[Yamanaka Tomomi]

The kunai came dangerously close, but luckily Umetaro was able to move out of the way just in time and Tomomi didn’t have to rely on their failsafe. The kunai splashed into the water, sending out unsettling ripples that barely disrupted the water compared to the way Umetaro had splashed down. Still, he managed to hold the technique. Even as the water shook rapidly, he managed not to break the tension of the surface and to stay afloat.

"There we go,” Tomomi said. "You did it. Quite well, too. You’re a very fast learner, you know,” they praised, starting to reel in the kunai. They pull it back out of the water and to themself, like a fishing line, and place it back in their belt.

With those skills learned, Umetaro was in a much better place than he had been, at least from a technique standpoint. Caught up with some of his other peers, safer on the battlefield if he were to go out, given more options to flee.

"Looks like you’re ready to use this now, too. You’re becoming spookier by the moment,” Tomomi praised. "Able to deny gravity and walk on water… Quite ghostly, I must say. Well, that probably wraps up our lesson for today. Keep practicing that,” they instructed. "And if you ever want to learn anything else, don’t hesitate to come find me.”