Ninpocho Chronicles is a fantasy-ish setting storyline, set in an alternate universe World of Ninjas, where the Naruto and Boruto series take place. This means that none of the canon characters exists, or existed here.
Each ninja starts from the bottom and start their training as an Academy Student. From there they develop abilities akin to that of demigods as they grow in age and experience.
Along the way they gain new friends (or enemies), take on jobs and complete contracts and missions for their respective villages where their training and skill will be tested to their limits.
The sky is the limit as the blank page you see before you can be filled with countless of adventures with your character in the game.
The trek towards the Fire Country Capital was a long one, most of which was spent traveling through unmarked paths that wound their way through the many forests that hid Konohagakure within their leaves. And by the time the trio tasked with this escort mission arrived at the outskirts of the city, the sun had begun to rise, painting the early morning clouds in cascading hues of gold, peach, pink, and a blue that was lightening minute by minute as the sun cast its light across the sky. All in all, it seemed a rather uneventful trek out. After all, they were not passing through any territory that should have posed danger aside from mundane forest animals.
Waiting for them, just outside the city, was a small caravan. Usually, one would see carts like this laden with crates or barrels of goods ready for transport. However, unlike its more dour counterparts, this cart was covered in colorful cloth and streamers that caught the eye much like the sunrise that accompanied them this morning. Standing outside the cart was a heavy-set man who wore the traditional armor of a Fire Country soldier, only without any of the insignias or standards that would have denoted active duty. He was a middle-aged man, with a scar that ran diagonally across his nose who kept his facial hair cut short in salt and pepper stubble. "Ah, and you three must be our escort. I'm Keramu. Well met. You three are... a bit young, don't ya think?" He asked, scratching his chin as he looked the three over. "No matter, I'm glad for the help. Ya see, Miss Oribia's been getting some really weird letters as of late. Don't get me wrong, we're used to fan mail and admirers and that kinda thing but... these were different. Probably best for her to explain it herself. Give me a minute and I'll get her for you."
Walking up to the back of the cart-turned-carriage, Keramu returned with a beautiful young woman with striking pink hair. She carried an ornate fan of polished brass and as she walked golden coins that hung from her waist and arms let out a soft jingle with each step.
The young woman took a deep bow before greeting the trio. "I thank you, ambassadors of the Village Hidden in Leaves. You don't know how much your presence here brings me comfort." The woman said with a slightly somber smile. Her tone was soft and light-hearted, but her words had a strange formality to them that must have seemed a bit foreign to anyone that hadn't lived in the higher echelons of society within the capital, even if it did come from the same country the ninja village resided within. "My name is Oribia. I am a dancer, and have been granted the honor of performing for the village that protects our nation. However, I fear my passage there may not be as safe as it otherwise would have been. You see, I have received odd epistles that bear no name. I fear someone does not want me to perform away from the city. So, I entrust the safety of my voyage with Keramu and yourselves." She gave another bow and gracefully sauntered back towards the cart to prepare to leave.
Chiaso wasn't the most...Talkative companion on the trip to the capital. Outside of the times where he complained about getting shoved on guard duty for some random dancer. It beat farming or chasing cats back to their owners, he supposes...Though he'd much prefer a job that didn't have him and two others marching across the whole territory, that much was sure. Well, whatever, a missions a mission. At least he may get some extra cash out of this to get something nice to eat for once.
"Think we're coming up on the place now... Someone else do the talking, I really don't want to."
Arriving on the location they were designated to meet their escort, Chiaso would set his eyes on the middle aged man. At the point where he said they were a bit young, Chiaso felt several new bags form under his eyes. He wasn't that young... Well, whatever. He didn't comment on the man's response to their arrival, instead deciding to take a look at who they were working for. His eyes look to the young woman with all the excitement of a man on death row, giving a slow nod as she explains the situation. Great, they got called here because someone sent slightly scary fan mail. Glad to see that the ninja talents of him and the others were being put to good use...
"Yeah, we can handle it. Chiaso. Hey."
He'd say plainly, and even Chiaso had to admit, she was pretty beautiful. To his surprise she also wasn't annoyingly bright or bouncy, despite her looks. Maybe this job wasn't going to be as much of a drag as he originally thought? He'd let his arms hang slack on either side of himself, looking to the other two.
"Guess I'll keep watch on her if you two want to cover both sides of the cart as we're going."
In reality Chiaso wanted to be the one to watch Oribia since it would involve the least amount of work...
