King of Worms [T]

[Master Game]

Slippery Mind
Rank: "B"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User is such an accomplished liar that they have the ability to mentally talk their way out of charms, compulsions and other sorts of enchantment.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: If the user is affected by an Enchantment and fail the save, 1 round later the user can attempt the save again. User only get 1 extra chance to succeed.
Limit: Must learn from Universal Miscellaneous.

0/40

Shoko smiled. The cool relief of the sudden breeze was moralising but fleeting. The respite gotten from the occasional whistles of wind were soothing and honestly well-deserved considering how long the young Sunagakure shinobi had been walking. The voluminous road of sand the boy dragged his feet across was heavy, the added friction slowing down his movements quite a bit. As usual the big fat sun was glaring, showering the boy with heat rays from his right.

The chuunin's scarf was wrapped over his head like a turban; a wise choice indeed to lessen the effects of the smouldering heat. Whatever brought the stone-faced ninja to this desert out in the middle of nowhere must be dire, or at least urgent in some way. Seconds after shooting a bearing, Shoko looked in the direction that was Northwest. The boy just had to make sure he was on the right track. "The King of Worms, eh?" The boy spoke. "Whoever you are, your days are numbered."

Shoko gave a light sarcastic chuckle, he was kidding of course. Yes, he was on a little journey to find the one the locals around this particular side of the country called "The King of Worms." It was anything malicious or personal really, he'd just overheard a few tales about him, as well as rumours from not only locals but from shinobi too. Very interesting tales indeed. In a sense you could say that it was Shoko's curiosity that lead him here.

[Master Game]

Post 2

The King of Worms as they say seemed to be some sort of hermit sage. Rumored to live in a cave in easily-recognisable mountainside. The stories the young boy had heard about the king of worms were quite odd. From being able to bring back the dead to having absolute control over weak-minded underworld creatures and vermin. Some say he lures travellers into his cave and eats their bones, others say he is psychic that can read the future knows when the world will end.

Shoko had heard such a mish-mash of random rumours and tales that he wasn't quite sure what to expect from this fabled "King of Worms" and that was if he even existed in the first place. But if he did, with all the things that had been heard about him, Shoko came to smart conclusion that if even half of the rumours were true, he was threat either to the inhabitants of the country, or to the very village of Suna itself.

It was only a matter of time before something happened and then shinobi would be called in to stop whatever menace was being cooked up. Shoko liked to think that prevention was better than cure. Besides, this was one of his days-off, which meant he had all the time be off on personal assignments such as these. No harm done really, he was a chuunin and had a lot more freedom than before.

[Master Game]

Post 3


The man Shoko was hunting lived in cave dwelling soemwhere on the face of Tenkuu Mountain. Tenkuu Mountain was actually one of the biggest mountains to exist in the deserts of this side of Kaze no Kuni which naturally made it well-known. Coincidentally there was also a small settlement that resided very near Tenkuu mountain.

Shoko wasn't too sure but likely they were the main source of the rumours pertaining to the King of Worms, living so close to his hideout they must've spied him doing some things or heard things from him. As for his name "King of Worms", no quite really knew how the man came to possess such a nickname. Perhaps it was because of the outrageous rumour that he could control underworld creature, more likely it was because he was an old hermit who lived in a cave.

Whatever it was, Shoko still needed to talk to him, ask him a few questions and generally find out more about the man. Despite this not being an official assignment, Shoko would make sure to report any relevant information regarding the infamous "King of Worms" back to his superiors in the village. Shoko wished for the encounter to be as non-hostile as possible, if anything, Shoko didn't wish to end up with another person's blood on his hands lest things spiral out of control.

[Master Game]

Post 4


Much less would the young shinobi like to end up dead somewhere in a ditch far from the village and possibly where tracker ninja wouldn't be able to find his body. Absolute caution was the only modus-operandi Shoko could think of to deal with this man of mystery. As always the sun was bearing down hard, but it didn't affect Shoko half as much as it should. The boy was a fully-fledged desert dweller with how long he had lived in the Land of Wind.

The climate sure was far-cry compared to when he used to live in kaminari no Kuni. The difference n whether between the two countries could hardly ever be compared. Life in Kaze no Kuni was hot and over-bearing at times, but it was also comfortable and sweet. Especially in the village where he finally felt like he was a part of something special.

