A new generation of shinobi, heirs to their predecessors’ legacies, must rise to face the challenges ahead. Their paths are intertwined with the villages’ fate and the essence of the shinobi way as they confront powerful enemies and unforeseen challenges unlike any before. Welcome to Ninja-Tales, wanderer— we’re glad you found us, and we can’t wait for you to jump into our world.
CRE DITS
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[attr="class","rulemyheartp"] The snow drifting through the slate grey skies was bitter cold. The sharp air cut into exposed skin. Reddening flesh and freezing blood. However, that did not deter the shinobi who made their way to this destination. Ren was one of several shinobi of various ranks ordered by their village leaders to recon and possibly engage with a disturbing threat in the Land of Iron. [break][break] For Ren, whose only change to his wardrobe was a simple white scarf. He looked slightly out of place for the type of weather he was currently enmeshed in. But the cold didn't bother him, much. His blood simmered in his veins. As his piercing grey eyes scanned the area. Surveying the ever-white landscape below from the crest of a jagged, rocky, hillside that jutted out violently against the blank expanse. [break][break] He was ordered to wait for allies. Konoha and Mist were some of many villages working together in this endeavor to thwart... Whatever this new enemy was. But it didn't matter what they were. They were simply an active threat. And needed to be neutralized. [break][break] It would be interesting to see what was sharper. What was harder. His blade or the metal bodies of these metallic menaces? He slightly tilted his head. His sharp nose picked up a familiar scent, the shift in the wind making it only noticeable to those with keen senses. In another sense, he wouldn't be able to notice — as the steps even in the crunching snow — were light and utterly silent. [break][break] His eyes widened a fraction. He recognized this person! "Kouki? You're here too?" He smirked, though it was a soft one. Almost teasing. Reminiscent. "What are the odds?" He muses, shaking his lightly in amusement. He pressed his thumb against the handle of his sword, readying himself for the ensuing fight, however, making no move yet. [break][break] "Any news on the targets?"
[attr="class","rulemyheartlyric3]I'M ON YOUR
[attr="class","rulemyheartlyric4] SIDE
[break]
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0070 HP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0065 SP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0065 DP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0050 CP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0050 AP
[attr="class","rulemyheartn"]
NOTES!
[attr="class","rulemyheartwc"]
313 WORDS
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It’s seasonably bitter and cold for the Land of Iron this time of year. [break][break] Kōki has lived through a few incommodious winters in the Hidden Mist, when the temperatures dipped below average and ice glistened on tree branches and clay roof tiles, and the passing snowfall that painted the village was heavy and thick. More often than not, his family’s forges and a few extra blankets were enough to stave off the winter winds; Kurogane Clan members tended to run as hot as the fires that temper their blades. This land he finds himself in now, however, proves itself to be a different beast entirely. [break][break] He wonders how the samurai live here as what’s left of the sun’s light disappears behind heavy grey clouds, blanketing the land in a shade of winter dark. Gingerly, he dips his reddened chin— skin battered by rough winds— behind the cover of his thick scarf, and continues to march ahead, though he sees little aside from a tapestry of white and grey stretching for miles in every direction. About a dozen other shinobi march with him, each bundled in warm clothes for the occasion. They grumble to themselves and each other, equal parts annoyed and worried about the mission assigned to them. [break][break] The land is unfamiliar, their enemies unknown. Kōki doesn’t fault them for their hesitation; they are, in every sense of the word, at a disadvantage in this land. Still, when a few declared (however jokingly) a desire to desert their duties, Kōki wasted no time in brandishing a bandaged Samehada at their throats— stopping an inch from allowing one of its protruding scales to puncture the skin of their necks. “If you're done talking... shall we continue?” He asks. The threat is clear from his tone alone, and the shinobi fall quickly back in line. [break][break] He reaches to his destination— a meeting point designated by strict orders— and before he even registers the figure in the distance Samehada writhes in happiness, having recognised a familiar chakra signature. [break][break] “Kouki? You’re here too? What are the odds?” [break][break] “Ren.” He replies with a nod, greeting a fellow shinobi— though he wishes it were in better circumstances; the yakiniku place they visited before comes to mind. “Did they send you alone?” Kōki asks, gesturing for the group of shinobi behind him to stop in their tracks. [break][break] "Any news on the targets?" [break][break] The swordsman shakes his head in response. “No information you don’t already have.” He says, before lazily gesturing to his ‘entourage’. He doesn’t know when he became the de facto leader of their little group of Mist shinobi, seeing as how he was just a lowly genin, but at some point it seemed he walked ahead of everyone else, and they simply followed him in turn. “I was too busy keeping these laggards in line.” [break][break] “Visibility is low. It’ll be hard to gather information even from this vantage point. One of our sensor-type shinobi managed to pick up an odd chakra signature further north.” One of them, a shivering chūnin, reports, having left briefly to scout for nearby dangers. The snow is picking up with the wind, threatening to turn into a storm in the coming hours, perhaps even sooner. [break][break] Kōki regards the assessment with a stiff nod, and myriad thoughts cross his mind at once. He turns to Ren again, “Could be worth investigating, but the weather is not on our side. Thoughts?”
