Mist District

[Yatoru]

Though Null's attacks slammed into the Sound waves, the unexpected would come to light, the tendrils that made up Null rapidly broke apart, disintegrating at a rapid rate as the frequency of this joint attack rapidly approached the massive being. It was with this caught, that Null would try to up heave the very ground to form a wall but this was to little to late as the waves of sound clashed and passed his body. The tendrils that made up his very being or rather the cells beginning to rapidly break apart disintegrating the moment they split apart from Saito Shimo's core, revealing that as Null was being unintentionally killed, at that same moment Saito's very lifeforce was rapidly falling, showing the symbiotic relations not only being of shared host but of Shared Lifeforce as well. Gabimaru noticing this knew even though they were expecting to save Saito from the mass of cells that was on a rampage, it was too late as they were unintentionally killing the host themselves. Though the manner they were doing it was almost borderline torture which disheartened the Yamishi Clansmen, who with swift movements of his hands, taking up the Snake Hand seal allowed the shadows that manifested around him to swirl before formulating into two hound like beings, or rather the heads of the Hounds of Baskerville aka the hounds of hell.

And with the hounds formation it lunged forth, its maw opened as it swiftly and fluidly coursed the chaos before alas, sinking its teeth through Saito's upper body which had been exposed due to the sound wave technique. Its jaws clamping shut revealing a geyser of blood as Nulls tendrils suddenly faded into ash leaving no trace behind as the second hound took the opportunity to take the lower portion of Saito's body into its maw before clamping down and consuming the Shimo survive. His two halves being crushed by the eldritch form's inside turning it into a paste of blood which pulsated through the shadows like veins before returning into Gabimaru's body, fueling him with fresh blood as the young Chunin let out a sigh. He didn't want Saito to suffer as he was, so he had to take the necessary evil by executing the Last Shimo before he could die a more torturous way as Gabimaru spoke, his hands sliding into his pockets,​

"You may have wanted to save Saito... But in the end you've done more harm than justice. Blame me all you want, but I free'd him of his suffering..."​

This being Said, the Young Yamishi looked towards the Mizukage and his Clans cousin of the Tomogui, Mellow; his eyes filled with a pained expression, as Gabimaru saw no other way to settling this situation, even if they managed to quell Null's Fire, Saito's was still a problem, thus it would have been a re ignition of hatred and bloodshed. Something Gabimaru knew could not be stopped unless Saito was taken out...

 

[Reigetsu]

Baphomet, my god, I’ve failed you and now I must ask your forgiveness in blood tribute, take the bounty I've killed as yours sustenance, my god of chaos.

Sōma had awakened in her bed early in the morning that day, she had no clue where she was or how she got there until it hit her, memories of the chunin exam raced through her mind like a river, showing how she saved those people from the fire with Xuan who then took them to safety, Sōma then ran into Mellow and that strange white hair girl in that pink outfit then the memories flashed to her in a new location where she went to find her teammates, well, she did but this boy really got on her nerves with his hot shot attitude before they were caught in a genjutsu then it went blank. Sōma ran through her memories several times before she felt tightness in her chest, a hot, boiling rage bubbling up inside before she let out a loud scream of anger, an anger she never felt before was now being let out through her voice but stops, taking deep breaths then turns to her sword propped against the wall in its sheath, the sword her father had given her after graduating now reminded the Chinoike of her failure, her failure to her father, to her clan, to her friends and loved ones, her god, she felt disappointed in herself and now desired to vent her anger out with hunting, so without saying another word, got out of bed to change into her Kariginu, a well knitted and sewn red and black attire with solid black Geta sandals, took a while to put it on and grabbing her katana before leaving her room and the Chinoike Palace, Kuzuryūjin while unbeknownst to her, what was going on deep in the city.​

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Somewhere in the Screaming Blood Forest

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The Screaming Blood Forest, a place infamous for its numerous reports of suicides, murder, and massacres that occurred in this place during the small-scale wars between districts but the fighting wasn’t only between villages, some crimes and anarchy erupted in other sections within each district with Mist District being among them. Sōma loved in this place, it brought her peace of mind, even now as she goes walks into the blood forest with her Katana in hand, keeping her eyes peeled for anything to hunt then bring back for more ritualistic purposes. The Chinoike princess got on her knees checking the ground for any prints or feces made from a Buck she’s looking for but only found pig prints, grunts in disapproval rose back up and ventured deep into the forest, taking her position high in the tree to avoid disturbing the wildlife.​

