Going Ape Shit [T]

[¤ SFS ¤]

The sun beamed down with an attitude over the peaks prominent in the land of Tsuchi no Kuni. Each mountainous pass retained the heat washed over it from the sun's passive aggressive tirade and one particular pass had become exceedingly hot. It was a pass in which rock began to overlap itself and continued to do so for generations. Now it was a cave and it was arguably the one with the highest temperature in all of the country.

There was nothing special about the cave that made it so hot, or rather the cave itself was not the cause of the ridiculous temperatures. No.... that was all Sen's fault. There was a blaring sun outside and a man who willed lava on the inside.

Between the sun's outside assault and the genin's youton training the cave had become something of a sauna. The Iwa-nin just counted himself lucky that the air today wasn't so humid that he passed out from his own over exertion. He was done with youton training for now and done his hit-list was a fish much much bigger. It was also one he was dying to fry here and now. The location he'd chosen to begin studying the jutsu in remote enough and anyone who managed to find the place would be hard pressed to remain inside. Not everyone was build to withstand such heat, even his Iwa brethren.

What's with all the damn noise? The sound of feet hitting the earth over and over was followed by the sound of a galloping of some sort. It had been years since Sen had seen a horse with his own eyes. They weren't a particularly impressive animal in his opinion but the genin never forgot the sound of their hooves beating on the floors and terrain of his home country. Whatever that galloping noise was outside it was something just as hard as horse hooves and growing louder.

Getting to his feet he tried his best to withstand the daze that immediately went through his body as he stood. It seemed the heat was making him lightheaded and some relatively cool air in the open area outside the cave would be the perfect on-hand remedy. He emerged from the rocky hole with all his belongings on his person. He would have to find a new place to train after taking this moment to cool off. A sauna wasn't the worst place to train jutsu but for now he'd had his fill and he resolved to make his first shadow clone somewhere much much cooler.

[Trigga]

Sen would be in for quite a surprise.

Training was but an obstacle in any shinobi’s life. The difference in strength was signaled forth through several factors: natural talent, gull, and dedication being the more important defining lines. Members of esteemed clans or gifted with the most insane or unimaginable abilities required little exertion to make their legacies reality; their rare gifts time-honored themselves without much effort. Gull was the essence that drove one’s spirit to attaining new heights. And lastly, dedication to one’s self and one’s art; laborious training because you wanted to grow stronger was quite the feet and one many ventured on, but few truly reaped benefits from.

Today would seeming combine all traits for one individual and the Iwagakure native would both take and focus his strengths and aiding the Uchiha who found himself rushing through thick forestry. “Seiji, Kichirō! I-is this necessary!?

[/color]” Thunderous in depth and projected with the ut-most strength, the young orange-haired shinobi quickly made his way through the topography which laced the earth country ground. Nonetheless, as he swiftly made his way on the earth, branches splintered and leaves descended in rambles as the trees above paved the way for two unique creatures that followed in close pursuit. Ryūsuke wasn’t alone, no; he was being stalked.

Trickles of grey clad in steel and one large in size, bear with a single blade were visible through the slits that rested arbitrarily through the openings in the trees. One voice, strong though somewhat accented called out, its intent directed towards the former Hokage. “YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG! IF YOU WANNA TAME US, THAT IS!” Successively, a rather thunderous roar echoed outwards, reverberating loosely and mimicked that of a gorilla’s call? All would become clear as the Shinobi broke from the boundry of greenery and found himself sprinting along solid ground and erupting from the earthen forestry, two large gorillas pounced, closing in on the young man.

Kichirō and Seiji, brother warriors of the Gorrira no senshi and the Junior summons of the family. They moved along the terrain, running on all fours with the ut-most effectiveness as they stalked their prey. Ryūsuke, after just obtaining the summoning contract found himself chased out of their dimension and into the real world were they would test his mettle. Strangely along, just above, perched in one of the few caverns that rested along the mountainside the Uchiha and his companions ran along would rest his Iwa comrade; would he have heard all the commotion?
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/font]

[¤ SFS ¤]

His ears, sensitive to sound after being deprived of any in that cave took hold of a voice he was sure he recognized. His eyes scanned the distances to seek out any forms or faces he found familiar and with the lack of moving objects in the vicinity it didn't take long for his eyes to spot a man of orange hair fleeing from gorillas doing that weird running-on-their-knuckles thing. He couldn't readily tell if the man was in any danger until he was near enough to make out facial expressions but by that point Sen was already en-route to intercept as making out facial expressions meant he was able to make out facial features as well. The man being chased was someone he knew.

