Fandom &nbsp; Naruto: In the Shadow of the Broken Moon ~ IC

The day of the funeral for Hibiki Hyuga, the clan head of the Hyuga clan, had finally come. A large organized crowd gathered around the Hyuga Mansion. ANBU had offered to cover security, but had been denied. Clan members scanned each and every guest, their Byakugan being their pride, even after having lost their leader.

While the body had been prepped for the viewing, reports had indicated glass shards had to be picked out of the body over several hours, and that exsanguination to be the cause of death. Literally death by a thousand paper cuts. And yet no one had seen anyone unusual the day of the assassination, much to the clan's embarrassment.

Stationed outside the compound, supposed to be keeping watch as a support role, were Emi, Hisa, and Ren. Inside the compound, several more senior ANBU, led by Taisei Hyuga were preparing for a moment of silence to replace the head's body, and flee. A signal agree upon was three crow calls.

However, currently lords from across the village were speaking... and speaking... and speaking. Just barely visible in the crowd, Akihito Oguma could be seen paying his respects, behind him, Kumiko Senju, as well as the parents of Hisa standing reverently to the side. Next to the casket, a young boy, two years younger than Hisas stood with clenched fist... and a chunnin's vest. Hisa's father twitched slightly, his head moving towards the rooftop where Hisa would be, though only for a moment, though the only one of the three he seemed to notice with a glance was the small ANBU in a mole mask that was Emi.

A hot summer blaze had picked up in the meanwhile. No rain for the day, the heavens didn't seem to weep over Hibiki's demise at all. Guests came and went. However, as the speakers thinned out, one new person walked forward towards the room. Tattoo'd on his forehead was the Senju crest, and he walked shirtless with the body of a god. Roots gnarled in and out of his body, connecting with his muscles in his elbows and triceps, intertwining in an arc behind his back, and into the other arm. A Senju Emiko would know as Torimori, the Godtree. He was friendly enough, but to constantly sneer down on everything. Perhaps partly as he was 7' tall, but he was proud of his clan like no other.

Heads began to bow in the funeral as a prayer was underway when around them, a few other shadows began to pop up on the rooftops. These, however, were not wearing any Leaf Headbands, nor ANBU gear. The symbol for 'Cloud' could be seen on them.

Nearest was a man in heavy garb, a gasmask over his face, and heavy tank on his back leaning across the roof. The word 'Storm' was written across his back, and a tube led from the tank to a baton in his hand. A little bit further back, a man with two katars and a lollipop hid next to a belltower. And standing farther back still, nearly a dot to anyone not named Hisa, was a miko with a ringed staff.

InsaneAsylum · Aug 25, 2022

Hisa Hyuga

“I-I shouldn’t be here…”

With the sheer amount of Byakugan in the area, one would think sending one more pair would be pointless. Hisa’s byakugan had been activated for awhile now as she scanned the whole funeral area. Her gaze settled on the casket itself. Next to it stood a familiar face. It was the boy who had made a fool of her in the chuunin exams.

No doubt his family was proud of him. Perhaps if she had rejected Kaito, she could be down there as well. Was it better to be down there with her family despite their judgement, or up of the roof, alone and free. She hadn’t thought about it before now, but suddenly she found herself questioning her decision.

Suddenly her father’s gaze turned towards the roof. In her surprise, Hisa deactivated her byakugan. Had he spotted her? If if he had there was no way he’d know it was her. Hisa ran her hand down her mask. The rat depiction on the front hid the wet eyes beneath.

Turning towards her teammates, Hisa noticed they were plenty alert. At least they were doing their job properly. Honestly, it’d be easy to just doze off. With all the Hyuga here, no one would be able to get close without them noticing.

Hisa was just about to shut her eyes for a moment as the funeral grew quiet. However, heavy footsteps caught her attention. She peeked over.

“You know this guy, Emiko? Is that the Godtree guy? I didn’t know he was actually that huge!” Hisa exclaimed as quietly as she could. Before she could take a close look at him she noticed a man appear on a nearby roof. They weren’t expecting ninja up here.

Immediately, Hisa activated her byakugan. The man’s features quickly shaprened as she spotted his Hidden Cloud headband. Could this be who she, Ren, and Emiko were sent here to watch out for? One man?

Hisa kept looking, quickly finding two other individuals. One was very far away, and barely perceivable.

“Alright guys, no more snoozing. We got three Hidden Cloud ninja in the area. I’ll take the one closest to us. There’s another by the Bell Tower, and one is keeping their distance.” Hisa pointed in their direction, before continuing. “Let’s deal with them quickly so the funeral doesn’t notice.”

With that said, Hisa disappeared. Everyone was going to have to handle themselves properly today. She couldn’t fall back on Natsume and Nariko anymore.

When she reappeared, it wasn’t far from the masked cloud nin, but it was out of his line of sight. She crouched down as she look another good look at him. Whatever was in that tank was no doubt dangerous, but it might slow him down in a hand to hand fight. She’d need to be wary of that baton though. Hisa drew her tanto blade, and sprinted towards the man. She aimed to stab him in his neck, where she could hopefully end things quickly.

Hanarei · Aug 26, 2022

Squad Kazuo

Emiko Senju

Emiko stood at attention perched on the roof with her team for this mission. A perhaps rather odd place to be considering she might otherwise be down below with her mother representing the Senju, as 'lacking' of the clan's gift she might be. To pretend it didn't bother her at all would be a lie, but she had grown to accept her lot in life and press beyond it. Her father had been there to give her that push setting her on the path she currently moving on. Developing her own techniques as she did taking advantage of the natural talent she seemed to have with it.

While it had lead to her floundering to become a chuunin, she was more then content with her role as an ANBU. She might not be the idea Senju possessing the clans kekkei genkai. but she was resolved to serve the role as a proud member of the clan. The Senju were proud founders and protectors of the leaf and being allowed to hold such a name she had every intention to serve her part. If it meant sticking to the shadows she would proudly do so. That dedication from duty perhaps the one trait she was most like her mother. So long as she could stand, she would do all she could do to protect the leaf and it's legacy. She wouldn't allow it's name to be sullied by those outside the village, or those villains who lurked within tormenting the lives of the innocent.

Emiko's eyes had been fixated on the service, glancing through the mole mask keeping an eye on it. It was that lingering gaze that had caught sight of the rather tall man leaving her watchful eye to stop. Torimori, the Godtree. A man who held such prominence in her clan, however it wasn't that aspect that had caused her attention to be so heavily focused upon him. She had seen that figure somewhere before, somewhere she shouldn't of. Her mind dwelling upon the thought only to have her thoughts disrupted glancing over hearing the voice of of Hisa.

"Huh? Oh... yes... Torimori Senju..." She spoke out her words seeming a bit distant not doing a very good job at showing how distracted she was.

She focused on the man once more looking at him as he seemed to almost put himself on display. Her gaze focused on him once more. Her mind drifting back over the the orphanage and Tama. Remembering the giant mirror being pieced together. The image of the meeting lingering in her mind the focusing instead on that figure in the background. The figure embedded in the tree, the tattoo on the man's head blurry but being entwined with the tree and the familiarity of the markings too great for it to not clear up in her mind. Torimori had been there during that meeting! There could be no mistake of it she was almost certain. Her foot stepping forward feeling the need to move forward to give some sort of warning though it had been halted.

Emiko turned her attention back towards the threats Hisa pointed out. The latter one being so far away she could barely see them. It was incredible what the Byakugan was able to pick out with such ease. Emiko gave a nod in response. As much as she was worried about the revelation with the Godtree, she still wasn't exactly able to do much about it. At most telling her superiors would be the only option without causing a disruption to the funeral. Being in plain view wasn't exactly the best place to act impulsively either. She had to also account for perhaps misremembering what she had seen. She was almost certain but it was something best viewed again with another high up to help confirm it.

She turned her head to Ren. A rather serious expression on her face not that the mask allowed such a thing to be visible to the girl.

"I'll head for the one furthest away. Perhaps it might help draw the attention of the one hiding by the belltower to me so you can sneak up on them."

The mole masked girl gave a nod as she ran darted forward. The girl traveling along the rooftops attempting to head for the furthest away invader. Perhaps a more direct approach then she would like but it could at least act as a bit of a diversion for her teammate making her own presence made aware to the other one hiding. Heading towards the lingering finger she did her best once she was closer attempting to see if the figure might already see her before electing to fall into position hiding away from them, and if not her best option was a direct confrontation making her presence known.

KageYuuki · Aug 26, 2022

Ren Ogumo

Body Snatchers

Ren knelt on the rooftop. Webs - both literal and purely chakra - spread out from her fingertips gathering information. Every little twitch of the web and pulse of chakra was a piece of information on what was going on outside her range of sight. Which was admittedly limited compared to her teammate and the crowd below them. Not that their vaunted byakugan prevented the inevitable. Perhaps the Noble Clans' complacency also played a role in what happened. The thought had crossed her mind on more than one occasion.

She looked back down at the crowd filtering in and out of the compound. While tragic, Ren found herself indifferent to the events playing out. All of the posturing between the different clans, both subtle and overt, it was draining just to watch. But watch she did, there was a job that needed to be done. The Cloud was bold enough to attempt something today, any problems would have to be nipped in the bud.

Familiar robes caught the small Ogumo's eye as her father Akihito made his way inside. Ren tilted her head. She didn't see her mother's white hair anywhere in the crowd. The Ogumo had always been a very matriarchal clan from the beginning. To only have a male member attend . . . She recalled Granny Shion's comment from earlier.

"Oh, and the talk of the Hyuga head dying. Such a time we live in. In chaos, always such a shake up for the great clans on top, and such a chance for small clans like ours to be so foolish as to make names for themselves."

What could Granny be playing at? Was it merely an insult thrown at the clans that always looked down on them? Or was there something else at play?

Speaking of looking down, she watched as Torimori made his way inside. ”Godtree..." Ren mused under her breath at the chatter between her teammates. She supposed it was a fitting enough name given what looked like literal branches sprouting from his back. She'd once overheard her mother expressing her frustration over him to Akihito, ranting about the sneer on his face when they crossed paths.

Ren's thoughts were interrupted by the twitching of webs. The new figure that had appeared on a nearby roof made her tense. Then Hisa pointed out two more. "Then we should--" The other two ANBU flickered away before Ren could voice her thoughts. She blinked after them, looking back down at the crowd below. We aren't particularly well suited for direct combat, but... Nothing in the mission said they had to engage with the Cloud themselves should they appear . . . And the tensions between the two villages was hardly a secret. She spied another familiar figure stepping out of the compound, her former sensei.

The small ANBU slipped from the rooftop, slipping through handsigns. Silk covered her entire body, molding and reshaping it until the form of an older woman was left behind.

Jorogumo's Disguise

The disguised Ren shuffled down the street, crossing in front of the compound just as Kenichi emerged. "Ah, Mister Uchiha, a second of your time?" It felt weird talking to her old sensei like this, she had to actively stop herself from using the title.

"Hm?" He stopped, turning back to face her. "Can I help you?"

"Well, I certainly hope so." She rested against her cane, a tanto encased in silk and transformed. "You see, I was on my way to meet my friend, Tsubaki for shogi. No sooner had I stepped outside, did a strange man appear on my roof."

The jounin raised an eyebrow at her.

The disguised Ren scowled and pointed at him. "Now don't you give me that look, young man! I know where I live." She lowered her voice and leaned closer. "I also know the Cloud's colors when I see them."

Kenichi's expression became unreadable. "I see . . . we'll look into it, ma'am." Giving a small bow, the jounin disappeared back into the compound.

No sense fighting when we don't have to. Ren shuffled down the street and rounded a corner, shedding her disguise and returning to the rooftop. She got up there just in time to see Kenichi whispering to a pair of Hyuuga, one of which had nearly spotted them earlier, before the trio vanished with a body flicker.

Merciless Medic · Aug 27, 2022

Nariko Nakamura
Team Taisei

Location: ANBU HQ | Mood: Concerned | Interactions: Ton Yamada, Kaito Chosokabe, Ryuji Genba | Mentions: N/A

Orikanyo

Wearing dark grey incognito robes over her usual attire, a bo-staff on her back, and a mask hanging around her neck, she looked to Kaito with no care if this was supposed to be something that warranted putting her mask on. Nariko didn't think it was wise to keep her facial expressions and her thoughts from the leader of ANBU. Even if being hidden and secretive was their game, she did violate this man's room and looked into three of his masks. Of course, she wasn't going to hide her thoughts from being expressed on her face or her eyes. Especially after that carp mask...

Either way, Kaito - wearing one of his many masks and this time it was an oni - laid the mission details in front of them. Well, the lack thereof. She should sneak in here and wear that oni mask some time.

Nariko was away from home when all of this had happened. Her jaw tensed. The joke was not appreciated as he explained one of the Nakamura corpses were stolen. From the blood he mentioned, either someone got hurt or died. For the first time since she joined, Nariko couldn't find a way to smile. No optimism. She didn't want to go back to her family. She didn't want to deal with their bullshit. But here she was, dealing with something that was about as horrid as stealing bodies from the ground. Lightning bolt scorches could be anyone, but considering this was the Nakamura clan, one wouldn't go in using lightning against known Lightning and Wind Nature users. One would have Fire and Wind Nature users going in to make it easier on themselves. She didn't know if any of her family had fought off the grave robbers, or if someone was stupid enough to use Lightning Nature against the Thunderstorm Kekkei Genkai family, but this started feeling fishy.

They had to find the one or two bodies that were taken and bring it back. While Nariko didn't care about preserving the bodies, she knew her family would be up in arms against the Hokage and the ANBU by proxy if she didn't try to at least bring them back, especially since her own mother had been paranoid about the ANBU's involvement. Having seen her mother fight Kaito in that other mask, she wouldn't be surprised. Her mother would use just about any excuse to blame the ANBU, and if it happened on her soil? Forget having a reasonable debate with her.

Taking the smoke bombs and scrolls to pocket them in her pack she had on the small of her back, she humored the thought of prayer, but thought it was just best to use the cleaner scrolls. She didn't know what they were really for besides to "clean" the body of their chakra and/or get rid of it entirely, but Nariko figured it would be best to call upon the cleaners when there were no threats. She figured they weren't exactly paid enough to also deal with their high-stakes bullshit.

The fact Kaito had no other information concerned her. What if they couldn't retreat if they encounter a squad of ninja? Either way, it seemed as if the three of them had really horrible stealth skills. At least the ordinary boy next to her (Ton, was it?) seemed to cover for that as he looked about average. Nariko was rarely ever about stealth, but of redirection away from her squad. She did chuckle a little from bringing up their stealth scores, but with how heavily he stressed not getting caught, Nariko was going to take this just as seriously.

When Kaito brought up the name of the Nakamura, her wide eyes bored into Kaito's skull, her skin becoming stark white as her blood ran cold. Rai? The Rai? Oh god, why??? She didn't need to know of Rai's legacy or his achievements. If he could, he would have killed her mother with but a simple movement. As he gave reasons as to why, Nariko's eyes narrowed, but then relaxed when Kaito said she was helpful.

Why would someone want the body?

Kaito explained Ryuji's help in all this, as well as Ton's. The forbidden section of the library being found by him had Nariko turning her head to look at him with a raised eyebrow. As if assessing him and Ryuji.

Honestly, they're both kind of cute.

But now's not the time to think of ways to flatter them. This was serious. B-ranked even. For people who were barely chuunin. Wow, they're going to die if they're not careful. Her eyes lidded when he spoke of pay going to their next of kin... If they died. Lovely. At least Kaito liked them.

Ton spoke up, making it known that he was not feeling confident about this. Nariko wasn't either.

Both Ton and Ryuji looked capable. If anything, judging by looks, Ton looked average and Ryuji looked to be more tricky - probably with genjutsu and seals. Or something of the like. He then said something about doing introductions on the way and said they could probably locate the body by smell. Nariko nodded and went through the trapdoor first, thankful her robes hid her behind as she crawled.

Once they were all in the same tight hallway, she introduced herself. Unlike most times, her voice held a more solemn tone. "Well, hello, boys. Nariko Nakamura. Thunderstorm Kekkei Genkai, family of the Thundering Swords I guess you can call them, user of the Primal Fist martial art, and I am more fit to handle things with my speed and strength and I'm decent with my ninjutsu. I am not stealthy by virtue of being more of a distraction to redirect people away from my squadmates, but that won't really help us if I can't keep them from killing me. To be honest, I don't want to go back to my family's home and I hope I don't have to talk to any of them. I became ANBU and my failure at the chuunin exams should mean that they should disown me and never give me a sword, but I have a sneaking suspicion that's not going to happen. Either way, sorry for the less-than-chipper attitude. I kind of new Rai when I was younger... That bastard was the best swordsman I've ever seen. I really hope that those reasons Kaito had said were the actual reasons and not something too nefarious." She sighed, popping out of the tight channel and leisurely making her way towards the HQ's front while she put on her own mask - that of a wolf.

"So, what's up with you two?"

IG42 · Aug 29, 2022

Squad Kasane
Waiting the sufficiently short time it took the boys to change Kasane examined each of them. "Quite the dramatic change Kiyoshi which is good for a disguise, nice to see some more of your face too." She gave his newly visible forehead a light tap. "Ryuji, being a total cheater by carrying an entire wardrobe in a seal." Her mock sternness was quickly replaced by a smirk. "I completely approve. Eiichi...well it'll do, I like those piercings though."

Easily hopping down to street level in spite of her outfit she beckoned the trio down. "Okay in light of your choices here's our formation, Ryuji stick with me and play the attendant. Eiichi and Kiyoshi hang back a little ways, stay visible and look pissed with anyone within 30 feet of me." Rolling her shoulders to strategically expose a little more skin she set her face into the self-satisfied smirk of a person who already knew she was getting whatever she wanted from whoever ended up in her sights. "Come along entourage."

Imperiously taking to the streets she headed for an especially seedy part of the already less than respectable neighbourhood, along the way she stopped to peruse the occasional storefront or market stall and signalled for Ryuji to handle purchasing and carrying them. Slipping into a narrow alleyway she approached an unassuming door and paused dropping her indolent expression, waving the more distant pair to close ranks she gestured to the door that lay slightly ajar with the lock clearly forced. "Break-in, could still be here. Go in quick and sweep the interior." Slipping her mask on she held up a hand with three fingers and counted down then threw the door open.

Darting inside the team would find what initially seemed to be a hole on the wall bar in a state of disarray the barkeep slumped dead over the counter, glancing over the bar she found a disguised hatchway lying quietly open. "This way, Ryuji keep watch here." Heading down the cramped space opened out into a hidden gambling hall that had been turned into a bloodbath with the bodies of patrons and staff alike strewn about. "We clear?" She was almost certain the answer was a yes as her senses didn't detect anyone else alive. Noticing a particularly well dressed and heavily beaten man lying in the centre of the space Kasane took a closer look. "And there's the man we were sent to find, seems he got harsher lesson than we planned."

Phayne

The Regal Rper

Phayne · Sep 2, 2022

~Squad Kasane~
Mentions:

IG42

The Regal Rper

Disguises in effect, the formation for their squad was quickly decided by their red head beauty of a squad leader; her quick wit and decision making taking full advantage of the chosen attire that the trio of greenhorns had selected for themselves. While Kiyoshi and Eiichi were on closer wavelengths when it came to their idea of a disguise; their other compatriot had gone a completely different direction with his interpretation of the initial command. Admittedly, it did seem more attune to the type of persona Ryuji had thus far emitted during their short duration as a team and it wouldn't be all that surprising if his decision to take that 'route' had been somewhat influenced by a far more instinctual.. bestial desire.

It wasn't shocking that Ryuji wanted to be 'closer' to their squad leader. That trickle of blood, appearing atop his perverted smile had not gone unnoticed to Kiyoshi. A faint smile would edge across his lips as he took solace in the fact that Ryuji was proficient in Water release, cause at this very moment he was attempting to play with fire.

Remaining candidly silent as he usually did, Kiyoshi somewhat puzzled by the tap to the forehead had listened attentively to the plan; his role to remain someways behind with Eiichi as they acted the 'distant' bodyguards to the Beauty and her ~~man-servant~~ butler. Instructed to give anyone within 30 feet the good old 'Don't fuck with us' stink eye glare, Kiyoshi had chosen to leave that particular part of their duty to the more 'explosive' looking Eiichi, the silent red head instead choosing to channel his inner man of few words 'I'm a silent bad ass' aura.

As Kasane and Ryuji perused the many stalls, Kiyoshi would in turn make eye contact with several seedy members of the public; returning their lecherous gaze with the the silent stare and a casual flick of his jacket; revealing what appeared to be the hilt of a blade; the thought of a weapon being enough to dissuade many of the would be opportunist.

It wasn't much longer before their shopping spree would end and the quartet would find themselves traversing down a dark alley way. Out of context and to the oblivious observer, it would have looked like the trailing duo of Eiichi and Kiyoshi were about to assault the unsuspecting wealthy mistress and her butler. Luckily no one seemed to have noticed or paid much care to that possibility and had instead given the four of them an easy access to the entrance of the gambling den.

Following the lead of Kasane, Kiyoshi too would place his mask upon his face though he would stop their leader mid count as she prepped their entrance into the building. Reaching out and grabbing Kasane's hand as she held three fingers up, Kiyoshi with his other hand would extend an open palm out towards her; signalling her to wait. Now pulling back the hand that previously held hers, Kiyoshi began to form several hand signals, a faint aura of chakra cloaking his body as he maneuverer himself towards the slightly ajar door.

[Sound Release: Silent Requiem]

Placing a palm upon the door, it would shimmer ever so slightly signalling the temporary effect that Kiyoshi had placed upon it. Even if the door were to be slammed open, not a single sound would be made; enabling their entrance to go pretty much unnoticed should anyone nefarious be waiting on the other side.

With Kasane entering, Kiyoshi waited till he was the last to enter before following the other in; the red head closing the door behind him; ensuring that no unwanted eyes from the outside would catch wind of what was happening here.

A massacre was what awaited them as they descended into the illegal gambling den; the walls painted red with the blood of the deceased; money and gambling chips scattered about the place; most stained with the blood of the fallen. Aside from the beaten man in the center, no one else seemed to be alive.

This however did not sit well for Kiyoshi who kept his eyes scanning around the room for details. Perhaps it was first Anbu mission nerves that was making him feel uneasy and he was simply overthinking things, Kiyoshi could not help but instinctively reach for one of his Kunai's. Ready to act if something DID happen.

Ganryu · Sep 9, 2022

Body Snatchers

-Chiiiing- the blade of Hisa sunk into heavy garb, sligth red at it, but the sheer thickness of the mask seemed to grab at it. The cloud nin, unaware of her existance until that point suddenly rolled over, grabbing at the hole in his garb.

"Grck!? Tch, what are you some sort of ninja or som-..."

He stood in stupid silence for a minute.

"Just forget I said that." Hold his baton forward, a blue light, and a quiet "Kwishuuuuuuuuuu" echoed as blue beams travelled down the tank on his back to the baton, becoming a beam sword.

Storm Release: Emperor's Jitte

"At least I only have to take care of someone of the same status as me. Tch, not being able to do anything flashy is against my code, but at least I'm not as crippled as Chiyome by it. Let's dance!"

He began to twist and spin the saber around his body in an eleborate martial display, melted roof tiles left in his wake as he waltzed towards Hisa. The third member hissed. "Low profile, Oda. Don't want... attention."

--------------

As Emi headed towards the clock tower, the miko atop it picked up a ringed staff, her eyes shifting around. She tried to keep it on her teammates, but vaguely managed to see the shadow nearby. She began to slide one hand up her staff, a faint 'bzzt' heard, before slamming it into the ground. Sparks shot out, and small arcs fell across the ground, and shot across a nearby power line. It creeped through the area, before suddenly a fanged beast made of lighting sprang out near Emi, fangs open as it tried to lash out at her side, fangs that would both pierce and burn if it struck.

--------------

From the crowd, a few of the ninjas bowed to dismiss themselves, among them, the sensei of Ren, Kenichi Uchiha, Hisa's Father, and a strange man wearing a blindfold, and a massive bow on his back.

The prayer inside begun, and, to the jonin, a few flickers could be seen, and several more individuals in the crowd disappeared. A funeral pyre began to burn as the body was placed atop.

Three crow calls could be heard in the distance.

Inside the Hyuga quarters, Torimori Senju, the massive giant who seemed to be half tree, nodded his head respectfully, but could be seen tapping his ear. He whispered quietly.

"10'o'clock, Route B, 4 shadows, Class A. Cloud continues to be rash. "

He stood at the end of the prayer, and began to approach the head family, bowing before them.

"The Leaf has truly lost one of its great members today. The Senju lends its strength in these trying times. " He then leaned in, whispering again. "I suspect the glass found belonged to a lava release user. I suspect the Cloud. We WILL avenge Hibiki Hyuga." He turned to leave.

The Regal Rper · Sep 9, 2022

Eiichi | ANBU HQ | Squad Uzumaki

He huffed. Though honestly it was kind of comforting in a familiar sort of way. The same kind of ripping his family would give him when he'd come back from a mission or whenever he'd come back in a foul mood from one of his team's missions.

"Thanks." He was right beside the others as they all moved forward but upon the further detail that Kiyoshi and he were to hang a little ways back, Eiichi slowed his pace and maintained a distance while keeping in stride with his new partner. His eyes and senses went immediately to their surroundings.

Looking pissed and threatening was practically his natural look. He had it mastered, and he had the experience to back it.

When someone passing by their Princess squad leader took a look to long at her backside, Eiichi did something simple. He casually picked up a stone, something tiny really- then threw it. It sailed like a kunai, going straight for the shin- and when it hit, it didn't hit hard- but it hit hard enough it got startled attention in his way.

"Why don't you keep walking stargazer, lady's got business. Same goes for the rest of ya." From behind his sunglasses his brows furrowed, somehow enhancing his antagonizing unspoken threat. "Unless, you into guys?" Right as Kiyoshi flapped his jacket, showing off a little something something for the really curious sort that only got feet moving faster.

"Ye, ye." He swiped his nose with his thumb, following a bit after one of them as they sped up when they saw him move a little their way, from a quick walk to a sudden jog- "hahaha" he laughed, snickering at their fear.

Sleezeballs like that really just got what they deserved.

At the signal to move forward and rejoin, he was on the move with Kiyoshi instantly. He eyed their surroundings, kept his senses open in the case an unfamiliar signature moved in their direction so he could alert the others but not a soul seemed to be wary. Down the alleys, through the darkness- they came to a stop at the broken door that led into the gambling Eiichi pulled out a kunai from his jacket, where he'd altered it to stash five. The moment the countdown was over, Eiichi followed in after Ryuji his tengu mask already slipped down. Eyes scanning the clear struggle that had occurred within the gambling den.

Blood splattered the walls at an angle or in droplets but Eiichi moved swiftly, ignoring it. From his senses alone he couldn't feel a single chakra signature aside from the others within his current vicinity. It was just a sign that everyone, or most of everyone within his radius aside from his teammates were gone. It disturbed him- but catching the one who had done this would be the sweet delicious icing that would let these deaths merely be worth the victory of capturing their culprit, especially if their original target was a part of it all.

While he moved slowly past each dead staff member or patron, Eiichi made sure to feel with his senses if the person in question was truly dead. There had been many times where back when he had been active as a Genin in the Land of Rain, undergoing support missions, injured Shinobi that were working under the Tyrant would remove their crossed handbands and disguise themselves as civilians to steal their supplies or pretend to be dead or injured when they had to perform search and rescues. There was no way he was going to allow those slip ups back when he was younger, happen here.

Only after he was satisfied checking all the dead- did Eiichi respond with: "We're all clear" As he came up beside their leader. His tengu mask and the angry scowl on the tengu's face only enhancing the sense of disdain he felt as he looked down at the beaten and bloodied man. There was a strong temptation to prod him with his foot even though he knew he was alive- but out of professionalism he chose not to do it.

After all, even if he wasn't as into the Princess as someone was, he still wanted to make a good impression.

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IG42

Phayne

Hanarei · Sep 13, 2022

Squad Kazuo

Emiko Senju

A more direct approach wasn't exactly much of her style though acting as a decoy did put some value in making such an approach. Well... perhaps at least she viewed her typical approach to problems being more tactful and stealthy. In truth she wasn't anywhere near as sneaky as she would like to think she was. There were worst then her but she did tend to have a tendency to stick out more then she should. It didn't help that perhaps she could be sparked to action as well with the right push. None the less for her keeping the one in hiding distracted and thinking they were overlooked would only help out and she could be a bit more careful as to not draw the attention of the one she was focused upon.

At least that was what she had hoped.

Their gesture with the staff alerting her attention rather quickly that she likely had been discovered. It was a less helpful indicator then she would of liked as she had only caught sight of the attack just before it was about to strike. Emiko jumped away though unable to completely avoid it. A loud gasp escaping her lips as her arm was scrapped,. Her loose black coat over her arm being burnt away by the lightning as it sizzled as her arm burned some blood dripping from the gash as she jumped out no longer clearly having the element of stealth as she created a short distance from the Miko.

A few hand signs were performed touching the ground as the earth causing it to lift up swirling around as she took a portion of it up taking hold of it as her other hand remained lifted. A light gasp escaping her lips placing it upon her arm as she touched it on her wound, the burning of it hurting far more then the cuts it created as she looked forward.

Mud Release: Rejuvenating Clay

The mud itself hardened, clutching onto the wound stopping the light bleeding though more so helping to sooth the pain of the burn it caused. Her eyes fixated on the intruder rather sternly. The idea of attack clear in her mind after being struck though she suppressed the idea. Her arms lifted remaining on guard as the earth continued to float near her as she instead was focused on being defensive. It was a more level headed way to approach them. It was clear their technique involved electricity but given what she had done it seemed like it wasn't just limited from originating from her body. Any sort of device that harnessed electricity at all seemed like it was able to be used as well. To what extent she truthfully wasn't sure. It just meant she had to be more cautious.

"Why are you here in the leaf? What purpose is it that you and your fellow shinobi dare come to our village in a time of mourning and remembrance?"

Her voice was quite stern slipping from the mole mask she wore. A hint of her distaste for it being quite clear in her voice. She was doubtful she could get much out of the girl but it seemed a worth wild cause. At the very least it would preoccupy her time from attempting to do something more insidious. It was likely a job assigned for her to do and not something she could be talked out from but it was worth at least putting up so much emphasis on the ceremony given her appearance. Emiko remained on guard the mud partially twisted around her as her chakra infused into the earth as she remained prepared already having been attacked once not wanting to be taken off guard again.

InsaneAsylum · Sep 28, 2022

Hisa Hyuga

“Was the head of the Hyuga a close friend of yours?” Hisa asked, as she eyed the glowing beam stick the man wielded. Behind her mask was an irritated face. If it weren’t for that mask being so thick she could’ve avoided this.

Turning her feet, and ever so slightly lowering herself, Hisa adjusted her stance. the way his weapon literally melted part of the roof was more than a reason to be careful. She brought her blade up before her with her left hand, angling it towards the man. It shook in her grip.

The byakugan was hard at work behind her mask. Hisa quickly glanced at everyone at the funeral, making sure nothing too insane had happened there. before examining every inch of the man to try and find inspiration for a plan. Without one she’d be screwed.

He was already awfully close though… Hisa grumbled to herself, beginning to back away from the man. “That blade of yours looks dangerous. I thought we could have ourselves a good duel but I feel like that’s a little unfair. To be honest, I didn’t realize the conflict between our villages was this great. If you’re here to cause trouble then the Cloud must already be moving against us. I don’t know a lot about politics, but hopefully this doesn’t turn out to be a mistake,” Hisa rambled, buying herself as much time as possible. It worked however, as Hisa had already made up her mind.

She gripped her shaky blade with both hands, bringing it to a halt. “I knew the Hidden Cloud was full of spineless pigs!”

Genjutsu: Stained Honor

Now the hard part began.

Ganryu · Oct 2, 2022

Crypt of the Necromancer

Orikanyo

Merciless Medic
(Hey, zombie post. I said I would post if others did, and, welp, they did.)

Throughout the journey, Shin Raita's trail initially headed straight for the border, before it began to slow down and deviate a bit. A campsite could be seen, where he had rested, and around the campfire, two sets of footprints, one of sandals, one barefoot, both male, of about average size. A trail of dripping blood finally stopped, meaning he had patched himself up. But wet gauze hanging from a tree indicated he wasn't very far in front of the group.

The trail suddenly wound off from towards the border, backtracking as if the man had second thoughts. The path it led to turned into a mountainous forest area, covered in a deep fog. Butterflies ran rampant through the air, and an oppressive chakra hung in the area. It wasn't heavy, but it was thick and seemed to rise like steam almost, it's sheer presence causing double vision occasionally.

The butterflies circled around the group in large double circles, bands travelling up and down in impressive patterns and acrobatics.

Shin's footsteps seemed to travel in a circle, wandering around and around an area, before going on. This same circle of footsteps seemed to repeat again, and again. It seemed like he had gotten lost in the mist at the very least.

Across several of the trees, draped in vines and flowers, the name "Kaijarisuigyo Senju, the Trampling Forest", epitaph of the First Hokage, could be seen written on a tree. The pattern of names seemed to repeat every couple hundred yards in the mist. It seemed to be a hidden graveyard to the First Hokage, though it wasn't on any maps. Only the Senju, and ANBU who had been snooping in secret files knew of his resting place.

Orikanyo · Oct 2, 2022

Ton yamada

"..Did you know that butterflies are omnivorous...?" Ton lead with, having been quiet as they had done their work thus far. he eyed the butterflies fluttering around them, eyeing them with curiosity and certainty they were up to no good. or maybe that was just how he always looked, the mask didn't help, as it rightfully shouldn't. "Wounded... Wandering.. perhaps looking for something.. Our corpse grabber is not content with just one, but a second...

Had we time we could inquire with the Senju.. But.. Here we are.." the young man fussed with his notebook a tad, takeing small notes now and again on things that seemed pertinent. he considered the tracks.. Their quarry was lost.. or searching.. Perhaps they found the way forward..? it most definitly wasn't on the ground, they would likely need to run through the trees..

"..The stolen corpse, know anything pertinent about it? Can it's abilities be extracted from it's long deceased state?" he questioned the woman, as he considered the footprints... barefoot.. hmm...

Merciless Medic · Oct 6, 2022

Nariko Nakamura
Team Taisei
Crypt of the Necromancer

Location: Abandoned Campsite | Mood: Bored, Concerned, Afraid | Interactions: Ton Yamada | Mentions: N/A

Orikanyo

Nariko had been staring down at the footsteps and blood trail as they trailed it to the abandoned campsite. There was no action, so it was boring, yet the fact that a body of one of her family members was concerning. Scrutinizing the campsite, she used her hand to measure the size of the sandal print to the footprint. They were of different sizes, so logically two different people. Once she was done with that, her eyes looked away from the ground and the gauze caught her attention. She approached it and touched it with her thumb and forefinger to test its dampness, curling her nose in slight disgust as how wet it still felt. Wiping away the damp blood on her pants, she followed the trail that led from the campsite towards the border, only for it to veer towards a mountainous forest, air laden with fog.

There was something else to this fog. If she were more aware of what Yin chakra felt like, she would have spotted it immediately, but as it stood, she had no idea what she was feeling. Not like she was being watched, not like killer intent, but something else and it made her spine crawl with a chill. The butterflies cut the eerie feeling Nariko's senses were firing from every nanosecond, but if she knew what they meant, she wouldn't have been thinking they were some way to cut the chill.

What was interesting was that her vision felt off every once in a while, as if she were seeing double within the rising, steamy chakra. Well, she could feel it was some kind of presence, but given she wasn't very good at spotting things that she couldn't see with her biological five senses, she was unsure of what this all was.

The butterflies however, were circling something. The area or something within? She didn't know. All she knew were that the footsteps were leading in circles and it didn't take them long to loop back to where they came from. What she did find while roaming in that circle was a sign.

Ton's words cut through the silence, and Nariko nearly put a crick in her neck from snapping her head towards him in surprise. The question was odd, and she shook her head. She watched him jot something down, unsure of how to proceed.

When he asked about whether the abilities could be extracted, Nariko shrugged. "I don't know." Her voice sounded loud due to the silence that permeated around them, but she was talking in a hushed tone. "What I do know is that it takes a creative mind to do just about anything you want with chakra. If someone can extract the abilities from a corpse, we have a bigger issue on our hands. The Nakamura body they took... I remember him. He was such a strong man in life. He was known to create a thunderclap as he struck his foes with blinding speed, slicing through them like lightning bursting through rock in an instant. If they were to take his body and extract that, we shouldn't engage." While Nariko didn't mind a good fight, especially one against her own kin, she was sensible not to end up killing herself or her partner on this mission with a foe they couldn't possibly beat.

The information Ton had said earlier finally registered properly. They had the Nakamura body, but now they wanted the First Hokage?

"Maybe they needed the Nakamura body to get the First Hokage." But that line of logic didn't make sense with the evidence (or lack thereof) they had. She sighed. The comment about butterflies being omnivorous finally came back to her as she realized the names on these trees were epitaphs or the equivalent to gravestones. "Um... Was that why he was walking around in circles? Trying to find the First Hokage's body from these trees? Do we even know where the body is? What is this pressure I'm feeling from the air? And what you said about butterflies being omnivorous... Does that mean there's an exposed dead body nearby?" She fired off her questions in a simple, medium-paced manner so they could all be heard, but not without a bit of fear that could be heard within her tone, making it quake just slightly as she asked her last question.

Her entire body was on alert now, her muscles tensed as she looked around to see any sign of anything other than the duo. Knees bent, she crouch-walked backwards towards Ton, her hand reflexively reaching for her bo-staff.

Orikanyo · Oct 6, 2022

Ton Yamada

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"...Typically rotting flesh.. Salt and Amino acids." the state of the bodies of the first group that fought them was explained it seemed... "A second person, rotting corpse exposed, the sandle footsteps are not weighted down heavily.. They weren't carrying a corpse..." Ton nodded, then shook his head. "...he raised a corpse from the dead and is controlling it, i'd think." Ton began to write down his findings in a new page, quite fascinating....

"A kinjutsu, should have expected we would come across it sooner or later. this shall be an acceptable acquisition for the library if we squeeze it from this miserable fool.." Ton flicked a butterfly from his shoulder, stepping forwards.

"I Don't know what type, naturally since it is a Kinjutsu, but my first running theory of course is the raising of the dead and forcing the body under their will. I do not know exactly the extent of the controll the person has over the body and if it is given extraordinary power.. or if it is weakened to some extent. Or even has a degree of mental faculty beyond what it knew in life. From the burn marks that was left from the last squad that they encountered in the corpse's graveyard, it is clear.. It still does have some degree of ability...

It is however still a corpse, likely the utilization of the corpse is long form and the technique is capable of being used on multiple targets. that, or the user can use only one and is going to switch to the more powerful target...

nonetheless, we have a reliable way of tracking these two..." Ton pointed towards the butterflies, looking to follow a trail of them if they were so helpful to provide one.

"I'm no Aburame, but these butterflies are certainly ravenous for rotten flesh. Following them shall lead us to the corpse, and the ressurectionist."

Ganryu · Oct 11, 2022

Crypt of the Necromancer

The mist around them grew thicker as Ton pointed to the butterflies. They reached the sign, again, their own footprints appearing before them. The butterflies didn't seem to react to Ton's pointing, not being in the least bit interesting. The way they circled the area drew a large semi-sphere they could not seem to touch, despite their rapid acrobatics and show, black wings forming a dome.

The mist seemed to curl around them, whisps carressing their cheeks in long finger like columns as it grew thicker, and thicker. Soon, the one wasn't visible to the other, and a warmth started to spread. A lulling voice, commanding them "Sleep..."

Both Nariko and Ton would find themselves collapsed in the woods, with the misty valley in the distance. Next to them, the ground was perturbed, one body had recently lied in it. Bare feet had simply walked up to, revealing the corpse didn't seem to fall to the same spell, though it's master had, and had yet to penetrate the First Hokage's Resting Place either.

Merciless Medic · Oct 13, 2022

Nariko Nakamura
Crypt of the Necromancer

Location: Graveyard of the First Hokage | Mood: Cautious, Scared | Interactions: Ton Yamada | Mentions: N/A