[Uzumaki Ichigoni]

[googlefont=Crimson Text]

くたばれ
The Kamaboko was a fine merchant vessel. It featured a fore and aft mast, and two decks. Beneath the main deck was the crew cabin, and further below was a cargo deck filled with cut lumber. Mizu no Kuni was large enough to house forestry, but many outlying islands were not. That’s where Captain Katsu made his fortunes: everyone needed wood to build docks, ships, and houses. Unfortunately, so did the pirates out there. He was tired of getting bullied out of his profits.

They made connection with the vessel on the open water. The day was windy, and visibility was middling, one could see about a kilometer out before the mists began making things obscured from sight. Overall, the temperature felt tepid and the aid smelled of the sea.

"Welcome aboard!” he’d say to Operations Team 2 as the group boarded from one of the lower decks of Gojira. The flagship of the fleet far dwarfed the two decker, casting a shadow over the deck. Katsu had curly black hair and large bucked teeth. His nose was truly impressive and hung over a set of full lips topped with a chiseled pencil mustache.

"Thank you,” Ichigoni said. He waved to the ensign who saw the group off of the Gojira. The gate closed and he blew a whistle, and the anchor began to lift.

"Huh? It’s not staying with us?” Katsu said.

"Don’t worry. The ship will be sailing ahead of us to deter most traffic away,” he told Katsu. "The people I’ve brought with me will handle any threats you face, easily. I am Uzumaki Ichigoni, admiral of the western fleets that serve the daimyo of Mizu no Kuni.”

Okay, so maybe he did have a bit of an ulterior motive. No pirate was going to attack with their ship very close by, and the Kamaboko was the perfect bait to attract them. He knew they could complete it and potentially take out some more criminals along the way if the Gojira didn’t babysit too close.

He turned himself to face Umidebito, Kasumi, and Mizuki. "Please, introduce yourselves to Captain Katsu.”

🗡️

[Hōzuki Mizuki]

Mizuki followed Ichigoni as the group boarded the Kamaboko, their gaze wandering around the vessel, taking in its structure and the hustle and bustle of the crew preparing for the journey. The wind carried the scent of the sea, filling the air with a familiar salty tang that resonated with Mizuki and the bob of the waves made the ships almost feel like home.

As Captain Katsu warmly welcomed them aboard, Mizuki offered a polite nod and a friendly smile in return. They understood the significance of their presence on this mission to protect the merchant vessel and ensure the safe transport of its valuable cargo. Not only was it was an opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the security of Mizu no Kuni's trade routes, but securely and safely transporting this trade ship would also mean Captain Katsu would bring his lucrative requests for protection back to Kirigakure in the future.

This mission was incredibly lucrative for the village despite the mission’s relatively low risk. Additionally, it was likely that any threat they did manage to run into would be pretty easy for their team to handle, given the relative rank of everyone involved. This would be a grand opportunity for them to get acquainted with their new allies’ skillsets on a relatively safe mission. Despite how serious the mission was, Mizuki's eyes sparkled with a bit of excitement for their first mission with Ops Team 2.

When Ichigoni called Umidebito, Kasumi, and Mizuki to introduce themselves, Mizuki’s attention quickly shifted away from the ship and their surroundings to the conversation being had in front of them. They took the initiative and stepped forward first and addressed Captain Katsu with a respectful and calm demeanor. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain. I’m Mizuki, and I guess I’m here to handle any threats." Relatively uncertain about the etiquette in these situations Mizuki offered a casual salute.

"Pirates definitely won’t be an issue, I promise," Mizuki added, their voice carrying a note of reassurance. The diminutive figure would almost peak over to their fellow team members, acknowledging their presence and almost expectantly waiting for one of them to step forward and introduce themselves. This was a prime opportunity to observe both of them and get acquainted with their personalities, which would help Mizuki get some insight on how they might act on the battlefield.

[Ama Umidebito]

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[attr="class","nameLyrics"]if you're letting go[break]let me go slowly

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[attr="class","nameNotes"]Uzumaki Ichigoni[break]Hōzuki Mizuki

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"Hello Captain Katsu! I’m Ama Umidebito. I happen to be a captain as well. This is a fine vessel you have.” Umi gave a half grin to the Captain of the merchant ship as her own sailed ahead of them. She figured the two of them would probably have a lot in common, if she cared to get to know him. Which she didn’t. [break][break]

In fact, she was much more interested in their newest team member who introduced themselves as Mizuki. They seemed pleasant enough. Kinder than the others in the group anyways but she hadn’t seen them in action yet so it was hard to know for sure. Mizuki seemed adorable now but she’d known many shinobi that were able to mask true ruthlessness behind a fresh face and rosy cheeks. [break][break]

Umi peered out over the water and began feeling for anything that might ping her sensory abilities as a threat or even noteworthy beyond just what she could see visually. Anyone brave enough to attack them in the wake of the military vessel would have to be pretty desperate but she knew her cousin well enough to know he was hoping to draw in some pirates with this merchant ship as bait and she didn’t intend to let them get ambushed or surprised in any way.

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[Kasumi Momochi]

A DEMON HAS PURPOSE

There is only one path left to take.

Kasumi was eyeing her newest teammate as their leader did the talking with the captain. There was a stark difference between this team and her old one, she couldn't help but notice. This one was much... quieter. Tamer. More subtle. The Demon of the Mist didn't exactly feel as though she fit in, but she wasn't in charge of assigning the teams.

The last thing particularly irritating about the team was that she was the only Chuunin. The mere thought made her spit to the side just as she was told to introduce herself to the captain.

"Yo. I'm Momochi Kasumi, and the man is right. You won't have to worry about anything as long as I'm on this ship." She said with a confident nod, flashing a grin full of sharp teeth. Of course, she might have come off as almost eager to interact with the pirates, but she was trying to be reassuring.

Before they boarded, though, her eyes did land on Ichigoni. She had a suspicion that he was intentionally putting distance between this ship and theirs. Perhaps because he also hoped to run into some pirates. Maybe he wasn't as much of a stickler for the rules as she had initially thought.

For now, she would rest her hand on her sword as she waited for the journey to officially start. No use trying to think so much about something so silly.

SPOILER: Click to show

SAs:
Demon Chakra:
Kasumi has become known for her strange chakara form. When in a dire situation, she is capable of releasing her chakra, which in turn takes a strange color unlike the normal blue color of chakra, and takes the form of a demonic cat figure. She is then enveloped in a demon shroud.

This ability grants her a fierce looking aura, that may come off as intimidating and a tenacity to push beyond their normal limits physically- when this mode is activated, Kasumi is harder to knock out or kill and will generally fight for longer than a normal body is capable of.

Keeping this ability active has a low drain on Kasumi's chakara.


Demon sword style:
Since a young age, Kasumi has felt the weight of a sword in her hands. She's practiced combat with swords, and is able to compete with some of the best sword users around. That said, people who lack training with a sword or intensive Taijutsu tend to be overwhelmed by her skill.

Demon chakra pool:
Kasumi was born with higher than average chakara reserves, letting her use more chakara and jutsu without being exhausted. A natural gift from her lineage. She has learned how to properly take advantage of these reserves.

One Handed Demon Style:
Through patience and recklessness, Kasumi has mastered the ability to do jutsu with only one available hand. She can cast jutsu only using one hand for the seals.

Demon Strength:
Through hard work and dedication, Kasumi has trained her body to be strong- even for a shinobi. She has incredible physical strength that is near impossible to match on even footing.

Equipment: Hakushika Kami, Demon's jacket

Jutsu used:

[Uzumaki Ichigoni]

[googlefont=Crimson Text]

くたばれ
"Nice to meet you all,” Katsu said, tipping his maroon tricorne hat towards them. "The lot of you seem a bit timid, save for this she-devil,” he said grinning at Kasumi. "I’ll trust you got more bite than bark though!”

Ichigoni nodded. He still felt out of sorts being elevated to leadership of a team, the presence of his former naval rank before had been enough to keep his crew under wraps when he was a captain. Dealing more with those outside the navy and with civilians meant he’d have to work on his ability to command respect. But he was always more of a doer than a talker.

The Uzumaki began a process of making three hand seals, and dropping a shard of metal from his sleeve on the deck that was roughly the size and shape of a square shuriken sharp edges. Engraved on it was a seal written with a strange formula, a compressed version of a fuinjutsu. He repeated the process about ten times.

"Wha? What is all this?” Katsu demanded.

Ichigoni picked up four of the trigram blades. "Distribute the rest of these among your crew, if we run into any action have them throw them onto the deck of their ship.”

"Huh? Okay then—” the captain said. He pocketed one of them and then started passing them out to the members of his crew. Busying him for the moment.

He then offered each team member one of the chakra shards. It could fit in wherever they might keep their shuriken.

So far, Umidebito wasn’t sensing anything beyond the presence of the crew aboard the Gojira. The ships would continue traveling and get further apart from one another. Ichigoni took a sip from his canteen.

"I still have a few seals to prepare, have you all done everything you need to to prepare for battle? You never know what we might encounter,” he asked the operations team.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Mugoken no Jutsu [Trigram Blade Technique] -> Kinbaku [Bind Tightly] x10
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Hiden | Fūinjutsu
DESCRIPTION:
Using the Uzumaki clan's ability to physically manifest aspect of seals, the user will manipulate the formula for similarly ranked seals into the shape of square trigram kanji, each manifested and launched into the physical world. These square-shaped objects are as hard and sharp as shuriken, and fly through the air just as expertly. At the user's will, these transformed formulas can then revert back to their normal state, now placed on whatever they are in contact with. Damaging these manifested seals is equal to releasing them, unloading what they contain wherever they may be. Even while weaponized, the Uzumaki can still call upon the what resides within his seals.

NAME: Kinbaku [Bind Tightly]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Fūinjutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
After three hand-seals, the user will slap both hands on the ground and summon an intricate spherical seal on the ground, ten meters in diameter, with the user at the epicenter. Anyone or anything standing on the ground within ten meters is then sealed to the ground itself, locking their feet in place. They will be stuck in place until the seal is broken, which can be achieved by destroying the ground it is summoned on. People who were not inside the range can move over the surface of the seal once it's been summoned without any issue.

🗡️

[Hōzuki Mizuki]

Mizuki listened attentively to the introductions and the exchange between Katsu and Ichigoni. As the sole new member of the team, they felt a mix of excitement and a slight sense of timidity. Being the only new member on a team that had been operating together for a while already was a little bit intimidating. They were determined to prove themselves and contribute to the success of the mission, but until something happened they didn’t have much in the way of preparation. Like, she could use her sensory abilities, but based on the look of concentration on Imidebito’s focused expression as she peered over the water probably meant that Umidebito already had that front covered.

"Nice to meet you all as well," Mizuki spoke, offering a polite partial bow towards Kasumi and Umidebito. Their words were soft and polite as the little blob did their best not to make any enemies as soon as the mission started. The fact that they still felt a little out of place probably didn't go unnoticed, but they understood that being the new addition, it was only natural. They smiled warmly at Ichigoni's gesture of handing them the chakra shards, appreciating the trust placed in them as part of the operations team.

Mizuki examined the trigram blade they received, recognizing the potential usefulness of such tools in a potential battle. They securely placed the chakra shard along with their shuriken, making sure it was readily accessible if it was ever needed during the mission. Taking a moment to center themselves, they mentally went through their preparations, ensuring they were ready for whatever challenges they might face.

"Oh yeah, I guess I do have a little prep I can do," Mizuki responded after Ichigoni’s words reminded them. Mizuki utilized their Hydrification technique to have two bubble clones split from their body; at first both clones shimmered like humanoid shaped bubbles, but they quickly took on the physical features of Mizuki. As soon as they were fully formed, the two clones would jump off the ship into the choppy water below and physically merge with the ocean. Their chakra signatures would still be detectable, but they would be invisible to the naked eye. These clones would settle under the ship and act as a deployable trap if an enemy got too close.

Once the clones were deployed under the ship, they’d simply look to their companions and offer their help just in case, "and if you guys need any help setting things up, I don’t really have much else I can do on my own.” Mizuki’s words were still a little soft, because they had felt Kasumi eying them up and down at the start of the mission and honestly they were a little worried that they might be one of those difficult types to deal with, the loud, boisterous, and angry ones.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Mizufūsen Bunshin [Water Balloon Clone]
RANK: B
REQUIREMENTS: High Chakra Control
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Water
DESCRIPTION:

A clone that is created by using the Hydrification Hijutsu of the Hozuki to alter the user's own cells into water. The clones can be as simple in function as a vaguely human shaped bubble for use in the Body Replacement Technique or a completely mobile and sentient clone capable of utilizing any jutsu in the users repertoire. the clones themselves have the ability to travel far from the user and are able to communicate with the original.

Moreover, since the clone has the ability to merge with any existing water source, it is also great for reconnaissance missions. By directly touching the clone with their hand, the user can either absorb the clone back into their body or change the shape of the clone.

Unlike other clone techniques, the Water Balloon Clone doesn't disappear when hit and takes the damage to a certain degree. This makes it the perfect clone technique that makes it nearly impossible to see through. However, the clones are inhibited by the actions of the user, so if they are preoccupied with other tasks the clones will not be able to act to their full potential.

[Kasumi Momochi]

A DEMON HAS PURPOSE

There is only one path left to take.

Kasumi was ready and itching to get the show on the road when the captain asked them if they had anything they needed to do to prepare. He was about to seal away some jutsu, like he had their last mission. Something about it almost felt like cheating, but Kasumi was definitely not above cheating to win at anything. She was rather impatient, though.

She looked to Umi, who seemed deep in focus looking over the waters. She frowned. Then the new body also announced his need to prepare and she gave them a strange look as they created clones to simply jump into the water- wait, did they become part of the water.

"Ah, crap," she grumbled at the sight, glaring at the water, "you're a part of that same clan my old leader was in. Tch. She was wicked strong. I'll have to kick your ass sometime, she owes me."

With the rest of her team doing their preparing, and the threat of impending boredom looming above Kasumi now, she did the only thing she could think of to prepare herself. Stretches. She'd roll her shoulders a few times, pulling on her joints. Bending down to touch her toes for a few seconds.

"Never really thought too much about stretching. Maybe it'll make me fight better. I don't know. Academy instructor always said it'd help. If it doesn't, Asuka is next on my list of asses to kick."

Yeah, Kasumi wasn't really good at waiting quitely especially. She hardly cared much for the concentration that Umi's sensory skills might require or the seals that her captain was making needed. No, she was just worried about her own ability to perform at the moment.

SPOILER: Click to show

SAs:
Demon Chakra:
Kasumi has become known for her strange chakara form. When in a dire situation, she is capable of releasing her chakra, which in turn takes a strange color unlike the normal blue color of chakra, and takes the form of a demonic cat figure. She is then enveloped in a demon shroud.

This ability grants her a fierce looking aura, that may come off as intimidating and a tenacity to push beyond their normal limits physically- when this mode is activated, Kasumi is harder to knock out or kill and will generally fight for longer than a normal body is capable of.

Keeping this ability active has a low drain on Kasumi's chakara.


Demon sword style:
Since a young age, Kasumi has felt the weight of a sword in her hands. She's practiced combat with swords, and is able to compete with some of the best sword users around. That said, people who lack training with a sword or intensive Taijutsu tend to be overwhelmed by her skill.

Demon chakra pool:
Kasumi was born with higher than average chakara reserves, letting her use more chakara and jutsu without being exhausted. A natural gift from her lineage. She has learned how to properly take advantage of these reserves.

One Handed Demon Style:
Through patience and recklessness, Kasumi has mastered the ability to do jutsu with only one available hand. She can cast jutsu only using one hand for the seals.

