Chapter 4 - Encounter in the Desert [Private/PM to join]

[Kiri]

As soon as he arrived in Wind Country, Jien has pursued his intent- which was to investigate about the so called Cabal or a group of insurgents that seemingly disrupted the political scene in this country. However, due to limited information he had prior, he never heard of any disbanding or any advancements particular to this group. In fact, most of the things he'd heard of where from minor gossips and underground rumors. Still, with his connections to the underground from the past, he was able to pick up at least a few notable rumors and so it led him to this town. The beach town, just outside the periphery of the waterfront city of merchants and traders, was quite small. It was silent, for the most part. Still, he was trying to get used to the change of climate and thus opted for his black shirt and gray pants. He wound up his bluish cost around his waist and proceed to explore the town while he was there. It was quite obvious that he was a tourist though judging from his tanned skin, he could almost pass up as someone from the region.

One day, a day longer than what he has promised his sister back at the city, Jien would come to hear some rumors about banditry along the desert not too far from the said town. He could very well just ignore this, and claim it as Wind Country's own problems dealing with their own delinquents. However, he was also quite curious to some extent. Once in his life, he had been a pickpocket, a gang member, and a murderer for survival. He somehow empathized with these ragtag fellows. Had he been back in Lightning Country, he would have surely acted to correct them to the right path. But what exactly is the right path? One can only wonder. And for that, he wanted learn from these people.

Perhaps, only then he would understand about why there has been insurgents to begin with. Just because they were in opposition of the current regime did not mean that were at the wrong. In fact, he knew very well that if there was only one superstructure that was attributed as righteous, then surely that society was very much wrong.

Drinking one last time from his water canteen, he made sure to leave some for later. He pressed on just a little further from town and soon enough he could see the endless sandsea. Surprisingly, the breeze that swept across the desert was strangely familiar as it pressed gentle kisses along his cheeks while it blew across his white hair. It was almost as if it beckoned him to move further to the unknown. And his Jyukkai power wasn't at all resisting as the memories it invoked were blurred but soothing. Maybe he had met someone who came from this region before? Or maybe, just maybe, there was something out there that found him and luring him.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Akkuma had been so sure that his meeting spot was far enough it in the desert & away from the trade routes that the risk of being caught by officials would be minimal. Of course he'd taken the variable of those who traveled the desert alone. But the Faustian Fox had found himself quite at home in these deserts & among the underbelly of it's denizens. He'd brought along his child Kanmuri in order to further teach the boy. He needed to ensure he received proper tutelage. Where he failed with Riyota he would not fail with Kanmuri. Walking with his child the many tailed fox would speak to his boy. "I've brought you here today Kanmuri because I want you to understand something important. No matter someones station everyone can serve a purpose. With the right guidance that is of course." he would say with a chuckle. For the shinobi had arranged for a shipment destined for Soragakure to be intercepted & brought to him. The contents of the shipment would be one that would undoubtedly raise many questions. Not just about whoever the intended recipient had been, but why Akkuma had arranged for the shipment to be intercepted.

Soon enough a small caravan of travelers could be seen approaching. Still the merchandise was indistinguishable for it was hidden by the shade cloth of the carts as they approached. "This particular group are flesh peddlers they serve one of the many parties who partake in such a trade...every so often they help me make a shipment disappear." he would say calmly to the boy as they approached. One might ask why he simply didn't take what he wanted every time, but if he did that. The shipping routes would be changed or those he was stealing business from would use different means of transporting there goods. Soon a gruff man would ride down before them, stepping off his mount & eyeing down the two beings before him. "We've got them like you wanted...you'll need to make it convincing this time I think they're starting to suspect something." there was something about this individual. He would not be what one expected, he seemed well natured & there was something about his gaze that hinted there was more to the man then what he let others see.

Removing a scroll from his robes he would toss the bundled parchment to the individual. "If you study those teachings enough you just might be able to do what you want..." with those words his gaze slid to each of the mans companions as they erupted into flames. It was a horrible sound to hear the screams of dying men pierce an otherwise endless expanse of silence & desert. He would sigh as his gaze returned back to the man he'd given the scroll. "Left or right?" he'd ask the man before him. Causing the man to pause before uttering "Right." without hesitating Akkuma closed the distance between them & severed the limb with a blinding strike. Quickly using a low level fire technique to cauterize the wound. His associate would fall to the ground, passed out from the pain. Screams & murmuring could be heard from within the caravans. "Check the shipment make sure everything is fine." Akkuma would say to Kanmuri as he ensured the man was stabilized.

