The Rite of Stone [Trial]

[Okada Kaji]

The sounds of city life never ceased across the metropolis hidden in stone, and buzzed deep into the night. The towering walls of the village’s crater home painted the horizon with spots of orange light scattered across the steep mountainside. And while the hour was late, it was just entering the ideal hours for to test a shinobi’s wit and resolve. The setting of tonight’s lesson began on the most common courtyard of the shinobi academy; the proving ground. And while the proving ground was recognized as both a place to break your bones, and receive a thorough lesson; tonight it would stand as the setting for a final Rite of Passage for one eager candidate.

A flock of seagulls settled on the grounds fled as a presence revealed itself among them so suddenly. A figure in black with the shape of death stepped out of the black shadow of a night covered in overcast up above, and revealed himself under the glow of the courtyard lamps. One after another they began to beam a pale green light until the entire premises turned deceivingly bright, and unbalanced, with shadows behind every stacked support boulder, or leaning oak tree. The figure in black took several paces into the spots of light, willfully triggering the unseen motion sensors that captured his every move; exposing him and eventually cutting back to black as he continued his pacing game. With his board set and the player on his way, Kaji was able to put his pacing to rest, and waited idly until the courtyard back into the comfort of the night.

- Topic Entered as Kaji Okada.
- This is a trial by Combat prepared only for Shikai Sunaku.
- This is a Modded Situation, exclusive to the applicant, only.
- Spectating is permitted for Fraternal Anbu Only.

 

[Sunaku Shikai]

Shikai had brought his gear if needed. Flexible gloves already protected the hands of his two revealed arms. He had a habit of wearing his long dark coat over his extra appendixes so as to not cause anyone discomfort. He walked through the dark while tapping his pockets and legs to make sure that he had everything and that he knew where it was stashed. Trial by combat. Sounded very grim but Shikai thought that it was about time to leave the academy and become an Anbu in Training. He liked the idea of being anonymous behind the mask while working.

Shikai didn't know it the trial would have a formal introduction other than him getting the note to show up so just in case he put out a few string of webbing as he went on so as to not be ambushed. He noticed the light up ahead activate, seemingly turning green, which he had not seen before. He could feel the chakra of an individual up ahead. His sensory ability had been with him for some time now. Long enough for it to be second nature for him so pay attention to his surroundings in unknown situations. He only detected one individual.

Believing it to be the instructor who had called him here he continued on ahead towards the source of chakra. As he got closer he struggled to see the instructor as the lights has gone back off. He stepped out into the middle of the road triggering the sensors and bathing the surroundings in light. He now stood not too far away from a dark haired individual. He held out his note stating that he had been summoned in front of him showing it to the one in front of him.

"Sunaku Shikai reporting for duty."

[Topic entered]
[MFT]
[WC: 300]

 

[Okada Kaji]

The candidate had arrived with exceptional timing, and dressed for the part as he too chose the colors of nightfall. The courtyard’s lamps reveal Shikai, who look as eager as ever, and reported for duty with a bold declaration. With keen, piercing eyes, Kaji observed Shikai and scanned him for the sign of physical and tactical preparedness. For veteran eyes like Kaji’s, he knew the human physiology too well to be confused by the student’s fabricated shroud, but overlooked his secret respectfully. Finally breaking his statuesque pose and stillness, Kaji approached his pupil with a lax energy, and sought to introduce himself in return.

“Sunaku Shikai,” the name fell off of Kaji’s tongue with clean execution and a very assertive sound, “In accordance with Hidden Stone Ninja Academy procedure, a candidate shinobi may opt for a trial by combat to prove his or her worth in accordance with Divisional Standards, and advance into the field as a graduate if their performance merits the opportunity.” Kaji began to recite a notable diatribe, one he must have used quite often. He was a man without vigor or a glimmer of excitement to every be found on him, but to his student, the man still remained a monotone mystery

“Does this describe your intentions tonight, Shikai? If so, allow me to introduce myself… My name is Okada Kaji; and on behalf of both the Ninja Academy and ANBU corps of the Hidden Stone, I will be the one to test your might, and decide if you are worthy of the title Ninja.” Ready to cut to the action, Kaji shifted his posture slightly, and the hilt of his sword registered with the lights overhead. The metal finish was painted matte black, and the entire weapon blended into body shape, as if he had became one with the shadows. “The trial will begin when you are prompted to attack… And upon my command, the contest will cease and I will hand you my verdict. My ruling will be final, and based upon your ability to recognize the traits expected from every ninja within our ranks, in a combat situation. I expect you to comply with my commands, and display the conscious qualities of an exemplary ninja during this test. Is that understood?” The stern delivery of his stipulations hinted at the brooding character underneath all of the black fabrics and unfriendly scowls. “If you still believe that you are prepared for this trial Shikai… You may now commence your attack, as you see fit.”

