Event [Event - RRV] Viral Rumors

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun led his acquaintance along through the streets of Konoha, headed towards the outskirts of their village. "Crater City is our rougher side. A lot of deals happen here that usually end up interrupted by higher ups," Shun continued, having given a brief rundown of what little he knew of his village's enemies. He hadn't been alive too long, and a majority of his learnings had been herbal and combat, not history. "I happen to work at a bar here. It's closed right now, though, because of the virus." Once they arrived at the outskirts of Crater City, Shun started his path towards the side of town he knew. "I heard a little talk when all of it started, but the boss was quick to close, so I didn't learn a lot."

Whether or not the regulars he had would have information, Shun wasn't sure. What he was sure of, however, is that they love to talk. They might have heard something since their last encounter that could be useful. And if he could get ahold of Shion, he would definitely have insight on things Shun wouldn't in the city. "We could talk to a few people, see if anyone knows anything about the rumors. There's also a few herbal shops here that could sell spices. They might know where goods that unnatural would be going, if it's true." Shun didn't mean to feel so bossy, but the person he'd unluckily been paired with didn't seem like the type to listen too well anyway. He was sure his suggestions would fall on drunkenly deaf ears, something a lot of his patrons seemed to have in common.

"If you have any ideas, feel free to share them. I'm not against unique and unusual strategies." Once the words left his lips, he wasn't sure if it was a good decision to offer that to someone he knew absolutely nothing about. "So long as they don't cause us more trouble than good."

WC: 329
MFT
Shun speech
Shun thought

 

[Kureji]

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I already know about ole Crater City. Only the deals with the inexperienced are the ones that get caught since they're sloppy and careless. Was looking more for someone with real dirt on Leaf, as that would help narrow down possible candidates. I doubt some careless nobody would come up with a plan like biowarfare." He said with such confidence that there could be more to it than just some faraway disease or even a curse. Being around the world helped him build up his own intellect in its own way. Yes, he's crazy, but Kureji is far from being a dumb person. Which reminds him... Since he's acting as a merc, he forgot to name his price for working for Leaf. Oh well, he'll just talk with Nao after this all blows over.

Listening to Shun speak some more, Kureji would over-exaggeratedly shrug his shoulders. "Cinnamon, spice, and everything nice. Sure you can check just any herbal shop, but to have something strong and potent, it would have to be from a gaudy ass herb place. Oooorrrrrr." He would elongate the 'or', "You can leave me to sniff out the real good black-market stuff to see if I come up with any leads."

He would smile, his face contorting in some kind of wicked, almost inhuman way, and start laughing hysterically as the younger shinobi asked him if he has any ideas since he isn't against any unusual plans. Shun would see the look in his eyes that would signify that the other one is now in charge of the body. He grabbed Shun by the scruff of his collar and whispered in a low tone. "Trust me and play along." He would say before raising his voice into a shout, "You Leafies are all the same ya know! You act like the freaking law around here when you need to mind your business! You probably don't even know what fun even is! You fun police!" With that said and done, Kyōki would let him go. "Screw this. Imma rock and party and hang with some real fun people!" He would walk away. His plan, to create a scene and push any peoples' thoughts of him working with Leaf so that he can chat with those who also don't trust Leaf or even might have a hand in this virus thingymajig. He just hopes that the kid is smart enough to catch onto the act.

(WC: 407)

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun listened as his counterpart explained his view of the people getting caught in this city. Sloppy and careless...is that why we got caught back then? It seemed so, given how horrendously their deal went. Losing his entire found family to something he didn't even realize was that big of a deal when he was involved. A team is only as strong as its weakest link...was that me?

He shook away the thoughts. Now was not the time to get distracted. Especially as his words seemed to trigger something different in his companion. That smile, that laugh, it was familiar in a way Shun couldn't place just yet. Either way, he listened to his counterpart as his collar was grabbed. Hearing the words "trust me" nearly made him scoff, but he watched as the other put on quite the show for anyone nearby.

Shun had a bit of a name in this town, despite his strong connections to Leaf's shinobi. A lot of people knew he worked in the Medical field of Leaf, due to his busy schedule keeping him to a specific work routine. It took a bit of getting to know people in town and everyone not trusting him for a while before he finally gained a little bit of credit in Crater City. His patrons were great connections due to his medical knowledge providing them a relatively hangover-free follow-up to their drinking escapades, and the herbal shops were a regular favorite of his outside of work due to his workings in the Byoin greenhouse and his own personal garden.

"Just because I don't want to get myself in trouble doesn't mean I can't have some fun." Shun fell into step behind Kureji's boldness, adjusting his ponytail and removing his headband. He slipped it into his bag, since most of the people here knew he didn't wear it out of respect for their own dealings. Once he stepped foot into Crater City, he was deaf to the under dealings of the area. Anonymous tips, occasionally, sure. But not enough to ruin what little trust he'd gained so far.

Shun slid a little closer to mutter a message under his breath. "I work here. I have a reputation. I don't snitch on my people." Just to make sure Kureji knew his involvement wouldn't necessarily shut down their opportunities. If his counterpart were to approach someone he didn't deal with often, he'd keep his own distance, but he would check out his connections too.

As they made their way through the streets, Shun pulled out a notepad he kept in his bag and worked up a quick and simple note for his friend in the city. He'd at least slip it under the door while passing by in case Shion had any information to offer them.

WC: 466
Shun speech
Shun thought

 

[Sazuki Nao]

They didn’t say anything else and quickly turned around, hurrying off with their footsteps getting faster and their laughter fading away. However, not everyone was scared. A pair of eyes glimmered with curiosity in a shadowy part of the alley. Lyra leaned against the rough stone wall, her breath visible in the cold air. She had heard the tales—about a man who spoke in riddles and knew all about the city’s secrets, its hidden treasures, and shady dealings. The laughter was like a siren’s song, pulling her closer to where it came from.

