[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/qst/ - Quests


File: ame_opening.jpg (123 KB, 1280x720)
123 KB
123 KB JPG
You are Raishō Naori, a genin from Amegakure. This morning you woke extra early, ate your breakfast, and spent an hour or two stretching and checking your sealed supplies to ensure that you’re totally prepared for the day ahead, because today is the beginning of the second phase of the Chūnin exams.

A week’s worth of meals? Check. Kunai? A few dozen should suffice. Shuriken? You’ve got a few normal ones and several dozen of your ‘Anken’ in each flavor, poisoned and explosive. Medical supplies? Enough for a full team of three, sealed together back when you were still working and training with Team Ibuki. You even took the liberty of packing extra blank paper tags, three spools of fine tool-grade wire, and reading material. Not like it takes up much room at all.

Between that and your treasured heirloom sword, the Umekiri Ichimonji, you should be set for whatever this screwball of a proctor has in store for you.

“Assemble at the Forty-Fourth training ground at noon tomorrow,” she told you. “And be sure to get a good night’s sleep… you’re gonna need it.”

Only slightly ominous that it’s ‘44’, twice as bad as if it were just the ‘fourth’ training ground. You have to wonder what sort of test this one is going to be, given the elaborate nature of the first exam. Almost on impulse, you set to work folding a few extra dozens of black paper shuriken and seal them into the markings on your left palm and wrist. Never hurts to be too prepared, right?

By noon you’ve arrived at the designated spot alongside a crowd of the remaining genin teams, twenty-six other than yourself. There’s a little check-in stand manned by two chūnin, and Mitarashi Anko stands at the ready. Sure enough, the forested training ground behind her has an ominous presence.

“This whole place creeps me out,” you hear Sakura, one of the Leaf genin you met earlier, admits.

“It should,” Anko grins maliciously. “They call it ‘the Forest of Death’, and soon enough you’re gonna find out why...”

Uzumaki Naruto, whose family name you somewhat glossed over yesterday due to your sheer disgust and outrage at Karin’s situation, is hearing none of it. He swings his butt like an idiot and mocks Anko’s warning. “They call it the Forest of Death and soon enough you’re gonna find out why~

“Yeah, right! Do your worst, you’re not gonna scare me off!”

“Oh?” Anko turns her attention onto the loudmouth… seriously, he may be a ‘distant’ relative but it’s not quite distant enough for your tastes. “Seems like we’ve got ourselves a tough guy!”

In an instant she draws a kunai from her sleeve and chucks it past Naruto’s face, leaving a thin wound on his cheek. Her speed is nearly a match with your own as she suddenly manages to get behind him while he stands there frozen in shock.
>1/3
>>
File: 63159015_p0.png (943 KB, 1600x2560)
943 KB
943 KB PNG
>>3902269
“You tough enough to handle this?” she asks in a low, dangerous voice. “You’re not afraid, are you? Tough guys like you have a habit of not coming back from this forest.”

She looks like she’s about to go the full creepy distance and lick the blood off Naruto’s cheek, when a Kusagakure genin whose hair that kunai cut approaches her from behind.

Anko quickly draws a second kunai, only to find the Grass ninja returning the first blade with… her tongue. That’s… definitely something.

“I was just returning your kunai,” the genin explains.

“Why thank you, Grass ninja!” Anko responds as she takes the kunai with a facetious grin. “But I have a piece of advice for you, if you don’t wanna die young you shouldn’t stand so close behind me.”

“My apologies,” the genin replies as she… he? As it withdraws its tongue. “But with the sight of fresh blood and your kunai cutting my hair I simply became a bit… excited.”

“I meant you no harm.”

After a moment, Anko chuckles. “Likewise.”

“Seems like everyone here is quick-tempered… must be something in the air. This is gonna be fun!”

Anko walks forward and turns around. “Now then, before we begin I have something to hand out to you all. Just a standard consent form. Before the test all of you are gonna have to read over this form and sign it.”

“What for?” Naruto quizzes her, rubbing his wounded cheek.

“Some of you aren’t gonna come back from this test,” Anko explains rather cheerfully. “So we need to get your consent to that before you can participate. Otherwise… it’d kinda be my responsibility!”

That sends a murmur through the crowd as she passes the forms first to Naruto, who hands them off to another genin.
>2/3
>>
File: Forest_of_death.png (633 KB, 903x767)
633 KB
633 KB PNG
>>3902273
She begins by describing the terrain. It’s intended to be a survival test in the forest, a circular field ten kilometers in radius with forty-four locked entry gates. There’s a tower in the center of the field that you’ll have to reach with a set of matching scrolls: one marked ‘Heaven’, the other marked ‘Earth’.

The time limit is five days… while one rather overweight genin complains about the lack of food, you’re thoroughly satisfied that a week’s worth of stored food will suffice. Disqualifications are loss of a teammate, failure to get both scrolls in the time allotted, or opening one of the scrolls en route.

Going over the math in your head as she gives her explanation that means the total area is 314 square kilometers with a total density of 0.25 genin per square kilometer of terrain, starting at gates about 1.4 kilometers apart.

Because of the structure of the exam you’re most likely to run into other teams in the first hour or so, since two neighboring teams could conceivably reach one another within five minutes of running, and near the end of the five days when teams with both scrolls will be congregating near the tower at the center of the field.

There’s also Karin to consider. Over an area as wide as this, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to run across her by chance… especially if another team gets to her team first.

You’re not even really listening until she gives you her final piece of advice: “try not to die!”

>Sign the waiver immediately, pick your gate early. You’ll be aiming for the tower in the center.
>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>These two scrolls must be slightly different. See if you can tell them apart using your sensory ability.
>Other?
>>
>>3902275
>>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902275
>>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902269
> ‘44’, twice as bad as if it were just the ‘fourth’ training ground.
Ah, yes, extra death.

>>3902275
>>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902275
>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902275
>>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
try to warn the other ame genin of gaara, they are your countrymen and its only fair
>>
>>3902275
>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902275
>>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902275
>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
then
>These two scrolls must be slightly different. See if you can tell them apart using your sensory ability.
>>
>>3902275
>>Sign the waiver, but wait to see which gate Karin’s team picks and start as close as you can.
>>
>>3902275
>These two scrolls must be slightly different. See if you can tell them apart using your sensory ability.
>>
NINJA TIME
>>
>>3902275
You sign the waiver immediately, and even as the other teams disperse to contemplate and discuss you approach the proctor.

“Mitarashi-han, I’ve signed the form,” you explain. “I presume I’m meant to take it over to those chūnin there?”

Mitarashi Anko looks at you appraisingly. “So you’re our single entrant, hm?”

You incline your head politely. “I am, yes. I hope the Leaf didn’t need to go to any trouble on my account.”

“Course not!” she replies with a smirk. “Lord Third decided it was okay, and that was that. But still, it’s a little weird… the last guy to do it was ten years old, so it’s not that weird I guess.”

“That’s insane,” you shake your head, looking over her shoulder at the forest. “I can tell even from here that’s no place for a kid.”

Mitarashi-han shrugs. “Crazy thing was he passed, the little prick.”

The proctor points you to the chūnin, one of whom draws a curtain so that your assigned scroll will be kept secret from the other teams. It’s marked ‘Ten’… a ‘Heaven’ scroll, meaning you’ll be looking for a ‘Chi’ or ‘Earth’ scroll. You tuck it away in your sash, where there’s a nice little hidden pocket for just such an occasion that will keep it entirely out of the way.

Next you take up a position atop a boulder and wait, as to someone as perceptive as Mitarashi-han reveals your strategy. You may not have much of a way to reliably tell the scrolls apart, but you can appraise the various teams as they leave and stalk one that you think you can beat. Or, unbeknownst to her, you can wait until Karin’s team takes their scroll. If they have an Earth scroll it will just be a happy coincidence.
>1/2
>>
>>3902307
It takes a while, but they doeventually go up and get their scroll. That’s when you make your own move.

You pass several teams, including the Sound team on Gate #20, before you sense that Karin’s chakra stops at Gate #25. Gate #24 next to them was already filled when you passed, probably because the leader of Karin’s team wanted to attack the Konoha genin in that slot. Gate #23 was filled by a team from Takigakure that was coming behind you, but Gate #22 is open. That’s the gate you settle on, the closest you can get to Karin’s team to start off.

Now you have to decide on a plan…

>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>Avoid contact with the Taki and Konoha teams between you and Karin’s team, start tailing them.
>Head straight for Karin’s team and remove her teammates from the equation.
>Other?
>>
>>3902308
>>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>>
>>3902308
>>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>>
>>3902308
>>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>>
>>3902308
>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>>
>>3902308
>Head straight for Karin’s team and remove her teammates from the equation.
>>
>>3902308
>>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>>
>>3902308
>>Move to intercept the team on Gate #23. You’ll need a matching scroll to move forward, Karin or no.
>>
>>3902308
>>Head straight for Karin’s team and remove her teammates from the equation.
>>
>>3902308
Regardless of anything else that happens you’re going to need an Earth scroll to match your Heaven scroll to get into that tower, Karin or no Karin. So you should at least investigate the two teams between you and Karin’s team, starting with the Takigakure team on the gate right next to you.

So when a chūnin comes by to unlock the gate for you, your immediate play is to start off on an angle forward and to your left.
>1d6, DC 8
>taking three
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3902335
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3902335
>>
>>3902335
And by left I mean right, I have no idea what made me say that.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3902335
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3902335
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3902335
>>
>>3902335
You sense rather easily that you’ve gotten out ahead of the team from Takigakure after all of five minutes' work, giving you the distinct advantage. You only have a minute or two to set up.

