Acta non Verba PT II

Stat Sheet:

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It felt like a lifetime ago since the last time Tenshi had been in the Inferno Arena for a punishment. Although, back then it had been he and Himari who were being punished. This time, it would a reverse situation. A promising, young Shinobi from the village had, most likely unknowingly, broken the same sacred law that Tenshi himself had broken way back when. It was now up to the Uchiha to set things right and teach the young boy why he could not be placing himself in danger like this.

Walking into the middle of the currently empty Arena, Tenshi summoned two Shadow Clones, each who would sit down on the sand on either side of him and begin meditating, drawing in Nature Energy. He, on the other hand, would stand up straight with his arms crossed as he began to gather sand charges, 2 at a time. He already had 4 charges hidden within his ninja pouch, he began drawing the additional charges from the sandy terrain surrounding him. This was helped by the fact that the Inferno Arena was currently in its Desert Form, with sand across its entirety.

Tenshi and his clones would continue to do so as he awaited the arrival of Yukio Senju.

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Combat Stuff:

Shadow Clones:

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Spoiler:

Yukio returned from his mission with Nokino-sensei in high spirits. They were successful and had eliminated a cell of the fearsome Viper's Fang terrorist group. Coming to the aid of the small village made Yukio feel a deep sense of pride in Konoha. Truly, this was the best village in all the elemental nations. His return to the village was marked with the gate guards without issue, although one of them flickered away once they had checked in. Yukio waved goodbye to Nokino-sensei and proceeded toward the Senju clan compound to return home. A few blocks from his home, a shinobi appeared in front of him.

"Senju Yukio? You are to report to the Inferno Arena immediately, orders from Lord Hokage." Yukio acknowledged the orders with a short bow and changed direction as the shinobi flickered away. He found himself curious. Why had he been called to the Inferno Arena? Did this have something to do with the Culling Games happening soon? Yukio assumed that was the case and so quickened his steps. Once within sight of the Arena, Yukio stepped into the large open area, which was doing its best impression of a scorching desert, complete with some rolling dunes. Standing off in the middle of the area was Tenshi Uchiha. The young Senju boy waved and called out to the other shinobi in greeting, before making his way to him. Tenshi had two shadow clones that were meditating  while he stood with his arms crossed. Yukio wondered what the meditation was for, perhaps he should ask Tenshi.

"Hey Tenshi! How are you?" Yukio smiled at Tenshi as he drew within one meter of him to speak. "What's got you here today? Were you summoned as well? Maybe this is about the Culling Games." He trailed off before speaking up again. "Oh! You'll be happy to hear that I since I mastered the first stage of the Curse Mark, I'm working on the next stages. I know I'm close, it feels like I'll have it in just three days or so." Yukio was excited to share with the older Genin. He didn't have many friends outside of Nokino, perhaps Tenshi could become a close confidant? He was certainly a powerful shinobi, given his birthright of the Uchiha Clan.

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WC: 379

Yukio has nothing active, as he has no reason to expect combat.

Tenshi could not help but raise an eyebrow and give a little grin as Yukio approached. The young Senju was as enthusiastic as ever and completely unaware of the situation that he had found himself within. Tenshi could not help but appreciate this, reminding him of the way he and Himari had been so proud of themselves after completing a similar mission. It was youthful ignorance and pride, but it was not something that he would discourage Yukio from feeling in the future. What he WOULD be discouraging was Yukio's ignorance in being placed in overly dangerous situations.

"Well, well, well. Here he is, the great Hero of Konoha. Back from a successful string of missions that have left the Viper Gang shivering in their boots. You are an inspiration to us all." Tenshi maintained his smile, but his words were spoken with venom. The Uchiha truly liked Yukio and believed that he would one day become an incredible Shinobi, but tonight was about one thing only. He had to be punished for his own good. "Me? Summoned? Not exactly... I am not surprised about you mastering the Curse Mark thus far, you are a very capable Shinobi after all..." Tenshi trailed off for a moment as he continued to collect Sand Charges, both clones also continuing to draw in Nature Energy. His continued to smile and talk, but closed his eyes as he did so.

