The marvelous flying ship was something Saekki had never seen, and he was only slightly embarrassed to admit that, at first, he had thought the jounin had summoned a dragon before realizing what the ship was.
Though, he was with Honey in laughing quietly at the skimpy ladder that dropped down on them. However, he didn't mind. In fact, nodding up just as Honey leaped up, it seemed Saekki knew exactly what Honey was going to do as she was doing it. Saekki, his weight able to be supported by the rope ladder, nimbly climbed up after the bear, like a monkey up a tree.
Therefore, by ship, they arrived at the field of battle with a face full of wind and a newfound admiration for the accompanying jounin. Earlier today, unbeknownst to the occupants of the ship, Seizan had one shinobi drop down to wreak havoc. Right now, it was about to get another.
Noud was kind enough to try to land the ship. Saekki, however, had any ideas. He had spent the boat ride quietly meditating in a corner, reaching his senses into this still barely sprouted wind core. He'd completely cycled through the chakra in the core, warming it up from its injury-caused dormancy to use it once more. As he felt the boat descend, Saekki ended his meditation and walked to the edge of the boat. [Learned 4 Techniques]
He looked down at the world from the skies and smirked. Forget this slow and predictable descent, Saekki jumped upon the railings of the boat. "Senior," he called to the man who had recently earned his respect, cupping his hands and bowing as the wind whipped his hair and robes about, "Honey and I will be leaving first." Then he dove backwards from the ship and, with a single hand sign, turned into a stream of lightning racing to the ground. [Lightning Transformation]
On the ground filled with enemies, Saekki hit an enemy on his first try. He stunned one target, and with the element of surprise on his side, he stood up and quietly dusted himself off. From shock to seething anger at this man's audacity in the blink of an eye. Of course, to the enemy, it was just one man in the middle of all of them. He hadn't even killed any of them yet. Why should they be scared of just one man? No matter how cocky he appeared?
Learned ▰ Kaze Bunshin [ Wind Clone ] | Rank E A typical clone created with a wind elemental chakra nature. It is easily bested by any sort of skill, but this clone is still better than the average Bunshin as it is able to attack and be attacked.
▰ Kaze Fuuchuufuyuu [ Wind Levitation ] | Rank E Utilizing a fuuton chakra nature, the user is able to direct wind beneath an object in order to force it up of the ground. The effectiveness of this jutsu is dependent upon the weight of the object it is being used on. The weight limit for this technique is twenty pounds, and anything ten pounds or heavier takes a full post to lift and throw.
▰ Tobidougu Soujuu no Jutsu [ Projectile Control Technique ] | Rank E A basic skill for those learning to master the art of wind control, this technique allows the user to direct thrown weapon while they are in flight. The technique allows for alteration of speed and trajectory of the user's projectiles, and may even redirect objects thrown at them - assuming no formless ranks were applied to the target object.
▰ Toridashi Kaze no Jutsu [ Retrieving Wind Technique ] | Rank E This technique utilizes wind to pull objects toward the user. After creating a small gust of fuuton chakra, the user manipulates it to pull nearby small objects towards them. This technique has a weight limit of five pounds.
Activations ▰ Lightning Transformation [ Raikou Henge no Jutsu ] | Rank D When performing this skill, the user transforms into an extremely quick 'strand' of lightning. In this quick state, nothing is done slowly - everything is in a rush for the user. However, this strand of lightning is incapable of changing directions on its own. It can only change directions by bouncing off another object, such as a tree or a boulder, but the user is capable of bouncing off in any angle they wish to. The transformation automatically dissipates when the user makes contact with a living target: being in a state similar to lightning, the user plunges completely into their target, and ends up in their physical state on the other side of their opponent. In addition to giving the target a painful electrical shock, this skill may cause temporary paralysis [lasting one post]. Because of the fast speeds associated with this skill, the user will feel dizzy, confused, and often nauseous for some time afterward. This technique can be used in conjunction with other Jutsu, such as the Call of Lightning Technique, or the Lightning Clone Technique, to confuse the opponent. However, no skills can be used in this state. The user can dispel the technique at any time.
Chakra: 410/425 Stamina: 250/250
Evanescently Magnificent
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 3:26 pm
Kojiro's eyes widened, realizing where they had gone...what was happening. He knew the battle had raged on at Arashigakure's forefront...but not here. Not home. Kojiro's lightning armor crackled violently as it remained in effect. He gritted his teeth as his eyes widened, scanning the immediate area. As soliders and beasts alike flooded the city, he would set his sights on the rural area, just outside of town. He rushed headfirst into the fray, Kenshin's multipronged attack demolishing targets as he moved, exploding through the debris and cutting down the foe nearest to him. As the blade of Kojiro cleaved through the man it would send him flying into a building, crushing his bones. [ Assassination | Rank S ]
He looked more like a bolt of lightning skipping across the city as he moved with unparalleled urgency. "Ma! Pa! " he cried as he neared the path that made its way up a tall hill. Terror shook the young man as the hillside spat embers that turned into a billowing pillar of fire in the distance. Reaching the peak of the foot hill he could clearly see one of the beasts from the main body army along with three soldiers surrounding the home. The beast was blowing flames from his breath atop the thatch rooftop. The soldiers barred the exits. Lightning leaped from his armor and scorched strips along the earth around him as his rage was evoked. Within the window he could see his family, trapped and attempting to be burned alive. [ Assassination | Rank S ]
~Bzzzpt~
An emerald flash illuminated the skies as Kojiro vanished from the hilltop. He reappeared at the doorstep of his family home, seeming to pass by the nearest soldier who stood ten feet from the entry. Kojiro's eyes were narrowed and did not look back as the man's body began to slide cleanly in half, sparking at the location of the razor thin lines he was sliced upon. As though responding to the force projected as he stopped, the flames were blown out from the roof as a sonic boom echoed through the countryside. A clean slash would sever the door from it's hinges and open the path to safety. He turned, his eyes still darkened with rage as his parents would escape through the opening. [ Assassination | Rank S ]
The beast that had exhaled the burning doom upon his home moved to crush Kojiro now. How unfortunate for him. As it's foot moved to crush Kojiro it would quickly expel such a mighty force of chakra that it would halt the beasts movement. At the same time, the remaining two soldiers would begin to slide in reverse. Kojiro's blades created a clink noise as he raised them. He vanished once again. The current forcing the group away then shifted as the two soldiers fell. As they fell the beast would stumble forward, planting it's face in the earth. Appearing in a flash once more, Kojiro thrust his blade through the nape of it's neck to sever the spinal cord. With this done and his parents saved he stood in the breeze observing the battlefield but for a moment before heading back to his allies.... [ Assassination | Rank S ]
• Body Flicker | Rank D | Spiritual Shunshin no Jutsu is a basic Ninjutsu technique. The Shinobi will appear and disappear in an instant, allowing them to retreat or attack suddenly. To facilitate the movement the Shinobi will often use nearby elements such as mist, sand or leaves to mask their appearance or disappearance. As such, an 'air' or 'feeling' will pervade the area before usage. Maximum of 1 mile. Further mileage requires 1 D-ranked per each mile. Shunshin no Jutsu [ Body Flicker Technique ] in any form can only be used three [3] times per battle. This technique only works in regards to transporting oneself from one place to another. This technique cannot allow someone to attack someone in a body flicker.
