~NRK~
"Obito Uchiha," Obito introduced himself even if he couldn't believe his luck. 'So, he's 'Vine', is he?' How… convenient.
He wasn't going to complain but now he had to keep him in mind.
"How big will this fight be, Mr. Zeki?" Obito asked the older male who hummed.
"The gang from the intel is called the Knockbacks, we believe it's something to do with video games," Vine said unsurely as Obito grinned nervously. "I don't fully understand it myself, apologies. Their size is notably decent, maybe 10 individuals? It shouldn't be difficult but they do have firearms so it's best to not to have too many civilians around."
"I understand. If you don't mind, I'd like to, if you will, sit in on your work. And, for the sake of your worry, I'm not weak nor do I fear firearms."
"... do you have Aura, Mr. Uchiha?"
"Yes, though my situation is more odd and you'd need to really speak with the general at length for the amount of secrecy in it," Vine looked surprised. "But he's not up right now and that's bad."
"I see, that's surprising but you also show no real distaste for him," Vine said. "I… I'm not from a poor family but neither a rich one, I have Mistralian and Vacuan blood in my veins yet live a moderate life but I can see the good he can do. He's trying to help so I lack understanding with the civilians when they disparage him."
"Sadly, it's from the point of view we have. I can tell he's trying but not everyone can, we're all different," Obito said.
Vine nodded. "And if that's the case, yes, but please be safe."
"Of course. Now, I have some food you might like to try, one line per package."
The young man looked amused.
Ten minutes later, he understood.
"I see… the world is truly a vast place," Vine said as he looked down at his third pastry. "The Brothers above."
Obito smirked.
~NRK~
Obito, dressed in his usual 'stealth' wear, hid beside a building as he watched the gang vs Atlas students battle in the early evening.
Vine was moving in and out of combat with Aura constructs around his arms, surprising him.
'He can do what Sienna's been trying to,' that was interesting, perhaps he could get him to offer some insight into it? It also meant that it wasn't her Semblance. 'He's also agile and one who focuses on capture and incapacitation.'
Even now, the young man was focusing on palm strikes and grabs with his Aura, knocking out his opponents with care.
His teammates could have been better and one of them… Well, Obito now knew that he really needed to mind Vine.
Because he and that white mist student were currently grouping up, their fight finished.
"Hmm, that's the end of it," the orange-haired young man said. "Mr. Zeke, I believe that's everything, we should go and not meet with Ms. Ryles, tonight, I got a message from her about being involved with something."
"Hmm, it's a bit out of protocol but, fine, I'll speak with Katrina the day after tomorrow. Come along, Alfons, we'll take these individuals to the nearest police station," Vine said with a nod as Alfons grinned.
"Well, I could do it, you know? My Semblance is good for transportation and the like while you can go and focus on more cases. This program was to help us gain real life experience and I know how to deal with police reports so you can go on ahead and I'll handle them."
Obito's eyes narrowed before he slipped out of the alleyway into the light.
"Hmm?" Vine blinked at him, confused, while Alfons's eyes narrowed as he grinned. "Ah, have you seen enough?" He asked and the younger man frowned.
"You know him?" Alfons asked with a grimace as Vine nodded. "Then, have a nice day," he said, schooling his features and bowing to the two, his Semblance shooting out from his feet and lifting all the gang members.
Watching him leave, Vine nodded to Obito who came close.
"Follow him," he said immediately as Vine looked alarmed. "Vine, I know how this sounds, I really do, but just trust me on this. Follow Alfons and don't let him know we're after him," Obito said. "There's… there's a problem down here that I'm going to ask for your help in, eventually."
Vine's eyes narrowed as he frowned. "Very well, this is hard to believe, you understand."
"Of course, I do."
They slipped into an alleyway before Obito led the way as they followed Alfons from afar.
'What is this all about?' Was his Freshman teammate involved in trouble?
As they followed him, Obito's hypothesis came true as Vine's eyes widened at the sight of Alfons going away from the police station.
"What is he doing? Did he see something?" He asked, now worried, as Obito frowned.
The more they watched, Obito sighed.
"He's not found something, he's going somewhere," he said to him, Vine's eyes widening. "In the past of Atlas Academy, there were a series of kidnappings that took place with the rich students being the cause of it," he choked. "And it seems that with them being allowed to come down here, they're expanding their business."
"N-No, that has to be false, why?" Vine asked with a grimace.
"Because slaves are more interesting to some elites instead of free-thinking Faunus," Obito said. "I don't know the whole history but I've already seen one other student," the older male grit his teeth, eyes closed. "Slightly tan skin, pink eyes."
"Katrina," Vine whispered. "She's in the same year as I am, a third-year. Damn all of this, why? We're supposed to be protecting everyone, humans and Faunus alike, what happened?"
"Sadly? It's the worst of people who do this and that's why I'm working with someone to solve it all but we don't know anything. This might have been happening even before you all were allowed to come down, maybe they were enticed to continue, or something else. For now, we just know that those two are involved but many others could be as well," so could Vine but Obito had a feeling he was different.
Call it a hunch.
"..." Vine took a calming breath before nodding. "Please, let me help, I can't… this can never be allowed to happen again."
"For now, let's see where Alfons takes them."
As they followed him, entering more and more odd pathways, the boy came to a stop outside of pairs of doors on the side of an odd building in a less well-off part of Mantle.
"Tsk, this garbage city, no wonder it needs purging," Alfons muttered as Obito and Vine's eyes narrowed. "Well, it's a group effort," he grinned, flipping his hair as the doors he stood in front of squeaked.
"Who is it?"
"It's Alfons, you tactless goon."
There was a growl that both humans on the roof barely heard as the door opened, revealing a tall, menacing-looking, man who stared down the aloof Alfons.
"You're lucky the boss needs ya alive," he growled.
"And you're lucky to even interact with a man like myself."
The way the man's eyes slipped into the distance told Obito that he was contemplating doing his own job for him before he grumbled and turned to the side.
"Hmph, Terragard should be grateful, he's getting paid handsomely for this, you know," Alfons said.
"Only because ya decided ta cry to yer parents," the goon smirked as Alfons's eyes twitched. "Oh, too much for ya, YER HINEY?"
"HIGHNESS, you buffoon!"
The man just laughed as he jabbed his thumb.
The student hissed out a breath before ignoring him, heading inside with his captured 'party'.
"This is…" Vine's eyes lowered as Obito nodded. "A-And this was… was this happening already?"