That morning dragged for Otami. She was tired from the lack of sleep lately. It was a problem that continued to slowly rise from integrating further into human society. Realizing things she did wasn’t considered normal, trying to recall what were appropriate responses, and constantly realizing the embarrassment of her persona were causing serious insomnia. However, unlike last time, this was all her. She signed up for this mission. Something in her head was really bothering her about paying back that debt, and it was something her father also had problems with; though she was completely unaware of the similarities.
Thankfully the track to their mission was through the forests and back roads as opposed to the main highways where foot traffic was steady. It was the first time Otami actually felt like a shinobi as she followed behind Chiaso and Mitsuha; the latter she had a bit of fear towards. The Wildling recalled with vivid clarity seeing this girl’s bones pop out of her flesh and return without wounds. The very idea felt like the blackest of magics and secretly she wondered what kind of demon Mitsuha had set up a deal with. Sorting it out with the Devils in the Dunes was just a part of life in the Wind Country, but the pack she had been a part of constantly reminded her to never accept a deal in return for anything more than passage through their lands. Such deals always only ended with a bit of blood from something…which was far less than what they’d ask for otherwise. Otami tried not to stare too hard.
The animals of the forest kept her calm otherwise, and distracted at times too. Occasionally she’d recognize a growl, a scent, or chatter from a creature that also had something of a habitat in the desert. The wolves in Leaf appeared to be more solo than they were back home, but she did catch the scent of a pack moving together half-way between the Village and their destination. It made the blond smile in familiarity as she felt a little bit like a wolf again, just for a moment.
The group finally landed and touched base with the main guard. Otami kept her mouth shut about the young thing, as that was often a big misconception with Wildlings anyways. According to her Mom, she aged differently than other people because they lived in the wilds so long. Something about the natural Earth Chakra of the land mingling with their natural alignment for Earth Chakra and it feeding their life force? It was all very technical, which was weird coming from Okibi, and her Dad was even worse at trying to explain it; launching into Chakra Theory when she tried asking him about it. Either way, Otami was certain she was older than she looked and was just so used to being mistaken as a child already that it literally didn’t phase her. The next person they were introduced is what really caught her off guard.
The lady had pink hair. Her Mom had pink hair. It was such a rare experience to see those colors on someone’s head that she almost broke rank and demanded to know what man exploded their science on her hair. It’s what happened to her Mom, after all, and was how her parents met in the first place! Training overrode that urge though. She bowed, did all the human things she could think of, and then moved to take her place on the wagon without even trying to argue with Chiaso; though she really wanted to talk to Oribia.
While everyone else prepared for the caravan to move, Otami took the time to look at the wheels, the side, and make sure the cart itself was in condition to move without hindrance. It was the only thing she could think of since her skill set was more reactionary than prep.
[Mission WC = 650/550]
[Sorry, I get carried away with this character.]
It was actually her mother that had convinced the girl to join this particular type of mission. Coming from her mother, who is a famous dancer known across Fire Country, she told her of another woman, by the name of Oribia, another famous dancer. The girl, despite her usual shyness, would actually want to meet this woman. Finding common ground of such a thing to talk about is what really gets her talking nonstop.
The mission detail was to protect the dancer as she would make her way to Leaf. As for who else was accompanying the young Kaguya on this mission? Neither of them were really much talkative, if at all, which Mitsuha was totally fine with. Chiaso, she met him during class with Shusuke once. He was quiet, but not as shy as her. As for the other one, which she learned through mission detail is Ryuu Otami, the girl whilst quiet, keeps giving back glances over to her, as if she's afraid that Mitsuha might up and try to rip her head off or something.
They had finally met up with the main guard for Oribia and it was obvious that the man didn't think they were up to the task with how he talked. But nevertheless, he spoke of the situation and introduced them to the famous dancer. From there, whilst she spoke with formality, she gave them the run down of the situation. Mitsuha would give her a bow of respect back and then say, "My mom, while also a famous dancer here in Fire Country, often talks about you and praises you. She thinks that you're really something else." The dancer's formality was not overlooked by the girl who is the daughter of a famous dancer and a businessman guru and was offered back to her.
She would then listen to Chiaso speak, nodding, she would let him watch over Oribia while she and Otami took point. She would then say to Chiaso, "See if you can get her to talk about what was on the note. It could help us get the bigger picture of what might be happening." Once they took formation, the young Kaguya would form hand seals and a crystal eye would appear overhead. Using such a jutsu would mean that there would be less chance for someone to try and get the drop on them.
