The Frozen Scalpel

Esdeath stepped with a sense of power and authority, of which she had none, through the streets of Kirigakure. Her white military suit freshly pressed and the metals polished. The metal plate of her headband was placed onto the front of her hat. She might only have been a Genin but that did not stop her from trying to impress. More often than not the came down to intimidation, which suited her just fine. She wished half the missions she was sent on ended in blood shed, she almost craved the sight of an enemy in pain. The look of fear in their eyes brought her a sense of sadistic joy.

Today however was not a day for leaving the village to track down a poacher or stop some low time thugs. She was headed to the outskirts of town to the training pools. She was not alone though traveling with her was her best friend and squad mate Itsuki. The more timid looking girl followed closely closely behind carrying a decent sized scroll. "Hurry Itsuki i want to get to the pools before noon." Esdeath was excited, their sensei had given them this scroll to learn some beginner level water jutsu.

As the they drew nearer to their destination a sly grin formed on Esdeath's lips. She could not wait to learn to control water, it would make controlling her ice jutsu easier. As the rows of buildings and bridges stopped opening up to a great flat area. The stones and bricks cracked from years of weathering. Not many genin were there training today which made her happy. Approaching the closest pool she motioned for Itsuki to hand her the scroll.

Itsuki followed her more confident friend through the village, anticipating the training for today. She figured knowing some more defensive, and some offensive, skills would be helpful on the battlefield to better protect herself and Esdeath, even if Esdeath did not typically need it.

She hoped to only be a combat medic, but knew that realistically could not be done with only the ability to heal. For that reason, today was important. It was only low rank water jutsu right now but everyone must start somewhere.

Esdeath caught Itsuki slowing as she got lost in thought, hurrying her along. She could tell her friend was as excited as she was nervous and hurried back up to her side, carrying the scroll with her. When they got to the pool closest to them, Esdeath motioned for the scroll, and she handed it over with a nervous smile.

Esdeath unraveled the scroll her eyes scanning the parchment over and over. Just as quick she rolled it back up looping the string back around it. She set the scroll on the ground and shook herself loose. "Okay Itsuki the first technique we are gonna work on is the Water Clone. It'll be like our base clone jutsu however we need to weave our natural Suiton chakra with it." She knew her friend was not dumb and did not know why she almost acted like the smarter of the two. The truth was Itsuki was training to be a Medical Kunoichi. The intelligence needed for something like that was more than Esdeath could comprehend.

"We are gonna form the Tiger seal and focus our chakra to make the clone. Ready?" She formed the tiger seal with her fingers and waited for Itsuki. Once she saw her friend form the same seal she focused herself. She watched as the pool before her began to bubble before a section of liquid rose. It formed itself into a perfect copy of Esdeath, well almost perfect. She knew that it did not hold an ounce of the blood lust she did. Looking over at Itsuki Esdeath watched her friends progress in practicing the technique.

Technique Learned:

Itsuki followed suit, knowing her friend didn't think her dumb and was only over excited. She focused on the hands seal, making sure everything was as accurate as she could. She may be the slower of the two, but accuracy and precision come from focus, the speed would come over time from practice and repetition.

She watched the water in front of her friend form into an almost perfect clone, as hers was slower, but more accurate. However, almost as quickly as it formed, it fell apart.

Itsuki tried a second time, with a bit more focus on herself instead of Esdeaths progress, and got the clone to stand a few moments longer before releasing it to fall back into the pool.

After a few more tries, she had a fully formed water clone walking around without having to focus on only it.  Itsuki looked over to check Esdeaths progress on the clone, glad they both seemed to get it down fairly quick.

technique learned:

Esdeath was proud that Itsuki got the technique down even if it took her a few tries. "Alright we did that one on to the next." She reached down retrieving the scroll before unraveling it again. "Water Bullet Technique huh? This sounds like it'll be fun to learn." She read over the jutsu making sure she did not miss a thing. "Okay so it looks like after we weave the seals we will need to mold the chakra in our bellies before we shoot it out." Weaving the chakra with her Suiton element was always a little difficult for Esdeath to do. Tiger > Ox > Tiger > Rat Her fingers worked as fast as she could move them. She focused feeling her chakra mix and swirl like a whirlpool. Her eyes flew open before she exhaled, except it was not air but water that shot from Esdeath's mouth. With a look of accomplishment she turned her head to gaze upon Itsuki's progress. "The scroll says if we use this together it'll make the stream stronger."

Technique Learned:

Itsuki knew to expect more offensive jutsu during training. Whether she wanted to or not, they were necessary to learn if she expected to be of any help on the battlefield later. The goal was to be a combat medic, helpful to those on the front lines.

Itsuki tried to focus on the hand seals, mixing the Suiton in with her chakra, and releasing the jet of water. The first try only formed a weak stream, so she tried again with more focus. The more she focused on the jutsu, the stronger it got. The stronger it got though, the larger the horn of chakra on her head grew. Noticing the horn showing up, she instantly lost focused and dropped. She knew Esdeath didnt mind it, but it still made her nervous.

"I think I got this one down. What else is on there for us today?

technique learned:

She watched as Itsuki dropped her stream as the horn on her head started to manifest. She never judged Itsuki knowing it was something she had no control over. However Esdeath's excitement with how well Itsuki and herself were learning these techniques had her normally sadistic grin turned into a look of wonder and amusement. "Awesome work Itsuki, If we keep at this we shall be able to handle anything the Mizukage throws at us." She had already memorized the third technique they would practice today. The seal was simple just the Tiger but it was limited to the amount of water one could produce on their own. That was something she had in mind to work on later, for now it was the fun jutsu.

After explaining the technique to her friend She made the Tiger seal before expelling three quick bursts of water from her mouth. Eventually she would be able to do more but to start with three was a nice first step. Esdeath made sure to practice it multiple times not wanting to get complacent with her skills. After they had concluded their training of the jutsu Esdeath sat on the hard stone ground her feet soaking in the cool water of the training pools. "One day Itsuki, you and I will be co-Kages and show the world that the Mist is the most powerful village and the Land of Water is the strongest nation." Esdeath closed her eyes for a quick nap laying her head in Itsuki's lap.

Technique Learned:

Knowing this was the last technique to practice for today, Itsuki decided to try to put her full concentration on it. She watched Esdeath perform the jutsu, studied the scroll for a few moments, then started practicing it herself.
She formed the Tiger seal and focused her Suiton in trying to give the last technique all she had. After multiple attempts, she was able to get up to 6 powerful shots, ignoring the almost full chakra horn that had grown.

Proud of their progress, Itsuki sat next to the pool, putting her feet in the water and letting Esdeath lay in her lap. She figured Esdeath needed a nap after all effort she put into training, and started stroking her hair without realizing it. She let Esdeath sleep for about an hour before deciding she should probably wake her friend up to see if anything else was planned for today.

Technique learned:

With this part of the training grounds sectioned off for suiton jutsu practice most animals avoided it. There were of course the insects which preferred to be near water and knew little of survival other than to eat and exist. Due to this crows had taken to living high up in the nearby trees. Their food source so readily available and most suiton jutsu doing little more than parting around the tree's themselves. They watched with curiosity as the two genin would train their jutsu. Squawking at each other here and there but generally simply watching. A stillness settled over the pools as if peace had been achieved near the end of the hour the girls would be resting. However as with the passage of time and mankind peace could only be short lived. In the distance a man broke from the tree line. Heading from the direction of the katon training grounds. He was panicked and smelled of sulfur but had on a headband with a mark through it. A missing nin. But he did not seem to notice the two girls. His panicked eyes and quickened breath were focused behind him. Barely looking ahead to see where he was running.

The first of the clues as to what pursued him was the fog rolling in. Like a silent announcement he was coming. A thick white blanket pursued the man across the ground. The mist ever prevalent in the surroundings of the village thickened in response to the master of suiton jutsu. The light of day dimmed as the world grew grey around them. However the trees would burst with the second clue. The birds who cared little for the actions of mankind...the crows who watched and made little noise now all rose as one in a panic. The skies filling with their cries as they flocked in mass to escape the area. Something was coming that had frightened them as he had this man. Something was approaching rapidly and the missing nin felt hope of escape leave him. He would form hand seals as he jumped backwards. Sucking in air before bellowing out a large fireball. He was roughly jounin level with the rank of the jutsu. However it would matter not. Even as he formed his hand seals the final clue would wash over the entire area. The sensation of being hunted...as if a great beast was coming. Hungry and impossible to stop. It was upon them.

As the fireball flew from the mans lips a single line of highly pressurized water would come down at an angle. Slicing through the tree's, the man and the fireball alike from his shoulder to his opposing waist. The fireball bursting in response and raining down as useless sparks. Even the bugs had fled from the sensation of the man. Now all was truly still aside from the blanket of fog. Seeming to wash out as a pair of glowing purple eyes would be spotted in the mist. The two halves of the missing nin falling into a pool of water and dying it red. Still the sound of footsteps would not be heard despite the standing water. The trees nearby crashing down to drown it out. He had angled it with his sensory to avoid the innocents training nearby. Still he would emerge from the mist as a tall man. Pale skin with black hair. Purple eyes glowing as he stared down at the corpse as if confirming he were truly dead before he held out his hand. The body engulfing in a body elimination technique. Sero was wearing a black button up shirt with the top buttons loose down to his chest. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows and tucked into black slacks which were then tucked into black boots. The body burned in a purple flame a moment before he glanced up with no expression to the two girls. It was clear that sensation...the great beast came from him. The infamous commander of the Nightmare Brigade and clan leader of both the Kaguya and the Hozuki. The abomination of Kiri. Jaakuna Sero.

Jutsu used:

As the man burst through the trees Esdeath jumped to her feet putting her body in front of Itsuki's. Before she could even form the blade of ice in her hands the mist rolled through. "Itsuki say behind me and be ready." The man paid them no attention as he ran, the fear in his eyes making Esdeath's pulse race. It had only been a handful of times she had seen that look and it brought her a pleasure few things could. He was quiet literally scared to death, and it was intoxicating, this missing nin was about to feel more fear.

Her head snapped up as the crows flew up in a mass panic, something was coming. She looked back to the trees waiting for some beast or group of Anbu to emerge. Deep inside she felt an uneasiness wash over her making her hands tremble. "Its...Itsuki can you ffeeel that?" She voice cracked and trembled making her stutter. She quickly turned back to the man seeing him weave a rapid mixture of hand seals. In her mind he was going to try and burn them alive in his escape. She dove down wrapping her arms around Itsuki as three spike of pure ice formed between them and the man.

Her gaze only shifted when she realized he was not aiming at them but the trees. As the flaming sphere left his mouth a high powered stream of water shot down from a higher angle then the man was expecting. She watched as the man was split in two from shoulder to hip. Such a show of force would normally bring such excitement and joy to Esdeath however the aura radiating from the woods kept her crouched over Itsuki. A man walked out of the mist tall and pale, his hair dark almost like the specter of death itself. His violet eyes shone through her soul keeping her from moving.

The man walked slowly to the bisected man laying in a pool of blood and water. He was in all black a stark contrast to the nearly all white Esdeath wore. As he stopped his hand raised before the dead body before him burst into purple flames. He looked up meeting their gaze as Esdeath's heart felt like it would beat out of her chest. She knew this man, well by reputation, this was Jaakuna Sero. She had never seen him before but knew of his how would you say "horrors". She had idolized the stories told of him growing up but being in his presence was different than she ever expected.

Things:

Curiosity got to Itsuki when she saw the scared man running towards them out of the trees. She got ready to help her friend fight. Between the aura from the mist and her friend reaction to it, Itsuki became uneasy and got ready for the worst. Her hands started glowing green before Esdeath jumped over her, making her lose focus. As she saw spikes of ice shoot up from the ground, Itsuki saw something she rarely saw in Esdeath. Fear.

But then Itsuki saw him aim and shoot a fireball in the other direction, back toward the trees. The fireball was answered by a powerful water jutsu coming from the trees that quickly split the man in two. As she saw the man get split in half from somebody unseen, she understood Esdeath's fear. She watched as purple eyes glowed from the mist as the two halves of the man fell into the water before them, turning it red. Her eyes followed as he walked out of the mist and over to the red pool and turned what was once a body into purple flames. Seeing his skill and precision, and Esdeath's reaction, she wondered if this was the man she heard so many stories about, the infamous Sero.

Skills Used:

While training with Aoi,Winfrey notices mist and fire across the pond. "Aoi we should go see what's going on " she says with excitement "it could be something interesting!" She hops up and down practically skipping twords the commotion. As they aproch Winfrey sees two people standing together she recognizes one of them, and another person who appears to be the source of the fire and mist. "What's going on?" She whisperer to Aoi suddenly not as enthusiastic to be apart of what's happening.

Aoi was hanging out in a nearby tree "practicing" with Winfrey, if you could call what he was doing practicing. Mostly just jumping around in trees trying to quiet his steps, his Chakra, becoming almost invisible until speaking. At Winfreys sudden excitement, he decided to check out what was going on and seeing the fire and mist caught his attention as well. "Maybe it's some higher ranks practicing. I bet if we go watch, we can pick up some of their jutsu!" Jumping along in the trees, making sure to keep up his suppression, he ran along with the excited Uzumaki, staying out of sight. Getting to the clearing he noticed the two girls hiding behind spikes of ice, and a man walking up to a body in the bright red pool. "Maybe you should get down. I don't think this is a practice" he whispered to his friend, "and I think that man is well beyond your healing capabilities". He watched as the body went up in purple flame. "They might need or help" Seeing the man look at the girls, and seeing the scared look on their faces, he tried to move into a position himself where he was still hidden by could jump down to help if needed, but couldn't easily be found by who he assumed was the enemy. Aoi found a spot to sit in a tree, extended his claws, and waited for someone else to make the first move to try and determine who was friend and who was foe.

A ripple. It was the only movement that seemed to happen from Sero at first. He stood still in the pool of blood, water and ashes. His purple eyes seemed to glow in the air as the world seemed suddenly so grey. The only colors present were those provided by the children around him. These humans who had felt his presence and drawn near. He could feel them on the edge. Their fear peaking as they sought desperately to fight against the sensation. This utter terror that stood in the form of a man. Another ripple....the pool was getting smaller as it receded. Leaving stained red grass in its place. The ripples were caused by the absorption of the water at his feet. The blood and death literally fueling him. His purple eyes finally shifted to the ice spikes. Burritsu must have passed on his technique. Which meant this was a member of that mans clan with promise. He felt the most urge to fight him from her. slowly those eyes would drift. Despite the energy behind them they were so cold. As cold as the ice spikes between them. The companion was a healer. His eyes noted the medical chakra however briefly it was activated.

Another ripple....the red was fading from the water and slowly the pool had begun a small swirling motion around him. As if there was no limit to how much of the pool he could take in. It held more nutrients and kept him stronger than water alone. The shadows stretched along the tree's. Dancing as if yearning to be with him. In the mist one might swear they heard whispers echoing. Madness barely inaudible hidden from the eyes and senses. His eyes would shift to the red hair who hadn't bothered to hide themselves. Not that he couldn't sense their chakra if they had. Such vibrant red hair meant an Uzumaki. He was familiar enough with them. Such large chakra pools. He had envied their chakra chains too. Yet even their strongest had fallen before a bijuu where he had not. Still he was not finished it would seem. Those purple eyes could not be hidden from so easily. They would shift up to the tree's and stare directly at the fox. The one suppressing their chakra despite him spotting her. He would recognize another sensory nin and see the danger for them. Still his blank stare would focus on the fox first as he spoke.

"You in the tree. I urge you not to activate your sensory without preparing your mind. Along with any of the rest of you who are sensor nin."

If any of them did not listen and chose to use some form of chakra sensory it would almost be vomit inducing. His chakra was dripping off him like a plague. It's dark cursed nature causing the fear around him. No one who saw his chakra would see him as human. Nor did he. A step would break the sensation of stillness despite the swirling water and mist blanketing the ground. A second step and he would stand on the blood soaked grass. Out of the water where he stepped the earth scorched beneath his feet. A devil had now walked among them and his cold purple gaze had seen them all. Still he would slip his hands into his pants pockets casually as he tilted his head a little to the side. There was something else beneath the surface....a bijuu waiting and straining. Behind him in the pool his shadow stretched out....five tails swaying back and forth like a cat watching mice. Still he would speak in his monotone as a warm breeze would stir around them. His command of all three of his elements prevalent.

"Four of you have gathered....Here where only the strong thrive. No doubt seeking to get stronger. Once there were four like me. Azreal, Valen, Burritsu and myself were considered the four horseman. Yet only two of us remain. If it is strength you seek I can shift these titles onto you....but you must be able to face the danger that is my presence. If you seek real power....Step up to me and claim it. Step through your fear and I will raise you up. If not you may flee and I will not pursue. Choose now humans."

Esdeath's body shook beyond her control as the mist hung around them like a blanket. Her eyes wide staring straight ahead at the man who had easily taken out the missing nin. His reputation most definitely preceded him, even never seeing him before she knew his name. Fables of four shinobi who would be sent to eliminate the enemies of Kirigakure were told to her as bedtime stories. She had aspired to be like them, cold, sadistic, methodical and emotionless. However seeing Sero before her for the first time brought an uncontrollable fear.

The stillness of the air around her made her more uncomfortable than it should have. She looked down to Itsuki checking to see if she was okay after Esdeath tackled her. Through the stillness a feint sound could be heard of rippling water. Sero stood there barely loving but the water around him seemed to be flowing to his feet. She had heard he was part of the Hozuki clan but had not seen one absorb water so freely. The pool around him started to shrink leaving bloodstained grass before he began to look around. His purple eyes met hers causing a chill to run down her spine. Her adrenaline began to rise as a smile spread on her face.

"Itsuki he is looking at us." Her voice left her lips in a whisper as her body began to move on its own. She rose to her feet heart racing like it had never before watching the Sero kill the man that hand rushed past her. He looked up and spoke to someone, she turned her head but could not see through the mist at whom he was talking to. He spoke again seemingly to all of them at once, he said there were four here. She looked back to Itsuki and then back in the direction he had been looking earlier. Two more shinobi she could not see yet had to be in the area.

He fingers flexed as she regained control of her limbs the fear not yet subsided but holstered. A new emotion held more prevalence to her, excitement took control of her. He spoke of the others from her stories Azreal, Valen and Burritsu, The Four Horsemen. Before her was her dream manifesting itself into reality. He held out an offer of power one she knew she could not deny. Learning from Sero would bring a level of skill few would have ever seen. Esdeath moved from behind the ice spike she had conjured holding out her right hand.

In her open palm moisture from the surrounding fog began to swirl and manifest into a small flurry of snow before taking the shape of a Katana. As the ice solidified in her hand she pointed to Sero with her other. "I Esdeath Yuki accept your offer, to learn from one of the greatest bringers of pain this village has ever known would be an honor." She knelt down hiding the smile she could not wipe from her face. The tip of her blade dug into the ground as she rose back to her feet.

Jutsu Used:

Itsuki stood and watched as the water receded at Sero's feet, leaving behind nothing but blood soaked grass where once was a pond. She noticed the man look them over then turn his head towards the trees. Someone else? After a moment, she watched his gaze shift up. Were there multiple in the trees she hadn't noticed? Itsuki watched as Sero seemed to talk to someone hidden outside her sight. According to Sero, it was a Sensory nin inside the trees.

As he stepped out of the water, she watched the earth burn under his feet. But he stepped out with an offer, something that was the last thing Itsuki expected to hear. Even less expected, he mentioned the offer was for four, but she only knew of her and Esdeath here.

Itsuki watched as Esdeath formed a sword from the surrounding mist, thinking her to try to attack the man, even though they both knew that would be foolish. Then she heard her accept the offer, as she should have expected. she knew how much Esdeath wanted to join such a group and knew this wasnt an opportunity to be missed... for either of them. Seeing Esdeath accept, she walked up next to her and kneeled "I, Itsuki Hinode, also accept your offer"

Upon seeing these two girls kneel before this man Winfrey looks up at the trees where she knew Aoi was hidden. Nodding she sends a silent message to her friend "if they're in so am I". Putting on a brave face Winfrey steadily makes her way across the grass feeling the blood soaked mud beneath her. With every step closer the feeling of Sero's Chacra grew stronger. coming to a stop in front of him Winfrey takes a breath to compose herself. "I, Winfrey Uzumaki, accept your offer" with this she kneels before him where she waits for her friend to soon be by her side.

The fox watched as the water by the strangers feet disappeared into red grass. He saw the purple eyes start glowing stronger as more of the water vanished. Aoi saw him look the other direction before turning to look at his Uzumaki friend. She didn't bother much to hide herself and instead was standing at the edge of the trees, easily seen if not for the fog. Then the purple eyes set on Aoi.

He was confused on how he was found so easily, as that hadn't happened to him before. Knowingly, at least. He wasn't one to show fear but today was different. The man before him had earned it from his presence alone. He watched as the man stepped out of what was left of the pool, only for his feet to torch the ground beneath him, leaving behind 5 shadows in the water. Shadows that seemed to have a life of their own, swaying like tails.

He and Winfrey watched as two kunoichi seemed to appear of of the mist to kneel in front of the man, agreeing to his offer. She nodded to him and he nodded back. If they hadn't been attacked yet, it was unlikely. He already knew the four of them were there and would have been smarter to attack before he was known. "We don't know them so let's be careful... but I agree, I'm in too"

Aois ears flattened back and his tails curled down out of instinctual fear, but he pushed himself through it to jump out of the tree and walk forward. Under this man, maybe he can find people just as easily and become just as powerful. Or maybe he can become better. He kneels in front of Sero, unfurling his tails "I, too, Aoi Osaki, wish to claim this power"

Four would see him and know his power. Four would listen to his words and feel their fear grip them. Four would step forward despite this fear. Four would kneel before him and four would become the next generation of the Nightmare brigade. A military division of conviction unlike the others. Even if the members may falter the brigade did not. Even if its members were to fall...the brigade would not. Sero would stand alone at the head of his Brigade if he had to. However there were always those who saw his power. Who felt the pressure of his presence. Who desired to have power like it. Four would kneel for this power and four would become his horsemen. Yet there was another coming. These four were educated and civilized in their own way. There was something missing from them when it came to a balance. Civilized people preparing for war needed the savage kind. The fox who bent knee last reminded him the most of his ward. The Kaguya he had taken in that had come along with him on this hunt. His eyes shifted to the treeline he had come from. A sharp whistle indicating for her to come forward.

"For todays training...there will be one other joining us. My ward is a tracker by nature. We were training her to hunt that man when he broke away earlier."

He would wait for Yuno to come as she was bid. Allowing them to each introduce each other as he would fold his hands in front of him. One over the other at his waistline. He had not taken the sword of ice or used it. The symbolic nature of it was for the girl...However his purple eyes shifted to it. He was familiar with the technique. So that man was sharing his techniques with his clan. Perhaps he was worth more than the constant fights he wished for. Still it was more likely that he was just preparing them to fight him later. Another student of his. For now though Sero would let those purple eyes shift back to them. Each person his eyes would land on would feel it. A pressure overwhelming them. A beast that was beyond any of their capabilities. Still he would wait until they were all settled with boundless patience. Once introductions were done he would speak once more.

"If you join my brigade...you must train to hunt and kill a target. As it stands all of you lack the capability to kill me so we will work on squad tactics. There will be three goals to this exercise. Tracking me the target...engaging the target and evading or negating counter attacks. I will refrain from using anything over a C rank jutsu but injury will still be sustained if you are caught in one. Now what do you think would be a good formation for you? Share your specialties' and where you think you serve best in a formation. Yuno isn't much of a thinker but I will say she is likely best as a front line tracker."

Yunolesca would sit behind the tree's hearing Sero talk to the four shinobi, her eyes closed, almost relaxing against the tree itself. A white tiger laid next to her, purring softly as it slept peacefully next to Yuno's leg, it's silver pelt glistening in the light. Her eyes would slowly open, revealing icy baby blue eyes that would tear through the shadows. Her head turned against the bark, rotating her body along the cylinder trunk of the tree, her body wrapping around until her eyes met with the shinobi's. Sero's whistle had awoken her and her tiger, both of their eyes locked on to the students.

Appearing through the shadows, she would walk on all fours until the light touched her skin, revealing that she had switched to two legs. Sero didn't want Yuno walking on all fours, much like she had been doing. It was still weird but she decided to abide by his wishes. The tiger would follow behind her, chuffing as it came from the shadows and standing next to Yuno on all fours. It's growl like chuff would continue, rubbing it's side against her leg and glaring up to Sero. Yuno would cock her head to Sero, wondering how to introduce herself properly. All she knew was sniffing others and so maybe... it was accepted..? Yuno went up to the fox one first, her nose wiggling to the scent and recoiling back from the fox scent, covering her nose and wincing. "Smelly." She stated before going to the next one. Itsuki smelt more subtle but it wasn't as harsh as Aoi, the disgusting scent that lingered in Yuno's nose. Next was Esdeath, a minty scent would wave against her nose and she'd recoil back. As if peppermint would be shoved up her nostrils. It wasn't bad but it was quite startling. The last one, Winfrey, smelled tasty, almost savory. She wanted to taste this woman but she knew it would be deemed civilized, so she kept to herself and held back.

Yuno returned to the side of Sero and looked to him as if to say, "I did it, now what." Sero began speaking and she'd listen closely, even to the remark of her not being much of a thinker, somehow still taking offense to it. The feeling was soon dismissed as she was praised for being a tracker, giving her the confidence to smile cockily, crossing her arms and grinning, showing her fangs to the group. She was indeed an animal but she was slowly becoming more human by the day.

Esdeath stood there sword in hand her pulse racing before Itsuki stepped up next to her accepting the offer. He left hand reached down taking her partners squeezing it tight. Next a red haired young woman stepped forward from the fog surrounding them. Even if she had not introduced herself she could be nothing less than an Uzumaki with that hair. Another emerged from the fog a young kitsune with sky blue fur on their tails and ears. She could not tell their gender but they were lovely to gaze upon. Four of them stood there before the Nightmare King, four horseman to bring pain to the enemies of Kiri.

Sero spoke of a ward before another Kitsune emerged from the trees with a tiger at their side where he had come from. This one more obviously a female looked at the four of them walking to each giving them each a sniff. It was primal and animalistic making Esdeath sneer, The Spiders needed to be smart and cunning. However he had mentioned that this one was a tracker and could be of good use where there could be to much fog or another source that made normal means of tracking impossible. Esdeath stepped forward exerting her chakra to make it start to snow.

"I am Yuki Esdeath, cousin to Burittsu the spider." Her smile was wide feeling pride in her clan and its reputation.

"I am a close to mid-range specialist. I use my Hyoton jutsu to make weapons or attack from a distance." She twirled the blade of ice around her before making it crumble into a pile of snow.

She reached her hand out to Itsuki motioning for her to step forward.