>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>Lay some explosive tags as landmines and hide them with genjutsu.
>Lay an obvious fake tripwire to make them stop, then pepper them with poisoned paper shuriken.
>Other?
>>
>>3902349
>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>>
>>3902349
>>3902351
supporting

why fight yourself when you can turn the enemy on eachother
>>
>>3902349
>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>>
>>3902349
>>Lay an obvious fake tripwire to make them stop, then pepper them with poisoned paper shuriken.
>>
>>3902349
>>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>>
>>3902349
>>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>>
>>3902349
>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>>
>>3902349
>>Try to use a genjutsu to confuse their sense of direction, steer them into the Konoha team that left Gate #24.
>>
>>3902349
>1d6, DC 10
>Taking three rolls
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3902370
just a 10 for this, Naori is scary
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3902370
>>
>>3902376
try again mate
its 1d6 in this quest
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3902370
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3902370
>>
>>3902375
It's a subtle genjutsu accessible to genin, and 10 is between Moderate and Hard.
>writing
>>
>>3902370
Thinking quickly, you draw Umekiri Ichimonji and flow yin-nature chakra through its blade… just in case this doesn’t go according to your plan. You make a few seals with your left hand, then complete your technique just in the nick of time.

“Kori Shinchū no Jutsu!”

This technique isn’t particularly powerful, but it is extremely devious. It confuses the targets’ sense of direction, sending them one way when they think they should be heading towards the tower at the center of the training grounds. Your intention is to lead them straight into the team to their own right, the one from Konoha. Then you’ll swoop in and deal with the exhausted winners, doubling your chances of getting the Earth scroll that you need.

This is precisely the sort of thing genjutsu is typically best at, and it works like a charm. Within another twenty minutes you hear the sounds of a confrontation just ahead, quite a bit of clashing metal and shouting. There’s even one small explosion as someone sets off an exploding tag.

You come to a stop overlooking the results of the skirmish.

The three Takigakure genin are bruised and bloodied, but have come out victorious.

“Damn, another Earth scroll!?” the one who seems to be the leader moans. “These punks just wasted our time and stamina… jerks!”

He gives one of the downed Konoha genin a swift kick to relieve some of his stress.

Your own attack catches the genin totally off-guard as they catch their breath from having beaten their previous opponents, the first two don’t even have a chance to dodge your swiftly-summoned cloud of paper shuriken. Gashes open up on their arms and legs, the anesthetic seeping into the wounds in a matter of seconds.

The third genin raises his sword, a straight tantō, to face you. “Where the hell did you come from?”

“Awesome, so you have an Earth scroll!” you greet him cheerfully. “I hit the jackpot with you guys.”

>Summon another few handfuls of your Hachigami-Anken, put him under for a little while and steal his scroll.
>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
>Use yourself as the distraction, and ‘pull’ the paper shuriken back towards him from behind as a surprise.
>Other?
>>
>>3902402
>>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
hm, blunt force trauma on the head isn't as effective at putting people under. but sure as shit is pretty satisfying.
>>
>>3902402
>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
>>
>>3902402
>>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
>>
>>3902402
>>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
>>
>>3902402
>>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
>>
>>3902402
>Use the shuriken as a distraction to get close, crack him over the head with Umekiri’s blunt spine.
>>
>>3902402
>steal both of earth scrolls.
>>
>>3902417
>>3902402
yeah sure, why not
>>
>>3902418
Yep. The extra one can be used as a bargaining chip. Or used for a trap.
>>
>>3902402
>>Use yourself as the distraction, and ‘pull’ the paper shuriken back towards him from behind as a surprise.
>>
>>3902402
>1d6, DC 9
>taking three
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3902438
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3902438
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3902438
>>
File: 1293101757847.png (251 KB, 937x1023)
251 KB
251 KB PNG
>>3902438
You wait for your opponent to make the first move, slowly and calmly returning Umekiri to its scabbard at your side. The second the tsuba meets the throat of the scabbard with a metallic tic the boy charges you with his tantō raised. That’s when you strike.

In a blinding burst of movement you unseal and release six shuriken, three explosive which go off between the two of you to blind the Taki genin and throw him off balance and three poisoned aimed at his legs and right arm.

All three of the latter hit, and by the time the smoke from the explosions has cleared you’ve begun your counter-charge, drawing Umekiri in one instant and barely managing to reverse its edge midswing. The mune of your sword catches the genin in the back of the head, right where the occipital meets the top of his spine, and sends him crashing to the forest floor.

His teammates have collapsed from the effect of the anesthetic, and so you seal the remnants of the Hachigami-Anken you attacked them with so as to leave no trace.

Then you stoop over the stunned, groaning ‘leader’ of the three Takigakure genin and fish through his backpack for the two scrolls. After quickly determining their authenticity, you smirk.

“Thanks for your hard work, boys!”

That gives you three scrolls: two Earth and one Heaven. You could head straight for the tower at this rate, but instead you have another task out in this forest. You have to decide what to do about Karin.

>Try to cross her path and set up a few paper ‘receivers’ like a net.
>Take it slow, look for any traces of their passage and track them from behind.
>Get out ahead and cause some explosions, see if you can’t draw them towards you.
>Other?
>>
>>3902458
>>Take it slow, look for any traces of their passage and track them from behind.
how much time do we have king?
>>
>>3902458
>>Take it slow, look for any traces of their passage and track them from behind.
we got what we wanted, lets stay aware and do this stealthily
>>
>>3902458
>>Try to cross her path and set up a few paper ‘receivers’ like a net.
>>
>>3902458
>>Try to cross her path and set up a few paper ‘receivers’ like a net.
Kinda worried about being slow about it, but I can understand wanting to be stealthy.
>>
>>3902464
So far it's taken you about half an hour to get your scroll, so you have five days.
>>
>>3902458
>>Try to cross her path and set up a few paper ‘receivers’ like a net.
>>
>>3902464
a little under 5 days left ...
>>
>>3902458
>Take it slow, look for any traces of their passage and track them from behind.
>>
>>3902470
But doesn't her team abandon her and she gets attacked by a bear? Pretty sure Sasuke saves her, but man crushing on Sauceboy is not something I want to subject her to.
>>
>>3902458
>Take it slow, look for any traces of their passage and track them from behind.
>>
>>3902470
Did you roll to see what scroll they would have
>>
>>3902458
>>Try to cross her path and set up a few paper ‘receivers’ like a net.
>>
>>3902458
>Take it slow, look for any traces of their passage and track them from behind.
>>
>>3902484
What, the mook teams? No. I randomly rolled yours offscreen and the ones the various teams had were given in a databook. Randomizing all that would have just been a colossal pain in my ass for zero appreciable benefit.
>>
>>3902458
>1d6, DC 9
>taking three
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3902507
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3902507
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3902507
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3902507
>>
>>3902507
>Failure
>SP: 6/6
Use 2 SP to pass?
>Yes
>No
>>
>>3902515
yes
>>
>>3902515
yes
>>
>>3902515
>Yes
>>
>>3902515
YES!
Protect karin's smile!
>>
>>3902515
>Yes
Fuck it yes
>>
>>3902515
>>No
>>
>>3902515
yupp

>>3902521
we have to get her to smile first
>>
>>3902527
we must save the imouto to protect the imouto
>>
>>3902515
Pass.
>SP: 4/6
>writing
>>
>>3902538
Almost as an afterthought you drop some unsealed medical supplies on the Taki genin’s head before leaving.

“Now, be good and share these.”

You strike a path even further, towards where what should be the straight line between Karin’s gate and the tower. You even backtrack a ways just to make sure that you have the best chance of picking up traces of their movement. And luckily you find it: a single strand of brilliantly red hair, similar in shade to your own.

It takes you three hours of what for you is slow progress, and by the time you’re close enough to sense the chakra paper you left with her it’s grown dark in the forest. The sun isn’t down just yet, but the trees cast a heavy shade all around you.

That’s when you hear them.

“Damn that team!” a boy’s voice curses. “Making us waste our chakra like that!”

You creep in closer, finding a position downwind of the team where they’re unlikely to catch any hint of your presence but you can literally see them.

It’s definitely Karin’s team, though one now carries a sword he didn’t have during the first round of the exams. He’s the one to answer his angry teammate.

“Keep your voice down,” he orders. “Besides, that’s why we’ve got her with us, right?”

“Yeah, fair point,” the other boy admits. “But still, pisses me off.”

“You’re the one who got us into that fight, idiot,” the sword-carrying boy scoffs. “Now hurry up.”

“Be a good girl!” the second boy sneers as he reaches out to roll Karin’s sleeve up.

“You’ve already done it twice today!” she protests, pulling her arm away. “It’s dangerous for me to do it too many times in a day!”

“Why should we care?” the boy demands, grabbing her again… this time much more forcefully. “Don’t forget, this is why you’re here! You’re not even a genin, so what gives you the right to mouth off to us?”

“I said no!” Karin shouts, and something strange happens. A golden chain bursts from her back and lashes out at the genin, sending him sprawling. Unfortunately it seems like Karin has a tough time using that technique, as she collapses backwards immediately afterwards.

“Maybe I need to teach you a lesson,” the sword-wielder declares, stepping in and drawing his blade. “We were told to bring you back, but nobody said anything about what condition that had to be in...”

>Interfere with nonlethal but EXTREMELY PREJUDICIAL violence.
>Interfere at full force. These two clearly deserve no quarter from you.
>Torment them with genjutsu until they pass out. Make them think Karin died in an accident.
>Other?
>>
>>3902560
>>Torment them with genjutsu until they pass out. Make them think Karin died in an accident.
>>
>>3902560
>Interfere with nonlethal but EXTREMELY PREJUDICIAL violence.
>>
>>3902560
>Torment them with genjutsu until they pass out. Make them think Karin died in an accident.
>>
>>3902560
Full force
>>
>>3902560
>>Torment them with genjutsu until they pass out. Make them think Karin died in an accident.
if it doesn't work we can still kill those fuckheads
>>
>>3902560
>>Torment them with genjutsu until they pass out. Make them think Karin died in an accident.
>>
>>3902560
>>Interfere at full force. These two clearly deserve no quarter from you.
>>
>>3902560
>>Interfere at full force. These two clearly deserve no quarter from you.
Cold as fuck, but if they're still alive and functional they'll end up at the tower with us eventually in closed-quarters. Hiding Karin like that would be a bitch and a half.
>>
>>3902560
>no quarter
>>
>>3902560
>Torment them with genjutsu until they pass out. Make them think Karin died in an accident.
>>
Okay so why spare the obviously assholes when we said we'd steal Karin?
>>
>>3902560
>genjutsu until they pass out
>then slit their throats
>>
>>3902584
The SOLE IC reason for it, rather than a character-defining decision to avoid killing when possible, would be that Naori knows an ANBU in Kusagakure who she could ask about this down the road.
>>
>>3902560
>1d6, DC 9
>taking three
>SP: 4/6
I'll be taking my planned intermission now. I'll let you know when I'm on my way back.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3902596
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3902596
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3902596
>>3902596
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3902596
Just hope you people have a plan to hide or do something with Karin for the 5 days of the second exam.
>>
>>3902602
>>3902599
>>3902598
yay back to full sp
>>
>>3902608
no, we only get 1 SP, but still good
>>
>>3902596
Back, will start writing soon.
>SP: 5/6
>>
>>3902891
You briefly contemplate killing these two, and silencing them for good. That would be a good step towards making sure that once you get Karin away from them she’s actually ‘free’, rather than living in fear of reprisals. But something strikes you as distinctly wrong about that approach. If you really were going to punish them for what they’ve been a part of death is too easy an escape, and if you were to spare them you’d still need to find a way to account for Karin’s abrupt absence when they report back to their superiors in Kusagakure.

