A Demon of Ice [ T | P ]

[Jiro]

What were the chances that I'd run into someone like this? Here, a powerful man with the same cursed blood as me. I felt he had no evil intentions, and he bore no Hidden Village insignia, though I held suspicions as to his background. Honestly, I preferred not to know--were he a ninja of some caliber, I wasn't sure I could bring myself to be taught by him. And his teachings were promising to be invaluable. Yes, perhaps it was quite lucky that I'd gotten into that fight. Though it didn't seem Axcel had witnessed the beginning of the fight (which I undeniably had begun), he had caught my use of Yukina jutsu, and found my skills . . . lacking. At first, my pride had gotten in the way; I knew better than to overestimate myself, though, and after I'd witnessed how he'd performed the same Yukina jutsu--with incredible mastery--I couldn't deny his words. So, I found myself preparing to be taught by the same man. Hell if I'd pass up a chance like this.

Luckily, the snow-capped peaks of Kaminari no Kuni were well-suited to our training. We were high up, and I'd felt the strain on my lungs. Here, the air was thinner and I found breathing to be a much harder task. Eventually, on our climb up, I'd gotten partially used to it. It still burned with every breath, though I couldn't deny that I enjoyed the place. The pure, white powder covered everything in thick layers, and fell nigh insatiably. So, I couldn't argue that I was filled with anticipation. Anticipation of strength.

We were starting out simple, though. Before we began, I knew much of the basics, which likely made it easier on Axcel. Therefore, we jumped straight in, beginning which a technique that made tiles of ice. It took little time for me to understand how it was done.

The single seal formed, I concentrated my specialized chakra into the air before me. It swirled, beckoning the water within the already freezing air to condense into a solid shape. It took only an instant as I imagined a square tile, and I felt the chill of ice brush over me as I brought forth my power. In the air before me, floating through the power of chakra, sat my creation. The jutsu itself was largely a success, and, indeed, could be used for the same purposes as the original jutsu. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite perfect. The floating block of ice was a bit lopsided, tilted and dented on one side, and far too thick. It was wasteful and would prove to be far less friendly than the flat surface of a regular tile.

"Ahh;" I scratched the back of my head as I looked at the awkward creation.

SPOILER: Click to show

0/25
Tobihaneru (Swift Ice Step)
Rank: D
Type: Supplementary / Clan Kekkei Touta / Hyouton Ninjutsu
Range: See special!
Special: Tiles can be placed anywhere within the user's 'Yuki no Kami' range. Up to one tile can be made per use, plus one more each time retrained.
Description: Although basic, this jutsu nonetheless is hhighly effective for mobile Yukina members. After forming a single handseal, the clan member can create a floating ice tile anywhere they wish within range, allowing them to use it as a stepping stone towards higher planes.
Domain: Yukina. Yuki no Kami 'D'.

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[Axcel]

It’s been quite a day for Axcel. After having finally gotten off the damn ferry that took him from Mizu no Kuni to Kaminari no Kuni he began to travel up the peaks of the country, which were riddled with snow. It was then that Axcel ran into some kid fighting a bunch of thugs who appeared to be rogue shinobi. The kid didn’t look like a shinobi, didn’t have any armaments a shinobi would, and overall appeared to be a regular civilian. Axcel immediately began to form seals underneath the guise of his black robe, at least, that was until the ‘civilian’ used a jutsu of his own. Not just any jutsu though--it was one only people of Axcel’s kekkei genkai could utilize. Obviously it wasn’t enough to deal with the shinobi, and Axcel stepped in and. . .disposed of them rather quickly.

Fast forward a few hours and Axcel found himself training the kid. The shinobi didn’t exactly have any destination and didn’t have a lead as to where the certain someone he was seeking was--so he figured he’d teach the boy a thing or two. He could already tell the kid was filled with all sorts of hatred but lacked a malicious personality. It was a good thing--it means he’d driven which meant he had plenty of potential.

They began with the basics--Swift Ice Step. It was probably the simplest Yukina jutsu of all, as all it does is create a small, floating tile. It didn’t do much offensively or defensively, but it had a good deal of utility. It would be able to supplement his movements and give him a bit more vertical access should he need that. Still, it looked like the boy wasn’t even capable of that. How on earth did this guy possess a Kekkei Genkai that he could barely use? Axcel was pretty amazed at his raw ability and was eager to see what the kid could do if he was taught how to use his bloodline.

