Shadow Lily [Tutor]

[Uchiha Izura]

The surveillance network was vast. A spider web amalgamation of hidden, wireless cameras, barely tapping into the power grid of Kumogakure’s vast expanse as to remain hidden to the authorities.

The network was quite impressive. 326 cameras in total. The best that money could buy. An amalgamation of wealth accumulated from years of careful planning and execution. Izura was erudite in this process. It was early morning, and he had been working through the night. This hour of the day was one of the two perfect moments to stage an attack- the twilight hours of the day when day and night intermingled at just the right ratio to produce a blindingly distracting twilight. Normal eyes would have a hard time discerning details. He stood sideways on the wall of a second story building, sighing as he placed the final camera in a hidden alcove on the wall. That was the final camera.

Normally the weakness of an Uchiha was their over reliance on sight; overconfidence in the raw power of the sharingan. But as a child Izura had learned to fight blind. Honed over the years through the fires of war, the veteran shinobi had senses as keen as any kage would. And in the next moment he sensed a presence- he could hear footsteps approaching despite the lack of early morning risers. The only people who were up this early were people changing with the Anbu guard, and perhaps shinobi going out to train. But here of all places?

It made little sense. This was just another avenue for most folks. Fairly ordinary in appearance. The only reason for surveillance here was to monitor as an escape route from one of the central parts of the village- beyond that it was completely unremarkable. Izura wrapped a scarf around the lower part of his face, leaning against the wall inconspicuously. Perhaps they’d leave, and that’d be that…

A person emerged from the corner.....perhaps it was a smol child? It sure seemed like it...

[Tutor Thread Initiated]

[334/1500 words]

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

The day was waning and things were always different at this time, but it didn't matter. Her world had opened in such new and amazing ways, both wonderful and frightening, that she could hardly comprehend how to feel anymore, but the knowledge that was out there, just waiting to be discovered meant that she could no longer hide in her little hole. She was truly a Shinobi of the Hidden Cloud. Ventures had been made out in the land, exploring areas and meeting new people, though the faces of her fellow ninjas still remained rather a mystery as most had never been met.

Thus was the explanation for her appearance in this particular time, for she had often begun to seek out people to teach her and teaching generally was assigned, at least with her, by people above her in rank, either with the village leaders or the Santaru clan, though likely both considering her progression and awakening her bloodline trait. The pale kunoichi started to nibble down on her lower lip as she kept her eyes wide and alert to make sure nothing of her surroundings went unnoticed. It was an odd time, but it was better to train her abilities, the power to control the storms, at such a time for day is a time when people can be bothered by such nusiances.

She blinked as she turned the corner, there stood a man which she was unfamiliar with, but that was hardly a surprise, to be honest. The girl blinked, once then twice, contemplating whom he might be and immediately sensing he was different from your every day citizen. Jumping to conclusions, she approached him and bowed down low, showing great respect to the man whom was going to teacher her. "H-Hello," she stumbled over her words softly. "My name is Sayomi...of the Santaru house and I'm honored you have agreed to teach me, sensei!" She stated, making sure that her family name was stated specifically as she was always told to carry her heritage with a great pride as she remained bowed, almost waiting for assurance it was alright to rise.

[Sayomi joins]
[wc: 357]

 

[Uchiha Izura]

Izura was taken aback. There was a moment of hesitation, a raised hand, and a step back.

“Ah….I….”

He wasn’t sure what to do- she expected him to train her in the ways of the ninja? Was she crazy? To approach a random stranger and believe that they were her teacher?

“I…understand. You may rise now.”

The Uchiha crossed his arms, sighing. It’d be better to just get this over with, as to avoid suspicion.

“Today I will teach you a basic genjutsu technique. Meisagakure no jutsu.”

Without the use of hand seals, nor the use of his sharingan, Izura simply disappeared entirely. But his voice could still be heard by the young kunoichi.