Demon Strength:
Through hard work and dedication, Kasumi has trained her body to be strong- even for a shinobi. She has incredible physical strength that is near impossible to match on even footing.

Equipment: Hakushika Kami, Demon's jacket

Jutsu used:

[Kaguya Toru]

I would know him in death At the end of the world Kasumi Momochi Hōzuki Mizuki

Once all the preparations were made, the ship would glide silently behind their merchant, their ward. The visibility was quite low with the mist clinging to every bit of mast and bow, it definitely would benefit to be able to see somehow in the mist. If not, then to be very vigilant. Ichigoni had wandered towards the head of the ship to keep a watchful eye - as best he could - to the ship that was moving ahead of them. There was a lot of money that was riding upon this mission, and he would need to see it through.

It was a few hours - enough time for everyone to lull into a sense of calm - before there was shouting that would be heard up ahead and Ichigoni immediately became alert.

"Be prepared for anything!" He called out, their own ship would swerve and at his command drop more sails to speed forward at an angle so as to not hit the merchant ship, but also to get in close in case something bad was happening...

Indeed it was, as they arrived on the scene, a small pirate ship had hooked itself into the merchant's ship and a battle had broken out.

"Board the ship, protect them!" Ichigoni announced motioning for his crew to move in.

OWL

[Hōzuki Mizuki]

At first Mizuki was on high alert, with their clones circling around the merchant ship under the water and them peering out over the waters, but as time ticked by and the fog slowly covered the ocean they ended up sitting on the starboard railing of the merchant ship. At least until something happened they had relaxed and were basically in standby mode.

As Ichigoni's command rang out, however, Mizuki quickly sprang into action on the merchant ship. The sneaky pirates had used the fog and a smaller ship to get close to the merchant ship, hidden from view. The sense of anticipation had grown as the ship sailed through the misty waters, and now the moment they had prepared for had arrived.

With a swift, fluid motion, Mizuki would draw their sword and cut the rope that attached the pirate ship to the merchant vessel, this would hopefully make it more difficult for more pirates to safely board. Despite cutting the rope, a handful of pirates had already made it onto the merchant ship, and a fierce confrontation was about to be underway. Mizuki would stand between the pirates that were boarding and the merchants that were on the ship behind them.

Additionally the two water balloon clones that Mizuki had merged into the ocean below would jump out of the water and onto the pirate ship. These two clones would draw their own blades. Given the fact that Mizuki would likely be preoccupied with the pirates that had already boarded the ship they wouldn’t be able to act at their full potential, but they’d still be a massive nuisance for any pirates that wanted to get past them to join their buddies on the merchant ship.

Mizuki called out their intent so that their team could adjust, "I'll focus on making sure they don't get too deep onto the ship!" Normally they wouldn't shout, but out on the ocean it was important to project your voice over the sound of the waves. They would focus on cutting down any pirate that tried to pass them and keep the pirates on the edge of the ship where they couldn’t do much harm. Unless one of the pirates were well versed in lightning jutsu it wasn’t like they could really do much to Mizuki in the grand scheme of things anyways.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Mizufūsen Bunshin [Water Balloon Clone]
RANK: B
REQUIREMENTS: High Chakra Control
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Water
DESCRIPTION:

A clone that is created by using the Hydrification Hijutsu of the Hozuki to alter the user's own cells into water. The clones can be as simple in function as a vaguely human shaped bubble for use in the Body Replacement Technique or a completely mobile and sentient clone capable of utilizing any jutsu in the users repertoire. the clones themselves have the ability to travel far from the user and are able to communicate with the original.

Moreover, since the clone has the ability to merge with any existing water source, it is also great for reconnaissance missions. By directly touching the clone with their hand, the user can either absorb the clone back into their body or change the shape of the clone.

Unlike other clone techniques, the Water Balloon Clone doesn't disappear when hit and takes the damage to a certain degree. This makes it the perfect clone technique that makes it nearly impossible to see through. However, the clones are inhibited by the actions of the user, so if they are preoccupied with other tasks the clones will not be able to act to their full potential.