[Ren]

The shock left the shinobi vulnerable, and even though he was no pushover, the element of surprise was in Toru's favour, and with a decisive attack from his matercraft blade, he beheaded the man, immediately nullifying the threat before he could really do anything. Now back at the rafters, Toru started moving towards the exit of the place, and towards Kobashi's smell. The Mizukage would notice that most smells in the palace were heading towards his companion, and that he likely needed help.

Kobashi's sudden stop gave him enough time and distance to prepare his own offensive measures. His Rising Tide Fang proved too much for those guards, who lacked the ability to use chakra, and they were all severed in half. The arrows coming his way also fell to his attack. He knew how to use their formation to his benefit, nothing less than what's expected of one of the seven swordmen from the mist.

Without wasting time, he would use the momentum to go back to his full speed before the other guards could reach him. But before he could leave the place, he felt the heat coming from behind, as the other guard who had been on his pursuit had also used the same technique to move at his peak, and used a powerful fire release technique. Heading towards, Kobashi, five massive dragon head shaped fireballs approached, covering a large area, thus making it very hard - if not impossible - to avoid it by meaning of dodge; the swordsmen needed to think quickly.

However, Toru could see the man's back, oblivious to the presence of the Mizukage, and focusing on taking down the foe in front of him. However, there was still another smell heading towards Kobashi, but from the east side, still too far to notice Toru, but also out of the Mizukage's reach.

SPOILER: Click to show

Fire user
Specs: Ninjutsu/Bukijutsu
SA:
- Fast hand seals
- Powerful Fire Release
- ?
- ?
- ?

Technique used:
Name: Katon: Gouryuuka no Jutsu [Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique]
Rank: B
Chakra Usage: Medium
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: Katon
HANDSEALS: 7
Description: After performing the necessary hand seals, the user will expel (up to 5) dragon head shaped fireballs from their mouth. Each one is as large as two men put together. They are compact fireballs with the ability to punch through solid walls of concrete and are so hot that even just grazing an opponent will give them first degree burns.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Sourei Kobashi Ren

Toru assessed the situation, Kobashi was getting away but there was one pursuing him from the back summoning a rather large stream of fire - well not truly a stream but nonetheless rather large. But there was something else coming from the east and Toru knew that there wasn't much time to waste.

He formed a hand seal with one hand and summoned a disguised Toru clone, this clone moved immediately with a sword drawn to the one who summoned the fire. He would leap from overhead towards the summoner, the sword ready to stab into the man and hopefully prematurely end the technique or distract him from being able to focus his chakra in a way that would disrupt the technique to allow Kobashi an easier escape.

The *real* Toru was already moving through the shadows towards the east, he kept his nose on the movement and also the proximity until he got a visual - presuming he would get a visual. But he was making sure to not bring attention to himself in his approach each step was as silent as can be but also as quick as could be which definitely compromised some of the silence but in the midst of this battleground silence was hardly the most necessary thing. Toru just needed a visual and an understanding of this individual's intentions first... But he would make sure to strike first.

OWL

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Katon Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [Fire Release Shadow Clone Technique]
CHAKRA USAGE: High
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Katon
DESCRIPTION:
A mix of the elemental cloning techniques and the standard Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, the user creates a clone out of flames, which takes on the exact appearance of the one casting the technique. Because these clones are Shadow Clones, they retain the ability to think, react and perform techniques on their own, with independent chakra systems. When struck however, these clones explode in a large inferno, presumably burning all around it and setting alight anything in the area.

[Sourei Kobashi]

Hearing the screams behind him as he did the about turn told him that his attack against the approaching the guards had landed and the fact that arrows weren't attempting to pierce his Waruichi silk clothing meant that the arrows had thankfully been disrupted enough as well. It seemed his attempt to escape however would not go uncontested, as in short order the fleeing swordsman would also hear the crackling roar of flames behind him. Using the quick rotation(*) technique he gave up his plan of running up the wall and instead held his ground against the flames. While he would have preferred to just send forth several water clones to intercept the flames, he felt there simply was no time to waste sheathing his sword to free his hands. Thankfully he had trained to combat such flames with just his sword, although it was definitely not something he relished having to entrust to be his primary defense when he could so easily just decrease his density to evade or increase it to endure it without injury.

With a quick yell Kobashi raised his sword straight up and brought it down just as the flames were approaching and made use of the Running Current Fang (*) technique. A strong vacuum would be created to either side and directly in front of his swing and Kobashi hoped it would be enough to split the fireball immediately heading for him in half as users of the technique had done in the past; whether splitting the fire immediately approaching him would be enough to prevent any injury remained to be seen. Better though that he escape with some burns than be cremated on the spot though. To stand and face the flames directly would also hopefully derail any hidden follow up attack from the man who used the flames since most would assume the target to try and evade rather than stand their ground against such a technique.

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Ren]

With Kobashi attracting all the head to himself was giving Toru more than enough time and opportunity to assess and address the situation. The opponents were also distracted to his presence, and using that, he would create a clone so he could address both threats at the same time. Tge real Toru would head to the person coming from the east, using his nose to guide him towards the man. The man was masked and carried a sword, from the speed in which he was running, he was definitely using chakra enhancement, and heading towards Kobashi, seeking to flank him while he was distracted with the fire. The man would start waiving some hand seals, but he was still oblivious to Toru's presence.

Meanwhile, Kobashi had quickly turned around to face the fire, which was rather intimidating. Using his Running Current Fang, he managed to split the most central fireball in half, but the extreme heat of it was still an issue, one he couldn't deal with. Kobashi would get some painful first degree burns on the sides of his body, arms and legs, but that was a win, considering what could've happened if he was hit head on by the flames.

As the flames passed by, he would see the man groaning in pain, with Toru's blade piercing through his heart, claiming his life. That scene was enough to break the heart of the rest of the approaching foot soldiers, who stopped their advances and started slowly retreating, leaving the man the real Toru identified as their last threat.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Sourei Kobashi Ren

The din of battle seemed to marginally cease, at least from the sounds of it the heat of the fire was disrupted - which either meant Kobashi was successful, his clone was successful, or a bit of both. It did not matter, as right now the man flanking Kobashi was the main attraction. Toru would not waste any time, especially with the hand seals being thrown around the young Mizukage would come to flank the flanker. In an attempt to disrupt whatever he had planned. So, he moved in quickly, and Toru at his natural speed was quite quick.

Chakra was flowing through his arm as he held onto his sword. His technique would be a neutral attack to not give away their real affiliation but it would be a powerful one to hopefully put the mission to rest.

One step, two steps, and he would push leaping forward, his arm jabbing forward flowing full of chakra. If he timed it correctly, the flanker would receive roughly one hundred thrusts into the side of his body. Though it was possible that this man had a special power that would allow him to prevail in the situation, Toru had not yet met a single individual who could survive one hundred bleeding holes. He hoped it would be enough, or else they would have trouble on their hands, more trouble than they had initially believed.

OWL

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Jōzan Surasuto [Multiplying Thrust]
RANK: A
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:
A fairly simple, yet deadly technique. By flowing chakra to the muscles in their arms the user is temporarily capable of stabbing their weapons with incredible speed, capable of performing roughly a hundred thrusts in just a few seconds. While this can prove deadly to anyone caught within the range of their weapon, it is also limited by that range. Additionally while the user's striking speed is increased, that is the only speed increased. Lastly this technique can only be utilized four times per engagement before the user begins to destroy the muscles in their arm(s).

[Sourei Kobashi]

While Kobashi managed to avoid the worst outcome of the flames directed at him, he did not manage to escape unscathed. Pain erupted on the exposed parts of his arms and legs, with some of cloth being destroyed as well. The swordsman was no rookie, so he gritted his teeth and did his best to ignore the first degree burns he had suffered; at the end of the day he was just happy the burns were not more severe (2nd degree or greater) as such burns would have made it much more difficult to use his muscles and right now his physical capabilities were what he needed to rely on most.

Thankfully, it seemed a counter attack from him would be unnecessary. As the flames were dispersed, the view of his attacker being stabbed in the back filled his vision. It seemed Toru had either failed or wrapped up the job inside and with the death of the fire wielding shinobi, it seemed the morale of the guards had finally shattered.


"We need to leave before reinforcements arrive."


His voice was matter-of-fact and may have came off as slightly annoyed; although this was more so due to the injury that happened seconds ago rather than any actual anger. Before he could say anything further though, Kobashi would hear the attack occurring off to his flank. Kobashi would quickly turn to face the direction of the noise and raise his weapon to a readied stance. With the job presumably finished, it made no sense for Kobashi to rush an unknown threat; no far better for him to remain defensive until he could gauge any would be attacker and remain close to what he believed to be Toru so they could support one another.

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Ren]

Kobashi's experience in the field of battle made him no stranger to pain, and he managed to keep himself focused and ignore most of it, at least for now while the adrenaline was still pumping in his veins; the pain would return much worse later, once he cooled down, should he manage to escape from this place. And noticing the person coming for his flank, Kobashi would turn around and raise his weapon, assuming a more defensive stance so he could react to whatever the man had in stock for him. With this man being their last obstacle, they didn't have to risk themselves any further, they could carefully handle it.

Fortunately for the member of the seven swordsmen, reacting to an attack would not be necessary, for Toru had claimed the life of his attacker using his fearsome Multiplying Thrust technique, and since the man was mostly focused on ending Kobashi, he fell victim to the hungry blade of the Mizukage, which made quick work of himself. With all other threats taken care of, the two of them had successfully completed the mission, and created a route in which they could escape.

It was a hard mission, that was certain, but one they succeeded nonetheless.

---

<sup>Word Count: 209

Mission COMPLETED! Feel free to post another rotation if you want, just wrapping this up.

Kaguya Toru Sourei Kobashi</sup>

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Sourei Kobashi

The enemy was felled, and Toru felt relief. There was still some din, but mostly due to the chaos that they had collectively caused. Nonetheless, the young Mizukage approached Kobashi and motioned vaguely for them to leave the premises. It was best if they did so now before their positions were compromised. That would be ideal in this particular situation.

With Kobashi still standing, Toru did not observe further if he needed medical care, their priority was to make a get-away first. All medical care would come later, and in the case of Kobashi collapsing Toru would be there.

For now he just started to move away from the city and from the palace space itself. With their job completed there was no point in lingering further. Lingering would only put them in danger.

Toru took off at a decent pace, expecting Kobashi to follow after he had motioned for him to come along. It did not take long to end up on the outskirts of the city, and to disappear into the surrounding tropical forests without a trace so that they could return to their homeland safe and sound.

The Mizukage knew, of course, that upon their return his guards would have plenty of things to say to him about him taking on these more dangerous roles all the time. But what was a leader of a nation, if not someone willing to do the dirty work too?

[end]

OWL

[Sourei Kobashi]

Kobashi had been prepared to continue the fight, but in short order Toru had managed to appear behind his opponent and dispatch the enemy's life without much issue. The Mizukage soon after indicated it was time to flee the scene of their battle before any sort of reinforcements showed. Such was a rational and almost obvious decision to make, so naturally Kobashi did not argue it at all; the member of the seven swordsmen simply fell in behind his commander and ran with him through the dark night light.

As they slowly made their way from the estate towards hopeful escape, the pain of Kobashi's wounds quickly began to press on his mind, his body sending constant signals to stop moving and potentially worsening the injuries. Without the adrenaline coursing through his body as it had been during the fight, it was much more difficult to ignore the pain. Ever the professional though, he did at least attempt to keep a straight face and simply gritted his teeth with only the occasional quiet grunt in instances where he landed particularly hard or had to make a particularly large jump across a given gap.

While his battles had not been particularly beautiful things by any means, Kobashi was at least content with his ability to keep from relying on his bloodline, the splash sword he carried or the multiple variations of the hidden mist techniques which all tended to serve as his usual methodology. While the fights may have been a bit desperate or even clumsy at times; having been able to not only survive, but win them without such things gave Kobashi a very odd satisfaction.

About the only thing spoiling that sense of satisfaction, apart from his injuries at least, was the lingering question of what Toru had made of the whole situation. Had he managed to gain some level of trust from the young Mizukage? Was he able to prove he deserved his position on the War Council under the Hanchou or had he done something to gain the young man's ire instead? The questions drifted in and out of Kobashi's mind, but unfortunately the only thing that would bring answers was time itself. . .

[end]

Made by Riley at THQ!