How the World Works [Special Fight]

[Chika Hirabayashi]

Thread Title: How the World Works
Participants: Satoshi Kazuhiko vs. Hirabayashi Chika
World: Soul Society
Death Setting: Non Death Enabled
Rating: G
Location: Sixth Squad barracks. Midday.
Special Conditions: This is a Special Fight in order to help Kazuhiko get used to the combat system on site. This thread does not inherently fit in with character canon, though can be acknowledged as a "flash forward" should both decide to deem it canon, taking place after Kazuhiko is rescued.
Circumstances: Chika invites a new friend over to the Sixth Squad barracks in order to spend her afternoon training with him!

[Chika Hirabayashi]

Stretching her shoulders, and waking up in the middle of the afternoon as she did best, Chika hummed softly to herself as she sat up. She knew full well that today was going to be an interesting day, that was for sure! It hadn't been long since the last attack had ended, and thankfully everything had gone smoothly; damage had been kept relatively tame all things considered, so most Shinigami were using these days to rest. Chika, having participated in the battle, was no exception.

Getting out of bed and gathering her gear in preparation, she took the opportunity to dress and head toward Squad Six's common areas. Truth be told, she needed something to eat! "G'morning, Shiro," she spoke softly to one of her squadmates, rubbing her eyes along the way, "hopefully this morning has been relatively calm?" Her squadmate looked back at her with a simple smile. It seemed that she had gotten her prediction right.

"Yeah," he spoke, "everything today has been pretty tame so far. Setsu delivered that message like you'd asked of her; it was supposed to go to that Squad Four Shinigami, yeah?" Chika simply nodded her head. She wasn't really ready to talk too much without putting something in her system; certainly an odd experience for those that've been used to the otherwise loud and quite vocal foxgirl. Perhaps a refreshing change for those that weren't fond of her outbursts?

"Thank you," she spoke, "I'll have to thank Setsuko a little later, then. For now, I need to sate the brand as best I can. Hopefully we've tea ready~?" She finished her words with a bit of a rising inflection, almost to signal the asking of a favor. Shiro simply sighed with a smile, before gently setting down a cup in front of her. "Here you go; careful not to drink too much of that stuff, else you'll turn into a tea leaf yourself." The girl couldn't help but laugh as she quietly enjoyed her morning.

---

Within a couple hours, she was fully raring to go! After putting caffeine and a bit of food into her system, Chika felt quite normal! At least, back to her normal zippy self. She couldn't help but keep a smile plastered on her face much as she always did, as she made her way into the Sixth Squad's training grounds. Surely her guest would be arriving soon? It was awfully hard to say without fast communication within Seireitei, but surely it'd be sometime soon! Until then, she found herself simply practicing her forms with a soft humming to herself. Today was going to be great!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Chika's Stats & Skills}
Type: Fighter, Version 2

Stats & Skills:

Strength: 40 [30]
Speed: 200 [270]
Reiatsu Strength: 40 [30]
Spiritual Pressure: 300 [405]
Instinct: 100 [100]
Senses: 50 [50]
Energy Sensory: 50 [50]
Healing Expertise: 0 [0]

Light Aura: 100
Dark Aura: 0

----------

Strength of Will: 2
Weapons - Katana: 2
Acting: 2
Martial Arts - Hakuda: 2
Martial Arts - Hōhō: 2
Pain Tolerance: 2
Stealth: 2

SPOILER: Click to show

{Level 7: Lucid Dreaming}
Despite being a released stage, Lucid Dreaming isn't technically part of Chika's "release", so to speak. Serving as the black sheep of Yabureta Yume, Lucid Dreaming doesn't actually give Chika any powers. Instead, the activation of Lucid Dreaming simply allows Chika to use Yabureta Yume to cut with her Spiritual Pressure, and suppresses the Bakkōtō's specific Reiatsu Signature. Note that this doesn't suppress Chika's Shinigami signature, but merely hides the fact that the girl is, in fact, a Bakkōtō-wielder. Those that have an amount of Energy Sensory greater than her Spiritual Pressure will be able to see through this illusory dream, but will not be able to tell that Yabureta Yume is a Bakkōtō from just that; an amount of Energy Sensory to be able to read surface thoughts is still required to do so, provided they still have more than her Spiritual Pressure.

Given this stage does not count as a release, Chika is still subject to cutback while wielding Yabureta Yume, and is unable to benefit as though her Bakkōtō had been released, preventing the Life Force to Reiatsu Strength transfer, among other beneficial effects. In return however, releasing this stage costs no Reiatsu or Life Force in order to do, seeing as it's simply giving up a stage of release for little combative effect.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko had felt different ever since returning from his Las Noches survival game. There was no doubt that his time away from Soul Society had changed him in a number of ways. He had experienced and seen some horrible things...

First; he had received actualization in his beliefs. He had been called a fool for believing that the denizens of Hueco Mundo could be connected with him. But he knew now, even if he needed to keep it a secret or be branded a traitor, that they could. And that new knowledge brought with it a renewed desire to find peace.

Secondly, during his time he also learned of his weakness. Kazuhiko had found it nearly impossible to fight for himself. He hadn't once lifted his blade against a pursuing hollow on the other side. He had engaged in combat with the Arrancar. But even then, his first act was one of kindness and compassion rather than aggression. A decision that had left him on his knees, screaming in agony. He didn't recall how long it had been... Only that something in his heart had shifted.

Kazuhiko emerged from the Fourth Squad barracks as he considered the last thing that had changed about him. He rolled his right arm inside his sleeve. He had gained a great deal of power. And it still felt alien to him. His right arm had returned to him, this time in the form of a great, golden limb. It was metal in material, but it pulsed with the warmth of his reiatsu just like a regular human limb.

It was this last thing that had made him eager to accept his peer, Hirabayashi Chika's invitation over to the Sixth Squad training grounds. If he was ever going to change the world, then he would need to learn how to weild this new power. And he would need to learn how to fight for himself. 'That, or carry around a small child to endanger every time I need to get serious...' He smiled wryly at the thought.

It didn't take long for Kazuhiko to reach the Sixth Division's training grounds. Partly because he had jogged the whole way there. A more responsible person would have called it a warm up. But the truth of the matter was that he was simply excited. Chika was an especially likeable girl. Their personalities and enthusiasm resonated with one another. He wanted to know more about her! And Fuuko had always sworn that the best way to know someone was to get into a scrap with them. Though, Fuuko also seemed to think that alcohol went better with breakfast than milk...

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kazuhiko}

Kazuhiko certainly didn't look like much. He was only five foot two and there was no way he weighed more than one hundred and twenty pounds. His blonde hair looked like he'd just rolled out of bed. His brilliant blue eyes were hidden behind a pair of glasses that made him look more like a scholar than a soldier. But then...He was wearing the garb of a Shinigami.

However, even this military uniform did very little to help him look intimidating. It was oversized, making him seem even more childish. His sleeves fully covered up his arms and hands and came down past his hips, like that of a Chinese ghost.

Further, the color of his shihakusho was inversed. His robes were white while the inner garments were black. But lastly, he carried no Zanpaktou. The signature weapon of the shinigami was completely absent from his person. Fitting in a way, that the boy who sought nothing more than peace, carried no way to wage war. Or at least it would seem that way to those unfamiliar with his strange Shikai.

"Good Morning!!" He called out enthusiastically as he approached. His left arm came up, bringing with it his overlong sleeve! The bump of his hand was visible within as he waved back and forth to those present. Though it might have only been Chika.

The last thing worth noting about Kazuhiko Satoshi was the strange effect he'd had on those around him ever since returning to Soul Society. Anyone who got within fifty feet of him would be graced with a small amount of healing. It was nothing that would be valuable in battle. But that crick in your neck wouldn't hurt. Or perhaps that bad mood you were in would feel just a bit less morose. Or more importantly, as the denizens of Hueco Mundo had learned... You would feel just a bit less hungry.

[Chika Hirabayashi]

Hearing the gentle echo carry throughout the squad, Chika lowered her blade and immediately turned her attention toward the visitor. Beaming with a smile, Chika sheathed her weapon and proceeded to trot on over. It seemed that her invitation had found its way to Kazuhiko. She was glad! Like she'd been telling herself, today was going to be a good day.

As she'd spent the last couple of months within the Sixth Squad's barracks at this point, a large majority of her squad had gotten used to Chika's antics rather quickly. While she was around, there was never really a time for quiet. It was because of her that when Kazuhiko went to wave and call out to her squadmates still within the training grounds, there wasn't a sour look on anyone's face. Most everyone either returned the wave, gave a smile back to the young Shinigami, or some mix of the two. All-in-all, the Sixth division remained a rather welcoming place.

"It's really great to see you again!" She cheered, moving around him at a rather fast pace, "nothing's bothering you right? You're not hurt or anything? We've gotta make sure you're in tip-top shape if we're gonna be doin' this today!" Anyone that got a good look at the foxgirl would be able to notice immediately that her tail had been swaying back and forth almost as fast as she circled around Kazu. Her eyes darted all over the place, her attention switching between minute details about the Shinigami like a dog meeting someone new.

Pausing for a moment, and taking an opportunity to back off from Kazuhiko, Chika cleared her throat. She wanted to give him the opportunity to at the very least respond to what she had to say before anything else. After giving him that time, she'd go into her next point post-haste. "Wait you know why I sent you that invitation right?...Where's your sword?" A little bit of a disappointed look plastered across the girl's face. She certainly wasn't devastated or anything, but truth be told the girl had very little idea just what had been going on with Kazuhiko's Zanpakutō.

Did he leave it back in Fourth Squad? She thought to herself, placing a finger to her chin. Unfortunately the girl had very little idea that there were Shinigami that could keep their release active at all times; a permanent-release, as some would call it. Perhaps Kazu was like that? She hadn't known, nor was she going to pry any more on the matter. All that mattered now was that he was here! And, hopefully ready for a friendly spar!

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"My my my. So welcoming!" He couldn't help but smile as the denizens of squad six returned his greeting. While the fourth squad was also quite welcoming, their way of showing it was often a bit quirkier. Iroka was as bright as the midday sun. But Fuuko had a tendency to be abrasive. And Gestalt... Come to think of it, he hadn't seen Gestalt in quite some time. Beyond that, they hadn't a Captain to enforce any sort of etiquette. Frankly, the uniformity was welcome and filled the boy with a sense of warmth!

If the members of squad six were cheerful, then Chika was downright elated! She was upon him quickly. Not just in front of him, but around him. She examined every angle of his oversized robes. And her enthusiasm was infectious, causing the smile already on Kazuhiko's lips to widen and become a full-on grin. He didn't bother following her with his eyes as she bounced around him... Partially because he didn't need to. He was constantly aware of her position. His eyes frankly provided -less- information.

"Ha ha! I appreciate your concern! Isn't it normally my squad who concerns themselves with the health of others?" He lifted up one overlong sleeve and gave her a thumbs up. It was little more than a little bump beneath all the fabric, but it was clear enough! It was kind of her to be worried about him. He appreciated it! This is precisely why he decided not to burden her with some of the uncomfortable truth regarding his condition. It would come out eventually... Satoshi Kazuhiko was a medic without the ability to heal. He'd lost that capability after his battle in the deserts of Hueco Mundo...

Luckily, Chika moved on quickly enough. She cleared her throat and moved on to the next point of business. The reason she'd invited him here. Training. The thumbs up he'd offered her slowly moved up to the back of his head as he observed her disappointment. "About my sword." It had been gone ever since he'd tried to draw it against Lagos... "I haven't got one." He bashfully rubbed at the back of his head and offered a small laugh.

"Or at least... Not like you're used to seeing." That same hand moved over to his right arm. It was still strange... Having that sleeve filled. His prosthetic like Shikai hung from his shoulder, hidden and unmoving. But he could feel the warmth of the Reiatsu radiating through it even through the fabric of his shihakusho.

He patted the arm through the fabric which resulted in a dull, metallic sound. Like knocking on a stovetop. "It's right here!" His zanpakuto should have turned back. It should have become that uselessly large sword. Like everyone else's. But for some reason, his was different. Even after passing out in the desert, it had stayed in this form. As he understood it, it was because of his unnatural spiritual pressure combined with his inability to control it.

[Chika Hirabayashi]

"Well, of course~!" She spoke excitedly, giving the Shinigami a wide smile all the while, "you're been through a lot from what I've heard! I'm pretty sure I don't have all the facts, but that's okay! I'm not gonna pry or anything. In time I wouldn't mind hearing your story, though~!" In truth, she was incredibly interested in learning what she could. Those kinds of stories always fascinated her!

In time, though. This wasn't the place to have such a conversation, and it wasn't one that she wanted to spend the majority of the day having. Instead, she wanted to do what she could to help him polish up a few of his fighting capabilities! That, n' see just what it was he could do! After all, if the rumors were to be believed, he'd encountered some pretty high-up opponents within Las Noches. Lord, how Chika was envious. Surely that meant that Kazuhiko had to have been strong as well! She just had to find out!

As she asked about his Zanpakutō, and he subsequently explained that his wasn't like others, Chika cocked her head. Just what had he meant like that? Perhaps the two of them were kindred spirits? It was quite difficult to say, all things considered. She still didn't know a lot about him; she hoped that was going to change in the future. After all, having a friend like Kazuhiko would've been awesome!

As he tapped his arm, and as the resounding 'clang' echoed through the air, Chika's ears perked up. Was his arm made of metal? Was that his Zanpakutō? She'd never heard of anything like that! Gods, that was so, so cool! "Whoa!" She exclaimed, "your arm is your Zanpakutō?? That's... I've never seen that before!" She struggled to put together words for the time. Such was so out of the ordinary for her! Surely he knew somewhat how to use it?

"Well, I'm glad to hear you're rarin' to go in that case~!" Cheerfully, she put a bit of distance between the two of them. Truth be told, she was quite eager to begin! Nothing got the girl more excited than a good spar, after all. "So~! First n' foremost, I want you to come straight for me! Use whatever kinda means you feel might be necessary, but I wanna see what you can do, oki~? N' don't worry about me; as the bearer of the Starcursed Brand, I'm sure I can take whatever kinda punishment you can dish out!" With a playful wink, Chika drew her sword.

Taking a deep breath, she pointed the tip of her blade forward. A small, vibrant sheen radiated from the starlight blade as she channeled her reiatsu into the parasitic weapon. "Fight for a brighter future, Yabureta Yume!" As she finished speaking, her weapon seemed to contort and condense in on itself, before releasing a burst of spiritual energy like that of a collapsing star. Instead of damage, however, this explosion gave way to a new weapon; the girl's "Shikai".

Gripping the shaft of her naginata, and pointing the edge of the blade toward the ground, Chika took a moment to rest on her back foot to ground her stance. Eyeing down Kazuhiko, she gave him a friendly smile. With her smile, a faded ring of violet took shape behind her, softly radiating the same spiritual energy she'd just let out before. "Whenever you're ready," she cheered, "I'd love to see what you can do~!"

Stage 4 Duration: 1/5

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool & Resources}
Reiatsu: 3,850/4,050
-200 for Bakkōtō Stage 4 release.

Essence of Dreams: 0/600
Fragments of Heaven: 0/12

SPOILER: Click to show

{Overall Ability: Cyclic Fantasies}
As with all Bakkōtō, Yabureta Yume naturally has its own set of unique abilities. Staying true to its namesake, Yabureta Yume is a Bakkōtō that specializes in the concept of "dreams". This doesn't wholly relate to dreams in regards to sleeping, but also dreams as in hopes, and plans for the future. In a sense, ability is partially attributed to time manipulation and reality warping, though on a rather small scale. Most everything Yabureta Yume does is not capable of affecting an area, and even those that do are still quite localized for the most part.

Upon releasing Yabureta Yume's Level Six or higher, an intangible "wheel" of sorts will appear behind Chika, keeping track of two separate resources; Essence of Dreams, and Fragments of Heaven. Up to six hundred Essence of Dreams can be stored at once, and up to twelve Fragments of Heaven can be stored at once. For every fifty Essence of Dreams that Chika builds, she'll be given one Fragment of Heaven. Should she spend that fifty Essence of Dreams, she will not lose her Fragments of Heaven unless she spends them; they're earned alongside one another, but don't decrease together.

Unlike most alternate resource systems, Cyclic Fantasies has a very visual tell, allowing opponents to figure out just what they're dealing with. The wheel that appears behind Chika is a perfect circle, and without any Essence of Dreams takes on a faded purple coloration. This wheel appears almost like little beads, with larger gaps in each segment of the circle where one would expect the numbers on a clock; this is where Chika's Fragments of Heaven rest as she gains them. When earned, these otherwise empty spots will fill with larger, purple orbs, similar to the beadlike orbs that make up Cyclic Fantasies but more describable as actual "orbs". These larger orbs will stay glowing until spent, at which they'll fade completely, as opposed to simply darkening when Essence of Dreams are spent. Both resources will fill in a clockwise pattern as Chika builds them.

While they don't come with any unique effects on their own, both Essence of Dreams and Fragments of Heaven affect the remainder of Chika's release abilities. At any point, Chika is capable of spending Reiatsu or Life Force in order to generate Essence of Dreams. Every one point of Reiatsu will net one Essence of Dreams, whereas every one Life Force will net three.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko couldn't help but continue to grin at Chika's enthusiasm. It was a welcome break from the dour, grey world he had only just barely escaped from. A world he'd been trapped in and tormented by. "Oh! It wasn't too interesting." He downplayed the experience, his smile stuttering for only a moment. He still visited that place in his dreams every night. He'd escaped... And yet, it felt like that world had somehow come with him. "Haha, I'll have to tell you about it some time then. I met some very interesting people!" He suddenly blurted out in an attempt to escape from those invasive, dark inner thoughts.

"It's neat, right?! It still feels funny having two arms!" It was a curious statement, but he was confident it would capture her attention. Her erratic, bouncy energy made shifting topics easier. And Chika's interest shifting to his Zanpakuto would be a welcome diversion. He silently apologized for taking advantage of that for his comfort... He'd have to make it up to her sometime. Perhaps by genuinely giving her the story she sought.

"Yosh!" He gave her a reaffirming cheer to let her know that he was, in fact, rarin' to go as she put it. His arm was still a strange thing to him. And if he was going to fulfill his promise to Hyakujuunoou, then he was going to need to learn how to fight. Not for Soul Society, or his sister, or the world. But for himself. He understood now that his own life was worth defending. After all, if he didn't protect it, how could he sacrifice it for those in need?

He listened to Chika's instructions and introduction. "Starcursed Brand?" He repeated the name of her weapon as he watched her draw it. "Yabai!!! [Cool!!!] So hard-boiled!" Beast King wasn't bad... But Starcursed Brand was so edgy! It sounded like something out of a manga! He wondered if Hyakujuunoou would get mad at him if he renamed it? Maybe something like Dragon Slaying Doomfist! His grin grew ever wider until Chika mentioned taking whatever punishment he could dish out.

"Oh? Okay! I'm not worried. I can't hurt you!" He threw that metal right hand forward and gave her a big thumbs up! It was a curious statement. But it was made with as much sincerity as was humanly possible! He hadn't learned a lot about his new ally. But he had learned that he couldn't do harm to the physical world with it. It had even been difficult to use it to tear apart the sheets that he'd been tangled in within Marik's pit. Admittedly, he hadn't tried punching them...

Chika called out to her Zanpakuto and he watched as it transformed. Released! Something that his arm couldn't do. Another mystery. It had once been a stupidly large sword. So large and so blunted that it was practically useless. But ever since his fight with Lagos it had become his prosthetic arm. And even when he'd fallen unconscious it had stayed out. Part of him was thankful since he wouldn't know how to get it back if it -had- gone away... But then, maybe he'd get a cool callout phrase too! Like "Roar!" Yeah! That'd be the one!

"Sugoi!! [Amazing!!]" He couldn't help but admire her weapon again. It had a cool name! And it was a great bladed polearm! Unlike his weapon, hers was well suited to keeping opponents at a range. She took on her stance and gave him a smile. And then a moment later a ring of violet energy formed near her back. There was something godly about her appearance. Like someone from ancient Japanese myhtology!

With his admiration behind him, Kazuhiko gave Chika a polite, respectful bow. He enveloped his right fist in the palm of his left hand. "Thank you for helping me learn more about myself Chika-chan! I'll do my best!" He stood up, pushed his glasses a bit further up his nose, and then gave one more enthusiastic shout! "Yosh!" Before taking on his own stance.

His human arm, his left arm, cocked up by his face. His balled fist clutched next to his chin. His elbow was tucked tight against his abdomen. His posture slumped slightly as if he was hiding behind that fist. His right arm however came across his mid-section, in front of his body. And rather than having his fists up in front of him, it was his right shoulder that he led with. That arm gently swung left and right, rocking as if it were pushing a cradle!

The differences in their weapon range meant that Chika would have the initiative until he was able to get inside her guard. That meant there was only one thing he could do!

"Here I come!" He called out before tucking his body and charging in! His weapons were tucked behind his body in a clearly defensive stance! But he was still charging! How curious? And even more curious, once he got within a certain range of her (40 meters, for those keeping scores at home), those blue eyes shut closed! He might have learned that he needed to defend himself. But he hadn't yet learned how not to sacrifice himself for a goal. Even if that goal, ironically, was protecting himself!

Stats

SPOILER: Click to show

{stats}Stats: Before Type|After Type

Strength: 100

Speed: 200

Riatsu Strength: 25

Spiritual Pressure: 400/600

Instinct: 300

Senses: 25

Energy Sense: 50

Light Aura: 100

Dark Aura: 0

Healing Expertise: 0

Skills 15/15

Abilities
Strength of Will: 1

Lack of Fear: 1

Battle Analysis: 2

Martial Arts: Boxing: 2

Pain Tolerence: 1

Bleeding Tolerence: 1

Damage Recovery: 2

Charisma/Leadership: 2

Hoho: 2

Cinematic Skills:

Knowledge: Medicine
Knowledge: Survival

[Chika Hirabayashi]

Chika nodded her head with a smile. She could only imagine just what that must've felt like! Especially if his lack of an arm was something that had occurred from birth, and not from accident. Still, though! She was glad to hear that his Zanpakutō had been nothing if not accommodating for his situation. Certainly an interesting situation for sure. It certainly wasn't something that she'd heard of!

Regardless, she maintained her smile as the girl set herself up, and spoke about the spar to come with Kazuhiko. A triumphant grin rose to her cheeks as he'd mentioned her 'condition', and she nodded her head rigorously. "Yep yep!" she exclaimed, holding up her bandaged arm, "underneath these wrappings is the Starcursed Brand; a mark said to originate on someone once every twenty millennia! It's a mark that decides its bearer from birth; I just so happened to be the next exalted bearer~!" Her smug grin never once came close to fading.

If nothing else, she enjoyed sharing her story. She very much enjoyed when others asked about the Brand, about her, and really just anything pertaining to her life! Not necessarily in some narcissistic fashion or anything like that, but more so because she simply enjoyed seeing the reactions of others when she spoke. Sometimes it was positive, and occasionally it ended up being negative. Regardless of how others felt about her though, she was going to stop at nothing to try to get along with as many folks as she could! Kazuhiko was no exception.

Though, while he spoke, there was a rather interesting choice of words that he'd decided upon. "Pfft," Chika started, "I'm sure you'll have no problem doing some damage! I can certainly take a beating - the Starcursed Brand helps to make sure of that - but I'm by no means invincible!" At least, no matter how much she wished that she was. More than anything, she wished that she had the capabilities of someone like Captain Celes; someone that could seemingly take a beating forever without any real worry as to what might've happened otherwise to protect those she cared for.

As she carried through with releasing her weapon, taking up her stance, and speaking what she did toward Kazuhiko, she chuckled back as he thanked her. "No need for a thank you," she spoke, "just promise me that you'll pay it forward if you've the opportunity!" Giving another friendly smile, she sought to lean back into a serious mindset. After all, this was for both of them to take somewhat seriously! At least, as serious as they could muster.

As Kazu made note of his engagement, Chika chuckled to herself. Certainly an interesting plan, that was certain. Regardless, this was going to be exciting! Shouting toward the Shinigami in front of her, Chika allowed her reiatsu to flare ever so slightly. "I swear to you, Kazuhiko, I will teach you how to fight~!" As her words finished, a small but noticeable glittery shine radiated from the head of her polearm before fading after a short moment. She'd made an oath; one that she fully intended to keep.

Though, she'd noticed something quite interesting about his approach; Kazuhiko had opted into closing his eyes. Surely there had to be a reason for something like that? It was quite difficult to say, but if nothing else she found it incredibly interesting. She wanted to see if she couldn't figure out just what his reasoning behind that was. As such, she immediately broke into a sprint, looking to close the distance, much as he had sought to do.

After she managed to reach her top speed, she decided to dial it back just a bit, simply giving herself that head-start instead of maintaining her full capabilities the entire time. Such would've been exhausting! The girl's goal was to get within very close range of Kazuhiko; more accurately, within ten feet in front of him. Assuming that all had gone well, and she'd be able to close the distance, she'd look to make her first attack against him.

Instead of using the bladed edge of her Bakkōtō, Chika spun the weapon for a moment to hit the Shinigami's closest leg with a sweep, keeping her body low enough to the ground during the process. Naturally she wasn't going to be able to get directly on the ground, but if he was going to close his eyes, she was going to do what she could to keep herself in the least conventional positions possible! Surely he'd have a way to react to such movements? After all, she wasn't notably faster than him.

Yabureta Yume Stage 4: 2/5

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool & Resources}
Reiatsu: 3,850/4,050

Essence of Dreams: 30/600
+30 from Keeping an Oath; attack made against Kazuhiko.
Fragments of Heaven: 0/11
-1 Maximum for Establishing an Oath.
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Current Oaths:
"I swear to you, Kazuhiko, I will teach you how to fight~!"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Level 4: Transcendent Oathkeeper}
Upon unlocking Level Four, Chika has reached a point at which she'll use Yabureta Yume's abilities more frequently. Serving as her Shikai guise, Transcendent Oathkeeper's activation is usually preceded by a fake Shikai callout; "Fight for a brighter future, Yabureta Yume!" As one can expect from something masquerading as a Shikai, Transcendent Oathkeeper comes with a change in form. Now appearing as a naginata of sorts, Yabureta Yume utilizes the girls' skill in Katana in order to determine her proficiency with this new form. Additionally, the amount of Essence of Dreams earned from landing a strike is increased by 10, totaling to 30 Essence of Dreams per hit.

Upon activating this stage, Transcendent Oathkeeper allows Chika to draw upon her hopes for the future by making an oath to motivate her and bolster her chances of attaining the desired outcome. By locking down a Fragment of Heaven per Oath she makes, spending said Fragment and reducing her maximum number by 1 while an Oath is active, she is able to declare a statement aloud, binding her fate to that potential future. Examples of Oaths include "I swear to you, I will protect you!" or "I swear to my friends in Soul Society, I will return home!" Any action taken to progress toward such an outcome will automatically grant Chika Essence of Dreams as though she had landed a strike against a foe.

Naturally, there are some stipulations as to what counts as an Oath. For starters, every Oath that Chika makes must be shouted aloud, and follow the same format; "I swear to XXXX, I will XXXX!" While the desired outcome is fairly open-ended, she is incapable of swearing to herself, and those she does swear to needs to make sense situationally. This means she cannot swear to some random, unrelated individual while defending Soul Society. If there is nobody that situationally makes sense for her to swear to, she cannot make an Oath. Up to twelve Oaths can be maintained at once, but each Oath maintained will eat away at her Fragments of Heaven, so it might not be wise to do so. If four separate Oaths would grant their Essence of Dreams at the exact same time, Chika can instead elect to gain a Fragment of Heaven instead.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Chika seemed to belong to some sort of legacy. He'd never heard of something like a Starcursed Brand, but perhaps some of his superiors had more insight on that. Or maybe Iroka. She was pretty clever. He was confident that if he asked Fuuko she would make a vulgar joke and tell him not to worry so much about nerd stuff. But was it nerdy that he thought her declared oath was so darn cool!? ...Maybe.

He had fought so much over the last few months. But so few of those fights had been friendly. This felt more like exercise than a battle to the death. Like play. It made his heart light. The thought made him grin as he closed on Chika! But as soon as the two of them had closed in on one another that grin twitched and his brows knit tightly. He gasped as if glimpsing a particularly beautiful sunrise. Though his eyes remained closed!

He found himself overwhelmed by sensation as Chika came within the field of his sixth sense. He could feel everything about her suddenly. It was jarring. He could see her... The fabric of her attire. The hardness of her weapon. The sharpness of its blade. But it was more intimate than that. He could -feel- her. The soft warmth of her cheek. The flutter of her eyelashes as she blinked. The beat of her heart. It was too much and too fast! When this had happened with Lagos his instincts had taken over! He hadn't had time to ponder it... But he recalled it had made him blush than as well.

He also felt the harsh knock of metal on bone the base of Chika's Naginata clacked against his shin! "Uwaaaa!!!" The strike interrupted his momentum and redirected it! With no base on the ground, he was sent into a tumble past Chika! His ankle throbbed! But this sensation was so much less intense than all of the stimulus he was receiving from being near Chika. It was like seeing a rainbow for the first time. And the longer he was exposed to it, the more he was beginning to understand it.

He could feel himself as well! Turning in the air like a crash test dummy. He could visualize his whole body in a way that was typically impossible without a mirror. Time felt dilated as he turned in the air. It wasn't. But his instincts, his ability to process was so much greater than they had been before his attempt to clean up the North 80th district of Rukongai. Exposure to the speed of the Ninth Arrancar made regular speeds somehow seem dull, even if he wasn't capable of achieving them himself. This sort of spatial awareness was... Amazing!

He swung his right fist out in mid-air! That golden arm glowed a radiant white, making him look like an especially clumsy firefly! It might have looked like incidental flailing to the spectators of Chika's squad. But it was done with intent and intelligence that was far beyond what one might have expected of the boy from the Fourth. It wasn't a flail! But a blow! However, if it struck Chika she would feel something far different than her expectations.

He'd told her before the fight that he couldn't hurt her. It hadn't been a lie or a cool declaration like hers. His right arm, Hyakujuunoou couldn't harm people. But instead, she would feel a blast of cold wind surging forth from the knuckles of the alien looking prosthetic. Supernatural and chillingly cold! As if she'd walked over someone's grave. It was the feeling of Kazuhiko's unique reiatsu surging through her like a gale, and blowing her own Reiatsu out of her!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Hyakujuunoou}Overall Ability: Kazuhiko has a permanent release due to his overwhelming spiritual pressure. He is unable to return his Shikai to Asauchi once it has been released. Kazuhiko's Shikai is constantly expelling reiatsu. This reiatsu is positive in nature and has a -very- slight healing effect. It very slightly makes those around him feel better. A crick in the neck stops bothering you. An ache doesn't throb. And your day seems just a bit brighter. All of Kazuhiko's Zanpaktou abilities involve his unusual amount of Spiritual Pressure and expulsion.


Shikai Overall Ability: Hyakujuunoou acts as Kazuhiko's missing arm. Being that it is a part of his soul, it reacts as fast (or faster) than his normal mortal arm. Hyakujuunoou has the ability to expel raw positive reiatsu into the world. Much like the Sanrei Glove which can expel a soul from a body, Hyakujuunoou can expel Reiatsu from those it strikes. But in exchange, it cannot inflict wounds. A blow from Hyakujuunoou deals no material or physical damage. Instead, it strikes at the opponent's reiatsu!

This ability reduces the opponent's ability to hold reiatsu. Should their capacity become 0, they are knocked unconscious. The components within the fist and channels along the arm glow with radiant white Reiatsu. Contact does not necessarily need to be made with a person's body for this effect to occur. All that need happen is that the Hyakujuunoou connects with something attached to their soul. Instances such as striking a Zanpaktou, which is an extension of the user's soul. For instance, a thrown weapon that is still connected by Reiatsu strings can channel this effect back to the user.

By the same principle, it can also potentially defuse the abilities of their reiatsu-based properties. For instance, successful implementation would cause a Reiatsu-infused slash would lose the properties that the reiatsu gave it, normalizing it. Whereas a blast of cutting reiatsu would clash and be dispersed provided its class is not of the appropriate level to overpower it.

Lastly, Kazuhiko's Reiatsu is impossible to keep inside his body, becoming a sphere of influence equal to a 50 foot radius centered upon himself. This is the same leak of reiatsu that makes it impossible for him to hide his presence. Kazuhiko is in tune with this zone of spiritual pressure, allowing him to sense disturbances within it. This utilizes his Spiritual Pressure stat as Sensory when something exists within this field.

Mechanics: Touches from Kazuhiko's Shikai reduce the target's reiatsu capacity based on the class of his release. At class 4 it deals 15% or a flat 300, whichever is higher(this effect is limited to once per post). At class 3 it becomes 20%/350. At 2 25%/400. And At Class 1 it becomes 30%/500.

Further, striking a Reiatsu-based ability can nullify it if the cost paid is less than the flat amount drained by his shikai. Double that if weaker, or half of it if higher. If the attack is not completely nullified, it is weakened instead. This does not effect the physical component of the attack. For instance, if a rock is fired with Reiatsu, touching it will not suddenly undo the kinetic force generated by Reiatsu.

Regardless of whether or not he connected, he would tumble head over heels with an "oof!" and an "eep!"! He would come to a stop on his belly and scurry back up to his feet! Spun about and surprised, one would expect the boy to search for Chika. But he didn't. He was immediately and confidently squared back up with her. After all, as long as she existed within his sphere of influence he knew -exactly- where she was. "Surreal!!!" He said to himself as he flexed his right hand.

[Chika Hirabayashi]

As the shaft of her weapon swung into Kazuhiko's legs, she noticed very quickly that her strike ended up connecting! She couldn't quite say that she was surprised given his eyes were closed. Which, why exactly were they closed? She'd need to ask on that; especially if it was going to distract him! She didn't want this to seem like some kind of one-sided beat down or anything!!

