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Heat waves in the desert weren't big news. Considering the high temperatures that were pretty much Sunagakure's daily existence, a cold snap would have been viewed with far more dread, if only because it was so unnatural. Still, at the high point of the day, the sun beat down on Kaze no Kuni with oppressive force, forcing most of its citizens to tone down their daily activities and seek shade.

Among those people was one Kenchiro Nagakin, a Genin who was known throughout the village as a kid of no real remarkable traits. He was on his way home after a couple of routine errands (even ninja had to eat, right?) when he decided to find a spot under the nearest awning to cool down and wait out some of the heat. Unfortunately, the nearest awning happened to belong to a crotchety old man who thought ninja were just another word for thieves. Of course, Kenchiro had done his research; the old man didn't have anything worth more than a few Ryo, and that was if he could go through all the heartache associated with finding someone willing to buy junk. Still, the old man insisted on turning away ninja left and right (which, in a village full of them, must have been a day-long job), so Kenchiro couldn't hope to get any relief from the sun there.

He sighed. There was always the alleyways, even though they often smelled funny and usually were already occupied. Not that Kenchiro had to worry about muggers. Not only was this village a military stronghold (hard to commit crimes when half the population were able to fight back), Kenchiro was more than capable of dealing with any undesirables that might show up. Still, the fact that it could happen was always a pain in the neck.

Resigned to his fate, Kenchiro ducked into the nearest alley and contented himself with watching the world pass him by. It was shaping up to be another boring, boring, boring day in Kaze no Kuni. It was days like this that Kenchiro started doing crazy things, like put in extra training or plot a heist of a nobleman's house in an effort to make off with lavish jewels. Idle hands...

I'll be able to spend that experience later, or put it to my stamina/chakra reserves as I see fit, right? I'm perfectly fine with only a couple of jutsu for the time being.

1. Okay, fine. I'll go with wind release, since it meshes more closely with his personality.

2. Oh, sorry. I thought my primary weapon counted as a pack.

3. Added "Tracker" to my item bag.

4. Understood.

The Tumbler

The Tumbler is not a traditional fighting style, in that it has no set stances, forms, or method of practice. Practitioners learn to be nimble, limber and, above all, agile. Unlike most fighting styles which place an emphasis on damaging Taijutsu techniques and strong defenses, the Tumbler places a higher focus on avoiding enemy attacks. Offensive moves are showy, but often unpredictable and highly dynamic, using speedy maneuvers and rotational force to devastating effect. To put it in plain English, practitioners of the Tumbler fighting style are rough and tumble acrobats, capable of devastating opponents and looking totally cool while they do it.

Name: Ukemi
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Stamina Consumption: D: Very Low, C: Low, B: Mid, A, High, S: Very High
Type: Defensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special: Takes the edge off of enemy Taijutsu attacks, taking damage as though the technique was one rank lower. Can only be performed on the ground.
Description: One of the first things a Tumbler has to learn: how to fall. Or, more accurately, how to fall without getting hurt. Light on their feet as they are, the user can reduce the impact of many Taijutsu techniques simply by leaping backwards at the last second. As a second part of this technique, the user contorts their body in air so they land without unnecessary injury. This technique has a few obvious limitations, namely an inability to thwart piercing force, Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. This technique is also ineffective at ranks higher than what is currently learned by the user.
Domain: The Tumbler

Name: Backflip Crescent
Rank: D
Stamina Consumption: Low
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special:
Description: Setting themselves up, the user of this technique will do any number of backwards handstands as they bridge the gap between themselves and their opponent. Then, with a back-flip, they lash out with a downward kick using the toe end of the foot in a circular motion. Despite it's rather long set-up, it uses rotational force to decent effect.
Domain: The Tumbler

Name: Backflip Crescent Catastrophe
Rank: C
Stamina Consumption: Mid
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special: Technique can only be initiated in mid-air at heights of up to ten feet.
Description: A more advanced technique that uses both rotational force and gravity to dangerous effect. Taking to the sky, the user launches into a back-flip, and with one leading leg launches a downward kick in a circular motion as they come back down to earth. This technique is considerably more dangerous than the Backflip Crescent; inexperienced users are at risk for botching the landing and injuring themselves.
Domain: The Tumbler (Requires "Backflip Crescent")

Name: Corkscrew Crescent
Rank: D
Stamina Consumption: Low
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special:
Description: With a bit of a set-up, the user rushes forward and leaps, spinning in mid-air sideways like a top at a slight angle to the ground. They then lash out with their leg, striking at opponents in a circular path going diagonally left to right
Domain: The Tumbler

Name: Handstand Shoulder Throw
Rank: C
Stamina Consumption:Mid
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special:
Description: A surprise attack designed to use leverage and rotational force in place of brute strength. The user leaps on the opponent, performing a handstand on his victim's shoulders so that he is upside down, facing in the same direction. They then finish their flip, grabbing their victim's shoulders and using the force of their fall to throw the opponent clear over their back.
Domain: The Tumbler

Name: Frontflip Cannonball
Rank: C
Stamina Consumption: Mid
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special:
Description: The user tucks themselves into a ball as they leap for their opponent. The objective is to crash into the enemy with one's whole weight, literally turning oneself into a human cannonball. It's slightly more dangerous than other techniques, but don't worry; the bad guy will break your fall.
Domain: The Tumbler

Name: Gyro Double Crescent
Rank: D
Stamina Consumption: Low
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: 0-3 meters
Special: User rotates one time while on his hands, hitting anything within three meters. Additional retrains increase the number of rotations by one and the effective distance up one meter (to a max of seven for the latter)
Description: Getting into a handstand, the user begins to spin on their hands, lashing their legs out. Their legs are subconsciously fed chakra, increasing their weight and creating a unique pattern of seemingly wobbly rotation that, when coupled with deft hand-walking, allows the user limited mobility even in mid-attack.
Domain: The Tumbler

Name: Aerial Ukemi
Rank: D, C, B, A, S
Stamina Consumption: D: Very Low, C: Low, B: Mid, A, High, S: Very High
Type: Defensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special: Takes the edge off of enemy Taijutsu attacks, taking damage as though the technique was one rank lower. Can only be used in mid-air.
Description: Taking the idea of Ukemi to it's natural extreme, experienced users can lessen the impact of attacks that hit them, even in mid-air where they have nothing to jump back from. To do this, users will accept the force of the attack and flip or rotate away from the force of the blow. This technique is tricky, and won't work on attacks that manage to hit dead center. (The solar plexus, from which there is no easy point of rotation.)
Domain: The Tumbler. Requires "Ukemi"

Name: Ukemi Counter Crescent
Rank: B
Stamina Consumption: High
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special: Strikes with force roughly equivalent to half-a-rank less than attack thwarted by "Aerial Ukemi." Can only be performed in mid-air.
Description: Aerial Ukemi has the unexpected side effect of forcing the user to spin in mid air really quickly. Why not use that force to your advantage while you're up there? The user of this technique lashes out while still in mid-rotation, creating a crescent shaped kick in whatever direction they happen to be spinning. Unexpected and difficult to dodge in mid-air, this technique allows the user to return the opponent's force right back at them.
Domain: The Tumbler, requires "Aerial Ukemi"

Name: Almighty Tornado Crescent
Rank: A
Stamina Consumption: Very High
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Special: Can only be performed in mid-air.
Description: Grabbing the opponent, the user jabs their feet into the victim's stomach and bends their knees. In this position, the user begins to backflip, taking the opponent with them in a chaotic spiral that gets faster and faster until, finally, they both go crashing straight down into the ground. Assuming the user's form is correct, this devastating skill ends with them on top of their victim, their entire weight sandwiching their opponent between themselves and the ground.
Domain: The Tumbler