It was at this point that Yukio would have the slightest feeling of uneasiness as Tenshi would drain 15 AP from him with the use of Curse Master, stemming from Yukio's Curse Mark. It was a small amount, but still enough for the young boy to notice it. "A very capable Shinobi. A bold Shinobi. A brave Shinobi... A Shinobi so capable, bold and brave that he ventured out into the borders without the permission of the village's higher ups, placing himself in danger." Yukio would have no way of knowing that these words were eerily similar to what Jecht had to say to he and Himari when they had royally screwed up. It was an almost hilarious full circle moment.

"Not only did you leave the borders without permission, you all but painted a giant target on your back by doing so. From dangers outside the village, as well as within." It was at this point where Tenshi reopened his eyes, his Three Tomoe Sharingan now glaring directly into the eyes of Yukio's. Suddenly, a terrifying black aura surrounded Tenshi as he activated his Display of Power with a strength of 900. He did this so Yukio would be able to feel the full disparity of power between the two of them, now making it abundantly clear that the Senju was in deep trouble.

Without moving a muscle, or even making a twitch in his body, Tenshi would cast his Sharingan Genjutsu on Yukio to paralyse him. If successful, Yukio would not feel any actual difference in his body at all, maintaining his ability to speak, move around and cast Jutsu. This, however, would all be in his head, with the two opposing Shinobi both standing firmly in place. Tenshi would continue to speak regardless, which reflect both in the Genjutsu as well as reality. "You and your 'sensei' have both broken an incredibly sacred law of Konoha by doing what you have done. So it is up to me to discipline you for your actions."

In the Genjutsu, Yukio would see Tenshi smile once more as he continued to speak. "Since you believe yourself strong and capable enough to handle the outside world, I shall put you to the test. If you prove yourself capable enough, you will be let off with a minor punishment at best. If not... well we will cross that bridge if and when we get to it." In the Genjutsu, Tenshi would slightly widen his stance, an obvious preparation for combat. "You have five seconds to prepare yourself Yukio Senju. Come at me with everything you have, fight like your life depends on it, because it just might..." With his two Shadow Clones simply sitting by 3 meters away from him, Tenshi would then slowly count down from five.

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Combat Stuff:

Shadow Clones:

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Yukio’s smile faltered as Tenshi began speaking. His tone was harsh and venomous, certainly not what the young shinobi was expecting. As he continued speaking, Tenshi’s words rocked Yukio back as if he was struck. The strange sensation of chakra being drained was almost missed by the revelation that he and Nokino-sensei had left the village without permission of the Hokage. Then, Yukio locked eyes with Tenshi, the three tomoe Sharingan spinning in a mesmerizing fashion. The aura of power that radiated from Tenshi shocked Yukio to his core. He knew that the Uchiha was strong, but to feel this level of disparity? If the summit of the mountaintop was barred by men of this stature, what hope could he possibly have? The Senju boy took three involuntary steps backwards, a gamut of emotions crossing his face – shock, confusion, disbelief, fear, and as Tenshi continued to speak and explained what he was there for, grim determination. Yukio was outclassed, hopelessly so. If, however, he was to be punished for his transgressions, he’d be damned if he wasn’t going to take them standing up. With the fire of Senju blood coursing through his veins Yukio activated Tobirama’s Fury, his body surrounded by a blue aura of chakra as his Vigor and Chakra were each increased by +60, making them 210 and 160, respectively. His feet regained his stance and he stared into the baleful eyes of the shinobi he considered his friend and comrade.

”Ignorance of the law is not a defense. If I am to be punished, so be it. Prepare yourself, my friend. I’m going to make you work for it!” Yukio spoke with conviction, while he could. If it were not for the legacy of his ancestors running throughout his body, he may have very well collapsed against despair he just experienced. As he finished his sentence, he formed the Ram handseal and activated Body Flicker to move away from Tenshi at a speed of 250 and create distance. Not wanting to put his back against the arena wall, Yukio stopped when he was 25m from Tenshi. ’Remember your training with sensei. Range. Tenshi’s muscles are probably not just for show, and the amount of Chakra I felt radiating from him probably meant he can throw around some impressive jutsu as well.’ Yukio counted internally down from five as Tenshi was, and when he hit two, his right and left hands formed snake handseals, activating one jutsu immediately after another. The first jutsu Yukio cast was Nativity of a Sea of Trees. The initial tree was formed ten meters from Yukio, directly between himself and Tenshi and his clones, with a dense forest forming with Power, Speed, and Health of 120, with heights of five meters and widths of two meters. This forest obscured him from Tenshi, as well as Tenshi from Yukio, but somehow he didn’t think that would matter to much. These trees form a circular forest, 20m in diameter centered on the initial point 10m from Yukio and 15m from Tenshi in a straight line. The second jutsu activated even as the forest began to take shape. From the trees at the outer edge, 5m from Tenshi and each 5m to his left and right, the open maws of twin roaring Wood Dragons would appear, forming with Power, Speed, and Health of 135. Another snake handseal from Yukio would activate yet another wood technique, Thrusting Spear. Within the open mouths of the Wood Dragons 5 Wooden spears formed, 2 on the left and 3 on the right, which would shoot towards Tenshi with Power and Speed 125. The dragons would fire the spears and then turn to the right and left, respectively, so as not to overtake the spears in flight, since they were faster. Assuming that Tenshi was still alive, each dragon would attempt to attack and bite him.

Once obscured by the trees, Yukio would immediately run into the forest for 3m and then to his left around the circular edge of the forest for 10m at 45 speed while his hands formed the handseals for the techniques above. He would then enter into a tree and hide within the canopy. He formed the handseals for Ninjutsu Amplifier in preparation for his next attack. His only hope to even make a good showing was to attack with overwhelming ferocity, which Yukio hoped he had done.

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WC: 690 | TWC: 1,112

Combat Stuff:

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Tenshi smirked as Yukio took several steps back in response to his Display of Power, but could not fault the boy for his determination by steadying himself. He then proceeded to activate his Enhancer, one famed amongst the Senju. It was no matter though, as the young Senju was caught within his Genjutsu, already lost from reality as the two of them stood perfectly still, Yukio losing another 30 AP due to Tenshi's Curse Master Skill and Sharingan Genjutsu. On either side of him, both of Tenshi's Shadow Clones continued to draw in Nature Energy.

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Tenshi raised an eyebrow at Yukio's quick change and sudden burst of determination, he had resolved himself to fight with all he could, perfect. "Well said Yukio, I am glad to know that at least some of the Genin in this village aren't cowards. That is an interesting Jutsu you've cast on
yourself. Tobirama's Fury, correct?" The reply would have to wait though, as Yukio quickly created distance between the two of them with his Body Flicker, wisely attempting to get away from Tenshi. The Uchiha observed with interest as Yukio worked quickly, forming separate seals with each hand, an impressive feat in of itself. When Tenshi hit "One" in his countdown, both Shadow Clones on either side of him were dispelled and he activated his Pure Sage Mode, black markings covering his body and face, and giving him a +90 to his Vigor and Strength.

The countdown ended as Yukio cast his first techniques. At the same time, Tenshi decided to use some of his own. First, he would activate his Mangekyo Sharingan, followed by casting his Susano'o with a Power, Speed and Health of 240. A terrifying black ribcage began forming around him at Jutsu Speed, covering him entirely. He would use the bony arm of the Susano'o to swipe away the oncoming Wooden Spears thanks to its superior speed. It appeared that the Wooden Dragons themselves would attempt to attack him.

He did not wait for this though, instead activating his next Jutsu, the Wood Human Technique directly underneath him without the need for handseals. This technique also had a Power, Speed and Strength of 240, more than enough to deal with whatever Yukio threw at him. With Tenshi on top of its head, the massive construct rose from the ground at a Speed of 240, before reaching its maximum height of 50m, with a width of 20m. On the way up, Tenshi would perform the handseals Dragon -> Ox -> Boar -> Ram -> Snake and cast a Wood Dragon Technique of his own with a Power, Speed and Health of 150. The single Wooden Dragon would wrap itself around the torso of his giant golem.

This sudden rise in elevation would thrust Tenshi out of harm's way of the oncoming Wooden Dragon attacks, which would bounce harmlessly off his incredibly resilient Wood Human. Now 50m in the air, Tenshi would look down at where Yukio had stood last and called out with a booming voice. "Is that the true power of the Senju clan, Yukio? Create some trees and then run away? Do you believe something like this is enough to protect you from the real monsters lurking outside our village? They would step on you like an ant for such an attempt! Let me show YOU just how powerful a Senju technique can be!" Instead of attacking the Dragons, Tenshi commanded his Wood Human to drop it's 25m long right arm to the ground and swipe it across the terrain, clearing Yukio's Sea of Trees with a single sweep at 240 Speed. Anyone or anything hit by the arm would take 240 damage, the trees themselves would be completely destroyed, either crushed, flattened or bursting in a rain of splinters. As this happened, the Wood Dragon would quickly swirl around the golem's right arm and lunge directly at wherever Yukio would appear from, attempting to snatch him in its jaws with a Speed of 150. It would move with the assistance of Tenshi's Sharingan, which he would use to look for even the slightest movement that would indicate Yukio's whereabouts, although, with the Sea of Trees now destroyed, this would likely not be an issue.

