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Hiroshi was the first to react to Yuika’s outburst. His hand instinctively reached for the net he had prepared, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the misty undergrowth. The sudden tension in the air was palpable, the forest growing eerily silent in the wake of Yuika’s scream.
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"Calm down, Yui-san,” Hiroshi said, his voice low but authoritative.
"We still have a chance. It’s close. But you need to stay focused. No more outbursts.”[break][break]
Touwa, on the other hand, couldn’t resist a quick jab, even in a tense situation. He arched an eyebrow at Yuika, his usual smirk creeping back onto his face.
"Nice one, Yui-nee. You might as well have invited it over for tea with that scream. I’m sure it’s thrilled.”[break][break]
But despite his sarcasm, Touwa’s eyes were sharp, scanning the surroundings with a level of intensity that belied his casual tone. He knew how dangerous the situation could become, especially with a creature as elusive and potentially aggressive as the Grasstalker Mantis.
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Hiroshi shot Touwa a stern look.
"This isn’t the time for jokes, Touwa. We need to stay together and keep our wits about us. Yui-san, you’re sure you saw it? Which direction?”[break][break]
Hiroshi placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her.
"Don’t worry about it. Just stay close and keep your eyes peeled. We’ll approach carefully, and when we get a clear shot, we’ll capture it.”[break][break]
Touwa, despite his earlier quip, adjusted his stance and prepared himself. His sarcasm was a shield, but underneath it was the steely resolve of someone who had been trained for situations just like this.
"Alright, Yui-nee, no more screaming, no more mistakes.”[break][break]
The group moved forward, more cautious than before, with Hiroshi leading the way and Touwa keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. The mist swirled around them, the dense forest closing in.
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Hiroshi’s voice cut through the silence once more, calm and steady.
"Remember, our priority is to capture it alive. We need to study it, not kill it. Let’s do this right.”[break][break]
Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught Touwa’s eye—a shadow slipping between the tall grasses ahead. Without a word, he gestured towards the spot, his gaze locking onto the target. Hiroshi nodded in acknowledgment, signaling for Yuika to stay back and ready herself.
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The tension in the air was almost suffocating as they closed in on the creature’s position. The Grasstalker Mantis was nearly invisible, its grassy body blending with the surrounding vegetation. But there it was—a massive, insectoid shape lurking just ahead, its mandibles clicking softly as it surveyed the area, unaware of the group’s approach.
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Hiroshi moved with precision, positioning himself for the capture. He knew they only had one shot at this.
"Touwa, flank it from the left. I’ll take the right. Yui-san a keep watch of its movements.” Touwa nodded, slipping silently into position. Despite his usual sarcasm, there was no room for jokes now.
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As they neared the creature, Hiroshi gave the signal. In a blur of motion, he and Touwa sprang into action. Hiroshi lunged with the net, aiming to ensnare the creature’s body, while Touwa moved in from the other side, ready to block any escape routes.
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The Grasstalker Mantis reacted instantly, its instincts kicking in as it tried to evade capture. It lashed out with its powerful forelegs, narrowly missing Hiroshi as he dodged the attack. But the creature’s focus on Hiroshi gave Touwa the opening he needed. With a swift movement, Touwa struck to force the mantis into a vulnerable position.
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Hiroshi’s net came down hard, entangling the creature’s limbs in a web of strong, woven fibers. Touwa moved quickly to secure the net, ensuring that the creature couldn’t break free. The Grasstalker Mantis thrashed violently, but its efforts were in vain—their combined strategy had worked.
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"Hold it steady!” Hiroshi ordered, his voice firm as he worked to ensure the creature was fully immobilized. Touwa nodded, using his strength to keep the mantis from escaping.
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Within moments, the creature was fully captured, its struggles subsiding as it realized there was no escape. The group stood back, breathing heavily from the adrenaline.
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斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
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The Araikettei clan's hijutsu 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.
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毒耐性 | Doku Taisei [lit. Poison Tolerance]
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Touwa has a higher tolerance to biological toxins and poisons because he is a member of the Tokonatsu clan. Because of his resistance, Touwa can heal from wounds caused by biological poisons or toxins more quickly. Biological poisons or toxins require a dosage increase of one to become effective.
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竑 | Kou [lit. Endless]
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Touwa possesses significantly larger and more formidable chakra reserves compared to his peers. This advantage enables him to execute various jutsu without rapidly depleting his chakra, granting him a distinct advantage in combat situations and the capacity to maintain prolonged, intensive chakra utilization. Consequently, he can employ advanced techniques for extended durations surpassing the capabilities of most individuals within his rank.