DirtyDingo

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Ichika Uchiha

“Peace earned through communication is just and true, but without the strong to protect those who would shepherd in such an age... Everything will be lost. Power is absolute.”

_______________________________________________

"Incoming!" Ichika bellowed as she noticed the falling egg shaped stones. Tomoyuki had been incredibly observant and had managed to intercept the first with his power to manipulate sand, granted to him by means of being the one-tails' Jinchuriki. However, this great feat had cost him, as the force of the impact colliding with his sand shield shoved him into the water; where he had begun to helplessly sink. "Shit. There's no way that boy knows how to swim, he's lived in a damn desert his whole life. the Uchiha thought to herself, concerned for the boy but not so much as to succumb to panic as her Sharingan whirled to life. Instantly, she planted her feet and crossed her fingers. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Ichika had growled, before a trio of thick puffs of smoke materialised behind her, revealing the creation of three shadow clones. Without a word, one of the conjured beings dived into the water after Tomoyuki, not to be seen again for quite some time. The next had broken into sprint towards the cliff, but abruptly stopped and turned to face the other copy and the original Ichika. Cover me! barked all three remaining versions of Ichika simultaneously, as the one whom had run off to the side of Katsuyu's back dropped her stance and cupped both of her hands, planting her feet before giving a brief smile. Immediately and without further warning, the final unoccupied clone entered a full sprint towards the other, and at the last second leapt at it's doppelganger; the stationary clone's palms rose to meet the foot of the one now in slight flight, and it in turn pressed it's feet down into the hands of the other. With a mighty roar from both the clone was launched into the air, and the real Ichika soon followed. As she made a break towards her clone to perform the same action, she swiftly drew and tossed her kunai towards Mizuraki, and the world seemed to slow around her as she broke into her full speed and focused her Sharingan on the movements of her airborne clone. With the angle at which it was rising, she knew that this would have to be done perfectly. Focusing chakra into the balls of her feet, Ichika prepared herself for a nin-jump and with a hop and skip; Ichika was thrusted into the air, the angle of her flight flawlessly intercepting the airborne clone as the two locked hands for a moment in mid-air, before the clone used all of it's might to launch the real Ichika even higher, propelling her to greater speeds and allowing her to land safely with her feet finding purchase on the side of the cliff, roughly halfway up its face. Moments later, the two clones which had aided in this manoeuvre disappeared into two thin plumes of black smoke, but not before the one still upon the back of Katsuyu told the others not to wait for her. The smoke then drifted towards the clones' conjurer, who was standing horizontally upon the face of the cliff. After taking a brief moment to revel in the success of her action, and to regain her breath Ichika rapidly shifted her chakra to the Earth tenketsu point, and her gloved hands began to swiftly weave seals. Tiger, Hare, Boar, Dog. "Earth style: Earth Wall Jutsu!" she called after completing the dog sign, planting her open hands face down onto the jagged surface of the cliffside. For a moment, it seemed that the jutsu had taken no effect as another of the egg shaped things fell, but as it closed in towards Katsuyu and the team of Shinobi upon her back, Ichika's mighty wall of earth burst forth from the cliffside; ramming the egg off course and out of harm's way, whilst simultaneously creating a roof of earth and stone overhead of the great beast. Providing it and the crew cover as the slug swam. With a sigh of relief, Ichika adjusted her footing and began to walk across the back of her wall, now standing completely upside down, her long mane of black hair dragging almost three feet below her head as she strode to the edge of the 'roof' she had made, before adjusting her position and arcing her way to the wall's face, beginning her ascent to the cliff's peak.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Akira Senju

“I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage ever! Just like Grandpa Hashirama!”