In truth the two of them had not clearly defined their status' in the eyes of the other since they had been boys. Though to be fair at that time Sen was the boy and Ryu was a teenager and much had changed since then. Namely the fact that they were both men and the latter had risen to become the leader of his people a Hokage whose lasted long enough for his name to be etched in the history and lore of his people and all of the ninja world forever. Meanwhile Sen had become the right-hand of a man hopeful to become the Nidaime Tsuchikage. After a failed alliance with Sunagakure no Sato the Tsuchikage-elect at that time abandoned the village and Sen disappeared into obscurity for seven years.

It had been a trying time, but now he older and wiser. He didn't readily know where exactly the Nidaime fit in his life but at best Ryu was a dear and old friend and at worst he was a valued business partner. Both of which, were bonds well worth protecting. Once his distance from the Uchiha and his pursuers closed to within fifty meters the young genin of stone twisted his fingers to form a single seal and slammed his palms of the ground.¹

The gorillas were hot on the heels of their konoha catch and try as he might to come up with a pun for "hot heels" in tandem with the jutsu he was putting into play, Sen found with annoyance that he had nothing. He really hated it when he only came up with good one-liners when nobody else was around. His index finger tilted to the sky and a hulking ten meter wide geyser of lava burst from the ground the moment Ryu stepped past it, effectively springing up to stop the chasing primates. Even at its inflated size it wasn't impossible to dodge but it would give the animals a second thought about pursuing the former Hokage, or so he hoped.

SPOILER: Click to show

[/b]
EFFICIENT SEALING I, II & III

---

[li]Fushokuzai (Corrosion Disolvance Factor)⁶²⁵
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Type: Supplementary / Youton Kekkei Touta
Range: 0 - 50 meters
Handseals: No
Chakra: High
Special: Allows the user the ability to create, control and move Youton (Lava) chakra of their own for multiple purposes. Can corrode items of equal rank or lower, with the exception of Legendary/Relic types deemed indestructible. Level of corrosion and intensity of lava is determined by highest rank learned, materials of the same rank will take a full turn of contact with lava to dissolve and materials of lower ranked will be melted near-instantly. Finally, highest rank also determines the speed at which the user can control their lava creations.

• D: 10 meters // 1 meter per second
  
• C: 20 meters // 2 mps
  
• B: 30 meters // 3 mps
  
• A: 40 meters // 4 mps
  
• S: 50 meters // 5 mps

[/b][/color][/size][/li][/ul]
Description: Youton, the marriage of Earth, Fire and Water, yields a new and truly terrifying substance - lava. Birthed from the user's very chakra control and the simultaneous binding of these two substances, the Corrosion Disolvance Factor exists as the user's corrosion gauge. Essentially, as their control over the kekkei touta grows, so will the strength of the corrosion of lava, as well as the size and area of control. In their most basic state, the Youton user is able to summon a fixed amount of Lava within an designated area, and further the birthing by controlling the substance to their will.
Domain: Youton.

• ¹ Ōityue (Shooting Magma Geyser)⁵⁰⁰
  Rank: C, C (x9)
  Type: Supplementary / Youton Kekkei Touta
  Range: 0 - 50 meters
  Handseals: Yes.
  Chakra: Mid
  Special: Strength of corrosion and the distance the geyser can appear depends on the user's highest 'Fushokuzai' rank. Geyser starts as a 1 meter whole, and grows by 1 meter each time retrained.
  Description: Ōityue is a offensive ninjutsu technique, utilizing the Youton release. After forming the needed handseals, the user places their hand on the ground, transferring their youton chakra and allowing their lava to move to the area of their liking. The lava can only go so far, and after that the area will begin to heat up, allowing the enemy to realize something is going on. Finally, with a quick command of the index finger pointing upwards; a massive geyser of lava will shoot up.
  Domain: Youton. Fushokuzai 'C'.

[/spoiler][/li][/ul][/li][/ul]
[/blockquote][/justify]

[Trigga]

The gorillas of legend weren’t ones to be fooled with, and while their ‘master’ continued to assuage his space of their presence, both drew upon sly grins. Hairy appendages strapped in steel-clad sentinels, Kichirō decided to take the lead amongst his ape brethren, Seiji bare to his white fur and grand cleaver accepted without disinclination. Taking on one of their lesser known combination strategies, they would catch the young Hokage if their lives depended on it. In reality, the exercise shouldn’t have been as brutal, nonetheless they were warrior creatures and utilize all experiences to strength their own resolve and will.

Moving along the ground in a meandering fashion, the armored gorilla just feet before the blade-wielding brute, they soon closed in upon the young Uchiha; his scent become so acceptable to their senses that they could just taste him from 3 meters away. Meanwhile and simultaneously however, Ryūsuke found his head rearing back, allowing his eyes to taken in the ever progressive Gorillas following his every moment to perfection. Was this the strength of the Gorirra no Senshi? No, he was only training with the lesser strengthened beings and they were massive; standing well above his own height. He had to think fast, and without reluctance, his hands locked to form a single seal. ¹

The three continued on, ingenuous to the young Yōton user until suddenly, the ground rattled and just inches behind the Hokage’s progression, a large geyser sprouted. The instant the ground fractured however, the two Gorillas would leap over its height, soaring an impressive ten meters into the air with a second to spare; the following second ensuring their previous jump wouldn’t have been enough as the eruption ascended rather slowly to its scheduled height. Looking back, and off to his side, Ryūsuke’s eyes widened as the lava seemed all too familiar and as he happened to look up, he saw a friend, ascended quite into the sky upon a ledge, and smiled. His jutsu coming to fruition, a small cloud of smoke emerged to his side from seemingly nonetheless, and erupting from its sallow shell, a mirror-image of himself made quick haste up the mountain side.

“Sen! I’d like you to meet, Kichirō and Seiji! We’re just t-training!

[/color]” The clone rushed his words as he barely escaped a swift slash of Seiji’s sword, which cut into the earth just inches from his running position. Having split from his brother, the swordsman took for the shadow clone who at the moment attempted to close in on Sen. The real Ryūsuke however, was on the ground, combating the younger of the two apes in close-quarter combat; effectively avoiding all swift punches and kicks as his eyes glowed a deep shadow of red. What would Sen do in hindsight?

---

Shadow Clone
Sharingan [/blockquote][/blockquote][/font][/justify]

[¤ SFS ¤]

It seemed the day would have more in store for the young Iwa-nin than he expected. It wasn't enough that his clothes were moist from his cold sweats, compliments of playing with lava in cave. Upon seeing Ryu he reacted and as it would turn out he'd just drug himself into a training session so intense it was indistinguishable from real combat. The damn primates had used such fast reaction times to leap over his geyser that he clenched his teach in annoyance over being bested so easily. With how fast they dodged an attack from an opponent they couldn't have even known was there he mentally called 'Bullshit' and wondered if they had some abilities of precognition.

Ryūsuke split himself in two utilizing the coveted Shadow Clone jutsu and made his way the younger shinobi's side an armed gorilla right behind him. Sen had no lack of solid options ahead of him in terms of battle strategies but it was too soon to make a choice when he knew nothing of the creatures he faced. What was more was that all signs pointed to the gorillas being summons and with Ryu's heads up that they were training it seemed he was the contractor.

As their hairy primate cousin closed in on them Sen once more made use of the spare seconds hanging in the air. Making a headseal, he released his chakra to take form in the shape of another jutsu.¹ He called out to his partner curious as to what it would be like to see the shadow clone jutsu used in battle to team up with him. "Call out your weapon!" He gave no second thoughts as to whether or not he had the option of opting out of this 'training' since the weapon-toting creature went after him, probably for interfering.

A staff of obsidian design protruded from the ground and Sen snatched it up with no hesitation. Whatever weapon the clone has called out he would find sticking from the ground near his feet. All he needed do was take it from the earth. Molten lava supercooled to durable and sharp obsidian would feel good even in the hands of someone other than Sen. He would hold back on using jutsu it he could, he still had his own training to take care of after all.

