>Try and talk them down
>Attack Gaara, he's defenseless
>Attack Kankuro, he has no strategy
>Attack Temari, she's clouded by emotions
>Retreat

attack kankuro he's a fuccboi

>Attack Kankuro, he has no strategy

>>3101967
Attack Gaara.

>>3101968
>>Try and talk them down

>>3101995
>>3101994
>>3101982
>>3101974

Attack Kankuro wins, roll me a d100

Rolled 92 (1d100)

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>3102030

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>3102030

>>3102035
>>3102041
>>3102064
Hot damn, good rolls. Writing

You absolute mad lads.

"Samurai!" Parka boy shouts. "You got us into this mess, whats the plan?!"

"Eliko," you correct. Your open hands shoots towards the katana's hilt and you launch yourself towards Kankuro. He's distracted and doesn't know what's going on, his critical lack in situational awareness your advantage. Puppet users are excellent combatants in nearly any situation, tricky to deal with, and normally well out of harms way. But this one is out in the open and caught off guard.

You sprint in, katana already unsheathed and swinging by the time he takes notice. A brown blur swoops in as your sword connects. Wood splits, your blade sheering through the puppet's shoulder and severing an arm. It clatters at you before jabbing out with a hidden blade, deflected from your handle. Drops of faintly purple liquid is cast into the air. Poison. In a moments hesitation from the pair, you pull the mask from your pouch and slide it on before leaping back to gain distance.

Kankuro jumps back as a gust of wind from Temari knocks you back a few more steps. The puppet launches it's attack and with every step you take it's arms only seem to lengthen. But you're only a distraction for the two sand ninja. Parka boy and one of his teammates flank around either side towards the blonde, the pup Akamaru leading the way with a ferocious snarl.

They catch Temari off guard with a few dozen kunai, leaving you to deal with the relentless puppet hounding you off the path. One of it's many hidden blades snap off as you catch a strike with your sword's hand guard. Then two more break as you parry successive jabs. It won't be able to keep this up much longer, not if Kankuro needs it to fight.

Across the clearing Parka Boy and his teammate are doing fine work, though the pup seems to be missing and there are two of it's owner. The shy girl lays into Temari with brutal efficiency, driving the sand ninja back with every attack. Then you see the creepy one, skulking around a bush behind Kankuro, hands covered in a writhing black mass. Bugs, thousands of them.

Before you can take advantage of the sneak attack however, one of the puppet's good arms snaps open at the elbow. A long bore, and something inside. A ranged attack.

>Attack it before it can do anything
>Dodge and counter
>Rush for Kankuro to create a better opening
>Write-in

>>3102148
>>Dodge and counter

>Rush for Kankuro to create a better opening

>>3102148
>>Dodge and counter

>>Dodge and counter

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>3102168
>>3102159
>>3102158
>>3102153
>Dodge and counter
Roll 1d100

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>3102232

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>3102232
Folded a million times.

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>3102280
>>3102243
>>3102237
>88
That's a pass, writing

You move a second before an explosion erupts from it's arm. A missile zooms past you, exploding into a dense could of purple mist. But you're already countering, your sword slicing off the responsible arm before it has the chance to realign. One of the few remaining appendages shoots at you, only to split in half from a well placed cut. Before you can deliver the final stroke the puppet goes limp, the creepy boy's trap sprung.

Kankuro fights hand to hand with his assailant, covered in bugs and growing weaker with every punch. Temari, bruised and battered, strikes the parka boy upside his head and sends him flying towards the shy girl. The both of them lie still for a moment one puffs into smoke and dispersal. Another swing nails the parka boy clone squarely in it's chest, turning it into a puff of smoke and the puppy. Neither of them look well, but continue the fight anyways and launch themselves and the sand ninja.

You duck as a ball of sand sails over your head, splintering the bark from a giant tree nearby. Gaara snarls at you, now back in control of his sand. The tan mass had congealed into a gnarly arm and tail not unlike what you saw only a few moments ago. One eye is a yellow star with a black sclera. He laughs deeply before slamming an arm into a nearby tree. The shy girl slumps in his grasp, unconscious, her own sneak attack a failure.

He laughs deeply for a moment before clutching his head in pain. The sand creeps further along his skin as he lets out a deafening roar. You take a step back. "What's the matter, terrified of true power?!" He bellows.

You hadn't noticed it, your hair standing on end, the goose bumps on your skin, the tremor that runs through your body. You can't help but smile, he was wrong. This isn't fear, you can hardly contain yourself. Adrenalin runs through your veins, you feel nothing but the rush. Every thought comes at a thousand miles per second, every move you could take, how he would react. Every thing Master Mifune warned you about. Things that would get you killed.

You take a deep breath and lower your stance, collecting yourself, this fight wont have you. Your katana catches a glint as a flurry of leaves dance to the ground. Calm, collected, your mind is keen, your body iron, like a true samurai. The tunnel vision fades but every sight remains sharp, every smell vibrant, and every sound crisp. Just like Master Mifune had taught. While your target remains deluded with his own strength.

He launches himself at you, dropping the shy girl into a limp pile. The yellow eye glares at you with furious passion while his blue eye only sees psychotic rage.

>Dodge and counter
>Meet the charge head on
>Iado quick draw
>Write-in

>>3102362
>>Iado quick draw

>>3102362
Meet the charge head on.

>Iado quick draw

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>3102368
>>3102382
>>3102385
Alright, quick draw wins, roll me 1d100

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>3102437

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>3102437
MILLION

TIMES

FOLDED

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>3102437

>>3102470
>>3102464
>>3102441
Well, good news. You guys aren't dead. Yet.

You sheath your sword and stiffen your stance. One hand on the handle, the other on the sheath. You had practice this a millions time, got it right in combat twice. Getting it right a third time should be child's play. Nearby the other two are getting the life kicked out of them. Parka boy swings and misses Temari, only to take a blow to the gut and collapse onto the floor. The creepy kid is fairing better but not by much, a swarm of bugs clinging to his fists and crawling over Kankuro and the puppet. But two are better than one as a poisoned blade catches him in the arm.

Gaara speeds at you, faster than you predicted, throwing you off kilter as he appears only a few feet away. You blade sloppily comes out, catching him in the arm. Sand sprays as that same are slams you against a tree, the wound hardly deep enough to cause any damage. Now pinned you have a good view, his face had entirely turned into that beast's. A selfish, sickly monster.

"Love only yourself, fight only for yourself," Gaara growls. His grip tightens, crushing the air from your lungs. "That is what it means to be the strongest."

"Strength," you grunt out. Your sword digs into your stomach, there's no room to maneuver it, something will have to change. The shy girls hangs off a high up tree branch and several leaves fall. "Is measured by more than brute force."

"Lies!" You're tossed into the air before fist knocks you into the ground. For a brief moment all you see is black, but you rise up to a knee. Blood drips from your nose, mouth, and ears. And a sharp pain pierces your hand as you clutch your sword. A broken wrist.

You switch to your off hand, the finger doing well enough. A good thing you took care of the dislocation when you did. But still, southpaw has never really been your thing. The arm is slower, less precise. Gaara stares you down, grinning from ear to ear. He advances once more, taking each step slowly, deliberate intimidation and taking great pleasure in it. Until he's standing right over you. A hazy figure watches from the trees, eyes glowing red with a predatory lust.

"I overestimated you, samurai," Gaara says. Another fist is raised in the air. Your lungs burn, every muscle aches, and your mind is foggy. It wouldn't take much for him to put you out of your misery. But up until know, the only technique you have actually used is the Iado quick draw. Nothing had required the use of anything more deliberate, maybe now is the right time. Or... your gear pouch feels awfully heavy.


>Strike-down technique, cut his hand in two
>Dodge and consecutive slash technique, pepper him until something gives
>Firebombs
>Write-in

>>3102580
>>Dodge and consecutive slash technique, pepper him until something gives

>>3102580
>Strike-down technique, cut his hand in two.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3102685
>>3102599
Alright, looks like a tie. I'll wright what ever this comes out as and that'll be it for tonight. Either way, roll me a d100.

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>3102691

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>3102691

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>3102691

>>3102757
>>3102697
>>3102693
>90
You did it, good shit. Writing.

A deep breath calms your nerves. The pain fades to dull throbs, pushed away into the recesses of your mind. All that matters is whats right in front of you, a giant sand fist propelled by a possessed ninja boy. Absolute absurdity, what did a ninja even need with some demon? This kind of power only proves unhelpful in any sort of clandestine mission.

Your body moves on it's on, less like a dodge and more like falling in the right direction. Gaara's fist craters the ground where you had been but not where you are. Despite the mild throb in your finger you grip the sword firmly and begin. Strike after strike, your katana no more than a blue glow. Sand spills to the ground from his flank.

