[Senju Kazuyuki]

Ayukawa was still ignoring them all, the tension in the group having been thick ever since Zakku and Yuushi had intervened in Ayukawa’s 1v1 with the missing nin. However, it wasn’t Kazuyuki’s business, and thus, he didn’t interfere, even when they came across the broken bridge and Ayukawa chose to scan the perimeter. Fixing the bridge would be his own expertise, anyways. None of the others were likely to have techniques strong enough to fix a whole bridge.

”I can probably stabilize this enough to get us across, but it’ll take a lot of chakra. You guys will probably need to fight any bandits we come across, since I won’t have enough chakra to do much after I’m done,” he said, his tone light. However, in the next moment he was smirking as he stepped to the front of the caravan. First, he cast the signs for the Four-Pillar Prison Technique, wincing internally at the immense chakra drain. While normally the technique wouldn’t be the most useful to fix a bridge, the way Kazuyuki manipulated the wood spoke of a large amount of practice.

The broken bits of bridge, unsteady at best, had a new, solid wood floor overlaying them. Other wooden supports and railings now had sturdy timber forming a roof and walls of sorts around the bridge, making it a covered bridge (that looked like a giant cage) with openings in either end for the varying carts in the caravan to be able to safely pass through. But this alone wouldn’t be enough, and he cast the handsigns for the strangling vines technique he’d previously used on the ship. While the vines were normally aggressive, he made sure to designate them not to attack any passerby as they interlocked with the bridge’s supports. The vines, sturdy and thick, formed a lattice that would help hold the structure up enough. However, the chakra use was heavy- Kazuyuki ended up staggering slightly as the vines completed their job. ”Remind me to get one of my cousins to teach me how to make stronger wood pillars later,” he commented, though it was clear he had used far more chakra than was likely advisable.

Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Budō o sasu [Strangling Vines]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Mokuton
HANDSEALS: six
TRIGGER: N/A
DESCRIPTION:

Once the shinobi completes the handseals vines grow up from the ground within thirty feet winding their way up trees or ledges to drape down and spreading over the likes of a building in a lattice like pattern. From then on the plants will appear to simply be normal dormant vines, but will attempt to entangle and strangle anyone that touches them or comes within their reach of five feet who is not their original caster or designated by their caster. This justu was often left behind as a trap by the Senju or cast over their homes or outposts to prevent intrusion.

NAME: Mokuton: Shichūrō no Jutsu[Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison Technique]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Mokuton
DESCRIPTION:
The user converts chakra into timber under the ground and makes it grow rapidly, while forming it into a wooden prison. The size of the prison is based on the user's imagination. From an insect cage to a great prison, one can make it into whatever they want by regulating the amount of chakra used. The timber itself is treated with a chakra coating, making its destruction near impossible. During war, it has the great ability to detain prisoners, but it can also be used as a disciplinary measure for quarreling subordinates.

[Nakahara Yuushi]

The young man waved goodbye to the very, very patient sailors, though he wasn't quite as enthusiastic as the small bug girl jumping up and down waving and shouting her goodbyes. And that was due to the shattered team morale that was seeping into overall mood of the team itself. The Sand Kunoichi had gone as far as to straight up sequester herself from the rest of the team, she was sitting atop the caravan now, the silence more deafening than if she'd been cursing in her native tongue of hers.

He played with his sleeves, the older teen trying his best not to look back excessively at her, though in truth he did feel like he should try and talk to the girl, especially since a lot of this was his fault. Or at least she'd told him a lot of this was his fault, and he didn't really have much of a counterpoint to that. Yet he held back, partially because he really did have a habit of upsetting people without quite meaning too. Though he usually had a better idea of what he'd done, and was more often than not a result of putting his proverbial foot in his proverbial mouth. Though that wasn't exactly confidence booster when the only plan he could think of was talk to the girl. But, either way, it didn't matter much because he had a second reason on why he couldn't sit down and have a heart-to-heart, and that was because his hands were kinda full.

Hey, Yuu-nii! Doesn't that tree look like one from our forest? Do you think if we go that way it'll be a shortcut? Should we do it? And as the small mantis girl marched towards destiny, Yuushi grabbed her claw-hand and pulled her back. What?? No, what are you...Actually now that you mention it, it does look...No! No. We stick to the path, until we reach the bridge- The bridge is out. And the next words out of the young man's mouth got the small mantis bug-eyed. Ohhhh! I'm telling Koishi!! And so his troubles grew.

After that, everything almost paused, stuck at a literal impasse. Don't worry, I can make it! And the confidant girl ran towards the bridge, ready to take flight. Except, unlike her older siblings, she couldn't really fly. At all. Which meant if a part of the bridge gave out, she'd go with it. And that thought was enough to get the green haired teen running up and grabbing her before she could join Zakku on Team Exploration.

No way. That bridge looks totally unsafe.

Crack. Snap.

The sounds of breaking would have the older teen looking back and seeing a familiar blue haired figure fall into the abyss. And it would've been far more concerning if that same blue haired figure wasn't also standing next to them, looking at the same spot before shrugging it off with a light. Yuushi might've commented, but the smoke warded him off like a kind of Yokai, instead retreating to the carriage. You just stay here for now. And the older teen placed her inside while Ayukawa stood guard facing the other way. Perhaps now he should say something? But, before he did Kazuyuki called out and Yuushi would turn to see a makeshift bridge be born.

Oh! He then approached the long haired man, steadying him. I dunno...I think it looks nice this way. He didn't know Kazu's cousin, or what they could do, but he could appreciate the fact there was a bridge now.

As for Basagiri, she'd be humming to herself in the wagon, until she looked up at the tanned Sand ninja and saw her arm. Oh! What happened to your arm? Does it hurt? Can I touch it? Standing guard was hard when Basagiri was on the scene.

