Pay the Toll

mission info:

Hayato sets out full equipped and ready for a confrontation. I hope Airi will forgive me for being late to our training... He had promised his cousin he would train her in Ice release as well as teach her shogi today. Little did he know he would sent on a high priority mission. Tanbogakure was low on shinobi and thus it feel to a promising genin to handle it. 

There were reports of a thief in a demonic mask robbing merchants on their way to Tanbogakure, but recently a prominent merchant was attacked and requested the village's aide in ridding the pest from the roads to the hallowed village. Tanbo made most of it's money though sea trade of it's natural goods, but there was still plenty of foot traffic from countries not blessed with a water way to ship from.

It was said that the thief was capable of defeating a few samurai body guards single handedly, but was usually seen alone. He would always appear on the same unavoidable bridge over a vast but calm river. Hayato was as stealthy as he could be sticking to the forest lining the sides of the road approaching from the villages direction. Under the cover of the tree line, he would wait 100 meters from the bridge and watch. The mist was rising in this early morning time, but Hayato's view was clear enough to make out any persons standing on the bridge. I'll wait and perhaps summon Kikuho to scout if necessary. I'll need to be slow and methodical... Hayato wasn't sure what he expected from real combat, in fact he hoped it didn't have to come to that. However,  for some reason, he could feel he would have to use Kurushimi Hana for the first time.

---

Icey stats:

Cold hard facts:

Ishiwari and his four man band were waiting at their usual spot near the Ebisu bridge, a camp that was protected using illusion talismans that were placed around the vicinity so that they could evade the eyes of the lawmen that came looking for them. Ishiwari’s band was made up of only one ninjutsu specialist, two weapon specialists, and one illusion specialist; Soma, Tashiro, Tatsu, and Matsuoka. These four people made up a small “family” for Ishiwari and as such he donned the troll mask and went out everyday, setting up a little scene so that there could be a little bit of horror and they can get paid in the trinkets and valuables of people that now no longer needed them. It was all to make ends meet…or at least that is how Ishiwari explained it, but the truth of the matter is…three quarters of their haul was handed over and they were paid a small sum…a way to keep them forever in debt and having them be useful until the law caught them or the place dried up…

As the early morning dew was still wet upon the blades of grass outside their camp…Ishiwari and the band set up in the misty morning, waiting in the tall wooden railings of the bridge. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon and as such they would not have much time to find a suitable mark, and once the mist would clear naturally…that was when Soma and Matsuoka would come into play, hiding under the bridge along with Tatsu and Tashiro on the other side of the bridge that was closer to the village. The weapons specialists were excellent lookouts for a mark and the jutsu portion of Ishiwari’s band were mostly brought under thumb by the man himself…they did not know much about the gang that the others seemed to idolize, but they got paid and fed and got to do as they wished…so that was all they needed.

The most boring aspect of the job though…waiting…

As Hayato peered at the bridge he could see nothing. Was it the mist of the morning or his eyes playing tricks on him? He wasn't sure but he was sure that he would learn nothing from standing around and waiting for something to happen. Hayato receded into the tree line as quietly as he could, and nodded before weaving the hand signs to call upon his trusted allies. In a puff of smoke a bird would appear. One large white noble snowy owl the one he'd spoken with as much times as Kikuho, and his most loyal companion. Hayato would have a finger to his mouth expecting her to be silent upon his summoning. In a hushed whisper he would explain the plan to the pair. Hey girl, I am on a mission to find a violent thief on the bridge up ahead. Hayato pointed in the direction they would need to go. I would like to go up ahead and scout it out, with stealth. Will you help me? The bird would nod before turning around allowing Hayato to climb aboard her back. He would then whisper directly into her ear the path of flight she was to take. They would regroup on the other side of the bridge once they had finished their sortie. Once he was comfortably situated, and secured, they both disappeared. Hayato would have been surprised to suddenly not see himself, if he hadn't done this already countless times while practicing with Shiho. With a few silent and gentle flaps of her wings, Shiho would fly them about [40] meters up into the air at her full speed[85], and head towards the bridge. From above the bridge. He would see the bridge from the sky directly above before Shiho would fly to their left going a [100] meters away before diving a mere [10] meters above the water. Her dexterous flying ability would allow for these deft movements giving Hayato complete vision of the underside of the bridge. Once they were within about 40 meters Shiho would activate Minds eye of the Kagura expanding out from herself 50 meters. She would fly another [10] meters before going directly up 50 meters and leveling out. The pair would repeat the exact same flight path so that he couldn't be surprised from either side if he chose to get on the bridge. If everything went to plan then Shiho would fly [100] meters from the bridge landing silently in the forest on the opposite side form where they started to discuss what they saw and sensed. 

---

WC:416
TWC: 713

Cold hard facts:

Ishiwari remained at the top of the bridge in the shadows as the seconds ticked by, their window was closing as the sun was burning away the mist, as stated before if this were to happen…The two ninja under the bridge would go into action. Of course they did not see the owl due to it hiding, and having only relied of simple sounds and knowing where they were within the forest they did not hear the Yuki summon his owl nor did they know that the positions of the two chakra using ninja nor their master had been seen. What was now being done is the ninja released the Hidden Mist jutsu on top of each other weaving the handseals in tandem as they knew that this was usually a bad sign, not that it would do much good, but as soon as it was done, Ishiwari stepped into the middle of the bridge before pulling out his blade and whistling five sharp distinct triggers. The chakra of three people was haywire as something had happened, but nevertheless the three that were seen before…could still be seen. The two weapons specialists heard the signal and silently pulled out a few sharpened blades as they readied themselves for any imminent signal.

WC:210
TWC:550

Jutsu Used:

Hayato whispered to His loyal companion as they waited in the forest once more. I saw three. did you detect more? The owl nodded.  There were four under the bridge waiting on each side and the one of the top of the bridge, Master Hayato. Shiho was no nonsense and quick to address the concerns of her master. She gave a very detailed description of where each of the targets were exactly. Hmm can I really take on multiple targets at once and they're so spread out... Hayato didn't like where this affair was leading, but he knew that taking them all out one by one would be time consuming and difficult. He also knew that Shiho couldn't keep them both invisible forever. He would need to act now. My inexperience is showing I cannot think of a way to take them all out without harming them. I think I'll just have to do my best to end this quickly. Shiho you try to restrain the masked one... I'll try to handle the others. Take us back over the bridge. Hayato whispered this to his bird ten got settled once again ready for another invisible flight.

They would make it to the bridge once again flying over the top by 50 meters, but this time there was obstruction of their vision. A thick mist covered the previously visible bridge and Hayato couldn't detect them with his eyes. Hayato was for a second concerned but then not at all. The robbers couldn't have detected them, but now it was true that Hayato couldn't see them either. Change of plans, Fire at will, I will go after the demon as well... a low whisper covered by the running water gave Shiho the signal to attack the target. Her minds eye kagura and here excellent hearing within [30] meters alerted her to where the illusion was and where the real Ishiwari was waiting, as she silently closed the distance. once within [10] meters of the target, the invisible duo started to weave their hand signs. Hayato waited to weave his until after his owl had casted her jutsu first. 

A spray of sticky syrup appeared from above the target with no sound to signal the user. She closed the distance even more to [5] meters allowing Hayato to be able to sense the target's head signature. Shiho would attempt to have her starch syrup catching field hit and knock over the target covering them from head to toe in goop and pinning them to the bridge itself. Hayato would complete his handseals for an ice jutsu. He would utilize the water now seeping into the bridge from the mist to attack the target from all sides with ice spears. They would be 2 meters thick and start growing 4 meters from the target origninating on the bridges surface extending at their full speed directly at him until they pierced through the heat signature Hayato detected or reached their maximum range.
  
Hayato decided on this method as he had not many options to attack the others. He now would wait with his sword drawn for any response. Though he and Shiho were still invisible and thus difficult to detect he was still ready incase they were ambushed by the other targets.

---

WC:521

Cold Hard Facts:

The attack was swift and there was nothing that could be done outright, or so he thought, but when the owl moved through the mist, catching the attention of Ishiwari, the thug in a troll mask, and that was when he was able to react to the surprise attack. So canceling the substitution jutsu and grabbing his blade Ishiwari whistled just as the starch syrup field was being fired off, pressing and activating the seal of absorption preplaced on his wrist. He would jump to the nearest rail, elevating him off of the ground as the chakra field would spread out at a speed of 80 m/s, and having the power of 80 as it enveloped the bridge at 25m. The camouflage jutsu of the bird would be dispelled and absorbed by Ishiwari as his goons were stuck under the bridge by the field of sticky chakra.

The bandit leader had to think fast as the Icy spears launched after the field were aimed at his previous spot. He took aim at where the bird was floating and launched the sword at his unveiled attacker, making it look like he was aiming for the bird. The speed of the attack was 105 m/s with a power of the same. Ishiwari decided that theatrics were not on the menu for today’s attack and as such he decided that he would not let this opportunity go to waste so he whistled once more as he made five distinct whistles and a gust kicked in, causing the water to ripple as a cube was formed around his attacker if they should still remain. Thin white streaks moved within a 15 meters in length, width, and height as it would bring a debuff to the target's speed. -50, and Vigor by -50 as well. Finally culminating regardless with grabbing a tanto from his waist.

WC:300
TWC:850

jutsu used:

Hayato was surprised the man had dodged the syrup at such close range, but even more surprised that he had somehow missed the man's presence while sensing him. Fortunately he was on edge and his training had kicked in Hayato breathed deep and said two words aloud. Scatter, Field. the boy would say in a monotone voice before he dealt with the man's thrown attack. In this moment he leapt into the air dodging the sword thrown at him with a quick spin move he weaved a few signs hidden from the man's view and drew his blade chakra washed over it as Hayato swung. An invisible force would travel at the man at a downward angle with a power 110 and a speed of 90. Hayato was only 3 meters from the man when this force was released. His target must have only just drawn his tanto when he used the secret technique of the wolfs temple. While Hayato was drawing the attention of the man with his acrobatic dodge. Shiho had flown just a few meters to the left and weaved signs as she circled the man. She mad sure to stay clear of Hayato's bark technique by elevating her self 5 meters above the man, and to do the task she had been bid. The owl was feeling the pressure on her chakra system from using so many techniques, but she would push out at least this last one to help her favorite human. The field of chakra would wash over the man lowering his strength and vigor by similar margin to the man's wind technique certainly enough for him to feel it. Hayato's body felt invigorated with breath as he land on the bridge and gave a few whistles. His blade faired and extended ready for the man's next move should this attack too fail to put the man into a more subduable mood.

---

WC:319   

Cold hard facts:

Ishiwari saw that his blade had missed and as the assailant leaped from the back of his summon, performing his hand signs. Ishiwari whistled a small series of triggers, and just watched the attack come at him as he used Water Dragon Bullet, aiming at his summon as the river provided the PERFECT medium to do so. He attacked it as a dragon moving at a speed of 80, and a power of 80 aiming to take his summon out of the picture. His aim was to decrease the amount of attackers on the field, of course if the summon was to be whisked away then the dragon would weave to attempt to hit Hayato. He could at least withstand one single attack from his opponent as he braced for the close impact. He did, however, leap backward at the same time, using the force to push him away, even as he spat up blood. He held the tanto in his right hand as he prepared for another volley. He was pressured now and without his men to help him…he hoped he could free them by taking out the slowed and weakened bird as it suffered from his debuff.

WC:200
TWC:1,050

Jutsu and AP Usage:

Hayato was pleased that his attack had hit the target, but suddenly he noticed the man had been whistling signs again. Hayato worked quickly beginning to whistle his own counter triggers as markings spread over his body and the air around him cold even frigid His vigor was returned to him and even boosted to a higher level(+80 to vigor(150 now) and speed (200)). A dragon of ice and slush formed about one meter from the other dragon, using the same river as a source. The dragon would attack it and destroying the jutsu only seconds before it would hit the evading Shiho, with it's power, health, speed of 105. Once that stressful jutsu performed shuriken formed 1 meter above Hayato's head. At the same time, he swung his sword after standing on the bridges railing, this sent 8 evenly spaced waves of chakra at the falling assailant. He had defended his friend Shiho from the dragon jutsu and as such she could maintain her trap on the other men. 

She would simply fly back to the bridge landing their safely. Thank you lord Hayato... She would say, but Hayato was focused on the oni masked target and his surroundings. If he saw that the rupture jutsu hadn't finished him off he would mentally direct the dragon to end it. 

---

WC:220

Cold hard facts: