[Hozuki Kamui]

Kamui fought the urge to doze off for the nth time, sun shining annoyingly in his eyes as he startled back to an upright stance. The seas were relatively calm on this day, but the Hozuki was in an unfamiliar position. He was in the crow's nest, that was normal, but he was currently sharing it with his relatively recently acquired ward? Prisoner? Mildly irritating responsibility.

Kamui had been training the genin in question for a month or two now and she had grasped the basics fairly well, but now it was time to really test her mettle in the field. Of course, it wasn't like she had done field work as a shinobi before, but this was the first time she was on an actual mission where she was to be given some true responsibility. And of course it was Kamui's job to make sure Ikana did well and didn't die.

The Hozuki brought his attention back to Ikana to see how she was doing. Nothing interesting had happened in the severals hours they had been at see today, but it was still important for her to keep her eyes on the horizon for any unmarked ships.

"Hrm... make sure you're not locking your vision on one spot for too long... keep those eyes moving..."

It was half-hearted reminder on Kamui's part, knowing full well that there was a non-zero chance that there wouldn't be anything to see for the rest of the day.

SPOILER: Click to show

Mission Details: fallenblades.proboards.com/thread/17941/suiryu-butai-kirigakure-mission-board

LAND LUBBER
MISSION RANK: C
NPC REQUIREMENT: N/A
PARTICIPANTS: Hozuki Kamui, Miyamoto Ikana
DESCRIPTION:
You have been charged with caring for a new recruit. Take care of them as your ship patrols our sea borders. Remember, any trespassers should be swiftly dealt with. Be sure the recruit does not die during any altercations if any come to pass.

[Miyamoto Ikana]

When Ikana was summoned, or rather called to service, she had seemed much like she was when they first met. She seemed withdrawn, firmly numb, and she talked as little a possible. The bare minimum nowadays. When she was brought to this mission, this wasn't the first mission she'd ever done, but it was definitely the first mission she was doing with another person. Her first mission was to produce arms and weapons for the village. Now, she was here seemingly more so on a patrol mission. Ikana frankly proceeded to do little more than raise her hands in a few short seals.

"Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu." Utilizing her chakra, she called forth two watery duplicates of herself, forming from some buckets of water. They seemed almost robotic like, tired, and dead eyed, much like Ikana was. "I'm going to rest." It was all she said really as she made her way down below deck. She'd let her clones take care of the grunt labor, and she was sure that Kamui couldn't complain about the method she was using. After all, he seemed to be the, "All work and no play makes Kamui a dull boy" sort of approach man. Besides, it likely didn't take much effort for him to realize that Ikana's view on life sucked.

Her clones remained firmly on deck, patrolling around, doing Ikana's job for her. Frankly, she would have began sending Shadow Clones to attend these patrol sessions, if she wasn't a hundred percent sure there couldn't be some dumb accident or something that might disperse them. Lately, Ikana was tired, seemingly all the time. Sleep was welcome for her, because it allowed her to fade into a period where she didn't need to really think or feel anything. She only lived for two things now really. Training for her self improvement, and then work. It was a numbing and dull experience.

[Hozuki Kamui]

Kamui didn't particularly care that Ikana was using water clones to get grunt work done, but he knew for certain that the captain wouldn't take too kindly to their new recruit not using their own two eyes for the all important task of keeping a lookout from the crow's nest. And of course because the girl was his responsibility, he knew that both of them would receive a chewing out should something go awry.

The Hozuki would make sure that Ikana was in the crow's nest with him, by force if it became necessary. He flagged down the original genin as quickly as possible, first attempting the 'diplomatic approach.'

"Rest time is at night! Right now you're training to be a proper member of the Suiryu Ryodan, and that means mindlessly staring out on the horizon till ya spot something. Which means get outta bed and get your ass back into that crow's nest! Weren't you the one blubbering when you first got stuck with this gig about your career being ruined? Well it sure ain't gonna be improved by you sleeping around on the job."

Kamui crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently as he tried to get her above deck with his harsh words. The longer they stayed below deck, the greater the chance it was that they would miss something, despite how uneventful the day had been so far.