Gaara raises a hand to defend but each swat only opens up another place for you to cut at.So much sand falls that one strike draws blood. A light wound, progress. His breathing turns ragged and he slinks down to cover his weak spots.

"There's absolutely no way... I'm going to loose to a guy like you!" Gaara throws his hands back, eyes glowing gold. The burst of power pushes you back. A form shoots into the air, the beast.

"Dynamic entry!" A girl shouts. You're thrown off your feet, blinded by a smoke and sand cloud.

You sit up against a tree, your lungs in agony and each breath only making it worse. Blood fills your mouth, your throat, and spills out around you from where grains of sand had pierced you like arrows. Those same red eyes stare at you, unblinking and only a few feet away. Then a wide smile fades in with enlarged canines. White hair, snowy skin, and a headband engraved with a star.

"Did you like it?" She asks, her eyes unwavering. "A really cool ninja did it in town!"

"Y-yeah..." you cough. The cloud completely settles, revealing a broken Gaara being carried off a pile of sand. His eyes are still open, watching you much like before. Though now his hands are and legs are completely busted. "What did you do?"

"He can't use jutsu now. Want one?" She pulls out a dozen heaven and earth scrolls. Most covered in flecks of gore or blood. She places on in your hand without an answer and kneels over, studying you intensely. Then a finger, sharp as a knife, sticks you in the chest. "This will only hurt for a moment."

It hurt, a lot. So much your vision fades and your entire body goes numb. You feel a warmth pulsing through your veins so hot you're sure you'll catch on fire. The broken bones in your wrist align themselves, skin knits back together, and your nose is set with a sickening pop. You gasp for air as she removes the finger, that wound healing now too.

"Wh-what did you do to me?" You ask through panted breaths. The physical toll of what just happened creeps into your mind, overtaking it with swarms of black spots.

"Don't worry about it!" You're hefted over her shoulder and before you know it, the trees are blurring by beneath you. "Can't have you dying on me."

Unconsciousness overtakes you.

That's it for tonight. Open to questions, comments, jabs at my shitty fanfic tier writing. I'll be around for a few hours.

File: 763265286327564.gif (3.11 MB, 500x281)

3.11 MB GIF

>>3102913
Fuck?

>>3102931
>Todd Chavez voice: HURRAY FOR STAR GIRL EX-MACHINA.

So now that Gara is not playing mindless murder hobo (his siblings probably want to recover and heal at the tower) will there be more people at the tower now on account of his team focusing on getting there and recovering not murder hoboing to appease Gara? (By the way, can there be hidden Moon team there there was a moon headband in anime hidden in the background.)

>>3102931
I wouldn't say no but smuts not really my thing.
>>3103342
Todd really carries BJH
>>3103466
Yes and no, those extra scrolls had to come from somewhere. And that'll be up to you guys if you find them or not.

>>3103919
Sure but we likely at least saved a couple of teams unknowingly and we might be able to avoid combat by giving away some of the scrolls if we come up others in the forest as we are not stealthy we likely are like bull in a china shop in that regard.

>>3103919
Just glad that star didn't have to do and lose the my solid meteor radiation chakra defense vs you sand crushing power.

I'll be posting sporadically through the day, no time for a full session unfortunately. Still, the first post will be out in an hour or so.
>>3103965
That's one way to go about it.

>>3103989
Keep someone set in reserve but we really don't need so many scrolls. (It will work as long as they are not aiming specifically for extra competition eliminations or extra bloodthirsty) other than that the amount of scrolls itself is intimination factor at least at first till the number dwindles down.

>>3104030
One not someone

A campfire crackles, it's warm glow waking you from a deep, dreamless, slumber. Each leaf in the forest's canopy shimmers like the starry night sky while inky black seeps between the branches and in the corners of your vision. The girl sits at her small fire, gnawing at a browned nut big as a fist. She bangs it off the wood, growing more and more frustrated with each strike. Until finally it shatters, leaving a gouge in the bark.

"Isn't that dangerous?" You ask, nodding her way. Embers dance from the flames, twisting and turning before disappearing. A pain throbs in your chest.

"Morning," she answers, throwing in a branch. Her eyes glow crimson in the light. Your sword is next to her, embedded in the tree. She smiles nervously and fiddles with the fire, prodding it with a long stick white adding chunks of the nut.

"Eliko of the Land of Iron, apprentice to the warlord Mifune, surrogate brother to Azumi." Her expression turns intense for a moment before softening. A million emotions pull at her face, only to be quelled into a broad smile. She pulls out your sword and flips it between her fingers. "Gaisteel, cold forged but not by the hands of a master. Odd pommel and balance... not common to this area."

"Right... Who, how, and why?"

"Yuki." She gestures to herself. "On account of the albinism."

"That's the who." You shift further away from the fire, it's warmth ruining the cool night. From the looks of it, Yuki doesn't seem to mind with her face only a few inches away.

Yuki shifts uncomfortably, dropping the stick and clasping her hands together. She takes part of the nut out of the fire, bare handed, and eats it without hesitation. No signs of pain or discomfort, just her unwavering smile. She hands a smoldering one to you.

"No thanks," you answer, waving her off. "Why-"

Yuki throws it into the canopy with a loud thump. Foliage rustles and out steps a teenager, one faintly familiar. He was in the written exam, though wearing a Kusa headband then. Now he wears one with a music note. "Ohayo gozaimasu!"

"Aren't you a strange pair," the newcomer says. His tongue flicks and your brain flips as the words adjust. She hadn't been talking in Japanese. "Plotting something, Yuki?"

"Of course not!" She answers with a pout. "That's your side of the bargain, now I suppose I'll do mine." Then her face quickly drops to disgust as she pulls out a fist size ceramic vessel. Purple radiates from the container, shimmering like heat during a blistering day.

Yuki tosses it to the newcomer who snatches it in the air not with an arm but his mouth. His neck extends like the body of a snake before retracting back into place. Then he swallowed the damn thing. "Thank you," he says. "Good luck... I'll be watching."

A chill runs up your spine as he fades into the dark. Yuki drops back down in front of the fire and lets out a deep sigh. Her eyes are faded, glossy, and ringed with dark circles. Her cheery demeanor is gone, replaced with exhaustion.

>Options cont

>"What the fuck."
>"You alright?"
>"Why did you rescue me?"
>Don't say anything
>Write-in

>>3104112
>>Don't say anything
Too weird for words. Just stare.

>>3104112
>"Why did you rescue me?"

>"You alright?"
>"Why did you rescue me?"

Well orochi got chakra cancer stone and observed chakra less person.

>>3104150
>>3104143
>>3104127
>"Why did you rescue me?"
Wins on consensus. Writing.

You watch her for a moment. Dejected, tired, whatever she gave up was a heavy toll. Her eyes aren't like those of the lowlands, not a dojutsu or some mutation, they're like yours. The answer comes to you but she seems to need the conversation. "Why did you save me?" You ask.

"Ten years," she answers without looking up, retuning to that foreign language. The fire dances in her eyes while ash and cinder dots her hair. "I saw you on a black ship ten years ago, it was so cold a man froze like glass. And then the man you just met pulled me from the ocean and took me to the Land of Bears."

"Sorry, I don't remember that." A headache dully throbs in the back of your mind as the words shift. It's not the language you know but it comes out anyways. You move closer to the fire as she stirs it around with the stick. "And man? He couldn't be any older than eighteen."

"Don't... think about it too much. All I know is that you were there, with my brother."

"He also from the Land of Bears?"

"I never found him. But here you are, and that gives me hope. Though I seem to be fresh out of bargaining chips... Don't expect me to save you again, I'm running on empty."

"Yeah, what was that?" You take a closer look. Her skin is pale and taught, as if illness has suddenly struck. Beads of sweat roll from her brow and the dazed expression only grows worse. "It didn't seem..."

"Safe?" She starts to sway and shiver. "Far, far from it. And now I can't go... back... home."

You sit back as Yuki flops over unconscious. Stripe like rashes ebb over her pale skin, shifting and churning before turning a dark purple. She breaths heavily, stopping every few moments as tremors wrack her body. Poison of some sort? Maybe that man did something to her. Or that thing she traded.

Unable to do much you straighten her out in hopes she wont fall off the tree. Then you stamp out the fire and fish out your own supplies. The mask is ruined, smashed to pieces and only a single firebomb survived, the rest smashed to bits and leaving a grainy oil staining everything else in the pack. The packet of pills are ruined and you doubt you could use the senbon in their current bend.

Still, you have the two scrolls. An earth and a heaven, all that was asked of you to do. Even if you didn't manage to get it on your own. All that's left now is to make it to the center of the forest and finish the phase. Yuki is in no state to move, though. You could leave her here but even the thought puts a bad taste in your mouth. She rescued you, it's only fair you do the same for her. Besides, there are a thousand other questions you have for her.

