[attr="class","parchment-h1"]Himamushi Ikeda: The Escaped Test Subject
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[attr="class","parchment-h3"]Sunset
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[attr="class","parchment-thread"]Onomichi was not prepared. [break][break][break][break]From the sky came a great beast, each wing as large as a man. It had an upturned nose and its screech pierced through the air as it made its descent on the northern side of the city. Cackling atop it a gremlin of a man, skin discolored and deformed. Unnatural. [break][break] From the gullet of the beast came streams of fire fifteen feet wide with each pass, setting buildings alight in the vicinity of the gate and in turn incinerating shinobi and civilians alike. The vile man atop the bat revealed a seal tattooed on his chest, and began pulling clay jars. As people would run to try to help the immolated, he would toss his jars at them and the oil inside would cause a burst of intense immolation. For the first few minutes, things were in utter chaos as the bat darted up into the sky to avoid hails of incoming shuriken and then returned for a second pass. [break][break] On the second run it again focused on setting the northern gates around the city ablaze. With this pass, there was less fire to go around as the bats chakra was put to the test. To supplement it the man atop it began throwing more of the jars, and occasionally he spat a heap of oil right from his mouth down onto the ground below. [break][break] More forces stationed in the city began to arrive after the initial guards at the northern gate were decimated (granted the northern gate was the least defended). [break][break] “Hahahahhahaa! More more more!” The man yelled at the bat as it did a sweep over Kikuyō Kaguya and Chikaku. Flames began to build up in the creature’s mouth, but as it dove lower to deliver the flames only a smolder could escape. “MIKARRRRRRI!” he yelled, visibly bashing the bat on the back of the head. He then tugged the reigns and the creature soared into the air. “I’ll BE RIGHT BACK BABIES!” A horrid screech, louder than any of the others, emitted from the back. It seemed almost a signal, as it queued the feeling of an earthquake in the east. [break][break] Junko Komaeda and — anotsu uchiha would arrive as the bat pulled further into the darkening evening sky. Chaos and disorder were rampant, and it was immediately obvious to these leaders of shinobi that the enemy was trying to make it harder for Otogakure to deploy reinforcements. There were several wells that some shinobi had already began pulling water from. Worse, the forward hospital was alit with flame. Inside was Chinetsu Hatsuden and several assistants. They could still get out of the hospital, but it already had several patients and critical supplies for saving lives in it. [break][break] At the eastern gate, shinobi began to arrive in droves. Perhaps they were ordered to come help? Upon them getting closer, @illustrious2, Sho Nishioka, and Nomura Benkei would realize that the people emerging from the forest were no longer among the living. With lifeless eyes they began charging at the shinobi on the eastern side of Onomichi. Each of them would find former shinobi trying to carve them up with kunai! [break][break] With the madman and the bat high in the sky biding their time, there was an opporitunity to act and plan for his next pass and the incoming imperial forces. [break][break] OOC: post once this week to validate entry into the event if you were tagged in this post.
[attr="class","exhausted"]A lion concerns itself not with the opinions of sheep..
[attr="class","rhythm"]
❝
So often, we run from consequences. Do as you please but do it without regret.
Mother nature was no match for the dance of flame that lapped at her canvas.
I'd been watching the chaotic display of man and beast well before I had reached my intended destination, the only sign of my appearance the sudden manifestation of my being atop one of the many edifice at the city's limit closer to the forestry. I had taken care to position myself well out of the range of attention displayed by our quarry. From this vantage point, I could survey the entirety of the battlefield for as far as my eyes could bear witness. Already I had begun assessing the situation, the gears within my mind turning. In droves, what would be our support system began to arrive. Tools to be used, an unfortunate end all but guaranteed for a portion of their numbers. But I would play my part, orchestrating a tactical advance in an attempt to reduce the number of casualties. Time was of the essence, of course. To that end, I would wait until the bulk of our forces were within earshot.
