This had been the place. Quite a ways from the ruins of Sunagakure, mostly covered by the desert sand, a couple of large sandstone boulders laid resting undergrounds, their tops a silent reminder of the burial tomb that had since long sunk into the sand sea. These sandstone bricks still held the sickening grey colour from when Laïs had drawn out all of the natural chakra from the surroundings, defiling this place when she expulsed a massive amount of senjutsu boosted Yin-chakra. The critters that had perished were puddles of black ash, a good nose would still pick up the faint scent of decay.

Laïs would step into the tainted area as if it were her home. The place held a couple of intense memories for her. Another mental scar of terror, the explosion of Yin chakra, the first discovery to necromancy. This place meant nothing, its secrets forgotten or unobtainable, but it had been given value in its death. Laïs would smile before twirling about arms spread out.

"These stones below us are the remnants of burial grounds. Perhaps you'll feel the decay of the forgotten dead, so unless the dead rise to disturb you I'd say this will make a fine place for a conversation. We'll see anyone trying to sneak up on us from far away too."

With the warmth of Suna's sun turning the sand sea in a reflective oven, Laïs would remove her cloak and lay it to rest on a nearby stone, revealing the black dress with a slit in the side she was wearing as well as the full extend of how pallid a being she actually was. The milky white of her skin was not just visible in her face, but also on her arms and the occasional sighting of her left leg. She would shake her ashen black hair, allowing air to refresh it a little as it fell down to drape over her back.

"Your necrosis intrigues me. You showed me a liquid version of your pestilence, turning these people into rotting fish, but I know you have the spark of lightning and the form of earth within you as well. Do those elements form the base of your necrosis as well?"

She could think of an idea on how to use Earth, but necrotic lightning was an ideology that eluded her. The idea of electrocuting someone made the slow process of torture caused by necrosis strangely redundant, though bringing pain with lightning was a delicious fantasy if anything. Perhaps one worth to try out someday, if Lamya would allow her to play with a couple of ideas. The Flame of Pestilence from her dream would have to provide the answer on that one, then on another question. And yet another. There was so much she wanted to know now that she had discovered a goal for her Yin-chakra. She hadn't exactly asked him if he wanted to teach her, but how mean would it be to tantalise her with a show of his own and then not continue the revelation of more?

---

524

It seemed she did know of a place where the two could continue their conversation in peace. Not having to worry about someone interrupting, or trying to eavesdrop on their talks, like the people in the nearby slums were trying to do. The smell of death, coming from the rotting corpses of the men who dared to attack them, being a wonderful deterrent. Many found the scent of death repulsive. There being some unnatural about the rancid smell, causing many to become ill, and turn the other direction as their minds bring forth macabre images of what could emitting such a stench.

Being a self-proclaimed master of the necrotic arts, having practiced and refining the process for over ten years, the stench that comes from decaying corpses no longer phase him easily. He no longer crinkles his nose in disgust, nor does the taste linger in his mouth, whenever in the presence of the odor. He having grown accustomed to it, though, while that might be the case, smelling it constantly can wear him down, hence him suggesting a change of scenery, “Lead the way. . .”

Following her, leaving the place they once were, his thoughts drifted back to his unexpected company. She being someone who, if her previous comments being in any indication, had an interest in the necrotic art, showing a fascination in the dreadful skills that many have shied away from or shun due to the damage it can cause. Having met other medical shinobi, Lais was only the second person to show an interest in the necrotic arts, the other person being his wife. Unlike his wife, he could not pinpoint where Lais’s interest in the art came from. Could it be she was always interested in using necrosis? Did she get introduced to it at a young age? If so, by whom? Or was it that, after meeting Lamya, her curiosity in the art spiked? Even then, that left some questions unanswered. Questions that he was curious to find out the answer for.

He did not know how long they had walked, it being a quiet affair with his thoughts preoccupying him, and his eyes scanning the surroundings, looking for any ambush. It would do them no good if the two was ambushed while traveling through the wasteland. Eyes briefly lingered on the ruins of the once proud village, looking away from the destroyed buildings and homes that were now being overtaken by the sands. As the apparent destination neared, he faintly picked up the smell of decay. It being a light, prudent, fragrance amongst many others that would have been overlooked by anyone else lacking a sensitive nose.

Flamboyant or maybe eccentric? Both of the words could be used to describe Lais. The woman having a flair for theatrics on a small scale. A burial ground. How fitting, the place would be chosen considering the death he caused only moments ago. He did not feel anything for the particular place. His thoughts on those buried here, of the people he might have known, were closed off. He having already come to terms with their demise   “I do not feel the decay of the forgotten dead, but, I do smell it.”, The comment was alluding to the faint stench in the air.

Dark yellow eyes briefly looked at Lais as she removed her cloak, disclosing what she looked like underneath the robe. With raven black hair, pale skin, and wearing a black dress with a slit up on the side, she looked like a mistress of death.  

At the question proposed, he thought about what all he should disclose to her. They were not close friends, strangers at the worse, and an acquaintance at best. There was no reason to spill all the secret to this woman, who could very well run back to Lamya with said information. It did not take him long to figure out what he was okay with telling the girl who was intrigued in his craft, "Incorporating necrotic energy into the earth is simple enough with you only needing to change the composition of it to said energy. I just have not thought of an applicable way that suits my needs.", He admitted, "As for lightning, I have run into roadblocks in finding ways to incorporate necrosis with said element.  "

Though he did not outright answer her question, he did provide her with some answer, "I prefer not to mix necrotic energy with elements, just more difficult, unlike manipulating the energy freely. There is the add benefit of not having to worry about the opponent's elements, seeing how non-elemental energy work" An oddity in the shinobi world, he did not rely on his elements as much as others might have. Preferring to use non-elemental techniques, usually in the form of necrotic energy, to his advantage.

"I find it interesting that you were able to determine my affinities at a glance. Is that an innate ability use or something you create?", There being a hint of curiosity in his voice, as the mystery behind how she figured out his elements was one he wanted to be solved.  Maybe, if she told him the truth, he could find a way to make his own version, as long as it was not an innate ability? "I am also curious about you, Lais.", His eyes zeroed on the woman, "Tell me, why are you interest in necrosis? Does this interest stem from childhood, or forced upon you by another? Out of everything a medical-nin is capable of, you show an interest in necrosis, a shun art. Why is that?"

He wanted to know why she had an interest in the dark art. While she seems to be intrigued in picking his brain for anything regarding necrosis creation and manipulation? Was the interest born on its own? Or, was it forced onto her by another person, Lamya, perhaps? Maybe, just maybe, if her answer suits him, he would indulge her with the information she seeks.

---

1005

She would nod slowly at his explanation on his elements and necrosis. It made sense not to mingle them, just like it made sense it had to be harder to make an elemental version. Having earth and air as elements herself, she often felt as if her necrosis took on two distinct forms - a physical one and an airborne one carried by scent. The first sort was the easiest, as it was just a matter of channelling her own innate chakra through her hands or the senbon she carried, the second one had only revealed itself during her training here. The air itself around her often turned into a brooding place of viruses and pestilence. Invisible, a distinct smell, but so far to little effect. It would be a ways she'd explore in time, however.