(TWC: 393)
(used crystal eye to survey the surroundings for any potential threats)
Chiaso had come across as somewhat disinterested, but as the pink-haired dancer had appeared, he seemed a bit taken aback by Oribia's beauty, despite not showing it much outwardly. As he ensured the young woman that they were up to the task and recommended the three take their positions, Keramu would come up beside him. "So I guess this isn't your first rodeo after all, eh? Ever done any protection work in the past?" The burly man inquired, doing his best to make small talk. Keramu was a very down-to-earth guy, seasoned by the years he spent as a soldier and bodyguard. And he nodded towards Chiaso with a warm and relatable nod that tried to convey that he meant no disrespect when he'd commented on the group of teenagers' ages.
Two of Oribia's aides quickly bustle around the cart, folding up the last bits of the colorful cloth that held their belongings and tying everything up tightly so it would be safe for transit. Otami, examining the cart, would notice that the garish design wasn't the only thing that separated it from its more mundane counterparts. In fact, upon closer inspection, the walls of the cart and even the roof of it seemed to have hinges and latches at just about every seam. In addition, the Ryuu wildling would notice a large bell that hung from the back of the cart, which would ring out at just about every shift and bump in the road.
When Mitsuha had mentioned to Oribia that her mother was also a dancer, the woman stopped as she headed to the cart. "It is my honor to meet you. Do you hail from the Kaguya clan?" She asked, knowing the clan's widespread reputation as dancers, but nothing but rumors about their other more martial abilities. "If if would please you, please join me in my carriage at your leisure. It would be my joy to share and compare the intricacies of our art." Oribia added, tilting her head slightly with a kind and inviting smile. Once again, the woman's words were like chimes in the wind, soft and melodic and measured. It was clear that she'd put much practice and thought into the persona that she conveyed.
As the aids finally finished up their work of making the caravan complete and ready for the journey ahead, Keramu called out. "Alright! Let's get this show on the road." With a wave of the reins the cart's driver set the horses in motion and the group sets off down standard roads that lead in the general direction of the village. As Leaf shinobi, trio would know that at some point they'll have to venture off the beaten path, as no major roads directly connect the capital or other civilian villages to Konohagakure. After all, the Village Hidden in Leaves has to stay true to it's moniker and remain hidden.
As the group set out, Mitsuha's Crystal Eye jutsu surveyed the area and got a good view of the path ahead, but was unable to see anything through the forest's canopy and did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Chiaso, also keeping an eye on things with Oribia, also found that nothing seemed out of place. However, Otami's keen bestial senses picked up on something odd. While many sets of footsteps, cart tracks, and hoofprints dotted the main road, the Ryuu clanswoman noticed that three additional sets of distinct footprints had circled around the outer edges of the path, even going so far that they'd entered the edge of the forest, mostly obscured from sight at least from the perspective of the preparing caravan. However, upon closer inspection, she'd find that they too returned to the road and intermixed within the mess of other foot traffic that had left its mark.
[Observation Rolls] Chiaso rolled 10. Mitsuha rolled a natural 1 with a +2 from her Crystal Eye jutsu, giving her a 3. Otami rolled a natural 20.
Chiaso gives a look to Mitsuha, slowly nodding before turning his gaze back to Keramu.
"So I guess this isn't your first rodeo after all, eh? Ever done any protection work in the past?"
Chiaso gave a look to the man, his deadpan stare slowly tilting. He'd put up a hand, glancing as he counts on his fingers. He's technically done this a few times, though usually not long distance..And the escort usually wasn't a person. He'd give a shrug, putting his hands back down by his side.
"A few times, yeah."
That was all the response he'd give, before going inside of the cart with Oribia. Chiaso wasn't normally the most chatty, but he had to admit getting context to the letters could help in making sure they're not ambushed...He'd prefer to avoid a fight if at all possible, given protecting Oribia while also dealing with attackers or even an ambush would be... Pretty unpleasant. Never the less he'd look to the pink haired woman, giving her another once over before starting.
"I'm going to need some context for the letters you got sent. Tell me what was on them, any specifics, anyone you know who may send something like that?"
Pretty general and open questions. He wasn't expecting the latter one to answer much, after all it could be any number of people, crazy fans who don't want her to perform there, or...Something. He didn't know really, after all this sort of work wasn't his forte. Neither was ninja work (at least Chiaso thought as much) but here he was anyways. He'd lean up on the side of the cart, propping his chin up with a palm as he waited for a response from the beautiful dancer, giving occasional looks around the cabin to make sure there wasn't anyone else inside...Never could be too certain, after all camouflage jutsu exists.
The Wildling examination found more hinges than she rightfully knew what they did. Otami would be straight lying if the temptation to start tugging on random handles didn’t just tempt the hell out of her but, once again training prevailed. She decided to turn her eyes instead towards the road and felt the overwhelming task of that. Human, animal, and wheel tracks already claimed the road long ago, and fresh tracks were scattered about. She started to just resign herself towards simply waiting for something to happen when those green eyes caught a set of tracks that just didn’t line up with the rest.
Looking back at everyone distracted with something or someone else, Otami took it on herself to investigate further. The tracks were a bit off the beaten path, closer into the brush. It made her think of hunting though there wasn’t this kind of foliage back home, rocks worked out about the same. As she investigated the tracks the girl reached out to gently scratch at the prints. Not enough to ruin them, but enough to stir the dirt up within the prints themselves. The blond leaned her head down and inhaled deeply. It wasn’t a scent she was trying to pick up though, it was words.
Within the desert terrain she always had a weird inkling that the dirt could speak to her. It gave off weird scents that didn’t translate into a sense of smell, but a mix of taste and hearing instead. She couldn’t explain it outright, but sometimes she’d hear things in the desert that said ‘not this way’, or ‘go back.’ It had never failed to keep her pack one step ahead of predators even if she didn’t really know how it worked at that time. Since coming to Konohagakure there was a silence in the air that pestered Otami to no ends, but every once in a while she could hear the dirt whispering something. This was what she was trying to do now. Trying to get a clue to who could have left these tracks, what the dirt could tell her over her own nose…or if the mysterious power could be actually used on whim.
Mitsuha blushed a little bit as she spoke to Oribia. This was probably the most she spoke to someone without it seeming like it was forced. But alas... They were on a mission. Her crystal eye would scan around, trying to find something out of the ordinary but with the heavy foliage, she came across nothing out of the ordinary.
"K-Keep your eyes open Otami. We may never know if there could be an ambush." She would say. Naturally, she would expect an answer of some sort right away, what with her luck of running into extremely extroverted types of people. But this time... Nothing. Quietness. Normally, the young Kaguya wouldn't mind the quietness among her company, but the fact that they were on a mission kind of unnerved her if someone doesn't answer.
"Um... Otami?" She would stay close to the caravan and then she would form some hand seals and a blue turtle would appear. "Hell yeah! Wait. Where are we?"
Mitsuha would give Crush the rundown of what is happening. They are on a mission to protect a famous dancer. Crush would salute to Mitsuha and he would do a little dance himself, spinning on his shell upside down and say, "I call that, the turtle break dance!" Mitsuha would roll her eyes with how Crush is acting and then just keep looking around with both her real eyes along with the Crystal eye.
(wc:237)
(twc: 630)
(Summoned Crush)
(Crush has Ancient wisdom +1 to Nin Acc/Nin Dodge/Gen DC/Gen Save, and +5% Ninjutsu/Genjutsu damage to all allies)
As the cart began to set off, Otami was investigating the odd trail of footprints she found along the forest line. Kneeling next to them, she beseeched the earth and as it had so many times before, the dirt spoke to her. "Forced extravagance..." It said, filling her senses with telltale signs of one who sought to impress: A hint of cologne that would have been pricy, but with strong undertones that made it clear someone wanted their presence to be known. The impressions of fine leather shoes, wide and deep enough to be worn by a man of slightly above average size. The bitter chemical taste of hair product, strong enough to remain present in the wafting air. "Desperation..." Another smell and taste came alongside these: sake. It was on the ground, in the air, on a tree that whoever had left these traces must have touched. Then Otami's keen senses picked up something else. "Danger!" The scent was faint, almost imperceptible had it not been for her impressive senses: an ether-like odor and a slightly sweet taste that made Otami feel slightly dizzy from even the residue. Chloroform.
Meanwhile, Chiaso joined Oribia within the cart-turned-carriage. The interior of the dancer's mobile chambers were far more lavish than your average carriage, but had a cozy homeliness that kept it from being garish. From the ceiling draped numerous colorful streamers that curled below the ceiling in soft curves, held up by each end. A sheer fabric drifted softly in the wind, partly obscuring the dancer's pillowy-covered bed with their transparent folds. An ornate mirror sat above a finely polished wooden dresser, atop which multiple letters were found. As Chiaso asked his question Oribia looked into his eyes, her floral-pink irises reflecting in his blues. "But of course. If there is any manner in which I may assist your protection, it would be my pleasure." She said, her voice soft and melodic. Turning away and breaking eye contact, Oribia sauntered over to the dresser and retrieved one such letter. "My profession is one that comes with many admirers, and I often receive the adulations of those who appreciate my art. However... this one I found quite troubling. I do not know who delivered this particular missive, but I can tell you that it is rare for a devotee of my dancing to be so... brazen. I apologize for being unhelpful, but please, feel free to peruse the letter at your leisure." Oribia handed the genin the already-opened letter, its wax seal broken cleanly from the parchment.