“Man, you really lack talent, you know that?” Axcel joked from the snowy ledge he sat on. He was watching Jiro from about ten meters above and ten meters away. “It’s a combination of nature and shape manipulation. You got the nature down--now shape it to be like a tile,” Axcel lectured as he pulled hood over his head down. Despite being in the snow-capped peaks of Kaminari no Kuni, he didn’t feel cold. He was, after all, raised in Yukigakure no Sato.

[Jiro]

This was simple. Something I should have probably been able to do on my first try, without much work. Unfortunately, I'd failed--my creation was made of perfectly solid, strong chakra-imbued ice, but it lacked form. It came out completely disfigured and opposed to what I was imagining, though I couldn't quite place why. It wasn't as if I was inexperienced with shape creation in the utilization of Yukina jutsu, and I was able to reinforce my creations rather strongly. This was why I couldn't get very angry at Axcel's comment, at least, not at him. Inwardly I cursed a bit, though realized he was joking.

"Shape it to be like a tile . . ." I murmured, though it was something I'd known. Perhaps the reasoning behind my failed shape was because, aside from my general mastery over ice within my creations, the only real creation I could make was a clone of myself. It was based off of me, a carbon-copy, and was even able to use my Hyouton jutsu. Therefore, I could only assume that I had failed at such a simple shape due to my inexperience regarding free-forming my ice, without a base with which to use.

Deciding I'd focus more on shaping the ice, I found a new approach to the jutsu. After all, I was experienced in creating the ice itself--that was no different with Yuki Bunshin no Oni--so by focusing more on shaping it into a perfect tile, I would more easily work on my weaknesses. This was for the future, too. Form was important to almost all jutsu, as most weren't simple carbon copies.

So again, I formed the single hand seal, with my right hand, required by the technique. I felt the hyouton-styled chakra flow through me, as it did much of the time. It invisibly ghosted out before me, once again swirling and infecting the air before me. It filled the moisture in the air, first condensing it into a watery state before freezing it entirely. Though it all happened instantly, I could see its formation in my head as if in slow motion. I'd begun from the bottom, forming two perfect ninety-degree angles, and used them as a sort of basis. The ice formed in straight lines from there, until they stopped at two more perfect angles exactly the same distance apart as the first two were.

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[DAVID BOWE]

Jiro -- Learned
Axcel -- +20

[Axcel]

“Hm.” Axcel gazed down at his newly found trainee. Though his first attempt was a complete, utter failure, Axcel hoped the kid would pull it off upon being given some advice. Making a tile was pretty simple. It was just a flat surface that could be used as a small platform for the user. Obviously the kid had the nature manipulation down--making and manipulating ice should be second nature for any Yukina. It was easy. Shape, on the other hand, was what would require a bit of effort. Fortunately, all he had to do was make a simple tile--which he would.

Axcel clapped mockingly when he saw the tile created in perfect shape and form. “Good job! You had me worried there for a moment,” he jested. The tile seemed to be good enough. It was rectangular in shape and did not appear to be any different than the tiles Axcel would form when he made use of the Swift Ice Step technique (though secretly Axcel knew his own technique was much better). Either way, the shinobi figured it was time to move onto something else. The only question remained was which technique.

“Alright! Time to move on,” He called out, scratching his chin as he did. Perhaps he should teach the boy an offensive technique? Axcel didn’t have many of those, to be honest. Most of his jutsu consisted of defensive, supplementary, or conditional techniques. The first thing that came to mind was the Snow Storm Swallows technique. It was pretty handy--in fact, it was the very technique Axcel had used to dispose of the rogue shinobi that the kid had been fighting.

Wondering if the boy could pull it off so early, Axcel decided he’d have to boy give it a shot anyways. “Remember that technique I used earlier?” He asked, trying to remind the boy. He would give the kid a few moments to recall what Axcel had done before speaking once more. “I want you to imitate it! Try and make swallows out of the snow!” There was no way he was going to pull it off on his first attempt by trying to copy a technique he had only seen once. Still, seeing where he failed would be the easiest way for Axcel to give further instructions.

