Nagare followed the plume of smoke in the sky, bored as ever. He had seen the exact same plume there, every single day, but never thought to follow it, to see where it lead. Horui was the one who gave him the idea; he, too, was bored as hell. Kumo was getting dull. Nagare, in his mind, expected a sudden surge of missions and activities and such, but was left with hanging around the village and training alone. All very anticlimactic and unexciting. They finally reached the source of the smoke, and found themselves standing over a forge of sorts, full of lava with various weapons lining it. Nagare felt the rim of the forge, and his hand came away covered in ash and dust; the forge hadn't been used in a long while.

He turned to Horui, and looked out to the sunlit sky. "Let's train up here." he said, confidently. Maybe sparring near a forge would be more entertaining than on a tomb or in the sky on a mountain.

---

Suiton Training D > C
Word Count: 174/2,850
(5% off due to Souseiji KKG being active)

The heat from the enormous forge was uncomfortable, but Bokuden was so used to it by this point that it barely effected him. The smiths that worked the skyforge were the best in the lightning country, and being a swordsman Bokuden was no stranger to the work of blacksmiths. He often visited here to browse weaponry, have repairs done on his equipment, and observe all different manners of weapons that came through the skyforge. Today he had come to the skyforge to have his sword professionally sharpened. It was an activity that Bokuden usually could and did perform himself, but after the damage his blade had suffered during the kenjutsu tourney he felt it prudent to place his sword in the hands of the best in the business. It had mostly been already cared for by the smiths of his clan, but it never hurt to get a second opinion.

Today however, it appeared that he had made the trip for nothing as when he approached he saw a sign that read "On vacation! Be back... eventually!". Irritated with the obvious waste of his own time and the fact that there was no disclosed timetable for the smith's return, Bokuden sneered, "This again? He's on vacation every other week!" Just before he was about to leave he heard someone approaching the forge, one voice but definitely more than one person, at least by Satomi's ears. Satomi's senses were rarely wrong and since the voice was not that of the smith's, Bokuden thought it prudent to conceal Satomi and himself in the outcropping of rocks that towered above the forge.

As the two remained hidden they watched as Nagare and Horui climbed up to the location of the forge. "Let's go down and greet them," Satomi said to Bokuden

"No, not yet," Bokuden replied, "Let's see what they are doing up here first"

Word Count: 319/9000

Raiton S>SS

Horui was pumped up and ready to go. He raised his fists, prepared to punch. Then to took a moment to think. I don't even know how to do Taijutsu well. Huh. Nagare, we should take our sparring matches more seriously and buy things. Like, WEAPONS.

And what did you have in mind? Nagare thought back inquisitively.

Y'know, kunai. Senbon. Shuriken. Ninja-stuff. Nagare toyed with the thought for a moment. He engaged in a few stretching exercises before replying, this time aloud, "Maybe later. For now, we can just practice Ninjutsu like we always do." Horui peered closely at the forge behind them. Can we at least train Suiton instead of Katon or Raiton? Nagare stood straight, cracking his neck and knuckles. "Sure." He then poised his stance and kicked. Horui caught his foot and gave him a glare.

"Fine, fine. Ninjutsu only." Horui smiled and pushed him away, and they took different stances, both ready to start slinging jutsu.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 337/2,850

Bokuden watched from above the forge as the two seemed to be getting prepared to participate in some sort of training. "Really? They are going to train up here, on a forge? Did they forget about the one hundred other training grounds in this village?" Bokuden thought to himself. The two seemed to be communicating with each other, but only Nagare was the only one talking. Horui couldn't speak, but since they were of the Soseiji clan Bokuden assumed that they had some sort of linked consciousness. At least that is what he could ascertain based on his knowledge of the clan's technique.

Nagare then launched a kick at Horui, which Horui caught. "Taijutsu training, huh? I didn't think they were the close quarter combat type," Bokuden said to Satomi.

"I still don't think they are. Look," Satomi replied while motioning her head down towards the two. They had jumped apart to create some distance between the two. It looked as thought the two were assuming stances as if to prepare some kind of jutsus from long range.

"Alright, I can't let this go any further. If they damage the forge with their training the old man is going to kill them," Bokuden thought to himself. He then drew a kunai while the two prepared themselves for battle and threw it down directly in between them in order to get their attention. "What do you two think you're doing up here? Does this look like a training ground?" Bokuden yelled down so the two could hear him clearly.

Word Count: 586/9000

Raiton S>SS

Nagare was ready to launch a water jet, when, suddenly, a kunai slammed into the ground between him and Horui. Some sort of attacker? He looked up and heard a familiar voice boom, "What do you two think you're doing up here? Does this look like a training ground?" Nagare was surprised that he seemed to be acting as a security guard of sorts for this newly discovered forge. True, it didn't look like a training ground, but it was more entertaining to train here than the usual places. His face was a bit too far to discern his identity, but the pup next to him proved well enough that it was Bokuden.

"I see, Bokuden. Is it so bad to practice a little Suiton ninjutsu up here? We weren't going to mess anything up." he smirked, and plucked the kunai from the ground, throwing it into the molten lava of the forge. "Now what are you doing here? It doesn't look like anyone else is here but the four of us, so what was your purpose if not to train?" Nagare played with the notion that maybe Bokuden had followed the two of them here, but it was unlikely. Horui barely cared, he just wanted to get to training already.

---

Suiton D > C
Word Count: 552/2,850

Nagare gave Bokuden some manner of justification for his actions, though not a particularly convincing one. Apparently he and Horui wanted to practice their Suiton ninjutsu... next to a forge that needs to be kept lit constantly, with equipment set up all over, and yet they didn't think they would do any damage. Bokuden placed his palm on his forehead and let out a deep sigh, "No suiton jutsu next to the forge! The skyforge belongs to the best blacksmith in the country and the forge itself is ancient and priceless."

Bokuden then watched as Nagare picked his kunai up from the ground and through it into the forge before asking what Bokuden was doing here. "This hearth is a forge. I came here to have the smith take a look at my sword, but it looks like the old man is on vacation... again," Bokuden then jumped down from the outcropping of rocks to where Nagare and Horui were standing. "But seriously," Bokuden said while waving his finger at both Nagare and Horui, ]"No jutsu training next to the forge. He might be a bit of a nutcase, but you don't want to piss off the old man. Rumor has it the last time that someone ALMOST damaged the forge, he threw them in it."

Word Count 804/9000

Raiton S>SS

"That seems like a fine rule, I suppose." Nagare hopped down to the surface just under the forge, still close, but not close enough to be doing any damage, really. It was some sort of platform that seemed like a sparring ground that was connected to the staircase leading down from the forge. There were dummies set up here and newly-made weapons nearby. How stupid am I? There's a practice area right here, to test new weapons...

Horui approached one of the dummies, and pressed on it. It was somewhat firm, and probably durable enough to withstand a few jutsu. He pushed on the dummy again, and strode over to the rack of blades and bows. There was a variety of them, from katana to sai to longswords, while the selection of bows was just as vast, with smaller bows on the left and larger ones on the right. The largest bow was fashioned out of pure steel, by the looks of it. It grabbed Horui's attention, and he attempted to pick it up. No such luck, far too heavy for someone of his size.

He figured that these weapons were only for training purposes, and not for keeping. Unless one was to go to the smith himself and have it forged, of course. He groaned aloud, with no sound escaping his mouth, and nudged Nagare, implying he was prepared. Nagare turned back to face Bokuden and Satomi, who were still next to the forge. "Would you like to join us, Bokuden? We're in a designated training ground, now."

---

Suiton D > C
Word Count: 815/2,850

Nagare seemed to agree to Bokuden's demands and hopped down from the forge platform to a lower level. This new are was covered in training dummies and weapon racks. By the look on Nagare's face it seemed as though he had scaled the forge without ever stopping to look around at the platforms that were on the way up.

Horui seemed fascinated with all of the weapons hung up on the racks. It didn't surprise Bokuden as Horui did take an interest in the sword fighting competition, perhaps he did really want to learn bukijutsu. Horui walked over to a bow rack and tried to wield a huge steel bow to no avail, he could barely lift it off of the rack. Maybe he just liked shiny, pointy things after all.

After giving up on trying to use a weapon, Horui let out a groan and turned to Nagare. "It looks like he's ready to go," Bokuden said to Satomi, "I guess he doesn't want to use a weapon today afterall."

Nagare seemed to be prepared to begin training as well by the looks of his stance, but he instead stopped and turned to Bokuden. "Would you like to join us, Bokuden? We're in a designated training ground, now," Nagare said putting extra sarcasm into that final statement.

"Hmph," Bokuden reacted to that last comment with a smirk, "I don't see any harm in it. Let's go Satomi."

"Indeed," Satomi replied. The two then jumped down to the training platform to join Horui and Nagare.

Word Count: 1067/9000

Raiton S>SS

The four of them stood, all facing one another. Nagare and Horui were itching to test out their skills, as well as their adversaries', in battle. Horui stopped Nagare before he made a hand sign. We need to remember that he's a Genin. He's capable of fighting us on equal ground, but that's at his best. We're not going in to kill him. He glared at Nagare as he thought this. Nagare sighed aloud. I know. I'm not stupid. Horui replied with a sly, You've proven otherwise. before sprinting at Bokuden at full speed. Nagare stayed behind, preparing a jutsu. "Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

The fog blanketed the area, obscuring vision for a wide range. It was a typical move for Nagare and Horui, with Horui dashing in and Nagare staying behind for support, but it was effective.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 958/2,850

Nagare's Chakra - 115/125:

There the four of them stood facing each other, each side waiting for the other side to make the first move. Taking an all out offensive approach wasn't really Bokuden's style. Other than the fact that it was a rash and foolish course of action, Bokuden's fighting style called for a more syncopated rhythm, head on attacks were too predictable. Horui and Nagare seemed to be discussing something amongst themselves, but since Horui didn't speak and they had to communicate telepathically it wasn't like Bokuden could listen in just in case they were formulating some kind of strategy. When it finally appeared they were done talking, Horui charged at Bokuden and Satomi, with Nagare staying behind and weaving some hand seals in preparation to perform some kind of jutsu. Once he finished he unleashed a cloud of thick water vapor from his mouth that engulfed the platform.

"The hidden mist jutsu then, is it?" Bokuden said to Satomi, "He did say he did some training in Kirigakure."

"Oh my, it appears that they intend to take away our vision," Satomi replied, "How quaint."

[color=darkblue]"Keep track of Nagare, don't lose track of him. I'll deal with Horui," Bokuden told to Satomi. However, Bokuden was skeptical of Horui charging in so carelessly. He was unarmed and showed no feel for Bukijutsu, but perhaps he was a taijutsu user. They didn't seem like types for close quarter combat, but that was irrelevant. The match has begun and it was time to prepare a counter attack. Bokuden swiftly drew a kunai from under his coat and tossed it to Satomi who caught it in her mouth. Bokuden then assumed a drawing stance with his sword at the ready and awaited his opponents' next move.

Word Count: 1367/9000

Raiton S>SS

Horui, having little knowledge of close-quarters combat but a good amount of speed gathered, pulled out a summoning scroll (Shinrin Hogo-Sha, namely) and summoned Ondan, a nearly 7 foot tall red panda. Ondan dashed to Bokuden, drawing one of his katana, while Horui ran off to the left and circled around, about 8 meters southwest of Bokuden, at the edge of the mist. Ondan held his katana out in front of him to block any oncoming strikes while he ran.

Nagare wanted to start out slow, Ninjutsu-wise, so he slung a simple Great Fireball technique, his most often used jutsu. Honestly, he couldn't really use any better jutsu, with his arm being broken and in a cast. If he had wanted to use a stronger technique, it could've taken quite a while. He watched as the Fireball advanced quickly from his position 10 meters away towards Bokuden.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count:1,110/2,850

Nagare's Chakra - 100/125:

Horui's Chakra - 105/125:

"Bokuden!," Satomi exclaimed immediately picking up the scent of something approaching.