One would have considered it a disadvantage to have been surrounded by a gathering of Amegakure's opposition. The tide of battle could easily be turned against me....or so those that desired a grave alongside the already fallen would think before I snuffed out the notion. Whoever had orchestrated this group clearly had a sense of humor - I was reminded to chuckle later if the expense was more costly than they'd have guessed. Provided my temporary allies were within proximity to hear, I spoke with enough volume for the message to be received without interference. "Leave the fodder to the unassigned," I began with a point of my index finger toward the innumerable wave of deceased. "Our priorities are the hospital, the essentials inside, and the water sources. Divert all uses of Suiton to extinguishing the flame at key points." There was still the matter of our aerial assailants. For a breath, I considered the best course of action.
"If you can reach our unwelcome guest with projectiles and explosives, I'd advise it against chancing and potentially wasting your chakra. They have advantage in the air. Let's bring them down to our level before we commit. They're stalling. Don't give them any chance for respite." I knew little about their combat capabilities. They would simply have to position themselves with the most appropriate role described. "If you can assist the bulk holding back the horde, do so. Otherwise, maintain a spread to lower the beast's chance at creating charred corpses."
With that, I took up silence to promote reply, agreement or otherwise. This would be no simple affair. I needed to remain vigilant.
(tagged)⏤ @.someone (notes)⏤ I hope you like this template!
[attr="class","zacwords"]It was pure chaos. Flames reaching – no, exceeding – human dimensions began to deviously lick all manner of property around, regardless of whether it was organic or not. Those unable to defend from it would succumb in the most gruesome of ways, and those barely able to resist would be exposed not just to their life being threatened by such inferno, but also to witness those aforementioned demises in the most direct way possible. What a mess... In Chinetsu’s case, he found himself trapped inside a hell within a hell. His profession chained him to brick and mortar medical stations when possible, and in this case, he was well within one during the sudden attack. [break][break]
Wounded were being tended to prior to the assault, and now, with such intense conflagration everywhere taking place, the Kumo medic suspected more would soon follow. But with the hospital’s very existence being threatened by not only flames of hate, but also by the very ones the sowed them – Chinetsu surmised from a few peaks out the windows and towards the battlefield – he doubted their ability to continue treatment. At least we have reinforcements... And that they did – for now. Still, such knowledge would be reassuring, considering he could now more comfortably focus solely on healing, rather than worrying about keeping others alive, as well as himself. [break][break]
For the moment, a formidable number of assistants seemed to be abound. Unfettered by the flames, they had remained by their patient’s side, and although a bit flustered due to the sudden nature of the attack and fire, were nonetheless potentially very useful in this situation; all they lacked was some sensible leadership. Some of them should salvage supplies, while the others should focus on patient extraction... Chinetsu himself would most likely focus on two tasks – first, ensuring the supply runners focus mainly on the medicine at hand that was being used to treat their existing patients, as well as basic but essential remedies that will undoubtedly be needed for this battle, and secondly, that the patient escape route was safe, secure, and sensible. [break][break]
“LISTEN UP!” [break][break]
“We are going to designate a portion of you to focus on patient removal, while the rest will assist in retaining as many supplies as possible.” [break][break]
For once, Chinetsu was not cryptic with his approach. Rather than allowing his deep, uncaring baritone of a voice slowly fade away, lingering with doubt and leaving its listener to wonder the number of meanings carried behind such few spoken words, he would be blunt, loud, and direct. Simply put, this was a crisis. There was no room for error. We need to get out soon... Each move would not only have to be calculated, but also, deliberately, and with haste. The fire had risen, and with it, the nearby temperatures. Soon, all those around would find themselves residing in inhospitable areas. It was certainly no time to dawdle. [break][break]
“Focus only on what we need. Think of the tools and medicine we’re using, and those commonly needed on the field. And most importantly...” [break][break]
“...assume we won’t be able to come back.” [break][break]
Soon, it would be time to move; he only hoped everyone was ready. [break]
The splintering of burning wood, the screams of the immolated - it was carnage, delivered upon the residents of Onomichi in a way that few would experience. For the veteran shinobi, it was a reminder of their worst days, the taste of blood in their mouths and the vivid memories of war that would stay with them forever. For the freshly deployed, few from the academy could be prepared for the systematic slaughter of comrades and the sights or sounds that come with it. As groups dispersed and scattered around the area, the calls of veteran ninja would assuage the aimlessness and panic of many rookies, but wise words could only reach those willing to hear them.
