Fear Unlocks Potential or Hopelessness

Deep within one of the rooms with the recently repaired functioning training grounds was a custom room. Deep within the lowest levels underground a single stairwell led to this place. Dull lights barely illuminating the hallway leading to a single old wooden door. The lights flickering with each step as it seems to almost warn against going towards the door. Whispers seem to be distant in the shadows and gone abruptly in the light. Out of earshot but still close enough to notice...it wasn't one or two in the distance. It was dozens of whispering voices stacking onto each other. So many voices speaking over one another it was just distant noise with no words that could be picked out. As one would approach the door however the lights would flicker and dim further. The final light shifting to a red color over the door itself. The whispers as anyone got closer to the door spreading now in unison until the person who stood before the very peeling red door itself would only hear one voice. 

"He who bathes the land in blood awaits in the shadows."

Then abruptly it was silent. Nothing stirred aside from whoever had been in the hall. It was unclear if there were just hidden speakers....or if the shadows themselves said such a phrase. The phrase itself filled with love and admiration. It was as if it were someone lost so deeply in a first love. Beyond affection...that voice sounded like obsession. As if the shadows true mate sat just there beyond them. The door itself was old and weathered. The red paint peeled ever so slowly. As if something was rotting it away. The doorknob was a face writhed in agony. Everything up until this point suggested to flee to the normal mind. To weed out those who could not handle what came next. The terror on the other side of the door. If someone opened it the handle would be hot. Not unbearably so but enough to surprise someone. Then the gateway had been unsealed. A world so similar and so strikingly different awaited them.

On the other side of the door the air was humid. An almost wet and warm feeling hung in the air. There was plenty of dry paths in criss crossed lines in a grid pattern over a swamp. What once had been a rice fields had been long since abandoned. The tall rice plants now surrounded by other plant life and weeds. Thin tree's hung over them with long empty branches like claws. All the while a fog hung heavy in the air. It resembled an early morning in a hot swamp climate. Down the path a ways was what appeared to be an old ruined set of two shacks and an old barn still intact. The barn the same color as the door. The same peeling red paint. However this would only be a short time to contemplate. Behind them the door closed and the room took on the appearance of just a wall of forest behind them. No handle to reopen the door. Just a small gap under it to show the hallway. The lights flickering off until there was just a red line under the door. No more than a half inch thick. A blanket of fog would roll along the floor around them and begin to conceal the paths and the swamp...however there was a shadow. A motion that passed them just out of sight in the thick fog. A shadow there one moment and then merely shifting mist the next. Then the fear would come. A sensation like there was something the mind couldn't wrap itself around. The bigger issue is it felt like that unthinkable something was out there....and it was hunting them.

Ryu descended the stairwell cautiously, each step echoing in the confined space. His training had prepared him for many things, but the ambiance of this place sent shivers down his spine. The hallway stretched out like a foreboding tunnel, the dull lights flickering as if alive and reluctant to guide him forward. He could feel the oppressive weight of countless whispers, a cacophony of indistinguishable voices just out of reach. It was an eerie sensation, unsettling his usually calm demeanor. Ryu would much rather be relaxing under a tree, the gentle rustle of leaves soothing his weary soul as he watched clouds pass by, or indulging in the lively atmosphere of a party, surrounded by the company of beautiful women.

The carefree allure of those simpler, more pleasurable moments often tugged at him, whispering seductively of the joys he could be experiencing instead. However, duty seemed to call him to this eerie place, a place where shadows danced with malevolent intent and whispers spoke of dark secrets. It wasn't just a sense of obligation that drove him, but a burning curiosity and an insatiable thirst for adventure. Despite the danger that lurked in the shadows, there was an undeniable thrill in exploring the unknown, in facing the mysteries that lay hidden beneath the surface. Ryu always enjoyed having a good story to tell the ladies, exploits of bravery were a sure way to earn special attention from them.

There was also the promise he had recently made, a vow to protect others, to be a true Shinobi of the hidden mist village. He had been chastised for his lack of initiative in the past, and the fact that he had not helped in defending the village in the recent attack from the two-tailed Bijuu. He needed to prove, not just to his superiors that he had what it took to be a Shinobi, but he also needed to prove it to himself. The desire for a peaceful, indulgent life was strong, but the responsibility he felt towards others and the commitment to his own growth and integrity were even stronger. He knew that some battles needed to be fought, not because they were easy, but because they were necessary.

With a heavy heart and a determined spirit, Ryu ventured into the unknown, driven by a deeper purpose that overshadowed his personal desires. As he approached the decrepit wooden door, the final light above it shifted to an ominous red, casting a bloody hue on the door's peeling surface. The whispers coalesced into a single, haunting voice: "He who bathes the land in blood awaits in the shadows." The words dripped with an obsessive love, chilling Ryu to his core. He paused, his instincts screaming to turn back, but he forced himself to continue. The doorknob, sculpted into a face twisted in agony, was unexpectedly hot to the touch. Without hesitation, Ryu turned it and stepped through.

The air on the other side was thick and humid, wrapping around him like a damp shroud. He found himself in what once might have been rice fields, now overgrown and abandoned, with a crisscrossing grid of dry paths barely keeping the swamp at bay. Thin, claw-like branches of trees loomed overhead, and a heavy fog settled around him, obscuring his vision.Ryu took in the sight of two ruined shacks and an old barn, painted the same peeling red as the door. He had little time to absorb his surroundings before the door behind him closed, transforming into an impenetrable wall of forest. The light from the hallway vanished, leaving only a thin red line beneath the door, soon swallowed by the rolling fog.

A shadow darted just beyond his vision, the mist swirling in its wake. The sense of being hunted was palpable, a primal fear tightening his chest. Ryu took a deep breath, feeling the damp air fill his lungs, and steadied himself. He scanned the foggy landscape, every muscle tensed, ready for whatever might come next. The whispers had warned him, but he was determined to face whatever lurked in the shadows. He whispered softly to himself, a mantra to steady his nerves, "Fear is the enemy. I will conquer the enemy." Say the words over and over, steeling himself as he stepped forward into the fog, preparing himself to confront whatever the terror was that awaited him within this place.

Jin found him self walking down a long and dark hallway which he had some how stumbled along it. He had came to the training facility in order to hone his skills and hopefully find a strong individual to fight. Instead he had came across a secret passage way, all the while as he was walking down the dark and barely lit passage Jin could hear whispers and voices, it was either from some speaker in the walls or aspirations of the long departed.

Jin was getting aggravated at the voices as it felt like they was following him down the hall way, but soon he would come to a door so reaching out Jin would grab the handle and as he did he would notice that it was slightly hot. It was not hot enough to hurt him which was hard for anything to hurt him but it did let him know that it was hot. Opening the door the first thing that Jin noticed was how humid the air was around him, it was like the humid air just rushed him just as soon as the door cracked in the slightest.

Walking though the door Jin saw what seemed to be a swamp of some kind, there was a earthy path laid out before him crossing back and forth along the swamp. But as he walked towards the swamp he noticed that it was actually a old forgotten rice field. Jin continued his path along and as he got closer he saw a barn, it was the same shade of red as the door he had came though to get here.

Jin continued on and as he looked around he noticed that he was not alone, there was another person standing in front of him so he walked beside him so he could get a good look at who it might be but just then from the corner of his eye he saw a shadow appear before vanishing in the thick fog which surrounded them. Most people would probably start feeling fear of the unknown but a grin spread across Jin Kaguya face as he was excited to find out what was lurking in the fog.

Mamoru stood in one of the many training room, that resided in the Grand Training Grounds, stretching his tight muscles. Today was his intense workout regimen, which meant full body workout. He had to keep his muscles as strong as his bones. Taking a towel and wiping the glistening sweat from his face, followed by his bare torso, and then down both shoulders and arms. A chill ran up the entire length of his spine, which caused goosebumps for form on his arms and the back of his neck. He stopped, focusing on the temperature of the room, which was not cold in the slightest. It was more of an eerie sensation that Mamoru couldn't quite pinpoint the cause of. But it seemed to have disappeared, so he shrugged it off
Grabbing his white kimono from the weapons rack, Mamoru slid both of his arms in their respective sleeves, and tugged the front to secure it across his shoulders, before strapping the looped bands to the circular buttons on the opposite site, securing it around his torso as well. He wrapped the thick blue belt around his waist and then slid his wooden Bokken through the tight loop on the belt. He paused once more as that eerie sensation suddenly appeared again, but before it was suble, this time he could feel almost a pull or tug, trying to edge in a direction. He turned his head toward the only exit of the room, his instincts screaming to proceed with caution.
Mamoru pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway of the training facility. Looking from left to right, only seeing closed doors, he hallway was completely deserted and dead silent. He didn't hear any sounds coming from any of the rooms lining that hallway. With his right arm resting in between the wooden hilt and the belt, ready to draw it at a moment's notice, Mamoru edged along the hallway, allowing the tugging sensation to lead him, while his instincts began to protest. That this was a terrible idea. But the curiosity to investigate this sudden phenomenon was much stronger, allowing him to gain the resolve to venture forth into the unknown. The tugging sensation growing stronger as well, pulling him harder, making his cautious steady steps, into long hurried ones.
Mamoru rounded a corner and  had to suppress the urge to run full sprint towards a particular door. First off, now his instincts overpowered his curiosity as the light from this hallway was much dimmer and flickering every few seconds, compared to the hallway behind him. He came this far, so he held the resolve to push forward. His breath became shaky and his body trembled as his eyes darted from left to right, watching each damn door closely, expecting one of them to just burst open and...something...he didn't even know what, to pop out. He wasn't sure if his nerves were causing him to imagine it, but the further along  he crept down this hallway, very faint incoherent whispers played in his mind.
His steps suddenly halted, like he had touched some invisible wall and just could not move any further. The whispers reaching a loud crescendo and he could actually comprehend what the legion of voices were saying: "He who bathes the land in blood awaits in the shadows." Mamoru was frozen for a moment, just staring to his left at a percular looking, old red door.  The red light that he was completely oblivious to, until now , illuminating above his head. "Uh. Uh. Nope!" He exclaimed suddenly catching himself, but when he would attempt to move his body to go back, it did not respond. His body trembled with fear and his thoughts raced with possibilities, just trying to comprehend this situation he was in, as he lingered in front of the old red door, unable to move from or towards it. Like his body was fighting his instincts to run away, wanting to overcome this fear. And it suddenly hit him. That same resolve that carried him this far, still even as the whispers continued, he remembered that he needed to get stronger. Not just physically, he knew now, but to overcome this sudden fear and run headlong into the darkness. The confidence to overcome anything filled him. Excitement. Sheer excitement filled him. The fear a distant shadow in the back of his mind, just a stark reminder to also remain cautious. Courageous, yes. But not reckless.
Mamoru took in a very deep breath through his nose, held it, and then exhaled through his mouth, calming his nerves. He could feel his body responding now, so the only direction to go was forward. His arm felt like lead, as his instincts gave one more attempt to stop him, but ultimately failed when he gripped the oddly warm doorknob, twisted, and pushed the door open.
Stepping through the threshold, Mamoru didn't know what he was expecting to find, but it definitely was not the scenery he was currently seeing. He never seen any of the rooms look like this. He thought he was having a panic attack, because of how heavy his breathing became, but then he realized it was just the environment. What he thought was a thin layer of sweat, was just from the humidity. He turned as he heard the sudden squeaking of rusty hinges as the door shut behind him, leaving a thin red light. There was no door, though. Only a wall of trees. "Well, there's definitely no going back now" He said aloud to himself, trying to remain as courageous as he felt stepping through the door. But now he was getting the feeling that there was threat looming in the thick mist and abandoned rice field.
Mamoru chose a dirt path and decided that there was no use in standing in one spot, looking around, so he pushed his heavy feet forward, one step at a time. His head swiveling in each direction, listening for any noises at all.
As he trudged forward, further down the lane, he noticed two old shacks and a large red barn, off in the distance. Any of those options would be better than being a sitting duck, surrounded by this rice field. He was filled with some relief. At least he had a destination now. He took a few steps forward and noticed a silhouette moving somewhat slowly through the thick mist, but then another figure dashed between then, too quick really see in this thick mist. The way the silhouette reacted to the same dashing figure, Mamoru concluded that it was most likely in the same predicament. There was no hostel feeling, yet. But he didn't want to take any chances. Especially with that unknown figure dashing about. Mamoru drew the Bokken and remained still in his spot, his head and eyes swiveling left and right, waiting for any sign of movement.

The fog would shift and slowly circle around them. The only clear path was to the ruined houses and strangely intact red barn. As if the red barn was luring them. As if it was meant to be a safe haven. Another peeling red place that matched the door they had left behind. As the three entered individually in a staggered pattern it would be clear the door only seemed to open from the outside. Once inside this domain became their reality. The only hint of the outside world was that blood red glow...that thin line under the roots of one of the trees. The three young men would gather near the door and hesitate. As if unsure as to how to proceed. Each one so very brave for getting through the door. Each one curious as to what drew them here. Each of them heroes or fools. Still the scent here of the marsh felt real. The humidity felt real. The danger felt real. Each of them were facing this trial. Either apart or together. Still the only path forward appeared to be the barn....the mist itself seemed to be slowly closing in. A slow crawl towards them as if waiting to consume them. Hungry in nature.

Still this was not the only thing that would shift in this new reality. From somewhere within the mist the sound of clacking would be heard. First one sound slowly on its own and then a second one with different timing. For the two Kaguya this would likely be familiar. This was the sound of bones clacking against bones. Whatever was here shared their abilities. Off to their left a purple flame would part a section of the mist. A body was underneath this random ball of fire. No bigger than someone's hand. The body was revealed half sunken into one of the rice patty sections. It's body covered in deep cuts as if it had been wrapped in blades. Then the small ball of fire would lower and the body would become engulfed. Burning away with such intense heat they would be able to feel it from the path. Then the same would happen to their right. Another body with the same wounds appeared before it too was engulfed in that same insanely hot purple flame. However around each body the parted mist and fire would reveal those shadows a little more. The horrifying truth of what was out there hunting people...What had killed people.