“Hold on,” she said, grabbing Rafe's arm just as he was about to run away. “We can’t just bail. This might be our opportunity.”“Are you out of your mind? That could be a total maniac!” Rafe replied, his gaze shifting anxiously.“ Or it could be a treasure trove to information,” Lyra argued, her tone steady yet quiet. “Consider it. We’ve been trapped in these boring jobs for ages. If he is interested in what's around here, it could show us a path to something better.”

Reluctantly, Rafe sighed, but he could see the determination in Lyra’s eyes. “Fine, but I’m not sticking around if he starts talking about sacrifices or some nonsense.” They cautiously made their way toward the source of the laughter. The sound grew louder, more chaotic... Finally, they found him. The figure stood tall, cloaked in shadows with a wild mane of hair. "You Leafies are all the same ya know! You act like the freaking law around here when you need to mind your business! You probably don't even know what fun is! You fun police!" he cackled, his voice echoing off the cobblestones.

Lyra exchanged a glance with Rafe, and despite his apprehension, he nodded. "Howdy there..." spoke the male of the two towards the crazed one. Lyra quickly chimed in. "Solve this... and we will guide you." And right there, Rafe would speak the riddle. “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?” Rafe’s brow furrowed, and for a moment, silence filled the air, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the city.

----------------------------------------

The news about the virus had reached every part of the globe, spreading rumors quickly like a fire. It was called a ghost, instilling fear in even the most courageous, with symptoms that could be deadly. Now, someone was curious about who was behind it all. The young male took the note from under a door. "Action so soon..?" He questioned softly before a smirk got to him. "I will play this game." As quickly as he could, he would try to get all the information needed while keeping tabs on Shun.

At one point, a pawprint note was stuck on a board where Shun would pass by, inside the note would be the following. “I’ve heard rumors. Some say it’s a bioweapon gone rogue. Others suggest a cult is testing something lethal. This isn’t just a virus anymore; it’s a game of power. People will kill to keep their secrets safe. Elias Kane, he holds the answers.” Within the note, a map would be drawn along with a picture of a mask. The map would lead further inside of the Black Market with a hidden entrance. A picture of the mask, that was a black auction. If Shun turned the note over... He would find a clock, pointing at 4pm.

[both post once, then I will take my turn depending on needing action.]

 

[Kureji]

Kyōki had a hint of annoyance as whilst Shun had caught on to his act, though the kid seemed to refuse to leave his side. With a sigh, he felt the need to have Kureji take over. And in a split second, Kureji was back. He was about to say something when a couple more kids rushed up to him and was talking about riddles and whatnot. Seriously, he's the type of person no village shinobi would want to trust their pina colada's with, much less a kid. Why? Well... He already has one kid, and well... Left her in Wind Country.

He shook his head and said, "Riddles ain't my thing." He waved his hand as he walked away. "I'll leave that to you, Mr. Reputation." And with that, he would go deeper into the city. By now, Cerberus would jump down from a roof of a nearby small building and land next to Kureji. "Finally we get some breathing room to sniff around how we want, eh Cerberus?"

All three heads let out a huff at the same time, signifying to their human brother that they agree. A man standing six foot tall with a three headed dog just as tall as him while it's on all four legs is bound to draw attention. And no doubt Kyōki's outburst earlier would bring the more desirables to him, the ones that have dirt on Leaf, and therefore, will have some sort of information he can work off on.

And, if that fails, he knows that Cerberus can sniff out anything unusual here. Cerberus himself has lived in Crater City for a long while now and knows the usual scents of things. Which means, if anyone were to follow them, Cerberus would know and tell Kureji. Likewise, Cerberus would be able to pick up any scents that are not common in Crater City.

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun was glad that Shion's house happened to be on their path. He knew to keep an eye out for hidden messages in return, given he's less trusted in the area. It would take some time though, to get the information back. Shun focused on his friend and his path instead, shifting the bag on his shoulder. He was glad he'd helped his dad harvest the night before; his small collection of dried herbs would be plenty of reason to visit shops and ask for information. Whether or not it would be enough in return for communications, he'd have to see.

Two strangers approached them, offering a riddle that seemed aimed towards his counterpart. However, said counterpart left the riddle in his hands as he wandered off to investigate elsewhere. As the silence rang around him, Shun rolled his eyes, looking to the man that had offered the riddle to begin with. "Apologies for...well, him. Shun, bartender at the Peak Lounge." He took a moment to think over the riddle once more.

Speaking with no mouth...hearing with no ears...no body, alive in the wind. So not something physical... His memory brought him excerpts from literature in their library. He'd read many books about the different elements of jutsu, but genjutsu was a new realm he had been exploring recently. Four main types, but one of them stood out in his reading. One excerpt about audial genjutsu spoke on how wind carries sound. Shun felt a smile tug at his lips. "An echo. To answer your riddle." He lifted his gaze from where it fell in his concentration, meeting the male's gaze again. "Though I understand your intentions were to get him following, I'm happy to take your guidance." He didn't recognize their faces - either newer guests or they never visited his spot - but he didn't feel this was a bad decision. They needed information, wherever they could get it.

WC: 319
Shun speech
Shun thought

 

[Sazuki Nao]

unbeknown to the rogue shinobi, this had been their test to him. Once the other person started to answer the riddle... They nodded to each other. "Since you know him we will guide you a little... but we won't help further." It seemed that they misjudged the first person... and all they did was lead them toward the black market's regular entrance.

--------- Somewhere else ---------
The air was thick and heavy, and there was a smell of damp bricks and something metallic. A man standing in his lab coat and watching the person before him. Across from him was a man leaning against a dented dumpster. He was a broad figure with a stained leather jacket, his face partially hidden beneath the cap. The only thing noticeable was the scar running across his face. "Dr. Thorne..." The voice of the booming man sounded rasp, almost like gravel against stone. Normally in a meeting, you would shake hands, but that wasn't the case here. The doctor felt his heart hammering in his chest as he started to nod. It never made it any easier.

The man chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. “The ‘Red Virus.’ A fancy way of saying ‘modified virus,’ doc. You scientists are always so delicate with your words.” He pulled out a cigarette and in the brief moment of lighting his lighter you could see his face, which shaped his scar even better. The man held out his hand as if he was going to receive something.

The doctor remained silent for a moment as if weighing the man's words. Finally, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small, sealed vial, holding it up to what little light there was. The liquid inside swirled ominously. The man carefully tucked away the vial, it felt heavier than it was looking... With the exchange complete, The man simply nodded once more and turned, disappearing back into the labyrinthine alleyway without another word.

The doctor stood there, legs trembling through the exchange. He knew the risks, of course, the ethical minefield he was navigating. He’d told himself it was for the greater good, that his work would ultimately benefit humanity. Slowly he started to laugh before he too started to make a move. Unbeknown to the few through the black-market.

--------- Back with the group ---------

"This is far as we are going to guide you... You should be happy pretty boy..." he would speak towards Shun before making a vanishing act along with the girl... But some others were lurking in the group that just entered. Even a few in cloaks got near, weapons drawn and the thrid one shot an arrow towards them.

[Ooc; please state your actions in an ooc message. This will not be modded with rolls, but you can only spend 10AP worth of actions. The only thing that will be rolled is a d20 in the start against one another of what will happen further. Right now you have 3 enemies, a doctor roaming around and a vial is being transported.]

 

[Kureji]

Kureji walked around bored out of his mind. Since Cerberus hasn't really picked up on much, Kureji decided to go to the more black market type of areas. And lo and behold! Who did he find there other than Ponytail himself! He was quick to recognize the danger Shun was in, though should he jump in?

Cerberus let out a huff that got Kureji's attention. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I should help out." He passed by a person that was near a karaoke machine and handed them a few yen, "Pick a song that has a good guitarist I can rock to. Then use the rest of the money for whatever you feel like. Just stay out of the biz biz that's gonna happen."

He flashed a smile that would make any fan girl faint and dream of fantasies before he brought out his own guitar, a weapon in disguise and strummed a few chords before yelling at the top of his lungs, "HEY HEY CRATER CITY!!! ARE WE READY TO ROCK?! Now I know we all don't like Leaf ninja, but let's keep the stabbings to a minimum till after the shows over." As he said that, he had channeled his chakra into his guitar and focusing on using the genjutsu that will come from his music at Shun's aggressors. Whether or not it works is another story, but he does have more up his sleeves than just music, In fact, this guitar is much more than it looks. He figured there's gotta be some people in Crater City that likes rock music, heck, rock music is like the definition of freedom, and he's betting that the people of Crater City yearn for something like that away from Leaf.

Meanwhile, Cerberus is lurking around, waiting for the opportunity to strike, a low growl coming from him that is now being masked by the sound of Kureji's Electric guitar and some people wanting to rock out.

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun followed his guides who were kind enough to lead him despite their initial target running off for his own reasons. Upon his walking, however, he noticed a note fixed on a board that had a symbol he recognized. Shion managed to get back to me! With a slight grin, he grabbed the note and tucked it into his pocket. Despite their guidance only getting him to the entrance of the black market ring, he was still thankful for the two mysterious strangers. He didn't know this side of the town quite as well, given he tried to keep his nose out of these sorts of dealings to keep his reputation in the area relatively clean. If his vendors found out he was breaking underground deals on the regular, he'd lose half his business and likely his position, given Shion wasn't too keen on Leaf either.

Once they'd made it to the entrance, Shun pulled the note out of his pocket and gave it a quick read. Elias Kane? Well, at least they had a lead now. If they could track down Kane, they might get a lot closer to their answers. He saw a map scribbled on the bottom, something he took a moment to digest a little further. However, he didn't have much time to take in the rest of the information, given a familiar voice decided to make a grand announcement. Shun sighed and tucked the note back into his pocket before looking up and noticing an arrow flying his direction. Shun didn't have time to fully dodge, taking the arrow to his leg in his attempt to move out of the line of shot. This is familiar, he thought as he grit his teeth in pain. He'd have to deal with that later. Right now, he was surrounded, and it looked like his counterpart was taking up behind him for defense.

Shun readied himself for battle, drawing his kunai out of his holster and raising his hands. He took a deep breath to stabilize his mind before taking off in an attempt to strike his foes down.

Actions sent! This is gonna be fun

MFT
WC: 351
Shun speech
Shun thought

 

[Sazuki Nao]

The man in coats was not from around here, their large physics made that already widely known, but there was something with them. There were only 2 males and 1 female on closer look. One of the males started to tank the first set of jutsus from the men. “Is that all huh punks?” He questioned out loud while a chanting started in the back. The other man started to rush forward with a raised fist, hailing down just beside the rock and roll artist. Almost a hit. “Just stand still like a good dog.” He taunted after he had seen the man shift in his mannerisms.


The gas was something none of them even had been prepared for. The people around started to scatter even more in panic than they already had been before. A few could be thought of as having a death wish and ran through the middle of this fight and met their end. A destructive shot hit the poor bystander and they were already dead by the moment they hit the ground.


Screams started to fill around till it became quiet, the place was deserted and bodies were piling up, a few showing symptoms from the illness, but only those of the starting ones.


A hailstorm started to form and it started to affect the trio in numerous ways. “Still not done?!” Spoke to the tanky guy towards the lady in ropes in the back. “This takes time you buffoon!” She spat back and watched the more slender person attempt a sneak attack on the rocker. Yet a creature started to take hold of him. “You rotten beast!” He had to change his tactic soon but fell soon asleep. The tank shook his head, trying to fight the drowsy and the woman simply smirked. “Those cheap tricks won’t work on me…” She spoke and soon the area started to heat up and the frozen droplets started to turn into rain.


“FIRESTORM!” She called out, a huge circle first spanned the area they were in followed by a lot of fire raining down on the place. Parts of the roof started to collapse widely and suddenly… A scream, a scream of a man who gripped to his face. The man wearing a doctor's coat. The tank started to move towards the man in the coat. Almost in a defending matter before shaking his head, he was so sleepy.


It made a charge for Kureji but suddenly fell with a young male on his back. Shun had done a shadow step strike, which made him unable to use his shards.

“My eyes! my eyes!! Like this, I cannot work!”


[Ooc; The area is now in havoc, broken down pieces of structure, bodies are starting to pile up and there is rain due to the hail + heat. One of the goons is into sleep thanks to Kureji, The big man is dead due to Shuns shadow step strike, the lady is left.]

 

[Kureji]

"Geez you guys sound like the bad guys off of some old movie that just failed to even catch the audience." He said as he would effortlessly dodge attacks. "Like seriously, 'just stand still like a good dog'? That really the best insult you got? No wonder you're a nobody!" Powers coursed through him as he readied himself for battle. Once that was done, he strummed a chord on his guitar and gas came out, making the entire place go into a panic. He didn't mind that, he is someone that thrives in chaos after all.

Though, with all these people running about, one of his attacks didn't really hit its intended target. With a sigh, he waited for the non-participants to leave. Yes, he's technically a bad guy, but he doesn't find any fun in killing civilians. His hands strummed the chords of his guitar again, this time he focused on the music. Cerberus was quick to latch onto a goon that was about to attack Kureji. Which gave the rocker ample time to finish his guitar solo and put ole sneaky sneak to sleep. Not only that, but it seemed to work wonders on tankman which Ponytail had finished off. Now only that's left is fire girl.

He yawned as the girl yelled out firestorm, like a total badass. Fires whipped around everywhere. "Really? Yelling out what you're going to do? That is so cliche." He started to laugh, a maniacal laughter that Shun would pick up easily now that he's been around Kureji for a while to know the personality switch is happening. "You want a show?! Then let's give Crater City a spectacle to remember you by, because I'm about to rock the foundations of this place away along with the memory of you!!!!!" He would see someone sneaking around so he strummed a chord, making the man blind.

"Hey Ponytail. Handle screaming guy over there. I'm gonna play with Fire girl. You're at disadvantage against her anyways."

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun watched as chaos engulfed this area of the city, bystanders taking critical wounds left and right. He shook his head, knowing he needed to remain focused. The pain in his knee when he took his next step definitely shocked him back into reality for a moment. His hailstorm led to rain when one of their adversaries melted his ice technique. Fire began to rain down around them, thankfully handled decently by the rain the combination of elements created. With a steady downpour now affecting his field of vision, Shun refocused his gaze on the largest of their enemies.

The tank began to charge, and Shun took action, taking the man down and ignoring his scream. He didn't mean to strike so hard; perhaps his training had improved him beyond his own knowledge. Shun knelt down quickly, feeling for a pulse and finding none. He'd killed a man.

The rain soaking through his clothes felt like nothing against his cold skin. The chill coursing through his Yuki veins felt like all he knew now. I killed him.

The world around him went silent as this information began to sink in. Is this the world I wanted? Is this what it means to do my job? I'm in medical training, and I killed a man.

A familiar voice rang through the silence, and Shun looked up to his companion, letting the suggestion take hold for a moment. They weren't done here. If I stop now, we'll die.

With this thought attempting to drown out his others, Shun looked to the man screaming and covering his face. He stood back up, nodding his head and rushing after the man.

Shun speech
Shun thought

 

[Sazuki Nao]

"Stop blabbering!" The witch yelled to the man behind her, she already had such trouble with this pesky little thing that whatever the doctor was doing wasn't helping. Now as most would think, these goons are chakra people. So must this doctor be. but that wasn't the case. He was just a regular genius hired to make this formula. He did not understand what was happening right here and now.

The fire started to evaporate the water, making it slowly a thin mist. Soon that mist was mixed in with an aura, something that made the person in front of Kureji clutch at her weapon. "T-that is foul play!" she stammered and tried to make up her next move against the man. She slowly started to prepare for another move, but the guitarist was a tad quicker. A large light started to fill the area, followed it a grand explosion. Far and wide, a cloud of a mushroom could be seen, the lady got blown away against a wall, the dead guy got pushed to the side and the sleeping guy... he was lucky. His armor made it so it bounced off against a beam. But that very beam was above the doctor. It was the Ice prison of the young male that saved the doctor if only by a hair. The man was trapped below and screaming. It was the only thing that he could do... Along with screaming a name, that they would be doomed.

A dust cloud was slowly falling in, clouding everyone's sight inside the place, which was at this point half destroyed. The man lying below the rubble was stuck, his lower half stuck below the debris and slowly a pool of blood started to together. Time would be ticking.