"Yes," Obito said simply and the student flinched. "Right now, it's only those two we know about but it's clear there are more… come along," he told the older Mistralian before they took off, forms slinking in and out of shadows with ease. "... You're good at this," Obito praised as the two of them returned to the intersection where all the fighting had taken place.
"..." Vine's downtrodden look lifted only a bit. "My powers shouldn't be used for malevolent reasons," he told him, looking down at his hands. "My ancestors were some of the very first to arrive and they protected the people of this kingdom to their last bloodline," Obito was surprised as the pale man nodded. "Does my harshly pale skin not seem surprising?" He asked in slight amusement.
"It was but I'd assumed you were mixed blood."
"I am but this skin dates back over two hundred years… but that's not important," he looked conflicted. "Obito, I know what we saw but I've worked with Alfons for a long time, he's almost about to be in his second year. I've mentored him in the ways of capture and less harm but… b-but it seems that was for the worse."
"It's not your fault," Obito said before considering something. "And, if you're looking to feel good about having someone under your tutelage, I, myself, and some others are in need of it in the ways of Aura," Vine looked alarmed, staring at him.
"... I suppose asking 'Why' would be a ridiculous question."
"No offense but it'd be a pretty dumb move."
Vine nodded to that. "Tutelage, did you all not get your Aura unlocked by someone more experienced?"
"No, unfortunately for us," Obito frowned. "We had to get ours under rough circumstances. We don't have the knowledge to make the most of it and we're… we're running out of time."
"What happened?" Vine asked with a worried look. "Are you under attack?"
"We will be and that's why we're going to attack first and bring this problem over our heads to the ground," Obito said before pointing to his eyes. "Vine, give me eye contact."
The taller male had only to have his eyes widened at the influx of what had to be information.
Memories.
"..." Yet, the more he 'learned' the more his expression dropped and Obito sighed softly.
"The world's a tough place, Vine, but that's why we're going to do something about it," Obito said with clenched hands. "I know how this can look, you don't trust me, not fully, and that's fine," he told him as the student sighed.
"Apologies but you seem to understand my predicament…" He considered some things. "... Alfons," Vine grimaced. "Is going to be working in a team of Freshmen once the week ends. I'll have more free time to do as I please but that means…"
"Leaving more individuals at his mercy and whoever else he's working with," Obito finished with a nod. "... I might be able to do something about that, actually," he smirked as Vine perked up. "It's underground stuff, Vine, no offense, but this secret isn't mine to reveal."
"No, I understand… If you can prevent lives from being taken, I'll be forever grateful. That and I'm sure I can teach you and your group some things."
"If you can, can you do so right now?" Obito asked. "The thing is, these eyes of mine are special. I can perfectly copy whatever you try to teach me and I'll 'replay' it for my small group."
Vine cupped his chin with interest. "I'm curious, Obito, have you ever considered going into the military?"
"I did, at some point," Obito admitted. "But I have responsibilities and people to take care of, I can't leave those behind."
"..." Vine smiled. "Very well. Though, I feel we should find a more private space before I can exhibit Aura techniques and exercises."
~NRK~
The decision had been for Obito to take Vine to a broken down shop, the two's senses allowing them to know if anyone was home.
They lucked out, sitting in a dilapidated basement that had seen better days but was sturdy enough for their needs, the three light fixtures above flickering after long intervals.
"For the sake of understanding," Vine said as he and Obito sat cross-legged on the floor. "What do you know about Aura and its abilities?"
Obito nodded, composing a small 'volume' of his memories, thoughts, and mental notes on the power. "For starters, everyone knows that Aura is the power of the soul," he said as Vine urged him on. "The basics of Aura are known by damn near everybody. They're the soul's power that can protect people with a barrier, makes them near superhuman, and gives them Semblances. Aura also has several techniques, correct?"
"Yes, a good explanation," the Atlas Academy student nodded. "Those are all true and I'm sure you have your own theories but let me explain all the parts in depth, yes?" Obito nodded greedily.
Learning everything an Academy could teach would go a long way.
"For one, yes, Aura is the power of the soul but it's more than that. Aura is the 'light' to fight off darkness and the 'life' of the person it protects. People with Aura are noted to stay in their prime longer than a normal person. They live longer lives… well, those who weren't fighters," Vine admitted. "Aura is more than just the projection of the soul, Obito, it's life itself and shouldn't be treated otherwise. It extends, it reaches, it connects, and so on."
Obito considered his references. 'So, like yin energy on the soul,' that was probably the best way to say it if he was explaining it to someone from his world. 'Still, it's also like Yang Release,' if it did increase vitality and sustain their bodies, it was like both.
The Yin made Aura's power as a concept real while the physical effects were the 'Yang' of the ability.
Yin-Yang Release: Aura or some such nonsense, basically.
Curious.
"I see," the younger man said. "Continue, please."
Vine smiled. "With those concepts in mind, you should know that Aura can be bolstered, enhanced even, through training," he said as he raised an arm.
The limb glowed a lime-green before the arm's glow fell away, leaving an energetic limb in its place, the power not shining just… there like a liquid.
"Aura, at a conceptual level, enhances life. The bodies we were given upon our birth are enhanced by Aura and we can fine-tune that enhancement," he explained. "Currently, this is as far as I can take Reinforcement," he allowed his Aura to return to normal. "Aura, like this, is a waste of spiritual energy."
"I see, it's because that glow, the 'light', is supposed to be internal?"
"Hmm… That'd be the first time I've heard it said like that but, on some level, yes. Humans can kill Grimm without the need for it but Aura is something Grimm disdain, it's the opposition of their darkness."
Obito cupped his chin. "... Oh, apologies, continue?" He nodded in interest.
"No, it's good to refresh on my basics every now and then," Vine smiled. "Those are the basics of Aura theory. Aura, on the other hand, has many practical benefits outside of fending off the darkness and fulfilling our bodies. Aura is rather like a gauge, it can be full and it can break. Every person who awakens their Aura will find that amount will usually be what they have, with slight growth, for the rest of their lives," Obito frowned as the older male nodded. "The concept of increasing that gauge is, sadly, too difficult for most to pursue. It's a waste of time when you could be working on your Semblance, general Aura usage, a weapon, fighting style, science, or Dust. The world is too large for such a thing to get in the way."
Obito thought otherwise. 'Perhaps they just didn't have the right methods,' he'd do it, dammit, he'd find a way to make it work while fine-tuning control.
He already had several methods in mind, all from another life, at that.
"Let's move on to Aura Techniques."
He raised his arms and Obito watched as the Aura around them expanded before forming large glowing limbs around them.
