[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group B - ROTATION: 1/X
Rotation Period Ends: 1:30 AM CST 18/2/2024

POST

The second of four groups, and the second to have been informed of the escort tasking within the job. While seemingly simple the mission being mirrored between multiple groups would make it clear was just as much a high-level mission as it was a political test by the isolationist nation. Failure would have incredibly dire consequences not just for them but for the nations that had set up this attempt, being Kaze no Kuni and Nohara no Kuni.

A political olive branch from the nation known for its isolation, hate of a common enemy, and its legendary swordsmen; Tetsu no Kuni. The land of Samurai had been convinced into a trade of supply under the tentative terms of military partnership between the nations of Hi, Kaze, Kumo, and Nohara. An open contract for trade of general supplies in return for weaponry and a slightly opened entry across the border of the land. The fuedal lords of the land had discussed out the details and that had lead to a series of missions between the nations being formed.

With nothing immediately a miss in the details the group of Honō Yoshitaka, Himemura Kaede, Honō Chisai would be informed of a meeting point within the Tetsu no Kuni heartlands where they were to meet the smiths and bring them to Nokoribi in the center of Nohara no Kuni. A long and arduous journey set before them as they would arrive within the land they would greet the smiths.

Their mission clear, a light nip to the air hung stale as the windless plain of rock and light vegetation could manage in the area. A forested mountain range in the background a stark shift of color from the large majority of the terrain they had crossed since entering the border over Tetsu no Kuni's roads. Equipped with a wagon and whatever they may have brought with them, the group would see a cluster of cloaked figures in the distance all wearing odd masks.

Ahead of them back the way they had come from would be a series of rarely treaded rock formation trails for roads. The border they would cross first being that of Vegetable country just south of the nation of iron.

[Honō Chisai]

FROM THE FLAMES OF BATTLE I WAS FORGED, FROM THE ASH LANDS I BECAME ANEW, MY SOUL STANDS UNYIELDING TO THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

What haze escaped her lips as they continued the path. The scent of wilderness hung in the air, of damp rock and soil, of wildflowers and coniferous trees as the sun shun behind mountains and star spangled deep cobalt turned into rising golden glory. They had been at this trail for hours, walking in the dark with nothing but scattered sound of distant wind that had now faded. Shrouded in a grey traveling cloak that hid her golden mane, eyes of lilac starlight peering ahead as she kept point, leading one of her beloved kin and a shinobi from Kumogakure for this most important mission for their villages and indeed their allies.

Her hand rose from beneath the cloak, signaling both Yoshitaka and Kaede to stop. Taking a few steps forward, Chisai would look towards the individuals that awaited for them, like standing stones in the unquiet forest. Her eyes met with the sightless gaze of the mask as they depicted demons, beasts of myth and creatures that she had heard in stories from the days when she had been a child in the communal creches that her clan had facilitated. Turning she would look to see Yoshitaka and Kaede and nodded at them before she would take a step forward, standing before them.

"I am Honō Chisai from Kusagakure. These are Honō Yoshitaka from Kusagakure and Himemura Kaede from Kumogakure." She said, waiving her hand at them before turning once more to the masked blacksmiths. "We're honoured to meet you and to have you under your protection." She said, standing to a side to allow them to march forward towards their would be protectors, her eyes following them as they moved silently. "If you have baggage you may leave it in the cart." Chisai offered, with a friendly tone before she would follow.

▲

<br>

333 ● Honō Yoshitaka Himemura Kaede Nakahara Ichī ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Honō Yoshitaka]

Honō Yoshitaka

Considering what they were actually doing, the group that had been sent out this way might have easily been considered overkill. Two of the Honō's Yōton wielders, the clan head and the Daimyo's representative on top of that, along with Kumogakure's Wolf Sage, they were a trio that could flatten whole cities together.

The trip had been slower than one might expect from three such accomplished shinobi, but the cart that they dragged with them had slowed them down somewhat. Still, they made relatively good time and certainly reached their rendezvous point within the required limit. Yoshitaka had spent much of the trip examining their surroundings as best he could to preempt any surprise attacks, the short man's armour hidden by an outer layer of robes that made him look more rotund than he was and potentially hid his actual nature from anyone that watched.

The masked figures waiting for them were exactly as the mission described, and for the moment he let Chisai take the lead in interacting with the smiths, though he did purse his lips slightly, not quite sure if her approach was appropriately diplomatic. Still, he bowed in their direction when introduced and stepped forward to help them with their gear, seemingly focused on the smiths and not paying much attention to his surroundings.

He was though, because he didn't trust this situation not to go pear shaped.

Word Count: 232
Tags: Nakahara Ichī Honō Chisai , Himemura Kaede

[Himemura Kaede]

[Word Count]: XXX.
OOC Note(s):

None

---

Kaede had offered his services to the help of Kusagakure with the approval of the Raikage he had set out on a task that would not only benefit Kusa, but the land of lightning in the long term as well, while he was only a small cog on a larger wheel, Kaede had to make sure this mission was a success for the part he would play in it and it gave the lacking Jounin something to do instead of neglecting his commitments as usual. Having been given the mission briefing he set out in the second of the four groups with two other members from Kusagakure with him, Honō Chisai and Honō Yoshitaka.

While Kaede didn't know much about them, he had no complaints as they were all here to do a job like he was. So had set forth on a journey that took them over wet soil, vast mountains around them, and traveling in the dark. Hours seemed to go by and mostly silence in the group, but this was normal considering they were all shinobi. Kaede had his wolf cloak covering most of his body, a hood on the cloak covering his head and his wolf mask covering his face. While outside of the village Kaede would often travel in this manner.

In the distance, there seemed to be other hooded masked figures like Kaede they had their faces covered, while these were supposed to be the blacksmiths they were supposed to protect. At a guess, Kaede could only assume the masks were to hide their faces from would-be attackers. Not a bad idea if things went bad for the group as Kaede was dressed in a hooded cloak and mask, so could blend in with the blacksmiths as well. For now, he just followed Chisai's lead and helped Yoshitaka with the blacksmith's luggage and loaded it into the cart.

---

[IC COMBAT INFORMATION]

[Skills/Traits In-Usage]:
▣ | Passive | Genius Among Geniuses
[Items Worn[Passively]]:
▣ | 01 | [Wolf Mask]
▣ | 01 | [Cloak of Wolves]
[Items used]: ▣ None
[Sennin Mōdō [Rotation]]:0 ▣ | [Deactive]
[Techniques Executed]:

[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group B - ROTATION: 2/X
Rotation Period Ends: 9:30 AM CST 22/2/2024

POST

The group of seven smiths would be far more visible as the trio got up close. An assorted bunch, all seven smiths had rather burly builds and their hands, the only showing bit of skin on their bodies, were tanned and worn in a way that only a crafter or a swordsmen could develop. The calluses of heat and handling the tools and ingenuity of man taking their toll. The seven further stood out from another primarily in height - the shortest barely being five foot with the tallest standing a full head over Kaede. This height would be exacerbated by the strange masks they wore. The masks looked to be made of metal and were shaped and painted in animalistic designs - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse in row could describe each of the members in order of their height.

As Chisai's greeting would finish for the group in total, Ox, the only one who seemed to be elderly given the thick log of a cane he used to steady himself, would step forward. Sharp, pondering blue eyes stared to the group, "Well met shinobi of Kusagakure and Kumogakure. We too are honored for this chance for cooperation. If you give us just a moment we will be ready to move, we were told your forges were desirable in the heart of the grassland so we came packing light. And I trust we shall arrive safely."

The old man's voice was gravel shifting and singing in a jovial tone, a greeting that sounded genuine if a bit stern for its cheer. A tap from his cane would sound something closer to a hammer thumping on solid stone and the other six would organize and move to drop anything they were carrying that could go in the wagon inside of it. The old man himself climbing up onto the coach and sitting to the side waiting for whoever was going to drive the horses attached to it.

With the group ready to travel the full procession of ten would be able to make good progress if they set off immediately, likely reaching Vegetable country before the following day.

[Honō Chisai]

FROM THE FLAMES OF BATTLE I WAS FORGED, FROM THE ASH LANDS I BECAME ANEW, MY SOUL STANDS UNYIELDING TO THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

"We hope you find the forges to your liking." The blonde said with a pleasant smile, allowing the group of smiths to ferry their belongings into the cart and then hop into it for the travel back. They could only do but watch at the moment, retreating close to where her cousin and their companion from Kumogakure where. The travel would be slow on land as they would need to negotiate the terrain and any inclement weather they might find beyond to any the likelihood of any attacking mercenaries, including enemy shinobi that would be willing to make sure that the smiths didn't reach the safety of the Land of Grass.

"They seem eager." Chisai muttered as she would turn to her cousin and Kaede. "If I had my say I would think we should try to move under the cover of night, but time is of essence." The Lioness said, her tone turning more serious. A part of her would consider that it was more prudent to move slowly, be careful of each path and make them home with the entire compliment of smiths intact. But time wasn't their ally and she could picture a hundred different ways in which her idea would not work or would be foiled.

"Either we can go back setting the same formation, or we can change it. I will summon some of my lions to range ahead. But if you have any ideas we should all hear them." She said, turning her gaze to see if the smiths had been done and then back to her cousin and Kaede, expecting them to bring something to the table. "C'mon, guys, there's no wrong answer unless the idea if charging head along to the foe?" She said, allowing a smile and soft laugh to escape her as she tired to take iron from the situation.

▲

<br>

339 ● Honō Yoshitaka Himemura Kaede Nakahara Ichī ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Honō Yoshitaka]

Honō Yoshitaka

"I could send some clones out to form a perimeter as well, while I steer the the cart," Yoshitaka suggested as he watched the smiths begin to set their gear in place, "operate primarily as a ranged offense against any enemies, and the clones can be early warning systems. It would be more effective than if I used my summons, most of them are more useful in a direct fight." He stroked at his beard for a moment, golden gaze scanning their surroundings and considering their options.

Chisai would likely be their first line of defence, the older Honō more skilled in Taijutsu than he was, and while he didn't know entirely what the Wolf Sage was capable of, he doubted it was comparable to what the blonde woman could pull off in that situation.

"No reason we can't travel through the night too, let the smiths sleep in the cart while we keep moving. Not like a couple of nights without sleep is something any of us is unfamiliar with ne? We aren't genin anymore after all" he chuckled at his own statement, the desire to get their objectives into safer territory a burning priority in his mind.

There might be some risks keeping awake for so long, but they were all skilled shinobi, a couple of nights shouldn't be an issue.

Word Count: 223
Tags: Nakahara Ichī , Honō Chisai , Himemura Kaede

[Himemura Kaede]

[Word Count]: XXX.
OOC Note(s):

None

---

Kaede would remain silent for now as what seemed like the oldest of the smiths would come forward to greet the group and before long all of the smiths would start to get onto the cart after everything had been packed upon it. Chisai would suggest moving under the cover of darkness whilst it had merit, it doesn't seem time was upon them, and was likely dangerous to wait for the cover of darkness since time was limited. Different suggestions were also made to do with the formation of the three of them Chisai would suggest watching the front with some of her lions, and Yoshi would suggest making some clones in doing so making a circle of sorts around them and giving the group advanced warning of attack. Another solid plan. Kaede would also need to suggest something of his own to at least say he had given some input to the situation.

Kaede could simply hang back and guard the rear of the cart, he could also blend in with the smiths as well since like them he was covered by a cloak and mask, though his mask was a wolf one. " I can blend in with the smiths considering I am dressed like them as well and keep them safe. I can also summon some of my wolves to watch the rear. Kaede had suggested an idea it would be better if he blended in with the smiths as that would allow him to gather sage chakra in case he needed it later. " We should move as soon as possible I don't think time will permit us to wait until the cover of darkness even though it would be better. For now though Kaede would climb up onto the back of the cart a free space at the back of the cart as he sat down and began to concentrate as he closed his eyes to gather sage chakra, it was best to start gathering it as soon as possible it might come in handy for the group later, but for now he would allow them to decide the formation while the sage gathered natural chakra.

---

[IC COMBAT INFORMATION]

[Skills/Traits In-Usage]:
▣ | Passive | Genius Among Geniuses
[Items Worn[Passively]]:
▣ | 01 | [Wolf Mask]
▣ | 01 | [Cloak of Wolves]
[Items used]: ▣ None
[Sennin Mōdō [Points]]:40/130 ▣ | [Gathering]
[Techniques Executed]:

[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group B - ROTATION: 3/X
Rotation Period Ends: 7:10 AM CST 26/2/2024

POST

And so the group would set off, Yoshitaka taking teh reins of the wagon to begin the long journey they would need to complete to bring these smiths all the way to the Hono's forge island. A quiet pass would begin as both the Wolf Sage and the enforcer of Kusagakure would summon forth companions to assist in creating a larger perimeter around the cart for surveilence. A tight collective would make it clear that no immediate danger was present, but that did not mean there was nothing to keep vigilante of.

The road was not kind to wagons up ahead due to unused treks of the stone path existing. Not anything impossible to maneuver, but most certainly a pull for the attention of at least Yoshitaka. Kaede would enter and sit among the other smiths who all gripped their different pieces of gear and the tools kept rather neat either by their side or clutched to their hands. The notable silence from the group of six inside not making so much as a sound despite it all, whether that was distrust or simply an unease at the venture was hard to tell. Chisai's active surveillance from outside the cart would only go to aid in keeping things clear as from ahead the road could easily be cleared by her strength alone in most cases of rubble and the like that would have otherwise slowed the crew.

Hours would pass like this if they did nothing, silent, easy travel. The sun slowly crawling over a cloudless sky making it clearer and clearer that nightfall would be upon them sooner or later.

[Honō Chisai]

FROM THE FLAMES OF BATTLE I WAS FORGED, FROM THE ASH LANDS I BECAME ANEW, MY SOUL STANDS UNYIELDING TO THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

"It is settled then." Chisai said, bringing a thumb to her mouth and nipping the flesh of her digit with her teeth, tasting the iron of her blood before she began to forge the well familiar hand signs, her chakra molded within her before she would place her hand firmly on the soil, allowing the formulae to spread. A white haze enveloped her, and she would be met with the gaze of lioness, sitting on her hind legs. Honey dark eyes met her before they would realize who had summoned her and the lioness would nod towards.

"Chisai-sama. I am in your service." The lioness said before returning her gaze towards her summoner. "Orders?" The blonde rose to her full height, placing her hand on the lioness, the lioness purred softly. "Yachiru, scout ahead." She ordered. "Get out scent, move on forward, let us know if there's anyone coming in our direction, do not engage. Your mission is to let us know, a roar would suffice." She said and the lioness would nod in acceptance of the orders. The big cat moved, sniffing all the members of the expedition before she would sped away, going through the trail they had used to come forth.

As her eyes would follow the lioness, Chisai would turn towards the traveling group, carefully waiting for the rest tog et ready before they would be resuming their travel, slowly advancing through the wilderness as the sun above would drag on the sky and the blue tones began to shift into the deep ochre of the afternoon and the star-spangled cobalt that heralded the deep night. "Should we stop and make camp for the night?" She asked, taking into account whatever her kin and Kaede thought, as well as the security of the smiths.

▲

<br>

327 ● Honō Yoshitaka Himemura Kaede Nakahara Ichī ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu Used:

NAME: Kuchiyose no Jutsu [Summoning Technique]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low - Very High depending on summon.
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 5
DESCRIPTION:
One of the most common and beneficial techniques in the known shinobi world. Simply drawing blood and releasing a mass of chakra from one's extended hand is capable of calling an animal or otherwise to one's location. As a Space-Time Ninjutsu, this technique is capable of instantly displacing an intended summon from wherever they may be to the requested location, though there are obstacles that can prevent this. To use this jutsu, one must first make a contract with whatever they are summoning, living creature or not. Both the size and the stamina of what a shinobi calls upon increases the demand of chakra they must spend to perform the jutsu.

Summon SA:

Huntress: Yachiru has an extremely developed sense of smell. Capable of locating enemies miles away with the faintest of scents, even when if the wind begins to disperse the scent in all directions.
Physical Might: Her strength, speed, coordination are beyond those of a baseline lioness. Able to best them and their prey with little difficulty.

[Honō Yoshitaka]

Honō Yoshitaka

Pulling his large straw hat out as he took the seat at the front of the cart, Yoshitaka looked far more like a fat porter than a powerful shinobi with his armour with his armour hidden under a layer of robes and the well worn hat shading his features. With Yachiru sent out and Kaede-san sending his own summons before hiding amidst the blacksmiths, they had an outer scout perimeter and now two hidden defenders. Visually, only Chisai stood out as a guard, hopefully that would ensure anyone stupid enough to attack them would do so without the correct assessment of the situation.

Overall the day went quietly, calmly, and while Yoshitaka was sure to keep himself as alert as possible, he did try to take the moment to enjoy the time of peace, looking for anything that might be considered pleasant. Sunlight across his skin, colourful plants, any animals he could spot, while they were in a rush that didn't mean he couldn't find some joy in it.

"We may need to stop for the night," Yoshitaka murmured as the sun began to set, a slight frown shadowing his expression, "I hadn't accounted for the animals, they will need to rest. We should only pull the cart outselves in dire circumstances." He wasn't used to travelling by cart, usually going by his own legs whenever he could. Unless there was a reason not to, the younger Hono would begin to look for a safe campsite while they travelled, hoping to find a decent spot for them to keep their charges safe through the night. 

Word Count: 265
Tags: Nakahara Ichī , Honō Chisai , Himemura Kaede

[Himemura Kaede]

[Word Count]: XXX.
OOC Note(s):

None

---

Before setting off on the long trip after agreeing to the plan, Kaede would bite the end of his finger to perform the summoning technique to summon two of his summons his wolves that would help keep an eye on the rear. After they had been summoned, which had been two wolves of the hunter-pack. Gaara and Ria. They were good at tracking, but as natural predators as wolves were they would be able to alert the group if someone was coming from behind as Kaede instructed them to do so with a howl. Kaede then made his way back onto the cart as he began to gather sage chakra.


Some time had past the group as Kaede continue his mediation still sat on the back of the cart with the other blacksmiths. The journey had not been smooth as the hours had past them. The group for the most part remained silent with hardly any communication between them, the smiths with quite as well, Though it could be due to lack of trust from the smiths as well as the group being on edge since an attack could happen at any moment. Kaede had managed to gather more nature chakra as he continued to mediate, also keeping his mind calm and his spirit free. The journey had been quite bumpy as the road had not seen travel for a long time and or lack of use so the cart durability was been tested all the time. Chisai would speak Kaede overhearing that they should probably try to set up camp for the night as it would be long before nightfall came. For now Kaede had gathered enough sage chakra in case it was need in the future. He would open his covered eyes through his wolf mask, before speaking. " That is probably the wisest idea, he should form a perimeter around the smiths, I can have my wolves cover several points. I can also take first watch if you two need some rest." Kaede had suggested the other two of his group should rest if they required it as Kaede wasn't really tired. Kaede would get off the cart onto the ground below him ready to help the smiths or move things to set up camp as required while ordering his wolves with a whistle, before they came to him he issued further instructions for his two wolves to keep watch on the area around the camp using the same howl as before a signal.

---

[IC COMBAT INFORMATION]

[Skills/Traits In-Usage]:
▣ | Passive | Genius Among Geniuses
Items Worn[Passively]:
▣ | 01 | [Wolf Mask]
▣ | 01 | [Cloak of Wolves]
Items used: ▣ None
Sennin Mōdō [Points]]:80/130 ▣ | [Gathering]
Techniques Executed: ▣ |

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kuchiyose no Jutsu [Summoning Technique]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low - Very High depending on summon.
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 5
DESCRIPTION:
One of the most common and beneficial techniques in the known shinobi world. Simply drawing blood and releasing a mass of chakra from one's extended hand is capable of calling an animal or otherwise to one's location. As a Space-Time Ninjutsu, this technique is capable of instantly displacing an intended summon from wherever they may be to the requested location, though there are obstacles that can prevent this. To use this jutsu, one must first make a contract with whatever they are summoning, living creature or not. Both the size and the stamina of what a shinobi calls upon increases the demand of chakra they must spend to perform the jutsu.

2 Medium cost summons Gaara and Ria

[Nakahara Ichī]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group B - ROTATION: 4/X
Rotation Period Ends: 6:00 PM CST 2/3/2024

POST

The smiths continued to stay almost awkwardly silent as they all travelled. A day's worth of time mixing forward with no indication of any issue from the blacksmith crowd. Even the old man had said nothing more unless Yoshitaka had taken the need to do so, his eyes visibly peering towards all three shinobi in one way or another. A gauging look, not a judged appearance, but it was assessing the group of three as they moved. From within the cart Kaede would get a similar impression from the crowd of six.

As the group would approach just short of the border on the first night they would travel, a strong start to what was sure to be an easy journey if the group could keep engaged in their defenses as they did. A lack of any problems over the course of the night was a good omen as well as the three shinobi would take stock and change shifts throughout the night, their summoned companions similarly swapping shift with them as it was natural to. In the morning the blacksmiths would be loaded before the sun had even rose over the sky. They seven having been the only thing peculiar to the three elite jounin - having kept their own internal watch the entire time.

Getting up to continue travel would allow the group to really dig into the day and properly cover a large scope of distance if they didn't run into problems.

[Honō Chisai]

FROM THE FLAMES OF BATTLE I WAS FORGED, FROM THE ASH LANDS I BECAME ANEW, MY SOUL STANDS UNYIELDING TO THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

"I agree." Chisai would say. She wanted to say they were making good time, and they hadn't found any opposition yet. But experience told her that problems could brew when everything seemed to be at peace. As the stars above began to turn brighter and the light of the sun dimmed, she was certain that they were closer to the border, part of her looking forward for the respite, part of her waiting to hear a lioness roar that tld her that enemies were coming. The latter happened yet, but she felt on edge. Ready to pounce like the namesake of one of her nom de guerre

A few more miles ahead, she would signal to her kin to slow as she went into a trial herself first. looking around to see if anyone had been there recently or if there were any signs of a trap. She would wave at Yoshitaka, to follow her, to lead the cart into the side of the trail they had been following so far so they could gather a form of respite. "This will do." She said as she lookeds at the area, a couple of bushes and overgrown foliage that would give cover.

"We shouldn't light fires whilst we're here." The blonde suggested. The chill often hugged the peaks of this valley, but better be cold than sorry. In any case she would consider that they would require to keep watches. "Who's on to be the first watch then?" She asked, allowing Kaede or Yoshitaka to put themselves first should they wish to. For Chisai herself she didn't have any problem to do that herself. Sleepless nights in missions were common after all.

▲

<br>

419 ● Honō Yoshitaka Himemura Kaede Nakahara Ichī ● NOTES

deltra of gangnam style

[Honō Yoshitaka]

Honō Yoshitaka

The day went quietly, uneventfully, and they set up camp for the first night with their charges without much fuss. The shinobi forming a safe perimeter and generally making sure that none of the blacksmiths would have to worry about anything beyond getting something to eat and getting some sleep.

"I will take third watch if that agrees with everyone, I am still a little more used to early mornings rather than late nights haha", he laughed with a carefully selected heartiness before settling down to rest after seeing to the animals, making sure they were fed and properly tied. He wouldn't sleep fully, not on a mission like this, but simply get the sort of rest a Jounin could manage in such situations. He would take his watch in silence, enjoying the rising sun even as he became more alert during this time.

Still, nothing seemed to happen, and the Honō went about starting off the day, offering rations to the Blacksmiths and getting the cart hooked up as they prepared to depart for the second day.

"May as well continue as we have been, ne? It is working so far," he would murmur to the other two shinobi as they prepared to depart, usually jovial expression thinning out into a slight frown. Things had been too easy so far, and that bothered him.

Word Count: 225
Tags: Nakahara Ichī , Honō Chisai , Himemura Kaede