sensation of a puppet beneath his chakra strings. He was interested now, specifically, in high speed rotation. He spared a glance at the sky above, then focused his chakra through the puppet.

He sent it down the string, attempting to put some spin into Retsu's forearm. As the chakra struck the puppet it trembled, shaking back and forth, instead of spinning like he had desired. Ren sighed, pulling the puppet back once more. With a quick motion Retsu straightened, letting its forearm drop again. Ren released the strings for a moment, looking down at his own finger.

He focused a small amount of chakra to his fingertip, spinning it. He watched the rotation in the chakra, trying to translate that within his mind to Retsu's arm. He let the chakra disperse, nodding to himself. If he were to spin the chakra down the thread, perhaps that would work instead. Ren brushed the hair out of his eyes once more, adjusted his scarf, then extended his fingers, chakra strings snapping back into place.

Ren focused a spiral of chakra down the line, sending it into Retsu's arm joint. The appendage began to spin, almost like a drill. Ren smirked, letting the blade in the arm come forth with a 'snick'. He twirled his fingers, sending Retsu to jam the spinning blade into a tree trunk, letting it grind against it like a drill. His face dropped to emotionless once more, as he pulled Retsu back before him and ceased the rotation...

[Koori.]

Learned.

[touketsu]

(Thanks dude! =O)

Gouken no Kamae (Iron fist stance)
Rank: E
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Once in this stance one’s speed and strength increases due to positioning of muscles and limbs.
Special: None
Drawback: None
Description: Not exactly a technique, but a fighting style. It packs tons of speed and power and relies on the user's physical strength and fitness. It is also the prime holder of the majority of Konoha's elite taijutsu techniques. Standing with one arm behind their back and one extended, the user is ready for a quick strick with their fists and feet. This leaves them open for quick spins and jumps that will power their attacks.
Limit: none

(0/5)

Ren pulled Retsu back, pulling the scroll in his pocket open with a quick motion. A burst of smoke erupted as the two touched, clearing to reveal Ren standing alone, rolling the scroll back up and sliding it into his pocket. He then looked to both sides. He couldn't always rely on his puppets. He straightened, thinking of any Taijutsu he could remember in the back of his mind.

Goken flared to life in his mind, like a diamond in the rough. Long ago, he had seen Goken. With a nod, he straightened up, trying to recall that stance that every master of Goken used. He frowned, trying to recall it. He tensed his body, seeing if that was appropriate. A moment later he frowned, loosening. That seemed better.

Ren spread his legs slightly, to about shoulder width apart. He slid one hand behind his back, straightening his spine and nodding to himself. He was almost ready. He held his arm before him, crooked slightly at the elbow. He closed his eyes for a moment, dipping into his memory. He straightened himself, adjusting the pose slightly.

Ren stood for a moment, relaxing his muscles yet remaining firm. He nodded, feeling the strength of the position. That seemed correct. He held the position for a moment longer, than released it, stretching out slightly. That had worked. He adjusted his scarf, then rolled his body back into the stance, to assure that he had achieved it...

[Okami]

Learnedzorz. Kepp this up and you'll become snowkage!

[touketsu]

(We hope, Ookami. Thanks. =P)

Dainamikku-Entori (Dynamic Entry)
Rank: D
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Jumping forward with a kick to the opponent’s face, the user sends the opponent flying
Special: None
Drawback: Leaves the user open after the kick if dodged.
Description: Nothing more than a flying jump kick straight to the face. Used as an opening attack. The user jumps straight at their opponent one foot forward hoping to knock them back.
Limit: Must know Gouken no Kamae

(0/10)

Ren stood still in the Goken stance, snow sprinkling down from above. He inhaled deeply, feeling the strength of the stance. He looked from side to side, breathing in and out slowly as he acclimated himself to the physical prowess the stance displayed. He nodded to himself, exhaling a final time.

The next move, he thought, was the Dynamic Entry, used to begin combat explosively. He regarded a nearby tree, sizing it up. Yes, this would be a good target for his Dynamic Entry. He breathed in slightly, then leaped, the power rushing from his muscles explosively.

Not a sound was heard as he leaped, no exclamation of power of might. Ren was not one to lend himself to such a sound, regardless of what he had seen from masters of the Goken. He flew through the air silently, his foot striking the tree with a decidedly solid thud, denting the bark. He then jumped back from the tree, landing coolly on his feet.

He analyzed the dent he had made, frowning. He had kicked slightly lower on the tree than he had hoped for. With a sigh, he brushed the snow from his hair. A kick to the neck was still effective, however a kick to the head was the desired result. He sighed, considering the technique over in his mind. He was missing something, most assuredly.

His performance in mid-air had been proper, that much he knew. He had flown aerodynamically, but he still had hit too low. Thus, the issue was within himself. He needed more power in order to strike the proper height. Ren nodded to himself. He would need more power in his legs.

Ren straightened his stance, tensing and untensing his legs to awaken them. His onyx eyes fixed on the tree, focusing his mind to it. He stretched his legs slightly, then resumed the stance. With an inhale, he brought power into his body. With an exhale, he released weakness. Strength was key...

[touketsu]

(?/10)

Ren pushed off from the ground, focusing strength into his legs and flying off into the air. Silent, he flew, his foot extended in a perfect kick. The analytical part of his mind worked as he flew, considering his performance. He grinned slightly in air, enjoying the rush of wind on his face.

Ren struck the bark with force, creating a splintering shatter of wood on the bark. He leaped back, grinning at the tree slightly. The damaged wood was slightly above the previous dent, meaning that he had also perfectly adjusted the height of the blow. Ren grinned, brushing some snow from his hair. He nodded. He checked over the perfomance in his mind.

Ren yawned slightly, then his face entered its emotionless state once more. He straightened into a Goken stance once more, eyes moving to another tree. He uttered a soft sound of power, kicking into another tree. In snapped, bending at an awkward angle. Ren grinned, leaping back and nodding.

"Seems useful." He said to himself, his quiet voice piercing the air of the Village Hidden in the Snow. Goken seemed handy. Ren nodded, turning and putting his hands in his pockets. The weather seemed to only get worse and worse as time went on. He sighed, gazing boredly into the air...

[//Talo//]

~Italic Learnage!