Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sonosuke energetically pointed at his daughter and declared, "Okay! Here we are! It's time for your training. Your mother and I came up with something simple and effective that can help you overcome your current problems." Reina interrupted, "We spoke with the proctors who oversaw your matches and they said that you were fighting with excellent tactics, but they were too taxing for you to keep using. Therefore, we're going to have you fully master the use of your favorite techniques before your next match." Zhi tilted her head curiously at the notion, not because she was confused about the concept itself but rather the method. Her father wagged his pointed finger side to side to get her attention again, "You're going to practice using your techniques until they don't tire you out anymore. And don't worry about missing your match! We technically have all the time in the world!" He'd motion his extended finger back to his unique golden-eyed dojutsu upon saying this.
**Mastering the Arts - Jinton: Shunshin no Jutsu [ Speed Release: Body Flicker Technique ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi just lit up like the desert sunrise now that she understood what was going on. "Okay! This is going to be super special awesome! Then... then first I wanna master my jinton shunshin no jutsu!" It was an easy enough start. "Have at it Zippy! Just go wild, but focus on trying to lower how much chakra it takes to use your jutsu." Zhi nodded and quickly prepared the chakra to make her favorite high-speed maneuver happen. FWOOSH! Zhi was gone to another part of the roof and back with the quickness. What Zhi didn't realize was that her father was using his mysterious temporal powers to keep her fully energized by resetting her system to a previous time without affecting her gained memories in the process.
**Mastering the Arts - Jinton: Shunshin no Jutsu [ Speed Release: Body Flicker Technique ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Zhi just shook her head and got ready to try again. It couldn't be anything close to the same as before, but she still had to go that fast. This was a bit harder than just learning how to use the technique in general. Now she had to do it even better than before. "I can do this." She reassured herself and used it again to dart away to another part of the area then come rushing back. For the most part, she was staying on the roof since she figured there was a limit to how far her father's technique could affect, like the last time he did so.
**Mastering the Arts - Jinton: Shunshin no Jutsu [ Speed Release: Body Flicker Technique ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

It was better... but still not quite where she wanted to be. It was good to feel that the strain was that much less. The technique never really bothered her too much anyway. It was more like when she went Hypersonic that things got rough on her chakra reserves. Zhi would go off once more as fast as she could with such a minimal amount of energy. She nearly reached the fully intended speed this time, blurring out of sight only a little here and there throughout the maneuver.
**Mastering the Arts - Jinton: Shunshin no Jutsu [ Speed Release: Body Flicker Technique ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

A heavy sigh escaped her lips and she clenched her fists. "I WILL DO THIS!" She was pretty sure she had figured out how the chakra needed to flow to get her body to react the way she wanted. Running around was easy, but moving that fast for a burst of speed was on its own level. That was the concept of the shunshin at its heart. A fire burned in those azure-hued pupils of hers as she took off one more time with a chakra-charged boost. FWOOOM!! Zhi actually disappeared and maintained the invisible cover of her super fast movements right up until she came to a stop again. Zhi hopped into the air cheerfully, "YATTA!!!"
**Mastering the Arts - Jinton: Shunshin no Jutsu [ Speed Release: Body Flicker Technique ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Well, now she wanted to get Hypersonic down and pat like the base technique which allowed her to reach such mach speeds in the first place. Zhi knew that it was pretty effective against most opponents. It's biggest drawback was simply how much using the shunshin and itself were costing her to use. She knew that even if she did make it less taxing cost-wise, she'd still only be able to do it a few times per fight.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

That was fine though. As long as it did what it was supposed to then she'd be fine. Zhi poised herself to use the shunshin some more, keeping the most basic concepts of controlling her chakra that she got from the previous practice in mind. Fwoooom! She was off again, and like kicking in the afterburners she blasted off at a most fearsome speed. Zhi made sure to avoid her parents while she darted around with a sonic boom following close in her wake.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Zhi had to make another pass to keep working on this process though. She would have to reorganized how the excess chakra employed by her Radical Good Speed was distributed in that short moment. Off she went again, using the body flicker like it was second nature to her now. Her speed yet again topped off by breaking the sound barrier with just a little less strain on her chakra system this time.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

It still wasn't enough. Zhi knew she had to put a lot more effort in for a technique as high ranking as this. Even though she knew that she wasn't actually losing time in the real world, she felt like she had to get this down as quickly as possible. Otherwise she might not be able to practice the other techniques she really needed to get down. Once more, Zhi blasted off at hypersonic speeds while attempting to use just a little less chakra.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Okay, this time she was going to do it for sure. Zhi had mostly figured out the chakra flow now. Although, she was a far cry from really really getting the overall cost down very much unless it was used at the lowest amount she could manage. That wasn't really her style though. She'd only go slower if she had to. This time, she at least shaved a little of the cost off the top.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Little by little, she was getting the hang of this sort of training. At the very least she could say that the shunshin itself hardly took any toll to use. It was just a matter of getting this enhanced level of it down just right. Zhi took off again at full blast, stirring up the academy's roof in the process.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Every time that Zhi broke the sound barrier and finally came to a stop, Sonosuke had to use a little more of his power to reset the building to a time before that happened. It wasn't really a big deal for him, but he was noticing that Zhi was progressing through repeated use of the technique. Zhi just kept blasting the world behind her with each blinding movement of her body. She was glad that she didn't have to stop to rest while doing this stuff.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Zhi brought herself to a sudden stop and sighed. Her exhaustion was alleviated instantly though. Shrugging it off, Zhi stayed focused on the task at hand. She had to keep going that fast without sacrificing any efficiency to do so. "Again! Radical Good Speeeeeed!!!" Just like that, Zhi zipped away at full speed once more in an attempt to reduce the amount of chakra needed pull off the feat.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

The girl landed atop of a small tower made of marble and sandstone after her last boost. It was seriously awesome that she could change directions while going that fast. Most people just only went straight one way. That lacked flexibility in her opinion, especially when pairing it with the ability to break the sound barrier so easily. Zhi smiled while staring out upon the area then performed another Hypersonic shunshin to dash to another part of the academy's roof again.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Oooooh boy was she getting somewhere or what? The correct answer was yes! Zhi pushed herself more and more in the name of the great guiding reasons she'd committed to when she woke from her brief coma. It was time to really start taking steps forward to become the fastest ninja alive. Zhi would perform another Hypersonic body flicker, and this time do it by using even less chakra than before.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Progress felt so good. Even if it didn't come as fast as she wanted. Zhi knew that it was good progress all the same. All she could do was keep pushing forward until she was certain that there was nothing standing in her way. Zhi took off yet again to continue her repetitions toward such an outstanding goal.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Fwish! The speedy noise of her running about the spacious rooftop was followed by her sliding to a stop. She almost fell off the roof that time! Zhi gasped and found her center again. Turning away from the edge of the roof, she lowered herself into a race-start posture then flew off at top speed again.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

From one end to the next, she kept running around at unnatural speed. Zhi just wished she could always move this fast, even without her papa's help. Maybe one day, perhaps. For now, she had to just do the best with what she had. Zhi threw herself into another Radical Good Speed maneuver to clear another obscene distance in an instant.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Fearless and unwavering, Zhi was proving to herself and her parents that she was more than just dreams and hopes with no defined end. She could achieve as much as she wished with as much effort as she was willing to put in. She knew that she was getting closer to her goal with each time she did this, so she would just keep doing it!
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Honestly, she wasn't even aware that her father was going to such lengths to keep the building intact while she ran about with such violent velocity. With how much she had done, Zhi technically could have torn a large chunk of a city block in the village by now. Sure sure, that wasn't what the technique was actually for, but Hypersonic was definitely no joke. It was her favorite technique by far. Another successful run with it brought her need to use higher levels of chakra down another notch.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Far from satisfied, Zhi just kept going and going. The Energizer Bunny had nothing on this blue-haired ball of hyperactivity, especially when supplied with rejuvenating time power from her father. Every Body Flicker set her ahead of the rest of her peers, and they didn't even know she was already lapping them by miles in terms of training. Boy, she really did love her papa for all he was doing for her.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi had also been probing the range of her father's temporal chakra. She wanted to know how far she was allowed to go before she too might accidentally fall back into the regular flow of time. For now, everything was just great though. She could keep running as fast as she wanted without tiring. With that in mind, she body flickered again to breath the sound barrier... again.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

