Choka pushed through the crowd for roughly twenty minutes without catching sight of the target. He was a slippery b*****d to disappear so easily, but Choka wasn't about to give up so easily. She'd continue to make her way through the crowd until she reached an alleyway. Choka would slip into it for a bit of reprieve from the chaos of the market. She took a moment to gather her nerves and get back to the crowd. She bent over and inhaled a long, deep breath. She exhaled, letting all of the air out of her lungs before breathing in again once more. Clarity began to come to her. She'd lift her head and stand up straight, looking right out through the other side of the alleyway. Just in that moment, she saw the face of her target as he walked passed the alleyway. As he did so, he'd turn and look to meet the gaze of Choka. He understood what was happening right away and began bolting off into the market. Choka wasn't going to let him just get away, though.
With a burst of speed and vigor, Choka would quickly reach the other side of the market and turn the corner to follow her target. He was in her sights and there was no way that she'd lose him now. The two seemed to dance around each other, the target using the crowd for cover and Choka trying not to hurt anyone as she wormed her way through. This would go on for a half hour without Choka letting up for even a second. This was a serious mission for her and she refused to fail.
• Juggernaut → The user suffers no drawbacks of any kind when wearing very light and light armor at D-Rank, medium armor at C-Rank, heavy armor at B-Rank, and all other armors at A-Rank. They receive one free custom weapon or armor upon creation and gain a moderate boost to strength and fortitude. Additionally, they start with the following four techniques, rather than the six most ninja do: Bushi Ken no Jutsu [ Samurai Sabre Technique ], Shunshin no Jutsu [ Body Flicker Technique ], Kai [ Release ], and Kawarimi no Jutsu [ Substitution Technique ]. • Blood Knight → Your bloodline techniques possess greater power, allowing them to overwhelm techniques of the same rank and preventing them from succumbing to elemental weaknesses. You can cast bloodline techniques through one-handed seals. • Big Sword, No Problems → Choka can use a greatsword in place of any other large weapon used in a bukijutsu style. All relevant formless weapons styles become formless greatsword. • I CAN SWING MY SWORD → Choka is accustomed to using swords of all types, but favors the greatsword most of all. All bukjutsu techniques cost [5] less stamina to perform. Can only reduce a cost to a minimum of [5] stamina.
• All Douka users have deep chakra pools. ( Chakra pool maximum +40. ) • After training, Douka users are able to take on the characteristics of any solid or liquid. • Although the Manipulation techniques have ranks, this is simply for learning purposes. They require no chakra to perform unless stated otherwise. • Learn 1 extra Bloodline technique per post. • Learn 1 extra Bukijutsu technique per post.
Inventory
• Greatsword
Learning/Mission Information
Jutsu Learned
xxxxx ----------------------- Mission Information
Title: Muscle for Hire Information: Some guy needs to be taught a lesson! This punk had the nerve to disrespect your client. They don't need to die, but they ain't walking out! Solo or Squad: Any Minimum Posts: 3
Choka was relentless. The target kept dodging through the crowd, weaving like some sort of shinobi in and out of Choka's vision, but she wasn't going to lose track of this guy. She decided to step it up and leaped into the air, landing on a nearby rooftop. She continued to run along the rooftop, jumping to the next one and the next one, keeping an eye on the target. She closed in the distance close enough this way that she felt confident she could perform an effective take down. With a powerful kick, Choka launched herself from the roof and through the air over the crowd. She aimed her assault perfectly and would land directly on top of her target, planting a foot down on the center of his back.
"Finally caught you, ya b*****d. Hope you aren't too tired, cuz you're in a real hard time once I drop you off." Choka would reach down and grab the man by the back of his collar and lift him up in the air and dangle him inches off the ground. "Try anything funny and I'll have to rough you up a bit beforehand. Got that?" With her threat now said, she'd set the man down to his feet, but she wouldn't release the grip[ she had on his clothing. Like this, she'd drag the culprit back to the one who had commissioned her services. The stall owner graciously thanked Choka and handed her a parcel with some cash in it. She'd receive the parcel and move out from this place. She didn't need to stay there for whatever reaming that guy was gonna get.
• Juggernaut → The user suffers no drawbacks of any kind when wearing very light and light armor at D-Rank, medium armor at C-Rank, heavy armor at B-Rank, and all other armors at A-Rank. They receive one free custom weapon or armor upon creation and gain a moderate boost to strength and fortitude. Additionally, they start with the following four techniques, rather than the six most ninja do: Bushi Ken no Jutsu [ Samurai Sabre Technique ], Shunshin no Jutsu [ Body Flicker Technique ], Kai [ Release ], and Kawarimi no Jutsu [ Substitution Technique ]. • Blood Knight → Your bloodline techniques possess greater power, allowing them to overwhelm techniques of the same rank and preventing them from succumbing to elemental weaknesses. You can cast bloodline techniques through one-handed seals. • Big Sword, No Problems → Choka can use a greatsword in place of any other large weapon used in a bukijutsu style. All relevant formless weapons styles become formless greatsword. • I CAN SWING MY SWORD → Choka is accustomed to using swords of all types, but favors the greatsword most of all. All bukjutsu techniques cost [5] less stamina to perform. Can only reduce a cost to a minimum of [5] stamina.
• All Douka users have deep chakra pools. ( Chakra pool maximum +40. ) • After training, Douka users are able to take on the characteristics of any solid or liquid. • Although the Manipulation techniques have ranks, this is simply for learning purposes. They require no chakra to perform unless stated otherwise. • Learn 1 extra Bloodline technique per post. • Learn 1 extra Bukijutsu technique per post.
Inventory
• Greatsword
Learning/Mission Information
Jutsu Learned
xxxxx ----------------------- Mission Information
Title: Muscle for Hire Information: Some guy needs to be taught a lesson! This punk had the nerve to disrespect your client. They don't need to die, but they ain't walking out! Solo or Squad: Any Minimum Posts: 3
Kuza wasn't entirely alone in this city as she made her roundabout exploration of the marketplace. Merchants hawking their wares at passersby, one particularly loud and obnoxious man was a cheese salesman droning on obnoxiously of bleu cheese, hunks & wedges, swiss, cheddar, ages and so on. It was in a large square clear of any prominent building that was instead taken over by the various stalls with merchants peddlin' their wares to a sea of people. She lost herself in this large gathering that even someone with her distinct appearance could blend in with enough bodies, wasn't anything she could do about the horns apart from a henge transformation however.
Kuza lingered in the large crowds as she browsed over many of the stalls that were set up for the day, a lot of things there were almost completely foreign to her. She did a bit of snooping around the stalls, observing the different odds and ends that were for sale. Spices and herbs were at a peculiar stall then fish, mussels and other shell fish with the next that were all salted or smoked for preservation. She paid for a fish with a coin and resumed to go on her way, favoring the kind she recognized as a salmon. Its meat was wrapped in a brown parchment and rope as she ate a bit of the fillet as she wandered. It didn't take long to finish off the fish as she stopped and looked about for who she was tracking down.
Before she left from the Iron Country, she was told that down in Giman would be others she could link up with or at least others who've still been on their prolonged leave from the Geyser Clan. Few days prior she made contact with one of those such individuals under the pen name that went by a single letter: R. With a messenger bird a few details were shared between her and the unknown benefactor with details of a 'dead drop'. This would give more detail on the meeting for her and was hinted that something else would be included as well.
She disliked the secrecy of the unknown benefactor but the contact was someone trusted by her circle and by extension she was inclined to give this approach a chance. With that said, she still needed someplace to rest up and call a temporary abode, lots of things to sort out the more she thought about it. Kuza stopped walking for a second as the sound of a familiar chirp caught her attention and she looked up to see the white dove she was used to seeing the past few weeks. Here? She thought, looking around now as the bird flew off again.
Moving away from the marketplace proper Kuza went down an alley that the dove flew down and the surroundings was detailed just as they were in their last note. A broken down monument across a tailor's shop marked with red paint upon its edge was there in its almost exact accuracy. Kuza looked over her shoulder as the dove again flew by and off in the opposite direction now she was in the right area. Strange. But I guess this is the spot. She mused to herself as she approached the stone monument of a lion, running her hands over the cold surface. In the last note the dead drop was detailed to be under a paw stained red and there she felt an indentation in the stone and she freed a small package, some of the stone crumbling under the touch.
I see this is how they stashed it. Kuza thought, looking at the crumbled dust that been the stone as the lion paw too fell to dust. She wrapped the small package and tucked it into the satchel by her gourd while looking around, still slightly weary of the sketchy nature of what she was doing. Why is this secrecy necessary? I am just out here to learn a way of life. She reassured herself, taking a deep inhale to calm the nerves.
-Find [x] - D-Rank
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 1:17 am
__ Kagami arrived in the marketplace and stood to the side of the location rather than the center. She stuck to the shadows as one of the leading Kogarashi agents approached her. "Lady Kagami, we need you to take care of these key Uzu agents who've been snooping around here. Uzu has declared war on us so they've been scouting Gimangakure trying to find the Institute." She shook her head disapprovingly at the Uzukage's hamfisted actions. "I'll take care of them. There are eight that I need to track down, right?" She asked the captain of the Kogarashi operatives. "Yes, my Lady." He responded with an obedient nod. "Also, I've given Belamos limited authority as the face of Kogarashi, but he's not the true leader. Listen to what he says and always be obedient to him in the moment but if he orders anything that directly conflicts with our operations then say yes to him but check with me before acting on the order. Make sure every agent is fully briefed on this." The Kogarashi captain nodded in full compliance. "Yes, Lady Kagami. If I may ask, what's his agenda?" Kagami would respond immediately in a hushed tone. "He's the advisor to the Arashikage and the leader of the Oto population there. He wants peace with the villages to maintain his assets. We're still going to continue with our revolutionary operations as normal, but he's not to know. You will all still report to me on all matters. Are we clear?" The Kogarashi leader asked. "Crystal, my Lady." The operative captain then disappeared to return to the Institute and discretely communicate this message to all agents to maintain their sworn loyalty to Kagami alone.
Kagami stepped through the market on the hunt for her marks. All of them were Uzu operatives, but they were all masters of disguise. She suspected that some may appear to be stall owners or security guards for stores. Kagami was very well known in Kogarashi and the Uzu agents would be able to recognize her from Chie's description of her. She warily stepped through the market and examined the wares of a particular seller. The man who stood behind the weapons stall was not someone she recognized. When she glanced over the various swords, bows, and other weapons she watched him immediately lunge for her throat with a dagger from behind the counter. She reacted by stepping back and piercing his chest with her trident. The man collapsed and bled out behind the stall. Her agents would arrive later for clean up.[1] The Kogarashi agents discretely emptied the market of witnesses prior to her arrival thankfully. However, three other market vendors lept to action and brandished katanas. They were clearly prepared Uzushiogakure agents. The first man slashed at her cheek with his katana. She blocked the strike with the prongs of her trident. Kagami then twisted her trident as the katana flew out of his hands. She then lunged forward and pierced his stomach with the polearm.[2] A female Uzu agent then ran up behind her. Kagami turned around immediately and pierced her heart with the longest prong of the trident. She dropped her sword and collapsed before Kagami. She then slashed the woman's throat open, striking the finishing blow. The Kogarashi leader was surprised that Chie would send such peons to her. Perhaps she would send more combat capable agents next time. Kagami supposed that Chie was attempting to cut the head off the snake, which was typical of her. That would explain why the agents had a kill on sight strategy.[3] The fourth agent ran towards her from the side. He was disguised as a street food vendor. He used his katana to send a stab toward Kagami's stomach. She quickly jumped to the side before striking with her trident. She then kicked him in the shin causing him to trip and fall to the ground. Kagami forced her trident through the man's back piercing through his chest. He spat up a great deal of blood and yelled as she placed her foot on his back and forcefully withdrew the trident. The street food market vendor disguised Uzu agent then laid helplessly on the street as blood escaped his body.[4] Once she cleaned the blood from her weapon she continued her stroll through the market. She proceeded deeper into the market district of the rogue city. Kagami kept her trident on her back, but at the ready in case of another ambush. She approached a jewelry store with a surplus of security guards. This was not unusual for the only jeweler in all of Gimangakure. The enchantress was familiar with the jeweler and his prolific gang network. However, one of the security guards ran towards her with a baton at the ready. He aimed a swing toward her head before she ducked and forced her trident through his mouth. The legitimate guards knew who Kagami was and to look the other way as instructed by their employer.[5] Once she cleaned and mounted her trident on her back once more she continued her "shopping." "Five down, three to go. They've been making this too easy." The Uzu spies were likely subtly questioning locals in the hopes of finding Kagami, the Kogarashi Institute, or both. When Kagami made her way to the heart of the marketplace she was immediately suspicious of the butcher. She approached the man before he jumped over the counter and attempted to slash her with his knives. The large knives clashed with Kagami's trident as sparks flew off of the clashing steel. She then forced her trident through his chest and bashed his skill on the counter.[6] "It's like this whole God damn market wants me dead." She thought as she left the butcher's store and continued on. She walked into a women's clothing store and examined the fine raiments. Suddenly, the store was invaded by two uniformed Uzu officers. These were not spies like the previous six. They both attacked her with katanas, but more skillfully than the others. After a long entanglement, she managed to bash one of the men in the Adam's apple with the bottom of her trident. He collapsed and choked which immobilized him for now. She now focused completely on the other Uzu operative. She finished him off with a stab to the heart.[7] Now she looked at the man who was gasping for air on his own Adam's apple. He jumped to his feet and attempted to escape. She chased him out of the store before running him through with her trident. Once the trident pierced his stomach from behind he was finished.[8]
