Kuodachi nodded,
“Mmm.” both of them together would be a hazard. Yet, they would undoubtedly be together. Not only that, but given the intelligence of 6425, it would likely be horribly difficult to separate them. He was smart enough to stay one step ahead, and he would be suspecting a separation attempt. This was going to be... frustrating.
As Aikou came back with an explanation of the means to controlling such a giant, Kuodachi shook his head as he muttered the word,
“Poison.” Kuodachi was familiar with Iijutsu poison. His friend had gone all the way through medic school, yet only having a limited familiarity made the topic all the more fearful. He'd heard of poisons that could take your sight by breathing in the air, or ones that could stop your chakra use all together. And now, apparently ones that yielded some kind of control over the individual. They were a terrifying prospect.
He listened as they made their way to the last known location. He was proud of Aikou. She had the entire picture of the situation down perfectly. Kuodachi felt that, at least partially, it was a product of his constant contemplation during missions that were even quite simple. It made him smile to see how far Aikou had come over the time he'd been with her. He could see why teachers were often so in love with their job.
Aikou's deduction of the area was not bad for a first time attempt. Actually, it was quite good. She had the basic view down.
“Good. You are right, of course, but tracking is more than discerning the evident indications. Have to put your mind in the head of the prey.” The words came as he continued to survey the area. At this point, he was not just squatting, but moving around, checking various things. The question playing through his mind,
'If I were these prisoners, what would I do?' It was difficult to separate what was done by the fool guards and what was done by the prisoners. Snapped twigs, shoe prints... they were meaningless. That is when he found the vital clue, a shoeless footprint. Following the trail, he picked up on more signs to the west. Smooth, loose dirt, still defiled by guard prints. Onward the trail went until Kuodachi had all the information he needed.
“The rope was likely used as a distraction. Draw the attention of the tracking group upward while they defiled the little evidence left underfoot.” Smart move, 6425. 6424 cant use chakra, so they are not going to be running through trees. Not to mention, it was hanging from a branch that likely wouldn't even have held the big guy, a move done in a rush.
“All three are still together at this point. 6524 is barefoot. Should make the trail clear once we pick it up again.” They jutted to the east, but would undoubtedly continue the path south. They had nowhere else to go, no other options.
Kuodachi set out in a quick pace, his eyes scanning for any other signs. Past this point, there were only animals and their prey. Signs would be easier to follow without the meddling of the prison tracking team. Sure enough, it was not long before Kuodachi stopped again, scanning the ground. He had the trail. Past this point, it was clear sailing. They did their ploy to lose the guards already. Of course, they might try it again, but Kuodachi was no mass of prison guard trackers. He'd keep this trail.
Once again, he came to another stop, this time he spoke up,
“This is where they split.” He began a series of handseals as soon as the words left his mouth. It was clear. Small footprints of a young man one way, two sets of footprints, including the print of a massive, shoeless foot another way. What was unsettling was that,
"D-rank is bleeding." The D-rank would be traveling faster as a solo ninja, even if he was not actually faster. He was alone, and didn't have a chakraless person slowing him down. Of course, that theory also depended on his injury. Instantly, Kuodachi made his decision, and answer to Aikou's previous thoughts,
“D-rank first.” As soon as the seals finished, a shadow clone would poof into existence. It would proceed down the trail of the two, while the real Kuodachi set off on the D-ranks trail. Now, he was moving faster than before. He knew things were getting dire. It was hard to know how far they had gone past this point, but Kuodachi didn't want to take any chances.
With the prospect of a fight at their finger tips, Kuodachi began strategy. He didn't believe this D-rank would be much trouble alone, but he proceeded into a brief anyways. Unfortunately, as much as Kuodachi wanted to use this to see how much Aikou has grown, he knew they couldn't afford to lose any time.
“This will be quick. Plan revolves around catching him in a barrier. He'll likely be helpless then. Following that, we break his fingers, and tie him to a tree. We'll come back and fetch him once we get the other two.” The thought crossed his mind on how horrible it would be if they didn't return, but it was the best course of action Kuodachi could think of for the time. It would be senseless to drag him along. Ultimately, he only intended to incapacitate all three and send Aikou back to get some burly guards to drag them back.
“I want you to keep his attention so I can trap him.”
Finally, Kuodachi would slow his pace,
“We're close.”
*[Ninjutsu • Advanced Shadow Clone Technique]
A-Ranked Ninjutsu
After forming the needed handseals, the user proceeds to create a number of clones of themselves (maximum is equal to the user's stamina). Unlike the Clone Technique, these clones are actual copies of the user in both appearance and substance. The user's chakra is evenly distributed among every clone, giving each clone an equal fraction of the user's overall power. The clones are capable of performing jutsu on their own and can even bleed, but they will usually disperse after one or two solid blows. The clones will be created in roughly the same condition as the original and any experience the clones gain during their existence is transferred to the user once they are dispersed. Given that the clones are an exact replica of the user, they share the same stats except for stamina, which is determined by the number of clones presently in effect. The advantage of this form of the technique is that once dispersed, the chakra distributed to the clones returns to the user, allowing any un-used chakra to be regained, slowing the draining usage of this technique. The chakra returns to the user at a different rate depending on the user's control.
1-6 Control: 1/4
6-13: 1/2
14-15: 3/4