This wasn't really like a normal practice. Just punching a training dummy over and over again seemed like a much smaller scale in comparison. Sure, the repetitive reuse of the technique to master its use was a common point. However, that was about it. She had to keep going and going until it was all done for. This was like literally living her lifelong dream, though.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Zhi happily continued to do one shunshin movement after the next as fast as she was physically capable. It was so awesome that that meant indefinitely, sorta. If her papa got too tired then that would definitely be the end of this training session, at least until he regained his energy. That in itself was a time limit that Zhi was concerned for. Rather than worry about it, though, Zhi just pushed forward to make the most of what time she had to spend with her family.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Reina and Sonosuke mostly enjoyed watching their daughter have such a good time. Sure, her father was feeling his outermost limits creeping on him. He had a feeling that Zhi would get this particularly destructive technique down before that limit was actually reached. Her mother analyzed Zhi's movements as best she could. It wasn't like she could actually track someone moving that fast, but every time Zhi stopped was an opportunity to grade the young kunoichi in some way. Zhi waved over to her parents from afar after another successful notch made into her progress with her Hypersonic technique.
**Mastering the Arts - Radical Good Speed - Hypersonic [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

"I think that's enough running back and forth like that, Zhi. Your father has to keep putting the roof back together every time..." Reina's voice trailed as she looked around to make sure nothing was missed. Sonosuke just sighed and chuckled like it were no big deal. "It appears that one of the contestants who also progressed to the semi-finals specializes in genjutsu." Zhi tilted her head toward her right shoulder with a facial expression that clearly didn't understand why that was worth mentioning. "I heard you used it a little in your match. Did it not effectively distract and off-balance your opponent?" Zhi thought back then nodded affirmatively. "So how well do you think you'll fare if you have to waste what little energy you have to free yourself from someone else's illusory spells?" Zhi went wide-eyed then refocused, now finding meaning in the topic as a whole. "Practice your Kai technique for awhile now." For now, that was her best bet to counter such a troublesome ninja art.

Zhi took her mother’s words to heart and decided to practice her kai technique. Designed to counter the genjutsu, all ninja graduate the academy learning the technique. Zhi was no exception, and with her sensory skills she always found herself more competent than most at detecting when a genjutsu was cast. Still though, in order to excel she knew that she had to practice.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Thanks to her enhanced speed she could form the tiger handseal faster than even the sharingan could catch. Both arms rose, the seal was formed, and then chakra flooded her body. The chakra acted as an emergency purge of her chakra network, cleaning it of any genjutsu which lingered. Once she performed it once, she did so again.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

By the third time Zhi learned one important life lesson, training sucked. The young girl found herself desiring to do anything else other than consistently practicing the kai technique. And yet, she found the strength to keep doing so. Her two hands rose and the tiger seal was formed. Again her chakra network was cleared. Again she practiced again.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Zhi had to keep practicing the technique. Her parents, the two people who loved her the most and whom she loved above all else, expected her to succeed. They were ready for her to continue onward in the tournament. Zhi felt their love as she formed the tiger seal once more. Again her body was purged, and again she practiced.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

In addition to her parents, Zhi knew there was one more person she had to succeed for. Although he has only been a part of her life for a short while, she felt like what he has added will linger throughout her ninja life. It is because of him that she had another chance in this suna genin tournament. It was because of him that she could continue proving to her parents that she was going to make them proud. Another tiger handseal formed as chakra purged through her body. She had to keep going. For all of them.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