"Aura Extension," he told the younger Mistralian. "It's the ability to extend and expand Aura."
The limbs moved about, stretching and expanding before grabbing onto several things and pulling them over.
Obito knew how useful this skill would be. "Excellent."
"Next is Aura Shot or Aura Blade and/or Slice, that's when the technique is used with a bladed weapon."
He raised his finger at the wall at their side before a small shot of lime-green Aura shot out and left a pock mark.
More useful things.
"It's a good ranged attack that anyone should be able to learn," he smiled. "I have learned the nature of a few others. From Vacuo, there's a technique by the name of Aura Frequency, an ability to change the wavelength of one's Aura to deny elements."
Obito's eyes widened in shock. 'No…' If Keler knew Aura Frequency… Obito didn't like his chances with his current abilities. "Wait, can Aura Frequency techniques cancel one another out?"
"Yes, I was also curious," Vine told him. "They can, when you match the same wavelength, it'll be like they're on the same 'level' so any elemental attack should still work."
"Alright," so he'd have to learn the technique eventually.
"Then there's Aura Recovery which is as it sounds. You can speed up the recovery of Aura but it's not an infinite skill so mind your soul's limits," Obito nodded. "Aura Hardening is the final known ability, it's the culmination of true Aura Reinforcement like I was trying to demonstrate earlier. Alongside Aura Frequency, these two are the hardest to learn and understand, much less make use of in combat."
Obito absorbed all the information before crossing his arms in thought.
"... Which of these are the easiest to learn? Vine, my group, at best, has the rest of this week and the next two to get strong enough to fend off this upcoming threat."
"T-Three weeks?!" Vine looked alarmed. "What is it? How can you know this?"
Obito considered his options before pointing to his eyes again.
Vine wasn't prepared for the context before he grit his teeth, eyes closed.
"Even more corruption? And from one of the big families?"
"Sorry."
"No, it's not your fault," Vine held two fingers to his head in thought. "... Do any of you have any, say, ideas on any of these techniques?"
"One of us can use Extension on a basic level," Obito told him, surprising the student. "It happened when she was trying to protect me in a large fight that ended up with us being in this situation."
"I see… then you'll want to know how to use Aura Shot and Aura Recovery," he said with a frown. "Those are the fastest but, at a minimum, it took us students a month to get down in our first year."
"We'll make due, I know we can."
"Then we'll approach Aura Recovery first and foremost, especially since it'll give you the most results."
Obito sat up in seiza position, hands on his thighs as Vine looked surprised before smiling and reciprocating.
"Now, call on your Aura."
"... Um, right, about that."
Explaining the 'concept' of his Aura left Vine rather alarmed.
"An involuntary malfunction? It's internal?" Vine blinked as Obito nodded grimly. "... Still, you should be able to call on it, no?"
"I can but, well, you know what happened with the Dust and the like."
"I understand it, those elements now inhabit your soul… but that also means that it's the same process," the older male said. "Perhaps, you'll need to choose the proper element. If you have wind and fire powers, they'll likely be the ones best used for Aura Shot. I'm sure you can figure out something to do with at least that much."
Obito nodded.
~NRK~
His return home was met by not only Sienna and Marrone but Perry, Aster, and Derry in Sienna's room.
"Bro!" The young tiger smiled, hurrying over with his blanket over his shoulders, Obito ruffling his hair. "What happened?" He asked as Obito hummed.
"A lot of things," he said to the group as he minded the hallways before coming in and closing the recently made door behind him. "I found Vine," Obito said with a smirk as Sienna's jaw dropped. "And we found out about at least one place where those taken individuals are being placed."
"Where?!" Sienna shot up off her desk chair, looking excited. "If we know, I can tell Atella!"
"You will, likely in a day or so, there's more," Obito said as she blinked. "Vine's agreed to join our cause on the caveat that we help him put a stop to the Atlas Academy students, I'm sure. In return, he's going to give us tutelage on Aura and the techniques he knows."
Perry whistled. "Holly crap!" He said as Marrone giggled. "That's sick!"
"Still, uh, yo? How much time can we really do all this in?" Aster offered as they hummed. "Besides, we'll need a place to train. I don't wanna put a hole in a wall i-if I don't have to," she admitted with red cheeks.
"We'll have to go to that old dojo," Obito said. "It's got everything we'll need and, now that I have more control," he looked down at his left arm. "I think it's time I started doing a bit of renovations for that space."
"You're going to change it?" Derry considered. "... If you don't mind the structure above, I can see that bunker being an amazing headquarters," she smiled as Sienna cupped her chin.
"Still, I mean, we're here and awake right now… anyway," she hinted and Obito nodded.
"The two techniques he said could be learnt the fastest were one where we can recover Aura faster," the group looked surprised while Marrone walked over and sat in Sienna's chair. "And one where we can make Aura projectiles. Aura Recovery and Aura Shot, respectively, you guys."
"That's amazing," Derry said. "Actually, Obito," he raised a brow. "I never considered it before but couldn't you go to the library and borrow an old video of the past Vytal Festivals?"
Obito perked up at that while Perry hummed.
"We've never seen any of 'em," he said. "Well, not in full and stuff, window shoppin' never really lasts long."
"True but if libraries can contain information from over a 100 years ago, they should be able to keep track of the more colorful stuff. Vytal Festivals could be a good look into what your future opponents will be like."
"It's worth a shot," Obito said. "Though, um, we don't exactly have a computer or TV that can play it."
"... Oh, r-right," Derry blushed before Sienna gasped.
"Dude, that's it!" She nearly squealed. "Let's buy a computer!"
"... Oh, of course," Obito realized. "That'd actually be perfect. The problem comes that we'd have to connect it to the CCT tower lines so, Aster, do you think your father could do it when we buy it? I'll make it worth his while."
The bear girl snickered. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind. We could also ask Fifi's mom to see if she knows anyone, yeah?"
"That's true," Sienna considered an idea. "Yo, Ito?" Obito grumbled but raised a brow. "Have you thought about asking those guys if they could help ya build an engine?"
Obito blinked before rubbing at the back of his neck. "It'd probably have to be a scientist though the construction workers could help me make the shape. I need more science to make it work then I'd probably have to see a mechanic to latch it all up to the cart. It's still an idea," he nodded as she grinned. "Now, let's start with these Aura Techniques."
Those with Aura quickly gathered around in a circle by Sienna's bed while Obito sat seiza-style in front of them.
Marrone quickly copied before fidgeting as Obito raised a brow at him.