The lady slowly got up, gritting her teeth. "as if a stupid horse would better me..." She scalded at the genjutsu that had been used on her... But she too would be aiming a technique at the guitarist that caused this in the first place. With the most simple jutsu for beginners, she moved herself to right beside the man. Inhaling air, and the next second, Exhaling an ignited burst of flame. Dragon Fire... But the real target wasn't the guitarist, it was the young man who was running to the doctor. She was already smiling, already thought that she had a win in... But didn't think for a second about defense. Not only did she get attacked by the Cerberus, but she too got blinded by a solar flare and on top stabbed. She made a critical error. She started to laugh as she took distance. "TO HELL!! I WILL SHOW YOU THE GREATEST JUSTU I KNOW." She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Right at that time, the goon that had been put to sleep, had woken up... He was disoriented, to say the least, and if felt as if his whole body was hurting. He slowly got up, judged the way around him... and managed to make his escape, that was all because everyone was too busy with the lady. Who, in turn, poured a most powerful fire technique. Her chakra started to morph into a fearsome image of a large magma monster. The flames coming out of the joints were manipulated by the user, and now people could say that this was to burn brighter and brighter until the ball of magma was fully engulfed in flames.

The area around them started to become scorching hot, the lady was manically laughing about it.. But she too was soon trapped into an Iron Maiden, the heat started to get to her fast. The screams were slowly coming from within.... and I will add a subtle Fade to black to save you two the poor details of this woman's death.

With the lady dead... there was no one controlling the Abysmal which was now running rampant.... The whole place was set aflame, everything of metal is hot to the touch and the doctor was slowly dying if nothing happened. Jutsu never stated... if the person needed to be alive once cast, there was only one most common knowledge about the creations, they had a timer.

[OOC note;
The lady is dead, the tank is dead, the doctor is pinned below rubble. His wounds are severe but no lethal. BUT, he will be paralysed. The tiny goon is gone, he ran and fled. You are now faced with an Abysmal Harbinger on rampage if nothing left done, for 30s... everything will be destroyed.

 

[Kureji]

Kyōki would strum the strings of his guitar as he scowled. "Didn't Kota pay some random person to put some good music on?! Fine!! I'll do it myself!!!" His music, encased with chakra would fill the air, but this time, it was no attack, everyone would be able to hear what sounds like singing. His fingers shredded through the strings as explosive chakra started forming in front of him. Soon, there will be nothing but CHAOS!!!! A blinding light, followed by a mushroom cloud where his targets once stood.

As their ears would ring from the explosion, they would be able to hear his crazed laughter. Despite him being at ground zero, he was unharmed, that is because he had full control of the technique. If he really wanted to, he would wipe Crater City off the map. But it goes back to Kureji's moral code. Don't try and harm the civilians. Ninja and evil people and anyone in between, now that's a different story. "Horse? Lady, I do not go NEIGH!!!!!!!"

And he strummed some more notes as she closed the distance between the two of them. He smiled even though he was not her target as she seem to disregard him entirely. "The boy is not part of this performance! ALL EYES ON ME!!!" Daggers would erupt from his guitar, making use of the woman being so close to Kyōki and stabbed her, along with a slew of attacks from both Shun and Cerberus.

He gave her a look of a crazy man that just got the best present as she told him that she is going to show them her greatest jutsu. Magma rose up and formed a kaiju of pure fire. He would let out another crazed laugh as he would trap the woman inside of his guitar. Okay, now was it wrong to do? Especially since the size of the guitar and.... He decided to not go into it much. Just for record, this might have been the most messed up thing he has done, but now they got another playmate to deal with.

Cerberus growled at the behemoth of a fire giant before them. Kyōki's facial features softened as Kureji took over again. "Bro, really??? I just got this guitar." He complained to his other half before he looked at the Abysmal harbinger. "I gave you control for a little while and you just gotta get carried away like that, seriously." "He said to his other self and then addressed the monster. Yo, hot head! Any chance you can just chill out and just ya know. Poof outta here. No? Well, have it your way." He would approach the monster before raising his voice just oud enough for Shun to hear. "Ponytail! I'm feeling selfish and want to play some more. Just keep tending to doctor dude and keep him restrained. Me and Cerberus got this. Now... What song should I play now?"

 

[Senju Akio]

A single candle flickered on the nightstand as Nao’s voice carried softly through the hospital’s hush. “Don’t be reckless,” his sensei had said, his arms folded, his voice stern but also holding compassion and concern. “Waking from a coma is only the first step. Your muscles, your chakra channels... they’re still adjusting. Promise me you’ll take it slow.” Akio laid there, supported by pillows, trying to mask how foreign his own body felt after so many dormant weeks. Though he nodded in agreement, the doubt in his heart swelled. Akio wanted to help.

Time passed, and while Akio honored his word and his sensei's advice, a growing restlessness haunted him. He would stroll the village streets, watch the hospital’s training yard from the sidelines, and occasionally run errands for the med-nin staff. But each small step back into normal life felt like it just wasn't enough. The tension in his chest only tightened with every victim he saw while the sickness was running unchecked. "I’ve done enough resting. I can’t wait around for this to solve itself. I gotta do something!"

That chance came sooner than expected. Late one afternoon, Akio ventured beyond the village walls for a quiet walk through the outskirts of Fire Country. He found a secluded grove, a spot where towering trees nearly eclipsed the sun. There, he pressed his hand to the trunk of a centuries-old oak, exhaled, and began the Root Network Jutsu. He understood the technique’s intense demands; once he started, he’d be unable to move or react swiftly. So he steadied his breath, closed his eyes, and let nature’s pulse envelop him.

Slowly, a tapestry of distant shapes and swirling chakras formed in his mind’s eye. The web of roots beneath him reached far, tapping into the living network of nearby forests, grasses, even patches of moss clinging to city walls. Focusing, he pushed the boundary deeper, beyond quiet farmland and abandoned trails, until he sensed something roiling with violent energy. Crater City. Chaos raged there like an angry storm, flaring with blasts of chakra, screams, and twisted surges of emotion. Even in that tumult, however, one presence stood out: a smaller figure sprinting away from the main fray, pulses of panic in every footstep. At the heart of the carnage, he also detected strong signatures. He saw a strange shinobi, seemingly a musician, a man that seemed to thrive on havoc, and someone else who felt controlled yet shaken, but who had a chakra signature Akio felt he could recognize.

Then an abrupt wave of noise inside his mind made him gasp. The Root Network was showing him more than he could parse in real time—civilians running, buildings crumbling, people calling for help. His heart pounded. "I have to tell someone about this right now!" His mind screamed silently. Struggling not to break concentration too soon, Akio extracted himself gently from the network. The moment he released his palm from the oak’s bark, his vision spun. A headache drilled behind his eyes, an unavoidable side effect of channeling so much information in one go. Wincing, Akio steadied himself against the tree. Once the dizziness cleared, he pivoted on his heel and dashed back toward Konohagakure, hoping to find Nao. If Leaf's neighboring city was about to burst into an inferno of violence, they would need the best med-nin in Leaf on hand. Nao, or at least his guidance, could mitigate the tragedy. But as Akio scoured the hospital wards, communal areas, and even the administrative offices, dashing as fast as his chakra-fueled legs could carry him, there was no trace of Nao anywhere. Moments bled into minutes, and frustration fueled urgency.

He stood at the threshold of a bustling corridor, scanning each face in the crowd. Still nothing. Exhaling shakily, Akio realized he was wasting precious time. "Nao would want me to act if someone was really in trouble and I couldn’t find him." Sliding on his grandfather's bracers, he turned on his heel. “Sorry, Nao-sensei... I’ll explain later,” he muttered, already sprinting for the village gates. He recalled the swirl of destructive chakra from his Root Network scan, the countless innocents likely caught in the crossfire. Trees blurred into green-and-brown streaks as he Chakra Jumped from branch to branch, aiming for Crater City. The forest canopy quivered at each leap, leaves fluttering in his wake. Though he could still feel the dull ache in his joints, he forced himself to push on, his mentor's warnings be damned. If the situation in Crater City was as dire as his vision suggested, then every moment counted.

Before long, the skyline of Crater City emerged, lined with thick smoke and crackling embers. Buildings lay half-collapsed or openly aflame, while crowds of survivors clamored to escape. The stench of scorching timber mixed with bitter chemicals stung Akio’s throat. He skidded to a stop near the outer rim of destruction and, though shaken, launched into action. Water jutsu doused smaller fires, and patches of Mystical Hand staved off the worst wounds on civilians he encountered. "This is horrible..." He thought, layering a fresh wave of water over a corner where flame threatened to spread. "No wonder the Root Network seemed so panicked."

In the distance, a violent explosion boomed, accompanied by maniacal laughter and wicked guitar-playing, one of the most rockin' sounds Akio had heard in his entire life, and Kureji’s trademark. The shockwave rattled broken rafters, sending debris cascading onto the street. Just ahead, Akio spotted a tall young man with a blood-stained pant leg. He recognized him from his countless days hanging around Leaf's most famous hospital as a child. His name was Shun, if he wasn’t mistaken. The Leaf medic wore a stricken expression, likely from fighting in the middle of this chaos. “Shun!” Akio raised his voice above the din and rushed closer, forming a quick Coagulation seal to stop the visible bleeding from the arrow wound in Shun’s leg. “Shun! It's me Akio, from the Byoin!” Akio called, face etched with concern. “I saw some guy running away when I was comin' here! Was that who did this?! Or... is he?” The Senju asked his fellow med-nin hopeful, his eyes clearly pointing towards Kureji, but his words looking to Shun, who was four years his elder, for guidance amidst the catastrophe. However, Akio didn't wait for an answer before rapidly forming the handseals of the Rain Dance jutsu, thinking quickly to try to control the fires that raged through Crater City.

Though he was breathless and panicked, Akio’s resolve shone through his tired emerald eyes. He might have broken his promise to Nao that he'd rest, but if he could help save lives or help pinpoint the cause of this catastrophe, he knew that his actions would do his mentor proud, reckless or not.

[MFT .:. 1123 words]

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun felt the chaos around him beginning to affect his focus. He dashed after the doctor, barely catching another attack and using his Solar Flare reflexively. Thanks to relatively good timing from his current companion, the woman was caught off guard and swiftly removed from the battle. He ignored the raging regret in his stomach reaching a near bile point, instead barely managing to save the screaming man from falling debris that would have likely killed him. Shun's Ice Prison managed to take most of the impact of the fallen beam, but it still shattered quickly given the unstable heat surrounding them. The man was pinned to the ground, and Shun felt faint from the onslaught of further pained screams now escaping the doctor.

He rushed forward, only hoping at this point that his companion would be able to carry the battle for him while he focused on saving at least one man's life today. Shun immediately summoned a Medical Assistant clone, who immediately started treating the doctor with a Skeletal Fortification jutsu. Shun took a moment to collapse next to the clone and the man, the loss of blood from his leg clearly the cause of most of his physical distress.

He heard another voice, one he hadn't heard in quite some time. Shun lifted his dreary gaze to a familiar face, one he had been helping with in the Byoin with this mysterious virus before he was sent out on the field to investigate. The moment Akio coagulated his wound, he felt quite some relief. His strength and focus was so spent that he didn't even think to use his knowledge on himself. "Akio, it's good to see you awake," he spoke with a small smile, looking over to their companion that was actively fighting off the last of their enemies. "He's a unique case, but he isn't our enemy. We took out the main three that caused a scene, but the flames, the Abysmal Harbinger..." Shun felt relief as the rain started to assist in the heat surrounding them.

He forced himself to his feet, the clone tending to the doctor while Shun reset himself to finish the last of their adversaries. "We can't let Crater City burn like this."