>Rest for the night
>Carry her to the center
>Write-in

>>3104266
>>Rest for the night

>>3104266
>Carry her to the center

>>3104266
Rest for the night.

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>3104304
>>3104276
>>3104273
Resting wins. 1d5 for encounter.

Rolled 4 (1d5)

>>3104312

Rolled 5 (1d5)

>>3104312

Rolled 3 (1d5)

>>3104331
>>3104341
>>3104353
>3
Writing.

You take back your sword and settle in for the night, resting against the tree. As unfortunate as it is, you have no way to immediately help her. Moving in such a state will only put the both of you in danger and slow any progress to a crawl. She also has a team out there somewhere, and you're not entirely sure how they'll take to her being so hurt. No, best the course of action is to wait for her to recover.

With the fire's glow gone your eyes slowly adjust to the darkness. Something rushes by down on the forest floor, only to disappear as quickly as it came. A distant howl echoes through the trees but that too fades. And then there's nothing, no caws, no howls, only a starless night. You glance again at Yuki, her pallid features near glowing in the dark, and her rashes actually glowing a faint purple. But her breathing stabilizes and her tremors stop.

A few hours go by and you notice shadows lurking in the trees, three of them creeping in your direction. One leaps unto your branch and you're already moving, your katana a blue flash in the night. A dark green blur stops you dead, your blade caught in their hands.

"Ah- Mister Samurai!" An excited young man whispers loudly. The kid with a bowl cut from the start. "I am so glad you're doing well!"

"Eliko?!" A familiar girl says. Tenten peaks around her teammate with a broad smile. "It really is blue."

You sheath your sword with a sigh and return to your post against the tree trunk. A third joins them, the one with white eyes much like that shy girl. "Take a scroll, she's got plenty."

"I can't see you," the third growls. He crouches down and glares at you, his eyes veiny and strained. Tenten careful retrieves a scroll before joining her angry companion. "How."

"Introductions!" The second announces. "I am Rock Lee, this is Neji Hyuga. It is a pleasure to meet you, Eliko. Tenten has spoken about you at great length."

"Lee!" Tenten chops Lee in the head before giving you an apologetic smile. "S-so who's your friend?"

"Yuki, from the Land of Bears. She helped me out of a bad spot. But..."

"Her chakra is weak but stable," Neji answers without even looking at her. "Lee, Tenten, we have the scroll, lets go."

"We can't just leave them here," Tenten says. She turns and plants her self firmly next to you. Lee does the same, though shaking the tree as he does it. "They gave us a scroll, the least we can do is wait until she recovers."

A groan catches your attention. Yuki shakily sits up, rolling to her side then using an arm as leverage to get on her knees. You rush over and help her up. Her rashes fade to red marks but don't completely disappear. Her eyes are blood shot and still ringed with exhaustion. "I'm... fine," she groans. "Lets go."

"How..." Neji mumbles. "She's recovered, lets go."


>"Sit back down, we're not going anywhere."
>"I'll carry you."
>"You're walking."
>Write-in

>>3104506
You're walking.

>>3104506
>"I'll carry you."

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3104543
>>3104534
Rolling for the tie.

>>3104506
>"I'll carry you."

You turn your back to her and crouch down. Letting her do it herself will only be a liability. "Hop on."

"I'm... fine..." Yuki says between ragged breaths. She wobbles a bit before sighing and climbing onto your back. Lighter than you had imagined, by a fair bit. Nothing but skin and bones.

"A true gentleman!" Rock Lee says a little too loudly. "As a show of our appreciation, we will accompany you to our mutual goal!"

You nod and collect the remaining scrolls before jumping from the tree. Tenten and Rock Lee seem content with the situation but Neji only grimaces. Every few minutes he looks at you, eyes pulsing with veins before retuning to normal and sneering. Hyuga... like the Uchiha, they posses a dojustu if you're remembering right. The Byakugan, though you're less familiar with it than the Sharingan. Something about seeing chakra.

It's a struggle to keep up with, your speed nowhere near their own even without the extra load on your back. But you manage, if barely thanks to their consideration. If they put their mind to it getting through this forest wouldn't take more than an hour. But two in with you and you're all just now within range of the center. Some tall red tower if your memory serves you correct, it should come into view in only a few moments.

"So!" Tenten says. "Have you enjoyed your time here?"

"In the forest?" You ask. The wakizashi Azumi got you shifts uncomfortably against your hip. Fortunately it wasn't damaged in the fight. She'd have a fit if it was. "Not really, but the village isn't so bad. Haven't gotten to see much of it though."

"Ah, that's good! If you like I can show you around-"

"Quiet!" Neji orders. His eyes are veined once again, though this time he's looking near everywhere else but you. Tenten readies a giant fuma shuriken and Rock Lee drops his jovial demeanor. Something you can't see has them on edge. "Damn it. They're in the trees, Sound Shinobi."

A dozen senbon rain down on you, largely missing. And jingling from a bell attached to each. Yuki clutches her head and the others stop, wincing at the noise and unable to continue. Three jump down from the canopy, a smirking girl, a bandaged hunchback, and their rather plain looking third. The troublemakers from the written exam.

"Hand over your scrolls," the hunchback asks, holding out a hand. Attacking could put Yuki in danger and with her on your back your guard is very poor. Nothing stopping you from accepting his demands, however. Not that you had to be too truthful with your compliance. Six scrolls left, it could be easy to fool them so long as they don't search you.

>Throw one scroll
>Throw two scrolls
>"We don't have any."
>Write-in

That's it for tonight, go ahead and vote, I'll write up the continuation tomorrow at the normal starting time. A critical choice in the direction this quest takes will come up too.

I'll be on for a few hours more to read or answer any questions you guys post. And seriously, any criticism you guys have I'll be more than happy to take.

>>3104674
>>Throw one scroll

>>3104674
>Throw two scrolls
No biggie

>>3104674
>Throw one scroll.

>>3104683
Are we affected by the bells?

>>3104773
Must be some ninja shit. Fukken ninjes

>>3104773
Eliko has no idea, he's never experienced something like it before. As for a meta answer, I feel as if I've implied it heavily enough. Gaara's sand reacted violently with you, Neji can't see you, etc.

>>3104804
Do we have like anti-chakra or something?

>>3104809
Kinda-sorta. An absolute absence of chakra and a big spoiler something older in it's place

>>3104846
Is the answer to the spoiler perhaps parachute pants?

>>3104857
Shit, you got me. Eliko is actually from the 80s and his power is synthwave.

>>3104950
Fitting, then that we are now facing the soundcloud villagers.

>>3104846
So something like Gelel stone implant? If I remember correctly stones were not chakra.

>>3105421
If it's that we might go to the sun's temple for some reason... The god\deamon forming under the feel could become Irons psedo tailed best.

>>3105766
Not sun's just temple in Sunas territory.

Just caught up. Got a question though, don't certain Kenjutsu require Chakra to use? Also, is Kenjutsu and Bukijutsu the same thing, or is there a distinction between the two?

Also, if we can't use chakra to use more powerful techniques, I wonder if we can perfect a technique to the point that it's on the level with high level Jutsu...

>Vid related
https://youtu.be/oiFDnDmLyII

>>3106144
Bukijutsu is just weapon usage and Kenjutsu is specifically about swords. IFAIK there are moves that require chakra to use but the basic functionality of the sword remains the same.

>>3106159
Forgetting my trip, already off to a great day.

I'll be posting in a few hours.

Say no and fight or accept and maybe avoid conflict. An easy decision but not an easy deception. You pull one of the scrolls from within your yukata and toss it over, the ninja catching it with ease through his long sleeves. But he only keeps staring at you, eyes narrowed. The way he keeps him self covered up, an eye blocked off by bandages, it doesn't sit well with you. Why would a ninja purposely keep one eye closed. It's counterproductive.

"How did you know which one was me?" He asks in a low tone.

"A good guess. You have your scroll, now leave," you answer. A cursory glance at Lee and his team tells you their not in the best of straights. Except Neji, where his team's eyes are unsure his are focused. Veins bulge around them for a moment. He's already seen through the genjutsu.

"We still need it's counterpart, and why else would head towards the tower unless you had both?" The hunchback takes a step closer. You let Yuki slide from your back and take a low ready stance. If he attacks he'll probably use that whirring gauntlet again. And that would give you the perfect opening. "If you know what's good for you, hand it over."

"I already gave you one, leave." Your knuckles turn white around the handle of your katana. No breeze provides relief from the morning's stifling heat and as the trees thin the shade had become less than all encompassing. All he has to do is leave and find another team to steal from. Tenten circles behind her teammates and readies her fuma while Lee shoots a nod at Neji. They have their plan already figured out.

"Kin, Zaku!" He shouts, rushing at you. A sleeve is pulled back and sure enough, the whirring gauntlet is reveled. You can't do much against a sound attack but making sure he can't do it again will be easy enough. The other two follow suit, the girl, presumably Kin, and the boy, Zaku, head for Lee and Neji.

Neji throws a kunai at Kin before facing off the other opponent while Lee disappears in a green blur. In only a short moment Kin is slammed with a high kick to the jaw. Neji delivers a booming blow to Zaku knocking the wind from the sound ninja. That only leaves you and your target, now nearly upon you. You get a clearer sight of his state of being. Scuffed up, damaged clothes, he's in a rough spot. All of them are.

>Iaido quick draw
>Overhead strike
>Dodge and counter
>Write-in

>>3106307
>Iaido quick draw

>>3106307
>>Iaido quick draw

>>3106307
Overhead strike.

>Overhead strike

>>3106307
>>Overhead strike

>>3106310
>>3106312
>>3106316
>>3106338
>>3106347
>Overhead strike

Roll me 1d100

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>3106358

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>3106358

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>3106358
Here.

>>3106362
>>3106360
>>3106359
>62
Whew, writing. DC was 60

Cluch.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>3106370
Don't mind this roll.

Mysterious roll is mysterious.

You draw your katana and raise it high. Dead-fall beneath the hunchback's feet is disturbed, casting up leafs and dirt alike. Ten feet, his arm lowers to compensate for your higher guard. Five feet and you see a moments hesitation, he'll stop just short. And three feet you take a step forward, bringing down your blade.

Metal clangs and blood jets high. The hunchback jumps away, covering is escape with a dozen kunai you swiftly deflect or dodge. He clutches his limp arm, red seeping from every hole in his gauntlet and a deep gash you made in the metal. He doesn't speak, or cry out in pain, only watches with silence. Waiting for your next move.

You don't give up the fight though, chasing after him and delivering a slash to his face. It barely nicks his cheek as he leans back to dodge. A sweeping kick aims for your legs but a hop keeps you from harm. You control the fight now, every movement he makes is to keep away from your sword as he heads closer and closer to the forest line. A loosing end to be on if any.

Nearby Neji's opponent drops like a sack after a brutal punch to the face. Kin is buried half in in the ground upside down while Lee makes his way towards you. And Tenten is... no where to be seen. Until a fuma flies from the brush behind the hunchback, catching him by the leg.

He flops over, only to recover quickly, favoring his other leg. Out numbered and seemingly outmatched, he disappears into the forest, leaving his teammates behind. You sheath your sword and let out a deep breath. All he had to do was take the scroll and leave.

"That was great!" Tenten exclaims, retrieving her fuma. "Sucks about the scroll but your kenjutsu was awesome!"

"Agreed!" Lee shouts in your ear before giving a thumbs up. "A true-"

"It's not safe here," Neji interrupts. "We're close enough to the tower, I'm sure others are pulling similar stunts."

With a nod you pick Yuki back up and head off. Up in the trees though you see that same white snake. Watching you. But it's just a snake, no way it could actually be following you. Half an hour later you see it, a big red shanty tower. Dead center of the forest and the end of phase two.

Your scrolls burst into smoke as you near the entrance, producing seven very confused Konoha jonin. After a few minutes of talking among themselves they come to an agreement and you're ushered inside, one taking Yuki to a medical room within the tower. You enter a large arena type room with two big stone hands performing some sort of jutsu. Temari and Kankuro glare at you from the opposite wall's walkway. And standing on a raised step is someone you weren't expecting.

Solemn looking with thick black eyebrows, a shaved back bald head, and a scar over his right eye. Urakaku, one of Master Mifune's right hand men. For him to come all the way here you must have done something wrong. Very, very wrong. But he hasn't seen you yet, maybe you could sneak out...

>Greet him
>Sneak up to the walkway
>Sneak back outside.
>Write-in

>>3106465
Greet him.

>>3106465
>Greet him

>>3106465
>>Greet him

>Greet him

>>3106465
>>Greet him

>>3106512
>>3106505
>>3106504
>>3106480
>>3106475
Being polite it is wins, writing

You take a deep breath and quell the pounding in your chest. With a short goodbye to your companions you head to the samurai. A real samurai, widely considered to be one of the Land of Iron's best. As you are now you couldn't hope to face him, and trying to sneak away would only earn his ire.

Each of your steps clacks uncomfortably loud against the stone floor. Temari and Kankuro's glares fade from your awareness as his eyes focus on you. He doesn't say anything, but you can feel the disdain from behind his purple scarf. He hardly ever spoke to you, except for a few short criticisms.

"Master Urakaku," you say with a formal bow.

"Did you deliver the edict?" He asks in a low tone.

"Yes, sir. The scroll is in the Hokage's possession."

"Then why haven't you returned home?"

"I-... what?"

"Deliver the scroll, return home. Yet here you are playing shinobi."

"I-...I was asked to participate in the chunin exams as an adviser. I thought-" His glare stops you dead. There is no use arguing, his mind has already been made up. You've failed in his eyes.

"The adviser for Konohagakure is Captain Keiji. Now go collect your things, I have a mission for you to redeem yourself with." No naming ceremony, you missed your chance. Thanks to these damn ninja. No, the Hokage is who tricked you. The rest are all just distractions. "Azumi is already on her way home with my men. And they'll get her there unlike you."

"The mission, please..." You say. As proper as you might stand the crushing weight of failure near buckles your knees. Embarrassment grips your stomach and you gain keen awareness of everyone's mutterings. Neji watches you from the stadium, his eyes veined. Lee and Tenten laugh, their voices loud and boisterous, painful to your ears.

"Go to the Land of Demons and retrieve the ronin Hitoshi Satou. His crimes have been dismissed by Lord Mifune. Or better yet, give me your sword and leave because if you fail again there is no second chance." The dismissal. He wants you gone, they all do. It would be easy to just give up but you'd never see Azumi again. Never be welcomed back. You'd be alone, without even your sword.

>"I will leave immediately."
>"I gave my word to participate, and you expect me to break that?"
>"I delivered the scroll, like was asked of me. And I will return home, like was asked of me."
>Write-in

>>3106683
>>"I delivered the scroll, like was asked of me. And I will return home, like was asked of me."

>>3106683
I will leave immediately.

>>3106683
>"I will leave immediately."

>>3106757
>>3106727
>>3106707
Leaving immediately wins, writing.

Fukken ninjes. Never trust em.

>>3106809
Poor Eliko can't catch a break.

"I... will leave immediately," You say.

"No, you will leave in the morning. Now go."

You give another formal bow and take your leave. A nearby jonin escorts you out of the forest without a word, delivering you out of the exam within the hour. By the time you see the village the sun sits high in the air, beating down on your with an afternoon intensity. People hustle about their lives while you return to the hotel.

Not much to pack, especially since Azumi is already gone. No goodbye but it's not the last time you'll see her. Hours of packing and repacking drives you up the wall, anxiety near getting the better of you. So instead you settle into meditation. Deep breath in, and out, the thoughts coming and going at their leisure. But you don't latch onto them. The only thing you know in that moment is the feel of the tatami you sit on and the old wooden smell of the hotel.

Regardless of your past failings you have a chance at redemption, another mission. To go to the Land of Demons and retrieve a ronin. Hitoshi Satou, you've heard of him. Labeled as a murderer after his family was found dead. He never claimed innocence nor guilt, just nothing before one day disappearing. That was nearing five years ago. No one ever spoke highly of his kenjutsu, or at all really.

You let out a deep breath, expelling the last of your worries. A girl sputters in your face. Evening light filters in through a window, casting her hair a brilliant orange and her eyes alight. How the hell did she get in. "Your breath is awful," Yuki says with a grin.

"Why aren't you at the exams?" You ask, pushing her away.

"Failed. My fearless leader opened one of the scrolls, knocked out everyone nearby. It's how I got so many."

"Right..." You gesture towards the wide open door. "Are you going to leave?"

"No."

"Can you at least close the door?"

"Yes." Yuki jumps up and slams the door shut. She takes a seat at the low table where your things are packed and looks at you expectantly. "Going somewhere?"

"Yes, the Land of Demons," you answer, joining her. A pot of tea is already boiling. How long has she been here?

"A samurai adventure? By yourself?" She slides a cup into your hands. But you don't drink it.

"What do you want, Yuki?"

"I... uh... can't go home..." She deflates, utterly dejected in posture as she folds her hands under the table and slouches. "At least not yet."

"What did you do..."

"Traded an artifact... to find you." Yuki sheepishly smiles. A small pinwheel like tattoo you hadn't seen before sits on her neck, hardly hiding faint old bruises and scars you never noticed. A small bag of hers is already neatly tucked against the door. She's set on it, much like Azumi was. You have no say in the matter.

Alright, that's it for tonight. If I have enough time I'll be running again tomorrow. I'll read any questions or comments for the next few hours to.

I say we ditch her. We don't need no stinkin ninjes. This is a samurai job. Also NINJES

>>3106857
Nah, she has some kind of connection to our past.
I'm really glad to be getting away from Konoha

>>3106870
Don't care. Trust of ninjes. Shattered.

This was a stupid choice from Konoha really. Why the fuck would you trick a mesiger like this it just reinforces to the other faction that you can't be trusted.

>>3106839
Man poor Eliko. Having his life controlled by the expectations of his betters. It’s the type of thing that would drive a man crazy.

Crazy enough to want more power, how to get more power? Murder the entirety of the samurai people to unlock the mangekyou sharingan. Hard to say. Tough spot to surely be in, would be a pity if something happened.

>>3108090
Can't really blame them Hokage tricked us good. I really don't expect him to lie about the 2nd part of our assignment as this kind of shit destroys trust and sours relations. (this won't be anything more than a small irritation but shit adds up) I guess this is why none of the big 5 have direct without a doubt positive ties to Monk or Samurai (small villages might be less dickish as they can't be as picky in allies I think or more, if they want, wave their dick and pretend to be a big boy) they just keep pulling shit like this I guess.

>>3108098
Maybe Hiruzen’s ploy was just to see the combat readiness and effectiveness of the samurai. This thing seems like a Danzō plot. Wouldn’t surprise me if they were watching us before we even got to the village.

>>3108124
Without a doubt, someone was keeping an eye on us the whole time. The whole set up from the beginning was disrespectful you don't trick a the courier in taking a test that might result in their death without the approval of said carriers bosses and not expect them to not take offense to your action even a little bit no matter your goal.

I'll be running a bit later today, probably around 2 or 3PST.

>yfw this isn't the ninjes fault at all but instead Urakaku the baldy's doing

>>3108591
Possible but that would mean Irons backing out on an agreement. Which also has some minor political implications. So it's either a deal broken or fooled into dangerous unpayed overtime work by someone with questionable motivations.

"Can you hurry up!" Yuki shouts from a nearby tree. Birds panic and flutter away, leaving a flurry of leafs and feathers in their wake. She jumps from limb to limb in short bursts of speed before coming to a halt and looking back at you impatiently. Half a day in and she's already a bigger nuisance than Azumi. "We could get there by tomorrow night if you just ran!"

"I'm sure we would," you answer. Aren't ninjas supposed to be stealthy? This is not stealthy. If only she would take her job seriously and lurk in the shadows, not pester you every other step. But that's probably too much to ask of her, at least for now. "Why don't you get down here and walk like a normal person?"

"Why don't you come up here and move like a- oh." She lands next to you, hands behind her head and a wide smile on her face. "Right. You're a samurai, not a shinobi."

"Astute observation. Did you know I also carry a sword?"

She shoots you a frown and silence finally settles in. Her footsteps match your own but are padded and quiet. Her presence near disappears from your periphery too. No sighing, or breathing, better still no complaining. Just blending into the background, unheard and unseen. A blue wisp moves to your left, only for Yuki's finger prods you in the cheek as you swivel to get a better view.

"Got ya." She laughs, slapping you on the back. "Don't be so paranoid."

"I'm not paranoid, and if anything paranoia is a good thing around you ninja."

"Kunoichi," she corrects, "and I'm perfectly trustworthy."

You return your attention to the road without a word. Direct west, through half a dozen or so small countries situated between the Lands of Earth and Wind. Most peaceful, even lacking hidden villages but some... less than safe. But at the end your destination awaits, the Land of Demons. A sizable country and despite the name, not an awful place, as far as you've heard. Hitoshi Satou, however, is still an unknown to you. If he doesn't want to come back there's not much you can do to change his mind. Two decades more experience with kenjutsu puts you at a solid disadvantage. And he probably had more reasons for leaving than just murder accusations.

Over the next few hours the trees change, less generic oaks and more willows and larches. Taiga, just like the mountains. Heavy gray clouds gather overhead, producing a lite rain. Already the Land of Rain? No, the village is Amegakure, village hidden in the rain. But the countries name just isn't coming to you.

>cont

"I don't like it here," Yuki says in a low tone. "Somethings wrong."

"You're just paranoid," you mock. You're thrown into a bush. Her hand firmly holds your mouth closed as she crouches down next to you, peaking back out to the road.

"Probably just an animal, lets head back..." someone says from the road, their voice muffled by a mask. Another grunts in agreement before the pair run off, their feet splashing in newly formed puddles.

You're pulled back to your feet, your yakuta soaked. Yuki doesn't fare much better, her black gi like uniform already drenched and letting you notice for the first time a mesh under suit. Though she quickly covers up with a plain charcoal gray poncho and a dark purple scarf. With a nod of approval you return to the journey at hand, Yuki taking to the trees.

"I knew I wasn't imagining things," someone says from behind. You sigh and face them, a tall lanky man wearing an Ame headband and a respirator, his upper body masked in a camouflage tunic much the same as those sound ninja. Though his headband is scratched out, a missing-nin. "Curious why a boy all on his lonesome is wandering around a place like this."

Yuki crouches in a nearby tree, kunai already in hand and waiting to pounce.

>"Eliko, a samurai, and you?"
>"I'm headed west.."
>Ignore him and keep walking
>Draw your sword, he could be trouble
>Write-in

Seems like I started at a bad time. I"ll let this vote run until tomorrow morning at the normal time of 12.

>>3108910
>I'm headed west.."

>>3108910
>"I'm headed west.."

>>3108910
>"Eliko, a samurai, and you?"

Actually, a question for all of you. What times do you check this quest? I feel like my scheduled isn't very accessible.

>>3109167
Whenever really. I just check last reply on catalog then scroll to find what interest me when I've got free time.

>>3109167
I check fairly regularly, every ~3 hours when you’re not posting regularly

>>3108910
>"I'm headed west.."

>"I'm headed west.."

>"I'm headed west.."

>>3109087
I check often. I’m more of a lurker than an active participant. I’ll save the qst on my phone and when I have free time I’ll read the story. Like you would a book really.

>>3109090
>>3109120
>>3109126
>>3109195
>>3109334
>>3109554
I'm headed west wins. Next post will be posted in two hours.

>>3109180
>>3109195
>>3110214
Wonderful, I'll stop worrying about it then.

You place your off hand on the hilt of your katana. Nonthreatening but a warning nonetheless. "I'm headed west," you answer.

"Not much out there but bandits and crazies," he says. Yuki shifts in the tree, forming a chain of hand signs you don't recognize, then pulling a blue spear pointed dagger from under her cloak. With only a precursory knowledge getting her to teach you more could be a good idea.

"You don't look like much of a bandit."

"You wound me, boy!" He laughs boisterously before quieting suddenly. His hand disappears into a pouch and your grip tightens. He throws a glass tincture full of something like small red peppercorns. Yuki catches it with a snap only to quickly tuck the tincture away in a utility pouch. "A gift, from our mutual friend. Don't take use too many now. Oh... and try not to get tricked by clones again."

With that he disappears from sight. Yuki leaps from the tree with an ever assuming smile. Though this one is more than just cheer, it's downright jubilant. She heads off before you can ask anything, keeping at a pace just slow enough for you to keep up with. She's excited.

"What's go you all wound up?" You ask.

"Something nice," she answers while patting her gear pouch. "But it's a surprise. And don't ask, it only works for people with chakra."

"Right..." You ponder that a moment then return your attention to the muddy road. Deep gouges are left with every step and splashes of water kick up. It's not a sprint but you'll certainly be feeling it in a few hours. The rain only comes down heavier the further west you go. From a pleasant drizzle to a torrential downpour. Deeply set tree roots are exposed and the road is nothing but a mucky mess. How anyone could manage such a perpetually oppressive rain is beyond you. Though the rain might do good to keep unwanted eyes away.

"What's it like?" Yuki suddenly asks.

"What?" You ask back.

"Your home... do you like it?" She gives you a serious look, her eyes steeled. She'd put a hood on without you noticing. Her purple scarf dances behind her, the end stained a darker hue from the rain. The question bounds through your mind for a moment. Fond of? Only two people really ever speak to you, Azumi and Master Mifune, at least without any malicious intent. But the people are dependable, hardened by extreme weather to work as one society without many grievances. That's why ronin are so disliked.

"Everyone there is a survivor," you answer. "Dedicated to their ways with absolute conviction."

"Not an answer..." Yuki mumbles. "We should find a place to get out of the rain for a while. Maybe it'll clear."