WC: 420
Commence the Trial Combat when ready.

 

[Sunaku Shikai]

"Well guess I better start out slow"

Shikai formed seals an summoned a Rock Golem followed by him immediately diving into the ground for protection with the Inner Earth Reflection Lure technique. Should be significantly harder to attack with a blade while Shikai was incased in earth. He would send his Rock Golem to face Kaji while he himself would attempt to position himself somewhat underneath him to set up for an attempt to pull him into the ground. It was something Shikai had success with in the past but he figured that it would never work if he did not provide some form of threat up front hence the Golem. The worst possible counter would be that his instructor was well versed in the use of Earth elemental Jutsu, but he did not know if that was the case and he'd rather find out sooner than later. He half way expected to be pulling on a clone given how most ninjas he had previously seen tended to fight.


[Glove Equipped: Precision Gloves.
Stats Locked at:

Spoiler

Agility: 175/175
Stamina: 175/175
Taijutsu: 160/175
Ninjutsu: 135/175
Genjutsu: 73/175
Chakra Control: 140/175

HP: = 9450
CP: = 6160
Actions:

Spoiler

(4 AP pr round)
2 AP Summon Rock Golem
Golem has its own attack directed at Kaji. My secondary stats -5. It has 2 AP And 2630 HP
2 AP Inner Earth Reflection Lure, (Stealth on. Will Commence to 2 AP pull attack next round) Golem 2 x 1 AP Basic attack against Kaji (If hit 675 damage + 8% suppression chance each)

HP: = 9450
CP: = 6160 - 630 - 630 = 4900]

 

[Okada Kaji]

The candidate sprang into action, quickly showing prowess in the arcane ninjutsu arts. An automaton built from gravel and dirt climbed up through the courtyard turf, and made a slow charge towards the man in black. The earth shook with it’s every step, and the thing was formidably large; towering over Kaji. By the time his golem entered striking range the slabs of stone were solidly merging, yet Kaji identified their structural faults with the wisdom of his experience. As the atronach grew ever closer with a bouldering fist mid-swing, the blurring vision of the pale-faced man in black stepped into his enemies attack, and unleashed his own counter-offensive. “Gather thy storm, Unagihada” he said with a deep, unchanging tone. To challenge the advance of the golem, Kaji unsheathed the pitch-black steel by his waste and cleaved through the creation’s swinging arm in one foul swoop by focusing on the elbow joint. The strength behind the golem was immense for a mere academy student to have command of it. On top of that, his opening stealth strategy was exceptional, though it created a whack-a-mole scenario for Kaji.

“Let’s see just how well he can shift this environment” Kaij took an interest in the student’s potential, and abandoned his pairing with the stone atronach to trace down Shikai, who’d have plenty of options for posing his next attack from underground. Mastery of the earth element was a strong trait of his brethren in the city of stone, and Kaji had become accustomed to facing earthborn ninja on solid ground. With his back turned to the stone golem, Kaji paused to survey his surroundings and mashed his heel into the ground three times. “Gale style:” he spoke so suddenly, returning to the fray as he felt the Golem looming behind him; the beast was ready for more. “Moon Fang” Kaji unveiled the name of his beaming light as he released it; and a fascinating light beam was generated from the swinging arc of his noble blade Unagihada. A crescent beam of light swept through the creature made from stone; one that resonated and rocked the meager courtyard with the pulse of raging thunder. Black clouds of a gathering storm swirled around the point of impact, and Kaji was sure that he shut down his student’s automaton.

With the might of his tapped chakra flowing and his nature keenly attuned to his element, Kaji let loose stray streaks of voltage; wild things that overloaded one of the many streetlight’s overhead. The shattering bulb renewed the darkness somewhat, and make the sparks of voltage even more of a spectacle. “Not a bad start, Shikai. Show me more.”

Spoiler

WC: 443

Kaji Okada
HP: 12,000
CP: 9,200

Equipped: Unagihada - Slashing Weapon

Used Zero Slash Counter - Rank 2
Used Special Action: Reactionary Block. Successful block negates -675 damage, and Kaji strikes Stone Golem, dealing it 590 damage if not prevented.
C-rank Slashing Taijutsu: Spent 1.75 AP, -525 CP


Used Storm Release: Fissure Slash - Rank 2
Kaji created a razor sharp arc of storm energy dealing 1770 damage at -1 Accuracy to Stone Golem if successful. This has a 18% chance to cause bleeding and activate 'Laser Guided'.
C-rank Ninjutsu: Spent 2 AP, -620 CP

Kaji Okada
HP: 12,000
CP: 8,055 -1145

 

[Sunaku Shikai]

Seems the construct did its work. The instructor had apparrently spend enough time on it for it to be disruptive. Shikai sprung into action having his hands burst out of the ground to pull Kaji down and incapacitate him. It was the common combo for the Technique he used to dive into the earth but he figured the Golem would have provided enough of a distraction for it to work.

If Successful:

Spoiler

Shikai pulled the instructor down to his shoulders leaving him trapped in the earth. He then sprung to the surface and quickly started forming new seals, not giving any time to recover or get loose. He would stretch his hand into the air and guide the energy from above directly down onto Kaji

"By the might of the Thunder God, I smite thee."

Waving his hands downwards he would call strong lightning down to strike Kaji's exposed head, and treat him to the exquisite taste of electricity.

If Failed:

Spoiler

Shikai was not fast enough to catch the instructor before he leaped away and would have to retreat underground to catch his breath. If he had to unleash all his power against someone who could just dodge or counter attack it, he knew he needed the energy back that he had just spend on the Distracting Golem which clearly did not work.

Taijutsu would be dangerous against a sword user. If he cuts through stone that easily without showing even half a second of opening for an attack I should keep to ranged and be ready for defence when he eventually closes in

Shikai kept his mind focused on where he could sense the presence of Kaji and made ready for the possibility of an untimely unearthing

[MFT]
[WC: 288]
[If Successful:]

Spoiler

2 AP. Out of stealth: Inner Earth Reflection Lure - Special Action: Double Decapitation. - 630 CP
2 AP. Zeus Flash. Throws a spear of lightning that deals 1605 damage at +1 Accuracy. This has a 18% chance of activating the 'Impale' effect. - 505 CP
HP: = 9450
CP: = 4900 - 630 - 505 = 3765

[If Failed]

Spoiler

]2 AP. Out of stealth: Inner Earth Reflection Lure - Special Action: Double Decapitation. - 630 CP
Maintaining Inner Earth Reflection Lure and going back into hidding. - 320 CP
2 AP's worth of resting up. (2/4 of my AP so 8% HP and CP returned) = + 493
HP: = 9450
CP: = 4900 - 630 - 320 + 493 = 4443

 

[Okada Kaji]

Just as Kaji expected, Shikai was adept in shifting the soil and maneuvering underground. “This one likes to fight dirty” Kaji humored, and scanned this battleground for all it’s worth. But the key to following a mole this size is to pace through the field, and feel it squirming through the soil. The three foot taps would give Shikai a firm idea of where to find his target: and the candidate took the bait with exceptional timing. The earth was twisted, and split open beneath his feet as his pupil set a text-book earth trap beneath him. The earth gave way and swallowed Kaji whole; dropping him into a constricting enclosure of soil and gravel. Kaji perished in the darkness... At first, nothing but blades of black hair sprouted from the soil, like weeds definitely sprouting through a paved road. In the closing milliseconds of Shikai’s attack, the black head twisted and surfaced in the soil until a starch-white face turned to face Shikai. But it wasn’t the dull face to be expected; instead an ivory shinigami mask perfectly locked fangs, and long black stripes sprouted to meet the bright light falling into him. “That’s more like it” he applauded.

The impact of the Zeus Flash met with the white face, and the student’s kill shot erupted into a brilliant display of force, even powerful enough vaporize the softened earth. But there was more than the smoke of the charred earth rising from the pit. As Shikai’s light faded and his assault completed, black smog shot up from the black pit, like smoke from a chimney stack.

“You show no hesitation in making a killing blow” the instructor’s voice came in the form of an heavy echo through the courtyard. The whisper came from the white mask, which hovered in the dark of night until Instructor Okada emerged behind it. His pitch-black form was unchanged by the elements of battle, though his mask was dealt a long, jagged crack. “In service to your village, you may be expected to eliminate individuals deemed threats to the prosperity of Maruishi. And while I have no doubt that you will be capable to commit those acts, there is a burden to bear once you begin executing targets in the field. The debt of the lives you reap is paid by the Stone, which cleanses your name once you have donned the mask.” Amid his spot of dialogue, Kaji unsheathed Unagihada once more, and moonlight raced across the blade from point-to-crest, as he pointed the tip of the weapon to the earth. “But in turn, ANBU must be able to endure the the challenges commanded of them. At all times, anbu must be ready to die nameless, and faceless for the Stone.” As he said his lecture the crack spanning his mask began to rapidly mend, and was fully restored in appearance by utterance of his last words. His sound then became warmed, and deeper; “Are you prepared to die for the Stone?”

He became a blur of motion, and closed into the junior opponent in a sweeping arc of motion. The darkness swelled as he drew near, and stray bolts of voltage flared as Kaji and the black blade unleashed a precise attack meant to unsew his student’s body in some unpredictable fashion.

Spoiler

WC 550

Kaji Okada
HP: 12,000
CP: 8,055

Actions:
Kaji is hit by Double Decapitation (No hand seals, no movement)

Anbu mask manifests on Kaji's face (Not using to negate called shot damage)

Kaji takes Zeus Flash, repositions with Dark Dispersal. -1605 (Not actually using Dark Disperal to negate Zeus Flash Damage)

Masked Kaji targets Shikai with Lunar Step: Waxing Crescent Moon (1,265 damage at Normal Accuracy, Upon a Full Hit, the user gains +5% Auto-Dodge to the next damaging attack targeting them from the opponent last struck. -504CP)

Kaji Okada
HP: 10,395 -1605
CP: 6991 -560, -504

 

[Sunaku Shikai]

Shikai saw the lightning go straight in. He knew that taking a strike like that would not off the instructor but at least he had drawn first blood. Now it was time to try and bait him in.

Shikai waited for the smoke to clear, always focusing his gaze and general attention towards Kaji's chakra signature, which had suddenly shifted to a new location. He heard Kaji utter words of praise towards Shikais determination. At least he took it a praise. Kaji threw himself into a long dialogue about the burden that comes with being an ANBU. Shikai already knew all to well about burdens. Adding the lives of someone to the score was not a problem as long as they were deemed enemies. He could not guarantee that he would not turn against his masters should they give him false pretences and have him carry out an act of violence with beguiled into thinking that the purpose was different than it was. Shikai had often thought of how far he would go as long as the information was genuine. He might not want to kill a mother with a child just because the child might grow up to hunt him down for killing his father, even if told to do so. But he would have no problem killing the mother if she was part of the original targets due to her being a kunoichi.

Shikai saw Kaji unsheathe his sword and immediately thought of a plan. So far he had only seen Kaji fight smart and precise, but with very much brute force. As the sword was readied Shikai tapped into his inner pool of energy whilst removing his jacket to reveal his extra appendixes. He heard Kaji speak again.

Man that guy can talk.How much time is he going to give his opponent. It's like he is in a different league and is enforcing a handicap upon himself to make it even.

Now Kaji was advancing fast. Shikai could not predict where the sword strike would come from but then again that was not the plan either. As the sword hit him it stopped on his skin, not drawing a single drop of blood. It did leave cracks in his armour though.

Now!

Since it seemed that Kaji was the close combat type Shikai had used his Mucus pool to help conserve chakra and now was the time to counter. He held out his hands and shot two webs at Kaji point blank. He didn't have time for much more than that. As he stretched out his arms his armour quickly healed up as if the sword had never struck him.

"When the time comes, I will take a blow for my comrade and not expect gratitude, I will die for my village and no one will ever know me. But I ain't planning on going down without a fight, and I sure as hell ain't planning to be stopped by swordsmanship of that calibre! If you are trying to scare me don't just look the part. Act it out!"

He knew that taunting Kaji would only up his attacks but he'd rather lose to someone using their true strength than have it be a battle of nutrition.

Spoiler

4 AP:
2 AP: Shikai uses Mucus Armour for 1280 + 128 (Barrier Mastery) armour and then takes the sword strike straight on. - 430CP & - 150 Mucus
2 AP: Shikai uses Web Shot twice to attempt to string in Kaji for later use. - 400cp & - 200 Mucus
0 AP: Shikai uses a Special Action to regenerate his Mucus Armour back to full health (1408) - 108 CP & - 38 Mucus (Halves round up)
HP: = 9450 (+ 1408 Armour)
CP: = 3765 - 430 - 400 - 108 = 2827
Mucus: 1500 - 150 - 200 - 38 + 300 = 1412

[MFT]
[WC: 541]

 

[Sunaku Shikai]

[OOC: Since it has now been more than 7 days since your last post and we are "in combat" I'm viewing you as "gone into defensive mode" as if you went inactive in a modded battle.]

Shikai noticed some hesitation in Kaji's movements and used it to create a distance. Maybe he had taunted him a bit too much. Shikai figured that Kaji was thinking over how to shred Shikai's defences without the risk of killing him and that he took a round on the defensive side while doing so. Shikai used this time to get some rest, preparing for that attack to come.

Spoiler

4 AP:
4 AP: Full Rest restoring 20% HP and CP
HP: 9450 + 2362,5 + 283,5 = 9450 (Max) + 1408 Armour
CP: 2827 + 1540 = 4367
Mucus: 1412 + 300 = 1500 (Max)

 

[Okada Kaji]

Kaji was never the type to rush an opponent, yet the demands from his pupil created a sudden change in his energy, and held back, in a brooding state. Everything from his posture to the sound of his voice became oddly different, and somewhat warped. Beneath the mask his eyes took on a different glare. His sclera turned black, and his pupils quaked. “You dare” he grunted with gritting teeth, and a growing sense of rage that couldn’t have come solely from the goading. No, the bubbling, frothing rage was Kaji’s own doing; the product of displaying the mask he usually displaying so sparingly. With the white face came a flood of memory, and the true unveiling of the shinobi he was before his extensive therapy in the Onyxian Sanctum. Unagihada trembled in his hands, almost slipping free from the brittle digits that held it in place. His blade wanted to taste blood, and his mind was flooding with schemes for every path he could take to causing the boy harm, yet he insisted upon pulling every strike he applied so far. The mystical blade knew it was being cheated, much like Shikai, who yearned to feel the cut of Unagihada. His train of thought became a menagerie of intuition, bloodlust, precise proctoring, and repressed memories of the nightmarish treatments he received when that old bloodlust was supposedly washed away.

His chakra swelled, and with a left foot mashing against the court soil, Kaji took flight towards Shikai, and his Katana raised at his side, eager to do his worst. However as Kaji entered his striking range, his pitch-black form erupted into darkness, which swept over his student for a second time in the night, and his voice echoed in the night with a disgruntled, conflicted howl. As the light returned to Shikai, he’d appear, still free of the stains of running blood, or the pain of a fresh lesion. In the storming darkness he’d find nothing but another illusion, another pardoning from the clash he desired. Not tonight, lad.

He appeared in the open, standing behind Shikai as the sound of Unagihada being locked away the the noir, eel-skin coated sheath. With his back shamefully turned from his pupil he grasped the mask covering his face, and ripped it off, only for it to shatter into pure chakra, and wither into nothing through his hand. “I’ve seen enough” he admitted with another voice, one more similar to the dull sound he had at the start of their encounter. Then Kaji approached his pupil in a casual stride and held out a small envelope addressed to him. “You have the necessary skill to serve as an Anbu Corps, but you’re going to need a lot more discipline. Here is your access pass for the Shrine… and a commendation letter, granting your enrollment as an Anbu Disciple. And for tonight” he paused nervously, “try to go home and get some rest. I’m sure your new Master will come looking for you soon enough, and you should try to get as much rest as you can before then.”

WC 519

Trial Completed.
Welcome to the Anbu Branch, with induction as a Anbu in Training.