[Nin] Puppetry training with Souji

[AkatsukiSwag]

"Heh... sorry..."
Kajiko nervously sweatdrops, knowing well Sasori could be very dangerous.
Kajiko listens as best she can, ready to finally perform.
"Alright, I'll do my best."
She launches herself into the air as instructed by her sensei, pulling crow up with her, and upon moving some of her left fingers, launching several smoke bombs at the training targets specified.

Spoiler

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.

After launching the bombs, Kajiko lands on her feet and looks at Sasori waiting for more instruction.

"Would you like me to reattempt throwing the kunai as well?"

 

[Souji]

"No... your ability to use the kunai is fine. Let's focus on my question before you tried the technique. What might smoke bombs be useful for, in a real battle?"

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

She cocks her head slightly to the side, giving the question a bit of thought before answering.
"Well, smoke bombs are used to impair sight most often, so you can use it for more than one thing. You can blind your opponent to escape, or you can blind them to make it easier to attack them. I believe you can also put poison in them to administer poison."

 

[Souji]

"Yes. There are specific compartments which hold separate poison smoke bombs. We'll go over those later."

"Most shinobi will be blinded by smoke, except those with special eye powers like the Sharingan. Of course... there are other ways to deal with those types of nuisances."

"Now, try this one. Manipulate crow to fly towards a target while spinning, ramming into them. A very basic way to engage an opponent who might be coming close to you, and a good way to defend yourself if they are indeed too close."

(Ranbu no Jutsu) - Wild Dance Technique
Rank: D
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 20
Description: The user manipulates Crow to bolt towards the enemy and begin spinning, striking them with a rotational force.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Taking a step back, Kajiko ains a bit of confidence, pulling crow into the air, and ramming him into one of the targets. The target is mildly scuffed up.

"I'm assuming i didn't apply enough force? How much is appropriate?"

 

[Souji]

"You have to move with your puppet. Remember, the puppet is an extension of yourself. If you view it as simply a tool, it will stay that: a tool. Try it again, and this time, remember to make Crow spin, in order to increase its rotational force and impact."

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Taking a deep breath, Kajiko tries once more, this time leaping with crow, and spinning him, slamming him into a target and smashing the target.

"Got it!" She grins widely. "I understand what you are saying Sensei."

 

[Souji]

"Good. Keep practicing that on your own time. For now, let's move on."

"I will control one of my puppets to charge you. Detach Crow's head from its body, and activate the switch in its head to reveal a large metal spike that will come out of its mouth. Use Crow's new weapon to stop my puppet, and when you've completed it, reattach Crow's head to its body."

With a flick of his right hand and a poof of smoke, Sasori summoned one of his many puppets. This one was a generic one without any clothing. Unmarked as well... maybe it was new?

Contorting his fingers upwards towards the sky then pointing them at Kajiko, the puppet sprang to life and flew towards his student with ample speed.

(Kyū Karasukuchibashi) - Sudden Crow Beak
Rank: C
Type: Attack
Range: short
Chakra cost: 15
Damage points 30
Description: The user detaches the head of his puppet, Crow, just as the opponent is approaching. The head then projects a spike from its mouth and stabs the opponent.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Trying to think through the panic of having a puppet fly at her, Kajiko quickly flicked her wrist, flinging crows head off, a spike coming from his mouth. The spike soared directly into Sasori's puppet's head, stopping it. Finally getting the hang off it, she uses chakra strings to pull crow's head from the puppen, reattaching it and standing crow back up.

 

[Souji]

Satisfied, Sasori released control of his -now- broken puppet, causing it to fall lifeless onto the ground.

"Let's take a short respite and talk about the fundamentals of battle."

"Our first discussion topic will be ranges. If you note, that last technique has a short-range reach. In battle, there are three zones of distance from yourself... short, middle, and long range. Do you happen to know the minimum to maximum ranges for each?"

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

"Honestly? No, I don't. Sorry if that makes me sound dumb."
She sheepishly scratched her head.
"I know the approximate range by sight, but not by number."

 

[Souji]

"If you visualize them spatially, that's fine. For the sake of reference, remember that short range is 0-5 meters from yourself, middle range is 6-15 meters, and long range is anything further than that. Range is key in puppetry because even though the ranges of techniques may be 'short', remember that puppeteers can extend their puppets' range up to mid-range. For example, you can extend Crow up to 11 meters from you, and a short range jutsu from Crow's body reaches up to 5 meters. Adding things together, you get a potential jutsu range of 16 meters, turning a short range technique into a long-range one."

"Does that make sense, Kajiko?"

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

"Ah yes, thank you sensei. I will keep that in mind when fighting using crow." She Nods. "Does crow have any long range abilities?"

 

[Souji]

"He does. Try manipulating Crow's mouth open and activating the senbon canisters. This will shoot a torrent of needles, otherwise known as senbon, towards your intended target. By sweeping his head around, you can control the path and direction of the assault. It can shower and rain down on a large area if performed expertly, making it hard for your opponent to dodge. These needles are poison-coated."

"... use this technique against me, Kajiko, as if you were in a real fight. Show me your killing intent..." Sasori smirked, looking murderous again.

(Keep in mind that for every technique, unless it is stated in the description for a specific puppet, any puppet can use the technique, custom or canon.)

(Senbon Ame) - Endless Rain of Senbon
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short-Long
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: 30
Description: The puppet will open its mouth wide, unleashing a torrent of senbon. All of the senbon are poison-tipped, meaning that a single hit by one could be deadly. These senbon can shower the opponent for as long as the user wishes.

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Thinking for a second before, Kajiko Ran to gain some momentum, keeping Crow close to her body for now. Knowing fully well Sasori would have his eyes on her, she used the wall around Suna to her advantage, launching herself into the air and showering Sasori with senbon.
"If you would like, I could try and spar with you to get some practice with these Jutsu. I wouldn't win but it would be excellent practice."

 

[Souji]

The senbons hurtled towards Sasori at a great rate. They were almost invisible to the naked eye. Stretching out his right arm, Sasori unlocked four wooden segments from his forearm. They formed a cross-shape that covered him, and from each segment, chakra would burst from it, connecting each segment and forming an umbrella-like shield that protected him from the attack as the senbons bounced off.

Spoiler

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(Chakra No Tate) - Chakra Shield
Rank: C
Type: Defensive
Range: N/A
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: N/A
Description: The puppets arm will pop out in four different directions in almost an umbrella-like manner. The arm segments will surround the puppets hand, and from those segments, chakra will emit, each one making one fourth of an entire circle, making a shield of pure chakra.

"... a spar sounds intriguing. Experience is the best teacher, after all. I can show you more advanced techniques as you come at me, so keep your instincts about you."

Sasori summoned his own Crow, as well as Black Ant and Salamander. He effortlessly took control of all three as they sprang to life.

"Come!" he said, challenging Kajiko.

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

Rank: C
Type: Supplementary
Range: N/A
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: N/A
Description: Black Ant, created by Sasori, is a puppet that is often used in conjunction with Crow and, later on, Salamander. It has a bucket-shaped face with two red horns and a total of six arms. It, like Crow, has three eyes. Its body resembles a very large barrel, and it is hollow on the inside, making its main use to be that of trapping, while weapons enter the many slots on its body. At any time, Black Ant can literally open its stomach, and trap an opponent, able to extend the two halves of its stomach so that it stretches out and over the opponent from a very fair distance (approximately mid range) and then retracts the stomach back to its original form, closing it with the opponent inside. Its arm segments contain hidden saw-blades. Like Crow, Black Ant can detach its arms for attacks.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

Rank: C
Type: Supplementary
Range: N/A
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: N/A
Description: Salamander is a defensive puppet, though not on the level of defense as that of Hiruko. Salamander, as its name suggests, is built in the form of a large salamander, being one of the largest puppets seen thus far, and though it is not more powerful defensively than Hiruko, it is larger than the other puppet. Salamander is able to rise up a large area on its back to be used as a shield, making a black shield over its head. It, like some other puppets, is hollow, and it can open its back at any time and then rise up its large tail over its head, stretching it out and therefore allowing the puppet user to jump inside of it for protection. Salamander can also spew out fire equal to C rank. Salamander can only be destroyed by one who knows its weak spots, being a weak joint on its side that holds the shield in place and afterwards simply striking it on its back, or by a move of A rank or higher.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Doing her best to asses the situation as possible, Kajiko first keeps in mind two puppets are made for offensive, and Salamander was built for a defense. Knowing full well Sasori wasn't dumb enough to breathe poison, Kajiko used her smoke bomb attack, pulling cloth over her mouth and creating a large blind spot. She next decides to fire several senbon into the area, staying as quick on her feet as possible. She wanted to be hard to detect, but knew using any stealth jutsu with crow would prove too difficult, so she used puppet scatter shot instead.

Spoiler

(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.

Spoiler

(Senbon Ame) - Endless Rain of Senbon
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short-Long
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: 30
Description: The puppet will open its mouth wide, unleashing a torrent of senbon. All of the senbon are poison-tipped, meaning that a single hit by one could be deadly. These senbon can shower the opponent for as long as the user wishes.

Spoiler

(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

 

[Souji]

(Nice move!)

Upon being enveloped with smoke, Sasori realized that his top priority was to regain his field of vision. Manipulating Crow with one hand to brandish spikes from its body, Sasori would then proceed to rapidly spin Crow like a top, the rotational force being strong enough to blow away the smokescreen.

When Kajiko fell into his sights, he noticed she would fire off senbons aimed at him. The poison-tipped ones he had taught her earlier, perhaps? Regardless, Sasori twitched both of his hands' fingers to control the release of explosive bombs that would clash with the senbon. The intention was to create a brief screen and cut off his students' view, from which Sasori could maneuver to a more advantageous position.

Using Crow as a makeshift shield to protect him from Kajiko's last move (the kunais) by placing the puppet in the way of the weapons, Sasori would, at the same time, subtly cause Ant to fire smoke bombs that were imbued with poison within a few meters from Kajiko's feet.

Poof! Purple smoke would begin covering the area where his student was.

Spoiler

(Karasu Shuuren) - Crow Drill
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short - Mid
Chakra cost: 15
Damage points: 30
Description: The user manipulates Crow to release spikes from its limbs. He then makes Crow fly toward the opponent while spinning rapidly, doing severe damage to them.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

(Kugutsu: Samidare no Jutsu) - Puppet May Rain Technique
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 15
Damage points: 30
Description: The user will manipulate Crow and Ant to release a series of explosive bombs at the enemy target/s.
Note can only be used by a Suna puppet user.

(Doku Kemuri) -Poison Smokescreen
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short-Mid
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: N/A
Description: The puppet will open its mouth and shoot out smoke balls that are imbued with poison as well. This can be used to obscure the enemy’s vision and to spread poisonous gas in the area at the same time.

 

[AkatsukiSwag]

Seeing the move her sensei had used earlier, she went ahead and copied said move, causing crow to spin rapidly. Wanting to move to the offensive, Kajiko attempted to get close to sasori and ram crow into Ant in order to limit Sasori's abilities.

Spoiler

(Karasu Shuuren) - Crow Drill
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short - Mid
Chakra cost: 15
Damage points: 30
Description: The user manipulates Crow to release spikes from its limbs. He then makes Crow fly toward the opponent while spinning rapidly, doing severe damage to them.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user
(Ranbu no Jutsu) - Wild Dance Technique
Rank: D
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 20
Description: The user manipulates Crow to bolt towards the enemy and begin spinning, striking them with a rotational force.
Note: Can only be used by a Suna puppet user

 

[Souji]

What was the purpose of using Crow in that counter? To stop the explosive bombs?