[Miyamoto Ikana]

Confronted with Kamui looking to harass her into joining him in the crow's nest, she would proceed to momentarily tilt her head sideways when he mentioned that the job of staring out across the sea was part of their duties. "Why bother?...Nobody cares about me anyways." She would voice out to the Hozuki, pointing out the futility of putting in effort into doing the job. When she looked at him and heard his harsh tone and generally impatient look, she proceeded to gaze at the kelphead firmly. It was very evident that he wasn't going to let her rest, or there was any convincing of him.

She rose from her hammock, shifting to the side as she made her way up the stairs of the ship. With it, she'd proceed to make her way to the crow's nest, but when up there, she'd essentially do little more than lean on the side, looking out absentmindedly to the ocean. She had no enthusiasm, or liveliness, or even any drive anymore. She only felt the need to do the bare minimum. "You do realize that as soon as my year's over, I'm going to quit and go to another division right? Don't you? You're right. My career's ruined. And it's not going to get better, so why should I bother?"

"This ship sucks, this job sucks, you suck, my life sucks." She said it emotionlessly, as if she was just dead inside and had little feeling to it anymore. "...I don't even know why I'm bothering to talk to you. You don't care anyways." Ikana's attitude if it was shitty before, went from bad to worse. Then again, perhaps it was some sort of small miracle that she was considered "okay" even for this long. Turning to look Kamui momentarily in the face, her head just dips and looks toward the deck again. Afterwards, she turns again to stare at the sea.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Miyamoto Ikana

It seemed that the captain heard the complaining, a fairly muscular male who did not take to complaining well.

"If it sucks so bad, why don't you quit your job as a shinobi? Perhaps go to prison? I heard the prison treats its guests wonderfully." He grumbled, stepping around Kamui and sending him back to the crow's nest.

"Shinobi life sucks, we're soldiers. Meant to defend our nation. You have a problem with that, perhaps you should look at a new career path, hm?" The man looked Ikana up and down. She was small, she could probably be a little merchant's fishing assistant or something. They took teenagers like her without a shadow of a doubt.

"Now, I don't know if it's hormones, or you're just being a whiny little girl. But I don't care. You can do your job, or jump off the ship and drown. The mission report will adequately denote your loss." It was clear that on a ship there would be no whining. If Ikana wanted to receive any kind of respect or recognition she would have to prove she was worth it.

And just on cue the man looked up there was a ship coming their way.

"Excellent. Your first inspection off the starboard bow." He pointed towards the ship itself and barked orders immediately to intercept it.

The ship would stop, it was much smaller than their ship.

"Go on, go inspect them." He waved his hand.

OWL

[Miyamoto Ikana]

"Last I checked. Captain. A person doesn't have to enjoy their job to do it efficiently." She didn't bother saying much else as she found herself swiftly further despising this oceanic hellhole. When was the last time Kirigakure defended itself from a conflict that wasn't internal? She found herself shutting her mouth and looking to the ship in question. Given the order to give it an inspection. Adjusting her forehead protector, she began her approach. As the gangplank was laid out, she called her two earlier made water clones to come with her. First making the general spiel. At least, as far as she was concerned.

"You find in the waters belonging to Kirigakure no Sato. This is an inspection of your crew and cargo. You may not pass until we have deemed you clear of any and all contraband and deem you fit to enter. From what country does this vessel hail?" Usually there might be a flag for such designation. Regardless. The young ten year old deemed it fit to keep her senses sharp. Regardless of the situation. Letting one clone walk in front of her, one remaining on top deck. The young Ikana herself inspected the ship very thoroughly. She assumed immediately based off the smaller size that it could pass as a merchant vessel of some sort. Fishing vessel. Some sort of transport. Regardless. She was mindful of the situation, and with more bodies, it wasn't difficult to get a swifter look.

They looked for anything out of the norm. Loose planks, the contents of the cargo including searching underneath the surface of the goods. She was a cynical and hardy person, and she would rather give people a hard time in the searches than let something flip and get chastised. Whatever the case. There was only so much that she had to do. Though she wasn't afraid to take her time in looking. After all. If not doing this, it was mostly boring labor. Menial, unimportant, and something she didn't find any value in. She also observed the crew for any evidently clear signs of illness, disease, or anything along that line also. Contagion was just as dangerous as anything else, and she was meticulous nowadays in looking for details.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Miyamoto Ikana

The captain rolled his eyes at the girl's response, it was a surprise that she had not been put out of her career path already and given a second chance with that mouth.

"Teenagers..." He grumbled unceremoniously to himself, arms folding across broad chest as she at least went to do as she was told. That was to inspect the ship that was being intercepted by them. He had a feeling she could probably handle it on her own, but of course the entire ship was present with baited breath on whether they would have to fight or not. Usually it was no fight at all, no sweat, USUALLY everyone had the right paperwork if they were coming around this close to the islands. But, one could never be certain.

"Tea Country!" The Captain of the other ship announced, and of course they were beset upon immediately. Suiryu Ryodan started to inspect the ship alongside Ikana, they were quite serious and the Captain himself boarded the ship to speak to the other Captain and look over the ship's manifest and all legal paperwork that would require them to be able to pass.

It was a solid hour of work, hard work, but in the end the Captain would tip his hat and allow them to pass.

"Business as usual," The Captain murmured to himself, just in time for a large spear to suddenly hit the deck of the ship and a groan to escape the Captain. Another ship had snuck up close while they had been checking the merchant one.

"To battle!" Captain called looking towards Ikana. "Don't die, kid." And off they went, the ship turning to ram itself into the attacking ship so that they could board and properly attack.

Once this happened though, the other ship responded in kind and Ikana would find herself surrounded by a bunch of bandits brandishing swords.

OWL

[Miyamoto Ikana]

The world seemed to shift dramatically. As one moment, it was a boring day. The next moment, it was a sudden brandish of blades, gangplanks, and pirates. If not bandits. The best attention she got here was, "don't die." Words to live by. She found that she herself was surrounded. A lesser child might have been afraid. Terrified. Perhaps anxious or nervous at the prospect of men that sought to kill them. Instead? Ikana herself found herself looking indifferent. She'd never been in a live combat situation such as this one. Where men looked to kill. Instead of being afraid however, she proceeded to have her water clones fade inwards. 

Each grasping a Kunai from her pouch, clenching them tightly, as Ikana herself looked out towards the potential threats. With her and her clones standing back to back, they were surrounded yes, but not as likely to be flanked. Before the water clones broke out, dashing towards the bandits in question with their knives. As Ikana herself drew her own Wakizashi. A small blade, only about a foot long in length, Her eyes shadowed over, as she keeps her stance tight and low. Making herself seem even smaller than she already was. A deep exhale. What a lovely day it was to fight. How long had it been since she'd had a moment like this? Not since Chunin Exam.

Something was there for Ikana. As she clenched her blade's handle tightly within her grasp. Though she didn't really realize it yet. 

SPOILER: Click to show

The Water Clones are carrying kunai with explosive tags wrapped around them in their grip. What a lovely day.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Miyamoto Ikana

The crew and the captain were fighting off the pirate ship, it did not seem to have a particularly powerful crew though the captain *did* find the other captain and they were swashbuckling to their hearts content. Each attempting to ferociously best the other, of course the captain could use jutsu, but he found the practice to be absolutely no fun in a situation where a sword and his wit could do the trick so there he was exchanging blows back and forth. Though the cutlass was thicker than his katana, which was posing an issue in some regard.

In Ikana's case, she put herself back to back with a clone or two (number unspecified) to avoid being flanked, but the men that had surrounded her didn't care and lunged towards her with their swords. They didn't notice the explosive tags, but setting those off would not only kill Ikana, but also blow up they very ship that she was relying on to get back home, along with the rest of the crew. It wouldn't be a good idea - at least most likely.

Regardless, one of the clones broke off and went towards one of the surrounding men, who was shoving his sword forward, and then slashing it to try and kill Ikana... or the clone, he couldn't really tell which currently.

OWL

[Miyamoto Ikana]

Frankly? Ikana was far from being incredibly strong. After all. She was a kid. Men like these could literally grab her and hurl her into the deck of the ship with a good grapple. However, what she did have in comparison was a wiriness and speedy movement that was well honed. As one of the clones was confronted with an assumable [cutlass] swinging man, shoving the blade forward, it would attempt to use the wetness of the freshly swabbed deck to slide, ducking low, and using the momentum of their body to thrust their kunai knife upwards. Straight for the bandit's groin. Looking to dig it sharply inwards with a thrust and twist. Ripping into the man's sack.

The tags weren't really meant for the men aboard the ship at the moment, as she did half consider blowing up the enemy vessel. Or at least doing damage to it. However, the opportunity to do so, might be seen later on. The other clone looking to help the other clone in question for the momentary, leaping into the air to kick the bandit in the face with a high jump kick. However, for Ikana herself? The real Ikana? As men came looking to slay her? She clenched her blade tightly in her left hand, and with it, dashes forward. A coating of chakra extending over her blade as it extends its reach, and its sharpness. Looking to sidestep, and slash upwards for the armpit, a clean and decisive slash.

Before stepping closer inwards, and aiming a horizontal slash for the bandit's chest. Looking to cleave through him and his chest like butter. Dragging her glowing blade through him, feeling the tension and resistance of every muscle, as she dragged it through, using his bigger frame to guard her. Before then swinging outward in a crescent. Looking to rip through multiple men at once with her bloodied blade. She'd tested it before. With this blade, she could cut through pillars of stone. Solid marble. It was here she didn't seem to recognize. This was the first time she'd ever killed someone before. She was in the moment.

It was different from the Chunin Exams in a way. There, they were a bunch of children, fighting, looking to progress in their career. Here though? She didn't notice the rush, that feeling when she saw the blood dripping from the blade. She didn't notice the rush, or the heat rush to her cheeks. This was what it was like to be powerful. To be alive! Wasn't it? She stopped for a moment, as fighting broke out, and with it, she slowly raises her right hand to her cheek. Attempting to hide that feeling, as she stepped closer. Though she couldn't help that lovely smile rising from her lips. Just a slight raise of the lips, like a young child might in school. Just having a good day. It was here Ikana realized something.

She wanted to kill them all. More so. She wanted to make them suffer. Horribly, and terribly. 

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Saaberu no Jutsu - [Sabre Technique]

RANK: B

CHAKRA USAGE: Medium

CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu

ELEMENT: N/a

DESCRIPTION:

Employing the use of chakra flow, the user runs chakra through their swords, extending both the reach and cutting ability of the blade while allowing the user to fire crescents of chakra whenever the blade is swung on command. This released chakra is capable of great destruction as these projectiles are capable of completely penetrating large stone pillars and still travel in their intended direction.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Miyamoto Ikana

Despite the swabbed deck there was not a great deal of true wetness on the deck as the wood seemed to suck up moisture easily - and why wouldn't it, it was a ship for the sea after all - making her sliding a bit haphazard, stopping her half way between getting out from under the man's legs and just underneath and between them. It was an awkward position to be in, especially since she was stabbing. This was successful, though the man howled in pain and started to try to stomp her in his pain and sudden tizzy. Stomp, not stab because he wasn't thinking straight.

For obvious reasons.

The other bandits as all chaos broke loose didn't seem to fully fall for all her tricks. The slash to the armpit was painful, but it did not fully kill the man who simply switched arms and in his blood lust ran at the girl once more with a more decisive attempt to stab her while she was in fact distracted and just kind of standing there doing nothing it seemed? Why was she smiling? Stupid girl!

It definitely enraged the one bandit. Though, she was at least successful in killing one bandit off, with a deep cut to his chest.

OWL

[Miyamoto Ikana]

She was stupid. Well, in a way for sure. Though. To be fair? If a stupid person got to slide, as well as slam a kunai knife into your scrotum? At the end of the day, you weren't going to be laughing at the stupidity. Ikana felt somewhat liberated at the momentary, able to pursue combat for what it really was. It felt like a sort of rush like intoxication. The clone when stomped on was keen to ensure it twisted the blade as deeply as it could, ensuring that removing the blade itself or even walking might prove to be a difficult venture. Before it was gone with a poof. In which the second clone was keen to come with a flying kick to the stomper's face.

One might question why in the world she was smiling, if even momentarily? Well. Because the very moment another came to oppress her, or choose her for an opponent, all it took was a swing of her blade to launch forth a crescent of chakra with a decisive swing from any direction. A sharp crescent of which could quite easily slash through a person, bisect them, and continue its line of travel. Though. First. She had to deal with the current wounded assaulter. One that swapped hands with his blade and looked to slash down upon her. Ikana was keen to attempt to sidestep, or duck whilst leaning her body to a side. Disabling the use of one of the bandit's arms would allow predicting his line of attack to be read easier.

Before using her swift speed to chop down with her chakra infused blade down along the man's opposite arm, looking to potentially cut it off with its enhanced sharpness, or if not that, certainly slash through flesh and bone with her downward slash. Afterwards, she'd seek to pivot through the motion and slash the bandit's right leg as well, looking to sever tendons and muscles, to make the man drop to the floor. If not outright onto the ground, then onto his knee. Assuming she was not interrupted? She'd look to finish it. With the second and final rotation, she'd swing her arms, and look to send the bandit's head sliding off his shoulders, letting the corpse fall to the floor, and to let blood spray out.

She was more or less dedicated to kill, and kill quite brutally, and painfully if she could afford.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Saaberu no Jutsu - [Sabre Technique]



RANK: B



CHAKRA USAGE: Medium



CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu



ELEMENT: N/a



DESCRIPTION:



Employing the use of chakra flow, the user runs chakra through their swords, extending both the reach and cutting ability of the blade while allowing the user to fire crescents of chakra whenever the blade is swung on command. This released chakra is capable of great destruction as these projectiles are capable of completely penetrating large stone pillars and still travel in their intended direction.

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Miyamoto Ikana

The clone was successful in kicking the hurt man's face, he stumbled backwards, until he hit the side of the ship and fell overboard into the water below.

Indeed, the rest of Ikana's attacks seemed to be successful. She was, after all, quite a bit more trained in combat than most of these simple bandits who were just fighting with swords and no jutsu. They knew how to swing a sword, but they were not really much faster than the girl who was trained. The sabre technique definitely was extremely decisive on plowing through multiple enemies in the area. And with the final enemy downed it seemed that the rest of the bandits were losing a lot of steam and those that had not lost steam were losing a great deal of their will to fight and were either jumping overboard or trying to get back to their ship.

The Captain was chasing after them at this point, and weaving hand seals, he was prepared to set their ship fully on fire with one big blast of Katon - which he did. This was mostly to seal the deal and complete the intent of their mission and why they were out here.

"Stay away from Mizu no Kuni you beasts!" He snarled.

OWL

[Miyamoto Ikana]

What was the blood of a few pirates at the end of things no? She found herself ripping through with her glowing blade, extending its otherwise short reach, and to terrifying sharp efficiency. However, for some reason as she continued to fight, losing herself in the blood and spilled stains, it became less of a thrill as she began to move more on instinct. That was, until the captain sought to light their ship ablaze. Watching as a ball of fire roasted along them, Ikana would swing with her blade once more to destroy the gangplanks they used to board. This was her small taste of excitement.

Killing. What it meant to be a warrior. Overall, she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel fulfilled. She got to lash out at something and feel actually powerful instead of beaten down, as if the skills she'd been learning actually meant something. That was a wonderful experience. She wasn't sitting in a room making explosive seals by the hundreds. She wasn't needing to be remorseful about her very existence and questioning if she should be alive or not. She didn't need to lose herself in the monotony, and it was here that there was a wonderment. She looked to the bodies that lay across the deck, and with it, she kept her eyes open all about her, as if looking for another foe. A straggler.

Up until she realized it was over. Flicking her blade to the side, she lets a small bit of blood spill out, and she'd wipe the blade itself on the back of one of her fallen foes, before then sheathing it in the scabbard. It seemed she had a hell of a lot more cleanup to do now didn't she? Likely bodies to hurl into the ocean too. Perfect. Absolutely wonderful wasn't it? Was it really over that fast? "...Is everyone alright?" She found herself asking, looking out to the people about them. 

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Miyamoto Ikana

The few individuals in ear shot of Ikana who were allies gave a short wave to show that they were in fact alive and well. It seemed that there was only casualty and it had been the ship cat. Alas, this was normal on such ship battles. They would have to simply dock and find another to keep the rats away as was customary.

The Captain walked over to Ikana and gave her a quick - overly macho - pat on the back with a small smirk and a shine of contentment in his gaze.

"Nice job. We will stay out here for one more night and then return to shore to restock on supplies!"

With Ikana as the recruit all well and safe, and the ship safe as well. All they had to do was continue floating along in the sea, though everyone was soon commanded to clean up the deck - including Ikana - to get rid of the dead bodies.

Once that was done there was a lot of swabbing the deck to get rid of the blood. But, that was the end of the mission and it was a job well done it seemed. Ikana would live to fight another day, and live to learn something new.

[end]

OWL