Ruvaak awoke before the sun was up ready to begin his training to use a katana, he had heard of a place that many of his clansmen had traveled to in the past to train and decided he would go there as well, the name of this place was called the Tower of Heaven and that is where he would begin his training in the ways of the blade. Ruvaak grabbed his pack and headed out the door of the inn, He wanted to save his energy for his training so he decided he would just walk through and out of the village, and towards the Tower this was where he would master his blade and move one more step towards his goal of proving he was better then those that looked down on him. Ruvaak enjoyed the peaceful walk to the Tower, there was no sense in exhorting himself before he even began his training as it would cut it short. He arrived at the tower and was struck by its magnificence as he looked up at it as he approached stretching to the clouds above. "It's more amazing then I thought it would be" he said aloud to himself as he walked the path leading up to the Tower, before he started his training he wanted to see just how far the tower goes up. As he reached the stairs of the tower he peered upwards, looks like it will be a long trip up he thought to himself, he began stretching "might as well get ready now and work myself up towards training with a blade". After he finished his stretches he started his training by doing some high knees up the stairs until he couldn't keep it up anymore, he made it up ten flights of stairs before his legs burned and he had to stop, looks like it might take a while to reach the top he thought to himself as he sat down on one of the stairs, after resting for a few minutes he got up and decided to just walk up the stairs to get to the top so that he could just begin his kenjutsu training. The stairs were many and it seemed to go on forever finally he came to the 25th floor the next set of stairs were blocked off with the words under construction written on yellow tape blocking the door stairway, "well I guess that's it" Ruvaak said to himself as he took a look around the room he was in there was nothing in there, nothing that he could damage or break and no one to see him make a fool of himself, this will be as good a room as any he thought to himself as he started mentally preparing for what he was going to do. He stretched again wanting very much to limber himself up before anything in case he started any strenuous training, once that was done he moved to the center of the room undoing the chain on his left wrist that held his talisman and moving it to his right wrist, this would be different Ruvaak thought to himself as he attached the chain to his right hand. having never focused his chakra to his right hand before, as he was right handed it was easier for him to shoot his bow by holding it in his left hand, but now with the use of a sword he need to be able to use his dominant hand in case he got in a real fight, and he could always train himself to shoot his bow this way later if need be. He started slow focusing his chakra to his right hand and letting it sit there not molding it into a weapon just yet, he wanted to get use to the feeling of using his chakra with this hand it was strange but somehow it felt right to him as if maybe he should of been using it this way the whole time. After a few minutes of holding his chakra in his hand he closed his fist around his talisman and began concentrating his chakra to form his weapon, at first the natural instinct took over and tried forming his bow snapping himself out of it before it was formed he released the talisman and tried again this time picturing a katana in his mind as he began molding his chakra to create his weapon. As the katana formed in his hand it felt weird in his hand, he swung it around for a second trying to get a feel for it and then he tried a little more practical moves that he's witnessed some swordsmen use, but it felt weird it wasn't like target practice with a bow how would he judge if he was doing any good. Even though he had no way to judge if he was doing it right or not he continued to practice because if he was ever to need a sword in a fight he need to know how to use it.

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A mental tick kicked in the back of Sanosuke's mind as his attention was deviated for a second as he turned his head towards the source of what made his mind snap out of practice. He sensed something very briefly like another source of chakra. But where was it coming from...

A punch to the jaw was enough to send Sanosuke tumbling backwards and have his back hit the icey tile floors of the building they were in. Sanosuke rubbed his jaw and was looking upwards at the ceiling. All he could see was black due to the dark blindfold that was wrapped tightly around his eyes so he couldn't see. This was part of his training; he was going to only fight off Navi while he was blindfolded and wearing earplugs so he couldn't hear the fairy's movements. That way he would only be able to sense her using sense of smell, and taste. That was correct, he was using the wind to taste out the fragrance that Navi was giving off into the wind. If he could track it down, then he would be able to get a fixation on the wasps location. It was working until he sensed another source of chakra coming from somewhere inside the Tower of Heaven but he didn't know where it was coming from.

Hearing came back to Sanosuke as he removed the earplugs from his eyes. "That's weird someone else is here." Sanosuke pursed his lips trying to figure out who could possibly be here as well. The Raikage took off his blindfold and sat up to look at Navi in the eyes as she was trying her best not to laugh at Sanosuke who was down for the count from the punch that only took Sanosuke by surprise because his mind was elsewhere trying to figure out the source of the chakra. It was small and not at all dangerous. But it still begged the question of who was here? The Tower of Heaven just finished its construction for shinobi training. Most of the shinobi worked in the lower levels, the upper floors was where nobody would train since those flights of stairs weren't all that welcoming. So it did peak his interest on why someone was here as well. "You know damn well I was distracted." Sanosuke grunted at his partner. He got up from the ground and got a towel to wipe any sweat that was on his face. That same towel he put around his neck and began walking towards the source of the chakra.

The Raikage wasn't wearing his Raikage robes, nor was he wearing his shinobi attire that was usually under the robes itself. He had on blue training pants and a sleevless silver vest that was lightly coated with sweat from his training. Him and Navi have been mock sparring for 6 hours straight and it was about time for him to take a break anyways before heading back to the mansion where he'd rest. Navi transformed back and followed his partner towards the source of the chakra that the Raikage had sensed earlier. Sanosuke opened up his bottle of water that he supplied by reaching out from nature and pulling the water from the atmosphere itself to fill his container with subcutaneous. It was refreshing to the touch as he drank the water that he created using his own power. He also wasn't wearing any shoes as well so his barefeet clattered on the tile floors as he traveled through the corridors. When he finally reached the source, he happened upon a boy holding some sort of weapon that was made purely out of chakra. It caused Sanosuke to look in awe, was such a thing even possible?

"Hey boy, what do you have there?" Sanosuke said approaching the boy who seemed to be here wanting to practice and hone his skills with the sword he was holding.

Ruvaak's movements were slow as he tried his best to replicate the artistic movements of swordsmen he had watched over his years. His mind wandered back to Valyria and the time he spent training with his uncle he had seen his uncle in the training area wielding his own sword, however his uncle never actually trained him in the use of the blade, as his main focus had been the function of the bow, his uncle had told him that he would learn the way of the blade when he was older and ready, because he had to master the bow first. Ruvaak believed himself to be ready and wanted to take that step towards learning the way of the blade, however his uncle wasn't here and it would be pointless to return home so soon having not learned anything new to better himself, so he decided that he was going to learn how to use the blade even if it meant that he had to train himself.

Ruvaak had only been in the room practicing for a few minutes and he must of blocked out the outside world without realizing it because he didn't hear the footsteps that were coming down the corridor and into the room or see the man enter the room as he was moving slowly through the transitions with his blade, it wasn't until he hear a voice that he even became aware that he was no longer alone in the room anymore.

"What?" Ruvaak said in surprise as he turned to find the source of the voice, he was met by a barefoot man with long black dreadlocks, wearing blue pants and a sliver sleeveless shirt, who was being followed by a strange floating blue ball of light, was he up here training too? "This is...uh... This is my blade" Ruvaak stuttered out still in shock from the surprise of the man's question and sudden appearance in the room, he didn't know anyone else was up here or how he didn't hear him if he was up here training if he had he probably would of picked a different floor. The man was walking towards him now and Ruvaak wasn't sure what was going on, or who this strange man was and he didn't like people he didn't know getting too close to him. Ruvaak took a step back, gripping his makeshift blade just a little tighter, "who are you? what do you want?" Ruvaak asked the man, if he was someone that meant him harm then he might be in trouble due to the fact that he didn't really know how to use the blade in combat and wouldn't have time to switch to his bow or other jutsu in time. Ruvaak was not the type to judge people he had trust of almost everyone, but ever since he was a child he had a phobia of unknown people being inside his security bubble

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Looking at the boy, he noticed how defensive he was about having an outsider looking as he practiced...well whatever he was doing. Now that he was here he could get a closer look at the blade. It was like a phantom item of the actual think it was replicating but enwrapped with a misty aura of chakra while the weapon itself looked slightly transparent. Just from here he could feel the chakra seeping from the handles. That was definitely the source of chakra he was picking up alright. There was an ancient feel to it as well from what he could tell from the atmosphere, as though this kind of power existed throughout the ages. Sanosuke was so enthralled with the phantom sword that he didn't know that his eyes were prying for a while. That's when the boy snapped that it caused the Raikage to jump in his skin slightly but not enough for the boy to notice.  "It's okay, I'm just someone looking to train my swordsmanship. Just like you." Sanosuke said while putting his hands up to show that he didn't mean any harm.

Walking over to inspect the boy he noticed that he was rather young, probably in puberty. He had brown hair and blue eyes, he wondered where the boy original came from since he looked very similar to the main ethnicity of his citizens of Kumogakure. From the looks of things, the boy was rather unskilled using a sword. His grip was wrong and lacked structure of holding a close quarters combat weapon of the sword branch of weaponry. But it did look to be able to hold other weaponry in the past. But holding a sword was very alien from his right hand. "Can't help but to notice that you're holding your katana the wrong way." Sanosuke said pointing at the boy's sword. He had it holding it so that he would have to rotate his wrist in order to slash at his target. Such a manner would be inefficient for a swordsman. Clapping his hands together, he summoned one of his twin signature swords in a spark of electricity that crackled in the air. It fizzed and caused his hair to slightly tinge from the static electricity. When it finally passed, Sanosuke was holding one of his swords in his hands nice and firm. Going through some basic drills with his sword, the swordsman swished his sword around with the amount of grace that one would normally see from an accomplish fencer using a brute sword like a broadsword.

When he was done, he outstretched his right hand holding the sword towards the boy so he can inspect the grip for himself. "Try holding your sword like so. Tell me when you're ready." Sanosuke instructed the boy to do. When he had already done so and said he was ready, Sanosuke would take a few steps back before smacking the boy's sword with his own at the very center of the blade. Should his grip be weak, the sword would be knocked clean out of his hands where the man would command him to repeat the process.

Ruvaak noticed that the man was staring his blade down as if mesmerized by it, before he lifted his hands in the air as if to tell Ruvaak he was not there to hurt him, now that the man had stepped into the light Ruvaak noticed that the man had many scars as well as tattoos on his arms. At the man's words a spark inside him came to life so he was a sword wielder, but where was his sword? could he create his weapon like me? Ruvaak pondered these questions in his head and almost missed what the man had said, wrong way what does he mean the wrong way Ruvaak thought to himself. Clapping his hand together the man brought forth a long sword through a crackle of electricity that caused Ruvaak's hair to stand slightly and made Ruvaak jump a little in surprise, ok so not how I make my weapon but that is awesome Ruvaak thought to himself. The man started to swing his sword around leaving Ruvaak standing in awe watching his movements, before the man turned back to Ruvaak, stretching out his hand holding the blade to show him how he should hold his own blade.

At the man's words on how to hold the blade Ruvaak inspected how the man was holding the blade a little closer, before gripping his own blade in what he thought was the same way, getting himself use to the grip before he looked to the man "Ready". At Ruvaak's words the man took a few steps back before smacking Ruvaak's blade with his in the center, Ruvaak felt his blade waver to the man's blade and the vibration of the impact radiated up his arm, if it hadn't been for the man showing Ruvaak how to hold the blade then the force of the man's blade impacting with his own would of knocked the sword from his grip, that could of been bad Ruvaak though to himself, if his blade would of been knocked from his hand then he wouldn't be able to make a new one for a while and the guy might lose interest and leave then he would be right back where he started. Ruvaak wanted to learn all he can from this man while he was being kind enough to share his knowledge.

Ruvaak adjusted himself readying for whatever the man might do next, his blade gripped as the man told him and at the ready to use. "anymore pointers?" Ruvaak asked the man with a joyous look on his face happy that the man had helped him hold the blade the right way, "I don't mean to impose, its just I don't know much about sword wielding and you do.. I mean I know you don't know me but.." Ruvaak paused for a second trying to get his words to come out right before bowing slightly "My name is Ruvaak Unmei and I would be honored if you were to help me in my training, that is unless you are busy, in which case I would completely understand" he stated before standing back up.

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He had to admit, the boy had talent to withstand the strike he gave towards the center of the blade. Sanosuke noticed that the katana had the same properties of a regular katana in terms of strength and durability; despite its ghosty appearance. It was a tangible object. But still as Sanosuke took a step to strike the boy's ghost blade, the boy's stance was filled with openings. True he had just asked him to hold the sword properly, but there was a neutral position for swordsmen that they take whenever they are simply holding their weapon. In case they are attacked unexpectedly, they can resume a proper last minute stance in order to save themselves from being killed by said attack.  It was obvious that this boy knew none of that and so thought nothing wrong of his stance.

The boy looked at Sanosuke with an earnest look in his eyes, he wanted to learn. It was as though he was looking for Sanosuke for more tutelage. For a while Sanosuke looked at the boy confused, but then he caught on as the boy spoke. So he wanted him to teach him the basics of kenjutsu. It sounded doable. After all it was that art of bukijutsu that he learned as a genin; it was only fair to get the boy on the right step. "Sanosuke Flynt, sword enthusiast." Sanosuke said introducing himself to the boy with a nod of his head. He deliberately left out that he was the Raikage as it makes for a poor introduction. With that said, Sanosuke let his single twin sword fizzle away in a showmanship of static pops. "I'll be happy to show you around the blade. It's an important skill to have." Sanosuke said while giving Ruuvak a thumbs up and a smile.

"Now hold your weapon just like a showed you." Sanosuke ordered. Once the boy had done so, Sanosuke would carefully walk around the boy inspecting him while he stood in the neutral holding his weapon. Ruuvak would most likely in confused with why Sanosuke was ordering him to hold his sword while being inspected like this. Each time Sanosuke noted a flaw in his stance of just holding the blade, he would use his finger to point at the part of the body that was out of position. He would also add in short notes like "keep this elevated like this." If he Ruuvak did it properly, then the boy will be feeling some sort of discomfort at holding the position of just holding the sword. This stance was a basic stance of kenjutsu users of merely holding the sword and Sanosuke doubted that the boy was used to having his muscles this packed and tense before in a stance like this.  It would leave the pain aching, but it will pass. There was still more for him to learn.

Ruvaak marveled at the man's showcase of static pops, "It is an honor to meet you Sanosuke" Ruvaak said with a bow before resuming holding the sword as the man instructed, his adrenaline pumping rapidly as he was excited for his next lesson to begin. As he stood there holding the sword, then Sanosuke began walking around him he walked around him a couple of times not saying a word just watching Ruvaak hold the sword, Ruvaak starting wondering what the man was doing exactly and was about to say something when the man pointed to Ruvaak's arm saying "keep this elevate it like this" showing Ruvaak with his own arm, confused at first Ruvaak was about to ask why before deciding it was best not to and just did as the man said. The man continued walking around Ruvaak pointing out things that he needed to adjust although he didn't understand why it was so important just to hold a sword, but Ruvaak didn't question him and did as he was instructed, after a short time the man stopped talking and just walked around him observing, all of his muscles were tensed and soon began to ache from standing in that position so long he lacked a little loosing his muscles slightly.

The man was quick to point out that he was standing wrong against, so Ruvaak resumed the stance despite the ache of his tense muscles, he never knew standing with a sword would be so hard and require such scrutiny as this. He stayed in position without a word before the aching of his muscles got to him and he could no longer contain himself he loosened his muscles and looked at the man, "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude, but why does it matter how I hold a sword if I'm not in a fight?" he asked quietly but still loud enough to be heard, not wanting to disrespect the man or come off as ungrateful for the man taking his time out of his day, but he just didn't understand why it mattered so much.

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It didn't take long before the boy, Ruuvak, got the form down to properly hold a sword in the neutral position. It was a bit rough, but Sanosuke had confidence that the boy will perfect it in time as he begin using his sword properly. Experience is the best teacher known to man, it's painful but you will definitely get a lesson out of it. Those lessons will shape you to who you are. As he inspected Ruuvak's form, the boy asked his question while at the same time trying his best to be more respectful towards him. Sanosuke stopped pacing to be in front of the boy and looking down on him. "You'll never know when you'll be attacked. Knowing how to properly hold a sword when you're not in battle is crucial. You must be able to switch from neutral to battle in an instant." Sanouke nodded while his arms was crossed. Good the boy's form was being more sturdy. He would have him stay like this for a while as he thought of what the next step in his training would be. His answer came to him soon enough.

