๏ผ rather than allow itself to take injury enough to dissipate it into nothingness, the clone uses shunshin to escape. it is there one moment and gone the next — the body flicker technique appears almost to be teleportation, its movement too fast for the eyes to track, but not quite so fast that finn won't be able to feel it in the force. it is abruptly behind him, and it attacks anew. it, like itachi, would not actually allow its blade to land in any damaging way, but it's hard to gauge that intent by the way it closes quarters on him again.
thus, a pattern is established — its attacks are unyielding, always whisper-close but not connecting. if finn blocks, it will do some other trick, attempt to land another blow, perhaps a kick or an open-palm strike with its other hand to get him off balance and push him back. if finn seems unable or unlikely to block, it will use shunshin to flash away rather than land a blow, and redouble its efforts to attack from another angle.
the clone is thorough and meticulous, but not without mercy. itachi meant it, when he said he would teach by doing. by degrees, the clone is doing just that — demonstrating how to block, how to press the attack, how to defend. how to turn a disadvantage into, if perhaps not an advantage, then at the very least equal footing through movement and the ebb and flow of battle. it isn't afraid to use the terrain — in one memorable moment it's gotten finn back against the benches, and it walks up the wall beside him as easily as normal individuals walk across flat ground, pushing itself off once it's above his head to land neatly behind him.
itachi is observing all this placidly, entirely unmoving. his posture is almost meditative, but there is a point at which his chakra begins to flag. the only outward sign of it is that his fingers curl against his knees, maintaining the clone is now taking will rather than the unselfconscious effort of before. ๏ผ
[ It doesn't take long at all for Finn to realize how intense Itachi's training really is. That said, he can't help but really appreciate it. This is exactly what he needs, and his skills do visibly improve as time goes on. He's by no means a master but he's better than he was ten minutes ago.
Though, this also shows him that his worry of hurting Itachi earlier was... unfounded. The man can more than handle himself, and Finn wishes he had taken him more seriously at the time. It's no matter, though. He's learning just as much about swordsmanship as he is about Itachi right now. It's all useful.
Then again, he's pretty sure he can't do that... wall walking trick. Jumping over and landing behind definitely makes him falter on his next several moves, but at least he knows that's a thing a person can do now. Because... why not?
It's around this moment, when he finally finds his footing again, that he feels a bit of strain in the Force. Like Itachi is having a harder time keeping up the clone. That's fair, honestly, this thing looks crazy. ]
Are you- Should-... How about a break?
[ Said between a few blocks. At least his movements don't waver while he speaks. ]
๏ผ he is almost certain that what was picked up upon was his own fatigue, and there's a faint ripple of annoyance in his emotional state that's tamped down almost immediately afterwards. mercy was not a trait he could afford to nurture, but there are none he denies it to more than himself.
the match persists, and for a time all seems fine — that is, until the clone makes one mistake. it lifts its sword to block a blow and is fractionally too late — finn's sword impacts against its shoulder and the clone disappears in a puff of smoke. all that energy and lifeforce returns to itachi, who nods approvingly. exhaustion shows in the prominent bruised smudges beneath his eyes, but none of it is in his posture as he rises from his cross-legged position. ๏ผ
[ Finn does catch that ripple, so short and small that he wonders if it was even real. He could imagine it is, though. Itachi hasn't been appreciative about Finn worrying about him so far, something he really does understand even if he's having a hard time respecting that (apparently).
No one's surprised more than Finn when he actually lands a hit. Despite his own persistence and vigilance, Itachi was just better than he was. When he does get the hit in, though, he knows it's not because he surpassed him or anything. Itachi actually faltered.
Which. He supposes there's something to that, after all.
He looks back to Itachi half leaned over, sword pointing down and nearly heaving for breath. He's sweaty and gross and aching all over. ]
Pretty great. That was amazing.
[ Exactly what he needed to learn these things, really. Also, even though he wants to, he's not going to ask how Itachi feels in return. Feels rude. ]
๏ผ when a clone dissipates, it brings all the knowledge gained back to its source. unfortunately, it also brings the fatigue from any exertion the clone has done. he's prepared for it, of course, but even nearly two decades of discipline cannot overwrite biological function — he too now appears to be sweating faintly, and lifts a hand to draw the back of one hand across his shining brow. he goes to fetch his water bottle from the bench, uncapping it to take a mouthful. it's tepid and warm, but it rinses the taste of old blood from his mouth. ๏ผ
๏ผ he remembers the first time his father pressed a tanto into his hands, the way his chubby fingers had curled around its saya as he pulled it from the sheath and saw a sliver of himself etched in the still waters of the silver blade.
it does not occur to him to lie. all shinobi begin weapons training young — he might expect a civilian to balk at it, but finn is not strictly what he considers a civilian. ๏ผ
It is common in my clan to specialize in the art of bladed weapons.
[ Finn's never considered himself a civilian either. Itachi just gets a nod for his answer, Finn thinking little of it except admiration for the other man's experience. ]
In the organization I was a part of, we specialized in firearms. I'd be happy to return the favor, if I can.
[ A lot of the Orbers don't even have weapons like Finn's familiar with in their worlds, but he's not just going to presume or something. He just offers because that's what he's best with, honestly. ]
I do not require much instruction, but I would be grateful.
๏ผ there's nothing in the statement to make it seem a matter of braggadocio — just simple fact. he has always learned quickly, and had eidetic memory even before the sharingan awoke. ๏ผ
I suspect such skills may be of use on future missions. Perhaps tomorrow?
[ Oh no, he gets that. Finn didn't figure Itachi would need much instruction. Most of what he teaches about firearms is safety, and Itachi is wise enough and experienced enough to understand how to treat any weapon with respect.
Finn's sure he'll grasp it quickly once he's got the idea of how the thing works. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
thus, a pattern is established — its attacks are unyielding, always whisper-close but not connecting. if finn blocks, it will do some other trick, attempt to land another blow, perhaps a kick or an open-palm strike with its other hand to get him off balance and push him back. if finn seems unable or unlikely to block, it will use shunshin to flash away rather than land a blow, and redouble its efforts to attack from another angle.
the clone is thorough and meticulous, but not without mercy. itachi meant it, when he said he would teach by doing. by degrees, the clone is doing just that — demonstrating how to block, how to press the attack, how to defend. how to turn a disadvantage into, if perhaps not an advantage, then at the very least equal footing through movement and the ebb and flow of battle. it isn't afraid to use the terrain — in one memorable moment it's gotten finn back against the benches, and it walks up the wall beside him as easily as normal individuals walk across flat ground, pushing itself off once it's above his head to land neatly behind him.
itachi is observing all this placidly, entirely unmoving. his posture is almost meditative, but there is a point at which his chakra begins to flag. the only outward sign of it is that his fingers curl against his knees, maintaining the clone is now taking will rather than the unselfconscious effort of before. ๏ผ
no subject
Though, this also shows him that his worry of hurting Itachi earlier was... unfounded. The man can more than handle himself, and Finn wishes he had taken him more seriously at the time. It's no matter, though. He's learning just as much about swordsmanship as he is about Itachi right now. It's all useful.
Then again, he's pretty sure he can't do that... wall walking trick. Jumping over and landing behind definitely makes him falter on his next several moves, but at least he knows that's a thing a person can do now. Because... why not?
It's around this moment, when he finally finds his footing again, that he feels a bit of strain in the Force. Like Itachi is having a harder time keeping up the clone. That's fair, honestly, this thing looks crazy. ]
Are you- Should-... How about a break?
[ Said between a few blocks. At least his movements don't waver while he speaks. ]
no subject
๏ผ he is almost certain that what was picked up upon was his own fatigue, and there's a faint ripple of annoyance in his emotional state that's tamped down almost immediately afterwards. mercy was not a trait he could afford to nurture, but there are none he denies it to more than himself.
the match persists, and for a time all seems fine — that is, until the clone makes one mistake. it lifts its sword to block a blow and is fractionally too late — finn's sword impacts against its shoulder and the clone disappears in a puff of smoke. all that energy and lifeforce returns to itachi, who nods approvingly. exhaustion shows in the prominent bruised smudges beneath his eyes, but none of it is in his posture as he rises from his cross-legged position. ๏ผ
Adequate. How do you feel?
no subject
No one's surprised more than Finn when he actually lands a hit. Despite his own persistence and vigilance, Itachi was just better than he was. When he does get the hit in, though, he knows it's not because he surpassed him or anything. Itachi actually faltered.
Which. He supposes there's something to that, after all.
He looks back to Itachi half leaned over, sword pointing down and nearly heaving for breath. He's sweaty and gross and aching all over. ]
Pretty great. That was amazing.
[ Exactly what he needed to learn these things, really. Also, even though he wants to, he's not going to ask how Itachi feels in return. Feels rude. ]
no subject
You learn very quickly.
no subject
[ Said between deep breaths while he tries to steady himself. It doesn't take him long, at least, but that was still a hell of a workout.
He switches hands with the blade and puts it back where it goes. ]
And thank you for this... How long have you fought with a blade? You're fast, precise. A lot of experience.
no subject
๏ผ he remembers the first time his father pressed a tanto into his hands, the way his chubby fingers had curled around its saya as he pulled it from the sheath and saw a sliver of himself etched in the still waters of the silver blade.
it does not occur to him to lie. all shinobi begin weapons training young — he might expect a civilian to balk at it, but finn is not strictly what he considers a civilian. ๏ผ
It is common in my clan to specialize in the art of bladed weapons.
no subject
In the organization I was a part of, we specialized in firearms. I'd be happy to return the favor, if I can.
[ A lot of the Orbers don't even have weapons like Finn's familiar with in their worlds, but he's not just going to presume or something. He just offers because that's what he's best with, honestly. ]
no subject
๏ผ there's nothing in the statement to make it seem a matter of braggadocio — just simple fact. he has always learned quickly, and had eidetic memory even before the sharingan awoke. ๏ผ
I suspect such skills may be of use on future missions. Perhaps tomorrow?
no subject
Finn's sure he'll grasp it quickly once he's got the idea of how the thing works. ]
Tomorrow's perfect.
no subject
๏ผ and with that, he makes like a tree and leafs. get it
bc konoha means leaf
im hilarious. ๏ผ