Deep in the forest a call was sounding... he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire and the beaten earth around it.
A low satisfied growl escaped her lips as Korogaru slid across the packed earth, landing in a low crouch. The sheer force of her bear’s attack had managed to save her brother from a painful death. She wanted nothing more than to say so right then and there but she swallowed it down. Kegawa and she were the same in their ambitions and they’d been close as children but her older brother had always been the prince of the family. He was undeniably stronger than her and she resented him for training so hard and for never making any mistakes. That hurt had been left to fester for too long and she was quite certain she was incapable of speaking to him without cheapening the intention behind her actions. She narrowed her eyes at the rhino to hide the heartbreak welling up inside.
Korogaru pulled out a handful of smoke bombs and tossed them towards the rhino’s front feet. The plan was for the smoke to billow outwards, obscuring the area and rendering the rhino momentarily blind while she would rely on her sense of smell to circle around to the back and target the beast’s hind legs with an attack meant to cripple his movement; a hunting tactic that Nomi was quite familiar with. Sniffing the air, she bounded forwards on all fours and slashed out with sharp claws at whatever she could reach on the monstrosity’s hindquarters. Nomi would follow his pack leader and bite towards the other hind leg, crunching down with his toothy maw and tearing away whatever flesh he could, if he could.
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He wasn't dead, and while he'd taken a hit, Kegawa seemed well enough in grasp of his senses to manage a safe landing for himself. Kyuu's assistance wouldn't be necessary here, and as the thought registered, she quickly set her slitted stare toward the rhinoceros to have launched the assault - the narrowed glare of her ninken fixing sharp as he too set his sights on their decided target.[break][break]
After only a beat of stillness, the Inuzuka tore off to close in on her opponent - pupils constricted narrow as she set her jaw, fangs bared in determination. Her clawed fingers kicked ruthless at the dust, she and her hound building speed as they carve a path across the open rock. They were set to meet the beast head on at a blinding speed - but before they could reach their destination, the pair altered course - splitting to branch around the cloud of smoke to erupt before them.[break][break]
They had lost sight of their prey.[break][break]
The growl to rumble from Ginmaru's throat rang thick with venom as he circled round, and as Nikukyuu drift against the rock to do the same, she found the corners of her lips twitching with aggravation for the blinding cloud to stand between herself and the opponent her fangs hungered for.[break][break]
❝ GRAH!!! ❞
[break][break]
The woman's voice rang out with frustration, eyes searching fruitless through the cloud to try and manage some glimpse of the figures inside.[break][break]
Her heart clenched tight within her chest as she steady herself. She was waiting just outside the smoke, and the second that rhinoceros appeared from its amorphous shape, she was sure to be hellbent on launching an assault of her own.[break][break]
Fangs parted, skin twitching with scarcely maintained restraint, Nikukyuu watched and waited for an opening. On the off chance more than one of the beast might emerge from the cloud, she'd already set her mind to which would serve as her target. Whichever one went after Kegawa.
[attr="class","pwfbody"]it was clear he had made a mistake. mild frustration building in his gut for not considering his other option more thoroughly, but time had been short for him. he wasn't given much time to think as the genjutsu was released and the rhino remained, it dawned on him that the main honcho had decided to come for him personally. and then he got hit by korogaru and a sharp pain erupted at his cheek. he let out a grunt as he found his body flipping in the air, droplets of red fluttering in the air around him. his trusty ninken came blitzing towards him, jumping to intercept as kegawa manages to flip himself around for both to land against the ground.[break][break]
long, clawed nails dug into the ground, the skidding marks of the shinobi and ninken streaked along the dusty earth. with one arm around kakimaru's shoulder, the shinobi spat at the ground as they brushed their sleeve along their cheek. slitted ruby eyes staring vehemently towards the figure that had provided some help to his almost unlikely demise. he hated it. he was disgusted by it. he gave his ninken a pat on the shoulder, unwilling to allow his injury to slow him down. lips peel upwards, showing sharp fangs that bared themselves and a rumble of a growl emanating from the man's chest. the ninken's fur stood at ends, shoulders hunched forward as he let out a vicious growl.[break][break]
both glanced towards the other before giving a firm nod, the edges of the man's lips curling back upwards as he set his gaze forward. watching as his sister let out a frustrated growl at the smoke appearing around the rhino and korogaru. kegawa leans forward, setting one knee down as his arm grabbed for the other scroll at his back. unrolling it in front of himself, a hand hovering over a seal as it puffed and revealed two sets of earplugs. without fanfare the man placed them into his ears and shoved them into his ninken's ears, setting his gaze forward as he watched carefully.[break][break]
he pulled at the scroll, unrolling it further while his ninken set himself at the ready to intercept anything coming at his partner. kegawa pulls at his drinking gourd that hangs at his waste, opening it up to tag a swig of the alcohol. he lets out a sigh as he turns his wrist to dump the rest of the contents into the ground, ruby eyes never once leaving the smoke as he does so. while it may seem as if he was preparing for something in particular, really he was just trying to see if the rhino would come after him again. ready to devastate the rhino instead if given the chance. [break][break] Nikukyuu Inuzuka , Korogaru Inuzuka [break] tldr: landed with kakimaru's help, put earplugs in, watches as they idly prepare for sealing but really waiting for a chance to attack the rhino when it comes out of the cloud.
With the surge of pain came a newfound clarity, his eyes widening as so many of the countless rhinos seemed to fade from existence. Only a handful remained, including one that was charging directly for their group. Daichi’s heart started to race, the adrenaline kicking in as his fight or flight response kicked in. He could see that Hoshi chose to wound her leg to break free of the jutsu, which menat running would be more difficult. And at the end of the day, they didn’t come here just to spend the whole time running like cowards while their jonin swooped in to their rescue[break][break]
He could ignore the pain in his hand for a moment, his focus instead shifting tot he situation at hand. His eyes jumped between his platoon mates, a plan quickly brewing in his head. One he could only hope would make a difference. ”Koma, smoke! Ladies, eyes up!” As he spoke, his hands would come together to form a series of handseals. His teeth clenched as he fought through the pain in his hand to properly and quickly mold his chakra, something that was as difficult as one might expect. But not enough to break his determination.[break][break]
A moment later, the earth underneath the two Hyuga would sink down in an instant. The sisters would find themselves in a pit just deep enough to keep them safe from the approaching rhino, with the open sky still above them. Hopefully they understood what he had intended for this technique. There wasn’t much time to explain, after all. And the moment his work was done he would dive off to the side, hoping that the smoke his fellow genin deployed would obscure their movements enough to allow him to do so.
There was no need to announce it. As the rhinoceros set its sights on the platoon it sound out with a warning blare, further cementing the genin's wary focus toward its figure. Koma's eyes took measure of the beast’s speed and trajectory as it launched itself forward, gaze taking quiet stock of his surroundings to pick out the best means of escape.[break][break]
At Daichi's call for cover, Koma stole a smoke bomb from the pouches at his belt, pelting the paper sphere for the patch of ground where his companions stood. As it burst, it shrouded himself, Aiko, Hoshiko, and Daichi in a thick cloud of billowing grey smoke, hopefully providing ample cover for him to bolt out of the way.[break][break]
The focus in his eyes was calm, and though the pound of his heart fluttered for the adrenaline to course through his veins, he was managing to keep hold of his tranquility. The boy twist in the air like a cat, movements fluid and easy as his fingers caught to the dust and pebbles of the parched ground beneath himself. Uninjured as he was, the young shinobi aimed to spring himself deftly aside, hoping to avoid the incoming horn set to knock him off his feet.
...there was a calmness that overtook the young girl. silvery hued eyes watching as the rhino came dashing towards them, instantly pinpointing the chakra points within it. the girl had no intentions of fleeing any longer, fleeing wasn’t an option. she had chosen this course, knowing that it would be their only option in the end. she would rather fight to the bitter end then flee on her own, leaving her other squad members behind. she was certain they too would want to stay to fight, to prove that they were more than capable of fighting with the rest.[break][break]
in a way, she hoped that she’d make someone proud.[break][break]
she shifted her stance, ignoring the searing pain from her leg wound. the blood trickled down, splattering along her open-toed shoes and onto the dusty ground. her fingers remained loose, a build-up of chakra at her fingertips. the call of daichi reached her ear, but she spared no moment in looking towards him. to do so could prove fatal as the rhino charged forward. as the ground sunk low at her feet, she adjusted to move her eyes upwards. the billowing of smoke surrounding her form, but not obscuring her byakugan. [break][break]
as the rhino came barreling over her and aiko, her fingers moved with quick succession to find their mark at the chakra points within its legs and underbelly. her fingers surgically injected her own chakra, working to cause some internal damage and impede the flow of chakra within it. hoshi wasn’t confident in a lot of things, but her hyuga heritage was one she could rely on. she wasn’t as good as aiko, but one day she’ll surpass even her elder sister.
