Ninpocho Chronicles

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.

This is Ninpocho Chronicles.

Current Ninpocho Time:

Blinding Sun [Exam]

Joined
Apr 25, 2013
Messages
8,956
Yen
67,305
ASP
424
This is the Genin Exam for Sunagakure. The exam will be brief and will depend on your skill as a writer to accomplish. You have until July 1st to join this thread. The entire interaction will be a mere handful of posts.
~Good Luck

The surface was a novelty that many of those gathered here would never have experienced before. The Wind Country sun was huge and bright, this massive hot yellow orb somehow suspended in the sky without strings. The sky was perfectly blue, not a cloud to mar this perfect infinite space. The ground looked like a sea of shining jewels, yellow rolling dunes that terminated at the horizon. Nothing was growing just yet in this desertscape, the terrain rippled like a seabed and the stones worn away by the maelstrom until they gleamed. The crystal-like grains of sand reflected the heat of the sun back at those stationed here.

Project Rebirth as it has been called is an ambitious enterprise headed by the Kazekage himself in the wake of the Cabal incursion where Sunagakure suffered great losses. Their hold on Wind Country was precarious, isolated for three decades by the maelstrom from which they sought refuge in the subterranean worm-carved caverns that snaked beneath the dunes. Their continued existence depended on a more strategic location, something where malicious intent would not cost thousands of lives if unchecked. These were dangerous days, Sand had earned enemies over the years that they never knew existed. The period that they tought was peace was nothing more than ignorance.

A woman was waiting there, at Project Rebirth at dawn. She was alone, her back to the tunnel that led to the surface. Her long red hair whipped past her with the wind. A large floppy hat shaded her face, her rail thin body seemed to want to blow away yet remained steadfast against the hot stinging breeze. She was wearing a floral sundress, a happy illustration of large sunny flowers with their bright green leaves and dark brown centers. Her arms and her legs, from what was exposed were covered in scars, most of them appeared fresh. She made no effort to hide them, her feet bare, her toes buried in the sand she simply waited.
 
Kagari awoke from his restless sleep that morning, staring up at the ceiling on his futon in the cramped apartment space. Since grand palais is so packed, most of the apartments in the area are very basic. A small kitchen with a living space, with a small bathroom. Other than that, there wasn't much room for anything else. He tiptoed lightly out of his bed and over his sleeping mother; preparing himself something to eat. A small breakfast, consisting of toast, an orange, and some ham was all he had time for to eat. After some research and some searching yesterday where "Project: Rebirth" was, he found out that it was actually an area on the surface, instead of someplace deep like the rest of the village. It had been a while since Kagari had seen the bright sun; since most of his days were spent either at the academy ore holed up at home.

As he was a bout to leave, he heard a small whisper; "Good luck, Kagari. I love you.." He turned and saw his mother still lying in her small futon, smiling. Kagari returned the smile, and closed the door lightly, not to disturb her from her needed rest. Kagari headed out; hopefully where he thought project rebirth might be. Taking the skycar to the upper levels, he hopped off and looked for some landmarks. There wasn't any specific instructions to where the exam taking the place; nor did he see anyone familiar from the academy. Something caught his eye as he noticed a sign that pointed "up". Walking closer to the sign, it pointed to a tunnel that headed upwards. "Hopefully, this is the place..." Kagari said to himself as he proceeded to the tunnel.

Before he could climb the stairs, he didn't notice at first the female stranger that had been sitting there, waiting patiently. She looked like she was expecting someone; and from the look of her apperal she was going to go on a date. 'I didn't see any resturants or parks around here so unless she's waiting for her date...she maybe....' Kagari questioned as he stared at the woman. He snapped himself out of his twenty question game with himself about the mystery pretty woman; after all it was rude to stare so intently without at least saying hi.

He looked around to see if there were any other students here; so far it seemed like he was the only one. Were the exams really that frightening?

"Excuse me miss; is this Project Rebirth?" Kagari asked as he approached the woman.

WC: 431
MFT
 
Today was the day. Noroi had read the sign yesterday and saw the Benin exams up for grabs, so he had made a promise to himself that he would do his best to pass and take the first step in becoming a shinobi. He tidied up the oversized rags he wore so they weren't as dirty as they normally were, and had to skip breakfast mainly because he didn't have the time or money right now to find something and have a breakfast. Besides that, he was too nervous to eat and felt that he would throw up whatever he had eaten. He read up yesterday and found out that project rebirth is at the surface. Who knew? So Noroi used most of his work money to buy a ticket and took the skycar up to the surface.

This was the first time on the surface, and the first thing Noroi noticed was how bright the sun was compared to the dark subterranean caves where he lived, mainly in he red light area. Everything looked so pretty, it almost made Noroi want to cry, even though it was just an entrance tunnel, how silly of him. He looked around and Saw his friend Kagari, so he knew he was in the right place. He then noticed the relaxed woman by Kagari and Noroi thought that she may be in charge of the exams. So Noroi went up to her, stumbling on the way.

"U-u-um.... Is this the G-genin e-exams o-or Project R-Rebirth..?" He asked politely, but not making eye contact.
 
He wasn't sure what exactly had drawn him to this place. He wasn't a student. He wasn't even from the Sand village. Deep down he knew he wasn't eligible for the Genin exam that were to take place in the morning, but something happened when he read that sign. It was like an itching in the back of Kato's head that drove him to want to see what this was all about.