_______________________________________________

What on earth had just occurred?! Akira was left absolutely stunned, confused and in utter shock as his sensei had 'blurred' accross the room as he still held his hands clasped together in the final seal for the wood prison. That was the only way the Senju boy could describe the way Takayuki-sama had moved, as a blur of chakra; although he did not recognise the nature. Within a second of the Jōnin's analysis of the newly assembled team two, Akira's shocked expression turned to one of pure joy as his sensei had expressed his own praise of the ashen-haired Senju. A childish, almost idiotic grin spreading across his face as his red eyes turned to a squint. "Hehe, you kinda scared me at first. But I wanted to protect my team! I considered trying to trap you but I see I made the right choice! You'd have never been caught up by my wood style! It's so cool! You have to teach me how to move that fast, please? Please?!" Akira said, accepting the gift of the medal and pinning it to one of the lapel of his cloak as he closed in on his sensei with beady eyes of wonder and longing.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Ichika Uchiha

“Peace earned through communication is just and true, but without the strong to protect those who would shepherd in such an age... Everything will be lost. Power is absolute.”

_______________________________________________

Ichika was never able to get over the sheer scale of Katsuyu any time she was summoned at Mizuraki's will. For her existence as what essentially amounted to a gargantuan slug, there was a something regal about her, perhaps it was the white-blue colour palette. Ichika couldn't be sure, but what she was absolutely sure of was the awe the creature left her in. Which was plain to see on her face as she watched her friend perform what could only be described as a hug, or as close to one as was possible given the disparity in size between the two. The first time the Uchiha woman had seen Katsuyu was during the Nine-Tails' rampage throughout Konoha, and she was no less majesty now than she was then. Once she had returned entirely to her senses and successfully averted her gaze from Katsuyu, Ichika turned to face the assembled shinobi; which mostly consisted of the genin from Team 7. For some reason she had a good feeling sat within the depths of her gut, but she could not place why. Nor could she trust it. For this mission to be a success, and in turn her own objective; nobody should be left in the dark. At least, for the most part. After a brief contemplative pause, the crew remained mostly silent with the exception of a few seemingly involuntary stirs. With nothing else to be said, the assembled Konoha and Kumo-nin mounted the great slug-like beast and began their journey. Marking the beginning of the assault.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

An accurate statement

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Akira Senju

“I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage ever! Just like Grandpa Hashirama!”

_______________________________________________

The tension in the air became so thick that Akira was almost able to physically feel it as he began to formulate a plan to attempt to save his teammate as his new sensei had apparently snapped at Ami, and her refusal to be entirely forthcoming. The revelation had not come entirely as a surprise to the Senju, given his base as a sensory ninja and his relative expertise in fuinjutsu. Akira knew that Ami had something sealed within her. Though even despite the seal's strength he would never have presumed it to have been a tailed beast. This did not sway the young genin's mind in the slightest, Ami and Rashiku regardless of any new information that would come to light are his team, and must be kept from harm at all costs. But he had to be careful, and most importantly the plan he formulated must be smart. There was no way that the youngest present would be able to defeat a Jōnin directly. "That's it!" he thought to himself as he observed the situation in the greatest detail he possibly could, given the stress of the conundrum he had found himself in. Whilst it was absolutely true he would not be able to directly defeat his sensei, and in all honesty given what he knew about the boy from the Mist he doubted he could even defeat Rashiku in order to save Ami; he could however prevent Takayuki-sama from blowing up the whole building. With the genin and himself still inside. Part of Akira had deduced that this all had to be a bluff, or that his sensei would be so fast on his feet or possess some kind of space-time ninjutsu to escape the blast. Surely no Jōnin would actually sacrifice themselves to kill three genin, just because one was a Jinchuriki? Akira had heard stories of the bijuu, and their immensee power. But he had also heard tales of brave shinobi taking them on in pitched battles. His own grandfather being one such individual, whilst Takayuki-sama would absolutely have been no match for the first Hokage, Akira was confident that with his murderous presence that he would be more than capable of performing such a feat. Beginning to infuse his chakra to both the water and earth tenketsu as subtly as he could so as to avoid detection in the event that his sensei were a sensory type such as himself, which the boy doubted; Akira continued holding his breath. Feigning fear and attempting to keep his master's gaze from him. Although much of the fear he displayed was in fact genuine. Before long, Akira felt that he was ready. As swiftly as he could, the Senju boy clasped his hands together with his index and middle fingers pointing upwards and formed the Ram seal, before transitioning on as swiftly as he could through the Ox, Boar and Snake seals. As he performed these motions, the necessary chakra he had infused merged with the earth in the foundations beneath Takayuki-sensei's home and erupted upwards, enveloping the vase which was allegedly filled with explosive tags in a thick wooden prison. Smiling confiidently as he stood in place still brandishing the Ox seal, funnelling more and more of his chakra into the prison to thicken it's walls Akira felt triumphant, and kept his eyes locked on his sensei. "Rashiku, don't let him hurt her! We can do this as a team!" He stated nervously as his legs began to shake ever so slightly, though not that any of them would have noticed.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Ichika Uchiha

“Peace earned through communication is just and true, but without the strong to protect those who would shepherd in such an age... Everything will be lost. Power is absolute.”

_______________________________________________

“Don’t worry though. After this we’ll probably never see him again. And if we do? Well accidents happen.” Ichika couldn't help but snigger and break from her furious tirade at Mizuraki's remark, the notion was comically ironic. More so than her friend could ever realise, not just due to the nature of many of the Uchiha's own past missions; but likely those of Hideo as well. Though she could not speak for the mysterious one's past, she could certainly make educated assumptions based on her own career, given the words that the two had exchanged moments before. "That they do my friend, that they do. I apologise for my outburst, it was unbecoming of me. It shan't happen again. Let us focus on organising this assault, we have numerous ideas in place; but no concrete plan as of yet. We must reach a consensus as soon as possible, lest we be discovered and cease to retain the element of surprise. Let us reconvene with the others." She said, ruffling her black hair and then straightening it out slightly with the gaps between her fingers as she spoke, a clear effort to calm herself and regain composure before setting off towards the highest concentration of Shinobi. It didn't take a genius to see that she was about to do something rash, and that much was clear to Mizuraki. "Everyone gather around. I note a lot of talk and ideas being thrown around, and whilst these ideas are excellent; we have yet to formulate an actual plan. I am disappointed. I had hoped we would resolve this sooner, and because we have not done so collectively, I shall do it for you." She ordered, her anger and frustrations both audible and visible despite her best efforts to sully those feelings, as the various Shinobi present began to converge on her location. "Starting off with the diversion, I believe that Mizuraki's proposal was the best. The usage of Katsuyu as a form of vessel to transport a strike team to garner the attention of our foes is an excellent idea. It will be less chakra intensive on her than creating a dragon would be for me, and will provide a greater surface area for the team to stand atop. Botan-dono, you and Mizuraki-san shall lead your team from Kumo, and the Genin from Team 7, minus Bakuto, but accompanied by Tomoyuki from my own team. Mizuraki made an interesting point in thag the youngling of my clan would wreak havoc in the caves. Meanwhile Team 5, with the addition of Bakuto and I shall accompany Hideo into the caves, along with a-" Ichik had begun, uncompromising and unrelenting in her explanation before being interrupted by a stray voice. "You will not be in the caves. We need our strongest members taking the beach. You, Mizuraki, and Botan will be leading the ocean assault. Reaching the beach is only step one and you will have to be fresh enough to not die immediately." Hideo chimed in nonchalantly. "Your objection is noted, and you make an excellent point, although I could probably storm the beach alone. She replied to the Anbu agent, her voice full of confidence as she spoke, before winking at him. "Therefore, Yue, Natsuo and Bakuto will accompany Hideo, alongside a retinue of shadow and wood clones conjured by Mizuraki and I, if anybody else present is capable of such jutsu, you should also contribute." Ichika finished, looking over everyone present. At some point throughout her briefing, although she did not know when. Ichika's temper had flared so much that she had inadvertently activated her Sharingan. Upon realising this, she closed her eyes and allowed the fabled Dōjutsu of the Uchiha to revert to normality before reopening them again.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Ichika Uchiha

“Peace earned through communication is just and true, but without the strong to protect those who would shepherd in such an age... Everything will be lost. Power is absolute.”

_______________________________________________

Hideo responded to Tenshi's complaints with a giggle and walked away, beckoning Ichika to follow. With an audible sigh and visible frustration, Ichika rose to her feet from her perch atop the boulder, her eyes rolling as the quiet crunch of her boots flattening the grass beneath her feet became audible as she begrudgingly followed the Anbu operative. Taking no care to silence herself. <redacted> <redacted> Several minutes later Ichika emerged from the woods, her face a visage of rage, whilst Hideo promptly followed suit, looking rather sunny. Many would wonder what had gone on between the two, if they had possessed enough wit to have noted their absence. With a bold stride, Ichika made a beeline for Mizuraki; seemingly brimming with rage. Her fists clenched by her side with her long nails digging into her palms so firmly that her right hand had begun to bleed from the pressure. Despite her profession, and apparent lack of aptitude for all things feminine; Ichika had always kept good care of her nails. "If he does not die on this mission I am going to kill that impudent child." She growled to her friend, pacing back and forth beside her, hoping to seek counsel from the younger Jōnin.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Ichika Uchiha

“Peace earned through communication is just and true, but without the strong to protect those who would shepherd in such an age... Everything will be lost. Power is absolute.”

_______________________________________________

Nodding solemnly as Mizuraki proposed her plans, smiling in wonder at the brilliance of her mind, and that certain something that the woman had when she spoke. It was captivating to listen to her. Ichika wanted to kick herself for not suggesting a clone assault as the point came up, because between herself and the Senju Jōnin alone, they would be able to muster ten additional combatants; which would be more than enough to provide a significant distraction. Given the martial prowess of the two women, Ichika wagered that such an attack may even be enough to outright break the enemy lines. Though that was not a gamble she would be willing to stake the lives on nine children on. As Mizuraki finished speaking, Ichika looked over to the children, whom were seemingly mixing quite well when another possibility struck her. "There is also another option...we have among us the host of the one tail. It is fairly common knowledge that the Jinchuriki of that tailed beast is granted the ability to control sand. With Tomoyuki-kun's assistance, and that of anyone else present whom is skilled with earth-realease; I could form a great earth and stone dragon. With this method we could circumvent their defenses entirely by dropping into combat from above, I additionally believe that I should be able to hold the jutsu for long enough to provide aerial support, should we drop sequentially. Any among us with significant long-ranged jutsu could bombard the enemy position from above, whilst the more close ranged specialists can secure a landing zone. Ultimately, as our commander I believe that the decision lies with you, Hideo; and I shall support whichever course of action you believe is best to take." The Uchiha had said, elaborating upon her new idea as she went. In truth, Ichika believed that the aerial assault was the plan with the highest chance of success with fewest casualties. Although a frontal assault using her own and Mizuraki's clones as a first wave, whilst another team 'sailed' to the island upon the back of Katsuyu would likely yield a similarly high success/casualty rate. With nothing else to say and her opinions made clear, Ichika turned away from the group momentarily before taking a seat atop a small nearby rock formation, with a single knee bent and both feet solidly supporting her posture. Resting her right arm on the bended knee before closing her eyes, taking a moment to listen to her surroundings. The crashing waves around her, the songs of the birds, and the chattering of the children. All things that aided her in clearing her mind, and focusing. Now ready for the coming engagement.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Ichika Uchiha

“Peace earned through communication is just and true, but without the strong to protect those who would shepherd in such an age... Everything will be lost. Power is absolute.”

_______________________________________________

Overhearing Mizuraki's grandiose display of protective candour as she stood alongside Hideo and , Ichika couldn't help but be slightly irritated. While she too, wished to do everything in her power to keep the children safe, the Uchiha didn't believe it necessary to make a fuss about such things. Promises of survival whilst on a mission were hollow in her own experience. Kasumi-sensei had said something in a similar vein during the third great war, and that promise did nothing for her twin brother. Although, a light smile crept onto the tall woman's face as she dispelled her criticism of Mizuraki's optimistic demeanour, given the fact that she was ten times the Shinobi that the Kasumi Uzumaki could ever have dreamed of becoming. "I am coming with, and no that isnt a request. I need to know what is going on, and why certain shinobi were assigned to this mission..." "Right. Are you going to tell us just what exactly is going on out here?" Ichika understood her colleagues' frustrations, but she firmly believed that such behaviour was unacceptable from Shinobi whilst out on a mission. As much as she agreed, and currently held tremendous disdain for the one calling himself Hideo...They had to accept things for how they were. Tenshi in particular had begun to rile Ichika, showing no regard for tue chain of command and an immense sense of entitlement at every opportunity. Keeping her composure as Hideo and Nakano had begun to finally explain the mission parameters in greater detail, Ichika waited for an appropriate moment to speak as Tenshi began to explain his own plan of attack. Taking the information in, and beginning to formulate her own ideas for the mission ahead before speaking. His sound strategy helped calm Ichika slightly, but not enough to prevent the scolding that would ensue. "Mizuraki-san, Hokori-San. Whilst I share some of your feelings, such behaviour is unbecoming of shinobi. You should both know better." She had said, scolding the Jōnin and Chuunin of whom she was their elder, in an almost motherly manner before continuing. "Another option that we may explore; are there any among us whom are capable of summoning amphibious creatures of some description? I fear that if we approach directly through a tunnel that our targets are themselves utilising, even if we split our forces with a diversion as Hokori-san surpisingly adeptly suggests, the tunnel team may walk straight into a trap. We could potentially circumvent this predicament by avoiding the tunnel all together, whilst keeping out of their line of sight as we approach. Better they be caught entirely unaware by the full force of our might than a splintered ppercentile of it." Taking a pause after providing both her own plan of action, and gracing Tenshi with the closest thing to a compliment that he would currently receive from the Uchiha; Ichika momentarily glanced sideways at the Genin, assuring herself that the children were playing nice with each other. A brief smile showing through her cold demeanour as they were seemingly doing so. "As for one of our targets, Ondori Toutenkou is a brute of a man. But do not let this fool you, he is highly intelligent and peculiarly for a missing-nin is known for keeping his word. Seeing absolutely whatever contract or deal he has bargained for through to the end. No matter the cost. He will be a dangerous foe indeed. There have been reports that his preferred method of fighting is through the usage of his chicken summon. But as amusing as such a statement sounds, do not allow this factor to catch you unawares." She stated plainly as she ruffled her hair, referencing what information she had remembered regarding their target from the 'bingo book' that most high ranking shinobi were issued with. A document that the woman had become well acquainted with during a period of time wherein the majority of her missions consisted of assassinations.

Naruto: Fire From Ember (open/accepting)

Akira Senju

“I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage ever! Just like Grandpa Hashirama!”

_______________________________________________

Akira had been sat on the couch for a fair period of time before the others arrived. The feeling of embarrassment and shame he begun to experience was like nothing else, he had been absolutely foolish and fell prey to the simplest of traps. In the real world that would have been it. No more Akira Senju. Rashiku, who had been the second to arrive had apparently made light work of every trap that had been placed in the apartment, but that was to be expected. From what Akira had observed in class, Rashiku was out and out the genin with the most physical prowess. Ami, however was less graceful in her navigation. Although much like the boy from the Hidden Mist she had made it through the maze of assorted traps all by herself. He almost became completely lost in those negative feelings, before Tekayuki-sensei began to break the ice, formally introducing himself to the team. Which made an idiotic grin appear on the young Senju boys face as he closed his eyes too. Scratching the back of his head as he responded to his sensei. "Slugs are yucky! Hehe. You're right there sensei! I also don't like toads either, they're super gross!" Akira had replied, a light chuckle to his voice as he spoke, trying to brush off his embatrassment. Though he was entirely unaware that he was still completely red-faced. "Hey guys, I'm Akira Senju! My grandpa was the first Hokage, and one day; I'm gonna be Hokage too! I'm gonna be even stronger than Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama! You'd better believe it! I'm only 10, so I'm a bit younger than you, but I promise I'll do my best! A memory that made me happy, was when my Papa first taught me how to use my wood style. I uh, don't really have a traumatic memory though. Which I guess is a good thing?" Akira almost didn't stop scratching his head as he went on, he found it was highly helpful in keeping his mind off of the shame he was currently feeling. The boy had been somewhat surprised, he was expecting someone even harsher and colder than Bohi-sensei, but where his previous teacher had been cold and beautiful; his new one seemed to be super cool and friendly. A pleasant change of pace, Akira thought to himself. It would he much easier to let loose if he didn't have to worry about himself not seeming cool to Hana-Sensei.