Mysterious Message:
My Dearest Dancer,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I find myself pouring my heart onto this parchment, for my love for you burns brighter than a thousand suns. However, I pen these words with a heavy heart, burdened by a truth that must be spoken. Know this, my love: should you dare to stray from this city, your every step will be met with shadows of fear and despair. The extreme path's grip still stretches far and wide, and I am its willing servant. So, I beseech you, dance no more with thoughts of escape, for leaving shall only unleash a tempest of unimaginable consequences.
Stay here and be mine, As I am forever yours,
The note read both as a love letter and a threat, and Chiaso noticed multiple things almost immediately. First and foremost, the parchment itself carried with it an almost overpoweringly strong scent of cologne. In addition, something about the insignia on the wax seal and at the bottom of the letter caught the genin's eye. While its like had not been seen in the Village Hidden in Leaves in decades or even centuries, it was one that once held great power within both the village and Fire Country as a whole: The Yakuza. Their presence is one that would be a distant memory to most shinobi of Leaf, and their base of power had long since fallen in the time that has passed, but crime can never be fully concealed and the families that once made up their hierarchy still live on within the Fire Country capital.
Finally, as the group continued to travel further from the gates of the capital, along one of the main roads that headed in the general direction of the village, Mitsuha and her summoned turtle companion, Crush, were keeping a watchful eye over the caravan and its surroundings. It took some time to be sure, as the caravan passed by numerous travelers as it headed down the path towards Konohagakure, but both Crush and Mitsuha keenly noticed that one of the carts they'd seen go by just a couple hours before had somehow returned and was now following behind them. The cart was lighter and smaller and drawn by two nimbler horses than their own, but oddly had not caught up to the group. Mitsuha's turtle companion came up to let her know about the tail they'd picked up and Keramu noticed the pair looking back at the path they'd taken. "What is it? Something the matter?" The middle-aged man asked, looking worried as he noticed the concern on Crush and Mitsuha's expressions upon realizing what that slow-moving traveler must have meant: The group was being followed.
[Observation Rolls]
Otami rolled 18+3 to identify additional details about the footprints.
Chiaso rolled 4 on the first check and failed to notice something.
Chiaso rolled 18 to identify the origin of the letter's seal.
Mitsuha and Crush rolled 12+2 and natural 20 to notice the traveler following the group.
Amazing rolls by all!
Chiaso would take the letter from Oribia, giving a glance over it's exterior. His nose wrinkled a bit when he smelled the cologne, not really enjoying the smell of that kind of thing. He'd open it up, glancing at the contents of the letter as he unfolded it in his hands, leaning back as he mumbled to himself as he read. As his eyes made their way down the page, they would progressively grow larger and larger, as he realizes just who they're dealing with. Chiaso would put a hand up to his ear, activating his radio and hailing his other two team members.
"So I just got the letter that was sent to Oribia.. You know, the one we're out here for? Besides stinking of cologne, I think something else smells about this... It's just a guess, but from the way they're wording things, the methods in which they're threatening her... I'm pretty sure that this letter was sent by the Yakuza. Just a theory, but be on the look out if you see any strange individuals with messed up fingers or a bloated ego." He'd slowly lower the letter, glancing back up to Oribia. "So this just got a lot more concerning, but it's nothing we can't handle..Probably." He'd cross his arms. Things seemed fine for the moment, but Chiaso knew full well that it could turn from fine to a nightmare in a few seconds. He'd really prefer to not end up in the way of the Yakuza, even as depowered as they are. He'd heard more than one nightmarish story about what they do to their opposition, and a quick death is the best he could hope if things went awry.
"Odd question, but do you know anyone in the Yakuza? Could be relevant to this whole thing based on the letter you gave me.."
[Sorry, sorry! I legit forgot about this thread all week!]
Otami went into a sort of trance. Her eyes glazed over and the blond relieved the scant moments that the world would reveal to her. The tastes, sounds, scents where revealed with the wild girl’s face twisting in different expressions to dictate each clue she was given. Once the trance was over, she fell flat on the ground on her stomach; on purpose. Her eyes no longer glazed continued to sniff deeply to try and catch the scent of the sake again while fighting the dizziness of the ether; a drug she was wholly unaware of. Shaking off the Echoes as she sniffed along the ground the girl followed the same prints for a moment until they blended back into the road. There the scents were muddled by the horses, people, and perfumes of the performers with the lingering scent of alcohol still in the air; but fresher and not as flowery. Otami positioned herself into a squat to think for a moment on her clues for a minute. When the group announced they would be moving the blond shot her head up and scurried around to pop her head into the back of the carriage where her companions were; a quizzical look stuck on her face.
“Otami find strange man-shoe prints. Go into trees, leave trees other side. Smell…stink-drink, flower spray and something else. Made Otami dizzy when caught in nose! Alert! May be close…” and then she was gone. The girl began to wonder around the wagon like a wolf on patrol now, keeping somewhat crouched as if she was prepared to drop on all fours and pounce something.
Once the group got moving she kept up easily with the pace. Her eyes were watching the trees more than the road and didn’t really catch noticed of the other travelers. She fully expected someone to burst out of those woods at them since that’s what she would do for a hunt. So the other wagon went completely out of notice unless it was down-wind and those familiar scents came back to let her know the suspicious stranger was back…
Through Mitsuha's crystal eye and Crush's turtle-y insight, she was well aware of people following them. She found it weird that such a smaller cart, pulled by more horses, still hasn't past them yet. That's when Chiaso radio'ed in. He tipped them off of the identity of the individual that has left the disturbing letter to Oribia. The Yakuza. Her gut churned. She has heard plenty of horror stories about this mafia type of group. Some would say that this group thinks of themselves as untouchable. He had also gave them information that the letter stank of perfume. The girl's suspicions were coming together as Otami had informed them that she found tracks along with a smell that the young Kaguya can only guess to be the cologne that mystery Yakuza man might be wearing.
She would reach up to her headset and spoke calmly, "We have a horse and carriage following us. One have passed by us going in the opposite direction, and they still haven't past us. Keep your eyes open and ready for a fight, but don't draw suspicion onto yourselves."
With that said, she would then calmly make her way over to Keramu, in which he had asked her about the situation. She stared straight ahead, as if to make sure that suspicion isn't drawn her way from the suspicious horse and carriage following them. "Keep looking forward. There is a carriage following us, one that have passed by us going in the opposite direction. Be ready for a fight, but don't draw suspicion of knowing that we may be walking into an ambush. Don't worry, I got eyes in the sky to see what they are up to all the while keeping a safe distance." It was implied about her Crystal eye. She took a deep breath, trying to keep a steady head for the situation. "Look. We need to know, do you know anyone that fits the bill of either the Yakuza or someone that puts way too much cologne on?"
Inside the wagon, Oribia looks over at Chiaso in shock. "I don't associate with the Yakuza, so I have no idea who it could be. I know that they have offered their protection to me before, but I have declined. I don't like the idea of a criminal organization hovering over my shoulder. It makes me uneasy just thinking about it. What could that girl have been talking about though? A stinky drink and flower spray? Perhaps some sort of alcohol and cologne? That doesn't really narrow things down at all. Though what worries me most is that something made her dizzy. Is someone trying to poison me?" Clutching her hands to her chest, those pink eyes grow wide with fear as she stares at Chiaso pleadingly. She is asking him to tell her the truth, no matter how hard it may be. While she might be scared, there's a steadiness to her gaze that shows her resolve.
As the small caravan was warned of the carriage following behind them, all of the shinobi went on alert. Keeping their eyes and ears wide open for anything that could be a potential threat to Oribia. Keramu slowly draws his hand closer to a blade he carries at his side, eyes darting back and forth to either side of the road. "The Yakuza, eh? Can't say that it is ringing a bell. Oribia is a famous dancer, so she has admirers from all walks of life. It appears that even the Yakuza has good taste, if they like to come and watch her dance. As for someone with too much cologne... No. There's no way! Matahito wouldn't do that! Would he?"Keramu brings his left hand up to stroke his chin, pausing in thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Nah, there's no way that boy would side with tha Yakuza. He's, eh, how to put it... A bit of a pushover. He dated Oribia for a while, and things were good, but the boy got too clingy. She cut it off a while back, and he still shows up at her shows, pining after her, hoping she'll take him back. He sends her flowers all the time and little gifts to show he still loves her, but he wouldn't try to harm her. I can guarantee that."
Before he can say anything more, Otami catches a familiar scent coming from the tree line. The cologne and sake waft from the trees to the right of the caravan, and she is able to catch another whiff of the chloroform coming from off to the left. Shadows in the trees darting just out of reach, getting closer and closer to the road. At the same time, Mitsuha's Crystal Eye would show that the wagon behind theirs was starting to speed up, closing the distance between them quickly. It had been a few minutes since any other carriages had passed by them, and the current stretch of road was empty of any other passengers. Keramu glances over his shoulder and starts to draw his sword as he hears the horses approaching from behind.