As soulless beings emerged from the forest, a younger ninja tried desperately to move a pile of destroyed wood from her leg, which kept her pinned down from the ground in the unfortunate path of the advancing horde. As she screamed, what sounded like a pair of galloping horses rung out in the distance, distinct only due to the primal grunts that came with them. ''The wood!'' screamed Goro, as he dug his hands in the soil to slow his fast paced charge, leaving him right next to the downed shinobi. On the opposite side, Kiki began lifting the wood in tandem with the giant man, freeing the girl's leg just long enough for Goro to quickly scoop her up, throwing her back towards the larger group of shinobi for medical assistance. As the chorus of violence sung out around them, the two beasts stood tall and began pounding their chests, letting out loud, guttural roars of defiance.
''FACE ME!''
Slamming his palms down on the ground alongside Kiki, the pair prepared themselves to take on the first enemy that would approach them. Although he wasn't confident he could take on every combatant, Goro sought to draw the attention of the ground forces, if only long enough to take care of the distant threat in the air or regain some level of stability for the junior forces and medical ninja to take care of the injured forces behind him.
"Wheeew..." the faintest whistle, the sight of buildings lit with flames bright against my frown. They sent us as reinforcements, and unfortunately, it looked like they needed them.
A thought ran through my mind - Scary. Not particularly helpful, but being on the cautious side would keep me alive long enough to figure that out; or so I hope.
My gaze took time to slip back to the woods that had faded behind us, fingers tightly gripping the hilt of my iai-taichi as realization began to dawn. "What the fuck?" managed to slip from a slack jaw, backpedaling as an ape-guarded man began to swing himself into the fray. Unfortunately far from the oddest thing I'd seen since coming to Otogakure.
I turned my head, trying to take some grasp of the situation, back up, take hold of the situation. If I had been so lucky - a pair of the seemingly alive? Shinobi targeting me. No time to think, no time to worry about what was going on.
My left leg buckled, falling forward and to my left. Drawing my blade, I'd strike forward and to the right, shifting from the fall into a harsh right sidestep, before carrying forward the strike in an attempt to wound one and behead the other. More importantly, I'd be looking to create distance, and regroup with the afore-mentioned wall of muscle(s). Power in numbers.
Flames blanketed the trembling horizon. A crowning backdrop to the hellfire that carved through the Onomichi streets. The remains of bodies and buildings alike lay torched, now nothing but cinders. Tortured cries echoed through a blind miasma of smoke and ash. The only reply—another cry. The tragic village had finally been converted into a living bonfire.
But it still made no sense. Why me? Well... there was a growing suspicion. And the further this place descended into hell, the more plausible it seemed.
I could still recall the voice of the jerk who had barged in on my morning massage. “Kikuyō Kaguya. You have been specially selected for a high-profile mission, direct from Tsuchikage-sama himself! Get dressed and come with me for your briefing. Now. Official Orders.”
Bah! What had I to do with fire-breathing bats and undead samurai? Me, a lowly genin? There were plenty of missions in the Stone that needed tending. Plus, I had business of my own; and who was going to gratify the Yūkaku with me gone? No, I hadn’t been selected for my lengthy record of Samurai slaying that didn’t exist. This was punishment. My reward for being a ‘less-than-ideal’ citizen. Personally, I didn’t see the real issue. I mean, I wasn’t burning down buildings and... falling on distracted shinobi with a mouthful of fire..?
“Ahhh!” I dove across the smoky street, landing underneath the awning of a local shopfront. Eyelids clenched shut, I cursed myself, awaiting the intense burning that I knew would come. One breath, two. Huh? My eyes sprang back open, hands propelling against the warm earth to flip myself around. No fire at all. A relieved laugh leapt from my belly before the cursed voice of that diabolical creature turned my expression sour, and then intense.
We had to find some cover while we had the chance. All of that fire-spewing must have worn it down. Whatever the case, I was here. And the mere thought of returning alive and proving my naysayers wrong sparked my blood.
Jumping to my feet, I caught the renewed smells of charred flesh and bone and grimaced. A dense heat clung to the skin, smothering. The spared roadside wouldn’t be safe for long. Like an omen of the end, the incinerated carnage of neighboring streets littered the ground from pole to pole. Get moving. I turned to sprint, but before I could make it past the corner, a group of four shinobi barged into my path. Heaving an enormous leather sack like the funereal pallbearers of leviathan itself, they rallied toward the ravished north.
“Just gonna stand there?” One sounded as they brushed past, unceasing. I sighed, lowering my head before accepting the stark prospect of what was to come. It was less dangerous than scrambling around alone, I guessed. I caught the tail end of the mammoth pouch as it passed, speeding our pace somewhat. It sloshed under my hands. Well water.
“Where are we headed?” I shouted tentatively, hardly wanting to know the answer. “To the hospital,” one hollered back, “Just up ahead!”
And with that, we tore down the lane and into the infernal mouth of chaos.
Last Edit: Oct 17, 2021 16:11:55 GMT by Kikuyō Kaguya
As the smoke painted the sky like ink and the flames bellowed Junko watched from the highest rooftop she could find, her body laid low against the shingles she stayed out of sight and limited her movement to better scout and watch what was happening, sparing glances from the main threat of the fire-breathing bat to the undead making their way into the city. Clad in a tight navy top leaving her arms uncovered while her claws were worn, her lower body in a similarly snug manner allowing freedom of movement.
Regardless of what was currently going on on the front she waited to see how the enemy acted on their front and their reaction to the shinobi working against them. Likewise she kept notice of anything happening directly around herself ready to roll away and dodge or dropping from the roof entirely and breaking away from the location. The bat, or more so its rider, was her primary target at the moment finding his actions distasteful towards a mount, let alone one that was probably stronger than him.
[attr="class","APP3"]Among the many shinobi that were gathered around, some of them were able to answer Anotsu’s call for suiton users while other genin continued to rush waters from the wells to them. With Kikuyō amongst them and many others concentrated efforts to put out the medical tents were successful, which made it easier for Chinetsu’s people to evacuate patients and supplies. With the medical supplies saved and patients out and about, one of the medics kicked open the door to an untarnished building across the town square and signaled for others to bring the patients in. They were well set up to treat things like burns now. Whether Chinetsu would rejoin the medics or stay out to help with the fight was ultimately up to him.
With much of the aid sent to the medical tent, the buildings, and the wall on the north end of the town began to burn more brightly. It seemed as if the empire had set up a cage made of fire to prevent reinforcements from easily getting into the town. Much of the well water was expended and evaporated. It would likely take some scouting by someone to gather more.
Benkei’s strike would slash across the chest of the first of the creatures, sending out a splatter of blood mixed with a smattering of muddy soil. The second slash struck deep into the neck of the second shinobi, and got stuck about a third of the way through, which forced him to retract the blade inwards to continue keeping his distance. That zombie continued forwards, stumbling for a few steps before its head slopped off and onto the ground. With its destruction the body slopped up like soil, though human organs lay in clumps around it. The second shinobi that had only been cut moaned and continue rushing towards Benkei. Behind it came several more that had made their way to the gate from the forest. Although it wasn’t really close enough to hit, it swung its blade towards Benkei so fiercely that it dislocated its shoulder with a loud popping noise, getting close enough to deliver a minor wound to his left arm if he did not react.
