[Mikatakujira Kunikunosaku]

Akira

...

Evil Doesn't Die; It Changes Shape.

As Kunikunosaku meticulously organized the paperwork spread across her desk, her eyes scanned through the reports detailing the recent events in Takigakure. Among them, a notable entry chronicled the confrontation between Hotarubi and Ryū, detailing how the former emerged victorious. A sense of unease settled in Kunikunosaku's chest as she contemplated the implications of this outcome. While on the surface, it seemed like a testament to Hotarubi's prowess, she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that there might be underlying tensions brewing beneath the surface.

With a furrowed brow, Kunikunosaku leaned back in her chair, pondering her next course of action. It was crucial to address any potential conflicts before they escalated further. After a moment of deliberation, she decided to draft a letter summoning Hotarubi to the Takigakure Lady's office for a brief meeting. With a firm resolve, she began composing the message, her words carrying a tone of authority tempered with concern.

SPOILER: Click to show

"Dear Hotarubi,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request your presence at the Takigakure Lady's office for a brief meeting. There are certain matters that require our attention, and I believe it is imperative for us to discuss them in person.

Your recent accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, and I commend you for your dedication and skill. However, there have been recent developments within our village that necessitate our attention. We must address these matters together to ensure the continued prosperity and harmony of Takigakure.

I assure you that this meeting is of utmost importance, and I value your input in navigating the challenges we may face. Please make yourself available at your earliest convenience, and I look forward to our discussion.

Sincerely,
The Lady of Takigakure"

With the letter drafted, Kunikunosaku sealed it in an envelope, ready to be delivered to Hotarubi. As she set it aside, a sense of determination washed over her. She was resolved to ensure the harmony and stability of Takigakure, even if it meant confronting potential conflicts head-on. The Kunoichi sat up in her chair as she crossed her arms and cleared her throat, "MATSUI! Need you to do something," Kunikunosaku yelled before a few minutes later, a blue-haired woman entered the office, making an audible sigh. "What now?" "Find Yamakira Hotarubi, deliver this to him." "Urgency?" "Standard. Might be more for him, but I'm not dying to see him." "Understood." Matsui promptly took the letter and vanished. Ideally, to deliver the letter, Kuni hopped she wouldn't add unnecessary urgency

TEMPbyAi ♥

SPOILER: Click to show

SA(S) USED:
Jiongu | Earth Grudge Fear

After having to recycle the roots that ended up killing the previous Apprentice just to transfer Jiongu to Kunikunosaku, the mass of black roots recollects most of its abilities from the Apprentice previous while forming new ones with its new master/host, Kunikunosaku. As far as the roots are concerned, like any organism, it desires to feed and survive, all else is not required, nor necessary to function. As for the Symbiotic Relationship benefits Kunikunosaku can control the thread-like roots however she wishes. The thread are quite versatile, acting much like surgical threads they can be used to sew up wounds stretch, or harden for attacks akin to squid tentacles, as well as being equally flexible and significantly dexterous. In time, Kunikunosaku will learn that as long as they keep a heart attached to at least some of the roots making up her body at all times, she is functionally immortal, only dying once all the threads are completely removed from any living hearts, and is unable to be poisoned. Because all of her vital organs and their corresponding systems are gone, Kunikunosaku has no need to breathe, eat, or sleep. The roots are sufficiently maintained by storing hearts that are pumping and living, in turn drawing sustenance from them. These roots also allow Kunikunosaku to utilize the inherent nature of any hearts she adds to their body, allowing them to perform jutsu of that element as if it was their natural affinity.

Symbiotic Relationship: Mutualism

After gaining knowledge on how Jiongu behaves and acts, Kunikunosaku developed a strong bond with the Jiongu entity. Accepting both live in her now; that both are what makes up Kunikunosaku. As a result of this understanding and bond, Jiongu aids her in combat - despite being a small boost. When conditions are met, Jiongu can provide an aided strength boost to Kunikunosaku during combat. It is still relative to her natural strength at the time. While this has no speed benefits, this boost of strength can put her up to par with the max strength of her peers at the same rank level. As she matures and gains new skills and new statuses. So too does her strength grow.

Symbiotic Bond: Strong Mind, Strong Body
As Kunikunosaku developed a stronger relationship with Jiongu, the creature bestowed Kunikunosaku an additional gift. That which is bestowed grants her the body as strong as her will. As long as she has the will to fight and keep pushing forward, Kunikunosaku has attained a sense of a strong body. She can still feel all the pain she receives, however, her will will push through it; literally making her body push through the pain and maintain functionality despite the egregious wounds she may receive. Overwhelming pain at one time or other will breaking input can debilitate the girl's will-driven tolerance to falter to the degree of an average shinobi, opening her up to common pain. It is this will that allows her to force the tendrils/roots/threads to repair themselves from injury or stitch back together. This will increases with her skill as she becomes more confident and driven to satiate both her needs and Jiongu's.

Power of a God:
After a great time learning how to control Jiongu, Kunikunosaku has learned to store chakra in each of her threads so long as they continue to be attached to at least one of her hearts. This extra storage capacity allows the girl to amass greater amounts of chakra within herself, expanding her reserves beyond that of the normal shinobi her rank. As with many other abilities, this ability continues to grow as the girl does through the ranks and years.

Cursed Master:

As a reward for attaining a greater deal of control over her symbiotic relationship with Jiongu, Kunikunosaku acquired the keys to the gate of mastering her abilities. This new boon allows Kunikunosaku to double the impact of her EGF ninjutsu. In addition, a passive boon is the ability to completely negate Jiongu's manipulation to consume more hearts. These boons together allow Kuni to further manipulate Jiongu against its basic natures, improving her unique utilization. While still young and unrefined, the ability is expected to grow as their bond deepens to even further levels.

Medical Knowledge:

Being from Takigakure's prestigious clan medical clan, Kunikunosaku is also set to learn the human anatomy, biology, and Kinesthetics, While this knowledge DOES NOT give her access to Medical Ninjutsu Techniques, however, the knowledge does unlock abilities of precision to the human body with every attack. This knowledge grants field combat medic aid but nowhere near the degree of those actually trained in it.

JUTSU(S) USED:
N/A
EQUIPMENT USED:
01 | Ikari to Hisan (Continuous)

[Akira]

Hotarubi was out on a mission and Kunikunosaku would be notified shortly after: but he was due back the next day. But that would likely not change the new Leader's positioning: retainer of the office. Upon his immediate return to the twilight shroud of Takigakure no Sato he would be provided with the letter by gate guards. Staring down at the paper - a first occasion for him to be given something on return, his yellow orbs would open it, scan the paper, and sigh. "About time." "You sent for me, ...?" Silence filled the air in what he normally would have ascribed to calling the - Kunikunosaku, a Lady, or Lord. Frankly - she was neither. "Is it Lady? Lord Third?" Hotarubi entered the room that she seemed to be occupying for the most of her days. Yes: he'd read the letter, but he hadn't picked up on it. He was dressed in only what could be described as more adult like clothing. Takigakure's headband on his left shoulder. He had chosen to return home first - get himself changed. Not worrying too much about being held up. The order had been handed to him in person. So while he no longer had any of his Shinobi equipment barring his headband to his person, his civilian clothing was a tight black top, khaki trousers and black boots. A grey textured overcoat: with the headband wrapped solidly around it. "Matsu let me in. I hope you don't mind." Hotarubi had met Matsu already via his interactions with Kenji. There was an unnecessary civility in his voice - normally she who he would have been sparring on a weekly basis had more oft than not some jibe, some cutting wit or smarmy remarks. His eyes would plainly scan the office and the area around it. Was this what it amounted to? Just a room? Hotarubi was trying to convince himself this was what he wanted. The man sure as hell wouldn't have ever spent that much time in it. Relegate all of the boring ass paperwork to someone else. Divide and conquer, and all that. It had been what - a month? The Okada had died down and he'd needed to apologise to them that they'd bet on the wrong horse in this race. It did not surprise him that in the end, the Mikatakujira's claws were just as deep and rooted as the Yamakira were. The edge he'd taken with Midori and Yuri at the exams: or the people he'd snapped at over the time it had been. Time marinated him with reflection. Hotarubi did not know why he had come: or what task laid out that needed his eyes on. Was there anything that he needed to say? Yellow orbs stared at Kunikunosaku - and he would sit down opposite her if there was a chair to take, otherwise he would remain stood. Anything that had come up in the past month (and it really had been a lot) between conflicting emotions, jealousy, anger, self-loathing had come about in sound bites, statements and points. But they all disappeared. It had taken up so much emotional energy that right now he was really out of a lot of them. Still - Hotarubi deeply respected the seat of power even if it wasn't Ryu in it. But the landscape had changed: while Kunikunosaku might not have known the true extent of their fight, the remains were that Hotarubi felt on par, at least, to one of the most senior power figures of the village. Well. Formerly - whoever the fuck knew if the man would be branded a Nukenin? Highly damn doubtful given he had come from the sticks, as far as Hotarubi understood. But Kunikunosaku was in the seat and Hotarubi was not. Whatever reason would be lost on him - but her being in charge of all of the shinobi inside the room - and out - counted for more than his personal feelings. Somehow... Kenji's teachings had made some sort of impact.