To Kill a Snake [A Rank]

[Xiangtian Xiao]

As a Guardian, Itsuke had many responsibilities, which would consist of protecting the people, Shamans and the village itself. However it is more than just that. He had privileges most shinobi would not, allowing him to possess certain dealings with certain people with the right amount of power and money, such as local merchants and whatnot. As long they benefited him, he would not cast them aside, as his father did him. Who knows, the day might come he would need these benefactors' aid. He also kept an eye on the village and what was outside it, especially Outer Maruishi. Often filled with dangers, there was too what you could call peace. Peace of the rural farmlands that are supported by the fruits of their labors and products. For the sake of the village, Itsuke would rather not see the lives of the farmers and merchants living there not be disturbed, be it man or nature.

Unfortunately, something happened. Although consistently policed by Iwagakurian shinobi, the wildlife of the Concrete Jungle makes all form of possible violence unpredictable. But this form of violence... was not as expected. Occasionally, wildlife creatures might stray too far from the jungle and attack small hamlets here and there, but it is usually taken care of by local guards who would hold until shinobi force could be summoned. This time it was more complicated.

So there goes Itsuke, donned in his usual dark coat with his v-shirt underneath, dark pants and boots and waiting in the Embassy. His hair was tied back in a ponytail as he waited for the mission doer inside the building. He was one of the Guardians chosen to hand out missions and ensured the success of the mission by picking the right people for it. Through his Guardianship contacts, the incident in the Outer Maruishi caught his ear and the request of the richest merchant there was accepted. Fat, snobby and arrogant though this man be, his concern for the farmlands were actually... genuine, if you can call it that. While the incident had no impact on the village, Itsuke's insight into it showed it might just, even if small. Ergo, it had to be nipped in the bud.

And he requested just the couple of right people for this mission. One of them is a high-ranking person, if his memory serves, but the right person all the same. Now he just had to wait for them and hope this mission will go as well as he anticipated. After all, if you want to kill a snake, cut off its head...

And bury it.

Greetings, participants! I will be your moderator for this [A rank] mission. First, you'll need to know a few things...

• I expect a moderate word count of 300 or more per post. Good quality RP will help in determining your success rate.
• I will post a mod twice a week, three depending on you and me.
• You have 48 hours to post and the same can be applied to me. However, if there is a problem in generating a mod post, I will inform you. We both have lives and in life things happen. If something came up in yours and you have no time to post within two days, inform me by sending a PM and I would be willing to give you an extension. Understand if no notification is given to me upon the passing of 48 hours, you will get -10%. Wait, what? Look below for details.
• I use a points system of sorts that will appear in the next mod. You start off with 100% and certain actions will either give you a positive or negative grading. The worse you can get is -15% and that is not something you will like. If you have under 70% you automatically fail the mission. Fear not! For as I said, certain actions will garner you either +5% or +10%. All depends on you. Just keep your wits about you and you'll do fine.
• If you have any questions or need clarifications, PM me or contact me on the #iwa chatroom on IRC and I will gladly answer them.
• Best of luck, friend. Mission details will be given next post.

 

[Kari]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

Would -- or even should -- one trust a summons from an unfamiliar name to an -- albeit known -- unfamiliar place for uncertain reasons? That's about as abstract as this question to get, and that's what Keita had to deal with: the abstract. It was some kind of mission he was needed for. The meeting was soon, and fortunately enough, the meeting place was close. This embassy within the village -- likely another one of those clay buildings that Keita paid little mind to in all his years living here. It was a pretty sketchy thing, this meeting -- heck, when you got to it, Keita didn't really even know who he was supposed to meet or what he should do when he got there. Hopefully there would be some kind of debriefing. -- to hold this meeting (or whatever it was going to be) so far away. It gave him no option but to take this mission on and do as was needed.

Of course, that would have been the Jun's intentions in any case. Who could respect a leader who refused to help their fellow brethren of the Stone? Few within the medics and Shaman, that Keita knew of. He would do as they did and assist in any ways he could, even if it meant these weird missions.

It was the early morning that the summons was delivered, and since then, Keita had done little. He did his typically rites within the temple, and left the place in the charge of some others so that he could do as he was needed in this place -- again, for whatever reason that may be. Missions were generally for the main branch military of Iwagakure. It was rare to call for medics or Shaman unless healing was needed. It was even rarer to request a branch leader for a mission. Were things serious?

Keita was now on his way to this building. Asking others roaming the dirt roads provided the simple information of where he was going. Little ways further and he was there.

It was a generally unused place. Mission briefings and listings for youth, and the occasional meeting was the purpose of this place. It seemed likely that this would be for the latter option. The interior was generally empty. One man, did, however, catch his eye. He seemed as though he was waiting. He was dressed simply, and his long hair -- like Keita's own -- was pulled back for convenience sake. Was he the one? Keita wasn't too sure.

"Hello?" he'd call out in general. Who knew who was the one?

 

[Ryujin Akira]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

[legend="[img]http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae25/dayvione/030ec882-d7f5-4b70-9e71-f561440853c7_zps5ef0efee.jpg[/img]"]Most of the missions I'd take were ones that took place far from home such as message deliveries and escorting. This was due to the fact that I have become a very important key player in my father's caravan business. The caravan trips often travel deep into sand country which is why most of if not the only missions I'd except and take up were located in or around that area. However, today's mission would be different from the rest. My fathers caravans were going to be in town for at least a month for the holidays and festivals taking place. Family month I suppose... I'm not one for many holidays or festivals except for those that celebrate the Fayth.

I made my way to the Embassy and found a mission that peeked my interest thou it was already taken, "Err, crap!" Being contracted to rid vermin from the lands was the kind of mission that was exciting and life threatening but that wasn't the reason I wanted to take part. It was not the sort of mission I'd normally take or participate in as I'm not one of those cowboy shinobi that thirst for action and valor, however, I am a shinobi warrior and most important a follower of the Fayth. The followers of Jashinism parade death and mayhem and it was my obligation as a follower of the Fayth to purge such evil from the world. Evil of such caliber fed the belly of the beast and increased the power of Sin. How could I continue picking up messenger missions and or escorting missions, knowing that evil forces crept around every corner. I am a chunnin of Iwagakure and that wasn't a title taken lightly. I did some intelligence and found the randevu point for said mission. I was joining no matter what.

I approached two men in the Embassy who was standing at the randevu point and acted natural as if I were assigned to this mission. one was wearing a dark coat and boots and both had their hair pulled back... like me. "Hi, I am chunnin Koyoko. Here for the mission to purge some vermin from this world ha ha. Are you guys here for the briefing as well?"

[wc 391][/legend]

 

[Xiangtian Xiao]

Itsuke was standing inside the embassy, waiting as he had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Then they arrived. One had called out and Itsuke opened his eyes only to nod toward that person and closed them once more. Another voice, female. All were here. He opened his eyes and looked at them. They'll do indeed. "All here. Good,"

Itsuke clicked his tongue and a middle-aged man with a receding hairstyle approached the three. The man looked at Itsuke and nodded, knowing his role. "I am Senko. I will be briefing you all. Your objective, Keita-san and Koyoko-san, is to go to the Outer Maruishi and reach Akasora Town. Once there, seek out a man named Ouki. He will provide deeper instructions, but basically, you must investigate an happening there, something that involves a possible spreading of a disease and a bunch of animal attacks. Not much is known, so indeed you must speak to Ouki. He is a mountain of a man with blue hair. Ask around if you have difficulties in finding this man. Itsuke-sama here has a different objective," Senko paused to look at Itsuke. "Did... did I do good?"

The old man only received a glare, which seemed to have been enough to answer his question. "Yes, yes, of course. I shall take leave now!"

With that, Senko was gone. Itsuke smirked, "Well, off you go. You might spot me somewhere in Akasora. It is as the old fool said, Ouki should not be hard to find. Best of luck to you,"

If the two shinobis hurry to Akasora, they'll be stopped by a local, who then shall take them to Ouki. Their questioning should begin.

Note: Due to the recent holiday and snow problems, I will not deduct any points for that week. From now on, it gets serious. Godspeed.

Keita: 100%
Koyoko: 100%

Objective: Go to Akasora Town in the Outer Maruishi. Find and speak to Ouki.

 

[Kari]

The one who seemed was the one who was, and it did not seem that the summoning was for the Jun alone. Two more came, a youngish looking girl, who seemed to be a part of this mission, and another man. One older than him -- far too old for the dreary work of shinobi-hood. It was a simple mission, from how the man -- Senko -- put it; but where was Keita to be put? It was rare that he was summoned for missions, and never ones which seemed so...simple. This seemed something that was meant for a squadron from the Spartans, or one of the shinobi of the main branch, or any of the mercenaries taking a job. But for a Jun? It truly seemed odd.

Keita nodded to the man as he asked for confirmation from the almost-silent shinobi before them. Everyone sought confirmation in another. May the Five help them all...

"Ouki, the blue-topped moutain. I am confident blue is an easy find in a sea of grey and brown. Are you prepared, chuunin Koyoko?" Keita asked, not even looking towards her. "If so, we leave now!" And like that, the sennin-equivalent shinobi was gone. He knew where he was to go, and she should too. They could meet up, at the very least.

Akasora was some time away, and the chuunin ought to catch up around now, given that the Jun would slow his pace after exiting Maruishi. Here was a wild land; one had to be more wary here than they might where else. Who knew what lied in these lands? "Are you close or am I far?" he called into the air. The hurried sounds of movement from dead leaves and moved rocks filled his ears like a natural orchestral piece. No response from her, was she still not in the area? A shame; perhaps he ought to slow down his pace for her again.

The Jun would not hinder himself from getting to the town too soon. On first entrance, the Jun frowned; no obvious blue-topped mountain of a man was in sight. It seemed he would have to ask around.

"Citizens of the town of Akasora, I request one's assistance," he bellowed out, not but a few steps onto the first street of the place. Many rushed away scared, others watched but made no way to assist him. One teenage kid, a young girl of little notice, walked up to Keita, obviously scared.

"W-what do you need, sir?"

"I seek a man by the name of Ouki. He is titan in height and is unique with blue hair. He is waiting somewhere in this town, where, girl, would I find him?"

"Uh..." it seemed like she was trying to think of the response. How long did it take? "I think the tavern, maybe?" she said, the rising intonation of "maybe" suggested it to be a guess more than anything else. A shame, but it was a place to check first.

"And the tavern is where?"

"Keep walking down this road until the intersection. Make a left, and its the third building on the right. Its going to be mostly empty because its still day, but at night you couldn't miss it," she answered automatically. She expected the question or it was common, maybe?

"Thank you. Might you be on the lookout for another heading this way. Send her where you've sent me."

"O-okay!"

Keita headed the way she suggested. Whether it would be a fruitful journey or not would be seen soon enough.

[Sorry Koyoko, I sort of god-modded that Keita was faster than you here. Feel free to meet him on the way or whatnot else. I'll edit my post if you do.]

WC: 593

 

[Ryujin Akira]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

[legend="[img]http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae25/dayvione/030ec882-d7f5-4b70-9e71-f561440853c7_zps5ef0efee.jpg[/img]"]Wow so, it would seem that I may have teamed up with a bunch of egos as I the only one to address me properly was a man by the name Senko. He gave us the briefing on what to do and where to head. I must admit I was feeling quit excited and all despite who I was teamed up with. The nerve of that Keita guy, like what the fuck? Was he trying to be cool or somethin? Why didn't he acknowledge me? Was he my Superior? If so, that still didn't give him the right to act like he was better than me? Stuck up prick!!! And even more frustrating, the man just vanished! Was this a race??? Not only did he need a lesson in decorum but also the fundamentals of a team mission. Whats up with these lone wolf shinobi now a days? Errh!! Anyways, it looks like I was left to my own devices or how the saying goes. I guess I was lucky to have swindled my way on to this mission. What evs right? It was time for me to be on my way to this Akasora place. The road there wasn't hard to find. Several traveling merchants seemed to be leaving from the direction of the town but that's to be expected from places that fall to ailment. They pointed me to the way but aside from that they weren't much help when it came to any information regarding the animal attacks and or sudden spread of disease. One merchant, however, did tell me something interesting though. A man fitting Keita's description was at the town asking similar questions like where he could find a large man with blue hair. Like wtf?! How did he get there so fast? I hurried my pace at the news of this and made it to town sometime after. Akasora... this place was in horrible shape and it's people looking defeated. Man, perhaps we were too late to help them... I was approached by a town's person with information telling me where I should head to. I was confused as to how he knew what I was there for but Keita was here already, plus I didn't look like I was from around these parks and I was heavily armed. I didn't head to the town's tavern immediately however, there were some questions to be asked. Yeah, I could just go to the tavern and look for Keita and the blue haired man but I wanted to see what these villagers know and or seen. I'd ask several town's people looking for clues and pieces to an unsolved puzzle.

"Hi, this town looks like its seen better days... can you tell me a little bit about it and how it was before the recent animal attacks?"
"Hi, I'm here because of the recent animal attacks... can you tell me a little bit about it?"
"Hi, can you tell me a bit about the animals that attacked? Have the animals always been so aggressive in these parts? Were they attacking cattle and people?"
"From where did the animals attack? Were there any injured that survived the attacks that I can talk to?"

[ooc: All questions are to different people Koyoko runs into around the village from guards, merchants, town's men and woman, survivors, etc. Questions are in rotation, not all to one person..]
[wc 536][/legend]

 

[Xiangtian Xiao]

The two shinobi journeyed to Akasora Town quite safely, with Keita being the first arrival. The villagers were scared of the Jun, though. They knew who he was. How could they not? But at the same time to converse with such a man, was it not too arrogant for such lowly commoners to approach a revered leader of the Fayth? Or was that truly the reason? Nonetheless, Keita's bellow frightened them and some scurried off like rats caught red-handed. One brave young female stepped up and explained that the blue-haired man might just be at the tavern. Not long after, Koyoko appeared and asked more questions about the town and attacks, but the villagers looked at the young shinobi as if she had two heads and walked away. Most said they did not know what she was talking about. Some merely muttered a word or two and walked away as well, words such as 'curse' and 'jungle'. What was going on?

However, the same young girl that had talked to Keita walked toward Koyoko, fear in her face, "Perhaps... you should follow your friend, go to the Leaping Rock, the tavern. Ouki... Ouki knows all." She stammered and ran off. So much for information gathering.

The tavern was old, established as long as three or four generations ago. A building of moderate size that looked like it could host a number of people, perhaps as much as fifty or so. The tavern was made from a combination of stone and wood, a sturdy place, with some splotches of vine all over. The look gave the building an unique appearance. No doubt it could weather the worse of nature and remain standing. The smell of booze, honey and a hint of... cinnamon. Upon entering, Keita would see the interior gave a comely feeling of being home, quaint and simple. About thirty people could be spot, sitting on chairs at wooden tables. But what stood out the most of all was the nearly-eight foot tall man sitting on a stone barstool, right arm on the bar, his left hand clutching a wooden flagon of cinnamon ale with a metal handle. This tall man had curly blue hair and beard, braided three pronged with beads and rings. His head was wrapped with cloths of varied patterns and colors. He also had bright clothes. It made him appear to be a lively, colorful man of mid-twenties, but the two shinobi would be surprised to discover he was only thirty-seven. And it was indeed true. Mayhap too lively.

Ouki​

Noticing the new-comer, Ouki's blue eyes shone with excitement and he grinned, pointing to Keita, "Hey, you! Come here, cutie! Have a drink with me and allow me to tell you of my magnificent 'spear', conqueror and mighty penetrator!" The people in the tavern laughed. Not long after, Koyoko caught up. Although Ouki noticed her, his face scrunched in revolt and ignored the young chuunin, deeming her... too ugly. His thoughts.

There in the background, hidden by the shadows, was someone watching the scene calmly.

Keita: 95%
Koyoko: 90%

Objective:
+Go to Akasora Town in the Outer Maruishi. Find and speak to Ouki.
+Talk to Ouki about the mission. And best do it fast before he becomes too occupied with his... 'cutie!'

*Note: Is it me or does Ouki look familiar?

 

[Ryujin Akira]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

[legend="[img]http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae25/dayvione/030ec882-d7f5-4b70-9e71-f561440853c7_zps5ef0efee.jpg[/img]"]Wow so, would you believe that these villagers were completely and undeniably useless. Did they or did they not call for the shinobi help? Jeeze, what a waste of my time. I did get something however, the words curse and jungle seemed to be shared between them but what does this all mean. Clearly I'd need a wee bit more info if I wanted to get to the bottom of this. Perhaps the blue haired man would have more info for us or so I thought anyway. I show up at the tavern and boom there he was, the loudest and seemingly drunkest at the place. He gave me a similar look that I was giving him, one of disgust and seemed to fancy my partner. At least someone did. I could tell that he wasn't going to be much use so I tapped my partner's bottom and said, "All yours tiger!" i didn't want to block or anything so hey, maybe he would have better luck on his own discussing matters with the weirdo. I made my way to the bar and order a drink. This was just in good taste as I had no intentions on drinking anything from a diseased ridden town. I just needed to butter up the bar tender in order to get some info. I'm sure he would have heard a lot about rumors that would prove useful in our investigation. As the bar tender passed me a slab, I'd take a bit of yen and place it on the counter next to his hand in order for him to see that it was much more than the cost of the drink.

"Say, you seem to be an interesting fellow whose probably heard several interesting stories no doubt. Have you heard any rumors of late regarding a jungle and or curse? I'm just curious is all, seeing that I'm on business with a partner who is clearly preoccupied with someone else. A good drink and interesting story would be great to keep me company, don't you agree."

[ooc: Handle yours Keita you dog you lol]
[wc 339][/legend]

 

[Kari]

The people's fear for him seemed unwarranted. Were they intimidated by the shinobi force? Was it from their unfamiliarity of the culture some days' travel away? They muttered unintelligible things as they walked passed them in their hurried way that resembled some rodent being chased. The fear might be problematic, as if the information received would not prove adequate; if he could not speak with the public, then he failed as a leader, and it seemed that he most definitively did here. That Chuunin -- Koyoko, wasn't it? -- might prove of immeasurable assistance there.

The tavern was a rather simple building -- not to the extent of those in Iwagakure, but gods, those couldn't really be considered the standard of simplicity given how primitive the village was -- as far as buildings went. The wood suggested the building to be rather antiquated; some areas seemed replace, and other pieces were beyond aged. The stone design was simple; cobbled steps and outside path was its entirety. Like the wood, it also was aged since an ageless time. There was some plant growth on the outer-wall's side, some kind of thing that was supposedly fashionable in this time and age; the Jun saw nothing amazing about vines as a part of the architecture.

Inside was the mountain of the man that they were supposed to find; when they said he was tall, it almost felt an understatement, this man was more aptly titled the mountain as Keita had dubbed him. Vibrantly-coloured and as effervescent in personality. My...if he so desired to tell stories of a spear, Keita might hope that he didn't have the desire for another battle. The tavern was not so busy as that conversing would be difficult, but it was fairly so. "A drink would be fine, but from what am I?"

Then, finally, came the Chuunin, slapping him on his arse in some sporty manner, and taking the lead like this informant might have desired from himself. He'd nod afterwards, she as doing well enough. They needed the debriefing for this mission first and foremost; if this informant wanted his share of spoils afterwards, he'd need to do his part. "Have you a story for us, then?"

OOC: I recognize him! I recognize him!

 

[Xiangtian Xiao]

The bartender was a stocky, balding man of average height and known to the town as Rockhead. Rockhead thought nothing, at first, of the two newcomers who entered his pride and joy, the Leaping Rock. One began conversing with Ouki, the one of the richest merchants of the town and the bartender's patron. Word around town was that he put up a request for shinobis in order to handle... that matter. The villagers wanted it left alone, to let it be so no more lives were lost but Ouki, a courageous man who experienced his share of battles in youth, refused to have the town he came to love so much live in fear. So if these shinobi were asking around about the matter, the request or whatever related, the villagers won't say anything mostly because they are too afraid or simply ignorant. Bliss in ignorance, they say. He took the other newcomer's order and passed a jug of ale, ready to take payment but realized it was more than the mentioned price. So the young girl expected information, her intentions clear in her words.

"Say, you seem to be an interesting fellow whose probably heard several interesting stories no doubt. Have you heard any rumors of late regarding a jungle and or curse? I'm just curious is all, seeing that I'm on business with a partner who is clearly preoccupied with someone else. A good drink and interesting story would be great to keep me company, don't you agree."

Rockhead snatched the yen before the girl changed her mind. Unfortunately for her, the bartender did not know that much, but hell was he going to let this yen go to waste. He had to give her something, whether or not it was to her satisfaction. "Jungle? Yer talkin' about the Concrete Jungle? Place's be cursed as the nine hells. To enter is death. That what you wanna know?" Not wanting to rip her off or risk Ouki's wrath, he directed her to the best source there was. Whispering so only the girl could understand, he continued. "Would be grand, lass, if you spoke to Ouki. None will answer yer questions and rightly so for a good reason. Enjoy yer drink,"

Meanwhile Ouki took a good look at Keita. He would like to bed this young one, that's what he thought when he first saw the shinobi enter the tavern but he also had no doubt the identify of the one speaking to him. Iwagakurians. This meant Itsuke decided to heed his request. Good, Ouki thought, best to spare the villagers less harm. Still, the shinobi in front of him stirred his loins. It had been a while for Ouki, who often had to travel out of Earth Country to dip his meat into a nice bud. Enough of that, however, for if these two newcomers were the shinobi he requested, then no doubt Itsuke was somewhere, watching.

"A story indeed. Follow me then to my room. This story is private. Fear not, for my spear can wait another day or so for you. C'mon, lad. Bring that girl partner of yours with you," Ouki sat up and went up the stairs. The tavern was too an inn, two stories. It seemed it was a case of bigger in the inside than outside kind of building. Leading the two into his room, a modest one with a single bed, a window, table and painting. It was as simple as this tavern was. Grabbing a chair seemingly made for him, he sat on it and looked at the two.

"No doubt you're shinobi or at least those sent to attend my request. Understand I requested help, not the villagers, for they are too scared. The Concrete Jungle is cursed, full of strange animal life, strange and dangerous. But when a young boy of fifteen summers entered the forest because his younger foolish sister lost something in there and after he came out, he became sick, jungle sickness of some kind, we thought. Now see, it was not life threatening or even of any concern but later on four more people succumbed to this sickness... without having ventured into the jungle or was even in close proximity. Like the young boy, they all recovered, but were changed. Not a big change, but small... slightly, one might not even notice it. One night one of the townsguard found one of the recovered people, a girl of seventeen, wandering. When the guard lifted his lantern to the girl's face, he screamed, as her mouth, clothing and hands were covered in blood, not her own, but... but no one was missing, no body was found. We questioned her, but she said she did not remember anything. She was saying this while licking the blood on her hands like it was candy of the sort. Could've been animal blood, but that would mean she went into the forest. So, the town elders increased the number of guards but nothing else happened. We figured the girl lost her senses, her mind somehow addled by the... sickness. Yet none of the other recovered people showed such symptoms. We tried to keep it quiet, you see, as no harm was done and to quell people's fears.

But no more. I would not wish for the townspeople to live in fear, thus my request. Before asking for help, though, I attempted to venture into the forest, to see what was so bad. Armed with my... spear and sword, I dispatched a few wild animals here and there but found nothing serious. That is, until I came across two paths and heard singing toward one of the directions. But I thought it was odd, singing in that accursed jungle, so I avoided that path and took the other. What I came across was... a snakeman? Mansnake? I knew not how to describe it but for hissing and slithering. He was surprised I made it far, but when I tried to attack him, well... I blacked out somehow and found myself at the town entrance unscathed. I remember what he said too, 'It is not time yet. I need time, for my experiments. Lucky for you, my snakes are not hungry...'. I'm a strong warrior, but I never want to go back in there ever again. Imagine what this man could've done to me while I was out..." Ouki shuddered. "I figured trained shinobi such as you two could fare better. If you agree, well then, go to the jungle. All I can say is beware of the bloodwolves and do not allow the snakeman to speak. At all. I suspect it was genjutsu that knocked me out, either through his voice or eyes.

What say you?"

Keita: 90%
Koyoko: 90%

Objective:
+Go to Akasora Town in the Outer Maruishi. Find and speak to Ouki.
+Talk to Ouki about the mission. And best do it fast before he becomes too occupied with his... 'cutie!'
+Go to Concrete Jungle.

*Note: If you're curious about Ouki, his playby is Daario Naharis of A Song of Ice and Fire series. You love the series? Great. You don't know about it? Well, get on it if you like High Fantasy! Moving on now.

 

[Ryujin Akira]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

[legend="[img]http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae25/dayvione/030ec882-d7f5-4b70-9e71-f561440853c7_zps5ef0efee.jpg[/img]"]As suspected, I wasn't going to get much info from any of these bell ends... It would seem that my only choice was to speak to the blue haired man who didn't seem to want to talk to me anyways. I nodded to the bartender, giving him my sarcastic thanks before taking my ale and turning to my partner. That's when I saw that I was being motioned over to follow our contact upstairs. With ale in hand, I did what I was asked. In the privacy of our contact's room, we received a full briefing and explanation as to why we were called. Really bazaar stuff was going on, a very confused blood thirsty child, mysterious diseases, and a man snake... What did this all mean? What was the connection? If these things weren't trouble enough, we may be up against a genjutsu user... I looked to my partner with concern as we were asked if we would except the mission. I passed my partner the ale as I asses the situation for a bit. The girl, the sick people, and a possible genjutsu using snake people... all occurrences in the forest...

"I'm not saying that I believe in Snake people or anything but from my experience... servants of Sin, come in all shapes and sizes. I'm in, I believe we can get to the bottom of this. With that, I think a search of the forest is no doubt where we will get our answers however... I'd like to meet the girl who was licking the err candy first.. also I'd like to try something... may I see your hand?"

[ooc: if he gives me his hand I want to try to disrupt his chakra flow using cancel. Also I'd want to activate my sharingan. I rp sharingan as not being sharingan but more like Prism Eyes from Tsuchimikado bl. Koyoko's eyes are ice blue and now start to glow a bit. Not extra exaggerated but noticeable that they are a bit brighter with a hue.]
[wc 200+][/legend]

 

[Kari]

The Jun cared little for the bartender, or not to say he disliked the man or showed apathy for him, rather, it could be said that Keita thought him not immediately important, and, because of such, paid little attention to him. The Chuunin and him were talking in the distance, it was a bit much to listen, especially when he was also having to appear attentive towards this man, but it wasn't an impossible task. Hearing that such a thing as a "cursed jungle" actually existed him annoyed the Jun slightly upon hearing it from the bartender's mouth solely because of the fact that none before now had opted to request assistance of the village. Why live in fear when there was the largest military organization in the world less than a day's travel away to aid you? So then the village did think this place to be haunted? How long had they been suffering from this and why had none spoken up sooner to addressed the Shamans directly? Curse it all.

Finally, Keita turned immediately as the informant spoke. They'd be going into his room privately, it seemed. An obvious red flag for all; separating them from the public view was a good way to hide a murder or any other atrocious act, after all. This Ouki had already admitted to being experienced with a spear; who was to say that that this wasn't a ploy to have the two speared? Reluctantly Keita would rise from his seat. Koyoko was having her drink or doing whatever over there. "Koyoko," Keita would call to the Chuunin as soon as Ouki exited the room, "we have to go upstairs, be on alert and come on." Keita followed the path the seemingly homosexual "spearman" took. A short path from their table towards a flight of stairs. It was a room on the second story, simple in design, somewhat more modern than the appearance of the building itself, luckily enough. Ouki waited in a chair, unarmed and still safe. Keita stopped only for a moment as he glanced over the room before nodding to Ouki and taking his seat upon one of the chairs adjacent to him.

Hopefully the Chuunin would be soon to follow, but Keita made no attempt to search for her in the hall as the informant began his story. Some kind of sickness -- some plague -- was affecting those who had come in some kind of contact with a boy who had entered the jungle before. One girl showed severe symptoms suggesting some kind of mental assault on her; her mind was plagued with amnesia and blood came from somewhere. Something had died, who knew what? None of the others showed any notable symptoms, at the very least, but who knew if and when they might? Who knew if others were not infected already? There were too many unknowns, the Five mocked us.

Description of the jungle told what was to be expected: wild animal encounters and some kind of pre-made path where some naga-esque creature who could inflict genjutsu upon another could be found. It was a brilliant thing; snakes were considered evil by many of the religions in Earth Country, furthermore they were aligned with illusion. It was a brilliant mixture; could the Jun, a sage of genjutsu, rival this creature the Old Ones had brought?

"I -- sorry, we -- will be taking the mission and heading towards the jungle immediately. I do have some questions for you before we depart, however. The others in the village, have any others shown the sickness? When was the most recent event? Finally, what would you like us to do with this creature? Kill it? Capture it? I am sure your spear would look more nicely in it than in me, after all," Keita would add the last bit with a sly grin.

After receiving their answers, the Jun would be ready to depart. It would be a lengthy travel by foot to the forest, hopefully they could make it there to investigate in the day light, for monsters worse than what were within the village were said to roam the jungle at night. One could only wonder if those were fact or fiction.

 

[Xiangtian Xiao]

Ouki thought the girl's request was odd but he complied anyway. Handing his hand to her, he noticed her eyes changed into a brighter hue of blue, a disturbing sight, especially when he didn't know eyes could do that. As skillful he was in the martial arts, he realized he could never hold a candle to these shinobi who had access to... greater sources of power. These past weeks, ever since he entered the jungle and was knocked out, Ouki had felt as if someone was watching him even when he was sleeping or in a secured place with one exit. But when this young shinobi did something, Ouki lost that ever-watchful feeling, did not feel stalked anymore. He could only smile to the girl, hoping she realized whatever she did had worked. Now his head felt a little clearer.

"Well, no. The girl I spoke of was the only one and the rest were healthy and did not act like her. The last was a boy of twelve. They just went along with their lives, as if it never happened. The girl, if you want to talk to her, can be found easily. She'll accompany us," Ouki rose at this point and looked at the two before leaving the tavern, "The creature? Kill it. Maybe you could question it on its reasons of why it did what it did, but in the end, kill it."

The three went out of the tavern and soon found the girl Ouki had mentioned. It was the same one who had told the two shinobi where Ouki could be found. One would not have suspected her to be seventeen, her small frame and child-like appearance. She followed the three to the direction of the forest and calmly answered Koyoko's questions. When done, Ouki asked her to turn back.

The line of forest appeared before them not long after leaving the village. The path they followed was the only... well, the only safe way into the Concrete Jungle as any other possible entry was sealed by wild growth of vines, somehow stone-like and difficult to break through. These vines even had thorns, if that was possible. Here, Ouki prepared to leave them. As said, he won't take another step forward and bowed to the shinobi, "Best of luck. Like I said, watch out for bloodwolves and any other wildlife. Goodbye,"

This left the two wandering into the forest, keeping their senses alert. They went through trees after trees, bushes after bushes before they came upon a man-made, or was it, road of brownish-tan. Following the road, the two Iwagakurians began hearing something faint. But the closer they approached the forked path Ouki mentioned, it became clearer. It was... a woman singing?

Kree kraw toad's foot
Geese walk barefoot
A toad I am not
Yet a geese am I not?

Kree kraw toad's foot
Geese walk barefoot...

To the left of the forked path, if they paid attention could see a woman in white quickly running and then vanished. Too quickly for the human eye, perhaps, but we all know the eyes of a shinobi is quite different. If the singing came from the left, would that mean the snake-man was to the right? Even now the singing continued...

...Which might be concealing the soft growling behind the two shinobi...

Keita: 90%
Koyoko: 90%

Objective:
+Go to Akasora Town in the Outer Maruishi. Find and speak to Ouki.
+Talk to Ouki about the mission. And best do it fast before he becomes too occupied with his... 'cutie!'
+Go to Concrete Jungle.

• Take the left or right path.

*Note: Four bloodwolves. Just to help you RPwise.

 

[Kari]

It was in the room that the Chuunin exhibited an interesting trait; her eyes flickered to a weak white much like Kono Haruka's had within the Temple. Did she, too, have some spirit within her? Whatever her intentions were or what she did, the Jun was not exactly sure of; he watched what she did with some interest, it was important to observe what those around you could do. Whatever she did, the informant seemed much more at ease. It was a nice blessing to bestow upon him as he provided the final bits of information.

"Certainly," Keita would answer upon the order for kill. Whatever this thing was, it was a threat to the town; it had to be removed for their safety, at the very least, but that didn't mean that Keita wouldn't do what he could to see about learning from it first. If it could inflict an illusion upon humans so easily, perhaps that would be what the Jun had to attain master of to grow more as an illusionist. To hear that the first girl to be inflicted by the naga-esque creature would be with them for the travel to the jungle was convenient at the very least. If Keita could hear of its methods, then he could more easily anticipate its strikes, inflicting his own in its stead.

Keita followed Ouki back out of the room and into the tarvern yet again. The activity seemed much less than it had; the people were less rowdy now. Did they know the two's purpose, perhaps? Were they just curious what would happen next? Many had succumbed to the beast, but none were shinobi and none were illusionists. Out of the building, the bright light hit Keita first; it was rather dim within the building, thus left him momentarily dazed. Opening his eyes again, he saw her, the girl. A petit creature one might think to be a child rather than a woman fully-grown.

On their path to the jungle, Keita would ask all the standard questions: if she saw the beast, what she remembered of it, how she felt while ill. In a more curious interrogation, he'd ask if he remembered her song and how she felt while hearing it.

It was far too soon that the entrance to the jungle loomed before them. Dense trees and vegetation innumerous to count stood before them, creating a dark setting which could hold any number of beasts; since this was the more traveled part, a thin dirt path made from so many people taking this path for so long was made, but even that wouldn't give perfect reason to know where one was. Once you were in there, you had to be certain of your bearings else you might be lost for the longest time.

"We will be sure to; we should be back by sunrise tomorrow. We will meet you at the tavern then," Keita nodded. To the chuunin, he'd be a bit more sincere: "are you ready? There's going to be threats other than this beast in there."

Immediately after, Keita took the first steps into the jungle. It was dense, but for now, he could follow the trail with some ease. Small animals cried and dashed from the sound the two made from transversing through the area. Bushes with thorns snagged at clothing occasionally. It was a jungle, there were plenty of things happening. Some five minutes traveling, the path wasn't visible any longer; Keita continued traveling in the same direction the path had been leading up to this point. They were traveling blind, but at least going in only one direction would be easy enough to backtrack. Then it appeared: a new road. Thank the gods, Keita wanted to shout.

"Here, more road," he'd call to the chuunin. He'd continue down it again. There was still some ways to go, and they had to go faster than this if they wanted to not be here when the more dangerous creatures appeared. The road was better than the other one, but where he had led to and where it would end he hadn't any clue. There was some sound over the cries and shouts of the animals. Some voice, human-esque...some woman's. Was it one of the villager's? Keita moved towards it, rushing faster than his walking pace had been, until he reached a divergence in the road. Two paths, no obvious idea which direction the voice came from.

The song's lyrics were more distinct now. It was a strange song...something about it gave Keita goosebumps -- pun not exactly intended. The song had some kind of deep undertone about it that felt closer than the words were...wait...

Keita's eye caught it immediately turned around to see what it was. A white figure, something of a sundress appeared for a split second and Keita made no motion to look back. There was something here and he had to take care of it immediately. The rotational velocity of turning would prove adequate to provide the force required for an offensive strike. More still when you channel chakra through your fist in order to harden the top layer of skin to be conditioned to something similar to brick or metal. Whether it was immediately behind him or not, the paranoia was too much: Keita punched what was immediately behind him, animal or not. "Koyoko, there was something to the left, go now!"

[Punching whatever was behind him (if anything) with Fist of Sin.]
[WC: 907]

 

[Ryujin Akira]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

[legend="[img]http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae25/dayvione/030ec882-d7f5-4b70-9e71-f561440853c7_zps5ef0efee.jpg[/img]"]I was only working with a hypothesis when I decided to disrupt the blue haired man's chakra flow, however, seeing his relief afterward began to shed light on what I believed was a grim situation. I was glad to see that he was ok though this just proved that our enemy was indeed a genjutsu user. It was time to test yet another theory and to form more hypothesis. Data was crucial when facing powerful opponents... and in my book, genjutsu masters were not to be underestimated. We soon met with the woman child girl from earlier... I wasn't convinced of her age but I wasn't here to worry about stunted growths or anything like that. No, I had a mission and to complete it I needed intel. I theorized that everyone who entered the forest has fallen victim to some kind of genjutsu. I listened to the girl as my partner asked her questions and i attempted the same method of cleansing as I did with the informant. If by disturbing this girl's chakra caused any change in her, then we'd have to be especially careful when entering the forest...

Before long we were escorted into the forest. It became quite the journey and due to low visibility, we even lost are path... well sort of but we eventually found our way and arrived at the two way path we were told about. The long travel gave me time to reflect on a few things like weather or not traveling at night was such a good idea, was it just me or was my partner being nicer to me, were we really prepared to face our genjutsu nemesis? I was starting to doubt myself when I heard a melody or singing. My initial thoughts were to investigate as it would seem my partner was in accord but then it hit me... could this be a trap? Genjutsu through sound like we were warned? I attempted to shout out to my partner my concerns but was interrupted by the vicious sounds of growling. Some ravage beast perhaps but whatever the threat, I leaped from it. I did nothing at first, but saw my partner spring into action. I focused my sights on the beast but did not strike. Instead, I was quickly told to head left... yes I hesitated at first due to my immediate doubts about splitting up being such a good idea, however I did look and was somehow caught a quick glimpse of why he said to go... no one ever knows what's the right decision to make when you only have a split second to decide... do I believe in my comrade and do as he ask? Or do I follow my gut and do what I believe is best? ...I found myself not running after the lady in white but instead helping my partner out against the beast.

"I'm sorry... I can't do that..."
[wc 200+]
(Use hypnotic suggestion on beast to make it remain motionless for my partner's attack. If Ketia runs, then so do I. Sry for the wait, using phone)[/legend]

 

[Xiangtian Xiao]

The two-legs trespassed into their home, their domain. Could they not smell the stale scent of urine that marked the blood pack's territory? It seemed not. That's why all two-legs were stupid, unruly and disrespectful, thought the Alpha wolf. Alpha'Tur nodded to Beta and Beta'Tes then nodded to the Blood-Braves, three of them. A Blood-Brave decided to lure the two crass two-legs so his brothers might flank them, the usual tactic. No two-leg ever proved able to survive the Triangle-Blood-Attack. How could they? This was a pack of bloodwolves, descended from the extinct notoriously fierce direwolves, a breed of wolves said to be at least as tall as a grown horse. Bloodwolves were amply named, their bloodlust and red eyes a notable feature. They were black of coat, like a moonless midnight, and drawn from the darkest pit of Tartarus. No prey escaped them and all in their range die. So in the eyes of the Alpha'Tur, the two-legs were foolish and he was certain his Blood-Braves could rend them apart, a great feast for the tribe guaranteed. Or so this one Blood-Brave thought, as he lunged...

Keita reacted fast enough, as expected of a Jun and one trained in the ways of shinobi, but a bloodwolf was wild, raised on savage instincts humanity abandoned long ago. As such, it was slightly faster and could've easily dodged the Jun's fist and leave a gushing wound that would've signaled his blood-brothers to attack, if not for Koyoko's inference. In fact, it might have made all the difference. This particular bloodwolf had intended to stare down the girl, let its bloody-like eyes intimidate her, but her eyes were far more powerful. The legendary Sharingan twisted the wolf's mind and paralyzed it with fear. Unable to move, the Fist of Sin technique cracked the wolf's neck upon the hit. This only infuriated the three remaining bloodwolves, one of them the Beta, with their enraged howling. What now?

As to make matters worse, there was a faint hissing sound, but the direction it was coming from... could not be identified. Regardless, the two Iwagakurians now had three angry bloodwolves. Perhaps haste would best be used here.

Alpha'Tur winced as his Blood-Brave's neck cracked, a heavy sound that angered the other wolves into their Blood-Rage. The two-legs will not escape now, he thought, for as long Alpha'Tur-of-the-Bloodkings breathed...

None...

Shall...​

Pass!​

<i></i>

Keita: 95%
Koyoko: 95%

Objective:
+Go to Akasora Town in the Outer Maruishi. Find and speak to Ouki.
+Talk to Ouki about the mission. And best do it fast before he becomes too occupied with his... 'cutie!'
+Go to Concrete Jungle.

• Take the left or right path.

+Defeat the bloodwolves. (One is dead, there is three attacking you and the leader has yet shown up.)

-Note: Sorry! I was swamped and then life happened, but no excuses... As an apology, I shall grant you both +5%. Keep it up. If things go well, there should be just four mod posts left. Once again, sorry.

 

[Ryujin Akira]

Re: To Kill a Snake [Keita/Modded]

[legend="[img]http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae25/dayvione/030ec882-d7f5-4b70-9e71-f561440853c7_zps5ef0efee.jpg[/img]"]These creatures by all means looked of vicious and savage but they were not servants of the dark as I'm sure they are just many that are part of nature. They mean to kill us but not for pleasure or malice but to feed and survive as the world dictates, however they would not find feast here. I had no ill intent toward them which caused me to frown at my partners actions, the sound of the blood wolf's neck cracking caused me to cringe a bit. I did not like to kill or see killing if it could be avoided... That wolf did not have to die as they were not evil but just untamed. My partner looked ready for battle but to kill of these wolves was not in our briefing and thus not our mission. I took comfort in that as I prepared myself to run for the left path. A hissing sound only hasten my decision as it's source could not be located immediately.

"Keita! If we take these things on it won't be without cost, COME!"

Regardless of his responds I left no time for reaction. I quickly grabbed his arm and ran toward the forked path and sharped right! Initially we were going to head left to follow what we say moving but my body followed my better senses. The sound of singing could still be heard and it reminded me of what our contact warned. The path he had followed was opposite to that of the singing and it led him to the snake man thing. Servants of the dark no doubt and no doubt the left path was a trap of some kind. As we ran I began to fear the worst... it was about what our contact told us about the last words he heard before falling unconscious... "It is not time yet. I need time, for my experiments." Just what in the hell did that mean? I was starting to get a bad feeling about this but it was too late to turn back now. We had to push forward!

[wc 200+]
[mft]
(Activate Mangakyo Sharingan- eyes are much more hue and bright. Use Flame shield to prevent being followed reactionary. If I'm attacked by anything, use Amaterasu special action to protect myself. Since it's chakra armor, I'm using Elemental Aura ability with it.)[/legend]

 

[Kari]

Sad it was that the creature had to die; it last saw those strange eyes that the Chuunin bore. It seemed to enthrall all who gazed into them. Powerful, it had some kind of beauty to it. The snap of the beast's neck was loud and evident: it died upon impact. The beast wasn't unsightly on the eyes, if nothing else, it seemed majestic almost. The massive wolf was one of the top of this jungle, its boldness would bring it to even face human. It was respectable. Had Keita time and safety, he would have burned the wolf as one of Iwagakure might be burned upon their death, to being their cycle into the Five.

The Chuunin was panicking. Rightfully so, they had to go; had the Chuunin obeyed her command earlier, the two would not be having this problem. The wolf would have been scared off; she would be making pursuit towards the serpentine creature the two were hired to defeat and everything would be going fine. The potential threat that more of this one's pack would strike was a definite one. When they would come and how aggressive they would be was in question. But for now, all they could do is--...

"What are you--?" the words came out of Keita's mouth quickly as the girl pulled on him and ran. In a better time, Keita might commend her for her boldness, but they had quite the situation on their hands. Keita shook her off grip off his hand, but did not linger behind. For now, moving was without a doubt the best option, but was this the right way? She had taken the left path when Keita had told her the right. But was his way the wrong way? It was only for the most instant of moments that he had seen whatever that was, and there was no guarantee that it wasn't some trap. The naga's experiments? Did she entice her pray by having themselves victim of their own curiosity?

"Chuunin, be on alert. Keita focused his mind; his strength, his true strength, was with his mind. No more would he disable a beast with murder, he would disable their minds and make them flee in a more...humane way. Nevertheless, they had to push on. They needed to find this snake woman, their final opponent.

[Temple of Nirvana anything that appears hostile.]
[Sorry I took so long. I suck.]

 

[Xiangtian Xiao]

Greetings.

Wow. A lot of time passed and I apologize for that. A lot of things also happened and to say sorry, I am willing to dismiss you both from the mission and give you a pass. You both are actually going the right direction and even if somehow you mess up, you'll have enough to pass anyway. If this is what you both want, let me know and I'll give the go.

If not, however, then I can continue. You have, like, three mods left. Once again, I apologize and my actions have been thus far inexcusable. Have a great day.

-Itsuke