[Graded]Only a slave stays behind!

[Trusted Grader]

Life of a mad cheater
How long had it been since he left Konoha? Chikara had been on the run for at least six to eight months now, missing nins had attacked his village and left. If rumors was to be trusted, but what did he care? He wasn't there to gamble with his life, and didn't trust himself to keep his skin intact. His life had been grown intense the last couple of weeks, having gone on a long dry streak. He couldn't help but to find everything boring, dull, slow and generally uninteresting, yet here he was in Grass country. He had entered a cook off against total strangers in order to win the grand price, a life time supply of all the alcohol he could ever dream of.

I have been training for this for weeks! This better fucking be worth it! No matter what though, I will fucking win! Chikara chuckled as he put on the apron. The other contestants seemed oddly prepared, they seemed to know what they were doing, while Chikara seemed out of place. Yet nothing was going to falter his confidence, he was here to win, one way or another. That fat fuck is not going to win against me, neither are you sweet looking granny. Although your rice cookies do smell great! FUCK! I won't be able to win with my dumplings if things don't start going my way! Chikara grit his teeth and clenched his fist as he became determined to do his best.

The bar he was standing in was gathering a large crowd which was going to make it harder for him to conceal any genjutsu, so he was just biding his time. Searching for any distractions that would buy him enough time to form the needed hand seals and tap his dumpling, for he knew that if they caught him cheating then it would all be over. I won't be able to fight my way out if they catch me cheating. Man these samurai look crazier than a motherfucker, so I need to make sure, like, really make sure or risk having to forfeit and pretend like I didn't know. He scuffed at the thought of having to fight, yet he knew that he wouldn't be able to fight them without risking the lives of the surrounding crowd. He shook his head at the thought but knew that time was running out.

[Gweilo]

Kokorozashi followed the road that lead deeper into Grass Country. He had left Fire Country behind him, only slowing down the pace when he had crossed the border. He didn't believe he was being pursued, but he could never be too sure. Leaving the village behind was a strange feeling, but he felt that he had done the right thing. He was determined to find the killers of his parents, and to make them face whatever justice he could bring. The memory of his parents still haunted him at night, loosing them had struck hard. At the time of the attack, Zashi had been out of the village on an escort mission. Returning to the broken mess that was Konoha after the attack had been tough to see, but learning of his deceased parents had wrecked him emotionally. His principles had been uprooted from the foundation, and he now viewed life through a new light. His quest was vengeance, and his dream justice. Lost in thought, Kokorozashi hadn't notice the grand vista that lay before him. Rolling hills and green plains of grass was interrupted by streams of blue, forming up in small ponds. Between to hills a small village was located, smoke rose from the chimneys and people could be seen scurrying around throughout the village.

As he closed in on the cluster of houses his revere was broken by a loud commotion coming from one of the larger houses at the edge of the village, a large house with open walls. The house itself served as a gathering spot for the townsfolk, and today it seemed that they held a cooking contest. Kokoro halted at a sign before the big house. He glanced at the commotion, and back to the sign, he read;

'Hear ye hear ye! Today at late noon our annual cooking contest will begin! Anyone with the skills to handle both knife and rolling pin are welcome to join! Entry fee is laughably cheap, so don't be afraid! Enter and marvel as these cooks show you what can be done in the ways of cooking!

1st Prize: Alcohol to last a lifetime
2st Prize: NOTHING'

[Trusted Grader]

Sweat started to trickle down Chikara's forehead, he wasn't sure if it was because of abstinence or that he was genuinely feeling nervous over the fact that he barely knew how to cook to save his life. Yet here he was, doing his grandest to win this competition. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I should've brought a damn cook book with me. He had struggled to keep his items with him at all times, especially since the last few days had been fuzzy. Smile man, don't forget to smile man! Chikara did his damnedest to keep up appearance, yet on the inside he felt like he was on the verge of dying.

The judges kept pacing back and forth between the different cooking tables, offering to chime in if they needed any help or tips. Yet again, for no real reason Chikara felt like he needed no help, he knew how to do it, even though he had no clue. Stupid! He cursed under his lips before he finally grit his teeth and turned to face the fat bastard beside him. "So, that Nigiri you are cooking, what's the secret to such recipe?" They both knew that it was too late for him to copy his style and the fat bastard was happy enough to share.

"Well, the secret is that you need to find the right fish. . . " He continued to trail off and once he turned to pick up another fish, Chikara would form a quick set of hand seals and touch his plate.

"All right cool, I got it. Thanks man, good luck!" Chikara chuckled but it wasn't over, he knew that sweet ol' granny had the biggest shot of taking it home, yet he didn't dare to make her cookies taste horrible, or did he? "So, what's the secret to yo-" A samurai pushed through and grabbed Chikara by his neckline before he pulled him from his station.

"So, you think you can just come here and cheat huh? I knew you ninja scum were untrustworthy."

"Ey man, I haven't done shit. Why you hating on me?" The cheater cried out, he knew that he had been busted yet still attempted to fight for his right, to cook.

"Because you are a lousy cheat and you are banned from this competition."

"Do you have any proof?" Chikara asked but it was already too late, the samurai lifted the ninja over his head and tossed him out of the front door. Holy shit! Chikara barely had any time to react before he bumped into the ground, slid a couple of meters before grinding into a halt. He quickly brushed himself off as he rose to his feet. "Ey fuck you man! No one likes your shitty alcohol anyway, I can always find another stupid cooking competition!" He said as he flipped the samurai, he turned around to walk away but bumped into someone taller. Falling on his bum, he cursed under his breath as he looked up. "Now what the fuck is your problem huh!?"

---

JutsuShow

-:-Ugh! Rotten!
D-Ranked Illusion Genjutsu
After performing the necessary hand seals, Chikara will touch the food/drink substance and once the target has consumed it, it causes the target to begin to despise it. The jutsu can cause nausea and vomiting from the target, depending on how sensitive their sense of taste is, the taste can also cause some mental stress on the target. This genjutsu lasts for three (3) posts.

[Gweilo]

Out of the building where people had gathered, a man was thrown out head before heels. After him came a samurai, with two others flanking his sides. They did not look happy. The man on the ground groaned, and turned to the peacekeepers of the competition and told them things they did not want to hear. The samurai, not taking the insult very good, started to descend the stairs that lead up to the house. Having been caught between the conflict, Kokorozashi felt what could only be described as confusion. The man on the ground rose, but hadn't registered the silent ninja watching the commotion. He bumped right into him, and landed once again on his backside. Now Kokoro could see the face of the man who'd been expelled from the competition, and to his surprise it was his old Team member and about only friend he'd ever had, Chikara. Zashi looked from face to face, the samurai approaching menacingly behind him. Usually keeping his composure, he couldn't help himself, and broke out in a rare laughter. "Of course its you Ara, who else would it be?"
He extended his hand and helped his old time comrade back to his feet. His gaze fell on the Samurai, who'd exchanged confused glances. "I'm sure this is nothing to get upset about, why don't we call it even and move on from here?"
The samurai spat on the ground before him, and replied with even more contempt in his voice "This man tried to cheat, insulted us and now you think he's gonna get away with it? You have nothing to do with this, so move a long citizen!"
Kokoro sighed, shaking his head. "I can't very well stand idle and watch you three try to take on this poor man alone?"
"Three? I think you got it a little wrong buddy" Noticing that one of the samurai flanking the leader had disappeared, Zashi could only assume backup was on the way. "Alright alright, let's get this over with."
His face had turned serious once again, not a hint of the laughter was left. He started to retreat out of the village, knowing that were he to start using ninjutsu in a crowded area, onlookers were bound to be caught in the crossfire. He gently tugged Chikara's vest, indicating he should follow.

[Trusted Grader]

Chikara looked up and spotted someone he never believed he would see outside of Konoha, a person he wouldn't bet on to leave his beloved country behind, yet here he was. Kokorozashi, the Senju he used to team work with. Is he here to bring me back? If so, then there's no fucking way I'm going to allow that to happen. Chikara narrowed his eyes before realizing that Zashi had reached out to help him get up to his feet. Oh, good. At least I don't have to fight him and the samurai then. Chikara, the tough guy, the cheater was now in another life and death situation, who figured.

He turned to face his old comrade, wanting to ask a million questions but knew that for now it all had to wait. Wait! Did that bastard call me Ara? After all this time he still hasn't learned that it's Kara. . . OOOH. . Eh. . Now's not the time, focus your anger on them. His eyes darted back to the samurai who seemed to be deadlocked in a conversation with Zashi, yet oddly enough they didn't seem to engage in battle. Chikara was disappointed and soon figured that it probably had to do with Zashi's moral code, he didn't want to kill anyone. Something Kara didn't fret as there hadn't been anyone who had died from Genjutsu, as of yet that is.

"Yeah, well what do you think that extra guy will do when he realizes that-" Chikara stopped once Zashi tugged on him. "No fuck that! This guy is so tough huh?" With that Chikara immediately started performing a set of hand seals, the speed of it was nearly blinding and before the samurai had the chance to cut him down, he would leap back and whistle. Anyone who heard the whistle would be caught within his genjutsu, feathers would start to rain down slowly and before most of them even realized what was going on they would all fall asleep. The samurai crashed to the ground and within seconds he heard the rest of the small village slumber as well. "Not so tough now huh!?" Chikara kicked the leader, the one that threw him out before he entered the building yet again.

He walked past the sleeping citizens and over to the sweet old grandma's cooking station and picked half of her cookies, I don't know why but I hope you win, you deserve it. He thought before he turned around, on his way back he grabbed one of the prize bottles and made his way down the stairs. He hoped that Zashi had learned enough genjutsu to finally be able to stay awake during his random attacks but if he failed then he would make sure to wake him up, either way it would be fun to gauge his reaction. I bet he will be surprised that I'm so damn reckless but ultimately happy to find me. . . Speaking of finding me. Chikara rubbed his chin. "What are you doing outside of Konoha man? I thought you Senju are supposed to be die hard leaf lovers?"

---

JutsuShow

*[Genjutsu • Temple of Nirvana]
A-Ranked Warp Genjutsu
This is a Genjutsu technique that allows the caster to place a large body of people into an unconscious state by performing the hand seals and whistling loudly. Once the targets hear the whistle, they will see feathers falling down, and, if the opponent realizes this is a genjutsu, they just need a genjutsu stat of 12 to break out of it. If they don't break out of the genjutsu, the target will fall asleep at the end of that post.

[Gweilo]

Out of nowhere, feathers fell from the sky. Kokoro's vision turned foggy, and the eyelids began to shut against his will. It felt like iron weights had been glued to them and nothing he could do would keep them open. Realizing who his friend was, he gathered his chakra and release himself from the genjutsu. Instantly the feathers were gone, and the sudden urge to lay down and sleep was gone. He followed Chikara as they passed over the sleeping samurai and citizen. "Of course it would be you causing all this ruckus."
He glanced over the sleeping citizens. 'This is actually not half bad.' He looked back at his comrade, seeing him stealing the cookies, all he could do was to shake his head. "Still no moral code? It's good to see you again."
They walked out of the house again. He turned to Kara and answered in a low voice. I left home to find whoever attacked the village, and killed my family. I thought I could let it be, but I cannot. I need to resolve this, my way."
His eyes had turned glossy, and the feelings of loss stabbed at his heart. He struggled to maintain his composure, and tried to shake off the feeling of hopelessness. Never had he felt alone, even though by most peoples measures he was. But now that his family was no longer there to fall back on, he felt like he was the only one in the world. Until now, when he had found his old time friend, through what must've been a miracle.

[Trusted Grader]

Chikara was most at home when he could crack up and be himself, he didn't like to be serious nor did he enjoy having to help someone get out of a bad mood. This situation called for it, it was one of his oldest friends who was going through tough times. Damn man, that's bad. Shit, I know that feeling man, I went through the very same when my parents died. Kara sighed, he wasn't strong enough to look his friend in the eyes and instead rested his arm on his shoulder. "Life is unfair right?" He let another sigh escape his lips before he brought up a cookie.

"Here grab a cookie, it will make you feel better." Chikara knew that it wouldn't automatically make him feel better but it would be better then nothing, plus that was all he could offer him. Cracking his neck, the missing nin leaned back before he sat down heavily on the samurai leader. He reeled back as the soldier grunted but once he realized that he was still asleep he would continue his conversation. "So that's why you left the village huh? To hunt down the two strongest missing nins in this world... Tell me man, what's your plan? How are you going to go about this?" Chikara was curious to know.

I hope he doesn't think that I'm here to bring down his plan but he must realize that these two aren't to trifled with. Shit, if the stories I've heard about them are true then attacking Konoha is just the tip of the iceberg. Although no one has seen them since, who even knows if they are alive. Chikara shivered at the thought of running into them and bit down on the cookie. It was delicious, it was beyond this world. "Tell me Zashi, what is your current plan? Where are you heading? How do you plan to make a living?" Kara asked as he raised his arms. "What do you know of the missing nin world and their ways?" Kara continued. Shit, I'm asking more questions than an interrogator but this is vital information that he needs to have in order to survive out here. It's kill or be killed.

[Gweilo]

Kokorozashi accepted the cookie, and took a bite. 'Hey, grandma aint half bad.' It was a nice diversion, and momentarily it made him feel better. He could never get his family back, but at least he had found the part of it that had been lost. Zashi knew that he could cope this world with a compadre on his side. Chikara walked over to a sleeping samurai and sat upon him, making the samurai stir. Nevertheless, he continued to sleep peacefully while the genjutsu lulled him into deeper dreams. "My plan.. Well, I don't really have a plan as of yet. It's basic, just track them down, and increase my strength on the way there."
Kokoro crossed his arms, leaning back on a fence that followed the lot behind him. "The part of surviving outside the village has been something I've been struggling with for a while now. I've yet to contrive of a way of making a living and staying sharp. I don't want to turn into one of the monsters I'm chasing, I won't partake in murdering civilians and innocents just because the money is good."
He turned his gaze down, and shook his head slightly. Knowing that his goal was far from within reach, he almost sounded young and full of naivety. The sun had started its long and slow decline from the sky, casting longer and longer shadows across the village. Having been trained to always stay on guard, and try to be one step ahead of the enemy, he turned toward Kara again. "That genjutsu you just pulled was pretty good, can you do it again when the rest arrives? Or should we get out of here while we can without turning the village into rubble?"
He walked over to Chikara and passed him, looking down the street he could see a group of people scrambling to reach where they were standing. 'The rest of the town guard, no doubt. Maybe we should prepare for the worst, they might not all be as slow as these guys we met here.' He started gathering up a chakra reserve, ready to use his Mokuton in self defense if he was pushed to. Turning to Kara, he indicated that they should start moving out of the village.

[Trusted Grader]

They might as well call you Donald because they certainly call me Goofy.
Chikara smiled once Kokorozashi grabbed one of the cookies, he watched him take a bite out of the pastry before he took another one of his own. Man I should really get a hold of the recipe. Chikara was a peculiar person who didn't seem to take anything all to seriously, yet now that time called for it, he did his best to escape the situation. He wasn't a clown but he was damn near, calling himself goofy and then let the rest slip into the imagination of the beholder. Man! These cookies are killing me! Oh shit! Is Zashi talking to me? Chikara struggled to chew and speak so he instead let his comrade speak his piece. He does realize that Yaku and Enma are the two strongest missing nin in recent recorded history right? Yet knowing Kokorozashi there's no stopping him once he has laid out his plans. Fuck! Please don't tell me that I'm going to be dragged down into this mess? Chikara sighed.

He never figured that he would have to take on the worlds most dangerous job, to hunt down the strongest missing nins in the world. Nah, there's no way that I'm doing that but at the same time, think of the fame and glory. The girls, OOOH the girls! Nah, it's suicidal. I can't agree to this, but I can make sure that this fool doesn't die along the way. Hopefully we don't run into them and just continue on living. Oh shit! Living! Chikara cracked his neck before he rose of the samurai and bit down on the second cookie. "So~Mhm, damn these cookies are good~what you are saying is that you have no clue how to survive on the outside now that you are on your own, or at least without going all rampage mode and kill everyone in sight? Hahah, Kokorozashi, my man. You disappoint me, lucky you ran into me then huh? Boy do I have plans for. . . Well us now." Chikara smiled before he wrapped his arm around Zashi's shoulder. Man, I really hope that he doesn't call my bluff because I literally have no idea what the hell we are supposed to do to survive out here. I barely made it on my own and I'm charming as hell, now I have this stern looking motherfucker with me. Shit, at least I know that he has my back. The Nara smiled as he turned his attention to the incoming guards.

Zashi had already left his side by the time he realized that they where already making their way towards their current position. With Zashi asking a final question, he knew that a fight would most likely ensue if they stayed around, not only that but that they would place a bounty on the Senju for being near Kara. I really, really hope that they aren't after me for my previous blunders Chikara sighed, looked over at Zashi and nodded. "Here's what we do~" Chikara turned tail and bolted, leaving Zashi in the dust. "We are getting the fuck out of here!" His feet worked wonders when he was pushed to the limit and certain death did that to the Konoha ninja, he just hoped that Zashi would follow suit.

[Gweilo]

Zashi almost burst out with laughter as his friend took of. Running away from the village, with a bottle of booze in one hand and with the other full of biscuits. He shook his head, thinking of that they were in this whole situation only because Chikara had decided to try out his hand in a cooking contest. 'He tried to cheat too!' His friend had always been goofy, and Zashi thanked the gods that they had been paired together when the teams were forming back home. 'Back home.. I guess it's not home any more. Still getting used to this vagabond life style, not easy.' He glanced back toward the village, seeing the reinforcement starting to rouse the victims of Kara's genjutsu. 'I need a better plan, it's true. I can't take them on alone, and I'm not strong enough yet.' Angered shouts and terrified screams could be heard as men and women awoke, realizing what had been done to them. 'They probably think we're gonna slaughter them all.' Kokoro was glad they didn't. His friend was a goofy man, but not insane. He wouldn't turn to slaughter civilians just because he could, and this was something Kokoro valued. Power could easily turn to ones head, and power was indeed what the ninjas of this world was wielding. "Let's just keep running Ara, so they won't retaliate when they realize we're not coming for them and think us weak. If they think us weak, they probably think they can recuperate their lost pride."
They continued down the road until they were out of vision of the village, and then started going around it in a circle. Zashi wanted to get away from Konoha, and having found his old ally only reassured him that he had done the right thing. "So, are you gonna help me? What you've said is true, they are much to strong for me. Together, together we could become strong and then, maybe, find peace."

They had slowed down to a more comfortable speed, figuring that by going of trail, they would've lost their pursuers, if they had any. Soon they had found their way back to the road, this time on the other side of the village. "Alright so you seem to have made it this far out here on your own, what's our next move, Team Leader?" The last he said with a friendly nod, and then he started down the road again.

[Trusted Grader]

Kara had already neared the edge of town when he realized that Kokorozashi was running by his side. Good, at least we can try to make our way the hell out of here and try our luck in the next town. Unless I do something stupid again. . . Shit! Chikara chuckled, he had a nack for getting in trouble and knew that with Zashi by his side that he had to better himself or fear being hunted from every direction. The dude looks like he wants trouble, that samurai getup is intimidating. He knew that it was his way to deter fighting but out here it made him appear dangerous, while Chikara almost looked like he was a child weilden adult weapons, which was his entire plan, to make people underestimate him.

"What do you think I'm doing? Shiiiiiiiit." Chikara stopped to watch Zashi run in a different direction. What's his plan now? Ooooh, is he going to circle around the village? Chikara chuckled as he put the cookies inside his pouch then the bottle and began to run at full speed, dashing past Zashi as he laughed. This takes me back, whoa. The ninja shook his head as he continued to run until they soon found themselves on the other side. "Yeah sure buddy, we just have to make sure that we know exactly what we are getting into you know because I'd rather not die like some chump. I don't think another death or two would mean anything to guys like them." Chikara sighed before he leaped down to the road.

"Besides, there's a lot of ground to cover before we even get close to those guys, first we have to find a way to survive right?" Chikara chuckled as he asked, bringing up the last cookie before taking a bite. He smiled and listened to his comrade, he almost choked on the cookie as Kokorozashi proclaimed him to be the leader. Team Leader? Wait what? I have no clue what the fuck we are supposed to. . . Shit. . . Keep a straight face Chikara! Chikara nodded as he cleared his throat. "Eh, our first move should be to head to the nearest village and try to gain some knowledge, information and whatnot you know? Probably try to find some work or at least maybe an inn we can stay in." Chikara nodded once again before he began to walk down the road, he knew that it would take them a couple of hours to reach the nearest village and by then the sun would've set.

[Gweilo]

They started off toward the next village, Kokoro's stomach grumbling. He ha planned to eat when he had found a proper inn he could stay at, now that had to wait until their next stop. They had avoided killing the overly aggressive town guards, deciding not to draw more attention than they already had upon themselves. He scanned the landscape around him, noticing that the same theme of hillocks appearing in between the seas of grass. Cattle could be seen grazing in the far fields, ignoring the farmer trying to herd them inside his barn. The clear sky glowed with a angry fiery red as the sun was setting in front of the ninjas. It had been a couple of hours since they left the little town behind, slowly they were getting each other up to date about what had been going on since they last met. "Yeh I was returning from a mission that day. when we approached Konoha I could see from afar that something was wrong. I'm glad you weren't there too see it. Black smoke trails rose in high pillars, and the signs of battle could be seen as we got closer. I knew it was bad, for the village I mean, and it struck me hard."
He scoffed, never been comfortable with talking about what he was feeling. It made him vulnerable in a way that he had no chance of protecting himself if the listener decided to use against him. But knowing Chikara for a very long time, he knew that he would never. "At first I was busy helping with the injured civilians, getting them to proper medical care and digging out people left inside wrecked buildings. It wasn't until a fellow member of my clan approached me, that I was given the news. Both my parents had died fighting the enemies, they had been found slain just outside of the village."
For quite some time after the attack he had felt hopelessness, and been lonelier than he had been his entire life. Slowly, the sadness had turned into a cold rage, that only received more fuel as the news of the botched hunt from one of the village's bannin's. "They sent at least one bannin after the attackers, Yaku & Enma as they're known, but it turned out nothing. That is why I need your help, and why we need to get stronger. They won't get away with attacking Konoha."

[Trusted Grader]

It felt like they had been walking for hours, the day had been going on for what felt like forever. Yet time still seemed to skip faster when he enjoyed himself, speaking with his old comrade got him feeling more upbeat. Although something still lingered in the back of his mind, he wondered how it was to experience Konoha's defeat. He couldn't even imagine that beautiful village in ruins and wanted to have a second hand experience, for he had only heard of the attack. I should've been there to help stop those maniacs. . . I understand your pain Kokorozashi and hopefully we can get there one day. He didn't dare to admit that he wasn't all too sure they were ever going to reach that level.

"One Bannin won't be able to hunt them down by himself. . . Shit. . . I propose that we train and search for information. We. . . We help Konoha hunt down those bastards while we work on our own thing. . To like. . Stop ass-holes from invading other villages and killing the innocent." Chikara started tilting as his hips started to ache from all the walking, yet his eyes took in everything around him. He couldn't lie, this was a pretty sweet spot, nothing but path, animals and peace. "Although I don't condemn killing in self defence, I'm sure we are going to end up in situations that will be out of our hands and death may present itself as a possibility. Shit. . That would suck, but anyway, I say as long as we don't go around and massacring people and maybe do good you know. I just see myself as a wandering ninja, like those samurai dudes*Chikara snaps his fingers*Ronin guys. I mean, I don't consider myself a bad guy for getting down and dirty? I just don't want to be following orders and not know the full story unless needed be. . ."

Chikara thought about how things would've been if he and Kokorozashi were present, then things might had changed, or was it fools thoughts? He heard that the Hokage was killed during the tragic event, a thought that got him to clench his fist. He knew that he would've laid down his life if needed be but he had already left before the attack. He couldn't return now, he knew that if he kept at his plan, especially now that Kokorozashi's parents where one of the casualties, there was no going back. They were not going to wait for someone to order them around and tell them when to attack and when to hold back. He sighed at the thought but took comfort in knowing that it would only take two more hours before they would reach the village.

[Gweilo]

He listened, and could only nod in agreement. He had slowly but surely accepted that they would not be strong enough for some time. Although he deemed both himself and his compadre strong, he could only imagine the sheer power that was required to oppose a village with only a two man strong force. The thought was actually scary, and not much frightened Kokorozashi. "I can only agree. The time of following is over, and a new order is dawning. I know you had these thoughts before, and I can only deem it necessary. A group where all members are equals, and information split between all of us."
They approached the town that lay ahead, and could see smoke rising from the center. A cloud of black plumed out and up toward the sky. "There is something very wrong up ahead my friend, prepare for the worst."
Kokoro wondered what could've happened, as he had deemed grass country a peaceful one. 'Every rose has it's thorn I guess.' His walking turned into a slow trot, as he became more eager to see what had occurred. "Imagine that over Konoha, with bodies and destruction left and right. It was not an easy homecoming, I can tell you that."
The revived memories from the event fueled his focus as he was dead set to make a change this time. As he approached, the destruction was evident. Bodies lay sprawled on the ground, their bodies clearly having been lying there for a couple of hours. He entered the town, cautiously he scouted around. A sinking feeling told him there were no survivors, as flames spread in the few houses that was the core of this little community. More a market square with some shops around it, it was easy to deduce that the whole area had been picked clean of human life and any valuables had been taken away. Kokorozashi fell down to his knees, not usually quick to anger, he shouted out his anger and inability to help the people slaughtered in the market. Before him, a pile of bodies was stacked, with an infant impaled on a spear ontop. Kokoro was shaking with anger, an act of such horror could not be left unchecked, and he let out another roar of anger. "Whoever committed these horrors upon these people, will pay dearly. This.. This is why I have grown to detest humans. To slaughter innocents, and children like this, I cannot bare it,"
Zashi rose, and turned away from the carnage at the center square. His body didn't obey him, and when he reached the end of the square he belched. "We have to find these people, now. The two attacking Konoha was bad, but this.. This is beyond anything I've seen."
The anger could clearly be seen in Kokoro's face as he tried to compose himself. Failing miserably, tears came rolling unwarranted. Through all his years of fighting back and forth, children had always been spared from the battlefield. True, they had became parentless and forced to make due on their own, but at least they had been given a fair chance of life. Kokorozashi balled his fist, and vowed to never become like this.

[Trusted Grader]

Ambush!
Chikara chuckled as he listened to Kokorozashi speak, to think that he remembers his youngster babble and to bring it up now that they have reunited was strange. To think that his old team member was finally here again and they were going to pursue his ago old dream, to create a small team of elite mercenaries that would be able to give a helping hand, to either sides. They would go after money, but Chikara would attempt to steer from going morally bankrupt. He knew that this life was a slippery slope and one wrong move could send you spiraling, he sighed at the thought as he shook his head.

Chikara once he spotted the black smoke up ahead, Kokorozashi pointed it out and soon he would rush for the village. "Oy, are you s-" Chikara stopped speaking as he followed his comrade. He listened to him as he compared it to the destruction of Konoha, he couldn't come up with any quips and instead nodded as he thought back to his come country. I wonder how many made it out alright. Maybe if I was there I could've. . . No. . . I would've died with them. . Shit! Come on focus up ahead. Chikara sighed as he followed the Senju into the village.

What came next was impossible to prepare for, it was a massacre, men, women and children had been slaughtered. What is this!? This. . . This is brutal! Who would do such a ~ Chikara turned around and slowly backed towards Kokorozashi, he slowly drew his blade as his comrade fell to his knees. He had never seen his comrade at this state before, it had to take something powerful to sway the man and these was one of the few moments that Kara had been present. He knew that what came next would be painful for the receiving party, but there was something he couldn't shake; the fact that the place that had been attacked the village he stayed in the day before. He had forgotten most of their faces but he clearly remembered the bar he was in and the people he talked to. In fact it was he even found out about the competition in the first place, so having the village been pillaged the day after was suspicious to him, very suspicious.

"Get up." He tried to speak to his comrade in a low voice, he was making too much noise, he could feel their eyes on them.This is bad. He backed yet again and responded to his comrade. "Yeah well they might have bated us." Just as he said that, an arrow flew at him, he deflected it and realized that a smoke bomb was attached to it, forcing him to leap out of it, effectively splitting them up. This is bad, we have to go. He knew that if they truly turned out to be the ones behind the attack then his old team mate would flip and turn this burnt village into a new garden.

[Gweilo]

He sat on his knees, trying to focus on his friends voice. It cut through his pent up rage only briefly, and he tried to focus his thoughts. 'The audacity to commit such a crime.' He rose to one knee, slowly connecting what his comrade had just said. "Bated, who?"
Suddenly the sound of a sword deflecting an arrow broke the sounds of fires around the village and from the pile of human corpses. His battle instincts kicked in, and Kokoro started to roll away from what he had identified as a smoke bomb. His reactions were good, but not enough to get out of the smoke bomb before it went of. He came rolling out of the smoke, coughing as he recovered from the surprise. Spying across the ruins, Zashi saw nothing that could've shot at him. The smoke covered much of his sight and he decided to retreat a bit would be of his best interest. "Come on Ara, we're backing up." He began channeling chakra and simultaneously went through a series of hand seals. An exact clone emerged from him and began flanking the village to the right. Again he formed the necessary hand seals and another clone appeared, darting to his left this time.

Without warning, another arrow came flying toward Kokoro, and it was only blind luck that had him not turn in that day. The arrow glanced his cheekbone and he fell back to the ground as he reacted, trying to dodge. Kokorozashi landed hard on his back, but soon got up, yet again forming hand seals. He completed the string required and stomped the ground. A closed fist emerged from the ground in the rubble ahead of him. causing debris fly through the air and smoke to gather in a cloud around the exit point. 'Just in range, alright, I have to focus. Can't very well die here against these motherfuckers can I?' His rage was evident, clouding his judgement. Too many locked away feelings and memories had been revisited and reintroduced to him this day that his mind wasn't in the game completely.

"You see'm?"
Kokorozashi almost growled as he began to glow with chakra being gathered. His whole body was incased in an fiery storm of blue chakra, raging around him as he gathered his strength. Clearly, the attackers had been forced to reposition, or else another arrow had come flying by now. "Do you know who these might be?"

JutsuShow

Mokuton • Entman
C-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals, a small tree will erupt from the ground next to the user, quickly forming into a person before becoming an exact replica of them. The clone is capable of performing Mokuton ninjutsu C-Rank or lower.

Taijutsu: 4
Stamina: 6
Strength: 1
Speed: 1


Mokuton • Brawler
B Rank Ninjutsu
After performing a set of hand seals, Zashi stomp the ground causing roots erupt beneath the opponent taking form of a closed fist. Striking at the strength of 20 and rising at the speed of 20. The jutsu can strike up to 25m from where the user is standing.

[Trusted Grader]

Chikara was already in the air as he saw his comrade roll out of the smoke, he was coughing which seemed to draw the attention of ambushers. Chikara kept his eyes on the outskirt of the village while his comrade prepared to send out clones in different directions.

"Be careful, they seem to focus on splitting us up! We have to make sure not to~Shit!"

He slid to a stop before he performed a side flip then a hand spring, dodging the incoming arrows. Ah crap! They seem to have ninjas on their sides. Could they be hunter nins? Chikara wasn't too sure but why would they kill the innocent? Something wasn't right. The arrows carried smoke bombs and detonated as they hit the ground below him, forcing him to continue to flip around until he reached the end of the smoke line. He took a deep breath as he exited the smoke, his eyes darted around the outskirts before he spotted to shadows rushing towards him at blinding speed.

The first carried a large sword and aimed to decapitate Chikara, he blocked with his blade but the force of the attacker sent him spiraling backwards in the air, but before he could flip around the other shadow appeared and kicked him on the stomach, sending him flying down towards a burnt out barn not to far from his current position. Chikara slid on his back before he flipped over, covering his stomach. They are strong as well, this is bad! Chikara felt like he had witnessed their fighting style before, but he wasn't certain if it was possible that it was his old crew. He didn't like the idea of running into his past, he rose to a standing position and began to channel chakra.

"Show yourselves cowards! Face me!" Chikara wasn't too sure if they were brave enough to show their faces, although he was certain that they would lose if he didn't team up with Kokorozashi.

The two attackers are both faster and stronger than me, shit. It doesn't seem like the archer is after me. In fact Chikara had no idea how many were after them, he just knew that being separated was their teams weakness and this was the time to prove how they would handle a real life situation where they knew that there was no back up. Chikara grit his teeth before he almost froze, he couldn't believe his eyes.

"Oi, if it isn't Chikara, the punk that deserted our team?" Said the white spiky haired mercenary, he was dressed in all white armor and clothing, covering up most but his head.

"I told you that he would show up sooner or later, why doesn't anyone trust my judgment?" The other one responded, dressed in all black ninja gear, covering everything but his eyes. He sounded younger and more inexperienced then his hardened partner.

"Danzo, Hogoro. Don't tell me you guys did all this just to attract me? Are you guys seriously that messed up?" He couldn't believe that they would go that far just to get Chikara's attention.

"We knew that if we attacked the villages next to your location you would naturally respond eventually." Danzo grinned as he gripped his two handed sword.

"Yeah, you have no idea what we have tried just to get your attention~" Danzo smacked Hogoro in the back of his head, he talked to much.

"What happens now?" Chikara dared to ask.

"You either die with your friend or come with us." Danzo grinned.

"Yeah right, good luck getting the other one to give up. Chikara knew that once Zashi was loose then there was no stopping him. Yet he didn't know how many was after him, or how he fared, all he heard was the classic sound of his Mokton jutsu growing out of the ground. If Danzo and Hogoro are here, then I bet the archer is Raika, she's a menace at range, I bet she only aimed to distance us, otherwise we would've been dead meat. . . Shit, how many others can be out there? Chikara didn't remember all of them except for his old squad, the mercenary group he was part of was huge and the only one that would approve such an attack would be the leader himself. This caused Chikara to panic, he knew that they had to get out of there asap.

He rushed towards the Hogoro and looked him in the eyes. "Don't look him in the eyes Hogoro!" Danzo tried to warn him but it was already too late, he was cast in his genjutsu and Hogoro froze, he was too paranoid to move. Chikara on the other hand flipped over Danzo and his slash before he rushed out of the barn, he had to make it to his comrades side no matter what for they had to get out of there quick.

---

JutsuShow

Those eyes!
B-Ranked Warp Genjutsu
Prerequisite: Bijon no Kanshi.
Chikara first channels chakra and once the target has stared into any of the doujutsu eyes for one post, the genjutsu will initiate. Within the warp genjutsu, they will see his Doujutsu around them they appear rather large and can cause the target to feel unnerving. The constant monitoring can cause even the strongest fighters to feel overwhelmed for no matter where they go the eyes are still on them. Lasts for 5 posts.[/color]