When the Leaf village burned, Kato had been an academy student, just about ready to take the Genin exams himself, but when everything was thrown into turmoil, Kato fled the village to find safety. He had spent almost half a decade training and surviving in the wilderness since then, and though he had strength and skill, and although he wore his father's headband as a symbol of the change he had made, of how he was no longer just a student.

"But not a Genin either. You don't even know what an exam is like stupid boy," mocked Kato's voice of doubt.

He just wanted to see what it was like, but for some reason he was almost embarrassed by the desire. He was sixteen, by all rights a man of his own making already, and yet he couldn't get over his obsessions with this milestone of shinobi life. He told himself he just missed seeing the sunrise, that it wasn't the Genin exams that pulled him there. But it was a lie he told himself once he learned project rebirth was located on the surface.

So he found himself following shortly after the two students down the tunnel, hiding his presence from the younger boys. As he neared the end he saw the woman the two boys had already spoken to, and was doubtful he could avoid her detection as well. She was obviously strong, despite her plain civilian appearance, and Kato figured most likely the proctor of this Sand exam.

What did a Genin exam entail, he wondered.

[MFT]
WC:332
 
What had she done to annoy Mother Suna, Yumi thought as she struggled to get into her training clothes at a breakneck pace. If it wasn't for Kurisu's assistance, she wouldn't have even woken up at all! In the middle of pulling on a long sock she hesitated and wondered. Since when was she blaming Suna's deity? It wasn't exactly something that she believed in... right? Sparing only a few seconds for the idle thought, she quickly resumed her preparations. Within five minutes of awaking she was bursting out of the door and sprinting out of the apartment complex and down the nearly deserted streets up towards the path that would eventually lead her out to the surface.

It took a good amount of time for her to see the light peering through the opening of the cavernous depths. The sun was already up! Breathing heavily she quickened her pace for the last hundred yards as she bolted up towards the surface. Finally she came upon the sight of a small gathering. Two other students, a woman and an older boy, all up ahead of her as her ran slowed to an exhausted walk. She leaned over and pressed her left hand against her thigh as she fought for air. Her disarrayed short hair scattered and fluttered about in the wind as she worked to regain herself after that nonstop session of running.

Here she was, about to take one of the most important tests in her life and she arrived late, practically exhausted and... Her head shot up and her red eyes widened as she began to pat around her body for her pouches. The pats slowed to a stop as she realizes in horror that she had forgotten to bring everything except her clothes. To be fair, it was lucky that she had remembered to come fully garbed, but this was still a disaster! A knot formed in her stomach as she wondered how she could take the examination without so much as a kunai to her name. She already had the cards sacked against her, why did she need to have this too!

Fighting back the urge to turn and flee, she hesitantly reached up to the sleeve that extended over where her right arm abruptly ended, just above where the elbow would be. Mindlessly, she tied the loose dangling sleeve into a knot as she had been taught. As she did, she looked ahead towards the gathering, and then glanced behind her. At least the examination didn't seem to have started yet. She wasn't out of the running yet... she hoped.
 
OC: Sorry for the inexcusable delay. As mentioned elsewhere - technical difficulties. I will find a way to make up for it. There will be a somewhat epic battle in exchange for my rudeness.

IC:
The woman did not appear to be very old. To these children perhaps she did appear quite old, she was old enough to be their mother. Her body marred with a mazework of injuries. They, the consequence of being less than successful on a mission at some point in her past. Perhaps multiple points if she was especially unlucky or inept. Yet she somehow survived, the woman was not affiliated with the Kazekage's family or anyone of importance. Just another ginger in a village full of them. Much like Ireland, if such a magical place existed in this world... only more sand and less Irish. She tapped her foot impatiently, the children were all on time but she wanted to get it over with all the same. Her pallid flesh unaccustomed to the surface sun, her cheeks had already started to burn.

She let out a huff of air through her flared nostrils as she looked over the motley group of youths before her. Big ones, little ones, pretty ones, possibly smart ones. Perhaps... together their divergent attributes would be enough to keep them alive. Perhaps. It had been over thrity years since the last Genin Exam of this type was utilized, part of her... rather most of her feared that these children would not be ready to brave the wilds. However, it was a rite of passage and now that the maelstrom was gone and there was hope that they would return to the way things used to be she would have to comply. She was a toddler herself when the storms first came, barely cognizant of a time before the storms. "Everyone here?" She asked, not entirely looking for an answer as her pale teal eyes scanned the group that had gathered. She nodded to acknowledge their presence but her formalities ended there. She took from her waistband several small scrolls. They were simple, plain rolls of parchment tied in a bow with a bit of cream-colored string. She wordlessly tossed the scrolls to each of those present.

"These scrolls are simply a short-distance teleportation seals. They will bring you a mile into the desert. While that does not seem like very far, it is to those unprepared with how to find their way back. Navigating the dunes unprepared for such... without provisions, a compass or anything beyond the clothes on your back and the skills you have learned can be trying. There are a great many dangerous creatures in the wilds... wild dogs, carnivorous birds, dangerous and deadly insects. In addition, the terrain itself is harsh. The sun is hot, the ground is barren and water is the most valued commodity you will ever know. Food... water... shelter... and finding your way home are all of great import. Passing this exam is finding your way back -- alive." She announced grimly. This was a harsh dose of reality for some of those gathered here. For decades it was all about 'safety' 'security' and 'friendship' but Sunagakure was not always that way. The need to survive was paramount and ingraining this into the youngest generation was necessary if they wanted to ensure their survival as a people.


Sounds simple right? Open the scroll and get teleported someplace...

Nothing is ever that easy. When you are ready, we will start this adventure. Please have your profile and dojo up to date (you will need it)!
 
