I'd plotted out a few titles in advance, and sure enough, when I shuffled them around, I mislabeled the last chapter internally. I'm reminded again that I can't just rush from one plot point to the next. I need time to get myself situated and feel out how all the different parts are fairing.
This latest chapter is looking to be heavily dedicated to my original characters. I hope that soon enough, I can finish with this chunin exam arc and move on. (That said, I have to reconsider the upcoming chapter distribution. One filler chapter clearly didn't cut it, and I don't want it to be a rush job when it comes to the upcoming arcs.)
I still feel that, for what it is, I didn't dig as deep as I could have. It's largely a question of just how much background is necessary versus what I need out of their roles regarding plot initiation.
===Chapter 16: Closure===
Some got it in their heads that, with the stigma of treachery, the only way the barely official team would be training up for the tournament the sannin himself turned up. Since by this point the entire infrastructure was primed toward rooting out the possibility, the general impression was, they wouldn't be getting any known tricks.
Those who did, well they got it half right. Orochimaru wouldn't touch the leaf with a ten foot pole, but a lot of people understated just how thoroughly the 'traitor' had spent training with one of the paragons of Konoha's firepower. The tale of the human corpse factory had made itself pretty well associated with regards to the snake, and many didn't take to the notion of a genin surviving that long, willfully or not.
Not a lot of people knew what to make of the Snakes gambit. I was probably among a handful of people who had an inkling as to what the snake was thinking sending them into the lion's den.
Orochimaru's apprentice was strong. Her teammates were strong. Moreso, the snake sannin felt confident enough to draw the eyes of every ninja village in the world. He had the toad sannin burning white hot on his trail ever since.
The other half of it they got right, was that the team wouldn't be getting any support. Not that I was all that pushy with the details. Anko had no interest in anyone who was offering an out, and when boiling down in this situation, that's a good thing.
They weren't out of tricks, nor were they stranded out on their own, and with that I rest my case.
On the flip side, I spent quite some time hassling the genin and her teammates. It was a bit of a one sided thing, but I had to know if part of that proud and smooth kunoichi was still in there. To their prolonged chagrin, she is.
It was a bit of a game of finding where would be an appropriate end to leave bygones. In the end, they had a lot of time to kill, and it beat stewing on the sill, and I enjoyed a bit of insight to the mindset the serpent was cultivating.
That brings us to the latest issue however, "Ya'know, every time I'd imagine it comes to this encounter, it boils down to scum hiting the fan, and which way it air dries the fastest." Rolling my head I turn to the railing as a silhouette lands there.
I won't lie. Every damn nerve in my body lit up like the cataclysm was knocking. I dodged one grasp, and then he attempted to prevent me from drawing a weapon with my nearer hand. I almost forgot, but with the pouch at my hip, that's exactly what that stance looks like. His hands pinned my extended arm, and chest, and I could smell the leverage to send me to the floor if he were so inclined.
"I need to ask you a few questions."
Taking a careful breath, I focused on the chakra emanating into my arm and sacral, "Is that all?"
The pressure lifted and soon enough the two of us were standing face to face. From the shifting weight, I'm guessing the fact that I caught on to him may have rushed things a bit. There was a ceramic mask between us, but I could feel the pull of his gaze from only one eye.
"That team is under the ninja corps custody for the duration of the exams. Depending on your answer, you may find yourself facing potential charges moving forward."
'Figures this would be the push that does it.' "How long has this been a concern, I wonder. I have a vetted interest in Mitarashi's well being. Seeing as she became involved in the exams, I wanted to make sure she was well." The man's stance gave away too little in his reaction, 'I can read your arsenal like a cartoon novel like this.'
"Your involvement extends beyond the chunin exams? By how long, and in what capacity?"
"A bit demanding when it comes to interrogation on my doorstep, captain." I felt my chakra shift beneath the surface of my brow, "Let's keep things civil please. At least until I ask my first question." I cut the chase and rub my brow, the irritating little sliver bursting into a web.
"Get on with it."
The threat is veiled, if only just. I guess that's the best I can hope for, "Very well, I'll pose it now then How long have you been aware of my interactions with Mitarashi and her team? I'll have you know, it's been a week of eight days since I began. I ask this, because I've speculated that I am cloaked somehow, and yet here you are."
The Anbu tightened at the altered topic, but the trace of indecision was there, 'Eight days. Since the second exam ended? There hasn't been a lapse in the guard for more than a few minutes, had they known.' Reports on the group had been regular, "Since the conclusion of the second test."
"I was there an hour or so beforehand, only reaching out after they settled in that afternoon. It has been a daily occurrence since then, and no such subtlety on my part. Is it true then, that the majority of Shinobi simply can't see me?"
"How long?"
"Roughly two months from the Biju attack. There were nine others. She was lucky, or rather compatible, and I left her to decide her fate. The others weren't, and I purged them. Two were already crippled severely, and one of them is only slightly better off than they were then. Until the second test ended, I doubt she'd ever heard of me. Those are your answers. Beyond that, I have nothing more of relevance to offer."
. . .
"You- You've encountered the snake sannin then. And he let you live? Your report?"
"If I recall, you already arrived at that It wasn't an official capacity of the leaf. I am someone who the snake sannin does not admit defeat. I am not interested in remaining invisible to the people of this village. I will take any advice of that regard into consideration. Until then, I will adjust to compensate however I can. Now," Turning to the door, "If you don't mind, It's getting late."
"You'll be contacted about this."
"I'm sure. It's been a long time coming." I insert the key to the door, "Good-night, Sharingan no Kakashi."
The anbu froze, and in that same moment, I vanished.
The next day, I set out to get some feedback. At this point, I was actively watching out for anyone that might be able to see through the barrier. Of course, if it took a proxy the likes of the anbu captain, or anyone else from the canon cast, I was in for a really silent treatment.
By the end of the day, I wasn't exactly any closer, and I didn't manage to find who I was looking for. Of course, today's expedition brought better results. Her energy had a peculiarity to it, and set next to the harmony of residents in their day to day lives, It stood out better.
That said, it was a bit irksome to discover why I'd missed her the first time. Folding my arms I spoke, "I need your help."
The gathering of birds glanced up warily as I spoke, but didn't bat an eye when their perch did, "Laying low, or for reference in some scheme?"
"Clearing the cloud cover. You're the only person I've ever known that's been able to bring me closer to doing that."
A pair of birds took off, "Oh? And when was this? I thought that thick skull of yours was impervious to any sense I had to offer."
"I was referring to when we first met."
At this point, the remaining birds probably wouldn't leave her be unless their claims were threatened. Tracy rose to say, "So that's what you're after? A contest of brute strength?"
"Your abilities can counteract my firewall. In the long run, depleting it isn't the answer, but for the time being, I want to know if it makes a difference."
"Joe, you come here asking me to make waves. Whatever veil you've woven around yourself, I doubt tearing it down will make the situation any better."
"Do you think there's a way to make my tenketsu more distinct?"
Tracy folded her arms, "I think you're getting a bit too worked up regarding your self-image. What makes you think I want any part in your ego?" A line of tension was drawn there, but she sighed in resignation, "Look, if you need to blow off some steam, we can take this outside. Get your head on straight and you'll come up with something." Pouting to the side, "You always do."
"I'll take you up on that. Forgiven your doubts, you're a force to be reckoned with. It's no accident that you were marked as a rival."
Tracy darkened, and spoke as we made for the gate, "Save it for the sappy twin."
I glanced up in thought, "You think we should drag the tank with us?"
"Sure. If you want a full debut. You'll just have to deal with a frantic village later."
"Meh, if there's a model to go by, I'm more concerned that they wouldn't see a thing."
Tracy, myself, and Ago made our way through the forest. After a few days hike, we came upon the training field that served as the cloud commanders last stand.
Tracy looked over the meadow skeptically, "You sure we won't disrupt some family outing? This place looks like the ninja's romance escapade than a sparring field."
I strode ahead and turned to face them, "It's certainly out of the way. Still, I'd keep an eye out. It's well maintained, so I imagine someone has been making regular use out of it."
Ago knelt down and pressed a hand into the soil, "Careful what you wish for kid."
I noticed the look in his eye and the pressure in the ground, but I could not rope the nerve together fast enough. My voice broke in trepidation, "Oh, right."
A branching spark lifted from the ground. In a split second, four strided drew to a cocked fist rapidly closing in on my face. I had a second to contemplate my landing, and then impact blasted me like a rug. That was a warning, seeing as he didn't lead with a grapple.
I knew someone had me beat in taijutsu! Another heartbeat, and the leading hook was around me. A mocking look in the silver haired man's eyes, as his windup changed to spring…
...My chakra kicked into overdrive like a rampaging bull. A quick jab and block to delay his maneuver and gauge his strength. I leapt to body check him, but he was already a step ahead of me.
In the very next heartbeat, I was on him again. Ago moved to block my arms, but I managed to trace him down to the socket and brush over his chest. Lunging forward, I was well beneath his guard. At once, I switched between pressing jabs to open palm strikes in the same location. He caught me before I could land an elbow to his ribs, But I switched to a reverse clutch and he flipped forward onto his back. Skitting back as I watched him recover.
"My turn," I shifted my arms and hands to the side, chakra building within them and then snapping to as I formed the premise of two hand seals. Drawing them back I drew that energy through my shoulders.
It wracked my chest. All at once, it exploded, and left a burning sensation in my upper arms. I staggered back as I stemmed the pain, sending a glare at the specialist.
Ago had two fingers extended forwards, and a knife hand drawn over his abdomen. "Lyre Bullet." "You're squirmy as ever kid, but you're still a touch slow on the uptake."
My cheeks burned and all at once the sensation morphed over my forearms, matched in my abdomen, straitened arms and crept to my brow, "Hijack Collaboration: flame breath dragon." I spoke aloud, "Mute Stronghold!"
Ago shifted, wary of the hybrid technique, but he never saw the collaboration coming. Jettisoned force slammed into him as what chakra connected him to the ground fought to maintain a connection. The scant moment he spent hurting backward was torturous and dizzying, but mercifully, 'Mute thunder' only applied over an instant.
Effectively, He'd just been struck by lightning through a dull maul.
Tracy cut in, "Overkill!"
Ago shook his head as he salvaged a landing. Shifting to a right forward crouch, "Damn kid. We're not pulling our punches." Drawing his palm from the ground, and flagging his free arm ahead, "Fire style: Purge acid."
A laser fine stream swept from his lips. I barely had enough time to raise my firewall, and when the two met, the hissing acid was like screaming around my ears. That stuff would cut steel, flesh and bone alike, like any industrial etching machine and triggered nearly explosive chemical reactions. If the initial burn didn't cut you, the slashing fumes would.
Folding my hand seals at leisure I bowed forward and absorbed the firewall, "Hijack collaboration: Phosphorus."
Tracy stepped in before I was finished. Honestly, I'm not sure what i would have done with that technique, "Alright that's enough. Make me worry about the terrain next time please."
The three of us? We are monsters, powerhouses, and warlords by whole. Each of us have our own affinities, we have no limits regarding those, and the elements otherwise at our disposal can be contributed to that.
===Chapter end===
There are four of us in total. In our world, we would be the equivalent to Konoha's first four Kage.
Fire aspect - Ago
Male. Silver hair, speckled copper eyes, pale/ashen skin. Plate and mail, brown ties, gauntlet.
Specialization: Combat mechanic, Engineer, Jack of all arms.
Affinity: Fire and Ether.
Low but finely controlled Ninjutsu prowess.
No affinity for genjutsu, albeit lucid to its application.
Ruthless in taijutsu and direct confrontation.
Summoning: Chain Catalyst
Rank: S.
Earth aspect - Tracy
Female. Black hair, shaded violet eyes, red skin. Red lined, Violet cloak and witches hat, alchemy pouch on hip.
Specialization: Spellweaver (anchored genjutsu), alchemist, sorceress.
Affinity: Earth and Cosmic.
Solid nin-genjutsu.
Seldom used, basic taijutsu mastery.
Summoning: Elemental Stone
Rank: S.
Wind aspect - Joseph
Male. Brown hair, grey-blue eyes, white skin. Green and white cloth wrappings, sash, bandanna, medallion.
Specialization: Ninjutsu, interference, cross manipulation.
Affinity: Wind and Energy.
Extremely versatile ninjutsu prowess.
Passive ability regarding genjutsu.
Intermediate Taijutsu.
Summoning: Source Serpent
Rank: S.
Water aspect - Sally
Female. Blond hair, silver-blue eyes, pale skin. Blue scaled one piece, dark green ring bracers with blue gemstones.
Specialization: Bookworm, explorer, cultivation techniques.
Affinity: Water and Spacetime
Intermediate albeit robust ninjutsu.
Special talent regarding genjutsu.
Combat aversion / pacifist.
Summoning: Elemental Avatar
Rank: S.
Wind/veil barrier techniques
Tier 1: Projectile jacket - Shock Diversion
Tier 2: Firewall - Routing shield.
Tier 3: Forcefield - Adamantine limiter
Fire/yin resonant techniques
Tier 1: Lyre bullet - Apex blocker.
Tier 2: Mute thunder - Ground check.
Tier 3: Sundial - Attribute record.
Water/spear dowsing techniques
Tier 1: Breaker coil - Threshold summation
Tier 2: Stronghold - Medium gauging
Tier 3: Tempo Pulse - Critical point control
Earth/stone tracker techniques
Tier 1: Fallout - Resource salvaging
Tier 2: Undercurrent - Presence cultivation
Tier 3: Qi stone - Elemental infusion
Misc manipulation techniques.
Tier 1: Hijack - technical reset.
Tier 2: Translation - compound augment.
Well, this has been a rather outlying chapter. Really, I do hope I can fix the issue with the OG characters. There has been a lot of confusion to that regard in the early chapters, and I really hope to improve on that eventually. This chapter is mostly covering all my bases for their context. I've really beaten around the bush, but I'd hoped it never came to dedicating the entire segment.
Next time on punk of flames: The ambition to become the strongest! (Or so help me.)