"No sense, it's always raining here."

"Well that's dreary. Can we at least stop to dry off?"

>Keep going, the rain never ends
>Try to find somewhere to rest and dry off
>Build a temporary shelter
>Write-in

Never mind, starting now. Voting will be open for a while to compensate.

>>3110331
>Keep going, the rain never ends
Waiting just delays the inevitable

>Try to find somewhere to rest and dry off

>>3110331
>Keep going
Ame is a bad place to stop

>>3110354
>>3110441
>>3110461
Keep going it is, writing

>>3110331
>>3110476
Lost my trip, gg

"The faster we get through the faster it'll quit raining," you say with a shake of your head. She sighs but falls in line, the both of you making quick time through the country. It's several times smaller than the major nations but difficulty in size is more than made up for with it's unyielding rain.

Several passersby come and go, each taking the marshy road at their own pace. In a moment your attention is caught by two heading the opposite direction, a shark faced man with a massive bandaged sword and a pale man with black hair and onyx eyes. Both wear faintly familiar cloaks with red cloud print. And the latter makes eye contact with you for a brief moment, then the both of them disappear into the forest.

"Wonder what they were up to," you say to no one in particular. Neither gave off any hit of malicious intent but the onyx eyed one gave you a strange feeling. Strange considering the other has a literal shark face. Probably just some wayward ninja.

"Who?" Yuki asks, giving you a concerned look. You shake your head and continue on. As midnight rolls around the clouds let up, the torrent returning to a light drizzle. The road turns to a more appreciable state and the trees are less droopy. Then you start going up and out of the lowlands, a desert like mountain range full of craggy nooks and sharp cliffs.

Another small nation can't seem to remember the name of, though probably something similar to the Land of Earth. It has a hidden village too if you remember. But now is when the law of shinobi begins to wane. Terrorist, bandits, kidnappers, and more the further west. Fewer nations with a military to keep undesirables at bay, most not even retaining a hidden village.

A harsh wind blows in from behind, carrying with it a host of now thinned out storm clouds capable of traversing the high peaks. Fortunately you're spared from any more precipitation. Trees groan and rattle with each gust but hold firm, tall larches and pine as strong and sturdy as the mountains they root on.

The road takes you high into a mountain pass with a sharp drop off on one side and sheer cliff on the other. Just like home.

"Never been so high up," Yuki says, peaking over the drop. You pull her back by the hem of her cloak. One unsteady lip or a gust of wind could send a person falling to their death in an instant. "W-we should go back."

"Already this far." You grab her by the hand and lead on, hugging the cliff face tightly. Mountains are no stranger to you. Especially large ones with sudden drops. You wince a moment after remembering your first attempt at flying not too long ago, your finger throbbing at the thought.

>cont

Yuki is visibly upset at her surroundings, jerking at your hand every time the wind picks up. She could probably do with a break but where would you find such a thing on this road? As far as you know this country has only a few villages, many well out of the way. Then you see it, rather the lack of it. A slide had taken out the road, piling up in some places but utterly gouged out in others. But smoke stacks raise over the next bend in the mountainside. A village or a mine or something, what ever it is it can give you a break.

>Double back, there is another pass but it's a few days out of the way
>Try and cross, it's possible but the footing isn't sure.
>Scale the mountain
>Write-in

>>3110576
>>Scale the mountain

Why is she afraid of heights? She can literally walk up completely vertical surfaces and even water.

>>3110576
Try and cross.

>>3110576
>>Scale the mountain

>>3110635
>>3110615
>>3110578
Scale the mountain wins. Writing

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>3110637

>>3110653
well shit

>>3110578
>>3110615
>>3110635
Roll me 1d100 for reflex

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>3110661
RIP

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>3110661
Not K2...

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>3110661
Go time.

File: 856765476543654.gif (1.19 MB, 498x298)

1.19 MB GIF

>>3110692
Damn. And here I was hoping she'd take a tumble for forgetting how to ninja.

>>3110665
>>3110681
>>3110692
>96
Pulled from the brink, go time it is.

Can't go forward, and going around would take too long. You look up the mountainside, it's sheerness calmed to a steep grade. But not impossible. Though something tells you Yuki is going to make the climb harder than it needs to be. "You can't be serious," Yuki says.

"You're a ninja," you answer. "I've seen you drop from the sky and walk up trees. Why are you scared?"

"It's different!" She yells. Rocks slam into the the ground not too far from you, shattering into millions of razor sharp pieces. She points a finger. "Trees don't just fall apart- wait!"

You're already latched onto the mountainside and climbing. Below you Yuki crawls on her hands and knees, not actually grabbing anything. Instead she uses her chakra to climb. How she's scared is beyond ridiculous, walking upside down and vertical is a basic trick for ninja. Not like rough terrain would make it any harder than a flat wall. If anything it probably provides more surface area to grip

A boulder tumbles by splitting in two as it strikes the path you were just on. You pay it no mind and climb, forcing your way up the mountain one way or another. A vertical seem provides extra grip, the stone chalky as you pull your hands free to continue on. Wind tugs on your clothes, near ripping you from the mountain face. Thunder booms overhead, echoing through the ravine like an explosion and rattling the entire range.

"Eliko!" Yuki shouts. Her voice wavers with the wind.

"What?!" You shout back. She's frozen up a few feet below you but you see how far you've come. Nearly half way up, there's no way you're turning back now. Another thunder clap makes her flinch, the vibrations from this one felt in your bones. Then rock that was very solid only a moment ago turns to powder in your grip.

You grasp at open air as the entire face crumbles away in a cascade. Earth roars as it turns into anything but solid. You pass by Yuki's dark form, the ground rushing up to meet you. Your heart pounds a million times a second and the world slows to a crawl. A pain flashes in your mind and everything begins to burn. This isn't how you die.

With gritted teeth you grab something, anything. Solid rock tears at your hand, only to turn mushy like dough and glowing like molten glass. But it's enough to stop you. Your free hand shoots out, catching Yuki by the collar. Rocks large as houses bounce overhead, narrowly missing you before disappearing into the ravine. The roar settles, leaving you hanging by a single arm and your companion dangling from the other. The rock no longer glows in your grip.

"Get. On. My. Back." You order through clenched teeth. She does so tentatively and you resume your climb, wary of sudden stone liquefaction. After a few agonizingly long moments you haul the both of you to a much less steep section of the mountain. But as you sit up from your short break, you're captivated.by a gruesome sight without anytime to dwell on how you stopped the fall.

>cont

"T-thank you," Yuki says. You wave her off. Burned out huts still smoking situated at a broken down gatehouse between two low mountains. A few bodies lay outside the gatehouse and a small pile is stacked by the entrance. Black banners emblazoned with a red flower flap violently from the wind.

>Run in, there could be people alive
>Approach cautiously, it could be an ambush
>Ignore it, it's already too late
>Write-in

>>3110835
Approach cautiously.

>>3110835
>Approach cautiously, it could be an ambush

>>3110901
>>3110860
Caution not thrown to the win, writing.

Without a word you slowly make your way to the small village. Charred arrows are embedded in what little structure remains, bodies are stripped naked and full of slash or stab wounds. A few even have their heads caved in or limbs crushed. One in particular has their chest crushed. A faintly familiar smell churns your stomach as a charred hand catches your eye. Not unlike burnt beef and pork but acrid and musky with singed hair.

What few houses remain are empty, their roofs peppered with arrows but not burned. And once again that banner flickers in the corner of your eye. Black with a red flower, a red saffron flower. You recognize it but from where?

"Why would someone do this..." Yuki says in a low tone.

"A boarder dispute," you answer. Nothing but conjecture. It doesn't even look like they fought back, until that is, you peer past the collapse gate. A hundred bodies litter the pass. Most riddled with arrows, all wearing the same strange white robes and paneled armor. All heralded to the Red Flower. It had been a slaughter, up until they breached the gate.

"They're not shinobi though..."

"You're right." you kick one over, a ranking officer by the looks of it. But he's been stripped of his weapons and his skin has begun rotting. Then it hits you. A place that collapsed to civil war long before your time during the warring states period. "They're samurai, from the Land of Flowers."

"Never heard of them."

"I wouldn't expect you to, they were the last samurai nation to fall, leaving only the Land of Iron."

"But why?" Yuki looks over the officer, prodding his old armor. Then pushing a finger through the dead, rotted skin. "And why do they look so old?"

You shake your head and head back into the village. Any number of things could have happened, non of which make any sense. The Land of Flowers collapsed before the period had ended from harsh infighting and some foreign threat Master Mifune had never told you about.

