Amidst Uncertainty [Travel]

The odd happenings of late had finally even caught the attention of his father, but was it too little too late? The kids disappearing in the sun, the people being murdered in the moon only left with an odd symbol. Truth be told, Ryojin was still in the dark about everything. He needed to push himself forward and onto the next step in being a Shinobi. He would come to a cross roads soon, he could feel it. Where would he go from here? He had chosen to release himself from his inhibitions and, though he didn't feel comfortable about it, could definitely finally kill another person. This was to make him stronger, but did it really? He found himself, as per usual in his travels, pondering on his recent decisions and the consequences there of. He had come into new found power, but just how useful would it turn out to be? Was the fact that he could kill now without the all too human reservation afterwards a bad thing in the end? It was all quite a lot to think about as the sun began to set behind him. He made his way into the deep dark of night one step after another. Simple progression. Easy progression. What wasn't complicated was making his way back to the sun village in order to assist Sojiro. What was going on behind the scenes? In truth, Ryojin wanted to know more. Maybe Ryojin even wanted a hand in finding it out directly at it's source. Was it time to approach the Kage with his questions? He had definitely gotten stronger, but was he strong enough for her to at the very least heed his words and inquiries? Maybe. Maybe not. Only time would tell from here. He continued to press on beyond the horizon ahead and toward the village hidden within the sun.

Ryojin made his way from the sun toward the Kellen plains. Rumor had it there were some particularly interesting tracks there that would be of interest to him. He wasn't sure exactly who had sent him the message to look for the tracks, it was a writing he had definitely not seen yet. Was he to be sent on a mission from yet another unknown source? Was he to continue playing these guessing games as to what was actually going on? In truth, it was exhausting him to no end, but he would never admit to that out loud. He just wanted to get down to the truth at this point by any means necessary. He made his way through the vastness that was Kataki road until he came to the split the either led to the sun or off to varying smaller areas. He walked the path down toward the smaller areas kicking dirt beneath his feet. He often took his time with making his way from one destination to the next, this one was to be much like all the rest. One foot in front of the other as he trekked his way onward into the unknown in order to discover where the strings of fate pull him next. He couldn't hide the brimming curiosity in his eyes about what it was he would find out here in the plains. Whatever it was, he was sure it would be exciting and keep him on his toes as the world had continued to do lately.

It felt weird making his way back to the sun first after meeting the massive majestic monster that was the Froskerwhatever. He was still lost in awe at something so amazing. Something that maybe shouldn't have even existed. Maybe it really was people who shouldn't exist.. Ryojin laughed aloud at that kind of thought. There was no way this world was meant solely for those massive creatures who sought destruction and apparently nothing further. The creature had definitely been sentient, intelligent, and powerful though. Were there more like her out in the world? Would they retaliate now that one of them was probably going to be captured? What was going to happen in this crazy world next? Were there perhaps to be exams too? What was going to come of those? Who knew? He allowed a long sigh to escape through just parted lips as he made his way down the battered path. One thing was for sure, this beast had given him a couple jutsu ideas and he was definitely looking forward to working toward achieving them. He could do it. He knew he could. He possessed ice chakra much like that beast. Well not much like, but at least kind of like. Truth be told, he wanted to go home first but he had a little more business left in the Sun Village before he could go report to his father about what went down this time around. He wanted to meet a few more people maybe... maybe even look forward toward the future. What could he possibly do about everything going on? How could he become involved? How could he put an end to all of this? The thoughts plagued him with every foot hitting the road.

It was finally his time to be headed back to the moon and to his father and all his friends back that way. He spun his bo staff hand to hand whistling about innocently. He had a bit more spring in his step than usual even maybe. It was quite convenient to just follow the main road. This kept things simple. This kept things mostly safe. He hummed a bit of a tune that was forever buried in the recess of his memories something that, when they were younger, Kaijin would often have hummed to calm him. It was a rather eerie and dark melody for something intending to be calming. He couldn't remember anymore, but he knew at one point it had been a song. There mother had sung it to them. It was something to do with the people they came from but it was just not something he could manage to bring back to mind. Oh well. He kind of clacked his bo against the ground rather impatiently. This trip was feeling longer than it was intending to. Why was he feeling so impatient this time around? Traveling, especially on the open road, had never before had this kind of effect on him. Was he anxious? He had been gone from home for quite some time, but it was illogical. He made it clear to his father that he was going to be gone for awhile this time. He wasn't going to be in any more trouble than he had been the first time he left and had said nothing. Still something just seemed odd as he traversed down the road back toward the moon.

Ryojin made his way down the road as per usual toward the southern regions this time. He was ordered to go to the source of the blood crystals and collect some from there. The source had been rumored to be a mine in the blood stained mire. Easy enough as long as it wasn't shinobi protecting the mine. He walked one foot in front of another, though unlike usual, his mind was rather empty this time around. He wasn't stressing out about how to handle things or any major decisions he would need to make soon. He just simply walked down the road. It was honestly an odd, but welcome, change of pace for him. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, as per usual he went as though he weren't in any hurry to get anywhere. It was just a part of his personality. No need to rush when he had left with plenty of time to spare anyway. He had been told he would be working with someone new this time around and that thought excited him more than anything had in awhile. He folded his hands behind his head, elbows out, so that he could breathe a little easier and continued his way down the road. It wouldn't take him very long from now to reach the appointed destination and then begin this mission. He would wrap it up rather quickly and make his way back toward the sun more than likely in order to continue his pursuit for answers and endlessly assigned missions.

The mire had been a rousing success. He had sent off his satchel with a shinobi at the midway in order to send his crystals back to his kage. Now he made his way back toward the sun village. There were a couple more things there he had been ordered to assist with and look into. He wanted to make his way back home sooner than later, but he knew very well that it would behoove him to continue to obey orders if he really wanted the answers he was looking for. He spun his bo about as he walked tossing it up and catching it every so often. One hand to the other, just as he walked one foot in front of the other. A soft yawn escaped him. Sometimes he wished his travels were more eventful, but it would only slow his going from point A to point B. There was no need for him to have any trouble stirred up just because he wanted a more exciting time on the main road and it kept things simple for his travel to remain quiet anyway. Another long yawn escaped his lips. He would return to the sun village to get some rest first, then he would go ahead onward toward the next objective. After this one, maybe it would be back to the moon for him. He wanted to purchase some property and have a house of his own after seeing Gen's living space. It honestly made him rather excited to think about it.

You know what they say, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." today was Ryojin's day for an exciting journey.

Dropping down from their concealed position in the branches of a tree roughly 15 meters in front of him two men would land in the middle the Kataki Road. They stood back to back, facing Ryojin, each wearing an identical shinobi shozoku and mask that completely covered their bodies.


These were the soon-to-be-legendary Demon Brothers! Terrors of the Kataki Road! Or that was the ruse at least. In reality, it was Tatsuya Nara of Nikkousato and a puppet he had cleverly made to convincingly pass as a 2nd person. His motive for attacking fellow shinobi was equally clever, or so he thought. You see Tatsuya loved to fight and he loved to fight strong opponents more than anything. When people come out the other end of a fight they are stronger than they were before. Ergo if Tatsuya were to fight EVERYONE then they would all get stronger and be much more fun to fight! Everyone wins! He was still smart enough to realize that the villages would probably not appreciate him assaulting various shinobi for fun (artists are never understood in their own time) which was why he came up with the elaborate disguise.

The two shinobi wasted no time in attacking. As soon as they landed Gozu, the puppet, would dash forward and leap covering the 15 meters between the two parties immediately, which was shockingly fast for any but the strongest of shinobi. A hidden meter-long straight sword would extend from the “man’s” right sleeve, the blade dripping with a faintly purple transparent liquid, and he would swing it vertically downward at Ryojin’s head whilst being in mid-air just above him. The sun was also to the Demon Brothers’ back giving him the advantage. If Ryojin looked up at Gozu to block he’d be looking directly into the sun, blinding him. Gozu let out a wailing battle cry as he attacked.

“Hiiiiiiiiiiiya!”

At the same time, his “brother” lept at their opponent Meizu (actually Tatsuya) would quickly weave a set of kata and cast the Swamp of the Underworld technique. Right as Gozu’s blade was descending toward him the ground underneath Ryojin would collapse as it instantly turned into a 20-meter wide, 10-meter deep swamp of sticky mud, centered on Ryojin. If he wasn’t careful the muck would suck down his entire body. It was a dangerous pincer attack from both above and below!

~~~~~

Free Actions:
Invisible Puppet Strings: 5 chakra

Actions:
Trick Urumi (Adding one of two doses of poison)
Swamp of the Underworld: 25 Chakra

145/175 Chakra
150/150 Stamina

Though every instinct in Ryojin's body as the men fell from the trees told him to fight because of how much trouble he had lately with men in masks, he turned heel and used collision wave in order to put an additional twenty meters of distance betweeen the two and him. In truth, he just didn't have it in him for a direct conflict in the open road right now. He was worn out, and it obviously showed slightly. He changed his path to continue on to his destination, throwing up hidden mist jutsu just to make sure he wasn't accurately followed. It wasn't his day. Shinobi in masks. People in masks. Wolf masks. Weird masks. What was up with all the secrecy anyway? So he would end up taking the longer road. It didn't much matter as long as he could avoid the direct conflict.

The Demon Brothers threw up their arms and cackled,

"Yes run! Tell them all that the Demon Brothers, Terrors of the Kataki road let you live this day!" Meizu taunted. Gozu returned to his side and they both threw down a flash bomb, setting off a blinding light, and when it cleared they were both gone.