 

[Jeriah]

Isamu, shrouded in the dark, dense forest, awaited Soma's arrival, contemplating her recent shortcomings. The failure at the chunin exams was a stark reminder of her struggles—a puzzling paradox for a Chinoike. Her prowess, akin to her father's, lacked the unpredictability and depth required in battle. Every move she made was too predictable, each attack linear and easily countered. Soma had yet to grasp the fundamentals, the nuances that made a true shinobi. Her lack of versatility, her inability to craft intricate illusions or to discern ten different outcomes for one jutsu—these were her stumbling blocks.

As Soma ventured deeper into the blood forest, she found Isamu in his meditative state, his words ominously echoing as he communed with Lord Jashin. The trees bore witness as she approached her father, a sense of unease should of crept into her heart as she listened to his chilling proclamation.

"We will train," Isamu's voice reverberated with solemnity, the weight of the Chinoike legacy palpable. His words, delivered without falsehood or pity, hung ominously in the air. "You must rise above your limitations. Failure to uphold the Chinoike name will lead you to become a sacrifice to Lord Jashin." The severity of his declaration cast a haunting aura over the forest, emphasizing the gravity of her predicament.

Soma's weaknesses in battle were stark, and Isamu saw them clear as day. Her inability to think beyond the direct and predictable nature of her attacks—traits that set her apart in the wrong way from her father's calculated and strategic approach. His resolve to push her beyond these limitations was unwavering, albeit with a foreboding aura that instilled both fear and determination in equal measure.

The shadows of the blood forest whispered their secrets, mingling with the weight of Isamu's expectation for his daughter. It was here, amidst the ancient trees and their eerie murmurs, that the journey to overcome her weaknesses and uphold the legacy of the Chinoike name would begin. The air around them carried the silent understanding that this training would be a grueling journey, demanding a transformation that transcended mere physical ability—a transformation she must undergo to avoid the ominous fate her father warned her of.

Location: Chinoike District, Screaming Blood Forest​

 

[Mellow]

With seeing just how successful his attack had been on Null, this ensured that the coming victory was definitely something he could take pride in due to saving the village from annihilation; However, this also will have struck a nerve with the young shinobi as the large creature was in fact one his closer friends. While his intentions were simply to cam them down, he could feel the life force draining from null as well as the Saito clan member who was within the large beast. This in fact alerted Mellow that he was actually killing his friend instead of saving him but it was something he had to do in order to maintain peace and keep his promise of the arranged deal. Knowing this and keeping his duties as priority regardless of his relationship with the creature who was intent on destroying everything, Mellow didn't worry about wearing the attack or trying a different method of attack and as a result, sadly Null/Saito was going to be killed. Though, before the process could even finish; Mellow felt a shift in the air coming from behind him as it was Gabimaru releasing one of his attacks, this caused Mellow to flip over the structure towards the side as he was directly in the line of fire. This slightly annoyed the wendingo since his cousin didn't think to wait until Mellow moved to unleash the attack, on top of which he lacked the proper respect as usual and devoured the entirety of his comrade instead of allowing them to separate and given a burial ground since he didn't plan on eating Saito.
​

Mellow: I know exactly what I did, I did what needed to be done. I don't regret it, nor do I plan on blaming someone for my mistakes you lazy moron. That's something you and Xuan would do. You should have let them separate, the last thing they would have wanted was to be eaten by your stupid shadow mutts. They were warriors not babies that needed pity. I was going too give Saito a burial ground and pay respect to him and Null. Next time keep your mutts out of my personal unless they're needed. You're too emotionally soft.​

Normally, the wending wasn't one to get upset about things but this was in fact a personal bond he had plans for after the encounter; Though since that plan came to an end, Mellow will return to the window of the Mizukage office where Kuro and the little girl were awaiting for things to be handled. In that moment, the wending kneeled down and placed a hand on the head of the small child and gave a warm smile towards her.
​

Mellow: Its okay now, the creature's gone, you're no longer in any danger.​

Right after this sentence, the smile child shook her head, still scared but at least she was safe now as she made her way towards the office to the door to return home. This in turn left only Kuroshiki and Mellow in the room together, Kuroshiki nodded his head in a way to thank him for taking care of his student for him. As such, all Mellow did was scoff and nod back before leaving out the window to return to the side of Lord, Kazuo and Gabimaru.
​

