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It seemed as though his "projectiles" had served their purpose. Not only in their initially planned ministrations, but for a second operation as well. Hasu-Sama's words rang true as the Kage Hebi's foot connected with the woman's frame, his eyes narrowed as his fingers grasped the hilt of his blade in steady anticipation.



Surely, the woman had learned the same lesson. After all, they were students of the great swordsman Hasu. Indeed, his appendage had stretched out and made bodily contact with its intended target. But if one were to pay attention, anomalies were ever present in Sohjin's attack. Proper preparation lay within his kick to the crates. Not only did they serve to seperate the cloud of crows that had surrounded her, but it had allowed him to view her ministrations from the distance. Even if for a small window, he knew full well that she would be able to see his offensive tactics from miles away. To have placed everything into a single blow was foolish - unless of course, you had the master swordsmanship of his sensei.



Serpentine eyes used peripheral vision to quickly assess the situation as the plume of smoke formed, the majority of his body's control still his as his eyes scanned the immediate proximity for her. A glimpse of her counterattack was all that he needed, his hand moving along his chokuto's scabbard to quickly push it into harm's way. Not only would the hilt of Hasu's instrument find its way into his sword's protective covering, but he would use the momentum of her strike to push himself forward and toward the ground.



The Genin's back felt a small amount of pain from the attack, absorbing only some of the blow so as to keep his mobility at full capacity. She was smart - smart enough to aim for areas of a shinobi's body that were not easily guarded. As his body collided with the edifice below, his shoulder would have to embrace much of the impact. A loud grunt escaped Sohjin's maw as he rolled multiple times, thereafter smacking his free hand to the ground in order to launch himself to stand. He witnessed the woman's wings allow her flight. Damnit..

"You're Akegarasu!! ...What do you know of the name Asuka!?" he shouted.

Sohjin shot a glare toward Hasu, regardless of the consequence it would bring later. He knew full well that the Kage Hebi were under much pressure from the clan. He would have to ignore his feelings for now, but a heart to heart was more than in order whether he won or lost. "Concentrate, Kasake.."

Once more supplying his appendages with that surge of chakra, Sohjin once more took to the air after Misaki. The highest building that created their alley would be his edifice, and it was there that he knelt down and began to retrieve his metallic companions. Two senbon in each hand, gifted with an explosive prowess, would suddenly find their way toward Misaki's vicinity. Thrown to either side of her flight's path, he gave only momentary notice before unleashing their ferocity.



There, within the skies, the resounding explosion would create a masterpiece of flame and smoke alike. If the force did not bring her earthward, then it was of no consequence. The first phase was complete, and the second was quickly processing after his first handseal had ended.

Gulp.

He'd just survived an encounter not long ago from his father's assault, and already he was being put to another test. It seemed that this was what life was all about: Tests. Fail any one of them, and it could mean your life. "What a way to live.." Sohjin thought. Still, he was grateful for the experience. With an optimistic gleam in those serpentine eyes, his motion was halted by the powerful obstruction of Hasu's arm. He looked up in curiosity as his sensei spoke, earning a nod from the Hebi.

"I am ready, sensei. Letting you down isn't an option." he reassured him. His voice was full of confidence. Narrowed orbs further defined his determination, caught off guard only slightly by Hasu's feigned harshness toward him moments after their secret meeting had adjourned. He shook his head, and thereafter seperated himself from his sparring partner. Various boxes and other artificial obstacles lay stacked and spread out before them, puddles lacing the battleground and splashing every so often as his feet carried him toward the distance.

The Genin's headband flickered slightly against the backdrop of the dimly lit alley's "pleasant atmosphere", his stance no particular one as his hand found itself at the handle of his chokuto. Almost statuesque, he stared down the alley at the source of his opposition. He knew nothing about this young woman. Furthermore, they had just made each other's acquaintance. To put up no less than his absolute best was unforgivable...even if she was a girl.



So it was settled... - He'd strike her in whatever fashion was necessary to win. Even if he had to bitch slap her into submission to do it.

As usual, there was something about Hasu's voice that caused Sohjin to straighten. If the Genin's spine could speak, it would ask for relief from the tension straining it. His smile was quickly reduced to a grin, nodding in understanding of the cirumstance under which Hasu worked. The samurai was serious and calculating...if not a little on the exaggerative side. Still, the Kasake family owed him a debt that he would not easily forget. Fatal wounds and impossible situations were Hasu's game.



"As you say, Hasu.." Sohjin began. It was no difficult feat to keep up with Hasu in a crowd. He had taught the shinobi how to defend himself and stay evasive, taking in every detail of the surrounding and using it to whatever cause fit the situation. Ambling forward, he followed him to their destination...but not without a bit of mockery.

Hi, I'm Hasu. Serious swordsman over here. Make way, people. This blade ain't just for looks. Get cut, fool! You dare admonish me!?

The Genin's face twisted and contorted slightly to reflect Hasu's actions, his demeanor sarcastically serious as his hand found its way onto his chokuto. Sliding the blade out of its scabbard slightly, he imitated the clicking sound that his sensei loved to create when displaying his skill in battle. Despite the bit of fun he was having, he was sure to mask such acts from Hasu's eyesight - he wanted to keep his limbs...or at least lose them for a reason other than playfully paying homage to his elders.

There was a girl?

