[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     It was early still - the sun had just peeked over the horizon and cast the first, weak rays of light over the dunes outside Sunagakure. Kiyoshi could make out the first telltale blurs of heat on the sand, far away from where he stood, just outside the village gates.

     Ordinarily, it'd be odd or even disconcerting for a Kage to leave the village for a simple mission - yet his clone still toiled at the desk, and Takato's still being in the village presented him with more freedom for things such as this. Besides, he hardly considered it a simple mission, even if it seemed that way from the outside looking in.

     The clatter of wood on stone broke the dawn silence as the subject of the mission made its' way out of the village and onto the simple desert road. Right on schedule, he thought with a grin. The caravan was full of lumber - less so than it had been when he received it with Takato, thanks to some being requisitioned for Sunagakure proper.

     The rest would be making its way to Roran, under watch of himself and Arashi. The caravan pulled to a stop nearby as the workers began their preparations for the long trek ahead. Kiyoshi waited under the shade for the designated time that he'd asked Oonakayama to meet at.

B-rank Mission: Caravan Attack
Oonakayama Arashi | 223 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

This wouldn't be Arashi's first mission with a Kage. In truth, with her father's own interests being so close to her own, their own adventures had afforded more than a few outings. Still, this was hardly one of those... The task at hand was to deliver a collection of lumber to Roran, though she was still unaware of it's importance. She was smart enough to recognize that there had to be some value to it, but had not been previewed to it as of yet. Which, was more than a bit odd. Still, with this venture being with the newly appointed Kage, it was likely to reveal itself in one form or another. Though she hoped that it would be through personal revelation, and not them being attacked along the way. Arashi still was leery of the man, as he was a complete stranger. Their conversation the night before revealed only part of the kind of Kage he wished to be, but didn't instill her with any full confidence in him. As far as she was aware, he was no more than a noble that had a record of shinobi mission beneath his belt, only to retire to more classy regions. Which, was afforded to him by his status within the Chikamatsu and his family line. No different from her own, but by two previous Kages having been by blood association. Never the less, it didn't take the feeling of something mysterious away, and she had intended to find out. After all, she needed answers too... If he was using this as a means to try and prove his dedication to the village, then she was using it as a means to find out more. Was it partially selfish to assume that he'd fail to do anything that proved of note? A wish for downfall? Probably, but there had been something about him that bugged her and it was an itch that she couldn't quite scratch the surface of. In the end, she'd find out today, as she made her way toward the meeting location as she began to approach Kiyoshi with a calm expression. "Lord Kiyoshi..." As she bowed respectfully, she'd look toward the caravan as the workers began their preparations for the journey. In seeing this, she'd quickly wave her hand down the length of her attire, changing it to be more appropriate for the road as she removed any visual cue of her uniform, save her Suna head as it rested upon her arm. "So would ya be plannin to go on this mission as yourself or should I have brought ya a cloak?" Raising her brow, she figured that whatever they were traveling with would not wish to be drawn into the sight of possible bandits. That, and a Kage riding along made the impression of valuables being had.

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-


-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     "No need," he said with a chuckle. "I never said we'd be riding along on the cart - or, Bishamon forbid, walking." Kiyoshi spent a moment more watching the crew prepare, relaxing in the shade, until they began to set off. When they'd passed behind the first dune, he stepped into the sun.

     Kiyoshi knelt forward to the sand, placed his hands upon it after forming three handseals. A flash of light illuminated the shade as fire and lightning scorched the sand, and from the smoke a massive glass dove rose. It stretched its' large, red hot wings, flapped them until it'd cooled. The creation was nearly the size of the cart, with two sets of divets for sitting or standing.

     When it'd cooled to a clear light blue, Kiyoshi got on top and gestured for Arashi to join him. Once on board, it set off with a plume of sand. The duo rose and rose, until they could once more see the cart - now just a small speck - and the rare view of Sunagakure from the sky.

     Kiyoshi settled into a sitting position near the neck, gripping one knee as he peered down below. "Beautiful, isn't it." He still remembered his first flight over the city - it'd been mostly destroyed then. To see the city restored, fully packed within the cliff walls, prospering - green atop the rooftops - was reassuring.

     At his command, the dove flew off towards the not-so distant eastern mountains that they'd follow south-southeast to Roran.

Using Faithful Dove, medium cost.
Oonakayama Arashi | 248 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

In fairness ya haven't told me anything... Keeping this thought to herself, Arashi would watch the display of jutsu combined into the sand. Within moments, the rupture of fire and lightning would seem to clash and create a glass dove of large size. It was perhaps one of the first she'd ever seen in such fashion, minus the miniature she had witnessed the man create within the manor. Still, it was no shortage of impressive how life-like the object was. Upon seeing his signal for her to climb on board, Arashi would take one last look at the cart and those that were preparing it's departure, releasing a breath before placing herself upon the shimmering dove before feeling them take flight. As it's wings lifted them, the sight of the now moving caravan was no more than a dot beneath them, leading to the sight of Sunagakure almost mirroring it. At the mention of the sight, Arashi would look over as well, a calm expression resting on her face as she drew her hood down, allowing her hair to brush against her forehead as the wind pushed against it. The view was indeed miles above what she was used to, considering how high she had flown in the past. While no different, there was certainly a more majestic feeling to being upon a bird like creature in seeing the world from below. "A bird-eye view is never anything less..." As she looked toward Kiyoshi, the hint of a smile was there, but it quickly disappeared as she remembered the task at hand. "In any case....that lumber isn't ordinary...I'm pretty sure of that much...aside from the odor being different, the fact that your here watching over it means somethin..." In hanging on to the divert, her chakra attaching itself to the almost slippery surface of the dove, Arashi drifted to the side as it seemed to increase in speed. "So what exactly is it for?"

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-


-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     Kiyoshi glanced down at the cart, brought the dove lower. "You're right - partially. The lumber is ordinary enough, though where it came from and how we got it is less so." As he spoke, he tied his hair behind his head to stop it from fluttering in the wind. "Came from Hiyashi no Kuni, but not from the Daimyou's camps."

     "Well," he said now that they could see the milled boards that filled the cart. "I suppose they did. Just not with his assent." Kiyoshi brought them a little higher again, enough that no one would notice them easily. He'd often found that at enough elevation, the underside of his doves tended to be nigh invisible on a clear blue sky like today's. And, with a sensitive matter like this, he was sure they could be safe from eavesdropping.

     He continued. "They were stolen, when the camps were destroyed, by the Tanjo. An ecologically minded Missing-nin group - though," Kiyoshi laughed. "it's a little hard to call them that. They're still very amateurish." The eastern mountains loomed in the distance, a massive wall that separated their nation from the continent.

     "I've been in contact with their leader - by letter. This shipment," he pointed down, "is mostly a sign of goodwill - but also a forward payment. To schedule a meeting with me, to earn our support for their cause. Training, legitimization."

     Kiyoshi rubbed his jaw. "Your father and I discussed it, but I'm still a little conflicted." He looked over at Arashi, as if to make clear he wanted her opinion. "We need the lumber, but I don't want to jeopardize our relation with the Wood Daimyou - or to be seen as supporting an illegal organization. 'Can't overreach,' right?" he asked with a smile.

Oonakayama Arashi | 292 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Arashi's brow would raise with interest in the lumber's origins, a calm expression resting on her face it appeared that while it had come from the Wood country, it hadn't been done through the normal channels. Or approved by the Damiyo. Soaring higher, the Kage would explain that the lumber was stolen by a Missing nin group called the Tanjo. Yet, while he mentioned that the group was ecological and amateurish, her thought was still lingering on the notion that this was a group of shinobi deserters. By this title alone, it meant that they could be capable of just as much damage of any trained shinobi, but without the oversight or at times needs to consider the consequences. Her own encounters with such people had been luke-warm at best, but she wasn't willing to fully trust one. Not in some time anyway... With this shipment being their means of getting a meeting with Lord Kiyoshi, perhaps to set terms of legitimization and even support, Arashi was almost near astounded by the fact that such a thing was even in question of being a possibility. Though with him having discussed this matter with her father, it seemed as if the man was still somewhat conflicted on the matter. They needed the lumber as a means to get in contact with the group's leader, but it was stolen so giving it up could possibly endanger any possible trading with the Wood Country in the future. He didn't want to upset the Damiyo, nor did he wish for Suna to be seen supporting an illegal group of shinobi. Clicking her tongue at the term she had used previously being heard, Arashi would sigh before then shaking her head with slight frown. "Bit late for that dependin on where ya met to even get it...." Word was easily traveled in the desert...slow perhaps, but still possible. If anyone happened to recognize any associating ties to Suna, it was possible that they knew exactly who had their wares. Course, this meant that it wasn't just bandits that they needed to be weary of, but possibly nin from the Wood Country as well. "We both know that Missing-nin are a wild card in itself. Despite what they may have promised ya, they could just as easily take that amateurish behavior and try an ambush...still...if they were willing to give up such a find, despite the chance, it could prove that they are easily manipulated..." The Tanjo clearly wanted to be seen as a legit organization. For the means of their supposed goals of being ecologically friendly, they needed the backing of a powerful ally. It meant that they would be less likely to try and get in the way of that by pulling a stunt. "Still doesn't mean I think they can be trusted, but their probably not gonna be a problem...your issue is the Wood Country...if they happened to have figured out who took their stuff and were watchin, they know ya have it...and they could send a group as a response....they're polite like that..." It wouldn't be anyone associated with the Wood Country. After all, they'd want to keep their hands clear of any possible wrong doing. But they wouldn't take a slit lying down. It would be a possible hit or thugs hired under the radar to send a message of not crossing them. Not to mention, a reaction from Suna in spite of it would bring to question why they weren't alerted to begin with... Cupping her hand beneath her face, she'd then close her eyes as she thought. "Still...considering where this is headed, why would they gift ya stolen wood? That doesn't make sense...their trying to support nature and yet they give you the very thing that their protectin...that doesn't add up..." That wasn't the only thing... If the Tanjo gifted this cargo...and it was done in secret...then who the hell are WE protectin it from and who is it goin to?

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-


-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     "Lumber's already been cut, hasn't it?" he retorted with a chuckle. "They've assured me this is just the leftovers - of one camp. I reckon nature-lovers would rather see it go to use, rather than rot." He turned from watching the mountain spine to look at her.

     "You're right though - I don't trust them either. A friend of mine suggested an idea-" he seemed to chew his lip, apparently in dislike of what he was suggesting. "- to betray them. Ambush them ourselves at this meeting, offer them to the Wood Daimyou as a sign of friendship." The Ōshi in him was showing through. "Underhanded, but just in a way."

     "Perhaps there are two ways to play this. Return the lumber to the Wood Daimyou without the Tanjo knowing -" he pointed towards Roran, to where he knew the Tanjo wouldn't be, because he'd assigned ANBU there, he explained. "- and still arrange this meeting. Offer them support, tacitly and secretively, of course, and use the opportunity to gather information on them."

     The suggestion that it'd be a greater prize to offer, when they had more knowledge, went unsaid. "My main concern is Iwagakure. Any overt actions of ours on their border would draw eyes." He waited for her response, turning to watch the mountains grow large overhead. Soon the cart would turn and head south in earnest. He eyed the distant crevices that formed between the bases of the mountains, looking for far-off movement.

Oonakayama Arashi | 246 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Ya wanna play fast and loose with Missing-nin....Amaturs or not...they'll still likely realize somethin up..." There was a bit of doubt in the extent of this plan. Of course, giving back the Wood Damiyo's lumber was a good call, but if the Tanjo were made aware of the exchange, that partnership was over and they were looking at a rogue agent in the winds. Still, if Lord Kiyoshi could pretend long enough that this exchange was legit and could get a meeting with their leader, it would allow for information upon them to be more known. Which, in the end would aid in putting a stop to their actions... Yet, the idea of playing so close to the Iwagakure border was a bit dangerous... "Clever....and more secure...last thing we need is the new Kage breaking ties...." As a smirk crossed her lips, she'd then allow it to fade before then looking down as well. "I can't say I wouldn't have come up with somethin better...though we need to be cautious from here on in...Iwa will likely already be aware of movement along their borders...as for the Tanjo...hopefully the promise of ya speakin with their leader will be enough to sate them until we know more on how to catch them..."

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-


-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     "I'm glad to have you on board then," he said with a smile. It'd be hard for anyone to argue with attempting to apprehend criminals, though he was sure Amegakure and Iwagakure would bluster. "let's make haste towards Roran."

     The pair soared lazily through the sky, trailing the wagon. After an hour or so on the road, the caravan stopped by a small freshwater pond that one of the mountain creeks deposited into and refreshed for a while, before resuming their trip. Kiyoshi and Arashi landed a few minutes later, quickly filled up on water; the Kazekage splashed some of it on his face to cool down from the heat, now that the sun was directly overhead. Soon after, they were aloft once more.

     Only a few minutes after the procession had resumed, Kiyoshi spotted faint plumes of smoke rising behind one of the ridges a few miles out in front. He turned to Arashi. "Seems there's company ahead," he laughed. He scanned the horizon to ensure there were no other threats, then they soared ahead of the caravan.

     The distance they'd gained would give them a bit under a half hour to investigate the smoke, and to potentially deal with whoever's fire it was. The dove came around in a wide semi-circle and deposited them at the foot of a sandy valley that stretched up the mountainside.

     A few dozen feet ahead was the entrance to a cave system, but beside that was a makeshift camp that appeared to be populated by about 10 bandits - though they seemed too well-equipped for a normal non-shinobi thief. The dove settled into a divet in the sand, nestled its wings. They were safe from view for the time being, hidden behind an outcropping of rock and a mess of arid shrubbery.

     "I'll leave the first move to you." he said with a chuckle. For some reason, the situation reminded him of a test he'd given one of his Genin teams when he'd still been a Chuunin. He watched to see how she'd approach - whether she'd take advantage of the element of surprise, and whether she'd make an immediate effort to capture and interrogate one. He himself stretched, ready to follow behind and engage, somewhat excited for his first combat in a while.

Oonakayama Arashi | 379 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"I wouldn't go that far..." While Arashi was certainly willing to ensure this possible act succeeded, she wasn't even in the least bit comfortable with it overall. It was a far too double edged and could easily blow up if things were handled in a way that caught up to them. Still, at this point, she wasn't exactly in a position to argue with the logic. Not to mention, she wasn't exactly going to let the man do this alone. As they were indicated of possible danger below, Arashi would allow herself to look over to see the possible encampment, leading to her taking on a more serious expression. It could easily be anything from this distance, but considering the border being so close, she imagined that these armed individuals being shinobi. Though from where they hailed, that remained to be seen. With the mixture of possible suspects being in the air, she'd be willing to believe they were from Yuki at this point. With their glass bird transport landing within the cover of mountain ranges and bushes, Arashi would release a soft breath as the Kage would chuckle in having her lead the way. "Glad one of us is havin fun..." Moment Music Raising her brow, she'd then descend off the back of the transport, adjusting her hood back over her head before making her way softly through the trail. Ten armed individuals wasn't much of a challenge in truth, but she'd rather make sure they could be identified before engaging them. After all, she had the enough information on their appearance that they weren't exactly bandits. Attempting to get a look from the high ground, the Suna nin would perch herself upon one of the ridges that laid over the camp, looking down as she began to summon a small orb of sand within her hand. Gently blowing against it's surface, the object would soar into the air, floating upon the breeze before gently resting upon a surface close within the encampment, but well enough away from view so to go unnoticed. With it planted upon a post, she'd begin to create a single hand seal, causing it's form to shift into that of an eye. Closing one of her own, she'd begin to view the camp from it, ensuring that she saw what awaited them within it.

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.

Will of Sand

Will of Sand- Adding the element of her own chakra into the mixture of sand, Arashi is capable of faster and stronger sand manipulation and attacks. The extent of this control is due to the supply gathered within her gourd, granting the bonus of power, but limited to only the amount contained within it. This ability makes her constructions more dense and harder to break down, and the swiftness of their creation is instant rather than requiring the prior time of build-up as before due to the strengthened bond between Arashi and Shukaku.
-Jutsu Used-
NAME: Daisan no Me [Third Eye]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Jiton
DESCRIPTION:
With chakra, the user connects an eye made of chakra enhanced sand to their optic nerve, which enable the user to know what happens in the artificial eye's field of vision, this is genuinely a third eye for its user. The user can control the size of the eye depending on its use, retaining the perception of a normal human eye. Its main purpose is spying, since it can form and disperse in any location on command. In order to use it however the user must keep one of their eyes closed for the duration of the technique. The Maximum range of the third eye is of fifteen meters.

-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     Certainly not impulsive, he thought to himself with a smile. Good. He'd had Genin older than her before, though he didn't expect anything less given her lineage. Kiyoshi followed in her lead, scooping up a handful of sand in his hands and forming a handseal. A small flash appeared, followed by a tiny dove that flew out from his palms.

     The dove flew forward, tailing the eye like a hummingbird after feed. Seeing through its' eyes, Kiyoshi confirmed what she saw so he could analyze her decisions.

     About 10 men sat around the smoldering remains of a fire - clearly not for warmth. The burning mound appeared to be comprised of documents: letters, merchant's receipts, books. The bottom was lined with paintings - only visible thanks to the charred remains of their frames and the acidic smell of burnt paint in the air.

     The men were jovial, more than a little buzzed off of some kind of alcohol which they were scooping out of a cracked-open barrel by hand. It was unclear whether they'd gotten these items from some passing merchant now gone, or out of the cave that sat up the hill. Their clothes were ragged - lodged with sand in the folds, and dirty too - they'd clearly not been to a settlement in more than a while.

     If the eye approached close enough, it'd see that there appeared to be shapes bulging out from underneath their garments at the waists and back - weapons, perhaps. Though it wasn't clear if they were shinobi from their attire. They were certainly foreigners of some sort, that much being clear from their paler complexion - pinkish from sunburn.

     "Well?" he asked, barely audible but with a slightly joking tone still discernable. "What's the plan, Hancho? Risk the advantage to confirm identity, or act first and ask questions later?" She'd gained about as much information as she'd be able to now - the exact positioning of the men, any possible escape routes for them.

Using Hiding Dove, very low cost.
Oonakayama Arashi | 326 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Golden eyes would look back toward the Kazekage with a calm expression, hearing his question before then hold a small smile on her face. From what she saw, these individuals weren't exactly shinobi, but they weren't from around the region either. Their disregard for their claim in using it as kindling could be out of desperation or intent considering what she knew now of the situation. In the end, they weren't exactly trying to remain too much out of sight considering they were openly creating a scene with their flame. The smell alone was hard to ignore and if a predator didn't find them, someone would. Still, that alone was very little to go by. But with their numbers, it would be tough for a direct approach to not go wrong. But still, they were running on a small amount of time, and they needed to be sure if there would be more coming with similar intent as attacking merchants. So the question on how to proceed, be it that it was left to her, allowed for a few different options. "Honestly...never been a fan of people that burned good literature..." That said, Arashi would then place one hand upon her hip. "Subtly might work....the smell of em shows they wouldn't shy away from female company..." Of course, she wasn't exactly keen on that idea... "Direct approach would involve some risk on your part Lord Kiyoshi...and I personally don't want to explain why a Kage gets injured..." Raising her brow, she'd then look out toward the edge of the camp, extending her hand out as she then began to focus on the area. "Distraction it is then...and we engage in silence...get what we need and be done..." In saying this, she'd begin to shift the shape of the scattering dust and begin to collect them into a large mass. As the gathered sand swiftly formed, it's shape would be that of a large wolf, releasing an soundless howl as it began to swiftly charge into the camp, attempting to draw out the ten as it began to rampage through it. "Thats our cue..." Arashi would then begin to make her way down into the encampment, allowing for the distraction of the sand beast to act as cover for their advance.

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.

Will of Sand

Will of Sand- Adding the element of her own chakra into the mixture of sand, Arashi is capable of faster and stronger sand manipulation and attacks. The extent of this control is due to the supply gathered within her gourd, granting the bonus of power, but limited to only the amount contained within it. This ability makes her constructions more dense and harder to break down, and the swiftness of their creation is instant rather than requiring the prior time of build-up as before due to the strengthened bond between Arashi and Shukaku.
-Jutsu Used-
NAME: Satetsu Kesshū [ Sand Gathering Assault]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Jiton
DESCRIPTION:
This technique gathers a great volume of sand and compresses it into a high-density shape. This greatly increases the hardness, creating a gigantic steel-like weapon standing at 30 feet in an instant. The weight and size of these shapes are so great, they can easily shatter bedrock.

Because the weapon is made out of sand, the shape can be whatever the user wants, and can even be changed during the fight. This allows the user to create the best weapon for the fight, by taking into account the opponent's abilities and the surrounding environment.


-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     Kiyoshi laughed heartily. "Wouldn't be a Kage if a few thieves constituted much of a risk," he said, a little cockily. "but, wouldn't be me if I didn't listen to good advice." And so he followed along with her plan of distraction and stealth, not just because he was testing her, in a way.

     The sand wolf pounced into the camp, destroying crates and causing the men to yell out. They pulled swords from their garments, stumbled backwards and clumped up together in groups of three and four. Their weapons were those of shinobi, though it was obvious the men were not trained as such - or at least, not trained well.

     He personally had few qualms with dealing with these men however she wished, up to and including death - the evidence of the injustices they'd wrought were clear enough, and where his predecessor's grace may've extended to criminals, Kiyoshi's was only for his own people - a designation men of this sort, if they were from Kaze no Kuni, had renounced with their actions.

     Yet he'd given her the lead here, and so proceeded with a non-lethal method for now. He followed her towards the camp, then hung back and wove his handseals, well out of the way of danger. A large glass hawk, about the size of her wolf, rose from the sand in a storm of lightning and fire.

     It launched forward, swooping down at them. Some of the men panicked, broke off from their groups and rushed towards the cave entrance, only to be picked up by the hawk's claws and carried off into the sky.

     Kiyoshi had it drop them into a large dune nearby - painful, but they'd survive. He surrounded them with a weak barrier that'd keep them contained while Arashi decided what to do, or find a better way to restrain them.

     While it was unguarded, Kiyoshi formed a small glass barrier over the bonfire. The fire burnt away the available oxygen and sputtered out, before he removed it and let the black smoke billow away.

Oonakayama Arashi | 345 words

[Oonakayama Arashi]

The World Below TAG. Chikamatsu Kiyoshi WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Observations aside, it was clear that with both Arashi and Kiyoshi's actions, entering the camp was no issue. The combined assault of both the sand wolf and the glass hawk had managed to scattered the camp of ten, leading to Arashi being able to casually move within it without much heed. As she made sure to monitor the actions of the Kage, she'd stop short of watching her creation deal with six of the men's attempts at attacking it. Meanwhile, it appeared that the Glass bird had managed to pick off a few as well, cutting off their escape into the cave and taking them into the air. As their forms dropped into a dune near by, they'd find their surroundings closing in around them, closed off from the light within a sand sphere. In the mean time, the ones dealing with the wolf would find it's shape shift once more, this time into that of a giant hand as it fell down upon them, pinning them to the ground as Arashi twisted her palm slightly to cause this motion and completed the action by gesturing it downward. With the camp now clear or at least contained, the young woman would watch as the older shinobi contained the bonfire, making her way toward it as she retrieved one of the still somewhat smoldering documents from it's vanishing embers. Brushing her hand against the surface, she'd begin to read it to herself. Raising her brow toward Kiyoshi, she'd smirk before then walking over toward the men she had pinned down as she knelt over them. "State your business...and please be swift...my hand's gettin tired..." Narrowing her eyes, she'd gesture with her hand once more, pushing it down slightly to apply more pressure upon them. While she had no intent on killing them, she wasn't above appearing to do so as a threat. After all, their skills while lacking, did not change the fact that their gear was still somewhat foreign in nature. Not to mention, she had a sneaking suspicion as to the reason they were here.

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.

Will of Sand

Will of Sand- Adding the element of her own chakra into the mixture of sand, Arashi is capable of faster and stronger sand manipulation and attacks. The extent of this control is due to the supply gathered within her gourd, granting the bonus of power, but limited to only the amount contained within it. This ability makes her constructions more dense and harder to break down, and the swiftness of their creation is instant rather than requiring the prior time of build-up as before due to the strengthened bond between Arashi and Shukaku.
-Jutsu Used-
NAME: Satetsu Kesshū [ Sand Gathering Assault]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Jiton
DESCRIPTION:
This technique gathers a great volume of sand and compresses it into a high-density shape. This greatly increases the hardness, creating a gigantic steel-like weapon standing at 30 feet in an instant. The weight and size of these shapes are so great, they can easily shatter bedrock.

Because the weapon is made out of sand, the shape can be whatever the user wants, and can even be changed during the fight. This allows the user to create the best weapon for the fight, by taking into account the opponent's abilities and the surrounding environment.

NAME: Suna no Tate [ Sand Shield]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Jiton
DESCRIPTION:
A rather simple yet powerful technique, the surrounds himself in sand, either in the form of a in shapeless form that is aimed to intercept incoming strikes or in a layered sphere of Iron Sand compressed to such an extent that it becomes as hard as stone. It is also capable of repairing surface damage by shifting the sand over a flaw in it's defense, making it an incredibly useful technique. There is one rather large flaw however, in that the user's visibility is completely null when inside the sphere of Sand.



-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     Picking up the document himself, he scanned it and found only vague directions and instructions. '-ara, the- -ast- Rora-' He coated his hand in a thin barrier of glass, scooped out the only other relatively intact one. Kiyoshi side-eyed Arashi and the captive, went back to reading.

     '-urth and Fift-' Fourth and Fifth? Had someone seen him and Takato in Sekara? Seemed likely - they hadn't been expertly disguised, but he doubted it was the Tanjo behind this. There simply wouldn't have been enough time to send a message back to Moku no Kuni, but it wasn't impossible. He had seen their ship sail off north himself, but they could've turned around.

     He tossed it back into the smoking pile and walked over to Arashi and the man, then looked around. None of them had seemed to be in charge. The one she was interrogating was babbling nonsense and apologies. "Accent is from north of the mountains, somewhere in the west." he pointed out, to which the man just stared at him, mouth agape.

     Kiyoshi knelt down in front of the man, stuck his index finger and thumb into the sand. A crackling noise could be heard. "So - Na, Moku, Hoki, Tetsu," he pulled his fingers out slowly. A long spike of sickly twisted glass revealed itself, inch by inch, until the sharp point appeared. The man squirmed helplessly.

     "or, less likely, Tori or Tsuchi no Kuni. Suppose we'll find out." he said as he set the point against the man's thigh. With barely any pressure at all, he pushed it down with a finger and it slid into his flesh. A callused hand over his mouth covered his screams and few moments later, he was ready to talk.

     He sobbed out loudly - then quietly, after a slap - that he didn't know. He'd been recruited in a bar in the north of Na no Kuni - Vegetable Country. He didn't know where the men he'd been hired from had come from - most were Ashigaru, though.

     Pulling the glass needle from the man's leg, Kiyoshi told Arashi to add him with the others in her makeshift prison, and to ensure it'd be secure for a while - they were heading into the caves. Using his dove from earlier, he peeked over the mountain ridge and spotted the caravan far off in the distance, safe. They still had some time. The dove fell lifeless from the air, settling into the top of a wave of sand like an object of worship.

     When they'd finished in the camp, the duo headed into the tunnels. It was dark, at first, and he lit the way with a small dove that glowed a bright orange, until they came to an inhabited part. And from their first sight of enemies, this would be where the fun would begin.

     The first cavern they encountered was full of AShigaru from an unknown nation, the marking having been scoured off. They wore a heavy armor similar to that of a samurai's and bore katana, and did appear disciplined and skilled - but it was lighter than that of Tetsu no Kuni's, and cheaper-looking. A plot to disguise themselves, perhaps?

     There was less sand here than there had been outside, the floor only sporting a thin layer of it. Kiyoshi nodded to Arashi, formed five explosive doves from some of the sand. There was 13 armored men in this room, two of whom appeared a caliber higher than the others, none the leader, though the tunnels continued on past. He gestured that she should start the assault, unless she saw a better plan, and that'd he'd follow suit - doves ready to fly and explode like kunai with notes attached.

Oonakayama Arashi | 615 words