Starring:
Hotaru (emitter), Nendo, Yama, Mitsue, Akio
Date: November 24, 2015
Summary:
There’s a moving statue in the Land of Earth, and a group of genin have been sent to investigate.
"False Idols"
Land of Earth
Iwagakure is not the only habitable city in the Land of Earth, there is also the capitol and various other villages and cities that weren't quite as important as the previous. One town is reporting that they are having issues setting up an annual tradition known as the 'Dance of the Wooden Demon'. There was a legend in this city a long time ago when a ninja created a huge beast of wood and defended the town during a war that had ended a long, long time ago. Since then, a huge wooden statue is created to commemorate the event. Of course, this statue hasn't ever moved. The last time anything wooden moved was the event that this festival commemorated. That is, until a few days ago. In preparation for the event (That happened to be today) the large wooden statue that was to be burned, created in the image of the ninja who fought to defend the town, suddenly started moving. At first, it moved off it's pedastal. Then it started walking around the streets. Just yesterday, the statue destroyed the house of a villager, and hasn't been seen yet… Though the village suspects that today it will cause a rampage because of the age-old legend.
Nendo, Mitsue, Yama, and Akio have been sent to investigate why the statue was moving around. It wasn't as if this was a small statue either. The height of the wooden idol was around twenty four feet tall. That's about four times the height. You can understand why this is considered a C-rank mission, and why the villagers are fearing for their life. The group was expected to meet up with the village elders. A group of two people who claim to be old enough to have witnessed the clash between the mokuton using ninja. "I don't understand how something so big suddenly started moving around. No one in the village knows that kind of ninjutsu. They call it a lost art." One of the elders, having a long beard, would stroke it as he mumbled the former. The other elder, one with a short beard, hunched over would add to all the nonsense. "It's definitely a ghost! A ghost I say! There can't be any other reason for this." That was basically all they knew. The elder with the longer beard recognized Nendo as the team leader, and would speak directly with him. "Sir, that monstrosity must be destroyed. If it comes back we barely have anyone strong enough to even fight it on even ground. We're a poor village…" The one with the short beard recognized Yama as the team leader, based on his age and possibly wisdom. "You have to understand that our traditions are the most important thing to us! Our people would be demoralized in spirit if the wooden idol is not burned inside the city. We know that it could wipe us out, but at the same time we would have been wiped out without the help of that ninja who protected us long ago. Please! Please help us continue our tradition!" That left the group with two options. Hunt it down, and destroy it… or risk bringing it into the city and setting a trap for it. The decisions of a ninja are not easy, and what isn't easier is the fact that no one has yet to give a decent explanation as to why a giant wooden idol is moving around.
Nendo would be standing ahead of whoever else had come along for this mission. With his hands in his pockets and his bandana of a forehead protector removed in respect once he'd entered the elder's presence, the Toujitakumi would be listening quietly to what was being explained. It was a bit of a problematic creation to be dealing with but either way the fact of the matter was that Nendo had to uphold their traditions as tradition was something important. "Alright, I will need a map of your village so that I can tell you what we are going to do and what we are going to need you to do then." Nendo wouds explain as he'd not leave the villagers out of the situation. This was their village after all so if he was to satisfy their needs, he'd do it in the manner that they wished while still being on his terms. Once the map was brought forward, Nendo would ask for them to mark out where it was that the pedestal for the idol was and the main road of the village. A bit of a thoughtful expression would cloud the teen's face as he stroked at his jaw for a moment and then began stroking his finger along the main road to show the route.
"We'll lead your idol into the village along this road so I want your people to be cleared out of the houses closest to this road, two houses away from the road on either side to reduce the risk of this idol accidentally damaging its village." Nendo explained while glancing over his shoulder to his unit for a moment and narrowing his eyes as he thought of what would be the best manner to use them. "Akio, I will need you close to the pedestal and ready to use your fire on the idol, Mitsue, I'd like it if you can be there along with him to provide support with your genjutsu, if it will work on an idol. It's moving like its alive so we'll treat it that way. Yama… you're strong so I'll want you at the front line with me leading the idol in toward the target location. We aren't going to be fighting it so if you can, try not to damage it at all before we get it where it needs to go, just try to keep it from damaging the houses and defending any villagers that might not have evacuated in time.
