M1: Way of the...Ronin?[PART III]

[Tamashi Seto]

M1: Way of the...Ronin?
Part III

Late Summer, Year 13
Afternoon

DM MAP

HP: 1,000
Chakra: 15/15
Stamina: 13.5
Location: AA
Actions Taken

He was resting up against one of the walls of the room near the entrance after carrying his friend to safety, or rather, a safer place. Breathing hard, he was slightly exhausted, having not taken a break until now, but at least she was safe for the time being. That didn't mean he was out of the lion's den yet. He still had to go explore the western side of the cave in an attempt to find their boss. If there was the sounds of swords clashing in the distance from that direction, he might have thought there was a mix up with the map but atlas, It hadn't proved him wrong yet. After he spend a few more minutes catching his breath, he pulled himself off the ground and reattached his Odachi to his back while his wakizashi swayed from his side. He was about to scout the next area, when he heard his name, causing him to shift his attention over his shoulder, back to the origin of the voice.

Tamashi Yui
"Seto?.....Ugh....my head."

Seto's widen a bit in a combination of shock and relief, knowing she was ok, or at least survive this hell hole. Running over to Yui, he offered her a hand as she tried pulling herself up without tearing her white kimono. She beamed at him with her sparkly, blue eyes, while she caressed the back of her head with her free hand.

Tamashi Seto
"Hey now, slow and steady. There's no need to rush."

It looked as Yui wanted to say something initially, but after a few moments, she simply nodded before looking at him.

Tamashi Yui
"Thanks for saving me Seto. If you didn't come along, I'd.....I don't know what would have happened."

Hearing her words of uncertainly, he made a sympathetic smile as he caressed the top of her forehead. She was about to pout with her checks buffed If her face was any indication of that, but instead, decided to sigh.

Tamashi Yui
"I...I don't even know why it happened. One minute, I was traveling down the road with one of my mom's caravans, and the next, I was being dragged away by these men with the others."

Batting a eyebrow, he began caressing his shoulder. A caravan uh? Yui must of been referring to one of her parent's merchants cavarans they use to sell their surplus goods that don't normally sell in the village, but what would ronin want with Kimono's? Or their tailors? He shook his head. That was the wrong question. Obviously they were searching for anything else of worthy or perhaps the profits they were carrying with him. Regardless, he placed his one hand on his waist while he placed the other on Yui's shoulder while donning a deadly serious expression.

Tamashi Seto
"Yui, I need you to listen to me very carefully alright? If you take this corridor beyond us, It will directly lead you outside. Once your outside, find a well hidden hiding spot and hide. No matter what, don't do anything until I find you. If I don't come out within a few hours however, find your way to the road and find help. Do "NOT" come looking for me yourself. Do you understand?"

He could see the worry and fear in her eyes. She wanted to say something but even she knew better in this situation. Unlike him, her best friend and his companions, she was no fighter, and probably wouldn't ever be. She knew better than to question or badger him when it came to conflict, so in response, she made a worrisome nod before telling him to be careful. He himself noted.

Tamashi Seto
"I'll try, but no promises. Now get out of here Yui. I'll see If I can find any of the other survivors."

Once he said that, she gave him a final nod before walking past. Within a few seconds, as she entered the corridor behind, she quickly disappeared from his vision as the darkness engulfed, leaving him to deal with the one last, remaining corridor he had to explore. Gasping for some air, he mustered his courage and began making his way down the corridor to the west of him, eventually taking him to a massive room with a ravine and a bridge. He batted a eyebrow. There was no hell in way he wanted to cross that to get to the other side. He really didn't feel like dying today from falling to his death...