Suddenly, the cart is pulled to the side swiftly, the horses turning so that the carriage blocks off Oribia's potential escape to the rear. A door is thrown open, and two men jump out, rushing forward with swords drawn. As if this were a signal, two figures step from the trees on either side of the caravan. The one to the right stumbles slightly, bleary-eyed, sloshing sake onto the ground at his feet as he stumbles slightly. "Oribia-san~! I know you're in there! Come on out and nobody has to get hurt! We don't want to harm these children, but we're willing to take you by force if we have to!" The second figure to the left shakes his head, a sword in one hand and a soaked rag in the other. He levels his sword at Mitsuha and Keramu, as if daring them to take action against him.
Mitsuha would look over at Crush, making sure that he was aware of the situation that they were in, in case things went south. She would listen to what Keramu had to say on the matter. He thought that the Yakuza and the letter might be different, that some Matahito wouldn't stoop to that level. As if on cue, her Crystal eye caught movement and the ambush that they were walking into finally set into motion. Men came out of both the caravan and the tree line as they prepared to try and intimidate the group defending the dancer.
The girl, although shy, knows that this is a life or death situation, with the fact that someone was holding them by sword point. She assessed the situation. Right now, the biggest threat will have to be the one with the sword. The stumbling drunkard will just need a good bonk on the head to knock out since he doesn't seem as dangerous as the other one. She did notice a soaked rag in the swordsman's hand, which she suspects is a chemical to knock out. For whom? She doesn't know, but she isn't taking any chances. Bones would all form around her body until it took shape. Her exoskeletons resembled that of a ranger, fit with it's own boney cartilage type hat. She held a bone revolver in one hand, and a ball of bones in the other. But she won't stop there, entering into the Kaguya's infamous dances, the girl would use the dance known only as the Dance of the Willow as it would help her focus her attacks to hit easier. Aiming her bone revolver at the one with the sword and rag, she would fire it off, hoping to hit a weak point on the body.
But she will also be cautious, if an attack were to come her way she'd be ready.
(1280/550)
(equipped exoskeleton Ranger form)
(Entered dance of the willow: +1 acc per bone counter, 1/5)
(Used critical shot mastered on sword and rag wielding guy)
(ready to use body flicker shuriken mastered if attacked)
(crush chilling for now)
Mostly unaware of the situation outside, Chiaso gives a shrug. "Probably not. Unless you call awful choice of perfume poisoning. If so, then yes. May have just been a coincidence.." He'd say, resting his head on a hand as he looks to the dancer woman. "Anyways- even if they did try something I really doubt their odds. A couple of Yakuza shouldn't be much of a problem to us. If they are then we really suck." He'd say, tilting his head a bit. Weird situation this all was- namely just who and what they were dealing with. Carting around some pastel colored dancer woman to avoid a bunch of Yakuza? While he wasn't a fan of this kind of work, it really did keep him on his toes. What, next time is he going to get sent to fight some aliens who are trying to blow up a ramen shop? Oh well. These guys would have to be pretty stupid to get in a fight with the ninjas guarding this carriage, as normal people really didn't match up well against a ninja's arsenal, even a genin could go toe to toe with some of the strongest normal people. They should be fine, right?
[WC: 203]
[WCT: 1145]
Otami kept an eye and nose open to the road behind them, thankful that the wind was blowing in the right direction. Had it blown from the direction they were heading she might not have noticed the familiar smell of way too much cologne. It hit her like a brick. Her eyes stared down behind them to see the carriage rolling up and then suddenly turning to cut off their exit; which confused the hell out of her. They were heading in the opposite direction, why the hell would they cut off…
It was an ambush, it had to be.
With a quick sniff the girl caught more presence in the trees and knew that their opponents planed a pincer attack. The path ahead looked clear so, they seemed to either be idiots, overconfident, or potentially had allies waiting up ahead. Giving that all of the shinobi protecting the famous dancer were children, Otami assumed that they were underestimating them. She quickly thought of a handful of ways this could be resolved without a lot of violence, and in pretty much any other situation she would of opted for those plans first; today, however, she was working.
The girl simply slipped into the dirt road and underneath it as the group began to roll up. Beneath the ground her skin was sensitive to the vibrations above but not through a natural sense. It was one born of her innate chakra that connected to the land when she used the Inner Earth Reflection Lure. Otami knew where the men were stepping and quickly went to take care of those coming in from the sides. Hands would explode out from the ground beneath each man, with only seconds apart as they would be dragged up to their necks into the ground; trapped there as she commanded the earth to “pinch” them. Once she was sure the outer ambushers were take care of, or at least those that she could catch, the wolf-girl leaped from the foliage and into the fray; if there was any left to be had.
