[Nakajima Taro]

Taro wasn't sure how he felt about a mission with a different team. He'd the luxury of consistently having Takumi to jab at, but at least he'd recruited the assistance of Kazu prior. Thankfully that'd be the only fellow low rank shinobi. The other addition was a team leader and special jounin, someone Kazu had at least knowledge which was important. Luckily he knew the fishing spot in question, so at least he had that going for him too. To the chuunin's delight this task would require the team travel by boat, so he'd already load up a boat for them and eagerly awaited the others arrival.

Taro didn't think a mission like this would really require his full armament. If anything he figured all that stuff would make it obvious he was a shinobi from a mile away. If there was illegal fishing or something caused by humans clearing out the fish. They'd probably avoid typical shinobi types, no in his mind they'd need to be covert. All the more reason to bring his fishing rod on this journey. They'd certainly have to test the water right? No sense not keeping a catch, so there was a cooler in the canoe too. A lucky fisherman's cap a top his head, Taro might of heard about this mission and asked to take it cause he wanted to fish.

The threat of it possibly going up in price was something he didn't want to deal with though, so obviously he'd take the mission seriously. Maybe more so a question of how long he'd wait to start taking it seriously. Granted based on the reports even if he committed to fishing first he'd probably end up frustrated and pursing this missions goal out of spite more than anything. Until then though, Taro was just happy to get another easy deed under his belt. Now where was Kazu?

Words. -- TagsYuki Kazu nue masahiko Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Yuki Kazu]

Another day, another mission. Kazu was finding it hard to stay motivated when they gave him such a small break after the exams. At least he knew both of the shinobi accompanying him on this mission. His sensei was going, and he'd be just as impossible to read as usual. The other individual was Taro, a Chuunin he'd met the second he got back home to Yukigakure. They trained a little bit and chopped some firewood, but Kazu didn't really know the guy that well yet. Their mission was a simple one, investigate the reason that there was seemingly less fish in the water than normal. 

Kazu left his home rather quickly, gathering his kunai and other ninja tools into his new pouches, he'd gotten one of his old ones blown up during the final fight of the exams. He headed out with his normal clothing, plus a fishing hat on his head that match the light blue of the rest of his outfit. If they were gonna figure out what happened, they'd need to be stealthy for the first part of the mission. So, he needed to look like a fisherman. 

As he arrived at the rendezvous point, he saw Taro on a small boat. He held a fishing rod in his hands, likely to try to fit the part in a similar fashion. There was also a cooler in the boat, but was that necessary? "Nice to see you again, Taro. You look ready to catch some fish!" Though, it was weird that they'd both arrived before Masahiko-sensei. Did Kazu leave too early? Or was his sensei late?

[nue masahiko]

FEAR IS THE MIND-KILLER

Hardly more than a few days’ rest after returning from the exams, and already Masahiko had been assigned a mission. It made sense, really; with Kazu scoring as high as he did in the exams, he’d only need a bit more field experience to really prove his capability, and issuing him more missions likely meant that he was being considered for promotion. It was a good thing. Masahiko was tired of boats, though. The smell of seawater was nigh impossible to get out of his hair. Obviously Hiko was used to working with Kazu, but Nakajima Taro was something of an unknown quantity; he was generally aware of the other man, they were close in age and rank, but to his memory they’d never directly worked together. As Masahiko approached—dressed plainly, headband tucked away in his bag, his hair bound high on his head in a long ponytail—he noted that Taro was carrying…a fishing rod. Kazu wore a bucket hat. Hm. Masahiko was to be the odd man out, it seemed. He chose to decline acknowledging that he was a few minutes behind schedule, instead simply lifting a hand in greeting to his teammates. "Kazu, Nakajima-san. I… don’t know how to fish.” Unfortunately true. He was a far better hunter than a fisherman. Looking around, he came to the conclusion that the boat was Taro’s acquisition; it certainly wasn’t his, and he doubted it was Kazu’s. "Are we ready to… set… sail?” Gods, why was he the senior shinobi on this mission? Taro would be far better suited to take the lead.

Nakajima Taro Yuki Kazu -- 264

LAIKA OF THQ

[Nakajima Taro]

Perhaps his truly warm body gave him the advantage, as well as the Yuki's natural cold resistance. The fact the highest ranked of the trio was the last to show up threw off Taro immensely. "Kazu! Of course, no better guise, besides we've got to prove the allegations aren't false." He'd state with a cheeky grin, he didn't know if Kazu was ready to fish too. However it seemed the guises were agreed upon, another truth that'd not stick through with the introduction of the last member.

Sure, they weren't in the spot to investigate, but dressing up like a fisherman is easy. Why waste chakra on a transformation technique? Maybe they wouldn't agree to the disguises set forth. Perhaps they'd rain in on Taro's plan. "All the more fish for me then." Taro would joyfully exclaim with a chuckle, before proceeding to load the last of his supplies into the boat. "Don't worry. You can play sick and keep your eye out for the real objective. Kazu and I will act as the perfect decoys. Now if you don't wanna get wet, all aboard." Taro would explain quickly take the reigns of the mission.

He felt the sense of advantage in this situation, as though he had more knowledge and confidence in the present scenario. Taro didn't really like being bossed around, so to not being reigned in he'd act in charge. No direct orders or acts of military supremacy, he was just going to 'play' the fisherman role best he could. Once everyone decided to get in or stay out the boat, Taro with anyone who wanted to needlessly prove their water resilience would push the boat into water. Getting it out and a float before jumping in himself.

"Uh, soooo... normally people leave a little earlier fish, so we'll actually need to paddle to make up for lost time." Taro would explain as he'd point to paddles on either side of the ship. The boat had a small sail, as well as a little more depth and shape than a canoe. However this was no serious boat, it lacked any great room for storage. Between the shinobi, cooler, fishing supplies and sail the boat would feel a bit cramped and the trip would be a bitter one for those not prepared for the open frozen breeze of Yuki's waters.

Words. -- TagsYuki Kazu nue masahiko Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Yuki Kazu]

Kazu couldn't help but wonder exactly how this mission would go. Masahiko and Kazu were a duo that he was quite used to, but now they had a third with Taro. The two of them had met before right after the exams, though it was very brief. It was strange that the highest ranked shinobi was the only one who didn't dress for the part of a fisherman though. He was usually overprepared from Kazu's experience with him. Maybe he just didn't wanna go out to sea after the long boat rides they'd had. Not to mention, he had also been the last to arrive. That was incredibly uncharacteristic of Masahiko.

Taro commented that he had the perfect disguise for this mission, Kazu thought his was pretty good as well. Unlike Taro, however, Kazu didn't plan on fishing. He would at least help him set up the bait and all of that though, he had to play his part after all. They would also need to paddle their way for a while to catch up to the other fisherman, that job would probably go to Masahiko since the other two were in disguise. Plus, he didn't know how to fish, apparently. "We can teach you if you want, sensei?" The boy offered, his sensei probably wouldn't agree to that, but it was a nice thought.

Kazu didn't mind getting wet, but he still got in the boat before Taro pushed the boat out to sea. If Masahiko didn't offer to be in charge of paddling their way up to the other fishermen, Kazu would simply take the paddles and start rowing. This was definitely a perk of being adaptable. Plus, that would force Masahiko to help with fishing!

[nue masahiko]

FEAR IS THE MIND-KILLER

Play sick. Naturally. Masahiko’s nose wrinkled with some distaste. He’d missed the memo on the guises, but to be relegated to the part of the ill-fated seafaring civilian was demeaning at best. His own fault, he supposed with a soft sigh. He accepted his fate. Perhaps to someone more uptight about ranks and such, Taro’s eagerness to take charge would cause friction, but Masahiko didn’t have the energy to care; and in any case, his ‘rank’ only related to his specialization. Fishing boats and mysteriously depleting oceans certainly didn’t apply. As far as he was concerned, Taro could be the boss, and he’d voice no complaint. With deft, delicate movement, Masahiko hopped in the boat, Kazu alongside him, and Taro took up the task of pushing it out to sea. It was a little cramped, but not unbearable, and Masahiko was more than willing to take up paddling in lieu of playing seasick. "I wouldn’t mind,” Masahiko replied to Kazu’s offer, his long, slender arms rowing the paddles in steady, rhythmic motion. "Though… hm.” He glanced between Kazu and Taro. Kazu was unsettled by Hiko’s peculiar ability, but had adapted well to witnessing it in action; Taro was an unknown. Still, if it could be useful, then it would be a waste to not utilize to aid the mission. "I can use a henge when we get closer to the other fisherman if I must, but I would prefer an alternate route, if possible. If either of you see a whale, or dolphin, or something around that size, please let me know and try to draw closer. I have a way of getting a more… immediate view of the waters we’re surveilling.”

Nakajima Taro Yuki Kazu -- 282

LAIKA OF THQ

[Nakajima Taro]

Nakajima in a sense were literally fire, as their weakness wasn't water though. The snow and icy water, it was all pretty tolerable. He could almost induct his own skin with light channeling of chakra. Pushing the other two out into the water, before climbing into the boat was no sweat. It seemed no one had an issue with rowing, so that'd really put the brunt of the fun on him. Teaching this posh sensei how to fish wasn't really in Taro's agenda. "Uh-it really won't be necessary for all of us." Taro would remark to not encourage the idea further in a 'polite' manner.

Thankfully the higher ranked shinobi was just as disinterested in fishing as Taro was with teaching a newbie the way of the hook and net. Instead the shinobi wanted Kazu and Taro to keep their eye out for a whale or dolphin. Or something of a similar size? "Sure... Uhm, so any sea creature bigger than a dolphin right?" Aiming to clarify a little, as he felt their was a massive different between a whale and a dolphin. They're both out at sea, but he wasn't sure if they'd be truly out far enough to see them. Especially on the more early end of their travel, but a Manatee. They lacked the grave of a dolpin or the might of a whale, but they're way more likely to stumble upon and row up to.

An Orca or shark could be a pretty cool find. Granted the boy of flames wasn't exactly sure what Masahiko intended with this animal. If it needed to be docile or if they'd be forced to combat a creature to a more approachable state. Curiosity in part would drive Taro to paddle a bit more quickly, as his attention was all the more peeled to each wave. He'd be looking for the brief emergence of either targeted sea mammal, but also any fins of something similar size.

Words. -- TagsYuki Kazu nue masahiko Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Yuki Kazu]

His sensei said that he didn't mind being taught how to fish, but Kazu got the feeling that he was rather disinterested in it. Maybe next time they got a vacation Kazu would bring him out to fish. Not to mention, Taro seemed rather unenthusiastic about the idea as well. Kazu knew what his sensei's intentions probably were with a sea animal. His clan's ability still freaked him out a little bit, but so long as he was either unconscious or not the one being fused with, he was fine with it. "Got it sensei." Was the only response he had to Masahiko's request.

Kazu kept his eye on the sea, looking for any sea dwelling animal that would suit Masahiko's needs. He also prepared his gear for fishing as well, still paying attention and paddling with one hand to help them catch up to the rest of the fishermen and their boats. "Oh yeah, a little warning before you do the thing would be nice, sensei. Not trying to have nightmares." He was blunt, but not on purpose. His sensei's ability just had the potential to make him lose sleep, one of his favorite things. He clearly wanted to avoid that.

[nue masahiko]

FEAR IS THE MIND-KILLER

"A dolphin is the minimum size, and it would need to be relatively docile,” Masahiko replied. While it might technically be possible for him to merge with a shark, he had little to no interest in needing to regrow his own limb because he had dared reach out to merge with a hungry predator. "I have a… relatively unique ability that will allow me to… meld with a creature.” A delicate way of phrasing something truly horrific to watch. "It could prove useful to get a fish eye’s view, but it can be unpleasant to witness.” Masahiko skillfully refrained from rolling his eyes at Kazu’s bluntly-worded request. He knew the boy didn’t mean to cause offense, so he didn’t take any. "Naturally,” he said, and left the matter at that. He continued paddling, his window of opportunity for merging rapidly closing as they grew closer to the fisherman. Just when he was about to give up and opt for a henge, he spotted the cresting fin of a dolphin pass by their little boat, and he sat up in anticipation. "There,” he said, getting up from his seated position and lowering into a crouch. "It’ll just be a moment. Try to bait the dolphin into following you for now.” Dolphins tended to be friendly, and it seemed likely that these dolphins were familiar with the local fisherman, because this one was more than happy to approach their small vessel: it took only a moment for Masahiko to reach out and press his hand against the smooth, wet surface of the dolphin’s back, summon up all his understanding of his own cellular structure, and change. He had no autonomy while like this, but it was a unique experience, being in the body of a sea creature. He waited placidly within the confines of his temporary body, surveying whatever he could see beneath the waves.

Nakajima Taro Yuki Kazu -- 313

LAIKA OF THQ

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Keitai Shintō [Cellular Permeation]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [Medical]
ELEMENT: N/a
DESCRIPTION:
An advanced version of Parasitic Connection, this technique is more or less the same as the lesser version with a single glaring difference. Specifically the speed at which the Nue clan member is capable of merging into and out of a host body. While the Parasitic Connection technique might take as much as five minutes to fully merge, the Cellular Permeation is capable of merging the Nue with a host fully within seconds. Due to this key difference it makes the Nue able to merge even in the middle of a battle and opens up the use of some Nue techniques and abilities to be used offensively against their opponents.