If the Dragon managed to catch Yukio in its jaws, it would not bite down hard enough, instead it would attempt to trap him in its jaws and bring him up to the top of Tenshi's Wood Human's head, dropping him 4m in front of Tenshi. On the way up it would use its ability to drain Yukio of 60 AP. "Is this all that you can manage Yukio? How do you plan on performing well enough in the Culling Games to become a Chuunin at this level? We both know that you are better than this, so PROVE IT. Show me that you deserve to live, otherwise I fear your time in this life will be cut short."

Regardless of whether or not Yukio had been caught and placed on top of the Wood Human, Tenshi would simply wait and see what the young Senju would attempt to do next.

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Combat Stuff:

Shadow Clones:

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Yukio watched in abject horror as his Thrusting Spears, one of his strongest Wood Techniques, was battered aside by the strange black rib cage and arm that had formed around Tenshi. Yukio watched as something far, far worse happened though. As his Wood Dragons dove towards Tenshi to attack him, the Uchiha surged into the air, standing on top of what was clearly the Wood Human technique, from his own clan. In fact, this was a magnificent and powerful example of the technique, as his Wood Dragons simply rebounded off the giant golem, appearing to deal no damage to the construct whatsoever. Yukio realized he was even more outclassed than he previously thought, and even as he finished the handseals for his Ninjutsu Amplifier technique and watched Tenshi shoot into the air, he felt the fury within him boiling over. How dare this Uchiha dog use his clans coveted techniques! How dare he attempt to wield Mokuton against a true Senju! Yukio formed another snake hand seal as he mentally instructed his dragons to ascend toward the top of the Wood Human. The handseal would activate an empowered Foo Dog Heads, four forming in each mouth of the Wood Dragons with 135 Speed, 135 Health, and 165 power due to the previously used Ninjutsu amplifier. The dragons would fly up the Wood Human, one in front and one behind, and once they reached its apex where Tenshi stood, all 8 Foo Dog heads would lunge out of the dragons mouths and attempt to bite and crush Tenshi through his Susanoo, if their combined strength were able. If he was bitten, they would not attempt to constrict him, instead they would retract to prepare for another strike.

As this was happening, Yukio bore witness to the strongest and fastest wood technique he had ever witness completely obliterate the forest from his Nativity of a Sea of Trees. He rushed out of the way of the traveling arm, barely making it beyond the Golem's reach. Luckily, while the golem moved 5 times faster than he did, he only needed to cover 3 meters to evade its grasp. Yukio was not, however, able to evade the Wood Dragon that was attached to the Golem's arm.  Not trusting that his attack against Tenshi would win the battle, he began forming hand seals, Hare -> Monkey -> Ram -> Dog even as the jaws of the dragon closed around him. He felt the chakra drain from him as the wooden construct sapped his strength, and as it began to bring him toward Tenshi, Yukio held his technique until the opportune moment to strike. If Yukio were still deposited on the top of the Wood Human's head to face Tenshi, he would unleash the water jutsu directly at him as soon as he was set down.

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WC: 470 | TWC: 1,582

Combat Stuff:

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As the Sharingan Genjutsu continued to do its work, the two Shadow Clones on either side of Tenshi would finally be dispelled, having both gained 3 Nature Chakra stacks each. The Nature Energy and remaining AP from each Clone would then flood into Tenshi, revitalising his body.

