[center][h2][color=mediumorchid]Reiji Saikumo[/color][/h2][/center]
[color=mediumorchid]"Rrgh!"[/color] With a quick bang Reiji was sent flying and onto his back. Sitting up it was clear that this kind of backfire wasn't the first by the scrapes and scuffs that covered him. [color=mediumorchid]"That's getting old..."[/color] Getting back to his feet he began weaving the handsigns again. [color=brown]"Calm down. Frustration is only going to make this worse."[/color] Hotaru stood nearby coaching the lion cub. Reiji took a breath knowing that she was right. His headstrong approach to learning jutsu wasn't gonna work on this one. [color=brown]"This jutsu is dependent on your worst attribute, chakra control. The upside is that it isn't such precise control that you can't master it."[/color] Walking next to the wooden dummy Reiji had been practicing on she touched the shallow cuts covering its surface. [color=brown]"Not enough chakra and it's no stronger than your Rain Swallow. Too much and you end up flat on your ass. I think you're familiar~"[/color] Hotaru gave Reiji a wry smile. He glared back and then tried to concentrate on his chakra. [color=mediumorchid]"Didn't you have a mission? I though you could stay to coach me."[/color] Hotaru pretended to have forgotten. [color=brown]"Damn, I guess I lost track of time. Alright, I'm going. Don't be late for your own mission..."[/color] She started to walk off then stopped flashing Reiji a soft smile. [color=brown]"And don't push yourself too hard~"[/color] With a quick handsign Hotaru vanished in a puff of smoke. Reiji watched her leave. [color=mediumorchid]"Lost track of time, huh? Hmph...I won't waste it anymore than you have then~"[/color] Stealing a glance at the wooden dummy he turned and walked off to start his real training.

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The sun was barely up the next day and Reiji was not far behind it. Hotaru had shown him the handsigns and gave him as much advice as he'd let her. Taking his time and practicing jutsu and techniques regularly didn't work for Reiji. So he'd take training a couple steps further. Standing in a small clearing he drew a couple shuriken from his leg holster and tossed them into the trees. A few wire snaps could be heard through the brush and a moment later several wooden posts came swinging through the trees. Reiji sidestepped the one chunks of wood, his eyes darting around keeping track of them all. With quick footwork he dodged around the swinging obstacles and began to weave handsigns. He then dashed forward towards an incoming post. [color=mediumorchid]"Ngh!"[/color] Reiji took the full force of the obstacle slamming into his torso and throwing him back with only nick left on it's surface. Managing to keep on his feet he gained his balance spun to avoid another post coming from the side. Dodging around a few more he found some space and weaved the handsigns again. The next moment there was a bang and Reiji was thrown back once again and into a post slamming his back. [color=mediumorchid]"Kuh!"[/color] Falling to his hands and knees he tried to catch his breath having had it abruptly knocked out of him. [color=mediumorchid]"Tch, too little and I'm just throwing myself into harms way. Too much and I'm only aiding my enemy."[/color] This was his way of training. Pushing his mind and body. He was better under pressure and learned faster in battle. Simulating both helped him master his abilities. Reiji stood, dashing back out of the range of a post. [color=mediumorchid]"With that in mind..."[/color] He threw another round of shuriken initiating another wave.

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[b]"I know what he's capable of. Asuka, not even you can slice trees that big… That boy possesses a unique kekkei genkai that enhances the weapons he carries. Of course, that boy has a lot of potential, but in my eyes, he just doesn't seem fit for the team yet. Also, Seji, while an academic genius and proficient in his ninjutsu, I'm not sure if he's suitable for a group like this… There's just no way I'm taking any chances that could put this group at risk."[/b]

[color=mediumorchid]"That's too bad. I was looking forward to seeing them in action in the field."[/color] Reiji arrived at the front gate where what was left of the team was waiting. Having been training up to only an hour before coming to meet the squad he was lightly bandaged underneat his clothes. Finishing off the last of the hefty lunch he'd eaten to replenish his chakra, Reiji tossed the wrapper into a bin nearby. [color=mediumorchid]"If we're going after a dangerous target, I'm sure our sensei has given her decision a lot of thought."[/color] It was still a shame though. After seeing Seji's skills during the test he had been looking forward to a spar. And Toko had made it through the academy on mostly his swordsmanship. Fuyuko's remark about Asuka not being able to match his cutting prowess only made Reiji more curious. [color=mediumorchid]"Oh right. I hope you're feeling better Fuyuko-sensei. I'm sorry again for what happened."[/color] He said referring to the incident at the end of their test.