Shun allowed himself to sink into a technique as he formed handseals, hoping his jutsu would give him a bit of an advantage in getting close enough for his final attack. Should the rain overwhelm most of the remaining flames or not, Shun focused his remaining energy on gathering as much water as he could in hopes to end this battle as quickly as possible, aiming wave of water at the Harbinger in hopes to trap it.

WC: 450
MFT
Shun speech
Shun thought

 

[Sazuki Nao]

Before Akio was able to make his way to the scene. He had done numerous things, which all seemed to be in success. he healed those people, mended a few fires before arriving to the scene.

The harbinger was going on a rampage, and a lot was going down in just a few seconds. A black barrier started to surround the people inside, which were Corpeses, the harbinger, the doctor, and the 3 shinobi. They were now cut off from the outside world... And just outside of the barrier, was that one little man, trembling and shaking. He had just escaped the hell that was inside. It didn't take long before another abysmal Harbinger took the stage.

The doctor who had been screaming out his lungs, started to show signs of blood loss. He started to breathe rather quickly, he wasn't entirely there anymore and his body started to shiver. That was when a shadow was cast over him, a medical assistant in the form of Shun was trying his best to keep the doctor from dying. a skeletal fortification was used and slowly the man started to whimper in despair. His bones were being repaired, but at the same time being crushed by the rubble still on his legs. He was in agony and fainted a few moments later. Yet his heartbeat started to be in a weird rhythm due to the torment he was getting.

The real shinobi shun and not its clone, started to have better progress. The genjutsu that had been cast seemed to work. The harbinger that was rampant started to show signs of wide trashing around him. His arms were slow but going strong no matter what. Small gusts of wind were coming from each sweep he tried to take on the double images of himself. Then a first frozen hit from the cerebus was hitting. It seemed to have hit a crucial point as one of the joins was frozen shut in place. One arm was unable to be moved, the second hit was coming from Shun. An attempt was being made to imprison him... at first it seemed to succeed, but slowly the giant started to walk out of it. Steam was coming from him and his movements had been slowed significantly. A roar was coming from the creature before it took a hit after hit. The frozen arm crumbled on the ground as it had been hit, the other arm had a dent in it which made it almost impossible for the rampaging giant to continue. But Kureji's abyssal missed... Its arm launched into the building and destroyed another bit. It wasn't the worst, the support beam still managed to endure the hit, but the above walls had collapsed.

Akio's movements made a drizzle happen because the abyssal was already slowed massively. It started to cool down more, but it also seemed to get effect on their allied abyssal. That too started to steam the area which created almost a fog-like scene. Yet despite that, the hit from Kureji still hit the abyssal which now started to fall, on its back and groaning. It took a lot of beatings from multiple critical hits that had happened.

The man who had fainted woke up and screamed again, the bone once more crushed. "Please, please. I tell you, I tell you." he whimpered out and tried to move away but still was pinned down. "Elias Kane..! It is Elias Kane!!" and then the screams happened again, who did this name belong to? Once more he passed out.


--------------
OOC;
Enemy Abysall health: 30% 20s left on jutsu. Under effect of genjutsu. Unable to stand up for 5s.
Doctor; being tormented as being stuck below rubble and broken bone gets continue healing, critical health.
Surrounding: 90% broken down, a smell is slowly coming... Don't let a spark get close now....

(as how this seems, you guys can slowly start to pack up. I try to keep this one more post after, it not 2 as a must.)

 

[Kureji]

Kureji's main focus, despite how he wanted an epic fight, was to contain the fight. Yes, it is ironic that the craziest fighter here, is doing his best to contain the fight, the fight that he more or less escalated and destroyed a part of Crater City. But we don't count that part, he's doing what he can now to make sure that the damage is now kept to a minimum. With that said though... He started to laugh again, manically, that of a mad man.

"IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE FIREY HOTSUFF ITSELF, WEIGHING AT AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT AND STANDING PROBABLY TWENTY FOOT TALL, THE ABYSMAL HARBINGER. AND IN THE OTHER CORNER!!!! WE HAVE!!! PONYTAIL, SANDY HAIR, CERBERUS, THE GOOD LOOKING ROCK AND ROLLER, AND A BETTER ABYSMAL HARBINGER!!!!" Yes, it was he that summoned the second fiery giant. "Fire Kaiju fight!!!!" He egged on his own fiery creation.

Kyōki would ignore the man's screams as he got pumped up by the song that was still playing full blast in the area. Him, Cerberus, his own harbinger, and Ponytail were really beating up the other one, it was practically unfair for the poor thing. Well, minus his own harbinger, seeming as it missed entirely and ended up hitting a nearby building, flinging debris everywhere. "Come now!!! Is that the best you got? That woman dubbed you her best jutsu!!! Right now you are nothing but a dying ember next to me!!!" He incited the monster to attack. He doubts that such a thing has emotions, but if it did, then he is sure that what he said has warranted a reaction out of it.

It had crashed into the ground from one of his attacks, he grinned devilishly from ear to ear as he heard the doctor scream out a name. "Good job Ponytail for the interrogation mid battle!!" But unfortunately, Cerberus got his attention. The three headed dog started to bark loudly to get his attention and once it did, started to cover its nose. He saw fear in Cerberus' eyes, and he can only assume what is going to happen.

But instead of freaking out, he grinned, finally.... The big one.... "Ponytail and Sand Hair. Get out of here. This place will blow up." His features softened only a little bit. "And don't feed me any of that chivalrous bull crap of staying with your comrades or team. It means nothing if you die or too injured to even help yourself. Elias Kane? Kick his ass for me. Cerberus. You leave with them. This show is going to have one hell of a finale."