If his son checked the contents of the caravans he'd find men, women & children all chained together in shackles. Akkuma intended to free them all & any who wished too would be given the choice to join him. These people had been snatched most likely because no one would come looking for them or because those who did would not be listened too. Akkuma would give them the choice return to those past lives & return to their past lives. Or embrace a new life & purpose by joining the Miroku Clan. The smell of burning flesh could still be smelt upon the air as some of the corpses still burned. Little did he know that soon enough they would not be alone in this journey.

MFT

 

[Kanmuri]

The sun was high and the wind still in the Sungakuran Desert Expanse. Walking with his father, Kanmuri could feel presence of the heat in the air. Because of his background, he had grown almost an immunity to the heat. His body, having adapted so well, had changed greatly than when he had first experienced the heat at his younger, more tender age. Along with fainting multiple times, Kanmuri’s clothes also dropped with sweat, but here he was now walking through the smoldering heat with dry clothes.

Earlier that day, his father told him that the two would be going out for another lesson. He’d learned before that his father would rather tell him about the lesson right before the climax, so he didn’t bother asking when his father told him. It was when the two had made their way deep into the desert that Kanmuri would hear the lesson of today, everyone can serve a purpose. The eight year old couldn’t make out everything his father said, by Kanmuri made sure to remember the part the he could understand. The brows of the white haired boy would
furrow slightly as he wasn’t completely sure if that meant he should befriend everyone or not in order to use them in the future, so he made a mental note to ask after the lesson had manifested.

Rather shortly, a hooded group of individuals would appear and Kanmuri’s father would tell them that group approaching them was a group of flesh peddlers and that his father would cause some of the shipments to “disappear.” The young boy had no idea what that “flesh peddlers” were and why his father decided to interfere with the shipment sometimes caused the shipments to go missing.

As his father and the supposed leader of the group talked, Kanmuri, just like any other kid his age would do when at a boring meeting, started playing with his fingers and silently humming. It was not until screams filled the air that the young boy’s mind was refocused back to the situation. Everyone, save for the leader of the hooded group, was screaming and writhing in agony as flames devoured their bodies. As the flames went out, all that remained was a black, charred, and unrecognizable lump of flesh with boils and lesions. Then, almost immediately, his father would chop off the arm of the leader before cateurizing it.

Kanmuri’s heart raced with excitement as death soon filled the air. However, his eyes and mouth opened with confusion as his head looked around the scene. There were no witnesses. All that remained was the cargo, and his father had just given him the command to check it.

Regaining his composure, Kanmuri nodded in acknowledgement and used his long sword, Bloodthirsty Crown, to make quick work of the multiple chains locking the cargo in the blink of an eye. Upon opening the cargo, Kanmuri’s body began to shake with building anger. Multiple people chained in a cramp place. He had no idea what they were in there, but the reason better had been a good one.

With a cold, menacing look on his face, Kanmuri would look to his father and ask, “Dad...why are these people chained up like this?”

[MFT: 543 WC]

 

[Kiri]

As he continued down the path along the desert, he would soon feel a strange feeling in the air. As a Jyukkai, he was a little extra-sensitive to chakra pulses, especially when every now and then he would get visit from apparitions of memories. At first glance, he looked out at the vast expanse of desert before him and saw a fleeting transition of the world. What was once sunny and bright and hot, turned into a cold dark night as the wind swept past his face. He saw the vision of the woman he had been following all these years, walking just past him and continuing on under the guidance of the moonlight that was cast under a starless sky. He proceeded to walk further, seemingly following her, but the next time the wind patted him, the world changed once more and he found himself under the bright sun. He raised a hand to shield his eyes before he turned to the side and felt that strange chakra pulse once more.