"Yeah, I know," Bokuden replied. Whatever it was it was approaching fast, it was now within Bokuden's Passive Range and only coming closer. From just next to the signal of whatever was approaching there was a large orange flash which seemed to be approaching at an even more rapid rate than what he had sensed before. The large orange flash was likely a fire jutsu and the approaching signal a summon. Nagare and Horui had demonstrated proficiency in each discipline back on the baseball field and it was the only reasonable explanation, especially considering he had never felt this particular electrical signal before. Either way he had to move fast. He motioned to Satomi, who was still close enough to him to see the signal, to jump onto his shoulder and she complied. He then activated his Current Perception: Close Combat Range in order to get a more exact reading on the incoming creature. He was still unable to see what it was, but now he was able to see what it was doing. As it approached Bokuden leaped onto its head and then quickly launched himself forward, safely out of the way of the creature and the fire jutsu.

"I forgot he doesn't know," Bokuden thought to himself, "I don't need my eyes to see.] It was time to launch his counter attack and he had just the plan to test Nagare. He quickly weaved the necessary hand signs for a basic Bunshin jutsu and created five clones. He sent them forward to charge out of the mist and in Nagare's direction, but he himself jumped back up to the forge level and sneaked over to a ledge behind Nagare. The mist and blind summon should have occupied Horui long enough for Bokuden to make a move. Before awaiting Nagare's reaction to the clones he threw a kunai down at his feet, out of the sight of anyone below. Now all that was left was to see what Nagare could do.

Chakra 140/150:

Word Count: 1715/9000

Raiton S>SS

Nagare waited for the outcome of his technique, but couldn't see too far thanks to the mist. Horui! What's going on over there? Did I hit him? The fireball blew past Horui, and footsteps could be heard as they proceeded towards Ondan. Ondan's heavier, more spread apart steps stopped, and he called out, "He jumped on my head! This kid's spry." Horui followed this claim and broke through the rim of the mist by running further south. He noticed Bokuden's figure appear from out of the fog, but he was still partly obscured by it, as well as a ledge. Naga, look out. He's behind you, but I can't see what he's doing.

Ondan, who was growing a little worried with all of the silence, called out, "Incoming, Nagare!" as he unsheathed both of his katana at full speed, sending two blades of wind in Nagare's direction. They sped forward, clearing meters in nanoseconds, and they dissipated three of the five clones as they escaped the mist. The blades continued moving forwards, now moving fast toward Nagare. He reacted as best as he could, and ducked down, dodging one of the wind blades completely and taking a few minor cuts on his shoulder from the other.

He now knew that these were ordinary clones, and since Horui had warned him that Bokuden was hiding nearby, he dashed towards the images, tackling them into nothingness. A kunai made contact just next to where he was standing, most likely from the area Bokuden was hidden in. He flashed a hand sign to release the hidden mist technique, and thought Hide somewhere, Horui, while the mist is still dissipating. Horui complied, and tucked himself behind a nearby training dummy, out of view of Bokuden. He wondered where the little wolf, Satomi, was, but didn't bother himself too much about it. She couldn't have been too far from her owner.

Nagare gestured for Ondan to stand next to him, who complied, and they both faced north, waiting for Bokuden to reveal himself as the wind blades collided with a wall, fading away.

---

Learning Suiton D > C
Word Count: 1,469/2,850

Horui's Chakra - 100/125:

Nagare's Chakra - 100/125:

Ondan's Chakra - 30/50:

Bokuden's Current Perception: Close Combat Range was useless to him at this distance so he immediately deactivated it to conserve chakra and focus his attention at analyzing the situation below. From the loud yell of whatever furry creature he stepped on to get to his position, he could not assume that his location was a secret. He wasn't too upset about that because he hardly expected this plan to defeat Nagare, but the more information he could get out of this the better. As he waited he heard Nagare's summon yell again and then saw what appeared to be fuuton blades fly out from the mist and cut some of his clones. Alright so that thing is a fuuton user. Mental note recorded.

What was particularly interesting was Nagare appearing to sustain some minor injuries from his own summon's attack. It's acting of its own accord, huh? Nagare had to duck out of the way of his own summon's attack and even then got some cuts, but he did manage to take out the remaining two clones that had survived that fuuton attack. "Well that jutsu was a bust. I suppose I'll just have to think of something else."

