The Seven Legends of the Hidden Mist [T/S]

[Mad-Rock]

- - -"if this is love, i'd wanna be hangin' by the neck"

Within the Hidden Mist village lived seven legendary shinobi who's skill with their more so legendary blades of war resided. As such when the tales of these warriors and their swords reached Li's ears, he found himself drawn to the islands of the Water Country. Having spent many days on a raft with a few others he finally had landed within the country. But, now began his attempt in finding Kirigakure. For he had left the Samurai prior to their saving the villages from disasters, and because of this he knew not of the villages' locations.

Despite this he held a heart of hope to find Kirigakure along with it's legendary swordsmen, and defeat them one by one, or all seven at the same time. Rolling his shoulders as he stepped off of the raft he looked about, his helmet kept within a moderately sized and quick to access carrying pouch, his hood drawn over his brow just slightly to shadow his face from vision.

Step by step brought him from a beach to a tree line that spread as far as the naked eye could see, but upon entering the woods he'd be shrouded in darkness, leaving the few he had traveled with to stare blankly at his disappearance. Left hand and forearm resting on his blade's pommel and her hilt he walked about, searching. He was at least certain that Kirigakure was on this island, now all he had to do was search for her exact location. Perhaps he'd be granted a gift and he'd run into a villager, a shinobi, a fellow traveler, or perhaps a merchant to who he could extract Kirigakure's location from, and make things all the much easier on himself.

He'd have to be careful though, despite his skill, he knew the shinobi from a tales told by the now dead elders of the Samurai along with a hand full of encounters with them. They were deadly little things, shinobi were, a great enemy for a Samurai.

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[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

The young Samurai found the land of which is mysteries would be revealed and his questions answered. However every question has an answer, and every answer has it's price, as is in the dangerous world he lived in. He was a warrior to be feared by normal men, no doubt. However the dangers that lurked through out the country of water would definitely find him on his quest. Only through a swift and nimble body, or through extreme cunning and wit would he find the next step in acquiring his goal against the legend that is the seven shinobi swordsman.

As he disappeared into the woods he would find his travels to be tedious and repetitive. All the trees would look exactly like it's natural brother. Even the dirt path below his feet would show no sign of human life having had come through. However the paws of various sized animals scathed the earth. His own footsteps would cover them up as he passed. The moist air of the country would prove to be harsh on a wandered whom covers himself in armor and carries such equipment as he. The time alone traveling to Mist would wear on him, but it wouldn't stop him.

As he ventured through the wet trees he would come across an opening in the trees. A large stretch that split into three paths before him. Each path went on for some odd minutes. From where he stood he wouldn't be able to see what was beyond each path. A lone man stood to the side of the paths. His white beard almost touched his knees. A sunhat covered his face, but it was obvious that long white locks fell down his head, as they protruded through the shadows that covered his face. He had a backpack on him, identifying himself as some sort of sellsman. A merchant. However something was slightly off about him. He just stood there. Still, and immobile like a stone. He didn't even acknowledge Li's entrance into the path.

The samurai had the choice of attempting to talk to the merchant to assist his search. However straight answers were something that he wouldn't get, as the old merchant was a bit off in the head. He could choose to ignore the merchant, and simply risk one of the three paths, hoping one of them would lead him to his destination. The left path, the middle path, or the right path.

Choose wisely, young warrior.

[Mad-Rock]

How long had he been walking? Laughing at the idea of trying to attempt to figure this out he continued on. He had been walking ever since he left Iron behind so many years ago. The scenery of the land would prove boring, but when was a quest entertaining except for when he found what he was looking for? Shaking his head slightly he looked about, he wasn't sure if he was lost or not, the trees looked the same, and he waited for some wild animal or foolish and cowardly shinobi to spring forth from the shadows in a sneak attack.

Gripping his sword's hilt now he glanced about, more then ready to cut down anyone and anything that crossed his path in an attempt to halt him. It was around this time he found himself coming to an area where the path split into three ways, a left, middle, and right. And yet there was a white haired and shadowed man off to the side, carrying a merchant pack from the looks of it.

He would take the left path, but first he'd talk to the possible merchant. Walking towards the old man he kept himself prepared for anything. "Old man...do you know where the Hidden Mist Village is located? Which path do I take?!"

[/color] He hoped the man would be wise and not play games, but he had no qualms against cutting down the elderly.[/left][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

The old man's ears perked, but their motions would go unnoticed. Though he realized that another soul lurked along the lands with his own, he remained unmoving. The samurai would pose his question. It was a question his ears had heard many times before in his youth. He remained still and silent, simply mumbling broken words and rolling syllables off of his tongue. His lips smacked with one another, letting what little moisture that was left in his mouth slip free.

"Hidden village, ye say?," his skinny right arm reached up and touched his long beard. His fingers intertwine with the locks of hair that made up his facial hair. His eyes and face remained a mystery still, as the short old man stood under the seemingly towering samurai. "Why do ye search for the village?" A simple question from a curious bystander. Something wasn't quite right about him. A weird air floated about him when his mouth opened. The wandering samurai could choose to ignore the man and go about his way. This, however, would only lead him into a search without something to follow. He could gain some insight if he continued to talk with the merchant. There was, however, no guarantee.

[Mad-Rock]

Drawing his sword quickly he held it up to the old man's throat. Pushing it against his beard's length as well. "MY BUSINESS IF MY OWN OLD MAN!...Now while I am still allowing you to breathe I'd advise you to tell me where the village is!"

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Tightening his grip on his sword's hilt as well as his free hand finding it's way into a clenched fist. Glaring intensely towards the man he spoke once more. "I would ask that you think of any family that you may possibly have before you banter on aimlessly again, for this is your last chance to tell me where the Hidden Mist village is located!"[/color]

What would the old man do? Was he so far into his age that he wouldn't care of death or life? Would Li's attempt at striking fear into the frail heart before him fail with the old man continuing his bantering?![/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/left]

[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

Indeed the frightening samurai attempted to gain the information from the old man the easy way. The steel blade reached up to his beard and the sharp blade sliced some strands from it. The white hairs falling slowly to the ground. The old man simply chuckled slightly. Part way through, however, the laughter would turn into a slight cough.

"I've lived some hundred odd years. And many more, waiting for death. You won't get any information this way. I do apologize," a swift hand reached up from underneath his clothing and stroked at his beard once more, letting his fingers go underneath the blades as to not let his hand touch the edgy samurai's blade. "I've met many like you. So angry. So eager. Searching only to find death they did. Will you do the same?"

Extorting the information failed, but there were other means to getting the old man to talk. The samurai could continue to attempt to steal the information through violent manners. However, unknown to him, the old man was well adept in the dark arts. An old soldier who put away his shadows long ago.

If the samurai so choose to continue down the path he was on then he would be in for a surprise unknown to him, or any wandering eyes.

"How about enjoying a nice rice bun with me?" the old man suddenly perched up. "These lips yearn for conversation. It's been so long."

[Mad-Rock]

Eyes grew more focused as the man chuckled and Li's hand found itself pushing the blade forward, though not by much at all. Could he kill such a brave an elderly man? Yes...or could he? Spitting at the ground he found himself listening to the old man's bantering. Muttering under his breath he withdrew his blade, sheathing it even, though kept himself prepared for any sneak attack.

"I've learned from many quests not to trust the food of others, but I will...sit and have a talk with you."

[/color] Oh what was he doing? Wasting time no doubt. He didn't even know if the old man held any useful information. But, perhaps he could do with a little chat if only to rest himself should his full stamina be needed for a fight.

Calming his breathing he glanced about.[/left][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

"Hoho. You smarter than others," the old merchant chirped up. He lowered the large pack upon his back. It plopped to the ground, or rather, crashed into the earth, causing dust and other manner of rubble to rise. It was evident the pack he carried was heavier than it looked. What was inside of it was a complete mystery. "I've seen many wanderers looking for the hidden village. Some shinobi. Others curious bystanders. Most of them dead. I've even bloodied my hands over the years," he said half halfheartedly. He sighed as he slowly made his way to his pack, using it as a seat of sorts.

The air grew stiff and harsh. The mists of the country started to twist about in the distance. Lightning lit up the sky, if but a second, revealing the true nature of the forest the two had to dwell in. Thunder roared about in the sky slowly after. It would rain soon.

"I can offer you information," he said, after debating it within his head for a few. Being caught in the country's rain and mist was no joy ride. It obscured even the sharpest of vision. Unfortunately for the old man, he was lacking in that department. The samurai, however, would have honed and trained eyes that might assist him in his search. "The paths before you. Two of them lead to the village. Each of them dangerous within their own right. The left path will lead you to the ruins of a town that once existed, but is now gone, thanks to the tailed beast disaster. The other leads through ruined earth. A man of skill would be able to trek about it without much worry. However the mist will blind you. You could very well fall to your death if you aren't careful." His eyes wandered to the path furthest to the left. "This doesn't mean that path is safe either. The town is filled with bandits and rouge shinobi. Surely they won't let you pass without some sort of payment."

After he shared his wisdom he rose to his feet, placing the pack upon his back once more. "We'll meet again, samurai. Until then." The old merchant's final words would lead off the samurai. He became nothing more than a statue of his former self once more.

It's up to the samurai, now, to decide which path he will take.

[Mad-Rock]

Finally some useful info. Listening carefully he nodded, watching the old man walk away. Was he really centuries old? Shaking his head he merely stood up, he'd take the left path, the path to the ruined town which was full of bandits and shinobi alike. He'd rather die in combat then find himself falling over a cliff. Standing up to his full height he felt his shoulders roll as a means to loosen em up a bit before he began trekking down the left path. The old man was gone by now, but perhaps he'd run into him later, after-all the old man did seem a bit mysterious and gave off an aura of unknowing.

His hand steady on his blades' hilt he made a quick stop, acquiring a few items of need before continuing on. Glancing about he continued to advance forward, but quietly, and with a step that could offer a quick spin or other movement to avoid something such as a surprise attack. For he knew not if all of these rogues were within the ruins or along the path or both, so he had to stay prepared.

Emotionless expression upon his face, he waited to apply chakra to steel and carve a path to the Hidden Mist Village.

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[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

He finally found progress once more. The information should fill anyone's heart with motivation to continue their travels after being given a lead. Not all leads are to be taken however, as this one, in particular, would lead straight into the monsters mouth. As Li traveled onwards toward the unknown the silent eyes of the forest would watch. Creatures scatted about, as they normally did. Bird mating calls made music to be heard all about the lands. The forest path would be long. Best to make company of such natural beauty, if any were to be found in the violent lands.

That left path stretched on for what might have felt like ages. Not to be discouraged, as the trees began to grow less abundant and take on the appearance or more of a clearing with trees surrounding the walkway, rather than a forest. Unfortunately as he found space, the wandered would also find the area growing darker, as dark clouds began to overtake the skies.

The path grew more and more evident of human trample, rather than being a natural creation of the rock and grass below his feet. Human footsteps had, at some point, tread upon it. While it lacked footsteps, sunken ground that looked like it headed somewhere could be seen below the samurai as he walked on. Eventually, far out into the distance, he would find them. The ruins of what once was.

It was, in it's time, a glorious city, filled with gambling, good food and drink, and people. However now a mere shell of what it once was, it was full of dust and rock. Some buildings still stood fully, while others were broken in various right. The entrance to the ruined city would welcome any newcomers with buildings east and west of the pathway that lead into it. It stretched on for some several dozen odd meters, and stretched out into multiple pathways. Which one leading to the village would be a mystery.

The ruins were once used for trade and mission for shinobi of the Hidden Mist Village. Perhaps some evidence remained that would tell him which of the four paths that exited the town would be the correct one to reach his goal. Or he could simply test his luck, and pick a random path, hoping to find glory, and not failure, or worse.

[Mad-Rock]

Finally, his eyes could find vision of the ruins. Yet, his eyes couldn't stay focused on one thing, no, they bounced around, waiting for the slightest unnatural movement in which he'd attack. Yet he found nothing, heard nothing other than nature. Yet he couldn't find his guard lowering nor easing, as he knew that some people used nature sounds as a mean to communicate.

Despite this he still saw nothing, and as such began looking around. Perhaps he could find some tools or treasure around the ruins, perhaps not due to the old man's words on how many rogues found home here. Eyes scanning a broken pathway he continued to search, once more finding himself to the left. Though not choosing a path right away he continued to search for any sort of useful item. "There's most likely nothing here at all..."

[/color] Glancing over his shoulder he continued, perhaps he could find something that could send him on the right path at least.

Feet stepped silently and cautiosly over rubble and ruin as his search continued.[/left][/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

The expression, "tread carefully" would definitely apply here, as even one's own footsteps could send them to the depths of hell. At least for those whom had taken up the lifestyle that the wandering samurai did. As his silent footsteps stretched across the ruins, nature's eyes would glare at him, like a hawk. However, these were not the only orbs that reflected the samurai's image. Nothing unnatural would be seen or heard by Li, as nothing moved. Not a single thing. That was, unfortunately, about to end.

As the armored man took a step forward, unthinking of what could be below him, as opposed to what was around him, a trip wire hidden within the dust and debris of the collapsed town would be set off from the weight of this 200 pound being. From within the windows of the broken businesses emitted dark steel, flashing from within the darkness, making it's appearance in daylight. If he did not believe so before, he now knew he was not alone.

Six dangerous kunai, flying at him from his 12, his 2, his 4, his 6, his 8, and his 10 o'clock, all aimed to take his life and pierce his flesh. Obviously nature did not design this clever trap. Think fast, young warrior.

[Mad-Rock]

A pressure at his leg would cause his body to halt, his eyes darting for any response to the apparent triggered trap as well as his ears focusing sharply. And the sound of whistles caused his eyes and ears to panic if only to save his life from any harm. Leaping into the air he twisted and turned, dodging some of the kunai, while using his two swords to deflect the others. Landing silently he crouched, nature could not create such a trap. So while searching for treasure and clues he instead found a trap.

Shaking his head he continued to glance about. Usually one would create traps if they were lonely, outnumbered, or something of the like. But, something tell him the latter was not true this time around. Swords still drawn he raised his stature slightly. He was a warrior amongst weaklings, this was how it always was. Hence why he sought out other warriors in the form of the Seven Legends of the Hidden Mist.

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[♠Solo♠]

Game Master

The moment was swift and intense. An assassination attempt foiled by the samurai's apparent skill. The kunai all met with the ground instead of flesh as they intended. They planted themselves there, in the dirt, once more immovable like the very land and rubble that surrounded him.

"Oi!," the loud sound vibrated through out the ruined town, echoing from one ear to another. "Looks like we got a lively one!" The silence was broken finally. There was more human life than just the armored sword wielder. Another sound rang through the area.

"Maybe it's another one o' them shinobi." A different voice shouted out from a different direction.

"Let's have us some fun, boys." Like insects, scurrying out of of their nests, one after another, men found themselves making a line in front of, and behind the samurai wanderer. They came out of the mist that surrounded the buildings. At least six of them in front and seven behind him. The blocked the path he entered, and the only path he could leave from. With tall structures that were once shops and gambling dens on their sides, he found himself surrounded.

They all made no movements. Only surrounded him. Stared him down like coyote gawking at their next dinner meal. They all wore dingy clothing, mostly ripped and tied into completely new shirts and bandanas of sorts.

"Shinobi!," a voice called out from one of the men behind Li. He looked slightly different. Like he didn't belong there. He bore the light blue vest given to Chuunin within hidden villages, and the black full body suit that most shinobi wore, regardless of their rank. "I suggest you strip yourself of everything and leave. I won't hesitate to send another one of you back to the village in two parts."

Now faced with more danger than just nature itself, Li found himself, yet again, with a choice to make. He could easily just leave his belongings and turn back, looking for another route to the village. If he did not then a fight was definitely going to break loose. And he held a disadvantage as far as number went. However, what he lacked in number he would make up for in skill. The bandits lacked the training that a samurai did. They merely knew there way around a knife, a sword, any kind of simple weapon they could find. Save one, however.

What would he do?

OOC: Sorry of the post is bad. My original post didn't post and went I went back it was gone, so I had to start over. Just rushed this one.

[Mad-Rock]

They came from no where, birthed from the mist and shadows. Scum of the earth is all that they were, they were not even worth being slain by his blades' edges. Glancing about he counted their score, thirteen in total, six in front, seven at his back. Yet he found his eyes on another, making the score a total of fourteen. Numbers did not matter to a Samurai though. Rolling his wrists about his blades spun, this new one was a shinobi no doubt, a den mother with her pups, how cute.

He'd make quick work of this makeshift crew of nothingness. Pouring his chakra into his blades he quickly manipulated them, extending their length up to sixteen meters at an amazing speed, which should be enough to reach those in front of him as well as behind him. Rotating fiercly he aimed to sever the connection between the upper body and lower body of them all, all fourteen, but would his quick attack work?

Glancing about he aimed to watch severed bodies fall, or to witness them somehow avoid his rotating long ranged attack.

SPOILER: Click to show

- Chakura no Kishu (Chakra Form Manipulation)
Rank: D, C B, A, S
Type: Supplementary / Specialized Ninjutsu
Range: Self
Special: Base for all Samurai techniques.
Description: The most innate and basic of all Samurai abilities, this technique acts as the base to all of the armored warriors chakra related abilities. Although samurai don't use handseals and jutsu, they nonetheless have learned to bypass seals as a medium for their chakra, using instead in its raw form and manipulating it to their bidding, usually in the form of an offensive weapon. As the Samurai grows more experienced with this technique, their creations become grander and grander.
Domain: Samurai.

- Kyuushen (Weapon Sharpness)
Rank: D, C B, A, S
Type: Supplementary / Specialized Ninjutsu
Range: Self
Special: Determines the strength of a Samurai's chakra creation.
Description: A basic training technique that supplements all of the Samurai's chakra creations, this will determine the sharpness and strength behind their chakra manipulation.
Domain: Samurai.

-
Sashibae (Weapon Projection)
Rank: D
Type: Supplementary / Specialized Ninjutsu
Range: Self
Special: Can create any simple, non-special weapon shape as an extension of a current weapon. Each rank of the user's Chakra Form Manipulation also briefly extends the weapon's length/size by up to 4 meters before returning to normal size, for a maximum of 20.
Description: As its name implies, this variation to the Chakra Form Manipulation grants the samurai the ability of enhancing a plain, solid weapon with chakra extensions. Taking the shape of the current weapon in use, the Samurai's pure chakra now coats their weapon, adding a unique versatility to their approach in combat.
Domain: Samurai.

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