Temple of Sanctuary - [Invite, Or Somethin']

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

The Land of Moon is far from a secluded land. Many tourists choose to tour here, come to see the various sights and enjoy the rather temperate climate. Its mountains hold many secrets, and relics of days gone by. One of these sites is a temple that was once occupied by a group of monks, it is now long since abandoned. Here, the mercenary has made a home for himself, and allows those of kindred spirit to seek shelter here.

A ring of mountains forms a wall around the temple, nature providing its children with a wall of her own flesh. A valley cuts into the middle of the ring, a dense forest cut in half by a river that flows from the mountain the temple rests on. Half a mile in diameter, the river is fairly large and, as it flows directly from the mountain here, clean.

If one followed the river, they'd see that is flows down the mountain in a series of short waterfalls that each have a small, floating garden on them of basic food necessities. A path winds up the waterfalls, following the left side of the pools if you were facing it head-on. Upon reaching the top pool, a bridge gaps the distance between the pool and the temple, although the path does loop behind the pool, and the massive waterfall from the mountain's peak that feeds it and the river.

"We practice war in the sun, and celebrate under the moon!"

The dojo is a white painted and red trimmed ornamental facility seated on a shelf at the side of the mountain. It is a simple yet pretty big house of training. The front is a normal pagoda style temple, with big sliding door's which easily open to reveal a wide interior, which one finds has been carved right into the mountain. The inside is far wider than one might have believed, giving room to a stone floor which has been painstakingly chiseled to the flattest degree, with inlaid stenciled designs of monk's and dragon's at war under the image of a huge full moon. In fact there are also mysterious carvings all over the walls as well which were somehow carved into a dome like room that gives birth to a 5 story high ceiling, at the highest point. There is a shiny silver gong that looks like a moon sits hanging majestically above the floor.

There is an assortment of aged and old racks with replicas of a great multitude of weapons ranging from the katana to the poleaxe. These weapons, while perfect for practice, training, or sparring, are unable to truly inflict damage to others. While there are no guards, it is a taboo to take any item from this place. The weapons look aged and unique to this temple, well-worn grips and edges showing their common usage.

Across from the dojo is a small hut-like structure. Ornate, though weather-worn decorations stylize the pillars and roof of it, red, blue and green paint fading on the walls. Upon entering the small temple, one would be greeted by a small pedestal for kneeling or sitting in front of an ornate fountain. The fountain, which still trickled after all these years, showed the deity likely worshipped by the monks of old. The fox appeared to be curled around a small human child, water running from her mouth to the youngster’s head.

And finally, the temple itself. While time had certainly ravaged the structure- the red paint was peeled in some places, the designs of gods and legends inscribed on the walls losing their clarity, it remained a beautiful palace still. A long, sloping roof hung across the massive building, the curvature allowing water and other weather to flow easily down and out. The large doors that were the entrance were held shut by a large, golden lock- now spilt cleanly into two halves to allow the doors to be permanently cracked.

Upon entering the temple, one first sees the ‘lobby’. A wide room, and bare. Some tables rest in the center, and there is a small fountain and pad in every corner of the room. Two ornate stairways shaped like dragons lead up to the rooms of the temple, although many remain locked and unexplored for now.

One room, belonging to the mercenary, is open. Its Spartan in its decoration, with only a small cot, a weapons rack, a short wooden dresser, and a small table and chair arranged along the walls of the room. The center is taken up by a small mat, and is used for meditation and some training. The room is painted a dull white, similar to the outfit often worn by the man.

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

The white-robed mercenary had led the boy to this temple, where he had wandered off to now was of little consequence. The man was doubtful the boy could go far, nor would he have a reason too. That plan was looking promising.. so far.

Inhaling again, this thought process left his mind. He was seated in the small meditation hut, breathing slowly and evenly through his nose. Sitting cross-legged, with his two katana at his sides, the man was deep in meditation, relaxed. His mind adrift with the world, he was at peace.. for now.

[/size]

[Deleted]

[/b] Subjugating a Nation, Pt. I
Rank: “A”
IIC Length: 2 Days (48 Hours)
Difficulty: Difficult
Objective: Prove yourself to the Haiiro Sekiban by assassinating the Uzu no Kuni-based merchant Sato Kurazawa before he leaves Tsuki no Kuni.
Description:

[/i] influential.

Behind the curtains of the stages rich men sing and dance upon lies the criminal underworld that binds them all; ‘representatives’ of Kiba no Kuni, known as the Haiiro Sekiban, sought out a solution to the swelling imbalance, and have sought out a man known as Lightning, to appeal to him to right this wrong… by whatever means necessary. They need a saboteur; an assassin: But not just any thug; one who can take down a growing plutocracy almost alone.

Their challenge to him, to prove his worth? Kill the head merchant Sato Kurazawa, due to depart from Tsuki no Kuni by boat that very evening.[/ul][/justify]

Reward: 10,000 Ryo (depending on the success of the mission).[/ul][/font]

---

Clink. Clink. Clink.

[/i]-chinking in near-perfect unison, they might have been deemed inhuman; indeed, the only individuality between them was the designs of their visages, apertures, grooves and markings setting them apart.

As they neared their destination, they began to pass smaller structures, that grew grander and grander the further they climbed. Their rattling could likely be heard from quite the distance - even as the mountain's winds greedily snatched any noise it could from the air - especially to the ears of the temple's inhabitant; which was, of course, the very thing these seven men were seeking.

Eventually, they reached the peak of the complex, arriving to the right of the main structure; a courtyard was laid out before it, an area that may well once have been occupied by far more enlightened zen, but was now left mainly to pools of pebbles. A small meditation hut lay across the courtyard from the group. The grand temple itself watched from above, all red, white and black. Its grand doors were closed, but the group continued in their stride, marching out to line up before the veranda that stood slightly elevated over the courtyard.

A singular member of the assembly, the center unit, his mask engraved with a monstrous black maw and a devilish, peering gaze. His voice rang through minute slits in his mask's carved-out metal jaw, a filter that hardly altered his voice from its natural booming commanding pitch at all.

"LIGHTNING."[/size] Came the roar, loud enough to reach the far crevices of the temple, the group uniformly presuming that the assassin was within. They stood impassively, unaffected by the chilly mountain air in the dying afternoon, wind swirling at their obsidian, slightly tattered cloaks, till they flapped into one mural of shadow and frayed ends.

Would the requested answer their call?[/font][/ul]

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

The noise echoing across the mountains first alerted him to their presence. The sound of metal on metal was familiar to the man; he'd participated in his fair share of combat in the past. From the way it resounded, the man could tell there was more then one, two even, but beyond that he was unsure. A low exhale escaped his mouth as the sound slowly drew closer, it appeared his meditation was to be interrupted today. His hands dropped, and grasping his katanas, he stood.

As the men crested the final hill that brought them into view of the courtyard, they'd find the man standing there. The afternoon sun broke over the hut behind him, casting him into a blinding light that seemed to reflect off his white clothing and the handles of his blades. What they could make out fit the description of the mercenary they were hunting perfectly. He was dressed entirely in a snow white, the only thing breaking the uniform color being the two straps that held his katana to his back. A mask and hood hid his features, the only visible skin on his body being his eyes, a brilliant blue that held a hardness only known to men of his profession, and his temples. White gloves and boots covered his extremities, and a white bag hung at his back that contained his gear. He was, as always, dressed for war.

His name boomed, resounding across the clearing as though the skies themselves had called him. Where the masked man was booming, Lightning was hushed. His response came quietly, the soft sound barely reaching their ears.

"You called?"

[/size]

[maasaa]

Having gone back to train a bit more Maasaa had gotten a bit separated from the man he’d been following. However it didn’t take long for the temple to come into his view. As he traveled towards it he could tell he wasn’t alone. The loud sound echoing of metal could be heard from a distance. It was a strange noise it didn’t sound like a sword but whatever it was it was approaching the same temple he’d been traveling to. They even knew the man’s name. What was going on here? Was he following a wanted man? Yet Lightning seemed prepared and ready for whatever they could want. Maasaa moved to try to make his way to Lightning’s side before he’d ask, ”Friends of yours?”

Maasaa patted his utility belt checking all the different items that he carried with him. His 4 kunai, 30 hira-shuriken, 32 makibishi, 2 frag grenades, 1 smoke grenade, 2 goo grenades, 1 incendiary grenade, 2 stun grenades and 5 thermal capsules were all there. On the right side of his black cargo pants was a small katana fitted for a man of his size. Maasaa was dressed in his usual garb, being a beige vest with a blue shirt beneath it. He wore his father’s cowboy hat upon his head and a red face mask that covered from his nose down to his chin.

