Another C Rank For the Win

The instant after Reizo attempted to perform the Daytime Tiger, a gigantic skeletal hand appeared in front of the Genin, stuffing his jutsu as soon as he executed it. Was his opponent not only able to see him, but react so fast that he knew exactly what jutsu was coming before Reizo had even managed to do it? The situation certainly seemed to make that case. The air that Reizo had compressed using the jutsu immediately impacted against the palm of the hand, causing no apparent damage and forcing the air to disperse outward. It was a strong kickback, but because he had yet to form the hand sign, there was no explosion. Only the first part of the jutsu had been completed, but the design of the jutsu was to output as a cone, and being so close there wasn't enough room for it to fully develop, forcing the air to splay out to the sides of the Genin instead of forward.

Reizo became increasingly nervous. Just what kind of jutsu is that? It's so strong that even a Daytime Tiger doesn't scratch it? Even at this range where it can't expand, I expect a mark or something, Reizo thought to himself. He noticed Itami had already backed up a bit, and even Futachimaru had started to slowly back away, as though they knew something frightful was coming. As quickly as the hand had appeared it was replaced with a human figure. It appeared to be the robed figure that Reizo had targeted in the first place.

The man in front of Reizo was extremely dangerous- he felt even more powerful than Youka, and that was before he had even used Display of Power. The first thing Reizo noticed, aside from the peculiar garb that the man was wearing, were his eyes. They looked very similar to the Raikage's when Youka had fought him and Senshi and copied Reizo's own move. Immediately Reizo braced himself for the Daytime Tiger that he expected to be coming, but he soon realized the man wasn't in a position or stance to use the move. Perhaps those eyes can do more than just copy jutsu. Maybe they were what produced that skeleton too, Reizo thought. The man came across as very sarcastic and condescending. If Reizo hadn't been fearing for his life, maybe he could've had a humorous and interesting conversation with this man. The man's chakra and aura exploded from him in a dazzling golden display, not so unlike Itami's from the previous mission. In fact, The One before him might've been even stronger than Itami. It reminded Reizo far too much of the Raikage's. Everything about this man seemed to remind him of the Raikage: the eyes, the cynicism and condescension, the power and self assurance, and the man's cockiness. He wondered if the two knew each other - they seemed like they'd be a perfect match for one another. Unlike last time when he fought the Raikage however, Reizo was much stronger now. He wouldn't let the power in front of him discourage him from his attack. In fact, Reizo was excited to be able to test himself again so soon.

The man would look away for a brief moment to witness the destruction of the building, and Reizo willed his body to move to protect itself. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Senshi appear from the brush and draw a kunai. Reizo saw this as a good opportunity to attempt a coordinated attack. He had an even stronger jutsu that he had been preparing for this moment. I hate it when I'm underestimated like this. It's obvious to him I use Taijutsu, and ye he still dares to come so close? He better fucking regret it, Reizo thought, motivated to strike the man down for taking control of those guards and forcing them to turn on their comrades like zombies. Focusing the chakra in his leg, in one swift motion, Reizo would rocket his leg upward, just as the man would look away for a brief moment to witness the destruction of the building. Reizo was still frightened by the man, but he was a shinobi now and he couldn't let him play to his fears. Although he was beginning to sweat, mostly out of fear and nerves, Reizo proceeded with his jutsu, just as the man was turning his attention back to the Genin. As Reizo's leg ascended (180 speed), a vortex formed (105 Power) around the man, which would restrict him from so much as making hand signs. Reizo figured this attack was far too fast for any mortal man to react to, and this would further determine just what his eyes were capable of doing, if he would even be able to handle this attack. As the vortex wound up around the robed man, Senshi's kunai would come flying through and possibly strike the man as he was just starting to pop off the ground from the vortex, being completely restricted from moving at all. The Full Moon Elephant was a multipart jutsu, and the first part was the vortex to prevent the opponent from properly defending himself. If this whole bit succeeded, Reizo would prepare to continue with the rest of the Full Moon Elephant. He would've liked to learn more about this man, but for now Reizo only saw him as a threat to completing the mission.

