Maki listened intently, her interest in new techniques and lust for knowledge whetted. Her eyes were alert like a hawk's, carefully scrutinizing his every movement. As he preformed the technique, she took one of the rusty old katanas in hand and gave it a testing swing.<br/><br/>Her gaze returned to the shinobi just as he completed it, the firey display scorching and gashing the rock. After he was done, she held the sword in both hands and raised her hands under the blade's dull edge was upon her back.<br/><br/>She closed her eyes in contemplation and inhaled through her nostrils. The cave was very silent as she concentrated, her lips moving silently as she recited some words to herself. Tashi couldn't tell, but it seemed to be in deep thought as she explored, theoretically, the science behind the technique.<br/><br/>Maki's eyes opened, and the jounin brought the sword down with a flourish, a crimson fire bird brandishing towards another stalagmite. It was a near perfect replica of his own technique, though she was left trembling as her palms and forearms burned. She grit her teeth, fingers relaxing around the hilt as she sighed.<br/><br/>"I stand by what I said before about this technique," She said, smiling as she dropped the sword into the palm and washed her own hands off, "It was wrong of them to teach it to a Genin."<br/><br/>"This is an ancient, outdated technique... probably developed back when hand seals were not yet fully understood. Shinobi do not use swords as much anymore- they do not charge headlong into battle. Those that do will fall to a kunai from the shadows."<br/><br/>"Karyuudan was developed by Konoha, but all the countries and all the clans now use it instead of these kind of double-edged techniques." She smiled, "Except the Mibu, ah? Well, these are changing times..."<br/><br/>"The most powerful ninja in this world... are the ones nobody knows- or cares about."<br/><br/>She sighed and chuckled, "Look at me- acting like your teacher again."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Maki spends 1 minute and 6 empathy points learning Muryou Saikyou Ryuu: Rekka Koha. Also takes 10 damage.</div></div><br/><hr/><br/>Suzume grinned when her outfit transformed, "Just what I would expect from my captain!"<br/><br/>She beamed even wider as she explained her plan, particularly her choice words for Suzume; 'cute little bodyguard' She undid her own short dagger-like pony tail, short and edged like a bird's hind feathers. Suzume didn't have to go for the noblewoman look, her light cream purple hair settling to shoulder-length as she handed Jun her ribbon.<br/><br/>The sparrow nin put her hand on her hip and saluted with the other, winking as she exclaimed, "Hai, Jun-taicho! An excellent scheme!"<br/><br/>...<br/><br/>...<br/><br/>...<br/><br/>A small puppy went sniffing the ground by himself at the entrance of Tsuyumori. Not so far away, Jun and Suzume trailing him. He barked and made his way forward, eventually leading them to a nice two story inn.<br/><br/>It was a large building with one main entrance and who knew how many others... but it was noticably open-air, with plenty of windows and points of entry. The building was old, it seemed, mostly made of wood with a traditional design.