The moon sits high in the sky, casting pale light on the village. Like someone had forgotten to turn off their lights and suddenly left. And an unwelcome place to settle for a rest. But for lack of a better alternative you do, taking an empty hut on the edge of the village. Still you're unable to find any reprieve as the whispers of the dead clot your mind like inky smoke choking a blue sky. Black water churns and roils, tossing you to an icy floor as people scream. Frozen salt hangs in the air, making every breath a bitter experience. A fire rages-

"Eliko," Yuki says, her hand jerking you awake. "Someone's here."


And that'll be it for tonight, and probably the rest of the week. I'll make a post here when I can figure the next time I can run. In the meantime feel free to leave any questions or comments, i'll reply to what I can when I can.

I'll be posting again tomorrow at the normal time of 12PM PST.

>>3114887
And just to officiant with my trip, because I keep forgetting the damned thing.

I'll be starting in an hour, shouldn't need a new thread for it.

You take a deep breath of cool mountain air. Your hair stands on end for a moment as the full moon garners a host of distant howls. Six men scavenge the burnt out ruins. Three carry yari spears and bows and one with an odachi. All wear the same armor, metal panel pauldrons and layered chest pieces. Even exaggerated helmets straight out of an old-timey opera. They belong in a museum or some lord's collection, not in a fight.

However the last two catch your attention. Heavy yellowed robes, padded leather boots that end in pointed tips, helmets tasseled with what looks like a horse tail. And most strangely a heavy quilted coat studded with tightly packed metal plates and pauldron of darkly stained studded leather. Their wiry beards and mustaches, and stout statures, are like nothing you've ever seen before.

"Khamsin," the odachi wielder says, "I thought your bird found something."

"It did, Captain Michio" one of the strangely dressed men says in an even stranger accent. He faces the odachi wielder, revealing a one handed sword with a curve oriented towards the tip. Not a katana, or wakazashi. "Two children, they disappeared in that rock slide but..."

"But what?"

"The talisman's are decayed," the other strangers interrupts, "and the local hidden village is none the wiser. We should return before that changes."

"Yes, I'm sure Emperor Takeheto would appreciate the results of our experiment."

Yuki creeps along a rooftop, barely visible in the unfavorable light. A cloud passes overhead, pitching the village in darkness. A wispy blue outline is the last you see of her as she fades into the shadows. You hadn't made any plan of attack but would sneaking around a samurai and his affiliates be a good idea? Even if he's only a Captain his skill will far outshine yours. Even worse if he's well trained in chakra usage.

No matter how you cut it, six on two are not favorable odds. Not with you still being an apprentice and Yuki nothing more than a Genin. You duck into a caved in shack, not willing to let any stealth advantage slip. As far as they know, you died in the rock slide.

The first stranger sharply whistles and a bird's cry pierces the air in response. A bird swoops in low before latching onto the man's shoulders. You've seen hawks snatch unsuspecting cats and dogs tackled by opportunistic vultures. But you've never seen a monstrosity so big it could carry off a man. It's feathers shine silver and black under a passing break in the clouds, with eyes like golden coins. It's any wonder the stranger could shoulder the damn thing let alone tolerate it's dagger sized talons digging into his collar bone. But you suspect that's what the pauldrons are for.

"That's a big damn bird," Yuki says flatly in her strange language. Her weight presses down as she uses you like a leaning post. "We just gonna let 'em get away?"

>"Yes, they outnumber us."
>"No, let's follow them."
>"No, let's confront them."
>Write-in

>>3117199
>"No, let's follow them."

>>3117199
No, let's follow them.

>>3117289
>>3117281
>follow
Wins, roll me a 1d100

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>3117296

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>3117302
Well, that's unfortunate. Writing.

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>3117296

"No," you answer, "let's follow them. Quietly, please."

"Quiet is something I can do." She gives you a wink and disappears. Except you hear wood clank outside and a muffled 'shit.' Standards for ninja have to be incredibly low. It's any wonder they can fight to begin with, let alone perform clandestine operations. You pull yourself out of the ruined shack and follow the group, dipping behind burnt out buildings to better conceal yourself. It's only a small group, they can't be too far away from their destination. Or so you hope, sneaking isn't really your thing.

Wings as wide as a man is tall flap and the giant bird takes off once more, circling high in the sky. There's little you can do about it though, instead pressing on as best you can. The two strangers talk in some foreign language but the samurai and his comrades walk in silence. Their weapons shift loudly with every step and their wooden sandals clank against the stone road.

It's not long before you cross the gate and move through the field of bodies, all now rotting as if several weeks old. The smell is downright putrid too, giving the air an almost greasy feel. Yuki is nowhere in sight though on occasion you're sure you see wisps of blue smoke high on the rocky pass. The bird cries from far away and one of the strangers stops.

You look for somewhere, anywhere to hide but find nothing. The bodies, many as there are, will only make you look like a fool as you stand out like a sore thumb. And the cliffs aren't near rough enough to use as any sort of cover.

"I see you, boy," the bird's master says. "And that clumsy ninja girl too."

"What?!" Yuki shouts, a rock high up on the cliff face suddenly turning into a camouflage sheet and falling to the ground. She stands from her place, kunai in hand and ready to perform a handing. Then she's violently pulled in the air, the bird snatching her in an instant.

"Ninja my ass," you grumble, placing a hand on your sword. The bird's master and his partner square off against you but the odachi wielder only waives a lazy hand in indifference before continuing down the path. "Who are you? Did you kill all those people?"

"Indeed," the bird's master says. His hand mirrors yours, though much more casually as it rests on his saber's hilt. "But don't worry, they'll come back in time. I was unaware of other samurai in this land, your name? And by the way, next time take off your sandals."

"Eliko, of the Land of Iron. And you?"

"Khamsin, master falconer serving the glorious Jade Khanate and in advisory service to the new Flower Empire under Lord Takeheto."

"Don't you mean the Land of Flowers?"

"I do not," he answers with a smug grin. His partner draws a saber and inches around to your left. "How about you make this easy and come with us? I'll even let you have the ninja girl back after my eagle is done with her."

>Follow Khamsin
>Draw your sword
>Throw your last firebomb at him
>Write-in

>>3117457
Throw a firebomb.

>>3117457
>Throw your last firebomb at him
Well fuck

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>3117473
>>3117465
>Throw you last firebomb

Roll 1d100 to see if Eliko has a good arm on him. I'll take the highest of three.

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>3117519
Kapow.

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>3117519

>>3117543
Allahu akbar

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3117519

>>3117525
>>3117543
>>3117563
>99
well shit, way better than expected. Writing.

Out ranged and a two on one. With few other options you reach into your hip pouch and feel around for the last of Azumi's gifts. A hard, ceramic ball covered in blackened cheese cloth and waxed string. Inside a viscous fluid sloshes, giving it some weight. It's supposed to work like a bomb tag but doesn't require chakra. All you have to do is throw it.

You peel off the cheese cloth then reel your arm back and launch it, aimed squarely at Khamsin. It travels in a high arc then shatters against his face, only instead of the oily black liquid dousing him a very liquid red fire does. He screams in agony and hits the ground, rolling back and forth. But it's in vein as the fire only seems to grow more ravenous.

His partner sprints over and tries to put him out, stripping his clothes in the process. He snuffs out the fire with his own coat of plates before hauling up his comrade and giving you a once over.

"Captain Michio!" He shouts. An arrow flies at you from further down the path, landing between your feet as you take a step forward. Wooden sandals echo from behind.

"I thought the Jade Horde had great warriors," a disinterested voice says. The odachi wielder, but how did he get behind you? His team runs up from further down, bows knocked and spears at the ready. "Can't even deal with one samurai. Eliko, right?"

You drop into a low ready position, hand at the ready to face your new opponent. He only smirks at you for a moment before continuing, walking around you with disinterest. And suddenly the earth and sky switch places. A blade black as night crosses your eyes, and Michio somberly smiles down at you. You jump back up into position but he's already walking away, slinging the horrifically burnt Khamsin over his shoulder.

One of his team fires an arrow into the air and a moment later two bodies flop to the ground next to you, the eagle with an arrow sticking from it's neck and Yuki, still thrashing and drenched in blood. Gashes run along every limb, and her shoulders seem to be nothing more than minced meat. But she jumps up with a snarl and two fist fulls of feathers.

"Careful who you pick fights with, kid," Michio says, giving you a waive. "Wouldn't want the Land of Iron to see you on the wrong side."

"Of what?!" You shout back but they're already gone. The bird lurches to it's feet, squawks loudly, and flaps off with a dozen feathers in it's wake. You sheath your sword and move to help your companion. Yuki mumbles a dozen colorful expletives as you patch her up but the wound's aren't as bad as you had thought. Long and glaring but not deep.

"I'll kill that damned bird," Yuki growls. "And I'll kill those damned foreigners too."

"I'm thinking that's not such a good idea," you say.

>Rest, get to the Land of Swamps tomorrow
>Continue through the night to the Land of Demons
>Write-in.

>>3117663
Rest.

>>3117669
>rest
Wins. This'll be the last post for tonight.

You feel the exhaustion pulling at your body, the last few days of travel catching up to you. Yuki isn't in shape to travel either, not while bleeding like a stuck pig. The moon hangs heavy with plenty of time left in the night. The perfect time to rest. You sling an arm around Yuki and head back up to the village without a word. When the sun rises there will be plenty of time to rest but now you need to reflect on the fight.

Yuki hangs heavier and heavier in your arms, those stripe like rashes faintly returning to her arms and face. Until she just gives up on walking and you're forced to carry her along in your arms. Her breathing is shallow and her eyes flutter but she shows no signs of distress. And as you settle her into the shack from earlier, she hums a song. Deep and troubled, fit for instruments unlike any you've heard. But you have heard them.

As you drift off for the night it sticks with you, taking you to a vast black ocean thrashing with waves big as mountains. Cold so sharp it took men in the night and froze wood the point of glass. And a giant black ship made of metal and hosted a thousand faces. But regardless of the cold they made merry to the strange tune with bellowing horns of bone and brass. Guitars big as men vibrate you to the core with haphazard notes and a cacophony of others played by pale wraiths with azure eyes.

You clawed for the surface but every movement only grows more and more sluggish as the cold saps away your strength. The only warmth left in you is the burning of your lungs but even that's quickly doused by a rush of salty water. And then a watery grave filled you with ice.

"Jericho!" A woman shouts. You shoot up and cough until your visions fills with spots. "Eliko!" Yuki shouts at you, holding your shoulders tight.

"I'm fine," you sputter, pushing her off. The rashes had faded and no blood stains her bandages. Morning sun shines through the windows and half cocked door. But your head pounds with every heartbeat as if you'd gotten knocked upside the head with a club.

"You're a real shitty sleeper," she says with a deep frown. "Thrashing around like someone was trying to kill ya."

"You're free to leave anytime." You stand and stretch, a chill fading from your bones and the headache calming as the sun warms you. "If not lets go, I need to send a report home and I'm sure the Land of Swamps has the faculty for it."


Alright, that's it for tonight. I'll continue again tomorrow at 12PM PST like normal. Please leave any comments, questions, or criticisms in the meantime.

Also, some more questions for you guys. How are you enjoying the quest? Is my writing up to par or are there glaring issues I haven't taken notice of?

>>3117939
>Q1- Enjoyable, getting fucked for ninja-ing was nice, and being a chakraless rookie samurai is an interesting challenge in the setting
>Q2- Honestly, your writing is fine for the purpose but the occasional big spelling/grammar mistakes really are a turnoff.

>>3117982
Glad you're liking it. I'll spend more time editing and hopefully cut down on the errors, thank you for the feedback.

Alright, I'll be posting in an hour for anyone still here.

"A week?" You ask. People mill about around you, a line stretching out from behind to the entrance. Yuki sheepishly stands with you, twiddling her thumbs and watching the floor.

"Eight to nine business days, correct," the clerk answers with a bored expression. You had reported the previous days happening to the guard station and then found a mail service. For being so far out in the sticks it's surprisingly inexpensive too. Though the exchange rate for ryo is borderline extortion and their customer service leaves much to be desired.

"That's not a week. And I paid for priority, which is five days."

"Sir, you're sending a scroll across the continent. If you don't like it feel free to use another service."

"But you're the only comp-" The clerk gets up and leaves, a white and red sign in her place. Lunch break. The line groans behind you and disperses.

"Come on," Yuki says, tugging at your sleeve. You pull your arm away and walk out the office, your mood already fowled. An anger seeps into your mind as you walk around the village. You shouldn't have lost that fight, or at least not been caught so off guard. If he had used even an ounce of strength, you would be dead. And Yuki, such a useless girl. She couldn't even fight off that damned bird. A deep breath, in and out. The frustration fades. Anger, frustration, emotions that easily mind, don't be angry. But that's easier said than done.

"Yuki," you say. "Go buy us some provisions and try not to antagonize the local birds."

"You-... fine." She stomps off, disappearing into the crowed. Hopefully that should keep her occupied for the next hour or two, giving you plenty of time to sort yourself out.

You find a nice spot in some shade under a cherry tree, taking up host between two gnarled roots. Somethings engraved in it's trunk but you ignore it, instead letting out a deep sigh and resting your head against it's bark. The daily motions fade away as thoughts fill out the blank spots in your mind. Tall, snow capped mountains surrounding Three Wolves, the city within their maws, several thousand people within. Your home, where you'll return to after this aggravating mission.

>cont

"You're going to die," an unfamiliar girl says. You ignore it, focusing on your inner self. The fight with Michio could have ended in your death if he so wished it, so why didn't he? You saw their crime, you're a witness. Attacked one of his own. That should have promp-

"Hay!" A finger prods you between the ribs, hard. "I said you're going to die!"

You crack an eye. Some priestess girl in pink with long blond hair. Twelve? Thirteen maybe? "Most people do."

"Most?" She echoes, cocking a head. Her eyes are a pale lavender and her head is topped with a golden crown. "Everyone dies."

"Yep."

"You're going to die soon. Doesn't that bother you?"

"Live by the blade die by the blade and all that stuff."

"You'll be stabbed through the stomach, your head lopped off."

"Oh no!" You feint, sitting up and looking her right in the eyes. She falls back in surprise. "Can I help you or do you just spend your day pestering people."

"I-I am the Grand Priestess Shion!" She quickly scrambles to her feet and shoots an angry glare. "I can see peoples death, and you will die violently!"

"Mhm." You stand and stretch, enjoying the fresh air. "Go back to your temple, girl. I'm busy."

>Go find Yuki, she's had plenty of time to shop
>Look around the town
>Try and get some training in
>Write in

>>3118639
>Go find Yuki, she's had plenty of time to shop

>>3118639
>>Go find Yuki, she's had plenty of time to shop

>>3118769
>>3118738
Off to find Yuki. Writing.

You push past the younger girl and head back into town. Yuki has had more than enough time to prepare, and hopefully she didn't blow all her money. Footsteps follow you, the pink priestess Shion. She wears a scowl and watches you like a hawk. But you ignore her and press on.

Not a single weapon shop in sight, strangely enough. But plenty of others, such as lumber dealers, bakeries, even a toy maker's shop. Plenty of people meander around with nothing to do, a given considering the size of the village. As you near the far side people's whisperings tell of a fight not too long ago, when the attackers wouldn't go down to anything less than a quiver of arrows or dismemberment.

"Eliko!" Yuki shouts from a nearby rooftop. She waives a stuffed backpack in the air, bursting at the seems with gear. Scrolls, fuma shuriken, even a sword. Where did she get it all from though? She stops, taking notice of Shion still behind you. "Who's your friend?"

"I am not his friend," she grumbles.

"No?" You ask, facing her. "You're following me around like you want to be."

She mumbles something under her breath. You cup a hand around your ear and lean in close, earning a grumble. But she relents and speaks up, if only slightly. "I'm lost..."

"So-"

"Leave it to me!" Yuki shouts, jumping from the roof. She lands with a thud and looks distressed for a moment before continuing. "Do you remember where you live?"

"The Land of Demons. I'm here... visiting my mother, but I lost track of my guards last night."

"Ah..." Yuki looks at you with a cocked eyebrow. Coincidental to the point of suspicious. "Well! We're actually heading there now, would you like to tag along or..."

A bell rings somewhere nearby but you're not sure from where. No one else seems to notice it, not even Yuki. Shion, however, looks between the both of you blankly for a long and uncomfortable moment. Then with a frown she shakes her head. "No, you should leave. Quickly."

"But what about you?" The afternoon sun sits low with only a few hours of light left in the day. It won't take too long to reach the Land of Demons but getting there in the middle of the night could prove troublesome.

"Just go, please." Shion tries to turn and run but you catch her hand. Something wrong, you can feel it. The duress in her voice.

"Wait," you say. "We'll get you home."

"But-"

"Stop being a brat and lets go," you order. She tugs at your hand but gives in, her expression not one of defeat but monotony. Something is certainly wrong and she's involved in it. It could be a trap, some ambush set up by highwaymen. But if they're extorting her to entrap people you can't just let that stand. She's only a kid.

>Leave now
>Leave after the sun sets
>Leave in the morning
>Write-in

>>3118861
Leave in the morning.

Cutting this one short as I don't have time to run today or the rest of the week. I'll probably start a new thread between Saturday and Monday with what wins this vote.

In the meantime I'll read any questions or comments you guys leave.

>>3118861
>Leave now

Thread has been archived. http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3101967/

>>3124591
New thread