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[h2][b][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene, Honeybadger[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

The chuunin seemed to receive the updated mission parameters well. Yamato didn't have [i]much[/i] of anything to say and Nobunaga didn't say anything at all. But Aoi decided to ask a strange question. Her inability to sound out Barren Steppe left Tsukiko confused, to the point she finally looked over her shoulder at the girl with a raised eyebrow. [b][color=moccasin]"The fuck you going on about?"[/color][/b] It took a few seconds for Tsukiko to figure it out, considering she had to take it from her memory of the map rather than simply looking it over. [b][color=moccasin]"You mean the Barren Steppe? We'll be passing through it. It is highly likely that we'll end up setting our ambush somewhere around it, if the targets hadn't deviated too far from their original path."[/color][/b]

Tsukiko shook her head and sighed, bringing her gaze forward. Apparently Aoi had a hard time reading too. Something that Tsukiko could emphasize with, considering that at Aoi's age she too had difficulties reading and even talking. Yet it still surprised her. [i][color=moccasin]I guess the clown girl might not have been educated much, it's not impossible.[/color][/i] The jounin remained silent for the most part of the journey, until they finally left the country, entering the barren desert of the Land of Wind. As the squad left the treeline, Tsukiko sniffed the air a few times and looked to her right. [i][color=moccasin]Damn. I'd kill that bear if time wasn't important. Haven't eaten bear in a while...[/color][/i]

Her gaze went forward as the familiar trees of the Land of Fire disappeared into the horizon behind her. [b][color=moccasin]"Inuzuka,"[/color][/b] Tsukiko called out, before motioning with her hand to approach. [b][color=moccasin]"You and your dog need to join me up here. We'll be arriving at the search area soon."[/color][/b] Tsukiko looked over her shoulder again, partially to see how the kids were doing and also to make sure Nobunaga was speeding up. It was getting hot, definitely. She could already feel sweat building up on her skin. [b][color=moccasin]"Once we reach the sand dunes of the desert, it will get even hotter,"[/color][/b] she mentioned out loud, in case the chuunin weren't familiar with the Land of Wind. Odds are that none of them were, but Tsukiko wouldn't know otherwise.

As the party continued, eventually reaching the sands as Tsukiko predicted, the woman began sniffing the air. She seemed completely unfazed by the sand that would blast her upon every breeze, entirely focused on the mission. The heat, the sweat, the sand, none of it seemed to even slow this woman down. Until she suddenly stopped and raised a fist, a signal for the group to stop. Tsukiko sniffed the air a few times, a look of confusion taking her face. [b][color=moccasin]"Nobunaga,"[/color][/b] she spoke first. [b][color=moccasin]"You detect them too?"[/color][/b] Of course she didn't need any confirmation, but a second opinion wouldn't hurt. She had definitely tracked the gang down. But there was a problem that was bugging Tsukiko.

[b][color=moccasin]"They are way ahead of where they should be."[/color][/b] Tsukiko held her hand out toward Nobunaga, taking the map once he would hand it over. With one hand to shield her eyes from the sun, Tsukiko crouched and examined the map again. [b][color=moccasin]"Ayame said..."[/color][/b] Her eyes scanned the map, up and down, over and over again. She squinted at the paper, her face already showing irritation. [b][color=moccasin]"Okay, this isn't too much of an issue. It just means that the concentration of shinobi in their ranks is higher than we anticipated. Not a big deal."[/color][/b] She brought her other hand down and placed her finger on a point in the desert, on the Barren Steppe that Aoi had pointed out earlier.

By now she had hoped the chuunin had gathered around, but if not she looked up and gestured with her head for them to approach. [b][color=moccasin]"They are about here right now,"[/color][/b] Tsukiko began to explain, before moving her finger down the map to the east. [b][color=moccasin]"Here is where we are. This isn't a very good spot. But..."[/color][/b] She moved her finger again, stopping at the mid-way point between the two groups. [b][color=moccasin]"This will have to do. The outer edge of the Barren Steppe has a valley, which will lead into the sand dunes. That is where we will set up shop. Once we get there, at the speed they will be going, we should have a good forty minutes to an hour to prepare, unless they change pace."[/color][/b]

Tsukiko looked up to Nobunaga and Aoi. [b][color=moccasin]"When we reach the valley, Aoi will help me set up traps in the sand and rocks. I don't know the extent of your mucus techniques, but I'm sure you will be [i]creative[/i] in finding ways to kill people with it. I can help you if you aren't familiar with trapping. Once the traps are set, you and Nobunaga will hide in the sand just inside the trap zone. We will trigger the traps once a sufficient number have entered the area, and the moment the traps are sprung you two will come out of hiding and prepare a frontal assault. Be aware that a large number will be shinobi, likely the ones that won't be dispatched by the initial traps."[/color][/b]

[b][color=moccasin]"Yamato."[/color][/b] Now Tsukiko's gaze went toward the main cause of the team's earlier discord. [b][color=moccasin]"Once they are attacked from the front, they will assume a defensive position. They will move the scroll toward the center mass of the group and retreat while a forward defense takes on Aoi and Nobunaga. You and I will be hiding in the valley itself, to get behind them. They will retreat right into you and your job is to kill as many of them as you can."[/color][/b] Tsukiko paused a moment, to stare into Yamato's eyes so he can confirm he understands so far. [b][color=moccasin]"They will defend the scroll until they realize they probably won't survive, at which point they will try to destroy it. They will come to this conclusion once you attack them and start dealing damage. I will retrieve the scroll once you three have them pinned, as I can penetrate the group easily once they are distracted. After the scroll is in my hands you three are free to be as destructive as possible. We won't let a single one leave here alive."[/color][/b]

Tsukiko took a moment to wipe some sweat from her brow with the back of her right hand and then giving the map back to Nobunaga. [b][color=moccasin]"No kiddie games here, if any of you fuck up you will die."[/color][/b] She stopped crouching now and stood back to full height, brushing her hair out of her face as the breeze picked up to blow it over her shoulders. [b][color=moccasin]"My primary objective is to retrieve the scroll, but my secondary objective is to make sure you three don't die. I don't like failing my missions, so don't fuck up. Understand?"[/color][/b] Rather than face the kids, Tsukiko looked forward in the direction they would be heading. The valley they would be ambushing them at was a little beyond the horizon, from what Tsukiko could calculate on the map. She waited for the kids to confirm that they knew the plan, rather than rushing ahead.

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[center][img]http://i58.tinypic.com/inaedy.jpg[/img]

[h2][b][color=orange]Shin Maru, Topaz[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

The underground fighting tournament reeked of illegal activity. From the drugs to the sweat and various perfumes. Shin could feel it in the very marrow of his bones that he was in an environment catered to destroy him. [i][color=orange]Everyone just lets this go on?[/color][/i] he wondered as he followed Fujitora through the crowds. [i][color=orange]There must be some way that can put an end to this madness down here... Just ignoring it doesn't...[/color][/i] His train of thought was derailed when the group was surprised by a strange looking man. Somewhat feminine in appearance, though not as much as Paneru, but completely crazy in demeanor. Fujitora handled the conversation, but the strange person still handed Shin a strange black coin.

The teenager took a moment to inspect it, finding nothing remarkable about it. It wasn't any currency he knew of, and it seemed like it was made of cheap metal. They continued on to their little VIP box, where the squad had a perfect view of two large men decapitating each other, or rather one decapitating the other. [i][color=orange]This is the real deal. These people are the scum that I swore to defend the city from,[/color][/i] Shin continued to think, watching as another fight began with some guy covered in bandages and a puppeteer. Both clearly had shinobi skills, not just street thugs that looked tough. [i][color=orange]Whether this is easy or difficult doesn't matter. I've got to fight to do the mission. I will not be broken by this hellhole.[/color][/i] Shin's expression was notably lacking the humor and gleeful pride it had earlier.

But he certainly seemed serious now. There was no more joking, no more parading his confidence or skill. It was time for business, time to fight, time to win. [b][color=orange]"I'm ready, sir,"[/color][/b] Shin said, removing his jacket and simply dropping it on the floor. The black coin was in one of the pockets, he didn't feel the need to bring it with him into the ring. Now without a shirt, Shin's muscular body was visible, suddenly making him more imposing than before. He glanced over his shoulder at Jaakuna. [b][color=orange]"Watch how it's done,"[/color][/b] he cracked with one last grin, but his expression turned serious. He also gave a reassuring nod to Paneru, who as far as Shin could tell was probably worried about the fighter's safety. Shin was confident, for sure. But he was no longer joking.

A simple hop from the concrete box and Shin was on the ground. The amount of blood stains almost made the concrete floor seem like it had been painted a dark red in the past, but there were select spaces that had the dull grey. As he approached the cage, he looked around. Some people watched him with devilish smirks, some with tantalized eyes. Some looked at Shin as if he was a stupid animal that was about to die, and others seemed intrigued by his courage to enter the arena. When he looked ahead to see his opponent, he didn't waver any. Many would, considering the man before him was terrifying to behold. A giant of a man, standing well above even Shin, wearing a bloody wife-beater and thick jeans. His long hair was matted and fell past his shoulders, and he wore a thick-looking hockey mask, also stained with blood.

The chainsaw in his hands really took the cake though. [i][color=orange]No rules, huh... Kinda wish I had a weapon now,[/color][/i] Shin thought to himself as he entered the cage. The moment he passed the threshold the cage door was slammed closed behind him. He turned back to look at the cage. It had a mechanism that closed it, as there was nobody on the ground aside from him and the chainsaw-wielding man on the other side of the cage. The beast before him brought one of his big, meaty hands across and grabbed the ripcord on the powered tool, giving it a single hard yank to bring it to life. As the engine gave its initial roar, the blades began to spin at high speed and the man pointed the chainsaw at Shin. [b][color=orange]"Heh,"[/color][/b] Shin huffed, stepping forward slightly and bringing his hands up in a fighting stance. At this point he had tuned the rest of the world out. [b][color=orange]"This is hardly a fair fight..."[/color][/b]

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyxSjllrklQ]And so it begun.[/url]

Shin couldn't tell if someone had announced the fight to start or if a bell had sounded. But as far as he was concerned the fight had begun the moment the big guy started running for him. For a man of his size, the chainsaw maniac was quick on his feet. Shin jumped to his right to avoid a diagonal swing from the guy. [i][color=orange]He can move that thing fast. I have to find a way around it. I can probably drop him easy, but I don't want to be in pieces to do it.[/color][/i] Shin ducked underneath a horizontal slash aimed to decapitate before bringing his left leg up for a kick. But in that split-second window before he could launch the attack, the man had halted his swing and the chainsaw was coming back at him. [i][color=orange]Crap.[/color][/i]

He jumped backwards, forced to back off from his attack to keep himself in one piece. [i][color=orange]He swings fast, but he swings with control. This guy is like a professional psychopath. How many hours did he have to practice this?[/color][/i] This fight so far had been Shin dodging and running around the big guy. He left no openings, being just fast enough to make any overt attacks from Shin suicidal. Sure, he could hit him at any time. But that wouldn't stop the chainsaw from slicing him apart anyways, so Shin never went for the strike. [i][color=orange]I've got it.[/color][/i] A smirk finally formed on Shin's face. This must've been visible, at least to the mask-wearing chainsaw guy, because he made a shout of anger before lunging at him again with another swing of the chainsaw.

This time, Shin dodged it and jumped away, all the way to the farthest corner of the cage he could find. The man turned to face Shin, and the smirk was still there. [b][color=orange]"That's a nice chainsaw you have there,"[/color][/b] Shin pointed out, unballing his right fist to point at the weapon. With another primal shout of rage, the lumbering man dashed forward. This time he raised his chainsaw into the air, aiming to bring it down in a vertical strike and split Shin like firewood. There was no room for Shin to go back and there wasn't enough room for a complete dodge to either side. As the chainsaw descended, Shin braced himself and brought both his hands up in a clapping motion.

Despite the whirring of the chainsaw's engine, the arena felt silent. Above Shin's head, he had put the palms of his hands against the central bow of the chainsaw's blade mechanism, where the chains rotated around. Such a feat on its own was impressive, but catching the attack from a large man like this maniac was doubly impressive. [b][color=orange]"Let me hold onto it for you."[/color][/b] Shin's left leg picked up, bending in tightly before shooting out in a devastating kick into the guy's midsection. He could hear the air leaving his lungs as he recoiled around the blow, letting go of the chainsaw and stumbling backwards. The moment he let go of the weapon the blades began to slow down. But Shin didn't even wait for it to fully stop spinning. He tossed it to the ground violently, shattering the casing around the engine and sending plastic and metal bits flying.

Stepping over the mess he just made, Shin began to do what he did best: taijutsu. The man was vulnerable without his weapon, and he was already stunned from the first blow. Each successive strike gave off a powerful thud that reverberated through the arena, and each blow knocked the man backwards further and further. It was almost brutal how effective and fluid Shin's motions were, maintaining his combination of punches, palm strikes, elbows, and kicks. The man had finally been pushed into the back of the cage, and seemed to be swaying, clearly on the verge of passing out. [b][color=orange]"I said this was an unfair fight."[/color][/b] After reaching all the way back, Shin delivered a powerful haymaker punch into the man's mask. The hard plastic shattered easily, as well as his nose and parts of his skull. Blood was leaking out of his nose, mouth, and eyes as he bounced against the cage wall. Shin stepped to the side as his own momentum sent him forward, putting the big man face-first onto the ground with a resounding thud.

His blue eyes watched the man for a moment, to see if he showed any signs of getting up. But it seemed he was either unconscious or on the verge of death, considering the blows he had taken. There was blood on both of Shin's knuckles, but none of it was his. He looked up to see the reactions of the crowd around him. Many seemed to be in an uproar. Whether that was good or bad, he didn't know. He didn't care. This man was the first stop on this mission, there would be more. He had to focus on future fights now that this one was over. [i][color=orange]That was a close one. Baiting him into making an easy attack to catch could've backfired. Not using my Crystal Release was harder than I thought. But thankfully it wasn't too bad for a first fight. Just gotta hope that Jaak does well too.[/color][/i] Shin started walking toward where he remembered the cage door to be just in time for it to open and let him out. He didn't care to mess with the body, but several scrawny looking guys rushed in to drag the maniac out of the cage.

Shin looked up to Fujitora and his classmates, flashing them a grin. [i][color=orange]I don't know how long this will take, but I already have a feeling this is going to be a tough day.[/color][/i]