Completed: S-Rank Assassination Rogue Mission x8
_______________ ≎Out Of Context≎ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Enter.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
Mattysandwich
Ephemeral Ozymandias Captain
Obsessive Prophet
Offline
Ephemeral Ozymandias Captain
Obsessive Prophet
Offline
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2018 8:08 am
__ Kogarashi agents then arrived in the marketplace once Kagami called them. Upon arrival, they gathered the eight corpses littered throughout the market. All blood was cleaned and all evidence was eliminated. The market was then opened for customers again. One loyal agent then approached her. "Lady Kagami, If I may, I have news from the Institute." Kagami nodded and gave him permission to proceed. "Belamos allowed in a stranger who mentioned wanting vengeance against Arashigakure. He was then taken into private for a discussion, but we monitored it for your benefit. He had unique eyes, probably a powerful dojutsu. They were rippled, like the legendary rinnegan. Belamos has also been giving missions to the girl with the pink hair. He is also making efforts to promote peace with Uzushiogakure." Kagami listened to the man and contemplated her next moves. "Excellent, thank you for the intelligence. Go ahead and take the rest of the day off, you've earned it." He gave a grateful bow before leaving the scene to return to the Instiitute barracks. Suddenly, she heard an all too familiar voice chime in. "Kagami, I can feel your chakra, you've grown in strength." The shy voice spoke up and instantly Kagami realized that she needed to do some further training if even Isobu has noticed an increase in her abilities. "Thank you, darling. I know you don't like hearing from Son Goku, do you need to talk about it?" She subconsciously responded to her treasured demon. "I love my brother, but I don't w-want to talk to him right now. He's always yelled at me for being a coward and he won't stop." Isobu explained in a timid tone with a twinge of self-doubt. The turtle always felt that his brother was right and that is why he hates to hear it. The jinchuuriki understood Isobu's plight as usual. "I've always said that you're stronger and braver than you think." Isobu then nodded in gratitude, but he still did not believe her. His personality was merely in his nature as a created chakra beast. Kagami then left the area in pursuit of the Institute for further training.
_______________ ≎Out Of Context≎ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Exit.
Personal Attributes • Smoke and Mirrors | Kagami can cast any and all genjutsu through eye contact with her created mirrors. • Mirror Flower, Water Moon | Kagami gains access to nature's mirror, the water element. • Built to Last | You double the number of posts your mirrors stay active. Additionally, once per battle, you can use Terikaesu (Reflect) without paying its cost. • Area Of Denial | Kagami doubles her range of control for her mirrors and gains an additional 75 chakra.
Sanbi Attributes Chakra Cloak Version 1: Basic Effects • Slight fortitude boost. • The host will begin to draw in ambient water towards itself slowly from the environment, drawing in a C ranked amount per post. This water will fall from the sky, rise from the ground, whatever so long as it is coming towards the host. It pools and rests around its feet and stays within an area of 10 feet. • Host can breathe underwater.
Mao frowned as she peered into her empty coin purse as she leaned against the shaded of a side alley. She wasn't particularly hungry or anything like that at the moment. Though she knew it was only a matter of time before that happened. If anything the more pressing matter was her lack of funds for getting into the Institute. It was the main reason she had even considered stepping a foot into the land of deceit. To learn about both of her parents' clans she needed into the one place that would have information about them. Or at least the one place that was closet to her at the time. Unfortunately on her way to the Institute Mao had overheard a couple saying that there was a price to pay for the information. It wasn't exactly surprising nor was it expensive. However, Mao had been going on the hope that the Institute was just a fancy title for a library she could sit and read in for free. Which it wasn't and now posed the problem of how she was to pay for her way into the building. Which now left Mao conflicted. She had nothing to sell in the Marketplace to make enough ryo nor did she want to take on a part time job to earn any. Which left only one other option the young girl could think of. Pick-pocketing. The mere thought cause Mao to imagine her father, at least, was rolling in his grave at that moment. 'He'd surely scold me for even thinking of this.' she thought, tucking the coin purse back into her pocket. Turning her gaze to the busy street Mao watched the people go by, happily shopping at one of the many outdoor stalls or shops lining the street.
Mao sighed, heavily, as she reached up with both hands to the scaly scarf that was looped around her neck. "What to do...?" she whined quietly. The feeling of not wanting to go through the hassle of trying to pickpocket someone and the want to learn more battled it out in her head. The "scarf" shifted around under her loose grip until a small head popped out with a small tongue flicking out to touch her gloved fingers gently. Tetsu, the little brown snake Mao had come across a while ago, attempted to console her in the strange way snakes did. He silently started at Mao's one good eye with his two unblinking amber eyes. To most people this would probably unsettling, but Mao found it adorable and comforting. "Well it's not like I'll be making a habit of pick-pocketing, right?" Mao muttered quietly to Tetsu who replied with a soft and understanding hiss before ducking his head back under her thick brown hair. Mao took her hands away from Tetsu to adjust the straw hat that kept the glaring sunlight out of her one good eye as she stepped out of the alley and into the busy marketplace street.
Out in the street now Mao kept her head down while keeping an eye on any potential target. Having never picked a pocket before in her life Mao was simply looking for the most gaudy looking person. And it didn't take long to find him. Not far from where she was, about three stores down, Mao spotted an obnoxiously dressed man. He was wearing a black and brightly, multi-colored paisley suit that Mao could have spotted from a mile away. He was also waving around a stuffed wallet that was just as gaudy as the outfit he was wearing somehow. '...He'll do.' she thought, making her way down the street, closer to the man as he stalked out of one stores, obviously not a satisfied customer. The man walked down the street going in the opposite direction of Mao, so that they were facing each other. As he grumbled to himself he went to stuff his wallet into a back pocket just as Mao passed by him. Just as the wallet left the man's hand Mao quickly slid her own hand to grab it lightly before it completely fell into the pocket. With her prize held tightly to her chest Mao ducked back into an alley way before the man had time to notice her or what had happened.
As Mao let out a shaky breath that she had been holding in, Tetsu stuck his head out tongue flicking and scanned the wallet in her hands. Mao walked down the alley and turned a corner into a dead end before she felt safe enough to actually take a look at the prize in her hands. She took a moment to simply feel the wait of the wallet. It was heavy, far to heavy, as she could see the seam about to burst. Tetsu looked up at her and Mao returned the snakes confusion with a shrug. With a snap Mao opened the wallet to reveal its contents...to be nothing but small coins. There was probably enough in there to get her to the Institute's library, but now she could see why the man was refused at the store he was at. He had the smallest form of currency stuffed into a wallet. Whatever the guy had wanted to buy it would seem not even the store owner wanted to count out the change. "Wh-...bu..." Mao stuttered as Tetsu burst out laughing, nearly uncurling himself Mao's neck in the process. "This can't even fit into my coin purse!" she whined, but still transferred most of the coins to her own purse. "Now, now Mao." The snake hissed as she took the last bit of coins in her hand and chucked the wallet onto the ground. "We got what we needed. At least be thankful for that." Tetsu secured himself around Mao's neck once again, getting a pat on the back from his beloved human. "I know, I know. Let's get going then." she spoke softly making her out of the alley way and out of the Marketplace.
OOC |- RNG post for mission, working on editing it. [accidental first post here] OOC |-Annnd exit
Current Mission(s) |-
Title: Pickpocket a Civilian Information: You're low on Ryo and some guy just left the bank with swollen pockets! Go snatch his weight in gold! Generate a Random number 1-10. Evens are success, odds fail for the bonus! Solo or Squad: Any Maximum Posts: N/A Note: Bonus: 100 Ryo for each successful pickpocket victim.
Her one dark brown eye glittered at the sight of a weapon stall. She was looking at a blade made from chakra steel. A curious metal she had read about. The metal made it especially easy to manipulate chakra among other things. Around her neck Tetsu the snake was admiring the price tags for the chakra steel weapons. "We'd have steal a lot more if you want one of those." He hissed in her ear successfully dimming the gleeful light in her eye. "A girl can dream right?" Mao muttered as she stepped away from the weapon stall. The weapon stall had distracted her though. She hadn't come to the Marketplace for shopping in any shape or form. No, the reason she was here at the moment was to find her friend. "Any idea where she could be?" Mao asked as she started moving down the main street, looking to and fro for any sign of the red head. Tetsu didn't answer as he kept watch of her right side from his perch.
After few more minutes of searching Mao gave a loud huff of annoyance. She stopped moving and crossed her arms over her chest. "She can't be that hard to miss." Mao looked around for anything that could help her find the person she was looking for. But in the sea of people in the Marketplace that was almost impossible for the young girl. Almost impossible until she spotted some wooden crates not being attended to at the moment. "Hmm~" Mao stepped lightly over to the crates and hoisted herself onto the sturdy storage box. "Much better." Now Mao could see over the heads of everyone. Making it much easier to spot a horned red head in the sea of people. Only she still couldn't spot her. "Maybe she hasn't arrived yet?" Tetsu asked glancing up at his human friend. "Maybe, but let's try this." Mao took a deep breath and let it loudly. "KUUUZAAA!" she yelled.
Kuza made her daily rounds through the market, materials was what she needed for her brew. She was carrying a woven basket stuffed with a large number of things, tools among raw ingredients such as milled rice to make sake along with herbs for medicines. While bartering with a man for the price of a mortar and pestle, the familiar voice reached her ear. A sigh escaped her, mind jostled from her initial reason of the bargaining as she settled on the agreed price and stuffed the basket into the cart. It wasn't long before the Oni woman wheeled her cart on over to the shouting brunette from behind as she set it down with a loud 'clunk'.
"It is not difficult to find me in a crowd, an Oni does stand out afterall." Kuza was leaning forward on the cart, arms folded and resting on the edge. One foot rested back on her toes as she looked up at Mao with her single violet eye. "Did Tetsu fall down a well again?" It was a joke she said unenthusiastically, rather dry even as she sighed again.
Tetsu, in his own snakey way, literally puffed up. 'That happened once...' he hissed out tightening around Mao's neck ever so slightly as if he was afraid of randomly falling off. Barely aware of the poisonous reptile gripping her neck Mao landed lightly on her feet beside her red headed friend and her cart of assorted items. If it had been anyone else Mao would have said something about the insult to her dear reptile. Kuza was the only person that Mao ever allowed to talk back to Tetsu. What Kuza had said had a point though. The girl was anything but ordinary with her reddish skin color and black horns. Not to mention the frilly choice in outfit she wore. By the looks of her haul however, it seemed she had gone to all of them. "Did you find every thing?" Mao asked with a curious poke to the cloth bag of some sort of rice. Tetsu coiled about for a moment getting his head wedged between his own body and peered out at the cart as well. The sword at her waist clanked quietly as she shifted her weight forward a bit to peer past the rice. Curious now as to what Kuza had bought.
However looking into the cart Kuza pushed Mao could see why she hadn't run across her yet. She wasn't going to pretend to know what all went into the Oni's signature drinks and such. It did make her a little curious as to what went into the craft. As the daughter of a tea maker she had a good bit of knowledge in the field, albeit for a different reason. Making tea was simple compared to what Kuza would do though. "Need me to carry all that?" She asked shifting around the items carefully as to not knock the contents out.
Kazuto sighed when he arrived at the Gimangakure Marketplace. There was nothing about the place which made him sigh by itself, so much as it was the fact that his other half, the tiger, has disappeared. Kazuto hated it when the kitty cat ran off on his own, but knew that it would be too much effort to follow. Besides, he felt like being productive today. With how popular the rogue nation was as of late, it made sense to set up a religious temple at the sight. But first, he was going to have to get supporters.
It was such a drag for Kazuto to have to carry the pamphlets on him for the Evergreen religion. Although he had muscles, it was draining to have to apply himself as such. Nevertheless, the man used his wit to select people particularly susceptible to outside influence. Their distant stare was more than a hint for Kazuto to determine that they were not locals. Not that he was someone who truly knew Giman himself, since he and the other Byakko only arrived within the past week from the Land of Iron. However, they had enough knowledge to know that it was a godless rogue nation, which worked for them quite well.
The first few people Kazuto gave the feigned kindness only a man who hated his job could provide. He asked the questions no one really cared for the answers to and nodded as though he had compassion. Then, when he found a moment of weakness, he preyed on it. “It sounds like you are suffering through a crisis of faith,” he repeated to various folks. The words had no real meaning, but people thought that they had meaning. That alone got the few people invested to truly be listening.
Of course, Kazuto also had to poise himself as a humble man. He found a nearby broom and swept halfway through each person he managed to get listening to him for longer than five minutes. At least, he thought he was sweeping. Lord knows how actual humans are expected to clean dust with a stick with straw on the end. Of course, the more sentimental people bought it like diet pills three weeks before summer. It wasn’t long until Kazuto managed to turn a few stray people into a full congregation.
Now that he had his group, it was time to give a sermon. “My fellow men, women, and all of those in between.” He said with a clear throat. “I know that you just met me, and that you’re all too smart to blindly follow someone you don’t know.” He subtly mocked his congregation. “But you are all here nonetheless. And while you are here, I want you all to ask yourself a simple, but honest question.” He said dishonestly.
“What is it that you seek?” Of course the question was rhetorical, and thankfully no one immediately chipped in their answer. To make sure no one spoke, Kazuto continued. “Some of you are seeking glory, some survival. Some look for a bright future, while others dream of what’s awaiting just around the corner. No matter the answer you came up with, however, I bet that none of you answered nature.” Of course no one would answer nature, why would they? Humans were a weak branch of creature in need of handholding. To say that, however, would be considered rude.
“I don’t blame anyone either. We often take for granted the thing most abundant to us.” He said with a passing smile which looked real enough to anyone who didn’t know him, but to anyone who did it was clear that his discontent for the average man was on the prospects of bleeding out. “But we must look back to which we all originate from. Our sun, our moon. Our forests, our oceans. Everything we are belongs to the Great Nature we have been blessed to live in. And, it is from that very nature that each of you, no matter how wild your aspirations, shall find what you seek.”
It went without saying that Kazuto did not care at all what these people actually sought. After all, if they thought something like a million ryo, it’s not like they could shake a tree and get it. However, Kazuto found often enough that the words alone were enough to inspire people into stupidity. And, judging from the cheering and validation he felt from the crowd, it was clear that method worked here as well. “So join me in worshipping nature! Join me in the journey of self-improvement!” Now cheers broke through the crowd like thunder amidst a storm. His followers were ready to convert to the religion and he was ready to have them. Now all he needed was a place of worship.
(Observance I & II)
Except that was not going to happen.
It was afternoon when Kazuto found himself in the office of a man with a snowflake armband. Two guards stood by his desk while two more guarded the doors. From the window in the room two more guards could be seen on the opposite side of the door. Finally two more men stood beside Kazuto, with five more lining the walls. Kazuto lit up a cigarette as he waited for someone to talk. He had a bruised eye from where one of the guard clocked him, but he didn’t really matter. All of this was an intimidation process, and Kazuto wasn’t one to be phased easily.
“Mister Sakuraba. You seem to be new to the way Gimangakure handles business.” The man behind the desk said. Kazuto sighed as he took a deep puff of his stick. “Evidently. I didn’t realize that public displays of religion was deemed an act against the state.” He said as he blew out a thin trail of smoke. “I must have missed that in the brochure. Thank you ever so much for the clarification.” Of course this reaction got him smacked in the back of the head, but Kazuto didn't care. It was too easy to insult stupidity for the consequence of pain to hinder him.
“You can run your mouth all you like, but Kogarashi owns this territory.” The man said. “We don’t like to make a big name for ourselves, but we do have a direct connection to the leader of the organization, The Sun God Belamos Karna.” An eyebrow raised from Kazuto. “Belamos Karna? I heard a rumor that the one to watch out for was some woman.” He said, feigning confusion. “That b***h thinks she’s top dog, but we all know the truth here. Once our leader overthrows her, we’ll be rewarded like kings.” He said.
“And might I have the name of the promised nobility?” Kazuto inquired. Of course his flamboyant language garnished laughter from the simpletons he was surrounded with. “My name is Mishima Masurame. And I am the man who you will be doing business with from this point on.” He said. Kazuto scanned him up and down to denote the possible threat he posed. Nothing appeared out of place.
“So if I wanted to build a place of worship for Evergreen, you’re the one I need to bargain with?” Kazuto asked. The man laughed further until he realized the resolve Kazuto had in his eyes. His face tried its hardest to appear grimace. “You’re not building anything in these parts. Kogarashi has no use for your religion.” He said gruff and rough. Kazuto rolled his eyes, which rewarded him with one of the guards hitting him on the side of his head.
“Apologies. Force of habit.” He responded as he picked his head back up. He impressively managed to keep the cigarette in his lips. Then again, the guard hit like a novice. Whoever these people thought they were, they clearly lacked power. “Sounds like all that needs to happen is for you to die, and then I get my place of worship. Unless of course you value your life enough to make a deal.” For a brief moment there was silence, which Kazuto reveled in. Of course, more barbaric laughter erupted. The man wanted to rip his ears off if these clueless pigeons continued this charade of superiority.
“I don’t think you appreciate the situation you’re in my man.” Mishima stated. He folded his hands and placed his elbows on the table in front of him. “My friends and I have been gentle with you so far. Nothing that won’t heal with a few days on the ice pack. If you talk that kind of nonsense though, then I’m afraid we’re going to have to take this a bit more personal than any of us would like. And when we take things personal, accidents happen.”
“On the topic of accidents, have you noticed that your guards stationed outside the doors have gone missing?” Kazuto said. He didn’t even have to look back to know that it was well past sundown, which meant whatever hunting that damned tiger did, it was over now. Mishima called for the two guards which were stationed outside the door. When no one answered, the man to Kazuto’s right drew his sword and held it to Kazuto’s neck. The other man left his side and approached the door. Just as he was about to open the door, however, the massive white tiger burst through and pinned him underneath the wooden frame.
Byakko’s mouth opened wide as chakra manifested into a plasma orb in front of it. Beams of lightning and water fused into a lethal kekkei genkai flew like streamers straight through the disposable men. The circuit of streams moved so suddenly that it appeared to be over in a flash. All of the expendable bodyguards dropped in the moment it would take for an apple to fall from a tree. The only person who remained was Mishima, who shook with exaggerated fear.
“Please don’t kill me!” He pleaded. Kazuto rose from his seat and pushed the desk which separated the two of them away. He grabbed the man by the shirt and looked him dead in the eye. “Your death will be like your life; meaningless. The only possibility you have to amend this is if you give me explicit permission to make my God damn place of worship. Now are you ready to do that, or is it time for the pastor to have a sacrificial slaughter?”
“Even if you kill me, others will come!” He pleaded. “I’m just a pencil pusher. There’s a whole lot of other people who will personally go out of their way to stop religion from having a place in Kogarashi.” Kazuto placed the lit part of his cigarette against the fat of the man’s neck. It extinguished in a way which made Mishima whimper like a mutt. “Names. Now.” Kazuto commanded. Like a good boy Mishima got out a piece of paper and started scribbling names down on a piece of paper.
Kazuto gave out a long sigh when he saw that the list had over thirty people on it. Judging by the sharp contrast in handwriting from the first names to the last, he was certain that Mishima’s hand must have cramped halfway through, but he continued to write out of primal fear. Once the list was finished him, Kazuto pet him on the head like the good little dog he was. “Make it quick.” Kazuto said as he took a step away from the soon to be dead man. There was only a brief look of panic before Byakko pounced upon him and blood erupted like a fountain. Kazuto lit another cigarette as he looked back over the list of names. It was going to take a good amount of effort to get all of these people killed. Not to mention, who knew what would happen if he kept assassinating Kogarashi personnel. However, it wasn’t like he had any good alternatives. He either had to kill a couple dozen people and set up a place of worship, or he had to pack up and try someplace else. Both options felt like they would take an insane amount of work, so he figured it was better to do the one which at least allowed Byakko the Tiger to let out some of his pent up frustration.
T o k i y a m a | Chakra : 500 | 600 Stamina : 590
In nature a balance was required for all things. If there were too many predators, herbivores would be cleared out which could eventually lead to the predators starving, sending things askew. To many herbivores and food dwindles, they starve, and the predators suffer after that. Balance in all things was important to keep the world at some semblance of peace.
This was the mindset Tokiyama was in as he made his way through the marketplace. He had been given a new set of missions, which involved assassination. Taking a life was not something he took lightly so he made sure to avoid the options that were less than savory. Instead, he was to take care of the corrupt, criminal, and violent. Those were the kind he dealt with, an opposing force to their forceful nature.
His way of assassination though was done with a less direct path. He had prepared a set amount of plants for the mission before he came to the market place, ones that had varying effects. Beyond that he had also changed his appearance to that of a mail carrier of sort, losing his shinobi outfit for the task ahead. At his first location, he allowed the guard to pat him over. When the guard found a lump that lead to a pricked finger. The lump had been a branch with a thorn on it, something that Tokiyama said would be used for tea later on. It was an odd comment but as he had no weapons on him he passed through the curtain, leaving the guard outside to his fate. [1]
Inside the building he dropped off what he had posed as the package, a set of imported tea leaves as a gift. Well the men were busy going through the package Tokiyama disappeared deeper into the building to find the kitchen. In the kitchen, he recognized the chef, one of the men that were wanted. He did not give the man to speak as his mouth was jammed closed by a quickly shaped wooden dagger through the jaw and up into the brain. [2]
He shoved the body underneath the prep table. Wood Release : Transformation. In another shift he changed his appearance to match that of the chef and went to work cooking. A fresh pot of tea brewed with a few extra touches of Rosary Pea. Not enough that it would be noticed among the honey added, but it never took much. [3]
The drinks were delivered by hand. Unfortunately for them they only tried to talk to Tokiyama after they had tried the tea, voicing annoyance for the grievous amount of honey. There were four of them in total and Tokiyama was sent back to the kitchen to fetch some food for them. With the rosary pea juice consumed they wouldn't last more than a few days if they were lucky it would be far sooner.[4]
Shaking off his transformation Tokiyama headed out of the building. As he exited the door he spotted the guard he had interacted with earlier on the ground, another thug hunched over him. It seemed like the man was trying to wake the other guard up and Tokiyama took the oppurtunity to ensure there wasn't a loose end here. His outfit matched up with the description he had been given, so another swift slice and Tokiyama left the building to the next spot. [5]
The next case was about a man on the run. Someone who had stolen from everyone possible scammed those who couldn't afford it and did his own fair share of ending lives in the process. He had been sloppy though to cover his tracks and it didn't take long before Tokiyama tracked down his location. The man had a set of guards with him on the outskirts of the marketplace, far out of sight of the patrols but still giving him access to the merchants. It was a dirty ally way that opened up into a clearing of tents, one that Tokiyama approached with a slow walk. [6]
Two guards got out of their seats almost immediatly but with a stomp of his foot the terrain around the clearing changed. Roots that had been in the ground sprouted upwards and snaked there way around their limbs, dragging them to the ground as leaves began to sprout off of the ones that made contact. From the noise of the chaos the rest of the bandit party stepped out of their tents only to fall upon the same fate.
Underground Roots Used[7]
Struggling against the roots the first of them felt the pain of the Gympie Gympie leaves that were rubbing across bits of exposed skin. Tokiyama had felt it once himself. It was a plant that almost felt like you were having your skin melted off after only a couple of minutes. They probably would have started to scream if their mouths hadn't been covered. [8]
All the guards were finished off with quick precise stabs of Tokiyama's wooden dagger, not wanting to let them suffer for too much longer. The leaves had been chosen to stop them from escaping the roots as they weren't very durable by themselves after all. The thief however he let sit in the pain of the needles for just a couple of minutes longer, finally killing the man off only when his eyes were almost pleading for death. [9].
With the roots now free to be manipulated Tokiyama used another pulse of chakra to drag the 5 corpses down into the ground. Once that was done he packed the dirt down evenly across the 5 spots. With the bodies fully concealed to at least a passable degree he stabbed the wooden dagger into the ground of the ally way, giving it one last touch of chakra. As Tokiyama left the merchant district the dagger would have shifted into a flowering plant. [10]
Assassination 10x Completed.
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:57 am
T o k i y a m a | Chakra : 1000 | 1000 Stamina : 990 | 990
Tokiyama returned to the marketplace a few days later as he had a few things he needed to pick up.
Kameyo entered the shop with a large bag of ryo at the ready. She took her time purchasing. She sealed away her projectiles into her new scroll and put on her new armor.
ooc:
- Library Expansion Atlas x2 - Library Expansion Encyclopedia x1 (20 Jutsu) - Steel Toe Boots - Steel Leg Guard (1 set) - Steel Hand Gloves - Steel Arm Guard (1 set) - Bulletproof Vest - Steel Weapon: Steel Knife
- Konin's Scroll (a-rank) ----- 240 Kunai
TOTAL: 15,300 RYO
Konin's Scroll [x1] < 600 Ryo > A large scroll capable of concealing up to an A-rank sized object(s). • Requires Chuunin Title
Projectile Pack: Medium [x24] < 7200 Ryo > A package of ten medium sized projectiles. What you get in the package is up to you. (Kunai knives, thick needles, etc.)
Steel Weapon [x1] < 400 Ryo > A steel weapon of any size.
Bulletproof Vest [x1] < 1100 Ryo > A vest padded to protect against small and medium sized projectiles. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a weight burden. Armor Type: Medium, Heavy against projectiles. Treated as heavy armor for determining penalties unless worn in a full set of medium armor.
Steel Hand Gloves [x1] < 550 Ryo > A set of gloves with hard steel plate lining the palms. These plates are capable of withstanding a few direct hits from a heavy weapon. Armor Type: Medium.
Steel Arm Guard [x2] < 500 Ryo > A steel plate for the arm which is capable of protecting against most weaponry. Armor Type: Medium.
Steel Toe Boots [x1] < 450 Ryo > A set of boots with hard steel plate lining in the toe. These plates reinforce the boot and give extra striking power to kicks but at the same time adding just a hair more weight to the leg. Armor Type: Very Light
Steel Leg Guard [x2] < 500 Ryo > A steel plate for the legs which is capable of protecting against most weaponry, taijutsu and bukijutsu . Can also deliver a bit more damage in kicks due to the weight and strength of the steel. Armor Type: Medium
- Library Expansion Atlas [x2] < 2000 Ryo > Allows you to learn an additional combination of any 5 jutsu (aside custom). • Requires C-body rank. • Can only be purchased twice.
- Library Expansion Encyclopedia [x1] < 2000 Ryo > Allows you to learn an additional combination of any 10 jutsu (aside custom). • Requires B-body rank. • Can only be purchased once.
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:38 am
Kazuhara Shikoto was a thirty eight year old man on his usual patrol. As a kogarashi agent with a rank above grunt he enjoyed the looks of recognition he gathered when he moved through the marketplace. What he did not like, however, was when a well dressed woman so rudely stepped in front of him. Kazuhara was about to speak when the kunai in the woman's grasp slit his throat in an instant. He gasped for breath as he fell silently onto the ground. Panic erupted in the crowd as the woman then disappeared into a puff of smoke.
Tobias Reynold was the next name on the list. He was a stout man with a bulging belly. Of course, since he had a high rank among the kogarashi, no one dared to challenge him. Furthermore, because of his sadistic nature, people were afraid of the horrific punishment inflicted upon them and their loved ones if they so much as dared to challenge him. Despite his cruelty, however, he still fell like any man when a teenage boy drove a kunai into his fat neck. The boy then blew up into a puff of smoke as the next target was killed.
Monica Rodriguez was a gorgeous woman. With her beauty and knack for genjutsu she conned her way into the higher ranking position she found herself in. Today was supposed to be the day she finally bought for herself that high brand designer bag she had been eyeing for the past week. However, when a balding man abruptly appeared in front of her and drove two kunai into both sides of her neck, the woman's shock and pain was the last thing she thought of. She then dropped to the ground when the balding man disappeared into smoke as well.
Matthew Robertson was a kogarashi member in his mid twenties. Although he had a higher position back in his day, these days he retired himself to basic grunt. However, because of his previous influence, he also ended up on the list of people required to kill for the formation of a place of worship. Therefore, a young man in his mid twenties and bright blue eyes approached Matthew. He smiled widely as he stabbed the man right in the next. There was a look of shock as though he knew the one killing him. He fell to the ground, however, as the boy disbursed into a cloud of smoke.
Not Taiyo Junsei (his first name is Not, middle Taiyo, and last is Junsei), patrolled the marketplace with fervent passion. Although his strength has often made him considered for a position of power within Kogarashi, his lack of intelligence has hindered his upward progression. Furthermore, even though he was tasked with patrolling the marketplace, there were no instructions of what he should be looking for. Therefore, when a beautiful woman stepped in front of him with a kunai, he did not think anything of it. It was only when the woman sliced opened his neck that he thought maybe he should do something. This of course occurred only moments before he dropped to the floor dead, as well as the woman disbursed into smoke.
Peter Quill was a lower tier, but still general member, of Kogarashi. As a man of light skin and in his mid thirties, he thought of himself as the most important person in the universe. Furthermore, as someone who had a father with incredible power, he felt like that also meant that he was incredible. Unfortunately, incredible people are typically prone to young girls who look interested in them. Incredible people also typically find themselves at odds with sharp instruments, which is what Peter Quill felt as the kunai was jammed into his neck. He fell to the ground and the girl disbursed into smoke.
Rabbit only ran by one name. She was a professional assassin and was codenamed Bunny because of her silent feet. When the first person, a gentleman looking male with a kunai in his right hand, she managed to deflect the weapon and drive a dagger right into the chest. When he disbursed away, she realized that she was fighting a shadow clone. Another clone appeared behind her, this one an elderly woman armed with another kunai. Once again she deflected the weapon and stabbed her. Unfortunately, as she killed the next one, a thrown kunai was lodged into her shoulder. This allowed another clone to appear and slice her neck.
Ysette Ortega was a hard working member of Kogarashi. She earned her rank and excelled because of her own merit. She was proud to be part of an organization which tried to raise those without villages to be independent of the tyranny of organized government. She lived a true believer, and died one as well when another kogarashi agent slit her neck. Her resolve allowed her to live long enough to strike the man with enough force to pop the clone. Her last thoughts at least were knowing that the organization she loved so much was not, in fact, responsible for her death.
Timmy was the youngest officer in this section of Kogarashi. As someone not even considered a man it was an uphill battle for him to be taken seriously. However, thanks to his ruthless tenacity he managed to murder his way to his respected position. Still, despite being a homicidal maniac, he was still susceptible to the urges of a young man. Therefore, when a young girl smiled at him, he was off guard just enough for her to jab a kunai straight into his though. The child died and the girl disbursed into smoke.
Ventus Crescendo was down on his luck as he moved through the marketplace. His gambling debts have always been bad, but now they were at the point where vague threats were whispered along the street. He knew it wouldn't be long until someone came around and tortured him until he gave them money which didn't exist. Therefore, when an elderly man approached him with a kunai, he didn't even question it. He accepted his death without concern as he dropped to the ground and the old man disbursed into smoke.
Sally Haynes was the girl next door in Kogarashi. She was always the bridesmaid but never the bride in terms of rank. Although she held more power than the typical grunt, she wanted more. She wanted to be as revered as the men were in her mind. She was adamant that today was going to be the day that she broke through the glass ceiling. Of course, what she didn't expect is for a dog she saw in the street with a kunai in its mouth. She was so taken aback that she had no defense when the dog leaped up and impaled the kunai into her neck. Once she fell to the floor dead the dog disbursed into smoke.
John NotGoodman was the last to drop. The other ten death happened in such short succession of one another that the older man had no time to respond. It was only when Rabbit was killed that he realized that this was an organized attack on Kogarashi. But where were they coming from? The assailant took the time to make each one of their clones disguised as another person. He drew his sword out and waited for anyone to approach him. Of course, drawing the sword was his undoing. As he held it expecting him to protect himself, the sword itself transformed into a bearded man. The man made direct eye contact as he stabbed the old timer right in the throat. John NotGoodman gasped for his last breath as he fell to the ground. The bearded man then disbursed into smoke.
"I told you that shadow clones are the way to go." Kazuto remarked to Byakko. The two overlooked the devastation from the top of a building the clones embarked in. It really was not a hassle to have each clone transform into someone else to blend into the crowd. Then, with one coordinated attack, he was able to assassinate half of the people on his list. Byakko snarled as Kazuto rolled his eyes. "You always think that my plans are too slow for you. Why can't you ever be happy for me?" He said as he lit up a cigarette. Byakko stormed off as Kazuto continued to watch. Unfortunately the patrol times for everyone were scattered, so this was as much as he could get on one go. Still, to eliminate half the list meant that he was making good progress to his goal. Not to mention, this would have to send a message to someone that there was someone new in town. Although Kazuto didn't want his name known to people, he did want to make his place of worship. And hopefully people knowing that he was serious about his goals made them a little more flexible to religious practices. While the chaos was wild Kazuto made sure to slip into the crowd. Being caught now would be too energy draining.
After the fiasco of last week Kazuto kept a low profile. He passively took note of the future targets he needed to kill next. By this point Byakko was off either hunting rabbits or wallowing in his own angst. The man honestly did not care which as he took another puff of his cigarette. As he took note of his target, however, two Kogarashi agents approached him from behind.
"Your appearance is requested." The guard on the right said. Kazuto gave a side glance of them and could tell that they were just average mooks. There's no way that these two were sent in retaliation to the men he killed. Therefore, the man felt like it would be too much of a hassle not to follow them wherever they wanted to go. The location had several twist and turns, which caused him to think that he was going to get jumped a few times. When he ended up entering the back entrance of a building, however, and entered what appeared to be some sort of office with a kogarashi agent at the desk, he dropped his cigarette in the doorway and entered in.
"So you're the trouble maker in town. You're younger than I thought." He said as he took a long puff of his cigar. The man was bald in his late fifties, and his Kogarashi symbol was flashed proudly on his armband. For people who hated organized societies, Kogarashi did love its armbands. "Oh I'm a bit older than I look." He said with a smirk as he took out another cigarette. He took a seat as he lit up the stick and relaxed in his chair. "And I don't recall causing any trouble. Unless smoking in public has become a capital offense." He then added sharply, "to which I would pay any fee should that be the case."
"Right. My men were clearly killed by the other new person with a giant tiger as a pet. We have such a number of those lately." He said disgruntled. "I like to think that the tiger and I have a give and take relationship. And I don't think he would take kindly to being called a pet." He said, not dismissing the part about being the murderer. This man did enough research to find him, so he deserved the decency of honesty.
"You killed some good people. Honest folk with families." The chief said. "They were on the wrong side of The Mother of All I'm afraid." He said as he took another puff of his cigarette. "Part of the doctrine of all Religion; Spread the good words of peace and love through violence if necessary." Truth be told Kazuto did not feel a sense of pride from killing all of those agents. He enjoyed the creativity he took to eliminate them, but the actual murder of them was not something he cared for. However, the Mother of All was not someone one wanted to disappoint if they plan on living on in this hell of a world. Therefore, Kazuto was prepared to do whatever necessary to keep her off of his back.
"And what would it take for you to spread the words of peace and love a little less violently?" The man in charge asked. Kazuto balked when he was asked the question. "All I wanted from the start was to provide the good people with a place of worship. If memory recalls the violence originated because your people were the ones who prohibited thy holy will from reaching the good people." Kazuto said as he pointed accusingly at the man. There was a sense of satisfaction he gathered from how flustered he made the man. However, since the man was someone of senior rank, he did not cave to frustration and start a fight then.
"So we'll give you a place to set up your practices. Are we clear otherwise?" He asked. Kazuto smiled as he took the cigarette out of his mouth and held it delicately in his right hand. "Well, ideally I could use a couple dozen men to help set up a place of worship. After all, doing all of that heavy lifting by myself may throw out my old back." He teased. The guards in the room stared at the boss until the older man gave a nod. "You'll have men. I assume that's enough?" A shimmer of mischief appeared in Kazuto's eyes. "Actually, and it's the strangest thing, but I noticed that in this area, the only real place to train is at the Kogarashi compound. It seems as though your people have quite a monopoly on information." The tiger tamer could sense the frustration burrowing in the room as he spoke. No one liked how much this stranger was challenging them. "Therefore, I request that my place of worship be stocked with a fully furnished library and training grounds. That way the people of my religion will be able to have a life outside of the demands of your organization."
"That's absurd! You have no right to be asking for such things murderer!" One of the guards spoke. He stood next to the man in charge and gripped his weapon instinctively. However, a loud yell from the chief erupted through the room, which caused the grunts to stiffen in fear. "I assume that Kogarashi would have access to your facilities?" The Chief asked. "All who worship nature and The Mother are welcomed. My arms are forever open." He said as he placed his cigarette back into his mouth and folded his arms in front of his chest. The Chief sighed as he picked up a pen. "I will ask our leader. Depending on her whims you will have what you seek."
"Her will? So you all do not serve The Great Sun God Belamos Karna?" Kazuto asked as he feigned surprise. There was laughter from the ranks and even the chief. "No. We will speak to the real leader of Kogarashi." He said. He then extended his arm for a handshake. Kazuto got out from his chair and returned the gesture. "A pleasure doing business with you." Kazuto said. "The feeling isn't mutual." He said with direct eye contact. As soon he broke contact he gestured toward the door. "And could you tell your tiger to back off? He's been waiting to bust in like an action movie star." He said. "Sorry about that. The cat's excitable when there are new toys to play with." He said with a smirk. Kazuto then tailed out of the room and met Byakko outside. "We have our church." He said. Byakko growled as he bolted off. The tiger was still too proud to admit that he served the will of the goddess. Kazuto wondered how much longer that would last.
