The Blacksmith's request (Private; Nero and Sanji)

MISSION:

Spoiler:

Sanji stood with Nero at the village gates, going through his equipment once more, which wasn't much really, but simply making sure he had his things was a ritual he would never forsake. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, as they say. After shutting the pouch, he looked over at Nero with that trademark deadpan expression, the 6'1" Genin perhaps having to look downward toward his leader on this mission as he states," I'm ready when you are." in a deep voice. He looked on as the heavy gates were opened, but still he waited for Nero's order.

( Word count: 109 )

[the WC for first post was 109]

"Well, I'm ready as well... Let's just make sure we can use all the info in the mission, and repeat what the mission was... One of the most respected Blacksmiths in the leaf has a new idea for a blade but he lacks the required materials, so we need to get them... He wants a rare ore, found in some place on the mountain... So the first thing we'll do is to climb that mountain... Since you said you were ready, let's head out.". Nero and Sanji got out from the village, heading to the giant mountain... On the way there, Nero knew they had a lot of time to talk, so he started the conversation "So, Sanji..." Nero said "Who are you ? Whose friend are you ? What is your rank ?". Nero and Sanji's meeting was a kind of fast, so they didn't know much about each other. But Nero wanted to meet this guy. He thought that the ninja could've been something after all...

[Total WC : 274]

Sanji listened quietly as the mission information was repeated back to him by Nero. He gazed at the distance all the while, seeing the cloudy peak they would eventually have to ascend in the distance, though as the two finally set out the trees soon obscured his view. Not to worry, his sense of direction was impeccable, as it was certain Nero's was too. A ninja who got lost would be the laughingstock of the ninja world.

For the first part of their journey Sanji didn't even think of saying another word to Nero until he was questioned about various things." I'm Sanji Sanada. As for friends I have very few. And I'm a genin." He says, rather short with his answers, that sort of thing would stymie conversation in a hurry. Besides, he wasn't comfortable around Nero yet, so it'd take some time to thaw the ice.

( Total Word Count: 422 )

"So, you're not talkative after all..." said Nero smiling to Sanji "It's O.K." added the Chuunin, "I would've reacted the same way to questions like that when I was a Genin... By the way, I'm not telling this because I think everyone becomes more talkative when they hit a higher rank, but I did... I don't know what changed about me, but now I'm the most talkative one around my friends... I just wanted to find out if we had a friend in common... Oh ! As a return, I should give you my name and my rank too... I am Nero Yamaki of The Yamaki Clan, as known as the Noroi (means Curse, literally) of the Hidden Leaf. I am a chuunin ranked shinobi, and I'm aiming to become a jounin soon...".

Then Nero realised that they have reached the mountain... This was where they were going to start the climbing, and they would probably be in the place the ore was told to be in some hours, or maybe in even less time. "So, let's talk less and start climbing then..." said Nero as he started walking on the mountain... "I suppose we can learn about each other until the mission is completed..." thought Nero, looking at Sanji...

[WC : 632]

The wind began to whip around them as they approached the mountain, known for its stiff breezes. As Sanji listened to Nero, he also cautiously surveyed the area. There was a reason this was an A rank mission, so he would naturally assume there would be others aiming to get the quarry they intended to. Also there was a more specific reason Sanji was here. Seeing as he could get to the ore without heavy tools.

As Nero went on about becoming more talkative and stated his name and rank, he nodded." I know." he stated to reaffirm the gesture. Sanji may be a bit of a recluse, but he paid attention to things in the village. It was one of the only things that kept him sane. Usually Sanji would've cracked a bad joke by now, but his mood hasn't been so great lately, so he didn't feel up to it just yet. When he heard something about less talking, he perked a brow and thought," You've been doing all the talking..."

Nevertheless the oversized genin first took out some strips of cloth and wrapped them around his hands, fingerless gloves didn't go very far toward protection while climbing. After he was done one powerful leap got him back to where Nero was, and he began the ascent along with him, well-defined muscle rippling as he ascends.

( Total Word Count: 860 )

Nero watched the Genin's moves... "What strength..." Nero thought "I wouldn't want to fight him fist to fist if I was any other Genin from our village...". Nero was looking up once again, to the destination where they were headed, soon later, they arrived near a cave... "This place..." said Nero as he stopped. He was now standing on snow. They didn't need to "climb" anymore... "This place is where the ores would be... After me..." said Nero as he entered the cave. The first thing he saw was a kind of creature with white fur. Its body resembled that of a dog's but it was much, much bigger. "A giant white fox ?" told Nero "Well, that isn't something you can see any day... Take your chance and watch it... It's... Beautiful... It's a wild animal, no matter what... He can hurt us. So, I'll be watching the fox, and you will take as much ore as you can... Trust me, if it tries to attack you, I'll get to it before it gets to you...". Nero, amazed from the fox's beauty, was still watching it, also with the concentration in case he needed to stop it from doing anything...".

[WC : 1060]

Sanji wrapped his cloak around himself as they got into the upper elevations, looking over at Nero when at last they stood on relatively flat ground. He breathed the cold air deeply for a moment before he did anything else. Keeping oneself well supplied on oxygen in thin air like this is crucial to preserving stamina in case things go awry. Within the confines of the cave they stood at the entrance of, he too looked at the large white fox laying inside." This creature isn't going to like us barging into its home..." He says.

Sanji still felt slightly skeptical when he was told to trust Nero when it came to dealing with anything the fox might try to do. But he had no choice but to trust his comrade. Sanji moved along the walls, giving the fox a wide berth as he moved deeper where the ore contained within the rocks shined brightly. Before doing anything Sanji looked around. Too much strength and he could bring this cave down on top of them. Still, he had to actually get at the ore. A kunai wouldn't do the job, though, it didn't have enough weight on it, nor did it allow for using said weight for any additional strength.

Suddenly, Sanji stood up and focused on kneading his chakra within to form the water element chakra he needed for his technique, then formed the seals dragon, tiger, hare. "Water release: Wild water wave" resounded in his mind as he held two fingers up beside his mouth to act as the catalyst for the technique. He suddenly blew a powerful stream of water from his mouth, blasting the rock that housed the ore and quickly wearing away at it.

( Total word count: 1349 )

Nero was now standing between the Genin and the giant white fox. He then wayched Snaji use a Water Release techniqueto be able to get the ore. "Clever." said Nero "But don't overdo it.". Nero once again turned his face to the fox as he saw the few little white foxes at the other side of the fox. "Oh !" Nero said as he calmed down, "You won't hurt us after all... We won't hurt you too...". "Come on Sanji, be fast. We have to leave as soon as possible...".

[WC : 1438]

When at last his technique ended, he began gathering the much harder ore pieces left on the ground. He filled the large pack on his back with it, and grunted lightly when he went to pick it up. " This stuff is heavy..." he says, once again taking the pack onto his back, containing over 200 pounds of ore. This was the other reason he was recommended for this mission, since he once climbed Hokage Rock with 200 pounds of sand on his back.

When Nero told him to speed it up, he walked around the foxes once more and even bowed to them in a show of respect." Sorry we invaded your home. Thank you for being hospitable." He says. Perhaps that cold exterior hid some warmth after all, given his respect and admiration for nature. He moved toward the exit of the cave with the heavy load on his back, seeming more comfortable with it now. It'd be a strain, but this wasn't the first time he climbed a rockface with a heavy load.

( Adding in nero's last post, total word count: 1611 )

"O.K. , the way back will be faster and easier..." said Nero as they left the cave without anyone hurt. Nero created a shadow clone as him and the clone both activated their Raven Style's as they grew wings made of chakra... The two Nero's grabbed Sanji, who was also holding a huge amount of ores... Nero wouşd then fly himself, Sanji and the ore down the mountain, and then to the entrance of the village... "Do you have a problem with heights ?" asked Nero before doing that... "So, if you are ever going to talk, this is the right time..." would Nero say "Who are you ? From which clan are you, or are you from any clan ? You know, you should tell at least a little thing to someone who is carrying, and well, flying you...".

[WC : 1749]