“The Invisibility technique is nothing more than a mere visual illusion, designed in such a way where you are the only one unable to see me. But to anyone else, I am completely visible. I am simply using chakra to alter your visual perceptions.”

The Uchiha reappeared in front of her.

“Once you master genjutsu control, you will get to a level where it is possible to cast genjutsu without the use of hand seals. This makes it even easier to go about subtly manipulating a target’s perception. But let’s start with the basics.”

Izura made a tiger hand seal.

“Meisagakure no jutsu.”

And with that, he disappeared again for a brief moment, before dispelling the technique once again.

“Try it on me. Imagine what you want me to see, and try to make that my perception of reality through fine chakra control. Genjutsu is all about careful precision. One mistake may shatter the illusion of reality, rendering the technique useless.”

WC 277

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

This was a strange thing, in the young kunoichi's mind, trying to process the strange man before her, even more so when he attempted to pause her introduction, forcing the young teen to stammer a few pauses more than she was accustom to doing. However, he seemed to be a bit taken back at first, perhaps she had assumed incorrectly? Perhaps not, he seemed to understand the situation, hopefully he did more than she and it wasn't yet another mistake on the young Santaru's behalf.

She rose from the bowing position and nibbled on her lower lip absent-mindedly, hoping to be able to accomplish the tasks he would set in front of her, however, the jutsu he named was something that was alien to the young genin, forcing her to hold her breath. A genjutsu technique. Basic, he said, but something the lightning mistress had no skill over and she winced at the mere prospect of failing. Biting her tongue to open her mouth and prove herself a complete fool and failure, all the teen could do was look on in almost awe at the invisibility technique. Basics he called it, it shouldn't be too hard...

Tiger hand-seal...general enough, but could she accomplish it? Still trying to be silent and observant, Sayomi nodded her understanding of his request quietly trying to assess the situation and remember exactly what was expected of her in this situation. Genjutsu was an important ninja skill, so naturally people of her village and, more importantly, Clan would want a hopeful up and coming ninja to be skilled in it or, at the very least, mildly competent.

"O-Okay then...here...here I go..." She mumbled to herself out loud, performing the hand signs and trying to call out the jutsu, but no sooner then the muttered, mashed up words stumble passed her lips than a bolt of lighting rained from the heavens no more than a few feet from the pair, causing the girl to wince. Not only wince in shame, but start to tear up. "I-I-I'm sorry! I'm s-so sorry! I'm...I've never d-done genjutsu before...I m-m-messed up...I'm...I'm a Santaru...Storm Caller...I d-didn't think I'd e-ever need to know Genjutsu...."

[wc: 363]
[twc: 720]

 

[Uchiha Izura]

Izura crossed his arms, sighing. He kneeled down in front of her.

“Try again. Your lack of confidence is limiting you. Just keep trying.”

He placed a hand on her forehead, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he concentrated, sending her some of his chakra. That’d make it easier for her to manifest the genjutsu. It’d also give off the perception that Sayomi had a similar chakra signature to Izura, if she ever ended up pushing her limits, some of that chakra would inevitably be drawn from. A person with a chakra signature identical to his own would prove useful in it’s own, subtle way. All the better to confuse any…unwanted detectives. Cloud Anbu were the first to come to mind.

Little did Sayomi realize that the technique he was asking her to perform was in actuality, an A-ranked Genjutsu. That was the greater reason for her failure- it would’ve taken even the brightest of prodigies quite some time before mastering such a technique. Invisibility through manipulation of a target’s perception required the perception of literal erasure of existence. It did not come easily to most who tried.

“The difference between a master and an utter novice does not lie within the complexity of the technique being performed. It’s the perfect execution of the fundamentals that make a true master. Complexity comes naturally as a result from that.”

