Takao would just be finishing his first few days of interrogation. Faceless Anbu using eye reading abilities, Yamanaka brain violating, and suiton user brain echoes. What they'd exposed thus far was all being documented by these masked unknowns. Takao likely would have been on the edge now. He hadn't seen a normal human face for a long while. So when he'd hear one of these faceless men say "Keep your wits about you. You'll be having a special guest soon." it may have come as a relief. Who could that special guest be? Takao would wait a good five or so minutes as the shadow of person on the other end of the stained glass two way window presented itself. It would be tall, and...masculine. So he could cross out any conjugal visit off his list.
The door would open slowly with a creak. A man dressed up in some rather floofy attire walked in with a bubble pipe in his hand. Was this the Arashikage? It was hard to tell in the dimly lit interrogation room. But the chair made that chalkboard like squeak when it was pulled grating across the floor. The man sat down, taking the professors sitting posture with one leg over the other and just silently stared at Takao. An unsettling quiet. He hadn't said anything yet, and that silence would remain until Takao said anything.
• Strength ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Speed ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Agility ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Endurance ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak , [12] Advanced Cloak Activations & Techniques Used • • • • Sumi-Efude(Ink Based Chakra Cost) Reduced by ½ to a minimum of 5 • Art of the Bloop: Ink & Brush Based Techniques Cost [10] less to cast • Art of the Bloop: Every other Technique Costs [5] more to cast • Brushing Up: Fuuin Made With a Brush is reduced by [10] otherwise Increased by [5] • Endai Ika [ Far Reaching Squid ]: As if cracking a whip, the Hojo clan member is able to outstretch his arms up to 10 yards (30 Feet). Disciplines •Heritage Keystone: Isekai Junsei •Mystic Hero •Erudite Scholar
Equipment + Style Training Passives Titles Grandmaster: Chef ~ Seafood Specialist Grandmaster: Weaponsmith Grandmaster: Scrollery Grandmaster: Armorsmith Grandmaster: Toxicologist Grandmaster: Pharmacist Grandmaster: Technologist Grandmaster: Enchanter Devotee of [ The Great Old Ones ] Professor [ All-Rounder ] Trivia: φ Hojo Clan Ink stains can only be removed with hot/boiling water φ Particularly dislikes beings stepped on φ Irrational fear of plastic bags. φ 6' 1 ft, 181lbs: A.k.A~Ika-Sensei, Inkwell-san, Devil-Squid Combat Knowledge: φ Brush φ Critical Thinking φ Fluid Martial Arts φ Tentacles φ Senbon φ Scythe φ Chopsticks φ Shield φ Whip φ Long-Staff φ Wire φ Knives φ Short-Staff φ Shuriken φ Spear φ Scissors φ Tonfa φ Pipe φ Umbrella φ Hammer φ Fukusei; Sumi Nise Bunshin : Replication: Fake Clone Ink • 1: Dirt • 2: Marble • 3: Arashikage's Desk • 4: Steel
The beginning of interrogation had gone like this: answering questions while his mind was read to see how the facts matched up, and Takao had used his good humor as a crutch for as long as he could, until he was continually asked about the sought-after totems. He had tried to emphasize his good intentions, and had at first tried to hold his tongue about Chomei's presence but then realized it would do him no good against this team, and relented. He tried to make sure it was clear that Chomei had been the devil on his shoulder, telling him to let the kids have their initial joyride and fun, but that Satoshi had declared he was a dead man anyways because of his birthright, that Takao had realized how serious the kid was about leaving the village once they were in the air, that Chomei had figured that that would happen and lied to Takao in order to experience flight and freedom again.
The interrogation, Takao thought, was going to strip him bare. He felt a new type of tired, like he was flayed from his bones as he sagged against the chair. Every breath was so excruciating but it was automatic, and he couldn't stop himself from living, and even being ripped of that much control made him feel like he was crumbling. His breaking point, he felt, was when they got to the totem where Takao had saved the children. Because he had, hadn't he? Hadn't it been mercy?
He had puked at the questioning, trying for a brief moment to fight against telling them the objective actions he took during the event because it belied a deeper, darker truth that he hadn't wanted to examine. But it was fruitless, and the Yamanaka and the ANBU left him with no choice but to lay bare his core secret. That his parents had been Jashinists, had forced Chomei into his body as a youth because they had intended him to be a sacrifice or a pawn or a gift or a vessel or a slave to Jashin - and didn't all of those things look the same, in the end? Reliving his repressed childhood memories, ones forcibly brought to the surface made him purge again and again, until there was nothing in his stomach and sometimes it felt like even Chomei wasn't sealed there anymore, that he was rendered truly empty for the first time in a long time.
They asked him about both events several times after that. He had answered the questions about the events with tiredness, with the resolute peace that comes from knowing that there is no available option, that there was only one path that he was forced to follow - telling the absolute truth - and while it offered that bit of peace in that he had no more choices to make (right ones, or wrong ones; that if he hurt anyone after this, it was because the ANBU and Yamanaka forced it out of it), it also made him feel like he was in purgatory, that he wasn't alive and his heart wasn't really beating and this was a natural genjutsu caused by the mind as it slowed in activity until he actually, formally, finally died.
They had fought to kept him hydrated after the questioning. But hydrated he was, and living he was, and breathing he was, and tired... and he was tired as the ANBU promised him a special guest, and he hoped it was their way of telling him it was Death, except hope was a sensation so distant from him that it was more of a thought, except those too were impossible to have unless forced by the hand of the ANBU and Yamanaka, so it was more of an abstract that existed in his empty-cloudy-pillaged mind.
The man sat in front of Takao, and Takao's eyes couldn't be brought up from the end of the table, only catching some vague details of the man's suit. Takao's breathing was labored - or maybe that was just his own perception, knowing how difficult yet helplessly automatic the process was - as he tried to muster up a response. "Hey," he rasped, and it looked like a cheap facsimile of the good-natured, good-humored response Takao defaulted to as a relatively relaxed and carefree man. It looked like a drowning man's desperate grasps in a churning ocean to find debris to hang to, the way Takao tried to cling to whoever he was before this.
▬ ▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Chakra : : 1,905 // 1,905 x Stamina : : 1,705 // 1,705 x XP : : 6,540 x Ryo : : 両0 xxx Jack / Jackx No Bloodline x Arashigakure x S-rank xxxxxxxxx
• [ Free ] Streetwise: Receives 2x ryo on missions • [ Maruton Augment ] Maruton techniques can originate from a point around the user - within a five meter radius per body rank. • [ Jack ] Jamming: When sensory abilities or Dojutsu that would detect the user as a target are utilized within the same topic as the user this ability takes effect. Chakra is automatically deducted from the user’s pool equal to the rank of the sensory technique to allow the user to avoid detection. If a dojutsu is the cause of detection, the user pays the cost of the targets body rank instead. This effect remains active one post for every other body rank ( D,B,S ) • [ Jack ] Jazz Hands: Ninjutsu may be performed with somatic gestures. • [ Jack ] Iridescence: For an e-rank amount of chakra, Takao's chakra manifestation may become multi-colored and function as a visual trigger for a genjutsu; this does not consume an activation. • [ Jack ] Quick Expertise: Career missions performed in the village function as two missions solely in terms of counting towards title advancement for the first title only. • [ Jack ] Suspense: Takao can pay for a maruton technique in resource and in activation but not release the technique until the next turn for no additional cost/activation. This may be done once every three turns.
{ Stats and Tai/Buki Trainings}
Current Stats
Speed: [ 0 ] xx Strength: [ 0 ] xx Reflex: [ 0 ] xx Fortitude: [ 0 ]
•
Current Bonuses
None Currently
{ Missions + Current Objectives }
Mission Title [ Rank ]
{ Jutsu Used }
NecroPlant
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:06 pm
Nothing is ever just black and white.
The Arashikage remained silent when the boy casually said hey. The pipe in his hand which looked like a hair tobacco pipe he brought it to his mouth. The anbu like a lesser yakuza to his patriarch would flounder with something in his hands. Naturally one would assume it was a lighter...but it was a container with the lettering...'fun bubblez 4 kidz'. The anbu poured the bubble soap in the pipe to which he'd be waved off by the Arashikage. He'd bow honorably and leave. Bringing the pipe to his lips bubbles did begin to rise as rather than breathe in he coldly blew out and into the pipe. He carried the face of someone exhaling during a yoga exercise, calm, peaceful, serene...perhaps that's what made the following assertion the more surprising.
On a dime Toso would slam his hand on the table and place one leg on it as he leaned fiercely close to Takao with a trademark STINKEYE bearing down upon him as he began prodding the boys chest with the end of his bubble pipe. "DON'T YOU PLAY COY WITH ME TRAITOROUS SCUM! SA-ME! I KNOW WHAT YOUR HIDING! IN THE DEEPEST DARKEST DEPTHS OF THAT HEART OF YOURS BEATS THE HEART OF A SCOUNDREL! A CON-MAN! A WOMANIZER! ADMIT IT! EASILY PLAYING THE SACRIFICIAL PAWN YOU WOO'D MY MILITANT ADVISOR SO YOU COULD LET THE OTHERS ESCAPE HER WRATH! FILLED HER HEAD WITH THE BUTTERFLIES AND JELLY BRAIN DIDN'T YOU! " Toso would slam both his hands on the table now still pipe in hand the bubbly liquid inside sloshed before plooping back in.
"What did you do? Genjutsu? Honey'd words? The promise of a nice home by the countryside! Defiling my precious friend and ally! You did didn't you! The Tainted Tango! The RUMP BUMP! THE SINNERS SUPLEX!" Toso would lean back and sit back down arms crossed. Eyes closed and again returning to a serene face as he blew more bubbles from his eloquent bubble pipe. "Just know your answer will determine my ultimatum in deciding your fate." This seemed like one of those prank tv shows. Or maybe one of those reality tv criminal investigation dramas. Takao's confessions had of course been relayed to the Arashikage already which is what made this conversation all the more jarring. Yet, Toso couldn't be more serious. If it turned out that Takao was manipulating Shion's emotions to his benefit and if it was confirmed that the escape of all other crew members was part of some convoluted plan that bards do in tabletop games of seducing the enemy why Toso would execute the lad here and now.
• Strength ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Speed ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Agility ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Endurance ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak , [12] Advanced Cloak Activations & Techniques Used • • • • Sumi-Efude(Ink Based Chakra Cost) Reduced by ½ to a minimum of 5 • Art of the Bloop: Ink & Brush Based Techniques Cost [10] less to cast • Art of the Bloop: Every other Technique Costs [5] more to cast • Brushing Up: Fuuin Made With a Brush is reduced by [10] otherwise Increased by [5] • Endai Ika [ Far Reaching Squid ]: As if cracking a whip, the Hojo clan member is able to outstretch his arms up to 10 yards (30 Feet). Disciplines •Heritage Keystone: Isekai Junsei •Mystic Hero •Erudite Scholar
Equipment + Style Training Passives Titles Grandmaster: Chef ~ Seafood Specialist Grandmaster: Weaponsmith Grandmaster: Scrollery Grandmaster: Armorsmith Grandmaster: Toxicologist Grandmaster: Pharmacist Grandmaster: Technologist Grandmaster: Enchanter Devotee of [ The Great Old Ones ] Professor [ All-Rounder ] Trivia: φ Hojo Clan Ink stains can only be removed with hot/boiling water φ Particularly dislikes beings stepped on φ Irrational fear of plastic bags. φ 6' 1 ft, 181lbs: A.k.A~Ika-Sensei, Inkwell-san, Devil-Squid Combat Knowledge: φ Brush φ Critical Thinking φ Fluid Martial Arts φ Tentacles φ Senbon φ Scythe φ Chopsticks φ Shield φ Whip φ Long-Staff φ Wire φ Knives φ Short-Staff φ Shuriken φ Spear φ Scissors φ Tonfa φ Pipe φ Umbrella φ Hammer φ Fukusei; Sumi Nise Bunshin : Replication: Fake Clone Ink • 1: Dirt • 2: Marble • 3: Arashikage's Desk • 4: Steel
Takao didn't flinch to Toso's sudden actions, either too tired or too slow in processing the information to react well. It took a moment for the words to wash over Takao and turn into understanding. As Toso crossed his arms, Takao began to think about what he was being asked.
Shion... Shion had appealed to him in a lot of ways. Was he a womanizer? The title wasn't undeserved. He had done absolutely anything, growing up, to garner attention. His parents had been doting on him in his earliest memories, then they were paranoid and distant once he moved to Arashigakure. He had done anything to fill the hole. He'd wanted nothing more than a little brother or sister, but it wasn't in the cards. So he had been the charming man that people liked to spend time with and talk to. He had shirked a bit of his shinobi arts in order to flirt with others, and sure, yeah, maybe he had been a bit of a heartbreaker.
But Shion sustained him in a way that no one had. He didn't feel fawned over, or showed off like a trophy husband, or like he was this precious, ultimate reward. No. He had felt seen. It was such a strange thing. She made him feel real. Her laugh, her bombastic and energetic self, her powerfully emotional and unapologetic demeanor could have been empty and bubbly, he supposed, but it wasn't. She had seen him and that was so peculiar. And then she had offered him a truth he hadn't consciously known, that he was a Jinchuuriki.
They both were.
Two of a kind, like kin. They were kindred spirits, a real pair. Connected in a way that he hadn't felt with a single other person in his life. A con-man, Toso had accused, and Takao huffed a hoarse laugh at the thought. Maybe he had been lying, but to himself, for far too long. That he was happy with the artificial affection of others. Shion was a beam of light in his life and he had been so, so stupid to leave her, so stupid to let himself sit in the dark like darkness had ever offered him anything except trauma and deceit. It had been so stupid and thoughtless and impulsive of him to think he could help out those kids - and gods, didn't he just want a little sibling, some family that had the capacity to care about and want and need him - and he had turned away from the woman he loved to do it. Stupid.
Takao looked at his own tired reflection in one of the bubbles that floated from Toso's pipe. He loved her. His mouth fell open just a bit as the thought really resonated with him, and then he realized that he had been talking the whole time. His internal dialogue was external in all ways, that he had really been spilling his guts to Toso.
He shook his head before formally answering. "No genjutsu, no honey'd words," he rasped slowly. "I promised her nothing at all, and she still loved me enough to come for me. She approached me and talked to me instead of, instead of slitting my throat, or whatever it is she was supposed to do. I was, undoubtedly, incapacitated by her, but she hadn't needed a technique. I love her. She makes me human, when everything and everyone wanted me to do be anything else." He let that hang in the air for a moment, his mind conjuring up the image of his parents in ornate robes and Jashinist memorabilia, lip curling and stomach churning, but he calmed the sickness quick enough. He sighed a little, realizing he had yet to answer Toso's actual question.
"Before, ah, the leylines... yes, we had had sex. It was anything but defiling... fulfilling, maybe." He mused comfortably in the chair now as he thought of Shion, feeling, in some degree, secure that he was speaking with just Toso, that his emotional truths were no longer on trial in front of faceless shadows but a human with which he could forge a real connection with.
▬ ▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Chakra : : 1,905 // 1,905 x Stamina : : 1,705 // 1,705 x XP : : 6,540 x Ryo : : 両0 xxx Jack / Jackx No Bloodline x Arashigakure x S-rank xxxxxxxxx
• [ Free ] Streetwise: Receives 2x ryo on missions • [ Maruton Augment ] Maruton techniques can originate from a point around the user - within a five meter radius per body rank. • [ Jack ] Jamming: When sensory abilities or Dojutsu that would detect the user as a target are utilized within the same topic as the user this ability takes effect. Chakra is automatically deducted from the user’s pool equal to the rank of the sensory technique to allow the user to avoid detection. If a dojutsu is the cause of detection, the user pays the cost of the targets body rank instead. This effect remains active one post for every other body rank ( D,B,S ) • [ Jack ] Jazz Hands: Ninjutsu may be performed with somatic gestures. • [ Jack ] Iridescence: For an e-rank amount of chakra, Takao's chakra manifestation may become multi-colored and function as a visual trigger for a genjutsu; this does not consume an activation. • [ Jack ] Quick Expertise: Career missions performed in the village function as two missions solely in terms of counting towards title advancement for the first title only. • [ Jack ] Suspense: Takao can pay for a maruton technique in resource and in activation but not release the technique until the next turn for no additional cost/activation. This may be done once every three turns.
{ Stats and Tai/Buki Trainings}
Current Stats
Speed: [ 0 ] xx Strength: [ 0 ] xx Reflex: [ 0 ] xx Fortitude: [ 0 ]
•
Current Bonuses
None Currently
{ Missions + Current Objectives }
Mission Title [ Rank ]
{ Jutsu Used }
NecroPlant
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:42 pm
Nothing is ever just black and white.
Audible sigh. So that was it then. The question whether or not Shion reciprocated would be left to Shion but Toso confirmed that Takao's love was genuine. Or at least. That's what it seemed. He tapped the end of his pipe on the desk as if in a manner to shake the non-existent tobacco inside. "Your answer is...satisfactory." He brought the pipe back to his lips to blow more bubbles as reflections is his and takao's face reflected in their surfaces. "What I've learned of relationships is it's often a slippery slope. Love is a commitment, the slipperiest of slopes. If you can't see yourself properly making that commitment, then quit while you're ahead." Toso exhumed all the more bubbles as the wistfully now instead of popping quietly began filling the room. The Arashikage's eyebrows furrowed revealing a depth of thoughts swimming in his head. "Otherwise you end up doing more harm than good to those you care the most about." Toso opened his half of a pocket watch containing a family photo of himself Satoshi, Kameyo, and his own family.
