Re: Training with Fives

Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:13 pm

THE INVISIBLE CRACKS

Artist: Tokyo Ghoul - Song: Glassy Sky

She'd seen through every stage of his planning and thought process. He simply wasn't agile enough to do anything. He had come to a conclusion that trading of blows was his only successful option. The problem was he couldn't endure the physicality of the impacts like she could. His body was frailer, and he couldn't handle the beating. He had one final conclusion as his tactics failed one by one. He twisted his frame a bit as she kicked into the air. Bending sideways before releasing it into a sideswipe of his fist at her midriff. Hoping to land a connection before his grip was completely severed.

He went and fell a couple of feet backward with a thud. Koyo didn't rise up as he laid upon the ground, looking upwards. Taking note of the area above him and what was around him. His body felt sore, and he felt tired in the long run. He'd come at this problem in every way he could. The reach and skill gap was simply too wide to overcome without using spiritual pressure. But that had already proven to be a choice not available. He rocked himself upwards and sat there for several seconds. Taking stock of the damage he'd taken and where he was at the end. He couldn't grasp Hakuda that well; offensively, she was simply too fast.

He couldn't let himself fail entirely either, so his eyes eventually looked at her. He simply couldn't release his spiritual power in this situation. So he exhaled a soft breath, finally his brain coming to a conclusion. This one was a loss no matter what he did. His Hakuda simply wouldn't work without blending in other skills. But this was a course with someone who was skilled at the art. Koyo rubbed at the back of his neck uncomfortably.

The fall had given him a headache and felt like landing on his funny bone. It was entirely unpleasant; he wondered if the students figured out why yet. Why he'd not bothered releasing his spiritual pressure in this situation. It would have helped him a bit, but not enough to close the skill difference on display here. His eyes looked around the classroom, waiting for her to begin the lecture or continue.

Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:47 pm

Furukawa Asami | Officer of the 5th

It had all come down to one final exchange of blows, his fist versus her feet. Were he able to endure her burst of kicks then it was likely that he could overpower her and pin her to the ground. There was a notable difference in abilities between the combatants though, and Asami was far more suited to this final scurry of desperation than her young counterpart.

Koyo's fist was the first to land and connected firmly with the section of her lower back closest to the kidneys. Her arms were occupied with propping up her body, rather than being able to block, which drew a quiet wince from her lips, but it was far from enough to lay her low.

In response, a kick of her own found its mark and a second followed it in swift succession as she swung her legs in a shearing motion. It was a modified Kazaguruma that had sent Koyo tumbling away, as Asami leapt back to her feet with cat-like grace. She saw how awkwardly he landed and knew that this demonstration was already over and so when he looked to her, she responded with a single satisfactory nod.

"I trust that you were all paying close attention to our movements? Good, you may begin your practice. And remember, turn your opponent's strength against them when the time comes to counter and you will find far more success."

She addressed the rest of the class with a formality that would not suggest she had just been sparring. There was no shortness of breath, scarcely a hair out of place, and her outfit remained mostly unblemished. After a few moments of watching the other students, her attention turned once again to Koyo. Strutting over, she permitted herself to let a hand massage the point on her back where he had struck her.

"You were holding something back, weren't you? Regardless, your performance was nothing to be ashamed of."

The Red Lady | END POST

Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:07 pm

THE INVISIBLE CRACKS

Artist: Tokyo Ghoul - Song: Glassy Sky

He dusted himself off across his knees and rubbed at the areas he'd been struck. They would be sore for a while as he began to stand up. His gaze fell on the students who'd started to practice. He didn't mind losing; she was satisfied with his performance. So no punishment or dishonor on the Kuchiki name. He was cautious of exerting his power here. The students were close, and he couldn't promise safety. His gaze followed her coming over his focus returned to the surrounding room.

He looked over to a spot where the students were further away. He nodded over towards it as he wanted to show her. "Yes, I can show you over there." He said simply as he felt soreness and stiffness in his body. Had she not held back, he would have been in serious trouble. But had he not, the students around them would have had problems as well. Koyo didn't ever discount his surroundings when fighting. Taking into account the innocents and people around him.

As he walked over there, he closed took a deep breath through his mouth. Before letting it slowly exit his nostrils and the slow white glow began to form. His Reiatsu emerging as the spiritual pressure he'd not released began to emerge. Koyo had a high amount of pulsing through his body. His eyes looked over towards the students to make sure they were fine. Once satisfied, he let the glow stop, and slowly he raised his hand. Small drips of water formed that had steam coming from them. The two things he'd held back were the Sealed Power that allowed him to imbue his physical and other capabilities with Hot Spring Water.

"I didn't wish to put them at risk, and it was a Hakuda class using pure elements of it, so using my Zanpakutos sealed power wasn't permitted." His options had been limited in this endeavor here. He didn't mind losing the battle in the way he had. Both parties had traded blows, so it wasn't entirely uneven. She also gave him a passing grade which satisfied his conditions for getting by.

Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:03 am

Furukawa Asami | Officer of the 5th

She had expected an affirmation of her inquiry rather than a demonstration, but there was no need to refuse his request either. Besides, seeing a little more of what exactly Koyo was capable of would be informative should he ever end up interested in the 5th Division.

"Very well, the far corner of the room should be sufficient."

Watching his display, Asami was somewhat surprised by the sheer amount of spiritual pressure that he released. It was to be expected of a Kuchiki, she supposed, but it was still impressive in its own regard. Using noble birth as an excuse was hardly becoming of her, even if she was a lesser noble herself. It would certainly have helped to bridge the gap between them in the spar, but that was assuming that she did not do the same in turn and once more tip the scales back into her favour. The other members of the class might not have had such an informative experience though, so she was grateful that he was capable of showing restraint even when outclassed.

Studying his hands closer as Koyo revealed his water-based power, she did wonder what exactly it made him capable of. The power that his Zanpakuto granted him even in its sealed state was very interesting, but it gave her a little more insight into his decision-making process.

"You were correct to assume as such. I cannot teach good Hakuda principles if everyone intended to use their blades. It is easy to imagine combining Hakuda with the other schools of combat, even techniques such as your own, but without a solid foundation you are only building upon quicksand."

The Red Lady | END POST

Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:58 am

THE INVISIBLE CRACKS

Artist: Tokyo Ghoul - Song: Glassy Sky

He nodded as she surmised correctly why he held back. Koyo didn't want to endanger the other students. It was why he checked before he made a selection in his strategies. He wasn't sure they could handle his output, let alone see anything usable. As for the powers his Zanpakuto gifted him, this wasn't a demonstration of using sealed power. But fundamental Hakuda and the way it could work all by itself. Koyo didn't have a firm fundamental Hakuda; thus, he wasn't going to win. But the objective had never been succeeding in this encounter. It had been obtaining a passing mark in the class.

Koyo saw the victory conditions as different from other people. Concluding that they weren't defeating the instructor with more experience. But gaining the passing mark, so his Kuchiki family honor didn't become damaged. Well, within his mother's rules of behavior as a noble. He also didn't break any of the fundamental laws of the academy. So he'd done what he set out to do in this regard. Even if he was in some pain from the loss.

Watching the other kids begin practicing while they were off in this corner. His gaze returned to the instructor from the Fifth Division. Having traded two blows with her made it self-evident her skill level. He did feel a sense of loneliness observing the kids but didn't say anything. Because there was a danger to inviting people into his circle. His mother was always watching and could cause problems for them. They became ammo loaded in a gun pointed at him. Koyo was aware of it and did his best to avoid people. Even his cousin Rukia was an instructor here. But he'd done his best to avoid her due to one of the rules in place.

She'd forbidden him from bothering the Clan Leader or his sister. Finding out what instituted bothering wasn't something he was willing to find out. His weakness was the small friends he had gained at the academy. The fledgling relationships that stuck it out with him. He didn't say anything for a while as he stood and looked at the others.

"Due to my Zanpakuto, I can infuse it with Hand to hand, Swordsmanship, Kido, or Hoho." He said plainly as he spoke of the Zanpakuto's power a bit more openly. It left him capable of infusing and creating Kido. But also allowed him to make Flash Steps with it.

Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:33 pm

Furukawa Asami | Officer of the 5th

Asami could see that he understood what she was saying, and yet there was this fundamental reliance on his Zanpakuto that did give her pause for thought. Many Shinigami did it, they allowed their Zanjutsu to make up for lackings in other areas, to the point at which they probably encouraged it. But she was perhaps an anomaly in that area as her own Zanpakuto encouraged her opponents not to rely on their weapons, but that was not a technique that she made a show of using publicly.

Not that Musai Kyoutei would have any use against an ability that manifested water, the scope of her own power was rather narrow in that regard. But she believed in the principle that it instilled in her, that putting all your faith in one strategy was rarely the correct path. Still, she was here in the scope of an instructor so it was her obligation to teach him rather than belittle him.

"No doubt it is a powerful technique, one that will only develop further as you mature. Without knowing the full scope of it, I would be happy to give you a more intensive session to focus on how you channel it into your Hakuda. Though it is not the topic for this lesson, so perhaps call it a supplementary class."

The Red Lady | END POST

Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:55 pm

THE INVISIBLE CRACKS

Artist: Tokyo Ghoul - Song: Glassy Sky

His eyes glanced down at his fist; the style didn't fit him well. With a Sword, he was more formidable. If he wanted to protect what was necessary, he would need to get stronger. His present accomplishments weren't enough to satisfy his mother. He raised his right hand up, pointing it over her body. A glow began to emerge as water droplets formed on his fingertips. These drops moved towards her body; he was performing a Kaido spell. One of his own he'd made with his Zanpakutos help. The technique sent tiny drops of water, which had the warmth of Hot Spring water, along the skin. Coming to the sore or hurt part and sinking into the pores.

He lowered his hand to his side now upon finishing. His instructor wasn't wounded badly from fighting him. Koyo imagined trading blows had left her sore. So he decided to heal her as his friends emerged. His expression lightened if only a little, the slightest sign of a smile appeared. It was faint and almost impossible to see from the straight face he always had. He walked over to them as they'd run to him; apparently, he wasn't the energetic one. But they wrapped arms around him and pulled him along. They had put effort into becoming his friends despite how hard it was. No blood was spilled, and he learned some things from the class.

Before he left her, he made a solitary comment. "I'd like that." Indicating he would like to take more classes and learn. Even if he didn't become a skilled user of Hand to Hand. He, as a student, could stand to improve. Failure wasn't an option with what he stood to lose. Learning from one was always a good and sound strategy.

Sun Jul 11, 2021 4:58 am

Furukawa Asami | Officer of the 5th

Feeling this wave of Kido energy begin to wash over her, Asami lifted her hand from the aching point on her back and felt the soreness begin to subside. It had only been the lightest of injuries, but to see it healed so rapidly did give her pause for thought. Such magical healing was something she had little experience with, as her Kido knowledge had never been anything beyond adequate, but to be so outclassed by a student at the academy was certainly unfortunate.

Koyo was already turning to leave by the time she had mustered up words to respond with, so instead she held her tongue and let him go. The faintest of smiles danced across her lips, matching with his own, and she gave him a single affirmative nod of her head in response to his agreement. She made a mental note that, in the coming days, she would arrange for a junior member of the 5th Division to send a formal invitation his way. Not that the Division Barracks had many facilities that the academy lacked, but it was a little perk of working unofficially that she could do it in a place that suited her better.

Straightening herself out, Asami turned her attention back to her ongoing class. The other students had already begun to brawl, so she walked amongst them offering words of wisdom to those that were struggling and chastising the troublemakers that were getting a little too invigorated.

The Red Lady | END POST