Starring:
Date: February 23, 2013
Summary:
A team from Konoha goes on a mission to capture a dangerous criminal who may have information on the whereabouts of Uzumaki Amiko.
"Taking Down Cruncher!… Or Not"
Land of Fire, Town of Juurinto
Late afternoon in Konoha. The warmth of Spring has started pervading the Land of Fire, and
the sky overhead is a deep, unclouded blue. Word from some of Konoha's agents in the outskirts of
the Land of Fire has just reached Konohagakure. The messenger approaches the Hokage with a sealed
scroll in hand, passing it to her reverentially. The woman opens the scroll slowly, reading it and
then nodding once decisively. "Its a B-rank mission," she says to the messenger, "Pull together
some of our trackers. Maybe a Genjutsuist as well. I want to make sure this one doesn't get away."
The messenger nods in agreement, and rushes off to form a team for the mission. He sent out
messages to Yukio, Nori and another Genin named Sarutobi Gaijin.
As the group arrives in the briefing room, the messenger stands at the front in front of a
map hanging on the wall. The room is otherwise bare, without any tables or chairs, and only a few
large, black marker pens on the floor near the map. The man turns and addresses the assembled team,
"You're being engaged for a high priority mission. A Missing-nin has been located in the Land of
Fire border town of Juurinto. His only known name is Cruncher. He's wanted for multiple counts
of… well… everything. Murder in the first degree, kidnapping, manslaughter, treason, assault.
The list goes on for a while. Most recently he is wanted in connection with the abduction of
Uzumaki Amiko, and we believe he might know the whereabouts of Miss Uzumaki. Its imperative that he
be brought back alive for questioning." The messenger then steps back and points to the map on the
wall. "This is a map of Juurinto. Cruncher has been sighted in these areas," he says, circling two
large areas on the town's eastern side, "Your mission is to get in, capture the target and return
him here. Try to cause as little collateral damage to the town as you can, although it could be
difficult. Cruncher is well known for causing destruction and chaos. His capabilities include Earth
Manipulation techniques and powerful Taijutsu. He also has a habit of biting people, and the
injuries it causes tend to turn septic very quickly. Oh yes, and he tends to gnaw on the bones of
the people he's killed, which is where is name comes from." The messenger nods to the group and
says, "Alright, if there are no questions, please start making your way to Juurinto. Time is of the
essence."
Nori guesses why he was called. He's recently been deemed a Sensor-Nin, but he doesn't know
the others. They are apparently all Genin though, being sent on a B-Rank mission, which makes him
ask, "Eh, who is in charge of this mission? I mean, I'm not qualified for this sort of thing yet.
Shouldn't we have a Jounin or someone along?" He smirks before looking to the others. "And I'm not
much of a fighter, but I'll do my best with finding the target and working with the others." He
nods twice before getting ready to travel.
Yukio was keeping his mouth shut through most of the briefing, waiting for the briefing to
finish. At Nori's initial question he nods, raising a hand. "I'm running lead. Watanabe Yukio. Nice
to meet you both. But I am curious, what's he doing Jurinto? Or do we know? Also, do we have a
sample of clothing, or something from him? If I can get his scent, I can track him, more than
likely." he says, readying his few things for the mission at hand. He kept his sunglasses pushed
rather close to the bridge of his nose for the time being.
The messenger nods to Yukio and smiles. "We don't know what he's doing in Juurinto. We've
contracted a member of Jump to keep an eye on him until you get there, and then to assist in the
rest of the mission. Rise also has a scrap of the man's clothing that you can use to aid in
tracking him down. She'll be meeting you on-site when you arrive," he explains, looking at each
member of the group as he waits for any further questions. Receiving none, he waves the team away
and says, "Alright then, get going."
The team quickly makes its way to Juurinto. The trip takes a few hours, so twilight is just
falling on the village as the trio of ninja arrive. The place where the team is supposed to meet up
with Rise is on the southern end of town, and easily located. As the meeting point comes into sight
Gaijin stops a little ways short and keeps an eye out. It seems that he's decided that he's going
to serve as the lookout while the first meeting with the Jump member occurs. "You guys go on," he
says to Yukio and Nori, "I'll make sure we aren't being spied on. Can't be too careful when you're
dealing with Missing-nin."
You paged Rise with 'You can pose in whenever you like. And you have two objects from Cruncher - a
soda can that he was drinking from, and an enormous leather glove that he was wearing up until
about two hours ago, when he lost it in a card game. The winner discarded the glove, where you
retrieved it.'
