Open From Where I Stand: Note of the Kunai [ANBU Class]

[Chikamatsu Shin]

Shusuke tried to recall the path to the ANBU Headquarters that he had Uchiha Takeshi left together not too long ago. Making his way across the familiar roof tops he found the correct path and headed to the Hokage Rock, which he knew housed the Interior Complex that was the base for the Black Ops. The young shinobi kept the kunai in hand that was provided by that strange disappearing entity. As he finally came to the location where he exited it took a section to actually find the door to enter, but when he did a grin came across his face. "There we go."

Stepping in he found the familiar hallways but this time he wasn't wearing a blindfold as he entered the facility. His feet clicked down the halls as it seemed to be a rather quiet morning. Shusuke wasn't sure what was going on in this sector of the village as the ANBU Block Ops always worked in secrecy and didn't really forecast their actions to the public let alone the Genin of the village. Taking a moment to capture and hold his breath he started to assume that maybe he should do his best to conceal himself while in the complex in case any enemy shinobi were nearby. Focusing his mind onto his chakra signature he tried his best to use his skills of Presence Erase to fully mask his location from anyone that may be on the outside peering in. Pulling the Kunai out of his pouch and spinning it on his finger he would look to see if there was anyone in the facility that could point him to whoever the Sennin or Captains of the branch were.

MFT: 250+

 

[Keiji]

The split second someone touched the handle to the door the nearby area within the headquarters grew silent. The people stationed there hid away and watched as the young child walked through.
It was an "abandoned" entrance at this point. They changed the official door every now and again to maintain security. Those that took the unofficial entrances isn't in on the loop and get the necessary updates therefor, potential threat.

Keiji was curious what entrance the child were going to use. just checking the updates and their frequency he could narrow down how long ago since last he was there.

The halls would be barren, empty. The cold and dimly lit structure hidden underneath the city itself were dank by nature, water dripping on the walls and small puddles spread out within.
Above them, the only light coming in were small thin slits dimmed to the point where it might as well be dim moonlight.

At the end of the long hall Shusuke found himself walk down, the path split into two different ways, and the width wasn't more than 3 squeezed adult people standing side by side.
His small stature would make him an easy target if deemed a threat by those in control of his surroundings.

A low rumble emenated from below Shusuke and the path in front of him shifted so instead of a split path it was now one. And by the end of the newly opened path stood a tall man wearing ANBU robes and on his face was the mask of a white raven. His arms lifted and a slow clapping emenated through the halls and by the third clap the sound was replaced by his voice. "Congratulations young Shusuke. You have been accepted among our ranks." From behind the tall man walked the same short red haired girl wearing her mask as well. The very same that had handed Shusuke the Kunai from outside of the Hokage office.

"Now begins your path to destruction and the true challenges of your life. Follow along!"

He waved his hand and turned, he began walking down the hallway further. The girl stood to the side in the hall and awaited Shusuke to walk by her, then she'd turn and follow along, making a little escort to be in front and behind of Shusuke. She stayed a few steps behind him, walking silently, not answering or responding to any questions. The tall man's hair was covered by the black cloth wrapped around his head behind the mask. It not being impossible to figure him out, but only if one already suspected it presumably.

As they walked they came upon stairs leading down, then right, then left. As they had reached the stairs Keiji's voice boomed up the halls. "If you have any questions, now's the time. When we arrive you'll be granted your initiate mask, and your first challenge."

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

"Congratulations young Shusuke. You have been accepted among our ranks."

Shusuke would smile at the masked man. His hands clenched into fists and shook with excitement. His eyes began to water ever so slightly as he continued to smile at the ANBU. He did it. Everything he has done up until this point.

"Now begins your path to destruction and the true challenges of your life. Follow along!"

Every fight, every cut, every broken bone...

Every sleepless night spent reading his clan's forbidden scrolls, every mind numbing conversation with Haniki-chan about the Chakra system and it's variety of uses, every lecture from Shishiwakamaru-kun about the need to practice more and more...

Shusuke was finally acknowledged and now this was his time to sharpen the blade that was his mind. Following behind the masked man with the small girl following him he was curious where the were leading. He kept his mouth shut and did his best to calm the excitement that coursed through his veins. He looked around without shifting his head to try and take in as much information as possible.

"No sir, I have no questions at the time. I an grateful for this opportunity and I promise you that this decision will never be seen as a mistake."

 

[Keiji]

As they walked through doorways and halls, the ground gave tiny trembles almost like the walls around them changed shape with every step.
It had taken Keiji a long time to get used to how these things were done. But he appreciated the theatrics so embraced the potential.
Through the last few corridors they finally ended upon a small room. in front of them up against the wall was a small wooden table.
On top of the table rested a set of 3 masks and a single Kunai below them.
From left to right the masks presented in front of Shusuke were a Fox, a Canine, and a Feline.

Standing besides the table Keiji directed Shusuke's attention to the masks.
"The Fox, a cunning, smart animal, usually associated with the ephemereal Kitsune who're known to manipulate people.
The Canine, wolves and hounds, able to sniff out anything and catch things most people miss.
And lastly the Feline, the prowler, hunting prey, able to walk unseen and unnoticed."
Hitomi settled besides Keiji and stood silently watching. Herself wearing a Kitsune mask.

"This is your first test. Once you have selected your mask, put it on, and your next task begins."
The masks were simple, white, no colours or markings. These were the AiT masks given to the initiates, upon reaching their next rank they are allowed to customize them further and they receive their codenames based on their behavior and skills both in and out of missions. Keiji rested his eyes through the dark hollowed eyes through his corvid mask on Shusuke and awaited his decision.

--

What Shusuke was not aware, was that the wall behind the table was as thin as paper and was simply painted and supported by wooden beams to not make it waver or call itself out too obvious to be paper. Behind the paper wall was an exact copy of the room they were in, with another table, three masks and a Kunai. Behind was another AiT, hearing the exact same words that he just said to Shusuke.

Thanks to his Byukugan which he had active underneath the mask he sensed the other child's actions and what he does. Hopefully he'd be at the same speed in selecting a mask as Shusuke. And hopefully he didn't have any questions, otherwise the gig would quickly be up.
The other child would have come through another entrance that he had informed him of, and an ANBU there would have directed him through the same hallways and ended up in the opposite room walking in around the same time as he, Shusuke and Hitomi would have entered.

The child would recognize the voice to be his sensei, and hopefully if addressed would use his codename as he told him to do whenever the masks are on.

The intention is that once they had both selected their masks, the wall would lift up into the ceiling, revealing them both standing in front of each other both with their masks on. Let's see how they play it out.

 

[Inuzuka Keiyaku]

There certainly wasn't much time for boy and dog to rest today; the both of them awoke from a short power nap, still groggy from their encounter with the horned beast in the forest, their defeat of whom had been closely invigilated by Suzaku-sensei. It was only when Keiayku woke up that he had the energy to reveal in the promotion he'd received, having been successfully appointed an ANBU-in-Training, with instructions to attend the organisation's headquarters later on in the day.

"I heard the news, boy," said a gravelly voice as his bedroom door was pushed open, a large black dog's nose proceeding it into the open space, gazing sternly at Keiyaku and the little Shiba puppy at his feet.

"Yeah!" boomed Keiyaku, a slight exahle of relief as he saw Kiiromaru to be the one calling upon him; between the large ninken and his actual father, Kiiromaru was usually the more tender of the two, "I still can't quite believe it! I've been so busy, I've barely had the energy to be hyped about it. That reminds me... we gotta get going again!"

"Just keep in mind boy; even if your father doesn't say it, he's incredibly proud of you."

⁂

The Inuzuka boy never fully understand how Morutobu could survive on the bare minimum quantity of sleep, but it certainly cheered him up to see the puppy bounding around his legs jovially as they set off towards the ANBU HQ. He knew that surge of energy would overcome him in a fight, when he'd actually need it, but for now, he felt like he was running on autopilot.

This would be the first time the two of them had set foot inside ANBU HQ, the foreboding mass locked up tighter than a drum, only open to those with special permission to enter. Keiyaku made an effort to still his breathing as he lay a hand on the entrance he had been designated, a thrill of fear, excitement, and longing accompanied with adrenaline all waging a chaotic chemical warfare inside his brain. Looking down, Morutobu seemed to be mirroring him, but his eyes showed a steely resolve.

Click

They entered and were greeted by an escort who shepherded them into a small, unmarked room, eerily reminiscent of an interrogation room or some kind of makeshift prison cell. The door closed behind them and they were alone save for a table, laden with a selection of masks and a kunai knife embedded into the wood.

