Naruto Karyuden

Chapter 52: Academy Days XI - Old Clan, New Tricks

ACADEMY DAYS XI - OLD CLAN, NEW TRICKS

Hidden Leaf Academy

[Crystal Style: Branching Crystal Tree]

Yokumaru slams his hands on the ground, turning everything immediately around him into blue crystals; blades of grass now resembling more glass spikes. From directly in front of him, the crystals extend further into the air, jutting out from different directions, each 'branch' spawning several more in an oddly surreal tree-like shape.

It doesn't really reach that high, definitely nowhere near to what Guren can do, and the formation is currently too slow for it to be used offensively, however that doesn't diminish Yokumaru's progress any.

His classmates stare in awe, still not entirely used to seeing this very unique jutsu, no matter how often they see it.

"Excellent work, Yokumaru." Tenten-sensei applauds him. "You've grown a lot."

Yokumaru bows. "Thank you, sensei."

"Next up," Tenten looks through her list. "Jiriki. Show us what you got."

"Hn." Jiriki walks up to the crystalline tree and looks it over. He can't use the Byakugan just yet but that doesn't mean his eyes are to be underestimated. "Something like this is no match for the Gentle Fist." He takes his stance, focuses his chakra around his palm, and strikes.

[Gentle Fist: Palm Bottom]

The crystal tree doesn't budge. Jiriki himself remains motionless, almost as if waiting for a delayed reaction on the tree's part. Nothing happens.

Jiriki tries to strike again. "Fall, damn you."

Shoto walks over, chuckling. "Well, would you look at that. Guess the Gentle Fist isn't as almighty as your boasting suggests."

Jiriki glares back. "Got something to say, Teshin?"

"I did." Shoto rolls his shoulder and cracks his knuckles. "Watch how it's done."

[Earth Style: Earth Spear]

Shoto's hand turns a muddy brown colour, covering more of his skin that it did before.

"Now watch what the Empty Hand can do." Shoto takes his own stance and strikes at Yokumaru's tree with as much force as he can muster. No response. "It's.. tougher than you might think."

"Is it, niow?" Jiriki crosses his arms.

Yokumaru rubs the back of his head. "Is it really that tough?"

Genzai shakes his head. "No, their skulls are just that thick."

Tenten steps in front of them and lightly nudges them back with the tip of her bo staff. "Only step forward when you're called. And the point of this exercise is to show your own capabilities, not to bring others' down, got it?"

Shoto bows. "My apologies, sensei."

Jiriki bows. "It won't happen again."

'Why do I doubt that?' She sighs in defeat.

They both walk over to their respective spots, trying their best to ignore each other. Of course that's slightly more difficult now as their friend groups hang out more often and they're all standing next to each other at the moment.

Kotori claps as Shoto rejoins. "You guys have really gotten strong."

Shoto rubs his knuckles as his skin returns to its normal colour. "Not strong enough. Your Crystals are way tougher than before."