ten_fwd | [ota] Putting the 'out' in working out

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[ota] Putting the 'out' in working out

Minoru was planning on working out in the holodeck, but as soon as they announced the ship was docking on Pacifica, he was on his way out. From the cargo bay if it got him there faster! He needed to be on a planet to absorb natural energy and he badly needed to recharge that seal.

Option A:
Unlike the last place the Enterprise docked, which was filled with mountains and exciting terrain to traverse, this wasn't all that interesting. He didn't like water and he certainly didn't like lounging around. But if anyone's up for exploring, Minoru is always happy to tag along. Perhaps a trip to the Submersible Research Institute would put him face to face with some sea snakes.

Option B.
The beaches are a lot more secluded at night - perfect for an after-dinner run or sparring session in the sand. As long as no one gets hurt, they won't get in trouble, right? Right.

Option C.
Minoru promised a few sparring matches, at least one of which would necessitate the holodeck. With natural energy flowing through his chakra pathways and a steady supply of it available until the ship takes off, he can use all his power without holding back!

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If Raiden knew he was sparring with Kaylin, there would be many questions being asked already. Instead, Raiden pauses just inside the doorway when he's greeted, giving Minoru a bow from the waist, one hand clasped gently over a loose fist in respectful greeting.

"Of course. I would not miss this." There's that strangely familiar smile, and Raiden's eyes glow a little brighter as he straightens again, walking over so he was beside Minoru.

"How would you like to begin?" They could certainly go straight to sparring with Jutsu, but they certainly had time with so many people planet-side taking demand off the holodecks. They could provide each other a demonstration, or try a match without using their abilities (which would be more difficult for Raiden, but do-able). Raiden had brought no expectations, just glad to be having the opportunity.

Minoru returned the bow, one hand making the seal of confrontation. It had been a long time since he'd used the formalities he learned at the Academy, but wanted to match Raiden's level of respect. (He already matched his good spirits!)

"I guess the real question is how much we like surprises."

He already knew that Raiden used lightning, and Raiden knew he used fire, but that was the extent of it. He'd never seen Minoru's Sage Mode, and Minoru didn't know what other skills Raiden likely had. Anyone who understands chakra could have a wide variety of incredible techniques at their disposal! So, whoever is that complacent with being surprised is either too naive to know better or skilled enough to handle it. With Minoru's easy-going demeanor and scruffy appearance, people often assume the former.

"And how do we end? When one of us says they concede?"

Raiden already figures that Minoru is hardly naive, again having a precedent, and not desiring to be caught underestimating his opponent. When Minoru asks how they shall end the match, Raiden gives a gentle huff of amusement.

"We might be better off with a timed match. The limit can be adjusted as needed after each round, depending on our state." Raiden was perhaps a bit too stubborn to be willing to concede without the place either being destroyed, or he was nearly unconscious. At least this way they would have an end-goal instead of a brawl, and while he didn't care if they kept any sort of 'points' for hits, at least the timer would force them to pause, take stock, and reset if they desired to continue.

As for the fight itself, he was all-in for starting off at full strength and getting right down to business.

Minoru could be stubborn as well, had large reserves of energy and often proved difficult to take down. But he was not above gracefully conceding a match when he had lost. He wondered how many rounds they would get through. That was a challenge in and of itself.

"Okay. Computer... Random program with exotic landscape. No other inhabitants. Three minutes and then stop." He looked to Raiden for approval. In theory, that should work. And since it wasn't one of the programs in his personal folder, he wouldn't have a home field advantage.

Raiden nods in agreement, curious to find out what strange world the computer selects for them.

He watches as the area around them shimmers briefly, and then a landscape takes form underfoot. A dry, craggy landscape of mostly sand and some large, brown boulders fill the space that had been previously empty. There's plenty of space for them to spar unimpeded, but the cover could provide some interesting turns in the situation.

"Timer has been set for three minutes. Please acknowledge start of countdown." The gentle voice from the computer intones. Raiden backs up, not turning his back but clearly relaxed since they have yet to start.

"On your mark, Minoru." He settles easily into a wide-legged stance familiar to Nan Quan.

Edited 2016-02-06 19:18 (UTC)

Minoru leisurely back-flipped into the sand, feeling it between his fingers and toes. He even hopped on one of the boulders in an effortless hop.

That, Raiden would soon discover, was one of Minoru's biggest strengths. He was ridiculously acrobatic for being in his early forties. The stance he took supported that style. It was very loose, very relaxed. Much like his personality.

"Start countdown!" he shouted, and the computer responded immediately.

"Three - Two - One - Begin."

Minoru didn't even need to move to make the first strike. He took a breath, and exhaled a ball of fire about half his size. It was the perfect environment for fire jutsu with no need to worry about collateral damage. The blast was aimed at Raiden's legs, to make him move rather than do any significant damage. How he moved would give Minoru some valuable insight, and might create an opening for his next attack.

After this opening attack, Raiden will not hesitate to agree with the 'dragon' title Minoru had used earlier. He jumps up to avoid the strike, and keeps going up until he hovers parallel to Minoru's height on that boulder. Even as he comes to eye-level, lightning is flickering around his arms before he points one hand straight at Minoru, sending a wide arc of lightning at his position.

Minoru expected Raiden to jump, but he didn't expect him to stay up there! The giant rock wasn't going to be the high ground for long.

When lightning appeared around Raiden's arm, he knew what was coming, but not exactly what form it would take. He stayed light on his feet, and when the blast came toward him, he bounced over it. He wasn't quite close enough to turn that into a kick, so he rolled underneath him, content to dodge for the time being.

Raiden hovers, but slowly moves sideways to drop himself on top of a rock as he sends a much smaller volley of lightning bolts in Minoru's wake. They're not really aimed at anything other than the heels, more attempting to herd his friendly opponent instead of hit him. Minoru is light on his feet, and agile. He makes a difficult target to hit in the first place.

When his feet settle on a rock, one that is not quite as high as the one Minoru had originally perched on, Raiden stops and surveys the area while wisps of lightning gently dance around him.

It was just like dodging snakes at Ryuuchi Cave. This was where Minoru was at his best, and with each lightning blast that came his way, he was dodging in and out. Hands, feet, in mid-air, and grinning from ear to ear.

When the lightning stopped, he darted his way forward. The lightning protecting Raiden was going to make him very difficult to hit with punches and kicks.

But what fun would it be if he didn't try anyway?

Raiden can't see where Minoru has gone, but rather than fly to see where he's at, he remains upon his rock. He is more interested in the sparring, than the winning so he keeps his eyes sharp as the arcs around him slowly fizzle out. He is inviting attack, particularly since they have a rather short time limit until the setting changes.

When Minoru saw the lightning fizzle, he leaped up from behind. A jump spinning hook kick aimed to sweep Raiden off the rock.

The kick catches Raiden's feet, but as they go out from under him, he puts a hand out and catches himself as he falls. His palm presses against the rock and moves him away from it, his sandals landing on the sand as he raises his fists and prepares to defend himself.

If the control of his lightning jutsu waa anything to go by, by the time Minoru's spin had subsided and he vaulted over the rock, Raiden would be more than ready.

But there was no hesitation in Minoru's movement. He attacked Raiden with a flurry of punches and kicks, staying light on his feet to dodge counterattacks if necessary.

It was not unlike sparring at the Wu Shu academy, the Shaolin were fast and agile, their best warriors even moreso. Raiden brings his best and he needs it with the fast attack. Minoru is fast and Raiden certainly keeps up, but it's a welcome challenge.

He goes on the defensive, Minoru driving him slowly backwards until he's very nearly backed into a rock. Just before he touches, his form suddenly is enveloped in a bolt of lightning and he disappears...

Only to reappear directly behind Minoru in a similar display, coming in with a swing and his own flurry of attacks.

Just when his kick was about to connect, his leg sailed through thin air.

"A substitution jutsu!" He exclaimed, pushing off from the rock as he dodged the first attack. It wasn't often someone came at him with the same speed and energy! He dodged and blocked, and just when it looked like Raiden was going to make it through, he pulled the same trick.

Minoru's, however, was a puff of smoke instead of lightning.

But he couldn't use the technique to his advantage. As soon as he executed it, the buzzer sounded. The sandy landscape disappeared into the black walls of the holodeck. Three minutes had elapsed.

"That was great!" He grinned, definitely eager for another round!

Raiden is spinning to prepare for a block when the buzzer sounds and Minoru settles from the attack. With a gentle inhale, Raiden straightens his posture, allowing a gentle smile to express itself fully, even flashing the faintest hint of teeth.

"It has been many years since I have had the honor of such a skilled champion." Raiden gives Minoru a true bow, one from the waist and the lowering of his hat. "I look forward to the remainder of our rounds today. It will undoubtedly prove interesting, and a challenge."

Minoru bowed as well.

While he spent most of his time traveling to new and different dimensions, there was something so refreshing about sparring with someone that reminded you of home. This man fought like a shinobi, and if he was anything like the ninja from his birth village, he had a feeling he'd only seen a small fraction of his talent in this first match!

"I can say the exact same thing." He grinned. "An honor and a privilege!"

The computer turned on the next environment. This time, the battlefield wasn't so open. A dense forest stretched all around them. Instead of sand, the ground was covered with intertwining tree roots that could easily trip a fighter if they're not careful. The branches over their heads weren't as thick, but they were easily large enough to support a man.

"Commencing countdown. Three - Two - One."

Raiden mellows as the setting changes, his eyes darting around quickly. He's not a fighter who favors closed areas, but close quarter combat isn't a problem for him. Still, the floor is dense, and while he often employs the help of certain Ninja clans, he doesn't fight quite like them.

When the timer starts, his first move is to disappear in that relatively quiet arc of electricity, and appear further away on one of the larger branches. Without the wide open space of the desert earlier, he feels hemmed in and keeps his eyes sharp. He will be playing the defensive position very carefully in this setting.

Edited 2016-02-09 04:15 (UTC)

Minoru also took to the trees, though with far much more ease than Raiden. His birth village was called Konohagakure for a reason. It was truly hidden in the leaves, carved out of a dense forest much like this.

He hopped, leaped, climbed, and at least once, you could swear he was just running vertically. Once he was on Raiden's level, he moved from branch to branch to close in on his opponent.

It's clear that he is right at home, and Raiden's form sparks to life with faint wisps of electricity dancing from his shoulders to his fingertips. He's less mobile, partially due to his familiarity with flying. Being used to moving without the need to leap between branches puts him at the disadvantage.

He listens carefully for Minoru's steps, trying not to stay still while making himself a slightly more bristly target. His eyes stay alert, and he uses his hat to slightly mask where his gaze is focusing as he peers between the slats for his opponent.

Minoru could tell he had the advantage when it came to maneuverability, but the lightning would even the odds. Fire was too dangerous an element in an environment like this, so he wouldn't use it. The destruction, real or illusory, wouldn't be worth it.

He dove in, but dropped right past where Raiden was standing. Or floating, as the case may have been. Grabbing the nearest branch with both hands, he swung up and around, aiming for a kick at his opponent's back.

"Ooof!" Those feet make solid contact even though Raiden sees Minoru swinging around the branch and if it could it would have knocked the wind out of him. It still stuns Raiden, but instead of flying, he grabs for Minoru's leg and lets himself start to fall off the branch.

Minoru felt himself make contact. He landed on the branch, but before he could swing around again, Raiden successfully grabbed his leg.

"Thanks, but no thanks!"

Chakra instinctively flooded into his hands, and he stuck himself to that branch rather than be taken to the ground. If Raiden was intending to fall in one direction, Minoru would try to swing him in a different one.

"I insist!" Raiden is just dropping straight down, but if Minoru is going to, well, stick to the branch impressively, Raiden is just going to have to invite him along. Before he even finishes his retort, lightning arcs up his arm as he holds on. It's not a full charge of lightning, he's not trying to harm him, but it should be enough to give a good shock.

<3 just, you win all the things

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