The lady was still sitting there, quietly musing to herself giving no reponse to Kagari's question earlier. 'Well this isn't awkward at all...' Kagari sighed in defeat as he looked around, hoping to find at least some clue to where the exams were taking place. 'Maybe I could ask her one more time if she saw anything...' Kagari was about to ask the person when a familiar hesitant voice popped up.
"U-u-um.... Is this the G-genin e-exams o-or Project R-Rebirth..?" He asked politely, but not making eye contact.

Kagari turned around and was actually relieved that he saw Noroi, maybe he did find the place or at least was on the right trail. Over Noroi's shoulder he was noticing new faces, only two other students actually seemed to have showed up. One of them was a blond haired girl he didn't recognize; most of the girls here he have seen all were pretty much gingers, including this new lady who had bright red hair. Kagari noticed she was doubled over on her knees, obviously looking exhausted. 'She must have ran here...I don't envy her when we start the exam...'

Another one he couldn't really make out, the kid was obviously hiding himself from the others, all the way at the back away from their small "gathering". He couldn't make out his face real well, some details like distinct tattoos and some earings on his face. He also looked more beefier then the rest of the students so either he was older or he was "big". Kagari turned around now feeling more confident that he had found the right place. Although it brought him slight discomfort that only what looks to be; 4 students are taking the exam. He was anxious to get started; but hesitant to do so because he feared what the exam entailed.

</B>
"Everyone here?" She asked, not entirely looking for an answer as her pale teal eyes scanned the group that had gathered. She nodded to acknowledge their presence but her formalities ended there. She took from her waistband several small scrolls. They were simple, plain rolls of parchment tied in a bow with a bit of cream-colored string. She wordlessly tossed the scrolls to each of those present.
<i>
</i>

Kagari caught the scroll and examined it. He tried to see if there was anything on the outside first before opening it, trying to see if there was anything hidden. Before he could open it the, the red haired lady, now red haired instructor lady was giving details on their exam.
<B>"These scrolls are simply a short-distance teleportation seals. They will bring you a mile into the desert. While that does not seem like very far, it is to those unprepared with how to find their way back. Navigating the dunes unprepared for such... without provisions, a compass or anything beyond the clothes on your back and the skills you have learned can be trying. There are a great many dangerous creatures in the wilds... wild dogs, carnivorous birds, dangerous and deadly insects. In addition, the terrain itself is harsh. The sun is hot, the ground is barren and water is the most valued commodity you will ever know. Food... water... shelter... and finding your way home are all of great import. Passing this exam is finding your way back -- alive." She announced grimly.

'Okay, make that red haired sadistic instructor lady...' Kagari said to himself as he held out a skeptical look. He was thankful that he hadn't opened it yet, taking his other hand off the bow that tied the seal. 'Going out into the desert by ourselves and making it back to Suna in one piece? This is the exam?!' Kagari was unsure how to feel. The deserts were familiar to him as he was born in them; he remembers the hours and hours of traveling with his family from place to place in the everalsting sand. This was different, his family traveled in packs with larger groups for saftey. They usually relied on guides or some of the more senior nomads to be the ones to guide them to safe haven.

Kagari was almost hesitant to even participate in the exam; he felt like he should just go back home and try another day. 'No, no I can't. I need to do this for mom; I can't go back now even if it'll kill me.' "Sensei, I have a few questions." Kagari spoke up, now looking a little more confident. "First question, does the exam start now? If we could; could we go back home and get the supplies we need for this trip or are we going to have to find them in the desert?" Kagari asked. "Second, are we able to work together? Traveling in the desert alone isn't good..." Kagari asked again.

Hopefully she'll answer his questions now Kagari hoped. Right now was the start of a hard trial, a trial that could possibly kill him.

WC: 610
MFT
 
Noroi turned around to see two other kids, sorta around his age. The girl looked pretty tired and exhausted, and Noroi was pretty sure he had seen her in a class he took, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He'd probably remember later. The other boy was one that Noroi had not seen before, and he felt automatically worried. Was he an assassin? He certainly looked older then them, so Noroi kept his guard up. He nervously looked around to see if anyone else was nearby besides the woman and the students.

He caught the scroll with both hands nervously, and studied it like Kagari did. He was about to pull the ribbon when The scarred woman explained their little situation. The desert?! All those dangers... Birds and animals and bugs. Noroi had never went outside to the desert when the maelstrom ended. He was almost more scared as the outside then the black bazar where he often did work for people, moving and helping ship stuff, usually drugs and weapons. He hadn't told anyone about it for obvious reasons, but he sometimes got a special weapon, which he sold in the market. His usual buyers usually paid him half of what they promised, but Noroi took the money anyway. He lived at the bottom of the most dangerous place in Suna, so he took whatever options he had.

Listening to Kagari's questions made Noroi hopeful that they may get to work together. He had brought a few kunai and senbon and shuriken, and even a few small snacks in case he got hungry, like apples. Mid they all worked together, the success rate would definitely increase. He tied all of his supplies to his oversized shirt with string and determination beforehand, So he remained silent for now.
 
Another young girl showed up looking rather nervous. Kato could see she seemed on the edge of panic, possibly from fear of what the Genin exams might entail? He waited, looking around expectantly for more students to show up. "Only three? The exam can't be that tough can it?" the stocky teen wondered. But when the scarred woman who Kato assumed was running the exam finally spoke up asking if everyone was there, his assumptions began to change.

