The Long Plan [Class]

[Miroku Akkuma]

Akkuma stood out on the field it was two hours after usual class time. Most of the teachers had already proceeded home & the Kitsune stood on the field. The few classes he'd held had gained him quite a reputation among the few who'd heard of them. While there was much to fear about the being it was undeniable his prowess as an instructor was incredible. He'd sent word among the students he'd be holding extra curricular programs for those who wished to participate & ensure they furthered their aspirations as shinobi. Through this means he'd ensure that if he lived long enough his influence may very well see him a legend among the generations.

Those many white furred tails flicked behind him as he awaited for those who would come. What would be their purpose for doing so? Would it be because they'd wished to gain power? Because they were falling behind & didn't want to look weak to their peers? What aspirations would drive them to come to the Trickster Foxes class after such public events of destruction & misfortune had erupted around him. He stood there in his kimono his clan sigil worked into the back of his attire. Upon his hip were a series of jars with specialized beetles & a pair of Ancient Gauntlets. Upon his hip was a Pouch & at under his sleeve was a Hidden Weapon crafted by Akkuma himself.

Those crimson eyes scanned the area before him as his Fox-like ears turned at the subtlest sounds trying to discern approaching footsteps. Today would be another brick in the pillar he intended to build himself to be in this village. He'd been to focused on the war efforts & done very little of public import that was beneficial since his aid in the rebuilding. Akkuma wondered if this class would be supervised by another member of the Anbu. He doubted that his unusual associate would be the only one sent to investigate him. Perhaps one of his students or experiments would be present in his class today. What new faces would be before him & seek the wisdom of the veteran shinobi.

 

[Kou]

Word had spread like wildfire over the student body about the after-school lessons that were being offered by Akkuma. Many of them whispered their concerns and rumors they had to share together in small clique-centered clusters, but others were so terrified of the idea of it that they were sent away from their classes early after a quick check over by the academy's nursing staff. That was a very small percentage though of only three students, a pair of boys and a pale girl from the Yuki clan. Most of what they had to say were interrupted by their bawled sobs and panicked breaths, but the only thing they could get out was how much they didn't want to attend the class. It took longer for Kou to remember why the name felt familiar to her but it was not until she was on her way out to the fields that it came to her.

Jiro's words echoed inside of her thoughts and came with memories of that day those children picked on her; about how Akkuma had shaped him in his training and if the bullies did not leave her alone that one of their friends would be mentioned to this Akkuma. It gave her some pause on whether or not she should let herself be known by such a person. However, the somewhat morbid curiosity it stirred could easily overcome the hesitation in her heart. She wanted to meet him on the off chance that Jiro was there so that she might be able to learn a little more about who he was. Plus, if he could help someone like Jiro get stronger, then maybe he could help her keep up with the rest of the class. It took her some time to arrive out where Akkuma was, a likely unimpressive sight for the more veteran shinobi. A small wisp of a girl stands looking mostly supported by her gnarled walking stick standing at her side, with only a satchel draped over her shoulder. It looks to be one of the few things she owns from how worn and ragged the cheap fabric of the satchel is and how closely it seems to match her tunic.

Kou offers a deep bow of respect directed to the direction that she thinks she can hear him breathing. "Excuse me, Akkuma-sensei. My name is Onishi Kou, and I'm here for the lessons some of the other students mentioned. I am not too late, am I?" She spoke up to be sure that she could politely introduce herself and make her presence known. Afterward, she straightens herself up and stands alert, waiting for further instructions to be made. She was uncertain of what topics would be being covered as details were hazy on Akkuma's usual areas of expertise, but she wanted it to be vehemently clear that she was ready for whatever was thrown her way.

 

[Tori]

It was always a bother to have one’s timing and location shifted around. Apparently enough students shunned this Akkuma fellow that Tori simply wandered into his program. For better or worse, the pale youth didn’t mingle amongst school social circles and had no previous exposure to said teacher. He knew enough to recognize the situation as peculiar, tears brought about by the guy’s mere name and all.

To really understand something meant observing with your own senses. That and hoping some rude mind-bender hadn’t already botched them. So word-of-mouth failed to scare the boy. Of course if the teacher appeared to be unhinged or hostile, then Tori would gladly make himself scarce. The young artist left the tough guy act to kids who could stand it.

Tori arrived in a blandly colored cloak, just a tool to block the sun honestly. The rest of his clothing and face would be as uninspired if not for the droplets of ink. He forgot his backpack and pretty much everything in it. The clay pouch was the only other object of note on his person. He made sure not to stand close to anyone, pale blue eyes scanning the few people present before the deadpan claim, “Hisoka Tori. Reporting for class.” An odd way to state it, but Tori quickly pushed the thought aside.

Tori's mind drew a blank when reflecting what could be gained from all of this. Knowledge, while important, often proved itself a vague and underwhelming objective. Still, curiosity was his ravenous beast and no one managed to sate it so far.

 

[Jiro]

Jiro did not know how he had managed to get wrapped around Akkuma's finger yet again, but there he was, waking up in the Kitsune's bed once again. He stretched and rolled out of the bed before getting ready. The older male had said something about teaching a class and needing him to assist him. The blonde got ready extra slow. By the time he had finished his shower, brushed his teeth and hair, gotten dressed and left the house, he was ten minutes late. Not that he cared too much. It was all a part of his game. Sure, most people would probably fear annoying Akkuma, but Jiro found it to be quite fun.

He managed to find the class easily enough. Hell, all he really had to do was listen for and track Akkuma's blood. He knew it well enough. He had gotten to the field quickly but he took his time. If asked, he would simply say he had gotten lost. Once he got there, he looked around. There were only two students there it seemed. One of them was a boy he did not know. The other was Kou.

"Kou-Chan," he said when he saw her, a small smirk crossing his lips. "Those assholes leaving you alone or do I need to find them again? I really think you shoulda let me kill them..." He laughed when he said that.

Then he realized Akkuma would have probably been slightly annoyed by his lateness. Jiro ran a hand through his own hair. "Sorry, Neko-Chan...I'm still sore from last night 'cause someone..." He gave him an accusatory glare. "Got a bit rough. And now I'm in pain. So, where do we begin?"

 

[Ryu Hime]

Stepping onto the field was a person that Akkuma would likely be surprised to see. It was Akazukin with a child in tow. The kid was a small girl with black hair and a red hooded cloak. If Akkuma ever saw Totoro he would realize it was the same cloak. She looks quite innocent as she looks to be no older than ten. Her eyes however were a different matter. One eye was red, but the other eye was the Tokeigan, a yellow eye with a functioning clock within it. Both Jiro and Akkuma should find her quite familiar. “Greetings Mister Fox. My future self told me you could make me stronger.” She was, what Akazukin likes to call, a time remnant; Akazukin’s past self that was removed from time. On like her normal time travel, this one will not return to the point of which it left. Thus anything that happens to it would not effects the timeline. Her normal time travel to the future is extremely brief, enough to cast jutsu and that’s it.

Akazukin would give a polite bow towards Akkuma before addressing the kid version of herself. “Now Aka-chan, I expect you to listen to to your instructor like a good little girl.” Akazukin then takes her leave. Taking her musket off her back she leaves the field, but stays with watching distance using the scope of her gun. Akazukin was a little curious what type of class this demon would be teaching and how her much younger self would do.

[Time remnant is a combination of Puppet Channeling, Puppet Clone and Puppet Transformation]

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Those crimson orbs took in his first student a fragile looking youth he most undoubtedly disregarded. That would be there mistake by the time he was done training her. She showed respect & addressed him appropriately. He liked this student already. 'Onishi Kou...we shall see what potential is within her.' he thought to himself making a mental note of her physique & current appearance. "You're not late dear in fact you seem to be the first to arrive. Perhaps the rest were waiting to see what happened to the first to arrive." he would say with a chuckle those many tails of his hung behind swaying in the breeze. The next to arrive was one Hisoka Tori, his next student seemed disorganized & on edge. Perhaps he'd caught the courage to come to the class last minute. He'd chuckle at the boy's words "Indeed. Let's see if you have the courage to stay." he'd say with a warm smile jokingly.

Akkuma's jaw could've dropped when Jiro arrived. Particularly when he decided to speak the Faustian Foxes ears would twitch with annoyance at the mans words. "Come now Neko-chan remember where you are. We shall start shortly any others who arrive will have to catch up." he'd say reaching into his robes & removing a scroll. He held the rolled parchment before him about to start the class when he felt another presence. All while trying to restrain from instantly questioning Jiro about what had happened with the assailants. What next happened was perhaps one of the more peculiar things he'd seen during his time. Young Akazukin decided to join his class but via what he could only assume was a former version of herself. Offering him more insight into the capabilities of the kunoichi.

"Indeed I can child..." he'd say before his eyes scanned the three students before him. "It seems you three are the only ones with the courage to come to my class. Those of you who pass my class will receive one of these scrolls containing a Jutsu. To those who fail you get the valuable prize of experience through failure. Whether you choose to learn from your mistakes will be up to you." his words were calm as he held the scroll before him. Assessing them all he would ask a question. He'd expect each of them to answer it honestly if they wanted him to help them flourish as shinobi. "Which of the shinobi arts calls to you?" Akkuma was talented in most of the shinobi arts & as such had a vast well of experience to draw on. After all a shinobi didn't accomplish & live through what he had without learning a few tricks along the way. He bothered not with introductions for if they didn't know of him it would only be a matter of time until they did.

 

[Kou]

Kou's head subtly shifts in the direction of Tori when the sound of his approaching footsteps reaches her ears. She was glad that there was going to be some company in this lesson, it would have been awkward to attend the class on her own. It'd also be uncomfortably more likely that a disappearance might go unnoticed, but the child pushed that thought out of her mind. She found it a bit rude to try to make assumptions of another person just based on hearsay. It needed to be coupled with careful study to back those claims. She offers a similarly respectful bow to Tori and tilts her ear to the sound of the next newcomer. This voice was clearly familiar and it brings a warm and cheerful smile to her face. Kou's guess that the man might not be too far away from Akkuma wasn't that far off! "Greetings Jiro." She tells him politely, remembering to leave off the honorifics for his sake.

"Yes, they have been behaving and I have had little issue in my classes. I also got a good grade on the assignment you helped me with too. So, thank you for that." Kou's head tilts subtly and her bandage bindings do little to hide the confusion the older Genin's words bring. The words sound very pointed and almost sounded like Jiro had been speaking to where she last heard Akkuma waiting patiently for the rest of the class to arrive. Had Jiro and Akkuma been training ahead of time? To her it was a marking of how dedicated Jiro was to bettering himself, but Kou still felt like he should be careful too. "Are you going to be okay for the class then? You should really try not to push yourself too hard if you start hurting Jiro." She gently suggests to him, the concern evident in her voice. "The instructors always try to say that pacing yourself is important when it comes to training. If you go too hard, then you'll just burn yourself out." The final arrival was definitely one she was not familiar with, and the way she described herself was strange to Kou. How could one talk to their future self and still be here? The other voice with her did have some similarities, but Kou just couldn't understand how that might be possible.

Still, a friend was a friend and the blind girl was never one to be unwelcoming of outsiders, so Kou bows deeply and repeats her introduction for her and Tori both. "Greetings. Onishi Kou. It will be a pleasure studying with the both of you." When Akkuma calls for their attention, Kou straightens up and faces him with a straight posture. The talk of the prize did make her frown in concern. She wasn't entirely sure how she might be able to make use of it if she did win, but maybe she could ask for Jiro's help in reading it to her. But, there just had to be an easier way of figuring out how to read the written word for her. Part of her was embarrassed at how it was the one thing that she just couldn't manage on her own no matter how hard she tried. Writing was easy enough, to the point of it being legible. It came with repeating the motions again and again until her muscles learned to remember what she was attempting to write down. However, most scrolls were flat and did little to yield the words written on it without risking smudging the precious ink.

She would have to think more on it later, because Akkuma had posed a question to all three of them. "Genjutsu." She answered simply. While she had been studying some branches of Ninjutsu intensively as well, Kou thought it better to leave something up her sleeve while waiting to see what Akkuma's test held.