Action Summary: Carried Yui from A5 -> A2. Soloing from A2 - A6​

 

[Tamashi Seto]

DM MAP

HP: 1,000
Chakra: 15/15
Stamina: 13.5
Location: AA
Actions Taken

The sounds of fighting were getting closer but that was the least of his worries for the time being. After looking over the edge, he found himself taking a step back, his fear getting the best of him as his crimson eyes picked up nothing but the darkness that engulfed the bottom of the ravine. If he fell, he would surely die. There was no doubt about that, but his mission was across the ricky bridge. He groaned like a child, not wanting to traverse the bridge, until he reminded himself there was most likely people that needed rescuing, and that he was the only one who could do it. He grabbed what courage he could and took his first step on the wooden bridge. He gripped the ropped handles with everything he had. He had no intention of losing his grip and falling to his death. He looked ahead, not daring a inch of his sanity to look below, unless he wanted to die. With every step he took, with his left leg always leading to the next platform, he did everything in his power to look forward and only forward. There was more than one moment where he wanted to give up or freak out, but by keeping the thought of the captives at the front of his mind, he was eventually able to reach the next side. He almost kissed the ground until he was reminded yet again of the fighting nearby. He had no idea how, but that lone ronin he had hypnotized, had somehow managed to distract them. Hopefully, he keep it up longer until he could find his target and the captives without issue. He obviously had to conserve everything he had for the fight If he were to have any chance to escape. Perhaps he could turn the ronin on the leader and have them attack him? or she? Now that was quite the plan, even If it proved distasteful and dishonorable for someone like him. He have to think on it a bit. That wouldn't be a easy decision for someone like him, even after what he had done today...



Action Summary: A6 -> A7​

 

[Tamashi Seto]

DM MAP

HP: 1,000
Chakra: 15/15
Stamina: 13.5
Location: AA
Actions Taken

Upon traversing down another long corridor, which must have taken several minutes or so, he finally found himself yet again at the entrance of another large room. His eyes wrung in shock when he saw not only several cages containing individuals, but several corpses littered throughout the room. While there was little doubt most of them were ronin who had somehow gotten themselves killed, one or two were obviously of individuals whom were taken prisoner. Looking away in defeat, a teared formed at the edge of his eye. He wasn't fast enough, and because of that, the death's of two innocents now sit on his shoulder. Now he really had no choice. He had to either avenge their deaths or commit seppuku to reclaim whatever honor he had to wipe away the shame he would bring should he fail. A tall order indeed but he was game. With his mind quickly made up, he quickly wiped away the tear from his eyes. A moment later when he flashed his eyes open, his crimson eyes beam with determination as he went to work, drawing his wakizashi from it's saya that swung from his waist. Summoning all the strength he could from his hands, he applied said such strength to the handle of his wakizashi as he went about destroying every lock attached to a cell door with a powerful vertical strike. Some would take several strikes, much to his distain, but when he finally freed the last of the survivors from their imprisonment, he had them grouped into the center of the room after taking a momentary break to catch his breath.

Tamashi Seto
"Look everyone! I know your scared, but If you wanna get out of here, you gotta listen up! If you go down the tunnel I just came from, It will take you to a ravine with a bridge. Once you cross the bridge and cross to the other side. Take the tunnel on the other side until you find yourselves in another room. If you take the right tunnel, It take you outside eventually....and listen, don't go exploring or wasting time! I cleared out the other side of the cave but you never know when more of these bandits will show up. I'd escort you myself but...I have to deal with there leader down the hall....Sorry about that."

He caressed the back of his head in disappointment after his little speech of sorts. He wanted to escort them to safety but the boss of this little gang took priority. At least, after a few minutes anyway, outside their cage, they were now calm, or enough anyway to listen. Once they thanked him with a bow, catching him off guard a bit, resulting in him nervously laughing with his eyes closed, he watched them off until they were no longer in his sight. He than turned to the last remaining room in the cave he haven't explored yet. This was his last chance to escape, to quite possibly live but he immediately shook his head. He had made his decision and he was going to go throw with it, even If It resulted in his death. Better to die with his honor intact than to live as a shameless coward...