Shoko would gladly die for the village that had given his life meaning, but there was no way in hell he'd ever allow himself to perish out in the middle of nowhere, not even on an official mission. Shoko would have to prioritise survival over everything else if push came to shove. He wasn't just coming out here to satisfy his own personal curiosity but to possibly gain information on someone or something that could end up being a threat to the prosperity of the nation.

[Deleted]

learned

[Master Game]

Light Step
Rank: "B"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User picks their way nimbly through even the most dangerous and uneven terrain.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User can ignore the effects of difficult terrain in natural environments, as if they were normal terrain.
Limit: Must learn from Universal Miscellaneous.

0/40

Shoko marched on through the heat, cool breezes spurring him on as he continued on with his journey. Shoko's mind wandered over to the King of Worms once more. The young boy had heard that the man was an old sage. But Shoko had no idea what a sage meant, he could only guess that it was some sort of grandmaster of some ancient art. For whatever reason, the young boy had the idea of this King of Worms being an adept ninjutsu-user.

Shoko laughed off the idea that the King of Worms was a master of ninjutsu who could even teach Shoko a great deal of special techniques. However, if the strange sage was a powerful as they say then that very might be possible. Young Shoko kept such notions at the back of his mind for the remainder of the journey. Shoko sighed, wiping bead of sweat from his forehead. In the horizon, the young boy could spy the out-cropping of some sand dunes.

Maybe he could get closer he'd be able to activate the zooming vision lenses on his Vanguard of the Wolf mask. Shoko could either end up spotting the small village settlement if he did so, or the Mountain Tenkuu first. If he simply saw Mt. Tenkuu then he would amble over to the great mountain and find a way into the hermit's cave if he could, but if the boy managed to spy the village, he would approach it first.

[Master Game]

Post 2

Some seconds later, Shoko would find himself climbing his way up medium-sized sand dunes. The added friction from the sand and the downward acting force of gravity really slowed him down. Shoko contemplated taking a break to rest, for he knew there was still quite a bit of the journey to go, and he was already feeling a bit fatigued. This arbitrary mental suggestion started crumbling the moment the young boy got to the top of the sand dune.

For at least another hundred metres, hills of sand dunes stretched out in random patterns.Young Shoko grit his teeth, he knew there was no way he could rest like this, he was going to have to do a lot of walking. Shoko shot a bearing first to be sure he was in the right position and going in the right direction. Once the boy was sure that he hadn't unconsciously drifted off the path and gotten lost somewhere without knowing.

Once he was sure that wasn't the case, Shokok took a large swig of water from his canteen to keep himself hydrated before continuing on his journey. The trek through the field of sand dunes was long and arduous, but young Shoko was trained soldier. His stamina would see him through, and his legs could take much more than this, even in the devilish heat the young boy would persevere.

[Master Game]

Post 3


Some minutes would pass, and after clearing the field of sand dunes Shoko would breath out a sigh of relief. No, he hadn't come across tenkuu mountain but luckily there was a small settlement the boy could spy in the distance. "Bingo." Young Shoko whispered under his breath, he was going to need to refill his canteen anyway. After some more minutes of walking, Shoko would finally come within distance of the small settlement situated in the desert.

It finally occurred to Shoko how strange it was. Even in the Land of Wind, there were very few, if any small villages situated in the middle of brazen deserts. Communities in such places simply could not survive, for where would they plant crops, or obtain water? Shoko activated his zooming vision and surveyed the small settlement. Sure enough, the boy could see clearly Tenkuu Mountain. It was actually right by the borders of the small settlement.

"Hmm..." Shoko had a lot of questions. If possible he would also like to get a bite to eat and refill his canteen before making the journey up the mountain to locate the King of Worms. Actually, there was a good chance that the villagers would be able to help him with the latter. Shoko crept closer and closer, watching as he caught the eye of some of the villagers. This would be interesting.

[Master Game]

Post 4



Shoko waved down the first face he saw, and elderly woman. After offering a curt and kind greeting, Shoko explained to her that he was a traveller and that he was looking for a place to rest and recover shortly before continuing his journey. For some reason, Shoko decided to be evasive about where exactly he was heading, but nonetheless he was still accepted. "We don't get many visitors around these parts."