Goro’s cry seemed to attract the attention of three of the beings coming from the forest. One in a hidden stone headband of a vaguely familiar face, two others wearing armor of imperial’s that were far more decrepit. The fallen shinobi ran ahead first with a kunai, while the other two followed quickly after with drawn blades.
Junko's watching and alertness would help her find site of the bat that was now far in the sky, using billowing smoke clouds and sheer distance for cover. Based on the way it was moving, it looked like it was starting to hover over the north gate area, which held the main bulwark for the town against the empire's main force that was still a good ways away. The bat hadn't descended yet when she saw it, so there could still be time to coordinate if she shared the knowledge.
OOC: Sho Nishoka will be removed from the event if they do not post in this next rotation.
Even before her gaze caught the flapping creature she had begun to channel lightning chakra along her left arm and steadied straight ahead of her, the slow gradual build up was one method she had learned to not be wasteful of chakra as she used the metal surrounding her arms to focus and direct the charge like a rail. As she observed it and its rider she also came to find that it was taking position over the main gate. Before the the duo could begin their descent the feline let off a shot from her finger tips as a thing sharp bolt of electricity cut through the smoke filled air aimed straight for the rider's chest where he had been pulling oil from using the build up and rail trajectory to increase the speed of the shot, she didn't intend to kill the creature if she could help it so her target was the rider.
Regardless the pop of air alone would most likely draw attention to the sky and to those observant enough, the gold line slicing through the infernal haze overhead to bring the enemy to bear for everyone once again. The cat however knew the shot compromised her position and rolled off the roof out of both being's line of sight, using her claws to slow her drop to the road below and slipping into the smoke and shadows of the alleyways to find her path to another rooftop. Junko's ears stood straight and alert at all times for her surroundings while her gaze was primarily on the skies where she had fired her shot keeping her quarry locked down.
We barged through the clouds of soot and smoke in a feverish haze. The flames could be felt before they were seen: waves of heat radiated through the smog, swelling in intensity with each step we took, buffeting our persistent advance and tearing at our clothes like the talons of satan himself.
“Almost there!” yelled a muffled voice from our vanguard, stabbing through the growling inferno that tore at the backbone of the village.
We fought forward. The cries only grew louder, colliding with the hurried shouts of commanding shinobi. Tumbling smoke gave way to a sinister glow that revealed the base of the hospital, submersed in flame. The medical center had devolved into an earthen oven that promised to cook its inhabitants alive. Medics and patients alike poured out of the building like termites from a falling tree. It was nightmarish, yet awe-inducing; I fought the urge to gawk dumbly.
Another group of shinobi, assumedly Suiton users, scurried to relieve us upon our arrival. Like relay racers, we passed the titanic baton of well-water into our comrades’ raring hands, wiping ours clean. Hardly a second later we were berated with orders from above that sounded both desperate and vital.
“You lot! Up here! Spread out and scout for more well-water! The north is depleted! Let them handle the fire here. Quick! Lives are at risk!”
Just then a window shattered, spitting out a charred body with disgust. There was no time to think amidst the burning chaos that threatened to engulf us. With a swift nod we each split in a different direction; I took the southeastern charge, hurdling over wreckage and ruin as I departed from the medical hub. Adrenaline coursed through my veins; my gaze darted from building to building, searching for a viable vantage point.
It felt odd, finding myself so motivated to help this village of strangers, but the terror of their situation had evaporated any resistance of my own. I sprinted at least two blocks before a worthwhile perch revealed itself—an in-tact structure that could’ve been a multi-story inn. Scaling the western side of the building, I caught a beam of light flashing through the sky, dazzling as a shooting star. The cloudy outline of the goblin and its flying steed twinkled to the far north, where the flames lay the thickest. A needed relief.
In seconds I clawed my way atop the roof. Even here the detritus of war lay strewn around my feet. Taking care not to step on anything organic, I lifted my attention across the surrounding townscape, hoping to find a water source.
Last Edit: Oct 24, 2021 8:09:06 GMT by Kikuyō Kaguya
As the pieces moved into place behind them, Goro and Kiki identified a vaguely familiar face - a Stone Ninja, though not one that Goro knew by name, who was flanked by two blade wielding assailants of relative disrepair. Gritting his teeth, the connection between this sudden reincarnation and the forces that flanked them was made in the man's mind, spurring a low growl and tensing of his arms. Identifying this, Kiki let out a grumble of her own and pushed her shoulder against the large man beside her, directing his gaze towards the imperial soldiers that approached them. As close as their partnership had gotten, it was clear what she meant with a touch - dispatch the emotional liability and then focus on the greater threats. But as he contemplated it, moving through the calculations in mere moments, Goro's anger bubbled up inside of him. ''Bastards..'' he remarked to himself, a familiar heat rising in his chest and up into his throat.
''You.. BASTARDS!''
Letting out a mighty roar, Goro charged towards the trio with Kiki on his flank. Although subtle to most people, the growls and chuckles of Kiki communicated basic thoughts to Goro - when to duck, when to jump, but in this case she signaled for him to follow after her. Picking up speed in front of him, Kiki slammed her palms on the ground and rolled forward in the same motion, launching herself feet first at the risen Stone Ninja through a partially obscuring burst of dirt. Immediately after, another thunderous slap could be heard on the ground and the expanding cloud tore open with the emerging Goro, who dove at the two ninja with rigid, extended arms. Their intention was simple - Kiki would try and land a full-force kick on the Stone Ninja, then Goro would try to take the two imperial men off of their feet. If they were successful, the pair would hopefully slide back into form to continue their assault on the group, but in the case of mid-air sabotage, one of the two would look to the other and attempt to fill up holes in their plan. Ultimately, their offense was simplistic, but with the rage that filled Goro's thoughts, simplicity and instinct was all he could utilize in the moment.
[attr="class","exhausted"]A lion concerns itself not with the opinions of sheep..
[attr="class","rhythm"]
❝
So often, we run from consequences. Do as you please but do it without regret.
My efforts had not been in vain, the exodus from the hospital testament to the plan that I had set in motion to my acquaintances.
A canopy of smog veiled my departure from the perch upon which I surveyed the battlefield. I needed to initiate the second of my machinations, my eyes bearing witness to the seemingly endless wave of rotted flesh and malicious intent designed to impede our progress. I knew better than to exert the bulk of my ministrations toward the pawns. No - I sought their knights, their kings, their queens. To that end, I would move across the board with efficiency at my flank. I would leave the riffraff to the infantry.
Still in observation of those around me, a familiar audible drew my attention to the skies above. There was still the matter of bringing down the source of our peril, an otherworldly creature with its master thwarting our attempts to eliminate his aerial advantage. My steady, meticulous attention to details had transitioned from thought to action. From my pouch, I retrieved a multitude of senbon that fit betwixt the webbing of nimble digits. "Quickly - projectiles at the main target. Wide spread!" My words were calm, collected, yet stated with urgency. All of my strength was utilized as I sweeped my arms in wide motions, unleashing my senbon in tandem with the Raiton Ninjutsu conjured by the stealthy shinobi nearby. Those who could follow suit did just so, a wave of metal glint and barely audible whistle heralding a storm of various tools designed to pepper my quarry.
Through pillars of flame and smoke we attacked, but it was not my intention to strike the grotesque form of beast or rider. It was only meant to distract, denying our host of chaos ample time to recover from the expenditure of its energy intervals before. Whether our efforts had found purchase or not in the hide, the flesh of our aggressors, I would split my attention between eyeing their whereabouts and searching for yet another water source. I darted through alley and main ground alike, varying the height and depth of my reconnaissance to seek out another water supply with which to defend our position. Perhaps, I surmised, we could even afford our greatest Suiton users the opportunity to join in our offensive efforts.
I would not utilize my ocular power just yet. The Sharingan was still fresh to my knowledge, my repertoire, but I would only unleash this scarlet gift at the behest of necessity.
The stench reached me, underneath the chaps of raging flames and the distraction of dozens of men and woman swarming. Death. Something wasn't right.
The mix of blood and dirt came as a surprise - the jolt that slammed against my shoulder not so much. Sloppy footwork. Toes pressed down, pushing forward into what remained of my momentum. The blade heaved, pulling out of soil lined skin as the edges of my robe were cut short. The noise....
"Tch." The snapping of teeth, a grimace flickering as I tightened my focus. No point in trying to regroup if this... Whatever, this is, doesn't go down. My iai-tachi swung backwards, sheathing as I created distance. Two might have been ambitious, but one of these things didn't seem too tough.
I'd have to find out what the hell was going on eventually, but right now I held back, digging my heels into the ground as my stance lowered. Traditional stance work, nothing to be particularly proud of. Assuming the soldiers were as mindless as they acted, I'd respond to any immediate advances with a horizontal Iai strike at their necks. Assuming otherwise, I'd have to advance on them in turn. Get done with these, move on to the next.
With Kikuyō amongst them and many others concentrated efforts to put out the medical tents were successful, which made it easier for Chinetsu’s people to evacuate patients and supplies.
[break] Despite the initial bleak nature of the fiery situation before them, it seemed quick thinking and a united, organized response allowed for those gathered nearby to minimize loss and casualty on many fronts. Chinetsu and his fellow medics were able to remove a bulk of the most useful medical agents they had at their disposal, as well as save most of their treated patients, moving both precious sets of cargo out of the inferno and towards the relative safety of the outside. That building looks unaffected by the flames...!!! And although he knew the warzone that was all around would bode no better for his medical staff’s survival, being out here and potentially be exposed to raids was currently a better prospect than simply dying in a burning building. Excited at the potential for safety granted by a relatively unscathed building found up ahead, Chinetsu knew it was best to keep his wits about him. After all, all it would take was one wrong move on their behalf for misfortune to fall upon them. [break][break]
With the medical supplies saved and patients out and about, one of the medics kicked open the door to an untarnished building across the town square and signaled for others to bring the patients in. They were well set up to treat things like burns now.
[break][break]
While he would not necessarily rest easy simply because they had literally gotten out of the fire, and perhaps there was most likely a rather hot culinary instrument awaiting nearby, he was a bit more confident the medical team could handle anything thrown at them, even with his absence. As much as I want to help treat, I need to back up our fighters on the field… Despite rejoicing in their salvation via relocation, he still held a bleak and miserable expression as his head and gaze steadily scanned the burning horizon all around. Many allies were spotted, but at the moment, none were known from his own village; he was in the middle of helping treat some injuries when the assault broke out, just before he could rendezvous with his people. Thus, whomever nearby was all he had to work with. In the end, it was better than nothing. [break][break]
Whether Chinetsu would rejoin the medics or stay out to help with the fight was ultimately up to him.
[break][break]
He had a tough decision ahead to make, but it did not take long to arrive at the most sensical conclusion. While his expertise and skill would undoubtedly be an asset in terms of helping the wounded, the fact they had escaped with a fair cache of supplies, as well as managed to transport the injured unscathed, meant they were in a better position than his initial calculations estimated. Was that…Anotsu-san...? And so, after also recognizing an ally nearby also fighting for dear life, Chinetsu decided it would be best to lend his hand in holy battle, and pray their medical team had the chops to keep the operation running while he was gone.[break][break]
From my pouch, I retrieved a multitude of senbon that fit betwixt the webbing of nimble digits. "Quickly - projectiles at the main target. Wide spread!" My words were calm, collected, yet stated with urgency. All of my strength was utilized as I sweeped my arms in wide motions, unleashing my senbon in tandem with the Raiton Ninjutsu conjured by the stealthy shinobi nearby. Those who could follow suit did just so, a wave of metal glint and barely audible whistle heralding a storm of various tools designed to pepper my quarry.
[break][break]
And so, after confirming it was indeed Anotsu, the Jounin befriended from earlier reconnaissance, Chinetsu’s choice was easy. After announcing his departure and establishing a command during his absence within the new hospital, the battle medic of Kumo found himself soon rushing towards his newly made acquaintance’s side, picking up rather quickly on his strategy. Just what IS that flying around...!? And while the aerial troll was hard to conceptualize visually, he who excelled a fine chakra control that allowed him to be a medic – and thus, a skilled ninjutsu user in general – would let chakra fly at his feet and hands. One would make his initial entry into the fighting scene swift, while the other helped power the aerial projectiles. As he waited for impact, he’d impart a few words Anotsu’s way.[break][break]
“Yo! Better late than never, I guess...?”[break][break]
“Well, regardless, I’m here now...let’s do this!!!”[break]
[attr="class","APP3"]As the bat circled, a flash of lightning moved towards him. Given his distance and the nature of lightning, the shot branched out as it got closer, and as a last-minute means of self-preservation the rider pulled up on the reigns of the bat and made it take the brunt of the shock. There was an audible cry from the bat, and a less audible whimpering from the man atop it. The descent of the bat became a plummeting circle, but notably Anotsu’s and Chinetsu’s projectile combo made contact with the rider who was too busy holding on for dear life. Blood spilled from his arm, blood which seemed to be slicked with a darker substance from the strange glands that made Himamushi the strange being that he was.
The bat barreled towards a shrine, not far from Kikuyō’s position. The two-story complex was made of cherry wood with old shoji doors and a bell resting out front next to a well that had yet to be depleted. It was well taken care of and surrounded by tranquil gardens that contrasted the flames surrounding the buildings nearby much like a piece of heaven in the middle of hell. Through the rooftop the bat fell and left a hole in the rooftop with a loud crashing noise.
There was a stillness from the shrine for several moments, but then from the hole in the roof came what looked like a flock of birds. As they grew closer to Kikuyō and the others around him it would become more apparent that they were being swarmed by small black bats. Several bats latched onto other shinobi approaching the area in search of another well. A group of three palm sized bats would circle around the stone shinobi attempting to nip at him with fanged teeth. Any that approached the shrine would find themselves having to deal with a few bats of their own as well.
When Kiki the gorilla launched forward, the poor corpse of the stone shinobi stood little chance on impact with the beast. Like the dirt that rolled with her the reconstructed being crumbled. Goro had similar luck, managed to knock the two imperials off their feet. One of the soldiers was quickly stomped to death, but the last remaining of them swung wildly at Goro’s ankle with a tarnished sword in an attempt to cut him down to size.
The swing landed as Benkei swung his sword forward horizontally against the neck of the zombie that he faced, managing to cut it before it could cut him. Much like the first this one fell. He would see Goro and Kiki fighting their own foes while another pack of zombified shinobi approached. This time there were about eight of them, but other guards of the gate occupied all but four of them. Still, other more cowardly genin were starting to fall back and it didn’t seem like there were a lot of signs of stopping of enemy advance. The four unoccupied started running in his direction, with kunai drawn. He had enough time to get away if he chose, but if he did not or there was no intervention they would move against him in pairs trying to cut him down with wild undisciplined stabs.
Would Goro and Benkei be able to hold the line, or would they too fall back? If they did the others within the city would have to deal with the threat from the east as well.
OOC: Goro is free to write finishing off the last zombie refered to in his mention and move on to help Benkei or whatever else he wants to do. The rider and bat fell into a building and there are now little bats swarming around the area near it that will bite people who get close. The posting day for this thread is going to be Tuesday going forward to help balance my posting schedule a bit.