Genjutsu again seems to be the answer.

Drawing Umekiri Ichimonji and forming a few hand seals, you put the two of them under a deep genjutsu. The story you weave for them will both scar them for life andexplain Karin’s disappearance, and it isn’t long before you hear them screaming in horror.

Karin seems shocked that you actually came for her, and it takes her a minute before she’s ready to speak.

“You… came for me?” she asks hesitantly.

You nod. “I said I would, didn’t I?”

“What are you doing to them?”

You draw a kunai and leave a few deep gashes in their arms and shoulders, trying to leave them in parallel sets of three.

“Genjutsu,” you explain as the two genin collapse from their ordeal. “I showed them scenes of a giant bear interrupting your argument and taking you in its jaws. You screamed apologies, and begged them for help, but they were frozen in horror, in their own cowardice. They watched you get torn apart in horrific detail, before they ran, abandoning you to your fate.”

“I see,” she replies, taking a kunai in her own hand. You put your arm between her and the two genin, shaking your head.

“Don’t,” you insist. “They’re not worth the risk.”

“What risk?” she snorts, eyes firmly fixed on the two genin.

“The risk that you’ll come to regret it later,” you clarify. “If that happens, then they’ll never stop hurting you.”

She seems to struggle with it for a few seconds, but eventually puts her kunai away.
>1/2
>>
>>3902925
You breathe a sigh of relief.

“You stood up to them?” you ask.

She nods gently. “I felt you coming.”

“How?”

“Kagura Shingan,” she replies. “A sensory technique unique to the Uzumaki clan… I inherited it from my mom, like that chakra chain I used.”

“So those are both Uzumaki techniques?” you muse, leading her away from her teammates. “I never knew anything about our clan. My mom refused to talk about her ‘past life’, as she called it.”

Karin nods again. “Though I’m terrible at fūinjutsu, so I can’t do the Kongō Fūsa properly. I can just manifest the chains like my mom taught me.”

“So it’s a hiden, not a kekkei genkai?” you realize.

“Yes. The Kagura Shingan is limited to one branch of the Uzumaki, but the Kongō Fūsa can be learned by anyone with a talent for fūinjutsu and the right kind of chakra.”

“So we have a lot to teach each other,” you chuckle. “That’s good.”

After a few minutes, Karin hangs her head. “So… what do we do now?”

>Can you use that Kagura whatever while riding on my back? If so we can reach the tower tonight.
>We should find a place to hole up until morning, to rest and recover. I’ll take first watch.
>We should move slowly. Other teams may have decided to wait until nightfall to make their moves.
>Other?
>>
>>3902944
>>Can you use that Kagura whatever while riding on my back? If so we can reach the tower tonight.
>>
>>3902944
>>Can you use that Kagura whatever while riding on my back? If so we can reach the tower tonight.
>>
>>3902944
>>Can you use that Kagura whatever while riding on my back? If so we can reach the tower tonight.
>>
>>3902944
>We should find a place to hole up until morning, to rest and recover. I’ll take first watch.
>>
>>3902944
>>Can you use that Kagura whatever while riding on my back? If so we can reach the tower tonight.

Time to book it, fuck staying in this forest. Meta-wise cuz Gaara and Orochimaru, IC-wise because holy shit hot showers and real beds are good.
>>
>>3902944
>We should find a place to hole up until morning, to rest and recover. I’ll take first watch.
>Make sure to set up some nasty traps for anyone trying to ambush you.
>>
>>3902944
>>Can you use that Kagura whatever while riding on my back? If so we can reach the tower tonight.
>>
>>3902944
>check what scroll they have
>>
>>3902968
It's irrelevant. Naori has more than one of each and Karin can't finish on her own anyway, they have to finish as a team.
>>
>>3902944
>1d6, DC 8
>taking three
This is for Karin
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3902976
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3902976
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3902976
>>
>>3902976
>Since this is Karin's perception there's no opportunity to use Naori's SP, nor does she gain SP
>writing
>>
Karin is shiiiiiiit. Abduct a cute boy like Haku.
>>
>>3902987
Haku is deeeeaaaad.
>>
>>3902987
you are a shit, don't diss our new imotou!

even if she fucked up
>>
File: Spoiler Image (76 KB, 800x1106)
76 KB
76 KB JPG
>>3902984
“Can you use that Kagura technique while I’m carrying you on my back?” you ask.

Karin nods. “Yes. It’s not difficult.”

“Then please keep your eyes on our way forward,” you insist. “I’ll be running through the night, and it’d be best if we avoided any unnecessary conflict.”

“Aren’t you going to ask about my scroll?” Karin asks.

You shake your head. “I already have mine. Got the second one pretty much immediately.”

It takes you quite a bit longer than you intended at first to make it to the tower. You have to blow up a swarm of giant leeches, behead a giant snake, and dodge a few genin teams along the way, but all of that is remarkably easier with Karin’s guidance. Eventually you reach the tower, well before dawn, and draw your two scrolls from your sash.

“So what happens now?” Karin asks.

You shrug. “No idea. But from here on I’ve decided I’m just going to have to make it up as I go along. It was always going to come to that.”

Karin gulps. “Well… I’m in your care, I guess?”

You undo the clasps holding the scrolls closed, and unfurl them crossing each other. For several seconds they produce smoke, and then there’s a large puff like one of Ajisai’s summoning techniques.

The face which greets you leaves you completely stunned.
>1/2
>>
>>3902998
OH SHIT
SHE CAME TO SEE US! She really does care
>>
>>3902998
She’s dressed differently, in a grey flak jacket like any one of your village’s regular jōnin, and she’s made a few slight changes to her facial features, but you can immediately tell that you’re face to face with none other than Tenshi-sensei.

You rush to offer a bow. “Sensei! I had no idea you’d be here!”

“Of course I would be here,” she replies calmly. “What teacher would not wish to see their student’s growth firsthand?”

“I just figured...” you begin, before thinking better of it. “Yeah, no, nevermind.”

“And who is this?” Tenshi-sensei asks, looking Karin over carefully.

You gesture for Karin to speak for herself, knowing that Tenshi-sensei wouldn’t be sufficiently impressed if you had to speak for her.

“Uzumaki Karin,” Karin bows deeply, “your student kindly offered to help me… escape. From Kusagakure, I mean.”

“She did?”

Tenshi-sensei’s gaze falls back upon you, and so you explain the situation. “Her village has been abusing her for her chakra, which has healing properties. They killed her mom for it, and they’d kill her too.”

“I… guess I just couldn’t stand for that. Is there any way we can help her?”

“Has she asked for our help?” Tenshi-sensei asks you in return, but glances back at Karin.

Karin nods emphatically. “I’d do anything to get away from those bastards who killed my mom!”

Tenshi-sensei inclines her head ever so slightly. “Then I will make arrangements. Your chakra has healing properties, you said?”

Karin nods again.

“Good,” Tenshi-sensei decides. “Then I will recommend you for training as a medical ninja. Perhaps you could serve as the permanent third member for team Ibuki.”

>That’s a great idea, sensei! Her healing and sensory skills would complement them perfectly.
>What should we do in the mean time? Hide her in the tower?
>Ask your Sensei for news. Have any other genin finished yet? What about Shigure?
>Other?
>>
>>3903013
>>Ask your Sensei for news. Have any other genin finished yet? What about Shigure?
is she actually, physically here?
did she hide in the scroll?
>>
>>3903013
>>That’s a great idea, sensei! Her healing and sensory skills would complement them perfectly.
>>What should we do in the mean time? Hide her in the tower?
>>
>>3903013
>>That’s a great idea, sensei! Her healing and sensory skills would complement them perfectly
>>3903015
this too
>>
>>3903015
She came under guise as a jonin sensei, the scrolls summoned her to let her 'team' into the tower.
>>
>>3903013
>>What should we do in the mean time? Hide her in the tower?
>>
>>3903013
>>What should we do in the mean time? Hide her in the tower?
>>
>>3903013
>What should we do in the mean time? Hide her in the tower?
Naori is one of the early finishers, so I doubt there'd be much news about the other teams, except for Shigure's untimely demise.
>>
>>3903013
“So what are we going to do for the next four days?” you ask. “Hide Karin in my room?”

Tenshi-sensei nods. “Precisely that, yes. At least until it comes time for me to escort the genin who will not be advancing back to Amegakure.”

She proceeds to unlock the door to the tower for you, leading you and Karin inside. It’s a much larger building than you thought at first, with plenty of room for as many genin as are likely to finish and then some. Your sensei shows you to your room, which has three beds inside… clearly intended for a team of three.

“My room will be the next one down the hall,” Tenshi-sensei informs you. “I’ll be going back to bed myself. Feel free to do the same, or else feed yourselves. This building is safe, unlike the forest outside.”

“Good night, Sensei,” you bow politely. “I look forward to showing you my skills.”

“And I look forward to seeing them,” she replies before excusing herself.

Karin is obviously exhausted after her ordeal, and practically falls into bed. You actually have to tuck her in, since she’s unconscious as soon as her head hits the pillow.

