The First Test [Hunter]

1D Hunter:

Current Stat Page:

Current Summons:

Daiko cracks his neck, sitting at the same bench that he's always at when he and Saya agree to do a mission together. As he was waiting, he took a moment to think about all the different things he had experienced in the village. He had done quite a few missions, many of them testing both his patience and his skill as a ninja. Today, however, was a day off for Daiko. He had completed most of the missions and had scrounged up enough money to get off of this island, and he wanted to spend the day doing some training with his friend Saya. Once they had met up, Daiko would take them back to where they had initially met. 

It wasn't too far of a walk, though they did exit the village gates to be on the borders, and reminisce about old times. They had gotten food together, do many missions, and Daiko was starting to believe that they could have truly made a lifelong friend. Enough reminiscing, though. After a little while of walking, they had finally made it to the spot in which they had first met. The sky was completely clear, with the sun hanging just overhead. There weren't too many clouds in the sky, and it seemed like a very nice day. Everything around was pretty visible. The layout of where they were was somewhat of a clear field, with the grass being no higher than what is usually expected when walking around an area. Where they were currently, they were in the middle of a 50x50 square, with everything being completely flat with no trees or large rocks blocking the area, currently. They were facing a cliff-side, that marked the end of the square, 25 meters away from them. To the right of them, there would be a medium-large puddle, that would be a pretty decent source of water, but not deep enough that someone would trip and fall in it. Behind them, was simply more grass. 

Looking over at Saya, Daiko relaxes for a second, assuming that everything today would be fun. He was pretty relaxed, though due to how he is, he was on alert as usual. He was taking in all the details all around him, seeing to make sure that everything was business as usual. He had met his new best friend here, and he would remember this spot for a very long time. He was happy that he was able to make such leaps and bounds in his power during his time here, and wondered deep within himself when he might have to leave. Being the traveler that he was, he knew that he wouldn't want to stay in one place forever. He was more interested in actually getting to see the world. He had never had much experience outside of the shoddy huts he had been around before, and this village was the first of many that he would eventually discover and get to know the people therein.

[502]

saya stats:

Exactly as daiko said it was a surprisingly beautiful day. Saya had actually managed to wake up fairly early, with minimal prodding from pinochio, and gathered her things for a habit that she'd learned to quite enjoy. The unique new friend she'd picked up, daiko, was waiting for her as usual on the bench they'd made their meeting place since he first came to the village. She was clothed as expected, with the white and black almost mechanical looking dress sitting at the top of her thighs, and a pair of black leggins underneath to not expose too much. While it had seemed an odd change to get used to at first, she was starting to really get used to this over her old modified academy student uniform. Hanging from the black belt that cinched her waist was a hidden mist headband, one end tied to the leather so it swayed slightly with her walk down to her knee. Instead of a mission this time, they were going back to the place where she'd first met him. Unfortunately this time she didn't need her pirate ship. As they set off Saya climbed up the coach puppets side, slipping her feet easily into the openings between slats and scaling him like a ladder to rest sitting fully on  his left shoulder. It was impressive just how much larger Coach was then the tiny terror. His mamoth weight and well carved musculature would be terrifying to anyone who didn't realize that it was all wooden. 

On the left walked Ai, and on the right the small pinochio puppet kept up with their stride. Both glanced about as they walked, seeming to take in information as Saya's mind worked in overdrive to study minute details with very little shift of her  head. WIth her chakra strings hidden through chakra supression it would look like Ai, who was about a step ahead of the others, was the leader of this puppet team. Her amazing craftsmanship and realistic silicone skin and freely moving facial features gave her an image of perfect life that unless studied very close up was indecypherable from saya's own form. 

"Daiko. Isn't this the place where we first met you?" Ai turned her attention for a moment to their teammate. This place brought back fond memories. It was the same beach he'd been stranded at when they'd sailed up and noticed someone they thought was in trouble. It was here that she did her first performance for the boy who'd quickly become a good friend and teammate. Even Ai, who only had what emotions Saya personified into her, felt a strong connection to this place. There was little to nothing that could break the joy that team puppets felt in reliving the grandeur of their initial introductions. As they stopped, the coach puppet lifted Saya from his shoulders. Setting her down on the ground he'd unfurl, creating the large stage directly between Saya and Daiko with only inches between the wood and the two ninja. 

