[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group C - ROTATION: 4/X
Rotation Period Ends: 12:00 AM (Midnight) CST 2/3/2024

WELCOME TO THE SHIT SHOW, Low Chance Very Deadly Encounter. Before IC posts where I will usually be deferring what does and does not work with actions, or resolution in general, I will TLDR how actions have affected flow when events happen.

TLDR;; Shosuke warning to Takato gave JinJin a hint that there was danger below, had he not warned anyone the caravan leader would have been swallowed before the caravan could change formation for the desert beast.

Takato taking the fight to the opponent meant that an entire caravan did not get absolutely decimated by a series of jutsu enhanced crossbow bolts

Fuu and Michizune have yet to show their hand, however, thanks to Fuu setting up something she has proactively altered her ability to react to BE BETTER assuming the jutsu was not just an attack. Michizune was focused on his surroundings and generally would have had help noticing the worm's appearance as it surfaced thanks to the coffee. Michizune can interact with the worm first appearing immediately following this post, increasing his ability to neutralize the threat.

POST

-- Honor Among a Village of Thieves --

Kujo, Josuke, and Kinjo - the Jou brothers, had managed to grow in infamy for many years at this point. Raiding caravans successfully was rare, but they had the street cred of exactly one successful caravan raid where they had gotten exactly one whole cart. It was kind of a big deal, especially in the Bandit groups that lived and operated out of the ruins of one of the Sunagakure clan's old abandoned compounds. The need to eat was getting worse as they had gotten to their last few rations as well. Too high-ranked as Nukes now to go back to anything practical they had been staking the next caravan off some good info they had gotten and good info had been worth the jerky.

"Josuke, Kinjo get up its time. The train is approaching! We're gonna be eating good tonight I'm telling you!" Kujo, the youngest would call. His wicketd grin only growing as he realized they definitely had a fight. His eyes were hard to see under his hood, but he certainly wasn't unperceptive. Leaping his way out as Takato's clone finished apparation, something he saw, and waited a moment for the clone and the blonde to approach, the crossbow in his hand a titan as far as held ranged weapons went. A few hand seals formed in his off hand as the loaded bolt and a few others on his hip quiver charged up with chakra.

"Could you be less noisy about it Kujo, we can hear the caravan. Its a train you moron we are too far south for those, do I have to tell you every time?" Josuke, the middle brother, would grip at his little brother. Preparing what looked like a - way too long for a normal person - claymore that almost cleared twice the man's height. His darker dress and light armoring mixed with an incredibly pale and tired looking expression. He was ready for when his brother signalled the go, after all the eldest was the leader of the three.

"You are a bit impatient Kujo, you revealed us early sticking your neck out. No matter, we have food to gain boys. Same as usual, formation JosuKinKuJo! Strike when ready," Kinjo, the eldest, would state to his younger brothers. He raised no weapons, but he raised his exposed hands in a Boxing Stance, Takato's clone very easily making out the Great Weight Seals on his knuckles reading out '2000' on each. His strength likely to not be underestimated.

When Fuu and Takato were within sixty paces Kujo would open fire on the two, a projectile firing at a speed that released a shrill whistle as it headed directly for Fuu. If it were to make contact it would break itself apart upon contact, exploding into a cloud of shrapnel and likely blasting the young woman backwards from the sheer impact. The Bandit Brothers were not the only problem though as the older two would turn as an eruption sent sand scattering out in a massive cloud.

-- The Beast --

Hunger. It had been trying to find something to eat for so long and so far from home. It wanted to go back home, but it needed to eat. It sensed the moving of sand and it hand to go check it out right? That was probably right. As it approached it started to notice food, lots of different foods, but particularly meat standing on the sand. As the beast grew closer the tremors would inform the caravan and a whistle change blew and the carts split in a diagonal cross in an instant as the caravan kept pluggin at a slight diminished top speed. Amid the center the beast rose above the earth, revealing a titanic worm creature the size of a small duplex based on what they could see. A painful scream sounding as it opened its nightmare of a maw and dove for the nearest person to it when it emerged. A certain earth-y esque Senju, as it had appeared right at the helm.

[Kisei Takatō]

Though Taka’s tension had not entirely abated in the wake of Fuu’s explanation, context and information lightened the load, and he nodded and thanked her for the additional information. He still wasn’t pleased, but at least now he knew concretely what to look out for. Fast forward: Fuu echoed his alert, then offered to back up him, an offer which the clone accepted gratefully before making his way towards the ruins. They were already en route when Sho issued a warning of his own, and all the alarm bells in Taka’s head began ringing in unison. Taka had never been especially pious, but in the face of the great worm that rose up from the sand, he found himself briefly wishing that there was any deity who might accept his prayers. Maybe Jashin was still accepting applicants; but then, Taka thought, it seemed unlikely that Jashin would accept anything less than the end of the beast, and that was a task that seemed insurmountable. Its massive maw was diving straight for Michizane, and Taka had little time to react. He could only hope that those further up in the caravan would be able to prevent the man from being swallowed whole—in the meantime, he tried to provide a distraction by flinging the heavier-duty explosive-tagged kunai towards the base of the worm that emerged from the sand. Even if the explosion didn’t hurt it much, his hope was that the sudden shockwave in the sand would distract it, and allow for an opening for Michizane and Shosuke to make their move. In parallel: the three stooges. Three-on-two wasn’t great odds, especially if the melee combatant could hit as hard as Taka suspected with those seals on his fists—but all they had to do was keep the trio occupied long enough for the caravan to escape. Taka’s clone threw a kunai at the oncoming projectile, trying to knock it off course enough to allow Fuu to slip out of the way; then he rabbit-walked to get into Kujo’s melee space, and swiftly brought his hand down in a sharp, lethal chop to the man’s neck, trying to take him out of the equation as quickly as possible.

Fuu Kazama Yamamoto Shosuke Senju Michizane Nakahara Ichī -- 373

LAIKA OF THQ

SPOILER: Click to show

Taka (original) items consumed: 1 medium-cost explosive tag, 1 kunai
Taka (clone) items consumed: 1 kunai

Taka (original) techniques used: 1 explosive tag detonated (very low cost)
Taka (clone) techniques used: Rabbit Walk (Low), Downward Knife Hand Cut (Medium)

NAME: Usagi Sanpo [Rabbit Walk]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION: Usagi Sanpo is the art of moving really fast, in a nonlinear direction. The user approaches the target in a zig-zag pattern, pouncing left and right while facing the opponent. Due to speed of the movement, and the irregular pattern, they are often confused as to when or how to strike, thus leaving them aghast until it's too late.


NAME: Kirioroshi [Downward Knife Hand Cut]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
DESCRIPTION: Killing blow created with the sole intent of maiming or ending the life of an opponent. After forming a 'knife hand' the user brings it down on a target's vital area with immense speed and power. The precision of this strike will dictate its lethality. While normally aimed at the neck the user may target the kidneys, groin, head, ribs, or other vital spot although the throat and area around the collarbone seems the ideal target. Due to the force of this attack the user has a chance to damage their hand if used repeatedly. Small fractures of even complete breaks of the hand can occur if used back-to-back. Though the technique is forceful enough to smash through hard surfaces and armor, this risk only compounds if used against them.

SAs in play:
Redeye | Observant
Perhaps a small benefit of hypervigilance, Takatou's constant situational awareness has led to him being quite observant. He's attuned to small details, his keen eyesight often tracking minute movements or out-of-place inconsistencies that others might simply gloss over. This beneficial both in hand-to-hand fighting and in investigative pursuits, as he is as skilled at tracking an opponent's movements as he is at scouring a crime scene.

Quiet as the Grave | Stealthy
Many years of taijutsu training, a thin frame, and a natural aptitude for quiet have led to Takatou being remarkably stealthy even by shinobi standards. His footsteps are light and mindful; he has carefully trained the ability to draw weapons, seals, and various other kinds of equipment with barely a whisper of a sound. In addition to physical silence, he's also adept at blending into his environment, managing his body language and appearance such that he is often overlooked.

Sleepless Nights | Enhanced Endurance
Chronic insomnia is anathema to a lifestyle as active and demanding as that of an ANBU operative's, but somehow Takatou has been able to make it work. He is often able to push past the point that others may simply drop from exhaustion, allowing him to strain his body past his limit or remain relatively well-functioning even after a series of restless nights.

SlapFight | Close-Combat Fuuinjutsu
Though he has ever primarily been a hand-to-hand combatant, Takatou has trained his use of fuuinjutsu in conjunction with his taijutsu. As a result, he is especially skilled at open-palm strikes such as chops and slaps, and his precision with these kinds of techniques make him well-practiced at applying seals to moving targets such as limbs, clothing, or weaponry.

Hai-Kohi Effects: [Rotation 3/5 for Taka, Michi, and Fuu]
Galaxy Brain | Improved Cognition
This intensely caffeinated beverage is a potent stimulant. When consumed, the user will feel more focused and alert, increasing their perceptive capabilities, attention to detail, and mental acuity for five rotations.

Gotta Go Fast | Improved Reflexes
The high caffeine content of the beverage increases the circulation of adrenaline in the body, improving the user's reaction time for five rotations.

These effects work simultaneously. They can be gained twice from one bottle of coffee, should the user choose to drink half a bottle at a time or share it with a teammate. There is no increased effect for consuming the whole bottle.

If the entire bottle of coffee is consumed in a single thread, after the benefits of the drink wear off, the user will experience jitters and heightened anxiety for the remainder of the thread.

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

Sho called out the warning, but it seemed like it was too late. As if carefully coordinated, as if they were able to predict the movements of the great beast, it seemed that the ones within the village had revealed their true intentions.

In retrospect, if Sho had but applied himself to examining their heartbeats, he would have been able to feel the presence of an elevated amount of adrenaline in their system, proof positive they were preparing for an attack. But it seemed he was too thrown off by the fact that he was being limited. A thing to note for future, something to evaluate when he wasn't in the middle of a life or death situation.

Instinctively trusting his superior office to take care of the thugs in the ruins, Sho instead kept his attention on the giant worm that burst forth from the sands like a whale breeching the water's surface. Sand was thrown across the area from its point of impact, coating Sho in the sandy detritus. Fortunately, every inch of his flesh was covered in some form of fabric, allowing him to avoid getting a sandblasting directly to the face.

Instead, his blind-sense allowed him to feel up and look at the great beast that was standing in front of the Caravan. Even with his eyes broken as they were, if they weren't being covered he was sure he would have still been able to make it out, so great was its dimensions. The beast towered above all others within the desert sands, it was a true behemoth of size.

Perhaps, in the end, it was lucky that Sho was unable to see it - Being able to feel its presence was bad enough without being able to actually look upon it. It seemed certain to stun and petrify anyone who did, unable to quite comprehend that it existed before it came to eat something. Something, or someone in this case.

The beast loomed large, ready to bring its weight down and devour his fellow Chuunin - the Senju. For a fragment of a second, no perhaps even less than that, a voice in Sho's mind told him to not interfere, to let the man protect himself. If he used his abilities here, he was going to be letting the man know about his Mokuton abilities, something many Senju considered "stolen" in his and Ichi's case.

Yet, despite this thought, his body was already acting without his mind's consent - his hands were throwing themselves into handsigns, using a technique that he had learned but never had a reason to bring out into the field. It was usually cost prohibitive, but in this case... well, there were few other options if he wanted to protect his comrade.

"NATIVITY OF A WORLD OF TREES!"

As the final handsign formed, just before the worm would come down on the Senju, a huge tree spawned out of the desert sands, roots digging down into the very core of the earth as it turned from a green shoot to a mighty oak in a moment, growing with each passing second. This technique was designed to create an entire forest of trees, just as he had in Kusa, so when it was used to create a single tree that tree was beyond anything that could grow naturally, quickly becoming more like a redwood than anything else.

With Sho being able to follow the path of the thing's body, the tree should be able to shoot into the worms open mouth, forcing its mouth open and keeping it from going any further, trees and shoots from the main trunk scraping against the inside of the worms colossal mouth, drawing blood. If the thing had any concept of a gag reflex, it would very likely be triggered, causing it to freak out from the sudden unpleasant invasion.

Turning back to Michizane, Sho called out to him. "Cousin, you okay?! We need to move, I don't think I can kill this thing with my abilities."

669 words | @open

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsus Used
NAME: Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kōtan [ Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees ]*
RANK: A
CHAKRA USAGE: High - Medium to Maintain
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Mokuton
HANDSEALS: 4
DECRIPTION:
A technique where the user forces trees to grow on any surface, easily creating a dense forest anywhere they choose. A small plant can grow into a forest in an instant. By generating chakra, the user maneuvers it as they see fit for attack and defense; and furthermore, this omnipotent technique even allows them to capture the enemy at the same time. With their tremendous life force, the trees can pierce through earthen walls, and extend their branches at their prey in an instant. So long the user maintains the last hand seal they weaved, the technique will remain active and under the control of the user, affecting an area of five hundred meters.

[Senju Michizane]

"In protecting oneself, others are protected; In protecting others, oneself is protected."
- the blessed one

TAG - Yamamoto Shosuke , Nakahara Ichī , Kisei Takatō , Fuu Kazama

NOTES Lots of sand in my sandals.

In the moments that followed his thought, there was a slight shift in the air. Contact with unknown hostiles, an explosion in the distance, a great rumbling underfoot, and a large parting of the sands...

A roar thundered in the air, and the members of caravan watched as some mythical leviathan rose from the dunes. Some horror of flesh and teeth, as large as two houses and looking every bit like an ancient deity, neither good nor evil. Just hungry, and seemingly on the hunt for defenseless prey. "You will find none here." The Senju thought, instinctively freeing his hand to prepare. Seal after seal his hands performed, and while he stared certain death in the maw, a realization occurred; it wasn't seeking a helpless meal. Only, out here amongst the sands... he doubted there existed anything else that could harm it. "No matter!" Michizane reassured himself, grinning still even as sweat trickled down his face and he felt a hint of nervousness in his stomach. "Regardless of the outcome..." Chakra gathered in his stomach, and he inhaled deeply. "We are blessed."

"Keep the train moving, Jinjin!" Michizane shouted, gaze still focused on the creature. Out here they were sitting ducks. To him, their only options were to advance or be devoured. A sudden explosion rocked the nearby sands, Takatō's quick thinking. And just as he thought of using his Mokuton to restrain the beast, a shout came from behind that culminated in a great many trees shooting forth to do just the same thing. That voice... "Shosuke?!" Surprise, just before his mind turned to the desert. Of the worm's home and what might be most effective against it. He could only pray he was right. "Suiton: Sessaku Mizu Tsuba!" Water flowed after his words, an exact, pressurized stream. Spewing forth from pursed lips and headed directly towards the worm's open, hungry mouth. Its exterior looked tough, much too hard to simply pound into submission. But its insides, he assumed, must've been like anyone else's, and the Suiton: Sessaku Mizu Tsuba was like a blade unto itself.

Water fell to the parched sands beneath him and even as he cast the jutsu he was on the move. To evade, to scramble away from the vulnerable merchants and their cargo as he sought to carve the worm's mouth. Once the technique had run its course his hands moved again, another series of hand seals. "Mokuton: Daijurin no Jutsu!" A pam thrust towards the great beast, then several rapid, massive growths. Dark brown wood, grooved like black oak, sprouted from where his arm used to be. A multitude of sharp branches sprouting, twisting, and winding in combination with the Kumo-nin's own Mokuton  jutsu, aiming to pierce the worm's fleshy interior as he ran. "Cousin..." Shosuke's word echoed in his head, his grin becoming wider still. "Cousin!" A sharp laugh, equal parts elation and surprise. Just now, he felt as if he could hug the young man. Only the desert terror before him made him think twice about distractions. "You're absolutely right!" A shout as Michizane continued to run, hoping his Suiton, then their dual Mokuton techniques would be enough to at least halt the great thing. "Everybody run!" With little choice in the matter, he would do just that. Dashing away from the worm as fast as he could and counting on his faith in his allies, and in the merchants' own survival instincts to carry them through.

SPOILER: Click to show

OFFENSIVE TECHNIQUES:
NAME: Suiton: Sessaku Mizu Tsuba [Water Release: Slicing Water Spit]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Suiton
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
The user will perform the needed hand seals, and then use Suiton Chakra to gather water into their mouths, before spitting the water out as a continuous powerful stream that travels about fifteen meters. The power of the stream can slice through skin, but incapable of digging further, if anything after that, it’ll just push the opponent back.

NAME: Mokuton: Daijurin no Jutsu [Wood Release: Great Forest technique]*
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Mokuton
HANDSEALS: 6
DECRIPTION:
A technique that changes one's own arm into big trees. Using chakra, the tissues are transformed into trees at the cellular level. Then, by activating the trees, stimulating them to grow rapidly, they lengthen at high speed and fork into many branches. It is possible to capture the enemy with these branches and at the same time, if one changes the ends into sharp stakes, turn them into countless, sharp, spear-like piercing weapons.


SPECIAL ABILITIES:

菩提心 | BODAI-SHIN - E.C.R.
Blessed with a great font of chakra, Michizane views this as a sign of his Aspiration For Enlightenment. Warm, bountiful, and steady, his vast reserves of this precious resource make him able to utilize many jutsu back-to-back without tiring. Allowing him to overwhelm lesser foes with sheer quantity of techniques alone.

木遁 | MOKUTON - KKG
Luck, to Michizane, may be a sign of divine interference. So by virtue of him being born into the Senju Clan he was granted their Kekkei Genkai by the heavens. Combining his Doton and Suiton chakra natures allows him to create life itself in the form of Mokuton. He uses it to great effect to summon up chakra-enhanced trees, shrubbery, and craft intricate wooden constructs to combat foes. All of the wood created by his Mokuton is dark brown in color and has ridged bark like that of a black oak tree.

行力 | GYŌ-RIKI - ENHANCED STRENGTH
The Power of Practice is not to be undervalued. Many years of intensive training has solidified his body and tempered his very spirit, turning Michizane's body into a weapon of its own. Allowing him to not only lift objects several times his body weight but also strike much harder than those of his rank. Bone, stone, and even metal gives way underneath the force of his physical blows.

MADE BY MIZO

[googlefont=Karla]

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

So we're on the road to Yuki no Kuni...I miss Miruko

❞

Fuu would follow her way out with Takato only for a GIANT WORM TO JUMP OUT OF THE SAND, she looked back utterly shocked by what she'd seen which somehow only caused her little legs to move faster, with that the girl would rush her way forward but would be met with a projectile weapon for her trouble Takato seemed to have something headed her way but Fuu's handseals were even faster, and allowed her to sink under the sand.

She kept her eyes on Takato and and raced over towards him as quickly as she could hoping she'd pop out right where he was located, but as she popped out she'd find her clothes covered in sand some of it even got in her mouth. "Paaaah." the girl would say as she coughed out the sand. She'd then look over at Takato and whisper something.

"Since I know there are more of these guys I say we let em come our way, if you got a way to immobilize em, I can wrangle em up." the girl would say as she wriggled her fingers. If he noticed they'd have a weird way that they'd move contorting rather awkwardly as of her joints were unhinged. She'd then look back at the massive creature out in the distance at the large wormy that seemed to have come out of the ground, but would then notice something she hadn't seen before, WOOD sprouting up from the ground her jaw would drop at the sight of it.

"It's possible to control nature like that!?" she'd say almost forgetting where she was at the moment. "A-are you seeing that...!?" the girl would say not aware that being aware of such a technique is practically common knowledge for most people as she did so her eyes would kept their focus on the wood sprouting out from the ground.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Dochuu Senkou - [Underground Submarine Voyage]
Rank: C
Chakra Usage: Medium [Continuous]
Type: Ninjutsu [General]
Element: Doton
HANDSEALS: 2
Description
Dochuu Senkou is a Ninjutsu utilizing the Earth Element. After forming the needed hand seals, the user can sink below ground and quickly travel through the earth. While this is similar to the Underground Fish Projection technique, it should be noted that the chakra usage is much higher.

NAME: Nan Kaizou [Soft Physique Modification]
OWNERS: Hyūga Honnō | Kazama Fuu | Open 🠆 [First Claim Slot]
TRAINED: -- | -- | --
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General] / Hijutsu
ELEMENT: N/A
DESCRIPTION:
Originally developed for spying activities, this technique can be done after some surgery and actual body modification. The user dislocates their joints then controls their softened body with chakra, allowing them to stretch and twist any part of their body at any angle, elongating and even coiling around their opponent. This can also be used to make the user's body more malleable and snakelike. People particularly skilled with the technique can utilize it for movement as well, being able to slither along the ground or wrap around a tree much like a snake.

295 WORDS ● ---- ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group C - Minimum Rotations Met - Threat Needing Resolution to Move On

ROUND ROTATION: 5/5
Rotation Period Ends: 1:30 AM CST 7/3/2024

WELCOME TO THE SHIT SHOW, Low Chance Very Deadly Encounter.

POST

-- Honor Among a Village of Thieves --

The show was only starting where the brother's were concerned, though the worm had been an unexpected addition to this high sands robbery they were already attempting to commit. The original bolt would be stopped short from reaching the duo that had originally approached as Fuu successfully slipped under the earth. The bolt exploding on impact with the Kunai though would send metal shrapnel in every direction from Fuu in a [15 meter radius] very possibly popping the Takato clone if he didn't take measure for the resulting blast of sharp metal.

With the three obviously exposed due to the eagerness of the youngest they would shift gears to be more serious. Kujo not even batting an eye in the clone's direction would turn to the caravan that was running away now at full speed, its split formation passing the worm successfully due to the co-efforts of Shosuke and Michizune. Lifting the bolts from his hip quiver he rapidly loaded and unloaded the four bolts at four different carts aiming ahead slight to where he could catch the underside and capsize the various carts. An action that would be visible to the original Takato at the bare minimum.

To intercept the remaining two shinobi were his brothers. Josuke taking the front was the first to run into combat towards in the line of fire with Takato, his wicked blade freely scraping through the sand as he seemed to activate the Sabre Technique, noticable for its near universal practicality for weapon users it was hard to miss. As the two got within ten paces the blade was swung in a massive arc as not just chakra but a huge wall of sand was sent in Takato's and Fuu's direction. The full blade was easily arcing out far enough to almost if not reach Taka-Clone with the blade at least being ten feet long and the man held it with no effort in one hand from the looks of it. His fighting style obviously seeming to adapt the sand they moved on into his blows somehow.

Kinjo decidedly kept back to further guard assuming Takato got past Josuke the eldest would shift on his feet in a way that would allow his bulky arms to input jabs using his insanely heavy seeming fists towards the clone. He didn't seem to be much of the one on offense out of the three and that held true as should the jabs slow Takato he would rush forward slightly for a shoulder tackle a visible aura eminating off the man as he tried to pressure Takato momentarily in a battle of wills to cause him to slip.

-- The Beast --

The massive sandworm felt water for a moment, but its outer hide was not built to feel anything, incredibly durable the creature wasn't even cut by the water blade past what looked like a scratch its skin simply too thick. Following mere seconds later its body slammed into the tree created by Nativity of a World of Trees and Shosuke would visibly feel the massive structure - that he knew to be potent even against powerful defenses - shudder violently as cracks ran its surface all the way back to him. The maw of the titan of a creature latching to the wood as its maw sensed something in front of it, Shosuke was not the only one who sensed through the earth here after all. The cracks having formed from the creature trying th rip the tree free. If Michizune's own jutsu had not come interlocking and supporting the large technique then the technique may have truly been ripped apart by the creature. The added wood expanding and trapping the creature's maw in place. Should the boys want it dead it was was truly trapped at this point, what would likely be an unpleasant few hours to free itself would leave it as a non-factor should they instead turn to help with the bandits.

-- The Aiel Caravan --

As asked JinJin did not slow her caravan at all, not that Michizune needed to ask. This wasn't their first time and the reason for their speed was for situations like this. Glancing over though JinJin would recognize who she saw, the open bounty on them had been set by her branch of the clan after all.

"Jou Brothers, keep your distance from them!" The woman would shout back in an almost vocally too loud voice like Fuu's had been, though hers seemed to be due to a conical device. With or without the group boarded the caravan continued to run shifting over the dune that they had been trying to cross to begin with. Their job was not to handle threats after all it was to handle the payload. That was assuming someone stopped a few pesky crossbow bolts.

[Kisei Takatō]

The swift, erratic movements of the Taka-clone’s rabbit-walking technique kept him clear of the shrapnel, but his danger-sense prickled as he drew closer. Fuu was trying to say something to him; he cut her off, shouting, "Kazama-san, focus! Get back to the carava—” But he was interrupted by the sudden flash of Josuke’s sabre. He tried to twist out of the way, sharply turning on his heel with a deft application of quick rotation, but the range of the wall of sand was too wide and Taka was too slow to avoid the attack. Before he could finish, the clone dissipated in a poof of smoke. Shosuke’s sudden and impressive display of Mokuton was surprising, but extremely welcome—Michizane was able to build off of the giant wood creation, effectively neutralizing the great beast in what felt like barely more than a few seconds. But this was no time for the team to rest on their laurels. As the clone dissipated, its chakra and memories rejoined their host; out of the corner of his eye he spotted the glint of metal as four different crossbow bolts were fired at the caravan. "Explosives incoming from the ruins!” he called to the two up ahead, "We need to stay upright!” He targeted the two bolts closest to him; at one, he flung the other kunai he’d tagged with an explosive note, detonating it in hopes of triggering the bolt’s shrapnel-bursting effect at a relatively safe range from the caravan. To deal with the other, he formed a single handseal and flash-stepped directly into its trajectory, but away from the caravan; aiming to catch the bolt to his shoulder and the shrapnel to the soft meat of his body. As he released the seal he lifted his hands to protect his neck and the side of his head, making some gesture towards defending his vitals as he offered himself up as a meatshield for the payload. Fuu would be on her own without his clone to aid her—hopefully she would be able to ditch the trio and catch up, and if not, he’d be quick to send another clone to her aid... assuming he was alive enough to do so.

Fuu Kazama Yamamoto Shosuke Senju Michizane Nakahara Ichī -- 361

LAIKA OF THQ

SPOILER: Click to show

Taka (original) items consumed: 1 low-cost explosive tag, 1 kunai

Taka (original) techniques used: 1 explosive tag detonated (very low cost), Body Flicker (Low)
Taka (clone) techniques used: Quick Rotation (Very Low)

Taka clone is ded

SAs in play:
Redeye | Observant
Perhaps a small benefit of hypervigilance, Takatou's constant situational awareness has led to him being quite observant. He's attuned to small details, his keen eyesight often tracking minute movements or out-of-place inconsistencies that others might simply gloss over. This beneficial both in hand-to-hand fighting and in investigative pursuits, as he is as skilled at tracking an opponent's movements as he is at scouring a crime scene.

Quiet as the Grave | Stealthy
Many years of taijutsu training, a thin frame, and a natural aptitude for quiet have led to Takatou being remarkably stealthy even by shinobi standards. His footsteps are light and mindful; he has carefully trained the ability to draw weapons, seals, and various other kinds of equipment with barely a whisper of a sound. In addition to physical silence, he's also adept at blending into his environment, managing his body language and appearance such that he is often overlooked.

Sleepless Nights | Enhanced Endurance
Chronic insomnia is anathema to a lifestyle as active and demanding as that of an ANBU operative's, but somehow Takatou has been able to make it work. He is often able to push past the point that others may simply drop from exhaustion, allowing him to strain his body past his limit or remain relatively well-functioning even after a series of restless nights.

SlapFight | Close-Combat Fuuinjutsu
Though he has ever primarily been a hand-to-hand combatant, Takatou has trained his use of fuuinjutsu in conjunction with his taijutsu. As a result, he is especially skilled at open-palm strikes such as chops and slaps, and his precision with these kinds of techniques make him well-practiced at applying seals to moving targets such as limbs, clothing, or weaponry.

Hai-Kohi Effects: [Rotation 4/5 for Taka, Michi, and Fuu]
Galaxy Brain | Improved Cognition
This intensely caffeinated beverage is a potent stimulant. When consumed, the user will feel more focused and alert, increasing their perceptive capabilities, attention to detail, and mental acuity for five rotations.

Gotta Go Fast | Improved Reflexes
The high caffeine content of the beverage increases the circulation of adrenaline in the body, improving the user's reaction time for five rotations.

These effects work simultaneously. They can be gained twice from one bottle of coffee, should the user choose to drink half a bottle at a time or share it with a teammate. There is no increased effect for consuming the whole bottle.

If the entire bottle of coffee is consumed in a single thread, after the benefits of the drink wear off, the user will experience jitters and heightened anxiety for the remainder of the thread.

[Senju Michizane]

"In protecting oneself, others are protected; In protecting others, oneself is protected."
- the blessed one

TAG - Yamamoto Shosuke , Nakahara Ichī , Kisei Takatō , Fuu Kazama

NOTES Lots of sand in my sandals.

Dual wooden growths sprouted, redwood from beneath the sands, dark oak from his own arm, and as soon as the worm had arrived it was restrained. "Farewell, wondrous kijin!" He shouted as he ran.

Even had they possessed the skill to slay such a creature, Michizane wouldn't have wanted to. It seemed too close to divinity, too terrifying in its natural beauty to be rid of. "Facing one down alone would be quite the test, though..." The thought occurred as he dashed away from the beast. "One day. Perhaps." If they survived the day, the Senju would have plenty of time to meditate on these experiences. At present, however, his allies needed him.

Concurrently to his and Shosuke's dealing with the worm, the caravan, Takatō, and Kazama were engaged with the unknowns up ahead. The mystery lasted only seconds as they proved to be a bunch called the 'Jou Brothers'. Acting as quickly as he could, his hands moved once more, the seals Tora → Inu → Mi performed in a series as his feet carried him alongside the caravan. "Moku Bunshin no Jutsu!" Words made power, and from his shoulders a large wooden mass formed. Two bunshins were molded from the bark of his Moku Bunshin no Jutsu, then split off of his figure, solidifying into exact replicas of himself. "Is the plan—" One of the dopplegangers began to speak, but paused and grinned as the real Michizane shook his head. "Not this time." He said. "Both of you, defend!" 

Michizane's hands moved to rest on the shoulders of either clone. In a strange and slightly unsettling sight, the bunshins' forms morphed, their torso and upper arms growing to resemble some sort of top heavy shield-like structure. Silly caricatures of the Senju's normal figure, but he hoped more surface area would mean more capacity for guarding. Michizane sent the defensive clones in split directions, one to try and intercept the remaining bolt, and the other towards Fuu. "This is gonna hurt..." One of the clone muttered, attempting to leap towards the incoming projectile to take the brunt of the impact unto its expanded body. "Kazama!" The other would yell as it neared her position. "Scram! I'll buy some time!"

As much as he might like to test his skills against these foes, their job was to protect, not attack. Right now they outnumbered the brothers, but should one of them fall their job of gurading the caravan would become much more difficult. The bunshin near Kazama would stop in its tracks, then perform a series of three hand seals. "Mokuton: Jubaku no Jutsu!" A palm was thrust towards Josuke, trying to conjure up more roots of dark, grooved wood from beneath the sands in an attempt to restrain him and his sword. The Mokuton: Jubaku no Jutsu was handy, but it required the user to stay still. If both clones were sacrificed, then so be it. As long as his allies survived... that was all he wished for. They had a mission, that was true, but he couldn't just leave them to fend for themselves.

To that end, Michizane's real body would make a mad dash towards Takatō's position, watching as the Kusa-nin made a valiant effort at shielding the caravan with his own body. "Damn!" He'd been too slow, too preoccupied directing his clones to react to the situation. But he could at least assist in returning their de facto leader back to the caravan... he just hoped it wasn't too late. "Hold on, hero." Michizane would say with a smile, attempting to mask his nervousness as he helped the man along or, if necessary, relying on his strength to quickly toss him over his shoulder and take off back towards the caravan. "Don't go kickin' the bucket just yet." As long as he still drew breath, he would do his utmost to ensure everyone's survival. Fortunately Shosuke was with them, and assuming Kazama was able to retreat they'd be able to regroup and recoup. "Coz!" Michizane shouted to the Kumo-nin as he made haste back to the moving train, hopefully, in one way or another, with Takatō in tow. "Cover us!"

Shosuke had proven himself an adept shinobi— as they all had in some way. Now he just had to keep faith in his comrades to see them through. Assuming they all were able to get back, he imagined they would need to have a serious strategy meeting for the next part of this journey. Michi was no tactician, but even he could see they would need to readjust. Out here among the sands, they were outsiders. And if they didn't adapt... they were bound to be swallowed up by the desert's many dunes. 

SPOILER: Click to show

OFFENSIVE TECHNIQUES:
NAME: Moku Bunshin no Jutsu [Wood Clone Technique]* (x2)
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Mokuton
HANDSEALS: 3
DECRIPTION:
A clone that is created by altering the user's own cells with chakra to create vegetation. Possessing more endurance than the normal shadow clones. the doppelgangers are more resilient to damage. The clones have the ability to travel far distances from the user and are able to communicate with the original albeit the can only pass reconnaissance or simple messages with more complex thoughts and strategies depriving them from their full combat potential. The clones can be as simple in function as a wooden dummy for use in the Body Replacement Technique.

This makes this technique extremely convenient and a perfect clone technique that only the most powerful and fully developed dōjutsu will able to see through. By directly touching the wood clone with their hand, the user can absorb the information it gathered or change the shape of the clone. Because clone is made up of the user's own cells.

NAME: Mokuton: Jubaku no Jutsu [Wood Release: Tree Restraints Technique]* (Used by the clone near Fuu - targeting Josuke)
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium - Low to maintain
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Mokuton
HANDSEALS: 3
DECRIPTION:
Using their ability to utilize Mokuton the user will form the handseals and cause beams of wood to emerge from the ground. These beams will wrap around a target to bind it. Because the beams come from underneath the ground they are difficult to dodge initially. The user pours their chakra across them as well, making the beams difficult to break until the entrapped opponent has good physical strength or jutsu with equivalent power. While this jutsu is being held, no other techniques can be performed by the user however and they must remain stationary.


SPECIAL ABILITIES:

菩提心 | BODAI-SHIN - E.C.R.
Blessed with a great font of chakra, Michizane views this as a sign of his Aspiration For Enlightenment. Warm, bountiful, and steady, his vast reserves of this precious resource make him able to utilize many jutsu back-to-back without tiring. Allowing him to overwhelm lesser foes with sheer quantity of techniques alone.

木遁 | MOKUTON - KKG
Luck, to Michizane, may be a sign of divine interference. So by virtue of him being born into the Senju Clan he was granted their Kekkei Genkai by the heavens. Combining his Doton and Suiton chakra natures allows him to create life itself in the form of Mokuton. He uses it to great effect to summon up chakra-enhanced trees, shrubbery, and craft intricate wooden constructs to combat foes. All of the wood created by his Mokuton is dark brown in color and has ridged bark like that of a black oak tree.

行力 | GYŌ-RIKI - ENHANCED STRENGTH
The Power of Practice is not to be undervalued. Many years of intensive training has solidified his body and tempered his very spirit, turning Michizane's body into a weapon of its own. Allowing him to not only lift objects several times his body weight but also strike much harder than those of his rank. Bone, stone, and even metal gives way underneath the force of his physical blows.

MADE BY MIZO

[googlefont=Karla]

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

So we're on the road to Yuki no Kuni...I miss Miruko

❞

Fuu would find herself in quite the pickle involving Takato once the clone popped realizing that she was now effectively by herself however just before anything could be done to remedy the situation Michizane arrived just in time her hardwood hero.

He told her to get out of there and scram she'd quickly made a few handseals and would rush through the sand making her way back towards the caravan not seeing what was going on with Takato as he seemingly sacrificed himself for the rest of them only to be saved by the others, but thankfully as she popped up from the air she'd attempt to stretch out her arm and catch the back of the caravan.

"Where's Takato, is he alright?" she'd say realizing he wasn't around, as the caravan rocked its way forward she looked out at the others and wasn't exactly too sure what more she could offer at this juncture her doton techniques don't lend themselves well to the sand since it would only be to their detriment but there wasn't too much the girl could really do at this juncture but scan the horizon for their adversaries, keeping handseals prepped to fire off wind style technqiues to throw any errant projectiles off course as she used the tree climbing technique for leverage.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Dochuu Senkou - [Underground Submarine Voyage]
Rank: C
Chakra Usage: Medium [Continuous]
Type: Ninjutsu [General]
Element: Doton
HANDSEALS: 2
Description
Dochuu Senkou is a Ninjutsu utilizing the Earth Element. After forming the needed hand seals, the user can sink below ground and quickly travel through the earth. While this is similar to the Underground Fish Projection technique, it should be noted that the chakra usage is much higher.

NAME: Fūton: Kūki no Dangan [Wind Release: Air Bullets]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fūton
HANDSEALS: 1 - Bird
DESCRIPTION:
After the formation of the Bird hand seal, the Shinobi will knead chakra in their gut. From there, the chakra will be formed into one to six orbs. When expelled, these orbs move with enough concussive force to knock the wind out of its targets. With enough power to dent wood, a hit from one these bullets to the head is enough to render a man unconscious.

203 WORDS ● TAGGED ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

Sho could feel it - Despite being a grand, mighty oak, the tree was beginning to crumple and crack from the sheer girth and weight of the worm. It brought itself down against the tree and as it did so, the tree began to break apart, unable to sustain itself under the weight. Fortunately, the jutsu was still up so he was able to manipulate the tree, repairing and thickening it to last longer.

Then, thankfully, his "cousin" used their own Mokuton, hooking the thing within the worm's mouth, keeping it from being able to wiggle and get any purchase, forcing it to stay all but still if it didn't wanna rip its outsides out. Even an animal was able to understand it was better to avoid killing itself if the alternative was just standing still for a while. It would be able to wiggle its way out eventually, but only by doing it slowly and carefully.

With that done, that left Sho with the other threats going on. Takato seemed to be having some problems intercepting and handling some incoming fires from crossbows. Fortunately, the jutsu was still up and being channeled actively, so he was able to aid somewhat. First of all, an enormous tree manifested within the ruins that were being used as a base. Unless something stopped it, it would break through the ceiling of the ruins, causing the roof to collapse and depriving them of their sniper's nest.

Then, sensing Takato was under assault from the brother's sword, Sho finally let go of the jutsu and charged forwards towards his ally, pulling his own katana out as he moved. He might need to avoid using any more high-powered jutsu for a while to ensure that he didn't burn himself out completely, but that didn't mean they were completely out of options.

As per Michizane's request, Sho planted himself squarely between the two retreating figures, sword out and ready to defend against whatever may come his way. He may not be as skilled with the blade as a true swordsmaster like Uemon, but he had studied under them and had sharpened his talents. In a long, protracted fight, he probably wouldn't win, but he didn't need to win. He just needed to hold them off for now.

380 words | @open

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsus Used: See Last Post

[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group C - SECTION ONE: COMPLETE
ROTATION: 5/5
Rotation Period Ends: 5:00 PM CST 12/3/2024

YOU SURVIVED THE SHIT SHOW... MOSTLY.

The conclusion of the first section of Group C's passage has passed without incident! Don't expect this to continue for the entire ride. With this rotation this section will be over and the next leg of the journey will begin, so allow me to explain a rule that continues forward: Exhuastion. Due to this being a continuous thread chakra is mostly non-replenishable, this will mostly be true through sections, but between sections chakra reserves will only replinish by up to half. Please be cautious!

In this rotation many medical attention needed or given will be allowed to use this 50% of reserves regained, this is mostly for Ges but if a section ends and your low on reserves, I will let yall know, then know you can pull from this inbetween sections as long as you STATE THAT YOU ARE HEALING THEM OVER THE COMING DAYS.

Currently, Shosuke is around 55% reserves, Michizune is in the clear following this rotation and the other two used a negigible amount of chakra over all.

POST

-- Consequences --

A great number of things happened in short order. A great number of awful, awful things - the first of which was the arm that fell at Michizune's feet. As the bolts had flown to the caravan, with intention to capsize them, three of the four bolts were properly disposed before they had the chance to impact anything of significance. The last, however, struck flesh.

Takato having tried to play the hero himself in the moment, a true showing of his selfless nature if hinging on the borderline of suicidal had blocked the last bolt with his own body. The resulting impact blow his arm, and part of his shoulder, directly off his body. The offending severed limb laying before Michizune as the shrapnel spray had set off - an explosion that did not catch Michizune as he made his way to Takato, but one that certainly did catch the special jounin. Most all of it that struck imbedded into his side, and his neck remained safe due to his quick thinking, but that didn't include all of his head. A single sharp piece of shrapnel catching and imbedding into his eye opposite to the arm he now lacked.

The immediate pain was dulled in a strange way thanks to the tea of the kisei, but the moment had been felt and in painfully slow detail. As the resulting moment seemed to speed back up to snuff Takato was grasped by Michizune and quickly drug up and over the dune back to catch up with their caravan - a safe caravan. Takato needing immediate medical attention a new priority of the group.

This was not the only potentially bad situation though, as a sword sheered straight through another. The massive blade was sharp, and had the criminal commiting the strike not pulled his blow Shosuke would like have also been incredibly injured. Instead the bandaged young man had a sword curved around the length of the side and back of his neck like a hook, but no injury to speak of. Partially in thanks to Michizune's clone's restaints, though getting the man to budge was proving... incredibly difficult.

-- Honor Among a Village of Thieves --

In the midst of the chaos the three brother's stood. They had strangely, not approached close in - why was that? It was hard to actually catch in an active fight, but the three had not actually aimed for anyone that hadn't approached in some way. Perhaps that was by design? It was not such a simple thing to tell when you had no information on the people you were fighting.

The youngest was holding his hands to his head though, "Fuck! That was for the caravan you moron!" Came the yell from the hooded brother, having watched what his bolt had done to Takato, "I think I actually just killed one of those bodyguard assclowns Kinjo we need to get out of here before the Caravan gets to the city right? Fuck."

The eldest grimaced with a grunt to acknowledge the statement from the youngest, they would need to get out of here to one of the safe houses far from here or there would be hell to pay, "We would need to leave anyways, the Senju here destroyed the way inside. Get out of here kids, we were here for food not to snap your neck. If either of you 're attached to a caravan again though, I will take that as an invitation to strike you down."

Reaching over to the middle brother the eldest make a blurred series of jabs that resounded like the crack of a whip as the heavy strikes smashed the roots apart rather precisely. His fists smashing down any follow up root growths as the three prepared to run. The middle brother would echo the sentiment, adding a kinda awkward ego statement for how sheerly tired he sounded. His blade unwrapping to a straight edge again as the three formed handseals in their own way and they were gone from sight in a burst of sand. Leaving Shosuke, and Fuu in her underground position, to make it back to the caravan. A whispered sentence of Josuke on the wind, "Mark this though, the Jou Brothers ain't murderers but we make good on promises."

-- The Aiel Caravan --

Safe with its payload still the caravan had slowed its pace seeing as the group was rounding the dune, at least partially. Coming to a stop only after the massive worm was out of vision, the group would be able to catch up. The cost so far - steep. This was no joyride in the sand, it was a mission.

[Kisei Takatō]

Borderline suicidal, perhaps—in the back of his mind Taka could hear Ichi chiding him for his recklessness, but his phantom brother’s words of wisdom were soon drowned out by excruciating pain. He’d thought having the flesh ripped from his arm from elbow to wrist by the fangs of a massive spider had been bad, but it was nothing compared to the feeling of muscle tearing away from his body, the crunching and splintering of bone and sinew as he felt his arm get torn to ribbons from shoulder to fingertip. The same arm, he realized belatedly—half a breath before he realized that the same arm was no longer there at all, reduced to a wet smear of blood and giblets that the sands sucked dry. Taka’s consciousness wavered. He was vaguely aware of being manhandled, dragged bodily back to the caravan; the in-between was spotty, but at some point he ended up flat on his back on a wooden platform as the caravan continued its journey over the sands. By some miracle the Jou brothers had vanished, the worm was handled, and the rest of the team was relatively unharmed. "Thank you,” Taka said to Michizane. His voice came out rough, rasping. Had he screamed? He couldn’t remember. He reached out as if to touch Michi, but the motion was aborted, restrained. With a sudden, vicious ache, he wanted Koki—but that bridge was long since burned. Taka’s dogged tenacity was a curse as much as a blessing—he didn’t know when to give up, but more critically, his body didn’t know when to give up. As much as he yearned to slip into unconsciousness and let the next few hours pass him by, he found his focus stabilizing, the pain in his shoulder and eye dulled by the tea he’d downed. He was, regrettably, now very aware of what was going on around him—or as much as he could be, with one eye squeezed shut around the shrapnel painfully digging into his eyeball. Assuming Shosuke came over to administer treatment, Taka would shake his head. He held a wad of bunched-up fabric against the space where his shoulder used to live, staunching the bleeding as much as he was able—which admittedly wasn’t much at all. He’d lose consciousness due to blood loss soon regardless of his body’s stubbornness. "If you can staunch the bleeding, that’s enough,” Taka said. "You should conserve your strength, Yamamoto-san. You did good work today.” He plucked the shrapnel from his eye with a bitten-off grunt of pain; with a helping hand, he’d be able to take a length of fabric and knot it around his head, packing the injured eye. It wasn’t critical, wasn’t life threatening—even if Shosuke offered, Taka would refuse, ardently unwilling to demand any more of Shosuke’s chakra reserves. (But Shosuke insisted, and so Takato had no choice but to acquiesce--he himself was not the medical professional here, and he had no grounds on which to argue over how or with what urgency he should be treated. To the rest, he held his tongue; he accepted Fuu's offer of holding his hand, accepted Michizane's effort at shoring up his morale, accepted that it was important to Shosuke that he was important to Ichi. It was a kindness, he thought, to allow others to be kind to you.) If the bleeding had stopped and Taka was able to retain consciousness, even sit upright as the caravan journeyed along, he would reclaim his position as their lookout at the back of the caravan. He would be unable to form handseals, but his dominant right hand was uninjured—he could still write fuinjutsu. So that was exactly what he did, pouring as much chakra as he was able to expend into high-powered explosive tags and great weight seals. If any of the others wanted a great expansion seal inscribed into a weapon, Taka would be happy to accommodate, and talk them through the specific handseals needed to trigger both the great weight and great expansion techniques.

Fuu Kazama Yamamoto Shosuke Senju Michizane Nakahara Ichī -- 589

LAIKA OF THQ

SPOILER: Click to show

Exactly what seals he's writing is kinda up to you guys here--consider him your temporary seal factory, LMAO. At bare minimum:

x3 VERY HIGH COST Explosive Tags (1 each to Fuu, Michi, and Shosuke)
x6 HIGH COST Explosive Tags (2 each to Fuu, Michi, and Shosuke)
x6 MEDIUM COST Great Weight Seals (2 each to Fuu, Michi, and Shosuke)

and then if you guys want the GREAT EXPANSION SEAL slapped on any of your projectiles we can make that happen also.

NAME: Senkin [Great Weight]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low to Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Fūinjutsu
DESCRIPTION:

A simple technique where the user will inscribe a small seal upon an object and apply their chakra to the object, allowing that object to act as a regular weight. It appears in Kanji of how much weight is added up to a half ton and can be broken with a single seal by the user. It cannot be used on another person and costs chakra based upon how much weight is applied to the seal.
Very Low (0-300lbs)
Low (300-700 lbs)
Medium (700lbs - 0.5 tons)

NAME: Ōkina Kakuchō [Great Expansion]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low - Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Fūinjutsu
ELEMENT: N/A
HANDSEALS: 1
REQUIREMENT: Fūinjutsu Primary or Secondary
DESCRIPTION:

A rudimentary technique where the user inscribes a small seal upon any palm sized or smaller inanimate object. Once activated by a single ram seal the object expands exponentially in size based upon the amount of chakra the user puts into the seal. This happens only for a brief duration (1 post) before the object returns back to its original size in a puff of white smoke.
Very Low (0 - 1m)
Low (1m - 3m)
Medium (3m - 5m)


NAME: Exploding Seal Jutsu [Bakukami no Jutsu]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low - Very High
CLASSIFICATION: Fūinjutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:

One of the simplest jutsu thought to almost all beginner fuuinjutsu users. This technique has been used for centuries being put on exploding notes of all sorts. The idea behind this jutsu is to seal a certain amount of the user's chakra inside of a seal and release it at a later date using a simple seal. The user is capable of inscribing the seal onto any [non human] surface and the explosion strength can be varied depending on how much chakra the user puts into the seal,C rank being your average explosive note.

SAs in play:
Redeye | Observant
Perhaps a small benefit of hypervigilance, Takatou's constant situational awareness has led to him being quite observant. He's attuned to small details, his keen eyesight often tracking minute movements or out-of-place inconsistencies that others might simply gloss over. This beneficial both in hand-to-hand fighting and in investigative pursuits, as he is as skilled at tracking an opponent's movements as he is at scouring a crime scene.

Quiet as the Grave | Stealthy
Many years of taijutsu training, a thin frame, and a natural aptitude for quiet have led to Takatou being remarkably stealthy even by shinobi standards. His footsteps are light and mindful; he has carefully trained the ability to draw weapons, seals, and various other kinds of equipment with barely a whisper of a sound. In addition to physical silence, he's also adept at blending into his environment, managing his body language and appearance such that he is often overlooked.

Sleepless Nights | Enhanced Endurance
Chronic insomnia is anathema to a lifestyle as active and demanding as that of an ANBU operative's, but somehow Takatou has been able to make it work. He is often able to push past the point that others may simply drop from exhaustion, allowing him to strain his body past his limit or remain relatively well-functioning even after a series of restless nights.

SlapFight | Close-Combat Fuuinjutsu
Though he has ever primarily been a hand-to-hand combatant, Takatou has trained his use of fuuinjutsu in conjunction with his taijutsu. As a result, he is especially skilled at open-palm strikes such as chops and slaps, and his precision with these kinds of techniques make him well-practiced at applying seals to moving targets such as limbs, clothing, or weaponry.

[Senju Michizane]

"In protecting oneself, others are protected; In protecting others, oneself is protected."
- the blessed one

TAG - Yamamoto Shosuke , Nakahara Ichī , Kisei Takatō , Fuu Kazama

NOTES Lots of sand in my sandals.

A flurry of movement, sand clouds kicked up behind them, a glint of steel, hastened breaths, blood, and a severed arm.

Much was happening all too quickly, and it only made him realize how inadequate even his own ludicrous training was. A word of thanks reached his ears and the Senju could only shake his head. "We should be thanking you, Yūkan'na Takatō." He said, his lighthearted smile contrasted with the anxious sweat of his brow.

The Kusa-nin's wounds were bad— the worst he'd seen on a mission, but without his intervention, the caravan would have been upended. After this, none could doubt the man's courage. Takatō the Valiant, indeed. "He'll be fine!" He shouted an encouraging response to Kazama, catching up to the caravan shortly after. "He has to be." Carefully, he placed their wounded leader back on the platform, Michizane would stay there with the man, kneeling nearby like some doting friend. A concerned glance would be given to Shosuke if he approached. "Anything I can do to help— just let me know." He would say, then watch as the Kusa-nin pulled a bit of shrapnel from his own eye. "Gods above." He thought, equal parts impressed by and worried for the man. "It speaks volumes of his determination, but... if only I had been faster..." To carry on after injuries like that... he liked to think he would do the same, but he truly did not know.

Nor was he in a rush to find out. "Don't worry..." Michi would say to the man, placing a hand gently on his uninjured shoulder, winking, and forming a half-Hitsuji sign with his other hand. Still smiling, still attempting to mask his concern for the man. "You need but one arm to pray." It was half an attempt at cheering him up, half a reminder that these wounds were not the end. Many shinobi had lost limbs and gone on to have successful careers after... he just hoped his words were of aid, however small, to the brave Kusa-nin. Once he was sure Takatō was alright, Michizane would stand atop the platform and turn, looking towards where their bandit foes were. "Were we not bound to this caravan..." A trailed thought, his smile wavering just a bit.

"My wrath may have prevailed over my mercy." Michi was a spiritual person— but he was human like anyone else. Prone to the same emotions and impulses as others. He hadn't known Takatō long, but he was a comrade, and those rogues dealt him a debilitating injury. "I pray we never meet again..." He thought. "...for your sake." With that, he would return to one of the ropes near the caravan's front and allow Shosuke the space he needed to work on Takatō. Contemplating their mission, his own conflicting emotions, and all they'd seen so far. "There will be much to meditate on."

After treatment had been administered, he would participate in the talking and planning with the others, aiding the Kusa-nin in forming hand seals with his uninjured hand as needed. "I think we should stop sortieing out from the caravan after this." Michi suggested, looking to each of the team in turn. He was no strategist supreme... but to him it seemed obvious. "If we were all focused on defense back there, we might've avoided injury. We should've." This wasn't about casting blame, but rather adapting to fit the needs of the mission. And more importantly to him... to ensure their own survival. "You call the shots." He said, glancing to Takatō with a smile. "What d'ya say?"

MADE BY MIZO

[googlefont=Karla]

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

It all seemed to happen in an instant, almost faster than Shosuke was able to react. Shosuke moved between the retreating bodies of his comrades and the three brothers, his sword drawn ready to protect them as needed. Yet, in an instant, Shosuke was violently reminded of the sheer difference of someone who was merely competent with the blade and an actual swordsman.

Before Shosuke could so much as register it, his sword was cleaved cleanly in half, the metal giving little or perhaps even no resistance as Shosuke was left holding but the hilt of the blade.

In that moment, Sho felt strangely guilty for letting the blade come to harm - it wasn't like it was alive, or even a precious gift since he had just looted it from the corpse of a bandit back in Star Country. Even so, it was the blade he had used to train under Master Hayato and Uemon, that he had used whilst fighting alongside Umechika. It was an inextricable part of those memories, and now it was little better than slag upon the desert sands. He would have to get a new one made, but even then it wouldn't truly replace the one he had lost.

Either way, Shosuke held his body between Michizune and the brothers until he was confident that they were back on the caravan before retreating himself. Fortunately, in the time it took to get them out the brothers didn't seem interested in attacking again, instead simply complaining that their way back to their hideout had been cut off by the tree he had thrown up within the ruins.

At the idea of them whining about such a minor inconvenience when they had just crippled a man for life, Shosuke could feel his blood run hot. He wanted to throw himself at these brothers, to lay them out for their uninvited attack upon the caravan, to extract blood in exchange for Takato's suffering, but he was also tactically intelligent enough to know that they needed to retreat.

He would be back, though - he was certain of that much. He would be back and he would make these bastards suffer for what they had done to a good man without provocation. These ruins would burn and crumble, he swore it on his honour as a shinobi. He had never been one to care about honour before, but this felt personal.

---

Approaching Takato's prone form, Sho crouched down and knelt beside his form. Without even a moment of hesitation, or seemingly even acknowledging Michizane's comment, he simply reached out, his hand beginning to visibly vibrate through the air as he did so. Pressing his hand against the point where the arm had been blasted apart, he quickly cauterised the wounds, preventing Takato's risk of bleeding out. There was severe internal trauma to the stump of his arm, but it shouldn't be enough to kill him. He would simply feel weak for some time.

What was more of a concern was the giant fragment of metal sticking out of the shinobi's eye-socket. Fortunately, it hadn't sunk particularly deep into the eye, only just deep enough to lodge itself in the socket. With Takato all but ripping the offending chunk out, the eye was bloody and raw and looked prone to infection. There was no way the man was seeing anything out of that socket any time soon, not without Shosuke performing healing on it directly.

Ironically, that was something Shosuke was perhaps uniquely gifted with - having studied as long as he had in order to heal his own eyes, he was one of the few ninja in the world who could actually regenerate an eye. In fact, Shosuke hadn't even considered NOT healing him, it was such an obvious and glaring wound that he simply had reached out and began to cast it before Takato protested.

With the sole remaining functioning eye, Takato would be able to see the look on Shosuke's face. Even clothed by the fabric as it was, there was no way to misread what was painted across it - his obvious, visceral displeasure.

"Captain Takato," Shosuke said, his voice very slow and deliberate. ", you're being obstinate and foolish. I cannot save your arm, but I definitely can save your eye. If I do not, you're liable to get an infection and may have to have the entire thing removed. I can't heal an eye that doesn't exist, but I CAN heal your eye as it is now.

If we cut it off at the pass, your vision won't be as much as slighted, let alone permanently damaged."

There was a pause, before Shosuke added.

"You wouldn't know this, but your Lord Ichi and I have spent quite some time together, studying and mastering our abilities together. I made him a promise to help him rise to prominence as a man worthy of leading Kusagakure, and I cannot claim to have done that if I let one of his better officers become further crippled.

If you do not do this for yourself, do it for Lord Ichi. Or do it to save me the migraine of having to explain to Ichi why one of his officers is now a cyclops."

871 words | @open

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsus Used
NAME: Shōshaku no Jutsu [Cauterizing Technique]

RANK: D

CHAKRA USAGE: Low

CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [Medical]

ELEMENT: -

HANDSEALS: 0

REQUIREMENT: Chakra Control SA

DESCRIPTION: A simple medic jutsu that needs little chakra, but some modicum of control. The user will gather concentrated chakra in the palm of their hand until the blue hue of chakra can be seen. Then, it will place the hand upon the wound and forcefully cauterize it.

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

So we're on the road to Yuki no Kuni...I miss Miruko

❞

Fuu would find herself back on board safe for now, the battle had past but Takato wasn't doing too well she'd bore witness to violence and depravity before to this level however she wasn't sure it never got any easier having to see people in pain and having joined when many of the Tanjo had been dropping left and right made her a bit uneasy.

The reassuring words from Michizane made her feel at ease for the moment, she'd watch as Takato would remove the glass from his eye it looked painful the worst injury she'd suffered were a few stabbings but nothing of this caliber before. "Need someone to hold your hand through the pain?" she'd say not sure too much of what she could offer.

"Are you going to perform some kind of surgery? I can help my Dad's a doctor so I'm familiar with some medical stuff." she'd say offering to be a bit of a temporary assistant even if it just meant helping him grab some tools or things of that ilk. She'd look over at Michizane as she did so and then back down at Shosuke.

"How did you guys do that...with wood, I've never seen anything like it before!?" she'd say awestruck wanting to know all she could to bring that knowledge back to the Tanjo themselves she wasn't even certain if the path finder had crossed paths with such power before.

And she was eager to see more of it in action and document for her friends and family back home they'd been learning a great deal from their partnership with Sunagakure and knew of how secret the clans were but she'd at least like to know if it had a name.

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deltra of gangnam style