Looking for Sharkskin

[tetsu]

Kaorin was actually surprised that this boy had the resources in order to discover her. It now all made sense- his BINGO Book alerted her to the fact that he was indeed a Hunter Nin, which would explain how he had set forth all the traps with such ease that she would so blatantly fall into them. This made him a dangerous opponent, not one that she really was in the mood to fight against unless her life was truly at stake. The fact that he had spoken her name had sent the tiniest spark of fear into her heart, but she was a shinobi who knew how to hide her emotions. When she spoke, her voice would be smooth and cold, the same powerful voice that she had spoken with earlier.

"I do not mind at all. In fact, I may find it enjoyable to discourse with someone who was skilled enough to trap me with such an amateur trap."

[fina]

“Perfect. Then let’s leave…”

As he released all shadow holds on her, Fina would leave his clones behind to watch for any other suspicious movement. Motioning her back towards the dining area of the Capitol, he would speak softly.

“My name is Fina Sasori. I’ll let you choose the place…”

[tetsu]

As the shadows moved away from her, Kaorin found that her movement was once again restored. Standing up slowly to show that she didn't mean to attack him, Kaorin then walked towards the man with her hands above her head, clearly showing both hands to display that she was not going to perform handseals nor draw a weapon. As he got closer, she heard the man speak, naming himself Fina Sasori. While not naive enough to believe it was his real name, Kaorin memorized the name so that they could speak at length.

"Well, Fina, I'm not really that aware of the Grass Country or anything. I came to the capitol in order to do some shopping, and spotted you on the roof on the way. I thought it looked suspicious, so I wanted to check it out. Your reactions were quick and decisive, a perfect blend of ruthlessness and cunning that allowed you to place yourself in a position of power over the opponent without actually injuring them.

"I am impressed. Well, I believe that I am a bit thirsty now. Perhaps we should go to a cafe so that we can continue our discussion? I am dying for a cup of tea." And with that said, Kaorin would fling herself off of the roof top, soaring high into the air before landing with a soft thud on the ground below her. She would walk on the ground here so as not to attract attention to herself, moving towards a cafe that she had seen a few blocks from where they now stood. Hopefully the boy would follow, and if not, there's little that Kaorin could do about that.

[Exit]

[Axcel]

As Axcel answered a question, he felt another needle against his body, with another substance being injected into his bloodstream. His eyes began to feel heavy as they closed, and Axcel once again was unconscious.

Not too long after he began to wake up. In front of him was everything that had been stripped away from him earlier. He glanced around, he seemed to be in a room of some sort with several guards around him. Where am I now… He reached for his stuff, hesitating in between to make sure the guards wouldn’t attack him. It appeared that he was allowed to take his possessions…

“What’s going on?” He spoke in a firm tone.

[fina]

Silent he would follow, leaving behind his clones to finish any dirty work. As she flowed down, he would notice how attractive the girl was, something previously missed to his adrenaline rush. But now in a more…“relaxed” state of mind, Fina would smile at her once, saying nothing, but acknowledging her as more than just a person.

Hopefully this meeting would yield something interesting.

[fina]

“You’re free to go. If you had any comrades, tell us who they are so we avoid any more fiascos.”

As the guards would standby for the descriptions, one in particular would add a set of apologetic words, all laced with pure truth.

“Sorry about all of this, really, but with all the assassinations and what not, no one can ever be too sure. You’re free to do as you wish. Good luck with your hunt.”

[Axcel]

“Who they are? Hm…alright.” Axcel said, he had a very serious tone to his words. He asked for a piece of paper and a pen, and began scribbling. It looked as if he was writing down descriptions and details of how his comrades appeared, but it was difficult to tell since Axcel was covering up most of the paper.

“Finished!” Axcel picked up the paper and handed it to the guard with a large grin on his face. He picked up his things and placed them where they should be. Afterwards he opened the door to the tower and took his leave. When he arrived at the streets he looked around, deciding where to look next. “…Time to continue the search.” And he walked along, this time he would go to a different tavern.

