[tokonatsu yukari]

After a couple of weeks of Yukari showing up at the academy to collect Touwa and Ruiteki for Life Blade training, there was then a period of absence, much like it had been before. With the change in village leadership and a sudden influx of medical hopefuls elbowing each other for first in line at the hospital doors, Yukari's plate was suddenly overflowing, and she saw Touwa only for once-weekly dinners and special occasions, the tension in the air so thick that it could be severed with the tip of a scalpel. Then, quite suddenly, she reappeared at the academy as quickly as she had disappeared, once again appointing herself as the caretaker of Touwa's training. Whether he wanted or needed her guidance was irrelevant; she had decided what the next stage of his development needed to be, and she would make sure that he climbed that ladder correctly. "Your father was blessed with a deep well of natural chakra reserves from an early age," Yukari said by way of greeting. "Your grandfather as well. It is, in most cases, necessary for our kekkei genkai to operate efficiently—sharing your reserves with another comes easier when there is more to share. I am..." An anomaly, Kyuusai unhelpfully supplied. She ignored him. "Unusual, in this regard. You seem to have unfortunately been burdened with my genetics, so we must strengthen your reserves in much the same way that one strengthens a muscle. What questions do you have?"

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 245

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa's posture stiffened slightly as Yukari's voice cut through the air, disrupting the uneasy calm that had settled over him during her absence. Her sudden reappearance brought a cocktail of emotions to the surface, mingling with the lingering tension that always seemed to hang between them like a heavy fog. It had improved during their time together but had returned to its previous state as a result of the prolonged pause.
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He listened in silence as she spoke about his family's lineage and the significance of chakra reserves, his expression carefully neutral despite the turmoil churning within him. Her words struck a chord of resentment deep within him. He shifted uncomfortably, the weight of her words pressing down on him like a heavy burden. Her mention of his father and grandfather's innate abilities served as a stark reminder of his shortcomings, a fact he was all too aware of, a reminder of the weight of expectations he had inherited along with his kekkei genkai. "Thank you for resuming my training, Mother," Touwa replied, his tone carefully measured. "I understand the importance of chakra reserves in wielding our family's kekkei genkai effectively."
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"Since when? Never saw you muster enough chakra to light a candle," Rui's cheeky voice echoed in Touwa's mind. "Shh, let him be! Sorry, Touwa, I will make him shut up," Teki, the other part of Ruiteki intervened, trying to silence Rui's teasing.
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Touwa resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Rui's interjection, instead maintaining a facade of polite indifference. Though his mother's methods may seem unorthodox at times, he knew better than to question her authority. "As for questions," Touwa began, his tone slightly hesitant, "I suppose I wonder... Are there any particular techniques or exercises you recommend for strengthening my chakra reserves? And how do you suggest I balance such training with my other obligations?"
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SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 309
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tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

Touwa always knew the correct answer, as if lifting it with surgical precision from a textbook; his cadence was much the same, every decibel and flux of intonation as carefully measured as flour in a baker’s hand. Such restraint he showed, when he knew she was watching; yet a different boy entirely when she escaped his notice. Paranoia scraped against the surface of her mind; within the confines of her sleeve, she ran her thumb over Kyuusai’s sharp edge, pressing her flesh against the blade hard enough to bleed if the Life Blade allowed it. He didn’t. He never would. "It is as I said,” Yukari replied, "a muscle to be strengthened. When one performs weight-training exercises, the exertion causes microscopic tearing in the muscle. The component cells of the tissue thicken in the healing process and produce, over time, larger, stronger musculature. It is more complicated than this on a cellular level, but the medical understanding is less important than the practical application.” With most, she refrained from deploying medical jargon; Touwa, she expected, should be able to keep up. If he could not, then he would learn. "You need to achieve mechanical damage and metabolic fatigue—not for your strength, but for your chakra. Expend chakra to hold yourself in a state of tension—infuse techniques with more chakra than you think you need, and use them with relative frequency. The balance is found through discipline: everything is a training opportunity. You can hold a transformation technique while doing homework, can you not? Cloak of invisibility while you lay down to sleep?”

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 264

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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As Yukari's words washed over Touwa, he couldn't help but feel a surge of mixed emotions. Her presence always seemed to bring a whirlwind of conflicting feelings, and today was no exception. Her instructions were as cryptic and demanding as ever, but he knew better than to question her methods. Despite the resentment bubbling within him, he recognized the importance of what she was saying. Strengthening his chakra reserves wasn't just about raw power; it was about discipline, control, and finding balance amidst the chaos of his duties.
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Despite feeling daunted by the idea of intentionally pushing his limits, Touwa found his mother's explanation of chakra training quite logical. He couldn't help feeling a bit apprehensive about the prospect of causing damage to his chakra pathways, but he trusted his mother's expertise, even if he didn't always agree with her methods.
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As his mother spoke of finding balance through discipline, Touwa began to realize that his training would occupy much of his time and energy. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that mastering his kekkei genkai was vital not only for himself but for his family's future.
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With a poised demeanor, Touwa nodded his understanding, concealing the emotions brewing within him. "I understand, Mother. I will do whatever it takes to strengthen my chakra reserves," he replied resolutely, bracing himself for the arduous training that Yukari had prepared for the day.
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SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 228
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tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

So difficult to read, her son. His expression was so carefully neutral, his reply so controlled and resolute. What was going on in that developing mind of his? What resentment did he harbor towards her, what hatred, what plans for her utter destruction at his hands? She was to train him until he was strong enough to kill her outright—perhaps, by that time, he would be strong enough to know what destruction their future held, and the terrible purpose that Yukari had borne on her shoulders. He would never forgive her, but this was the price she had to pay to shape a world worthy of her son. Morbid thoughts, Kyuusai whispered. He relies on you still. Guide him to growth, not destruction. There’s still time to repair the damage that was done. Some damage can never be repaired, Yukari replied, but she drew herself from her blackening mood regardless. "Good,” she said aloud. "We will be focusing primarily on transformation today. Infiltration is key to our line of work, and relying solely on the use of ninjutsu will not get you far. You can change your appearance, but you must also learn to modulate your voice and demeanor in order to create a convincing facade. Your first task is to gain entry to the staff room of the hospital without a keycard.”

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 227

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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"Understood, Mother," Touwa responded, his voice steady and unwavering.
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As he made his way toward the hospital, Touwa carefully chose a secluded spot to undergo his transformation before attempting to enter the building. Ensuring the coast was clear, he executed the necessary handseals and transformed into the likeness of a nondescript trainee, reminiscent of those he had observed at the Academy. With luck, his chosen guise wouldn't be recognized by anyone at the hospital.
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Uncertain if the new recruits had access to the staff room, Touwa forged ahead, relying on his determination to succeed. Though unfamiliar with the hospital's layout, he remained undeterred. Drawing a deep breath to steady his nerves, he stepped inside.
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The hospital buzzed with activity, a whirlwind of patients and medical staff. It didn't take long for someone to approach Touwa, seeking assistance. "Apologies, I'm new here. You'd better ask someone else," he responded, mimicking the voice he had memorized from his observations. This endeavor proved more challenging than anticipated. Not only did Touwa need to avoid encountering the person whose appearance he borrowed, but he also had to convincingly replicate their voice, all while maintaining a steady flow of chakra to sustain the transformation.
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Despite being approached multiple times and still not locating the staff room on the first floor, Touwa felt his transformation waver. Not an ideal situation. Opting to gather his thoughts, he found a bench and sat down, determined to regain his composure before pressing onward.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 244
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tokonatsu yukari

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