Two Dogs and a Shadow

[Drak]

While this was not Akito’s first time teaching, he could not help but feel the slightest hint of nervousness as waited on the training grounds. He had acted as a teacher for Ibuku, supervising him and helping push him over the threshold to achieve the rank of Chuunin, but that was different from leading a whole squad. After Takeshi – Captain Tengu – had broached the subject of his promotion, his plate had only gotten fuller. More missions, more “consulting” with ANBU, and now the challenge of leading a squad.

He had some foreknowledge about his new students. Aoki was a member of the university, who he and Kokou had interviewed personally. While not directly responsible for him, Akito always kept at least a nominal eye on promising new recruits. He had not personally met Hajime, but he knew that he was relatively recently orphaned. His mother had been Inokara’s teacher, so she was able to tell him a few things about the boy. The last student, another Inuzuka, was a total mystery.

The previous day, each of the three genin had been visited by an ink-black raven bearing a blank scroll. After laying the scroll down before the student, each crow had stepped onto the paper and been sucked onto it, its body flowing like liquid across the surface and into neat, calligraphic handwriting detailing the time and place of their first meeting.

The training field was one that perfectly blended into the terrain of Fire Country. A large meadow stretched out through its middle, while the outskirts bled into the forest surrounding them. A tall observation tower dominated the center of the field, usually used for observing large scale combat drills. Akito stood at the foot of the tower, looking the part of a jounin to a T. His long, jet black hair was neatly pinned up behind his head and further kept in place with a forehead protector at his brow. He had the straight, relaxed posture of a trained combatant which belied the speed with which he could spring into action. Under his Konoha-green flak jacket was a tight, deep blue turtleneck, with his legs clad by charcoal-grey joggers.

Among the pouches and equipment on his belt were three small bells.

[zory_alechiv]

When Aoki had received the scroll with the time and location, he had been surprised. At first, he'd been the sole student of Yamanaka Nakano and while it had been good at first, he'd quickly found himself rather useless when on a real mission. She hadn't reached out and he hadn't bothered either. He assumed he'd hide in obscurity for the rest of his career as a shinobi, but the scroll had said otherwise.

Now, he was on a 4-man team with 2 other genin and a teacher. Why now? He was bound to be a couple of years older than his teammates. They were likely fresh from the academy and he'd just been lazy the last few months. Even at the University, he spent most of his time in the Library, studying. Luckily, he'd already met their sensei. Hyuuga Akito had done his entrance interview into the academy, but other than that, he didn't know that much about the man.

Entering the training field, Aoki had his hood pulled over his head. His dark hair was in a messy ponytail underneath and his mismatched eyes peered out with curiosity and intrigue. What would today hold? Would his career end here? he was unsure but as Akito came into sight, he stopped fidgeting nervously with the headband around his neck. He offered a bow of respect before shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Professor. Good to see you again," he greets blandly.

[Kaida]

Mikihito woke up the morning bouncing off the walls. Today was the day he started on his genin team! He was one step closer to his ultimate goal of making jounin...and potentially finding his father. He ran to the kitchen after throwing on his usual outfit of a navy blue t shirt, dark gray fur lined vest, light gray shorts and gloves. He ate a quick breakfast and kissed his mother, Minato, goodbye. "I'll be back later mom!" On his way out the door he heard his mother call out the she loved him and he waved behind him, too excited to get going to be caught up with such things.

He whistled for Kiyo, signalling they were heading out and made his way to the designated area where he was to meet his new sensei and teammates. Running through the streets of Konoha, his mind was filled with what these people would be like. Would they accept him? Would he be too shy to say anything? How bad would it be if he was late? Oh boy he hoped he wouldn't be late. He dipped in and out of the foot traffic with his furry best friend by his side, feet moving quicker with the anxiety of it all.

Arriving at the training field, Miki came to a stuttered halt, slightly out of breath as he came face to face with a Hyuuga and a Nara. The Hyuuga was the older of the two, looking scholarly and slightly tired. While the Nara, true to fashion, looked bored. He took a moment to compose himself, standing up straight and a hand drifting over to Kiyo's head as she sat patiently beside him. His nerves had overtaken his previous excitement. He gave a small smile and a wave, hoping he didn't look like the idiot he thought he was. "Good morning, I'm Miki. And this, is Kiyo." He patted his pups head, his eyes filling with contentment as he gazed at her, being comforted by having his best friend along for a new adventure.

[Kabu]

For some time now since learning of his parents' passing Hajime had simply been floating along, uncertain and unmotivated. He couldn't sit around feeling depressed and sorry for himself forever though and he knew that. That thought was the main thing at the forefront of his mind as he exited his home and headed towards the place he was to be meeting with his new teammates. As he had recently turned 18 he knew without a doubt that they would be a good deal younger than himself and it was quite frankly embarrassing. Oh well... it was his own fault for opting to waste away in misery rather than keeping up with his training.

Starting today however that would change. He would resume his training and work harder than ever before to make up for time lost... even as much as he wanted to just turn around and go back home.

As he approached his destination he shook his head to clear his thoughts. A group of people were in view, most assuredly being his team, and being depressed would make for a horrible first impression.

With that in mind... "Hey! Sorry if I'm late, I had some things to take care of." he spoke, observing the others as he approached. He had been right about one thing... he was indeed the oldest one one here aside from their sensei. He did however recognize one of the two younger boys, a smile coming to his face as he plopped a hand on Mikihito's head. "Guess we'll be working together kiddo. I gotta say it's a relief to have someone I know around." he spoke, turning to face Aoki and Akito.

"It's good to meet the both of you. I am Meiyo, Hajime. I'll probably be a bit rusty due to personal circumstances but I hope to improve and hope that we can get along despite any differences in age."

[Drak]

Quite the range of ages to be sure. Hajime is practically a man. The Nara boy is hardly out of infancy.

Akito cleared his throat to address his new team.

"Aoki, Miki, Hajime. It is good to meet all of you. It is my duty to turn you all into formidable ninja able to further the needs of the Hidden Village. In order to do this, you must learn to work together. On my belt, I have three small bells. Your task is to take them from me, such that by the end of this exercise you have one bell each and I have none. At least, that is the ideal outcome for you: anyone without a bell will be paying for the meals of everyone with a bell later on. Are there any questions?"

Akito took a Jyuuken stance in front of his students as the veins of his eyes bulged and his usually hidden irises came into sharp relief.

"Begin!"

[zory_alechiv]

Nara Aoki

Aoki frowned as the Inuzuka and his companion entered the field. He wasn't disappointed, he just didn't know them. He tried to remember if he had ever spent any time with an Inuzuka but couldn't bring anything up.

"Good morning, I'm Miki. And this, is Kiyo."

Aoki merely nodded. No point in wasting the energy to introduce himself when there was another on their team set to arrive. As if summoned from his thoughts, their third and final member arrived. Unexpectedly, they knew the Inuzuka and judging by the age difference, it wasn't from the academy. He figured that placed them in the middle of the group, age-wise.

"It's good to meet the both of you. I am Meiyo, Hajime. I'll probably be a bit rusty due to personal circumstances but I hope to improve and hope that we can get along despite any differences in age."

"I'm Shikaoki. Most just call me Aoki," he said, reaching up to rub at the back of his head. "I've not been training as much as I should either. Too troublesome when you're by yourself. Glad to be able to push forward in this though." He says blandly, his voice not revealing the motivation he feels.

After their brief introduction, Akito summoned them once more to focus. Immediately, his mismatched eyes focused on the bells that the Hyuuga held. Was the man serious? He was a jounin and they were barely capable of holding a kunai. They were going to get murdered like his dead mother. His eyes snapped upwards towards Akito's face and they narrowed in contemplation. He was sure there was more in the Hyuuga's arsenal than their tenketsu related taijutsu and their byakugan, but would he really be pulling out all of the stops? He wouldn't need to, of that, Aoki was certain. His eyes drifted to the eldest of their trio. Again, he knew nothing about them. He'd have to see them fight as he wasn't sure what they were capable of.

His eyes shifted towards the Inuzuka. He knew they were taijutsu inclined, especially with their dogs. More than likely Miki would attack head on. Aoki could use that to his advantage. Alone, they would never get a bell, but they might be able to take him on all together. he just hoped Hajime wasn't too rusty to catch on to a plan.

His left hand slid into his kunai pouch and drew out a single weapon. He kept his right hand free and hanging loosely at his thigh as he grabbed the kunai in a reverse grip. Okay, Miki. You lead, I follow, he thought, fingers twitching in preparation, ready to adapt once he saw Hajime work.

[Kaida]

Miki leaned into Haji’s hand, a bright smile taking over his face and replacing his previously anxiously excited energy. Kiyo went up to Hajime and promptly laid down across his feet. “Looks like I’m not the only one happy to see you!” It had been a while since he had seen Hajime, and having him on his genin team eased his worries about fitting in. At least he would have his cousin here with him if things got to be too much for him and Kiyo.

Aoki went next, with Kiyo taking a cursory sniff of their previously silent teammate. Miki looked to Kiyo and nodded in approval, whatever communication had happened between the two seemed to be positive.

Now that everyone had arrived, Akito-sensei had told them they needed to capture the bells off his belt. A daunting task for newly graduated genin, though Hajime might have better luck. Miki hatched a plan in his mind, instructing Kiyo to look for any openings as the spar took place so she might be able to knick the bells off their sensei.

Miki moved away from Hajime, taking his position 1 meter away from Akito at angle to his sensei’s left, while Kiyo took a similar position on his right. He let a low growl emanate from his throat and performed the hand seals for Four Legged Technique. His eyes became more slitted than before, nails elongating into claws as he dropped down to all fours. Nodding his head to Kiyo he took off at 14 speed launching himself up and over Akito to land behind him and simultaneously and attempt to launch himself onto his sensei’s back with 11 strength. Normally this would be the Mount technique of Jujin, but Miki didn’t want to bite Akito. He only wanted to try and distract him long enough for Kiyo to act.

As Miki launched his attack, Kiyo sprung into action running circles around the two. If Miki succeeded in landing on Akito then Kiyo would race across and try to rip the belt off him and secure the bells.

Jutsu UsedShow

~Growl
D Rank Ninjutsu
After completing the required handseals, the user of this technique will begin to focus chakra into his/her lungs. After the chakra has built up, the user will begin to growl lowly, subsequently releasing the chakra out of his/her lungs. The chakra will spread throughout the user's body and increase his/her strength by 3 at the cost of -3 control. This technique lasts for three posts.

~ Four-Legged Technique
C Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the necessary handseals, the user of this jutsu will take on a more canine-like appearance. When activated, the user's pupils will become nothing more than slivers, nails will become more claw-like, and s/he will travel on all fours. This partial transformation grants the user +6 speed and increased maneuverability, but lowers his/her control (-6) for five (5) posts.

(reference) ~Mount
D Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Modeled after a staple dog fighting technique, the user will jump on the target from behind, digging their teeth into their target's neck in the process. The combined weight of the user, and the pain from the bite of the neck is usually enough to knock the target down to the ground.

[Kabu]

Hajime couldn't say he had expected the action to start straight away upon arrival. As far as he had known, most first team meetings were just an introductory period rather than well... this. Nonetheless there wasn't much time to be standing around in shock... He was honestly a bit rusty given his lack of training of late but there was no way that he was going to let these kids show him up.

Following behind his teammates he dashed towards Akito, channeling chakra as he did. As Aoki and Miki made their moves, hopefully providing a distraction in the process, he broke off to the side. Once he was a reasonable distance away he unsheathed his sword, swinging in the same instance. With this movement a stream of water rushed towards Akito at a speed and strength of 10, aiming to engulf one of his arms. Should this succeed he would be dragged towards the man at an increased speed of 13 where he would then make a follow up slash, aiming to land some kind of damage however minimal it may be.

Jutsu UsedShow

Suiton • Grapple Slash
C-Ranked Nintaijutsu Maneuver
After performing the necessary handseals or channeling Hajime gathers Suiton chakra into his sword and then performs a slashing motion, a torrent of water rushing towards a target at a strength and speed equal to the strength with which the sword was swung, engulfing the target upon impact and drawing him towards them with +3 speed and -3 control.

[Drak]

Aoki is being his usual, lazy self. Maybe he's coming up with a plan. Meanwhile, the two Inuzuka are working well together. At his age, Hajime should be taking on more of a leadership role, but Miki seems to be taking the lead. It'll be curious to see how their dynamic evolves.

With his panoramic vision, Akito could see the stages of Miki's trap as they unfolded. Miki would successfully find her way onto his back. When the dog went for his belt, Akito darted his left hand down to its scruff and yanked it up into the air, putting Kiyo between himself and Hajime's rapidly incoming Suiton.

At the same time, Akito willed his chakra into his palm, and reached behind himself towards Mikihito's head. To an onlooker, the tap on the forehead looked like it carried minimal force: more a strike to jokingly punish a friend than to use in a sparring match. However, the impact would feel more like a plank of wood to the forehead, with headache to match as Akito's chakra directly ruptured surface level blood vessels and pummeled the muscles of the boy's face.

SpoilerShow

~Jyuuken :: Palm Dance of Divination
D-rank Nintaijutsu Maneuver
The fundamental basis of Jyuuken, the user will focus chakra into their hands. For three posts the user is able to inject the chakra within the opponent’s body upon successful contact, dealing damage to the internal structures of the body rather than the external. This has a painful effect on the muscles and blood vessels within the body, causing bruising at the touch.

Jyuuken :: Ambidexterity
D-Rank NinTaijutsu Discipline
After practicing for a long amount of time with the concept of using both of their hands with equal skill, the user has developed a level of ambidexterity that allows them to utilize both hands equally and as effectively without any penalty, going to far as to allow him to use different Jyuuken techniques with each hand. This extends to other methods of combat or simple everyday life as well.

[zory_alechiv]

Aoki watched as the events began to unfold. Akito was fast, he knew he would be, Aoki only hoped that they could surprise him. As fast as the events unfolded, his mind worked. He assumed Hajime to taijutsu user, but the seeing him attack with a sword made the Nara youth rethink his approach. Miki and Kiyo were definitely close ranged fighters, and as a Nara, it would be expected that he should be a distance fighter.

Close range.

Distance.

Support.

It would be easy to fall into those roles that their clans were identified as, but he knew that if they were to succeed they would not only have to work together when knowing nothing about each other, but be surprising. So, as Miki and Kiyo rushed forward, Aoki wasn't too far behind them. He didn't jump into the fray like they did, merely stopping at 5 meters away as Miki and Kiyo were caught.

"Shit," he mutters, seeing the dog get caught between the water blade and Akito and his mind shifted from focusing on getting the bells to helping his teammates. His right hand shifts into a single fingered seal and Kiyo's shadow wobbles before shooting upwards into an orb [10 control] to protect Kiyo. If Hajime didn't switch it, it would hopefully take the brunt of the attack instead of Kiyo.

As soon as the attack was finished, he rushed Akito and channeled his chakra into his own shadow. He would attempt to drop down and sweep the older Hyuuga's feet out from under him while rushing upwards with his kunai in an attack.

Jutsu UsedShow

~Eiketsu • Safeguarding Shadow
D-rank Ninjutsu
The user will perform a sequence of hand seals, the user can manipulate any shadow within range (following the passive scale) to create a perfect orb, 10x10 metres with a speed and strength equal to the users [Control].

*Ochiba • Single Finger Seal
D-Ranked Taijutsu Discipline
Having extensive experience with Deft Hands the user is able to manipulate a kunai within their hands and perform hand seals at full speed, without having to put down the kunai at any point.
*Ochiba • Leafing Lumber
D-Ranked Taijutsu Maneuver
A simple technique, the user lowers themselves down and performs a sweeping kick attempting to knock their opponent to the floor, whilst bring their blade into the opponent’s chest all in one fluid motion.

Channeling chakra into his feet for this in the next post

~Eiketsu • Shadow Boxing
D-rank Nintaijutsu Stance
his stance is used in conjunction with other taijutsu maneuvers. In this stance, the user will channel chakra into their shadow and allow it to replicate their physical movements. Targets who avoid their strikes may still connect with their targets shadow, if it makes the connection the target will be bound with [Control] strength for 3 posts.

[Kaida]

The bop to Miki's head didn't look like much, but it felt like a train as he was sent flying by his sensei. Tucking and rolling into his fall, his head shot up just in time to see Kiyo be raised as a shield to evade the suiton maneuver of Hajime, his other teammate. A growl left his lips as he panicked. He was too far and too slow to do anything to help his best friend, settling something ugly in his chest at the realization.

Just as despair was about to overtake him, he saw Aoki perform a jutsu in order to protect Kiyo and he felt his heart grow lighter. He didn't know the Nara very well, but his heart swelled with happiness at seeing someone else attempt to protect his best friend. He knew Hajime would never hurt Kiyo on purpose, and he was grumpy with his sensei for putting his nin kem in a possibly bad situation.

Realizing that this was going poorly, Miki stayed on all fours and assessed what to do next. The bells were irrelevent with Kiyo vulnerable. His best bet was to sideline his objective to insure her safety. From there he could regroup with his team and formulate a plan, not that they had much chance to begin with. But maybe the exercise was about team work and less about success.

Miki would then whistle a command to Kiyo as he took off at 14 speed, going in for a slide tackle from behind towards his sensei. He wasn't foolish enough to think that it would work, but he was hopeful that it would provide the distraction needed for Kiyo to fulfill her task. As he charged in, he made eye contact with his pup and watched as Kiyo turned her head in order to attempt to latch on to sensei Akito's arm with 8 speed and 8 strength. The point was for the threat of the bite to be enough for Akito to release the nin ken and allow Kiyo and Miki to regroup with Haji and Aoki.

Jutsu usedShow

~Latch Onto
D Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Utilizing its teeth and strength, the clan member or familiar will attempt to latch onto the opponent's body with their mouth. From this position, the canine or Inuzuka will do whatever possible to resist being removed. In order to throw off the ninken or clan member, the target must have a strength higher than their strength.

[Kabu]

Shit shit shit shit. This is very bad! Hajime had never expected for his attack to work perfectly but he hadn't quite expected to be so thoroughly countered. He had thought for sure that they may be able to land some sort of blow even if it didn't amount to much but to think that all of them in collaboration hadn't even managed to do that much... And his own attack was even being redirected

"Damnit!" Not wanting to cause any harm to Kiyo or the others he pulled back on his sword to break the connection with his water stream, digging in his heels to stop his momentum. The stream meanwhile would splash harmlessly against the defense that Aoki had put up.

Having an idea he sheathed his sword while channeling, a fairly sizeable orb of water forming in the sky above him. With a glance over towards his two teammates, he launched his water orb at full power, trailing behind it as he dashed towards Akito. And then just a moment before the water ball was due to reach its destination, approximately a meter away... "Now!" he called out as a warning for his teammates to get out of the way as he formed a singular seal, the orb bursting into a torrent of water raining down on Akito. It surely wouldn't hold down him down but it would hopefully allow for him to sneak up behind Akito, slashing towards the bells with hopes to detach them from their current owner in order to grab them.

JutsuShow

Suiton • Splash
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After performing the necessary handseals or channeling Hajime forms a ball of water up to ten meters in the sky above him, the ball itself being around five meters in diameter. At any point within the next five posts he can send it forward up to ten meters at a speed of [Control] and form another seal, causing a torrent of water to rain down at a speed and strength of [Control], forcing whatever it strikes down onto the ground and enveloping them should their strength be lower than the strength with which the jutsu was cast.

Jutsu cast at 10 strength and speed

[Drak]

Good. They’re working together more. Trying to swarm me. Still, let’s see how they coordinate.

He watched as Miki came back in for a charge. Akito braced himself and took the blow. The boy’s non-insubstantial strength pushed him back a step, but Akito was able to remain standing. As Miki barrelled into his sensei, Akito reached around with his left hand and grabbed him by the back of his collar with one hand. The dog, already released and by now inside a shadowy sphere was no trouble.

On his other side, Akito had Aoki to contend with. Again, the leg sweep connected, but was not quite enough to knock him down. However, as Aoki came up from his kick kunai first, Akito channeled chakra into his right hand and grabbed the knife by the blade to stop the blow. He then slid his hand along the knife and Aoki’s hand to grab him by the wrist. Akito’s face showed a flicker of surprise as the young Nara’s shadow latched onto him.

He held his two attackers there for just long enough for the water to hit them, channeling a jutsu all the while. Hajime’s jutsu poured down on everyone with 10 Strength. As the water splashed down, Akito knew part of his bet had paid off: he was not brought low by the spray. He wanted to see if Aoki or Miki would be. He let go of the two boys and let Fuuton chakra gather in his feet as he leapt up ten meters into the air at 15 Speed, yanking up out of Aoki’s shadow trap.

“You were all close there,” he shouted down at his students. But they get in each others' way. He was weaving hand seals as he followed a graceful arc up into the air. A meter wide sphere of earth appeared below him as he reached his zenith, and then rocketed down to the ground at 10 Speed and Strength. It hit the ground where Akito, Aoki, and Miki had just been fighting, bursting into a cloud of dust ten meters in diameter. Akito fell back down into it, able to see through the cloud nearly as if it were not there at all.

SpoilerShow

Jyuuken :: Ambidexterity
D-Rank NinTaijutsu Discipline
After practicing for a long amount of time with the concept of using both of their hands with equal skill, the user has developed a level of ambidexterity that allows them to utilize both hands equally and as effectively without any penalty, going to far as to allow him to use different Jyuuken techniques with each hand. This extends to other methods of combat or simple everyday life as well.

Jyuuken :: Blade Catching Palm
C-Rank NinTaijutsu Maneuver
The user will focus chakra into their hand to form a protective barrier arouind their palm at [Control] speed. This barrier will allow the user to catch or divert an armed blow without harm to themselves as long as their [Control] is greater than the strength of the blow. Any jutsu or enchantment in the weapon must also have more than [Control] strength to effect the user.

*Fuuton • Enhanced Launch
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After doing the needed hand seals, the user gathers wind around their feet. Then, the user will use the wind to blast them from the ground, enabling them to leap into the air an extra 10 meters at [Control] speed. The Fuuton passive is not applied in this technique.

*Doton • Dirt Cloud
D-Rank Ninjutsu
After performing the correct hand seals the user will form a 1 meter diameter ball of loose dirt in front of them, launching it off up to 10 meters away at [Control] strength and speed. Upon impact the ball of loose dirt breaks apart forming a vision-impairing cloud of dirt with a 5 meter radius.

[zory_alechiv]

Aoki processed a little too late that even though his leg sweep connected, their new sensei had't been tripped up, and it was too late to change his trajectory with his kuna. His mismatched eyes widened as the blade slid harmlessly through the Hyuuga's chakra-enhanced hand, the nimble fingers latching onto Aoki's wrist and holding him immobile.

"Shit," He mutters eloquently, having a feeling that they were about to get set up again. Of course, he hated that his mind worked quickly and his body was unable to keep up, causing the torrent of water to nearly drown him and bring him to a knee before he pushed back up. By then, Hajime's blade cut through air, narrowingly missing the bells and their sensei was above them.

What goes up, must come down, he thought with a grimace, fingers of his left hand flying through two hand seals before his shadow rushed out towards Miki, latching on with 10 control so Miki would Imitate what he was going to do. He forced the Inuzuka to look at him before turning his head towards Kiyo and then towards Hajime. "Regroup," he muttered betwee them. Hopefully, the message was delivered as he calculated projections before forcing (if he allowed) Miki to leap towards the other Inuzuka as Aoki jumped, and Aoki reached out to grab air as hopefully Miki grabbed Hajime and they rushed back to safety, out of the dirt cloud and far enough away from their Sensei to grant them a reprieve. As soon as they cleared the dust, he through a smoke bomb towards the ball of dust, hopefully to make it harder for Akito to see.

The Nara dropped his shadow and moved to the other two before dropping to a knee to catch his breath. "This isn't working," he says more to himself than his team. He knows they're not stupid and they're seeing the same things so his tone is one of thought rather than reprimanding. Aware that the Hyuuga could likely see through the dirt, he brings his hand up to cover his mouth.

"He's going to outlast us so we need to be quick." Another thing he knew they realized. "And we need to trick the Byakugan." His eyes narrowed in thought before looking to Hajime. "We need to get you close to those bells again. I think if you try any more ninjutsu like that, he's going to keep throwing us in your way." He wasn't completely aware of his teammates abilities, though he could work with what he had seen. Though he and Hajime would likely do better at a distance, against Akito, distance would not work in their favor. They needed to be more like Miki and fight close, but he doubted Akito was merely dodging attacks. He was studying them as they studied him. He probably knew more than they did about each other.

"First step," he panted. "Confuse the Byakugan. I don't know if Kiyo can transform, but I think three Miki's might be more confusing, but Kiyo is a dead give away on which one is the real one. Have him support me. He can attack the right arm, I'll attack the left and we'll attack from the sides, leaving the real Miki to latch onto his head from behind. Do what you have to, cover his eyes, something. Hajime, that leaves you to attack from the front. Wait until you are real close then use that sword to go for the bells again that way if he tries to throw one of us in your path, you can back off. If anyone else has any better ideas, I'm game to hear them but we can't keep tripping over each other."

Aoki stood up from his kneeling position to shrug off his jacket. His hair fell into a messy shag around his shoulders and he worked quickly to tug it up into a high ponytail. He tugged off his village headband from around his neck and handed it silently to Miki, hoping the intent was clear. If anything, maybe he could use that to cover Akito's eyes to distract him long enough for Hajime to get the bells.

Jutsu UsedShow

~Eiketsu • Imitation
C-rank Ninjutsu
The user will perform a sequence of hand seals and will hold the final seal, the user will send their shadow out across any surface toward a target at a speed equal to the users [Control] up to 25 meters, aiming to connect with a targets shadow. If contact is made, the user and the opponent will be linked together in movement, so that everything the user does is mimicked by the opponent. they are bound with a strength of the users [Control], last for 5 posts.