Delivery Boy [m]

[johnny.]

Strong fingers clasped around the leather strap of a rather large bag. The inner contents were hidden by a flap, though inventory knowledge stated that there was several letters for the more dangerous districts of Sunagakure. Following the fingers up the body that possessed them would bring notice to a finely crafted armband, marking the body's position as the trusted courier. The bright morning rays reflected off of the metal surface, and made the item look far more regal than actuality. Regardless, the position was respected amongst the community, albeit few had ambitions to chase the profession.

Kojiro, on the other hand, filled the shoes as a temporary. Delivering mail wasn't normally a task required by shinobi, but due to the gangs in the lower districts of the village, it was necessary. Couriers were being attacked, and injured; the letters taken from their bruised and beaten bodies. A rare occurrence would be the assumption from the first time it happens, but several consecutive instances in a row? That required attention. So what better way to deal with the problem? Hire someone that can fight back.

And so, Saito Kojiro, was assigned the mission, and that mission he would complete. As his sprint brought him close to the mouth of the rural street, he could feel the wary gazes upon his body. Not many were present in sight and most hid behind the fragile safety of their doors. This made it easy to conclude who were the trouble makers. The only men on the street.

Seven of them, all wielding some sort of make-shift batons, stepped out into site, cocky expressions and stances. They stood a good twenty meters away, but approached in unison, as if they were properly rehearsed. Oh boy, this was going to be fun...

[johnny.]

The central figure was a few feet in front of the followers, and his look made it hard for one to not assume he was ready to kick ass. Heavy eye-liner over a pale face, and under a disheveled mohawk would describe his face. The clothing? A loose-fit punkish style, with fairly fancy leather boots for style. The six behind followed suit, all wearing the same manner of clothing, and have similar, yet different hair-styles, and make-up styles. It was amazing how someone let themselves get caught by a group that was so obvious about their positions.

The leader spoke, his voice coarse and fitting for his slim frame, "Anotha' mail-faggot? When you dudez 'bouts to recognize dat yous ain't allowed over hurr?"

Kojiro winced. While he wasn't any sort of grammar hound, it was painful to listen to someone butchering a language to that degree. However, he was okay with the situation now. The group declared themselves the attackers from before, and now his mission was simple. Take these guys out. "Whelp, that made the search for you scrubs easy!"

With a fluent motion, he tossed the bag accurately towards a street sign, its strap wrapping around and suspending it in air. At the same time, he dashed forward, a wooden katana to replace the lethal version he normally wielded. The group was taken back, but attempted to react at the same time. With a quick thrust forward, he dove into the group, nailing one man straight in the chest, and sending him to the floor in pain. Mimicking a sheathing movement, he then thrust backwards to land the dull tip of the weapon into the back of one opponent that was still reacting to his dive.

Right away, two were down. Only five easy more targets to go.

---

Mae Zuki (Front Thrust)
Rank: D
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu / Kenjutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Rank of strike depends on the user's highest 'Battojutsu' rank. Each time retrained, 'D' ranked damage is stacked.
Description: Commencing from a standing position, the practitioner draws and thrusts a frontal attacker then quickly sheathes. As they invest more time and practice into the art of offensive sheathing, their overall offensive rating shall increase.
Domain: Kenjutsu. Battojutsu 'D'.


* Ushiro Zuki (Rear Thrust)
Rank: D
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu / Kenjutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Rank of strike depends on the user's highest 'Battojutsu' rank. Each time retrained, 'D' ranked damage is stacked.
Description: Commencing from a kneeling position, the practitioner quickly turns and draws to thrust the rear as a simple attack then sheathes. As long as the user is aware of the target behind them, a quick unexpected offensive strike like this usually yields success.
Domain: Kenjutsu. Battojutsu 'D'.

[johnny.]

The group fell into disarray. A flurry of swings were made towards the shinobi, and all he could do was hastily deflect each incoming strike. While it wasn't too hard, eventually one of the random attacks would bypass his defense, and in order to stop that, he needed to cut down the numbers now.

Choosing his target, Koji awaited the chance to step in and elbow the attacker in the face. That chosen individual brought a weapon downwards, and with the lift of his hilt up to knock back the descending blow, Koji approached with an already prepared elbow. One swift attack would disorient the man, but he didn't end there. Four more swift elbows into the man's skull would happen before he fell to the group screaming. His position outside the circle helped him start another another.

A wide swing backwards would hit two in the chest, and stun them momentarily. Taking advantage of the gifted time, he brought the weapon against ones head, then horizontally to the other's. Twice more he ricocheted the wooden blade between the two, splitting the skin in places, and causing them both to fall back. Two more.

One ran forward, as Kojiro fell to a knee. With great concentration, he rose up, the blade following his charge. It cleanly connected with the man's chest, and as it reached the apex of its ascent, he reversed the blade and brought it down, connecting on the other side of the injury and back through. The crack alluded to a damaged collar bone, and he knew this man was out for the battle. One more.

The leader was all that was left, and he trembled in fear, Koji felt no threat from the guy, and decided instead to retrieve the back, and continue on his way. As he passed the man in fear, he whispered out to thug, "Be good... or next time I won't forget my real sword." Koji continued on his way, leaving the fearful man appreciating his well-being, and being saved from a beat-down. In the end, the shinobi could only hope he wouldn't be back with a more lethal approach next time. It was now time to deliver those letters without obstacle.


/exit

---

Nibaigiri (Double Cut)
Rank: C
Type: Offensive / Taijutsu / Kenjutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Special: Rank of strikes depends on the user's highest 'Battojutsu' rank. Damage is calculated per strike. Can be used once per thread, plus one more each time retrained.
Description: Commencing from a kneeling position, the practitioner rises and draws, making a rising strike on the draw and a dropping strike as he sheathes.The movement is flashy and hard to trace, leaving unguarded opponent's in trouble.
Domain: Kenjutsu. Battojutsu 'C'.

[marvolous.]

+30 EXP.