Mellow: Lord Kazuo, I know the plan was to save him and I failed to do that. Instead I was the reason he died. I'll accept the consequences of my actions and try to do better next time.​

 

[Yatoru]

With the events with Saito concluded, and the hounds of baskerville created by the Yamishi clans Darkness Release fading back to the ethereal darkness and shadows, Gabimaru stood watching the emotional turmoil of Mellow as Gabimaru watched his cousin flee to the kage's office through the window. Not letting his words jab at him as the young shinobi knew that Mellow was simply hurting internally, he'd turn away; a clan who's Kekkei Genkai seemed almost identical to affiliation to that of the Shadow Realms only would bring a bad reputation towards Gabimaru should he try to defend himself to someone emotionally unstable at this moment.

Meanwhile inside the kages office, slowly and stealthly moving from Kuroshiki's back and under some of the furniture a black liquid of cells slowly moves towards the source of unstable emotions. Moving in such a manner that no sound is produced let alone staying out of sight, this sludge would ultimately make its way towards the leg of mellow before sneaking into his cloths, avoiding physical contact for now as it would move its way up into the back of his shirt concealing itself into the very fabric seemingly blending in with the texture and color; an event that would lead up to a revolution of ones very being. Gabimaru though staying outside, would not leave unless dismissed by the Mizukage as deep inside himself, the remnant cells of Saito and Null that was put inside him would create a chemical destabilization allowing Null's cells to spread throughout Gabimaru's Blood stream, though what was once a culmination of black single celled organism were not converting to a white hue but remaining dormant until a necessary trigger could awaken the entity that was evolving inside of Gabimaru. Meaning at this point, those new cells resemble and are identical to Gabimaru's cells...

 

[Mellow]

As the liquid like being attached itself to Mellow, it recoiled in response to the sheer intensity of the darkness it encountered. The memories of the wendigo, the insatiable hunger, and the relentless pursuit of prey overwhelmed the creature. It was as if it had plunged into an abyss of despair and rage, experiencing the tumultuous emotions that defined it. The small black being quivered in fear, its dark form contorting as if unable to comprehend the magnitude of the darkness it had encountered. The tendrils that had initially reached out to Mellow now trembled, an unexpected vulnerability manifesting within the creature. Yet, amidst the chaos, Mellow's aura seemed to intensify as he had already been upset from the previous situation. The very fear and anger that had unsettled the being began to emanate from him in waves. The Wendigo's primal energy asserted its dominance, overpowering the symbiote's initial fear with a potent surge of its own. Recognizing Mellow as the embodiment of the very evil and darkness it sought, quickly fell in line. The tendrils, once quivering in fear, now coiled around Mellow with a newfound subservience. The creature had found its master, a being whose darkness and evil heavily outmatched its own. As the bond with Mellow continued, a transfer of memories also occurred. Fragments of its previous host's experiences, a tapestry of darkness and despair, merged seamlessly with Mellow's own consciousness. The small creature, now an extension of the Wendigo's primal nature, became a conduit for the intensified emotions that fueled its existence.

With that, Mellow continued on his way out of the office as planned with no resistance or care for the being that had just made itself a bonded companion with the wendigo male. In these moments, he thought about the memories that had been given to him by the merging of the symbiote which allowed him to peice together there were two entities that were responsible for the murder of the Shimo Clan, and the reason he had to kill his friend Null. One was a masked fellow but not much about the memories gave away anything outside of that, and the other was the very man who taught Saito and Null, Kuroshiki. The only thing he wanted to know now was why, but that'd come at a much later time as Mellow was tired from the chakra he used up fighting Null as the combo attack he did required much more chakra than he realized, ontop of the fact he used up a lot during the chunin exams. Mellow slowly but surely made his way back towards the cave, but as he passed up Gabimaru he relayed one thing to him.
​

Mellow: If you plan on staying around, do me a favor and i'll forget about the fact you ate Null/Saito. If you can, try to see why Kuroshiki did what he did and ask him who the guy wa with the mask, since the both of them worked together to kill the clan which caused Null to go on a rampage.​

Location: Mist Village --> Wendigo Cave​

 

[Yatoru]

Though the events with the final Shimo clan were concluded, Gabimaru stood dauntlessly as Mellow had walked past him, requesting that he probe for information that seemed almost made up to Gabimaru. Heeding no mind to it; the young Yamishi slowly began walking away from the scene, moving through the streets of the Mist; his mind puzzled on the situation that had occurred. If what Mellow said was true, Kuroshikki and some unknown individual in a mask had caused the chaos that had happened; something that later down the line would need investigation. But for now this was not the necessary course of action, Gabimaru saw that if he did go through with Mellows Request, this would only stir the fire more than it needed to be. Walking through the streets of the mist, deep inside of Gabimaru's circulatory system a strange cluster of black cells begin transitioning to a white color before replicating the appearance of the Yamishi's own cells. Perfectly blending itself into his body to avoid detection whilst simultaneously remaining inactive till a necessary time was met.

With each stride that he took, there was a strange feeling coursing through Gabimaru, as if his ancestor's Ribsomes were reacting to a fluctuation in the air, for you see the Yamishi had a dark secret that they even kept from the Shinobi world. A clan who came from the sealed location of the Shadow Realm. Though not necessarily evil, they had left that detestable place to seek betterment for their people before being cursed. Now as part of the shinobi world, they merely act from the shadows and the dark for the sake of the Mist. Even if they were to be hated it was a daunting task that they saw they were fit for; Gabimaru was no different in this case. Though he sought to one day find the light that would guide and shine over his darkness, it was only a secondary ambition; his goal at this moment was to ensure that his cousin clan was not to be targetted as monsters by the rest of the world, even if he had to point the blame to himself.

 

[Mellow]

As Mellow began to approached the entrance of Wendigo Cave after his journey from Mist City, the air grew colder, and the shadows deepened within the ancient structure carved into the heart of the wetlands. The cave bore the weight of untold stories etched into its rocky walls. Mellow's silhouette against the entrance framed a figure marked by the desolation of loss and the lingering ache of solitude. The cavernous expanse, illuminated by ethereal bioluminescent fungi, cast an eerie glow across the cave estate. The crunch of Mellow's footsteps echoed in the hollows, a somber cadence that resonated with the heaviness in his heart. As he ventured deeper into the cavern, the walls seemed to close in, cocooning him within the melancholy embrace of the Cave. The memory of Null, his symbiotic companion from the Shimo Clan, lingered like a ghostly specter. Mellow could still feel the phantom bond that once connected them, a bond that needed to be ended for the greater good. In the dimly lit chamber that served as Mellow's dwelling, a mixture of moss-covered stones and icy stalactites framed a makeshift home. The Wendigo's breath materialized in the frigid air as he entered, the cavernous echoes magnifying the hollowness within him. Mellow sought solace at the heart of his cave, a place that had witnessed both the tranquility of solitude and the shared moments of camaraderie. The loss of Null, his symbiotic companion, gnawed at the Wendigo's very core. The pain, a primal ache that echoed through the cavern, threatened to consume him.

In an attempt to quell the tempest of emotions, Mellow sank onto a rocky outcrop, his massive frame hunched in introspection. Amidst the stillness, a subtle energy began to emanate from Mellow's own body. The being that had bonded itself with Mellow without his knowing, now stirred with a newfound vitality. The cave seemed to respond to the awakening of this newfound entity, the bioluminescent fungi flickering with a renewed brilliance. The creature, now taking on a distinct personality, whispered its name into the recesses of Mellow's consciousness — Agony. With her ethereal purple glow, radiated a calm yet resilient energy. As she gained her sentience, knew that the being Agony had bonded with was something who's very origins were dark and his very presence wreaked of darkness and power. As such, she had already deemed herself as a inferior being and recognized Mellow as the dominant figure in this newfound partnership. The tendrils of the creature, now intertwined with Mellow's emotions, serving as a bridge between the Wendigo and the newfound sentience within him, and with the emotions of the wendigo was how Agony got her name. Though, the being still refrained from making itself known to him until she found her presence necessary to reveal.