There are possible over a hundred different things Rise could be doing on such a wonderful
day; and yet, out of all those possibilities she chose the one with the highest chances to
challenger. Or more than likely get her killed. Which is fine too so long as it was warranted. She
just hoped of course that her skills were up to par, and thus, avoid such a conclusion due to
stupidity. With that in mind, Rise took advantage of being the one guaranteed to reach the village
in which the main objective resided by checking her supplies, doing a little recon incognito along
the outskirts of Juurinto , and a few quick warm-up exercises until the rest of the team arrived at
the meeting point.
As soon they arrived Rise quickly looked them over, noting Nori's familiar mug as well as
a peculiar 'tug' at her being from the Watanabe, then dropped down from her perch in a nearby tree
and walked over. "Nice to see ya again, Nori-san," She greeted cheerily before regarding Yukio once
more, expression and stance more formal. "I be Shirokiri, Rise." She inclined her head, and paused
long enough for Yukio to reply before adding, "Is your team ready?"
Nori travelled without speaking too much. He was in thought or just on high alert…or
both. As they arrive in Juurinto and Gaijin pushes them forward, Nori nods. He follows after Yukio,
assuming they are headed to the meeting point to meet Rise. He knows and remembers Rise all too
well. He called her a boy once by accident and the girl darn near broke him for good. "Rise-san. It
is…nice…to see you too." Nori nods at the question of if he is ready, but is otherwise all
business.
Yukio was equally quiet. But it seemed a bit more obvious what was keeping him quiet. He
tried hard to describe it, but a combination of worry, and anger kept his mind occupied. When they
finally did arrive, he took a deep breath, and let all of it wash away, his gaze calm and focused
on the task at hand. When Rise shows herself, he nods to her, bowing a bit. "A pleasure. And I
believe we're ready. I assume you've been running recon already. What did you find? Do we know
where he's at yet?"
Gaijin continues scouring the area, looking for anyone that might be spying on the group.
He leaps atop the roof of the nearest house, which happens to be the furthest residence on the
outskirts of the town. As he gets up there her peers around, and catches a glimpse of someone
approaching the meeting place. He frowns, and makes a bird call signal to the group to indicate
that someone is coming. Then he drops down flat against the rooftop, trying to hide from the
shadowy figure.
Rise couldn't resist giving an almost predatory grin in response. "Aye, I did a little of
that tho' not as much as I'd 'ave like." She admitted nonchalantly, and pulled her satchel off to
begin rooting around in it as she continued, "Managed to snatch up a glove 'nd… eto.. eto… Ah
hah! 'nd a can too!" She groaned. "Just don't ask how tho'. Just think'n bout it…" She trailed
off, shuddering and shaking her head before offering the items to Yukio. Afterwards, the pack is
sealed up and secreted behind a tree while the rest of the team gave them a look over. "Those
aside, on the eastern side—" Rise stops upon hearing the cry — a margin too unnatural compared to
her ears — and motions for Yukio to disappear before practically flickering out of view.
Nori follows suit and attempts to hide. He's a genin and he's the weakest here combat wise,
but his senses are out on alert, including that sixth sense of his which detects chakra. The boy
knows a thing or two about blending into the surroundings, but it really is just what the Academy
taught him. He tries to roll behind some cover and stay out of sight.
Yukio takes the items, and nods, listening to her report, but freezes at the bird cry.
Something was up. Just as Rise was making her motion, Yukio was already finding a place to
dissapear into. Curse his lack of ever formally learning the body flicker technique! He hides in
some brush, removing his sunglasses and clipping them to his shirt, trying to get a look at this
guy as he got closer.
Gaijin tries to keep an eye on the spy, but then bolts upright as the shadowy figure turns
and runs. He looks silently down to Yukio, awaiting the Chuunin's orders? Do I attack? Try to stop
him getting away? Or pretend nothing happened? He keeps wondering to himself as the shadowy figure
gets closer and closer to slipping away into the shadows. The loud hoot of an owl pierces the
sudden silence, causing the boy to jump and drop his kunai clatteringly on to the rooftop. By the
time he's picked up the weapon again, the spy is gone. He jumps off the rooftop and sighs loudly.
"I'm sorry, I lost him," Gaijin says, sounding defeated.
You paged Nori with 'On your turn, if you want, you can make another attempt to locate the man
that's running away.'
Rise's only stopped moving once safely covered in the shadows of tree canopy. Although
feeling assured of successful avoiding detection, maintaining it left her blind to another idea at
the time. Her only other concern was to remain until a signal is given… or an attack is made. She
was more than confident that in the case of the later her instincts and training, honed through
preserverence over the years, would be enough to react in time.
Thankfully, her greatest merits weren't to be tested yet, and upon hearing Gaijin's words
Rise 'flickered' back into view at the center of the road. "Everyone okay?" She asked, eyeing them
over. Then with a start, Rise attention kept flickering from one person to another. "Did anyone get
a good look at'em!?"
Nori knows where his fellow teammates are, as well as where the figure coming their way is.
He stays put for now though, trying to remain motionless, yet his own chakra flow stabilizes once
he's checked the incoming threat's chakra patterns. Nori creates a connection between the team
leader and his own mind…and suddenly Yuukio would hear Nori's voice beaming directly into his
head. <Too low levels of chakra to be our target most likely, but high enough chakras to definitely
be a shinobi…>
As the target stops and bolts and Gaijin goes into…well, lack of action, Nori blinks. He
gets up and starts running after the target, most likely moving right past Rise. Calling back to
Yuukio mentally, Nori states, <I'll try to stay with him…if you need me to fall back, let me
know. Tell the others.>
Yukio jumps from the bushes. "Nori's in pursuit. Move!" he says, leaping up onto the roof
for a vantage point. <I hope this is two ways. Keep with him, try to keep him within sensing range,
but don't risk yourself. Our first priority is everyone coming home safely.> he tries to transmit
back. IF he can see Nori's path, or if someone else points it out to him, he'd bolt after Nori.
"Did anyone see where Nori went?" he says, looking between the other two.
Despite his slow speed, Nori is able to keep up with the other shinobi. Either he isn't in
a rush, or he's leading the boy towards an ambush. Within moments Gaijin is back up on the rooftops
and running, keeping Nori in sight at all times. He gestures back towards Yukio, trying to catch
his attention and tell him that he's following Nori. And then he's off, running to make sure that
if this turns into an ambush Nori won't be alone. The chase takes them first towards the centre of
the town, then meandering off to the east. Just as Nori rounds a corner, he comes face to face with
a human wall. The guy is about 8 feet tall and built like a tank. His shoulders are twice as wide
as most mens'. He's wearing a huge red leather jacket with no shirt underneath, and gray pants. He
looks exactly like the description of Cruncher. "Ha ha, little kid. Looks like you're my first meal
of the night," he says, lifting a massive hand as he gets ready to take a swing at Nori. Gaijin
jumps in, however, kneeing the massive creep in the face. Cruncher bellows in pain, and reaches out
to grab Gaijin. Without any hesitation he lifts the boy like a rag-doll and tosses him into a
nearby wall, smashing it and sending up a massive cloud of dust. "Come on!" he bellows again, as if
psyching himself up for the fight.
As commanded, Rise reflexively followed through and leapt up to the nearest roof alongside
Yukio. Once her mind finally caught up a growl is growl is emitted behind clenched teeth. "No I—
*eye widens* There!", She exclaimed, jabbing a finger as Gaijin motioned for them to follow.
Afterwards she prepped herself to follow as well, but hesitates for a second to let Yukio take the
lead, much to her personal chargin. It would not do for the team leader's back to go unguarded so
soon. Even so, it was painful to restrict herself throughout their pursuit; especially after
sensing trouble during the last leg of it.
Rise hesitates only for a second after touching down at the end of the path in order to
quickly read the situation. Then without another second spent she bursts forward and lashed out at
the one weak point every man shared with a rage enfused fist!
She'd think of talking only after seeing the giant on his knees..
Perhaps.
Nori calls back, <Yes, two way.> Nori then proceeds to recant the directions he's running
in. When Nori runs into the wall…he eeps. His last transmission to Yuukio would have cut off
suddenly. If it wasn't for Gaijin…Nori would have been in trouble. He used up quite a bit of
chakra tracking his target. He takes the time given by Gaijin to create a little space and focus
his chakra.
Yukio dashed after them, Rise in tow. Yukio wasn't the fastest individual, but the air
seemed to part before him, the low pressure zones letting him keep up, relatively easily, but not
catch up until they finally stopped. He came skidding around the corner, eyes wide when he saw
cruncher. He lept into the air from his skid, making a quick series of handsigns. "Fuuton!" With
that a barrage of altering air pressure waves would assail Cruncher, and his ears, attempting to
disorient him, before he lept in once more, flame alight along his form as he entered the first
stage of his clan techniques. The Lizard's claws, drawing one of his blades, Hana.
From the rubble of the smashed-down wall, a loud moan issues forth as Gaijin struggles to
try to regain his feet. Judging by the way one of his knees is bending backwards though, its
unlikely the boy is going to make it back into the fight. Meanwhile, as Rise charges in and attacks
at Cruncher's groin, the giant growls and drops to one knee. His enormous fist closes around Rise's
in the biggest, meatiest block ever. He then brings his other arm in, attempting to grab the girl,
pick her up and throw her at Nori. This is all made significantly easier by the fact that he
already has a grasp on her fist. The pressure blast from Yukio hits the man, but his skin turns
black for a brief moment and the attack seems to have no effect. Then he pulls out a pair of
shuriken, which he tosses at Yukio with a laugh. "Come on, Konoha shinobi! You don't stand a
chance! Tashijou said if I hung around here long enough I'd get a good meal, but you guys are
hardly worth the effort of killing you!" he shouts. A shadow drops down from a rooftop nearby - its
that same guy as before! In the light the group can get a much better look at him. He has silver-
white hair and blue eyes, and is wearing a long black overcoat over a white formal shirt, black
slacks and a purple scarf. He folds his arms in front of him, and for now just watches how the
battle progresses.
"Heh, Knew ya go-huh!? What the-Oi! Let, Go!!" No matter how hard Rise tried to pull her
hand free of Crunch's meaty hands not even an inch of freedom is gained. And just as she cocked
back her free hand to try break at least one of the gaint's fingers, the air in Rise's lungs rushes
out all at once thanks to another hand being thrown into the mix. Trapped, Rise still struggled in
vain up until the point her surroundings started to blur as she's whipped around for a throw.
Thankfully with instinct as her guide a last minute weight shift gives her the control she
needed just in time control her landing, and after a few mid-air twists she hits the ground;
sliding as far back as Nori's position. Her immediate thought is to charge right back into the
fray; especially once Crunch started hackling them. Her lungs however still required a moment to
recover, granting her enough time to slow down and actually think versus give in to more primal
act.
Then came the arrival of their original quarry, settling the internal debate within the
Shirokiri. "… Nori-san.. Is that the one from earlier?" She asked without taking her eyes off the
newcomer. Even as the those words left her mouth Rise attempted to subtly place herself further
ahead of the genin without relaxing her guard too much. Better safe than sorry. Once an answer (if
any at all) is given Rise would grudgingly ask that Nori brought out his best Yamanaka technique
and use it on Crunch. That is, unless Yukio barked out a different order before then.
Nori isn't a fighter…that was stated earlier…but what he can do is make someone else
fight his battles for him. Nori knew the man in the long black overcoat was still around, and as
soon as he made himself visible, Nori was on him. Rather than attack Cruncher, Nori focused on
Overcoat. Nori smirks mischeviously and then forms the Yamanaka handseals to try his new one-two
combo. If it works, he'll be all set, if it doesn't…ow. Nori goes down to one knee, calls out
mentally to Yukio again, <Cover my unconscious body.> and he sends out his mind. The first mental
attack is swift and targets the mental pressure points that send the signals for physical
movement…the next attack is the haymaker, the mind-body-switch…and for that, the jab retracts
and the whole mental mass is sent out of Nori…rendering him unconcious one way or another.
Yukio's blades cume up, hacking acrossed the earth spear, splitting the earth harmlesly to
either side of him, before leaping forward, settling down just on the other side of Nori's body,
putting himself between Nori, and Cruncher, his body erupting in flames as he slips a stage deeper
into his TF, his crest showing itself as his scales start to cover more of his body. "Come on!" he
yells, simultaneously trying to catch the focus of the meathead, and also get his teammates to
notice Nori's latest action. He focused more chakra, building up for the next barrage.
Watching as Rise recovers from his throw, Cruncher frowns for a moment and then laughs. "It
looks like you fools have some fight in you after all," he laughs, and punches his fist into an
open hand a couple of times as if warming up. Meanwhile, as Nori crumples to the ground, the black
coated man stands completely still. Then his eyes refocus, and Nori is in control! Cuncher narrows
his eyes and nods. "Right, a Yamanaka then," he says, and smiles, "But now that you've used that
technique you won't be able to use it on me." His eyes flicker between each of the Konoha shinobi
present, and grins. With a fast move he dashes forward to grab at Yukio, trying to fling him
sideways into a wall and then spinning as he throws a giant fist at Rise's face.
