Toma

[Whoa Man]

CATCH THE CRIMINAL
RANK: C.
SHINOBI REQUIRED: 1-4.
MISSION INFORMATION: FUJIOKA, KIYOSHI. THIS IS THE NAME OF A ROGUE SUNAGAKURE NO SATO GENIN WHO WAS CAUGHT TRYING TO SNEAK INTO THE KAZEKAGE’S VAULT. NO DOUBT HE HAD PLANS TO STEAL RYO OR VILLAGE SECRETS FOR MALICIOUS INTENT. IT WAS RECENTLY REPORTED THAT KIYOSHI ESCAPED HIS CELL AT THE SUNAGAKURE PRISON. AS THE VILLAGE GATES ARE BEING GUARDED HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ESCAPE. A SKILLED SHINOBI OR GROUP OF NOVICES IS REQUIRED TO CAPTURE THE CONVICT. BE ON YOUR GUARD, AS HE IS A SKILLED FUUTON USER. BRING HIM IN.. DEAD OR ALIVE.
SPECIAL INFORMATION: REPEATABLE. ANY DIFFICULTY SETTING IS ALLOWED, AS YOU WILL BE THE ONE(S) PLAYING OUT THE CRIMINAL. HOWEVER, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE IT BELIEVABLE—NO ONE IS INVINCIBLE. THERE IS A CHANCE THAT YOU MAY BE INJURED.
REWARD: 50 EXP & 1000 RYO.

Delray strode out of the Kazekage's onto the streets of Sunagakure no Sato tilting his head down to shade his eyes with the brim of his hat. He moved out of the way of any coming foot traffic on the roads and began rolling a cigarette for himself as he turned to make sure his partner had followed him out of the office. He eyed up his partner taking him in, lean and tall the man could nearly be considered lanky but not quite yet. His hair was a mess of orange scraggy and in Delray's opinion unkemp hair. On top of his head he too wore a black hat of sorts, and his clothes were somewhat less than inspired as if the man didn't care for appearances much at all. Delray assumed his clothes were just away of saying, "fuck off world, I just rolled out of bed but I'm awake and I'm here so what do you want?"

Delray grinned smugly at his appearance and his presence at all for that matter. Having a ninja who grew up in the village could only improve his chances of merging with the village's organization and help him get better acquainted with how they did things. Knowing what the village wanted and expected of him now that they had recruited him as one of their new shinobi could only help him to get stronger and ultimately paid more. Finishing his rolling, he lit the cigarette burning the tip slowly before lifting it to his mouth to inhale the smoke deeply as though it were air. When he smoke he smoke in the same dry gritty voice as earlier but with a bit of optimism and geniality.

"I suppose we should get to it. My name's Delray by the way, what's yours?"

After awaiting the reply Delray would resume with:

"Well, I've only just arrived in the village itself a few days ago so I'm still confused about which way I'm going most of the time. I'm also unfamiliar with how the ninja like to carry out their missions as I made it a point to avoid crossing their paths prior to my recruitment. Would you mind taking the lead and I'll follow after you?"

[~Shinji]

Shinji followed his gruff looking partner outside and onto the streets of Sunagakure. It was weird to be doing and wanting to a mission with someone else for once. Most of the time he would do them alone or with some silly twit of a kunoichi who just wanted to come along for the ride. It was refreshing to not have to deal with that now.

His companion however didn't exactly look like any sort of typical shinobi. He was rough looking, and dressed like a traveler more so than any normal Sunagakure ninja. Though that didn't matter. What did matter was that he seemed strong. Not in a physical or general sense, but in an over all sense of will. Shinji liked that.

"Nice to meet you Delray. My name's Shinji."

He paused, refraining from continuing s Delray went ahead and began talking. So he was right in guessing the Delray wasn't exactly from around here. He was new, didn't know his way around, and didn't know how to go about getting a mission started. That was fine though, he didn't mind taking the lead.

"Well, I vaguely know the shinobi in question. If he's trapped within the village then it's safe to say it shouldn't be too hard. And I doubt he'd be at his house. That's too obvious."

Shinji eyed his companion for a moment, watching him puff on his self rolled cigarette before walking by him and looking back and forth along the street. Scratching his chin, he grumbled before looking back to Delray, smirking. "Well, there aren't many places to hide, especially as someone breaking out from prison. Best place I'd think is for him to be hiding out in the dunes surrounding the village."

Shrugging some, he did as was requested and took the lead, picking a direction and going with it. After all, it really shouldn't be that hard to find a pathetic Genin like their target.

[Whoa Man]

Delray followed slowly after Shinji smoking as he went and and exhaling out of the corner of his mouth leaving a trail of smoke to thin out behind them in the air. As he followed behind shinji he tinkered with his weapons and ammunition, casually calibrating and ensuring the senbon launcher's effectiveness and then counting the arrows in his quiver for number. There was at least a score he had brought with him today, more than enough to bring down one rogue ninja. He grunted as he caught up to shinji now striding abreast with him.

"I'm going to tell you now, I'm generally an archer and I've got a few issues with dealing with a fuuton ninja. They tend to render my attacks rather useless or docile, so we either need a good plan or you're going to have to do a lot of the work. It's really up to you how you wanna go about this but the shows going to be all yours whenever we do find him, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

They continued to walk along the streets casually as Delray folding his arms across his chest under his poncho. He held the cigarette in his dry lips puffing thoughtfully as he inhaled every breath through the cigarette. The tobacco blend was dry but rich and it stained the tongue wonderfully. The odor was a little more distasteful, but the taste wasn't for others, it was for Delray himself.

[~Shinji]

Shinji walked with a nonchalant, laid back stride. It fit his overall demeanor pretty well. However behind his sunglasses his eyes were trained to notice the slightest difference in change. As the villagers passed by him and his companion, his eyes jumped from that person to almost all those around him. After all, years as an archer will make that more of a habit then anything. However Delray broke the silence and caused him to turn his head, smirking.

"Another archer? Hm. This should be interesting. Just time your shots inbetween his techniques. Try and aim as he starts to use seals. Just make sure you keep an eye on me, alright?" He chuckled some before turning his head to look forward once more. "I'd rather not get shot by my new partner."

Regardless of the humor to his tone, he did mean what he said. After all, he had no clue what kind of talents that this man had, let alone how good he was executing them. Though he had grown up around shinobi and lived in that lifestyle, Delray had said he tried his best to stay out of the way of that. But he survived this long, so Shinji would just have to bank on that.

Since they had been walking, the amount of people and buildings began to thin out as they got closer to the outer dunes of the village. Beyond that were the craggy rocks that separated the village and the outside desert. With Kiyoshi still around, the dunes were their best bet. Once they neared said dunes, Shinji cracked his knuckles and scanned the area.

"Keep your eyes peeled. He'll probably try and whip up a sandstorm. But someone of his level won't have that much power. But still the sand can be a problem."

He glanced back to his scruffy faced partner and smiled. "First mission, right? Let's be sure to show the Kazekage how good you are, alright?"

[Whoa Man]

The corners of Delray's mouth twisted into an evil smile as he thought about his archer partner and his comment on getting shot down by him. Shinji probably didn't how likely that was considering Delray's own style with the bow was to be quick and agile rather than take carefully aimed shots. Stay on the move to avoid being shot, but riddle the air with arrows leaving them nowhere to run was more his style. He liked the numbers and odds of his game and he played his advantages out in a fight. He wondered quietly what kind of shooting his partner did. He was sure to find out soon enough though.

As they reached the dunes Shinji told Delray to keep alert and watchful for any sort of sandstorm or sand based abilities in out in the dunes. Wise, as the shinobi was a fuuton practitioner he would most likely use the surrounding desert to his advantage in the hopes of eluding the duo, or perhaps even a counter attack. He obviously knew the village had sent someone after him and cornered animals fought viciously and without reserve.

Delray notched an arrow casually to the string of his bow as he stalked across the sand to the left of shinji trying to get a little distance between the two. To Delray, being spread out meant they couldn't both be buffeted by any surprise sand attacks or be targeted at the same time so easily. If they kept their distance from each other odds were good that if and when the shinobi tried to ambush them, one of them would be the bait while the other would be in a position to take advantage of the newly exposed shinobi fugitive.

They swept tediously and slowly across the open dunes looking for the man for almost and hour and had seen nothing so far though. Things took a sudden twist though as Delray nearly reached the crest of a dune to have it erupt towards him in a roar of flying sand. Slamming his eyes shut in reaction he managed to avoid getting struck in the eyes but the sand blew about stinging and refusing to allow him vision at all. He kicked off backwards the way he had come with a powerful backflip through the cloud and out backwards along the dune nearly eight meters. He landed square on his feet struggling to keep his balance as he slid down the hill backwards.

[~Shinji]

Shinji stalked forward, only holding his bow in one hand and not knocking an arrow like his partner had done. Glancing slightly towards Delray as he began to flank, and then continue to separate from him he gave a nod of approval. Considering the situation it would have been best this way. If one got caught off guard, the other could come in and volley the target.

Good luck Delray.

The thought quickly left his mind as he weaved through the outer dunes of the village, eyes jumping from dune to dune in anticipation. However it seemed that Kiyoshi wasn't about to reveal himself to his pursuers. After what seemed like an hour there was still no activity and to be frank, Shinji was getting bored. Despite his confidence and despite his thoroughness, he would have much rather been back in town having a nice cold drink.

With a tremble the sands beneath his feet quivered and shook which caused his attention to become fully alert once more. However the commotion came from where Delray had gone. The blast of wind and sand could be seen and he took off towards his partner in time to see him try and backflip away from the blast. Knocking a single arrow, Shinji shot at the now fully visible target before dashing forward.

His speed was something to awe at, though that was only his skills in hand to hand that allowed him to speed forward. In that instant that he had closed the distance between Kiyoshi and himself, he brought his bow forward and swung forward, slashing like one would do with a sword. Kiyoshi however had quickly drawn a kunai to deflect and push back the strike. This continued onward, Shinji slashing out with his bow with Kiyoshi barely parrying the strike with his kunai.

Shinji however pivoted on his heel to get to the Fuuton user's side in that next moment and knocked an arrow, shooting it at him as he moved. Despite being so close in range, Kiyoshi managed to flicker away, and then jump back while beginning to form seals, followed by exhaling a gust of wind towards the close quarters archer.

Shit. Delray, work your magic.

All Shinji could do now was run, and try and escape the blast of sand and wind now that Kiyoshi's attention had been fully placed on him for the time being.

[Whoa Man]

Sand. The torment and probable bane of all that Delray did with his life, he was surrounded by it and he could never escape it seemed. Whether it was a cloud of stinging sand from a shinobi, an unstable to surface that made it difficult to balance on with it's constant shifting, or just sand in general getting everywhere in his clothes and making for a thoroughly irritable man. Delray was getting fed up with all this sand basically, but he kept a level head as best he could as his slide down the dune came to a stop finally near the base. As he looked back up he saw his partner shinji had joined combat with Kiyoshi and soon he too would rejoin the fight.

However a direct charge would be too easy to predict, and so Delray took off with a great bound of energy encircling the dune with nearly leaping strides and impressive speed of his own. As he encircled the dune he also elevated running upwards towards the battle and soon found himself in a position to strike at the young fugitive. Notching an arrow quickly to the string of his bow he aimed the short distance up the dune slowing his own movement to ensure some greater level of accuracy and let fly. The arrow flew somewhat inaccurately as Delray had aimed for the man's calve but still piercing the distracted shinobi's ankle to the dunes.

The man cried out and turned about ceasing his efforts on Shinji as he spotted Delray still charging up the dune towards him. He quickly formed a short set of handseals but just as he finished Delray had closed the distance to a mere five meters and pointed his closed fist still grasping the bow in hand. However he had no arrow notched, instead there was the slightest springing sound and the silent whistling as five senbon tore through the air burying themselves the man's chest. As the senbon hit their mark the man let out a howl of pain and consequently his next fuuton attack in stronger measure blasting Delray backwards and off his feet. Not only that the howling wind up heaved some of the loose sand along the dune in a wave that chasing the falling figure of Delray into the base of the dune again slamming him and burying him from the waist down in a mound of sand.

"Oh for fuck's sake!"

SPOILER: Click to show

-Suzugaeru (The Way of the Toad)
Rank: D, C, B, A, S [75]
Type: Supplementary / Special Bloodline Technique / Nintaijutsu
Range: Self
Handseals: No.
Chakra/Stamina: Very Low - Very High
Special: The basis behind all toad techniques, this allows the clan member to embody the spirit of the toad. From acting like one to tapping into the toad sage's special techniques as past down across generations, the highest rank known will establish one's skill in being a toad, which includes improve toad-like agility and movement.
D: 5 meter leaping range // 120% movement speed
C: 10 mlr // 140%
B: 15 mlr // 160%
A: 20 mlr // 180%
S: 25 mlr // 200% (twice as fast as normal!)

Description: One of the distinguishing features to the toad people involves their physical resemblance, including certain features. However, a more definitive and useful trait is the clan member's ability to move about like a toad, which greatly improves their battling capabilities!
Domain: Gamabushi

*"No Escape!"
Rank: D, C, B, A, S [25]
Type: Supplementary / Specialized Taijutsu / Archery
Range: See Special!
Stamina: Very Low - Very High
Special: This modifying technique allows to either strike the users gear, clothing or body with a shot while moving, in a way that pins them to the nearest surface. This has to be explained in RP, such as hitting a hand to the wall or a shirt to a tree or their foot to the floor. The range of the shot is directly dependent on the users rank in “The Stalker”. Highest rank known determines the amount of time a victim is pinned, as well as the strength (in rank) of the restraint.

Senbon Launcher
Rank: C
Type: Modification
Special: Launcher holds up to 5 Senbon. Takes up 2 'Pack' slots. Senbon travel 20 meters at double their normal speed before losing effectiveness and crashing.
Description: Usually hidden on either of the user's forearm, this launcher can be used to send needles at their opponents at higher speeds with better accuracy. Up to five needles can be launched at once, resulting in deadly surprise.
Cost: 500 Ryo

[~Shinji]

Shinji skidded through the sand of the dunes and to a halt once Delray had taken the brunt of Kiyoshi's attention. Of course, despite the damage that he had caused on the runaway Genin, the boy still managed to sweep his partner from his feet and blast him away in a Fuuton technique. Quickly hurrying to his buried side, Shinji stood next to Delray's partially buried form and knocked an arrow, sending it flying before repeating the process two more times.

While the three arrows were sent as a mini-volley, Shinji knelt down and dug at the sand around Delray. However it was just enough to where the other man could pull himself out on his own without needing full assistance. Chuckling, Shinji stood back up straight and folded his bow onto his back while cracking his knuckles.

"What do you say we make this quick. You already have him pretty beat up. Can't be much longer, right?"

Smirking and then looking over towards Delray for a moment, he nodded before flashing forward as if his feet were light as a feather atop the sand. At this point, the three arrows had been knocked away or dodged. Before Shinji could even attempt to counter a gust of wind picked him up and slammed him into the sand. Grunting he rolled into the fall before staggering to his feet once more.

Damn Fuuton...

Kiyoshi began to charge him with a seal held. Most likely he was going to attempt a close range Fuuton technique. However Shinji pivoted to the side before spinning on his heel and outstretching his leg. One kick knocked the target off his feet and as that foot down the other came up to push Kiyoshi up into the air some more. He spun on his heel in that instant his foot started to come down and followed up with three more kicks for a total of five.

Shinji landed and looked towards where he had left Delray, expecting the archer to know how to handle such a defenseless and already hurt airborne target.

SPOILER: Click to show

Shunpo (Flashing Light Steps)
Rank: D+D+D
Type: Supplementary / Taijutsu / High-Speed Movement
Range: 0 - 10 meters
Stamina: Low
Special: Shunpo is a high-speed movement in which the user travels in a linear fashion from one point to another. Usually facilitated with some sort of distraction (smoke bomb, explosion, or something of that nature to obscure one's vision), the user of the Shunpo can, in some cases, appear to have simply teleported from one location to another. The user can Shunpo once per thread, plus once more each time retrained. One cannot attack or perform techniques during Shunpo.
Description: Shunpo, a Taijutsu master's response to the Body Flicker Technique, relies solely on the user's ability to harness their inner ki and gain enough stamina to withstand the sudden strain imposed on one's legs. However, once properly trained, the Taijutsu Type will find their legs moving at speeds unknown to common man, to the point most would make the foolish mistake of assuming one is using Shunshin. However, unlike that chakra inspired run, Shunpo is pure stamina and movement skill, allowing for tighter, quicker, and more reactionary movements essential for someone that relies on movement. Although Shunpo itself moves in a single line, its many variations is what makes it so lethal.
Domain: Shunpo - Universal Taijutsu.

Chouzan (Ruined Blossoms) [200]
Rank: C+C+C+C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu
Range: Self
Stamina: Mid
Special: Starts with two kicks. Each time retrained adds another kick, to a max of seven.
Description: A rapid set of kicks, performed in the same amount of time it takes to kick a single time. These kicks can vary from thrusting, to roundhouses, to front kicks, so long as they do not spin the user's body (i.e. spinning hook kick).
Domain: Tenjouken, Tenjou no Shuuren 'C'

[Whoa Man]

After having had much of the sand displaced and shifted away from his form Delray continued to scoop and shove the sands away from his frame hurriedly. Fucking sand, of course he would be trapped by it as Shinji rejoined the the fight quickly keeping the target busy. As he finished shoveling the course grains away he stood straight upright suddenly freeing himself from the rest of the sand and with a sudden springing bound he took off with fast but remarkably long strides.

He followed after Shinji had already began his own fighting style, capably dodging the man's technique and swiftly following up with a counter of his own. He returned with a mighty kick that knocked the target off the ground and even before the target could hit the ground he followed up with even more rapid kicks sending the target further into the air. Delray sprinted up to Shinji's side and without hesitation sprung after the man with his strange leaping prowess sailing over the genin.

As Delray reached the alignment he crouched into a strange position his legs bound and taught with strength like a toad's legs. With a sudden leap straight up into the air from the genin's chest Delray bolted the genin straight down as he sailed straight up into the air above quickly notching an arrow to his bow. As his target crashed into the sand below he loosed his own arrow at the height of his leap where he stopped moving and would have the best aim firing downwards and pinning the genin to the ground by the sleeves of his shirt.

Delray did not fire a lethal shot though as he could have, he would let his partner decide the fate of this ninja as they were more akin. Delray was now thoroughly wore out from the constant combat, he wasn't use to putting forth this much effort in most of his jobs.

[~Shinji]

From his side Delray had appeared to follow up after the barrage of attacks that he had just administered to the wayward Sunagakure Genin. Strangely enough, his fellow ninja leaped into the air with such finesse and with such height that it actually surprised him a little. He watched with a smug smirk on his face as Delray seemed to positioned him over top of Kiyoshi, curl up, and then jump once more using the Genin's body as a momentum point, sending his body rocketing down into the sand below.

In that next instant an arrow rained down and pierced through a bit of Kiyoshi's clothing and digging so deep within the sand that it would be almost impossible to pull free, especially after taking such a beating. The Genin moaned and groaned, barely able to move as he craned his neck up to look towards both Delray and himself. All Shinji could do was smirk as he sauntered over to where the now imprisoned Genin lay all the while pulling his bow and knocking an arrow to it.

"Now, what to do with you..." Shinji smirked while aiming the knocked arrow down to the boys face. The moment he did Kiyoshi flinched and closed his eyes, turning his head to the side ever so slightly as though that would help or increase his chance of survival. It wouldn't of course. He began to circle around his prey, arrow still knocked and pointed with each step. "You sneaked into the Kazekage's mansion, tried entering the vault, and had an intent on stealing. You do realize what kind of situation you're in, right?"

Kiyoshi just stayed silent, watching Shinji and looking petrified all the same. Of course his eyes kept flickering over towards Delray too, not sure if this was a distraction tactic while the other man attempted to kill him. However that's when Shinji stopped and abruptly let the arrow fly. It whirred through the air and pierced straight through the sand, sticking firmly upwards right next to the boy's head. A thin red streak where the point grazed colored his cheek as his eyes widened and mouth fell open, but only silence was given in response.

"I could have killed you, and I should have," he paused then, slinging his bow over his shoulder while then cracking his knuckles. "But I wouldn't dare take that pleasure away from our dear Kazekage..."

In a flash Shinji was on top of Kiyoshi with his fist pulled back. With a single thrust forward his fist connected with the side of Kiyoshi's head. The young Genin reeled, letting out an aweful pained scream before darkness took him, offcially causing him to black out. Smirking, Shinji turned to Delray, his smirk slowly growing into a smile. "That was pretty awesome you know. You're pretty talented."

[Whoa Man]

Delray landed on the sand with a springy bouncing in his frame as he bent his knees and back with the momentum to absorb the shock. He looked over too see Shinji had taken advantage and had Kiyoshi at his mercy with his arrow draw along the bow aimed at the ninja. He wouldn't move and Delray smirked at the fear on the young boys face as Shinji began to circle around him like a true predator. As Shinji stalked about him Delray rolled himself another cigarette keeping his eye on the scene as he did so.

He lit the cigarette and pulled slowly and deeply just as Shinji loosed his arrow and threatened the boy. Then all together Shinji was on the boy forcefully knocking him out and down to the ground limp and useless, perfect for transport. Delray exhaled slowly leaving a winding serpentine of smoke that wounds up to the underside of the brim of his hat before falling upwards off the edge like a smokey slow waterfall into the open sky above. As he draw in his next breath of smoke he smiled as Shinji complimented him. Pulling the cigarette away from his mouth the smoke billowed out as he spoke next with a broad smile on his weathered face.

"Are you kidding me? All I was useful for was trying to attack before getting blown away. You were successful enough to leave me openings, all I did was take advantage of your work to make me look good."

Delray put the cigarette in the corner of his mouth inhaling minorly as he breathed now walking over to Kiyoshi and unstringing his bow. He bent over twining the string around the boys hands and fingers binding them together in such a way that it would make hand sealing impossible. Without seals he doubted the ninja would be much trouble even when he woke up. He hefted the boy onto his shoulder and looked back to Shinji again before speaking with minor clouds of smoke escaping his lips with every word.

"You can be my partner anytime, now what do you say we go turn this boy in for the cash eh?"

[~Shinji]

Shinji chuckled before simply shaking his head. Drawing his sunglasses down to the lower portion of his nose’s bridge, he stared at Delray in disbelief. Did he really just say that he wasn’t all that useful? Of course he didn’t say it in those words but that’s what he meant regardless. Again shaking his head while idly watching as the smoke that streamed from his partner’s mouth eventually faded away high into the sky. It was such a nasty habit, but Delray made it look kind of cool. Not that he would ever admit to that or anything or the sort, but it was still cool regardless.

“Regardless, this mission was meant for us to act as a team and I think we carried that out nicely. Whether or not I made all the openings or you took advantage of them all doesn’t matter. We still completed the mission…with flying colors might I add.” With another smirk he moved closer to Delray as he tied up the boy’s hands to prevent him from performing any hand seals. Looking down at their captive for a brief moment, he chuckled at Delray’s next statement as the other male heaved the boy over his shoulder.

“Ha, yeah. I agree. We should partner up again for another mission. Maybe put in for another one when we get back and turn this guy in.” He pointed a thumb back towards the guy hanging limply over Delray’s shoulder before simply shoving his hands in his pockets and started to trudge through the sand back towards the village with Delray in toe.

If we work together so well just from one mission, I wonder how good we can become if we keep doing missions together. Maybe we can become something legendary and put a name out there for Sunagakure…

Idle musings for an idle mind.

[KEITH]

+42

the guy.

+42

kohana.