He'd close the timepiece with an audible snap as all of the bubbles popped simultaneously. "You've already done it once already, with your little escapade. How much do you actually know about her? Do you even know her hobbies? Her likes? Her dislikes? Her story? Many people jump headlong flames stoked only to find out it was puppy love the entire time. Clinging to the first person that treats them like a human being, or sharing the same burden. , Hurt her again by speaking hollow words and making empty promises and we'll skip the interrogations sa-me." Toso would remove what appeared to be a book from the confines of his floof. Shion was one of the only people from the true old guard remaining. In a sense she was the oldest comrade he had left from his youth. As such while she might have severely disliked the fact that he was essentially acting like the over protective older brother or I suppose more comparably the DAD being the Arashikage and all of his words would be heavy and biting.
Of course Toso's harshness when referring to Takao's relationship was merely a consequence of the squid man's own relationship plights. His failure to be there for Satoshi, his wife. His commitment to the village taking priority, and in the process leaving all the less time with them. Now Kameyo reassured always that things were fine. But at some point certainly those comforting words slowly began to loose their effect and similarly no doubt Kameyo herself was finding it more and more tiring being told the same thing by her husband. "Soon." , "I'll make time tomorrow.", "Another day, promise." How many of those promises had he broken now he wondered?
"That said I've heard what you've told my operative. Concerning is the least of it. Although out of good faith for Shio-nee I've decided to quote 'go easy on you'. Yet, I am still unsatisfied with your words alone." The ominous book would be placed on the table. The Abyssal Script. "I would like to see for myself what happened." The book would open on its own and begin rapidly flipping through its pages and what seemed like an endless number of pages despite the books size. The light in the room began to flicker and shake. Words that sounded incomprehensible began to cause the interrogation room to quiver. It was almost a harrowing scene taking place and the Arashikage maintained a straight face through it all.
• Strength ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Speed ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Agility ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Endurance ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak , [12] Advanced Cloak Activations & Techniques Used • • • • Sumi-Efude(Ink Based Chakra Cost) Reduced by ½ to a minimum of 5 • Art of the Bloop: Ink & Brush Based Techniques Cost [10] less to cast • Art of the Bloop: Every other Technique Costs [5] more to cast • Brushing Up: Fuuin Made With a Brush is reduced by [10] otherwise Increased by [5] • Endai Ika [ Far Reaching Squid ]: As if cracking a whip, the Hojo clan member is able to outstretch his arms up to 10 yards (30 Feet). Disciplines •Heritage Keystone: Isekai Junsei •Mystic Hero •Erudite Scholar
Equipment + Style Training Passives Titles Grandmaster: Chef ~ Seafood Specialist Grandmaster: Weaponsmith Grandmaster: Scrollery Grandmaster: Armorsmith Grandmaster: Toxicologist Grandmaster: Pharmacist Grandmaster: Technologist Grandmaster: Enchanter Devotee of [ The Great Old Ones ] Professor [ All-Rounder ] Trivia: φ Hojo Clan Ink stains can only be removed with hot/boiling water φ Particularly dislikes beings stepped on φ Irrational fear of plastic bags. φ 6' 1 ft, 181lbs: A.k.A~Ika-Sensei, Inkwell-san, Devil-Squid Combat Knowledge: φ Brush φ Critical Thinking φ Fluid Martial Arts φ Tentacles φ Senbon φ Scythe φ Chopsticks φ Shield φ Whip φ Long-Staff φ Wire φ Knives φ Short-Staff φ Shuriken φ Spear φ Scissors φ Tonfa φ Pipe φ Umbrella φ Hammer φ Fukusei; Sumi Nise Bunshin : Replication: Fake Clone Ink • 1: Dirt • 2: Marble • 3: Arashikage's Desk • 4: Steel
Takao didn't have time to feel relief at Toso's response, as it quickly turned on him. He didn't want to hurt Shion, but was it possible that he was just clinging to her for treating him like a human being? He would take a killing blow on her behalf, that he knew, but was it out of love or out of habit? He had been carved into a sacrificial lamb since birth. Maybe it was all he knew. His body itself was sacrifice, was vessel to an entire demon's essence. Sacrifice, it seemed, was not choice but instinct.
He had immediate, defensive words on the tip of his tongue but they soured in his mouth. Toso spoke from experience. It was obvious, and he'd be foolish to act impulsively to defend himself when he really couldn't. He had felt close to Shion, without a doubt, felt relieved when he saw her come after him because he felt like he could be saved from the wreckage of his poor decisions - and they were his decisions. He realized, sitting there, that blaming any of it on Chomei would be like blaming his feelings for Shion on Chomei, and that couldn't be true. No, for as much of a part as Chomei may have played, Takao was not possessed when he got on the ship. He had taken Chomei's words of advice but had ultimately committed treason alone. He also loved Shion alone. At least he thought so.
He didn't know all of these things about Shion that Toso asked. But he couldn't agree that knowing was loving in the same way. Satoshi knew prophecies and myth like the back of his hand but was it love? It felt more like an obsession. His interactions with Soyeon much the same. Knowledge and love weren't synonyms, but Toso was also not wrong. Maybe it wasn't knowing, per se, but understanding. He felt like he understood Shion, but... he would have to prioritize her, after this. If there was an after this, and not in the literal post-interrogation sense but a broader one. He chewed his lip as he thought about where to take her in order to learn more of her.
"What is that?" His voice shook, betraying a fear he hadn't been sure he felt until it was vocalized.
It felt like he was drowning. For an insane moment, he was certain that he actually was and that Toso was done with him. It was just like the water jutsu that forced his thoughts out of his head, making his thoughts feel like molasses. He was cognizant of the world around him before it fully shaped in his eyes, his heart already sinking into his gut and his hands clenching fearfully as the round room took shape around him. He saw them, the victimized, bleeding children sitting around a bloodstone, praying in tongues that he already knew - his lip curled - and they turned to him, but their faces were only the face of innocent children for a moment before it was Takao's childhood face in place of each of them, helplessly confused.
The Jashinist summoner underground had turned to him, proclaiming "You won't take Jashin's totem, heathen! We will protect it with our lives!" Except it wasn't the Jashinist summoner's face, it was his mother's - then his father's - and it continued to alternate between the two and the summoner kept repeating the phrase in a voice that disturbedly changed from his mother's to his father's and sometimes it was at such a discordance that his mother's face carried his father's voice and vice versa. His stomach lurched at the sight and for a moment, none of the children were there but one, one that was him as a hurt and confused child, being bled out like a pig for a ceremony, with his stomach exposed and weird fuuinjutsu symbols placed and his mother-father was kneeling above the prone boy now with his/her hands hovering over the stomach as he/she spoke in tongues. he said, playing his part like he had the first time underground except the words resonated with new meaning as he was forced to relive it, and he was watching himself except not at all - his eyes never left the alternating face of his mother/father. He knew, he knew before he saw it, but the expression was insane, obsessed, completely consumed with a faith to Jashin and there was no love in their gaze and there never, ever was (if he ever earned the rare opportunity to receive their glance, enough acknowledgement to be recognized as a moving object that naturally pulled their predators' gaze).
The expression wasn't unlike Satoshi's as he claimed totems and spoke of the Gods, that crazed expression... the way Takao had done everything to please his parents and the way he'd followed Satoshi's orders... And the scene wasn't playing faithfully to the way he'd seen it the first time but maybe he hadn't known what he was seeing the first time, overwhelmed with the initial overlapping of two events that were too traumatic and too similar.
Chomei had been silent since Shion had found him and he felt the odd warmth in his stomach, the tell-tale of Chomei's active consciousness and he knew, just as he had with the initial children, that Chomei recognized the ceremony as he did. Takao felt out of control, compelled by the book as he gripped his blade again [ ▰ Reaper Death Slash [ Shinigami no Shi Kiri ] | Rank C | Complex ]. But he was tired of that narrative. Tired of being out of control, of being sacrifice.
He held the blade in his hand and his stomach settled. He looked at his mother/father and swung the blade righteously at his own prone body, letting the Takao-child be bisected by the blade at the summoning seal, feeling merciful for an entirely different reason as he watched his own form set free from the traumatic hell it was experiencing. Chakra expended from the blade's swing, slicing into the mother/father who faded out of existence for a moment, taking the Takao-child as well. There was nothing in the underground room except the Jashinist symbols on the wall, the bloodstone in the center, and the rushing of blood in Takao's ears. He moved forward to grab the stone, and once his palm rested on it, the scene came back into view, with the Jashinist summoner on the ground and the children resting on the ground like scarlet ibises, graciously put to rest, covered in some fresh blood in addition to what they'd already been draining from themselves in the name of Jashin.
Scarlet ibises, Takao thought for a moment. For all his hatred of birds, there was no hatred as he looked at the children. He was remorseful for having taken their lives. But he looked at his own hands as the blade disappeared and knew he would have preferred death - an even more gruesome one at that - to the trauma he endured during and after the Jashinist ceremony. He was done being a sacrificial lamb, but he wasn't the one like the summoner, like his parents, that sought to hurt for the sake of a larger goal. It was the option of less hurt, he thought. Knowing Jashinism to be a death cult demanding further sacrifice, further victims and trauma... this was the least violent outcome, he thought. But looking at it, even through his emphasized perspective, he knew a blade looked like a blade, whether it was brought down for a mercy killing or a sacrificial ceremony. He saw the childrens' faces for their own, at rest, no longer threatened with the imposition of his own visage, and he whispered, for his own benefit, "Never again."
▬ ▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Chakra : : 1,905 // 1,905 x Stamina : : 1,705 // 1,705 x XP : : 6,540 x Ryo : : 両0 xxx Jack / Jackx No Bloodline x Arashigakure x S-rank xxxxxxxxx
• [ Free ] Streetwise: Receives 2x ryo on missions • [ Maruton Augment ] Maruton techniques can originate from a point around the user - within a five meter radius per body rank. • [ Jack ] Jamming: When sensory abilities or Dojutsu that would detect the user as a target are utilized within the same topic as the user this ability takes effect. Chakra is automatically deducted from the user’s pool equal to the rank of the sensory technique to allow the user to avoid detection. If a dojutsu is the cause of detection, the user pays the cost of the targets body rank instead. This effect remains active one post for every other body rank ( D,B,S ) • [ Jack ] Jazz Hands: Ninjutsu may be performed with somatic gestures. • [ Jack ] Iridescence: For an e-rank amount of chakra, Takao's chakra manifestation may become multi-colored and function as a visual trigger for a genjutsu; this does not consume an activation. • [ Jack ] Quick Expertise: Career missions performed in the village function as two missions solely in terms of counting towards title advancement for the first title only. • [ Jack ] Suspense: Takao can pay for a maruton technique in resource and in activation but not release the technique until the next turn for no additional cost/activation. This may be done once every three turns.
{ Stats and Tai/Buki Trainings}
Current Stats
Speed: [ 0 ] xx Strength: [ 0 ] xx Reflex: [ 0 ] xx Fortitude: [ 0 ]
•
Current Bonuses
None Currently
{ Missions + Current Objectives }
Mission Title [ Rank ]
{ Jutsu Used }
NecroPlant
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:47 pm
Nothing is ever just black and white.
As Takao was reliving the scenario once more. In the interrogation room which had quieted. Takao having been sucked into its pages with nary even a moment to blink on one side portrayed the picturesque illustrations of the happenings while the other narrated. Unlike Isekai-Junsei where one could make generalizations based on what was imagined and said by those inside the Abyssal Script bore the most purist form of 'truth' its narrations on the opposite page of how the 'protagonist' was feeling their thoughts and emotions laid bare. There was no more profound judge of character than the book that spawned from an assumed voidless nothingness. Toso like that of an intrigued literary enthusiast, which he was, watched as the words filled the blank pages while the scenario unfolded.
'Takao would find himself reliving the cursed ritual he had partaken in. Wait and watch did he as victimized children bloody in body surrounded in worship of the blood red stone. Innocent faces of children soon did shift, and what did they shift to than none other than the young face of our protagonist. Confusion and befuddlement, innocent incarnates. What would have been the jashinist from his memory morphed and made into something else more frightful to our fledgling fighter amidst the crazed cultists of the skull markings. Voices interchanged between mother and father the burden of his youth suffocating him. The burden of being a child not unlike them made for the slaughter. Condemnation since birth, bound by seal, a parasite in all beliefs of the then youth and still. He found no love nor care in the faces portrayed, true perhaps there never was, that was the thought that came to him. So obedient, so ignorant was he, and to a degree as innocent as the child whom he was rightly about to slaughter. The visage of oneself cut in twain. The desire of liberation the strongest it has ever been. No longer did he desire to have strings attached to his limbs opposing everything he ever once was and what he was made to be and the one's whom molded him in that manner...and yet bittersweet would be this somber celebration. Faces changed to reveal the truth behind. The one that could not be hidden further death was wrought upon those like him by his own hands and it was then he swore never again. Truly this was for their mercy and truly he believed perhaps now they may rest in peace free'd from the shackles and binding of the devil Jashin but our hero himself bound by his own regrets.'
The book itself would stop filling in. As Takao was left to partake in any further action to warrant the continuation of the story. The Arashikage would then pick up the quill as essentially a thin grotesque tentacle would birth from the end of the feathers tip inserting itself like an I.V into his arm. He'd wince from the brief pain this inflicted but Toso wasn't fond of bad endings you see. So thusly he'd begin to write.
'yet when it seemed our hero whom felt the villian was at a loss did he see the spirits of those children he had slain. With smiles on their face and wings befitting angels. Spared from the darkness were they, rejected by Jashin for their desire to draw blood was one of ignorance and not desire. They spoke briefly unto him that he was forgiven as the evergreen took them into her arms purifying them of their sin. Alleviated would he likely feel of the burden that plagued him and when next he'd open his eyes...he'd awake to post raucous intercourse with the one he loved most as if all he'd just experienced were a bad dream. As they shared in a tender morning kiss and an exchanging of I love you's in whatever manner he believed how they expressed that form of affection an air of reassurance to take on the next day would likely have flooded him. THE END.' He decided against looking at the left page. He wasn't that voyeuristic he'd start forcing people confined in the Abyssal Script to play out such potentially lascivious scenarios. Toso would write the elaborate THE END. with the period being the finalization of the story and when he did just that Takao would find himself released from the confines of the Abyssal script and back in the chair he was once sitting in. His mind and body likely where it last was.
"I see you've had a troubled past but your desire to make right is genuine." Toso would say closing the book with one hand in a hearty thwump while still blowing bubbles out the pipe with the other. The tendril attached to the quill making a snap sound removing itself as the Arashikage lightly bled from the point of insertion and winced. The tendril recoiling and the writing utensil as if possessed returning to the books bindings. He'd tuck the book away casually back in his coat. While one could assume that what they'd just experienced inside the book couldn't have been anything but reality it was clear it was all just a form of simulation. The same feeling of waking up in dream only to find out your still dreaming, and you wake up again but are still uncertain if its still a dream. An existential crisis. Perhaps Takao was still in the book and he had just written that he'd been released from the book and this was all just another deeper interrogation tactic!...ah that wouldn't be the case though. As real as any potential love making felt in the Abyssal Script was it was all just a fabrication and the realization that potentially what the Arashikage had in his hands was a literal mini universe in which he could play god was a frightening thing to consider to be sure...but then there was always the idea that it was technically whoever 'owned' that book would be the god of those inside it. That said, the conversation would lead into one rather lenient. "How would you feel if you were released on probation? Truly I can't say that all is forgiven just yet but I'm willing to find compromises if that's fine by you."
• Strength ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Speed ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Agility ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Endurance ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak , [12] Advanced Cloak Activations & Techniques Used • • • • Sumi-Efude(Ink Based Chakra Cost) Reduced by ½ to a minimum of 5 • Art of the Bloop: Ink & Brush Based Techniques Cost [10] less to cast • Art of the Bloop: Every other Technique Costs [5] more to cast • Brushing Up: Fuuin Made With a Brush is reduced by [10] otherwise Increased by [5] • Endai Ika [ Far Reaching Squid ]: As if cracking a whip, the Hojo clan member is able to outstretch his arms up to 10 yards (30 Feet). Disciplines •Heritage Keystone: Isekai Junsei •Mystic Hero •Erudite Scholar
Equipment + Style Training Passives Titles Grandmaster: Chef ~ Seafood Specialist Grandmaster: Weaponsmith Grandmaster: Scrollery Grandmaster: Armorsmith Grandmaster: Toxicologist Grandmaster: Pharmacist Grandmaster: Technologist Grandmaster: Enchanter Devotee of [ The Great Old Ones ] Professor [ All-Rounder ] Trivia: φ Hojo Clan Ink stains can only be removed with hot/boiling water φ Particularly dislikes beings stepped on φ Irrational fear of plastic bags. φ 6' 1 ft, 181lbs: A.k.A~Ika-Sensei, Inkwell-san, Devil-Squid Combat Knowledge: φ Brush φ Critical Thinking φ Fluid Martial Arts φ Tentacles φ Senbon φ Scythe φ Chopsticks φ Shield φ Whip φ Long-Staff φ Wire φ Knives φ Short-Staff φ Shuriken φ Spear φ Scissors φ Tonfa φ Pipe φ Umbrella φ Hammer φ Fukusei; Sumi Nise Bunshin : Replication: Fake Clone Ink • 1: Dirt • 2: Marble • 3: Arashikage's Desk • 4: Steel
It caught him off guard, to say the least, to see the spirits of the children rise before his eyes as if angels. Their deaths were justified in the eyes of Jashin according to their doctrine and yet they were welcomed into Evergreen's arms, and he saw the purification of their sin and wanted it for himself. He had only a moment of want before the scene changed and he was in a bed with Shion, and his confusion was completely abated in the book realm despite the fact he should have had a hundred questions, and he got to grasp her hand for a tender moment before he was back in the stark reality of the interrogation room.
It took him a moment to come back to himself, grounded only by Toso's appraisal. Takao's ears would start to turn red at the shame of the Arashikage witnessing him at his weakest, as a child bound and bled for a brutal god at the hands of his own parents, but for all Toso's position was now as a judge, Takao couldn't say he felt like he was being judged. Just acknowledged. That his actions had been weighed with his intentions - and be that one form of judgement, it wasn't the one he feared would weigh heavy in the room.
He had wanted Shion because she was one of the few choices he had gotten to make, without bijuu or parental influence and without the weight of his overcompensating personality in pursuit of attention. Simply a choice. Now, he was presented with another one, as if Toso had gleaned that this was a necessary catalyst, or perhaps Toso genuinely had no care one way or another and proffered the compromise because he was truly neutral on the next course of action. It was a sobering thought, at the end of the day, but Takao was centered on the choice.
He wanted to find Evergreen for himself, to be cleansed and cleanse himself of the sickness he embodied when he thought of religion and rituals. He wanted to pay penitence; while those children had, in a way all too real to Takao, been dead before he'd touched them, they were still stolen lives. He wanted to stop chasing and hurting, and start protecting. But he couldn't protect a village very well if it didn't trust him. "What can I do to start making this right?" His gaze finally lifted from the edge of the table to Toso's face, and while he knew the larger act of penitence would be a personal and spiritual journey that Toso couldn't prescribe him, Toso could certainly give him a worldly direction to serve his probation out for.
▬ ▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Chakra : : 1,905 // 1,905 x Stamina : : 1,705 // 1,705 x XP : : 6,540 x Ryo : : 両0 xxx Jack / Jackx No Bloodline x Arashigakure x S-rank xxxxxxxxx
• [ Free ] Streetwise: Receives 2x ryo on missions • [ Maruton Augment ] Maruton techniques can originate from a point around the user - within a five meter radius per body rank. • [ Jack ] Jamming: When sensory abilities or Dojutsu that would detect the user as a target are utilized within the same topic as the user this ability takes effect. Chakra is automatically deducted from the user’s pool equal to the rank of the sensory technique to allow the user to avoid detection. If a dojutsu is the cause of detection, the user pays the cost of the targets body rank instead. This effect remains active one post for every other body rank ( D,B,S ) • [ Jack ] Jazz Hands: Ninjutsu may be performed with somatic gestures. • [ Jack ] Iridescence: For an e-rank amount of chakra, Takao's chakra manifestation may become multi-colored and function as a visual trigger for a genjutsu; this does not consume an activation. • [ Jack ] Quick Expertise: Career missions performed in the village function as two missions solely in terms of counting towards title advancement for the first title only. • [ Jack ] Suspense: Takao can pay for a maruton technique in resource and in activation but not release the technique until the next turn for no additional cost/activation. This may be done once every three turns.
{ Stats and Tai/Buki Trainings}
Current Stats
Speed: [ 0 ] xx Strength: [ 0 ] xx Reflex: [ 0 ] xx Fortitude: [ 0 ]
•
Current Bonuses
None Currently
{ Missions + Current Objectives }
Mission Title [ Rank ]
{ Jutsu Used }
NecroPlant
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 11:49 pm
Nothing is ever just black and white.
"I'm not well Takao." Spoken in a very 'matter of fact' way, it rose several questions. Many often opened using that sentence to imply they had a terminal illness or something of the sort. Yet, rather it was being said here boldly in front of a national traitor no doubt. The Arashikage seemed the perfectly healthy sort on the outside implying if he did have such a disease it was an internal kind. But he'd shortly make things clear before Takao's mind would be left to wander too long. "Why am I telling you this you may ask? Simple, If I were to tell anyone remotely close to me, they would begin to worry, and I do not wish to add more to the plates of the people who are already suffering plenty enough. That and the people need not know their leader is in a vulnerable state...a state that would likely cause unerring chaos in its masses. I would also like to think as a friend to Shion you are by proxy more than an acquaintance but less than a friend."
The interrogation room began to grow cold and the dimly lit room grew even dimmer. When the light faded from the room momentarily would Takao quite possibly get a glimpse of the Arashikage's aura of 'doom' when his eyes for a moment seemed black and sunken and his body became collection of swimming shadows, but only for a moment. "Its...a confusing unwellness. In the plainest way possible let us say its something along the lines of...I realized...and now I cannot stop realizing. I fear that when I've come to that final realization I will not be myself any longer and in the best case not as put together as I appear to be now. I would like you to help me find a new Arashikage Takao. Due to your escapades you have the least amount of bias, and by experiencing the threat that is Satoshi first hand to realize the weightiness of the inevitable change of power. Serve as my scout, show your desire to ensure the safety of the village in finding the best person possible that can protect all its worth so that I can rest peacefully."
The chair would creak at the sound of Toso getting up from his chair. Looking at Takao again from this higher angle his eyes would be much clearer. The amount of bags beneath them could make any shut it neet feel that their own was nothing in comparison. Toso would breathe a heavy sigh. Maybe the whole non-sequitur he opened with at the beginning of this interrogation was a sign of him on his slow route to slipping away as much as it was his concern for a friend. "I'm tired Mr.Yamamoto. So, very, tired." It looked like the Arashikage was already at the end of his wick today. Dealing with the situational aftermath of the invading samurai, the future meeting he'd have prepared to meet with the new heir apparent of those lands, the impending threat of dissension in his ranks, the internal quarrelling that had begun due to the yokai incident, and the worst of it discovering his son was no longer a little boy but a full fledged man that had, had, and will potentially continue causing atrocity after atrocity...it was all very exhausting. Maybe his lenient decision making was due to this tiredness, or maybe his fear of losing himself outweighed the fear of Takao betraying him...but at this point perhaps it was a nagging sense of nihilism that was beginning to loom over the Arashikage.
• Strength ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Speed ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Agility ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak • Endurance ► 8 →→ [10] Cloak , [12] Advanced Cloak Activations & Techniques Used • • • • Sumi-Efude(Ink Based Chakra Cost) Reduced by ½ to a minimum of 5 • Art of the Bloop: Ink & Brush Based Techniques Cost [10] less to cast • Art of the Bloop: Every other Technique Costs [5] more to cast • Brushing Up: Fuuin Made With a Brush is reduced by [10] otherwise Increased by [5] • Endai Ika [ Far Reaching Squid ]: As if cracking a whip, the Hojo clan member is able to outstretch his arms up to 10 yards (30 Feet). Disciplines •Heritage Keystone: Isekai Junsei •Mystic Hero •Erudite Scholar
Equipment + Style Training Passives Titles Grandmaster: Chef ~ Seafood Specialist Grandmaster: Weaponsmith Grandmaster: Scrollery Grandmaster: Armorsmith Grandmaster: Toxicologist Grandmaster: Pharmacist Grandmaster: Technologist Grandmaster: Enchanter Devotee of [ The Great Old Ones ] Professor [ All-Rounder ] Trivia: φ Hojo Clan Ink stains can only be removed with hot/boiling water φ Particularly dislikes beings stepped on φ Irrational fear of plastic bags. φ 6' 1 ft, 181lbs: A.k.A~Ika-Sensei, Inkwell-san, Devil-Squid Combat Knowledge: φ Brush φ Critical Thinking φ Fluid Martial Arts φ Tentacles φ Senbon φ Scythe φ Chopsticks φ Shield φ Whip φ Long-Staff φ Wire φ Knives φ Short-Staff φ Shuriken φ Spear φ Scissors φ Tonfa φ Pipe φ Umbrella φ Hammer φ Fukusei; Sumi Nise Bunshin : Replication: Fake Clone Ink • 1: Dirt • 2: Marble • 3: Arashikage's Desk • 4: Steel
Takao's heart raced at Toso's confession, and he felt it difficult to take the news sitting down as Toso continued to elaborate. He understood the reasoning, but it was still such a security risk that he felt it truly emphasized the tiredness Toso felt. He had a hundred questions on the tip of his tongue but he was forced to swallow them under the tortured gaze of the Arashikage.
He wanted to ask about criteria, but if Toso had them, he'd have offered them. Least amount of bias... he thought. He would need to survey some of the most trusted of Toso's council, but he'd also need to go far beyond. If it was that simple of a choice, that small of an applicant circle, Toso could have done it himself, couldn't he? But what did Arashigakure need? What direction of leadership with the village benefit from the most? He would need, undoubtedly, to find a way to get Shion's opinion without confiding in her the truth. But lying to her, just the thought of it, made his skin crawl.
"And no one can know... about your condition?" He wasn't sure what was wrong, if the tired was infectious, but Takao found it a chore to breathe. His chest heaved but he was silent, thinking painfully about all the variables and all the responsibility the kage was trusting him with. It could have been a test of his loyalty, but there wasn't anything in the world that he thought could mimic such tiredness, no genjutsu that could disillusion such soulful, bone-deep exhaustion.
"Never mind. I'll try not to waste time." His words spoke of a conviction he felt, but his mind was still occupied with concerns. He didn't tell his wife, his closest advisors? What if he just keeled over, croaked? Or was the sickness not of that kind? It could have been worse than Takao was thinking. He didn't know how much time he had but he had no other responsibilities. He wanted Shion's help since she had such a long history with the Arashikage, apparently, but it wasn't his secret to tell.
He rose to his feet - slowly, as to not provoke any of the CORE personnel - and jabbed a thumb to his chest. "I'll do my best, I promise."
▬ ▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Chakra : : 1,905 // 1,905 x Stamina : : 1,705 // 1,705 x XP : : 6,540 x Ryo : : 両0 xxx Jack / Jackx No Bloodline x Arashigakure x S-rank xxxxxxxxx
• [ Free ] Streetwise: Receives 2x ryo on missions • [ Maruton Augment ] Maruton techniques can originate from a point around the user - within a five meter radius per body rank. • [ Jack ] Jamming: When sensory abilities or Dojutsu that would detect the user as a target are utilized within the same topic as the user this ability takes effect. Chakra is automatically deducted from the user’s pool equal to the rank of the sensory technique to allow the user to avoid detection. If a dojutsu is the cause of detection, the user pays the cost of the targets body rank instead. This effect remains active one post for every other body rank ( D,B,S ) • [ Jack ] Jazz Hands: Ninjutsu may be performed with somatic gestures. • [ Jack ] Iridescence: For an e-rank amount of chakra, Takao's chakra manifestation may become multi-colored and function as a visual trigger for a genjutsu; this does not consume an activation. • [ Jack ] Quick Expertise: Career missions performed in the village function as two missions solely in terms of counting towards title advancement for the first title only. • [ Jack ] Suspense: Takao can pay for a maruton technique in resource and in activation but not release the technique until the next turn for no additional cost/activation. This may be done once every three turns.
{ Stats and Tai/Buki Trainings}
Current Stats
Speed: [ 0 ] xx Strength: [ 0 ] xx Reflex: [ 0 ] xx Fortitude: [ 0 ]
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