Dragonborn?!

Clouds of dark grey hung over the mountains as the frequent gust of wind howl between the peaks. The breeze seems to carry a certain chill that lowers the temperature than what it was before. Mori had to make sure his coat was buttoned up to protect his core from the chill. It has been roughly a week of travel through the southwestern mountains to the northwestern mountain region. The travel had been quiet for the most part of the journey with the occasional of Morikawa asking Sora a random question about the geography of the Land of Lightning. In this season, storms have a tendency to gather at the top of the mountains and even descend to lower visibility as well as fill the area with heavy moisture. At the same time the clouds generate a lot of negative energy which discharges arcs of lightning.

It is perhaps not the most fun part of knowledge or even wanting to learn while traveling. Yet Morikawa considers this as part of training as knowledge can be vital in any situation. Even something as simple as using the moisture in the air to reduce the cost of a technique for water release to even using the cover of darkness to hide from sight. Plus Mori seems to be rather fascinated with the flora about this area and even verbally makes a note to collect ingredients on his next stroll. Mori even goes into detail of the fauna of this land such as mountain lions, goats, rabbits, etc. Especially the rabbits since he finds it a bit odd that such a creature normally found in meadows and warm forests such as the Land of Fire for example. Yet they’re able to live in climates such as these mountain ranges.

Regardless about a day before they arrive Morikawa grew quiet as not saying much was recommended. Along the pathway they come upon what appears to be a stone structure carved into the mountain. At first glance it appears that there are four mouths belonging to caves in a small section of stone. However there is a brief flicker of orange light from the top left that reveals a shadowy silhouette. Of what details are vague since it was just a shadow from a distance. However Morikawa can see ways of getting inside of the structure, but the numbers are unknown as the ‘caves’ appear to be windows. Morikawa spots two stone pathways that goes inside of the structure, but the problem is that it is located on the other side from where they stand. Dividing between Mori and the structure is a valley that one small step off and they be tumbling miles down to the ground.

“There it is… Getting inside should be simple enough. Just get a running start and jump off towards it. Then just concentrate your chakra to the bottom of your feet and hands if you can to stick towards the stone wall.” Morikawa spoke in a soft tone to keep his voice low towards his genin. The gap between them and the outpost is roughly 10 to 15 meters wide. Even if they did miss the mark so to speak they can descend with enough movement to reach the other side. They might slide a bit down from the gravity and inertia weighing them down, but otherwise they should be fine. At least in Mori’s mind. But this is where something dawns on the jonin as he looks back at Sora. “You do know the tree climbing practice do you not?”

Sora calmly walked next to the jounin that was asking Sora question about the lands. Sora knew what was mostly walking around since he needed to know what his source of food could come from when he was alone. Further, he didn't really care about anything. He mostly just cared about food so he knew what he could eat and what not with the flora and fauna of the land of lightning

When they arrived at their destination Sora calmly stood there and removed his hands out of the kangaroo pocket of his bunny hug. Sora moved the hood off his head before reaching towards the back of his neck. Sora grabbed a stretchy black cloth that was stitched in the back of his collar he moved the fabric over his head and placed it infront of the lower part of his face before moving his hood back over his head and pulling a bit on the cords of his hoodie. At this moment only one of his blue grey eyes were visible since his left eye was still covered by his hair.

Sora looked calmly at the stone structure although something in his eyes changed though. It was like his eyes were moving at rapid speed over every single structure. Sora was taking in every little detail he saw from the stone structure going from chips missing even to where they started with creating the windows.

When the jounin spoke about how to use the tree climbing jutsu Sora rolled his eyes a bit. "I finished the academy right?" Was the only thing Sora said towards the jounin. Sora eyes went back to normal just before started running towards the edge. Sora Jumped using every single muscle of his legs to the tip of his toe the get across. He didn't use any chakra yet.