"What do you think, Moru? Weird he asked us to come here f-" He trailed off, eyes alighting on the masks. Slightly transfixed, he lifted up the Shiba puppy and placed him on the table so he could get a could look at each one. Before they could do much else, they both froze, noses twitching almost in tandem. There was a vividly familiar scent accompanied by a completely unknown one, likely in the next room. Even now, he felt like he was being watched, like he was being pierced by his sensei's Byakugan. He could only guess the less familiar voice was another child like himself; a new intiate being presented with the same options as himself. As he listened to the familiar voice, he approached the table, examining the unmarked, plain-white masks, all bearing an animalistic likeness.

The Canine, wolves and hounds, able to sniff out anything and catch things most people miss.

He didn't even need to look at the other two; the moment his eyes alighted upon the snout-like design of the Canine mask, with its pointed ears and narrow eye-holes, he felt strangely nostalgic, as though it were a possession from his childhood he'd lost up until now. He couldn't explain the feeling. Barely had he the time to ruminate on this when the floor rumbled, the room begining to move upwards. With a gasp, Keiyaku quickly jammed the mask onto his face, trying to get used to the odd sensation of wearing it. As his mind calmed, he felt the two scents become much more vivid, all 4 living occupants of the two rooms ascending into one adjoined chamber.

"Corvus, sir!" He found himself saying automatically, the little Shiba punctuating this with a happy bark. Then, the boy's eyes rested on the unfamiliar occupant, his slitted pupils staring out from behind the non-descript mask.

'Task? Is he making us work together, or are we going to.... yeah, it's probably option 2.'

Ever a man of readiness, he dropped to all fours; his more comfortable battle stance. Morutobu immediately mirrored him, head close to the ground, eyes trained on the other child.

[MFT]

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

And lastly the Feline, the prowler, hunting prey, able to walk unseen and unnoticed."

Shusuke grinned at the idea of the feline. He place his hand on the mask and made a handseal. A summoning seal was placed on the mask as black ink poured from Shusuke’s hand. The ink would begin to fade and as it did he would place the mask onto his face.

”Corvus, sir!”

Shusuke looked towards the wall that stood between them. It must have been a fake. He could hear the other boy lower himself to the ground. There was a bark of a dog. Shusuke began to grin slightly.

”Whatever the task is, I will be successful.”

Not knowing what the task was he was fully prepared for anything. If this wall was separating Shusuke from his prey he would have no issue taking their lives, they wouldn’t be the first lives the young boy would have taken.

Shifting his weight slightly the Yamanaka‘a hand twitched with excitement as spectral rings would slowly form around his fingers that were connected to chains. The chains would lead up his arms in an intertwining vine like pattern. He was ready for whatever.

 

[Keiji]

As the wall separating the two children lifted he adjusted his stance, to be facing the center of the room where inbetween them only stood the two tables. Lifting his leg he rested on foot on the point betweent the two tables and with the flick of his foot pushed both tables into the wall on the side opening up the space between them.

Behind the mask, Keiji admittedly was smiling a bit as he walked back towards the other side of the wall. Through the bird mask he said with a boom in his voice. "First some introductions! As we wear our masks and we find ourselves out on missions, you will only know me by one name. Corvus. In front of you is an as of yet unknown. Just like you, they just joined our ranks recently. I will have no death within these walls, I will stop you if it goes too far. For now though.." He paused and turned his beaky mask to each of them and nodded to them individually awknowledging them.
Placing his hand forward with palm to facing one of them "Show me what you can do!" With that he lifted his hand again signifying the beginning of a fight between two new upstarts within the ranks of the ANBU.

Individual one on one fights as AiTs wasn't exactly something the branch practiced normally. He took this concept to the branch as one of his ways to test his own students. His old sensei would have taken this idea happily if there was someone at the time that even dared to challenge Keiji and his position under his sensei. In this case these two are under his direct care, and he needed to know where they might falter in their skills and abilities so he knew where to focus his training. And so would rather not have to scrape off brains and gore off the walls..

Hitomi would be standing besides Keiji, with her senses turned to the maximum they can go to read movements and chakra channels, whilst Keiji's own Byakugan remained active to read their chakra veins and see if there were any faults in their gates or elements they lacked training.

[mod invited!]
[This is a battle between Yamanaka Shusuke and Inuzuka Keiyaku]
[Non-lethal/to the death fight]

 

[Toshi]

Standing within the ranks of the ANBU behind a tinted mirror window, the masked shadows stood at attention. What they would be witnessing would be something that they should take note of. With proper knowledge of combat etiquette, the boy would understand the combat aspect of the ANBU. He already knew a few techniques, but he wanted to be on his p's and q's when it came to actual combat. If they were to do anything about the entries within the bingo book, he would have to begin sharpening his combat skills. The spar that he took part in only enhanced his awareness in combat, but there was obviously more to it than that.

'It's exciting to see those that accompany me on guard duty around. Let alone see how we fend off against one another.' With his bird ANBU Mask secure over his face, his eyes lay on the two combatants. This would be an interesting one indeed.

[ Topic Entered ]
[ Spectating ]

 

[Uchiha Takeshi]

Battle Moderator Opening Post and Guidelines
Your bmod request has been picked up by myself, as such please read the below carefully as it will state the rules that the fight will follow and the expectation of both combatants for this mod.

Send, in a PM on NC, not discord, your actions, and all your battle information: Stats, class, abilities, jutsu, items, weapons, etc. When sending this information, I would prefer it if you can hyperlink your information. This greatly decreases the time it takes for a moderator to mod as we do have the link straight away instead of searching around. Do NOT just send a link to your profile, you will be asked to send the above information again. Rolls are completed in Discord -> Private Bmod-rolling or bmod-rolling UBR rules do apply: meaning you have 48 hours to post and send actions.

Please be clear on your actions and conditionals, remember to include everything relevant to the round. Example: Actions said: Hyperlinked Justu name | Rank use | Special action If this fight has multiple combatants, you will need to specify who are your allies and who are your enemies in your opening actions. Please remember that if your actions are unclear, or you haven't specified targets where appropriate, this will leave us having to either do guesswork or randomizing targets. So be careful and be sure with the actions you send in.

Let's have a fun fight, please remember that any questions about the round when posted can be directed to me via discord or via a conversation on the site.

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

Underneath the Feline like mask the other participant could see sharp pupilless blue eyes lock onto him. Nearly ignoring the animal companion. His task was simple. Prove he was worthy to join these ranks. The aroma of sweet scented flowers would fill the air. The trade mark style of the Yamanka Clan's style of fighting, Phantosmia. This would allow the boy to intertwine his Genjutsu inclination with his Taijutsu skills.

Taking in the room and analyzing every possible situation. Was this canine a Contract Summoning? The boy before intiate before him had no true markers of his techniques, much like how Shusuke tried to present. His eyes began to find the shadows in this room, there wasn't many objects that he could utilize in this situation, but he could manage with what he has been given in this situation.

"I won't hold anything back. Don't hold it against me if you get hurt. I am here to demonstrate the skills I have to prove I am worthy of this position and if you've been chosen as my test subject then so be it!"

And with that, the young Yamanaka would begin his demonstration of power.

 

[Inuzuka Keiyaku]

The last thing Keiyaku expected to experience in a place like this dingy chamber house in a secretive military complex, was the scent of flowers. He could only assume it had something to do with his opponent; the flowing blond hair would seem to suggest the Yamanaka clan which would certainly give some context to the strange floral aroma. It wasn't exactly uncommon for this clan to have contact with his own in the woods on a sunny day, but he couldn't say he knew much of their abilities. As he readied himself on all fours, he would allow his reflexes to guide him. He begrudged the fact the mask effectively removed his fangs as a possible weapon, but he still had his claws at least.

I won't hold anything back. Don't hold it against me if you get hurt. I am here to demonstrate the skills I have to prove I am worthy of this position and if you've been chosen as my test subject then so be it!

'Yeesh,' Keiyaku thought, slightly taken aback but no less deterred, 'this guy's intense... has he never just had an ice cream and laid in the grass before?'

"Moru? You ready, little bro?"

The Shiba puppy responded with an affirming yip, eyes trained slowly on the Yamanaka, occasionally darting to his big brother for guidance.

Keiyaku then began to let out a series of strange, yet surprisingly canine-like growls and grunts, of which Morutobu was clearly comprehending everything. It sounded rather like Keiyaku was co-ordinating with the pup, but in a kind of dog-language to keep their opponent ignorant.

 

[Minamoto Daisuke]

The quietest of footsteps came to an abrupt stop within a meter of the viewing screen, a subtle breeze drifting past the halted figure. Makara watched on, unspeaking. The thick, velvety material of his hooded cloak fell in cascading folds around his body, obscuring any hint of his features from view. Lightly shaded from observers within the cavernous hood drawn over the ANBU’s head sat a flat mask reminiscent of the long lost Kirigakure - a silent hint to its wearer’s heritage. Its thin eye slits gave no indication of any emotion beneath, only showing a glimmer of pearlescent blue irises.