The guard who had received the picture would most likely be astonished by what he saw. There was a picture of Aoto, Yochi, Videl, and Axcel standing in funny poses. They all had a chibi look and theme to it, and Axcel stood in the middle with a thumbs up and a wide grin on his face while winking. The picture wasn’t what they were looking for, but there was more then enough detail for them to know who his comrades were.

[Ryozo]

((Sorry I haven't posted, was busy with Christmas stuff and then I wasn't at home, and yeah...so...))

The genjutsu used was a powerful one...If I were to get into a fight with the user...Aoto's thoughts raced, thinking of his current situation. He supposed it was mostly the frustration that lead him to this rooftop-chase. Either way, it didn't matter, he was here, and there was nothing he could do about it...

Just like there was nothing he could do about the figure far ahead of him turning and spotting him...and the woman before him.

Aoto went on the defensive immediately, though wasn't sure if the figure was hostile or not. The girl continued her dash towards the man even as this occured, and he launched something, though Aoto wasn't sure what.

Leaping to his left, Aoto grabbed onto the edge of the roof and swung down below. With chakra at his soles, he continued his dash along the wall of the building. It was never in Aoto's nature to simply b-line towards his target...

This delay caused the explosion before him to go off further away from him than planned, and prematurely, alerting Aoto of any hostility in the area. Dropping to the ground and using the smoke as his cover, he slid silently into a nearby building, finding himself in a pub of some sort.

The girl- he had no clue as to her fate. He, however, was left curious. Why had the genjutsu been used in the first place? He didn't know much about genjutsu- was it aimed directly at Aoto or was in an area attack? The hostility- he understood, but the girl...Why was she chasing after the man, also?

With a sigh, Aoto walked slowly up to the bar.

"Know of a Lee Fong?"

[Axcel]

[Continuing Happy Stare training]

[10|20]

As he entered the tavern he glanced around. I suppose I should resume that whole Happy Stare thing… Things have not gone so well since he has entered grass, but hopefully that will all turn around. He would start with the training of this technique, the ability to manipulate one into thinking they were friends. He managed to mold the chakra perfectly, but lacked in his ability to manipulate one into thinking they were friends. If he could master this, then they’re search for Lee Fong would go by much faster.

“Yo!” He said. He was sure to begin molding his chakra before he got anyone’s attention, just as he had done before. When the man turned around, eye contact was made. Axcel held the Rabbit seal as he pumped chakra out of his body and began forcing it towards the man. Once his chakra had met with the man, he could feel a bond of some sort. This was the effect of the opioid receptors reacting the way Axcel had wanted it too.

Its working…! Wait…what’s going on… Axcel could feel a sudden change within himself. He thought of the guy in front of him to be an old friend. He did not know of the drawback that this jutsu had carried with it, and that was that the effects apply to both the user and the victim. “Sup man! Its been a long time! Know where Lee Fong might be?” Axcel had said to the man and slapped him on the back as if they were good friends.

“Um…please leave me alone.” The man turned around, unsure of how to react to Axcel’s sudden behavior. The jutsu worked, but it was only on Axcel. The effects were not strong enough to effect the desired target, but Axcel had no problem in convincing himself that he was the man’s friend. When the man turned around and gave Axcel the cold shoulder, he felt a feeling of disappointment, but the effects wore off right after that.

“The hell…” He said to himself. Axcel shook his head left and right in a rapid succession to try and clear his mind. That was weird…oh well, time to move on. Axcel shrugged it off. He wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he knew that he needed to continue practicing the legendary Happy Stare technique.

Axcel now began to walk to another man. This jutsu was quite weird, but it was better then physically straining himself; he’s been doing that a lot lately. As he walked towards the man, he took a deep breath while beginning to mold his chakra. “Yo!” He repeated, the saying was beginning to turn into a catch phrase of some sort.

The man turned around, facing Axcel and staring him directly in the eye. Axcel forced chakra from himself, aiming it to go to the man. Once his chakra met with the man’s body, he could feel that bond that happened last time. It was definitely the opioid receptors reacting to the jutsu Axcel had casted upon themselves. Both Axcel and the man began to feel a change within themselves, and when they blinked they saw a different person. Physically they looked the same, but to their minds they seemed like they were good friends from quite a long time ago.

“Yo! How’s it been goin’ fer ya!” The man said as he hiccupped, he was clearly drunk. Axcel knew it, but he didn’t care, because he was a good friend of him. Or so he thought. They talked with each other for a whooping ten seconds or so. Then the effects wore off and they were no longer ‘good friends’. However, they both knew they just had a conversation and they both remembered what they said, so they felt a bit more comfortable compared to interacting with a complete stranger.

The jutsu was a success! Still though, I need to work on how long it lasts…ten seconds isn’t going to anything for me in a hostage situation. Axcel thought as he walked away from the man he had just used the jutsu on. Axcel figured he would just use a bit more chakra to hold the jutsu for longer. Since at the moment he was only pouring out about an E-rank level of chakra. This was a higher level technique, so its natural that the requirements would be higher.

As he walked along he held the Rabbit seal in preparation. He breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled while molding his chakra in order to fit the jutsu at hand. “Yo!” He said to a man in front of him who was aggravated at the fact his drink was taking so long.

“WHAT?!?!” He yelled as he turned around. The man was humongous, muscles bulged from all over his body and veins were popping out of his head. His teeth looked like it was rotting away and his clothes had torn edges. On top of all of that, he was bald. Bald people can be damn scary at times, and this was one of those times.

…Shit! Sweat began to drip from Axcel’s face, but he continued to hold the rabbit handseal and did not lose focus. He pumped out chakra, this time it was a lot more then before. The man seemed so tense he looked like he was going to explode, but Axcel didn’t break down and he continued to focus. Once the chakra met up with him he could feel the ‘bond’ type of feeling that he had felt with the others.

“Oh its just you!” The tense man said as his facial expression turned from gritting his teeth to a grin on his face. He relaxed as he saw his ‘old friend’ after several years. Axcel began to laugh it off, “Yeah I thought you were about to kill me! So…do you know where Lee Fong might be?” He said, and unfortunately the man did not know. They began to have a conversation which lasted for what seemed to be like a few minutes. After that, the effects began to wear off, and they both walked away from each other.

“Whew! Can’t believe that worked! I almost died out there.” Axcel said, thinking his training for this jutsu was complete. He exited the tavern and began walking along the busy streets of the capital. Axcel wasn’t quite sure if he was ready to move on though. The time did last a lot longer then before, but whether or not it was enough was still up in the air. If he wasn’t, then he would practice it again on one of the civilians as he walked by them. What he knew for sure that he needed to find out where Lee Fong was, and he would waste no time as he walked into yet another bar not too far off. This bar seemed to be particularly popular, and he was sure he would get a clue in here. Aoto was in here and he would most likely notice Axcel entering, however Axcel himself did not see him at all.

This time he walked up to the bartender directly. Bartenders were usually a huge source of information. If anyone would have information on Lee Fong, it would be this bartender. He held the rabbit seal underneath the ledge of the bar table so the bartender would take no suspicion of him. Then he began to mold his chakra in order to perform the Happy Stare technique. “Oi, Bartender!” He said with an assertive yet polite tone. When the bartender faced him, he immediately used the technique. He began to manipulate his feelings so they would appear to have a special bond, that of which two good friends would have. When he felt the technique was complete, he looked him straight in the eye again while under the effects of the jutsu. “Hey man, it’s been a while. Anyways, what can you tell me about Lee Fong?” He said in a very casual manner as if he was talking to a good friend of his.

[Raphael the Arch-Angel]

Videl's eyes were shut, probably dozing off some anyway. Then the sharp prick in her arm and out like a light. It takes her a bit to collect herself. The syrum they used leaves her really hazy. That is the problem. Enough for some might be too much for a kid. She sways a little as she sits in this new location. No one is around now and she gets up, stumbling some as she moves outside for some air. No further addressing needed. She will probably still be watched.

A sharp headache sets in and she grabs her headband from her bag she found there and fashions it back over her eye. "Ouch." It is a teary ouch. She has the side effects of the rest of her family.