Matahito drops his sake bottle in surprise as Mitsuha quickly leaps into action, bones shaping around her body and creating a weapon in her hand. As the bottle smashes against the ground and cuts up his legs, he cries out in pain, drawing the attention of the swordsman approaching the caravan. Taking advantage of his distracted state, Mitsuha launches into an elegant and flowing dance, which further confuses the man as he sees it from the corner of his eye and turns to raise his sword to slash at her. Before he can, however, the kunoichi fires off her pistol and the bullet smashes into the man's hand, causing him to drop his sword and cradle his broken hand to his chest. His eyes go wide as he realizes that these aren't just children walking alongside the caravan, these are shinobi. That wasn't a part of the bargain, and he starts to turn tail to run.
Before he can get two steps away from the wagon, Otami leaps into action. Hands explode from the ground underneath Matahito then the swordsman, dragging them both down into the earth until only their heads remain aboveground, allowing them to breathe and scream out for help, but trapping them otherwise. As she finishes burying the two attackers and turns her attention towards the men approaching from the back, the two rushing in from the back halt in their tracks and glance at each other. One of them reaches into his jacket and pulls out a bottle, holding it out to his accomplice who lights a rag hanging from the top of the bottle. Reaching back, the man launches the flaming bottle towards the wagon, in hopes of setting it ablaze to draw out their quarry. Unaware that the children guarding Oribia are shinobi, they brandish their weapons and rush towards Otami together, assuming that their combined strength would be more than enough to take down the feral girl.
Inside the wagon, Oribia cries out in surprise at the sound of Matahito's voice, turning to Chiaso. "I know that voice! I never thought that Matahito would show up like this! He was a lover, at one time, but he grew jealous over time of other men watching me perform and so I called it off. He continued to send me letters afterwards, but after a time, they stopped arriving. I felt that I was finally safe to perform regularly, and when this opportunity to perform for the Hidden Leaf Village came up, I happily jumped at the chance. That was when this letter came to me; it's not his handwriting though. What could be happening out there?" Suddenly there is a crashing sound as the bottle that was flung lands atop the wagon, setting the canvas on top ablaze. The women inside with Chiaso all scream, hurriedly grabbing whatever they can before attempting to flee to safety out the back of the vehicle.
Mitsuha would curse under her breath at the sight of these two men attacking both Otami and the caravan. She can't be in two places at once, but she knows that Crush can at least help with fighting the fires to keep Oribia safe. She would tap her headset and say, "Chiaso, get her out of here but stick close with Crush. He's my turtle contract, he'll protect you both if things come down to it."
She would lower her hand from her headset and then perform another Kaguya dance, this one to mask her own presence as it was made for her to be fast and agile along with quiet and sneaky. She would change her weapons, bones quietly shifting around to make a new exoskeleton, and launch a barrage of attacks on the nearest guy closest to attacking Otami to both down him and prevent her teammate from getting harmed.
(Mitsuha using dance of the larch to be sneaky, and using million stabs after she switched weapons)
(Crush used water gun! and is standing by to use tidal wall on Chiaso, Oribia, and other citizens in caravan)
Chiaso gave the worlds longest sigh as he heard all the crashing and action outside. Nothing could ever be simple, could it? Oh well. He'd give a deadpan expression to Oribia. "Alright..We're going to take you somewhere safe. Just come here and don't squirm too much..." Chiaso would rise, going to look to Oribia. His hands would flash into a series of signs as two copies of Chiaso would appear. "You two go first as a distraction..." He'd say, as one clone would do a series of hand signs before turning into Oribia, the other picking them up, and both would dash out of the carriage in a separate direction to Crush. Looking back to Oribia, Chiaso would go to pull off his scarf and wrap it around her. "If only you weren't so pink..Try to cover your face with this." Before Chiaso would go out of the cart, going to Crush's side to look for an exit. Hopefully these goons took the bait with his clones...
(Chiaso uses Elemental Clone (Water). He uses the Special ability to make two clones, and one clone uses Transformation to look like Oribia.)
Otami was satisfied with herself. For once she actually felt like a useful shinobi as the girl dusted her hands over the heads of the screaming men. A deep, deep part of her wanted to see if she could attract the attention of a skunk towards the men but, the chance never came up. The action carried on and a moltov was thrown at the wagon, followed by three men who underestimated so much on this day.
They didn’t stand a chance. The moment the blond realized she was in danger her form dropped down into a fighting stance. Her hands struck out swiftly, hitting pressure points and nerves that caused the men to comically fight each other more than they did Otami. She danced among them, playing with them until each one had either taken too many injures or had been plain worn out from her truly unfair strikes.
Once the men was dealt with she rallied back with her group, helping put out whatever fire she could by scooping up mud created from Crush’s water and splattering it against the flames.
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