In addition for her family, Zhi felt that she had to practice for herself. She owed it to herself to push herself to the absolute limits. It was for that reason that she once again formed the tiger handseal and utilized the kai technique. She was not going to give up.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Giving up was something her mother would never do. Zhi imagined her mother going through this rigorous training as she lifted her arms once more. With the tiger hand seal she once again performed the kai technique. Chakra flooded her network as she readied for another round.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Her mom was such a seriously skilled ninja. Zhi bet that she could kai out of a genjutsu faster than even she could! It was for that reason that, in this particular kai release, Zhi moved a tinge faster than her previous record. After the use of the technique she tried again, but did not beat her new record.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Her father wasn’t a slacker either. Zhi knew that he also could kai out of a technique faster than most. Although it was not as fast as her previous record, Zhi did bring both arms up and form the tiger seal at an impressive pace. It made sense that her father could not make her move as fast as her mother, since mom was always the fastest.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Finally, she imagined the two together. She knew how happy it would make them to see her be the best. Zhi wasn’t about to give up as she raised her hands once more for the tiger handseal. She performed the kai technique as chakra flooded her system. She knew she was getting better. She just had to keep at it.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Zhi continued to practice the kai technique. Her fingers felt numb as she performed the tiger handseal once more. Her mind was zoning out, and if it weren’t for the flashes of chakra she felt upon the usage of the technique she may pass out standing. Nonetheless, she continued.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi wasn’t one to give up. She remembered a time when she could have given up on her ninja way and been a normal civilian. It was beyond disappointing her parents, she also couldn’t disappoint herself. This is why she once again performed the hand seal and activated kai.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

The young girl had a legacy of people who wouldn’t give up. Even how Zhi’s mother met her father was an act of defiance to the rules which limited them. Zhi focused on that resolve as she performed the tiger handseal once more. She activated kai and continued her training.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

It’s odd to think that she actually had to train. When she did so with her mother, the woman almost made a game out of it. Now that she did it on her own, however, she decided to make one too! Because of that, when she formed the tiger seal again, she made a peace sign after activating the kai.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

The peace sign turned out to be a strong motivator. She didn’t feel so helpless against the amount of training she had to partake in. Once more she formed the tiger handseal. After she performed Kai, she continued her training.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

In a fit of boredom Zhi decided to try if any of the other handseals could be used for the kai technique. With her incredible speed she flickered through each seal and tried to utilize the technique. Each attempt failed, however. This led her to return to the tiger seal and activate the technique.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi could not imagine why someone would focus their fighting on genjutsu. She knew that she used a few tricks against Taylor, but could someone really be expected to fight only with them? In case they did, she performed kai an additional time. Once again the tiger handseal formed and her chakra network was cleared.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Was it possible that Taylor had genjutsu? She knew the boy did not use any in their fight, but his questions implied that he knew of the possibilities. Was it possible he had knowledge of such techniques? In case he did, the young girl formed the tiger seal and again utilized the kai technique.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

She was sure, however, that Masato did not know the kai technique. Since that guy was all about the good fight, there was no way that he would be bothered to excel at illusionary techniques? What if all of that was just a front to lower her guard, however? In case it was, Zhi once again excelled at the use of the kai technique.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Zhi was certain that T-Fizzle had genjutsu powers. She recalled the boy utilizing instruments in their fight in order to move his puppets around. If he was able to do that, then Zhi knew he could also cast a genjutsu through his sounds. It was for this reason that the blue haired girl again practiced the Kai technique.
**Mastering the Arts - Kai [ Release ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

It was time to shift gears toward another technique that she only recently got to test out in the last match. The Shadow Clone technique had proven to be pretty useful after all. There wasn't much she could do about having to share her chakra with it. However, she did want to make it just a little easier to create them in the first place.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi adjusted her stance and formed the unique seal for the jutsu. She carefully channeled her chakra as she did so. The result was as anyone would expect. A shadow clone was created. Sadly, there wouldn't be any instant results this time around.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

The clone would dismissed shortly after it was created. Zhi sighed and just made the seal again. One more clone was created. It looked at her and just shook its head to verify that it wasn't quite working the way they wanted yet.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Zhi just nodded in agreement with herself and dispelled that one too. The clone vanished in a plume of smoke and she went to try again. Another of those cross-fingered hand seals was made and another clone took shape beside her. Sadly, both of them knew that it still wasn't quite right.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Rather than just get rid of this last clone they decided to try working on this together. Both the original and clone Zhi would again form that oddly unique hand seal at the same time. Another clone would take form beside each of them now. However, this time the four noticed that it didn't seem to take as much effort to do.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

The quadruplets exchanged high fives as a short celebration of their victory. Zhi nodded to them and the three clones dispelled themselves. Now she could try to do it all over again. Once she finished this repetition of the technique's training she was pretty sure that it would be passable for cost-effectiveness.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

The girl brought her hands together and this time summoned three shadow clones at once. There was no obvious advancement this time either. Even still, Zhi figured that she and her other selves would figure it out in no time flat. She wanted to achieve so much more after this too.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Zhi and her three other selves formed another seal to create even more shadow clones. They were multiplying exponentially with this sort of training, but that didn't really matter much since she wasn't giving them any extra chakra in the process. Now there would be a total of twelve standing in a group atop of the roof. Zhi realized at that moment that she could be her very own sports team if she wanted to. Wouldn't that be totally awesome!?
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Still unsatisfied, Zhi and her company of more of her would all keep pushing forward. The lot of them formed the hand seal one more time! Hopefully there would be enough space on the roof for this kind of hyperactive party. Now there were thirty-six of her standing around doing Zhi things in between moments of practice.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

The original three she had summoned would have expended their chakra by now, though. They all vanished, bringing the body count down to thirty-three. Oh well, but there was still work to do. They were so close to nailing this down. Although, it was too crowded anyway. Zhi dismissed all of the rest and soaked in the experience they also gained from practicing with her. "Oh! Maybe..." Zhi got an idea from one of her many selves and formed another hand seal. Only one shadow clone was created this time, but it was perfectly executed in every way. There was practically no strain on her chakra at all.
**Mastering the Arts - Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [ Shadow Clone Technique ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Awesome! Now she could do that without any problems. Next it was time to revisit a strategy she only got to make use of in her first match against Tetsuhiko. She honestly wasn't sure why she didn't try slowing Taylor down. Maybe it was just because he wasn't trying to dodge and run away from her quite as much. It was probably a mere difference in battle tactics.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Regardless, Zhi figured that it was in poor form as a shinobi to forget to use techniques she had invested time into learning. Sure, some were going to just be situational anyway, but it was important to master them all the same. Zhi swiftly performed the necessary hand seals and brought the slowing effect out upon the area around her.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

No no no, that wasn't any better at all! Zhi sighed and turned it off again. Maybe she could get more ideas from more of perspectives? Zhi performed the Shadow Clone technique to create three more of her. Each of them nodded to each other and got ready to practice the jutsu together.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

If nothing else, it made things mathematically easier to learn this way. Instead of just one of her doing this training, it was four! Zhi prepared the necessary hand seals for the technique again. Shortly after, she executed it to slow things around her again.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

The clones would feel the effects on theirselves, but it wasn't anything they weren't used to. As much as it slowed them down, it would slow an opponent much more. The first clone would next perform a series of hand seals for the Ecological Technique too. Sadly, it was impossible to really layer the effect of lowering other's speed this much. It was a very odd technique indeed. Still, it almost immediately felt a break through on its own first try.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

The successful clone cheered for herself while hopping in place. Everyone else gave her a round of applause while "ooh'ing" in congratulations. That wouldn't last long before they all got back to work, though. Another clone reused the Ecological Technique in an attempt to mimic that success.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

It was to no avail, unfortunately. The others also started getting back into their training, one by one. One clone was trying to just focus extra hard on how the chakra flowed from her onto her surroundings. She wasn't really altering the flow so much as simply observing it. Hopefully she'd get some kind of clue about how to get this one down too.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

The others just kept doing things in their own ways too. It was like a bunch of similar experiments being tested at the same time. Chakra science party anyone? No, that definitely sounded as lame as it would be read. One clone sighed with growing frustration. "Jeeze... I feel like I'm getting nowhere." Slowing things down was actually a lot more tedious than just going faster.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Another clone patted the distressed one on the shoulder to reassure her, "Don't worry, and buck up! We have a lot of expectations on us right now." The two nodded in unison and formed the needed hand seals to reuse the Ecological Technique again. One of them would make the next breakthrough... eventually.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

One of the other clones sudden gasped excitedly, "Oh! Ooooh! Oh, wait... nope. Still don't got it." The others just stared at her for several seconds, baffled by their own self's distraction. She seriously just did that to herself, yup. However, the real Zhi noticed something interesting as she tried one more time. "I think I got it though. Heh heh..." She smirked proudly as she achieved the necessary effect with just a little less noticeable strain.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

They weren't quite done with this project, though. A little pat on the back was what Zhi got before they delved back into the training process. Hand seals fluttered about in the group of four. As a result, the Ecological Technique continued to be activated and deactivated over and over as needed.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

If Zhi weren't so damn driven to get this done, and to do it right, she'd be losing her mind over how repetitive the process was. Still, she could not deny the results at all. While it wasn't even half her arsenal, she had increased her mastery over several techniques by this point. The Ecological Technique would soon be fully counted amongst them as she continued her practices.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

The hardest part was finding a pattern that was common even between totally different techniques. Every one had a very particular chakra molding. This meant that it was like she was re-teaching herself to use every jutsu she'd learned. Not just that, but she was forcing herself to be able to use those jutsu with a very minimal amount of resources.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Simply performing a technique was something any ninja could do. Zhi knew that. Rather, she verily believed it at this point. By accomplishing this sort of chakra control training she could stand above even those that used the same jutsu she'd learned during her time training.
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Zhi and her clones continued to push forward at full force. None of them missed a beat between activating and deactivating the Ecological Technique over and over. They were so close to mastering this one. Finally, two of them managed to drop the needed amount of chakra at the same time. They were finally finished with this particular technique! Woo hooooo!!
**Mastering the Arts - Ecological no Jutsu [ Speed Release: The Ecological Technique ] [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

The quadruplets bounced around and between each other like some kind of celebratory group dance for a little while. But then Zhi herself stopped with a realization that hadn't yet dawned on her clones. The only fight she really used the Ecological Technique in was against Tetsuhiko. It was somewhat helpful, despite him being able to fully defend against each of her attacks until she was too tired to continue.
**LEARNING - Speed Release - Speed Flux [ CUSTOM | JINTON | 1/3 Posts ]

It didn't do much for her to just slow everyone down, including herself to some degree. No, she needed more impact somehow. If she could just manipulate the slowing effects of the Speed Release chakra to do... more... then it could be a lot more useful after all. "Hey... I wanna make that technique stronger, somehow." The clones stopped what they were doing to look to the original for more insight on what was just suggested.
**LEARNING - Speed Release - Speed Flux [ CUSTOM | JINTON | 2/3 Posts ]

One clone raised her hand and Zhi pointed to them like a teacher selecting a student who was volunteering an answer. "What if... we boost the technique with more jinton chakra to weaken others even more?" This idea was instantly a hit with everyone. Why wouldn't it be? It was... her idea, sorta. Zhi nodded and the four decided to give it the good ol' trying effort. All of them wove the hand seals for the Ecological Technique, but then patched in another chunk of jinton chakra to bolster the slowing effect just a lot more. As the Ecological Technique took effect on each of them they felt just a bit more sluggish than normal, like they could do less at once than before. Seemed like as much a success as anything else, no?
**LEARNED - Speed Release - Speed Flux [ CUSTOM | JINTON | 3/3 Posts ]

Okay, so she could make things go slower now. In fact, she could make people super slow. Zhi remembered using another slowing technique in her bout with Tetsuhiko. It had been really useful for keeping him available for her to hit. Kind of hard to dodge things when you're practically suspended in the air.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Now, Zhi just had to see if she could make that an openly available tactic. It was a troublesome one, since it only lasted for such a short time. "Okay everyone! We're gonna practice Many, Many Stars now!" The rest of them had no complaints and just cheered excitedly.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

