[Katananaka Tsumetsu]

Morning rises the sun and as always, Kat finds himself missing the company of the moon. He can't go home, doesn't really need to right now - and if he didn't need to then he wouldn't.

Instead he finds himself in his favorite area, the Storm Garden. The morning air is crisp and chilly, and some birds sing their morning songs even in the rainy drizzle. The sprinkling doesn't bother Kat because he is used to the downpour wet, so a light misting was a pleasant change of atmosphere. Still, he wipes water from his brow, smooths his damp hair behind the left ear as he replaces his brother's blade. Once again, he'd been practicing the conductivity of his blade and the precision with which he guided it. It'd been a good while since he last drew himself out of his own little world, so he had not noticed the presence of another being until now.

Blinking, dominant hand resting across his stomach and over the pommel of Hi to Kōri, Kat tries not to be too obvious as he observes from the corner of his eye - unsheathing his blade to appear still within the moment. But even as he draws the blade over his head in a readied stance, as if awaiting for the approach of an enemy, Kat is curious about the fledgling. A whole foot shorter than him, without a headband - the academy student seemed to be alone. Kat turns away, bringing the sword swiftly to parallel the opposite leg in a diagonal arch, subtly scanning the rest of the playing field.

It seemed to be just them.

No bother. He could share Arashi Teien. 

---

Yugao Uka | 278
Post 1/5

[Yugao Uka]

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The rhythmic sound of the blade cutting through the air echoed in the Storm Garden as Kat honed his skills. The crisp morning air carried the scent of rain and nature, creating a serene ambiance. Unbeknownst to Kat, his solitary practice had not gone unnoticed by a certain mischievous academy student, Uka.
[break][break]
Hidden in the shadows, Uka watched with keen interest, her playful eyes gleaming with curiosity. She admired Kat's swordplay, the fluidity of his movements, and the precision with which he wielded his weapon. As Kat turned away, seemingly engrossed in his training, Uka couldn't resist the urge to make her presence known.
[break][break]

[break]
With a mischievous grin, she stepped out from behind a tree, her small frame contrasting with Kat's larger stature. "Nice moves you've got there!" Uka chirped, her voice carrying a hint of playful admiration. She twirled a strand of her damp hair between her fingers, a remnant of the morning mist, while her right hand held the training staff she had brought with her.
[break][break]
Kat's reaction intrigued her, and she decided to add a touch of mischief to the encounter. "Think you can teach me a thing or two?" Uka's eyes sparkled with eagerness, her innocent expression belying the mischievous intent behind her request. It was evident that Uka saw this encounter as an opportunity for some unconventional learning, perhaps a break from the routine of the academy.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

蝶々技術 | Chōchō Gijutsu [lit. Butterfly Techniques]
[break][break]
Having undergone comprehensive training under her father's guidance since a young age, Uka has developed exceptional proficiency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Yugao clan's hijutsu. This extensive training enables her to adeptly utilize a wide array of the clan's jutsu. With her honed skills, Uka can effectively communicate with, command, and channel the innate instincts and capabilities of the insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, such as butterflies and moths, seamlessly integrating them into her own jutsus.
[break][break]
隠翻 | Inhon [lit. Subtle Flutter]
[break][break]
Due to her unremarkable chakra reserves and her clan's hijutsu, Uka focused on enhancing her chakra control, manipulating her chakra flow and division with a pinpoint precision that is so necessary for any shinobi that uses Genjutsu.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 232
[break]
Katananaka Tsumetsu

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[Katananaka Tsumetsu]

Ah! She was approaching! He had only half expected a confrontation. ...was she trying to be sneaky?

Kat lowers his sword and turns to her, blinking and tilting his head slightly to the right when she compliments his moves. His lips part like he wants to thank her, but no words come out. He only watches her with raised eyebrows and closes his mouth, curious about why the small thing was introducing herself and twirling her hair like she's laying on the cute shtick. It works though, because when she asks for a lesson he chuckles a little.

His smile is warm, and though it fades away there is kindness in the flow of his movement. He bends a knee, weaves his weight with the draw of his blade, the point of it to the adolescent. She looked small enough to cut in two with one fell swoop of Hi to Kōri. It stares at her between the eyes from afar, threatening and sharp. He could funnel katon into the pommel, the hilt, let it explode into flames before her and dash forward with lethal intent.

Instead he only waits, his blade plain and wet in the drizzle. In his readied stance, Kat bows his head to her before finally speaking, the smile still faint beneath his narrow eyes. "Try to hit me, then."

---

Yugao Uka | 225
Post 2/5

[Yugao Uka]

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Uka's eyes widened with a blend of excitement and surprise, the unexpected challenge from Kat sparking a playful determination within her. Gripping her training staff firmly with both hands, she gracefully took a step back, a spirited yet resolute expression adorning her face.
[break][break]
"Hit you, huh? Challenge accepted!" Uka grinned, her enthusiasm palpable as she twirled the staff with finesse, showcasing a surprising level of skill given her petite stature. Despite her size, she radiated confidence, ready to face Kat's challenge head-on. Kat on the other hand would need to think about how to control his blade, maybe even possibly cover it in chakra to dull it, as he was facing the most basic wooden staff. With a nod and a gleam in her eyes, Uka lunged forward, the wet ground beneath her contributing a slight squelching sound to her agile movements.
[break][break]
Her assault was swift and nimble as she directed a series of rapid strikes toward Kat. The training staff moved through the air with finesse. Closing the distance between them effortlessly, Uka aimed for Kat's side, testing his reflexes and hoping to catch him off guard. Her attacks incorporated feints and spins, revealing a unique and unpredictable combat style.
[break][break]
Executing a swift spin, Uka transitioned into a sweeping low strike aimed at Kat's legs, capitalizing on the momentum to spring back into an upright position. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she unleashed a rapid sequence of diagonal strikes, the staff moving in a blur as she targeted different angles. Though her approach might seem unconventional and even childlike for a more experienced fighter like Kat, Uka's eagerness to learn was evident in her dynamic and unpredictable pattern of attacks.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

蝶々技術 | Chōchō Gijutsu [lit. Butterfly Techniques]
[break][break]
Having undergone comprehensive training under her father's guidance since a young age, Uka has developed exceptional proficiency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Yugao clan's hijutsu. This extensive training enables her to adeptly utilize a wide array of the clan's jutsu. With her honed skills, Uka can effectively communicate with, command, and channel the innate instincts and capabilities of the insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, such as butterflies and moths, seamlessly integrating them into her own jutsus.
[break][break]
隠翻 | Inhon [lit. Subtle Flutter]
[break][break]
Due to her unremarkable chakra reserves and her clan's hijutsu, Uka focused on enhancing her chakra control, manipulating her chakra flow and division with a pinpoint precision that is so necessary for any shinobi that uses Genjutsu.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 284
[break]
Katananaka Tsumetsu

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[Katananaka Tsumetsu]

The girl's readiness and eagerness are somehow uplifting; Kat admired the small girl's enthusiasm and boldness. He had not met many academy students since graduating many years ago, but the ones he had met were all unique in their own way. When he got the chance, Kat liked to assess them, think about the kind of shinobi they might shape up to be.

Judging by the way this girl is moving, she was going to be a ferocious ally.

For now, she was an adversary - a small one, but one to be taken seriously nonetheless. Instead of defending against her with his blade, Kat replaces Hi to Kōri in the face of her approach and instead uses the sheath itself. First he brings it to his side to deflect her surprise attack, then braces himself behind his sheathed katana to meet succeeding attacks. He watches her carefully from behind his instrument, and only matches each of her strikes as they come. A few of the feints draw his sheath one way or the other that it ought not to be, but he is quick to correct these mistakes. She is graceful, lithe and boasts intense dexterity - but he is practiced with the blade, and Hi to Kōri would not let just any attack through.

Truthfully, the hard part about this was avoiding one of two things; reacting to a strike too harshly, or breaking the girl's staff. There is an added gentleness to the way he absorbs her blows; even as she unleashes a spin and surprise upheaval, he meets it with little exerted force. If he were not more experienced with his brother's sword, the girl's rapid, various strikes might overwhelm him.

Silence rings from Kat in his methodical dance with the student. He has not taken a step one way or another, until in the moment where he spots a small opening in one of her diagonal strikes; as she moves leftward with her staff, Kat's dominant hand clicks his katana free. In one swift motion, he brings the pommel of Hi to Kōri down and forward in a harsh thrust. Exerting minimal force, instead of something truly damaging, the pommel strike would only be enough to push his temporary, tiny foe back should she be unable to dodge.

---

Yugao Uka | 384
Post 3/5

SPOILER: Click to show

TECHNIQUES USED

NAME: Kuragashira Sutoraiki [Pommel Strike]

RANK: D

CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low

CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu

ELEMENT: -

HANDSEALS: 0

DESCRIPTION:

This technique is a variant of Iaigiri, where the intention of the jutsu is to subdue rather than kill. Rather than pull the sword completely out to slice someone with the blade, the user pulls their sword partially out of its sheath at a blindingly fast speed, the user slams the pommel into the opponent with incredible force.

[Yugao Uka]

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Uka, despite her fervor and nimble movements, found herself momentarily halted by the calculated defense of Kat. His skillful use of the sheathed katana showcased not only his mastery of the blade but also a careful consideration for the limitations of their current sparring scenario. Each of Uka's strikes was met with a precise movement of the sheath, deflecting and countering with controlled ease. Uka, despite her nimble attempts to evade, was not quite quick enough to completely avoid Kat's calculated pommel strike. The pommel of Hi to Kōri made contact with her shoulder, not forcefully enough to cause harm but sufficient to disrupt her balance. A surprised gasp escaped her lips as the impact pushed her back a few steps, the wet ground beneath her making her footing slightly unsteady.
[break][break]
"Well, that was unexpected," Uka remarked with a grin, readjusting her stance as she regained her footing. The enthusiasm in her eyes remained undiminished, and she seemed unfazed by the setback. It was as if the brief interruption fueled her determination even more. Undeterred, Uka twirled her training staff once more, her eyes focused and determined. "Let's keep going! I'll get you next time," she declared, the challenge evident in her voice.
[break][break]
Uka continued her assault with a combination of rapid strikes and dynamic spins. Her attacks, while still showcasing her agility and enthusiasm, now bore the mark of the challenging terrain. As she lunged forward, her foot skidded slightly, affecting the precision of her strike.
[break][break]
Uka, refusing to be hindered, adapted her strategy. She focused on mid-range attacks, utilizing the reach of her training staff to maintain a safer distance on the slippery surface. Despite the adjustment, the ground continued to pose challenges. During a particularly daring spin, her foot slipped on a muddy patch, causing her to lose a fraction of her momentum.
[break][break]
Nevertheless, she attempted a sweeping low strike, hoping to catch Kat off guard, but the slippery terrain made the execution less fluid than intended. Uka's attacks, while showing occasional signs of struggle, remained relentless. She launched a series of diagonal strikes, each accompanied by a careful adjustment of her footing.
[break][break]
But would that be enough to reach Kat?
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

蝶々技術 | Chōchō Gijutsu [lit. Butterfly Techniques]
[break][break]
Having undergone comprehensive training under her father's guidance since a young age, Uka has developed exceptional proficiency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Yugao clan's hijutsu. This extensive training enables her to adeptly utilize a wide array of the clan's jutsu. With her honed skills, Uka can effectively communicate with, command, and channel the innate instincts and capabilities of the insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, such as butterflies and moths, seamlessly integrating them into her own jutsus.
[break][break]
隠翻 | Inhon [lit. Subtle Flutter]
[break][break]
Due to her unremarkable chakra reserves and her clan's hijutsu, Uka focused on enhancing her chakra control, manipulating her chakra flow and division with a pinpoint precision that is so necessary for any shinobi that uses Genjutsu.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 364
[break]
Katananaka Tsumetsu

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[Katananaka Tsumetsu]

The small one greets the blow with more enthusiasm. Kat smiles.

Kat readjusts his footing just a bit as she comes back at him, making sure to keep his weight balanced easy between his stance so that she could not throw him through the slippery mud. Hi to Kōri is set back in place, the genin still brandishing nothing but the sheathed blade. The girl lunges forward, forcing Kat to sidestep; quick and careful, the mud squelches beneath the soles of his boots. He counts two openings in the way she slips just a little then, but she is quick to draw a solution.

Chimono-chan, as he'd started calling her in his head, takes a new position and uses the end of her staff. Jabs and swings from a distance are considerably harder for Kat to meet from where he stands, at least with the blade sheathed; so he draws its sharpness forth, and turns it so that the flat side would meet the girl's instrument. Hi to Kōri is strong, relentless; it does not bend when it meets Chimono-chan's strikes even as he conserves more than half his strength in attempt to perfectly preserve her weapon.

Readying himself as she spins, Kat meets the low strike with the flat side of Hi to Kōri once again. The mud is unkind, giving beneath the weight of the strike. He is forced to reassess his stance as she delivers strikes from all angles. Bringing one palm to the opposite side of his icy blade, he braces with both hands against each one as he catches his balance.

Not wanting to let the small one overwhelm him, Kat takes on the offensive for just a moment. He meets strikes with some measured force, but angles the blade and twists it one way or another to throw the swinging off so that he can step forward. Even footing, he reseals the gap to force her into close combat again. His new approach was not at all fueled by revenge for the girl's near hit, but by enthusiasm matching the girl's own. He was excited to see how she would finally manage to hit him; Kat knew that she would find a way. He delightfully hoped she would.

---

Yugao Uka | 377
Post 4/5

SPOILER: Click to show

note: chimono = 小さいもの Chīsai mono "small one"

[Yugao Uka]

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Uka felt the exhaustion settling in, a heavyweight that clung to her limbs. The mud beneath her boots seemed to conspire against her, making every step a deliberate effort. Despite the weariness, determination flickered in her eyes as she adjusted her grip on the staff, determined to press on.
[break][break]
With a burst of energy, she lunged forward, the staff cutting through the air with a diagonal strike aimed at Kat's left side. Her footing was not as swift as before, the mud resisting her movements, but she compensated by channeling all her strength into the attack.
[break][break]
As she pulled back from the first strike, Uka spun on her heels, attempting a swift follow-up attack. The staff whirred through the air as she aimed for Kat's right side this time. The exhaustion was undeniable, her movements lacking the finesse she had displayed earlier. Yet, Uka persisted, her relentless spirit pushing her to continue the assault.
[break][break]
On her second strike, Uka stumbled slightly in the slippery terrain. Determined not to let the slip disrupt her flow, she recovered quickly, using the momentum to transition into a jab with the end of her staff. The attack was less forceful than before, but Uka compensated with sheer willpower.
[break][break]
Despite the growing weariness, Uka varied her attacks, mixing in sweeps and jabs, trying to keep Kat on his toes. Each movement became a conscious effort, and her once-fluid motions now bore the weight of her physical fatigue. But it was apparent that just a little bit from Kat and Uka would lose, as her body was not keeping up with this level of difficulty.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

蝶々技術 | Chōchō Gijutsu [lit. Butterfly Techniques]
[break][break]
Having undergone comprehensive training under her father's guidance since a young age, Uka has developed exceptional proficiency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Yugao clan's hijutsu. This extensive training enables her to adeptly utilize a wide array of the clan's jutsu. With her honed skills, Uka can effectively communicate with, command, and channel the innate instincts and capabilities of the insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, such as butterflies and moths, seamlessly integrating them into her own jutsus.
[break][break]
隠翻 | Inhon [lit. Subtle Flutter]
[break][break]
Due to her unremarkable chakra reserves and her clan's hijutsu, Uka focused on enhancing her chakra control, manipulating her chakra flow and division with a pinpoint precision that is so necessary for any shinobi that uses Genjutsu.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 269
[break]
Katananaka Tsumetsu

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[Katananaka Tsumetsu]

Chimono-chan is tenacious and bloodthirsty, he'd give her that. She did not seem to let neither exhaustion nor terrain interfere with her objective. But even as he moves closer, she uses much of her energy in an attempt to throw him off.

In his focus on the girl, he'd dropped his sheath; he laid his left hand over the flat edge of the blade facing him and meets her staff with guided effort. First protecting his left, then his right with a twist of his arms. The mud, churned by their endeavor, is soft and giving beneath his feet now. He slides a bit as a jab comes at him; he lets out a soft noise, taken by its directness - Hi to Kōri flashes in time to redirect the staff just past his head, letting out a metallic whisper against the friction.

Kat releases a hard breath and it plumes into the cold air, working hard to match her strikes and jabs, careful on his feet now as she forces him to move around potential collision. Her attack pattern is random, making it hard for Kat to develop a rhythm in his dodging and reflecting and forcing him to adapt without overpowering. Give her a chance. It's hard to find balance, and Kat finds him exerting too much force in one downswing of the flatside of Hi to Kōri against the training staff. He visibly grimaces, and moves with the following swing of her blade, careful not to do the same thing a second time as he redirects another jab.

They both seemed to be worn out. For a moment, Kat considered allowing a hit through; but that was pitysome, and she deserved a proper win. Still, he does not take the offensive, simply deflecting and redirecting, and moving carefully in the mud.

---

Yugao Uka | 305
Post 5/5

[Yugao Uka]

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Uka's breath came in ragged gasps, each inhaling a struggle against the weight of exhaustion that threatened to consume her. The mud-caked terrain had transformed into a treacherous battlefield, hindering her every move. Yet, the fire in her eyes refused to flicker.
[break][break]
As she adjusted her grip on the staff, Uka could feel the soreness in her muscles protesting every motion. The once swift and precise strikes now carried the burden of fatigue, but she refused to relent. With a burst of energy, she lunged forward, the staff slicing through the air in a diagonal strike aimed at Kat's left side. The mud fought against her, resisting the fluidity of her movements, but Uka compensated by channeling every ounce of strength into the attack.
[break][break]
The follow-up strike was less graceful, her footing betraying her in the slippery terrain. Yet, Uka pressed on, spinning on her heels for a swift jab aimed at Kat's right side. The exhaustion was undeniable.
[break][break]
With each movement, Uka felt the toll on her body, the weariness threatening to overwhelm her. Yet, she varied her attacks, mixing in sweeps and jabs in an attempt to keep Kat on his toes. The once-fluid motions now bore the weight of physical fatigue. Despite the growing weariness, Uka refused to let go.
[break][break]
But it was time to let go, as Uka tried to attack one last time, unfortunately, her body did not agree and her legs gave out and she was unable to stand up properly. "I think... I can't stand," she grinned while rubbing her head lightly from the back. To Uka, it was of no surprise as her bodies condition was far from those who specialized in weapon use or physical combat.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

蝶々技術 | Chōchō Gijutsu [lit. Butterfly Techniques]
[break][break]
Having undergone comprehensive training under her father's guidance since a young age, Uka has developed exceptional proficiency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Yugao clan's hijutsu. This extensive training enables her to adeptly utilize a wide array of the clan's jutsu. With her honed skills, Uka can effectively communicate with, command, and channel the innate instincts and capabilities of the insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, such as butterflies and moths, seamlessly integrating them into her own jutsus.
[break][break]
隠翻 | Inhon [lit. Subtle Flutter]
[break][break]
Due to her unremarkable chakra reserves and her clan's hijutsu, Uka focused on enhancing her chakra control, manipulating her chakra flow and division with a pinpoint precision that is so necessary for any shinobi that uses Genjutsu.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 285
[break]
Katananaka Tsumetsu

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[Katananaka Tsumetsu]

Kat is hindered by slight fatigue, but the girl is giving in under the weight of great strain and exhaustion. Was he going too hard on her? Should he loosen his grip, take it slowly, allow her a chance to breeze through his guard? Or would that be disingenuous? He thought that it might; did not want to insult the fledgling by treating her as weak. So he holds strong and true, breathing hard through his nose with lips pressed into a tight line. He directs the flow of his energy to remain totally on the defense now, not at all urging the girl to do more than she thought necessary. Still, Kat is able to work through all of her maneuvers. A powerful swing coming for his left; he leans to the right and raises the blade flat-side to deflect. Another parried. A spin, a jab at his right side; a movement to the left, careful manipulating of his blade to redirect its strength.

She's slowing down now. Kat finds himself a little disappointed, but he does not show it in his face, nor does his movement stutter. The clang of his blade off her thunking wooden staff is muted in the dull mist, but he can feel her tiny wrath surge through each clash.

Then she is crumpling, and Kat steps forward in case he needed to catch her, free hand coming up halfway. Cheekily, she admits defeat and rubs the back of her head - Kat mirrors this sheepishly, turning his eyes toward the ground as he scratches at the nape of his neck. He nods, rolls his shoulders, steps back and picks up his scabbard. It's a little dirty; he crinkles his face, wipes the mud off on his thigh, and slides Hi to Kōri into its slot. He replaces the sword to his hip, and then resumes his gaze upon his pupil.

Awkward. Now that the weapons were down, he didn't know how to interact with the child - but his expression is stoic, if not light still.

What to do? Leave her here? That seemed hardly kind at all. "I'm, ah... Katananaka Tsumetsu... You can call me Kat..." He speaks slowly, deliberately. Like each word has weight, and he is careful with their impacts. "You are a worthy opponent, miss...?" He trails off, leaving space for her to speak her name.

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Yugao Uka | 396
Post 6/5

[Yugao Uka]

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Uka's chest heaved with the effort of drawing in air, her lungs burning as if on fire. The battle had taken its toll, and the mud seemed to cling to her like a second skin. As she sat there, legs splayed in defeat, Uka couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and admiration. The fight had been a grueling test of endurance, and her body had reached its limits.
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Her eyes met Kat's, and she managed a weary smile in response to his sheepish one. His acknowledgment of her effort held a quiet respect, and she appreciated the lack of condescension in his demeanor. As he introduced himself as Katananaka Tsumetsu or Kat for short, Uka couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the time he had given her.
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"Uka," she replied, her voice carrying the strain of physical exertion. "Yugao Uka."
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The formality of their interaction lingered in the air, awkward but genuine. Uka wondered if Kat could sense her exhaustion, the subtle tremors in her limbs. Yet, his acknowledgment of her as a worthy opponent resonated deeply. In that moment, Uka found a sense of accomplishment despite the physical toll.
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"Thank you, Kat-san," she said, her words sincere. "You fought well. I have much to learn." The mud beneath her seemed less daunting now, and she managed to push herself into a sitting position, albeit with a wince. As the light rain continued to drizzle the two continued to exchange some words, until Uka was ready to get up. "Thank you so much Kat-san, once again." She flashed the biggest smile she could as the two left the Garden with their weapons by their side.
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SPOILER: Click to show

蝶々技術 | Chōchō Gijutsu [lit. Butterfly Techniques]
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Having undergone comprehensive training under her father's guidance since a young age, Uka has developed exceptional proficiency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Yugao clan's hijutsu. This extensive training enables her to adeptly utilize a wide array of the clan's jutsu. With her honed skills, Uka can effectively communicate with, command, and channel the innate instincts and capabilities of the insects belonging to the Lepidoptera order, such as butterflies and moths, seamlessly integrating them into her own jutsus.
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隠翻 | Inhon [lit. Subtle Flutter]
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Due to her unremarkable chakra reserves and her clan's hijutsu, Uka focused on enhancing her chakra control, manipulating her chakra flow and division with a pinpoint precision that is so necessary for any shinobi that uses Genjutsu.

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Katananaka Tsumetsu

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