Finally the one eyed shinobi could see clearly. She thought it was suspicious that the rhino was able to summon so many creatures so quickly. It was a shame she had to wait until this moment to jump in and actually test how her blade would fare against their thick hides. But that was her life now. Without another soul in her corner to provide backup she was forced to bide her time and wait for a chance to strike. Doing anything short of that was a good way to get seriously injured without anyone to back her up. But maybe today she could do something to help alleviate that problem... Her lone eye focused on the biggest one, the supposed leader of the pack. She didn't care too much what happened with the small fries. She wanted to clash with the big boy.[break][break]
Her and the clone charged toward the beast that seemed to be tied up with some folks from a familiar clan. She could recognize those hounds and their posture anywhere. Inuzukas. One with long, flowing white hair that immediately told her exactly who she was approaching. Her smile grew, the ideas brewing in her head as she drew in closer. Only for the rhino to become engulfed in smoke, which seriously screwed up her plans. She wasn't about to go in blind against a beast like that. If it was a battle of randomly flailing around, that thing definitely had the advantage. And as she got closer and saw the state of the jonin, she had to quickly adjust her plans.[break][break]
The clone was silently commanded to dash into the smoke, blade drawn and ready to strike. It would do its best to engage with the rhino, aiming to climb atop and drive its blade into the back of the mountain beast's neck if possible. Meanwhile, the woman herself would keep her blade sheathed, her functioning hand instead disappearing into her loose kimono as she approached Kegawa."Well hey there Dog Boy. Been a while." Lips peeled back into a wicked grin, revealing her razor sharp teeth as she positioned herself beside the Kumo shinobi. As she spoke she would pull her hand out from her kimono, pulling along with it a long length of bandage. Though more distracting than anything else was probably the pieces of white cloth dangling from inside her ears.[break][break]
Usually she kept these wrapped around her less than functional limb, the pressure helping to stave off the constant pain. While she may not have been a medical nin, she was familiar enough with combat to know that covering and applying pressure to a wound like his was important. "You keep doin' what you're doin'. I'll see what I can do about that messed up face of yours." With that she reached forward, moving to bandage Kegawa's wound to the best of her ability in an effort to stop the bleeding while trying to keep out of his way as he did his thing. Of course if the rhino reared it's ugly head, she would be quick to leap away from the Jonin so as to not get caught in the crossfire. "Sorry they're kinda sweaty. But I just put a fresh wrap on this morning, so it shouldn't be too bad."
[attr="class","wassup1dangerfoot"]
[attr="class","wassup1dangertag"] @all
[attr="class","wassup1dangernotes"] Sent her clone in to attack and try to mount and stab the rhino, while Tsubaki herself went to use the bandages on her arm to help with Kegawa's wound
[attr="class","arubody"] There was a click as the sculpted groove returned to its socket, Kishi armed and ready once more. From his vantage point, Higa watched the chaos of the battlefield.
It was a mess.
On one side was what Higa made out to be Azuma and what could have been mistaken for a bear. While he did not have the clearest view, watching one of the rhino clones lifted into the air was a very obvious thing to see no matter the distance, planted down like a spear in the ground. The manifestation of air into weapon that was pelting the rhino was an impressive addition.
On the other there were 3 distinct bodies before it was obscured, smoke bombs went off, hiding their bodies, the rhino charging in only to disappear into the thicket.
Back at the quarry, where he had the clearest view and which Kishi stationed above, it was practically pelted with smoke bombs. The three nearest to the rhino now hidden from his view. Two people that seemed to look exactly the same went into the fray. Higa could only surmise it was either oddly dressed twins or clones.
The smoke could only last so long, all he had to do was wait it out. Higa waited it out, all he needed was for the smoke to dissipate enough to become translucent.. or the rhino charge out the other side. Higa had thought of his options and came to an adroit conclusion, his chakra string split to latch onto the arm itself. Kishi would aim at the beast again, whenever the shot would be most accurate, a loud crack resounded in the air from the piston firing, once again blade out ready to impaled flesh.
Unlike the last time, there was a backup plan in place. should he miss he would switch to control the arm, using it as a whip to slam heavy chain around the head of the rhino, using precise control through his chakra stings it would wrap around the throat, twirling in the air like a deadly weapon as it progressively wrapped more and more till several coils squeezed the beast.
As the coil tightened so too would Higa's pull on his strings, trying to both restrain the rhino's movements, jerking it around to a different direction should it try to charge, doing his best to steer it with the chain like a bridle to the rhino.
TLDR: Waited for smoke around Inuzukas to dissipate, fired blade cannon arm at the rhino, should that be deflected or miss it would wrap around its neck in an effort to restrain and redirect it.
Mai didn't even spare a glance at the fallen animal or at her flamboyant companion; the moment the command left Anotsu's lips, she was already on the move. Two things she did not mind at the time. One, being ordered around by someone who was not a superior. In the first place, she was the only one from the Hiden Rain there who wasn't part of Platoon One; so it was only right to surrender the leadership role. Besides, if it was about saving underclassmen in danger, she would never find it in her to refuse! And two; the thought of leaving the Uchiha behind with only a few bugs to assist him (about 10% of her current swarm). This task was by no means far from dangerous, but she knew what the man was capable of. He was more than a pretty face ranked high in the village's popularity polls.
To be fair, she had to focus her entire being on carrying out the task she had been given. You see, not only would she need to protect the Genin and the Chunin from the rampaging rhinos, she would also need to do so while still under the influence of the Genjutsu. While it was true that the Aburame was no longer pressed for time and could now afford to perform the ritual needed to break free from the illusion, she suspected it would come at the expense of a large portion of her Chakra reserves. Being a Ninja who mostly relied on Chakra infused techniques, it was a toll that she couldn't afford at the time, not if she wanted to shield the platoon from harm. Hell, she was their appointed medic, as well...
Fortunately, her bugs provided an amazing tracking support, making sure that she wouldn't have to trade much speed for her own safety. While it was true that the bugs did not substitute any of her senses, they were the only ones there not naturally affected by the fake imagery. Meanwhile, she was the only one who could hear them talk. A periodic glance towards her underclassmen which were neither an illusion nor trapped in one anymore would help fill in the blanks and narrow down potential threats. At the end of the day, however, it was difficult to completely ignore something she knew didn't exist but could possibly feel with one or more of her senses, but she was a Jounin class ninja, so she would manage to get-by. The visual obstruction it sometimes represented being the real annoyance.
"Ah, Anotsu-san, you are such a worrywart..." She whispered. "They are doing pretty good on their own."
To be absolutely honest, she was still anxious herself. The battle was as chaotic as it could get and she had no knowledge of their reckless plan. Having pinpointed the real rhino amongst the imaginary crowd, she sent the entire swarm after it, choosing to leave herself vulnerable for the time being in order to have a chance to react and participate in the current exchange should things go awry.
"Guess I'll be the support."
The bugs would be instructed to protect the genin at whatever cost, their combined might enough to get at least a couple of them out of harm's way. That was the priority, but should things go well within the following seconds, and should they'd be granted the chance to, they would also attempt to reduce the rhino, feasting on its chakra reserves.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned the idea of them stabbing themselves at all, but there they went. Daichi stabbing his hand, Hoshiko her leg. There would be a long lecture in the future about this, but right now wasn’t the time. Quite simply, there was no time for it. The rhino was gaining on them. [break][break]
Before she had to take charge once more, it seemed that snapping out of the illusion had been enough for her genin platoon mates to find their footing. Relief mixed in with her concern, but again, later. The plan was clear, despite the order being so short. Smoke washed over the Hyuga sisters courtesy of Koma’s aid, just as they disappeared into the ground so suddenly. She was able to keep her footing as they reached a new level of existence. [break][break]
As the beast passed by overhead, Aiko left the scattering impact that’d surely hamper it’s footing for a moment to Hoshiko, and focused instead on a lingering effect. The rhino’s wide stance surely meant it wasn’t flexible enough to get at them from underneath. Daring the chance of being kicked, Aiko wedged herself up enough to shove her hand on the beast’s underbelly. Her chakra grasped at the first chunk of muscle beyond it’s obnoxiously thick hide. Her chakra first dug in like tiny hooks, before growing to be knives by the time the rhino escaped her reach. [break][break]
Once it cleared their crevice, Aiko grabbed Hoshiko’s arm and hoisted her sister out of the dirt with minimal warning. The ground shook under these beasts’ feet, she wasn’t about to stay in a tiny hole and wait to be crushed. The smoke would be ample cover to get space.
[break][break]
TLDR: Used cover of smoke from KOMA to sneakily sink into a hole created by DAICHI. As HOSHIKO used Gentle Fist to assault the rhino's insides and chakra points, Aiko focused on cutting deep into the rhino's internal body with a slicing effect of her chakra. After the rhino passed by, she pulls Hoshiko out of the hole and is working to get out to run for cover with her.