Yama wouldn't deny the elder sharing his story with him, but he wasn't the leader. He was just along for the ride. Granted, in comparison to everyone else, he could see why. At most, he figures he can try and squeeze out whatever he can from the man regarding this incident. "I will see what can be done about the idol. I understand traditions, my home was accustomed to them as well and would feel the same way," he explained. He lifted his hand to his own beard and stroked it a bit. "Assuming burning it will also destroy it, we can kill two birds with one stone, but…" He thought while considering the other elder's issue. They'd just need a way to stop that thing from moving. Besides, what caused it to move, anyway?
He sat back and watched Nendo get to work by creating a plan and where Yama himself fit in. "This sounds reasonable. I will do as you say."
Mitsue was there along for the ride at this point. He hadn't known what the mission was about when he'd been called to go along on it, meaning that once he found out it was an inanimate object moving he immediately knew he wouldn't be able to help with the creation itself much. Now, if they found out what was making it move that might be another thing but at this point he was just another set of eyes. As Nendo gives instructions the teen nods in understanding before looking to Yama to lead the way to the pedestal so they can wait for the creation.
Akio was just nodding along at what he was being told. He had never expected to have to deal with a giant wooden statue, but hey at least it was an interesting day. Or at least it would be. Whenever they get ready to had out he moves off to find the pedestal. He at least had a job that he knew he could accomplish, but he wasn't going to take any chances. He planned to hold it in place first if that would even work.
The short bearded elder agreed with Nendo, surely he was pleased that Nendo was going to side with him on the argument. The long beareded elder shrugged. "Risking collateral damage over a silly tradition. You've made your decision." The short beareded elder seemed to take control of the situation now as he helps Nendo plan. "I'll send word right away. At the moment, the idol is taking residence in a small area of forest northeast of here. It's a short ways away, but no one has had enough courage to venture into the forest." The Short Bearded man gets on it right away, as he exits the homestead that the group was invited to come inside.
Akio and Mitsue were assigned to prepare the trap, and the elder would be sure to point out possible hiding places. Yama and Nendo would likely be heading towards the woods to detect and goad the giant statue. The weather was rather nice for a kindling today. It was dry outside, and the sun was shining brightly. The forest, composed of maple and pine, did well enough that the idol could be appropriately hidden away without being seen from the outside, certainly because it was made of wood itself! Nendo and Yama would likely need to find it before goading it… That is, unless they find something else.
COMBAT: Nendo focuses 4372 stamina to turn it into 5500 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…23
Nendo would frown a bit at the idea that something so important they'd called for aid was silly in some way. "We'll work to make sure no damage befalls the village, however I still want people evacuated so that they are not in any danger in case the worst comes to pass." Nendo would explain to the man as he left. Still, the Toujitakumi would move over toward Mitsue now that their meeting was completed and lean toward the young Gansao to whisper into his ear something for the genjutsu user's ears only. As soon as the message was conveyed, Nendo would start off from the meeting area and follow the direction that was mentioned. It would be a bit of a walk but Nendo would rush toward the forest either way and then crouch down and begin focusing so he could have a more keen sense of the events transpiring in the forest as well as in the village that would be behind himself. A few swift pulses of chakra being sent out into the ground would leave from the out stretched finger of his right hand and then gathered and deciphered as they rebounded back into his hand.
Yama wasn't opposed to destroying the statue, but orders were orders. If they statue wasn't to be destroyed, he wouldn't destroy it. Simple as that. If worse happens to come to worse, he'd have to consider it as a viable option. For now, he follows after Nendo into the forest, hoping to locate the large statue out this way. "I still question how this thing is capable of moving if it has no one to perform the task," he began. "That is unnatural, but I suspect a ghost is not the cause."
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a PERCEPTION…27
Mitsue prepares to go with Akio but pauses when Nendo comes to whisper in his ear. He gives Nendo a small nod in understanding before moving to cast his genjutsu on Akio. The other two would quickly be too far away to hear his mental words so for now Akio would be the only one with that honor. ~Let's go Akia-kun.~ After going with the elder and seeing the pedestal, then looking around at the hiding spots offered, he'd nod and motion for Akio to find a spot that would work to his advantage. As for Mitsue…he'd need to see as far as he could, so he gives a quick hop up to a roof on one of the houses being evacuated.
COMBAT: Mitsue focuses 3458 stamina to turn it into 4000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Akio defends against AUDITORY-HALLUCINATIONS(27) attack from Mitsue with a TENSE…6
Akio follows along with Mitsue until they make it to the pedastal. After being offered the hiding sots he sneaks off with a nod to Mitsue finding a place on the ground that is within viewing range of Mitsue. While he sits there silenty he send some chakra into the ground to hopefully see if he could spot any gigantic wooden statue walking around, and maybe already heading this way.
RPCOMBAT: Akio defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…21
Seems as if Yama had seen something. It was rather quick, out of the corner of his eye, but about a few moments later did the sound of creaking wood fill the forests. Something was happening, and given the sounds it must be that the giant idol was pulsing to life. Akio didn't see it. Too far away, but Nendo would have actually felt it when it started moving. It was coming, and fast. In fact, before it even arrives it starts slinging things at Yama and Nendo from afar!
[NPC System]: Statue roll(s) Boulder vs Nendo from 30 to 35 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Hotaru
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a FAE-SHIELD…40
RP: Nendo transforms into BAKUTON-I.
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 34
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 32
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 24
Nendo would be moving along a bit calmly while he moved through the forest and felt the tremors of movement before he saw the boulder. A quickly raised hand and a blast would be enough to deflect that boulder but Nendo was already prepping hand seals to gather earth onto his fingertips while facing the direction before himself and narrowing his eyes. "Yama, if you see something suspicious don't hesitate to go after it, guiding it to the village won't be too much trouble, it's getting it to the center without breaking houses that I'll need help for." Nendo stated, a simple way of staying not to chase something if it goes too far. They could return and seek out the cause after the primary threat was gone. For the time being however, Nendo would fire off three bursts of bullets at the attacker. He didn't want to kill whatever it was, just to get its attention for now so it would pay mind to him and try chasing after whatever was trying to attack it so feebly.
[NPC System]: Statue roll(s) Boulder vs Yama from 25 to 35 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Hotaru
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a ENDURE…29
RPCOMBAT: Yama took 300 damage.
Yama grew tense as he took notice of the giant statue as it began to move. Guess he didn't have to do that much. It noticed them, but there's a problem. /Who/ is in this thing?! Or what is controling it? He contemplated this as he sat and took a boulder straight to the body. It carried him for a small distance before dropping him off and continuing on its way. "Ugh," he groaned. "I understand!" He rose up from the ground. "Let's make this happen!" He began to draw attention to himself. "Hey! You are a poor excuse of an idol! Stone is much better!"
Mitsue remains back at the village, prepared for the arrival of the others with the giant wooden thing if they can find it. If not then it's going to be a rather boring trip.
Akio keeps his positiong at the ready to do some attacking if it comes to it. He wondered how far off the wooden statue and the other two from their team were. For now though he had to stay focused on the mission ahead.
COMBAT: Akio focuses 1737 stamina to turn it into 2000 usable chakra!
Yama and Nendo would hear the creaking of the statue, almost like it was a puppet of some sort. A giant puppet of an unsung hero, perhaps? Not many puppets are this large, as it would take an immense amount of chakra to control something this size. The beast would run after Nendo and Yama, often trying to step on them to smash them, or attempt to grab them. At this point it was pretty clear they were getting neary the city, so Akio and Mitsue should be ready to suppress the idol and burn it. For the meantime, poor Yama and Nendo would be forced to take blows from the large puppet once more!
[NPC System]: Idol of Wood roll(s) Giant Step on Nendo from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 26. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Idol of Wood roll(s) Giant Hand on Nendo from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 37. - Rolled by: Hotaru
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a SPARK-SHIFT…42
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a SPARK-SHIFT…38
All Nendo could think as he watched Yama try defending against a boulder with muscles was… Did he really just do that? The effect would have been more stunning had he managed to not be thrown around by the giant rock like that but at least he wasn't dead already. With the sight that Yama had lived, Nendo turned his attention back toward the idol.. and up, and up, and up… Nendo was a bit stunned to see just how huge this idol was and started to run quickly away from the titan of an idol. Forming hand seals, he'd again fire off bullets to scuff the idol with more and more dirt from the forest around himself. "Remember not to break it yet!" The Toujitakumi shouted while rushing along toward the village's main entrance.
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 37
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 34
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 33
[NPC System]: Idol of Wood roll(s) Giant Step on Yama from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 22. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Idol of Wood roll(s) Giant Hand on Yama from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 17. - Rolled by: Hotaru
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a ENDURE…28
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a ENDURE…36
"Breaking it seems like an option at this point! It threw a boulder on m—" Yama is crushed under foot of the statue, but he'd braced himself by seeing the shadow looming overhead. When its foot raised from his body he continued forward like nothing had even happened. "Me! He has insulted me for the first and last time!" His sentence was punctuated by a giant hand coming down on top of him. He wouldn't be crushed, thankfully as his body did almost all the work. "Gaah! I know you saw something running around here that was much smaller than you and this statue. I'd have said something if this hunk of junk didn't think to attack first! But there is someone out here. I still think we can complete this!"
Mitsue just remains stoically at the ready for whenever the thing might come into sight. As soon as he saw it he'd be able to test and see if it was susceptable to genjutsu or not itself. At least he can hear the loud stomping as it grows closer but so far nothing seems to have breached the trees…
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue defends against with a PERCEPTION…18
Akio mostly stood there bored now. It was taking a moment for them to head there, but he wasn't any less ready. He now would send another surge of chakra into the ground to hopefully spot the thing before it arrives.
RPCOMBAT: Akio defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…26
The Giant Wooden Idol continues to make it's way towards the village as stone bullets either ricochet or splinter it's wooden carapace. Yama proves to be a lot more tough than originally thought, as even a heavy stone statue cannot crush him or his spirit. True grit. The Idol will have successfully been drawn into the city, clearly unaware of the trap that lies ahead. Now, it has finally reached Akio and Mitsue, who are now ready to do their part! Getting near the statue's original stand, the statue would begin to slow down as if it was becoming aware that something wasn't right. The time was now to spring the trap! If the trap was successfully finished!
RP: Nendo transforms into BAKUTON-II.
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…41
Nendo was still running from the giant figure but when the giant thing began slowing, the Toujitakumi would rush the giant and begin running up along its massive leg so he could try making a bee-line for the head of the giant. It was reacting to something which meant there was something for it to see with without having true eyes to see. Back flipping off of the giant's form, Nendo would have focused enough chakra into his feet that the connection blasted him toward to ground and let him send out a far larger shockwave than before so he could have a better sense of the area around them. "Akio! We need metal to hold it!" Nendo would call out while he stayed in place for the time being. He needed to decipher the shockwaves and see what he could sense as far as a controller of the idol. With people out of the houses in a two house wide area he expected that the only things to be in place would be Yama, Mitsue, and Akio. Still, it would take the Toujitakumi a moment to get the finer points through the walls and other surfaces that weren't earth and stone.
"Finally!" Yama chimed upon seeing the village. Now they can trap this thing and have everyone come out and toss all manner of fire at it!! At least, he hoped. He ran ahead to get into place so the statue would continue towards the trap without any snags involved. The area was clear and things appeared to be going to plan. Still, he isn't certain about its means of control, but now that he has the freedom to focus on it, he attempts to seek out what may be involved with it. There's no way something like this could be controlled from far away without any real planning for it.oo
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a PERCEPTION…19
Mitsue blinks at the construct when it finally makes an appearance and his heart beats faster. At least Nendo looks okay. Oh and Yama too I suppose. When he saw the tall tall creature coming he first made sure that /it/ wasn't a genjutsu, clasping his hands together and jolting his chakra. Barring that doing anything he moves his hands quickly in the seals to try and bear down on it. If it's really 'alive' then it should be affected. If it was controlled then it wouldn't even notice.
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue defends against with a GENJUTSU-KAI…23
COMBAT: Mitsue attacks target 1 with OPPRESSIVE-FORCE with a roll of: 39
[NPC System]: Individual inside the puppet roll(s) Genjutsu Kai vs Mitsue(39) from 21 to 44 and get(s) a 41. - Rolled by: Hotaru
The moment the statue would step onto the pedastal if it did then metal bindings could come out at its feet to hold it in place. Hopefully that would tear into it some making sure it was stuck there, and couldn't do anything. Then his next move was to go through seals before blowing a ball of fire right into the chest of the statue.
COMBAT: Akio attacks target 1 with BRANCHING-METAL-BINDS with a roll of: 20
COMBAT: Akio attacks target 1 with COMET with a roll of: 16
[NPC System]: Wood Idol roll(s) Unstoppable from 15 to 25 and get(s) a 17. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Wood Idol roll(s) Unstoppable from 11 to 21 and get(s) a 18. - Rolled by: Hotaru
The genjutsu was close to working, and the use of it caused the puppet to stammer, as the puppeteer within had to bring his hands into a seal to dispel it. That was when Akio struck, nailing the puppet in place with metal like nails before a powerful blast of flames ignited it. The puppet struggled to get out, and before long the puppet was burning brightly. It wasn't long before the screams of the individual within could be heard, hinting that there was someone inside. Someone whom was crisping, and the puppet would eventually fall over lifeless. There would be cheers from the locals who watched the entire event with abated breaths! The festival had officially began! How about that teamwork? It appeared as if Akio, the one who had actually spouted the fire would be considered the hero. A shame all that leg work that Nendo and Yama did went relatively unappreciated. A crowd of people would surround him! … Even as the puppeteer finally ejected out of the back of the idol, burn scars on him as he attempted to flee!
The mission was technically over, based on the technical parameters, but the culprit appeared to be trying to make a run for it. That meant it was time to capture or kill!
Nendo wouldn't need to give any further orders in terms of the titan that was burned well. What he did need to do however, was called for however, was non-deadly chasers. Akio was effectively diabled with the cheering village wanting to pick him up and toss him into the air and honestly, the boy seemed like he might need it to be honest. "Mitsue, catch that person before they get too far, Yama, make sure that you tie him up once Mitsue's caught him or catch him yourself." Nendo would direct while he started rushing after the fleeing puppeteer to help give chase to whoever that person was. a few weak clods of dirt being fired at the person's burns should do the trick.
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 29
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 39
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 28
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) Dodge II vs Nendo(29) from 25 to 40 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) Dodge II vs Nendo(39) from 25 to 40 and get(s) a 40. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) Dodge II vs Nendo(28) from 25 to 40 and get(s) a 39. - Rolled by: Hotaru
"Haha! Yes! The idol is burning!" He smiled brightly as the crowd surrounded the heroes. He felt a sense of satisfaction and proceeded to speak. "Our work is over and…wait." They were moving /past/ him. "Where is the singing of praises for me?!" He shouted, but that question would have to go unanswered. He got /crushed/ for them! Bah! Once the idol was burned and collapsed, he witnessed a piece of it come jetting out and frowned. "Wait, what is this thing that comes flying out?" It didn't look right and with good reason. That was the controller!
"Hey, hey! No! You robbed me of my praises!" He chased after the puppeteer with the intent to carry out Nendo's orders.
COMBAT: Yama attacks target 1 with STEEL-VICE with a roll of: 22
COMBAT: Yama attacks target 1 with BURST-IMPACT with a roll of: 32
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) I Dodged Nendo, you clearly can't touch me vs Yama from 25 to 40 and get(s) a 36. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) I Dodged Nendo, you clearly can't touch me vs Yama from 25 to 40 and get(s) a 26. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Mitsue jumps a few rooftops so he can keep the man in view before he makes quick hand seals. As he makes the hand seals a second cloak forms over his physical one, this one of dark purple chakra. Now that he could see the man he was really going to try and let him have it. We'll see if he can actually do it though…
RP: Mitsue transforms into DARK-CLOAK.
COMBAT: Mitsue attacks target 1 with OPPRESSIVE-FORCE with a roll of: 34
COMBAT: Mitsue attacks target 1 with OPPRESSIVE-FORCE with a roll of: 32
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) Chakra Pinch LMXIV from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 32. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Puppeteer roll(s) Chakra Pinch LMXIV from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 30. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Akio looks at his success and watches as the puppeteer hops out the back. Though sadly he is quickly surrounded by a bunch of people. "No. I am not the hero. Without the others that statue wouldn't even be here to get burned." He tries to escape and he crumbles into earth right in front of the crowd. The real him actually appears closer to to the other three on his team now.
The puppeteer was struck by Yama, nearly killing him. All it took was Mitsue's ability to floor him, and he was done for. It appeared that after all was said and done, the short bearded elder would approach Nendo. "That was an excellent fight! You've saved our tradition…" He would present Nendo with an envelope of Ryo, "This was what I had agreed to pay Iwagakure for your services. You've done us a favor, I wish I could have given you all something more. Perhaps you'd all like to stay for the celebration?" Nendo's decision. Otherwise, mission success.
