Exploration Ch. 1

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo’s body swayed in the passing tomes of dirt and sand. It was quite the sight for one such as her to be in a place as this, looking in accordance to what she knew was quite interesting in the mannerisms of a potential target, yet she was far outside the ranges of any known towns and only hoped to explore. Truly, retrieve materials needed to perform extensive research on new defensive jutsu and/or create the defensive materials in all things. Indeed, she was an odd being that had little to no recourse for her own life or well-being while she walked these hot and dry environments with her shinobi gown in full swing while walking. It was a unique form for her since she had never been to the land of wind before yet in her hand was a map formed of words. Almost like a page excerpt from a book, this map was hand drawn in the spaces between every word ending in an ‘r’ and for some reason it made the map into a catacombs inner structure. One thing was for certain, she knew only one place with a catacomb of such structural designs being in the land of wind.

Jojo walked with her green hair blowing in the wind, grateful only the Uchiha and few select Hozuki clansmen knew of her hair as it was a very uncommon trait for a clan that was long gone extinct, or so most would think from the extermination eighty years ago. There are small bands of these green haired members still survived but are wanderers no less. Jojo’s mother being a traitor to them would be now moved to the land of water and so that is where Jojo Kaguya is hailed from. The only identifying marks of Kaguya on her body is the headband around her neck with the Kaguya clan emblem on it, her forehead having clearly a different symbol on it being that of a crooked ‘V’ (geass symbol). Her golden eyes purging and searching while she would identifiably wear the brown clad robes over her white strait jacket that laid inside the robe. Her body was not hot, having conditioned herself for something like this allowed her to fully encompass all she needed to do and understand of the world around her while inadvertently she would only smile and move a good distance away before spotting something.

It was the mouth of a cave that was filled with dark and damp rich stench. Hoping it to be the one she wanted and needed to go to, she would rush towards it and hurry inside. The cave was a dead end right from the get go, her eyes scanning it and finding nothing, but more sand and a back wall completely devoid of injuries just in case and to do well in all aspects of the job to do it right the first time. However when she turned around she noticed something, this place had charred marks along the wall, in her mind noting all of them and hoping to figure out how old and whether or not whoever first made them would be coming back the same way and attacking these individuals would also weigh heavy on her mind. If they were enemies she could not hold back. Another noise followed by another, "Footsteps?" The single word was breathed into voice as she looked directly at the entrance, her hand gripping her sword horizontal to her body yet beside her giant summoning scroll upon her back.

[gundamoutlaw]

Sand. It was everywhere, got into everything, and everybody. Every nook, cranny, and pore seemed to be filled with the stuff, and yet there was always still more to go around. Qin Li had lived here his whole life, from both his remembered lifetimes, and still loathed the gritty substance with a passion. For the life of him he couldn't understand why Kaze no Kuni was known as the Land of Wind, as they had no more wind then any other nation, yet the subject of his current ire seemed to be in abundance. Maybe Land of Sand or Land of the Eternal Deserts just didn't have the same ring to it? Certainly wouldn't attract the tourists like the current title did... not that they had all that many site seers to begin with of course. Maybe he should bring that up at the next session of the brethren court... no wait, they didn't have one of those. Where had that idea come from again?

These thoughts and many others spiraled about in Qin's head as he tried to futilely dust the sand from his clothes, having sought shelter in a nearby cavern as the winds were picking up their pace across the dunes. There likely wasn't a storm on the horizon, but given his sensitivity to the abrasive mineral, the last son of the Yamada needed all the breaks he could get from the stuff. It was for this reason that he had ducked into the rocky outcropping that had housed this cave, but now that he was here, he could swear that he was sensing another presence nearby. A strong one at that.

Knowing full well that stealth was going to be of little use to him at this point given the acoustics of the cavern, as well as his own less then subtle entrance, Qin decided to go with an alternative approach. Keeping his hand on the right wall as he moved deeper into the caves, his heightened sensory abilities serving as a very loose guide towards the object of his search, the Wind-nin called out into the darkness in the hopes of gaining additional insight on his predicament. To do this he used the one technique that no one could resist, "Marco!?!"

[Jojo Kaguya]

The cave was vast, and quite out of complex originality as she traveled further down the depths, judging that up ahead was another room, only far bigger than what she could originally have thought. Jojo certainly found things like this interesting, as she would move down towards the water’s boundary edge before recognizing something else; the room was as big as a damn forest, let alone a forest utilized for devastation against most uniform simplicities. It would be then that she would hear the echoing voice, something from those footsteps she had heard earlier on, indeed that irked her as she would hear the words to an old water front hide and seek game. Jojo had no interest in such games yet here she was ready to play yet she would also take notice in a couple things, the robe she wore and the clothing underneath. Far too heavy in most circumstances so she would cut the weight in half, allowing herself to mainly dissolve the very idea of the instinctual habitat of the water’s edge. Walking upon the water, Jojo would look about with her curious gaze, never removing her eyes from what she saw before herself and inadvertently what she saw in other cases.

Jojo would move in harmony to what echoes she heard, wondering if that was the only entrance down here or not, her eyes were no good at sensing or seeing in the dark, and in her hopes, she dreamed of possibilities to see through such charades in all hopes of bodily rejection to it. However as it was not possible she would listen in the air, and reply, “Polo.” It was the touch to add in her genius to such things while at the same instance go through and aim to achieve quite the adept side of thinking and spiritual prowess. Chakra control was low yet her chakra supply was high. Immediately she would already impress herself for the techniques she knew while at this time it was a game being played, a snake is an arachnid and as far as arachnid’s go, they were not all too horridly wrong. Granted Jojo thought most were kind people to heart while she would see snakeskins throughout this water, just floating there. “Could this be the esteemed snake pit?” She would ask herself in her moment of figuring out where she was and hopefully as to whom was or could have been there.

[gundamoutlaw]

Qin paused as the voice of the cavern responded to his query, eyebrow quirking slightly as he noted the pitch and tone. So his unknown dance partner was a woman? Or at least a very pitchy little boy. Either way it wasn't what he was expecting, and something about the voice's accent put him on his guard. Though he couldn't quite place why that was. These caves were hardly restricted territory, but they weren't just a place anybody visited either. What was this strange person doing down here? Were they alone, or was it a group?

Continuing his journey into the catacombs, he began to notice that something about the wall felt off. Glancing down at his fingers, Qin noted that there was a rough black substance coating the tips. Further examination showed the same substance to be lining the walls, likely ash from the feel of it. Taking that as a good sign that a battle had been fought here, he resumed his trek with renewed haste and caution. Mindful that the combatants might still be down here laying in wait for him, or in desperate need of his help.

Eventually his senses led him to a large chamber filled with water, the underground lake seeming to reach out into the depths of the void before him as his eyes attempted to adjust to the gloom. Despite being shrouded in shadow however, he knew that the one he sought was out there on the water. It wouldn't be long now, and he could already hear his heart hammering in his ears as adrenaline started pumping in anticipation of the worst possible outcome for this.

[Jojo Kaguya]

There was stillness in the air, a calm serenity about it. Indeed a warrior could sweat and with the quiet here, the sweat drop even made a sound. It dropped down from her forward, making its way down towards the cheek until finally dripping from her cheek. It fell for what seemed like forever before dropping down onto the water and the rippled surface broke silence. The echo reverberated for what seemed to be seconds before Jojo had moved her body out of the spot, moving deeper into the water. Just to keep her at a good safe distance from whatever was around inside this place. Echoes were everywhere and it was those footsteps, she had heard them at the entrance, even the guiding hands smooth trace along a wall. So quiet in this place yet everything heard because of the quiet. Jojo herself was no exception, as she knew that she could be destroyed in this place for just one mishap in the mix. Nonetheless, she continued on, moving about with her eyes in a flutter, as she needed to keep a level head about what could occur here in this place as she could only imagine what was coming in here and was after her.

Jojo was not from this land, had no permission to be here either. She was here on her own accord and desires, hunting down treasures of days in the past, such treasures of defensive quality as only Jojo could know to use these things. Yet all treasures had a side effect or a partner to such things. She would only utilize her mentality in such things to move herself towards the sound now, using her speed of such training to move faster, yet not at her fullest speed, she was holding back. The movements she made with her robe and straitjacket had fluttered in the movement, the moves so fast it sounded like wind passing through the airless tomb. The underground lake rippled the smallest sound where she stepped, and walked to move. It was an interesting place and she wondered who had followed her into it. The way it could be, the way it should be, indeed Jojo had little sense as to what could have hold over her body yet she would only hope and formulate her plans effectively. All as she would move through this place, aim her fullest set of mental strength to being as fast, and quiet as possible, for at full speed it would be too noisy to be useful here.

[gundamoutlaw]

Qin Li couldn't shake the feeling that he was being setup for something, as the deeper he headed into the caverns, the slower his quarry seemed to move. That would only make sense though if they knew he could track them, and that seemed unlikely seeing as there had been no visual contact yet. Unless of course they too were a sensor-nin, but the chances of that were slim at best. No, it seemed more plausible that whoever this was was just looking for the ideal spot to make their stand. Depending on their skill set the giant lake would be a good place to start, especially if they had control over water like so many shinobi seemed to.

With that in mind, he cautiously set foot onto the water. Focusing a small amount of chakra through his feet in order to remain a float as he cautiously continued out into the void. Each step he made came with the mental preparation to dive for cover, his limbs tingling in anticipation for what lay ahead, despite a lack of certainty that he was truly in danger. Hard won experience had taught him to assume the worst, but the eternal optimist within always looked toward the outcome that didn't end with a half-dozen kunai sticking out of his backside. Had enough scars back there ruining his chances with the ladies as it was, especially when he worked in a profession where said members of the fairer sex were just as likely to kill you as... well do that thing that he couldn't think about while the censors were watching...

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo would listen, the way this being moved, almost as if a weight was on it. Jojo would merely keep her mind at ease, until she would utilize a few calm selective movements, her body going to the full limits of the entity that was her being. Gripping the handle to her sword she would disappear from her spot with a single step, incredible and godly speed rushing about her frame, as she would move to appear behind this person. Noting where the echoed steps’ sound originated as her sword was poised to his backside, aimed for the bottom of his left lung while she was crouched behind him, her head turned to look his way. Truly, it was far too dark to utilize one’s own way to know what it was to know or reckon to what one could do. To Jojo, she needed the style of fighting to be in her favor, the water only helped one of her jutsu, maybe two so it would be no use to her, however it did provide a generic subtle ease to which she could utilize and format a general attack style using her speed that she had learned provocatively well.

In doing such, she had her eyes on him, her body poised and ready to thrust with the katana positioned sharply yet her body was tensed, ready to evade or dodge as needed, “Who are you and why do you wish to follow me?” How cliché, it should be the other way around for asking in her opinion due to her being of a different sector of an entire knowledge stream, not to mention a part of a different land all together. Jojo would keep her eyes on this individual, it was definitely too dark for normal sight but she only hoped that she could utilize and format herself in a way to better prepare what there was to utilize as it would seem she needed that above all else. Thinking back, she had a single summon that would be useful for this place, she just did not know how high that ceiling was so to not harm her summon she would choose not to do it yet. However when she had stopped her body in the poised position to ask the question, one could tell that she was a contracted summoner just by the weight of her step, the heel hitting the ground harder than normal in aspect to the contract summon scroll on her back.

[gundamoutlaw]

Finally, the moment of truth. The enemy had revealed herself at last, and proven her aggressive nature by going straight for a killer's stance. He had to admit that he was impressed, as the speed with which her chakra signature had sped across the field was not that far off from his own. Less of course, but still close. Few were fast enough to get the drop on him like this, and for that alone this unknown kunoichi should have been proud of herself. Too bad she didn't belong down here, he'd have liked having a worthy rival around the village once and awhile.

Maintaining his chakra flow in case an emergency evasion was needed, Qin let his arms hang loosely at his side, and glanced over his shoulder at the new comer. It was hard to make out much in the gloom of the cavern, but he could see enough to confirm his suspicions. He was dealing with a woman, attractively built, about his height, with what appeared to be long hair, and a katana which was poised to strike him through the chest. Seemed that his luck with women was holding out after all, although they didn't usually want to stab him until about 10 minutes into the date. Maybe this one moved faster then the prudes back home? "Funny, I'm pretty sure that's my line. Your's is supposed to go 'I'm sorry, I was looking for the washroom and got turned around. I don't suppose a big handsome guard like yourself could help a lady out?' Then when my back is turned ya pull out the sword and go for the kill. How hard is that? Shame what passes for quality actors these days."

[Jojo Kaguya]

The kunoichi definitely did not understand the aspect of acting; it just was not her style, granted she did plenty of it for two years in her Jounin trial. She did not need to do any more than that and yet here this boy was saying all things about such a thing. To Jojo she would narrow her eyes and keep steady hold of the blade, the man who spoke with a chill to her spine, it was a close apparition. Almost like a ghost’s touch to her back as she would shiver lightly at the aspect of which she would keep her eyes solidly on him, her own knowledge to this was that of knowing that appearances were similar to ghosts, nothing could be seen until you look inside. Jojo’s mind would steadily witness this aspect of an individual and with a steady mindset; Jojo would utilize a significant structure of thought to her own aspects of such styles. Her mind already set in motion to what she could do, in the stance she was in right now, she could attempt to cut him open, to kill him, but she could easily find herself warranted to be killed. If she attempted it, it would only make her incapable to becoming something she is warranted to stay away from until a set day comes.

Yes, a set day to become a killer today was not that day for she was not ordered to do that. Her blade only moves slightly, moving to a lower position, a possible fatal spot instead of the true fatality to the striking of a lung, no this was the intestine strike. Her eyes on this man while she would breathe low and coldly. The water seemed to steam with the body heat emanating from these two shinobi, only an aspect to how cold it was in here. “You still have not answered my question,” Jojo would edge on, her blade steady and footwork unchanged. She would go for the strike if pushed; she had rather not though, as it was not her nature to attack needlessly. Defense was the best option, as it was her philosophy however if need be she would attack. Her eyes on his body and just hoping that she could utilize and then formulate a better and proper plan of action, it was all she hoped for to do in a situation like this. Her headband of the Kaguya clan finally shifting to clink upon her collarbone, producing a slightly different sound for a bone’s reverberation.

[gundamoutlaw]

It seemed that he was dealing with one of the humorly challenged that frequented this day and age. A pity seeing as he usually preferred to settle things with quips instead of blades, still, his tactics need not change just yet. His words did appear as if they'd had some effect, in that his assailant had lowered her blade from a deadly strike point to a mortally wounding one. Her tone suggested however that she was in no mood for games though, so he had better think up a few new lines to keep her placated for the time being. Maybe he should start paying someone to come up with material for these kinds of situations, he'd probably make a killing in the repentant husband market for tips on that sort of thing. Certainly something to consider once he got out of this mess.

