[center][img]https://logodix.com/logo/2105098.png[/img][/center] The sights inside Otaru indeed a terrifying sight, the thick miasma concealing the bodies that strewn across the street was not something that Honoi was prepared to see. There were some of the 30 that had gone missing, the sight of the dead was still something that he hadn't gotten used to even five years in the field. Zeal's cold critique, though still annoying, was probably well justified. If the decision had been left to Honoi he would have sent a few more Jonin in the place of his team, but Father must know what he's doing. He would not have sent them in otherwise. As he quickly shook the fear and trepidation off his face he turned and faced Iori with a raised eyebrow, "[color=lightblue][b]Come now Kusanagi one would think that after all this time a few vampires would be the least of our troubles.[/b][/color]" The slightest hint of a smirk crossed his face, something that he did not usually do, but a leader must keep his people's morale up. Hearing Iori's assumptions, Honoi activated his Sharingan to see if he could get a closer pinpoint of the researchers location. As he took a moment to concentrate he closed his eyes and drew his chakra to his eyes and in the next moment his eyes changed to the brilliant cerulean of his sharingan. As his eyes adjusted to the new wave of information he watched the flow of the world's chakra flow around him and to the lesser minds this would have been a true sight to behold. As he focused in on the source of what he assumed was the researcher the flow of her chakra was dark and sickly looking, watching it flow in the direction Iori pointed. "[color=lightblue][b]Looks like your right Kusanagi, we need to head east. Stay behind me, this whole area is covered in genjutsu.[/b][/color]" [color=ed1c24]“Yeah i guess so, but still they creep me out.”[/color] Iori mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. He really hoped that the group would miss any vampires or supernatural creatures on this mission. He was glad however that the group was with him to protect him. [color=ed1c24]“Roger boss.”[/color] Iori looked around for a moment trying to follow the scent from the dirt. The scent was foul which made the young man wretch in disgust. [color=ed1c24]“Gross.”[/color] He thought as he moved behind Honoi. Had his sword in hand in case they ran into any creatures. Using his sense of smell to direct the group toward the scientist. Iori was not going to mention how afraid he was, wanting to look competent in front of the other members. The rancid smell of the scientist was starting to grow stronger as the group headed east. The blonde checked his surroundings for not only clues, but for any enemies trying to ambush them. [color=ed1c24]“Boss I smell something and it’s not the scent of the scientist.”[/color] Iori looked around sniffing a few times. Turning his head to the west of the group. [color=ed1c24]“I believe there is someone following us.”[/color] squinting his eyes at the rows of trees in front of them. His sword was pulled out of his sheath readying himself. The captain of the Hokkaido squad, Mizo Aberashi, felt the presence following them as well. Her hands were stuffed into her pockets and her body language proved far too comfortable for a living creature in the City of the Dead. Deep brown markings were manifested over her face, and her eyes resembled that of a toad. Whatever presence was creeping up on them did so without the element of surprise. [color=b07a0a]”I know. Use your senses, pin them down.”[/color] Mizo ordered in a quiet voice, audibly detached from the stress of the environment. She could feel the supposed adversary moving through the moondust clouds around them, but in the spirit of her calm demeanor, Mizo chalked it up to a teachable moment for the sensory abilities her squad possessed. She was channeling chakra into her hands while she looked around. [color=b07a0a]”Whoever it is, they’re around somewhere. Honoi, keep guiding us through. Iori, see if you can track their movements like I am. Let’s just keep moving forward. With caution.”[/color] Honoi’s eyes cut in the direction of the sound, hand already wrapping a paper bomb around a kunai in his pouch. He could see the chakra build up clearly indicating the presence of a person/persons there although he could not clearly see their face, [color=lightblue][b]”Sensei…There, around a meter distance in the tree line. I can see at least two bodies there. They don’t appear to be dead but their faces are obscured. Ready to strike on your order.”[/b][/color] He continued to walk forward eyes scanning the route in front of them making sure their path was clear, [color=lightblue][b]”Kusanagi, can you get a feel for their intent?”[/b][/color] Iori took another couple of deep breaths of the air around him, using his eyes off where the potential threat could be. His nose could smell whoever was following them was getting closer to the group, [color=ed1c24]“They are moving from the west at an alarming rate.”[/color] He could tell were two of them, something that was common for ninjas to do. [color=ed1c24]“It seems to be a pair of them…” He took a few quick breaths, “Both female and I would assume heavily armed. They do not seem to have good intentions. Or should we continue on our way? Or perhaps try to lose track of them?”[/color] His question was answered by Mizo saying they should continue forward, Nodding his head in agreement. His sword was half way extended from his sheath, Once again using his keen senses to read the bodies up ahead. [color=ed1c24]”They seem gravely wounded, I can smell the blood on them.”[/color] He covered his nose with one hand for a moment, feeling something was off with the two bodies ahead. [color=ed1c24]”I believe we should proceed with caution, just in case the two are hostile.”[/color] [color=b07a0a]”If they’re bleeding, this is about to get interesting.”[/color] Mizo withdrew her hands from her pockets, and adorning them was a pair of knuckle dusters emblazoned with a glossy red sheen. It was not paint, it was red Nichirin steel. The air against her hands would feel warm to the touch in this frozen graveyard of a city. Anyone who might have been observing Mizo’s chakra would notice that it suddenly changed. It [i]grew[/i] and felt dense like stone. Her hair began to stiffen like hide, and she cracked her knuckles. The markings on her face became more pronounced. The very atmosphere around her just because a pound heavier. Even the rocky soil under her squad’s feet started to hum in sync with her heartbeat. Whatever Mizo just did, it had weight to it. [color=ffaf0e][b]”From here on, we treat this mission as critical. Assume the worst possible outcome. Sensory techniques stay up permanently, weapons out.”[/b][/color] There was an sudden, authoritative steel in Mizo’s voice that her squad grew accustomed to over their many hours of training in the past. Their captain just took off the training wheels. [color=ffaf0e][b]”This is what separates the ninja from the Shinobi. [i]get ready.”[/i][/b][/color] [i] [sub]Facing: [@YummyYummy], and [@Pirouette] alongside [@Eviledd1984] and [@Archangel89][/sub][/i]