[Jiro]

The tile remained floating, perfect in shape and form. It was simple, and I was glad to have performed it perfectly, though disappointed it had taken me as long as it did. Either way, I knew I'd have done it eventually, and with relief leaped up onto it as a sort of test. When my weight fell upon it, it didn't budge; only remained floating in the air motionless. Thus, it served its purpose and the jutsu itself was complete. So, as Axcel joked--something I was beginning to realize he did a lot--I nodded and my chakra dispersed from the cold creation, shattering it and returning it to the air.

When he decided it was time to move on, I was eager. Although I could see the use in the tile technique, it was dull and I was already ready to move on. When he asked me to recall the jutsu he had used when he first met me, I took no time in doing so. I'd been eager to learn it from the moment I'd seen it; so my anticipation grew as he instructed me. For now, I was to simply imitate him. Something told me it wouldn't be that easy--but there was no way to tell until I tried. Assuming I'd run into problems much the same as the last jutsu, I decided to focus mostly on the swallow's shape, as opposed to the ice formation.

A flurry of one-handed seals later, and I was focusing on the chakra within me. It took shape as I projected it forward, its hyouton nature first condensing the air around me. It transitioned stages--vapor, then liquid, and finally it froze to form ice. For now, on my first try, I decided I'd put all of my effort into a single swallow; once I could form one, I would be able to create many much easier. In an instant my chakra, infused with the air, formed a single, small creation. It was a swallow, indeed--its shape was perfect, and the ice that it was made of was sturdy and strong.

There were two obvious flaws to my performance of the jutsu--first was that I'd only created a single swallow. Despite being intentional, I knew this was an obstacle I'd need to overcome, as I'd felt that making many more would be difficult. My goal, for now, was to emulate Axcel's jutsu with half the number. Second, however, was something I hadn't anticipated. My control over the swallow's movements was lacking--although it could fly, its patterns were wavy and I struggled to keep it airborne. Not only that, but it moved slowly, slower than I could throw a kunai, even.

Shit, I thought, as I concentrated on controlling the creation. Unfortunately, after travelling a few meters, it simply fell to the ground and shattered.

SPOILER: Click to show

0/50

Tsubame Fubuki (Snow Storm Swallows)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Clan Kekkei Touta / Hyouton Ninjutsu
Range: See special!
Special: Strength and range of swallows depends on user's highest 'Yuki no Kami' rank. Up to 10 swallows may be formed when first learned, plus 10 more each time retrained. Swallows fly at speeds that of twice a well thrown kunai.
Description: Hyouton • Tsubame Fubuki is a secret Yukina n Hyouton ninjutsu technique that, although basic, can be deadly with proper use. After a few brief seals, the clan member will create ice swallows which they can launch at their opponent at high speeds. As they fly through the air, these deadly birds can hone in on their target.
Domain: Yukina. Yuki no Kami 'C'.

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[Axcel]

Axcel watched intently as his ‘student’ made an attempt at a jutus. He began by forming a series of handseals with a single hand--his first mistake. The fact that was able to do one handed seals was a good sign in its own right, despite being a common trait for those with the kekkei genkai that he and Axcel possessed. Even if he were able to make use of one handed seals, it didn’t mean he should begin training a brand new technique with them. There were a number of mistakes that Jiro had made, but Axcel would address the handseals one first.

“Whoa, don’t get cocky kid!” Axcel smirked to himself--he enjoyed referring to Jiro as ‘kid’ despite only being a few years older. “Don’t start off with one handed for this technique,” he spoke, his tone having changed from one of humor and sarcasm to one that was a bit more serious. “First you’ve got to be able to do the jutsu normally--besides, it makes it easier,” he said, while clasping both his hands together to further illustrate using both hands.

“Alright--since you seem to have forgotten how the technique works, allow me to show you.” Axcel put his hand out infront of him and formed not but three handseals with a single hand before his chakra flared out and his jutsu came to life. Thes now around Jiro began to shuffle a bit for just a moment before twenty swallows came to life and began to circle the raven haired kid.

They circled him continuously, allowing him to examine the way they moved and their shape. They flew in unison with one another, moving in perfect harmony as pure, white swallows formed from the snow they stood on but hardened by Axcel's own chakra. In a real fight, they could have dispersed and spread out, aiming to pelt the boy one at a time or even two at a time. Due to the timing, he would have been forced to evade all of them over the course of the entire jutsu.

In a few moments, the ‘tornado’ of swallows began to die down. However, just as it seemed they were gone, a single one would pelt Jiro in the back. It would hurt, probably a lot, but it wouldn't be enough to break a bone or even knock him out of his consciousnesses. “It hurts--but it isn’t enough on its own. You need to be able to make at least ten if you expect it do any damage to an enemy.” It was true--though Axcel’s swallow in particular were stronger than he let on. Having a mastery over his jutsu, a single swallow hitting could make or break a fight.

[Jiro]

I hadn't even thought of it. Performing the jutsu with a single hand was completely instinctive, something I did due to its convenience. Although I felt a slight irritation at how Axcel had addressed the issue, I couldn't help but agree and continue to listen. Indeed, molding chakra with a single hand was much harder than using both, and although it would eventually be necessary to perform it single-handedly, it would have to wait. Part of me figured I was rushing this training due to excitement--or eagerness, whichever--and part of me wanted to believe that I could do it without much effort. Unfortunately, I couldn't listen to the latter part; it wasn't true, not for me, or for anyone.

When he offered to show me again, I noticed two big differences that I hadn't before. One, he performed the jutsu in only three hand seals, where as I was forced to utilize more. Two, he'd created the ice swallows from the snow. Perhaps it was easier that way, as I'd done it by condensing the already cold moisture in the air. This, too, was instinctive--I remembered Axcel commanding me to make them from snow before, and though I hadn't intentionally disobeyed, I'd done it without realizing it. Simply creating them out of the air made for a much more effective attack, but I supposed, right now, we were just trying to get the jutsu down. So I watched as they circled me, and I admittedly was impressed with how many swallows he'd created, and so effortlessly. That wasn't something I would say or show, but it was true nonetheless. The swallows died down, save for one, which pelted me in the back. I stumbled forward just a bit, surprised and cringing at the cold, stinging pain. With irritation, I stepped toward Axcel and shook my fist at him, a large vein popping out of my forehead, my maw open to reveal sharp teeth and wide eyes.

"Oi! Watch it!" I said, though understood Axcel's point regardless. With a sigh, I closed my eyes for just a moment before opening them as my hands flickered through their hand seals, both together in unison. Thus, my chakra was able to be molded more accurately, and at a more efficient rate, so I concentrated on projecting it into the snow. It infused itself within the snow, concentrated on a small area, before giving rise to ten small spheres of snow. The powdery snow was packed together, coalesced to form ten swallows of pure ice. Their shapes were on the spot, and again the ice was strong and durable. Each of them flapped their wings, hovering on the spot.

In the moment I created them, I'd felt a difference between them. Some of them seemed to be created effectively, and I could control them with a high degree of skill. Others, I noticed, hovered slightly lower, and continued to fall and a slow rate. It wasn't noticeable unless my performance of the jutsu was studied, which, unfortunately, it was, by both Axcel and me. When I mentally commanded them to fly, six of them did so, arcing high and up, around Axcel in a sharp loop, while the other four failed to follow. They struggled to fly, and eventually nose-dived into a shattering crash amongst the snow they had come from.

"Damn, guess I got a bit to go . . ."

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[Axcel]

Axcel couldn’t help but laugh hysterically when Jiro got hit. His response was what really got Axcel laughing. He yelled and angrily shook his fist, wagging it at the shinobi as he gritted his teeth in anger. Axcel grinned a silly grin and dismissed his anger as a short outburst--which it indeed was. Though he didn’t intend on harming Jiro, it was necessary for him to get a good feel for how much damage a single swallow formed from the Snow Storm Swallows technique was capable of. Even though it was made by the snow they stood on it didn’t necessarily mean it was as soft and malleable as regular old snow.

When Jiro made his next attempt at the Snow Storm Swallows technique, Axcel was happy to see he was performing the handseals with both of his hands rather than one--just as he had instructed. It was for his benefit. Doing things this way would help him learn not only this jutsu, as well as the next several jutsu, much faster. At his level, with his inexperience in ninjutsu, it simply wasn’t possible for him to pick up the jutsu by molding chakra with a single hand instead of both.

It was true too--molding chakra was infinitely easier if both hands are used opposed to just one. Hopefully the student would realize that--however, judging from the way he acted, he’ll probably continue to be brash and attempt one handed seals. Maybe not with this technique, but definitely with the others. Axcel sighed some, his breathe being visible due to the cold air that they’ve taken residence in. He already knew he had a lot of work cut out for him if he wanted to drive jutsu through this kid’s thick skull.

The kid managed to form a good amount of birds this time--it looked like he made ten in total. He directed them towards Axcel, though a few never made it past a few meters. The ones that did whizzed past the shinobi, not receiving so much as a glance from the stoic denizen of Yukigakure. “Good--now try again. You’re using too little chakra.” He said nonchalantly. “Afterwards, I want you to try forming the seals with a single hand.” Which essentially meant if his next attempt with both hands didn’t produce the desired results, then he would have failed Axcel as a student and would be dismissed from his training.

It was a simple as that.

[Jiro]

The swallows had only looped around Axcel once before my chakra left them and they shattered completely. I wasn't sure how I had failed the jutsu quite yet; there were many possibilities I'd considered, one of which was a lack of chakra. True, I hadn't spent an incredible amount in their formation--not that they required such amounts, but I'd underestimated it nonetheless. Still, with Axcel's guidance, I felt as if my next performance of the jutsu would be a success--both double and single-handedly.

So far, my flaws had all been in the manipulation of these swallow. Before, I was able to throw a kunai faster than they could fly. Axcel's were far quicker--at least twice that, if not more. Although they weren't as effective by themselves, in a group (especially as large as Axcel's), I could easily see their use. Something told me, too, that Axcel was holding back. As if his one swallow could be immensely more dangerous than he'd shown. Inwardly, I shrugged the thought away and concentrated on my current endeavors.

So, I quickly shuffled both hands through the familiar series of seals that allowed me to mold my chakra in sufficient form. Like before, I coalesced my chakra into the snow around me, gathering the powdery substance into ten concentrated groups, before condensing them with my chakra to form ice. Though the process was near instantaneous, I broke it down in my head as I worked through the jutsu in order to make it easier, and to catch any mistakes I might make. The ice formed into ten swallows, perfect in substance and shape. This time, I'd used a noticeably higher amount of chakra, and felt no weaknesses within the creations. At my will, they began to soar in intricate circles and loops, here and there, around myself and Axcel, each without pause or struggle. Fast, too--at least twice the speed of before, probably more.

I grinned, willfully breaking the jutsu, sure that I'd met Axcel's expectations thus far. There was only one test left, and that was to be sure I could perform it with a single hand. Again I performed the seals, this time with only my right hand, and repeated the process. Chakra condensation, the grouping of the snow and formation of ice, and finally the shaping of it. All ten were durable and strong, and mirrored the shape and form of true swallows. So, too, did they mimic their ability to fly--all ten flew in different directions, scattering and riding the air with ease.

Perfect.

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[♠Solo♠]

EDIT: Promotion

Jiro: Learned +10

Axcel: +60

[Axcel]

Much to Axcel’s surprise, it looked like the kid actually managed to pull it off! First he created ten snow storm swallows by using both his hands in order to form the necessary six or so hand seals in an effort to mold the chakra needed to perform the technique. Not only were the ten swallows a good enough number for a beginner, but they flew as were secondary weapons thrown at an opponent--they had become dangerous projectiles in the hands of Jiro. Not only that, but he followed up his already solid performance by repeating the process, only this time he casted the jutsu by forming hand seals with a single hand instead of two.

The second time the jutsu was cast, with one handed seals as mentioned earlier, Axcel expected him to fail in one way or another. Again the shinobi was surprised that the kid was able to successfully cast the technique. He wasn’t in awe or anything, but he was genuinely surprised that someone who was not a shinobi and didn’t seem to have any training as a shinobi was able to pick up on a ninjutsu technique so quickly. There was only one possible explanation for such a feat. Well, there were actually several, but only one of them was logical. What enabled the boy to learn so fast was the fact that Axcel was one badass teacher. Aw yeah.