"I'd like for you to swing your sword in the air towards this direction. Bring the sword downwards." Sanosuke instructed while pointing to where he would like Ruuvak to be. Knowing that he was a beginning swordsman, Sanosuke knew there would be faults. He would most likely be spending well over 10 minutes stopping the boy in mid swing telling him how his form was off each step of the way and adjusting them for the boy. It was important that he learned how to properly wield a weapon. Even the simplest of things like holding a sword and striking midair, there's an art and science to it that one must be open to.

Ruvaak understood what the man meant with his words, resuming the stance the man originally asked for and tightening his muscles as compact as he could, since he could be attacked at any moment his muscles have to be ready to react, thus why the man wanted him to tighten his muscles for so long getting his body use to the form and ready for quick action. The mans next instructions soon came, downward swing sounds easy enough Ruvaak thought to himself as he began to move his blade over his head, however he hadn't even begun to swing the sword downward before the man stopped him and began telling him what he was doing was wrong, and how to correct it. After the man corrected him he asked that he do it again, this time Ruvaak moved the sword maybe an inch before the man stopped him and explained what went wrong, as the minutes went by Ruvaak had made 1 half swing before he was stopped, as the man began to explain what to correct Ruvaak's mind wandered slightly as the man reminded him a lot of his uncle and his strict teachings on the use and functions of a bow, this man had the same passion with swords as his uncle did with a bow, Ruvaak believed he was very lucky to have met this man who was kind enough to show him the ropes of blade wielding, as well as take the time to ensure that he was doing it the proper way and not something half-ass. Ruvaak's mind was snapped back to reality by the man who repeated himself asking for a downward swing of his sword, Ruvaak believed that he had the form down now and would get through the full swing, however as he brought his sword down, again the man stopped him, apparently he didn't have it down like he thought. The man spent approximately 25 to 30 minutes criticizing Ruvaak before finally the blade came down with out the man stopping him. Ruvaak looked to the man to see if he would say anything but the man remained silent, and he couldn't tell what the man was thinking about it. The man continued to watch silently, so Ruvaak thought that maybe the man was looking for repetition to show that Ruvaak did indeed have the form down to the t. Ruvaak resumed the starting position and brought the sword down again, he repeated the process a few times, and he could of sworn he hear a "Tch" come from the man but when he looked at him no words were spoken so Ruvaak resumed the repetitive motions of bringing the sword downward until soon, Ruvaak didn't heard any noise of objections from the man, finally after a few minutes he looked to the man, "how's that? I'm assuming since your not stopping me that I am doing it right... do you want me to continue or move on to something else?" Ruvaak asked questionably to the man although he was in a hurry to learn more he knew it best to take the time and learn to perfect the form the same way he had to with his bow under his uncle's supervision.

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Of course his teachings would rather be strange as in why would the man be instructing Ruvaak on how to simply bring a sword down on someone vertically with such precision. Sanosuke made a note on every joint that was out of place in comparison to the swinging down motion. It didn't take long before the boy was getting down the motion without Sanosuke even having to say anything or make notes about his form. There was the occasional notes telling him to spread his hands a little bit wider than what he had originally. But for the most part he had the form pretty much down. As he watched, Sanosuke couldn't help but think of himself being taught by the swordsman of the Daiko clan of polishing his swordsmanship when he was around Ruvaak's age. Back then he was taught by Kaede on the proper ways to use his sword, but Ruvaak seemed to be naturally good with the blade. Sanosuke couldn't help but look onward with jealousy. If he was this good at his age, then by the time he's Sanosuke's age he would have definitely surpassed him in the art of kenjutsu. Ruvaak must have heard him make a noise as he watched. It set him off and made him top swinging if he should stop or not.

Shaking his head, Sanosuke walked over to him. "No that's enough. I think we can move on to something else now." Sanosuke said as he reached in his side pocket to materialize a kunai knife from his belongings. Flicking it around by slipping his finger in the ring hole, Sanosuke spun it around. When he caught it, he began focusing chakra around the knife. The kunai was radiating with Sanosuke's chakra, it was causing all the tiles of the floor they were on to bounce off the light of the energy. The chakra morphed its mold around the kunai to extend its properties so it had a longer reach and looked more like an extended blade that was having the kunai be used as the medium. When he finished he weighed out the sword with a few swishes and flickers of his wrist to get a feeling of the weapon. Sanosuke felt like it would be enough for what they had to do next. "Your task now is to use that same swinging motion to break my guard. Do what you must to do as such." Sanosuke instructed as he circled around the boy to inspect his form. He couldn't help but smile as he was now in the correct stance of holding a sword while on standbye. Good it was being put into muscle memory so soon.

Sanosuke got low in his stance while holding the chakra blade in his hands. His grip around the blade was reverse grip on his right hand while his left hand was raised to the pommel of the kunai ring. He pulled the handle back slightly into himself and had his weight on his right back knee. Defensive Wasp Style #5: Youthful Porcupine Stance. It was a basic stance that mirrored retaliation towards an attack. What Ruvaak didn't know was the second he attacked him, Sanosuke would block the attack and deliver a critical elbow strike to his kidneys. "I'm ready when you are boy. Come at me." Sanosuke snorted as he got himself ready to carry out his plan.

