The proving grounds.

[Naitome]

Sounds like a plan luv. And if you change your mind about being...joined...let me know.

I give a nod and a little wink before turning and heading to the east side of the compound, towards the washroom facilities, taking note of the position of the camera's overhead and any pattern they may be arranged in, catching a few curt glares and returning them with a few rude glances of my own. I enter into the bathroom facilities, and check the room for additional surveillance of any sort, as well as taking note of anyone else who might be using them. I start the shower head nearest to a window and begin a simple and relaxing shower, turning the heat as high up as it will go and luxuriating for quite some time, long enough to build a thick mist within the bathroom suitable to obscure my actions completely, and to ensure that I am finally alone.

Only when I am 100% certain do I hastily dress, and allow the single handseal necessary to be performed to conjure a perfect replica of myself from the surrounding water. While my clone leaves the bathroom, still covered by the steam, I check the outside window for any evidence of others, open it once safe, and exit the building, my eyes on the constant look out for guards on patrol, and my body sticking to the shadows to avoid any possibility of early detection.

The Clone moves lazily through the compound, coming to rest in a spot where it can easily be seen, but is not disturbed by the presence of others, as I make my way along the roof. The clone pretends to fall asleep, while we both wait for it to eventually be called to meet the elusive "Jak".

[Yox]

After leaving your presence, Ren made her way to the main administration building. Within the building, on the top floor, sat the leader of the conglomerate; Jak. At a mahogany desk, he sipped sake from a small glass whilst looking out the main window in his office. Before him stood everything that he had worked for. Everything that he had sacrificed, everyone that he had killed; it had all been worth it. An easy breeze entered the room with the red-headed woman.

Jak swung around on his revolving chair to greet the woman as she entered. "What can I do for you, Ren?" He questioned her after placing his glass back down onto the table. She acted as if something was on her mind. "I found another goon for the squad," she responded, "another mindless thug that we can use for our bidding." Jak took in what she said and turned around to the window once again. He looked out, studying the workers below him.

He suddenly rose off his chair and paced around the room. "Don't we have enough goons? Why do you keep hiring more..." he trailed off after reaching his bookcase. He ran his finger down the spine of various books before turning his gaze back to Ren. "Send him through the initiation process I guess. Try to keep an eye on him. I just don't want any random mercenary waltzing in here and freely moving about," he announced to her whilst heading back to his table.

"Now go," he finished with his back to her. Annoyed, but unable to do anything about it, Ren turned on the spot and headed back out the door. Her goons greeted her at the ground floor of the building. From there, they went off to search for the new recruit. Hopefully he had done what she had suggested and scrubbed up. She was a fan of personal hygiene. Dirtiness and smelliness simply disgusted her. Even just thinking about it made her spine shiver.

The three of them made their way through the compound to find the spot where the clone was resting. Angrily, she stormed over to the clone and released a tone of fury upon him. "Oi! What do you think you're doing!? You're not being paid to just sit here!" She screamed at the clone loudly, obviously providing quite a shock to it especially if it had just been resting. With the woman distracted, Akuharu would be given an opportunity to go to where she had just come from.

"Let's go. We've got an test for you to complete," she said to the clone. Before he had the chance to respond, she had already stormed off with her guards. It was suggested to the clone that he was better off following without saying a sound. After being pissed off by her boss, she was in no mood for discussion. It was up to the real Akuharu to make his way to the administration building. Yet, he had to find a way in other than the ground level.

No way would the secretary simply grant him access.

[/justify]

[Naitome]

...

The clone could say nothing, merely walked in step behind her, looking slack jawed as it made it's way through the compound, and I, just above it, followed suit, careful to keep a distance that would allow me to maintain its form. As I followed it, compelled by the Suiton chakra I could feel as it moved throughout the building, my gaze traveled upwards, towards the tallest building within the compound itself, a direction my clone would drift lazily in the direction of, perhaps veering away from the path the red-headed woman tried to lead him. The clone's finger would raise once it had drifted within visual range, and it would point at that same massive building, questioningly, as if merely curious about what was inside of it.

I bit my fingernails in anticipation, wondering how the woman would handle the inquisitive nature of the clone, and eying the suspiciously tall building, wondering for some visual cue that it was more it seemed. Typically, those with the tenuous power this man had gained desired a vantage point from where they could look down on others, and if there was any way to confirm that 'Jak' has similar habits...now would be the time to find out. I'd grown impatient with the game of waiting, and bit down harder, tearing the skin, waiting for the next few seconds to play out.

ooc: i might need some specifics on the size and distance of this building, once it becomes particularly relevant.

[Yox]

The height of the tower extended to a maximum of thirty metres toward the sky. It was much taller than the rest of the compound, emphasising Jak's personal position 'above' everyone and everything within the compound. At each of the smaller rooftops, not the rooftops that extended the whole way around the tower, were small CCTV cameras. These cameras were aimed inward, facing each other. It made it difficult for someone to scale the tower.

Ren moved with the clone and two of her goons back into the administration building. Before they reached the door however, they were interrupted. "Lady Ren! We've received word that the goods are currently on their way. The traders will be here in less than 10 minutes," a messenger said to the woman. She quickly shot a glance toward the clone of Kosakana, then turning her gaze back to the messenger.

"You may want to work on your subtlety for future personal messages boy," she hissed at him with an irritated tone. Shrugging her shoulders off, she continued to the messenger. "When they get here, lead them into the building and the secretary will know what to do with them. I, on the other hand, have different business to attend to." She didn't bother saying farewell to the messenger, storming directly into the administration building.

Of course only the clone could follow her in otherwise it would be too suspicious. She headed to the desk of the secretary, announcing to her of what the group of them were doing. "We're going down below. Open up the elevators." The secretary waved her hand toward the group of them, seemingly ignoring Kosakana's presence completely and being more focused on the edges of her nails. Ren continued with her rudeness in farewells by simply leading the group away.

The group were in the elevator, heading down to the basement. The red-headed woman folded her arms together as she instructed the clone of Kosakana as to what was going to occur next. "We're going to run you through some tests. First we're going to test your fitness levels through training, and next we're going to test your bodily levels through our testing systems. The elevator hit the basement floor, and the group would file out.

Ren gestured the water clone into a 10x10 metre training room where he would be by himself. A set of training dummies, three in total at average human height, stood ahead of him in the room. A moment later the countdown would begin. The doors would seal shut as the training system began. The middle dummy shot a kunai out from its palm toward the clone. A long line of silver followed the kunai back toward the dummies palm. But that wasn't all of it.

The two dummies either side would begin rotating at the hip area, spinning their bodies around as blades extended from their forearms. They were spinning as if the upper half of their bodies had become saws. Their feet remained stable though, seemingly moving at a fair pace toward your body. This was to test your ability to fight from all angles, as well as being able to take on more than one opponent at once.

This would of course only occur assuming the clone would follow them down the elevator to begin with. Meanwhile, what could the real Kosakana do in order to gain access into the tower? Perhaps an opening was created with the group of deliverers only 10 minutes away from the compound. Perhaps an interception could occur? Nevertheless, this task would test Akuharu's ability to think on the spot and take the initiative.

[/justify]

[Naitome]

Following Ren into the elevator, the clone allows the door to close behind him, before preventing her from pressing the button that will allow them to descend into the lower levels. It takes this time as if it is an opportunity to...get a little closer, gently raising its hand to trace the outer contours of her lips, silencing any protest she might make and using the internal pressure of its Suiton composition to mimic the physical strength necessary to stop her from merely pushing it away. As its hand brushes past her lips, its own moving closer as if to steal a kiss...the entirety of its body forces itself into her throat, racing into her partially opened mouth, and flooding her airway with the water that composes it.

Whenever the doors open, they will find only a drowned woman's dead body. Confining the clone to the enclosed space ensures that there is simply, no escape for her whatsoever.

Of course, these actions have brought me several seconds of time within which to act, and I do so, having previously followed the clone nearly to the edge of the line of cameras dotting the surface of the administration building. I have spent nearly the entirety of my time forming handseals, and once completed, touch the edge of the administration tower...and for a moment, become it.

I am the earthen substance of its walls, its foundation, I am one with its massive height and strength. My body is broken down and my consciousness distributed throughout its entirety, I have taken on its properties and as such, it is a simple task to intrinsically know where my opponent is, alone in his quarters on the top level.

I rise from the ground, fading into 'human' form once more, only now I am inside his office.

I reform behind him [2 meters], my hand removing a kunai from my pack.

It will all be over for him soon.

SPOILER: Click to show

Shinranbanshou Douka no Jutsu (Assimilate All Creation Technique)
Rank: S
Type: Supplementary.
Range: -
Handseals: Yes
Chakra: x2 High, Mid to sustain.
Special: Can take on properties of nature if touched for a whole turn. Assimilation lasts 1 turn, plus 1 more each time retrained for a maximum of three turns. This ability can only be used only once every five turns. Only one elemental nature can be assimilated at a time.
Description: Shinranbanshou Douka no Jutsu is a ninjutsu technique that allows the ninja to use their surroundings as a tool for battles. With this technique, the user will form the needed hand seal and then touch a nearby tangible object to take on its properties. For example, if they touched nearby stone, their body will become hard as a rock in whatever desired location. This technique also appears to give the user the ability to break their body down into smaller pieces of whatever element they touch and reform himself at will, even after having been blown to bits.
Domain: Universal Ninjutsu.

Clone Dispersed; Ren Dead.

[Yox]

The amount of water from the arm was enough to make her choke, however the simple bodily defence of vomiting up and coughing out water would save her life. It would also be the case that the clone's entire body supply of water would not be able to force its way into the woman's mouth, simply because the clone mass would break once punctured at the arm by her teeth whilst trying to force it down her throat.

She would drop to the ground immediately as the clone would burst into a puddle of water, proceeding to cough out the water that was jammed in her airways. Looking shocked, her two goons would rush out of the opened elevator to an alarm button that was situated behind protective glass on the wall. A simple smash of the glass would press against the button, and thus sound the alarm throughout the entirety of the compound.

As Ren finally came back into realisation, the mercenary recruit was long gone. Where was he? Well that question was already answered. He had in fact made his way into the office of Jak himself. But of course it wouldn't be that simple. You see the head of a criminal organisations always took precautions. It was simple fact. When you were that revered and your life was always on the line, you had to be prepared. Jak would not differ.

As he slid his hand down his bookcase prior, a back room opened up. This room was the surveillance room with cameras all around the compound, even some out in the field surrounding it. The purpose of him to go into here was to overwatch the incoming goods along the road toward the compound, making sure that nothing suspicious occurred. But what of the office? What of the person that had to sit at the desk? Well that was simple.

It was a mere puppet that took his place. It sat at his desk, mirroring him in every aspect apart from being made from wood. Within its mouth was a radio device which would transmit the signal he would send from within his surveillance room. It was all standard protocol at the Jak Conglomerate. He never did his business face-to-face. When you were this powerful, you could dictate the terms of any meeting.

So when the ANBU operative would simply come out from the wall, he would be greeted by the puppet replacement. A voice sounded over the speaker. "Welcome. You must be the new recruit." It came from within the puppet. Yet from the back, could he really tell it was a fake? Nevertheless, the real Jaq sat within the protection of his bookshelf. There was a sudden click from within the puppet and out seeped a gas of a purple nature.

The room was sealed as the alarm sounded at a loud tone across the speaker system. The compound had entered the red zone. Jaq quickly moved within an elevator in his surveillance room. Clicking on the number pad, he entered and disappeared down the shaft. Had the ANBU Operative lost his target? The elevator made a noise as it travelled off, sounding from behind the bookshelf. But the room was not safe with the gas emitting from the puppet.

A welcoming party awaited Kosakana at the bottom of the shaft.

SPOILER: Click to show

— Find a way out of the office.
— Perhaps look at heat signatures around the room.
— Down the elevator shaft is your only lead. It was time to get your abseiling on.
— At the bottom, if you made it, was an eager opponent.

[/justify]

[Naitome]

Unfortunately for Ren, her brave survival would still be cut short.

Being a clone composed of water, it was of course, able to reform after a large number of physical attacks, due to the flowing essence and nature of its composition. Believing that her teeth alone would be enough to 'puncture' a being that was essentially a living flow of water was ridiculous, and the very act of attempting to cough it back up, whether on purpose or as a reflex, would actually only ensure that her airways would be sufficiently blocked to prevent being able to breathe, as not her teeth, nor her arms, nor a miracle, would be able to stop the clone created to possess the same physical strength and speed as its maker forcefully enter her opened mouth. This operative of Jak was dead.

In the administration building, My kunai pauses as a calm voice rings hollow from the body of 'Jak'. I barely heard the 'click' from within, but alas, I know nothing of any device that can mimic a human being. I know only of simpler tools for war, bombs and explosives, and I am in motion through one of the many smaller windows dotting the building as the gas begins to leave its body. I climb upwards, the kunai still in my hand as I flip up to what appears to be the top of the building, pricking the tip of my finger with the sharpened metal of the blade.

The handseals that follow signify my frustration.

I slam down my palm....and the entire building from top to base, as well as a significant portion of the surrounding compound, are near instantaneously flattened beneath several tons of hardened snake scale.

The time for subterfuge is over.

Daken has arrived.

I stand atop his head as it rises above the wreckage his massive weight has crushed beneath him. Everyone in the building, everyone still riding the elevator I have not yet even discovered, everyone within range of the snakes 25x50 meter form, are destroyed as Daken twists and rages, and having used a considerable amount of chakra, I do little more than ride between its brow as he seeks to murder and devour everything within his path. The chakra that floods through his own body...is for purposes I can only begin to imagine.

SPOILER: Click to show

For Clarification:

Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu (Water Clone Techqniue)
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary.
Range: Range determined by Dominion rank.
Handseals: 3.
Chakra: Mid per clone created.
Special: Up to one clone can be made at a time, plus one more each time retrained, for a maximum of five (5). As elemental clones, they cannot exist outside the user's 'Suiton Ryuuken' range in terms of distance away from their creator, and as such, can never exit the thread they were made in nor travel unless by their creator's side. Due to their watery nature, water clones can absorb attacks one rank lower than their maximum 'Suiton Ryuuken' rank mainly by altering the density of their water; any attack above that will instantly burst them. When defeated, clone explodes in a mist of water. Finally, because they are mentally linked their creator, water clones can use any c-rank or lower suiton based jutsu their creator knows.
Description: With this technique, the Suiton user is able to call upon aid from a perfect copy of themselves. Comprised purely of water, this clone retains the user movement speed and strength. Best of all, due to its flowing essence, the water clone is capable of using a hefty amount of the original user's suiton-based techniques either for defensive means or offensive.
Domain: Suiton.

Used: Kuchiyose no Jutsu: C Rank

Daken
Classification: Senior.
Rank: S
Kind: Grounder.
Chakra: Massive.
Specialties: I Ninjutsu, II Taijutsu.
Description: Daken is currently the second largest of all snakes (standing at fifty meters long and twenty-five meters wide), and obviously is one of the few who stand out the most. Appearing very cobra like, his colors are mix of a cool middle ground purple with a black belly, as well as black eye markings to add an edge to his sea-green eyes and the dagger pupils within them. Though appearing very cobra like, including the neck fan, he also has slightly defined horns just behind his head as well as a rattle at the end of his tail. But, the most stand out thing about him are his limbs; he has four appendages, all of which are arms located on the inner portions of his “neck fan.” While Daken is a born killer, he is rather calm still and egotistical. And though he may give respect and honor to any Snake summoner, he will more than likely kill them if they show any sign of weakness.

Daken:
1. __________________ Prep.

[Yox]

The mass of water could not escape her body. She was dead. It was a mighty shame; she had so much potential ahead of her. Nevertheless, Jak would not be too phased by the event. He never really held much regard for the lives of his employees. They were all tools to him. Each of them would play their part, and then move on. With the endless supply of rogue mercenaries across the shinobi world; everyone was replaceable.

As the elevator hit the bottom floor, the entire building from above shook. The basement area was stable enough to hold up from most of the disruption that was occurring up above. Beneath the compound was a system of tunnel routes. It would be through here where Jak would attempt to make his escape. One of his bodyguards that had been left behind just in case the assassin had come down the elevator had died from the destruction caused by the giant snake. Jak received radio transmissions detailing what was occurring above. He was surprised.

Nevertheless, he realised the time to fight back personally was now. Someone had dared come into his compound in an attempt to assassinate him. It was something he was quite used to, yet never had the need to go about dealing with them for himself. It was important to note that there was a lot to Jak that was unknown. He was once a member of the Mist Village; a Jōnin that had turned away to go off and accomplish his own endeavours. He believed that it was the shinobi's choice in whether or not they would live their life as tools of the village.

Jak climbed out of a pothole from underneath the compound. It was he faced the one who was attempting to kill him. Leaping a top a separate building, he now had full view of the land. He could see the giant snake that had appeared about 30 metres away, as well as the one from his office previously now standing in between the eyes of the snake. What a creature it was.

The time to act was now. Seals were flickered as the voice called out, directing Kosakana's attention toward him. "Fire Release: Art of the Rising Flame Phoenix," he shouted from his mouth after completing the hand seals. He no longer cared about the state of the compound. It could be rebuilt. But the fact that someone dare messed with his reputation and had forced him to take personal action; made him feel even worse. He would try to kill this man at all costs.

No one messed with Jak.

SPOILER: Click to show

— Jak has S-ranked Essence of the Sacred Flames.
— Jak has 3 mastery tiers in Fire Release.

Kishou Hisuzaku no Jutsu (Art of the Rising Flame Phoenix)
Rank: S
Type: Offensive.
Range: See special!
Handseals: 15.
Chakra: High
Special: Creates a massive explosion upon impact, covering an area of up to ten meters in radius. After the explosion, the user can spend an additional High amount of chakra to recreate the phoenix at a third of its original size, which causes the second impact's explosion to be cut down to 10 meters but maintaining the deadly aspect of it. This process may only be repeated once per time the jutsu is cast.
Description: The user performs the handseals, gathering chakra while inhaling deeply. Then, with a powerful exhale, the user will release a stream of flame. Spatial manipulation rapidly shapes the flames into the form of a large phoenix with a wingspan of ten meters and a body length of four meters. Upon impact, the entirety of the phoenix will wrap itself up into a small ball, taking just under a half second to complete, before detonating and releasing a massive explosion, enveloping anyone, including the user, that is too close.
Domain: Katon. Enkou Shinka 'S'.

[/font][/justify]

[Naitome]

My opponents daring movements throughout the lower section of the compound, even his ascent to the top of the building, have gone unnoticed by me. I am still under the assumption that he is already dead, and slowly gather my strength, trying to recuperate from the rapid usage of such large amounts of chakra. Daken, with no ability to know what has happened prior to his summoning, and without me communicating such ideals, is prepared only for the continuing destruction of everything around him. He has no idea who Jak is, nor that I want him dead, but when the man foolishly calls out to us, announcing his technique as if in challenge, but without taking in the deep breath necessary to exhale and properly form it after performing its hefty amount of handseals, it is already too late for him.

Daken's tail twitches, lodging an enormous section of building, stone, rubble, and no doubt corpses in Jak's direction, an answer to his challenge, while at the same time, his previously charged chakra allows TEN focused eruptions of fire to be spewed behind the projectile of partially destroyed construction he's just heaved. The heads of five dragons...the spheres of flame that are their breath....it is something I would never wish to be on the receiving end of. The section of building is timed so that it is thrown to intercept the large stream of flame just as it exits its user's mouth, and the twin techniques released from Daken on top of that section of building collide with it, and Jak, an instant after. The section of building, now at least a 10 meter wide brick-heavy inferno of flame, crashes into the very spot that Jak stands, at a moment when he is too preoccupied with performing his own technique to effectively dodge. The weight behind Daken's assault ensures that the single stream of flame Jak launches is simply incapable of reaching either of us, and he will be effectively crushed to death around the same time his own body, and everything around him, is consumed by fire.

But Daken does not stop. He is wild now, furious. Indignant, that a human would challenge him. He flattens the entirety of the compound, his snake-senses sniffing out every last human body that remains and devouring them as his massive weight crushes everything down to the foundation. There will be nothing left when he is finished but dust and spatters of blood.

As a final act, I whisper a simple command to him, his coiling body winding sideways, digging deep trenches into the ground, identical marks. I was instructed to ensure that those who came after Jak's reign ended would know that the hidden mist was involved, and I intend to carry out that mission.

Daken carves the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village into the earth on which the compound once stood with his own body, deep enough that it will not be covered by the passage of time for many years.

SPOILER: Click to show

Daken:


Racial Breaker – Double Dragon
Special: This allows the user to cast two jutsu simultaneously. The jutsu being cast do not have to be from the same tree.

Racial Breaker – Dragon’s Boon
Special: All Katon techniques cost 1 tier less chakra.

Gouryuuka no Jutsu (Great Dragon Fire Technique)
Rank: B⁵
Type: Offensive / Katon Ninjutsu
Range: See special!
Handseals: Yes
Chakra: High
Special: Distance that the dragon heads can travel depends on the user's highest 'Enkou Shinka' rank. Dragon heads measure 20% of one's 'Enkou Shinka' distance. Up to 1 dragon head can be fired, plus one more each time retrained. However, after every third retraining, chakra consumption shall go up by one. Upon contact, dragon heads explode in a napalm like nature, spreading the flames all around in a radius equal to the size of its head; each explosion contains bonus burning damage equivalent to the stacked 'Great Fireball' retraining. As with 'Great Fireball', when using this jutsu, the user must be standing still in order to control the powerful blasts of fire.
Description: An evolution of the Great Fireball, the user is now able to take the flames expelled and morph them into fast moving projectiles. Fierce and potent, this Katon ninjutsu allows the user to expel fireballs in the form of a dragon’s head after forming the needed hand seals. Shot from the mouth, these powerful fireballs can punch through concrete and wood with ease, and leaves a terrible fiery explosion in its wake.
Domain: Katon. Enkou Shinka 'B'. Goukakyuu no Jutsu.



Dai Endan (Great Fireball)
Rank: B³
Type: Offensive / Katon Ninjutsu
Range: See special!
Handseals: Yes
Chakra: High
Special: Distance, size, and strength are equal to 'Endan'. Up to 2 fireballs can be fired off per use, plus 1 one each time retrained. However, after each third retraining, chakra consumption will go up by one. Keep in mind balls are shot one after another, not simultaneously.
Description: An upgrade to the 'Endan' technique, this allows the user to expel an even greater stream of fire now that they are more adept at controlling their Katon chakra. With the stream of fire, they can quickly shoot off several larger fireballs in quick succession, resulting in an overwhelming set of blasts all carrying an explosive fate.
Domain: Katon. Enkou Shinka 'B'. Endan.

[Yox]

Slamming his hands into the final seal, Jak hoped that it was all over for his enemy. He had indeed been wrong. He had underestimated the size of the snake that he had been radioed. The buildings and fire dragons raging toward him had been too much. As the last hand seal was fit in place, and the shot of fire had been spat from his mouth, it was all over for him.

The fire had impacted against the thrown buildings. This meant that it would indeed explode in his own face. That combined with the offensive attacks from the mercenary would lead him to his demise. Everything that he had worked for across the years, everyone he had cheated, and everyone that he had killed now meant nothing. Before his life finally faded, he looked into the light and wondered whether he had truly lived. But it was too late now. It was his time to embrace death.

With the movements of the giant snake, the rest of the compound would go with its leader. Buildings were set alight, others were just knocked to the ground. The extravagant place had now been reduced to a set of ruins. As for the employees of the conglomerate, most of them died in the disaster when the giant snake suddenly appeared. Others were able to make it out with their lives though.

A familiar face would stand close to the ANBU hopeful.

It was one of the goons that had stood by the side of Lady Ren. On closer inspection, he had changed his attire since the last time the two of them had seen each other. It was also important to note that the man had a menacing grin across his face, licking at the blood that was dripping from his head.

"You did well, Kosakana," he said to the ANBU hopeful from behind him. How did he know the codename? On closer inspection of the man, Akuharu would note that there was an ANBU tattoo on the mans left shoulder. "I hoped to find you out here alive. Thank you also for making my life uncomfortable down there by collapsing the roof upon our heads."

The man shook his hair back and pinned a cloth against the wound on his forehead. He continued to speak thereafter. "Come back to the rendezvous point on that building that you were first given the details of this mission. Of course, after you're done with everything here. Not much left of it though," he said whilst kicking a pile of rubble from a nearby collapsed building.

A moment later, he was gone.

[/font][/justify]

[Naitome]

With Daken in tow, the words of the undercover ANBU are acknowledged as we make our way through the ruin and rubble. A regurgitating motion alleviates Daken's esophagus of any ryo or items he has not already destroyed, and we search what remains of the compound, and the underground structures that seem connected to it, hoping to find anything of use. When we are done, a quick whistling alerts Daken to the necessity of leaving, and we head back towards the building where I first received my assignment.

SPOILER: Click to show

Let me know if there's any salvageable loot.

[ s o m e t i m e l a t e r ]

Arriving atop the building with some measure of my strength returned, Daken's massive length places me easily back atop the dome structured where I first started out this test. I leap from the top of his head, and his deep bass grumbling shudders the foundations.

Issss thissss all you required of me, human?

It is, Daken. And thank you.

Sssave your gratitude, impudent whelp! You are the contracted. It issss my obligation to asssssissssst you, nothing more. We are not friendssss.

That's a shame, really. You've always seemed like such a kind snake to me.

Daken stares at me without saying anything, clearly confused. He is unsure whether or not I am mocking him, and I smile wide, as my eyes swirl into a crimson pattern he is all too familiar with, his next loud hiss catching in his throat.

Of course, if we are not friends, I would hate to think that we are enemies. You already know what happens to those who are my enemies, Daken. It will not be...pleasant.

I stare at him, and he stares back, and he bows his head suddenly, placing it lower than the line of my own body.

That issss not necesssary...massster...

And I raise my fist back, feet a blur that carries me instantly towards him, arm swinging down.

I pat him on the head, playfully. My Sharingan fades.

Not 'master', 'friend', remember?

And we bow to each other, as he disappears in a puff of smoke and I await the ANBU guard that will evaluate my performance.

[Yox]

The destruction caused by the flames and the snake had caused too much damage to the compound. It was impossible to salvage anything unless the ANBU hopeful was a member of a rock hunting club. If that was the case he would be able to find a vast variety of assorted stones. Other than that, stripping the compound ruins of anything of value was impossible now. But that shouldn't have been much of a concern to the ANBU hopeful; there was something else to look forward to.

Two hooded ANBU stood at the top of the building with one member standing in casual attire; it was the same man from before. In the middle of the group stood the ANBU Captain in his cream outfit. The arrival of the ANBU hopeful would be greeted by a slow applause from the leading ANBU member. The clap would last for a few moments before his hands dropped by his sides. "You have passed your test, Kosakana. You have proven your worthiness to Kirigakure and the Mizukage. For that, you are henceforth rewarded with the title of ANBU."

This was it. What Akuharu had risked his life for. It was all worth it for now. He had finally acquired what he had sought after. But the induction was not over yet. The injured ANBU member that had met Akuharu on the battlefield previously approached him slowly. He pulled his hands from behind his back to reveal a white porcelain mask. The mask was faceless.

"The ANBU mask represents who each of us are on the inside. I have the face of a bear on mine to represent my inner ferocity. You must decide on what best suits you. It's important to remember that the ANBU live the life of secrecy. Every time we step into our role we put our own lives and the lives the ones in our village on the line. To ensure protection for the ones you hold close to you, your actions must remain a mystery."

The commander moved a small metal box out to his front. He walked over to your body slowly. "Remove your shirt on your left side," he said. Assuming that Akuharu followed the instructions given to him, the commander then removed a tattooing needle from the metal box. At the top of it was red ink. He moved his left hand to hold down the arm of Akuharu once the sleeve was removed off the arm. The commander then proceeded to tattoo the symbol of the ANBU on the arm of the boy. "This is a life commitment. Welcome to the ANBU."

[/font][/justify]

[Naitome]

The words of the returned Captain bring good tidings, but also, a heavy responsibility. Being told I am now ANBU is like some sort of dream, but I cannot help my thoughts traveling back to the destruction I've caused. There are so many dead because of me, and though I am being rewarded for ensuring the continued prosperity of the village, I have also ruined the livelihood of many who may simply have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As the mask is handed to me, I stare at its plain white surface, touching the freshly cut edges around the eyes as a small trickle of blood stains its surface, and is moved, mixing with water, controlled by my own will. It forms a simple design, before the water evaporates into nothing and all that is left is the crimson representation of my new status.

I once dreamed of being a 'part' of something bigger than myself...but it seems that the closer I get to that dream, the more nightmares I must endure. I remove my shirt, allowing the simple tattoo to be placed on my left arm, bearing the brief pain without any visible reaction.

When it is done, I look back one last time at the Captain of...my squad, the mask now adorning my face.

Not Kosakana, not any longer.

It's...Naitome, now.

exit.

[KEITH]

+70 - Yox
+85 - Nai

[/justify][/font]