I don't care if I do. I'm not fighting you when you have limitations. Fight me like you are.
[He closes his eyes briefly.]
I don't want to listen to them ask me a hundred questions about why I want a fire source. I need something small and easy to carry. So I want the lighter.
[Yea. Don't hurt him too bad, he's gay linked with the damn tangerine.]
I accept. I'll be right back.
[Without waiting, he peels himself out of the jacket, folds it, and drops it on the ground. And then he leaves momentarily before coming back with the thinnest sword he can find. It isn't exactly a chokuto, but it at least resembles one in the straightness of the blade, one he'll be use to using.
He's testing the weight in his right hand as he returns to get in the arena.]
That said, Cunning watches Sasuke get up and walk away and he's up on his feet too. He thinks for a moment, deciding the godly robes are cumbersome but he'll leave them on anyway. A sword's picked from a pile, a flat blade and evenly weighed in his hand, leather-gripped and sharp enough.]
So you're a ninja, I get it, but have you ever fought this way before?
You mean in an arena, one-on-one? [His stance is experienced, turned somewhat to the side to make his center of gravity better. The sword he folds back behind him, underhanded, resting the blade up by his back and shoulder blades.] Or with a disadvantage?
[The sword shifts to his right hand, balance shifting between his feet and there's a nod.]
Smart. I taught myself and then became a teacher. Figured it was the best way to perfect the craft on top of everything else. [Another brief pause.] So don't hold back.
[And he lunges for the first strike, already anticipating Sasuke's next move as best as he can.]
[Not knowing Cunning, he decides to be cautious. The idea Cunning has "powers" doesn't put him at ease, and neither does the fact he can't see Cunning's face and eyes, or the telling signs in Cunning's body movements.
The sword swings down, but he doesn't attack or deflect. Instead, he hastily side-steps, dropping the handle of the sword and spinning in place, grabbing it up with his left hand.
He tries to catch Cunning off guard by attacking with Surprise Ambidextrous!]
[It's a fun challenge, rushing in without knowing what he's doing. Cunning watches Sasuke's hands and he knows he has the advantage given he can see where his eyes are going. He quickly switches hands to block, but switches back almost immediately. His sword comes up for another strike overhead, trying to hook onto Sasuke's sword to twist it from his grip.]
you: dont make me write a fight thread; me, whispering: i'm sorry!!!
[Forced to block, he jerks his sword up to create a barrier for the blade coming down against him. He's so very lacking without his chakra, without his ninjutsu, and it hadn't realized how important those and his eyes had been until they weren't there anymore.
It's just him and his wits now.
The sword is wrenched from his hand, landing blade down into the ground. He quickly drops low and flings himself into a... roll... off to the side...?
Hm. Something barely visible glimmers, stringing from the hilt of the sword to his arm. When he rolls back up to a crouch, he keeps going, trying to loop himself behind Cunning's legs and around the other side.
It's wire.
Not unbreakable, but Sasuke is trying to be quick in raveling Cunning up.]
[It's not an easy victory and maybe Cunning really appreciates that. As it is, the skill level is enough to keep him engaged, watching as Sasuke rolls.
The wire wraps around his ankles and his legs and for a moment, Cunning just...lets this happen? He lets this happen before he almost lazily swipes his sword through the air and seemingly zips off to the other side of the arena out of the wire.]
You should've said no to powers, you know. [And he's quickly running forward again, sliding in for a strike to Sasuke's side.]
Sasuke can do that shit, too, if he had his fucking chakra control! Luckily, he's less surprised and more jostled into extreme caution. His head swivels in every direction until he can get a lock on Cunning again across the arena.
Quickly, Sasuke yanks on the wire, glad he asked Ray to make it retractable. It loosens the sword and brings it back to his hand just in time for Cunning to broach him. He twists the sword and parries barely, slamming his other hand against the flat of the blade to try to lock them into a stalemate.
But Cunning is strong, he has no chakra, and his stupid normie shoes aren't made the same way the ninja sandals are; he starts skidding back across the ground with gritted teeth.]
[Even without using his teleportation Cunning is a skilled enough swordsman who pressing back and refuses to let up. Sasuke blocks him and locks them into a stalemate, but he pulls back enough and strikes again to try and push him back toward the edge of the arena.]
Then what're you waiting for? [A smug tone.] No powers, I'll make it easier. I usually don't use them in combat anyway.
[He gets a small burst of renewed fire, shoves back against the sword, stopping his creep toward the edge of the arena.] I don't want your pity, you bastard. [He doesn't have the strength to go head-to-head with Cunning.
So he relents, skirting to the side and releasing, hoping Cunning's momentum pressing forward will keep Cunning going in that direction. He lets go of the sword with one hand, cocks his entire arm back.
On the sweep by to the side, he tries to clock his elbow into the mask at the side of the head.]
[Perfect. A pissed off ninja is exactly what he wanted and so Cunning doesn't even care about the name-calling or the fact that Sasuke's--
--wait where are you going. Cunning steps forward, but his foot pivots and allows him to remain upright as Sasuke hooks onto the mask.
It doesn't do anything other than probably hurt because it's not exactly a plastic mask, but Cunning's own elbow jabs straight into Sasuke's ribs to force him to relent further.]
Mask stays on. [That's the only condition, it seems.]
[A tingling thrum jumps from his elbow to his pinky when it hits the mask that doesn't budge. He didn't even care if it came off, only that it caused a distraction, but Cunning is quick with retaliation.
He coughs out his grunt, and then he jumps back to put distance between them, hand rising to press over the ache against his ribs. Poor Senri. He's SORRY. It takes a moment or two before he can straighten back up, but he does swing the sword around to guard in case Cunning gets feisty.]
Why are all of you hiding? What purpose is there in concealing who you are?
[He's busy standing his ground and calculating his next move, not quite swinging yet but watching Sasuke's hands and his feet in case that trip wire comes back.]
One of the rules, one of the ways to ensure you're with us because of the ideals. And some of us just don't want to be seen. [A downward thrust and strike follows to punctuate that statement.]
[Sasuke has had a bit of time to recover. He throws up the sword to parry, but spends more time trying to dodge because he now knows Cunning beats him in the strength department right now.
For now, he wants to keep his distance and not be as rash as he could be.]
Not a bad rule. If I had my eyes, you’d be doing what I want.
What, are they hypnotic or something? [Cunning has sheer strength on his side but he's not letting his guard down, watching Sasuke carefully and keeping his sword ready to block in case.] Or are you saying that to try and psych me out?
The rinnegan can control even the Tailed Beasts. The only thing between you and your servantile misery would be the mask.
[He brings the sword around, flipping it over his wrist and catching it again. And then he charges for once, offering Cunning a combo of several mid-level strikes.]
Big words for a little threat. [There's a hiss though because Sasuke's suddenly charging and at least one of those strikes clocks him in the arm. He's keeping up as best as he can, sword pivoting in a very obviously-not Japanese style of swordfighting as he works on stepping out to the side and trying to disarm him again.]
Good thing it's just a test of skills then, isn't it?
[He attacks in a long string, and then he withdraws, making Cunning have to dance with him. Giving a little of his strength and then pulling away before he can get caught.]
Nn--
[He attacks again, but without his chakra, he's getting tired faster than he would have ever been tired. He has no reserves to draw on. The swords hook, and Cunning can easily toss his.
It zips over and lands, but the wire connected to it shines briefly, and he starts scrambling to wind his hand while raising the other arm and preparing to become liquid dexterity if Cunning makes a swing.]
[Of course he's swinging. He's ruthless with this kind of thing, attempting to knock Sasuke back with the flat of his blade now that he doesn't have a sword and he's stepping in close enough to continue forcing him back.
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Why can't you just get one of the nerds to get you another fire source?
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[He closes his eyes briefly.]
I don't want to listen to them ask me a hundred questions about why I want a fire source. I need something small and easy to carry. So I want the lighter.
[Also, his brother had it, shut up.]
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[And yet.] ...fight a good fight, I'll give you your lighter. Deal?
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I accept. I'll be right back.
[Without waiting, he peels himself out of the jacket, folds it, and drops it on the ground. And then he leaves momentarily before coming back with the thinnest sword he can find. It isn't exactly a chokuto, but it at least resembles one in the straightness of the blade, one he'll be use to using.
He's testing the weight in his right hand as he returns to get in the arena.]
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That said, Cunning watches Sasuke get up and walk away and he's up on his feet too. He thinks for a moment, deciding the godly robes are cumbersome but he'll leave them on anyway. A sword's picked from a pile, a flat blade and evenly weighed in his hand, leather-gripped and sharp enough.]
So you're a ninja, I get it, but have you ever fought this way before?
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You mean in an arena, one-on-one? [His stance is experienced, turned somewhat to the side to make his center of gravity better. The sword he folds back behind him, underhanded, resting the blade up by his back and shoulder blades.] Or with a disadvantage?
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Or are we going in blind for a surprise?
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And a sannin whose goal is to find immortality so he can know everything there is about the world.
[The blade peeking over his shoulder glints when he tightens his grip and it turns slightly.]
Yours didn't come from here, though, did it? This is where you perfected it.
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Smart. I taught myself and then became a teacher. Figured it was the best way to perfect the craft on top of everything else. [Another brief pause.] So don't hold back.
[And he lunges for the first strike, already anticipating Sasuke's next move as best as he can.]
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The sword swings down, but he doesn't attack or deflect. Instead, he hastily side-steps, dropping the handle of the sword and spinning in place, grabbing it up with his left hand.
He tries to catch Cunning off guard by attacking with Surprise Ambidextrous!]
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you: dont make me write a fight thread; me, whispering: i'm sorry!!!
It's just him and his wits now.
The sword is wrenched from his hand, landing blade down into the ground. He quickly drops low and flings himself into a... roll... off to the side...?
Hm. Something barely visible glimmers, stringing from the hilt of the sword to his arm. When he rolls back up to a crouch, he keeps going, trying to loop himself behind Cunning's legs and around the other side.
It's wire.
Not unbreakable, but Sasuke is trying to be quick in raveling Cunning up.]
please have mercy on my soul but also
The wire wraps around his ankles and his legs and for a moment, Cunning just...lets this happen? He lets this happen before he almost lazily swipes his sword through the air and seemingly zips off to the other side of the arena out of the wire.]
You should've said no to powers, you know. [And he's quickly running forward again, sliding in for a strike to Sasuke's side.]
wtf CHEATING
Sasuke can do that shit, too, if he had his fucking chakra control! Luckily, he's less surprised and more jostled into extreme caution. His head swivels in every direction until he can get a lock on Cunning again across the arena.
Quickly, Sasuke yanks on the wire, glad he asked Ray to make it retractable. It loosens the sword and brings it back to his hand just in time for Cunning to broach him. He twists the sword and parries barely, slamming his other hand against the flat of the blade to try to lock them into a stalemate.
But Cunning is strong, he has no chakra, and his stupid normie shoes aren't made the same way the ninja sandals are; he starts skidding back across the ground with gritted teeth.]
I'm not--finished.
POWERS
Then what're you waiting for? [A smug tone.] No powers, I'll make it easier. I usually don't use them in combat anyway.
[But does Sasuke really want to do that?]
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[He gets a small burst of renewed fire, shoves back against the sword, stopping his creep toward the edge of the arena.] I don't want your pity, you bastard. [He doesn't have the strength to go head-to-head with Cunning.
So he relents, skirting to the side and releasing, hoping Cunning's momentum pressing forward will keep Cunning going in that direction. He lets go of the sword with one hand, cocks his entire arm back.
On the sweep by to the side, he tries to clock his elbow into the mask at the side of the head.]
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--wait where are you going. Cunning steps forward, but his foot pivots and allows him to remain upright as Sasuke hooks onto the mask.
It doesn't do anything other than probably hurt because it's not exactly a plastic mask, but Cunning's own elbow jabs straight into Sasuke's ribs to force him to relent further.]
Mask stays on. [That's the only condition, it seems.]
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He coughs out his grunt, and then he jumps back to put distance between them, hand rising to press over the ache against his ribs. Poor Senri. He's SORRY. It takes a moment or two before he can straighten back up, but he does swing the sword around to guard in case Cunning gets feisty.]
Why are all of you hiding? What purpose is there in concealing who you are?
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One of the rules, one of the ways to ensure you're with us because of the ideals. And some of us just don't want to be seen. [A downward thrust and strike follows to punctuate that statement.]
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[Sasuke has had a bit of time to recover. He throws up the sword to parry, but spends more time trying to dodge because he now knows Cunning beats him in the strength department right now.
For now, he wants to keep his distance and not be as rash as he could be.]
Not a bad rule. If I had my eyes, you’d be doing what I want.
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[He brings the sword around, flipping it over his wrist and catching it again. And then he charges for once, offering Cunning a combo of several mid-level strikes.]
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Good thing it's just a test of skills then, isn't it?
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Nn--
[He attacks again, but without his chakra, he's getting tired faster than he would have ever been tired. He has no reserves to draw on. The swords hook, and Cunning can easily toss his.
It zips over and lands, but the wire connected to it shines briefly, and he starts scrambling to wind his hand while raising the other arm and preparing to become liquid dexterity if Cunning makes a swing.]
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Who's going to win this thing? We don't know.]
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THAT WAS WILD anyhow
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