Naruto sat down tailor-fashion in front of the two other members of his team, with the python sunning himself nearby. "Visfarank is a simple jutsu, requiring a pattern like so to use. It's best if you can do it without handseals, but if you practice it a lot you'll eventually get it. It also can be cast like a normal spell. Like so."
Naruto stood, then held one fist up. Taking a breath, he began to chant.
"I call upon the heart of all,
running with my inner fire,
with the power of my soul shining,
to strike at the heart of the Abyss."
"There'sss a land where the wordsss shape the chakra inssstead of handsealsss?" asked Monty, showing that despite looking as if he was napping in a sunbeam that he WAS paying attention.
[Affirmative] answered Kuregata.
"Interesssting," said Monty. "Now classs, why would you want sssuch a thing when hand-sealsss are sssilent?"
"When you're not concerned about remaining quiet, or your hands are immobilized," replied Naruto. "If your allies know the incantation, they can plan their own strategies knowing what you're doing."
"Yessss," hissed Monty, apparently pleased. "For example, certain electrical attacksss can interfere with coordination. Continue pleassse."
"Very well," said Naruto, concentrating briefly before his hands began emitting a faint glow. "Normal state, just chakra enhanced without Chakra Nature or Chakra Form being altered."
"That'sss a bit advanced for the ressst of your team," noted Monty, rolling slightly so that his belly could be warmed. "Just the basicsss, if you pleassse."
"Why have a 'signature jutsu' anyway?" asked Sasuke, who wasn't opposed to having an extra jutsu he could use. He just didn't see the point of the whole team having it.
"Sssome teams have an overall ssspeciality," said Monty. "Reconnaisance or clossse-combat. Team Komogi all wear sashsss, as I understand. Do you know why?"
"Team uniforms?" hazarded Sakura when it was obvious nobody else was going to answer.
"Hssss. No. How disssapointing," said Monty. "The anssswer is that they have a signature attack, all three of them know how to animate and enhance their sashesss. If it were just a fashion ssstatement, I wouldn't have brought it up. Sssakura-chan, I'll assessss a penalty."
"WHAT?! WHY ME?!" asked Sakura, ready to point out that Naruto hadn't known either.
"Because you're talking to a clone while the real one snuck up behind you?" suggested Naruto.
Sakura froze. Slowly she brought her gaze fully towards the snake sunning itself. Which went bamf into a puff of smoke. Swallowing nervously, her head moved very slowly so that she could look behind her.
A pair of eyes that were swirly circles looked into her own eyes.
"Tea?" asked Sasuke as Sakura made tea in the background.
"Because it'sss tea time, and making tea properly isss an Art," said Monty with his accent in full display.
Naruto shrugged. It might be weird seeing Sakura wearing a full geisha costume, but he honestly thought the more concerning part was that Monty had one in the first place.
Monty merely smiled at first, then music began to play as he spoke. "Love a cup. I would--oh God, yes. Oh, that is gorgeous, yeah."
At which point Sakura began to sing.
"I need a cup of the brown stuff, the shade of an acorn
Made warm by the same source that I take my cakes from
Using a teapot, a mug or fine china
Been hooked up to IVs, need constant supplies!"
"She's not got a bad voice," admitted Naruto.
"And a drip for my urges might verge on perverted
But for earthy brown tea, I'm certain it's worth it!
With shepherds who work herds and use a fresh fountain
I've discerned brews from Toad Sage's mountains."
"It's just tea," said Sasuke, scowling as Sakura set a cup in front of him. Though technically he could admit to himself that Sakura DID indeed have a nice singing voice. Not great, but...
"I've slurped up a cuppa from an elephant's trunk
With a couple of monks who utterly stunk
I've had bourbons with sultans and creams with queens
And I've bathed in Earl Grey--I'm really that keen!"
"Well, that explains why a snake had a teaset in a sealing scroll," pointed out Naruto.
"And missionaries dismiss me for my single epiphany
The diff between him and me is a simple sip of fine tea!
So when times are hard and life is rough,
You can stick the kettle on and find me a cup."
"What exactly are you teaching here?" asked Anko as she appeared in a puff of smoke.
"Earl Grey?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, please," said Anko, plopping down into place. Monty made a good cup of tea, after all. Though she preferred green tea to this stuff.
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(Posted Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:43)
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