Itsuki kneeled there waiting for a sign until esdeath gently squeezed her hand. She looked up to see an older girl step out of the mist with bright red hair, very obviously Uzumaki, and a younger light blue kitsune with her. Itsuki wondered if these were the two unseen ninja Sero was also talking to.

Sero spoke of another joining then watched as a lion girl came out from the trees. She looked feral but a lot more than the fox that appeared before her. Itsuki watched curiously as she went up and sniffed everyone, starting with the fox, who's smell it looked as if she was displeased with. Following her out of the trees, itsuki saw a white tiger who just sat by sero as the feral girl made her way around to everyone.

"I'm a healer but can also be a front line fighter if needed, though I prefer not to be"

Following the girls lead Winfrey stood looking Sero in the eyes. She gives a small smile to the girl at Seros side before offering her hand to Aoi under the guise of helping her friend to his feet, she was scared and leaned on Aoi now as she had when they were younger. "I'm a healer as well"

Aoi stood, taking his friends hand as he got up, and sneered at the wild girl. How dare she call him smelly, he always made sure to take care of himself and extra care of his fur. He kept an eye on her the whole time he stood and spoke. "I plan to train in the ways of tracking and remaining hidden but also hand to hand combat" he extends out his claws "or hand to claws and fang in my case"

Sero would listen to them each in turn. Short to the point and readily given. They followed orders but as of yet were not too interesting as individuals. He supposed spending time with them instead of them freshly being introduced to his aura would be important to get beyond that. Still he would let his purple gaze shift to each as they spoke. Two and maybe three front line combatants. Aside from Yuno that was. He would consider her a specialist. Though in truth the Aoi individual was similar in some regards. He would contemplate what that meant for the group. The red head only allowing that they could heal. Perhaps they were the most resistant to him. Still Sero would speak up in reply to them. The shadows seemed to carry the faintest whispers of his words as they stretched through the fog. The burnt ground beneath his feet surrounded by blood seemed to grant his words meaning. His voice falling first upon Esdeath.

"I am familiar with your kin. I trained him and watched him bleed for strength. I will hope to see you surpass him. However he is foolish in his quest for strength. Surviving on the whims of his opponents. He even challenged me in my own home. Choosing to attack me there. I allowed him to leave with his life. Should you join him on his next attempt...be prepared to die. If you hold no ill will towards me however I will grant you strength such as his as I did with him. Your position in the squad is in the middle. Guarding your support and assisting with engagements with firepower from mid range.

Itsuki Hinode. You're position is the rear guard. Capable of supporting the team as a back up med nin but also handy in a fight in the event of a flank. The rear guard is not a toss away position. It is vital in almost any military situation. With you being capable in close quarts I expect you to prevent me from reaching the rest of your squad from behind by whatever means you can.

You...Winfrey Uzumaki. You will be my win condition. As your strictly support by what you have told me and a healer my goal will be to target you. In this case that makes you the VIP being escorted and the primary healer. If I capture or remove you from the equation this lesson ends.

Aoi Osaki. You and Yuno will be switching roles as you patrol in a circle opposite each other around the group. I will be concealing my chakra during this time so you will have to rely on your senses to locate me and warn the group. I again discourage attempting to sense my chakra. It is a dark thing you cannot handle yet. Your job is to warn the team when I am engaging before I am upon them. Eyes up and don't falter.

Only Winfrey has to reach the edge of the training grounds to succeed against me. Be prepared to make hard decisions. See what it means to be a shinobi."

With that Sero would glance to Yuno a moment. She was the least likely to gain much from this as hard decisions were either instinctual for her or did not happen. Would she be able to overcome her self preservation instincts for the mission? He truly didn't know. However his chakra presence would suddenly cease as he activated chakra suppression. Suddenly that weight of an aura like he was hunting them all snapped away. Leaving an empty hollow feeling towards him. As if he were something empty...an empty stomach waiting for them. Still he would be there one moment and then if they blinked or not it didn't matter. He was gone so quickly most of them might have assumed he vanished at A rank speed. At best Aoi might have caught a glimpse of his first movement but nothing beyond that.