(504)

Daiko nods, scratching his head and blushing a small bit. "Haha... Yeah. This is where we first met up, wasn't it?" Not wanting to seem like someone who cared too much about attachment, Daiko somewhat played off the fact that he had thought about this place quite often in their recent adventures. It wasn't that it was particularly crazy for Saya to have made a friend, it was the fact that this cliffside was the first place in which Daiko had met someone that hadn't treated him like shit since his old master. The man had died because Daiko couldn't keep himself from harming those that would try to put him down or tell him that he wasn't good enough. This feeling of admiration towards the ninja as strong or stronger than himself was definitely warranted, as there were many times that he could count that he was put to shame because of his lineage or because of who he was as a ninja. He wasn't a bad person, it was just that people have a hard time expecting things that they don't understand. Daiko would then stretch out, noticing that Saya was also keeping a watchful eye over the place, just as he had. 

Daiko then looks over and notices that coach had turned into a stage of sorts. Daiko wasn't entirely sure what was up with that, although he did think that it was quite cool. Daiko wasn't exactly sure if this was for a technique of some sort or what, though he figured that it would be best if he stood back a small bit, not too far as to not be able to reach it but also to be in a position where he wouldn't be crushed if he were to snap closed or something scary like that. Daiko stretches out, continuing his survey of the land around them. Looking over at Saya, he begins to speak with her for a moment. "So, Saya. I've had a great time on these last few missions that we were able to do. Before I starting doing work with you, I was mainly around picking up people's cats and shopping. It wasn't very much fun." Daiko scratches his head and chuckles a bit. 

Taking the time to admire the views one last time, Daiko thinks back to the ideas that he had looking on these same beaches. He remembered the first time that he was able to learn a technique off of inspiration, rather than training and the obvious. The breath seal. It was these crashing waves that have driven him to get the inspiration for a technique that would allow him to breathe when most would choke on water, or poison. It wasn't easy coming up with techniques, nor was it easy to be a ninja. Daiko was just happy that through all of this, he had one companion that would keep him from doing the unthinkable. Realistically, Daiko's body on its own was a killing machine. It was good to know that someone in this ninja world was able to ground him.

[515]
{1017}

"Isn't it interesting..." Ai started the statement, waxing poetically on the random conditions that had led them to friendship. The scene flashed through her mind as she stepped up on the stage puppet. Thinking about it, they'd only actually used coach in this mode one time so far. While saya's passions still took up a large portion of her resting thought, with Ai around to provide care and support to supliment the tough love style that Pinochio had adopted, she'd slowly shifted from a performer pushed to better her skills for survival to a proper ninja.

"We just happened to be sailing around to test if we could sail the ship with just team puppet. There was no reason why we should have been in this place when you were, but the fates... They saw to it that we met. " As she finished her sentence, a soft music began. Pinochio glanced about. They'd come directly to the meeting spot as soon as saya was awake and dressed. She hadn't left his view the entire trip. HOW had she managed to a. realize that this was a situation that would require musical accompaniment, and b. actually contacted the quartet of musical instrument salesmen she'd gotten on payroll early in her movement here to let them know she might need them?! where even were they?!

saya song!:

"i've heard it said. That people come into our lives for a reason,
bringing something we must learn and we are led,
by those who help us most to grow, if we let them.
and we help them in return..

Now I don't know if I believe thats true.
But I know i'm who i am today
because I knew you..."

leaning againt the edge of the coach puppet, Saya began her song. It was slow and melodic the way she flowed through the notes, pouring her emotion into the verse even as her head shifted to ensure she had vision on what Pinochio and Ai were looking at. Pinochio was beside himself in disbelief as he scanned the entire area around them to figure out where she could have possibly stowed an entire band. All he could see was flat ground and grass, save for the large pool of water about fifteen meters from them on the right.....that had a hole dug in the closest side revealing just a bit of clear plastic.... Saya, in her infinite wisdom and planning had dug out a pit large enough for the band to fit in, created a wood musicians pit, and then covered the pit with a plastic pool holding about fifteen gallons of water to mask the modifications she'd made to the area. Then she took the time to dig out air holes to ensure they would be safe. That's why they'd returned to this place so she could "take a nap in the sun" days before because....why wouldn't she spend hours setting this all up in the off chance that they came back here. It wasn't surprising in the slightest, but still pinochio was both frusterated and impressed.

(TWC 1016 ap used: 1899-40(coach stage mode)-8(2 posts ventrilloquism)-10(chakra threads)=1841 coach stage shift cd ends this post)

Ah, man. Saya was really going at it this time. It had seemed like she was singing her heart out, along with a full ensemble to accompany her. For some reason, phrases involving people's hearts gave him a small amount of joy, even if he didn't internally acknowledge it. Though he kept the plain expression on his face, as usual, it brought him a great deal of joy to see Saya so engrossed in her emotions. He felt a strange emotion that he had no words for when watching her do things with such passion. He didn't really care about much, and it was nice to be able to share in some of someone else's feelings. Cracking his neck even though he didn't have bones, he looks over to the beach. Hmn. There was a figure coming up towards them, seemingly harmless. Maybe this was someone who had washed ashore similar to how he had, hearing the music and coming to say hello. Daiko wasn't untrusting of most people, though it was strange that there would be someone outside of the village. This was the first person that wasn't batshit crazy that he had run into outside of the village gates. Suspicious. 

Pushing the thought out of his mind, Daiko studies her closer as she approached. She wasn't too bad-looking, having emerald eyes and flowing white hair. Though it wasn't long, it still had a very nice way to it. Daiko silently wondered to himself if the village was secretly just the Mizukage and a bunch of young girls. As much as he tried, he couldn't shake the image that he and the 'humble' Mizukage were the only males in the village. Strange. Daiko noticed that as the girl got closer, it was a bit odd. She wasn't making any sounds while walking, as if she was a high-level assassin. Noticing that she had some kind of headband on her waist, he figured she must be someone from the village returning from a mission. 

Though Daiko had never actually seen Saya wear a headband like that, he did recognize it from his visit inside of the Mizukage's estate. It seemed to be the symbol of the village that they were now in, Kirigakure. Doing the best he could, Daiko extrapolated information as to WHY this girl would have a headband, while Saya didn't. He assumed that it was something along the lines of this person being a higher ranked ninja than her, rather than the fact that Saya just didn't take the time to wear it. In this assumption, Daiko would try to make his friend look good in front of this person to assure that she got the ranking that she deserved in village standing. Though she very well could've just been being nice to Daiko as a task by the village to keep an eye on him, he still had room in his heart to believe that it was true friendship.

After the girl was somewhat close to Saya and a good 12 meters away from him, he listens to her speak. Hmn. A question with a seemingly obvious answer. Speaking up before Saya had gotten the chance to ramble, "Oh, I would assume so. She is the best performer in all of Kirigakure, a true legend to look up to. The streets would be dull and sandy without her dulcet tones to fill the ramparts with a sense of home. Is this your first time hearing her perform?" Daiko then inexplicably laughs slightly, his face keeping the same monotonous gaze while still keeping his eyes on the stranger in front of him. He was keeping a close eye on her, and though he didn't have any reason not to trust her, he definitely didn't want Saya to be in harm's way.

Either way, this stranger didn't look menacing. They looked like a passerby. Nothing wrong with enjoying the artistry of a true master of the craft. 

[659]
{1676}

A NEW FRIEND!

a new....friend?

A potential problem to look out for. 

The thoughts of the trio that made up team puppet were skewed as usual, with Ai's set just in the center. Saya hopped up immediately the moment she saw this newcomer's approach, finishing her song on her feet at the edge of the stage  puppet. Ai and pinochio stepped forward, creating a triangle formation with about two meters between each before the two puppets glanced at one another, shook their heads, and swapped positions. Somehow Ai had managed to find herself on the right side, and pinochio on the left and that just wouldn't do. As the song ended, Ai was the first of team puppet to address this newcomer. 

