Eye on the Sparrow [ATI - C]

[acids]

Within the land of Hotsprings was located the man who had sent word to the young Onigami of the Hidden Sound Village. He was somewhere isolated on the southeastern tip of the country, where volcanoes and forests came together to form one of nature's most deadly combinations. To add on to the natural hazards of the land where the many nukenin who scourged the region of Yu. Various animals, too, native to the lands could be seen as threats to life had one been so bold to venture into Yu Kuni's wilderness. 

Of course, when he had come here, young Shouta would be welcomed by an Onsen guide. The man was dark skinned and had a curly afro; his clothing was traditional garb of a purple color and he kept a sword at his hip. Near the border between Yu and Oto, Shouta would find the man. His eyes had been fine enough to spot his navigator. 

[The Creator]

I looked at the fur coat I had brought along. No way, Yu no Kuni was not the same as Yuki no Kuni. I felt a bit of sadness as I dropped the coat onto the ground but no more than just a bit. I would not be needing that. Can't believe I got the name wrong. Yet still, here I was.

Utilizing Tasukeru I found a man with purple garb and dark, afro-like hair. I decided to approach him cautiously. I stopped at a point where he would see me, daring not to travel any closer.

SPOILER: Click to show

Tasukeru (Seeing Life)
Rank: C, B, A, S (x2)
Skill: Doujutsu
Effect: Allows a full three hundred and sixty (360) degree field of vision and some predictability to physical attacks. Unlike Byakugan, the user sees life in its normal colors during this tech, no details spared. Signs of life, thermal readings and X Ray vision is near perfect. Can also read a determine the difference of a regular shinobi to that of one with a bloodline or if they house any foreign presence by the different chakra waves displayed when observed through Tasukeru. This does not mean one knows the BL right away. Must have encountered the BL before in order to know exactly who they are. The ‘C’ ranked version grants the user up to 50 meters of observing. Each new rank for the Jutsu will add 50 more meters. This can be trained multiple times after all the ranks are achieved in order to add 50 meters onto one’s total. Each extra training is worth an S ranked training.
Special: Although one is born with this jutsu, one must activate the eyes through training.
Drawback: Heavy chakra drain over time, especially when multiple phases of the Tasukeru are accessed. While Taijutsu can be predicted, the Onigami are not designed to have fast twitch muscles. As such, perfect blocking simply won’t happen all the time.
Description: Summoned through will, the scarlet eyes of the Onigami will grow a very vibrant neon red and all life becomes theirs to fully observe. Once activated, the user has a three hundred and sixty (360) degree field of vision, as well as the ability to see into other people’s bloods. For those allied to an Onigami, this jutsu is revered for making the Onigami known as the ultimate scouts.
Limit: Must be part of the Onigami BL.

[acids]

"Greetings, ninja," the man said, bowing before the young Onigami as he moved towards his guide. Now well within face-to-face range, the black eyes of the man would lock in to those shimmering crimson ones of Shouta. His left eye would twitch as he lowered his gaze, perhaps thinking on how to further push his agenda; thusly, he presented himself:

"I am Yajirobe, sent here to guide you to the man that sent for you. I cannot tell you much about him, but you and he share that same Kekkei Genkai." He appeared truthful in speech, as it was indeed words from a man of true nature. Curiously his eyes scanned over the Otonin, quirked as to why he carried with him so large a coat.

"Uh.. it that your battle-ready-armor?" He questioned, pointing at the coat.

SPOILER: Click to show

[character]
From here, Shouta can either decline the man's aid through the lands of Hotspring, or agree to follow him. Do whatever.

[The Creator]

My right hand gripped tightly onto the electronic compass which I held when he pointed out the coat. It lay not too far from us, in a heap on the ground seeming almost like the dead animal from which it came. The man was a taller man with large hair and traditional purple clothing. This close, I deactivated Tasukeru.

I did not make eye contact with him. Instead, I stared at the ground. He was, to me, an enemy. He was an associate of he who had bested me and that did not increase my disposition to him at all. I would not speak, hoping the unspoken silence would give consent to his guidance.

Where he would lead me, I did not know. Anxiety would begin to creep into me as I felt the control of my future slipping out of my hands.

[acids]

It appeared that the young Onigami had lacked vigor in his bones, something that Yajirobe frowned at once he received no riposte. The purple garbed man would simply turn on his heels and begin walking away, regardless if the brat followed him or not. His hand rested on his katana, yet in so passive a way that not even Shouta would think that he was up to no good. Through light brush he traveled, only to turn around every now and then to note that he was still being followed by the boy.

"Okay, little boy," Yajirobe said as he turned to face the mute, "Why won't you talk? This journey is a long one and will get boring if you don't interact with me. I am simply here to aid you in gaining power.."

Noise in the surrounding thicket seemed to come to a halt as the two stood about four meters a part, facing one another.

[The Creator]

I had travelled through woods and unfamiliar terrain before, and some of it here in Yu no Kuni, and had adopted a careful walking method of a worn traveller. I would carefully watch the ground perhaps 7 steps ahead of me. When traveling in such a method, it seemed to the traveller that he floated through the surroundings. He stood still and the landscape was rolling underneath him. That is how I followed the guide.

To travel in such a way is enthralling and for several minutes my interests were all completely on the path. That was, however, until he spoke and forced my mind from the road. He assured me he meant me no harm and apparently wished for some form of traveling companionship in the form of talking.

I looked up at him as he spoke. His hand rested on the hilt of a katana. It worried me slightly but I figured that his cry for attention could be shushed by a tale that would give me insight to his ability. Should he turn out to be the liar I believed him to be such a tale could be enlightening.

"Where did you learn to use that blade? And who taught you?"

It was not as if I really cared but it would give me an idea of what to expect in a fight. And it would subdue his need for traveling talk, I supposed. My eyes would turn back to my path as he told his tale, should he choose to do so.

[james]

[acids]

It appeared that the Otonin hadn't been a mute after all; once he replied, Yajirobe returned to his traveling, sure to keep the topic up along the way.

"I learned here.. in Hotspring Country, yet noone taught me--I taught myself." had Shouta been paying attention, he would hear the man laugh at himself, "Well, I sort of know how to use this thing, hopefully you can handle any trouble we run into." While not a shinobi, the man did have several slots of grenades at his side, as well as small throwing projectiles. He hadn't an ounce of chakra, though. The two men ventured further into the woodlands of Yu, only to come across a trio of persons that stood in front of a bridge.

"Pay the toll: 5000 ryo." the largest man called out, five meters away from Yajirobe and Shouta. The curly afro'd man would quickly turn to the teenager at his back, "What should we do?" His hand had slid toward one of the concussion grenades he had in his possession; he would throw the thing and then attempt to run with Shouta away from the bandits, who did nothing as of yet but ask for them to pay the toll. Yajirobe appeared more anxious than Shouta had in the situation: he didn't have ninjutsu or genjutsu to aid him against foes.

Yajirobe had the heart of a navigator, not a fighter. The three men all possessed katana, while the largest one also wielded a battle axe. Two of the men had some know how of ninjutsu, their leader a master at hand-to-hand combat.

SPOILER: Click to show

note: yajirobe has not yet attacked, thrown the grenade. he is waiting to see what shouta wants to do.

[The Creator]

I followed the guide, not relying on Tasukeru but rather on the eyes of the guide. How foolish I had been to do so; he walked us right into a trap. Three men, positioned upon a bridge perhaps wide enough for two single-horse carts to ride abreast comfortably upon steady wood planks with safety railings on either side was set over a shallow chasm, perhaps a couple of meters deep and twenty or so meters long which housed a swift and steady river. Knowing this country, it was likely a heated river originating from one of the hot springs up north near the hills and had run this course for centuries.

The highwaymen were set in an arrow like formation, the leader at the head and his two companion a meter behind him and flanking him on either side. Yajirobe was the company guide and was thus set before me perhaps two meters and he was ten meters from the closest highwaymen. The safest route would be to pay the toll and return after some scouting had been done and kill them all in a surprise strike that would levy their weaknesses. Yajirobe took it upon himself to answer their request by throwing an egg-shaped object at them.

Tasukeru had been activated by then but I did not have time to look at them. My hands worked in a flurry as I began Handseals. Widening my balance and pulling chakra from my core, I readied the elemental chakra change of nature of earth. Upon doing so the very earth became ready to do my bidding. I slammed my palms into the ground causing the ground around me to quake. I wasn't familiar with the type of grenade the swordsman threw but they would have a difficult time evading it without any balance. In the erupting chaos I hoped would ensue, which I hoped would be an explosion that would wipe both them and the bridge out (that would be the safest route), I would raise my hands up from the ground, ending the Earth Shaking technique, and perform another brief string of Handseals. Shards of stony and sharpened earth would rise up from the ground and float around me; there were thirty in all. But in the sudden realization and chaos I hoped it would seem like much more than that.

"Give me all your ryo" I told them, not moving, "or I kill you all right here."

SPOILER: Click to show

Tasukeru (Seeing Life) (250 m)
Rank: C, B, A, S (x2)
Skill: Doujutsu
Effect: Allows a full three hundred and sixty (360) degree field of vision and some predictability to physical attacks. Unlike Byakugan, the user sees life in its normal colors during this tech, no details spared. Signs of life, thermal readings and X Ray vision is near perfect. Can also read a determine the difference of a regular shinobi to that of one with a bloodline or if they house any foreign presence by the different chakra waves displayed when observed through Tasukeru. This does not mean one knows the BL right away. Must have encountered the BL before in order to know exactly who they are. The ‘C’ ranked version grants the user up to 50 meters of observing. Each new rank for the Jutsu will add 50 more meters. This can be trained multiple times after all the ranks are achieved in order to add 50 meters onto one’s total. Each extra training is worth an S ranked training.
Special: Although one is born with this jutsu, one must activate the eyes through training.
Drawback: Heavy chakra drain over time, especially when multiple phases of the Tasukeru are accessed. While Taijutsu can be predicted, the Onigami are not designed to have fast twitch muscles. As such, perfect blocking simply won’t happen all the time.
Description: Summoned through will, the scarlet eyes of the Onigami will grow a very vibrant neon red and all life becomes theirs to fully observe. Once activated, the user has a three hundred and sixty (360) degree field of vision, as well as the ability to see into other people’s bloods. For those allied to an Onigami, this jutsu is revered for making the Onigami known as the ultimate scouts.
Limit: Must be part of the Onigami BL.

Doton: Rikujou Douyou no Jutsu (Earth: Ground Shaking Technique)
Rank: "D" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user slams their hands against the ground as the user creates a miniature like earthquake in order to try and unbalance the enemy or opponents all around for a more of a deadly like attack.
Special: "Hand Seals"
Drawback: The user's hands must stay upon the ground at all time. When the user is capable of reaching "A" Class the knowledge of placing their hands onto the very ground becomes obsolete, and the user is capable of performing the technique without having their hands along the ground.
Description: As the user slams their hands against the ground, the user is capable of creating a miniature like earthquake along the ground. The ground rumbles lightly as the very earth moves in all directions in a ten-meter radius. Every time the user gains ranking in difficulty class the distance of the technique increases by ten meters.
Limit: Needs the Earth Release.

Doton Senbon Soushi no Jutsu (Earth Senbon Creation Technique) (30)
Rank: "D" "D" "D" "D" "C" "B"
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates Senbon out of the earth and fires them at the opponent.
Special: "Hand Seals"
Drawback: Must be learned more and more in order to be capable of performing better, and capable of producing more Senbon. Cannot be used on Sand.
Description: Forming the hand seals, the User begins to use the Earth Creation Technique to form Senbon in the ground wherever they choose. These Senbon can then fire from the ground at the same speed and strength as if someone had thrown it. These earthen Senbon are shaped like those that are sold in stores and are just as sharp. At D rank, this jutsu forms five Senbon wherever the caster wants. This can be five in different spots, or five all together. The D rank can be learned 4 times for 20 Senbon. Then this jutsu can be learned C rank for 10 more and then B rank for 20 more. Fifty Senbon (after learning 4 D, 1 C, and 1 B rank Jutsu) can be fired from all around the opponent, aimed wherever the caster chooses.
Limit: Needs Earth Release

[acids]

The grenade that Yajirobe had thrown had been a dud, yet all seemed to fall well into place as Shouta called upon his earthen spirit to embed fear into the three men. Too bad that these three men did not find so young a boy and his guide frightening. The bald leader threw his large arms across his chest and laughed at the ground shaking for but a moment before the little ninja summoned a legion of senbon. 

"Think that we are afraid of you and your toy senbon, child?" the man said, motioning his head towards his ninjutsu henchmen. "Riku, Roku: show this boy some real ninjutsu.."

As if on cue, one of the twins, Riku, caused several weird jetesque protrusions to form on his back before he leapt off towards Shouta and Yajirobe, his arms flexed in front of him, already beginning to mutate into a shield of sorts. This would perhaps be the first time that Shouta had seen so horrific a transmutation, something that would have probably stricken him with fear as he witnessed it in full effect thanks to his Red Eye. The senbon that he had summoned would do little to this airborne man who still fell down toward the two travelers. Riku had some Kumotate that he would be using on either of the two once he landed, yet that would occur seconds later, as his brother joined in the fray.

Roku, the thinner and brown haired twin, would do seals, causing the earth below Shouta to give way and rise in the manner of a pillar, to throw him off balance, and possibly render his control over his senbon as futile. Given all that had happened in so little a time frame, Yajirobe had no time to react to anything as a normal man of nature. He was targeted by Riku, while Shouta had been targeted by Roku. 

SPOILER: Click to show

Riku Techniques:
Jet Booster Jump
Rank: "C"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User creates many jet-like appendages on their back to create a powerful blast. User then jumps, giving them power to maneuver in the air.
Special: ---
Drawback:
Description: Picture When using Jet Booster Jump, a large amount of biomass is shifted to the user's back, molding it into a chakra fueled pack to create powerful blasts. User is able to propel themselves, giving maneuverability while in the air. The user is able to Jet Booster Jump up to 10 meters to propel their own jump with enough distance to clear a 30 meter gap. User is able to maneuver while in the air, giving them a 2 meter maneuverability to the left, or right. The distance is small, however could mean life or death in a combat situation. The Boosters do damage equal to rank if they make contact with anyone standing behind and give a knockback of 10 meters.
Limit: Must be a Protean. Must know Partial Transformation.

Shield
Rank: "B" + "C"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: The Shield is one of the defensive powers that completely nullifies oncoming physical damage that hits the shield.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture: Picture Unlike the Armor, Shield completely nullifies damage instead of merely reducing it, though only attacks directed to the front where it makes contact with the shield. When using Shield, a large amount of biomass is shifted to the user's arm, molding it into a nigh-impenetrable black-biomass shield. Unlike Armour, mobility is not hindered when the Shield is active. The Shield blocks all incoming frontal projectile fire, or all-round melee attacks, until its damage threshold is reached, at which point it will shatter and require time to regenerate before it can be deployed again (2 round wait period). When first learned the user is able to withstand 60 Points worth of Damage. Each time learned ("C" Rank Training) the Shield gains strength of additional 40 Points. If the user knows Armour, half of the Armour Hardness is automatically applied to Shield.
Limit: Must be a Protean. Must know Partial Transformation.

Roku Technique:
Deido Hashira no Jutsu (Mud Pillar)
Rank: D
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: A pillar of mud fires out of a muddy area aimed from below a target. It reaches a max of 10 meters.
Special: Dog, Rat
Drawback: It needs mud in the area to be used.
Description: The user fires a burst of mud out of a muddy area. This technique is not very damaging and was designed to impair or stall a target so the user can close in on them. It can be used in tandem with the Deido Sakana no Jutsu.
Limit: Earth Release

SPOILER: Click to show

congratulations, you are now in control of yajirobe in battle scenarios.

these are his techniques:
shunshin - oshi [tai] (2/round, with 4 movements)
protegra [e-b] (no a-rank techs, or the mystic techs)

[The Creator]

Immediately I was thrown off by the bandits' abilities. I was expecting simple men, non-chakra moulding, with little to no battle experience. I was able to immediately discern what I found to be a sudden mutation on one of the bandit's backs, one of two who seemed to be brothers, and jump towards us. I was on edge as it was and as soon as I saw him make that leap I let the senbon fly. Few of them would find their targets, though, as I was suddenly taken off balance. As if my own technique had been used against me, the ground around me moved. After a couple moments of vertigo induced confusion I realized I was on a rising pillar. One of the brothers had landed near Yajirobe with a grotesque shield-shaped growth on one of his arms. What in the fuck was this, some freak show? By now I was legitimately worried. They were no push overs and they were very capable of killing us both right here.

Okay, calm down, I thought within moments that the clock could not count (as thoughts often do), play to your abilities. Take away their advantages. They can change their body and are possible offensive power-houses. I needed more time to observe. I would take less than a second (0.76 seconds) to form Handseals and push the chakra from my body. The air suddenly became dense as a mist-induced fog suddenly harrowed the battlefield. Tasukeru saw through it easily. From my high position, I picked out Yajirobe, the closest life-form to me.

"Shouta--that you!" He asked in a manner that immediately betrayed his inability in battle. He was worried. The mysticism that suddenly began to take the course of the battle was out of his hands. I felt only a slight tinge of pity for him. But, lucky for us, this was to our advantage.

Performing Handseals with a single hand, a feat I was proud of, I attempted to ensnare the shield-producing bandit in a bind that would immobilize all 4 limbs and cut off chakra flow to his limbs. I was hopefully high enough to get over his shield with this..

I would breathe in, building up chakra in my breath, and suddenly release it all at once. The wind would form an arrow and share all of its qualities. It would fly towards the face, which was free to move but hopefully he would not see the arrow until it was too late.

Still holding the dragon seal in my left hand, I would reach out to the second bandit who apparently had knowledge of both Doton and Suiton. If he was close enough, this would not only paralyze him but begin to drain his chakra until he died.

SPOILER: Click to show

Shouta's Techniques
Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hidden Mist Skill)
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: A Skill where a user uses the water around them to create a massive mist to fill around the user.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A skill which creates a very dense fog that descreases the surrounding visibility to near zero. It produces an environment perfect for a silent assassin who follows an opponent through sound. This mist can not be blown away by any type of Wind Jutsu.
Limit: Water Release

Petrify
Rank: C, C, C, C.
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: The user inmobilizes a target's limb(s).
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: Must keep the Dragon handseal. The user must remain still. Can only be used in one target.
Description: The user forms the needed handseals and chooses a target within a ten (10) meters diameter and soon after that a target's limb (user's choice) would be covered by the user's chakra, like a cocoon inmobilizing that limb, due to being covered by chakra it also stops the limb to be able to use chakra. This effect will stay for as long as the user maintains the Dragon handseal. Each C training gives the user the capability to inmobilize another limb.
Limit: Must be part of the Onigami Bloodlimit. Must know Shinkaku (Divinity).

Degeneration
Rank: B
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a cocoon around the target to absorb their energy.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: The user must maintain the Shark handseals. The user must be at least five (5) meters away from the user to use this.
Description: The user forms the needed handseals and ends with the Shark one while being five (5) meters or less away from the target. Then a cocoon made of chakra is created around the target inmobilizing them and stopping them from using chakra. The cocoon will began to asorb the target's energy and will give it to the user, the target cannot use Ninjutsu/Genjutsu but still can use Taijutsu and any C Ranked or higher technique can break the cocoon. If the user is more than five (5) meters away from the target the cocoon will dissapear.
Limit: Must be part of the Onigami Bloodlimit. Must know Petrify (4 times learned).

[acids]

Enveloped in a thick vapor, Riku could not see either target as he landed close to Yajirobe's proximity. The earthen senbon that had been shot at him easily bounced off of his shielded extremities by way of Hogo; yet Shouta's next technique had left him immobilized, save for an arm that was able to remain free of the gaze of the Onigami's Petrify. While he could not witness the production of Shouta's one handed seals, the boy would be further impressed by these highwaymen when Riku, too, preformed one handed kata, drawing in as chakra meshed inside of his gullet. The Goukakyuu he had produced was a quick one: the flame erupted from parted lips in enough time to consume the arrow comprised of wind; it pressed out further, threatening to consume the boy's guide in flame had he not opted to save him in time. In the event that Shouta, who had been raised ten meters upward by Roku, had saved Yajirobe, both of them would suffer minor burns from the blazing effects of the fireball. Blinded by the Hidden Mist technique, Riku was still immobile yet his large shield remained frozen in place to protect a bit more than half of his body from an frontal attacks.

On the bridge, unclear as to what was occurring within the mists, Roku and the bald leader named Goemon, stood waiting for a sign of action. They could only determine that a Katon technique had been used, yet they weren't sure who had cast it.

SPOILER: Click to show

You failed to list the Futon technique, thus negating it. Sorry brooo.

Riku Techs:
Kuma Tsume - Hogo (Bear Claw - Block)
Rank: “D”, “C”, “B”, “A”, “S”
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Allows the user to effectively block corresponding ranks of attacks with their shield.
Special: Effective while in fully-formed Bear Claw Stance.
Drawback: Shields used with this technique will still be damaged according to item breaking laws if the attack being defended is higher than the user’s knowledge of this technique. Less effective against non-impact based Ninjutsu. May be bypassed by all-encompassing area-of-effect attacks.
Description: With training and raw physical strength the user learns the basic principle of how to block attacks with their shield. Standing steadfast, the user will simply place their shield between themselves and the threat, nullifying it with forward fortification and, if executed properly, stopping the attack’s power. The user is only able to remain on their feet and have their shield undamaged by attacks of equal or lower rank to the rank of this technique the user possesses.
Limit: “Bear Claw Stance”.

Katon - Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Great Fireball Technique)
Rank: "C" "B" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user is capable of performing a few handseals in which gives them the capability of blowing a large body of fire in size of a large sphere that has great fire proportions and explosive capabilities.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: Depending on the Rank, is dependent on how strong or how much the user is capable of doing with the Goukakyuu no Jutsu.
Description: The user quickly performs a few handseals. The user then places the hand over their mouth creating a small like circle. This technique in turn is then to help the user control the great flame. The use then blows out and creates a large fireball that twice the size of a normal human body. When the "C" Rank version is first learned the user is only capable of blowing out the Great Fireball that is cannot be moved or go anywhere else. This also means that the technique does not explode in a fiery explosion, but burns greatly to anyone that is caught within the technique. When the user learns the "B" Rank version then the user is capable blowing the Great Fireball into the distance, sending it away from the use it to hurl towards the very opponent. This technique is only capable of going into a straight line and this is capable of having the size three times the size of a human body. This technique when launched at an opponent then becomes dangerous because at this point the technique can explode causing damage that is even more devastating.
Limit: Must have the Fire Release

[The Creator]

The greatest threat to both Yajirobe and I was the closest, shapeshifting man who I had caught with my paralyzing technique. It was odd, however, because there was a looming threat upon the bridge that seemed to not wish to engage. If they chose to do so they would immediately overturn the battle to their favor and rout us. Instead they watched from the bridge as one of them engaged both of us. That could be for one of two reasons, I concluded. One, it was some odd test in which they were seeing if our ability was good enough to take one of them on. The second is that they were overly confident of their own ability.

In any case I soon found, in the face of an expanding fireball whose fundamentals i understood but have been so improved that it was a new technique in itself threatened to consume us. It was giving the intention of slaying Yajirobe who would no doubt fall sudden victim to the ball barreling through the mist.

That was it then, I thought, the idea of saving him not even crossing my mind. I was no savior of strangers nor lover of them and the only reason I would keep him alive in any circumstance is to help the odds. But I had decided as soon as I witnessed this technique (his right arm must have just been out of my paralyzing radius...damn!) performed with one hand that these men were way out of my league as a shinobi.

As the fireball consumed and killed Yajirobe I would use the hidden mist to cover my escape. I would flee in a completely opposite direction, checking with Tasukeru to see if they followed.

SPOILER: Click to show

Tasukeru Still Activated

[acids]

A terrible scream escaped the murky mists as the two men outside of the Kirigakure ninjutsu waited for any sign of the Protean's brother to emerge. He would soon spring forth from the fog, now released from the petrifying hold of Shouta, who had left his guide to be burned to a crisp within his own creation. It seemed that he was not prepared to face so wanton an adversary as Riku; the effects of the Hidden Mist technique wore off as the three men moved toward the charred body on the ground.

"That isn't the boy.. where did he go?" inquired the leader, furious that it wasn't Shouta who had been dealt the death hand. Of course it was a rhetorical question, and soon afterward, he motioned to the twins to split up: one headed east, one north and the bald leader towards the south: "He couldn'tve gone too far.. fan out, find him and kill him!" For whatever reason, this man seemed desperate to obtain the life force of the Otonin. Odd..

All three men had katana in their possession, as well as several slots of throwing projectiles. Riku and Roku would both be utilizing the jetpack propulsion technique seen prior, thus granting them capabilities of a higher vantage point, yet would allow Shouta to spot them out even quicker. The bald man simply ran: he had incredible speed given his bulking size; each time he stepped, the ground would tremble noticeably, giving him away had Shouta observed the vibrations coming from around him (had he gone south).

SPOILER: Click to show

State in which direction you are headed, and choose which one of the 3 followed after you.

East - Riku
North - Roku
South - Goemon

Note: Do not post stating that you are attacking them, simply fleeing evading. Use no jutsu other than the one you have currently activated, which will enable you to tell which one is following you. My next post will be more... fun than this one.

[The Creator]

I had fled East, the direction opposite of the bridge. My initial burst of speed had been reduced to a jog as a stitch tugged painfully at a spot right underneath my right arm. I was sweating under my black garb and the sound of my labored breathing dominated all other senses.

I was being followed, but only by one individual. That was good. I wondered if they had known where I had gone and sent just 1 man to kill me or if they had split up. Either way the odds were in my favor. I would continue my trek east until I found a very good hiding spot. Until then I would continue jogging through the terrain.

Tasukeru Still Active (250 m)

[acids]

Spotting the boy would not have been a task deemed hard for the Protean Riku who had been somewhat airborne. He had been the one who Shouta left Yajirobe to die under as his Goukakyuu flamed engulfed the man; it was certain that he possessed Katon, but what of his other releases? The man, now fifteen or so meters from the running boy, would hurl three kunai at his victim, as tags hungrily ate away at the seal that bound up their explosive qualities. The first would explode about three meters away from Shouta, as the other two held their composition, now rocketing towards the ninja under the cloak of the black plume presented by the initial explosion.

Not taking the opportunity to cause these tags to explode just yet, the rogue ninja landed and cast seals upon doing so. From in front of Shouta, the earth began to rise and shift into white bandages that threatened to entangle him in their earthen grasp to restrict him from movement. This, coupled with the fact that he had two exploding tags outfitted kunai hurling towards him, would test his ability to do more than just run. He would have to push himself further, to use more chakra as the toll of the Tasukeru began to become noticeable upon his body; Riku hadn't known of the boy's Kekkei Genkai just as Shouta didn't know of his. If Shouta were to have not be quick enough to dodge the lashing restraints, then they would take hold of his small body, further allowing the explosion of tag and kunai shrapnel to in turn mutate his stature. Riku kept a distance of ten meters as he commanded the tags to explode with another show of one-handed sealing.

SPOILER: Click to show

Tech Used:
Doton: Tsuchi Baindo
Rank: C Rank
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Literally Doton: Tsuchi Baindo means Earth: Earth Bind. The reason why it has called such is the effects of the technique. As a Ninjutsu, the technique utilizes chakra. Here the user forms the handsigns and collects whatever takes part of the landscape/ground and forms strips of cloth out of it. With Doton, it manipulates stone or dirt.
Special: Rat, Boar, Dog, Ox, Tiger
Drawback: One must have Earth Release to perform.
Description: The Earth forms white strips looking much like bandages that rise from the ground and wrap tightly around the opponent. The strips are thick enough that they cannot be cut through with a kunai, and are wrapped tight enough to leave the enemy immobile.
Limit: Earth Release

[The Creator]

I did not get the head start I would have liked. I was not able to find a hiding spot nor ponder the battle before he was on me again. He had a supernatural speed that originated from his odd jumps aided by the weird extensions on his back.

The surroundings were mostly flat and grassy. There were not much spots in which to hide and that is what would become my demise.

I could see through Tasukeru the exploding tags stretched to the kunai. They had begun to burn (my eyes, not the kunai) in the way that tired eyes might burn at the weary. It was the sign of chakra drain; I would not be able to hold out much longer. This situation was becoming very, very bad.

The kunai would not have time to explode near me as I could see the trajectory of the kunai as soon as it was thrown. Adrenaline flooding me, I kicked the ground, cutting my run and building a distance between myself and the tag.

But before I could think he was forming Handseals. He had Katon, Suiton, and Doton and this technique could have been any of those 3. Suddenly, chains of earth erupted from the ground in an attempt to seize me. I started my own flurry of Handseals with my right hand. Should the earth bind my arms and force them swat from each other, I would still be able to finish my Handseals before I was completely seized. Taking just over a quarter of a second (~.35 s), I finished the Handseals. The earth that would have wrapped around me suddenly snapped several thick branches of a nearby thicket of trees.

I was now perhaps 20 meters from the assailant and 10 meters from where I had just escaped. The thicket was raised on a slight hill surrounded on all sides by a gently sloping field of grass. The thicket itself had a radius of 3 meters, the trees being not thick nor able to hide. But I would take care of that. Handseals would form as soon as I had the ability to do so, just after my replacement technique, to bring in a familiar, thick mist that seemed to work well during our last meeting.

I would finish up with a final and brief set of Handseals in which I would suddenly disappear underground. I was hopeful that he would not be able to detect me under here and that he would blindly rush into the fog. I was beginning to grow tired and knew that time was becoming a factor. I did not have many more tricks up my sleeve.

SPOILER: Click to show

Moku Kawarimi no Jutsu (Wood Replacement Skill)
Rank: "D" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: A technique that switches a user with a wood technique created by a user of the Wood Release
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: By using the Kawarimi no Jutsu the user is capable of using any wood technique that is in the user's disposal in the short distance and is capable of instantly switching the user with the wood technique away from harm's way.
Limit: Must have the Wood Release

Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hidden Mist Skill)
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: A Skill where a user uses the water around them to create a massive mist to fill around the user.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A skill which creates a very dense fog that descreases the surrounding visibility to near zero. It produces an environment perfect for a silent assassin who follows an opponent through sound. This mist can not be blown away by any type of Wind Jutsu.
Limit: Water Release

Doton - Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu (Double Suicide Decapitation Technique)
Rank: "D" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu / TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique where the user hides within the ground for a brief moment to surprise attack the opponent from under ground.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The user takes the time to push into the ground by using their Earth Release. The user pushes into the ground quickly so that to be used against the opponent later on. The user at this point cannot necessarily move within the ground at this moment, but the user does know by feel of when an opponent is right above. When an opponent is right under the user reaches up to take the opponent and drag them back down to the ground in one fell swoop without movement or notice. The opponent is unable to move for one post and the user is capable of slamming out of the ground with one movement.
Limit: Needs the Earth Release

[acids]

Once the smoke cleared, Riku had looked impressed that so young a shinobi had thwarted his tactic. The wood replacement had taken the full force of the explosive attack as the original vanished toward another direction--but where...

Turning his head and moving quickly forward, Riku frowned as he saw mists forming in the environment once again, surely the ploy of Shouta given that he had used that same technique before. The man would enter into the opaque mist and start to yell:

"Where are ya, kid?! I just wanna eat your fucking eyes!"

Unknown to him, though, was Shouta who had slipped underground just within five meters of his location. The nukenin kept his guard up, as his left arm transformed into a shield and his right forearm sprouted a slashing appendage.

SPOILER: Click to show

Techs Used:
Partial Transformation
Rank: "C"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: A basic technique that allows the user to transform a limb or more under the effect of the Protean blood.
Special: ---
Drawback: May be learned 7 times. (2) Legs, (2) Arms, (Torso) Front, (Torso) Back, Head
Description: This technique allows the user to transform a limb using the effects of the Protean blood that resides within them. This is simply a "prerequisite" technique. When first learned the user may only transform 1 limb (arm or a leg). Each time learned the user may transform an additional limb. Example: If the user knows this technique twice, they may transform 1 arm into a Shield, and the other into a Blade, or both into Shields as long as the user knows the required techniques. It takes "C" rank worth of Handseals in time to transform individual limbs.
Limit: Must be a Protean.

[The Creator]

With more than just a little will, and a cold sensation thus blooming over my brow, I brought back the Tasukeru. I had thought more than just idly of resting here, in the ground, as if I was dead. But was I really so weak? Must I bury myself and hide to defeat a single foe? Was I, Shouta, to be remembered this way? And that is where I drew the will to bring my red eyes back. A grunt, muffled from the dirt, escaped my throat.

He was close; he had wondered into the mist. Ancestors, how dull was he?

Devour.

I thought suddenly. At least, it was my thought..right? No, that voice was not mine, it belonged to Radamel. But it seemed like such a brilliant idea. In fact, all other paths seemed idiotically pale. Yes, let me devour him then, and I will not feel so pitiful.

The Handseals that came to me filled me with excitement. If it worked, the enemy would find himself paralyzed. More than that, he would find his chakra and energy fail him until he was nothing but a shell of fear and fatigue. I had never used this before..but it seemed right.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Using:
Doton - Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu (Double Suicide Decapitation Technique)
Rank: "D" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu / TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique where the user hides within the ground for a brief moment to surprise attack the opponent from under ground.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The user takes the time to push into the ground by using their Earth Release. The user pushes into the ground quickly so that to be used against the opponent later on. The user at this point cannot necessarily move within the ground at this moment, but the user does know by feel of when an opponent is right above. When an opponent is right under the user reaches up to take the opponent and drag them back down to the ground in one fell swoop without movement or notice. The opponent is unable to move for one post and the user is capable of slamming out of the ground with one movement.
Limit: Needs the Earth Release

Tasukeru (Seeing Life)
Rank: C, B, A, S (x2)
Skill: Doujutsu
Effect: Allows a full three hundred and sixty (360) degree field of vision and some predictability to physical attacks. Unlike Byakugan, the user sees life in its normal colors during this tech, no details spared. Signs of life, thermal readings and X Ray vision is near perfect. Can also read a determine the difference of a regular shinobi to that of one with a bloodline or if they house any foreign presence by the different chakra waves displayed when observed through Tasukeru. This does not mean one knows the BL right away. Must have encountered the BL before in order to know exactly who they are. The ‘C’ ranked version grants the user up to 50 meters of observing. Each new rank for the Jutsu will add 50 more meters. This can be trained multiple times after all the ranks are achieved in order to add 50 meters onto one’s total. Each extra training is worth an S ranked training.
Special: Although one is born with this jutsu, one must activate the eyes through training.
Drawback: Heavy chakra drain over time, especially when multiple phases of the Tasukeru are accessed. While Taijutsu can be predicted, the Onigami are not designed to have fast twitch muscles. As such, perfect blocking simply won’t happen all the time.
Description: Summoned through will, the scarlet eyes of the Onigami will grow a very vibrant neon red and all life becomes theirs to fully observe. Once activated, the user has a three hundred and sixty (360) degree field of vision, as well as the ability to see into other people’s bloods. For those allied to an Onigami, this jutsu is revered for making the Onigami known as the ultimate scouts.
Limit: Must be part of the Onigami BL.

New Technique:
Degeneration
Rank: B
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a cocoon around the target to absorb their energy.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: The user must maintain the Shark handseals. The user must be at least five (5) meters away from the user to use this.
Description: The user forms the needed handseals and ends with the Shark one while being five (5) meters or less away from the target. Then a cocoon made of chakra is created around the target inmobilizing them and stopping them from using chakra. The cocoon will began to asorb the target's energy and will give it to the user, the target cannot use Ninjutsu/Genjutsu but still can use Taijutsu and any C Ranked or higher technique can break the cocoon. If the user is more than five (5) meters away from the target the cocoon will dissapear.
Limit: Must be part of the Onigami Bloodlimit. Must know Petrify (4 times learned).

[acids]

An advanced level of the Onigami Petrify would overcome Riku within the mists of Shouta as he activated his Red Eye once more. The nukenin, having felt a sudden surge of energy that was not his own, would fall to a knee and howl as his life force was slowly sapped from him..

"Got damn Onigamiii!!" he screamed, trying to move forward in the thick fog but to no avail. He had never felt so draining a technique and as his spiritual reserves began to fade from him, they would fall into the tenketsu of Shouta, who was near losing his spiritual stamina. This sudden boost of spiritual resolve would give him enough strength to amass an amount of pressure to keep the Protean from moving, and as the minutes dwindled by, Riku's body began to lose its vitality and he was left looking like nothing more than a former shell of himself. The Protean blood started to fade away as his limbs returned to their original form.

Given that Roku and Goemon were miles away, Shouta would have more than enough time to search the body of Riku and flee the area. Upon the person of Riku--the only item that would have seemed to strike the young Onigami's interests--was a small-sized scroll that held within it contents revolving around the reason he had been in Hotspring Country. What could be said, though, about the scroll was that it mentioned something about the nation's capital of Hakone. Since Yajirobe had died and he knew not the location of the Shadow Man, Shouta was left with this single piece of information and could either flee to the capital, or search blindly--despite Tasukeru--for the Shadow Man Onigami.

SPOILER: Click to show

-- Either mention going to Hakone or following whatever path you think will lead you blindly towards the Shadow Man. Either result will led in some form of repercussion... hehe.

-- My following post will delve further into the scroll contents. All you know now is something about Hakone.