Cloud's Chosen: ROOM 1

[Cloud Seer]

Re: Cloud's Chosen: ROOM ONE

> Combat portion concluded (sorry)

”Don’t touch that dial! The battle continues as the creature from my nightmares summoned from Kiri’s shadow takes a swing at B.B. and lands a solid hit! B.B. recoils from the strike but rebounds quickly with a counterattack!”

”This next one will really blow you away…”</I><i></i>

“A port just opened up on B.B.’s chest… what’s that howling noise? It’s B.B.! B.B. is unleashing a powerful vortex of wind! Hold onto your hats, folks in the audience, it’s drawing everything in! But our combatants resist… wait, Kiri is being drawn into the vortex! He’s in trouble! He’s… ah... False alarm everyone, it’s just a Kawarimi Target.

But wait! Junko’s got an attack of his own prepared! A massive spiraling blade of wind is forming in his hands! He’s thrown it at B.B.! The behemoth is not quick enough to dodge it! The shuriken of wind collides with B.B. and causes it to take a step back to avoid toppling. B.B. is reeling, but Junko isn’t finished yet! He’s launched another blast of wind and it collides with B.B. as well, nearling knocking it on its back! What a combo!

Trying to take advantage of the situation, Kouin goes in!” [clang, clang] ”He strikes the bot twices across the with the hilt of his swords!” [clang, clang] ”And again! Is he going for humiliation?!

Whatever the case, the others have given Kiri ample time to prepare his attack! He’s summoned a massive amount of water and it’s taking shape. He hurtles a mass of water at B.B. in the form of a dragon! Oh no, I’m going to get in trouble for saying that one! Wait, make that two beasts of water, the next a vicious looking shark! They both collide with B.B at the same time sending it stumbling as it attempts to keep its footing! Another insane combo!

And now Kouin is on the offensive once more getting in B.B.’s face!” [clang, clang] ”He smacks B.B. twice yet again! Does B.B. owe him money or something?! Kiri’s shadow creature bats at B.B. once more, landing another solid hit! Kouin hangs on to B.B. and…” [clang, clang] “Another two smacks! What exactly are we witnessing here today, folks?! Kouin seems to have some sort of grudge with B.B.!

”This is robot abuse…”<i></i>

Junko is up to something now! I don’t know what it is, but B.B. seems to be struggling to stand! He’s down! B.B. is down on his knees, struggling to get back up! Kiri is suddenly engulfed in black flames, but don’t worry it seems to be intentional! His shadow pal takes another swing at the downed bot, kicking it while it’s down! Merciless! The shadow creature gets in one last slug as B.B. is struggles back to its feet!

‘BOOM’

The first sound almost went unheard as the roar from the gleeful citizens of Kumogakure masked it.

‘BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!’

But the quakes grew as the arena floor shook, silencing the crowd. B.B. stopped struggling, it’s optical device scanning, but not the competitors. “Warning, hostile presence detected.”<i></i> Suddenly, electricity racked up and down BB’s metal frame. It leaned back, almost as if surprised by the sudden turn of events. <I>“Systems tampered, mission ‘test competitors’ compromised.”</COLOR><i></i> Sparks flew for feet around BB, forcing his once assailants to retreat a good distance or risk nasty burns. He looked to his competitors, smoke rising from within, reaching out to them with one hand… as if to warn them. “‘I’ll B…B… back…”<COLOR color="red">/


Chaos erupted.


‘BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!’

With a blinding light, B.B.90-01 went up in flames, and simultaneous explosive sounds from below Kouin, Kiri, and Junko erupted. Shrapnel from his outer casing flew like bullets in all directions, while parts of the arena floor collapsed beneath their feet. Forced to evade the sudden danger, Kouin lost his footing and disappeared into the abyss below, leaving Kiri and Junko alone grappling to understand what was happening both in and outside the ring.

The sentries guarding the stadium were the first to respond, tossing hand seals to erect a hasty barrier from the explosions within. The screams from students in the front few rows echoed loud and clear as they tried to protect themselves with their bare hands before meeting their almost assured death. The charged barrier met fiery metal, shaking at the impact, but holding steady to the onslaught.

The sound of the outside chaos eerily disappeared for Kiri and Junko when the barrier erected, but they could still see what was happening through the transparent chakra wall. From the multitude of citizens scrambling for the exit, individuals sporting hand-crafted masks rose from the panicked throngs, and rushed opposite the masses and down the stairs just as the sentinels worked to maintain their barrier.

Nearly all in the stands were caught off guard from the assault. Some took a blade through the back, blood seeping through their robes before they fell silently and hard against the floor, others we able to sense and dodge the attack before engaging in a counter attack. At the unified terroristic strike, the barrier came rushing down and screaming refilled Junko and Kiri’s ears.

As non-shinobi fled the building first, a sharp eye would notice that the masked individuals paid no heed to any civilian that passed them. They also seemed to not focus on the men in the middle of the room. “Kiri…” came a call from below. “I’m pinned!” It was Kouin’s voice, but in the rubble and smoke, the mednin in training would not be able to see him.

A child’s cry could be heard, along with the sound of a poof smoke, and the ‘thunk’ of a kawarimi target hitting the ground. Opposite Kiri and Junko, a larger group of dagger-wielding, masked vigilantes cornered a small group of students. Due to the sheer number of enemies, it was clear Junko would not be able to save them alone.

While the students had their chakra to protect them, the vigilantes had numbers. Older students took the brunt of the attack, allowing the younger, less experienced children the chance to escape. Among the front line, Kiri and Junko would see Junko’s son, Rintaro, just barely parry a lunge to his head. Yutaro would take the opening to counter the attack on his brother, but neither twin was watching their six.

From all sides, small groups of children poured over the arena in desperation, instinct driving them to the only haven they knew in the fire, rubble, and chaos.

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

‘BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!’

The sound of several explosions sent tremendous vibrations through the floor, rattling what seemed like the entire arena. Junko was about to assume it was another part of this little test, but ....

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!’

With all the chaos that was erupting, the sennin couldn’t afford to call any of this a trick. It was all too real. The screams.... the tears ..... the immense panic that caused a wave of citizens to wash towards the exits ..... and lastly...the blood.

A wave of energy was casted over the tournament combatants as a barrier, but it did not shield their eyes from the horror that was being brought to the people of the stands. Tightening his grip upon his blade as the barrier was beginning to fall, Junko’s eyes grew wide at the sight of even his own children battling for their lives. And just like that.... the Prodigy Brother’s chakra .... erupted...

”Kiri...” Junko said stepping forward. If anyone, Kiri would know this feeling of Junko’s power. They had traveled together for many years, Training intensely, and fought off many bandits that attempted to rob them for the little they did have while traveling. Instead of letting Kiri use his demonic power And potentially spiraling out of control, Junko took the lead and protected Kiri and everything they had. Just as he would now....because this time... everything he held dear was truly on the line. His family... comrades... and the village that had given him purpose...

”Be a medic and fend off enemies when needed. Move!! Junko said as his chakra dispersed. Now was the time for Kiri to truly show what he was made of. He had come along way and proved that he could take a life, but could he focus on saving lives instead and playing the role of a medic?

Quickly Stabbing his katana into the ground, Junko then quickly bit his thumb to draw blood.

Boar....

Dog....

Bird....

Monkey...

Ram...



Slamming his palm on the ground, a huge explosion of smoke covered the battlefield, but only briefly as the smoke quickly lifted. Revealing... the white lotus and two of Junko’s paths. ”Let’s go!” Junko said before most of them dashed in different directions to handle different areas in the arena. Only one feline stayed behind to assist Kiri in anyway needed.

Meanwhile, Junko’s blades from every path cut without mercy. Splattering blood with each strike to every threat and Bodies... would begin to hit the floor.

Summoning Contracts

Spoiler

<White Lotus Symbol>

<Motto>
"We're all part of the same ancient secret society. A group that transcends the divisions of the human world and contract realms. We, as the White Lotus will always be about philosophy, beauty, and truth."

<General description>
White Lotus, is an ancient and secret group among the felines that seeks philosophy, beauty, and truth, but have no problem with getting down and dirty. Formed centuries earlier by the wisest of the felines from their contract realm, the Order began as an elite group where white tiger felines trained their mind, body, and spirit for the future.

With years of training, this fearsome five have gained experience in tracking, stealth, reading, walking on water, climbing trees or walls, and a series of investigative strategies. Each feline has a background in martial arts/combat and Because of this, each feline has a strong desire for peace.

Un-entertained by feline culture, The white Lotus has shifted its focus to human civilization. Curious of its diverse ways, they thirst for interaction to put their skills to the test. Waiting on the day a chosen contract holder is blessed with the white lotus tattoo. Only then, will white lotus individuals have a chance to be picked single handedly.

<Purpose For Team>
This group has been assigned to Tsuyoshi Junko, each one hand picked and devoted to the sharing of ancient knowledge with Junko. They also concern themselves with the task of finding, training, protecting, and helping Junko during his day to day life.

<How they became acquainted with summoner>
After being granted with acceptance from the felines, Junko received a piercing bite, forming the white lotus's symbol, Junko was now able to choose a feline or more to assist him in his every day life. Looking at the various choices of felines, Junko was unimpressed, until he was put in front of the white Lotus. Being the first to choose from the white lotus, Junko choose five diverse members of the vast group.

<General Appearance/Shared Attire>
White Tigers with the white Lotus symbol printed somewhere on their clothing.

Name: shiroi kiba (White Fang)
Species: feline (White Tiger)
Gender: Male
Position: leader Out of the 5
Appearance: standing at 5ft 8in, Kiba is the tallest of the group. He's a white tiger with brutal scars and black stripes, but most is unseen due to his metal armor placed over most his body. Kiba has red eyes, razor sharp claws, and fangs. Other then his armor, Kiba wears a red cloth with a gold trimming.

Personality: Being the leader of the group, Kiba tends to be demanding and ferocious amongst his brethren, but he's actually the most kind hearted. Kiba doesn't throw a punch nor command a punch unless it's absolutely necessary. Kiba loves to relax and stay away from all danger, but once danger calls, he steps up to the plate. Very social and understanding, can relate to almost anything. His critical thinking is off the charts and his skills prove it, on and off the battlefield.

Name: Kenmeina tora (Wise Tiger)(Commonly Summoned)
Species: feline (White Tiger)
Gender: Male
Position: Co-Leader out of the 5

Appearance: standing at 5ft 7in, Tora is a white tiger with abnormal black stripes and flesh piercing claws. He has a skinny ripped build with green eyes. He wears a hooded cloak (Dark Green) with the white lotus symbol on the back, armor(dark green with gold trimmings), cloth(dark green), and thin ropes(gold). Equipped with a custom shield and katana(gold).

Personality: Tora would be considered the "Brains" of the group. He speaks with the up most intelligence and has experience with multiple medical fields. He's analytical and always strive to do better. Tora listens and constantly thinks, the philosopher type. Aside from education, Tora's battle skills are considered some of the best and enjoys battle, but he'd rather read a nice book. The only thing that bothers Tora are "knuckle heads", especially ones with quick tempers.

]Name: Byakko (White Tiger Of The West)
Species: feline (White Tiger)
Gender: Male
Position: Soldier

Appearance: standing at 5ft 6in, Byakko is a white tiger with deep black stripes, fangs, and ripping claws. He has golden eyes and a ripped build. He Wears a custom leather jacket(black) with gold plated edges on the end of the sleeves that has the white lotus logo, and the white Lotus motto. He wears pants(white) with the bottom portion ripped at the calf. Equipped with a custom saber tooth blade, carried on his back.

Personality: Byakko would be considered the "cool" one of the group with a quick temper. He does his best to keep calm, but once he's fired up, it's no turning back. He's into battle, seeks the truth in everything, and is straight to the point. Byakko can't take a joke to save his life, so jokesters aren't really his preferred company.

Name: Raijū (Thunder Beast)
Species: feline (White Tiger)
Gender: Male
Position: Soldier

Appearance: standing at 5'7, Rainū is a white tiger with black stripes, fangs,claws, and scars, he has Crimson blue eyes, and a muscular build. He wears knee length cargo shorts(blue), battle gloves(blue), custom foot attire(blue), a belt(black) with the white lotus print, and a feline necklace that hold a crimson blue crystal.

Personality: Raijū would be considered the "Jokester" of the group. Typically clumsy unless it comes to battle. Talkative with corny jokes, adventurous, curious, and hard at hearing. A scholar in mind but reflects a kid at play. He believes in living young, wild, and free. Focusing on the beauty of reality.

Name: Jibakurei (Protects a specific place)
Species: feline (White Tiger)
Gender: Male
Position: Soldier

Appearance: shortest of the bunch, standing at 5'4. A white tiger with golden eyes, wearing a yin-yang head band(yellow), bandana around his neck(black) with the white Lotus print, wrist band weights(yellow), ankle weights(yellow), waist sash(yellow) and martial arts pants(black). Topping things off on his fur with black stripes and ferocious claws.

Personality: Jibakurei is the most obedient of the bunch, he listens to every word he's told and is typically the most quiet. Bein the youngest in the bunch, he's Humble due to his martial arts. Jibakurei's uses his martial arts training as his way of life. Always aware of his self, always aware of his surroundings, if he has to he will, and if he don't he won't.

Spoiler

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[Kiri]

In an unexpected turn of events, Kiri suddenly found himself in an unprecedented chaos. He and the others had little time to spare when the explosions began to echo. He had his focus on the Robot all this time that he had to joggle his mind and comprehend the situation as fast as he could. But there was only so little time before the Robot would explode. Even as he dove out of the way, the shrapnels and debris would fly everywhere, sending dangerous projectiles to unsuspecting victims. And he, too, was in the way.

It was at that very moment when his Shadow Harbinger would speed up along the surface and tear the large sheet of metal that was hurling at Kiri’s direction. Even then, one of the cut sides, as the piece was hurled and it swirled, would end up slicing the Harbinger in return and latter falls to the ground in half before vanishing into a black smoke. And at the wake of the large explosions, a crater was left where the Robot once stood.

Kiri quickly got up and glanced about him as he felt numerous chakra coming to life, or at least, finally bursting. All around the bleachers, the audience could be seen being attacked by unknown men. He held his breath as he caught sight of Junko’s own family getting involved. But just as he was about to move, his attention was redirected towards the hole and he rushed towards it. As he came close, he would the faint voice of Kouin, sending a strange uncertain feeling into him. As he perched from the opening of the hole, he scanned the vicinity below. Smoke was in the air and debris piled on top of each other. It was difficult to truly pinpoint Kouin as he was beginning to panic. Would he lose his only living brother at this point?

Glancing back at Junko as the Sennin’s chakra began to flow with great strength, Kiri knew that Junko was going to fight mercilessly, especially with Rin and the others at harm’s way. But even then, when he was given the order to simply be a medic, to not fight…. He felt a pang in his heart. Internally, he wanted to scream, to let out his own chakra and let the beast loose. He would make whoever was involved in this pay dearly with their life. No, their life would not even be enough. And yet, once more, he was only greeted with a deafening silence. His brother would not be able to answer his call, leaving him with more feelings of helplessness.

​

But there was no time to hesitate. Lives were on the line and Junko was already in action. Kiri had to make his own choices now. “Oi! Stop wasting time. I’m breaking the debris so you better not get caught!” Kiri shouted as he held his hands before him, his chakra surging into an incredible spike before diminishing. Just then, there would be a boom as his chakra gathers to create the shape of a large dragon made of water that flows along its body. And yet, darkness began to creep up and engulf the dragon before it shot outwards, splitting its head into three serpentine ones. One of them would make a turn before rushing down the hole behind Kiri, smashing into the debris that seemed to have clogged. The other two would shoot past Junko’s side immediately smashing and trashing the unknown figures without mercy.

Taking a deep breath at the sudden outpouring of his chakra, Kiri was already forming another, cutting his palm with the sword he held and then slamming it to the ground, sending a burst of his chakra shooting out from the point of impact as it gathered moisture in the air, forming quickly, solidifying and bursting to reveal a Giant Slug. Piucca as it was called would quickly jerk upon seeing a chaotic sight before it looked towards Kiri.

“Please treat the wounded. As many as you can!” said Kiri as he was already running. Piucca would nod as the Slug would let its chakra flow, sending small slugs appearing beside it and quickly making their way towards the stands to aid the injured. Piucca, herself, would find one of the assailants and shoot out a stream of acid at his direction, sending the unknown man screaming in pain.

As for Kiri, not heeding his adoptive father’s words to stay down, would jump. Immediately, his anti-gravity armor would make it easier to leap farther. And as he did, he raised one hand overhead as his chakra began to converge in a different kind of spark. It was radiant blue, dangerously growing and radiating along his arm. And as he eyed the nearest assailant, Kiri’s eyes remained fixed like a possessed man before he lunged forward and thrust his hand through the chest, piercing through and sending the fatal shocking chakra all over the man’s body. Blue light danced across Kiri’s golden eyes as he lay witness. The latter writhed, convulsed, screamed, before his voice suddenly stopped and fell to the ground with a thud. Blood dripped from Kiri’s arm, but he didn’t care as he quickly wielded his uchigatana against the nearest assailant.

“Sorry, but when my soul is roaring, I can’t simply stay still and watch,” he thought as he slashes the next man in three succession before blowing him to ashes with a breath of black flame.

 

[Cloud Seer]

Kaze Kouin was nothing, if not a capable man. Yet with so much chaos to avoid, he was forced to the ground below. It turned out to be a bit of luck on his end, he thought, as he surveyed the piles of bodies that lay before him, bloodied blade in his hand. He did not know what they were doing down there—since the columns they targeted were successfully reduced to rubble—but their initial shock and attempt to take him out meant that they did not expect him there in the slightest. After the failed attempt to take him down, they disappeared into the darkness under the parts of the arena that did not collapse. It seemed they were still up to do good, but the darkness would not reveal to what aim. He could sense the remaining few as they scurried to avoid him in the dust and rubble. It would be in his best interest to just finish the rest and stop any plans altogether. Kouin smirked before wiping his blade on the sleeve of his most recent kill before vanishing in seemingly thin air....


It was almost laughable, how quickly Junko and Kiri cut down the onslaught of opponents who created this chaos. As the sennin made his way to his twin sons, not a single opponent casted a single jutsu against Junko or his paths. A small few threw up a lucky counter against his blows, but they would be immediately crushed by the herculean strength chakra gave them. Kiri’s Jutsu decimated the rest of the playing field, others visibly grimaced, completely disturbed by how their comrade melted in the acid before them, and how Kiri’s hand slipped through another like his body was made of butter.

It was too easy. The more they cut down, the more it became openly apparent to the master swordsman and his adopted son that not a single person who faced them was trained in the art of combat. And by the time they reached the students, all that were left of the assailants were forced into a circle, surrounded by the Kiri, Junko, and the Sennin’s contracts and paths. Most of the students were exhausted, Junko’s sons even struggled to remain standing, but still they had held their own until help arrived. Each have a quick, relieved smile to their father when he was at their side, but did not say a word to him. Even Rintaro seemed unnaturally quiet.

But, the element of surprise had failed, and with it, all hope of resistance. Feeling the cost of this decision too great, the rebels laid down their weapons. The screams of their fallen brethren, the smells of sliced and melted flesh burned in their noses and echoed through their heads.

It was then, that Kouin leapt from the hole in the ground. “What was that for Kiri?” He asked, flicked freshened blood off his blade once more. “I was in the middle of finishing off some chakra-less rats, when a random shadow dragon comes shooting at me from above. Care to explain?”

Kiri would have but a moment to register the oddity of what his brother just said.

“Well, well, well. A job well done to the victors, the saviors of Kumogakure.” It was a saccharine voice that came over the intercom. All three would turn to the announcer’s box, only to see another masked figure had taken control of the microphone. “Or should I say, the oppressors of Kumogakure? It’s so hard to separate a hero from a dictator now-a-days.”

“Ah, ah, ah.” She said as she held up what appeared to be a remote control, forcing them to halt in whatever advancement they wanted to make. “You might want to hear me out before taking me down. After all, you and your beloved next generation are directly above an explosive capable of 500 thousand tons TNT. End me, and the argument might get… explosive. Might even take out the entire Torre and surrounding buildings in the process. What a lovely thing that would be to see on live television, eh folks?”

It was Kouin who began to react first. “Keep her talking.” He muttered low enough for them both to hear. Subtly he began to summon his temporal sage chakra. He couldn't reach for his watch here without being obvious. His only choice would be to wield his raw power without proper channeling, and hope that the result wouldn’t be too terrible of a backlash. A gutsy move like this, even for him, would take a second to pull off.

“But I mean, look at this place.” She said as she gestured to the arena around them. “Specially built to once again gloat on how amazing shinobi are. How the ‘gods’ have come once again to bless us, but this time with ‘entertainment’ instead of ‘protection’. To shove in our faces collective faces that we should be grateful. Even as they cut down the very men and women the tell us they have sworn to protect with no remorse."

At the wave of her hand, the remaining terrorists removed their masks. Kiri and Junko would pick a good few from the small crowd, and even Kouin would notice one or two. Some were patients they had at the hospital before… others, neighbors… strangers they spoke to in passing… there were enough recognizable faces to know what it was they all had in common: They were citizens of Kumogakure. Chakra-less… powerless… citizens of Kumogakure.

And the bodies that laid around them, should they remove any of the masks, would be more of the same.

“So tell me, oh great saviors of Kumogakure, what do you have to say for yourselves to your beloved fans across the country?” At this, the girl walked outside of the booth, holding the microphone to ensure whatever words they carried to her would carry to the rest of lightening. “That any critique against even their most favored shinobi will be met with a painful and gruesome end? Please explain to us why you so thoughtlessly unleashed everything you had on people so much weaker than you? Without thought or wonderment as to who those people might have been?”

[This will be the final round, and not included in the review. We're deliberating votes now, all posts after this are to properly close the story. Have fun, and a great holiday season guys!]

 

[Kiri]

“Haaaaaa?!” Kiri voiced out a long and dragging response to the woman as she walked out of the booth to mockingly reach out the microphone for them. He was boiling inside, his soul was raging, and thankfully his brother’s absence was a saving grace that day or else he could already see more dead bodies littered across the arena. No, the reason why he had a confused and somewhat disgusted response was because he knew exactly the gravity of the situation and he was somewhat appalled by what he had done. But that also had to end.

These people, the blood still dripping on his hand that cut down a few, they were indeed chakra-less. In the chaos, in the slew of it all, he had not been too observant. But what would he have done had he known earlier? They were slaughtering everyone else. They weren’t exactly as innocent and weak as portrayed by the woman. And now that he had the moment to think back quickly to what Kouin had snarkily replied, there were, indeed, much more of them around.

“Like I care if I’m a hero to their eyes!” Kiri shouted just to make his point to the woman as he swung his blade aside to let the blood come off the pristine blade. “You’re deeply mistaken to think of me a saint who thinks highly of my reputation. I am a weapon for the Raikage and Kumogakure. I will defeat all the enemies, whether they are foreign or not. Just that the moment they raise a hand over the innocent or over their own kin, the moment there is intent to harm them, whether they’re the best of their shinobi village or the tired, resentful, chakra-less person, they’ll be treated the same fate.”

He paused as he sharpened his eyes, a growlish tone coming over to his voice. “Don’t get me wrong. It sucks! I got warned off before and I will still treat, as a mednin, any who needs help, whether they be friend or foe, but the moment they raise a hand over those I am sworn to protect, they are simply enemies.” He smirked, a devious smug on his face before raising his free hand to point at his face. “Come closer if you want to see the face of a demon. People should already know that. Ask more, if you want to hear what this demon wants to speak. I don’t really care, so should you. But mark my word, for every single person whom I killed today that was coerced into this, I will burry my sword into your gut, tenfold. Wait, no. A hundred fold.”

Then he sheathes the uchigatana and raises a hand towards the woman’s position, aiming as if he would suddenly draw out his sword to attack her, despite the distance. “If anything, you’re lucky I haven’t lost control yet. But if you cordially invite me to, who am I to refuse? Now, a sword in your gut seems all too simple. I should cut down and devour your soul instead.”

Sometimes, it helped that he had a soulscape to retreat to. More so now that there was a different presence residing in it. Otherwise, Kiri might have lost his sanity a long time ago. But not right now. This other presence inside him was keeping his will strong, holding back the anger in check, and unknowingly taking possession of his will like a curse. It would become one of the times his future power manifested in his soul, even if only a glimpse, or as a separate will to keep his sanity in check. Kiri, too, could feel that someone– a presence, an entity– was there, silently reassuring him, strengthening him, and keeping him on this path.

“Did you, perhaps, wanted to hear me to say I care?” He then straightened his stand and looks at the people around them, slowly turning as if to address them, “Well, this is how I say I care. No flowery words. No utopian promises. Only dead bodies of those who seek to harm.” As he finally turns all around, facing the woman’s direction once more, he adds, “There’s one last thing you seem to have forgotten, or maybe, you never knew to begin with. There is no good or evil. There is no weak or strong. The moment you draw your blade and engage, the only way to fight in honour and glory towards whatever you believe in– may it be the most mundane there is, or the tyrannical dream – is not to underestimate your foe. That’s why I will always aim to kill, because that’s how I would want to be treated in a fight. If you think I should shower them with headpats and headchops, instead, you’re clearly dealing with the wrong person.”

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

Blood splattered across the arena as the father and son attacked without remorse. No matter who they were, what they were doing, or what they possessed.... they were cut down and slaughtered like pigs as the arena served as the slaughter shack. Junko’s blade hacked through many along with the white lotuses piercing claws.

Family was on the line, the village was on the line, and the village would see with their own eyes.... Just what the sennin would do to any who would raise a hand to hurt them and that he was true to his word.

“I will bring honour to those who came before me and lead those who will come after. I am the very soul of my branch and my country. I am a force others will fear to reckon with. GLORY TO KUMOGAKURE AND HER ALLIES!”

As things were suddenly coming to an end, the culprits were surrounded and was about to meet their end just like their comrades, but another mask figure interrupted at the announcers box. Still holding his blade to the surrounded individuals, Junko simply turned his head to the masked woman while watching the other assailants with his paths.

Listening as the woman gave the order for everyone to reveal themselves, Junko simply shook his head as Kiri spoke with rage. The sennin recognized many faces... but in his eyes.... they were either walking corpses or dead corpses already the moment they attacked.

As Kiri would stop talking, silence would fill the room as the woman waited for another to speak. Particularly looking at the medical Sennins blunt stare that held a deadly gleam. ”When you critique. You use words. Not explosions. Words. Not blades. Words. And things are handled in a diplomatic way.” Junko said with a slight pause. ”No matter who you are. Commoner or shinobi. If you raise a hand of force, you shall be cut down.” Junko said secretly channeling earth chakra into the floor through one of his paths feet to possibly assist Kouin.

Mft
WC: 339

 

[Cloud Seer]

“Innocent?” She mumbled, a look of disgust filled this mystery woman as her body shook in anger equal to that of Kiri and Junko’s own rage. “Diplomacy?” One strong, hearty huff of disbelief racked her body. “Your mind must be seriously be warped by propaganda if you really believe every person in this country has an equal word to yours. Or that the shinobi we took down are ‘innocent.’”

Foregoing the microphone, she walked outside the broadcast booth, still holding a finger tightly on the doomsday device. “But you didn’t even notice that, did you? How not a single villager was harmed? It’s so easy to talk about ‘innocence’ and ‘diplomacy’ when you have the privilege to do so, but us without chakra have always been considered second-class citizens. Easy to ignore when we disagree, easy to dispose of when we result to desperate measures to simply get your attention.”

Slowly she moved closer to the trio. “But it’s a waste talking with you. Maybe with a loss of one of the village’s leaders and the precious ‘nine,’ those that survive will learn to listen…”

It was then that Kouin made his move. “Now!” he shouted to the two for them to take the woman down. Both Tsuyoshis made a dash for the woman, who stepped back in shock and pressed the button in her hand.

And then--for him--time slowed to an almost stand-still. And then, it was a race against time. Immediately, he felt the effects of using his power without his channel pull at every part of his body. Diving back into the hole, it felt as if every muscle under his skin was snapping. Every bone was breaking. But he had to find it. You wouldn’t have been able to see it on his face, but if there was a time Kaze Kouin could be considered desperate, now was that moment. There was no guarantee if this was reality. Failure was not an option.

It didn’t take long for him to find the bomb. Just on the cusp of detonating, the outer shell slowly ripped apart into tiny bits, the explosion underneath moving faster than the world around him. A series of hand seals, a mutter under his breath, the a barrier covered it and him before time rushed back all at once.

Kiri and Junko rushed the woman in the blink of an eye, finishing her with a sword through her gut and a hand through her chest. There was an explosion underground, coupled with screams from the students and the remainder of the uprisers. After a few tense seconds of complete silence, the woman’s body fell to the ground in with a sickening thud.

“ENOUGH!” shouted a voice that echoed all around them. The sound of glass shattered around them, a light so bright blinded their eyes to the point that they had to close them. The sound of silence once again engulfed them before the rush of footsteps could be heard from behind.

Upon opening their eyes, Junko and Kiri found themselves back in the center of the arena. Gone was the students… the rebels… the bodies of the dead whose insides they thought were quite real. Around them, the crowd seemed perfectly okay, if not seemingly trapped in a daze, shouting and cheering at nothing. Was the crowd size always this small? And the arena? B.B 90-01 also kneeled across the way, heavily dented from blows all three of them placed on him earlier.

The sentinels too remained where they once were before the chaos erupted. Now, however, the two could see the advanced transformations of the sharingan through some of the blank masks. Some lowered their hands, clear that they just broke a jutsu. Others seemed to be maintain a jutsu. The barrier around them shimmered.

“Kaze-san, can you hear my voice?” came the sound of one of the individuals who approached them earlier. The voice belonged to a Mednin, identifiable by the medical branch’s insignia emblazoned on his armband. He kneeled over Kouin’s body, blocking the man’s face from view as he lifted a hand to the headpiece in his ear. There was no initial response. “I need a gurney here, stat. Participant needs immediate medical attention.”

The sound of a set of familiar boots made their way across the arena. “B-team, we need a vision of Kouin getting taken out, immediately,” came the order of Maebara, Chigusa. Behind her, a slew of mednin headed by Kahako rushed to Kouin’s immobile body.

“Hold up, you two.” Chigusa said, watching as the Medical Sennin and Kiri attempted to assist as well. “This match is not over, and the genjutsu over the crowd is about to disperse.” The sound of screams could be heard, along with several ‘ohhs,’ as Kahako’s team carefully lifted Kouin’s battered body onto the gurney. “What in Raiden’s name did you do to yourself?” the medical chief could be heard muttering. Quickly, they wheeled the ANBU away, towards the door with which they first entered.

“Before you ask, Tsuyoshi-sama,” Chisuga started turning to Junko fully. He was not her direct superior, but it was certain that he was going to want answers. “No, we did not orchestrate this in such as way that one of you should have been so critically injured. Whatever it is you saw while under the genjutsu, it forced Kaze Kouin to act in a way that put himself in danger with his own power.

The muffled sound of a voice broke through the headset. In the background, the announcer they heard earlier still shouting calls that were just not happening. “Is there any way they can maintain it for longer?” she responded. A quick response later and a sigh lead her to look back toward the men before her. “There is not much time to explain, so I’ll make it quick. Yes, you have been under a genjutsu. The crowd is under one as well. Halfway through the battle, as you saw a different simulation, the rest of the world continued to see a fight. In a few minutes, their genjutsu will break, and it will appear to them as if Kaze Kouin took a particularly hard hit from B.B. that knocked him out, but you two successfully managed to take the behemoth down.

“There will be a full report on what you saw after the match submitted to council, but know the original intention was to test your mind and morals under the most extreme circumstances. Your minds created the illusion, we just provided the questions we needed you to answer.” Another muffled voice came through her speaker, almost urgent sounding. “We need to maintain the appearance that nothing went wrong during this match. That it went as the world saw it. As such, I request you remain here to soak in the applause before making an exit. The country wanted a good show, and the council wanted to ensure they were sending their best representatives of Cloud to Tea. I trust you understand the importance of maintaining the illusion?”

Turning on her heel, she sped up and exited the door to the arena before the medical team slipped through behind her, the dome barrier came crashing down, and Junko and Kiri were bombarded with screams and cheers. It wasn’t as loud this time around, but still deafening.



After all, they had been placed in the Genjutsu the moment they stepped into the Arena.