Replacement for a Day [M]

[A*]

The Replacements
Rank: D
Life Cycle: Once per PC!
Description: A local countryside soccer team has lost one of its most favored players, the captain of the team, and thus the most skilled one. As they enter an elite tournament, they realize that without their start, they will fail. Desperate for help, the team's owner has come to the Hokage begging for his services.
Objectives: Travel with the owner to the big game, transform into the team leader, and play the whole game. Keep in mind that if you are touched if but once, your cover is blown and the team will be penalized extremely, thus resulting in your failure!
Rewards: 20 EXP / 500 Ryo

SPOILER: Click to show

Shishi Rendan (Lion Combo)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Due to the nature of the combination, once the first hit connects, the rest usually do. Damage stacks per successful hit.
Description: An effective aerial attack, the user first begins to maneuver to their opponent in a vulnerable aerial position. While shadowing them, the user will attempt to strike them from a vulnerable angle. First, they will strike as a feint in order to draw their target's attention and defense to one area. Then, a true strike is made towards the most undefended area, proceeded by several more until the user violently begins knocking them down and towards the ground. As the enemy falls back to the earth, the user will deftly rotate their body around to deliver a full force kick to their chest.
Domain: Universal Taijutsu.

----------------------------

Today's journey started with me reminiscing about my graduation. The war had absolutely devestated the land. Times had changed, genin used to do a team test with their jounin sensei. The experience that they gained, proved wether they were capable of following orders. However with war time measures, villages were cranking Shinobi out the door. So long as one could perform the basic Bunshin no jutsu, you were sent to up the man-count. I had come from The Land of Whirlpool, the war had devestated my home, as it did many of the other "minor" countries. My family took refuge in the Land of Fire. Our services contracted by Konohagakure and thus, I was enlisted into the Academy.

I performed several missions during the war, most were related to running supplies to the chuunins and Jounins respectively. Other missions were related to escorting civilians/finding civilians that were in harms way from debris. Those weren't exactly easy missions but compared to what the higher-up's were doing, they must have been a cakewalk. So as I stood at the secretary's desk earlier today, I was surprised that a client had barged into the room and nearly pushed me aside. Of course, I was too swift, simply sidestepping to make room for the man. He was garbed in a red jumpsuit with a soccer ball symbol etched onto his back. He pleaded for the aid of a ninja, his team was missing their starter. The secretary happily grinned in my direction and well...

"So Miss Arashi, are you familiar with Soccer? Think you can handle the job of being Hi no Kuni's ace athlete?" I was
interrogated by the coach or perhaps I was just being interviewed, couldn't say for sure. I stared at him with my blue occuli, the rings along my pupil tended to scare people away from me...My lips curled into a slight frown, I observed the members of this little team whispering about me.

"Clear the field and give me a ball. I'll give you a brief "performance" before your tournament match starts. Not only do I have the physical talent to perform as your starter, I also have the talent of a ninja; able to perfectly mimic the Captain's features so you can win this game." I was professional, tact and of course a no-nonsense gal. These fortunate souls of Hi no Kuni hadn't seen just how bad life could be, so they could never understand how much pain matures someone. Regardless, they obeyed my instruction and I was passed a ball. I'd roll it up, holding it at the arch of the front of my foot, palming it essentially. I'd then kick the ball into the air before twisting my counter-clockwise. It'd be perpendicular to the ground, with my left foot coming up to kick the ball as it came back down.

The result was the ball launching high into the air. Not like I was done yet, I admit I was totally showing off but I was the "cool" type. More
importantly, I was attempting to learn a Taijutsu technique in the process. I'd seen an academy teacher peform it before, part of his lesson on legwork and fundamental kicks. Of course just as I am now, he too was just showing off...I'd launch myself into the air upon my successful launch. I'd position my body so that I could strike the ball effectively. Said soccer ball was taking the image of an enemy ninja in my mind's eye. The goal was to strike the ball at a vulnerable angle, yet it was also just that; a ball. So to make my maneuver relevant, my first kick would be to keep the ball in the air a bit more.

Normally this would cause my opponent to become defensive, essentially a feint. My next kick would be to the unguarded area, the first of a proper strike. I'd then kick the ball a bit more, attempting to make each strike light so as to keep the ball near to my person. As I came closer to the ground, my hips would rotate, my heel aiming to launch the ball towards the ground. I didn't want this strike to be performed too hard like they normally would be. I planned to keep my little "show" going for a little bit.

[A*]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shishi Rendan (Lion Combo)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Due to the nature of the combination, once the first hit connects, the rest usually do. Damage stacks per successful hit.
Description: An effective aerial attack, the user first begins to maneuver to their opponent in a vulnerable aerial position. While shadowing them, the user will attempt to strike them from a vulnerable angle. First, they will strike as a feint in order to draw their target's attention and defense to one area. Then, a true strike is made towards the most undefended area, proceeded by several more until the user violently begins knocking them down and towards the ground. As the enemy falls back to the earth, the user will deftly rotate their body around to deliver a full force kick to their chest.
Domain: Universal Taijutsu.

__________________

My moves had already caused a few of the boys to become agape. Few joined the field and once I landed swiftly, I'd instruct them to follow my lead. They'd pass the ball around back and forth before a pass to myself. The pass was aimed about ankle height which was perfect for my little performance. This time I imagined myself on our side of the field. I wanted to launch this ball up to the forwards. I'd receive the pass before palming the ball with my feet in order to launch it up a bit more. Just like prior, I'd then launch the ball high into the sky. It'd follow an arc, it's trajectory aiming to the opposite side of the field.

I'd instruct one of the team members to run up to that side of the field to intercept. This would be the start of team co-ordination with myself. I'd then take off into a sprint myself, aiming to close the gap with the boy whom intercepted the ball. Signalling a pass, he'd need to aim high as if launching the ball over the head of a defender. I'd then take to the air, my right leg feinting to keep the ball close before my left leg delivered a steady kick. This time my kick would be to send the ball up at a slight angle ; aiming to pass upwards as we progressed to the goal post.

Once the pass was successful, I'd align myself to the center position. I'd need a pass in order to pull off the first "goal". The ball was launched and I took to the air, remembering to shadow the ball just as I did before. This time I'd juggle the ball once, then twice, before my hips twisted. I'd aim to "scissor" the ball as the soccer move would be called, launching the ball right into the center of the net. It was a clean shot and it caused the coach to stand up from his seat. "WOW! Miss Arashi that was spectacular!"

I'd be sure to practice the successful fall mechanics for this Taijutsu technique, pivoting with my left leg in order to spring into a slight arc. This arc would allow me to properly get my footing. This was a smooth landing and recovery mechanic, aimed to be done not with the ground but rather the opponent's body, adding to the damage. I'd simply look in the direction of the coach before looking ahead. The whispers changed from "Oh man a girl, we're so going to lose" to "Wow this girl is amazing, I so want to ask her out". Not that I'd go out with any of them but it was the usual fanboying I received back at the academy.

[A*]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shishi Rendan (Lion Combo)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Due to the nature of the combination, once the first hit connects, the rest usually do. Damage stacks per successful hit.
Description: An effective aerial attack, the user first begins to maneuver to their opponent in a vulnerable aerial position. While shadowing them, the user will attempt to strike them from a vulnerable angle. First, they will strike as a feint in order to draw their target's attention and defense to one area. Then, a true strike is made towards the most undefended area, proceeded by several more until the user violently begins knocking them down and towards the ground. As the enemy falls back to the earth, the user will deftly rotate their body around to deliver a full force kick to their chest.
Domain: Universal Taijutsu.

_________________________________

For my next bit of instruction we'd organize a skirmish with the team. Red vs Blue for a classic match, I at least needed to play a game with them once so that I could analyze all their skills. Their captain would no doubt no everyone's play style and how to co-ordinate with them, so that was the logic I ran with. I was playing for Blue, for I felt a strong bond with that colour, perhaps alluding to my chakra affinity which was water. The game began with red overtaking blue for first possesion. They were charging down to my side of the field. I had my side execute the strategy we practiced previously. My defender would take the ball from one of the forward's, then passing it to another player, whom aimed it for myself. I'd launch the ball in a high lob to Red's side of the field, the basic first step in Shishi Rendan.

Moving forward, I would take on the duty of a midfielder, aiming to backup my own forwards. Red had retaliated by launching the ball back to our side, causing me to leap into the air. I'd shadow the ball before placing a feint left kick to intercept. I'd then follow by a hard right, aiming to arc it back to Red's side of the field once more. Since I didn't follow-through with the full barrage, I needed to practice my fall recovery. Thus I'd pivot my right heel, touching down with the field as my body sprung to my left foot. I'd need to continue my progression into the opposition's field, this way we could control the zone and score more points.

This was considered a very aggresive tactic in soccer. Even my defender's were positioned closer to the neutral borders of the field. However it's not like our real opponents would be allowed to enter our field with the ball. It'd also allow us to force more off-sides, a sneaky tactic. However as a midfielder, I needed to keep that ball from entering our side, causing a break from their forwards. Utilizing my Shishi Rendan training, I was constantly jumping and shadowing the ball. This helped me to intercept and pass the ball strategically, with a bit of flare.

In particular, Red's defenders were desperately trying to clear the ball from their side of the field. I'd fall back along with my fellow midfielders so I could intercept their launch. I'd place a strategic feint followed by a a supplementary kick. Once the ball and I were coming back to the ground, I'd rotate my hips and strategically pass the ball over the head of an oncoming striker. There was no chance for him to get a break against my side, not this time. Our scrimmage would go for the standard game duration, naturally my side won due to my leadership. It served to give confidence to my client and I observed both Red and Blue's strength's, weaknesses, and techniques. Now we'd need to prepare for the game, I'd receive a photo so I'd be able to impersonate him successfully.

[A*]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shishi Rendan (Lion Combo)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Due to the nature of the combination, once the first hit connects, the rest usually do. Damage stacks per successful hit.
Description: An effective aerial attack, the user first begins to maneuver to their opponent in a vulnerable aerial position. While shadowing them, the user will attempt to strike them from a vulnerable angle. First, they will strike as a feint in order to draw their target's attention and defense to one area. Then, a true strike is made towards the most undefended area, proceeded by several more until the user violently begins knocking them down and towards the ground. As the enemy falls back to the earth, the user will deftly rotate their body around to deliver a full force kick to their chest.
Domain: Universal Taijutsu.

____________________________________

Finally, it was the start of the tournament. I had succesfully utilized the Transformation technique and my objective was quite clear. I'd impersonate the captain and lead Hi no Kuni's football team to victory. Of course, if I was tackled or touched, it'd cause my transformation to fail, thus revealing that the team was playing with an illegal replacement. What an assignment for a genin ninja huh? I guess if I thought of it as field experience, it was prep for more dangerous stealth missions. My signature moves were coming along and this was the semi-final game. For this game I'd lead my team by playing mid field just as before. If we were successful, I'd gamble with playing Forward. Forward involved a lot of contact with defenders and increased my odds of being touched. Midfield was a similar gamble but if need be I would be able to fall back and move forward without too much direct contact.

The game had been progressing well just as it had since the tournament began. The tactics we practiced upon my arrival had surprised the competition greatly. It was a very aggresive style with the opposing teams hardly ever on our side of the field. It took skilled midfielders to do this, one of which was myself. For this game I tried to minimize the height on my jumps/interceptions. I didn't want to stand out as a shinobi after all. Rather many of my interceptions/launches, were carefully placed, with my body leaning back slightly before becoming perpendicular to the ground. Also I began to leverage the rotation of my waist to initiate the launch, causing a slice kick on the ball. I pondered in the back of my mind how effective this would be for the whole barrage or if the straight launch would be prefered.

However for the purposes of a Soccer game, my tactics had been excellent. My swipe launch allowed the ball to be passed to one of our strikers. He made a break and was close to scoring. Pressure would be on since the goalkeeper intercepted. His launch would place the ball on our end of the field, not a promising situation to say the least. I'd fall back to assist our defenders, jumping into the air in order to shadow the ball. My first strike would be a knee instead of the traditional feint kick. This would press it to my chest to thus intercept the ball. I'd then keep up the ball as I placed a more powerful strike to return the ball to the opposition's side of the field.

Yet this team had started to catch onto our tactics, their midfielder returning our lob with their own. Thus I'd move forward to intercept the ball again. This time I'd make two swift strikes one to supplement and the other to setup a strong pass for a break away. The pressure game was starting to get to them and with a quick feint...YES! Our striker was able to get a goal, the winning goal for this game. We'd now be moving onto the finals, from the corner of my eye I could tell the coach was quite pleased, hopefully he'd be able to pay the bill.

[A*]

SPOILER: Click to show

Shishi Rendan (Lion Combo)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Due to the nature of the combination, once the first hit connects, the rest usually do. Damage stacks per successful hit.
Description: An effective aerial attack, the user first begins to maneuver to their opponent in a vulnerable aerial position. While shadowing them, the user will attempt to strike them from a vulnerable angle. First, they will strike as a feint in order to draw their target's attention and defense to one area. Then, a true strike is made towards the most undefended area, proceeded by several more until the user violently begins knocking them down and towards the ground. As the enemy falls back to the earth, the user will deftly rotate their body around to deliver a full force kick to their chest.
Domain: Universal Taijutsu.

_____________________________

I was definitely feeling confident in my stealth and prowress, thus I'd take up a forward position. This was the finals and I was supposed to be the Star player/captain. I'd face off against the opposition's captain to determine possesion. A coin toss was usually a fifty-fifty affair but I had a good eye, thus I caught a glimpse of the coin before it was tossed up. "Heads." I declared as it was in the air and to my teams benefit, we'd begin with the ball first. Our aggresive tactics had caused us to steamplow the tournament and while we were mixing it up a bit, the base was still the same. Minus a small problem, I was immediately charged at with a sliding tackle. Not that I'd let a simpleton catch me with such a tactic. I'd hug the ball between my ankles as I jumped over the sliding forward. This would be the start of my forward momentum, my kicks placing the ball just a little ahead as the opposition sought to get in my way.

I'd sidestep as I volleyed the ball slightly, I'd then keep it up a second time, mimicing the principals of Shishi Rendan. I'd then proceed to spin clockwise, to avoid an oncoming midfield, whilst the ball was raised into the air. Then I'd jump into the air after the falling soccer ball. I'd shadow it carefully placing a feint knee strike like I had prior, before following it up with a second kick up to get it over a defender. More of the opposition team was coming towards me, I'd need to land and gain momentum for a second jump. I found it strange how that Chuunin in the academy kept so much air time, it felt as if I was missing a vital jutsu, something I'd need to consider for future Taijutsu techniques.

Regardless I'd get the aerial momentum I required, which meant I'd be performing a slight juggle followed by the final slam of the soccer ball. My hips would rotate fluidly, as I essentially axe kicked the ball into the right corner of the net. The goalkeeper was so scared due to the speed and acrobatic maneuver I launched the ball at, that every time I lead a charge, he'd focus on trying to cover the goal posts with defense and midfield. When that happened I'd strategically pass the ball, gaining air time and making fools of the opposition. The final goal was the cumulation of everything I learned about the Shishi Rendan.

One of my strikers launched the ball towards me for a pass. I slipped by one of the defenders, nearly bumping into them but I did well to keep my witts. My first strike meant as a faint against an opponent was simply to get control of the ball. My second strike elevated it higher, as I myself gained height. My next two strikes were to confuse the goalie, before I flipped mid-air. My leg leg slamming into the ball as it sent it into the far left side of the goal net. The crowd was roaring and the game began to pick up in intensity. I had to play much more carefully since I brought on too much attention to myself with the first two goals, thus while my team ended up winning, we only ended up scoring one more goal after that. All in all, they brought home the gold and there were more tournaments, yet from what I heard...it seemed that the "main attraction" had a tendency to become "ill" a lot. As for me, I'd eye the coach whom seemed to remember that he had to pay my village for my services. "Poor thing..."

END

[DAVID BOWE]

Learned =D