Head of State Tries To Take the Head of Another Head of State

Spoiler:

Shimiko's Loadout:

Shimiko stood guard as Little Carmine lay on his stomach tanning naked. The statesman was letting the sun shine on a place where the sun don't shine. It made her nauseous but it was his home and her job was to protect him. She was looking in the opposite direction of the naked politician while wondering what the hell it was she was doing here. Someone somewhere had enough pull to convince enough people in Kumogakure that the Carmine Collective was rather important to the nation's interest. This would be enough to get Kumo involved but not enough for them to be able to request the help of its ANBU Captain. Shimiko was a busy gal and she normally had more important affairs to attend to than protecting some fatso ringleader. But when she heard why this fatso was so important, she decided to drop her other matters and take the first ship to Crimson State Island.

Shimiko had been informed that this newer plague threatened not just the Land of Seas but the entire planet. Those who had survived previous iterations were not protected and some speculated it made them even more susceptible to this strain. Shimiko had lost her older brother to the plague, she had lost scores of brothers and sisters in faith, she had almost lost Ryuko to what she thought was the plague, and she had nearly lost her own life. The Chinoike would do anything to prevent an outbreak of an even deadlier version. The Carmine Collective's quarantine violated international law in that they refused to allow even humanitarian aid through the blockade. That didn't sit well with her, but if that was the price the world had to pay to remain safe, then so be it.

Jashin thanks you for your sacrifice....

She was not ignorant of the political machinations at work. The Carmine Collective wanted to colonize the Land of Seas and thinning their population by the hundreds of thousands if not millions was a good way to start. The Land of Seas meanwhile potentially sought to weaponize this new plague. Neither side was good, but as far as Shimiko was concerned one was objectively worse. The plague could not be permitted to escape the confines of that island nor could its leadership be permitted to turn it into a weapon of war.

I'm on the right side...

She took a look at the man who had brought this altogether. He was quite hairy and rather ugly. She shook her head in disgust and looked away. Without him, the Collective would fracture into dozens of competing interests. He was their leader and they knew that without him they and their alliance was lost. If he was necessary to maintain the Quarantine, then Shimiko would defend him to the death and woe to any man that tried to take Little Carmine's life.

Speaking of which, a man with that exact intention was now walking up the road to the residence.

Shimiko placed a hand over her brow and squinted.

"You have got to be kidding" she said as she recognized the intruder.

The politics of it all. Kyoji and Akari walked side by side, they were heading towards their prey at the moment. Kyoji was wearing his usual ninja attire, except his mesh armored shirt was under his white and black jacket. Outfitted with his basic ninja tools. Though he only carried one sword. Samehada hung on his back. Akari was outfitted in his Monster armor, as she would have better use of it. Armor and greaves, he even gave her the Monster rebreather. Hired by the Land of Seas to commit a high crime on behalf of themselves.

The Blue Emperor was very much familiar with these type of situations. Upon the horizon, it was an open grassland location. Two silhouettes could be seen as they drew nearer. Waiting for her response. Kyoji recovered a bottle from his jacket. And began to drink it. He drained small potion quickly and threw the bottle away. Kyoji assumed they would be meeting opposition on this mission, but he never considered the threat to be this grave. He couldn't believe his eyes, and it made him stop in his tracks just after nearing fifty meters. Kyoji held a fist up to to Akari. "They sent a monster to protect Carmine."

"Shimiko of the Cloud. I've heard of her prowess from the tournament." Akari said amazed.  

"Her mouth is just as sharp." Kyoji replied, remembering how difficult it was to negotiate with her.

"So she was the one that got under your skin..." Akari said giving him a scathing look.
There was rough cackle as the Hoshigaki laughed. " Just be on your guard, she is very powerful. Be mindful." Akari would nod noticing the air of seriousness surrounding Kyoji. Her senses flared as she activated her Sensory.

Taking a deep breath Kyo raised his voice loud enough for Shimiko. "Give up Carmine. Though I know you won't. We at least have to pretend to be civilized at first, for our employers." Kyoji said with a smile. But he was anything but happy, the Land of Seas would have to answer by putting them in a major nations crosshair. Shimiko was itching to fight him before, but there was no holds now.

-----------------------------------

Akari: Sensory -0.5

Kyoji: Consumed Potion of Lightning Resistance

Sharky Shark Whalberg! The Hoshigaki looked like a regular person but underneath it all, Shimiko was certain that a monstrous figure lurked beneath. She had last seen him when the two had gotten into a rather bitter and hostile negotiation over the fate of the Land of Demons. The irony in their falling out was that originally they had met on friendly terms. Shimiko was willing to help him overthrow Mizukage Takeo in exchange for his cooperation on the Ken-Demons matter. Unfortunately, the second the hat touched his head he had turned into a rather disagreeable overlord. She didn't kill him then and there only because her Twins were in the village and she could not jeopardize their safety. A lot of good came from her trip but her meeting with Kyoji was not one of them.

Kyoji was accompanied by another woman probably his mission partner. The pair marched onto Carmine's beautiful and spacious lawn. Green grass stretching for acres leading all the way up to his beautiful luxury resort. The lawn would give them ample space to battle but if he was half as strong as his title suggested then the conflict would most likely spill over into the mansion as well. Carmine looked up confused and afraid. Kyoji requested Carmine's surrender to which Shimiko scoffed audibly.

"Carmine. Head to the panic room. I'll take care of this" she said with an eager smirk.
"Oh god....I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die!"
"No you're not....but I do have one question. Do you have insurance on this place?"
"No! Its totally off the books, I don't"
"Too bad."

Shimiko leapt from her post on the roof and sprinted down the walls. Even at her base speed, she was 15 meters directly in front of Kyoji in less than a second. The expression of amusement slowly dissipated. This was the man that had refused to make the Land of Demons whole after Ken Tetsudashi ravaged it. This was the man who attacked a peaceful nation of samurai that was more than a continent away. He had even left his predecessor holding the bag for his misdeeds. Shimiko had a rather low opinion of him but in all honesty it was a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. Shimiko herself had killed innocent civilians in her own village. She had sacrificed many a homeless man, woman, and child to the Dark Lord Jashin. Even now, she was protecting a sociopath of a politician that was willing to let scores of people die from hunger and sickness just to secure his own power. If anything, Kyoji was arguably on the side of good here. Ultimately, it didn't matter. Shimiko and Kyoji were on opposing sides and all of the hatred she felt towards him bubbled to the surface.

"What do you know about civilized Kyoji? Let's see how tough you are when you aren't sneak attacking Samurai"

Shimiko activated her Ketsurygan and bent her knees low. She then reached both hands behind her back and gripped her Sai in preparation for the fight to come.

Active: Ketsurygan

As he had expected. Shimiko had no intention of surrendering the target. Shimiko was one of the most dangerous kunoichi walking the earth. There was no reason for her to do such a thing. Akari could sense the target move after being instructed too. There was no time to waste, dealing with such a foe was to dangerous to risk. As Shimiko began to speak to the target, Akari held a single seal to her chest. Activating one of their greatest clan jutsus, and a main reason why Kyoji recruited her. Kyoji began to walk forward a few feet as the ground began to shake. A large branch from an even larger tree burst from the ground under Akari, and the surrounding area around them. It rose her quickly in the air at incredible speeds to about 50 meters into the air.

Many large trees started to grow across a hundred meter distance, creating a vast forest within seconds almost. These were no ordinary trees, they were Senju enhanced trees that made them incredibly durable. She created a dozen trees in a pathway for the for the running Kumo nin towards Kyoji.

At the same time Kyoji was focusing a great amount chakra throughout his body. Then Shimiko ran from her post, crossing the distance Kyoji set between them. However the trees wasn't the only reason why the ground was shaking, as soon as Shimiko finished her remark, he focused his attention on to her feet and released the chakra. Almost in a flash the ground began sprouting large sharpened bones with the Blue Emperor at the center. Dance of the Seedling Fern, its first version was indeed devastating. Though as she proved, the Kumo Captain moved faster than most.

The thousands of Kaguya bones shooting out of the ground would be able to test that. The sharpest bones on the planet began to cover an even larger area, spreading out like wildfire for about 300 meters. These sea of bones would erupt from the ground upwards, going around the trees where they even reached height of 30 meters themselves. A white bone spike shot from under Kyoji, though he began to meld into the bone itself. Becoming one with the Kaguya roots system instilled into the ground. A perk of the technique itself, depending on what Shimiko did, he would have vantage to act accordingly.

----------------------

Akari: Sensory -0.5
Nativity of a World of Trees -30 = 289/320

Kyoji: Dance of the Seedling Fern - 230/260


Stats:
Strength: C
Constitution: B (+1 tier Physical A)
Stamina: A
Speed: B
Coordination: B
Intelligence: D
Perception: B

Potion of Lightning Resistance Countdown - 1

Even as Shimiko spoke to Carmine, she had never taken her eyes off her opponents. Kyoji's lackey made a handseal and almost immediately the ground began to shake. The politician didn't need to hear anything else. He got the hell out of dodge. The man ran butt-naked to his panic room, all the while praying to every God he could think of.

Shimiko only needed to pray to one.

Lord Jashin grant me swift victory over mine enemies and allow me to paint the Earth red with their blood.

The kunoichi sprinted from her position off of the roof and activated her Ketsurygan as previously noted. However, rather than touch down on the ground (which was now being torn asunder by Senju trees) she drew blood from her Chinowakagumi Armour to create a thin stair case of blood. The staircase stretched from roof of the mansion all the way into the sky, Shimiko scaled the liquid steps using the Water Walking Technique and her super-human speed ensuring that she would not be harmed by the wood or bone forests sprouted by her enemies. As she moved, her hands came together to form the Tiger seal. This action was repeated thrice, indicative of three separate castings.

Iron Mitosis!

Three drops of blood fell from the staircase and hit the ground. They acted as homing beacons drawing iron from the Earth's crust and liquefying it in an endless chain reaction. This iron was then converted into blood which seem to gush from the Earth like a series of swollen springs. The bone and wood forest soon became a bog of blood. Shimiko used her Ketsurygan to manipulate the blood towards Kyojji and his ally. The crimson waves sweeping across the field as she continued to ascend into the heavens on her staircase. Once she had reached a height of 40 meters, she somersaulted off of the staircase and clapped her hands together. The swamp of blood coagulated near the area where Kyoji and his partner had last been seen. From there, eight dragon heads burst forth. Their creation spewed the substance everywhere ensuring that it covered every surface of every tree within a a 25 meter radius of where the former Mizukage once stood. Given that Akari could not so meld within bones, she'd be even more vulnerable to being sprayed with blood.  

Blood Dragon Ascension!

Shimiko landed on the center dragon's head which stood at a height of 40 meters. From this vantage point, Shimiko would be safe from both the bones and woods that threatened to skewer from below. The other heads of the dragon began lashing out. Their aim was to crush, drown, and otherwise destroy the Mizukage and his partner in crime. Shimiko watched silently as she scanned the area for any signs of her opponent.


-1 Rank Reduction for Chinoike Clan Jutsu [Ninjutsu Affinity Perk]

Active: Ketsurygan

Techniques Used:
Iron Mitosis 3x: 3 CP
Blood Dragon Ascension: 10 CP
Chinoike Clan Freeform Manipulation: 3 CP

Stamina: 304/320

Stats
Strength: D
Constitution: D
Stamina: A++ [Passives: Living Expenses | Hachidora Ketsurygan]
Speed: A
Coordination: S
Intelligence:  B
Perception: A

Spoiler:

To the naked eye. Shimiko's next few actions were some of the first seen for Kyoji. He had heard about the Chinoike clan, especially their strange connection with blood. Shimiko attempted shower them from afar with a large amount blood. Thankfully the large network of Kaguya bones gave Kyoji a battlefield to play with extensively. The ground was extensively destroyed with the Senju trees and the large spike bones. Which made the progression of the blood slower than anticipated. it was nothing for Kyoji to meld completely into the bones and began to move out of the target area. Kyoji moved very quickly through the bone line system, gaining some distance away from the creation of the 8 headed blood Hydra.

The Blue Emperor would appear about 50 meters away from the hydra in almost less than a second. High class ninjas moved with such a pace it was hard to keep up with them. Kyoji half rose from the 30 meter spikes, half of his body melded out and he had held the tiger seal to his chest. Quickly focusing his chakra, he held a hand out and a large blade of water formed in mid air. Then he shot the blade towards Shimiko's blind spot behind her. Though she would be having other problems.

Akari was a problem onto herself. Still manipulating all the trees, she willed her personal rising tree to go even more into the air, outpacing the splash and attacks by the Hydra. It had rose to an awesome 60 meters into the sky. Well out of range from Shimiko's attack. Digging even deeper into the earth, an even large and wide tree sprang from directly underneath the blood Hydra. The giant tree grew initially without branches and instead using the Kaguya Bones to split apart the dragon and its source. Without a source the hydra taking such a hit would break its form. From all the sides of the rising tree, branched out 6 very fast and strong tree branches. While the main trunk of the tree shot forward to impale Shimiko. The six branches arched outwards from the all sides, and rushed to ensnare her appendages.

Akari ran forward, another branch growing itself out to oversee the rest of the battle. Running across, she quickly made three handsigns, a Wood Clone split from her cells. Creating an almost perfect copy of Akari. The Wood Clone would already know its task. It jumped off the tree branch and began to freefall chest first towards Shimiko now that they had the height advantage. Falling 20 meters gave the clone ample time to make some handsigns before it could land on the Hydra with Shimiko.


---------------

Akari: Sensory -0.5
Nativity of a World of Trees -10
Wood Clone (50) = 228.5/320

Akira Clone: 50/50

Kyoji: Dance of the Seedling Fern -10
Rising Water Slicer - 10 = 220/260


Stats:
Strength: C
Constitution: B (+1 tier Physical A)
Stamina: A
Speed: B > A (Seedling Fern)
Coordination: B
Intelligence: D
Perception: B

Potion of Lightning Resistance Countdown - 2

Despite the chaos of the battlefield, Shimiko was as calm as could be. This was her element. She had been watching every corner of the battlefield with keen eyes and so when Kyoji moved underground to re-position himself away from the rapidly advancing torrent of blood, his disappearance had not escaped her attention. Likewise, his partner's rapid ascension into the sky was carefully watched. They were a good pair but ultimately not good enough. She felt a shudder from beneath the Blood Hydra and immediately knew what was about to happen. They were targeting the center head and given the pair's skillful manipulation of the battlefield, it wouldn't be tough for the them to target the source of her Hydra. No matter.... As the tree ripped through the massive pool of blood underneath, the Hydra collapsed but instead of the blood falling to the Earth, it rose. Shimiko free form manipulated the maximum amount of blood possible using her Ketsurygan. A hefty portion of the crimson ocean would then split into countless modules. These spheres of blood constantly shifted in position, essentially providing step stones for Shimiko.

Shimiko leapt from her position before the tree could pierce her from below. She formed a single seal and produced a clone of herself. The clone poofed right behind her and drew two of the Sai from her upper back, whilst the original Shimiko armed herself with the Badger's Claws. The two Shimikos bounced from globe to globe at maximum speed as they dodged, evaded, and outmaneuvered the various branches aiming to ensnare them. The Water Slicer moved in a straight line and given the acrobatic maneuvers employed the ANBU and her clone, it would miss. The Dance of the two Shimikos would be something to behold. They'd only need a fraction of a second to make contact with one of the floating globes of blood. From there, they'd apply the Water Walking Technique and then push off. The process would be repeated and they'd make contact with another and then another and so on as they ascended to the original Akari's location with blinding speed. The manner of movement they were employing was courtesy of a custom Bukijutsu technique. It was derived from Disturbance but uniquely tailored to Shimiko's unpredictable and overwhelmingly offensive combat style. Its application to three-dimensional movement in mid-air was a stroke of genius. From a visual perspective it would appear to be a cross between Rock Lee's aerial bombardment and Killer's Bee's onslaught.

Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style!

Shimiko would use the blood step stones to evade the falling Akari clone. Their goal was the original but this didn't mean that they ignored the wood clone. As it was in free fall, Shimiko manipulated the blood in the airspace to coagulate around the construct's body. Because she was falling, resistance was likely to be futile. Once enraptured in a bubble of blood, she'd hopefully be a non-factor. The Shimikos continued their ascent and in a flash they'd be on the same level as Akari. Keeping track of both Shimiko's given their speed would be a superhuman task. A task that the companion might not be capable of achieving. Irrespective of their ability to track the ANBU, she'd also need to contend with the pair's speed. The original Shimiko struck from behind, slashing out with her Badger's Claws to sever the girl's lower spine. A non-lethal wound for now but one that would certainly put her out of commission. Ordinarily, Shimiko would have aimed to kill, but not today, there was valuable intelligence to be had here and if she could use Akari as leverage against Kyoji even better.

While Shimiko struck from behind, the clone would zip in front of the Senju. It twirled around like a top on a floating sphere of blood slashing at the girl's arms from a multiplicity of angles. The end result would be a bloody useless pair of limbs.

Kyoji had not been forgotten, but from this high up his impact was limited. Shimiko wasn't sure how and where he had acquired his Kaguya abilities Maybe Yanagi?! but he might be hiding other kekkei genkai. Having a Senju on his side only bolstered his power and if she could remove his aide from the chessboard, then she'd be able to make quick work of him even if he had more bloodline aces up his sleeve.

-1 Rank Reduction for Chinoike Clan Jutsu [Ninjutsu Affinity Perk]
-1 Rank Reduction for Bukijutsu [Bellona's Kiss: Enchantment Perk]

Active: Ketsurygan

Techniques Used:
Shadow Clone Jutsu
Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style: 10 CP
Chinoike Clan Freeform Manipulation: 3 CP

Stamina: 291/320

Shimiko's Stamina: 145.5
Clone's Stamina: 145.5

Stats
Strength: D -> Badger's Claws -> B
Constitution: D
Stamina: A++
Speed: A
Coordination: S -> Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style -> S++
Intelligence:  B
Perception: A -> Ketsuygan -> A++

-1 Tier to Perception for the purpose of tracking Shimiko's movements

Blood Moving at A-Tier Speed

Spoiler:

Shimiko was innately aware that even though Kyoji and Akari were a problem. Alone against her might they would fall. This was also something the Blue Emperor was aware of. After launching a blindingly fast Water Slicer at Shimiko, she was lucky enough to dodge it after the Hydra Dragon broke form. But the Slicer was long enough to cut through the blood below her as she created a clone in mid-air. Interrupting her ability to create a globe of blood under her. Akari was still aware of the crafty Kumo nin, and so was her clone. The Wood Clone had already prepared its technique by making a handseal as it jumped. Before the clone could pass them, at twenty meters she spread both of her arms outwards. Both arms immediately turned into thin but powerful roots and began snapping out like the arms of a Kraken for about 50 meters.

A total of twenty thin branches ten from each arm, the left ten were aiming for the large blood clots trying to swarm under the ANBU Captain. Cutting into the globes under her to hinder her movement. The other ten roots spreading forward spread out widely, trying to ensnare the Shimi clones arms and legs. While the other tree branches from Kaguya bone tree continued their attack on Shimi, as they were keeping up with her blood control. Six of the large branches would also quickly destroy the blood globe platforms underneath Shimi and her clone by slashing through them.

Akari kept an eye as she pressed the attack. However this was all a distraction. The Beast of Kirigakure anticipated Shimi would somehow dodge his attack, and quickly made a couple of seals. The sky would begin to rain, Kyoji had called Kirisame. Controlling the area of rain to encompass 100 meters around Shimiko and Akari. The Wood Clones attack and Akari's continued attack would probably stopped before it got Shimiko.

But it didn't matter, the rain followed by foggy mist would break Shimiko's ability to walk on the blood. And the ability to mold it as he diluted the entire area of blood with the falling water. Which would have Shimiko plummeting from about 50 meters down into the Kaguya Boneyard with nothing to grab hold of. As this would make her clone poof into smoke. The same would happen to Akira's clone. Kyoji was slightly outside Kirisame zone by 10 meters, leaving him room to use ninjutsu again. Controlling the battlefield from this angle was important.

-------------------------


Akari: Sensory -0.5
Nativity of a World of Trees -10 = 218/320

Akira Clone: Underground Roots - 20 30/50
Thin Roots Speed A
Thin Roots Strength A


Kyoji: Dance of the Seedling Fern -10
Kirisame - Secret Technique - 10 = 200/260


Kyoji Stats:
Strength: C
Constitution: B (+1 tier Physical A)
Stamina: A
Speed: B > A (Seedling Fern)
Coordination: B
Intelligence: D
Perception: B

Akira Stats:
Strength: B
Constitution: B
Stamina: A++ (Senju)
Speed: B
Coordination: B
Intelligence: C
Perception: B

Spoiler:

Potion of Lightning Resistance: 1 post

Because the Water Slicer moved in one direction and Shimiko's blood could be manipulated freely, Kyoji's attempt to rob her of her footing failed. The blood would simply be split in two and then reform and switch position. Shimiko could also secrete the blood from her armour itself and use that as a temporarily foothold. The interference made her approach to the clone more linear but it allowed her to continue her upward trajectory with little issue. As they approached, the clone would unleash yet another Wood Release Jutsu as it continued its freefall towards them. Both Shimikos unsheathed their weapons and grit their teeth as the roots spread out. Its intention to destroy their foot holds and capture them was clear.

Cmon then!

Shimiko lunged forward as she continued pushing off platforms of blood towards the clone. They were set for an epic showdown when something unexpected happened. It rained. The clouds grew dark and a torrent of Suiton pelted them from above. However, this rain was like none other, it melted jutsu on contact.  Akari was its first victim and before her branches could ensnare the Honey Badger, they dissolved. Likewise, Shimiko's blood dissipated in mere moments. She felt her feet hitting air and soon she plunged back down to the ground.  

What the frick?!

As if she didn't have enough reason to hate Kiri, either Kyoji or Akari knew some kind of technique that made it rain chakra eating acid. The rain wasn't doing any physical damage to her or Akari as far as she could tell but it was indiscriminately canceling out their techniques. At this rate, they'd both fall to the pit of bone spikes that lay below. Shimiko and her clone found themselves falling as any attempt to release and manipulate blood in the rainstorm was met with failure. This had to be Kiri's work. For a Suiton Technique this powerful could only be one of their Exclusive Jutsu. Sharky Shark Whalberg had more than a few tricks up his sleeves and if this was indeed his doing then she'd need to kick it up a notch.  

Shimiko shut her eyes as she fell. She hadn't had an opportunity to use this ability since her cloistering. The ANBU recalled the words of her rival and her own belated reply.

" We're not all monsters."
"But some of us are"

The memory of how she had killed her parents for the Hachidora Ketsurgan was sacred to her. It was a kind of benediction.  A reminder of how far she was willing to go to secure her legacy.

When she opened her eyes again, they bore the characteristics of the Hachidora Ketsurygan: two cocentric rings, eight tomoe, a horizontal bar for a pupil in the center. The vampiric blood flowing in her veins boiled and in that instant her physical capabilities exponentially increased. She twirled herself around in mid-air and unleashed a storm of bats from her Batroc seal. The chirping creatures flowed out from her arm in an explosive fashion. They swirled around her and using her enhanced speed, she turned them into living platforms. Shimiko's grace and coordination had moved to a level not seen since the Age of the Disciples. She sprang from bat to bat, occasionally using the air itself as a platform to push off of. In doing so, she stopped herself from falling into the pit of bone spikes below. She was forty-five meters away from the ground level (roughly the height she was at when she had created the Hydra head). There were one hundred and fifty bats in total all moving with guided precision as she ascended into the sky once more. The bats' purpose was two-fold: obscure the kunoichi's movements so that she could move in the air without interruption and to provide her with a series of moving platforms that could be used to traverse the air. The bats were real living creatures not jutsu and thus they'd be impervious to the ravages of Kirisame.

Both Akari and the clone would be unable to use jutsu while in Kirisame. The branch that the original Akari had been sitting on would have dissolved meaning they both were now falling to the pit of bone spikes. Shimiko guessed they'd be eviscerated on contact but she wouldn't give them the chance to escape their fate. She'd maneuver through the storm of bats, careful to manipulate them so that the rain water would keep pelting both Senju. She cancelled the clone, no longer needing it as a physical distraction. She was now operating at a movement speed far beyond the capacity of any shinobi sans the Big Three. She'd zip around the two beings, decorating them in a sea of deep cuts and lacerations. She blessed every inch of their skin with the black steel of her Sai. The activity would last no more than a second or two but once she was done, they'd be soaked head to toe in blood, unable to move or flee as they fell to the ground. Whether or not they'd be gored by the endless sea of bone spikes was up to Kyoji.

Speaking of the devil, Shimiko had not forgotten him. If he was in Kirisame's range then he'd be unable to cast jutsu. She guessed that he must be operating somewhere outside the rainfall and thus she sent a squadron of bats in every direction. The creatures would scan the battlefield scouring every inch of the resort for a sign of the Mizukage. Once they had caught sight of the man, Shimiko would move in his direction.

You're next...

Active: Hachidora Ketsurygan

Techniques Used:
Batroc: 1 CP
Shadow Clone Jutsu
Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style: 10 CP
Binbōgami: 1 CP | 1 Charge

Janjanbi: [+1 UQ Tier to Perception]
Mikaribaba: [+1 UQ Tier to Coordination]
Chimimōryō: [+1 Tier UQ Tier to Speed]

Stats
Strength: D -> Badger's Claws -> B
Constitution: D
Stamina: A++
Speed: A -> S
Coordination: S -> Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style | Hachi Kets -> X
Intelligence:  B
Perception: A -> Ketsuygan | Hachi Kets -> S++

-1 Tier to Perception for the purpose of tracking Shimiko's movements

Stamina: 280/320
Hachi Kets Pool: 94/100

Spoiler:

It seemed Akari was in a precarious position. On one hand up facing Shimiko at all was a death sentence. Kyoji knew there was a reason Shimiko was so direct. He was aware that she was able to back it up. The Kirisame rain pour down on everything, dissolving Mokuton jutsu under Akari and the control over the other ninjutsu constructs within the range he set. Including his bones. The ANBU Captain was able to summon a bunch of bats out of nowhere. Then the bats quickly swarmed and provided her with a platform to levitate somehow. The bats would need to number in large bunches in order to support her weight with her armor. Shimiko began unleashing barrage of attacks on Akari as she descended from the air. Though she was covered in A-rank armor, it seemed the particular weapons were special. And Shimiko went to work on his companion.

Kyoji frowned as he knew Akari was basically screwed. But the time it took to take care of the Lightbringer Akari. There was a great change overcoming Kyoji. His body began to change quickly, becoming a beast out of fiction.  His body begins to become completely red with streaks of bright silver. The scaled skin was armored as it would a dragon's scale. Kyoji's hair turns purple and shortens a few inches. His eyes become completely white with no iris. Wings sprout from his back covered in silver scales and black furred wings. A strong scaled tail emerges as well, all of a meter long. Talons extend from his fingers and his toes. Markings appear across his face surrounding two small silver horns form on his forehead. Within his teeth it is obvious that he now bears fangs long enough to see from his mouth.

Now they would know why he was called the Beast of Kirigakure. Shimi was still unaware of his position though she attempted to send a bunch of bats out of the area, probably to search for him. With his Cursed Seal level 2 activated, he quickly made handsigns from the large bone spike he was poking out of. Ending Kirisame, he activated another of his powerful jutsu while adding Senjutsu to increase the power of this technique. And using the entire area of Kirisames range. All water began to move in mid-air within 100 meters, the fine mist that had begun to settle also moved in a swirling motion. Kirisame had provided him with the perfect area, rain and mist all within his control.

He set his eyes on the pathway of bats created by Shimi, anticipating where she was. The Blue Emperor focused most of this control on the body of Shimiko herself, and her bats as well. Every inch of water began to restrict their movement. More water began to pool in on Shimi and the bats. Pulling the Captain further into the air. The water already on Shimikos arms and legs would tighten and twist in an impossible angle. Kyoji even manipulated the mist to turn into a thick and powerful torrent of water surrounding all of Shimikos body. The water would cover her head as well, turning her head viciously to break it. Any use of Raiton would backfire and shock herself. So she could not perform handsigns, the water would coat both her arms would snap her arms backwards, with more than enough strength to break every bone in them. He would do the same with her legs, providing a tighten pressure to crush her legs and turn them sideways which would break them both. He was mostly aiming to permanently put her out of the fight, so that she could not wake up and wreak havoc on him yet again.

The bats which they assumed were unaffected by the rain dripping on them, began to be pulled away from Shimiko 20 meters away. Using the water on the bats and surrounding them he would create a giant pressurized orb that would kill all the bats in that tried to escape his range. The Blue Emperor also quickly grabbed Akari, using the water around her and on her to form a calm but strong torrent that would grab her, amd gently guide her to the ground. She would be mostly incapacitated for the rest of this match. Kyojis Senjutsu control greatly contributed to complex attacks he was making against Shimiko.

But this was an all an attempt. He would have to see if it would work against the great Shimiko.

-----------------------------------

Kyoji: Dance of the Seedling Fern -10
Water-Heavens Convergence - 10 (-5 Senjutsu, -5 chakra) = 275/350  
 
Level 2 - 20
WHC - 5 = 160/185 Senjutsu

WHC Power A > S

Kyoji Stats:
Strength: C > C++ (CS2)
Constitution: B > A > S (Kaguya, CS2)
Stamina: A > S
Speed: B > A > S (Seedling Fern, CS2)
Coordination: B > A (CS2)
Intelligence: D
Perception: B

Potion of Lightning Resistance: 8/8 post

In the blink of an eye, the Lightbringer would be no more. Shimiko would have ordinarily killed the Senju but given the dynamics of this fight and the larger political situation, she opted to leave the girl alive for now. There might be some use in keeping her as a hostage or a prisoner of war. Covered in deep cuts, Kyoji's lone ally would fall to the ground. He would probably aim to save her but regardless, she'd be fully out of the fight. This left Shimiko to focus on the former Mizukage. As previously mentioned, she'd make her way towards her opponent by leaping from bat to bat acrobatically. She didn't remain standing on the bats for any appreciable amount of time and so they wouldn't need to support her full weight. Instead, she merely bounced off from one to the other, only needing the slightest of physical contact to push herself off. Additionally, at the speed in which she moved, Shimiko was capable of rocketing off the air itself and she used that ability to great effect given that the bats could only move but so fast. Using a combination of the individual bats and the air as stepping stones, she continued to run, jump, and occasionally twirl her way to her opponent. She had used the bats to scour the area and they telepathically communicated their findings to her. Kyoji was poking out of a fairly large bone and he had transformed into something far more sinister.

You're a monster too huh?

Shimiko grinned as she continued speeding towards Kyoji. As she got closer, she noticed that the rain suddenly stopped. The effects of Kirisame were a true curiosity. They appeared to shut down not just the opponent's ability to use Ninjutsu but user's as well. Kyoji must have seen how quickly she had dispatched Akari without having to use her blood. If he kept the rainfall up it would hinder him more than it would hinder her. He wasn't through just yet though. Shimiko became aware that all of the water in the area began to move rather strangely. Their movements were forceful, ripping apart the bats where contact was made. But the water was painfully slow compared to her own speed. She was able to perceive the minute streams as they tried to make their way towards her. The precision was weak given that Kyoji was aiming for the bats rather than her body. This gave her time to analyze and counter.

Unlike Kirisame, Shimiko was familiar with this technique. She had later learned it was called Water Heavens Convergence and she had learned of its properties through first-hand encounter. Nozomi had utilized the technique to devastating effect against her and so Shimiko had made it a point to commit the technique to memory. The second she felt the water coagulating around her bats and her body, she began to manipulate blood from out of her armour. The blood was made to be extremely dense via chakra application, and given its speed, it could coagulate and trap the individual pools of water without much trouble. This was because the water moved at a far slower pace. It'd need to take time to interlink and connect so as to actually form a trap that would hold her body in place. Instead, the blood from her armour broke the linkages faster than they could hope to form. The water would then be pushed off her body. Of course, this did have the effect of slowing her momentum down.

Hrh...

Shimiko was about 50 meters away from Kyoji when she began to lessen her pace but rather than risk falling, she tried a new tack. The blood that flowed around her quickly encapsulated her whole body, essentially forming a floating dome of blood. It served to keep her suspended in the air while also keeping out or subsuming any water in her immediate vicinity. The dome propelled upwards and banked hard as though it were a form of aircraft. It moved faster than Kyoji could hope to track and far faster than the water he was attempting to manipulate. Sheathing her Sai, Shimiko flickered through a series of seals. The bats that Kyoji had attacked were now dying but as they did they unleashed a fearsome scream. It was amplified by Shimiko's  Kālīkoroshimasu and all Kyoji'd hear is a chorus of chirping as the critters' gave their final dirge.  Shimiko meanwhile zoomed out of Kyoji's range landing her dome in the backyard of the mansion. She had exited the range of the original casting of Kirisame but had maintained a distance of 50 meters between them. She has in essence followed him outside the original range of his jutsu. This area of the resort was much like the front with an expansive grounds lined with gardens and statutes. Their battle had thoroughly destroyed the front and it was likely the fight would soon move to the back. Once the blood bubble burst upon landing, Shimiko let out a gasp of air. She was soaked in her own crimson and her eyes shone with the Ketsurygan as she tried to get a glimpse of her opponent. There was now a partially destroyed mansion between her and her quarry. She had taken down Akari but that hadn't been enough.

She grinned and formed a set of handseals as she waited for Kyoji to come to her. Shimiko hadn't faced this much of a challenge since fighting Nozomi.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-1 Rank Reduction for Chinoike Clan Jutsu [Ninjutsu Affinity Perk]
-1 Rank Reduction for Bukijutsu [Bellona's Kiss: Enchantment Perk]

Active: Hachidora Ketsurygan

Techniques Used:
Plasticity: 20 CP [S-Rank Version]
Bloodsight
Consumation
Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style: 10 CP
Binbōgami: 1 CP | 1 Charge
Kuzuryu: 1 CP | 3 Charges

Janjanbi: [+1 UQ Tier to Perception]
Mikaribaba: [+1 UQ Tier to Coordination]
Chimimōryō: [+1 Tier UQ Tier to Speed]


Stats
Strength: D -> Badger's Claws -> B
Constitution: D
Stamina: A++
Speed: A -> S
Coordination: S -> Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style | Hachi Kets -> X
Intelligence:  B
Perception: A -> Ketsuygan | Hachi Kets -> S++

-1 Tier to Perception for the purpose of tracking Shimiko's movements (up until the dome is formed)

Stamina: 248/320
Hachi Kets Pool: 85/100

Blood Moving at S-Tier Speed, operating at S-Rank Strength/Power

Spoiler:

The Waters Heavens Convergence worked partially. The idea to subdue the Kunoichi with this elaborate trap was thwarted very quickly. It didn't take her long to actually spot the former Mizukage sprouting out from his place in the boneyard. She attempted to drive the bats closer to Kyoji. The WHC also served to slow down the bats progression towards him as well. Which Kyoji took advantage of as well. Before the bats could form a their broken bat bridge, he retreated. Holding a seal, and he slipped into the bones and appearing about 50 meters backwards, and still a distance away from the building that was now surrounded by the boneyard. This put him well out of range from the dying bats that crumpled to the ground.

With his speed it only took a moment to do so.  Also while he was moving in between the bones, he created two clones to be left a few meters apart from each other 20 meters from where he appeared. Concealed in the bone only one would pop out of the bone to observe Shimiko's red orb.

As he popped back out he noticed blood yet again forming a construct. This time it was a dome that flew around lin the air. Focusing on the dome, rather than Shimiko, he saw the dome retreat all the way to the of the mansion holding the target. He at least knew her positioning. Though she was moving incredibly fast. Was this the control of her blood? No matter. She had forced his hand. Not many escaped his technique. How would she fare against this...

Kyoji willed the water in the area to be completely bend to his will, now fully formed the water from the surrounding areas began to manifest in the air. Some dead bats were still in it, and it was forming into a gigantic water sphere. He jumped out of the bone at that time, letting his powerful wings launch him into the sky. While he flew upwards about 20 yards up from the bones, he made a series of handsigns. Defeating Shimiko without destroying the entire area was impossible.

