Tetsuo sat in his usual spot in the tavern, sipping away at his sake. The place reeked of booze, body odor, and sweat; a smell he had become accustomed to over the last week. The small tavern was nestled comfortably within the Kyoya Swamplands, mosquitos and other insects harassed the local clientele. The air was hot, muggy, and oppressive; an occasional wind graced the tavern but only in short bursts.
"The Bog", an appropriate name for a place like this. Tetsuo had heard reports of a beast that stalked the swamps of the surrounding area for months now. At first he was disinterested, after all, what challenge could a mere beast provide? But, as the months went on more and more reports came, "the beast of the swamplands strikes again", "the beast destroys small village located in the heart of the swamplands" "groups of shinobi go missing while hunting the beast of the swampland" More and more reports flooded in until curiosity got the better of him. But, it had been over a week and there hadn't been even a single report on the beast. Tetsuo was getting bored.
Then, he heard it. "I'm telling you guys, it's just a myth. There's no way he's still around, that happened like 30 years ago." A group of drunkards sat at the table beside him laughing over their drinks. The older being a scarred man who clearly had seen war. The younger two are full of bravado, the kind who know battle only through stories.
"You honestly think a rogue ninja could disappear for this long and still be alive?"
"I'm telling you I saw him today!" The third man spoke, lowering his voice. His hands shook as they clung to his cup. "He walked in here."
The other two laughed, threatening to spill their drinks.
"Right, Tetsuo Hyuuga came into this tavern today. Let's ask this guy, he's been here all week."
The three turned to Tetsuo who sat quietly in the corner.
"Hey, pal. You seen Tetsuo Hyuuga recently?"
Tetsuo downed the rest of his sake and gently placed the cup on the table in front of him. His pale eyes, the telltale mark of the Hyuuga, reflected the dim candlelight.
"Been about 30 years, give or take." he murmured.
The three men leaned in, intrigued. The haze in their eyes began to clear as they took a closer look at him.
Then they realized.
Tetsuo saw the recognition in their eyes, his fingers curling slightly around his cup, preparing for the worst.
"You're a Hyuuga! No wonder you know about him!" The older man chuckled as he flagged the bartender. "Another round for our friend Mr. Hyuuga!"
The atmosphere shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the name. Whispers began to replace the boisterous conversations.
"What's a Hyuuga doing here?"
"Something serious must be happening for him to be here."
Ignorant to the shift in atmosphere, the three men pulled their seats up to Tetsuo's table. "Tell us about him! Tell us about Tetsuo Hyuuga, did you know him?" The drunkard's eyes lit up like children who were about to receive presents. Taking the fresh cup and swirling the liquids inside, Tetsuo's voice was calm and unreadable.
"Tetsuo Hyuuga died a long time ago. Alongside his rival and friend, Seijuro Hyuuga." Tetsuo's eyes softened and a small smile crawled across his face as he said the words Seijuro Hyuuga. He glanced at the men, letting his words settle in.
"Most say Tetsuo betrayed him. Killed him during a mission. But there are others who believe he was wrongly accused." He sipped at his sake as the men sat enthralled.
"Well... what do you believe?" the youngest of the three asked.
Before he could answer, the tavern doors burst open. A group of men staggered inside, clothes torn, one of them bleeding badly. Another was being half-carried, his face pale like the moon, barely conscious. The scent of blood and mud masked the familiar scent of the tavern. "Help! We we were hunting near the marsh." The man swallowed hard, gasping for breath from running.
"The boars. Trunked boars. A whole herd of them. They came out of nowhere." His breath hitched.
"We lost one of our own."
Murmurs spread through the tavern. Fear and uncertainty filled the air. Tetsuo remained still, watching and waiting. He wasn't going to get his hopes up.
"We ran as fast as we could but there was something else there and it sounded huge." This was what he was waiting for. Regular boars didn't hunt men, they defended territory. But this was what he was looking for. He was sure of it.
The Beast of the Swamplands.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Completed
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AFungalNetwork
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The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Completed
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Tue Mar 25, 2025 11:00 pm, edited 7 times in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Somewhere in the Kyoya swamplands, hidden in a feverish haze of bog fumes and gases, mired in mud and time, Hanayo was preparing for her next mission.
The evening prior a guide had safely delivered her to the tavern. The innkeepers proved more than hospitable- under the impression the jounin was on official business. Sent to deal with the ‘beast of the Swamplands’. They took her polite smile as an assurance and in return offered her an Upper room. It was never her intention to lie. Their lives were in danger, but it would be too hard to admit she was in pursuit of something more precious.
She seated herself at a table close to a window, distancing herself from the other patrons. Training her eyes elsewhere and keeping a fan over her face, both to fend off unwanted attention and the damp smell in the air. Hanayo had no interest in old men trading old stories. They were the stalwarts of stagnation. Stuck in a life that was peaceful, but predictable.
She suspected these stories of a monstrous boar were invented here, and over the course of their bragging and tall tale telling they’d raised it to the status of a myth. Though, the same sort of stories had lured her to this backwater. She was not after the boar, however, but what the boar protected in its territory. The Black Albus truffle. It was more than a culinary delicacy, or a sweet aphrodisiac. There was another unique quality which had aroused her interest. Hanayo had been hunting for this ingredient for some time, tracked into the Kyoya swamp, but so far her search had yielded no results.
She was in the midst of daydreaming about her next expedition when she heard the name ‘Hyuuga’. Her eyes shifted, the sight of him prompted a second glance for confirmation. Sure enough the man’s eyes were Hyuuga white. Hana sucked her teeth. She knew there would be competition for the Albus but she hadn’t expected this.
As he spoke to the men, she listened close. His voice was soft, every word whispered to the rim of a sake glass. Her wariness proved well-founded. He wasn’t some blind man, but a member of the clan, an informed one at that. Was he alone? She wondered. More importantly, had he seen her? If he had, it would raise questions she didn’t have the time for.
The fragile moment shattered when a group of men tumbled in. She knew the situation even before they shouted it out in a desperate breath. Damn. She’d been half-hoping this would be an escape from work. All the effort she’d taken to conceal her identity, and avoid unwanted attention, would be made moot if she acted now. She had her duties as a ninja and to her villages to adhere to… but also the oath of a medic.
Her chair scraped the floor. “Why are all of you standing around?” she said, tying her hair back and taking charge. “Set him on the table,” she said to the sounds of dishes clattering, before adding: “Gently.” One man showed no signs of blood loss, by his paleness and lucidity she assumed blunt force trauma. The bleeding victim would be first. It was not a clean wound; the tusk had gored through his tunic and twisted the fabric deep into his gut. Burning her hands clean with chakra and retrieving a set of tweezers, she went to work removing the bits of cloth, not minding the drops of blood soaking into her sleeve and blouse.
Though her attention was split between the patients, she had an eye on the Hyuuga. He was the only one among them who remained still, his presence meditative, those clear eyes seeing through it all. “I hope you’re not planning anything rash,” Hanayo said to him. Her hands were aglow, pressing against the now unconscious man’s abdomen. “The last thing I need is a third patient.”
The evening prior a guide had safely delivered her to the tavern. The innkeepers proved more than hospitable- under the impression the jounin was on official business. Sent to deal with the ‘beast of the Swamplands’. They took her polite smile as an assurance and in return offered her an Upper room. It was never her intention to lie. Their lives were in danger, but it would be too hard to admit she was in pursuit of something more precious.
She seated herself at a table close to a window, distancing herself from the other patrons. Training her eyes elsewhere and keeping a fan over her face, both to fend off unwanted attention and the damp smell in the air. Hanayo had no interest in old men trading old stories. They were the stalwarts of stagnation. Stuck in a life that was peaceful, but predictable.
She suspected these stories of a monstrous boar were invented here, and over the course of their bragging and tall tale telling they’d raised it to the status of a myth. Though, the same sort of stories had lured her to this backwater. She was not after the boar, however, but what the boar protected in its territory. The Black Albus truffle. It was more than a culinary delicacy, or a sweet aphrodisiac. There was another unique quality which had aroused her interest. Hanayo had been hunting for this ingredient for some time, tracked into the Kyoya swamp, but so far her search had yielded no results.
She was in the midst of daydreaming about her next expedition when she heard the name ‘Hyuuga’. Her eyes shifted, the sight of him prompted a second glance for confirmation. Sure enough the man’s eyes were Hyuuga white. Hana sucked her teeth. She knew there would be competition for the Albus but she hadn’t expected this.
As he spoke to the men, she listened close. His voice was soft, every word whispered to the rim of a sake glass. Her wariness proved well-founded. He wasn’t some blind man, but a member of the clan, an informed one at that. Was he alone? She wondered. More importantly, had he seen her? If he had, it would raise questions she didn’t have the time for.
The fragile moment shattered when a group of men tumbled in. She knew the situation even before they shouted it out in a desperate breath. Damn. She’d been half-hoping this would be an escape from work. All the effort she’d taken to conceal her identity, and avoid unwanted attention, would be made moot if she acted now. She had her duties as a ninja and to her villages to adhere to… but also the oath of a medic.
Her chair scraped the floor. “Why are all of you standing around?” she said, tying her hair back and taking charge. “Set him on the table,” she said to the sounds of dishes clattering, before adding: “Gently.” One man showed no signs of blood loss, by his paleness and lucidity she assumed blunt force trauma. The bleeding victim would be first. It was not a clean wound; the tusk had gored through his tunic and twisted the fabric deep into his gut. Burning her hands clean with chakra and retrieving a set of tweezers, she went to work removing the bits of cloth, not minding the drops of blood soaking into her sleeve and blouse.
Though her attention was split between the patients, she had an eye on the Hyuuga. He was the only one among them who remained still, his presence meditative, those clear eyes seeing through it all. “I hope you’re not planning anything rash,” Hanayo said to him. Her hands were aglow, pressing against the now unconscious man’s abdomen. “The last thing I need is a third patient.”
JutsuShow
*[Iijutsu • Sterilization Technique]
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
The user will channel the needed chakra throughout their upper body (torso, arms, hands, face) at [Control] Speed. This chakra will chew away at harmful bacteria and other foreign bodies on the skin, cleansing it until it is thoroughly sterile, and can be spread to objects, most commonly surgical tools. Users of this technique can also choose to sterilize certain parts of their upper body or the wounds of another person instead. Once they are sanitized, they remain this way until coming in contact with more bacteria.
*[Iijutsu • Mystical Palm]
A-Ranked Ninjutsu
One of the almighty and most highly coveted abilities of medical-nin, the *[Iijutsu • Mystical Palm] technique allows its users to heal wounds quickly and efficiently. After focusing chakra into his/her hands, the user will place them over the wound in question and begin to channel chakra through it. As the chakra interacts with the cells and tissues in the area, the wound will begin to regenerate and heal over until there's no remnant of it ever being there.
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
The user will channel the needed chakra throughout their upper body (torso, arms, hands, face) at [Control] Speed. This chakra will chew away at harmful bacteria and other foreign bodies on the skin, cleansing it until it is thoroughly sterile, and can be spread to objects, most commonly surgical tools. Users of this technique can also choose to sterilize certain parts of their upper body or the wounds of another person instead. Once they are sanitized, they remain this way until coming in contact with more bacteria.
*[Iijutsu • Mystical Palm]
A-Ranked Ninjutsu
One of the almighty and most highly coveted abilities of medical-nin, the *[Iijutsu • Mystical Palm] technique allows its users to heal wounds quickly and efficiently. After focusing chakra into his/her hands, the user will place them over the wound in question and begin to channel chakra through it. As the chakra interacts with the cells and tissues in the area, the wound will begin to regenerate and heal over until there's no remnant of it ever being there.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
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AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
A wave of panic filled the room as the yellow eyed woman began giving orders; the shock subsided in the patrons. Everyone quickly rushed to the men's aid, the men who previously had been "interrogating" Tetsuo were the first to act. The older man cleared two tables while the younger two pushed them together to make a stable structure. The hunters who were healthy enough to move gently laid their friend on the table.
“I hope you’re not planning anything rash,” the yellow-eyed woman said as she briefly glanced at Tetsuo. “The last thing I need is a third patient.”
"You'll need to set the lower left rib back into place before you start mending the wound," Tetsuo stated, ignoring her last statement. "His shoulder is fractured in two places and one of his ribs has moved dangerously close to his lungs, it's possible it's already pierced it." During Tetsuo's years of training in the Bone Breaker style he picked up some knowledge of medical ninjutsu, never enough to actually heal anyone but enough to recognize injuries like this.
"Do you need a sterilizing agent?" Tetsuo asked as he joined the woman who smelled faintly of perfume, a small bit of concern breaking his usual demeanor. "I've read that alcohol is often used to clean wounds, would sake be acceptable or do you need something with a higher alcohol level?"
Gently pressing against the non-bleeding patient, Tetsuo could feel that the right side of the man's collar bone had been broken and he had fractured 13 of his 24 ribs. The man winced and squirmed with every touch.
"You can hunt beasts in the wild but can't take a little pain?" Tetsuo's voice was laced with disgust as he spoke to the man.
"Doctor," he called to the woman, not knowing how he should address her, "these fools are lucky to be alive. This man's collarbone is inches away from piercing a major artery in his neck."
"You, the one with no injuries. You said there was something else there, something big. Tell me everything about it. Now." Tetsuo's tone had shifted back to his normal calm but there was something different, something off.
"I didn't really get a good look at it. But, it was big, bigger than any animal I've ever seen before. The trees and ground were shaking, almost like there was an earthquake. There was a deep guttural shrieking coming from the forest. But it didn't chase us. As soon as we started running, the boars stopped."
Excitement began growing inside Tetsuo as he listened to the description. A small, barely noticeable grin formed when the man described the earthquake-like effect of the creature. Then, a look of intrigue washed over his features as the man told him the boars refused to chase them.
"Animals only act aggressively like that when they are protecting something. That's likely why they didn't chase you. You guys are very lucky, all things considered."
Finishing his conversation with the man, Tetsuo turned his attention to the yellow-eyed woman.
"That flak jacket belongs to Konoha, what brings you here? This isn't exactly a hotspot of activity." Back to his normal demeanor, the excitement fades from his voice as he stands across from the woman.
“I hope you’re not planning anything rash,” the yellow-eyed woman said as she briefly glanced at Tetsuo. “The last thing I need is a third patient.”
"You'll need to set the lower left rib back into place before you start mending the wound," Tetsuo stated, ignoring her last statement. "His shoulder is fractured in two places and one of his ribs has moved dangerously close to his lungs, it's possible it's already pierced it." During Tetsuo's years of training in the Bone Breaker style he picked up some knowledge of medical ninjutsu, never enough to actually heal anyone but enough to recognize injuries like this.