The woman tossed out a few scrolls as she began to explain the exam, and Kato was shocked when she tossed one of them to him. He stared at it blankly, disbelieving, as the young red haired woman explained what the scrolls were for.

"These scrolls are simply a short-distance teleportation seals. They will bring you a mile into the desert. While that does not seem like very far, it is to those unprepared with how to find their way back. Navigating the dunes unprepared for such... without provisions, a compass or anything beyond the clothes on your back and the skills you have learned can be trying. There are a great many dangerous creatures in the wilds... wild dogs, carnivorous birds, dangerous and deadly insects. In addition, the terrain itself is harsh. The sun is hot, the ground is barren and water is the most valued commodity you will ever know. Food... water... shelter... and finding your way home are all of great import. Passing this exam is finding your way back -- alive." she explained.

"Surviving in the wild?" Kato thought to himself, "Is that all it takes to become a Genin? I thought there would be something more to it."</I><i></i> When one of the younger boys asked a question about whether the group could work together or not, Kato broke from his own thoughts and scanned the students' faces. The first boy, while he cast an air of confidence and kept his calm, was clearly a bit nervous judging by his question about teamwork. For these students, going out into the desert alone was probably a terrifying thought, and Kato couldn't blame the boy fro wanting the chance to have a couple allies out in the wilderness. The Akimichi knew all too well what it was like to brave the wilds alone.

<I> Well I guess that tears it," Kato thought, "I can't just let these kids die in the desert...I... I want to help them survive. I want to help them become shinobi. I've traveled through the desert once already, how hard could it be to do it again. "

He finally stepped from the shadows, revealing himself fully to all those gathered. He spoke to the boy who had asked questions about gathering equipment and working together, "It's a nice thought kid, but you dishonour yourself by asking for the chance to prepare. I'm guessing that's part of the test, being assigned a task you weren't fully prepared for, and having to complete it with only what you have at your disposal. After all a shinobi must always make due with the equipment he has." He peeled back the corner of the scroll, just enough so the paper hung loose and could now unravel on its own if Kato allowed it to. "We'll all make it back, I'll make sure of it. Just think of it as a trip through a giant sandbox," Kato said confidently, hoping to abate some of the fears these students must be having.
 
OC: Yumi has either forgot about us or is busy. will move on and she can catch up next round if she is interested.

IC:
"U-u-um.... Is this the G-genin e-exams o-or Project R-Rebirth..?"

A mouse-like meek voice queried. "Both," she replied sternly. Her fingers drumming on the side of the scroll in her hand. "It is an old exam that we used to administer to Genin-hopefuls years ago," she explained, the tone of annoyance laced her words. It was something that many children have likely read about or heard rumors of from upper class-men who would claim that they endured such an exam. Sent into the wilds without provision and expected to survive while simultaneously navigating the terrible maelstrom that even their betters could not safely traverse. They of course were lying unless their exam was thirty or more years ago, before the wicked storm that had plagued them for decades until most recently.

"Sensei, I have a few questions."

She turned her head to look at the inquisitive boy. Seemed a bit studious for this type of exam. Unfortunate, the previous exams favored the clever whereas these favored the strong. Of course that was her opinion, it was actually the smart ones that out-lived the durable ones most often because they had the sense to find food, water and shelter when necessary where their 'stronger' peers tried to brave the elements. Sometimes with success but not always.

"First question, does the exam start now? If we could; could we go back home and get the supplies we need for this trip or are we going to have to find them in the desert?"

She nodded to acknowledge the commencement of the exam. "When adversity is suffered, it is rare than you are fully prepared,"</B><i></i> she explained rather than telling the young man simply 'no.' She did not seem to answer questions directly, the evasive nature more a product of habit than an effort at deception. "It is not far, but it will be a grueling return all the same," she warned. Even a simple mile in the hot desert would be life-threatening to a unprepared youth such as these. Navigating the dunes when there is no obvious marker over the horizon, only the efforts of a neophyte to rebuild this decimated community. The sun and stars, rather novel to many of them unless they read about them in books, the storm obscured the heavens and for some this may even be their first time on the surface.

"Second, are we able to work together? Traveling in the desert alone isn't good..."

<B>"Working together... your team is the only thing you can truly depend on. A true bond between friends and allies will not break even when armor cracks or a blade dulls,"<i></i> she answered rather than simply stating 'yes.' The word choice perhaps reminiscent of another proctor's words as they were more eloquent than her own.

"It's a nice thought kid, but you dishonour yourself by asking for the chance to prepare. I'm guessing that's part of the test, being assigned a task you weren't fully prepared for, and having to complete it with only what you have at your disposal. After all a shinobi must always make due with the equipment he has."<i></i>

The 'robust' youth echoed in agreement. He started to open his scroll. The binding loose, the scroll was lax but still coiled.

"We'll all make it back, I'll make sure of it. Just think of it as a trip through a giant sandbox."<i></i>

None of them had opened the scroll on their own, at least not enough to activate it. With a sigh the proctor did just that. Ripped the cord from a scroll and flung it in the midst of the Genin-hopefuls as she took several rapid paces back. The scroll had a wide range, wide enough to consume them all if they did not avoid the 'assault.' The winds would whip around those within proximity of the scroll and they would coalesce at the very epicenter consuming all within the boundaries. Then with a near explosive force a blast of hot desert air with enough force to knock anyone free from the seal's effects to the ground including the proctor. A fine layer of grit covered her damaged form as she unsteadily arose.
She never asked their names...

Never asked from what honored household they had come...

