[Fuu Kazama]

❝

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

❞

Fuu was on her way now to a new destination this one being Kusagakure but this time not on foot, she was riding in the back of a wagon having hitched a ride from a friendly trader who was already on his way to the location in the first place.

As she rode in the back of the wagon she'd be able to get a good look at her surroundings while giving her tired feet a rest she'd travel to several different countries in the past few months, and boy were her feet tired. The deserts of Kaze no Kuni for one along with several other smaller nations as well. In the back she looks over at her map as she sits her legs crossed doing her best not to fall asleep. "Are you comfortable back there Miss." she'd look back towards him.

"I am thank you sir!"the girl would reply as she put her map away and pulled her trusty booklet "The Pathfinders guide to Combat." she'd been still attempting to work on a few techniques based off of the teachings inside of her little notebook and had a lot of time to work on it whilst she was riding in the back.

However as they made their way along the road they'd come across another passenger who seemed to be along the road on his own who was offered the same courtesy, she'd turn her head out the window and look towards the man he seemed a bit dishelved in terms of appearance but quite eager once he saw them pass by the looks of it. Perhaps he was looking for a few Ryo to get him through his day or maybe he needed a ride as well only time would tell.

283 WORDS ● TAGGED ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Kyodai Utsuwa]

The other passenger cut an odd figure, being extremely short and slight, yet bearing a tengai-gasa that was almost the size of their torso. The basket-like hat concealed their features well, as did the fact that their dark brown kimono was clearly a size or two too large, causing their hands to disappear into the sleeves. Their feet were visible, at least - dirty and worn from walking cross country barefoot, yet the nails were carefully maintained, each ending in a triangular point.

Other than that, and the mess of long black hair peeking out from beneath the tengai-gasa, the only truly notable thing about their appearance was the iron amulet hanging from their neck - a circle containing a triangle. A grim omen to some, and meaningless to many.

"Thy generosity is appreciated, unbeliever," Utsuwa said as they alighted the wagon, voice warm and earnest despite the hostile epithet. "I shall offer a prayer for thee and thine, that thy travails may yet bring thee into Jashin-sama's obviating embrace." The tengai-gasa dipped in what may have been a shallow bow, Utsuwa sat opposite their fellow passenger, pale features and wide red eyes vaguely visible through the grille of the concealing hat. They blinked, appraising the young woman. What pain did that youthful visage conceal? How much torture could that mind, that body, endure, before she craved Jashin's embrace?

"Well met," The warmth and smile remained in their tone, betraying no killing or malicious intent. "Heathen or faithful, unbeliever or ignorant, I offer thee freely the blessings of mine god." They brushed pointed fingernails over the symbol hanging from their neck. "Pray, forgive my impropriety, but to whence art thee bound? 'Twould seem the Shinobi art well concealed indeed, as I hath had little and less success in this pilgrimage. 'Hidden in the grass,' indeed." Their speech was fluent and rapid, the antiquated vocabulary and grammar clearly extremely familiar to them.

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

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

❞

As Fuu stayed in the back of the wagon the driver of the wagon would come to a stop the rhythmic rocking causing her to wonder why this may have happened as such the girl would pop her head out of the wagon and overhear the sounds of a conversation out front. The manner in which he spoke was strange but also familiar.

After a moment he'd make his way into the back of the cart with her and she'd offer a friendly wave as he spoke, with that she'd go back to reading her book currently reading the pathfinders guide to combat Chapter 11: "Jashinism is no Joke" just as she did so he would then offer her what sounded like an offer of prayer. "Oh thank you...I think." religion was something of an unexplored territory to her, the only gospel she needed was the word of nature, as she'd go back to her book he would make another statement that she couldn't quite make out just what was he trying to say.

"Umm, I'm heading to the village hidden in the grass! I've been sent there to get aid for my organization." and that was all she would say on the matter for now, the girl had her scarf tucked away inside of her bag showing who her allegiances were truly for, something that was for their eyes only. After the debacle in Takigakure she figured it'd be a good idea to play things on the safe side for the time being.

254 WORDS ● Kyodai Utsuwa ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Kyodai Utsuwa]

Though their face remained largely hidden inside their tengai-gasa, it was clear that Utsuwa was listening intently. Their small frame leaning closer as time passed, not paying heed to the swaying of the cart.

There was a certain tenseness, an excitement in their body language. It was rare for a traveler to offer thanks to them. Rarer still for one to be so apparently receptive of one of Jashin-sama's blessings. They did not want to resort to violence, as they did want to be put on the correct path to this village, to see one of these hearts of blasphemy with their own eyes. To see what drove them so far from the embrace of their god.

"'Twould appear that we share the selfsame destination. Anon shalt we depart from another, yet providence hath brought thee unto me," Utsuwa said cheerily. They had shifted quite a bit closer now. Not quote within arm's reach, at least not for their short limbs, but it was clear that they were getting closer. "Thou seem'st willing to receive a blessing. Pray, but extend thy hand, and I shall grant unto thee the first of the bounty Jashin-sama hath stored up for thee." Utsuwa offered a pale hand forward, palm up and open. Their hands were empty, though the fingernails filed to sharp points would not be missed from this distance. "Pray tell, traveler. What experience art all those aware of their own breath bound to?"

They waited patiently, inviting the traveler to extend their hand. A small blessing, to begin with. The larger ones could wait until the first lesson was taught and understood.

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

A Jashinist! Oh no!Why does this always happen to me!

❞

As Fuu stayed in the cart beside the man seemed to be pleased that the two of them were going to the same place, which was a good thing she supposed he seemed friendly enough even if he did talk somewhat funny, but there was something about this man that seemed strangely familiar, she wasn't too sure what but it was somewhat offputting but she had no reason to assume he was up to any real wrongdoing.

He stated that she was willing to receive a blessing from the young man she was listening up until he had mentioned the word "Jashin-sama." as the girl looked over the pathfinders guide to combat her eyes locked on the title of the page as the word rang in her head.

The last words she read in the pathfinders guide to combat stating "It is told that Jashinists are capable of unspeakable horrors to the human body if given the chance if you see one avoid all contact." the girl would gulp as he kept out his hand and she's shut her small book rather quickly. "Umm...No thank you I'm not really religious more of an agnostic." she'd say with nervous laughter as she leaned her head out one side of the cart.

"How far away from Kusagakure...someone get this psychopath away from me....!" the girl would think internally screaming, the pathfinder would never lie to her and if says a Jashinist is bad news then they were bad news. After a moment she'd bring herself back inside of the wagon they still seemed to be far away from their destination, but up ahead however she would notice something was that another caravan stuck in the road?

282 WORDS ● Kyodai Utsuwa ● NOTES

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[Kyodai Utsuwa]

Utsuwa's face fell behind their hat. It would seem that they were incorrect: she was not willing to receive a blessing. The frown soon faded back into a smile, however. If it was not their hand that would deliver Jashin's blessings, then it would be another. Hopefully fate would deliver enough agony to drive her into Jashin's embrace.

"A pity, but 'tis thy right. Yet all shall drink deep of Jashin-sama's blessings ere long," Utsuwa lowered their hands, placing their hands upon their lap. Their question went ignored, but Utsuwa would answer it regardless. "The experience that binds we mortals together is suffering. From the greatest kings to the most base of beggars, all will know pain, loss, grief, regret. We devoted art bound to deliver unto thee heathen deliverance from all pain, as we hath been delivered," Utsuwa pontificated, ignorant of the fact that it was likely their erstwhile companion was not listening.

It seemed her attention was drawn to the road, where another wagon appeared to be blocking the road. Utsuwa leaned out to look for themselves, and curiosity built, but not understanding. Something about this situation promised suffering. For whom, Utsuwa could not say. But there would be suffering this day.

Their own wagon drew to a halt, an overturned cart and cargo blocking the path forward. As the driver considered whether to try to clear the way, or take their wagon off-road around it, there was movement on the perimeter. Previously hidden behind grassy knolls, a half-dozen men and women arose to stand on the ridge. They each bore bared weapons - swords, spears, crossbows, even a tetsubō. The musclebound and scarred tough with the two-handed club hoisted it over his shoulder, and called out to the three inside the wagon.

"Having a spot of trouble?" There was a sneering, mocking tone to his words. "Well, we'd be happy to help you along your way. You know... if we're properly compensated." There was a ripple of snickering amongst the other thugs.

Utsuwa looked to their wary companion.
"'Twould appear we hath aroused the attention of knaves. I hath no means to soothe their avarice, save for blessing them." They reached up into their tengai-gasa, to undo the strap holding it in placed, then placed it on the wagon. Their pale skin, and wide red eyes turned back to the blonde traveler. "What wilt thou do?"

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

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

❞

As the man had made a statement to the man it would seem that they took a step back from their initial intentions but he still seemed to have more to say, a proselytization it would seem a manner to spread his religion stating that everything that binded people together was "suffering."

She wasn't entirely too sure how to feel about such a statement if she had thought about it more perhaps there some was some logic to it but it wasn't something she wanted to fully engage in especially considering just what it was that they were capable of from what she understood based on the pathfinders information as listed in the guidebook.

However before she had a chance to say anything it would seem there was something blocking their path, Fuu would move her head outside and take a look at everything and saw an overturned cart something about this felt rather familiar to the young woman, she would overhear the man make a statement in regards to them having some trouble his tone seemingly a mocking tone. The driver of the wagon would look towards the duo. "We're doing just fine sir...leave us be....and I've no compensation to spare." his voice was venomous he wouldn't be tiffed and Fuu understood the situation.

As Utsuwa spoke to them Fuu herself would make her way out of the cart and her body would begin to transform from its usual state to her monstorous Onigo form giving her skin a pale yellow skintone changing her hair from yellow to blue which matched the color of her eyes and would craft a series of handseals. "You need to leave...now..." her voice also matched the venom of the men in question and was ready to fight if she needed too.

SPOILER: Click to show

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.

298 WORDS ● Kyodai Utsuwa ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Kyodai Utsuwa]

Utsuwa impassively watched the exchange, rising as their companion did. They didn't much care if the highwaymen wanted their possessions - as long as they were not divested of their medallion or scriptures, of course - not if they preyed upon others. They would sow pain and suffering as they did. And yet... they were in need of a sharp reminder of pain, themselves, weren't they? Something to drive them to Jashin's embrace. The traveler too.

And they revealed herself as not just an unbeliever, but a blasphemer. They watched in fascination as her hair changed color. It seemed there was no end to the profane deeds these sinners were capable of.

"I'm sure you can find some compensation. If you tried hard enough. Don't gotta be coin." There was some more snickering, but the air had become tense. It was natural. Those gripped by suffering would attempt to soothe their anguish. Whether through avarice, lust, wrath, or gluttony.
"Looks like one of those shinobi, boss. Maybe we should-" The man on his right piped up, to be silenced by a glare from the tetsubō wielding tough.
"There are six of us and three of you. Well, two and a half." The wagon driver looked nervously between the highwayman and the transforming girl, and swallowed noisily. It seemed he was much closer to considering flight over fighting. The diminutive monk stood by the possible shinobi, red eyes wide as they surveyed the scene. Four of the highwaymen, brandishing melee weapons stalked closer, but cautiously. The remaining two raised crossbows, one drawing a bead on Fuu, and the other on the wagon driver. The driver yelped in fear, and slowly raised his hands.

"Play this smart. Nobody's gotta be hurt," The leader of the bandits was not intimidated, evidently, by the transformative display. Not when he had a hostage at crossbow point.
"A thinly veiled threat, ye knave. 'Tis of no moment whosoever amongst the heathen suffereth. Jashin-sama offers to thee suff'ring and release from suff'ring both." The leader blinked in confusion.
"You got a translation for your friend, little girl? Almost sounds like..." He squinted. "He? She? Whatever. Are threatening us. And that's not smart. Even if you're some big shot ninja or whatever, do you really want these folks' blood on your hands?"

Utsuwa grinned, and turned to the threatening traveler.
"Do as thou wilt. Every answer draws thee thence, unto suff'ring." Their voice was low, barely above a whisper. They were curious to see how the blasphemer would handle this situation.

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

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

❞

As Fuu stood beside the man she traveled with and the cart her transformation would come to pass and it would seem that they were in the middle of a stand off but Fuu had no time for this swiftly spanning her fingers through a quick series of handseals the girl would shoot out six quick burts of Futon chakra thickly kneaded and from this close able to knock each of the weapons out of their hands, laving them defenseless and their hands certainly stinging in pain. From there she'd extend an arm forward towards one of the men who didn't have a hostage and using her free hand on its own would attempt to craft another series of fast handseals in order to increase the pressure of her grip by fortifying her Onigo form and potentially crushing one of their limbs as her arm transformed into a significantly sturdier state but with her lack of practice, the effects weren't nearly as effective as she'd like them to be.

But regardless would still case a sting and while she wasn't the strongest her grip didn't exactly tickle and with a tug she'd pull the man forward towards her and smatter them with a stiff punch from her now enhanced arms, releasing her grip and sending him flung far away. "Grrrraaaah we warned you!"

SPOILER: Click to show

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.

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.

NAME: Kichin-jō no Ude [Chitinous Arms]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 2
DESCRIPTION:
After forming the needed handseals, the Onigo will course chakra under the skin of their arms, causing the skin to thicken and harden into chitinous plates, making the surface as strong as bone. This will not only be a small source of defense for the Onigo, it will also increase the power behind the user's punches. The armor will be naturally weak around the elbow, wrist, and fingers to allow freedom of movement. These weak spots could theoretically be covered, but movement and speed would be greatly affected.

262 WORDS ● Kyodai Utsuwa ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Kyodai Utsuwa]

Utsuwa didn't have much to do to deter the attempted ambush. They merely observed as blasphemous bolts of air slammed into the bandits' hands, causing many of them to drop them, or at least falter.

The crossbow trained on the driver of the wagon was no exception, but the spasming fingers of the bandit squeezed the trigger as it spun out of her grip. The bolt cut through the air, and missed its mark, to find another: Utsuwa's arm. The monk looked down at it in passively, and began to idky work the barbed head out of their flesh as they watched the melee unfold.

One of the bandits was flung away with a cry of panic and pain, and Utsuwa traced the graceful arc with their eyes. Not all were so easily bested, as the time Fuu had taken to make hand seals and deal with one of his subordinates gave the leader enough time to shake off the numbness in his hand, and grip the tetsubō tightly.

He roared in fury as he took Fuu's throw as an opportunity, leaping in with a heavy downward swing aimed squarely at her head. An inelegant but practiced strike.

Utsuwa observed thoughtfully, unaware that one of the stricken bandits had elected to use the chaos to sneak behind the wagon, and drew a knife. The shinobi might not be a for they could defeat in direct combat, but there were other means to win a fight.

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

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

❞

As Fuu took out the man before her with her pull in strike, she would keep her wits about her and notice a man attempting to attack her seeing him charge her the girl would move out of the way and from there would quickly move like a worm as she ensnared them trying to choke the life out of them.

As this happened however she would turn her head to face the older gentlemen who traveled with her and would find that he would removed the arrow from his arm. With that she'd finish taking care of the man she had ensnared and denoted the man who still had his crossbow and with the freedom she had would stretch her fingers together as the man collapsed and would fire off 6 bolts of wind right at his head to knock him out.

As this happened the man behind her would collapse and Fuu would release herself and would make her way over towards Utsuwa. "We need to get you a doctor!?" the girl would say as she made her way over to him. "Sir are you okay...he's injured." the girl would say as she tore some cloth from the belly of her shirt and would tie it around his arm in order to try and keep the blood from leaking out of him not knowing of the way that his religious abilities actually work.

SPOILER: Click to show

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.

235 WORDS ● @boats ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Kyodai Utsuwa]

It seemed the common bandits had posed no real threat to begin with, and Utsuwa had not received an opportunity to share their god's blessing before they were all rendered unconscious. Time for pain, for education, would come.

And the shinobi had delivered some pain, some anguish, already.

Utsuwa finished extracting the arrow, smiling placidly at the shinobi. They looked towards the barbed head, red with their own blood. Their arm still bled, but it had been a flesh wound. A bandage, and all would be well.
"I am a physician, myself. Pray, concern thyself not." They allowed their arm to bound, but a creak of wood was a warning to the final gasp of the bandits' threat. The last of the remaining criminals lunged out with a hand and knife at Utsuwa, attempting to grab them and make them into a hostage.

But Utsuwa was not so easily claimed. They suddenly twisted, catching the knife cleanly with their forearm, trapping it between their bones, and, in the moment of surprise where the bandit's attack had apparently succeeded, Utsuwa lashed out with a toe, piercing a painful and bloody hole near his liver.

The bandit gasped in pain, and stumbled back, pressing a hand to his side. "The bandages shalt wait, ye heathen. Pray, allow me to bless this wayward soul." The knife was still embedded in their arm.

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu Used:

NAME: Hone no Junkyōsha [Martyr of Bone]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very low
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
ELEMENT: None.
HANDSEALS: N/A
REQUIREMENT: Death Prevention
DESCRIPTION:
An utterly foolish technique for anyone save a Jashinist, this technique attempts to catch a blade between the radius and ulna, allowing it to completely pierce their forearm, then twisting their arm. If successful, this would disarm their opponent, while also rendering the arm effectively useless until the blade was removed.

[Fuu Kazama]

❝

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

❞

As Fuu took out the few men that were there all that was the left was the one that was accosting her riding partner however...he seemed to remove an arrow out of his arm and then as the man seemed to attack him she'd step forward to defend him but in that instance would ask if it was alright for him to administer punishment.

"What...?" she wasn't sure what he met but would allow him to take the lead and seemingly attack in some fashion she wasn't fully sure what he was going to do by things he seemed like he was good at soaking up damage. But none of it seemed to phase him.

She'd never faced a Jashinist before but if this is what they were like perhaps now was a good chance for her to observe one she'd look over at the man as they went on their assault still someaht curious as to what they would do or even how they fought from the legends from what she'd heard had something to do with blood but even she wasn't fully sure but just why was he allowing himself to simply be abused she didn't quite understand it. "If you're going to attack now's the time to go for it!"

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deltra of gangnam style