Starring:
Hotaru, Yama, Nendo, Mitsue, Kaneko
Date: October 2, 2015
Summary:
A continuation of an earlier investigation of a house Yama purchased for a great price that appeared to be haunted, though a deeper investigation shows that the haunted part is the least of Yama's concern…
Poster's note: foul language filtered in obvious places.
"The Haunted Underground"
Yotuna Square, Yama's Ramen Shop (Hidden Aquifers)
Yama's establishment for the purpose of supplying good-tasting ramen to all the poor suffering people of Iwa was bought for a price that was considered a steal. Yet, what he wasn't aware of when he bought it was that he wasn't being given just some abandoned shop in the Yotuna Square that just needed some physical work. Unbeknownst to him, this shop was rumored to have been haunted. Rumors stemming from random objects being flung about at times and haunted spooky writing appearing in the dust. Usually in the words 'Help'. No one has ever decided to actually understand just what ails the spirits in this place. What is certain, is that Yama was ripped off.
He was sold a haunted house! At least, that was what the rumors had implied. Not to mention that those who had elected to help clean the establishment for him had objects thrown at them. Clearly haunted… Yet, the story behind the haunting stems from the murder of foreigners just like Yama. It was a happy merchant family from Sunagakure settling down and opening a textile shop. A industrious father with firm hopes of the future, supported by a loving wife. They even brought a child, a happy young girl. They were rather successful for a long time, and then one late evening, a scream was heard. That morning, the house was investigated by Iwa shinobi. There was blood everywhere, yet no bodies were ever found. None of the father. None of the mother. None of the happy little child whom would often play in the square in front of the shop. All of the blood was right in the front of the store, and after cleaning the blood out, the shinobi would have continued the investigation for a while.
No trace was ever found of the happy family from Sunagakure, and eventually the investigation was called off.
Yama's purchasing of this house lead to a simple discovery that might have changed the investigation forever. A hatch, somehow gone undetected, leading into a cavern system underneath that seemed to have been used to store food and textiles. Yet, it was far larger than any basement. In fact, the caverns below were so vast that it extended right into the aquifers below Iwagakure.
The cavern was only scratched by Yama, Hotaru, Shu, and Kyousuke. This menacing cavern underneath the city was clearly man-made by earth-style techniques. Yama needed help exploring his new vast property, and who not better than Iwa's finest group of students and their instructor. "This is it. The creepy-creepy house." Hotaru would state to her nearby friends. Mitsue, Kaneko, and Nendo-sensei all agreed after a lot of convincing to check this underground cavern out. "It got really spooky underneath, but Yama-jiji didn't even look scared at all. It was impressive… Or he's kind of dense. Maybe I shouldn't say that in front of his establishment." She would poke Kaneko's shoulder and wave everyone inside. "Come on everyone! You have to see this! …. Well…. I want to see this, and I'm too scared to go in alone so… You're all coming in with me!"
The spirits might not have actually let up on Yama. He'd be woken up many times in the middle of the night, likely forced to sleep outside unless he could ignore the constant pelting of boots upon his person. Maybe he's cranky? Well, here comes a loud little dragon to make him even more cranky if so. "YAMA-JIJI! Are you here? We're here to help clean the house up some more! Well…" Hotaru would tap her cane against the floor when she got inside, as she thinks of a good way to put this… "Ah… Ano… Specifically, can we clean out your basement?" She'd ask…
RP: Hotaru joins the roleplay.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
"I don't like how this is called the 'creepy-creepy house' or any other words that don't mean 'ramen shop'," Yama remarked to those with him. He was terribly disappointed and nervous all the same. He would have to work hard just to get back all that he sunk into this place and even if this all was successful, he wasn't certain anyone would want to buy ramen from a place that was considered to be haunted. People murdered here? Far too much superstition to risk on an investment. He sighed to himself and rubbed his neck, already having a rough time. "It's okay, I heard you from outside, I didn't rest very well," he spoke to Hotaru, door opened to let her and the rest in.
"If you wish to clean the basement, you are free to do so. I intended to get down there eventually, but my focus has been up here until it was cleared out and more welcoming like a home and shop instead of a murder house," he frowned in disappointment. "Anyway, you can do whatever you want down there. As long as it is cleaned out sufficiently enough."
RP: Yama joins the roleplay.
"Hotaru-chan… You have the time to help someone with ghosts, but you don't want to be a shinobi…?" Kaneko says in a rather deadpan tone. The only thing that shows it's a question is the very subtle lilt in her tone. "… Hotaru-chan, I still have chores to do at home. Why am I here helping with Yama-Rama's home when I should be working with Otou-san on the new sword he's making?" she asks with a faint sigh. Of course, this may or may not be a relatively official mission… "Haaaa… I guess l can help…" she sighs. "But only because Hotaru-Chan is so determined to do this. Yama-Rama, you owe me three bowls of ramen for this!" Kaneko prods Hotaru, then. "And you owe me something too, Hotaru-chan. I'll come up with your payment later, though."
RP: Kaneko joins the roleplay.
Nendo would be wearing a single-sleeved shirt with a matching red hood for a change.. Even if it was his job to watch the students on this trip so they didn't end up dead, the Toujitakumi had limits that started with caves and ended with strangers. Both of which were involved in this little escapade. This was one of the situations where the genin would wear his grey pants and even closed-toed boots rather than sandals left he have to deal with some rodent or other cave-dwelling pest trying to scamper over his feet. The genin was anything but impressed with the idea but at the same time, it would give Hotaru a chance to show she could listen if any orders were to be given which was a minor plus in Nendo's book. Still, that was, as Kaneko said, balancing on the fact that she'd have to still want to be a shinobi in order for him to have to worry much about her training at all. That left Nendo's worries with Kaneko and Mitsue, both of which Nendo would be keeping a close watch on in case anything bad happened with either of them.