The woman smiled as she lead Shoko away to where he could get some food and drink. The older woman was kind enough to allow young Shoko to to meet with the chief of the village. Supposedly that was a common tradition in the village who's name Shoko still did not know. The lady led the young boy towards a small building, but one that was clearing bigger and different from the other huts in the settlement.

Hopefully, Shoko could ask the chief a few questions about Tenkuu Mountain. "Maybe after I get a bite to eat." Shoko wasn't sure of the kind of delicacies served out in settlements this side of kaze no kuni but at the moment the boy could pretty much eat anything. However, the boy would not dare take their hospitality for granted. He would indeed pay them back whether they demanded it or not, maybe even offer to take care of one or two jobs or share some information.

[Skulking Shinzu]

Learned.

[Master Game]

Efficient Jutsu
Rank: "S"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: The user can perform enhanced versions of some of their Jutsus more efficiently than other Chakra Users.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: When performing any Jutsu enhanced by any single Jutsu Enhancement Technique, the enhanced Jutsu uses up Jutsu Handseal/Chakra 1/2 lower than they normally would without the benefit of the Efficient Jutsu Enhancement Technique. User may never reduce the Jutsu Handseal/Chakra Increase below 1/2 Jutsu Handseal/Chakra Increase.
Limit: Must learn from Universal NinJutsu.

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The woman would lead young Shoko to the chief's hut which was situated right in the middle of the small village. It took a bit of walking and as the shinobi was escorted by the woman, they'd meet a lot of people outside as they passed. Shoko offered timid waves while the lady offered a beaming smile before announcing that she would be taking him to see the chief.

Shoko was met with generally positive reception which albeit made things a bit more comfortable. Eventually they'd come across the chief's hut. Pretty much every structure out here was mad of sandstone and the chief's hut wasn't different. The woman would knock twice before entering. Leading Shoko inside, the byo would take a glance at the scenery. it was a very modest, simple sandstone interior. If compared to homes back in Sunagakure it would be at best lower middle class, but Shoko guessed that here the place was similar to that of a lord's abode. She told him to take a seat and wait, while she went into a corridor, leaving Shoko alone briefly.

As the boy sat alone, he would notice a sandstone bookcase; a collection of seemingly ancient tomes inside. Shoko couldn't help but get up and marvel at them. They piqued his interest because a lot of them had to do with the workings of chakra from the looks of it. Shoko grabbed one of the smaller, simpler to read ones, blowing the dust from its hardback cover. Efficient Jutsu Enhancements it read.

[Master Game]

Post 2



Shoko, by habit, started reading the book and was very soon lost in it. This continued for a while until out of the blue, the woman returned and with a short, elderly man who wore his gray hair in a ponytail and goatee. "Ah, so you must be the young visitor." The shot man raised a hand, which Shoko took. "I am Zekar, or Chief Zekar of Aldera, this small hamlet you've stumbled upon." Shoko responded by indifferently stating his own name.

"Ah, Shoko. So what brings you here to our humble settlement? Mari says you've come from a long journey and simply wish to rest for a bit." Shoko nodded his head to confirm the story. "Well then, we don't get many visitors around Aldera but we make it a tradition to treat them with utmost hospitality. I'll have my grandaughters prepare you something to get your energy up, and I'll have Mari refill your canteen. Shoko gave the most earnest smile he could muster before clearing this throat and announcing he'd duly re-compensate Chief Zekar for his hospitality.

"Ah don't sweat it lad. I saw your reading that Jutsu-Enhancement tome earlier. Few in this village know the way of chakra but you've got a certain look about you that says you might be one." Zekar gave an amused chuckle. "Don't hold back, feel free to read away. It'll help you kill time anyway before the meal is prepared." Shoko was a bit hesitant at first, but then eagerly went to the bookcase and picked the designated book to start reading.

[Master Game]

Post 3


Alas, it was finally time to start the journey up Tenkuu Mountain. Shoko now knew there was more to this journey than satisfying his curiosity, he had a date with curiosity. The chief of the village had been more than kind with the lad, even letting him have the Efficient Jutsu Enhancement tome for free. During the meal they had, they also began discussing the King of Worms once Shoko said that was who he was searching for. One of the things they talked about being the fact that the hermit sage was a master of jutsu-enhancements.

If the information was true, then Shoko needed to find him and find away to convince the man to teach himself the grand art of jutsu enhancement. But of course, it wouldn't be easy. If the King of Worms was as strong as they say, then what reason would he have to show his secrets to some random stranger. Shoko would have to earn his trust somehow. Yet again, the chief said that if the boy still planned on visiting him, he should tell the old sage that "Sekiei" was the one who sent him. Shoko patted his freshly-refilled canteen that hung by his side.

Tenkuu Mountain was very large but Shoko had plenty experience of climbing mountains because of his time spent in the Land of Thunder, but it wasn't like the King of Worms lived that high up anyway. Likely, but Shoko prepped his mind for anything. The young boy started towards the small trail that was barely distinct on the sandy mountain face, this was it, there wasn't any turning back.

[Master Game]

Post 4


Mount. Tenkuu was steep. For some, far too steep to have a level surface that one could walk horizontally on. The so-called "trail" was a rather risky venture if one didn't have skill or experience in mountain hiking or wasn't versatile enough to adapt, they wouldn't fare well on this journey. Without a second of further hesitation, young Shoko begun his hike. The multi-armed shinobi began his ascent up Mount Tenkuu, his feet marching along the thin, curvy and zig-zagging trail.

The sun wasn't directly shining on him at that exact moment, but with the zig-zagged trail that would inevitable lead him across all the faces of the mountain as he ascended, the young shinobi was likely to have to experience the intense bliss of the sun's rays. The young boy re-adjusted his turban, he'd be ready when the time came. Shoko begun to let his mind wander, particularly towards how he felt recently as a practitioner of the ninjutsu art.

Lately Shoko felt like he was slacking off on his training, sure he'd spent most of his time, doing patrol work around the village but for the training that was supposed to make the boy stronger, Shoko hadn't done much of that lately and it irked him. Shoko simply yearned for the power to be able to serve his village as the best of the best and carry out his every duty without fail.

[Master Game]

Post 5



For one, the young shinobi recalled his clan heritage as an Ogumo, and remembered that there was a large branch of secret ninjutsu techniques that only Ogumo were entitled to learn. By tradition he was of age, and if he still lived with his clansmen, he would be currently studying a myriad of secret techniques. Shoko already begun thinking about how perhaps some days after all of this "king of the Worms" business, he would find permission to journey back to his roots to visit his clansmen.

However, there was a good chance the boy would be denied. While chuunin were allowed the freedom to embark on journeys to to other countries for the private endeavours and village bussiness. Shoko is a known fugitive in the land of Thunder due to his past and is considered a rogue ninja of Kumogakure. No doubt if he were to set foot in Kaminari no Kuni, tracker nin would soon hear word of his presence. Shoko decided he would ponder more on the matter later, it was a complex topic after all.

The young boy continued his march at a steady pace, realising he had already walked at least a hundred metres. The sun was now beating down on his face with its rays of solar energy like it had done so many times before. While the sun on this side of the equator was several times hotter than any other, Shoko had gotten much used to it.

[Master Game]

Post 6


As the young shinobi continued his ascent, he'd begin to notice the peculiarities that the village chief had explained to him not too long ago. There really were crops and flora growing on the face of what was meant to be a dry, barren mountainside in the middle of a desert. Shoko could barely believe his eyes, fields of wheat, vegetable stalks and other consumable crops were spaced out quite nicely around the Mount.

Tenkuu as the boy progressed on his journey. So this was how the inhabitants of the village below survived and thrived; this was the magic of the King of Worms. Shoko subconsciously grinned. Likely water-style had been involved somewhere and the boy's suspicion was soon confirmed after he performed a quick set of handseals.

Performing the Locate Water jutsu, Shoko quickly sensed it; water lots of it, running underground the mountain where he trod, it definitely wasn't natural but more like self-sustaining. No-doubt the pumps the boy had seen by the base of the mountain sucked up this huge abundance of water and moisture to keep the villagers alive. Anyone who could break the laws of nature in such way had to be a brilliant ninjutsu-user

[Master Game]

Post 7

"So? Shoko is it? Shall I assume you've come here to interrogate me? An old hermit living up in the mountains?" The beady, bright amber eyes of the old sage bore straight into the young boy's very soul, suddenly making him feel very uncomfortable and nervous. For a second, the boy's words were lodged in his throat, unable to escape as Shoko himself though of how to escape this awkward situation.

