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 Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:38 pm
- Scarred Cliffs -  The cliffs of Shimagakure border the ocean surrounding the island. At the bottom of them lay a harsh shore consisting of violent waves crashing against the rock face and various large boulders strewn about the water near the cliffs. The occasional shrub juts out up the side of the rock wall, growing there year round. Near the top, three J-shaped trees have their roots planted into the upper face of the rock and strangely bend about a quarter of the way up their length, eventually rising above the upper surface of the cliff. Along this flat, hard, and cracked surface are a few small plants and trees. After the Black Spring events though, it was a nothing more then a sad reminder of many battles fought to keep Shimagakure protected. Many shinobi lost their lives in this area and the moss that grew on the cliffs edges where said to look like blood dripping down the cliffs.
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
16
Total: 16 (1-20)
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Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:04 pm
[Enter from Library]
Sukotto arrived at the cliffs shortly after leaving the library. However, unlike most of his trips to the area where his old team used to train, the Uchiha ventured to the bottom area of the cliffs, hopping from boulder to boulder until he found one that was nice and flat. This would be the area that he would use to train himself in the first stage of his regiment to learn the Phoenix Form. He had decided to include an endurance test so that anyone attempting to learn the taijutsu would ensure that they were in proper physical condition so that they wouldn't injure themselves while training. The test that he had decided to put himself through involved lifting a boulder over his head and attempting to do repetitions of squats with the weight burdening him. It would be a difficult task, especially for Sukotto, since he knew that he had little endurance in comparison to most others in his age group. However, this would be the best way of determining if his body was truly ready for learning the Phoenix form.
In an attempt to make the coming task easier, Sukotto cleared his mind of all thoughts as he attempted to lift one of the large rocks off of the boulder that he was standing on. The last time that he had to do training that involved rocks, the Uchiha had failed horribly. He tried to make that thought flee his mind as he used all of his strength on the rock.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 1/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 49]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
9
Total: 9 (1-20)
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:35 pm
The tiny water droplets that lightly peppered Sukotto's flesh as he squatted with the rock held above his shoulders were like sharp kunai poking at him again and again. While such contact with water would be refreshing if he were training in the summer and even spring, it only made it much more uncomfortable in the winter. While the specks of water had distracted his mind for a moment, Sukotto eventually began to realize just how heavy the rock felt against his frame. He tried to keep that thought out of his mind while he sat in the invisible chair of his exercise and rose again, but his legs began to wobble and he felt his balance begin to break. Before he knew it, the rock rolled off of his shoulders and struck the ground with a clatter. Luckily, the genin managed to stumble forward and avoided having any of his body parts being struck by the rock on its descent to the surface of the larger boulder beneath him. Sukotto let out an exasperated sigh and looked up into the sky, hopeful that he would be able to continue.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 1/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 48]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
8
Total: 8 (1-20)
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:48 pm
After sliding his fingers underneath the large stone once again, Sukotto planted his feet against the ground, straightened his back, and attempted to lift the weight with his arms and legs. It would be more difficult to do this time, considering that he had already worked out for a short time and his muscles were slightly worn. However, the shinobi did his best to ignore this fact and continued to place every once of his effort into successfully lifting the rock to his shoulders once again. Unfortunately, Sukotto couldn't even get the rock above his knees this time around. He figured that he was trying too hard and that his muscles were far too tense before he even attempted to lift the rock. In other words, he needed to focus on the technique of lifting rather than brute strength.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 1/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 47]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
11
Total: 11 (1-20)
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:57 pm
In his next attempt at lifting the rock, Sukotto corrected his stance a little and positioned his hands at more strategic places on the surface of the stone. He hoped to use a little more leverage this time around, effectively multiplying his power by simply moving a few things into better locations. This would allow him to lift the rock to his shoulders, but actually squatting with the object would be a different story that he wouldn't worry about until the time came. For now, he simply had to concentrate on getting the rock into the correct position, for that was required for him to even be able to squat with it in the first place.
With a heave of his entire body, Sukotto lifted the rock above his head and onto his shoulders. He took a few deep breaths to calm his body and then began to squat once again. His legs were still tired, but he was definitely able to make some progress in his training session.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 2/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 44]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-20)
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:37 pm
As he continued to strain his body, Sukotto felt his body wear down a little more and his balance began to become shaky once again. He attempted to right himself this time around, determined to keep pushing himself closer to finishing the test of endurance that he had scheduled for himself to take. Although the possibility of injury was in fact on his mind, it didn't dampen his spirits or his slightly stubborn resolve, and he merely worked through any cramps or fatigue that he experienced.
The rock did put a strong pressure where it sat on his shoulders, but Sukotto tried his best not to let it hinder him. For the time being, it didn't hurt, but before long, he knew that it would. Having anticipated a tough obstacle in his training, he tried to think of a few ways either around it or at least something to make him pay less attention to it. Before he knew it, the rock slipped off of his shoulders again. He scratched the back of his neck and sighed while preparing himself to lift it up once again.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 2/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 37]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:54 pm
Sukotto made a mental note to focus on the technique of lifting rather than using his physical strength to do so. He decided that making the same mistake as he had previously would be very foolish. Yet again, he firmly planted his feet against the hard surface of the boulder that he had chosen to train on and slipped his arms around the rock that he was using to test himself. He bent his legs and did his best to keep his back straight while focusing all of his energy upwards. Unfortunately, the shinobi's fingers slipped out from under the rock, causing him to stumble backwards. He nearly fell off of the boulder, but managed to catch himself before that happened. If he had fell into the water, it would have quickly became a problem, given the cold winter air. With his brows furrowing into a determined look, Sukotto stepped towards the rock, planning to attempt to lift it yet again.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 2/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 37]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
12
Total: 12 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:46 pm
Before long, the Uchiha was again near the rock, in position to lift it above his shoulders once again. As he attempted to bring the heavy object above his shoulders once again, he began to think of the mission in the Orochi village. His opponent had been so much better equipped for the battle than he had been. The snake was well trained with his weapon and had more stamina than Sukotto had ever seen in a shinobi in his age group.
While his thoughts drifted elsewhere, Sukotto easily lifted the rock above his head without so much as a bead of sweat forming on his brow. He began to squat with the weight once again, continuing to indulge in his reflections of a mission that had greatly affected his life.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 3/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 45]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
9
Total: 9 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:03 pm
The Uchiha remembered how he had toasted his opponent with just about the full power of the Phoenix Flower only to eventually lose the battle to the disfigured Orochi. If he would have had just a little more chakra to use, Sukotto would have easily trounced his enemy. However, part of the very reason that he was trying to learn this taijutsu was to rely less on his relatively low amount of chakra. This was particularly important for Sukotto since he often utilized his Sharingan, which took up a lot of chakra over a period of time.
Without realizing it, Sukotto had stopped squatting and merely stood in place, deep in thought. If he didn't snap out of his trance before long, then, in his mind, he would have ended up wasting a lot of valuable training time. He was too much an introvert for his own good.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 3/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 42]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
16
Total: 16 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:10 pm
It had been his lack of chakra that was his downfall in the fight against the Orochi, and Sukotto knew that a good taijutsu wouldn't be the only thing that he needed to use to make up for his lack of chakra. He would also need to begin working on his defensive fighting and his endurance. The Orochi had been strong, but not strong enough to have taken a genin from Shimagakure down in a few strikes with a weapon. Sukotto had come up with a few different ways to work on things like this, and that would be what his mind would wander to next.
As his mind continued to work, the Uchiha's body finally woke from its dormant state and began to squat yet again. If he were to judge his progress, Sukotto would say that he was about halfway finished with the test that he had set up for himself. He still had a long way to go, but felt that he would be able to complete it with energy to spare.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 4/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 49]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
8
Total: 8 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:12 pm
Part of what Sukotto planned on doing was already in motion. By combining agility with taijutsu instead of brute strength with it, he would be able to increase his ability to dodge attacks and unleash them at the same time with a single kind of training. In addition, he relied on his Sharingan for anticipating most physical attacks, which allowed him to avoid them easier. With a strong taijutsu learned, he would be able to use the fighting style to dampen the strength of his opponents' attacks instead of constantly avoiding them. This way, if he didn't have access to his Sharingan, he would still be capable of at least reducing the damage that he would sustain from a blow.
After weakening his legs a little from working them so intensely, Sukotto slowed the pace of his squatting to give his muscles a bit of a break. He didn't want to rest for long, considering that he was eager to get to the next stage of his training, but he was making pretty good progress anyway.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 4/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 41]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
9
Total: 9 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:42 pm
In addition to physical defenses, Sukotto knew that he would also have to defend against attacks on his other senses, such as intimidation or genjutsu. During his time in Shimagakure, the genin had spent many of his days in the library, reading books and the like. He found that feeding his mind was an excellent way of preparing it for both charisma and genjutsu attacks. In addition, a strengthened mind was more adept at sensing enemies who hid in the shadows, and a detected enemy was much less of a threat than one who was able to keep their position hidden.
After his rest, the shinobi found that he was having a difficult time getting back up to speed in his training session. He would have to force his legs into overdrive so that he could pick up in the training where he had left off.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 4/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 42]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
7
Total: 7 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:45 pm
Since the Uchiha believed that the head on his shoulders and beat of his heart were the two most valuable weapons that he possessed, he would train each of them fiercely. Doing this would decrease the reliance on his chakra and make his fights and various obstacles in life much easier to overcome.
Sukotto continued to have difficulty in increasing the pace of his squatting once again. He figured that he may just have to allow the rock to slip off of his shoulders so that he could pick it up once more and position it so that it would be easier to handle. The shinobi didn't like the thought of purposely dropping the rock and then picking it back up again, so he would try to increase his pace for a little while longer, in hopes of saving some time and energy.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 4/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 40]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
8
Total: 8 (1-20)
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:33 pm
Deciding to switch mental gears, Sukotto began to consider the value of using weapons in combat. He had never really been one to use even the most basic sorts of weapons that were taught about in the academy. The primary reason for this was because Sukotto hadn't grown up in Shimagakure long enough to have been a student in the academy. Given his current ability and set of talents, Sukotto figured that it would be useless to start training himself with a weapon.
As for his training with taijutsu, Sukotto continued to have little luck. He decided that he would try to increase his pace for just a little longer before giving up and allowing the rock to fall from his shoulders. As desperate as he was to continue, the Uchiha wasn't completely stubborn and wouldn't risk an injury that would force him to halt his training for a few days or even weeks.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 4/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 41]
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McClane rolled 1 20-sided dice:
11
Total: 11 (1-20)
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:20 pm
After thinking about the use of a weapon, Sukotto began to think about the team that he was going to build to take with him on his personal mission to relieve himself of the feelings that had gripped him since the passing of Ichi. He began by reviewing some key facts that he had already considered. One of the most important elements that he would need to consider would be finding powerful academy students or new genin to recruit, since anyone in his own age group likely wouldn't be as willing to go along with him. In addition, he figured that a younger ninja ratting out the Uchiha and his plan would be far easier to contradict than someone that was his age.
Sukotto excited himself by thinking of his plans for a secret mission that the superior shinobi wouldn't know about. In turn, this increases his adrenaline output and allowed him to speed up the pace of his workout without feeling as if it took any extra effort. At first, he wouldn't know this, for the genin was far too focused on scheming.
Devotion of the Phoenix
This test of endurance determines if one is worthy of learning the taijutsu of the Phoenix Discipline. Performing squats with a heavy boulder is the recommended method of testing, but alternative means may be used, so long as the stamina of one's body and especially legs are being judged.
1d20+Endurance+Taijutsu
DC: 10+Endurance+Taijutsu
Train: 5/8
[1d20+4(Endurance Mod)+29(Taijutsu)= 44]
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