She steps out onto the street and begins to look around. "Um, hello." Her little feet carry her to a tavern and all she sees is the team leader himself, Axcel. She wonders over to where he is and catches herself on the wall. "Axcel sir...can I hang around with you awhile. I mean seriously that stuff they hit me with...I don't feel so good now."

She basically just confessed to her own capture at the hands of the Grass ninja. And now she is just dizzy.

[adero]

lmaoo
+10 axcel add it.

The old bartender looks about five feet six incches. The hairs on top of his head frill and frizzle about with their gray color from his age. A man estimated at about the age of 65, he hears Axcel's cheerful voice and sighs reluctantly. Looking around he doesnt quite seem to make eye contact to Axcel, but instead keeps his head low and speaks as he hears the voice approaching closer and closer. His eyes focused on the bar counter, he would cough slowly as if ill, and then pause. Trying to catch his breath another violent storm of coughing would overcome the old man as he stood there. Then hearing Axcel's footsteps stop before the counter he would wander slowly over to wash his hands and then speak to the boy. His eyes still staring towards the ground, he nods to him. "What can I get ya sonny?"

He was suprised to hear else wise however.

“Hey man, it’s been a while. Anyways, what can you tell me about Lee Fong?”

Confused, he listens to the voice yet again while staring at the counter. "Do I know you?..." He shakes his head as his hands feel about slowly around the counter. His eyes never meet Axcel's as they continue to naturally look towards the floor. Is he blind? A hand however does shift towards Axcel in his general direction. A smirk creeps across the old man's face as he whispers. "Its gonna cost ya sonny."

[Raphael the Arch-Angel]

Ignored, Videl snatches some sake from a table, drops some money and takes off again.

Videl drinks a little, doesn't everyone. She scales up the side of a building and has a seat out of site as the sun is setting. She will go back to looking for this Lee Fong character tomorrow. The sun is setting now in Grass and she pulls back her headband to the top of her head.

A few small sips of Sake and she leans back on the roof top, so high, so out of site. She drinks just a tiny bit more. Then she looks to her right hand. Using the light gathering exercise, the light wraps her hand and a ball of light takes form.

She lays down a bit and relaxes, the ball of light still close to her and she cradles it. "Sigh." She lets her little eyes drift shut for awhile and still maintains the ball until she falls asleep. Then it winks out on it's own.

After some minor sleep...

Name: Ice Bracer
Rank: B
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Works along the line of the great fireball jutsu except with the ice release in the form of a mist.
Special: Ram, Monkey, Snake, Dragon
Drawback: Over use can cause a freezing to the users lungs and cause respiratory problems.
Description: This is an ice jutsu that works along the lines of the Great Fire ball technique except with the ice release instead of the fire release. One would use three hand signs and breath in with their hand near their face as a guide and exhale. This sends out a stream of ice mist that would actually slow down or incapacitate anyone it touches, freezing a joint. If applied long enough, assuming you can stop the person, they can be froze to an object such as a tree and be unable to move.
Limit: Must be a snow nin to learn it or learn it from a Snow Nin. A Snow Village Jutsu.

20/80

After a momentary nap, Videl pops back up on the roof top and looks around. Uncertain about where she is. "Right Roof top in Grass." She relaxes and heads more toward the middle of the roof to where some old supplies are laid out. She could freeze these if she makes her jutsu work for her. But unfortunatly she is so far away into what she is doing it right is the question.

She opens herself up to the distraction. She will still work for Lee Fong in the morning, but for now she wants to try and work on her jutsu undisturbed. That was she can profect it and maybe figure it out for now. She begins to work with the handsigns. Making the handsigns. They form one by one. "Ram, Monkey, Snake, and Dragon." She forms each one as she says them. Then she brings her hand to her face as if to guide the mist she will exhail.

Nothing happens this time yet again. It is getting annoying that she cannot make it work very well on it's own. But she will not relent. Ram, Monkey, Snake, Dragon. Again she forms the signs and brings her hand to her face to guide the mist. Again nothing happens. It is frustrating as she tries to figure this out. It actually makes her want to cry that she is screwing up now. All she wants to do is freeze the stupid tools.

Again she tries again. Ram, Monkey, Snake, Dragon. As she breathes in and begins to exhail, she sees the goal. A bluish mist travels, guided along her hand down upon the tools. With the sun down, the air here doesn't cancel the jutsu. The icey blue mist rushes forward and surrounds the tools, seeping into the tools and ice forming. She does not relent in the breath. She keeps exhailing. Then the roof is a bit froozen too.

Videl stops to feel the roof, as if testing a fact. "Yup, it is icey." She smiles and leans back on the ledge, which comes to her midback. "This jutsu is chilly."

[adero]

+6

26.80

[Ryozo]

Aoto's eyes fall on his team leader as he walks in, holding a seal below the bar and proceeding to speak with the ancient, blind bartender as if he were an old friend...

Ignored by both the bartender and Axcel, Aoto gave a frustrated sigh. Does he know that bartender? And what's with the seal...He decided, however, upon this thought, not to interrupt Axcel. Soon after, his attention was diverted to Videl, who ignored Aoto like the others, and continued to speak with Axcel even in the midst of a conversation.

Hmph...Sure is rude for a kid...Aoto thought as she marched off, ignored, And why is everyone ignoring me today...

His mood was much more cheery, was it not? He was much less bitter, and yet he was getting less attention. It wasn't that he cared about attention or anything, but it was slightly irritating to be constantly ignored, as if his presence was nothing, as if his place in the team was nothing.

Another sigh escapes the fifteen-year-old as he turns, leaning his back against the bar and cocking his head a bit as to view Axcel and the old man with one eye. A toothpick taken from the table rests in his mouth as he fiddles with it with his tongue.

Not sure weather Axcel had even noticed Aoto, he decided to speak out, "Eh? Cost us? How much?"

[Axcel]

Axcel let out a small sigh. It did not take him long to realize his technique had failed when the man was confused at his statement, as a result the effects wore off of himself. Why did it fail? I even added a slight additional amount of chakra to it, in order to ensure its success… The shinobi would ponder on the subject, but then he realized the man had been speaking to him without making eye contact…

Is he… Axcel was rather hesitant when it came to jumping to conclusions, but it made sense considering the fact that the bartender moved towards him before he had called his name out. One with heightened hearing would have heard him, and most blind people have heightened hearing. He let out yet another small sigh upon realizing this.

Placing his arm against the bar table he began to speak, “How much?” Axcel asked the man as Aoto asked him the exact same question, but Axcel did not pay any attention to him. If the price was too much then, Axcel would not hesitate to look elsewhere for information. He was only getting paid 5,000 Ryo for this mission, which is as high as one can get for a B-rank level mission, a standard set by most jounins. If it was more then half of that, then he would most likely take his leave.

[adero]

The old man continues to look down at the counter as what seems to be a second man approaches. As both move towards him they speak in unison, each asking for the price. Voices ringing in his ears, they seem eager and quite willing to pay, but no... what does money do for an old blinded man, materialistic things? No, that was not of great value to him. Chuckling the man shakes his head slowly and smiles quite deviously. "Aye, not that kinda cost boys. Information such as this isnt worth dragging yer wallets open. Tis gonna cost ye more." Motiont for the two to come near he begins to whisper. "If ya really wanna know where the master is, both of ya gotta enter a drinkin' contest." He points over yonder to where a large grossly fat man is seated. "If ya can beat our local champ in drinkin' I'll tell ya whatcha need to know. Sounds like a fair proposition no? The drunken searching out the drunk?" He waits for both their responses and quickly adds in. "Mind you, ya can puke and do whatever ya want, ye jest can't stop drinkin. Tis to thar death n only one o ya gotta come out alive n champ."

*Drinks not included in contest entry itself*

[Ryozo]

((Er...I was always there from the beginning, I never walked up, but it doesn't really matter. xD))

Eh? No money...? Aoto thought, A favor then? What will he have us do...At this, he turned from his earlier position as to get a better view of both the bartender and Axcel. There were...many things the jiji could make them do for that information...

Lee Fong was no ordinary blacksmith, so it most likely would be no easy task...

"A drinking contest?" Aoto smirked. He'd never drunk alcohol before, no, but he was fairly confident this was a good thing. He was of the Ekitai Bloodlimit, meaning two things: his body was made of water. Secondly, his organs were all found in a nucleus, which he is able to move about his body at his own will. His tribe had survived in a prison-island, whose trees were all burned to the ground and whose water level continually rose, for ten-thousand years. This was how they became water-people, adaptation, and that meant that no food was required. This eliminated his esophagus, meaning his organs were kept in a separate membrane of their own in order to keep them from spreading about their liquid bodies.

This meant his organs would be kept separate from any alcohol entering his body, possibly rendering him immune to the effects of alcohol.

...Or...so he hoped.

He turned, his voice low. This information...he wasn't sure if it would cause the bartender to render Aoto disqualified, "Oi, oi, a drinking contest. I won't say I've tried...but I think that alcohol won't effect me. I'm made of water and my organs are separate, meaning the alcohol will only spread through the water in my body...Though its your decision. Want to take the jiji up on his offer?"

[Axcel]

Axcel was hesitant at first, but when he heard Aoto’s words he felt a bit more reassured. When did Aoto get here anyways… Axcel wondered, but that wasn’t the problem right now. The issue at hand was winning that contest. He slammed both of his hands against the table, but it was not loud enough to cause a ruckus in the rather loud bar. Just loud enough to get the bartender’s attention, “We accept your challenge!” He would respond, his voice ringing with determination.

Axcel’s eyes wander to the fat and repulsive man. The drunken searching out the drunk… Axcel repeated the bartender’s words in his mind. So Lee Fong likes to drink as well eh? A grin grew on his face, “Lets go, Aoto!” He said as he walked over to the champion. “Time to get wasted.” He would say.

[adero]

Before he could say much more the bartender shakes his head at Aoto's words as the two boys would walk off towards the champion. Preparing drinks behind the counter the bar's champ would continue to take a casual sip as the two boys woulds stroll over towards his table. Several men surrounded him and parted as they approached, each growing silent while onlooking them. Sitting ploped in the middle of his chair the champion would turn and grunt as he looked at the two boys and tried to move his head over. Grotesque fat and sweat trickled down his face as if he had just worked out and finished eating all at the same time. "What thar hell do youuu want!" His eyes glared at the two boys as he was already partially drunk.

A man standing behind the lump in the chair quickly came out from the shadows and approached the boys. He seems to be wearing a fine buttoned down suit and holds a briefcase in his hands. "Ah, im assuming you boys came to challenge this man now eh? Youre both at drinking age right?" *wink wink* "In any case, please read over these rules quickly and sign here... and here... and here..." He points to several spots in two legal documents he hands to each boy.

Terms of Drinking Contest

Conditions to winning: Last man capable of drinking still wins.
Victor's Spoils: Winner claims braggign rights till defeated. Loser covers the drinks for all contestants. (Divided evenly unless one spots the other money.)

I, ____________, hereby agree to these very simple terms and agree to uphold them and confirm that I am not using ninja techniques or special bloodlimits to prevent, hinder, or lessen the severity of intoxication.

OOC: Heres how it goes. Each of you will be drinking tiny sake bottles. One bottle per post once this officially starts. Now then each time you drink there is a 50% chance you will get intoxicated to a degree of effecting you. If you roll 1-50 on a dice roll (done by me) you dont get intoxicated by that drink. 51-100 and you do. If you do get intoxicated it counts towards you as one strike. 3 strikes and you collapse from intoxication. Same rules apply to the champion except he will be rolling on a factor of 1-65 for not getting intoxicated. Yes, Aoto, you can either lie, and go for it, or step down instead of trying to cheat. Just remember the bartender knows.

[Axcel]

Axcel steps in before Aoto can do anything, "Wait a minute..." He would say. Something obviously disturbed the boy to a point where he refused to sign the current contract. His eyes scanned over it twice.

"The victor's spoils is missing something..." He stated, then he looked at the bartender who issued the challenge. "I would like you to put down that we get to ask you our questions about Lee Fong in the contract and you to answer truthfully, otherwise this contest has no meaning to us." He would say.