SPOILER: Click to show

-Yuushi wonders if he should try apologizing and talking to Ayukawa, but low morale and Basagiri keep him distracted
-I can't wait to finf out this was a real shortcut
-Bridge is out, swear in the swear jar
-Basagiri tries to make it across, Yuushi doesn't want to have to explain her falling to her death back home and stops her
-Byeeee Zakku clone
-Retreats from smoke like a mosquito, and places Basagiri in the wagon while Ayu takes watch
-Wonders if he should say something, but sees Kazu fixed the bridge. Yaaaay!
-Yuushi thinks it's a nice bridge at least
-Basagiri makes conversation. Maybe this will improve the mood. Or get her punted over the bridge

---

Summons Summoned:
Basagiri

---

Stone Cap: 400-40= 360 Points Remaining

[TACTICIAN]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group D - SECTION ONE: COMPLETE
SECTION TWO: COMPLETE
SECTION THREE: COMPLETE
SECTION FOUR: ROTATION 2 of 5

ROTATION DEADLINE: 8/5/24

TIMEZONE CONVERSION BELOW

POST

-- Pushing Buttons --


Ayukawa, nursing her wounded pride, scenting the air, and observing her surroundings, noted that the alternative path—the path they would have to take should the bridge be impossible to cross—seemed infrequently tread, with a few notably large spiderwebs stretching between the branches of some of the trees. She might have been left in peace had Basagiri not come to bug her, demanding her attention.

Zakku’s clone met an untimely demise and dealt 3d4 psychic damage to Zakku, reduced by half thanks to the resistance granted by the fat blunt he was smoking. From the back of the wagons, he could see the length of the clear road they’d just traveled, clearly well-maintained and undisturbed. Nothing especially notable stuck out to him, at least until—

—the ground rumbled faintly with the force of Kazuyuki growing a new bridge to aid their passage, a deft combination of untraditional techniques serving to cobble together a stable, aesthetically pleasing construction that would allow the caravan to pass without issue. The leader grunted again, venturing onto the Mokuton bridge to make sure it was structurally sound; once he was satisfied, he called for everyone to start moving again, and grumbled a gruff thanks in the exhausted Kazuyuki’s direction.

Single dad Yuushi was hard at work trying to wrangle Basagiri and keep her from accidentally ending her own life in the way children were wont to do; she was presently occupied bothering Ayukawa, which was perhaps a blessing.

A dangerous, trip-extending diversion seemingly avoided in full, the group was able to continue forward without issue, and another full day passed in relative peace and quiet—the only real conflict was the tension that continued to simmer amongst the group, with Ayukawa’s rankled pride and the others unsure of their standing with each other.

As the group was getting ready to stop over in Shukuba for rest and resupply on the second day in Hi no Kuni, one of the teenage boys working the caravan slid up alongside Ayukawa with a smarmy grin on his face.

"So how’d you become a shinobi?” he asked in a tone of faux-innocence. "I thought that someone who needs so much protecting would be a liability, but you must be good for something, right?”

Poking the bear, as teenagers so loved to do—prising at the cracks of perceived vulnerability and aiming to pinch where it hurt most, for no other reason than because he could.

SPOILER: Click to show

[Saeko Ayukawa]

Forging from the Group up "Oh? I...Um..." While she had noted Yuushi sudden movement towards the wagon in leaving something, what she had not suspected was that it was a tiny talking mantis that would be the reasoning. Clearly, no one was talking to her with her recent outburst, and it meant that she was able to be alone and consider what it was about their interference that bothered her so much. Along with her other duties, it seemed like even that was pointless since they had managed to figure out the means in which to get the wagon across. Still, with one path that seemed unused from some time being in view, along with the lingering smell of spiders and unfortunate prey, it was likely a boon that the others had managed to create a suitable support to get them across. Of course, now this left her alone with the mantis whom seemed interested in her arm, puppet-like as it was. "I...lost it...helping someone I cared about...and maybe doing something stupid..." Looking off to the side, she'd consider how her accident had happened and in truth, while Issei had blamed himself for it, it had been a decision that she had made herself, despite being warned otherwise. It could have easily been avoided had she listened and taken other's care into consideration with her actions. Much like the events that had gotten her exiled from her clan. But she allowed her pride and feelings to back her decisions. Much like what she was doing here... While everything was prepared to move out once more, the young teen would jump down from the wagon as she prepared to speak again to the creature, her expression seeming to soften as she spoke. "It did hurt...but its all better now..." A smile crossed her lips and as she readied herself to move alongside the moving vessel, hoping that perhaps talking things with the creature might allow for this slow realization to sink in, a voice came alongside her as it asked the question of just how she had become a shinobi in the first place? With a blank expression, the Suna nin would look to the teen as they then mocked her inability to protect herself and fake innocence in regards to her usefulness in something to make her capable. That was enough to prompt the teen to frown as she then released a deep breath. It was similar to back at the academy and how she was mocked for not being able to use chakra or even being from the desert and the Saeko Clan. It was like that for so long, she had gotten into a habit of ignoring it mostly. There were some times when it triggered some kind of a response and prompted her to need to prove herself, which lead to trouble. Despite knowing better, she found her feelings were still too raw to simply walk away, allowing herself to close her eyes as she held hands close to her sides. "I do...actually..." Her answer was short and to the point, yet before even realizing it herself, her arm would reach outward to take hold of the young man, her head flinging back before slamming it directly against his own before releasing him with a narrowed gaze. "I can fight....while you can only run your mouth..." Looking over her shoulder to see if he was still there after such an assault, the girl would just continue to walk beside the wagon as she felt her rage returning just as quickly as it seemed to have almost faded. "I don't need people to protect me....I can protect myself...I know I can..." While she said this in a low voice, her eyes would look off to the side before then looking down as now even she was unsure of this claim.

    Tag: | Words: xxx | Notes:

BRY of W&&R and CAUTION

SPOILER: Click to show

-Jutsu Used-



-Item's used-
xPuppet Arm

-S.A Used-
Lion's Sleep
Hunter instincts and experience on the hunt have granted Ayukawa insight into the minds of the prey she encounters. Animalistic encounters have allowed her to track and be capable of following those that she intends to target, at times giving her brief, but small insight into their intentions. While not fully developed, they have improved over her continued use and natural development, allowing her instincts to be heighten to a point where she isn't caught off-guard when activated or in an intense moment that requires a reaction. It also allows for her to at times get inside of the heads of her target, mostly due to their movements and their patterns once discovered. It is a skill that is constantly growing, though has yet to reach it's full potential.

In the Jungle
To survive in the desert, one must be able to keep up with not just the prey, but also to outrun the wild predators as well. Ayukawa training and life in the wilderness and vast landscape has prepared her for such events. Her genetics in relation to the Saeko Clan have given her an edge in physical combat, along with making her much more agile. Living out in the desert has also made her incredibly durable due to the intense environment surrounding her, along with possessing a high amount of physical stamina.

Law of the Jungle
The law of the jungle states that the strongest survive and the weak perish. In further effort to increase upon such a principle, Ayukawa has further increased her strength by the usage of training weights. Her constant runs, strikes, and combat acts have more impactful strides due to their instrumental usage. As such, while not yet strong enough to break boulders without applying chakra, she has improved the impact strength of her strikes to the point that she can fracture bones with more ease, much like the bite of a lion.

[Burokon Zakku]

// Zakku //

I could go supersonic, the problem's chronic
Tell me, does life exist beyond it?
When I need to sate,
I just accelerate into oblivion

Saeko Ayukawa   Nakahara Yuushi Senju Kazuyuki




Taking a long Drag as he leaned against the back of the carrivan he jumped at the ground shaking and looked back at the bridge being constructed.  Zakku watched in amazement as Kazuuyuki made a new bridge.  "Whoa."  Ash falling from his blunt brought him back to reality and following the caravan as it started moving once again.  "I gotta branch out from just Raiton..."

The uneventful day saw Zakku reading while sitting on the back of the last wagon.  Lazily flipping through the pages of his book even rereading it to make sure he didn't miss anything important or plot relevant.  

There were moments in life that you knew someone had to learn a painful lesson.  It was a much needed event in everyones lives.  At least Zakku hoped so.  Zakku had been the person that had learned the painful lesson many a time.  Seeing the Teenager move alongside and antagonize Ayukawa had him watching with fascination.  He'd rarely been the one to watch the lesson get taught.  Watching Ayu-chan grab the teens collar his mouth fell open dropping his blunt.  "OH DUDE!"  

He swore he could hear the sound of Ayu-chans stubborn head knocking some long overdue sense into his head.  Zakku wanted to laugh.  He really did.  It hurt to hold it in.  He covered his mouth with a closed fist biting it.  Letting his fellow Suna-nin vent her frustration vocally Zakku started laughing at the teens misfortune.  Too many a time had he suffered pain at Ayu-chans hands, especially his arm, but it was great to see it from an outsiders perspective for once.  "Oh Dude.  Ayu-chan You rule."  Zakku let out between laughing fits.  Wiping away tears the blue haired chuunin recollected himself and kept walking.  

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu used: N/A

[Nakahara Yuushi]

As Yuushi walked ahead of the caravan, all crossing the bridge that kept them on schedule, and more importantly on well treaded and guarded ground. And this peace allowed Basagiri to have a real conversation with the Sand Kunoichi, something that Yuushi was out of earshot for, which was perhaps for the best all things considered.

And the childlike mantis would continue staring up at the girl with sparkling eyes, that were human-like, and yet not, but somehow still filled with awe and wonder. And as Ayukawa responded at first with initial surprise and thought, the little, green mantis interjected with what she was sure the cause of the momentary pause. Oh! My name's Basagiri! Introductions are important when making friends! And the mantis then held out a tiny claw to seal the deal of friendship with a shake. And of course, friends were open about traumatic pasts.

And she'd look up at Ayukawa as if she were recounting an epic tale rather than a life-changing injury, nodding along. You can't stop there, what happened next? Did you rescue them? Did you look cool? Did you carry them away with one arm while they confessed their true feelings and they made you that arm to show you their love? Given her age and the fact she lived in the middle of a forest, the little mantis had no idea what a real mission was like, only having the romanticized idea of one in her hyperactive and childish mind. Though she also switched to comforting assurances. And you shouldn't feel bad about doing something stupid, Yuu-nii does that all the time. In fact, that's how we met him! Ahead of the caravan an audible sneeze rung out, the green haired young man rubbing his nose despite no chill in the air, and the older teen showing no signs of a cold.

But while the tanned girl would jump out of the cart, the small mantis would hug the side watching her, she'd stay in the cart. Yuushi had told her to stay in the cart after all, and while she may be excitable she also wasn't the type to disobey an order from her Summoner. Thankfully, it wouldn't effect much as Ayukawa decided to stick next to her still, Basagiri still looking up awe-struck at her softening face. You should-

But what the shinobi girl should do would be interrupted for Basagiri could reveal it, by a teenage boy with a look of no good on his face. And no good would be the perfect descriptor of what he was up too, taunting the already down Ayukawa. And Basagiri would visibly enraged at the insults. YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT! And it would seem the young Kunoichi agreed, headbutt the teenage boy. Hard. Much to Zakku's delight. But while the blue haired young man simply lauded her hard-headedness, Basagiri was still quite worked up.

SHE HELPED YOU WHILE YOU HID! YOU...YOU'RE JUST A BULLY! And with that she'd disobey her order to stay in the caravan, to further the lesson against the young teen as the small mantis attacked. And she'd attack with a speed that belied her size, faster than what most genin would be capable of. Thankfully, her claws were small and she wasn't very strong, so she wouldn't be able to do much more than cut through his shirt instead of gutting him. Until she started dangerously spinning for her final attack.

TAAAAAKE THIS! Her momentum carried claws would through the caravan teens hair, shearing through it for what might be one of the worst haircuts in history. And all of this chaos would finally attract young Sages attention, the messily haired young man running up an equally chaotic and rennaisance-esque scene. What did you DO?!? He yelled at the small mantis, grabbing her and pulling her away before she could further kick the boy while he was down. Which is when Yuushi saw his nose, and realizing that hadn't been caused by his young ward, and he looked at Ayukawa
What did you do? It was quieter, less upset and more confused now.

He was a bully Yuu-nii! He was bullying Ayu! And you say you should stand up to bullies!! Yuushi blushed, he didn't exactly feel comfortable he was the inspiration for her attacking someone while they were down. That doesn't mean you can just attack someone...

His eyes drifted towards the tanned girl who'd been shutting them all out. You need to use your words...Talk about what made you so upset...

And lastly, his eyes fell back on the young teen boy. Now...I think some apologies need to be made.

SPOILER: Click to show

-Basagiri is the PC in this thread now
-When you introduce yourself, you're no longer strangers
-I don't even know where she'd get the idea of such a romantic novel ending like that, she lives in a forest
-Don't ask about the dumb things Yuushi did
-Basagiri is pretty obedient thankfully~ Until this dumbass teen shows up
-Time to kick him while he's down. And give him the worst haircut ever and raggedy clothes
-Single dad Yuushi steps in, though he questions if he's a bad influence
-What? He's just scolding his summon, he's not looking at Ayu cause it applies to her. Definitely not

---

Summons Summoned:
Basagiri

Summon Jutsu Used:
Kage Sansui [Shadow Landscape]

---

Stone Cap: 400-40= 360 Points Remaining

[TACTICIAN]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group D - SECTION ONE: COMPLETE
SECTION TWO: COMPLETE
SECTION THREE: COMPLETE
SECTION FOUR: ROTATION 3 of 5

ROTATION DEADLINE: 8/12/24

TIMEZONE CONVERSION BELOW

POST

- Breaking Faces -

Before the boy could even register what was happening, Ayukawa smashed her face against his, crushing his nose and giving him at least one black eye. Blood flowed freely from his nostrils as he staggered back to prop himself up against the caravan, covering his face with his hands as he wheezed with shock and fear.

"Psycho bitch,” he yelled as she was walking away, "fucking lunatic!”

Nevermind that he had started it. He flipped off Zakku with a bloody middle finger, ready to flee to get someone to fix his face for him, but before he could run off he was assailed by a tiny, lightning-quick mantis girl; she managed to tear up his clothes and dig light scratches into his chest, and chop off all his hair, before Yuushi pulled her off him. By this point the boy was crying and howling with rage.

"You’re all fucking crazy!” he shouted at the group of them, clutching the shallow cuts on his chest in tandem with his broken, bloodied nose. "I was just—”

Just what, he didn’t get to say, Yuushi’s quiet voice cutting through his blustery anger. Some apologies need to be made, Yuushi said, to which the boy replied angrily: fuck no, and ran off for help.

Which left the group of them with an overnight stop still to get through, and the mood more sour than it had ever been. Whether or not Ayukawa would be willing to talk it through, though…

- The Next Morning -

After a night’s rest in a real town with real beds, the caravan was ready to get moving again—but the boy with the broken nose was nowhere to be found. His father looked everywhere for him, calling for him incessantly: "Kisuke! Kisuke! We’re leaving now, let’s go!”

But the boy never showed. After a bit of searching, the group would find a note, artfully attached to one of the wagons with a knife:

I’m going to scout ahead. I can fight, and I can do a better job than those crazy people.

Further investigation would produce footprints that led out of town and back onto the road, in the same direction that the caravan was headed; the leader made the executive decision to simply keep going, assuring the boy’s father that they would no doubt run into him on the road, where he’d be tired and thirsty but no worse for wear.

But after traveling for three hours, there was no sign of Kisuke at all. Spiderwebs stretched between tree branches, growing larger in both size and number as the day wore on…

SPOILER: Click to show

[Saeko Ayukawa]

Forging from the Group up "What?! But he... Though most would have seen her in her right to defend herself in a means that fit the situation. As such, within her clan, such offenses would have been dealt with in combat or a form of physical response, Ayukawa had been among people outside of her clan long enough to know that such practices weren't always called for. Despite her feeling justified, and even seeing Basagiri seemingly add more insult to the injury, Yuushi was less than impressed by the display and it did little to make things better within the group with her actions. As she could hear the call for a more civil apology, her own pride would feel no flexibility in doing so, seeing as the young man would run off with his shame and further insults to her actions. That being the case, the girl would then narrow her gaze towards the green haired boy as she spoke. "I've attempted words in the past....they did little to change how others feel...if he didn't want that kind of response, he should have...ugh! I shouldn't have to explain my point in regards to HIM attacking my honor!" Much like a child, the girl would move forward as she moved proceeded with the rest of the group towards the town in short distance. At the very least, perhaps getting to a place in which rest was assured would allow for further space to cool down. ============ Though upon the morning, the group would begin to move forward, yet the boy was nowhere in sight.... With the message of him wishing to scout ahead as to show some display of courage and independence, it was believed that they would simply reach him up ahead. In truth, Ayukawa, now riding atop the wagon, and with a clearer perspective than she had before, began to show some concern as she glanced towards the people within and the worried father who's son was now in the wind. It would be easy for her to take on guilt in regards to his actions, but she knew better than to take that much responsibility. After all, she had not told him to display any sense of strength by wandering ahead of them. But as they came to three hours in their renewed venture, and the size of the webs within the trees growing larger, even she began to worry of just what could have happened to Kisuke. Enough so that her own reluctance to talk to anyone seemed to finally break as the girl would move towards them with a panicked expression. "This is so my fault! I shouldn't have hit him! Now he's wandered off somewhere and he could be in danger! I mean! Spiders! Really!? Who picks these paths!? I should have known better than to react the way I did but I did it anyway because I was so mad and I felt so useless and everything else! Now Kisuke is out there and his father is worried and did I mention the spider webs!? THEIR HUGE!" With her rapid firing of words being released, it may have been hard for the others to know just where the girl was going with this. Though for Zakku, it would likely be old habit with her manner of speech, especially with her being so worried.

    Tag: | Words: xxx | Notes:

BRY of W&&R and CAUTION

SPOILER: Click to show

-Jutsu Used-



-Item's used-
xPuppet Arm

-S.A Used-
Lion's Sleep
Hunter instincts and experience on the hunt have granted Ayukawa insight into the minds of the prey she encounters. Animalistic encounters have allowed her to track and be capable of following those that she intends to target, at times giving her brief, but small insight into their intentions. While not fully developed, they have improved over her continued use and natural development, allowing her instincts to be heighten to a point where she isn't caught off-guard when activated or in an intense moment that requires a reaction. It also allows for her to at times get inside of the heads of her target, mostly due to their movements and their patterns once discovered. It is a skill that is constantly growing, though has yet to reach it's full potential.

In the Jungle
To survive in the desert, one must be able to keep up with not just the prey, but also to outrun the wild predators as well. Ayukawa training and life in the wilderness and vast landscape has prepared her for such events. Her genetics in relation to the Saeko Clan have given her an edge in physical combat, along with making her much more agile. Living out in the desert has also made her incredibly durable due to the intense environment surrounding her, along with possessing a high amount of physical stamina.

Law of the Jungle
The law of the jungle states that the strongest survive and the weak perish. In further effort to increase upon such a principle, Ayukawa has further increased her strength by the usage of training weights. Her constant runs, strikes, and combat acts have more impactful strides due to their instrumental usage. As such, while not yet strong enough to break boulders without applying chakra, she has improved the impact strength of her strikes to the point that she can fracture bones with more ease, much like the bite of a lion.

[Burokon Zakku]

// Zakku //

I could go supersonic, the problem's chronic
Tell me, does life exist beyond it?
When I need to sate,
I just accelerate into oblivion

Saeko Ayukawa   Nakahara Yuushi Senju Kazuyuki



Zakkus laughter erupted once more seeing the teen get a new haircut and attack from the bug person.  Collapsing against the wagon Zakku no longer kept his feelings inside loving the trip.  It had been weird at the beginning but now it was getting fun.  Could anyone have this much fun on a mission?  He slept happily that night softly giggling to himself.  They were off again and Zakku was in good spirits.  Up until...

Fear.  That was the first thing Zakku felt as the webs grew in size the deeper they went.  His green eyes darted quickly taking in each collection of web.  "Thank you Ayu-chan i wasn't aware of BIG SPIDERS!!!"  Zakku said practically shoving himself onto the wagon as he spoke.  "KIsuke should have known better!  THIS!?! THIS ISN'T NORMAL!  WHY WOULD HE CONTINUE SEEING ALL THESE WEBS YET CONTINUE FORWARD!?!  He's a lost cause nobodies gonna want that type of thinking in their bloodlines."  

Barely keeping the panic out of his voice Zakku summoned two of his clones that each stared into the trees with fear.  "MOVE AHEAD!"  Zakku commanded and the clones reluctantly ran ahead of the wagons as the original cowered by the wagons.  "This ain't worth it dudes!"  Maybe TakaKage had some work he could do for the retired-No.  He'd bury Zakku alive if he showed up on the poor man retirement.

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu used: N/A

[Senju Kazuyuki]

Kazuyuki had missed more or less the entire confrontation, having spent most of it attempting to rest to recover some of the massive amounts of chakra he’d used to keep them on the intended path. Needless to say, the young man was very confused to find one of the merchants missing and his comrades freaking out about it in the morning, raising one eyebrow at them all. He had no context, but he was definitely judging.

Continuing on the path didn’t lead them anywhere, the lost merchant boy nowhere to be found. Ayukawa and Zakku’s panicked tirades earned both an eye roll from the Senju, who was not in the mood for this. Levelling both with a flat stare, he calmly responded to both. ”I don’t know what happened while I was resting off the chakra exhaustion, but you better fix it. The spider webs aren’t an issue, we’re shinobi. If you can handle blood and gore, you can handle some big spiders, especially considering the two of you are from Suna. I’ve no doubt the desert has all sorts of dangerous and creepy creatures there, spiders are almost tame in comparison. But regardless: we have a job to do, and a boy to find. Do NOT waste time with blame games and freaking out. The longer we take to continue, the less chance we actually find the missing person alive,” he pointed out, flicking open one of his less lethal paper fans.

Really, why was Kazuyuki the one who had to act like an adult here? Weren’t they all chuunin or higher? And adults themselves?

[Nakahara Yuushi]

The older teen watched as his attempts at reconciliation blew up in his face on all ends, the only one not lashing out at him being the small mantis in his hands. The boy lashed out in all directions, including Yuushi's as he was told promptly to fuck off for suggesting that the now slightly cut up boy be made to apologize. THAT'S A BAD WORD! Basagiri yelled from his hands, as if the young teen might not be aware of such a thing, and it's mere utterance were an insult on the senses. The green haired young man didn't even have time to get him to stay to get his wounds checked, he stormed off in such a huff. Not that anyone else here seemed distraught over that. Then Ayukawa approached.

He wasn't quite aware of just what he'd said wrong here, but he was also cognizant of the fact he had a habit of putting his foot in his mouth if allowed to talk for too long. It was a habit he and Basagiri shared, a fondness for people and talking, and a minor ignorance on sensitive topics. And it looked like he'd done that again as the tanned girl was visibly angry, narrow yellow eyes staring into his green ones, his face becoming increasingly discomforted at the stare down.

Well, your way doesn't seem to be working now either. Maybe you can just...Try again? It was a clash of raised ideals, Yuushi's clan always favored tranquility, connecting with nature and oneselves, something that gave him insight into being a Sage, but not the proud warrior the girl was. And her outburst over not having to explain herself over defending her honor proved that as she walked away before he could respond about how fighting over honor seemed...Dumb. Which was probably for the best.

And after the raven haired girl stormed off, he could only let out a groan. She'd gone from inviting him to the festival to yelling at him for two days now. You need to learn how to act around girls Yuu-nii. You're supposed to say they're right, not argue. More childish romance ideas from the mantis child, and at her advice Yuushi promptly dropped her to the ground, Basagiri landing on her chitinous bottom as he walked off with the caravan. THAT IS NOT HOW YOU TREAT A LADY!

Thankfully the nice rest at a real bed almost made all the problems disappear. Until he had to wake up, to find that the teen from yesterday had disappeared, a note with a knife and footprints all that remained as he set off to prove them all wrong. He didn't like that. And he really didn't like watching the distraught father calling out, to have no answer. And he really, really, didn't like the spider webs they started finding after they set off once more. The young man wasn't walking anymore, he'd actually gotten unto one of the caravans himself, seemingly just to be able to tap his foot rapidly, as if walking would be to slow a pace for his nerves. Yet, almost all of these feelings disappeared from the pure shock of Ayukawa cominh over to the rest of the group after she'd sequestered herself off again, and started apologizing and actually talking about what made her upset. Was he a genius?

But, the reasoning was for less happy reasons, the missing teen. Kisuke. Panic was setting in now, for everyone. And Zakkus off the cuff remarks about the young teens desperation, and bloodline comment got an uncharacteristic remark from him. One that was angry. Don't presume to know of others desperation. And don't say something so...Disgusting. Even as a joke. He remembered how he'd wandered into a certain-death forest, with no hope and destined to die, a last ditch attempt. He wondered if those types of remarks were made about him. And that reflection made him realize something he wasn't used to this remark and the smoking, he didn't think he liked the blue haired young man. And as Kazuyuki tried to regain composure of everyone, the older teen stepped off the caravan as the long haired boy mentioned finding him alive. Yuushi had come to a decision. You're right...So I'll go ahead as well. Don't worry, I'm pretty good at not getting caught. He was confident in his abilities to navigate the forest stealthily, he'd done it many times before after all. And what's the difference between this forest and the one back home.

Before he left though, the older teen would turn to Ayukawa and smile happily, poking their shoulder gently. I'm glad you said what was wrong. And that means I can tell you that you got nothing worry about, you're super strong. And then he made his way up the path the same as Zakkus clones, though with a lot less yelling as he would seem to meld with the woods.

SPOILER: Click to show

-Well, that could've gone better. He's 0/2 on reconciliation and doesn't relate at all to Ayu's ideals on honor
-Basagiri joins the anti-Yuushi club
-At least he gets to sleep in a real bed, which was nice
-Kisuke is gone. That's not nice
-Hearing Kisuke's dad worry and seeing the spider webs gets him worked up and restless, so he's on a caravan near front tapping his foot rapidly
-Is pleasantly shocked when Ayukawa comes to say she was wrong and why she was upset. Growth!
-Is equally upset at Zakku's comments
-And is finally stirred to action by Kazu into scouting ahead, though reaffirms Ayu by stating she's strong before using stealth to follow up the path Zakku's clones
-Basagiri will stay withe the cart unless she's unsommoned from rest

---

Jutsu's And SA's
Born "Lucky"
Widely believed to be a good sign and all but guaranteeing his future success as a Shinobi, Yuushi has had very high Chakra Reserves since birth. Or so they thought at least. But even in sickness, the amount of the young boys chakra was impressive, and it's only gotten larger with age and health. Yuushi is more than capable of using high ranking techniques in rapid succession without slowing down, and outlasting people in battle by chakra alone. When using this in combination with his skills with Bukijutsu or Senjutsu, he is a threat that should only be ignored at ones own risk.

Properly Motivated
Desperation, Bravery, and quite a bit of Natural Talent. These things combined led Yuushi being to what most would consider a Senjutsu Prodigy. It allowed him to reach sage at a considerably young age, and achieve the title of a Master Sage in only five years. This also means that his skills with senjutsu are near unparalleled, and even other Perfect Sages would likely struggle to match him technique for technique.

Sennin Modo-Perfect Sage
Yuushi is a prodigy when it comes to senjutsu, there's no other word for it. His progress has been phenomenal, and constantly bearing results, and it's allowed him to reach the pinnacle of sagehood. But it has been well earned, spending an entire year doing nothing but practicing and living with the mantises at first, to escape his fate of an early death. And the practice after was constant, seeking new heights, always remembering of the illness that plagued and the sacred chakra that cured him. To the point he can be considered a Perfect Sage, able to gain 40 pts for every 1/One round of Still Meditation, with his threat cap being 130 and his stone cap being 400.

While in Sage Mode, Yuushi does take on some somewhat unsettling qualities, especially since they're bug like qualities as he's the mantis sage. His eyes go from forest green to bright, shining green, and his pupils all but disappear. His canine teeth get longer as well, both pairs curving closer together and giving the uneasy appearance of mandibles when the top and bottom clink together, though they don't peek out from his mouth now as they used too thankfully. Lastly, his arms get thinner, his already oversized sleeves now draping over his hands.

• Active Ability: Predator (4pt Drain)

Yuushi is very used to being perfectly still, needing to do so to even enter sage mode. And so when doing so in Sage Mode, it only makes sense he also reaps some benefits. When standing still, he can become virtually undetectable by Chakra sensory, his Nature Energy Chakra acting as a camouflage as it masks his chakra signature. Even dojutsu users will have a very hard time finding him, his Nature Chakra acting like interference and him impossible to pinpoint.

• Passive Ability: Don't Blink (1pt Drain)

When in Sage Mode Yuushi is able to move very fast. Not in movement speed, but in his attack speed. He's able to go from a relaxed position to finishing up an attack faster than most people can process that he's even attacked in the first place, let alone try and defend themselves.

• Passive Ability: Never Again (1pt Drain)

Yuushi's one goal, perhaps more than any other, is to never get sick again. And thankfully for him, bugs have a very different circulatory system than most. This means that he's able to heavily resist things like poison, disease, and anything else that might impair him of that nature.

• Active Ability: Snatch (4pt Drain)

Imitating how a mantis grabs it's prey, when Yuushi folds his arm inwards he can create a chakra extension of a mantis claw, doubling his reach length and able to fold it inwards to trap people in its now vice grip capable of crushing concrete. However it can also be broken out of, whether by so much strength that he can't hold it shut or just breaking his chakra claws.

Wait For It
The woods being the only real place Yuushi could escape too when young and sick means that he does have some experience hiding in them, when he didn't want to be found, didn't want go back hospital. And his Stealth abilities have only gotten better since becoming Sage. Watching the Mantis's disappear into the forest, and noticing how they lack a scent, he uses their teachings and his clan knowledge of plants to mask his scent even when downwind, making him very difficult to find by traditional means.

---

Summons Summoned:
Basagiri

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Stone Cap: 400-40= 360 Points Remaining

[TACTICIAN]

ROUND INFORMATION

Group D - SECTION ONE: COMPLETE
SECTION TWO: COMPLETE
SECTION THREE: COMPLETE
SECTION FOUR: ROTATION 4 of 4

ROTATION DEADLINE: 8/21/24

TIMEZONE CONVERSION BELOW

Original plan was for 5 rotations for this section, but considering that the content of the next section is dependent on your decision-making in this rotation, this feels like a good place to close out section 4.

If you decide to go up against big scary spiders, consider this a preparation round--do whatever you need to do to get ready for the fight ahead!

If you decide to retreat to the caravan and stick to the mission as intended, consider this a defensive round--what are you doing to ensure the caravan isn't attacked by giant spiders?

POST

- The Bonds We Weave -

‘Who picks these paths!?’ The normally stern caravan leader cringed only slightly at these words, muttering something about the spiders normally getting cleared out on a pretty consistent basis—invasive species—repeatable mission fodder—et cetera. Point being, it shouldn’t have been an issue, and yet the size of the webs spoke for themselves.

Zakku was having exactly none of it, sending his clones ahead to do his dirty work, while Ayukawa was feeling the burden of responsibility, regardless of whether it was hers to bear or not. Kazuyuki lectured the pair on their conduct, but it was Yuushi, in the end, who took the lead on the rescue efforts, Basagiri sticking close behind.

Yuushi, Basagiri, and the two Zakku clones struck off into the woods, ahead of the caravan. It wasn’t hard to find the teen’s trail, after a time; some webs leading off into the woods had been slashed to clear a path, and his footprints were spaced far apart and heavily indented, the clear indication of someone running. Relatively fresh, too, likely not more than half an hour old.

If the trail was followed, the group would find the tell-tale corpse of a spider curled up on its back, roughly the size of a small dog. A trail of blood led away from the body alongside more footprints; more webs being slashed away, the pace slower now but no less determined for the effort.

Then the heavy cracking of undergrowth under a massive weight; the skittering sound of even more oversized spiders; and a scream, the high-pitched sound of a teenage boy desperately trying to summon help that lasted only a precious couple of seconds before it was abruptly cut off. It wasn’t too far away from the scouting group’s position, the run of maybe less than a minute; somewhat further from the main road where the caravan was traveling, but still less than five minutes if a civilian were running at top speed, even faster for shinobi of the group’s caliber.

The threat sounded massive, and it was clear that there were many more of the dog-sized spiders lurking as a looming threat in the direction the scouting group was traveling. Was it worth the risk? Would they go to engage, or retreat to the caravan to focus on the task at hand? Could they afford to leave the trodden path undefended while they worked to rescue one stupid, mean boy?

It was a question each member of the group would need to answer for themselves.

SPOILER: Click to show

[Burokon Zakku]

// Zakku //

I could go supersonic, the problem's chronic
Tell me, does life exist beyond it?
When I need to sate,
I just accelerate into oblivion

Saeko Ayukawa   Nakahara Yuushi Senju Kazuyuki

The clones slowed their pace as they spotted the trail that was cut in the webs.  "Of course we have to go deeper into it..."  One of the clones whined.  Moving into the path and soon they froze seeing the dead spider.  It was huge.  Zakku had never seen one get that big nor would he want to ever again.  "Oh my kami he killed it."  The clone commented throwing one of his nails into the body to make sure it was dead.  Neither of the clones planned on retrieving the nail either.  

Seeing the trail of blood both clones clicked their tongues.  As they followed the trail the clones kept their hands ready and more importantly their chakra ready to run.  "Have I ever mentioned how much I hate spi-"  The skittering noise made them stop mid sentence the scream making them jump.  When it abruptly stopped one of the clones drew their kunai.  "We're gonna need back up!"  He stabbed the other clone making it disappear as he took off after the screaming.  


The originals eyes widened as the chakra rushed back to him.  The memories instantly becoming one with his own.  "Curse this moral compass.  Kazuyuki no time to listen or care about being lectured.  Ayu-chan.  We need to move!"  Zakku told the others as he flooded raiton into his legs.  "Don't be scared.  Don't be scared."  Zakku took off with a light 'Thoom'.  Following the path his clones, Yuushi, and Basagiri had taken he weaved handsigns making his hair grown and harden around him as he ran.  "If this sticks to my hair.  I'm kicking Ayukawas ass...When she's asleep."  It was really the only time he had a chance of beating her.

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu used:
Hari Jizō - [Needle Jizō]
A swift set of seals are formed as chakra is poured into the user's hair, inspiring growth and thickening of each individual fiber. The fibers continue hardening and sharpening until reaching a level of mimicking steel needles, creating a chain-mail-like defense of dense hair. Often times, the user will surround his or herself with the hair as a spike-covered mound so dense that weapons break upon striking it. If the user wishes, the hair can reach outward with its spines, aiming to thoroughly pierce and maim opponents with its stone-splitting spikes.

[Saeko Ayukawa]

Forging from the Group up "I just hope hes okay...." Ayukawa would muster her strength as she ventured after the others as they moved deeper into the woods. The sight around them proved that they weren't exactly alone, though with the confirmation of the spiders, that was already certain. Still, while they were trained to handle such things, the young man whom had felt compelled to prove himself did not. Much to her own cajoling to it. If she could, she would apologize right there on the spot, but she imagined that if they weren't able to do so, she'd regret it for the rest of her life. Moving further in, the sight the dead spider and trail of blood prompted the girl to stop as she knelt down. Sniffing the the area, her eyes would narrow as she attempted to identify where or from whom it came from. Her hope was that it was another creature, her fear was that it was the boy's. With that as a sign, along with the footprints, Ayukawa would continue forward as she keep the smell in her mind, focusing on it as she followed it. With Zakku complaining about the webs in his hair, the teen would then glance towards him before sharply shushing him as she held her hand up. "I heard something....something big....and the blood smell is getting closer..." That said, the girl would then keep her head clear as she then began to point in the direction in which she was smelling, signaling to the others. "We have to go! That way! Hurry!!" That said, the Saeko would begin to race forward ahead of the group, making her way in the path in which she knew the blood would lead and perhaps the cause of it as well. Aside from the noises, she imagined that what awaited them would likely be upset at them interrupting, but nature had a way of being understanding at times. Maybe the sight of the group would cause it pause or even hinder it from proceeding. Her worry was that it wasn't simply one thing they'd have to deal with.

    Tag: | Words: xxx | Notes:

BRY of W&&R and CAUTION

SPOILER: Click to show

-Jutsu Used-



-Item's used-
xPuppet Arm

-S.A Used-
Lion's Sleep
Hunter instincts and experience on the hunt have granted Ayukawa insight into the minds of the prey she encounters. Animalistic encounters have allowed her to track and be capable of following those that she intends to target, at times giving her brief, but small insight into their intentions. While not fully developed, they have improved over her continued use and natural development, allowing her instincts to be heighten to a point where she isn't caught off-guard when activated or in an intense moment that requires a reaction. It also allows for her to at times get inside of the heads of her target, mostly due to their movements and their patterns once discovered. It is a skill that is constantly growing, though has yet to reach it's full potential.

In the Jungle
To survive in the desert, one must be able to keep up with not just the prey, but also to outrun the wild predators as well. Ayukawa training and life in the wilderness and vast landscape has prepared her for such events. Her genetics in relation to the Saeko Clan have given her an edge in physical combat, along with making her much more agile. Living out in the desert has also made her incredibly durable due to the intense environment surrounding her, along with possessing a high amount of physical stamina.

Law of the Jungle
The law of the jungle states that the strongest survive and the weak perish. In further effort to increase upon such a principle, Ayukawa has further increased her strength by the usage of training weights. Her constant runs, strikes, and combat acts have more impactful strides due to their instrumental usage. As such, while not yet strong enough to break boulders without applying chakra, she has improved the impact strength of her strikes to the point that she can fracture bones with more ease, much like the bite of a lion.

[Nakahara Yuushi]

Behind the two blue-haired clones was Yuushi, and he was doing what could best be described as skulking in the woods, popping in and out of view as he trailed his much louder companions. It was as if he himself was a predator in these woods, stalking his prey in silence. But he wasn't the only predator, the spider webs were getting larger and more frequent. The caravan leader had called them an infestation, an invasive species. Just where had they invaded from? His thoughts went back to the path they'd just narrowly avoided thanks to Kazuyuki's improvisational skills with that jutsu, and he was at least grateful for small favors. Though it seemed like it was a very small favor since they were still very much in spider territory. And as if to emphasize this, they'd come across a very large spider corpse.

The two heads of blue would be joined by spiked green hair, suddenly appearing from the ether as he emerged from stalking in the woods as they started freaking out over the giant bug corpse. Yuushi had spent all of his teenage years surrounded by giant bugs, so the size of the spider wasn't nearly as disturbing to him as it was to his two clone compatriotes, yet what was just as shocking to him was that Kisuke had actually managed to kill the thing. Though it wouldn't be the older teen who commented on this, but his small, green, companion.

Woah!! He actually killed it...I thought he was just a loud-mouthed bully... Unfortunately, it was clear that the young teen hadn't quite gotten out of the fight unscathed, blood splattered about leading into a trail.

...I hope he's OK... The young man was quiet in his concern, as the tracking began, and those worries would be answered with a scream. Exactly the thing he hadn't wanted to hear. And it got even worse when the screaming stopped. He had to act. And his Suna compatriot had the same idea, commuting Hari-Kari on himself in order to bring reinforcements. What a twisted way to send messages...When we get back I'm buying you a radio. Yuushi was grimacing, the macabre act proving to be a minor distraction for the older teen. But it was only temporary, as there was a poking at his leg, and he looked down to see Basagiri also roaring to go.

Yuu-nii, let's go! Yeah. You're right. Hop on. And the small mantis hopped on his shoulder, and with a handseal she'd slowly meld with it, as if grafted on. The young sage could feel it, the energy collecting. Slower, but it was there. He could potentially wait. Meditate as those reinforcements came to them, let everyone catch up and face the threat together. But he didn't, instead the young man rushed ahead into the maws of the waiting threat, with only a clone as reinforcements. Because he was brave, and he wasn't going to wait while someone needed him. So once again, he disappeared into the woods, stealthily yet hastily going towards the scream.

SPOILER: Click to show

-Yuushi being stealthy in his approach
-Really glad we avoided that detour, too bad there's still more spiders
-Daaaamn Kisuke. Even Basagiri is impressed
-Yuushi worries aloud as he sees blood. His worries are answered by a scream
-Gets distracted by the gruesomeness of clone suicide, but only temporarily
-Uses Amphibian Technique with Basagiri then immediately heads towards danger without waiting for reinforcements
-Goes back into stealth mode for his approach

Gathering Nature Energy 1/2

---

Summons Summoned:
Basagiri

---

Jutsus Used:
NAME: Senpō: Ryōsei no Jutsu [仙法・両生の術; Sage Art: Amphibian Technique]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Senjutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: -
REQUIREMENTS: At least one already-summoned Sage animal, Sage Mode
DESCRIPTION:
Summoning one or more of their sage animals, these animals can then fuse themselves to the user's body and remain still, allowing them to gather natural chakra for the user whilst moving and fighting. This technique is invaluable to Sennin, however the gathering rate of Natural chakra is slightly reduced as compared to gathering by oneself. This means regaining Natural chakra takes one turn longer than it normally would, however the added benefit of movement whilst doing do definitely makes this technique worth the wait.

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Stone Cap: 400-40= 360 Points Remaining