 

[Tori]

The imagination proved to have gone in overdrive again. He couldn’t help but straighten up and wrap his fingers within their designated palms. A second after, Tori eased his stance, the teacher’s demeanor and words registering.

Seeing how everyone else knew someone, Tori spent the time observing. Double-takes and confusion were a given, if subdued. Keeping up would be a wonder of its own, according to first impressions. He wasn’t as nervous as he expected to be, but kept his palms away from sight just in case. Explaining away a tic was the last thing he wanted.

There was no time to waste on tangents or gawking, since Akkuma already began to questioned them. The words gave Tori a brief pause. It sounded less like choice or experience and leaned more towards nature. “Ninjutsu” he answered as confidently as he could, despite never practicing the question.

 

[Ryu Hime]

The man was a kitsune, a creature like the one from so long ago.  her older version of herself trusted this man for reason she did not know.  However every time little Aka-chan looks at Akkuma she could only see the monster that nearly killed her.  She did not trust the instructor and was prepared for his eventual betrayal.  her grandmother taught her well to always be cautious and have a plan just in case things turn south.

The fox calls them brave, but more than likely they were fools.  he offer them a reward for completing his lesson like a hunter luring his prey into a trap.  She was onto him.  Often in hunting Aka-chan would bait her traps with a tempting prize.  She shakes her head, "No, you can keep them as they do not interest me."  The other could claim them if they so wished, but she will not fall for such obvious deception.  "I rather learn a jutsu rather than use a scroll to cast it."  She was of coarse referring to the use of the jutsu sealing jutsu. Jutsu sealing allows you to seal a jutsu in a scroll, but it was a one time use and does not really teach you anything.

he then asks a question to all of them, which she could only assume was asked to give him an idea of what type of class he should teach for this lesson. Aka-chan was curious what his response would be to an unusual answer. With how he worded the question most would reply with one of the three major shinobi arts: genjutsu, ninjutsu and taijutsu. Sure enough the two other students picked from the big three, Aka-chan felt like throwing a outlier in there. Curious to how would this Akkuma respond , she gives him a stern look as she yeild her answer, "If I may be so bold Mr. Fox, there is more to the shinobi arts than just jutsu."

With the comment that she has done so far, it is most likely Akkuma was seeing her as a pain right now. She reaches into her side pack and pulls out a piece of candy and unwraps wraps it. "There are equipment specialized for shinobi use such as traps and poisons." She then pops the sugar sweat within her mouth. This was a creation of her own making. It was simple but yet effectively deceptive. The wrapper is a papper talisman with a jutsu sealed within. The candy itself is a tiny glass orb with liquid that would turn into a thick cloud of smoke when exposed to air. The glass sphere was covered with a layer of sugar to disguise it. Such a candy is use in more than right way. Normally she could use it as a smoke screen, but what if she gave it to another. It they foolishly bite into it there mouth would fill with smoke and would sure suffocate them.

She tosses the wrapper casually in the air letting it fall wherever on the ground. She then pulls out another candy and wordlessly offers it to Akkuma. Considering what she said before he should no better than to eat it. This was sopose to be an example of what she was talking about and she expected him to inspect it and comment of her little tool.

(My appologise for any typos I'm typin this on my moble. My internet is out and the cable box man won't be here to look at it till Thursday.)

 

[Jiro]

At the reprimand, the blonde laughed a bit. It had been a mild one compared to what he had seen the Kitsune capable of. "I'll try..."

But then at Kou's response, he laughed again. "I'm fine, Kou-Chan. Akkuma-Sama was teaching me more about my healing techniques." It was not exactly a lie. The blonde then smiled when the blind girl said she was not being bullied anymore and that she passed her assignment. "I'm glad, Kou-Chan. You know where you can find me if you ever need anything. Thank your grandpa for the dinner too."

Jiro watched the other student as he stayed close to Akkuma. He seemed to be the only one who was not regarding the Kitsune with some form of fear or curiosity. There was nothing to fear and he already knew enough about him to make him not curious. He looked around at the three that were in front of them as he laughed softly. But soon a familiar twinge of blood caught his attention. He looked up at the woman only to see her with a younger version of herself.

"Akazukin-Chan," he acknowledged her with a nod and a small smirk before turning away.