"Welcome. It's exciting to have encountered another person at the place where we met our friend daiko." An arm motioned towards the black haired boy be fore she continued. "I'm Ai, this is pinochio, and the performer is Saya the aspiring cosplay queen of the village hidden in the mist. " her tone was pleasant, and her face beamed a smile only slightly less then the puppet master herself. The girls seemed generally excited to meet a new friend. Pinochio...not so much. 

"what brings you out here to the borders? Are you a village ninja as well?" Inperceptibly invisible chakra threads poured from the fingertips of her left hand, sliding across saya's back and outward to find the black haired tau boy. They wouldn't grip his form to control movement, but instead just invisibly latch on in case they were needed later. Saya saw no need for this rediculousness. It's not like this girl was coming to cause trouble. Who compliments someone's singing and stays for their whole performance then causes trouble?! Still Pinochio pressed on the barrier between his consciousness and her own until she relented, even if just for safety sake. 

From the front edge of the puppet a head and hand appeared for a moment. The coach puppet also gave a kind smile and short wave to this newcomer before his features slid back into the stage to resume his work as a platform. 

(TWc 1374)

Her attention would be captured in a flicker as she honed her eyes on the boy who spoke up before the … girls, a songstress of the streets of Kiri, seems she spent more time out of the village than she thought. As her eyes flicked back to the girls in front of her she would respond, “Seems I’ve been away much to long, this is indeed my first performance.” Once she spoke the girl with no heartbeat moved with the other thing on the stage to stand triangulated around the girl with a heartbeat -  Daiko was the boy's name it seemed. All three still stood on the stage 2 meters apart from one another - the stage was only a foot in height off the ground so with a spring in her step she stepped up onto it with a curious look on her face. “It is exciting isn’t it? Meeting new people… but you.. You don’t seem like a person.” She would tilt her head slightly as she stepped to face the identical girl with no heartbeat - the one who called herself Ai - a meter was between herself and the puppet making Saya 2.5 meters diagonal to her and Pinocchio 3 meters from her left. 

Drawing her eyebrows together she would continue to look over Ai, noticing the slight uptick in Saya’s heartbeat - wariness. Perhaps not as naïve but she was… severely outmatched with 4 v 1 fight but… if only one of the three in front of her has a heartbeat that has to mean the other 2 aren’t alive and someone controls them - most likely the girl Saya. She kept her tone even, calm and unassuming as she swiveled her eyes to look at Pinocchio - simultaneously making the decision, however reckless, to activate Taijutsu Puncture and throw a punch at Speed and Power of 125 directly at the chest of Saya. She didn’t need to look at Saya to accurately throw the punch as she was honed in on the heartbeat pounding only 2.5 meters from her. 

If the punch landed it would pierce the heart in totality and would end the girl’s life - and cause all the puppets in her control to cease functionality; hopefully leaving the boy to worry about. Whispering to herself if the punch was successful, "Money brings me here." If the punch didn’t land for some reason well… the streets were harsh maybe it was time to be released. 


Jutsu Used:
Taijutsu Puncture [V7] Power and Speed at 125

There was no way. There was no fucking way. From what Daiko knew, Saya was performing and getting into shenanigans ALL. THE. TIME. There was hardly a waking moment when one wouldn't find her performing or doing some other things of the sort... The girl here seemed to be around the same age as himself, so it would be under the assumption that if she was indeed a Kiri ninja, she would have run into Saya's hijinks at least once. No matter. Daiko knew what he had to do.

While this rogue kunoichi was busy talking cryptically about how 'only one was alive' or something like that, Daiko had already begun to activate his technique, sighing audibly. A small set of black, sinewy hands would come out of his back at 60 speed, quickly forming the Hare, Monkey, Dragon, and Tiger hand seals, in that order, before receding away, leaving Daiko with a hazy, royal indigo aura coming an inch off of his skin. At the moment that this happened, 5 black threads that were 5 cm in thickness would shoot out of the soles of his feet at a speed of 115, ripping their way through the earth at their now opponent.

Assuming that the girl didn't turn her attention to Daiko after the moment that he had used his Black Hand technique, the threads would have traveled to the base of the stage, leaving about 10 meters of distance between him and the enemy, though his threads were only 1/2 a meter away from where the girl had stepped up onto the stage. If all had gone without a hitch, four of the five threads would burst their way out of the ground. Each one would go for a particular limb. One would aim for the woman's left shoulder, one would aim for the right forearm, and one would aim for her left ankle. The final thread would be aiming for her right calf. If they were able to reach their target before she had made any sort of sudden movement, they would begin to wrap around her limbs simultaneously, attempting to hold her in place with 115 strength.

If they missed or the tide of battle changed, however, before or after the 4 threads had launched themselves out of the ground, Daiko would be ready to react fast. Daiko wasn't dead set in everything going exactly how he had initially planned for it to in his head and was ready to react in accordance with how Saya would respond to whatever the rogue girl would do if he wasn't able to interrupt some sort of attack from the girl in question with his tactics.

To be truthfully honest, Daiko didn't take the time to wait to see if this girl was really a threat, though he would be focused on binding her for the time being. Personal space was a big deal for Daiko, and in circumstances such as this, he knew what it looked like when a bully was coming to attack their prey. Saya was a young girl, and due to Daiko's past, he felt it was his responsibility to protect her, even if he was a bit weaker.

[535]
{2211}

-45 AP
-40 AP
-7 AP
(-92 AP Total)
[1358/1450 AP]

Saya's reaction was instant. Either the moment the black threads broke through the earth to capture this newcomer, or The second This girl started the swift movement to point and fire a technique at her, Saya's hand, already close to her chest would move towards it As the Triffle activated in her body.  Five threads flowed from her fingers simultaneously, her own movement of 75 and the chakra threads movement of 120 made the action near instantaneous. If the black threads didn't stop the attack, She would be out of the way moving to position herself directly in line with Pinochio at a speed of 133, but that wasn't the only action she took. At the same speed of 133 Ai moved towards the girl as six wooden dog statues two meters thick ripped from the ground one foot behind Ai, her path curved enough that unimpeeded she would stand one foot to her right side moving at a slight angle also towards Pinochio, shifting her path as needed to ensure she followed Saya's horizontal motion to end up one foot to the girl's right and past where she was now standing. 

With the taijutsu puncture no longer a threat the girl would find herself in a predicament. If she managed to deal with the black threads restricting her movement before Ai and Saya's shift in position, She would feel a brush of something invisible, and be held unmoving before the Ai puppet hit the ground. Even as she floated to close the distance a rage poured from Ai's eyes. Of all the people in the village she'd chosen to attack her sister, the kindest girl she'd ever met. Even as she fell if the chakra threads used to control her connected with this new enemy, the scowl of pure hatred would be pulsing in her face. 

Easily Saya would summon more strings, having them move across the ground at 130 speed to bring Ai back up. Pinochio, as livid as the sister puppet at the idea that someone would wish to harm Saya moved forward quickly. With a leap he'd perform a spinning kick to remove the girl's head from her shoulders with a sharpness of 34, the girl held tightly by skillful artistry with a human bodies 120 power restricting her unless her strength was higher. The foo dog statues that would seem to be summoned by the Ai puppet also shot out towards the girl baring sharp wooden fangs. Three would to left, and three right, creating a pinsir attack at a tight angle so that both sets would each where the girl stood, or where she moved to. One each would clamp down on each of her apendages with one snapping down on her neck and thrusting her quickly towards the ground unable to move by three different methods. Each foo dog, with a power and speed of one hundred and twenty five would bite down to sever the section designated at their target, and the sixth would bore a hole deep into the girl's chest for good measure. 

(TWC 1887 
Justsu used:
 trifle of the senju(+80 cha +80 Vig 38 ap)
skillful achievement with a human body 30 ap+20ap to sever threads on saya)
foo dog heads(34 ap+20 for channeling through Ai)
ventrilloquism(4 posts used 16 ap
ap=1929-38-30-20-34-20-20(4 posts of chakra threads active)-16=1751 ap left)