"Careful!" she exclaimed, drawing back just a bit, "I wouldn't keep your eyes closed in the middle of a fight if you could help it, Kazuhiko! Careful not to let your guard down~!" In a bit of a singsong voice, Chika did what she could to instruct in an encouraging manner. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel like she was trying to be nitpicky or anything along the lines.

Though, as he had taken the hit, and found himself creating a bit of distance between the two, she noticed that he'd thrown his arm out in a punch toward her. Ears immediately shooting upward, and quickly realizing that she wasn't going to be able to get out of the way nearly fast enough in order to escape whatever had been coming her way, Chika made immediate note of something washing over her.

Something... cold. Something that would've sent a chill down her spine from the residual feeling alone if it weren't for the literal chill shooting down her spine. Throwing up her spear in a sort of defensive maneuver for the time being, she furrowed her brow and looked forward toward Kazuhiko, who had just connected with the ground once again in a tumble. She couldn't quite explain why, but she felt... tired? Fatigued?

Now, it wasn't anything incredibly consuming or anything like that. It was more so just a creeping feeling that something had just happened. That she'd been sapped of her energy. And, while she couldn't quite explain it, she knew damned well that she wouldn't've wanted to be hit by something like that in a real combative scenario! Especially if it was going to exhaust her.

"What on earth was that?" She chuckled, keeping an eye on the young Shinigami, "that was quite the little effect you hit me with there! Got a name for it?" In truth, Chika loved learning about others' powers! It was why she named practically everything that her Bakkōtō gave to her, after all! Names made things more interesting, and thus fun to use while fighting! She hoped that Kazuhiko's abilities were no exception.

While softly waiting for an answer, the foxgirl spin her Bakkōtō around by the shaft for a quick moment, before pointing down to the side next to her. While not quite tapping the ground, a pylon of sorts manifested itself into existence, looking similar to that of a fox coated in starlight; something you'd see near a shrine, if said shrine was in deep space. For the moment, this totem was going to do nothing. If it lingered, however? Kazuhiko would've been in for quite the surprise!

Yabureta Yume Stage 3: 1/5

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool & Resources}
Reiatsu: 3,450/3,750
-200 for Bakkōtō Stage 3 release.
-200 for Reiatsu to Essence of Dreams.

Essence of Dreams: 240/600
+40 from Keeping an Oath; giving Kazuhiko a pointer on the fight.
+200 from Reiatsu.
Fragments of Heaven: 0/11
-1 Maximum for Establishing an Oath.
+4 from Reiatsu.
-4 from Wish Totem.
----------
Current Oaths:
"I swear to you, Kazuhiko, I will teach you how to fight~!"

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko watched Chika with curiosity glinting in his eyes. He'd never really hit someone with Hyakujuunoou! He wasn't sure how they'd react. Firstly, he was ecstatic that she truly wasn't hurt. He hadn't swung his fist with all of his force, heck, he was turning in the air at the time! But it was still a hunk of metal. Even with his meager body weight behind it, it should leave a bruise. But Chika didn't even wince! It hadn't hurt. But it had affected her. 'Yosh!' He thought. 'I can fight without abandon! Without fear of ever having to hurt anyone!'. He'd been decried for having such childish ambitions. But now they were real!

"Haha! M-maybe one day! It's still a bit overwhelming for me to fight well with my eyes open at this distance." He offered kindly to Chika. It was another curious statement. But for him, it made perfect sense. He could feel the dust in the air. Every particle. He could feel the squad six members who were standing too close. And he could still feel Chika. If his eyes were open he would be far too overwhelmed with sensation to focus on his opponent. Even with his eyes closed he'd been too distracted to avoid the strike that swept him off his feet! She was right. "I'll pay more attention, Hirabayashi-Senpai!"

"A name?" He chuckled at the thought. "I um... He's called Hyakujuunoou! [The Beast King]" He brought up his metal arm, briefly breaking his fighting pose. The act of flexing caused a sudden flux of white reiatsu to travel through the strange prosthetic. "That's his name!" He then used the hand of that same fist to cover his mouth for a faux whisper "I think it's a little pretentious and too hardboiled for a guy like me." The arm fluxed again and Kazuhiko resumed his fighting pose with a grin.

Chika had started to spin her weapon as he'd answered. By the time she was done, a strange-looking statue started to sprout from the Earth. A shimmering fox. "That's so pretty!" He couldn't help but admire the object. "What about that? Does that have a name? What's it do?" He asked a series of rapid-fire questions as he became overtaken by his curiosity.

Though his initial strategy involved getting too close to Chika for her to effectively use her long arm, he stayed in place. In truth, he wanted to run up and examine that strange statue, but his instincts told him that this too, was a part of Chika's Starcursed Brand Abilities. And so it gave him pause. He especially considered his inability to affect the material world... If it did prove a threat, he likely couldn't break it! He was certain his curiosity would be sated soon. He wasn't certain, however, that it would be a result of Chika spilling the beans. He might just have to suffer the effects of whatever that cute little fox was!

...Wait a minute. He hadn't really thought anything special of foxes before... There was something about the fox that spoke to him! That resonated deep inside his soul. Well... There was no point in complaining about a new favorite thing! This one -does- spark joy!

[Chika Hirabayashi]

Chika found herself chuckling from Kazuhiko's words. She hadn't expected the added honorifics given their situation; after all, she saw the two of them as equals! She didn't see herself as some sort of superior over him or anything of the like. "You're perfectly all right!" she exclaimed, repositioning herself, "though, we can certainly keep things casual between you and I~! There's no need for anything fancy!" Giving him another soft smile, she turned her attention back toward the wound that had been left upon her.

Quicker than she'd expected, the wound that had resulted on her shoulder quickly began to bruise. Weird, she hadn't even realized that it was that bad! Just what had he used on her that resulted in something like that? She'd wanted to ask about that. And so, she did exactly that! Upon getting her response from Kazuhiko, her eyes lit up like the night sky. "Hyakujuunoou?" She inquired, watching her 'opponent' with less than her full attention, "that's so cool!! I forget sometimes that Zanpakutō tend to have really, really cool names!" Practically bouncing with excitement, she was quickly enamored by the Shinigami's sword.

As Chika took the opportunity to manifest the statue she'd originally planned to, She pointed her lance toward the ground as necessary. Smiling to the younger Shinigami, Chika lowered her stance, giving Kazuhiko the opportunity to rest for just a moment. "Oh, this?" she asked, pointing to the statue that had been conjured forth not a moment earlier, "this little guy is a compiled manifestation of the hopes and dreams of all those that I've met thus far! Mostly from those in the Rukongai, but I'm sure there's a lotta folks here as well that help contribute to this! I like to just call these things 'wish totems', though!"

With another soft chuckle, Chika took a moment to quiet down. If Kazuhiko had been listening - or, more realistically, if he'd been paying attention at all given his newfound sensory capabilities - faint, excited voices could be heard coming from the fox. Not in the sense that the fox was talking, but more so that the fox was made of these chants and whispers! "It does have a purpose, though; and a pretty neat one at that!" As she finished talking, she pointed her naginata in Kazuhiko's general direction, but to his left.

As she did, a bright gleam resonated from the totem. Within a few short moments, a bolt of light shot from the fox in the direction the girl had been aiming; it was almost like a turret, of sorts! Without touching the young Shinigami, and instead flying into the sky, the bolt continued to travel with the same residual whispers that had come from the totem itself. Chika simply smiled all the while. "Makes a pretty good tool for keeping people's attention!" she cheered.

Yabureta Yume Duration: 2/5

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool & Resources}
Reiatsu: 3,450/3,750

Essence of Dreams: 240/600
--
Fragments of Heaven: 0/11
--
----------
Current Oaths:
"I swear to you, Kazuhiko, I will teach you how to fight~!"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Abilities Used}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Level 3: Wishes Unnumbered}
Level Three of Yabureta Yume comes with a few different effects, granting a fairly plentiful number of boons between her Shikai and Bankai guises. As per usual, the amount of Essence of Dreams earned from landing a strike is increased by 10, totaling to 40 Essence of Dreams per hit.

Activation of Chika's Level Three allows her to call upon the dreams of the masses, and manifest those wishes as a conglomerate of floating Wish Totems, giving the masses the opportunity to fight for their own dreams. These Wish Totems appear as starry manifestations, with twinkling lights similar to that of outer space; much like Yabureta Yume's Level Six. Creating a Wish Totem costs four Fragments of Heaven, and up to three Wish Totems can exist at any given time. These Wish Totems have a durability equal to double Chika's Spiritual Pressure, and a Class equal to Chika's highest active Bakkōtō Class for clashing. These Wish Totems last until they're destroyed. Once every three posts, starting three posts after they're created, a Wish Totem will fire a burst of energy toward one target, flying at 800 Speed and striking with Chika's Spiritual Pressure.

While seemingly underwhelming, these Wish Totems serve an additional, much stronger purpose. By expending 600 Reiatsu or Life Force and any amount of Essence of Dreams (in intervals of 200), Chika can call down a burst of sparkling, searing light five feet in diameter to strike a target, raining from the sky (or ceiling) at 1,600 speed. For every Wish Totem sacrificed alongside the activation of this strike, it will cost Chika 200 less Reiatsu or Life Force. Every 200 Essence of Dreams spent for the activation of this searing light will cause another explosive force of light to rain down from the sky at the same speed and power backing it, further supporting the drive of the masses to clear through any obstacle needed for securing a better future.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"Chika then!" He acquiesced to Chika's request to keep things casual. Unlike his sister, who would sooner refer to someone by pejorative before honorific; Kazuhiko defaulted to formalities when addressing his peers. This was especially true when it came to his superior officers. But it had even been true of the man that had kidnapped him, or the Arrancar who had held him prisoner in his quartz tree. He had always been smaller than just about everyone he'd met. It had been a form of conflict avoidance that had evolved over time into a convenient and polite ritual. Such a good boy.

"You really think so?" He laughed as his cheeks began to redden with a blush. He thought it was a little silly... But if Chika thought it was cool, maybe it was!

Chika then began to explain the little statue that she had created. The cute, star-glittered fox. Though when she explained what it was, his eyes lit up brighter than the night sky it emulated! "Sugooooooi!!! [Amazing!!!]" He clapped his hands together excitedly. Now THAT! Was cool! He could even hear the whispers of excitement coming from the little statue! These were the hopes and dreams of everyone Chika had met? He knit his brow as he tried to hone in on the voices... And what he discovered was stranger than he'd anticipated. The voices weren't coming out of the statue... But rather they had merged together to create the statue itself. A coalescence of hope!

His eyes went wide as he felt the air between him and the statue begin to move! And a moment later a bolt of light zipped past him! He flinched! But it had been far too late. Had it been meant to hit him it would have! It brought his attention right back to Chika, just as she narrated with her words. "Haha... So it does!" He worried a bit on his lower lip as he imagined a scenario where he did indeed get hit... Would he jolt off the ground, electrified? Would Chika be able to see his skeleton? Scary!!

He then considered a scenario in which he used Hyakujuunoou to shatter the tiny whisper-fox! He could reach it from here, and it was immobile. He was certain if he hit it, it would shatter! But then... Would he be destroying the hopes and dreams of people who were depending on Chika? No! That statue was precious and he would have to protect it! He nodded confidently. Even if it was an enemy, he could never do something that crushed the dreams of others!

Aside from the statue, he was beginning to realize something about their matchup. Chika seemed especially skilled at keeping people away... And Kazuhiko depended on getting not just within melee range, but within arms reach. Their match would be decided by who could keep their range better... And even then... The last time he had gotten close, he had lost out. He took a deep breath. Put up his fists. And closed his eyes. "O-Okay! I think I'm ready to continue Hirabayashi-sen, I mean Chika!" He stated.

[Chika Hirabayashi]

As the bolt of light slipped passed the Shinigami, and Chika made note of his reaction, she couldn't help but smile. She wasn't quite fully-sure what Kazuhiko had been capable of normally, given their rather minimal interactions all things considered, but she looked forward to seeing whether or not he felt he could dodge something like that. Perhaps he could? Only time would tell.

Regardless of the fact, it seemed that he was preparing for a "fight" once again. As he threw up his stance, and closed his eyes, the foxgirl found herself giggling once more. It seemed he was almost insistent on keeping his eyes closed. Ah, well; surely there was a good reason for it! She wouldn't hold it against him if that was how he wanted to get used to fighting someone. As he called out that he was ready, Chika nodded her head. "All right, hope you are 'cuz here I come!"

Finishing her words, Chika ran forward at a rather casual speed of 150; enough to still be quite quick to someone that was otherwise untrained, but not fast enough to make a distinct difference against her "foe". As she closed the distance, she went for a rather similar strike against the Shinigami; another sweep toward his legs with the blunt-end of her weapon. She wondered if he'd end up falling for the same strike once more. Similarly, she'd put her full strength behind it, though still moved at a speed of 150.

In truth, Chika had been enjoying herself quite a bit. It was always fun seeing how a new combatant went about themselves in a conflict! Her situation with Kazuhiko was no different; especially considering that he was physically incapable of dealing any kinds of damage to her. Though, one thing was for sure; that 'purge' effect that she'd utilized against him was rather nasty. Though, she was certainly excited to see how it worked! He still hadn't said much to her about it. Perhaps she'd ask? Soon, for sure! For the time being though, she wanted to see what he could do!

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Chika was en route after her warning. And Kazuhiko was waiting with eyes closed. He'd attempted this technique at the start of the fight... But it had overwhelmed him. There had been too much. He could -feel- too much. Not just the beating of her heart... It went far beyond the pounding of her footsteps or even the flutter of her eyelashes. He could feel the flow of blood in her veins. The contracting of her muscles. All of this had been too much for him to take in upon their first clash. He had touched the stove to tell if it was hot rather than simply lofting his hand above the burner.

Kazuhiko drew in a deep breath through his nose. The slow inhale flowed through him like a relaxing spring breeze. It was a cold comfort that filled his veins as the chill of spiritual energy replaced the heat of his over-excited blood. Chika called that she was on her way, but if he heard her didn't respond in the slightest. Still, but for a subtle stirring of reiatsu that caused his messy bangs to blow across his brow. And he exhaled through pursed lips.

Darkness became something brighter. The world fell away from him. And only Chika remained. And he felt connected to her! He could read her! He could know her! He felt her intent before she even began her swing. The changes in her internal chemistry and the flexing of her muscles. The line of her attack became clear as her shoulders turned and her wrists braced! The weapon was cold in her hand. It lacked the moving pieces of her flesh and blood, making it easier to pinpoint but strangely less understood.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Rukongai Roll (Probationary Technique)}Technique Name: Beast King Boxing - The Rukongai Roll

Technique Class: 3

Technique Type: General Physical, Sensory

Usable By: All

Technique Element: N/A

Technique Cost: 100 Reiatsu a post.

Description: In order to use the Rukongai Roll the user must meet these qualifications at time of implementation:

Martial Skill >2
Sensory >450
Instinct >300

The user closes their eyes, blocking out this very important sense in order to harmonize with the opponent. Because of this, the technique can only be used when the opponent is within 10 meters. This is expanded to 20 meters at 600 Sensory, 30 meters at 900 sensories, and 50 meters at 1200 sensory.

The user focuses on their senses and reads their opponent's movements in advance. The sound of their heartbeat. The contracting of their muscles. The subtle changes in their body chemistry are all notes used to predict the opponent's attacks.

While active, the user is able to add their Senses to their Speed for the purposes of dodging attacks by opponents within their range. In the event that they are unable to dodge, they are able to add their instinct to their strength for the purpose of suffering the hit. This is because they are slipping the attack and moving with it, rather than against it.

How to Use: The Rukongai Roll is a defensive form that utilizes advanced sensory and instinct to allow the user to defend themself against an opponent once in close. This technique utilizes footwork and body movement to steal the momentum and threat away from an opponent's attacks by harmonizing with them.

In order to use the Rukongai Roll, the user must close off one of their most important senses. Their eyes. However, with enough sensory and fighting knowledge, they are able to read their opponent and react before their opponent strikes. This form is not the same as dodging, but rather slipping attacks. An attack that lands can be rendered completely harmless. But in the event that it isn't, its impact is mitigated by going with the flow of the attack and potentially leaving the opponent open for a bad trade!

This stance is very specific and identifiable. The user stands with their lead arm in front of their torso, in the center of their abdomen. Their off-hand stays up by their face. And lastly, their lead shoulder is tucked with a lean, serving as another barrier point.

Drawbacks: The user must close their eyes to avoid sensory overload. The user must pay 100 Reiatsu a post. This technique also has an identifiable stance.

Reserved?: Yes, Satoshi Kazuhiko.

Made By: Sucker Punch

Chika's swing came in on target, with impeccable accuracy and strength. It was a near-precise replication of the last time she'd used it... And he quietly thanked her for this. She was trying to help him get used to his strange new abilities. She'd identified the slip-up he'd made the first time and was giving him a return attempt. She'd promised to teach him how to fight, and she was staying true to her word!

The spear seemed to make contact with his ankle. His foot swept out. His hips turned. But with enough attention, Chika would be able to note that there was no *crack* as there had been last time. The feedback of her strike wouldn't roll up the length of her naginata. Kazuhiko's body had moved in perfect harmony with her attack. Rolling his body with it, rather than resisting it. And at the end of its arc, it would slip off of his body! None of the strength she'd put into the blow would be transferred to him, instead forcing her body to deal with the physical consequences of whiffing her attack!

At the same time, his right shoulder would lift, flicking his metallic arm outward. His elbow extended, whipping the back of his fist toward Chika in a strange arc! It was fast enough to be notable, but not impressive, at a speed of 200. Yet the whip-like blow would be strangely difficult to dodge! It was an attack made not just with his knowledge of martial arts, but knowledge of where Chika would dodge before her body truly began to move! Betrayed by things as simple as the delivery of oxygen to her muscles! It was a blow that led its target with such strange insight that it might lead a victim to believe Kazuhiko could see the future!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Sucker Punch (Probationary Technique)}Technique Name: Beast King Boxing - Sucker Punch

Technique Class: 4

Technique Type: General Physical, Sensory

Usable By: All

Technique Element: N/A

Technique Cost: 200 Reiatsu

Description: In order to use Sucker Punch the user must meet these qualifications at the time of implementation:

Battle Analysis >2
Martial Skill >2
Sensory >450
Instinct >300

This technique is a punch using the intense predictive capabilities of high sensory and to preempt an opponent's dodge and throw an attack right in the path of the opponent's intended escape route, even before they've made it! If an opponent attempts to step tech, they will be surprised to find, after they have escaped, that the technique has still landed, as it occurred before the step was taken! This attack takes advantage of the predictive nature of step techs. If the opponent attempts to dodge, weave, or otherwise redirect the punch without a step tech, their speed is calculated at one-third of its value after type and boosts for the purposes of dodging.

This punch is thrown at the user's normal speed. It is not enhanced in any meaningful way. It is a punch made with the foresight gleaned from the advanced application of information gained from high-end sensory combined with the high-end deductive power of instinct.

How to Use: The Sucker Punch is a whip-like flicker jab thrown from the lead fist of the user. The odd-angled nature of the punch enables the user to curve it into the path of an opponent who is intent on swaying out of the way. This makes the blow more difficult to dodge, as it is aiming to land in a spot that the user's deductive reasoning knew the opponent would be in, rather than the spot they were in when the attack was thrown! This level of deductive prediction can appear to others as clairvoyance. But the reality is... He simply -knew- you would step to the right based on the tension in your muscles and the changes in your internal chemistry.

Drawbacks: This technique requires heavy stat and skill investment to pull off. Beyond that, a reiatsu cost of 100 is imposed on the punch to account for supernatural foresight. Lastly, this punch has no additional properties other than striking preemptive to step-techs and being difficult to dodge naturally. It does not have any additional power. And it may be blocked as normal.

This technique is also unable to be combined with other techniques at this stage. It requires intense focus to pull off.

Reserved?: Yes, Satoshi Kazuhiko.

Made By: Sucker Punch

If the attack landed Chika would find that like before, it didn't hurt. The only feeling she'd have to endure is the strange cold wind that chilled not only her skin, but her insides, as it blew through and past her. Another exit of Reiatsu and another reduction of the total amount of Reiatsu her body could maintain!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Resources}
Rukongai Roll - 100 per Post
Sucker Punch - 200
Total Reiatsu 5700/6000