"Marrone, this isn't done without practice, you know?" He said to the boy who whined before falling back on his rear. "Also, doing this on cold wooden floors isn't easy either," Obito smirked as his little brother sat cross-legged with a pout.
"You're doing it perfectly, though," the boy mumbled.
"I have stronger legs and more practice," Obito said. "Now, as for those Aura techniques, I'm going to explain it before just beaming it into each of your heads."
"... that sounds dangerous," Aster said.
"It's not, just a bit unorthodox… weird, it's just a bit weird," Obito clarified as Aster shot him a flat look. "For now, let's talk about something important to Aura, breathing."
"... what?" Perry asked as Sienna's eyes widened.
"So, it is because of breathing," she realized as Obito nodded.
Explaining to the others about the 'phenomenon' that had been happening to her Aura, Sienna quickly demonstrated so they understood.
She let out rapid breaths as her red Aura rose from her hand before she moved it about, the 'spectral limb' moving after it.
The others looked astounded while Obito nodded, informing them of Vine's practical use of the technique.
"Dude, that sounds so useful," Perry said. "Imagine if I could reach for the remote from the couch!"
The look Derry sent him had the lizard Faunus snickering but Obito's hum left her reeling in disbelief.
"Obito!" She squeaked in shock but he simply chuckled.
"I'm just saying if it helps him get it down? It'd be alright," Obito said before shaking his head. "Still, that's not something Perry or Aster could focus on… but, despite Vine's insistence," he turned to Sienna who nodded with a determined expression. "Sienna might be able to do it, he believes that since she's capable of doing it, even at her basic level, she could probably finish the technique."
"But Aura Shot seems useful," Sienna whined while looking down at her glowing left hand. "Besides, what can I even do with this? That robot seemed pretty heavy."
"But what would your Aura Shot do to it?" Obito countered as she rubbed the back of her head. "Aura Recovery and Aura Extension are to your benefit, especially because you have a chain weapon, Sienna," she perked up.
"O-Oh! Right! I could make a super long chain!" He chuckled as she blushed a bit. "I totally forgot about our weapons. So, you could do Aura Blade and stuff?" God, those names sounded so cool.
"Yes, which will be useful," Obito said even as he looked down at his hands. 'But there's one technique I'd like to commit to before that,' Vine had been right, he was left with a lot of elemental options. 'Mixing and matching will have to be my forte for now.'
Fire with wind.
Water with electricity.
Maybe wood with fire.
And gravity… Well, that power was still the most difficult for him to use. He didn't know the 'rules' to it.
'I'll need to look up videos on Gravity Dust,' he was lacking in ideas and that needed to be rectified. "So, Vine said that breathing techniques for Aura are meant to increase your control. It's meant to make Aura as easy as breathing if you will."
"That sounds cool!" Marrone grinned. "You get to do super cool stuff forever?"
"No but it'll increase how long we can use our abilities. Right now, we need to have as many advantages as possible in three weeks. We need to increase our Aura reserves, our control, and learn at least these two techniques. Vine said he'll even be able to teach us in the coming week directly."
"The last week before school starts up again," Aster tilted her head with a frown. "What'll we do?"
"Skip," Obito and Sienna said as the group balked. "This is more important than two weeks of school."
"O-Oh," Derry blinked. "I mean… it's kind of true," she frowned. "If you said it was due to gang stuff, I'm sure you could get away with it."
Obito and Sienna nodded. "Oh, definitely," the tigress asserted. "Still, once again, we've only got to cram in as much training as possible after work. We're going back to the richer places tomorrow."
"Oh, right, you guys did say stuff like that," Perry whistled. "God, I wished we could do that."
"I mean, you could just come on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday," Obito said as Aster and Perry perked up. "You know, it's basically just 'Faunus specific' those days."
"That sounds nice, it'd be cool to have some pocket change."
"So, you guys are gonna go get a computer tomorrow," Aster said. "Get videos of the Festival and train?"
"... Couldn't Sie get a LapScroll?" Marrone asked the group and they all blinked. "T-Those can get… we-fee, r-right?"
"Wi-Fi but you're right," Sienna said. "And, well, if Obito could take it to places and download vids and stuff…"
"It'd be a simpler way to bring back videos," Obito said. "That and, well, the nearest signal could probably still be felt here," a benefit of using towers as the most powerful communication.
The CCT Towers weren't to be underestimated, they were useful beyond measure.
"Hmm, alright, let's focus on Aura matters."
Explaining the breathing techniques he'd copied from Vine, almost perfectly at that, the group practiced.
"Hmm," Derry breathed in, hand on her chest and stomach, before focusing somewhat. 'I-It's kind of weird,' she'd never done this before.
Marrone, ever the eager child, tried with childish success. Doing nothing but breathing in and out really really fast.
"I'm getting warmer!" He declared as she giggled a bit.
Aster and Perry weren't really sure what they were supposed to be feeling but they 'put on' their Auras and tried to see if anything changed.
"..." Sienna focused on her body, breathing in the way Obito had told her to. 'I'm kind of use to it,' she knew that much.
She'd been trying to recreate the ability to Extend for weeks, the minor success she'd had must have meant something.
So, when she held up her hands and practiced the breathing technique, she focused on expanding her Aura.
Each inhale seemed to brighten her spiritual power before the exhales made it slightly throb.
Several more renditions of this made her eyes glow with wonder as her body pulsed slightly.
'I'm at full,' she realized. 'I-I can tell!' Sienna grinned in excitement.
This was good! Maybe she didn't have the Aura Recover thing down, not fully, but she was getting better. She'd be damned if that didn't feel like it was making her confident.
Obito, meanwhile, focused on his internals as he closed his eyes.
'It's kind of different for me,' he knew that. 'Right now, I have to adjust it.'
He focused on his flow of spiritual energy before practicing the breathing techniques.
"There are two types of breathing techniques," Vine explained as Obito nodded. "Flow Breathing and Power Breathing. From what I know, these are taught in every Academy's second year and up. Flow Breathing allows you to increase your Aura flow, increasing its replenishing abilities, while Power Breathing is for expanding on Aura techniques."
As he practiced, Obito's eyebrows rose at the feeling of his body's cooling sensation. 'What?' He blinked.
His water power had seemingly just activated in response to the more 'defensive' breathing style.
'So, on principle, it's a defensive power,' not that surprising, even water jutsu were mosting defensive in nature like earth jutsus. 'I know fire, wind, and lightning are offensive,' that still left his plant, earth, wood, and gravity powers 'up in the air'. '...'
Obito focused completely on the defensive breathing method before 'prodding' his earth powers.
The answer he got was a tightening in his limbs and core, humming in interest as he 'released' his hold on it before moving on to the plant power.
… nothing. He just felt nothing, not even a hint of an idea of what that'd be trying to do.
'I suppose 'utility' would be a good category,' it's not like it was wrong. 'The next.'
Wood didn't do anything but he wasn't as surprised, it was a mixed element as is, a 'utility-defensive' one, it likely had its own category.
'The last is gravity,' he thought with a frown. 'What effect will it have?' Would it even be considered a defensive power or would it be different?
Gravity could do almost anything. Shinra Tensei, Banshou Tennin, Chibaku Tensei, and more, it could be any of those in relation. Offensive or utility even.
Still, nothing was resolved without going into the unknown.
He breathed in and out, that slow rising in his inhale setting his energy flow thrumming before he prodded.
"W-Whoa?!" Obito's eyes snapped open as he looked at Marrow, the boy staring at him with a blink. "Bro, you're glowing!"
Obito raised a brow before the others nodded, the entire group looking at the soft dark purple glow around his form.
"And this is?" Sienna asked him.
"... The defensive breaths correspond with certain elements in my body," Obito said. "My Water, Earth, and, apparently, Gravity powers, assumably? I don't know, I was just testing out the elements I could apply and this happened."
"... Well, what's it do?"
"..." Obito considered his glowing body before perking up. 'Wait…' If he was right, he just got an amazing defensive skill.
Holding out his hands, he focused on it and watched in fascination as a purple field of energy expanded out of his form.
"The heck's that?" Aster asked as Sienna tilted her head.
"... Wait, is that an actual forcefield?!" She realized in shock as the others balked. "Dude, that's amazing!"
"Yes, it is," Obito said. "But I don't know how good it is. Hell, I barely know what it's doing."
"Then let's try it!" Marrone jumped to his feet before pushing his hands at the 'forcefield'.
And his hands slipped through, getting a flat look out of Obito before he blinked as the boy's hands twitched… slowly.
"H-Huh?" The boy blinked as Obito leaned forward with a squint before the Faunus's hands just… stopped. "I-I can't get closer, bro."
"... a gravitational field?" Derry's mouth dropped. "T-That's crazy!"
Obito nodded at that even as he let out a coughing breath, eyes widening as he covered his mouth.
"Yo, you good?" Perry asked with concern as Obito's eyes narrowed.
"..." Obito released the field, barely catching Marrone with one arm. "... Every one of my elements impose their effects on me, on a lighter scale," he told the group as he wheezed a bit before grimacing. "It was like I was a planet, I had my own gravity pushing in on me in all directions, around my lungs."
Sienna looked incredibly concerned now as he sighed, coughing some more.
"It's just something I'll have to be careful of," he told her with a nod even as that didn't remove the concern. 'I know, don't look at me like that,' Obito sighed.
"... Fine but be careful about that stuff, don't need you literally popping a lung for us to win," she told him seriously.
"I understand. For now, we'll be focusing on Aura Recovery, alright, everyone?"
They nodded.
~NRK~
5 am the following morning, Atella frowned as she sat in her kitchen, Sienna explaining the situation to her.
"Fucking hell," she tapped her table's surface. "Terragard isn't a weak man, he's also the biggest trafficker of smuggled goods and the like," Atella frowned further. "The issue I have with that is that he doesn't deal with people. It's not his MO, he'll tell you that it's not worth it and he's been clean of it for the entire life he's made down here."
"So, he's being forced?" Sienna frowned. "A…"
"I know, I know," Atella tapped her slipper-covered feet against the tiles. "... Tsk, he's a decent smuggler, Sie, I don't want to ruin a business relationship if I can help it."
"Then, how about calling him here?"
"If he's actually cooperating, what do you think he'll say? And if he's being forced, he'll be as tight-lipped as possible. It'd be no good."
Sienna groaned as she held her head.
"For now, the most useful info you've gotten, though, is that these guys aren't just sticking to the better sectors," Atella said, trying to cheer her member up. "This isn't good, I know there are easily more gangs who'd work with them for some paper, some because they might… get some," she looked sick as Sienna growled. "Or some of 'em are gonna try and get into the good life through these kids. Right now, there's a high chance we're one of the few gangs who won't be participating in the bullshit going on."
That wasn't good in any way. "So… anything? Ideas? I'm pulling on blanks."
Atella cupped her chin, blue bathrobe shifting as she leaned back in her seat. "... I think it might be time to start gaining some more territory," she said as Sienna perked up. "We're the biggest gang in these parts, Sie, but that also means we have to expand more and more. Just recently, I had to settle a dispute for an apartment because the closer ones are reserved for my top brass, we need more."
Sienna held back the urge to blurt about her own spot. 'Obito would never accept it,' he'd be more likely to give up some sex than reveal more of their resources.
The fact that he would made Sienna realize that resources might be more important than your own dignity sometimes… and she kind of understood that on a deeper level.
"Thankfully, I've got some areas we can consider," her boss said. "For now, just keep on doing your little food business," she smirked as Sienna blushed, tail wriggling in embarrassment. "With your little boytoy manning a stove, it's kind like home life, huh?"
"Atella!"
~NRK~
Nine hours later, Obito left his home and hurried off towards the better sectors of Mantle.
With their haul of the day, he'd actually gotten another idea.
"Duh, of course, you should have a Scroll!" Sienna realized with perking up ears and tail. "If you did, we could actually make calls and organize shit quickly," she whispered as they dragged the cart back to their house.
"It's not a bad idea," Derry said. "Still, you do realize you're gonna have to hide that like its gold, right?"
"Of course, we've all lived this life, it's not hard to figure out," Obito said as he pulled the not-wind-energy-covered cart. "... Hmm," he focused inward.
His form flashed a soft blue for a mere half a second before it fell away and he rolled his shoulders.
"Oh, crap, right!" Sienna realized. "We should totally be practicing right now."
'Now… um,' he blinked. 'Where the hell do I buy a Scroll?' He hadn't needed to but passed by a series of stores that would put one up for viewing. "Hmm," Obito's wind-enhanced run came to a crawl as he reached the better sectors.
Walking around in a sleeveless black hoodie, thick dark blue jeans, and a pair of ninja sandals, he minded the black athletic sleeves on his arms and his black gloves.
He looked through windows and the like as he walked down the street before blinking as he turned his head to see an electronic store.
'Of course, there's likely to be some in the same place as the LapScroll.' he reminded himself as he minded the streets and walked across, quickly finding himself standing outside of the store with over 600 lien in his pocket. 'A decent LapScroll and Scroll,' he reminded himself as he walked in.
And was immediately presented with the sight of not only Alfons but Katrina.
'Fuck,' he walked in with his hood immediately put up, going around an aisle while minding the troublesome Academy students. '... Are they buying Burner Scrolls?' That'd make sense.
Still… as he minded them with his ears, enhancing them with wind, he looked around at the different computers, Scrolls, and technology.
"It's a long assignment, Alfons," Obito heard as he pulled at a price tag, humming at the 139 lien on it. "We'll have until the end of the year to deal with all this rabble."
His eyes narrowed as he pulled a ticket from beside the offered price for the Scroll, reading all the details about it on the back before nodding and moving on down to an aisle near the students.
"I know, I know… but we've met resistance, no?" Alfons had asked, likely frowning. "There was more, as well, from the night before. An odd man who spoke with Vine amicably that I never knew about."
"... That sounds irritating," Katrina had said as Obito heard some shuffling. "I'll have to tell the other three about these odd 'superheroes'," she said sarcastically as Obito heard rapid button pressing.
'So, three others?' That was good to know but that could just as easily mean three other commanders to a small group. 'More, you big-mouthed punks,' he thought before blinking at the computer section. '... That's not a lot of computers,' Obito rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm still unsure, was five really all we could muster?"
"It's sad to say but school is apparently not as… loose as it used to be."
Oh? Even as he listened in, Obito looked at the specs on some of these LapScrolls. 'Man they're pricey,' he grumbled as he looked at one worth 350. "I might not recover from this," Obito said in a higher octave for obvious reasons.
"Hmm?" Obito flinched on command as he turned to find Katrina leaning around his shoulder, a smile on her face even as she looked down at his 'possible' purchase. "Oh, don't mind me, you were lamenting your misfortune," she grinned as he leaned back with a raised brow.
"C-Can I help you?"
"Hmm?" The woman raised a brow at him. "Oh, no, nothing someone down here could do," she said with a grin as Obito's mental eyebrow ticked.
'Right, rich kid stereotypes,' that could be useful but he couldn't just assume. "... Alright?" He said unsurely as he looked back down at the LapScroll. 'Oh, still, this is going to be a big shot to our funds,' but it'd be worth it.
… He could still look for something cheaper, though.
As he put the item down, looking around at all the other LapScrolls with a groan at their prices, he heard a giggle and quickly found a set of fingers in his palm.
'Oh no,' not again. "H-Hello?" He asked with a shaky grin.
"Hmm, you should probably not use items outside your means," Katrina grinned wickedly, trailing those fingers of hers up his palm to his wrist, to his bicep. "Mmm~" She giggled for reasons Obito dreaded.
'What is with this change in luck with women?!' His previous life couldn't compare in its best chances. "I-Is that so?" Oh, God, please stop this crazy woman from coming onto him!
"Katrina," came a voice from behind him and both teens turned to see Alfons waiting there with a flat look. "We have to go? You remember that call you made? They want a meeting."
"Oh, poo," she pouted before Obito sighed in relief as she removed herself from his being, Obito already mentally checking his body for both his personal items and his money before coming back 'safe'. "It seems our time together was short, hot stuff," Obito's face went blank as he turned to see her grin. "But who knows? Maybe you'll come back here again and I can get my fun."
She blew him a kiss as Alfons groaned before walking out of view.
When they disappeared from his senses, Obito didn't change his countenance even as he picked up that previous laptop and Scroll again.
He quickly made his purchases, much to the cashier's disbelief, before minding his senses and instincts while heading home.
~NRK~
"No fucking way," Sienna's jaw dropped as Aster and Perry laughed while Derry burned up. "She CAME ONTO YOU?!"
"Sienna, I'm not much better at understanding my life, okay?" Obito groaned as the new items sat on her desk while the tigress blushed a decent bit. "All I know, for now, is that we got that new information."
"If their words are true, there's a lot to get from 'em, right?" Sienna asked him as her tail flicked out and rested on his shin. 'I don't even care anymore,' by this point, she wasn't even sure what that damn thing was doing most of the time.
"Yes. For one, they're ignorant," Obito said as she smirked while Derry nodded. "They barely speak in vague enough terms that nobody would really get it but they're not experts at this, they're stereotypical rich kids and that can go FAR for us."
"Next," Derry began. "Alfons seems the most inexperienced and didn't want them to come in such little numbers."
"Didn't that chick say somethin' 'bout the Academy bein' different?" Aster offered in amusement. "Ya know? After she felt up Obi over here?"
Sienna's eyebrow twitched as Obito's hand found his face.
"So glad you're getting mileage outta this."
"Hehe~"
"Right," Derry grinned. "It seems that Vine may not be the only one who's on the right side. If you guys could gather those other members, you might be able to stop this at the source!"
"... Maybe," Obito said with a nod. "Still, I don't think it's a good idea to keep expanding our 'inner circle' on this matter," he added as Sienna considered his words before nodding while Derry blinked.
"Why? I-I mean, isn't this what you want? More people, more Aura-users, and just general individuals who are in positions of power?"
"Are they?" Sienna asked her and Derry blinked. "No offense, Derry, but these guys are just students, ya know? And their headmaster isn't… up," the maid flinched at the reminder. "Besides, there are guys down here who aren't… great and some of 'em are strong, we'd be sending them into a worse situation for no reason."
"Vine, meanwhile, has a level head on his shoulders," Obito said. "He's also specialized in his combat abilities which makes me more comfortable with him as a combatant," he added. "Also, too many cooks ruin a pot, the more we gather, the less time we'll have to focus on our matters. Right now, we don't need to worry about Katrina and Alfons because they're likely going to out themselves to us one way or another due to their loose and spoiled upbringing."
"Is it weird that he's saying all that and I kinda get it?" Perry asked and the group chuckled. "Like, seriously, I'm gettin' what he's putting down and that's weird."
"Hmph," Obito smirked. "Now, um, let's actually handle this situation, yeah?" He offered as they all looked at the LapScroll.
Staring at the technology in the bag, Obito took out his already prepped Scroll.
"Thank God the cashier could help set this up," he muttered as he tenderly pressed the golden diamond sandwiched between a pair of white bars.
It expanded and the group stared in awe.
"T-That's a newer model," Derry said in awe as Obito sweatdropped.
