Of Utmost Importance [Travel/Training/Open]

[Jimarai Kotetsu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Critical Correspondence
Rank: B
IIC Length: N/A
Difficulty: Moderate-Dangerous
Objective: Deliver the message to Gosei Kazeraikou and him alone.
Description:
The Tsuchikage needs the Leaf Village’s help with a dangerous mission involving the future of Iwagakure. He is requesting assistance in fighting the supporters of the previous regime and asking for a detail of strong Leaf shinobi to back up his own forces. Unable to trust this task to anyone, this mission is a solo mission with a single Bear ANBU acting as envoy. The message states the following:
Lord Hokage of Konohagakure
I am Hiroji Uchiha, the new Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. I write to you asking for assistance dealing with the forces of the previous government whom still support the missing Godric as their one true leader. The Stone Village is unable to move forward if this desperate clinging to the previous Tsuchikage remains as such I have decided to take extreme measures to quell this uprising. I have brokered a deal with the old regime to search for the missing Godric with their strongest shinobi and my own platoon of ANBU operatives starting in the Land of Fire however this is a lie. I plan to ambush and destroy the shinobi, effectively taking out their main Jounin in one fell swoop.
To this end I am requesting your assistance. I ask that you stay true to the alliance between our nations and support my units as the true government of the Stone Village. I ask that your send an ensemble of strong fighters to assist in the assassination of these turncoats so that I may employ my rightful rule over the village and see to its progress.
Regards,
Hiroji Uchiha

Restrictions: N/A
Reward: 22,500 Ryo

{ENTER}

Departing the village gates, Jimarai would move with purpose. Having just visited the shop prior to his departure he had his Grey ANBU Tactical Jacket on (with the sealed envelope inside), his new gauntlets over his black trousers, greaves and his black cloak with the hood up around his head, the sleeves coming down to his wrists, where his fingerless gloves began. To a passerby he would just be another ANBU on a mission, though they would know he hailed from Iwagakure due to his mask. He could feel his Wakizashi clicking against his back and under the cloak. Slightly uncomfortable, though bearable. His butt bag had all of the usual equipment inside, ranging from a number of kunai (x9), explosive tags (x12) and 50ft of wire. And of course his wits - he could never discount those.

Making his way through the sparse hilly surrounds his goal was to make it to the river where he could sail south on a passing barge or fishing vessel. It would take him into the Land of Fire, through the Land of Grass, and he would be able to reach the Land of Fire's capital from there. The plan was to reach Konoha and deliver the message with time critical importance, and the river was the fastest way to do that, despite not knowing the location of the village.

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Travelling for half a day, Jimarai would go to scratch his beard through his mask before realising a) he no longer had a beard, and b) he had a mask over his face now. Deciding to change his appearance and identity upon joining the ANBU he felt he would be less high profile, and also did away with his signature pony tail hair, opting for a short cut on the back and sides, with some length at the front.

He had been gone from the village for several years, but he had been the Godaime Tsuchikage himself before stepping down to Sairo Zassou. To be an ANBU he had to be of the shadows, and to do that, he needed people to forget about him, or at the very least change his appearance so no one recognised him. He had a plan as well for his identity. This mission was relatively dangerous, once it kicked into full swing at least, in taking out the rebel Jounins and Godric Supporters. Whats to say the Godaime didn't go to help, but was tragically killed defending the village. Then Jimarai would be free to protect the village from the shadows - doing the Tsuchikage's Will.

He would need a new name as well. Something short, and to the point. He was an ANBU Bear, but something like Shield seemed cliche. Walking, he looked under a tree to see a donkey laying in the shade. Shade ... Shadow ... Yami ("Darkness"). Yami would do well.

Jimarai would muse as he walked towards the river, Hiroji Uchiha ... An interesting fellow to say the least. He is a few years younger than I am, though I was only his age when the job was thrust upon me as well. He will do well. He is decisive, unlike some Kage's I have worked under ... even myself on at least one occasion ... Two tomoe though, perculiar. He can't be much more powerful in Genjutsu than myself then - But alas, I should not compare myself to his abilities or lack there of - he was chosen for a reason.

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Reaching a small village that bordered the river, Jim would approach, analysing the situation. Farmers, peasants, no one that could do him great harm. Approaching the weir he would stand next to a fisherman before crouching down next to him.

"I require transport downstream. Land of Fire. Do you know when I can next travel downstream?"

The man would look up from his rod, dangling between his legs and jump a bit, as though startled. A large man in a black cloak, hood pulled up and porcelain mask on? That'll do that to you Jimarai quickly learned.

He calmed though when he realised he was in no danger. "Daily barge goes down through Kusa to Fire, ye be sure. Leaves about 6am. You missed it by ... ooooh ... 10 hours I'd say."

Patting the man on the back he would nod and stand, turning his back to him. He would make up a light camp back towards the treeline. He didn't need to inconvienance anyone in the village with accomodation - he would also rather slip through with as few people knowing he was there as possible.

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Setting up camp in a clearing not too far from the town, he would look to the sky and remove his new mask, basking in the late afternoon sun. Stretching, he would then take off his hot black cloak and put it on the log next to him with his mask. His appearance had certainly changed, though anyone who truly knew him would find some resemblance in those green eyes he bore.

Cracking his knuckles he decided to pass some time by training.

[Jimarai Kotetsu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Curb Stomp No Jutsu
Rank: D
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: The user shapes a curb like you would see in city streets, about two feet long. This can be used however the user wishes.
Special: "Hand Seals"
Drawback: N/A
Description: The user calls upon earth release to from a solid rock curb from existing dirt and debris. The user must form the seals and place one hand on the ground, the curb then rises at about 8 inches tall and with a rounded corner. Then the top goes on for about six more inches. The curb is clay brown and a barely recognizable stamp that marks it as Iwa city property is present. The length is two feet.
Limit: Must have Earth Release.

0/10

Badass is curb stomping your opponents. However out in the wilds, there are no curbs to stomp those opponents. Time to learn some fundamental, badass, city building skills.

Forming some seals Jimarai would hold the final one and channel his chakra into the earth through his feet. The dirt and stone shards before him would harden easily, through his practice with the Earth Style Jutsus, though the tricky part was always shape manipulation. The ground would slip, causing a mini 'cliff' before him, 8 inches tall, and he would close his eyes, imagining one of the many curbs around his birth city. Upon opening his eyes, Jimarai would see a clay coloured mess before him. Sure, it was sturdy, but it was no curb. It was jagged, and structurally weak due to how it rose from the ground. Shaking his head, he would try again.

Forming the seals again, his chakra would easily meld with the mess before him and sink back into the earth to be strengthened and reshaped. Rising again, slowly, a 2 foot length curb would be erected before his eyes, similarly to how it did previously, with a ground "slip" forming the curb itself. It rounded on the edges to make it more durable, though the curb itself was sunken in the middle, as though well trodden and worn over a hundred years of use. Imitating a kick, as though kicking someone's head against it, he was satisfied - somewhat - that it was still a badass use of his time to learn this technique.

But not good enough. Thinking for a moment on it's practical applications Jimarai supposed it could probably used to trip up an opponent that was running towards him. How often did you check your footing the closer you drew towards your enemy anyway? Something to mull over at least and potentially try later.

Forming the seals once more, the curb before him would sink back into the earth, as though water pouring through a grate. The earth would harden beneath him again, drawing the minerals from about his feet. It would rise with speed, rounded, 2 feet long, 8 inches high, and would maintain it's height for another six inches before petering off back to the level ground height.

Focusing he would make a small, barely recognisable depression in the top of the curb with the Iwagakure Village symbol. Smiling, Jim would turn his back on it before an idea struck him. He needed to make camp anyway ... might as well make a contained fire pit.

Practicing once more, Jim would form the seals and 2 feet opposite the original curb, he would raise another from the ground with the same practice as before, emblazening it with the village crest. Twice more he would send his chakra forth into the earth and make a depressed square of sorts into the ground, each side bearing the Village's symbol.

Nodding, he would get to work gathering some wood to start a fire in his brand new, badass, firepit. Sadly though, there was nothing to curb stomp.

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As the night passed Jimarai would return to the fishing village, his cloak and mask back on and he would acquire the service of the barge with little effortto take him down river, into the land of Grass.

Shunting off with the pole, the pilot would give the occasional prod below the surface to keep the barge from drifting to the bank, and the sparseness of the land around him would slowly turn into light vegetation, and soon fields, with snow capped mountains in the distance. Another day and he would be in the Land of Fire and he could travel to the capital to conduct his business.

{Mark TP and Move to Land of Grass}

[Skulking Shinzu]

+10 TP. Learned.

Moved to Grass.

[Jimarai Kotetsu]

Sailing gradually down the river, the scenery would indeed begin to change. Fileds of grass, reeds by the bank of the river, all at least 6 feet tall as the barge punted its way through the snaking slow current of the river.

Turning the operator Jim would ask "How do you get this thing back? Surely it's not a one way trip?"

"Nope, not a one way trip. The current is slow, so we hire polemen at the end of our line and we all punt it back up. If you're lucky you might see a group coming the other way at some point".

Sadly, today was not the day, and frankly a bunch of men punting up a river wasn't all that interesting. This trip wasn't terribly interesting, let alone seeing a glance of others doing the same. Jimarai could just have easily traveled via air with a particular jutsu he knew, though it was taxing after long periods, and he was trying to be somewhat stealthy. In and out with as few people knowing as possible. He wasn't just an ordinary ninja now, he had to play the part.

Trees and forests started to appear in the distance as the barge continued slowly on its fixed tracks. The sun began to set when the operator piped up. "Food in the hamper, just a few sandwiches. We should hit Tanzaku-gai mid morning. Get some sleep."

Nodding, Jimarai would reach into the hamper for a sandwich, though he would pocket it for now. His mask was on and he would rather not show his face to this man. Kicking back he would try to get as comfortable as possible and try to doze off into a light sleep, able to be roused quickly if required.

The last thing he saw before closing his eyes were the glinting of the stars. He never got tired of looking up into the night sky ....


[TRAVEL TO HI NO KUNI]

[KoKoKo]

moved

[Jimarai Kotetsu]

Awakening with a start, Jimarai would jerk forward, the sun on his mask, warming his face underneath. He hadn't meant to sleep quite so heavily, but all appeared well. The barge operator gave him a cursory nod, and no sooner than that had they begun to pull alongside a wharf.

Jumping to his feet, Jimarai would grab a line at the front of the barge and throw it over to a man on the wharf who would catch it and begin to tie it off onto a bollard to prevent the barge from drifting further downstream.

"Thank you for your hospitality" and at that, he would step off the barge and make his way into the city.

{EXIT}