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Jutsu Used/Learned:
906 + 3749 = 4655 words total

Full Moon Elephant

AP: R: 193 / 333 F: 235 / 300

Max would now see the culprit, the mist being blown away from the shockwave of Reizo’s move. It had been a very strong technique, but the enemy hadn’t even seemed phased by it. Instead, a large skeletal arm would completely block the technique.
 
Then as the man began to speak, Max would peer into his eyes. Those eyes he had, crimson eyes of death. The eyes of a bloodthirsty warlord… of a conqueror. Max would feel his blood begin to boil, as it always had when he thought back and remembered all of the terrible things that had happened to the village. The man before them had looked very familiar, though the details of who he had been alluded the boy at first.
 
The man’s presence alone was awe inspiring. His power felt immense and Max’s whole body suddenly started to seize up, fear trying to paralyze him. He wouldn’t succumb to the fear though, instead standing his ground.
 
Then everything clicked into place like a puzzle. This man had looked familiar because Max had seen him before. He was the strange man with Mortarion that had killed Akihana’s friend, Echo. He was the man that had helped Mortarion and caused the destruction that tore open the heart of Max. Their actions were the reason his mother had died and the downfall of Kumo had begun.
 
Max would grind his teeth, anger slowly taking him. What would he be able to do to the man? He could shrug off blows from Reizo with ease, and his sheer chakra presence alone would show him as having more power than Max could even imagine. Nobody that he had ever know had such a powerful chakra signature. Just what was he?
 
Napa would look back, checking on Max. The boy had his head down, and hadn’t moved since it dawned on him who this had been. It would look like he had been afraid to all onlookers. In reality that wasn’t completely untrue, but his mind hadn’t stopped trying to figure out a way to vanquish this foe. A direct confrontation would prove fruitless, as he would easily be able to defend.
 
Max would move his two skeletal puppets in such a way to approach in a “flanking” position. They would loop around, covering the right and left flank of the assailant. Individually, they weren’t likely to do much. They could however pose distraction or maybe get a lucky blow in, or maybe even set up for a more impressive attack.
 

Max would speak up, hoping that the enemy could hear him. “Who are you, and why do you dare attack Kumogakure? Last I remembered you were chummy with the Lord Raikage. Why would you strike out against the man?”

As Reizo did his taijutsu technique. The unknown man blocked it with some strange golden chakra. Itami saw it and was froze... what power. He never witnessed anything like this in his entire life. This was definitely power he has been searching for his whole life. Never have he witnessed an opponent this powerful. Itami has never seen the kage's power in person, but this guy can probably match up to him.

Itami stood there, confused.. and hopeless. Has no idea on what to even do. Would anything in Itami's arsenal even work? Itami watches as Senshi and Reizo do their attacks on this man. Itami already having his sword out, stands and observes. As they do their attacks, Itami begins to run at the man at a speed of 72. With his sword out and ready for anything. Knowing he could possibly die in this situation. The young demon is out of options and runs in head first.

Well at least things had begun to become sort of interesting.  A lot was happening simultaneously, which was preferable to one at a time.  After all best to just finish things in a go or two, rather than have things drawn out.

Two of the four had earned minimal respect.  One of the four was being abbot of a bitch, and the last that probably should have been doing the best wasn't doing much at all.  In his mind maku chalked this up to his damn good looks, it made everyone a little confused, it was normal.  

As soon as the Benin appeared and his kick came Maku's body ignited in golden fire.  His display of power morphing shapes.  The shapeless mass changed into something resembling a lion, before condensing completely on Maku.  The susanoo outer shell protected him from the tai jutsu, his augmented strength and defense placing him well away from harm.  

The flashing lightning Kunai flew through the air with the crackle of electricity singing through the air.  In almost all scenarios this attack would have been certain death, but this wasn't all scenarios.  

His actions were swift, but not as swift as the kunai, but all in all that was the point.  His left hand moved at 190 speed grabbing the hilt of his blade.  As his hand hit the hilt the kunai would hit his chest, and clink in a very sad way.  The electricity dispersing instantly as if the golden fire had completely absorbed it.  Before the kunai even fell an inch, the blade had moved from the hilt and moved through the genin's leg like butter.  The cut was mid tibia fibula, the lower quarter of the leg sent flying from the force of the kick to some place well behind Maku.

Luckily for the genin, he would never feel it.  As the blade moved it sung like a chorus of angels.  The music it made was bewitching, and yet beautiful at the same time.  The siren song promised piece, but it only gave pain.  The Taki No Seki genjutsu was an old trick, but a good one, and let's be honest a fan favorite.  

For Itami and Reizo it meant the end of the fight.  He targeted them both specifically because they had been first on the scene.  This amount of bravery meant they were afforded the respect of his first real attack.  To both of them the world melted away in an instant, all pain gone......then their eyes would open to a different world.

The sound of the waterfalls thundered around them.  The small grassy island in the middle of a kettle of torrent water.  All directions there were waterfalls, the spray splashed on their faces, the smell of moisture demanding on their nostrils.  They would be sitting Indian style in the illusion, and unable to move from this position.  In front of them Maku stood, in an all black suit with a red tie.  "Good show old boys, but next time.......maybe try abbot harder.....k?" 

His voice was tinkering and sing song.  As if changing the pitch of each word gave him great joy.  Striding up to them he would lean down and kiss each on the lips.  He would knee down to be between them, his hands reaching out and slapping them both on the cheeks.  "Well it's been a blast, but I got to go kill your friends now, enjoy your dip!"  He'd say with a smile that was all teeth.  His impression was he was giving them a grand treat.  Which he was,  no living person had ever experienced this jutsu.  Maku would vanish and to them a full 3 seconds of nothing would happen, and then the island disappeared.  There bodies crushed in the torrent of waves, sucked down in the vortex, only to appear at the top of the water fall before being plunged down again.

This would persist to them, no relief, no unconsciousness, just hours of drowning, gasping for air.  No hope, and no chance of fighting back.

In real time the swing would just be complete and just like that two of the four would drop to the ground if all was successful.  One seemingly due to injury, Itami for no apparent reason at all.  

The puppets moved to flank, which left Max vulnerable.  Just as he began to speak Maku would vanish and appear a meter and a half in front of him.  His movement was to flick his sword towards max at his full speed, but as the blood would hit the boys face interrupting his silly speech, three chains would rocket from Maku's sleeve.  The golden chains moved at 150 speed.  One twisted around the boys left leg, one around his right arm, and the third plummeted into his chest.  

The two around his extremities, wrapped and pulled together, the razor edges ripping through his flesh with no apparent resistance severing his two extremities.  The one to the chest activated its space time properties locking itself into a pocket dimension in the boy.  So while it did not pierce him, it made it so he had no chance of escape.  As the blood hit his face and the pain hit his brain this third chain pushed, forcing him onto the ground, crushing his ribs slowly, until popping could be heard.  

All in all the actions had taken little over a handful of seconds thanks to the speed of each attack.  3 of the 4 incapacitated.  One left......."So, watcha gonna do sweetheart?"  Maku said looking at the last man standing.  His smile wide, as if he was inviting the man to make his next move in a fun party game.

Jutsu
Susanoo condensed
Newman robes ability to pull chakra power
Trickster
Makunite chains
Taki no seki
QuickDraw

Well. Fuck. This sucked a lot. Senshi couldn’t believe how fast the man was reacting to everything or even moving. As he saw the golden light of the gods appearing around the man he immediately formed the ram seal activating the body flicker technique and dashing back towards Max at a speed of 170. He was too far out to provide proper support for Reizo and Itami, and far too slow to be able to do anything at such a close range. Max however had been moving towards him so he would be able to provide long range support to the two front line fighters while giving full support to Max.
 
Not that this would apparently matter, since this golden haired God appeared to be a god of speed. Senshi barely had time to register that bother Reizo and Itami were falling to the ground when the man was appearing near them. Targeting Max. He would not allow this to happen. His hand having already risen and gripped the handle of Bastuodosodo would begin with one of the most recent techniques that he had learned. He could only hope that using this technique would warn the man off, or prevent him from attacking Max at all. This was a hope to be in vain however since in the time it took Senshi to begin drawing his blade for the Great Cleave attack three chains were already racing towards Max.
 
Senshi completed the full swing of his sword, only hoping that it would force the man backwards, or by some such grace of some merciful god somewhere actually injure this God of speed. He would immediately move Bastuodosodo to protect Max utilizing the Bukijutsu Art of the Parry technique. Despite the blades massive size he was not fast enough to block all three chains. Instead he had to focus on two of them only. Hopefully Max would be able to do something to protect himself from the third chain because Senshi was already pushing himself to the limits in order to do what he was doing now. He could feel how draining using two A rank techniques in a row was.
 
By the time he had completed his defense of his comrade, he was gasping for air and small beads of sweat were steadily rolling down his face. He turned facing his opponent full on, his massive sword held to the side. He wanted to look and check on the damage Max, Reizo, and Itami had taken but he knew taking his eyes off this man would be the death of him. He could only calculate that Kyoki had more than likely reached Kumo by now and was on his way with reinforcements. Hopefully those reinforcements would move fast because Senshi knew they stood no chance against this man. He was only a Genin, and if Senshi’s instincts were right he knew his team leader, a Jounin, had already been taken out.
 

At Maku’s question Senshi cocked his head slightly, hoping to possibly buy time. “Who are you?” Senshi paused realizing how rude such a question could be construed, since proper etiquette demanded that someone introduce themselves first. “That was rude of me, I apologize. I am Genin Kobayashi Senshi of Kumogakure, may I enquire as to your name and reasons for attacking one of our Outposts?” He wasn’t exactly good at this diplomatic stuff, nor was he a particularly sociable person. But if it would save his team then he would do his best possible. If he was right then he was the only one left standing, and that meant he needed to talk this God down so that he could save the people who meant anything to him. His only hope was for the God of Speed to want to chit chat instead of fight.  


WC: 636
TWC: 4488


Body Flicker - Speed 170, 0/1 Cooldown
Great Cleave - 200 Strength, 200 Speed, 100 Sharpness, 50 Health, 0/1 Cooldown
Bukijutsu: Art of the Parry - A Rank Variant - 100 Power, 100 Sharpness, 60 Health, 0/2 Cooldown
Raiton Swift Cutting - 1/8 Cooldown

Summons: 1/10 points
Flamingo Summon: Kyoki  - 4/8 Posts until Reinforcements arrive

Total AP: 755
AP Used: 90
AP Left:  665

The skeletal frame appeared once more, although this time significantly smaller. It effectively blocked Reizo's rising kick as expected, but Reizo was still somewhat surprised that the jutsu could be activated and deactivated so frequently at will. There were no hand signs behind it... surely this had to do with those strange red eyes? So those eyes are more than just for copying jutsu and seeing the future... it has a jutsu this powerful in store too? Reizo thought as his leg reached its maximum height. The vortex was still created, but it didn't seem to do much of anything as Maku was completely unaffected inside his chakra construct. Maku would draw his sword with frightening speed, just as fast if not slightly faster than that of Reizo's own kick. A crackling boom could be heard as the sword swing broke the sound barrier from the vicious swing, followed by a peculiar song. Using the kick for its intended purpose in the jutsu, Reizo continued to spin with his momentum, pivoting on his left foot to narrowly avoid having his right leg completely severed at the tibia. Instead, the sword would only make a deep cut into the Genin's calf, effectively rendering his leg useless for the remainder of the fight.

As blood streamed from the wound, the rain from Itami's jutsu washing much of it down Reizo's leg as he continued to swing around, Reizo flinched from the pain. He had initially planned to end his jutsu early by reversing the vortex and bringing down his axe kick as per the jutsu's protocol, but there's no way he could bring his leg around to slam it down. He would try, but as he was about to bring it down all of reality began to melt away. His leg stopped hurting, and in fact seemed to have healed, as he was transported to a strange and peaceful world. Itami was beside him, sitting Indian style just as Reizo was, on a small grassy knoll just a few meters from where he was situated. The Genin couldn't move at all, but strangely it really felt like he didn't want to move. It was so peaceful, why would he even want to go anywhere? Sure the splashing of the water was a bit irritating, but he was now so far removed from everything else.

Suddenly, the robed man would appear before them. Who was he again? Oh yea... we were fighting, weren't we. How did I get here? Did I lose? I don't remember... Reizo thought, bewildered as to what was going on or even as to what time of day it was. Try harder? Was I not trying? No... that can't be right, I would never not try. I guess I lost, is this heaven then? Reizo would continue to wonder, ignoring the rest of the man's comments. He still didn't even know who this guy was - was he God incarnate? Nah, God wouldn't be so charming. The man would vanish, and nothing would happen for a short while. Reizo couldn't even tell if it was really a short amount of time or if it were a lifetime. Time didn't seem to exist at all in this dimension. In a flash, Reizo could feel his body being yanked below him, as though his body were being stretched and pulled apart with tremendous force. This isn't heaven! This is HELL! Reizo would scream in his head, unable to move or speak as he was pulled into the abyss, seemingly never ending. He was growing short of breath, would he just die? Had he already died? These thoughts spiraled around in his head as he verged unconsciousness. He gave one sorry desperate gasp for air, but his lungs would be filled with salt water. His lungs burned, and Reizo would pass out from the torture.

Or so he wished. Just as he was about to be free of the extreme waterboarding torture, Reizo was atop one of the waterfalls, his lungs clear. He was free! No more suffering. Until he got dragged back through again. This process repeated half a dozen times. Reizo thought he was becoming more tolerant to the torture, and began holding his breath to see how long he could last. In his mind he was beginning to justify the torture and figure out how to combat it. I know I'm going to drown, there's nothing I can do about it. It can't do anything more to me, Reizo would think by his 14th cycle. He wouldn't exhibit any fear on this cycle, and was even jaded by the torture. Strangely though, he wasn't being put back to the top of the waterfall. He waited and waited - his breath running short but he knew the consequences would always remain the same, so why fear anything at all? He wasn't going to die. Except this time, he had lasted over twice as long as any other cycle. Despite his steel resolve, panic began to set in nonetheless. No... NO! I can't die like this! Any second now I'll be at the top of the waterfall... Reizo continued to believe as he drifted further and further off, his resolve completely crushed. Only once he could no longer endure it and his body had physically become so exhausted that it couldn't handle the torture did he appear back at the top of the waterfall, and the drowning cycle renew. It went on for hours - a genjutsu that played not only the mind and body, but also to the person's fear. After what must've been hours of enduring this harsh torture that would've broken anyone, Reizo had concluded that it was a genjutsu, but it wouldn't matter. He couldn't release it, it was far too strong. His life was in the hands of the robed man, and Reizo could only beg for the sweet mercy of death at this point to relieve it.

