Enter the Viper (Border, Tenshi Uchiha)

Mission Details:

Himari's Stats:

Sometime during the cloudy late afternoon, having check-marked today’s morning training routine and providing what aid she can for the locals at home, Himari finds herself once more in Konoha’s walls within one of the marketplace districts. Typically she would come fashioned in her traditional attire, but today, she'd come dressed in a simple violet and white kimono. Standing inside one of the numerous bookstores, Kawakami’s Novelties, she traces her finger along with the listed surnames before pulling a book from its shelf and skimming through its contents.

“No, this isn’t it.” She mutters to herself a few moments after, flipping the item over to show its spine. “Second Edition,” She sighs, returning the item back to its shelf. Strutting a few paces further down the line, she repeats the same motion, pausing just when she reaches the bottom shelf. She carefully wiggles the book with one hand, it’s somewhat heftier and wedged tightly between on either side. With two hands now resting horizontally at either edge and with a quiet harumph proceeded by an oof, manages to free the hardback text from its confines albeit falls flat on her bum.

With an expectant sliver of hope, she gazes upon its cover, it appears somewhat more archaic than its predecessor, and its age is apparent when examining the weathered pages and coarse leather binding. She shifts to reveal its spine—First Edition—resultantly rousing puffed cheeks and a frown. Placing the item back in its shelved case and rising from her seated position, she hears—

“Did you find what you were looking for?” A voice asks, revealing the sender to be a casually dressed, weathered-looking woman.

“Well, aside from these earlier versions, not really.” Himari replies dejectedly, the woman nods thoughtfully.

“Maybe you can try the shop down by a few blocks at Tokei’s shop. He recently restocked his items not too long ago today, so he may have what you’re looking for there.”

Thanking the clerk for her aid and exchanging farewells, Himari exits and trots to the now third bookstore she’ll scavenge. In a short time, she arrives outside at her destination by the storefront, and an elderly fellow waves to her as she strides closer. Upon greeting the presumed store owner, Tokei, she inquires about her want of a specific scroll or text.

“Medical Ninjutsu, eh?” He hums, cupping his chin. “Medical… medical… yeah, I do recall seeing several about such, I think. Were you looking for something in particular? Aiming to become a medical-nin, eh?”

She smiles. “Yep, at least in the near future! But, if you have anything related to anatomy, that'd be awesome! If not, I can work with whatever's similar you have on hand, things like...” She answers and counts the digits on her hand with another. “Healing techniques, herbology, or even just remedies or medicinal practices will do just dandy for me.” With an affirmative nod, Tokei makes himself scarce among the paged towers in his shop, meanwhile, Himari busies herself perusing what’s on display.

The shelf at the forefront holstered an amalgam of novelties, many of which she'd either gone over with her academy teacher from way back when and others she indulged in out of boredom. However, there was one book in particular that caught her eye. She steadily straightens her knees and finds Tokei still rummaging through an assortment of shelves, with a few in-hand tucked away between his side and arm opposite to the other brushing past each spine's name. She bends her knees again into a crouching position and reaches for a lightly worn, sunset, orange-colored hardback book.

Icha Icha Paradise? She thinks, then a neuron fires in her brain. This had been one of the select books — or series in this case — her mother strictly forbade her from setting her eyes upon when they'd gone out together during a grocery run. When she'd pry as to why, her mother was adamant in saying nothing more than, "It's crude and indecent for someone here to be reading".

Although she deferred to her mother's judgment on the notion, it no less planted the seed of curiosity, with each passing year, sowed her interest in uncovering what "crude and indecent" secrets the book possessed. But since she's graduated and subsequently the scope of her autonomy, the chance to get a personal scoop of the goods with what little time there is until Tokei's finished searching for the book she needs.

Turning the book over and skimming through the novel's blurb, Himari's brows would gradually furrow and her eyes squint. Something about the love between the main character and heroine, them dating each other, and eventually doing whatever "grown-up love" means. She flips through past all three parts and intermittently stops to read a page before one of her furrowed brows arched upward.

I don't get what's so weird about this book that got mom so antsy over, She thinks. None of this makes any sense.

Then, she hears the growing loudness of feet shuffling toward her as she fumbles to close the book and stow it away the way it was before as she rises up again. To her fortune, Tokei places a stack of four books on the counter, each at least a couple of centimeters thick.

"These are what I've got on hand," He says and slides them closer to Himari. "Take a look, lemme know if there's anything else you'd like me to fetch." He then busies himself and unfurls crates full of guides, volumes, tomes, comics, storybooks, and publications. Himari starts from the top and reads each title and blurb, then checks the table of contents and flips through to a random chapter of the book. After a few minutes of skimming, she settles them down in a pile again.

"This'll do just fine," She chirps. "How long can I keep 'em for?"

Tokei bobs his head up. "You really plan to read all those? Together?"

Himari nods jubilantly.

"Huh," He puffs and stands up to walk to the storefront. "Don't let me stop you, then. Just return them by the end of the coming fortnight. How about it?"

"Works for me!"

"Great, I'll get these checked out for you and let you be on your way."

After the success of the exchange of ownership, Himari treks back home and into her room where she sets the books down atop a shelf by her futon. She swaps into her typical attire, grabs the note she'd left for herself earlier this morning and reads through its contents while she stows away her items and tools in her pouch. In summary, she was to partake in a two-man cell operation with Uchiha Tenshi to retrieve intel on an extremist syndicate known as "The Viper's Fang".

She recalls the name from a lengthy history session, a once disgruntled group of men and women from a time beyond her own when Konohagakure struggled to maintain being a superpower in the shinobi world, and the unrest soon garnered sympathizers to their cause to restore the village to its former glory days. And since then, their numbers have grown and their actions embolden them.

Initially, Himari was anxious if such a task would better suit a more seasoned shinobi than two recent Genin graduates. Not that she lacks any faith in her ability to complete an assignment she's given, but moreover the delicateness of the subject matter. It was a covert mission after all set out in the borders of the country, and she's only had experience sneaking around in the lion's den once before within the confines of her village.

Then again, that's about all she and Tenshi are only required to accomplish: locate the meeting place, remain hidden, gather any important intel, and return with their findings back to the village. If all went well — which she certainly hopes for — then the mission would be a success with little to no incident. As she stows away the final items into her pouch, she holds in her palm a neatly folded sheet of paper with three reminiscent spheres that are convex against its form.

"I should give one of these to Tenshi if he doesn't have them already," She murmurs to herself, packs them away, and securely fastens the pouch to her hips. "A good thing I brought along a few smoke bombs, too." She sighs and jerks away the fidgetiness of her ligaments before she exits her room and heads toward the front sliding door.

"Off to the far countryside, hm?" Her mother, Nozomi, hums while she sits aloft on a pillow neatly arranging a row of flowers. "Be safe."

"I will and I love ya, Mom!" Himari waves to her and Nozomi waves in kind.

And off she went under the clear, moonlit, encroaching night sky. Himari traverses through the forestry of Konoha’s outskirts before arriving several minutes later in the main village towards the mission area. She stands a couple of feet away from the entrance, waiting for her friendly-faced companion to arrive while doing a series of butt-kicks to temper her unyielding anticipation.


WC: 1,519
TWC: 1,519

Passively accumulating 2 Heavenly Body Stacks (2/10)

Stats:

Tenshi was in a great rush as he barrelled home from a day of chores. He had tasked himself with several jobs around the house, as well grabbing supplies for the coming week. That was what he had just done, without realising how late it was getting at the time. By the time he had collected all of the food and drink he wanted to purchase, the store was getting ready to close up shop for the night, the old lady clicking her tongue and wagging her finger at him. Many apologies were made, very profusely and with crocodile tears in his eyes. As he sprinted home, he thought about the task he had coming up.

Tenshi and Himari Hyuuga had a B Rank mission tonight, and not just any B Rank mission, but a secret covert one in the borders of the Fire Country. His heart pounded with excitement as he continued forward, he had been waiting for so long to finally receive such a mission, being sick and tired of all the boring and menial tasks he had been forced to complete. He could finally be a true Shinobi that his mother would have been proud of. Tenshi pushed onwards.

Upon arriving at his home, he quickly unloaded his bags into the decently sized refrigerator and pantry of his apartment. A quick shower later to wash off any scent that may disrupt the covert part of the mission. He knew it was going to be an extremely risky night for the two Genin, but it was something that they both knew they were also ready for. They had each other’s backs and he felt extremely confident alongside Himari.

Tenshi dressed up in a different outfit for tonight. He was now wearing an all black and minimal attire, ensuring that he would be well hidden in the night forest. He wore soft black shoes, far lighter and more manoeuvrable than his usual large boots to ensure that he would not be making any noise. Finally, and in his opinion most importantly, Tenshi kept his headband at home, he did not want to risk anyone from the village with this venture. After equipping all of his gear, Tenshi was satisfied and ready to leave.