Rise wanted to kick Nori over for ignoring her! And probably would have to if not for his
success rendering their mysterious runner immobile for the time being. Still, she did not trust
things to be over just so easily. After a glance casted upon a transformed Yukio she knew to trust
her own words. Speculating further was quickly put on hold however once Cruncher finally decided to
charge.
As big as he was, Rise refused to give ground or charge to meet him. That would have
risked leaving Nori too unguarded. She gritted her teeth once he finally stepped within range and
made one final step to help harden her stance before the fist came down. A backhanded strike meets
it nearly head on, deflecting the blow and probably knocking him off balance. Seizing this moment,
Rise bore down on all fours before launching herself at Crunch's head, intent on bear hugging the
only place her arms could really fit around!
Mayato is now in control while Nori is out in a slump. He at least fell over when he was on
his knee, making the landing soft. Mayato on the other hand, moves to attack Cruncher from behind.
Sure, Cruncher might know Nori is a Yamanaka, but does he know that Mayato is about to attack him?
Meh, probably, so Mayata comes in quickly and attacks Cruncher's legs, attempting to not only break
Cruncher's legs but also bring him to the ground. The sweep would come just after Rise jumps on
him…whoops. Following the sweep, Mayato tries to focus all his might on one of Cruncher's hands.
The man might be mostly a Taijutsuist…but just try punching with a broken fist!
Yukio brings his blades up as Cruncher grabs form him, letting one of his blades go,
giving the man naught but a weapon that he probably won't use. He Leaps back, out of the mans
range, making a quick series of handsigns, and attempting to lash out again with his pressure blast
technique, before leaping in and slashing at the wall of meat with his claw.
Cruncher roars in rage as Rise's arms wrap around his head, squeezing hard. In fact, he
feels like his head is about to explode. The big man grapples the girl with both arms, managing to
pull her off and then tossing her towards the brick wall of a nearby building. Almost immediately
Mayato comes flying in at him, and Cruncher slaps the ground with one hand, raising a solid column
of dirt in front of the low kick. As he follows through he punches Cruncher's hand painfully,
causing the man to bellow in pain, but it doesn't seem like the attack has disabled him. Knowing
that he's in trouble unless he steps up the fight, Cruncher channels earth nature chakra into his
skin, making it as tough as stone. Yukio's attacks, while powerful, barely manage to damage him
through his armor-like skin. "I'll crush you!" he yells at the Chuunin, flexing his muscles. A seal
that was until now invisible lights up on his chest, little tentacles of kanji extending over his
body. Then he charges at Yukio, grabbing at the lizard-like boy and trying to lift him high and
slam him into the ground at his feet.
Rise really dug her nails in just to try and keep smothering Crunch; but alas, the
bruiser's meaty hands and ridiculous strength won out. She was thankful for the fact that he had
not used in real effort with the throw, because with just the right shift in weight once more she
managed to twist around and land upon the wall feet first.
"I'll crush you!"
Rise snapped to attention and leapt off the wall, fully intent on trying to intercept
Crunch before he had a chance to show Yukio where he got his name from. The distance was just too
great unfortunately, so instead of slowing down, she dug out a peculiar black pill land tossed it
in her mouth in transit. Its effect was instantanous though it did come with the price of making
her stumble from the sudden muscle changes. She, nevertheless, was quick to recover and resolutely
bore down on Crunch with a series of successive flying kicks, the latter of which just a tad lower
in case by some miracle he managed to duck beneath her.
Seal or no seal, power up or no power up, Rise was not going to let Crunch get away with
what he had done so easily.
After the attack and unless rendered imobile just like Yukio, Rise would retreat a few
meters and call out for Nori to grab the Sarutobi and his own body using the one he stole and
retreat for now.
Nori remained unconscious…for now. In the meantime, Mayato was thinking strategies. Nori
dug into Mayato's mind and figured out that the shinobi was a water manipulator. With that
knowledge, and with the fact that Cruncher looked to be coating himself with some sort of hardened
skin, making him rock-like…Nori/Mayato creates a concentrated blast of water on the man's hand.
He is again trying to break that hand and render Cruncher's Ninjutsu useless…and perhaps hamper
his Taijutsu. As soon as the blast of water soaks the armored hand, a set of water needles are
thrown toward the hand. Hopefully Rise doesn't get hit with any of the attacks.
Cruncher laughs as he drops Yukio's limp form on the ground, and turns to growl at the last
two. "One down, two to go," he says in his deep, rolling voice. Then the grin emerges and he
laughs, "Do you think you can take me?" Then he sees Mayato moving at him from one side, and he
slaps a down down on the ground. The first technique breaks against the stony wall, but the second
makes it through, and Cruncher raises his arms in an x-shape to stop the attack from hitting him
square in the head. His feet slide backwards on the ground as he spots Rise coming in at him again
with a spinning kick, and he reaches out and grabs the kick with one hand. Then he brings his other
hand up and tries to smack Rise in the face. With a quick turn he faces Mayato and places both his
palms against the ground. It seems like nothing happens at first, and then the ground under Nori
starts to bubble, and become like sludge, sucking the boy downwards.
Rise mentally cursed. Crunch captured her again! Then came the massive free hand to try
and smack her around some more. Now -that- was something she was not having today. So, as it
approached Rise raised subtle raised her hand, than higher once she felt his grip slip to make room
for the strike. A mistake he would soon regret, because with more room to maneuver she brought the
hand down with a twist. Knocking it down and off course before rolling down back to the ground
herself along its form. She kept going a bit further just incase before letting her momentum carry
her into a kneel.
By the time she recovered it was too late to keep him from attack Mayato. She almost
yelled at Mayato in outrage but bit back her words in favor of focusing back on Crunch's
unprotected (roughly speaking given the earth armor :P). She ran and leapt onto his shoulders from
the back, squeezing with both her arms and legs as hard as she could. Hoping more than believing
that she'd be able to break through the armor, and more importantly, strangle Crunch until he
passed out.
"NORIII-BAAAKA!! I told *groans* you to get out of here!!" She called out mid-strangle.
Mayato is sucked into the ground…and takes a breath when he goes under. It is then that
Nori retreats back into his regular body. Let Mayato deal with finding himself waking up under the
ground. A moment goes by before Nori wakes up. He looks to Yukio and then to Rise, "Rise…we need
to retreat." he calls out. "You shouldn't handle this by yourself." Nori frowns and then attempts
to stun Cruncher as quickly as he can. The mental jab is sent out, moving through Rise and into
Cruncher's mind.
Cruncher's punch misses, and Rise quickly locks her arms and legs around him. His earth
armor withstands the massive pressure, but just barely. Cracks run all down his skin, from his head
down to his legs, the pressure nearly making him pass out. "Gah, get off me!" he manages to growl
as he pulls Rise off. Then, with startling speed, and still holding the girl in the air with one
hand, the man throws a rocketing uppercut toward her jaw, with enough power that it could
potentially send her flying through the air. Moments later, he suddenly stops, his mind locked by
Nori's Yamanaka technique. "I'm… out of chakra," he grunts disbelievingly, "No way!"
Nori frowns and moves to grab Yukio. The boy isn't strong, but he manages to heft the body
over his shoulder and then start walking out. He can't run with this weight. Nori moves to
establish a mental link with Rise before he departs to make sure he can keep track of her. He'll
need to establish backup and soon, but in the meantime…he just wants to know if and when she is
killed.
With the pill draining her more than expected and little room to maneuver, Rise had no
choice but to brace for impact. Or, not? Whichever was it that would keep her from biting off her
own tongue as well as keep less teeth from breaking! She blacks out from the impact for a moment as
she flies… only to be jarred awake after hitting the pavement. Everything hurt, but even so Rise
gradually managed to block out the pain and force herself back onto her feet. A quick scan showed
her that Nori and Youkio were at least making headway with the escape. Another revealed the giant
frozen to the spot with his partner either struggling or uncouncious.
Then and there might have been the best chance to try and take the Giant out. But it was a
gamble that could not be afforded. So, she turned to flee much to her own personal chargin, and
belatedly along the way picked up the Sarutobi.
Nori frowns and moves to grab Yukio. The boy isn't strong, but he manages to heft the body
over his shoulder and then start walking out. He can't run with this weight. Nori moves to
establish a mental link with Rise before he departs to make sure he can keep track of her. He'll
need to establish backup and soon, but in the meantime…he just wants to know if and when she is
killed.
