Warlocks at Black Mass

[Niro]

The last few years had been awfully quiet. Boringly so. Rock Country had focused on development of their newly acquired lands and technologies at the end of the war. Their previously basic trains had been exponentially advanced with the data and resources they had villaged from Suna and the advent of airships was around the corner, thanks to the ships and blueprints Kiri had passed along from Heart as a result of Naohiros handiwork. It wasn't surprising to see them being tested across the country, but they were still a ways away from mass commercial use. The uneasy peace was nice for some but for one Fukusha, Kinomichi it had been anything but.

Prior to the Wind Country invasion, he had been the one subjugating and annexing countries around the continent under orders from the Tsuchikage. The role had allowed him to travel as he pleased and grow immensely stronger, not to mention the fun he had in meeting new peoples. Being stuck in the village training brats or maintaining the wall was a special Hell to him, so, when the orders came for a black ops mission in southern Fire Country, he nearly screamed with joy. The orders were simple; destroy infrastructure and gauge response after five years of mostly nothing.

He'd be meeting with one other operative the orders had mentioned. Michi was glad for the assistance, but still apprehensive about working with someone he had never met before, especially for a mission like this, yet, the Tsuchikage hadn't lead him wrong yet.

Michi took the space-time chamber, set up in conjunction with Kiri, to Suna where he then boarded a train south to the former-Dragon Country, now Fire. He watched as the empty desert became a sea of grass before quietly making his way to the caboose and stepping onto the back deck of the train. With a jump, he watched as the train continued on and he landed with his feet digging into the hard earth. The train would continue to the nearest town to the west, but he would continue south to the shore before stopping to wait for his partner.

---

The order to deploy to Southern Fire wasn't what Yamato had expected to start the month. However, he wasn't going to question it. There was enough strangeness in Kiri recently, he was glad to take a vacation from the place if he was honest. A small part of him wondered and worried if it would still be standing when he got back. He shoved the thought to the back in his mind. Tensions between the families was something Yamato didn't really care for; the village's prosperity mattered to him more than the families bickering.

Small raids here and there over the years weren't uncommon, but those were in Heart, not Fire. However, twisting a knife into Fire was just the change of pace he needed before doing something stupid and antagonizing the Swordsmen. Again.

Yamato's mission and rank meant he possessed sufficient clearance to access the space-time chamber once the order was cleared. He would first be connected to Iwa and then a second jump would send him to Suna, where he'd catch a train southbound into Heart before abandoning it and heading to the southeast shore to meet his contact and partner at the provided coordinates.

---

Michi jumped into a stance with a hand on his fan as a white haired individual wearing a Kiri headband trudged through the brush into camp. He let out a curse as he relaxed and reached out a hand to shake and welcome the other.

"You about scared the shit out of me."

Yamato chuckled as he reached back and gave a firm handshake. "Sorry about that. It'd probably be best if we got rid of our headbands here, just in case. he took off his headband and Michi followed before whipping out two old Suna headbands, their serial numbers dating to years prior to the invasion when Iwa had eliminated an outpost base and kept them as souvenirs.

"I had a similar idea. Let's get going." The pair strapped the new old-headbands to their waists and double checked their equipment before setting out.

The two took off for the southern shore and kept to the tree line before eventually coming across a medium sized town on the water. Fishing boats peppered the deeper bay and people obliviously walked throughout the town, laughing and talking as if they had not a care in the world.

Michi stood high in a tree as he channeled chakra and breathed deep. As he exhaled, a swarm of fireballs began to blot out the sun before descending on the town below and turning it into a flaming hellcape. From his spot atop the tree, Michi jumped onto the nearest building and Yamato followed making themselves known to any who would look up.

The unassuming town people were shocked at first before screams erupted and panic broke out amongst the town as flames began to engulf it.

SpoilerShow

Breath of the Kirin
B-Rank Ninjutsu
The user will channel the required chakra while inhaling before exhaling out a flurry of boulder sized fireballs that impact over an area with 20 Strength and Speed before exploding with 20 Strength.

[Niro]

Michi and Yamato were silent as the town burned around them. Screams echoed throughout the streets as parents ran to save their children and others just ran to safety wherever they could find it. Many of the townspeople jumped into the bay to escape the roaring flames that threatened to swallow them up where the ships out in the bay had raced to shore in a vain attempt to save the town. The only thing they'd be able to do was pull people from the water as soon not a single building was free of flames.

So far, no response. Michi shot Yamato a glance who in turn shot him a shrug back as the white-haired shinobi gazed into the streets below. Mission was going great at this point and one town was destroyed. Some survivors would of course alert authorities and Michi was nearly certain he had seen a raven speed off to the north. Maybe they'd have some company, eventually, but right now it seemed no one would be popping into stop him.

"Let's follow the shore, see if we can find another." Michi called over the roaring flames as the pair took off in a blur of high speed movement west ward. The smell of smoke eventually faded as they traveled and it didn't take them but another 10 or so miles to find a second village, similar to the first. The only difference this time was the fact the ships were all docked instead of out in the harbor. Once again, Michi and Yamato took to the highest rooftop in the town before the Iwa bannin inhaled deep and breathed out a swarm of fireballs, just like he did in the first village.