"All I'll really be using it for are calls and information, I don't really need it for much else… but you and Sienna will have to give me the rundown with this thing," he said as Sienna hummed.
"Well, ya gotta set it up and stuff… A-Actually, um," was it weird she felt kind of giddy being the knowledgeable one? "You're gonna need a lot more information kind of stuff."
"Oh, she means an email address," Derry realized with a sort of odd-looking curiosity. "Obito, do you know what that is?"
"... theoretically? I have a library email address but I'm not gonna send information to it," Obito admitted. "I'm clearly clueless, you two."
They nodded.
As they set up a new email address, Perry and Aster learning in the process, Obito hummed.
"If I could, I'd like to have one that's really private, you understand," he said and Sienna nodded with a grin.
"I do have someone on my guys' side who could do it. They're a tech person who helped us 'break' our phones so we could stay on the grid while staying off the grid. I'd have to take the Scroll, give it to 'em for a day or two," she told Obito who nodded.
"That's fine, as long as I have all the normal abilities of it, I don't mind as long as we can keep things private."
"Alright!" Sienna grinned before it became nervous, the group once more looking at the bag of tech. "I-It's time for the new laptop," she whispered in awe as Obito snorted while Aster snickered.
Taking the item out gingerly, Obito slowly revealed the bit of technology and took out each of the different parts for it.
"... I believe this is an adapter," he said as he picked up a part. "... CCT Adapter," Obito read. "Where's the manual?"
Half an hour of reading later, he rubbed his neck.
"I think I know what we're doing."
~NRK~
They'd made the executive decision to go to their 'Training Ground', as titled by Obito.
And, as they did, finding themselves in that bunker once more, Obito went to work above first before going down.
Measuring tape was spread out by the human brunette checking the perimeter of the inside of the dojo before he nodded and went down with the others.
"How's it looking?" Aster asked Obito as he pulled the newly made cover he created over the hole before dropping down, a large ball of flame slipping out of his skin and lighting up the area.
"I'm considering what's around here," he said. "I've looked up the sewage lines of these parts and they should be in working order but it's the stability," Obito explained as the group gathered around a series of recently made chairs and a table.
Sitting down at the large circular furniture, Obito pulled something out of a fanny pack and spread it out, pulling the floating fireball above them.
"This is the stability of the area from a 3-D map I could find on my Scroll," Obito said. "I had to draw it down due to not having a printer but this should be as accurate as it gets."
"That's crazy," Perry said, rubbing the back of his head. "B-But I kinda get it," he added, much to their surprise. "Like, these lines are just metal stuff, right? Wires and all that crap?"
"Yes," Obito said, impressed. "I expected Aster to be the one who got it first considering, well, her father."
"Y-Yeah but dad doesn't do stuff like this," the bear girl blushed. "So… ya know?"
"Right. Well, the fact remains that, around here, I think the only thing I can really do is break down that wall over there," Obito said, pointing to the closet area as Sienna froze, tail bristling up. "Sienna… it won't be graphic," he told her. "I'll just crush everything in that area with some stone blocks."
She swallowed before nodding shakily, their group looking confused.
"U-Uh, just don't go there until he's finished, a-alright?" She told them and they all looked nervous. "Seriously, it's not… i-it's not bad but it's just scary as fuck."
Obito nodded before humming. "I really hope that, eventually, we can make use of the area above," he told them. "There's supposed to be an apartment up above the dojo. Spruce this place up and we'll have not only a training area but a home away from home and an underground space. This place is too perfect," he frowned. "And that's why this can never get out, you all understand that, right?"
"I mean…" Perry winced. "Yeah, I get it, I do mean it."
"... I'm sorry, Perry, I know how this sounds."
"No, dude, seriously, I can't blame you," the lizard Faunus said. "Besides, it'd never be safe for me and mom here, anyway. The gangs, hell, the walk from here to the middle of Mantle would be killer as is."
Obito nodded even as Derry cupped her chin. "... Derry?" He raised a brow at the now-blushing girl. "... I mean…"
"What? She wants to stay?" Sienna asked. "... I guess it'd be about the same as home life, huh? Just trading a racist mom for a colder place."
"If we could get a generator," Derry offered. "It'd be good, wouldn't it?"
"But we'd need to block out the lights," Obito reminded. "Maybe we could board-up the windows but leave enough space for you to peek through but, at night, you can never have the lights on."
"That'd be fine!" She said. "I-I mean, almost all Faunus have night vision, Obito, I know I do."
"... Then, we'll see about arranging Derry as our headquarters keeper," Obito said. "All in agreement?"
"Sure," the group declared.
"Now, onto other business," Obito said. "Before that comes to pass, Derry, I want to use this place as bait for our robotic opponent."
"Huh?!" She choked. "I-Isn't that defeating the purpose?!"
"... I-I don't think so?" Sienna said unsurely as Obito nodded to her. "I think Ito's saying that if we bring that bitch this way, we can go all-out without worrying about hitting people and shit but that'd still make this place a hot-ass spot."
Obito considered that, looking at the map. "... Then, we'll draw it further outside of Mantle," Obito said as he pointed to a series of thick-looking lines. "This area right here is an industrial zone, it was abandoned due to the intense cold and the increased Grimm sightings."
"G-Grimm?!" Aster choked as the others started to look nervous. "B-Big Grimm?"
"No…" Obito hummed. "I've looked it up, by the way, there are Grimm who have gotten used to the cold but many of them can't, they freeze up, they can't stand it. It's why, despite everything and the sightings, Grimm attacks are basically so rare it's all free real estate. Including the fact that basic Grimm, at their best, aren't that tough and we could actually make use of this for more training."
Sienna swallowed before nodding seriously. "Then, maybe, we should do it now?"
Obito perked up and looked at her, garnering a bit of a blush out of the older teen.
"What I mean is, we don't have enough time as is, right?" She said to the group. "Right now, I won't lie, I'm sure I could handle a Grimm or two but Perry and Aster aren't exactly fighters yet. They've gotten into scraps and shit but that's it, nothing like one of the gang members around Mantle."
The two in question winced while Obito frowned.
"... In that case," Obito said, standing up. "Never at night," he told them. "No matter what, I don't care how badly we want to get stronger, never allow yourselves to be seen. Never go to these places alone, do not try and navigate there when gangs are about, and, no matter what, if you see more than one Grimm, have all of us there."
The group nodded to those rules. "Recon, yeah?" Perry said as Obito frowned but nodded. "I get it, man, I know you're just worried and, trust me," he looked pale. "I'm not tryin' to fight a fucking Grimm alone for the rest of my life."
