Day 1 Encounter! Team 2 and Team 3

Spoiler:

Hibiki and Innocence find themselves encroaching on the territory that Hisha and Lily have been growing more and more familiar with.

Lily was still in a moody mood. as she pushed ever forward within the jungle. While Hisha was partly correct in that she was trying to get a mental map of this place, ever since she had disappeared into the tunnel and found that other team she had been laser focused in finding another team either in the jungle or out, taking their stuff, and finishing this maze she she could train and do...she she could train and...kill? No, killing was frowned. Disable, yeah that worked. She needed to prove that his catch was a fluke. It had to be that. At least her running ahead and returning worked in their favor, with Hisha being slow it let Lily spread her legs, which helped dull the pain of her loss. She hadn't even told Hisha that she ran into another team, just 'dead end, but clearly a different environment then the jungle'.

Of course, she could only run for long when she'd stop at the sound of the big cat's roar, having taken that extra step before stopping as she had to remember her partner probably wasn't used to the idea of 'move and analyze'. Annoying, this part of the test was making Lily very annoyed at people. maybe she could take her frustration out on that big cat that roared. At least that was she thought at first, the sound that followed after made it clear there was more to the story then just wild animals. She could only make out two things without any assistance: the sound of cutting and a glint that could have been metal, but it was enough to get her pumped up. metal meant humans, which meant she could vent with fighting.

Waiting for her partner, when they began to flash up hand signals she'd get the gist: 2 people, 30 somethings...meters probably if that glint was to be understood. She could see those funny tattoos begin to move as he prepared a clone, and lily would do the same by making two clones, both she and the clones drawing two of their finest blades each. Was Hiaha preparing to attack? She couldn't quite tell what he was thinking, but she'd look at him and Lily Prime would sign "Pincer? Direct? You call." Once she was moving it would be hard for him to slow her, so she'd wait for his signal, ready to move her clones out and pounce.

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131.5/135 CP (118/135 + 10% refill)
Shadow Clones x2; Split CP
43.833/135 CP

Innocence slipped behind Hibiki as the pair entered the dense jungle. While Innocence had led them into this new biome, she quickly realized it might make more sense for the "Steel Titan" to go first in this kind of environment. The weather was much less pleasant than their previous area. It was hot, sticky and crawling with insects. The surgeon's medical expertise told her that this area was a breeding ground for bacteria. Innocence was irritated that Hibiki was using her radio to talk to Nao. Partially because it seemed so sappy that the two lovebirds couldn't bear being outside of each other's contact zone for more than five minutes. However she did admit to herself that it was tactically sound. Innocence guessed that Hibiki and Nao would have a similar understanding as she did with Natsuki. It might be to my advantage to let them keep talking.... Innocence thought quietly as she listened to Nao's voice crackle over the comms.

Innocence thus allowed them to communicate. The provisions that Hibiki left for her boyfriend had irked her, but she let it go. Cultivating relationships and alliances was a part of being a shinobi and though she had no interest in being Nao's friend, if her partner was allied with him then she'd respect the terms of such an understanding. It made Innocence wonder what Natsuki and Lily were up to. As Hibiki hacked their way through the jungle, Innocence activated the Silent Killing technique. She closed her eyes and became intimately aware of all the bio-signatures and expressions of life that were active around her. Just before Hibiki vocalized her concern, Innocence felt it. She stopped and reached behind her back and placed a hand on the hilt of her Cosmic Katana. As if sensing the jig was up, the beast leapt from its hiding place and assaulted Hibiki with enough force to knock her to the ground. Innocence drew her sword and stepped forward but before she could run the creature through, the beast bit into her body only to meet unyielding resistance.

What the hell? Innocence thought, a confused look on her face. A closer examination revealed that the redhead was using a Steel Release Technique. In preparation for the Exams, Innocence had spent a great deal of time studying. She had an encyclopedic knowledge when it came to the various forms of Ninjutsu that were used around the world. She found it mighty strange that the Hokage's sister would be a Tetsudashi but she said nothing.

Innocence stepped back and let Hibiki handle the tiger as she clearly seemed to have it under control. Once the beast was silenced, Innocence noted the presence of two individuals just within the range of her sensing ability. Innocence shook her head in response to the Cinnamon Rolls' question. She then walked next to Hibiki and as she passed by, she'd whisper in her ear.

"We're not alone. We've got company...two...no four....two people and cloneth I think. Thtay on guard." Innocence formed a quick set of seals with her free hand and layered her chakra onto their surroundings. It would take some time to get the illusion fully going but once prepared it might give them a bit of advantage, especially given how disorienting the area already was. Innocence kept her sword out and remained alert as she waited for the strangers to approach. She had a few tricks up her sleeve, but for now she kept it cool. She molded chakra within her body in preparation for a sealless technique should it prove necessary.

OOC:

Chakra Fully Refreshed due to Survival of the Fittest Perk

Demonic Illusion: False Surrounding Technique: -5 CP [Activation]
Silent Killing -1 CP [Upkeep]

179/185

Spoiler:

Lily watched Hisha give the simple, single word response and all three would nod as her mind raced while she got into the Waco Waddle style. Two opponents, which meant it was unlikely two of the trio. She wasn't allowed to kill, so her knifes were less useful then what she would have liked...what to do...an idea came to her. Of the many techniques she had learned, there was a specific combo she had wanted to try out. Bringing a knife to her mouth, her clones understood as they put away one knife while holding the other into their mouth by the hilt.

The moment Hisha moved his hand to go, Lily and her clones would act. Lily Prime would preform the Tiger, Dog, and Rat handsigns while her clones went left & right respectively into the treeline at full speed so that they'd encircle the mystery group. As they'd move they'd use their impressive coordination to move as silently as possible, unaware of Innocence's improved hearing. After Lily Prime would complete her handsigns, Lily Prime and her clones would rush forward...however there were no longer three Lilys in the area. While she still only had two shadow clones, a dozen afterimage Lilys would sprint forward at various angles from the front with knives drawn. It was one of lily's strongest techniques, the ability to not only look like she was in multiple places at once, but to sound like she was since she had to physically move into the afterimages every so often.

As the Vandal horde rushed forward, her clones would come out at a 120 degree angle from above and behind toward the sides of the two. All the Lily's eyes would widen for a brief moment as they recognized Number 44, but she couldn't exactly stop this attack now and would have to improvise. Lily Prime would have four afterimage clones on each girl while the other four clones and herself would surround the duo, Lily having to swap with an afterimage clone to do her attack, The strikes directed towards Hibiki with three afterimage clones using their knives to target her hands to prevent her from using any hand signs as a fourth would move to put a knife against her throat, while three of the afterimage clones targeting Innocence would look to disarm her katana and lock down those dangerous hands with the fourth also targeting her throat. Lily Prime's goal in all of this was simple: lock down both target's attention by disarming and distracting them with sheer numbers.

Of course, Lily's clones wouldn't laze around either. Dropping down from the trees they'd preform the Tiger handsign in midair and each extended their fingers towards their targets heads. It was an extremely basic technique, the Temporary Paralysis Technique in fact, but if it were to land that would be the immediate end to the battle. Of course, this is why they still held the blades in their mouths, as should either attempt to do any funny weapon or punchy business they'd be able to move their hand and block it with their mouths while still being able to move in with their immense speed & coordination.

Assuming everything went to plan and the clones paralyzed both of her opponents; regardless of whether Lily Prime's afterimage clones actually succeeded (they were a distraction after all, so if their blows actually stuck that was more of a bonus), the Baker dozen of Lilys would smile and speak while the clones began to drain chakra, fingers still on their targets to keep them from moving. "Hi Number Forty-Four! I'm glad to see you aren't dead yet!" Lily was still flying by the seat of her pants, and was trying to figure out what in the heck she was going to do now. She had...well maybe had an informal agreement with Number 44 to get each other to round 3, but her help didn't exactly amount to much in the end. Even so she had tried to help, and backstabbing people who helped was usually bad so...an idea!

Her smile would widen a bit, cheeks a little too cheery as she'd take on a more sinister tone. "Sorry about all of this, but even with that team of three, it'd look bad if the majority of finalists were all from Konoha! Gotta thin the herd a little bit, soooo, Redhead, you'll be going home!" Reaching out, Lily would place her pointer finger onto Hibiki's nose as she'd begin to drain her chakra as well. At the same time the clone locking down Innocence would take the knife out of her mouth, lean in, sniff, and whisper. "Better keep up your end." And then audibly lick her ear before speaking at normal volume. Salty, yuck. "Oooh, you do taste like marshmallows! What does the redhead taste like?" The other shadow clone would take their blade out with their free hand and give Hibiki a small lick on the ear as well. Salty as well. "Mmm, strawberries! Or maybe tomato?"

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