"Let's do it!!" The said at the same time as they began putting together hand seals. There weren't any targets to practice on at the moment, though. That didn't really matter as long as they prepared the technique correctly.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

This technique would be super useful for making it easier to dodge oncoming attacks. It already was, but now it'd be even better. Zhi already enjoyed the tactic of showing how much faster she was by slowing others down. She didn't really use it on Taylor for some reason though.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Well, he still ended up recognizing her for how great she was anyway. The quartet kept pushing forward with each reuse of the Many, Many Stars technique. It would only be a matter of time before they realized how to make it easier to use. Sure enough, a small breakthrough was discovered by one of the three clones.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Zhi figured practicing this technique would give her the edge she needed in order to succeed within the tournament. This technique slowed down all projectiles aimed at her by half of their movement speed. Her handseals were formed faster than the sharingan could see. When she finished, he chakra projected out of her and encompassed the area.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi continued to practice this technique. She once again formed the handseals faster than most could process. When she landed on the final seal, her chakra projected outward. This chakra would slow down and halt the progression of all projectile techniques.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Zhi took note to notice the limitations of her technique. While her chakra would affect all airborne entities, it did nothing of techniques which were aimed and carried through the ground. Despite this, she continued her training. Once more she finished the hand seals and projected the chakra outward.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Another go of the technique is what she needed to do. Once more she formed the handseals in order to slow down airborne projectiles and entities. Once more her chakra flared out of her and engulfed the area around her. She began to feel the stress of her training, but she had to continue.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Zhi would give her all to her training. She knew that projectiles were something which were common in ninja fights. This is why she knew that this counter was so essential. It was for this reason that Zhi once again finished her string of handseals and projected her chakra outward.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Zhi imagined her fight with Taylor. The young blond boy made use of projectile combat multiple times. If she had this training mastered, then she could have more easily won the match. It was for this reason that she once again performed a string of handseals which ended with her chakra projecting outward.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Zhi also knew that, in her battle with Tetsuhiko, a lot of projectiles were flying about. First there were kunai, then iron sand. If she could slow down all of that nonsense, then that would be swell. It was for that reason she once again formed the handseals at breakneck pace. She once again exerted chakra from her and through the area.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Hikaru also had a long range arsenal for the young girl to worry about. She recalled how his paper flew around and became explosive bombs. Zhi knew that if she were to defeat him then she needed to halt the speed of his paper. Again the girl formed the handseals and exerted her chakra outward to the area around her.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

In case she played games with her mom again, Zhi felt like this technique would benefit their training also. Her mom was more about getting close and then a distance in order to train her. And yet, she wasn’t one to shy away from projectiles either. It was for this reason that the blue haired girl once again strung together a series of hand seals in order to project her chakra outward to halt the speed of any projectiles.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Finally, there was Horus. Even though the giant thunderbird and she had a tight bond, Zhi couldn’t underestimate the animal’s fighting potential. As a flyer he could easily swoop down and strike at her. This again motivated her to perform her hand seals and utilize the Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

The Many, Many Stars technique was superb at nearly-stopping or at least greatly slowing anything airborne. She'd figured out that it worked well enough on people. Honestly, she didn't get to practice it much on other stuff. Zhi was pretty sure that jutsu and other ungrounded objects would be stunted just as much as far as mobility was concerned.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Seriously though, it would be great if this could be used on grounded targets too. Zhi truly wished it was as universally useful as the Ecological Technique sometimes. Nothing was perfect, however. Her mother always warned her that that was how things worked in the ninja world.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Every time she used the technique herself, she could pick out a new detail for its value. It was good that she could still stay mostly positive even about a technique that didn't do everything she hoped for. The most obvious examples were the most valuable, in her opinion. That didn't mean other ways of using the technique weren't considered completely worthwhile.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

Of course, being clones, they were getting similar thoughts and ideas. Eventually all of the possibilities would come back together in one place. Until then, this training circle could double as a think tank of sorts. They continued to practice the Many, Many Stars, trying so hard to make it easier to use.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Perhaps this would be the first higher-ranking technique she fully mastered? Boy, that'd be something to really take pride in. Although, it would've been cooler to master her Hypersonic first instead. Beggars could be choosers, though. Another clone would find a means to further lower the cost of the technique's use as time seemed to go on.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Now that was a ridiculously redundant thought, wasn't it? Slowing things down while time was already put to a halt by her father's ability. Sometimes she wished she could have developed that dojutsu too. If she could... and still also use the Zenshin family's special techniques, then she'd be practically unstoppable. It was an unattainable dream, sadly.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

Her father always told her that his power was as much a curse as it was a gift, and it wasn't something he'd want her to deal with. Because of this he always did his best to cheer her on to be the fastest of the fast. Her mother was just happy that she was using the speed release at all. In hindsight, she really couldn't be happier with her current lot in life. It was these techniques that she was mastering that really helped to define her existence.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

Going faster, slowing things down, and everything in between just spoke volumes of Zhi's current and potential ability. To put it to use as a shinobi like her mother was just a huge boon of more possibility that she eagerly looked forward to. The Many, Many Stars was getting closer to its completion with each passing turn. She really liked this Hyperbolic Time Chamber training stuff.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

There were so many ways to get lots of stuff done at once. Multitasking efficiently was the best way to give one more time to do other things during their daily life. Her clones made it easier to practice her techniques like this, since anything they did came back to her. To multiply her efficiency like that alone could be enough, but literally having all the time in the world was even better. Zhi was really really trying to make the most of these privileges while she could.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

It really felt like she was getting somewhere by this point with all the training for this particular technique. Compared to where she and her clones began with its practice, Zhi could feel the strain greatly removed from her efforts. In fact, she was pretty sure they were close to another breakthrough. With another round of using the Many, Many Stars Zhi herself came to find a means to again lower its cost of use.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]

Gosh darn, Zhi was kinda getting tired of using this jutsu so much. Her clones' grunts and groans made it pretty clear that they were on the same page. Seriously, the only thing keeping them going was knowing that this technique would probably save their butts in the next match. The real question was, who was she fighting?
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 1/5 Posts ]

She only got to see the other contestants briefly while using her Kagura Shingan technique. It was much more fun thanks to Kyomei amplifying her sensory range. From what she could tell, the fellow fighting Tetsuhiko was using paper jutsu like that Hikaru fellow along with a few attempted genjutsu. That would be something to keep an eye out for. She considered the potential threats as she continued weaving seals and activating the Many, Many Stars technique again.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 2/5 Posts ]

The belligerent, muscle-headed Masato was fighting some girl who relied rather heavily on raiton ninjutsu. It appeared that her techniques were a lot stronger than the amount of chakra used would initially suggest. That meant that under no circumstance could she take the chance for clashing her ninjutsu against that opponent. Although, she only had a slim picking for ninjutsu she could outright use for offense anyway. If anything Many, Many Stars would be good for helping her avoid those dangers altogether.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 3/5 Posts ]

If she had to fight Tetsuhiko again then she just had to hope that her rematch was worth more than the last try. It was possible that he had more puppets than just the three he showed off to her too. Honestly, she just had a feeling that she only saw a fraction of what he could do as a whole. Then again, now it was safe to say that he only knew a fraction of what she could do now too.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 4/5 Posts ]

Then there was Hikaru, the odd but friendly other paper user she was aware of. Their meeting was brief, and she only got to see a few of his techniques while he attacked Tetsuhiko during the consistent interruptions of her sparring Taylor. Like Atsuma, Zhi figured she just had to be wary of the unusual origami ninjutsu techniques. At the very least, she would make sure not to underestimate anyone who she ended up fighting. Her and her clones finished another round of practicing the Many, Many Stars technique while she thought carefully about these things. She'd notice another decreased cost in its usage and smile happily at another sign of achievement.
**Mastering the Arts - Speed Release: Many, Many Stars Technique [ Training PA | 5/5 Posts | Permanent -5 Usage Cost ]