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Back in reality, Reizo had swiveled on his hind leg and essentially collapsed. The man would teleport over to where Max was, and Fu, who had been standing several meters behind Reizo and Itami, took this opportunity to dash to Reizo's aid and catch him. Fu, who normally would've been barely in range of the genjutsu, could not hear the song of the sword swing due to the loud pitter patter of the rain from Itami's jutsu, and thus had been unaffected. After catching Reizo, Fu would flee (50 speed) and take refuge back in the treeline, the opposite direction from Max and Senshi, and a good 60 meters out from where the action had taken place. Futachimaru would try to stem the blood from Reizo's leg wound, but the rain made Reizo's bandages difficult to apply. He would try to slap, nudge, and shake Reizo awake, but Reizo was too far gone into the world of the genjutsu. "I'm so sorry Reizo-sama. I couldn't protect you. He's too fast and too strong, and I'm far too weak... I've failed in my duties," Fu would grumble to himself, fighting back tears. It was an extraordinary dishonor for an otter to fail his master whom he had sworn fealty to and was born to protect. He saw it as more than just a dereliction of duty - it was a failure as a warrior from which he could never recover. Futachimaru gave his full attention to caring for Reizo's wound and ensuring his safety, completely ignoring the happenings of the rest of Reizo's team. If Itami were caught in the genjutsu, he would likely just have remained lying on the battlefield where the two had been standing with no assistance from Fu.

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1284 + 4655 = 5939 words total

OOC: For now I'm going to keep RPing from Futachimaru's perspective, as Reizo is KO'd.

In an instant, not only did he manage to block the attacks of Itami and Reizo, but he also basically sliced off Reizo’s leg, vanished, and then reappeared directly in front of Max. Before he could even react to the man’s new location, three golden chains of what must have been chakra shot out of the man. The speed of the technique alone was impressive, but it would also prove quite effective. Startled by the mans speed, the boy seemed completely defenseless against such an opponent.
 
The chains would squeeze and shred through the boys jacket and flesh like a razorblade going through skin. The third chain would launch itself into the chest of Max, though it hadn’t seemed to kill him. No, the chain seemingly locked itself inside of his chest, tying Max to Maku. The two chains slid through the extremities of the boy like a hot knife through butter. It a horrifying *plop* could be heard as his arm was the first to sever, blood pouring out of the wound. Then the chain drags him to the ground, and begins to crush him. His leg is the next to go, that one taking only slightly longer because of it being a thinker limb. Popping can now be heard, as his ribs crack and break one by one.
 
Napa rushes to try and aid the boy, but he was far too slow to manage to save him. Thinking that he would at least try to avenge Max, Napa rushes over as fast as possible readying himself to combat Maku.
 
Everything starts to fade, the pain making everything begin to disappear. His will to fight was still there, but his body just wasn’t able to continue. The boy loses consciousness and the puppet Napa that was attempting to fight their adversary would immediately crash into the ground and collapse, his puppeteer no longer able to control his functions.
 
As Max drifts away, all that he could see were those eyes. Those evil, red eyes of death and destruction. The eyes of a demon. The eyes of his hated foes… those Sharingan eyes….

OoC: I just went ahead with the chains hitting me. Realistically they are moving at far too fast a speed at such a close distance for Senshi to get there in time to parry or defend him. At best he would have been able to cut through them. But this is fine, losing some limbs. Max will have even more fuel for the fire to get stronger and such. Thanks Maku!

As Itami rushed to Maku, suddenly... a big change had occurred. They were on an island with heavy waves around them. Itami was confused for a bit, but he knew instantly this was a genjutsu. Since that is what his specialty was. As he tried to make the release hand seal, and a big wave had hit him rammed into him at a good speed and power. Itami tried hard to make the hand seal as a wave rammed him and a huge vortext began to form. 


"Such... power.." Itami would say to himself.

As the vortex pulled him down, Itami with all of his strength finally was able to make the release hand seal. As he tried to release from the genjutsu. It seemed his chakra wasn't strong enough to break it. Which means he is stuck in this hell. Being hit by waves and sucked by a vortex continuously. With nothing he can do, he's stuck in the jutsu until its dispelled. Who would have thought someone could take him down so easily. All that talk and training just to get killed so easily. He definitely didn't have nearly as much power as he thought he had. And as for his team... he didn't like those brats anyway.

(Last sentence was just a joke... maybe lol)

Just doing an early claim on Full Moon Elephant 5000/5000 words