• Heaven’s Judgment [ Kouten no Saiketsu ] | Rank S [ Overwhelming ] After performing a number of seals, the user launches a large spinning tube of lightning out of his or her body; it then speeds away in the direction that the user was facing. Going at a particularly high speed, this tube begins to tear up all pieces of land it touches and bores large holes through almost anything that has the horrible chance of being in front of it before exploding in a huge burst of electricity, electrocuting anyone within close proximity of the explosion. This technique travels approximately twenty [20] meters before dissipating.
• Name | Rank |
• Name | Rank |
Technique Active:
• Lightning Armor [ Raiton no Yoroi ] | Rank S+ [ +6 Speed / Strength ] [ Overwhelming ][2/6] Raiton no Yoroi in a Ninjutsu technique which utilizes the Lightning Element. After surrounding and infusing their body with the Lightning Element, the users nervous system is supercharged providing increased physical abilities. At S-ranked the user gains moderately increased Speed and Reflexes. At S+ranked the user gains Moderately increased Strength and Fortitude. In addition, at S+ the user may choose to distribute the DR values between all four stats at (3) or condense them to two stats of their choice at (6). You may redistribute DR as a supplemental activation, but must pay an S-rank cost, and it does not refresh duration. Lasts 6 total posts. An S-rank or two A-rank collisions will cause the jutsu to dissipate.
• Way of the Hatake | Rank E | Passive The clan member can convert simple Formless Taijutsu and Bukijutsu to complex techniques, this adds the lightning element to all the user's techniques. In addition, Formless complex and spiritual techniques gain this lightning affinity as well if specified when utilizing the technique. • Fluid Movement | Rank E | Training Techniques used for a blocking, countering or evasive action have their cost reduced by 5 stamina per rank of the technique and must pay no less than 5 stamina. • Whirlpool Walking | Rank C | Training The user is now more adept at using circular footwork and can use it against multiple attackers, usually weaving between them, keeping them bumping into each other or simply getting in each others way, taking away any numerical advantage. In the deflecting stance, the user can deflect a technique of their body rank or lower once every three posts for no activation, still requiring the stamina/chakra cost paid. • Move as Water | Rank A | Training Description: The user has dealt with so many situations being outnumbered that their ability to move in tight and confined spaces is greatly increased. The user’s blade work is tighter, relying on their body and footwork to generate force. The user’s footwork is so fluid that they are able to turn on a dime, making a combination of strikes go into multiple directions without interrupting the combination. Techniques that target multiple opponents may now have additional reserves paid in order to strengthen the effectiveness of the individual attack to the next highest rank.These can be paid individually, not requiring chakra or stamina to be paid for every split technique. • Illusion Dancing | Rank E | Training After countless hours of practicing skills that utilize chakra pathways, the user is capable of leaving after images of themselves at the turning points of each pathway for an E rank amount of chakra during the execution of the technique. • May Wind, October Rain | Rank E | Training Focusing on their opponent's breathing, the user is able to detect abnormalities in their breathing patterns, indicating an offensive movement. Once every three posts, the user is able to defend against an offensive activation without utilizing an activation. This skill requires no chakra or activation. • Blessed Rain | Rank C | Training The user's informed of the incoming costs of what is to come, and as such, must practice their chakra control through controlled bursts from various parts of their body. Chakra cost for complex and spiritual bukijutsu techniques reduced by five. • Insight Rain | Rank B | Training The user will practice extending themselves into the atmosphere, in a sense. After much dedication, the user develops the ability to sense hostile intent within the topic they are in. Those of Sensory Class are able to detect the specific source and the extent of the hostility. • Heavy Punch | Rank E | Training The basis of the style, punch hard, punch first. The user is able to spend stamina in order to increase the strength of their punches for no activation. For each rank applied, a slight increase to strength is conferred. • Combination Training | Rank S | Training Once every three posts, the user is able to deliver a choking or locking technique for no activation when following a successful throwing technique. • Minimum Effort; Maximum Efficiency | Rank S | Training The user's throwing techniques require 5 less stamina per rank of the technique with a minimum cost of 5 stamina.
• Sage Mode Status | Inactive
Personal Attributes • Chidori Specialist | Grants [3] custom techniques to be used as variants of Chidori, these custom jutsu are considered a Chidori Variant. The user may also apply clan Augment techniques to Chidori, Chidori Variant and Raikiri Jutsu. In addition, the user's chidori techniques bypass all armor entirely. Raikiri is considered a Chidori Variant technique. Only techniques with the name [Chidori] or [Raikiri] are effected by this PA. • Hatake Fury | Bloodline and Raiton techniques have their chakra cost reduced by five per rank of the technique and gain an additional 4 Ninjutsu slots for raiton techniques. Additionally, the Hatake can now use their Raiton based techniques with single handed seals. • Sonic Boom | Lightning based techniques used by the Hatake are granted a concussive blast in the form of a sonic boom upon impact. This concussive blast has a range of five feet per rank of the parent technique. Those within the area of the blast have a knock-back effect applied if their body rank is lower than the parent technique. In addition, deafness is applied upon impact for two posts. • Elected Official | Kojiro gains 1.5 ryo for missions and jobs completed.
Discipline & Cross Class Abilities • Ninjutsu Specialist [ Ninjutsu ] | The user's ninjutsu gains the ability to overwhelm ninjutsu of the same rank. The overwhelming trait only applies to a single element at D rank, increasing to two at B rank and three at S rank regardless of the number of elements the ninja has. Your ninjutsu are not mirrored per element, but you gain an additional 3 Ninjutsu per rank up. Also allows for one handed seals. {The Overwhelming Trait does not apply to anything above S} • Mystic Hero [ Bukijutsu ] | The user has become adept at blending their ninjutsu and bukijutsu. The user is able to cast ninjutsu from their weapon without the use of hand signs by simply pointing the tip or blade in the direction desired to launch the technique. This requires the same amount of time as the forming of hand signs to cast ninjutsu. They are also able to Korabo 1 ninjutsu and 1 bukijutsu at their body rank and below for a single activation every 3 posts. The user also gains an additional 3 ninjutsu slots each body rank. • Ninjutsu-Bukijutsu | Allows the user to gain +2 ninjutsu per rank. Allows one to convert granted Ninjutsu slots into Bukijutsu styles at a 10/1 ratio.
**LEARNED - [ -Rank | / Posts ] • Learns additional 10 bukijutsu per post • Insert Training Area Reduction Here **MISSION - [ Rank | 1/1 Posts ]
Selina landed on her feet, and almost fell to her knees as she did. She was queasy, but standing. Her vision was blurred, and several of her ribs were cracked. The previous battle took so much from her, and she wasn't sure how much more she could handle. There were bruises all over her body, but her soul resolved to keep moving forward. Her sensory abilities detected Kenshin and Kojiro, and both of them were fighting for their lives. Her instincts commanded her to move forward, but her wounded ankles buckled onto themselves, causing her to fall to the ground.
Selina cried. Her tears were a mixture of sorrow and frustration. Her she was again, once again powerless to stop the devastation of Seizan. Once again she was the fourteen year old child who could not stop her. No, not this time. Despite her limbs feeling unmeasurable pain, Selina forced herself to her feet. A monster spotted her presence, and snarled at her presence. It looked like a bull man, and charged at her with her horns. Selina turned her body to the charging beast. Blue fire erupted from her body as her right hand rested on her heart. "Konohana no Sakuya!" She shouted as a shield of flower manifested in front of her to block the forward tackle. The shield was connected to an arm, which manifested into a full Goddess which wrapped around Selina. The goddess then released a swarm of cherry blossoms from her body which wrapped around the bull. Once they were in place, the bull was lifted high into the air before it spontaneously combusted.
Selina wanted to move once more, but her pain crippled her to a knee. The goddess wrapped around her, and Selina sighed. Out of desperation, her hands folded together. Kenshin and Kojiro would feel the force of Selina's love bond onto them. 'Kenshin. Kojiro.' She prayed, pouring her chakra into them. Their lightning chakra would be enhanced by the prayer she was creating. 'You are both so important to me. You are both the two I promise to protect. Please stay safe. Please, for all that is good, do not lose yourselves. All I have left is this prayer. Take what power I have, and end this. I love you guys, now and forever.'
The display of the senju organic tree was something else to behold as the one now known as Lohner turned the battlefield to a localized forest. Zahara's own flaming attack had been combined with a few of the others already present to this slaughter as oil ignited his breath's flames to a devastating after effect, multiple eruptions took place amongst their ranks while the snakes that were caught in the blaze scattered. Zahara applied the fire resistence ninjutsu to his Matron's minions, koraboing the effects to each to protect their scales from the intense heat and flame. Now he stood back to back with his comrade at arms and now he sought to combine the powerful impact of the sealing trees. "Into the fray I go then." Zahara said as he gripped the Samehade upon his back and began to meld with the blade just like he once had back in Uzu's underground. The process was quick, the blade was absorbed into him as it broke down as a chakra based apparition before the physical transformation was done, Zahara now fused as a pseudo-hoshigaki in appearances. From this form, he could taste the chakra and sense things as opposed to just seeing the energy swell around him, intoxicating even when compared to the byakugan. But now Zahara ran and separated from Lohner as he acted under the senju's orders and sought to prevent the rest from touching the trees he had created. Another man leaped into the fray on his own as the shark-skinned Hyuuga's hands were ablaze with the aura of his blue chakra. Two Hyuuga on the battlefield now as Zahara's eyes glossed over with the pale white as the man with a Rapier performed his ballet of death, Zahara moved along the other hyuuga's perimeter and performed his very own orchestrated rondo of blood. Thin blades of chakra moved from his finger tips as he cut through a number of the unnatural beings that made up the kogarashi forces as Zahara moved through a full three sixty, twirling and gliding through from foe to foe as he fueled his assualt with the chakra absorbed with the assistance of his samehade skin. At the end, he stopped the assualt once he circled the other Hyuuga and concluded right as they've had with their precise strike upon the commander turned tree. He stood in the destruction as he held out his right hand once more as his skin glowed with chakra and soon the reverse transformation ended as the sharkskin was back to its sword form chittering away as he promptly sheathed it again across his back.
Far behind the front lines and deep into enemy territory an explosion of such tremendous magnitude rocked the earth that, for a moment, it overwhelmed the clamor of battle going on around it. This was Belamos in his element- at his best. Laying waste to all around him without having to hold back for fear of accidentally destroying a village. Pillars of flame and Lava shot off into the sky. Belamos himself had merged with Son Goku and was enveloped in his Chakra Cloak. He grinned with a savage satisfaction as he cut a swathe through the enemy army for none could hope to match him in such a way. He created hundreds of swords of light which skewered entire companys- formed balls of fire hundreds of feet wide that could swallow a battalion! He reveled in the thrill of battle and pressed his attack, determined to break them here and now.
After leaving the village of Kemonoten, it didn't take long for Suzunya to find something along his lines of work. Rumors spread and the neighboring villages in the countryside seemed to be having a problem with snakes; Tiger Snakes specifically. It was odd for a snake of that species to leave the tree line, which meant the den was most likely crowded by larger snakes or a bigger predator. With the possibility of a Behemoth living in the forest, Suzunya would stick to the countryside picking off small groups easily. 200 Ryo per snake was a fair deal, especially when the job requested only required proof, not requisition of material. The wanderer didn't desire to be a hero nor did he think his odds were in his favor against a Behemoth. Tiger Snakes had venom sacs which were useful in coating his blade, but most importantly... the meat itself was toxic. While the rumors of the snakes tickled his fancy, this was merely groundwork for much bigger game...
Heading west from the countryside, Suzunya approached the tree line where the snakes most likely originated. He would have been a lucky man to stumble upon a pair immediately, but that wasn't the case. There was no golden horseshoe in his pocket. Luckily, Suzunya was becoming skilled in the art of hunting and as a feline, he was keen on hunting snakes. Within the tall grasses of the rolling hills, he began to stalk. Nimble feet parting the grass to gently rest upon the earth, Suzunya didn't make a sound as he stepped. Not only was his approach silent, but his scent undetectable as he used an old hunting trick his father taught him; Jujin. Red eyes flickered as his vertical pupils scanned the ground for disturbances. Sure enough, a tunnel from a long body dragging itself across the ground came into sight. There were many prairie animals that would make tunnels in the long grass; rabbits, shrews, mice and many more. However, none of those would leave behind claw marks. The name "Tiger Snake," was slightly misleading since the predator was in fact a lizard with claws.
A pair was in sight. He knew a surprise attack would be his only chance to take the venomous reptiles down. They were agile, true to the phrase "as slippery as a snake," which made them difficult to trump once they were aware of you. Tail playfully moving behind him, a katon technique was activated. Two orbs of fire appeared down wind. Tail curling underneath him for stealth, Suzunya circled the lizards as they bathed in the sun. Hand at his side, he took hold of his fans. He stopped about a meter away from the snakes, scanning the area carefully for the possibility of more. If there happened to be a surprise attack, he had to be ready for a quick escape. The feline survived on his own for this long by knowing his limits. Heroics and crimes were beneath him. A nice lifestyle in the gray area of life best suited him. Comfortable with the environment, Suzunya poised himself for attack. Legs bent and non-dominant hand forward, the feline flicked his tail.
Foxfire shot forward, engulfing each Tiger Snake's head in a small eruption of flames. Unable to hiss as their nostrils, eyes and tongue burned, Suzunya emerged quickly. His strikes were swift, aiming for the inner limbs of the snakes. Bladed fans struck forthright, taking the front and back limbs of one snake and the back limb of the other during the panicked flailing of the creatures. The most injured of the pair lunged at Suzunya, forcing him to roll in order to avoid the venomous bite. This allowed for the healthier one to escape. "Tch," with one effortless stroke, he cut the head off the remaining snake. Cleaning what he killed then and there, he'd continue to mask his scent before continuing after the injured snake.
E ▰ Beast Musk [ Jujin ] Passive D ▰ Harvesting Technique [ Shūkaku Gijutsu ] Monster Hunter E ▰ Fire Release: Fox Fire [ Katon: Kitsunebi ] E ▰ The First Akira: Akira of Speed The user begins with both of their legs together, facing forward with the knees bent. The user's weapon hand is held forward, pointing it at the target, leaving the non-dominant hand free. The user must practice simple, yet swift strikes.
[ Harvested ] [1] Venom Sac | Common [1] Tiger Snake Hide | Common [1] Tiger Snake Meat | Poisonous
Track. Foxfire. Repel. Kill. Clean. Scent still masked by the technique his father taught him many years ago, Suzunya pursued the injured Tiger Snake. Ruby hues darting back and forth, he remained wary for other predators lurking in the tall grasses of the countryside. Snakes were just as devious as felines. The physical traits their shared spoke of their organic bond through the ages. Both were predators with slit pupils and an instinctive hiss to terrify their prey as well as other predators. As a child, Suzunya had been trained to keep himself from the primal urge to hiss or even growl. A rumble only sounded in his throat in times of extreme anger, which hadn't sounded since his father abandoned him. Step by step, Suzunya left his memories behind him as his feet avoided the blood stains below.
Ear twitching, he heard the familiar sound of a hiss echoed by two others. It seemed the Tiger Snake had found another pair. Chin dipping to his chest, Suzunya readied his blades as he positioned himself downwind. Peering through the grass, he saw the injured snake coil away from the new pair. If these snakes were being run out of their home within the jungle, it meant they were stressed and hungry. Cannibalism wasn't out of the question. He could sit and wait for one of the new snakes to attack the other, but that could damage the hide. Placing his dagger betwixt his lips, Suzunya's tail swayed once again to conjure three balls of foxfire. He would execute the attack the same as before, but with daggers instead of fans. He had a better chance of disabling the snakes with the blades, keeping them from running off. Being so close to the treeline, he didn't want to risk losing them in the forest. Risking the encounter of a Behemoth was not something Suzunya wished to chance.
Tail coaxing the orbs into position, he read the movements of the snakes as they hissed back and forth. Lids lowering halfway over his eyes, he focused in on the three spitting back and forth at each other until he sensed it; an attack. Foxfire raced to the heads of the snakes as the larger snake of the bunch coiled for an attack on the injured. Nimble and quick, Suzunya dove into the fray. Daggers in hand the fresh pair of snakes had more fight in them than the previous. While their heads were on fire, they lunged at Suzunya. Blades moving upwards, they deterred the fangs by forcing the attack in a different direction than intended. The pair of snakes rolled after losing balance. Quick on the pivot, Suzunya took their limbs marooning them in place. Dagger in tail, the knife crashed down on what was left of the injured snake's crown. Singed to the bone, the creature didn't need much to end its life.
Blood gushed from the four stubs of the other two snakes as they struggled to move. With the limbs severed, their attempts to escape were nigh. Twirling the daggers in hand, Suzunya threw them at the heads of the creatures as they burned. Out of their misery, Suzunya put out the flames, allowed the nerves to cease and began harvesting what he could from the creatures. In all, he had four hides along with meat and venom. If there were an onlooker nearby who knew a thing or two about these creatures, they'd be perplexed as to why he'd keep poisonous meat. However, once the muscles was filleted from the skin and bones, it'd take an alchemist or experienced hunter to realize what type of snake the meat came from. Four helpings may feed six or more, but Suzunya needed more to make himself a convincing victim for his next exploit.
E ▰ Beast Musk [ Jujin ] Passive D ▰ Harvesting Technique [ Shūkaku Gijutsu ] Monster Hunter E ▰ Fire Release: Fox Fire [ Katon: Kitsunebi ] E ▰ Upward Repel
[ Harvested ] [3] Venom Sac | Common [3] Tiger Snake Hide | Common [3] Tiger Snake Meat | Poisonous
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:13 pm
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Leaving the entrails behind for scavengers, Suzunya continued his walk through the pasture. Birds cried, insects hummed and plants rustled lightly in the wind. While the feline enjoyed festivals like the one in Kemonoten, he couldn't help but feel at home in the harmony nature weaved. There was a rhythm to the world outside of man and it called to his feral heart. Having descended from beasts, Suzunya was wise enough to tame the primal call and continue on in the world of man. Hunting and dancing were two outlets Suzunya enjoyed pouring those savage feelings into. The warmth of the sun, the crunch of the earth under his feet, the smell of blood- His enjoyment of the prairie was cut short, forcing him to drop down in a readied stance. Nose twitching, he tried to discern any information from the scent. It wasn't a pungent smell, which meant there wasn't an abundance. In fact it seemed to come and go, meaning the blood shed was minimal.
Circling downwind from where Suzunya determined could be the source, he kept moving slowly and quietly until he was atop the scene. Ah, the reason as to why the farmers were hiring help to dispose of the pests... Two snakes were ingesting baby chickens. Suffocated and poisoned, the young fowl didn't stand a chance even against serpent hatchlings. While the circumstances weren't in the livestock's favor, Suzunya was given to more hides on a silver platter. Snakes were extremely vulnerable while eating. In order for a snake to retaliate in the middle of its meal, it first has to regurgitate what it was eating. A blade in each hand and one held secretly within his tail, the black cat would not wait another second. He took the snakes off-guard immediately going for the kill hit. Two blades dove through the snake's skulls and half-swallowed chick's bodies. Feet pressed on the gullet of the snakes and as they naturally reacted to vomit their meals out to escape, they killed themselves. Inner muscles gagged to push the meals out, but with the blades embedded like shiskabobs, the snakes only managed to rip their throats clear open as their bodies repelled backwards.
One completely freed itself, head split apart but limbs still scurrying to escape. The other shook uncontrollably as seizures wrecked its dying nervous system. It was only a matter of patience to let the creatures die until Suzunya could harvest materials and meat. He had to admit the snakes had fine taste- young chickens were a great snack. However, a grown chicken was more of a meal. Babies had too many bones. Hide cleaned, meat plucked and venom sac carefully placed for later use, Suzunya left what was left of the animals behind along with the poisonous chicks. "What a waste," he sighed, thinking about how the fowl could've grown into a truly fitting meal if given half a year.
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[Task At Hand: Treat Tiger Snake Bite ]
Knowing he was capable of hunting Tiger Snakes all day, Suzunya felt as though he had made a decent effort. Six skins was likely the most the villagers had seen in awhile. Weapons holstered and all techniques dropped, the feline made his way to the winding countryside road. Ears tucked under his ebony locks and tail wrapped around his waist within the folds of cloth, all his yokai features were well hidden. Years of travel had taught him to keep his ancestry hidden until deemed safe to reveal. While he was in friendly territory, one never knew who could harbor prejudice. Small farming community in sight, the traveler approached the home where the elder rested on his porch only to have his ear caught by the cries of a woman.
"Someone, please help! Aoi's ill," desperately she called, undoubtedly mother to the child. Color fled from the child's flesh, matching her pale crown. The girl couldn't be more than nine years old. While it was none of Suzunya's concern, he couldn't deny the familiar feeling the little girl conjured. Fingers finding the Neko trinket at his side, he couldn't turn a blind eye this time. Instincts took over, and he was at the woman's side before anyone else. Taking the child quickly as the mother collapsed, he ran up the steps to the door of the home he had been approaching. The elder was slow, but seemed to have expected Suzunya's reaction. "To your left, there's a table," the old man directed while holding the door open. Tail brushing a lone tea cup and plate aside, Suzunya was already checking the girl's ankles for bite marks by the time the old man had hobbled in.
At first glance he suspected poison and with the issue the village seemed to have with Tiger Snakes, it was only natural to assume she had been bitten. Sure enough the lizard's mark was clear as day halfway up her calf. "Tiger snake bite," he confirmed. The old man moved to find a cool cloth, but the hunter was already acting. Mouth upon the wound, the girl's body had already reacted to infection. Flesh swelling, the venom had secured its place in her bloodstream and could not be sucked out. Fangs scraping against the wound, fluid drained while Suzunya turned to his pack. The medicine he had acquired from Kemonoten was meant for the hunt should thing go wrong. Luckily, Suzunya had played his cards right and could pass it along to the girl. Syringe in hand, he extracted the antidote from its vial as the old man cleaned the girl's wound.
Needle dipping below her skin, Suzunya used his keen eyes to hit a larger blood vessel. Injecting the serum slowly with one hand, his other rubbed along her leg in hopes to increase circulation. Saving over half of the syringe, he took a towel cleaning the girl's arm before injecting the rest into a main artery. Vial empty, he watched as the girl shuddered. Noticing her gag, Suzunya rolled her onto her side. A small amount of stomach contents found its way onto the floor. "Sh, sh," he hushed her whimpers, rubbing her back as she finished expelling what she could. Soon after, the mother aided by another village entered. "Take her down the hall to the bedroom on the right," the old man saw Suzunya as capable, turning to the panicking woman. "Aoi will be alright," he comforted the woman as the hunter picked up the clammy body of the child and headed to the room.
It was only a few steps from the kitchen since the cottage was quaint, but it was decorated to the ceiling with photographs, scrolls, dried herbs, souvenirs and trophies. A full sized bed with linens as white as snow sat in the room with a vanity and dresser. Tail pulling back the thick wool blanket, Suzunya was able to carefully lay the girl down. Eyes fluttering open, she looked up to see the stranger. "I don't feel good,"she grumbled a complaint expected from any child. Taking an extra pillow from the bed, Suzunya propped up her bite. "You won't be feeling good for the next week," he told her the truth with a heavy sigh as he fashioned the blanket around her leg and up to her chin."But, its my turn to drive the cart to town..." she drifted off to sleep, but managed to hit a soft spot in Suzunya's heart that Fuku had left. "Ah. You'll get your turn," he whispered to her as she drifted off to dream. Fragile and ignorantly lying in comfort, the hunter couldn't help but watch over her fondly until her mother entered the room.
Thanks were given and Suzunya gave her an alias to refer to as her daughter's hero. While the two were left in the room of the cottage, the feline returned to the kitchen with the old man. Picking up the cup and plate which had fallen to the floor, the elder began to extend his thanks as well. "That medicine cost 600 Ryo," Suzunya wasn't very good at accepting gratitude in the form of words, so he quickly turned to business. He made it clear he wasn't a good Samaritan. The weathered face of the elder didn't flinch at the coldness of his statement. He could sense the goodness the hunter attempted to hide. "I imagine it did. She'd be dead if not for you. We've had a problem with Tiger Snakes of late... my anti-venom stores have been drained," he admitted, taking the cup and plate from Suzunya to place them in the sink for washing.
Tier I ▰ Basic Medicine [1] Tiger Snake Bite Medic ▰ Emergency Treatment
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:55 am
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[Task At Hand: Learn Basic Antidote ]
As the elder mentioned the Tiger Snake problem, Suzunya went into his pack to produce the skins of six serpents. "There was a posting in Kenmonoten. 100 Ryo a hide. Seems as though this village is 1200 Ryo indebted to me," the feline stated, racking up the old man's bill even further and flashing an oddly soft grin. While the hunter was here to collect Ryo, he wasn't opposed to bartering. Taking a seat at the old man's table, the senior leaned on his counter top, awaiting to hear what the young man would say next. "Coins never last long in my pocket... You said they were your antidote stores?" Suzunya laced his fingers together to form a shelf for his chin to rest as he looked slyly over at the old man. Gray beard nodding, he began gathering the necessary wares to brew tea. It seemed a deal had silently been struck and the lesson would begin.
After a friendly chat over green tea and honey, the elder introduced himself as Horu while Suzunya referred to himself as Hyo. He had been looking over the small community since he could remember. There were only five families living on the immediate lands. They claimed themselves to be the farm of Goldenrod Prairie, but were considered part of Seizan. He had seen war and crime tear apart the lands and back in the day he'd fight tooth and nail to protect his farmland, but his bones were old. There were no young men around the hunter's age to replace him. Plenty of feisty women, which piqued the feline's seedy interests. Leaving the mother and child in the cottage, Horu took Suzunya out into the fields. While going over the local herbs and roots, the women of the village idly followed along with the children. The people were lively enough, but they seemed lacking to the feline. He wasn't sure why, but his thoughts kept drifting to the Nekonokami. Maybe it was the lack of primal interaction or the playfulness of a cat...
"Hyo, this way," Horu beckoned him to follow after they gathered what they needed to mix the antidote. While they walked the farmland, the black cat listened attentively to everything the elder had explained about the readiness of the herbs and the potency of a good root. His eyes also wandered to what they grew in their fields and private garden beds. Thoughts were brewing in a way to solve all the farming outpost's troubles. Once inside, Horu opened up another part of his cottage to the Hunter. It seemed he dabbled in some apothecary arts, but nothing to deem him worthy of a title. He was a farmer, not a physician. It was only recently he had taken up studying remedies, but he was happy to pass on what knowledge he gained to the stranger.
Trimming, cleaning, grinding and boiling what they had gathered, Hyo learned the simple task of creating a basic antidote to counteract the Tiger Snake's venom. They brewed enough to replace what Hyo had used on the little girl. One vial in his pouch and two remained with Horu. All the while they worked, Suzunya thought of Fuku and how hard she worked studying things like this. He was sure she had learned how to make a simple antidote like this when she was five. Sensing his nostalgia, the elder decided Suzunya should stay for dinner. Keeping his poisoned meat aside, the feline was elected to watch over Aoi while her mother and Horu prepped a meal.
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[Task At Hand: Eat/Rest ]
In the room where the little girl was resting, Suzunya (who was going by the alias of Hyo) took post at the girl's bedside. His emergency treatment kept her alive, but continued treatment of the wound and rest was on the villagers. He wasn't a physician, but he had been bitten a time or two to know how to treat a venomous bite. Already some color was returning to her face, but her lips were still discolored. On a child, the venom would act much quicker than an adult. She was lucky her mother was nearby. In the safety of the room, Suzunya took out his Nekonokami trinket. Fuku had been on his mind since he arrived in Goldenrod Prairie. While Nergal seemed to watch over him, he'd say a prayer to Bast to turn her watchful spirit to Fuku. Brushing the woven tail on the charm, he closed his eyes in a silent prayer. As they opened, his red hues met with Aoi's blue ones.
"Who are you?" she asked, not attempting to prop herself up but turning her head towards the hunter. It seemed she was finally seeing clearly, but didn't remember their encounter earlier. "I'm a traveling hunter. You can call me Hyo. And who are you?" he asked playfully, crossing one leg over the other and leaning forward so the girl could clearly see his face. "Aoi..." she answered, looking around the room and down at her leg. "I was bit by a lizard and my mother started screaming," she spoke carefully, recalling everything that had happened before blacking out. "That's right. Then I carried you to Horu's cottage, treated your snake bite and here you lay, sleeping beauty," laying on the charm, the child blushed lightly at Hyo's words. Pulling the blanket up to her cheeks, she hid her embarrassment from being called a beauty. "I wish there were no snakes. It'd be better if they didn't exist," the little girl whined, feeling the throb in her leg.
Holding up a single finger, Suzunya waved it back and forth. "Tch, tch," he scolded her playfully. "Snakes are on a noble mission with their lives. They eat small vermin. Mice and rats would plague your home bringing disease and sickness to your family if snakes weren't around," he explained, hoping to shed some light on the natural balance to the ignorant child. "But... why do they try to eat me and our chickens? Are there not enough mice?" she asked, poking her head back out from the blanket. "Ah, the snake wasn't trying to eat you. He was afraid, thinking you were going to eat him. The snake ran away as soon as he wounded you. As for your chickens, they were mistaken for mice. You see, a snakes eyes aren't very good," he told the girl who held on to every word he said. The hunter was sure no one in the village shared Suzunya's viewpoint. He was sure the farmers cursed the snakes every chance they got.
Sly smile on his face, the feline would present an idea to the little girl to test her imagination. "You know... there's a sacred dance that will keep the snakes away from the chickens," the hunter watched the girl's head perk up even further. Rising from his chair, the hunter soon became the performer. Moving mystically with an illusion of fluidity that was hypnotizing. Suzunya didn't go all out due to the lack of room, but gave the girl an idea. He even used the bell on his trinket to sound out powerful moments in the dance. "Maidens and warriors adorn the skins of the snakes, acting as one of the brood. Blessing the earth with spices and herbs, they dance a roundelay to honor the tiger snakes quest to rid the word of rodents and vermin. The dance lets the snakes know the land within the roundelay has been cleansed and they no longer need to hunt the grounds," he ended the dance with a bow, the little girl propped up in her bed with excitement. "Oh, so the snakes are just confused because we can't talk to them? I can be a maiden! Can you teach me to dance?" she asked with excitement.
"Dinner is ready," the old man announced at the doorway. He hadn't been helping with dinner after Aoi's mother shoo'ed him out. Instead he listened in on Hyo's story and different opinion concerning the snakes. "Aoi, your mother will be in with dinner shortly. Keep your foot elevated properly," he reminded her through the protests of the dancing hunter leaving her side. Once Suzunya said his good-byes, he went to sit at the table with Horu. "That's quite the imaginative tale you gave her," he said not understanding why Hyo would weave such an strange story when he knew snakes were vermin themselves. "Festivals and rituals aren't just stories and celebrations, old man. They're creativity which adds a sense a romance and spirituality to what would be a mundane chore," the whimsical hunter started, leading into the adult version of the roundelay ritual. "Dancers wear ankle and shin guards made out of Tiger Snake hide in order to protect them from bites. The spices and herbs they bless the earth with are actually skin irritants. Tiger snakes won't traverse ground which burn with cayenne or sting with peppermint," he explained, saying his thanks for the meal before taking a bite. "Creating a ward around the village in the spring with fruits and herbs you already grow sounds more economical than paying hunters to bring in a couple hides here and there. Especially when a hunter can leave a nest and make your pockets a regular source of income for the season," what Suzunya said was no lie. Those would be his intentions if he had a darker heart, but although he was vain and selfish, he was no crook.
"I see... " Horu mulled the idea over in his head and continued the conversation over dinner, picking at the traveling hunter's creative mind and how to put it to use in his own village. It would be something he'd have to speak with the other families about, but Hyo may had enlisted some work that would keep him occupied for a few weeks if he played his cards right.
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[Task At Hand: Learn to Tan Snake Hides & Design TS Light Armor ]
After dinner, Horu went to the families of the farm and shared his thoughts about a festival. Suzunya, still under the alias of "Hyo," stood beside the old man as he spoke to the families, answering any questions they may have. The next morning, the village met outside Horu's home. At first the heads of the family didn't understand why they needed to make a festival out of a task which would take a day. When Horu shared his idea of inviting other farms to the festival in hopes to share commerce and attract younger families, they warmed up to the idea. The majority agreed, but they had to consider the list of to-do's that accompanied their goal. "Preparing for a festival will take weeks. If we truly want to start a tradition that will mark the history of Goldenrod Farm, we should not rush the event. With that being said, we have the issue of present Tiger Snake attacks to address. I would like to commission our friend, Hyo the Hunter, to track and locate the Den of these Tiger Snakes. I would like to pay him double per snake skin as long as he discovers the den and allows me to witness its destruction," Horu had not discussed this with Hyo and the feline would hide his surprise as the villagers whispered back and forth. Closing his eyes, Hyo wasn't sure he wanted to put his life at risk for these people. As far as he was aware, none of them knew he was Kemono Shinzo. If something went awry and he required medical services from these people, he wondered if they'd leave him in a ditch in order to rid the world of one more Yokai. However, he simply continued to listen.
Paying twice the amount for each skin sounded like a fun evening the shady streets of Kuroi Mura. It also seemed the villagers were more than happy to oblige, but didn't sit right with Hyo. Horu's suggestion for the destruction of the den was well received and set into motion. After the meeting was adjourned, the hunter and the elder sat down for a smoke and tea to discuss the festival, armor, herbs and most importantly the task at hand. "Do you know how many snakes could potentially be in a den?" Suzunya asked, as a match was struck and tobacco herbs were lit. "I won't risk my life to protect your village," the feline was straightforward with the old man. Embers burned as Hyo inhaled softly, allowing the fluid clouds of smoke to soothe his lungs and ease his mind. While the hunter was naturally kind-hearted, he was also selfish and vain. There was no one's life he valued more than his own. Between saving 20 people or him, the feline also chose himself. It was decided that he'd set out tomorrow after lunch to track the snakes to their den, assess the situation and then move on to the next village or complete the task. Either way, Suzunya had six snake skins and a pocket full of coin which needed tending to.
While no one on the farm was much of a hunter, Horu still had the necessary tools for tanning hides and fixing clothes. Hyo typically paid someone to tend to the hides he acquired, but there wasn't anyone available for miles. Missing the spoils of cities and larger villages, Hyo rolled up his sleeves and went to work at Horu's instruction. During their smoke, the elder gave the feline a verbal tutorial of what he needed and how to do it. With the six hides he'd acquire, the traveler would do his best. Each skin was thoroughly soaked in a bucket of water with a dash of vinegar and salt. Gently rubbing each skin from head to tail, he made sure all unwanted organic pieces were brushed free. Each skin was laid out on an old board with the internal lining facing up. Small pins tacked back the edges of the hides, keeping them from rolling in, allowing them to properly dry. During this process, Hyo tore one hide. Attempting to salvage it, he only found out just how delicate snake skins truly are.
At lunch time, Hyo took his lunch to the porch. He was thinking of chasing skirts, but little Aoi was sitting with her leg wrapped. So, instead Hyo spent some time with the little girl. Color had fully returned to her face and while she was weak from fighting off the poison, her youthful spirit was shining through. She showed the hunter all her designs for their festival outfits. That's when Hyo decided she should come along with him as he finished tanning the hides he acquired. "See the patterns and how they perfectly match?" he explained, knowing for a festival design of tiger snake armor, one should take time to carefully map out the theme. "But the colors have a slight difference to them," he explained, holding one skin next to another. In the brightness of the sun, it was clear one contained more red making the other look pale in comparison. "You can use one hide per anklet if you so desire, however, if you use several like this," the traveler explained, taking her sketchbook and drawing out his plans for ankle and shin guards utilizing three different skins in one design. "You have excess hide to reinforce the armor from snake bites while blending the colors together without breaking the pattern," he showed her his drawing and she happily took back the sketch book agreeing with his design.
While she added on beads and ribbons to accent the hemming and plot out a way to bucket them on, Hyo tended to the skins once more. As they dried membrane he couldn't clean off while soaking was easily flaked away with a dull blade. Drying quickly with the prairie winds and afternoon sun, Hyo could start gathering items for the actual smith work to turn the skins into functional pieces of armor. "Hyo, where are you from?" Aoi asked out of the blue, but it wasn't odd for children to blurt out whatever questions crossed their minds. Their curiosity was possibly why Hyo enjoyed the company of children. "Nowhere and everywhere," he answered cryptically, sending a smirk her way.
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[Task At Hand: Learn antiseptic. Change bandages. ]
The little girl pouted. "That's not a very good answer, Hyo!" she cried just as her mother came out to check on her leg. "Can Hyo do it?" she asked her mother who looked over at the hunter with apologetic eyes. "Sure," he answered her plea, but with the request that she show him how to properly clean and bandage the wound. There were no promises Suzunya would be able to clear out the Tiger Snake Den. If he wasn't guaranteed coin, he'd enjoy some free lessons. Aoi's mother was more than willing to go over the antibacterial and antiseptic ointments they had from the farm to keep Aoi's wound from infection. "No, not that one! It stings," she whined, her voice irritating on everyone's ears, but before her mother could scold her, Suzunya took Aoi's hand. "To be a Maiden of Hebi no Yoru, you must face pain bravely and show no fear. A tiger can smell fear and a snake will devour it. Be strong my little Maiden," placing a kiss upon the little girl's hand, he soothed away her whines.
Taking the solution from her mother, Hyo held the cotton ball over her bite wound. "Now, ready?" he asked, waiting for Aoi's nod before he pressed the disinfectant against her skin. She winced and groaned slightly, but took it like a champ. Hyo inquired why the liquid was different from the day before and took in the knowledge the mother gave. One solution was for cleaning away and truly disinfecting a wound, while the other kept the would from allowing new bacteria to grow. "Why not have a serum which does both?" Hyo asked and was met with a simple answer; supply and demand. It'd be a waste to use the disinfectant on an area which only needed prevention. As he started to wrap the little girl's ankle, the mother interjected. "We'll wrap it in a different way today. Aoi should be able to walk around freely. Fold it like this," she instructed, guiding his hand over and under her daughter's ankle to give it support and more protection from the elements. Walking always caused dirt to be kicked up and her mother wanted to make sure the healing wasn't slowed.
The last couple days had been surreal. Saving children, learning medicine, tanning hides... Was he asleep? The small farm village of Goldenrod truly felt like a dream, but reality set in as the full moon illuminated the night. The Nekonokami going by the alias of Hyo knew his time was soon to expire in the countryside of Seizan. As a drifter and wanderer, he couldn't stand getting too comfortable. He knew the children of the village, the women, the men, the elderly and the ones who held the illusion he would never leave. He hit the breaking point. Suzunya could stay no longer. In the midst of the night air, he left the old man's home. All the care he took to creep through the hallway for an exit was a waste. He knew Horu would hear him. No matter the skill of an individual, it could not rival time. 29,229 days within a hovel such as this? One grew their senses into the grain of the wood without knowing it. "I'm leaving to destroy the snake den... If I do not return with the dawn, do not leave the village. Continue with the festival preparations," he requested, the words rolling off his tongue gently as if they were being sung like a lullaby. The old man stood in the shadows, his tongue still, but a rumble sounded within his chest as he inhaled the greenery within his pipe. It was all the acknowledgement Suzunya needed.
Tall shadows haunted the night as the full moon brought all the nocturnal animals out to play. Suzunya's feet hit the ground softly, avoiding dead branches and making his travel silent. Feet soon turned to paws as his chakra surged through his veins, calling upon his family's blood and his yokai heritage. Hyo, the panther, was more than a simple nickname. It was the name Nergal blessed him with. The blessing he took with him into battle. Grasses whipped against his four legs as he sped through the fields of Seizan. Slit pupils refracted the luna, granting him the senses his ancestor's were adept in using and ones he was keen on abusing. The snakes were near, their serpentine trails unmistakable in the bedded brushes of the prairie. Gait slowing, his feline figure was undetectable by the human eye. Shoulders hunched, he was able to move slowly as if time had been manipulated. Pink paws didn't make a sound as their padded palms pressed against the dried foliage of the prairie. None would lay witness as he moved carefully towards the entrance of the Tiger Snake Den...
Enter from Seizan VIA FREAKING AIRSHIP
