The Society's Triumphant Departure

Honiko was in good spirits. Her top disciple had demolished Kumo's greatest warrior, she had gathered some information regarding a few persons of interest, and Kumogakure's ANBU Captain was ill with the plague. The One-Tailed Jinchurikki would not trouble her or the Society although that left a question as to who would inherit its power. Honiko was under the impression that her Master had chosen Akame for a reason, but as wise and powerful as he was, he was not infallible. It appeared as though the woman simply was not fit to possess the power of a Sage Artifact. Honiko had created a shadow clone that stood in a room directly above Akame's room. Honiko's Mind's Eye told her exactly where she was and given her familiarity with the hospital, she knew where to place her clone for maximum effect. The woman was being kept alive artificially using a breakthrough treatment for the plague. The wing she was in was likely guarded but if Honiko desired she could merely break through from the ceiling and then dispatch any Kumo ninja. From there, it would be a simple matter for the clone to unseal the beast and bring about the end of Kumogakure.

The second clone which had gathered a substantial amount of nature energy was standing on a rooftop adjacent to the hospital. The clone crossed its arms and kept its Mind's Eye active. It was ready and willing to deal with any threats that might arise before departure. It prepped a single technique and scanned the horizon.

The real Honiko had summoned Balerion who would be looking a bit worse for wear. The dragon was missing an eye, several of his talons had been ripped out, and his overall demeanor seemed incredibly cowed. The dragon lowered his head and refused to make eye contact with his master or her disciples. The Society had burned all information that it had worked with while using the hospital as a base. Honiko had gathered all of her effects and was ready to go. From here, she'd patiently wait for Nozomi and Raijin to arrive. The Stray Dog would be left behind as a gift for her host.

Honiko:
Balerion
Shadow Clone Jutsu
Mind's Eye

Honi Sage Clone:
Mind's Eye
1 technique prepped

Raijin was clad in all black. There was a certain air to him that was different from before. The match had been concluded. He was done with his match-up. And Nozomi had won the tournament. He was sure Honiko would be pleased with he refforts. It had been a fight to remember. Raijin knew they were out of his skill level, even without their extra powers. At base, they moved at speeds that was unfathomable to the naked eye. Raijin was able to see them, and thus learned a lot from their battle. But he was ready to leave Kumogakure. To many bad memories were attached to this place. And they were still missing so it was best that they make moves out.

Walking to where the real Honiko was, he stood a few feet away and gave her a slight bow. Balerion was looking worse for wear. He had obviously been through something traumatic as he was avoiding Honiko's gaze. "Time for us to depart." He said to both Balerion and Honiko. Raijin was ready for the next leap in his training.

Nozomi was, of course, the last to arrive. She had gathered her items up earlier, but that wasnt what had kept her from showing up before Raijin. She had had a few things to do before they left, mainly picking up the 100,000 ryo prize for coming in first place in the tournament, getting her armor repaired, and showering.

But before she left, she had also needed to visit Ryuko, despite that she was still in a coma and didnt appear to be waking soon. Nozomi would have liked to have spent nore time with the girl, but it didn't appear they would even get to interact together in the same village while she had been here.

Nozomi had simply sat there in silence, watching Ryuko's heart monitor for a while before breaking the silence. "Your friend Shimiko hates me. She won't let us be together. And I don't think we can be. I hate to think that we will be enemies if we ever meet again, but you have to fight me. If you ever wake up, you have to fight me and join your friend's effort. She cares about you, and she considers you family. Don't throw that away for me. All I want you to do for me is wake up. Don't die here."

Nozomi stood up, moved closer to Ryuko and gently kissed her forehead. After that, she left, with nurses going in to make sure Ryuko was still alive and that Nozomi hadn't killed her. Going to her room, Nozomi picked up her already packed bag and went to find Honiko so they could leave.

"I'm ready to go whenever you are, my lady."

Honiko's Mind's Eye told her that Nozomi had said her goodbyes to Ryuko. The Sage had no sentiment for the moment but she did think it would be a shame if the Priestess never woke up. Nozomi had demonstrated her unflinching loyalty and devotion to her but there was one test Honiko had yet administer. And if Ryuko died then she imagined that she would need to wait quite sometime before the opportunity for such a test could be found again. The missed chance didn't trouble her though. Deep down she truly believed that Nozomi would do anything for her, and for the first time since she had met her own Master, she felt a reciprocal obligation.

Honiko nodded to her disciples and then climbed aboard the dragon while beckoning them to follow. Honiko would take her place at Balerion's head, sitting in the lotus position as was custom. Once Nozomi and Raijin were settled, she flared her Katon chakra once and the beast immediately took flight. The dragon would soar through the air and away from the hospital.

Same Stuff Active

Exit

It didn't take very long before Nozomi finally showed. She had won the tournament and so was tending to other matters. Raijin acknowledged her as she spoke to Honiko. Everyone seemed to have everything that they needed to go on their trip. The young Missing Nin was grateful. Being surrounded by your enemies leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Any moment could be your last. But he was able to leave, fortunately. Balerion was ready for them and Honiko took her place among the head of Balerion, waiting for them to join her. Raijin wasted no time climbing on the back of the dragon, without the need for help, he was becoming used to riding him. Time for them to leave.

[Exit]

Nozomi was about to jump on top of Balerion when she noticed his injuries. She had ignored him for the most part since she didn't really like him. Still, she was taken aback by his wounds. Stepping up to him, she raised a hand towards his eye, but dropped it before she accidentally upset him. She didn't like what happened to him. Balerion was very free spirited, and to see him like this was upsetting.

Jumping on his back instead, Nozomi leaned back, applying some chakra to her back and feet so she would be planted on the back of the dragon, and stared up at the sky, pulling out a small book and a pencil, drawing the skyscape and horizon. She liked to draw the views she saw, and she wanted to capture the essence of Kumogakure before she left. It was fairly pretty, and she had done lots of drawings of the city itself, and the mountains, but hadnt done a horizon yet.

-Exit-