[Weapon Thread] Cloak of Desire

[Zao]

Kiri had established itself on the mainland through sheer force as much of the countryside of what use to be Tea (?) country as Kiri's base of operations had solidified its hold on the mainland and its ocean ports that connected the island of Water country and its mainland extension. Near the border of the new extension of Water country and Fire country was a small cavern that once someone followed it long enough, they would find a secret passage. But not just anyone could find it, only the one who was drawn to the hole in the earth would be able to truly sense the secret door.

On the other side of the door that looked just like a solid rock wall one would enter a massive cavern area underground that was over a two hundred meters in length and width with a ceiling around a hundred meters. Once the first person stepped inside the area would illuminate, not by fire, but instead fuuin powered orbs began to slowly come to life as they drew power from the natural world around them in some manner as they entire area was illuminated so that one could just barely see from one end to the other of the large room.

Inside there were different artifacts that could be seen from old swords and different weaponry, paintings, even different types of pottery. But in the middle of this massive storage area was a cloak of a dark inky color, contained inside a glass case. Though nothing truly seemed special about it from those who saw it aside from it being in a case. But the chosen one would feel drawn to it and could understand its mysterious powers as soon as they touched it.

[OOC: Normal weapon lotto rules apply, this thread will be open for 7 days after the winner posts. Last day to invade is the 17th.]

[Valkier]

A good few years ago, when Naohiro had been recovering after one training duel or another, he'd uncovered an old tome dug from a dusty back room of one of Kirigakure's grand libraries. A weighty thing, pages frail from the touch of hundreds of hands, it had spoken of strange mythical artefacts which appeared again and again in the across generations without any discernable pattern or relation between owners or occurrences. At the time—being a teenager all too impressed with his own intelligence—he'd scoffed at the dubious claims; the book was simply a collection of rumours and wild speculation whose author, he thought, wasn't even passingly acquainted with fact. He'd reshelved it in the children's fiction section and forgotten all about it. That was until, a half year or so later, his good friend and rival Karagata Kinsue had returned from a mission abroad sporting one of the very items described by that supposed fantasist.

It'd been a magic ring, and though Kinsue was never upfront about where or how he'd acquired it, he had demonstrated its power on several occasions: a unique and fascinating ability to halt objects in motion, no matter their size or the force behind them, simply upon his whim. Naohiro had itched in its presence, wanting to study and analyse the thing, frustrated with his own ignorance over it. Stranger yet he'd never again been able to find that tome, with all its hints and stories about all manner of wonderous objects. And one day, just like in the half-remembered scraps of some of those stories, Kinsue's ring vanished never to be seen again.

The whole ordeal was one of the unexplained mysteries of his youth and in the intervening years he'd occasionally thought back to those strange happenings, now and again listening for any new rumours or clues. Were those objects truly real? How many were there, how did one find them, could they be kept permanently? He'd sometimes dreamt about finding one of his own and fantastised about its myriad powers. Afterwards he'd always wake with a desire for more. More knowledge, more power. More everything.

But over time, as he'd grown up and gathered authority and responsibility, he'd dreamt less and less and now thoughts of those objects rarely crossed his mind. Until today, when that same half-awake feeling of intense desire struck him like a hammerblow to his soul. It was sudden and intense, without any build-up or warning, and even mid-stride he found his gaze wrenched around to stare off in a particular direction. Something was close, something he wanted very badly.

He instinctively took a step in that direction before the rational part of his brain caught up and he forced himself to pause and think. He raised a hand to form a single seal and isolated part of his chakra network in a conventional genjutsu kai, but to no effect—if anything, the new sensation was growing stronger by the moment, hauling him like an invisible hook in his chest. He glanced around, reassuring himself that he wasn't under attack; he'd sensed nothing so far on his journey away from the Steam Country border, and an ambush made no sense here, on an indirect route towards Kenihiku through friendly territory.

Perplexed, wary, but intensely curious, he began creeping forward towards the pull while staying on full alert, ready to react at the first sign of anything suspect. Only a short while later he found the small cavern entrance and the passage within leading down into the damp earth. One more glance around and he was in, moving quicker now as the feeling grew and grew with every step. He soon lost track of how far or deep the tunnel led as he ran until it began to narrow again, the walls closing in until they met the dead end of a rock wall. But that wasn't right; that feeling was still pulling at him, taunting him with a secret just ahead.

A minute of searching revealed the answer—the wall was a actually a door, masterfully hewn to appear seamless and natural to a casual observer, which he was not. He experimented a few times before finding the precise places to press, adding just enough weight to the right areas for the door to grind slowly inwards, revealing a vast darkness beyond. He smelt stale air, mildew, and rust. This was a place that had not been disturbed in a long, long time. But he pressed on, stepping carefully forward even as the orbs blinked into life and illuminated the area in a gentle radiance. This place, the feeling, the lighting, the strangeness of it all felt like one of his childish dreams made manifest.

He noted the discarded remnants and relics all around him as the room lit, and paused to summon a pair of clones. Water pooled in two puddles beside him, drawn from within the earth and shaped by his chakra into two identical copies of himself. He muttered a quick set of orders, then turned to walk with one of the clones back to the secret rock door. After it passed, they hauled the door back into place together and he set about erecting a barrier of powerful ninjutsu across its rear, preventing it from being pushed open so easily a second time. That established, he turned and fixed his eyes back on the item encased at the centre of the vast room, glinting at him with the reflected light of the fuuinjutsu orbs, and moved purposely towards it.

The first clone, now sealed out of the chamber, retreated back through the tunnel the way he'd come, moving low and quiet with its eyes focused ahead. Clearly this place held secrets, and Naohiro did not intend on being disturbed. It crept all the way back almost to the entrance, where it lay in wait hidden a dozen or so metres back from the small cavern entrance, listening and watching for the silhouette of anyone trying to enter the cave in pursuit.

The second clone, still sealed in the chamber with Naohiro, set about his more important tasks. It walked the perimeter of the room first, surveying the collection of artefacts. Weapons, pots, paintings, chests, shelves with all manner of trinkets and pages. It was christmas come early. It tried to pick up a few items, but found that they fell apart even from the lightest touch. Most of the paintings were rotten, the weapons rusted, the pots too fragile and broken to be called intact. That was disappointing. Every blade the clone looked at seemed on the verge of crumbling apart, too worn and devoid of any distinguishable markings or style that might help him date the trove, or guess as to its origins. Deciding to leave the rest undisturbed for now, the clone began making a quick mental inventory of the storage chamber, making an approximate tally of the type and quantity of contents, before eventually returning to the real Naohiro at the centre of the room.

Naohiro himself was less wary, and had quickly pried open the glass case to access the fine cloak within. Unlike everything else, age did not seem to have tarnished it; the fabric was as rich, soft, and dark as the finest he'd ever seen among his peers at home. And as soon as his fingers touched it, his mind flared with a new understanding. This was why he was here, and suddenly nothing seemed so important as securing it. He could study it when it was safe in his care. And—as the second clone was busy reporting its findings to him—he conceded that he'd like to return to the chamber again later too, with a full team qualified to properly catalogue and inventory every piece. He felt a little giddy at the idea of what secrets could be found, even as wrapped the cloak around him, clasping it and drawing up its hood.

With one last glance around the room, he began to glow within the folds of fabris and reached out a hand, letting his fingers sink between realities to grasp a familar void beyond. With a sharp tug, a small portal rent the air infront of him and from it eminated another gentle blue glow, softer and colder than that from the fuuinjutsu orbs. He stepped through to his private realm and let the gateway fizzle closed in his wake. The two clones, one hidden at the cave entrance and one still standing in the middle of the vast chamber, would wait a little longer to ensure no one else tried to follow, but once satisfied with Naohiro's safety they too would poof away and vanish...

Jutsu usedShow

2x Suiton • The Drowned
A-Rank Suiton Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user creates a clone of themselves comprised completely of suiton chakra. This clone has a strength, speed, and endurance of [50] and upon death will envelop a 2m diameter with the suiton passive, surrounding and binding it. Being made of liquid, the clone is resistant to physical attacks, its body flowing and reshaping following impacts insufficient to destroy it. It lasts for [Control/5] posts.

*[Ninjutsu • Barrier]
C-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user forms a 5x5x5m barrier around a target up to 25m away from their position. The barrier forms at [50] Speed, has [50] Strength, and lasts 4 posts before fading away.

Open Space: Shift
C-Rank Jikukan Ninjutsu
The user will focus chakra into their hands and sink them into the air before them, physically pulling open a small portal up to 2x2m in size. This portal can connect to a familiar location etched in Naohiro’s memory, to a point he can see within [control] metres of his current position, or into his personal realm as he so chooses, where an equivalent portal also appears. The tear in space opens at [25] speed, but is unstable and closes immediately after his passage, or after one post if not traversed.

[Izanagi]

Yozei had boarded a ship a few days prior on a whim to see the former lands of Tea once more as he made his way towards Fire country. He had trained in these lands in the early years of the war and had not returned since Water country had occupied them in the dwindling months of the Great War. The Prince of Fire country had left his forehead protector behind. It was not advisable to openly display himself as a shinobi of Konoha. But he still wore the colors of his homeland, a red haori and white hakama. So too he carried his pair of Katana at the left side of his hip, appearing more like a wealthy samurai than a shinobi.
But as he neared the borders of Steam Country, he felt a peculiar sensation. Something was calling to him, drawing him in. He had come across two legendary items before, a crown worn by his ‘uncle’ Aizawa Yoru, that unbeknownst to him had mysteriously vanished. And a cloak worn by his friend and Chunin exam teammate Inken Nikuya. Oddly, it was this somewhat familiar presence that he seemed to sense, though he couldn’t quite place it.

As the Jounin grew nearer to the hidden cove, he felt his suspicions grow. Over the years and through the course of his career, from fighting 3 out of the 5 Kage, and engaging in skirmishes in Soul country and multiple battlefields throughout the war he had become rather cautious. In no small part because of his training in the Skitter step style that he had began to train in after being targeted several times for kidnapping and assassination attempts.

For the moment however, he would refrain from enhancing his senses, and instead, trust in his ninjutsu prowess. Channeling chakra he formed a suit of samurai styled armor out of Doton, including a helmet. It would appear quite indistinguishable from a real armor set, further solidifying his appearance as a samurai. Next, he would flow chakra into the ground, sending empathy sensory signals into the earth itself so that he could better detect any traps and determine what might be lurking within. Standing about 5 meters outside the entrance

His eyes widened as he sensed a figure laying in wait about 15 meters ahead of him within the tunnel. He was in Water country territory so the chances were it was an enemy. Most of those he considered friends, the samurai of Tea, had fled their lands and moved to Aroma country or New Tea. Those that stayed likely served the Water Country army now. He wouldn’t take any chances. During the war his impulsiveness and Scorched Earth tactics had resulted in Genocide of an indigenous population, but it had saved many lives of his men. For better or worse, he would act with decisiveness and aggression. Tapping the ground with his foot as he flowed chakra into it, he reached for his Katana; Raigiri just in case he needed it. A cluster of five half-meter diameter rocks would erupt from the ground a few meters away from his target and aim to completely crush their body in a clustering pattern intending to spread out to hit center mass and each limb simultaneously. The rocks would move with a staggering 40 Strength and Speed, surely enough to kill whatever individual was guarding this secret that called to him so strongly.

Jutsu UsedShow

[Earth Element • Samurai Armor]
C-Ranked Ninjutsu
Channelling chakra throughout one’s body the user will encase themselves in a semi-malleable full body rock armor. The rock takes on the appearance of an ornate samurai battle armor, complete with a removable helmet as well as shoulder guards. The many tiles overlap and cover his arms, chest and legs utilizing dark brown coloring and a thinner layer of rock between the tiles and along joints. Though the back of his hands are protected the palms and fingers remain bare. This armor forms at a speed of [20] and possesses [50] strength.

[Sensory Style • Approaching Quake]
B-rank Ninjutsu
The user will do a series of hand seals and then maintain contact with the ground. Releasing waves of chakra out of their hands or feet. These waves of chakra will bounce back to the user after traveling out 80 meters on the ground. As the chakra returns to the user it will evoke an image in the user’s head of the immediate area around them, anything touching the ground and anything up to 25 meters underground. These are still images, not moving images, but can give the user a good idea of what is happening if they aren’t able to see otherwise. This jutsu can be maintained for up to 6 posts, periodically sending waves of chakra out to receive additional images.

[Earth Element • Rock Control] (range increased slightly)
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After channeling chakra into the earth, the user can control up to 5 rocks, no more than 1 meter in diameter, breaking them out of the ground or using existing rocks and hardening them to up to his control in strength. Then with hand gestures alone he can launch them as a group at an opponent at a speed of [40] and strength of [40] . The user has limited control over the launch of the rocks, being able to send them in an arc or change their direction one time. They can be sent a maximum distance of 15 meters and must be within 10 meters of the user when initiating the technique.

[Valkier]

Naohiro's first clone, crouched motionless in a small nook that offered concealment from the cave entrance, was alert and listening for trouble. Unfortunately, the narrow confines restricted his hearing, and he heard nothing to warn him of the incoming attack until the ground around him shifted, rumbling, and the large rocks burst from the earth nearby. They careened inwards too fast for him to even hope of dodging; instead, acting on pure instinct in that moment of terminal fear, the clone channeled a wisp of chakra and lashed out with it towards another nearby, but inert, boulder. In the same moment as the five boulders were about to crush him, he vanished--reappearing 10 metres away where moments before a large slab of stone, similarly sized to himself, had lay. The crunching roar of stone-on-stone erupted from where he'd been hiding.

His mind worked quickly, his body limbering as the adrenaline of a fight began to take over. His first priority was to get outside--it would be suicide to fight a doton user inside a cave--and he began to channel again as he ran towards the exit. Hopefully the cacophonous tumble of breaking stone behind him, and the cloud of dust and debris kicked up, would mask any sound of his own running. But he also had to consider how he'd been found; he'd been still, silent, and couldn't have been spotted visually from the cave entrance without seeing his assailant first. Could they have been invisible? No; his position and his hearing was fine enough to have heard anyone entering the cave regardless of sight. Perhaps scent? It was a possibility, he mused, though unlikely given the precision of the attack, the surrounding dank earth smell of the cave, and the lack of wind while underground. The logical conclusion was that his attacker was a sensor.

That thought both concerned and excited him. If true, that would make his attacker thorough, tactical, and well prepared. No doubt he would be waiting to strike right outside the cave entrance. And so the clone was smiling faintly as it ran into view of the tunnel mouth, aglow with chakra. As soon as he spotted the figure standing out in the open ahead of the tunnel he took a step and started to run directly towards the figure. If indeed the attacker was paying attention and saw Naohiro move, the clone's counterattack would begin. Ninety copies of the Kirigakure ninja would split from his own body and start to run around him, heading in every direction. Some faltered and ran back into the cave, others continued running directly towards the attacker as if to fight head on, others diverting to one side or another, each appearing as real as the clone itself. As soon as the technique was launched he matched his speed to that of the illusion and mixed himself among the copies, ensuring he behaved in the same manner, and ran outside at an angle to avoid any direct projectiles or jutsu coming from the attacker.

And the attacker! Though he wore no obvious headband, Naohiro needed none to recognise the face of the Prince of Fire Country. The man was proudly displayed in the bingo books studied intimately by every member of the Head Hunter Division. What a strange place to run into such a man... Naohiro thought as he ran past Yozei, ensuring he stayed well outside of melee range and watching for any opening where Yozei's focus was not fixed directly on him. As soon as he was past, he'd begin a follow-up attack, channeling with as much power as he could muster. He slammed a palm down into the ground and unleashed a wave of Suiton from beneath his fingers, aiming to catch Yozei but also flood the whole area, including the cave, in case the target in front of him was also a decoy...

Jutsu UsedShow

[Stop and Listen]
D-Rank Taijutsu Stance
The user will stop moving and take a deep breath, focusing on all the sounds they hear. So long as they are not moving, the user will be able to pick-up on the footsteps of anyone moving within 10 meters of them, unless they are using a specialized technique to mask the sound of their movement. Areas with loud noises, or crowds of people will throw off the success of this technique.

*[Basic Jutsu • Change of Body Stance Technique]
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After completing the necessary handseals, the user is able to quickly substitute his/her body with a nearby object that is at least 2/3rds his/her size, but no bigger than their body. This substitution allows the object to take the force of the attack that was meant for the user, additionally allowing the user to create distance between him/her and the opponent. The object used in this jutsu may not be objects that are imbued with chakra or controlled by it, and they may also only be single, solid objects within a 10 meter radius of the user. This technique may only be used a total of one time in a single thread, give or take how many times Shunshin no Jutsu has already been used.

*[Genjutsu • Scatter and Run]
B-Rank Illusion Genjutsu
If the genjutsu user ever needs to run, this is the ideal technique to use. The target simply has to see them take their first step to run after the user has performed the hand seals. If the target saw the first step to run, the genjutsu caster will suddenly split into 90 "clones." This will allow the genjutsu caster to run away amidst the confusion, as the mass of clones run in every single direction at a speed of 20. Of course, touching one of these "clones" will cause them to disperse in a cloud of smoke, but they will do everything in their power to avoid making contact. If the clones aren't touched, the jutsu lasts for up to 6 posts.

Suiton • Suijin's Grasp
S-Rank Suiton Ninjutsu
After performing a series of hand seals the user slams a palm down to the ground at their feet. A shallow 30cm deep torrent of water will erupt, leaving a 1m ring dry around the user, and cascade radially ourwards to flood everything in a 80m range at a speed of [50]. Wherever the wave hits a target, thick watery tendrils will rise from the liquid and wrap around them, pinning them in place with a strength of [50]. A bound target will be fully entwined by the tendrils, unable to move their heads, arms, hands, or legs. The wave washes away after one post, but any bound targets will remain held and unable to move for seven posts. The user's chakra, infused throughout the water, will leech into the target's body and flood their tenketsu. For every post they are bound this will sap the target of their chakra, reducing their Chakra Pool by -8, to a maximum of -40 after five posts of contact or until the target falls unconsicous at 0.

Note this last tech predates the recent change to CP debuffing, so it would follow those rules instead!

[Izanagi]

The young Prince’s eyes narrowed slightly as he heard the bellowing of shattering stone. Either his opponent had evaded or blocked with another Doton ninjutsu. At least that was the initial thought. Though, as his wave of chakra detected the figure’s presence appear 10 meters away in an instant, he couldn’t discount the possibility of a substitution technique. Whatever the case, his opponent had quick reflexes and was clearly an experienced shinobi. Nonetheless, Yozei still held the advantage. Naturally, when a precise attack failed the next step was to attack from all sides simultaneously. Forming hand seals, Yozei flowed his chakra into the ground beneath him, spreading forth and surging throughout the cave itself. He would gain control over the battlefield completely and turn the cave into a tomb.

It seemed however, that his opponent had already realized such a disadvantage. The telltale glow of chakra, faintly discerned through the dust alluded to the Kiri shinobi’s charge. But this too was a part of the cunning shinobi’s ploy, as no sooner than he glimpsed his movement did Yozei suddenly find himself in the center of dozens of dark-haired, blue-eyed clones. At this point, Yozei had only just completed his own handseals. And then with another pulse of his persistent sensing technique he noted that the clones did seem to have some sort of substance, capable of being ‘touched’ at least. This meant Naohiro was obscured for the time being, but unbeknownst to his opponent the ground they both stood on was subject to Yozei’s control. He just had to wait for the right opportunity. “Quite the troublesome technique…” he mused aloud, assuming they were mass bunshin’s, basic harmless clones. For them to each be shadow clones would be something not even Kage level shinobi would dare attempt. Still, It was likely there was more than one real threat among them.

He would need to thin the crowd somewhat, and so lowering his stance he stepped back and slammed his foot into the ground while jutting his arms upward. 6-meter-long stone spikes would emerge from all around him, forming a full circle and impaling any nearby clones with a 45-degree angle attack. The spikes would move with 30 Speed and Strength. It was enough to disperse at least a dozen of the figures, harmlessly dispersing in white smoke. Keeping his arms up defensively, Yozei began to spin slowly, sliding into a more upright stance as his foot slid and twisted against the earth causing it to rotate beneath him. He would be ready to counterattack the moment he determined a threat. Taking a moment to focus, the young prince flooded his senses as he heightened his awareness. His instincts were taking over, honed over the course of the war. Anything that posed a threat would be attacked swiftly and with as much force as he deemed necessary, but he also knew he couldn’t simply wait for an attack.

Of course, he didn’t have to wait long as his opponent began to channel a massive surge of chakra, glowing bright with raw energy. Even amongst the large crowd, the telltale glow was perceived by his enhanced awareness. Stomping on the ground again, the 9 spikes surrounding him in a 3-meter radius would break off their meter long tips, firing off in all directions with 30 Speed and Strength in an effort to thin the rest of the crowd, save for those that fled into the relative safety of the cave. He wanted to ensure that the one channeling chakra truly was the original and there weren’t any surprise attackers laying in wait. Once he could focus his attention on the real threat, he could begin his attacking combinations.

However, the water that erupted forth from the likely Kiri shinobi was much more impressive than he had anticipated. Even with his enhanced senses and reflexes the speed it surged forth with was nearly beyond his ability to react to. Instinctively, he slammed his arms together, forming a 4-meter wide, 5-meter-tall wall out four of the spikes positioned in front of him. And then stepping forward as the water rushed around the wall he launched the defense at his opponent with 35 Strength and Speed, hoping to catch him off guard with a counter attack instead of a full-fledged defense. But only a fraction of a second later did Yozei realize his blunder. Unexpectedly the water formed into tendrils, lashing out and binding him completely before he could maneuver further. Moreover, he almost immediately began to feel a drain on his chakra reserves. This was quite bad, but not hopeless. His opponent had used a tremendous amount of chakra to utilize such a powerful technique. And he knew he was more valuable alive than dead. There was still a chance to turn the situation around. Panting heavily, Yozei’s red locks of hair fell down around his noble face. “I’m assuming you know who I am then” he surmised, hoping to open a line of discourse. His opponent seemed tactical and composed, Kirigakure shinobi or not. Perhaps he could be reasoned with.

Jutsu UsedShow

*[Skitter Step • Senses Open]
C-Ranked Taijutsu Stance
The main jutsu of the Skitter Step, the practitioner takes a moment to focus their bodies, then releases it. While in this stance, the practitioner's sensory input is increased, allowing them to receive more information quickly. This Stance grants a +2 in Strength and a +4 in Speed but a -3 in Willpower and -3 in Control. This Stance will remain in effect until deactivated by [Stop]. Practitioners of this technique will find themselves fidgeting and constantly moving, which can make it difficult for the practitioner to use this style in a stealthy manner.

*Superior Terra Infusion
A-rank Ninjutsu
After performing the needed hand seals the user places any part of their body onto a body of earth this infuses up to a [1/2 control]m volume of earth to be manipulated with terrakinesis at [Control] speed, this infusion lasts until the end of the thread

*[Terrakinesis]
A-rank Ninjutsu
Having achieved notable mastery over Doton, the user is capable of shaping, directing, and manipulating existing bodies of the element without the need of hand seals or an existing technique. The range at which the user can manipulate the element is equal to the user's control times 2 metres. While the user can freely manipulate this element, they cannot produce the element naturally.

[Valkier]

Naohiro, panting heavily, rose unsteadily back to his feet after launching the wave of suiton. His limbs felt leaden and his thoughts muted while his clone body reeled from the expulsion of so much of chakra at once. It seemed only luck that he hadn't been directly targeted yet by Yozei's ring of spikes. He looked up warily, expecting a decisive attack to come now that he'd revealed himself from the mass of illusory clones.

He just had time to see Yozei's impromptu defensive wall erupt from the ground and hurtle towards him, kicking up rock and debris as it tore across the ground, carving through the wake of the wave as it drained away. He was too close and too tired to properly dodge, but instinctively still turned and braced at the last moment to try and avoid taking the hit to his face. The wall struck his shoulder, arm, and hip instead, splintering around him on impact, and though it lacked the strength to shatter his flak vest and deal fatal damage, it was enough to send him flying back across the dirt. He tumbled and skidded to a halt on all fours, groaning as pain lanced up across his left side and arm. The armour kept the clone form intact, but the impact would still be enough to fracture the bones of a regular body. This one, thankfully, flowed and reknit itself beneath his vest.

His single chance attack seemed to have paid off, however. When he staggered back to his feet and turned to face Yozei, he found the prince snared with watery tendrils coursing around his body, the water steadily enveloping and binding him in place. The whips of suiton glowed brightly as they leeched chakra from their victim.

"...I do know who you are, yes," Naohiro answered the man's question as he approached slowly, his left arm reshaping from a broken angle back to a useable limb as he stepped. "but why are you here, Prince? This land is yours no longer, did you forget?" He stopped a few metres away, still wary of the apparently trapped opponent, and drew a kunai. He did not have much strength left at all, but it would be foolish to assume Yozei was truly incapacitated so quickly. For all he knew, the man would be strong enough to tear his limbs free and resume his moulding of the earth around them.

He flipped the kunai in his hand as he watched Yozei, weighing the situation. If the man truly was trapped—or even just temporarily hindered—a quick flick of Naohiro's wrist could seal the Prince's fate. The kill would earn much respect in Kirigakure. But, at the same time, he could not consider this your average skirmish between ninja. The man was important, and his life held much more value than it would as a corpse. It was a risky life to leave intact, however.

For now, he'd wait and judge the man's next move.

[Valkier]

Eventually, the clone's patience began to falter, and he stepped forward towards the trapped Prince thinking that perhaps the man would be more talkable, and more pliable, with cold steel pressed to his throat. Or perhaps less a few fingers. Unfortunately, it only managed a step before it staggered, and the strength began to drain from its raised arm.

"Agh... Not yet..." It tried another step, but this time its leg, still not properly reformed from Yozei's earlier attack, gave way. The clone fell to a knee, its chakra pushed too far and the technique maintained just a few moments too long. Raising its head to meet the Prince's gaze was an effort, and the tendrils around Yozei began to dissipate as the clone's control over the suiton technique holding its opponent failed.

"My time here.. Is done.." It panted, and the kunai fell to the floor and sunk away into the earth as a small pool of water. The clone's face began to droop. "It was... entertaining... to meet you, Prince of Fire Country. One day... Meet..Again..." Finally, the last motes of chakra sustaining the clone ran out, and its form shimmered back into translucent blue water, then popped and sloshed down to the ground.

Yozei was free.