An Icy Ichor [Private / Epic]

[octonauticus]

The expedition to the northern and icy isles of Yuki no Kuni would bring the reigning Amekage to a deserted port, only to find himself alone and without his previous company. At the chilly dock, the vague mists offered little visual acuity, even to a man with such prowess as he with the Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan. There was a faint wail accompanying the slicing winds, but that was the least of the Uchiha's concern. He had awoken with his usual equipment and no harm seeming done to him; the only things that he lacked where his companions--be them shinobi or of animal caste.

As he would gather himself and explore this cold land, Itada would be overcome with a strong sense of deja-vu; endless plains of stark white snow lay before him, yet what had stood out the most to the man had been the looming icicle castle in the background. His eye could see the winds whipping against the high peaks of the doomed palace, and from a far, he happened to notice a small and flickering light near a draw bridge that lay in front of the castle. The world outside of the cold was foggy and forgotten; but here in this wintry nightmare, everything to Itada appeared bleak and uncomfortably gelid.

[M$]

The chilling winds caressed the smooth succulent skin of the young Uchiha as his venture into the icy lands of Yuki No Kuni reached fruition. He found himself isolated, alone, lacking both the ANBU operatives assigned directly under him, as well as the behemoth of a sabretooth that usually followed. If it had at all seemed strange -- the reigning Amekage in the middle of a hostile land all on his own, was because it was not truly him present -- instead, in his wake, was the ancient Uchiha whom had found himself imprisoned within the puppet frame that was Itada's body; a being of an age well passed, it was Kaka'rot who roamed freely throughout the tundra.

The long raven locks that fell from his crown swayed majestically to the rhythm of the winds; colored the same tone as the hooded cloak that adorned his frame and kept most of his equipment hidden, in a land shaded the purest of whites, a lone soul dark as his could only portray the image of a foreigner to those who would sight him from a distance.

Once close enough to notice the finer details of his person, the mixture of scarlet red and blackened marks that stained his eyes would give him the visage of a demon. At the moment, his dpujutsu was not active as a means to conserve the reservoir of chakra that he possessed, and his eyes rested an elegant shade of onyx as he continued his trek deeper into the gelid country.

He had checked his equipment both before he exited his home, and after his arrival to the lands of Yuki No Kuni. Both the legendary blade Oūken, which worked in tandem with his affinity for lightning jutsu, and a regular longsword in the shape of a katana, poisoned with death, lay strapped horizontally across the lower extremity of his back, facing opposite directions. The left arm of the Uchiha was adorned with a metal contraption that was also a weapon, a Melody Arm - it was far too large to be covered by the sleeves of his cloak, and instead rested on top. It, and the two blades, were the only items on his person that would be visible to the naked eye.

The other equipment that he possessed included caltrops(32), kunai(10), senbon(114), shuriken (15), and explosive tags of fire (80), binoculars with night vision and the capability of 5x zoom, a gas mask, one rebreather, a compass, and a scroll map of the known world, which all were hidden in his number of butt bags and utility pouches, strapped to his tactical chest rig beneath his cloak.

From the moment he'd arrived in the snow plagued lands, and even moreso as he continued his journey, it was evident that eventually the chill of the snowy nation would eventually get to him, but he did not worry -- he was well versed in the art of Katon ninjutsu, which would undoubtedly prove indispensable in an environment such as this.

The endless sea of shadeless white seemed to stretch onto infinity before him, and it would not be too long before the sensation of deja vu began to manifest within -- yet when it seemed like there was no end to the chilling landscape, it was then that he caught sight of it. It was in the distance, but it's massive girth did little to hide it even in lands as frigid and foggy as these. Was it made of ice, or was it the cold that decorated it to look as such? He did not know, but his eyes were drawn to what seemed to be a flickering light which led him to catch sight of the draw bride that lay before the castle.

What he could not see now, he would surely be able to see through the scope of his binoculars. With the capability to zoom in, the Uchiha would retrieve the item from beneath his cloak and press it to his eyes, cycling through each zoom function until he could see both the light and the drawbridge clearly. His skill in observation(125) was high, as well as his ability to investigate (125), and he would use both in conjunction to try and gleam any information about the icy palace from the outside.

First, he would look over what he could see of the entirety of the castle, and then he would focus toward the light and the bridge. Was there defenses? Guards? If so, could he see their armor or equipment? Were there windows? Could he see anybody or anything within them? What of the bridge? Anything unusual?

Kaka'rot knew without a doubt that he would need to gain entry, if not for anything to escape the weather before things got too bad. He had no way of truly providing a shelter for himself out here. Also, he would need to eat. In such an uncomfortable nation, it would do him no harm to set up a base of operations where he would be able to return and rest when needed.

There was no way to know for sure how long it would be until he found that which he searched for .. it was only logical for him to take such precautions.

[octonauticus]

With his ocular apparatus, the Uchiha was able to scry into the hazy depths of the crystalline castle perimeter. There had been a dozen or so men stationed around the entire camp ground, and at the drawbridge, there was an unsightly horror that the Amekage probably had never seen. Even without the aid of his doujutsu, with an observation that had been very keen, the man would spot the shifting of snow. Underneath the stark blanket of fallen precipitation, there had been a colossal-sized serpent. This had obviously been the main guardian of the ice fortress, as the twelve men stationed within the barricaded area of the castle had been drunken with mead. Five of them had weapons drawn and several others were either too drunk or too bothered telling war stories to tote around their crossbows. What the furtive man of Rain could also note was that only six had swords or lances, while the rest carried some type of long-range weapon.

His approach would be his own. There had been only one visible way into the fortress, and that was in the pathway of the hidden snow snake. With the ice walls of the castle being far too perilous to climb or navigate around, he could only push forward. But given his vantage and the prior investigation on his behalf, he held a slight advantage over the lackluster-liquor-louts. They fumbled around in the snow, spitting curses and spilling brew. The only reason why the serpent had shifted is because it was becoming agitated by all of the merry-making.

SPOILER: Click to show

Snake, Snow Serpent
Rank: ""
Type: Very Rare, Colossal, Animal
Effect: A snake adapted to the conditions in the arctic, sporting a thick white fur.
Special: Preparation: ---; Duration: ---;
Drawback: ---
Description: Also known as Ice Snake. Snakes are long, slender reptiles without legs that are found nearly everywhere. They are carnivores and like to swallow their prey whole. The two basic types of snakes are venomous and constrictors. Constrictor snakes are large creatures that squeeze their prey to death. In general, snakes have light colored underbellies and scales that match their environment. They shed their skin several times each year. All snakes fear fire and will retreat from open flames, lit torches that are swung vigorously and panicky humans running about with beards aflame. Snow Serpents are Giant Constrictor snakes that have adapted to life in the Arctic. They are covered with fur and reach lengths of 100 feet. They lie in wait beneath snow banks and then attempt to surprise prey. Those wrapped in the coils of a Snow Serpent are helpless and will be bitten for 20 Armour Points of damage per round. Snow Serpents have been known to swallow polar bears as snacks. Snakes are solitary carnivores, but it is not unusual to find a small clutch of reptiles in the same hunting area. They will feed on each other under dire circumstances and sometimes even share the same lairs. Certain snakes have adapted to life in the trees or have lived in inordinately long time. Snakes are born from eggs and can thrive on their own from birth. Different cultures of all sorts view the snake as a food source, a pet, a source of evil, a source of good or a good source of poison. Much like cats, snakes enjoy the pain of others.
Yields: Snake is edible and delicious. Snow Serpent hide makes excellent winter clothing and hide armour.
Diet: Carnivore; Intelligence Animal; Activity: Day; Alignment: Neutral; Organization: Solitary; Number Appearing: 1-2; Region: Arctic; Identification: Average; Cultivation: Difficult; Skills: ; Innate Abilities: Low-light Vision. Scent. Natural Armour +15. Constrict.
Limit: Must know Creature Lore for Arctic Regions. 5% chance in finding.
Cost:

[M$]

Peering through the modified optics, the Uchiha would notice a few things that he did not before; what previously appeared to simply be a dim flame in the midst of nothing, perhaps a lone candle or a torch on its' last legs, was actually a campfire, which undoubtedly was what kept the small batallion of men stationed around it comfortable out in the cold. 'Twelve', he thought quietly to himself as he counted them each one by one, taking the time to observe each one before moving on to the next.

He could see hardened metal in the shape of swords and lances equipped to a few, six of them to be exact, while the other six had armed themselves with weapons suited for mid to long range distance combat.

'Six melee, six range .. easily dismantled', Kaka'rot once again thought to himself. It was a sound makeup of a combat unit, no doubt, but it was nothing the ancient warrior had not come across before. Regardless, what they possessed in firepower, they seemed to lack in defensive capability. He did not see any of them dressed in armour, merely clothing, and not one of them harbored a shield for defensive prowess -- it was a simple unit, but could be quite effective under the umbrella of a tactical leader.

Even more-so, the way they moved was unorthodox; they swayed and stumbled as they stepped, and the Uchiha would come to know why as bottled of mead and liquor filled the lenses of his gadgetry. He chuckled a bit -- this lot would be easy to kill, but even easier to manipulate, and so he would resist the urge to stain his blades for now.

His study of the palace was nearly complete now, and as he moved to remove the binoculars from his eyes, the movement of snow near the drawbridge had caught his attention. It was no mere fleeting of wind that caused the blanket of snow to shift as it did -- no, the stark white had moved almost unnoticably, but there was little that the eyes of an Uchiha would miss, especially from a creature so large. He'd never saw something like it before, but with its revelation, a new idea sparked within his head.

And with it, he placed the optics back within his holdings and proceeded forward. He would remain vigilant in case any other surprises lay beneath the blanket of snow, casually and as stealthily(125) as possible, but he would not hide, and he would not falter in his approach. The moment he came within 42 meters of the giant snake, his right hand would dance behind the curtain of his cloak in a sequence of seals, which upon completion, would birth the Uchiha's genjutsu into the world.

Within moments, the snake would find its' system infected with a foreign chakra, and with the Uchiha's innate ability of manipulating animals, it would be even harder for the slithering serpent to resist.
(Charm Animal) (Thrall's Understanding) (Beyond Words)

Immediately, the Uchiha would know if his techniques were successful or not. If not, he still had 42 meters of separation between it and him to prepare. Successful or not, he would press onwards, ready to initiate the next step in his ploy.

"What is your name, friend?", he'd ask telepathically if his techniques rendered success.

SPOILER: Click to show

(Double Check me)
(10+10(2/class-level)+6(im-will)= 26
(Genjutsu Focus +6)
(Jutsu Focus +4)
(Master Illusionist trait +1)
(Animal Magnetism +2)

One-Handed Jutsu []
Rank: "A"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User learns how to perform Jutsus with One Handed Handseals.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Jutsus are normally performed with the use of 2 hands. A Stilled One-Handed Jutsu can be performed with Handseals using 1 Hand. Jutsus without Handseal components are not affected. Jutsu Handseal/Chakra Increase: 0 Rank. Note: This Jutsu Enhancement Technique may be applied to all Chakra Jutsus.
Limit: Must learn from Universal NinJutsu.

Animal Magnetism ()
Rank: "C"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User's charming powers are more potent with animals and anthropomorphic creatures.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The Saves for all of the user's Jutsus and abilities are increased by +2 when they are used to target Animals or anthropomorphic creatures.
Limit: Must be an Uchiha.

Charm Animal[39]
Rank: "D"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: This Jutsu functions like charm person, except that it affects a creature of the animal type.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects 1 animal. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique lasts for 5 hours per class level. This technique may be negated. This Jutsu functions like charm person, except that it affects a creature of the animal type.
Limit: Must know the Charm Perception. Must know Charm Person.

Thrall's Understanding [39]
Rank: "C"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The target creature is considered to have a common language with the user, even if it does not normally have a language or communicates in a way the user could not.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: Thrall's Understanding must be performed on the user's next action after they successfully affected a target with a Charm Jutsu.
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects a Charmed creature. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique lasts for 5 hours per class level. This technique may be negated. The user does not gain the ability to communicate in this language with any being except the charmed target. However, the target instantly understands any command or information the user wishes to impart. This Jutsu even allows the target to grasp concepts normally beyond its intelligence. A final advantage of this Jutsu is that, because of the additional bond with the target, the duration of the original charm effect is determined as if performed 1 Class Level.
Limit: Must know the Charm Perception. Must know Charmed Person (and other Charmed Jutsus depending on the creature type).

Beyond Words [39]
Rank: "C"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: Beyond Words allows the user to communicate mentally with the target during its duration.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: Similar to Thrall's Understanding, this Jutsu can be performed at any point during the Charm effect.
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects anyone who sees the user. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique lasts for 5 hours per class level. This technique may be negated. In addition to the effects of Thrall's Understanding, Beyond Words allows the user to communicate mentally with the target during its duration. Once performed, the target can travel any distance from the user and still remains affected by the initial Charm effect, regardless of the range limitations of the original Jutsu.
Limit: Must know the Charm Perception. Must know Thrall's Understanding.

[octonauticus]

Like a sore thumb, the shinobi of Rain stood out against the white backdrop. Still, his technique worked well enough to subdue and subjugate the serpent to his will.

'I have no name other than Beast.' It replied to the Uchiha. In its state of hypnosis, it flicked its tail sluggishly, but just enough to knock snow over into the fire pit where the drunk ruffians resided. Angered by this innocent gesture, one man took up his sword and trotted through the thick of snow to attack the furry serpent. Several others around still laughed and joked, but there was one man who had been off urinating to the side...

That's the bandit guarding the icy keep that saw the black blot in the white landscape.

"Boys!" he hollered as he shook the remnant urine from his urethra and pulled up his trousers. "Boys, it looks like we've got ourselves a visitor. Do ye think he's here for the treasure?"

Their laughing ceased and ten heads turned to where the one had been pointing. They were trying to figure out what he was doing out there---probably making a plan to storm their campground. This roused the fighting spirit amongst their drunken ilk and then they all went to arms. The last guard who had went after the snake with his sword had finally made it over towards it.

"So while we are preparin' to kill this bastard, you're over here asleep and making a mess... huh," he rose his sword at an upward angle so that it would come down and cut across the back of the white snake. "You'll pay for your lazy-ass ways, you foul Beast!!"

---

Three men with crossbows took station at higher vantage points, and four held the front where the draw bridge lay. "Don't let a soul cross the bridge... even without that lazy beast we still have an ace up our sleeves, lads!" The company roared in unison their battle cry as the remaining four began to, quite curiously, fumble with hand seals for the purpose of casting ninjutsu.

[M$]

Instantly, he could feel the connection between the giant snake and his genjutsu, confirming its' success in befriending the serpent. As it responded to his telepathic message, the Uchiha would continue his hypnotic onslaught, via another technique, utilizing the same method as he had just done, one handed, and under the guise of his cloak. It'd already been confirmed that the creature was susceptible to his techniques, and so it was inevitable that it would become his confidant moving forward, revealing anything asked of it.

"Tell me, Beast .. what lies amidst this icy fortress? Who is in charge of this place and what secrets does it hold within?", his voice would resonate within the brain of the arctic reptile.

Kaka'rot had moved closer since his inception, and continued his trek forward - his lack of stealthy manuevers had served to alert the merry of men that guarded the front of the castle. One man, undoubtedly lost in his drunken stupor, rushed the snake with his weapon drawn, yet the Uchiha would not react to that. Surely, a creature of such a size would not falter under the pain of what would be essentially a paper cut amongst the thick of its' skin. And even if, such actions would only sway the beast even moreso to the Uchiha's side.

Instead, the shinobi of old watched the men scramble like ants in response to catching sight of him. The "holler" filled his ears, but he wouldn't hear the entire phrase, as the man rushing the snake, the closest to him, had spoke up as well. Of the two statements, he would however, catch wind of the two most important things he needed to hear: 'Kill this bastard' and 'treasure'.

So, they would kill him without any provocation on his part is what he gathered. Was the treasure the man spoke of so important to these men that they would kill any who approached? Or was there more? They were a viscious lot, from the words and actions, savage to say the least .. More likely than not, just pawns in the bigger scheme of things.

Kaka'rot continued to watch the lot, noting their movements and position as well as the drawing of their weapons. He would perform one more technique under the protection of his clothing, another genjutsu, same as the one utilized against the creature before him, the only difference being that it was not a single target, instead using a more advanced technique in an attempt to influence the entirety of the men before him. Perhaps it would not reach the men with crossbows who fled to higher grounds, but that was fine -- they would not fire unless word was given from whoever commanded them from below. If everything went according to plan, the Uchiha would not need to kill any of them, and as an added bonus, would recieve a small platoon of readied warriors who would view him as a trusted ally and friend.

Their drunkeness would only make his genjutsu more effective ... the only downside, he would be unable to determine is his technique was successful or not -- for that, he would need to test it.

Both arms would escape cautiously from beneath his cloak as he raised them in the air akin to the gesture of surrendering, before speaking forth, projecting his voice so that the lot of men would be able to hear him.

"Why do you draw weapons and raise arms toward a trusted friend and trustworthy ally?", he asked with a cunning and manipulative voice. He innate ability as an Uchiha only compounded his act(175), as he played amid the mind, hearts, and whims of the men before him.

In his mind, his speech toward Beast continued...

"What is it that you desire most?", he asked the creature in the same voice he used toward the guards .. laced with the poison of manipulation.

SPOILER: Click to show

Confidante [10](Snake)(39)
Rank: "C"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The target of Confidante treats the user as an utterly trusted friend, telling them anything they are asked to reveal.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: This can be performed at any time while a Charm Person (or other Charm Jutsu depending on the type of creature) Jutsu performed by the user on the target creatures is in effect.
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects 1 charmed creature. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique lasts for 5 hours per class level. This technique may be negated. The only limit to this newfound trust is if revealing the information would get someone else the target cares about hurt or killed. (This condition applies only if the target is aware of a real danger; suspicion of a threat to those it cares about is not enough.) Then they automatically resists the urge to answer the question but the Jutsu itself is still in effect. A continuing advantage of Confidante is that the target will consider the user someone to inform any time they come into new information of interest to them. The user will have to explain what qualifies for this but, once this is established, the target will seek out the user if at all possible whenever such information comes into their possession. The target does not become empowered with any ability to locate the user, nor will they risk their life to gather information (unless forced to do so through other Jutsus).
Limit: Must know the Charm Perception. Must know Charmed Person (and other Charmed Jutsus depending on the creature type).

Charm Person, Mass [60](Men)(37)
Rank: "B"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: This Jutsu functions like Charm Person, except that Mass Charm Person affects multiple people within the area.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects 1 or more creatures, no 2 of which can be more than 10 meters apart. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique is permanent. This technique may be negated. This Jutsu functions like Charm Person, except that Mass Charm Person affects multiple people within the area.
Limit: Must know the Charm Perception.

Consummate Liar (30)(+50 acting)
Rank: "C" Always 30 Training Points
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: User gains a bonus to Acting, and can learn Improved Feint and Greater Feint.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: A user adds +10 per Class Level as a bonus on all Acting checks. In addition, the user qualifies for the Improved Feint and Greater Feint techniques, even if the user does not have Combat Expertise. User can also ignore Combat Expertise as a Limit for other Techniques that require Improved Feint or Greater Feint.
Limit: Must be an Uchiha.[\spoiler]

[octonauticus]

The inquiries of the Uchiha would fall to deafened ears as the blade of the drunken henchman slammed down across the white pelt of the snake, which sliced through such with an elegant ease. There would be a writing pain, which would eliminate any gained rapport from the prior cast Genjutsu---the sudden attack had caused the serpent to lash out and grab at its attacker with a vicious and agape maw; its serpentine snap would render the man lifeless as the beast flung his body some fifteen meters into the snow surrounding the fortress.

Drunken, but not anxious, the men readied their weapons. Before the archers could take proper aim, the black-cloaked intruder would cast an illusion art that caused them to lower their weapons.

Well, most of them. One man in particular, despite his drunken state, seemed unnaturally calm. He, unlike his warrior ilk, had not succumbed to the illusory impressions of the Amekage. This man would further prove to be quite dangerous as he cast off his armor and upon his abdomen, chest and left scapula where an assortment of masks... somewhat reminiscent to those belonging to ANBU operatives. Apparently this man hadn't the mental faculties to be subdued by the Uchiha.  However, the ruse worked on the ten remaining surviving henchmen; this single man stood at the draw bridge and began to rapidly cast kata, with the speed of a ninjutsu master.

His hands would slam into the cold frost before him and suddenly, a rumble ruptured through the snowy environment, and given the un-leveled ground that the Uchiha stood on, he could have become shaken by the might of the approaching Hyouton jutsu. An avalanche would soon form from the falling snow, which churned and thickened as it came crashing down in a large radius of Kaka'rot. The man's glowing chartreuse eyes flickered with excitement as he expected an easy kill, given the terrain that he had the advantage in.

"You won't make it out of here alive..." he reassured.

With the snow snake slowly bleeding out, blood pooled into the stark snow. Since all of the man's allies had been stunned and incapable of retaliation, he would take charge. He would cast another set of swift seals and the mask on his left shoulder blade glowed a bright yellow color as the avalanche storm around the intruder began to consume him with its gelid embrace.

SPOILER: Click to show

Call Avalanche
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User creates an Avalanche that buries creatures to deal consistent damage.
Special: Handseals
Drawback: ---
Description: Range of this technique is 120 meters + 60 meters per Class Level. Area of effect is 15 meters radius spread per Class Level. Duration of this technique is instantaneous. This technique requires a colossal source of snow or ice nearby. This Jutsu may only be performed outside. Immediately upon completion of the Jutsu, an avalanche of ice and snow falls out of the sky, dealing 60 Armour Points of crushing damage and potentially burying Large or smaller creatures within the area. Those that are buried and take an additional 6 Armour Points of nonlethal damage per minute while still buried. The ice and snow remains until melted by natural or unnatural means. At "C" Class, user buries Large or smaller creatures. At "B" Class, the maximum size of a creature increases to Huge. At "A" Class, Gargantuan creatures are also buried. At "S" Class a creature up to Colossal size are buried by the snow.
Limit: Must know Ice Release.

[/ul]
[/spoiler]

---

From within the walls of the icy fortress, another had witnessed the occurrences on the outside. He seemed highly annoyed that men without any chakra ability at all were called to protect the secrets of the Tsumetairide... but it was a convenient way to keep Sensor types at bay. This man and his snow-white eyes focused through the thick barriers and walls of the castle by way of Byakugan. He didn't seem worried about the ability of Hiraku... the man did bear the ritual of wires, afterall, and had never failed in killing his target. Especially one that tried to infiltrate the Icy Fortress...


"This should be interesting...." the Hyuuga man mused.
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