It was early. Despite his dislike of getting up early Maruku had acknowledged the fact it had its benefits. The Chunin Exams started in three weeks, Kakashi had relieved them from missions once they met the necessary qualifications. The team had split up to focus on building individual strength. He had no human contact for over a week and Maruku found that it was much too quiet without his team around. But for their sake he would become much stronger. He had already made progress. He closed his eyes focusing on his chakra. It flowed through him gently like a steady stream. Reaching deeper into himself he increased the flow until it was no longer a stream but instead roaring rapids. All of his chakra gathering into one single focal point, his right pointer finger. Eyes still closed he pointed his he grasped his right hand with his left and pointed his finger. His eyes flew open as he could feel his finger heat up. SPIRIT GUN! An orb of fiery green plasma the size of a human head shot out from his finger. The poor tree he had chosen as his target instantly burst into flame as the bullet pierced right through it continuing into the forest until it fizzled out.
Maruku looked at his finger in amazement.Holy shit! So this was the power of plasma style. He was excited, he could still get much, much stronger. While Maruku was lost in thought his knees buckled. He staggered forward as his vision slightly blurred. He was exhausted. The boy closed his eyes in frustration. Are you serious? One shot a day. As much as he hated to admit it that seemed to be his current limit with this particular jutsu.
"What a youthful display!" A slight shiver ran down his back. He was not mentally prepared to deal with this right now. Slowly turning around he came face to face with Guy's team. He mentally cursed. Plasma style was supposed to be a secret, he had no doubt this team wasn't going to participate in the upcoming exams and he had just practically given them a free show of his bloodline. Still he decided not to be rude as it would no doubt come back to bite him.
"Um, thanks. So what brings you here?" Neji looked at him with cold eyes. He had to force himself not to flinch. "You are in our training ground. Leave." It was only the fact Maruku knew that Neji had yet to receive his character arc that he showed any restraint. For right now he would comply; they didn't need to see anymore of his skills.
"Alright. I'll guess I'll see you around sometime." He dashed off intent on going home. There was still work that needed his attention. It was time to start applying body seals. Making his way home the boy couldn't wait to show his team his plasma style. They had all been supportive in helping trying to use it. As he opened the door to his apartment and stepped inside he froze. Something was wrong. He couldn't put his finger on it but he definitely knew there was something different. In a fluid motion his knuckle dusters were on. "En",his chakra spread throughout the flat activating his sixth sense. He frowned, the problem had been discovered. Someone had left a jar of pickles on his nightstand. The next time he saw Naruto he was throwing it at him. He shook his head at the prank. Petty revenge could wait right now he had to work. He had tested this seal on multiple objects and the results were consistent. The Vanishing Seal: White Divider. It was a multilayer seal that did several things. First it would half an opponent's chakra then add it to his own reserves. Second, it would seal pain and injuries which could then be transferred to someone else. Maruku thought long and hard about this seal, in fights with higher grade ninjas it would be the ultimate equalizer. This seal would go on his right hand. He got the necessary equipment for the job. A jar, a paintbrush, and a knife. During his reading he had found that seals made with blood would be much more potent. Well it was time to put that to the test. Picking up the knife he quickly slashed at his arm and held the wound over the jar. He watched as it slowly filled up. He had to resist the urge to facepalm. He had forgot bandages. Oh well, ripping up the bottom of his pants he tied a piece of his pants around the cut. With no more distraction he picked up his brush and dipped it in the blood. Using his left hand he began to apply it to his right. The blood was hot, probably due to the innate power of the plasma style it carried. He watched with interest as his arm seemed to move autonomously. He could draw this seal from memory but actually applying to himself filled him with a strange sensation.
It was done after a matter of minutes. He didn't move however as he had to allow it to dry. He started at the complex matrix that enveloped his entire hand. From his fingers to his wrist, the back of his hand was covered in the design as was his palm. Briefly he wondered what Kakashi-sensei would say but he pushed the thought away. It was too late for regrets now. Once the blood had dried the seal matrix vanished leaving just his bare skin. He wondered what else he should add, he had planned on adding a chakra storage seal but with White Divider it seemed kinda pointless now. White Divider was the only seal he was absolutely certain on. Maruku sat quietly in thought trying to think of something else to add.
Then it came to him. The answer was so obvious he wondered how he had missed it. This project was going to take a lot of time and research but he was sure he could manage it. He smiled to himself. Lets recreate Godspeed! It sounded so simple in his head but he didn't know where to actually start but he did know that recreating whirlwind was going to be the biggest hurdle. He figured he could substitute speed of lightning with plasma. He raised his hand and on his finger was a small ball of light green plasma. He stared at it lost in thought before it blinked out of existence. Maruku couldn't help but suck his teeth, what a fickle bloodline. Still he was stuck with it, he would have to make the most of it.
Rising to his feet he put his thoughts of his next sealing project in his personal notebook before heading back out. He still had to test the White Divider. He let his legs carry him, he had no idea where he was going or how he was going to find anybody that was going to willingly let him test a seal on them but he walked anyway. Without realizing it he found himself back in the wilderness at the spot where the team used to meet. He smiled in remembrance before he shook his head. There was nobody here, testing would have to wait another day.
"Well well. How's it going Maruku?" The boy in question turned around recognizing the voice. Sure enough there was Kakashi-sensei.
"Sensei, I didn't know you were back. How was the mission." "Classified." Maruku twitched at the annoying answer. But this was good. An opportunity had presented itself.
"Uh, Kakashi-sensei if you're not busy can you help me with something?" Kakashi's head tilted to the side. "Sure. But it will have to wait. The others will be hear soon." He frowned, what others? His question was answered as the rest of Team 7 appeared along with Team 8. Maruku smiled and moved to greet his team. There were no visible differences, but he could tell, all of them had grown stronger.
"How's it going?" He watched Naruto's face light up as the boy began to ramble about his new super cool jutsu. When this happened he had learned to smile and nod at the appropriate times.
"So how's your training gone Maruku?" He looked at Sakura and smiled. He raised his pointer finger and softly said "Bang". Team 8 were confused by the gesture but the rest of team 7 stopped what they were doing. Kakashi was looking at him rather intensely.
"You've mastered it?" Maruku shook his head. "I would hardly call it mastery. One shot a day is my current limit." He gripped his right hand." But I don't think that will be too big an issue." Kakashi's eye narrowed. "I see. We'll continue this later. There's something rather important at hand right now. As it is only a team of three can enter the chunin exams. Because of the location of the hosting village Hinata has been forced to sit this one out due to extenuating circumstances. What this means is that one of you four will be joining Team 8 for the duration of the exams." Maruku frowned, if Hinata was forced to sit out on the exam that probably meant the exams were going to be held in Kumogakure. Fuck. He looked at his team and he could see that none of them were eager to split up. With a sigh he stepped forward.
"I'll do it." Kurenai gave him a small smile. "Thank you. You're doing my team a huge favor. Now that this is out of the way starting tomorrow report to training ground 8." With her piece spoken she and the rest of Team 8 left. There was a small pause before Kakashi spoke again.
"Show me." Maruku shook his head slightly. "I've already fired my shot for today. But with your help Sensei I could fire again." He got a sharp nod of confirmation. The boy hid a smile. "Talk about killing two birds with one stone." Maruku raised his right hand.
"White Divider!" The blood red seal matrix appeared on his hand. Walking slowly over to his teacher he placed his hand on the other man's shoulder. A small seal matrix matching the one on his hand appeared on Kakashi's shoulder.
"Brace yourself." He watched as his teacher planted his feet. "Divide!" He could feel the power rushing into him even as Kakashi lurched forward his eye full of surprise. "Divide!" He watched his teacher fall to his knee. This would have to be enough if he divided his teacher's chakra any further he might put him in the hospital. With his chakra overflowing Maruku raised his pointer finger where a orb of light green plasma instantly appeared. He watched as it continued to grow in size eventually reaching the size of a full grown man.
"SPIRIT GUN" He made sure to aim upward towards the sky as the blast launched from his finger. It continued to go higher and higher before it exploded leaving behind little green sparkles before those too faded. He turned to his friends all of whom were rather slack jawed. He turned to Kakashi who was slightly panting before walking up to him and breaking the seal on his shoulder. Turning back to the rest of the team he was met with congratulations from everybody. But there was something else there. Naruto,Sasuke, and even Sakura looked like they were all itching for a fight.
"Save it for the exams." Maruku smirked. "After all I am on a different team now." there were unanimous nods. Spinning around he began to walk away before falling flat on his face completely exhausted, lacking the energy to even stand up. As he laid face first in the grass he couldn't help but think a nap would be great right about now. It wasn't to be though as Sasuke pulled him to his feet.
"You're an idiot." There was not malice in his words as he delivered it with a small smile. "Make sure you get stronger or else I'm going to embarrass you when we fight." Maruku rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to stronger and then I'll introduce you to the White Divider." He received a small smack on the back of the head courtesy of Kakashi.
"Ow! Alright I get it. No White Divider on friends." Kakashi gave a satisfied nod and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. He let his friends carry him back to his place. Tomorrow he started his work with Team 8. He would need his rest, something told him it was going to be a long day tomorrow.