He honestly didn't expect to be meeting the King of Worms right as his entrance, to show that he had been expected the whole time. "Uh, no... sir. Chief Zekar sent me, I'm merely here to witness and speak to the great legend that they call the King of Worms." The old sage's eyes rolled. The elderly man had a rough, wrinkled visage like most his age. This hair however was somehow comepletely intact, its colour snow-white as if it were aged to perfection.

The infamous cave-dweller dressed in a scarlet and turquoise robe, with a strange insignia young Shoko could not recognise stitched unto the left breast. "So you're just a tourist." The old sage gave a mock-yawn. "Get out of here kid. Come back tomorrow I'm busy." Shoko's right eye twitched, he wasn't going to be having that, not after coming so far. From the will of the boy's raw instincts, his chakra spurred in his body as Shoko utilised a technique that was trade-mark of his unique chakra.

[Master Game]

Post 8

Shoko disappeared from the sage's vision at once, within the blink of an eye. For a few seconds, everywhere was deathly silent. Until Shoko drew a bladed weapon. The robed sage did not move a muscle, or at least that was what it seemed from looking behind him. The boy's silent threat was met with invisible retaliation. A sharp and continuous pain came over the boy's fingers, momentarily causing him to drop the kunai.

"So, shinobi. You tired of trying to be a smartass. I know I've carried out some exploits here and there but if you've seriously think I'm going sit back and allow you to arrest me you've got another thing coming punk." Shoko raised his hands up, realising once again that his sudden erratic behaviour may have just jeopardised his goal.

"Yes, as you've seen I am a shinobi. And one of Sunagkaure, though my headband for now is hidden. But I didn't come here to interrogate you or arrest you or anything. I heard some rumours that you were a skilled ninjutsu-master, rumours that were only justified once I found you were the cause of the crops and water that has allowed the small village below to survive." Shoko usually held his pride as a shinobi at all costs, but this was different, he realised he came here not as a shinobi but as a soul searching for enlightenment.

[Master Game]

Post 9


Young Shoko dropped to his knees and slapped two of his hands together. "I know we've gotten off on the wrong foot but, please, teach me your ways. I promise, just half a day of learning a few tips and tricks to improving my overall ninjutsu and I'll be out of your hair." The King of Worms eyes widened and stared Shoko down, it was a cold, powerful stare that the young boy could not turn away from.

Only several seconds later did the man blink and avert his gaze. "I can't deception from you. But that doesn't mean I'm going to agree to your request." The elderly man paused, thinking carefully. "I'm not simply going to train someone who's likely not worth my time. At the very least prove your worth." The King of Worms then walked off into another room in the cozy cave-system.

Shoko struggled to follow the sage through a confusing system of maze-like tunnels that lead the boy deeper and deeper into the heart of Tenkuu Mountain. Whether it was by lack of exposure to things like the sun, or the simple fact that they were underground, but the air around the shinobi was surprisingly cool and damp. Shoko had rarely ever been underground but for some reason he'd expected it to feel stuffy and humid. The boy thought that even be because of all the damp moisture that rain through the mountain soil.

[Master Game]

Post 10


Minutes later, young Shoko would enter a wide, hollow cavern, completely bare except for two flaming torches on either side of the spherical room. The mysterious sage would walk to the exact middle spot in the room, swivel a hundred-and-eighty-degrees to face his desperate visitor. "I won't waste my time on someone without talent. I'll need to test your strongest jutsu."

Shoko's face remained indifferent as the King of Worms asked him whether it was going to be an offensive or defensive jutsu. Shoko knew his strongest jutsu so far was acutally on the defensive side, but he had other plans. After Shoko gave his answer, The white-haired hermit begun a lightnign-fast set of handseals that were seemingly ove rbefore they even begun. The ground soon started rumbling, and a portion of the earth next to the King of Worms shifted and warped, changing its shape and size until it became a giant earth golem.

Shoko's face betrayed no hint of surprise or fear, he quite quickly picked up on what was about to happen next. "Go on boy. Do it, try and destroy this golem with your most powerful jutsu. Then I will see if you're good enough to learn what I have to teach." The corners of Shoko's lips slwoly tugged upwards. Flexing his fingers, started building up his chakra. He wasn't just going to pass this test, he was going to surprise the old sage.