Prey Behavior

[Ace Trainer]

Disappointing to Ikinari, he had not been wrong. Sure enough, when he had arrived at the tea shop he caught the shadow of a figure on a building above him. And as he took his tea and went off towards the front of the village, whoever it was following him continued on their path. Ikinari was, above all else, a diplomat so he was fortunate to have had training in his fighting style that allowed him to keep track of multiple people at once, even when he couldn't directly see them. A normal diplomat likely would have never noticed this, and even then Ikinari wondered if he would notice if he hadn't already been on guard from the fact that he was on the run. Regardless of the reason he noticed, he was confident he was being noticed. So as he crossed through the thresh hold of the small village he was in, Ikinari would take off into a sprint, running into the forest that surrounded the village and allowing the darkness to swallow him up.

Skidding to a halt, he'd pull two kunai out from the sack over his shoulder, zipping a strap from it around his waist so he no longer had to hold it, and would launch one of the kunai through the air directly in the path he'd just come from.

"Lets not drag this out.", he'd call out, an aura of chakra forming around him as he began to channel chakra. This area would give his opponent a lot of places to hide which might make them feel like they had the advantage, but Ikinari specialized in locking people down, and once he had the old man trapped he'd be able to find out exactly who he was.

[Texas]

Tenzin was still looking like the old man, but he had the packpack of his gear tugged tightly on his back. He would walk forward looking at the boy turn around and hold out kunai. Calmly challenging him. Only a ninja could pick up on Tenzin following him. He did so in a way where only a trained eye could pick up on him. Maybe he was even stronger than the silver haired elementalism could imagine! Tenzin would reach behind him and take out a smoke bomb. "Didn't I tell ya?" Tenzin's voice would adjust to sound like his normal self and not the old man. "You should be careful in the woods Ikinari."

Tenzin would whip the smoke bomb down on himself. In one instant the shinobi would change to his standard Bannin attire. He would weave a couple of hand seals and release and Advanced Shadow clone. This would run forward from the smoke, konoha headband tightly strapped to his forehead. The figure running straight towards Ikinari would be holding a kunai with their left hand while holding up a single hand seal with it's right. It was a sure tell bluff. The figure would shout, "I didn't take you for a quick action type, is this what has come from our conversation? I thought we were becoming friends."

While this was happening, Tenzin would run around the back and climb up a tree. Tenzin would slowly draw his blade from his sheath and simply wait for an opening for Ikinari to be in a state of confusion.

[Ace Trainer]

The glowing chakra aura around Ikinari would continue to radiate, and as the man called out to him, Ikinari would let out an annoyed, 'Tch', seemingly spiting whatever he had to say. Normally Ikinari would take a more diplomatic approach, and perhaps he still would. But for now, he'd need to get the upper hand. No point in attempting diplomacy if you don't have any leverage, right? Tenzin would drop a smoke bomb and then release what was clearly a clone bolting forward at him, but Ikinari wouldn't flinch at it, instead simply taking a few steps backwards before taking a deep inhale and then blowing out a wave of heat.

Almost immediately, Tenzin and the clone would feel a blistering heat fill the area, as the trees that surrounded them wilted in response, some of the leaves even catching on fire, turning the previously dark forest into a dimly lit space with spotting of flames likes candles in a church. "It seems I'm a little short on friends right now.", he responded with a tinge of disappointment in his voice. "Perhaps another day we can continue the conversation?", he asked, launching the second kunai forward at the clone, hoping the combination of the attack and heat would be enough to dispel it.

Wasting no time, Ikinari would start on the next jutsu, this time forming a set of hand seals rather than channeling. His opponent had wasted no time to attack, so neither could Ikinari. Hopefully he'd have enough time to finish this jutsu and fully trap his opponent.

SpoilerShow

Kaenton • Sauna - Level 4
A-Ranked Ninjutsu
Prerequisite:~Kaenton • Sauna Level 1 or Level 2 or Level 3
After doing the correct series of hand seals, the user will let out a slow, steady, heated breath. This breath will fill a 65m x 65m x 65m area with heat at [Control] speed. This technique will cause a -5 Endurance to anyone within its range every other post it remains active. This technique expands an additional meter in each direction for every post its active, and lasts for 4 posts. The user may perform this technique again while it is still active in order to extend the length its active for by 4 posts. The user may also perform this technique while any prerequisite techniques are active, elevating the current heat fog to this techniques level. The user is affected by this every other post.

[Texas]

All of a sudden, Tenzin could feel his sword get a little bit heavier. Sweat would lightly begin to form. Heat? Both Tenzin and the Shadow Clone would both say the same words out loud. "Has Iwa already brainwashed the Hizashi like this?" The shinobi didn't think there was much time to hesitate. The show clone would throw the kunai in it's hand towards the stomach of Ikinari. Although the Kunai would be whipped fast, it would not hit very strong if it even got to him.

While this was happening, Tenzin would channel his chakra and expel wind forward. In an attempt to push away some of the heat from his physical body and somewhat protect himself. Tenzin would then jump down from the tree where the wind lingered and he would hold up his left hand. With hand fingers swirling in the air, the wind around him would also swirl as well, almost creating a vortex like current attempting to protect himself. The man stood there with no emotion through his face and his blade resting on his shoulders held together with his right hand.

"Ikinari, before this gets out of hand... How about we both lay down our arms and have an actual conversation. I would prefer not to damage the woods if it could be helped."

JutsuShow

Fuuton • High Winds
C-Ranked Ninjutsu Technique
After weaving the proper hand signs or channeling chakra, the user would release chakra from their back. By combing fuuton chakra and sending it throughout the back of the user. Winds would push through towards the area in the direction that the user would be aiming at. These winds take up a 30m radius and cover the area with the user's chakra infused Fuuton. The speed and strength of the initial jutsu is dictated by the [Control] Stat. Although the jutsu itself lasts for one post, the chakra infused Fuuton lingers within the 30m radius for 5 posts.

*[Aerokinesis]
A-Rank Ninjutsu
Having achieved notable mastery over Fuuton, the user is capable of shaping, directing, and manipulating existing bodies of the element without the need of hand seals or an existing technique. The range at which the user can manipulate the element is equal to the user's [Control x 2m]. While the user can freely manipulate this element, they cannot produce the element naturally where it doesn't exist.

[Ace Trainer]

Ikinari's nostrils flaired at Tenzin's first comment, frustration that he'd been masking since their interaction started now finally being let out. Ikinari was a patient man in many ways, but mind games left him frustrated if not for their deceptive nature, and his companion had done nothing but them. As his hand seals finished, he'd release an orb of Kuuton, and as it floated into the air, the barrier of kuuton energy forming, Ikinari would channel another jutsu, manipulating the dome so that it would alter it's shape, leaving Ikinari on the outside, and both Tenzin and the clone on the inside. The kunai thrown by his opponent would strike against the dome, and bounce back at the shadow clone, seemingly not strong enough to break through the barrier.

As Tenzin attempted to defend himself from the heat, he would find instead that even when trying to press it away from himself it instead would just permeate through the air, locked in the dome that Ikinari had created. From outside the dome Ikinari would stand with his arms on his hips. If it wasn't for the heavy breathing, he would look almost like a teacher scolding students. But instead, he simply looked like an exhausted shinobi that had worked far to hard to create a trap he'd been making his entire career making it obvious the exhaustion from his journey still had not been fully dismissed.

"Its interesting how people want to talk when it starts to get warm.", Ikinari retorted to Tenzin's offer. "But yes, I am open to talking. Would you like to tell me who you really are?", he asked, his tone a little more polite but still conveying his relative defensiveness with the circumstances.

SpoilerShow

Kuuton • Heat Wave
S-rank Kuuton Jutsu
Prerequisite: Kaenton - Sauna Jutsu, Level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 must be active
After performing the prerequisite technique, the user will do a series of hand seals and then release a sphere of Kuuton chakra from their body at [Control] speed into the sky, a 5m diameter singularity forming and releasing kuuton energy downward in a dome shape. Acting as something of a barrier, the kuuton chakra will rest at the edges of the prerequisite technique, and force anything moving against the barrier (from inside or outside of it) back at [Control] strength. In addition to keeping those within the technique trapped presuming they cannot break the barrier. The pressure from the Kuuton technique exerts itself against the Kaenton as well, causing the rising heat to have nowhere to go. This increases the strength of the Kaenton technique, meaning that for every 2 posts this technique is active, the Endurance drain from Kaenton - Sauna Jutsu increases by 1. This technique lasts as long as the technique it is used to contain, but drains S-ranks chakra from the user every 6 posts.

Singularity Manipulation
C-rank Ninjutsu
Should the user have any Kuuton jutsu currently active that create domes or zones of gravity, the user can cast this technique to manipulate the singularity, reshaping the dome or zone of gravity. While the amount of area covered remains the same, it allows the user to manipulate the dimensions to more tactically cover areas, or move the area being covered. Changes in shape occur at [Control] speed.

[Texas]

Tenzin would glare into this man's eyes, piercing through his soul. With a serious face, turned to a smile he would slam the sharp end of the sword down into the ground and slowly sit on the ground with both of his hands up. "Fair, I didn't expect it to get so hot. How about we both lower our jutsu." Tenzin would cross his legs next to his sword and show that the there was no more wind, well more like there was still lingering wind, but he couldn't do too much about that at the moment. He would raise his right hand and use his thumb to point at his konoha headband.

"Ikinari, My name is Hatake Tenzin, of the hidden leaf." The man was perplexed by the confidence of this man. It far outweighed the crippling depression that Tenzin was dealing with. At this point, he just wanted to poke him to see what side he was truly on. "You seem on edge, do you mind if I only ask you two questions?" Tenzin would remain seated but place both of hands on his knees while still in the criss-cross. "Based on our conversation you made a point to tell vague truths. Which is why I believe your name is Ikinari. Now based on this blistering heat you are putting me through and the fact you are coming from the West, and you picked up on my sloppy following you... you are something of a trained individual. So Ikinari, let me ask you this. What side are you on and why are you heading further east in Fire Country." Tenzin would be slightly on edge looking at this man. If an answer or behavior gave a tell that he was an Iwa Shinobi, he would have to act strong and fast.

The man didn't want to engage in combat, but unfortunately for Tenzin, sometimes it is inevitable.

[Ace Trainer]

Ikinari would cross his arms at the request to lower the jutsu, and would shake his head, ”I’d say you’ve got a little bit of time before the heat knocks you out. No offense, but I’m not going to give up my advantage.”, not while he had it, at least. Ikinari’s eyes remained locked on Tenzin through the shimmer Kuuton barrier and heat wave between them, and he would flex a hand, the barrier bending to close the gap between them while remaining in place allowing Ikinari to walk forward until he was about 3 meters away from Tenzin, a short distance.

Allowing the man to introduce himself, Ikinari would nod at the request for two questions. His mind, however, went back to the first war front. Ikinari had a deep memory, but between the exhaustion and the amount that had happened in what had felt like a very hard time, he was having a hard time remembering the name of the Tenzin that was on the war front. Could this be the same man? The notion that he was on edge was laughable, of course he was on edge. Despite his normally cool and calm demeanor, Ikinari was certainly feeling the heat of the situation, for lack of better words. Tenzin was right to say he was on edge, but who wouldn’t be on edge after Ikinari’s experiences?

”Is there an answer I can give you that would make me any more trustworthy?”, he asked, his words sincere but his tone coming off as slightly sarcastic, ”My business is my own. For now, at least. But for the side I’m on, by your own observation the blistering heat I’m putting you through should be the answer.”, it seemed Ikinari wasn’t going to give a straight answer, being guarded for right now was in his best interest. ”Let me ask my own question - your name is Hatake, Tenzin? Were you present during the defense of Wind Country in Iwagakure’s initial invasion?”, if Tenzin was willing to dodge questions as well it was unlikely that’d come to any sort of consensus; but Ikinari also knew something else. If this was the Tenzin from the war front, this barrier would be largely ineffective in containing the man.

[Texas]

Tenzin was slowly getting frustrated. Maybe it was the heat, but with no pun intended Tenzin's blood was boiling. The man wanted to stand up and send every jutsu he had at the little shitting playing with a remote air dryer, but alas. The situation he put himself in. What a precarious situation. The shinobi would gaze upon the young man, what was he, 10 years younger? Standing there weaving heat as if it should definitely depict what side he was on. As if brainwashing has never been done before. What really bothered Tenzin was his tone and demeanor. Maybe the shinobi should do what is best for the village; he should kill this little shit take his organs and DNA and begin to really do something with them. Or maybe, he should kill him and take his entire body. The man did want to experiment with human puppets, this might be great opportunity.

While battling in his own mind if he should or shouldn't kill Ikinari, Tenzin would play along with his shitty game of questions. Still sitting down with his hands on his knees, the man would tile his head slightly. The man made a point to continuously say his name, he wanted to test the bounds of attention this shinobi really had. On the other coin, this conflicted ideology on what to do going forward still was so prevalent in his own mind.

"Ikinari, you are wasting time for the concept of being cautious. Your answers suck and your questions are just as worse. Yes, I battled against Iwa on the border of Wind Country. Specifically I was on the battlefield against the Tsuchikage with the previous Hokage Takeo. Well, I guess he is the Kazekage too now. It also seems like our tactic of distracting Iwa didn't quite work out so well anyways."

At this point Tenzin was going to just try to goat some kind of emotion out of him to prove to himself what village he has aligned with. If Tenzin had to deal with this heat any longer he was quite literally going to snap. "I'll only ask one more time Ikinari. Please remove the heat."

[Ace Trainer]

"Mm.", he stared he Tenzin through the shimmering barrier and heat as he absorbed what Tenzin was saying. The information wasn't exactly a secret, but it wasn't common either. If 'Tenzin' was some random hunter ninja being sent after him by Iwagakure, it was unlikely the man would have such information. Could Iwa have dispatched someone specifically tasked with hunting down Ikinari that would have this information? Certainly, but would they have done it quickly, and if they had would they have bothered with the subterfuge that Tenzin had?

Clearly still cautious, Ikinari would form a single seal, the kuuton barrier around the heat 'popping' and vanishing, and the heat releasing out of it like an oven. The leaves around Ikinari would wilt and the branches would bend, but as quickly as the heat came, it would fade away and vanish. "Given that, then. You'll understand the level of caution I'm exercising.", he said with a sheepish grin and rubbing the back of his head. Reaching into his pouch, he'd pull out a canteen and toss it to Tenzin, a show of good will.

"I'm heading towards Konoha. For whatever that is worth.", perhaps Tenzin could be an ally, then. He had already shown a willingness to protect Sunagakure, why not help Ikinari? He wouldn't mention Indra, not yet at least. Would Tenzin even know if Indra had arrived if he was way out here?

[Texas]

A literal weight was lifted from Tenzin's shoulders. Ugh he had only encountered heat one other time and quite literally hated it. It is incredibly unpleasant, although maybe if it was toned down it would make for a great way to create a sauna to go. The shinobi thought about ways to abuse the ability that Ikinari had, although this day dream bubble popped when he spoke out to Tenzin in his very "matter of fact way".

The silver haired shinobi looked at him oddly. Maybe he heard the slight smile in his words, or maybe it was just instinct to look at someone when they spoke, but Tenzin saw the shit eating grin that Ikinari had as he explained that he had to be cautious. What an annoying little shit; Tenzin got up and lifted his sword from the ground, placing it back in the sheath. His body would turn around and listen to Ikinari state where he was heading. With little emotions in his words, he spoke out to Ikinari trying to help correct the errors of his ways. "Hopefully you didn't tell people the same thing you told me. Post war, heading from west to far east usually has heavily implications."

Tenzin would glare at him, was this really a trust worthy situation? The strength of his jutsu and based on his movements, Tenzin really wasn't all too worried. He could just fly away in Konoha if he needed to get out of there in a pinch. Or he could strike him down and strip him for parts? All of the negative thoughts cycled through his mind like he was meditating in order to get it out of his system. A slight smile would creep over his face as he decided to change tones with the young man. "Let's start over Ikinari. What brings an asset like you all the way here and to be heading to Konoha? Let's walk together since I need to get back there as well."

[Ace Trainer]

Ikinari shook his head, smiling at Tenzin more. In truth, being in Tenzin’s presence was a relief even if the man was a bit…cold. Thus far, Ikinari had been alone on this journey and had needed to be on guard. Hatake, Tenzin was a strong shinobi - stronger than Ikinari - and having him around not only made Ikinari feel a bit safer, but it made him feel a bit less alone. Company was welcomed in the current time, ”There hasn’t been anyone to tell the same thing to. Been about 300 meters in the sky for most of this journey..”, he explained, pointing upwards as he did.

”Starting over would be nice…”, he softly interjected, turning to walk as Tenzin suggested they do.

The question of what brought Ikinari to Konoha was a complicated one. The real answer was quite simple: Indra had been given quite explicit instruction to go to Konoha if things went south, and with no indication that Iwagakure had found him, Ikinari was going to the next place he was expecting to find the young jinchuuriki. Ikinari was Indra’s lead guardian, and thus Indra was his responsibility. But reality was more complicated than that, and regardless of how strong Tenzin was or if Ikinari felt safe with him, or even if he felt Konoha was a safe space for Indra, he could never be too cautious. If the wrong person found out about Indra…well…it would be a goose chase.

Too long of a silence would throw up red flags for Tenzin though, so instead Ikinari would offer a half truth, ”I’m sure you’ve seen it already, with the loss of Sunagakure’s leadership, many of the villagers and shinobi used the chaos of the war to flee the village. The logical place to go is Konoha, certainly I’m not the first shinobi from Sunagakure you’ve seen this way? My village is going to need help, but I am a Lucent of Yuumegure, and part of my duty is to ensure Her children are not lost from the Light. So, it seemed practical to come this way and ensure anyone who came to Konohagakure is able to use my guidance.”, principal among them being Indra.

[Texas]

Tenzin internally had a bit of relief to see Ikinari put his guard down a tiny bit. Even if it was just an inch, it was enough to ensure Tenzin that this young lad was not anything but a Suna Shinobi. As the two walked, the bannin simply nodded his head as he agreed to starting over. With his hands in his pockets and both of them walking, Tenzin found it quite odd that he didn't answer him. Typically with children, they try to think of a lie, although this was far too long to be formulating a lie. Maybe it was just a way for him to track his story to make sure he still kept himself guarded? Although, the reasoning didn't matter, Tenzin has had plenty of experience being the Anbu Commander to pick apart the wording of what others say and try to read between the lines.

What Tenzin had forgotten about however, was their view on religion. It wasn't his cup of tea, nor was it something he was interested in. Just the thought of this soul thinking that he has a divine duty made him want to send him back to where he came. The shinobi continued to look forward as he walked and listened. Yuumegure, the light, children, guidance, all things that he believed in. A cynic like Tenzin just couldn't wrap his brain around the rational behind it, but he understood that Ikinari had grown up in that world. It was as normal to him as conquering was to Iwa.

The shinobi's stride didn't waiver, in fact nothing externally gave any kind of reaction to what he said. With a slight sigh, Tenzin would note Ikinari's statement. "I suppose, although maybe too obvious of a choice for hiding don't you think? If I were you, I would try to hide in plain sight like in the desert. Or I would try to go to a neutral party like Kumo. Maybe even a sympathizing party like Heart. I guess it is more comforting knowing that Suna shinobi have a guaranteed ally."

As they continued to walk, Tenzin would kick little rocks in their path. He didn't say much after that, but tried to look at the corner of his eye at Ikinari in case anything he said struck a cord. "Noble of you to come alone. However, you would be surprised how little of Suna shinobi came to Konoha. With comfort comes conflict. I could see Konoha being next on the hit list for Iwa, but that's just speculation." Once again Tenzin saying vague truths to get reactions out of Ikinari in hopes of trying to understand his true purpose.

Although the two had decided to start new, it seemed that both of them still very much were keeping their guards up. Although now there wasn't malicious intent behind their actions and words, there still was a very thick layer that was riddled with a lack of trust.

[Ace Trainer]

As they walked, Ikinari progressively loosened up, his shoulders dropping slightly, his hands falling into his pockets much like Tenzin’s, his stride matching Tenzin’s but also becoming visibly more relaxed. He was within Fire Country, and more likely than not, he was safe. Did Indra feel this way upon his arrival? Ikinari could only hope as much. Ikinari a soft sigh, masking it by shaking his head in response to what Tenzin was saying, ”I don’t think anyone is hiding. At least not yet. It’s not like Iwagakure is hunting us down to be exterminated like rats. People seek safety, and everyone in Sunagakure knows that Konoha is a friend. People need to lick their wounds, find their faith, and Konoha is a good place for that. We have our Sun, you have your Will of Fire. They’re not so different. At least not to people who need hope.”, he smiled at the thought, looking directly at Tenzin.

Tenzin’s next comment disappointed Ikinari though, even if he wouldn’t show it. ”Even one is enough.”, a half truth. One was enough, as long as it was Indra. It had to be Indra. ”Iwagakure is bold. So I would not be surprised. What many of us thought would end at the land we used to call Heaven’s Doorstep lead them directly to us. Konoha could be next…but, well, Sunagakure will be supporting you to the best of our ability. Just as Konoha did for us.”

Silence would hang between them, before Ikinari would crouch, seemingly about to jump, ”I’m anxious to get to the village, to see my people, and to get some sleep. You don’t mind if we pick up the pace a little?”, and without waiting for an answer he’d jump into the trees where he could accelerate through the forest at full speed towards Konoha.