Familiar Territory [Entering Country]

[Nakata Dai]

While steep and jagged mountains with snow capped peaks compose most of Lightning Country, this mountain dwarfs its siblings in extremity and immensity. Standing at more than five vertical miles tall, it challenges the adventurous with its treacherous heights, freezing temperatures, and severe snowstorms, all which highlight the splendor of Raiden's glory and the bravery of any successful mountaineers.

These were the lands where Anatsu had spent most of his time since becoming a rogue shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. His entire wardrobe was designed to survive the punishing terrains of the cold mountains of the Lightning Country. Anatsu's body was well adjusted to this terrain after years of living within these lands, often without shelter. Although he had been here many times before, He was now here with new intentions. There was a purpose for his trip.

[S-Rank: 30 Minutes]
[Heading Towards Kumo Gates]

 

[Okada Kaji]

Out here was truly the place to be. The yearlong freeze of the Kaminari wildlands answered Kaji’s calling for adventure, and a journeys across a perilous land. The hour was late; Kaji was doing a bit of a patrol in the region, and after the bite of the night’s chill became unbearable, he set up a small campfire using his affinity for flames, and made a humble setup to rest in for the evening. There, Kaji set out some potatoes he dug from a patch earlier that day to roast on the edge of the flames, along with a carrot, and he broke out a tall steel tankard of coffee which he set close enough to the heat to warm up.

Kaji Okada seemed small compared to his roaring flame; just sitting there admiring it brought a lot to mind and heart. Perhaps he had come all this way for good reason, to reflect on recent events and the motives that drove him. The will of fire, and the passion that burned within him were in two separate directions for him, and as he sat by the fireside, he considered just where he sat in between the two. A thick black cloak rested over his shoulders, softly reflecting the dancing lights on black bear’s fur. Obsidian locks hung in bangs from his scalp. Almost covering his vision as olive green eyes focused on his food cooking. The cool air made his tan skin taut and dry, and a mist of cold air escaped him with every breath. Underneath the cloak, Kaji dressed appropriately for his patrol, donned in earth-toned leathers and padded cloth armors. Eelspine was by his side, still gleaming as it was caressed by the fire’s glow.

As Kaji poured himself a cup of his java, something within told him he might need the caffeine boost tonight. He did not feel threatened, yet he knew when something was just out of place— and nature often had ways of confirming this. Kaji had not come alone: his trusted steed Kukki, a sunan mare with a chocolate coat and a flowing mane sat opposite him by the warm fire pit. The horse was more like a partner to Kaji than a pet, and enough time with him had caused some of Kaji’s vigilance to sorta’ rub off on the horse. She was quite used to danger being on the menu when they went on trips together. Kaji thought the mare was asleep, but the her long neck swung upwards, as did her body, seemingly alert to something. Kukki didn’t like something.

“What’s the matter girl?” Kaji expressed just some minor concern, but responded by rising as well, and approaching the horse to pet her softly on the nape of her neck. “Did you hear something?” The Hunter knew that his horse wasn’t easily spooked, and bade her to remain in the camp before stepping out into the dark of night, curiouser, and curiouser. Now he could feel it too— that thing so out of place, so strange, yet so familiar.

// Catch. S-rank 30 Minutes
Anbu Sentinel Bonus. //

 

[Nakata Dai]

The night is dark and full of terrors. Anatsu was the epitome of what those terrors were. He was a rogue ninja not to be reckoned with. He traveled through the night as a blur, capable of slaying any creature or human being who crossed paths with him. His one disadvantage? He had an insane amount of Chakra which often gave up his position when he wasn't paying attention. This however was also the mistake that many other shinobi made when off duty or simply taking a moment to breathe. As Anatsu turned the corner, he noticed that the mountain had blocked his view of a nearby fire. This meant that there was a patrolling Kumogakure shinobi passing by, or perhaps another wanderer. Anatsu knew two things: There was somebody out there, and if that somebody was a shinobi, he had already detected Anatsu's presence.

Completely emotionless, the former ANBU Captain turned away from the fire and continued his path towards Kumogakure. He traveled in a black traveling cloak which covered him from his feet, all the way up to his nose. On his head, he wore a beige traditional Japanese hat known as a "Kasa", which allowed him to cover his Mangekyou Sharingan when he tilted his head slightly down which he made a point to always do. Anatsu continued on the path which strayed away from the presence of the potential shinobi and continued on his way towards the village at the same pace that he was on before he had noticed the presence of the fire, rather slowly.

The long trip from Konohagakure onto Sunagakure and now here had taken it's toll on Anatsu. Despite his top notch physique, not having the opportunity to rest in the village hidden in the sand was a disadvantage that he was now paying the price of. Anatsu was hoping to find shelter within Kumogakure. He had many connections within the village due to his time spent there throughout the years. However, his connections would not be able to benefit him if he could not penetrate the village's defenses. Despite his relationship with the country's feudal lords and many wealthy people within the village, Anatsu's reputation as a mercenary, and rogue ninja of Konohagakure did not sit well with the military force of Kumogakure. Evading them often meant having to outlast them in combat. Anatsu was well known in these lands, the second his sharingan was visible. His accent, had adjusted to match the people of this terrain. However, there was nothing he could do, beyond wearing a Kasa, which would allow him to hide his eyes.

[Topic Left Unless Stopped--> Heading to Kumogakure]
[MFT]
(I'm assuming you're going to stop me but just in case lol)

 

[Okada Kaji]

In brightest day, in blackest night…

“Hail, traveler” the sound of Kaji’s voice broke through the constant howl of Momento Deo’s wind; the bold words came without the threatening tone one might expect when encountered on such a dark night. “You seem lost” he suggested, and as he said so, the outline of his form had taken shape through the steady snow flurries. He then lifted the cover of the hood of a lantern hanging from his grasp, upright, with a phosphorus green light burning within. The light pierced the darkness in a beam and revealed Anatsu to be just whom Kaji expected: a mere man traversing the snowy path.

“This isn’t a good time to be on the road out here” Kaji warned, “You must not be from around these parts if you’re so bold as to travel on Momento Deo, at this hour.” Spots of the light flashed back at Kaji whenever the wind caused the lantern to swing enough in his hand, revealing eyes that shined like a panther prowling in the dark, though Kaji came with much kinder intentions. “I have broken camp not far from here; I’m sure you could spot the glow of my fire from a mile away. The closest civilization in the way you’re headed is the Hidden Cloud... and it is still over forty leagues away. You’ll lose your feet to the frostbite long before then.” Without being intrusive, Kaji took another pace closer to the stranger, improving their separation to a mere ten feet reach. He raised his lantern to have a better look at this stranger; his sharp eyes evaluated the stranger’s apparel, which didn’t seem localized to adapt to the frigid wilderness at the spine of the world. “There is room for you in my camp if you’d like— save yourself from the elements, and the denizens of this mountain— many of them have a vendetta against Wanderers who unknowingly tread into their territory in the dark.”

Skeptical that the stranger would take his gesture as an earnest one, Kaji sought to provide some kind of reassurance of his purpose, given not everyone could be trusted, and this stranger seemed apprehensive despite the deadly cold Momento Deo was imposing. “My name is Kaji Okada… I am a warden seeking to do good in the region. There have been reports of mischevious sightings on the mountain. Come, and share the story if you have bared witness to anything out of the ordinary. I have warm food and drink, freshly foraged before nightfall. For me to let you continue on through the mountain towards Cloud at this hour would be like sending you to your death. 'I must impose that you weather the coming storm from here, or turn back.”

// Yeah, stopping.//

 

[Nakata Dai]

“My name is Kaji Okada… I am a warden seeking to do good in the region. There have been reports of mischevious sightings on the mountain. Come, and share the story if you have bared witness to anything out of the ordinary. I have warm food and drink, freshly foraged before nightfall. For me to let you continue on through the mountain towards Cloud at this hour would be like sending you to your death. 'I must impose that you weather the coming storm from here, or turn back.”


Disruption in the night. Anatsu was correct, there was a shinobi who had detected him. At first, he contemplated killing him and moving forward. He evaluated a hundred different scenarios in his head where this would be troublesome. Anatsu decided to be patient, and test this warden's eagerness to cause trouble. Anatsu then turned and started taking a few steps towards the fire. His back was turned to the warden. Although in a normal scenario it would give an opponent the advantage, with all this snow Anatsu would hear him if he chose to make any sudden movements. For the time being, this was Anatsu's best play at hiding his Mangekyou Sharingan and facial features from this stranger.

"Anatsu, I am a wanderer." said Anatsu calmly as he took another step forward. "I am well familiar with these lands, They have been my home for the better part of a decade." continued the rogue Uchiha. He had not indicated any belonging to a shinobi village at this moment. His back being turned to Kaji also alluded to the false fact that he wasn't a skilled and alert shinobi. The words that were to come however, would raise some eyebrows.

"I collect information from every land. My destination is Kumogakure. This path was chosen because I needed to get to Kumogakure as fast as possible without being intercepted. I have some information concerning Konohagakure's intent to architect a sneak attack on Kumogakure and I am hoping to warn the Raikage before tragedy strikes your village. Tell me, Okada Kaji.... Do you still think we can afford to take a break? "

Anatsu's words were not rushed. His many years as an ANBU Captain of Konohagakure had trained his facial and vocal features to remain emotionless. He knew a common civilian would want to know where he got his intel from and why he wished to warn the Raikage, many expected questions. However, Anatsu was hoping that this warden would prioritize urgency over confirming Anatsu's intel.

[MFT]

 

[Okada Kaji]

So he was a rogue, Kaji realized. This acquaintance made himself known as Anatsu— a familiar name, but Kaji would have to refer to his dossier again to confirm his suspicions. Either way, this Anatsu fellow shared an egregious lie, attempting to force Kaji into letting him pass with a contrived sense of urgency. “An attack you say,” Kaji repeated back to the rogue, hinting surprise more than confusion.

Sure, there were a number of reactions and assumptions Kaji could have made from the lie. Anatsu was suspicious enough— in a time and place such as this, that Kaji could take action at once with no need to second guess the decision. But, striking before knowing the truth was a novice’s play. “Do I even want to know how a wanderer gained that information?” Kaji responded with a hint of intrigue, seeking more from the rogue. Back up your lie. “It must have been harrowing— traveling so far with such a burden of knowledge weighing on you.”

Kaji found himself taking pity on the rogue: for how out of touch he was. Anatsu was representing a relic from the war-torn past of the Leaf, assuming such a lie would hold any weight. In the last decade, shinobi refugees fleeing the Land of Fire were common wherever Kaji Okada roamed, and while many had made their way back to the Hidden Leaf when it was refounded, there were still an unfortunate few who were mentally trapped in the warring era. Anatsu was alone and wandering in the dead of night, possibly struggling with dementia as far as Kaji could tell; why else would he say such a thing?

“I have my reasons, but I’m a bit skeptical of your story, Anatsu… How about you expand on the concrete details of this attack while I collect my things and saddle up my steed?” He was being forthright. Maybe Kaji generally wanted to know more about this stranger and his perception of the world. “If it all checks out, I’ll escort you to the Hidden Cloud, personally.” Kaji then raised his lantern a bit higher, attempting to shine his light a little more, to have a clearer view of the rogue.

 

[Nakata Dai]

Anatsu's analysis of the situation was complete. Okada Kaji had the advantage in every shape and form at the moment. Anatsu had been traveling for weeks while Kaji was close to home. There was no terrain disadvantage, but Anatsu's weak legs would struggle even more in the snow. He had two decisions to make, either kill the Kumogakure Warden or flee the area. In addition to that fact, the minute Kaji even got a glimpse of Anatsu's sharingan, he would recognize him. The Konohagakure Uchiha had made a name for himself in the Lightning country. He was known as the "Red Shadow". His piercing red eyes would appear from the shadows and almost within in instant, the room would be colored red with the blood of fallen men, women, and children. Although there was no way to confirm if Anatsu was the Red Shadow, he was rumored to be an Uchiha who went rogue from Konohagakure. Kaji was a smart man, he could connect the dots.

Anatsu's analysis of the shinobi had hinted signs of former ANBU training. First of all, he did not bite for any of Anatsu's bluffs what so ever and had no desire to show any sense of urgency towards the matter. Second of all, he was interested in interrogating Anatsu, even though he presented it in a friendly matter. Third of all, he was out here. Tracking ninja down was not the job of a Chunin. This shinobi was far more advanced than the two he had met in Sunagakure. For all Anatsu knew, Kaji could have been luring him to a trap near the fire pit.

Anatsu slowly turned towards Kaji, a mistake on his part. His slow turn was an outlier from his previous emotionless movements. Anatsu then lifted his head up, and looked straight into Kaji's eyes. He however, did not attempt a dojutsu. Fatigue was taking over his body. Anatsu's piercing red eyes were glowing in the dark. His Mangekyou Sharingan was visible as clear as day. Anatsu would then address the warden before him, in a loud and more serious manner.

"Tell the Raikage that war is coming. I am a Konoha shinobi, and this is the attack I came here to warn you about." As Anatsu finished his sentence, he quickly began his hand seals. Anatsu's display of handseals were remarkably fast. The quickness and uniqueness of Anatsu's jutsu would stand out to Kaji if he had a keen eye for advanced shinobi techniques. The former ANBU Captain who was once known as a genius of the Hidden Leaf village would utilize a clan favorite jutsu. "Katon, Goukakyuu No Jutsu. Anatsu launched a fireball jutsu at Kaji. The purpose of this jutsu was to cover a large radius and force Kaji to lose sight of Anatsu for a moment as Anatsu immediately dropped a smokebomb. Considering he had no use for Dojutsu at this current time, a smokebomb would not hinder him, but would allow him a head start on his escape.

Anatsu utilized a few tactics at stake. If Kaji wasn't sure where Anatsu was, his instincts would be to rush towards the Kumogakure gates to protect the village as Anatsu had indicated his intent to go there. His other tactic was if Anatsu had lost him for a moment, perhaps Kaji assumed the fight was still on going and was in a hunting stance. The last tactic, was if Kaji were to spot Anatsu within a few seconds after his actions, he hoped that the direction he was heading (away from the village) in combination with his speed would not cause Kaji to want to pursue him. There were a few ways to go about this. Anatsu was officially on the run again.

[Topic Left]
[Leaving Lightning Country in another post]

 

[Okada Kaji]

When the estranged rogue turned, his head tilted upwards only slightly, lifting his straw kasa and revealing bright red orbs— the unmistakable glare of the Uchiha’s Sharingan. Kaji knew those eyes well, in fact, countermeasures against Uchiha opponents were among the essential training of his ANBU unit as a young apprentice. The verdant beam of Kaji’s lantern washed over Anatsu’s visage, reveal an almost deadpan stare in the low-light: it was one Kaji would take heed and remember.

With a bit of unexpected wit— Anatsu warned that a war was coming, perhaps metaphorically as the attack he hinted at came immediately after. Despite the darkness, Kaji spotted hands coming together to form a set of precise, well-practiced hand seals, molding his chakra to create a blazing sphere of flames. A lesser shinobi would have been seared to blackened bones by the fiery vortex, but Kaji came well prepared and raised Eelspine from its slumber in his sheath.

In a single drawing cut, Kaji created an opposition to the sphere, and the flames washed over emeraldine force of chakra and will: a technique Kaji referred to as the Mirror Forced Draw deflected the attack entirely into the ground between him and his opponent, forcing the creation of a gap. A boom echoed from the basin of Momento Deo to its highest peak, and Kaji slid backward across the fresh snow-laden ground. The rising steam it created a blinding blanket, but Kaji tossed his lantern aside and made a horizontal slice with his scimitar, slicing apart the large plume with a single cut to reveal the pitch blackness surrounding them. A night-piercing glow from his blade illuminated the area, revealing nothing but countless spruce trees teetering in the wind.

Eelspine was humming with fervent chakra, prepared to sign out with more strikes into the wind, or into flesh if Kaji found his mark, but his attacker was nowhere to be found. Kaji’s intuition told him that the screen attack was nothing more than a distraction, as the faint traces of Anatsu’s presence continued to fade, moving away, southward. “Hmph” Kaji grunted and seemed something between aggravated and satisfied as the presence vanished. He’d have to make an expedited return to the Hidden Cloud in the morning to report the sighting, but the mountain would remain under his watch for the remainder of the night.

// Thread Left. //