And just like the first village, the townspeople had been unsuspecting. The boulder sized balls of fire crashed through roofs and walls before exploding and turning entire houses into nothing but burning cinders. Michi stood, watching and wondering if anyone from Konoha or the surrounding area would show up at all. Were they really so enfamined not a single shinobi was sent to respond? If so...the pair only had good news to report.

SpoilerShow

Breath of the Kirin
B-Rank Ninjutsu
The user will channel the required chakra while inhaling before exhaling out a flurry of boulder sized fireballs that impact over an area with 20 Strength and Speed before exploding with 20 Strength.

[Izanagi]

Reports of two assailants wearing sunagakure headbands flooded into the local outposts, relayed quickly back to ANBU headquarters where a strike team assembled. A white-haired man and another with long dark hair and lime green eyes who used Katon style. It was hard to say who they were for certain, but each member of Anbu was intimately familiar with the Bingo Book and few were more infamous than Fukusha Kinomichi; Iwagakure’s Kirin and the man who had conquered entire countries on their behalf. The other could be a number of potential individuals, too hard to say with any certainty at this point though the squad had been briefed on various noteworthy white-haired men of Iwagakure or even the slimmer possibility of a Kirigakure team up. Whatever the case, it seemed highly unlikely that the attackers were actually shinobi of Sunagakure, it simply didn’t make sense that they would target Dragon Province of all places.

Nonetheless, two squads assembled, comprising of some of the most skilled operatives ANBU had at their disposal. They would not take this threat lightly. Gathering with one outsider from the organization, they teleported to Fort Natsuki on Dragon’s Touch and made haste, boarding a ship and sailin North across the straight toward Dragon Province and working their way up the coast from the west. Black smoke could be seen on the horizon a distant town already burned to ash. Locally stationed shinobi were already providing relief efforts and medical attention to survivors and putting out fires.

The group, of masked shinobi, wearing a mixture of white cloaks and black departed their ship as they neared a closer village, fresh smoke pluming from its center. Branching off into separate squads they approached on foot from 2 miles out, moving through the forests as they closed in on the most recent town to come under attack. This was the town of Kamigawa. About 500 meters across, it was a small town but one that had thrived with bustling trade and a sizable port. 15 meter high wooden walls surrounded the town, save for the southern shore which opened into the port, looming over all but the tallest buildings in the center of the village. There were three gates, one to the West, another due North and the last to the North-East, the first two 200 meters apart from another, and the last 250 meters apart. A man in a white cloak and a green birds mask would lead his squad from the west of the village, activating his byakugan and sighting in the targets as his allies waited in the small forest outside the village while he flanked around to the South, approaching from the port as he formed a lengthy set of hand seals. Another squad would move to the North-Eastern gate while a lone man in a spiral mask moved toward the North Gate. Once his hand seals were complete, captain Yosuzume would leap up on top of a building near the South of the village, “That’s far enough!” he called out, as he drew a kunai and began to channel chakra, approaching to a distance of 50 meters before slashing the weapon toward them and unleashing a wave of chakra 60 meter wide and tall at 40 Speed toward the figures. Meanwhile Kenku, a younger man in a red fox mask continued to wait in the forests, 300 meters from the center of the village, to the west. He would remain on standby for now.

KamigawaShow

Jutsu UsedShow

Byakugan Doujutsu Transplant
One of the most famed doujutsu in the world, Byakugan is the bloodline limit of the Hyuuga Clan. When active, the user gains 360 degree vision and Penetrative vision, allowing the user to see the Tenketsu of their enemies. Their telescopic vision can be activated via jutsu. As such, the Byakugan is capable of ability channelling, allowing the user to activate their Doujutsu techniques without hand seals. It should be noted that while using their telescopic vision the user experiences tunnel vision, making it difficult to see their surroundings.

Due to the eye being a transplant, the eye is permanently activated, this comes at the hefty cost of -3 Chakra Pool permanently devoted to powering the ever active Byakugan. However the user wears an Eye Patch with Augment Fuuinjutsu • Seal of Observance inscribed, countering the eye always being active and the constant use of chakra.

[Genjutsu • Love is Blind]
Prerequisite: 45 Will Power
S-Ranked Illusion Genjutsu
The user will perform a sequence of hand seals, once complete anyone who looks at the user for the next two posts will fall under the users genjutsu. They will lose both their sight & hearing, leaving them in a pit of darkness for five posts.

Fuhanyouken • The Opening of Heaven
B-rank Nintaijutsu Maneuver
The user will channel chakra towards their weapon and will strike through the air, sending out a blast of chakra that is 60 metres in height and width, moving at a speed equal to the user’s control, to a range of 60 metres. Anyone caught within this blast will have chakra will be knocked backwards and will have chakra channelled through their chakra system, they will lose -6 [Control] for 3 posts.

[Throniv]

---

Kaito let out a calming breath as he passed through the North-Eastern gate to Kamigawa village with his squad and moved deeper into the burning town, taking special care to stay low and out of the sight of the two that they had come to fight. He moved through alleyways and shadows, making sure to keep buildings between himself and the two figures that stood atop a building near the center of the village, until he was within 100 meters.

As soon as they were in position, dark green chakra flaring around his body as small roots grew out of his legs and feet to connect with the ground and allow him to better absorb and mix the nature chakra necessary to perform Senpou Mokuton • Bodhisattva’s Wisdom. If one could see behind the white and orange ANBU mask he wore over his face, they'd be able to see the black markings forming on his face and the sharp, golden eyes that marked his partial sage mode transformation. Kaito had shot up a full nine inches to break 6 feet during his last sudden growth spurt, and his muscles and build had filled out nicely in a way that he'd once believed it never would. His body was covered by the standard-issue black cloak of Katana squad, and his face was covered by the tiger-esque ANBU mask that had become a symbol of his station. Before they'd even approached the village he'd already summoned and equipped the Mokuton • Armor of the Senju at 50 [Strength], and he prayed it would be enough to provide him some kind of protection against the enemy they were going up against.

He'd helped develop the plan they were going to use, and he'd been the one to help the commander decide who should even be on this mission, but he wasn't sure it would be enough. At least one of the people they were going up against was a bannin who'd conquered entire nations by himself, according to the intel, and the guy he was with was most likely another highly dangerous individual--but none of that mattered. Kaito had spent the last three years training rigorously, ever since he was inducted into Katana squad and elevated to the rank of lieutenant, and he believed the training had paid off.

Now, all that was left to do was see if he was right.

Kaito channeled his chakra from behind his cover and kept his sensory awareness totally focused on the two targets they'd been sent here to slay, readying the opening move of the salvo that they'd planned to try and overwhelm the two targets. The second that he heard the shout from Captain Yosuzume and the pair's attention was drawn to him--and to the genjutsu that would rob them of their sight and hearing, the young man cast the Jutsu that he'd been holding. In a 20x20x20 meter cube, a wooden cage made of strong, laquered wood with two inches of space between the bars would erupt around the two bannin at 50 [Speed] and [Strength]. The cage wouldn't be enough to hold them for long, he knew--but it could be enough to hold them for that crucial half-second needed for the rest of his teammates to unleash hell upon their targets.

Normally this jutsu could not be cast from this kind of distance or at the massive size he was able to achieve--but he wasn't called the Senju prodigy for nothing.

As soon as that was done, Kaito formed a handseal under the cloak he wore and stomped his foot, causing twisting roots to begin to grow under the ground in a 15 meter radius around his body. It wasn't much, again, but his style was never the flashy one-shot booms that many of his contemporaries employed. He preferred subtlety, stealth, and to only unleash violence in the instant that he had already made his preparations.

OOCShow

Senpou Mokuton • Bodhisattva’s Wisdom
B-Rank Senjutsu
[Requires Affinity: Sensory]
[Requires Jutsu: Bodhisattva’s Palm]
After making the proper hand seals, the user gathers Nature chakra, balances it with their own, and enters a partial Sage mode. In order to do this, the user grows roots out of the bottom of their feet that will lock them in place for at least 1/2 of a post. While in this partial Sage Mode, the user has perfect 360 degree awareness of their surroundings for 60 meters in every direction, including every chakra signature, and can tell what chakra element they are channeling in the moment.

*Mokuton • Armor of the Senju
B-Rank Ninjutsu
After the user performs the necessary hand seals, the user will create mokuton armor that enshrouds the user in typical samurai garb/armor with the Senju clan symbol on the shoulders and back. This armor sprouts from the ground and wraps around the user at a speed and strength of [Control].

Mokuton • Four Pillar Prison
C-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing a series of hand seals, the user focuses on a target or group of targets within 25 meters and causes wooden beams to emerge from the ground around them at a speed of [Control]. These beams connect overhead and underground, forming a roof and bars with about two inches of space between them. It has a durability of [Control] and can be as large as 6x6x6 meters.

Mokuton • Bramblepatch
D-Rank Ninjutsu
The user will stomp his foot on the ground, causing a dense circle of roots with strength equal to the user's [Control] to begin growing beneath him at [Control] speed in a 15 meter radius. At the end of the jutsu’s duration or upon being kai’d, the roots push out of the ground at [Control] speed impaling through the feet of any targets in the circle's radius at [Control] Strength. This Jutsu entangles the feet of any target who gets impaled by the roots and holds them for 1 post.

[Kaida]

Shishi arrived at the Northeastern entrance with Katana Squad. She was in full ANBU gear, painted lion mask included as she stealthily approached their designated hit point. She moved along through the gate with Tora, running across the building tops she passed the young tiger operative and stopped to be within 85 meters of their targets. She perched herself up on a 10 meter tall rooftop, making sure cover was available if needed. Looking out over the town at all the destruction, Shishi felt an insurmountable rage rise inside her. All this destruction, innocent lives lost, and for what?

Watching as taicho Yosuzume and Kinko started things off, followed closely by Tora. Shishi nodded to herself and felt the power surge through her body as she let her Unrelenting Fury consume her. She partially obscured her body behind a chimney, dimming the glow of her jutsu as she made the hand seals for her Armored Fire. Immediately flames wreathed around her body in a full set armor, at 25 speed and 50 strength, bringing her defensive armor strength up to 50.

She looked out across the way and saw two men standing on the tallest building of the village, shadows dancing all around them from the flames that were blazing through the town. She avoided looking at captain Yosuzume knowing his plan was to trap them in a genjutsu. It was the perfect set up for her Shadow Explosive Trap. She formed the necessary handseals and projected her chakra into the shadow closest to the taller raven-haired man at 35 strength and 35 speed. As the shadow was already connected to the man, the explosion would go off immediately at 35 strength, affecting both of them as they stood together.

Post 1/5

Post 1/8

Post 1/6

Jutsu UsedShow

Katon • Armored Fire
B-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals or channeling chakra, a full set of armor made of katon will appear at control speed and strength, and provides a 3 inch layer that protects against taijutsu. If anyone comes into contact with the armor they will receive control strength burns and incoming attacks will be deflected at control strength. This technique can last up to 5 posts or until destroyed.

Unrelenting Fury
S-Rank Taijutsu Stance
The user draws on their inner rage and tenses their whole body as the flood of emotions flows through them. Entering into a frenzy they experience a boost in power +10 to strength and +5 to speed. This comes at the cost of their mental stability as a whole -10 to willpower and -5 to control. This effect can last for up to 8 posts.

~Eiketsu • Shadow Explosive Trap
C-rank Ninjutsu
After completing a string of hand seals the user will infuse a shadow within their Control range with explosive chakra. If an opponent makes physical contact with this shadow it will rapidly compress at the point of contact at a Speed and Strength up to the user's Control. This rapid compression will result in a large explosion with a Strength up to the user's Control stat. The Shadow Explosive Trap will remain apparent for up to 6 posts before additional chakra is required.

[Izanagi]

Tengu, wearing the white cloak of an Anbu captain and a red crows mask, moved with Katana squad to the North-Eastern gate as Captain Yosuzume led his Odachi squad further to the South-West. Chanelling chakra as they approached the gate, Tengu formed a chakra armor around himself at 10 Speed and 50 Strength, before forming a set of hand seals and shrouding himself in invisbility, a moment after waving his teammates ahead to move into position. Once invisible he would leap onto the top of the wall, next to the North-Eastern gate, and draw his sword, running his hand along its length as it split into a series of shards. His Byakugan already active, the young ANBU commander and captain, zoomed his vision in on his targets, being sure to focus only on them and not look further beyond them where captain Yosuzume approached from some 60 meters opposite the opponents. Tengu, from a distance of nearly 250 meters would provide overwatch, drawing his bow while holding the hilt of Anger against the bow, he notched an arrow and waited. His anger shards would remain invisible as long as they stayed close to him, moving in a lazy protective swirl around him. “Shouju, engage” he ordered through the com link as his Fukutaichu; Tora activated his wooden prison. He wasn’t sure it would be enough to catch the opponents, much less hold them for long, but the team would not relent. One way or another they would take down these opponents that had so brazenly attacked Fire country towns. Already hundreds had been killed and it was likely most of this town would be destroyed in the crossfire of their battle.

Civilians were already pouring out of the three gates, vacating as hurriedly as they could as the alarm bells tolled and ships at the harbor began to break way from shore, dozens of civilians clambering to load themselves on, others leaping directly into the ocean to attempt to escape the spreading fires. Some civilians would surely be killed due to Anbu operatives, but they were a calculated and acceptable sacrifice to stop a pair of presumed S-ranked shinobi.

Jutsu UsedShow

Byakugan Doujutsu
One of the most famed doujutsu in the world, Byakugan is the bloodline limit of the Hyuuga Clan. When active, the clan member gains 360 degree vision and Penetrative vision, allowing the Hyuuga clan to see the Tenketsu of their enemies. Their telescopic vision can be activated via jutsu. As such, the Byakugan is capable of ability channeling, allowing the Hyuuga to activate their Doujutsu techniques without hand seals. It should be noted that while using their telescopic vision the Hyuuga experiences tunnel vision, making it difficult to see their surroundings.

Prolonged usage of the Byakugan is strenuous and requires a high level of endurance. The maximum operating time a user can utilize their Byakugan at a time is equal to their Chakra Pool stat divided by 4 rounded down, to a minimum of one post. Upon reaching the max duration, the stress of using their Byakugan to it’s limit causes a cooldown period of 1/2 of the duration time, to a minimum of one post. During this cooldown period, the Byakugan cannot be activated and attempting to do so will cause physical pain. Duration is based off total posts where the Byakugan is activated, meaning users can turn it on and off to have a shorter cooldown.

[Ninpou • Chakra Armor]
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
The user channels chakra, flowing it in a thin layer across their body, including their hands and head. This amor has a strength of [50] and forms at [10] speed. This aura of chakra can also be formed on others, though only one person per cast, so long as they are within 25 meters of the user. This layer of chakra does not impede movement, normal bodily functions, or the ability to perform hand seals in any way.

[Ninjutsu • Active Camouflage]
A-Ranked Ninjutsu
After performing the necessary handseals or channelling chakra throughout their body, the user will coat themselves in a layer of chakra. This chakra will specifically distort light around the user, making the user undetectable from sight. The user can move at their full speed without disrupting this invisibility, even coating their weapons in the camouflage, however, should any of their possessions travel more than 5 meters from them the invisibility around the objects will fail. This active camouflage will persist for a duration of 7 posts.

Anger
“Harness It”
Anger is a rather simple-looking sword approximately 3 feet in length, with a single-bladed edge, and a hilt that appears to vary in size to fit the user’s hand perfectly. Unlike the other Great Evils, Anger in this form cannot be controlled, though has a strength equal to the weapon stat. However, by running their free hand along the blade, the blade will split into 1,000 tiny blades that fill a 2x2x2m area. The blades can be controlled like a swarm, and the user is granted an 'Anger' weapon stat which functions as the “swarm's” synch stat.

~Byakugan: Telescopic Vision
D Rank Ninjutsu
By channeling a small amount of chakra to the Hyuuga's Byakugan, the clan member uses their doujutsu to zoom in like a telescope, allowing them to see much farther away. In doing so, the Hyuuga member is able to see up to 250 meters away as though they were mere feet away. It should be noted that while using their telescopic vision the Hyuuga experiences tunnel vision, making it difficult to see their surroundings. This jutsu can be maintained as long as the Hyuuga channels chakra to their eyes.

[Tsedas]

The trip was made with expediency as the group of cloaked figures shifted across the terrain like speeding arrows. Their movements were precise and focused as they made their way from the fort in silence. When they approached their destination, the burning flames gave way to furrow behind one of the masked individuals who looked like they were dressed in the cloak of a medical corp member. A black and green infinity scarf was pulled up over their head like a hood and a spiral mask hid their frowning features. Closing in upon their destination, 'Shouju' moved in pace with the others before a wave gave them to signal to disperse to their destinations. Breaking off alone, the man made his way towards the Southern Gate.

As he arrived and perched atop a tree that had yet to be tarnished by flame, he turned his gaze toward the building that housed the two interlopers and awaited instruction some 80 meters away. When the order came down, it was in tandem with the appearance of a large wooden cage mean to ensnare their prey. His hands slipped together, forming a series of seals as he focused his chakra. Upon completing the last one, his eyes focused on one of the two inch gaps in the cage as he grumbled about how a slightly bigger hole would not have gone amiss. Focusing his eyes, he raised a hand to lazily point at the gap, doing his damnedest to keep his gaze fixed on the point past that gap where he could see a shadowy silhouette.

As he indicated that point, a sphere of chakra would swirl into existence near the two individuals that started to grow at a rate of 50 Speed. He had taken care to measure the chakra thrust into the technique but knew that he couldn't make it grow to full size without risking some of the comrades or citizens within the city. He took a chance on causalities and watched as the sphere grew within the cage before extending past it's borders and grow until the sphere was swirling violently as anything that came in contact or stayed within it was assaulted by a constant barrage of 50 Strength blades of wind. Death by a thousand cuts as the building the two men might have been standing on was almost immediately reduced to splinters and only the cage around them was left to withstand the onslaught. When the sphere finished expanding, it's span was 60 meters across and where it touched the ground it pushed into it like it wasn't even there.

Shouju lowered his hand as he slipped down into the tree, hiding in the branches as he watched the scene, waiting to see how things would play out and where he would need to shift his attention. Focus on helping civilians or supporting the response team with support techniques. "Yare yare, start enjoying a little peace and kids these days get all antsy to set something on fire."

Jutsu UsedShow

Fuuton • Uzumaki
S-Ranked Ninjutsu
After forming a series of hand seals, Saigo will indicate a point he can see or that contains his chakra within 160 meters. Upon selecting a spot, Fuuton chakra will begin spinning and churning like a whorl of razor blades while expanding with [Control] Speed. As it expands, it will eviscerate anything that comes in contact with it or is caught within it with [Control] Strength. This technique can expand to be up to 100 meters in size. Upon creation and expansion, this technique will create high speed winds that push out from it, effectively creating a spherical tornado of vibrant green chakra for the next 5 posts(Dealing Damage each post something or someone is in contact with it).
Post 1/5 for Uzumaki duration

[Zao]

Seated inside a small restaurant, a young man only around sixteen with brilliant white hair that was a bit shaggy as it set upon his head was just finishing up a bowl of poke ramen. He had deep blue eyes that seemed to be in thought, the assistant teacher from the Sky Reach academy had been traveling on a mission from the school mistress herself to explore and temper himself. This had first led him through what was formerly Gold country and then into Tea country where he'd met members of their Battosai group and perhaps sowed the seeds of a few new friendships, especially with the one known as Roku who had helped him with his blacksmithing goals. Each of them helping one another and now he had traveled to the southwest and entered into what was formerly part of the country of Dragon.

This was just part of Ziv avoiding going straight back and reporting to the Head Mistress about his adventure, having planned to take the long way around and head to the south and then come up the western coast of the mainland before heading back north to the Crescent coalition and the mountains that served to hid the orphanage away from the rest of the new forged country. "Thank you for the meal, have a good day." Both of his slender fingers folded into almost prayer-like hands as the palms and fingers pressed together and he gave a respectful bow of his head to the owner and two waitresses. Picking up his ruck from the floor next to him the heavy looking pack was handled with seeming ease and the straps adjusted onto each shoulder.

With a wave the man stepped out shop, pulling the thin sliding door open and just as he was about to shut it gently behind him the sounds of conflict echoed out and the ground itself trembled beneath his simple looking wooden sandals. "This?" The former soft looking eyes of the young man sharped to those of an experienced traveler and fighter, from the pouch on his left him a single scroll was pulled out and holding it within one hand it was allowed to unfurl revealing a unique storage seal within designed specifically to hold his puppets. The other hand formed into a half tiger seal with the index and middle fingers pointing towards the sky as from the distance the smoke and fire could already be seen.

It was true that he didn't owe anyone in this town anything, but he wouldn't just leave those here to be consumed by whatever battle was happening. That didn't mean that Ziv would directly get himself involved as the puppeteer had his own goals, as well. Five large clouds of chakra smoke appeared around the man, revealing five of the man's puppets that were cloaked in long dark garbs that appeared worn but hid the majority of each puppets frame. Three of these were around two meters in size while the other two were larger at around three meters in size, making the latter hard to pass off humans and so he had them crouch down almost like tall hunchbacks. An oddly fat shaped cloaked fighter (Oni) stayed near the slender young man as he closed one eye, and both of his hands came together holding a single seal as chakra flowed through his body and the metal receivers inside his own body and those within the body of his five puppets.

Flashing forward the four puppets moved forward and towards the edge of the fires, Ziv using his ability to see and hear through his puppets to take in what was happening within the town as the puppets would come across those attempting to escape and the puppets would reach out grabbing them, making use of their multiple arms to secure them before making trips towards the southern end of town further from the epicenter of the attack. He controlled the puppets to stay low on the streets in order to not overexpose themselves as he kept an eye out for who or what was going on. All he was able to glimpse so far was the duo in the distance atop one of the highest structures in the port side town. 'Did they just attack this place? For what reason?'

As he was working a bit of crowd control moving young children and some injured adults the puppet user began to rack his brain about what reason one would have for causing such a large-scale devastation, unaware of the other town to the east that had already suffered from such a fate. It was too early to intervene anymore until he knew a larger picture for his own situational awareness. No need getting into something that was bigger than himself, at least for the moment. Large scale ninjutsu began to erupt out starting with a large wooden cage and then a powerful fuuton based technique, 'I need to push further west towards the gate...' Not wanting to get entangled in any kind of collateral damage from such large ninjutsu he drew back his puppet and his actual body farther away from the conflict as he stayed low along the ground in order avoid drawing to much attention as they began to move in his direction to regroup. Still using his sensory technique that emitted from each of his puppets to cover a large area and identity any strong chakra sources near himself as he moved.

UsedShow

Puppets in use

• Human Puppet #1 - Tadashi
• Human Puppet #2 - Toushi
• Human Puppet #3 - Tako
• Juuki
• Taikobara Oni

[Puppet Animation] - Currently at 40 Control
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
Prereq: Initiate Puppetry Technique
The user will install their black receivers into a weapon or puppet frame, upon activation of this technique the user is able to take control of that weapon, controlling it at [Control] speed and strength at up to [Control x4] meters from their body (see ability). Following the [Control] requirements for number of puppets they can control (based on puppet rules) and for normal weapons (His own Black metal rods, Kunai, Swords, Shuriken, etc.), they may control up to [Control/2] of these items. While using this technique the user can only utilize other Black Metal techniques and Puppetry techniques.

[*[Puppetry Style • Puppet Senses]
C-Rank Ninjutsu
Required: *[Puppetry Style • Initiate Puppetry Technique]
By connecting a chakra string from a part of a puppet or person, the puppeteer is able to transfer their senses from their body to whichever part the strings are connected to on the puppet or human. This allows the puppeteer from ‘see’ and ‘hear’ from the perspective of what is connected to the string.

[Black Metal – Sensory Ping] - 25 Control = +30m range = 30-meter radius for sensory
C-rank Ninjutsu
Prerequisite: Sensory Concentration
The user’s unique properties of his black metal rods allow for him to pick up nearby chakra sources within a fifteen-meter radius of the rods under his control, allowing for him to sense the chakra signatures in real time. This only allows the user to detect the chakra signatures, nothing more. Last for four posts.

[Niro]

The flames from Michi's initial jutsu had swallowed up a 60 meter ring around the 75 meter tall building the duo was perched on and as they raged on, the flames moved with unnatural speed to consume the rest of the town. While not immensely fast, the flames were still quicker (7 Speed) than the normal townsperson trying to escape as they lit even more of the town on fire which then went on to spread abnormally fast just as its father flame. It wasn't very long before it seemed like half of the entire village emanating from the epicenter was on fire in some shape or form; whether the buildings be burnt to ash or flames were just engulfing a structure. Smoke polluted the air and the sky seemed to become blotted out by the amount of it alone.

The acrid smell of smoke, the putrid scent of burning flesh, the crackling of the flames, wood, and people; Michi took it all in as he stood looking towards the west forest as a whole platoon of new scents and sounds entered his senses. Three, four, five? No, six. At least, if not more. Finally, a response. Still some miles away based on the scents carried by the approaching wind, Michi channeled chakra as he alerted Yamato who channeled his own chakra in preparation for the incoming combatants. A cloak of flames erupted from Michi and Yamato's skin seemed to crawl as layers of blood and bone grew into defenses beneath it. Finally, the Iwa bannin could visually see everything, especially with the height advantage against the plains and thin forests of Dragon Country; the rustling of the trees as shinobi moved through them, their weight shaking the branch making it easy to see for who knew what they were looking for. Michi pointed it out to Yamato who, due to the assistance, was able to make out something but not nearly to the same degree. Not to mention the stink of the weapons oil used to maintain their equipment or of the village baked into their clothes. A single combatant broke off into the coverless water south of the port while other disturbances to the forest continued to move out of it to the northeastern plains surrounding that portion of the town but based on what he had picked up, one was still in those woods.

The lone unit they trusted to fight solo, the squad of four, or the straggler left to provide support from the forest? The choice was easy.

As Captain Yosuzume hit his southern most point to flank before turning back north to engage, the duo of Michi and Yamato ran off the building and exploded off of its ledge into the burning streets below towards the west and whoever had been left in the trees before the other squad even had a chance to finalize moving into their positions. Uncaring of if the enemies had continued to cast their now too-late and inaccurately placed jutsu, the duo bounced off of the crumbling buildings making up one of the main streets of the village in a zig-zag pattern through the citizens running away as Michi's flames continued to spread throughout the city, both the population and the flames acting as cover against those without appropriate abilities. Yamato pushed slightly further ahead as Michi channeled chakra; he would be at least another 90 meters from the tower by now and Yamato even further as he had continued in a straight beeline towards the northwest gate and the forest beyond it. Michi twisted around in mid air his hand to his mouth as he exhaled a blast of wind towards a house to the northeast caught in roaring flames. He bounced once more off a wall and twisted again, not caring to see the resulting effect as he continued to speed along after Yamato. Not designed to inflict damage by itself, the true horror of the innocuous jutsu he had released would soon be felt.

Citizens ran down the main streets and past alleyways as the ANBU members of Katana team moved into position. Their clothes torn and their bodies covered in burns, if not still on fire, as they tried to find some relief or assistance to put them out of their suffering. One such citizen, a mother with half her face melted from the flames, caught sight of the shinobi in the Tiger mask who hadn't taken to a higher position but moved into the alley and sobbed as he ran towards him for help, a badly burned teen girl in his arms.

The cone of wind exploded against the flames and as the winds raged, the flames engulfing the town grew in size near instantly, from the 80 meters or so it had grown to after their initial impact to a now staggering 130 meter diameter sea of flames and only continuing to spread even further. Waves of fire swept through the town fueled by the wind bullet and swallowed up everything. The man reaching out to Tora burst into flames as the white hot hell rolled over the town and, although the man and the others would be okay due to their armor as the flames themselves had only doubled in size and not strength, the same couldn't be said for the burnt corpses collapsed at his feet. The last bit of strength the person had was used to weakly grip at Tora's ankle before their body fell lip and one could swear they could visibly see their soul pass on and flames roared around the ANBU agent as building threatened to crumble around them all.

SpoilerShow

Yamato:
Convergence: Stack
C-Ranked NinTaijutsu
The user will channel and cause a layer of bone to ossify underneath their skin along with a layer of blood to pool between them. The ossified bone will protect the user with [50] Strength while the Chiton layer provides its own protection with [50] Strength.

Michi:
*[Flawless Aim Style • Uncanny Shot]
B-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Having advanced in their arts the practitioner is able to launch projectiles from inconceivable positions. No matter what position their body is in they’re capable of releasing attacks without any detriment to their aim. In addition, rapid adjustments such as dodging or spinning has no effect on their aim.

The Victor of Fur Country: On The Hunt For The White Stag
S-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Through the many competitions of Fur Country, the user found victory again and again. Whether it be hunting, dueling, or any number of tasks, nobody in his bracket could match him. This is due in large part to his experience in all manners of things martial, but also thanks to his extraordinary senses. All five of his senses have been highly tuned through years of practice and dedication, and while none of them are necessarily more sensitive, even the slightest bit of change from another slight bit of change can be read and interpreted in a split second. This first jutsu in the series makes his nose is good enough to be able to track someone by scent better than a bloodhound up to five miles away, and notice any sudden changes in scents easily. With the two senses so strongly interconnected, this also effects his sense of taste, allowing him to detect differences in blood or soil samples, or taste even otherwise tasteless poisons in his food.

The Victor of Fur Country: First Round of The Tournament
S-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
This second jutsu in the series makes him an excellent visual tracker, able to control his eyes independently to better follow multiple moving targets, or noticing even the slightest changes in the scenery, whether it be the way dust particles move around in the wind, or the slightest breeze barely nudging grass. This effect can go outwards up to two miles, with his regular vision still being effective past that.

*[Fuuton • Great Breakthrough]
C-Rank Fuuton Ninjutsu
By performing the needed hand seals and bringing their hands to their mouth, the user can release a wide blast of air. This wave of air moves outward in a cone shape with a 25m width at the end of the cone and moves with [35] Speed. Once it makes contact with a substance, the wind both cuts at it and pushes it away with [5] strength. This blast goes out for a maximum of 25m if it doesn't hit anything, where it will dissipate into the surrounding air.

[Shroud of the Kirin]
C-Rank Ninjutsu
Kinomichi will channel the needed chakra and begin materializing the ambient Katon chakra which flows from him naturally into a condensed 3-inch cloak of Katon chakra that sits above his clothing at [10] Speed. The jutsu surrounds Kinomichi in a cloak of Katon chakra which looks as if he is encased in an aura of raging flames. The flames of the shroud are emitted outwards at [50] Strength. The cloak lasts for 5 posts.

[Tsedas]

The plan was simple, simple was always nice. But as they had approached, the pair of ne'er-do-well killers had vacated their perched and run away from the mess they made at the center of the village while breaking West. Seeing as the pair were on the move, Shouju commenced the pursuit instead of stopping at the tree and started moving across rooftops. Noting their speed, furrowed his brow behind his mask as this pair of youngsters was definitely faster than in physicality. He lamented not taking the time to experiment with his newly altered body mod further before these people had set fire to the countryside, but such is life. As he watched their silhouettes bounce among rooftops and maneuver through the streets heading west about a 150 meter from his position, Shouju considered his options before shaking his head in disdain.

Focusing his mind and channeling his chakra, anyway who could see his form would watch as Ashen grey chakra flickered up around him like ethereal flames before pushing out in front of him. Leaping off a roof, he watched the world stretch around him, as if someone was pulling a sheet far too taught and distorting the painting upon it. When the world snapped back into place, the masked man landed on a roof and promptly gave a surprised noise of disapproval in the form of a swear as fire smashed into a nearby rooftop. His eyes focused on the pair that were far closer now before he saw one of them was awash in chakra and swore as he started to channel his own chakra. He assumed the individual knew he was going to come at him and was preparing some kind of attack aimed for him, not realizing the flames were the true target.

As the figure turned and released that blast of wind at Shouju, the spiral masked man leapt forward over the flames as a sea of ashen grey chakra burst forth from him forming a 15 meter wide, 15 meter tall ghostly figure with the masked man at it's center. The figure comprised of chakra was reminiscent of the upper half of a Yamabushi warrior wearing a shinigami's mask, a cowl coming off their head and sweeping down their back like a cape. As he rushed headlong into the wind attack, scattered across the figure's form as Shouju landed on a nearby roof and continued on after the pair.

At this point he would have said something pithy or silly, but a brief glance down told him this was the time to get mad, not be a smart ass. Glowering at the pair, Shouju channeled chakra through the construct around him as he continued his pursuit, the figure forming a shuriken in it's palm before hurling it at the pair with 50 Speed and 50 Strength thanks to the constructs power, aiming for the one who had attempted to blast him in the face with the wind attack in such a way that the worst it would did is skip along the rooftops rather than plow through buildings like a wrecking ball if he missed. "Bird man, targets are in route towards the West Gate, I'm in pursuit." He shouted through the comm that was lent him as he hoped the others would catch up so he could divert to handling civilians.

Jutsu UsedShow

Tighten Space: Lapse Instant Transmutation
S-rank Ninjutsu
Saigo will channel a shroud of Jikukan chakra before him, and tighten space anywhere in a range of 1 meter to 160 meters at 3 meters wide at [Control] speed. This tightening ends after Saigo passes through space to his destination.

[Ninjutsu • Gashadokuro]
B-Ranked Ninjutsu
With the use of his body modification, Saigo will focus on the chakra around him by activating his doujutsu. Willing his chakra to manifest around him in a form he calls Gashadokuro(Starving Skeleton), Saigo can manipulate it to materialize into a variety of shapes of it's final form with the manifestation being as small as Saigo's body and up to 15x15x15 meters in size. These shapes range from an incomplete upper half of the complete Tennin form, to the head and cowl by themselves. The manifestation itself is entirely up to Saigo's will at the time of creation. To change it's shape, Saigo would need to release this technique and will it back into being. The Gashadokuro forms at a Speed of [Control] and has a Endurance/Strength of [Control]. This construct remains on the field for a total of 4 posts or until Saigo wills it out of existence.

[Ninjutsu • Nichirin Shou]
B-Ranked Ninjutsu
Prerequisite: Tennin/Gashadokuro
While utilizing Nichirin Shou(Sun Ring Palm), Saigo must be utilizing either Tennin or Gashadokuro. Channeling chakra through his construct, Saigo will manipulate it into creating an additional construct that acts in a similar manner to that of a Shuriken when thrown. When created the Nichirin Shou will resemble three magatama bound together by a single circular thread, rapidly spinning when thrown at the intended target by Saigo's construct. The Speed, Strength, and distance traveled are all relative to the construct as this technique merely arms it with something to throw when nothing is presently at hand.

[Izanagi]

[OOC: I hadn't realized that Yamato's involvement wasn't sanctioned by the Mizukage. With that being the case I feel Niro using two of his PC's in a way to further one another's goals is being done in a way that doesn't make sense IC. I would like a mod to decide if this thread should be allowed to continue as is or if it should be retconned and invalidated or if Yamato should have to be pulled out]

[Niro]

[OOC: The opening post frames it as an order from up above to help an ally. If Valk would like to post and say that would never happen or did not happen, I'm happy to retcon and invalid this thread.]