Defensive Technique: Rising Mud Guardian
Ninjutsu (Doton) [Earth]
Rank: 3 (C-Class);
Learn DC: 16, 2 success;
Perform requirements: 6 ranks (DC 16) (see text);
Time: 1 attack action or 1 instant action;
Components: H, C, Mas;
Range: Close (10 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels);
Effect: Create a thin mud wall to absorb one attack;
Duration: 1 round/level or instantaneous (see text);
Saving Throws: None;
Chakra Resistance: No;
Chakra Cost: 10 or special (see text).
This technique can only be used if the user is standing directly on rocky grounds, earth or asphalt. It creates a thin wall of mud or earth that grants any creature hiding behind it one half cover if it is Medium-sized, or three-fourths if it is Small or smaller. The cover bonus only lasts for a single attack or area of effect before it is destroyed, regardless whether damage was avoided or not.
Defensive Maneuver: Once per day as an instant action, the user may perform this technique to aid himself or an ally to defend against an incoming attack; doing so provokes an attack of opportunity. Skill threshold does not apply to defensive maneuvers.
To defend against the attack, the user must make a Perform check (as per Shusen: Chibounushi, mastery counts) opposed to the opponent's attack roll or technique's Save DC +5. Success creates the barrier normally. Failure by less than 10 allows the technique to be performed anyway, but at one-half again its normal cost.
Defensive maneuver must be declared before knowing the result of the attack. Failure by more than 10 means that the chakra spent trying to avoid the attack is wasted, and the technique fails.
Defensive maneuver has a chakra cost of 20 and allows the user to defend against an attack or effect from an opponent with a Challenge Rating equal to his level or 1, whichever is lower.
Defensive Maneuver does not count as Avoiding an Attack and is usable a separate number of times a day. Using Chibounushi as a defensive maneuver counts towards the number of times per day Ryokujun no Jutsu can be used as such.
Mastery
Every step of mastery in this technique increases the number of times per day it can be used by 1.
The first step of mastery in this technique increases the Challenge Rating of attacks the user can defend against to his level or 5, whichever is lower.
Every step of mastery after the first increases the Challenge Rating of attack he can defend by 5 or up to his level, whichever is lower.