>Go to sleep yourself.
>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
>See if any other genin have arrived and are still awake.
>Other?
>>
>>3903067
>>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
>>
>>3903067
>>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
>>
>>3903067
>>See if any other genin have arrived and are still awake.
>>
>>3903067
>>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
foooooood
>>
>>3903067
>>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
>>
>>3903067
>>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
>>
>>3903067
>>Go get some food, see if there’s a kitchen.
Can we cook a meal for Karin? Gotta show our hospitality. It'd be nice to give her something for when she wakes up, even if it goes cold.
>>
>>3903097
The food Naori has stored away is stored hot.
>>
>>3903067
You decide to look around for a kitchen, see if you can’t secure something to eat that hasn’t been sealed into a scroll. It’d give you something to do to relax. You find the kitchen one floor up…
>1d100, taking the third roll
>>
Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3903106
>>
Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>3903106
>>
Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>3903106
>>
>>3903106
And now I need
>1d6, DC 8
>taking three
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3903119
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3903119
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3903119
>>
>>3903119
Inside the kitchen is a team of Konoha genin: one boy in a heavy-looking jacket with sunglasses, a boy with a fur-trimmed hood and a puppy, and a girl with dark hair and featureless white eyes. All three of them look incredibly nervous, and the fact that there’s four of them… plus one jōnin-sensei…

“So you’re the ones who were tracking us!” you realize, sitting down across from the trio who practically leap out of their own skins at the sudden noise.

“What?” the boy with the puppy demands.

“Back when we had to cut into the Land of Fire to stay out of Otogakure,” you explain, “you tracked a group of three shinobi for a while. We were on our way to the Land of Hot Water.”

“I remember!” the pale-eyed girl suddenly exclaims. “It was two of you with your own jōnin-sensei, wasn’t it?”

With a jōnin? You… think maybe you should just let them believe that.

“We meant no harm of course,” you assure them. “Sorry if we caused any issues, but Otogakure is still such an unknown quantity we just couldn’t chance it, you know?”

“Kurenai-sensei suggested something like that,” the second boy admits.

“So you’re the weirdo who’s taking the exams alone?” the boy with the puppy wonders aloud, sizing you up.

“Kiba!” the girl hisses softly.

“We don’t want any more trouble today,” the second boy insists sternly. “Remember?”

‘Kiba’ winces for some reason. “Yeah… yeah, I guess. Sorry, guys.”

>It’s okay. I didn’t take any offense… it IS kind of a weird situation to be fair.
>Be careful who you talk to like that. Not everyone is as understanding as I am.
>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>Other?
>>
>>3903135
And I'm totally out of gas, so I'll have to continue tomorrow.
>>
>>3903135
>>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>
>>3903135
>>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>
>>3903135
>>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>3903138
thanks for running
>>
>>3903135
>>Be careful who you talk to like that. Not everyone is as understanding as I am.
>>
>>3903135
>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>
>>3903135
>Be careful who you talk to like that. Not everyone is as understanding as I am.
>>
>>3903135
"says the guy with a dog on his head ..."
>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>
>>3903135
Funny that they mistook us for a jōnin.
>>
>>3903185
Probably only in comparison of Chakra reserves, Naori has more than the twins for sure
>>
>>3903135
>>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>
>>3903190
Forget the twins, Naori's chakra reserves are on par with Asuma who has greater reserves than both Kakashi and Kurenai.
>>
>>3903931
Thats some really good Uzumaki genetics.
>>
>>3903135
>What do you mean, ‘more’ trouble? Did something happen in the forest?
>>
>>3903931
HOLY FUCKING SHIT
>>
>>3903975
Gaara and Naruto both have higher chakra reserves without tapping out for the tailed beasts, but as far as genin go that's it. Even Lee has lower stamina (though non-Gate taijutsu is very efficient).
>>
>>3903980
Yeah but don't tailed beast hosts usually have more chakra than normal? And Nart is just straight bullshit with the amount he has.
>>
This is seriously your best quest so far.
>>
>>3903986
Naruto's stamina and chakra are dumb even without Kurama being factored in, to the point where he can use the multi shadow clone technique (which the Second Hokage soft-banned due to having a risk of killing even many jonin by accident) even when Kurama's chakra was sealed by Orochimaru.

That's his own chakra, because Uzumaki fuck yeah.
>>
>>3903135
“Yeah, no, I’m not the one with a dog in my shirt,” you roll your eyes dramatically at the patently ridiculous notion that you’re the ‘weird’ one here. “So… what did you mean, ‘more’ trouble today? Did something happen in the forest?”

All three of the genin wince or cringe, almost in perfect sync like they’d practiced it. They exchange a series of nervous glances, before the girl finally speaks up. “Well, yes...”

“We nearly died,” Kiba clarifies. “Ran into a team of… well, it was a total freakshow.”

“What, like the Sound team?” you ask.

Kiba shakes his head. “That Sand team, the guy with the red hair.”

“What, Gaara?” you frown. “So what’d he do?”

“You know him?” the girl asks, as though surprised the Suna genin didn’t murder you in the street just for fun.

“We’ve run into each other,” you admit. “But I wouldn’t say I know any of them.”

“There was another team from your village,” the boy wearing the sunglasses continues the story. “Led by a big guy, with scars on his face. Almost like yours, but the sutures were cruder.”

“Yeah, I know him,” you nod along. “That’s Shigure. What happened?”

“That sand kid killed all three of ‘em,” Kiba tells you with a shiver. “He didn’t even have to, after the big guy got… I mean, after he got crushed like that, the other two tried to just give him their scroll.”

“Didn’t even slow him down.”

“I can still hear the screaming,” the boy in the sunglasses admits. “It was… terrible.”

>Sounds like Gaara did me a favor. Shigure hates my guts as much as Oboro does, for some reason.
>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>Other?
>>
>>3904178
>>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
i am somewhere between these 2, can't really put it into words
>>
>>3904178
>>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
we have standards
>>
>>3904178
>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>>
>>3904178
>>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>>
>>3904178
>>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>>
>>3904178
>>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>>
>>3904178
>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>Shigure may have been a dick, but he was still a fellow countryman. While you won't shed tears over his death, that doesn't mean that you're pleased about it.
>>
>>3904178
>>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>>
>>3904178
>>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>>
>>3904178
>It may sound harsh, but Shigure would have done the same to them. So don’t stress too much.
>That’s just gross. Killing happens sometimes, but killing someone who surrendered?
>>
>>3904178
“I know Shigure would’ve killed them without a second thought,” you grumble bitterly, “but to kill opponents who’d already surrendered? That’s just gross.”

You’re forced to recall Raiga, the way he callously slaughtered both sides of a skirmish, and was perfectly willing to kill your team just for witnessing it. But then again, even that twisted bastard had someone he evidently cared about. But Gaara? You don’t know if that’s the case for him as well, and you’re not sure that you’re curious enough to find out.

“Um...” the girl mutters half to herself. “You’re not… mad at us, are you?”

You shake your head. “Sorry, what? I was thinking to myself.”

“I asked if you were… mad at us.”

“That guy was nuts!” Kiba protests, slamming his palm on the cafeteria-style table. “He was about to kill us just for being too close! You can’t expect us to just, what, suicide rush the guy out of nowhere?”

“I never said I blamed you,” you interrupt his tirade.

He blinks awkwardly. “Oh. Okay, sorry.”

You simply shrug. “Too hungry to hold a grudge.”

“You’re not tired?” the girl asks inquisitively.

“Not really,” you admit. “I just need something to eat, maybe a hot shower.”

You find a refrigerator nearby and raid it, finding a few different kinds of fruit and yogurt to eat. Not a bad late-night snack, actually. You pile some stuff into a bowl with some granola and tear into it. Man, nothing works up an appetite like beating the crap out of some genin… evidently.

“No kidding, you were hungry...” Kiba muses. “You eat like that Naruto kid.”

PICK ONE:

>So is there anything to do around here? It’s gonna get super boring otherwise.
>So you see any other teams besides us come in, or are we the only ones?
>Just thank them for the information and head back to your room.
>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>>Perception check
How can I not
>>
>>3904220
>>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
I shall walk headfirst into this mystery box.
>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>Perception check
>Make small talk. How about everyone introduces themselves?
>>
>>3904234
>>3904220
Sure this
>>
>>3904220
>So is there anything to do around here? It’s gonna get super boring otherwise.
>So you see any other teams besides us come in, or are we the only ones?
>Perception check
>>
>>3904234
PICK ONE
>>
>>3904220
>Perception check
>>
>>3904220
>1d6, DC11
>Taking three
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904252
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904252
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3904252
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3904252
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3904252
>>
>>3904252
>SP: 6/6
Use 2 to pass?
>Yes
>No
>>
>>3904263
Yes
>>
>>3904263
No
>>
>>3904263
>>Yes
>>
>>3904263
>Yes
>>
>>3904263
yes
>>
>>3904263
ye
>>
>>3904263
>Yes
>>
>>3904263
>>No
>>
>>3904263
>>Yes
>>
>>3904263
>SP: 4/6

You hone your sensing technique in on something that’s bothering you, and find that Karin’s chakra is fluctuating.

“Anyway,” you declare abruptly, “I’ve got other things I have to do before I sleep, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

You offer a quick bow as the girl tries to ask for your name, and hustle out of the room and back to the room where you left Karin for the night.

“You okay?” you demand as you burst in through the door. “Something wrong?”

Karin is sitting on her bed, staring at the tiny window. “I sensed the proctor out there, in the forest. She was fighting someone.”

“Fighting?” you repeat blankly. “Mitarashi-han, wasn’t it? Are you sure?”

She turns to you and frowns. “Raishō-senpai, I’m good for two things.”

“Where?” you press.

“Five and a half kilometers,” she informs you. You quickly unseal a compass from your utility pouch, and have Karin give you bearings according to that.

“Wish I’d sealed a radio set in there just to be safe,” you grumble. “But without a team I thought I’d never use it.”

“That was even an option?” Karin shakes her head. “Just how much stuff are you carrying with you anyway?”

“Everything except the kitchen sink,” you tell her. “Or comm gear, because I’m an idiot sometimes.”

Next time, Naori. They may call you crazy for it, but next time you’ll be ready.

