Capacity for Greatness [solo, training]

Wisps of smoke were scattered by the gentle breeze and once again familiar figures stood in the Garden of Illusions. The foxes had gathered for another training session with the Kitsune of Konoha. This time Hara had been prepared enough to get dressed, though unmistakable shreds of sleepiness still clung onto her. Don walked up to her with a thoughtful gaze, peering right into her soul. "Listen, Hara Kin... When you focus on Senjutsu and truly try your best..." He took a deep drag from his pipe and sighed out haze as gray as his disappointment. "You suck." It was about as blunt as getting hit in the gut by a two-by-four.

Hara wanted to protest, or at least quip something clever, but the teacher readying his paw for some discipline was enough to shut her up. She wasn’t taking any more of those, no thank you. Don was free to continue his lecture. "That display during the mission was absolutely pathetic. Expected, yes, but still pathetic. We need to fix that before you get killed because of it." Memories of the mission flashed through her mind, how she had run dry all too quickly. "That’s why your next training task will focus on increasing your capacity for natural energy." Alright, now she was listening... Unfortunately, the odd geezer had, once again, run out of things to say. "As the ancient wisdom goes, a well filled with buckets never runs dry." That was her explanation for the nonsense anyway.

The silence surrounding them was bordering physically painful. None of the foxes said anything either. Luckily, Don got back on track right after another drag of smoke. "After I’m done with you today, two things will happen. Firstly, your maximum capacity will approximately triple in size. Yes, you will be stay in Sage Mode three times longer and use more Senjutsu techniques." So far so good, but Hara wasn’t naïve enough to believe there wasn’t something hidden beneath the promises of power. "And what’s the second thing?" It was all in the tone, the smug know-it-all attitude claiming she saw right through him. And there it was again... That eerie smirk... "You will learn a whole new meaning for exhaustion, student."

Hara was directed to the center of the training field where she had to climb on top of a wooden post. Don handed her two rounded stones with ropes acting like handles. "Now hold your arms to your sides. Higher. Good." The trickster was about to mention that her balance was already superb, weights or no, but she was cut off yet again. It was like the little thing could read minds... Or maybe he just knew her well enough. "Now, activate Sage Mode." Sounded simple, bit too simple actually, but she wasn’t going to question it. Breathing deeply, she dived into a trance. This part got easier every time.

However, the second the Kitsune tried to gather energy, the stones suddenly got heavier and she nearly toppled over. Her eyes shot open, only to find Don staring at her wobbling stance. "Working as intended, my baffled student. Those stones react to natural energy and try to reject it. In order to activate Sage Mode, you have to overpower them both mentally and physically. Good luck." ...Was that a challenge? Hara’s lips curled upwards. It was, wasn’t it? Well, she wouldn’t lose to some stupid rocks. Or so she thought at first. Again and again she tried, yet each time the response was the same. The stones messed up her balance and the energy dissipated.

But Hara Kin wasn’t known for giving up...

Hours later, the kunoichi was still standing on the post, gasping for air. She couldn’t even recall the last time she had been sweating this much. The world had turned blurry a while ago. She had been making progress slowly, but Sage Mode had been eluding her and she was quickly approaching her absolute limit. Stupid stones... With a deep breath, she gave it the one last try. Once more, with feeling. The stones turned heavy, but she refused to budge. Drawing strength from the energy, she froze in place like a statue. Patterns of power danced onto her face from the imaginary brush. A breathless giggle escaped into the breeze. Even the old fox smiled.

Success.

_{((Training for Senjutsu E -> D))}