Just after he avoided getting leveled by his own summon Nagare made a hand seal and the mist began to dissipate. "Looks like our fun with the mist jutsu is over Satomi" As the mist began to clear up, the characters below Bokuden began to be more clear. Nagare was still standing there... next to what appeared to be a giant, sword wielding red panda. Of course it's a giant red panda with swords. Why would it be anything else? Aftr getting over the initial surprise of seeing Nagare's summon, Bokuden realized that Nagare had ran off somewhere. Bokuden then turned to Satomi and gave her instructions. We're going to join the party down there, but it would be tacky the let someone be a wall flower. Sniff him out.

Yes. Bokuden then jumped down to greet Nagare and allow Satomi to pick up Horui's scent in the air. As she searched for Horui, Bokuden decided to address Nagare.

Giving up on the hidden mist jutsu so soon? We just started.

Word Count: 2096/9000

Raiton S>SS

Bokuden jumped down from his position next to the forge that was above his combatants, leveling himself to them. He held a straightforward expression that he always seemed to have as he said, "Giving up on the hidden mist jutsu so soon? We just started." True, Nagare could have utilized the jutsu for longer with no chakra use, but it was pointless in his perspective. He would still have the trouble of seeing through it, which could lead to more wounds like those that were bleeding on his shoulder from Ondan's Equinox Break. The best way to avoid this would be the Heat Mapping Technique, but that would just be more wasted chakra, a deadly flaw in a ninjutsu user's stratagem.

"You seem to know your way around without your eyes. Therefore, the Hidden Mist Jutsu is a waste of chakra, when you're the target being obscured. I've still got a few move tricks up my sleeve." Ondan smiled his goofy grin, which was full of teeth too small for a mouth the size of his. He unsheathed the two katana again, ready to strike. Nagare held out a hand, to keep Ondan at bay. "Don't strike just yet. Like I said, I've got tricks..."

Horui stayed tucked in behind the dummy, breathing softly. Upon hearing Nagare and Bokuden engaging in conversation, he took the opportunity to throw a series of lightning darts to catch Bokuden off guard. They approached him, full speed from the east.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 1,721/2,850

Horui's Chakra - 85/125:

Nagare's Chakra - 100/125:

Ondan's Chakra - 30/50:

"You seem to know your way around without your eyes. Therefore, the Hidden Mist Jutsu is a waste of chakra, when you're the target being obscured. I've still got a few move tricks up my sleeve." The giant red panda drew his katana and took an offensive stance with a goofy grin on his face. "Don't strike just yet. Like I said, I've got tricks..." The summon looked like it was ready to go, it was curious that Nagare was holding him back. He obviously had some sort of other plan in mind.

"Well it just wouldn't be any fun if I just let him have his way now would it?" Bokuden thought to himself, "Especially with his pet seeming so eager to let loose. Maybe I can speed up the process a bit." Bokuden looked over to Satomi with a smirk. Easy fur ball, you wouldn't want to disobey your master. He might send you back to whatever hole you crawled out of," Bokuden announced across the plateau in a mocking tone, "You should try to keep a leash on your overgrown raccoon before those cuts on your shoulder get worse. That's what happens when you try to give rats weapons."

Before he could finish his provocation, he saw a few bright flashes out of the corner of his eye. They appeared to be some manner of raiton projectiles, rather weak ones at that. Bokuden raised up his right arm and pointed it in the direction of the incoming projectiles. While forming arranging his fingers into the shape of a gun, Bokuden fired three raiton projectiles of his own to shoot Horui's jutsu out of the sky. "So that's where he was. You're losing your touch, Satomi.

"Oh please, what am I supposed to get while I'm sitting on your shoulder?" Satomi replied.

"Excuses," Bokuden answered jokingly, So, Nagare what's next? Are you just going to hide behind your rat? You won't touch me with a jutsu of just that level of strength.

Chakra 130/150:

Word Count: 2443/9000

Raiton S>SS

Bokuden deflected Horui's lightning daggers with three lightning bullets of his own. He then seemed to take on a mocking tone as he taunted Nagare with, "You should try to keep a leash on your overgrown raccoon before those cuts on your shoulder get worse. That's what happens when you try to give rats weapons. So, Nagare what's next? Are you just going to hide behind your rat? You won't touch me with a jutsu of just that level of strength." Honestly, Naga took more offense to that than Ondan did, but he didn't hesitate. "Hiding? Hardly. I have half a mind to blow you to pieces, for calling Ondan a rat. Arrogant little..." Horui stopped Nagare, thinking You could really hurt the kid, if you're planning on using what I think you are. Nagare de-summoned Ondan, and pulled out the pitch black scroll he knew so well. If I need to hurt Bokuden to put him back in his place, I'll do it. But I'll be careful not to use anything lethal.

He summoned Takeshi, who used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to knock Bokuden off of his feet, and then Mohan, who used a Phoenix Flower Jutsu to follow up. The jutsu combined, resulting in a fast approaching plume of flames that would hopefully ground Bokuden, with a few additional burns. The two bats circled overhead as Nagare signaled Horui to approach. They stood, side by side, ready for Bokuden's due response. Nagare took a moment to think through his next strategy, still irked by the fact that his opponent expected so little of him. As if a D-Rank lightning jutsu was his best. It was an attempt to disorient Bokuden, if anything. Nagare felt the urge to burn the place to ashes, but bit his tongue and continued waiting for Bokuden's due response.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 2,038/2,850

Nagare's Chakra - 60/125:

Mohan's Chakra - 45/60:

Takeshi's Chakra - 15/30:

To Bokuden's surprise, Nagare seemed to take much more offense to his taunting than the red panda summon. It wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but he figured it was something he could work with. Provocation was one of Bokuden's greatest strengths in combat. If there was one thing he could do it was talk, and if those words just so happened to fluster his opponent enough to force them to take action and act rashly so be it. Bokuden was tactful enough to know that words could be far more damaging than even the most powerful jutsu, but he had no intention of really hurting Nagare, he just wanted to tease him a bit. "Hiding? Hardly. I have half a mind to blow you to pieces, for calling Ondan a rat. Arrogant little..." Nagare grumbled, visibly annoyed by Bokuden's comments.

"I can't say I'm not a bit disappointed," Bokuden thought to himself upon witnessing Nagare's reaction, "For as calm and collected he wants people to believe he is, he sure was quick to get flustered over empty words." Before Bokuden could even finish thinking to himself he saw Nagare's red panda summon disappear in a cloud of smoke, it had been de-summoned. Nagare then immediately summoned a bat, different from the one he had summoned at the baseball field, who immediately blew a strong gust of wind in Bokuden's direction. There did not appear to be any destructive properties to the gust which caused Bokuden to conclude that there was an ulterior motive for the jutsu, perhaps to disturb his footing to open up an opportunity for an attack. Whatever the reason was, Bokuden had no intention of making it that easy for Nagare and activated his supernatural walking practice jutsu to secure his footing. As Bokuden peeked in between the two arms he was using to shield his eyes from the dust being picked up by the wind he saw Nagare summon another bat, this time it was the one that he used at the baseball field. The bat then started shooting fireballs from its mouth into the gust. "Well that's not good," Bokuden groaned to himself right before leaping high onto the rock wall behind him.

The torrent of intense flames engulfed the entire area beneath Bokuden who could barely see anything past the bright flames. "Satomi, I've seen that big bat before. In addition to the katon jutsu it used just now it can also cast genjutsu. Get in my bag and stay there for a bit. Trusting Bokuden's information, Satomi silently crawled in Bokuden's rucksack and awaited his signal to come back out, peeking out through some empty lace holes. Now all that was left was to wait until the flames cleared up before making a rash decision.

As the torrent of fire subsided, visibility was slowly returning to the platform.The two bats were still circling overhead and it appeared that Horui had joined Nagare out in the open. Now standing on the vertical wall with his supernatural walking practice jutsu and wondering just how far he could push Nagare, Bokuden began a slow and deliberate clap. It was purposefully loud in order to get Nagare's attention. "Well done, Nagare," Bokuden said in the same mocking tone he used earlier, "Your combination of katon and fuuton was inspiring. It's too bad that you still needed to summon those creatures. Maybe one day, if you work really hard, you'll be able to use jutsu without having your hand held by your summons." If he would be upset at the previous insult, this one would be sure to get him going. "Now things can get interesting" Bokuden mused as he awaited for Nagare to take the offensive with his new found "passion" for the fight.

Chakra 125/150:

Word Count: 3090/9000

Raiton S>SS

Bokuden was now, very obviously, using harsh words to taunt Nagare into irritation. Nagare knew this, he was smarter than that, but he still fell for it. "That's it, you asswipe. You're little wolf isn't something to hide behind or a tool, yet my bats are? I'm going to destroy you." he made a long string of hand signs. "Fire Release: Hunter Cerberus Bombs!" before shooting three heat-seeking fireballs, which closed in on Bokuden with speed as furious as Nagare's temper from three different directions. He ran off to the left, commanding Mohan and Takeshi to follow. Takeshi flew over Bokuden's head, and dive-bombed down at him, and Mohan used a series of oil-based flame bombs to cover most of the area around the forge in fire, to restrict movement and prevent escape.

As all of the techniques close in on his target, Nagare smiled and quipped, "So it's your choice. Get burned, or jump and get tackled down to the flames anyway." Even if this didn't do severe damage, Nagare had one last trick to use if he needed to. Horui chased after Nagare, yelling telepathically: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!? USING AN A-RANK TECHNIQUE ON A GENIN? He could get seriously hurt! You said you wouldn't do this. Nagare ignored the cries as if they weren't there.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 2,273/2,850

Nagare's Chakra - 20/125:

Mohan's Chakra - 25/60:

It appeared that Bokuden's taunting had achieved its goal, Nagare was at this point visibly enraged and did not take long to make it known."That's it, you asswipe. You're little wolf isn't something to hide behind or a tool, yet my bats are? I'm going to destroy you." He then proceeded to weave a long sequence of hand sings in preparation for his next attack.

Noticing the use of fire release hand seals in the sequence, Bokuden deduced that he was going to attack with another katon jutsu. With those hand seals he must be preparing another fire release technique, a rather powerful one at that given the complexity of this sequence. Oh well, this is why I always have a contingency plan. Nagare then released three enormous fire balls which branched out and approached Bokuden from three different directions. "Not bad Nagare. It appears as though I will have to slip beneath this jutsu if I don't want to get fried." Upon looking down Bokuden would realize that that particular option was being taken off of the table by one of Nagare's bats shooting flaming globs of oil in order to shut him in. The only way out was up. which inconveniently had the other bat swooping down to attack from above. Bokuden had seen this tactic before. Nagare used something similar when he summoned that bat at the baseball field the other week. "Poor choice in tactics. I've already seen this before.

Waiting until the last possible moment before impact, Bokuden utilized his substitution jutsu, in order to have the kunai he had thrown back on the forge platform earlier in the match take the hit for him. Sure, it wouldn't be a convincing substitution, but he was being hit by giant fireballs, not fighting up close and personal. Nagare wouldn't have been able to see his escape masked behind the explosion of flames anyway. Once Bokuden escaped unharmed, although unfortunately he could not say the same for the tail of his coat, he wasted no time in finally mounting an offensive. Neither Nagare nor Horui had even attempted to engage him in close quarter combat this whole match, and the feeble effort Horui made while attempting to use a weapon off the rack earlier only cemented the theory in Bokuden's mind that they were vulnerable in short range combat. Using the bright explosions of oil and flame to further veil his movements along the top of the platform, Bokuden swiftly moved around to flank Nagare. Once at his desired angle for a surprise attack (If Nagare were facing South, Bokuden ran around and is aiming to attack from the North East) Bokuden released the supernatural walking practice jutsu that had helped him scale the wall earlier and cast his bunshin jutsu to create a single clone. Bokuden then used his transformation jutsu to take on the form of Satomi. The clone would charge as if to perform a sneak attack and draw Nagare's attention. Bokuden, disguised as Satomi would follow just a short distance behind as if Satomi were following him into battle. By following behind the clone Bokuden would have time to react to a possible counterattack while the clone took the brunt of the damage and also get an opportunity to launch the real sneak attack from almost point blank range, giving Nagare almost no time to react.

Chakra 110/150:

Word Count: 3666/9000

Raiton S>SS

Nagare felt himself fading. The explosion of brilliant red flames still burned ahead of him. He knew that their colors weren't changing, but still they started to lose their luster, and darkness closed in on all side of his vision, toward the center. Everything went black, and he fell to his knees. "H..Horui..." he mumbled before falling to the ground, unconscious. Horui hesitated, unsure of his options, before standing in front of Nagare's figure. Both Takeshi and Mohan disappeared, and he made a handsign. A swarm of flaming bats appeared, covering his body as a defense.

---

Suiton D > C
Word Count: 2,372/2,850

Horui's Chakra - 65/125:

As Bokuden charged forward in his transformed state in order to try and launch a surprise attack on Nagare, he witnessed Nagare fall to his knees. He then feebly called out to Horui and fell to the ground seemingly out cold. Horui seemed to hesitate for a brief moment, but then ran over to Nagare and cast some form of jutsu. A swarm of flaming bats circled around the two in a defensive formation, making a barrier of sorts.

"What the hell happened to him? I didn't attack him," Bokuden thought to himself, still approaching their location. Before reaching the barrier Bokuden released his clone and transformation jutsu and called out to Horui inside the swarm of flaming bats. "Horui! What happened? Is he okay? Undo this jutsu so we can see if he needs medical attention!

Word Count: 3804/9000

Raiton S>SS

Horui sat there, realizing that Nagare's unconscious state was directly related to his use of chakra. Between the summoning, Hidden Mist Jutsu, and the Cerberus Bombs, he was lucky to not have some sort of serious damage. Bokuden called out after them, saying, "Horui! What happened? Is he okay? Undo this jutsu so we can see if he needs medical attention!" Horui parted the bats so that they floated in a cloud overhead.

He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and then scribbled down, "Chakra Exhaustion". He held the paper out, waiting for Bokuden to come and read it.

---

Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 2,475/2,850

Bokuden folder his arms and listened for a response to his call, which he found silly upon remembering that Horui didn't speak. The veil of flaming bats that was covering the twins soon began to divide, revealing the figures of the two Shinobi. As the bats flew skyward forming a cloud of sorts, Bokuden began to see Horui and Nagare more clearly. Horui, sitting next to the laid out body of a seemingly unconscious Nagare, pulled out a slip of paper and after scribbling down a message extended his arm, offering it to Bokuden. Bokuden took the paper and peered down to read it's conents, which simply said Chakra Exhaustion. Bokuden was a bit surprised that he succumbed to chakra exhaustion so quickly. His plan was to goad Nagare into throwing out jutsu carelessly to tire him out, but he didn't think Nagare would take it so far as to endanger himself. Either way he couldn't just leave Nagare on the ground here until he came to.

Bokuden immediately got down to one knee and began to pull Nagare over his shoulder. "Let's get him up to the forge level so we can lay him on a bench until he wakes up. The ones down here are covered with weapons and who knows what else." Without waiting for Horui to answer, Bokuden turned to face the wall he had previously jumped down and began running up the face of the wall with the aid of his Supernatural Walking Practice jutsu. Halfway up he turned to Horui who was still on the training platform and motioned with his arm for him to follow before proceeding the rest of the way.

Chakra 105/150:

Word Count: 4098/9000


Raiton S>SS

Bokuden's attitude shifted, and he approached Horui, taking the note and reading it before returning it with a worried look. He suggested that they lay Nagare at forge level so that he could stay there until he came to. Bokuden scaled the wall effortlessly. Horui sighed, and shooting a glance to Boku and Naga as he took the stairs up. He took out the note again.

"Our kekkei genkai splits our chakra equally between us when I'm not dormant, and he went too far with jutsu and summoning." he wrote before handing the note to Bokuden with a calm smile. He honestly wasn't worried about Nagare, anymore than disappointed for trying to essentially kill Bokuden. He was lucky that Bokuden wasn't stupid enough not to use a substitution jutsu.

Horui yawned with his arm still outstretched, with the note waiting in hand.

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Training Suiton D > C
Word Count: 2,622/2,850