The clones had their upper bodies out of the edge of the tallest bones. They were about 80 meters away from the partially destroyed mansion now. And Kyoji was flying above them. They both also made a set of handsigns. The Blue Emperor had never used this technique at its grandest before. Fearing it would cause unnecessary destruction. But that's what he needed right now.

Side by side the clones held both hands to their mouths. Both used the same technique, and a large torrent of water was unleashed. The amount of water coming from the clone was absurd. It crashed into the bones and was high enough to even overtake them even as they pointed about 30 meters high. The wave spread greatly as Kyoji used the water from underground as well, the bone root system had loosened the earth underneath them. Making it easier for him to access any groundwater to aid in the large widespread of the jutsu. The wave would of course be crashing towards the mansion to where they saw the blood orb land.

The other clone would activate its jutsu at the same time Kyoji did, manipulating the large water orb that moved in front of him. He added the water from Kirisame and joined it into the wave. The tidal wave began to change into something much more fearsome. A swelling monster that could be confused for a Megalodon formed out of the raging water. It was gigantic by every measure and caused large waves to flow outwards ranging about 50 meters into the sky. The beast seemed to roar, or rather the tidal wave gave the impression. It soared forward threatening to annihilate the mansion along with Shimiko and Carmine.

This was no ordinary attack, it was his most fearsome attack. The Great Water Shark Bullet shot with an unyielding rage, along with waves of water sent by the clones as well. The water would spread over 500 meters and reach well over the Kaguya Bones.


---------------------------------  

Kyoji: Dance of the Seedling Fern -10
Water-Heavens Convergence - 10 (-5 Senjutsu, -5 chakra)
Great Shark Bullet Technique - 20 = 56/91

Level 2 - 20
WHC - 5 = 135/185 Senjutsu

Clone 1: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave - 10 = 81/91

Clone 2: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave - 10 = 81/91

Kyoji Stats:
Strength: C > C++ (CS2)
Constitution: B > A > S (Kaguya, CS2)
Stamina: A > S
Speed: B > A > S (Seedling Fern, CS2)
Coordination: B > A (CS2)
Intelligence: D
Perception: B

Potion of Lightning Resistance: 7/8 post

Shimiko had completed her seals and as she examined the front of the resort, she noticed the water once more moving. He wasn't finished just yet. Shimiko could tell that she had not landed the Consumation technique, his sudden retreat had moved him out of range. Fortunately with her speed that wouldn't be a problem. Shimiko watched as Kyoji flew into the air while in his transformed state. The mass of water coagulating around him presented her with an unprecedented opportunity, one that she'd need to make the most of. The blonde zipped forward heading right back towards Kyoji at near untraceable speeds. Her blood followed close behind in case she needed it. As she moved, two additional pairs of arms manifested from her body. One pair coming from the space beneath her armpit and another from her shoulder blades. The latter grabbed her tessen from their holsters on her forearms and fully extended them. She began to ascend into the sky again, jumping off columns of pure air to close the gap between them. Once she had reached a distance of ten meters above him and 50 meters away from him, a shadow clone poofed beside her and attempted to flank him from his right side. The sealing tattoo on her breast sparked to life and a stream of red electricity cascaded from it and danced around her arm. She loosed a powerful stream of Black Lightning at the prodigious amount of water that had been generated near Kyoji. It would take Kyoji precious time to manipulate the water, its slow speed was no match for Shimiko's peak velocity. She had also ensured a distance of 50 meters between herself and the grand aquatic symphony before her. This ensured that there'd be no self-electrocution. The lightning was normally Black but thanks to the power of Deshi no Zenchi-Yurei it took on a distinctly red character. It was significantly stronger and its power was more than enough to disrupt the Water Heaven's Convergence thereby preventing the destruction of the mansion. The water that had congealed in mid-air around Kyoji (who was likely touching this lagoon sized construct) was hyper-conductive and would in turn be used to electrocute him as well as his clones. Shimiko used the natural manipulation inherent in her technique to guide the streams of electricity directly to him essentially turning the area into a thunderstorm.

While the original Shimiko struck out, the clone did much the same albeit with a slightly different technique. Approaching from Kyoji's right side, the clone closed in at a range of 30 meters and would shoot out a blast of lightning that fractured into five separate streams. The streams bobbed and weaved, as they were telekinetically manipulated by the clone to hit the sharkman. The real Shimiko would use her additional arms to grip her tessen and charge chakra into them for a follow up strike while still in mid-air. Another sea of bats burst from her Kālīkoroshimasu to obscure her movement. The creatures were fifty in number and they were careful not to be struck by the lightning. Their sudden re-appearance would presumably confuse and befuddle the former Mizukage. Shimiko's original arms flickered through a set of seals and the moment he laid eyes on the bats, he'd be triggered by the Consumation Genjutsu.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-1 Rank Reduction for Chinoike Clan Jutsu [Ninjutsu Affinity Perk]
-1 Rank Reduction for Bukijutsu [Bellona's Kiss: Enchantment Perk]
-1 Rank Reduction for Raiton [Raiton's Siphone: Enchantment Perk]

Active: Hachidora Ketsurygan


Shimiko's Techniques
Shadow Clone Jutsu
Consumation
Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style: 10 CP
Black Lightning: 5 CP | 5 मृत्युबल [Boosted to S-Rank via Deshii no Zenchi-Yurei]
Chinoike Freeform Manipulation: 3 CP
Batroc: 1 CP

Clone's Techniques
Black Lightning Fracture: 20 CP
Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style: 10 CP

Binbōgami: 1 CP | 1 Charge
Kuzuryu: 1 CP | 3 Charges


Janjanbi: [+1 UQ Tier to Perception]
Mikaribaba: [+1 UQ Tier to Coordination]
Chimimōryō: [+1 Tier UQ Tier to Speed]


Stats
Strength: D -> Badger's Claws -> B
Constitution: D
Stamina: A++
Speed: A -> S
Coordination: S -> Devi of the Hidden Cloud Style | Hachi Kets -> X
Intelligence:  B
Perception: A -> Ketsuygan | Hachi Kets -> S++