Although his outward appearance did not betray any internal thoughts, he did hold a modicum of pity for her. In what seemed a lifetime ago, to a part of history lost to the sands of time, he was just like her- unsure of himself. Constantly in doubt when it came to his own abilities. But those limits were surpassed through sheer necessity in order to survive. A harsher time in the shinobi world- when wars were far more commonplace between villages, and the threat of death was far more prominent than it was today.

WC 326

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

The knowledge that she lacked confidence was hardly surprising, it was probably in her files in big, bold, red letters if she were to think about it. Still, being told that from a stranger was a bit disheartening nonetheless. The brunette winced slightly as the hand was placed upon her head and she looked around for a moment, wondering what was going to happen. Would she be punished for her egregious mistake? Would he hurt her for nearly striking him with lightning? Perhaps for the failure itself.

Instead, and despite her own shaking, the man seemed to remain still for the moment, not moving his hand or any other part of his body, leaving the teen a bit perplexed, wondering what his plan was. She took the moment, trying to calm herself and suddenly began to feel a faint presence, though it was so odd that she could not entirely place it. Perhaps it was her imagination, for when it came to things that could affect her negatively, she excelled in creating wild scenarios in the depths of her own mind.

Of course he would consider her a novice, still, like before the words stung, this time with harsher clarity than before as the adjective was tacked on, causing her eyes to drift, nibbling on her lower lip as she tried to build her resolve up once more to not disgrace herself or her family name in front of her newest instructor.

"W-What...What should I do then, ...." the girl paused for just a moment as she tried desperately to recall the name that he had given her. Had he given her a name? The girl's mind was a blank trying to recall the information. "S-Sensei? Forgive me...I can't recall your name..." assuming it a fault on her own part.

[wc: 301]
[twc: 1021]

 

[Uchiha Izura]

Identity? I am a nobody. Someone who shouldn’t exist in this time. Someone who is little more than a distant memory to faces long gone. I am out of my time.

Like the shinobi who own them, memories are a fickle thing, prone to the contortions of the mind. People believe what they want to believe in order to better frame their idealized truth. What is convenient is often accepted in lieu of the dark reality that they face.

The reality that Izura was not here to be a teacher- he was here to deceive. He was here to manipulate, control, and influence. He was not the virtuous prince of childhood fantasies, nor was he the kind, encouraging older brother that he was in the past.

“Saseru Yuno’s uncle. You remember her, right? I think she mentioned visiting some childhood friends, and she was quite popular in the village…”

Fabricated memories flooded Sayomi’s mind with such subtlety that their oddity might be missed entirely. Vague recollections were all that she’d be able to remember, but Izura surmised that it might be enough to stop her questioning. Subtle manipulation of perception through genjutsu was all it was. The flick of a wrist, the waving of a hand. All subtleties could be utilized to deceive- it was the mark of a true master to deceive with nary a hint of hostility. The pink haired Yuno-chan’s influence was slowly but surely spreading. With the eventuality that perhaps she would visit Sayomi. But only if the facade was necessary. The greater the complexity of the lie, the more difficult it became to control the illusion of real appearances.

A raven flew briefly into view in the backdrop of the alleyway, before swooping past about fifteen feet above their heads in a casual glide, before disappearing around the corner.

"In any case, you should try again. You will eventually get it if you try hard enough..."

WC 322

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

The world around her seemed different now more than ever as the strange shinobi sought to explain to her just who he was, her eyes strangely fixated on the older shinobi as the young kunoichi tried her very best to try and place his face somewhere, anywhere, in the recesses of her memory. Howeve,r he said a name, a strange name to her, to be certain, yet visions, images seemed to transform her thoughts into pictures and suddenly there was a sort of vague recollection and now a face to put to that oh-so-familiar name. Sayomi then gave a soft, gentle nod as she acknowledged that the man was correct and she did know whom he was talking about, if only just slightly.