Makara’s arms lay at his side, still and silent, only adding to the nondescript yet stoic silhouette that the ANBU operative formed. He was no different from many of his peers, yet in recent history their numbers had dwindled - affording Makara a vague sense of seniority by virtue of others’ absences. He had been a fully fledged ANBU operative for a while now; missions had taken him outside of the village for longer than he cared to calculate, only ceasing in the recent past. And, with his return home, he hoped to gauge the potential of his would-be subordinates.

The shinobi could hear his quiet breaths as they moved through his mask, though they were no distraction now. His attention was focused on the trial at hand, yet despite this nucleus of activity, he always maintained an awareness of his immediate surroundings. Makara’s head moved slowly, observing the pair as individuals while they prepared themselves. Already there were hints as to their specialties: one indicated the signature ninken-partnered Taijutsu of the Inuzuka clan, and the other the floral yet deceptive style of the Yamanaka. Makara had been instructed to study both a long time ago, but he had yet to watch them in combat - especially against one and other.

He took another breath and waited. This altercation would be a good case study.

[Topic entered]
[Spectating]

 

[Uchiha Takeshi]

Round 1​

Participants

Yamanaka Shusuk	Inuzka Keiyaku
HP: 7,650 - 336 = 7,314 CP: 14,025 - 190 - 1,500 - 75 - 630 - 70 - 205 = 11,625 AP: 10 - 0.5 - 1.75 - 1 - 2.5 - 1 - 1.5 = 2.75 (11 AP Next Round) Maintains: Genjutsus (3), False Surrounding Status: None	HP: 9,450 - 130 - 39 - 427 - 415 - 14 - 161 = 8,264 CP: 4,400 - 110 - 90 - 335 = 3,865 AP: 10 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 1 - 1.5 - 1.75 - 1.75 = 3 AP (11 AP Next Round) Maintains: Feral Shift Style Status: False Surrounding

Summon of Shusuke	Clone of Shusuke	Creation of Shusuke	Morutobu	Clone of Keiyaku	Creation of Keiyaku
HP: 5,400 CP: 12,650 - 324 = 12,326 AP: 3.5 - 1.5 = 2 (4.5 AP Next Round) Maintains: Slime Status: Slime	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:	HP: 6,825 CP: 3,900 - 335 = 3,565 AP: N/A Maintains: Feral Shift Style Status: Fine	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:

Actions:

0 Seconds - Shusuke does a Genjutsu (Blur) (30 vs 27, Hits!) 0.5 Seconds - Shusuke enters into Phantosima Style 0.5 Seconds - Keiyaku enters into Feral Shift Style 1 Second - Morutobu Enters into Feral Shift Style 2 Seconds - Keiyaku uses Thunder Fist 2.25 Seconds - Shusuke summons Saikai into the Fight 2.25 Seconds - Shusuke enters Sage Mode 2.25 Seconds - Shusuke quickdraws his Little Finger Dagger (Done) 3.25 Seconds - Shusuke does a Lethargy against Keiyaku (21 vs 20 75% Partial Hit) Keiyaku is aware! 3.25 Seconds - Keiyaku uses Cancel reflectively to remove Lethary 3.75 Seconds - Keiyaku activates Alpha Status 5.25 Seconds - Saikai uses Aqua Fang against Keiyaku ( 35 vs 14, 23 vs 26) and Hits, Misses! 5.5 Seconds - Keiyaku uses Blade Trail with Morutobu against Shusuke (15 vs 16) Keiyaku partially hits! (23 vs 30) Morutobu Misses! 5.75 Seconds - Shusuke does a Genjutsu (27 vs 16) Hits! - Keiyaku is seeing 6 Shusuke's 6.75 Seconds - Shusuke does False Surroundings against Keiyaku (23 vs 24) 25% Partial Hit! 8.25 Seconds - Shusuke does a Genjutsu (37 vs 19) Hits!

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

Shusuke looks towards the other trainee before him and the dog and Grinned. His eyes would try to lock with the Dog-Faced Initiate and stepped back as everyone in the room would see flower petals begin to fall from the ceiling as if the building itself was a field of Sakura trees in full bloom and a strong wind had pulled the petals from their flowers, but the true aspect he was attempting would be how the Dog-Faced Initiate would begin to see the world. Almost as if every aspect of the world reacted with a sligh lag all of the colors would smear in his field of vision much like an watercolor painting left in the rain. He sees as his opponent prepares himself as well with a Lightning Style Jutsu, Shusuke grinned as he opened his arms causing a series of chains to apparate out of thin air that whipped and coiled around him like a snake. At the tip of the chains were small dagger, and as the metallic weapons moved through the air they almost phased in and out of reality.

Pulling on of the chains closer to himself with a mental command one of the daggers would gracefully knick the edge of his thumb moments before the young boy slammed his hand on the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!" A burst of white smoke and instantly appearing was a two meter tall pink slug. As the smoke settled the young Yamanaka was standing mere feet behind Saikai.

If Keiji, a Hyuuga with extraordinary vision, could see through the boy's mask he would see that the space between Shusuke's eyes where one would say rests the "Third Eye" would gain a diamond like marking as Shusuke entered Sage Mode! He would grin as this was his first time he was using the powers from his connection to this beast outside of practice. Slamming his hands together Shusuke would begin to draw the Dog-Faced Initiate to sleep, but he quickly reacted with the Cancel Jutsu which ended the Yamanaka Jutsu. color=yellow]"Not bad..."[/color] He muttered to himself.

It wasn't long until Saikai moved into action himself. "Water Style: Aqua Twin Fang!" The slugs voice sounded very juvenile, especially for the sheer size of the creature. Twisting drills of water would launch out to slash and tear at the Dog-Faced Initiate, but in the spiraling of water current Shusuke would fail to notice his opponent finally made an attack. Flipping out of the way of the dog, Shusuke was barely hit by the Initiate himself. "Here, Let's try this." As he spoke the young boy would shatter into six different copies of himsef. With six Shusukes on the field the Yamanaka began to develop a plan. Each of the clones began to make various different handseals and the world around the Dog-Faced Initiate would begin to shift and change, filling his eyes with the depiction of the Sakura fields that would have caused the abundance of flower petals. As the Dog-Faced Initiate would most likely realize that he was under a Genjutsu he would begin to feel his body not responding to his body accurately. Not only was everything he saw melting and pouring across his field of vision, but his body would begin to move more slowly.

"If you do not forfeit now, I hold no liability as to what will happen next.

MFT: 564

 

[Inuzuka Keiyaku]

There it was again; the smell of flowers and also somehow actual flower petals. It was more than that though; he felt his vision sliding in and out of focus, light smearing across his eyes.

'Man, I really hope this isn't permanent,' he thought, blinking to try to clear his eyes. He would need to focus more on his sense of smell where possible in this battle, but even that was hampered by the thick floral aroma permeating the chamber. He took the time to focus himself, watching his opponent get set up; first by summoning a long, coiling chain and, in one movement, performing a jutsu which poofed the most enormous slug he'd ever seen into existence. But the pair didn't have the time to sit and ponder how strange this was. Keiyaku turned again to Morutobu and let out a brief set of low, raspy snarls to which the dog seemed to immediately respond with a bark.

'I feel kinda...' the Inuzuka boy thought vaguely to himself, feeling a little drowsy, but somehow, something clunked into place in his brain. Shutting his eyes tight, he made a sign with one hand, disrupting his own chakra flow and immediately feeling much better.

'Genjutsu seems to be this guy's whole shtick. Better watch out for that...' Keiyaku pondered, communicating this fact to Morutobu via their private language again. On all-fours, he watched as the giant slug spontaneously prepared an attack. Billowing columns of water, spinning dangerously, dove for Keiyaku; it caught him by surprise and struck him, forcing a pained groan as he was knocked back. Fortunately, instinct kicked in just in time and he was able to side-slide the second one, like he was on auto-pilot. With this new-found momentum, he growled at Morutobu who readied himself. With a handsign, the Inuzuka's claws began to crackle with electricity, and the two of them charged forward, claws at the ready. The boy was quick and managed to avoid the worst of Keiyaku's attack, completely side-stepping Moru. He feels skin beneath his claws and immediately prepared a follow-up strike. That's when things got weird. He blinked and suddenly found himself in the midst of a meadow. Not only that, he didn't feel fully in control of himself, his vision getting much worse at the same time. He was evening seeing double... no, quadruple... no.... sextuple? He could only assume, more Genjutsu, but he couldn't wait around this time, he had to do something before everything got worse.

"B-Buddy, lighten up," he retorted, trying to see if he could sniff out the real Shusuke between the 'clones', "didn't you hear sensei say, no killin' each other? Let's just try and have fun, huh?"

[MFT]

 

[Toshi]

It wasn't until Shu entered sage mode that Toshi became interested in the match. 'That's a very powerful technique. I wonder what he went through to learn it?' The boy thought of his own trainings. Obtaining such a technique almost cost him his life, but he was still here. Even after all the struggles that he faced, he remained calm, knowing there was a way to overcome each situation. Being on the battlefield seemed as though it took a lot of patience. The pace of the fight was fast, but the boy's eyes could keep up.

He kept his mask over his face, his expression showing no emotion. He couldn't sway to either side of the fighters. They both seemed to be giving it their best, especially when Shu exclaimed that he'd be letting loose. Kei seemed not to take those words lightly, as he mentioned the no death rule again. The fight was getting intense. He began to want to converse to the two after the match, but he'd wait patiently as he watched the events unfold.

 

[Uchiha Takeshi]

Round 2​

Participants

Yamanaka Shusuk	Inuzka Keiyaku
HP: 7,314 = 7,314 CP: 11,625 - 105 - 35 - 95 - 120 - 1100 - 610 - 288 - 372 - 986 - 493 = 7,421 AP: 11 - 1 - 2.5 - 2.5 - 2 - 2 = 1 AP (11 AP Next Round) Maintains: Genjutsus (5), False Surrounding Status: None	HP: 8,264 + 283 - 140 - 50 - 130 - 180 - 330 - 465 - 465 - 465 - 407 - 407 - 407 - 814 - 189 = 4,098 CP: 3,865 + 132 - 675 - 385 - 385 - 370 - 288 - 372 = 1,522 AP: 11 - 2 - 1.75 - 1.75 - 1.75 = 3.75 AP (11 AP Next Round) Maintains: Feral Shift Style Status: False Surrounding, Bleeding Rank 1

Summon of Shusuke	Clone of Shusuke	Creation of Shusuke	Morutobu	Clone of Keiyaku	Creation of Keiyaku
HP: 5,400 CP: 12,326 - 910 - 560 = 10,856 AP: 4.5 - 2.5 - 2 = 0 AP Maintains: Acid Rain Status: Slime	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:	HP: 6,825 CP: N/A AP: N/A Maintains: Feral Shift Style Status: Fine	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:	HP: CP: AP: Maintains: Status:

Actions:

0 Seconds - Shusuke uses a Genjutsu, Hits! 1 Second - Shusuke attempts to enter Stealth (13 vs 15) but Fails! 2 Seconds - Keiyaku uses Volt Charge - Doesn't break free from False Surroundings! 3.5 Seconds - Shusuke uses Name of the Rose 3.75 Seconds - Keiyaku uses Step in Flash (15 vs 30, 15 vs 30), Missed, MIssed! 3.75 Seconds - Morutobu uses Step in Flash with Keiyaku against Shusuke (28 vs 25, 20 vs 18) Crit, Hit! 5 Seconds - Saikai uses Fang of the Komodo at Keiyaku (22 vs 25) Misses! 5.5 - Seconds - Keiyaku Stands Still 5.5 Seconds - Morutobu Stands Still 6.0 Seconds - Shusuke uses a Genjutsu, Hits! 7.25 Seconds - Keiyaku uses Vanishing Slash at Shusuke (20 vs 28) Misses! 8 Seconds - Morutobu uses Tempest at Keiyaku (35 vs 19, 29 vs 27, 28 vs 11) Hits, Hits, Hits! - Keiyaku is affected by Uplift x3 8 Seconds - Morutobu combos into Wind Scythe at Keiyaku (28 vs 21, 25 vs 27, 27 vs 22, 39 vs 11, 30 vs 21) Hit, Miss, Hit, Crit, Hit! - Keiyaku is Bleeding 9 Seconds - Saikai uses Acid Rain at Keiyaku (20 vs 14) Hits!

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

The six Shusukes quickly move around the field darting by one another as the boy responded "There's some things worse than death." Noticing that the opponent was still able to track the location of Shusuke he landed promptly in the middle of their makeshift arena.

"Allow me to demonstrate." As he spoke the boy's skin would begin to burn and turn black before floating off in pieces as the boy's skin and clothes turned into ash. Standing where each of the young Yamanakas once stood were now forms made of blue flames. Pure unadulterated chakra barely in humanoid forms remained. Keiyaku, as well as the rest of the ANBU branch in attendant, would be able to see through Shusuke's new form. Though the form appeared to be fire there was no heat nor sound coming from the wisping blue light. Shusuke took a couple of blows from Morutobu, and as the dog slashed out at Shusuke his form would rip through the chakra causing small fragments of it to flake off as Shusuke's body was no longer physical at all.

Saikai quickly responds by sending twisting columns of water at Keiyaku, though the strike missed it granted Shusuke an opening. Lowering his form the Yamanaka grinned and hissed out... "If I can't pierce your heart with a blade, there are other ways to make your enemy lose their will to fight." One of the six Shusukes would simply vanish from view leaving five behind, perhaps slipping into an unseen shadow. As Keiyaku went into another attack with Morutobu the canine would not respond as he had been up until now.

Instead of comboing an attack with Keiyaku, Morutobu would instead let out a loud bark which would summon forth a tornado of strong winds causing Keiyaku to be lifted into the air. A quick combo and the canine would use it's front paws to slash out columns of sharp crescent shaped blades made of wind which would slash and tear at the other AiT's flesh causing his woulds to begin to bleed.

Saikai, following close behind would open his mouth and spray a casutic rain of acid to strike at Keiyaku before the young boy would be dropped from the lifted position and fall to the ground.

MFT:373

 

[Inuzuka Keiyaku]

Keiyaku could feel Shusuke probing into his mind with progressively more complex Genjutsu each time. Trying to mitigate some of the damage, he took a moment to make a handsign, forcing chakra through his body to create a series of electrical shocks, forcing him to grit his teeth in pain, but hopefully to scramble the Genjutsu messing with his system. But it was no good. As Shusuke began to transform into a fiery persona, Keiyaku was beginning to have a hard time determining whether what he was seeing was real, or if it was all part of the multitude of bewildering spells he'd been put under.

Ignoring the overly-dramatic quips, Keiyaku continued to charge at Shusuke, claws abound, attacking alongside Moru, the two of them co-ordinating and communicating without words. The Yamanaka was fast though, able to avoid the majority of their strikes. He was beginning to lose his grip on what was going on now; he saw Moru freeze and turn around, waving his paw, sending a torrent of violent, typhoon-like winds in his direction. His brain not yet clicking into place, he felt his feet fly from the floor, his skin being lacerated by knife-like air currents like a blade through butter. Just as he hit the floor, he felt some sort of caustic liquid batter him, making his wounds scream in agony, forcing Keiyaku to grit his teeth.

Badly hurt, he just about managed to get back to his feet. He looked at Moru, seeing the vacant expression in the dog's eyes. Keiyaku couldn't help but smirk; he should've known.

"It's o-one thing to c-crush an enemy's will," he said shakily, trying to stem the flow of blood from one of the nastier cuts, "but as ANBU officers, we gotta work smarter, not harder, right? You gotta know when to take a step back and regroup, call some backup. When you gotta prioritise the mission, over winning a fight. I a-ain't gonna offer up my life, unless I got no other choice. Bein' an ANBU means bein' the smartest guy in the room, not the most powerful or most aggressive."

He looked at Morutobu again; he had to give it up, this guy had really gone all-out. All the same, Keiyaku still wanted to be conscious for the rest of whatever Corvus had to tell them. He was bleeding badly and was already an ally down. He raised a shaky arm into the air.

"I concede," the Inuzuka announced, extending his hand towards Shusuke for a handshake, a warm, but slightly tense smile on his face, "much respect to ya. Thanks for being a great opponent; gives me and Moru both a lot to learn, huh?"

 

[Toshi]

Watching the changes on the battlefield amazed Toshi. After fighting for a while, the environment would begin to flow with the battle. 'Their form is amazing.' Though the fight now had one on the upper hand, and looking bleak for the opponent, the boy commended both fighters on their fight. It took a lot to stand before your opponent, especially in front of the Sennin over the ANBU branch. This told the boy that they both had a strong will, regardless of the outcome of the fight.

However, it was the words of Keiyaku that caught Toshi's ears. 'Hmm...' The boy never thought about what it meant to be an ANBU. Of course you had your duties to fufill, and your reasons on why you wanted to fulfill them. Some joined the branch just to be a part of something. But taking note of what was said, the emerald eyed boy pondered on it's meaning. 'Not the strongest, but the smartest.' He felt the village was living under this impression, as the recent attacks put them in quite the position. Being aggressive about the matter would only lead to their downfall, as the meeting with Takeshi implied. Being the smartest is what would pull the village out of such a situation. With that, Keiyaku admitted defeat, stretching out his hand to keep the balance of friendship.

The boy wondered how Shusuke would respond. It would relieve a bit of stress from his heart if Shusuke took the handshake. As AiT, they had to stick together. He hoped to conversate with the two before they were dismissed from the place.

[ MFT | WC: +250 ]