The Bandits Ire 3/3 (Group Mission)

Mission Info:

The Kataki Road was usually quite peaceful generally, it had several guard spots and rest stops along its long and winding road. Almost everyone took its path to get to their destinations if possible as banditry was significantly lower because of the periodic guard presence in and around its region markers. This lead to a false sense of security for most as they traveled along the roads. For those that traveled to the barrens to plunder its legendary riches, turmoil had begun as of late. A bandit lord had begun stirring up the region and making it almost as dangerous as it was lucrative. Bandits and all sorts of villains had begun plaguing the merchant caravans and small outpost towns that had been setup in the region for treasure hunters and companies to sell their finds. The party has been hired by the local Headman Toshie Hijiro to protect the third and smallest of the three merchant outposts in the territory from a giant boar that has been rampaging through the nearby ruins they are excavating.

The journey had been long and tiring so far for Genkumaru as he was put in charge of a mission with several C-rank Genin having a chance to prove his leadership abilities like his brother Sojiro. The missions he had taken on for the region involved doing the dirty work of the local Headman Toshie Hijiro, a pompous and self important merchant baron who had started to lay claim to the barrens and its untold riches. This time he needed him to protect one of the three outposts in the region from the local banditry problems that were ever growing. The villages in all their wisdom had sent Gen several of their own to learn from and support him in his efforts to help pacify the region.

As he waited at the smallest of the three outposts for his charges to arrive, he struck up several conversations with the miners and laborers discovering that they were fairly consistently moving large sums of art, relics, gold, weapons, and rare gems from the nearby ruins and area, making Hijiro a very rich man in the process. However, he didn't pay for a lot of armed guards choosing instead to pay for laborers in bulk. If someone was too injured or died they were easily replaced by two more. Which sickened Gen some, but this was the duty he was saddled with, as Toshie Hijiro was regarded as an important man the world over.

The men had also told him that ninja were only hired to guard the outposts when large shipments were being gathered, or if losses were too great, this being such a situation as they figured that roughly ten thousand or more Ryo must be sitting in value in the warehouse as it was being prepped to be moved. Such greed would eventually catch up to Hijiro if he continued to plunder this lands. Anytime Gen tried to learn about The Boar, the eponymous grand bandit tyrant of the region, no one was willing to speak up for fear of their own life. They had told them that a Giant boar was rampaging through the ruins of late and making it impossible for them to unload the warehouses riches, as it would attack any large caravan that came nearby.

As his wards filtered into the outpost they would find him sitting in front of the main main warehouse that was in the center of the wooden walled boxed outpost. He would be on a wooden bench over looking the large gates that allowed traffic to flow in and out of the place, waiting to see some more headbands so he could get a start on the days tasks. He was fairly confident that they would be able to handle what ever was thrown at them, as long as they all followed his lead and didn't act like he had done when Sojiro was in charge of him last.

WC: 666/1600
PC: 1/4

The sun would be bright and blazing without anything blocking its light in the land of sun as always, with the sky being completely bare of clouds like most days, as they were a rare sight around these parts, as Shikazze could probably count on his hands the amount of times on his hand that the sky had numerous clouds in it above the village. Traveling outside of the village of Nikkousato, was one of the very few things that Shikazze did genuinely enjoy, especially now that he was getting more and more missions that were allowing for him to do so.  Since leaving the village walls always seemed to bring the Shikazze joy, as he grew rather tired of doing and seeing the same things over and over. And todays task was surely one that Shikazze felt would bring him some fun, as not only did it lead to a little journey but it also would most likely give a chance for Shikazze to test a few things that he had been practicing lately in his private sessions.

Upon exiting the village gates, Shikazze would instantly see himself on the treacherous Kataki road as some would say. A road that contained the most of the traveling in the nations as it was the main route, and said to be less treacherous then traveling through the actual wilderness though Shikazze had his doubts as the Kataki road was known for its numerous bandits and their attempts to rob merchants and those that seemed like easy targets, something Shikazze was hoping he did not seem as though, since even though his ninja head band was wrapped around his right arm easily viewable by all those that laid eye on the young Nara. His katana would also easily be noticeable as Kazze had it holstered on his right side as well with the top part of the hilt of the sword being able to be seen coming through the black cloak with the Nara clan symbol that Kazze had over his regular clothes and ninja flack jacket.

Shikazze, had made sure to fill all of his supplies, as he was sure he was going to need plenty of Kunai and ninja wire in the near future, as he had a few idea up his sleeve for this mission, as long as the higher ranked ninja in the group that was charged with leading them was ok with it, as Kazze knew he was going to need  to play his part with the team and not try and take action upon his own. Knowing that trying to take on task that he knew was bigger then him would end very badly with his luck. Luckily for Kazze the trip to the outpost that had been dubbed as the meeting point for this mission wouldn’t be to long of a trip for Kazze, as he made sure to keep a steady stride not wanting to be the last to the meeting location. And soon Shikazze would find himself walking through the gate of the outpost, looking for anyone else with a headband of the village of Nikkousato.  

WC 523

Post 1/4
WC: 445

He was waiting for his charges to arrive as he sat there and observed the area intently. He loved this outpost the least as he watched on. It was the smallest, the lowest funded and frequently saw workers dead or amputated. It was as if Hijiro never saw any real value here or in his employees in the first place, they were all just as replaceable as a nail in wood. A dime a dozen, and the ninja who were sent here to do various tasks because of Hijiro's immense wealth were just as expendable and he knew it which only made his jobs worse.

As it was they had been hired to do a task that might very well be way out of their league. A giant boar had been tearing through the ruins as of late and lent little reprieve to the poor miners who had risked there all to have a better life. This was just one more atrocity after another in a world that he was quickly viewing more and more as broken. Shaking his head to abandon the negative thoughts, he rose from his bench as he saw a boy and a girl approach him soon after, assuming they must be his charges. Stretching his massive frame a little he started walking towards them and confirmed his suspicions were correct as he noticed the headband being worn as a shoulder plate on Shikazze.

Stopping when within four meters of them, his hulking frame and intimidating appearance was immediately countered by a kind and soothing dulcet voice and infectious smile, "Hello, I am Genkumaru Iwamura, I believe that you two must be my charges on this mission correct? What are your names.", he laughed a little boisterously after he finished talking, his open flak jacket and dress shirt fluttering in the wind as his very muscled body glistened in the sun. His darker brown crimson body body hair covering his chest, adding to the extremely manly appearance he carried.

WC: 999/1600
PC: 2/4

Post 2/4
WC: 849

Shikazze’s wait for someone to approach him would not be a long one, as it would seem that almost as soon as the young Nara found himself looking for anyone else of the village, he would instantly be approached by a girl he didn’t recognize. Though Shikazze would instantly search for a Nikkousato head band atop her head, which he would be reluctant to find, as instead he just spotted the long black hair that sprouted out her head in a similar manner of his But instead of a Nara clan type of hairstyle, she had her hair in two long ponytails, one on each side of her head. Making her face completely visible as Shikazze look down at the girl with he himself almost standing half foot above her, though he could tell she was slightly older than him, though not by much as he gazed into the girls aquatic blue eyes, almost seeming to get lost in the ocean itself, though it would be some slight black marks on the underlines of her eyes, showing Shikazze that she was possible a member of one of the canine clans in the village, though Shikazze didn’t know much of clans and was more or less on a guess as to the girls bloodline as she was lacking some keen features to Shikazze.

The girl with the blue eyes like the sea would instantly start off the conversation leading with her name, introducing herself as Sakuragi Kokoro, a name Shikazze was not familiar with currently, though he was sure that would all change very soon enough. After saying her name her next response would be the simple question of her asking Shikazze was he here for the mission all while giving off a friendly smile, that Shikazze was more then sure his face was not returning as he tended to lack expression especially in situations such as this one. Especially since the fact that before Shikazze was even able to respond to the girl he would notice a large man walking towards them. This man would not only be large in height, but as well as in body size with the massive broad shoulders that he sprouted. His face had facial hair easily displaying to Shikazze that this man was older than he.

The large red haired man would instantly introduce himself before proceeding to ask Shikazze and Sakuragi if they would be the ones under him in the mission that was soon the be taking place. A question that Shikazze would respond to with haste, though the tone of his voice and facial expression would seem flat and as though the young Nara had no Actual emotion. “Yes, Shikazze Nara of the Nara Clan”. Shikazze would keep his response short and to the point, as he was ready for the group to get the mission underway. Being more then happy at the chance to test his skills against a beast such as the one that they had been assigned to hunt today.

WC: 502

He would stare down at the young woman more intently now that he got a good look  at her face, she had the same facial markings as his brother Sojiro. He would think about it for a brief moment before shaking his head as it was probably just a coincidence. Her choice of clothing was indecent to some extent but he also showed his nipples at a moments notice, so he chose not to comment on that aspect of her dressing. Secondary to that he began sizing her up as probably an expert Taijutsu combatant given her exposed body, as only some one who was confident in their martial skill would be willing to be so exposed.

Turning his attention o the obvious Nara clan member due to the guard on his katana and his overall appearance he would clasp the younger man on his right shoulder with his left hand as he offered a hand shake and spoke, "I know one of your clan members, Tatsuya Nara. Its good to meet both of you, Shikazze and Kokoro. As far as what we are going to be doing...", he would point off towards the open back wall to the outpost, which had view of a small ruined settlement in the distance that looked to be made purely of marble, "There is a giant boar that has been wreaking havoc in those ruins and stopping our employers business here. Once we leave the outpost we are technically in the barrens so be careful.", he would smile to both of them before heading off in the direction of the ruins.

Speaking again as they were off, "I know we haven't worked together before but I want us to work cohesively as a unit. I am a Taijutsu, Ninjutsu and Bakuton expert. So if anything I can be our muscle, and I will do my best to make sure you don't get hurt.", the confidence he exuded might help in making the two of them believe that sentiment as well. He was an ideal commander in tone and appearance it would seem as he led them off and into the distance towards their target.

WC: 1360/1600
PC: 3/4

Post 3/4
WC: 1158

The man’s response would be a name to Shikazze  and one that he would slightly know, as the man that had introduced himself as Genkumaru, would inform Shikazze that he knew Tatsuya Nara of the Nara clan, one  of Shikazze’s many relatives that inhabited the village, and one of the ones he was not to familiar with. Though Shikazze would not inform that to the man leading the mission, as he would just give the man a small nod of the head at the mention of the name, as Shikazze didn’t care to much to speak on his clan members and his relationship with them. And it would seem that Genkumaru would leave it at just that as he would next lead to speaking of the mission that the group was having it hand, and that was the hunting of a massive boar, something that would seem to almost bring a smile to the face of Shikazze though he would do his best to not let the others see any emotion from him, not wanting them to know he was actually excited at the chance to face off against this giant boar.

Instantly after speaking of the boar the red haired man Genkumaru would instantly start moving forward with Shikazze and the Sakuragi girl moving forwards as the one in charge of the group would continue to speak. As now he would go forth to speaking of his skills to the group, and informing  them that he was taijutsu, ninjutsu and bakuton expert. Which slightly intrigued Shikazze, as he didn’t know much about the explosion element other than the fact that it was nothing more then a art of pure destruction as it was explained by some of the older Nara in the clan, and this would be Shikazze’s first possible chance of seeing the element and explosive art for himself first hand. As Genkumaru let it be known he would be the muscle Shikazze could only imagine the squad leader running headfirst at the boar with his pointy nipples.

The girl wit the eyes like water, would inform them of her skills next, letting it be known that she did Taijutsu just like the group leader Genkumaru, though she did not feel herself was an expert of it, and just merely a practitioner of it, as she found herself intrigued by swords and weapons as well, hinting to Shikazze that she was very proficient in close combat, and one to watch out for in close range if he was to ever have to spar or fight her. As the group continued moving forward towards their destination It would seem that Shikazze would find that it was now his turn to inform the group of his skills, though he figured for the most part it would be obvious by his appearance and sword on his side, he might as well go along with the little group exercise as they continued moving towards the boar. “I practice the Shadow Arts of the Nara clan,  as well as the art of the sword” Shikazze would say in the same emotionless tone that he gave the group when he first introduced himself, though upon speaking of his Sword Shikazze would proceed to place his hand on the hilt of his sword as they continued forward, wondering how this fight against the boar would go with what seemed to be three close range fighters.

WC: 570

Post 4/4
WC: 1684

Shikazze wouldn’t be to pleased with the response of the over large red haired man Genkumaru as it would send a small shiver through his body with his statement being one of his pet peeves, though the young Nara could only expect this combat suggestion to the mission from someone such as Genkumaru who was not to familiar with Shikazze himself, as it was the traditional roll of those of the Nara clan to usually aid in the battle from the sides and use their shadows as more of a support tool from the side. Something Shikazze completely hated as he felt the way his clan used shadows could be way more interesting and helpful in the combat and not just required to be of support use only, though the shadows were quite strong on the support side, Shikazze style of shadow art showed their more offensive side, though he still was far from perfecting the style, he knew once he did he could potentially help change how everyone looked at the fighting style of those of the Nara clan.

Still walking Shikazze would soon start to notice that they were passing through ruins, though this was not particallary uncommon on the Kataki road, these onese semed to catch the eye of Shikazze as it was something more to these, as their design was not a common one, as well as the fact that they were made of marble, a mineral of earth that could be quite beautiful in the eyes of Shikazze, though the beauty of the ruins would soon be lost as it would seem the group managed to walk into a old marketplace of sort by the setup. Though the marble here would seem to be destroyed all over with a lot of things being unrecognizable, other then the fact that they were made of Marble just like everything else in the ruins. The group would continue to move forward following the lead of Genkamaru, though Shikazze would also make sure to keep his eyes open as he was starting to notice that though they were in the ruins It was easy to see that some of the damage that they were coming up on was recent, very recent.

And soon, Shikazze’s guess would be proven to be right, as he would manage to hear the great beast heavy breaths moments before he and the other sun ninja would find themselves walking up on the gigantic beast. A beast that could easily put fear in the heats of many just by looking at the beast and its massive size, not alone the massive tusk that it also had sprouting out its mouth, weapons that the beast could easily use to slay man. Just as it had done so many times before, by the look of all the dead bodies that laid around, showing to Shikazze that this would be no cake walk for the group if they didn’t take It serious, as this beast was one out for blood, and soon Shikazze and his fellow Sun ninja on this mission would be the blood that the massive boar was after. Their mission leader Genkamaru would start of by signaling to them with the use of hand signs, in the effort to say quite and not instantly alert the beast to the locations of the ninjas who would now be its hunters, as a hunter never alerted its pray as it made the hunt way more difficult if not impossible depending on the beast.  

Once an opening was clear the squad leader for the mission Genkamaru would rush forward towards the beast, while Shikazze was expecting to see some of the mains explosive jutsu’s, he would be surprised to see that the red haired man also possessed the lighting release nature, as soon he would feel the area with he sounds of a thousand birds chirping at once it would seem, as he would produce a massive amount of concentrated lighting in his hand before charging at the beast. Though the attacks would not be a simple smooth one as Shikazze had pictured in his head, as it would lead to a tussle between Genkamaru and the boar that would lead to Genkamaru disappearing into a cart, this would give Shikazze an opportunity to make his move as he would activate his shadow poessison jutsu to grab the shadow of the gigantic boar whose back was now facing him, making it easier for his other teammate to land their attacks on the beast and he concentrated on keeping it from moving.

WC:763

The battle with the boar would not be as quick and simple as Shikazze had intentionally hoped for, though he already knew that the battle with the beast would not be an easy one, considering the fact that if this beast was one that could of easily been taken down, it would be no need for Shikazze and his squad here, and they were learning first hand just how strong and resistant this beast was. Genkamaru the leader of the squad for this current mission, was at the direct attention of the beast for the most part, and doing his best to defeat the beast while Shikazze and their other partner assisted, a plan that was seeming to slightly work though their first set of attacks did not instantly take the Beast out, though Shikazze was more then sure they put a little hurting to it. Even though this beast was acting like the group of ninjas had done nothing to it, it was clear the attacks of Genkamaru were starting to wear down the beast.

Though Shikazze would still have a nice struggle in trying to contain the beast with his shadow possession, as the bast was now using some wind technique that covered a small area with the beast as its center, and the area being completely covered in wind blades that Shikazze was more then sure would leave one scared if they managed to find themselves in its range, as it was doing a working on him, and he was a good distance away from the beast as he struggled to keep it from moving anymore forward, knowing that none of his weapons would be of any use as long as the wind was still covering the beast. As now the best Shikazze could do, was keep his focus on battling to keep the beast in his Shadow possession while his other two squad members finished it off.

WC: 321

Rising from the rubble of the fountain was not the same charismatic leader that had been flung into it. Instead a monster of a man rose up from the rubble and let out a bestial roar, the lightning chakra coating his form ripping and cracking at the air around him. He was angry and this boar was giving him an invigorating battle it seemed. Crunching his feet into the ground he dashed at the boar with a speed belaying his muscled and bulky size. He would keep the lightning cloak around his frame as he extended his arm out wards and launched into the sacred technique of the Sun village, the LARIAT!

Ripping through the ground at breakneck speeds he would crash into the frame of the boar and topple it over with a large thunderous smack from his frame against the boars. A bestial lion like roar emanating from him as he spit on the boars body and drew his arm back in a piercing motion, condensing the chidori into a single point on his hand, looking the boar in the eye as he finished pulling back and trusted it straight into the creatures chest, missing its heart but impaling part of its right lung with his lightning infused hand.

The boar squealed in agony as it thrashed about violently and kicked Gen away again, causing him to land five meters backwards from the now flailing and injured boar. Slowly rising from the ground Gen would seem truly terrifying to most as he spoke in a very callous and uncharacteristic tone, " Destroy it...", he would spit some blood out and onto the ground as he wiped his face with his right hand and forearm. He held a lot of anger and it would explode out violently one day if he wasn't careful with it.