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[i]9:52 AM - The Great Steppe[/i]

[@Kalas][@Ganryu][@Glitchybugger][@Kheliop]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4QuDXuYG-8[/youtube][/center]

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They had their orders and there was no time to waste. As they would all board their attributed VTOL, it'd take off, leaving behind the foul, humid air of Amegakure behind. In a matter of minutes, the hub city was nothing more than a small spec of colors in the horizon with the excessive amount of ascending smoke and smog still visible at their distance. On the opposite end, they could clearly see the gargantuan mountains serving as borders to the New Continent. As they drew closer, the particularly large fences became noticeable. And a they flew over, the shinobi could remark that there was not one row, but six of them in gaps of about one kilometer. They ranged as far as the eye could see.

Around that time, each of their PDA's would flash to life, and display a form of radar on the screen. At the top right hand corner, a flashing dot with multiple numerals below it. They indicated coordinates, distances and so on. That was their target, with the numbers becoming more precise as they progressed through the mountains.

A giant, barren steppe greeted them. The soil grey and the sky covered in same color clouds. If the squad had been expecting something particularly exotic, they'd be quickly disappointed. Though, the absurdly large fissures on the ground were at least impressive, giving off more of a Canyon-like feeling, despite the ground being complete flat beyond these peculiar crevices. The trip itself wasn't too long, as their ship would seem to be hovering over the dot after a twenty minute flight. Though, the speed of the VTOL had actually allowed quite a bit of ground cover in a short time.

It hovered over one of the Crevices, one more narrow than the average though plenty enough for them to fit in without feeling too claustrophobic.

"[b]Down there's yer stop, fellas. I be hoverin' round 'ere 'till you gimme some signal. Use them cords to drop down, we dunno how deep the trenches are, so better safe than sorry.[/b]"

The pilot spoke through his mic, as the engine was quite loud. Indeed, the squad could make use of cords to descend down into the abyss where they could get a better read of the area and find the stationary tracker. The VTOL wasn't going to move an inch, making the descent rather safe. Not that they would need to lower themselves too much as they would quickly start to notice far too 'artificial'-like rock formations in the first few meters down. As if a lot of the stones had been chiseled as some point in time.

The more they'd lower, the more it'd be obvious. Metallic plates, odd bars and even detached, small pipes. It was as if they were exploring the grave of a demolished building with only skeletal remains to find. Though there lacked any sort of proof that there had been any foundation here. Perhaps something behind the rocky surface?

It was dark at this point. The team had what they needed to survive for a while, including food pills and tools. This came with a flashlight. Eventually, they'd hit the bottom of the fissure. A good three quarters of a kilometer down. The surface was metallic, very cold. Around them would be more rock and random pieces of metal. Until they'd end up noticing the giant, ten meter tall circular access into a completely metallic interior. A form of giant pipe, a hollow cylinder that greeted them in its bowels shrouded in complete obscurity.

Should they make a noise, it would echo through the tube. Should they march in, they would feel the air getting colder and colder. Their PDA would indicate an even more precise location as they hit the ground, pointing into the metal tunnel itself. Their flashlights couldn't seem to really reach the end of it. Miyu, however, could briefly sense that there was a considerable lack of natural energy present at some point in the tunnel, more so than there is in the whole visible parts. A waypoint, perhaps?

There was little to find in said giant pipe-access beyond just rubble and broken off steel. It clearly wasn't natural. Though, about fives minute after they had touched the ground, whether they had entered the tunnel or not, they'd feel a sudden rise in seismic activity. A minor earthquake. Nothing to really knock veterans off balance, but it was felt even in the sky.

"[b]What th-zzzzt-gott-zzzzzztttt-holler at-zzzzztttttt ...[/b]"

They did they communication was hampered here. And this area in particular seemed to be hazardous to wireless communication. Still, the PDA was able to track their target. The quake lasted about ten seconds. Would it be enough to deter our young heroes?

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[@Rabidporcupine][@Tuujaimaa][@j8cob][@Odin][/center]

[hr]

A frigid glare was turned toward Soryu as he had made physical contact with the chief inspector. Had he been a little more sudden and he'd have a jagged tail piercing through his guts and spine at this very moment. Instead she only jumped and turned her attention to him. Clearly displeased.

"[color=8882be]Don't do that again, Leaf.[/color]"

Mood now shot down, the Shinrikyo proceeded to set herself for the presentation, notepad whipped out of her vest's inner pocket with a small pencil bound inside the rings it used to keep the pages together. Only three points with a word each were written down as the presentation went on. A contrast to those seeking to garner as much information as possible from the brief. Overall, the Empire's envoy was nothing less than relaxed. One leg over the other and blue eyes easily focused on the objective.

Once over, she'd turn her attention back to the 'Genin' of the squad.

"[color=8882be]Izuku. Was it? Lying is bad. No nation would be stupid enough to send [i]some[/i] Genin on such a mission. Not even the monkeys of the Cloud. Now, we have a whole adventure where we can open up and have as many epiphanies as we need to be honest with each other.[/color]"

She stood, her same smile as before plastered back on her pale visage. It was time to go and board the VTOL. The New Continent awaited and it seemed as though their team had the unique task out of the bunch.

[hr]

"[color=8882be]'Kay. I'm here to notice what others don't. And take down threats as swiftly as possible.[/color]"

Back leaning comfortably on her seat in the VTOL, Nagi had her arms crossed while facing Yuhi. Though her eyes were more interested in the phone in her hand. A tool she used for her job most of the time, but when bored, it served as a nifty boredom remedy with classic bejeweled. It would be once they'd get into proximity of the God Tree that her pre-Smartphone era gadget would just suddenly lose all power and shut off. A scowl quickly reined on her visage as she frustratingly attempted to reset the item a few times.

It'd be Yuhi's reaction to the giant bean stock tree that'd get Nagi to forego restarting the phone and instead dedicate her attention to the big plant. It was a big tree to her. Nothing more, nothing less, which made her question why it was of so much interest to Yuhi and what she assumed to be HQ's goals involving it. It wasn't hard for the detective to deduce that they'll be working around that thing in some way.

"[color=8882be]God Tree? What's so Godly about it? Excuse my lack of historical knowledge but, really, what is it?[/color]"

A bit annoyed at the fact that she didn't know something as seemingly grandiose, she was quickly to narrow her gaze toward Yuhi in this situation. Though it wouldn't last as they would have to leap off the ship at this point. Another quick glance at the Tree would be offered, capturing the environment around it at the same time. The air was foul. Nothing like the pure atmosphere of her Empire. So many disgusting environments in one go. A desert would have been more enjoyable than this, or a Steppe.

She'd likely hop off last with the landing being as typical as it'd be with the read of her squadmates. Down at the camp, they were greeted with the famous Dr. O. A popular figure that had gotten the Stone's attention, though his practices in bio-engineer often clashed with the traditionalist morals of the Stone. Still, a noteworthy man.

"[color=8882be]Tell me, Doctor. How does this relate to our fugitive's work? What can this tree provide to solve our current pickle back home? Our goal is that, after all. Please, do enlighten me, Doctor. And even you, Yuhi Jikangai.[/color]"

Answer or not, they had a mission to do and Nagi was one to do her job right. Fauna that captured and killed some nerd? How was that even remotely intimidating? These lab coats would likely die to a herd of dying raccoons. She'd be quick to take the first step out of the 'safe zone', serving her goal as a sort of enforcer and fearless investigator. Black boots stomped against the damp soil, her gait quick but not enough to be considered a jog.

"[color=8882be]Hmmm.[/color]"

An optical illusion. There was no way this thing was even farther than before. Nagi was no adept in Genjutsu, being one for some good ol' close and personal fisty cuffs. But this was very obviously some sort of illusion. Besides, a veteran could easily deduce when they were compromised in such a way. And a Tree wasn't exactly smart enough to be /that/ subtle. At least not a Juubi Tree, known to be mindless by few, but Nagi just never thought a Tree to be smart.

Natural energy was sucked into her being, enabling the lass to have a different kind of 'feel' of the environment. She didn't have any sort of sensory, no. But one could see it as sort of 'tasting' the environment. A different sense. One that could perhaps help her orient the team toward the Tree despite this illusion. Though, despite it all, she'd still try the conventional method as to see if it actually does the trick or not.

"[color=8882be]Kai.[/color]"