[attr="class","dramaturgynotes"]
i brought cannon fodder, feel free to get them killed.
[attr="class","caesartext"]The falling snow flakes scattered across the terrain, leaving a brisk chill in their wake. Each step he took left a print in the snow, and as he looked around that's all he could see...foot prints.[break][break]
However, when he peered a little deeper, what he saw was a lot more morbid than seeing footprints on the ground. He could tell just by absorbing all the details of his surroundings that many battles where fought all across the snowy tundra. The Mizukage was once known to have frequently visiting, and staying in the Land of Iron. Namely the Steelheart Citel, where most of the population is found. However, there were still many miles to cover before he would make it there. [break][break] He also took note that the downpour was more harsh than he remembered. [break][break] His sapphire colored orbs peered across the horizon while his hands rested in the comfy warmth of his pocket. Clad in a all black getup, which his usual garb, but he was also wearing an almost fur like overcoat. At his side was his chokutō, which was attached to his belt by the hilt. Taking a breath, he turned his head to the left as he began to feel a handful of familiar auras, but among them was a distinctly unique one. [break][break] That chakra signature is just as vast as Kōki-chan, he intoned, quickening is pace in the adjacent direction. His curiosity overwhelmed him. The implications of his thoughts weren't things that were completely implausible, and that was enough for him to wonder. [break][break] Many moments later... [break][break] They would first see him walking up from the distance, his block hair bouncing with every step, swaying in the passing breeze. His steps were elegant, and one noticed, each step was perfectly symmetrical. Even when he stopped just meter or so in front of them, he stood perfectly aligned. A lesser quirk, sure, but it was a quality about himself that Yashiro admired about himself. [break][break] The world was icy cold, after all...
[break]
"Ara..." he beckoned, his body relaxing as he stood in place. Tilting his head ever so slightly to the side, he peered into the eyes of the group of shinobi. And like ants, his soldiers stood at attention. Besides being caught red handed, and most things the stragglers said being audible, it probably was a bit unexpected for them to see the Mizukage. However, stragglers disregarded, the blonde haired Mizukage looked at Kōki and then turned towards his dark haired companion. [break][break]
I was right... [break][break] Yashiro was silent for a moment or two as he once again looked at the shinobi standing at attention, and then back toward the two. His eyes were just as black as his expression, as if he was lost in thought. He wasn't, though. [break][break] To be honest he was only wondering one thing... [break][break] "Who are you?" Yashiro asked, his sapphire orbs peering into their pools of grey.
The frigid chill was one that could drench itself into your bones. And to top it off, a storm was approaching. Threatening to consume them all in a maelstrom of unrelenting white. 'The low visibility from the coming snowstorm will be an issue...' He mused with a visible frown on his face. Eyebrows furrowed as he collected his thoughts. "We'll have to be more cautious, but we should be able to press through the worst of it." [break][break] The Jinnchuriki glanced at the so-called 'laggards' before focusing his attention back on Koki. "That's if they can manage to keep up... No offense." He said however his tone suggested he didn't really mean it. He didn't seem very impressed by the shinobi with them, even if he was only a Genin. His next words died in his throat as he focused his attention on an approaching figure. He knew of this man, or at least heard about him. [break][break] Yashiro... The Mizukage. [break][break] Standing just a bit more straight, his expression calm and neutral, he greeted the Kage with respect. Whether it was the Hokage, Mizukage, or Tsuchikage. One was to show respect, as long as they were not an enemy. After all, even with the power he was burdened with, he was but an ant to the likes of a Kage. [break][break] "Fujimoto, Ren Lord Mizukage." He hesitated slightly, not comfortable with revealing more information about himself. However, feeling as though he should be honest with the younger man. "Vessel of the Nine Tails." Visible around the young man's neck was a necklace, one that bore the symbol of the Aoyagi Clan, one that Yashiro would probably be familiar with and Ren only recently learned of by Koki. [break][break] "It's an honor to meet you."
[attr="class","rulemyheartlyric3]I'M ON YOUR
[attr="class","rulemyheartlyric4] SIDE
[break]
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0070 HP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0065 SP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0065 DP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0050 CP
[attr="class","rulemystats"]0050 AP
[attr="class","rulemyheartn"]
Sorry for the wait! :'(
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303 WORDS
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Kōki watches the last light of day disappear behind a heavy cloud and thinks about how dark the Land of Iron can become amidst its deepest winters. He cups his hands over his face and breathes against pale fingers to ward off the cold biting at his skin. He never thought he would long for the fires of the Kurogane forges, and yet he finds himself yearning for their blistering heat in this frigid, forsaken land. [break][break] "That's if they can manage to keep up... No offense." [break][break] Rare as gold in a dried up mine, Kōki’s lips curl upwards to form a thin, wry smile. It ghosts across his features subtly for just a moment, and disappears as quickly as it comes. Nevertheless, it’s an indication that he found Ren’s statement amusing. “Probably not.” He replies shortly, having reverted to his usual, unenthused self. [break][break] The swordsman feels the presence of familiar chakra long before Yashiro’s figure cuts through the flurry of snow. The Mizukage possessed a powerful signature, recognisable even by those lacking refined sensory abilities. As if on cue, their entourage of Mist Shinobi fall in line and bow in reverence. Kōki himself steps aside and nods deeply in greeting; he hadn’t expected Yashiro’s presence, but adapts to the development regardless. [break][break] Never one to speak out of turn nor when he deems it not necessary, the raven-haired swordsman simply stands in patient silence as Ren introduces himself to the Mizukage. There’s discomfort rife in his tone, and Kōki’s eyes widen a fraction when the man chooses to reveal himself as Kurama’s jinchūriki. [break][break] Hah! Just like that. He’s got bigger balls than you, Kōki. [break][break] At Chōmei’s jab, he resists the urge to scoff. Instead, he waits for Ren to finish talking before chiming in clinically. “I was to bring him to you in Kirigakure, but our currently tenuous relations with the Hidden Leaf rendered the task difficult.” [break][break] Kōki refers to, of course, the recent shift in power in Konohagakure— the recent death of its Hokage and the sudden rise to power of their successor demands certain political matters be expedited. He surmises a visit to the leaf will be near in their future, and wonders to himself how Ren’s mysterious relations with the Aoyagi Clan may add a new dimension to their negotiations. [break][break] Before he can speculate further in silence, the same chūnin from before shambles towards them. He sloppily bows, seemingly unable to contain a rising sense of urgency. [break][break] Lord Mizukage, we’ve lost contact with two other squadrons further north. Curious chakra signatures have been detected, and they’re moving in this direction.
[attr="class","dramaturgynotes"]
assuming this happens before that meeting with kishi, timeline wise
[attr="class","caesartext"]A flurry of snowflakes cascaded by as the breeze caused his blonde, neat hair to flow side to side. His head still slightly tilted to the side. [break][break] "Fujimoto, Ren Lord Mizukage... Vessel of the Nine Tails." [break][break] Yashiro found it rather intriguing the way the Genin introduced himself. A faint smile formed across his lips, showing his a hint of his pearly whites. The formality was a bit refreshing, he had to admit, but that would only be reflected in the calm tone he would speak with: [break][break] "Fujimoto Ren..." he mused aloud, in response. There was a brief pause before he waved his index finger in a teasing manner, as his gaze began to lighten, the blue hue of his eyes began to return. He took a step closer as he noticed the of the necklace that was hanging around Ren's neck. [break][break] How interesting? They were wearing a necklace that possessed an emblem of the Aoyagi. What an interesting development. "How did you get that necklace?" He asked, as Kōki chimed in and he looked at him curiously. [break][break] “I was to bring him to you in Kirigakure, but our currently tenuous relations with the Hidden Leaf rendered the task difficult.” [break][break] It wasn't too surprising to him that the two jinchūriki have befriended one another; in fact, he thought that development was rather exciting, almost. The furry overcoat he wore ruffled for a moment as he folded his arms across his chest as a chūnin wearing the garb of Kirigakure appeared. [break][break]He recognized them as an ambassador of the sensory unit, and it seems they arrived with interesting news. Maybe Fujimoto ren wasn't the chakra he was sensing previously. [break][break] Yashiro looked over to the chūnin: [break][break] "Collect the rest of your unit and report to the Steel Lodge in the Steelheart Citel." He gave his orders, and then turned to look at the Shinobi standing at attention. "Go with them, and see to it that you mind your behavior. It would be displeasing if I received any ill reports about your behavior." And with that, he dismissed the chūnin and the squad of shinobi. [break][break] "As for you two," he said looking at Kōki and then to Ren. "You will shadow me, and are to only act as support unless I give my signal otherwise. Understood?" He asked, rhetorically. He hint a venom was laced in his words, as his tone was noticeably more serious. "I can't risk you both tapping into your primal instincts in his territory. The aura of this incoming chakra is also rather impressive..." he said as he began trudging forth, his furry overcoat flickering behind him as he stepped through the snowy terrain once again. [break][break] ENTER: THE GESSHOKU FACTION - TEMPEST [break][break] After about five minutes of walking, the trio would encounter a Shinto shrine, where six mechanical entities stood, primed for combat. Peering closely, he noticed that most of them where animalistic in their semblance, while the largest of them possessed a more humanoid form, carrying a zanbatō with a wide blade over his shoulders. [break][break] "Targets engaged. Immense chakra pools, confirmed." Hayabusa, the android announced, lifting his zanbatō above his head as his underlings moved into action. [break][break] "The chakra signature of those are enough for you to handle swiftly. Eliminate them while I engage the one that speaks." While he spoke, he began to approach the android while taking off his overcoat, and tossing it to the side. He began cracking his wiggling his shoulders to limber up. Then, he placed a firm grip upon the tilt of his chokutō. [break][break] "What the hell are you?" The Mizukage inquired, tauntingly.
Encounter: Hayabusa, the Android (A-rank, HP 150, all other stats 90). Five Animalistic Androids: (C-rank, HP 50, all other stats 40). Deplete their HP via damage (SP-HP). [break] Yes this is before Illuminating Shadows. [break][break]