Starring:
Meruin, Keigo, Michiko, Kiji, Naoya, Sousa, Shemri, Koseitama, Kiyoshi, Yuriko, Tsubaki, Akane, Ayumu (hinted), Rockpath (as Mai), Hanami
Date: May 9, 2015
Summary:
The Mizukage hosts the start of the Steel Soul Tourney, giving a rousing oratory and a thrilling taste of what is to come.
"Steel Soul Tourney - Opening Ceremony"
Dammed Arena [Kirigakure]
It's here.
The day that marks the fruition of the Steel Soul Tournament has come and many have come to meet it. From Kirigakure and the Land of Water, people have come. From Sunagakure and the Land of wind, people have come. From Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning, people have come. And from Iwagakure and the Land of Earth, people have come.
They're gathered here amongst the stands of Kirigakure's Dammed Arena, seating spilling out into aisles and rows for the numbers present. More have had to get creative with their location, adorning the dam and various buildings.
Vitality adorned the light breeze that passed through the area, breathed in and strengthened and let loose back into the crowd. The energy of the gathering could be felt as a thrum on the skin, so many present and ready to see something amazing.
A lonely-looking Genin just stands far-ish away from the rest of the competitors, kind of keeping to himself… a bundled wrap upon his back, clad all in black, his headband gave his village of origin away quite easily: He was a Sand Ninja. And he looked to be one of the younger combatants at this Tournament, too. He just sighed nervously as he sized up the others entering the tournament, quite sure he wasn't going to measure up at all.
Michiko is here, the girl representing Kumogakure, it seems. Her hitai-ate is, like usual, tied around her neck and displaying the symbol of the Cloud village for any and all who care to see. Her clothes are, perhaps, a bit different than most of her village's. They are all black, keeping a rather snug fit to her body. Somehow, she's managed to find a spot in the stands, keeping her perch near the wall just a bit off the ground, likely using chakra to keep herself in place. "Hmm…" she says softly, brown eyes flicking around the stands to consider those who may be joining this tourney and those who may just be watching. Either way, she was just going to stay where she was and observe, perhaps heal. As far as most people knew.
Kiji knew they got choice seats for the opening.. cermony? She looked down at the mark on her hand and tilted her head before shifting her attention, purple eyes lighting on the head below hers for once. For she was sitting on Kiyoshi's shoulders. The girl's white hair was braided as normal and she had on her usual, black tank and black skirt, shorts and sandals. her hands resting on Kiyoshi's shoulder and one on his head as she peered down at the arena. "You think we'll get to see Meruin-dono fight?" Kiji peered all around like a kid, memorizing faces — and chakra signatures — of the spectators from other lands….
'Was it worth it..' A faint chuckle escapes his lips as a light smirk breaks across his lips. '..of course it was. This is just the first step.' While he wore simple clothing, most of it appeared to be made out of different dyed silks though one section wasn't, it was a mixture of cloth and leather section, a vestment that was not normally permitted to Genin. Those who had not seen him since the end of the Kirigakure closed exams would notice he was.. taller, also more muscled than what could of been put on in just the few week they were apart. His hair was notably longer as well, flowing down along his back but two sections fall down from his temples only several inches long but bound with rich violet dyed wrappings.
The young Okumo would step down further into the stands until he finds himself at the bar rail of the forward most seats. Bright amber eye look forward down into the area, but it wouldn't be too long before their color darkens lightly but not a word is said or hand seals made for such. Slipping from his sleeve were a few small creatures through they wouldn't stay within sight for long, quickly slipping over the edge as Naoya turns away from the area to take one of the front most seats. 'Yes, we'll wait.. we'll see her soon.. I'll speak with him.. alone though.'
Many indeed. Some of them have less trouble than others finding seating. For example, Kokoroe Sousa, the retired First Kazekage, was assigned a comfortable spot without even having to ask. Fame tends to do that for you, even when your primary reason being famous no longer applies. 'Course, he's still on the Jounin Council of Kirigakure's ally, so it's not like treating him favorably doesn't serve any practical purpose. As for Sousa's reasons for being here…they're not quite the same as most people's. For him, 'something amazing' wouldn't necessarily be the most powerful ninjutsu, the most elegant martial arts prowess, or the most exciting comeback victory. It could be the most humble technique from a competitor who is knocked out of the competition from the first match…as long as it demonstrates something Sousa hasn't seen before. And yeah, political brownie points for being here is a nice bonus.
Another Sunagakure denizen of a more ordinary cloth present is Maneshi Shemri. She's here with the most simple of motives: to fight in the tournament. To test and increase her capabilities in a scenario where, while it was specifically stated that it would not be safe, is at least one where the contestants are not by default trying to kill each other. And maybe, to demonstrate to the world once again that her mother's clan are not weaklings or cowards. Although that last bit would require her to do a bit of pretentious speechifying, seeing as she'll be introduced by the name of her father's clan. e.ea
And then there are those who didn't have to come far to take part, Kirigakure's own shinobi. Amongst them is one of their more unpredictable members, Shirayuki Koseitama. Really, you have to wonder whether she 'meant' to sign up for the tournament, seeing as her personality keeps shifting. Maybe she was possessed of a particularly boisterous persona when she did so. But even though she's doubtless gone through many shifts since then, she doesn't appear to have forgotten she's supposed to be here. "Like, omigosh, this is gonna be so super-exciting," she remarks to anyone within hearing. "It's gonna be, like, all whoosh, and boom, and pew-pew-pew, just totally." :3
"Huh… Hmm…. Probably." Kiyoshi replies, barely resisting the reflexive urge to shrug. "Maybe if the other Kage have joined or… I dunno." On that note, the Kirryu paused in his passive observation of those in the stands to simply focus on not tripping on the way down to their assigned seats. No, not assigned, but the offered 'privilege' from Meruin. Either way, it nixed his intentions to simply observe the proceedings from the back row, and just maybe catch sight of a few certain someones. Or maybe just catch a few Z's discretely.
Kiyoshi opens his mouth with every intention of sighing over the dilemma, but stopped short at the sight of the sorta-not-so-young Okumo that stood by the rails. After a lengthy and perhaps awkward pause, Kiyoshi doesn't even bother with a greeting before shuffling on to a nearby seat, scratching his head until he finally plopped down. "I must be more tired than I thought." He murmured wearily.
It was difficult to find seats. The stands were already filling quickly in eager anticipation for the tournament to begin. As if blood could already be smelled in the air, they come not just from Kirigakure, but from all other villages. The empty arena itself wasn't of interest quite yet as Yuriko tries to move through the crowd, following the steps down. But more the different kinds of forehead protectors, different markings from different clans. The young woman's bright eyes blink lightly as she watches, the summer wind playing through her snowy locks and trying to move in such a way to avoid being inadvertingly pushed.
"United Nations!" boomed Meruin's voice.
The Mizukage leapt from his platform, arcing through the air to land on the soil of the Dammed Arena, his platinum robes swiftly settling about him. The man regarded the multitude before him, the black orbs of his eyes containing the slowly shifting mists of Kirigakure, blood hue and all. He drew in a deep breath, sunlight glinting off of the cobalt 'Mizu' symbol adorning his chest.
Once things had quieted some, he spoke in a voice used to be heard over the tumult of battle, its tones filling the air as though it held dominion over it. "Those who come from the Land of Lightning… Wind… Earth… Demons… Tea… Those whose travel meant a journey down the street. Those who come from near or far, we of Kirigakure welcome you to the [gray|St][cyan|e][gray|el S][cyan|ou][gray|l tournament].
"Here in the Land of Water, we revere the dogmas of strength and power. To be mighty is to hold a measure of our respect. But to be mighty, one must first be enduring. This tournament is to give credence to the resilience that is found in the brightest of human spirits. The resilience that allows us to survive war. To survive famine. To survive betrayal. To survive horrors. To fight in the face of long odds. To fight again and being handed a loss. Recent times have forced the each of us to bare our resilience to the world, facing trial after trial by its merciless hand.
"We are gathered here today because our obstacles have NOT destroyed us and they WILL NOT destroy us. For our souls are wrought with steel, forged in suffering and tempered with joy. This is an event of well deserved pride. One of celebration."
The Mizukage gestured to some of the shinobi at the front row. "For this, I call upon seven of my shinobi. Hozuki Rin. Kaguya Genma. Moto Kiyoshi. Okumo Naoya. Ojiro Manu. Shimizu Kiji. Tsumari Koro. Join me on the Arena floor." As the Chuunin Aspirants rose to their feet and leapt from the stands into the arena, Meruin gestured to his side.
"Of the forty who entered the exams," he said as they began lining up, "only these seven had the mettle to survive the demands of Kirigakure's chuunin exams. Trial after trial battered them, but rather than shatter they were shaped. They have survived destruction and moved mountains. Their inner strength is a representation of that which we must maintain. One displayed in the most powerful fighters, the strongest leaders, the best of parents — in the greatest of people. And for that…"
Suddenly appearing were seven chuunin, bowing before the assembled Aspirants and offering up to them their reward for their efforts. The flak jacket indicative of their new station within their village.
"I am honored to call them Kirigakure's newest Chuunin."
At this, cheers erupted from within the ranks of Kirigakure and the Land of Water. The excited tension in the air a ready tinder, it quickly caught fire, applause spreading through the ranks of the many nations. After it was fully set alight, Meruin turned and looked to the ensemble, catching the eye of each.
He inclined his head.
The young Sunagakure Genin gives an applause… the speech kinda hit him pretty deeply… it was quite a while ago… but the scars were still there… much like the scars put through his parents'… well, in any case… he took a deep breath to steady himself as he continued the applause with the rest of the audience's cheers. He didn't know what was going to happen… he just hoped he didn't get bracketed with a Chuunin… he'd do his best, but he felt like he'd just get the floor wiped with him. There was nothing he could really do against these people! No… no, he could try. He could show that he had heart. That he had the guts… the determination… to keep going even after being beaten and pushed around. To be on the edge of breaking down… when nobody understands you… except, from everything the Mizukage said, this tournament was established to acknowledge just that. Being on the edge of breaking down… but becoming stronger because of it. And that's just what he was going to do. A determined look splattered his face now as he shifted the weight of the bundle upon his back a bit.
Michiko listens to the Mizukage, the girl watching him curiously. She has seen him fight before, though it was only once… Other times were more business-like when she saw him, if she even did for more than a few moments. She listens to his announcement, the Iwata smiling lightly as the Chuunin are announced. It took a lot to get through the Exams, and those that are made by Kiri for Kiri were likely even more difficult than the trial she, herself, faced. "Hmm… Congratulations, Kiji-san…" she murmurs quietly, only knowing the Shimizu of the seven presented.
Shirayuki Tsubaki managed to enter the arena when the Mizukage began speaking, announcing the beginning of the tournament. She had placed a request to enter, and she was eager for the tournament to start, even if she didn't show it. A bit of cool air followed her where she went the young Shirayuki making her way through the crowds to reach a spot she could see the area below. Then the Chuunin Aspirants were called down. Seven of them out of the forty that had initially joined… The girl's green eyes scan the faces, recognizing them. Three of them. Excitement played in her chest, and she took a breath to calm herself and relax. She would have to congratulate them later.
Kiji peered down at Meruin as he spoke, still atop her mate's shoulders. But when meruin called to them she tapped Kiyoshi lightly and slid off to the ground. Then she leapt for the railing, before she slid down the arena walls. She turned, waiting for Kiyoshi to join her and then made her way to stand at Meruin's side, for once actually deciding to stand RIGHT next to the Mizukage.
When the jacker was offered to her she accepted it, slipping it on. Due to her size it was small compared to the others… especially Kiyoshi's. She carefully moved her braid to lay over it and looked up at the cheering crowd, a blush touching her cheeks… Wait.. was this.. no.. no Meruin wouldn't do that right..? She looked at her hand where the brand still was.. her head tilting a bit before she shrugged. Real or not that cheering was nice.
In the stands had been the Dooihara family. Former SSeven Swordsman Ishino, his wife, Akane, gremlins holding twins and a little girl perhaps 5 or 6 in a fluffy black dress with white lace accents and a bonnet held in place with a white ribbon, matching Ishino's westernized style. The crimson-haired medic applauded with the crowd as she watched what happened below her and she smled at her husband before bending to speak to the child. It was clear both that the Doiharas were in love but also that it was a comfortable thing. They saw eachother as equals. Her jade eyes moved to meet the mists within Meruin's. For once she wasnt wearing a mask or her glasses.
Glancing to the side, the young Okumo fixes his attention onto the sudden movements of something.. Once it was alone in the air he noticed what it was, the Mizukage. Closing his eyes, he would dip his head lightly but also silently before opening them once again. 'Yes.. that's likely' is said with a exhaled sigh. 'We won't show.. everything. Not yet.' Nodding softly to himself, he becomes still until moves moved too close to his liking. In a moment a hand was already shifting behind himself but then.. stopped. A moment afterwards a Chuunin would appear before him.
Shifting his hands to his chest, the young Okumo slips his fingers through the thin vestment he has been wearing and tosses it behind himself to where he had been sitting. Lidding his eyes his, Naoya dips his head in a light bow to Chuunin and extends his arms, accepting the flak jacket. Weighing it with a slight drop of his hands, he murmurs 'Heavier than we thought..' Slipping one hand away, he soon grasps at the binding of his hiate and looses it though he keeps it in hand. Shifting his stance slightly he slips one arm after the other into the sleeves, pulling it tense only to fix his hiate into its proper position along his arm once again.
Turning his gaze away from the Chuunin, he would nod out and to the side, deeper into the crowd twice before turning away, his gaze settling once again onto the Arena. Taking a step forward, the young Okumo wraps a hand onto the railing, grasping onto it tightly as if contemplating entering it himself. 'Not good with 'that' yet.. Hmm.. maybe. Depends on who I face.. A live test then? Interesting..'
Sousa applauds Meruin's speech along with the rest. He and his don't revere strength quite so much, but he's not going to be so rude as to mention such during the Mizukage's moment of inspirational drama. ;) Besides, it's useful to have varied philosophies amongst the world, especially with allies. It causes the collective population to come up with a greater range of interesting ideas and capabilities, even if some are individually less productive.
Shemri doesn't have much problem with the idea of strength being a good thing. She's a huntress born and raised, and quite familiar with what happens to those things that are weaker than others (hint: it starts with an 'e', ends with an 'n', and rhymes with 'beaten'). But then, she also knows that a predator which slaughters needlessly will have little prey in the coming season. One of those Circle of Life-type things, y'know. Speaking of which, Shiikaa seems to have caught a rodent that was snooping about the bleachers. "Be careful of your diet, Shiikaa," Shemri remarks. "You are what you eat, and such a creature has probably subsisted on dropped junk food." ;) Shiikaa tilts his head at the struggling beastie. Okay, point taken, but just one wouldn't hurt, right? Hate to waste food once it's caught. ^e.e^
Koseitama nods sagely in agreement with the Mizukage's words. "Like, totally, y'gotta endure. Never flinch, never change." She appears to be in deep thought for a moment…then she lifts her head again suddenly. "Oi, enough with th'speeches, mate, when we gonna get to th'main event?!" :P
Yuriko moves and hugs the wall, slipping past people as she nears the railing. In the corner she kept out of the way as she watches the Mizukage leap into the arena. With all his magnificence, his robe and seal, he announced the names of seven. Some even could be considered friends. Yet a small, sad smile touches her soft lips. While she was proud her teammates (more or less) had made it to chuunin, she knew she was weak, and that familiar twinge of pain pulses through her chest.
Slowly but surely, stone, wood, and even dust or dirt making up or scattered about the arena begin to disturb. These disturbance are small and hardly worth notice. Even so, to the more senstive, at least one thing becomes clear. Someone somewhere is using a peculiar jutsu. Fortunate or simply sharp eyes might even discern certain shapes take form within these disturbances that looked uncannily like eyes, ears, and even tongues!? They were everywhere and nowhere at once, shifting states and positions, rendering it difficult to keep track of them all, let alone remove or study them. And soon enough, a greater reason to focus elsewhere presents itself….
The youngest Moto tensed up the moment Meruiin made his presences known. He had anticipated a grandoise entrance, but not quite one that included a voice powerful enough to set sensitive ears to ringing. Though he composed himself quickly, rogue fingers twitched every know and then while the ringing persisted. A quarter — if not barely half — of what Meruin initially speaks of initially is never heard by the Kirryu, but felt instead. The giant lifts a hand, hesitates for a moment, then lets it fall back to the wayside.
'If I can endure her blood, then-…'
Weary mud brown eyes snap back to the arena before they can complete their journey to the Shimizu, and widen considerably. If not for Kiji tapping his shoulder, minutes might have passed before the Moto remotely regained enough composure to realize what was expected to happen next. Even then, relaxing his shoulder and helping her down is easier said than done, but he manages… somehow. The trip to the arena is a blur in the mind of the Moto. Every motion had been carried out mechanically from start to finish. The man did not even flinch after dropping down into the arena feet first before simply stepping out of the mini crater and moving on. Nor did he slow except to shrug off his jacket and seal it away one of the scrolls holstered in some inner pocket. Gradually, the roar of the crowd brought him back to the present, shaking him just in time to have the flak jacket offered. After a hesitant moment, Kiyoshi accepts the jacket with a respectful bow, then turned, donning it swiftly within the motion. Whereas others were excited, taken aback, or simply accepting the reward for all their hard work, the expression Meruin is presented with carries little sign of any of them. If anything, Kiyoshi seemed worried… confused even.
Nevertheless, he bowed deeply at the waist to Meruin in belatedly response to the nod.
Meruin raised a hand to the crowd.
It took some time but they began to quiet. Once the noise was low enough for the Chuunin to hear him, albeit if he was loud, spoke to them. "Congratulations, the each of you. You've earned your recognition." He snapped with his raised hand and before long… the Seals of Judgement on their right hands flared with intense light. That same burning pain that accompanied the application of the seal rose as it looked to tear itself from the skin, floating up into the air and dissipating. They were free.
He gestured towards the stands. "You may go out among your peers."
Once they'd started their way back, free to choose their own seats or do as they wished, he turned back to the populace at large. "To the participants of the tournament. You have some time to prepare yourself for this undertaking. Those you are matched against are warriors who take pride in their resolve. It is important that the each of you shore yours up, that you meet as equals and your clashing may make sparks bright enough to light our skies. Those who have not yet joined but wish to or are debating, you've two days to make your decision. Afterwards, application will be closed and the brackets will be formed. Before too long, everything will be set to begin. Use this time wisely…"
A beat.
"Now. For such an occassion, and for so many people, it is necessary to have a show worthy of spectating. There have been many requests that I participate in this tournament. Alas, it is not my place as Mizukage to do so. As Kage and warrior, however, I am fully able to entertain.
"Today, you will see the first contest of the Steel Soul Tournament. I will fight. And the opponent who will stand against me is fully worthy of my attention. She is a veteran of war and among the select shinobi elite."
He flickers from where he stands to deeper within the arena, taking up a more combatant's spot. "Kaguya Mai," he bellows out. "Stand before me and let us make great works!"
RP: Meruin joins the roleplay.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
RP: Mai joins the roleplay.
COMBAT: Meruin finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mai's turn.
She was simply waiting for the introduction up until now, staying hidden. Neither sensor not normal eyes would have seen the Kaguya despite the fact that she is standing in the Arena with the new Chuunin. Mists had cloaked her figure before, but no longer. They disperse as she steps up to meet the challenge given. "Mizukage-sama… Or perhaps… Okumo Meruin-kun," the woman greets. She looks to be the same age as the Mizukage, even addressing him in a familiar fashion. Do they know each other? Perhaps… From a life that was long. Yuriko would recognize her, as well as any other Kaguya present. She was not Clan Head; the woman hating politics with a passion, but she was considered to be very strong. On par with Tsiro and the Kage at times, even. A force that was not to be held lightly.
"Heh… I hope you're ready, Meruin-kun. I don't plan to hold back… Much like in our last fight." The woman's white hair is swept from her face as she readies herself for combat, moving from where she stood to a spot across from the Kage, a distance away. Then she simply waits, storing up chakra in the process.
COMBAT: Mai focuses 3342 stamina to turn it into 5000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Mai finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
Michiko takes note of the odd organs appearing from the earth. She always keeps an eye on the ground, and the way the organs shift the earth is unlike footsteps that she is used to sensing. An Iga… She was familiar with two of them. The girl's eyes, however, stay on the arena as she awaits the fight that is to come. "This… Is going to be interesting…" she says softly, shifting in her spot to get more comfortable.
Tsubaki waits for the contestants to return to the stands, making her way over to Kiji so that she could congratulate the Shimizu. "I knew you could do it…" she tells the older teen simply, Tsubaki not one for words. Then she settles in her new spot, looking towards the arena in anticipation. She has never seen Meruin in battle, and she wanted to see just what a high-level fight would look like. Just how different would it be? She hasn't even seen much combat herself, so there was little to compare it to, in the end.
Kiji blinked at the sudden pain in her hand, not showing a reaction to the pain except just a small flicker of suprise. But then she continued staring at the back of her hand for a long moment. so much so that she was the last entrant to finally leave the arena, walking up the arena's walls as if on flat ground, the entire time looking confused or troubled. She sighed and sat down, only turning away again when she realized meruin would be fighting. Then her eyes were locked on those below….. But then tsubaki came over and Kiji blinked up at her, tilting her head a little, her eyes a strange mottled brown and gold color that showed her confusion and heightened awareness. "Thanks…"
Akane leaned forward a bit more as well when Meruin would be fighting. She herself had fought the man when she first came to Kirigakure and, though she clearly lost, it was quiet an experience. She would have to make a note to get him into a 'spar' again.. Kyoujin grinned inside her, liking that idea very much…
Meruin inclines his head to Mai as she steps up to him, giving her the credence of a fellow combatant's respect. "Kaguya Mai," he spoke in return greeting.
The silk of his robes began shifting, pulling in closer to his body. Soon enough the platinum fabric stretched over most of his body like a second skin, leaving nothing of his physique hidden. The man was muscular but it was the tone that truly set him apart, the man clearly having forged his body with a religeous fervor. One can see his body's workings, musculature smoothly at play as he shifts stance slightly.
"I would not expect you to hold back," he said as his hair suddenly began braiding itself, moving swiftly. "We both know that you couldn't do so and remain a challenge." His own chakra rushed to the ready and he gestured to Mai, braid fully made.
"See us off."
COMBAT: Meruin focuses 5484 stamina to turn it into 6500 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Meruin finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mai's turn.
Sousa smiles appreciatively and leans forward slightly as Meruin takes to the ring. Yes, he's more interested in learning than watching impressive displays of ability, but let's face it, the more advanced combatants are more likely to show him something new. ;) Statistically speaking, this match should have more value to Sousa than any other.
Shemri is a bit more interested in fights for their own sake, and she looks forward to seeing this one. At the same time, though, something else is tickling at her brain…some feeling of blurred recognition. -.-a Thinking back, it seemed to start around the time the Mizukage started his speech…something about his appearance, she thinks, it looks a bit fam — "AHA!" Shemri stands up suddenly with her exclamation, startling a few nearby spectators. C.C; "He was the boy who defeated me at the World Ninja Tournament!" O.O After a moment, Shemri sits back down, folding her arms. "I suppose I feel better about it, knowing he became Mizukage." -.-
Koseitama just cheers for the start of the action. "Yeah, that's more like! Bonza, mate! Show us some blinkin' billyo!" >D
When the brand came alive again, the young Okumo's hand tenses into a tightening fist. Only a faint snarl flickers across his face for a time until it returns to a muted expression. Bowing his head lightly once more, he would take a few steps backwards. 'No.. You watch.. I'm going..' is softly murmured as he leans back failing to take a step only to slip into a blur of movement. Even if a sensor looked at him they wouldn't notice a change in his chakra or even a swelling, none was used.
Briefly the railing would ring as he lands on it before continuing past, moving far from the close view he once held and only stopping once he was close to the entryway. Resting his back against the rear wall, he would settle himself beside a young Kaguya who has kept herself from the majority. "I cost you this.. I know that.. This is actually your's." Speaking slowly and softly, Naoya doesn't turn towards her though his eyes retained their golden tone, watching the a new Kaguya appear in the arena only to turn to face off against the Mizukage.
After shaking his head lightly from side to side, he would lower one hand between them, his fingers parted and his palm held outwards. "We won't be going anywhere this time.. We're calming.. I'm focusing.. You don't need to worry about me as much as you have been. Trust us. Anyways, it's time for us to help you, isn't it?" A soft smile breaks the once muted expression along with a sigh, 'I'm rambling again..'
The Kaguya bows lightly in response before she raises her head and looks Meruin dead in the eyes. Her jaw sets, as if she's bracing herself for the fight, and she spits something out. Something exceedingly small to those who are further away, even. Small slivers of bone from her mouth make their way towards the Mizukage, the woman aiming to distract the Kage so that she could disappear from her spot that much easier. With barely any effort on her part, she aims herself at the Okumo, bone blades escaping her hands so she can aim a graceful slash at his head, angling the strike downwards should he attempt to duck.
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with SPITTING-BONE-NEEDLE with a roll of: 48
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with SPITTING-BONE-NEEDLE with a roll of: 53
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with BLADE-DANCE with a roll of: 45
COMBAT: Mai finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against SPITTING-BONE-NEEDLE(48) attack from Mai with a ARRYTHMIA…37
COMBAT: Meruin loses the roll and sustains 380 damage.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against SPITTING-BONE-NEEDLE(53) attack from Mai with a NIGHTMARE'S-AEGIS…80
COMBAT: Meruin wins the roll.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against BLADE-DANCE(45) attack from Mai with a RAPID-PARRY…41
COMBAT: Meruin loses the roll and sustains 399 damage.
Michiko draws a breath as it seems the Kaguya managed to to strike the Mizukage. Not once, but twice. It was impressive, to say the least, that Mai was able to hit a Kage. Yet… Would that luck hold? The girl doesn't move her eyes from the combat, just watching. Her eyes flick between fighters and crowd, gauging the reaction of those from both here and elsewhere. … At least the Mizukage was not facing off against one from another nation. An idle thought crosses her mind, and a frown flits across her features, though not for long as she continues to simply watch.
Tsubaki nods softly to Kiji, then she pauses and looks around. She had seen… Someone. Once again she is in motion, the young Shirayuki making her way over to the Doihara family so that she might interact a bit with their eldest: Kit. Sadly, the crowds are not the young girl's friend, and it takes her a while to first find, then move towards the family enough to actually say hello.
Meruin's brows raise slightly at the projectiles even as he jerks his head to the side, a thin, translucent cap of chitin rising over his eye. One of the bone fragments opens up a furrow in his cheek, the other bouncing off of his shielded eye.
His empty hand rises, black chitin extending from his fingertips even as Mai appears before him, blade already streaking downwards. "You've gotten faster," he says, her weapon striking his and sliding down its angled surface away from his head. But her speed outpaced the speed of his weapon's soon enough finding enough air to cut through silk and open up a light wound in his chest despite his leaning away.
"Good."
He's already in motion, continuing his backwards lean into a small jump, body whirling to lash out with an aerial spinning kick at Mai's chin. His touch down was brief as he went for another backwards jump, spinning and letting loose a whip of swift spider silk. But it didn't quite reach her on the first rotation. No, the danger of that movement came in the black shuriken that flew out from the whip. It was on the second rotation that the lash could strike the Kaguya, the woman relearning that it was covered in a caustic poison.
COMBAT: Meruin attacks Mai with MOMENTUM with a roll of: 21
COMBAT: Meruin attacks Mai with TRICKY-SHARP-THROW with a roll of: 47
COMBAT: Meruin attacks Mai with WISPS-OF-PAIN with a roll of: 28
COMBAT: Meruin finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mai's turn.
COMBAT: Mai defends against MOMENTUM(21) attack from Meruin with a DODGE…33
COMBAT: Mai wins the roll.
COMBAT: Mai defends against TRICKY-SHARP-THROW(47) attack from Meruin with a MASTERED-BONE-BLOCK…68
COMBAT: Mai wins the roll.
COMBAT: Mai defends against WISPS-OF-PAIN(28) attack from Meruin with a DODGE…42
COMBAT: Mai wins the roll.
Yuriko blinks her bright aquamarine eyes with some surprise as Naoya more or lands beside her, settling there after coming to final stop. She blinks quietly at him again, but is silent while she listens, a small frown forming in her brow. The young Kaguya girl seems to hesitate as she looks past him at the arena, where the Mizukage squared off against on of her own kin. When Naoya started talking again though, she didn't return her gaze. Not at first. Yuriko presses her soft lips together and a sigh draws from her lips. The words that spill from theme are soft, drowned out by the cheer of the crowd as they are only meant for the Okumo boy.
"Or did you get slower?" is wondered, the Kaguya allowing some of her bone to form a shield along her skin. This small shield had been placed where she predicted the shuriken to come, and the metal struck hard Kaguya bone, bouncing off with a clatter. Even as this occurred, she leaned back to avoid the spinning kick enough that the Kage's leg would brush air. Distance is sought next, Mai performing a larger than needed leap to stay away from the incoming strike that was supposed to truly strike her. Poison did not touch her body, which was lucky for her.
"We have both grown so much… How far should I go? Not enough… To kill you…" The bone in her hands is held steady as she considers her options, and the woman blurs once more from her spot, reappearing before Meruin in a whirl of white bone that is slashing at every possible angle. Many of the strikes are meant for show to distract, but a few are truly meant to hit and cause pain. It is those that the Mizukage needed to be careful of.
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with SHIKOTSUMYAKU-SHARP with a roll of: 29
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with SHIKOTSUMYAKU-SHARP with a roll of: 43
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with SHIKOTSUMYAKU-SHARP with a roll of: 29
COMBAT: Mai finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against SHIKOTSUMYAKU-SHARP(29) attack from Mai with a DODGE…32
COMBAT: Meruin wins the roll.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against SHIKOTSUMYAKU-SHARP(43) attack from Mai with a RAPID-PARRY…41
COMBAT: Meruin loses the roll and sustains 371 damage.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against SHIKOTSUMYAKU-SHARP(29) attack from Mai with a DODGE…39
COMBAT: Meruin wins the roll.
Lifting his hand upwards he would bring it to the young Kaguya's shoulder, grasping onto his shortly though agitation was beginning to spread across his face for a moment. Lowering his head, he nods faintly though his jaw fixes itself into place. "I am sorry.." was uttered and soon after his hand moves away and to his side. It wouldn't be long before the young Okumo would turn away, his form seeming to flicker once again, disappearing from the Kaguya's side a fair distance away, using the railing leaving the loud seating and find himself standing higher on the dam's cliff face.
'Tsk.. Silence.. Focus on your job. Yes.. follow that exactly. Study the new one.' Turning his eyes towards the arena, those that could see him at this point would be able to see he wasn't calming down or truly trying to. With a light glare he looked down into the arena, his eyes focusing not on either of the fighter's techniques, but he began to study the way they moved. 'They are just playing.. I wonder if the others see this are something more.. Hmm..'
Hanami is sitting in the crowd, watching the fighters. It's quite a match, and quite a place. She had never been to Kiri before so it was definitely an experience to see it.
Michiko raises an eyebrow at the fighting. She could tell that they weren't going as all out as they claim, but she also wondered just when they would start to increase the intensity of the fight. Her gaze drifts across the crowd, eventually resting on another of Kumogakure. She considers, but stays where she is. The girl would have to speak with the genin afterwards, as the latest report… Was worrisome, to say the least.
"Rude of you."
Meruin danced with the Kaguya, remaining out of range of her variety of strikes. "Slower? An insult." His feelings were clearly as durable as the rest of him, though, seeing as they didn't appear to be particularly hurt.
— There. The first strike truly meant to do harm and one evaded with a duck that allowed him to slip past her to her other side. "You've not changed very much," remarked the Mizukage. "After these past few years." Abruptly, he backpedalled spinning and creating another black blade for a parry. His partial deflection meant another knick in his arm and a small frown found his face.
His eyes had narrowed slightly. The dance continued until again — that sudden firm in resolve and speed — a blow came that was meant to strike and he evaded it. Very suddenly an enhanced sense of fluid power filled movements, a certain economy of motion bringing deadly smoothness. Continuing off of his evasion, he stepped forward and partly past Mai, slamming his fist down towards her shoulder. Within it, though, was a small dagger of chitin aimed to cut into a bundle of nerves and hold her briefly hostage.
"But then, neither have I."
RP: Meruin transforms into SILENT-HOMICIDE.
COMBAT: Meruin attacks Mai with INCAPACITATION with a roll of: 59
COMBAT: Meruin finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mai's turn.
COMBAT: Mai defends against INCAPACITATION(59) attack from Meruin with a MASTERED-BONE-BLOCK…58
COMBAT: Mai loses the roll and sustains 174 damage.
As Naoya apologizes, Yuriko tries to offer him a small smile, but it's half-hearted behind distant eyes. When he flickers and disappears some distance away, her expression becomes more of regret and pain, even longing as she continues watching him from afar. It couldn't be helped though. Jaw firming, it takes some effort to look away and focus instead on the arena. But interest couldn't be feigned, not now.
COMBAT: Mai ESCAPES from Meruin's stun!
RP: Mai transforms into DANCE-OF-THE-CAMELLIA.
Meruin's strike was unexpected, though Kaguya quickly attempts to shift herself in such a way that the dagger would not strike any point that was vital. Bone shifted again, blocking most of the attack, yet leaving enough skin to be cut into. "A mere observation," she says coolly, taking a breath to steady herself after the blow. It had hurt immensely, but it did not stop her from gathering her chakra and turning into what amounted to be a porcupine in certain areas. Specifically, her arms became much like the branches of a tree, smaller spikes of bone covering them and emerging from her flesh. "No… You are still much like you were. I will not hold back any more." Mai shifts her stance to one that looks like she is preparing to dance rather than fight, living up to her name, perhaps, as she prepares both physically and mentally.
COMBAT: Mai finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
Meruin turned half towards Mai, examining her. The thin spines of bone adorning her arms, and more. The subtle change in her stance… He nodded slightly.
They were finished playing.
"In that case," he said, silk beginning to spread across his face, a disease leaking from his right eye. "It is best that we skip a few steps into something more impressive." A spire of Webbing burst from his back, coalescing into a spider leg and quickly enveloped in the Okumo's chitin. "We've been selfish thus far," he reminded her, silk moving to cover the whole of his form until he was covered in a liquid fur. Three more spider limbs were formed and they slammed into the ground, slowly lifting him from his feet. He turned to face Mai fully on, two extra pairs of eyes opening.
"We have a crowd to appease, afterall."
RP: Meruin transforms into THE-PREDATOR.
COMBAT: Meruin heals Meruin for 1421 with GREATER REGENERATION.
COMBAT: Meruin finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mai's turn.
RP: Mai transforms into DANCE-OF-THE-LARCH.
Arching a brow, the gold tinted eyes set into the young Okumo's face darken into a deeper golden tone as the pair within the arena began to shift, their bodies mutating rapidly once the tempo changed.. "Just what sparked this? Things were lax a moment prior, now.. now I'm starting to wonder just who this Kaguya is." Speaking aloud, Naoya's voice was unlikely to carry far as he didn't project it to any one, simply musing openly.
Canting his head to the side, his eyes shift away from the pair as a while, and settle onto the Kaguya fighter. 'Just what are her limits.. I want to know.. Watch her more closely, show me each side..' Closing his eyes, a sigh escapes his lips but then he light shakes his head again. 'No.. that's good enough. Mastering how they dance is one step.. the first.'
"I see… If that is the case, then …" Her voice trails off as she waits for her bones to finish moving. They once more spring out of her skin, spikes coming from her shoulders, elbows, back, and knees in addition to her arms. These ones are bigger than the ones that had surfaced earlier, though, acting more like blades that spikes. Mai's movements turn fluid, even as she simply stands in her spot with the bones extending from her body.
"It's time to stop playing."
The Kaguya springs to life, covering ground swiftly to come right at the Spider Kage. As she draws closer, she starts to shift to the side, eventually coming in at an angle so that she could use the bones on her arms to pierce through the hide. Regardless of success, perhaps she would be lucky enough to send a sliver of bone that would infest Meruin. A signal would be given to try and ensnare Meruin, bone turning into a net that would trap the Kage.
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with WILLOW-DANCE with a roll of: 62
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with WILLOW-SEEDLING with a roll of: 70
COMBAT: Mai finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against WILLOW-DANCE(62) attack from Mai with a BREVITY…58
COMBAT: Meruin loses the roll and sustains 648 damage.
COMBAT: Meruin counters against a WILLOW-SEEDLING(70) attack from Mai with a SHADOW-TO-SHADOW…47
COMBAT: Meruin loses the roll and sustains 0 damage.
As Mai ran to meet him head on, Meruin spread his arms to welcome her in. Something bestial began to rise within the Mizukage's expression, signs of aggression beginning to flow from him, his new fangs peeking out from between his lips.
"Yes. Let us show them something worth telling stories of."
She rushed him and reached him and he vanished. He reappeared on her other side, the inside of his arm lightly tinged with blood from where she'd struck him, already blurring back towards her with a chitinous blade of his own in his hands. Before he reached her, however, he found long vines of bone suddenly sprouting around him, swiftly binding his arms to his sides and causing him to halt his movement due to the sudden shift of balance.
COMBAT: Meruin finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mai's turn.
Mai doesn't hesitate to follow up with her attack, the woman aiming something that could be called a suplex as she makes her way towards the trapped Kage. It would be all the more painful with the spikes that are along her arm, but that was all she did to attack Meruin. She had to take a second to consider her next move, and in the end, she simply formed a splinter of bone that would strike the Kage, the woman anticipating his escape from the bone.
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with LARCH-REVERSING-IMPACT with a roll of: 57
COMBAT: Mai attacks Meruin with SPITTING-BONE-NEEDLE with a roll of: 53
COMBAT: Mai finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Meruin's turn.
COMBAT: Meruin defends against LARCH-REVERSING-IMPACT(57) attack from Mai with a TENSE…9
COMBAT: Meruin loses the roll and sustains 1394 damage.
COMBAT: Meruin ESCAPES from Mai's stun!
COMBAT: Meruin defends against SPITTING-BONE-NEEDLE(53) attack from Mai with a NIGHTMARE'S-AEGIS…69
COMBAT: Meruin wins the roll.
<Public> ::Beastmode:: Meruin says, "Yo. Peoples in the stands."
<Public> Knowledge Fox Michiko says, "Us"
<Public> ::Beastmode:: Meruin says, "At this point, I've already fallen asleep once and am having a hard time keeping my eyes open."
<Public> ::Beastmode:: Meruin says, "So. I'm going to put out a pose that we can use to fade to black and we'll have the end result be a respectful bow of the head(victory) for Mai."
Meruin snarled as Mai appeared before him, wrapping him up in a piercing embrace and lifting him into a suplex. His head hit the earth with resounding effect, the energy of the slam coursing throughout his body. There was a brief pause as Mai considered her next move and the Mizukage recovered from the force of the blow.
And then his spider limbs whirled slamming into the ground. Chitin covered his form and pushed out, straining the bonds of the ivory vines and loosening their grip. The Kaguya's bone shards rebounded off of the chitin and the Okumo's arachnid legs pushed off of the ground, lifting him out of its embrace.
His body swiveled as though on an axis, turning him right side up as he examined Mai. He looked towards her, a slight grin finding its way onto his face. "Ow."
Hands becoming a melded blur, he runs through the seals for shadow clones, soon standing before Mai in triplicate. The trio of Mizukage are lowered to their own feet, the arachnid limbs soon sinking into the body, their chitin spreading across the whole of his form to create a sleeker, deadlier creature. They force open a fourth pair of eyes, red mists intent on the Kaguya combatant. "Now…"
One of them launched into the sky as the other two spoke.
"How shall we make you pay for that one?"
It's here.
The day that marks the fruition of the Steel Soul Tournament has come and many have come to meet it. From Kirigakure and the Land of Water, people have come. From Sunagakure and the Land of wind, people have come. From Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning, people have come. And from Iwagakure and the Land of Earth, people have come.
They're gathered here amongst the stands of Kirigakure's Dammed Arena, seating spilling out into aisles and rows for the numbers present. More have had to get creative with their location, adorning the dam and various buildings.
Vitality adorned the light breeze that passed through the area, breathed in and strengthened and let loose back into the crowd. The energy of the gathering could be felt as a thrum on the skin, so many present and ready to see something amazing.
A lonely-looking Genin just stands far-ish away from the rest of the competitors, kind of keeping to himself… a bundled wrap upon his back, clad all in black, his headband gave his village of origin away quite easily: He was a Sand Ninja. And he looked to be one of the younger combatants at this Tournament, too. He just sighed nervously as he sized up the others entering the tournament, quite sure he wasn't going to measure up at all.
Michiko is here, the girl representing Kumogakure, it seems. Her hitai-ate is, like usual, tied around her neck and displaying the symbol of the Cloud village for any and all who care to see. Her clothes are, perhaps, a bit different than most of her village's. They are all black, keeping a rather snug fit to her body. Somehow, she's managed to find a spot in the stands, keeping her perch near the wall just a bit off the ground, likely using chakra to keep herself in place. "Hmm…" she says softly, brown eyes flicking around the stands to consider those who may be joining this tourney and those who may just be watching. Either way, she was just going to stay where she was and observe, perhaps heal. As far as most people knew.
Kiji knew they got choice seats for the opening.. cermony? She looked down at the mark on her hand and tilted her head before shifting her attention, purple eyes lighting on the head below hers for once. For she was sitting on Kiyoshi's shoulders. The girl's white hair was braided as normal and she had on her usual, black tank and black skirt, shorts and sandals. her hands resting on Kiyoshi's shoulder and one on his head as she peered down at the arena. "You think we'll get to see Meruin-dono fight?" Kiji peered all around like a kid, memorizing faces — and chakra signatures — of the spectators from other lands….
'Was it worth it..' A faint chuckle escapes his lips as a light smirk breaks across his lips. '..of course it was. This is just the first step.' While he wore simple clothing, most of it appeared to be made out of different dyed silks though one section wasn't, it was a mixture of cloth and leather section, a vestment that was not normally permitted to Genin. Those who had not seen him since the end of the Kirigakure closed exams would notice he was.. taller, also more muscled than what could of been put on in just the few week they were apart. His hair was notably longer as well, flowing down along his back but two sections fall down from his temples only several inches long but bound with rich violet dyed wrappings.
The young Okumo would step down further into the stands until he finds himself at the bar rail of the forward most seats. Bright amber eye look forward down into the area, but it wouldn't be too long before their color darkens lightly but not a word is said or hand seals made for such. Slipping from his sleeve were a few small creatures through they wouldn't stay within sight for long, quickly slipping over the edge as Naoya turns away from the area to take one of the front most seats. 'Yes, we'll wait.. we'll see her soon.. I'll speak with him.. alone though.'
Many indeed. Some of them have less trouble than others finding seating. For example, Kokoroe Sousa, the retired First Kazekage, was assigned a comfortable spot without even having to ask. Fame tends to do that for you, even when your primary reason being famous no longer applies. 'Course, he's still on the Jounin Council of Kirigakure's ally, so it's not like treating him favorably doesn't serve any practical purpose. As for Sousa's reasons for being here…they're not quite the same as most people's. For him, 'something amazing' wouldn't necessarily be the most powerful ninjutsu, the most elegant martial arts prowess, or the most exciting comeback victory. It could be the most humble technique from a competitor who is knocked out of the competition from the first match…as long as it demonstrates something Sousa hasn't seen before. And yeah, political brownie points for being here is a nice bonus.
Another Sunagakure denizen of a more ordinary cloth present is Maneshi Shemri. She's here with the most simple of motives: to fight in the tournament. To test and increase her capabilities in a scenario where, while it was specifically stated that it would not be safe, is at least one where the contestants are not by default trying to kill each other. And maybe, to demonstrate to the world once again that her mother's clan are not weaklings or cowards. Although that last bit would require her to do a bit of pretentious speechifying, seeing as she'll be introduced by the name of her father's clan. e.ea
And then there are those who didn't have to come far to take part, Kirigakure's own shinobi. Amongst them is one of their more unpredictable members, Shirayuki Koseitama. Really, you have to wonder whether she 'meant' to sign up for the tournament, seeing as her personality keeps shifting. Maybe she was possessed of a particularly boisterous persona when she did so. But even though she's doubtless gone through many shifts since then, she doesn't appear to have forgotten she's supposed to be here. "Like, omigosh, this is gonna be so super-exciting," she remarks to anyone within hearing. "It's gonna be, like, all whoosh, and boom, and pew-pew-pew, just totally." :3
"Huh… Hmm…. Probably." Kiyoshi replies, barely resisting the reflexive urge to shrug. "Maybe if the other Kage have joined or… I dunno." On that note, the Kirryu paused in his passive observation of those in the stands to simply focus on not tripping on the way down to their assigned seats. No, not assigned, but the offered 'privilege' from Meruin. Either way, it nixed his intentions to simply observe the proceedings from the back row, and just maybe catch sight of a few certain someones. Or maybe just catch a few Z's discretely.
Kiyoshi opens his mouth with every intention of sighing over the dilemma, but stopped short at the sight of the sorta-not-so-young Okumo that stood by the rails. After a lengthy and perhaps awkward pause, Kiyoshi doesn't even bother with a greeting before shuffling on to a nearby seat, scratching his head until he finally plopped down. "I must be more tired than I thought." He murmured wearily.
It was difficult to find seats. The stands were already filling quickly in eager anticipation for the tournament to begin. As if blood could already be smelled in the air, they come not just from Kirigakure, but from all other villages. The empty arena itself wasn't of interest quite yet as Yuriko tries to move through the crowd, following the steps down. But more the different kinds of forehead protectors, different markings from different clans. The young woman's bright eyes blink lightly as she watches, the summer wind playing through her snowy locks and trying to move in such a way to avoid being inadvertingly pushed.
"United Nations!" boomed Meruin's voice.
The Mizukage leapt from his platform, arcing through the air to land on the soil of the Dammed Arena, his platinum robes swiftly settling about him. The man regarded the multitude before him, the black orbs of his eyes containing the slowly shifting mists of Kirigakure, blood hue and all. He drew in a deep breath, sunlight glinting off of the cobalt 'Mizu' symbol adorning his chest.
Once things had quieted some, he spoke in a voice used to be heard over the tumult of battle, its tones filling the air as though it held dominion over it. "Those who come from the Land of Lightning… Wind… Earth… Demons… Tea… Those whose travel meant a journey down the street. Those who come from near or far, we of Kirigakure welcome you to the [gray|St][cyan|e][gray|el S][cyan|ou][gray|l tournament].
"Here in the Land of Water, we revere the dogmas of strength and power. To be mighty is to hold a measure of our respect. But to be mighty, one must first be enduring. This tournament is to give credence to the resilience that is found in the brightest of human spirits. The resilience that allows us to survive war. To survive famine. To survive betrayal. To survive horrors. To fight in the face of long odds. To fight again and being handed a loss. Recent times have forced the each of us to bare our resilience to the world, facing trial after trial by its merciless hand.
"We are gathered here today because our obstacles have NOT destroyed us and they WILL NOT destroy us. For our souls are wrought with steel, forged in suffering and tempered with joy. This is an event of well deserved pride. One of celebration."
The Mizukage gestured to some of the shinobi at the front row. "For this, I call upon seven of my shinobi. Hozuki Rin. Kaguya Genma. Moto Kiyoshi. Okumo Naoya. Ojiro Manu. Shimizu Kiji. Tsumari Koro. Join me on the Arena floor." As the Chuunin Aspirants rose to their feet and leapt from the stands into the arena, Meruin gestured to his side.
"Of the forty who entered the exams," he said as they began lining up, "only these seven had the mettle to survive the demands of Kirigakure's chuunin exams. Trial after trial battered them, but rather than shatter they were shaped. They have survived destruction and moved mountains. Their inner strength is a representation of that which we must maintain. One displayed in the most powerful fighters, the strongest leaders, the best of parents — in the greatest of people. And for that…"
Suddenly appearing were seven chuunin, bowing before the assembled Aspirants and offering up to them their reward for their efforts. The flak jacket indicative of their new station within their village.
"I am honored to call them Kirigakure's newest Chuunin."
At this, cheers erupted from within the ranks of Kirigakure and the Land of Water. The excited tension in the air a ready tinder, it quickly caught fire, applause spreading through the ranks of the many nations. After it was fully set alight, Meruin turned and looked to the ensemble, catching the eye of each.
He inclined his head.
The young Sunagakure Genin gives an applause… the speech kinda hit him pretty deeply… it was quite a while ago… but the scars were still there… much like the scars put through his parents'… well, in any case… he took a deep breath to steady himself as he continued the applause with the rest of the audience's cheers. He didn't know what was going to happen… he just hoped he didn't get bracketed with a Chuunin… he'd do his best, but he felt like he'd just get the floor wiped with him. There was nothing he could really do against these people! No… no, he could try. He could show that he had heart. That he had the guts… the determination… to keep going even after being beaten and pushed around. To be on the edge of breaking down… when nobody understands you… except, from everything the Mizukage said, this tournament was established to acknowledge just that. Being on the edge of breaking down… but becoming stronger because of it. And that's just what he was going to do. A determined look splattered his face now as he shifted the weight of the bundle upon his back a bit.
Michiko listens to the Mizukage, the girl watching him curiously. She has seen him fight before, though it was only once… Other times were more business-like when she saw him, if she even did for more than a few moments. She listens to his announcement, the Iwata smiling lightly as the Chuunin are announced. It took a lot to get through the Exams, and those that are made by Kiri for Kiri were likely even more difficult than the trial she, herself, faced. "Hmm… Congratulations, Kiji-san…" she murmurs quietly, only knowing the Shimizu of the seven presented.
Shirayuki Tsubaki managed to enter the arena when the Mizukage began speaking, announcing the beginning of the tournament. She had placed a request to enter, and she was eager for the tournament to start, even if she didn't show it. A bit of cool air followed her where she went the young Shirayuki making her way through the crowds to reach a spot she could see the area below. Then the Chuunin Aspirants were called down. Seven of them out of the forty that had initially joined… The girl's green eyes scan the faces, recognizing them. Three of them. Excitement played in her chest, and she took a breath to calm herself and relax. She would have to congratulate them later.
Kiji peered down at Meruin as he spoke, still atop her mate's shoulders. But when meruin called to them she tapped Kiyoshi lightly and slid off to the ground. Then she leapt for the railing, before she slid down the arena walls. She turned, waiting for Kiyoshi to join her and then made her way to stand at Meruin's side, for once actually deciding to stand RIGHT next to the Mizukage.
When the jacker was offered to her she accepted it, slipping it on. Due to her size it was small compared to the others… especially Kiyoshi's. She carefully moved her braid to lay over it and looked up at the cheering crowd, a blush touching her cheeks… Wait.. was this.. no.. no Meruin wouldn't do that right..? She looked at her hand where the brand still was.. her head tilting a bit before she shrugged. Real or not that cheering was nice.
In the stands had been the Dooihara family. Former SSeven Swordsman Ishino, his wife, Akane, gremlins holding twins and a little girl perhaps 5 or 6 in a fluffy black dress with white lace accents and a bonnet held in place with a white ribbon, matching Ishino's westernized style. The crimson-haired medic applauded with the crowd as she watched what happened below her and she smled at her husband before bending to speak to the child. It was clear both that the Doiharas were in love but also that it was a comfortable thing. They saw eachother as equals. Her jade eyes moved to meet the mists within Meruin's. For once she wasnt wearing a mask or her glasses.
Glancing to the side, the young Okumo fixes his attention onto the sudden movements of something.. Once it was alone in the air he noticed what it was, the Mizukage. Closing his eyes, he would dip his head lightly but also silently before opening them once again. 'Yes.. that's likely' is said with a exhaled sigh. 'We won't show.. everything. Not yet.' Nodding softly to himself, he becomes still until moves moved too close to his liking. In a moment a hand was already shifting behind himself but then.. stopped. A moment afterwards a Chuunin would appear before him.
Shifting his hands to his chest, the young Okumo slips his fingers through the thin vestment he has been wearing and tosses it behind himself to where he had been sitting. Lidding his eyes his, Naoya dips his head in a light bow to Chuunin and extends his arms, accepting the flak jacket. Weighing it with a slight drop of his hands, he murmurs 'Heavier than we thought..' Slipping one hand away, he soon grasps at the binding of his hiate and looses it though he keeps it in hand. Shifting his stance slightly he slips one arm after the other into the sleeves, pulling it tense only to fix his hiate into its proper position along his arm once again.
Turning his gaze away from the Chuunin, he would nod out and to the side, deeper into the crowd twice before turning away, his gaze settling once again onto the Arena. Taking a step forward, the young Okumo wraps a hand onto the railing, grasping onto it tightly as if contemplating entering it himself. 'Not good with 'that' yet.. Hmm.. maybe. Depends on who I face.. A live test then? Interesting..'
Sousa applauds Meruin's speech along with the rest. He and his don't revere strength quite so much, but he's not going to be so rude as to mention such during the Mizukage's moment of inspirational drama. ;) Besides, it's useful to have varied philosophies amongst the world, especially with allies. It causes the collective population to come up with a greater range of interesting ideas and capabilities, even if some are individually less productive.
Shemri doesn't have much problem with the idea of strength being a good thing. She's a huntress born and raised, and quite familiar with what happens to those things that are weaker than others (hint: it starts with an 'e', ends with an 'n', and rhymes with 'beaten'). But then, she also knows that a predator which slaughters needlessly will have little prey in the coming season. One of those Circle of Life-type things, y'know. Speaking of which, Shiikaa seems to have caught a rodent that was snooping about the bleachers. "Be careful of your diet, Shiikaa," Shemri remarks. "You are what you eat, and such a creature has probably subsisted on dropped junk food." ;) Shiikaa tilts his head at the struggling beastie. Okay, point taken, but just one wouldn't hurt, right? Hate to waste food once it's caught. ^e.e^
Koseitama nods sagely in agreement with the Mizukage's words. "Like, totally, y'gotta endure. Never flinch, never change." She appears to be in deep thought for a moment…then she lifts her head again suddenly. "Oi, enough with th'speeches, mate, when we gonna get to th'main event?!" :P
Yuriko moves and hugs the wall, slipping past people as she nears the railing. In the corner she kept out of the way as she watches the Mizukage leap into the arena. With all his magnificence, his robe and seal, he announced the names of seven. Some even could be considered friends. Yet a small, sad smile touches her soft lips. While she was proud her teammates (more or less) had made it to chuunin, she knew she was weak, and that familiar twinge of pain pulses through her chest.
Slowly but surely, stone, wood, and even dust or dirt making up or scattered about the arena begin to disturb. These disturbance are small and hardly worth notice. Even so, to the more senstive, at least one thing becomes clear. Someone somewhere is using a peculiar jutsu. Fortunate or simply sharp eyes might even discern certain shapes take form within these disturbances that looked uncannily like eyes, ears, and even tongues!? They were everywhere and nowhere at once, shifting states and positions, rendering it difficult to keep track of them all, let alone remove or study them. And soon enough, a greater reason to focus elsewhere presents itself….
The youngest Moto tensed up the moment Meruiin made his presences known. He had anticipated a grandoise entrance, but not quite one that included a voice powerful enough to set sensitive ears to ringing. Though he composed himself quickly, rogue fingers twitched every know and then while the ringing persisted. A quarter — if not barely half — of what Meruin initially speaks of initially is never heard by the Kirryu, but felt instead. The giant lifts a hand, hesitates for a moment, then lets it fall back to the wayside.
'If I can endure her blood, then-…'
Weary mud brown eyes snap back to the arena before they can complete their journey to the Shimizu, and widen considerably. If not for Kiji tapping his shoulder, minutes might have passed before the Moto remotely regained enough composure to realize what was expected to happen next. Even then, relaxing his shoulder and helping her down is easier said than done, but he manages… somehow. The trip to the arena is a blur in the mind of the Moto. Every motion had been carried out mechanically from start to finish. The man did not even flinch after dropping down into the arena feet first before simply stepping out of the mini crater and moving on. Nor did he slow except to shrug off his jacket and seal it away one of the scrolls holstered in some inner pocket. Gradually, the roar of the crowd brought him back to the present, shaking him just in time to have the flak jacket offered. After a hesitant moment, Kiyoshi accepts the jacket with a respectful bow, then turned, donning it swiftly within the motion. Whereas others were excited, taken aback, or simply accepting the reward for all their hard work, the expression Meruin is presented with carries little sign of any of them. If anything, Kiyoshi seemed worried… confused even.
Nevertheless, he bowed deeply at the waist to Meruin in belatedly response to the nod.
Meruin raised a hand to the crowd.
It took some time but they began to quiet. Once the noise was low enough for the Chuunin to hear him, albeit if he was loud, spoke to them. "Congratulations, the each of you. You've earned your recognition." He snapped with his raised hand and before long… the Seals of Judgement on their right hands flared with intense light. That same burning pain that accompanied the application of the seal rose as it looked to tear itself from the skin, floating up into the air and dissipating. They were free.
He gestured towards the stands. "You may go out among your peers."
Once they'd started their way back, free to choose their own seats or do as they wished, he turned back to the populace at large. "To the participants of the tournament. You have some time to prepare yourself for this undertaking. Those you are matched against are warriors who take pride in their resolve. It is important that the each of you shore yours up, that you meet as equals and your clashing may make sparks bright enough to light our skies. Those who have not yet joined but wish to or are debating, you've two days to make your decision. Afterwards, application will be closed and the brackets will be formed. Before too long, everything will be set to begin. Use this time wisely…"
A beat.
"Now. For such an occassion, and for so many people, it is necessary to have a show worthy of spectating. There have been many requests that I participate in this tournament. Alas, it is not my place as Mizukage to do so. As Kage and warrior, however, I am fully able to entertain.
"Today, you will see the first contest of the Steel Soul Tournament. I will fight. And the opponent who will stand against me is fully worthy of my attention. She is a veteran of war and among the select shinobi elite."
He flickers from where he stands to deeper within the arena, taking up a more combatant's spot. "Kaguya Mai," he bellows out. "Stand before me and let us make great works!"
She was simply waiting for the introduction up until now, staying hidden. Neither sensor not normal eyes would have seen the Kaguya despite the fact that she is standing in the Arena with the new Chuunin. Mists had cloaked her figure before, but no longer. They disperse as she steps up to meet the challenge given. "Mizukage-sama… Or perhaps… Okumo Meruin-kun," the woman greets. She looks to be the same age as the Mizukage, even addressing him in a familiar fashion. Do they know each other? Perhaps… From a life that was long. Yuriko would recognize her, as well as any other Kaguya present. She was not Clan Head; the woman hating politics with a passion, but she was considered to be very strong. On par with Tsiro and the Kage at times, even. A force that was not to be held lightly.
"Heh… I hope you're ready, Meruin-kun. I don't plan to hold back… Much like in our last fight." The woman's white hair is swept from her face as she readies herself for combat, moving from where she stood to a spot across from the Kage, a distance away. Then she simply waits, storing up chakra in the process.
Michiko takes note of the odd organs appearing from the earth. She always keeps an eye on the ground, and the way the organs shift the earth is unlike footsteps that she is used to sensing. An Iga… She was familiar with two of them. The girl's eyes, however, stay on the arena as she awaits the fight that is to come. "This… Is going to be interesting…" she says softly, shifting in her spot to get more comfortable.
Tsubaki waits for the contestants to return to the stands, making her way over to Kiji so that she could congratulate the Shimizu. "I knew you could do it…" she tells the older teen simply, Tsubaki not one for words. Then she settles in her new spot, looking towards the arena in anticipation. She has never seen Meruin in battle, and she wanted to see just what a high-level fight would look like. Just how different would it be? She hasn't even seen much combat herself, so there was little to compare it to, in the end.
Kiji blinked at the sudden pain in her hand, not showing a reaction to the pain except just a small flicker of suprise. But then she continued staring at the back of her hand for a long moment. so much so that she was the last entrant to finally leave the arena, walking up the arena's walls as if on flat ground, the entire time looking confused or troubled. She sighed and sat down, only turning away again when she realized meruin would be fighting. Then her eyes were locked on those below….. But then tsubaki came over and Kiji blinked up at her, tilting her head a little, her eyes a strange mottled brown and gold color that showed her confusion and heightened awareness. "Thanks…"
Akane leaned forward a bit more as well when Meruin would be fighting. She herself had fought the man when she first came to Kirigakure and, though she clearly lost, it was quiet an experience. She would have to make a note to get him into a 'spar' again.. Kyoujin grinned inside her, liking that idea very much…
Meruin inclines his head to Mai as she steps up to him, giving her the credence of a fellow combatant's respect. "Kaguya Mai," he spoke in return greeting.
The silk of his robes began shifting, pulling in closer to his body. Soon enough the platinum fabric stretched over most of his body like a second skin, leaving nothing of his physique hidden. The man was muscular but it was the tone that truly set him apart, the man clearly having forged his body with a religeous fervor. One can see his body's workings, musculature smoothly at play as he shifts stance slightly.
"I would not expect you to hold back," he said as his hair suddenly began braiding itself, moving swiftly. "We both know that you couldn't do so and remain a challenge." His own chakra rushed to the ready and he gestured to Mai, braid fully made.
"See us off."
Sousa smiles appreciatively and leans forward slightly as Meruin takes to the ring. Yes, he's more interested in learning than watching impressive displays of ability, but let's face it, the more advanced combatants are more likely to show him something new. ;) Statistically speaking, this match should have more value to Sousa than any other.
Shemri is a bit more interested in fights for their own sake, and she looks forward to seeing this one. At the same time, though, something else is tickling at her brain…some feeling of blurred recognition. -.-a Thinking back, it seemed to start around the time the Mizukage started his speech…something about his appearance, she thinks, it looks a bit fam — "AHA!" Shemri stands up suddenly with her exclamation, startling a few nearby spectators. C.C; "He was the boy who defeated me at the World Ninja Tournament!" O.O After a moment, Shemri sits back down, folding her arms. "I suppose I feel better about it, knowing he became Mizukage." -.-
Koseitama just cheers for the start of the action. "Yeah, that's more like! Bonza, mate! Show us some blinkin' billyo!" >D
When the brand came alive again, the young Okumo's hand tenses into a tightening fist. Only a faint snarl flickers across his face for a time until it returns to a muted expression. Bowing his head lightly once more, he would take a few steps backwards. 'No.. You watch.. I'm going..' is softly murmured as he leans back failing to take a step only to slip into a blur of movement. Even if a sensor looked at him they wouldn't notice a change in his chakra or even a swelling, none was used.
Briefly the railing would ring as he lands on it before continuing past, moving far from the close view he once held and only stopping once he was close to the entryway. Resting his back against the rear wall, he would settle himself beside a young Kaguya who has kept herself from the majority. "I cost you this.. I know that.. This is actually your's." Speaking slowly and softly, Naoya doesn't turn towards her though his eyes retained their golden tone, watching the a new Kaguya appear in the arena only to turn to face off against the Mizukage.
After shaking his head lightly from side to side, he would lower one hand between them, his fingers parted and his palm held outwards. "We won't be going anywhere this time.. We're calming.. I'm focusing.. You don't need to worry about me as much as you have been. Trust us. Anyways, it's time for us to help you, isn't it?" A soft smile breaks the once muted expression along with a sigh, 'I'm rambling again..'
The Kaguya bows lightly in response before she raises her head and looks Meruin dead in the eyes. Her jaw sets, as if she's bracing herself for the fight, and she spits something out. Something exceedingly small to those who are further away, even. Small slivers of bone from her mouth make their way towards the Mizukage, the woman aiming to distract the Kage so that she could disappear from her spot that much easier. With barely any effort on her part, she aims herself at the Okumo, bone blades escaping her hands so she can aim a graceful slash at his head, angling the strike downwards should he attempt to duck.
Michiko draws a breath as it seems the Kaguya managed to to strike the Mizukage. Not once, but twice. It was impressive, to say the least, that Mai was able to hit a Kage. Yet… Would that luck hold? The girl doesn't move her eyes from the combat, just watching. Her eyes flick between fighters and crowd, gauging the reaction of those from both here and elsewhere. … At least the Mizukage was not facing off against one from another nation. An idle thought crosses her mind, and a frown flits across her features, though not for long as she continues to simply watch.
Tsubaki nods softly to Kiji, then she pauses and looks around. She had seen… Someone. Once again she is in motion, the young Shirayuki making her way over to the Doihara family so that she might interact a bit with their eldest: Kit. Sadly, the crowds are not the young girl's friend, and it takes her a while to first find, then move towards the family enough to actually say hello.
Meruin's brows raise slightly at the projectiles even as he jerks his head to the side, a thin, translucent cap of chitin rising over his eye. One of the bone fragments opens up a furrow in his cheek, the other bouncing off of his shielded eye.
His empty hand rises, black chitin extending from his fingertips even as Mai appears before him, blade already streaking downwards. "You've gotten faster," he says, her weapon striking his and sliding down its angled surface away from his head. But her speed outpaced the speed of his weapon's soon enough finding enough air to cut through silk and open up a light wound in his chest despite his leaning away.
"Good."
He's already in motion, continuing his backwards lean into a small jump, body whirling to lash out with an aerial spinning kick at Mai's chin. His touch down was brief as he went for another backwards jump, spinning and letting loose a whip of swift spider silk. But it didn't quite reach her on the first rotation. No, the danger of that movement came in the black shuriken that flew out from the whip. It was on the second rotation that the lash could strike the Kaguya, the woman relearning that it was covered in a caustic poison.
Yuriko blinks her bright aquamarine eyes with some surprise as Naoya more or lands beside her, settling there after coming to final stop. She blinks quietly at him again, but is silent while she listens, a small frown forming in her brow. The young Kaguya girl seems to hesitate as she looks past him at the arena, where the Mizukage squared off against on of her own kin. When Naoya started talking again though, she didn't return her gaze. Not at first. Yuriko presses her soft lips together and a sigh draws from her lips. The words that spill from theme are soft, drowned out by the cheer of the crowd as they are only meant for the Okumo boy.
"Or did you get slower?" is wondered, the Kaguya allowing some of her bone to form a shield along her skin. This small shield had been placed where she predicted the shuriken to come, and the metal struck hard Kaguya bone, bouncing off with a clatter. Even as this occurred, she leaned back to avoid the spinning kick enough that the Kage's leg would brush air. Distance is sought next, Mai performing a larger than needed leap to stay away from the incoming strike that was supposed to truly strike her. Poison did not touch her body, which was lucky for her.
"We have both grown so much… How far should I go? Not enough… To kill you…" The bone in her hands is held steady as she considers her options, and the woman blurs once more from her spot, reappearing before Meruin in a whirl of white bone that is slashing at every possible angle. Many of the strikes are meant for show to distract, but a few are truly meant to hit and cause pain. It is those that the Mizukage needed to be careful of.
Lifting his hand upwards he would bring it to the young Kaguya's shoulder, grasping onto his shortly though agitation was beginning to spread across his face for a moment. Lowering his head, he nods faintly though his jaw fixes itself into place. "I am sorry.." was uttered and soon after his hand moves away and to his side. It wouldn't be long before the young Okumo would turn away, his form seeming to flicker once again, disappearing from the Kaguya's side a fair distance away, using the railing leaving the loud seating and find himself standing higher on the dam's cliff face.
'Tsk.. Silence.. Focus on your job. Yes.. follow that exactly. Study the new one.' Turning his eyes towards the arena, those that could see him at this point would be able to see he wasn't calming down or truly trying to. With a light glare he looked down into the arena, his eyes focusing not on either of the fighter's techniques, but he began to study the way they moved. 'They are just playing.. I wonder if the others see this are something more.. Hmm..'
Hanami is sitting in the crowd, watching the fighters. It's quite a match, and quite a place. She had never been to Kiri before so it was definitely an experience to see it.
Michiko raises an eyebrow at the fighting. She could tell that they weren't going as all out as they claim, but she also wondered just when they would start to increase the intensity of the fight. Her gaze drifts across the crowd, eventually resting on another of Kumogakure. She considers, but stays where she is. The girl would have to speak with the genin afterwards, as the latest report… Was worrisome, to say the least.
"Rude of you."
Meruin danced with the Kaguya, remaining out of range of her variety of strikes. "Slower? An insult." His feelings were clearly as durable as the rest of him, though, seeing as they didn't appear to be particularly hurt.
— There. The first strike truly meant to do harm and one evaded with a duck that allowed him to slip past her to her other side. "You've not changed very much," remarked the Mizukage. "After these past few years." Abruptly, he backpedalled spinning and creating another black blade for a parry. His partial deflection meant another knick in his arm and a small frown found his face.
His eyes had narrowed slightly. The dance continued until again — that sudden firm in resolve and speed — a blow came that was meant to strike and he evaded it. Very suddenly an enhanced sense of fluid power filled movements, a certain economy of motion bringing deadly smoothness. Continuing off of his evasion, he stepped forward and partly past Mai, slamming his fist down towards her shoulder. Within it, though, was a small dagger of chitin aimed to cut into a bundle of nerves and hold her briefly hostage.
"But then, neither have I."
As Naoya apologizes, Yuriko tries to offer him a small smile, but it's half-hearted behind distant eyes. When he flickers and disappears some distance away, her expression becomes more of regret and pain, even longing as she continues watching him from afar. It couldn't be helped though. Jaw firming, it takes some effort to look away and focus instead on the arena. But interest couldn't be feigned, not now.
Meruin's strike was unexpected, though Kaguya quickly attempts to shift herself in such a way that the dagger would not strike any point that was vital. Bone shifted again, blocking most of the attack, yet leaving enough skin to be cut into. "A mere observation," she says coolly, taking a breath to steady herself after the blow. It had hurt immensely, but it did not stop her from gathering her chakra and turning into what amounted to be a porcupine in certain areas. Specifically, her arms became much like the branches of a tree, smaller spikes of bone covering them and emerging from her flesh. "No… You are still much like you were. I will not hold back any more." Mai shifts her stance to one that looks like she is preparing to dance rather than fight, living up to her name, perhaps, as she prepares both physically and mentally.
Meruin turned half towards Mai, examining her. The thin spines of bone adorning her arms, and more. The subtle change in her stance… He nodded slightly.
They were finished playing.
"In that case," he said, silk beginning to spread across his face, a disease leaking from his right eye. "It is best that we skip a few steps into something more impressive." A spire of Webbing burst from his back, coalescing into a spider leg and quickly enveloped in the Okumo's chitin. "We've been selfish thus far," he reminded her, silk moving to cover the whole of his form until he was covered in a liquid fur. Three more spider limbs were formed and they slammed into the ground, slowly lifting him from his feet. He turned to face Mai fully on, two extra pairs of eyes opening.
"We have a crowd to appease, afterall."
Arching a brow, the gold tinted eyes set into the young Okumo's face darken into a deeper golden tone as the pair within the arena began to shift, their bodies mutating rapidly once the tempo changed.. "Just what sparked this? Things were lax a moment prior, now.. now I'm starting to wonder just who this Kaguya is." Speaking aloud, Naoya's voice was unlikely to carry far as he didn't project it to any one, simply musing openly.
Canting his head to the side, his eyes shift away from the pair as a while, and settle onto the Kaguya fighter. 'Just what are her limits.. I want to know.. Watch her more closely, show me each side..' Closing his eyes, a sigh escapes his lips but then he light shakes his head again. 'No.. that's good enough. Mastering how they dance is one step.. the first.'
"I see… If that is the case, then …" Her voice trails off as she waits for her bones to finish moving. They once more spring out of her skin, spikes coming from her shoulders, elbows, back, and knees in addition to her arms. These ones are bigger than the ones that had surfaced earlier, though, acting more like blades that spikes. Mai's movements turn fluid, even as she simply stands in her spot with the bones extending from her body.
"It's time to stop playing."
The Kaguya springs to life, covering ground swiftly to come right at the Spider Kage. As she draws closer, she starts to shift to the side, eventually coming in at an angle so that she could use the bones on her arms to pierce through the hide. Regardless of success, perhaps she would be lucky enough to send a sliver of bone that would infest Meruin. A signal would be given to try and ensnare Meruin, bone turning into a net that would trap the Kage.
As Mai ran to meet him head on, Meruin spread his arms to welcome her in. Something bestial began to rise within the Mizukage's expression, signs of aggression beginning to flow from him, his new fangs peeking out from between his lips.
"Yes. Let us show them something worth telling stories of."
She rushed him and reached him and he vanished. He reappeared on her other side, the inside of his arm lightly tinged with blood from where she'd struck him, already blurring back towards her with a chitinous blade of his own in his hands. Before he reached her, however, he found long vines of bone suddenly sprouting around him, swiftly binding his arms to his sides and causing him to halt his movement due to the sudden shift of balance.
Mai doesn't hesitate to follow up with her attack, the woman aiming something that could be called a suplex as she makes her way towards the trapped Kage. It would be all the more painful with the spikes that are along her arm, but that was all she did to attack Meruin. She had to take a second to consider her next move, and in the end, she simply formed a splinter of bone that would strike the Kage, the woman anticipating his escape from the bone.
Meruin snarled as Mai appeared before him, wrapping him up in a piercing embrace and lifting him into a suplex. His head hit the earth with resounding effect, the energy of the slam coursing throughout his body. There was a brief pause as Mai considered her next move and the Mizukage recovered from the force of the blow.
And then his spider limbs whirled slamming into the ground. Chitin covered his form and pushed out, straining the bonds of the ivory vines and loosening their grip. The Kaguya's bone shards rebounded off of the chitin and the Okumo's arachnid legs pushed off of the ground, lifting him out of its embrace.
His body swiveled as though on an axis, turning him right side up as he examined Mai. He looked towards her, a slight grin finding its way onto his face. "Ow."
Hands becoming a melded blur, he runs through the seals for shadow clones, soon standing before Mai in triplicate. The trio of Mizukage are lowered to their own feet, the arachnid limbs soon sinking into the body, their chitin spreading across the whole of his form to create a sleeker, deadlier creature. They force open a fourth pair of eyes, red mists intent on the Kaguya combatant. "Now…"
One of them launched into the sky as the other two spoke.
"How shall we make you pay for that one?"