Behind each body the shadow of a bone serpent could be seen. The clacking continuing as it shifted without touching the ground. Floating along like a snake in the air. Flowing back and forth as if it had not detected them yet. However this serpent was massive. Five meters in length with foot long blades like legs in lines along its body. One could assume it had killed its prey by wrapping around it and inserting those blades into the flesh before squeezing the blood out of them. The two snakes would snap back and forth with each clack as they hunted through the mist. Passing near enough the fire to reveal their bone structure. Moving at C rank speed as they did. However one might be perceptive enough to notice the red barn door open. There a woman stuck her head out of the door just a little to look around. Alerted to the light outside. 

The woman was wearing an orange jumper with a white t shirt stained with some blood across the front. Some sturdy if not worn boots on her feet with a tired look about her. She had dark hair and was about middle aged. However her green eyes would widen as she saw three other people. Her eyes immediately went to the mist in fear. She didn't want to draw attention to herself...to the barn. Instead she would lift her hands and frantically wave them over to her. Mouthing the words 'RUN' to them as clearly as she could. Panic and fear clear on her face. These shinobi looked strong at least. They might be the key to salvation. So long as they did not fall to these serpents. They could be the key to escape. 






Name: Bone serpent - lesser
Rank: C
Power: C
Activation Cost: 5 chakra
Upkeep Cost: 3 chakra per turn
Range: 20 meters
Speed: C
Element: Bone
Skill: Ninjutsu
Classification: Secret
Requirements: Kaguya rank 2
Parent Technique: N/A
Hand Seals: Dragon, Dog, Snake, Rat, Rabbit
Description: Once the wielder has finished the seals they must form a triangle with their hands. Placing their target in the center. Once this is finished they then must place their palms down to the ground. Their palms feed bones into the ground to form a five meter long bladed serpent (Blades are 1 foot long). This Snake now will seek out the single target at C rank speed on it's own and attempt to wrap around crush the target at C rank speed with C rank strength. Keeping the blades on the inside of the wrap to stab for C rank damage.
Weaknesses: The snake is single minded to follow a target. It doesn't care about anyone else and will forgo defense to chase them down along the most direct path.

Ryu stepped carefully through the fog, his senses on high alert. The eerie, oppressive mist closed in around him, swirling and shifting like a living entity. His eyes darted around him, wondering what was going on. At first he thought he was alone, but the sound of footsteps behind him would cause him to turn and see the others moving up towards him. He didn't recognize the first man, who was oddly smiling, but the second one he did. Mamoru, a younger man that he had gone on mission with to track down that dog a few days ago. He wondered if the two of them had been drawn to the place like he had been, but more importantly he was wondering just what this place was and what it was doing underneath the training facility.

Before he had a chance to ask either of them if they knew what was going on, a sound broke through the oppressive silence. It was a strange, rhythmic clacking, Ryu strained his ears as he tried to place it. It was unlike anything he had heard before, adding to the growing unease that was gnawing at him. He scanned the mist, his breath catching at the sight of a purple flame parting the fog, revealing a body beneath. Deep, vicious cuts marred the body, and his heart stopped as he realized that, whoever they were, they were dead. He watched completely transfixed, as the small purple flame grew and consumed the body with such an intensity that he could feel it from where he stood as if he had been standing next to a bonfire.

Another flame ignited to his right drawing his attention, seeing another body with the same wounds as the second flame would repeat the actions of the first. He would see shadows in the fog, before the fog parted slightly around the flames that consumed the bodies, revealing massive, sinuous creatures, their bone structure illuminated by the firelight floating in the air. His heart pounded as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing, the serpentine shapes moving with a terrifying grace, their clacking bones echoing through the mist. So, he had identified what was causing the sounds, but he had no idea what they were. Ryu felt a surge of dread as he observed the serpents, each about five meters long, their bodies made of pure bone and lined with blades of bones.

He imagined the horror of being caught by one, wrapped in its deadly embrace. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm and focused. This had to be some kind of illusion, things like that just wasn't possible, was it? He was about to use Genjutsu: Kai to break the illusion when his attention was suddenly drawn to the red barn door, where a woman was waving frantically, mouthing the word "RUN." The urgency and terror on her face was unmistakable, if this was some kind of illusion it was a really good one. Ryu glanced at the others to see if they saw what he was seeing, his mind racing. Repeating his mantra silently in his head, 'Fear is the enemy. I will conquer the enemy.'

If his 'comrades' did not notice the woman, Ryu would signal to them before pointing towards the woman. He may not have known one of them, but all three of them were in this together, whatever this was. "There are other's here, we have to help them." He whispered softly, hoping they understood the gravity of the situation. There was no time for hesitation as every second counted, no matter how much fear they might have, they were Shinobi of the Hidden Mist and they were duty bound to help the woman and anyone else that was still alive. Taking a deep breath, Ryu readied himself, feeling a surge of determination. He had not faced real danger like this before, but he had to help the woman. He was confident that if the three of them worked together they could make it out of this nightmare alive.

Jin could feel as the fog around them was creeping up around them more and more. This did not feel natural but it was not as if he could do anything about some weird fog. He could hear footsteps behind him and looking back Jin noticed another individual with white hair and a kimono, there was no doubt that he was of the Kaguya Clan like him self. He had a bokken a wooden sword pulled out and ready to fight. Though the fog Jin started to hear a odd but very familiar sound slowly making its way though the dense fog lingering.

Just then a purple flame lit up near him and he noticed a body that had cuts all over it. Seconds later in another location another purple flame would light up showing yet another one. But crawling around beside it was a serpent like creature. He now knew why the sound he was hearing sounded so familiar cause it was the sound of bone scraping against bone. Being in the Kaguya Clan he had heard that noise all to often.

Off in the distance he could see a barn and as he was looking he noticed a girl poke her head up from the barn and starting mouthing for the three of them to run away. But Jin could not figure out why it was not like they was in any real danger. The man beside him whispered to the other two that they needed to save the woman. Looking back Jin motioned with his hand to the other Kaguya for him and the man beside him to attack one of the bone serpents as he would attack the other.

getting into a fighting stance Jin used the Arhat fighting style which was good for fast hard hitting. Jin would then rush in to the left towards the bone serpent as he used the raising knee Taijutsu Skill to strike the bone snake.

Cp: 50-6=44

Stats:
Strength: C>>B++
Constitution: C
Stamina D
Speed: C
Coordination: C
Intelligence:E
Perception: C

JUTSU used:

Spoiler:

As the fog shifted, Mamoru had a better view of the immediate area and it seemed the red barn, like it was hinting for them to move that direction. The familiar voice he heard was definitely Ryu, someone he knew he could coordinate well with. His confidence lifted now that he could actually see them and knew that he wasn't alone. The other genin, Mamoru didn't know too well. Just by looking at him, he knew he was also a Kaguya and just looking at his physique, he would be formidable with Taijutsu. Just as he was.
Another familiar sound struck his ears and it sent a shiver down his spine. He looked around for the cause of the clattering bone on bone sound, not knowing exactly what to expect, but knew to something outlandish. His eyes focused as he stared through the fog, years of training in Kiri coming in handy, and to his horror, the purple wisps igniting both corpse became a small bonfire, illuminating the fog and revealing two long serpents. The light of the flames reflecting off of the surface of the bones.  

Mamoru wanted to bolt for the red barn. At first, it was curiosity. He wanted to gather more intel on this place and maybe the women would provide answers to their questions, but now panic began to fill him as he stared at the two serpents. Sweat ran down his face, arms, and even his back. He definitely wasn't going to abandon the other two. If they wanted to stay and fight, well he was was going to swallow the panic, and fight. He gripped the hilt of his Bokken even tighter, like it would sprout legs and abandon him. He knew it wouldn't do much against the bones of these serpents. A strike from his bones would be more effective than this wooden stick. So, sliding it back in his belt, Mamoru looked towards Jin and Ryu, just as the signal was given. Jin getting into a familar stance before rushing towards the left and delivered a shattering rising knee to a serpent. Mamoru would quietly stalk after the other snake, observing it from a distance, and if it were to go after Jin, from hearing the sound of his strike against the other serpent, then he would charge at it, moving at his full c rank speed. Once he would be roughly 3 meters away from it, whether it's head was low or body rising to strike, Mamoru would lower his shoulder and aim for either the head or the under belly, trying to avoid the blades as best as he could, slamming into it with the same strength enhanced style as Jin used.
-------------------------------------------------
Max CP: 50
Used: 2 CP (Taijutsu Skill Cost Reduction)
Remaining: 48 CP

Stats
Strength: C -> A (Arhat Fist +1 Tier; Shoulder Charge +3m +1 tier)
Constitution: C -> C++ (Shikotsumyaku - ++ for Physical Damage)
Stamina: D
Speed: C
Coordination: C
Intelligence: D
Perception: D

Techniques Used:

Sero would watch with his sensory and advanced perceptive abilities from nearby in the mist. Hidden from view as he wished to be. His purple eyes watching the three who had entered. Two of which he could feel were Kaguya like himself. Upstarts as they were now with hardly much of their bloodline tapped. The other was a different type but a signature similar to one he had encountered before. Uzumaki Yui. Once a powerful woman in the village who could shatter boulders with her bare hands. This one was not yet tempered but he could become an asset. Those chains were always dangerous. Still he would simply observe for now. Their choice to engage the serpents was an interesting one. It had been designed to drive them to the barn for the lesson he had prepared there. The test awaiting them. However this straightforward action would be impressive. The first who charged straight in with no concern for his safety would find the bone serpent more durable than he had expected. Though his blow connected he would feel the recoil from the difference of his own strength hitting something stronger than Iron and his constitution. 

Likely a hairline fracture along his knee cap and without attention limiting his movement. An injured leg in this setting could prove unique. However the serpent his knee connected with would ripple back as if stunned by nearly enough to break it. The body shuddering a moment as the skull cracked but did not break. It would provide precious seconds for Jin to retreat or recieve back up. However the other Kaguya was more cautious. Calculating and when the snake charged him finally he would counter with a shoulder blow of his own. His saving grace was having raised his endurance. Yet his own fate was similar to Jin's. Mamoru would feel his shoulder nearly dislocate from the interaction and a sprain forming there. His arm would be difficult to use in such a situation. However his blow was ever so slightly more effective but enough. The head of the serpent would crack and then crumble before the whole body would fall and turn to dust. The first serpent would recover from its stunned state however and rush Jin. Attempting to dart down and begin to coil around him from the legs up. Attempting to stab a dozen bone blades into the boy if it wasn't stopped. 

However with the impressive display of power and likely the destruction of the second serpent in short order....as it had very little durability left, Sero would note a need to step up the threat. With two of them facing injuries that would weaken their taijutsu they would need to be able to think tactically now. So he would send something their way that was too much of a threat in the immediate moment. Sero would quietly string together a series of hand seals with no time for them to congratulate themselves. Dog, Tiger, monkey, horse, hare, bird, Ram, Ox. With that finished he would hold his hands up and a massive amount of bones would form out of his palm. Their first hint of danger was the sound of something massive walking step by step towards them. The water would ripple with each corresponding step. From the mist towering over them at ten meters tall was a terrifying bone golem. The girl would scream at them from the barn audibly now. 

"They don't seem to go near the barn! We have a healer in here! Just run dammit!" 





Name: Bōngōremu (Bone Golem)
Rank: B
Power: B
Activation Cost: 10
Upkeep Cost: 5
Range: 50 meters
Speed: B
Element: Kaguya bone
Skill: Ninjutsu
Classification: Secret
Requirements: Kaguya rank 2
Parent Technique: N/A
Hand Seals: Dog, Tiger, monkey, horse, hare, bird, Ram, Ox
Description: Once the hand signs are finished a large mass of bones is released from both the users palms to directly in front of them. This mass of bones forms over one post before taking the shape of a ten meter tall Bone golem. This Bone golem moves at B rank speed up to fifty meters of the caster on its own accord. It targets anyone the caster viewed as hostile before casting like designated targets. It has the equivalent of B rank strength, Constitution and speed with C rank coordination and Perception. It has no intelligence of it's own to speak of or Stamina.
Weaknesses: Will auto fail any intelligence checks. It's core is in it's chest and if it's shattered the whole construct shatters.

Ryu would watch as both Mamoru and his other comrade would spring into action, attacking the two snakes with Taijutsu, Ryu however was still processing it all. Seeing the effect, or rather lack thereof, against the snakes a plan began to form. Forming a single hand seal, the Tiger, Ryu would use the water that covered the area around them to form three bullets of water that would quickly move to assault the snakes. He could tell the one Mamoru had attacked seemed to have suffered more damage than the other so one bullet would fire off at it, with the damage it had sustained from mamoru's attack the bullet should make quick work of it.

The other two bullets would launch at the snake the other man had attacked, both of them striking it before it was able to make a move against him to try to ensnare him. With any luck the bullets would reduce both bone snakes into dust, then it felt as if the ground began to shake. Heavy footsteps of something massive making its way towards them, a massive bone monster loomed out of the mist just as the woman in the barn yelled out for them to run to the barn. "Make for the barn now, Mamoru help him if he needs it." Ryu called out to both of of his teammates as he formed two more hand seals, the Tiger and then the Snake  

Even from where he was he could tell the other man's leg was injured from his attack against the bone snake, Ryu doubted that the man could run fast if at all with an injury like that, the only option was to buy the two of them enough time to make it to the barn if he couldn't stop the massive golem. With his two hand seals formed, three more bullets would launch from the water around Ryu. This time the bullets would be moving faster than the first set he had launched at the snakes, and they would pack more of a punch which Ryu hoped would deal with the golem. All three bullets striking at the golem at center mass in hopes of stopping it, or at the very least slowing it down so that his comrades could make it to the barn.

Ryu however would not run, not until he made sure that the others were safely away from the beast and to the barn. It was the only chance they would have to get away from it, and so he would make his stand despite the fear that he felt. This was what it meant to be a Shinobi, this was what he had to do. If he failed, at least he would go down fighting.

---

Chakra: 160/185
Water Fang Bullet x2 -20
Focused Amplification -5

Techniques:

Jin's attack managed to land as his knee made contact to the snake serpent. But as his knee made contact he felt a slight hairline fracture spread on his knee cap. This would not bold well for his Taijutsu. The other Kaguya did pretty well also as he used the shoulder charge to break the snakes head and caused it to be broken unlike the serpent he attacked which seemed dazed and confused but was still moving and looked to be ready for another attack.

Jin using his good leg jumped back to get some distance from him self and the bone serpent. Just then a ball of water came flying in as it smashed into the bone snake and hopefully destroying it in the process. The woman who was at the barn saw what happened and yelled out for them to run and get to the barn they had a healer there. Jin would normally keep fighting but a smart fighter would know there own limitations and calmly calculate there next move.

" let's go and get to the barn. once we are healed we can figure out what to do next."

Just then Jin could feel a large rumbling under his feet and it was not long before could see what it was. To his surprise a very large bone golem was now towering over the three ninja that was there. Jin knew bones and this seemed like a technique the Kaguya would use but he did not see any one else around beside the three of them.

Jin knew that cause of his leg he was not going to be able to run very far or fast on his injury so Jin would use his good leg to jump up and flip as he landed on his hands. Jin knew that he could move just as fast on his hands as he could on his feet so he began to move quickly as he began to head to the barn. He noticed that the one ninja tho was staying behind giving Jin and the other Kaguya time to escape to the barn.

Pain exploded in his right shoulder as he smashed into the Bone Serpent’s cranium. Mamoru wasn't expecting the bones to be so damn strong. He had to grit his teeth to keep scream of curses from erupting from his mouth. Even as he backed away from the motionless serpent, watching the crack in the skull begin to break apart and crumble to ash, followed by a large jet of water slamming into the remaining carcass, and soaking the ash and ground around it. Although he was now injured, a little bit of satisfaction built up inside of him as he looked over to see the first Bone Snake still had some fight in him. It was unfortunate, but damn. He wasn’t expecting the bones to be so strong.
 
Growing up with his father, whom he always viewed as a person with strong Kaguya genes, also demonstrated smashing his fists through boulders bigger than they were. Even little Mamoru would attempt it on smaller rocks and tree, and walk away with a hurt knuckles and wrist. Of course he didn't have the strength and conditioning he has now, so he wasn't seriously injuring himself. But he had never seen his father break, even sprain his bones. Could there be a third, more advanced Kaguya that he didn’t know about? Learning about two in one evening. What were the odds?
 
As they both called out to Mamoru, though, he felt the ground rumble. Looking through the mist, a large silhouetted figure rose. He over to see the other Kaguya genin hobble back on leg and then bound to his hands to escape. A little unorthodox, but he seemed to be moving pretty good. So, He grabbed his forearm wit his left hand, to support his right shoulder, and bolted towards Ryu, as fast as he possible could manage. ”Come’on, Ryu. We should be able to all make it to the barn together” Mamoru stated, releasing his hurt arm, but managing to keep it still, as he tugged on Ryu’s arm, leading him towards the barn, with the other Kaguya genin alongside them…running? Would that still have been considered running?  

The remaining bone snake would shake a little before attempting to surge forward. Only for it's weakened form to be struck twice in the side by water bullets. One such water bullet was strong enough and accurate enough that when it hit the cracked skull of the floating snake it would break a chunk off. The entire snake would shiver a moment before it too would fall to ash. Crumbling away as it was nothing more than a Ninjutsu. However this victory would be short lived as all three would turn and notice the golem coming towards them. Lumbering forward instead of charging. Their minds were made up quickly as this opponent was stronger than the last two. One of them would attempt to cover the retreat by launching off an amplified water jutsu. The golem itself would oddly raise a massive arm to block the attack from hitting its torso. The arm cracking with a hole punched through it but not falling apart like the last two. A hole drilled into its arm but it did not halt. Even as the young man would be dragged backwards by his ally it would lumber forward. Letting the three gain distance a moment as it didn't seem concerned with the damage it received. 

Sero would watch from within the mist. All of this was his doing. The bone creatures...the thick mist and the odd way it behaved. Even the people placed here were part of a lesson. He would need to keep up appearances though. The lesson being taught here was within the red barn. So once they had gained enough distance he would decide to mark them as targets momentarily. The Golem would seem to snap its attention to them finally. Chasing after them at B rank speed as they ran. It would not catch up to them before they reached the barn. The girl waving them inside before slamming the door behind them and barring it. Just before there was a loud crash as the whole barn shuddered. The Golem could have broken through and attacked but Sero did not wish for this just yet. He would begin his walk calmly down the path towards the barn as the Golem stood outside. Waiting for a command with no targets in sight. Sero would walk up to the barn as he would lay a hand on the wall outside. Concealing his chakra for the time being on the off chance any of them were sensory nin. The paint still peeled at his touch as he listened. 

The barn itself was dimly lit with lanterns hanging from two beams. Within the barn were two other individuals looking haggard. One was a young male with a thin pasty complexion wearing the full orange jumpsuit with the white t-shirt underneath. Only one part was torn off above the right breast...as if done so intentionally. For the first time the woman would look irritated as she indicated the two injured ones. The boy would start before moving forward and would immediately begin his medical aid to the two in silence. The third one was a man who had lost the top altogether and had some blood stains on his pants and a scar from where it looked like he had been healed along his torso. He would click his tongue to his teeth as he glared at the lot before looking away. He was a bald man with thick muscles and scars. A partial tattoo on his hip was visible and perhaps slightly familiar to anyone who was familiar with the local....pirates. Still the girl would speak up. Her expression changed back to the innocent and kind girl.

"Thank goodness you all made it. We woke up here and there were five of us....those things just attacked and the three of us barely got away. It seems like the Barn is safe for now. Still you guys actually destroyed those creatures. With your help....we might have a chance of getting out of here!"

Ryu held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the golem block his Water Fang Bullet with its arm. The three bullets left a sizable hole in the arm, but did little to stop its approach. He was going to launch another attack at it, but before he could he felt Mamoru pulling on his arm. Ryu resisted at first before finally relenting, their only option was to retreat and try to gather some information about the situation. Turning and running with the other two towards the barn and the woman that was waving for them, Ryu's mind raced as they ran. Doing his best to observe their surroundings through the mist, trying to figure out what was going on and how they were going to get out of there.

Inside the barn, Ryu's eyes adjusted to the dim light as the crash against the door seemed to shake the entire barn. The sight of the two individuals that were with the woman, one in an orange jumpsuit and the other bald man with scars. As the one in the jumpsuit began healing the others, Ryu's eyes would focus on the bald man, he couldn't place it but the man seemed familiar. When the woman started speaking, Ryu nodded, taking stock of their situation. The barn provided temporary safety, but the golem's presence outside meant they needed a plan, and the woman's words only rose more questions in Ryu's mind. "We need to stay calm and think this through," Ryu started, eyeing the woman cautiously.

"The golem is strong, but it's not invincible. I was able to damage it, we just need to figure out how to finish the job, and who created it." Ryu continued as he looked around the barn, "first thing is first though. Who are you people, and what do you mean you woke up here? What happened before you got here, where were you, what were you doing?" Ryu asked the woman, though the questions were directed to all three of the strangers. He wondered how someone or something could move them while they were sleeping without them being aware, not to mention his suspicions on the man in the orange jumpsuit and the bald man, something didn't feel right here and it wasn't just the atmosphere.

Running as fast as he could using his hands and arms Jin and the other two quickly made there way towards the barn. The Yellow haired boy had used another water bullet jutsu on the large towering golem and he watched as the golem blocked the attack tho it left a large hole in its arm, but even that did not slow the beast down. At first it seemed aloof of sorts but in a instant the beast changed its behavior almost as if it was being controlled tho he could not be sure. It suddenly started running towards the three but they managed to reach the barn as Jin using his arms jumped and rolled into the large barn.

Once inside his eyes adjusted to his surroundings and he noticed that the girl was not the only ones in there. There was a man who had on a orange jump suit, the other man was tall muscled up and had a familiar looking tattoo on him. The girl had the guy with the jump suit start to heal Jin and the other Kaguya as she explained that there was five of them but now there was just 3. She told the group that they had no idea where they where as they had just woke up here.

Jin found the whole situation oddly suspicious but Jin just sat against the wall with his arms crossed since the boy that he heard was named Ryu already asked the most important questions. Jin knew that the bones of Kaguya was strong but what ever made those bone serpents and golem had stronger bones. Jin wondered of another Kaguya that was stronger might somehow be involved.

Mamoru watched the Golem intensely as they ran for the barn, noting the damage that Ryu caused with his Ninjutsu. Sure it didn't stop it, but enough of those and that Golem is sitting in a heap of Ash, just like the snakes. Even a pack of wolves can take down a tiger. They just needed to regroup and recoup. Hopefully. With the Golem going from a brisk walk in a park to picking up it's pace like it suddenly seen them as targets, Mamoru cursed and prayed to any higher power that it didn't smash right through the doors of that damn barn. Knowing how strong the bones of those snakes were, this golem would be even tougher. It could demolish that barn like it was made of paper, if it really wanted to. And Mamoru's heart pounded at the thought. As much as it frightened him, he admired it all the same. He could be that strong one day.

The moment all three genin rushed through the threshold of barn and was a safe distance, Mamoru spun at the sound of the doors shutting, the thick wooden bar slamming down across them, and the Golem crashing into them. His body involuntarily shuddered as much as the Barn did. The three other humans were no concern to him, at the moment. He felt no hostility from them anyway, especially with his back turned. It could have been because he had Ryu and the other Kaguya genin with him, watching them, while he kept an eye on the door and surrounding walls, his breathing deep and steady, as he attempted to calm himself. Even when it was silent outside, Ryu speaking, and the boy pulled him to sit down next to his fellow Kaguya, Mamoru fought to calm himself. Taking deep breaths and focusing on steadying his chakra flow, as his shoulder was feeling better from the healing
"Hey. I guess we didn't get proper introductions. My name is Mamoru Kaguya." He said turning towards Jin. He was about to ask the boy for his name, but Ryu started speaking and mentioned the Golem. "I'm almost positive that Golem was created by a Kaguya. Those bones are tougher than stone and I've never met anyone else with bones that tough." He added, surely that the other Kaguya had caught on as well.
Once the healing was completed, Mamoru stood, rotating his arm, feeling the range of motion of his socket. Good as new. He waited for the others to respond to Ryu, so a plan could be worked out. If they had to fight the Golem, he would be prepared this time

Sero would remain outside the wall. An ever present force of primordial danger just hovering outside of their sight. He remained silent as he simply listen to what happened within. His sensory allowing him to see in general the positions and chakra levels of those within. It was true enough that with their combined power they could take out his golem. The damage to its arm was impressive and if it had muscle tissue it used to move it would now be a useless limb. His purple eyes shifted to look over the damage as the golem stood motionless in front of the door. Waiting for the targets outside of its sight. It was powerful but limited in its capabilities. It had to actually perceive its target to fight it. Of course for Sero wiping out this little barn was a simple enough act. However that wasn't the point of the exercise. He could tell the two Kaguya were getting healed up for round two. However it was the Uzumaki taking charge of the situation. Still it was the taller of the two Kaguya that had identified that level of bone. Having interacted with it there was little surprise that Mamoru could. Though the other was silent. 

Inside the barn the large muscular man would scoff. Glaring at Ryu as if he didn't care to actually give the pretty boy an answer. He would rise to his feet as if to challenge the young man before the woman would shoot him a glance and a smile. The large man would hesitate with something similar to fear in his eyes a moment before crossing his arms and remaining where he was. Still the girl would return her attention forward and raise her hands. She was faking being afraid of the young mans tone but hiding her irritation like an expert. The healer however looked like he was going pale. Scared of their truth being revealed. He would glance between them before moving to hide behind the big man as the woman spoke up. Lying to them with a straight face. Changing some facts around since the best lies held a little truth. She was a good pirate after all. 

"Woah woah there mister. I know that it's tense out there. We were a team of asset recovery specialists. We went to sleep in our own beds and somehow woke up here. I don't know how or why but we were attacked almost immediately by those crazy snakes. They....they took down my friends. They killed them." She would actually let out tears at this point. A believable sniffle as she turned her head and wiped her eyes. As she did however there was a slight lift of her shirt and just the hint of a tattoo matching the big one. A serpents head biting a cutlass. But that was all. She let the waterworks continue for a second before she would seem to dry her eyes again. "We just want to get out of this alive...won't you help us? I saw where the door was and I am an expert at opening doors. If you can get me back there....I can get us out."

Ryu watched the interplay between the strangers intently, noting their body language and reactions. The woman's tears seemed genuine, but something about the large man’s demeanor and the healer’s fear nagged at him. Ryu noticed the woman had a similar tattoo to the big man, so that meant they they were somehow connected, but he still couldn't place where he had seen it before. He stayed cautious not entirely trusting of the woman or her story, deciding to probe further while formulating a plan to deal with the immediate threat of the golem. "Alright, we’ll figure this out together, we all want to get out of this alive." Ryu said, though his eyes remained sharp and watchful. "But first, we need to make sure we're on the same page."

Turning to his fellow ninjas, Ryu addressed the immediate threat. "We need to prepare for another encounter with that golem. We've seen it can be damaged, so we need to figure out how to exploit its weaknesses." He glanced at Mamoru, who was likely the only one in the barn that he trusted due to having met him before this began. "Do you really think there is another Kaguya out there creating those things? Why would they be attacking innocent people or us for that matter?" He then looked at the other ninja. "I didn't catch your name. Do you have any techniques that might help against the golem?" Ryu took a deep breath, the situation was precarious, but with clear coordination and trust, they might stand a chance.

He took a step closer to the woman, ensuring she knew he was serious without getting close enough for her to take a swing at him. "If you can really open that door, then we'll could use your skills. But if there's something you're not telling us, now is the time. Our lives depend on complete honesty and trust with each other. You telling us you're a team of asset recovery specialists doesn't exactly answer my question of who you are, what are your names? My name is Ryu." Ryu would stare at the woman with the same intensity that she had stared at the big man to make him back down, he may not have all the answers yet, but one thing he knew for certain was she was the leader of this little group of specialists.

Jin had been staying quiet for the most part so he could analyze the three people in front of him. The woman started to cry and for the most part they seemed real enough. Jin would notice how the big guy looked as if he wanted to challenge Ryu but with a simple glear the woman backed the man up. The other Kaguya introduced him self as mamoru Kaguya, he would then go on to say that he was positive the bone golem was created using the Kaguya bones. Jin thought so to but he wanted to make sure he was not the only one to think that before saying something.

" I agree with mamoru, those bones was definitely made using the Kaguya style of jutsu. But the main question is why. This is indeed a Kaguya doing but this Kaguya is very powerful I would say at least high chunin if not a Jonin level."

The woman continued to speak and she said that the 3 of them was Asset recovery specialist. But what Jin was wondering was just what assets was they trying to recover. The lady's shirt would raise just a few inches as she was drying her eyes and when it did Jin could see a tattoo that looked a lot like the one the big man had on him. Jin looked at the man who was wearing the orange jump suit and wondered if he had any tattoos on him that looked anything like the ones the other two had. Ryu seemed like he knew how to take control of a situation as he looked over to Jin and asked for him name and then he asked if he had any technique that could help against the giant golem made from bone.

" The names Jin Kaguya, and only technique I know are Taijutsu but we all saw how well mine and Mamoru Taijutsu was against the snakes I doubt we would do any better with the golem. But I noticed that your water jutsu did pretty well against the golem. We might be able to distract the thing long enough for you to hit its core if so that might destroy it." .

Jin said as he kept his eyes firmly planted on the big guy, there was just something about him that Jin did not trust. In fact Jin was having a hard time believing these guys story so he was not going to take his eyes off of the group before him.

Just like when Mamoru first worked with Ryu, he trusted him once he was verbally fishing for information. He definitely had the charismatic personality for that. He just sat there observing the strangers and gazing around the barn, trying to get the layout, but alot was obscured in the shadows that touched the dim light. He would have to get up and check further in the barn. As he rose, he heard the muscular man scoff, which was just rude. All three genin were willing to test their odds against the damn bone golem, so they could all escape. So as the Musclar man made an attempt to challenge Ryu, Mamoru straightened, his own tall muscular form looming over the man's, his calm demeanor fading, as he was just about ready to toss him outside to the Golem.
Without a word he backed away, when noticed that it wasn't needed. It seemed the woman was in charge and yanked on his leash. Most percular was the little healer suddenly hiding behind the muscular man. His instincts screamed to be cautious, especially when he noticed that two of the had matching tattoos. A serpent biting some sort of curved sword. He mentally noted it, but knew he had never seen it before. He looked the young healer over, trying to catch a glimpse of the same tattoo.

"I wish I could answer the Why someone would do all this. I mean, all I can is that we're in deepest parts of the Grand Training Facility. I've never been back here before. No telling what sort of experiment we stumbled in to. " Mamoru muttered, just adding some input to Ryu's questions. However, while they all spoke, Mamoru cautiously stepped into into the darkness of the barn, his attention split between being alert, just in case something jumped out at him, and listening to the conversation unfold between the genin and the strangers, just ready to rush back that way at any sign of danger. He wasn't quite sure what else he was looking for, but hoped there was another door leading out of the back of the barn.

The man would note Mamoru was taller than him. This was unusual for the large man and for a moment surprise registered on his face. However the woman would leash him in quietly and he would return to his seat. The woman would seem to look a little annoyed but quickly recovered her expression to look almost innocent. Like a normal worried damsel in distress. "Oh my...I didn't realize we hadn't introduced ourselves...with everything going on....anyway my name is Valentine and that over there is Wolv and Maverick. And yes...I can get through any door." The last part she said with some actual pride behind it. She was actually confident in that statement. The boys were already putting together a plan for the golem it seemed and if they at least distracted it long enough the three or at least her could escape possibly from the real monster....that thing that brought them there wore the face of a man...but she knew better. That was not a man who had arranged this....that thing had brought back something she hadn't felt since she was a little girl....belief in monsters. Still Mamoru would escape her notice as he looked around. She had assigned Wolv to hide the shackles she had removed from all of them as soon as they were dropped off. However as Mamoru looked around he would notice old rusted tools either still hung on the walls or broken an fallen to the ground. Most of the metal was rusted so the glint of fire off metal would barely be enough for Mamoru to notice the chains mostly buried under the hay. Wolv had done a poor job as he was the teams muscle...not the brains. Still Wolv would get up as he noticed Mamoru looking around. Moving to stand just outside of reach with a scowl on his face. "You lookin for a spot to piss or somethin? Use the far corner over there. I dun wanna smell yer stink."


Sero would listen to the farce as he waited patiently. The point of this lesson wasn't for him to step in and mop up the trash or to kill the genin. Even if they located him personally he was aware that no one present in the room had any way to actually harm him. Any actual attacks on his person would fail with the elements he sensed present....which was to say the one element. Only one of them had unlocked an elemental alignment. The Uzumaki had used suiton early and as Sero had time to delve about with his sensory that was the only element present within them at all. The Kaguya were so content with their bones they had not truly sought the ability to fight any of the elements as Sero had. He would need to work with them to harness that ability to the fullest and unlock any latent elements later. He was the clan head after all. No, the point of this lesson had been laid out before he ever drew them to him. Before he ever let the shadows whisper to them to wander down to this room. He had brought these pirates from the prison. 

He had placed them here for genin to learn. To identify the enemy and in turn learn to eliminate them. He remained nearby should the genin fail this lesson and slaughter these pirates should they actually pose a threat. However this particular crew wasn't all that strong. Their captain the only real threat among them. Even then she herself was a high D tier based on her statistics. Still this tested the mind and the will more than their individual strength. Though the Golem posed a challenge for them. More so than the snakes had of course. He could have made the snakes a tier higher had he wished but the golem held some more intimidation than those snakes might now that they had been destroyed once. It's sheer size and speed were enough to be a true threat on the battlefield. He would not need to enhance it for this lesson. Still he needed to provide some sense or urgency. Sero would let his purple gaze wander to the golem standing in front of the door.  He would only identify the door as a target for a single blow. The golem rearing its arm back before slamming it forward. Causing the door to crack in a web and the beam to splinter but the door held under the first blow. It did not look like it would survive another.

Ryu maintained his composure, though his mind raced with the unfolding dynamics in the barn. The revelation of their names added some clarity, but not enough to ease his suspicions. Valentine's quick recovery from annoyance to innocence didn't escape his notice, nor did her confident assertion about her skills with doors. The matching tattoos and the woman’s manipulative control over the large man were red flags. As Wolv stood up, his scowl directed towards Mamoru, Ryu tensed. He understood the need for caution, especially in their current situation, but there was no need for unnecessary aggression especially towards someone that was going to be helping them.

Despite his suspicions of those in the barn, the immediate threat of the golem couldn’t be ignored. The slam against the door causing it to splinter slightly as it strained to stay together. The sound reverberated through the dimly lit space, adding a sense of urgency to their already tense situation. "Alright," Ryu began, his voice steady but commanding. "That door isn’t going to hold much longer," Ryu noted, his eyes flickering towards the weakening barrier. "Valentine, if you can really open that door, get ready. We’ll create a distraction to buy you the time you need." Ryu's gaze shifted to the woman, his expression serious as he assessed her reaction. Her confidence in her abilities was reassuring, yet Ryu couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her story than she was letting on.

Ryu quickly formulated a plan, his mind sharp and focused amidst the chaos. "Here’s how we’ll do it. Wolv, Maverick, get on either side of the door. When I give the signal, I want you to open it and then get behind me." His voice cut through the tension, commanding attention as he laid out their strategy. "I'll draw the thing in, while I have it distracted, Mamoru, Jin, and Valentine will make for the exit." His words were precise, each syllable carrying weight as he outlined their strategy. "You two will be her guard, and ensure that if anything else is out there it doesn't get to her before she gets that door open." Ryu's gaze softening slightly as he addressed Jin and Mamoru, but his tone left no room for doubt.

He paused to ensure everyone understood, his gaze sweeping over each member of the group. "Our goal is to survive and get out of here. We can’t let that thing catch us off guard. Let's move!" The barn seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with anticipation as they braced themselves for what lay ahead. As they stood on the precipice of battle, Ryu couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than met the eye. Shadows danced across the walls, casting eerie shapes that seemed to taunt them with the unknown. But for now, survival was the priority. He just hoped they could deal with the golem and uncover the truth before it was too late. Once everyone was in position, unless someone else had a better plan, Ryu would give the signal.

Jin has always been a calculated person always keeping tabs on his surroundings and those that was inside of his space, the one thing that did not make sense to him was how the woman who introduced her self as valentines the big guy was wolfv and the smaller guy was called maverick was able to get wolfv to back up with just a look. She had answered Ryu question about being able to get though any door and she seemed very proud of that which was causing voices in the back of his head to start going off telling him something was not right.

Momaru had decided to take a look around the back of the barn which was not a bad idea, there could be another way out of here that no one had found yet. But Jin noticed that the big man wolfv did not seem to like the idea so he walked to where momaru was and started talking shit. Jin did not appreciate that as she slowly got to his feet after a bang came from the the barn door as the door cracked as well as the frame. Jin walked over to where the big guy and momaru was cause he thought something did not seem right.

" Hey I would advise you not to speak to my clan mate like that. He is just trying to figure out a way out other then the door where the golem resides that is unless your hiding something from us. Ever since we arrived in this barn you have been very stand offish and confrontational. Something tells me you people are hiding something and those matching tattoos you have is suspicious. So unless you wish for us to throw you to the golem as bait then I advise you to start coming clean cause your bosses story sounds off. I mean come on a big man like your self being backed off by just a look from her was odd so I have a feeling you guys are not telling the truth."

Jin would say to wolfv as he gave him a glare that would make even the toughest man lose his nerve. They could not face the golem just yet if they had to worry about these three what they might try to pull.

In the shadows of the back of the barn, Mamoru scanned the environment carefully, since his hadn't fully adjusted to the dark. As the seconds ticked, his pupils would dilate and the darkness would become a little more clear. He could see more details that he would originally miss. Light glistened off some tools that dangled on hooks on the far right wall. Some on the ground, but leaning against the wall. Hay littered the floor, from the stables, but there was one spot of hay that caught Mamoru's attention. A lump, where the rest was flat. Around it the floor was bare. It looked like someone had gathered the hay into a pile. In that pile light glistened off of the iron shackles, just like the tools. Mamoru casually walked over, as he could hear Malv take steps behind him and stop, then starting spouting nonsense, but when Mamoru gazed at Malv over his shoulder, Jin was walking up. So he ignored the muscular man and bent down, swiping away at the pile of hay, revealing three pairs of shackles.

Mamoru grabbed the iron links of two in one hand and wrapped his fingers through the cuff off another, letting the second cuff dangle by the link freely as he stood. The dim light reflected off his eyes, changing them from a deep brown to an inferno orange, in the darkness. His brows knit together, making his eyes angular, rather than a warm friendly round. He was done playing games. He didn't even flinch when the golem pounded on the door. That golem had plenty of time to smash it's way in here. But they all remained safe, able to rest in here.  "Hold on, Ryu." Mamoru called from the dark, To Ryu, who knew him prior to being here, would know that his tone was completely opposite of his usual warm, friendly tone.

He stepped back into the light, next to Malv, so that he and Jin were flanking him. An intimidating glare glued to him for a breath, and then to the other two. "Jin's right. Before we go blindly risk our lives for them. How about they tell us the truth. Odd place for shackles like these to be." Mamoru said coldly, lifting both his hands, the sound of iron ringing, as the links and cuffs rubbed together. The noise echoing, filling the now silent barn. "I suggest the truth comes out of one of you. Or the only ones going out there is you three, with your arms bound behind your back. We'll let you distract the Golem while we figure out a way out. You're not the only one capable of opening doors, Valentine." Mamoru said, trying to be as convincing and intimidating as he possibly could.

The Uzumaki was coming up with a plan it seemed. Sero would let out a frown as he listened. Of course this illusion he had prepared of safety had promoted confidence within them. Their interaction earlier was proof they could hurt it so they assumed they had a chance against the golem. Purple eyes would shift to the holes lined up on the golems right arm. It didn't actually reduce its functionality but it was more fragile now. One good hit to it again and the arm would be gone. However it had yet to show its full capabilities. For such a massive creature it was fast. If Sero had intended it the golem would be upon them and smashing through their attempts at escape. However that served no purpose. No lesson taught to the dead. Instead he had arranged for some pirate prisoners to be transferred here. When they resisted two of them were killed to set the example. Sero would not tolerate them much longer. Still it would seem at least two of them were catching on. The two Kaguya in the room were more suspicious. The poor Uzumaki was ready to lead but the two Kaguya were picking a fight.

Inside the barn the woman would flinch as the shackles were produced. Backing up from Ryu a couple of steps. She had hoped to lure them all into a role as her protector. The damsel in distress usually worked on men. At least until she could safely slit their throats. Her body however would betray her to the trained eye. She had turned sideways while still looking for a way out. Her eyes shifting to all three men as her shoulders stiffened and her arms raised. She tried to cover it by crossing her arms but for just a moment she had almost slipped into a taijutsu stance. She was trained and her training had taken over automatically. That oaf of a man had barely hidden the shackles it seemed. "I have no idea where those came from! I will have you know..." The words would cut off as her eye twitched as she watched her ploy fall apart. The big man Wulv would crack his neck as his skin took on a deep black tone and turned to steel. His bloodline activating as he stood his full height. The boy would run to hide behind the pile of hay and cower there. 

The big man would clang his fist into his palm as he looked over the two men before him. His mouth twisted in a grimace as his anger took over him. Wulv wasn't the brains of the operation and was quick to anger. However he was decent muscle to have around with his steel release. That metal skin bounced off all sorts of weapons and getting hit with it was likely death for most people.  He would smirk and speak up finally. "You know what? I'm sick and tired of you kids tossing out orders and questions. How abouts I make you eat those shackles kids? Ain't nobody binding Wulv down again."