Sohjin blinked a few times. Since when did meeting a female need such manners behind it? Curiosity permeated through his cognizance, but the gears within his mind came to an immediate rest when Hasu commanded him. "Of course, Hasu-sama." he replied. He could feel that tinge of warmth beneath Hasu's exterior. He respected it...but more importantly, he was grateful for it. There weren't many that could stir emotions like Hasu when it came to the boy.

.....But he was about to tally another onto the list of those who could.

Misaki seemed so wrapped in enigmatic shroud that it had almost caught the Genin off guard. Nevermind her appearance - her eyes were as an emerald ocean, waves crashing into the rocks and once again creating flow. If it had not been for Hasu's voice bringing him back to reality from the plethora of questions surfacing, Sohjin most likely wouldn't have even caught her name.



"But of course, Hasu-sama." Sohjin began. He stepped into her line of view so that she could clearly make out his features, presenting a smile that would reveal the ivory daggers within his maw. He bowed until his locks were nearly free of his shoulders, arms draped to his sides. "Pleasure to meet you. I'd say more, but I'm allergic to getting beat down with sword hilts. Know what I mean?" Sohjin stood straight up, thumb extending as he jokingly pointed toward Hasu.

"Now...where'd he say he'd be..?

Curious eyes wandered the patrons of the immediate vicinity as Sohjin made his entrance, steadily searching for a particularly odd head of hair. There was something about this atmosphere that seemed relaxing, and yet he had to be on his best behavior...or suffer another near death experience by way of blade. Grimacing slightly, he was beginning to wonder if it was a good idea to have come here on impulse. No doubt, he who had summoned him would have plans for his presence.



As if on cue, a huge smile graced his features. Hasu hadn't changed much, save for the hope of a little leniency when it came to letting him have his fun. Approaching with a brusque walk, Sohjin bowed deeply and placed his arms at his side. "I'm here, Hasu-sama. What's with the bird show at my door? Didn't want my father to question your methods of teaching again?" he joked. Samanosuke had always preferred hand to hand combat over a blade - clearly, Hasu's swordsmanship was a painfully clear objection.

The Genin pushed his locks away from his face as he stood to full height once more, a calm wind allowing his unkempt bangs to sway slightly.

The last bite of Sohjin's food was bittersweet as he sat back, contemplating the evening's events. His parents had long-since retired to their room, leaving him to the solitude he seldom got. Musings of further training and mischief lined his cognizance, but all of that would soon be interrupted by a knock on the door.



Standing to his feet and stretching, a languid Kasake slowly made his way to the entrance of their somewhat luxurious home. As he yawned slightly, his eyes opened wide with the door swinging open by way of his arm. A letter was presently dropping to the floor in front of him, a bird of majestic appearance taking to the air and vanishing into the distance. Sohjin watched it for seconds, blinking rapidly.

"Now that's what I call Air Mail.." he muttered.

Picking the letter up and reading it, serpentine eyes flickered with interest. He wouldn't even bother to look back to ask permission to go. Surely, Samanosuke trusted him not to get into too much trouble.

A quick shower and two shakes of fresh clothing later, he was a shinobi dashing down the road and into Kumo's festivities.

[. Exit]

If I'm reading correctly, then there is no direct specification. It's either the Ninjutsu Flow, Genjutsu Flow, or A Release that you're choosing to shut off.

You're a Hyuuga. So naturally, your eyes and the Jyuuken training allow you to close any one of those. So you don't have to specify anything until you're in combat. Actual combat is pretty much the only relevant place you'd state whether it's the Ninjutsu Flow you're closing, the Genjutsu Flow you're closing, or a Release you're closing. The only reason you'll learn/re-train it is to increase the number of posts in which this jutsu's effect continues. Not to obtain another type of flow you can interrupt.

Hope that makes sense/answers your question.

"Surrender is nothing! Success is EVERYTHING!!"

Sohjin had managed to get enough oxygen to shout the words, as were the usual when Samanosuke asked him such a question. He could feel the snake's inner workings beginning to toil even harder against him, its tail extending and vanishing into the folds of his father's sleeve. They'd lost track of the day - the sun was beginning to vanish over the mountains in the distance. And just for a momentary reprieve from this fatal situation, Sohjin wondered just how long they had been outside training.

Asuka merely watched on from across their training ground, indian style upon a small mat with hands languid across her lap. It was funny - she didn't even look concerned. Mothers were usually running to the scene of the domestic violence around this time, but she hadn't budged since it had all began. Did she truly care whether he died or not? ....A stupid question, given the circumstances. A small gathering of crows darted back and forth only meters above her, no doubt watching the spectacle of his father kicking his ass and leaving him beneath the weight of a large beast. If he was going to come out on top and live to complain, then he had to make a move.



Surprisingly, the blood flow to his nimble digits had not been completely cut off. His arms began to shift as best they could, eventually placed against his chest as he attempted to sit up. Samanosuke's eyes, narrowed and piercing, watched on as his son began to confirm the very resistance that the Hebi were known for. He was going to fight back.



Without warning, the tenketsu upon his body began to roar to life once more. His fingers weaved handseals, albeit weakly and with little grace as he struggled. Once the final zodiac was completed, the very air around them began to shift. He didn't have the means to attack his father physically. He didn't have the strength to pull the snake off of him. But what he did have...it would take more than words to explain.