"I...I believe so. I n-never really was active in the village, s-sensei. I spent most of my time...at home..." she explained, rather feeling comfortable with the given explanation that she had been provided with as of the moment and more than comfortable with proceeding with the lesson. As comfortable as a Ninjutsu specialist could be when it came to learn Genjutsu, at the very least. It could be worse, however, it could be Taijutsu, a skill where she was more than likely to break her own bones than those of her opponents on attacks that she, herself, launched. Quick and able to last long in endurance she was, however the young teen lacked the stamina to take several blows.

She looked up, batting her eyes softly as a bird which nearly blended in with the setting blackness flew near them before setting off on its own course. The young Santaru nodded, ready to try again though already resolved to her ownn failure that was certain to come. She mimicked the hand seals to the letter as she remembered him doing it, yet when she recited the incantation, nothing happened. Not even lightning this time. Just silence. And so she, herself, did not speak from how ashamed she felt at this very moment, holding back the tears that came with her bitter failure.

[WC: 347]
[TWC: 1368]

 

[Uchiha Izura]

Influence was more powerful than any single individual’s raw, physical ability in the arts of ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu. Influence could convince an army to follow one’s banner, whether they did it while aware of one’s true intentions or not. And here, there was influence to gain. It did not matter that Sayomi was still a brand new, learning Kunoichi. She would climb the ranks, and then it would be time to reap the rewards of what had grown from the seeds of loyalty.

“I will make it easier for you. Try again.”

He placed a hand on her arm, transferring a portion of his chakra to her. Like muscle memory, the raw chakra she’d receive would adapt to the technique like a glove. All she needed to do was utilize it, attempt the technique, and it’d be at least a little easier.

“Practice is all it’ll take, and you will eventually get the hang of it to where you can do it on your own without the use of my chakra.”

Whether or not she had actually succeeded this time was irrelevant. He let go of the kunoichi’s arm, watching as she attempted the technique. Once she was done, he nodded.

“Effort and time is all it requires. Do not be dismayed if you aren’t strong in the other aspects of shinobi fighting. Some of the greatest shinobi in history were one trick ponies, capable in only ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu. Instead of multiple fields of expertise, they dedicated their lives to a single craft and got immensely good at it. But that does not mean you can forsake the other disciplines, because otherwise they become weaknesses to exploit.”

WC 280

1500 WC and 5 post minimum met.

[Leaving topic after Sayomi posts]

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

She looked around, trying to comprehend her failure and what was so different from him than herself, not realizing whom he was nor even comprehending the vast difference in skill ability that the two possessed. Even without the fabled Sharingan eye, she could never come close to his skill in this particular aspect of the shinobi and it was difficult to comprehend. She nibbled on her lower lip yet again, trying to shake the doubt from clouding her mind as it often was likely to do, hoping to perhaps get this particular jutsu down to a tee.

It was a bit shocking when the man came closer to her and placed a hand on her head, an action which she had to fight her instict of immediately recoiling. It was a reaction that was natural whenever someone tried to come within physical contact with her and she was able to succeed in only recoiling the tiniest amount. The result was a strange warmth and power flooding her being, particularly her eyes as, unbeknownst to her, chakra was poured into her tiny frame and filled her with some of the Uchiha's power, ability, and talent. Then he told her what had happened, giving her some of his chakra and she nodded to the teacher in understanding, performing the instructions one last time to accomplish the task given to her.

Of course, if she accomplished it or not, she could not truly be certain but the man seemed confident in her ability to perfect it sometime down the line and Sayomi made certain to cling to every word he spoke faithfully. The young Santaru had a feeling that she would be one of those one-trick ponies that he described, though it was always a known fact to her for ninjutsu was always the specialty of Santaru. She nodded and then bowed deeply to the man who had taken the time out of his busy schedule to instruct her.

"T-Thank you, sensei. I will...work and m-master the jutsu I can...to the best of my ability," she stated earnestly, turning to leave only to pause. "I look forward to...seeing you again, sensei. Hopefully l-learning something new," she said, bowing once again before going home.

[WC: 372]
[TWC: 1740]

[Sayomi Leaves Topic]