SPOILER: Click to show

[/b]
EFFICIENT SEALING I, II & III

---

[li]Fushokuzai (Corrosion Disolvance Factor)⁶²⁵
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Type: Supplementary / Youton Kekkei Touta
Range: 0 - 50 meters
Handseals: No
Chakra: High
Special: Allows the user the ability to create, control and move Youton (Lava) chakra of their own for multiple purposes. Can corrode items of equal rank or lower, with the exception of Legendary/Relic types deemed indestructible. Level of corrosion and intensity of lava is determined by highest rank learned, materials of the same rank will take a full turn of contact with lava to dissolve and materials of lower ranked will be melted near-instantly. Finally, highest rank also determines the speed at which the user can control their lava creations.

• D: 10 meters // 1 meter per second
  
• C: 20 meters // 2 mps
  
• B: 30 meters // 3 mps
  
• A: 40 meters // 4 mps
  
• S: 50 meters // 5 mps

[/b][/color][/size][/li][/ul]
Description: Youton, the marriage of Earth, Fire and Water, yields a new and truly terrifying substance - lava. Birthed from the user's very chakra control and the simultaneous binding of these two substances, the Corrosion Disolvance Factor exists as the user's corrosion gauge. Essentially, as their control over the kekkei touta grows, so will the strength of the corrosion of lava, as well as the size and area of control. In their most basic state, the Youton user is able to summon a fixed amount of Lava within an designated area, and further the birthing by controlling the substance to their will.
Domain: Youton.

• ¹Yōton: Kajiya no Kokuyōseki (Lava Release: Obsidian Forge)¹²⁵
  Rank: D || C, C
  Type: Offensive
  Range: See Fushokuzai
  Handseals: Yes.
  Chakra: Low
  Special: Hardens lava into obsidian, crafting into portable, handheld objects.
  Description: By sculpting magma into the desired shape, the user will then rapidly cool the substance, transforming it from molten earth to it�s solid, obsidian state. The D rank version of this technique grants the ability to forge 1 pack of standard, overview secondary weapons at a time (such as kunai, shuriken, and senbon) plus one additional pack for each time this ability is re-trained. The C ranked upgrade of this technique allows the user to craft one non-unique, standard, overview style weapon (like katana, staffs, and axes) plus one additional weapon for each time the C ranked version is relearned. These weapons are meant to replace store bought and professionally forged armaments in a pinch, because the durability of the hardened lava can only stand up to one rank lower than the highest rank of the user's Fushokuzai technique.
  Domain: Youton. Fushokuzai.

[/spoiler][/li][/ul][/li][/ul]
[/blockquote][/justify]

[Trigga]

Moving upward the slanted gradient, the two combatants found themselves lost in their own endeavors. The prey and the predator racing against jagged earth in attempts to obtain their objective behind their actions; the Uchiha was on the run and his rationale was to live and in turn to gain their trust. Seiji—the predator moved along with its prey, attempting to test his mettle and exchange blows to control the tide of his own trust and loyalty. After all, there was no point in becoming acquiescent to a man who can’t even hold his own against the lesser summoning’s; considering much large and stronger oppositions reside within his family.

As Sen called forth the assistance of his own vitality, the clone, using its almighty perception to depict the pigmentation and nature of his chakra; meanwhile, he would leap and rave around the rock as he ascended, avoiding the dropping of the blade as Seiji grew closer. “Katana1

[/color]” The cloned shouted, soon finding its right hand almost instantly taking hold of the obsidian blade as it emerged from molten ore and abstemiously impressive chakra control. Turning around, now just twenty meters in front/ down from Sen, the clone grinned as he used his blade to stop his opponent’s; holding the flat with his free hand to support his own weight and the new mass of Seiji’s blade as it attempted to press against his own.

On the ground however, Ryūsuke—though proper usage of his Sharingan, skillfully danced around, avoiding swift punches and kicks as Kichirō did little to withhold his assault as the two continued in a race of close-quarter barrages. While not as skilled in the areas of Taijutsu, his renowned Dōjutsu made it more comfortable to contest on such a grand stage. His hands steel-clad as well, the young Uchiha allowed his chakras to swell within ¹ while doubling his efforts to defend himself on the ground. Meanwhile and concomitantly above, the clone would indulge into conversation with the lava-toting man behind him.

“So, Sen. Long t—time no see?” Almost causal in tone, albeit slightly taxed as his energies were spent in other areas, the clone directed his words to the man behind him. Always jovial and just as skilled, it wasn’t a surprise that he took this training exercise as nothing more than a progressive state; he was talented enough to know that the two apes couldn’t forfeit his life unless they truly intended to; and that was still a stretch. Entering into a swift and concise sword battle, Seiji found himself a victim of the sharingan as his moves were being read to the tee; regardless his own internal prowess boiled ¹ as his eyes reared to Sen, before quickly turning back to the Uchiha, grinning in the process.

SPOILER: Click to show

Agni

1.Prep??

SPOILER: Click to show

1. PREP??

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/font]

[¤ SFS ¤]

He couldn't help but grin at the unfolding situation. Here he was after some light training assisting Ryu in some training of his own. Again, all signs pointed to the leaf-nin being their contractor though he supposed it was also possible that his friend was now dabbling in the profession of a beast master. He seemed happy to have bumped into the youton user though admittedly distracted. "Tell me about it... these guys are from a summoning family aren't they?"

Large as he was the bladed gorilla moved with a troubling amount of swiftness. It would have been enough to cause some serious strategical plotting of a kill shot if their lives were really in danger, of course the smile the Hokage wore told him if was just some kind of spar. The attacking gorilla had chopped down on the shadow clone and Sen felt a bit of pride to see his lava creation stand up to the raw physical power of the gorilla's assaulting blade, let alone one that was probably of a summoning family. Of course his using of two hands to defend himself from the primate's blade signaled he was in need of backup.

"YO!" With a snap of his arm the genin flung the staff he'd created down the mountain path in Ryu's direction. He seemed to be doing well enough on his own with hand to hand but surely the staff would come in handy if he chose to use it. An itch in the back of Sen's mind told him the unarmed combatant the Uchiha was facing alone might get a hold of the weapon instead but he was sure it would all work out for the best either way. In full sprint he dashed at the gorilla with the blade forging yet a new tool en route.¹ It had almost slipped his mind that as a clone the Ryu fighting along side him had a limit on the number of damage he could take before the two on one became a one on one.

Closing the distance the genin appeared at Ryu's back swinging his new weapon with all his might with the trajectory one would have when swinging baseball bat. He was unaccustomed to working in tandem with others so closely but he knew his partner was expendable and in a sense, immortal. If the shadow clone fell he knew the original could just produce another one. That being said he was in no fast fury to dispel the clone fighting with him and he gave a proper heads up, hoping the sharingan eye would show the clone the best way to string together their attacks. "Heads up!" From Sen's perspective all the leaf-nin needed do was allow the gorilla's power to topple him over and as summon and contractor fell to the ground the contractor could handspring to safety while the summon would get a face full of obsidian Kanabo.

SPOILER: Click to show

[/b]
EFFICIENT SEALING I, II & III

---

[li]Fushokuzai (Corrosion Disolvance Factor)⁶²⁵
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Type: Supplementary / Youton Kekkei Touta
Range: 0 - 50 meters
Handseals: No
Chakra: High
Special: Allows the user the ability to create, control and move Youton (Lava) chakra of their own for multiple purposes. Can corrode items of equal rank or lower, with the exception of Legendary/Relic types deemed indestructible. Level of corrosion and intensity of lava is determined by highest rank learned, materials of the same rank will take a full turn of contact with lava to dissolve and materials of lower ranked will be melted near-instantly. Finally, highest rank also determines the speed at which the user can control their lava creations.

• D: 10 meters // 1 meter per second
  
• C: 20 meters // 2 mps
  
• B: 30 meters // 3 mps
  
• A: 40 meters // 4 mps
  
• S: 50 meters // 5 mps

[/b][/color][/size][/li][/ul]
Description: Youton, the marriage of Earth, Fire and Water, yields a new and truly terrifying substance - lava. Birthed from the user's very chakra control and the simultaneous binding of these two substances, the Corrosion Disolvance Factor exists as the user's corrosion gauge. Essentially, as their control over the kekkei touta grows, so will the strength of the corrosion of lava, as well as the size and area of control. In their most basic state, the Youton user is able to summon a fixed amount of Lava within an designated area, and further the birthing by controlling the substance to their will.
Domain: Youton.

