Hakurai was a challenge and one that he wasn't sure was going to show up. Hotarubi was pleased that he did show up.
"No. I'm sure you have many clansmen of mine who are happy to do the dirt work behind the scenes. I will lead from the light." Hotarubi felt the squigglyness in his chest, but the more he fought with Kunikunosaku: since they had made a weekly thing of it, since she had donned him with a fight responding to that poster of his - he felt less afraid. But being stronger did that as well:
And what Hakurai would feel as well, was some of the dense chakra that he tried to exude, copying the likes of Ryu and Kenji and would likely not affect him: but it would be there.
"Yes. Thank you." It was what he needed: to be challenged, and Hakurai would likely be the biggest challenge he'd faced since Kenji. Ever glad that he was made of something less than human, Hotarubi would cast the first stone. Had he improved enough, to be a threat?
Casting some handseals, Hotarubi wouldn't put a hand to the ground, nor would he move to attack: just wait, as he crossed his arms.
And it wouldn't be obvious, or immediate: but a dimness would quickly begin to form as Hotarubi was going to lock Hakurai in there with
him. From the sky: swallowing out the sun as it grew closer to the earth, a huge earthen structure fell from the sky, crashing into the uneven battlefield: there would, be some sort of light flowing from the sides as the plate lopsided horizontally into the earth, crashing with a deep boom of noise that would resound for miles. Hotarubi would deprive the man of his own sight, while Hotarubi himself would be able to operate: unless he had a form of sensory.
Hotarubi would cross his hands, seeing if he could put it into his practice what he had learned. Modelling himself after what he had learned, Hakurai would learn in response that they weren't the only thing that could change its form. Deep breath.
He hadn't felt this nervous for a test since the academy - and even now, the talk with Ryu had been all left in the past - everything was leading up to now.
SAs, for reference:
Maisou no Jutsu | Burial Technique
Hotarubi is a natural savant of the Yamakira hijutsu - comprised of a complex formulae from birth which turns individuals into stone, rock, dirt and everything between - and is able to compact that within him to increase his weight beyond normal human means which makes him more durable and harder to move, as well as an inability to be poisoned because of his non-human physiology.This form can be regenerated and as such it makes him 'functionally' immortal in the form, but is still exceptionally vulnerable to Suiton and water in general, as well as retaining the traditional weakness to Raiton.
As a natural prodigy of the Hijutsu, Hotarubi has mastered the boons of his Hijutsu which decreases the cost of high-ranking Doton Ninjutsu to minimal levels, less seals than most - and even in some cases, zero handseals at all (B-ranks and Low Handseals being formed without any handseals at all), that has rewarded Hotarubi with a capacity to simply 'will' techniques into existence, much to the fear of others about what he could become in the future.
Monstrous Strength
Hotarubi's weight has become effortless to him. Not only is he stronger, but he's also not slower - on account of the Yamakira physiology Hotarubi weighs a great deal more than your average person which makes him harder to move, hit and generally harm. As a result of that greater weight, his speed had dropped: so he focused on increasing his strength to where it no longer presents as an issue.
Not only is Hotarubi no longer burdened by this greater weight, he's also now generally much stronger. Even in his human form, his ability to grip, and cause blunt force trauma and crush rocks into dust with his hands is scary. He can hoist much bigger things than himself and his body weight around as if it were nothing, and generally makes him fearsome in all aspects of Taijutsu.
Combined with his Yamakira Hijutsu, and proportionate strength, it would not be out of the question for him to manoeuvre huge objects in the future.
Sensitive Touch
Having become truly attuned with the earth as a Yamakira, Hotarubi is almost naturally 'one' with the earth. Because of his specialised training he has learned to sense vibrations to a minute detail, retaining the ability to navigate and identify complex maps, traps and structures with ease, and enabling him to detect even hidden ninja through even their heartbeats and some conscious effort. While previously he was unable to 'perceive' things as a new sense, by now it has matured and is second hand to him to interpret and comprehend large amounts of new information to him.
With the use of chakra and focus, and by applying contact with the ground in some form (whether by feet or hand) he can sense even further out of his existing position. Because the active use requires chakra, unlike the passive which does not - it can still be affected by sensory jamming abilities.
[Passive: 400m / Active: 2km]
Terraformer
As a Yamakira and one who has focused entirely on his Hijutsu than other Ninjutsu elements, Hotarubi has earned his spot amongst the ranks of Takigakure's feared by simply being superior to almost any being on the earth with Doton. His ability to mould his body and Doton techniques is unparalleled. Hotarubi can form his body into large, complex shapes with absolute efficiency and frightening speed to perform feats of Nintaijutsu.
This speed carries over into his Doton ninjutsu: they are extremely faster than regular Doton performed by others, and large scale ninjutsu are formed in half the time.
Chakra Reserves
If it weren't enough that Hotarubi has an unparalleled affinity for Doton ninjutsu, his capacity to endlessly perform techniques is massive as well, his chakra reserves rarely run dry because of his Hijutsu's unique benefits (See: Maisou no Jutsu). It directly translates to that Hotarubi can use even techniques ordinarily meant to 'exhaust' a Shinobi - causing him instead to break a sweat.
Double Down Doton
Elevating his Doton prowess to another level by his consistent focus and continued relationship with the element Hotarubi has become prodigal when using Doton. His doton jutsu are much more packed together - making them more durable and stronger against attacks as a whole, and reinforcing itself at a faster speed. While this does not apply to his own body techniques, nor does it enhance itself against Raiton, it makes even his lower ranked techniques excruciatingly difficult to break out of, or break with physical force, or non-raiton based elements.
Subjugate the Weak!
Hotarubi is capable of releasing a heavy presence around him comprised of Doton chakra - unlike regular chakra, this moulded Doton chakra exertion bares some of the characteristic of chakra conductivity and has physical weight that slows individuals down some and covering their entire bodies in a weighted blanket type of feeling. While not actually effective enough to slow someone down or meaningfully effect them in a battle, this can induce physiological/psychological changes in someone that would be akin to 'obey' or 'fear' Hotarubi.
(OOC: From an IC perspective, while roleplayers can choose their characters not to be affected, can also manifest itself as being a form of 'killing intent' that might paralyze some vulnerable or lower ranked Shinobi.)
The actual benefit by doing this is that Hotarubi becomes a sensor jammer: passively disabling sensors from knowing his true location without other senses, or by clouding his allies chakra signatures as well. More importantly, the 'half-active' feature of this means that Hotarubi is not always at the 'centre' of the radius: rendering some logical deduction difficult to his exact whereabouts.
[Passive: 50m / Active: 100m]
Jutsu Used:
Name: Otoshi Buta - [Covering Lid]
Rank: A
Chakra Usage: Very High
Type: Ninjutsu [General]
Element: Doton
HANDSEALS: 7
Description
Otoshi Buta is a Ninjutsu utilizing the Earth Element. To utilize this technique, the user will form the needed hand seals. A large earthen pot will then fall from the sky to cover and contain the target. Most targets find it incredibly difficult to escape as this technique was originally designed to capture large summons and even the wild bijuu. As such it it is not surprising that the hardness and wight of this pot makes it capable of shrugging off most direct attacks even of equal rank.