>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
>I’m going. I might be able to help, and I’ll be faster on my own than with an ad-hoc team.
>It’s not our business, and she’s an instructor. Keep an ‘eye’ on her, but I’m sure she’ll be fine.
>Other?
>>
>>3904321
>>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
>>
>>3904321
>>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
>>
>>3904321
>>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
Telling someone is good enough. Fuck going back out there where's no beds or hot showers.
>>
>>3904321
>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
>>
>>3904321
>>It’s not our business, and she’s an instructor. Keep an ‘eye’ on her, but I’m sure she’ll be fine.
>>
>>3904321
>>I’m going. I might be able to help, and I’ll be faster on my own than with an ad-hoc team.
>>
>>3904321
>>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
>>
>>3904321
>We should try to inform someone. Do you sense anyone from Konoha within the tower?
>>
>>3904321
“Can you sense anyone from Konoha in the tower?” you ask. “I have no idea how I’d track her down without your help, and we really lucked out the first time getting you in here in the first place.”

Karin nods, focusing her chakra. “Four floors up, feels like there are more… examiners, maybe?”

She trails off slightly. “Hey, where are you going?”

You sprint up the stairs until you can sense the room Karin was talking about, and try the doorknob. It’s obviously locked, and so you start pounding on the door hard enough that it creaks slightly in the frame.

A few seconds later the door flies open. “What!?

The chūnin who faces you is clearly irritated at having been disturbed, even more so as you push past him into the room to come face to face with a group of Konoha ANBU.

“Awesome!” you declare. “Just who I was hoping to see!”

The ANBU are on their feet, having drawn their swords when you pushed your way into the room.

“Hey, easy!” you shout. “I’m here because I sensed Mitarashi-han being attacked in the forest… five and a half kilometers straight that way.”

Most of the ANBU lower their blades, while the one closest to you keeps his raised. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” you nod. “If you go now you should be able to lend a hand before one of those giant animals makes things worse for her.”

The ANBU who seems to be the Captain finally sheaths his blade. “Gōrai, Paz, you two on me. Saitō, Yūgao, you remain here. Be on guard.”

“Yes!” comes a chorus of replies as three of the five ANBU leap from a nearby balcony overlooking the forest while two, a heavier-set man with sandy blonde hair behind a falcon-themed mask and a dark-haired woman in a cat-like mask with three stripes remain.

After a few moments, the dark-haired woman approaches you. “Thank you for the intel, Ame-genin… you would be Raishō-kun, correct?”

You bow your head slightly. “You have me at a disadvantage.”

“Yūgao,” the woman replies. “Please return to your quarters for now. Rest assured, we’ll see to Anko-san.”

>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>I’ve been meaning to ask… what are we supposed to DO for four full days?
>Forgive me if this seems a bit presumptuous, but would you mind sparring with me tomorrow? If you’re around?
>Other?
>>
>>3904377
>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>>
>>3904377
>>I’ve been meaning to ask… what are we supposed to DO for four full days?
"Excuse me asking, but
>>
>>3904377
>>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>>
>>3904377
>>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>>
>>3904377
>>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
Obviously we're supposed to just enjoy our vacation for the next 4 days. Be smug about hot showers and warm food when all the other dorks are sleeping in the dirt and eating ration bars.
>>
>>3904377
>>I’ve been meaning to ask… what are we supposed to DO for four full days?
>>
>>3904377
>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>I’ve been meaning to ask… what are we supposed to DO for four full days?
>>
>>3904377
>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>>
>>3904377
>Yes, ma’am. Glad to help.
>I’ve been meaning to ask… what are we supposed to DO for four full days?
>>
>>3904377
“Glad to help,” you reply cheerfully. “But I have been meaning to ask… what exactly are we supposed to do for the next four days?”

Yūgao’s shoulders droop slightly. “Well, to be honest? You’re supposed to take longer than eight hours to finish the exam. But there’s a library one floor up I can let you into, if you’d like.”

>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)
>I’ll keep it in mind, thanks for the offer.
>What sort of library? Practical, or recreational?
>Other?
>>
>>3904431
I'd like that very much, thank you
>>
>>3904431
>>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)

Time for raunchy romance novels!
>>
>>3904431
>>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)
>>
>>3904431
>I’d like that very much
>>
>>3904431
>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)
>>
>>3904431
>>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)
>>
>>3904431
>>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)
>>
>>3904431
>I’d like that very much (and Karin probably wouldn’t mind some reading material)
>>
>>3904431
You offer her a smile. “Awesome, I’d really appreciate that!”

Yūgao gives you the key to the library and the next morning you let yourself in, with some requests from Karin… evidently she’s into a trashy but wildly popular romance novel series called ‘Icha-Icha’. Evidently the second book, ‘Icha-Icha Violence’, has been out for a while but she hasn’t had a chance to read it yet. The third book, to be titled ‘Icha-Icha Innocence’ is also supposed to be coming out soon and Karin wants to be caught up when it does. You also snag a textbook on basic medical ninjutsu for her to alternate with as part of your terms for letting her goof off while you’re actually working.

Once those are secured, you ponder what you should spend your time on.

>Find a text about a famous swordsman, or some other kenjutsu-related text.
>Look for a book about fūinjutsu theory to advance your skills with that.
>See if there are any other ninjutsu-related manuals here.
>Other?
>>
>>3904478
>>Look for a book about fūinjutsu theory to advance your skills with that.
>>
>>3904478
>all the books
>ransack the Library
>>
>>3904478
>>Look for a book about fūinjutsu theory to advance your skills with that.
maybe talk a bit with karin, we barely know anything about each other
>>
>>3904478
>Find a text about a famous swordsman, or some other kenjutsu-related text.
>>
>>3904489
>we barely know anything about each other
Partly because it's not a pleasant subject.
>>
>>3904478

>look for books on genjutsu
>>
>>3904478
>>Find a text about a famous swordsman, or some other kenjutsu-related text.
>>3904478
>>
>>3904478
>Look for a book about fūinjutsu theory to advance your skills with that.
>>
>>3904478
>1d100, best of three
>>
Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>3904511
>>
Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>3904511
>>
Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>3904511
>>
Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>3904511
>>
>>3904511
Over the next few days you read pretty far into a book about sealing techniques, inspired by the bizarre sealing formula those scrolls used to summon Tenshi-sensei. It’s impossible for you to do right now since you don’t know how to use the summoning technique yet, but it’s an interesting possibility to summon things through a paper shuriken.

You also read something about the Uzumaki clan, references to the Kongō Fūsa that Karin mentioned to you in the forest. It’s painfully vague, but you get the idea that it’s an intersection between skill at sealing chakra, the manifested chains that are part of the hiden technique, and the unusual properties of the Uzumaki clan’s chakra which allow them to make practical use of an otherwise difficult and extremely taxing technique. Fascinating reading, even more so since you end up convincing Karin to show you that chain technique a few more times, respecting her physical limits of course. It seems to tire her out rather quickly.

As for Karin herself, you slowly learn a little more about her as you go. She’s not a fan of talking about herself, but you do gather that she has very little in the way of formal training or ‘normal’ life experiences. She has no friends in Kusagakure, and even if she did she more likely spent most of her evenings alone in her one-room apartment, whimpering in pain instead of going out. Every time it comes up it reminds you why you went to the trouble of bringing her here.

You do learn two more positive things about her: first is that she enjoys collecting perfumes and incense, which for someone with so little experience shows a remarkable sense of taste and aesthetic appreciation.

The other is the identity of her handler in Kusagakure, which she simply told you is named ‘Zōsui’. It almost sounds like an ANBU codename, but you can’t be sure of course. You file that knowledge away for later.

On the afternoon of the third day, you find yourself approached in the kitchen by the blonde kunoichi from the Sand team.

>Can I help you? (Chilly)
>Can I help you? (Calm)
>Ask her about Shigure.
>Other?
>>
>>3904541
>>Can I help you? (Calm)
no reason for a cold shoulder
>>
>>3904541
>>Can I help you? (Calm)
No need to be an ass juuuust yet.
>>
>>3904541
>>Can I help you? (Calm)
>>
>>3904541
>>Can I help you? (Calm)
>>
>>3904541
>>Can I help you? (Calm)
>>
>>3904541
>>Can I help you? (Calm)
>>
>>3904541
>Can I help you? (Calm)

We should seal away one of Karin's bottles of perfume, in case we do end up going against Kiba. Naori sprays some on herself, throws it in the air, and shatters it with a shuriken to have it rain down on the arena. Then the genjutsus come out.
>>
>>3904541
>Can I help you? (Calm)
>>
>>3904541
>Can I help you? (Calm)
>>
>>3904541
>Can I help you? (Calm)
She seemed pretty fuckin scared of Gaara and she's come over by herself. No reason to be snippy just yet.
>>
File: 38018220_p0.jpg (114 KB, 633x460)
114 KB
114 KB JPG
>>3904541
You shut the book you’d been reading, and take a calming breath. After all, the Konoha team didn’t say that this girl was the one who killed Shigure’s team. “Can I help you?”

“An ANBU told me you have the key to the library,” she tells you. “Mind if I use it?”

“Not at all,” you reply, handing it over to her. “I haven’t seen you around at all… finally get tired of your teammates?”

The girl drops down into a nearby chair with a dramatic sigh. “God, you have no idea.”

“That bad?”

She nods glumly. “It was bad enough to be in the forest with those two, but now I have to stay cooped up in a room with them?”

>If it’s that bad why did you come here with them?
>So Gaara’s a real problem child, even for his own team.
>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
>Other?
>>
>>3904572
>>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
>>
>>3904572
>>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
broach garaa's proclivities, later.
>>
>>3904572
>>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
>>
>>3904572
>>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
imagine being out there without that
>>
>>3904572
>>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
No need to rag on her team when we can be smug about having hot showers when the losers out in the forest don't.
>>
>>3904572
>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
>>
>>3904572
>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
>>
>>3904572
>So Gaara’s a real problem child, even for his own team.
Yummy intel. Also
>It’s nice to have warm showers and a bed though.
>>
File: 29947922_p0.png (65 KB, 460x569)
65 KB
65 KB PNG
>>3904572
“Nice to have warm showers and a proper bed though,” you shrug. “There’s that.”

The girl chuckles grimly. “I’d almost rather get eaten by a snake if it meant getting out of that room for a few minutes.”

She gets up from the chair, pushing some of her blonde hair out of the way before offering her hand. “Temari.”

After a moment you accept the handshake. “Naori.”

“You’re a breath of fresh air, Naori,” Temari admits with a wry grin. “See you around.”

You frown at her back as she leaves the room. “Likewise...”

Even that brief snippet told you a lot about their team dynamic… and paints Gaara in a very un-flattering light.

>Spend the rest of the time buckling down on your sealing techniques.
>Change tack, read a little about kenjutsu theory and philosophy.
>Do a little practical work with Karin, trade kunai-skills for seeing her chains a few more times.
>Other?
>>
>>3904616
>Change tack, read a little about kenjutsu theory and philosophy.
>>
>>3904616
>>Do a little practical work with Karin, trade kunai-skills for seeing her chains a few more times.
she is gonna have to learn it anyway and its team bulding
>>
>>3904616
>Change tack, read a little about kenjutsu theory and philosophy.
S W O R D
W
O
R
D
>>
>>3904616
>Change tack, read a little about kenjutsu theory and philosophy.
>>
>>3904616
>>Change tack, read a little about kenjutsu theory and philosophy.
>>
>>3904616
>>Change tack, read a little about kenjutsu theory and philosophy.
>>
>>3904616
>Do a little practical work with Karin, trade kunai-skills for seeing her chains a few more times.
>>
>>3904616
>>Do a little practical work with Karin, trade kunai-skills for seeing her chains a few more times.
>>
File: C4h-HlYVUAAvlCV.jpg (84 KB, 1200x849)
84 KB
84 KB JPG
>>3904616
You decide to read a short book about a famous swordsman who lived before the Warring States period, a well-known samurai who became a monk in later life and recorded much of what he felt he had learned in his fifty-year life.

He has a very well-developed concept of bushi-no-me, the ‘Eyes of a Warrior’. It’s supposed to develop in four stages, the first of which is the nikugan which governs how a warrior literally sees the details of his surrounding and situation. In Kengen Sōkō-ryū this would be the soft focus technique that you were taught in the Land of Iron, which allows reaction to all sorts of movement as well as avoiding direct eye contact with a dōjutsu user.

The second stage he refers to as tengan, or the ‘Heavenly Eyes’ which observe details without judgment or personal sentimentalities. It adds a layer of objectivity, through which a warrior is supposed to ensure the truth of what he perceives.

The third stage is the egan or ‘Interpretive Eye’, which allows the warrior to see not only objective reality but the likely effects and most reasonable implications that place what he sees into context. This allows for better decision-making based on the warrior’s experience.

The fourth stage is more unusual and moralistic in nature, called the shingan or ‘Heart’s Eye’. This places the interpretations of the egan into a moral framework, emphasizing a sort of benevolent utilitarianism. Not necessarily the good of an individual, which runs contrary to the function of a sword as a tool, but in terms of a broader sense of personal creed, duty to one’s lord, and to the overall benefit of all people.

Again, the martial arts are conceived of as a corpus of technique for limiting and preventing further bloodshed through direct action.
>1/2
>>
>>3904655
>1d100, best of two
>>
Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3904658
>>
Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>3904658
>>
Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>3904658
>>
File: 68520.jpg (22 KB, 360x360)
22 KB
22 KB JPG
>>3904655
You get to see the chakra chain technique a few more times, but quickly decide that you’re not learning enough to make it worth the effort it takes on Karin’s part and ask her to stop.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity of anticipation, you receive a call to put in an appearance in the basement level of the tower. When you arrive you find that seven teams of three have been assembled there as well, and then your ‘team’ of one. Karin of course you required to stay in your room, since nobody’s even supposed to know that she’s here, but she can probably sense you from upstairs anyway.

You see the Sound team… Gaara and Temari’s team… the team with Kiba and the dog along with a few other Konoha teams you don’t recognize… and then, the team of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

Also present are a number of jōnin, presumably teachers and proctors, including Tenshi-sensei in disguise and Mitarashi-han, who seems somewhat restless.

Also…

The man in the Hokage’s hat, a kindly-looking old man with a grey goatee and a careworn face, coughs into his hand to get everyone’s attention. “Ahem… congratulations to the teams assembled here which have succeeded in clearing the Forest of Death. However, as you will have noticed, twenty-two of you have managed to collect the two scrolls in five days.”

Is this man… really one of the ones responsible for the wars that ravaged your homeland?

“While this is a remarkable achievement, it is still a much larger pool of candidates than can be reasonably advanced to the final stage. So I’m sorry to tell you that there will be an additional round of preliminaries… consider this to be ‘practice’ for the finals. As such I encourage you to pay attention to these matches and to take them seriously… for even those of you who pass will eventually be expected to face some of the young talents assembled here.”

He seems a lot kinder than you would have anticipated.

“So, genin! This is your opportunity to show us all what splendid shinobi you can be!”
>2/3
>>
>>3904690
>“So, genin! This is your opportunity to show us all what splendid shinobi you can be!”
I almost hope Naori gets called up, so we can showcase our badass credentials.
>>
>>3904690
The third proctor now advances, a sick-looking young man with dark circles around his eyes, as though he hasn’t slept a full night since he was ten or so. He gives his name as Hayate, and explains that the rules for the preliminaries will be the same as the finals: one on one combat, no holds barred. Though lethal force is discouraged survival is not necessarily expected, though Hayate-han will step in if he determines that the match has ended in a technical knockout.

In this case, there are two cases for disqualification: leaving the arena during the bout, and attacking anyone before your match begins or after it ends.

“Now, the first match...” Hayate-han declares…
>Roll me 2d22, taking the first result that isn't dubs
>>
Rolled 11, 21 = 32 (2d22)

>>3904695
>>
Rolled 8, 5 = 13 (2d22)

>>3904695
>>
>>3904695
"... Misumi versus Kabuto. Would all other contestants please leave the arena?"

Surprisingly, Kabuto raises his hand.

Hayate stares at him blankly. "Yes?"

"I forfeit," he declares, causing something of a stir. "I don't want to fight one of my own teammates."

"Are you certain?" Hayate-han presses for confirmation.

Kabuto nods. "Besides, I'm our medic. I know how this would probably end."

As Kabuto walks out of the arena and through the doors, Hayate calls the match.

"The winner by forfeit of his opponent is Misumi."

That's... definitely not sketchy. In the slightest. But hey, it may simply mean he's giving his team the best chance in the finals.
>2d20, taking the first result that's not dubs
>>
Rolled 11, 18 = 29 (2d20)

>>3904712
>>
Rolled 6, 1 = 7 (2d20)

>>3904712
>>3904712
>>
Rolled 19, 2 = 21 (2d20)

>>3904712
>>3904712
>>
Rolled 9, 18 = 27 (2d20)

>>3904712
>>
Rolled 2, 4 = 6 (2d20)

>>3904712
>>
>>3904712
"The next match," Hayate-han announces, "will be Tenten versus Sakura."

Sakura enters the ring to the soundtrack of a lot of Naruto shouting encouragement, and 'Tenten' turns out to be a girl a bit closer to your own age with an odango hairstyle. It suits her pretty well, you think.

What doesn't suit her is the cheering from her sensei and one of her teammates, who are shouting something about 'youth'.
>1d6, taking high roll
>First three

Also,
>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
>Go over and join Naruto's team to watch
>Join the Sand team to watch
>Other?
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3904726
>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3904726
>>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3904726
>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
ducklings
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904726
>Go over and join Naruto's team to watch
>>
>>3904726
>>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
>>
>>3904726
>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
>>
>>3904726
>>Watch with Tenshi-sensei
>>
>>3904726
>>Go over and join Naruto's team to watch
>>
>>3904726
You decide to watch the show with Tenshi-sensei, who promises to exchange some commentary with you as the two kunoichi square off.

They both opt to start with a volley of kunai: Sakura fails to deflect all six of Tenten’s kunai and is forced to dodge, giving the other girl time to retrieve a scroll. She unfurls it by leaping into the air and unwinding it around herself, then begins to unseal weapons two at a time as she rotates.

These rain down on Sakura, who’s hard-pressed to dodge or parry them all. One blade scores a glancing blow on her left shoulder, and a kama hits her kunai handle-first to rotate around her parry and stick into her right bicep. A weighted chain nearly takes out her legs.

“You’re pretty good, keeping it to just two hits!” Tenten calls out as her attack winds down.

Now Sakura begins her counterattack.

She throws a trio of shuriken at where she anticipates Tenten landing, and weaves hand seals as she charges behind them to split off two regular clones. Then, at the last second, she uses a fairly weak Shunshin technique to briefly enhance her speed.

Tenten blocks the shuriken with her scroll, then produces one last weapon: a three-section staff.

“Sorry, Sakura-kun,” Tenten smirks as she smacks Sakura’s fist out of the way with one end of the staff before the other whips around and cracks hard across the back of the pink-haired kunoichi’s skull. “But I don’t think you get it… I don’t just run out of weapons.”

If Sakura can hear her, she makes no response from the floor.

“She kept the three-section-staff in reserve,” you observe, “probably because she’s only polished her skills with staff-type weapons. The others are meant to overwhelm shinobi who neglected their defensive and taijutsu abilities, and can’t keep up.”

“Her unsealing is also slower than your Raikō Kenka,” Tenshi-sensei adds. “But if she were to improve on her style, her versatility could be quite useful despite lacking in raw power.”

“She has some potential.”

>2d18
>taking the first non-dubs result

Also,
>Stay with Sensei
>Naruto’s team
>Sand team
>Tenten’s team
>>
Rolled 14, 2 = 16 (2d18)

>>3904755
>Tenten’s team
>>
Rolled 8, 4 = 12 (2d18)

>>3904755
>>Stay with Sensei
>>
Rolled 4, 13 = 17 (2d18)

>>3904755
sensei
>>
>>3904755
And not a single comment on Sakura's performance. Is Sakura really that unremarkable?
>Naruto’s team
>>
>>3904763
>>3904763
yes
>>
>>3904763
She just doesn't have anything unique going for her at this point in time. Pretty much just her stats, which aren't anything special.
>>
>>3904755
>>Stay with Sensei
>>
>>3904763
>Is Sakura really that unremarkable?

Pre-Shippuden at least, yeah. In terms of ability she only exists as a reference point to other more talented characters.

Or to put it another way, if the character took no actions throughout the first part of the series, only dialogue, nothing would meaningfully change.
>>
>>3904755
>>Stay with Sensei
socialize later. maybe after our fight if we're able
>>
>>3904755
>Stay with Sensei
>>
>>3904775
it would be more interesting without her, put ino in the place and the team has acutally more going for it
>>
>>3904755
“Tenten will advance to the finals,” Hayate-han declares. “The next match will be...”

A giant electronic display flashes the next set of names.

“Temari versus Yoroi. Will the contestants please come forward?”

You watch both fighters approach the center of the ring, both striking you as utterly confident.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing Temari in action,” you admit to your sensei.
>1d6, high roll
>Taking three
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3904780
refresh me memory, who was yoroi?
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904780
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3904780
>>
>>3904782
One of Kabuto's team.
>>
>>3904782
>>3904791
the draining one specifically, in other words, he has to get close against the girl with a massive wind push
>>
File: hqdefault.jpg (19 KB, 480x360)
19 KB
19 KB JPG
>>3904780
“This ought to be fun,” Temari smiles maliciously. “I’ve been wanting to take out some stress.”

“You won’t get the chance,” her opponent declares from behind his veil. “This will be over in less than a minute.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Temari challenges her opponent as Hayate-han calls a start to the match.

“Begin!”

Temari lets Yoroi make the first move, a series of hand seals which end in him expelling a large amount of water from his mouth that forms a copy of himself.

“A water clone, huh?” Temari chuckles, sliding her fan open partway as Yoroi weaves one more sign. The original gathers chakra around his palm and charges as the clone behind him continues to weave signs of its own.

Yoroi’s palm strike meets the ribs of Temari’s fan. “Nice try! First star!”

She uses the tool as a shield and pushes her way around Yoroi, aiming a swift swing at the clone who’s forced to break off what he was doing and evade to avoid being broken up.

“Curse you!” Yoroi shouts, throwing a volley of kunai with his left hand and charging again with his right hand raised.

Temari opens her fan slightly more, and uses a wide, sweeping motion to blast the kunai at the clone. One tears its arm off, forcing it to spend time re-forming the lost limb as Temari continues to defend against the original Yoroi.

“Star number Two,” Temari continues to narrate.

“Quit mocking me!” Yoroi shouts again. This time his clone nearly manages a technique.

You think it was going to be a genjutsu, but a massive gust of wind blasts the clone away as Temari stands proudly in front of her fully-spread fan.

“Third Star,” she declares. “You’re toast.”

“Why you...” Yoroi begins as Temari twirls her fan and in a moment disappears behind it… then the fan disappears.

Though Yoroi manages to get off his shockwave technique, slamming his chakra-enhanced palm into the stone floor with a force that lifts the many large tiles and drops them back with a loud rolling crash, Temari is safely coasting through the air on a cushion of wind-nature chakra.

She lands behind Yoroi.

“Wind Release: Kamaitachi!”

The blast of wind envelops Yoroi, slashing him at least a half-dozen times before slamming him headfirst into the far wall.
>1/2
>>
File: 33610709_p0.jpg (627 KB, 1000x1000)
627 KB
627 KB JPG
>>3904801
“Well, at least I feel a little better,” Temari huffs, walking out of the arena. “So don’t let anyone say you achieved nothing.”

You hate to admit it, but she’s good. In a close range fight you could probably take her, but at range you’d be hard-pressed even with the advantage of your exploding shuriken.

“Interesting how she used genjutsu for a brief moment, just to disguise her movements,” you muse aloud. “With Umekiri, such tricks should be easy enough to incorporate into my style.”

>2d16
>taking the first no-dubs

Also,
>Sensei
>Temari
>Naruto
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3904808
teamri, congratulate her
>>
Rolled 7, 7 = 14 (2d16)

>>3904808
>Temari
>>
Rolled 12, 4 = 16 (2d16)

>>3904808
>>Sensei
>>
Rolled 14, 15 = 29 (2d16)

>>3904808
>>Naruto
>>
Rolled 9, 6 = 15 (2d16)

>>3904808
>Temari
>>
Rolled 12, 7 = 19 (2d16)

>>3904808
>>Naruto
>>
Rolled 13, 11 = 24 (2d16)

>>3904808
>Temari
>>
>>3904808
>Naruto

Dude's a loudmouth, that probably means he's got loose lips. Intel time.
>>
>>3904818
but he is so annoying tho
>>
>>3904808
>Temari
>>
>>3904812
Big oof.
>Gaara vs Kin
>>
>>3904823
WELP, Kin's gonna get a big dose of PTSD from looking at sand.
>>
>>3904823
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
>>
>>3904823
That poor child
>>
>>3904823
If she knows want's good for her, she'll forfeit either right away, or when it's clear that there's no hope of winning whatsoever.
>>
>>3904823
You gonna run the entire tournament today?
>>
>>3904823
“Gaara versus Kin.”

The next two contestants, Gaara and the dark-haired girl from Otogakure, head down into the arena as you take your leave from Tenshi-sensei to go congratulate Temari.

“You’re pretty good!” you greet her cheerfully. “And you’ve got a sense of theatricality. I can appreciate that.”

“Thanks,” she chuckles. “Rare anyone appreciates the finer things.”

“So what do you think?”

She frowns. “About this match?”

You nod.

“I think she’ll be lucky not to leave in a bodybag,” Temari sighs, leaning over the railing. “After all, her opponent is...”

The match begins abruptly, with Kin tossing a handful of senbon at Gaara which he easily blocks with a wall of mobile sand… so that has to be how he silenced his approach the first day you met.

The senbon stick into the sand, three trailing small silver bells.

Then the bells begin to ring, since they’re attached to fine threads that Kin is holding. She even goes through the process of explaining how the bells work, and how the sound they produce is part of her genjutsu.

Then the ringing stops.

“That’s enough of that,” Gaara growls. “You irritate me...”

“Ah, crap,” Kankuro mutters in disgust. “It’s happening again, Temari.”

Temari actually isn’t even watching anymore as Gaara envelops his opponent’s arm with sand that travels along her threads. There’s a gut-wrenching scream as he shatters the girl’s right arm into a finely macerated pulp. In an instant decision she draws a kunai and slices off what’s left of her ruined arm to escape the rapidly-advancing sand.

But Gaara’s reach isn’t so easy to escape.

The sand also runs along the floor, grasping Kin around her ankle as she tries to escape and picking her up by it. Then it slams her against the stone slabs… once, twice, three times before slinging her across the room where she crumples against the far wall.

Before Gaara can finish the job, there’s a loud shout. “That’s ENOUGH!”
>1/2
>>
>>3904837
The jōnin supervising the Sand team quickly steps in to block Gaara’s advance and to give Hayate-han some time to check Kin’s body.

Hayate-han fishes a handheld radio transmitter from his flak jacket. “Get the medic-nin in here right now. We have a genin who needs immediate medical attention.”

Then he presses some bandages against Kin’s bloody stump to stem the flow until the medics arrive to carry her off the arena floor.

Meanwhile, after a brief and unusually quiet argument, Gaara starts to head back up the stairs to rejoin his team.

>Um… yeah, have fun with that Temari.
>Just… stay quiet.
>Ask Gaara if that was strictly necessary.
>Tell Gaara off. That crossed the line.
>Other?

>2d14, taking the first non-dubs
>>
>>3904837
Hi yes I'd like to beat the shit out of Gaara please
>>
Rolled 11, 1 = 12 (2d14)

>>3904839
>>Um… yeah, have fun with that Temari.
>>
Rolled 10, 7 = 17 (2d14)

>>3904839
>>Just… stay quiet.
snark or bark won't undo an arm wrung out of its place
>>
Rolled 14, 14 = 28 (2d14)

>>3904839
>>
>>3904839
>>Just… stay quiet.
I have no interest in mouthing off like an idiot. Gaara clearly gives zero fucks and has the power to ignore any physical means of disapproval
>>
>>3904839
>Pointless brutality. Why is he like that?
>>
>>3904839
>Talk with Temari: "Pointless brutality. Why is he like that?"
>>
>>3904839
>Pointless brutality. Why is he like that?
>>
>>3904848
>>3904839
Supporting
>>
You know, it occurs that if Lee doesn't have to face Gaara, that could pretty significantly change both of their character arcs.
>>
File: 64840120_p0_scar.png (693 KB, 1808x1448)
693 KB
693 KB PNG
>>3904839
“Naori versus Dosu.”

Temari spares you a glance before you head towards the nearest stairs, passing by Gaara as you go. Your eyes meet, and you can see the bloodthirst in them. It takes everything you have to keep them from getting to you, this close and this intense.

This guy… may actually be a monster.

Once on the floor, you find yourself standing across from the Oto genin who you noticed using a ninja tool during the skirmish in the first exam. From the Sound village… Kin used bells to cast a genjutsu… so that would make his gimmick some kind of ultrasonic amplifier?

You can hear Naruto going off about how dangerous this Dosu guy is, and how he made Kabuto puke without even hitting him directly, so that basically confirms your theory.

“Well, this might just be interesting,” Dosu smiles underneath his bandages as you offer the traditional seal of confrontation to formalize the start of the match.

He chooses not to return the gesture.

“You don’t seem too broken up about Kin,” you observe.

“It doesn’t really matter so long as one of us can continue,” Dosu declares. “She knows that… it was just a case of bad luck.”

“Like yours.”

Hayate-han gestures for you to begin. “Begin!”

Then he leaps back and out of the way, as Dosu exposes the heavy metal gauntlet on his arm.

>Fling a few exploding tags at him as an opening move.
>Aim some poison tags at his legs, reduce his mobility.
>Use iaidō and yin chakra flow to strike his outstretched arm, see how his gauntlet responds.
>Other?
>>
>>3904864
>>Fling a few exploding tags at him as an opening move.
>>
>>3904864
>>Fling a few exploding tags at him as an opening move.
press the offensive, shock and awe
>>
>>3904864
>>Fling a few exploding tags at him as an opening move.
>>
>>3904864
>Fling a few exploding tags at him as an opening move.
>use the smoke as cover to cast a genjutsu on him
>>
>>3904864
>Fling a few exploding tags at him as an opening move.
>>
>>3904864
>Aim some poison tags at his legs, reduce his mobility.
>>
>>3904864
>>3904869
I support using the explosions as a distraction for genjutsu
>>
>>3904869
it would be nice if we could use that genjutsu to hide a couple of poisoned shuriken, aimed at his legs

i should have specified before, sorry
>>
>>3904869
>>3904864
i like this
>>
>>3904864
>1d6, DC 9
>taking three
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904886
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904886
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904886
>>3904886
>>
>>3904889
>>3904888
>>3904887
huh. triple death is, interesting.
>>
>>3904886
>SP: 6/6
>writing
>>
>>3904890
queen didn't make use of the 44 earlier, i don't think we are gonna- ...
yeah he dead
>>
>>3904890
Just like Dosu is gonna be.
>>
>>3904889
>>3904888
>>3904887
desu
>>
>>3904887
>>3904888
>>3904889
Omae wa mou shindeiru.
>>
>>3904896
for once that is actually appropriate since these are all more or less ninjas
>>
>>3904886
You fling a handful of unsealed Bakugami-Anken at Dosu while he charges you, and set them off with the same seal of confrontation at precisely the right time… only to find your hand seals interrupted as Dosu bursts through the explosions, throwing a trio of kunai at you. He managed to neutralize the explosions… by producing an explosion-like blast of amplified sound aimed back at the blast waves? That could theoretically do the trick, but it would take an uncanny skill at determining the frequencies of waves.

Maybe that has something to do with the bandages?

Either way, you have to dodge one kunai, snag a second out of the air, and use it to parry the third before throwing it back at Dosu’s rapidly-approaching face.

No time to cast a genjutsu, and if you get into melee with him you’d best win in one hit.

>Draw Umekiri and use a brief illusion like the one Temari used.
>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
>Dodge, use Hachigaki-Anken to limit his mobility.
>Other?
>>
File: DEATH.jpg (811 KB, 1344x1236)
811 KB
811 KB JPG
>>3904887
>>3904888
>>3904889
>>
>>3904905
>>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
risky.
>>
>>3904905
>>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
>>
>>3904905
>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
>>
>>3904905
>>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
>>
>>3904905
>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.

THE BALLS
>>
>>3904905
>>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
I like this, this seems clever.
Interesting that we rolled over the DC and still ended up like this. Well I suppose picking what in hindsight was potentially a subpar strategy (?) while still coming out unharmed and in a prime position for melee shenanigans is still a really good outcome.
>>
>>3904915
i think queen used it as a superb setup
>>
>>3904905
>Draw Umekiri and use it to set off Dosu’s amplifier, aim it back at HIM.
>>
>>3904921
and there's a kunai going right into his face as this is going on, so yeah we really are in a great spot even if the road to getting there was less than perfect. Overall I like it.
>>
>>3904905
>1d6, DC 11
>taking the first three
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3904934
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904934
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3904934
5 and a 4 already. I like this.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3904934
>>
>>3904937
>>3904939
>>3904940
Aw ye
>>
>>3904905
You like your odds, so instead of falling back you meet Dosu head on. At the last second you draw Umekiri from her scabbard and strike at Dosu’s outstretched arm with lightning speed, the force of the blow pushing his attack away from you as he passes to your right. You made sure to strike with the flat of the blade again, reinforced by your yin chakra flow to make sure that there’s not even a chance of damaging such a fine heirloom-quality blade (or inadvertently severing Dosu’s arm).

He takes a few steps past you after you made sure to end your drawing-cut with the blade held well behind you and out of his way, and you hold your breath in as you turn to face him in a high guard, just in case this didn’t work.

Dosu eventually stops in place, wavering slightly on his feet. Once you’re sure it’s not a clone, or a substitute, or any other sort of trick, you perform a quick chiburi for the sake of formality and sheath Umekiri at your side.

The metallic tic of tsuba against scabbard is soon followed by a loud metallic crack as the amplifier on Dosu’s arm overloads and starts spewing smoke. He falls to the floor coughing, ripping off his bandages so that he can be sick unimpeded.

Then, with no strength left, he slumps forwards on the floor.

As Hayate-han examines Dosu you catch the Oto jōnin’s eye… far from seeming upset at his second genin’s loss, he seems fascinated by you.

“Another weird one,” you mutter.

Hayate-han finally stands. “This one’s had it. The winner of this match is Naori.”

>Make your respects before stepping out of the arena.
>Just leave the arena, rejoin Tenshi-sensei quickly.
>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>Other?
>>
>>3904955
>>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
Gimme dem reactions.
>>
>>3904955
>>Make your respects before stepping out of the arena.
>>
>>3904955
>>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3904934
>>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
a little bit won't hurt
>>
>>>3904955
Make your respects before stepping out of the arena.
>>
>>3904955
>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>"That was an interesting technique. Good match."
>>
>>3904955
>>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>>
>>3904955
>>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>>
>>3904955
>As Hayate-han examines Dosu you catch the Oto jōnin’s eye… far from seeming upset at his second genin’s loss, he seems fascinated by you.

"A non-retarded uzumaki with serious skills and high raw capabilities holy shit" -Orochimaru, probably
>>
>>3904955
>>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>>
>>3904955
>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>>
>>3904955
>Make your respects, then walk the long way around to get the other genin’s reactions.
>>
>>3904964
>>3904955
supporting giving Dosu the respect he deserves.
>>
>>3904955
You briefly bow to Dosu’s limp body, then turn and take a few steps back towards the position where the Third Hokage is watching all this unfold. Then you bow politely towards him, and catch the briefest glimpse of a smile in return before heading to the stairs… on the far side from Tenshi-sensei.

The first team you pass are a trio of genin from Konoha and their sensei: the fat boy who complained on day one of the second phase, a blonde girl baring her midriff, and a dark-haired boy who favors you with a calculating look. So of the three, that one’s the one with some talent.

Their sensei is a tall man who smells faintly of cigarette smoke, who wears a triangular sash under his flak jacket. He watches you carefully as you pass.

Next is Tenten’s team, which is also comprised of a white-eyed boy with a tan top and shorts, and a matched pair of student and master wearing green bodysuits and black bowl cuts. The jōnin seems remarkably pleased with what he’s just seen, while the student watches you in barely-disguised glee. The white-eyed boy is impossible to get a read on, but Tenten flashes you a quick thumbs-up of approval which you return with a calm smile.

After that are the three genin and the pup you met before, who give you a wide berth despite your smile. Their sensei just seems relieved that none of her students are going to have to fight you, Gaara, or Temari.

Last it’s Sasuke and Naruto’s team, with Sakura still absent at the on-site medical facility. Sasuke seems to be watching you with noticeable excitement, possibly already looking forward to the finals, while Naruto just stares at you in disbelief. And why shouldn’t he? You just flattened the guy he was talking up before.

Their sensei has returned from looking after Sakura, a man with a mask over his nose and mouth and a headband pulled down over his left eye. His awkwardly-styled silver hair looks like a slightly off kilter pineapple, but you can tell he’s immensely skilled. He smiles at you under the mask as you pass, but you know he’s also sizing you up as a possible threat.

>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>Talk to their Sensei a little. Get a sense for this man.
>Head back to your own Sensei
>Other

This will be the last vote of the night, and will determine how we start next saturday.
>>
>>3904986
>>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>>
>>3904986
>>Head back to your own Sensei
Konan sensei or bust fuck socializing. This is now war, no time to make friends.
>>
>>3904986
>>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>>
>>3904986
>>Head back to your own Sensei
small praises
>>
>>3904986
>Head back to your own Sensei

"Praise me, Sensei!"
>>
>>3904986
>>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
Eh, why not while we're passing by.
>>
>>3904986
>>Talk to their Sensei a little. Get a sense for this man.
>>
>>3904986
>Head back to your own Sensei
Receive praise
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>display SMUG at Naruto.
>>
>>3904986
>The jōnin seems remarkably pleased with what he’s just seen,
Gai's approval sustains me
>After that are the three genin and the pup you met before, who give you a wide berth despite your smile. Their sensei just seems relieved that none of her students are going to have to fight you, Gaara, or Temari.
Bunch of babies lol.
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>>
>>3904986
>while Naruto just stares at you in disbelief. And why shouldn’t he? You just flattened the guy he was talking up before.
I want to show Naruto up with SMUG on our face.
>>
>>3904986
>>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven.
>>
>>3904986
>>Head back to your own Sensei
>>
Huh. I wonder how Naori vs Lee would have gone.

Naruto we can more or less guess, although he did trick Kiba into punting his own dog. Tricky little runt, you gotta give him that.
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to their Sensei a little. Get a sense for this man.
>>
>>3904986
>>Head back to your own Sensei
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to their Sensei a little. Get a sense for this man.
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to their Sensei a little. Get a sense for this man.

>>3905167
flirt with the Taijutsu beast.
>>
>>3904986
>Talk to what’s left of Team Seven
>>
>>3904986
Now gimme 2d10 to determine what match I start with.

Second non-dubs roll.
>>
Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d10)

>>3906882
No.
>>
Rolled 10, 1 = 11 (2d10)

>>3906882
>>
Rolled 6, 10 = 16 (2d10)

>>3906882
>>
>>3906891
Well, I have some good news for you and some bad news. The good news is that next week we will start with Hyuuga Neji vs Rock Lee.

Bad news is it won't be until the weekend.
>>
>>3906903
>Neji Vs. Rock Lee

Business is about to pick up folks.
>>
>>3906910
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-rtlKzNA7M
I couldn't resist.
>>
>>3906903
Worse news, for those who've yet to see it: the next thread won't be this coming weekend, but the weekend after due to a sudden and unavoidable commitment this weekend.

Sorry about that.
>>
>>3905010
I would rather it be one of distaste. This idiot surely can't be related to us, he must be a fraud besides we're supposed to be a ninja right? What does bragging get us except attention and wariness. If they thought this mook was strong then I doubt we will get any useful information from them.
>>
>>3906910
I honestly want Lee to kick his ass. I don't think he can, but wouldn't it be brilliant?



Delete Post: [File Only] Style:
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

[Enable Mobile View / Use Mobile Site]

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.