Chapter 13
They kept themselves busy.
Junpei in particular was training along side Choso. The two often had mock battles to improve one another's strength. Choso would always be smiling as he and Junpei went head to head. Perhaps it's the fact that he is able to be a true older brother and help guide him.
They would end it when both were breathless and tried from the event, yet, they were able to manipulate their energy to recover faster from it all. "Well done, once more little brother, you impress me." Choso decreed.
"I had a great teacher. Suiryu is amazing, but it's nothing like hands on learning with someone who knows the technique inside and out."
"Have you tried mine yet?"
He turned as Noranso was smiling an odd grin. "I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but perhaps… little brother can do my technique as well?"
There was some hesitation with Junpei. "I know I can't do Sho's or Tanso's technique, flesh manipulation…" he paused to consider it. It should be similar should it not? But flesh is far denser than blood. The principle is the same… but…
"I don't think that's in me…" he said bluntly.
Noranso merely smiled as he approached. Summoning a glob of white flesh from a finger bearer, he offered it to Junpei. "You don't have to touch it, merely try and move part of the flesh, as if you are attempting to extract it…"
He nodded.
Hovering his right hand over the glob, Junpei focused. 'This should creep the utter hell out of me… and yet… I'm not bothered by it the least bit…' he has felt himself become desensitized to various event and situations. His mouths no longer bothered him either, in fact, he's starting to enjoy them!
But now he focuses. He stared at the ball of flesh and wondered how to make it move. He could sense Noranso's energy within it, after all, he has to put his own curse energy into it in order…
Wait…
Is that it?
He paused for a moment and stepped back. "Are you giving up?" Choso asked.
"No, looking at it from a different perspective, it's all energy we need to manipulate right? Noranso's energy has to go into the flesh in order for it to be controlled and manipulated. So I am thinking, I have to put more of my energy in to overpower his so I can control the flesh in his hand…"
The brothers paused. Noranso was rather taken aback by the deduction. "You want me to take some of my energy out of it little brother?" he asked.
"Just enough so I have to take over…"
Noranso nodded. Junpei felt the pull and found the flesh was losing its form and start to decay. Quickly he infused his own energy in, it regained its shape but was still sloppy. Junpei then pulled his arm back, the flesh was pulled along, but it wasn't very strong.
"Hmmm, I think I would have to practice this…"
Yet as he looked to Noranso, his eyes were sparkling. "Really?! You want me to teach you?! ONIICHAN WILL DO IT!" he shouted the last part oddly loud. "When this is all said and done, little brother. I will teach you this, then, you will be just as good as me… then WE get to have spar sessions, not just you and Choso!"
He… was overly excited on the notion.
"Wait, NO FAIR!" shouted Shouoso. "Little brother should be learning from me!"
"We don't know if he can do your technique…" Choso said gently.
"Let's see then! Little brother try and manipulate this!"
"NO! He's training with ME first!" protested Noranso.
"You were just here first, besides, I think my ability is better!"
"Says you!"
"ENOUGH!"
The bickering came to an instant stop the moment Choso spiked his voice. He stood between the brothers and forced them apart as they were nearly nose to nose with one another. "Little brother has great potential. We ALL know that, HOWEVER forcing him to learn something new now, will not benefit us the moment we are needed by Suiryu and little brother Yuuji." He said in a stern and yet calm voice.
Instantly, the two backed down. "Sorry…" they muttered.
Junpei on the other hand, had an idea. "Went this is all over, I'll learn from all the brothers and see if I can do what they can do. If so, I would be more than happy to learn from all of you." He said.
"Really?" Shouoso asked.
"You promise?" said Noranso.
He smiled and nodded. "But it has to be an equal trade right? I am learning from you. Is there something you want to learn from me?"
This took all the brothers aback, even Choso. "Learn from you as well… that is a good idea. My knowledge is also limited…" Choso said aloud.
"What could you teach us?" asked Shouoso.
He considered his words. "Well… do you want to learn how to play sports? It's weird, I wasn't an athletic type before, but now… I think I can hold my own in a game or two. I'll teach the both of you and Kotsuso!"
"Sports…" muttered Noranso. "Oh, that thing that the humans play with the ball or something a really big ball!"
"Those are it!" Junpei said with a snicker. "When things calm down, I'll teach you how to play. In return, you try and teach me your technique. Okay?"
"YEAH!" the two cheered.
"Now, be off with you," Choso said and shooed them away.
He snickered though. Junpei found it very endearing that they wanted to teach him what they knew. I guess some brothers are like that. They want to show off to the youngest and courage them to do their best. "I better go help Eso with dinner. Choso, thank you for the spar session today." Junpei said and graciously lowered his head.
Choso snickered. "Any time little brother."