Narrowing his eyes, he could almost see the existing trail of the chakra pulse before him, though still in the distance. Nevertheless, he would go to it, hoping to find whatever it was. While it was not in his nature to mingle in another’s business, there was just something about this that made him unable to resist. It was like nostalgia and he didn't know if it was his own memories that made him feel that way. Perhaps a bit of the woman’s memories were still at play. Perhaps not. But he was certain that the newfound curiosity was decidedly his.

As he approached, he heard a scream, prompting him to pull out his handguns, rushing ever closer to the slope before finally finding the anomaly in full view. At the foot of the slope, he saw two men… no three, one so happened to be injured, while there were traces of charred bodies around. One of them, a child no less, was close to the carts where Jien found some people inside, chained. He grew unreasonably angry, perhaps it was because of all the actors involved: charred bodies, injured man, chained people, a boy, and a man who was shrouded by that chakra pulse from earlier. He found it appalling to think that the boy would be following this man’s orders, but from the looks of it, that were simply the case. But he shouldn’t jump into conclusions just yet.

Glancing slightly to the ground, Jien let loose a bit of his chakra, letting it run through the ground, coursing under the sand before it rose up just before the collected actors at the foot of the slope. Sand charged in as if like a swaying tide that was about to swallow the tall man.

[469 - MFT]

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Akkuma ensured the man who'd brought him the package was stabilized, he needed the man to be able to give a false report of what happened. Kanmuri's reaction was to be expected but he'd hoped his son would have thought more of him. "Isn't it obvious? We're rescuing them. Setting free those who wish to go free & recruiting those who wish to join us. They were going to be auctioned off in the city for many a reason. Not while I have anything to do about it." he'd say to his son. Before he felt that familiar sensation of chakra being manipulated. Turning he saw a wave of sand being propelled straight towards him. "If I command you to leave, get them out safely." he'd say to his son before the wave crashed into him.

One would be inclined to think the attack had been a success that would be until a murder of crows erupted from the sands. Re-forming into multiple Akkuma's each standing around this newcomer watching him intently. Those crimson eyes locked onto him as the Faustian Fox spoke. "What coward would dare attack me before announcing himself?" he'd ask this newcomer as his many tails flicked behind him with excitement at the thrill of battle. Perhaps his use of the Flock of Shadows would give pause to the individual. Make him think he'd stumbled upon Anbu business. Or he could always experiment on the man. With that thought his mind went back to that time he found himself a lost Kumogakurian beset by bandits. Ri had successfully fought them off only to be captured by Akkuma & have one of his specimens implanted within him.

Clawed hands ran through seals in a blur-like manner causing the very heavens above to grow dark with clouds. A massive lightning tiger began to dance across the sky. Not done yet he proceeded into another series of handseals as he spoke these words. "What's your purpose here before I teach you some manners." with those words he'd complete the second set of handseals causing a massive meteor-like ball of flames to slowly form & descend from the sky towards the being. If he knew anything about either of those techniques he had mere seconds to answer the Fox before he was likely to suffer a world of pain. For the Fox did not take threats lightly nor did he appreciate those who dared attack him with impunity. His patience for it over the years had worn down to a great disdain.

MFT

[Jutsu Used:]
[Flock of Shadows Mastered]
[Kirin Mastered]
[Sol Fire Tempest Mastered]

 

[Ryu Hime]

Given Hakuren’s anbu status, she often watches the gates and thus she was well aware that her clan leader was somewhere outside the gates. Shortly after leaving the village, Hakuren would follow to keep an eye on Akkuma in her usual method. It was her talent for possessing animals that impressed both the Anbu and the Miroku clan as they saw the use of such a talent in the art of espionage. Naturally like any spy she would possess something inconspicuous and thus a wake of vultures fly overhead as Akkuma makes his journey through the seas of sand.

These birds of prey feed on the dead and stalk the dying. It is not uncommon for people to die from heat stroke from the sun’s blazing rays. So a group of vultures following him in expectation of a meal should not raise an eyebrow. Of course that is assuming that he notices them at all considering humans due tend to concentrate their sights at eye level.

From with the body of a vulture she watches everything unfold; the burning of the people, the recruitment of new members and the intervention of some foreigner. Seeing so many dead she found an opportunity for a closer inspection of what was going on down bellow. The group of vultures came scooping down and mingled around a charred body. Using their beaks they pierce into the blacken flesh and rip in off the expose the raw meat hidden beneath. As they feast on their meal of plenty, Hakuren listens in on what was going on between Akkuma and the mysterious man.

 

[Kanmuri]

Heart racing fast and blood rushing to his cheeks, the anger inside the eight year old quickly evaporated like a candle being blown out by the wind. He had no reason to be upset, he assumed based on the situation and made a fool of himself. His embarrassment was obvious.

I can’t believe I was going to confront Dad...It was like...Like I couldn’t even control myself! Kanmuri thought to himself before having flashbacks of the incident.

Shivering, Kanmuri thought to himself, I can’t let this demon, shinigami, or whatever it is control me. No, it wasn’t the shinigami at all! It was my own weakness. I let my emotions get the better of me. I should have known that would never do anything like that. At least not for the right-

Kanmuri’s thoughts were disturbed by a shaking sensation in the ground. A wave of sand seemed to be making its way towards his father, and as much as he wanted to stand next to his dad, Kanmuri was already given the orders to take the others away to safety.

Dang it! First, I assumed dad was doing something wrong. Now, I’m being sent away because of my lack of strength. No, Kanmuri calm down. There are lives at stake. I need to move. The white haired boy told himself.

Instantly, Kanmuri drew his sword and slashed off all the chains holding down the people. With a serious, truthful look in his eye. “Things have gone really bad. If you want to live, you need to follow me. Trust me, I know how bad it is to live as a slave to someone else. I won’t let you suffer anymore.

With a little hesitation, the people would see that Kanmuri was sincere and follow him. Kanmuri would take them a safe distance away before intently watching his father about to take on the wave of sand.

Dad would never need my help, but if he should fall, I’d need to protect these people.

Kanmuri thought to himself while shakily wielding his sword.

But are you really strong enough...Kanmuri-kun…?<i></i>

Kanmuri’s heart would drop as he heard the cold, dark voice of the shinagami within him.

MFT: 386 WC

 

[Kiri]

As he launched his warning attack– though, really, one wouldn’t think of it as anything like a warning, but considering the event that was happening before him, Jien had no choice but to intervene– he then saw that the man was perceptive and flew away into a murder of crows. That allowed him to assess that this person was definitely your ordinary culprit. At the most, this skill was akin to one who possessed the capabilities of an ANBU operative. In addition, he seemingly called forth a lightning shaped creature and began to form the fiery heavens for an offensive attack. That looks definitely overkill for a simple defensive mechanism. It would definitely appear as though this man was most likely the villain of this story.

Jien knew he needed to quickly act as he glanced how the boy was ordered and was seemingly leading those people from earlier. He can’t allow such a thing to happen now. At that, he suddenly let out a surge of his chakra and the area was covered by a strange black mist around the area. In it, he would move to make his action, drawing out both handguns of Dandelion and shot a combination at the white haired man, knowing his location. A soundless shot bursts into a multiple snaring attacks before the final one held in it a shocking aura that would disperse upon contact and potentially disrupt the man. Then, it would allow Jien to chase after the boy and people he was herding away.

Actions used:
Black Mist
Flurry Shot (the special action one with 10 shots)
Voltaic Shot

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Even with such an impressive display of force the mysterious newcomer remained silent. Continuing to attack without giving pause for chance of logic. He was an impulsive fool & Akkuma would see him pay for this insult. For not even the Heavenly display or his use of Flock of Shadows haltered the mans assault. His son set to work freeing those they'd arranged to be intercepted & attempting to move them to safety. Suddenly the Faustian Fox felt another pulse of chakra from his foe, hands quickly flying through handseals Akkuma was surrounded by powerful winds. Using a jutsu known as Cyclone Movement showing that he was no normal shinobi. Akkuma was a Veteran who'd Mastered most of the shinobi techniques in the World. It was then pain filled his body as he felt the impact of multiple bullets digging into his flesh followed by the resounding explosion of sounds. Rage filled the Faustian Fox causing blue kitsune fire to erupt from him, kikai began to coat his hands as he raised a single hand to the heavens.

"If a fight is truly what you wish..." The kikai that covered his hands were a specialized breed that helped in aiding his already powerful regenerative capabilities. Sparks of electricity & fire swirled around his raised hand as he brought it down. Determined to pay back his foe for the insult he'd just received. For Akkuma despised nothing more in this world then guns, just another attempt of progress to make his kind unnecessary. With that single gesture the very Heaven's above would roar as both Kirin & Sol Fire Tempest attempted to strike this mysterious stranger. These two attacks alone would be enough to give any normal being pause for each caused not just the heavens to roar but would shake the very ground from the force of their impact.

"I shall oblige you..." the Kitsune would say as his flesh began to take on a purple hue. While the source of the changes were invisible to the naked eye, the Fox was being covered in millions of nano-sized Rinkaichu. It was then he felt another pang of pain as another bullet pierced his flesh. This one was clearly imbued as he could still feel the static energy in the flesh around the wound as he picked himself back up off the ground. Those crimson eyes locked onto his foe with pure rage as he saw the being attempting to pursue his child. Noting the vultures wondering if all of them were what they seemed. He'd become much more wary of animals since he'd gained a kunoichi with a unique method of Intel gathering.

Condensing chakra between his hands Akkuma formed a Cube of energy before him his eyes locked on his foe. "That is my son you coward!" he roared as the cube burst towards his foe with blinding speed. Upon impact the cube would attempt to expand trapping the mysterious newcomer. This particular technique was dangerous because the user could detonate it anytime they wished. The Faustian Fox was quite over being attacked without provocation & by such rude individuals. Perhaps he should make an example of this being, have his pieces sent back to wherever he came from. Akkuma could wipe every trace of the man from the earth with the right jutsu. Or he could take the man as one of his subjects. For after all what better payback could he get then knowing he'd forever altered the course of the beings life.

MFT
[Actions]
1: Activate Cyclone Movement Mastered - Elemental Aura
2: Weapon; Cursed Kikai

Spoiler

Type: Unarmed; Can Use Handseals while equipped
Modifier: -10% dmg +2 Acc
Augments: Recovery, Re-Energize & Swift

3: Shredding Torrent Mastered at Jien - Affinity Move Debilitate
4: Detachment of the Primitive World Mastered - Affinity Move Focus
Regen:
Healing Factor
Hyperactive

 

[Ryu Hime]

As the cloud shinobi covers the field in a dark mist, the vultures decided it was too dangerous to eat their meal at this moment and flew off. Hidden in the black mist was Hakuren’s body; she had ended her mind transfer and name of the rose jutsu. With this nice veil Jien created, he should be unaware of her presence except for a chakra signature if he was looking for one. Using her distant mind sync she speaks to Akkuma and Kanmuri telepathically. I’m going to possess this one slave and do some play acting. I would like to claim her for my own private use, so if you can restrain from killing her that would be nice. Also I would request not using offensive jutsu that would affect a large area as my physical body would be quite vulnerable.

Considering Hakuren was picking one for her own use, manly to walk around in, appearance was definitely a deciding factor. Hakuren found this slave to be attractive despite her current leg injury. The woman had short brown hair, a slim figure and beautiful hazel eyes. After possessing her Hakuren found on just how much of a prize she was. From what Hakuren could tell this girl was not completely human. The body temperature of the woman was unnaturally cold. Her touch would likely feel like ice sickles. Hakuren had to wonder just what type of slaves was Akkuma trying to attain here? Did he know about this woman? Were they all like this? She wishes she could ask him, but she could not use her bloodline jutsu while possessing a individual.

As Jien rushes at Kanmuri, Hakuren would make her move and run towards Jien. “Please you have to help me. That man told us that he would kill us if we didn’t join him.” She points to the fox tailed man. Assuming he does not expect a thing He will likely try to protect her. As soon as he lets his guard down and back turned towards her, Hakuren will use a water whip jutsu to create a dagger and go to stab him in the back; right between the shoulder blades. “You’re such a fool to be so trusting.”

 

[Kanmuri]

A metallic taste filled Kanmuri’s mouth as fear sent chills down his body. There it was, the shinigami within him, trying to draw him into darkness-trying to destroy the boy from within...destroying his confidence. Kanmuri knew that he was more gifted than the average shinobi, but his current level of power wasn’t enough for him to accomplish his goals. He was currently too weak for that, and the Shinigami knew that.

You can talk all you want, Shinigami. I know I’m flawed. I know I lack competence. I know my room for growth is much larger than I initially thought. That Uchiha taught me that. Anger would fill the mind of the boy as he remembered his trouble during the ANBU in Training Exam. Sure, he came out on top, but how much of it was really his own doing? He was painfully outclassed, and if he didn’t improve, he would never be able to take care of the Uchiha. He’d never be able to take the first step of achieving his goal. Kanmuri clenched his fist as he continued to talk to the Shinigami in his head.

However, I have a duty. I need to prevent others from suffering like I did. These people, though I don’t know their circumstances, were chained, subjugated, and humiliated. I have no choice but to help them survive, even if I end up dying in the process. Then, I’d know for sure that I’d done all I could and fate would resolve the rest…

“Heh....it’s alright, Kanmuri-kun. We’ll see just how long that positive perspective of your perseveres...especially as your time...runs out… The Shinigami would respond as his voice slowly faded away.

Although, his fear was gone, Kanmuri was far from safe. A strange, black mist would begin to rapidly spread across the field. Despite his sight being inhibited, Kanmuri was sure of one thing. The mysterious person was running towards him.

“Run!” Kanmuri would scream to the people behind him. “I’ll hold him off as long as I can. Kanmuri would scream as he instantly prepped for the oncoming battle; however, to his relief, his father would scream in defense of him. With a flash, a huge white cube would make its way toward the mysterious person and the sky above would scream while the sand below their feet shook. Tension filled the air as great power was put on display. A screeching sound of what appeared to sound like a monster would then be heard by Kanmuri as his eyes were open in awe.

Due to recent influx of power in the area, wind would flow into the face of Kanmuri as he began to run back to the free prisoners while thinking So this....is the power of ninjutsu!

With his back to the battlefield, Kanmuri would the hear an unfamiliar voice in his head talking about setting up a distraction. The eight year old’s eyebrows would furrow in confusion, but he had no time to think about who the new voice in his head was and what the source was. He needed to get these people to safety and soon sprinted to their front and led them farther away from the battlefield, but close enough to see what was going on.

 

[Kiri]

As he pursued the fleeing party, he would soon come to see that the boy was quite formidable himself. A gathering of wind suddenly rushes alongside him and the black mist gets blown away. He knew better than to take them as a fool, so in testament to that, Jien raised his rifle and made a quick shot at the boy. Chakra weaved into the projectile as it would suddenly form into something longer that upon collision would bind the across the boy's body and keeping him still on the spot.

Still, there was another obstacle as one of the fleeing people played victim at him. Jien didn’t need to think twice at the act as his Jyukkai power could sense the aberration within the latter, the memories muddling over as if something was in possession. So when the slave-turned-puppet assaulted him, Jien took a quick step back to avoid the strike, before kicking the latter away.

Then a roar would be heard overhead as he glanced back to the white man from earlier. Anger was obvious in his voice as he launched a more menacing thing. It was at that moment that Jien’s own instincts kicked in. A distant memory, perhaps not even his own, override his consciousness as he body quickly went to work. His body would be surrounded by a black mist before he disappears upon impact with that strange cube. Just then, he would reappear again in front of the white-haired man and attempt to catch him, forming a link as his Jyukkai power would try to invade the other’s memories. Normally, it would simply probe for a way to manipulate and recreate a jutsu that the target knew… however…

The thunderous form of the beast from earlier, along with the raining fiery inferno would converge to create a thunder sandstorm that wrecks havoc within the area. This untimely fusion of jutsu power would alter the Jyukkai power, sending a stream of consciousness between both Jien and this white haired man. Flashes of imagery appears before their eyes – a woman, dark-haired and olive skin, and a pale raven-haired man, touching, kissing, and pretty much making out until the scene jumps and the woman sighs with a name. The vision continues for the two, while a blowing nasty gale around the rest of them sets the boy and the slaves to survival mode for the next few minutes of this terrifying thunder sandstorm.