"... for now," Obito shrugged as Perry gawked at him. "Perry, once we're strong enough, I want us to become a Grimm-slaying business," the others gaped at him. "Think about it? How many gangs do you think would pay for that for territory? Think of the businesses which have seen Grimm? What if we could go outside of Mantle and protect caravans? There's opportunity there, you guys, but we need to be strong enough to capitalize on it."
Derry nodded shakily. "It sounds scary and I'm sorry I can't help like that."
"We don't blame ya," Aster said. "But, even then, Derry, wouldn't it be better for ya to have Aura anyway?"
Derry blinked at her as Sienna and Obito nodded.
"I mean, is there a downside?" The deer Faunus asked.
"Well…" Sienna hummed. "I mean, the only thing I could imagine is that Atella might figure you out and want ya to join? B-But that's not as bad as it sounds!" She quickly said. "Unless it's a problem if you have Aura in your house?"
"..." Derry's eyes narrowed. "Give it to me, I… I'm not going to fight, I d-don't want to but being down here? Anything that can allow me to live longer is to my, and our, benefit."
"Alright!" Sienna said as she got up and walked around the table to the excited but worried Derry. "So, uh, this isn't gonna be complicated, Derry. I'm just gonna use my chant to Awaken your Aura."
Obito perked up, Sharingan blazing to life. 'I've never watched this process before,' if he was lucky, maybe he could figure out something about this process to fix his own pathways.
"It's with my power that those who pass won't die a useless death," Sienna closed her eyes as she glowed a vibrant red, Derry glowing a palish-blue. "I'll shoulder the strengths and weaknesses of my comrades and family to become the vision of unending victory that will release your fate to your own hands," she recited like it was second-nature to her, removing her glowing hands off Derry who blinked before staring down at her hands. "There ya go!" She grinned.
Obito, meanwhile, blinked at it all.
'Her Aura, her spirit, branched out into Derry and touched her soul?' Had that been what he'd seen? 'There's no pathways, it's like a core that pulses constantly,' seeing it in action made him realize he must have been more messed-up than he could imagine.
"A-Alright, thanks," Derry said to Sienna who waved it off.
"It's fine. Now, I guess Ito's gonna get to work?" She said to Obito who nodded, getting up and walking to the closet wall. "Y-Yeah, uh, let's go over here and practice stuff," Sienna said quickly, turning away from the closet door in an instant.
The others followed her even if they were a bit confused.
Obito, meanwhile, opened the closet to see that skeleton again.
"Haa," his hand touched the walls of the area, the shelves already empty and pilfered of their cans and boxes. "Sorry," he whispered to the dead man.
Stones erupted from beneath Obito's palm before closing in slowly on the sides of the skeleton.
His other hand was held behind him and Obito formed a barely fitting wall of wind to cover the entrance.
The less heard the better.
The matter of crushing the area took well over half a minute, getting a small bit of strain out of the Uchiha before he folded it all down and remade the space.
When all was said and done, the two meter-long 'closet' was remodeled into nothing but smooth walls of icy brown stone.
'It's off-color,' but he couldn't do anything about that, putting down his wind wall. "Alright," he said, the smells now dampened by his crushing and folding of the earth.
The next hour was filled with nothing but his powers expanding the space of the closet.
His Earth power to move the walls and ground into more compact corners, the Wood one to create beams and corners for the entire space, Water to clean it, Fire to dry it, and Wind to help mold things further.
By the end of it all, he gasped rapidly against the ground as he finished the 12 x 12-ft space.
There was the sound of footsteps before Sienna arrived only to stare in awe at his work all around, eyes going from Obito to the warm but quickly cooling floor, the clean brown area, and the smooth surfaces and edges.
"Dude… you're so awesome," she whispered to him as she came over and kneeled by Obito. "You good?" Sienna asked, moving one of his bangs out of his face.
"..." Obito took in a deep breath, form flashing blue randomly. "Yeah, just resting," he told her, eyes closing at her ministrations. "At least, with this, I can practice Aura Recovery more so it's helpful in exploring my powers and that technique," he told her as she hummed. "Any progress?" Obito asked her, eyes opening to see her pensive expression.
"Mmm," she mumbled before raising her hand.
The Aura around it expanded only a bit while extending out half a foot, its cartoonishly-clawed digits familiar to Obito.
'Like a bijuu's cloak,' he thought before sitting up. "It's progress, Sienna."
"I know… I'm just getting more excited and worried," she frowned as he crossed his legs and turned to her, Sienna doing the same to him. "It's about to be Thursday and soon it'll be next week. We're gonna skip school so I'm not too worried but three weeks?" Sienna grit her teeth before going limp with a sigh. "I-I'm going a bit crazy, Ito."
"... I wish I could tell you it isn't supposed to be this bad but you know I'm not going to lie to you."
"Yeah… you're really good at telling me the entire truth."
"Sugarcoating things won't do me any good," lies and deception were necessary, Obito believed that wholeheartedly.
But doing so to his own comrades wasn't something he wished to do again. He hoped he never had to.
"Being honest with my comrades is a policy I hope I can eternally keep," he told her honestly, Sienna grinning as he did.
"I guess that says a lot more about you than most things," she said as he shrugged. "Still, Grimm, Ito?"
"I mean, the best way to get stronger is to get thrown into the deep end, Sienn… Sie," Obito corrected, looking a bit embarrassed as she perked up, tail wagging. "It's been a great method for a long time," God, don't make this awkward.
Sienna blushed a bit but nodded. "S-So, when?" She said, feeling pleasant.
"... I got an idea," Obito smirked as she raised a brow. "I mean, we do have an Academy student on our side," Sienna's eyes widened.
And then she grinned.
~NRK~
This has been a long time coming.
I'm likely gonna focus on a few specific fics soon because I have visions of the future for them I want to approach heartily.
Still, back on Atlas Wilds, there's some interest here.
Vine is teaching them Aura Recovery and Aura Shot, as dubbed by the fandom. These are gonna be some really big mainstays for the future enemies, comrades, and powerful figures.
It never made sense to met that, apparently, this is a skill that can be learned but is never brought up. I get that this was likely a bit of inspiration that hit the writers in Atlasff, I know something about sudden inspiration, but I feel like this should have been easier to incorporate, and realize, earlier in the story.
For now, I feel like having these five techniques, Recovery, Shot, Extension, Hardening, and Frequency will really expand the fighting styles of the group and the canon characters.
Ciao.
~NRK Out~