Sora flew through the air like a superhero with his right hand infront of his and his legs behind him. Sora knew it would be easier to get his hands on the wall quicker then his feet. The moment he reached the stone structure Sora focused his chakra in his right hand while he twisted his hips giving him a spinning motion. The moment Sora touched the structure he would have twisted 45 degrees and he used the muscle in his abdomen to his feet towards the wall. Sora used the rotation to create more friction then normally so he wouldn't slide as far as normal. The moment he twisted 90 degrees his feets touched the wall and he started focusing his chakra also in his feet. Having now chakra focused in his feet and right hand. Sora would twist further to 180 degrees until he gets to a stop.

Sora stood calmly on the structure with his head facing down and his feet up close to on of the window. He looked up wondering if his teacher was there with him or not. If not Sora would calmly wait in this position until his teacher also made it.

tech used:

The jonin shrugged his shoulders at Sora’s response. There are some who can barely stick their feet on a tree. Since apparently the shinobi find it appropriate to just learn the practice to do bare minimum activities such as walking and running a short distance. Morikawa knows of one who had a hard time to walk along a wall, but that was just signs that even a muscle man can perform such a task. Though in truth it was a light test to see if Sora was nervous or even freezes up now that the situation is in front of him.

Morikawa briefly watched Sora prepping himself up just before the kid launched himself at the structure. A bit flashy in Morikawa’s opinion, but the results were in Sora’s favor so far. Either way if the worst was to come Morikawa is confident without a doubt to put everybody to sleep. Morikawa rolled his shoulders a bit as he took a deep breath. Then the jonin proceeds to run as the soft sounds of feet emit from his boots. Just when he was inches from the ledge Morikawa leaps off as he almost seems to glide across the gap. His coattails trailing behind him as Morikawa began to drop a few meters.

There was barely a sound being made when Morikawa reached the smooth wall as he lightly touched it with the palm of his left hand and his right foot touching the surface. There wasn’t any signs of effort or buckling from inertia and what have you. What’s more is that he’s only a meter below Sora. Morikawa didn’t say anything to the genin this time as he draws out a kunai from his right sleeve before silently climbing up to the bottom of a dark window. Morikawa patiently waited about ten seconds listening in silence just to make sure no one was behind this window.

Once this time had passed Morikawa silently climbs into the window with his golden eyes scanning the room. It is dark, and what little light he can see from the window reveals a storage room. As it contains a few crates and kegs. Morikawa also discovered a black, thin cloth over the window as he passed through it. Clever as it probably was an attempt to hide their lights, but because it was thin light can still be seen. Morikawa brushed the cloth aside as he spots a closed wooden door. A thin orange line can be seen underneath it, and that was where Morikawa had an idea.

Waiting for Sora to climb in, Morikawa looked around some more and found a few clay cups on a shelf set to eye level. The jonin would place the black cloth on the ground simply by dropping it to let the wind set it. Grabbing a cup from the shelf, Morikawa would whisper towards Sora. “This will serve as our way to draw them in. Kill only if necessary.” The jonin freely used the term kill in a hushed tone. Morikawa will position himself to the left where the door will open to shield him from view for the most part. In case Sora doesn’t have an idea to position himself, Morikawa will point up at the ceiling above the doorway.

tech used:

Will Sora waited for the jounin to jump the gap Sora took one his left trench knives out of its holster and calmly held it in his left hand. He watched the jounin land on the wall a meter away from him Sora calmly made his way towards the Jounin although Sora used the upper part of the window to climb into the room. Sora crawled into the window a second after the Jounin went in. Sora kept on the upper part through using the ceiling as his area to move around in. Sora preferred the to be in the places up high since they were less recognizable and distracted people for most of the time.

Sora crawled over the ceiling keeping his body as close the ceiling as possible. Sora moved quietly like a panther being on the hunt. Sora heard the Jounin whisper to him not the kill anyone unless necessary. That could be quite hard for Sora since his mother trained him to kill for the most part. Being trained at home allot made him into the lazy person he is now. His mother used to be part of the execution team off Kumo. Sora has basically trained his whole life for one thing. To finish his opponent no questions asked. The other side to this was that Sora wasn't a one on one fighter. Sora was trained to take down teams on his own using nothing but his simple brain and pure stealth.

The Jounin and Sora moved together to the closed door. Sora was still walking on the ceiling on his hands and feet calmly until he was at the door. Sora calmly placed his trench knife back into the left holster before he reached into his left pouch and took two kunai's from the pouch. It was near invisible to see the one-meter steal ninja wire knotted between the two pommels of the kunai's. Sora Turned around so his back was facing the ceiling and his feet were the closest too the entrance. He made sure he could see what was going on.

Killing is the art of assassins or in other situations it is kill or be killed. However the mission did say that deaths are permitted for this mission, but not necessary. Moriawa wanted to at least get that bit into the boy’s head. Though he’ll admit that Sora is at least self sufficient which should make things easier for this mission. Morikawa made mental notes that this kid seemed to be already trained by an assassin. Come to think of it, isn’t his mother an assassin for Kumo to begin with? Well that’s a thought for another time Morikawa decided.

Once they were ready, the jonin tossed the clay cup at the middle of the room. It produces a glass shattering sound as the cup breaks upon impact. A stir of wooden legs scraping on stone floors can be heard from the door as muffled voices followed it. About a second or two later, the sounds of something click on the door emits into the room before it cracks open. A line of warm orange light can be seen from the door as it opens wide. Standing in the doorway are three men as two look lean and rather cunning while the one who opened the door is big muscles and broad shoulders.

The big guy glanced around the room as he appears to be holding something equivalent to a club or maybe a baton. His eyes catch sight of the black cloth on the ground and the shattered remains of a cup. A grunt can be heard as the other two guys seem to be holding knives. “Wind is strong this storm. I knew that cloth wasn’t going to last.” Of course the guy walks into the room now as he bends down to pick up the fabric. The cup seems to hold little importance to him as he would try to put the fabric back in place.

At that time, Morikawa would shove the door closed which emits a loud bang as all form of light is gone now. A sudden shout can be heard from the man as he turned around to look at the closed door. However that was fine for the jonin as he simply rushed forward and proceeds to slash the man in the forearm on the palm side that held the club. A cry spills out from the man’s man as the club clatters to the ground. Morikawa wasted no time as he spun around the man’s left flank and slashed the left wrist palm side. Effectively disabling any use of his arms in terms of weaponry. Now it was Sora’s turn to take care of it. Otherwise Morikawa’s plan of action is to stab his kunai into the man’s achilles heel and render the poor guy immobilized the whole time.

When Sora saw the man walking out of the door Sora calmly followed the man since he saw no one else coming into the room. Sora stayed close to the ceiling the whole time. Sora was more like looking like just a shadow though like he wasn't there. Sora wasn't scared or anything. He was completely calm like he did this for ages although it was his first mission. His eyes didn't show any emotion besides his uninterested mixed with tiredness. The emotion his eyes had most of the time. It was like these kinds of things did nothing to Sora.

When the door closed Sora knew it was the Jounin since no one else could have done. He saw the Jounin Slashing the club out of the man's hands in raped speed the moment the club was falling Sora stop focusing chakra into his hands so he would let go of the ceiling making him stand upside down while he would jam one of the kunai's into the mans shoulder aiming the kunai between the collarbone and ribs making sure it was stuck. Sora shot back and moved the second kunai over a support beam. Sora jumped off the ceiling holding the second tightly in his hand. The steel ninja wire placed between the two kunai's would tighten and lift up the man a bit from the ground. Sora used his own weight as leverage to get the man up. On Sora's way down sora would jam the second Kunai into the man's other shoulder but from the back just below the shoulder blade and above the rib.

The man would hand a few inches off the ground with a kunai stuck in each shoulder. Sora would stand right behind the man with still his emotionless yet tired look in his eyes. He wasn't breathing heavy or anything. Sora was just walking calmly back towards the door and waited on the Jounin.

It was swift and short as their combination of disabling with at the very least knocking the big guy unconscious. Morikawa can hear rapid steps on the stone floor coming from the room they had closed. “One down, at least two more to go. Remember, we are just scattering them away.” Morikawa will drop a reminder as his golden eyes focus on the door. The jounin would pick up the fallen club with his other hand while the kunai slips up in his sleeve to reveal an empty hand. He twirls the club between the left-handed fingers as he tested the weight of it. At the same time he walks to the other side of the door where it won’t swing back.

Sure enough, that door slams open to reveal the very same two men with sharpened knives in hand. The first man was swiftly dealt with as Morikawa immediately swings across his chest in a horizontal arc as he builds up more power behind the swing. There was a wet noise with a cry as Morikawa slammed the club onto the man’s face possibly breaking his nose as blood pour out of it with a dark cut over the bridge. Crooked nose man backed into the guy behind him as he immediately reached up to cover his nose. Howling in pain as he fell on his knees.

The second didn’t take it very kindly as he bared his teeth and went to quickly turn around the corner as he attempts to stab Morikawa in the collarbone. In a simple motion Morikawa will quickly slam both a cupped fist and the handle of a club into the man’s stomach. All while twisting his body with the motion to further use his strength into a crouching position. Making the knife whistle in the wind just above the jounin’s head before he even registered the pain. Morikawa’s right palm immediately shot straight up as the man was just resisting double over his knees. Where it’ll connect just under the man’s chin with such violent force that it lifted him off his feet and slammed into the door.

Now Morikawa knows he said no killing, but he was never against injuring them. For these brigands only know force and fear aside from money. If Sora doesn’t dispose the both of them while they’re weak the two injured men will run away to a flight of stairs that seem to be going down. All while if one was to pay more attention there’s a lot of footsteps coming from that staircase. “I would give it another six coming up. I reckon that big guy was the one who was keeping these people under control. Now that we’ve taken out the brawn of their force, they should be easy to take care of now.” Morikawa as he walks into the room.

The walls were of smooth stone like it was just smoothed out by some tool. There is a tanned skin of a mountain lion or what the coloration presents on the floor with three makeshift stools surrounding a small campfire. It is still lit, but the flames are low with little smoke. Almost like the ruffians were actually taking care of not producing too much light and reduce the smoke to prevent suffocation. Otherwise at the furthest corner of the room is a set of stone doors descending to somewhere.

Sora looked calmly at the jounin on how he beaten up the two guys with the club. Sora kept his tired and bored expression on his face. He wasn't planning on chasing the guys since he would think the guys would warn the others if their were more. Big chance it would scare them atleast a bit. It would catch them off guard making it easier for them to defeat them.

Sora would walk calmly into the other room and heard the jounin say that their were more coming. Sora looked towards the jounin. "Then does are mine. And I thought you were just to help out when needed though." Sora said with a shrug. Before he started walking to the stairs wondering what would come to him.

“That is true, but when an opportunity presents itself you shouldn’t waste it. Besides so far i’ve gotten a good sense on the extent of your capabilities.” Morikawa responded as he keeps his eye at the stairs. Both hands are now into his trench coat as he proceeds to wait for the incoming troop. “You should be able to take the rest of them on your own to be honest.” The jounin spoke before he walks over to one side of the walls and leans his back against it. His left hand still on the kunai inside of his pocket. Staying vigilant for anything is key to survival even against common brigands such as these.

Sure enough storming up the stairs is another trio of fresh ruffians armed with wakizashi and what appears to be a sickle. Morikawa smirked at the sight of a farmer’s tool being used as a weapon, but then again the keen edge inward of the sickle warns Morikawa that the bandit recently sharpened it. Still they should pose little threat to Sora, but in the case something happens Morikawa will be ready to take action at a moment’s notice. If Sora is out in the open by the time their heads are visible over the stairs the trio will charge straight for him. Where each of them will attempt to swing their weapons at him with poor teamwork.

Sora smiled behind his masked the moment the men came into view. Sora calmly placed his hands in the kangaroo pocket of his hoodie. His lazy yet tired view in his eyes changed a bit since if someone would look deep into his eyes they would see sparks of joy and fire burning deep within it. Sora liked a good challenge although he didn't really see three untrained men as a challenge to him. This was just fun to play with.

While the men were running towards him. He wasn't planning on grabbing towards his weapons. Sora just kept his hands calmly in his pockets. Sora just looked at the three men charging before the started swinging his weapons at him. Sora's body moved smoothly away from every single strike the made like he was dancing with them. After a couple of swings, Sora got the hold on how they were swinging their blades and the poor teamwork they had. Sora's legs started kicking against the hand that was holding the weapons after every dodge. Sora was making their swing bigger then they were attempting after ever. Sora started timing more precisely making their weapons hit the teammates. About thirty seconds after the men charged him they were laying on the ground impaled by their teammate's weapons. Sora would calmly look towards Morikawa and saying "I didn't do it. They did it themselves." Sora said nodding before he headed down the stairs.