"Do you need a sterilizing agent?" Tetsuo asked as he joined the woman who smelled faintly of perfume, a small bit of concern breaking his usual demeanor. "I've read that alcohol is often used to clean wounds, would sake be acceptable or do you need something with a higher alcohol level?"
Gently pressing against the non-bleeding patient, Tetsuo could feel that the right side of the man's collar bone had been broken and he had fractured 13 of his 24 ribs. The man winced and squirmed with every touch.
"You can hunt beasts in the wild but can't take a little pain?" Tetsuo's voice was laced with disgust as he spoke to the man.
"Doctor," he called to the woman, not knowing how he should address her, "these fools are lucky to be alive. This man's collarbone is inches away from piercing a major artery in his neck."
"You, the one with no injuries. You said there was something else there, something big. Tell me everything about it. Now." Tetsuo's tone had shifted back to his normal calm but there was something different, something off.
"I didn't really get a good look at it. But, it was big, bigger than any animal I've ever seen before. The trees and ground were shaking, almost like there was an earthquake. There was a deep guttural shrieking coming from the forest. But it didn't chase us. As soon as we started running, the boars stopped."
Excitement began growing inside Tetsuo as he listened to the description. A small, barely noticeable grin formed when the man described the earthquake-like effect of the creature. Then, a look of intrigue washed over his features as the man told him the boars refused to chase them.
"Animals only act aggressively like that when they are protecting something. That's likely why they didn't chase you. You guys are very lucky, all things considered."
Finishing his conversation with the man, Tetsuo turned his attention to the yellow-eyed woman.
"That flak jacket belongs to Konoha, what brings you here? This isn't exactly a hotspot of activity." Back to his normal demeanor, the excitement fades from his voice as he stands across from the woman.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
The strange man dropped down to the floor with her. Up close, she could see his face was worn, but not beaten, retaining a degree of nobility and pomposity. Hanayo glared at him darkly as he assumed the role of an armchair surgeon. Fortunately for all involved, she was calm and skilled enough to respond and heal at the same time. “There’s nothing here near strong enough,” she said to mild grunts of agreement from the drunkards. “Chakra burns cleaner.“
Though, she had to admit the man proved useful as a second set of eyes, identifying broken bones and other injuries she had overlooked. The jounin bent over and laid her head against the unconscious man’s torso. His breathing was shallow but steady on both sides of his chest. Lucky. She thought. Very lucky, indeed. But as for the ribs, Hanayo had no easy means of setting or splinting them out here. They would have to mend with time.
She stepped to her next patient and confirmed what the Hyuuga had said. Those eyes, it was the first explanation she leapt to for his medical knowledge, but some things raised doubts. He lacked medical training, and he relied on touch—not his Byakugan—to sense the injuries. Hanayo watched closely, biting her cheek as worry bubbled in her throat. You don’t get hands like that from mending bones, you got them from breaking them.
After managing to cut away the victim’s shirt and use the tatters to form a sling, Hana secured the man’s arm against his chest. The barkeeper opened the backroom for them to use as a recovery area. Some of the men worked together using a bench that served as a makeshift stretcher to transport them there. “Owe you a round,” one of the patrons mumbled in passing.
She nodded, only half hearing. There was more talk of the boar’s rampage from the crowd. A quick glance confirmed they were talking to the Hyuuga. So he was a myth chaser after all. Hanayo didn’t need to hear the stories– their wounds told a truer tale than any of these old drunks. A monster must have done this. Further complications…
She wiped her brow, the heat of the day was starting to hit her. Even with the victims gone, a heavy unease clung to the tavern. While the others stood around gaping like fish, she stepped around sticky puddles of blood and booze and found an untouched shot glass to sip from. Something to cut the tension. “Same as you, I’m guessing,” she said, wincing from the sting. She forced herself to remain casual, not wanting to force the issue but she felt the distance in his measured words. One of them didn’t belong, and it seemed neither was sure who.
“Even so,” she said cautiously. “I wasn’t informed that I would be having company. Who sent you, really?”
Though, she had to admit the man proved useful as a second set of eyes, identifying broken bones and other injuries she had overlooked. The jounin bent over and laid her head against the unconscious man’s torso. His breathing was shallow but steady on both sides of his chest. Lucky. She thought. Very lucky, indeed. But as for the ribs, Hanayo had no easy means of setting or splinting them out here. They would have to mend with time.
She stepped to her next patient and confirmed what the Hyuuga had said. Those eyes, it was the first explanation she leapt to for his medical knowledge, but some things raised doubts. He lacked medical training, and he relied on touch—not his Byakugan—to sense the injuries. Hanayo watched closely, biting her cheek as worry bubbled in her throat. You don’t get hands like that from mending bones, you got them from breaking them.
After managing to cut away the victim’s shirt and use the tatters to form a sling, Hana secured the man’s arm against his chest. The barkeeper opened the backroom for them to use as a recovery area. Some of the men worked together using a bench that served as a makeshift stretcher to transport them there. “Owe you a round,” one of the patrons mumbled in passing.
She nodded, only half hearing. There was more talk of the boar’s rampage from the crowd. A quick glance confirmed they were talking to the Hyuuga. So he was a myth chaser after all. Hanayo didn’t need to hear the stories– their wounds told a truer tale than any of these old drunks. A monster must have done this. Further complications…
She wiped her brow, the heat of the day was starting to hit her. Even with the victims gone, a heavy unease clung to the tavern. While the others stood around gaping like fish, she stepped around sticky puddles of blood and booze and found an untouched shot glass to sip from. Something to cut the tension. “Same as you, I’m guessing,” she said, wincing from the sting. She forced herself to remain casual, not wanting to force the issue but she felt the distance in his measured words. One of them didn’t belong, and it seemed neither was sure who.
“Even so,” she said cautiously. “I wasn’t informed that I would be having company. Who sent you, really?”
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
The woman's words were laced with caution; she didn't trust him. Not that he cared, trust is a privilege not a right.
"Duty sent me. The strong have a responsibility to protect the weak." Honest words but they were half-truths. He truly believed in what he was saying but there was more. He was excited. It had been months since he was able to test his mettle. And even longer since he was last hunted. Perhaps they had forgotten, he would remind them.
"Barkeep." he said coldly. "Let everyone know that Seijuro Hyuuga has come to save you from the Beast of the Swamplands." The tavern had begun to return to its normal hum, with a slightly confused look the barkeep nodded.
With that he turned back to the jonin who never seemed to let him out of her sights.
"Shall we?"
Not waiting for her response, Tetsuo strode toward the door. The tavern's hum of conversation picked up behind him, though he could still feel the weight of curious and wary gazes on his back.
As he reached the door, he paused. His fingers moved fluidly, forming a quick sequence of hand seals. A familiar pulse of chakra spread outward from his body—silent, invisible. He felt it ripple through the space around him, mapping out the presence of chakra signatures within a 35-meter radius. The jutsu wasn't precise beyond ten meters, but it would be enough. Enough to confirm whether they were alone. Enough to see if the hunt had already begun.
Jutsu used:
*[Sensory Style • Beyond Senses]
C-Rank Ninjutsu
Prerequisites: 10 Control
First performing handseals, this sensor jutsu is used by shinobi to feel chakra sources within a radius of 35 meters. While this jutsu is fairly helpful in sensing chakra, it is unable to actually pinpoint specific chakras outside of a 10m radius. This only gives the Shinobi an idea of how many entities with chakra are present in their general area.
"Duty sent me. The strong have a responsibility to protect the weak." Honest words but they were half-truths. He truly believed in what he was saying but there was more. He was excited. It had been months since he was able to test his mettle. And even longer since he was last hunted. Perhaps they had forgotten, he would remind them.
"Barkeep." he said coldly. "Let everyone know that Seijuro Hyuuga has come to save you from the Beast of the Swamplands." The tavern had begun to return to its normal hum, with a slightly confused look the barkeep nodded.
With that he turned back to the jonin who never seemed to let him out of her sights.
"Shall we?"
Not waiting for her response, Tetsuo strode toward the door. The tavern's hum of conversation picked up behind him, though he could still feel the weight of curious and wary gazes on his back.
As he reached the door, he paused. His fingers moved fluidly, forming a quick sequence of hand seals. A familiar pulse of chakra spread outward from his body—silent, invisible. He felt it ripple through the space around him, mapping out the presence of chakra signatures within a 35-meter radius. The jutsu wasn't precise beyond ten meters, but it would be enough. Enough to confirm whether they were alone. Enough to see if the hunt had already begun.
Jutsu used:
*[Sensory Style • Beyond Senses]
C-Rank Ninjutsu
Prerequisites: 10 Control
First performing handseals, this sensor jutsu is used by shinobi to feel chakra sources within a radius of 35 meters. While this jutsu is fairly helpful in sensing chakra, it is unable to actually pinpoint specific chakras outside of a 10m radius. This only gives the Shinobi an idea of how many entities with chakra are present in their general area.
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Seijuro? That was one of the men the patrons had been talking about. Hanayo shared a confused glance with the barkeeper. The dead one. He seemed pretty energetic for a corpse, striding out of the tavern without seeing if she would follow, a sureness in every step.
Hanayo glanced around. There were still a shaken few looking to her, looking to the symbol of the Leaf, for reassurance. Their expectation weighed heavy on her shoulders. Unlike Seijuro, she had not come to this forgotten town to be tangled in their miseries. She could follow up on the dead man’s invitation or stay and play nursemaid. It wasn’t much of a choice.
She gave instructions to keep the casualties stable– after all this effort, she didn’t want to return to two corpses –and headed out of the tavern. Ill advised? Yes, absolutely. The strange man was a potential danger to himself and others. It was unavoidable, she decided, drumming her fingers. Their paths ran too parallel. Besides, Hanayo believed there was a mutual benefit to be found. He wanted the boar, or glory, or something of the sort. She needed the truffles. Worst case, he would make a good distraction for the beasts.
The jounin ducked beneath the curtain and out into the muggy heat. She threw a hand over her eyes. The sun was high. The light shooting through the trees was bright and golden, blinding. But it didn’t touch the dark thickets surrounding the tavern. The environment was not just unfamiliar, it was outright hostile. A Byakugan would prove useful navigating through the swamp. She joined him just as he finished the last few seals of an unfamiliar technique. “Seijuro-san, I would have thought a man of your age would have outgrown heroics by now. Let’s be clear, our interests may align but my mission brief did not include you. If your recklessness brings you any harm do not look to me for healing. And if you interfere with my objective... It goes without saying.” She had already noted his ‘old-fashioned’ ways and set her boundaries before the need arose. That settled, it was time to focus on the problem at hand. “Are you able to track it?”
Hanayo glanced around. There were still a shaken few looking to her, looking to the symbol of the Leaf, for reassurance. Their expectation weighed heavy on her shoulders. Unlike Seijuro, she had not come to this forgotten town to be tangled in their miseries. She could follow up on the dead man’s invitation or stay and play nursemaid. It wasn’t much of a choice.
She gave instructions to keep the casualties stable– after all this effort, she didn’t want to return to two corpses –and headed out of the tavern. Ill advised? Yes, absolutely. The strange man was a potential danger to himself and others. It was unavoidable, she decided, drumming her fingers. Their paths ran too parallel. Besides, Hanayo believed there was a mutual benefit to be found. He wanted the boar, or glory, or something of the sort. She needed the truffles. Worst case, he would make a good distraction for the beasts.
The jounin ducked beneath the curtain and out into the muggy heat. She threw a hand over her eyes. The sun was high. The light shooting through the trees was bright and golden, blinding. But it didn’t touch the dark thickets surrounding the tavern. The environment was not just unfamiliar, it was outright hostile. A Byakugan would prove useful navigating through the swamp. She joined him just as he finished the last few seals of an unfamiliar technique. “Seijuro-san, I would have thought a man of your age would have outgrown heroics by now. Let’s be clear, our interests may align but my mission brief did not include you. If your recklessness brings you any harm do not look to me for healing. And if you interfere with my objective... It goes without saying.” She had already noted his ‘old-fashioned’ ways and set her boundaries before the need arose. That settled, it was time to focus on the problem at hand. “Are you able to track it?”
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Several chakra signals pinged around the tavern: a farmer making his way toward the tavern with cabbages in hand (likely to sell), a young woman washing dishes in the well outside, two young children playing shinobi on the opposite side of the tavern. Nothing of note, they hadn't found him... yet.
The temperature outside was somehow worse than in the tavern, Tetsuo had already begun to sweat a little. As his temporary companion stepped out of the tavern he acknowledged her words with an understanding nod.
"Come." he said as he began walking in the direction the hunters came from. "I can track the boar but we have to find where those men were first. Unsurprisingly, once the boars became aggressive and they lost one of their companions they forgot where they were."
She was right to believe that a Byakugan would be a useful tool in tracking the beast but Tetsuo had no intention of using it.
"We're going to have to do this the old fashioned way." He said as he looked back at the woman. "Not many people know this, not many people would but the Byakugan is like a muscle... it atrophies if you don't use it enough and I've only ever used mine once when my life was in danger and I had no other choice."
"I understand you may have some questions and I'll answer any that I'm able to... once we make camp." With that Tetsuo gestured over to a group of footprints, clearly belonging to the hunters from before.
Tetsuo took the lead, following the tracks deeper into the swamp. As he moved through the dense brush, he used his nodachi to clear a path for his companion. He wielded the blade with skill and precision, his motions fluid—each strike flowing seamlessly into the next, forceful yet unexpectedly graceful.
An hour passed and eventually, he spotted a wounded boar first, collapsed against the roots of a gnarled tree. Its hind leg was caught in a hunter’s trap, the rusted metal teeth biting deep into flesh. Blood seeped into the damp earth, and though the creature had struggled, the damage was too severe—it wouldn’t recover on its own. Tetsuo exhaled sharply, glancing back toward his companion. The young woman was skilled, but they didn’t have the time it would take for her to heal the boar properly—not out here, not with the infection already setting in. Kneeling beside the creature, he placed a steady hand on its coarse fur, murmuring a quiet apology. Then, with a swift, practiced strike, he ended its suffering.
Removing the infected leg, Tetsuo quickly wrapped the rest of the boar in some spare linen. It would make for a decent meal. The sun was setting now—it was time to make camp. "Can you make a fire? I'll be back in a while, collecting ingredients for dinner."
He waited for her response, nodded in his usual fashion—an acknowledging grunt—and disappeared into the woods.
By the time he returned, half an hour had passed. In his arms, he carried a large bundle of plants, vegetables, and mushrooms. He placed them at her feet before turning his attention to the fire and the boar. Finding a sizeable rock—not so large that it would smother the flames—he set it off to the side of the fire to heat.
"I'm not entirely sure what in that bundle is edible, but I wasn’t sure if you ate meat or not. I'm going to fry up as many of those things as I can. Can you tell if they’re safe to eat?"
As he spoke, he began butchering the boar—skinning the hide and setting it aside for later, carefully removing the trunk and tusks.
"I'm going to fry the trunk. The locals claim it has the best meat. Not sure I believe them—it just feels like a lot of muscle to me." He shrugged, stripping the trunk of its hair before placing it on the heated rock, alongside several strips of boar meat.
"I wish I had a jar of salt. I could preserve the rest of this meat. Guess we'll just have to eat as much as we can and let nature handle the rest."
The smell of cooked pork filled the air. He turned to his companion. "So, are those any good?"
His expression would be new to her—almost relaxed.
"I figure we could eat and talk for a while," he said lightly. He couldn't help it—he was in a good mood. It had been a long time since he’d cooked for someone. Since he’d shared a meal with someone. He wasn’t exactly approachable, and he didn’t mind the path his life had taken.
But even he got lonely sometimes.
The temperature outside was somehow worse than in the tavern, Tetsuo had already begun to sweat a little. As his temporary companion stepped out of the tavern he acknowledged her words with an understanding nod.
"Come." he said as he began walking in the direction the hunters came from. "I can track the boar but we have to find where those men were first. Unsurprisingly, once the boars became aggressive and they lost one of their companions they forgot where they were."
She was right to believe that a Byakugan would be a useful tool in tracking the beast but Tetsuo had no intention of using it.
"We're going to have to do this the old fashioned way." He said as he looked back at the woman. "Not many people know this, not many people would but the Byakugan is like a muscle... it atrophies if you don't use it enough and I've only ever used mine once when my life was in danger and I had no other choice."
"I understand you may have some questions and I'll answer any that I'm able to... once we make camp." With that Tetsuo gestured over to a group of footprints, clearly belonging to the hunters from before.
Tetsuo took the lead, following the tracks deeper into the swamp. As he moved through the dense brush, he used his nodachi to clear a path for his companion. He wielded the blade with skill and precision, his motions fluid—each strike flowing seamlessly into the next, forceful yet unexpectedly graceful.
An hour passed and eventually, he spotted a wounded boar first, collapsed against the roots of a gnarled tree. Its hind leg was caught in a hunter’s trap, the rusted metal teeth biting deep into flesh. Blood seeped into the damp earth, and though the creature had struggled, the damage was too severe—it wouldn’t recover on its own. Tetsuo exhaled sharply, glancing back toward his companion. The young woman was skilled, but they didn’t have the time it would take for her to heal the boar properly—not out here, not with the infection already setting in. Kneeling beside the creature, he placed a steady hand on its coarse fur, murmuring a quiet apology. Then, with a swift, practiced strike, he ended its suffering.
Removing the infected leg, Tetsuo quickly wrapped the rest of the boar in some spare linen. It would make for a decent meal. The sun was setting now—it was time to make camp. "Can you make a fire? I'll be back in a while, collecting ingredients for dinner."
He waited for her response, nodded in his usual fashion—an acknowledging grunt—and disappeared into the woods.
By the time he returned, half an hour had passed. In his arms, he carried a large bundle of plants, vegetables, and mushrooms. He placed them at her feet before turning his attention to the fire and the boar. Finding a sizeable rock—not so large that it would smother the flames—he set it off to the side of the fire to heat.
"I'm not entirely sure what in that bundle is edible, but I wasn’t sure if you ate meat or not. I'm going to fry up as many of those things as I can. Can you tell if they’re safe to eat?"
As he spoke, he began butchering the boar—skinning the hide and setting it aside for later, carefully removing the trunk and tusks.
"I'm going to fry the trunk. The locals claim it has the best meat. Not sure I believe them—it just feels like a lot of muscle to me." He shrugged, stripping the trunk of its hair before placing it on the heated rock, alongside several strips of boar meat.
"I wish I had a jar of salt. I could preserve the rest of this meat. Guess we'll just have to eat as much as we can and let nature handle the rest."
The smell of cooked pork filled the air. He turned to his companion. "So, are those any good?"
His expression would be new to her—almost relaxed.
"I figure we could eat and talk for a while," he said lightly. He couldn't help it—he was in a good mood. It had been a long time since he’d cooked for someone. Since he’d shared a meal with someone. He wasn’t exactly approachable, and he didn’t mind the path his life had taken.
But even he got lonely sometimes.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
She managed to scavenge enough tinder while the sky was still evening pink. Hanayo formed a hand sign and spat a lick of flame onto the tower of dry wood. She pinched her nose as the smoke drifted up, carrying the smell of ignited peat.
She was pleasantly surprised at what Seijuro had gathered. He must have been Living like this for some time to be familiar enough with the region's flora. Picked out mushrooms, mugwort, and some nettles to be made into tea. While the leaves dried, Hanayo found a seat on one end of a fallen log across from the Hyuuga. Her head canted, watching as the man hacked away at the boar, his swordsmanship on display. She had never felt drawn to the rugged type, but if nothing else she could appreciate his usefulness.
She would pass on the pork and draw some jerky from a vest pouch. Not that it looked unappetizing. Her stomach groaned at the sight of juicy fat bubbling off the cuts of pork, the meat browning crisply with a pale pink middle. But the threat of being eaten by a monster boar was still hanging over head– it was tempting fate.
She scanned the dark, a sense of foreboding emanated from the edge of the firelight. The flame kept the bugs at bay, the night was alive with their creaking and chirping. Hana shifted, happy for something to break the silence. It kept her from wondering when the last time she had shared a meal with someone was. She held his gaze as Seijuro spoke up. Not as long ago as him. He was half an animal, communicating mostly through grunts and nods.
When asked, Hanayo held up an unfamiliar mushroom. “One way to find out,” her lips curled and she bit off a nibble and tossed it for him to try. “Try a little. If you feel a seizure coming on, we’ll have our answer.” It was meant as a joke, but his Byakugan was not the only thing that had atrophied. That fact- along with the rest of him -raised so many questions, all of which rushed to the front of the woman’s mind. After a long pause, she leaned back and said: “We can talk. You mentioned you have only used your Byakugan once, may I ask why that is?”
She was pleasantly surprised at what Seijuro had gathered. He must have been Living like this for some time to be familiar enough with the region's flora. Picked out mushrooms, mugwort, and some nettles to be made into tea. While the leaves dried, Hanayo found a seat on one end of a fallen log across from the Hyuuga. Her head canted, watching as the man hacked away at the boar, his swordsmanship on display. She had never felt drawn to the rugged type, but if nothing else she could appreciate his usefulness.
She would pass on the pork and draw some jerky from a vest pouch. Not that it looked unappetizing. Her stomach groaned at the sight of juicy fat bubbling off the cuts of pork, the meat browning crisply with a pale pink middle. But the threat of being eaten by a monster boar was still hanging over head– it was tempting fate.
She scanned the dark, a sense of foreboding emanated from the edge of the firelight. The flame kept the bugs at bay, the night was alive with their creaking and chirping. Hana shifted, happy for something to break the silence. It kept her from wondering when the last time she had shared a meal with someone was. She held his gaze as Seijuro spoke up. Not as long ago as him. He was half an animal, communicating mostly through grunts and nods.
When asked, Hanayo held up an unfamiliar mushroom. “One way to find out,” her lips curled and she bit off a nibble and tossed it for him to try. “Try a little. If you feel a seizure coming on, we’ll have our answer.” It was meant as a joke, but his Byakugan was not the only thing that had atrophied. That fact- along with the rest of him -raised so many questions, all of which rushed to the front of the woman’s mind. After a long pause, she leaned back and said: “We can talk. You mentioned you have only used your Byakugan once, may I ask why that is?”
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
I hate inherited "strength," he said, taking a seat across from her. "The Hyuuga especially tend to believe that having the Byakugan is enough. Their whole style of fighting revolves around it but what would happen if they lost it? They would be useless. It's that kind of undisciplined and entitled attitude that I hate."
He caught the mushroom she tossed to him and took a bite from it, nodding in approval. "This is pretty good; earthy with good umami. Perfect for a stew."
With that he removed his headband revealing the burned scar where a faint caged bird seal can still be seen.
"Not even members of their own clan are free from their entitlement. I was raised to protect Seijuro, never to be his equal and certainly never meant to be better than him." His expressions shift from his normal stoic look to a sad smile to a silent pained anger. As he gripped the headband tightly, he realized where he was again.
"I don't use my Byakugan because I don't need it. I don't use my Byakugan because they hate that I'm stronger than them and they have nothing to blame but their own weakness. I don't use it because I don't want anyone to hear of my achievements and say of course he did, he's a Hyuuga how could he not when he has the Byakugan. My strength was earned through trials, pain, and heartbreak. It's not a circumstance of my birth."
He took another bite of the cooked boar, savoring it for a moment before speaking again.
"Sure you don't want a slice?" He asked casually.
After a brief pause, he glanced at her. "I’ve been talking a lot. What about you?" He leaned back slightly, watching her with quiet curiosity. "What’s your name?"
He let the question hang for a moment before continuing. "More importantly—why are you really here? You don’t seem like someone who cares for monster hunting. How important of a mission are you on that they couldn't send a standard 3 man squad?"
His eyes studied her carefully, weighing her reaction. Then, his tone shifted just slightly, a sharper edge creeping in. "Let’s say you had a mission—an important one. But along the way, you had the chance to capture a dangerous missing-nin. Which would you choose?"
He kept his expression neutral, but there was something searching in his gaze, this was more than just a thought experiment.
He caught the mushroom she tossed to him and took a bite from it, nodding in approval. "This is pretty good; earthy with good umami. Perfect for a stew."
With that he removed his headband revealing the burned scar where a faint caged bird seal can still be seen.
"Not even members of their own clan are free from their entitlement. I was raised to protect Seijuro, never to be his equal and certainly never meant to be better than him." His expressions shift from his normal stoic look to a sad smile to a silent pained anger. As he gripped the headband tightly, he realized where he was again.
"I don't use my Byakugan because I don't need it. I don't use my Byakugan because they hate that I'm stronger than them and they have nothing to blame but their own weakness. I don't use it because I don't want anyone to hear of my achievements and say of course he did, he's a Hyuuga how could he not when he has the Byakugan. My strength was earned through trials, pain, and heartbreak. It's not a circumstance of my birth."
He took another bite of the cooked boar, savoring it for a moment before speaking again.
"Sure you don't want a slice?" He asked casually.
After a brief pause, he glanced at her. "I’ve been talking a lot. What about you?" He leaned back slightly, watching her with quiet curiosity. "What’s your name?"
He let the question hang for a moment before continuing. "More importantly—why are you really here? You don’t seem like someone who cares for monster hunting. How important of a mission are you on that they couldn't send a standard 3 man squad?"
His eyes studied her carefully, weighing her reaction. Then, his tone shifted just slightly, a sharper edge creeping in. "Let’s say you had a mission—an important one. But along the way, you had the chance to capture a dangerous missing-nin. Which would you choose?"
He kept his expression neutral, but there was something searching in his gaze, this was more than just a thought experiment.
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Mon Mar 10, 2025 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Pride was the answer. Mankind's greatest stumbling block. Hanayo always struggled to understand the purpose of holding onto something so useless. The knowledge that the size of his ego reached beyond combat irked her further. If he bothered to use his gifts, he could detect unseen injuries with ease. But he wasn’t thinking objectively.
The way he clutched the headband, his hand shaking with the weight of loss, of anger. The pain was as much a part of him as the scar on his forehead She looked elsewhere, rather than struggle to empathize. They had all lost comrades. For Hanayo it was an accepted part of the profession-- and partially the cause for her distance.
She’d known he was an outsider, but if he was a reject of his own Clan… Pride was likely all he had left.
“My name is Kusanagi, Hanayo.” Took him long enough to ask. Though his curiosity came with suspicion. “Are you questioning the legitimacy of my mission?” It wasn’t unwise to question her, but the jounin found it a little ironic to be called out by another liar. “I won’t get into specifics, but you are right, I don’t care about monster hunting. My interests are more scientific– and I came alone because some problems require a blade, others a scalpel.” her eyes flicking towards his nodachi.
She pondered his question for a moment, squaring her shoulders. “The Academy taught us to adhere to our mission, leave the headhunting for the ANBU. But I have always believed that my primary mission, the one that supersedes all others, is the protection of my village. Are you going to be an obstacle to that, Tetsuo?” She had guarded the quiet suspicion since leaving the tavern, but his slip of the tongue all but confirmed it. Though, it took a moment to recall the name. Despite the persistent smile on her face, she exercised caution. Tetsuo and Seijuro. One man living for two. He was definitely unpredictable, if not unstable, and she’d already seen what he could do with that sword.
The way he clutched the headband, his hand shaking with the weight of loss, of anger. The pain was as much a part of him as the scar on his forehead She looked elsewhere, rather than struggle to empathize. They had all lost comrades. For Hanayo it was an accepted part of the profession-- and partially the cause for her distance.
She’d known he was an outsider, but if he was a reject of his own Clan… Pride was likely all he had left.
“My name is Kusanagi, Hanayo.” Took him long enough to ask. Though his curiosity came with suspicion. “Are you questioning the legitimacy of my mission?” It wasn’t unwise to question her, but the jounin found it a little ironic to be called out by another liar. “I won’t get into specifics, but you are right, I don’t care about monster hunting. My interests are more scientific– and I came alone because some problems require a blade, others a scalpel.” her eyes flicking towards his nodachi.
She pondered his question for a moment, squaring her shoulders. “The Academy taught us to adhere to our mission, leave the headhunting for the ANBU. But I have always believed that my primary mission, the one that supersedes all others, is the protection of my village. Are you going to be an obstacle to that, Tetsuo?” She had guarded the quiet suspicion since leaving the tavern, but his slip of the tongue all but confirmed it. Though, it took a moment to recall the name. Despite the persistent smile on her face, she exercised caution. Tetsuo and Seijuro. One man living for two. He was definitely unpredictable, if not unstable, and she’d already seen what he could do with that sword.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Tetsuo sat across from Hanayo, listening intently. He had done it, it wasn't a big crack but still he cracked her cold distance for a moment. Picking up on the annoyance in her voice he couldn't help but smirk.
"Of course not Hanayo-san, I'm just curious as to what the village gets out of this." He began packing up the rest of the uneaten food, wrapping it in linen and tying it off securely with twine. Good bait, he thought as he set it off to the side.
"So you're the scalpel then. Fitting." He noticed her eyes flickered to and from his nodachi.
"I'm not some rabid dog let loose, attacking indiscriminately. My blade has two purposes: to hunt those who target the weak and to defend myself. Ideally, my blade will never touch you."
He couldn't blame her suspicion though. It was only natural.