“Alright!” He exclaimed, his voice booming. Some of the snow that was perched on the edges of the mountain fell off due to the echo from his shout. “Well done,” His voice suddenly reverted to it’s normal volume. “It’s time to move on. The next technique Yuki Bakushin. . .!” It was another mid-level technique, no more advanced than the one that Axcel had just previously taught the boy. What separated the Yuki Bakushin jutsu, otherwise known as the explosive ice barrage technique, was it’s use.

It was an offensive technique essentially, but not in the same way that the snow storm swallows was. The latter technique was pretty much a direct offensive technique. You cast the jutsu and create a dozen or so snow storm swallows and send them towards the victim. Explosive ice barrage on the other hand was technique that could explode ice already created by the user. Not only would it be, well, explosive, but it was able to burst into a multitude of ice shards, sending dangerous shrapnel at an opponent. It was indirectly an offensive technique.

“Create something out of ice--it doesn’t matter what it’s shape is or anything, just make an ice creation. After that--I want you to make it explode.”

[Jiro]

Yosh, I thought, satisfied. Even using one-handed seals, the technique had been a complete success. This bolstered my confidence in general, but especially regarding one-handed seals. It had taken me a few tries, but I supposed that was to be expected of a jutsu the level of the swallows. It wasn't extremely difficult, but it certainly wasn't simply creating a tile out of ice.

Axcel seemed excited as I performed the jutsu correctly, his voice gained some volume and seemed to knock a bit of snow off of the ledge he sat on. It didn't quite seem like he was excited that I'd performed the jutsu, though, but something else. Figuring it didn't really matter, I chose to listen to his next words rather than dwell on the thought. Again, hearing that we were moving on gave me some level of satisfaction, though I was unfamiliar with the next technique. Its name seemed self-explanatory, though that really didn't mean much in the end.

Still, Axcel's instructions were . . . . vague. Well, really, they hadn't helped me at all. He simply told me to explode something, which was obvious due to the jutsu's name, and nothing more. As if it were natural. Well, perhaps it should have been--regardless, I was beginning to understand this was sort of how he taught. First, he'd make me perform the jutsu on my own with little instruction, and then work on what I messed up on. And, really, I couldn't argue that it was ineffective, after all--I'd learned a good amount already.

Seeing this as a prime opportunity to both test the uses of Tsubame Fubuki and affirm my knowledge and prowess in using the jutsu, I quickly formed a series of one-handed seals and gave birth to ten chakra-infused ice swallows. They flew about for a few seconds before one broke the pattern, soaring high into the sky. Narrowing my eyes on it, I gave a quick pulse of my hyouton-style chakra, which coursed through the swallow. Rather anti-climatically, it simply shattered and its scattered remains fell to the white floor.

"Tch." With a frown, I sent another swallow spiraling outward, away from both Axcel and I. Again I charged it with a quick burst of chakra, and it did indeed erupt--only, the blast was weak, and the shards of ice only traveled a few inches in every direction before falling.

SPOILER: Click to show

0/50

Yuki Bakushin (Explosive Ice Barrage)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Clan Kekkei Touta / Hyouton Ninjutsu
Range: See special!
Special: Can only detonate ice creations equal to the user's highest known 'Yuki no Kami' rank. Can detonate up to one creation per thread, plus one more each time retrained.
Description: As its name implies, this specializes secret Yukina ninjutsu allows the user to detonate ice creations into a sea of high-speed ice shards. As long as the ice creation is within range, they merely observe it and focus their Hyouton chakra on it, allowing for detonation moments later.
Domain: Yukina. Yuki no Kami 'C'.

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[Axcel]

Axcel folded his arms once more as he awaited for his ‘student’ to follow his order. Again he pondered about the kid’s origins. Being a Yukina, it was likely that he was from Mizu no Kuni. Although, in hindsight, it was likely that he could be from anywhere. After all, it had been several years since the age where Yukina resided in Mizu no Kuni and were persecuted for their gifts. Axcel didn’t care too much about his own clan, having forsaken them long ago, so it was a wonder that he was teaching Jiro jutsu only people of his clan could use at all.

In actuality, despite knowing they shared a Kekkei Genkai, Axcel didn’t see him as someone who was part of his clan. He was not affiliated with any of the shinobi villages and could not even utilize some of the bloodline’s basic techniques. Aside from the fact that he was able to mold chakra and possessed some skill in the ninja arts, no matter the level, he was basically a civilian. Axcel thought about just asking the boy to say something about himself, about his past even, but it looked like he was about to begin his training so the shinobi decided to save any questions he had for later.

He started out by forming a set of one handed handseals in order to create the necessary ice. At first Axcel thought about lecturing him about using both hands despite having proven that he could do a jutus properly with one hand. It was still easier with both hands, even if you mastered the art. Still--going back on the fact that he had just proven he could create the snow storm swallows using one handed seals, Axcel felt it was better for him to continue practicing the technique with one handed seals so he could do it more easily next time.

When Jiro had created the set of ten snow storm swallows, birthed into the area from him using one handed seals, Axcel watched them fly a bit before Jiro attempted to use the exploding ice technique. There was a brief pause, but sure enough, Jiro would focus a bit of chakra into the birds and they would. . .not explode. It just broke and shattered into several pieces, scattering away from each other. Axcel scratched the back of his head as he thought about what to tell him. There wasn’t much to say, other than. . .

“Try it again! This time focus on the explosion and worry about it exploding into shrapnel later.” His instructions were quick and simple. Now all that was left was to see how the kid would do in his next attempt.

[Jiro]

Worry about the shrapnel later? I thought, then shrugged. Alright. Unfortunately, my previous two attempts had failed utterly. The first had simply destroyed itself--it wasn't even an implosion, it just shattered. The second exploded, but the force was weak and utterly insignificant. It might as well have been the same result. That meant, above me, swooping around as if truly alive, remained eight swallows in total. As a personal goal, I decided that I would master the technique before I ran out of swallows. This set a pace for myself, which I felt was beneficial.

So after a moment, a single swallow broke from the formation and dove down into the air before me. The technique required no hand seals, only a simple stare and the focusing of my chakra. This, aside from its already extremely useful effect, made it an exceptionally efficient technique. One I was quite excited to be learning. The swallow fluttered there, in front of me, for a moment, before I sent it off in a straight line ahead. As it did, I narrowed my eyes on its fleeing form, unconsciously keeping the other swallows swirling through the air above me, and projected my chakra forward. The hyouton-style chakra filled the creation completely, I made sure of it, and then, with some concentration, I forced it outward as fast and strong as I could. It caused the bird to erupt, though, rather than in many ice shards, it simply broke into one or two large pieces which traveled a small bit before falling lifelessly. I felt as if the explosion itself lacked power, but aside from that, the shrapnel was all but useless, as well. Still, it was a big improvement over my last attempt--this one actually burst with some semblance of force.

What had I been doing wrong? Axcel was vague on the details of the jutsu, and had only told me to focus on the explosion and not the shrapnel. That, I could understand. Focusing on one part, mastering it, and then moving on was an efficient way to train. Unfortunately, there was little guidance aside. Sure, I had a basic understanding of molding, shaping, manipulating, forming, even compressing my chakra, but the exact process was a mystery. Essentially, I was winging it. Still, I couldn’t say Axcel wasn’t helping, as it was obvious his teaching had already taught me two separate techniques. For now, I’d be patient, and try my hardest until he gave me some criticism.

Ready to attempt again, I decided I would attempt a new way to create the explosion. Another swallow broke away from the rest, circling around Axcel’s head once before swooping low down to the ground. My chakra was released from me once again, aimed directly at the lone swallow. In an instant, I smashed it all into the swallow--rather than filling it first, I simply tried to create the explosion as spontaneously and abruptly as possible. The result was none too similar to the one prior to it--a forceful burst, though not as forceful as I’d have liked, and one or two large pieces broken off. Unfortunately, it was still utterly domestic--tamed, rather than wild and dangerous. Pointless.

With a sigh, I began to ponder what might be the best way to go about the technique. I was running out of swallow--in fact, I only had six left. Six tries to master the technique, before I’d failed myself, and most likely Axcel.

That wasn’t going to happen.

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