The stranger… seemed to be less than a worry for the moment, something about a shop from the sound of it, well, it could help with Kaneko and Mitsue in one way or another. "Think of this as training, Kaneko, after all, I'm not dragging you off to the stone fields for a sparring match today. Be sure you show me your footwork has improved by not slipping and make sure you follow my orders closely. I don't want to ask the Tsuchikage to help with sparring against you next time. Mitsue, be sure to keep close to the group and use your genjutsu so we can hear you in case you spot something we don't."
RP: Nendo joins the roleplay.
Mitsue had never been in such a place as a underground dwelling before and he found it quite curious. Violet eyes shine from beneath the teens hood as he follows the rest of the team, scanning back and forth silently on the off chance he might see anything! Yep. He looks to Nendo and nods before making the hand seals to extend his genjutsu to others besides the older teen. ~I will be watchful.~ The youth moves with little grace but he doesn't seem as bad off as he had been after that little run in with Kaneko's cousins. Maybe he'd finally broken down and sought help?
RP: Mitsue joins the roleplay.
Hotaru is inevitably glad that Yama-jiji is not actually angry that he overheard her, but she clearly tries to convince him that he misheard her. "Ah, n-no Yama-ji. I didn't say that!" Hotaru says as she walks into the shop properly, rubbing her head bashfully. "I… I said y-your resolve was immense!" She clears her throat as the sound of her metal cane resonates in the room with a snobbish click. She would enter and smile at the Ramen-master. "This time I'm going to help! I'll mop with my cane! Promise, but I want to explore the underground."
Kaneko enacts a firm price for what she considers is supposed to be fun exploration. She would attempt to whisper in a low voice. "Psst, Kaneko, you don't have to do anything! Just… D-don't run away when the spooky things start happening, okay? It's… really scary…" Of course, she probably suspects Kaneko will still make her help her with chores at her house. Which is fine, because… She has never been to Kaneko's house yet! Once finished with revealing her actual plan to Kaneko and ignoring the part about dropping the academy… which hasn't been decided quite yet anyways. She prepares herself for the task ahead, which was spelunking rather than cleaning. She would turn to Nendo-san and Mitsue. She places a hand on her hip and looks at the two males. "Nendo-san… Is… there anything you'd like to… order me in specific?" she asks. Mitsue got genjutsu duty, Kaneko is working on her footwork, but she… she didn't get an order. She still believes Nendo doesn't believe in her, and that he only came to keep an eye on Kaneko and Mitsue. "… I'm not… done yet." She informs him.
Yama knows where the hatch is. He's not honestly planning to let a bunch of kids go down into dangerous territory alone, right?
"…Oh, well in that case!" Yama chimed happily and smiled at Hotaru. Didn't really change his mind about what he heard, but he didn't need her feeling bad about what he was going through. He had some guilt with projecting his feelings where they weren't deserved. "My resolve is the greatest!" He lifted his arms to flex his muscles. "Are you sure you wish to mop with your cane? I have a mop on hand. I don't want your cane to rust and become damaged," he came down from his high horse enough to consider the important things. "And why do I owe you ramen? She's the one that invited you here to help," he winced at Kaneko while gesturing with an open hand to Hotaru. "If I'm making ramen, someone has to pay for it!" He folded his arms and proceeded towards the basement. "Let's just do this and I agree with this guy, whoever he is. This is training for you. You owe me for usage of my basement for training purposes. How does that sound? See? It isn't so appealing, is it?" He regarded Mitsue with a nod, having met him before.
"Let's go!"
Kaneko gives a small nod to Nendo, crossing an arm over her chest to stretch out her arms and twisting to stretch her back muscles. "I'm going to be the most steady on my feet ever, Nendo-sensei! Just don't watch me or I might fall!" She grins a bit mischievously, then swings her arms up and over her head before leaning down to touch her toes. And back up! "Mitsue-kun, are you good?" she asks. "Ready to kick some butt if we ever see any down in the dun- Basement?" she asks.
Hotaru just gets a bit of an odd look to flash across the young Murasame's face. "Of course, Hotaru-chan. I'm not going to run away." Kaneko reaches out with a hand and pokes Hotaru in the chest. "You still owe me for this," she states before her grey eyes flash to Yama. "How about we scare the ghosts from your basement. And you pay us with ramen. Everything else isn't a part of this." she frowns faintly. "Or we just don't owe each other anything. You don't have to make ramen /now/ either." When the signal is given, she starts to follow after the wanderer-now-shop-owner into the basement.
Nendo would raise a brow slightly as he looked down at Hotaru. "You said you were done training and that you were thinking of quitting the academy. Until you've decided you are free to do as you like for the week. At the end of the week, I expect an answer or will assume you've chosen to drop out of the academy. I gave you the choice to make on the twenty-seventh, I expect your answer by the night of the fourth. If you want to have an order however, then refrain from using any taxing Ninjutsu unless you feel you must. I will be watching and will not like seeing careless use of a large scale technique. Nendo offered to Hotaru as a minor mission of her own; the girl was too eager to rely on that skill that wore her out and it would become an inconvenience if not kept in check. Focusing on Hotaru didnt keep from listening to what the man, Yama-jiji said however There was little in the way of arguing for the students but the man had made a critical mistake in that he was trying to argue with students.