She smiled wryly when he mentioned her ability to read his aura. So he had figured out her casual revelation? Fun. But was it innate? No, not really. It was simply one of the applications of the occult lore her father had crammed into her.

"It is not innate. It is an application of occult lore my father once tried to teach me, and one of the few that I kept alive. Aura reading is a straight-forward ability relating to clairvoyance.", she shrugged. "Few have ears to spare for such superstitious mystical talk, but I guess it's up to others to decide what they perceive as truth or lie."

She would gauge his reaction to her answer. She was used to people shunning her father's beliefs on the occult arts and the demon summoning techniques written in the few journals he held, but it was the first time she revealed this little secret to someone who didn't live in the Land of the Demons. Even Lamya had yet to be made aware of her little trick, though she did know about Laïs occult background.

"It was my father's pet-peeve. He did not have the ability of chakra molding as far as I know, but he was always experimenting in his little lab. Breeding diseases, infections. Spreading them as he penned them down with crow quills. Maybe his experiments affected me, perhaps I'm just that sort of twisted girl. I've always been treated as a monster... but I don't mind."

She would channel her chakra within her hand, nails growing black as the natural Yin-rich chakra saturated her hand. A washed off black would surround her hand, sickening green veins running through it like electricity.

"I've heard about medical chakra. It's supposed to heal, isn't it? But I can't. The worst I can do is create a slow process of decay that eats away at the body, bringing a horrible pain before they finally find rest in death's embrace", as the crow sage's natural chakra would start to mingle with her chakra, Laïs eyes' would turn into the same beady black glossy colour as that of the ravens. "The best I can do is unleash a massive amount of my chakra in a burst to kill my test subject straight away.", her black hair would gain an iridescent glance, streaks of blue and green revealing themselves as the sun illuminated them. "But what I truly want... Is to go beyond mere necrosis. I want to create life from death itself.", then purple runes would cover her bleak arms, the aura around her hand having turned a shadowed black, the green veins dispersing and creating the vague images of ethereal ghostly faces. Just briefly, before she clenched her fist and ended the apparition of the Yin-rich chakra around her hand.

"I'm a carrion crow sage. Every night I dream about the lost souls of those that have been violently killed here and who have not been put to rest. They are dead, and yet they live on in a world most can't begin to grasp. All I want is for this world to perceive the Otherworld as I do. Having you teach me how to properly master my Yin-chakra would be of great help, but I'm aware every demon will request a price, so do name yours."

Life in death. Unlife. She did not believe there would be anyone that could teach her that, but she did need a solid grasp of this Yin-aligned Iryojutsu to set the first steps herself. Lamya had already said she didn't work that much with Yin-spectrum, knowing Daremo would prove to be a better teacher for her. The crow sage was now waiting for an answer to see the path that would unfold before her.

---

791
Total: 1315

So, her ability to determine his elements were not an innate one, but, something taught to her by her father. Steeped in occult lore, from her words, it was one of the few things she kept alive to this day. Briefly, he wonders did she even realize that, despite her seeming dismissal of whatever else was taught to her by her father, she was in actuality keeping the man’s teachings alive. Even by using the simplest aspects of the man’s teachings, she was keeping his legacy alive, and ensure it would continue to live on through her. Did she even realize this?

“Most people do not realize there is some value in such superstitious, mystical talk. There are pieces of knowledge and truth in even a deranged man’s words.”, He shrugged, taking a glance around the surroundings, “But, when it comes to something they can’t be explained through science or chakra, seen, or seemingly too farfetched, people will dismiss it as rambles of a madman. I, for one, does not.” His mother always taught him the value of listening to the words of those who he encountered, even if they might not be the smartest, or sanest, individual, there is always something to learn from another.

Though he did not show it, he was surprised at what all she was telling him as she spoke about her father’s inability to use chakra. Instead of letting the crippling disability to define him, the man took to the labs, experimenting, and breeding varying diseases and infections. It did not phase him when she hinted at possibly being an experiment, her father’s ultimate creation, and being treated as a monster. “People have an irrational fear of what they don’t understand or something which they deem too unworldly. When either of that happens, they resort to petty name-calling, knowing they can’t do anything else.” He spoke, watching in interest at the transformation of her hand.

A familiar presence, in its infancy, greeted him once more, as her fingernails turned black, with off black energy, having green veins, covered her hand. He had felt this energy earlier when they had first met near the slums. It was almost ironic really, a man who could not use chakra, and spent his time breeding diseases and infections,  ended up fathering a girl who lacked the ability to heal but only cause decay. There might be some truth in her early comment about being her father’s experiment. Lais could very well be her father’s final creation.

Daremo shook his head in negative when she mentioned that medical chakra was supposed to heal, “Sure, you can believe medical chakra is supposed to heal. It is adaptable enough to heal any wound, but I personally do not believe that. First and foremost, I believe medical chakra was meant to kill. Unlike ninjutsu who’s effects can be readily assumed based on their elemental composition, medical chakra does not have that distinction. As already mentioned, medical chakra is adaptable, being able to take on any effect we desire, so long as we know of it. But ninjutsu? We already know the effects of ninjutsu, for they are all the same at the core, just a different shape, and size. The same can’t be said with medical ninjutsu.” While he was a ninjutsu practitioner, his love, and passion

Though his focus was on her words, he did not miss when her eyes came beady, turning into small black pits, and how her hair gain streaks of blue and green that were only visible by the sun illuminating them. The transformation, which he immediately realized was Sage Mode, was not over yet as purple runes covered her arms. Seeing someone so young entering Sage Mode, and having control over it, was impressive. Not many could boast at being able to achieve such.

“You remind me of someone else, Tei Jugo, with that fascination of wanting to create life from death.”, Though she did not outright say it, he had an inkling at what exactly what she was referring to. Much like his former sensei, turned lover, and then a traitor, it would seem Lais had an interest in messing with the dead. Ignoring the morality of the topic, he personally did not have anything against such studies. The dead have so since pass, leaving behind their ‘shell’ which can be used for whatever means someone wishes.

He nodded his head when she introduced herself as a Crow Sage, the animal being fitting for the woman who transverse both realms, and seeing the souls of those who died. “You say, you want this world to perceive the Otherworld like you do. Can you honestly say they are ready for that? To experience what you experience every night? To potentially see the souls of lost love ones, opening up wounds that was once closed? Is the world mentally ready for what you wish to thrust upon them? “ He inquired, wanting to see the woman’s conviction to her dream.

Daremo smirk at the girl’s assumption of him training her, and having to pay the price for such help, “My price is two-fold.”, He admitted, waiting to see the woman’s reaction before going on to say what he desired. “I am a man of knowledge, part with me some of your father’s knowledge, specifically pertaining to disease and infections. If what you say is true, then there might be something the man discovered or knew that I do not.“ He allowed the words to sink in, “And the last thing I want might be most difficult. I want you to use the knowledge and insight gain from me to create something of your own and strive. All my other students seem to lack the creativity and ability to think on their own. To take what was learned and make it into something unique to you, and only you. All of them tried to copy me, and while some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Think you can do that or is the payment to steep?”


With the prices been told, he wonders what would her answer be? Would she accept his teaching at the cost of allowing him to learn more about her father’s breeding of diseases and infection, looking over the notes of a man who, maybe, had created her? Will she accept the seemingly innocent rule of not following in his footsteps? Using the gain knowledge to create something only unique to her? Were the prices too steep, and if so, would she try to bargain with him, or turn away? Who knew. However, not everything was what it seems, Daremo did not play the game like a normal person, his mind on what to do with Lais was already settled, even if the decline his payments.

---

1152[2157]

Daremo made the world sound so easy to deal with. Fear. People feared the occult and judged it. They feared the Jugo, and judged her for it. It was the first time in two decades that she heard something that made as much sense as this, and yet she had no idea what to do with it. He laid bare the core of a situation and discarded everything else as if he had uncovered a jewel in a dung heap and made it clean. Such a contract with the necrosis he spread and dealt with, yet much in line with the philosophies he revealed to have concerning iryojutsu. It felt eldritch to meet someone that viewed her so differently than most, and yet still held a different point of view than Lamya who believed her to be a cherished tool in need of sharpening.

When he dropped the Jugo's name, Laïs blinked. Another Jugo? Lamya had called her a Jugo before, but she had always believed it to be some nickname. Before that, she had never even heard of the name Jugo. The second time she had heard about it was in the Otherworld with the corvus, where they had somewhat but not quite revealed that it was a name of some clan. She had not heard the name after that. Not a rumour, not a name, just dead silence. Now for the first time another Jugo surfaced and it seemed he had tried to achieve what she wanted to do. Coincidence? Were they related in other ways than just their name and goals? She felt a need to pry loose more information about this Jugo, just to see what exactly made someone a 'Jugo', but she held back on that curiosity for now. There was a time and place for everything.

"I don't think they are ready, no. But neither was I ready to be called a monster, to be force-fed occult lore as a kid. I grew up with demonology and otherworldly knowledge, but when I entered the world of the shinobi all I knew was nothing extraordinary. Necrosis was a thing in the Land of Demons, here it's an aspect every iryo-nin can do.", she replied, anger visible in her eyes. "It didn't stop me from learning and growing, so why would the revelation of truth stop others from embracing lost ones or heal the wounds they suffered?"

Her momentary anger would dissipate as quickly as it came. If both worlds were revealed, it would prove a physical death was not the end of things. In the Land of Demons, apparitions, akuma and bakemono were an accepted occurrence. There were priests and priestesses dealing with such troubles. They had called upon a priestess to deal with her as well, believing she was possessed, but such things were considered superstitious here. The few people of faith here revered invisible gods but had little power to prove the reality of their divine's existence.

"This world is vastly different from where I come from. Many things that made sense to me are discarded here. It's like my very identity holds no meaning and all my knowledge was gathered in a dream but the world I lived in is real. The occult lore I speak off is written in a set of journals called 'Ars Goetia'. Ritualistic traditions once written by a Yobadashi named Azakiel, and passed on by to wanderers and mystics in search of immortality. We consider them Dark and Forbidden Arts, yet over here they are dully classified as Summoning and various applications of ninjutsu. Still, if such occult lore is your price I can bring it to you, but I'd first have to return home since I didn't take the journals with me."

His second request was nothing to worry about. Learning was a process she had been done most of her life, and Lamya made sure she pushed her powers to the limit just so she'd surpass them. But to make something unique once taught... was that even possible now? She had believed to be the first one to deal in necrosis, and was proven wrong. She now discovered there was a means to bring life in death, and here a Tei Jugo was brought to the plate as someone with equal interests. Could she even remotely be considered unique if someone else had left the footprints for her to walk in, no matter how vague or forgotten they were?

"We have a deal, Demon of Pestilence.", she allowed the words to sink in for a moment, so that both could confirm what was being offered and taken. "I'll take the initiative and explain how aura reading works, then."

Laïs moved to stand next to Daremo.

"The aura is a field that surrounds every living being, may it be human, animal or plant. Some would call it a magnetic field inherent to living beings that attract or oppose other beings much like a magnet, but an occultist is able to pry loose sensitive information by reading the aura. The first requisite is to acknowledge its existence without reason or thought. It is there, accept this. The second step is to be able to see it. Simple in principle and approach, but harder to execute."

She'd lift her hand up before her eyes.

"The aura is around our body, so focus on the area between your fingers and around your hand. Look with your mind's eye, not with your naked eyes and you'll see a thick border your hand. A sort of vibration of energy. That's the inner section of the aura, and the easiest to see. The outer section of the aura is much thinner and can spread out for meters depending on various factors such as health, confidence, spiritual strength, state of being and more of such. Trees generally have a widespread light aura, animals have a thick and retracted aura. Those of people vary greatly, but I noticed there is a relation with how good someone is at chakra manipulation - yours and Lamya's are vastly more imposing than those of others."

Dropping her hand, she would look at Daremo to observe his actions and see if he understood this. Most likely, as he was a sage of his own, the whole deal would be child's play. The detection of auras and presences was a natural ability to those who could deal in senjutsu chakra, the difference simply being that a Jugo had a natural affinity to senjutsu chakra while others generally had to practise it. That difference was what had intrigued Lamya, but Laïs was mostly unaware what this difference exactly could mean.

"Once you succeed at this, all you need to do is learn to read and understand the variety of colours in the aura. Some hold a colourful splendour, others herald the promise of nightmares. It's different for everyone, no matters small or big. I assume a shinobi would be intrigued to read the elemental affinities of others, but you could read emotions, the presence of  hidden memories and feelings with it if you master aura reading. Just note that it can be spiritually taxing as the 'second sight' is not far off from glancing into the Otherworld."

She would watch Daremo's aura again, frowning and blinking a few times as the truth of his aura washed over her senses, but otherwise all there would be seen was her seemingly daydreaming as she looked at him.

---

1267
Total: 2582

150/170:

There was no denying the point Lais made regarding rather or not the people were ready to learn the truth of the world. They did not give her a chance to live a normal life. Calling her a monster for something out of her control. Force-feeding her knowledge that she probably never wanted to begin with, but doing so because they believed it was ‘right’ thing to do. From the earliest moments of her life, Lais did not have a choice. She could not voice her opinion on the matter. She just had to take what was given to her and deal with everything that followed. How could he fault her in wanting to bring the cruel reality to the rest of the world? To those who are blissfully unaware of the harsh reality of the world.

While he might have questioned rather the people were ready for such intimate knowledge. To know there was more to the world than what is currently thought. To realize that death is not the end, but, the beginning of something else, something more. Sure, it might be easy for the younglings to handle the knowledge. They were still much malleable to change, and durable enough to withstand it. Children would be the easiest to endure the change, to come to terms with the new reality, but, the same can not be said by those who are older.

It is the older generation who would have a harder time in dealing with the sudden change. Having grown up with certain beliefs, that may or may not be vastly different than the truth which Lais's speaking about. It would be difficult for them to accept the particular form of truth. Some of the older generations could very well break from the knowledge? The strain from knowing that there is something beyond what previous was the belief, what was previously thought, it could be devastating to them. Would it matter though? That some people would have a hard time accepting the truth? Honestly, no, at least in Daremo’s opinion.

The brief flickering of anger in her eyes did not escape him. The ghost which appeared and disappeared as quickly as the wind did not avoid his ever watching eyes. She was right to be angry at those who force-fed their beliefs, which did not hold much in these parts of the Elemental Nations. They did her an injustice. Aside from the anger, something in her words gave him pause. She spoke about Necrosis as a thing. As something that wasn’t just a disease created by man, but something more. If he did not know better, Daremo would question if the Necrosis that Lais’s spoke of was a living entity instead of a conceptual thing. While he wanted to ask her about it, to find out if there was more to it, he refrained from doing, for now, instead listening to her speak on the subjects which he was curious about.

“Yobadashi” and “Azakiel” these names were unfamiliar to him. This being the first time that he ever came across such oddities. He can only assumed “Yobadashi” was either a family or clan name, and this “Azakiel” person being apart of said group. Whoever the person was, it was their knowledge that Daremo seemingly sought after in a set of journals called “Ars Goetia”, again, another term he was not familiar with, but one that intrigued him just like the other two. He wanted to get his hands on such knowledge. To skim through the contents, find out why they were classified as “Dark” and “Forbidden” arts. Unfortunately, he thirst for knowledge would have to wait for her to retrieve them, “Those names are unfamiliar to me. This being the first time I ever heard of ‘Yobadashi’, ‘Azakiel’, nor do I know the meaning behind, ‘Ars Goetia’, but I am curious learn about what this ‘Azakiel’ wrote. To see how different their knowledge is to those here. To hopefully understand why they considered the knowledge in the journals as ‘Dark’ and ‘Forbidden’ arts, and maybe apply them in my own way.” He did not bother in hiding the reason behind wanting to glean the words. He wanted to expand his own knowledge, to become stronger, to reach another pinnacle of power, and maybe the journals would be the key to such. “If you need a companion on the journey back home, I would like to accompany you. I would like to see the Land of Demons for myself.”, What was left unsaid was the name of the country brought forth memories of old. Foggy memories of a time where he was but a Special Jounin, apart of another village, where he had been taking to the Land of Demons. Not remembering how he got to the village, he does remember facing some of the inhabitant, even a being who wielded necrosis on a level better than him at the time. And now, with the mentioning of Land of Demons, he wanted to revisit the place to see if he can find the individual once more to finish what was started.

Though he did not have a reason to care for the feelings of those outside of his precious people, Daremo still felt the need to comment on Lais’s outlook on her identity, “Do you really believe your identity is tied to the teaching of those from your homeland?” He inquired, “Just because the lands are different from your home, it does not erase who you are. Lais, an identity is whatever one desires it to be. You are your own person, and it is your choice to decide what your ‘identity’ will be If you want to carry on the teachings of you have learned? Then do so. You are your own person, right?” Throughout life, he had learned one’s identity does not come from the world, but through the actions of oneself. It is what an individual does with their life, what they strive for, that determines their identity. The world can label an individual, giving them an identity, but it is up to the individual to find their own identity.


“We have a deal then, hatchling.” He spoke with slight amusement upon noticing the slip of tongue, ‘hatchling’ being a terminology used by his Senjutsu partner and trainer. Though, he should not be surprised that he would start exhibiting other characteristics from them. If Lais would pick up on the slip of tongue, and question it, he would explain, otherwise he would remain silent.

Like a studious student, Daremo listens intently to the words being spoken by the young woman. As she went on to explain how aura was something all living beings have, he was reminded of the true nature of Senjutsu. How natural chakra was in every living thing, no matter how insignificant it might be. Though there might be similarities between the two, it did not mean he would dismiss what was being said. Only a fool would discard knowledge, even if it were similar to what they know.  

Doing what was instructed, he focused on the area between his fingers and around his hand, searching for what Lais had described. In the beginning, his eyes focusing on his fingers and hand could not perceive what should have been there. Remembering it being similar to Senjutsu, he tapped into the specialty that had not been mastered yet. Even still, if one looked close enough, the faint reptilian scales around his eyes, a byproduct a past failure, became more prominent. Only after tapping into Senjutsu was he able to discern the thick border of vibrating energy surrounding his limbs, taking note of the sickly and diseased characteristics. “A pale green energy with murky brown, translucent blue, and bright yellow veins flowing through the mass. Said mass corrupting each vein, which I am assuming is my elements. If that what you saw? Or did I do something wrong?”, He inquired, looking up at the woman, wanting to know if what he saw was correct or wrong.

Only after getting a response would Daremo stop channeling the technique, “Is there any side effects for accidentally looking into the Otherworld?” He did not want to gaze into the Otherworld accidentally, and there being consequences for it. All of this, the Otherworld, aura, etcetera, was new to him so questions would be asked. ”Only the fools don’t ask questions when in doubt.”, He mused. Knowing the value that comes with getting answers from questions that one’s seek. It would do no good to continue on the path when there were questions needed to be answered.

---

1448[3605]

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It was a little perplexing to meet someone who had never heard of the knowledge in the Land of Demons. Much like Lamya, Daremo was unaware of what transpired there or how differently they looked at things. The world there dabbled in occultism much like the world here was all about shinobi power and kages. It was normal. The Great Priestess ruled much in the same way as a Daimyo would, her servants watching over her like samurai did. There was no such thing as shinobi in her home country but chakra molding was not unheard of. Just named differently. They had their own clans, the Yobadashi being one of those, but could she truly blame someone that had possibly never set foot in there to be unaware of what she considered common knowledge? She couldn't, even if others had looked in an odd fashion for not knowing what elements and specialisations were. Still, it would be a whole load of lore to share if she had to explain all of it. A responsibility she would have to take upon her shoulders if she wanted to take up Daremo's offer to travel with her to the Land of Demon. The question now simply being: did she want the company? She had no idea as of yet.

She was somewhat of a mind he had misunderstood her notion of identity. It wasn't that she didn't know she was her own person. It was more like all she had once known and seen simply had no value in a world where shinobi and chakra held the solution to everything. Different concepts of the same knowledge she held but alien to hear nonetheless. She would remain silent to his questions, her eyes blurring as she gazed into the distance dreamingly while she thought about his questions. She was her own person and therefore created her own identity, that much was true, but where she had believed she was carving a new path she was faced with stories of how others had already paved the road before her. Sure enough, those roads were old and forgotten, but they were no longer new. What then was left for her to discover? Was she only there to rekindle old flames? "Seek the truth. Be the truth.", the crows' cawing resonated in her mind. "Bear the legacy of old." And then what? Become a Flame of Pestilence herself? She couldn't do that. The agreement was not to copy Daremo, she could not walk his path. Did not want that either.

"Yes, that is what I've seen. A murky flow as water, a sickening solidity in the inner section of your aura that speaks of drained earth and veins of corruption coursing through it all that betrays your raiton affinity. You catch on quick. Now, reading your own aura is easy as you know yourself but try reading the aura of someone else a few times and you'll see that every element is able to manifest in different colours. I've seen raiton as white, blue, yellow and black. Water as blue and green as the ocean, and as white and translucent as slime. Earth manifesting in yellows as the sand below our feet and as dreary as that of a graveyard. Every aura is different in colour. The trick is not to rely on your eyes but on your intuition."

His next question was unexpected. Technically, Second Sight didn't really peer into the Otherworld itself but it was very much the basic philosophy needed to learn that ability. Relying on intuition, 'looking beyond' the mundane. It could eventually lead one into seeing apparitions in the corner of their eyes, catch sounds 'that weren't there'. It drove most people insane and paranoid as they feared to see things no one else could or wanted to believe in.

"That depends on your willpower. Learning Second Sight alone isn't sufficient to look into the Otherworld, but it is a step-stone towards that ability. Delve deeper and you'll see a world few others can perceive. But the true question you should ask is, do you wish to be considered insane for seeing things that others don't? If not, better not to watch the Otherworld. If so, know that when you gaze into the Otherworld, its inhabitants will see you as well. The window goes both ways and the entrance swings open to either direction."

But that was just the beginning. Being seen by a spirit was one thing. Harmless, as most spirits didn't care either way. But having them manifest day and night, talking to you, haunting you, moving with you, correcting you whether right or wrong... It forced a single person to live life at its fullest in two worlds. Living two lives in the span of a single lifetime. Laïs lived in those two worlds. Even though asleep, her spirit was aware of her body being at rest. A strange sensation that left her drained. Not so much physically but spiritually. It was a taxing endeavour no matter the willpower, and that cost could already be seen in the general expression of exhaustion that Laïs carried around ever since she had learned her Sage form. Was she to share this knowledge? Demons didn't offer all the information right away, always keeping something behind so they could strike a second bargain in their favour. So perhaps it was better to remain silent about the full extend of such abilities for the time being.

"Abilities such as these are not unusual in the Land of Demons. Much like the five elements form the base of the Great Nations, Yin and Yang is what makes our country's clock tick. Rituals, incantations, intuition, premonition, sixth sense... they all relate to the visible and invisible aspects of the Cycle, some being easier to explain and believe than others. If I'd take you on your offer for company as I return to retrieve the Ars Goetia, do you think you could hold your ground against invisible forces and philosophies that may challenge the foundations of your life?"

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The lack of response from Lais in regards to traveling with her to the Lands of Demon did not phase Daremo at all. To be fair, the question was an abrupted one, lacking any reasonings to justify the need to come with her. No indication in why he desired to venture into the lands foreign to him was given. For all Lais knew, the man could have some bad reasoning for wanting to venture out with her. Friends they were not, merely strangers who knew each other through a mutual individual. While both seek some form of knowledge, neither, at least in Daremo’s case, knew what the other wanted to do with it. Asides from those as mentioned earlier, there was no other connection the two had that warrant a level of trust which he was asking. If they spend more time together building a stronger relationship could be made, but, that will take time, and, as of right now, not enough of time had passed for Lais to agree with taking him on such a venture readily. Would he go if agreed? Surely, but if she refuses to take him along, it would not have a problem with it. He had no problem in waiting for her to bring back what he desired.

The technique that was showed to him seem easy in theory. It revolving around the use of Senjutsu to perceive the world in greater detail - to see beyond what normal sight fail to do. When he first tried it, dipping into the unknown, he was almost overwhelmed with sensory overload. There was so much to filter through, sort out, and make sense of in a relatively short time. It was only thanks to the woman’s words that he was able to make it an understanding of the unknown world around him. For someone like him, many would believe learning such a technique would be easy. But, learning a technique with a very little understanding of it, no matter if another was teaching it, was difficult, even for the seasoned warriors. It took him meticulously picking through her words, finding what was important, and form his own idea of what the technique meant to do, and how it was supposed to achieve the effect. And, while he managed to perform the technique, he still questioned if he did it correctly, along with asking about the Otherworld

“Despite being a Jounin, it still took me a few minutes to figure out the technique. It was new, something I never used before. In order not to mess up too badly, I had to follow your instructions completely, and hope I did not mess up along the way. I will admit, sensory jutsus is not something I pride myself in, so the information perceived was nearly sensory overload. Only thanks to using Shadow Clones, and dealing with the massive feedback from them, that I was able to sort out through the chaotic mess I perceived safely. I also have to thank you for helping me with figuring out what exactly was being seen. I surely would not have come to the same conclusions without trial and error. I will keep the information, regarding the color of elements, in mind, although, does this also extends to Advance releases or is it limited to only the basic five? I would assume that would not be the case, but, I do not know for certain.”

Daremo nodded, listening to the woman speaking about the Otherworld, and how the second sight was merely a stepping stone to eventually peer into the other world. More so, the further he delved into the ‘second sight’ the closer he gets to peering into the Otherworld. There was a warning to all of this. He should take heed in looking into the Otherworld unless he wished to make a connection with something not of this world. He would not be lying if the thought of connecting with some supernatural entity was not enticing. “If I do delve deeper into the Otherworld, how can I be considered insane when I won’t tell others what I see? It won’t be my problem if they don’t believe it. Though, I doubt I will attempt in driving into the Otherworld any time soon, not until I am sure I want to do something like that.” Of course, he could have lied about his intention, not telling her that he had a desire to venture into the unknown, but he decided against it. She was the one with the knowledge on such subject, and, as far as he knows, the only one who could help him if mistakes were made. It would be for the best that Lais knew his intentions, in case there was more information she could give him.

It seemed that his earlier assumption, regarding her being hesitant in allowing him to accompany her on the journey, was wrong. From her words, it appeared that she is willing to let him come, provided he can handle what awaits him. Could he really the invisible forces and philosophies that will, in her words, challenge the very foundation of his life? Was he opened enough to deal with everything that was different from his lifestyle? At first, the decision was tough, but, “You mentioned that you wanted this world to perceive the Otherworld as you do. While the Land of Demons might not be the Otherworld, it is the place where you came from, and if there is a place to learn more about your goal, to get a better understanding to prepare for what is to come, then I am willing to have my life challenged by whatever the land has to throw at me. Besides, only through adversity do humans grow.”, allowing the words to seek him, letting her know that he is willing to travel with her if she allowed it.

Having answered the question, Daremo starts thinking about what all he could teach Lais. The necrotic techniques he knows are not the easiest to learn, but, he wonder could she potentially take the mechanics behind them, and turn them into something she could use. “I have to admit; I am kind of jealous of the Jugo’s ability to naturally harness Nature energy. While it takes time for normal shinobis to learn how to use it, Jugos seems to have an innate ability for it. Maybe that knowledge will come in hand” Shaking his head, “I am going to show you two techniques. Do not worry about the first one. It is just there to demonstrate the second technique ability.”

Without using hand signs, or showing any indication of performing a technique, electricity began to radiate from his fingertips. The yellow sparks arched between his fingers, jumping from one to the next. “Lightning only causes electrical burn damage, right?”, He asked, outstretching the hand, “But what if that we can change that? If you can, watch what happens to the composition of the lightning.” A moderate amount of chakra began to flow into the outstretched hand. If Lais did what was asked, she would notice the makeup of the flowing chakra being sickly, diseased ridden, and vile. The pale green energy was intermixing with the raiton chakra, becoming one with the low-powered jutsu, empowering it considerably. She would also see the raiton taking on properties similar to the vile energy, “Have you figured out what I did? Do you see what the second technique is made to do?” He asked. While he could have told her what he did, explaining it to her in detail, he wanted to see if she can figure it out. Wanted to know if she can look at a technique, and with very little information, figure it out.

”Let’s see how smart you are. . .”

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"You should be fine. Second Sight is simple enough in its nature that you'll either succeed and see the aura or fail to see it. The worst you could suffer, perhaps, is eye strain since you are not used to such techniques but even that is a matter of getting used to it."

His question on advanced releases was not a bad one as those were not quite commonly spotted. Back in Iwagakure and Kumogakure she had seen a rare few of them walking down the streets, the memory reminding her of their peculiarity and how she had been confused about it. Lamya had once explained her that everyone had chakra in them, while Tenjin had told her only a few had the proper training to mold that chakra to various effects. Her technique had made a difference in recognising them, as those without the ability had any auras manifesting a specific element. It felt like looking at a blank paper waiting to be written on. But the Advanced Releases, which were made up of two basic elements, often had the strangest colours one would not come to expect from the base elements that formed them.

"The aura of an advanced release user is... confusing. If I had not known the base elements that shaped them, I'd have been at a loss to identify them. As an example, I once noticed an aura pertaining to Explosion Release. I could see the rich brown of doton that looked very much like the mountains of Iwagakure. His raiton manifested as vibrant air, lacking colour, but full of power. The Bakuton, however, had no colour but made his aura look and feel explosive and expansive. It was much more wide-spread though not necessarily stronger than that of others. Just... blown up."

Her eyes would glaze for a moment as she sought into her memories for how others looked like. Lava Release, Storm Release. Those too had different auras than what she had come to be consider the norm among shinobi.

"Storm Release was different too. The aura surrounded the owner like a dark and brooding cloud and cloaked the two basic natures. Flickers of white lightning ran through it, while the dark clouds themselves varied in hues between washed black, dark grey dark blue to betray the suiton affinity. In other words, advanced releases can be identified but since they are not exactly elements of their own but an amalgamation of basic elements, they aren't perceivable in the same way as the base elements. You'd have to puzzle a little to figure it out."

Daremo's inexperience with the Otherworld would show as he stated that he could not be considered insane if he didn't talk about it, unlocking a chuckle from Laïs as he spoke. Perhaps it would be that easy in the beginning but the deeper one delved into its existence the more 'alive' the Otherword became. The door swung both ways, so every time it was opened to step into that world, the Otherworld stepped inside the world of the living just as much. Laïs thought about how she could explain this to the best, all the while listening as to how Daremo considered adversity to be the best way to learn. No wonder he get along with Lamya. Still, he had a point when mentioning the best place to learn about it was in the Land of Demons where the Otherworld was a more integrated concept than the world of the Five Nations.

"The Otherworld has its ways to make itself known. You may keep quiet and believe that none will hear you speak but how will you deal with the flickers of ghost in the corners of your eyes? What about the messages being delivered by spirits at the most random of times? About the voices that will ring into your ear, promising the end of your loved one? Every time you open the door to the Otherworld and step inside, that world enters ours. Delve deeper, and its energies will become apparent even to those that do not dabble with it. Such is their relation. Like Yin and Yang. Thinking about it, you might be right that the Land of Demons is better fit a place to teach you that sort of matters.", she'd say with a wry smile. A subtle indication that he was welcome to join her if he wanted. It would be quite a long trek from here out, as they'd first have to reach Iwagakure before moving further to the Land of Demons. At least, as far as she knew, since that was the road she had taken when she fled her homeland.

Eventually the conversation would return to her Jugo nature and as to how they were naturals at absorbing chakra within their system. Lamya had expressed that same interest before, making her wonder what it was exactly that attracted them to that natural ability. Were they not aware of the Jugo's inclination towards losing control over their emotions, making them only see the natural affinity? Or did they deliberately discard that dangerous aspect of the feral-blooded members because they believed it would not apply to their own senjutsu skill? Not feeling the need to poke around in her own essence of being as it made her rather self-aware, she let the questions in her mind slip for the lessons that would be brought to the plate. Two techniques, of which the raiton one was to be discarded. Laïs would step closer to take a good look at the electricity running through Daremo's fingers, watching how yellow turned to pale green as necrotic energy corrupted it. She recognised that sickly expression of chakra too well, concluding out of this that he had added a necrotic effect to it, but other than that she could not say to what extend he had altered raiton's burning nature.

"It looks like your necrosis corrupted the natural raiton chakra. How exactly does this change raiton's burning properties? Will it leave snakes of burning necrosis on touch?"

Though she asked the questions, Laïs didn't wait for answers. She'd form the half-Demon hand seal and feel her chakra saturate her own body to improve its resilience, then carefully slide her hand across the flowing necrotic lightning. The lightning would instantly run across her hand, its burning sensation not to be denied as lightning and necrosis tried to burn away her flesh in vain. The discomforting feeling of raiton felt like it tried to numb her senses, an unwelcome and unfamiliar guest attempting to take over her body, whereas the necrosis was more of a familiar feeling only off-set by the fact it was a foreign chakra fuelled by hostile intent. Pulling her hand back, Laïs would look at her unscathed hand watching how stripes of anguished red and pallid white affliction would disappear as quickly as it appeared.

"So it does both, actually. That is intriguing", she'd muse as she observed her hand. "Does it only apply to ninjutsu techniques?"

The principle behind it was not too far off her own ability to enhance her basic strikes with necrosis. It granted the lightning's damage the added benefit of afflicting one with necrosis. Two types of damage in a single technique was a step-up from her ability to add necrosis to her taijutsu style. However, she was not a ninjutsu specialist, begging the question if she would still be able to do something similar with her own fighting style.

---

OOC: Not too sure if blocking properties were applied correctly to the D+A rank jutsu.

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An assurance was given when a question was raised in regarding the backlash of the technique taught to him by Lais. Though she mentioned the worse he could experience was eye strain due to his lack of experience in using a technique like this, Daremo was still going to be somewhat cautious. Not because he lacked faith in the woman’s words, but rather due to his medical knowledge regarding how delicate the human’s eyes could be. The slightest mishap could potentially damage his eyes for good, and cause nigh-irreversible damage to the pair of organs. While he could grow back his own eyes, something that was easy for him, he did not want to go through the hassle of doing so. Because of this, he would take caution when using the technique, until he knew for certain of the consequences that might arise.

An ever curious individual that he was, the childhood aspect remaining about who he was, Daremo listened closely to information regarding the coloration of Advanced Elements was give. She was admitting that the coloration for Advanced Elements was coming. When he initially proposed the question, he had thought that, upon laying eyes on someone with an advance element, the elements making up the advance one would mix together to form a mixture of the two, and gain the particular characteristic of the advanced element.  While he was wrong when it came to the basic elements mixing together, forming a new hue, it would seem that he had been correct with the advance element’s aura having characteristics associated with them. With advance elements being a union of two or more elements, it would be left to him to figure them out. He could not rely on Lais in giving a descriptor for every advance element, he will need to do his own research into the matter.

The idea of looking into the advance elements, finding individuals with different ones, was intriguing to the man. In the shinobi world, there were a lot of advance elements that was commonly known by many throughout the nation, yet, new ones were continually popping up. There is no telling how many advance elements were out there in the room. And while he might be intrigued in exploring the Elemental Nations searching out these advance element users to get a better picture of what their union of two or more elements looked like, he could not. He had other priorities far more important than to gallivant around the Nations for such a mundane task. For now, he will just have to let them come to him. Speaking of other priorities. . .

The Lands of Demon. Did he really want to return to those lands? The last time he had gone there it was against his will. The silver-haired male having only laid down his head for a deserved rest, just to waken up in some strange lands; a town that was on the border of Land of Demons. The experience was not a pleasant one. There being a lot of monsters, literally, who had wanted to sate their hunger for human flesh. He does not remember how many monsters he took down back then, before disappearing further into the town, but, he vividly remembers the horrors of the place. Now, he wanted to return back there, to settle a score with some beast that had escape him? No, while initially, the beast mentioned above was the reason why he wanted to return, but now, there is another reason. Curiosity.

Daremo was merely curious about the world that Lais came from. To experience and, hopefully, understand a world that so many have overlooked. He wanted to get a better grasp of who Lais was, as a person,  by returning to her homeland and maybe unearthing things about her. He also wanted to find what the connection between the Lands of Demons and the Otherworld is, and how it came to be. There were so many questions needing to be answered, and he just hope some would be. Of course, his trip to the lands would be put onto hold of Lais denied his request in joining her on the excursion.

As questions were thrown at him. Questioning on how he would be able to handle the supernatural world that will be open up to him, if he comes in contact with the Otherworld, he did not have an immediate answer. How would he deal with fleeting apparitions from the corner of his eye - disappearing before he could get a good look at them? How will he handle dealing with the spirits who will deliver messages at random, “ If by chance I come in contact with the Otherworld, opening a path for it than I will just do my best to handle whatever it has planned for me? I won’t doubt or believe something is impossible. I will keep my mind open, to all possibilities.” He spoke. Smiling, Daremo did not miss the subtle answer to his previous question. She was going to allow him to come with.

“When would you like to leave for your homeland?”, He questioned, “There are some important people I would need to say goodbye to before starting this adventure.” His thoughts drifted to his wife, pair of twins, his niece, niece and nephew, and sister. They being the only people who he honestly gave a damn about. They were the ones who he lived more than anything else. With the strong bond he has with them, he could not leave without telling them where he was going. Doing so would just cause unneeded stress and worry for all the left behind parties.

Patiently waiting for her answer, Daremo watched as Lais studied the corrupted lightning coursing through his outstretched hand. For those with sensory, or an ability similar to Lais, they would notice the unnatural composition of the raiton. It still resembles the element, though mixed with something vile, corrupted, and diseased rid. Diseases might be known to cripple and weak things, but, in this particular case, it strengthened the raiton power. When an answer to his question was given from Lais, followed by a question of her own, he nodded his head, “Yes, the necrotic energy is corrupting the raiton chakra.”, He spoke. Watching as the woman formed a half-hand seal, the feeling of her chakra saturating the air, and wiped across the necrotic lightning. The necrotic lightning was attempting to cause harm, but, being unable to do so.

The question asked was a good one, and Daremo shook his head in negative while dispersing the lightning from his hand, “It is not limited to ninjutsu. It can be used to corrupt any chakra. For example, say you are using the standard chakra scalpel. A technique mainly used in surgeries to make incisions into the body, but, have found used in combat as a means to deal damage similar to a blade along with allowing you to block bladed attacks. I could corrupt the nature of the scalpel so that, asides from cutting into the body, it will also cause necrotic damage along with increasing the damage done. Think of necrotic energy as a disease which can corrupt and empower anything. ”, He spoke, letting his words sink in before continuing on. “I view necrosis as an energy that can be shaped and molded to the whims of the user, however, unlike your standard energy, this one has the unique ability to corrupt and spread. . .  just like a disease or virus. If you view it like that then there is not much, you can’t do with necrosis. Just a matter of creative. I have other necrosis techniques, though, those are more destructive, and might draw in unwanted guests.” There was one particular technique he could show her, but, that would require them to have a stronger trust than they currently do. He could not allow anyone to see that technique unless it was needed or their bond was close.

“You focus on medical ninjutsu, yes?”, He suddenly said, “What is your other specialist?”

---

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An open mind, huh? Was that even the best option when dealing with the Otherworld? Allowing it inside would only improve its own influence upon others, but shutting it out would not exactly deny its existence. The aspects of Yin and Yang were strange forces not easily understood. Forces that had driven the limited minds of mortals to insanity or other mental afflictions. The aspect of Yin was supposedly present in some of these 'shinobi techniques' but those only scratched the surface of Yin possibilities. Even the Land of Demons, which was more naturally aligned to these powers than the Five Nations by far, didn't tap into its full possibilities.

But the Otherworld was, so to speak, the opposite of this world. Here, Yang energy prevailed. Life was slightly more favoured than death since population was on average on the rise. In the Otherworld, in Yomi, Yin energy prevailed. Only the dead lived there. The bared essence of the souls generally sheltered by the physical bodies. Some would call them pure chakra expressions with a certain hint of sentience. Perhaps, more accurately, would be the source that allowed a living being to manifest chakra and move the body around. Whichever the truth was would probably never be revealed to the limited comprehension of mortals, such secrets strictly reserved to gods only, but one thing was certain: the rules in the Otherworld were different.

"Don't worry. I'd have to inform my mistress as well before I prepare for the road.", she replied to his worries. Not that she had much to prepare. A couple of clothes, and that was about it. The girl had left the Land of Demons with nothing and would return there with nothing as well. She wasn't really happy at the foresight of returning to a place she had left to rot but it looked like fate would have it otherwise. One way or another, one day or another, the Land of Demons would pull her back to finish that which she had left behind unfinished. The circle had to be closed.

The insights on the versatility of necrosis which Daremo explained was one Lais found difficult to grasp. What else than entropy would it bring? Was it not so that every form of necrosis would ultimately end in the destruction of life? Virus or infection, airborne, visible or liquid form, did not every sort of necrosis destroy the tissue of life itself to draw in death with every passing second? Her eyes would linger on the last parts of the necrosis raiton. Necrosis could be applied to a variety of carriers, that much was clear. The application he had shown not that dissimilar to how she allowed her own tainted chakra to improve upon her strikes. Its other uses, however, sounded like something she'd have to try out, experiencing its versatility rather than talking about it. Nothing unusual there. Enlightenment often came with practise.

The focus would shift to her specialisations, where Daremo would ask what she focused on. He knew about Iryojutsu, of course, her mistress' prideful technique considering it required focus, control and precision - a contradiction to the Jugo blood that ran through her own veins.

"I believe the Nations call it Taijutsu. Close quarter combat, mostly. I like the idea of beating up my opponents from close perspective, but I have found it... lacking compared to what I've seen others do. I have a couple of senbon, of course, but those will hardly be of use against stronger opponents so I'll have to expand my affinity with chakra manipulation to something more versatile. Something more useful to put my innate Yin-nature to a better use.", she'd give her reply with a certain hint of annoyance visible on her face. She liked capoeira and dancing, getting up close and personal with her partner to deal a couple of punches and kicks, but experience had taught her that inner circulation only brought one so far. "What would be your intake on the matter?"

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It was not surprising when Lais mention having to inform her mistress before they could depart on the expedition. It made sense to report back to a superior when it comes to traveling somewhere else. He, himself, will, unfortunately, have to make a noticed with the administration about his departure as well. There should not be any reason for them to deny his request. He having down well throughout the campaign and made strides towards furthering the Raikage’s agenda. The mere thought of helping Hastur left a bad taste in Daremo’s mouth, but, nevertheless, he has done his part, therefore, him leaving for a while should not be a problem. Once he received confirmation was given, he would then need to inform his family, and hope none of them would be too worried about his departure. There were no need to worry about their safety, especially his wife and children, Hikari and the rest of the Komodo summons would watch after them. Niala, his niece, would be fine as well.

Necrosis. He remembers vividly the moment when he discovered the unused property. The grueling nights spent learning how to turn his own chakra into it. Trial and errors were common when he first started, there was no guide to converting one’s chakra into necrosis. Poisons? Sure, there were plenty of books on during that, many being copies that were written by Senju Tsunade’s apprentice, Shizune. But, when it came to necrosis? There was nothing to help him in the endeavor. He had to figure it out on his own. Those nights spent trying to convert his own chakra eventual bore fruit, and the years of hard work was first shown in Kiri during their civil war. It would be there were the world witness the Pestilence Cloak, that unknowingly would be the starting point for many of his necrotic techniques. It was the grandfather to everything. From then on, he only revised and improved on the ability until it became what it was today. Throughout it all, notes regard the subject was written and compiled into a singular book. A book containing information regarding his techniques, and how they were made. He had not let anyone, asides from his late mother and Kaia-mai, to see the book. Maybe he would change that by letting Lais if he could trust her.

The conversation turned to what Lais’s was specialized in, asides from the medical art. It was surprising to find out she uses Taijutsu as well. Though he noted, just like him in the past, there came annoyance with the specialization. While he did not know where the annoyance stems from, it was clearly there. “Taijutsu is not meant for everyone. While it could work with medical ninjutsu, using chakra scalpels and varying auras to apply other additional effects to your strikes, are better choices.” He spoke, slipping his hand into his person, withdrawing a single black senbon roughly five inches in length. “Chakra flow, that is flowing your energy into objects, including your body, to produce different effects, would be more suited for you. It would allow you to turn a simple senbon into some far more deadlier than what it seems. Unlike ninjutsu, it is hard to know if an object is enchanted with chakra. This can lead to fatal interactions with those not aware.  In the turn of using necrosis, you can even augment your body with it through Chakra flow, afflicting anyone who touches you with it. “ Letting the words to sink in, Daremo thought for a moment, “There is also fuuinjutsu. But, the applications it has with medical is not well known to me. And, I rather not give you information on subjects that I am not well-versed in.”

Slipping the senbon back onto his person, Daremo looked at the position of the sun. A good amount of time having been passed since the start of their conversation. Looking at Lais, "Chakra flow might be something you want to look into. In my opinion, it would be a good specialization for you. But, ultimately, the choice is yours." He spoke.

---

691[6955]

Daremo's insights would reveal that her own conclusions on Taijutsu were not wrong. With Iryojutsu at her disposal, requiring more precision and chakra mastery, taijutsu became of lesser importance. It wasn't that martial arts were bad but the simple approach of enhancing strikes was something a medic could do just as much as a taijutsu specialist. Alternatives were offered, however. The suggestion to specialise in the flow of chakra rather than that of the strict control that came with iryojutsu would be a nice addition. Control over weapons, armour, items. Basically, turning not only the body of the shinobi into a weapon but also what they wore and used. Laïs would think about that one. It certainly sounded interesting to manipulate items to such a degree, allow her Yin-chakra to infuse senbon or whatever item she wore. With that sort of skill she could actually become more war-viable than what she had now.

Daremo also mentioned Fuinjutsu, though he was unsure as how it would synergise well with medical chakra. She had heard of that art before but it hadn't called to her. Sealing, unsealing. Very basic principles that could have great effects if combines with other abilities but it sounded somewhat redundant to seal Yin-energy to unseal it at a later time when she could push her body to do the same with a single hand sign. Still, Laïs was a Jugo. She was well aware that activating her combat form was pretty much not all too different from activating what some called a Cursed Seal. Was she interested in a second Seal of that sort? Hardly, as she believed she could maintain control if only she was able to work properly with natural chakra. But what else was left then? Ninjutsu, puppeting? There seemed to be little that truly caught her interest.

"I'll look into it. Thanks for the advice."

The sun had moved quite well by now. It was time to return home. She had a lot to think about and a few other things to prepare. With the war in Sunagakure never resting, her free time had been limited just as much. Eyes resting into the shifting red globe that was slowly making its descent towards the horizon, Laïs would speak briefly before she'd make her way back to the Ryujin's head quarters.

"The sun's setting. Why don't we return home for now? We both have quite a few things to think about, work on some plans for the nearby future with this whole conversation."

And so Laïs would start walking direction home. Daremo was free to walk along if his road went the same way as perhaps he had still unfinished business to conclude with her mistress. But that was something only the two of them would know.

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[EXIT]

478
Total: 6044
- 1500 B-rank jutsu: Surplice of the Serpent
- 1500 B-rank jutsu: Fade to Black
- 1500 B-rank jutsu: Death-Bound Thrall
- 1500 B-rank jutsu: Clairvoyance
Discarding rest

Thread WC: 12'999

Daremo nodded at Lais’s words, “Don’t mention it. I have an invested interest in seeing you becoming something bigger than what you are. And, no, this interest has nothing to do with your mistress. “ He spoke.  There was no need to go further in detail what he meant by those words. Lais might have become a student of his, but, she still had a long way to go before she can be trusted with the knowledge. Though others might have no problem in spilling their desires, Daremo played a different game entirely. He spoke and said what, he perceives, people wanted to hear. It was much easier to play along with the masses to get what he desired than go against them, and considering his history? Such a tactic was not something unsurprising for him.

Taking a glance at the setting sun, Daremo agreed with Lais’s words. Indeed, the time had escaped them, and it was time for them to return back to where they came from. “Yes, I agree. I will need to find time to train you, though, considering the trip ahead of us, it should give me ample amount of time to nurture you into something greater.”, He spoke, walking right beside the woman, leaving behind the place their meeting. “If you ever need me, I am sure you will find me.” After speaking those words, he ventured off the path, his body flickering out of existence as he performed a body flicker. Who would have thought a simple mission would end up turning into something potentially fruitful for him?

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266
Total: 7221
Senjutsu(B -> A) 7221/8000

Training continued here

Thread WC: 13265