Action Summary:​

 

[Tamashi Seto]

DM MAP

HP: 0
Chakra: 13/15
Stamina: 13.5
Location: AA
Actions Taken
Storm Bolt
Pressurized Mist
Fleeted Grip
Block
Sharingan
Sharingan: Eye of Insight

After a momentary pause on his end, knowing death may be at his doorstep earlier than he would have liked, he mustered all the courage he could muster and began making his way up the final corridor with all the confidence he muster in his step. No matter what, he couldn't show weakness, but most importantly of all, even If it resulted in his death, he mustn't shame himself, or his family or clan. A steep toll, not to mention a dangerous game he was playing here, gambling his own life for the slight chance of victory, as well as doing what needed to be done. As the young samurai shinobi wondered through the darkness, illuminating the way forward with divine fire, It would only take a further minute or two before his destiny would be sealed forever, changed the moment he decided to bet everything on this one encounter. When he reached the end, he stood at the chamber that would decide everything, a large, open room. Amongst the middle of the ground, sat several lifeless corpses, most likely ronin, If their equipment, or rather lack of it, was any indication. Towards the side however, and especially within the room's corners, sat several living ronin staring straight at him with intent to kill. Well that wasn't good. He had definitely entered the lion's den, and he was an appetizer offered up on a silver platter. The worst of all however, that amongst all the "living" ronin in the chamber, one sat mightiest, separate from the rest. Sitting in his makeshift, wooden throne at the opposite side of the room amongst a bed and some furniture, staring him down with complete contempt, was a massive man like he had never before. He was easily a head taller than the rest, and boasted a stature similar to Sunako than any mere samurai could have. Most dangerous of all however, was the massive Odachi that sat next to him. It was easily six feet longer, If not seven or maybe even eight feet long. All that mattered however that If that thing hit him, he was done for. There wouldn't be any medical ninjutsu that could save him from a slash from a weapon like that. Despite that however, he stood his ground, showing defiance in his eyes, even as the massive warrior from the other side of the room got of his throne and began making his way over to him, grabbing his Odachi along the way and sheathing It on his back.

????
"Hmph...You must have a death warrant If you charged in here alone kid, especially after killing my men. I'm going to enjoy this, breaking you to pieces."

What he said may have been true, and he couldn't deny them, but that didn't deter him one bit. If anything, It gave him the laser like focus he needed as he drew his own Odachi from his back and pointed the tip at his enemy. Much like him, he stared down the man with the intent to kill. No matter what, he wasn't going to hold back, not one bit.

Tamashi Seto
"I challenge you to a Jue Shi Kai!.....Unless you can't handle a honor duel from a child like myself!"

The moment he said that, several gasps escaped the mouths of the surviving ronin, who were ready to attack him just several moments prior. Even the man that was his leader, stood there in a combination of shock and a bit of awe. A faint smirk took form on his face as he battered his eyebrows at him.

????
"Hmph! Your a brave one, I'll give you that kid...But It won't be enough.....but fine, I'll accept your challenge. It be fun breaking you into tiny pieces."

As he said that, the man stared him down without a worry in the world, as If he wasn't even a threat, before drawing his own, albeit massive Odachi on his back with his two hands. With a cold demeanor of his own, and his massive blade at his side, the warrior took a offensive stance before charging straight for him!



A BOSS APPEARS!

Ronin Boss

[ 1,000 / 1,000 SP ]
❰ 7,340 / 8,000 HP❱​

Status:

• [Eagered]. Warning, the enemy is eagered, wanting to defeat you, greater damage incoming now!
  
  • Eagered Attack: The Ronin boss is charging you! Retaliation damage is doubled for this posting cycle If your hit.
    
    1. If the SP is at 500 or less, The Boss Ronin will no longer perform special attacks.
    2. If the SP is at 0, The Boss Ronin will surrender.
    3. If the HP is at 999 or less, The Ronin Boss will no longer perform special attacks.
  • If your HP falls to 0, you are NOT KILLED but knocked out and captured by the Ronin group from a narrative perspective.
  • HP and SP for this enemy count down.
  • Standard custom DM mechanic's apply. Check the Black Library for more information
  • As with all other spice, these mechanic's are purely optional, feel free to ignore them If you haven't used them already

---

Realizing he only have seconds to make a opening attack before he lose any advantage he had at range, he quickly conjured up his chakra in his hands before taking aim with his left middle & index fingers and firing at the warrior, sending a Storm Bolt in his direction. Ignoring the incoming attack like a enraged broodmother, the bolt of lightning crashed into the middle of his chest, causing NORMAL DAMAGE, dishing out 355 damage! With only seconds left on the clock now, before his blade would be in range to cut him down, he maintained the same chakra levels from before, as he conjured up a faint, Pressurized Mist, and sent It to his enemy as he closed in for the kill. Unable to dodge literal mist, it caused NORMAL DAMAGE, when pressurized mist began digging into the warrior's skin, dealing 305 damage! Now with the enraged warrior nearly on top of him with his massive sword in hand, he quickly Gripped his Odachi as he drew it out of his saya and fell back on his Fleeted leg work to keep his opponent at bay, to keep some distance, but before he knew it, the Ronin launched a Zero Slash Counter of his own! With no time to evade the man's attack, even with his crimson eyes activated, he was left with no choice but to go on the defensive, dropping his Odachi in favor of his Wakizashi. Drawing it from his saya that sat swayed from his hip with every moment he made, he instantly rose the blade just in time to Block the incoming Zero Slash Counter, reducing the following damage by 210! Despite his best attempt however, the Zero Slash Counter made by the ronin's Odachi tore bypassed most of his Wakizashi's blade and his armor, and tore straight into his left arm, causing CRITICAL DAMAGE! Dishing out 1, 686 damage! As well as rendering his now, mangled, left arm useless! He can no longer use two handed weapons!

And just like that, It was over in a instant. He didn't even know what had happened. One moment, he was defending himself and the next, as he mustered what little strength could to look at his mangled arm, he was now laying in a pool of his own blood, surely dying no doubt. Perhaps It was obvious, but to him, It was a feeling unfamiliar to him. He was defeated yes, but more importantly, death was his footstep, here to collect his due, with it's cold, over reaching hands. Strangely enough however, even as his life was draining before his very own eyes, he felt at ease, free even. What was this feeling? Did he want to be free from the shackles of responsibilities? To be free from his responsibilities as a warrior? To be free from his duties pertaining to a son of a daimyo? These were questions he didn't have the answer to, as he felt more conflicted with his life than he ever had before, but one thing he was sure of. Despite his failing as a son of nobility and as a warrior in training, he tried his absolute best and now? He was going to die honorably, like all warriors should. He could die happily. "Forgive me father....mother...for I was nothing but a fool....but at least....I'll die without bringing shame to our family or clan.....This....I can at least do...." Muttering those final words to himself, he made a grin with his lips, even as his body was starting to go numb. His mind was still sharp however, and as he thought of his family, Images of his fiancé, Shizu and his eldest sister, Ren burnt brightly within his mind. Even though he was unable to keep his promises to them, leaving regret imbued into his mind, their smiles and the unconditional love they gave him was more than enough for him to able to welcome death with open arms as the light began encroaching his mind. With his strength finally failing him, he began closing his eyes, but as he did, he became horrified when the massive ronin that defeated him, stood over his broken and defeated body, not with a smile, but with a cold, stern expression.

????
"I take pity on you boy....It takes bravery to do what you did, but I cannot grant you a warrior's death yet....Especially when your the renowned son of the Daimyo himself. Lord Taichi will pay for his crimes, hopefully with his son's life..."

Just for a moment, once the man's words hit his ears, his will that was a mere amber just a moment ago, now burned brightly like a raging, uncontrollable fire, giving him the strength to open his eyes, only momentarily, but enough to shock his complete utter shock. Wait what? He was going to be saved?? No! NO! Why? What did he mean? He couldn't do this to him! If he did....he'd.....Once the realization had set in, his spirit was nearly expunged. No more was It a raging fire like It had been prior, now, It was nothing, replaced by the ashes left behind by said fire. Now he wanted to fight, but with no strength left, and his honor now gone, possibly forever, his mind shattered into two entities as death moved in, covering his vision with it's veil of darkness, forever clouding his sight....


Action Summary: Sharingan & Sharingan: Eye of Insight already activated -> Storm Bolt -> Pressurized Mist -> Grip -> Fleeted -> Block​