[Nin] Puppetry training with Souji

[AkatsukiSwag]

A young girl in one of Sunagakure's training grounds is bursting with excitement. Today she would finally learn puppetry, a goal of hers since she was little. Quickly, she composed herself as best she could, knowing she would need to focus all of her attention on her training in order to gain any skill. She patiently waits for her sensei to arrive.

 

[Souji]

RP training it is, then! xd

The young girl would hear a clacking noise of wooden joints. From a tree in the middle of the training grounds, a cloaked figure emerged, jumping down in front of the girl, a couple of meters from her.

His cloak was worn but sturdy... and there were unmistakable red clouds printed on it.

Pulling his hood back, Sasori of the Red Sand revealed himself. His face was youthful, but his expression looked rather intimidating.

"... who are you?" he asked, rather directly and coldly.

He was expecting a new student today. Was it... her?

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

(((Would you prefer a diffrent style?))
Hearing the clacking noise and not knowing who it was, she quickly pulled out a kunai and bracing herself. Seeing the hooded figure, she held the stance, waiting until he removed his hood to place her kunai back.
"I am Kajiko Reahana. Would you happen to be my new sensei?" She asked, cautiously eying him. He looked dangerous.

 

[Souji]

Nope, I actually prefer RP. Either way, let me know

That name sounded familiar. Sasori had read it from the last set of applications. She looked young, innocent... a fresh genin from the academy, perhaps?

"Drawing a kunai on a teacher, eh? At least you don't seem completely helpless." he said bitingly.

From under his cloak, his large mechanical tail unraveled from his chest cavity, pointing a large, poison-tipped barb at Kajiko's head from a couple of meters. Ready to strike, like a scorpion.

"Kajiko Reahana. Tell me more about yourself." he tilted his head as if curiously looking at something novel.

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

She gulped. he certainly was the sensei she had applied for, and was most intimidating. She did her best to stay calm, knowing for a fact he was dangerous.
"Well, I am a Sunagakure Genin. I have very little training on anything other than the basics, but I am very eager to learn. I've wanted to learn puppetry ever since I was a little girl."
She certainly was curious about her sensei, but felt as though prying would be a bad idea.

 

[Souji]

Sasori scoffed a little, coupled with a smirk.

"Puppetry is our village's sacred art. The beauty of an eternal piece of work... compared to those barbaric... 'explosives' found in the Hidden Rock."

"Since you are one of our own Genin, you will have the distinct privilege of learning all of our secret techniques... jutsus others covet. Guard them with your life." his wide gaze rested on her eyes, looking dead serious.

"What prior knowledge do you have of puppetry?"

Sasori's tail began swaying around the training grounds as he listened for Kajiko's answer.

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

She straightened a bit, knowing just how serious this was.
"I am fully aware and dedicated to the protection of both our village and its secrets.
However, I have no previous knowledge of puppetry other that what I have seen when I would observe the puppet masters training when I was a little girl. I know that the technique takes a great deal of chakra control and a lot of training to perfect."
She was cautious, as she knew a wrong answer could very well displease her sensei, but she was completely honest.

 

[Souji]

Sasori took a deep breath.

"From the beginning, then..." he muttered.

"Speaking simply, Puppetry was developed as a type of ninjutsu that built upon basic ninja tools such as kunais and shurikens. It allowed for the creation of more advanced, wooden mechanisms with complex weapon systems, humanoid features, and unconventional forms of warfare. You can consider them a greater extension of yourself, allowing you to reach opponents that may be too far for an ordinary ninja, and engage in strategies that surround and overwhelm your target."

"Controlling puppets has its strengths and weaknesses. What do you think those would be?" he asked, almost as if it were a quiz.

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Kajiko gave the question a little thought, and finally came up with what she thought would be a good answer.
"Well, as with any sort of medium to long range styles, Its main strength would be the user's ability to keep their distance from a dangerous opponent. However, the puppeteer would most likely be poor at close combat, and wouldn't fare well in the event that an enemy gets close. But that's just a guess."

 

[Souji]

"Good. You are correct; we puppeteers are often susceptible to close-range fighters, especially taijutsu specialists. However, the point of a puppet is to allow it to keep your target at bay. Frankly, I believe if you let someone too close to your comfort zone, you don't deserve to wield puppetry. Hm."

"If you prove to be talented, Kajiko, you can develop puppets that can compensate and augment your fighting style... similar to my own Hiruko, for example."

"Now... how are puppets controlled by a puppeteer?"

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

"The technique uses chakra threads to control puppets. The threads basically move the puppets by their joints, but can also activate any traps and hidden weapons. Any number of chakra threads can be used to control a puppet, but users with more skill can use fewer strings per puppet."

 

[Souji]

"Correct. Have you tried to form chakra strings before? If so, demonstrate it. If not, how do you think you would you do so?"

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

"W-well, I've tried, but not very successfully. I am under the assumption that like most jutsu, it is a concentration of chakra in the finger tips. I've been able to form them but not attach them to anything, and what little I have formed without instruction is kinda pathetic."

 

[Souji]

Sasori held out his right hand in front of Kajiko. She could see that there were glowing blue dots on the tips of his fingers.

"Chakra strings are naturally composed of... chakra. By applying a form of shape manipulation, you bend and stretch the chakra, compressing it to form a blueish, almost invisible string that you then attach to your puppet, like so..."

With a slightly wicked look, Sasori extended his chakra strings quickly and suddenly, attaching them to Kajiko's limbs. He then twitched his fingers, causing Kajiko to move her limbs involuntarily, stretching her arms and legs into a fighting pose.

Then, he released his control over her by detaching the strings.

"... more powerful users can use puppetry to control non-puppet entities, as I have just demonstrated. For this training session, we will be focusing on learning how to properly use Sunagakure's standard puppets."

"Try forming chakra strings; focus your energy on manipulating the chakra to your fingertips and releasing them. Attach them to this puppet I'll summon at the following points: one string for the head and one string for each of his four arms. Five in total."

Without another word, Sasori summoned Crow from a scroll.

(Kugutsu No Jutsu) - Puppetry Technique
Rank: D
Type: Attack/Defense/Supplementary
Range: Short-Mid
Chakra Cost: 10(-4 each turn its used after wards)
Damage Points: N/A
Description: The user makes threads of chakra that are used to control puppets.

(Karasu) Crow
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary
Range: N/A
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: N/A
Description: Crow is the very first puppet we see in the series. It was created by Sasori, but is later used by Kankurou. Crow is a three eyed, four armed humanoid. Crow is one of the more basic puppets, but he is able to detach any of its body parts for deadly attacks, almost every joint having a blade at the end, allowing Crow to shoot his arms towards the opponent, and then have them return back to it. Even his head has a blade that can be extended out from the bottom of its neck when detached. This ability made it and Black Ant a very deadly combination. It also has the ability, like most puppets do, to release poison-tipped darts and smokescreens, which sometimes have poisonous gas mixed with them.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Kaji, a bit startled by how easily Sasori could control her, readied herself and began trying to form chakra strings. They were weak at first, but she soon was able to attach them to said Areas, head and four limbs. She was careful to not try and move the puppet until instructed to do so.
"Like this Sasori-Sensei?"

 

[Souji]

Kajiko's strings were weak, but they were there. She had managed to attach them to Crow properly, at least.

"Focus on the connection between yourself and the puppet. Control the input of chakra on the strings such that it's steady yet flexible. Try moving each of your fingers to manipulate the limbs of your puppet; see what each string and finger controls."

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

She adjusts her chakra a bit, finally getting a stronger connection. Slowly testing out each finger, she gets each limb to move, and the head to nod a bit. She grins, happy to accomplish this much.

 

[Souji]

(Try to be a little more descriptive. Words are King in the RP. Use your imagination! For example: "She twitched her right middle finger, allowing Crow's head to nod slightly." there are no real specifics, but it adds to the immersion. It's my personal taste, so take what you will out of it xd)

"There you go. Now, get a feel for his articulation and maneuverability. Then, take your second hand and attach chakra strings to his second pair of arms, and space the rest out evenly among the holes in his midsection area. Those control his weapon systems."

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

"Yes sensei"
She attaches the strings to the spots her sensei had specified. After attaching them, she lightly moved the index finger or her other hand, unintentionally shooting a kunai towards herself. She quickly dodged it, doing her best to refrain from further incidents. She sheepishly grinned before attempting to move crow and fire some kunai at a tree.
"How's this sensei?"
She seemed a bit proud of her actions.

 

[Souji]

(Nice. You actually just tried out the first technique without me having to teach it to you. Congratulations! xd here you go, this is what you learned: )

(Kugutsu Gorotama no Jutsu) - Puppet Scatter Shot Technique
Rank: D
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 20
Description: The user manipulates crow to release several kunai from his body at the enemy target.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

---

One of the kunais that Kajiko had fired towards the tree flew off its path and hit Sasori in the shoulder, sticking to his wooden joint.

"..."

Using his tail to smack off the kunai, he continued with a livid look in his eyes, but speaking as if nothing had happened.

"... I will describe each individual technique to you, and I want you to practice them on that set of training dummies over there. Then, when you've finished each jutsu, I want you to tell me what you think of each of them... perhaps strengths and weaknesses are a good start, and your opinion on each."

"Hm. For our first one, jump into the air while manipulating Crow with your strings. By activating one of his weapon compartments, you should be able to shoot out smoke bombs at your target, creating a smokescreen upon contact."

"... make sure you use the right weapon system, alright?"

(Kugutsu Kemuridama no Jutsu) - Puppet Smoke Bombs Technique
Rank: D
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short - Long
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: N/A
Description: The user jumps up in the air and then manipulates crow to release several smoke bombs towards the enemy target blinding them in the process.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user.