The terrain of the Land of Stone was rough, jagged, and lacking natural resources such as plants and animals. Traversing it as a foreign ninja was extremely difficult. Having been in the country for several days now Maruku didn't even flinch when another sharp piece of rock penetrated his hand as he scaled the mountain. Once he reached the peak he would be able to observe the Kishihoka mine with a birds-eye view.
Finally reaching the top of the mountain in the dead of night the boy used the brief downtime to apply healing salve and rewrap his hands and feet. Using his sensory powers he deduced that he was the only living thing on this mountain. Feeling a bit more secure Maruku crawled his way to the edge to begin his observation.
Countless workers are in chains and slaving away even at this late hour. But the more concerning problem were the sound ninja. Tons of them as well. Given the amount of security, he was bound to be caught before too long. Before that happened he needed to take out as many enemy ninjas as he could and do even more damage to the mine. Slowly an idea came to the young ninja's mind. He gathered his chakra and slowly and gradually started to channel through the ground beneath his feet. Now he waited.
Roughly three days had passed since Maruku arrived on the mountain. Due to the number of surrounding enemies and constantly using chakra whenever he was able he was low on both sleep and energy. However, now everything was ready. Taking several soldier pills, Maruku's exhaustion faded away and was replaced by an extreme burst of power. Running full sprint he jumped off the edge of the mountain making hand signs as he did so.
"Fire Stye: Fire Dragon Jutsu!" The orange flame dragon erupted from his mouth and turned to carry the boy in its talons. Then with a point of his finger, he shot a small little fireball back at the mountain, so small it could barely be considered a firework. At the point of impact, the entire mountain exploded!
KABOOM! Molten boulders and fire were raining down everywhere, and there majority of them were heading straight towards the mine. Rising higher into the sky to avoid the collateral damage he circled above like a vulture waiting for the dust to settle. Smoke was everywhere and the land below Maruku burned. Finally landing he closed his eyes to avoid getting some in them. Using his En as a substitute for his senses. Slowly he made his way toward where the rest of the mine should have been.
! He ducked and avoided a fatal blow to the neck. He couldn't get a read on his invisible opponent, only just barely managing to sense their bloodlust.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" Crossing his arms to protect his vital spots Maruku let the technique pass over him getting cut in the process. The wind had cleared the smoke and the boy ninja came face to face with his enemy.
It was a massive sound ninja easily standing at around 6'5.
"I knew the leaf were scum but to break our deal so soon is a new low. However, my master will be pleased if I bring your body back." The sound ninja spoke in a deep voice.
"Who are you?!" Maruku shouted. "You have a lot of nerve asking questions but considering how soon you're about to die I'll give you a name. I am Tatsumo the Wind Catcher, the last thing you'll ever see. Can't say it's a pleasure to me you, Maruku of the Plasma Style."
Maruku tensed. How did the guy know his name? Glancing over he could see that the majority of the mine had been destroyed in the blast. His mission was done it was time to move on. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat but I have other things to do so bye." With his piece spoken Maruku let out a massive flamethrower and turned his head to spread in all directions. Just as he was about to activate his Whole Body Fire Style technique to use the flames to get away all of the fire was extinguished.
Moving to dodge an overhead strike he caught sight of Tatsumo. "Can't let you leave, so make this easy and just die." Maruku took his taijutsu stance and started to think of a way out of this. All the energy he gained from those soldier pills was pretty much gone, he was tired and too weak to use plasma style or any of his advanced techniques. Escape was the priority.
Rushing in low the boy made two fire clones. Reaching into his supply pouch, each of his clones threw several smoke bombs.
"Did you really think that'll work on me?" As expected the wind jutsu came and dispersed both his clones and the smokescreen easily. Tatsumo pivoted, looking for his opponent. Rolling to the side he dodged the sneak attack from above and used a gust of wind to guard against the follow-up fire attack.
"What's wrong? Is that all you can do? I expected more than cheap tricks!" Tatsumo gathered his chakra in his core and let out an omnidirectional, cutting blast of wind. He grinned when he heard the cry of pain, knowing he struck him.
Maruku lay in a heap, exhausted and bleeding. Darkness was starting to encroach upon his vision. Was he going to die again? He closed his eyes and awaited the final blow.
"To think that I must share a body with not one, but two weaklings is the height of embarrassment. On your feet human, you dying would be most painful and inconvenient for me." Strange foreign power rushed throughout all of Maruku's body.
Leaping to his feet he felt revitalized. His wounds slowly started healing themselves. He took a low beastly stance as anger and heat started to overwhelm his common sense. Letting out a deep growl that shook the earth he charged once more, his blue flaming cat ears and tail flapping in the wind behind him. A deep long gash appeared on his face from a wind blade but already it was emitting steam as it healed. In an instant, he was upon Tatsumo. His ninja training and discipline were seemingly forgotten as he struck like a wild animal. Defense and pain were a nonfactor as he continue to rain blow after blow upon his foe. Maruku's slitted eyes narrowed and his throat and mouth were filled with power, so much so that it seemed to spill out his jaw. The enraged boy grinned maliciously as he saw fear in Tatsumo's eyes.
Maruku opened his mouth and unleashed the devastating power (Plasma Howling!) an unstoppable blue beam of plasma ripped forth and disintegrated his enemy as well as much of the area behind him. The beam continued for several miles before it exploded into a blue dome of energy. With all his energy spent the boy's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he collapsed.
FIREFIREFIRE
"Well now, you certainly know how to make a mess. Your power is fascinating, I shall make full use of it." The figure reached down and grasped Maruku's unconscious body dragging it behind them as they walked onward.
FIREFIREFIRE
He awakened to complete darkness. Maruku tried to sense out his surroundings but it was impossible. He couldn't access his chakra and the mere act of blinking was exhausting. Trying to move he found he was bound as well. What happened? Was he captured? If that was the case then did Tatsumo beat him. It was more than likely considering the state he was in before the fight even started. He stopped struggling and started to think. No matter what happened he would find a way out of this.