Takeo Kichida

Takeo Kichida was always the loner. When he was only 9 years old, he
had to rush into his house as while it was on fire to save his sister, Suzumi. Unfortunately
he wasn't able to make it back inside to save his mother before the house collapsed, killing
her. He always blamed the death on his own inability to be faster, stronger, and there when
they needed him. He can be seen as overprotective to this day.

Takeo became reclusive that day. He was playing outside with his friends when the fire
happened, and he hasn't made a friend since then. He keeps to his work and his studies,
barely being able to fill up all the time he chooses not to spend. Takeo watches over his sister
like a hawk, even though he often needs the watching (Due to him spending his first year
interacting with other people). He is a little bit socially awkward, but that doesn't stop him from
trying.

The one thing that Takeo hates is weakness. Although most people don't have the eye to see
it, he is easily frustrated by those who don't care or don't try. He always gives his best, and one
day hopes to prove that his word means something, not just words the newbie says. Deep inside,
despite his efforts for justice, Takeo is a cold man. He is dislocated from reality, never attaching
value to anything temporary. On the outside he can be seen as obnoxious and clumsy, but his
inner intentions are something darker indeed.

After learning the blade style Iaido along with his sister, Takeo carries a single katana with him
at all times. He took up the ancient Samurai mindset of believing that his sword is his soul, so as
he carves a path of blood, he makes a way for greatness.

On a mission under Lightning Country, Takeo found a small shaku blade (13 in.) next to a body that was cut in half. Upon unsheathing it, it grew into a 5-foot odachi sword. Takeo spent much time with the sword, to find out that it had a mind of it's own... That of a samurai. It told him that its name was Soulsword, the Shifter, and that it now lived to serve its new master... Takeo.

Shadow Cursemark (Kagegokuin)


The Shadow Seal is one of many experimental curse seals refined from a much older curse mark by the previous Kichida Clan Head. Its primary purpose is to preserve the individual bearing it, which is why it does away with such delicate processes like breathing with lungs. Anything that can be easily disrupted, to the point of the user’s death, is either replaced by a secondary function or shut down as to conserve as much energy as possible. This high level of efficiency takes away a lot that is scientifically understood as the human “standard,” making them something else entirely, but the seal appears to only be applicable to human subjects. The subject is required to have the Inton element for the seal to work properly, and if it does not already possess it the subject will gain the Inton element after a few weeks*. The Shadow Seal derives its name from its most notable ability: to allow the user to become nigh invisible, or shadow cloak. The user gains the ability to hide anywhere that is not in a direct source of light. However, once hidden the user’s shadow cloak bends light around it to provide the illusion that the user is not there.

The shadow cloak also offers the strange ability of blocking off all signs of chakra. While coated in the alien shadows of Kagegokuin, the user appears to have no chakra readings. In ancient lore, its ancestor was given the nickname “Devourer,” attributing the name to its ability to “consume light, life, and spirit.” While stories stretch about the abilities of this ancestor curse, they have been disregarded as fictional due to their lack of proof in the modern shinobi world.

The bearer of the curse marks is given a wide set of tools through the seal. The shadows can be formed into several different shapes, based on whatever would preserve the user longer. Once the user has mastered the seal, however, they can prompt the seal to provide several different materialistic and aesthetic changes whenever it conveniences them. For instance, the seal can be used to call upon a persona known in lore as the “Night Angel.” The Night Angel is a form of higher intelligence that resides within the seal that serves one purpose: to expunge the evil from this world. It weighs and balances the souls of others, and deems all that fail the test fit to die. If the user were to only summon the shell of the Night Angel persona, it would give them the ability to detect the sins of others via the Mask of Judgement, a menacing mask that is trademark to the Night Angel. This mask sees true through the enemy, and cannot be distracted. While the mask is donned the user focuses fully on what must be done and does not deviate, which turns them into an opponent to be reckoned with.

The energy manipulated by Kagegokuin is entirely alien, seeming to modify bits and pieces of reality around the user rather than manipulate the user’s chakra force. The process that it uses to do this is unknown, but it seems to use chakra as a form of raw energy. The process it roughly the equivalent of taking bits of iron ore from the ground and converting it into weapons of legendary scale.



PVP:

50 tokens:

Passive:
The Kagegokuin bears its mark somewhere on the user’s body. It constantly influences the user through its vitals and its mind. The user is driven subconsciously on a path for justice, and will not turn a blind eye towards injustice. The Shadow Seal allows the user to tap into its innate abilities to better keep the user alive.

Universal: Increased Crit Range by 1 (19-20)
Academy student:+5 total hp/cp, +1 hp dr
Genin: 10 total hp/cp, +3 hp dr
Chuunin: +15 total hp/cp, + 4 hp dr
Jounin: +20 total hp/cp, +6 hp dr

100 tokens per stage

Stage 1:
10 CP to activate, 1 CP to maintain
The user begins to take on a semblance of the Night Angel. The user wears the Mask of Judgement, and their body becomes cloaked in the alien shadows of the Kagegokuin. The user and the curse mark stand on equal ground at this state, and fight as one being. If the user’s HP drops to 0 while in this state, the Night Angel will take over with the purpose self-preservation, the only time that the Night Angel does not aggressively pursue wrong-doers.

Universal: +4 to Attack/Defense rolls, +40 to Hide/Move Silently, Increased Crit Range becomes (17-20), -2 to CP costs (does not affect maintenance costs, minimum of 1), May pay 3 CP to Hide in Combat at the cost of the user’s turn.

*User suffers 1 CM Point


Stage 2- Night Angel:
Additional 10 CP to activate, 2 CP to maintain
The user’s will is completely taken over by the Night Angel, whose mission is to weigh the souls of human beings. While in this state, the user has 0 control over their own body or mind, only hoping that their goals align with the Night Angel’s. Once the tainted have been eliminated, the Night Angel typically returns to its docile state.

Universal: +20 Temporary HP, +6 to Attack/Defense rolls, +50 to Hide/Move Silently, critical range becomes (17-20), -4 to CP costs (does not affect maintenance costs, minimum of 1), May pay 1 CP to Hide in Combat at the cost of the user’s turn.

*User suffers 1 CM Point

Negatives from CM Points do NOT apply whilst you are using a CM Stage or Partial Form.

5 CM Points: -2 to Attack/Defense Rolls, -1 to Damage Rolls
10 CM Points: -4 to Attack/Defense Rolls, -3 to Damage Rolls
15 CM Points: -6 to Attack/Defense Rolls, -5 to Damage Rolls
20 CM Points: -8 to Attack/Defense Rolls, -10 to Damage Rolls
25 CM Points: -12 to Attack/Defense Rolls, -15 to Damage Rolls

1 CM Point may be removed every 48 hours (Maximum 3 per week, Week follows jutsu Learning)

Heal Mod 80+ Ninja can remove them (DM Approval / Present. Person with CM Points cannot remove them) OR a DM must remove them, for a cost of 1 non refundable RP Token, with an NPC . The CM point removal must be RP'd out so that the DM is happy with the amount of effort put in. (E.G Cannot just be "XXX places hand on curse mark, pushing chakra in to heal the effects of using it").

Note: When a CM point is removed, Person who has the CM Point removed and the person who is removing the CM Point suffer -10 HP and CP (Due to the strain on the body from removing the CM Point) for 1 IRL hour.


Cursemark Mastery
(100 tokens – Legendary Kinjutsu)

The user of the Cursemark has learned total Mastery of their Mark, allowing them to enter the partial form at will, as well as suddenly gain the power of suffering far less physical damage with their cursemark itself active, not a natural host, however extremely close, a mastery of the cursemark however takes time and training.

Universal: Gains Access to ‘Partial Form.’ First Stage Cursemark is now 5 cp to activate, and 1 cp a round. Second Stage Cursemark is now 5 CP to activate, and 2 CP a round.
Genin: +10 Total HP/CP, Successful ATK's heal user for 1 HP and 1 CP
Chunin: +15 Total HP/CP, Successful ATK's heal user for 2 HP and 2 CP
Jounin: +20 Total HP/CP, Successful ATK's heal user for 3 HP and 3 CP


Partial Form
5 CP to Activate, +1 CP to Maintain

This is gained with the Mastery of the Cursemark, allowing a part of their body to form. A wing, a arm, a bodypart of any sort is what allows this to take over, in Takeo’s case being a section of his brain. This grants him a rapid burst of pure power, at the cost of suffering a constant drain on his chakra reserves.

Universal: +5 to Attack/Defense Rolls, +6 DR vs HP Dmg, +45 to Hide/Move Silently, Increased Crit Range becomes (17-20), -3 to CP costs (does not affect maintenance costs, minimum of 1), May pay 2 CP to Hide in Combat at the cost of the user’s turn. The user also gains the bonus HP of Stage 2, and may spend 5 CP to reduce the duration of a genjutsu the user failed a defense against to 1 round. User’s CP regen is not applied during Partial Form activation, with the exception of the Vampiric CP Regen gained through Cursemark Mastery. (This includes all forms of CP Regen, including jutsu)

Demon Summons: The Pits

The Pits are a classification of demon that is native to an area that shares its namesake. Not much is known about these seemingly evil creatures other than their lust for blood. Even after making a blood contract with their summoner, each pit requires an increasing amount of blood before they will willingly unsummon, even if they have to get that blood from the summoner themselves (this action is only allowed because it is part of the summoning contract). While some pits may pretend to be mischievous tricksters, they are actually very intelligent and surprisingly loyal. All pits answer to the demon lord, and anyone that the demon lord pledges his loyalty to in a summoning contract earns the loyalty of all the other pits.

Universal: +1d4+1 CP Damage
Rank 1: +1d4-1 (min. of 1) Damage, +1 ATK Rolls, Requires 1 Tribute Damage to unsummon willingly*.
Rank 2: +1d4 Damage, +1 ATK Rolls, Requires 5 Tribute Damage to unsummon willingly*.
Rank 3: +1d6 Damage, +1 ATK Rolls, Requires 20 Tribute Damage to unsummon willingly*.
Rank 4: +1d8 Damage, +1 ATK Rolls, Requires 35 Tribute Damage to unsummon willingly*.
Rank 5: +2d4+1 Damage, +1 ATK Rolls, Requires 50 Tribute Damage to unsummon willingly*.
Special Note*: Tribute Damage is the amount of damage that the summon must deal per summoning. What the summon cannot deal to an opponent, is taken out of the summoner instead. If the summon is forcibly unsummoned from its HP/CP hitting 0, the Tribute Damage requirement does not take effect.


Rank one: Ignis

Ignis appears to be something akin to a burning piece of paper floating on the wind. His kind is the lowest tier of demons, below even being recognized by the tier above his, the hellhounds. Although simplistic in form, Ignis is the most openly emotional out of all the Demons, and possesses their strange evolved intelligence. Those who take him lightly will find out that he has a fiery bite.

Summon Cost: 10 CP
HP: 10
CP: User's
Attack/Defense: Highest Summoner Stat +0
Base Damage: User's Rank Taijutsu Damage

Rank Two: Lupus

Lupus belongs to the lowest tier of the pits that actually functions in their society. While commonly abused for their low status by the higher demons, even the great Pits will seek out the hellhounds if they need assistance in tracking. Lupus has the appearance of a large hound whose form has been twisted by the evil fires of the Pit, with fiery holes riddling its body and much larger teeth. Lupus is a hairless beast, and stands out amongst tracking dogs.

Summon Cost: 15 CP
HP: 20
CP: User's
Attack/Defense: Highest Summoner Stat +1
Base Damage: User's Rank Small Weapon Damage, No Penalties.
Special: Lupus can track targets using summoner’s spot +30 up to 2 areas away.

Rank Three: Nequior

Nequior belongs to the soldier class of Pits, and lives to obey. While his opinion can be asked of by a summoner, he will never give it of his own initiative unless he believes his opinion would save the summoner from peril. Nequior is a brutal warrior who can seemingly summon weapons of his choice in combat to inflict his fury. He stands 3 meters tall, and weighs around 1400 pounds. He also sports great wings that would allow him to carry 500 pounds on his back in flight.

Summon Cost: 20 CP
HP: 30
CP: User's
Attack/Defense: Highest Summoner Stat +2
Base Damage: User's Rank Dual Small Weapon Damage, No Penalties.

Rank Four: Interitus

Interitus is a fiery tyrant that rules over the upper levels of the Pits. While he answers to the Demon Lord, he often makes decisions without first seeking his Lord’s approval. Interitus has two forms: the first slightly larger than the Soldier class from which he originated which he uses to navigate the tunnels of the pits, the second a 5-story tall Inferno Titan that uses great gouts of hellfire to level battlefields. A cruel master to serve under, the demons beneath him obey only out of fear and respect for their Lord’s anointment.

Summon Cost: 25 CP
HP: 40
CP: User's
Attack/Defense: Highest Summoner Stat +3
Base Damage: User's Rank Medium Weapon Damage, No Penalties.

Rank Five: Mortalitas
Mortalitas is the Demon Lord who rules over the Pits, and sits upon a great throne buried deep in its depths. He leaves managing the lesser demons to the demi-lord Interitus, and instead focuses on much grander matters. For an ancient demon who spent most of his lifetime studying the world around him and its happenings, Mortalitas is slow to speak. His kind is the Lord Tier, and they are slightly larger than typical demons but have much greater horns. However, this does not mean that they are weak. The Lords possess a strength that is much greater than their size, and answer to no one. Mortalitas was the demon who originally signed the contract with Takeo Kichida, and is the only one of the Pits who looks at Takeo as something similar to an equal, rather than a superior.

Summon Cost: 30 CP
HP: 50
CP: User's
Attack/Defense: Highest Summoner Stat +4
Base Damage: User's Rank Large Weapon Damage, No Penalties.

Antimatter Release

100 Tokens

The antimatter release is unique to Takeo Kichida. While it is a combination of Raiton and Inton, it would not be able to perform half of its abilities were it not for the strange alien energy created by the Kagegokuin. The nature of Antimatter chakra is void, like its namesake. Anything that comes into contact with Antimatter is subject to any number of effects, the most common being transporting the object to another dimension. While Takeo named the release Antimatter due to his observations of its ability to seemingly deconstruct anything it touched, it wasn’t until much later in his studies that he realized that most the matter that was affected by the ACN was actually being teleported via space jutsu to an empty space where life cannot persist. However, inanimate objects seem to be unharmed when brought to and from this empty pocket. Takeo spend countless hours developing this technique in his study, and even longer after it had already been unlocked just to understand what exactly he was doing. Takeo uses a mixture of standard and developed hand seals to perform Antimatter jutsu.

Universal: The user gains Antimatter as an element, and it COSTS them their third element slot. The user must be a Jounin that already possesses Raiton, Inton, and the Kagegokuin to gain Antimatter. Antimatter jutsu cannot be copied or performed by anyone who lacks the requirements for the Antimatter Release.

Universal: The user gains +3 to use of Antimatter jutsu, and both of its parent elements. Antimatter and both of its parent elements deal an additional +1d8 damage. The user gains +5 to learning Antimatter Jutsu and its parent elements. All damage dealt by Antimatter jutsu cannot be healed for 1 IRL day* except by B-Rank or Higher Medical Techniques (this is due to the absence of the damaged flesh to repair combined with the lingering Antimatter energy preventing new flesh from taking its place.) The user also creates 2 E/D/C/B and 1 A/S+ techniques.

* Those effected by Antimatter may spend 1 IRL hour within a hospital getting "Healed" by the hospital staff to negate the effects.

E-Rank

Temporal Pocket:

Invisible Pathway Technique:

D Rank

Land of the King:

Blank Space:

C Rank

Sword of Null:

Spacial Loop:

B Rank

Wheel of Misfortune:

Temporal Stasis:

A Rank

1,000 Doors Technique:

S+ Rank

Gates of Paradise:

Takeo’s Ring


RP: As part of the dowry presented by the Kenko family, Takeo has received a unique wedding band as a symbol of his undying faith to his love. This ring is a prime symbol of the Kenko clan. Following their traditions and values, it bears strong powers locked within. The ring allows the wearer to gain a more concentrated control over their own Chakra Network, allowing them to increase physical prowess, and the potential of their Jutsu Techniques. In Takeo's case, he is capable of using this extended control to amplify his ability to sneak, by giving him greater focus and control over his body during efforts to remain quiet and in the shadows. In addition, the Kenko Ring also shares a common trait of the Kenko family members, this being Cell Regeneration. By gaining a boost in cell production from static Chakra, the Ring allows the wearer to remain in good health at all times. The ring symbolically represents the eternal bond between the two lovers, and also allows them to feel together even when far apart. This is particularly valuable to a shinobi couple, who lives a life filled with danger.

PvP Effect: +3 to Wis rolls, +50 hide/move silently, +2 HP regen, +1 CP Regen, the ability to “sense” Mitsuko’s location and wellbeing.

Appearing to be nothing more than a strange charm, the Aether Hourglass is the first prototype created by the Research Division of Kumogakure. The prototype was designed using the aid of Takeo Kichida's ACN, and the goals of the Research department in this endeavor are to unlock the methods of creating the powerful artifacts of old. As the wielder of the ACN, it was entrusted to Takeo to field test and discover the potential locked within.

Inside the hourglass is what appears to be a glowing red sand. This sand is actually made of condensed antimatter energy of a specific "wavelength." Manipulating Antimatter's natural ability to bend space, the hourglass grants the user a constant ethereal-ness of a minor scale. The ability to essentially pass through objects and bend light through your body, even on a minor scale provides tremendous stealth capabilities, making elements such as silhouettes and misplaced steps no longer a concern. Through minor testing, it was also discovered that with a small amount of chakra the hourglass could amplify the ethereal granting sand, causing the user to completely "phase" out of existence for a brief point in time. Unfortunately, the capabilities of the hourglass seem to be limited to brief moments at best, but more studies will be conducted on the other natural properties of Antimatter Energy.

PvP: +50 Hide/MS, Ability to dodge undodgables at a -2 for 2 cp.

  Takeo swung the large blade to the side, cleaning the blood off the blade with the speed of motion. He slowly sheathed the long blade, taking care not to make any sound as he slid it home excruciatingly slow. There was another one of them lurking somewhere around here…

  Well, not somewhere. He was shivering in the nearby rock-concealed bush. Or was it a bush-concealed rock? Takeo bothered to ponder the concept as he cut both of them in half horizontally. A wet-sounding thump declared his success. Once more he cleaned the blade and slid it home. This routine was becoming far too droll – being assigned on a “reconnaissance” mission, to only observe, and then having his orders changed last second to “this is too risky, we need you to eliminate the loose ends.” He sighed.

  He didn’t like killing, he just did it well. And with all of the stains on their souls, it was easy. The weighing of people’s souls was a double-edged sword, though. He also saw the stains of those few whom he called friends, and had to resist the compulsive urges to expunge their sins. He shook his head, finding himself caught up waist-deep in his thoughts again. There was time for that later (a lie), and he still had work to do. Pushing his questions aside, he recovered the yellow kerchiefs from the thirty-eight bandits he slew, half of which not even knowing that they were being butchered before they fell. All for some rock.

  Two days ago, the bandits residing in the nearby mountains decided they had the guts to steal from the Raikage himself. The blood crystal they stole was a nice looking piece of rock but they hardly recognized its true value – the cage of a great oni who had once required the Raikage himself to capture. It could not be destroyed, and even with his advanced wisdom the most the lord scientist could do was contain it. If these petty thieves had accidentally unleashed the oni, it would have destroyed the valley. Not that it mattered, the valley was outside of the Raikage’s control (it instead belonged to the high-esteemed dragon clan). However, his king had a sense of justice akin to his, as much as it got on Takeo’s nerves to cross the land for bandit-butchering. More thoughts. Sometimes he felt like his thoughts were water and they filled from the ceiling down in the room he was in. Perfectly fine - until you’re drowning.

  He came to this conclusion in mid-jump, and it nearly caused him to miss the next branch. Multi-tasking had never been one of his talents, but when he set his mind to it he rarely deviated. He caught purchase on the branch and his body bowed like wheat in the wind as he tried to maintain his balance. He quickly crouched and grabbed the branch with a hand to steady himself, realizing that a fall from this height could be potentially lethal. For a normal man.



  Those worrisome thoughts again, constantly pressing against his skull. He idly rubbed the spot on his chest where he knew the cursed seal resided. An unwelcome mental image of the Deathless Doll flashed through his head, in the moment where her touch alone changed his life forever. The seal is what allowed him to be promoted to his current rank in Special Operations and Recon, but a week straight of being played lab monkey when he first showed signs of it wasn’t really worth the trade.

  He shook himself gently as to not lose his balance on the branch. He opened up the energy pathways to his legs and resumed his speedy ascent up and over the mountain. The Raikage himself had performed the experiments on him, and now he treated him like an old friend. If sense was something that could be made by the Raikage, he chose not to.


  Falling.

  He woke up on the forest floor, with the feeling of hot oil pouring down the back of his head. Something on his chest was on fire, right on the seal. He hoped it didn’t scar…



  A man stood over him, smiling with what looked like… Amusement?

  He woke with a start, his chest still ablaze. Upon quick inspection, Takeo realized that his chest was not actually on fire, but the seal was attacking him. He scanned the perimeter and the man from before appeared, sitting on a nearby log. “Nice to see you recover so quickly. But you’ll find you won’t recover as quickly as normal.” He held Takeo’s 6-inch shaku in his left hand, keeping his right one free to draw either of the two katanas he wore at his hip. The man had the look of a grizzled veteran, his hair beginning to grey but still kept cut clean. The covering of all of his face with the exception of his eyes was not lost on Takeo.


  Takeo slowly stood as he sized up the stranger. Not many were capable of inflicting pain on him, as his nervous system was entirely under his control. To duel this man would be a challenge, at best. He cleared his throat and spoke clearly, “Who are you, and what do you want with me?”



  “Cut straight to the point, I like that.” The man chuckled to himself, and Takeo could tell with trained eyes that he was sizing up his worth as well. The man’s face became suddenly very serious and he looked to Takeo’s bag. “Who I am specifically is of no consequence, you should know me as the person who took away as much as he gave. Speaking of,” he looked back up to Takeo’s deep red eyes, “Give me the stone.”

  “Why couldn’t you have just taken it from me as you did my sword? You knew I had it just as you knew I had my weapon. What game are you playing?” Takeo paced his words evenly as he let some of his analytical mind slip out of his lips.

  “Because I hold the cards in this deal, and frankly, I don’t care to slaughter you like you did those bandits. I saw your handiwork, I know your ability. I will tell you right now, you are not ready to fight me so if you try I will cut you down while you beg for either mercy or death.” He repeated the same cadence as Takeo, slowly pacing each word with the same rise-and-fall of his tone. It was a subtle “I can do all that you can and more.”

  Takeo pulled out the stone with one hand and began to form the symbols with the other hand that he knew would open up a small dimensional pocket that only he could access - a trick that he had figured out himself. He was nearly complete when he noticed the man had already drawn his sword. He tried to rush the last few signs when he noticed his hand wasn’t moving. It was lying on the ground, and his arm slowly pooled blood from its new opening. He swore. Loudly.




  The man simply looked at him as he swung Takeo’s blood off of the blade, sheathing it in a flash. “Give. Me. The Stone.”

  Instead, Takeo did the only thing left he could do – and vanished. The man swung his sword where Takeo was standing a moment before, but the Reconnaissance Specialist had already disappeared. A quick stab confirmed that he had taken his hand as well, which was of no real consequence. The Raikage had more than enough resources at his disposal to have Takeo’s hand reattached, it was meant only as a deterrent. In time, he would get what he wanted. He always did.

  Meanwhile, Takeo watched the man depart from atop the trees. Takeo was no sham with a sword, he was a Kichida – the family of weapon masters. And among the Kichida, Takeo was, if not the best, the fastest swordsman they had. He called his sword back to him and it turned invisible as it reappeared at his side. The man who had nearly exited the clearing hardly seemed to care – whoever this was, they were far too dangerous to let live. He had to report to the Raikage, and get his right hand reattached. What an interesting morning.

  Later that evening, Takeo noticed the text delicately inscribed on the right side of his sheath. He had no memory of carving it there, nor seeing anyone else write it. In precise and elegant curves it read:

  “I see you are having fun with the curse I gave you. Don’t forget that it is mine to give and take away, and tell your little sister I wish her well.”



– Dad

  Takeo threw the scabbard into the fire with such speed that it completely submerged itself beneath the coals, and made a mental note to rush that hearing with the Raikage. Great, now he had to replace his scabbard. Flexing his reattached hand carefully, he debated whether or not his morning was better than his evening.

         

 Takeo sighed as he gathered his things. Working with a team was hardly new to him, but when he put in a request to hunt down his father he didn't think it was going to be with an entire squad alongside him. Not beneath him, to be noted. They were squad 17 and Takeo had worked with them before, so it could be worse. Their leader, Hiroto, was probably the hardest to get along with, constantly being a jerk to everybody except for his precious squad that he treated like his own family. But mostly, Takeo didn't like him because he was aiming to retire. Ninjas, samurai, and other warriors don't retire, especially young. But the young warrior was determined that each mission was going to be the last.


 Takeo actually liked the female member of the squad, Akane. She had always been a quiet person just like him, and they had worked together on a team while they were in the Academy. She had beautiful blue eyes that showed no emotion, but seemed to take in the world. Shirou was perhaps one of the most rediculously aspiratious of all of Kumogakure, but crossing him would bring the wrath of Hiroto like an angry father. Shirou had reason to be as he was, he was one of the many war orphans of his village. Takeo felt that they had that in common, but Shirou's perception on life became quite twisted when he lost his siblings in the same attack that took his parents.


 Takeo made a silent note to appreciate his sister more when she was around.

 He met up with them outside the barracks that had the numbers 14 and 17 inscribed on the walls around the doorway. Takeo offered them a polite greeting with a bow, and thanked them for their assistance.


 Hiroto simply coughed and said, "C'mon, we don't have time for your silly tea-party manners. We have work to do." The other two members made no comment, as they had grown used to their leader's brash behavior, but Takeo was suddenly overcome with the urge to strike the man down. He took in a deep breath to calm himself, and then turned and started walking towards the exit with the squad in tow.


 Takeo had done research on the geography of the land that he had recently worked, and found that in the mountain range nearby there was a pocket of mountains that formed a tight circular valley with only a few hundred feet across at the base. No better place for those who don't want to be found to reside. Takeo made the downwards plummet that was required to reach the ground beneath Kumogakure and quickly performed the simple handsigns that would slow his decent when he reached near the floor. The squad all followed him in this, having each performed it thousands of times that they have traveled to and from the hidden city in the clouds.


 "You know, you should try to get along with Hiroto-sensei." Said the young Shirou to Takeo as they made their way through the trees. "It's not that he doesn't like you, he's just... Different."


