Training with Clones

Salzem walked through the grounds, enjoying the warm breeze the flowed over him. He smiled under his mask as he felt the sunlight radiate all over him. He didn't come here for just enjoying the weather however. Salzem was here to practice with his Clone Jutsu. He looked around for something to pick as a target, gaze finally falling on a large tree trunk at the edge of the training grounds. He focused, drawing on his chakra. Ram, Snake, Tiger! Poof! Two clones appeared on either side of Salzem. Alright, everything was in order... The two clones charged toward the tree with Salzem not far behind. As soon as the two clones made contact with the tree, they disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Exploiting the smoke as a screen, Salzem made a quick sprint toward the tree, slipping through the smoke, slamming his fist into the bark with a crack! Salzem leaped back, landing where he started. His fist throbbed but at least nothing was broken.

Salzem cracked his injured knuckle, thinking about all the ways he could exploit his ninja Clones. He figured he should practice with them. He knew he couldn't hit them or block his clone's attacks, but what he could do was dodge. Ram, Snake, Tiger! Poof! A clone appeared, facing Salzem. He raised his hands up automatically as his clone lunged. The clone struck fast, fist aiming at Salzem's face. Salzem twisted his neck to the side, narrowly avoiding contact. The clone attacked unrelentingly, kicks and punches being thrown rapidly toward his face, neck and belly. Salzem dodged each one, loosing ground as he did so. Finally, the clone connected a blow. A round house kick aimed at Salzem's face. If it had been solid, Salzem would have had his mask knocked clean off. The clone disappeared as the foot connected with Salzem's face. He stopped, breathing hard from the effort of shadow boxing with his clone. He didn't realize he was so fast! Once he got his breathing under control, Salzem redid the seals. Ram, Snake, Tiger! Poof! Another clone appeared before Salzem, already in a fighting stance. This one lunged at Salzem differently, going low and forcing Salzem into the air. The clone went for a sweeping kick which almost caught Salzem immediatly but he managed to leap out of the way, just in time. The clone advanced quickly, never letting up the attack. Salzem was alarmed at how many narrow dodges and scrapes he had with this one. Salzem's lungs began to burn and he side stepped an uppercut from his clone. He was slowing down, exhaustion burning away at his energy. Salzem leaped back from another sweeping kick. He felt himself hit a wall as his feet touched the ground. He glanced back for but a second and that second was all his clone needed. It leaped in the air and brought it's leg down in a splitting axe kick which disappeared upon contact with Salzem's skull. He slumped against the wall, tired and disappointed. He thought he would have an easier time dueling himself with long drawn out sessions of cat-and-mouse fighting. Each baiting the other. That was his inner child talking. He knew how he really fought. Quick, efficient, and straight to the point. Salzem slid to the ground, trying to get his breath under control. As hard as it was, just dodging attacks, it was thrilling. He was also sure that shadow boxing with himself in this way was a metaphor for something but he wasn't sure what. As he sat against the wall resting his body, he thought of all the words he could use to symbolize his fight with himself.

After about 10 minutes of rest and thought, Salzem was ready for action. Mixing it up was key to training. Salzem brought his hands together and focused. Chakra flowed through his body as he weaved the signs. Ram, Snake, Tiger! Poof! Another clone appeared. This time, Salzem would have to strike his clone while dodging. This made it so they were both on equal footing. Quickly, this was turning into a game for Salzem. They both lunged at each other. Salzem threw a punch at the clone which side stepped and moved in, bringing up a knee to connect with Salzem's head. He whirled to the side and leaping back, putting distance between him and his clone. Salzem was smiling now under his mask. This was fun! Not only was he fighting himself (which was funny in it of it's self), but he was also having fun with how difficult it was to land a solid blow. It was much more interesting than punching a piece of wood or a tree. The clone rushed Salzem. It looked like it was going to tackle him. Before Salzem could react, the clone went down, using it's momentum to slide along the earth and in between his legs. Salzem turned his head and he eyes widened as the clone brought up a fist aimed at Salzem's face. By pure instinct, Salzem ducked. Using his momentum, he swept at leg toward the clone's feet. It jumped up, but that left it wide open. Salzem jumped and brought his leg up in an arc, striking the clone, making it disappear in a puff of smoke. It took a few seconds for Salzem to process what just happened. Then he started chuckling. He had just beat himself, as weird as that sounded. He put his hands together again, ready for another round.
(Exit)
(TOC: 921)
(Claiming 4 stat points)