The Howling Eye [Training Area]

[Skulking Shinzu]

4. Zuruel pointed his palm towards the homunculi and swallowed. The pure layer of Chakra coating the insides of his hands prevented the ice Chakra from freezing his delicate cells and causing numbness. However, the protective buffer of Chakra wouldn’t last forever. Eventually, the cold would permeate through. On one hand, this suggested to Zuruel that he needed to rush his technique.

On the other hand, this also told Zuruel that his technique was powerful and ready for release. With no need to add any more ice Chakra into the technique, Zuruel widened his Tenketsu and allowed a blast of ice energy to release from his palm. Whizzing through the air in the form of a spiral of pale blue energy, the technique washed over the Homunculi and immediately took effect.

Curious, Zuruel analysed his target. As the pulse of ice Chakra hit it, the sweat covering the create seemed to be the first to freeze. This led to a thin layer of frost appearing around various points of the creature – with a particular focus around the armpits, upper chest and forehead. This frost seemed to spread for a second or two, causing a visible layer of ice to creep along the homculi’s body.

[Skulking Shinzu]

5. Zuruel analysed the homunculi target carefully. Although the frost spreading over the creature had created quite a sizeable impact, the technique seemed to be lacking in power and intensity. For one, the frost had spread over large patches over the creature – but it hadn’t frozen it completely from head to toe. This left much to be desired. What good was a technique that didn’t’ harm every inch of a creature?

As Zuruel walked closer towards his target, he also noted one other key fact. Utilising his keen sense of hearing, he identified the fact that the homunculi’s heartbeat was steady. It wasn’t dying. What’s more, the numbing effects of the ice likely meant that it wasn’t experiencing much pain either. This was important, as it suggested to Zuruel that his technique had only iced the surface layer of the opponent’s skin.

Desiring to cause as much damage as possible to the opponent, Zuruel gritted his teeth and extended both palms towards the homunculi. While he could simply pour twice the amount of ice Chakra into his right hand and fire it – this would be risky and dangerous. For one, it would take a long time to manipulate and control such large amounts of raw Chakra.

[Skulking Shinzu]

6. This left Zuruel with only one option. The safer solution here was to instead pour some Chakra into his left hand, manipulate the energy alongside his right, and then fired two pulses of ice Chakra as one technique. Effectively, this would double the intensity and power behind his technique, a action which would hopefully allow him to freeze the moisturise in the opponent’s cells all the way to his flesh.

The only real limitation here was Zuruel’s ability to multitask. He needed to be able to fire both pulses of energy at once, which would take practice. Noting what needed to be done mentally, Zuruel coated the insides of his left arm and hand in raw Chakra as a protective buffer before allowing the ice Chakra stored in his chest to flow down into both his hands.

Upon reaching his palms, Zuruel simultaneously began compressing the ice Chakra slightly so that the flow could continue and more could be poured into his extremities. Although this sounded simple, Zuruel struggled at first to manipulate the Chakra in both hands at once. At first, this lead to him cutting off the flow of energy every so often in order to give himself time to focus before enabling it again.

[Skulking Shinzu]

7. Carefully and slowly, Zuruel began to adjust to the sensation of allowing Chakra to flow into both of his hands at the same time while also manipulating the ice element into a new form. Before long, Zuruel learned how to keep a constant stream of energy flowing into his hands even as he programmed his Chakra with instructions. The only issue was the slow pressure of the stream.

As much as Zuruel wanted to rush, he simply couldn’t widen his Tenketsu to the point where Chakra constantly gushed into his hands. Always, it had to be a purposeful and gentle flow to ensure he wasn’t pumping more Chakra into his hands than what he could handle. As maddening as it was to go slower than he would have liked, this was the limit of his skill. A limit he kept in mind as he continued.

Making a mental note of everything he had learned so far, Zuruel widened the final external Tenketsu on both palms to allow his energy to release. Simultaneously, two pulses of energy blasted out to form a singular thick spiral with a pale blue aura. The difference here wasn’t just the intensity of the technique. Accidentally, Zuruel had realised that if he continued pumping Chakra into his hands, the technique wouldn’t stop. It would keep firing out and bombarding the target in order to freeze it right down to its core.

[Christoff]

+70 TP
Learned

[Skulking Shinzu]

Snow Globe
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User deep freezes any vapor and moisture in the area, creating a protective sphere with brief invulnerability.
Special: Handseals
Drawback: ---
Description: Area of effect of this technique is 6 meter radius centered on the user. Duration of this technique is until discharged. User creates a protective globe of ice with a 6 meter radius burst centered on the user that protects the user with a 5 hardness and 60 Armour Points per Class Level. Upon Activation, the globe is invulnerable for 1 second per Class Level (Maximum 3 seconds). Incoming damage that is absorbed during the invulnerability period is converted into Armour Points and added to the globe's health. Upon activation, with a failed Fortitude save, Snow Globe freezes enemies within its radius over a duration of 1 round while violently pushing them out of the range of the globe. Enemies and allies can enter and leave the globe freely. Enemies that enter the globe will have their movements and attack damage reduced by 40% + 5% per Class Level. All physical damaging attacks are blocked by the globe. Multiple Snow Globes may be performed, however a maximum of 4 separate Snow Globes can be performed at any given time. Performing Snow Globe after reaching the maximum will remove the oldest globe. Performing Snow Globe while inside an existing Snow Globe will remove the older Globe and combine the total remaining Armour Points value of both Globes for the newer one. The invulnerability is reactivated for each performing. User may destroy Snow Globe, doing so triggers an icy explosion that deals 1/2 of the total Armour Points of Snow Globe health in cold Damage.
Limit: Must know Ice Release.

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1. With a strong offense gained, Zuruel decided to test his defence. Firstly, he began by allowing the previously generated Chakra in his body to drain away. Although he had mastered simultaneously manipulating the Chakra in both limbs at once, this did lead to a small amount of lack of control. Namely, he could control which portions of his Chakra contained preprogramed instructions from the previous Jutsu.

Rather than stubbornly using this Chakra in another technique, Zuruel knew it was wiser and safer to empty his reserves by widening his external Tenketsu to allow the pale blue energy to leak out from his pores. A single wrong command could lead to devasting effects when it came to Chakra. Multiple commands that he didn’t take into account could easily cause his Chakra to destroy him from the inside out.

Once satisfied that all the Chakra used in the previous technique had left him, Zuruel began channelling his energy. Firstly, he conjured pure Chakra with no element to coat his insides. However, rather than simply coating his chest and two limbs like before, this time, the pure and dense energy coated all of Zuruel’s innards, including his legs, neck and head.

[Skulking Shinzu]

2. With the insides of his entire body now coated in a buffer layer of pure Chakra, Zuruel began to conjure ice Chakra into his chest by infusing a new pool of Chakra with thoughts of cold, frost and snow. Absorbing the connotations of these thoughts, the pool of Chakra grew pale blue and icy – which left Zuruel with a slight tingle in his chest to suggest that ice Chakra had been successfully generated.

For the next step, Zuruel slowly began to draw upon the pool of ice Chakra in his chest and allowed it to leak into his Chakra network. Naturally carried around via the various Chakra pathways in his body, the ice Chakra spread outwards and began to slowly distribute itself evenly across Zuruel’s body so that from head to toe, his entire body was flooded with ice Chakra.

Normally, this would lead to an unsettling chill and numbness that would slow down Zuruel’s movements and ability to focus. However, all this training with the ice element so far had taught him much. Even before using his technique, he knew that a buffer of pure Chakra coating his body was the best way to prevent the chill of his ice Chakra from causing any negative effects. This allowed for total focus as he began to cast his technique.

[Skulking Shinzu]

3. Suddenly, Zuruel began to weave together a set of handseals at blinding speed. With each weaving movement, he programmed a set of instructions into the Chakra overflowing within his body. He knew that he needed to command it to release as an explosion outwards from his body. This way, it would naturally form the shape of an expanding globe or sphere-like structure.

With that in mind, Zuruel performed another weaving movement to ensure that the globe froze in place after a second. This way, every time the technique was cast, it would automatically form the shape of a protective sphere of ice around Zuruel. With that done, the Kedoin finished by holding a single seal. This caused the Chakra inside of him to flare. He knew he needed to release it soon.

Carefully, Zuruel focused on all the external Tenketsu around his body and simultaneously, blasted them wide open. With all his valves released and flipped open, the ice Chakra stored within Zuruel’s body exploded outwards and froze the vapour in the air. Frost seemed to seep out from every inch and pore on the Kedoin’s body momentarily before freezing shut and halting its outwards expanse.

[Skulking Shinzu]

4. Freezing into place thanks to the instructions that were programmed into the ice Chakra via his handseals, Zuruel watched in awe as the frost thickened into place to form the expected spherical shape around him. A barrier of ice now protected him from every angle – the ultimate defensive technique. Grinning, he placed a palm against the frost and felt a numbing chill tickle his skin.

The technique was a success. Too much of a success. Wishing to leave, Zuruel slammed his fist against the ice and noted how it didn’t even crack. Raising an eyebrow, he slammed his knuckles into the ice before blurring the movement into two more strikes to unleash a Mastery of Three Layers strike. Once again, the ice didn’t even budge. The Kedoin had made his defensive technique too strong.

Grimacing, Zuruel weaved together another set of seals to program the remaining smidgen of ice Chakra within his body with a new set of instructions. If physical attacks couldn’t destroy the barrier, then he’d simply have to use Chakra. Releasing the final seal, a pulse of pale blue energy fired out from Zuruel and slammed against the ice sphere. Forcing the bonds between the ice to weaken, the entire structure shattered in a explosive display of frost, shards and snowflakes. Zuruel was freed.

[Cadoc]

+40

4post

[Skulking Shinzu]

Ice Weapon
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User can create a weapon of their choice made out of ice.
Special: Handseals
Drawback: ---
Description: Range of this technique is personal. Duration of this technique is 5 minutes per Class Level. This technique requires a small source of snow or ice nearby. User creates a non gadget, non crossbow weapon of their choice and form it along their hands. Weapon deals base weapon damage +2 Armour Points per Class Level. Weapon also deals +2 Armour Points per Class Level of Cold Damage.
Limit: Must know Ice Release.

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1. Zuruel focused on all the excess leftover ice in the training room. Could he put it to better use? Curious, he crouched down and placed a hand over a patch of frost along a wooden floorboard. Focusing, he opened his Tenketsu and allowed the leftover Chakra from his previous technique to escape into the air. He knew he needed fresh energy to work with.

Conjuring a new batch of Chakra, which he steadily channelled into ice Chakra, Zuruel allowed the pale blue aura to flow down his arm and out his palm which he pushed firmly against the frost so that the Chakra directly hit it. Upon making contact, Zuruel utilised his free left hand to form a series of one-handed weaving movements to inscribe instructions into his Chakra.

Given life by these instructions, the Chakra swallowed the frost and imbued it with his energy. The moment Zuruel took a step back, he smiled in surprise. Growing, the frost expanded and extended until it formed a thicker shape – at first a simple rod. Dancing, the ice Chakra within the object twisted and twirled to force more ice to form to create a blade-like shape.

[Skulking Shinzu]

2. Zuruel glanced down at his handywork. Although crude, he had successfully created a dagger out of solid ice. The only issue was, it was too small of a weapon. Ambitious, Zuruel decided to see if he could elongate it into an even larger weapon. Weaving seals with both hands, Zuruel allowed the movements to program another set of instructions into his Chakra.

Once complete, Zuruel kneeled down and placed his right palm onto the ice dagger before channelling. Slowly, ice Chakra escaped the external Tenketsu in Zuruel’s right palm and leaked into the dagger. At that moment, a pale blue hue swallowed the structure of the ice as the Chakra began to seep into the core of the weapon to fill it with energy.

Here, from the inside out, frost began to form along the handle of the dagger until it began to expand outwards and elongate. Slowly, the dagger looked as if it was about to turn into a spear – up until the fragility of the ice caused the shaft of the weapon to snap in half. Zuruel cursed at this fact as he analysed the ice. It wasn’t weak – he had simply just attempted to create too long of a structure.

[Skulking Shinzu]

3. “What to do… What to do…” Zuruel pondered as he dropped the broken end of the ice. He realised that he had been too rash with his technique. Simply adding more ice on top of an existing structure would always lead to weak points in the weapon. Thinking back to Amelie and her smithy, Zuruel remembered how she rarely repaired broken blades that had snapped.

Zuruel remembered the reasoning. A smith could melt two pieces of metal together – but the bonds would never be as strong as if it were originally a single sheet of metal. It was always better to remove he blade from the weapon and to create a new one from scratch. Based on this principle, Zuruel slammed his foot down repeatedly until his stomping motions turned the weapon into slush.

Zuruel then weaved together a new set of seals before placing his palm over the icy slush. Rather than creating a weapon out of an existing weapon, this time he only wanted to work with the pure chunks of ice. Focusing, he allowed a small portion of his pale blue Chakra to escape his palm and ooze into the slush which slowly began to frost over and clump together.

[Skulking Shinzu]

4. Rather than simply allowing all of his Chakra to burst free and swallow the ice structure, Zuruel tightened his external Tenketsu. Like a small hose, the Chakra trickled out steadily in a slow and controlled manner. Zuruel did this purposely to allow the ice crystals within the structure to form properly. If he rushed, he risked the structure weakening as it grew and breaking apart like before.

Slowly over time, the ice slush elongated to form a large rod or staff-like shape like before. The difference here was the fact that after the rod formed, it didn’t shatter or break in half. It was strong and durable. A good fit for a weapon. Grinning, the Kedoin continued pouring Chakra into the structure and allowed the pale blue energy to focus on one end of the rod.

Gathering, the ice Chakra began to freeze air around the tip of the rod in order to form the makings of a thin blade. Over time, this blade began to thicken as more frost gathered over it, which allowed it to extend outwards and form a much larger tip. Over time, the rod went from looking like a mere arrow to a spear, before growing even further to form a halberd as a testament to Zuruel’s mastery over the ice element.

[Cadoc]

+40
4 posts

[Skulking Shinzu]

Frostfell Slide
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User creates a path to teleport from within slush, snow, and ice.
Special: Handseals
Drawback: ---
Description: Range of this technique is personal. Duration of this technique is 5 hours per Class Level. User gains the ability to instantly teleport from one area of slush, snow, or ice to any other area of slush, snow, or ice up to the distance indicated on the list below. Transport distance is based upon the substance touched at the point of departure, not at the point of arrival. User may wait to travel in this manner up to the duration of the Jutsu, holding the charge, but immediately upon arriving at the destination point, the Jutsu ends. Slush - 30 meters. Snow - 60 meters. Ice - 90 meters.
Limit: Must know Ice Release.

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Upon stabbing the newly created halberd of ice into the ground, Zuruel stared at all the slush and pieces of frost littering the training area. Hiraishin worked by locking onto a seal and teleporting to its location. Could he do the same with ice? It was an interesting concept to trial. Starting with the basics, the Kedoin conjured a new batch of pure Chakra to work with.

Once Zuruel felt warmth in his core as the pure blue energy drained away from his Chakra network and filled his belly, he began to steadily convert the energy in pale light blue ice elemental energy. The warmth faded at that moment to create ice-cold sensations within the Kedoin’s body, which he managed to drown out by conjuring another layer of pure Chakra.

Acting as a protective buffer, the pure Chakra wrapped around the pool of ice energy to contain it and to stop the chill from reaching Zuruel’s internal organs. Able to focus, the Kedoin weaved together a set of seals and allowed his Chakra to flare as he focused on the halberd of ice in front of him. Unfortunately, despite the earnest attempt, nothing seemed to happen.

[Skulking Shinzu]

2. Curious, Zuruel took a step back from the spear. He realised he couldn’t assume all techniques functioned exactly like Hiraishin. Whereas with true teleportation, he could appear anywhere within 2 meters of a seal, it made sense that an ice technique would be more limited and could only allow him to teleport directly to an ice structure.

Wishing to test this theory, Zuruel weaved together another set of seals before pausing for a moment to allow all the instructions he had created by the weaving movements to program themselves into his ice Chakra. Once complete, the Kedoin focused on the halberd of ice. However, once again, despite his Chakra flaring, nothing seemed to happen.

Curious Zuruel decided to approach the ice halberd. The flare of energy within him was something he recognised. It suggested the technique was working and wanted to accomplish a task – but couldn’t. It was as if he was missing some sort of prerequisite. Unfortunately, without a master of ice in the dojo, he had little to no way of knowing what without meticulously analysing his body and the halberd.

[Skulking Shinzu]

3. Zuruel frowned as he ran his fingers along the chilling pole of the weapon. He couldn’t see any markings on the weapon. Did he need to place a seal on it like with the Hiraishin technique? Curious, he glanced over to the frost scattered around the training dummy. Did he need to work with a larger patch of ice? Thoughts consumed the Kedoin as he began pondering over every possibility.

“What!?” Blinking, Zuruel glanced around. One moment he was staring at the frozen training dummy, and the next, he was staring at the ice halberd which was now in the distance. Taking a step back, a solid mass stopped his movement. The dummy was behind him. Somehow, his Chakra had instinctively flared and teleported him. How? He pondered over the last few seconds to determine what he had just done.

All Zuruel remembered was focusing on the target in the distance. Weaving seals, he flared his Chakra and drew all of his attention towards the ice weapon. As expected, nothing happened. He couldn’t figure it out at first – but then suddenly realised what step was missing. He recalled that while focusing on the frozen dummy earlier – he had been holding the ice spear. That was the key.

[Skulking Shinzu]

4. Grinning, Zuruel placed a palm over the frozen ice encasing the training dummy. A cold chill emanated into his flesh at that moment. With his palm firmly touching the ice, he focused on the halberd in the distance, only for it to vanish. Disorientated, he looked around. He was now touching the halberd, and the dummy was in the distance. He had successfully teleported.

What were the limitations of this technique? How many times could he utilise it before tiring? These were all important constraints that Zuruel needed to know before his paranoid mind could confidently allow him to use it in combat. Still touching the halberd of ice, the Kedoin focused on a patch of broken slush several meters towards his right – which caused the Chakra within him to flare.

Vanishing, he appeared in a crouching position with his palm pressed against the slush. Glancing around, his vision locked onto a patch of frost coating the wooden floorboards of the training room to teleport again. In rapid succession, Zuruel seemed to vanish repeatedly as his whizzed around the room by flickering from one spot to another in the blink of an eye. He was getting used to this quite quickly.

[Christoff]

+40 TP Learned