Playing Hero (Mission)

Royal Emissary - C Rank

Zeo's stats

Zeo didn't realize when it happened or how, but it seemed his friendship with Soma paid off to kick-start his beginning as a shinobi. Still, he didn't expect this of all things. According to the orders he was given, he was to go with Soma to the edge of the Haven to find and escort a noble's daughter to the village. She was traveling with others, disguised as travelers as well to prevent being spotted by unsavory types. The two of them were asked to locate and guard the noble's daughter. Still, Zeo felt strongly unconfident in this.

While he trained and learned well from the academy, even mastered a few good Jutsu, his experience was still minimal. He knew that plenty of genin would go into the field and would perish just as easily because they either were cocky or ran into situations that they were not ready for. Still, his superiors insisted to do it-- with the aid of his new friend Soma. He didn't know him as well beyond their first meeting-- but he did feel he could trust him. Plus, if he was a skilled shinobi, he probably had more offensive Jutsu than him.

That, and Zeo was not the type to engage in dangerous combat. His powers so far were of misdirection and sensory. A tactician's ability, till he could learn more. Still, as he was on his way towards the indicated location, he knew he would soon meet up with Soma and hope they could be as good a team as he hoped.

As for the target to protect, the report said her name was Astra, daughter to the Duke of the Western province. She would be identified as a young woman with brown hair, and wearing a series of light green robes to hide her identity oppose to more royal attire. They would identify her by a key word the client had stated. They were to tell her "does Polaris shine bright". Fitting for star shinobi and the north star that guided people .

WC: 341

stat page

Soma Shin woke up for his mission today. He was working with Zeo who he knew was relatively new to being a shinobi. He woke up and read through the mission details. There is a daughter of a Duke near the border of Haven and they need an escort and direction to the village of Hoshigakure. He packed for a few days and he was not sure how long it would take to get there and back. He reads more that they are disguised as common travelers in order to blend in. Basically we need to protect the duke’s daughter to make sure she is not kidnapped and used as leverage against her father. Soma shin thought to himself “These noblemen they are almost useless.” He looks around and grabs his bag in order to meet with Zeo. He grabs everything he needs and puts on his headband. He heads towards the gates and waits there.

He is going to wait in the gateway till Zeo shows up. He sees the shinobi coming down the street and says “Hey Zeo you ready for the long journey? Have you read the mission brief? These nobles right? I wonder why they are coming here. Is it for a religious reason? This ought to be fun. We have to keep our eyes and ears ready.” He looks at the obviously nervous shinobi. He wants to get the mission going so after he and Zeo talk for a minute he is going to say “let’s walk and talk and start heading towards the border.”

WC 260

Zeo was dressed in his usual attire despite the travel ahead. He wore his blue kimono top which was as blue as his hair with accents of sky blue in it-- his clan crest, the golden Shinto gate, on his back. He wore light-weighted pants to help his movement and the usual shoes. He wasn't fond of sandals in truth. On his back was a small duffle bag that contained his essentials, some clothing changes, and food-- along with some ninja tools too bulky for on his person.

Despite the 'mask' of calm and indifference on his face, he felt nervous about it, and seeing Soma there made his stomach start to feel like butterflies were fluttering around there. He didn't waste any time talking, but that made things simpler. Still, a sour expression showed on Zeo's face. "I can't follow politics or royal matters. At the end that isn't our concern. What is, is the safety and security of his daughter. And yes, I read the mission information." he said, his tone still a bit distant.

Still, he was a bit more at ease with the cheerful Soma.

"I don't know why they would let the client travel alone for the first part. We are given a description of her to help but still... I guess they wanted to allow her to be able to draw less attention to herself, while the Duke is escorted by his original guards. Still..." Zeo trailed off, his own thoughts considering the mission.

They made their way towards the destination, hopping through the trees and towards the border where they would find the woman. He didn't know about her age, but she must be relatively close to their own. "Did you remember the code to tell her to make sure she knows we are her escorts?" Zeo asked Soma as they traveled, making sure he knew that critical information.

WC: 317

Zeo came up and they started talking and then headed towards the border where they were supposed to be meeting with the Duke’s Daughter and her party that were accompanying her. As they are rushing to the border, Soma Shin talks to Zeo “The word is ‘dove’ I believe I do not know why they chose these words but they should have a reply. Are you ready for a fight if it comes to that we should dispose of them quickly if it comes but we should keep at least one for questioning. Find out more about this organization called Jaws of Grima. You know information is half the battle in war. Just make sure you are ready when it comes down to it.” They keep going until they arrive at the designated spot where they are supposed to meet the group but Soma Shin and Zeo show up early. And we waited around watching the road for a larger group. The mission brief did not tell how many people were coming with the princess.

A large group came up and Soma Shin did the code word and response. This was the group it should have been obvious because they had commoner clothes but they were pristine with not one stitch out of place. It was not a good disguise but they obviously tried. Soma Shin bows and says “Hello your highness, we will be escorting you to the village of Hoshigakure. If you or your party need anything let one of us know.” He then looks at Zeo who he hoped would back him up and introduce himself. He looked the party over and there was a man who did not seem to fit but it did not mean anything. “Zeo lead the way, stay sharp. I have an uneasy feeling I want to be back as soon as possible.” Soma Shin lets Zeo take the lead for a while.

WC 321.

Zeo moved with Soma towards their destination. For some reason, Zeo was stunned by Soma's... ignorance. He had asked him if he read the briefing, but it was certainly not something he knew. Soma did appear a bit more carefree, but still, the security word was important and he would get it wrong-- or did he get it wrong? "Well then one of us is half-dead then. The keyword is 'does Polaris shine bright', Soma," " Zeo replied with a dull hint of sarcasm, "If we don't use the right words, she will think we are enemies. The whole point is for her to know we are indeed her guards in secret. Plus we have prioritized her safety over picking a fight. The mission said nothing about hunting the bandits. Let's not do something stupid. Besides, I am sure the client wouldn't want us to put her in inessisary danger. " he explained as they reached their destination.

They soon met a lone woman who was just at the border among a small trade station, dressed just as described. It was then that Soma approached and spoke the word 'dove'. She leered at him. "Don't call me dove, you creeper!" she replied.

Zeo fought the urge to laugh a little bit as he cleared his throat and approached. "Does Polaris shine bright?" Zeo spoke as the first thing he said to her.

A reaction was shown behind her hood as she took a breath. "It shines the way home," she answered--- the agreed response to confirm their identities. She looked around and soon drew back her hood--revealing her brown hair with brades and soft complexion and green eyes. "Thank you for coming. I presume you are the escorts from Hoshigakure?" Zeo nodded in reply and gave a polite bow of his head.

The group they escorted included her, along with others making the trip. Zeo didn't notice the last one but kept a strong sense of awareness of his general surroundings. Zeo didn't also appreciate how Soma pretty much outed her by name, but luckily he didn't think anyone eavesdropped. Still, he had enough reason to be cautious as he headed up the front of the group.

Haste was fine, but Zeo preferred being precise, even if it took a bit more time. Mistakes happened if you rushed things--- like fishing, or so he learned from his father. Still as he did, something clicked in his mind-- something ahead. Three other feelings, like people--- their chakra. There was something happening up ahead, roughly 100 meters on the path.

Zeo fell back to where the client was and Soma was. "Soma, about 100 meters ahead. I don't know how to describe it... but there are three people hidden on the side of the road in the trees. I think they might be enemies. " he warned.

WC: 476

Soma Shin quickly covers Zeo’s mouth. He leads him to the side and says “Not in front of the party. We do not want to cause a panic. Get ready for a fight if it comes down to it make sure the duke’s daughter makes it out the rest of the party is secondary and we are last. We will get ready for an attack and get some weapons ready. Unless you have a better idea. We could always run ahead and take care of it before the party gets close. If they are not hiding their chakra they must not be any better than us. Let’s try to capture one but it is not necessary if it is not possible to kill them. I do not know how skilled they will be. Try to get ready secretly till time comes we want to keep the panic down.” He walks back to the lady’s side and continues to act normal. He is worried that if he tells them they will panic. When people panic they make terrible decisions. It is the job of a shinobi to keep his cool in times like this. The lady asks me “what is going on?” Soma Shin is not really sure how to answer but says “Nothing to worry about my lady. Everything is under control.” He looks Back at the man in the party he was worried about earlier. He could tell he was acting antsy. Soma Shin looks at him and says “You alright,Sir? Is there something I can’t help you with?” He then looks back at Zeo with a look that says “I do not trust this man.” He then goes back up to Zeo and says “during the fight make sure to also keep an eye on the man in back. I have a bad feeling about him. This is your mission, what do you want to do?”

WC 319
TWC 900

Zeo grumbled with Soma's mouth covering his mouth-- why was he whispering to Soma then if he thought he was being a bit too loud? Luckily Zeo had an idea to help keep the Duke's daughter from being targeted. He pushed the hand off his mouth so he could breathe but still had a calm expression. Now that he was aware of the potential ambush, as well as the man in the back of the group-- he had an idea to prevent unnecessary risk. "Do you know the transformation technique?" Zeo whispered to Soma, keeping the person they where guarding in mind.

The plan was simple. When the ambush would be sprung-- either by the attackers or by them-- Zeo would use a smoke bomb to obscure their vision to hide in the smoke. From then, Zeo would take it from there. Before they could, Zeo approached the Duke's daughter and explained. "Please listen to me. When I tell you to, be as quiet, get low among the other guests as possible. Also when I say so, I'll need you to to give me your cowl, okay?" he instructed.

"W-what are you gonna do?" she asked, concerned.

Zeo didn't answer, as the time was soon upon them. Zeo knew that Soma was crafty and skilled, but when it came to strategy-- this was where Zeo was in his element.

A few seconds passed as they continued, but it was then it happened. OUt from the trees, just as Zeo thought-- appeared three rugged guys wearing masks to obscure their face. It was the time to ask. They threw Kunai with paper bombs attached before them-- and they went off, causing a cry of chaos among the other travelers.

Now! Zeo thought.

With a smoke bomb in hand, he threw it at the ground and it went off. What Soma would do, he didn't know-- but Zeo knew exactly what he had to.

In the smoke cloud, there was an awful lot of confusion -- but one not in it was the man in the back. "A smoke bomb?! Keep an eye--"

It was then that the woman-- the target with the same cowl and appearance emerged, coughing. She stumbled a bit from the smoke as she looked around ty find help. But that was when it happened. The man in the back drew a knife and threw an arm around the woman. The Duke's daughter was now captured by the man, causing her to gasp.

"Alright, star-boy," The man said, growling at Shinobi silhouettes in the smoke, "Drop your weapons and step away, or the girl gets it!" He held a kunai close to her, threatening her.

While it was unlikely he would hurt her, she being the bargaining chip-- it was their goal to escape holding her hostage. Still, now the bandits could easily do more harm if they resisted.

"We only came for one person. Drop your weapons and don't follow, or we cannot promise the safety of the rest of you." the other bandit in the front said.

THe smoke soon cleared, revealing Zeo there, looking concerned that they had got them. It seemed he miscalculated....

WC: 527
TWC: 1661

Soma Shin heard Zeo’s plan and decided to go along with it. As soon as the smoke bomb that was thrown by Zeo went off Soma Shin used the transformation jutsu to look like the lady and switch places with her. He felt like this was treasonous imitating a noble person but it was the best plan at the time. Soma Shin then thought this should be interesting. And looks at Zeo who made the plan and next thing he knew he was grabbed by the suspicious man from earlier. Soma Shin could not believe he was going to be taken hostage by this man. He was a terrible mole and basically useless. So after a short exchange between the assassins and Zeo they took the lady to a shack. Little did they know they had a shinobi instead of their true target. Soma Shin cooperates and waits for a signal that it is ok to act and that Zeo was there. He had a plan on what to do in this small shack. Bunch of idiots letting his hands free and just locking him in the shack. Soma Shin was starting to get impatient. He hears what he think is a sign from Zeo and just screams as all the thugs came rushing in as Soma Shin drops his disguise and uses a technique he makes the hand signs and all of a sudden a 10 meter cube goes 10 meters into the ground around the shack. And soma shin uses wall climb to go about half way up the wall and uses another technique. Suddenly the earth swells up in the shape of a dragon shoots a ball of earth 5 meters in diameter and it destroys the shack but the men are ok for now. Soma Shin yells “we can do this the easy way or the hard way, right Zeo?” He was hoping zeo was there to help fight but if not he will destroy everything in this cube. He waits to hear from Zeo before unleashing the other four earth balls at them.

WC348
TWC1248

The bandits soon took off with the Duke's daughter and Zeo didn't put up a fight. As the smoke cleared and the other travelers calmed down, Zeo calmly walked over to the crowd of them-- and soon saw the person he was looking for. "Are they gone?" The Duke's daughter asked Zeo. She had done as instructed, having gotten low and stayed among the crowd and smoke. She looked different, her hair now messy and wearing something different from before.

"Yes, and the plan worked. Stay with the others and I will return shortly after we deal with the bandits." Zeo told her, instructing her to stay with the others.

Zeo could only imagine the surprise the bandits would get when they discovered the girl they captured was just a decoy-- Soma in disguise. Zeo would have done it, but with his sensory ability, he could tell exactly where Soma was even from a distance. The client was safe now and they would reconvene with her after the threat was neutralized. Zeo gave chase through the trees-- but soon heard the sound of crashes, shouts and screams. He reached out to sense what was going on-- and sighed as he realized Soma was on the offense. Figure the guy couldn't stay quiet long enough for him to join in and back him up. The guy had zero tact.

"You could have waited for me to act, jerk," Zeo replied grumpily, but not to be spiteful. Either way, it seemed that Soma had handled the majority of them too.

He just shook his head and let Soma handle the majority of them now that they were all confined at his mercy. In truth, Zeo's abilities were on the defensive nature and did little in a fight. At best, he was working on Genjutsu and the ones he knew were not strong enough to say, put enemies to sleep. It would still let them wander and wouldn't matter in the current situation.

Either way, with the bandits now under their control, they could consider the mission complete once the Star SHinobi arrived to arrest them. Moreso, return to the Duke's daughter to escort her to the village. Zeo recognized that he did the best he could, but still, Soma was a bit... unpredictable for someone who used Earth Style. Still, they had an odd synergy. When push came to shove to protect the client and target, they were able to act swiftly and fluidly to make sure she was protected and the bait was taken. Zeo could only hope he would grow as a shinobi so he too could be able to pull his weight more beyond mere strategy and sensory.

WC:  450
TWC: 2111
Mission Part: 1000 +5 AP +2000 Ryo

Stats Earned: +10 Chakra,  +6 Vigor
+Water Clone Jutsu 1000 WC
+Suiton: Snake's Mouth Jutsu 1000 WC

Zeo finally showed up after Soma Shin did all the work and was yelling at him in a joking manner. “We probably should have come up with a better signal that you were here to help before I was taken but it all worked out. Sorry if it was a bit reckless but once I dropped I did not have many options.” He goes through the shack and uses a technique he learned to make sure they did not get away before any Hoshigakure shinobi get here. He would go underground and pull them under till all that was left was their head. He hoped someone on the arresting team would have Doton but if not he could always accompany them if needed. He thought since they were down at the bottom of his technique that they should be safe enough to leave here for a few hours till someone came and got them. They escorted the noble back to the village of Hoshigakure. There did not seem like there was going to be any more trouble. He told a shinobi about the shack. Him and Zeo gave their best description of where it was and some more shinobi went and arrested members of the gang and they were going to try to get more information about the organization as a whole which would help protect future nobles. He said his goodbyes to Zeo, offered to help anytime he might need it then headed home to see his family and have a good night's sleep.

WC 255
TWC 1503

Claim
10 Stats+2100 ryu+5ap

Learning Earth Golem 2000 +500/2500

Pureblood 1000/2000