No, this is a cave exploration and helping of a resident of the land of Earth. While to them it can be considered training, it is still to be considered a D-class mission of sorts. D-class missions are often paid in some form of a monetary sum. In this case, Ramen would be a sufficient payment of services rendered and time afforded. Nendo would explain to the stranger called Yama-jiji A strange name, but from the nod he seemed to have some form of a relationship with Mitsue as well The genin would glance over his shoulder to get a look at the younger teen, an eyebrow raising in curiosity of this seemingly secret relationship between stranger and Gansao
Ill have to watch you very closely then, Kaneko; be sure you dont get too tripped up just because everyones watching you so closely. The genin would tease as he smiled slightly on his own and idly worked with his hands.. Forming various seals and trying to guide his flow of chakra toward something new Even when he was supposed to be slowing down, the Toujitakumi was still eager to push forward in his training… He was getting close too.
Mitsue offers Yama a small smile when the man looks back at him before giving him a small nod in return. He didn't know the ramen chef well, since it had only been that one class where he couldn't even answer a simple question about Kage. Ahem. But other than that there's not much that he knows of the man. It would be an interesting little trip down to the basement here. ~He spoke in one of our classes,~ the reply would go to Nendo alone at the silent question. The teen moves after the others, wondering just what they might find down below. Was it really some kind of ghost? Hopefully not…but only time would tell.
Hotaru would rub her chest after she was poked, eyes narrowed a little. "Ano… Fine… I owe you… B-but don't use this to make me do something silly… N-no practical jokes either! … I'm still in the academy, so I still have to follow the rules." She would glance at Nendo a moment, as if letting him know that she hasn't given up yet. She refrains from quipping the statement about her not using any advanced fire techniques, but she does state something her father once said. "The Dragon's Wrath can't be turned aside by words, only by actions." A Watanabe way of saying 'Actions speak louder than words'. She'll prove to Nendo her decision through action! Just you wait! For the moment, she would follow Yama to the basement. "I'll use the mop as a cane, Yama… Uh… just hold it out so I can grab it and I'll switch…" No word on whose paying. Though, everyone would expect the girl with the wealthy dad to do it. c.c Of course…
[NPC System]: ??? roll(s) Perception Please from 15 to 60 and get(s) a 32. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Yama will lead everyone to the hatch, that when opened, would blow a moldy breeze in the faces of those present. Down the stone steps would be a large rectangular room that was cleaned up rather well by two Maneshi individuals. This area was clearly meant for storage. Before it was cleaned there were many cords of textiles, meaning that this place was actually known by the former residents. There were three clear exits. One looked hastily made, as if someone had broken into the residency's basement. The other two simply lead into the natural basement of the residency-turned-Ramen Shop… Those who next descend may feel something at the back of their spines, as if someone was touching their necks, yet there was clearly nothing there. Not to mention, one of the cords of textile had dropped on it's side. Out of the blue. No one was near it. It simply began to unravel now, as if moved by some unknown presence… the cord of cloth seemed to move in a particular place. Towards the hastily dug-out path that leads below… A red carpet.
COMBAT: Hotaru focuses 884 stamina to turn it into 1000 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a PERCEPTION…16
COMBAT: Yama finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Kaneko's turn.
"You keep trying to negotiate with me and it will not work! I need money and I can't get it giving away free ramen!" Yama pointed out to Kaneko. "I need the rest of my money for supplies to make the food, how the spook am I going to both pay for supplies and the ingredients /and/ give it away for free? Ask that other poor sap of a ramn stand owner for that." He nodded mostly to himself regarding what he said. "Or that. The last part of what you said," he added to Kaneko. "We can agree not to owe one another anything. We will be cordial people."
He continued through the basement. "What the terror is wrong with all of you?! I didn't even submit this through the proper channels!" He reached up to his turban and began to squeeze it. "Vultures! All of you," he grumbled to himself in his native tongue. "I only bought the place, I didn't say to anyone 'Hey, I have a haunted house that needs to be expunged of ghosts, please to be helping me for I am a poor foreigner!' Bah!" He sulked frustratedly as he weighed his options with these shinobi. He whipped out the mop and held it out to Hotaru to take, top end first. No need in handing her the mop head portion. That'd just be rude and unsanitary.
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…15
Nendo would give a nod at Mitsue's answer, a smile broadening on his expression as he let that case close and was soon listening to what Hotaru had to say.. A proverb? "Are you going back on your decision to leave the academy then, or choosing to not accept the job I've given?" Nendo questioned as her saying only caused a knit in the genin's brow. When the shop owner began losing it however… well… Nendo began to laugh. "I am speaking purely from a business perspective… however because it is not a sanctioned mission, there is no fine expected to be paid out." Nendo told the stranger as he listened to Kaneko's stumble and smiled a bit, telling her it was alright to wait outside while the genin moved on after the stranger and Hotaru. Reaching back, Nendo would offer a hand to Mitsue to make sure he could tell if Mitsue was beginning to fall behind the group. "So, tell me about what we're doing here besides mopping.. The dragon there seems scared of your house." Nendo would call out to Yama-jiji with a calm tone of voice while focusing chakra to pulse through his soles and into the area while he walked.. nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him but he was still new to controlling this techinque so he knew that was no guarantee.
COMBAT: Nendo focuses 1722 stamina to turn it into 2000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
As Mitsue follows the others he does get a bit of a chill that causes him to shiver slightly. What was that? Perhaps just a breeze that had found it's way through his cloak. That would make sense. At the offered hand from Nendo, Mitsue smiles slightly before taking it to move down the stairs and further into the basement with a curious aire. So this place had strange things happening huh? Seemed innocent enough. Except…why was stuff moving by itself? That couldn't be right. Using his free hand Mitsue rubs his eyes one at a time as he tries to tell if he's maybe just…seeing things.