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Tenshi smiled as the two Wood Dragons rose on either side of him, a smart tactic by Yukio. Instead of preparing to move, the Uchiha would simply cross his arms and summon 2 spheres of sand with a diameter of 5m, using his Mineral Sand Ninjutsu on either side of him, between his Susano'o and each of the Wood Dragons. They each had a Power of 240, Speed of 250 and Health 210. Without waiting for the Wood Dragons' moves, he would send both spheres flying directly at them at maximum speed. The spheres were each the total width of the Dragons, which would allow them to hit each of the Foo Dog Heads that shot out directly at them. The Foo Dog Heads would need to overcome the 240 Power of the Sand Spheres or they would all be destroyed in the clash. The Sand Spheres would not stop there, however, as Tenshi ensured that (if they defeated the Foo Dog Heads) they would continue on their trajectory and also clash with the Wood Dragons. If the Wood Dragons could not overcome the 240 Power of the Spheres, they too would be destroyed.

Yukio had somehow managed to just evade the swipe from his Wood Human technique, but thankfully did not manage to escape the grasp of his Wood Dragon, which began dragging him back to the top of the Golem. As he got closer, Tenshi raised an eyebrow at the silence coming from the young Senju. Was he angry? Perhaps he had not comprehended the difference in their power. No matter, that was the point of this 'lesson' that he was experiencing. In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the Senju decided to unleash a water jutsu the moment he was set down on top of the Golem, a smart and quick witted strategy.

Instead of attempting to run or dodge the attack, Tenshi would instead react in kind against Yukio. The moment that the Senju unleashed the water from his mouth, Tenshi would perform the Cloud Shotgun technique with a Power and Speed of 125 each. As Yukio had been dropped 4m away from Tenshi, he would be hit by the technique if he had no way to escape and would take damage at Jutsu Power. Along with the damage he would sustain, Yukio would need a Strength equal to or higher than Jutsu Power or find himself knocked back 10m, resulting in him falling off the top of the Golem's head and dropping down to the ground 50m below. Tenshi would also ensure that (if successful) he would specifically target Yukio's right arm with this technique, which would result in it becoming fractured and rendered unable to perform hand seals for Jutsu. Yukio would also take an additional 50 damage if he was unable to stop himself from hitting the ground, totalling a potential 175 damage in the process.

Tenshi's Susano'o would shield him from the effects of Yukio's water technique, with its Health of 240 being enough to withstand the waves. The Wood Dragon would detach itself from the Golem and hover 5m over Tenshi wherever he moved. If Yukio had ended up on the ground below, Tenshi would make his Wood Golem lower its head all the way to the ground at Jutsu Speed of 240 and he would hop off to stand 3 meters away from him. The Golem would then stop moving entirely due to the lack of physical contact between them. He would either be looking down at him or staring him in the eyes depending on whether Yukio was still there and either laying down or standing up. "What's the matter little Senju? Does it upset you to know that you are powerless against the might of the Uchiha clan? To know that an outsider such as myself is more capable of using your little stick techniques than you are?

He would smile cruelly and open his arms out wide as he continued to speak. "This is your last chance. Yukio Senju you will either defeat me here and now, or I will perform your official execution for violating the sacred laws of Konohagakure. Will you cower in the face of death as a little boy? Or will you face it without fear as a man? Decide NOW!"

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Combat Stuff:

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WC: 765
TWC: 2,535

As Yukio was taking a dragon elevator up to the top of Tenshi's Wood Human, he saw as his Foo Dog technique and his own Wood Dragons were shredded to splinters by the spherical Sand jutsu Tenshi unleashed. 'That was Sand Manipulation, a fairly secret jutsu for our village.' Yukio idly thought as he prepared to unleash his water technique at Tenshi. As the Uchiha's Wood Dragon released him from its maw and Yukio's foot hit the top of the golem, he unleashed a torrent of water with his Exploding Water, Colliding Wave jutsu with power and speed 120..  Tenshi simply stood by as the water rushed him and collided with the large black ribcage. It appeared this technique was a potent armor, although it would take 120 damage to its health. Just as quickly, Tenshi launched his counter attack. A visible sphere of punches leapt out at Yukio, dealing 120 damage due to his native 5DR, striking him several times and launching him backwards off the Golem's head. One of those punches had clearly broken Yukio's right arm as well. He plummeted towards the ground and used his remaining good hand to form the handseals Serpent -> Dog -> Boar for his Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique. He finished the hand seals just in time and splashed into the earth below, forming a proper dive stance before hand. The Fish Projection technique allowed him to swim through the earth with a power and speed of 115. Yukio's fall brought him about 5m into the ground, and he immediately swam back to the surface of the earth, not interested in spending any time within sand after watching Tenshi just control sand. While he swam, he formed a snake handseal, casting his Wood Release: Wood Armor technique while submerged. This jutsu covered him in a hard, wooden armor with a power and speed of 115. He breached the surface of the desert and rose to face Tenshi, who was moving his Wood Human's head down to face Yukio.

The young Senju stood, injured but defiant, as Tenshi lowered himself down and hopped off to stand 3m away from him. His wooden mask would hide his features from the Uchiha (although this was not the truth, due to the Genjutsu, but Yukio was unaware of this). Tenshi then spoke, attempting to taunt Yukio. The Young Senju, blood still burning with one of his clan's secret techniques, Tobirama's Fury, couldn't help himself. He laughed. He doubled over and laughed straight into Tenshi's face.

"Oh my, that was something else. Thank you, Tenshi, I was beginning to take offense at you, but you've reminded me of something." Yukio regained his composure and continued speaking, surreptitiously forming a snake handseal with his left hand, activating the jutsu Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees. The wood of his armor began to form small, 10cm pink flower buds which opened and released a cloud of spores around himself and Tenshi with speed, power, and health of 135 within a 25m radius around Yukio. Due to Tenshi's closeness, he had little to no chance of evading this technique. The cloud of spores would bypass Tenshi's Susanoo due to the damage it had previously taken, inflicting 50 damage over the next three posts and paralyzing Tenshi unless he succeed in passing a strength check of 135 (which he definitely would). "You reminded me that the Senju clan has already dominated the Uchiha. I have stood before Aokidanza-sama, and felt true power. You're nothing." Yukio would form the hand seals Boar -> Tiger -> Snake -> Ox while he spoke for his Minus Field technique. If he was successful in activating the technique, it would debuff Tenshi by 50 in his strength for 3 posts.

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WC: 629 | TWC: 2,211

Combat Stuff:

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The time limit was up, the Sharingan Genjutsu Paralysis had entrapped Yukio for long enough to place him in a state of unconsciousness, completely unaware of what had transpired.

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Tenshi did all he could to hide his smile as Yukio continued to impress him with his ability to constantly think on his feet and adapt to the situations Tenshi presented him with. He was doing so well, but Tenshi had to push him a little bit further, this was a punishment after all. He laughed with malice as Yukio attempted to goad him, it appeared that he was well and truly in his head, and not just with the Genjutsu. "You state the obvious about our village's leader, Yukio. Compared to him, the rest of Konoha is nothing, but silly little words will not change what is most important, the here and now."

Tenshi would very slowly move forward as Yukio activated his techniques, showing absolutely no signs of impediment from their effects. "You prattle on about this and that, you feel superior because of your clan's name. Yet you do not seem to understand that a clan is not what makes a Shinobi strong. A clan is not what keeps you alive in times of danger. A clan is not what helps you push through in your darkest hour. No Yukio, YOU are the only one that can make yourself truly great. You have already spoken too much. You have been wasting your breath, boy. After all, you have none left to take..."

As Tenshi said this, Yukio would find himself losing the ability to breath, the spores that he had sent at Tenshi would be filling his own lungs, causing him to choke and sputter. His Wood Armour would begin tightening around his body as it started to cave in onto him, breaking his bones slowly. Even if Yukio had finally realised that none of this was real by now, it would be too late. "You never stood a chance, Yukio. Now you must suffer the ultimate punishment due to your insolence." The last thing he would see before passing out, would be the sight of Tenshi standing over him, looking down with dismay.

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Tenshi would wait for Yukio to finally wake up some time after the end of the Genjutsu. He would be sitting on a rather comfortable throne made of sand. He also created a soft, sandy bed for Yukio to lay on as he was still unconscious. When the young boy's eyes eventually opened, Tenshi would speak softly. "I have to admit, you actually handled yourself pretty well in there. Although I'm quite disappointed I didn't get to witness you using the Curse Mark Transformation. I wanted to see it first hand after all."

Tenshi would then get off his throne, which would slowly return to the sandy ground below, before offering the Senju his hand to help him up. "As difficult as that 'battle' with me may have seemed, you need to understand that there are so many more out there who are far stronger than I. I know that it was not your idea to travel to the borders, but it could have resulted in your death. I hope I have at least taught you that much today."

If Yukio took his hand, Tenshi would help him up and turn to walk away. "Anyway, I'm quite famished. It has been a long day so I'm going to grab some ramen, you coming?" Regardless of whether Yukio came with him or not, Tenshi would turn to him and smile before speaking again. "Oh, and next time... Don't stare at the Sharingan directly. Not even if it's being used by someone you trust." He would give a wink before continuing on his path to Ichiraku Ramen, preferably with Yukio in tow.

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Yukio didn't understand it, and he hated himself for it. Nothing, absolutely nothing, had managed to injure or even phase Tenshi. The Uchiha powerhouse waded through it all, even things that Yukio knew should have had an impact. This was his first clue, but once he finished putting together the puzzle pieces it was, as Tenshi said, too late. The young Senju felt his breath hitch as he started to succumb to his own spores, which he knew to be impossible. He knew this quite simply – when he first began practicing with this technique he sat within the spore cloud for hours on end until he was completely immune to it. He could breath these spores just as easily as he could oxygen, his mastery was so good he could even make his allies immune, yet here they choked him and stole the breath from his lungs. Yukio continued to struggle, his unbroken hand rising to his throat in an impotent attempt to fix the problem. Tenshi stalked forward slowly, taunting Yukio as he did so. By this point, the young man was trying to dispel his own jutsu and could not do so. It was when his Wood Armor began to constrict around him that he realized he was in a Genjutsu. The armor began breaking bones and his senses screamed within him, yet he produced no sound, silent from the pores clogging his airways.

He took one step backwards, trying to distance himself from Tenshi to no avail. As the pain became to great to handle, he fell, first to one knee and then onto his back. His eyesight began dimming as he felt his nose, jaw, cheeks, and orbital sockets fracture.

”You never stood a chance, Yukio. Now you must suffer the ultimate punishment due to your insolence.” Yukio stared up, into the eyes of Tenshi as he faded into oblivion, the spinning tomoes of the red Sharingan eyes searing themselves into his final memory.

Yukio woke with a gasp, his eyes slamming open and looking around wildly. He was still in the inferno arena, and a quick check showed he was not injured at all, despite his brain informing him he had just died a horrific and gruesome death. A soft voice emanated from a short distance away and Yukio turned to see Tenshi sitting on a throne made of sand. He congratulated Yukio on his performance within the Genjutsu, which Yukio was now realizing was obvious, had he had any experience with it prior to this moment, although he wished he could have seen the Curse Mark in action.

”Soon, probably during the Culling Games. I feel close to the cusp of mastering the seal completely. I have a feeling it will be…impressive, if the early stages of the seal are anything to go by.” Yukio spoke with a voice that sounded more confidant than he felt, considering the ordeal he had just gone through. Tenshi rose, his sandy throne dissolving back into the floor of the arena as he approached the prone Yukio. He stretched out his hand, which Yukio looked at with just the briefest of hesitations before clasping it and rising to his feet. He found that, other than a slight feeling of chakra drain, he felt just fine physically. ’Anything more and I would’ve needed some serious therapy.’ Yukio thought to himself as he stood before Tenshi. The Uchiha continued on, explaining the need for the punishment and the desire to impress upon Yukio the seriousness of his and Nokino’s crimes. He bowed low to Tenshi, speaking to the older shinobi. ”I apologize again for breaking this sacred law. I vow never to make such a mistake again. Thank you for not, ya know, killing me.” Yukio stumbled over his last words, still struggling to connect the despair he had felt within the Genjutsu to his perfectly healthy body here within reality.

Tenshi turned and strode away from Yukio after helping him up, offering to grab some ramen to eat together. Yukio quickly agreed, following after him. Tenshi had one more point of advice, letting Yukio know to never stare directly into the Sharingan, even if it was being used by someone he trusted. The Senju clan boy nodded his head vigorously, although in truth he was grateful it was just a Genjutsu and not a real life or death situation. As they walked towards the heart of the village, Yukio mulled over the events of the day, trying to glean what he could from the experience. Finally, he spoke up. ”Hey, Tenshi? Would you be willing to, maybe, teach me some of your Wood Techniques? Training with those is pretty difficult and I’d love any help you could give!”

[EXIT]

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WC: 789 | TWC: 3,000

25% max stat bonus applied.
--3,000WC to Curse Mark Transformation [2nd Stage] - 3,000/3,000