Clone: Same

-1 Tier to Perception for the purpose of tracking Shimiko and Clone's movements


Shimiko's Stamina: 105
Clone's Stamina: 94

Shimiko's Hachi Kets: 33.5 Charges
Clone's Hachi Kets: 33.5 Charges

Shimiko's मृत्युमृत्युबल Pool: 123/130

Blood Moving at S-Tier Speed
Red Lightning Moving at A-Rank Speed, S-Rank Power

Spoiler:

The Blue Emperor and his clones were still able to make their handsigns in the time that Shimiko landed and made hers. Then she started to jump into the air, and Kyoji almost lost her. But used is intensive training to narrow down on her movements with his hearing. It would be hard to get an accurate shot on her, so Kyoji would have to do the next best thing. Just twenty meters under him, blasted a torrent of water that began to rapidly spread outwards. Kyoji had to change plans, kneading chakra he unleashed a globe of water that shot out of his mouth. It spread rapidly and in few moments he and everything else would be enveloped in a globe of water. The globe of water spread so far and wide, reaching out to 100 meters into the sky and its spread over 150 meters. Which was more than enough to envelop the mansion and most of the surrounding area.


Though he could not pinpoint Shimiko, she had to stop jumping eventually to launch an attack on the large sphere of water above the growing dome. It served as a protection shield from her since he wasn't touching it.   Her speed was unmatched. Which was why the gameplan had to change. He was not touching the water sphere he had created, but it served a necessary distraction while the domed to fully formed.

Shark Water Prison, the dome was so massive and so large, it would threaten to envelop Shimiko as well. But he knew she wouldn't be caught so easily. But eventually she would to venture into the dome. For the dome would extend over the mansion where Carmine would be hiding. The two clones would of course be under water right now.  In the large dominance of the sphere. They sunk back around the bones and quietly swam their way towards the mansion. Using the underground system that would lead them to the front of the partially destroyed building. All the while, the epicenter of the dome would move at the same speed as the Kyoji.

The lightning however traveled the entire dome, and it was able to electrocute Kyoji. Though it caused him no visible pain. It fried his brain a little, making him instantly knocked out. The water dome began to settle as it simmered down around the bones and he settled between them. His Curse Seal deactivated and the clones disappeared in mid stride. Defeated.

-----------------------

Kyoji:  Water Prison Shark Dance Technique -20  
Silent Killing -1 = 60/91

Level 2 - 20 = 115/185 Senjutsu

Clone 1:  = 81/91

Clone 2: = 81/91

Kyoji Stats:
Strength: C > C++ (CS2)
Constitution: B > A > S (Kaguya, CS2)
Stamina: A > S (CS2)
Speed: B >  A (CS2)
Coordination: B > A (CS2)
Intelligence: D
Perception: B

Potion of Lightning Resistance: 7/8 post

Gotcha! Shimiko thought as the lightning made contact with Kyoji's rapidly expanding water dome. The electricity didn't appear to burn him as badly as she had intended but the neural frying of Black Lightning Fracture did its work. The man was totally conked out and the dome, his clones, and even his transformation were ended. Shimiko used a combination of her own speed and bats to safely reach the ground once the lightning dissipated. She reduced her Ketsurygan back to its normal stage and ended her additional arms, her clone poofing as well. When the dust (or rather water) settled, Kyoji would be on his back unconcious floating in a pool of water. The mansion was flooded but still in tact with its occupant unharmed. Little Carmine's vacation was cut short but he was alive and that ought to be enough for him.

Shimiko walked towards Kyoji's unconscious form. The Chinoike walked with brisk purpose and a stone cold expression on her face. He had put up one hell of a fight. He was by far the strongest opponent she had faced since Nozomi. If she had known how powerful he was then she wouldn't have been so feisty with him in his office. To battle him would certainly have put the Twins in even greater danger than she appreciated. It was clear to her now that Kiri's never-ending crusade of conquests was a direct result of the Sharkman's prowess. It was a problem. Shimiko grabbed Kyoji, barred her vampire fangs, and tried to sink them into his neck but met incredible resistance.

"Ow!"

She said as she moved away from him in surprise. The man's skin was dense as all hell and she didn't feel like carving him open and putting a straw in his body. She looked down at Kyoji and spoke to his sleeping form.

"You're a real asshole you know that?" she said. She ran her tongue along her still smarting fangs. The elongated canines were now receding to their normal shape. "But you're a strong asshole. Too strong. I won't let you be a thorn in Kumogakure's side any longer." She removed her Sai from her holster and knelt next to Kyoji. She was about to slit his throat open with the weapon when someone called her name over a blaring set of speakers.


"SHIMIKO STOP!"

The blonde looked up as Carmine's voice reverberated through the surround sound system. He was communicating with her through his panic room. Even though he was commanding her to stop there was an unmistakable hint of gleefulness in his voice. She dropped Kyoji back into the water and glared at the mansion, her eyes eventually found the camera he was watching her through. Shimiko's expression said it all: What gives?

"I'm sure you have your own protocols to follow as ANBU and the infamous Kyoji Hoshigaki might be a major prize for you...but he's worth more to the Collective as a prisoner. I appreciate your wonderful service and I know I can't stop you but at least hear me out. If you spare Kyoji, I will give you first dibs on any meaningful research we come across in our conq-, er liberation of the Land of Seas. I know our nations were negotiating a research agreement but give me Kyoji and you can get a cut of our work...no cost!"

Shimiko scrunched up her face in annoyance. Typical bureaucrats always over complicating things. Kyoji was a threat and she wanted to remove him from the board. Interrogation would be great but he was too strong to underestimate. It was better to assassinate him here and now. Unfortunately, the plague had devastated her life in many ways and she couldn't pass up the chance to gather more information on it. She wasn't a scientist but Vik could certainly make use of this "Shinobi Instrumentality Project." She continued to stare at the camera as she considered his proposal. Eventually, she shethed her Sai and stomped away from his body.

"You better win this War!" she called out to Carmine.

"With Kumo's help, we intend to!" he announced gleefully.

Carmine would be evacuated from his resort in short order. Kyoji and Akari would be taken into custody by the Collective. Whether they would rot in prison or find a way to escape was not Shimiko's concern. The criminals were their problem. Her only concern was stopping the spread of this super-plague and giving Kumo a chance to study it.

[Victory Declared & Exit]