The other male in the class seemed to be keeping to himself. He tilted his head to the side and approached him. He moved cautiously, like a dog trying to sniff out a new person in its territory. The Chigokai was soon practically in the boy's face. "Don't be so nervous..." he said softly.

The manic blonde soon stepped away from the male and went back to Akkuma's side. He glanced at all three of them as they said what they were good at. But Aka-Chan's reaction made him tense. The way she handed Akkuma the candy and the way the paper dropped to the ground. There was something off about it. Jiro did not know what it was though. Instead, he glanced up at Akkuma, blue eyes meeting red -- silently awaiting any command.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Akkuma chuckled at the words of those around him disregarding the comments made about Jiro's well being. The Fox knew Jiro was merely trying to get him worked up. However it would be Akazukin's words that made him raise an eyebrow. In the blink of an eye he covered the distance between the two half crouched so he was looking the young time remnant in the eye. "Firstly do not think that I would so casually hand you students a scroll with one of my jutsu sealed within it...no what I offer are scrolls with the instructions to complete said jutsu. The building blocks of knowledge for what you'll need to Master it." he'd say in a matter of fact tone before flickering back to the spot he'd initially been standing in. "Secondly what you refer to would be shinobi tools or disciplines...I seek to know which of the shinobi arts calls to you. Such knowledge is essential to guiding you all down the correct path." with those words his eyes would move between Jiro & the candy. An unspoken command, test the candy.

His gaze would then shift to young Kou before chuckling. "I must admit personally the Art of Genjutsu doe's not call to me...but I have a few tricks you might learn from." he'd say before using his chakra to attempt to cast a command Genjutsu upon Jiro. "Attack me." two simple words used with the Jutsu known as Devil's Whisper in an attempt to demonstrate the Audial Genjutsu. Besides part of him knew that even if Jiro resisted it would be likely the man would attack him anyway. After the brief attack he would turn to face Tori before smiling at the child warmly. "Ninjutsu is one that I'm particularly fond of..." he would say before his hands flew into a blur-like completion of seals. Biting his thumb & pointing to the left of him as blue Kitsune fire erupted in a massive vortex display of power. When the flames subsided a sixty foot demon stood beside the group. Jinkotsu stared down at the group choosing to stay within his original form. While he was the First of his people & able to take on a less monstrous appearance. He'd chosen to come as the massive skeleton that was like something from an old eldritch tale.

"While Genjutsu allows you to cast Illusions that effect many of your opponents senses. Ninjutsu allows you to not only control the elements, but summon beings from other realms & even return life to those gone. Then there is Taijutsu a mastery of the body while essential...is in my opinion the lesser of three." with a snap of his fingers he'd make Jinkotsu vanish in another burst of flames. Turning to face Jiro he would ask "How do you feel no poison? " he'd ask him with a chuckle, although he was deadly serious. He'd come to be cautious he didn't know what he could trust as of late. Partially due to the pranks that Jiro had been playing on him. It had admittedly gotten him back into the habit of keeping his guard up. "All three of you shall demonstrate your skills in the three shinobi arts against my clones." with those words he summoned two kikai clones who looked exactly like the Fox. To those who'd been paying attention to the clones forming they'd notice the tiny little beetles known as kikaichu renowned for their hunger of chakra.

 

[Tori]

Visual information demanded constant energy and vigilance. Faces, light sources, positioning, Tori’s eyes wouldn’t really stop snapshotting, but instead focused when Jiro approached. The boy didn’t move so much now, trying to better read this stranger. He suppressed a grumble at the topic of nerves, knowing damn well he might tire out due to bad pacing and lack of control.

Today wasn’t going to be a good one. Staring up at a sixty foot demon made the acceptance step much faster. Or…he might have just gone numb and mentally set aside time to scream at the sky later. Flames soon ate the creature and Akkuma went about replacing it with a more appropriate tool for classes, thankfully.

Tori plucked a clay lump from the pouch he carried, barely bring it within eyesight before the mouth inside his palm lunged for it. The noisy organ chewed away, like a child with too much bubblegum, before spitting up a mouse. To the mouth’s credit, this sculpture was bigger than what it grew accustomed to producing on short notice.

The mouse stood on its hind-legs and looked up at Tori. It then made a salute, or a sign…those paws were pretty tiny. The affirmative squeak left an impression of happiness.

Tori grinned upon tossing the critter up and catching it, “It will look nice, won’t it?” The teen pitched the rodent at one of the clones, its body primed to explode on collisions.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Oops look like she misinterpret what he said about the scrolls. It was an honest mistake and these scrolls were far more interesting to her. However she was not going to admit it being certain that it was a trap of some sort. She figured a similar response to her answer to his question. Somehow she expected more, but she should not get her hopes up. Spitting out her smoke bomb into her hand she says, "Find I will choice Taijutsu then since the other two where already claimed." Hopefully after revealing what the candy was they won't be so stupid to bite into the candy.

She does a long throw and in explodes in an area void of people, however it did block Akazukin's line of sight. "Damn it Aka-chan you did that on purpose didn't you?" Of course Aka-chan could not hear her from this distance, but still she cursed from underneath her breath and she walks about to get a better vantage point.

When Akkuma summons his fire elemental, she instantly jumps back and enters into a fighting stance. This was a unique stance that allows her to cast a couple of jutsu at a faster than normal rate. Even after seeing that he did not plan on attacking them with this creation, she still did not leave this stance.

Then comes the real lesson. They were given a task and Aka-chan pulls out a deck of cards. "I'll show you that Taijutsu is no lesser than than the other two. In fact I'm going to defeat this clone with only taijutsu." She was lying through her teeth and has no intention of keeping to her word. If Akkuma believes her she might be able to catch him by surprise.

"Here I come my prey
You, the one I seek to catch
Oh how I've hungered for you"​

These words were in the form of a Katauta, which is one half of an exchange of two poems. With a wild flurry screaming like a maniac she throws cards at the clone. The cards flew threw the air like shurikens, but not a single one of them hit there target and tears begin to fill her eyes. It was another form of deceit to make herself look absolutely pathetic. If he thinks she sucks, he might go easy. The cards however had a jutsu sealed into it to trigger like a trap and there was a few dummy cards in case he got wise to her.

Traps Included

• when Kou is hit by an attack, the attacker will be attacked with a Storm Bolt
• when Tori is hit by an attack, the attacker will be attacked with a Wind Slash
• when Aka-chan is hit by an attack, the attacker will be attacked with a Stone Bullet
• when someone attempts to destroy this trap trough any method other than a Called Shot: Weapon, the attacker will be attacked with a Water Prison
• Two round from now Aka-chan will receive a Mystical Hand

 

[Jiro]

Jiro smirked as he watched the boy watch him. He waved his fingers in the other's face with a giggle before going back to Akkuma's side. At the mention of Taijutsu being lesser, the blonde shot a glare at Akkuma. His kunai slid out of his hidden holster and cut his own hand. The blood pouring out of his hand formed around his hands and formed a set of tiger claw-style weapons.

A movement soon caught his eye, however. He tensed as he watched a clay mouse being thrown at one of the clones. He let out a small scoff, but he was also watching with rapt fascination. Shaking his head, blue eyes looked back to Akkuma. "Taijutsu's just as good as the others, Neko-Chan..." he practically hissed softly.

But soon, he had been given the command to eat the candy. He accepted the candy and looked at the young girl bite into the candy and the candy turn into a smokescreen. As he noticed the glass and smoke, he smirked. The Chigokai threw the candy onto the ground. The smokescreen rose up, probably blinding everyone in the training and he let out a soft laugh. In the cover of the smoke, he moved back to Akkuma, looking up at him.

The blonde ignored the kids training. Instead, he focused on the Kitsune in front of him. Blue eyes soon scanned the smoke-covered field. "You taught me well, Akkuma-Sama," he said softly. He kept himself on guard though, watching the beetles form clones. He giggled slightly before his blue eyes met Akkuma's. Most people would have been disgusted by the beetles, but Jiro had gotten used to them. "But Taijutsu is still better..."

 

[Ryu Hime]

Uses smoke bomb and disappears. Feel free to keep traps in effect. [Topic Left due to inactivity]