"My name is Qin Li, and does a man really need a reason to follow a lady into a dark cave out in the middle of nowhere?" He paused for a second, nose crinkling in disgust at his own line. How was sounding like a total creeper going to avoid earning him a new rectal cavity? Maybe he should just throw himself on the bloody sword now, save them both some trouble down the road. "And that sounded waaaay creepier then it was meant to. Maybe I should follow it up with, 'You wanna come back to my wagon? I've got candy...' Seriously though, you're trespassing on Sanjuro land and are asking me what I'm doing here? Somebody has her priorities mixed up lady. I never did catch your name by the way. Its usually customary to introduce yourself before giving it to someone via the backdoor."

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo listened to his response, thinking to herself, “What is with this guy? Is he just your ordinary creep or what exactly can be wrong with this guy?” Initially Jojo would listen, learning he was Qin Li, but she knew nothing of some person like that. All her tales of life were dealt with in the land of fire and the land of water, all her missions and tasks being forced in those time stages. Jojo would blink lightly before moving herself to a steady position, her blade staying at that stage before she would watch him. “How would one such as you know I am trespassing when you know nothing about me? Who knows, maybe you are the true trespasser,” Granted what she was saying now was completely blowing smoke in the wind while at the same instance she would only guarantee so much of herself in a steady phase. Her logic and ideology could only go so far, yet she would steadily and patiently keep in mind all she knew in her own way of thinking. Her eyes were patiently envisioning the destruction of this being as she would realize something, something that was quite ordinarily and steadily phasing in her own mind as her eyes would watch him.

This boy’s build was nothing too large, nor was it too steadily phase. Immediately she knew this person was far too funny to keep alive as backasswords as that were. A steady focus would there in move her frame and body to jumping forwards and with that she would push the sword forwards with no warning given. Granted she did not allow her eyes to leave her target, she aimed for his sweet spot and hitting it would only grant her the feeling of his blood spraying out, this was what she wanted to feel and understandably know about. Jojo would focus steadily and with her eyes, she would aim and hope that the puncture succeeded. If by chance it did, the beneficial and sideways attack would aim and would leave a mortal wound on the being. The attack itself would seem a ways in a form of destroying an individual to utter devastation. Jojo herself was quite known for being the hidden guardian, her hidden rage influences her guardian style, yet as it seems she would only allow so much before her kill first and ask later attitude could come through.

[gundamoutlaw]

Qin found himself floored by the girl's retort, as the logic behind it confounded him like nothing else. Well nothing other then the regional tax codes anyway, but he was still convinced that the people who worked in that field must be wizards, so it was hardly a fair comparison. Before he could respond to her statement however, she surged forward in an effort to finally skewer him on her blade. This left him with two options, he could either attempt to out maneuver the strike and parry it with his dastana, or he could merely get out of the way entirely by burning a little energy.

In this case he opted for the latter, seemingly flickering out of existence before reappearing about 5-feet behind his attacker. This put him outside his estimated reach of her blade, yet kept him close enough to continue their conversation. He'd actually been tempted to show off a little bit, but with the lack of light in the cavern, he hardly saw a point since his new dance partner would be unable to witness his skills. "Ya know, I usually require the lady to buy me dinner before she's allowed to stick it in me. I'm guessing wherever you're from they don't teach the basic courtesies? No matter... as for your last question, how do I know you're the trespasser? Let's count the ways shall we? One, you have no idea who I am. Everyone here does, I'm just awesome that way. Two, you didn't even attempt the Kaze no Kuni secret handshake. And of course three... what was three again? Oh yeah... the part where your tried to freaking stab me!" As he spoke he ticked off the points on his fingers, making sure to keep a careful eye and sensor reading on his opponent just in case she got uppity again. "So shall we try this again, this time with out the blade trying to lodge itself in my spleen?"



Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo would only smile as the three most ridiculous answers were given, her eyes having been narrowed when she had her sword stabbing motion declined and made faulty while her eyes had begun to watch and glare in a very odd delight. She could reverse the tables on those answers and so she did, “Why should I know the name of a trespasser who gives idiotic answers such as those. For one, you say I should know you but again I clarify in the why of knowing a trespasser’s name. Two would be the way you say handshake, the style of whatever mention you and your enemy comrades do or say is of no consequence to me and I should not know what you trespassers do in your spare time. And with that third point, I kill those who interrupt my dig sites.” She was an archeologist to the core now, her eyes steady and yet watching that frame, having listened to his voice and stepping just so she could utilize and understand where he was. It was the only sure way so to keep her sanity and safe all at once while at the same instance allowing herself to disable and ultimately destroy her opponent.

Only, she wanted to keep that sanity going for as long as possible. It was moments like this though that she enjoyed being a negotiator due to the devil’s advocate life style. She would make her presence more so known, the way this boy spoke and hoped to be kept safe though she would perform a small summon utilizing her “lightning blade creation” seal to come out a single senbon. With her accuracy in mind she would throw it in hopes of hitting him and then followed by her speedy assault of her sword, aiming to attack with as many swings as possible while proposing her body to be as swift on feet as possible with many unreadable steps and utilizing a majority of backward movements in the assault. It was such delicate speed that her body moved more and her ears picked up as much sound as possible to judge and grade what she could utilize all at once while not attacking at full speed or power yet, she was holding back and that was merely out of challenging herself instead of anything else. It was just who she was, and how she was to maintain her hidden side.

Spoiler:

[gundamoutlaw]

Rolling his eyes in annoyance as the girl turned in what was likely preparation for another attack, Qin began redistributing his chakra flow in preparation for a defense. His timing could not have been better, as he completed the last of the requisite hand seals just as her needle attack came sailing towards his head. The darkness of the chamber was suddenly replaced by an eerie read glow as his scalp began to burn with power, his hair suddenly taking on a flame-like consistency as it lashed out with lightning speed towards the oncoming attacks and stopped them mere inches from his body.

Now that he could actually see his opponent, he had to admit that she was quite the looker. Sadly that meant that she was likely all the more deadly, as it was always the cute ones that trained themselves to stab you in the back when they thought you were distracted by dirty thoughts. By the light of his hair, he could also make out the headband she wore around her neck, and by extension the clan emblem emblazoned upon it. Now they had proof of who didn't belong, but he'd play along a little longer just for fun.

"Well aren't you the cute one? Candlelight truly does wonders for your complexion my dear." Having said that, he held up his hand to show the Sanjuro crest on the plate laying across the back of his dastana, quirking an eyebrow and smiling beneath his mask as he spoke. "I'll show ya mine if you show me your's."


Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo would merely look at him with curious eyes as she saw her attack thwarted, that shielded body from hair, the luminescent glow of red was certainly different, as she did not quite expect that however her eyes did not waiver at all while she would forgo witness with this individual. Looking and seeing that symbol, the emblem of that clan was definitely a sign as to which she did not belong here at all. Yet as he had requested she would only giggle, a slight bend at the waste as she would part her collar and with the short flash of her cleavage she would show the symbol of the Kaguya. “Well this is mine; I guess that does make me a trespasser on the land, but you is still trespassing on my dig site.” She would finish it with a move of her body to stand upright while her eyes were looking directly at him with a kindred and almost more cautious gaze. She could tell that with some phase analysis that she was not much weaker but still was weaker. It was a cause for her to think she should be afraid while at the same time knowing that she very well should not be.

It was for that root cause analysis that allowed Jojo a preview into what could be expected in this format. To her, she knew that her border of thought was only enough to utilize so much before she was far weaker than normal, granted sex appeal was one thing she was taught but did not care much for that underhanded form of fighting. Her bodily style would allow her to kill better in such a way though, but she kept that secret. Her green hair and golden eyes were off focus in coloration from the red shimmer and her olive complexion appeared as if it were blushing in the light. She would hold her sword firm and with a smile release her full speed potential, as this man was far faster than anticipated there was no need to hold back. Her swings of the blade all were swift and sped through even faster, she wondered how much longer she could last in the fight but nonetheless she would press on, her arms soaring and arcing across the area with a subtle and genuine ease about which she kept slashing the air. Gaining ground with no recourse, but to attack with intent on hitting the man in front of her. Each attack aiming for lethal spots per swing.

[gundamoutlaw]

Qin's eyes followed the motion of her hand, catching sight of just the slightest hint of the silken peaks hidden within her jacket, before she directed his attention to the crest about her neck. Kicking himself for letting his attention wander like that, he only caught half of what she'd said in response to his statement. He had heard enough to know that she wasn't going to be leaving without making a fuss though, as was evidenced by the way she flashed towards him in another effort to stay him with her blade. Were it not for the blinding reflexes of his fiery locks, she might very likely have succeeded, as his tactical powers were still rebooting from the tantalizing mysterious he'd glimpsed just seconds before.

The gap between them closed in a flash, the girl's blade seeming to become a streak of white light thanks to the illumination provided by Qin's glowing hair. Seemingly unfazed by the speed of her moves, the Wind-nin seemed to effortlessly dance between the glittering arcs of his opponent's weapon, not a single movement being wasted as he combined fluid evasive techniques with lightning fast blocks from both his hair and limbs. His thoughts were ablaze with tactical formulations and strategic analysis, his eyes breaking down every one of his adversaries movements as he began attempting to pick her style apart and study it for weaknesses. 'Left leg forward, transitioning into a forward lunge. Compensate by twisting torso 30-degrees clockwise... Stance recovery, followed by a horizontal swing to the abdomen, adjust weight by ten percent and evade with a back flip... Low stance, transitioning into a vertical strike to the chin. Pert mounds of ripe flesh swaying with the force of... DAMN IT!'

For the briefest instant his train of thought had failed, and in that blink of an eye he'd zigged when he should have zagged. There was the slightest wince of pain as her blade bit into his flesh, the edge of her weapon causing little more then a flesh wound, yet dealing a devastating blow to his ego as he ripped himself a new one for letting her get to him like that. Qin knew better then to let a woman pull one over on him like that, but for some reason he'd allowed himself to make a rookie mistake and now he was never going to hear the end of it. "Don't suppose you'd be satisfied with taking first blood and heading home? Next caravan for the Land of Water should be leaving in a few minutes, if ya run I'm pretty sure you could still make it."



Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo would merely sigh as the blood dripped down the blade, dripping into the water, as she would keep an eye on this shinobi with glowing red hair. She did not like the idea of this individual telling her the possibility of running, but a caravan to the land of water was not something she expected. “Sorry but I do not run when I have come so far in my hopes to find the Areolas Troth,” the name itself was not appealing, but it was a decisive chakra technique of long past meant for defense, it was a legend to her and she wanted to make the legend reality once more. She would keep a calm eye on him before moving her frame backwards, moving until she would watch him as their distance apart increased. She had his blood dripping from her blade, it was not a mortally fatal wound, but she knew by his voice that she did a different kind of blow, a blow that she did not mind doing against this individual, as she would only smile with a calm exposed thought about her own mental providence. It was whom she was when her blade came up in a horizontal guard position.

“Now I am certain you are needed elsewhere with that self-proclaimed thought, I suggest you just take your own advice and run,” Jojo was never going to go through with the mindset of not knowing where her findings could be and where they evidentially were. Therein, she would bolster her mentality and moved back more, yet the way she moved back was simple, it was going deeper into the cave, and as she went deeper and aimed to get away from this individual was just her luck. Eventually though she would ask, being now thirty feet distance from him, “If this is the Ferin Cove, then you can entrust me with five hours of dig time can you not.” Unknown to Jojo, the Ferin Cove was more than a day’s journey north of where she was now, all the while she still defended herself and hoped to take control of what could very well be the definition of insanity to provocative statements of security to her own mental strain of thought process. Her blade no longer dripping the blood she had caught while she would still indefinitely hope to devastate if he got into her way of the conquest to find the artifacts.

[gundamoutlaw]

The girl's response amused Qin, and he couldn't keep the humor out of his voice as he cocked his head to give her another appraisal."Areolas Troth? That sounds dirty. Is that the thing where you *CENSORED* with the *CENSORED* while the girl hangs upside down from your neck?" He would have elaborated more, but he could already feel the eyes of the values police turning his way for mentioning as much as he had.

As he spoke, he pulled a small wooden seal case from a pouch on his belt and brandished it defensively in front of him. "Unfortunately for you, I'm not inclined to attend to my other duties at the moment. Its not often I get to meet someone of your particular skill set..." There was a momentary pause as the room darkened for the blink of an eye, the light source reappearing behind the young woman as its owner resumed his dialog without missing a beat. "... I'd much rather stay here and play. I'm sorry to inform you though, that you're digging in the wrong place if ya think this is Ferin Cove."

That said, he summoned forth his blade from the confines of its case and took on a defensive stance. His flaming hair drifting lazily around him as if waiting for the Kaguya woman to make a move. "Now shall we try this again, and this time with feeling my dear."



Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

[Jojo Kaguya]

Therefore, this man thought it just a simple dirty minded idea, yet when she heard the words she blushed for a moment. Yet told her it was the wrong area to be digging. Both of these statements had confused Jojo just long enough that she did not notice that the glow was behind her now, her eyes moving to face that glow, as she would blink in surprise. This person was indeed something else it had seemed while Jojo on the other hand was far below the necessary knowledge behind the applicable truths of knowing death and destruction. Jojo would not allow it to disrupt the flow of which she continued her straightforward gifts of knowledge. She would utilize her speed with the minimal effort, moving her frame to a swords reach away as she would look at what blade was summoned. She watched him now, the glow of his red hair that shielded him did two things, while she would merely focus and there in move her weaponry aside, sheathing her sword, as she would crouch low, her hands coming in together as she would begin to focus chakra, watching him while maintaining a general knowledge of who she was. This would generally detail her as to what she could accomplish next.

Her chakra formed its speed incredible while she would only utilize so much with her own suitability while she would accept a general knowledge. Shey were on water, it was a perfect conductor for what she did next as she would push her hand onto the water’s surface and with her chakra surrounding her she would push the chakra outwards, the surge of electricity sent into all directions around her for ten feet. If he were still in range he would be shocked for sure with a definitely explosive dose of electrical current having been amplified by the water, yet as she had accustomed herself to that she would rush forwards. Her body moving with its speed to continue moving directly behind the electrical wave with a steady and decisive uproar kick aimed for his midriff. She utilized the speed to do so with that point, all in hopes of catching him off guard, while she had fully hoped to just beat him up. Killing him was not the mission, merely to finally get out and get to the real cove, “If this is not the real cove, then where might it be?” She would ask in the center of her attacks.

Spoiler:

[gundamoutlaw]

Following the girl's movements as she moved to within a blade's length of his current position, Qin Li was surprised when she sheathed her weapon in apparent surrender. He did not let his guard down however, as a ninja was more then capable of doing significant damage with their bare hands. Most could actually cause more harm without a blade, then they could when taking up a sword. It was for this reason he tensed up when she moved downward to make contact with the water beneath their feet, the act prompting him to launch himself backwards into the air in an effort to evade the pending attack.

Said attack did not come in the form he'd expected, the water surrounding his previous position crackling to life with the power of the skies in an effort to paralyze his movements, instead of lashing out at him with deadly tendrils as he'd expected. From the air he also noted that her lightning blast was intended to be followed up with some form of close-quarters attack, or at least that was his guess based on the way she was charging his intended landing site. 'Raiton user, gains tactical advantage at short range. Capable of utilizing environment to significantly enhance range and area of abilities. Best option, keep hands engaged until full range of ability is known.'

In order to formulate a defense against her follow-thru, he began a short series of handseals while in mid-air. Starting to transfer the chakra from his hair to his hands as he touched down on the water and found himself face to face with his foe. Executing the final seal as her foot moved to knock the air from his lungs, he kept his hand and fist locked together and brought them down to block the oncoming kick with the heel of his fist. The Scorch chakra he'd transferred there causing the hand to glow with power as it closed the gap with his assailant's limbs.

"And what have you done recently to possibly encourage me to give you directions? Do I look like a tour guide?" His defense now complete, he tried to grab a hold of the leg which had just tried to send him flying. His intent was to burn it slightly, and then use it as a lever to flip his attacker onto her shapely backside. If successful, the combination should be enough to give him the time necessary to subdue her peaceably. Not to mention it gave him a chance to get a better feel for what she was hiding under that strange form hugging robe of her's. "Nice legs, mind if I take a closer look?"



Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

[Jojo Kaguya]

The burning was almost too courteous to her, a slightly good smile coming out of her lips, as she would feel her leg caught, but then also a burning. Though slight it was, it was still a burn to her body, as she would find her own movement quite elegant, as she would be flipped. At that flip, she would subjugate her own formula of chakra to crash through the water, and as she would be pushing herself through the water, the steady pull would hopefully pull this man in. Her breath has gasped in just prior to landing through the water, as she would only find herself being in the water. A calm steady smile as she would already be performing a multitude of hand seals to summon a grand being, and as steady a smile as she had, she would perform the summoning by using her palm on the water molecules to create the portal for which the summon would come forth out of the spectral zone of slug world. Jojo only smiled now though, her greatest component in this fight would be her summon’s lightning capabilities and as the summon came forth she felt the cave shake, yet the ceiling of the cave was far higher than any other, allowing her summon to come in and even float on the top of the water without any danger.

“Jojo-sama, why have you summoned me to such a dark place?” Katsuyu had asked curiously, her voice was a dense tone of cheerfulness as oxymoron as it was. Jojo would only smile as she would jump upon the slug’s head, that is if she was able to get free from the grasp on her leg, and would smile, “I am trying to find a certain artifact, and I would like your help in lightning this place up with some of your electrical capacities.” It was a sideways way to ask for help, however Jojo did get what she wanted, as the slug would nod with a smile and already sent lightning about the water, the whole place lighting up with water. The same technique Jojo used only moments ago was now maximized on a completely new scale of attack with the slug’s prowess in attack, and as it were, Jojo would only watch this place light up in the yellowish fashion of light. Her eyes were watching that red light, the red hair, as it would seem. Jojo would already perform hand seals, gathering up the chakra needed for another attack while her defenses continued to be strong, continued to rely and be strengthened by her own fate. At least Katsuyu aimed only for the water, that way even when the lightning danced up from the water neither she nor Jojo were harmed by the lightning.

Spoiler:

[gundamoutlaw]

Noting the girl's movements as she was flipped into the air, Qin was surprised to see her pass through the surface of the water with a resounding splash. Hoping to avoid a similar fate, he rode the ripple effect caused by her sudden submersion and used it to launch himself into the air with the help of another body flicker. Seconds later he touched down against the wall of the cavern, hanging more then a dozen yards over the lake as he watched the waters part to reveal his opponent standing astride a giant slug as the lake came alive with electrical energy.

This was certainly going to complicate matters, as he wasn't sure if even he was skillful enough to engage one of the major players of the Slug clan. He had to try though, as there was no way he could allow this woman to just walk out on him. The Sanjuro's reputation was at stake after all. To that end he began formulating his plan of attack, his hands a blur of motion as the last of the flame bled out of his hair, finally allowing it to again hang limply around his face. His sword clutched in one hand, he brought his free-hand up to his lips and breathed life into his attack, the molded chakra taking on the form of a dragon of pure flame as it charged his target with the force of ages. Would it stop his target, probably not... but it would certainly get their attention.

Jutsu Used:

[Jojo Kaguya]

Jojo would watch the red mane of a man disperse, his body and frame disappearing into the dark depths around her once she had summoned up Katsuyu. Granted, once she got in the picture and began to send out those electrical waves, the place lit up like a match. Jojo saw exactly where the man had went, his mane of red hair no longer glowing as Jojo would take that as a sign of which she was finally making him get serious. Granted she saw the fireball split in three, immediately she knew just what was happening, and how to react, granted she was going to have to be creative when she quickly created hand signs for an oncoming technique. Her body and frame prepared to exert the chakra as her hands would begin to glow with the chakra, waiting for the right moment. When she had learned the jutsu, she had learned it had a weakness of only a random direction for chakra exertion. However, she had already learned later on that with enough timing, if something it close enough in the radius, it will be caught in the attack. Therefore, Jojo charged and channeled her energies before finally exerting them, releasing her purple chakra aura of energy-wave chakra all around her in an arcing wave. Slicing the three dragons in half as the fire would diminish into the damp air itself.

Jojo would smile her arms loose and her body steady with eyes looking at the goal. She understood her place, she understood her time was soon and as it was soon, she would only know and utterly hope to utilize her talents soon enough. Her eyes went back to the spot that the individual had originally been at during the flames and as the fires dance to diminished steamy air. Jojo would perform six hand seals, the final being the ram, as she would utilize two jutsu in combination to one another, her body moving instantly from the teleportation of Shunshin no jutsu followed by her fist filled with energy chakra bearing down to attempt her strike against this foe. The strike aimed to hit directly at the center of his back, she aimed it and if she were successful, the foe would be badly wounded, while everything in front of the blast for a meter would be destroyed. It was one of her favored attacks, and with open palm, she hoped it hit.

Spoiler:

[gundamoutlaw]

Okay, he was officially impressed now. He'd encountered few capable of utilizing the Kyūzōton Release, and fewer still who would have thought of utilizing it as a defense against a flaming dragon blast. It showed a certain imagination and ingenuity that seemed to be rare among shinobi of late, everyone being more concerned with causing greater destruction and less with style. Even his adversary seemed to realize what a clever girl she was, but he'd sadly have to cut her victory party short, before she let it go to her head.

Smirking slightly beneath his mask as he watched her vanish from her previous position, he figured it was probably time to show her who she was really dealing with. She reappeared behind him a heartbeat later, palm extended outward as a blast of chakra enveloped his form in its deadly caress. His silhouette could be made out from within the blinding discharge, body arched as the woman's energy burned into his flesh before erasing him from existence. As this was happening however, another Qin Li seemed to appear behind the wayward archaeologist. His hands a blur of motion as he executed the final seal and attempted to mystically bind his prey during her moment of apparent triumph. This momentary defiance of the laws of physics was the technique which had earned him the name God of Flash, the ultimate Body Flicker known as the Utsusemi. A maneuver which granted its user the ability to momentarily appear to be in two places at once via raw speed, often leading people to believe their target had died and thus setting them up for a flanking attack. Few of his enemies had lived to see this jutsu a second time, and for that reason it would be a real test of his opponent's skill. If she was able to react to this, then he would know that it was safe to start getting serious for once.

Jutsu Used:

[Jojo Kaguya]

The events that followed happened too fast, Jojo’s eyes widening, as she would be trapped within a jutsu she knew very well. A ninjutsu that was effectively weak in diagnosis however was quite strong on other occasions. Jojo would be in quite the pickle when she found her attack had only punched through an afterimage, however the speed of evasion was amazing, and her own only being slightly as significant yet nowhere near as fast as this one. Her speed was matched, it was effectively a better suited match this way as she would find her body frozen midair for a second, but the second was all it took for Katsuyu to utilize a simple gesture, a simple technique to target her mistress. Jojo’s body felt the tingle, enough for her to be drawn out of the ninjutsu for her body to recover from the slighted advance. Katsuyu had indirectly helped Jojo by attacking her with the spark technique that helped get Jojo back to her feet and stable mind, utilizing what had to be done to get out of such a binding spell. Jojo’s body fell onto the head of the giant battle slug while her eyes would be glaring up at the spot where the body of the male was.

This boy was a whole other kind of speed, one that was very evasive yet her own speed was not up to par with that. She would pop her neck, having now regained her effective capability as being on top of her summon she would center herself, her mind and bodily frame becoming one as she would summon two soldier pills out of her wrist. With a chomp on them, she would begin formulating many hand signs, her mind thinking on how she will utilize such a technique for an occasion as this. Her body would formulate the balls, the eight unique energy balls that would swirl around Jojo in their glowing light, illuminating her presence on top of the electrical slug mother. Jojo would only smile, her eyes illuminated in the glow of purple to her golden hues. “Katsuyu-san, I’ll need you to be the attacking force on this, may be our final attack too,” Jojo would say to Katsuyu, her arms running chakra throughout her body as her arms now went limp. Her smile steady and her energy balls were swirling around at one mile per hour, a hypnotic rhythm while Katsuyu would be gathering up chakra, a steady being in her own right it had seemed.

Spoiler:

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