 Takeo turned to him and gave him a blank stare, retorting, "If he was different he wouldn't act like the common rabble that inhabit the lands which we protect, showing no appreciation or any signs of common decency. Taking others for granted." He said, with careful enunciation on the last part. That seemed to shut Shirou and his happy idealisms up, but with a quick glance Takeo noticed that Akane was staring holes in the back of his head. He shook his head and sighed, picking up the pace through the trees.


 Takeo raised a hand and swung downwards to the forest floor. The squad instinctively followed, more out of habit than out of respect for his command. He looked at the setting sun for a moment before turning back to the squad. "We should make camp here for the night. We don't know what exactly we are getting into so we shouldn't just hand them the advantage..."


 Hiroto, as expected, spat with the same respect he gave Takeo. "We need to get this done as quickly as possible. My squad and I aren't tired, but if you feel like a day's travel has hurt your tender sensibilities then I guess we can continue without you." He crossed his arms, his thick and muscular forearms looking quite imposing to the onlooking eye, but hardly even phazing Takeo.


 Takeo responded by idly resting his hand on the hilt of his dagger, and not breaking eye contact with the grey-haired man. "I don't feel like reporting about how an insane squad leader threw away the lives of his team so he could hurry up and quit." It was as a spark jumped the corded muscles of Hiroto that Takeo found himself alone in an empty place, unable to move. He recognized it as a genjutsu but found himself unable to break its bonds on his sensory and motor controls.


 The loud voice of Akane boomed like a god all around him "You two need to calm down. We will make camp for the night and play it safe, but it is all for nothing if you two kill each other in your sleep. Make nice, or I will have you hugging the same tree all night long until we are ready to head out again. Hai?" Takeo didn't even have to speak the words as he found himself back in his own body, looking at a disoriented Hiroto. The squad leader gave Takeo a look and then turned to Akane and pointed at her, but seemed to have lost whatever he wanted to say. The group of them awkardly broke formation and began unpacking the few necessities that they had brought along.


 Several hours later, they had gathered around a campfire and were passing rations to and fro. Hiroto had already set up bell traps that would alert them of anyone careless enough to pass close to them while they slept. Everyone was a bit jumpy at the bells, as the wind kept blowing softly enough not to be noticed but swaying the bells and startling everyone at the camp. As the night entered its deepest point, the group had finally extinguished the fire and were asleep atop their bedrolls. Hiroto woke a few times more at the wind-swept bells but eventually put the gentle rings out of his mind.


 Takeo's eyes snapped open at the sound of the scream. He shot up, looking towards its source: Shirou. A creature, that Takeo assumed to be an Oni, was atop Shirou ripping out his innards with its terrible claws. The scream and initial panic that Shirou had issued as it attacked him faded as he blacked out within seconds. A wicked cackle came from the Oni's fanged mouth, but it continued its gruesome work until it was put to a stop by Takeo's blade. The two halves of the demon fell and the body evaporated as Takeo swung its acidic blood away from his blade and sheathed it, shifting it back into the form of a shaku. The entire procession, from Shirou's piercing scream to the click of Takeo's sword sounding home, was 6 seconds.


 Shirou opened his eyes and found a strange dark rim surrounding his vision, a faded tunnel vision of sorts. Probably from the bloodloss, he thought. He looked down to see Akane stuffing his intestines back in his shredded abdomen, reassembling him like a broken toy. He tried to smile but when he did his head simply reclined back onto the grassy floor of the clearing. It sounded like someone was crying.


 He felt a shock as his heart weakly tried to continue to pump blood, and he heard a voice that sounded rough and torn screaming ".. you leave me!" He saw Akane kneeling nearby, her emotionless face almost a mirror image of Takeo's as all eyes appeared to be on him. He then noticed the dark figure that was atop him wasn't the Oni, but his sensei who was trying to restart his heart. He let out a soft sigh and rested one of his hands atop Hiroto's, who was pumping his chest.


 "It's... it's ok." He let out weakly. "As long as..." He began to say, but the words faded from his mouth as the light left his eyes and his hand went slack. Hiroto let out a terrible cry, burying his head on the chest of what was like another son to him. They had worked together for 11 years now, from the academy to ANBU, and Hiroto had the pleasure of watching the young orphan turn into a young man with resolve. Now, all of that was gone as Shirou quickly faded from a person to a memory and a name on a stone.

 "Are you going to be ok..?" Takeo asked Hiroto, placing careful emphasis to imply that he was talking more about his ability to continue the mission rather than his own personal feelings. Hiroto let out a grunt of affirmation, and quickly packed up his bedroll as the sun began to rise in the early sky. They were still about six hours away from their valley destination and still didn't even have a clue as to what they were going to find.

 Takeo mentally sighed as he thought, "And then there were three..."

 Onwards through the trees and open forrest they ran, making the best time they could without tiring themselves out by the time they got to the mission site. Normally, this was time for casual conversation to be tossed back and forth in low voices but after last night's events the three warriors were silent. To fill in the silence that would soon turn to distraction in his mind, Takeo rested his hand on the hilt of his sword as he felt the familiar presence fill his mind.

 Takeo spoke without his voice, as did the samurai spirit before him. "What do you make of these Oni, Tamanaiken?" He always addressed the spirit by the name of the sword out of both respect as well as the fact that the life force that resided within Tamanaiken - meaning Soul Sword - was incapable or unwilling to reveal its name. Tamanaiken answered only to the voice of its master, and was highly coveted for its magic-bound loyalty.

 "The blood of these demons tastes foul, and their bodies lack a soul to converse with." The spirit, in traditional Iaijutsu garb as in death, crossed its arms as it spoke and looked straight at Takeo. "Even the servants of the unhallowed have a wailing soul. These creatures are made into what they are by human hands, no god or devil involved."

 Takeo looked at him and began pacing as he thought. His scattered thoughts were projected across the room of light while he was in this state, but the spirit seemed inclined to neither care nor comment on thoughts that were not addressed to him directly. Finally, Takeo turned on his heel and looked back at the spirit. "Can this be undone, Tamanaiken?"

 "No," the spirit replied. "Their fates are lost in the wind, their souls unbound and scattered like sand."

 His fears confirmed, Takeo released his hand from the sword as his consciousness returned to him. They were still running - his motor and sensory capabilities still worked while he was in the Antechamber, as he had taken to calling it - and they were less than an hour away. They began to slow their approach even more, taking extra care to hide their presence from prying eyes. Stealth and teamwork were the two first things a warrior learned in a ninja village, so the trio of ANBU neither spoke nor slipped up as they went through this now routine drill.

 Takeo nodded to Hiroto to find a way up the large cliff-like mountain as he shook his head to his own thoughts. These monsters that had been attacking villages for 300 square miles were being created by someone, and Takeo had a fairly good idea that his father was involved with it somehow. If he was capable with placing the seal Takeo now bore on him then there was no knowing what he might be able to do. The man was capable of creating the Deathless Doll, so he wouldn't put it past him either.

 Hiroto looked back to him, saying, "Let's get this done." Takeo noticed that Hiroto still wore a steely expression and looked almost... older. The loss of Shirou was evident in his mood, and Takeo suddenly didn't feel so close-minded on the idea of the squad leader retiring.

 Takeo eyed him carefully and said slowly, "When we get up there, don't jump. Remember, we are still on a recon mission unless we find something too dangerous to let continue. This isn't an act of vengeance." He didn't break eye contact for the entire statement to the now red Hiroto.

 "You have no business telling me what to do, as I have decade of experience on you." He scoffed and looked off towards the mountain as he tensed his legs to jump. "And last I checked, you are the reason we got into this mess in the first place." After that, he rapidly began the ascent up the side of the mountain, leaving Takeo a bit stung by the accusation. Takeo glanced over to Akane who had also been quiet for this portion of the trip but that wasn't any different from any other trip with her. She looked back at him and opened her mouth slightly like she was going to say something but instead shook her head and followed after Hiroto. Takeo tried to dismiss his concerns as they were nearing the goal up the mountain.

 They quickly assumed positions behind cover as they looked into the small valley below. Sure enough, a large troop of the armored creatures were residing in the center of the valley while what looked like normal people told them what to do and wandered freely throughout the camp. Takeo counted the Oni to be about 200 and the humans to be shy of 30. One of the Oni looked larger than the others, and its place in the corner of the platoon identified it as some sort of commander. Takeo spoke softly. "This is worse than we thought..." No sooner had the words left his mouth the one that seemed to be commanding issued a gutteral bark that was immediately followed by the large platoon marching double-time out of the small crevice on the opposing side of the mountain.

 "Now's our chance, we need to go in to get some more info," the young Akane said out of the blue.

 "Whoa, whoa, whoa... We aren't supposed to..." Takeo began.

 "She's right. Whatever we currently know isn't going to give our guys an advantage, and I doubt 90 percent of the camp is going to empty out while we have guys here again. We move now." With that, before Takeo could offer another protest, the two made their way down the mountain to the base camp. Takeo altered the area around him and vanished into thin air as he began his descent down the mountain. The two had taken cover behind a large stack of supply crates, and Takeo made his way over to the opposing side to try and guide them towards what appeared to be a small tunnel.

 The room was filled with large man-sized machines, several of which had permanently been stained with blood. Chatter could be heard following the approaching shadows, and the three made quick work of dispersing thoughout the chamber in various hiding places. Takeo watched wide eyed as three freaks, one of which he recognized as the Deathless Doll, the other two being a colossal muscle-bound man with strange gauntlets on and a athletic man with nodes all over his body that identified him as one of Kumogakure's Shurai Toshi were walking into the room but quickly moving back out into another nearby hallway. This place seemed to be an underground complex, with the cavern that they hid in being only the entrance to it.

 Hiroto had a look in his eye as he watched them leave and gave everyone the hand signal to keep moving forward. This was hardly the time or place to object, so Takeo and Akane followed the man into the depths of earth and sanity.

Wall/Tree Walking
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 1
RP Description: The user covers their feet with at thin layer of chakra, which acts as a stick substance to allow them to walk up solid surfaces
PVP Effect: Rolepaly Jutsu Only.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Water Walking
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 1
RP Description: The user covers their feet with a thin layer of chakra, which acts as a solid surface to allow them to walk on water
PVP Effect: Rolepaly Jutsu Only.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Rope Escape Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: This jutsu is a simple technique, which can be several different ways. It's taught to all Academy students on how to break out of anything that is keeping them tied up
PVP Effect: This jutsu is used without hand seals. It is the simple concentration of chakra to rippple around the body in effort to release yourself from ninja wire and other such bindings. WIS is rolled vs the attacker's initial Roll. In the event of Set trap skill being used in combat the user must roll the appropriate skill other wise Break DC is decided by active DM.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Cloak of Invisibility Technique
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 1 (+1 per round maintained)
RP Description: A basic technique all Academy Students learn. Taking a simple piece of fabric, they can channel; a small amount of chakra into the fabric and change the fibers to the same as their surroundings
PVP Effect: +5 Hide Roll
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Clone Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 4 + 2 per round maintained
RP Description: The ability to create a basic clone of themselves. Unlike other types of clones, these clones are not solid clones, so they cannot do any damage or attack the Enemy
PvP Effect: As long as the bunshin is maintained when being attacked the attacker must roll 1d6. On a 1-3 the bunshin is attacked, on a 4-6 the real target is attacked.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Henge Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 2 +1 per round it remains active
RP Description: This jutsu is a simple one, that changes the users body into one of which they choose
PVP Effect: +5 Hide (Disguise)
Special Note: Must learn before becoming Genin (Rolled with WIS)
Special Note: Doesnt Stack with any Hide bonuses that are not specifically noted for disguising.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Substitution Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: A simple technique all Shinobi need to learn. It is simple replacing their body with a nearby object in place of an incoming attack
PVP Effect: Wisdom based Dodge
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Kai
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: This jutsu is a simple two handed seal and then you focus your chakra to try and break off a genjutsu. This can also be used to harmlessly break a genjutsu's effect off another target.
PVP Effect: This jutsu is used without hand seals. It is the simple concentration of chakra to rippple around the body in effort to release yourself from genjutsu and other "stuns". WIS is rolled vs the attacker's initial Roll.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - E Rank

Inton: Dark Marble Jutsu
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 1
RP Description: Creates a small black marble that flies at the target
PVP Effect: 1d4+1 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Special Note: Hijutsu available to all Dark element academy students of every village

Raiton: Static Electricity
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 1
RP Description: With a few basic hand signs the user is able to channel a thin jolt of electricity into an opponent, this can be done ranged or by touch
PVP Effect: 1d4 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Special Note: Hijutsu offered to all lightning element academy students of every village

Raiton: Simple Shock
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: With a few basic hand signs the user is able to channel a small shock that leaves their opponent vulnerable
PVP Effect: 1 round stun, or until hit
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Special Note: Hijutsu offered to all lightning element academy students of every village

Chakra Dageki (Chakra Strike)
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: By channeling a small amount of chakra into their weapon the user is able to hit more effectively.
CP Cost: 1
PVP: +1 damage
Note: This is required in order to learn other Kenjutsu
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – E Rank

Focus
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu Stance
Rank: E
CP Cost: 2
RP Description: The user devotes chakra to their minds, enhancing their senses to a point of tunnel vision. The rest of the world begins to fade around them, and the only thing they see with clarity is their opponent.
PVP Effect: +1 to attack/defense rolls against a single designated opponent, -1 to attack/defense rolls against all other opponents. Lasts the duration of the fight.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – E

Temporal Pocket
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 2 Cp
RP Description: The user places an invisible chakra string on an object that they then surround in an orb of Antimatter energy. The item, which can be no greater than 30 lbs, is teleported away to an alternate plane- to be later returned to the user via the chakra string attached to the portal that the item went through. This portal is portable, microscopic, and costs the user nothing to carry alongside them.
PvP Effect: RP Only Ability
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – E Rank

