Killing the Fuuma Lords (+ Nagori if he doesnt post soon :) ) [Jiro, Nagori, Open]

Nagori felt like they had been travelling forever, he counted the trees and passing ninja on the way to the Fuuma Headquarters. It was a bad idea though, his number had reached five thousand a few times before getting interupted. Nagori knew they were coming close though, the activity of ninja in the area was increasing. Guards posted below him at the tree trunks, he had to be silent now, no more heavy landing on the branches. Nagori enjoyed landing heavily on branches too, they made funny cracking noises which made him giggle like a little child. Though not much could be heard from beneath his ANBU mask, Jiro surely would have heard him. Nagori could hear background noises of people talking and metal chinking, a feint smell of rice cooking was also lingering in the air. From the smell in the air, the voices and the metalic sounds, Nagori figured they had reached their destination. He halted suddenly on a tree branch, in a crouched position, he looked over the endless trees and fields. Nearby was a small japanese styled wall, it had a gate with large archways and two men guarding each side. That had to be the main entrance to the temple, however Nagori and Jiro didn't need to use the gate, the wall could easily be leapt or walked up. This was their point of entry, but Nagori had to wait for his master's orders, turning to Jiro, Nagori removed his mask and held it in his left hand for a moment. His face half covered in shadow, while all but the right side of his mouth was exposed to the light. He began whispering in a light tone, as not to carry far with the sound. "Commander, should we dispose of the guards before entry?" Nagori figured that the guards may get in the way during their mission if they tripped some form of an alarm. He always found it proficient to kill everyone who wasn't innocent during a mission, elsewise they would turn around and stab him at the last second he didn't expect it.

Crouching on a same branch too Nagori’s right Jiro surveyed the scene below with his usual thoughtful gaze. No emotion could be discerned from the bleach white mask whose only markings were two small tear like drops of blood below each eye giving the image of a sad ghost. The trip had been nothing out of the norm for such a mission, silent but not entirely un-enjoyable. Nagori seemed to enjoy making noise and Jiro wandered if he derived any pleasure from it. He had thought he had heard muffled giggling at one or two points during their journey though he had pushed it from his mind at the time. After all Anbu didn’t giggle … or did they? In any case they had travelled swiftly enough if not as fast as he had done earlier and made good time. By his estimation there was a good 2 hours or so before dawn, time enough to complete the mission and be gone before the sun rose from its slumber. As usual he had said little, never the talkative sort preferring to focus his mind on the mission rather then transient thoughts which was why he was starring intently at the guards around the gate deciding on his next course of action. Nagori’s question said a lot the short Nin’s that he liked to keep things tight and eliminate all potential threats. It was a moment’s work for him to consider the option and know that it was not the most prudent. The four below were hardly a threat in themselves, 3 genins and a chuunin by the looks of it. It was just that were too many uncertain variables for something that wasn’t strictly neccessary. Night, tiredness and a confidence born of inexperience, being surrounded by ones own allies and in the Fuma clans infamous reputation would make it relatively easy to take the group by surprise. That said with four it might prove difficult to remove them silently and even then they would need to replace them clones, most likely shadow clones, to assume their former identities. Then it would be less of question of when rather whether the presence would be discovered. If they hit the alarm or were to be seen their mission would come far harder, far better in his mind to ignore the gates completely, after all a wall was no barrier to a true Nin and then push on unseen. Attacking now would be a potential waste of chakra and risked alerting others.

With his decision made he replied in a soft yet authorative tone:

“No. We keep on Mission. As its stand its four less Nin guarding the targets and assaulting them may give away our presence. For now we keep to shadows and gather Intel. Once we have isolated the targets’ location we will eliminate them with extreme prejudice. We will cross over the wall and enter the village proper. A summon of mine will take lead from there. Upon entering we going to operational silence, use Anbu hand signals for all communications”

As he finished he bit his thumb and reached over to his forearm tracing a bloody line over an intricate and evil looking tattoo. Moments later a dark winged shape was perched on his shoulder, its leathery wings unfurling to reveal a … surprised guinea pig or something that look quite close to one wearing what appeared to be a small sleeping cap and fluffy pink ear muffs. For the next 10 seconds during which the ear muffs and sleeping cap were discretely hidden in Kami knows only where Jiro and his summon seemed to be having a interactive stare off as communicating through eye contact though it became apparent they were talking telepathically. Whatever they were talking about remained a secret but it was clear that the bat was irritated having just gone to bed but never the less co-operative and set off of its own accord. Shortly after Jiro performed a quick Jutsu, nodded and moved to cross over the wall in a blind spot.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Rasputin glided unheard across the open sky still irritated at being woken up and just after he got ready to roost for the day. That said the master had promised time enough to feed and there was nothing finer then a pint or two of fresh human blood prior to a well earned rest. As instructed he flew silently ahead using his enhanced sense of smell, hearing and echolocation to look for potential threats. His master had many faults but at least he was wise enough to know better then rely just on his own senses and should he learn anything his master would be alerted. He had also been given the names of the targets and told to listen out for talk about possible locations. He normally tried to tune them out the chatter of walking blood bags but he knew better then to question his master will. Some things, hot pokers in particular, one never forgets no matter how hard you try

Spoiler:

Nagori nodded to Jiro's speech, moving to jump down from the branch and land silently on the ground. He would speed forward from there by foot to move unseen against the wall, after reaching the side of the tall yet dark wall, Nagori leapt over it quietly. Landing on the other side as he passed over some barbed wire on the other side, Nagori noticed his left foot landed in a circle of it, he carefully plucked the barbed wire from his pants and placed it back down onto the ground. Watching the guards who were only meters away while he moved, Nagori made sure he didn't generate any noise with his actions. A few seconds after freeing his pants from the barbed wire and keeping an eye on the guards, Nagori began running low and quietly amongst the shadows of the trees and buildings. There were a few guards he had to pass by who stood nearby to trees to hide themselves. After an approximate one-hundred and fifty meters of running, Nagori stopped nearby to a tree. He handsignalled that they were only about another two-hundred meters from the first objective, the target A was the first Fuuma Lord intended to die. Target B was Fuuma Lord two, Target C was the escape route, alternative Target D was shutting off the alarms in the temple. That would be a hard objective which would attract a fair amount of attention, thus it was only an alternative objective. Nagori waited for Jiro's orders on what their next move would be, he had not yet had a look at the surrounding scenery, only listening for anyone nearby.

[Possibly this is a short post but I can't think right now.]

(OOC: Sorry about wait)

The ANBU stalked the rooftops below the central Fuuma Compound leaping from shadow to shadow without making a sound. They moved as if one with the darkness, embracing it and slipping past the multitude of bored and sleepy eyed guards. High above them Rasputin keen senses warned the pair of any potential threat and the approach of patrols allowing them to slip by unnoticed. Soon enough they had reached the edge of the small settlement that huddled around the large and dominating building that was Fuuma Castle whose walls seem cut into the rock itself. Towering 100ft it was built not only to defend its owners but to oppress and intimidate those who saw it, a symbol of the repression the clan had brought to the region and of the Fuuma clan’s power and status. Scaling it would be a feat in itself but that would be easy compared to what lay inside. Estimates, for not even their ANBU sources truly knew what lay within those formidable walls, put the Fuuma clans forces in the possible hundreds with at least 3 dozen clan members capable of putting up a fight, not to mention traps, seals and other potential barriers. It would take an entire division of Nin to take the place in normal circumstances. Though the orders were to simply kill the leaders, if killing two highly dangerous Nin surrounded by bodyguards could be called simple, Jiro was well aware of the dangers that lay in alerting the castle at large to their presence.

The wall had a slippery coating of a chakra based compound making the usual walking up be means of chakra alone impossible. The ANBU operatives were left to ascend the traditional way. Jiro had other means at his disposal of course but no indication on Nagori’s file suggested the same so he decided it would better if the stuck together and prepped for the ascent ahead. Jiro led the climb, using all his skill and agility to find and exploit what little handholds existed, Nagori following in his wake. Making use of his empathic connection to Rasputin and his night vision he was able to find a safe route avoiding several hazards and loose bricks deliberately placed to fell an unwary assailant. The long climb revealed the walls most potent and dangerous defence, the toll it took on the attacker leaving him breathless and tired by the top and vulnerable to attack when he needed his strength the most.

He indicated for them to take a halt and rest momentarily on a small ledge before the final push at the same time as directing Rasputin to scout out the top. It wasn’t long before Rasputin indicated that section was patrol by 2 nin, a chuunin and a genin by the look of it, though one at least appeared inattentive his mind on food and sleep then holding his cold vigil over the battlements. Using ANBU hand talk he told Nagori to wait before making a hand seal. The air got slightly drier as next to Jiro stood a perfectly formed water clone that nodded and head off slightly to the right before vaulting the final section. Jiro meanwhile leapt high drawing his massive weapon and whipping the silk covered chain with heart wrenching speed, the silk keeping it from rattling and giving away his location. By the time the chuunin saw the blade it was too late and the massive weapon was lodged in his vocal cords, killing all attempts to scream before severing his head altogether. Before it good crash to the ground with the screech of metal on stone Jiro had already whipped it back in casualness the belied the skill involved. Meanwhile the dozy Genin taken by shock found his own shouts muffled by the heavy hand of the water clone clamping it’s arm about his mouth, a vicious serrated dagger held to his throat. Before he could blink the real Jiro swung his weapon around in a back hand motion towards him and the genin screamed inside at thought of death only to find him self unharmed but for a small cut on his cheek.

Normally Jiro would have signalled his colleagues to follow by now, but they had a moment or two spare, time enough to serve his great master. He could not trust Nagori, not yet, with his secrets and it was best if he did not see what was to come. Much to the horror of the captured genin the mask man move his mask to the side and flicked his blade so that a drop of his crimson life blood fell onto a waiting tongue. To the Genin the was something wrong and very evil about the way the man smiled in satisfaction relishing the taste but that paled compared to what was happening for the split second before the ANBU returned the mask to its place. The man’s pale face had faded to reveal a hateful skull like marking in that brief time. Beneath the porcelain covering something evil and vile beyond all reckoning was stirring. Worse the blood red blade of his weapon started to glow ominously centring around a horrific rune at its centre. The boy struggled to break free hoping to disrupt the clone, anything to get away, as Jiro closed the distance between them but the clones grip was too strong. Just before the glowing blade lodged itself in his heart the genin heard a barely audible whisper in his ear:

“Send Jashin Sama my regards”

The markings fell away as the genin slumped to the ground dead the ritual at an end. Jiro quickly gleaned his now dull blade and efficiently piled the bodies before going to the edge and waving toward his companion 15ft below that it was safe. Even as he waved he felt the surge of power within him and knew his master was once more appeased. While Nagori ascened Rasputin looked hungrily down at the corpses but knew better then to feed knowing his master disapproved of it in public and made a note to come back later. On the rampart itself the clone was no more and nothing appeared amiss with the exception of an unusual killing intent that seem to linger and the smell of fear. Jiro seemed not to notice it already intent on the activity below.

Beyond the rampart was a courtyard some 50m wide along the sides of which were stationed perhaps 8 genin and chuunin and the middle the best part of 5 dozen bedraggled individuals, villagers by the looks of it. At the front them 4 more Nin stood. One of the Nin was decked in a priceless purple Kimono, two having the look of guards about them and the last of an officer of sorts. The man in purple was without doubt Lord Hogo, one of the two man they sought, and after half minutes observation it became clear that the people in the middle were the peasants of village on the border between rice and fire who had not paid the protection fee the Fuuma’s demanded of them. The officer was asking them where Lord Hogo’s tribute was with increasing haughtiness and amusement in his voice. However it was clear this was no simple shakedown. Had the Fuuma simply wanted the money the village would have sent just a few with coin in hand, that most of village was here meant something far worse was in store. The Fuuma were infamous for their mistreatment of those who failed to pay what was due and were known for slaughtering whole villages as an example to others. A quick glance at the Nin about the courtyard gripping the hilts of their weapons in preparation for the order was confirmation enough that the Fuuma clan was about to administer the ultimate punishment.

It was as then Lord Hogo, who seemed to be tiring of their excuses decided to leave the 2 guards accompanying him in his trial, most likely retiring to the safety and warmth of his personal chambers while around the courtyard the guards prepared for the bloody murder to come.

It became quickly apparent a choice needed to be made. They could either try to save the helpless civilians or leave them to the fate and pursue Lord Hogo. If the went after him now they might be able to catch him in what they knew to be an access corridor that led from the courtyard, a perfect place to dispatch the Lord away from the eyes of others. If they did those below would certainly die. If they helped the crowd they could likely save many but expose their presence making completing the mission far more difficult potentially even impossible. A more ethical manner might have hesitated but Jiro did not:

“We go after Lord Hogo”

The mission was everything. Hogo was the only logical choice. He was about to lead the way when he noticed Nagori hadn’t moved …..

OOC: I'm sorry Jiro, I'm gonna be gone for a while from stress and exhaustion, only about a week if that though. Just some Christmas crap came up and it's gonna be going on for a while. So yeah, I am giving full permission for you to finish this topic and kill my character Nagori in any way you decide.