COMBAT: Mitsue focuses 1820 stamina to turn it into 2000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Mitsue finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Hotaru defends against with a CHAKRA-SENSITIVITY…28
Hotaru would accept the mop, settling her cane gently to the side as she takes the mop. Obviously, this was possibly the best idea ever! Hotaru would mop-walk around, cleaning as she moved. Talk about Handi-capable! "Heh, I might actually be doing something useful." The basement floor would be well mopped, in a line, as she moved forward with it. As for Nendo, she would simply just look him squarely in the eye. She would let him know without words that she is gathering the determination she needs to push through. It was that, or go to the hidden village her mother was raised in. Where the Black House of the watanabe clan actually presides, Takigakure… Yet, she is sure that she will be able to show Nendo how badly she is determined to pull through. "You'll see, Nendo-sensei. You won't hear. You'll see."
[NPC System]: ??? roll(s) Perception Again from 5 to 45 and get(s) a 37. - Rolled by: Hotaru
So far, all the signs that this is anything other than a house possessed by the ghosts of a dead family escape anyone. Yet, that doesn't stop objects from being pulled around in different directions (Target of Perception). The tunnel Yama leads the group down starts getting even more strange, as odd mold covers the walls. As the group continues on, this mold seems to shift, as an almost visible haze. These mold-stage fungi were poisonous! Touching it is a bad idea, but breathing it might be worse!
Fortunately, aside from spores, everything would be generally okay. It seems like the shifting of objects are guiding the group in some direction. These tunnels that seem to be trailing around are rather abnormal. They look like they were dug out, or even 'eaten' out.
[NPC System]: Wall Mold roll(s) Poisonous Spores on Yama from 5 to 30 and get(s) a 14. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Wall Mold roll(s) Poisonous Spores on Hotaru from 5 to 30 and get(s) a 20. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Wall Mold roll(s) Poisonous Spores on Mitsue from 5 to 30 and get(s) a 11. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Wall Mold roll(s) Poisonous Spores on Nendo from 5 to 30 and get(s) a 9. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Also to note, Kaneko seems to have gotten lost…
COMBAT: Hotaru finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Yama's turn.
COMBAT: Yama attacks target 1 with INTERRUPT with a roll of: 33
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a DETERMINED…35
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a DETERMINED…19
COMBAT: Yama focuses 1005 stamina to turn it into 1200 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Yama finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Nendo's turn.
"It is difficult to tell whether it's business or not. Everyone has been talking about free ramen that I am not able to provide," Yama explained. "But from a business perspective, had I submitted this as a request, then I would have been inclined to give your proper due." At least he knew that much. "What we're doing here, at least from what I know of, is searching for ghosts or investigating these strange happenings," he offered to Nendo. He doesn't appear to be picking up on what's taking place here at all. He's as good as blind to these ghosts, but he does know that something is happening. He did get hit with a flying plate once…
Yama would probably object to mopping in an area that hasn't been properly swept yet or maintained for that matter, but for now, he lets it slide. He's not sure how often Hotaru did work, but at least she's learned from obervation! "What kind of walls are these?!" He called out as he proceeded to endure the mold coming off the walls. With no medium to seep into his skin or body, he'd be alright, but seeing Mitsue in the path he reached out to pull him near and around to guard him from any headed towards him.
GAME: Save complete.
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a SPARK-SHIFT…14
Nendo didn't seem moved by that look and narrowed his eyes at those words. "I'd better… I'll take a lack of seeing anything and a lack of being told your answer as your decision of withdrawl if that is the case. Bear that in mind, Hotaru." Nendo warned as he proceeded ahead and, at the sight of those growing molds and the spores creating a visible cloud along the way, Nendo would have stopped Mitsue from getting involved with the moldy spores though seeing him being pulled into the stranger's embrace had Nendo's left arm twitching. Shuriken dropped into the genin's hand as he watched the stranger for a moment but as the spores began landing on Nendo's clothes and threatening to be breathed in, the genin charged himself with static electricity, sending it out in a steady flow to reject the spores and keep them from growing too close to his form. "If these spore get the students sick, the Tsuchikage most likely will have your head.. I was going to send Mitsue back before you did that, but he seems safe.." Nendo commented as he looked around the area in hopes of finding somewhere that marked the end of those dense spore covered walls.
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
Kaneko has reconnected.
Mitsue hadn't even noticed the spores until they were nearly on top of him! But before he can try and find some kind of escape he instead finds himself all wrapped up by someone and protected. It was enough to cause him to duck his head a bit. He wasn't exactly used to a relative stranger going out of their way to protect him. ~I'll be okay Nendo,~ he says, again to Nendo alone for the moment. ~And don't be so hard on Hotaru. She is young and she is trying.~ Ducking around Yama Mitsue would reach for Nendo's hand to tug him gently forward once again so that they could continue down the path.
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue defends against with a PERCEPTION…11
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Hotaru defends against with a CLONE-TECHNIQUE…12
RPCOMBAT: Hotaru took 200 damage.
Hotaru was going to test the waters a little, by creating a clone and skulking off, but alas… The spore cloud does hit her, causing her to cough. The spores do burn like acid, making it hard to breathe. So much for being cautious. "Ah!? What is this? It… It's *Cough* *Cough*" She would simply break down in a fit of coughing from this point on, which certainly wasn't showing Nendo how far she has come. Other than showing a bit of grit, and carrying on regardless of the pain. She doesn't even complain after she was done coughing! She grits her teeth and bares the pain, as she continues to walk forward with the mop. "We're not going to let something like this stop us! *Erk* *Cough*"
[NPC System]: ??? roll(s) Perception Again, but at this point why bother? from 5 to 30 and get(s) a 21. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Now it was clear that there were dangerous elements within the cave. Continuing on would reveal a rather open area. This doesn't look like a haunted house anymore. It's starting to look like an underground jungle. There was mycelium lining the walls and ceiling, and mushrooms were poking out of the rock just about everywhere. It was a culinary dream, or nightmare. Either way, it seems that the general spooky scary ghost activities have stopped…
COMBAT: Hotaru finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Yama's turn.
