Starring:
Date: May 1, 2015
Summary:
A traitor of Kumogakure has been tracked into the depths of the mountain, and a small team of Kumo-kunoichi have been sent to take her down.
"The Usual Suspects - Snake in the Mountain"
Land of Lightning
37 criminals had escaped from the Land of Lightning's prison. Now, only a few are left. The ones who have escaped capture thus far have either been knocked completely off the grid, are amazingly stealthy, or they just haven't been causing trouble until it is clear. The target today? She was to be hunted down by Iwata Michiko and Shirokiri Rise. The woman was known for being adopted by the Hebisuuhai clan for her 'special' relationship with snakes. Somehow, she was able to tame many of them at a young age, and Kumo's secretive clan decided to take her in.
The tracks left were obvious on the who, but not the 'why'. Why did the target, Hebisuuhai Kana, allow herself to be tracked? She likely had some tricks up her sleeve… Which was why Michiko wanted to approach this with both caution and a strong force. Kana was tracked down to the middle of the mountains, and Michiko and Rise were currently standing just fifty yards away from a cavern that held their target… At least, where they thought the Hebisuuhai was.
"I don't mind if she dies… Her attempt to kill the Clan Head of the Hebisuuhai held only a light punishment (imprisonment). This is her second chance… If she doesn't comply…" Michiko pauses there, assuming Rise knows where her thoughts are going. Chakra begins to flow through Michiko's body as she readies herself for a confrontation.
"Then will act accordingly." Although it needed not be said, Rise chose nevertheless to reaffirm their conviction aloud over leaving any room for assumption. Absently, the Shirokiri mirrored the actions of her partner. Her chakra levels would not reach the same point as her comrade, but a great deal more than usual for the petite woman had been gathered up in anticipation.
"Shall I proceed first, Michiko-sama, or do you wish to first try and smoke her out?" Rise asks calmly, casting her leader a sidelong glance.
"Hmm… There's movement, but…" Michiko takes a breath, considering her options. She had no true smokescreen to use, unless she used her fire in an unconventional way. She did, though, have earth manipulation under her belt. And it is with that she decides to start quaking the ground to make it seem like an earthquake. What she was truly doing was making small explosions that she uses for dirt bomb, which sends tremors through the cavern, while she loosens some of the earth overhead to make stalactites fall. This would, hopefully, draw someone out into the open. "Be ready, Rise-san. She's supposed to be strong."
Rise narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brows at the answer, but restrained herself from questioning the younger girl further. Something about the way Michiko moved warned her away from acting so impulsively. Soon enough, she discovers her answer in the form of the cavern make a great deal of sounds. Where there should have been a smile at the thought of a trap coming undone, the woman remained as expressionless as ever. The closest thing that came to a feeling from Rise is a sense of readiness that grew more pronounced after Michiko spoke up again.
Her sole hand inched its way towards her combat knife until the finger tips hovered over the handle. She might've griped it before long, but instead she turned a large portion of her attention briefly inward. Mix-matched eyes took on and to a degree afterwards held a half-sleep quality to them. However, her mental focus was anything but relaxed.
RP: Rise transforms into MEDITATIVE-FOCUS.
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Underground Snake Strike vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 51. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Michiko defends against with a FIRE-DODGE…45
RPCOMBAT: Michiko took 300 damage.
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with FIREBOLT with a roll of: 46
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with FIREBOLT with a roll of: 44
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with FIREBOLT with a roll of: 49
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Snake Tail Block vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 39. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Snake Tail Block vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Snake Tail Block vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
The shaking continued on as Michiko continued to attack the cavern, forcing their target out of hiding… And suddenly, the ground would shake, and a large snake would emerge from the ground right beneath Michiko and Rise's feet. A loud hissing noise came from it, and there was a figure that was riding on its head…
Michiko wasn't fast enough to avoid the attack, but she was able to react quickly, three bolts of fire sent at the figure for the attack. As she moves, the girl double checks that no others are around. Of course, Kana could always summon more snakes, but they could hopefully tell when that happens. "Hebisuuhai Mana, you are under arrest for escaping your imprisonment before your time was done," she calls up to the woman.
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Underground Snake Strike vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 40. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a LEAF-SWIFT-EVASION…37
RPCOMBAT: Rise took 300 damage.
Rise felt the trembling and the earth and started to leap away from original spot. One moment of hesitation however resulted in the girl being thrown onto her back from the rising snake hard, eliciting a pained grunt. The moment the air returns to her lungs, Rise rolls back onto her feet and again readiers herself to grab the knife holstered at her side. Despite seeing the firebolts fly, the Shirokiri hesitated again, though this time from Michiko's command. 'Attack first.. demand surrender afterwards?' She regarded the Iwata from the corner of her eyes, uncertain and confused by the looks of her.
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Hissing Voice (Genjutsu) vs All from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
Michiko watches as the snake blocks most of the attacks. That was what she wanted, too. The girl didn't want to face off against both snake and Kana, especially considering both were strong. The fire burns a part of the snake's tail despite the scales that cover it, making it hiss in pain. The woman atop the snake's head considers Michiko for a bit, shaking her head. Then a voice reverberates through the two's minds. ~You're not welcome here… And we will not come with you… Even if you had not attacked, we value our freedom too much…~
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a GENJUTSU-KAI…43
She can no more ignore the lure of instinct than she could resist its attempt to have her act in a moment of paranoia. Fortunately, her efforts to try and halt the flow of chakra within prove easier said than done. Rise chided herself for having acted, but even moreso for having failed in the endeavour. 'If I survive this…' She thought grimly, eyes narrowing as she regarded Kana and her companion. "If that is the truth, Kana-san, then why did you leave such an easy trail to follow? While your abilities and power are to be respected, surely you had to know someone would be after you." Rise dared to step forward. "For that matter, why did you attempt to kill the head of your clan?"
~Hmm? Why? That wassss… ssso long ago… I suppose it was to prove mysssself, if you want a pretty reassson. But in truth… I hated our leader. He wassss too compliant with Kumogakure,~ Mana's voice would hiss. The snake weaves back and forth in its spot, waiting for the signal to attack. ~Assss… for the trail… Well, I wanted to sssssend a messssage to Kumogakure… Though they don't sssseem to want to lissssssten.~ And with that, the woman indicates for the large snake-summon to attack. It opens its mouth, and poison senbon come spewing out at the two Kumo kunoichi.
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Poisoned Senbon vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 59. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Poisoned Senbon vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 40. - Rolled by: Michiko
RP: Michiko transforms into SIZZLE-I.
RPCOMBAT: Michiko defends against with a EARTH-DOME…69
Michiko's chakra flares up around her, and she quickly creates a dome of earth that surrounds both herself and Rise. While under the cover of the earth, she instructs, "Rise-san… Work on the snake while I try and take down Kana-san… We can't let her get away. She's been known for earthen jutsu as well as snake summons, so be on your guard. I'll let this dome down in three… two… one… Now!" When she says 'now', the dome sinks back into the ground, and Michiko sends three more bolts of fire at Kana.
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with FIREBOLT with a roll of: 43
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with FIREBOLT with a roll of: 32
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with FIREBOLT with a roll of: 41
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Crumble vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 46. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Crumble vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 50. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Crumble vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 42. - Rolled by: Michiko
Rise listened, but both body and mind were not simply idle. Subtle hand signs were weaved behind her back in anticipation of further betrayal once Kana spoke of her reasons for the assault. She almost triggers the technique when Kana begins her assault, but rising dome of earth blocked her line of sight, startling her for a moment. She turns to Michiko's brows furrowed until the explination is given.
"… Hai." No more, no less. Her limitations were clear enough to her from there last spar. With that out of the way, Rise girded herself to begin her charge. Then it hits her. Again, the chakra is built and seals form so that the moment her eyes caught sight of Kana, the illusion would hopefully distort her vision long enough to approach the snake without it being given a smart command. If nothing else, the act would test a theory about the duo.
Once within a few feet of the snake, one powerful leap is made to carry Rise the rest of the way and slam her leg heavily into its raised neck.
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a VISUAL-DISTORTION…52
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 1 with PHYSICAL-III with a roll of: 44
[NPC System]: Poioson Mouth roll(s) Tail Block vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 57. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Mud Bullet vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 36. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Mud Bullet vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 47. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Mud Bullet vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 38. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Michiko defends against with a EARTH-BARRIER…41
RPCOMBAT: Michiko defends against with a EARTH-BARRIER…40
RPCOMBAT: Michiko defends against with a EARTH-BARRIER…39
RPCOMBAT: Michiko took 400 damage.
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with MUSCLE-RELAXATION-TECHNIQUE with a roll of: 58
[NPC System]: Kana roll(s) Earth Barrier vs Michiko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with METAL-BINDING with a roll of: 46
Michiko's firebolts go through nothing, the few bits of earth revealing that Kana had replaced herself with dirt to avoid the attacks. Michiko tsks softly, annoyed that she had missed. It seemed she might have to resort to better attacks… Michiko would find herself facing off against a barrage of muddy bullets, then, all of them aiming for her head and upper body. A few of them land before Michiko has the sense to erect a barrier of earth, blocking the rest of the barrage.
Without missing a beat, Michiko moves quickly, pausing just in front of Kana to strike at muscles that would make her feel exhausted and unable to move. Should that succeed, binds of metal would snake up her legs all the more easy, meaning Michiko could better deal with the traitorous Hebisuuhai. If the attacks to the muscles did not succeed, Michiko would still attempt to attack with metal ropes, but those would shoot from her arms from an unknown source of metal.
Rise's attack would be blocked once more by the thick snake tail, and then the small Shirokiri would be struck down by the snake's tail. The amount of force behind the tail, combined with the swiftness of the large serpent that belied its size, would make it a deadly attack for something so simple.
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Tail Slap vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 56. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Tail Slap vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 56. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Tail Slap vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 58. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a DEFLECT-II…42
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a ACROBATIC-DODGE-II…41
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a STRIKE-CANCELLING…60
RPCOMBAT: Rise took 600 damage.
RP: Rise transforms into GATE-OF-HEALING.
COMBAT: Rise heals rise for 658 with LESSER REGENERATION.
Despite meeting resistance, Rise still pressed her attack until the snake fully repelled her. From then on she is smacked into mountain wall, and nearly knocked off its side trying to avoid a second strike. The second it tried to complete the task, a change all but takes over Rise. Her palm met the tail again, but only this time, whatever weight and momentum it through behind into the strike failed to move her even a inch. The displaced air did ruffle her clothing and hair. The former inevitably settles into place, shielding her eyes as she murmured, "Gate of Opening… Gate of Healing… Release."
Thoughtlessly, Rise gently shoved aside the tail should it not have already moved, and rose fully to her feet. "You have my full attention, Hebi-san." She states tonelessly. And yet, on some subtle level there existed an edge to her words, slashing whatever doubts the snake might have in her threat being idle. Rise moved onwards, blissfully unaware of the rapidly healing bruises at the moment, but then the rush of power eclipsed whatever pain should have been felt.
COMBAT: Michiko attacks target 1 with METAL-SPIKE with a roll of: 45
Kana wasn't expecting Michiko to come in so suddenly. The woman scrambled back, but was unable to erect a barrier in time to block the strikes that made her stop moving. She struggles, but the bindings are comparatively strong, especially in her current weakened state. The woman grumbles, but her frustration doesn't last for long as Michiko embeds a metal spike through her heart, killing the woman quickly.
The snake doesn't let up on its attacks, even though its summoner died. Perhaps it was more than a summon? Regardless, the snake tries to bite Rise, its fangs laced with a deadly poison that would likely be very painful if it entered her system.
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Poisoned Bite vs Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 60. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise counters with SKYSCRAPER…68
[NPC System]: Poison Mouth roll(s) Slithering Dodge vs Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 55. - Rolled by: Michiko
Death charged at her mercilessly, promising a painful end to her long journey. Rise does not flinch for even a moment. When her stride is inevitably broken, the snake can only be proudful of having managed the feat before being delivered a solid, boulder shattering punch to the top of its head as the woman sailed over it. Regardless of whether or not the creature survived the blow and was simply dazed, its punishment does not end there. Rise quickly made her way back earth, buried her nails deep into the nearest piece of scaled hide and tender flesh beneath, and without hesitation or remorse, she whipped the overly large creature overhead. A large chunk of the cliffside is destroyed from the impact alone. Before the rest of the ground truly gave way beneath her feet, Rise leaped away, leaving the creature to fall; presumeably to its death.
Heterochromatic eyes watched the event for as long as the creature remained in sight, panting heavily from the extreme exertion. "Michiko… -sama… Did you.. succeed?" She asks inbetween breaths, blisfully ignorant of the scent of blood. At the time, she did not dare look away from her falling prey.
The snake blinked, hissing in surprise when it's caught. /Caught/. The hissing ceases almost immediately when the Shirokiri ends up punching the top of its head, crushing its skull. The large summon is already dead before Rise throws it off the cliff, body landing and making a large crater on the mountainside below. Good thing there wasn't any nearby small villages, or that could've been bad…
Michiko lets herself relax now that it seems both enemies were taken care of. It was likely the cockiness of their enemies, as well as a bit of luck, that had allowed the duo to take them down easily. Michiko lets her chakra die down, leaving enough so that she can heal herself and Rise. "Hai. Let's go back to the village. We're bringing Kana-san back to the village… Do you mind carrying her?" Well… It. The body was no longer a container of life.