Ruvaak was quick to his stance as the man pulled a kunai out of his pocket, not knowing if the man was going to throw it at him or not. He was shocked when the blade of the kunai started to glow and the glow extended creating a sword out of the man's chakra. It was like how Ruvaak used his talisman to create his own blade but different somehow Ruvaak wasn't sure what exactly it was but the chakra radiating from the man's blade felt different then when he was faced by one of his clansman's bow in the past. The man flicked the sword around a few times before bringing it down in a reversed hold allowing the blade to run down his right arm to his elbow, holding what would be the hilt with his left hand. The man's stance was low as he began circling around him, Ruvaak couldn't help but feel uneasy, swinging a sword was one thing, but how was he going to break through the guard of a seasoned swordsman. Ruvaak readied himself trying his best to focus all of his strength into his swing before bringing it down on the man. Ruvaak wasn't sure if he would be able to breakthrough the man's defense or not but the man wouldn't be able to say he didn't try.

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Metal clashed with metal in a surprsing amount of force coming from the boy that Sanosuke hadn't noticed before. When the chakra baldes met, Sanosuke couldn't help but slightly raise his eyebrow. This kid was stronger than Sanosuke had accounted him for. He expected Sanosuke to block it with ease, true it was still relatively easy for him to block the strike, but the amount of strength of someone his level was something to point out. Sanosuke wondered if his students would keep up with Ruvaak. A spar between him and Ameryuu would be interesting; a good way to measure the girl's combat abilities. Pushing off the boy's blade away from himself, Sanosuke did so with enough force that it would send Ruvaak stammering backwards. Moving quickly enough, Sanosuke moved into Ruvaak's immediate space and jabbed the boy's ribs enough to knock the wind out of him. He finished the motion by placing his sword close to the boy's neck to signal that should this have been a real attack it would've been his life easily. Even though the skill gap between him and the boy was like that of the leagues upon leagues in the sea, Sanosuke could tell the boy knew close to nothing about close quarters combat.

Retracting the blade from the boy's neck, Sanosuke would allow him time for him to breath and recollect his thoughts. While he did so, the Raikage could speak. "Too slow. This is a fight, are you really going to assume your opponent won't follow up with an attack after creating an opening via counter?" Sanosuke pursed his lips and got back in the same stance that he was in before. "Your defense should be as solid as mine when you encountered my blade. Recreate that same sturdiness. Here I come!" Sanosuke said and moved towards the boy with his sword in reverse grip. When he got close enough he would aim his blade for a slash at the boy's right flank. Should his blade hit him due to a poor guard, it would slash him barely but the blunt end of the sword would cause a bruise to appear so the shallow cut would be the least of his worries. If Ruvaak did block his attack, Sanosuke would follow up his attack by placing his sword flat on the ground to push himself off the ground and deliver a swift reverse, rotation scissor kick to Ruvaak's left shoulder. The kick would be enough to send the boy skitting across the ground.

Ruvaak's blade crashed down on the man's, the man didn't budge Ruvaak wasn't able to break through the man's defense, the man raised his eyebrow before pushing Ruvaak away with such ease that Ruvaak stammered backwards "Damn It" Ruvaak said to himself under his breath as he looked back to the man. The man moved with such speed that it was like watching lightning, the man was so close before Ruvaak could even blink, jabbing him in the ribs knocking the wind out of him before the man closed with his blade to Ruvaak's neck, it was clear the man could of killed him if he so desired and Ruvaak was extremely overjoyed that he did not decide to follow through, as he held up two fingers signaling that he gave up. The man stepped away as Ruvaak clasped his throat and tried to catch his breath, as he did he heard the man speak and did his best to listen to him. "Too slow. This is a fight, are you really going to assume your opponent won't follow up with an attack after creating an opening via counter?"

God I'm such an idiot Ruvaak thought to himself as he looked up at the man, "I wasn't thinking" he apologized to the man, "I'll do better next time". He should of never let his guard down if this was a real fight he wouldn't and if he was going to learn anything he had to think smart and not drop his guard again he didn't want to disappoint the man again. The man resumed his stance before saying "Your defense should be as solid as mine when you encountered my blade. Recreate that same sturdiness. Here I come!" The man came at him fast as Ruvaak raised his blade in defense, wondering how on earth he was going to stop the man's attack, but he had to do more then that he also had to prepare to counter-strike the man just as he did after all it would only be fair, besides that might be exactly what the man expects him to do. The man moved like lightning before Ruvaak's eyes there and was on top of him in no time at all the man's sword came down on Ruvaak as he moved to block it the swords clashed and Ruvaak was amazed to see that his defense held, he was ecstatic but he pushed celebrating out of his mind besides the man was probably holding back to a gauge close to Ruvaak's level anyhow and not using his full force, now was the time for his counter-strike just like the man but he moved too slow before he knew what happened the man delivered a swift kick to his left shoulder sending Ruvaak skitting across the room.

As Ruvaak stood a revelation struck him although he had only used his Onikeigan in combination with his bow to increase his sight, he had heard from his uncle that there was more to it then just that so maybe it could help him in training his sword. After he finished standing dusting himself off, thinking that someone really should be cleaning this enormous tower, he made a one handed dragon sign saying "Onikeigan" under his breath. his eyes took on the emerald green glow of the Unmei and Ruvaak could already tell that his vision was better than before. With a little more confidence he resumed his stance and called out to the man "Alright, let's try that again."

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WC: 607/3648

Jutsu:

It was no surprise that his sword was blocked by Ruvaak, afterall the child was no bafoon and knew when it was appropriate to defend now; well he now had a better idea when she should defend himself and how to. Sanosuke kick sent the boy skidding some ways across the floor. Flipping himself back since his landing position of his kick left him upside down in a handstand, Sanosuke flipped back so he was holding his blade once more in a reverse grip fashion. The chakra surged from the kunai as he wondered if the boy was okay. There was no way he knocked out Ruvaak with that kick, but there was enough force behind the kick to have left a bruise at best. If this boy was going to get better at using swords, then he had to expect that attacks don't just have to rely from the sword. In fact most of the best swordsmen that he knew combined fighting with their fighting style. The only way Sanosuke was getting away with his mediocre taijutsu/kenjutsu was due to the fact that Ruvaak was still learning. This was basic procedure for swordsmen, usually at Sanosuke's level mixing in punches and kicks would be a waste of energy. But it was still a crucial skill to learn for beginners . If he was going to get farther in the path of the sword, Ruvaak would have to think smarter.

To his relief, the boy got up while dusting himself off. There was dust all over him and dirt. Despite the cathedral scenary of the Tower of Heaven, it still didn't hide the fact that it was still dirty from all the people training on the floors. But what caught Sanosuke's eyes were the different eyes that the wandering boy had now. They were green and looked different than before. Ruvaak seemed more prepare than he previously was before the spar. This confidence got him in such a good mood that he couldn't help but chuckle. "You know what kid? I like you. Let's see if you don't land on your ass like last time." Sanosuke snorted as he would try the dash out again. This time he would move towards the boy's right side and make it look like he was going for his wounded shoulder, then feint left to make a swipe at the boy's neck. Should the boy block the attack, Sanosuke would have positioned his foot behind Ruvaak's leg and kick his legs from underneath him and make him fall on the ground; where he would meet a blade leveled at the base of his neck to mark his defeat.

A smirk crossed Ruvaak's face at the man's words, it appeared he was making an impression on the guy and judging by the man's chuckle it must be a good impression. Ruvaak readied himself for the man's attack unsure where he would strike he was going to make sure that the man didn't catch him off guard again, it was time to make whatever impression the man had of him as of now better and Ruvaak knew the best way to do that is to make sure he didn't fall again. The man came at him with the appearance of going for the shoulder he kicked that sent him skidding across the room, so he's going for a weak point how obvious Ruvaak thought to himself as he readied himself to move to block the strike.

Justed before he moved to block the strike to the right side he saw it, the man was trying to fake him out and as the thought ran through his head the man's blade switched and was coming at him from the left at his neck. Ruvaak moved his blade blocking the strike that he had no doubt would of decapitated him if it found its mark, before he knew it the man had kicked his legs out from under him knocking him on his back, leveling the blade at the base of Ruvaak's neck. No, no, no I was ready how did he do that damn it Ruvaak thought to himself, he had failed again it was clear the man was good and that Ruvaak would stand no chance against the man in a real fight. Ruvaak couldn't bring himself to accept defeat absolutely refusing to give up. It didn't matter how many times he got knocked down, as long as he got back up he could keep going, swinging his sword around from under knocking the man's blade away from his neck causing it to scratch his cheek as it passed, before twisting his body around and jumping to his feet, "I do not accept defeat yet" he said to the man as he dashed towards him.

Ruvaak decided to take a page from the man book by making it look as if he was going for the man's left shoulder before feinting and going for his right leg if the man blocked it he would then strike at the man's midsection on the left side with his leg while he was distracted by the sword it may not send the man across the room like it did when the man kicked him but at least he would have struck the man once, of course if the man dodged instead of block he would reverse twisting around to the left and using the momentum of the sword swing to pull him around with it hoping the blade would find the man, in either situation after the strike he would fall back to a defensive position to ready himself for the man's next attack.

---

WC: 516/4164

"Now that's what I like to hear!" Sanosuke said himself being pumped up from the boy's words of not giving up. Allowing the boy to jump from his downed position, Sanosuke watched as he let himself try again. Despite being knocked down time and time again, here he was standing tall once more ready to try and overtake the elder swordsman. Not once did he ask Sanosuke what he was doing wrong or if he could give him some tips, those questions would have led to Sanosuke shooting them down right away. But he wanted to find the answers on his own, that was something Sanosuke admired about the boy. For a split second, Sanosuke could see himself in the boy. A silver haired boy that was significantly shorter than Ruvaak but about the same age. The silver haired boy was holding a rusty katana that was bigger for him to hold, even so that didn't stop him from fighting against senior swordsmen that were much stronger than him by milestones. It was those men that shaped him into the shinobi and swordsman that he is now. He owed everything to them. Now it was his turn to shape the new generation of sword users by making them better than himself.

A smirk creaked across his lips as Ruvaak did the exact same tactic he did to catch him off guard. A feint to the left and immediately strike to the right side. If Sanosuke hadn't just done the tactic, the attack might have worked on him since there was no way he would think the boy was capable of using feints. In all actually the boy's first attempt at a feint wasn't that bad, though it was easily seen through but not bad for a first attempt. Sanosuke did nothing as he watch the boy feint and move towards his right side. With a strong counterattack toward's the boy's blade to send it upwards, Sanosuke moved Ruvaak's sword arm, and by extension his blade, away from him to leave him exposed. Despite being so open, the boy tried to land a kick at Sanosuke's midsection. Sanosuke switched his blade in his hands so he was wielding it with his left instead of his right. Sanosuke used his left forearm, the same arm he's currently using to hold his blade in a reverse grip, and stepped into the immediate guard of the boy so he couldn't get away so easily. With a smooth maneuver that took practice, Sanosuke used his right forearm to block the boy's kick and swiftly move the blade's edge to the boy's neck stopping short. It was just where it was originally.

"Well have you accepted defeat yet, boy?" Sanosuke asked with a raised eyebrow.

The man wasn't fooled by the feint and Ruvaak cursed himself under his breath as the man knocked his sword up away from its intended target, even with his Onikeigan's help of seeming to slow the world around him down, Ruvaak wasn't fast enough to stop the man and then the man moved so smoothly while he switched his blade from one hand to the other hand blocking his kick with his now free arm and then moving in close, too close for Ruvaak to get away from the man, before ending the movement by placing the blade at the base of his neck once again. The man was good and impossibly fast, too fast for Ruvaak to be able to stand a real chance against him, even with his Onikeigan's help, but no matter the obstacle Ruvaak would not give up until his last breath he would fight. It was this same determination that allowed him to obtain the Unmei talisman before any other in his clan, and it would be with this determination that he learned how to wield his blade and continue to improve no matter what stood in his way.

The man raised his eyebrow with a smuggish look on his face as he asked Ruvaak if he was ready to accept defeat, causing Ruvaak to grin a little he knew he couldn't of taken the man head on that was why he had a contingency plan for such a situation as this. He had been preparing his chakra since he had stood from the man knocking him down this last time, and now he was ready to use it even though he couldn't get away from the man, the man was too close to get away from this attack as well, Ruvaak looked into the man's eyes as he said the words, "Begone!" releasing his Chakra from every pore in is body sending it out in a blast outward which would send the man back to the edge of the room, although not as far as intended due to the fact that the room was actually smaller than the range of his technique, sure the man wouldn't be hurt by the blast but at least Ruvaak wouldn't have the blade at his neck anymore.

Now that he had some space between him and the man he took a quick breath, the sweat flowing down his face was burning his eyes and his Onikeigan was beginning to fade, although even with its help it wasn't enough now he was going to lose it and be back in the same spot he started in, but he wouldn't let that stop him. With his normal eyes he looked back to the man with the same smile as before, "Shall we continue? Because I am not ready to give up yet." Ruvaak said as he resumed his stance ready for whatever the man may throw at him next.

---

WC: 500/ 4664

Jutsu:

The blast of chakra that was gathered by the boy indeed catch the Raikage off guard. He didn't expect a defensive jutsu like that to catch him off guard. In fact Sanosuke didn't think the boy would think of using jutsu. Then again he wouldn't dare vocalize this as it would just leave him a hyprocrite. Practice what you preach, is the saying. He should've been more careful. The blast sent Sanosuke backwards from the boy about 6 meters away from him. Sanosuke felt like he was punched in the gut from the concussion force of the jutsu. That however wouldn't be close enough to send him down on the ground. As he was sent backwards, Sanosuke rolled with the force of the technique by flipping himself in the air so that the momentum that launched him initially in the air was being made his own to do as he wished. Sanosuke did several somersaults in the air until he was an additional meter away from him. The boy's snide remark caused Sanosuke to laugh. His laughter echoed through the cave. Ruvaak acted so much like himself when he was younger it was eerie.

"I admit, I did indeed have that one coming. Well done, you've learned the first tactic of combat: anything can be used in battle. Don't let anyone fool you that a fight of the swords is just that, you fight for one thing initially: victory." Sanosuke said while dusting himself off. Pulling out another kunai from his holster, the Raikage got himself ready by preparing to surge more chakra into the blade so he can be ready to intercept the boy. "Now then boy, let's see if that attack you pulled off wasn't just a fluke." With that the man dashed at the boy again. This time he was going to see if he could disorientate the boy from his movements. His eye transformation still had the elder swordsman puzzled. What abilities did he gain from it? Strength in jutsu? More visual awareness? Either way, he wanted to know. When Sanosuke got close enough to the boy, that was when he decided to speed up. This entire spar, Sanosuke had been moving at about 35% of his actual speed. Now he moved it to 50% as he circled around the boy. To the onlooker, Ruvaak would be surrounded by silvery shrouded afterimages of the Raikage being enveloped in a caccoon. Whenever he made a full rotation, Ruvaak would be struck by the flat end of his blade to smack him. His body would be riled with bruises if nothing was done about the quickly revolving kage.

Now what is the true capabilities of the now green orbed stranger that Sanosuke was training? If his eyes did give him visual prowess to easily distinguish Sanosuke, then not many of his attacks would land. As soon as Ruvaak moved to counter and the strike was meaningful to kill him, Sanosuke would parry the strike and quickly flick his wrist to cause the point of his chakra point to hit the boy's sword arm nerve to make it by reflex drop his weapon. It wouldn't cause him lasting pain, but for the time it will be a flash of pain too much for him to handle and drop his blade on instinct. That will be when Sanosuke points his blade at Ruvaak's stomach to get him to yield again.

The man's laughter filled the room at Ruvaak's words, was he being too cocky or did he say something that the man found funny, Ruvaak wondered as he kept his eyes on the man, he knew that if he took his eyes off the man it would be his biggest mistake yet and cause him to be met with the end of the man's blade once again and he wasn't ready to let that happen just yet. Ruvaak stood in standby as he waited to see what the man would do or what he had planned to do. When the man began to speak while dusting himself off giving Ruvaak a little praise as well as telling him that its never just swords all that matters was victory and Ruvaak had to agree as that is how he felt himself, and is exactly what he does in any fight including this one even if it was just a training exercise. The man pulled another kunai from his holster preparing it as he did the last one saying he wanted to see if the attack Ruvaak landed was a fluke or not before dashing at him again, when the man got close to Ruvaak he began circling him moving faster than he had before Ruvaak could tell that much even with his Onikeigan no longer active, the man was moving almost like a blur as he circle around Ruvaak making it seem as if he was surrounded by afterimages of the man.

As the man circle each time the man came around full circle Ruvaak was smacked with the flat end of the sword and although he couldn't feel it he knew the bruises would be forming soon and he had to do something about the man striking him or else he would be in real trouble. Ruvaak's first attempts at hitting the man was met with nothing on the other end and the smacking of the sword across the different parts of his body was starting to annoy him causing him to get slightly frustrated as it continued despite his efforts to strike the man. Just as he was about to snap and scream out in frustration it occurred to him he had to think smart and not let the man get to him like this, as the man continued smacking him, he did his best to try and focus on the man and find where best to strike at him so he wasn't wasting his energy swinging at the air. When he struck out this time he felt for sure that his strike would hit the man and the smacking of the man's blade against his skin would stop, he was right about one thing the smacking of the blade did stop however his blade didn't find its mark, instead the man parried his strike and struck his arm. When the man struck his arm he must of hit a nerve due to the fact that his arm spasmed and his talisman fell from his hand along with the blade which dissipated shortly after it fell, with his blade gone Ruvaak knew there was nothing he could do any longer as it would take time to recreate his sword and he didn't have it as the man was now pointing his blade at Ruvaak's stomach.

Ruvaak held up two fingers before saying, "I submit" looking at the man with great disappointment in himself, he did the one thing his uncle said was the reason he wasn't ready to learn the way of the blade, because he hadn't yet trained his body to withstand strikes like the man had just done as most of his training was with a bow and from a distance the concepts of close combat wasn't easy for him, but the most disappointing thing was that he couldn't continue training with the sword master as he no longer had a blade to use but he was unsure how exactly to tell the man about this. After a few seconds he found the words, "Wow you are fast, it was amazing it's clear you know what your talking about and know what your doing and it's also clear that I can learn a lot from you, but um now that I dropped my sword it will take me time to build my chakra back up to be able to create a weapon again" Ruvaak paused for a second before continuing trying to gage the man's reaction to his remark about the blade, "I understand if you don't want to wait or have other things to do, I appreciate everything you have showed me today and I will continue practicing alone if you do need to leave like I said." Ruvaak finished with a bow to the man to show him how much he respected and appreciated his training and help in learning the way of the blade.

---

WC: 839/5503

With his blade leveled at the boy's stomach to yield, Sanosuke inspected Ruvaak from where he was. The boy didn't want to show it but he was exhausted. It was only a matter of time before his physical exertion would catch up to him. Being a bowman, from what the boy told him, isn't nearly as physically taxing to the body as it is to fight close quarters with a sword. One of the many reason why he was able to completely demolish the boy was stamina that he lost from fighting so hard and so consistently. His body wouldn't keep up with the speed, and Sanosuke played on that. It was good to inspect what the Ruvaak was doing wrong. From what he could tell, his form was riddled with holes and openings that any other swordsmen of Sanosuke's caliber would expose. But in time, the Raikage knew that these holes will be filled with experience on the field. Experience is the best and cruelest teacher in the world, she is without mercy but you will learn. The boy finally yielded and Sanosuke dropped the blade and let the chakra fizzled out from the kunai. Whipping it around from the kunai ring, Sanosuke put the knife back into his holster.

It takes a lot of character to know when you were beat and not still cling onto the hope of winning a fight that you cannot possibly win. There are no such thing as miracles on the battlefield. Miracles are for dreamers, and dreamers are usually the first fools with a blade sticking out of the chest. Sanosuke put his hand on the boy's shoulder and bowed his head to show Ruvaak the respect he earned from the Raikage. "Your skills with the blade will only strengthen with experience. I merely guided you in the right direction, it's up to you should you continue onwards the path I've sent out for you." Sanosuke smiled while looking at the talisman. Walking off, Sanosuke let out a yawn and stretched his back out from the strain of all his training. "Don't bother trying to exhaust yourself. You're body is wounded and tired. More training will be pointless and you won't learn anything. Eat your fill, rest your body, lick your wounds. Then you may return and we can continue where we left off." With his back turned to Ruvaak, Sanosuke waved him off before the barefooted swordsman padded away from the top level of the Tower of Heaven and towards the exit. It was time for himself to rest as well. He had been training his body for almost 2 days straight.

---

(exit thread)

The man's hand on his shoulder and his slight bow meant more to Ruvaak than the man could possibly know, Ruvaak strived on proving himself and for the man to acknowledge his slight achievement with his bow was the greatest thing to happen to him since he left Valyria and only further fueled his determination to continue on his path. Ruvaak took the man's words to heart bowing to the man as he left, "Thank you for everything you have done for me Sanosuke I will not forget it." soon after the man left Ruvaak too gathered his supplies and headed for the exit he was extremely tired even if he hadn't realized it earlier and couldn't wait to reach the sleeping giant inn and soak his body in a bath and eat before passing out for hours on end, as he started his long walk back to the inn his mind was racing with all that he had learned from the man known as Sanosuke and hoped he would run into him again before he left Kumo maybe he would be able to show the man how much he improved since their training session today, Ruvaak's mind thought back to how he learned not just how to hold the sword and how to use it properly but how to expect anything to happen within a fight, and to never let his guard down no matter the situation. When Ruvaak had finally reached the Sleeping Giant Inn his feet felt as if they were on fire from standing on them so long from the training and walking that the first thing he did was take his shoes off and give his feet some breathing room before finally soaking in the bath for nearly an hour, after which he quickly ate until he felt like he would explode if he took another bite, and went to bed, as soon as his head touched the pillow he was out like a light and his dreams were soon filled with the clashing of metal as he dreamt of sword fighting.

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WC:352
Total WC for Training: 5855
Learning Kenjutsu: -1500
Bukijutsu to B-Rank: -2000
Strength to D-3: -1175
Endurance to D-3: -1175
words left over: 5
Ryo Cost: 300
EXIT THREAD