Missions in Kirigakure!! (Part 4)[Kaiju]

Missions:

It was time yet again to take on missions for his village. Today, Kirito would be starting on three contracts of A-rank. He was pleased that his kage had put such faith in him to entrust higher leveled missions regardless of his current rank. He was of course, placed with another ninja simply to aid him should he need it or to monitor him and see how he preforms. He did not know which, nor did it matter in the end. He would just need to make sure that he preformed to his usual levels and didn't mess up, easy.

His partner for these missions was none other than Ozai Hoshigaki, the man he had met on his first day in the village. Whether this was coincidence or if the man himself had requested the mission was unknown to Kirito, but of course it was always possible that Lady Mizukage had known of their initial meeting and placed them as a unit to give them each a sense of familiarity which could make completing the mission that much easier. He had orders to meet their client and his partner at the western gate of the village. They would be leaving there headed to the Land of Fire. When he arrived, he noticed there was no one else around, so he would sit and wait, gathering Senjutsu to help with danger forewarning should it be needed.

1/7

200 Senjutsu

Ozai wasn't exactly wet behind the ears at this point, he was known as one of the strongest ninjas in the village, however, he hadn't been on a whole lot of missions. He was always eager to jump at the chance of some valuable experience and ryo. Going on a lot of missions especially with various shinobi would allow him to build a reputation within the village on top of relationships with the other ninja. When the Mizukage approached him and specifically asked if he would tag along with the boy Kirito he couldn't say no. They both knew that the boy wouldn't really need the help with the missions, but it was better safe than sorry when it came to things like this. Ozai would make some money as well as learn more about Kirito.

On his way to the gates, Ozai was thinking about how he hadn't learned any more about Kirito since their first encounter. I wonder what went on between Kirito and the Mizukage he thought as he closed in on their meeting point. Ozai waved to the boy "I hope you're prepared for our journey boy, I know you're well trained. Things won't exactly be easy and it will definitely be a long trip to Hi no Kuni. I can't say I am a huge fan of the place either there are a lot of powerful ninja there."

[1/7]

Kirito noticed Ozai approaching and not far behind him was the elder. Kirito chuckled politely at Ozai's remark, "Oh I'm sure it won't be too bad. I spent quite some time in Hi no Kuni before coming here. I am sure that we can handle anything or anyone we come across." As the elder approached, he would usher the two to get moving, wanting to get the mission over with as quickly as they could. As they had been talking Kirito had been gathering Senjutsu chakra as had Isobu. It was amazing to have someone who you were so in sync with living in your gut.

As they walked, Kirito would ask Isobu to keep drawing in nature chakra and to be ready should something happen. As they made their way down the road, there was nothing much to say that was going wrong, so Kirito decided to make some small talk. "Ozai-san, how have you been? It has been quite some time since I last saw you." It was useless small talk, but it helped to ease the silence and would allow the two to get caught up since it had been so long since they last saw each other in the village.

2/7

400 Senjutsu

"I've been alright just stuck to the usual doing missions and plenty of training. There is hardly a moment in life where i'm not doing one of those things. I guess that is just my ninja way. I plan to be one of the top shinobi that this village has produced But enough of that how have you and your tailed companion been?" Ozai spoke with a serious tone before it trickled off into a more friendly one towards the end. He hadn't really been very invested in any other shinobi besides Kirito or Chiruto. Maybe we could all do a mission together sometime. They both do share some qualities, Kirito is pretty much Chiruto's little brother Ozai thought as he chuckled to himself. The travel had just begun and he was already tired of it. It was hard for him to keep grounded when he became bored or lost interest. Ozai managed to stay close to the elder for his protection yet far enough away that he could potentially catch any hazards. "We should've hired a bard to come with us so we could at least have some entertainment."

[2/7]

Kirito listened and nodded to his travelling companion. It was about time for him to get that question answered once and for all. He was curious as to how Ozai had known that he was a Jinchuuriki from the moment they met. As far as he knew, only other Jinchuuriki could outright sense sealed bijuu, and he couldn't feel anything from Ozai, nor could Isobu. It was quite odd indeed. "Ozai-san, how is it that you know of my 'tailed companion'? I am almost certain one cannot sense its chakra outside of the seal, and I have yet to utilize it in combat where you could see." It was quite the quandary indeed, how did his new friend know so much? Did he have some form of enhanced senses? Could he have been told by the Mizukage? No that wasn't it, he met Ozai before meeting the Mizukage and revealing his "secret".

It was a question that had been on his mind ever since they first met. Due to the lack of anything to do, it was the perfect time to get these questions answered. He could feel Isobu steadily gathering Senjutsu chakra as they walked. He couldn't sense anything amiss yet and they had already crossed the border into the Land of Fire, so it wouldn't be long now before they made it to their destination.

3/7
500 Senjutsu

"To be honest with you I just put two and two together and then you just confirmed my assumption. You're around the age of a genin and no village in their right mind would allow a genin to just wander around. It was mostly a shot in the dark based on the tales of the current jin, your age, and your power. I can't say i've ever met a child that could match your abilities at the same age as you. I'm not all brawn." he said as he tapped his temple with a single finger. "This however is my first trip to the land of fire and I can't say that I am glad to be here. I know that there are plenty of power ninja that come from here and who knows exactly who has a grudge with the Mist. Not too many people like us." He took a thorough look around quickly darting out and making a 10 foot circle before coming back to the elders side. He hadn't intended to catch the boy off guard, but he just wanted to confirm his hunch. Having a jin in the village could have a multitude of repercussions.

[3/7]

Nodding at Ozai's statements and deductions, Kirito would continue to press on down the pathway. The elder not straying too far away as they walked. Ozai suddenly split off to circle the group before returning to his original stride. It was something to be said that they had made it over half way to their destination with little to no 'excitement' to speak of. It would seem he had gotten ahead of himself as he though that, because no sooner had the thought fired off than an explosion rocked the path in front of them and they found an A-ranked missing nin covering both their flanks. The one to the front was glaring directly at the elder they were supposed to protect. Kirito would position himself to act as a wall of defense between the missing ninja and their client.

"Ozai-san, I'll take care of the one ahead of us, you cover the one behind us." It was the classic divide and conquer tactic. Kirito would handle the guy on his side, and Ozai would cover the guy on his own side, protecting their client with ease. Kirito would slowly allow himself to activate sage mode, using the chakra he had been gathering since they started this mission. His eyes would change to yellow and the blue markings would spread around his eyes. He was ready to act at a moment's notice.

4/7

Ozai and the rogue shinobi must've just missed each other by seconds, or when Ozai went out for a little recon he might have alerted the assassins to the elder's position. Kirito had jumped to the front to defend against the oncoming assassin so Ozai was left to turn around and face the rear. "Its about time you decided to show up" Ozai said as he cracked the knuckles on both hands one after another. Pulling Kusanagi from it's sheath he darted towards the lone ninja sliding just a few feet before he got close. Ozai whipped the flat part of Kusanagi at the assassin's shins knocking him to the ground. It wasn't for long and the assassin was already back on his feet he took off into the woods causing Ozai to chase. "You know when I catch you mister assassin it is not going to be good on your end, if you were to just give up now I could maybe let you live....but probably not." he yelled as he dodged trees chasing after the assassin.

[4/7]

Dashing forwards faster than the would be assassin could ever keep up with, Kirito would shove him back with enough force to send him careening through the forest several meters away. He would catch up the the still moving assassin delivering a powerful punch sending him from a horizontal position to slamming directly into the earth on his back. He was apparently very durable and experienced though as he used this split second opportunity to pop a smoke bomb and attempt to escape. Kirito had to admit, he was surprised by the sudden blast of smoke from where his victim had hit the ground, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. He activated his partial jinchuuriki transformation, red chakra peeling away his skin as it formed along his forearms and hands. He rushed to where he could feel the Assassin was running, away from their client.

Forming a ball of positive and negative energy above his head, it would condense into a beachball sized black orb, gaining the trademark shuriken from the Rasenshuriken technique. The assassin was running rather quickly, but enhanced by Sage mode, there was no way for him to be able to dodge it. Throwing the shuriken it would sail forwards at a break neck pace before finding its mark in the missing ninja's back. When it exploded it created a massive dome like explosion that towered over the trees. It would be easy to assume that the people of the village they were heading to had seen it. This was Kirito's second time using this technique and he was no less amazed by its destructive capability. He felt no need to go and check the massive crater for the remains of his opponent as he knew there would be none. Returning to his client, he would wait patiently for Ozai to arrive, keeping his senses peeled just in case his friend needed assistance.

5/7

Jutsu Used:

Ozai was growing tired of chasing the wannabe assassin so he stopped right in his tracks and pulled Kusanagi from his back. Quickly with one arm, he flung Kusanagi forward allowing the blade to extend a good distance ahead of him so that it could knick the assassin in the ankle causing him to fall. Following a blood trail, the assassin had apparently been able to get himself back up to standing using the tree and was ready for Ozai. A pair of kunai flew past his head which were easily dodged. As Ozai approached the assassin he pulled another kunai out to defend himself, but effortlessly Ozai knocked it from his hand with Kusanagi. "This was a petty attempt at an old person's life. Was it really worth your own?" Ozai questioned the assassin waiting until he opened his mouth to shove Kusanagi into the open orifice pinning the now lifeless body to the tree. Pulling the blade out he wiped the blood from it and return it to his waist. He would pick up the dead body and make his way back to Kirito and the elder.

[5/7]

So, Ozai could handle his own, this was good. He returned carrying what was obviously the dead body of the rouge shinobi over his shoulder. They would now be able to continue on their mission. "I suppose we can now continue now that these, interruptions, are taken care of. Shall we?" He would motion his fellow travelers along the path. Should they both follow they would make their way to their destination where they had to sit through the hour or two that their client met with and talked with his customer. It was a boring ad arduous time, but in the end, Kirito knew it would be worth it. He supposed that Kaiju would be just as bored as he was, but it wasn't really worth commenting on.

He was just looking forwards to heading back to the village to continue his training. He had so much to work on now that he had seen his own performance in combat, he needed to improve. "Ozai-san, what are your thoughts on the mission thus far? I find it rather lack luster to be honest. For an A-rank mission, I expected a bit more." He was being honest, as each of them had seemingly disposed of their combatant with little to no difficulty.

6/7

"Of course we should getting going we still have quite a ways to go Konoha is a good ways away. This attempt was very poorly thought out. This isn't my first time on escort duty and i've had this issue before. You would think that the enemy would learn eventually how pathetic they really are." He would carry the dead body with him the whole ways to the land of fire. When they got there instead of sitting in on the mission Ozai was sure Kirito could handle it. Instead, he separated from the group and went to the mail office setting the dead body down on the counter. After a brief conversation with the head of the office, the body and a raven would be directly on the way to the Mizukage for further investigation as well informing her of the attempt on the elder's life. By the time that was handled the meeting should be over and Ozai could meet back up with Kirito and the elder to head back to Mizu no Kuni.

[6/7]

By the time they linked back up with Ozai after he dropped off his victim, it was time for them to head back to their home in Kirigakure. Kirito would allow Ozai to take point, opting to cover the rear of their formation in returning. He had a lot of things he was eager to work on once they returned to the village and he was excited to train them. He was of course also excited and looking forward to taking on more missions with Ozai should the opportunity present itself to him. Once they made it back to the village and dropped the elder off, they would obviously go their seperate ways. Kirito would extend a hearty farewell to his friend and a see you later. Once this was done, he would head back to his apartment to get some rest for his next day of training. He had a few jutsu in mind that he wanted to work on and he couldn't wait to get it done.

7/7 (mission complete)

It had been quite a while for the group to travel back to Mizu no Kuni, but with Kirito taking lead the trip back was pretty peaceful. After returning to the village and exchanging salutations with Kirito and the elder Kaiju made his way to the Mizukage's Tower. When he arrived he went in and had a very thorough conversation with the Mizukage going over every detail of the mission hoping to figure out who was after the elder. When the two would finish up the conversation Ozai would take the long way home reflecting on the events as he stopped to pick up some ramen to go and then proceeded to make his way home. Thinking about the next day some time at the sauna would be well spent and if you topped it off with training it would be enough to help him return from the mission.

[7/7]