In the end none of that mattered, not here. not to the desert. Not to the whim of Mother Suna. The desert takes no sides. makes no alliances. Has no friends. The desert was a harsh place where only the worthy survived. Those that returned she would gather the names and the clans of. Their names would be remembered as the first... The first class to return to the roots of sunagakure and what it meant to survive. what it meant to not only be a force of nature but to dominate nature itself.

For those who went with the teleportation seal that was forcibly cast:

Round and round they went, a wall of wind and debris would block their view as they traveled with uncanny speed into the badlands. The desert itself was a living thing, but perhaps it would only be their imagination playing tricks on them if they saw faces in the winds. After mere moments that would feel like significantly longer they (as in whoever was caught up in the cyclone) would be deposited in a place unknown in the midst of Wind Country. The rocks polished smooth due to wears of wear from the maelstrom. The ground itself, brilliant and gold but also sparkled like diamonds. It was a curiosity found only in this desert as the storm was once called the 'diamond maelstrom.' It was never true diamonds but rather glass created when lightning struck the fine granules of sand to create fulgurite. A pretty bauble if they found a it of desert glass large enough to appreciate -- perhaps something to bring home to a lady-friend if any of them had one. However, pretty souvenirs would likely be the least of their concerns.

The desert was a wide expanse that went on for miles. The direction they were cast unbeknownst to them. It was daylight at this time, the sun at its highest point meaning it was blistering hot in the desert. The sky was robin-egg blue, beautiful, but in the absence of clouds they truly got to know Fuujin's wrath. It was well over one-hundred degrees on this day, it being an average day in this portion of Wind Country not that any of these children had experienced the true Wind Country heat in their lifetimes. As far as the eye could see, only more sand. Boulders littered the sandy expanse as did distant diminutive cacti that laid low to the ground but were wider than they were tall. A likely Darwinian (if any believed in such theories) response to the nature of the desert for the last few decades. Birds could be heard, more specifically crows. They cawed.

A grouping of crows is called a 'murder of crows.' This would sound worse than it truly was to a suburbanite but hey had never seen a Sunagakurian Crow. Large, aggressive but at the very least meaty but scavengers by nature. Their interest in this displaced group was already telling if we were to go with their expectations.

OC: This is a moderated event. The clever use of jutsus cores huge. Use your imagination and have fun. you would be amazed at what some people come up with!
 
</COLOR>
"It's a nice thought kid, but you dishonour yourself by asking for the chance to prepare. I'm guessing that's part of the test, being assigned a task you weren't fully prepared for, and having to complete it with only what you have at your disposal. After all a shinobi must always make due with the equipment he has."
<i>
</i>

The unfamiliar voice spoke in the back. Kagari turned his head slightly and metnally thought to himself. 'I honestly thought it was a good question to ask...' The red haired proctor seemed to echo the thoughts of the large boy in the back.

"When adversity is suffered, it is rare than you are fully prepared," she explained rather than telling the young man simply 'no.' She did not seem to answer questions directly, the evasive nature more a product of habit than an effort at deception. "It is not far, but it will be a grueling return all the same," she warned.
<i>
</i>

Kagari sighed, blowing some hair from his face showing his slight annoyance. 'Next time someone else ask the questions to this game...' Kagari scratched his head and took a deep look at the scroll; still not sure whether he open it or not.

<COLOR color="#004000">We'll all make it back, I'll make sure of it. Just think of it as a trip through a giant sandbox."
<i>
</i>



"Yeah, a sand box that replaces toys with things that are trying to kill us..." Kagari muttered sarcastically, something he tends to do in his moments of insecurity. Before Kagari could make the decsion to open the scroll, in a split second he could see that the area was changing. He looked at the ground immdietely and saw that concrete was slowly becoming sand with the large howling winds tearing at his ear. 'DId she just?!' Kagari screamed in his head. A bright light flashed and blinded him for a few seconds; when he opened his eyes, the wide vast desert stretched all around him. The change in enviornment was drastically different; the temperature was noticbly hotter with the sun immediately beating down on the genin. Kagari gazed at the sky, with a hand blocking the bright sun sighed. "Well, it's been a while since I've seen the sky...Not since I moved to Suna." Kagari said outloud. He looked around; trying to find any landmarks or something familiar.

"Well, she said that 'A team is the only thing you can truly depend on'..." Kagari then turned to the group. "I hope we're able to work together for this exam, I'm Toshiwakai Kagari. I know Niyongo over there from my classes. He's a bit shy." Kagari said introducing himself and his....friend? Classmate? Something... "I'm famliar with the desert, I used to be a nomad moving from place to place. Although I'm not familiar with this area."
 
Noroi listened carefully to what the older boy and the red haired lady with the scars had to say. They should work together, since they all may be in a squad one day. Noroi liked that idea, and nodded, enjoying the idea of friendship and teamwork. He was still pretty nervous and scared about the wild considering he lived underground his whole life and didn't really know what everything on the outside world was, and Noroi nervously scratched the deep scar on his neck out of habit. Would he really die here? 'Here we go, no turning back now.' He thought nervously, and smiled to his other teammates, showing a mixture of fear and excitement.

When the lady with the red hair, which seemed like a pretty commen trait in Suna, pulled the strings in unison, and as the sand and wind swirled around the group, Noroi remember his trip to the spirit world only a few classes ago. He remembered the bloody field and how scary it all was. He assumed that the desert wouldn't be as scary as he imagined in his dreams and mostly nightmares. When they got to the desert, Noroi's eyes grew wide with wonder as he stared at the sky for the first time in his short life. It was just so...beautiful..

Noroi continued to stare at the sky and feel the extreme heat of the desert in it's full beauty until he heard the murder of crows caw. Looking around in fright, he got out a kunai and nervously searched the area to no avail. Calming down ever so slightly, he nodded his head when Kagari introduced him to the older boy.

"M-m-my name I-is n-Noroi. N-nice to m-mm-meet you" he stammered, even though kagari already told his name. He was just nervous being outside for the first time.
 
The red-headed proctor was very short with he replies, offering little more than a couple words to answer the first boy's question. Kato was right in his assumption, they would not have a chance to get more equipment. They were also allowed to work together. But really, what would be the point in making them cross the desert alone? The chubby teen was sure that part of this village's test for new shinobi was based on their ability to work with others and contribute each individual's strengths to the mission.

He didn't have much time to think about it though, as the proctor tossed an open scroll in the midst of the group, activating the teleportation jutsu sealed inside and tossing the group into the desert.

The trip was short and painless, though the wind screaming in Kato's ears made it seem like they were trapped in that whirlwind for ages. When it finally dumped the group into the desert, Kato lost his balance and landed face first in the sand. He sat up spitting, the dry grit of sand in his mouth causing pure agony. He took a look around, not recognizing anything, but that was to be expected. The desert was huge, and there was virtually nothing in sight aside from sand and rock. That made it terribly difficult for someone to get their bearings or know where they were. The area was somewhat familiar, the same expanse of desert Kato had tried to cross when looking for the sand village, before the diamond maelstrom had subsided. Now, without the deadly sandstorm raging, the stretch of sand looked beautiful, glittering brilliantly in the early morning sun.

"Well, she said that 'A team is the only thing you can truly depend on'..." Kagari then turned to the group. "I hope we're able to work together for this exam, I'm Toshiwakai Kagari. I know Niyongo over there from my classes. He's a bit shy. I'm famliar with the desert, I used to be a nomad moving from place to place. Although I'm not familiar with this area." the first boy said introducing himself.

"M-m-my name I-is n-Noroi. N-nice to m-mm-meet you" the more timid boy answered.

Kato didn't see the other student yet, the girl. Maybe she had been thrown a few feet from the others? Or maybe she had jumped out of the way of the scroll's teleportation? Or maybe she was intentionally hiding herself somehow, Kato wasn't sure. "Call me Kato," the stocky teen replied finally, "I've traveled through this area before, but I wouldn't say I'm 'familiar' with it,"[/color=green] he admitted, emphasizing the word familiar by making air quotes with his fingers. He held his hand over his brow, blocking some of the sun from his sight as he looked up into the sky checking the position of the sun. "Anyways I get the feeling that we're far enough from the village that even if we new which direction to take, it'd be more than a full day's trip."<i></i> he began, pondering aloud. He took his vest off and wrapped it around his head, wearing only the netting shirt on his torso. He was already covered in a thin layer of sweat, one of the joys of his heavier build in this desert heat. "Its still early, which means its only gonna get hotter over the next few hours. I say our first task should be to find water and shelter, then we can try and figure out which direction we go to get back to Suna." he suggested.

Scooping up a handful of dirt, Kato focused chakra in his palm for a few seconds. When he opened his hand, a small glass ball rested in his hand, shining brilliantly in the sun. It floated into the air and spun in a circle, an iris and pupil appearing on one side of the sphere. It soared above the trio, swiveling in place as it scanned the nearby area making an assessment of the nearby area. "Don't suppose we're so lucky that one of you specializes in water style jutsu eh?"

((So first off I'm using Crystal Eye jutsu (Mastered) to scan the area looking for anything of interest. Specifically looking for shelter/shade, caves, any nearby plants like cacti, and any animals/nests that might prove a hazard))
 
The young girl had remained quiet for the entire ordeal, shifting between nervous internal pondering and actually listening to the important information that was being doled out to the hopeful participants. Between the curious scrolls, the vaguely answered questions and the tense air that came with the potential of dying in the desert, Yumi felt quite on edge as he stomach worked itself into a knot. The sudden movement from the woman as she ripped a cord from the scroll as she flung it towards the group caused the already tense girl to hop up and stumble backwards in surprise as she fell to the ground. Wind whipped around the group and everything got dark for the girl as she tried to shield her face with her right arm.

A small eternity later, she came fully to her senses as the wind had ceased, replaced by a mass of sand that had somehow covered her. Pushing herself up, she popped out of the sand with a frantic gasp of air. Sweat almost immediately began to beat on her skin from the blistering sun as the thought of burrowing back underground flitted through her mind. Grains and handfuls of sand fell from her hair and shoulders as she looked around, seeing the other three standing and conversing as some object flew into the air from the larger guy.

The gravity of the situation felt somewhat lost on her as embarrassment took over. Yumi awkwardly pushed herself out of the mound of sand, moving around uncomfortably as the invasive substance seemed to have penetrated every inch of her clothing somehow. The sand truly did have a mind of its own and it wanted to annoy her as much as possible, or at least that was how she felt about the accursed stuff at the time. If their attentions shifted towards the girl as she had emerged from her sandy grave she would make a point to avoid eye contact, as she tried to dust off as much sand as she could.

Although she had heard the tail ed of the introductions, it didn't seem to occur to her to offer her own. Though, making such of a fool of herself before the examination had even began certainly didn't help to encourage socialization in the slightest. Suddenly the sound of caws overhead broke her out of her self-imposed solitude as she looked up to see the avian menaces not far enough away in the sky. Her eyes squinted and the oppressive heat began to press down her harder as she came face to face with the overbearing sun that loomed high overhead. Almost subconsciously she used her left hand to reached down and pull the black vest off of her, causing more hidden sand to fall to the ground. The gesture was slightly awkward, but she had gotten used to dealing with it over the past months. A few moments later and she had managed to fashion it into a black headcover that served to shield her head from the angry sun's heat.

(( Apologies about the lack of a post last round. Shall not happen again! =_=7 ))
 
The blistering sun overhead threatened to broil the students alive. With no shade or shelter to be seen, the sky a brilliant robin-egg blue only marred by the presence of a trio of crows, circling overhead. The remainder had already retreated to someplace unknown. The occasional caw broke the otherwise pristine silence until the Genin-hopefuls started to talk. A team is like a family, it works as a unit and their health and strength a necessary component for survival. The stocky youth created a small orb from the sand, the little crystal eye bobbed and rolled along faster than the student's legs could carry them even if heat-exhaustion was not a concern or a consideration.

The eye:
  • The desert was a big, wide place. Cacti dotted the landscape, the closest being a kilometer to the west. A small grove of snarled thorns and an array of low-growing cacti covered approximately six yards of space. Incapable of growing to any great height due to the maelstrom, these cacti grew wide instead. To the south there was a cavern, the earth at the mouth worn and hard-packed. A pair of stones jutted from the earth, uniting as one aid over the other to create a stony face. The depth of the cavern was unknown, it appeared tall enough for any of them to comfortably stand. As for what the cavern housed, such as an underground spring or a large cool space to escape the heat... that would be hard to say without further exploration with the crystal eye if the young man decided it was worth while. This also being approximately a kilometer away. The third being an oasis, a small one at that. Several short stubby tree-like shrubs surrounded a small pond no larger than most children's bedrooms. Reeds along the shore suggested the water was stagnant and persistent and the fact that this veritable puddle attracted a murder of crows would suggest that either the water is not tainted or that these crows had not been there for long. This being the furthest, three kilometers in distance.

They seemed to have a few viable options in the nearby area. The oasis being the most pleasant in appearance, the cavern being the closest and the cacti in the desert being the most practical but after they get water what then? The trio of crows overhead appeared persistent unlike the others, at least interested if nothing more in the adventures of these youth. Scavengers by nature in a land where food is scarce, these children for one reason or another seemed more attractive than the stagnant oasis.

::What Happened?::
  • Kato created a crystal eye to scope out the landscape. He saw three areas of interest. All of them a distance away. He/they will have to decide where to go or where to look further, they are all quite a distance away and it would be hard to traverse the desert without proper supplies.
  • Can travel kilometer a post round, being clever with your jutsus and you may speed things up.
  • Can view in depth with the crystal eye one of the three areas with the crystal eye per post round if you elect to.
  • The player-temperature is 99 degrees F, be careful and find ways to keep cool before you are cooked!

Options... options.... options.
 
Introductions were being made one by one; well except for one. The blonde girl was still pretty quiet as she dusted the sand off of her body. Kagari was conerned that the blond girl wasn't comunicating anything; not even a single grunt. s. The girl may be shy like Noroi; albiet way quieter and a lot less polite. Kagari wondered if something was wrong but then focused his mind on pressing matter, the murder of crows looming on the horizon observing them. "At least they're not vultures...Crows I can deal with." Kagari looked torward the sound of the individual caws of the crows. "Hopefully we won't get so desperate to hunt those crows down and eat them..." Kagari muttered, as he could feel the hot sun beating down.

Looking into his Shoulder Bag he found his compass, something that he usually prepares for exploration. (Strategist) "Thankfully I brought this along, just in case..." Kagari said as he held still trying to calibrate his compass, gazing at the directions to figure out the cardinal directions. "Kato, you wouldn't happen to have a telescope would you...?" Kagari then noticed that Kato was doing something with his hands; seemingly he was channeling his chakra into his hands to do some form of jutsu.

</B>
Scooping up a handful of dirt, Kato focused chakra in his palm for a few seconds. When he opened his hand, a small glass ball rested in his hand, shining brilliantly in the sun. It floated into the air and spun in a circle, an iris and pupil appearing on one side of the sphere. It soared above the trio, swiveling in place as it scanned the nearby area making an assessment of the nearby area. "Don't suppose we're so lucky that one of you specializes in water style jutsu eh?"
<i>
</i>

"Well that works too." Kagari observed the floating crystal eye, a very handy jutsu for the journey to come. "Sorry, I'm honestly a beginner when it comes to ninjutsu. I don't know jack squat besides what was taught at the academy." Kagari said as he felt a bit disapointed in himself. Kagari scanned the horizon, forming his hands into some sort of visor for his eyes as he tried to look for well....<B>something. "So Kato, you see anything?"
 
Scooping up a handful of dirt, Kato focused chakra in his palm for a few seconds. When he opened his hand, a small glass ball rested in his hand, shining brilliantly in the sun. It floated into the air and spun in a circle, an iris wand pupil appearing ,on one side of the sphere. It soared above the trio, swiveling in place as it scanned the nearby area making an assessment of the nearby area. "Don't suppose we're so lucky that one of you specializes in water style jutsu eh?"

Noroi watched in amazement as Kato preformed his Jutsu with ease, and regretted how he hadn't had learned any techniques prior to the exam. He shook his head to wipe the sweat off, but kept his shirt on anyway, since he had tied a lot of stuff onto it and wasn't planning on letting it go. Some of it was worth a bit and Noroi planned on selling when this exam ended, if the items were still in good condition. He took out a few kunai and examined them for a moment, then selected the sharpest one and held it in his hand. Then he took out a few snacks, them being a few red bean paste buns, and jerky, lots of jerky along with a small gourd of water, and held them up.

"I-I-I don't know a-any Jutsus...b-but I h-have s-some f-f-food?" He offered nervously, and the feeling of uselessness crept up on him.

Looking around some more, trying to find any landmarks or significant features, a small stream of blood began to trickle down from his neck. Noroi didn't know that it was streaming, since he was still holding the food and drink, but as he walked around in a circle the blood seeped through his shirt, leaving a small trail behind him. He still didn't know that his neck scar opened up again, so he stopped walking to see if they had a plan.

"Um... A-are there any good p-places to g-go?" He asked politely, trying to help.
 
"Sorry, I'm honestly a beginner when it comes to ninjutsu. I don't know jack squat besides what was taught at the academy." Kagari admitted before asking Kato if he saw anything. It appeared the boy recognized the crystal eye jutsu, or at the very least had guessed its usefulness.

"I-I-I don't know a-any Jutsus” Noroi echoed, “...b-but I h-have s-some f-f-food?" Kato saw the boy hold up several packages of dried meat, and a gourd which was presumably filled with water. "Um... A-are there any good p-places to g-go?" he asked timidly.

Kato’s eyes were pressed gently closed, looking almost as if he was meditating. This allowed him to focus on the visual information his jutsu was relaying to him more fully, taking in as many details as possible. He was silent for a few moments after the other boys asked if he saw anything, and it may have even seemed he was ignoring them, but such was not the case. Finally he spoke, as he opened his left eye, his right eye still receiving the visual information from his jutsu as the crystal eye floated and bobbed about. ”I see… well a few things. Its hard to say but… Kagari may I borrow that compass for a moment?</B><i></i> he asked. If Kagari handed the tool over it would take Kato just a few seconds to get his bearings, and then relay to the students the directions of the oasis, the cluster of cacti, and the cavern, pointing in the distance of each one. He would explain that they all seemed equally promising in their own way, but that he couldn’t make the decision for the whole group as to which way they went. “The only problem is,” he admitted, <B> “The longer it takes us to decide, the hotter it gets and the more we bake in the sun. But, if you want my opinion…”<i></i> Kato paused for a moment, considering their options before he continued.

“The cave seems like a good place to start. It might not be a bad idea to wait out the heat in there, and try traveling by night when the desert gets cold… the only problem is we don’t know what’s in the cave. Since Noroi has a gourd of water that should last us at least a little bit, so I’m sort of leaning away from the oasis or the patch of cacti…”<i></i> Suddenly with a snap of his fingers, Kato had an idea. The group needed to discuss their next move. It was crucial that they were all in agreement and on the same page about their strategy to stay alive. The slightest bit of friction among the four of them could mean the difference between death and survival, but they had to decide quickly. And yet, at the same time they didn’t want to rush likes fools into possible danger. So Kato came up with a plan. But would it work?

“While we figure it out I’m going to check out the inside of that cavern… see if it’s as safe as it appears. My eyes will be closed, but I’m still listening. And… I might just be able to give us a bit of temporary shade…”<i></i>

With his eyes shut, Kato guided his crystal eye to enter the cavern, inspecting it to ensure it would be a safe place to take shelter. Meanwhile, he sat down cross legged in the hot sand, and formed a series of handseals. With any luck, the barrier he created with this jutsu would protect the four-man group from at least some of the heat of the sun, if even just for a short while, so they might decide on their next move.

((Modded Actions: Sending Crystal Eye to check out that cave. Looking for weaknesses in its stability/structure, and any signs that it may be used as a home for animals (nests, carcasses, shedding/molting) Also using Barrier (C-Rank Ninjutsu) to try and create a dome that will block out some of the heat and harmful rays of the sun while the group discusses their plan. ))
 
As the others talked, she began to feel more and more out of place. They were shinobi, not her, even though it was not technically official yet. She didn't have any weapons, any supplies, techniques or anything to really offer the group. The pair of guys wearing glasses had equipment, food and water, and the large older guy seemed to know what he was doing. A voice tugged at the back of her head telling her that she wasn't ready, that she was going to only be a drain, but... it was too late to do anything about that now.

Lost in her own thoughts as the sun overhead tried to bake her, Yumi stood a few feet from thr group, looking both distracted and worried. As they talked and tried to woek up a plan she looked around to their surroundings, trying to see far off in the distance was extraordinaly hard for the girl. It seemed that even though she was not a native to the area, living underground these years had not helped her ability to cope with the blazing bright sun overhead, and she had to squint and shield her eyes just to try and make anything out.

They were only a mile away, she thought to herself as she continued to look around. Perhaps she could come up with a plan? They couldn't just go in one direction, because if it was the wrong one they could be wandering until they died of dehydration. There were four of them... four cardinal directions, and they had a compass... "Umm," she finally spoke up, her voice only able to be heard due to the near perfect silence of the desert. Nervousness and inadequacy squashed her confidence as she softly suggested, "why.. how about... everyone walk in one direction? Lik um... North, South, East and West? Walks like... twenty or... ten minutes or something, or until you see the con... construction stuff? If we hurry, we don't have to be out in the sun long and... stuff."

Her eyes averted from them all as she nervously tugged at the tied knot on her right sleeve, preparing herself to be firmly told how they had much better plans than something so mundane.
 

Current Ninpocho Time:

Back
Top