• ¹Yōton: Kajiya no Kokuyōseki (Lava Release: Obsidian Forge)¹²⁵
  Rank: D || C, C
  Type: Offensive
  Range: See Fushokuzai
  Handseals: Yes.
  Chakra: Low
  Special: Hardens lava into obsidian, crafting into portable, handheld objects.
  Description: By sculpting magma into the desired shape, the user will then rapidly cool the substance, transforming it from molten earth to it�s solid, obsidian state. The D rank version of this technique grants the ability to forge 1 pack of standard, overview secondary weapons at a time (such as kunai, shuriken, and senbon) plus one additional pack for each time this ability is re-trained. The C ranked upgrade of this technique allows the user to craft one non-unique, standard, overview style weapon (like katana, staffs, and axes) plus one additional weapon for each time the C ranked version is relearned. These weapons are meant to replace store bought and professionally forged armaments in a pinch, because the durability of the hardened lava can only stand up to one rank lower than the highest rank of the user's Fushokuzai technique.
  Domain: Youton. Fushokuzai.
  
  
  • 1 Kanabo, 1 Chain Whip
    
    • C-rank jutsu, 1 handseal required: 0.5 seconds

[/spoiler][/li][/ul][/li][/ul]
[/blockquote][/justify]

[Trigga]

Non-natural steel met renowned alloy as the Uchiha and the Gorilla warrior of the Senshi’s paradise continued to square off against one another. One face value it seemed as if the two were embedded in deep conflict; their potential now evident as powerful fluctuates and swift perception coupled with skill and willingness thrived in each countermeasure. The Iwa native was unluckily tossed into this dispute—no, this training session, though it was obvious that he didn’t mind, for his own lava construct was the sole item that kept the clone from dispersing long ago against the jagged steel of its opposition.

Forming the chakras which developed the strongest factual metal the Uchiha had known, Sen had beckoned forth another construct, though not before tossing the one he had prior to the two below. Regardless, as the weapon fell and Ryūsuke noticed it through his peripheral, he would grin. It would be time to get Sen involved; knowing his skill at least unpretentiously, he could have only assumed standing on the sidelines as supplementary support was less then nourishing. With that in mind and an obviously maladroit mishap, he allowed the falling weapon to pass through his hands, descending into the grasp of Seji.

The Yōton practitioner found himself trailing behind the Uchiha, and as he yelled out, all he would do was toss his hands into the air, smiling happily; Seiji looked on confusingly. “The fu--?” It all became clear as Sen’s weapon swept through the clone, allowing a strong white cloud to emerge from nothingness and the weapon still forcing towards the ape. Quickly, he would hold the spear in front, blocking off sen’s attack, though at a price as the last-minute defense and the lack of balance forced the ape off the side of the cliff. Falling, he would enter into a swift summersault, landing on its oddly shaped feet and grunting heavily. “Smartass” And with that, he would take to a stance, waiting his new opponent out.

[¤ SFS ¤]

The plan had not gone quite like he expected, dissipating so that the swinging motion went through smoke and air to strike the primate was almost as good a plan as Sen's where the shadow clone shifted body weight to put the gorilla in the line of the blow. The major problem was that with the way it went down he was left to face the gorilla alone. Approaching slowly with his hands to his side he came to a stop at a distance of 15 meters.

He wouldn't take a long time to admire the marvel of a talking gorilla but it would be a crime if he didn't take a private moment to acknowledged the greatness of the beast. The fact that it could talk was proof of it's origins as a summon family member. "I've always admired those families that join hands with shinobi." He brought the Kanabo up to sit and rest on his right shoulder. "Gorilla's aren't really my style but I appreciate what you're capable of all the same. You guys dodged that geyser pretty effectively." Peeping downward to ground level Ryu was still engrossed in battle with the other one, he was in no rush to restart the battle.

Being willing to assist Ryūsuke wasn't exactly the same as wanting to forgo his own training for the day. "Is he performing up to par for what your family expects of it's contractors?"

[Trigga]

It was almost amusing—the way humans were able to keep up with creatures their mind couldn’t even comprehend. The ground had become a bed for combat to take part in enticement and the four in attendance were nothing more than occupants in the grander scheme of things. Shinobi or shinobi familiars, it made little difference. Everyone here was capable of expressing the type of damage they wanted. It all came down to not only their willingness to do so, but also their ability to defend against an opposition with equally strong intentions. Sen, as Ryūsuke called him to be had become the Gorilla’s opponent, though oddly enough, the warrior-breed of primates couldn’t sense any ill hostility.

He so eagerly slashed through the clone as if he cared not for the person it impersonated; truly a one skilled enough to discern between a real and a fake. Nonetheless, I can’t help but imagine he was so willing to take away his only advantage. It had been rough, realizing now that the dark-haired Shinobi was alone while the Uchiha fended off against the Gorilla brother. Needless to say all words weren’t ignored. Seiji just choose wisely to answer when something of particular interest came to fruition. Sen had inquired to Ryūsuke’s potiental, and from quite some distance away. He didn’t seem like the one to house fear so openly, nonetheless, conversation could ensue for but a moment.

“He’s skillful and full of ambition--- but we’re but footsteps to power much greater then he or you can comprehend.” His words were somewhat morbid, but nonetheless, filled with truth. The weakest in their summoning family, Ryūsuke had much larger fish to fry then the two strappingly powerful taijutsu practitioners if he ever intended to master them within the coming months. Taking hold of his blade, gripping it in a right-handed clutch, Seiji found himself curious.

“You were willing to help him so suddenly; why?”

[¤ SFS ¤]

As far as questions went that could have come from chakra wielding gorillas the one he was asked in turn of his own question was pretty straight forward. He wondered why Sen was so quick to get involved when seeing Ryū being pursed by what seemed to be at the time, hostile entities. His answer was simple but it had become wrapped around more recent turmoils of his village. "Not very long ago the leader of my village was wiped out, I didn't get there until it was too late but if I had been I imagine it wouldn't have looked much different than how it looked to see you guys chasing Ryū a moment ago."

His eyes stayed locked with his opposition, he didn't hide his gaze or stare down out of shame. He felt no personal responsibilities for the death of the Sandaime but there was always that what-if feeling that lingered after such a loss. "If I had been faster I could have intervened. In short Ryŵ is a friend and I thought he was in trouble. Now that I see it's just training, intense as it may be, I'm just as willing to lend a hand."

[/color]

"Although I gotta admit the bulk of my abilities aren't meant for training, lava is a dangerous substance. The only training I stand to receive from this is limited to gaining more experience at fighting with sentient summon families that reach out to shinobi that interest them. It's almost not worth the time invested since my contract is awaiting with another family." He folded his fingers in on right hand waving the gorilla to come at him. "Almost."[/justify][/blockquote]

[Trigga]

This Sen was quite the odd fellow. Seiji had only inquired to his association with the young Uchiha who currently was a victim of their laborious training (as if he cared much about the work effort needed), Instead, he was given some detailed, expensive and almost melancholic story about the Yōton user’s late Kage. Truly, the ape could sympathize, seeing so many of his brethren perishing over the years of his young, though rich life ripe with experience. He drew a connection between the assassination of his former leader and the exercise that had placed—forced upon Ryūsuke, and while they intended to kill him if he slipped up; this was simply to test his mettle.

The banter would continue on, though Sen’s tone took on a more bleak quality and in that moment, Seiji allowed his chakra to flood from his body and into his weapon ¹. No one of such melancholy should have held the title of shinobi; it was dishonorable and a sign of both lack of skill and trust in one’s self. These were two qualities that the blade-totting Gorilla hated the most in a man, it made his blood boil without an equal. Ryūsuke may not have been the most serious of individuals, but his talent and confidence made up for his cheerful demeanor and tolerant disposition.

“Lava may be treacherous; but you’re too confident in what you don’t understand. Allow your Yōton to freely move and strike me. If you don’t bother taking away from this instrumental experience, then I’ll have no problem killing you.” And with that, he’d charge. Strop feet pushing off the ground, the Gorilla found himself on a plateau along the mountainside, rushing upwards towards Sen who stood, gesturing as if mocking the more strapping and feared of the two. This would cost him dearly and if he didn’t gather his thoughts and strength, this battle would end before it even started as Seiji took his blade to an offensive stance at his side while charging through the fifteen meter gap.

Meanwhile and simultaneously, Kichiro and Ryūsuke continued to parry one another on the field below; the Sharingan wielder still proving himself effective against the taijutsu gorilla. He was having fun an so was Kichiro; their training while more interactive, it was also stressful then Sen’s and Seiji’s.

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1. Prep?