Grass Cutter; [ Relic Search ]

[Kii!]

Relic Search Part II
Search for the Master (Part I)

"Alright," said the man you'd come to know as the so-called master of Kusanagi no Tsurugi. A light flickered from the blaze at the center of the cave, casting moving shadows across the rocky walls with its dim light. The cave was small, cramped even, though it served its purpose well. It was the spot the master had chosen to stay for the night, after having walked quite a ways. He had refused to move any faster than a walking pace--though he was capable of traveling as quickly as any shinobi. You were nearing the edge of Tsuchi no Kuni, though had yet to be free from its rocky terrain. Still, in the distance, from your cave's perch high atop the mountains that bordered the country, you could see the forests of Hi no Kuni sprawling out before you. The master had said that it was your first destination.

"Kusanagi has far too much blood on it for any man," the master sad, looking sternly at you. It was obvious from his tone that he knew this wouldn't deter you, not in the slightest, but it was a warning he gave nonetheless. The reason behind it wasn’t apparent. With a sigh, he shrugged, closing his eyes. ”It’s not in a place you can locate very easily--” He’d begun fidgeting with a pebble between his fingers. ”At least, not without me.”

A silence filled the air yet again as the master seemed to fall into thought. He was sitting cross-legged before the fire, his arms resting gently on his legs. As it always was, his breathing was extremely slow but steady, as if his body was eternally in meditation. Even as he rose and made his way to the cave entrance, it didn’t change, and he looked out over the landscape that awaited them in the distance. Still, he remained silent, until he abruptly turned to face you with that same, stern face.

”Why do you want the sword?”

[Comatose]

I had asked myself in the beginning of my journey about my resolve, and what exactly had kept me going. Why was I continuing to go forth after this sword? The simplest answer that came to mind was the obvious; power, who didn't want it. The human capacity for lust of things, and the capacity to dominate others was unending. However, my own struggle for power had deviated when I had met her. It was something I came to terms with, not having much choice in the matter.

"Power; like everyone else, but in a different context. I need it to secure the life of a specific person. There are foes with greater abilities than I, which may vie for this person's life. Can't let that happen."

It was an odd thing to hear myself say that not within the confines of my own mind, but it was the truth. The need for power for this specific reason was domineering, and overpowering in itself. It wasn't like when one just wanted power to take the lives of others. It was different, more emotional, and more unbridled. When I was under it's influence it was greater than any drug, it empowered me to do things beyond my former capabilities. The slaying of those two Oinin despite their power and numbers was a testament to that.

"If I wasn't under the influence of the need; the need for the power for this, I definitely would have died back there."

I sighed.

"It would be too much to ask for you to simply just tell me where it was, huh?"

[Kii!]

The master’s face gave way to a small bit of surprise. The answer he had received was not one he had expected. Sure, he had assumed that you’d wanted power; that you’d wanted the sword in order to grow stronger. But your motivation for that want--that need--was entirely bewildering. The power to protect, rather than to destroy. It didn’t fit you, at least, not in the master’s mind, and it certainly didn’t fit Kusanagi no Tsurugi. Your resolve was undeniable, that was certain, but he couldn’t quite let go of the surprise that had come from its source.

With a chuckle, he shook his head. ”I’m afraid I can’t do that. There are far too many risks in telling you its precise location. At least, for now,” he said, though he couldn’t quite get the thought of your determination out of his mind.

”The power to protect . . .” He said, turning and interlocking his hands behind his back as he walked slowly about. ”Quite the surprise, young man. Someone dear to you, then? Or is this more . . . selfish?” There was always the possibility that, in protecting this person’s life, you would somehow grow in power or otherwise gain whatever it was that you wanted. That is, in a different context than wanting that person to stay alive simply for them to live. Either way, he supposed there was no deterring you from walking the path toward the sword.

”You expect to protect that person with a sword that only knows how to kill?”

[Comatose]

"Well it goes without saying that I would want to protect myself. But as you can see that is possible with just my own power. To protect another; that requires true power, one needs more."

Protecting myself was an easy task. However, to protect another one needed a power greater than none other. Resolve was not an overbearing miracle, and had it's extent. No matter how much you believed, and no matter how much you tried, if you were outmatched you were outmatched. To make sure that wasn't possible you had to gain a certain and undeniable power, that overreached anything anyone had ever seen.

"What blade is not forged to kill? That is the purpose of a weapon, and thus it should only know how to kill. What determines an actual identifiable purpose is to what end that person wishes to kill people. I will no doubt have to slay many, but it will be for a purpose other than to just kill. I will protect myself, and what's dear to me, if that means I must kill 100 people, it will be done."

I knew that this man would not tell me outright where the weapon was, but it hadn't hurt to ask. The people who had forged and protected these weapons held them in high regard for their potential power, and didn't give them out easily. I expected all this. He really would make me run circles before giving me the blade's location.

There would be nothing that could stop me from continuing on my journey to find the blade, with or without the man's help. There was no failing. I would surely find it.

[Kii!]

As you spoke, he simply nodded his head slowly, bobbing it up and down in understanding. He had begun to slowly pace back and forth near the cave entrance, eyes flickering to you every once and a while. The fire still crackled at the center of the cave, masking his visage in slippery shadows. It was the only source of light, besides the moon, as night fell across Tsuchi no Kuni, and little else offered warmth.

”Well said,” he spoke, still pacing. There was a firmness in his tone. ”We’ll begin tomorrow.”

---

The land of Hi no Kuni laid out before you, a green blanket across the flat land. Its forests were thick and immense, but gave way to abrupt clearings at random. Most of the trees extended upwards of fifty meters tall, exceedingly large and somewhat intimidating. The Grass Cutter, as you’d come to know the master as, took to his slow, walking pace through the shadows of the trees. Although he knew you wished to attain the sword as soon as possible, he didn’t seem concerned with time at all, and preferred to take things slowly. He had yet to give any indication of what he had planned, aside from a very vague location of the sword, with which you could do little.

”The path you’ve walked up until now has been rather easy,” he broke the silence, though never turned to you as he spoke. ”At least, compared to what you will face soon. I know this won’t deter you--that isn’t my purpose--I only wish that you prepare yourself.”

[Comatose]

Another day and another new land. I knew from my travels where we were now, Hi no Kuni, an expanse of grass and trees as far as the eye could see. Amongst the greenery were random pockets of clearing, caused by ninja battles immemorial, one of which was even caused by me. A laugh almost escaped my lips.

"You're right, nothing would deter me. Just the same, I'm sure there isn't a level of preparation that could prepare me for whatever you have in store."

Finally I was allowed to prove my worth in the battlefield. I could easily break a mental sweat, and talk semantics and philosophy, but that all got old quick. Nothing quite got the adrenaline rolling, and the spirit going like a a fierce battle; something that was more than likely in store for me.

"Unleash what horrors you will."

Ready as I'll ever be.

[/justify]

[Kii!]

Your journey through the Land of Fire was short-lived. Though slowly, you made your way through the trees and plains of the country for quite a while, until you arrived at its shores. There, The Grass Cutter had already set up a boat--when was impossible to tell, as he’d been with you the entire time. Nonetheless, you both would take it across the seas and to the land of water.

---

A thick mist filled the air as you grew closer to the islands. Eventually, it was difficult to see more than ten meters out from the boat, save for shadowy figures and silhouettes. The boat ride was uneventful; it was utterly silent, as The Grass Cutter spoke very little. No one else accompanied you, and he seemed to man the boat himself just fine. Eventually, the silhouette of an island would materialize beneath the fog. Judging by the way the silhouette had been manifested, you could tell that there was a large mountain somewhere near the center of the island, which was otherwise covered in trees and swamp.

”This isn’t the main island of Mizu no Kuni, as I’m sure you had guessed,” The Grass Cutter said, breaking the silence. ”But this is where the sword is located. Now, don’t think I’m giving it to you for free--the route there is a test enough.” Again, he went silent until the boat was finally docked upon the island’s shores.

”I won’t accompany you any farther, but the path will be obvious. Keep heading toward the center of the island from here, and you’ll see what I mean.” With nothing else to say, The Grass Cutter made his way back into the boat, leaving you to do as you pleased. If you followed his directions, the path would take you first through a thick forest. Eventually, the trees would give way to swamp land, and after a hour or two of travelling, you would find what you searched for.

Surrounded by swamp land sat a massive building. It looked to be made of some sort of stone, with seemingly metal lining. In itself, it was quite the work of art--though its shape was fairly standard, as a square, the pillars, walls--even the steps were intricately designed, and gave the place an important presence. The double, metal doors were already open, as if waiting for your arrival, and the place looked otherwise completely untouched by man or nature.

[Comatose]

"I didn't expect you to hold my hand. Just the opposite."

Stepping off the boat, I made sure to not be thrown off by the softened and wet earth, a surface I myself had very little experience with. The area was unremarkable except for that building. I had taken great care to note it's condition, though dull, was rather untouched. With the simplest of turns of one's head you could see that all around was nothing but boggy swampland, untouched by any civilized hand. But that building, the building wasn't the least bit covered in a moss, vine, or shrub. It was completely devoid of any life at all. A menacing sight.

"See you when I get the sword, Grass Cutter."

For the first time in a very long time I was intimidated by my situation. Here I was going for one of the strongest artifacts in the world, surrounded by nothing but bog, and having to enter a building that probably held more secrets than the sword itself. I didn't even want to think of the trials to come. With the jitters behind me I walked forward, and if allowed walked through those welcoming metal doors.

[Kii!]

Within, little served to light your path. The small amount of light that entered the darkness through the open doors served to give you just enough to view the room you’d entered through a dark veil. It wasn’t likely anything but what you’d expected--a stone, tiled floor; similarly intricately designed pillars and little else. It was utterly empty, and rather small. From the outside, the building looked as if it stretched extremely far back, and this small room was hardly anything in comparison. Should you explore or investigate the room, you would turn up empty handed. The only way forward was a small corridor at the far end of the room, basked entirely in black and only just large enough to allow you comfortable entrance.

Should you choose to enter the corridor, is features would slowly become visible as your eyes adjusted to the increasing darkness, less you form some light of your own. Like the room before it, it was simply designed and held nothing of interest. It only served to guide you deeper into the building, and nothing more.

Eventually, you would come to a wooden door. Beneath the door, in the smallest crack between the floor, beamed a faint light. It served as proof that light awaited you on the other side, though in what form was impossible to say. Beyond the door was a room that was quite opposite of all you’d experienced thus far. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, bearing candles bright enough to light the room entirely. Five doors littered the walls of the circular room, which was also lined with bookcases and desks. At the center of the room was an altar, erect and holding a single book, open to a page somewhere near the center. It was a thin book--more of a journal than anything--and upon investigation, you would realize that its pages were utterly blank, save for the very first page. It simply read:

Kusanagi isn’t

The handwriting was messy and probably difficult to decipher. Unfortunately, the author wrote nothing more. The bookshelves held books on any variety of topics, though little pertained to the sword you sought. Thus, you were faced with five paths; each were obviously different in their own way. One was lit entirely, almost glowing with an artificial light. Another dipped down, a staircase leading into whatever awaited you beneath the structure; still another was veiled in darkness and continued forward. The remaining two were sealed with wooden doors.

[Comatose]

The room I gained entry to was astonishingly small compared to how big I had imagined the massive structure. It held no clues or ways of entry despite the corridor leading further into the complex. From the notion of this entry room, into a hallway, likely another room was ahead — a central hub of rooms, I thought. I had been exposed to similar architecture in some of the other ruins I had been to on my journeys. It was a typical way to structure a building harboring something. The room that led into the hallway was meant to be menacing, causing the person to feel like they were being drawn into danger, which was almost always the case anyway.

Unsurprisingly I was right, and when I had finally gotten to the end of the corridor I was presented with what was basically a room of doors and pathways, five of them to be exact.

It was my experience that the road less traveled tended to be the correct one, and in this case, the most suspicious and likely culprit to be harboring some secrets was the corridor which lead down to beneath the structure. People usually seldom want to thrust themselves into a dark, damp, and scary place, when that was likely where all the secrets were held. So I pursued that path, following whatever stairs or ramp may have led me further downward and into the bowels of the place.

[Kii!]

As you travelled, the stairs seemed to grow steeper. They twisted this way and that, and eventually the narrow passage would lead you into an exceptionally massive room. It stood at least 150 meters long, and 50 meters wide. Its height was impossible to tell--you’d know you’d traveled quite a ways downward, but the ceiling vanished into darkness above you, making discerning where it lie impossible. The exit from the staircase left you 150 meters from the opposite wall, and approximately in the center of the wall you’d come from, 25 meters from either side. Torches lined the walls, giving just enough light to the room to see clearly; the far end of the room held significantly more torches, as if it were somehow more important. It was elevated, much like a stage, starting about 40 meters from the far wall, and the room was otherwise bare.

Standing atop the stage were two men, though their features were difficult to make out from the considerable distance at which you stood. The many torches around them served to silhouette their frames, but as they began to make their way toward you their intentions became clearer. It was obvious that one of them had begun to form hand seals, molding his chakra for whatever it was he was about to unleash. The second reached behind himself to bring out a single scroll, and unraveled it along the ground, where he knelt before it, preparing himself for the coming conflict.

”We won’t let you have Kusanagi!” Came the call from the shinobi still standing, his voice booming and echoing throughout the massive room. In that moment, he finished his hand seals and chakra surged throughout the room. ”Mokuton: Jukai Kouton.” The floor began to break apart, giving way to the growth of immense trees. They rose violently and furiously, attempting to entangle you and wrapping nearly the entirety of the room in dense woodland--an underground forest. It was impossible to see more than two meters without a tree blocking your vision, and movement would be hindered immensely. The canopy the newly created forest didn’t quite reach the ceiling, however, so you would be given room high above, if you so chose. The only place left untouched by the new life was the stage your opponents stood upon. Now, however, the one that had given birth to the forest leaped from the stage to enter the woodland, leaving the other to his scroll.

Upon the stage, the second shinobi had already activated his Kuchiyose no Jutsu, calling a second scroll to his possession. This scroll, however, was no normal scroll--it was at least ten meters long rolled up. With a simple push, it would unravel to reveal the drawing of an immense dragon, which, at a simple seal from its owner, tore itself from the page and came to life, ready to seek out its target.

[Comatose]

I hadn't quite expected the scale of the room I had found below the temple, though not shaken in the slightest. The two men that stood before me and the Kusanagi shouted as if it was there's to give and protect, as if they had the power to stop me. I knew different, and my anger welled, swelling up into my hands in the form of chakra that willed paper around my frame. The effect armor allowed disallowed any branches from getting any proper entanglement, the paper's hardness breaking the branches and trees should they attempt to actually grab hold, being too strong for the branches to tighten around.

Following that defensive play I put myself in a position to instead take advantage of the situation and allowed a bevy of paper to spill forth from me, rushing about and cutting out a giant hole in the wooden forest around myself. When I had finally spilled what paper I could, it formed a defensive swirling sphere around me. I walked forward slowly with this sphere, it chopping whatever wood it came into contact with into nothing but sawdust.

SPOILER: Click to show

Kami Yoroi no Jutsu (Paper Armor)
Rank: A [150 EXP]
Type: Ninjutsu, Defensive
Range: Self
Special: Completely coats the user from head to toe in malleable paper armor which protects them from incoming damage. Maintaining the armor costs an additional D rank amount of chakra every 2 turns. Defensive strength is equivalent to the user's rank of Crafting Paper Strength and Elemental Resistance.
Description: A thin and lightweight armor ninjutsu, this technique covers the user from head to toe in paper. When blended correctly with other Shikigami Ninjutsu, the opponent usually will be incapable of even telling that the user is guarded in this manner. Should the opponent attack the user, they will find the paper defense in the ready to absorb the blow. An attack of equal strength to the user's Crafting Paper Strength will break the armor, creating the need for the armor to be recast, while an attack of greater strength will pierce through the defense, damaging the user.
Domain: Shikigami


Baku Kamishouha (Bursting Paper Collision Waves)
Rank: B [100 EXP]
Type: Ninjutsu, Offensive
Range: 30 meters.
Special: The user releases an incredible wave, equal in size to the user's maximum allowed size of paper creations, comprised of hundreds of sheets of paper towards the opponent. The wave itself is generally wider than it is taller, so that is a wide area of effect. The wave will travel up to 30 meters and will attempt to bury anyone caught within the wave under the mountains of paper. Because the paper is filled with the user's chakra, the user is capable of knowing the location of anyone who was caught within the wave, and can then proceed to follow up with other Paper Ninjutsu attacks. The wave's strength is dependent upon the user's own Crafting Paper Strength and Paper Elemental Resistance.
Description: A wave of paper that rolls across the ground, similar to a tsunami wave, and attempts to catch opponents within it.
Domain: Shikigami

[Kii!]

The massive, black and white dragon circled in the air above the forest. It was birthed with a mixture of chakra and special ink--an oil based one, suitable for catching flame. The artist’s hands interlocked in a series of complex seals, molding his chakra for instant use. The technique took the form of a large fireball, aimed at the dragon itself. Immediately, the oil-based ink caught flame, emitting waves of heat and light which lit the room unlike before. At its user’s mental command, the dragon dove down, allowing its flames to ignite the newly created forest in a conflagration. The dragon did not dissipate, however, and instead swerved as low as it could, aiming for your swirling mass of incredibly destructive paper. Despite the paper’s strength, it would not have enough power to stop the ten meter long, blazing dragon, which threatened your life.

”Mokusatsu Shibari no Jutsu!” At the same time, the mokuton-user had already begun forming new seals. After some time, the seals were finished and he struck his hand forth, giving birth to a massive block of wood. Only moments later, the wooden beam would split into hundreds of smaller, but powerful branches which move to envelope you seconds after the dragon. They would attempt to entangle and bind you forcefully, much like a swarm of insects.

Soon after finishing his grand fireball technique, the artist had already begun another Kuchiyose no Jutsu to summon forth a second scroll. This one was just as large as its predecessor--at least ten meters long--though its content was far different. Instead of a single, strong beast, this scroll contained an multitude of spirit-like dogs. They floated, and the lower half of their body left in an ethereal trail, though their front claws and fangs were extremely sharp. A surge of chakra and a seal from their creator, and all seventy five of them were lifted from the page, ready to attack. Instead, however, they were commanded to simply float nearby, and await further instructions.

[Comatose]

Fire, was as always a Shikigami's mortal enemy, and I never took a gamble with it. It was always a 50/50 with whether or not I could actually hold the flame back with paper, and 50/50 that the flame wouldn't light my paper ablaze, and I hated those odds, so I didn't gamble. The one good thing about the dragon being lit ablaze was that with all the preparation time for all these techniques I was given some measure of time to myself prepare my own defense.

It wasn't really a defense but rather a dodge into a counteract, to be put simply. It was some sort of luck, or this person's attention to detail that they didn't make the dragon more domineering and actually battle-ready, the fact that it was not nearly as wide as it was long gave me lots of leeway in the dodging department. Paper that was floating about was put to use by affording me wings, which then would allow me to jump away from the dragon into flight, which indirectly allowed me greater dodging potential by allowing me to dodge in the full range of three dimensions. Since the dragon was so long, even if it tried to loop around to attack again, it needed to take an extended path as to give its body time to do so.

The paper mass that floated around me would be herded and moved accordingly as well, to make sure that the majority of the paper was expeditiously moved away from the flaming ink dragon as to not themselves catch a blaze. In the same movement, approximately one-fourth the paper (or 7.5m worth) was sent toward the enemies as both scouting drones and as a method of attack. These pieces of paper would cut down trees that broke line of sight between me and the attackers at the same time as well.

The rest of my paper simply spun about it's rotational axis close to my frame, but not so close as to harm me, protecting me from those tiny shards of wood.

SPOILER: Click to show

Pepa Tenshin no Kami (Paper Angel Wings)
Rank: B [100 EXP]
Type: Supplementary / Secret Technique
Range: See special!
Special: Grants the User wings that allow them to take flight as long as the technique is active. Size and strength of paper wings depends on user's highest 'Paper Strength' rank. Can be used alongside other paper jutsu.
Description: After a few simple seals, the clan member can utilize their paper in order to create a flurry of wings meant for stable flight. The wings created by the user can be be any color, size, and type they wish, and will carry them across even the greatest of distances and chasms - as long as the user has enough chakra to continuously power it.
Domain: Shikigami. Must know Paper Strength 'B'.

[Kii!]

The blazing dragon swerved, curling and twisting until it was on a path directly upwards, beneath you. Again it would attempt to envelope you while the wooden branches were cut down. In the same instant, the spirit dogs, all seventy five, rushed forward, moving at speeds faster than that of the dragon, and more mobile due to their small size. Each one would pack less of a punch, but due to their numbers would be able to more easily overwhelm you. The artist himself began to form hand seals rapidly, emitting sweat which almost instantly turned to ink, which expanded outwards. The ink would act as a shield, deterring your attack.

Opposite of the artist, the other shinobi also began to form hand seals before a torrent of water would swirl about him, enveloping his form in order to protect from your attack as well. His seals were fast; and in little time he had already completed a second set as his water shield died down. Using the water created in order to form the shield, he manipulated his chakra in order to produce a dragon in the likeness of the one chasing you. This watery dragon shot forth at incredible speeds, racing to destroy you only moments after the spirit dogs would arrive.

SPOILER: Click to show

I should probably do this lololol

Suijinheki (Water Encampment Wall)
Rank: D, C, B, A, S

[/u]
Type: Defensive / Suiton Ninjutsu
Range: Self
Special: Water barrier blocks attacks of equal rank.
Description: Suijinheki is one of the most impressive Suiton jutsu, and one of the few actually able to defend the user indefinitely from danger. The user will first do a string of hand seals, length varying by rank, and then they proceed to blow out a jet of water from their mouth. This stream moves at high speeds, and after five meters or so from the user, begins to form itself to a size equal and greater to that of the incoming attack, allowing it to act as a water barrier.
Domain: Suiton.

Suiryuudan no Jutsu (Water Dragon Projectile Technique)
Rank: A
Type: Offensive / Suiton Ninjutsu
Range: 0 - 40 meters
Special: Due to the nature of the attack, the dragon can strike available aerial targets as well. If the dragon’s head is severed from its body, the lost appendage reverts to its natural water state and the remaining severed stub attached to the water source can re-grow once more. Only focusing a strong attack on the head will defeat it for sure.
Description: Suiryuudan no Jutsu is one of Suiton’s strongest ninjutsu, mainly because of its impact force and its ability to attack enemies in the air and on the ground. The ninja does a long string of hand seals which then causes a column of water in the form of a dragon to rise from the water and then strike at their target. Upon striking its target and ensnaring it in its aquatic maw, the dragon explodes with great force, flooding all nearby and providing an ample amount of water for more Suiton techs, should any enemies remain standing…
Domain: Suiton.

---

Gahou Tenrai (Divine Art of Drawing & Painting)
Rank: D, C, B , A, S
Type: Passive / Ninjutsu / Secret Technique
Range: Self
Special: The root behind all Li clan techniques, Gahou Tenrai determines the strength, defensive rating, and size of all Li drawings.
Description: Gahou Tenrai allows clan members to draw what they see or from memory with exact detail and amazing speed. This is the clan’s most basic technique needed for them to use most clan jutsu.
Domain: Li Clan.

Choju Giga
Rank: B
Type: Offensive / Defensive / Ninjutsu / Secret Technique
Range: See special!
Special: Strength and defensive rating of creations depends on the user's highest Gahou Tenrai rank. When first learned, the user can bring to life ten small creatures no larger than 5 meters; five medium creatures no larger than 10 meters; or one large creature no larger than 20 meters. Each time relearned, the user effectively doubles the amount of creatures they can create based on size per use.
Description: The user will rapidly draw several objects, usually animals, on a scroll. Then, performing the right handseals, the user will bring those objects to life and use them for offensive or defensive purposes. The creatures, made of ink, also share any special properties that the ink has.
Domain: Li Clan. Gahou Tenrai 'B'.

Sumi Koiheki
Rank: A
Type: Defensive / Ninjutsu / Secret Technique
Range: Self
Special: Strength of shield depends on the user's highest Gahou Tenrai rank. Can be used once per thread, plus one more each time retrained.
Description: Using the handseals, the user will call upon a large amount of chakra. Targeting specifically the user's sweat glands and pores, the user will force themselves to emit a large amount of sweat rapidly. Using their ability to make ink, this sweat becomes imbued with the user's chakra, giving it strength and changing it into ink. The ink, if an imbuing technique has been used before this ability, can take on the properties of that ink. The barrier will extend outward about a foot. When one turn has passed, the ink barrier will collapse, falling down into the ground, leaving a large puddle of ink.
Domain: Li Clan. Gahou Tenrai 'A'.[/justify][/font][/size][/blockquote]