Fandom Song of Rage

[Orikanyo]

Wakanaka tsube
Team Miho( ?)

The sudden lightning strikes and storm were vicious, but what was more concerning was the.. lack of it... He hadn't been blown away, having sturdied himself by getting closer to the ground, but... Well... Not even a storm could shut up Sachiko. Wakanaka rolled his eyes at her obvious distaste of his earlier words. "It's MY squad as much as it is YOUR squad and Shio's. bitching amount semantics when your one foot in the grave and blind as a bat wont do you any favors. I'm no better off, but we're all dead when Miho gets her hands on us anyways..." His working arm hoisted the sword upon his shoulder, better than dragging it around.

"Really, we're fucking lost, we at least should try and head back to Arashigakure, if anything we have our buy in with the sword... We'll have to explain ourselves a great deal.. And lie out our teeth, that, well, I'm certain you have a few ideas for Sachiko." he at least gives her that, his eyes turning to the scene in front of him...

"...Its gorgeous out here when the sun is out... Small blessings..." his body ached, but his heart was soothed at the sight... He.. truely has been through the ringer huh...?

..And so has the others...

....

"...Hey...Shio, Sachiko...

....

Thanks for coming with me. You coulda let me just go after the ANBu alone, run off to die like an idiot. But.. You didn't... You even peeled off to take them on one on one... Even if it wasn't in our controll too, you did it, and survived... I've been a shit, a big pile of shit, we've all been shit to each other throughout being a squad... But I didn't need to be like that.

So... I'm... I'm sorry... I get it if you two hate me for dragging you into this, if anything, please, let me take responsibility if we get in trouble... I know you'd want it no other way, but... Just..." he scratches his head, before sighing.

"...It'll be abit of a steep incline, Sachiko, take my hand, it's... messed up so.. don't grip to hard.." he offers his bandaged up hand towards the girl.

Ganryu Hanarei

 

[Hanarei]

Shioreta Koino​

Shioreta managed to stay put... mostly by the chakra threads she had swiftly attached to Waka. Thank goodness the threads relied on her chakra rather then her own strength otherwise she would of got blown back like Sachiko even with the fact she tried to ground herself a bit in the process. The entire ordeal was a bit more then she expected. She had figured simply walking out and being on their merry way wasn't likely going to happen, though a cataclysm of sorts being used was not at all what she figured might happen. Seeing they had settled down, Shio swiftly released her chakra threads before Waka might get the chance to place suspicion she had done so. The frail genin slowly propping herself back up fully onto her feet brushing herself off.

Her head turned to look at Sachiko. The puppetmaster tilted her head a bit to the side in response almost as if questioning her choice of words. Sure enough the king of grump spoke up, quite harshly in fact. Not that she expected Waka to be all diplomatic in tone but still she hadn't expected his response in that matter. Mentioning MIho perhaps it was just him acting like a cornered animal reacting harshly more so out of self defense? A cornered animal is know to be quite vicious when its in a situation that seems inescapable. Even if you had all but good intentions its very likely the little critter might lash out at you, not that Sachiko was complete innocent with her words either.

What she wasn't expecting was for Waka to in some part recant his harsh tone. She blinked looking at him. She was... mostly certain she hadn't witnessed some hard object smashing into his head. Its possible she blinked just as it happened but it seemed quite implausible she would of blinked for long enough with no noticable sign of him flinching from a blow hard enough to make him speak in a much more friendly tone. It was enough to make Shioreta raise her hand to her chin, gently scratching her finger against it in thought. Then she noticed how he offered his hand towards Sachiko seemingly directing his focus on her to help her out.

...

"Are you romantically interested in Sachiko all of a sudden after our near death excursion? Trying to be nice to her and offering your hand like that... you know..."

Shioreta asked tilting her head to the side as she seemed to rationalize his change in behavior in a rather... different way. She wasn't really the very emotional type. Empathy wasn't exactly her strong suit when it came to emotions. Still she had to admit even if it was a small tingling sensation, it was still there as feint as it was finding it a bit cute. It was a thought that came and pass relatively quickly as Shioreta stepped forward.

"Oh, and our best bet to find the village... or really anyone to point us in the right direction would be to find and follow a river or if we can see signs of foot traffic. Tracks would be the best way though a little more difficult to stumble on. Its possible we might find a place we have been before and use it to backtrack. That or dark gloomy clouds with a lot of Lightning... a little less reliable since it could just be some natural storms though."

She spoke up answering what Sachiko asked earlier a bit delayed though perhaps out of a sense of not trying to make things more awkward... granted she sort of opened the book wide open for that.

Mentioned: Ganryu Orikanyo

 

[Ganryu]

Sachiko held up her hand to argue, before Waka got quiet. She cocked her head slightly, shutting up for once as he then went on to thank them.

"N-no problem."

She stopped for a minute, blinking, and not sure what to say. He offered to be helpful, but Sachiko didn't move, just looking off into the distance in some weird blur of blue and purple with the mountain range.

"Huh..."

Had anyone ever really thanked her before? Sachiko's goal was always to be the worst, to get others attention, and to be mischievous. Didn't leave a lot for actually being worth being thanked for. She was just a gremlin most of the time. And it was so uncharacteristic of Waka.

Rather than take his hand, she leaned against a rock, slightly swaying trying to think.

Then Shio made it awkward, and Sachiko burst out laughing. "Ha! Shio, we pick on Waka a lot, but he doesn't actually have brain damage. I don't know why all the mess ups are in one squad, but only romance our squad has going is how romantically chaotic we are!"

She took his hand, trying to get down.

"Yeah, I'll work on a few lies. There's no way they'll believe 3 of us got lucky and took care of those ANBU, but a few details might help. We'll say we saw them getting into a fight, and snuck off with the sword afterwards. Only problem is who could've fought them, but wouldn't be able to back it up. I mean, we didn't make that oath thing, I'd say we saw that kitsune Katsu-"

As Sachiko tried to say Katsuhito's name, suddenly she fell over, grabbing her heart, and looking in pain as a seal started appear across her body, before fading again. It felt like literally there was a hand squeezing it IN her chest.

"Well guys, good news... know what that seal does..."

Still panting from the small heart attack Sachiko shook, and took a moment to sit. "Guess while I'm taking five, I have to apologize too. I've been holding back alot cause I want a bad reputation. It keeps nearly getting us killed. If I just was straight forward about that guy using poison gas earlier rather than just mess a round, think we could have done better. That, and all the training I've been slacking on

. If I wasn't messing with those prison guards we wouldn't have lost time and gotten caught up with that whole Nobuyuki thing. And the whole training exercise with Miho, if we just did our best, don't think it would have ended near as badly. At old man Fuji's house, I kinda already knew Tree Climbing, I just didn't want to show off...

I mean, we're all terrible ninja I guess, but, yeah. I'll actually try with you guys. That, and I think we keep doing what we've been doing, we'll be alright. "

Sachiko grinned mischievously before pickpocketing Shio for a kunai. Stabbing her hand, she made a bloody print against a rock. "There! That's my sign that I'm going to actually try for once for us, Gremlins. But, I, Sachiko Kounna, Heir to the Kounna family, do swear that I'll actually use everything I got from now on for you two. Sorry for dragging us down."

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Ryuuka vs Riku
aww crap.

Ryuuka realized her gamble had not paid off the moment her opponent disappeared, but their really wasn't time to do anything except react on pure instinct, if the arrow was good enough for him, it was good enough for her was all Ryuuka's brain managed to compute in the split second it had at hand. Ryuuka lunged forwards desperately and with her knee already extended from before she quickly flicked out her foot, trying to strike the very end of the arrow as it flew away from her so that it would flip around and her outstretched fingers could brush against the paper tip as she fell.

Stupid...smug... jerk and his made up language! Ryuuka thought vengefully as she flailed desperately for the arrow. Gonna climb into his stupid arrow and punch him in there if I have to I don't care!

Ganryu

 

[Ace Cream]

Aya

He's fast!

Aya had been able to catch up with Hibiki's movement at the begining but as he pumped his speed up more and more she started to think maybe she should prepare something else. Two of her smaller pupils glanced left and right, regretting the fact that for a sanctioned battle like this the arena was almost always a plain flat terrain, she couldn't use anything to latch on. She must try something else.

Weaving a handsign, Aya took a deep breath and felt her kimono started to inflate as her wind chakra filled its inside. [Fujin's Cushion], a jutsu that she learned to prank her sister. Never crossed her mind she would end up using it for something like this. She looked at the furious Hibiki. I'm ready! Come at m-

Dull but powerful pain spread through her body as the first of Hibiki's attack hit her. Her durable clothes and the improvised airbag helped to dampen the damage but Aya wasn't exactly the strongest for taking hits. Which was why she didn't plan to take all the attacks head on, Hibiki's powerful hit and Aya's bouncy airbag created a backward momentum that she didn't try to resist. Instead she utilized it to get away from Hibiki's attack range. Leaving a trail of explosive tags while she's shoved away into hitting the barrier.

"Boom."

The tags exploded. Creating a blasting area between Aya and Hibiki. Aya forced herself to immediately stand and instinctively raised a kunai in front of her. Her breath was uneven and her stance was unsteady, but she still got the spirit, probably.

Ganryu

 

[Ganryu]

==============
Shibata vs Kiiro
==============
Kiiro's vines latched onto both clones wrists, swinging them away from him, and stumbling forward so that they faced Shibata, the thorn sticking into them. Their eyes slowly began to turn red, and as Shibata made the handsign to disperse them, Kiiro chuckled.

"Sorry, they're mine now. Far too angry to simply let themselves be dispelled. And the first target of their rage is useful for me."

Both of them began to run forward, starting a series of handsigns as several crystal shurikens began to form, and fly at Shibata from the clones, aiming to pepper him with the same technique he was using at Kiiro from two different angles.

Kiiro flinched, trying another set of handsigns, but flinching. Shaking his head, he began to run with the clones at Shibata, out of chakra for more techniques, but vines dragging behind his arms as he ran. He ran behind one of the clones, using it for cover, even as blood spilled.

Out of chakra, and his body nearing its limit, it didn't seem likely like Kiiro had a path to victory even with the clones. But from the stands, a voice yelled out "You can do it!"

Kiiro clenched his jaw, and ran a bit faster.

==============
Ryuuka vs Riku
==============

As Ryuuka would reach out for the arrow, and bright explosion rocked the area, leaving a smoking crater... and much of the audience crying out about the flash.

A second later, two streams of smoke could be seen flying out of it, one smashing into the ground and rolling again and again, the other flying up into the air, and threatening to smash into the ground hard.


-----

In the stands, Old man Kei Grunted, blinking his eyes and shaking his head. After a moment he just elbowed Hideyoshi.

"Cardmaker."

"Hmm...?"

"I'm recording this fight for posterity. Play by play if you would."

"And why would I do that...?"

"Tch." The old genjutsu specialist snarled. Then passed a wad of bills over. The noble chuckled, pocketting it.

"The taijutsu user was able to grab hold of the arrow mid flight as the explosion hit. It did little to stop the explosion, but opened up the demi plane the sealing user was using for cover. It ripped apart the seal anchoring the dimension, expelling both of them. So, in essence both of them were hit by the explosion. Even I can't tell who's worse off. On one hand, the taijutsu user took definite larger amount of force. On the other hand, I do believe she's more used to it than the sealing archer.

Oh, one in the air, who really might want to stop herself if Ryuuka. I believe if she can find a way to break her fall, she'll win. The one smashed into the ground like a mortar and pestal is Riku. He's taken less damage, but is far less used to it from how his muscles twitch to impact. I don't believe he'll be able to do more than stand. No correction, I don't think he would want to do more than stand. He seems to be playing around from what I've seen."

"You're terrifying, you know that, Hideyoshi? No wonder your village keeps pretending you don't exist."

"Oh please. I'm not Hideyoshi, I'm Kojiro Saemonsaburou, remember? And besides, even if I had the dojutsu you're describing, it merely let's me see chakra and muscle composition. The rest is just skill with using it. Yin/yang preference for how they regularly use their jutsu, the openess of their chakra system for how much, how large and exposed to chakra their muscles are, how bruised they are... It's not like I'm magic.

But for the sake of your stream of genjutsu, Ryuuka is the tougher one, her muscles speak of far more training, and abuse. Riku seems more laid back, but intelligent, his body isn't that well used, but those sealing jutsu and position seem rather talented. Oh, and his optic nerve is shot. Still, not sure why either one's fighting, neither one seem to actually have a reason to be here. Both just playing around."

Kei snarled. "We could always ask Ryuuga."

"Or... or.. hear me out. We could. not."
==============
Hibiki vs Aya
==============

At the moment of impact, Aya's outer outfit seemed to explode from a dozen different hits at once from differing angles striking, Hibiki's speed of his final blow difficult to follow. However, it seemed to work more in her favor, as it released more air at once, sending her flying back. Hibiki gasped at the trail of tags, and visibly flinched as he lifted his foot in response.

A large 'bang' echoed as they detonated, and for several moments, a dust cloud blew by. A shadow slowly became visible, Hibiki left standing at least, but he wasn't moving.

As more cleared, on the ground, a clear wall where the explosion had hit could be seen, stopping much of the force, but burn marks still covered the genin. Still, his muscles were shaking, and he was clenching his jaw just to stand upright.

Every jutsu had a weakness, and the price for his speed seemed to be a blowback Hibiki was still dealing with.

From his leg, a purple glitter disappated from his other leg. His second stored barrier, similar to the first one he'd used in his other leg earlier in the fight.

 

[Orikanyo]

Wakanaka tsube


"Humph... Guess you really were meaning to drag yourself down... Caused trouble... All to get a bad reputation... Truely you are rare... In the same way a broken fork is rarely bent the same way, but rare." Wakanaka chuckled abit. "...I'll admit myself... I've been... Standoffish, I didn't bother from the start to actually be a good team mate to both of you, in fact.. I all but ditched you two for others when it came to jobs.. We've barely done anything together, And I'm a part of that problem...

If I had been more supportive.. We may have not gotten into this mess, actually think about your well being and..." he sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Add in the sword vented a good bit of akuma chakra as well.. I... Got abit of an issue we'll need to cover up.... And.. A few new questions to ask mom and dad..." he paused.

"..Guess you can't see it Sachiko, but my crystal broke in my fight... Showered me with akuma chakra.. I killed the jonin but... Got a horn out the top of my head now... Its... Kinda hard to miss..." he pauses to touch it abit, less tingly now, maybe it had to harden up since it sprouted from his head..?

"..Woke up with a new crystal... So... these guys are... Either in league with our village... or have somebody stealing them...

Yea know... for "trying to recruit us" he was pretty bad at recruiting.. Didn't offer anything, just ran on the good faith of bandaging us up. That stuff works over time for gratitude to settle in... Didn't even try to wedge thoughts of "Will your village take you back?" in...

I'd at least try abit harder than he did... Now..."

His mouth opened abit, revealing a sharp fang and... Paused as he looked to his other hand, unwrapped the bandage abit around the palm, pressed abit to let out abit of blood and applied his own hand upon the stone.

"I don't have much in the way of familial prospects, i'm not in line for much, but I am is strong, and only gonna get stronger. I swear I'll use that strength for all of us... And not for my selfishness..." he pulled his hand away, leaving the crimson print upon it.

...His eyes glanced towards Shio, wondering if she even can imagine she has any faults to admit.

Ganryu Hanarei

 

[Hanarei]

Shioreta Koino​

Shio was mildly upset Sachiko didn't allow her to tease Waka by playing it up but it wasn't something she cared enough to really try and push further herself. It did seem she was acting a bit more focused which did make her tilt her head a bit curiously though with the cursed seal placed upon them acting up it worked as a good way of disrupting it. It was about as she expected, perhaps with a bit less instant death. To be fair it wasn't as if the limits of the curse were tested it was quite possible such a result might occur if it was tested enough. It did leave her a bit curious in what round about ways things could be discussed before it might activate. Not curious enough to test it though. She didn't intend on really divulging any information or had a reason to do so anytime soon. It wasn't really an avenue she intended to close on herself yet.

What she hadn't really been expecting was the honesty from Sachiko about what she had been doing, followed by Waka... strangely being open and admitting fault. Shioreta's head tilted to the other side blinking as she seemed rather puzzled. She half expected she was locked in some strange genjutsu attempting to inflict confusion on Shio and make her unable to react. The joke would be on her attacker though considering she was practically defenseless as of now with both her main puppets damaged. Taking it though to be real she shrugged a bit, brushing off the apologies and sappy part to focus on the other topic at hand.

"If anything, my guess is they already were quite certain we would reject their invitation. They wouldn't want us to join out of desperation but rather from being aligned with their motives. It was to plant a seed within our minds that they were certain as time went on and our curiosity got the best of us we might learn more ourselves and it might ultimately bring us to align closer to their over-all cause. They less want the shinobi we are today but the ones we might become in the future. After all, I see no other reason why they would let us go just with a curse when killing us would of been a trivial task and far more effective at keeping their secrets."

She lifted her hand tapping her chin seeming to be a bit in thought shifting back to the other 'topic'. A much harder topic over-all for her to address.

"Well... I suppose I could admit it wasn't hard for me spending a bit of time around you Sachiko that you weren't giving much your all, unless it involved coming up with schemes to cause trouble. Then Waka I can tell is very... um... hot headed. Perhaps a bit... slightly vindictive..." She spoke being a little more selective with her words. Actually quite a bit of effort on Shioreta's part.

"I've generally just been enabling you both... well more so just neglecting to give input or comment on things when I might know better. 'Going with the flow' I guess they call it. I won't lie though, I don't really have any intention to change that. As far as my life is concerned there is a possibility I might just suddenly drop dead tomorrow for all I know. I'm already quite a bit past my life expectancy. If I even live long enough to become an adult it would be a miracle."

Shioreta reached for a kunai finding it to be missing, letting out a soft sigh as she grabbed another in her possession. She looked towards the two shrugging a bit.

"Still, even if I won't be here forever I'll do my best to help out. I mean heck family wise I don't have any of that at all. You both are probably the closest thing to a real family I have. So guess the least I can do is try and make sure you don't go dying before me."

She spoke carefully cutting her palm being a bit more careful with it. She planted her hand on the rock creating her own print with her small hand.

"...Though... my puppets are a bit broken now... so I might need you to cover me a bit for now though."

Mentioned: Ganryu Orikanyo

 

[IG42]

Shibata Yamamoto
Mildly impressed at having his clones converted Shibata was still not overly concerned at facing them, seeing the shuriken coming he simply allowed himself to sink down into the oubliette he was perched on leaving them to either fly overhead or bounce off the larger crystal. Watching Kiiro from a position of safety Shibata could see that Kiiro was coming for him directly likely due to a lack of any other options but he did expect that the vines might still have a use and sent the clones that remained under his control after the lone compromised one instead of risking them being converted too.

Left to face Kiiro and the remaining clone alone Shibata spawned a pair of phantoms from the oublitette to back him up, even if the other genjutsu user wasn't fooled by them the more simple-minded clone probably would be. Creating a crystal 'blade' once again he formed the extended stabbing point into a flat blunt surface, then gauging the distance between them he rushed forward to meet Kiiro's charge. With a carefully timed thrust he phased his fist and the weapon through the clone aiming for Kiiro's gut to knock out what little wind remained in the Inochi-nin. "An interesting trump card, but you discarded everything else you had waiting to play it." Withdrawing his fist Shibata turned on the enemy clone in case it was still able to fight.

Ganryu

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Ryuuka Vs Riku
Ryuuka's eyes shot open to take in blue sky all around her.

Weird, it was all stormy a moment ago... As Ryuuka twisted her head to look around she became aware of an uncanny sensation of weightlessness to her body. Oh Shit! I must have blacked out! Ohshit! Im falling! Ohshitohsitohshit!

Desperately Ryuuka windmilled her arms, managing to spin herself around to face the rapidly approaching ground, which did nothing to ease the cold panic rishing thorugh her veins like ice water.

Okay shit! Think Ryuuka Think!

---

Meanwhile where Kei and Hideyoshi a menacing, wrinkled presence made itself known behind them.

"Listen to you two gossiping like schoolgirls," grumbled Ryuuga Tagamatsu, shuffling forwards to stand between the other two men. "Well, it isn't wrong to say she's playing around though. But that's how children learn best, through games and mischief. When the time comes she'll know what to do with the lessons she doesn't even realize she's been learning yet,"

Ryuuga watched his granddaughter plummet, flailing towards the ground and behind his silver moustache his mouth twitched. "Well, hopefully anyway,"

---

Meanwhile Ryuuka's situation was rapidly becoming more urgent as she accelerated towards the ground. Ryuuka had no way of slowing her fall mid air except to spread out her arms and legs, which she had already done and she was still falling far too quickly for her tastes. The only option left was to try and land somewhere soft, but the arena was pretty uniform in its construction, and pretty solid too...

Suddenly Ryuuka's eyes lit up as the smoke from the explosive tags cleared just enough for her to spot Riku lying on the ground below her.

Whelp, sorry for this dude Ryuuka thought grimly as she angled her descent to put herself on a collision course with her stunned opponent.

Ganryu

 

[AtlannianSpy]

From one Prisoner to Another
While the exam finals play out...

Shujina was one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Arashigakure. Whereas much of the village was replete with modern amenities and bustling avenues, Shujina had a more sedate, cultured feel to it with wide avenues lined with flowering trees and picturesque old buildings that made it popular with visitors, the district was said to date all the way back to the founding of Arashigakure and the subjugation of the mythical akuma said to be sealed therein. With all that being said, one particular visitor to the historic neighborhood seemed too distracted to really enjoy.

“Now then… if my research is correct, the barrier should be further up this way,” The man was on the younger side, perhaps in his mid twenties and he had a studious air to him that was accentuated by the map he had his face buried in but undermined by the sword at his side and the patch that covered one of his eyes. “We had best be on our guard as we approach Lord Hanamoto...Lord Hanamoto?”

The man looked up from his map, then around him, turning in wide, panicked circles. “Lord Hanamoto!?”

“Yukimaru you gotta try one of these,” The other voice belonged to a much older man, with long grey hair pulled back in a ponytail and a beard trimmed to a neat triangle. The old man was dressed like a tourist, in shorts and a garish, hawaiian shirt but like his companion he was also armed with a sword, though in his other arm he held two skewers of something deep fried and aromatic.

“Lord Hanamoto please,” said the younger man with a long suffering expression. “We are in the middle of hostile territory and we have yet to locate our target!”

“Ohh lighten up Yukimaru!” said the old man, maneuvering one of the skewers into the younger man’s hand and patting him on the shoulder. “You’ll go grey before your time at this rate! Besides as for the barrier, it’s right over there,”

Nobuyuki Hanamoto jabbed carelessly with his skewers towards a modest looking, slightly rundown old shrine at the end of the street.

“Eh? That one? It’s so plain though…” said Yukimaru, to which Nobuyuki chuckled.

“Course it’s plain, it’s a prison! They’re never built to look nice and I can tell you that from experience. Besides can’t you feel it? The pressure has been dropping steadily as we’ve been getting closer to it. Our prisoner over there is getting restless,”

As if if to punctuate Nobuyuki’s statement a low rumble of thunder sounded and the sky above began to darken

A moment later, more weather seemed to go odd as giant cleavers rained from the heavens, scattering around Nobuyuki in a pentagon pattern, a chain connecting all five. The air grew heavy, before the area shook heavily as a column of compressed air fired down the middle of it, smashing several feet into the ground like a hammer.

“Hohh women sure are feisty these days,” Nobuyuki said, from a position several feet away from where he had been standing an instant earlier, his companion Yukimaru stood a little further back, his sword already drawn. “Can’t say I dislike it though,”

“Damn, should have gotten him.”

Floating from above with her arms pointing down, the Bladed Angel, jonin of Arashigakure, Aito Ukita descended. From proctoring the chunnin exams to being there when genin from Tsumigakure had sealed the Yukionna, she had been busy.

“If you know what this shrine is, you should know not to go near it.”

Blades embedded from the ground came to life, and flew behind her back, hovering like a set of wings, Aito’s hands outstretching, and the blades following as she hovered a few inches off the ground, in a fighting stance.

All around the area, nin began to appear suddenly crouched on rooftops. One by one, Anbu reps filled it, a few scattered normal ninja, and a young girl with a ringed staff, surrounding the two former prisoners by the shrine. Above, the air continued to hum, vibrate and darken menacingly.

“Well I did sort of expect something like this,” Nobuyuki said with a devilish smile. “Even prisoners are supposed to be able to receive guests from time to time though, I must say I pity the poor fellow locked away in there,” WIth a flash Nobuyuki had his sword, the legendary Juchi Fuyu out of its sheath and ready. “Now then, best come all at once or this will be over too quick-”

Before Nobuyuki could finish his challenge however there was a flicker of movement from behind him. Suddenly one of the anbu surrounding the intruders keeled over, clutching his stomach as Yukimaru stood in his place, his blade dripping with blood.

“Lord Hanamoto please! None of these insolent curs are worthy of crossing blades with you! Please allow your humble servant to dispatch them while you concern yourself with the barrier,”

“Eh? N-no Yukimaru I sort of wanted to fight you know? I haven’t gotten to in quite a while,” Nobuyuki said, scratching his beard as the the anbu line erupted into action, hurling shuriken and senbon at Yukimaru’s position, only for him to disappear again and reappear on the opposite rooftop, having cut down another shinobi.

“No I insist!” Called Yukimaru from the rooftop as he neatly bisected a spear wielding anbu that tried to contend with him at close range. “As your loyal retainer it is my responsibility to preserve the dignity of your blade! Only should an opponent stride across my slain corpse to face you would they be worthy of opposing you Lord Hanamoto,”

“Oh dear,” sighed Nobyuki quietly. “Well there’s no stopping him once he gets like this bless him. You had better be on your guard young miss, I’m going to go ahead and attack or else I won’t get to have any fun at all,”

Hashirakira

The instant Nobuyuki finished speaking his arm and sword blurred with motion and a razor thin shockwave of air rushed towards Aito

Aito instantly crossed her arms, her 5 blades forming a circular shield around herself, several inches thick.

3 thuds could be heard as giant slabs of metal hit the ground. The wings unfurled, and Aito looked at the left half, completely cut in half. “What…?”

She grasped her side as blood spewed out in anime style, before falling to the ground with a crash, still holding her side, grunting in pain.

Behind where she had been, a thin line began to appear in the roof of the shrine, before the entire top of the building began to slide diagonally down, crashing to the ground below.

“Hohh still alive?” Nobuyuuki asked with an expression of pleasant surprise. “Not bad at all, try to keep some pressure on that though or you won’t be for much longer.” Nobuyuuki turned to look up at his companion. “Well then Yukimaru I’ll leave the rest of them to you, have fun kiddo,” said the old man as he walked forwards through the wreckage he had caused and down an ancient set of stone steps that lead into a cavernous sublevel…



The air in the sublevel below the shrine was cold and stale and it smelled of ozone and rot, as though a thunderstorm had fallen down from heaven to die here. But there was an unmistakable energy running through the air here as well, a sense of something restless and wild that had Nobuyuuki keeping a tight grip on Juuchi Fuyu’s hilt as he descended further into the bowels of the earth.

“Hmmm. I suppose this must be it,” Nobuyuuki said to himself, as his path ahead ended abruptly in a barrier of seething purple energy, crackling with lightning. “Hellloooo? Anyone awake in there?” Nobuyuuki asked as he reached out with his katana to gently prod at the barrier. The touch elicited a wild burst of electricity from the barrier and the seething energy in the air seemed to swirl and intensify around Nobuyuuki, who chuckled in response. “You’re an ornery one aren’t ya, then again it’s only fair to be a bit grumpy after being cooped up as long as you have,” The pressure seemed to swirl again and somewhere up above the ground came the roar of thunder.

“Well then, as a fellow prisoner let me help you out,” Nobuyuuki said, putting both hands on his sword for the first time and adopting a full, fighting stance. “I think it’s high time you got to stretch your legs a little.

Nobuyuuki pulled Juuchi Fuyu to his side, as if sheathing it, then there was a flash and a bang and the screeching howl of compressed air as he swung towards the barrier.

Amenohashirakiri: Heavenly Piller Cutter

The barrier gave way to Nobuyuuki’s blade with deafening thunder, unleashing a maelstrom of lightning and seething chakra. The corrosive chakra easily overwhelmed the crystal he wore and burned at his flesh, threatening to wash him away and leave nothing behind as it continued to grow greater and greater.

Before vanishing completely.

The air in the now pitch black prison grew still, completely free of an akuma’s acidic chakra. Nobuyuuki stood at the eye of the storm. Despite the darkness he’d been plunged into, the samurai would be able to see the glowing eyes looming over him, like a flash of lightning frozen in time.

A deep rumble of thunder shook the cave, but Nobuyuuki would be able to feel the meaning in his very bones. “Tadakatsu?”

Nobuyuuki for once was silent, with an expression of stunned awe as the massive creature was unveiled, then he appeared confused, then finally he laughed.

“Well now isn’t that nostalgic? I was raised on tales of Shohei Tadakatsu’s swordplay as a brat, but he’s been dead for some time and this sword has changed hands several times since then,”

The Akuma studied him for several long moments before another rumble shook the cave. Nobuyuuki would be able to feel a pang of sadness. “So many summers have passed.”

“Hooo ain’t that the truth,” Nobuyuuki said, stroking his grey beard thoughtfully. “Still I can’t find it in myself to age gracefully and fade away into history just yet. What about you old timer?”

A thunderous laugh caused dirt and stone to rain from the ceiling. Nobuyuuki would be able to see the creature’s teeth, all as long as Juuchi Fuyu and dancing with electricity. “Then stand beneath me, bearer of Tadakatsu’s legacy.”

There was a blinding flash and deafening roar as a column of lighting fell on the old shrine. Obliterating it and half of Shujina in an instant.

 

[Ganryu]

Shibata vs Kiiro
==========================

In sync with eachother, the two clones made a series of handsigns as Shibata dove into the crystal.

Crystal Phasing
Blade Manipulations

The crystal shurikens immediately dove downward after Shibata, diving into the crystal oubliette after Shibata, plopping in like rocks in a pond.

The moment Shibata left their sights though, their eyes lifted up at the other clones, and they charged, not even paying attention to the main body. They had Shibata's techniques, but the glowing thorns in them seemed to rob them of a little of their sanity, a look of pure rage in their eyes.

Kiiro lagged behind, stumbling along as the two left him behind.

"Shit."

With a 'thwump', Kiiro coughed blood, wobbling side to side as he took the hit.

"Tch. Difference is you've discarded nothing. Cheeky little wasteland brat... I lose here, but you'll never be anything."

Barely standing on the balls of his feet, Kiiro toppled over, the genjutsu on the clones ending, and the flowers and roots around the arena started to whither.

"Winner: Shibata Yamamoto."

 

[Ganryu]

The two spectators, Old Man Kei, and the Cardmaker both audibly groaned at Ryuuga's appearance.

"To be fair, both of us are paid school girls. You hear to spoil your granddaughter?" The cardmaker chimed in.

Kei just snarled, and turned to Ryuuga. "Tch. Don't you have any shame about her? Children might need play, but these are soldiers. This is supposed to simulate combat."

The cardmaker watched as Ryuuka began to fall, he held up his fan to shut everyone up. "She's awake... oooh. This is going to be interesting. I think I smell romance in the air."

=============================================
Below Ryuuka, Riku groaned, burns covering his traditional clothing, and his bow smoldered, thankfully the string seemed spared. He didn't seem too eager to get back to the fight. Slowly sitting up, he rubbed his head, til he noticed a shadow over head. Looking up, he saw Ryuuka a mere foot above him.

Their heads were lined up in the perfect situation where they were aligned, forhead to forehead, lip to lip.

"Quoi?"

A bang echoed throughout the audience, followed by gasping.

============================================

Ryuuka would wake up to see a bright spot light over her head, and several nurses and doctors flailing around. One of the doctor's had a tag that read 'Dentist' on his person.

"She's awake! Knock her back out! This isn't going to be pleasant! Does the bone release user have the transplant ready?"

"Yeah, said 'nepotism' and thank Tsumi for bone release."

"What about the boy?"

"Stiiiill out."

Ryuuka would see a mask of slammed on her face, a bit too brisky, before a funny sort of gas began to fill up.

"This make her the winner?"

"Technically...?"

"Worst kiss I've ever seen."

 

[Ganryu]

Sachiko slapped Shio's back, leaving a bloody handprint. "Don't worry Shio, we'll be your puppets! I'm the one with all the cool tools, and Waka's the really durable one. Did you actually ever go through with that creepy model I saw in your house?" Sachiko laughed, before beginning to bandage up her own hand.

Kurio's lessons came back to her as she applied the salve over the first layer, then wrapped it in, letting it seep in over time. A slight hissing could be heard, but already the bleeding stopped. Within hours, it woudl be like nothing had ever happened.

Sachiko took Shio's arm next, and began to apply the salve in the same way.

"Lies... Lies.. lies. What were we doing. Can't use the furries name, and I feel like if I even allude to him more than that, the heart problems are going to come out.

Also, Waka, wouldn't say he did a bad job advertising to us. He got us to sign a seal we have no idea what it does. I could download bits of his soul into us bit by bit. But that sounds stupid. It probably just will shut us up, especially if we mention him, or try and force it to appear, but whatever secondary affects it has, none of us are sealing experts. Shio, you're the closest thing, analysis!"

Sachiko in the meanwhile snapped her fingers. "Guys. We were chasing after Waka after his crystal cracked, and he went full Oni. It took both me and Shio, but we managed to wear him down. But we were so tired afterwards that we ended up here. One of the chunnin was heading back early after his match went badly and he lost money, a Yamamoto.

Maybe someone was betting against Shibata? There are a lot of clans that hate people in the main branch. And that would explain them having an extra crystal. Or, we make it back to the village, and just go from there."

Sachiko shrugged, it was the best she had.

The group would easily find a river, but it seemed to be over rock that was jagged and ripped. The bottom was not full of silt or sedimentary rock. It was full of Igneus. There was no fish in it either. The earth around them began to shake slightly, and the entire group would see a massive lighting bolt in the distance. Footprints going towards it could be seen.

Sachiko blinked. Even she could see it. "Well. Arashigakure's that way. I vote we don't go that way. I don't like the weather. Or thought of running into Miho. If village is that way, sun's in that direction.... Our village should be north east. Uh... run...?"

 

[Ace Cream]

Aya

Is it over??

Aya gritted her teeth as she waited for another attack from Hibiki to come her way. She was thinking that she would try to climb up the barrier behind her to give her superior positioning. Could she even do that? Climbing the barrier? It was made of chakra though so it should be possible just like any surface. However, when the dust cleared and Aya witnessed Hibiki wasn't moving from his place she was wondering if this would be her chance to finish the fight... Aya gripped her kunai harder but her hands shook uncontrollably at the thought of stabbing another person now that she actually got a clear chance to do it. Maybe she should just kick him in the groin, but that might be even worse?

Breathe in, breathe out. Aya steadied herself and put away her kunai. She performed a quick seal and extended her right hand forward. Her mind scolded herself for taking this roundabout way when she could just go there and attack him.

[Fuujin's Cushion]

The fabric on her sleeve started to bloat rapidly. What's initially was no bigger than any regular sleeve was now transformed into a bulging balloon even bigger than Aya herself.

"Apologies, but I need to- I want to win." Aya swung her hand forward, hitting Hibiki with the oversized clothes balloon. The hit itself didn't hurt at all due to softness of the fabric but he would find his entire body getting pressed against it. Aya snapped her hand and the balloon on Hibiki's side torn apart, releasing a powerful wind current that blast him towards the barrier while throwing all the senbons Aya hide inside her sleeve at him.

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

Ganryu

 

[KageYuuki]

A Deadly Finale
Despite the lightning having all but vanished over the course of the finals, a sudden, deafening boom of thunder shook the arena. Waves of purple plasma cut through the clouds, covering everything in an eerie glow for several long seconds. Left in its wake was a perfectly clear blue sky.

Confused and panicked murmurs quickly began to fill the still air.

“Mommy, mommy, look at the sky!” A young girl shook her mother’s shoulder, pointing at the sky. “It’s so bright! Is that the sun?”

“Is this your doing, Minamoto!?” One of the noblemen turned to another, pointing his fan at him.

“How dare you!” Roared the accused.

“I thought you were joking when you said you could undo Lord Jin’s jutsu!” A panicked chuunin cried.

“I was!!” Squeaked another.

The sounds of confusion only grew as a gentle shower of feathers began to fall from the clear sky. The illusion quickly pulled civilians, most genin, and a handful of chuunin into a deep slumber.

Temple of Nirvana

The feathers began converging at the center of the arena, swirling together before scattering, revealing a lone cloaked figure. The hood of his dark blue cloak obscured his face. An elaborate design of gold embroidery covered the cloak’s back, magatama decorating the hem.

“Seems we’re about to get a lot more than just the corner pieces, Kamiya,” Hayate murmured to the jounin beside him as he crossed his arms.

Kamiya nodded.

The cloaked figure gave a grand, sweeping bow, “my most esteemed kage.”

A dozen nin leapt from the stands, weapons drawn as they dove for him.

“Oh, dear.” The man sighed, “Mizuki, if you would be so kind.”

A pop could be heard as a cloaked figure apparated in the air, a bubble forming and popping around her.

"Still not a combat specialist!" She complained as a dozen bubbles formed in front of the charging nin. A few disappeared into the bubbles. A few weapons and jutsu thrown in reappeared, redirected at the attackers.

She had her cloak drawn tight, though Ema could still feel her chakra.

The first shrugged, “Perhaps not. But-- Hm?” The hood of his cloak twitched slightly. More nin had entered the arena. He sighed, “Were your comrades not example enough?” He held his clawed hands in front of him, lightning crackling from his fingers. The sparks and arcs remained suspended in the air, spreading into elaborate patterns.

Chains shot out of the centers of the circles and into bubbles that had appeared in front of him. Another pair of bubbles formed by nin in the middle of handsigns. The chains coiled around them, dragging the panicked nin into the sealing patterns in the air.


In the stands, Kamiya crossed her arms. “Any ideas on those bubbles, ponytail?”

Hayate huffed at the nickname, though didn’t take his eyes off the arena. “My guess is they’re linked with some kind of space-time jutsu. Each one probably has to be linked to a second.”

“Like that weird mirror crap of yours?”

“That saved your ass from that akuma?” He muttered with a frown, “yes.”


“Now,” the cloaked man looked around at the remaining nin, “would anyone else care to play hero?”

As if in response, a bolt of lightning struck the arena, all four kage now standing before him. The remaining nin fell back with a wave of the Arashikage’s hand.

Ema studied the pair with a frown, “So Bishamonten finally shows itself.”

He chuckled, “Indeed. Here to declare war on the Originators that threaten the very fabric of our reality.”

As he spoke, a pop sounded. The cloaked woman that had been floating in the air vanishing from sight once more.

Ochada, the Hanekage, scoffed. “A lunatic claiming to be a god… Who are you really?” He rubbed his tired eyes before clapping his hands together. A massive gale of wind tore through the arena, effortlessly knocking away the hood of the man’s cloak.

A pale face framed by equally pale hair. Large ears sat atop his head like a fox, alert and pivoting at new sounds. Dark crimson markings etched their way across his face and the backs of his hands. Despite not having a single wrinkle, his golden eyes seemed old and world-weary.

“Katsuhito Okabe,” Jin’s voice was quiet, even in the field of battle.

“That the feared Raiju knows my name,” Katsuhito chuckled and bowed slightly. “I should feel honored.”

Ochada scoffed, forming a handsign before slamming his palm on the ground. A massive hawk appeared beneath him in a cloud of smoke. “You’ve caused more than enough trouble with the incident in Kabegakure. I have little desire to stand around and talk with a mongrel.” With a beat of its massive wings, the hawk was airborne. A salvo of sharp feathers rained down on Katsuhito.

“A mongrel am I?” Katsuhito sighed, the markings on his face and hands glowing green as his cloak billowed. No longer hidden by the dark fabric, six tails could be seen. Each covered in soft, snow white fur. A blue flame glowed at the tip of one.

The earth rumbled, shaking the entire arena as a tree burst from the ground to intercept the incoming feathers. Several more trees and roots followed, rapidly twisting around and growing through the entire stadium and shattering the barrier meant for the exams. The earthbound kage were forced to evade the entangling roots. The Hanekage found his mobility hampered by the sudden canopy.

Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees

“I had intended to merely speak peacefully,” Katsuhito’s golden eyes narrowed up at Ochada as he spoke. “Even going so far as to ensure your precious nobility wouldn’t overhear and cause a fuss. But if this is what you desire,” he formed a handsign and three clones emerged from his body. They shared the same number of tails as the original, but his elaborate cloak was noticeably missing. Another handsign and a thick mist flooded the arena, obscuring everything from view.

Jin’s dragon head continued to bob as he looked around, trying in vain to see through the heavy fog. A soft hum emanated from his body as caltrops emerged from his sleeves and began floating around him. His fingers twitched as the mist began to lighten.

Katsuhito and his clones surrounded him. Three of them flying through different hand seals.

The caltrops flew out at them. With a single handsign, Jin rained bolts of lightning down on the rogue and his clones. Blinding light and deafening thunder filled the forested arena.

When the smoke cleared, the cloaked Katsuhito and a clone lay crumpled and twitching off to one side. To his other side, a third had collapsed. His clothes smoldered as lichtenberg scars covered his body. The fourth had been brought to his knees, though a massive ogre-like figure stood over him looking like it had taken the brunt of the attack.

The clones had to have been powerful to be able to withstand such an assault without dissipating.

The kneeling clone had his palm pressed to the smoldering tree he knelt on. He summoned a large weasel wreathed in wind. A kamaitachi.

Lightning beasts leapt from Jin’s shadow and raced up the tree towards it.

The kamaitachi shot away, leading most of the pack away as it ran. Wind trailed after it as it sprinted the perimeter of the arena, clearing the mist from view.

Jin blinked. His head whipped around as he looked at what had been Katsuhito and the clones just seconds ago.

The other three kage were now in their place.

Demonic Illusion: Fog of War

“Damn kitsune,” Yukari, the Inochikage, spat as she stood. She supported her weight against her staff, still recovering from Jin’s attack. “How the hell did he get Wood Release though?” The Kekkei Genkai had been thought to solely belong to Inochigakure’s shinobi.

“Sango,” came the Arashikage’s quiet reply. The village was infamous for its theft of techniques and kekkei genkai were no exception.

She clucked her tongue in response.

Ema had managed to stand as well. Dark eyes now carmine as seething chakra hissed around her form.

“Ho, your title of Raiju is well earned indeed,” Katsuhito smirked at Jin. His markings now glowed bright orange as a large globe of lava floated between his hands. A flame smoldered on a different tail now. As the lava cooled, a stream of purple and black butterflies began to fly around him.

The moment the last of the lava cooled, the butterflies shot towards the kage in a deadly black wave. The razor sharp obsidian effortlessly sliced through any tree in its path.

Lava Release: Obsidian Butterflies

“Multiple Kekkei Genkai?” A ninja having multiple, even one from Sangogakure, was unheard of. Ema leapt forward as her cloak condensed around her arms and hands. She swung at the incoming cloud, large hands of chakra smashing the butterflies and scattering shards of obsidian along the ground. What ones she had missed left rivulets of crimson running down her arms.

Lightning beasts crashed into the few that made it to Jin, shattering them.

Yukari remained motionless, even as the butterflies cut into her. The Inochikage’s wounds began knitting themselves closed.

Sage’s Balm

“Tch,” Katsuhito scowled as the kage began to regroup. He had hoped tricking them into attacking one another would have slowed them down more. He let out a slow breath, the markings changed to an icy blue as the temperature around him plummeted. Frost began spreading out beneath his feet.

Wounds mended, Yukari’s chakra flared as she took off on all fours towards Katsuhito. A forked tail formed and wisps of chakra trailed off her body. The Inochikage stuck to the trees as she moved to avoid the shards of obsidian on the ground.

Sage Transformation: Form of the Nekomata

Ema finished a series of handsigns and drew a deep breath. A large ball of flame flew at the rogue, taking on the shape of a dragon’s head. Several more followed after.

Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire

An explosion of steam erupted as the first dragon struck near where Katsuhito had been standing. He continued to leap away from the barrage.

Sharp claws tore into his back as Yukari slammed into him. She hissed as frostbite turned her hands red but pressed the assault. Claws enhanced with sage chakra easily carved through the ice spreading along Katsuhito’s body. He coughed with a grimace, thick smoke was making it hard to breathe.

Katsuhito tried to jump away but Yukari proved faster, closing the gap every time. Taijutsu was far from his strong suit.

Another dragon slammed into a nearby tree, cutting off his escape route once more. Thunder rumbled overhead as the sky darkened once more.

Hearing the thunder and feeling the familiar drop in pressure, Jin raised a hand skyward and fired a burst of lightning.

Katsuhito’s eyes widened, his skin beginning to turn to stone near the wounds left by the Inochikage. A short series of handsigns. The tree they stood on began to grow once more, coiling around Yukari and binding her in place.

Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death

Frost rapidly spread out from beneath Katsuhito, snow forming in the air around him. A cracking sound could be heard as he opened his hand to grab Yukari. The sheer cold swiftly caused flesh to blister and darken beneath his touch.

Golden eyes flickered towards the Arashikage as sky-bound lightning left his palm. “Tch.” Whatever jutsu Jin was planning, he couldn’t afford to let him finish it. His markings faded from blue back to red as the temperature around him stabilized. Lightning wreathed his own body as he shot towards the Arashikage in a blur.

Lightning began forming in front of one of his hands as he charged, arcs spreading out into another circle.

The dragon hat stopped bobbing and faced Katsuhito at the sudden charge. A beam of plasma erupted from it and shot at the rogue. The sealing circle glowed, expelling the pair of shinobi from before in the path of the attack.

Screams briefly resounded from the Arashi nin before they fell to the ground, charred.

“That was a bit closer than I like.” Now in front of the Arashikage, Katsuhito struck at him with glowing claws. Two of his tails had vanished.

Jin winced and leapt back, his hat now slumped over and motionless. Seals began spreading across his body from the wound. A lightning beast leapt from his shadow and slammed into Katsuhito, sending him tumbling away.

Jin formed another handsign, blinking as nothing happened.

“Can’t have you calling down any more lightning.” Katsuhito coughed, getting back to his feet.

An arm of seething chakra slammed into him, sending the kitsune flying back into the obsidian covered ground. A seal hidden beneath the debris erupted in a dome of lightning. A trap left earlier by Jin.

Lightning Release: Faraday Shield

Katsuhito twitched, fighting to regain control of spasming muscles as he forced himself to stand. His body was nearing its limit it seemed. The markings on his body glowed bright orange once again as Ema and Yukari dove for him.

Lava erupted from the ground, massive waves forcing them back. Unable to call on his chakra, Jin struggled to retreat. His flesh burned as Ema seized him with the arm of her chakra cloak and yanked him back. He nodded his thanks. Burns from akuma chakra were preferable to the certain death the lava would have been.

Katsuhito violently coughed as the glow faded, blood splattering on the ground at his feet. “I will . . . stop the akuma.” He held out his hands, black and white chakra gathering in each palm. He grimaced as taxed chakra points began to erupt. “Even if I have to level every village to do it.”

Bleary golden eyes looked up as a roar shook the trees. A massive white dragon dove for him. The infamous akuma Kiyohime.

His knees buckled as the akuma bombs flew from his hands. Though instead of striking the obsidian covered earth, a bubble awaited him. Kastuhito vanished as his jutsu detonated in a devastating explosion.


While the chuunin exams had been completed, the event quickly became the furthest thing from everyone’s mind in the wake of Bishamonten’s attack. Kaminari, the ancient akuma of lightning, had rampaged as the kage battled the group’s leader Katsuhito. Almost the entirety of Arashigakure had been leveled in its fury at millennia of imprisonment.

One of the few places left standing had been the arena where the finals took place. Ema had barely managed to contain Katsuhito’s final attack, though the effort left her gravely wounded. It’s a week before she’s taken back to Tsumigakure and another still before she awakens.

While Jin had been the least injured in the battle, the destruction of his village and his own sound defeat weighed heavily on the Raiju.

It’s a month and a half before the Tsumi genin learn that they’re genin no more. All of them had been promoted to chuunin.

The road ahead is uncertain as Bishamonten grows unnervingly silent. Only time will tell what challenges await the freshly minted chuunin. It would be wise to use the lull in the storm to prepare in whatever ways they can.


Ganryu Orikanyo AtlannianSpy IG42 Ace Cream InsaneAsylum Hanarei

 

[IG42]

Shibata Yamamoto
Several days after returning from the exams Shibata as a newly minted chuunin was technically still on leave to ensure he was fully recovered before taking on missions for his new rank, despite that he was naturally training again already on the grounds of his family home. “Hey Shibata can you put that thing down a minute?” A bearded man called out to him.

Settling the sinuous crystal dragon he had been carefully steering through the air on the ground Shibata turned to face the speaker. “Hey dad.” He said in a far lighter tone than his teammates would have ever heard him use. “Did you need something?” Reiji Yamamoto gave his son a slightly impish smile. “Well I was thinking that since you made chuunin and all you might be ready for this.” He held up an oversized scroll.

Lighting up with childish excitement Shibata ran closer the emerald dragon forgotten in a second and stared at the scroll with sparkling eyes. “Really? I get to sign the summoning scroll?!” He reached out for it impatiently. Quickly holding the scroll out of reach Reiji’s smile turned into a wide grin. “Woah there son, calm down a sec. See I was thinking we could do a little trade, you finally bring those two teammates of yours round to say hi and then we can see about you putting your mark on the scroll.”

Pouting Shibata’s hands fell to his sides. “That’s blackmail.” He grumbled. “It’s a legitimate coercion technique.” Reiji countered. “Go on, you can bribe them with a free lunch if you need to.” He went to ruffle Shibata’s hair then laughed as the boy body-flickered to a safe distance, folding his arms Shibata huffed. "Fine I'll ask them but then I get the scroll." Flickering away again he dashed off in search of his teammates.

 

[KageYuuki]

Kurio Shimizu
A Visit to Old Man Kei
“I see…” In front of Kurio, his father stood with his eyes glaring like daggers, and his arms crossed. His lips curled slightly, but he, and the family room Kurio stood in began to fade away to dust.

Instead, Kurio saw the old hermit of Tsumigakure sitting on a box, with his arms folded over a cane: Old Man Kei.

“So, another one passes. I don’t have all day, what can the merchant of memories bring to you?”

Kurio blinked a few times, feeling the illusion fade away. He knew there would be genjutsu involved, but all the genjutsu he’d seen so far had just been little things. This had been on an entirely different level. “I suppose that depends on what you’ll allow me to see. You saw everything that happened at the arena.”

“Yes. And what I didn’t, the dandy jackass from Gunshugakure did. I even saw a fair bit of after, but that is more classified than I’m allowed to show you. Is there a match you would like to see? Or perhaps a background deal? Such as the Hane nin thwarted at giving your teammate/girlfriend poisoned chocolate? What do you want to know?”

The old man gave a mischievous smile. “Nothing is free by the way. And unluckily, boy, I know your clan. So, seeing as you’ve come this far…”

Kurio gave a hapless shrug, “I figured the attack would be beyond my rank. But--” He spluttered for a second at the mention of having a girlfriend. That again? “Why do I feel like Fuerey just burned the chocolate trying to steal it?” He shook his head, “since I can’t see the battle with the kage, what will it take to see the fight between Tsubame and Chiyome?”

Kei chuckled at the reaction. “Hitomi. That’s the leak you want silent, boy. And why indeed.” He looked at the ceiling at the request, and just rolled his eyes.

“Not much to see on that one. Would you like to see the fight, or with ‘insights’? Price difference is 3 fold.”

“Insights, please.” Kurio knew seeking out Kei for answers wasn’t going to be cheap. Though he had a feeling it would hurt a bit more than he’d originally anticipated.

Nodding his head, the old man lowered himself from the crate, and pulled a box of pills from it. Slowly taking it in no great hurry, his chakra began to flare. For Kurio though, it would be the weirdest flare of chakra he’d ever seen. It wasn’t a heavy pressure. Instead, it was disorienting, and it felt like the room itself was warping.

A few handsigns began to form, and the room seemed to dissipate away into dust once more. Above, the sky began to form. The heavy humidity of the day could be felt pressuring Kurio’s skin.

The board with the matches shown the results so far, and the matches to come.

Winner: Kiiro
Winner: Shibata

Kurio sat in the stands next to the old man as the sky rumbled.

“Chiyome, the Raiju vs Tsubame Mochizuki!” The announcer roared

Kurio watched the audience as the competitors entered the arena. Cheers could be heard all around, though a few people from Arashigakure looked worried.

In the field below, two kunoichi could be seen staring at each other intensely.

Kei turned from his seat. “Don’t blink… Do NOT blink.”

Looking away from studying the members of the audience, Kurio focused back on the pair of kunoichi and nodded. “Sensei made it sound like a very short match.”

“If Tsubame had blinked here. She’d be dead. Chiyome is fast. Faster than you can imagine. In truth, she probably had the best kit aga- Actually, that is spoiler information, and I charge for information, so I’ll pretend I didn’t say anything and let you figure it out.”

A warm breeze blew through the area.

“BEGIN!” The announcer shouted loud enough to cause ringing, and more importantly, shut up the crowd.

In an instant, Tsubame began to rush forward, bone starting to form from her elbows and hands.

Chiyome stood still a moment more, Tsubame having ran half the arena towards her. Blue lines crackled around her body, wrapping around her back, and hands. She slammed her staff down, and a bright flash filled the arena.

Lightning Release: Flash Pillar

A crash of thunder shook the arena as the flash of light ended, reverberating several times as a smaller crackling hum could be heard.

In the starting point where Chiyome had stood, a cut across her left cheek could be seen, the genin staring wide eyed.

However, Tsubame’s condition was much worse, cracked bone blown off, and torn into. Burns and Lichtenberg scars ran down from her face to her legs. Her smoldering socks showed holes with additional burnt lines as well.

And her eyes looked hollow, haunted with still pulsing electricity.

Behind Chiyome, three clones could be seen, their hands still a blur. A dog made of electricity leapt out of Tsubame’s shadow, grabbing her by the shoulders, and ripping her backwards, no resistance could be seen. A large bolt of lightning fell from the sky, striking her dead center of her chest, and causing the kunoichi to bounce away, landing in a seal in the distance.

A cage of electricity shot out from Tsubame, licking rocks and the walls around, the girl herself exploding. The clones continued their blurred hand movements, until a large bolt of lightning struck from above, and a new figure stood in the center of the stage, a wyrm hat bobbing back and forth. He held out his hand, and Chiyome blasted away.

Slowly he walked to Tsubame, and began to discharge the built up electricity.

The announcer himself had been blown away, but managed to stand. Slowly the Arashikage began to approach him, and whisper into his ear.

“Chiyome, The Raiju has been disqualified for excessive force. Tsubame Mochizuki is unable to battle. This match is declared a draw.”

The Arashikage gave a haunting look at Chiyome, before a bolt of lighting claimed him, and he was back sitting in his seat next to Ema.

A chuckling could be heard next to Kurio in the seats. “Did you catch anything, boy? I had to play this 5 times for the cardmaker. He was angry as he was there.”

Kurio let out a slow breath, leaning back in his seat. Ichiro was right; that wasn’t a fight, it was a massacre. “Not nearly as much as I’d wanted to . . . and she was a genin like the rest of us.” He pulled a book from his pouch, jotting notes on a page marked Chiyome. The lightning release he’d expected, between the village and title that had been a given. But her handsigns had been nothing but a blur, and the way she chained jutsu together like that…

“Genin. Jonin. Kage. It doesn’t matter. Some ninja you’ll never catch up to. Some you’ll catch on a bad day and kill. You saw that genin there. Her brother was worse, and just as young. And yet, I once witnessed a kage fall like a star to a single kick from a lucky chunnin. In the end, all of us are putting our lives on the line. That girl is terrifying to you, but to me, now that I’ve seen her, she wouldn’t stand a chance. I think you missed something.”

Kei held his hand up, and the scene began to pull back to the beginning of the fight, with Tsubame taking her first step in slow motion, the foot step slowing and slowing until it had come to a crawl. Chiyome stood still.

“What is happening?”

Kurio frowned, scrutinizing the scene as best he could for a moment. “Chiyome’s letting her close the gap . . . but she had the definite range advantage. She needs time to build up chakra?” That many jutsu in rapid succession would be taxing, even for him.

“You are correct. No matter how good you are, the more chakra you draw on, the more difficult it is to mold. Time. It’s not that she’s letting her close the gap, it’s that she can’t stop it. Some ninja are slow starts. Chiyome it looks like is one of them. Now, for the things we can see. The concentration of chakra is starting from her core, and spreading out. Such thick concentrations of chakra are unnatural, and generally you’d need a dojutsu to observe them. Why sensor ninja are worth taking sometimes. But, we can see it spreading right here. It’s to her back and hands. Lightning release can excite the nerves. There is a famous jutsu called Lightning release armor that’s similar, it can up your reflexes throughout your whole body. This is focused entirely in the hands for, my guess, handsigns.”

Slowly the fight continued, with the staff slamming into the ground, and a flash.

“That, is a stored jutsu. You can sometimes premold a jutsu, and hold it in an item. It’s a blinding genjutsu called Flash Pillar. Tell me, boy, if you could store one jutsu of yours, what would it be?”

As Kei broke the fight down further, Kurio slowly nodded. Chakra concentrated to the point it could be seen was something more affiliated with jinchuuriki than regular shinobi. The entire nervous system ran off electrical impulses, it stands to reason that lightning release could be used to enhance that. Though such a delicate use would demand fine control.

“A jutsu to store…?” He mused, thinking on the question. “A technique I learned from dad.” One that was stronger the more chakra an opponent drew on. Coincidentally making it a jutsu that would be nasty against Chiyome.

“I’d say ‘not like I can read minds’... but I don’t actually care, as long as it’s getting you thinking, and you’re getting your money’s worth.”

As the flash spread, Kei held the back of Kurio’s head, and made a one handed seal, the flash disappearing.

This time he could see Chiyome begin handsigns. It was still fast, a flurry released, even as it looked as if Tsubame had been frozen in place.

“Mi Ushi Saru U Ne E Tori Ushi Uma Tori Ne Tora Inu Tora Mi Ushi Hitsuji Mi E Hitsuji Ne Genne Saru Tori Tatsu Tori Ushi Uma Hitsuji Tora Mi Ne Saru U E Tatsu Hitsuji Ne Ushi Hitsuji Tori Ge Ne E Tori.

"This is a weaker version of lightning clone. Full handsigns are being used here, meaning Chiyome’s chakra control could definitely use work. She doesn’t know shortcuts, but makes up for it in pure speed. This is another weakness you could take advantage of. I sincerely doubt you have anything as fast as her hands, but, the concentration required? Surely you could find something to unnerve her. Genjutsu is effective, why I said I wouldn’t have a problem against her. I’d simply ‘coax’ a few wrong handsigns.”

Behind her, three clones formed, instantly forming new handsigns, giving her a speed boost even further. Tsubame was now 10 feet away.

Seals began to light up and form all across the battlefield from one. Another sent streams of lightning into the sky. The third made a pack of lightning beasts that began to circle outward.

Tsubame was now 5 feet away.

She stepped on a seal, lightning traveling up her body, leaving the scars. An electrical beast ran into her, slamming into her full force, and blowing off a portion of bone. Lightning fell, near flooring her, and leaving her on a single knee. The bone release girl grunted as she slashed forward with a bone blade from her palm, slowly slicing into Chiyome’s cheek, before the blade snapped and fell to the ground. The scene froze.

“Analysis,” Kei said tersely.

“She used the clones to split up the work, making those handsigns even faster. The genjutsu would’ve made it harder for Tsubame to react to them.” Kurio shifted, tapping the back of his pen against the page. “But they had to get the chakra from somewhere and going through that much that fast can be dangerous. If her opponent weathered that barrage, she’d either run out of chakra or rupture her tenketsu.”

“Correct on both parts. There have been eight jutsu cast since the start of this match, before contact was made. There are weaknesses in tools, genjutsu, and ninjutsu identified so far. Is she still as scary as when you first witnessed the fight?”

“She no longer appears as unbeatable as she did at first. Though knowing what weaknesses to exploit and having the ability to actually do so are two very different things.” Kurio still had a long ways to go before being able to match Chiyome in a fight. But it gave him the skills he needed to sharpen next.

“Hehehe. But information is the first step. One final point I would like to point out. Look at your teammate’s blade there. If instead of her cheek, Tsubame had a few inches lower…

On a different note, would it take the wind out of your sails if I pointed out I have shown your fight to 6 different buyers, and turned down 47? 3 of the ones who requested it wanted a similar analysis I’m giving you.”

“The fight would’ve been over then and there…” Kurio finished the thought. Either the fact it was a tournament or her injuries caused Tsubame to strike elsewhere. But that didn’t matter. He’d need to be sure to make more careful notes once they--

“Eh!?” He blanched slightly, looking back over at Kei. How many people wanted to see his fight? Even if Kei had only allowed a fraction of them to see it, and fewer still a complete breakdown of everything that happened. But the thought was still more than a little terrifying.

And perhaps a little exciting too.

“Oh, by the way. You’re 120 Ryo short. At least of the savings you remembered. Come back again.”

In a snap, the illusion ended, and old man Kei grunted as he slowly got up and moved towards a more comfortable chair in the back, popping open more pills from a jar.

 

[Ganryu]

The Kounna Family​

"That's wonderful news!" A noblewoman bowed to two messengers at the door, accepting a scroll, and turning back in the house. Oko Kounna, the Matriarch of the Kounna Clan. She actually seemed happy for once, her unflinching expression cracking a smile. "Dear, would you mind getting Sachiko?"

"Sachiko's not here! Said she was having fun with fireworks!" A much younger voice interupted. Her younger brother, Koki.

Instantly the entire room stiffened up. Sachiko... with ... fireworks? An older man nearly dropped a scroll he was reading, suddenly choking on morning coffee. Keiji Kounna, the head of the clan. A moment later, the room to her door opened, and Koki called out. "She forgot the fireworks." Every sighed in relief, the tension gone.

"Koki, go start on practice outside. Walk through forms 1-5. I'll be along shortly." Keiji said. Koki nodded, before departing out to the training fields. Keiji just sighed. "Couldn't she just have been upfront...?"

"What do you mean?" Oko responded, wiping up spilt coffee.

"She went to train. But she couldn't just say that, so she made up the story with the fireworks to worry everyone. I'd love to actually help her with her training, but she won't let anyone even see it. She gets mad when I even try."

"Training... Isn't she still wearing the blindfold? Doctor told her she'll be wearing it for quite a while after her last mission. How can she be training?"

"Through sheer spite probably. What did you need her for anyways. What did she do THIS time...?"

"Well, the Tsumikage apparently promoted her to chunnin. That's wonderful news, isn't it?"

"Is it...?"

"Hmmm...?"

Keiji put down the scroll, looking serious. "It doesn't make sense. Her records not good. She SKIPPED the last part of the chunnin exam, her alibi is flimsy at best, and I don't know what doctor she went to, but I saw under her bandages last night. It looked like she'd had acid splashed in her face, not a shrapnel blast from an Oni like she claims."

Oko nodded, and sat down. "So I'm not the only one who finds it suspicious." She pulled out a piece of paper from her sleeves, words automatically writing across it. "And my little birdies are telling me her two teammates, who also ditched were promoted. I had suspicion about her promotion, but didn't want to bring it up til we heard for certain."

"What do your birdies tell about what we don't know...?"

"The Arashikage's office was attacked the night before, and Squad Miho was seen leaving. Of course, confirming that is hard with the village leveled. Three names were removed from the bingo book records shortly after that seem a little random despite the carnage."

"Didn't Kamimaru kill a lot of ninja on its way out...?"

"Yes. But 3 ANBU records disappeared. ANBU outside of one's home village don't tend to get involved in catastrophes. Three magnet brothers. Mu, the Unseen; Yoru, the Demipiercer; Rei, the Dusteater."

"You're not insinuating Squad Miho's behind that? I've seen Sachiko train, and her style would be particularly weak to magnet release. She has no genjutsu, no ninjutsu, and explosive tags require a chance to use. She would be dead within minutes without an opening." Keiji absent mindedly drew a kunai, sharpening it with his finger and a shower of sparks.

"No, of course not. But there's a lot of loose ends. And she got promoted despite everything you brought up. Ema knows something, dear. And I don't like it when our family isn't in the loop."

Keiji just sighed. "Of course you don't... But I couldn't ask for a better partner as head I suppose. I'd better go supervise Koki. He'll get whiny if I don't."

"So...?"

"He'll whine to her."

Both parents shuddered.

"I'll hide the fireworks." Oko said helpfully, heading to Sachiko's room. Keiji just nodded.


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

Sachiko Kounna​

Sachiko breathed deeply, listening to her breath echo in the mine. Bright side, if you couldn't see, how much light there was didn't matter! She remembered dragging Kurio here, and giggled at the rock to her left he'd run into.

But there was something more she was working on today. Holding her hand out, she let a bit of chakra out of it, and waited for a response.

Too tepid.

She tried a bit more. It pushed her away from the rock, and bowled her over, but it wasn't close to what she was wanting.

Just laying there, she remembered the last fight in flashes.

She grabbed Waka and Shio by the neck, and practically threw them backwards, away from the area, then covered her mouth with a cough.

“Shoot… Hey guys, let’s just ignore him. Can you guys climb up the cliff and find another way? I’ll be right behind you.”

Sachiko gave a surprised yelp, dropping her kunai as everything went dark.. And burning. Her dive ended with her just face planting a few feet past him, grabbing her face. “MY EYES!”

Sachiko stood behind him, before lightly bobbing her head forward. Her hat fluttered off her head, landing at his feet upside down… crammed full of explosive tags. Sachiko struggled to lift her hands from her side, her entire body shaking. She fell to her knees as she finished the ‘kai’ sign.

“Sorry guys…”

A large boom echoed in the valley.

'drip... drip...drip...'

A groan echoed in the valley, the sound and smell of rain around Sachiko, everything spinning around her.

She could hear the rain, but she couldn't feel it. Things just felt cold.

She looked up at the 4th blob in the room. Blue outline with lines of white from behind him. “I take it you saved us? Sweet. Thanks.”

Sachiko grinned mischievously before pickpocketing Shio for a kunai. Stabbing her hand, she made a bloody print against a rock. "There! That's my sign that I'm going to actually try for once for us, Gremlins. But, I, Sachiko Kounna, Heir to the Kounna family, do swear that I'll actually use everything I got from now on for you two. Sorry for dragging us down."

Groaning on the cold rockbed of the mine, Sachiko slowly stood back up, and held her hand against the rock.

"What am I missing...? Why can't I figure this out...?"

Sachiko took a deep breath, the cold air sharply filling her lungs. Just as slowly, she released it, a warm stream of air exhaling down her front. She sent out another 'ping' of chakra, only for it to fade into the rock. Sachiko shook her head.

"Aaaagh... This so isn't me."

Slowly she began to walk out of the mine, with a great many sighs. The gates to her house were nearby. 1,342 steps.

"I never ask for help. It's just... just not what I do!"

She walked past the gate.

"Don't remember... ever actually getting taught actually. Huh.

My shuriken stuff's my own, Shibata just has a few neat tricks.

Kurio's med stuff uses chakra. I'm kinda terrible at ninjutsu, so ours splits more often than not.

Shio's fun to hang out with, and has given me a few tool ideas, but not like any of them are her tools I use.

Waka's... I'm not sure human sometimes. Nothing I can take there.

Last time Miho tried teaching me, she stole my diary. Hmm...

You know, keep telling people I'm useless, but does that make me sort of bright?"

A crack was heard as Sachiko brained herself on a hanging sign, falling onto her back in the street, before the sign broke and fell on her.. She just lay there moaning for a moment til a stranger helped her up. She kept walking east.

"Nope. Just your normal idiot. But... I made a promise, so I'm going to keep it. Guess time to ask from help. Wonder if he'll even help me..."

Sachiko wandered to the west gate, nodding to the guard... who was from the sounds of it asleep. "How he hasn't been fired yet, I'll never know..." She shrugged. SHE couldn't get fired, so, apparently it was hard to as a ninja. Stopping at the blowing wind, Sachiko looked up to the observatory above, despite the fact she couldn't actually see it.

"Where it all began. Back to our first mission. Let's see if Mr. Fuji has any ideas for sensory jutsu I can do without my eyes."

 

[Ace Cream]

Aya

Aya looked over the creations in front of her. Dozens of teddy bear with hollow inner side, just like what her mother requested, made of fine silk with precise size ratio. Ever since she officially became a chuunin Aya had been spending a lot of time with her mother, learning how to crafts various things made of fabric and sometimes wood or metal. Seeing the battle of the kages and the lightning village leveled down to the ground made her realize that her duty now also consist of protecting the village from attack like that. The thought of it made her shivers. She wasn't sure if she's ready for it.

"Aya? You finished?" A kimono-wearing teddy bear entered Aya's room and glanced at the plushies lined up on the rack, then nodded in satisfaction. "Nice, very good! Mami is happy that you want to learn something from mami, none of your sisters wanted to..."

"They don't mean bad... I'm sure." Hearing her teddy mother's voice trailing off and sulking like that, Aya picked her mother up and hugged her. She was never sure if her mother could actually feel physical contact in her teddy body but her mother responded by cuddling inside her embrace, just like a cat. It tickles a bit so Aya let out a small giggle.

"Mami will give you eleven out of ten. Time to change clothes." The next process always made Aya curious, she watched attentively as the teddy jumped from her hug towards one of the plushie she made. It was a black teddy with an oversized backpack on its back. Yeah, she made some of these teddies with the image of someone else in mind, it was fun making the teddy version of her family and fellow chuunins. Anyway, a long and thin limb made of metal cut through the belly of the first teddy and made the same cut on the new teddy. Then a round silvery body with several similar limbs quickly scuttered inside the new teddy before connecting the cut from the inside.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Someone is waiting for you outside. That Yamamoto boy wants to play somewhere." Adjusting to her new body, the teddy moved its short stumpy hands around to test its movement. Aya's eyes widen when her mother mentioned it.

"S-SHibAta iS hEre?" Aya was clearly surprised because she forgot keep her volume in check, resulting in the broken pitch of her voice to came out and she covered her mouth in embarassment. "I will meet him outside."

"Please do. Kids need to play too, we will continue this later." The mother waved her hand away dismissively and Aya immediately exited the room to meet Shibata.

The residence of Ogumo clan was a large dojo-like building built on a small hill. It looks very normal from the outside but the bulk the place was actually built underground. It's said that there's at least three levels of massive basement under the building. Some area were heavily restricted while most of the upper basement was used for silk spider nest.

"A-apologies for the wait. Let's go?"

IG42 AtlannianSpy

 

[IG42]

Shibata Yamamoto
Waiting just outside the main Ogumo house Shibata shifted impatiently while he looked around, the building didn't seem to be quite big enough to be the home of the head family of a major clan, especially considering the number of siblings he'd heard Aya had.

When Aya appeared he perked up and all but rushed to meet her. "It's not a problem." He said brusquely waving away her apology. "Anyway I need, that is my parents have been asking to meet you for a while and they said-well we agreed that I would ask if you could come over." Inwardly he kicked himself for floundering while realising that he hadn't ever invited any of his peers over before, it had never served any purpose to do so in his eyes after all. After a moment he realised he hadn't phrased the request very well. "Oh I don't mean just you they-I mean I meant the whole team, you can stay for dinner too if you like." Hopefully if she did get the hint he was doing this under duress she wouldn't be offended enough to object.

Ace Cream

 

[Ganryu]

Squad Ichiro​

A winding mine shafted greeted the three genin, each likely from a different starting point as the shaft in question had many winding trails, entrances, and . A note had been delivered this morning.

Meet me in shaft #5. I'm in the deepest part. Don't get lost. Okimi, don't start blowing shit up when you DO get lost, I've not gotten permission to let you guys train here before, so this is a first. There's a new member. New Kid, don't die on the trip down. Kurio, bring Nimloth Root, and Aglokis.

To Kurio, they were names of plants used to treat chakra poisoning, a common problem in his clan. Perhaps Aragi would know if it too.

The mineshaft in question began out as a path shimmering in crystal on the side, in every direction. Blue lights glimmering and dancing. But the air stung. At first, it was just a tingle. But slowly, as the crystals embedded in rock began to lose their color, it turning to a sharp sting.

Deeper meant stronger stinging.

On the second level, a large jut of bone broke through the crust, the size of a boulder. The only way to even tell it WAS a bone was the coloring. Behind it, another boulder, and another, all in a line downwards.

On the 3rd level, the same boulder was seen in the ceiling.

Levels 4 through 7 seemed cleared, but on 8, smooth sides to the walls could also be seen of bone, curving downwards to the ground. Stepping on them would leave burns, and holes in shoes.

Level 9-11 only had a column running downwards on the side.

And level 12 had Ichiro, sitting on a curved stalagtite hanging from the ceiling. Below him, the air was distorting with chakra in a small sphere, though the rest of the room seemed... relatively fine other than the passive burns of air.

" 'Sup? I hear you all made chunnin. And one of you is someone I've never met."

 

[KageYuuki]

Kurio Shimizu and Shibata Yamamoto
Miracle Flower
Around Kurio and Shibata, a cool mist rolled over the sylvan mountain, making it consist of roughly 3 colors: white as the mist, green as the trees, or brown as the dirt. The mist felt heavy, powerful, and thick, resting almost like a shawl over the ninja, and definitely clinging as they walked.

It was a forest in Inochigakure, but far enough north that it generally wasn’t habited. But despite that, the sheer silence of the forest was defining. No insects buzzed despite the plants. No birds flew overhead. No creatures made a sound. Occasionally a gust of wind would move a few branches, or a pinecone would fall, but it was up to the ninja to make any sound beyond that.

“Inochi territory always creeps me out,” Kurio muttered as he walked. The irony of the statement wasn’t lost on him. “Really wish they could’ve sent a sensor with us, I can barely see through this mist.” He adjusted his pack, shifting the specially prepared containers and scroll they’d been given for the mission. Even just finding one flower would be a major help to the medical corps. Kurio found himself idly wondering if the flower could suppress the chakra of an out of control jinchuuriki.

Slightly ahead of Kurio, Shibata walked with barely contained impatience silently insisting his companion move faster by setting a slightly faster pace. The moment he had heard of the potential medical applications of the flower he had snapped up a spot on the mission though he would have tagged along even if he hadn’t, if there was any chance it could help his sister’s condition he would go to any length to get it.

“As long as we can avoid dealing with its people it’s fine.” He said in response to Kurio’s comment, while he had soundly defeated Kiiro back in the exams he wasn’t in the mood to deal with the fool again to say nothing of the possibility of someone stronger appearing. “No problem I have a sensor right here.” Pausing he nicked his thumb and made a few seals before slamming his hand into the dirt. “Summoning Jutsu!”

The customary puff of smoke quickly blended into the mist as a red furred bat fluttered up to eye level. “Yo wazzup boss!” It barked cheerily. “Doesn’t look like ya fighting right now.” Sighing at the creature’s chirpy attitude Shibata shushed him. “We’re supposed to be keeping quiet right now Rokuro, this is enemy territory we’re in right now. I just need you to keep your ears open so we aren’t taken unawares by something or someone in this fog.” Touching down on Kurio’s shoulder Rokuro spoke a bit more quietly but still sounded upbeat. “I gotcha boss, so who’s ya buddy here?”

“Its shinobi aren’t the only things demanding caution,” Kurio had heard more than a few stories from his parents. Stories told less through words and instead in wounds and tired eyes. To say nothing of the plants he’d been sent to investigate for his first mission.

He blinked, stopping beside Shibata as he summoned Rokuro. Dark eyes watched the bat that landed on his shoulder, “I’m Kurio.”

Shibata snorted then started walking again. “They think we live in a wasteland full of mutated monsters yet they allow their own to run riot. Rokuro that’s enough we need to keep moving.”

Taking off Rokuro flew a few feet above them still chattering between breaks to send out inaudible pulses of sound into the mist. “Eh? You’re even less fun. Than usual. Boss. Nice to. Meetcha Kurio. Name’s Rokuro. If ya missed it.” Scowling Shibata walked even faster. “I’m not here to have fun. I’m here to get that flower.”

Kurio shrugged, “I mean . . . we kinda do? Have you not met Okimi?” He stretched, feeling his back give a slight pop. “So . . . why the interest in coming along? You’re not part of the medical corps or anything.”

As the three conversed, white mist slowly rose from Shibata, instead of clinging to him as it had beforehand. A single wisp, easy to miss, drawing to the trees.

Then the crackling sound of glass fell. Above, a light, crystal blue flower began to bloom from a vine on the tree, silicon dripping like raindrops from the stem of the flower. For the first time, movement could be heard in the distance. A quiet ‘squeak’, most easily identified by Rokuro. Then small branches began to brush above, before a small fox emerged, biting at the flower, and ripping it off its stem.

Rather than a pleasant orange and white hue most foxes had, it was green, and the fur seemed more plant like than fur based.

Another few squeaks could be heard as it bounced in the treetops with the neatly plucked flower, heading deeper into the woods. Leaping down from treetops, it landed on what seemed to be the silhouette of a man, but then kept bouncing forward, no reaction given.

The man stood awkwardly, unmoving, stone like. Mostly because it was actually stone, a statue in the middle of the woods, slightly warped, its features a bit fox-like before petrification.

All around, dozens of plucked flower stems could be seen.

Glancing at Kurio, Shibata unleashed his glare on him for his apparently cavalier attitude to their mission then sighed at his question, after a minute of silence he spoke abruptly. “It’s for my sister, she’s….ill and-.”

“Yo boss!” Rokuro barked noisily. “Summin weird out there, some kinda fox running around but it sounds like it’s not made out of the normal stuff.” Moving towards the sound he pointed them towards the creature as it snatched up the flower. “Rokuro that flower, is that what I think it is?” Shibata asked watching the animal suspiciously if it even was an animal. “Yeah boss, sounds the same as ya crystals.”

When it jumped away they both followed its path onto the mystery statue. “Should we stop it? It might be some kind of summon.” Fluttering over Rokuro did a quick circuit of the petrified man. “Woah...some sage crap gone wrong here it looks like, looks a lot less chill than the peeps that screwed up meditating though.”

Kurio returned Shibata’s glare with one of his usual soft smiles, letting the look roll off like water. With a teammate like Okimi and a sensei like Ichiro, it was going to take a bit more to phase him. “Ah, you think it might help.” It was possible, he supposed, but they wouldn’t know until they found the thing.

Feeling rather disarmed by Kurio’s calm response Shibata nodded slightly. “If there’s even the slightest chance then I will seize it.”

“A crystal flower…?” Kurio quietly mused, watching the bizarre fox take off with its prize. He held up a hand, “wait. I don’t think that’s the only flower it's found.” It gave him a bad feeling.

Scanning the forest floor, Shibata noticed the many other headless stalks. “You’re right, something in this place took a sample of my chakra and stored it in that flower and I expect it’s done the same to others that have come here.”

The fox continued to run through the forest, disappearing into the mist. However, finding where had gone would not be particularly difficult, as a large towering figure managed to cast a shadow, even in the mist laden forest. Rising high above any other tree, a giant stood, the width alone could probably fit the entire compound of either clan: Shimizu or Yamamoto. The fox could be seen scampering around the other end of the tree, climbing into a massive hollow, nearly an acre wide in the behemoth of nature.

The inside of the hollow contained rows and rows of flower beds, different colors blooming all around. White, however, was nearly impossible to see inside.

In the center of the rows of flowers, the small little fox could be seen leaping up and down atop a much, much larger one, working the flower into the green fur.

The giant fox was curled up motionless. While the pup had a grass like fur, the larger ones seemed much more wild. Vines and moss weaved in with age, hung off like eyebrows to the side. Ragged patches of plant hung off its chin, almost looking like a beard. And a raggedy garden hung off both sides of its back, with a large expanse of flowers wove into its fur, the buds closed on all of them.

Vines at the end of its back weaved back together into 5 braided tails. A moment after being observed, the old fox’s eye popped open, flakes of moss fluttering to the ground from the movement.

“More humans who aren’t Miss Tamiyo here to ravage her garden… how long must I wait for her to come back… Shall I deal with you like the last batch…?”

Kurio stopped at the sight of the massive fox, letting out a slight breath. It wasn’t Akuma, that much was immediately certain. But whatever it was, it was old. And powerful. “I . . . think I know where that statue came from now…” He murmured.

Feeling a theory fall into place, Shibata spoke quickly and quietly to Kurio. “This place isn’t entirely natural then, the gardener mentioned in the mission scroll created it to create those flowers.”

Stepping forward he gave a short bow and addressed the fox. “Forgive us our abrupt arrival. We seek not to destroy this place, we are in fact come on a mission of mercy.” Raising his head he met the fox’s eye. “I will not lie to you, we are here to retrieve one flower in particular but we have no desire to cause any more disruption than that.”

A grunt came from the fox, before slowly the other eye opened as well, flakes of moss breaking as it did. With a bit of effort, the grass goliath began to stand. The ground shook as vines snapped, and roots tore from its back and the ground. Walking slowly, moss matter rained in the area, with the fox cocking its head at Shibata’s request. It circled the two of them

“One flower today… then a few more tomorrow. Then I must defend Ms. Tamiyo from more than a few. And then she leaves to negotiate this grove. An army arrives, and disappears, as nothing more than lawn ornaments.

But this time you at least are polite in your introduction. Well, mostly polite. I am Oinari, guardian of this grove…

I am in a tired mood, and that may work in your favor. What request is it you have? Perhaps you do not wish to see nature learn from man, and wish for your crystal back? I have thousands of flowers from your clan, this one is hardly new. I am old… I’ve seen almost everything. I used to be called the Cultivator. But only once have I seen something truly unique. And I was sated, happy to merely protect this field. So, what flower do you seek…?”

“Oinari, it is...intriguing to meet you.” He suspected the Cultivator would have little patience for any especially false courtesies. “I am Shibata of the Yamamoto as you have already gathered.” Hearing another mention of a ‘Ms. Tamiyo’ he wondered if that was the gardener mentioned in the mission scroll and if her supposed death had been properly confirmed.

He gave the crystal a dismissive gesture. “Unequal though it may be as a trade it would be churlish to ask for something and leave nothing in return. We have come seeking a flower said to be able to seal chakra in those that ingest it.” Inwardly he wondered what the scout who discovered such properties was thinking by eating a mysterious plant.

Meanwhile, a nurse asked the scout in question the very same question.

Oinari’s eyes narrowed. Slowly his claws dug into the ground, the earth moving as roots dug into it. A deep breath echoed in the hollow of the tree, and flowers began to bloom across his back in a wild display. Blues and purples, browns and greens, and nectar dripped with enough chakra presence to make the entire area shake.

Each bit of nectar exploded with various effects, bursts of chakra, falling metals, sparks, crystal cracking, grass regrowing as it was destroyed, all at once in a beautiful symphony of power.

Three white flowers among the entire field could be seen. The fox’s eyes were still sharp, and he nearly snarled.

“Which flowers do you seek? I can cultivate based on what I have seen, the more users, the easier.
53 Crystal Release users are homaged on my back.
28 Wood Release
58 Lava Release
34 Magnet Release
31 Explosion Release
24 Storm Release
8 Blaze Release
15 Scorch Release
69 Steam Release
20 Ice Release

There has only ever been one person I have ever met with a Bloodline Selection (Kekkei Tota), however…. And not even a ninja. I’m not sure I’ll even meet such a being again. The name of that Bloodline Selection…. I call it Holy Release. It burns away all other energy, being a form of chakra so pure it cannot coexist with any other.

And its white flowers keep wilting, I can only grow a few ever. I worry that soon they will be no more. So… Little Shibata, WHICH flower would accomplish your goal…?”

Feeling the release of chakra in the air Shibata took an awed step backward finding the show almost as fascinating as the catalogue of different elements. “A Kekkei Tota…” He repeated in wonder, the combination of three different elements into one was to his knowledge equal parts theoretical and mythical.

More importantly, it sounded like what they were looking for and Oinari seemed to be particularly concerned about it’s flowers. Giving Kurio a wary look he turned back to the fox and swallowed nervously. “Umm the Holy Release one sounds like the one we were told about?” He said not looking forward to the creature’s response.

Kurio had been watching, awestruck, at Oinari’s display of power and the mention of a kekkei tota. A flash of concern across the medic’s face at Shibata’s look, the other chuunin speaking before he could.

The creature’s response was about as happy as Shibata expected, the fox suddenly baring its fangs. Green and thorn like, they dripped with plant latex.

Vines began to crawl across the inner hollow of the tree, exploding with chakra and the same beautiful display as the flowers earlier, sparking, burning, dripping crystal, floating metal about, a colorful display in every direction.

Oinari barked, the burst of chakra raining down like a pyrotechnics show. A pile of moss ignited, burning away to reveal under it statue after statue, shinobi headbands of ancient clans, rather than any village. More and more moss burned away.

“And, why, Shibata should I do that? It’s the last memento I have to a person special to me. Until she comes back, how am I to remember her?! And once I give that, you humans will come back for the remaining. Selfish humans!”

Kurio swallowed, letting out a slight breath at the even greater display of might. Taking it by force wasn’t looking to be an option. “Because,” his voice was low as always, “it’s a chance for him to save someone special to him. Before he loses her forever.”

Rather than quailing before Oinari’s fury, Shibata spread his hands at his sides. “I do not seek to steal your memento of one you have lost lightly we-I.” Lowering his hands he hung his head for a moment then looked up again. “I’m here for my older sister, she’s dying and nothing anyone has tried can fix her. She was always incredible to watch even just practicing, people said she was one of the most prodigious users of Crystal Release ever but it turned out she was too good at it.”

Pausing he furiously swiped a sleeve over his eyes. “Using Crystal Release was so easy for her it eventually went haywire, some freak genetic thing the doctors said. Her chakra began converting material inside her own body into crystals, losing that material made her weaker and while each crystal on its own is tiny they said they could clump together in her blood, do that in the wrong place and she could...die in a second. No matter how much she tries to suppress it they won’t stop.”

Desperation drove him to speak faster. “That’s why I need the power of that flower, if it can stop her chakra from working even temporarily she might recover or at least live. I don’t care about anything else, I just want to save her.”

The guttural growl of the fox continued, with flames dancing around from the burning moss.

“I am not a kind spirit. I do not have a concept of your human ‘compassion’. Or ‘mercy’. If anything, a nature spirit is savage and uncaring.” He then took a deep breath, a spore cloud flaring from his nostrils. The vines began to quiet, a small frigid air from ice release staving off the flames.

“But I suppose she would. Inari-Bo.” He commanded the small little fox, which popped up out the ground like a mole. Nodding its head, it began to climb up Oinari’s leg, and scampering up his tangled vine fur drooping halfway to the floor. Reaching up to his forehead, a section near bald except for a white flower, the small fox took a small napkin, and with a small ‘arf’, bit the flower off, scampering back down his leg, and delivering it to Shibata, wagging his tail the entire time.

Oinari looked longingly at the ceiling.

“Funny, the memories that come back with that. I’d almost forgotten.” He shook his head, obviously in some sort of flashback.

“Human. Wait a minute. One more flower from the garden. Plant this one in the ground, only in times of distress.”

The fox continued to look out across the fields around him. The little fox cocked its head, as if asking if it was supposed to fetch something else.

Another sigh, the vines that had spawned began to wither away.

And then the fox began to cough, violently. Several vines on its body likewise withered, but a single flower began to spawn from its mouth. A black lotus. The fox bit it, letting it fall in front of Shibata.

“It will only work once. Now, leave. I am waiting for someone important.”

The old fox began to walk in a circle, turning and turning around, before finally sitting, his chin on three of his tails. Slowly, he sunk several inches into the ground as roots began to connect to his body once more, and the beautiful array of flowers began to close.

The younger fox wagged its tail excitedly, jumping up and down while yelping, before diving straight into the ground, its wiggling tail left above ground.

Taking both flowers Shibata tentatively petted the smaller fox then stowed them in the sample containers they had brought with them. After triple-checking they were both secure he bowed almost in half to Oinari. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Nodding to Kurio he walked away leaving the giant tree behind, once it had vanished into the mist once more Rokuro piped up. “Damn boss! Ya got the gift of the gab ain’t ya?” Sighing Shibata supposed he should just be thankful the noisy bat had the sense to keep his mouth shut while speaking to the grumpy nature spirit. “I didn’t say anything that was untrue, I simply explained myself well.” Shibata replied quietly, after a short silence he glanced at Kurio. “That person he’s waiting for, she must be that gardener the mission scroll mentioned. Do you think we should have told him she’s not coming back?”

Kurio joined Shibata in the low bow before the pair took their leave. He passed the other chuunin the scroll they’d been given to safely carry the samples. Kurio was quiet at Shibata’s question, mulling it over for a long moment. “I’m . . . I’m not sure, to be honest. If we had, perhaps it would’ve given him the closure he desired. Or perhaps he would’ve grown wrathful and accused us of lying.”

Shibata nodded in agreement. “That’s what I was thinking as well. I think I’ll do some research once we’re back, see if I can find out what happened to her. If I can I’ll come back someday and tell him, if this works I’ll owe him at least that much.” Falling silent he pushed ahead with the same barely contained impatience as when they had entered the forest but this time with a hopeful spring in his step.


Several days after their return Shibata nervously crowded around a hospital bed along with his parents as an exasperated medic-nin manoeuvred around them to reach Fubuki with a syringe in hand. “You’re certain this is safe aren’t you?” Shintaro Yamamoto asked, looking a far cry from the normally calm and collected clan chief, rolling her eyes Fubuki hauled herself up from her reclining position to lightly slap his arm. “Take it easy pops, I’m sure it’ll probably be fine.” She smirked then was gently but testily pushed back down by the medic. “Hold still please. We fortunately had a subject who had already ingested this substance which resulted in a much larger dose and he made a full recovery to go find some other new way to be a fool.”

Looking up at the medic Fubuki held out her arm. “Okay doc, let’s do this. Come here Shichan.” She held out her free hand to her fretting brother who quickly took hold of it as the needle pierced her arm. “Who’s supporting who here?” Reiji quipped with a chuckle though he also kept a comforting arm around his husband’s shoulders as the medic waved a glowing palm over Fubuki.

After a few minutes, the glow of the diagnostic jutsu faded and all four Yamamoto’s perked up. “Well?!” Both Shibata and Shintaro demanded in unison. The medic nodded approvingly. “Her chakra output has dropped to a safe level, it’s lower than we anticipated but it’s no danger.”

While the three guys cheered Fubuki suddenly burst into tears and threw her arms around Shibata. “Nee-san?! What’s wrong?” Still sobbing, Fubuki buried her face into his shoulder. “I’m sorry Shichan, I-I spent so long telling myself I was okay with what happened that I barely even hoped it would work, I almost forgot how much I wanted to live.” Feeling Shibata’s arms enclose her and a hand from each of her parents, one on her head and another on her back she held on for dear life and bawled releasing years of pent up fear at last.



IG42

 

[KageYuuki]

Kurio Shimizu and Okimi Bajirisuku
Shrine Maiden's Request

Closing his eyes, Kurio took a steadying breath. He reached out and felt the chakra flowing into his fingertips as the jutsu formed, a blue needle soon appearing between two fingers. His brow furrowed as he concentrated, coaxing more chakra to wrap around the needle into a shell. The shell burst with a pop, getting a yelp out of Kurio as he shook his hand.

Junpei offered a sympathetic smile from where he stood, leaning against a wall. “You’ll get there eventually.”

Kurio huffed, carefully mending his injured hand. “It shouldn’t be this difficult though.”

“You’re basically combining two different jutsu,” he lightly tousled his son’s hair. “It’s not an easy feat.”

“Yeah, but you’ve even said my chakra control’s almost at a jounin’s level.” The chuunin protested.

“And it sounds like someone let it go to his head,” Hitomi called as she approached, lazily swinging her shakujou.

Junpei chuckled, walking over and pulling her into a hug. “Don’t you have a mission?”

“I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”

Kurio rolled his eyes and looked away as the two kissed. A scroll bounced off his head, “hey.” He fumbled to catch it, recognizing the handwriting of one of the chuunin at the mission office.

“You’ve got a mission too,” Hitomi watched him open the scroll. “Normally I run supplies up to your aunt Himiko back at the shrine, but Ema’s sending me on a mission out west. So I thought it’d make a good mission.”

“Isn’t this more of a genin’s job? Why is it even C Ranked?”

She held up a finger, “because one: Mount Kouya tends to attract yokai and minor akuma. And two: it’s been a long time since you last got to see Himiko, she’d love to see how much you’ve grown.” Hitomi gave a wicked smile, “and maybe introduce her to your girlfriend.”

Kurio’s head snapped up to look at her, “my what!?”

“Your girlfriend. Ah, what was her name?” She tapped her chin in thought for a second, “Okimi, isn’t it?”

“She’s my teammate.”

“Oh? After she came here that day, shouting a challenge from the heavens.” Hitomi sighed, “You know that’s how your father and I--”

“Goodbye, mom.” Kurio fled with a bodyflicker.

It was an easy mission, one he could probably handle alone if he really wanted to. Though the summit of Mount Kouya was supposed to be a sacred place that not many got the chance to visit. Maybe Okimi would like to get out of the village for a bit.


“How the hell do you expect to restore your clan if you can’t even win one little tournament?” An angry mother growled, pounding on her daughter’s door.

“Fuck you!” Said daughter’s voice replied with spite.

“And you lost to that flimsy little healer boy too? Since when did my daughter become weak?”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You don’t know anything about him!”

“Why’re you getting so defensive? Weren’t you the one saying he was weak back when you first got on your little squad? Oh… I see. He must be your bo-“

Okimi’s mother was interrupted by a door swinging open. “You’re so fucking annoying! All I meant is that next time I fight him I’m gonna kick his ass!” Okimi said this with obvious annoyance in her voice as she shoved past her mom.

“Sure it is. I made you and Feurey some snacks. They’re in the kitchen.”

“... thanks.”


Kurio stood at the front door, hand raised to knock when he heard the arguing from inside. It was difficult to tell was Okimi’s mother had been saying, but he was pretty certain the entire village heard his teammate’s retort. Still time to just go on this mission alone. Though that’d mean facing his aunt alone.

He knocked on the door.

Okimi’s voice could be heard inside once again. “Ugh, now what?”

Heavy footsteps approached the door before it swung open. Okimi’s face looked surprised for a moment, before reforming into a scowl. “What?” She asked flatly.

Kurio blinked, he should’ve expected the brusqueness in all honesty. Shaking off the rude greeting for the time being, he held up the scroll for her to see. “Got a mission if you want to come along. Delivering supplies to the temple on top of Mount Kouya. It’s . . . nothing fancy, but it’s outside of the village.”

“Anything to get me out of this shithole,” Okimi said quickly, just loud enough so her mother could hear. She shut the door behind her and clapped her hands together. “This sounds easy though. Why did you feel the need to invite me?”

He shrugged, “That mountain’s a weird place. Might run into some minor akuma or a yokai or something on the way. Fights might make for some good training.”

Okimi nodded. “That’s a good point. Plus, sensei did say I couldn’t use handsigns for awhile. This could be a fun mission!”

“And I can’t get into melee range…” Kurio’s shoulders sagged, “Crap. Might be harder than I thought.”

“It’s ok, Feurey and I will just handle everything then!” Okimi replied with a smile.

Kurio rolled his eyes, “I need to go pick up the delivery. I’ll meet you at the East Gate.” With that, he flickered away.

Meeting up at the East Gate, the pair of shinobi left the village and started up the mountainous path. Mount Kouya was close to the Land of Lightning, but far enough that the air pressure didn’t change. Mount Kouya was a vibrant place, even at the base. The large stone outcroppings gave a resplendent display of colors as they practically hummed with chakra.

The first thing Okimi noticed was that Feurey looked tired as soon as he began upon the path. It had been Okimi’s intention to just fly up the mountain, but whatever was going on with the mountain made that impossible. It’d be best not to waste chakra trying to keep Feurey awake, so Okimi undid the summoning, letting him disappear in a smokey puff.

“Ugh, now we have to actually walk up the whole thing!” Okimi complained with a loud groan.

“Yeah…” Kurio rubbed the back of his neck. “This whole place absorbs chakra, so the sooner we make it to the summit the better off we’ll be.” The last time he’d visited the shrine, he ended up spending a few days there just to recover from the trip. But I hadn’t even graduated from the academy by then, I should be fine now. I think.

The trail was peaceful as the pair walked by a stream. Flowering trees lined their path, filling the air with a sweet breeze. Strangely, wildlife seemed to be minimal so far. “You’d almost think we’re in Inochi’s territory,” Kurio commented offhandedly. Halfway up the mountain, they came across the river’s source. A massive cluster of azure crystals jutted out from the side of the rock, a waterfall pouring from it.

“I’ll try not to burn anything down then,” Okimi said as she closed in on the water spewing crystals. "I didn’t know crystals could do this kind of thing!”

This place gave Okimi a weird feeling, but she didn’t know why. It was pretty at least. How often did Kurio visit here?

“I’d love to see a Yamamoto try to do this,” Kurio chuckled, looking up at the waterfall. “Guess if there are crystals that can absorb Akuma chakra, there are ones that can make a waterfall.”

As the two started back up the path, the water began to ripple. A humanoid creature surfaced, staring at the chuunin with black voids for eyes. Emerald scales shimmered in the sunlight, wicked claws curling from its fingers and toes. The creature snarled and bared its fangs.

A Suiko.

Kurio paused at the sound. Feury has been sent back to conserve chakra, so it couldn’t have been him snarling. He drew a kunai as he turned. “Ah, so this won’t be a boring mission then.”

“What do you mea-“ Okimi began, before turning to see the monster for herself.

“What the hell is that? Never heard of an Akuma like this.” Okimi reached behind her back, grasping one of the wooden sticks. She held it out and in a puff of smoke, turned into her yari spear. Okimi ran at the Suiko and thrusted her yari at its torso.

“It’s not an akuma, at least not that I can feel.” Gathering chakra in his claws, Kurio slashed at it, sending an arc of sharpened chakra its way. “Eh?” The attack dissipated before landing. “Didn’t think chakra dissipated that fast here…”

The suiko’s scales proved tough as Okimi’s strike hit home. Tough, but not impenetrable as a slight trickle of blood ran down its belly. With a pained snarl, it shot a powerful stream of water at Okimi.

Okimi was surprised to see her strike didn’t penetrate deeply, leaving her unable to react to the jet blasting her back and over the pathway she had been on.

Spinning in mid air, Okimi crashed into the ground, digging a hand into the dirt to slow herself to avoid falling down the mountain. “Ugh, now I’m all wet…” she grumbled.

Kurio quietly snickered, “you’ll dry off before long.” The mirth was short lived as another jet of water was shot his way. He ducked, dropping to the ground and letting the stream shoot over his head. “Whoa.”

The water struck a dark red crystal behind him. The crystal shattered in an explosion of fire, sending Kurio flying into the nearby pool. He surfaced, coughing and spluttering.

With a roar, the suiko charged him, claws at the ready.

Luckily Okimi was already on the way to intercept, sprinting as fast as she could before swinging her spear like a baseball bat up at the monster’s face. “Eat shit!” She yelled as she swung, her face grinning a malefic grin.

Her spear struck with a loud crack, sending the suiko reeling away. When the creature got back up, blood ran from its lips. It charged, claws at the ready.

Meanwhile, Kurio scrambled out of the water, trying to ignore how thoroughly drenched he now was. Quickly scanning his surroundings, he spotted a golden crystal that crackled slightly. "Okimi! Throw it into that golden crystal!” He body flickered to it, slapping an explosive tag on the crystal before flickering away, ready to form the handsign at a moment’s notice.

“Sure thing!” Okimi responded. She ran to meet the Suiko, once again ramming her spear into its chest. But this time, she lifted it over her head with its own momentum. Her muscles strained as hard as they could, and her teeth clenched as Okimi tossed it towards the crystal with a loud yell.

The instant the suiko made contact with the mass of crystals, Kurio detonated the tag. The creature’s shriek joined the cacophony of the explosion and clap of thunder. When the smoke cleared, the suiko lay charred and twitching. It wasn’t getting up again.

“Well . . . guess that’s why this wasn’t a D Ranked mission…”

“Fuck yea! Stupid monster thought it was gonn eat us? Nuh-uh, they forgot who I am! Hey Kurio, can I keep some of these crystals?”

Kurio shrugged, “Uhh I guess? Nothing in the scroll said we couldn’t.” He double checked to make sure the scroll hadn’t fallen out of his pouch during the fight before starting back up the cliff.

“Nice… I’ll grab them on the way back down though,” Okimi said, watching one of the golden crystal fragments continue to crackle with electricity.

She noticed Kurio continuing on and hurried after him, glancing at the smoldering monster one last time with a grin.

The rest of the trip up the mountain was fairly uneventful. If there were any other creatures lurking around, they didn’t seem keen on picking a fight with the two shinobi. The sound of bells and chimes greeted them long before the temple came into view. A building of stone and wood, veins of crystal ran through the stonework and strings of tags hung from the wooden beams.

“Well, here we are.” Kurio hadn’t even reached the entrance when a blur shot past, catching him in a strong hug. It was one of the shrine maidens, though she looked a lot like Hitomi.

“Kurio! It’s been forever! Look how big you’ve gotten!” She said with a grin.

Kurio flailed for a second, trying in vain to escape her grip. “Aunt Himiko . . . can’t breathe.” He gasped when she released him, dropping back to the ground.

Okimi didn’t say anything, she just watched Kurio, barely holding back a laugh. After that, she did a light bow. “My name is Okimi Bajirisuku, Kurio’s teammate.”

Okimi had been expecting a larger structure at the top of this mountain, but oddly enough she didn’t feel disappointed.

The shrine maiden returned the bow. “I’m Himiko Inoue, one of the keepers of the temple. You’ve probably met my sister Hitomi.” She smiled brightly, “But we can talk more inside, I’m sure you two are hungry. I’ve got rice and sukiyaki!”

Okimi let out a relieved sigh, putting a hand to her stomach. “I was just going to ask if you all had food up here, all that walking has me so hungry…”

“You’re always hungry,” Kurio muttered, dusting himself off.

Himiko laughed, “It’s probably the mountain that made you hungry. You probably felt it absorbing your chakra on the way up.” She motioned for them to follow her inside. “It won’t be able to drain anymore while we’re inside.”

InsaneAsylum

 

[Orikanyo]

Bonk of Ages

Rank: B

Someone has been killing all the bulls in my pasture. Whenever I check on them, I find broken bones and backs. One of them I found if a damn tree. And if that wasn't headache enough, whatever is causing this stole all my sake! I've found large human sized tracks, but whenever I post this mission, villages laugh and tell me it's unrelated, some large summon amuck. Well, maybe a lesser village will take it seriously?

The ranch in question had surely seen better days. As Waka entered he would see the fence smashed, a barrel thrown through the barn, and a very confused bull lowing from the trees. It cocked its head as Waka passed underneath. The rancher could be heard cursing in the distance at a hole, twice as big as he was, torn into a distillery, and the container of some moonshine popped open like a soda bottle.

Most concernly of all, Waka would notice he was standing in a footprint half the size he was.

“...Man… They weren’t kidding when they meant human like tracks…” the horned young man looked down at the hole he was in, stepping out only as he discovered it. Massive, the sheer size of this singular footprint was utterly massive. Not to mention the weight that must have been on the ground to make a crater like this…

He only hoped going alone wont get him killed… But then again, with his new strength, and need to… Get out of the house for awhile, since his father was quite unhappy with the development going on atop his skull. His mother, quiet on the development, the fact it was a "horrid accident" resulted from his crystal venting from outside forces has saved his hide abit, convincing people it was the same crystal, took some work…

But it seemed to be purple enough as is already.

But now, it was back to work, his new body was itching to get back into the action.

As such, he approached the ranch, regarding the… Tree cow, with a nod. "Good morning, as much as it can be. I am from Tsumikagure, i can tell already the report wasn't lying about the destruction. It almost looks like you got a visit from a giant bandit."

As Waka’s shadow passed, the ranchhand went from cursing to jumping like he’d seen a ghost, flailing his hands, and falling over the busted container.

“Oh, oh, just a ninja. Nice lil’ lad, ain’t cha. Sorry, just your shadow looked like- , uh, nevermind. Oooh, Tsumi. Ain’t ya’ll the radioactive folk. Guess explains the horn. Doesn’t it get in the way with door frames…?

Anyways, to business. Wish it was a freakin’ bandit. Then they’d steal my stuff and be out of here. This bloody beast just keeps coming back. Old -X- up there has been in that same damn tree 3 times. This point, already called some of the good ol’ boys to get him down. They have a wench. Wish there was a faster way, but it is what is is.

Now, know you say you’re a ninja, but when you say that, like, ninja ninja? Like you can do some fighting? Cause whatever’s doing this seems to like to fight. Keeps picking on every damn thing. One of the chickens chased after that horrible shadow once, and I saw it punted in an explosion of feathers from the treeline. Pity. Want some chicken by the way?

Anyways, foot prints go up the mountains. Don’t know what it is, but I ain’t going past the ranch.”

Wakanaka nodded as the rancher explained, a fighter huh? Well, if anything, Waka was one as well. “I may not look it but I am plenty strong, and no stranger to a brawl. With that said, its best I head up the mountain hand try and see what is causing this issue…

And.. It’s not radiation, it’s demon chakra.

...Actually thats pretty close I suppose.

Would explain some of the oddballs we have... “ So says the young man with a horn.

With a shrug he was ab out to head off when he remembered himself. “Ah, what would you say this creature looks like? Big, humanoid, anything else?”

The rancher blinked. “Right. Well, uh, good luck at what you do…?”

He poked at Waka’s bicep under his priestly robes, almost incredulously. He nodded afterwards, and used a pitchfork to point the way, past a broken fence where something had lumbered away.

Trees smashed in its gait, and away and off to the mountains it went.

A long hike awaited, the entire way, trees had just been pushed over or snapped in half, the trail being fairly obvious. And then a deep laughter could be heard as steam could be seen rising from the distance. A loincloth could be seen hanging from a nearby tree, perhaps a hotsprings…?

Hmm…. Well it was now or never… Really, if he were smart, it'd be never until he got back up. But… Well…

We all gotta grow up sometime right?

The young man siddles up to a nearby, broken in half, tree and eyes the scene around the corner. Maybe he could catch his prey unawares and ambush the-

"Holy sweet merciful buddah what in blazes!?!?"

‘Blazes’ was an apt word, for the creature infront of Waka lazily laid in a makeshift jacuzzi, filled with lava. The air crackled and warped above it, the sheer heat distorting the air. The lava seemed to pour out of a nearby rock, a constant release of fire chakra making it flow into the small little pool.

The creature itself was humanoid, but not fully human. It lay in the little pool, drinking out of a small bowl of bubbling red liquid, with a slight flush to its face, which was impressive as it’s skin was a deep crimson. Easily over twice the size of Waka, it did share Waka’s horn, and had a second one as well. Unlike Waka’s lean build though, it’s biceps looked like small trees. Each movement of it’s hand, wafting the bowl over to its face, bulged with muscles.

And it definitely had a gender, as a large unfortunately floating rod in the lava showed. If the lava was just a few inches fuller, Waka’s eyes might have had less to bleed at the sight of. The loin cloth’s owner had likely been found.

It was an Oni.

Chuckling, he turned his head slowly to the newcomer.

“Ha! What a shrimp. Already did my fighting for the day, so I’m just chilling. Dumb cow. What are you here for?”

Slowly standing out of the pool, lava dripped from his skin like nothing more than water after a bath. Unfortunately teh standing put certain attributes at eye level.

“ What’chu staring at? Oooh, what’s that…?”

The Oni crouched down to be eye level with Waka, before flicking at his horn. “Hehehe… looks like mine. Well, don’t just stand around, drink up!”

The naked oni practically forced a large sake bowl into Waka’s hands. While it was something the creature held one hand, Waka would find it more like a mini cauldron.

Waka's soul as a man was crushed on compairision as much as his eyes pained. No man or Oni should compare horns with another.

Or bathe ingod damned lava.

"W-what!?!?!?! Drink!?" Wakanaka spat out, the bowl currently near toppling him over. Where the hell did he get this!? Drink up!?

This oni was gigantic! Sure he was expecting huge but he didn't expect him to be buck naked!!!

"What even is this!? Ack… It smells…"

...Wait a sec…

Why did it smell… Good? Familiar…

“An Onii’s Brew. I want to see if you’re man enough to take it! You wouldn’t want to insult an Onii when he offer’s you some of his sake, would you? Brewed with my own power! And a bit of my blood, but if that horn’s what I think it is, you already knew that!”

Laughing, he stood up, before looking down, lava still dripping off him like sweat. Rather than looking embarrassed, he just shrugged.

“I’m going to go get my club. And I guess clothes. Just take a swig and I’ll be back! Knew said got fight out of my system, but, seeing one’a my own kinda makes me feel… fighty. Course, you go and die, that’s going to get me all disappointed....”

And with that, the large beast started to stroll back through the forest to where he had left his clothes, each footstep causing the entire mountain side to shake.


(Basically it’s a drink full of yang chakra. Flushes skin red, increases strength, and dissipates soreness. Also, really potent freakin’ alcohol. Could make a jutsu out of it, and flavor it to be whatever the hell you want too.

Brilliant )

Wakanaka was glancing up at the big Oni and down at the bowl a few times. This… Well… He… Was… Somewhat of an oni? The horn says so… But…

...He said it could kill him…

Was… Was he REALLY gonna let a gigantic monster of an oni peer pressure him into drinking!?!?!?

And he just met the guy!

…

Err….

….

Well….

He… Kinda… Had the horn… And oni drink so…

Whats the harm… In a little…?

….

…?!

………

!!!!!

It came as natural as breathing, or rather the ability to not, as he had sort of whited out abit and downed the whole thing… The taste was…

Actually he didn't taste it.

Went down too fast. But his belly felt hot, his head too… Horn was swelting with heat…

His face was immediately flushed red, he looked in abit of a daze, in such, he flopped onto his bottom, arms keeping him sitting up. "Whew… So… this is why Miho drinks…"

Another few earthquake steps could be heard, followed by a belly full laugh so loud the bark on the tree next to Waka exploded. In the distance, birds could be seen fleeing the area.

“You actually drank it? And you’re not dead? You really are an Oni. Anyone else would have had the muscles explode off their bones, and I’d find a pile of mush. You holding together pretty well.”

The Oni grabbed Waka by the wrist, and lifted him up, for the 2nd time today someone poking his muscles.

“Ha! Not even a tear!”

He was dropped violently as the Oni went back to grab his club.

“ ‘Ey, where’s your club? Didn’t you know Onis should have a club…? Urg, amateurs, didn’t your mama raise you right? Didn’t she clobber you like a good ol’ mama? We Oni do four things!”

The Oni held up three fingers.

“Eat!”

He pointed to first finger, putting it down.

“Sleep!”

Next finger.

“Drink!”

The final finger went down.

“And FIGHT!”

The 4th finger was no where to be found. The oni looked at his hand confused, before his eyebrows raised in realization, him raising his ring finger, and putting it down just a fast.

“Don’t got anything heavy to carry around and fight with, muscles go haywire. If they ain’t tearing, they ain’t wearing. Too much yang chakra build up trying to heal our blood instead starts to hurt! Why an Oni always has a club! Gotta lift something heavy.”

The Oni tossed Waka his club. It was… 8 feet fall and made of iron. And… about as heavy as it looks.

“Now go on, hit me!"

The club smashed into the young oni like… A 8 foot tall hunk of iron hits a young man. Really no other way to say it. Shockingly, he managed to stay upright, even stand, shakily, afterwards.

...Wait a second…

This…

He was getting Deja vu here. It may be the hazeyness but didn't sensei Icihrou say something similar? He wanted Waka to go all out yea?

"Fgguuurp, Fub it! Yea, yea want to get smacked I'll give yea it! Hoo, stomache… Urp… Ah… Gross acid reflux…" he paused to recover for a moment, then stomped a foot down. The club was… Okay it was far too big. But so was his sword long ago, and that became easy to use awhile ago!!!

"Alright alright alright! Lets get this staaaarted!!!!" With a surge of chakra boosting his muscle he managed to not only lift the club, but bring it over in a swift crushing arch towards the Oni!

Actually just to the right of him, crushed a big rock instead.

"Baaah! Trying again!" Second swipe went horizontal from the crushed stone, towards the midsection of the oni.

The Oni laughed as Waka hit the rock, bowling over and grabbing his stomach as he pointed at Waka. Tears formed in his eyes, and the laughed continued to shake the area.

It was replaced by a squelching ‘thwack’ as the Oni was hit dead on, flying into the distance from the strike.

Waka was left alone. With all the animals gone, the bubbling of lava was the only sound.

A moment later, the ground began to shake, rock sliding off the mountain from the tremors. And then a red outline broke through the tree line.

A large purple bruise could be seen where Waka had hit. The oni had a red haze around his body like an aura. The air sizzled and burned around him, trees igniting being near him. Sweat, red in color, dripped down his arm, before evaporating into the aura, filling it deeper and deeper in color.

Oni’s Sauna

Then he smiled.

“Good Hit! Let’s see how good you take one! Won’t use the club, you need it more than I do, but let’s see… Hmmm…. Got it! Just a friendly tackle. I’d say it’s like sparring with my sister, but last time she broke 15 bones! Maybe more like my brother. Meh. Get ready, here I come!”

The Oni squatted to the ground, the haze around him growing stronger, his eyes schlera turning black. Then he began to race towards Waka full speed, bracing his arms in an X infront of him.

Every time he ran into a rock, or a (dead at this point) tree, it exploded, with a ripple of energy going through his body, and erupting out his legs with every step. He was using his muscles to redirect all the force, becoming almost unstoppable!

And he was attempting to plow into Waka at full speed.

Grand Red Races

Was this how all Oni greet each other!?

He should block with the club! Do it waka! You got this!

….Waka?

Hey you working here we gotta be smart-

Fight or flight took over, and as with many who are drunk, fight won.

Instead of bracing with the club, he sort of threw it at the incoming force and leapt toward the oni's incoming head like a frenzied monkey.

"Gotchyer nose!"

A crack could be heard as the large club struck true against the Oni, stopping his charge dead with the sheer force.

A single ‘heh’ could be heard, and muscles rippled across the giant, starting in his neck, and flowing down his body. His pecks flexed, his abs bulged, down his thighs the viens became thick. And then the force struck into the ground, a large crunch as the mountainous rock beneath the Oni began to crack.

Dangerously, spider webs began to shift down the mountain side, before a ‘bang’ echoed.

And then the tackle continued.

Waka would no longer find himself standing with a club in an Oni’s face. In an instant he was flying through the air as if he’d been fired out a cannon.

Below him, a cliffside could be seen crumbling and crashing, a landslide forming and picking up speed. And then a laughter boomed into the sky.

"WWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa………"

Disappearing into the sky Wakanaka flew, until he was but a bright sparkle in the sky, spinning helplessly with a gigantic iron club, it was this day he wished he knew how to properly use Wind Ninjutsu….

He'd land sometime later, right next to the cow that was in the tree nearby the barn, he'd dislodge the cow, but he stuck himself.
-------------------

Below, cackling, the Oni held his nose, and began to crack it back into the place. It was obviously broken, but he didn’t care too much about it.

“Man! What a fun kid. I’m going to have to tell the whole family about him! Wait, shoot, he had my club, didn’t he…? Dang nabbit! Well, off to the forges of Jingakure. Hahahaha! What a good day.”