RP: Mitsue joins the roleplay.
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a PERCEPTION…19
COMBAT: Yama finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Kaneko's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Kaneko defends against with a PERCEPTION…14
COMBAT: Kaneko finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Nendo's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a TREMOR-SENSE…25
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue defends against with a PERCEPTION…15
COMBAT: Mitsue finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
"If I find the one who sold me this house, he will be forced to pay me back! This place should not have been sold, it should have been condemned!" Yama shouted as he thought about the money sunk into this place. Turns out he did get played for being the foreigner, but he's about to return that favor real soon. "We shouldn't let something like this stop us, but we should also take precautions. If you have anything to cover your eyes and mouth, I suggest you use it," he stated, remembering the rag he'd used the other day. Pulling it from its resting place, he began to tie it around his face to give him a bit more protection. He's not entirely sure with what's being worked with here, but he doesn't want to keep himself continuously exposed.
"There must be a watersource nearby if this can be produced down here, either that or something much, much worse," he spoke, voice muffled by his makeshift protection.
Kaneko huffs lightly as she tries to get back to everyone. She hadn't really gotten lost, just stumbled a lot of times because she couldn't see all the potholes that seemed to just love appearing in front of her. It meant that she was so far back that she wasn't affected by the spores, at least. But it also meant she was traveling blind. "Dang it!" she curses yet again as she trips, scraping her knee on a particularly sharp rock. "Next time I'm bringing a lantern," she mutters, getting up and trying to find her friends.
Nendo listened to what Hotaru had to say before he'd move forward in the group to begin tying a cloth from his pouch around her face so her nose and mouth at least had some protection from the toxic spores. "You're being reckless, Hotaru. Carelessness costs lives in the field." Nendo explained as he maintained the static charge keeping spores from his own lungs. When done with Hotaru, Nendo would turn about to offer Mitsue his other cloth to be used in the same manner as Yama-jiji had used one of his own. "Be mindful, if she grows too ill from inhaling those spores I'll be taking all of the students from here. A little adventure is good but I'll not let it endanger their lives." Nendo explained to the stranger as he started to step behind the group again.
A slight twitch of the genin's brow as the tremors told the genin someone else was about and Nendo began moving toward the center of the room where a well stood long since forgotten. Forming hand seals calmly as he approached, Nendo would quietly gather up earth onto his hands before reaching over the edge of the well to fire off the hollow earth bullets at the source of the vibrations down inside the well. "What do we have here…?" The genin would question with a slight rise of a brow as he tried peering down into the depths of that well to see rather than feel his target..
COMBAT: Hotaru finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Yama's turn.
COMBAT: Yama finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Kaneko's turn.
COMBAT: Kaneko finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Nendo's turn.
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 22
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 14
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
Mitsue looks around at the spores in the air before he sees Nendo holding out a cloth. He offers a smile to the older teen before taking the offered cloth and tying it around his nose and mouth. A voice comes from seemingly nowhere then. ~I am sure the Village records will say who sold you this building and you can seek compensation,~ the boy says for all. However, that's not the only thing he has to say. It's just that, with his genjutsu, he can speak privately to a person or persons…and this time he speaks to Hotaru. ~Don't try so hard Hotaru-chan. You don't need to prove yourself to be a Student. You just need to have conviction and want to better yourself.~ And then Nendo is wandering off and Mitsue follows after quickly to see what's going on. When Nendo looks down into the well Mitsue's head peeks over as well, a little worriedly…
COMBAT: Mitsue focuses 1336 stamina to turn it into 1500 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Mitsue finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
Hotaru would notice the lines of chakra as a feeling, rather than visibly seeing them. She was having some issues focusing while she was trying to get the spores out of her lungs. She leans on her mop as she watches Nendo go and pellet the well with rocks! "Y-yeah! You show those ghosts Nendo-sensei!" She would say as right beside her, Yama would talk about wringing the neck of the man who sold him the house. He was justified, honestly. By the way, she actually hadn't seen Kaneko for a while. Hotaru would look around and notice her friend missing. "Ah, Kaneko! It's… kind of dark, are you still here? Oh no… T-the ghosts got her." Though she does hear a dangit… Now… About the well…
[NPC System]: Trapped Girl roll(s) Dodge vs Hollow Earth Bullet(14) from 10 to 30 and get(s) a 26. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Trapped Girl roll(s) Dodge vs Hollow Earth Bullet(22) from 10 to 30 and get(s) a 11. - Rolled by: Hotaru
"I have no problem with that," Yama replies to Nendo. "I didn't know this place was even down here. They discovered the hatch and sought to see where it led. I suppose it is related to the events that took place in this house," he shrugged to himself. "But I would not place anyone in unnecessary danger." He approached where Nendo was standing, not seeing what he was attempting to see. "And thank you," Yama offered a thumbs up to Mitsue. "Hopefully, I will be able to resolve this issue soon." At the mention of Kaneko, Yama realized they were short her for a while now. "Should I go back and get her?"
Nendo fires his bullets down into the dark well, the first round would splash against the running current below. The second? It hits someone, the voice of a small girl who was already emaciated to a point. "N-no… Don't hurt me! I… I just want to leave… P-please…" The young girl might not be identified right now, but sitting at the bottom of a well was a starving and already wounded girl who now had a few more bruises. "Please, no more… Y-you're not -him- are you? T-then he's found me… I-I'm going to die! I'm going to die!!" This was the daughter of the family that had been 'killed' off a month ago. The girl was emaciated, likely, but at least had plenty of water and maybe some mushrooms to munch on. "Help me… Help me… Help me…" The girl would repeat to herself.
"He's coming. The man who made the mushrooms. He's coming."
Oh yes, you could hear it. Perhaps someone might piece it together. The haunted house? The throwing? All of that was simply a young girl, trapped in a well after having escaped the vices of the individual who killed her mother and father. She had spent a long time down here, using the jutsu that she was taught by her parents whom were merchants from the land of wind. This was her only chance to live. She desperately tried to get anyone's attention, leading them to the hatch if she could, and it was all taken as the house being haunted. The brown haired girl below had unassuming black eyes, wearing the shreds of a dress clinging to her body with water rushing over her. She was young, and she had multiple scars from the healing she had done already.
As far as what was being heard, it was clear and loud footsteps. Out from one of the nearby caves was an individual with pale skin, and black eyes himself. He was wearing some sort of boonie-like hat, with a long coat upon his person as well as an orange shirt and black pants. "Dooomo Arigatou." The man said in a rather calm voice. "Thought I heard that kid's voice. Where are you… where…" Then the man notices Yama and the others. "Oh. Welcome to my abode! I needed more flesh to grow the next generation… Names? You have names right?"
Nendo's eyes narrowed slightly as he again began forming hand seals while listening to the girl. Moving about furniture and then screaming for help when found… The one in the well most likely wasn't used to pain. The girl had quite the imagination however… trying to place the blame for the spores on others no doubt. Still, perhaps she wasn't full of lies as the predicted other stranger made an appearance and seemed to be looking for the young girl. "I don't much like strangers, and this area is not one I'd like to linger in." Nendo explained as he gathered up his chakra to prepare for whatever this new stranger had in mind. "Mitsue, stand behind that Yama-jiji person. Hotaru, stay by the well and provide back-up as needed." Nendo would call out in a calm tone of voice while looking the stranger over.
"You do not look like a native to Iwagakure… State your name and business within the walls of our village, as well as your reason for placing the fungus along the pathway coming here." The genin would call out, his eyes narrowing slightly as he waited patiently, listening closely for the man's answer so that it could solve two parts of the genin's curiosity. Either way, there were far too many strangers in this exploration for Nendo's liking.
COMBAT: Nendo focuses 2568 stamina to turn it into 3000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
Mitsue stares down the well at the girl, looking immediately for something to throw down that she could possible climb up. But…nothing is found in time before the mysterious stranger appears. Mitsue looks at the man, then to Nendo, then to Yama. He…had to help, but he knew he couldn't take much. He was still recovering as it was. So he does slowly retreat behind Yama, never turning away from the stranger as he moves. Instead, when he's behind Yama he makes quick hand seals to let the man start to see a scary figure in black nearby…
COMBAT: Mitsue attacks target 1 with ASSISTANT-INTIMIDATION with a roll of: 18
COMBAT: Mitsue finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
COMBAT: Hotaru focuses 1825 stamina to turn it into 2000 usable chakra!
Hotaru would gather her energy as she realizes that the enemy ahead is serious business. "K-kaneko, are you there? …Just don't use my greatest technique, and my friend won't be heart." Despite Nendo's orders, this room could use a bit of flame to light it up, but she hesitates. That might hurt the effort a little.
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Chakra Pinch vs Mitsue(18) from 15 to 40 and get(s) a 20. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Hotaru would gather her energy as she realizes that the enemy ahead is serious business. "K-kaneko, are you there? …Just don't use my greatest technique, and my friends won't be hurt." Despite Nendo's orders, this room could use a bit of flame to light it up, but she hesitates. That might hurt the effort a little.
"You're correct…" He tell Nendo. "I'm not a native. Then again, my clan isn't really native anymore, thanks to the Okumo. Let me introduce myself. I am Nobu of the Kinokochi clan. We are an old clan hailing from the land of water, who was forced out by the Okumo because our clan's ability is particularly… Hmm… Let me think of the word… Effective against them? Heh, you're just unlearned kids who don't know what a Kinokochi or an Okumo is, but let me demonstrate what I'm talking about." He holds up a handseal, looking at Hotaru, whom was affected by his spores earlier. "Fungal Style: Cordyceps Genjutsu Technique"
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Cordyceps Genjutsu Technique on Hotaru from 35 to 50 and get(s) a 43. - Rolled by: Hotaru
"Watch, as she becomes a slave to my technique." The individual would say, using the only person to inhale his spores as an example of his clan's prowess… Hotaru's eyes would sort of glaze over, as she would suddenly fight the extreme urge to actually hurt her friends. All the while, this clearly dangerous shinobi would walk forward, towards Nendo, before looking down the well -right- in front of him. "You're a really good hider, scamp. I think I might just apprentice you instead. You guys however are scare out of luck." He raises another handseal, and suddenly all of the fungi in the room would start pumping out a nasty spore concoction. "By the way, it's my house now." He'd tell Yama.
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) AOE Poisonous Spore Technique on All from 15 to 30 and get(s) a 24. - Rolled by: Hotaru
COMBAT: Hotaru finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Kaneko's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Kaneko defends against with a DODGE…20
RPCOMBAT: Kaneko took 200 damage.
Kaneko blinks. She wasn't expecting for there to be spores all over the air, and she can't even dodge it! The girl holds a cloth over her mouth, trying to filter it a bit, but she still inhaled some of it. She remains in her hiding spot, though, holding back coughs as best she can. She can't cough now! He might not know about her presence!
COMBAT: Kaneko finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Nendo's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Nendo defends against with a SPARK-SHIFT…15
RPCOMBAT: Nendo took 200 damage.
Nendo didn't really care much at all about the man's life story. The fact he was a foreigner was enough for the genin to know that he was an enemy of the village. If that weren't enough, the technique used on Hotaru was enough to have Nendo shaking his hands to loosen the muscles. "So you're telling me you were effective against a bunch of spiders, so effective in fact, they kicked your butts to prove you're full of fright.. Did I get all of that?" Nendo would antagonize before the genin was working through seals quickly. When the man used a single seal to enact another jutsu, Nendo wasn't ready for it and though he charged himself, he'd already breathed in the fungus and coughed hoarsely before forming more hand seals and baring his teeth. "Keep your filth to yourself you disgusting parasite!" The genin would bark out as once again he began forming seals with his hands.
"Just because you got kicked out by some little bugs doesn't mean you should go running like a coward and hiding in the basement of another's home. You'll just get kicked out of this village for trying to call such little parlor tricks a style.." Nendo advised despite the mild pain that came from the fungus. Once enough earth was gathered to his hands, the genin would fire off his gathered earth at the hands of that invading stranger.
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 16
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 21
COMBAT: Nendo attacks target 1 with HOLLOW-EARTH-BULLETS with a roll of: 14
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue defends against with a CLONE-TECHNIQUE…11
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue defends against with a CLONE-MIRAGE…31
RPCOMBAT: Mitsue took 200 damage.
Kyousuke has reconnected.
Mitsue can only watch and listen for the moment as the others speak. He turns his attention again to try and find something to throw down the well for the girl to climb up, or for someone to pull her up, but his attention shifting from the man turns out to be not good. The boy breathes in spores that somehow sneak under the cloth he'd covered himself with and he starts to cough, which just causes more pain as his still healing rib really is not pleased with said cough. Well damn! Violet eyes stare from underneath the hood of his cloak as he glares at the man before trying to push his genjutsu on him again. He still can't do much, and he feels fairly powerless, but he can at least try…
COMBAT: Mitsue attacks target 1 with ASSISTANT-INTIMIDATION with a roll of: 18
COMBAT: Mitsue attacks target 1 with ASSISTANT-INTIMIDATION with a roll of: 26
COMBAT: Mitsue finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Yama's turn.
RPCOMBAT: Yama defends against with a ENDURE…21
RPCOMBAT: Yama took 150 damage.
RP: Kaneko leaves the roleplay.
Yama took a few steps back as the man stepped out of nowhere and approached. This guy was making a fungus farm using people? In his house?! He placed his hands together and gripped them tightly. This guy was the one responsible for all these problems and Yama intended to wreck him for it. "Don't make us out to be fools!" He shouted. "And this is /my/ house!" He paid for it and he's about to get it back. With that in mind, he made his way toward the man, completely ignoring his danger in order to launch an attack at him. Certainly, he'd be taking some damage for it, but he decided throwing out some damage to equal it out would work all the same.
He feels his lungs and body feeling like its being set on fire among other things, but he intends to pulverize this guy and power through it.
COMBAT: Yama attacks target 1 with STEEL-VICE with a roll of: 21
COMBAT: Yama attacks target 1 with SOFT-PAW with a roll of: 29
COMBAT: Yama finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
COMBAT: There are no other attacks directed towards you.
RPCOMBAT: Hotaru defends against with a SELF-INFLICT…9
Hotaru could feel her head spinning, something that she has felt happen with her before from Mitsue, but far stronger. She would pull a Kunai out and try to stab herself, but it failed. She nearly fell over before it went dark for her a moment. She was just sitting in an empty room, feeling nothing.
As sick as it might seem, Hotaru herself was no longer in control of her own body. The young dragon would turn her head to look directly at Nendo, before she suddenly dropped her mop and pulled a Kunai out. There Hotaru was, spaced, legs shaking… And somehow she was approaching Nendo, and… attacking him, while under the illusory affects of a very powerful genjutsu. She would attemp to stab Nendo, not of her own auspices, several times before she collapsed to the floor.
COMBAT: Hotaru attacks Nendo with SHARP with a roll of: 9
COMBAT: Hotaru attacks Nendo with SHARP with a roll of: 7
COMBAT: Hotaru attacks Nendo with SHARP with a roll of: 10
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Chakra Pinch vs Mitsue(18) from 15 to 40 and get(s) a 37. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Chakra Pinch vs Mitsue(26) from 15 to 40 and get(s) a 30. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Mycelial Mayfly Technique vs Nendo(16) from 30 to 50 and get(s) a 43. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Mycelial Mayfly Technique vs Nendo(21) from 30 to 50 and get(s) a 46. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Mycelial Mayfly Technique vs Nendo(14) from 30 to 50 and get(s) a 32. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Block vs Yama(21) from 15 to 30 and get(s) a 23. - Rolled by: Hotaru
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Mycelial Hardening vs Yama(29) from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 25. - Rolled by: Hotaru
COMBAT: Kaneko successfully interrupts attack number 1: SHARP from Hotaru against Nendo with a roll of 22 vs 9.
COMBAT: Kaneko successfully interrupts attack number 1: SHARP from Hotaru against Nendo with a roll of 22 vs 7.
COMBAT: Kaneko successfully interrupts attack number 1: SHARP from Hotaru against Nendo with a roll of 25 vs 10.
How useless was that? Nendo's bullets of stone would whiff in the air, as the clearly powerful ninja of a scattered clan sinks into the floor, before appearing on the other side of the room. "That's true. I'll have to move base soon." He would place a finger on his chin as he pondered where. "All I truly wanted to do was maintain homeostasis, but I'm being pushed to take action. Perhaps Takigakure will be a more suitable place for the purpose of furthering the disease. Ah. Perhaps." Disease? Is he planning on spreading a plague. "I can't move from your precious Iwagakure yet. Not until the jutsu is complete, but I might have to seal this entrance… Not an issue." He's constantly retraining his chakra network to avoid Mitsue's attacks too. "Let's see and…" He honestly shouldn't have ignored Yama, though he heard him. He would raise an arm to intercept the steel-vice technique, seemingly not actually worried about it. "Oh, no, you can have the house. The basement is just m-." The power of the Fierce Beast Tiger Fist style is not to be underestimated. The palm was thrust against the man's shoulder, and bones would crack, and he would even wince. "You're not… your average obnoxious old man are you?" He states. "I'm going to let you all leave here with the girl. You needn't worry. This area is my real estate. I carved it out myself." Now, he would form a handseal. "I'm not insane! I really am not! I'm just making progress! You all have to understand! We're a people divided! I'm just trying to make us whole!" The eccentric shinobi would make a seal, and suddenly the mycelium around the cave ceiling woul react to his chakra.
[NPC System]: Kinokochi Nobu roll(s) Collapsing the Area Soon vs All from (0 to 0) and get(s) a #-1 ARGUMENT MUST BE INTEGER. - Rolled by: Hotaru
Nobu was clearly going to collapse the cavern upon the students, genin, and the hapless bystandard. "You can keep attacking me, or you can try and save the girl's life and escape or you can all die in a tragic accident. Your choice. I hope you pick the interesting option, though. I haven't been entertained in a long time."
COMBAT: Hotaru finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Nendo's turn.
Nendo would narrow his eyes at the man, however the matter of Hotaru was more pressing and when she began to approach, the genin started to raise an arm to block her. However, Kaneko's appearance took care of that matter for the genin and allowed him to tend to the more pressing matter. As annoying as it might be, Nendo listened to what the stranger had to say so he could report to Juudai later.. Seeing Yama-jiji actually land a hit made the genin somewhat jealous and suspicious of the old man, however he'd not spend long on the same level as the group. All too suddenly, Nendo was jumping down into the well and tossing a kunai with a wire into the earth beside the mouth of that well.
In hind sight the genin should probably have thought the idea of jumping into a well through for a bit longer but he didn't have time. If the girl were a problem or a victim could be decided later on, for now all that mattered was making sure that someone was brought in for questioning. "You get to have the help you asked for." Was all Nendo would tell the girl while reaching for her ripped clothing and pulling her up so he could tie the wire around her form, something easy for the others to use when bringing her from the well without wasting time.
COMBAT: Nendo finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Mitsue's turn.
COMBAT: Mitsue finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Yama's turn.
"Coward," Yama spoke to Nobu and his tactics. Sinking the whole area to take everyone out. He talked a big game, but wasn't prepared to back it up. Still, the better option would be to escape out of this place and though the man was compelled to keep attacking, the surviving girl here is the better option at this moment. "He called me an obnoxious old man. I'm not even that old!" He remarked offhandedly. "Anyway, it's best we get out of here. Has the girl been rescued?" He wondered while trying to weigh all the options of what has taken place here. They /do/ have to get out, but he isn't opposed to staying back to make sure everyone does find their way out of here.
Hotaru still needed help… That's right! He couldn't possibly forget and there wasn't much time. He rushed over, intending to collect and hoist her up, still uncertain if she was under control of the spores, but mostly uncaring. He imagined these shinobi could do something about that. "If we're all ready, then it is time to move!"
COMBAT: Yama finishes his turn.
COMBAT: It is now Kaneko's turn.
COMBAT: Kaneko defends against SHARP(9) attack from Hotaru with a BLOCK…8
COMBAT: Kaneko loses the roll and sustains 97 damage.
COMBAT: Kaneko defends against SHARP(7) attack from Hotaru with a BLOCK…13
COMBAT: Kaneko takes 84 partial damage.
COMBAT: Kaneko defends against SHARP(10) attack from Hotaru with a BLOCK…19
COMBAT: Kaneko takes 110 partial damage.
Kaneko is suddenly there, in front of Nendo. Yep! She wasn't going to watch Hotaru attack her friend. "Hotaru-chan!" she yells, taking the three attacks meant for Nendo along her arms. Yeah, this is becoming a pretty common occurence… Sigh! Kaneko winces a bit when she feels the kunai bite into her skin, but she doesn't move. She's grateful Yama picked up Hotaru, as that meant that the girl wouldn't have to suffer anymore cuts. "Ugh… I'm gonna be unable to take a test for a whole week," she grumbles.
COMBAT: Kaneko finishes her turn.
COMBAT: It is now Hotaru's turn.
Hotaru would continue to twitch, limbs moving in strange directions. Her body was fighting the brain-washing spores from her mind as Yama picks the girl up and begins to carry her off. Her glazed eyes would remain for a while as the chakra-infused fungal growths are naturally filtered from her body. What a terrible jutsu, to make friends turn on each other.
Nobu had simply watched as everyone quickly pulled off, ignoring him to save Hotaru and the girl inside the well. "… I've been discovered. They'll return with stronger ninja eventually. I'm not worried about the Kamizuru. They haven't adapted like the Okumo have." He muses, as the rocks begin to fall. "That will change soon! Oh yes. It will" This disease he was creating, it might not be for Iwagakure but he is clearly their problem right now. This insane remnant of a scattered clan is responsible for many disappearances in Iwagakure as of late. Eventually, a rock would fall upon him, crushing the mumbling jounin-level individual. His smashed body would slowly turn into a mushy mass of mycelium as it becomes clear that the people in the room was fighting some advanced clone of some sort.
The girl Nendo saves would be very grateful, though very weak and injured. She is technically the actual owner of Yama's house, so she likely would be staying a while. "Y-you've got to… be careful… He's dangerous. I… I overheard him talking about something really important." She would whisper into the Genin's ear. Nendo and the girl would likely be the last ones to exit before the caverns collapsed completely…
Yama had his house finally, at least. It was shaping up, at the very least. Now there wouldn't be any ghosts haunting the house. No more flying plates. No more randomly spilling bowls of ramen. It'd only be a while before Yama's Noodle Shop was open to the whole of Iwagakure!