On his way to the front gates of the village, Tenshi stayed on the rooftops, the fewer people that saw him the better. They never knew who was or was not a spy these days… Thankfully, there were not many people on the way out, most of them were villagers on their way back home to their families. After roughly twenty minutes, Tenshi arrived just outside the gate to find Himari.

“Hey there partner, how are you going tonight?” He smiled and talked gently, making sure that nobody could eavesdrop on the two of them. “We should make this a very quick mission if possible, the risk is high of something bad happening so let’s get on with it shall we?” He signalled for the two of them to depart.

---

WC: 885

She heard the swift pitter patters of someone heading her way. When she pivots her head toward the source of the sound, she sees none other than her good fellow Tenshi revving with energy at each spring to his step. As her kicks dial down, she waves to him as he approaches and nods.

"True, true! We'll be back before anyone else notices! Ready? Let's go!"

Poising in a runner's stance, she bolts straight toward the given location where the scouts had reported the location of where The Viper's Fang's meeting was taking place. And with the cloak of the night masking their visage, it would give them an edge to hide among the foliage and forestry. Understanding the urgency and sensitivity of the mission at hand, Himari wasted no time and leaps into the treeline, branch after branch, she bounds on and off them at high speed, but enough so that the distance between her and Tenshi wasn't great enough that the two would lose sight of each other in the haze of darkness.

After some time passes, she reaches what looks to be a dilapidated and worn-down outpost. The wood was sundered, scorched, broken, and falling apart, and many of the buildings that once housed its respective units appear just as rundown as the next. She gets close enough just five meters away from the perimeter and a familiar sensation pulsates along her temple and the once obscure haze that clouded her vision from the night sky became transparent and clear. Her eyes dart hastily across the outpost, looking through every nook and cranny she can find for a flow of chakra to be present. In a short amount of time, she spots a flickering blue color jostle and dances in the distance approximately 15 meters from where she stands.

When Tenshi finally catches up to her, she motions him to come hither.

"I think I found them," She whispers. "They're a little further down the road in that old rickety shack." She points in the general direction of where the building "stands", so to speak. There was no natural lighting emanating from the facility. "If we're lucky, we can find a tall enough wall and eavesdrop on them for a while. Come!"

Using her enhanced vision, she traverses toward a side of the building with a wall just shy of an inch or two short of maybe Tenshi's height, but would suffice enough for them to listen in on Viper's schemes with a barrier between her, Tenshi and them.


WC: 422
TWC: 1,941

"-5 AP" via Byakugan Activation

Total AP: 415 / 420
Passively accumulating 2 Heavenly Body Stacks (4/10)

Tenshi appreciated the haste at which Himari was working at, every second that passed was a potential second wasted. They were there to collect info and the enemy would not be waiting for them before spilling any important details. With a quick nod, Tenshi took off with the young Hyuuga girl. She may have been small but looks were clearly deceiving, she was extremely quick.

As they pushed forward and further away from the village, Tenshi activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan, allowing him to keep a look out for any nearby activity and to heighten his sense. Looking to his left, he noticed that Himari had also activated her Byakugan, he smiled again I think we make a pretty good team he thought to himself. The two of them pushed even further.

When they arrived at the outpost, Tenshi slowed his pace and stood crouched next to Himari, keeping his body low. He nodded at what she said and began to look around, keeping an eye out for any potential guards in the vicinity. He spotted two on the far side of the outpost, but it appeared that they were slacking off a little bit tonight. If they had been smart, the would have been circling the area at opposite ends.

“It looks like those two guards are the only people outside here apart from ourselves, it’s good to know that the rest of them are inside.” He whispered to Himari, “Try to keep an eye on them with your Byakugan while we’re listening in.” He then quickly moved with the young Hyuuga, keeping his diligent eyes moving around to be aware of anything else that may have been happening in the area.

As the scaled around the side of the building, Tenshi ensured that he did not accidentally step on any twigs or leaves. These new eyes of his were extremely useful, he was filled with joy as an entirely new world had opened up to him. When they arrived at the closest wall, he crouched down on one knee and began to listen to the voices inside. There were two men talking in angry voices.

“…no I don’t believe that you aren’t thinking straight, I just don’t think it is going to benefit us by going there!” This was interesting, apparently the gang was attempting to expand their area of operations? “Shut it, I’ve been in this game far longer than you have Shozo, I also outrank you. When I tell you that we have a way into Sunagakure, I mean it!” Tenshi’s eyes widened at this.

The conversation went on for several more minutes. The two bickered about the safety of such an operation. The higher ranked individual, who was named Banki, was certain that they could set up a small base of operations near the trail heading to Sunagakure, and from there they would use it to ambush and kidnap Shinobi and civilians alike. Shozo continued to argue against it until he was eventually worn down by Banki, who claimed it was supported by the “higher ups” and the conversation was done.

“That is final, we will be setting up shop roughly 5 miles out from Sunagakure, I have written the exact coordinates down on this scroll. Do not lose it or you will lose your head. Now if you do not mind, I need to take a leak.” With that, Tenshi knew it was time to leave. He tapped Himari on the shoulder and gave her a nod, before quickly leaving the area.

He led the way directly out from the wall they had listened in at, timing it so the two lazy guards did not cross their paths. As they ran, Tenshi heard the man named Banki scream at the two guards for being stupid idiots, instructing them on how to actually watch the perimeter. Tenshi smiled and sighed, It sure is a good thing he did that after we left…

He continued to run with Himari back towards the village gates, not speaking until they were well out of range of any potential threats. “That is quite terrible news to hear, setting up a base of operations outside of Sunagakure will place far too many people at risk, we need to report this as soon as we get back!”

Upon returning to the village, Tenshi would have finally deactivated his Sharingan.

Mission Accomplished
Exit Thread

---

10 AP used on Sharingan

WC: 732
TWC: 1617

Himari listens intently into the conversation and clamoring between the Fang members while she keeps an eye on their immediate surroundings for any possible threats. And to their fortune, no ill fate has fallen upon them from the beginning — presumably — of their dialogue toward their reasonable end. At least, from what resourcefulness she and Tenshi could gather. Upon feeling the sensation of Tenshi's tapping, she turned to face Tenshi and returns the nod in kind. Turning on her heel, she carefully treks away from the wall from where they stood until they were a dozen or so meters away from the ruined establishment before hightailing it back to the village gates at the same break-neck speed when they left.

And upon their return, when the adrenaline had slowly but agonizingly died down and waned, a chill ran up her back as she gazes to the boundless forest, toward the main village, and up at the hokage estate.

Something was amiss, and a rare, gnawing suspicion that she believed only her mother could rouse tells her that she and Tenshi might not be as fortunate as she'd hoped.


WC: 187
TWC: 2,128

"-0" via Byakugan Deactivation

Total AP: 415 / 420
Passively accumulating 2 Heavenly Body Stacks (6/10)


[EXIT THREAD]


Grand Total Team WC upon Completion: 3,745


Requesting approval for the following claims:

Rewards acquired upon completion of all missions listed at the beginning of the thread:

Total Ryo Earned: +9,000 Ryo
Total Bonus AP Earned: +45 Bonus AP

Investing the 2,128 TWC on the following Jutsus:

→ Investing in Earth Shaker @ B-Rank (1,750/1,750)
→ Investing in Soft Wind Blowing @ C-Rank (378/1000)

Spending the 2,128 TWC on the following Stat Points:

→ Adding +11 SP to Vigor (1,100)
→ Adding +10 SP to Strength (1,000 WC)

Claiming 9,000 RP (6,000 + 9,000 = 15,000 RP)
Claiming 45 AP (120 + 45 = 165 bonus AP)

Claiming 1,617 WC towards Mangekyo Sharingan (848/8,000 -> 2,465/8,000) from here

Claiming +4 to Strength (1 + 4 = 5 Strength). Now at max stats.
Claiming +12 AP from left over stat WC (165 + 12 = 177 bonus AP)

This looks good approved for Tenshin.

Himari, you are approved for mission rewards. Unfortunately, we cannot bank WC from topics, so what you produced will have to be spent somewhere. You can claim jutsu alongside them stat points. Let me know when you have finalized the claims.

Ayato Hyuuga wrote:This looks good approved for Tenshin.

Himari, you are approved for mission rewards. Unfortunately, we cannot bank WC from topics, so what you produced will have to be spent somewhere. You can claim jutsu alongside them stat points. Let me know when you have finalized the claims.

My claims have been finalized.

Approved for Himari