[Deleted]

[/b][/center]

Seven metallic features turned, an eerie, puppet-like display of uniformity, all casting their gaze at the white-clad man through gaps in their steel masks. Six of them did not move; only the front made any motion beyond this, drawing a gauntlet into his black outfit and withdrawing a sheet of paper somewhere from within. Though the piece was clasped betwixt an iron glove, it was not torn as the demon-faced character simply tossed it forth with casual abandon; picked up on the currents of the afternoon, it curled, swirled and drifted whimsically, but moved all the while towards the assassin, flying in at his chest with pinpoint precision.

Upon the slip was simply an image.

SPOILER: Click to show

There was little need for immediate intention to be stated; the receiving of a face was already routine procedure amoung assassins, and the significance was immediately obvious.

"The man is Sato Kurazawa." The leader intoned. "He is a corrupt and repugnant merchant, mayor of a port town in Uzu no Kuni. He owns a trade fleet that trades with many of the island nations; Cha no Kuni, Umi no Kuni, Mizu no Kuni, and your own Tsuki no Kuni." It was then that the small child would appear, skipping past the masked men; only the one at the end of the line paid him any heed; this member wore a rather tall, rectangular chamber that had grooves for rectangular teeth and small, circular eye-holes. His gaze followed the progress of the child, and he remained fixated on the boy throughout the exchange.

"He is to die. A simple task at present, for he is docked at a port only a few miles from this very location." The leader continued, his voice projecting naturally, resonating about the hard surfaces of the temple. "He is not particularly well-guarded, either. This mark will serve as a test; we require a reliable assassin for far greater tasks... and we come before you, to assay your ability. I will not tell you who we are, or what we require of you if you succeed; that shall come later." And even though the maw of the speaker could not be observed but for a slitted, metallic black hole, the grin that then broke was clear in his voice. "He does, however, depart for Uzu no Kuni at nightfall."

It was then that, his gaze having been fixed silently on the child the entire time, the tall-mask flicked his hand out from beneath his black cloak; from within his bulky gauntlet, a chain erupted, shooting outward from within and swinging sharply around in an arc, curled, one would perceive if they knew of the combat workings of chains, so as to rebound upon itself and wrap around the object it hit, which it would if successful, binding the boy where he stood.

The motion was incredibly fast, the chain long and able to extend almost twice the distance between the caster and his quarry; the question was, what would be the reaction?[/ul][/font]

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

Lightning stood impassively as the paper floated towards him, carried fluttering by the breeze. His right arm lifted, breaking the 'X' his arms had formed over his chest. With quiet precision, he caught the slip between his index and middle finger, his eyes flashing over the target for a split second before returning to the masked men.

A name came with the face, and Lightning swiftly flickered through his mental directory of names. A man named Sato wasn't known to him by name, he never listened to talk of merchants, but there were some leads he knew he could likely follow. The boy arrived then, and Lightnings mouth tightened at his arrival. The boy was tardy, and that would not do.

His attention was diverted again, however, as they began to speak again. Stating the obvious, the man knew what was required when a face and a name were given to him. One doesn't approach an assassin for simply finding a person. However, he paid rapt attention to the details of where he was, filing away each note in his mental fortress. It seemed the challenge of this was not the mark, but the speed. Interesting..

A motion caught his eye then- the masked man on the end raised his hand. Before the chain had launched, Lightning was moving. His skill in combat allowed him a certain.. precognition when it came to moving, and he read his opponent like a book. His left hand flickered, drawing a knife from his buttbag and flicking it towards his opponent. He aimed to intercept the chain on its way to the boy, although his feet never moved from the spot. Should he miss, the boy would have to learn to defend himself. Lightning wasn't here to babysit.

As the knife flew, he spoke calmly, well aware of the power-play going on.

"My payment?"

[/size]

[maasaa]

Maasaa’s eyes scanned the odd looking men as he had passed them, certainly they looked creepy or legit or both. One of them was paying very close attention to him which made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Being stared at was not one of his favorite activities. Black eyes were on the paper that transferred hands but saw that Lightning only briefly looked at it. When he reached his side he intended to see who was in question. This was the face of a man who was trouble but why. He certainly didn’t look that special, what condemned him to death? Maasaa had a lot of questions but these men… they were strange and they spoke of a killing mission to certainly not the time for him to be asking questions, especially since he wasn’t the one being hired.

In a short amount of time he learned a lot about Lightning he’d never known. The man was an assassin who seemed to be well known. In the back of his mind he was happy that Lightning was on his side. As the men spoke Maasaa couldn’t help but getting a little fidgety, as no one was talking to him and he certainly had no experience in assassination. His right hand fell down to the hilt of his katana simply his fingers toying with the end of it. Maasaa knew he was being watched so he was careful how he played with his katana he wasn’t trying to start a one on six fight. That may have been his hopes but the man who’d been staring at him shot his hand out from beneath his cloak.

There was a surprised look on his face because what had he done that warranted an attack? This however was no time for questions his fidgety right hand already upon his katana changed his grip to unsheathe it. Certainly he had no fancy sword moves but while unsheathing Maasaa would attempt to slice upward at the chain hopefully deflecting it upwards away from him. Whether he was bound or not his expression would turn to one of anger glaring at the man who’d started it. ”What the hell man? You got a problem?” Certainly Maasaa’s anger was getting the better of him because in a one on one fight right now he knew he would likely lose, but still...what the hell?

[Deleted]

[/b]

With a yank of his arm and a second pressurized hiss, the chain retracted with speed, dragging the boy with an insistence across the space and in towards the seven. Though these seven were often indirect in the ways of the world, governing it from the shadows, it did not mean they were not powerful warriors of their own. The tall-mask heaved with an incredible strength that would be very difficult for any individual, particularly a boy of such inexperience, to resist. If Lightning did not interfere further, he would be hauled to the feet of the seven, where only his captor would continue to look towards him, down at his form laying upon the stone at his feet; the rest all peered back at the assassin.

"We were under the impression you worked alone." The leader once again spoke, a receptacle for their unified thoughts, it seemed. "If that boy cannot resist such a futile attack, I do not believe he is a worthy compatriot on such adventures... but we leave that choice to you, of course." It was then that they moved; clanking across the tile-like pebbles, smoothed into a unified surface, they reformed their arrow shape, the tall-mask dragging the boy easily along with him. The leader had now been centered properly. Having asked about his reward, the seven would elaborate, through a singular voice.

"We are the Haiiro Sekiban, though I doubt that is of much import to you at present, perhaps it shall be more so in the future. We shall deliver to you a sum of ten thousand ryo if you complete this task properly, as well as the opportunity for far greater challenges... and fitting rewards."

There was a grin in his otherwise monotonous voice again, then. "The port town at which Kurazawa is holed up at is called Shoki - I trust you know of it. It is only a few miles from here." Then, as one, they bowed, their black cloaks still billowing in the mountain breeze. After they rose, the far left individual reached inside his cloak, and tapped something that clicked; the chain that held the child bound extended, loosening its grip upon the boy till it was but flimsy links draped over him, and he was allowed freedom. The intense, impassive stare of the giant metallic chamber would hopefully be warning enough to the boy that any form of vengeance would be futile and foolish.

"We await news of your success... you had best hurry." The leader advised, and as one they turned upon the spot, allowing the leader to resume his position at the head before they all marched off, the chain-user's weapon retracting back into his gauntlet, snaking across the stone in his wake before it disappeared up into his shawl. Without further ado, the seven left the way they had arrived, clacking down the stone steps with the slight chiming of metal ringing about them, and they would simply progress down the mountain, into the valley bellow, and be gone.[/ul][/font]

SPOILER: Click to show

Note: All Haiiro Sekiban are B-Ranked Taijutsu Masters.

Mission thread to be made soon.

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

The assassin stood, impassive, as the boy was captured. He made no move to save the boy, the man's head filled only with the embarrassment of being caught with someone as inexperienced as him. Luckily, he was confident enough in his reputation to believe it could take a small hit: he was obviously well enough known for them to come to him. This job, hunting a merchant.. all formalities. He knew they were going to take him, and he was willing to wager they did as well. Best to posture though, keep the other on their toes.

The hiss came out, speaking of his solitary work. His reply was even, measured, the counterpart to the voice of the men.

"This boy, while untrained, carries some potential. It is time I took an apprentice, to pass on the mantle of Lightning when I fall. And my choice in compatriots is my own. Rest assured, the mission will come before his life."

The cold fact was said, and Lightning felt it best the boy realize now that completing a mission was worth more then the life of either one of them. It was disgraceful to fail a mission, moreso then dying.

The leader, or the man whom Lightning had assumed to be the leader, then began to drone on again. Another organization, it appeared. Idly, the mercenary wondered what cause they served this time. Perhaps another religious group, or simply rebels. They possessed some skill, although he wondered at the number of ones sent. Perhaps a number sacred to them, or they wished to do a show of force. Or even worried, all were possible options. Despite this, he filed away the names, making sure to ingrain them into his memory. It was always worthwhile to remember names, especially of those hiring you.

With the price came the promise, something the man was used to. They always promised greater rewards, which he'd learned over the years usually meant they'd attempt to adopt him into their order, and thus lessen his pay. Or simply use them then attempt to kill him. A tiresome ritual, it was the cause of several scars that still marred his body.

As the men released the boy, and began their leave, Lightning offered a light bow, one that wasn't shallow enough to be disrespectful, nor one that lowered himself below their status. As they took their leave, his voice followed them, a simple promise.

"It will be done."

Watching them as they left, the mercenary then waited for them to leave earshot before talking to the boy to his right, his eyes still dead ahead.

"We're leaving, I hope you have your equipment. Your training begins now.

Oh.. and.. Don't fail me again, I don't enjoy looking weak.

With that, and despite the response of the boy at his side, Lightning began the journey down the stairs as well, heading for the port city.


[Possible Exit]

[/size]

[maasaa]

His attempt at defense had gone smoothly but it certainly did not have the effect he’d hoped for. Rather the chain still wrapped around his body brining a surprised look to Maasaa’s face. Then came the fun part, as soon as he’d been bound the chain retracted pulling him to the ground and towards the mysterious men. Though he struggled to try to free himself from the binding chains it was to no avail and he quickly found himself between the seven of them. Pulled to his feet the staring contest continued between him and his captor. Anger was fueling his mind, how could he be captured so easily? Was everything he’d learned for not?

"If that boy cannot resist such a futile attack, I do not believe he is a worthy compatriot on such adventures... but we leave that choice to you, of course.
Maasaa knew he’d been captured easily but vowed to himself that it would not happen again so simply. Yet what lightning said in turned surprised him in two separate ways. Was he really worthy to become his apprentice after being captured so easily? Yet this mission was a chance to prove his worth… if he could not survive then his life would be lost and Lightning would need to find a new apprentice.

Upon his feet when he saw them move this time Maasaa would not be brought down to his feet again. Simply moving with them despite his bindings still the feeling of being dragged was not fun…as if he was a dog. The men went on to explain who they were and the reward they would get surprised him as well…ten thousand ryo was a lot of money! When the business seemed said and done the chain loosened from him but his captor kept his eerie gaze. Maasaa still a bit on edge sent a bit of his chakra to his eyes the red came over them showing his bloodline. As he contemplated trying something he realized it the numbers he’d have to fight were not on his side. The red tomeo disappeared and his eyes regained their regular black color.

When the men of the Haiiro Sekiban walked off Lightning was quick to act. "We're leaving, I hope you have your equipment. Your training begins now. Oh.. and.. Don't fail me again, I don't enjoy looking weak."
A slight look of disappointment was shown on Maasaa’s face. Captured and moved so easily… it was true he was weak. If they’d been enemies his life would likely been forfeited already. Maasaa had some big shoes to fill, ”It won’t happen again Lightning-san.” Maasaa quickly followed beside Lightning towards the city the men had spoke of.

[maasaa]

[enter]

Weary legs moved Maasaa to his destination. His paranoia had kept him up the entire night to escape the town. The sun glaring down in his eyes only increasing the weariness he felt; perhaps sleep would have been a good choice. Yet the mission had been a success. He was even able to retrieve his utility belt and sword along with all the weapons inside of it. What was more important was the hat that rested upon his head a few times he thought he'd lose it.

What worried Maasaa was his escape from the town had taken much longer than what seemed like an almost instant escape by Lightning. He only knew one place the guy might actually be and that's where his tired legs brought him. Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead as his feet walked upon the temple grounds his hands cupped over his mouth. "Lightning! Where are you!" He let out a tired sigh the bags under his eyes evidence of his weariness maybe he'd gotten one hour of sleep that night the rest of the time he'd been on guard for his life.

Don't fail me again, I don't enjoy looking weak. The cold words rung through his head but here he was alive and safe. The mission was complete even if he hadn't done the actual killing. Hopefully his ability just to get in and out was enough to show that he could be the man's apprentice. But where was Lightning, had Maasaa failed his test? The idea of losing the one good thing worried him but quickly he pushed it from his mind those kind of thoughts would only slow him down.

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

The white-clothed assassin smiled beneath his mask- the boy had apparently made it. And what was more, Lightning had seen the boy shortly after the merchant died, preparing some form of jutsu. Still, despite his usage of the dark arts, he'd escaped the broker and his men. And he'd found the mark, even if he was unable to assist in the execution. He'd done well, all things considered. His Katana, grenades, and buttbag sat among his body, as he had only just arrived.

With a short grunt, the man stood from his position within the short meditation hut. He'd arrived before the boy, and was awaiting the arrival of either his newfound companion, or the metal men who'd recruited him. So far, it appeared as though the boy was first. With swift, purposeful strides the man left the small religious structure, walking towards the boy. A short nod greeted him, followed by a curt warning.

"Good, for a first try. Do better though."

Turning on his heel, the assassin likely walked back to the dojo, thoughts running through his head. It would not do to show overt appreciation. No. This boy would be taught like he was- harshly. Failure must be punished, and competent actions given a bare compliment. Only exceeding expectations must be rewarded, but even then barely. Compassion is a sign of weakness. He would not grow close to the boy, nor the boy him. Could not. The life of a hunter was a hard one.

Walking over, the man tripped, his footing slipping. A rock had caught his boots, and the heavy assassin plummeted, off the edge of the cliff the temple rested on.

A mighty man brought low by nature.

A cruel fate.


[/incentivescraptostone]

[/size]

[Draven]

Scrap approves

[maasaa]

A look of relief was apparent upon Maasaa’s face when he emerged from within one of the many huts around the temple. "Good, for a first try. Do better though." A sly guilty smile couldn’t help but form. It was true he needed to improve himself if they were to take missions like this more often. It was while Maasaa was lost within his own thoughts that his eyes locked onto Lightning only to see him trip and fall off the cliff. The smile that once rested upon his face turned to one of horror as he ran to the edge looking down. ”NO!” Maasaa screamed to the sky, how could a man like him have such a death. He didn’t want to accept it but there was no way to change it. Falling to his knees Maasaa looked down over the edge at where his body had landed. Why… why was this happening to him? Was every person he was to meet end up dead?

For a moment the thought of following after the man flickered in his head but it was quickly expelled from his head. There was something inside of himself that had made Lightning take him on as an apprentice even short lived. He couldn’t simply end his life here unless others knew of the man; Maasaa had become his legacy. The first step was for Maasaa to follow the trail to get to the bottom of the cliff where Lightning’s body lay. ”How could you leave me like this Lightning? It’s not fair.” Maasaa’s hand reached out pulling the mask from Lightning’s corpse cold but sad eyes looking at the body before him. This was probably the closest he’d gotten to a dead person. Next he took the man’s cloak and buttbag along with the 5 stun grenades, 5 lock picking kits and the 15 knives that were held within them. Finally there were three more pieces to deal with; he retrieved the ryo pouch filled with 8,000 ryo and the man’s two longswords.

Unsheathing one of Lightning’s swords Maasaa carefully carved the man’s name into the stone, Lightning. He couldn’t bear to lift the man’s body nor did he truly want to touch it. With his new items Maasaa climbed back up to get to the temple’s main entrance. When this journey began they’d met a mysterious group of men. He was certain they’d heard of Sato’s death and would return to give the promised reward. If there was one good thing about Lightning’s death it was the will he’d bestowed to him. Tools and ryo and maybe a future too. For now he’d walk over towards the meditation hut and sit outside it trying to calm his mind. So much had happened it was hard to wrap his head around it all.

/looting all items and money

[Holy Grail]

approvel for two katanas and 8k of ryo to be looted

[maasaa]

SPOILER: Click to show

Raiton: Hirameki no Jutsu (Lightning Flash)
Rank: D
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Causes a blinding flash that can disorientate enemies (up to 10m)
Special: Rat
Drawback: ---
Description:The user holds the rat handseal and closes their eyes, gathering chakra into them. The user then opens them suddenly, and emits an extremely bright flash from their eyes that can temporarily blind and/or disorientate enemies. The blinding effect usually lasts one turn.
Limit: Lightning Release

0/10

Calmness slowly was filling Maasaa’s mind. He was beginning to feel ease of mind over everything that had gone down. Letting out a sigh his eyes reopened only to hear a voice within his own head. "Good, for a first try. Do better though." A feeling of anger flew through him he couldn’t just sit around and mope. While Maasaa waited he planned to train and improve his strength. He had to do better and as he thought back on his experiences he remembered a child at his old school blinding him with an amazing flash. The only thing he remembered about it was the boy could shoot lightning as well which was a skill he was starting to learn.

For the first time in a half hour a smile returned to his face. Maasaa never moved from his current position sitting with his legs crossed. When he was like this he could feel his chakra coursing through him more naturally. Maasaa knew handseals but didn’t quite know what the right order to preform that technique. All he knew was it ended with the rat seal. Sitting here doing nothing certainly wouldn’t solve anything. His hands flipped through a few of the seals that he knew finishing with the rat seal. As he held the rat seal Maasaa closed his eyes. Before the burst could be released he’d need to basically blink.

When his eyes closed he could feel the chakra flow through him. He gathered it from his feet to his stomach. Pushing his energy upward into his head Maasaa focused it in his eyes but just as he was going to release it a bug flew into his nose causing him to sneeze and cough. Eyes opening to a surprise site for when he sneezed little sparks of lightning flew out of his nose. The feeling was unreal and he couldn’t help but laugh at his failed attempt. If he’d done it on his first try that would have been too easy anyways. Perhaps he should have asked Lightning for some training earlier.

Gathering his concentration once more Maasaa’s hands stumbled through the handseals. Each piece of this training needed work including how his hands moved through the motions. Despite fumbling on the handseals he got through them and his eyes closed once more. Letting out a slow breath from his mouth Maasaa inhaled through his mouth pulling the chakra from within to his eyes rather than his nose like last time. Feeling the energy building he could practically feel sparks tingling his eyes. As it built within his eyes reopened and Maasaa released his chakra from them. Looking forward a burst of energy shot outwards that looked similar to the attack he’d once seen. An unfortunate squirrel happened to be passing by watching him train and meditate and when his power was released it stumbled backward trying to gather its footing as well. It unfortunately would stumble off the same cliff Lightning had landing next to him. A frown formed on his face, the technique seemed to work though he had to work out some minor problems.

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

+6

[maasaa]

6/10

Something about the lightning flash technique didn’t quite feel perfected. So he would need to continue practicing until it was mastered. For a few minutes Maasaa simply practiced the handseals without performing the technique. The few times he’d done it his hands had been sloppy and he certainly needed to improve his speed. Techniques were nice and dandy but he’d certainly seen Lightning attempt to interrupt people mid motion. Allowing that to happen to him could leave his body ending up like Sato’s; cut in half with no future.

Once he felt his hands fly through the seals the fastest they could go Maasaa’s eyes closed. His chakra bubbled inside growing and moving through him. Every time he practiced this lightning technique he couldn’t help but have a tingling sensation throughout his body. Power growing the lightning attuned chakra reached his eyes. Feeling the timing down eyes popped open releasing another burst of light. Lucky for the wild life there were a few animals watching but they’d backed up at what seemed to be fifteen meters. He’d have to keep that range in mind so that he made sure to hit someone with the technique. No need to waste what little energy he had.

Rising to his feet Maasaa wanted to put what he’d been training to a more difficult test. As he started to form his handseals Maasaa crouched and then leapt upward landing atop the meditation hut. From there he didn’t stop moving. Jumping from building to building this temple was going to be his new training ground though he’d have to try to not break it. As Maasaa flew through the air his hands didn’t stop moving though they did a little slower. It was going to take a lot more practice to be able to run jump and fight while making seals. However when they finished Maasaa did stop atop the roof of one building.

Eyes closing the chakra seemed to be taking its time. Perhaps the training and his already tired body was starting to take its toll on him. Although the chakra molding was slow he could feel it building. The hardest part was keeping his concentration because his footing was right on the edge of the roof. He had to focus to not move as well as gather the chakra to his eyes. When the tingling sensation was felt once more within his eyes they opened letting out another blinding flash of light. He couldn’t help but laugh watching a bird overhead get blinded and sent downward landing atop the roof of a building next to him. That was the effect he was hoping to see every time now. It seemed like he had mastered this technique.

[Holy Grail]

learned