Cerberus whined, but Kureji didn't want his other half hurt with what he's about to do. And someone's gotta stay to make sure that this one doesn't get back up. "I'm not going to waste anytime here. I want to destroy this thing. Ain't no way that I'm going to let this thing lose just by simply expiring." All three of Cerberus' heads would nudge Shun before pawing at the debris that holds the doctor.

 

[Senju Akio]

A subtle red mark on Akio’s cheek began to throb with energy. He inhaled deeply, allowing his body to drink in the Natural Energy swirling around the chaos. The markings on his face, originally their Senju-trademark crimson hue, shifted into a vibrant sea-green as new lines snaked outward from the original pattern. Concentric hexagons of the same luminous color formed at the center of his forehead, hinting at a third eye’s emergence. Even the inner rings of his irises glowed with a soft viridian light. This was Turtle Sage Mode, and as the transformation took hold, the young shinobi could feel his senses expand, his reflexes sharpen, and his chakra flow surge.

Akio: Turtle Sage Mode
Akio lifted his hand, glancing across the smoldering ruins and a pair of blazing, colossal figures thrashing in the heart of Crater City’s main street. Knowing he had only seconds to act, he sliced his palm with a sharp fingernail, beads of blood oozing forth. “Kazan! I need you!” he called, slamming the bloodied hand to the debris-strewn ground. A puff of smoke erupted, and from it emerged an enormous turtle with a thick, domed shell that was marked in places with holes that poured out plumes of thick smoke. His amber eyes were keen, a confident glint suggesting both wisdom and brawn.

“What is it now boy, I was bus-!?" The grumpy old tortoise began to bark, but when he fully materialized and saw the chaos surrounding them all, his demeanor changed quickly to one of decisive seriousness. "What is this inferno?” Kazan rumbled, voice deep and resonant. “Are we-?”

“There’s no time,” Akio cut in, focusing on the monstrous Harbingers in the distance. "Light this up! We need to find and protect everyone who’s still alive out there!”

With a low grunt of assent, Kazan reared up on his thick hind legs. Luminous beams of white-gold light shot from the edges of his shell, radiating upward and then raining down across the battlefield. In mere moments, Illumination bathed every civilian in a bright halo. Their silhouettes shone through the swirling smoke and flames, each person clearly marked even in the disarray. Akio spotted Shun and the doctor to his left, both faintly aglow, along with a scattering of terrified townsfolk.

He raised his voice to Kureji, who was in the thick of the fight. “Oi! Man with the guitar! Don’t you dare head toward the lights!” He jabbed a finger at the shimmering civilians. “This isn't about dumb chivalry, ya doof! There are PEOPLE here! We’re trying to save them, not turn this into your personal fireworks show!”

Planting both hands on the cracked pavement, Akio drew on the amplified chakra of his Sage Mode. “Earth Release: Earthslide Wall!” He roared. The ground trembled before erupting upward, a towering barricade of stone cutting off one flank of the fiery giants. In quick succession, he repeated the hand seals, pouring still more viridian chakra into the Earth. Another colossal wall soared up from the opposite side, hemming the Harbingers in like giant curtains of rock. Housefronts rattled from the impact, but the barriers stood resolute, shielding the street from searing embers and essentially becoming a safer fighting ground for the superpowered pyroclastic cage match that was unfolding.

Breathing hard, Akio steeled himself for the final step. “Senjutsu: Tidal Wall!” he called, forging complex signs. A massive natural formation of stone rose to seal the uncovered side that Akio's Earthslide Walls did not cover. It seemed to radiate natural energy, sending healing pulses of energy outward and into the broken and burning city. Torn flesh, fractured bones, and burn wounds began to mend on any who stood within its purifying currents. Even the pinned doctor’s ragged breathing would steady as the Tidal Wall’s aura brushed over him.

Still braced against the ground, Akio raised his head and locked eyes with Shun, hoping his MiT colleague would be able to handle the injured. “We’ve made an arena for these monsters! Now get the wounded out of here!” He nodded to Kazan, who withdrew slightly but kept his eyes scanning for any new threats. “Let’s move them behind the walls. I’ll hold the barriers as long as I can!”

With massive pillars of stone shielding the street and a curving wall of restorative energy and rock hemming in the chaos, Akio’s Turtle Sage Mode flickered brilliantly. He could only pray it would be enough to save Crater City from the collateral damage of the pair of Abysmals’ raging infernos.

[MFT | 754 Words]

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun was glad to see his jutsu finally doing some damage to their raging enemy. He wasn't really paying attention to his own injury anymore, nor the doctor behind him that he was sure his medical clone was handling. His mind, midst the agony surrounding them from this unexpected and deadly battle, failed to make him recognize that he needed to remove the rubble from the man before treating a wound caused by said rubble. Kureji seemed to be handling the harbinger well, despite his chaotic approach.

Shun then saw his younger companion summon a giant turtle. Their banter was not as important to him as the name that slipped through the trapped man's cries though. Shun's attention immediately snapped back to the man, only realizing his mistake in triage when the man passed out again. Shun recognized that name from the letter his old friend had left him earlier. With more pressing matters at hand, Shun knew he had to keep this man alive long enough to get him to Nao.

Shun placed a Medical Ward on the man before looking to the dog and motioning for it to move, preparing what would hopefully not be a fatal blow to remove the debris from the man's legs. He struggled a little, given he was quite exhausted from the battle, but Shun shook his head to clear it and placed his hand upon the wooden beam trapping the man. He summoned the wind, coating his palm with his chakra before letting loose a burst of air as he slammed his hand on the wood. If the man were to lose his life, Shun's ward would take effect and bring him back to the brink of life for a bit longer.

Whether or not Shun's technique was successful, he would return to treating the man as well as he could medically. And if all else failed, he would take to lifting the beam himself with any remaining strength left in him.

WC: 330
MFT
Shun speech
Shun thought