As she said his name he smirked. "Protecting your village is a noble thing. Had things gone differently I would have liked to do the same." Memories of his family and close friends flash through Tetsuo's mind as he speaks. A sad smile forms on his face but gives way to his normal resigned face.
"I won't be an obstacle. I have no intention of harming those who can't defend themselves. But you need to know, people will come for me. The Hyuuga never know when to quit. They hear I'm in a location, they hire thugs or bounty hunters from that location to kill me. I knock them out and send them back to the Hyuuga. They retaliate by sending Anbu." He hesitates for a moment before continuing. "I don't typically kill those who hunt me. Only when I need a strong message, even that I've stopped doing since it only motivates them." His voice is annoyed with a tinge of regret.
"I understand that you'll do what you need to, but this blade is not meant for you." He looks directly into her eyes now, holding the stare. "If the Anbu come, make yourself scarce. You have a home to go back to."
With that he stands, looks around and visually marks two trees. Pulling a makeshift hammock from his bag he starts to set it up between the trees.
"Hanayo-san, I don't think you trust me enough to allow me to take first watch. Wake me in four hours."
With that, he climbs into the hammock. As he lays there, slowly drifting into a cautious sleep, a faint poem slips from his lips—so soft it barely stirs the night. Only those who truly listen, ears attuned to the quiet, can catch the whispered verses carried by the wind.
The wind carries names I no longer speak.
Footsteps echo in a home now silent.
Ash and embers, memories in the wind—
Where hands once reached, only shadows remain.
I buried my past beneath the weight of steel,
But grief is a blade that never dulls.
Even the strongest hands cannot hold ghosts,
And even the coldest hearts still bleed.
Around 3 hours into the night, the wind picks up, the atmosphere shifts; heavy and serious. The shift is subtle but to the trained senses the signs are obvious. The forest cracks and rustles more than it should. The air is stagnant like there is a nearly voiceless conversation happening. Something or someone is out there.
Tetsuo shoots out of bed, clearly having not slept.
"There's something out there. Prepare yourself." He said knowing she was likely already doing so.
"Of course not Hanayo-san, I'm just curious as to what the village gets out of this." He began packing up the rest of the uneaten food, wrapping it in linen and tying it off securely with twine. Good bait, he thought as he set it off to the side.
"So you're the scalpel then. Fitting." He noticed her eyes flickered to and from his nodachi.
"I'm not some rabid dog let loose, attacking indiscriminately. My blade has two purposes: to hunt those who target the weak and to defend myself. Ideally, my blade will never touch you."
He couldn't blame her suspicion though. It was only natural.
As she said his name he smirked. "Protecting your village is a noble thing. Had things gone differently I would have liked to do the same." Memories of his family and close friends flash through Tetsuo's mind as he speaks. A sad smile forms on his face but gives way to his normal resigned face.
"I won't be an obstacle. I have no intention of harming those who can't defend themselves. But you need to know, people will come for me. The Hyuuga never know when to quit. They hear I'm in a location, they hire thugs or bounty hunters from that location to kill me. I knock them out and send them back to the Hyuuga. They retaliate by sending Anbu." He hesitates for a moment before continuing. "I don't typically kill those who hunt me. Only when I need a strong message, even that I've stopped doing since it only motivates them." His voice is annoyed with a tinge of regret.
"I understand that you'll do what you need to, but this blade is not meant for you." He looks directly into her eyes now, holding the stare. "If the Anbu come, make yourself scarce. You have a home to go back to."
With that he stands, looks around and visually marks two trees. Pulling a makeshift hammock from his bag he starts to set it up between the trees.
"Hanayo-san, I don't think you trust me enough to allow me to take first watch. Wake me in four hours."
With that, he climbs into the hammock. As he lays there, slowly drifting into a cautious sleep, a faint poem slips from his lips—so soft it barely stirs the night. Only those who truly listen, ears attuned to the quiet, can catch the whispered verses carried by the wind.
The wind carries names I no longer speak.
Footsteps echo in a home now silent.
Ash and embers, memories in the wind—
Where hands once reached, only shadows remain.
I buried my past beneath the weight of steel,
But grief is a blade that never dulls.
Even the strongest hands cannot hold ghosts,
And even the coldest hearts still bleed.
Around 3 hours into the night, the wind picks up, the atmosphere shifts; heavy and serious. The shift is subtle but to the trained senses the signs are obvious. The forest cracks and rustles more than it should. The air is stagnant like there is a nearly voiceless conversation happening. Something or someone is out there.
Tetsuo shoots out of bed, clearly having not slept.
"There's something out there. Prepare yourself." He said knowing she was likely already doing so.
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Hanayo reclined against a tree trunk, settling into a comfortable position while she tended the fire. She watched the smoke drift to the stars with an almost meditative focus, and reflected on all these revelations. Hunting missing-nin had two purposes: to eliminate threats and guard secrets. Fortunately for Tetsuo he had forfeited his Byakugan, there was no risk of it leaking into the wrong hands. But there were other security concerns, private matters only the Hyuuga knew. She wondered what problem led to the falling out. Simply insecurity? The jounin considered returning to the village to confirm. Either way the Leaf had lost an ally to a meaningless feud.
Beneath the murmur of her private thoughts, Hanayo heard Tetsuo whispering a verse to himself, so soft she only stole pieces of. At least one of them could relax. He seemed accustomed to being on the run, meeting only unfriendly faces. After so long alone any company would be welcome. Maybe it was a sign of acceptance, turning towards the danger, not away, after so much time spent running. The thought stayed on her mind until his words became wind and silence fell again…
Now was the time. To slip away. To slit his throat. To flip the coin he had pressed into her hand by telling her all this. She had the whole night to decide, though the last thing she wanted was to involve herself in clan politics. Indecision was a bad option too. If the ANBU discovered her with him, they might consider her an accomplice. She had hoped she wouldn’t have to linger around him long enough for that to become a problem.
The fire had burned down to embers, and darkness crept in. Or maybe it was just her eyelids slipping. A shift in the forest’s quiet roused her. It was a stillness. The world bracing itself. “The boar?” she said, assuming an even calm, but remained tense. Or the ANBU? Time to put the cord of trust to the test.
Hanayo formed a hand sign. She took a deep lungful of air, and breathed out a flame that inflated into a fireball. It provided some light, casting an amber glow upon the campground as they readied for the new arrival.
Beneath the murmur of her private thoughts, Hanayo heard Tetsuo whispering a verse to himself, so soft she only stole pieces of. At least one of them could relax. He seemed accustomed to being on the run, meeting only unfriendly faces. After so long alone any company would be welcome. Maybe it was a sign of acceptance, turning towards the danger, not away, after so much time spent running. The thought stayed on her mind until his words became wind and silence fell again…
Now was the time. To slip away. To slit his throat. To flip the coin he had pressed into her hand by telling her all this. She had the whole night to decide, though the last thing she wanted was to involve herself in clan politics. Indecision was a bad option too. If the ANBU discovered her with him, they might consider her an accomplice. She had hoped she wouldn’t have to linger around him long enough for that to become a problem.
The fire had burned down to embers, and darkness crept in. Or maybe it was just her eyelids slipping. A shift in the forest’s quiet roused her. It was a stillness. The world bracing itself. “The boar?” she said, assuming an even calm, but remained tense. Or the ANBU? Time to put the cord of trust to the test.
Hanayo formed a hand sign. She took a deep lungful of air, and breathed out a flame that inflated into a fireball. It provided some light, casting an amber glow upon the campground as they readied for the new arrival.
JutsuShow
*Katon • Torch
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user will exhale a small ball of flame directly in front of them. The ball lights up the surrounding area in a 10 meter radius and requires Strength greater than [10] to destroy. Unless destroyed, it will stay locked in it's location for 5 posts before fading.
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user will exhale a small ball of flame directly in front of them. The ball lights up the surrounding area in a 10 meter radius and requires Strength greater than [10] to destroy. Unless destroyed, it will stay locked in it's location for 5 posts before fading.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Shadows flickered across the campsite—1, 2, 3 figures. Humanoid in shape. The rustling became louder, footsteps quickening until the first figure emerged from the woods. Then another followed, then a third. As the flame illuminated their faces, Tetsuo immediately recognized them.
Hanya Kuromori, Daitachi Kumodo, and Aika Hiromi. Three former Konoha Chuunin, their names long abandoned in the village after they murdered their teacher and fled. They weren’t strong enough to make a name for themselves individually, but together, they were dangerous enough that Tetsuo had kept an eye on them.
Hanya, the ringleader, spoke first, his voice carrying a casual smugness, almost like they’d stumbled upon an old friend.
"We were just out truffle hunting, seemed easy enough to grab a few 'shrooms and turn 'em in."
He stepped back into the shadows, and Daitachi emerged, spinning a kunai with a bored expression.
"But how lucky for us to stumble upon you!"
Aika stepped forward next, her movements almost silent, like a predator closing in on its prey. Her voice was quieter than the others, but the edge of resolve in it was unmistakable.
"Your bounty is much higher. We could move off to the Heart Empire and live well for a while with it."
Tetsuo sighed, rolling his eyes.
"You spend a lot of time rehearsing that?"
Hanya smirked, stepping out of the shadows once more, his eyes glinting with malice.
"Taunt us if you must, but we'll be taking you in. I can’t believe our luck… A bounty and a Byakugan!"
Tetsuo's eyes flicked over the trio. He could already feel the tension in the air, the subtle shifts in their stances. They were getting ready for something—likely an ambush.
His eyes darted over to Hanayo, analyzing her reaction to the three shinobi.
"Hanya specializes in Fuuton, Daitachi is highly skilled with a kunai, and Aika specializes in Genjutsu. They're reckless to challenge us, but don’t drop your guard. We can’t afford mistakes."
With that Tetsuo performed a series of quick hand seals and in an instant lightning surrounds him, forming a set of Samurai-esque armor, "Stay on your guard, they'll likely attack from the shadows."
The kabuto formed last, masking his face beneath a storm of flickering light—what emerged was something between a thunder god and an oni.
A whistle breaks the tension, wind splits the night air. Hanya attempts to hit the two with Fuuton Great Breakthrough with [25] speed attempting to cut and push the two away with [25] strength.
"MOVE" Tetsuo shouts as he dodges with [32] speed.
The wind cuts through the campsite, tearing apart the fire pit and Tetsuo's shabby hammock. Tetsuo lands smoothly, his eyes scanning for the third assailant. But before he could react, Daitachi was already moving—closing the gap, kunai in hand.
"Wind didn’t knock you down? Good, I like to fight up close!"
Daitachi lunged, his kunai flashing under the moonlight. His movements were aggressive, his footwork sharp, but predictable. Tetsuo sidestepped with ease, letting the kunai scrape harmlessly against his lightning armor.
"The line between bravery and foolishness is thin, boy."
Sidestepping the strike, Tetsuo seized Daitachi’s arm with a firm grip. In the same motion, he raised his free arm and drove his elbow into the joint with full force.
A sickening crack split the night.
Daitachi let out a raw, guttural scream as his arm snapped—hanging limply at an unnatural angle.
"Damn you!" he shrieked, but he was already switching his kunai to his good hand, forcing himself to steady his stance.
Tetsuo barely spared him a glance before scanning the battlefield.
Where was Hanayo? Had she dodged the first attack?
That would have to wait.
The child in front of him still wanted to play.
Hanya Kuromori, Daitachi Kumodo, and Aika Hiromi. Three former Konoha Chuunin, their names long abandoned in the village after they murdered their teacher and fled. They weren’t strong enough to make a name for themselves individually, but together, they were dangerous enough that Tetsuo had kept an eye on them.
Hanya, the ringleader, spoke first, his voice carrying a casual smugness, almost like they’d stumbled upon an old friend.
"We were just out truffle hunting, seemed easy enough to grab a few 'shrooms and turn 'em in."
He stepped back into the shadows, and Daitachi emerged, spinning a kunai with a bored expression.
"But how lucky for us to stumble upon you!"
Aika stepped forward next, her movements almost silent, like a predator closing in on its prey. Her voice was quieter than the others, but the edge of resolve in it was unmistakable.
"Your bounty is much higher. We could move off to the Heart Empire and live well for a while with it."
Tetsuo sighed, rolling his eyes.
"You spend a lot of time rehearsing that?"
Hanya smirked, stepping out of the shadows once more, his eyes glinting with malice.
"Taunt us if you must, but we'll be taking you in. I can’t believe our luck… A bounty and a Byakugan!"
Tetsuo's eyes flicked over the trio. He could already feel the tension in the air, the subtle shifts in their stances. They were getting ready for something—likely an ambush.
His eyes darted over to Hanayo, analyzing her reaction to the three shinobi.
"Hanya specializes in Fuuton, Daitachi is highly skilled with a kunai, and Aika specializes in Genjutsu. They're reckless to challenge us, but don’t drop your guard. We can’t afford mistakes."
With that Tetsuo performed a series of quick hand seals and in an instant lightning surrounds him, forming a set of Samurai-esque armor, "Stay on your guard, they'll likely attack from the shadows."
The kabuto formed last, masking his face beneath a storm of flickering light—what emerged was something between a thunder god and an oni.
A whistle breaks the tension, wind splits the night air. Hanya attempts to hit the two with Fuuton Great Breakthrough with [25] speed attempting to cut and push the two away with [25] strength.
"MOVE" Tetsuo shouts as he dodges with [32] speed.
The wind cuts through the campsite, tearing apart the fire pit and Tetsuo's shabby hammock. Tetsuo lands smoothly, his eyes scanning for the third assailant. But before he could react, Daitachi was already moving—closing the gap, kunai in hand.
"Wind didn’t knock you down? Good, I like to fight up close!"
Daitachi lunged, his kunai flashing under the moonlight. His movements were aggressive, his footwork sharp, but predictable. Tetsuo sidestepped with ease, letting the kunai scrape harmlessly against his lightning armor.
"The line between bravery and foolishness is thin, boy."
Sidestepping the strike, Tetsuo seized Daitachi’s arm with a firm grip. In the same motion, he raised his free arm and drove his elbow into the joint with full force.
A sickening crack split the night.
Daitachi let out a raw, guttural scream as his arm snapped—hanging limply at an unnatural angle.
"Damn you!" he shrieked, but he was already switching his kunai to his good hand, forcing himself to steady his stance.
Tetsuo barely spared him a glance before scanning the battlefield.
Where was Hanayo? Had she dodged the first attack?
That would have to wait.
The child in front of him still wanted to play.
Jutsu UsedShow
D - Ranked
*Raiton • Lightning Armament
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After the correct hand seals are performed, the user coats themselves in a thick layer of lightning. This armour of lightning forms near instantly and requires [Control] Strength to break. During this time, the user's physical strikes apply the Raiton shocking effect.
*Radius Locator
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Pre-Requisite: 10 strength
The practitioner sidesteps the opponent's punch and grasps the striking arm with their corresponding hand before raising their free arm and ramming their elbow into the opponent's elbow with their full force. This strike cleanly breaks the opponent's radius bone in two pieces. The practitioner's Strength must be 5 points higher than the opponent's Strength to achieve the desired effect of this technique.
*Raiton • Lightning Armament
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After the correct hand seals are performed, the user coats themselves in a thick layer of lightning. This armour of lightning forms near instantly and requires [Control] Strength to break. During this time, the user's physical strikes apply the Raiton shocking effect.
*Radius Locator
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Pre-Requisite: 10 strength
The practitioner sidesteps the opponent's punch and grasps the striking arm with their corresponding hand before raising their free arm and ramming their elbow into the opponent's elbow with their full force. This strike cleanly breaks the opponent's radius bone in two pieces. The practitioner's Strength must be 5 points higher than the opponent's Strength to achieve the desired effect of this technique.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
She picked over the three as Tetsuo named them. “You know these brats?” she asked, the hairs on her neck bristling. For a moment, she suspected the man of betrayal, they seemed awfully chummy after all. But no, from what Hana knew of the man, he wouldn’t work with people so inept. They must run in the same wretched circles.
Hanayo always expected to run into rival hunters. Trepidation gave way to relief. They might have saved me the effort of finding them. She thought. The prospect of a fight sparked something reminiscent of excitement.
The screeching blast of wind extinguished her torchlight, like snuffing out a candle. Tetsuo dodged one way; she went the other. Hanayo managed to avoid The brunt of the attack, but her legs were still half-asleep, and she barely managed to tuck and roll into cover. Tetsuo recovered faster. While all eyes were on his flashy blue armor, the jounin lost herself in the shadows.
She chose to remain unarmed. She wanted to finish this bloodlessly if at all possible. For the plan she had in mind, Hanayo knew she couldn’t be close to Tetsuo when she enacted it. She spotted him, locked in combat with one—but the other two remained. The mouthy one first, she decided. He looked to be the leader, if for nothing else but might. She took a step–
–and appeared in front of the man. He gasped an instant before Hanayo slapped a hand over his mouth. “Easy,” she breathed, drawing herself to his height. A clammy, nauseous sensation twisted her gut, as the kunoichi channeled chakra through her core. He reached up to pry her fingers apart, but the toxin defeated his resistance. “I think you might have something I want.”
Now, where is the other? She’d misplaced her in the jump. The genjutsu user. Hanayo scanned the battleground as she took a moment to recover. The loudmouth’s legs were giving out as she turned to see brown eyes appearing out of the dark. The gaze held her until light flickering at the corners of her vision distracted her. Her eyes widened at the sight of her arms wreathed in ethereal flames. The pain was sudden and agonizing. Her limbs spasmed wildly to beat out flames but they refused to die– as if they were an illusion.
“This will be over quick,” she heard the kunoichi say, the quip ended with her comrade’s sudden scream. Hanayo bared her teeth in response, tasting blood-salt in her mouth. Oh, yes it will.
Hanayo always expected to run into rival hunters. Trepidation gave way to relief. They might have saved me the effort of finding them. She thought. The prospect of a fight sparked something reminiscent of excitement.
The screeching blast of wind extinguished her torchlight, like snuffing out a candle. Tetsuo dodged one way; she went the other. Hanayo managed to avoid The brunt of the attack, but her legs were still half-asleep, and she barely managed to tuck and roll into cover. Tetsuo recovered faster. While all eyes were on his flashy blue armor, the jounin lost herself in the shadows.
She chose to remain unarmed. She wanted to finish this bloodlessly if at all possible. For the plan she had in mind, Hanayo knew she couldn’t be close to Tetsuo when she enacted it. She spotted him, locked in combat with one—but the other two remained. The mouthy one first, she decided. He looked to be the leader, if for nothing else but might. She took a step–
–and appeared in front of the man. He gasped an instant before Hanayo slapped a hand over his mouth. “Easy,” she breathed, drawing herself to his height. A clammy, nauseous sensation twisted her gut, as the kunoichi channeled chakra through her core. He reached up to pry her fingers apart, but the toxin defeated his resistance. “I think you might have something I want.”
Now, where is the other? She’d misplaced her in the jump. The genjutsu user. Hanayo scanned the battleground as she took a moment to recover. The loudmouth’s legs were giving out as she turned to see brown eyes appearing out of the dark. The gaze held her until light flickering at the corners of her vision distracted her. Her eyes widened at the sight of her arms wreathed in ethereal flames. The pain was sudden and agonizing. Her limbs spasmed wildly to beat out flames but they refused to die– as if they were an illusion.
“This will be over quick,” she heard the kunoichi say, the quip ended with her comrade’s sudden scream. Hanayo bared her teeth in response, tasting blood-salt in her mouth. Oh, yes it will.
JutsuShow
*[Ninjutsu • Body Flicker Technique]
A-Ranked Nintaijutsu
After channeling chakra into their body, the user enhances their movement to attack or retreat suddenly, the ninja almost instantly moves up to 65 meters on the ground in a single straight direction. While doing this, the ninja cannot move through anything or anyone, nor can they supplement it with an attack of any kind. After the quick movement has stopped, there is a brief pause where the user must recover from the movement. Even though it's not a full teleportation, this jutsu uses up one of the 2 teleportations a character can use in a single thread.
Aika:
*[Genjutsu • Burning to Death]
C-Ranked Illusion Genjutsu
This is a genjutsu technique which can be used in quite a few ways. The user forms a hand seal, and as long as the opponent(s) see it, then the genjutsu will begin. The user and the opponent(s) will both light on fire and start to burn, from the feet up to the head, in the opponent's mind. The opponent will normally start to panic and try to get rid of the fire, especially since they feel as if they were in actual pain. This genjutsu lasts for 4 posts and will not appear to be able to be extinguished, no matter what the victim does. The illusion is very static, in the sense that it doesn't change with the environment, it merely creates an illusory flame and pain.
A-Ranked Nintaijutsu
After channeling chakra into their body, the user enhances their movement to attack or retreat suddenly, the ninja almost instantly moves up to 65 meters on the ground in a single straight direction. While doing this, the ninja cannot move through anything or anyone, nor can they supplement it with an attack of any kind. After the quick movement has stopped, there is a brief pause where the user must recover from the movement. Even though it's not a full teleportation, this jutsu uses up one of the 2 teleportations a character can use in a single thread.
Aika:
*[Genjutsu • Burning to Death]
C-Ranked Illusion Genjutsu
This is a genjutsu technique which can be used in quite a few ways. The user forms a hand seal, and as long as the opponent(s) see it, then the genjutsu will begin. The user and the opponent(s) will both light on fire and start to burn, from the feet up to the head, in the opponent's mind. The opponent will normally start to panic and try to get rid of the fire, especially since they feel as if they were in actual pain. This genjutsu lasts for 4 posts and will not appear to be able to be extinguished, no matter what the victim does. The illusion is very static, in the sense that it doesn't change with the environment, it merely creates an illusory flame and pain.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Tetsuo barely had time to register how his companion was faring before Daitachi lunged at him again. A kunai clenched between his knuckles, he drove forward, aiming for the gap between Tetsuo’s ribs.
Sidestepping the attack, Tetsuo countered with a brutal kick to Daitachi’s knee—a fracture. Another kick for good measure—broken. Daitachi collapsed, clutching his shattered knee, cursing through clenched teeth. He wasn’t getting up anytime soon.
“Stay down if you know what’s good for you,” Tetsuo warned, already shifting his focus.
Hana had all but neutralized Hanya. Now, only Aika remained. Hana could deal with her. They needed information and they needed it now. So, he turned his attention to Hanya, who was still coughing and gasping for air on the ground. He kept Hana in his sights though, she seemed capable enough but he wasn't going to take any chances.
Picking Hanya up by the throat, Tetsuo's grip tightened. "Tell me what you know", he loosened his grip just enough for the man to speak, though it was still painful. Struggling through coughs and gasps for air, the man rasped, "I don't know much. The truffles… they're supposed to be really rare…" He winced, his voice strained under the lingering pressure of Tetsuo's hold.
"A lot of people want them… we were offered a fortune in ryo to collect them." His words came with greater ease now that Tetsuo had relaxed his grasp. "They have a strange effect on the things around them… animals growing bigger than they should, plant life withering as the truffles drain the soil dry. That’s all I know, I swear."
A violent coughing fit overtook him as Tetsuo released his grip, letting him collapse to the ground. He turned toward Hana and watched her battle progress. He could step in but he needed to know what she could do. So, he sat on Hanya; pushing his full weight down onto him and he watched. Waiting. Studying her movements and her style.
*Knee Bender
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
The practitioner closes in and delivers a powerful snap kick to the opponent's knee, attempting to bend it completely backwards, dislocating it or breaking the joint outright. This causes the opponent unable to stand on the afflicted leg without struggling to balance themselves. This also causes immense pain in the opponent's joint, making the injury hard to heal naturally. The practitioner's Strength must be 5 points higher than the opponent's Strength to achieve the desired effect of this technique.
Sidestepping the attack, Tetsuo countered with a brutal kick to Daitachi’s knee—a fracture. Another kick for good measure—broken. Daitachi collapsed, clutching his shattered knee, cursing through clenched teeth. He wasn’t getting up anytime soon.
“Stay down if you know what’s good for you,” Tetsuo warned, already shifting his focus.
Hana had all but neutralized Hanya. Now, only Aika remained. Hana could deal with her. They needed information and they needed it now. So, he turned his attention to Hanya, who was still coughing and gasping for air on the ground. He kept Hana in his sights though, she seemed capable enough but he wasn't going to take any chances.
Picking Hanya up by the throat, Tetsuo's grip tightened. "Tell me what you know", he loosened his grip just enough for the man to speak, though it was still painful. Struggling through coughs and gasps for air, the man rasped, "I don't know much. The truffles… they're supposed to be really rare…" He winced, his voice strained under the lingering pressure of Tetsuo's hold.
"A lot of people want them… we were offered a fortune in ryo to collect them." His words came with greater ease now that Tetsuo had relaxed his grasp. "They have a strange effect on the things around them… animals growing bigger than they should, plant life withering as the truffles drain the soil dry. That’s all I know, I swear."
A violent coughing fit overtook him as Tetsuo released his grip, letting him collapse to the ground. He turned toward Hana and watched her battle progress. He could step in but he needed to know what she could do. So, he sat on Hanya; pushing his full weight down onto him and he watched. Waiting. Studying her movements and her style.
Jutsu usedShow
*Knee Bender
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
The practitioner closes in and delivers a powerful snap kick to the opponent's knee, attempting to bend it completely backwards, dislocating it or breaking the joint outright. This causes the opponent unable to stand on the afflicted leg without struggling to balance themselves. This also causes immense pain in the opponent's joint, making the injury hard to heal naturally. The practitioner's Strength must be 5 points higher than the opponent's Strength to achieve the desired effect of this technique.
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Pain kept her alive, cutting through the illusion, clearing her mind. The flames died away and Hanayo sighted the Genjutsu user. The girl recoiled, thrown by the sight of blood oozing from between the nin's teeth. Steely-eyed, Hanayo squared off against her opponent, and tucked one hand behind her back while circling closer. She kept her eyes trained on the Genjutsu specialist’s shoulders, wary of her skills now.
The threat of the unknown kept her opponent on edge as well. There were few medical nin that could match her in terms of combat experience. She considered it her greatest advantage, her opponents never knew what to expect. Hanayo took the moment to focus, her hands lighting up with chakra. The coating was unstable, crackling with a staticky flow. The girl rightfully raised her guard.
Hanayo halved the distance, baiting out a strike. The girl obliged. Her aggression was good, but the woman slipped outside, and tagged her stomach with an open palm. It was all she needed.
The jounin stepped back as the bounty hunter sagged to her knees. She had restrained herself, but the blow still delivered enough force to rupture her abdominal muscles. Hanayo wiped blood from her chin and touched her half-chewed tongue, wincing. After a short set of hand seals, she threaded delicate chakra to suture it, but her attention snapped back to the brash child when she noticed her twitch. Hanayo tsk’d. “Don’t get up, you’ll tear– okay…”
The girl collapsed, arms wrapped tight around her core, as blood bubbled out of the corner of her mouth. “Stay,” she ordered, testing her sewing. Good as new.
The fighting had ended, and calm settled. Only their pained groaning broke the swamps' quiet hum. Hanayo rolled the girl over with her foot before she could aspirate. They did not appear to be a strategic bunch, as ill suited for banditry as they were for the life of a shinobi, but that didn’t mean they deserved to die.
“Get up, you’re making me pity them.” She jerked her chin towards the body Tetsuo was sitting on, unable to resist chiding the fool. “You shouldn’t have gotten greedy. Now you’ve lost them and your bounty,” she said to the downed missing nin. The Hyuuga had perhaps ended the boy’s career as a bandit with that break. “Did they manage to find any? Even the tiniest sample is all I need.”
The threat of the unknown kept her opponent on edge as well. There were few medical nin that could match her in terms of combat experience. She considered it her greatest advantage, her opponents never knew what to expect. Hanayo took the moment to focus, her hands lighting up with chakra. The coating was unstable, crackling with a staticky flow. The girl rightfully raised her guard.
Hanayo halved the distance, baiting out a strike. The girl obliged. Her aggression was good, but the woman slipped outside, and tagged her stomach with an open palm. It was all she needed.
The jounin stepped back as the bounty hunter sagged to her knees. She had restrained herself, but the blow still delivered enough force to rupture her abdominal muscles. Hanayo wiped blood from her chin and touched her half-chewed tongue, wincing. After a short set of hand seals, she threaded delicate chakra to suture it, but her attention snapped back to the brash child when she noticed her twitch. Hanayo tsk’d. “Don’t get up, you’ll tear– okay…”
The girl collapsed, arms wrapped tight around her core, as blood bubbled out of the corner of her mouth. “Stay,” she ordered, testing her sewing. Good as new.
The fighting had ended, and calm settled. Only their pained groaning broke the swamps' quiet hum. Hanayo rolled the girl over with her foot before she could aspirate. They did not appear to be a strategic bunch, as ill suited for banditry as they were for the life of a shinobi, but that didn’t mean they deserved to die.
“Get up, you’re making me pity them.” She jerked her chin towards the body Tetsuo was sitting on, unable to resist chiding the fool. “You shouldn’t have gotten greedy. Now you’ve lost them and your bounty,” she said to the downed missing nin. The Hyuuga had perhaps ended the boy’s career as a bandit with that break. “Did they manage to find any? Even the tiniest sample is all I need.”
JutsuShow
*[Strong Fist Style • Balance]
D-Ranked Taijutsu Stance
A neutral stance taken by even entry level practitioners. This stance involves turning your body to be perpendicular to your opponent. One foot is rested directly in front of the other with just the toes in contact with the ground. A hand is held back while the other is forward, pointing up. This stance provides ease of dodging incoming blows by using the least amount of motion possible while still being ready to launch into an attack.
*[Iijutsu • Chakra Stitching]
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
The user performs a short set of hand seals and then will gently place their index finger at the base of the patient's wound. Once this is done, the user will lift their finger and touch it to the other side of the wound, causing a visible 'stitch' of chakra to appear and hold the wound together with [Control] Strength. This is repeated until the wound has been pulled together. Actions performed with more [Strength] or [Speed] than the [Control] used to create the stitch will destroy it.
*[Iijutsu • Chakra Scalpel]
B-Ranked Ninjutsu
The antithesis to the famous *[Iijutsu • Mystical Palm], the infamous *[Iijutsu • Chakra Scalpel] is no precision instrument. The user will channel chakra into their palms before attempting to place them on a target. If the user is able to connect the entirety of their palm, the chakra will be released into the opponent's body at [35] Strength. If cast with 35 [Control] or more, thicker tissue can be sliced through. The skin remains unblemished by this technique, as it only causes internal wounds. The chakra used in this technique is highly visible when first activated and emanates from both hands for a duration of three (3) posts or until contact with the opponent is made.
D-Ranked Taijutsu Stance
A neutral stance taken by even entry level practitioners. This stance involves turning your body to be perpendicular to your opponent. One foot is rested directly in front of the other with just the toes in contact with the ground. A hand is held back while the other is forward, pointing up. This stance provides ease of dodging incoming blows by using the least amount of motion possible while still being ready to launch into an attack.
*[Iijutsu • Chakra Stitching]
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
The user performs a short set of hand seals and then will gently place their index finger at the base of the patient's wound. Once this is done, the user will lift their finger and touch it to the other side of the wound, causing a visible 'stitch' of chakra to appear and hold the wound together with [Control] Strength. This is repeated until the wound has been pulled together. Actions performed with more [Strength] or [Speed] than the [Control] used to create the stitch will destroy it.
*[Iijutsu • Chakra Scalpel]
B-Ranked Ninjutsu
The antithesis to the famous *[Iijutsu • Mystical Palm], the infamous *[Iijutsu • Chakra Scalpel] is no precision instrument. The user will channel chakra into their palms before attempting to place them on a target. If the user is able to connect the entirety of their palm, the chakra will be released into the opponent's body at [35] Strength. If cast with 35 [Control] or more, thicker tissue can be sliced through. The skin remains unblemished by this technique, as it only causes internal wounds. The chakra used in this technique is highly visible when first activated and emanates from both hands for a duration of three (3) posts or until contact with the opponent is made.
Last edited by Dual on Wed Mar 19, 2025 2:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Hana was an impressive fighter, Tetsuo had rarely seen this form of combat but he admired it. Pushing himself up and off of Hanya, he once again grabbed him. Only this time it was more akin to a mother cat grabbing her kitten by the neck scruff.
"Go on, tell her. his voice cool and distant against as he held the man out towards Hana.
"They have a strange effect on everything around them… animals growing bigger than they should, plants withering as the truffles drain the soil dry." His voice was weak, edged with fear. "We didn’t find any… but we know where they are!" He swallowed hard, glancing between Tetsuo and Hana. "I—I can take you there! Just don’t hurt us anymore!"
Tetsuo couldn't help but laugh at this.
You must think we're stupid. First, you attack us and now you expect us to trust you. he said between chuckles.
Tetsuo's laughter faded, but his smirk remained. He turned to Hana.
What do you think? Worth following or should we just beat the answers out of them?
He let Hanya dangle for a moment longer before dropping him unceremoniously to the ground. The man gasped and rubbed his neck.
"Go on, tell her. his voice cool and distant against as he held the man out towards Hana.
"They have a strange effect on everything around them… animals growing bigger than they should, plants withering as the truffles drain the soil dry." His voice was weak, edged with fear. "We didn’t find any… but we know where they are!" He swallowed hard, glancing between Tetsuo and Hana. "I—I can take you there! Just don’t hurt us anymore!"
Tetsuo couldn't help but laugh at this.
You must think we're stupid. First, you attack us and now you expect us to trust you. he said between chuckles.
Tetsuo's laughter faded, but his smirk remained. He turned to Hana.
What do you think? Worth following or should we just beat the answers out of them?
He let Hanya dangle for a moment longer before dropping him unceremoniously to the ground. The man gasped and rubbed his neck.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Hanayo crossed her arms, eying Tetsuo keenly while absorbing the information. Hanayo had always been careful choosing allies. As she met his laughter with a small smile, she toyed with the idea of testing him. Everything had its use, after all, even a destructive sadist. She preferred to keep her hands clean of the whole thing. And with Tetsuo being half a ghost, he was the perfect scapegoat. Then again, the three bounty hunters had been beaten and had their egos bruised, but likely not enough to warrant retaliation. They could simply tie the missing nin, leaving them for the ANBU to collect.
She saw the hypocrisy in that. The bounty hunters and Tetsuo… Various twists in their paths had led all of them close to this same outcome, only bad luck set them apart. Hanayo’s heart softened—a disgusting feeling– but she doubted they would have hesitated to do worse to her. “It's better than rooting around in the dark…” she sighed, refusing to let inadequate sleep drive her decision. She looked towards his allies strewn across the campsite, wondering if their lives would be enough to guarantee Hanya’s cooperation. “If they do the job well, they can keep their lives as a reward.”
“The beasts will be more active at night. If we leave now it will be riskier, but you might get your boar,” she offered to Tetsuo. Though she originally did not want to involve herself, it seemed a fair trade for his assistance.
She saw the hypocrisy in that. The bounty hunters and Tetsuo… Various twists in their paths had led all of them close to this same outcome, only bad luck set them apart. Hanayo’s heart softened—a disgusting feeling– but she doubted they would have hesitated to do worse to her. “It's better than rooting around in the dark…” she sighed, refusing to let inadequate sleep drive her decision. She looked towards his allies strewn across the campsite, wondering if their lives would be enough to guarantee Hanya’s cooperation. “If they do the job well, they can keep their lives as a reward.”
“The beasts will be more active at night. If we leave now it will be riskier, but you might get your boar,” she offered to Tetsuo. Though she originally did not want to involve herself, it seemed a fair trade for his assistance.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Huh, a smile. That's new. Tetsuo thought as he listened to Hana speak.
Despite his hesitation to trust the fool, she was right. Worst case scenario he leads them into an ambush, perhaps a stronger opponent. Best case, he wasn't lying and knew exactly where the truffles, and the boar, are.
"Alright, which way do we go?" He said lifting Hanya to his feet and shoving him forward. Then he remembered the other two.
He quickly wrapped the remains of his hammock around the two and tied them to a tree. It should only take a few hours to deal with the boar. They'll be fine. He thought. Probably.
The thick scent of damp earth and stagnant water hung in the air as Hanayo and Tetsuo made their way through the swamp, their steps squelching against the sodden ground. Mist curled around the twisted roots of towering trees, their branched draped in moss that swayed gently in the breeze. Every so often, the croak of a hidden creature or the sudden splash of something unseen breaking the surface of a murky pool would remind them that this place was teeming with life and some of it was undoubtedly dangerous. The humidity just got worse the deeper into the swamp they traveled and the heat, despite it being early morning, was unbearable. Mosquitos and black flies swarmed around like carrion to a corpse, desperately looking for a place to eat.
Hanya trudged ahead, his posture stiff with the weight of unspoken thoughts. He picked his path carefully, steering clear of deeper patches where the water lapped at the banks. Dragonflies flitted past, their wings catching the dim light, while unseen insects droned in an unending hum.
Then, suddenly, the ground changed. The spongy earth gave way to something firmer, something unnatural in its size and shape. Tetsuo slowed, his gaze narrowing as he stepped forward. Embedded in the mud was a massive indentation—an enormous hoof print, nearly three times the size of a grown man. The edges were still fresh, water slowly filling the deep grooves.
Tetsuo knelt beside it, brushing his fingers over the rim. “Recent,” he murmured, his voice unreadable.
“So the stories weren’t exaggerating,” he muttered, already feeling the familiar thrill of the hunt creeping into his veins.
More prints trailed ahead, leading deeper into the swamp, where the mist grew heavier, clinging to the air like an omen.
Despite his hesitation to trust the fool, she was right. Worst case scenario he leads them into an ambush, perhaps a stronger opponent. Best case, he wasn't lying and knew exactly where the truffles, and the boar, are.
"Alright, which way do we go?" He said lifting Hanya to his feet and shoving him forward. Then he remembered the other two.
He quickly wrapped the remains of his hammock around the two and tied them to a tree. It should only take a few hours to deal with the boar. They'll be fine. He thought. Probably.
The thick scent of damp earth and stagnant water hung in the air as Hanayo and Tetsuo made their way through the swamp, their steps squelching against the sodden ground. Mist curled around the twisted roots of towering trees, their branched draped in moss that swayed gently in the breeze. Every so often, the croak of a hidden creature or the sudden splash of something unseen breaking the surface of a murky pool would remind them that this place was teeming with life and some of it was undoubtedly dangerous. The humidity just got worse the deeper into the swamp they traveled and the heat, despite it being early morning, was unbearable. Mosquitos and black flies swarmed around like carrion to a corpse, desperately looking for a place to eat.
Hanya trudged ahead, his posture stiff with the weight of unspoken thoughts. He picked his path carefully, steering clear of deeper patches where the water lapped at the banks. Dragonflies flitted past, their wings catching the dim light, while unseen insects droned in an unending hum.
Then, suddenly, the ground changed. The spongy earth gave way to something firmer, something unnatural in its size and shape. Tetsuo slowed, his gaze narrowing as he stepped forward. Embedded in the mud was a massive indentation—an enormous hoof print, nearly three times the size of a grown man. The edges were still fresh, water slowly filling the deep grooves.
Tetsuo knelt beside it, brushing his fingers over the rim. “Recent,” he murmured, his voice unreadable.
“So the stories weren’t exaggerating,” he muttered, already feeling the familiar thrill of the hunt creeping into his veins.
More prints trailed ahead, leading deeper into the swamp, where the mist grew heavier, clinging to the air like an omen.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
An old mentor had once advised Hanayo to ‘never let the sunrise sneak up on her’. At the time, she assumed he was lazy and using a litany against overzealousness, but now she understood. The early sun rays stung her eyes as they made their expedition through the bog, battling bugs every step of the way. She avoided the shallow pools of still water, trying not to choke on the stagnant air of the marsh. Her nose had adapted, but to anyone else, they must have reeked like the walking dead.
Hanayo was no swamp-dwelling yokel, but while scouting the floor for fungi she could not help but notice the unsubtle clues of dangers approaching. The encroaching dark mist carried an eerie strangeness that lingered even as they arrived at the hoofprint. ‘So the stories weren’t exaggerating.’ Don’t be so happy about it. She circled the hole, inspecting it with mounting apprehension. Hanayo hoped there was more in this hunt for Tetsuo than a test of his manhood. Either way, charging in blindly wouldn’t do. They needed to approach the problem with some wisdom.
She needed a higher vantage. With a leap, she powered herself to the treetops. From the height, the canopy stretched out like a vast green sea. Hanayo took a full breath of fresh air, savoring the reprieve. She scanned the horizon. She spotted waving treetops in the distance. Holding herself perfectly still, she sensed the faint rumble of movement. It moved fast despite its unhurried, long strides.
Hana dropped down in front of them. “I saw something. Big. Headed eastward and moving fast. We’ll need to hurry to head it off,” she said, jabbing a thumb at their prisoner. “If he can't keep up, this one can serve as good bait.” At least then it would be a worthwhile partnership.
Hanayo was no swamp-dwelling yokel, but while scouting the floor for fungi she could not help but notice the unsubtle clues of dangers approaching. The encroaching dark mist carried an eerie strangeness that lingered even as they arrived at the hoofprint. ‘So the stories weren’t exaggerating.’ Don’t be so happy about it. She circled the hole, inspecting it with mounting apprehension. Hanayo hoped there was more in this hunt for Tetsuo than a test of his manhood. Either way, charging in blindly wouldn’t do. They needed to approach the problem with some wisdom.
She needed a higher vantage. With a leap, she powered herself to the treetops. From the height, the canopy stretched out like a vast green sea. Hanayo took a full breath of fresh air, savoring the reprieve. She scanned the horizon. She spotted waving treetops in the distance. Holding herself perfectly still, she sensed the faint rumble of movement. It moved fast despite its unhurried, long strides.
Hana dropped down in front of them. “I saw something. Big. Headed eastward and moving fast. We’ll need to hurry to head it off,” she said, jabbing a thumb at their prisoner. “If he can't keep up, this one can serve as good bait.” At least then it would be a worthwhile partnership.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
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AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
For once, the two of them were in complete agreement.
Perfect, I have a plan., he said as he began tying Hanya up. We move fast and get ahead of it. I'll explain more on the way.
As the three of them rushed Eastward, it was fast but they could move faster from the tree tops.
Once it's in our sights, I'll dangle Hanya from the treetops and instigate the boar. As it charges me I'll rip Hanya out of the way and strike from above. In the meantime, you can enter it's lair and collect as many of the truffles as you need. After that, it's up to you if you want to join the battle. I don't expect you to risk your life. But, killing this boar is more than just a test of strength. Those hunters we saw in the tavern aren't the only people who the boar has hurt. If we leave it, innocent people will continue to be hurt.
As they arrived, Tetsuo could see the tree line ahead of them shaking and he could feel the earth shaking the trees. It was coming, and it was coming fast. Tetsuo waited for Hanayo to take her position, as soon as he did he dropped Hanya down like a puppet on strings.
COME AND GET ME YOU DUMB PIG!, Tetsuo shouted as he waved Hanya around frantically. The boar caught sight of this and changed its course. Moving with an unnatural speed and seething with rage it let out a horrible squealing trunk noise.
Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. NOW!
Tetsuo quickly yanked Hanya away just before the boar hit with its charge. Placing him on a branch above Tetsuo leaped down toward the boar. Drawing his sword he grasped his Nodachi with both hands, striking down with his full force and increased power from gravity.
The boar's massive form barely had time to register the sudden movement before Tetsuo’s blade struck. The sound of steel against tough hide was deafening, but Tetsuo’s strike was true. His Nodachi sliced deeply into the boar’s shoulder, sending a spray of blood splattering across the ground. The boar let out a pained grunt, reeling back as it tried to recover from the unexpected assault. It turned, its bloodshot eyes locking onto Tetsuo, its nostrils flaring in fury.
The creature was faster than he had anticipated, its momentum not entirely halted by the wound. It spun to face him, its tusks gleaming under the fading light of the afternoon. Tetsuo locked eyes with the beast, there was rage but also an intelligence behind its eyes. The thrill of battle coursed through him, but there was little time to savor it. His focus narrowed to the boar's movements, ready to react at any second. The boar, enraged, charged again, this time with more cunning. It veered sharply to the side, attempting to flank Tetsuo. The forest echoed with the sound of its hooves pounding the earth, a deep, rhythmic boom. A beast that uses strategy, this was new. Tetsuo would need to be careful, this was not going to be as easy as he thought.
Perfect, I have a plan., he said as he began tying Hanya up. We move fast and get ahead of it. I'll explain more on the way.
As the three of them rushed Eastward, it was fast but they could move faster from the tree tops.
Once it's in our sights, I'll dangle Hanya from the treetops and instigate the boar. As it charges me I'll rip Hanya out of the way and strike from above. In the meantime, you can enter it's lair and collect as many of the truffles as you need. After that, it's up to you if you want to join the battle. I don't expect you to risk your life. But, killing this boar is more than just a test of strength. Those hunters we saw in the tavern aren't the only people who the boar has hurt. If we leave it, innocent people will continue to be hurt.
As they arrived, Tetsuo could see the tree line ahead of them shaking and he could feel the earth shaking the trees. It was coming, and it was coming fast. Tetsuo waited for Hanayo to take her position, as soon as he did he dropped Hanya down like a puppet on strings.
COME AND GET ME YOU DUMB PIG!, Tetsuo shouted as he waved Hanya around frantically. The boar caught sight of this and changed its course. Moving with an unnatural speed and seething with rage it let out a horrible squealing trunk noise.
Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. NOW!
Tetsuo quickly yanked Hanya away just before the boar hit with its charge. Placing him on a branch above Tetsuo leaped down toward the boar. Drawing his sword he grasped his Nodachi with both hands, striking down with his full force and increased power from gravity.
The boar's massive form barely had time to register the sudden movement before Tetsuo’s blade struck. The sound of steel against tough hide was deafening, but Tetsuo’s strike was true. His Nodachi sliced deeply into the boar’s shoulder, sending a spray of blood splattering across the ground. The boar let out a pained grunt, reeling back as it tried to recover from the unexpected assault. It turned, its bloodshot eyes locking onto Tetsuo, its nostrils flaring in fury.
The creature was faster than he had anticipated, its momentum not entirely halted by the wound. It spun to face him, its tusks gleaming under the fading light of the afternoon. Tetsuo locked eyes with the beast, there was rage but also an intelligence behind its eyes. The thrill of battle coursed through him, but there was little time to savor it. His focus narrowed to the boar's movements, ready to react at any second. The boar, enraged, charged again, this time with more cunning. It veered sharply to the side, attempting to flank Tetsuo. The forest echoed with the sound of its hooves pounding the earth, a deep, rhythmic boom. A beast that uses strategy, this was new. Tetsuo would need to be careful, this was not going to be as easy as he thought.
Jutsu UsedShow
*[Shinden • Branch Cleaver]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
One of Shinden's most basic offensive techniques, the practitioner raises their weapon over their head, using gravity and inertia to add momentum to their next attack. The practitioner then launches a ferocious two-handed swing in any single direction. The practitioner executes the cut in a circular motion, allowing them to quickly bring the weapon back to guard against a potential counterattack.
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
One of Shinden's most basic offensive techniques, the practitioner raises their weapon over their head, using gravity and inertia to add momentum to their next attack. The practitioner then launches a ferocious two-handed swing in any single direction. The practitioner executes the cut in a circular motion, allowing them to quickly bring the weapon back to guard against a potential counterattack.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Hearing his plan, Hanayo agreed in silence. Happy they had arrived at an understanding about their respective priorities. Though she always thought the impulse to perform grand heroics was a symptom of narcissism, part of her believed him. After all, he was acting under the name of his friend. Seijuro the Hero. She glanced at him strangely, remembering a line from his poem. The strongest cannot hold ghosts.
After she left the others, it wasn’t long before she discovered the monster’s stomping ground. It was hard to miss the shallow crater of upturned earth. Now, if I were a boar… Hanayo ducked beneath a half-felled tree, peered into the mouths of hollowed logs. She stood at the still water’s edge and saw only a boar’s mud bath. She noted the telltale signs of rooting. Kneeling at the foot of a tree, she dug into its base, unearthing a cavern of scrawny roots. There, clinging to the pale shriveled things was something like black stones. At long last, we meet… Black Albus.
Taking a blade into her hand She shaved off a sample of the dead-fed fungus. She had to handle it with care. Even a finger-sized amount of the truffle released chakra-absorbing microbes. It was the true enemy. As long as the beasts of this swampland had it to feed and grow strong on, the ‘innocents’ would never know peace. It would be best to scorch the earth, leaving no trace of the truffles. But for her it was more than something to be destroyed. It was the end of years of collaborative study and the effort of a half-dozen minds. And it had been here in the mud the whole time…
Something boomed far off, a puddle rippled. Hanayo turned in the direction. Still at it? The jounin climbed to her feet when a scream cut the air. Must be the bounty hunter. She snorted. Good riddance, but Tetsuo… He was of the Leaf. Hanayo sucked her teeth. She thought she’d learned her lesson about taking people at their word, but… Even the coldest hearts bleed.
Sprinting through the trees, she spotted red dew splashed on leaves. A cause for more than a little concern. The sound of hooves And her heart pounding in time grew. The trees finally opened to the battlefield, Hanayo’s eyes widened--it was a monster. Massive, but worse than that, it moved with ferocity. And Tetsuo… She watched their brief exchange. While he was comporting himself admirably, it was time to tip the scales in this fight.
She appeared beside Hanya, hanging from a branch by chakra adhesive heels. “Are you ready to be a hero? There’s a truffle in it for you if we survive.” she said in his ear while cutting at the bindings.
Once they’d found cover off to the beast’s left flank, they waited for it to face Tetsuo and prepare to charge. “Go!” The boy fired a concentrated blast of wind across the gap early. She’d told him to lead his target, figuring the boar would be too intent on Tetsuo to notice. She flashed through a set of hand seals to prepare a jutsu of her own. Hanayo took a deep breath, gathered the fire in her belly, held it in her chest, and waited for the precise moment it crossed in front of her to exhale.
The gout of orange-white flame and compressed air moved at different speeds but would strike within moments of each other. Fire and wind collided, igniting a blistering firestorm on the beast and leveling a stretch of swamp.
After she left the others, it wasn’t long before she discovered the monster’s stomping ground. It was hard to miss the shallow crater of upturned earth. Now, if I were a boar… Hanayo ducked beneath a half-felled tree, peered into the mouths of hollowed logs. She stood at the still water’s edge and saw only a boar’s mud bath. She noted the telltale signs of rooting. Kneeling at the foot of a tree, she dug into its base, unearthing a cavern of scrawny roots. There, clinging to the pale shriveled things was something like black stones. At long last, we meet… Black Albus.
Taking a blade into her hand She shaved off a sample of the dead-fed fungus. She had to handle it with care. Even a finger-sized amount of the truffle released chakra-absorbing microbes. It was the true enemy. As long as the beasts of this swampland had it to feed and grow strong on, the ‘innocents’ would never know peace. It would be best to scorch the earth, leaving no trace of the truffles. But for her it was more than something to be destroyed. It was the end of years of collaborative study and the effort of a half-dozen minds. And it had been here in the mud the whole time…
Something boomed far off, a puddle rippled. Hanayo turned in the direction. Still at it? The jounin climbed to her feet when a scream cut the air. Must be the bounty hunter. She snorted. Good riddance, but Tetsuo… He was of the Leaf. Hanayo sucked her teeth. She thought she’d learned her lesson about taking people at their word, but… Even the coldest hearts bleed.
Sprinting through the trees, she spotted red dew splashed on leaves. A cause for more than a little concern. The sound of hooves And her heart pounding in time grew. The trees finally opened to the battlefield, Hanayo’s eyes widened--it was a monster. Massive, but worse than that, it moved with ferocity. And Tetsuo… She watched their brief exchange. While he was comporting himself admirably, it was time to tip the scales in this fight.
She appeared beside Hanya, hanging from a branch by chakra adhesive heels. “Are you ready to be a hero? There’s a truffle in it for you if we survive.” she said in his ear while cutting at the bindings.
Once they’d found cover off to the beast’s left flank, they waited for it to face Tetsuo and prepare to charge. “Go!” The boy fired a concentrated blast of wind across the gap early. She’d told him to lead his target, figuring the boar would be too intent on Tetsuo to notice. She flashed through a set of hand seals to prepare a jutsu of her own. Hanayo took a deep breath, gathered the fire in her belly, held it in her chest, and waited for the precise moment it crossed in front of her to exhale.
The gout of orange-white flame and compressed air moved at different speeds but would strike within moments of each other. Fire and wind collided, igniting a blistering firestorm on the beast and leveling a stretch of swamp.
JutsuShow
Hanayo:
*Katon • Flame Jet
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user draws in a deep breath before exhaling out a cone that is up to five meters long and three meters wide at it's base. The cone travels at a speed equal to [40] and impacts with a strength equal to [40]
Hanya:
*Fuuton • Pressure Damage
B-Ranked Ninjutsu
After making the required hand seals, the user will focus chakra into their mouth. They will release the wind chakra as a large sphere with a 10m radius at [25] Speed, which has a maximum range of 40m. Should the target be hit within the first 20m, the attack will inflict the maximum amount of damage, causing a [25] Strength explosion, spreading cutting winds capable of slicing close to the bone over the same area. Should they be struck in the last 20m, it will only apply [25/2] Strength.
*Katon • Flame Jet
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user draws in a deep breath before exhaling out a cone that is up to five meters long and three meters wide at it's base. The cone travels at a speed equal to [40] and impacts with a strength equal to [40]
Hanya:
*Fuuton • Pressure Damage
B-Ranked Ninjutsu
After making the required hand seals, the user will focus chakra into their mouth. They will release the wind chakra as a large sphere with a 10m radius at [25] Speed, which has a maximum range of 40m. Should the target be hit within the first 20m, the attack will inflict the maximum amount of damage, causing a [25] Strength explosion, spreading cutting winds capable of slicing close to the bone over the same area. Should they be struck in the last 20m, it will only apply [25/2] Strength.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
The blast was near instantaneous and it was powerful. The boar reeled and shrieked out in pain, the stench of burnt hair and flesh radiated in the air. Injured but not down. The boar charged Tetsuo again, the only target it could reach. Tetsuo prepared himself for the impact but this charge was different. The boar had uprooted a nearby tree from the swamp and tossed it at Tetsuo using its trunk. Tetsuo easily dodged but when he landed the boar was there, it was a distraction! The boar had predicted his movement and struck Tetsuo with its tusks, goring him through the stomach and before he knew it, Tetsuo was being lifted into the air. With one swift movement the boar threw Tetsuo into the treeline where it had seen the other two who attacked it. Bleeding profusely, Tetsuo barely managed to catch himself on a tree branch.
Fuck, that things smart. he said between mouthfuls of blood. This thing was strong, it had shaken off both attacks and was still good to go. Tetsuo's face filled with a mixture of anger and anguish as the realization set in.
I can't beat it. Not on my own. Your attacks had more effect on him. I have another plan. he said as he looked down and around the swamp. He searched for about 30 seconds before he found it. Swamp gas. An entire area full of it.
Hanayo, Hanya. I'll lure it to that concentration of gas. When its there, do that fire attack you just did. I think you know what happens when fire meets that much gas. Don't worry about me, I'll send a lightning clone to lure that thing further in, then I'll get out of harm's way. his expression was serious and he winced with the pain of his wound.
The boar, meanwhile, was thrashing about in rage, having thrown Tetsuo like a ragdoll. Its eyes were wild, bloodied tusks gleaming with malice. It snorted, sniffing the air as it turned, looking for its next target. It was enraged but also cautious, no longer charging blindly. It was smart enough to know that it couldn’t afford to be reckless now.
Tetsuo, grimacing as his fingers flexed around the branch, focused on controlling his breathing. His body was sore and covered in blood, but his mind was clear. His next move was everything.
With a strained push, he leapt from the branch, landing with a painful thud in the thick of the swamp. His legs shook beneath him, but he gritted his teeth and started sprinting toward the gas concentration. Every step was an effort, his insides screaming, but his resolve hardened with every painful breath. He didn’t need to move fast, he just needed to get the boar there.
He would have to take another hit from the boar and then send the clone as the distraction, otherwise he risked the boar chasing the wrong target.
Fuck. This is gonna hurt. he muttered under his breath, as he slowed his pace just enough to give the boar a chance to catch up. He could see the target area, now he just needed to survive this second charge.
The boar’s hooves thundered behind him, each step echoing like a drumbeat in Tetsuo’s chest. The air was thick, heavy with the stench of the swamp, but he could feel the gas concentration ahead, the faintly toxic scent stronger now. Tetsuo’s body was beginning to fail him, each step a struggle as his wound bled freely, but he gritted his teeth. One more hit. Then I can send the clone, and it’ll all be over. He could feel the boar’s presence just behind him, its sharp tusks ready to skewer him again. With a painful grunt, he slowed, putting himself directly in the boar’s path and it charged, a blur of muscle and rage.
Now.
Tetsuo didn’t wait for the strike to connect, he threw himself toward the blow, turning his body just enough for the tusks to graze him. It was agonizing, the boar’s tusks tore into his flesh once more, but Tetsuo’s body twisted with the impact, using the force to propel himself behind the boar, and at the same time, he performed a series of hand signs.
There was a crackle of electricity and from this his lightning clone appeared just ahead, sprinting toward the gas zone, leading the boar to its inevitable trap. The boar's attention snapped to the clone, its rage overpowering any semblance of reason. It bolted after the decoy, charging wildly into the gas zone, its eyes filled with fury and confusion.
Meanwhile, Tetsuo, barely holding himself together, staggered away from the gas concentration, trying to put as much distance between himself and the impending explosion as possible. Every step felt like agony, his wound pulsing with pain, but he pushed himself to move. He had to get far enough to escape the blast radius. Every step was agony and he fought against his own body relentlessly. He wouldn't die like this; not when he was so pitifully weak. Using his last bit of energy he burst through the tree line and made his way closer to Hanayo's position. The pain was too much though, and he collapsed mid air, hurdling down, crashing into the ground with a violent thud. That hurt even more. He struggled to his feet. His whole body trembled from the strain and the pain but he couldn't rest now. He had to see this through. If this plan didn't work, he had to be ready to continue fighting.
The clone led the boar deeper into the swamp gas, and just as planned, the boar’s charge drew it into the heart of the volatile air. Tetsuo’s stomach churned, his pulse quickening as the final pieces of his plan fell into place.
Fuck, that things smart. he said between mouthfuls of blood. This thing was strong, it had shaken off both attacks and was still good to go. Tetsuo's face filled with a mixture of anger and anguish as the realization set in.
I can't beat it. Not on my own. Your attacks had more effect on him. I have another plan. he said as he looked down and around the swamp. He searched for about 30 seconds before he found it. Swamp gas. An entire area full of it.
Hanayo, Hanya. I'll lure it to that concentration of gas. When its there, do that fire attack you just did. I think you know what happens when fire meets that much gas. Don't worry about me, I'll send a lightning clone to lure that thing further in, then I'll get out of harm's way. his expression was serious and he winced with the pain of his wound.
The boar, meanwhile, was thrashing about in rage, having thrown Tetsuo like a ragdoll. Its eyes were wild, bloodied tusks gleaming with malice. It snorted, sniffing the air as it turned, looking for its next target. It was enraged but also cautious, no longer charging blindly. It was smart enough to know that it couldn’t afford to be reckless now.
Tetsuo, grimacing as his fingers flexed around the branch, focused on controlling his breathing. His body was sore and covered in blood, but his mind was clear. His next move was everything.
With a strained push, he leapt from the branch, landing with a painful thud in the thick of the swamp. His legs shook beneath him, but he gritted his teeth and started sprinting toward the gas concentration. Every step was an effort, his insides screaming, but his resolve hardened with every painful breath. He didn’t need to move fast, he just needed to get the boar there.
He would have to take another hit from the boar and then send the clone as the distraction, otherwise he risked the boar chasing the wrong target.
Fuck. This is gonna hurt. he muttered under his breath, as he slowed his pace just enough to give the boar a chance to catch up. He could see the target area, now he just needed to survive this second charge.
The boar’s hooves thundered behind him, each step echoing like a drumbeat in Tetsuo’s chest. The air was thick, heavy with the stench of the swamp, but he could feel the gas concentration ahead, the faintly toxic scent stronger now. Tetsuo’s body was beginning to fail him, each step a struggle as his wound bled freely, but he gritted his teeth. One more hit. Then I can send the clone, and it’ll all be over. He could feel the boar’s presence just behind him, its sharp tusks ready to skewer him again. With a painful grunt, he slowed, putting himself directly in the boar’s path and it charged, a blur of muscle and rage.
Now.
Tetsuo didn’t wait for the strike to connect, he threw himself toward the blow, turning his body just enough for the tusks to graze him. It was agonizing, the boar’s tusks tore into his flesh once more, but Tetsuo’s body twisted with the impact, using the force to propel himself behind the boar, and at the same time, he performed a series of hand signs.
There was a crackle of electricity and from this his lightning clone appeared just ahead, sprinting toward the gas zone, leading the boar to its inevitable trap. The boar's attention snapped to the clone, its rage overpowering any semblance of reason. It bolted after the decoy, charging wildly into the gas zone, its eyes filled with fury and confusion.
Meanwhile, Tetsuo, barely holding himself together, staggered away from the gas concentration, trying to put as much distance between himself and the impending explosion as possible. Every step felt like agony, his wound pulsing with pain, but he pushed himself to move. He had to get far enough to escape the blast radius. Every step was agony and he fought against his own body relentlessly. He wouldn't die like this; not when he was so pitifully weak. Using his last bit of energy he burst through the tree line and made his way closer to Hanayo's position. The pain was too much though, and he collapsed mid air, hurdling down, crashing into the ground with a violent thud. That hurt even more. He struggled to his feet. His whole body trembled from the strain and the pain but he couldn't rest now. He had to see this through. If this plan didn't work, he had to be ready to continue fighting.
The clone led the boar deeper into the swamp gas, and just as planned, the boar’s charge drew it into the heart of the volatile air. Tetsuo’s stomach churned, his pulse quickening as the final pieces of his plan fell into place.
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Mon Mar 24, 2025 11:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
"Nice shot.” Hanayo sighed in relief, patting his shoulder. The poor bounty hunter had been resolved to his fate since being captured, but even he managed a half-smile at the teasing scent of bacon in the air. The smoke cleared, the boar was still standing. Hana was expecting– no, wishing that would be the end of things. Instead, she stood by helplessly to stop the boar from continuing its attack on Tetsuo.
Hanayo knew it would end this way, though she gained no satisfaction from watching the swordsman fall. Despite years of experience, the sight of a deep gut wound remained devastating, especially when he insisted on moving. “No, don’t- argh!” They never listen. She thought as the man fought to his feet. Damn his foolish pride. She ought to waste his sacrifice just to spite him. The jounin focused on keeping his lightning clone in her line of sight, easy now that the woods had been scorched, and gave chase.
She left the bounty hunter behind; he couldn't keep up under the best of conditions. Half-drugged and drained of chakra, it would be pointless. Hana kissed her teeth. He’d played his part. Now, it was up to her.
The nin drew a kunai from her pouch and wound an explosive tag around the hilt. The boar was still ten meters ahead when it caught the clone in its tusk, dispersing the electricity. Muscles contorted and seized, but it wasn’t strong enough to stop the beast. The deception had put it on guard, and she saw its ears flick towards her. Uh oh. The beast’s hooves dug a trench in the earth as it turned towards her. The element of surprise lost, she concentrated a flow of chakra into her lower body, preparing for a quick getaway. She faced the beast, whipped her arm forward, sending the kunai flying, then formed a single hand sign. “Kai!” The cry of release triggered a bright white light with the boar at its center, and just after an explosion of force rippled through the swamp. The stored momentum in her legs brought her to Hanya. With the explosion at her back, she barely managed to tuck the two of them behind a wide trunk before the blastwave caught up.
The shockwave shook the air itself. She could only brace herself, holding her body together while the world blew apart. When things finally settled into an ear-ringing calm she wheezed– a humorless laugh. The heat of it had singed her eyebrows, and her vision was still spotty, but she’d outrun the explosion. She stumbled to her knees, though every nerve and muscle below her waist cried out. Her eyes drifted from the heaping gray clouds of the conflagration to the Hyuuga.
“Is it- is it still alive?” she coughed. Even if the boar was defeated, the battle wasn’t over. Her eyes fell to his wound. “Are you still alive?”
Hanayo knew it would end this way, though she gained no satisfaction from watching the swordsman fall. Despite years of experience, the sight of a deep gut wound remained devastating, especially when he insisted on moving. “No, don’t- argh!” They never listen. She thought as the man fought to his feet. Damn his foolish pride. She ought to waste his sacrifice just to spite him. The jounin focused on keeping his lightning clone in her line of sight, easy now that the woods had been scorched, and gave chase.
She left the bounty hunter behind; he couldn't keep up under the best of conditions. Half-drugged and drained of chakra, it would be pointless. Hana kissed her teeth. He’d played his part. Now, it was up to her.
The nin drew a kunai from her pouch and wound an explosive tag around the hilt. The boar was still ten meters ahead when it caught the clone in its tusk, dispersing the electricity. Muscles contorted and seized, but it wasn’t strong enough to stop the beast. The deception had put it on guard, and she saw its ears flick towards her. Uh oh. The beast’s hooves dug a trench in the earth as it turned towards her. The element of surprise lost, she concentrated a flow of chakra into her lower body, preparing for a quick getaway. She faced the beast, whipped her arm forward, sending the kunai flying, then formed a single hand sign. “Kai!” The cry of release triggered a bright white light with the boar at its center, and just after an explosion of force rippled through the swamp. The stored momentum in her legs brought her to Hanya. With the explosion at her back, she barely managed to tuck the two of them behind a wide trunk before the blastwave caught up.
The shockwave shook the air itself. She could only brace herself, holding her body together while the world blew apart. When things finally settled into an ear-ringing calm she wheezed– a humorless laugh. The heat of it had singed her eyebrows, and her vision was still spotty, but she’d outrun the explosion. She stumbled to her knees, though every nerve and muscle below her waist cried out. Her eyes drifted from the heaping gray clouds of the conflagration to the Hyuuga.
“Is it- is it still alive?” she coughed. Even if the boar was defeated, the battle wasn’t over. Her eyes fell to his wound. “Are you still alive?”
JutsuShow
*[Ninjutsu • Body Flicker Technique]
A-Ranked Nintaijutsu
After channeling chakra into their body, the user enhances their movement to attack or retreat suddenly, the ninja almost instantly moves up to 65 meters on the ground in a single straight direction. While doing this, the ninja cannot move through anything or anyone, nor can they supplement it with an attack of any kind. After the quick movement has stopped, there is a brief pause where the user must recover from the movement. Even though it's not a full teleportation, this jutsu uses up one of the 2 teleportations a character can use in a single thread.
A-Ranked Nintaijutsu
After channeling chakra into their body, the user enhances their movement to attack or retreat suddenly, the ninja almost instantly moves up to 65 meters on the ground in a single straight direction. While doing this, the ninja cannot move through anything or anyone, nor can they supplement it with an attack of any kind. After the quick movement has stopped, there is a brief pause where the user must recover from the movement. Even though it's not a full teleportation, this jutsu uses up one of the 2 teleportations a character can use in a single thread.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
-
AFungalNetwork
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- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:37 pm
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
The pain was unbearable but he had to push through it. The explosion sent shockwaves through the air, he felt his ears compress and then decompress from the pressure. His ears were ringing, he was coughing up blood, but still he stood stalwart. Watching.
Barely, it was true he was alive but he felt like he was dying.
As for the boar... there's only one way to find out. with that, he limbed over to boars location, using his sword as a cane to support himself. The dust had just settled and laying in a charred and bloody heap was the boar. Its face frozen in an enraged expression. But it wasn't moving. Tetsuo inspected its body carefully for any signs of life but there were none.
The Beast of the Swampland, huh? You fought well. I hope your rage is finally quelled and you can find peace., his voice was reverent and sad. Like he recognized a part of himself in the boar. He stroked the boar's back gently then he walked to its head and cut away the tip of its tusk. A trophy and a reminder of his weakness.
We need to burn its corpse. We don't want any carnivores eating its body and experiencing the residual effects of the truffles. he had already begun to gather tinder and the driest things he could find to burn and placed it around the boar.
Thanks for your help back there. I couldn't have done it without you.his appreciation was sincere but his pride was wounded.
Finally, his adrenal response had run its course. He was exhausted and could no longer support his own weight. He collapsed to the ground, fading in and out of consciousness. Every few minutes he would fade in and try to hoist himself up but the pain was too great and he just collapsed again.
"I can't believe we ever thought we could take you guys." Hanya said to Hana, his voice filled with disbelief. "I did my part so I'll be taking my share," he was impatient to get back to his comrades. "Thanks for not killing us..." his eyes drifted down shamefully.
Barely, it was true he was alive but he felt like he was dying.
As for the boar... there's only one way to find out. with that, he limbed over to boars location, using his sword as a cane to support himself. The dust had just settled and laying in a charred and bloody heap was the boar. Its face frozen in an enraged expression. But it wasn't moving. Tetsuo inspected its body carefully for any signs of life but there were none.
The Beast of the Swampland, huh? You fought well. I hope your rage is finally quelled and you can find peace., his voice was reverent and sad. Like he recognized a part of himself in the boar. He stroked the boar's back gently then he walked to its head and cut away the tip of its tusk. A trophy and a reminder of his weakness.
We need to burn its corpse. We don't want any carnivores eating its body and experiencing the residual effects of the truffles. he had already begun to gather tinder and the driest things he could find to burn and placed it around the boar.
Thanks for your help back there. I couldn't have done it without you.his appreciation was sincere but his pride was wounded.
Finally, his adrenal response had run its course. He was exhausted and could no longer support his own weight. He collapsed to the ground, fading in and out of consciousness. Every few minutes he would fade in and try to hoist himself up but the pain was too great and he just collapsed again.
"I can't believe we ever thought we could take you guys." Hanya said to Hana, his voice filled with disbelief. "I did my part so I'll be taking my share," he was impatient to get back to his comrades. "Thanks for not killing us..." his eyes drifted down shamefully.
Last edited by AFungalNetwork on Tue Mar 25, 2025 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Wandering Blade - Kyoya Swamplands - Open
Hanayo surveyed the blighted landscape, barely registering the bounty hunter’s comment. Part of her wanted to dare him to ‘take his share’. After all this devastation, the jounin knew he wouldn’t have the nerve to argue. But, persuaded by a pang of pity, she withheld the reward only until they gathered his comrades and returned to the tavern.
They surprised the barkeeper and the slack-jawed patrons. Five had returned when they’d expected none. The tavern grew crowded with the extra bodies, but they made up for the intrusion with good news. The beast of the swamplands was defeated. Songs were sung, drinks were drunk, and Hanayo departed before dawn. They were too focused on the celebration and aiding their hero, Seijuro, to notice her slip away. After all, her contribution to the battle had been negligible– at least that’s what she told them. She’d rather not face the consequences of her heroics.
Under ordinary circumstances, she would have stayed to heal Tetsuo and the other injured, but she had a promise to keep. The wound to his stomach was a painful lesson for his reckless behavior, but one he could learn from. She was eager to crack the secrets of the truffle as well. Though, it felt strange to bear the victory alone. Hollow, even. None of her greatest accomplishments had been reached alone. She always shared them with others.
Her journey home was solitary, but that didn't mean she left without a word. After she managed to scrounge up some parchment, she left behind a single truffle for Tetsuo and a message ‘Sorry for your loss.’ And on the back were instructions to present the Black Albus at a certain trading post in Tea Country, ‘If you ever get lonely’.
They surprised the barkeeper and the slack-jawed patrons. Five had returned when they’d expected none. The tavern grew crowded with the extra bodies, but they made up for the intrusion with good news. The beast of the swamplands was defeated. Songs were sung, drinks were drunk, and Hanayo departed before dawn. They were too focused on the celebration and aiding their hero, Seijuro, to notice her slip away. After all, her contribution to the battle had been negligible– at least that’s what she told them. She’d rather not face the consequences of her heroics.
Under ordinary circumstances, she would have stayed to heal Tetsuo and the other injured, but she had a promise to keep. The wound to his stomach was a painful lesson for his reckless behavior, but one he could learn from. She was eager to crack the secrets of the truffle as well. Though, it felt strange to bear the victory alone. Hollow, even. None of her greatest accomplishments had been reached alone. She always shared them with others.
Her journey home was solitary, but that didn't mean she left without a word. After she managed to scrounge up some parchment, she left behind a single truffle for Tetsuo and a message ‘Sorry for your loss.’ And on the back were instructions to present the Black Albus at a certain trading post in Tea Country, ‘If you ever get lonely’.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |