__ Unenthused dark grey eyes leaned their gaze upon the landscape laid before them. A voice rang out from behind and to the right, "Sandayu-dono, I believe this is the place. Judging by... things, that man's tip was not mistaken." Akigana bowed his head slightly toward the young man he was addressing just a few paces ahead. Sandayu only nodded in agreement as his eyes shifted to access the suppressed power within. The rippled design began to seek out any noticable traces of chakra or life throughout what looked to be a recently concluded battleground. The small unnamed town dotting the outlands of the Ginmizu Falls landmark suffered damage to many buildings and several bodies dotted the streets. 'I'll just ask one of them instead...' He thought to himself while gazing up on a nearby corpse in silence. Akigana could be heard taking preemptive action by slaying several nearby enemies attempting to hide. A few handfuls of these hidden foes were actually local authorities from Arashigakure mistaking Sandayu and Akigana as enemy reinforcements- some officers and shinobi. To avoid complications, only the some f that actually seemed like bandits or rogue ninja were killed, while the rest were simply incapacitated with overwhelming skill. With the completion of several hand seals Sandayu would finish adequately molding his chakra while Akigana handled the rest, including the rescue of several identifiable Iga clan ninja. His bodyguard also took it upon himself to rescue several handfuls of distraught civilians in need. The result was to be as he'd learned from his clan's scroll. A soul was pried from its rest in the Pure Realm to revisit the Impure World. The man's ghost gasped fearfully as though reliving his last moment in life once he fully manifested. **LEARNED - Culled Soul Revival [ X-Rank | Rinnegan (Outer Path) ] **TRAINING MISSION - Basic Training: Meditate [ D-Rank | 3/5 Posts | 1/2 Complete ] **TRAINING MISSION - Basic Training: Performance [ D-Rank | 3/3 Posts | 1/2 Complete ] **MISSION - Learn a Jutsu! [ D-Rank | 1/0 Posts | 1/3 Complete ] **MISSION - No Survivors [ C-Rank | 1/0 Posts ] **MISSION - Security II [ C-Rank | 2/4 Posts | 25 Crimes/Fights Stopped ] **MISSION - Scout [ B-Rank | 2/6 Posts ] **MISSION - Thieves Guild [ B-Rank | 2/4 Posts ] **MISSION - Rescue [ B-Rank | 5/0 Posts ] **MISSION - Targeted Defense [ B-Rank | 1/0 Posts ]
Sandayu just pointed ahead to gain the spirit's attention. The ghost looked out on his ruined home and sign regretfully, "So... they killed us after all. Last I remember, they were being chased off. Dammit. Damn those bastards for tricking us!!" The man cursed at the ground, wishing he were alive to shed tears or do anything for that matter. Sandayu frowned and opened his mouth to say, "Do any of you know Shiikoma?" While Sandayu spoke with the Culled Soul, Akigana continued to kill or incapacitate just about everything that moved for the sake of protecting his charge. About ten more civilians in need were lucky to be saved from a deadly fate, or worse. Even better, the dutiful bodyguard continue to locate and aid other Iga clansman who were also from Tengakure looking for Shiikoma. The name instantly caused the man's ghost to freeze with fear. Then that fear changed to fury, "That ********! He was part of this! What is he to you!? Your friend? Are you here to help him finish what he started!? HUH!?" Sandayu just shrugged slightly and shook his head, "My brother. But no, I am not." With a wave of his hand, Sandayu dismissed the spirit then gestured for Akigana to follow. Sandayu ventured deeper into the village to gather more clues and prepare for a likely inevitable fight. His eyes revealed to him that it was likely that many more enemies aside from his missing brother could still be in the vicinity too. Sure enough, as he turned a corner someone came rushing around to over-confidently ambush him. Sandayu's chakra boiled in half of an instant and was forged into the form of a spear. The tip reached out to intercept the oncoming attack in the blink of an eye. The assailant was skewered before he could finish mustering his strength. Sanda released his grip on the battle-ready Black Chakra Receiver. He snapped his fingers to will it out of existence again shortly after finishing the deed. "Young lord!?" Akigana interjected worriedly but was silenced with a dismissive wave of his hand. **LEARNED - Black Chakra Receiver [ C-Rank | Rinnegan (Outer Path) ] **TRAINING MISSION - Basic Training: Meditate [ D-Rank | 5/5 Posts | 1/2 Complete ] **TRAINING MISSION - Basic Training: Meditate [ D-Rank | 2/5 Posts | 2/2 Complete ] **TRAINING MISSION - Basic Training: Performance [ D-Rank | 3/3 Posts | 2/2 Complete ] **MISSION - Learn a Jutsu! [ D-Rank | 1/0 Posts | 2/3 Complete ] **MISSION - Find (X) [ D-Rank | 2/5 Posts ] **MISSION - No Survivors [ C-Rank | 1/0 Posts ] **MISSION - Security II [ C-Rank | 4/4 Posts | 25 Crimes/Fights Stopped ] **MISSION - Scout [ B-Rank | 4/6 Posts ] **MISSION - Thieves Guild [ B-Rank | 4/4 Posts ] **MISSION - Rescue [ B-Rank | 5/0 Posts ] **MISSION - Targeted Defense [ B-Rank | 1/0 Posts ]
It seemed that Shiikoma was using his training in stealth and subterfuge to the fullest. Not a single Iga clan ninja could restrain or stall the fourth child of Jiroukotsu and Yagura. His skill aside, the heavy conflict present in this wayward village presented plenty of obstacles too. Many of the trackers couldn't get passed the three-way fighting between civilians, invading enemies, and local authorities. The question that ran through Sandayu's mind was in the direction of "why" Shiikoma would even come here in the first place. There was nothing of value, from what he could tell. In fact, the overall setting became more violently volatile by the minute. There was no way this could serve as a decent hideout to anyone. 'Unless...' Recalling his younger brother's nature, Sandayu looked back to memories where Shiikoma splendidly proved himself better amidst chaotic situations like these. "Got you now..." A sinister-toned voice of familiarity echoed on the bloody wind as Sandayu's eyes barely caught glimpse of an oncoming threat. Thankfully, Akigana was more able to react in a timely manner. The bodyguard's blade quickly intercepted a volley of flying knives. To even disarm the ambush hidden behind the attack as a contingency, those small blades were redirected upon many others using the shadows as cover. "Impressive as always, God-Blade Akigana. My older brother is lucky you're here to protect him!" The source of Shiikoma's voice remained aloof to the pair even as he suddenly appeared between them and formed a hand seal. "Shinra Tensei!" Before either could react they were blown away from each other with a tremendous repelling force. Sandayu barely managed to recover in midair but still had to pick himself up off the ground after the attack. His light purple, rippled eyes narrowed on his brother with growing disdain. Akigana would've had an easier time than the young lord were it not for being thrown through a thin stone wall. To make things worse, when he did get back to his feet he was quickly surrounded by Shiikoma's hired mercenaries. He would have to fight through them to return to his master's side, and do so mercilessly to ensure the best result. Meanwhile, Sandayu was reaching into the last of the more basic techniques of the Outer Path that he was left with. His chakra manifested into the shapes of three purplish chains from the left side of his back. They hosted spikes lining each link as well as at the tips and carried chakra suppressing powers against those who they were used to capture. "Return them and go home, or else." Sandayu dusted himself off as he relayed their father's decree, although an overly simplified version of it. Shiikoma scoffed and shrugged, "Screw that, brother. You aren't even actually one of us yet our dad chose you over us. Just because you have those stupid eyes! Let's see who is the favorite after I take them from you and my rightful place as the next heir to the Iga clan!!" Shiikoma steadied his right hand and prepared a powerful attractive force with his chakra this time, "Bansho Ten'in!" Ready to read the path of the gravity-manipulating force this time, Sandayu used his chains to both propel himself out of the way of his brother's controlled zone as well as direct the other two chains to counterattack. While his sibling had managed to learn to use the Rinnegan's powers, it showed how physically taxing they were. There was a needed moment of pause which left Shiikoma vulnerable to Sandayu's counter. One chains quickly bound his neck while the other coiled around his upper body and restrained the arms. The last chain followed up by binding the brother's legs, and all three began to dig their sharp spiked sides into his body. Sandayu stood over Shiikoma for a moment, shook his head and said, "I didn't ask for this solitude." Shiikoma was more preoccupied with the surging pain and frustration to really register his older adoptive brother's words. Sandayu retrieved the secret scroll from his brother's person, increased the tension to render Shiikoma unconscious, and then walked away to regroup with Akigana. When he arrived, Sandayu found his companion surrounded by several piles of corpses. It appeared that other rogue ninja and bandits had joined in to take advantage of the situation only to also be felled in the process. Many more officers and shinobi from Arashigakure also laid about, but they were just left unconscious unless killed by anyone else in the midst of the fighting. Akigana saw Sandayu finish his fight and come over so he eased his tension enough to feel it was safe to clean off his blade before sheathing it again. "I got it." Sandayu put the scroll away in his lapel as he continued walking elsewhere from this village. Akigana simply gave the young man a congratulatory nod and followed after. **LEARNED - Mazō no Kusari [Outer Path Chains] [ X-Rank | Rinnegan (Outer Path) ] **TRAINING MISSION - Basic Training: Meditate [ D-Rank | 5/5 Posts | 2/2 Complete ] **MISSION - Learn a Jutsu! [ D-Rank | 1/0 Posts | 3/3 Complete ] **MISSION - Muscle for Hire [ D-Rank | 3/3 Posts ] **MISSION - Find (X) [ D-Rank | 5/5 Posts ] **MISSION - No Survivors [ C-Rank | 1/0 Posts ] **MISSION - Security II [ C-Rank | 4/4 Posts | 25 Crimes/Fights Stopped ] **MISSION - Scout [ B-Rank | 6/6 Posts ] **MISSION - Thieves Guild [ B-Rank | 4/4 Posts ] **MISSION - Rescue [ B-Rank | 5/0 Posts ] **MISSION - Targeted Defense [ B-Rank | 1/0 Posts ]
__ It didn't take Sandayu and Akigana to travel pretty far away from that massacred little town. Sanda's brother would be detained and transported back to Tengakure by the other Iga shinobi so that was one less thing to worry about. "Young master, please wait for a moment." The bodyguard beckoned for an audience with Sandayu. The young man came to a halt and quietly turned to face his aide. He said nothing, but his expression made it clear that he was willing to listen. "As your guardian and tutor, I must say that we were ill prepared for Shiikoma. While I am glad for your victory, I must suggest that you spare no time to master the techniques on that scroll you just gained." Sandayu reached into his lapel and extracted the Deva Path's scroll. His dark grey eyes shifted back to the rippled, soft purple color of his legendary dojutsu. After only a nod he began to study its contents. The first listed ability was the Bansho Ten'in power that Shiikoma used before being defeated. It had a strong attractive force to it, capable of uprooting sections of forest or tearing down buildings if used right. Sadly, his brother lacked the power needed to effectively channel it. However, Sandayu had no problems with this. The next skill was simply the antithesis of Bansho Ten'in. The Shinra Tensei invoked a potent repelling force that could potentially scrub away large landscapes. Practicing it a few times as well was all that was needed for a prodigy like Sandayu to master it. Likewise, learning and practicing the Divine Binding technique, which was essentially a lower level application of both attractive and repelling forces, took only a short time to gain a wealth of mastery. Finally, he studied the Heavenly Aspiration skill which afforded him powers similar to that of telekinesis, although with far less precise control than he would prefer.
Sandayu stored the Deva Path scroll away with the Outer Path. Afterword he looked back to Akigana and asked, "Is that fine?" For the time being, that was literally the most he could learn from the scrolls he had so far. He had to develop his inner strength more before he could handle the more advanced powers of either of those two paths. "Your powers are indeed quite remarkable, Sandayu-dono. However, you cannot forget the rest of your training either." Sandayu had a feeling that he knew exactly where his mentor was going with this. As such, he gladly manifested a medium-sized sword length black chakra receiver and steadied himself to continue practices far into the outskirts of the Ginmizu Falls. They were well enough away from that misfortunate nameless village and covered their tracks well enough to not have to worry about pursuers for a while. The brief clangs and ringing of metal clashing against whatever metal-like material Sanda wielded resounded from their training space. It wouldn't take long for him to gain an admirably firm conceptual grasp of using his tool. For some time he used it as a blade, like any sword. Throughout their sparring practice Sandayu also entertained the use of the black chakra receiver as a clubbing weapon. There were noticeable differences in how he would need to swing the weapon to inflict very different types of damage. Not that it actually bothered him any, Sandayu was starting to notice that he was having a hard time actually landing any hits on his partner, though. Even while Akigana taught him some basic techniques from the Hagane no Shunkan and Kyouzou styles, never once did he land a solid hit on his teacher. Rather than get frustrated like most people, Sandayu rather appreciated the unspoken challenge. Of course, Akigana noticed that little by little, his pupil's aimed strikes were becoming more and more precise as well as full of conviction. Just as Sandayu was enjoying learning during this unwinding training, Akigana relished the chance to train such a person. Honestly, he was learning just as much by teaching Sandayu a few tricks and moves too.
__ Sandayu took a few moments to stretch his neck and shoulders with some rolling motions. It felt good to workout like that, and just as much so to be able to unwind and relax after so much accomplishment. As usual, Akigana was an excellent teacher that effectively helped his pupil succeed with an efficient pace being the leading rule for achievement. Sanda's mentor approached him after sheathing his blade and offered the young man a medicinal pill ball. "Take this, Sandayu-dono. It'll help you recover faster." His dark locks of hair swayed in the passing breeze as he consumed the orb. His eyebrow twitched ever so slightly at its bitterness before he forced himself to swallow. Sandayu wished there were something to wash it down with, but could suffer this much with no issue. Not long after taking the medicine did he feel the hairs on the back of his neck start to stand on end. It was an instinctual alert to immanent danger. Of course, Akigana had already noticed as well. Sandayu's eyes shifted back unto their pale violet hues. The rippled design set over them surveyed the immediate area in a single swoop. Many potential enemies were seen moving in the distance. A select few stood out from the crowd, though. "Sandayu-dono, how do you wish to proceed?" While the approaching group of ragtag warriors didn't make it explicitly clear they were looking for a fight, Sandayu felt inclined to trust his gut. "No witnesses. No survivors." Sandayu reared his empty hand back as though he were preparing to swing a sword back across his body. Has he swung his hand around he manifested an incredibly long, sharp and thin Black Chakra Receiver which easily cleaved though most of his foes in one fell swoop. Several more were caught in the following back swing as they scrambled to react to the surprisingly long range of the impulsive attack. The remaining few repositioned themselves into defensive position, awestruck by the boy's fearsome presence. They chattered amongst themselves, instantly doubting their preparedness to fulfill this bounty. Five of them had been slain in just two simple attacks. One of the remaining four bounty hunters got the idea to leave the rest for their graves here on the battlefield. The very moment he turned his back was the moment that Sandayu employed a powerful attractive force toward his body. Sandayu muttered softly under his breath, "Bansho Ten'in." The manroared with fear and surprise as he was violently dragged and tumbled across the ground. The Black Chakra Reciever Sandayu was using before disintegrated and a new, nodachi-length one was formed in his outstretched hand. The unfortunate, battered coward found himself impaled deeply on the pitch dark blade at almost the dead center of his body. Sandayu mercilessly had its sharp edge swung up and out through his left shoulder, severing the heart and lung in passing. "You all have made a grave mistake coming here today." Akigana's words only served as salt in the wounds of the last four hunters' resounding regret. However, these three seemed more inclined to fight to the last. This was especially true after having witnessed what would happen if they attempted to flee instead. **MISSION - Specialist [ S-Rank | 1/5 Posts ] **MISSION - Assassination [ S-Rank | 1/0 Posts | x6 ]
Sandayu kicked the cowardly hunter's corpse aside as it slumped toward the ground. His powerful eyes met the gaze of each of the others, one by one. He was calm and collected. However, he lacked the immodest overconfidence that several of his siblings did. The three bounty hunters remaining were different, though. They trembled, each to differing degrees. Akigana kept his hand on the his sheathed sword's grip. The bodyguard's specialty was iado. Then again, he didn't suspect that he would need to get involved this time. Instead, he just kept an eye on the enemy's movements as well as stayed alert toward the rest of their surroundings. The dense cover of trees in this area near the falls was both a blessing and curse to all present. "I gotta say, kid, you're way more than we expected. If I make it outta this with your head I'm definitely renegotiating the pay." Apparently this one coped with his fear by running his mouth. Sandayu tired of waiting for them to fight. He rushed toward them. One in the tree began to weave hand signs as the Rinnegan user approached the hunter who had just been speaking. The last hunter quickly unleashed an interceptive volley of kunai and shuriken in hopes of at least slowing Sandayu down or making an opening for his comrades. The main target of his advance rushed at Sanda too with a sword drawn. Another Black Chakra Receiver took shape in his offhand, only around the length of a tanto, and was used to parry the several ninja tools with relative ease. Sandayu didn't slow down much as he deflected the kunai and shuriken, but it was enough for the bounty hunter preparing his ninjutsu to finish their hand seals. Electricity flared up around him and then was sent forward in a crackling flash to strike Sandayu before he finished reaching the swordsman hunter. The young prodigal shinobi disintegrated the offhanded weapon and in turn unleashed the full power of the Deva Path's repelling force to counter the raiton attack headed his way. This time he had to halt his advance, but the Shinra Tensei would easily overwhelm the opposing ninjutsu as well as shatter the bodies of the other two bounty hunters as they were caught in its wake. The men grunted and roared with pain as they and several trees in the fifty foot reach of divine counter attack were obliterated with excessive might. Thinking this to be an opportunity to strike, the last hunter finished closing the distance on his supposedly distracted foe and lunged forward to drive his blade through the side of Sandayu's head. However, he was noticed in the very edge of Sanda's view. The boy scoffed as three Outer Path Chains manifested and intercepted the threat. One chain was used to restrain and bind the blade from getting nearer than a foot of Sandayu's body as well as some of the hunter's wielding arm. The other two just violently lashed out to impale the bound fool through his body. Their sharp, spiked chain links would follow the edged tip all the way through his body to further the bodily harm inflicted. "BLEK!" He grunted as he frustratingly realized his demise, "D-damn... it..." After coughing some of his blood up in a final gasp of life, he too joined the rest of the bounty hunters in the afterlife. ". . ." Sandayu's cold gaze shifted around to the rest of his surroundings. Nine confirmed kills with no casualty on his side seemed like an acceptable result to him. Akigana relaxed just a little, and offered the young lord a short applause. His pupil was learning to wield his ocular powers to such an exceptional degree. **MISSION - Specialist [ S-Rank | 5/5 Posts ] **MISSION - Assassination [ S-Rank | 1/0 Posts | x3 ] **MISSION - Warlord [ S-Rank | 1/0 Posts ]
Sandayu wasn't quite done, however. He wanted answers about who exactly sent these men after him. The Culled Soul Revival would leash the soul of the swordsman bounty hunter. There was a little bit of resistance in getting him to talk, but Sandayu struck a deal with the deceased to get revenge on those who sent them to their deaths. With that, he also learned that one of his siblings was the culprit of this failed assassination attempt. Mayago would find herself much further up on Sandayu's list of targets thanks to her underhanded tactics. **MISSION - Torture and Interrogate :: IV [ A-Rank | 1/3 Maximum Posts ]
__ Sandayu and Akigana arrived near a few cliffs. He had a lot to process thanks to Mayago's activity. It wasn't surprising that there would be resistance from his siblings in seeking them out to send them home and reclaim what they'd stolen from the clan. However, it was slightly discomforting that at least one of them had been keeping tabs on him enough to turn him into the 'hunted' while he thought he was the one doing the hunting. His thoughts were broken by the slightly gargled growling noise coming from behind him. Sanda glanced back only to see Akigana slightly hunched over and tightly grasping his body like he were in some kind of pain. "What's wr-wrong...!?" His voice stuttered as he felt a burning coldness growing from deep within. Sandayu's eyes shifted as the Rinnegan reclaimed presence as if instinctively. To his surprise, he saw that he and his companion were being bathed in a strange chakra that seemed to be everywhere around them at this point. His eyes sought the source as quickly as possible, only to be directed toward the sky where a blood red moon hung above. He didn't know what was happening to him or his comrade, but it was affecting them deeply, and from what he could tell it was no mere illusion either. That sensation he was feeling was soon coursing throughout his body as he felt his body finish its somewhat subtle transformation. Akigana also finished soon after, but had collapsed as a result of it. Sandayu managed to hang on to his consciousness though.
He could have done this with chakra- even without earth style, it would have taken mere seconds. Still, the ease of it felt wrong. He needed to toil in this task, it was the least he could do to make up for his failures. All his life that's all he was. A failure as a King. A failure as a husband. Now, as he glanced at the heavy cloth-wrapped body, he realized he was also a failure as a friend. After an hour of work, he drove the shovel into the ground for the last time and wiped the sweat from his brow.
He reached up and pulled himself out of the hole he had dug and approached the body. He began to unwrap the corpse, pausing to stare at the chest wound. It had not been a quick death, nor a painless one. Then again, the ends of operatives in this line of work rarely was. He picked up the body and placed it in the pine box he had constructed for this occassion. Using the assistance of a clone he lowered it into the ground with great caution. After making sure it was level he began to cover it back up with dirt once more after a moment's silence. 'You were idealistic and rash, but you were a leader more than I have ever been. You will be remembered' As the last shovelful of dirt was put into place he patted the ground smoothly.
'Were you...friends?' Son Goku asked
He hesitated for a moment before answering "Yes. He was my only one"
He knelt down and placed a large, flat rock into the ground above where he was buried. His pointer finger ignited as he touched it to the rock, melting the inscription into the stone. He traced back over his work and, after a moment's hesitation, nodded before stepping back
Takumi Saegahara of Takumi Revolutionary. Friend. Leader Rest In Peace
Their battle hadn't been discrete. A battle like that never was. Witnesses had pointed him to where Takumi had fallen and those same people described the woman who struck him down. Blue hair. The same woman he had bumped into in the village. The Three-Tails. Fire hemmed the edges of his cloak, danced between his finger tips, and encapsulated the head of the spear which had appeared in his hands
'So, what do we do now?' The King of Apes asked.
Belamos set his jaw. Son Goku knew the answer, he just wanted to hear him say it out loud "We kill her"
__ Kagami arrived in the Ginmizu falls with a group of twenty Kogarashi operatives behind her. She walked through the plains and took in the sight of the golden Sun hitting the water. As she walked toward the center of the destination she looked down and noticed a headrest. "Takumi Saegahara..." She thought in shock before rubbing her eyes and re-examining the headrest. "Maybe it's a different Takumi, wait a minute..." When she read the word "Revolutionary," she was certain that someone found and buried the man. If anyone would be able to track down his corpse at the bottom of the ocean, or even cared to, it would be Belamos.
Kagami stood with the group of Kogarashi operatives in the center of the valley with her standing next to Takumi's headrest. This was certainly not an ambush. She stared in the vast expanses and would be able to see them approach. "Keep an eye out and warn me if they try anything." She at least needed a warning if she were to respond effectively to a trap. Kagami's honest intentions, however, were to talk to the Kogarashi founders. "Isobu darling, let me know when he starts approaching." Isobu silently agreed with the arrangement.
_______________ ≎Out Of Context≎ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Enter.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
Azeiel the Risen
Dexterous Prince
Ephemeral Ozymandias Captain
Obsessive Prophet
Offline
Dexterous Prince
Business Tycoon
Offline
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 5:17 pm
"She's here"
"I know"
"She's not alone"
Belamos climbed the paved path towards the hilltop that Kagami and her group of operative stood on. She hadn't come alone. So, indeed, this was a trap. She knew that once he set his sights on her, even if he saw the background shinobi, he would press on. She was right. He strode towards the two dozen Kogarashi operatives and their leader. He was glad he had come alone- Tsuki wouldn't have to die. It pained him to think of missing Aurelia grow up but it was the nature of the life. Hopefully one day she understood.
He stopped a dozen feet away from the woman, letting Takumi's headstone lay in the gap between them. He didn't speak at first, just simply scanned her face before panning across the assembled men and women that stood behind her before locking his eyes back onto the Blue Haired Vixen "Fitting you choose this spot." His eyes rested for a moment upon Takumi's name before shifting back to the woman "Unfortunately, for you, there will be naught but ashes to return to the ground"
'Fwoosh!' The sound of rushing flames and the smell of smoke filled the air as fire seemed to appear and condence into a solid spear in Belamos's grip in an instant. He simply held it, tip down, staring at Kagami. It would just be a matter of who struck first.
__ Once Belamos arrived Kagami stood completely still. Even as fire consumed the spear and Kagami could feel the overwhelming heat she stood still. She passively lifted her hands as all of the operatives behind her bowed down. "We're not here to fight you. Like I wrote in the letter, this is just to talk." Kagami guessed that the man would react to the operatives as if it were a trap. When they took the passive stance she elaborated. "Takumi refused to give up his position as the leader of Kogarashi even as most of his subordinates threatened mutiny. He always was stubborn about that..." She cleared her throat from the ash as she stared down the tip of the spear with confidence. "If the agents rebelled and killed Takumi then the organization would've collapsed. I had to be the one to do it to regain control and prevent disaster." As she glanced down at the headstone she felt her eyes welling with tears. "He took me in and taught me everything I know, I owe everything to him. I was praying that he would listen to me, but he didn't. I'm sorry..." In Kagami's heartfelt apology she felt the tears stream down her face as her eyebrows were being singed by the fire in front of her. She looked into Belamos' eyes as she felt the rush of emotions from her betrayal out of loyalty overwhelm her all at once. "We both know all too well what happened during the war. The five nations collapsed and two rose from the ashes. Now Arashigakure is struggling to support itself between the various groups, including the Oto refugees who are discriminated against and treated like dirt. I'm trying to finish what Takumi started but with more force. Gimangakure is still a home for the dispossessed and Kogarashi is doing more than ever to build hospitals and schools but without the tyrannical government of the villages that take their children away to raise them for war." As Kagami spoke she wiped away her tears, she genuinely believed that the world would be better off without the villages. "If you join us again then you can be the leader that those who the villages abandoned need. You can be the king of a new world and the champion who vanquished the great evil of the hidden villages." She needed Belamos' help if she was going to destroy the villages and create a world without an oppressive regime. In anarchy, there were opportunities for benevolent community leaders such as Belamos to rise and make the world better, but the village system as it stood was sick and corrupt. "But you don't need me to convince you. You're a powerful man and a leader who knows what he must do to free his people from the chains that bind them." Kagami was speaking a truth that Belamos knew all along. He could not stay under Arashigakure's thumb and continue to allow his people to be oppressed.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
Azeiel the Risen
Dexterous Prince
Ephemeral Ozymandias Captain
Obsessive Prophet
Offline
Dexterous Prince
Business Tycoon
Offline
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:06 pm
The kneeling surprised him but Belamos stayed silent- letting Kagami talk. He was expecting, well, not this. He has come prepared to battle a treasonous temptress, not this...emotional empathetic woman. Her tears seemed sincere enough, as did the emotion the wracked her voice. While she may have felt genuinely sorry for the deed she had done the stone that lay between them was evidence that that feeling alone was not enough to stay her hand. Still, Takumi always had struggled with inspiring people so he supposed her story had some possibility of truth. Belamos kept the tip of his spear still at the ready but the flames which surrounded the weapon died down a bit. All this in response to one word Kagami had said:
King.
A word he had not thought to use to describe himself with every again. His dream, his one aspiration- he had given up on it long ago. Looking upon the dozens of kneeling potential subjects, he could see how serious they were. After the fall of the sound and his inability to build them a new kingdom he had deemed himself a failure and relegated himself to the life of submission. He had rejected his calling yet it appeared destiny had extended it's hand to him yet again. Age had, however, made Belamos wary and given him a wisdom he did not have in his younger days. While the offer was...enticing he did not trust this woman.
"You would give up your position as leader...just like that?" He narrowed his eyes in disbelief at the prospect. One doesn't kill the old leadership just to hand it over to someone else. Furthermore, something else she said didn't sit right with him "And what force do you speak of?" While it was true he did want to sit upon the throne of a world at peace, a throne built upon the bodies of those who he was to rule would not do at all.
__ Belamos did not respond by attempting to kill her so that was progress. She could sense the mistrust in his voice following his questions. "I'd do anything for Kogarashi to thrive. This organization is humanity's last hope end the tyranny of the villages." She responded in a forthright and honest tone to his first question. "In terms of force, Takumi's subordinates wanted him gone because of his incremental approach to revolution. You know as well as I do that the kages will not give up their power without holding their innocent populations hostage. For example, I went to Uzushiogakure and I met with the Uzukage. I gave her suggestions for reform and she assaulted me, even destroying her office in the process and harming numerous civilians." Kagami spoke with a potent sense of terror in her voice as she recalled the meeting. "I had to flee the village when the explosion happened from her ninjutsu. All eyewitness accounts will confirm that. If it were my intention to kill her then I could have transformed into my demon to kill her and destroy the village, but I did not. The Uzukage has now declared war on Kogarashi, but she had been pursuing us long before this under Takumi's rule." Kagami fully explained the context of the situation. "Look, if all I cared about was taking over Kogarashi then I would've done everything in my power to have you killed instead of letting you live to challenge my rule. That's what a true usurper would do." Kagami would continue. "That village is oppressing your people and keeping you under their thumb. Is that what you want your legacy to be? Or do you want to come back to Kogarashi and change the world for the better?" The enchantress posed her final question to him.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
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Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:56 pm
Belamos would walk around and past her as she spoke, pacing in front of the two dozen kneeling subordinates. They kept their heads down as he neared- an excelling form of difference. Belamos wasn't sure if he was being played but he intended to find out. From Kagami's account, it appeared that she was more or less innocent of any wrongdoing in the Whirlpool village. As much as he hated it her words actually made sense. Isobu alone could have made that village into a crater. The fact that the Uzukage lived was proof enough that Kagami had not been the aggressor. Still, the open war was a different matter entirely.
When Kagami questioned his legacy Belamo's head snapped in her direction, a raw fury in his eyes as he stared at her over his shoulder "Don't speak to me of my legacy, woman" Turning to face her he continued "My legacy resides in a sequestered and isolated living area in the Stormlands. My legacy is a swordswoman who has seen too much blood in her life. My legacy is a four-year-old that I would die to protect" Belamos made it clear in that- his future and his life were inexplicably tied to Arashigakure. There would be no separating it save killing the twins and taking power for himself- something he was not prepared to do.
The air grew hot now. The sun's rays seemed to shine a little brighter. Belamos walked towards Kagami "My legacy, my people, my family lives within a walls of a village you so despise. So, tell me Kagami Hari, you have told me about your actions against the Whirlpool" He stopped now, the grass beneath his feet withering and dying from the heat "...what actions have you taken against my people"
__ Kagami would not flinch to Belamos's questions. She had mentally prepared herself for hours for the full range of reactions that she could anticipate. "I've taken no action against the Oto refugees and I took no action against the Whirlpool. I was attacked in Uzu and I chose to escape to avoid killing civilians." She made her case with confidence and dug her heels in to support her previous account. "You're a father and a man who values his family as his legacy, but there are countless elitists from Kumo who look down on your family and your people. The Kumo elitists are the ones who have the real power in Arashigakure and they hold that power over you." As she spoke she continued to move her body to face him. "Your people don't have to be caged up in those walls forever. You know it in your bones that they are yearning for their king to lead them to a prosperous future away from the humiliation. This is your chance." She continued to offer him this opportunity to change the world and would not yield until she would get a final answer.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
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Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 7:25 pm
He looked her up and down as she finished her response. Taking a moment's pause before continuing "Your worldview is too simple. In youth I believed as much as well, but things are not so black and white. The elite of the former Cloud Village, the followers of Shiro, do indeed rule but there are also innocent civilians and shinobi from the Cloud that reside in those walls" Still, at the mention of sneering Elitists the image of Kenshin arose- a man who neither trusted nor liked the presence of the Sound Shinobi within his walls. The woman didn't have a good point but it was a point nonetheless "While you may not intentionally target the people of Otogakure, any attacks against Arashi will inevitably harm them. So, I ask you once more, is there anything else I should know Kagami?" Within him the Yonbi stirred, uneasy. He finally spoke out, addressing Isobu directly
"If you are playing me brother"The Monkey King growled "I cannot stop what he will do to you"
__ Kagami would immediately respond to Belamos's question. "No, I've taken no action against Arashigakure." She declared definitively. "What I fear, however, is that the Arashikages won't listen just like the Uzukage. Shiro especially won't listen and will use all his imperial resources to prevent our goals. I don't want any civilians to be harmed, but we all must fight for our freedom from the tyranny of the villages." She believed wholeheartedly in an anarchic society. The UHV had it all wrong in her estimation. By destroying the ninja villages, millions would be free to forge their own destiny. "I know you care about Kogarashi, you wouldn't have found it otherwise. You've nothing to fear from me. I've been entirely truthful with you and very clear about what my intentions with Kogarashi are. Kogarashi is filled to the brim with passionate revolutionaries who want to create a brighter world for their children. You can make it so." Kagami understood that Belamos did not trust her and she knew that he had good reason not to. She made her case about why she did what she had to do and she believed that Belamos understood. "You now know where I stand, but where do you stand? Is there anything you wish to tell me?" She asked and had her suspicions that he already turned Arashigakure against her. When Isobu heard his brother call out to him he remained silent and hid his head in his shell. Son Goku was always a cruel brother to him and he did not have the courage to respond.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:52 am
In response to her questioning, Belamos shifted his gaze to the sky as if pondering what to say. He was silent for a handful of moments before returning his sights back to Kagami "The Twins are aware of you. As is my wife. But...they are not hostile. They just fear what could be done with Kogarashi" His spear vanished- combusting into flames and returning from whence it came. Belamos crossed his arms in front of his chest and inhaled deeply. He was slow to come to the decision, but once it was made he felt good. As they say, the die was cast at that point "I accept your offer Kagami Hari. But it will be on the condition that violence is a tool of last resort. Any and all avenues of approach will be made towards brokering a peace with the Whirlpool while we try to settle this disagreement." He would look past her- to the east "Let's move this to Giman. I want to see what has become of the old hideout"