Mending the wounded, observations, protecting the weak. All valiant, even noble, efforts - but none of them were successful in dispatching the beasts at hand. Fortunately, other strategies did prove effective, although the costs of well being varied wildly.
Hands tucked underneath the gut of a rhino, weight shifting as muscles screamed, bulged, and tore; yet it was torn from the earth and to the sky. Seiichi's attempt to suplex the beast was fairly capable, but without the few bullets of air managing to hit from Shoichi's technique, he'd have been left crushed underneath the beast's weight. A puff of smoke and a crater would be all the world would remember from the beast.
And now, the bear man could continue to move, but the fatigue would only grow exponentially from here.
Shoichi, having not dispelled the illusion, would continue to have himself assaulted by illusory rhinoceroses, lucky to be able to discern anything further in the conflict without dispelling it - leaving him a sitting duck.
The faint boom of an explosion, the attempted killing of a rather dazed and confused beast. Unfortunately, without the follow through from his fellow Jonin, Anotsu's blow wouldn't put it out of its misery. However, his and Mai's attempts to guard the younger members of their group would not go un-rewarded, managing to further ensconce their safety. The continually dazed rhino was able to rip itself from the earth, although it seemed incapable of any incredible charges like before.
The genin groups efforts were actively effective, their teamwork leading to the hobbling and subsequent falling of the beast charging them down. The Jonin's assistance covering any sloppiness or mistakes they might've had, a leg tucked under the stampeding beast, cracking loudly as the entirety of its weight slammed forward and into itself, dissapearing into a puff of smoke.
Smoke bombs, inuzuka assaults, clone assaults, the whirling knife of a puppeteer, another erupting roar from the beast. Laughter
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!" it roared, charging in a mad blitz from the cloud of smoke. The pincer attack seemed to dig into the beasts hide, only for another burst of chakra to surge out, walls of stone erupting underneath their approaches. They could still attempt to attack, but it would become far more difficult. Above, a sword wielding clone made an attempt to strike, being bucked off in the beast's charge.
On the other end, a chain whirled around the beasts neck - ripping the puppet it was attached to forward with incredible speed. If Higa maintained his chakra strings, he'd be turned into road rash in no time.
[attr="class","APP3"]Success had followed a titanic display of strength, though it wasn't to say it was a feat succeeded by his own efforts. It seemed that -- without the help of another and their equally measurable application of skill-- as he hefted that beast into the air in what was a spectacle of power, it may had written the last of his story, the mountainous man reduced to rubble beneath the ungodly mass of the thick-skinned rhino. It was always forward thinking, though, and as Seiichi moved at a slightly more crippled pace, he couldn't help but to commit to himself that he would work harder and that he would not have to rely on the help of another, 'lest he choose to forfeit his life.
Despite the victory that this particular pair of jounin shared in, there's had been one of many that waged on simultaneously. The beasts that had ravaged the lands had, thus far, proven how they accomplished such a task as they remained dauntless in open battle against this menagerie of shinobi forces. Had they arrived in allegiances save their own desires, could they have proven a more functional effort between nations? There had been chaos, dust, growls and roars that made for a cacophony displeasing to the ear as the join effort of these shinobis succeeded in this attrition, turning the tides in their favor.
Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for all as, amidst the chaos and dust that had been stirred laid what remained of a future stolen too soon. Seiichi couldn't see her -- no, not yet, but he couldn't help but wonder what became of Kureiru Uchiha as he spotted the siblings in all out conflict as they coordinated their attacks against the same foe. He was at a distance, still, as he worked through his fatigue and drew deep breaths to find his second wind. With a creasing line line in his forehead and a furrow in his brow, sea-green eyes narrowed in a bid to identify all parties. With a little more effort he could identify Kegawa Inuzuka, Nikukyuu Inuzuka, and Korogaru Inuzuka as well as a Tsubaki Mizuno he had yet met.
"Kegawa," boomed a blustery and familiar voice to the Inuzuka's ears, "Kureiru-- did you evacuate?" He spoke loudly, his voice a stentorian bellow that knew no formality as the shock of hearing it was enough to stir anyone from their trance of battle. He continued to observe his pupil and her sister combine their efforts in a pincer attack that stoked further ire as a burst of chakra--kin to the first which erected pillars from the earth--surged through the earth as if it followed the beast's bellow of praise, as if those words were a herald for the further devastation it sought to bring. Seiichi's approach found itself further scrutinized by his senses as the world before him trembled, tore and quaked as walls were raised in an attempt that seemed to separate them from one another.
In the madness, the jounin moved alongside Korogaru if he could locate her through the fog brought about the raised earth. As he attempted a recovery, he would support her efforts the best he could as he took a turn to try and recover for what dangers remained unseen.
Last Edit: Oct 9, 2021 12:51:59 GMT by Seiichi Koji
Deep in the forest a call was sounding... he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire and the beaten earth around it.
More stone erupted from the packed earth beneath them, sending up a small cloud of dust as Nomi collided with the newly placed wall. The thick jowls on the side of his face smooshing hilariously against the obstacle and sending him tumbling onto his back with his paws curled over his tummy as he lifted his head to look around. Korogaru herself fared a little better as she managed to leap onto the top of the wall where she teetered precariously to peer down at the still charging rhino.
A nod of respect was offered to the puppeteer that she hoped wouldn’t be foolish enough to hang on too long. Another stranger had aided them but she was uncertain of the flame haired woman’s allegiance. There wasn’t time to worry about that as the scent of blood caught her nostrils and she looked back to where she had left Kureiru… The rhythmic pounding in her chest caught in her throat as her grey eyes fixed upon the mangled flesh that once was the young Uchiha pup; her brother’s pupil.
The thrill of the chase ebbing quickly as survival instincts kicked in hard. It was kill or be killed and there was strength in the pack.
“Awooooo” Korogaru threw back her head in a mighty howl, calling all parties to converge on the rhino in her sights. She felt certain this was the original and they would need the strength of the pack to bring this hunt to a close.
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[attr="class","cbody2"]It was a seemingly momentous task, but we had felled one beast - clearly a clone or facsimile; a small portion of a greater power. It was no revelation of thought given circumstance that the beasts around us were similar though ephemeral. A single seal relinquished me from the alterity of their being, and I spoke loud even enough for others to hear.
"Man-beast." I said enunciating every syllable. "I congratulate you on your. . . feat of strength and stupidity. Now I suggest you take you and yours and flee. I overlook your current predicament only because we share the camaraderie of this singular won battle. But do not test me. That feat left you drained in more than one way. I cannot be sure if the Inuzuka in this battle are of you and yours, but if they are then you should understand that a predator can only ignore wounded prey in its midst for so long. I give you this one chance, and time enough to make preparation."
My weapon was already clasped on my back as I awaited a proper answer - verbal or otherwise. I let him approach his companions for now, and sought out mine visually, noting the lack of; save one. The chuunin and genin pair had safely evaucated and left behind Higa. The drum of battle left the happenstance of his predicament but an undertone, though I had a disinterest knowing it was likely his own doing. There was no need to stain his effort by stepping in yet.
I took seat upon a raised rock and watched the combined offensive struggle with glee. I could wait. After-all, eventually, it was likely he was coming regardless.
Every single motion left them further drained. Every single jutsu left their spirit waning. It was hilarious and so I laughed, and I couldn't stop laughing.
Howling. Barking. Laughing. It was all white noise.[break][break]
"Miss Aburame --" he greet calmly, the tranquil focus of his red stare flitting toward the woman to have come to their aid. "Thanks for the help."[break][break]
With the beast fallen, Koma's thoughts were toward the battle, eyes turned swiftly for the stampede still raging on ahead of him. He waste no time in finally committing to the act his fellow genin had attempted earlier in their battle,driving a kunai into the back of his hand to see a sudden bite of pain coursing some fresh adrenaline into his system to break the genjutsu.[break][break]
Jaw set tight, his gaze shone hard as his shoulders stiffen, his previously easy posture locked and rigid for the focus it took to force the pain from his mind. The stampede seemed to vanish from before his eyes, and amidst it, he spot a familiar jonin - Anotsu Uchiha, and a wounded animal set to fall. And to one side? Another beast, surging from a cloud of smoke, facing off what looked to be a group of ninja.[break][break]
"Daichi." He'd use his first name, this time. "I'm making an opening."[break][break]
With that, he was off, breaking away at a full sprint to close in on the staggered rhinoceros that Anotsu and Mai had already whittled down. His fingers reached for one of the scrolls at his belt, allowing its parchment to roll open smoothly as he held his open hand out over the scrawl painted on its surface. With a puff of smoke, a strong length of chain with a weighted hook at its head appeared to be captured in his grip, and with a flying leap, he was soon soaring over the beast in question.[break][break]
Wordless, he threw the chain sharply to root its hook within one of the beast's nostrils, yanking its links harshly over his shoulder to try and rip its head back and open its mouth.