Morikawa remained against the wall with his arms folded and yet one hand was still holding onto a kunai. Just in case something went wrong Morikawa would hurl the kunai to intercept and wound whoever was getting the better of Sora. Luckily that wasn’t necessary as Sora evaded and countered against the trio of men who didn’t work together well. In fact two of them started to bicker at each other when Sora kicked a bandit’s wakizashi to slash across another’s chest. It was somewhat of a comedy to Morikawa, but perhaps that was just to show how dark of a humor the jounin possess.

At the end of it the three brigands were impaled by their own weapons as their lifeless eyes gaze up to the stone ceiling above them. Sora just looked over to him and proclaimed that they stabbed themselves which Morikawa can verify. “Yeah i saw it. Like i said death is permitted, and to be frank they had plenty of chances to stop and run. So it is their choice that they impaled themselves.” With that being said Morikawa moved from the smooth stone wall and steps to the corpses. All he did was grab one of the wakizashi that had fresh blood coating the blade as he pulls it out of the man’s chest. Upon inspecting the blade a bit Morikawa frowned before tossing it to the side.

“It is market quality weapons they hold, but from what i’ve seen it has been a while and they’ve been using the weapons consistently. I’m surprised the blade didn’t snap in half to be honest.” Lifting his golden eyes up to the genin Morikawa would gesture over to the flight of stairs going down. “I’m sure the rest ran by now, but we should inspect what’s downstairs just in case. Stay on your toes though. We never know when someone might have the bright idea to set an ambush for us.” Without further ado the jounin would walk over the dead towards the set of stairs with his fiery coat trailing behind him.

Sora would calmly shrug over the weapons comment. Sora didn't really care if they were old. If they could cut they could injure him it was also in the back of Sora's head that blunt weapons would hurt more then a razor edge sharp one.

"If they were smart they would run." Sora said calmly while walking towards the stairs. He kept his hands in the pockets of his hoodies while he walked down. Sora would calmly walk down the stairs. Sora may look calm and everything but he kept an eye out of everything. He didn't really care what was going on downstairs. If he had he would if he didn't he would just continue walking around the place looking for things he could use or maybe stuff he could sell at vendors. "You know I expected more from these people." Sora said towards he Jounin while he walked down.

“A lot of them would feel they have no choice. They’re usually from the lower class where they can barely rub two ryo together without spending it on alcohol and whatever little amount of food they can afford. The other lot are actually a bit smarter as they chose this lifestyle for the thrill of it and some of them are actually pretty good at it. I’ve met a couple that rivaled myself.” Morikawa would respond as he remembers those two instances where the bandits were actually trained by a rogue shinobi of Konoha. The jounin would follow the genin down the stairs where they come upon a large rectangular room with four corridors that branched off to the side. At the opposite side from the two is a wooden door reinforced with iron. It however is swung opened as the cold air rolls into the establishment.

There are some iron pots scattered on the floor and invaluable items and trinkets seems to be the only thing left. Any food that could be found are either started to mold or is infested with parasites. Which Morikawa would warn Sora before he even touched them or got close to them. Essentially everyone who was using this as a camp had abandoned it out of fear. “Well then. I guess we can consider this as a mission accomplished. The bandits are driven out of here and we didn’t get much of a scratch save for our tools maybe. We can start heading back to the village.”

[exit to Kumogakure]

Sora looked around the room seeing there is nothing there besides some rotten food. He sighed a bit hoping he could take something home to sell or as a souvenir. He always wanted to take something home from a mission to remind him in the end how many he actually did when he was retired.

"Well if that was everything." Sora said with shrug and removed the hoodie and face mask revealing his full face again. He left out a sigh and stretched himself out a bit before he started to move out of the room. He placed his hands back into his pocket and made his way fully out

[exit to kumogakure]