As Mellow laid down on his makeshift bed, a slab of smooth rock covered with furs from the creatures that inhabited the mountainous region, he felt the coolness of the cavern seep into his weary bones. The makeshift bed, though modest, bore the marks of a creature attuned to the primal rhythms of nature. The memories of the day, the echoes of loss and the chunin exams lingered in the recesses of his mind. Yet, as he reclined on the rocky surface, a sense of tranquility enveloped him like a gentle embrace. The cavern, despite its stark exterior, held an intimate warmth. The bioluminescent fungi, scattered like constellations across the ceiling, painted the rocky walls with a soft and ethereal light. Shadows danced in tandem with the flickering glow, creating a symphony of shadows and luminescence. Each breath he took materialized in the cold air as he closed his eyes, signaling the beginning of his repose. As he drifted into the realm of dreams, the Wendigo's senses remained attuned to the subtle shifts within the cave. Agony, the creature now adorned in a gentle purple glow, pulsed with a rhythmic energy that mirrored the Wendigo's own breath. The ambient sounds of the cave, the distant echoes of water droplets and the murmur of the subterranean winds, formed a lullaby that cradled Mellow into a state of serenity. The cavern walls, adorned with the imprints of countless seasons, seemed to absorb the quiet energy of the Wendigo's repose.

As Mellow succumbed to the gentle pull of sleep, the cave became a sanctuary for dreams. The bioluminescent fungi pulsed in harmony with the Wendigo's breathing, casting a mesmerizing display of lights and shadows. The echoes of the day's tribulations gradually faded into the background, replaced by the soothing whispers of a world beyond the realm of consciousness.

Location: Wendigo Cave​

 

[Reigetsu]

Soma never expected to see her father here, of all places he could’ve went to, it was her favorite spot to get away from family drama but what really creeped the girl out is his words that recognized her failure and limitations, his eyes piercing her own, like she’s staring into the eyes of a predator that’ll eat the young Chinoike if she showed any fear but she was afraid and haunted by the aura casting over the man
​

Soma: If training will be the agenda then I shall not run away, father”​

she declared to him but looked away after feeling his stare beginning to make the girl uncomfortable. The gentle wind danced around her pale blonde hair streaked with white strands shining slightly from the sun shining in the sky but the animals in the area were silent, having detected the man long before the girl arrived, they kept their distance and remained quiet while other ankmals left the area immediately. Sōma stood there feeling the wind blow around her and through the pale locks of hair, hearing the rustling of leaves in the tree, the grass shifting and crunching under their feet, the entire environment gave the Chinoike a feeling of calm in the presence of a warrior who wants to see if she's worthy of living, worthy to be a shinobi or a sacrifice to a violent God.

Soma reopened her eyes feeling confident but cautious about the training with her father, a man who has no empathy for anyone, he doesn't tolerate bullshit.
​

Soma: What will we be training in father?​

 

[Jeriah]

In the silent embrace of their training ground, Isamu's voice cut through the quietude, carrying a weighty assurance that underscored his conviction. "I've known you're strong enough when the blood struggles to hit your vocal cords," he stated, his eyes ignited with the fearsome power of the Ketsuryugan as he fixed his gaze on his daughter, Soma. The crimson hue of his chakra enveloped his palms, a portentous halo that marked the activation of his technique.

With a seamless fluidity, Isamu shifted backward, creating a physical distance between them as he wove intricate hand seals, his intent clear. The air crackled with anticipation as a faint scratch appeared on each of his fingers. A vivid arc of brilliant crimson chakra erupted from his palms, encircling them before transforming into potent beams of blood that surged forward with lethal precision, aimed directly at Soma.

The beams, compact and intense, were a manifestation of his mastery over the Ketsuryugan, each possessing a devastating force capable of shattering even the sturdiest of obstacles. His control over the beams was meticulous, allowing him to alter their trajectories, dividing their assault between Soma's position and the ground beneath her feet. Five were targeted at her torso, while the rest homed in on the ground, threatening to cause a tumultuous upheaval.

But in the midst of this demonstration of power, there was a curious restraint in Isamu's actions, an intentional withholding of his full might. The decision to not direct all ten beams toward her was a strategic move, one laden with intent, urging Soma to contemplate and decipher the unspoken challenge within her father's calculated attack.

Isamu anticipated Soma's response, expecting her to draw upon the formidable techniques of their Chinoike lineage. He sought to test her prowess, to push her limits, and forge her into an unparalleled warrior, ready to confront any challenge that lay ahead.

Location: Screaming Blood Forest
Posting Order: Soma -> Isamu
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll​