[Ono Kenji]

FOR DAWN TO COME

Kenji smiled as an earthen wall soon stopped the flaming projectiles he sent forward. Caught in his forward momentum, his massive blade would cleave through the wall, carving through it like a hot knife through butter.

Hotarubi, to no surprise, had managed to distance himself from the swing of his blade, sending himself a few paces backward as he broke form Kenji's line of sight with the wall. What did surprise him though, was what happened next. Hotarubi would simply and effortlessly wave his arm, and the earth around them began to move to the boy's will. Kenji knew the Yamakira were gifted with Doton, and that Hotarubi himself had become quite the savant with the element. But to see him do things like this without the need to make hand seals...

'Oh, yes.' Kenji thought to himself. 'You will make quite the demon.'

Earth and stone molded around the two of them, forming an enclosed arena around the two of them. Darkness soon encroached them, suffocating what little light the stars had offered as the earth enveloped the two shinobi.

"Clever." Kenji said, holding his sword and stabbing the blade into the ground to create a small pillar of light.

With a deep breath, Kenji's hands became a blur, whipping together hand seals as fast as he could manage before Hotarubi could presumably take him by surprise. Fire soon engulfed Kenji as the hand seals finished. A vortext of flame wrapping around his body before a pulse of incinerating heat burst through the air around them, Kenji bringing his hands and the focal point of heat to his center mass.

"Thank you for providing me a means to do this without setting our home ablaze." He said smiling, his tone raking through the air like hot coals of a forge.

^{THERE MUST BE THOSE WILLING TO PIERCE THE DARKNESS}

---

^Akira

Temp By: Akira

Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Katon: Yoake [Fire Release: Dawn]
Rank: A
Chakra Usage: Very High
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: Katon
Handseals: 18
Description: A technique that was developed by Ono Kenji, that inspires just as much wonder and beauty as it does destructive force. After a longer string of hand seals, the user will erupt with a pulse of heat as they begin to form fire around their body, forcing them to remain stationary for a brief period (One Post/Rotation). While this pulse is only the beginning of the attack, it is actually surprisingly strong in and of itself. It is able to knock someone off balance if they are caught by surprise, in addition to causing anyone in a meter's radius to physically feel the heat of the oncoming attack as if standing next to a bonfire. The flames build quickly around the user as they stand still, and after a few seconds will engulf their entire body. Once done, the user will use one of their arms to control the flames, bringing it all to their center mass, before ejecting the fire forward, in whichever direction they are facing. Only after the initial build up and release of the technique is the user able to move around once more.


Once the projectile flame begins to move, it will take the form of a large phoenix, nearly three meters long and one meter thick. It flies forward rather quickly, requiring a quick reaction to dodge or attempt to block. The phoenix will move a distance of around fifteen meters, causing a three meter radius eruption of fire when it reaches its max distance, or hits an object along the way. If hit directly, this technique has been known to maim, or even kill those it hits. If hit with the full force of the technique and its explosion, it will cause significant damage, including second or third degree burns. As the eruption of technique is not as concentrated as the phoenix itself, the eruption is not quite as damaging, however, it can still catch the surrounding area on fire, or cause moderate burns to those in the area.

[Akira]

Hotarubi had guessed one step in the man's long plan as he felt the attack come in and he was going to make him hurt for it.

Hotarubi ran back to forward, intending to go right over the wall and straight into Kenji: and then the burning embers of fire would breathe themselves into existence and he would be thrown back from the concussive power of it: the dome that had been created had been enough to send him flying and then some.

Had it not been for his enhanced durability and that of his techniques: the earth would have broken open under the intense heat and pressure caused by the by the intense heat, him being earth and dirt: the looser composition that he was built of turned from dirt to ash. That was crucial: because dirt = controllable. Ash = not controllable. Hotarubi felt a large paralysis like feeling of control removed from him.

Hotarubi learned of a very crucial interaction with his Hijutsu: not everything was absolutely safe against the element of fire. Hotarubi didn't feel pain, but he felt a very real concern when he pulled from the environment: there was less to control and manipulate: the internal side of his unscorched earth manipulating itself into a weak form of himself. Slamming his hand back into the wall he had created: he pulled earth from his own doton technique to form back into himself.

Don't take head on Katon either. Noted. Hotarubi would wipe himself and the ash from the front of his body. "Wasn't for them." Hotarubi was honest in his assessment as he loudly spoke through the noise of the fire as it built before what sounded like an impending crescendo: it was to lock him in the area.

But he wouldn't just yet give up in his perserverance as through the fire illuminating Hotarubi, he began to grow and grow - till the top of his head grazed against the top of the arena: if he wanted to try and attack with fire, then Hotarubi would return with earth ten fold. And, now in enhanced size; Hotarubi lunged with claw and fist - his larger size and enhanced use of earth, plus his own prodigal use of Doton meant that Kenji would need to try so, so much harder if he wanted to deplete him of his sources of earth.

---

Jutsu Used

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Doton: Henkei [Earth Release: Metamorphosis]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium-High, Depends on user’s resulting size
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Doton
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:
This technique is the perfected version of Doton: Karada Chōkoku. The user channels chakra throughout their entire body and sculpts it into whatever they desire as long as they have enough material to achieve it, then hardens it to solidify the final form. Forms assumed using this technique are much harder and more durable than their default forms, making them stronger as well by default. This is due to the increased chakra in their systems along with increased density from the compacted stone and dirt. Its full potential can be best brought out with Dōka and Ōka. The most famous form assumed by Yamakira clansmen is that of black demons with large teeth.

It is considered the perfected version as it can work on the entire body at once instead of just parts of one’s body. However, it can only copy the form and not the color as its colors are entirely limited to shades of brown, gray, and black unless they absorbed some form of colourful stone. They do not get any special benefits from imitating anyone else’s form either aside from proportional strength and durability increases according to size.

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[Ono Kenji]

FOR DAWN TO COME

Kenji narrowed his gaze on the Yamakira as his body recreated itself from the earth, the Jonin making a small note that it seemed even his clothes were forged of earth as they too were brought to new life.

Hotarubi firmly placed his hand against the wall he now found himself up against, and much to Kenji's surprise, Hotarubi began to grow. He grinned, fire still blazing around his body as Hotarubi soon towered over him, nearly the size of a building. He knew that fire was not exactly potent against an Earthen specialist, but unlike most, fire was all Kenji had to offer. His flame burned hotter, brighter, and longer than even Ryu's own flame, rivaling the lord's strength in the element. But, Hotarubi could say the very same for himself with Doton were he to be compared against another specialist.

"You can grow as large as you want." Kenji howled over the roaring flames. "That trick wont be enough."

Kenji brought his hand to his chest, and threw his fist foward, matching the Yamakira's lunge, and as he did, every last flicker of flame would collide, leaving a pulse of darkness surrounding them before bursting back to light in the shape of a phoenix. The fires crackled and roared as they took flight, and though this was one of his most powerful justu, Kenji would be surprised to see just how well Hotarubi would be able to handle it. It surely wouldn't kill him, at the very least... Right?

^{THERE MUST BE THOSE WILLING TO PIERCE THE DARKNESS}

---

^Akira

Temp By: Akira

Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Katon: Yoake [Fire Release: Dawn]
Rank: A
Chakra Usage: Very High
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: Katon
Handseals: 18
Description: A technique that was developed by Ono Kenji, that inspires just as much wonder and beauty as it does destructive force. After a longer string of hand seals, the user will erupt with a pulse of heat as they begin to form fire around their body, forcing them to remain stationary for a brief period (One Post/Rotation). While this pulse is only the beginning of the attack, it is actually surprisingly strong in and of itself. It is able to knock someone off balance if they are caught by surprise, in addition to causing anyone in a meter's radius to physically feel the heat of the oncoming attack as if standing next to a bonfire. The flames build quickly around the user as they stand still, and after a few seconds will engulf their entire body. Once done, the user will use one of their arms to control the flames, bringing it all to their center mass, before ejecting the fire forward, in whichever direction they are facing. Only after the initial build up and release of the technique is the user able to move around once more.


Once the projectile flame begins to move, it will take the form of a large phoenix, nearly three meters long and one meter thick. It flies forward rather quickly, requiring a quick reaction to dodge or attempt to block. The phoenix will move a distance of around fifteen meters, causing a three meter radius eruption of fire when it reaches its max distance, or hits an object along the way. If hit directly, this technique has been known to maim, or even kill those it hits. If hit with the full force of the technique and its explosion, it will cause significant damage, including second or third degree burns. As the eruption of technique is not as concentrated as the phoenix itself, the eruption is not quite as damaging, however, it can still catch the surrounding area on fire, or cause moderate burns to those in the area.

[Akira]

Trick or not for the time being it was what he had in the space and time he had to do it: while the flames would die out - it would coalesce into the form of... fire. Hotarubi was far too close to it to see it's true form and it would blast into him, through him; and out of the earth corridor that he had created for them, creating a new hole in the moonlight that would help illuminate the burning.

As for Hotarubi? Needless to say, since it had exploded on contact with them, Hotarubi was blown away into multiple fragments, but the majority of him would have effectively splattered, had it been human. But- it was not human. It seemed that Hotarubi would have to approach him with intent to kill: and so the fragments that had been mostly splattered, the largest volume would begin to reassimilate - forming from the wall of his own created technique behind Kenji.

The Yamakira had spent so much time worrying about what could destroy him he hadn't focused on his offensive ninjutsu. There was a lot of defences: a lot of armors and movement abilities... but raw power? He relied on his size to achieve it. Things that he could use to crush people? That didn't happen as much. His fight with Kenji would have it change, he needed to learn it.

Turning himself into a lance, he lurched at the man: from quite far away his arm would change there and then and sharpen and elongate, intent on still piercing through the man's body: the speed at which his body-weaponry moved was frightening.

And, Hotarubi had a backup: this time - expecting that they would just go straight for their sword again and swipe the earth clean from him, Hotarubi's other hand would point at him: holding it close to his chest: hand flat: and four balls shot from his fingers would shoot, using the lance as a guide that would end up shooting at the man's gut.

---

Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Dōka [Assimilation]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium, Low Drain
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Doton
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:
With this jutsu, the user can pull in rocks and other earthen substances like soil through injecting a minimal amount of chakra into the substances and then pulling them into themselves. This increases their mass and density, which in turn increases their strength and durability to proportionally-high levels depending on how much they pull into themselves. As these substances actually become part of the user’s body, it doesn’t slow them down at all unlike the earth armor jutsu used by regular shinobi. This jutsu can also be used to reassemble their body after they have been broken down or blasted off, ensuring that they can survive as long as there is earth or stone near them.


NAME: Iwadeppō [Earth Gun]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Doton
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:
The user adds pressure to a small stone in the finger with the help of chakra and body manipulation. The stone is then fired with tremendous force, similar to a gunshot where it gets its name. These small stones are small but have enough piercing power to puncture even steel and armors, like actual bullets. This technique can be used with up to 5 fingers at a time to increase its effectiveness. An important note is that the larger the user is, the more powerful this technique is.

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[Ono Kenji]

FOR DAWN TO COME

Kenji smiled as his jutsu shattered the chuunin into a hundred pieces of mud and dirt only to shortly reassimilate from the earthen wall behind him.

The jonin rotated quickly, his reflexes and agility able to keep him on the front foot as Hotarubi would launch another attack. He moved at lightening speeds compared to what he would have expected of an essentially living dirt construct. The man's arm turned into a spear of dirt and stone, and simultaneously, four stone-like projectiles fired from Hotarubi's core.

All the man had time to do was reach for his sword, and as he moved to guard himself, using the massive blade to block two of the four incoming shots, the other two would find purchase against his side. He could almost feel his rib crack as the pellet hit him, and with Hotarubi now on him, it seemed Kenji had underestimated the man, spear like arm going stright through his core... At least, that was what an on-looker might have thought.

"When a man digs a grave..." Kenji's voice rang out from the opening his jutsu created in the earth structure. "He must know he needs to fill it. Otherwise, it's just a hole."

He grinned looking down at Hotarubi, who by now would have noticed that his stone spear limb had pierced a log rather than Kenji himself. "Killing intent, Hotarubi... That is all I needed to see. We're done here."

^{THERE MUST BE THOSE WILLING TO PIERCE THE DARKNESS}

---

^Akira

Temp By: Akira

[Akira]

"Don't have to tell me." Hotarubi had already turned to face Kenji by the time he had actually been mid point with his speaking: and had the man not spoken - at least with what Hotarubi could perceive to be some actual helpful information, or with intent to stand down, Hotarubi had already readied himself with position to lunge a second time.

See: Hotarubi had his own type of sensory abilities, as Kenji might have guessed from his choice to lock them in a confined space together; and when they had moved, it had taken longer than he had wanted to 'register' - but the movement did, and he moved in tandem to that with what more closely resembled combat experience.

But still - Hotarubi did check and see that all he had hit was a kawarimi. Clever bastard, Hotarubi thought to himself. The secondary thought was more denigrating: only because Hotarubi himself didn't need to rely on the use of the Kawarimi being superior to humans.

But, Hotarubi would be renewed with his sense of purpose as his body formed less into the model he had created and his 'actual' look as it settled back into what it looked like in his every day-to-day life. Hotarubi nodded. "With permission, then, Commander - I'll come by tomorrow."


[exit]

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