Starring:
Kefka (emitter), Itami, Shemri, Kuoroke
Date: November 11, 2015
Summary:
Sunagakure forces chase after a runaway caravan that has a hostage of the ever-esteemed Wind Daimyo
"Subway Sprint"
Land of Wind
It's rather early in the morning, so early in fact that the sun hasn't even risen yet, but duty has called for the shinobi of Sunagakure to help their regent. A messenger hawk arrived in the middle of the night to inform them that the caravan carrying daughter of the Wind Daimyo, who was on her way to have a diplomatic dinner with the Earth Daimyo's family, has vanished. Their last known location was near the border between the two countries, though still far enough out for there to be sand all around them for miles. This, of course, means that the journey to get there is an urgent matter in and of itself because nature itself will soon cover up any trace of evidence of what might have happened to the caravan. The Daimyo himself has insisted that the very best Sunagakure can offer be sent to deal with this matter as swiftly as possible, something he may check up on later, and doing well with this is likely to score the village some serious points with the nation and its leader.
Kuoroke accompanies his Kage quietly, keeping the speed high by using his chakra-fueled skates. His breath trails elongated clouds of cold behind him as he slides forward, one smooth motion after another. Although alert, with the habitual attention of a season shiobi, of the world around them, he so far has nothing to remark. He awaits his commander's orders.
COMBAT: Shifty focuses 8378 stamina to turn it into 10000 usable chakra!
RP: Shemri transforms into SHIIKAA.
COMBAT: Shemri focuses 4112 stamina to turn it into 5000 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Shemri defends against with a MANESHI-SENSES-II…66
The very best Sunagakure can offer, eh? Flattering to be on such a team, especially as a chuunin. c.c Shemri and Shiikaa are probably on this mission for their tracking capabilities, yes? Well, it's true that they're pretty naturally talented at such, especially in situations where light isn't all that plentiful. Perhaps still not the best in Sunagakure, but they were available when the call went out, and eh, how hard is it really going to be to track a caravan? :P Shemri and her cat peer into the darkness as the team runs, looking for clues as to what may have happened.
"Well, won't this just be fun…" Itami remarked with heavy sarcasm about the current situation. A caravan was headed to the Land of Earth and then? Well, no one knows. It just up and vanished which isn't normal, even for the desert. Sure, it has its share of storms, but this? There's enough suspicion cast over this to think that it wasn't just an unfortunate weather event. Itami hurried along with the others gathered for the task to get to the place in question. "I have my concerns," she began. "The fact we were hired for this speaks as much about the situation. I want some readings done of the area when we arrive. Of any kind. Look for whatever trace you can, wheel tracks, hooves, items of any sort," she spoke to both Kuoroke and Shemri.
COMBAT: Itami focuses 3957 stamina to turn it into 5000 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Itami defends against with a CHEMICAL-SENSE…44
Upon coming to their area, the shinobi have pretty good luck with their sensory techniques, a great boon from bringing alone such experienced shinobi, regardless of rank. What they find is rather unusual, a fading set of tire tracks that lead up to a rather specific line of sinkholes large enough to pull down caravans. But do they have the guts to jump down into them themselves?! If so, they would find themselves in what appears to be a set of tunnel that was almost definitely made by earth jutsu by how far out and perfectly it spreads into the sands. Luckily there's not any wind down here, so the tracks of the caravans that lead into the tunnels leaving behind bits of sand for several yards haven't been erased. Unfortunately neither have the corpses of the drivers and guards who were escorting the princess to her meeting, which litter the area around the entrance of the tunnel…
After a glance towards Itami, Kuoroke approaches the closest of the sinkholes and drops down. He remains in a crouch for a second while he assesses if the area is dangerous, and then straightens, examining the scene of the fight in greater detail. The corpses, he hopes, coupled with his experience with combat -both first- and second-hand- will tell him how many attackers there were, and how many there are… and whether the tracks leading down the tunnels are, in fact, a decoy.
COMBAT: Kuoroke focuses 4010 stamina to turn it into 5000 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Kuoroke defends against with a SENIORITY…64
Why do Shemri's missions so often seem to lead her underground? e.e; Well, it won't be so bad as long as it doesn't lead to fighting DEAD THINGS. XP Oh, and speaking of which… "I believe we may rule out natural forces as the cause of the disappearance," Shemri says drily, looking at the slaughtered guardsmen. Shiikaa goes to sniff the bodies over, trying to discern if there are any clues regarding the manner of their death. ^o.o^
RPCOMBAT: Shemri defends against with a MANESHI-SENSES-II…71
"I agree," Itami remarked to Shemri. She approached behind the rest and looked down into the sinkholes and further, where they appeared to lead off to. "We'll follow after this hole, but best to be on our guard. This means that our advantage is temporary lost for a time," she states as she moves forward and down. She continues searching for any signs of life while also thinking it best to keep track of any other signs as well.
RPCOMBAT: Itami defends against with a CHEMICAL-SENSE…68
RPCOMBAT: Itami defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…47
Though there's not really any sign of how many attackers there are since the path is rather narrow and there's no way to tell how many are on the wagons, the ways the men were killed is pretty easy to tell. Some were destroyed by earth jutsu, and some were killed by sharp weapons. While Itami starts moving, there's no clear sign anything is anywhere near, meaning whatever's moving is moving at a fast pace through this tunnel… They better hurry up if they want to catch their targets.
Kuoroke is unsatisfied by the results of his investigation, but his orders are clear. The Kuroki turns down the corridor and sets off like a bullet down the barrel of a gun, once again sliding on his skates.
RP: Kuoroke transforms into TATTOO-FIGHTER.
RP: Kuoroke uses TATTOO-SKATES.
Shemri and Shiikaa dash off down the tunnel with the others. "This is a difficult situation," she murmurs. "We must be swift if we are to catch up with our quarry, but we should also take care not to alert them to our coming if we can. It will be far more difficult to deal with them if they threaten the oujo's life to keep us at bay." And of course, with the degree of earth manipulation needed to make these tunnels in the first place, they're probably capable of feeling for disturbances behind them, which makes sneaking up on them pretty difficult anyway. e.e; Oh well, just have to play the hand they're dealt as best they can.
"You make a point. Let's approach with caution. When we catch wind of what we're up against, we should be wary. Apply your best efforts towards keeping out of sight," Itami states. She think she may need to prep herself. Best way to do that is to go in prepared. So, she begins to take form.
RP: Itami transforms into LIZARD'S-CREST.
It doesn't take long for the team to start catching up once they're moving ahead. First they hear a faint sound of some kind of rumbling and squeaking, and it slowly grows into the full sound of several caravans moving through the tunnels as quickly as they can. Of course, just as Shemri said, they are able to detect an incoming threat. As such walls of earth begin coming down through the tunnel to block further pursuit, or at least slow it down. Can these shinobi ram through these obstacles to… probably be met with more obstacles on their way to their target of saving the Wind Princess?!
As walls and barriers appear in Kuoroke's way, he speeds up, using his already existing momentum to put more power behind his blows. Alternatingly punching right and left, he crushes these walls with dissolving fists.
COMBAT: Kuoroke attacks target 1 with ACID-PUNCH with a roll of: 62
COMBAT: Kuoroke attacks target 1 with ACID-PUNCH with a roll of: 54
Yay for acidic demolition man! n.n Shemri and Shiikaa dive through the hole Kuoroke made to find…MORE WALLS! Well, if the enemy's trying to slow them down, best thing to do is keep momentum up as much as possible. "This one is ours! Stand back a moment!" Shiikaa wells up his chakra, then expulses it through his maw in a violent blast. ^>o<^ Shemri pats her little ninjutsu cannon, then dashes on ahead again.
COMBAT: Shemri attacks target 1 with PRESSURE-DAMAGE with a roll of: 56
Itami followed up after Shemri with the same attack, seeking to break down and sift away any rocks that get in their way. With the barriers being raised, she moves in to take out the next one. "If any of you have earth jutsu, we can counter them and attempt to slow them down in the same way they're doing us or in the very least, utilize your own attacks to slow them down.
COMBAT: Itami attacks target 1 with PRESSURE-DAMAGE with a roll of: 53
Oh, so these guys think they're all smart and tough?! Well poo on that! The walls keep coming up, but now, rather than simply trying to block the shinobi from approaching, explosive tags are being dropped where they are to be raised as they charge through! While this does somewhat resolve the problem of the walls themselves, it could easily lead to severe damage to the shinobi as well as causing the parts of the tunnel that they're exploding on to collapse in! Run, run, or you'll be well done!
COMBAT: Kuoroke defends against MULTIPLE-EXPLOSIVE-TAGS(69) attack from Shifty with a ENERGY-GUIDING-TATTOOS…62
COMBAT: Kuoroke loses the roll and sustains 970 damage.
COMBAT: Kuoroke defends against MULTIPLE-EXPLOSIVE-TAGS(69) attack from Shifty with a ENERGY-GUIDING-TATTOOS…57
COMBAT: Kuoroke loses the roll and sustains 936 damage.
Kuoroke dashes on through the explosions. He doesn't have time to deploy a proper shield, but he can try and guide the attack around himself… try being the operative word, here, as he fails and the explosions leave noticeable marks on him.
COMBAT: Shemri defends against MULTIPLE-EXPLOSIVE-TAGS(67) attack from Shifty with a VANISHING-GALE…65
COMBAT: Shemri loses the roll and sustains 609 damage.
COMBAT: Shemri defends against MULTIPLE-EXPLOSIVE-TAGS(48) attack from Shifty with a VANISHING-GALE…55
Oh, fun with explosions. c.c Shiikaa jumps into Shemri's arms and puts a cloak of wind around both of them, and Shemri uses it to WHOOSH through the gauntlet of tags. She's not quite quick enough to evade the first few BOOMS, but at least the wind cloak buffers them from it a bit. >.<; "It is a good thing we are getting close!"
COMBAT: Itami defends against MULTIPLE-EXPLOSIVE-TAGS(67) attack from Shifty with a DRAGON-SHEEN…52
COMBAT: Itami loses the roll and sustains 646 damage.
COMBAT: Itami defends against MULTIPLE-EXPLOSIVE-TAGS(71) attack from Shifty with a DRAGON-SHEEN…68
COMBAT: Itami loses the roll and sustains 593 damage.
Itami curled herself up as she lept forward, taking the brunt of the explosions. Some of the damage managed to pierce through her hide and she felt its sting, but she was otherwise fine. Her clothes took a bit of a beating, but it's nothing she couldn't replace. In retaliation, she decided to kick things up a notch and attempt to close the distance between her and the attackers. "Follow after me!" She commanded as she began to engage the caravan.
COMBAT: Itami attacks target 1 with HYPER-SPEED-CHAIN-KILL with a roll of: 86
RPCOMBAT: Shifty defends against with a NPC-B-NIN-DEFENSE…96
RPCOMBAT: Shifty defends against with a NPC-B-NIN-DEFENSE…82
Aaaand SLASH! The guy who was laying the tags along the tunnel from the back of the racing wagon at the back of the caravan winds up tumbling along the ground as another obstacle… Two actually since his head is rolling toward Kuoroke and Shemri separately from his body. Nothing a good leap-over can't handle… "Hey, screw off! You'll get a ransom note later!" the guy apparently casting the earth Ninjutsu calls out before bringing his hands into a seal and causes a huge divide to split in the bottom of the tunnel to try and swallow the shinobi up before they can fully catch up and board!
COMBAT: Kuoroke defends against CANYON-OF-THE-FAILED-JOURNEY(76) attack from Shifty with a TATTOO-CRACKING-CLAP…78
As the ground opens to swallow them, Kuoroke tears open the remains of the blown-apart cloak and vest on his back to free a pair of tattoos that separate themselves off his skin to form two cupped shapes. Slamming these together, the Kuroki launches himself into the, coming down in front of the caravan. As he flies, he unrolls winding after winding of tattoos from his body, the chains covering the entirety of the tunnel like a spider's web and then tightening around and inside the wagons.
COMBAT: Kuoroke attacks target 1 with TATTOO-CHAINS with a roll of: 62
COMBAT: Kuoroke attacks target 2 with TATTOO-CHAINS with a roll of: 64
COMBAT: Kuoroke attacks target 3 with TATTOO-CHAINS with a roll of: 70
COMBAT: Kuoroke attacks target 4 with TATTOO-CHAINS with a roll of: 69
RP: Shemri reverts to her normal state.
RP: Shemri transforms into FELINE-FUSION-III.
COMBAT: Shemri defends against CANYON-OF-THE-FAILED-JOURNEY(66) attack from Shifty with a EXTRA-LIMB-BEAST-BLITZ…63
COMBAT: Shemri loses the roll and sustains 911 damage.
Just business from their perspective, is it? e.e We'll send you a ransom letter soon, just send us the money and we'll all put this mess behind us. Well, even from that sort of thinking, it'll be a lot cheaper for the Daimyo to have you rogues chopped into crabmeat. >P And for Suna, they don't get paid at all if their mission doesn't succeed! Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Shemri's eyes widen briefly as the ground splits apart before them. o.o; That's a big chasm…BUT! Shemri and Shiikaa can clear it! There is a *POOF* of ninjasmoke around the duo, and Shemri dashes out of it with a furry black gauntlet on her arm, a similar wrapping around one leg, and a prehensile tail protruding from her back. As she approaches the edge of the ravine, she blurs from sight. She reappears a split-second later over the gorge, near the very top of the tunnel, and reaches out with her tail for a stalactite…but misses. o.o; Her momentum carries her sailing through space, almost to the other end of the chasm, but she hits the wall a short distance below the edge. DX After tumbling down the craggy surface a little ways, her sashes finally find a grip and halt her descent. "Erk…GO ON AHEAD, I SHALL CATCH UP!" Shemri rights herself and starts crawling back up out of the artificial canyon. >.<;
COMBAT: Itami defends against CANYON-OF-THE-FAILED-JOURNEY(55) attack from Shifty with a HYPER-SPEED-BLINK-DODGE…92
"The ransom will be paid in your blood," Itami hissed out, though she couldn't exactly follow up on that with the ground quickly splitting apart. With some fast reflexes, she utilized what ground she had left to evade the split that was coming for her and dashed around on the tunnel walls, keeping up with the caravan. She'd hop off with her knee extended to strike down the attacker and summoned a tail to bring that message across as she whipped it around to crush the opponent with force.
RPCOMBAT: Shifty defends against with a NPC-C-TAI-DEFENSE…48
RPCOMBAT: Shifty defends against with a NPC-C-TAI-DEFENSE…44
RPCOMBAT: Shifty defends against with a NPC-C-TAI-DEFENSE…37
RPCOMBAT: Shifty defends against with a NPC-C-TAI-DEFENSE…45
COMBAT: Shifty defends against JUMPING-KNEE-STRIKE(57) attack from Itami with a TENSE…9
COMBAT: Shifty loses the roll and sustains 800 damage.
COMBAT: Shifty defends against TAIL-SLAM(50) attack from Itami with a TENSE…18
COMBAT: Shifty loses the roll and sustains 1144 damage.
Unable to avoid the incoming chains of tattoo, the jutsu caster is bound and unable to avoid Itami's coming attack while the men driving the caravan now are pulled off into the side of the tunnel moving at high speed to crack their skulls. Average goons it seems, at least compared to their friends. With Itami's leap, the last remaining brain of the operation is knocked backwards and then his neck snapped as her tail smacks him across the face. He falls dead with the others then as the caravan comes to a halt with the men no longer pushing the horses and the chains providing resistance… Mission accomplished!