Invisible Pathway Technique
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: E
Chakra Cost: 2 Cp
Description: The user slams their hands on the ground and channels their energy into the spot. The Antimatter energy glows for a moment, and then dissipates. A completely useless technique on its own, the Invisible Pathway Technique is designed to designate the doorways from which a higher rank teleportation technique would use.
PvP Effect: None
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – E Rank

Master’s Instruction
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu Stance
Rank: E
CP Cost: 2
RP Description: Over many years studying Kenjutsu and teaching others, the user has an adept understanding of the martial forms and practices. The use this knowledge to its fullest extent as they teach, ensuring that their student has the strongest grasp on the technique as possible.
PVP Effect: The student receives +10 to Kenjutsu learning rolls, and -1 to the cp costs of each roll (min. of 1.)
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – E Rank

Raiton: Static Wall
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: Emitting chakra from their palms the user strikes out to block the opponent, the blocks are placed in a manner that the chakra from the palms fall into a barrier like wall
PvP Effect: Rank damage + 1d4 Damage
Special Note: Can be used to block, when used to block the technique does 1 Dmg
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Raiton: Electric Jolt
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: One of the most basic Raiton jutsu that most Genin learn after discovering their element Deals a minor electric shock to their opponent, as they touch them
PVP Effect: 2d4+1 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Raiton: Stun Gun Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: The user fires a ray of shocking currents and must make a ranged attack against any living creature within 10 feet. The effect much like that of a taser.
PVP Effect: The target is stunned for 1d4 Rounds by the electric volt. If hit, the stun ends
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Inton: Shadow Substitution
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: The user substitutes themselves with an object, appearing as though they explode into shadows.
PVP Effect: Standard Substitution
Special Note: On Fail Gain +1d4 DR
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Inton: Dark Blast
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: The user summons chakra to their palms and fires a ball of shadows at the foe.
PVP Effect: 1d10+1 Damage
Special Note: On-Hit causes -1 to Attack/Defense for 1 Round.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Chakra Concentration
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: The user channels their whole chakra network, and increases the speed. Allowing them to use less Chakra when using jutsu
PVP Effect: -1d4+1 CP used on Jutsu for 1d4 rounds
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Hardened Steel
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3cp
RP Description: Drawing a small amount of chakra into one’s blade the steel or material used to make the blade hardens to the day it once was perfect, causing one’s slash to be a lot sharper and effective.
PvP Effect: +2 Damage
Special Note: Adds 1 DR Pierce
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Preparing Stance
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: The user slides into a stance in preparation for their next
attack to increase the effectiveness of it.
PvP Effect: -5 Chakra Cost for the Next Round (Must be a Kenjutsu move)
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Reverse Strike
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: After feinting an attack, the user grips the weapon in reverse and strikes their opponent from the other side.
CP Cost: 3
PVP: +1 to attack roll
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Double Strike
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: The user strikes their opponent diagonally from left to right, then again from right to left, creating an X across the opponents chest.
CP Cost: 3
PVP: Rank Damage + 1d4
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Lazy Man’s hand
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu (Iaijutsu)
RP Description: As the enemy approaches, the user remains calm, their hand resting on the hilt of their sword. When the enemy comes into range, the user would draw their weapon and slash the enemy in a single fluid motion.
CP Cost: 3
PVP: Block. 1d4 Damage to attacker.
Note: Cannot be used to Defend Genjutsu.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Perfect Feint
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu (Iaijutsu)
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: The user watches the opponent to anticipate how they will react, and when the time comes to strike, taking advantage of their defense patterns to create the perfect illusion of the strike. The opponent will dodge in a way the user already predicted, and the user uses that commitment to a dodge to gain the upper hand.
PVP Effect: Causes the users next attack (Must be an actual attack roll) to be Undodgeable (Not applicable to Unblockable techniques)
Note: May be used as a free action before the jutsu, for 4 CP + Jutsu used, instead of 2.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank


Art of the Black Hand: Dark Strike
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: The user encases their hands in dark chakra, enhancing their power.
PVP Effect: Rank damage +1d4
Special Note: Target suffers a -2 to Defense Rolls for 1d4 Rounds.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Dark Flight
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 2
RP Description: The user runs towards the target, focusing their chakra to their feet, then they send a kick straight up to the target's jaw, sending a blast of dark chakra into it, and sending the target flying up into the air.
PVP Effect: No damage, but The victim is unable to attack for one round, due to their body soaring into the sky
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - D Rank

Land of the King
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3 Cp
Description: The user sets their hands on the ground and presses an aura of Antimatter outwards and down to cover the ground in a square-mile radius. This aura specifically targets space-time jutsu and exerts full control of such to the user. The effects of this aura last for 1 Day.
PvP Effect: Nobody except the user can use space-time jutsu in the affected map area for 1 IRL Day.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Blank Space
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Chakra Cost: 3 Cp
Description: The user projects an aura of anti-matter around them, wearing away at all who dare to enter its realm. The Antimatter energy of this aura is weak, but still degrades the muscles and bones on a smaller level.
PvP Effect: Attackers suffer a -2 to ATK Roll when attacking the user for 1d4+1 rounds.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Chakra Vessel
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Cost: 3 CP
RP Description: Takeo creates a semipermeable barrier that allows for elemental natures to be stored and withdrawn at a later time. These orbs can vary in size, and are transparent, appearing to be a glass ball. This technique was originally created for safe use of Ana’s ability, and allows her to borrow elements without having to inflict wounds upon a target, using the orb as a form of one time use of the target.
PvP Effect: Each orb lasts 1 IRL Week. Max. of 3.
Special Note: Takeo suffers -5 CP per Orb that is active, until it is removed.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Shadow Creation
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: D
Cost: 3 cp
RP Description: Using the transfiguring powers of the Kagegokuin, Takeo is able to create personal modifications to himself using the oily-black essence of the Shadow Seal. This technique can create a variety of effects, allowing him to either increase his intimidating presence or allow him the ability to fly. However, these effects are require Takeo to maintain concentration based on how complicated they are, and complicated effects will dissolve if his concentration is broken.
PvP Effect: RP Only.
Special Note: Can be used as a free action. Cannot be used to Intimidate people without a Roll.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Fleetfooted
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu Stance
Chakra Cost: 3
RP Description: Keeping their weapon trained on their opponent, the user lightens their steps with the assistance of some chakra. This allows them to react more quickly to threats, leaping out of the way with a simple spring.
PVP Effect: User gains +1 to dodge attempts for the next 1d4 + 1 rounds.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – D Rank

Raiton: Electrical Discharge Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 5
RP Description: The user releases a large blast of electrical energy after forming a list of five hand seals, monkey and rat being a few in the seal list, that attacks all nearby targets
PVP Effect: Deals 2d4+2 to 3 Targets
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Raiton: Minor Electric Current
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 5
RP Description: Through usage of this technique, the user is able to accelerate the flow of Chakra in their body, thus creating a small electric current that can be passed onto a hand-held weapon, or concentrated on a small part of the user's body to attack with
PVP Effect: Adds 1d6+1 electrical damage to a weapon or fist for 1d4+1 rounds
Special Note: The jutsu deals 1 pt of damage per round to the user as the charge leeches into them on occasion. Their technique cannot be ended early. (This Dmg doesn't bypass DR)
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Inton: Shadow Talon
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 5
RP Description: The user concentrates chakra to their finger tips, they then fire a blast of chakra from both hands at the target, each take the form of a talon.
PVP Effect: 4d4 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Inton: Shifting Blade
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 5
RP Description: The user creates a blade of shadows to be wielded.
PVP Effect: the blade does 4d4 damage for 1d4+2 rounds
Special Note: Strength Bonus does not apply
Special Note 2: Attacks are rolled with Dex/Str
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank


Chakra Concentration: Legs
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 5
RP Description: The user focuses their chakra into their legs, giving them greater speed and dexterity for a certain amount of time
PVP Effect: +1d4 to DEX rolls for 1d4 rounds
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Cross Slash
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 4
RP Description: Focusing a small amount of chakra the user rushes towards the opponent and sends an ‘X’ like slash at the opponent.
PvP Effect: Weapon Damage + 1d6 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

Shadowing Block
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 4
RP Description: Focusing a small amount of chakra the user draws their blade
quickly too an oncoming close-quarters attack, with a shadowy effect to it to
draw the attention of the opponent and to give one enough time to block or
parry in time
PvP Effect: +2 to block/parry
Special Note: Cannot be used against Ninjutsu or Genjutsu
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

Lightning Disarm (Dex/Str)
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: C
Requirements: Lightning Element
Chakra Cost: 6 Cp
RP Description: The user channels a small amount of lightning chakra into a blade striking the weapon of their opponent, This small shock causes the opponent to drop their weapon.
PvP Effect: 2d6 Damage only, Opponent drops weapon which cannot be used in their next attack but they can use Jutsu etc instead, Can be recovered afterward as a free action.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Calculated Awareness
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu (Iaijutsu)
Chakra Cost: 4 + 1 Per Round
RP Description: The user analyzes the opponent’s weapons and/or fighting style. He makes precise note of their blocking positions and where the holes in their defense lie. The next time they attack, they specifically target these holes to make it much more difficult for the opponent to block as they are forced to change their natural defense patterns.
PVP Effect: For 1d4+1 Attacks, when attacking with Kenjutsu or Taijutsu, and the target blocks, the suffer a -3 to their block roll. (May be ended early)
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Fall of the Sparrow
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 4
RP Description: The user appears above the target as they fly through the air, and sends several chakra infused kicks down at the target. The target is then given one final kick, sending them spiraling back to the ground.
PVP Effect: Rank damage +1d6, Target stunned or until hit for 1 Round.
Special Note: This may only be used as a collaboration with "Art of the Black Hand: Dark Flight"
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Black Comet Blast
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 4
RP Description: The user's hands become engulfed in dark chakra, and the user does a two hit combo, one punch to the stomach and one uppercut.
PVP Effect: Rank damage +1d6 +1
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Sword of Null
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 5 cp
RP Description: The user draws from their inton element to create a sword made of pure antimatter energy. The sword unravels all that it touches, and is capable of carving through solid objects through sheer removal.
PvP Effect: The blade deals 4d4 damage and lasts for 1d4+2 rounds.
Special Note: STR damage does not apply, attacks performed with the weapon gain a +2 vs Block, attacks are made with STR/DEX.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

Spacial Loop
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 4 cp + Cost of Technique Countered
Description: The user emits the chakra as waves, which serve to create a loop within space-time, linking it with another point. The barrier itself serves to loop all object that enter its range, causing it to exit out of the destination point. The barrier itself can be shaped to be flat like a plane, or curved like a sphere. With experience, the user can encase an opponent in this barrier, causing all their attacks to loop, flying back at them until it hits its target.
PvP Effect: Counter with WIS, this costs the user their next turn. If the user succeeds the defense, the opponent takes the damage or negative effects that they were about to inflict upon the user.
Special Note: Cannot be used against passive effects, and cannot be used to counter S-Rank and higher jutsu.
Special Note: Can only be done twice per battle, per opponent.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Training/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

No Escape
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: C
Chakra Cost: 4
RP Description: The user of this technique attacks at the person from behind aiming for the bottoms of their legs intending to cut the Achilles tendon to prevent the target from running.
PvP Effect: Ken damage + opponent gets -1 to dex rolls for fight and all attempts to escape auto fail.
Special Note: Cannot be used on the same opponent more than once.
Taught By: Aoioki Kichida
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

Chakra Concentration: Core
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: C
Cp Cost: 5
RP Description: The user channels their chakra, focusing it to their Hands, Fingers and mouth to increase the strength and quickness of their ninjutsu
PVP Effect: +1d4 to WIS rolls for 1d4 rounds
Special Note:
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Soul Resonance
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu Stance
Rank: C
Cost: 5 + 1 per round
RP Description: Takeo holds out Tamanaiken and sends a pulse of chakra through the sword. The sword responds in kind as he establishes a link between the two. This link allows Takeo to use his sword like an extension of his arm, channeling chakra through it at the speed of his own body and wielding it with equal ease.
PvP Effect: +1 to Atk/Def, -1 to Kenjutsu Cp Costs
Taught By: Danao, Aonu (Observed)
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - C Rank

Laceration
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Chakra Cost: 5
RP Description: The user channels chakra along the edge of their weapon, creating a singular plane that extends from the edge of the blade for about 4 cm. This added edge is used to cut deep into the opponent and sever their veins and arteries, causing them to retract and bleed profusely.
PVP Effect: Weapon damage + 1d4 damage for 1d4 rounds. Damage does not stack, but rounds do.
Special Note: Requires a Heal Mod of 30 to learn.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – C Rank

Raiton: High Voltage Touch Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 8
RP Description: Using this technique, the user focuses a large amount of Chakra in their hand and turns it to high-voltage electricity. The user makes a touch attack against one creature. This technique does not impede the user's hand
PVP Effect: Deals 5d4 +1d6+1 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Inton: Raven Damnation
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 8
RP Description: The user creates a shadow-raven which flies at the target, viciously attacking them.
PVP Effect: 6d4+4 Damage
Special Note: Undodgable
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Body Flicker Technique
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 8, -1 a Round (Or) 20 cp to Activate all Fight
Description: This jutsu is a high-speed movement technique, allowing a ninja to move short to long distances at an almost untraceable speed
PvP: Grants +2 to Attack/Defense Rolls While Active.
Special Note: Requires a 15 Dex Mod
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Aging Dragon
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: The user of this technique flows their chakra throughout their entire weapon before striking. As they strike, the chakra shifts slightly, resembling something of an old dragon, which on contact with the enemy, explodes.
CP Cost: 7
PVP: Rank DMG + 2d4+2
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – B Rank

Grinding Slash
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 6
RP Description: Focusing a moderate amount of chakra the user slashes at an
opponent wherever they’d like, with a
physical embodiment of chakra along their blade causing a saw like effect to
shred the flesh of the targeted opponent.
PvP Effect: +1d4+2 to Kenjutsu Damage Rolls for 1d4+1 Rounds.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – B

Chidori
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 10
RP Description: Chidori is an advanced Raiton Technique. It includes covering your hand in a thin layer of chakra, which soon expands to cover her hand in a large ball of pure electricity. This attack can be quite deadly, and is even said to be one of the strongest Raiton techniques
PVP Effect: 2d10 + 1d8 +1d6 + 1d4 damage
Special Note: Attack is Rolled with Dexterity, Peirce's 5 Points of DR. This Jutsu if done with a Sharingan gains a +2 to its Attack Roll, if it’s Done without a Sharingan then it suffers a -2 to its Attack Roll.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank (Gates get a +50 to Amount) - Requires DM Permission

Patient Art of Iaido: Tachi-Ai
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu (Iaijutsu)
Chakra Cost: 8
RP Description: The user stands upright, their body fully erect, giving off a slightly imposing stance. Their feet are spread slightly to increase their mobility, preparing themselves for their next attack on their enemy. They carefully visualize the enemy’s attack pattern, ready to strike in the opening.
PVP Effect: The next attack (Must be an actual attack roll), User gains  +3 to ATK Rolls, +1d4 Kenjutsu Damage, 4 DR Pierce.
Special Note: The user takes 1d4 damage (which ignores DR) due to the strain of using this technique.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Predator's Call
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 6
RP Description: The user Rockets down with insane speed at the target, continuing their move set with a chakra infused, downward kick
PVP Effect: If hit, the opponent is smashed into the ground and is unable to move for a round. If the user misses, they slam into the ground, stunning them for a round.
Does Rank damage + 2d4+2, Target stunned for 1 round or Until Hit
Special Note: This may only be used as a collaboration with "Art of the Black Hand: Fall of the Sparrow"
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Meteor Shower
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 6
RP Description: The user sends a flurry of Chakra infested punches at the victim.
PVP Effect: Rank damage +2d4+2
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Wheel of Misfortune
Type: Ninjutsu (DEX)
Rank: B
Cost: 8 cp (+4 CP if 2 Effects)
RP Description: The user summons an aura of Antimatter energy, and unravels its bindings after coating himself in a protective shield. If an enemy is caught within the melee-range aura of effects, they are subject to a random nature of the Antimatter energy. It is in this technique that hints of Antimatters’ full potential is revealed.
PvP Effect: Melee-range AOE. The user rolls a 1d8 to determine which of the following effects is applied to all who are caught in the aura. On an 8, 2 effects are applied by rolling 1d8 two more times (maximum of 2 effects).
1- 2d4 damage
2- 4d4 damage
3- 6d4 damage
4- The opponent suffers -2 to attack/defense for 1d4+2 rounds. (Rounds stack, Negatives do not.)
5- The opponent is sealed in stone for 1d4 rounds. While they are enclosed, they cannot take damage or make actions.
6- The opponent attacks their allies for 1d4 rounds. If there are no allies around, the opponent flees.
7- The opponent is teleported 1 map area away from the user.
8- Roll for two effects (Can only be done once)
Special Note: This technique may only be used to defend against Tai/Ken or close ranged attacks.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – B Rank

Shoki Art – Act one
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: The Shoki art is an extremely rare one, and requires the utmost concentration. Act one consists of intense focus of the mind. The user focuses chakra throughout their body as they enter a state of Zen. Chakra would visibly flow down the length of their weapon, taking on a bright color.
CP Cost: 7
PVP: The user has a +3 to their next attack, both attack roll and dmg
Taught By: Suzumi Kichida
Gate/Learning: B Rank Gate System

Journeyman’s Pose
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: B
Chakra Cost: 6+2 Per Round Active
RP Description: Focusing chakra within one’s blade and the stance of
themselves, the user is able to move and attack with far greater ease, causing
their strikes to be far more deadly.
PvP Effect: 1d4+1 Rounds for +1d6 Kenjutsu damage Rolls, and +1 to Strength/Dexterity Rolls.
Special Note: Can be ended early
Taught By: Danao Aonu (Observed)
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B

Ocean of Mirrors
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu Stance
Rank: B
Cost: 12 + 2 per round (Can pay 7 + 2 per round if replacing Soul Resonance)
RP Description: Channeling chakra through the length of the blade, it undergoes a tremendous shift. The blade seems to shatter into a thousand pieces, all hovering in the air around him. Takeo controls the storm of fluttering blades using his will, guiding them through the air with his hands.
PvP Effect: +2 to Atk/Def, -2 to Kenjutsu Cp Costs, +1d6 damage
Special Note: All Kenjutsu can be performed at range.
Taught By: Danao, Aonu (Observed)
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Death by a Thousand Cuts
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Chakra Cost: 6 + 1 per round
RP Description: The user flickers around the battlefield faster than the eye can track normally, creating the illusion of being in more places than one. The user closes in on his opponents, making deep but thin cuts into them as he passes.
PVP Effect: The user selects up to 2 targets. For 1d4 + 1 rounds, both of the targets take 1d6 damage that ignores DR.
Special Note: The user must have Flicker activated to use.
Special Note: No DMG bonus is applied to this jutsu.
Taught By: Danao, Aonu (Observed)
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - B Rank

Temporal Stasis
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: B
Cost: 8 cp + 1 per round.
RP Description: This technique allows the user to completely stop the action of an object, and even time itself, within the said object or person. This effectively makes that object indestructible, as outside forces and laws can't interact or influence the affected objects, barriers, or objects within it. The user is also able to erect a barrier around themselves and other people. Because the barrier isn't composed of chakra, and can't be interacted with or upon by outside forces, it is incapable of being modified, penetrated, ceased, absorbed or other such actions.
PvP Effect: Can create an indestructible barrier to protect a single object or a large group of people. Can be used to block unblockables. If the barrier is used on an item, it lasts the duration of the fight. If the barrier is used to protect a large group of people, it lasts 1d4+1 rounds.
Special Note: People within the barrier cannot attack to outside the barrier and vise versa.
Taught By: Danao, Aonu (Observed)

Obliterating Slash
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: A
Chakra Cost: 10
RP Description: Focusing a large storage of chakra into one’s blade(s) he or
she would rush at the opponent unleashing a powerful slash that takes a physical
manifestation as a large white crescent curve forms flying at the opponent.
PvP Effect: Weapon Damage +4d4+4
Special Note: Unblockable
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A

Shadow Stealer
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
Rank: A
Chakra Cost: 10
RP Description: Focusing a large storage of chakra into one’s blade(s) and
themselves would move at such a high-speed that when they appear it is often they come from the opponents shadow sending a quick flurry of slashes at them.
PvP Effect: Weapon Damage +2d6+1d4 Damage, Target suffers a -2 to Attack/Defense Rolls for 1d4 Rounds.
Special Note: Undodgable
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A

Flight of the Humming Bird
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: The user channels large amounts of chakra into the muscles of their arms, allowing the user to wield their weapon with ease. They then hold their weapon, fencing stance, then attack their enemy in a huge flurry, the attack literally becoming a blur as the user strikes over 100 times.
CP Cost: 13
PVP: Kenjutsu Damage +3d6 Damage
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A

Perfect Art of Iaido: Iai-Goshi
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu (Iaijutsu)
Chakra Cost: 12
RP Description: The user tenses their entire body like a coil, ready to spring as they crouch low. Their blade has been freed from its sheath just enough so that it can fly free at a moment’s notice. The user channels most of their spent chakra to their motor system in their brain as they prepare to move faster than the human nervous system can normally react. A large amount of chakra is channeled into the blade in preparation for their next attack.
PVP Effect: Users next Kenjutsu Attack (Must be an actual attack roll) deals an additional + 3d4 + 10 damage.
Special Note: Can only be used directly after Patient Art of Iaido: Tachi-A. Patient Art of Iaido: Tachi-Ai must first be learned.
Special Note: The user takes 1d8 damage (which ignores DR) due to the strain of using this technique.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A Rank

Imperial Seal no Bakemono (Imperial Seal of the Monster)
Type: Ninjutsu (DEX/WIS)
Rank: A
Cost: 15 CP
RP Description: The user performs a long, complicated series of handsigns before touching the target with either the hand or the technique itself. The target is immediately placed into unconsciousness as their chakra pathway is cut off from his seal and mind alike. All effects of the curse seal immediately recede, and cannot be activated for 24 hours.
PVP Effect: Target is rendered unconscious as if their Chakra had hit 0, and remains that way for 1d4+1 rounds.
Special Note: The user can only target someone with a cursemark who is under the effects of a stage activation. Passive and active cursemark effects will also be denied for 24 hours. Cannot target a cursemark user who has not activated.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – A Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Dark Burial
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: A
Chakra Cost: 11
RP Description: The user sends a barrage of dark punches down at the immobilized victim, finishing with a Destructive last punch.
PVP Effect: Taijutsu Damage +2d10+5
Special Note: This may only be used in collaboration with "Art of the Black Hand: Predator's Call"
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A Rank

Art of the Black Hand: Black Hole
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu
Rank: A
Chakra Cost: 11
RP Description: The user focuses obscene amounts of chakra to their hands and feet, striking a single spot on the victim repeatedly.
PVP Effect: Rank Damage 1d6+3d4+2
Special Note: Unblockable
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A Rank

1,000 Doors Technique
Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: A
Cost: 15 cp
RP Description: 1,000 Doors Technique has the ability to teleport people and objects over large distances, using markers placed at the target location of the teleportation. After placing a mark on an arrival location, to teleport the user looks at the intended object or person, picturing the mark location in their mind. A large circle appears beneath the object or person and it is teleported to a place of the user’s choosing.
PvP Effect: Melee-range AOE of target, can be expanded to larger AOE by spending an additional round per 5 feet of expansion. Willing subjects or unattended objects do not make a save. Unwilling people make a save against the jutsu, Wis/Int DC=User’s Wis Roll
Special Note: This takes three rounds to perform in combat due to the intense amount of focus required. The user channels the technique for the first two rounds, and then attempts a roll against a target on the third round.
Taught By: Suzumi Kichida
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – A Rank

Shoki Art – Act Two
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: While the user is in a Zen state of mind, they further their focus by blocking out everything other then themselves, while building up more chakra throughout their body and weapon. The chakra becomes so immense that it literally overflows visibly.
CP Cost: 10
PVP: Lasts for 1 attack. The user gains a +4 attack roll, a +1d8 damage roll and 5 DR.
Note: Can only be used directly after Act 1. Act 1 must first be learned.
Taught By: Suzumi Kichida
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – A

Shoki Art – Final Act
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu
RP Description: After having built up immense amounts of chakra throughout themselves and their weapon, the user focuses on a single target. In the blink of an eye, the user appears in front of the enemy, striking swiftly at their chest. If successful, the users’ chakra floods into the enemies wound within a second. The chakra would then explode, literally tearing the opponent’s internal organs apart.
CP Cost: 10
PVP: Rank Damage + 2d6 + 10
Special Note: Undodgable
Special Note: Can only be used after Act Two.
Taught By: Suzumi Kichida
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - A

Railgun Technique
Jutsu Type: Taijutsu (Requires Raiton Element)
Rank: A
Cost: 13
RP Description: The user takes a small metal object (tool, coin, dagger, etc.) and pulses Raiton energy through it at a steady current. The metal object is hyper accelerated by the built up charge of energy, and leaves the user’s hand faster than it could even be thrown. For a Sage to throw an item this quickly, it would tear the muscles in their arm due to the strain. Allowing the object to move itself is far more efficient. The object used must be solid and nonexplosive for the jutsu to work, otherwise it loses kinetic energy on impact. The user then provides an initial launch momentum, triggering the release of the potential energy. Once the object leaves the user’s hand, it will travel in a straight line and be stopped by no material until it runs out of energy.
PvP Effect: AoE Line) Unblockable. 2d10 + 1d8 + 2 damage that ignores all DR.
Special Note: Pierces through all barrier techniques that prevent opponent from harm, but user receives -3 to targeting those behind a wall technique. This technique also CAN NOT be blocked by methods that would normally block unblockables.
Special Note: If a target has a technique that is considered Impenetrable, it MAY block this technique, but both Techniques DO NOT gain any bonuses against one another apart from Passive / Current Jutsu.
Special Note: Requires DM Team approval and Creator approval to learn. Must be Special Jounin to learn. Requires Raiton element to learn.
Taught By: Danao Aonu (Observed)
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – A Rank (Additional 3rd gate with DC = 2nd gate + 50)

Flickering Pain
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu/Taijutsu
Rank: S
RP Description: The user channels huge amounts of chakra throughout their
body, using Flicker they move to their foe, appearing and disappearing
all around them, striking every time with blade and fist, striking their
enemy all over dozens of times, the massive series of barrages stuns
the target briefly afterwards leaving them open for another attack.
CP Cost: 25
PvP: Kenjutsu Damage+3d4+4d6 Damage + and the target must roll Str or Con, DC 35 (nothing added unless it’s a Str or Con bonus) or be physically stunned for 1 round.
Special Note: The victim may, as a free action, try and break the stun, rolling against the DC 35 with STR or Con on their turn. They may use INT/WIS to try and break if they spend 5 CP, but this is only after the initial failure.
Further Note: Unable to be Dodged, Must Block/Substitute.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - S

Final Art of Iaido
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu (Iaijutsu)
Chakra Cost: 25
RP Description: The user either performs this by countering their opponent or exploiting one of their openings. In the time spent studying their opponent, the user has learned exactly what it takes to break their defenses. This move is going for the kill, striking deep into the opponents vitals with enough chakra to cut through bones like butter. What is left of the wound is a gaping hole, rapidly dumping what’s left of their life.
PVP Effect: Kenjutsu damage + 5d4 + 2d8.
Special Note: The opponent takes 1d8 Bleed damage (ignores DR) for 1d4+1 rounds. Bleed Damage can be removed by a medical ninja if they sacrifice their turn, and roll a heal roll. (DC = Original Attack Roll x 3. Can only be used directly after Perfect Art of Iaido: Iai-Goshi. Perfect Art of Iaido: Iai-Goshi must first be learned. Can be used to Counter without the loss of the user's turn (Does not apply Bleed damage if used to counter.)
Special Note: The user takes 2d8 damage (which ignores DR) due to the strain of using this technique.
Taught By: Approved by DM Sasori
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - S Rank

Gates of Paradise
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: S+
Cost: 30 cp
Description: The user teleports themselves and one opponent to a vast plane of emptiness – Limbo. On the plane of Limbo, ninjutsu and genjutsu are completely unusable with the exception of the user. Limbo seems to be a land without color, and has a dreadful stillness to it that would drive anyone who remained there to madness.
PvP Effect: Unblockable. Teleports the user and 1 opponent to Limbo, where the opponent cannot use any ninjutsu or genjutsu techniques. The opponent and user cannot return until either the user loses consciousness or willingly decides to end the technique.
Taught By: Suzumi Kichida
Teaching/Learning: Gate System – S+ Rank

Impenetrable Chakra Barrier
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Rank: S/S+
Chakra Cost: 20 + 5 Per Round Maintained In Battle (30 - 50 CP Out of Battle)
RP Description: Etsuko would focus her chakra network, before bursting a huge amount of chakra outwards. The chakra would begin to form a huge dome around Etsuko and her allies, creating an impenetrable barrier to stop all incoming attacks. If given the time to focus, Etsuko is able to cover a huge area, possibly a village, to block all incoming attacks, and even stop people from coming through.
PvP Effect: Mass AoE Block) Etsuko may block for All Allies that are around her with a +5 to Block Roll. If successful, Barrier lasts for 1d6+1 rounds and has 50 HP. No one inside the barrier may ATK outside targets, but may still use Buff Jutsu. Those outside must destroy the Barrier, before targeting those inside. Barrier has 5 DR. If used as an RP Effect, DM Discretion as to how large the barrier is and who/what it may block.
Special Note: May be Ended Early
Teaching/Learning: Etsuko Kag'ame

Soul Meld
Jutsu Type: Kenjutsu Stance
Rank: S
Cost: 20 + 4 per round (Can pay 8 + 4 per round if replacing Soul Resonance)
RP Description: Takeo shifts Tamanaiken back into a small blade as he turns it on himself. Instead of piercing his skin, the entire sword disappears into his body, a small chakra wave echoing out across the surface of his body. Takeo and Tamanaiken become physically as one, a duo few live to see and none live to tell of.
PvP Effect: +3 to Atk/Def, -3 to Kenjutsu Cp Costs, +2d8 damage.  
Taught By: Danao, Aonu (Observed)
Teaching/Learning: Gate System - S Rank

  The three made their way deeper into the cavern carefully, to avoid any nearby patrols while still making sure to keep their eyes peeled for anything important. Soon they reached an area that seemed to have little traffic at all, so they took a left and went into a nearby room.

   The room was dark, with no lanterns lit they could not see. However, Takeo's eyes worked fine with the assistance of both the seal and his dark element. The room had man-sized containers filling it, and within each resided floating men and women that looked to be connected to some sort of life support. They barely stepped into the room as lights came on, which of course made them all jump. Lights were not something you found installed underground very often, and after a moment of calming down Takeo realised that they were motion-activated.

   In what seemed like a blink, a man suddenly appeared and walked up to one of the containers as he began checking up on the creature's progress. At first glance, it had looked like a man, but as Takeo watched it he realized that it had knotted black tattoos running up from his arm to his face and nearly coloring the area pitch-black. His eyes were now open, and he looked at the man examining him with a quizical look.

   The man outside the cylinder looked back to Takeo and the other two, and Takeo recognized his father from his blood-red eyes. "You shouldn't be here, you know. However, I do applaud your timing as this will give me an excellent opportunity to test the capabilities of my son." A moment passed and he wove a dismissive hand and Takeo. "Not you, by the way." He reached over with the other hand and pressed a series of buttons at the base of the cylinder and the glass shield snapped downwards. Whatever was suspending the creature in the air released him, and the respirator fell off of his face.

   His father continued, "What you're looking at here is the Mark III version of the prototpe curse seal you bear. It makes the seal much more obvious but the power outputs grow exponentially. Which you will soon see." He smirks, as if he was proud of what he had created, and looks back to the creature. "I will return to pick up the bodies. Try not to mangle them too much." With that he gave a smirk and flickered away, to some other part of the complex.

   Takeo looked at the creature as he rested a hand on the hilt of his blade and began channeling Raiton into it, biding his time. Akane broke into a long series of hand-seals that were ended by the phrase, "Shinda otoko no mune!" The technique was a high-rank genjutsu, one that Takeo took care to avoid in general but the creature seemed to pause for a moment as it seemed to be trapped within its own mind by Dead Man's Chest. Hiroto dumped an audibly massive ammount of Raiton into his right arm as he dashed in on the creature and yelled, "Raitoningu no jikko!" - 'Lightning Execution'. He slammed his glowing arm into the chest of the stunned creature and dumped the massive ammount of energy directly into its vitals.

   The creatures eyes seemed to light up as the Raiton shot through his body. He then looked into the eyes of Hiroto as he broke free of the genjutsu and grabbed hold of Hiroto's right arm. He spoke with a suprisingly smooth voice, saying only, "They call me Curse-bound." Following, a blur appeared in the air around his hand as he began to shape the reality around it, sharpening it. He then swung it down on Hiroto's arm, which came off like he had swung a blade down on it. Hiroto staggered backwards in shock as the Curse-bound casually tossed his arm to the side and began to advance on the one-armed man.

   Hiroto, acting on instinct, dropped into a fighting stance and issued a series of left-hand jabs that released Raiton on hit into the face of the creature as it approached. Akane let out a yell as she formed more handsigns, "Hiroto-sensei! No!!!" Takeo was suprised to hear that much out of the quiet girl, and quickly dashed around to the side as he already saw the Curse-bound react. To the onlookers' horror, the Curse-bound was barely phazed by the jabs and with two lightning-fast swipes took the squad leader's left arm and head in each hand. Takeo made it to the side of the creature as he did this and drew his blade. He swung the odachi with great force, dumping a massive ammount of chakra into it as he struck the creature's tough skin. A visible rip in reality followed his blade from the sheer ammount of chakra in it. "Sunraisu o massho." - 'Slice open Oblivion'.

   The technique was one that Takeo had developed himself, and he needed the power of the curse seal to make it work. The effect was immediate: the Curse-bound was cut in two and both halves of his body propelled at great force towards the wall, as did Hiroto's body simply from being near the area of the cut. Takeo relaxed his tensed muscles as he flung the blood off of Tamanaiken and slid it home into the sheath. He looked over to Akane and began to say something as he heard something move in the rubble. The upper half of the creature was leaned against the wall, and had two splayed hands pointed to Takeo and Akane. He was gathering chakra at his fingertips and the world turned to tunnelvision. Out of his near-gone peripherals, Takeo noticed Akane signing a protective seal as quickly as she could but it didn't seem like it was complete as ten balls of distorted air shot from the Curse-bound's fingertips. Takeo leapt out of the way as fast as he could but he still caught 2 in his side. He landed and quickly sat up to look at the creature. Its curse-tattoo was fading away, and it seemed to have dumped the chakra it was using to protect itself from the seal into the final attack. The remaining body was making a pool of blood on the floor, and Akane had collapsed. He hurried to his feet while holding a hand to his side over to her. As his hand made contact with the two circular wounds, he felt a strange popping sensation like something was being released in his body.

   Akane was lying on the floor, panting. She had taken all 5 of the blasts in her abdomen, but whatever shielding she had managaed to put up had stopped them from going to deep. She sat up with a grimace and said, "Ah. This is... nothing. I'll patch this up in no time." She began a few handsigns and placed her palms on the lowest wound to heal herself but nothing happened. The chakra gathered in her palm dissipated, leaving the gaping holes still bleeding. "Oh," she said, her mouth forming a small circle as the realization hit her.

   Takeo saw this happen and immediately helped her to her feet, putting her arm over his shoulder so that he could help her walk while she tried her best to hold her own blood in the quarter-sized holes. They made their way out of the complex quickly, now knowing the way and not running into any patrols as they made their escape. As they got to the path they took down the cliffside into the valley, Akane seemed to be having more trouble and Takeo scooped her up without a word. He quickly jumped from foothold to foothold, trying his best to make every second count. At the rate she was going, he would have to run into somebody who knew a lot about seals to be able to save her.

   Down the mountain they went, and through the woods. Akane had wrapped her arms around Takeo's neck and shoulders to ease her weight off of him as he carried her, but he noticed that her grip had weakened terribly as they made their way through the woods. At some point, Akane just said quietly, "Stop... Just stop.." Takeo made his way over to the base of a nearby tree and set her down where she was propped up.

   "How you holding up..?" He began, but let the question fade as he saw her eyes fluttering. "You're going to be ok. We'll make it back in time." He did his best to reassure her, but the look she gave him in response shot that idea down.

   She began speaking slowly, "You know, I'm sorry for treating you the way I did in the Academy..."

   "You didn't treat me poorly. You treated me a lot better than other people did," He said, matter-of-factly.

   "Yea, but I treated you a lot worse than I treated everybody else. I ignored you half of the time, and didn't even try and become your friend despite being on a squad with you." She paused for a second as she caught her breath, and then continued. "I was kinda scared. I didn't know what kind of person a war orphan was, and I kept myself away from you because I couldn't understand... I had no right to... to do that."

   He shook his head dismissively as he replied, "I don't..." He closed his eyes, "Thank you. And for whatever it is worth, I never thought poorly of you, and I forgive you."

   Small, shining tears began to form at the corners of her eyes as a smile spread across her face. She was getting dangerously pale now, and the repeated attempts to heal the wounds had proved useless on her while his had healed rather quickly. Takeo believed it had something to do with his seal, but there was no way he could transfer the seal over to her that he knew about.

   She motioned for him to lean closer to her and she moved her hand to the base of his skull as he complied. "I know you have a lot of burdens to bear," she said at a whisper, "but I want you to do something for me. Don't stop feeling. I don't know... how to say it... but I want you to live... Stop surviving... and learn to live..." Her eyes slowly closed as a peace seemed to overcome her. But with a sudden motion she pulled the two of them together and she kissed him. Her strength ebbed and she released him as the last bit of life she was hanging onto slipped out of her grasp. Her arm fell limply to the ground and her head relaxed.

   Takeo took the time to dig a hole in the forrest clearing they had stayed at on the first night, and he buried her. He laid her next to Shirou's grave, and spent a long moment looking on the two. For the first time in a long time, Takeo wept.

   The rest of the trip to Kumogakure was slow and lonely as he did his best to prepare himself for giving his report to the Raikage.

  Takeo began the ascent through the teleporter, speaking the passcode without enthusiasm as he felt himself being pulled through space to the next room. His feet gracefully land on the floor, and he silently makes his way out of the room as he hears a clatter of feet enter another one of the rooms. He quickly makes his way down the hallway,  not wanting to be stopped by the pesky attendants and medics as he heard the door open and another set of feet exited from a door behind him. He slipped out the main door and hastily walked to Kumogakure Center, where the Raikage's building was.

   He noticed a familiar stride join his along the way. "So, how was the mission, hon?" Mitsuko, his fiance, walked alongside him with a smile on her face that he found under current circumstances still contagious. She wore her typical healer greens that both showed off her feminism and her modesty in the same outfit, which Takeo appreciated greatly.

   The smile left his face as he said, "I've had better... Squad 17... They didn't make it." He said somberly, continuing his fast walking pace towards the Raikage's.

   She softens her tone as she continues, "Well, I will be waiting at the tea house when you get done with your report." She takes two quick steps and leans up to plant a kiss on his cheek as she whispers, "Best of luck!" Takeo smiled to himself as she left... She really did bring out the best in him.

   As he approached the main hall one of the guards worked up the nerve to stop him, speaking like a machine as he said, "State your name and business with the Raikage."

   "Takeo Kichida, reporting in." He looked the man in the eye with a confident stare, saying, "High priority."

   The guard seemed to swallow his objections and nodded to the other guard to open the door. The great doors swung open with a groan, leading to the royal chambers beyond. Takeo stepped through them as they opened, gliding across the floor with grace that few others could match. The Raikage was seated on his throne, and looked to Takeo expectantly. Takeo stopped 12 paces away from the throne, and went to a low bow as he gave his report. "Konnichiwa, Ketsuniku-dono. Reporting in." He came up from his bow when he finished the introductory.

   "Where is the rest of your team, Takeo-san?" The Raikage had taken to calling him by his first name ever since he gained his seal, and Takeo felt that although it was informal it was not for him to correct. So he let it slide.

   Takeo paused for a moment before speaking, "ANBU squad 17 is no more, its leader and members slain in combat by the creations of Jirou Kichida." He spoke with a dead look on his face, practicing his talent of showing no emotion like he often did.

   The Raikage sat up in his throne as he heard this. "Dead, are they? That is a malicious act of aggression towards Kumogakure and its people. Are you claiming that this man has attempted to make war on me and mine?" He enunciates with clear severity, implying his own offense with the matter.

   Takeo inclined his head. "Yes. Jirou Kichida has crafted a standing army of about 300 talented warriors, and each day bolsters his ranks."

   "Well then, I give you full authority and responsibility to protect Kumogakure from this threat using whatever resources you deem necessary. Do not fail me." The lord's eyes narrow as he speaks the last part, saying without saying 'Crystal clear'.

   Takeo bows low again and dismisses himself, suprised with the Raikage's level of trust in him. He had written him a blank check, and then told him that failure would be his head. Takeo stepped backwards until he went back onto the lowered platform, and then turned and began to walk out the door. He opens the great door to find an angsty attendent waiting wide-eyed on the other side of it. Takeo had barely stepped through the threshold as the young man made to rush past him rather rudely.

   Takeo stuck out an arm with the speed and solidity required to clothesline the young man. He grabbed him by his collar and lifted him to his feet while he looked him in the eye and said, "If you show the Raikage a fraction of the disrespect you just showed me, it will be the last thing you ever do." With that, he released him and nodded to the now battle-ready guards as he made his way out of the chamber. As he made his way into the first hallway, he ran into a familiar face. He stops in mid-stride as he turns to greet her.

   They both say each other's names simultaneously, Takeo smiling after the fact. "Going to see the Raikage?"

   "Yeah, but... I should probably talk to you first about something...." She says as her mood darkens a bit. "Come with me..." She turns about and strides off to the common area they first had to go through in the building. Takeo follows obediently, moreso out of aggreance than habit. He takes a seat next to her in one of the waiting chairs while he runs a hand back through his hair, preparing himself for the conversation to come.

   "Alright, you go first." He says with a simple gesture.

   Suzumi lets out a sigh before she begins, immediately jumping into the subject. "I tried my best to help her.... I really did." She shakes her head slowly.

   "Whoa, hold up... Slow down. Help who?" He cocked his head quizically.

   "Umm... Kikuyo didn't make it..." She said quietly. She looked obviously upset, and the statement hit Takeo harder than he thought it would. He had known Kikuyo for years, and had developed an almost-friendship with the girl. His concern only hightened as he saw tears begin to form in the corners of Suzumi's eyes. Takeo looked away, placing a hand on head and massaging his temples as he normally did when stressed. Suzumi continued, "I tried to save her... but I couldn't..."

   After a few seconds she began to cry, and Takeo tested the question... "What do you mean, didn't make it..? Is she..?" He left the question hanging.

   "She's dead, Takeo! And I couldn't stop it from happening..." She suddenly stands up as she begins to shout. He slowly stands as well, looking down as she leans against him. He runs his gloved hand through her hair.

   'Well crap. Not only is she upset, but the situation itself SUCKS and my news is hardly for the lighthearted...' He thinks to himself. He felt like a small part of his family had just been taken away, and his family was small enough as it is...

   After a moment she seems to regain herself and sits back down in the chair, Takeo following after her. He places his hand on hers in understanding, and spends a long time just being with her and sharing with her in their loss.

   After a long silence, Takeo begins. "So, it turns out we have a half-brother..." He says, dumping the topic out in the blue. After a moment he corrects, "Had..."

   She gives him a puzzled look and says simply, "What?"

   He looks off as he tries to figure out how to put it. "Well... To sum it up... I encountered Jirou on a mission to retrieve something, which he wanted and then tried to take from me. He cut off my hand but it's all right now." He flexes his hand and wiggles his fingers in proof. "He said hi, but I threw his message in the fire. The Raikage then sent me with Squad 17 on a mission to scout out what we believed to be their base location, which it was, only to find an underground laboratory where they were making an army of Oni that don't have souls as well as putting more curse seals on more people. I found him in a room studying one of these specimens, only for him to explain that it was my half-brother and that his curse was better than mine and he was going to kill us. I cut the creature down, and made my way back here. I just spoke with the Raikage, and received a blank check as well as the responsibility of hunting him down and stopping him..." He pauses a moment while he lets her take all of this in, having said it rather quickly to avoid leaving room for angry interjections from his little sister.

   Not a second after he finished she interjected her own thoughts, saying with slow deliberation, "Jirou...." She swore. Following, she then began to chew on her nail, a nervous habit she had taken from childhood that bothered Takeo... But he decided to say nothing on the matter. She continued staring into nowhere for a moment as she seemed to be lost in thought.

   "Suzumi..? Suzumi, you there?" He asks, a minute or two of silence having passed. He gives her hand a squeeze as he tries to bring her back. "Suzumi!" He says in a hushed yell.

   She finally snaps out of it and looks back at him in a strange calm. "He will be dealt with when the time comes... But we have to find Kikuyo first..."

   He closes his eyes for a moment before he replies. "Very well, I will assist you. She deserves that much." She nods, and then suddenly looks very perturbed again before swearing profusely. That annoyed him. Again, another time...

   She collapsed her head into her palms as she stated, "Hatsuto... And Ayame..." Takeo identified the two as close friends of Kikuyo's, and Suzumi looked up at him with a pleading look in her eye. He awkwardly just looked at her, not really knowing what to do or say...

   "We have to tell them..." She says with a tone of regret in her voice.

   He dismissively looks away. "I don't even know what the two are up to nowadays, much less where they live..." 'Whew. Close one....' Suzumi shakes her head at him and he lets it fall as it will.

   "Don't worry... I know just where they are." She says slowly. He stands, placing a hand on her shoulder as he replies.

   "Well, let me know when you go to tell them, and I'll go with you..." He gives her a smile as she grabs his wrist, keeping him there.

   She looks at him with a blank expression on her face, saying, "Now... This can't wait..." He nods and makes to follow her as she leaves. They soon reach their destination, Suzumi walking up to the door and knocking just a few times. After a few seconds, Ayame answered the door with a smile.

   "What's up Suzumi? What's with the glum look?" The girl seems to be quite cheery, which to Takeo's regret was about to change.

   Suzumi opened up the conversation with a smooth, "Uhh..."

   Ayame apparently misread this 'Uh' and replied with an even more out of nowhere, "What happened? Did you get dumped or something?" Apparently these two were not particularly great at conversation.

   Then, Suzumi dropped the bomb and said blandly, "Kikuyo's dead." Takeo watched as Ayame's facial expression fell, but was quickly replaced with a bewildered expression as she appeared to think they were joking. Just moments later the realization of the truth hit her. She leaned her head against the doorway as she took it in.

   "How?"

   Suzumi began to explain quietly, " A rogue Kenzen managed to get a hold of her when her guard was down... I failed to get to her in time." Takeo frowned to himself as he heard much of his own self-destructive thoughts of failure resurfacing in his little sister. "I did my best to tend to her wounds... but I'm no medical shinobi...and my basic knowledge wasn't enough..."

   She looked up solemnly to Suzumi and asked, "Have you told Hatsuto yet?"

   "I haven't... And quite frankly I'm not sure I have the heart to..."

   Takeo looks to the two of them and offers up, "I'll tell him, if you want me to..." He says slowly. Suzumi turns to face him, with Ayane looking at him as well. "I don't know him all that well, and sometimes it is easier to hear this from a stranger, than a friend..." He says with a tone that echoes with experience.

   Ayame finally addresses him, "I appreciate the effort Takeo, but maybe Suzumi should tell him. She's always known how to talk to him about touchy subjects." Takeo cocks a quizical eyebrow but nods his assent.

   Suzumi seems to agree with her rather half-heartedly as she says, "You're right... He should hear it from me."

   Ayame looks back at Suzumi as she says softly, "Do you want me to go too?"

   "You don't have to do that," Suzumi tries to deflect, but Ayame was having none of it.

   She got up from where she was leaning on the wall and stepped off to the cobblestone. "C'mon, let's go..."

   The three of them made their way to the other side of town slowly, exchanging no conversation on the way. The group actually moved at an even slower rate as they neared Hatsuto's neighborhood.

   Suzumi said, breaking the silence, "I'm suddenly not comfortable with this..." Takeo took the opportunity of her turning to look at Ayane to nock on the door several times, shooting Suzumi back a look that said 'Important'. She pulled off her snotty little sister look before stepping up the doorstep in his place. Hatsuto opened the door and greeted them all quite kindly. Suzumi looks from Ayane to Takeo as she prepares herself, finally saying, "Hatsuto... I have... grim news..." as she places a steadying hand on his shoulder.

               Takeo didn’t have time to wait around. Shortly after they went inside, he walked away from the entryway he was leaning on. He was confident that Suzumi could handle it, and he was never really all that good at those kind of things anyways. He felt the idea light bulb mix with adrenaline as he remembered about his meeting with Mitsuko. He broke into a jog as he began mentally beating himself, having forgotten about his promise…

               Mitsuko was tapping her foot on the bamboo floor of the tea shop, arms crossed and eyes closed. She had been waiting on Takeo for nearly 2 hours now. ‘He had better have a good excuse for this one,’ she thought. She sighed, and picked up her tea for a long draft as Takeo walked in, his long strides telling enough of a tale in itself. He slid into the seat across from her, quickly kneeling down on the pillow and looking up to her. His posture was as correct as it always was, but she could see the worry in his eyes as he apologized for keeping her waiting. ‘The great swordsman of Kumogakure, wrapped around her finger,’ she thought with a smile.

               “It’s alright, Takeo. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I understand…” She said, her voice softening with her mood as he frantically (for Takeo anyways, which was really just talking fast) tried to explain what happened this afternoon. A few seconds later, they both got very quiet as the topic came to the matter at hand.

               Before he had time to start up, Mitsuko blurted out, “It’s not your fault... Squad 17.. They knew the risk as we all did when we became warriors, soldiers, ninja…”

               He looked up at her, his deep red eyes going serious. “They knew the risk. But there isn’t the same risk for all of us… I could have gone on that mission alone, and it would have saved the lives of 3 great ninja.”

               “And it would have risked your own life instead! Is that any better?” Mitsuko pressed him, setting her mug down as she slightly raised her voice.

               “Yes!”  Takeo blurted out rather loudly. They both got quiet for a second as a few other people in the teahouse looked their way. He spoke in a hushed voice, “Yes… They didn’t deserve what happened to them. I did..”

               She looks at him strangely, cocking her head quizzically. “You are not as evil in nature as you think you are, Takeo Kichida.” She said with a sigh, “I see the good in you, all of the time. Sure, you might be darker than others, but that doesn’t make the lives you have taken any greater than those that the rest of us have taken.”

               He was quiet for a long moment before bringing his eyes back to meet hers. “Thank you, Mitsuko.” He grabbed her hand, and as he gave it a squeeze an image of the oni ripping out the entrails of his comrades stabbed through his mind. He winced, but quickly recovered and released her hand. She caught his hand as he let go, and held it tightly. No more words needed to be said, so she just sat there with him, holding his hand and having tea.

               Half an hour passed by before Mitsuko finally stood up. “I’m going to walk back home. I’ll see you tomorrow..?” She said, testing the waters.

               “Perhaps,” Takeo replied, taking some of his tea. “I just received my next mission today, and I should start soon if I wish to avoid unnecessary obstacles.”

               “Alright then…” In that small moment of insecurity, a hundred thoughts flashed through her head. ‘Why doesn’t he stay with me… When will we actually get married… Why does he keep putting these things off and taking on missions instead.. Is he hoping to die before we wed..?’ She shook her head to herself to clear her mind, and then stepped over to him and gave him a kiss. ‘I love him, and I will trust him.’ She turned and walked away with a smile that said even more than the kiss.                And then she was gone again, leaving Takeo to his thoughts. It seemed like each meeting was just a little too short with her, which is what reminded Takeo that he wanted to be with her forever. He pulled out a scroll and began writing, setting his mind back to the mission.

               ‘”My dear friend Kujira,      

                         I wish that I was coming on better news, but things are taking a turn for the worst far quicker than we anticipated. I will discuss more with you when I arrive, two days after this letter arrives.”

               –Takeo Kichida’

               He addressed the letter and sent it with the first courier he could.
‘To Kirigakure, the City Hidden in the Mist.’

The assassin narrowed her eyes as she watched her prey. He had just received a letter from the courier, who quickly departed. Now was her chance. She silently moved over to the overhanging tree branch right above her large target. Kujira Hoshigaki was no small man, but it wasn’t from fat. He was almost solid muscle, and wielded a halberd whose head was so large that it took a strong man even to swing it. He, however, wielded it with deceptive agility, and none of its blows landed lightly. She would have to get in the first hit.

Unbeknownst to the assassin, Kujira rolled up the scroll and smirked. She knew she was in trouble as soon as he slid his strong foot forward into a combative stance. Before she could react, he had already spun and cut the branch free from its tree using his great halberd. She tumbled through the air and recovered, landing gracefully on her feet.

‘Damn, my cover’s blown,’ she thought. Not wanting to lose momentum, she drew her sword, Tsuinkiba, and gave it the gentle twist that was needed to split the two-bladed sword into twin ninjato. With practiced precision, she twisted her own blades against her opposing forearms and sliced into her flesh. Her blood quickly jutted out of the wounds, covering the blades as she let out a smile. “Now, then… Let’s begin!”

She darted forward and had to lunge out of the way at the last second as Kujira’s spearhead darted right into where she was standing before. She landed a few feet away and quickly recovered into a spinning strike towards the large man. Kujira was no mediocre warrior. He was one of the best. He slipped the shaft of his halberd between the two blades, and with a spin, sent them both flying no matter how hard she was holding onto him. The assassin, having lost her valued weapons, quickly hand-signed a single character and disappeared in a dash of green mist.

‘A substitution technique of some sort,’ Kujira thought, until the green mist began flooding into the pores of his body. His face and arms felt like they were lit on fire and he quickly backpedaled out of it. While he was recovering the assassin was about 40 feet away in the tree line, hand-signing quickly. With the final sign, she smacked her palm against the ground to complete the summons. Kujira knew summoning techniques left and right, but he had never seen one use the signs she had used. He bided his time carefully while he waited for it to complete.

A few motes of light began to grow around the assassin, and blades of various sorts and strange shapes came out of the ground around her. They stood upright, gathered around her, and she began collecting them and placing them into premade sheaths she had concealed along her body. In total they counted 4 swords and 2 short swords, and the sight of this athletic young woman carrying all of them was almost amusing, to Kujira’s eyes. The amusement quickly faded away as she drew a second sword of equal length and focused her chakra into both of them. Chakra was naturally blue in color, but the blades of the swords glowed green. This was no normal assassin. Green chakra belonged to the Black Widow Clan, a group of seductress poisoners that were a force to be reckoned with.

But the fighting style was all wrong. Black Widows were assassins, not swordswomen. The green chakra and fighting style from before matched the blanks, but this woman was strong enough to wield two full-length blades at the same time. Before he had time to contemplate any further, she charged forward. She swung powerful blows down on him, putting him on the defensive. He flashed a hand-sign and detonated a fireball between the two of them to create some distance. Both warriors leapt out of the flames’ reach effortlessly. As the assassin landed, she attached the two blades together. She began quickly drawing the other blades and attaching them to the original. The result was a single blade that looked large enough to require Kujira’s strength to wield. She raised it above her head as she dumped chakra into the blade, and slammed it down towards Kujira. Flatlands.

Kujira tried to dodge out of the way but the chakra wave hit him head on. He was knocked back several feet but managed to maintain his footing. He followed with a couple water clones as he dashed back up to her. He had to get in close, past the range of that greatblade. The assassin swung the blade with swiftness that defied her build, and in a few moments was past the clones and locked in a back-and-forth spar with the real Kujira. The two of them used technique after technique, trying to wear the other one out so they would make a mistake, and at first it appeared neither of them would. Kujira eventually left an opening when he over-lunged, and the assassin took the opportunity. Right as the greatblade swung down on the large man’s shoulders, he put his hand on the side of the blade and forced it downwards into the ground beside him. He then reached out, lightning fast, and grabbed the assassin’s throat with a gloved hand. She bore her teeth and grabbed onto his thick, muscular arms, sending her venom into his skin. He grunted a little bit as his arm lit on fire, but then shook her by the neck and slammed her headfirst into the ground. She stopped fighting.

Kujira watched her while he regained his breath, rubbing his arm where she had touched him. He slowly placed two fingers on her neck to check her pulse. She was still alive. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. “Damn, that smarts…” She said as she gently rubbed the back of her head, using a healing technique to fix the damage. “You don’t have to be so rough with me in the field too, Kujira,” she said with a devious grin.

The big man smile down at her. Reiko Nomike was turning into quite the talented shinobi. She was fast, strong, and beautiful, which was never more deadly than when coming from a Black Widow. She was the strongest poisoner in her clan, and knew that she was only holding back when she touched him because she was his wife. The moment she touched him she could have paralyzed him, and he knew it. They spoke about the fight and gave corrections to one another as they gathered up her weapons. After a minute or two, he brought up the topic at hand. “Do you remember my friend, Takeo Kichida?”

Reiko’s eyes narrowed. She remembered the demon of Kumogakure. There was no way you could forget a man like him. He had worked with Kujira before when he was just getting started on seal construction. “Yea, I remember.”

“We’re going to be getting a visit from him, says it’s an emergency…” Kujira said, testing the waters.

“Great. I’m sure it will be a pleasure…” Reiko said with no small amount of spite in her voice, while she glowered at Kujira. She had more than a few words for Takeo Kichida…

Takeo walked up to the small manse by the river. He rapped his fist on the door and waited, sliding a step back as it took a few seconds for any sound to be made inside. Just as he had suspected, the door flew open and several needles came flying out at them. Dodging them was child’s play, so Takeo decided to entertain and catch them all instead. He dropped the 4 senbon, and looked to the opening of the door. Reiko stood in the doorway, looking unamused.

“Hello, Reiko-chan. Is Kujira out right now?” He noticed that she was wearing more clothing than usual, so she had been expecting him. Women of her clan treated it as a sign of either great distaste or great respect. Knowing it to be the former, Takeo didn’t really mind as he wasn’t all that keen on the concept of ogling his best friend’s wife.

“Don’t even bother to say more than ‘hello’ to your best friend’s wife? Same as always, Takeo.” She leans up against the door post, looking away from him and blocking his entrance without answering his question.

He sighs. And so it begins. “Reiko-chan, despite what you think… I don’t hate you. I don’t even hate what you do. I have great respect for you, actually. . .”

“Well, then why do you always treat me like trash? Why is it that the only courtesies you give me are because of my husband?!” She practically shouted at him, still not moving from her spot in the doorway.

He looked beyond her, into the eyes of an approaching Kujira indoors. “Because I hate your tools.”

Reiko was a Black Widow. One of the famous seductress-assassins of Kirigakure. She gained her venomous powers through ritualistic self-mutilation, having poison injected in increasing dosages into her. Those that survived developed an affinity for their special home-brew. Using poison in combat was not what bothered Takeo, however. Poison was one of many a ninja’s tools. What irked him was that they used their bodies to draw in their prey – usually males. They treated themselves like prostitutes and whores all for a kill, and it disgusted Takeo. The technique required skill, but not finesse, and was therefore not graceful. As a matter of fact, Takeo thought it was ugly. Kujira began to walk quickly towards the two, which was mildly intimidating with a man his size.

Kujira scooped up Reiko on his way through the doorway, and wrapped an arm around Takeo from the other side. “Now, now…” He said, in his deep, gravelly voice. “You two make nice or I will knock your heads together with so much chakra you’ll be sharing thoughts for a week!” He looks from one to the other with a look that showed sincerity.

Takeo grinned like a little kid, and used a basic technique to shock the nerve cluster in Kujira’s arm. Kujira released him with a look of surprise. “I don’t know whether I’m more surprised that you just used an E Rank on me, or that it actually worked.” He lets out a chuckle and sets Reiko down, who seemed to relax a bit. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, old friend?”

Takeo rested his hand idly on the hilt of his sword for a moment and seemed to drift off in thought. With a nod, he turned back to Kujira. He relayed all that had happened in the last 2 weeks, about the encounter with his father and the slaying of his half-brother. He told them about Squad 17, and his new mission. And then he did something Takeo Kichida never does.

He asked for help. “If I’m going to take down this organization, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do it alone. I need your expertise, and the strength of both of you, if you will lend it to me.” As he spoke, he looked from Kujira to Reiko.

Then Reiko did something she never does. She was caught off guard. With a bewildered look on her face, she blurted out, “You mean me? Both of us..?” Takeo only responded with a nod, knowing from experience not to try and “rub it in” with Reiko. Kujira, on the other hand, never looked more at ease.

“Of course we’ll help,” he says, with a fiery look in his eye. His demeanor went from calm to intense within the blink of an eye. “Where do we start?”

Takeo smirks at his friend, and then says, “The Black Suns. It is an organization working under my father, and its leader is the head of research on the curse seals. I believe I have an idea as to where they might be, too.”

-

Tamanaiken spoke to Takeo’s consciousness through their mutual contact with the sword. “Ever since he attacked you, your aura has been radiant. The curse seal is like a stench now, and those who are looking will not struggle to find you.” The intense visage of a samurai paced back and forth in the clearing of Takeo’s mind, while he merely listened. “However, if you can figure out how they track this aura, you should be able to find the signatures of those with similar curse-seals to yours. For instance, the location of the lab where they are being birthed.”

The three warriors dashed through the woods, trying to make the best distance they could by nightfall. With Kujira’s vast knowledge of seals and their handiwork, he and Takeo were able to decipher where the largest nearby source of similar energy was coming from. Few words were exchanged as they traveled, as they all knew what perils were to come. Whatever came out of that lab wasn’t good. Reiko nearly missed the next tree limb she was jumping to when Takeo came to an abrupt halt and held a hand up, signaling them to halt. She looked around, confused, when Takeo said quietly to Kujira, “Do you hear that?”

Kujira nodded slowly, looking to the deep thickets of the forest. Far off in the distance, a piercing cry of a predator rallying the hunt rang out. A few miles out, the woods teemed with life as the trees were shook by the predators. Shortly after, the sounds of animals in distress started calling out even more loudly from that direction. They weren’t but half a day’s travel from where the original source of vile energy was coming from, but whatever was out in the woods emanated just as great an aura.

~~~

The world seemed to be painted in black and white, with very little depth. Aside from the lines where the trees ended, everything looked as though it was painted on a canvas. Something was wrong. It shook its head, raising a hand to its temple. Its? His? Yes… It felt like a ‘him.’ Somewhere in its memories it could just sense that it was a man. Was? Nothing was making sense. Why did the world seem to be ceasing to exist? Maybe he had died, he thought.

‘But I can still feel my heart beat.’

What had happened to him? As he looked around, other people were standing around, looking in one direction. He looked off in the same direction, but didn’t seem to find the source of their attention. What were they looking at? They seemed to look without seeing, and focused sole attention on it. He tried to open his mouth to ask a question, but suddenly the muscles in his mouth and tongue no longer worked correctly. Nothing more than a strange rattle came out of his chest. Suddenly he sensed something, just a few miles away. It was that thing. That monster. His blood began to boil just at the thought of the creature. In the midst of his rage, he let out a cry to the canopy of the woods. Several others joined in his suffering, and they knew what they had to do.

Suddenly awakened in their rage, they began racing through the forest to the creature. Some swung from branch to branch, some on the ground. It didn’t matter how it happened, as long as they destroyed that monster.
~~~

The crashing in the woods grew louder and louder while the three warriors readied themselves for combat. Without saying anything, Kujira took a spot in the open while his stealthier allies prepared themselves to ambush whatever attacked him. As the noise grew closer to them, a strange clicking and chattering could be heard from the creatures. It was almost unnatural, how they communicated. The deafening roar of their approach suddenly winked out of existence. An eerie lull took its place, as what sounded like a thousand animals was suddenly just gone.
~~~

They waited in the trees as they searched for the monster. They could feel it was somewhere nearby. While they wished to destroy the large blue one, they would not sacrifice the hunt for something so unimportant. He looked to the right as he sensed more distress coming from one of the others. It was one of the younger ones, who was shaking with anticipation and rage. He couldn’t sense that the blue one was not who they were looking for. Before he had time to correct him, the youth leaped out with a cry towards the large blue man.
~~~

Kujira saw the creature coming at him, claws bared. He twirled his great halberd around and slammed it atop of the creature as soon as it was within reach. The strength behind such an attack was enough to kill it outright. Kujira swung the halberd back to a reactive stance as he scanned the woods for more of the creatures. After a minute or two of silence, he signaled Takeo to come out and take a look at whatever it was he just killed.

The creature looked to be humanoid, with all of the same basic muscle and bone positions of your average human. That was about all that the two shared in common. The creature had stark white skin, with streaks of red running down its body in what seemed to be like symmetry lines. They traveled straight down the outsides of the arms, down the center of the torso and each of the legs. The creature also appeared to be part oni. It had protruding fangs that spread out in a bony grin, and its fingers ended in wicked claws. Its feet were another strong distinguisher, as they only had three claws instead of five.

However, the most monstrous thing about the animal was its face. It had no apparent eyes or nose, nor contours where they would be. It had a flat, bony plate that started at the top of its fanged mouth and warped upwards into part of its scull. There was no hair anywhere on the creature, and it was strangely sexless. Whatever this monster was, it was not natural. Takeo and Kujira examined it further, trying to detect any evidence that it was from the labs.

Reiko watched from her spot in the tree line. She had chosen a particularly shaded spot at the base of a rather thick limb on a tree. As soon as she saw this creature hit the ground, it felt like her stomach dropped with it. There was something terribly wrong about this situation, and she couldn’t place it. Just as she began to put the pieces of the puzzle together, she heard a twig snap loudly just outside the clearing that Takeo and Kujira were in.

~~~

Blinded by the anger of seeing the blue man take the young one’s life, he barely noticed the monster walk into the clearing. His body began to shake uncontrollably and his hands clenched into fists. He did his best to not make any sound but did not notice the branch underneath his taloned feet as his body moved him forward on its own. He broke out into a run, and the forest again swarmed with life as his brethren moved in for the kill with him. As soon as he made it into the clearing he leaped out at the unsuspecting monster, the man in black.
~~~

Takeo felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up when the branch snapped, and instinctively reached down to his sword. What appeared to be a short wakizashi on his hip would become a razor-sharp nodachi when it was drawn. He turned to face his opponent as it leapt out at him, trying to draw the blade before it got to him. It was fast. Probably just as fast as he was. Takeo suddenly began to have slight doubts about his own ability as the creature lunged for him with claws and fangs before he could even draw his sword.