Cloud District

[Yon]

"Hmp, my... how disastrous these situations are..." a peculiar voice intoned, its owner hidden beneath the guise of an ordinary shinobi, yet carrying an air of enigma that was anything but. The soft patter of his sandals against the ground, a stark contrast to the chaos unfurling around him, marked his passage through the afflicted village. This was no mere mishap; the village lay in the grips of a calamity that seemed part plague, part assault, its origins as mysterious as they were malevolent. And it was not alone in its suffering; reports of similar incidents had been trickling in from across the lands, each attack synchronized in its timing, suggesting a mastermind orchestrating these events from the shadows.

The figure moved with an unsettling grace, draped in the garb of a chunin, blending seamlessly among the village's denizens. Yet, his demeanor set him apart. Where panic and despair reigned, he wore a smile of disconcerting serenity, as if the unfolding tragedy were but a scene in a play he had watched countless times before. His indifference to the pleas for aid, his cold dispatch of an "infected" that dared too close, all spoke of a man for whom the concept of duty bore a meaning far removed from the shinobi code.

"Heh heh heh, no... no, It will be fine," he chuckled to himself, the sound a chilling melody against the backdrop of the village's agony. His destination, or so he believed, was the abode of the Raikage, a beacon amidst the turmoil. With each step, he drew closer, guided by an uncanny sense of direction and a web of intelligence that had marked this place as the nerve center of the village.

Finally, he came to a halt near a tree, assuming a posture of casual expectancy, as though awaiting an old acquaintance. The slight rustle of his attire as he leaned back, the soft thud of his foot against the tree's base, all were but preludes to the silent vigil he now kept. In his stillness, there lay anticipation, the barely contained glee of a predator on the verge of springing his trap, his true intentions as inscrutable as the shadowed gaze beneath his hood.

This strange shinobi, cloaked in the guise of a villager yet alien to its suffering, stood as a harbinger of a storm yet to unfold, his presence a riddle wrapped in the mystery of his true purpose. Amidst the chaos, his laughter echoed, a lone note of discord in the symphony of despair, signaling the arrival of a player whose role in the impending drama was yet to be revealed.

 

[LucianRedgrave]

Those that worked in the shadows always came to the light for their most basic dealings and the Anbu of Kumogakure were no different. They were working to ensure the villages safety on the most basic level after the attack but even amidst this tey were always skulking about the shadows. Where members of the anbu littered the streets filtering the masses through brief interrogations or even fielding them for any residual signs of the attack. Their dark dealings were far beyond the surface level investigations that took place in the eyes of those who viewed them. However just as these things became apparent there was an outlier among the village's people. A figure who seemed to stand out amongst the crowd attempting to weasel their way deeper than any of the other shinobi who littered the streets. They seemed to be making a B-line for the Raikage's office and just as they had done so they would likely get an eerie feeling about the air. It would be as if they were under the guise of a ceaseless watcher something from the abyss of man laying claim to the very visage. This figure was wearing the village's garb in an attempt to look the part however they didn’t quite fit the bill. The village's shinobi were diligent in their efforts and yet this figure seemed to be so hesitant, so blatantly out of place among the worker bees so to speak and just as he made it about half way in his journey he could find the world filled with silence.

A soft shimmer would decorate the earth beneath this figure's feet before being met with the confines of a cerulean barrier. Its form erected without more than a single second between a man's breath. It seemed to come without effort or even an ounce of exertion for that matter. The figure responsible would no sooner step out from his position among the shadows, his image a blur the moment he did so. It was none other than one of the Takeuchi brothers not openly a member of the Anbu or even thought to be so at all but rather the ceaseless watcher of the Raikage's personage. This figure clad in that of Kumogakure’s chunin garb could find themselves confined to that of a rectangular prism formed of raw chakra. Its physique despite its raw essence was sturdy, akin to the very same set of barriers that protected the village from the more aggressive attack. The Takeuchi clan were known among the village's people for their barrier techniques and subsequently they were responsible for the village's defenses on even the most basic level. This would become more apparent to those within the ranks of the village who would later dive into the territory of the barrier ninjutsu but until then it was something very few had mastered to such an extent within its borders.

Despite the typical knowledge of those capable of producing barriers this shaggy haired young man seemed to be without either. There were no hand seals to be presented or even a barrier tag in play simply just the man himself. He donned an odd flak jacket as well given his allegiance to the Kumogakure. Moreover, he wasn’t even presenting his headband. Orihara seemed to almost be more out of place than the figure that seemed to be trespassing and yet those of the Kumogakure’s hidden eschalon didn’t seem to bat an eye. They still kept to their duties and even those who were being escorted to safety appeared to have a one track mind. Orihara spoke with a melodic tone filled with a stern accent, one that seemed to lack remorse or even a momentary lapse of concern.

“I’ve seen rats with better disguises than yours, state your business or you’ll be going back to wherever you came from in a jar.” This was no mere jest as when he stated this had this figure not found a way to escape the clutches of the barrier he could find his form being condensed ever so slightly as it shrunk several inches. Orihara’s gaze despite being hiden by his hair was very clear in its intentions and the very air around home as still as those within the villages anbu that accompanied him merely awaited any out of place movement from the figure in question.

Location: Cloud District, Kumogakure Streets
Posting Order: Orihara -> Unknown npc
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll

 

[Itami]

The Raikage, Chika, looked at Zi and another Kumogakure shinobi he didn't recognize and spoke. “All of you have done our village proud today, even those of us who couldn’t stand here among you.” She lowered Looking down she continued. “You have my word that when they come to bring harm to our home again, they won’t be making it home to whoever sent them. We’ll make sure of it.”

Listening to the Raikage Zi would fold his arms over his chest and shift his weight to one side. Zi's face bearing his sharp smile wide and eager to find out what they planned to do. Tilting his head as she finished her statement with some traditional political mumbo jumbo. The ANBU behind the Lady Raikage would vanish and fade into the distance. No doubt continuing the rescue of civilians and keeping an eye on any who would assume attempting to take advantage of the Cloud District after an event like that was an intelligent move.

Zi then tilted his head to the other side as the other kid started to speak.

"Lady Raikage...In my heart I want to know who is responsible for this attack on our home so we might strike them light the rage of a storm...But I saw their jutsu and its scale and I know even despite the thrashing in emotions in my skull that I am powerless in the face of something like that. But I dont wish to remain that way...Lady Raikage I wish not only to dedicate myself in service for the villages future but I wish to know how I might become more than I am"

Zi would take his arms off his chest and cross them behind his head, shifting his weight in the opposite direction. Blinking a few times as the kid spoke, Zi softly chuckled a bit. As the kid who would be known as Yugo finished Zi would bark; " It don't matter who these idiots were, they're dead once we find them. What? You gonna wait around and wait for them to come back! TCH! Yeah right. You don't get stronger beggin' for it. That's how morons get killed. " Zi would then look over to Chika, ~Like you're gonna sit and wait, I know you wanna hunt these clowns that attacked us.~ Zi would think before brandishing his sharp smile once more. Laughing slightly to himself as the thought of getting to fight these invaders chewed at the back of his mind.

Location: Streets of Cloud District
Posting Order: Chika -> Anbu -> Zi -> Yugo
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days.
Skip Points: ll
​

 

[Yon]

As the incantation took effect, illuminating the ground beneath the shadowy figure with an otherworldly glow, a rectangular barrier of azure energy snapped into existence, ensnaring him within its confines. It was as though the man had anticipated, even welcomed, the shinobi's attempt to bind him. Remaining motionless, he remarked, "Well, I hadn't anticipated such a prompt greeting, yet here we are," his gaze drifting past the shinobi only to return with sharp focus. Suddenly, a dense cloud of smoke engulfed him, so thick it obscured him from view. As the smoke dissipated, the man's stance had transformed; once relaxed, he now stood erect, arms crossed, with chakra leaving from his hands – a possible clear indication of his transformation jutsu being dispelled. When the smoke cleared entirely, the figure previously confined was nowhere to be seen. In his place stood the immortal Sannin, Orochimaru, his presence as strange and unsettling as ever.

"My, it appears this era has nurtured quite the capable shinobi," Orochimaru remarked, his tongue flicking out in a grotesque display of anticipation. "However, I assure you, my presence in this... quaint village is driven solely by a minor scholarly pursuit," he chuckled, a sound that belied the true depth of his intentions.

"It seems your village faces predicaments, compelling enough for me to consider it an invitation to explore. And lest you wonder about my loitering outside the Raikage's estate, dismiss your baseless speculations. I seek merely a dialogue with one of your ninja. You may place me under surveillance; I give you my word, my intentions are benign. Had they not been, capturing me would not have been nearly as effortless." Orochimaru, having lain dormant for decades, harbored no expectation of recognition from the current generation of shinobi, a testament to the shadowy and timeless nature of his existence

Orochimaru's delivery would be draped in a layer of sinister charm and unsettling playfulness, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken threats and dark curiosity. He would pause, as if savoring the anticipation of the reaction to his words, before speaking with a tone smooth as silk yet laced with venom:

"Can't we engage in a more... how shall I put it... diplomatic discourse?" A sly, unsettling chuckle would escape his lips, "Heh-heh..." The manner in which he articulates 'diplomatic' would be elongated, teasing out the word as if it were a delicacy on his tongue.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Location: Cloud District, Kumogakure Streets
Posting Order: Orihara -> Orochimaru
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll​

 

[Õusama]

venturing from the Kumoi clan housing close to the Raikage office young Senso would've noticed that there was an uproar going on, the first thing that came to her mind was to seek guidance as to how to help restore the village. Running through the higher streets of Kumogakure her speed would ample as she lept from house to house. Her wakizashi was laced in white expensive cloth attached to her hip ready to be unsheathed if she had to fight for her life. Her senses of danger were kicking in so she'd make it her priority to make it to the office as quickly as possible.

"Something isn't right.. Where are these attacks on the village coming from? Are they planned? I need to hurry to the office to meet with my team."

Awaiting several meters away she had time to think of strategies as she crossed what appeared to be remnants of destroyed land of the previous riot. Picking up her speed she'd constantly be reminded that in the academy they taught the basics of ninjutsu to shinobi who graduated, she was the only one under special housing surveillance who didn't participate in formal graduation but was graduated by the district's approval. Thus her ability to body flicker was lacking due to different combat training. Her stature was more of that of a hunter/warrior ninja, having been placed in the thicket of the woods to find her way out or training in the thin aired mountains to increase her stamina in battle as well as strengthen her breathing and strength aswell as speed.

Finally coming across the estate where the office lies and the buildings she'd realize that people weren't acting as they normally do, they had gone savage into killing. Even children didn't make it out alive during the festival of blood, they were berserk. Rushing into the Kage's building she'd speak the most sane shinobi she's seen so far. Her face resembled that of someone who'd seen something tragic though the maturity of the young woman's features displayed a seriousness.

"I've come to see the Raikage to seek guidance and position on the current situation at hand."

She'd say to the jonin before removing her hand from her wakizashi. She was still alert just in case anyone here had anything to do with the chaos below but so far she seemed to be in the clear, she also figured that the Raikage would know about the troubles of her own village and would have set a haven if needed while things were being helped quell to sleep.
​

 

[Yatoru]

With the Shadow of K.L.A.W traversing through the shadows of the landscape, this specialized Anbu would swiftly reach the Cloud Districts semi ruined Village, his appearance adorning the Blackened cloak and Mask of the Lightning Chakra Nature he'd find himself appearing upon one of the pristine buildings near the kage's office. With their chakra being suppressed these Shinobi observed the location catching a glimpse of an individual by intel as the Raikage. This noted the Shadow of K.L.A.W descended towards the Raikage. His appearance though would usually cause a hint of concern and yet the Shadow remained on his knee as he held out a specialized Sealed Scroll speaking with but a mysterious monotone voice showing no fluidity of gender or emotion,

​

"A message for Chika Kumoi, the Raikage..."​

And should Chika receive this scroll and open it, the contents within would only be visible to her eyes alone; and for what it says is this exactly,​

"It is an honor to offer you out an invitation for my Organization called K.L.A.W. We have taken notice of your feats and prowess and determined you an asset worthy of the inner ranked leaderships.The objective of K.L.A.W is to allow a revolution in the shinobi world to better protect what we cherish from the Invaders that have been beseeching each district. But this decision will be yours and yours alone. I shall not pressure you further, should you decide upon an answer you can reach out to my representative in the grass district, where you will recieve the three clues to the Organizations Hideout. ~X.T" ​

And as the message scroll was delivered, this Shadow of K.L.A.W would seemingly phase into the very ground, vanishing completely from the scene...

Location: Cloud District
Posting Order: Shadow ->Chika(Respond once businesses are done.)
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

Within the confines of the Cloud District the citizens were still reeling following the malicious attack on the village that was intended to wipe them off the map. In the aftermath ordinary civilians and shinobi alike could be found working tirelessly to excavate and rescue any of the unfortunate souls that were caught in the attack. One such shinobi was a tall blonde-haired genin who looked a little older than the average genin you'd find in the village. The boy in question was Gamu, a homeless orphan turned shinobi who likes to see the brighter side to every situation, but right now that was looking to be a little difficult for him.

Gamu had never been someone to get sad or down in the dumps but, when you see the destruction that can occur when another wishes harm upon your homeland. In this moment though there wasn't time for Gamu to morn the dead and wallow over the fact that one of the places hit was the orphanage he was raised in, now what he had to do was catch up to the rest of the shinobi and meet with the Raikage. With his goal to met the Raikage and be of help firmly in his mind Gamu would pop a blue gumball into his mouth and quickly make his way towards the location of the meeting.

As Gamu made his way across the village scaling walls and vaulting obstacles he would quickly arrive at his destination taking moment to slow down so as to quietly and carefully make his way in to the area in an attempt to not disturb anyone. Upon arrival Gamu was greeted by the unmistakable feeling of tension as it seemed their had either just been a heated discussion or one was about to pop off, and he did not want to draw attention during such an event so the boy hung back quietly chewing his gum and waiting to see what would unfold.

 

[LucianRedgrave]

The Anbu did their best work in the shadows; it wasn’t any different than any other shinobi village. They were responsible for operations far beyond their villages borders and political obligations. However when the time came for them to do the work of the hidden hand that directed them was that of their Kage’s will and in turn that meant their business was founded in the concrete resolve of the village they subsequently served. The cloud’s anbu seemed to move with an otherworldly grace even among the ruins of the district's outskirts. The clouds that decorated the sky were their playground as far as the waking eye was concerned. The nation of lightning had set their eyes on a horizon far beyond their own borders. The Chunin exams had given light to something more than simply a testing ground for the young shinobi involved, in fact it had shed light on nations that had been concealing themselves from the world stage. Even the anbu that had been skulking about the open eyes of the people seemed to slip into the shadows, their images nothing more than an afterthought as the machinations of the village began to unfold. Gathered within the hidden bowels of Kumogakure, the ANBU Black Ops prepared to embark on a mission veiled in deception and cunning. The recent attack on the village had left its borders in shambles, and the time had come for those that worked in the shadows to move. Their destination: Ouza Island, a distant land beckoning beyond the unforgiving wasteland that now encroached upon the village's borders. Their task: to extend the reach of Kumogakure by establishing Ouza Island as a puppet nation under the village's control. Veiled in deception and cunning, the ANBU set out disguised as fishermen returning from a successful expedition. Their squad leader, a figure shrouded in shadow and authority, outlined the objectives with meticulous detail: infiltrate Ouza Island, gather intelligence on potential threats, and lay the groundwork for a covert strike that would secure the village's safety once and for all. With their true identities concealed beneath weathered cloaks and salty sea spray, the ANBU boarded a modest fishing vessel, setting sail into the vast expanse of the ocean under the relentless gaze of the midday sun.


Disguised as fishermen returning from a successful expedition, the ANBU blended seamlessly into the bustling crowds of the village's harbor. Their leader, a figure cloaked in shadow and authority, outlined the objectives with meticulous detail: infiltrate Ouza Island, gather intelligence on potential threats, and lay the groundwork for a covert strike that would secure the village's safety once and for all. With their true identities concealed beneath weathered cloaks and salty sea spray, the ANBU boarded a modest fishing vessel, its timeworn planks creaking beneath their feet as they set sail into the vast expanse of the ocean. The midday sun beat down upon them, casting shimmering reflections upon the water's surface as they navigated the azure depths with practiced ease. They sailed across the open sea, their journey punctuated only by the rhythmic lapping of waves against the hull and the occasional cry of seabirds wheeling overhead. Though the voyage was long and arduous, the ANBU remained resolute in their determination to fulfill their mission and safeguard their village's future. The anbu of Kumogakure moved with the intention of merely taking land beyond its villages borders moving to extend its kage’s reach and as such those within this squad of anbu moved with a secrecy almost unprecedented among those within the shinobi world.

In time the outline of Ouza Island loomed on the horizon, the ANBU cast their nets into the water, their actions a carefully orchestrated ruse to conceal their true purpose. With each passing moment, they drew closer to their objective, their hearts pounding with anticipation as they prepared to step foot onto foreign shores. As the fishing vessel docked in Ouza Island's harbor, the ANBU disembarked one by one, their disguises still firmly in place. With practiced ease, they melted into the throngs of people bustling about the docks, their true identities hidden amidst the chaos and confusion. For the ANBU, the mission had only just begun. As they ventured deeper into the heart of Ouza Island, they knew that they carried with them the hopes and dreams of their village, and they would stop at nothing to ensure its safety and prosperity. With each step they took, they drew closer to their objective, their determination burning amidst the uncertainty of the unknown.

 

[LucianRedgrave]

The raikage would watch as all of her young prospects came to be within her presence; it was somewhat of a sight for sore eyes to say the least. She removed her village from the political stage in an effort to bring it from the depths of what could easily equate to failure. They hadn’t failed to present themselves as those capable of persevering even the most aggressive storms. The Raikage's people were under siege in the worst way possible; it was something she sought to remedy no matter the cost. However in a time like this where the world’s nations weren’t at odds but they weren’t truly at peace meant it was time to get things in working order. She had every intention of ensuring the young men that stood before her were ready to face the horrors of the shinobi world, was one of them. She watched as they trickled in, their own personalities becoming present with each passing moment they spent within her company. She listened to the words these young shinobi had to offer one another and couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle as Zi chimed in to Yugo’s claim for fealty. This was the machinations of children at work, Zi was the type to put his lust for strength on the forefront of his mind in the eyes of Chika; she could respect that about him. His future was promising in its own right, the same could be said for Yugo, a Jugo clansman with a pension for wanting to do the right thing without losing his grip on reality. They had both done well in the face of the village's now diminished threat. Her eyes shifted around the room looking at everyone involved in this simple meet and greet. Chika’s gaze didn’t linger long on any of the young shinobi in question except the young aspirant of her own clan Senso, she had a lot to learn if she had any hope of living up to the Raikage’s merits even this early in her shinobi career. The Raikage's attention turned towards that of the matter at hand; she brought them all here to assign them to a team all their own.

The four of them could find the Raikage pondering her options as if sorting their attributes into categories in her head before speaking with her typical stern feminine tone. This would come after whatever rebuttal Yugo had to provide for Zi as it was only a matter of time before a spark of childhood rebellion would boil between the two. It was if one was gasoline to another's fire it was amusing to say the least. In the end Chika would speak regardless of how they responded to one another as if their collective mother. “Yugo and Zi, since you two seem so fond of one another I think you’ll make the perfect team. Besides, there's no better way to address such demeanor towards one another than as comrades.” She mentally chuckled at the thought as such a thing was no different than a mother putting their children in a single shirt fit for two. The raikage continued turning her attention to Gamu as well as Senso. “The two of you will be a team all your own. I expect you two to do the same and show the strength of the village as a cohesive unit. As individuals we can only conquer what our body allows but as a unit the possibilities are endless.” The Raikage shifted her weight as she stood before them all before continuing further. “Each squad will be assigned a jonin pending further notice. In the meantime I expect each of you to continue being of aid to those who need it within our village’s borders, dismissed.” She of course would wait for any potential conflict to come of this declaration but it mattered not in her eyes what they had to offer in dispute as she intended for her word to be nothing more than law among these aspiring shinobi.


Location: Cloud District, Raikage's office
Posting Order: Chika -> Zi -> Yugo -> Senso-> Gamu
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll

 

[Yugo]

The Raikages office room was swiftly becoming a pulse of activity though not unexpected that the beating heart of the village would of course beat so rapidly amidst this aftermath of sustaining such a threat and wound as this recent attack represents. While this manner of scene would normally leave Yugo more on edge Lady Raikage's cheerful manner was a calming presence, a reminder that she was not just the villages most recent savior but a pillar the village leaned upon. However that moment of calmed emotions would suffer a tingle of irritation from the snarky childish comment immediately provoking his internal monologue of "Seriously who does this punk think he is?". It was a thought that surprised Yugo himself as such a potent emotional response was rare from him after his mental practice to achieve disciplined self-control.

" It don't matter who these idiots were, they're dead once we find them. What? You gonna wait around and wait for them to come back! TCH! Yeah right. You don't get stronger beggin' for it. That's how morons get killed."

This kid was the sort who could actually get under his skin his words were so careless and irksome to Yugo who had to work to control and restrain his baser nature. Breathing in through his nose to regain his full sense of composure he gives a sideways glance at the young Zi speaking with a stern tone "Be careful with your words kid, being eager is one thing but if you arrogantly throw yourself at something bigger than you can handle the consequences can be bigger than just your own life," The earlier implication was more than a little galling but Yugo mentally chocked it up to this younger kid probably didn't see the scale of the clash between Chika's beast bomb and the Limelight Jutsu. Yugo's body tenses as he thinks about the gulf in power thinking about how much harder he will have to train to develop his skills if he wishes to be of use against such a scale of threat.

“Yugo and Zi, since you two seem so fond of one another I think you’ll make the perfect team. Besides, there's no better way to address such demeanor towards one another than as comrades.”

Those words from Lady Raikage caught Yugo off guard though he had been expecting to be put into a squad Zi was not the sort of person he would have expected to be the first choice for a partner. But considering he had been allowed to vent his minor irritation from before he was not liable to complain especially since the word came down from Lady Chika herself. The young Shinobi couldn't predict why exactly lady Raikage had made this decision, but he knew she must have her reasons and he trusted that perhaps she felt this team could fulfill Yugo's request to become better. He clears his throat and nods "...As you command lady Raikage, ill become strong enough that I can be of use when you decide that the wrath of the clouds can come down upon our enemies" This was one hell of a day but Yugo felt his entire being eager with anticipation ready to meet his new Sensei and to see what Zi might be capable of wondering what such a young shinobi must be capable of.

​

Location: Cloud District, Raikage's office
Posting Order: Yugo -> Zi-> Senso-> Gamu-> Chika
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll