Harvest the Dead [Open to Battosai Members]

[AFungalNetwork]

There was no death in Tsukiyotake's world. Not the kind people feared. To her, death was but a transition, a return to the earth, a moment of peace before new life could emerge. That was the way of things. Her way. But today, through the soft whispers of her fungal network, the harmony had shattered.

The telltale pulses of her mycelium, the roots of her being, had begun thrumming with an unsettling rhythm. Something was wrong in the heart of the woods, something that made her fungi scream. It was the dead, she realized. Or, rather, what the dead had become. They had been twisted, dragged back from the void, but not as peaceful spirits. They moved with aggression, driven by an unnatural will. And worst of all, they wore her gift like a cursed armor.

The Verdant Claw, a rogue shinobi cell she had once blessed with her spores, had started to abuse them. They had used her gift of life and decay to create an army. Corpses had been unearthed, their flesh overtaken by mushrooms, reanimated by the same spores she spread with the purest of intentions. The transformation was far from natural; grotesque, violent, a betrayal of what Tsukiyotake had hoped to nurture.

But she could feel the pull of the infection as it spread. Her mycelium had whispered that the Verdant Claw's influence was growing, their fungal soldiers increasing in number by the day. If they weren’t stopped, the entire region — perhaps more — could fall under the sway of this dark, twisted creation.

Tsukiyotake could not stand by. She had to act. But this was no simple matter of walking into the woods and confronting a few misguided souls. The Verdant Claw had already laid the groundwork for something larger. The dead were rising faster than she could track, becoming weapons in a war they had no will to fight. Worse yet, the source of their power was deep within a ruined fort, and she knew all too well the danger of letting such corruption grow.

Her thoughts turned to those who might be able to help. She could not do this alone. She had already begun calling out through her spores — sending whispers, calling those who might answer the call. The fort lay ahead. And from the depths of it, the familiar pulse of her mycelium grew stronger, darker. There were more than just simple undead in the fort now. Her fungi twisted and writhed with something else, something foreign, tainted.

Tsukiyotake began asking around the Battosai for help, if anyone could deal with this problem it was Heart Country's elite.

Word CountShow

439

[Zao]

A young soldier was here to answer the call, well more so it was an order from his cell leader to go investigate this issue with the information that was being passed to the Battosai about this Verdant Claw as rumors of the undead rising. It was all quite a bit and hard for the former bounty hunter to believe as he walked quietly upon the winding road before him. Even so, the hunter in his late teen years had prepared for battle all the same, even bringing along with him his new side arm launchers that were currently strapped to each side of his belt and the end of either holster like sheath further secured around his mid-thigh with a Velcro strap on each. There could be seen a simple looking brown rucksack that appeared to be made from a canvas like material upon his back with it strapped around his shoulder and affixed to the right side of the bag was what looked like a large umbrella that was white and red in colors with a metallic looking shaft that extended over the right shoulder of Hoka.

Inside of course the youth had prepared all his other equipment that was to large or cumbersome to constantly pack with him along with other things he would need for the trip or survival, if needed, stored within the storage seal that allowed for the pack to look barely half full at the moment. While he had not been a member of the Battosai for long, he aimed to still make a name and reputation for himself that went beyond just his skills as a bounty hunter. His first priorities were to link up with Tsukiyotake, the one who had reached out for help from the Heart country elite group of samurai and soldiers, needing to verify the situation and if things had progressed from the time, she had requested the help. Secondly would be for the hunter to see if this was a problem that his own skills and equipment would be able to deal with or if he would need to also request additional help from either his cell or another unit from the Battosai.

With his pace quickening slightly, the boots upon the young man's feet had a rhythmic flow to his sets as the lavender eyes keep a constant watch as he began to near the meeting place detailed in the mission request from Tsukiyotake. In addition to the mission brief information was also passed about the fungal ability of the woman and her clan, though it wasn't explained in detail to him it was enough for him to have a general understanding of it. 'This mission is a strange one for sure...' Hoka spoke to himself in thought alone as he moved, closing in the on the link up point with the target.



WC: 477

[AFungalNetwork]

Tsuki waited, strolling through a small graveyard, reading the various names on the headstones. This was the location specified in her call for help, it calmed her to come her. This is where she remembered her purpose. Tsuki’s boots crunched softly over the gravel path as she moved slowly between the moss-covered stones. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and a cool twilight settled over the graveyard, casting long shadows that wavered in the breeze. She trailed her fingers along an old headstone, the name half-eroded, the date a century past. There was comfort in the silence here, in the stillness that wrapped around her like a shawl. She paused near a willow tree, its branches whispering above her, and leaned against the trunk, exhaling slowly.

Each name etched in stone was a story finished. Tsuki found clarity in that finality. Unlike the chaos she lived in—the decisions yet to make, the paths still forked—this place was resolute. Her eyes scanned the far corners of the cemetery, half-expecting movement, half-hoping for none. She was early, but she always was. Better to wait than to be caught unprepared. A crow cawed in the distance, then silence again.

Her fingers fidgeted with her katana's blade, the cold metal grounding her. She had hoped the members of Battosai would respond. But she worried this whole incident might endanger her chances of staying in the organization, but this kind of thing was better dealt with out in the open than trying to keep it a secret. That's when she saw Hoka approaching.

Have you come to help right my wrong? she asked casually.

[Zao]

The sun had already snuck behind the tops of the treelined visible to the walking youth, the nautical twilight crept in as the linger hues of light on the edge of the sky were slipping away, it had taken him a bit longer to get here than he'd planned due to not really knowing the area or terrain. 'Should have left sooner...' While navigating in the dark wasn't hard, it did slow one's pace and for a hunter it limited the senses which was something Hoka wasn't keen on. Yes, he could activate his doujutsu but unless he actually needed it to fight or track someone it was a waste of chakra. But due to the circumstances that were laid out in the mission brief the young hunter couldn't help but let his left-hand rest on the grip to Izanami as it rested in the holster upon his left hip.

As the shadows grew and the night air cooled his sharp eyes could make out the outline of a archway gate, one the plotted the entrance to a cemetery as the dark silhouettes of grave markers were coming into view, the moon not quite high enough in the night sky to illuminate much just yet. A crow cawed above him, seemingly started by his movement as he entered the somber place as the beating of its wings could be heard against the stillness of the night as it moved to another tree further away from the intruder. Glancing around the small burial plot, his soft purple eye locked onto a single figure still a short distance away from him as he adjusted his walking alone the stone path to approach. "Sorry that I am a little late." A gentle bow of his head could be seen allowing his spikey locks to fall in front of his face for a moment before he lifted his head.

"But what do you mean by your wrongs?" While the mission brief contained some information, it was best to get it straight from the source. As he didn't truly know Tsuki except through their mutual acquaintanceship of being members of the same organization, Hoka felt like it was best to hear the problems here straight from the girl's mouth. Hoping to get an in-depth understanding of exactly what was going on here as he glanced around at the tombstones to his left and right, slightly unnerved at the meeting location as he tried to hide the face with his body gestures.


WC: 416

[AFungalNetwork]

Tsuki looked at the man with her uninterested grey-green eyes, they always made people think she didn't care what was going on but her eyebrows and frown betrayed her eyes. She looked down at her feet for a moment before looking him in the eyes.

A few years ago, I gave a group of shinobi a gift. Some of my spores. They were desperate to seek me out. They shared a tale with me of a group of bandits destroying their village and killing their loved ones. They said they had heard about my abilities in passing and they just wanted to make sure their village had peacefully departed. It seems they were lying. I don't know how they did it but they discovered that my spores can be used to raise the dead. she looked down woefully and sighed, That is what I meant by my mistake. I would have done this myself but I'm too weak... to slow... her voice trailed off and she started walking.

Let's go, I'll answer any questions you have on the way.

[Zao]

"I understand a bit more now..." Hoka trailed off a bit as he gave a short nod in conjunction with his own short few words as he was still comprehending the explanation of the young woman. Not intentionally looking down at her but due to the over a foot in height difference the former bounty hunter shifted his gaze down at the mushroom lady as he joined her in step easily catching up with his longer stride as he positioned himself on her left side. "I did not realize your spore were capable of such a thing." He couldn't hell but speak about the subject as he matched walking paced with the shorter comrade to his right side now.

"Can you tell me more about those who become reanimated? Such as their physical attributes compared to when they were alive? Or how their mental status is?" While part of the young man felt like he should pry into the sensitive subject these were also the hard facts that he needed to have a full understanding of what they were about to go up against. Glancing back over to the young lady he spoke once more. "You shouldn't assume it was a mistake to help others, if we stop helping others when we have the power or strength to do so, wouldn't we just become the bad guys?" Hoka offered a rare, half smile from his thin lips before adjusting his purple eyes and attention back out in front of the two.



WC: 251

[AFungalNetwork]

His words made her feel a little better, still it was clear something was still bothering her. The Sporelings, as I call them, come back with all of their former physical attributes. Though their movement is... awkward and uncoordinated. I'm not capable of controlling them very well yet. They have some mental faculties available but its as if a fog is clouding their minds. The issue is that I can only raise the dead for up to 10 minutes at my current strength. This group of rogues has found a way to master my own ability before even I have. her voice was filled with shame and embarrassment. But that's not all. I can raise humans alongside beasts. I fear what this group may do if they figure that out.

She kept walking but she kept her head down. The mushrooms on her armor wiggled and she nodded as if she was listening to them before finally speaking again, There's... one more thing my spores can do. I can alter the terrain around me. With my limited grasp on my powers I can only do some very minor things. and she grabbed a handful of spores from her mushroom cap, spread them across the ground beside them. She closed her eyes, focusing on the spores, it only took a moment but mushrooms burst from the ground; some small but others growing to the size of Hoka. The ground they burst from had been turned to damp, mossy earth. If they have mastered this ability to... then we are going to have a bad time.

OOCShow

The following info is subject to change as Tsuki is still in reg so take it with a grain of salt.

D-Rank
Hide
Seeds of Control
Spore Possession: You release spores that latch onto a living target or a recently deceased body. The spores take root in their host, causing physical degradation or mental influence. The infected target experiences mild symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, or hallucinations. However, the spores' full effect is not yet active, only influencing minor behaviors.

Partial Resurrection: You can resurrect the dead within 5 minutes of their passing, bringing them back with limited mental control. They are under your influence but remain mentally foggy and sluggish. Their physical abilities are restored but their movement is uncoordinated. You can use them as mindless minions for up to 10 minutes.

Environmental Manipulation: You can control the growth of fungal matter in the environment. Fungi may grow rapidly in the area, turning terrain into spongy, decaying land, impeding movement or causing discomfort. You cannot yet shape it into deadly forms, but it hinders or confuses your enemies.

[Zao]

"A way to exceed your own mastery?" Hoka couldn't hope but mutter to himself, as far as he understood this ability that Tsuki wielded was considered a bloodline style, that meant one needed to be from that clone to fully unleash its potential. So, when the young lady spoke of them be able to wield these unique fungal spores better than herself it didn't quite make complete sense to him. Yes, she had given them some of her own spores but even then, that should have had some form of limit to them that would prevent them from being continuously used. Perhaps he just didn't have a full grasp of the powers that the shorter girl had. "This does sound troublesome, depending on how strong they were beforehand. And beast, as well?" Hoka had thought perhaps they would come back as some weakened creatures like in the fantasy stories he'd read but this made things sound worse, plus they didn't know how many of these reanimated people were out there.

The wiggle of the mushrooms growing on Tsuki didn't escape the paraphilias of the hunter's vision, causing him to glance to the side at this. Her features were indeed a unique one and something that he did his best not to stare at despite how interested he was in learning about her and this unique clan that fell under the protection of the Heart Empire. "Please." Hoka spoke as she started to explain, nudging her with his words to continue as spores were retrieved from her mushroom cap and spread beside them. Soon the rapid growth of the fungal mushroom ranging from tiny to some as large as the new two-meter-tall man caused him to take a step back as his eyes tracked the different mushrooms in an almost calculating motion. "This is...awesome!" The impressed tone in his voice was evident, as a man who didn't personally have any skill in elemental ninjutsu but had found against targets who did wield this power he had seen several different type of chakra usage but this was truly something different...perhaps special was the word in his mind as it was like some form of plant magic.

Lifting his foot slightly he could feel the dampness that had spread through the soil beneath him and even now a thin layer of moss had spread out between the bases of the newly formed mushrooms as he glanced around in somewhat of a childlike manner, it was a truly impressive sight for the bounty hunter. But it only lasted a few seconds as the teenager remembered that he wasn't here to enjoy himself on some time off. Furrowing his brows a slightly, he turned his attention back to the young girl that looked even younger than she was due to her height. "What is the best way to take down these creatures?" The soldier didn't want to be to blunt, as killing was what he had been trained to do and even now he had not even considered keeping any of the men or women behind this problem alive. He was here to eliminate a threat to Heart, plain and simple.



WC: 526

[AFungalNetwork]

As long as my spores are attached, they will keep getting up; like children eager to please their parents. she said, looking to the mushrooms on her armor in an almost maternal way. The best way to deal with them is to burn them away. Once the spores have been destroyed, the body will fall. she looked at the young man who was more impressed than she had expected. Very few members of my clan know about this ability. My spores are... special. There is another Kinoko among the Battosai, correct? I doubt she would be able to do the same things I can. she realized it might come off as her bragging so she quickly added, I'm only mentioning this because I have never tried to destroy my own spores before. I'm only assuming fire will work. This wasn't something I was taught. More like... inherited.

As she finished they had arrived at the crest of a hill. From their elevated position they could see the old, once abandoned fort below. They were to far to see details but there were several figures moving below, 8 or 9.

Before we go down there. What is the game plan? You have more field experience than me, I assume.she stared with her disinterested eyes.

[Zao]

"How resilient...and how troublesome." The young man couldn't help but rub his lower face in thought about how useful these spores could be, let along how troublesome it was going to be now that he was fighting on the opposite side of them. Listening carefully, he heard her next words which spoke of the only way she believed they could be destroyed was with fire which caused him to close his eyes for a moment. 'I do have that, but it was made for the airship, and its range is dangerous to use on the ground.' Hoka quietly pondered his cannon weapon that he'd worked tirelessly on for the last few weeks to create in order to increase the lethality of the airship him and the Shiro cell manned in the defense of the Heart Empire. Opening his light violet hue eyes, they shifted over to the shorter lady next to him as the pair were still concealed near the edge of the cliff that looked down upon the rundown fort below them. "You are a special young lady, indeed."

The former hunter gave a half smile with his words; these unique spores were definitely something special and judging from what others could do with them did this mean that their actual creator would be able to do even more with them in the future as she grew stronger? It was an interesting thought for sure but something that he couldn't put too much effort into thinking about given their current situation. "So maybe fire will work, but I can only see a small group down below from here. Let me see..." Hoka's words trailed off a bit as he focused chakra into his eyes, black concentric rings began to form within the entirety of the eye as the pupil and sclera of the eye turned a deep crimson color as he took a second glance down at the fortress containing their current targets.

The Denbagan (Electric Field Eye), his doujutsu, allowed for him to see within and observe the electrical impulses that were contained within living things and as he was still glancing in the direction of Tsuki he was able to see the unique electrical pattern created between herself and the living spores that were attached to her body. Nodding to her he turned his attention back down to the darkened fort below and using the ability of the eye technique he could start to tell the difference between the reanimated bodies and those that belonged to normal people who were not being affected by the spores, even able to see through the walls and structures as long as they weren't overly thick in their construction or reinforced with chakra. "There seems to be quite the large number. Sorry to keep asking questions but I have two more before we try anything. " He shook his head slightly as he spoke, still scanning the layout of the fort below and looking for those parts which were less guarded that he could potentially infiltrate through.

"Fighting this many would be very difficult, even for me unless I plan to level this entire fort. Since these spores once belonged to you, do you think it would be possible for your to either take them back or gain control over these creatures?" It was just a thought in the man's mind, but worth asking at this point due to the number of enemies that were down inside the fort and factoring in that he didn't know what the strength of each of them were due to the bodies being able to retain their physical stats from being alive. If they could slowly whittle away at the total strength, then completing this mission would be easier. After allowing her to answer he would continue to his next question, "What will happen to these beasts if the ones who used the spores to create them die?" It was a question he was thinking about as he wondered if those who created them died what would happen: would they go berserk, roam around idlily, or would the connection being separated cause the spores to die? Tsuki's ability was so unique that it left the man swimming in questions about it and the possibilities for its uses.


WC: 711

UsedShow

Name: Denbagan (Electric Field Eye)

Type: Dōjutsu

Description: Characterized by concentric circles covering the sclera part of the eyeball, alternating between lavender and black before reading a thick red, two-toned iris where the outer layer is a darker red while the inner iris is a brighter red. Rounded of with traditional black pupils in the center, as four then black tomoe shaped marks seem to form around the iris extending from the sclera into the center of the pupil.


Effect: The [Denbagan] is a unique doujutsu that when activated allows for the user to able to see the electrical impulses and/or bioelectric fields generated by living organisms due to the activation of their nerves and muscles which grants its wielder a unique field of visual prowess.

At its core allowing for the user to be able to visually see and recognize the faintest of electrical impulses created inside the bodies of living organisms and able to precisely see these fluctuations within a target's body. This grants its user a form of visual [Perception] allowing them to pick up on the smallest patterns or activation of the muscle fibers within an opponent's body due to these electrical impulses before the muscles and tendons begin to move. Increasing their ability to react, based on their own personal level of training and experience, combined with their personal [Speed].

The second part of the doujutsu comes in the ability of Penetrative vision, giving the user the ability to see these electrical impulses even through typical types of visual impairments, such as smoke, mist, dust, or blinding techniques/effects such as flash bombs, and even some stealth techniques but being limited to a range of [Endurance] x2 meters. The penetrative vision of the doujutsu also allows the user to see the electrical signals through solid objects as long as they are not more than [Endurance /10] meters thick.

The electrical impulses and bioelectric fields given off by living organisms are naturally transferred to other objects that are near them or come into contact with them. These are known to the [Denbagan] user as electrical remnant spores. As long as it has been less than [6] posts since the contact was made, the user will be able to utilize these spores to identify and track targets or objects of a target. Being able to examine the signal and tell them how old the electrical spore track is, it's direction of motion or travel, and possibly if they belong to different targets.

Due to this constantly active ability, it places a constant drain on the user's chakra pool of [-3].

[AFungalNetwork]

She watched as he activated his dojutsu, dojutsu in general was new to her having never seen one before but his was extra interesting. She enjoyed the color of them. She listened to his questions and quietly nodded.

If the willpower of the resurrected beings is low, I could definitely send new spores into them and dominate the old ones. I could only control one of them at a time though. The others I could just shut down, so to speak. As for your second question. The spores are a tool that allow things to be controlled. If the ones commanding them were to die, they would just walk around idly and act upon their own will until the effect wore off, at which point they would die... again.

[Zao]

"Well then, that does at least give us a few options, I suppose." With a soft exhale he allowed for his doujutsu to deactivate as the black rings and red central portion to his eyes faded back and was replaced with the lavender hue eyes that looked back to his guide. "It seems that the western side of the fort isn't as well guarded as this side. If we could try your method to see if we can make a quiet entrance, at least for now, that would probably be for the best." As much as the hunter would like to come in guns blazing, that would be kind of silly in this case as it seemed there was only three things he could do to defeat the growing horde of these undead. Of course, he could go about killing the perpetrators but that would leave the zombies to wander around until they died, attempting for him to directly kill the creatures also appeared to be a waste of time and effort unless he could group all of them up in one area and use his Hades Cannon.

That avenue was put on the back burner for the time being, since Tsuki believed that she could retake control of or deactivate the spores that she had given to the group in the past, Hoka wanted to try this until they discovered it didn't work, or they were discovered by the rogue group. The hunter couldn't be sure that everyone in the group were bad people, he also didn't know who else might be within the fort at the moment so attempting to destroy the entire place wasn't something he would do. Yes, the man hunted people for a living but the members of the unit he formerly belonged to have a strong code of ethics.

"If you're up for it, well go with the first plan and start taking out the beasts that are on the perimeter that are in small groups of one to two. That should allow us to sneak into the interior of the fort where I will need your help again to identify the members of the group that you remember." His soft eyes shifted over onto Tsuki as he spoke in a hushed tone, this young lady would be the key to helping him complete this mission, as she was the only one with the unique ability that had evolved from the original Kinoko bloodline. "Are you ready?" He spoke again, the corners of his lips turning up in an excited smile.



WC: 427

[AFungalNetwork]

Tsuki gave a soft nod, her expression calm but focused, and stepped lightly through the snow-dusted brush that lined the western edge of the fort. The air was still, heavy with that strange silence the undead always seemed to carry with them. She moved with practiced caution, her feet barely disturbing the ground, and as they neared the first pair of reanimated guards, she raised a hand in silent signal to pause.

Closing her eyes, Tsuki exhaled slowly, then opened them—pale green irises gleaming faintly as spores shimmered into the air around her. They floated gently at first, like pollen on a spring breeze, before surging forward in a targeted stream. The spores entered the undead’s system through cracked skin and shallow wounds, disappearing beneath pallid flesh. Moments later, the two figures stuttered mid-step. Their heads twitched, movements losing that eerie, marionette-like cadence. One slumped to its knees, inert. The other stood silently, staring vacantly before slowly turning and walking in the opposite direction, aimless and without purpose.

Tsuki moved on without a word. Two more figures came into view, and again, she let the spores fly—these slower, more methodical. Again, they worked. One creature collapsed entirely, the other stood in place like a statue, deactivated.

The fifth and sixth followed—different in their decay but no stronger in will. They fell to her spores without resistance, limbs going limp, strings cut.

But the next one… something was off.

She tried again—her hand lifted, and the spores launched, dancing on the air before burrowing into the corpse’s flesh. This time, though, the creature didn’t falter. Its eyes snapped toward her, glowing with a malignant intelligence. Its jaw clenched. Muscles pulled taut under mottled skin. It didn’t charge—yet—but the resistance was palpable. Tsuki’s brows furrowed.

Shit—Hoka, she hissed, her voice low but urgent. I need your help with this one. It's… too strong.

UsedShow

Seeds of Control
Spore Possession: You release spores that latch onto a living target or a recently deceased body. The spores take root in their host, causing physical degradation or mental influence. The infected target experiences mild symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, or hallucinations. However, the spores' full effect is not yet active, only influencing minor behaviors.

Partial Resurrection: You can resurrect the dead within 5 minutes of their passing, bringing them back with limited mental control. They are under your influence but remain mentally foggy and sluggish. Their physical abilities are restored but their movement is uncoordinated. You can use them as mindless minions for up to 10 minutes.

[Zao]

A simple nod from his companion was all the mercenary needed to understand that their plan had been set in motion, reaching into his assault pack he summoned forth his mini-kunai launcher that he slung across his chest as he put the pack back onto his back for now. Hoka noted the practiced movement of his new teammate, it would appear that she was quite comfortable in the forest and even movement at night, something that caused a slight smile to tug on the corners of his mouth as the duo maneuvered through the edge of the tree line that brought them down onto the western edge of the fort as they encountered their first set of the creatures.

The hunter eyed the pair of fungal infected creatures, able to smell them even before seeing them due to the rather putrid smell put off by the previously undead people, the weapon within his hands was raised as the buttstock was already placed into the high pocket of his shoulder. His lavender eyes looked over the sights of the weapon as Tsuki began to act, thinking for a moment that he caught the slightest of green glows coming off her eyes as the spores was released from her body. 'That looks cool.' Despite the stern look on his face expected of a soldier; it was often discounted that he was still a teenager.

His weapon was readied, and the index finger of the right hand had already pressed lightly against launch level that would trigger the weapon, yet as the spores reached and entered through the decomposing bodies of the pair, they suddenly twitched and the youngster was only a breath away from firing when he one slumped to the ground and the other wondered off in the other direction. "It worked!" In a hushed tone he lowered the weapon and gave an approving smile and soon the two were moving along slowly working their way towards infiltrating into the actual fort.

'This is working better than I...' After clearing the fifth and sixth undead, the confidence in his young friend's ability growing until they encountered this one and Hoka immediately moved as he instantly noticed the difference in its reaction combining that with the urgent tone of the woman. Three rounds zipped out of the launcher at incredible speed with matching precision, one targeted each kneecap, and the last one was sent right for the forehead between the blank looking eyes (50 speed and strength).

Transitioning quickly, he rushed forward, unsure of exactly just how much the creature could take damage wise before dying and they needed to confirm some of the words that Tsuki had spoken earlier. His speed seemed to accelerate instantly moving to close to his top speed as a pair of kunai seemed to appear, one in each hand as he moved with crossed arms reach to slice in a scissor like motion planning to completely decapitate the undead's head from its body.


WC: 493

[AFungalNetwork]

The head rolled off the body like a golf ball downhill. Tsuki quickly capitalised on it and rushed over to the head. Using a minor bit of Doton she moved a large amount of dirt to the side, creating a hole big enough for her to kick the head into. She quickly buried the head with the rest of the dirt. The body of the undead rose from the ground, chunks were missing and an arm had been separated but it still moved forward. Without a head it was pretty useless though, it wandered aimlessly, attempting to find the source of its misfortune. It eventually shambled off away from them until it was no longer in sight. It probably won't survive long without its head. The spores are centered in the brain, so once the ones that spread throughout its body stop receiving the signals from the ones in its brain.. night night. I think. Still figuring these powers out, so that's just a theory. We should keep moving.

She moved silently, until they found themselves at the back of the fort. They could now see a small lake nestled snuggly behind, hidden from view during their scouting. There was a large grate attached to the fort that would occasionally spew "water" into the lake. Tsuki's nose crinkled at the thought before she turned to Hoka and spoke. Looks like that is one way in. The other option is scaling the wall. One is less likely to draw attention but it will be... less than pleasant as we'll be wading through sewage. Scaling the wall is not as gross but it's a little more obvious and physically straining. It's up to you but I think the first option is probably better.

[Zao]

'Still not dead?' A few moments after Hoka had completely decapitated the strange undead humanoid its body began to twitch, even as its own head was rolling across the ground before Tsuki went into action. Shifting his gaze to the corner of his own vision, the hunter catches sight of the quick actions and decision-making capabilities of the Kinoko clansman and smirked slightly. Standing slowly, he wiped off his blades as the headless body it wandered without aim or purpose after its head was buried into the earth below the pair's feet and both blades were sheathed quietly. "Hopefully that is the case and perhaps it is something we can use in the future. Destroying the head might be the key..." He replied in kind as both of them were figuring this out together, but it seemed that she was starting to at least somewhat understand these powers of her own design to a better degree. 'Just what is she capable of?' He couldn't help but wonder to himself as he turned watching the beast wander out of sight deeper into the forest now and he let out a slow breath.

Seeing his comrade moving, he two moved sticking close to the smaller woman as they crept closer to their original goal that was the western wall that seemed to have the least amount of security and judging from the approach it seemed this was so, at least for now. It was at this time as they reached the edge of the forest closest to the fort that they could make out a small lake, yet there was a certain putrid smell that lingered faintly in the air that caused for Hoka to instinctively reach up and rub at his nostrils. He listened to the words of the woman as his lavender eye glanced towards to large grate and the occasions spewing water that caused the wafting smell to enter the air and he could only wince slightly. The man had made several infiltrations in both training missions and real life but even for him that would have been a first to crawl through a sewer pipe. "It is a possibility, but we don't know how large the pipe is further up nor where it will come out. But I do have an idea..."

In that moment his eyes shifted from the grate over to the rocky fortress wall, estimating its height to be around thirty meters as he had to tilt his head back to take in the full height of the aged defense before turning his gaze for a moment onto the smaller figured female next to him. His eyes glanced down, appearing to be in thought about something before he reached back over his right shoulder and took hold of his Myriad Umbrella's handle, giving it a strong tug before it was pulled free from the straps holding it in place on the side of his assault pack. "I'll have to decline the first, but I must ask you a question. Have you ever flown before?" A slight smile appeared on the young mercenary's lips as he stepped forward exiting the edge of the forest and motioned for Tsuki to follow as they would quickly reach the base of the fort's wall as he extended the umbrella over his head and caused the metallic umbrella to open just slightly. Then the slender exterior supports, or what they appeared to be, snapped open and locked into place in the form of a propeller.

"Let's take the easy way up and I'll try to deal with problems when we get to the top. Hold on tight, we're going up." With the Rotary Blades mechanism ready to activate, he held his left hand out as he asked for her to hold on. If she did so the young man would use his left hand and arm to hold onto the small woman pulling her snuggly against himself while the thumb on the hand grasping hold of the umbrella's shaft to activate the blades causing them to rapidly spin and reach such a speed and power that the duo would be lifted off the ground and into the air with impressive force. The downward draft of air created by the Rotary Blades threw the man's spiky hair into a mess as they shot upwards toward the edge of the wall, quickly covering the distance as he timed the ascent and right when they reached the top edge he cut off the mechanism letting their inertia to allow them to continue to climb into the air about two meters over the wall before they would come down softly atop the western wall as Hoka landed in a crouched position shifting his eyes across the wall to see what trouble this action might have gotten the pair into.


WC: 805

[AFungalNetwork]

Tsuki gripped his arm tightly as they hovered near the window, her heart still pounding from the sudden, exhilarating ascent. Her hair whipped around her face, caught in the turbulence of the still-slowing blades. She had never flown like that before—never trusted someone else so fully in a moment so precarious. And yet, her feet had left the ground with hardly a second thought.

As they leveled with the window, she leaned forward slightly, squinting through the grime-smeared glass. The room beyond was dark, shadows stretching long across the stone floor. No immediate movement. No flicker of torchlight.

We should be able to slip through without drawing attention, she murmured, more to herself than him. Carefully, she pressed a gloved hand against the frame. The old wood creaked faintly beneath her touch. It’s not locked. I can get us in.

She glanced back at him briefly, her expression calm but alert.

Keep an eye out. I’ll go first.

With that, Tsuki pulled herself up onto the ledge with a practiced ease, crouching low as she tested her footing. A breath held in her lungs as she slowly pushed the window open—just enough to slip through. The stale air inside carried the faint scent of dust and rusted iron.

She slid inside with a fluid grace, landing lightly on the stone floor and staying low. Her eyes adjusted quickly, scanning the room. It appeared to be some kind of storage space—old crates, a stack of folded tarps, a few disused weapons leaning against the far wall.

Turning back to the window, she whispered, All clear. Come on.

[Zao]

While the man had wanted to just soar up to the top of the wall with his helicopter like blade mechanism, the young girl pressed against him made sense with her words as they hovered just in front of one of the windows that was still thirty or so feet off the ground. "Be careful." Hoka gave the Kinoko girl a nod as he spoke quietly, not really the type to act like him be a man made him any better than her. A warrior's strength and prowess were not based on gender though he still wasn't quite sure what her personal strength was beyond the control over her spores. His violet hue eyes glanced upwards at the edge of the wall still a few stories above the pair as she made her move, seeing no one patrolling nearby that he could see as his eyes came back down onto the open window after Tsuki had managed to push open the window and slip inside as he briefly lost sight of her.

His breathing was slow, but his body tensed, reach to react quietly if needed but after a few moments her silhouette came into view and then the outline of her face was briefly illuminated by the moonlight outside that slip slightly into the room through the now open window. "Nice!" Hoka smiled as he deactivated his spinning blades and as it retracted back to the umbrella he reached forward with his left-hand grasping hold of the side of the window frame and allowing his boots to land with two light taps against the stone windowsill. A moment later he followed suite with Tsuki and was inside as he brought his large weapon in right behind him, soon having disappeared into the window before using his free left hand to gently close the dirty window back into place.

"I honestly didn't expect us to get in without a fight..." Trying not to jinx them, the man whispered in a hushed tone to his new comrade as his eyes adjusted to the darker room as it appeared they had managed to slip into some form of storage closest that had a number of old crates, some looking like the wood was so dry rotted that even pressing against them could cause them to break open. On the other wall he could see a few older weapons, their metal rusted and edged dulled from disuse and lack of care as it caused him to wonder just whom this fort had belonged to before this group had managed to stumble upon it and set up their base of operations. "Do you remember how many of the people came to you seeking your help back then?" It was probably a question that should have been asked at the start, but it had just come to him as he replaced his weapon back into the right side of the assault pack and moved carefully around the edges of the old crates looking for a door to exit the room.

WC: 505

[AFungalNetwork]

Five in total. Three lackeys acting as guards and two who you might call the big players. I say guards only because they stood to the side the whole time. she looked around quickly as she spotted a door, she pressed her finger up against her lips as she crept toward the door. She slowly, quietly, and delicately removed a mushroom from her pauldron. She spoke in a language that sounded older than the fort itself and then rolled the mushroom under the door. She looked at Hoka and gestured for him to stand behind her, behind the door. A moment passed and a voice from the other side could be heard, deep but quiet. What the hell? How did a mushroom get here? another moment passed and the door slowly opened.

Tsuki eyed Hoka in an "I will handle this" type of way. The voice opened the door, obscuring both Tsuki and Hoka behind it, and as he walked toward the window they entered from, Tsuki moved. She didn't seem like much looking at her but in this moment, she moved like a cat. She was silent and quick, she was behind him in an instant. An in an instant she had drawn one of her Tachi, a small sword like a Wakizashi, and even quicker had slit the man's throat. She caught his body as he began to collapse and as he spattered for air, his throat and mouth bleeding; she rested his head on her knees and slowly stroked his hair. The man was confused but calm as she gently spoke to him with a smile, You go to join the earth now. But rest assured, your death will bring forth all kinds of different life. Rest now, you did well. she sat and watched the life fade from his eyes like some kind of fungal ferryman of death. She showed him dancing mushrooms as she said those last words to him.

As he closed his eyes and stopped moving, she sent a puff of spores into his mouth and nose. His body began to twitch and convulse, moss and fungi sprouting from the wound in his throat in a makeshift stitch job. His eyes opened this time the same grey green as hers. She stood up and picked up the mushroom before, speaking to it again. Then she looked at Hoka and quietly said, There are two others in that room, not the ones we are looking for, just some low level gang members. He can take care of them, let's take the stairs higher. Through her mental fungal network she gave the newly risen dead the order to kill those two silently using one of the rusted weapons and then jump off the tower once he was finished.

She walked to the base of the stairs and turned to Hoka, Ready?

[Zao]

As the young woman pressed a finger to her lip, Hoka only gave a quiet nod after receiving the information about the number of the group that had originally approached the Kinoko. 'Two main figures with their personal guards, I wonder...' The young man glanced down for a moment in thought as he attempted to recall any information that might be useful from his memories of the bingo book but there truly wasn't enough information for the hunter to go on at the moment but perhaps once they actually encountered the two that were seemingly in charge back then perhaps he could understand things a bit more. Even the rogue group that they supposedly belonged to didn't ring a bell for the mercenary as his comrade started to quietly move towards the single door that led out of the storage room. The right hand instinctively fell onto the sidearm launcher on his right hip; his long fingers curled around the grip of the weapon as he too crept forward ever so slowly until he was only about half a foot behind the mushroom lady.

'What was that?' Her picking the mushroom off her pauldron didn't seem to strange consider the display that she had showed him when they first met and then the spores that could be produced, perhaps she could even regrow them if they were removed or damaged with her natural chakra affinity towards nature but the strange almost ancient sounding words there were surely from another generation didn't escape the man's notice. When she rolled it under the door, he simply raised an eyebrow just as she turned and motioned for him to stay behind her, wasn't he supposed to be here to protect her? While a bit unsure he complied for the moment, not everybody needed protecting and she was also here to help fix the mistake in judgement that the young girl had when entrusting her unique spores to them. It was at this point he could hear the footsteps from outside the room though had she already been aware of them even before him? Tsuki was becoming a bit more interesting to the hunter as he allowed for the young woman to take control while he simply prepared himself to provide backup, as needed.

Words came from outside as the person discovered the Kinoko's random mushroom and opened the door to the storage room in order to simply investigate the plant while the pair used the cover of the door itself to remain concealed. His grip upon his sidearm tightened but as his lavender eyes met those of Tsuki he understood and didn't move to take care of the man, and a half smile appeared on his own lips as if saying 'Ladies first'. As his partner brought her attention back solely onto the man Hoka did as well as he watched the skillful and silent movements that only caused the hunter to become more intrigued. The conflict was over before it truly had even started as the blade drew across its mark with near perfection, 'These skills are almost like that of an assassin...' He couldn't help but think to himself about the attack pattern, the angle of attack and speed were almost perfect as though it was a practiced skill of her and he was having to reevaluate the figure before him from their first meeting.

Her next actions did leave him a bit lost for words as the man died in her arms, more or less, the act seemed almost like some kind of ritual from the outside as her words spoke with a certain tone that tied together her connection with the earth and a few moments later the figure was gone. Yet, it was only a few moments later that the dead body began to twitch after being affected by the unique spores of the woman. He looked similar to the ones they had killed before, yet still fresh and almost alive despite the dull grey eyes and the fungus growing out of his neck wound. "You're more formable that I first thought." Hoka gave the woman a bit of praise as he nodded to her words that the body under her control could take care of the other two and the duo set off towards the nearby stairs.

"Were you able to read the body's memories after taking it over?" Pulling the sidearm from his right hip holster as they moved, Hoka could help himself and asked about the man she had just killed and turned, wondering if that was how she knew about the other two men on that floor and if that also had been the deciding factor in her choosing to take the stairs now, too.


WC: 791

[AFungalNetwork]

People underestimate me because I'm quiet and small. That gives me an advantage. I take any advantage I can get. she said as she began slowly ascending the stairs. She listened to Hoka and giggled a little as he tried to ascertain her abilities, not in a cruel way, it was nice meeting someone who was so interested in what she could do. I do have access to surface level memories from my thralls. But, I learned about the other two through the mushroom I threw in the room. It was in the process of dying, so I asked if it wanted to help me with its last day. she spoke fondly, as if she were talking about a person. Anything within my fungal network is able to talk to me psychically. That little mushroom told me the amount of people in the room before it expired.she held her hand up as they approached the end of the first set of stairs.

They were met with a decision; continue up or explore the room to the right. She looked to Hoka, Which way should we go, umbrella man? she smiled.

[Zao]

"Dually noted, my friend." Hoka gave a gentle nod as the sidearm launcher that appeared to have been combined with a thick curved blade was allowed to rest at his side while still being gripped gently in the fingers of the right hand. "Your bond with your mushrooms is almost similar to a parent child?" He replied in what was almost like a statement but was truly a question of his own based on his own observations. While it was only an assumption on his part he was truly interested to gain a better understanding of his comrade's power for his own reasons.

"Psychically...that's rather useful. Able to communication without being detected is a truly powerful skill to have." With a bit of light praise he response, being able to speak mentally allowed for completely secure communication that others weren't able to intercept or listen in own. Before long the pair had already reached the set of stairs that Tsuki had mentioned, and his eyes were drawn to the entrance to the stairs and the room just to the right. "I like to call it the Myriad umbrella, as it is a fun and unique tool. " He poked back as his eyes glanced back and forth once more before settling on the door as he returned another whispered reply. "It would be best to clear the floor before moving on, don't want any unwanted surprises, after all."

His decision was based on simple reasoning and experience from being a mercenary before joining the Battosai squad. "Do you want to take lead or should I?" The empty left hand of the young man lifted almost playfully as he smiled back, leaving the decision up to her before he could continue on to investigate the last room on this floor.

WC: 298

[AFungalNetwork]

Hmm. Let's see what you can do Myriad Man! If we're going to be in the same cell together, I would also like to get a better understanding of your skills and abilities. Like those fancy eyes of yours that I saw earlier when we were outside the fort. she whispered. She was curious about his arsenal ever since he pulled a Myriad Poppins earlier. But to address what you were speculating before, yes I see each of these mushrooms as my children. I talk to them and they me. My Fungal Network is a useful tool but it's also a very personal thing for me. Which is part of the reason why these morons abusing my spores angers me so much. The Fungal Network allows me to do more than just communicate but we should really keep moving. So, go ahead, show me what you can do. her expression shifted from serious to jovial as she spoke before she finally motioned to the door.

[Zao]

"My Denbagan?" Hoka hadn't told her much about his eyes, not having seen a need for it at the earlier time when they had just been getting to know each other and his focus had been solely upon the mission itself but now that they had a moment, he nodded but didn't cut into her words at the moment. Seemingly in the tune that she wished to learn a bit more about himself she had went ahead and answered the question of his own from before. 'Like her children...that's kind of...wierd?' The young man had the notion but kept it quietly within his own thoughts as he wasn't really judging the comrade of his but was just trying to fully understand the type of relationship they had was. Like a parent and her children. It was something odd to think about, but he was beginning to understand a few things about Tsuki and her spores and could even understand why this rogue group had sought her out in order to obtain these unique spores.

"Very well." The man finally spoke as she seemed to finish up her own words, opening the floor to him as he closed both eyes for a few moments in order to concentrate some chakra and circulate it through each of the closed eyes. Slowly both eyes opened as the lavender eyes now had a series of concentric rings moving from the outside to the center of the eye and the former iris and pupil had been replaced with a deep crimson red. In Hoka's vision the world had shifted slightly as instead of the woman's features he could see more so a silhouette of her body and the mushrooms that grew upon her shoulders, but it was more than just that. "While I have my doujutsu activated my normal vision changes and allows for me to see the electrical impulses that occur within living things." The hunter began to explain as his eyes focused upon Tsuki for a moment, as though he wasn't looking at her but almost through her in that moment.

"As you probably understand, all living things create little bursty of electricity, even if it's too small to feel yet these eyes see everything in that regards,.." He studied her form for a brief moment, seeing how intertwined the mushrooms that grew from her shoulders were to that of her own body, seemingly linked as one from his current point of view which only seemed to silently confirm the words she had spoken earlier. His voice still somewhat hushed as he turned his gaze to the door on the right, "My eyes also have another unique power, one that allows me to see the same impulses through solid objects as long as they aren't to thick. Inside there in one person, his body movement and impulses confirm that he isn't one of the spore creations.

With his right hand, the one holding the revolver blade weapon, he raised it up as he walked forward past Tsuki and positioned himself in front of the door and lifted the weapon as thought taking aim directly into the wooden door before him. A slow exhale followed as the micro movements within the fingers, hand, and arm faded away and the limb became perfectly dead still. Click! Whoosh! With little warning one of the three-inch rounds was launched from the sidearm launcher and with its strength and speed easily shot through the wooden door and landed within the head of the guard within. Within the room there was a heavy thud heard that carried out into the hallway. "Though powerful, it is rather draining so I try to use it only when needed."


WC: 617

[AFungalNetwork]

Tsuki watched the display with a stillness that bordered on reverence.

Her expression didn’t change when Hoka’s Denbagan revealed itself—those eerie, concentric rings glowing like some alien omen in his skull—but her mushrooms twitched slightly on her shoulders, as if sensing the shift in energy. When he fired, she didn’t flinch. She simply blinked once, slowly.

The body dropped behind the door with a satisfying thud.

Well done, she murmured, her voice almost inaudible beneath the sound of the settling dust. That was clean.

She moved toward the door Hoka had just cleared, her steps silent as snowfall. The corpse inside was already growing still, and Tsuki didn’t spare it more than a glance. Her attention was instead on the staircase beyond—narrow, damp, lit by flickering sconce-light. Stone walls coated in moss, thick with the smell of mildew and rot.

She inhaled and climbed the stairs until they were at the top. She tossed a handful of mushrooms into the chamber ahead of them.

My children tell me there are more ahead, she said softly, brushing her fingers against the mushrooms blooming from her shoulder. They pulsed faintly, releasing a puff of spores that hung in the air before dissolving like mist. Two to the left. One is wounded—his breath is thin. The other… is looking for someone.

She turned to Hoka then, the corner of her lips twitching up, a smile so faint it could be mistaken for a trick of the shadows.

I won’t ask you to explain every detail of your gift, Myriad Man. But I do ask this—if you must kill them, do it swiftly. I won’t have them suffering needlessly.

Without waiting, Tsuki stepped through the doorway and into the corridor, each footfall as silent as a falling leaf. Her presence all but vanished, like she’d become part of the dim.

After a few paces, she stopped near a rusted iron door veiled in hanging roots.

I’ll take the one in the infirmary. Her voice was little more than a breath, but it carried down the hall regardless. He’s already halfway to death. I’ll see him off.

Tsuki placed her hand to the stone and whispered something—words in a language no longer spoken. The mushrooms pulsed again.

She turned her head slightly over her shoulder. Take the other one. Quietly, if you can. And then, without fanfare, she vanished into the dark room beyond—her lullaby beginning low in her throat, like a song carried up from deep within the earth. The room swallowed her whole.

[Zao]

"Of course, that is the only way to deal with things. One needs to be efficient." Hoka simply nodded as he spoke, growing up in his line of work with the mercenary unit before joining up with the Battosai he had learned there was no room for weakness or messing around. Missions should be finished as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to stay alive and not leave loose ends. Soon the pair had moved past the room with the fallen man and ventured onto the stone steps that lead the pair further upwards now.

"How many?" He spoke as the woman brushed her fingers against the mushrooms blooming from her shoulder as he could see even in the faintly lit stairwell as it floated up almost like some kind of mist. "Wounded?" The hunter questioned quietly as the latter part of her response didn't quite make sense, looking for something? "Fine." His response towards her taking the injured one was short and to the point as his left hand reached down and took hold of the handgrip to his second sidearm, now wielding both of the bladed launchers.

"I will." Hoka spoke as he moved alongside her as they prepared to split ways, just before he went into the other darkened room he turned over his left shoulder and spoke quietly, "Be careful." Though he'd seen her actions and the practiced stealth movements that seemed to come natural to the rather stoic woman, he still spoke it before taking a right and leading with the weapons up in an almost close-range stance as he entered. Not having his doujutsu active in order to conserve chakra for later if things got out of hand on with their insertion.

WC: 289

[AFungalNetwork]

Tsuki stepped into the infirmary like a shadow made flesh.

Her bare feet glided across the moss-veined stone, silent as mist curling over still water. The wounded man lay on a low cot of rotted wood and old cloth, barely more than a heap of breath and bone. His labored inhales rasped softly in the cold air, like paper tearing in slow motion.

Tsuki moved to his side, kneeling with the grace of falling ash. Her mushrooms stirred faintly, releasing the scent of damp earth and forest rain. One hand—slender, dark, and reverent—brushed across the man’s fevered brow. He flinched at her touch, but she hummed gently, and his eyes opened just enough to meet hers.

I am sorry, she murmured, voice a breath of wind through autumn leaves. But you are already on the edge, little one. Let me carry you the rest of the way.

She reached down and placed her other hand over his chest. From her palm, faint light bloomed—a soft, bioluminescent pulse like moonlight filtered through water. Her lullaby wove around them, ancient and wordless, laced with the rhythm of roots and stones. The man’s breath slowed… then stopped. His face went slack, but not in fear. He looked almost peaceful, as though he had simply remembered how to sleep.

Rest, she whispered. And return.

Her mushrooms twitched. Spores bloomed from her shoulder, spiraling down like dust motes. They drifted into the man’s mouth, his nose, his eyes—disappearing into him like water into dry soil. For a heartbeat, he remained still, then his chest rose. The corpse exhaled sharply, eyes snapping open, though now they glowed faintly green with fungal life. Veins darkened with blooming threads beneath the skin. Tsuki stood slowly, her palm lifting as if coaxing breath from the wind.

Come, she said, soft but firm. The soil is not finished with you yet.

The corpse shuddered, then sat upright with eerie smoothness. The mushrooms on Tsuki’s shoulders pulsed, and he responded, standing and following her with slow, obedient steps—no longer a man, but a vessel rooted to her will.

Meanwhile...

Down the adjoining hall, Hoka crept silently toward the other chamber, his stance tight and ready, weapons held low but poised. The voices inside were loud—too loud.

I know one of you bastards took it!

A man’s voice, harsh and panicked, echoed against the stone walls. Boots scuffed, something metal clattered.

It was right there in my belt pouch. The powder pouch. Where is it?

The hell are you talking about? another voice snapped back. No one touched your damn pouch.

You don’t get it! the first voice cracked. That powder—that spore dust—was hers. If we don't have it anymore, that means no more zombies, no more army, no more infamy, no more money!

She doesn’t even know we’re up here—

You think she doesn’t know? The mushrooms watch. They listen! We've been lucky up until now but we NEED more zombies!
A third voice spoke then, lower, almost fearful. What'f it got spilled?

It didn’t. Someone took it. Someone stole the spores.

A beat of silence followed, thick with dread before they began moving again. The sound of drawers being upturned and thrown to the floor could be heard along with more indistinct yelling.

[Zao]

Hoke crept quietly, his combat style boots hugging to surface of the stones used to create a pathway down the gloomy hallway that only had a small candle lit every fifteen or twenty feet that caused the gaps between them to be filled with dim shadows where the light never truly penetrated to illuminate the entire hallway. Inside these very shadows was the dark-haired soldier as his two sidearm gun blades were draw for his own protection against any close range or midrange threats that might present themselves as he moved along in search of just who else might be in the fortress and ultimately the group responsible for the slowly growing army of fungal infected undead that he'd encountered on the way in.

Not far into the journey a loud voice could already be heard as it was projected out of a half open doorway, seeming to echo slightly as it bounded off the hard stone surfaces spreading out each direction down the dark tunnel like hallway. 'One, two.... three.' As he approached, using the own volume of the people inside to mask his already quietened steps, the hunter took note of the three distinct voices that were coming from the room. At first the subject of the group hadn't been to clear as his hearing really wasn't that much more enhanced than anyone else, more so trained to pick up on unique sounds like movement but as he ventured closer, step by step, he was able to disconcert the reason for the man's elevated tone of voice. 'This pouch...it must be what Tsuki had given the group when they came to ask for her help. But it's gone?"

Such an important item shouldn't have simply been misplaced or set down somewhere and it caused the man to pause in thought as they continued to speak inside with him just out the frame of the doorway. 'I'll need to find that pouch along with dealing with these three...' It was never easy and with his left hand the man holstered the sidearm launcher back into tis holder and popped open one of the slender pouches upon his flak jacket pulling out what looked like some sort of metal canister. 'Speed, surprise, violence of action...' These three things were the keystones taught to him when conducting a surprise ambush on a target. In the left hand the canister removed was a flash bang grenade or something that was similar to the light bomb used by shinobi.

Squeezing the handle a gentle click was heard letting Hoka know that his equipment was now armed and after mentally deciphering the rough location of the trio inside based on the sound of their voices, he leaned slightly to the side and whipped the flash grenade into the room with a high arch that placed it rough about head height in the middle of the room before it finally exploded. It produced a loud bang that would help with the disorientation caused by the blinding light that was produced from the tag placed within it at the same time. It was barely a second latter that the man entered with both sidearms drawn once more, two rounds were fired off center mass at figure that produced the second voice.

As the bullet like rounds were fired off in rapidly succession from one launcher his lavender hue eyes tracked the third voice as another two rounds from the other launcher were fired off back-to-back in the same center mass location aimed for each individual's heart region. Pivoting on his right foot he sprung forward and leaped upwards and over a table that had been in the center of the room in order to reach the furthest person and the one who made it sound like he had previous had the pouch of Tsuki's spores with him. This one he didn't plan to kill immediately like he had tried to two with the other two of his comrades. Inside he brought both bladed launchers forward and using his own momentum stabbed outward towards each shoulder, planning to piece both and land on the figure in order to pin him to the ground.


WC: 696