[Honō Mako]

Mako observed the exchange between Kusari and the merchant leader with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. While he had been briefed on the diplomatic approach they were supposed to take, the reality of the situation was proving to be far more tense than he had anticipated.

As the merchant leader questioned their presence and threatened violence, Mako felt a knot form in his stomach. This was not the outcome he had hoped for, and the gravity of their situation weighed heavily on him. He exchanged a quick glance with Kusari, silently communicating his concern.

However, Kusari's response was nothing short of impressive. Despite the merchant's hostility, Kusari remained composed and confident, his words carrying a subtle authority that demanded attention. Mako couldn't help but admire his cousin's ability to navigate such delicate situations with ease. However, as soon as Kusari mentioned the dispute, the man in charge gave a quiet signal with one of his hands to his guards.

The man was simply putting on his own facade to keep both Mako’s and Kusari’s attention. Mako's heart sank as he realized that their diplomatic approach had unraveled, not because of their own ineptitude but because the man in front of them had no intention of hearing them out to begin with. Mako would mutter, "That’s a shame,” as the men behind them stepped forward with what seemed like ill intent.

In the blink of an eye, all hell broke loose. Mako maybe jumped the gun a little bit, but rather than wait for the enemy to make the first move, Mako would quickly rotate in place and, as the ghastly blue lava he was known for covered his fist, direct a punch into the gut of the man behind Kusari first, almost forcing him to collapse as his flesh melted and his clothing caught on fire from the heat.

Despite his best intentions to take these men alive, the fiery side of Mako bubbled over as he finally gave Kusari the ok, "Seems like things weren’t going to work out regardless,” Mako would duck and twist his body under the blade of the man that had positioned behind him, before slamming his fist so hard into the face of the second guy that he practically flipped in place, his melted face slamming into the dirt before his clothes also caught fire.

Mako would finally look back at Kusari, as all four men drew weapons with half terrified looks on their faces as the two thugs were set ablaze in mere moments, "Would you prefer to handle the stragglers outside or these vermin?” The disdain at the situation was incredibly obvious just in the tone of Mako's voice. He much preferred to save people and take them alive, but sometimes people were just trash human beings.

There was obviously the third option of them handling things in here together before going outside to handle the stragglers, but that was probably a less efficient option.




Honō Kusari

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kuikkurōtēshon [Quick Rotation]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0

DESCRIPTION:

Utilizing chakra in the feet, ankles and legs specifically. It is a small amount of energy, but used precisely on reflexes and timing. This technique is gauged this way. When timed, the user can twist themselves abruptly out of the way of an attack. Like a speedy side-step, but a rotation of one's body to the side. A spin-move. This is only attacks in an immediate vicinity(three meters) anything else is too big an attack. Usually Taijutsu, but sometimes this technique is effective against close-range ninjutsu.

NAME: Yōton: Shakugaikōken [Lava Release: Scorching Armoured Fist]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium, Low (Drain)
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Yōton
HANDSEALS: 2 0 due to my wraps
DESCRIPTION:

By using the Honō Clan natural immunity to their own techniques, the user coats their arm with thin, yet very hot, layer of Lava aimed to punch the opponent. Even if the hit misses the intense heat of the lava can burn opponents if they are close enough. Although the user is safe from their own technique they are susceptible for attacks of other users.

[Honō Kusari]

Kusari's unreadable expression soured as his act was met with `no sale. It wasn't that he was unconvincing, because it seemed that the riff raff were dubious at best about the situation, but it had quickly become apparent that they had never had any intention of complying. His ruby colored gaze centered on the man in front of him, but he was aware of other movement in the room. If they were worth any actual payment from the merchants who hired them, they would recognize that the "diplomat" had intentionally left his defense to Mako- the bodyguard, playing the part not only in their little farce, but apparently in reality as well.

After all, why move the King when the Knight is already in position?

Yoton carried with it a very specific brimstone scent. When it was applied to flesh, the rancid melting of leathery warped tissue caused the ozone to putrefy and stink horrendously. It was why Kusari preferred not to maim- a clean, immolated death left no such undignified cremains. And it left fewer questions and loose ends, besides. Nonetheless, Mako had made a good impression enough that Kusari was willing to tolerate the stench.

"I don't think I've ever met a merchant willing to let go of profits," the Bringer of Sorrow commented offhand. "But no one can say we didn't extend the olive branch."

He watched his cousin work and snapped his fan shut, pressing the tip to his lips pensively. It was crude, but effective- he wasn't going to say that it was human or efficient, though. "Far be it for me to interrupt the fun you're already having." Kusari indicated the rabble with a vague gesture of his fan toward the mangled mess of burning bodies. He stowed the fan slowly in his sleeve and his hands moved suddenly in a blur of motion, weaving handseals to cast his jutsu. Three blurring gestures later, his hand moved through the air like a paintbrush, drawing an invisible line from his fingertips to the floor.

Molten rock erupted forth, spewing clay and wood from the floor around in splinters. As his hand moved, the stream of magma mimicked him, writhing, twisting, taking shape. He pulled it inward, over his shoulder, and the rapidly cooling igneous rock alighted on his body taking the form of an insidious chain. He slammed his heel into the convergence where the rock remained anchored to the floor, wresting the wicked weapon free.

"I suppose I'll have to pull my weight outside."

The chain rattled suddenly as he moved his hand in a quick, tight motion and sent the bulk of the rock sundering forward, ripping through the paper and paste wall that composed the partition. The ripping sound was hideous, but the weight of the chain served to tear it open effectively. The chain slumped and dragged along behind Kusari as he made his unceremonious exit.

[485 words]
Honō Mako
Mission: 17/15