[center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (VRA), [@The Irish Tree] (VIV), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[quote=Vară Riemsianne][color=firebrick]”Camael and I alone will crush you! The others won’t even need to get involved, they can sit back and watch you whimper as my flames cook you! If you fight as badly as you tell jokes, this won’t take long. Prepare yourself, vagabond!”[/color][/quote]

"[color=indianred]Whoa! This is the first time I've seen such a yokai![/color]" Kazenosuke was actually taken aback when [u]Vară[/u] transformed into a more fierce appearance, making the swordsman instinctively unsheathe his sword from its scabbard. "[color=indianred]Looks like I've bitten more than I could chew! Haha![/color]"

Kazenosuke first spun his sword but jumped to the side to evade [u]Vară's[/u] fiery downward strike. The burning embers that spewed forth were all shattered against the twirling blade. [u]Vivian[/u] moved to intercept him and strike with her sharpened, icy leg but it met Kazenosuke's spinning sword and stumbled her, allowing the dancing swordsman to land three, quick slashes on the Glacies. Fortunately, [u]Vivian's[/u] monstrous physique protected her for now.

Kazenosuke raised an eyebrow when the shadowy rats emerged from [u]Zeka's[/u] black fog to overwhelm him. The dancing swordsman smirked as he spun with his blade and scabbard stretched out, reminiscent of a ballerina should [u]Vivian[/u] see it. Once the swarm was dealt with, Kazenosuke kicked one of the still-hot embers into the dark fog... which missed [u]Zeka[/u], but it was close.

[hr]
[center][h3]Unknown Forest[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAGEHO, INNOCENT SHADOW[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (MAT) ~[/center]

"[color=82ca9d]My ears are ringing![/color]"

"[color=f7941d]It's not the shinobi! Look! It's a monster![/color]"

"[color=8882be]What was that?! I can't hear you![/color]"

One of the Firethrowers was pushed into the inferno by [u]Matsuri's[/u] firework, joining the flames he started and never returning. But when the little Inari looked again, the Varjans were further thinned out. Now, only two Firethrowers were left out of the original five and several Brigands were left standing.

Still, [u]Matsuri[/u] was noticed but fortunately, both the remaining Brigands and Firethrowers were covering their ears and disoriented from the little Inari's Bang-Bang Bomber. With this happening, [u]Matsuri[/u] now had enough time to--

"[color=aba000]Gotcha![/color]"

Someone seized [u]Matsuri's[/u] arm from behind, a Brigand had somehow sneaked up behind her. He was clad in mere fur pelts and had a one-handed axe in his other hand. "[color=aba000]You annoying fox! I'll rip your ears out and wear them as a necklace![/color]" He raised his axe to swing against the little Inari.

But [u]Matsuri[/u] possessed the physique of a monster, she was quick enough to do something about this. Or will she be too consumed by fear and be frozen by shock?

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Enkryption] (UMI & RCD), [@AzureKnight] (LAV) ~[/center]

[quote=Lavinia Isabella][color=lightskyblue]”Err, however, it he couldn't come back with me currently as through less than good news - we've found evidence that his daughter has apparently betrayed her people by siding with the Varjans. He's further investigating the matter, but he'd assured me that you could call on his bow at anytime.”[/color][/quote]

"You've done well, Madam Lavinia. Although, this is the first time I've heard that he has a daughter." Takeshi remarked, breaking from [u]Kirei[/u] for a moment. "However, it is good to know that Lord Takamori is alive and willing to join us. Still, we should help him find his daughter if we can. If what you say is true, then she is a danger to the people of Shizuyama."

[quote=Lavinia Isabella][color=lightskyblue]”My goodness, I didn't know we had spelunkers as part of our merry little group. We could you possibly be off to, dressed like that.”[/color][/quote]

"[color=lime]I'm quite curious too.[/color]" Ayu also chimed about [u]Ripcord[/u], putting a hand on her hip. "[color=lime]Not only are most mines in this island over at Ginirokaze, what are you planning mine and what are you gonna use it for?[/color]"

Despite searching, [u]Umami[/u] would find that Terauchi Temple did not have any sort of request board. Only the words and gossip of peasant refugees who were brave enough to speak to the yokai they were taught to fear all their lives and ask for their aid.

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@FroggRFlowR], [@AzureKnight] (KIR) ~[/center]

[quote=Kirei Kannazuki][color=beige]”Milord, I'd like for you, Ayu-chan, and Janus-san to understand that I'm quite confident in my smithy skills as well. If you ever need weapon repair, armory resupply, or general tools, simply come to me and I'll work my literal magic. The metal I generate is leagues above most of what you'll come across; You won't be disappointed in my work. Heh, although I'm more comfortable with making weapons that household tools, if I'm being honest. ”[/color][/quote]

"I see. Not a mere warrior but a magical blacksmith as well who can conjure metal at will. You have quite the repertoire of skills, Sir Kannazuki." Takeshi remarked. "But I would not underestimate the skills of our local smiths as well. You might be better than them at the craft, but you are far more useful in battle than they are. That said, your abilities have been noted and I'll definitely call upon you should need arise."

Takeshi joined [u]Kirei[/u] as he greeted the [u]Claremont[/u] sisters, keeping quiet as the siblings did not seem the social sort. Before the interaction could go any further, [u]Kirei[/u] sensed something's chi coming fast to the temple.

[quote=Kirei Kannazuki][color=beige]”Appears we've more company Milord. I can tell it's another yōkai, so she's likely an ally.”[/color][/quote]

"A member of the taskforce, I assume?" Takeshi commented as [u]Tomi[/u] descended from the sky.

[quote=Tomi Oro][color=fff200]"You are not Shizuka, but you bear the same scent? Who are you? Actually... where are we? I do not recognize this temple. Well—I do, but also... not? It feels different. Are you the task force?"[/color][/quote]

Takeshi would have answered first, but it appeared this golden Dragon was asking [u]Kirei[/u] directly and would only accept answers from him.

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Nobutada, Unwavering Will]
"There's a monastery east of here called Fung Temple.

There's a monk there named Nobutada. He's one of the most sturdiest people I know, able to weather blows that could shatter boulders. When my father called for the monks of Fung Temple, I didn't see Nobutada among them. If he's still alive, he'll be in the monastery and he can lend us his aid."
[/hider]

[hider=Sorae, Gentle Protector]
"Sorae's skill with the naginata is fearsome and second to none. She and her clan was summoned to Sanjo Beach, but never appeared. We should head to their estate in the west and find out what happened to them and, if possible, recruit them to our cause."
[/hider]

[hider=Kageho, Innocent Shadow (ONGOING)]
"Kageho is a shinobi who was supposed to attempt to sneak through the Varjan blockade alongside others. The last wave of shinobi that we could send. I... ordered them not to go anymore, behind my father's back, since it would have been a waste and the Varjans were upon us. It was too late to call for reinforcements from the other islands.

Still, I expected her to show up in Sanjo Beach with the other shinobi. But they didn't. Anyway, their hideout should be around here somewhere. Try looking for any suspicious clearings in the forests around here. We can use their help."
[/hider]

[hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade (ONGOING)]
"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.

Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."
[/hider]

[hider=Yurine, Death Keeper]
"Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries.

She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us."
[/hider]

[hider=Kikyo, Ever Faithful]
"My childhood friend Kikyo was on an anti-yokai mission before all of this. I... was kind of glad she couldn't be on the beach and hoped that maybe she'll find a way to escape and live a full life elsewhere. But I know she would never do that.

If she's coming back, she would definitely head for Port Wadatsumi in the southeast. We should find her before she does anything... drastic."
[/hider]

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[hider=Honey Trap]
There was a villager woman, crying alone near a large tree within Terauchi Temple.

"Yokai, could I speak with you? A group of bandits is terrorizing Sanjo. They slaughtered my whole family, like animals!

They were killed at our home, near a river. I am Saki, please avenge my family and stop those bandits."
[/hider]

[hider=No Place Like Home]
An upset woman noticed the taskforce member approaching.

"As if losing our homes wasn't bad enough, we have to see Varjans in them as well.

They took a home nearby a few days ago. The man who lived there won't leave the area. He keeps begging for help."
[/hider]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. 

"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by a shrine priestess who wasn't present in Sanjo Beach."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not properly trained."
[/hider]