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Beyond the Shadow of the Mask - A Naruto Quest

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The Demon Flies Through The Snow
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    • Deciding that it'll be good for Kham to get out of Suna and experience and learn new things, and wanting to establish a base outside of the purview of the very shinobi he will eventually bring to peace, Villain makes the choice to travel to the Land of Iron, Iron Country. The Land of Iron is a land of samurai rather than ninja, a land of neutrality, and from what he could gather, a land with more technology than the others. Normally, it would be a long, arduous journey that requires a lot of rest and copious amounts of running or walking, but with Khamsin's Desert Bird jutsu, it is a much more leisure experience, akin to a personal airplane.

    With his deadpan, raspy voice, Khamsin follows direction and uses the jutsu twice, once for himself, and once for Villain. It still takes hours even with the aerial shortcut, and Villain has to wonder how Kham feels given the change in atmosphere. The Land of Iron is cold and filled with snow, and Villain had neglected to bring anything to warm his newest soon-to-be brother up. He has his cape and his mask, but Khamsin...maybe his Sand Armor, being skin tight, will resolve the issue.

    As they arrive, Villain addresses Kham, signaling him to land the two birds.

    "Land the birds, we've arrived in the Land of the Iron. From here we can walk, as your powers are tiring." Villain speaks clearly, pointing out the obvious. Khamsin is clearly tired from holding his jutsu for so long, but his status as a Demon Host should allow him to recover quickly.

    Being careful, Villain has Kham stay put and stay hidden, as he goes off on his own to collect some materials needed to build a base. He realizes that it's a bit premature...but he has a plan. Using the magnetism of his gauntlet, Villain collects a good amount of metal, while remaining hidden and out of sight of the samurai, and makes his way back. He then guides Khamsin to use his sand to manipulate the metal into what they need.

    First, he has Kham harden and strengthen the sand from his gourd, to set the foundation of the base. He then has him use the remainder of his sand to bend and break the metal in the way that it needs to be, to form the rest of their base. He personally welds the metal to force it to hold, using the flamethrower on his gauntlets, and then has Kham completely exhaust his sand, forming the windows of the base, as he uses his fire again to crystalize the sand into glass.

    The base is now complete and Kham..is completely without sand, besides his sand armor. And thus Villain has left him with a choice if he wishes to take advantage of the situation, and survive later ones. He can either learn to make more sand, focus on his physical attributes, or even...learn how to fight in close range. And given where they are, he could enlist the samurais' help to do so. Ultimately it's decided that he...

    [] Learns how to make more sand (using what's left of his sand armor)
    [] Attempts to practice Wind Ninjutsu instead
    [] Focuses on his physical attributes
    - [] Speed
    - [] Strength
    - [] Durability
    [] Practices his Taijutsu
    [] Trains Genjutsu
    [] Becomes...a samurai
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Becomes...a samurai

    It's not efficient, but Gaara becoming a samurai is unique. His sand control not requiring handseals or movement would couple very well with kenjutsu though. The discipline would likely help as well.
     
    Conquest Of the Sun Expanded
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    • With his help, Kham is all set up to become a samurai apprentice. It's a not-so-quick lecture on how to carry himself, mostly disguising himself and covering his trademark Suna red hair with some hair dye, foregoing the use of his sand for the time being, and upon being discovered, being prepared with a sob story of abuse that is...based entirely on fact.

    Villain also commands Kham to devote himself to his training, as his insomnia and demon-given stamina provides the perfect opportunity for extra time to learn, and to work on his Third Eye jutsu. First, Khamsin will cover one of his eyes (alternating which one) and give an excuse of training/an eye condition, and use the Third Eye to analyze his trainers and himself, as an outside perspective is always welcome, and second, he will leave (and maintain) a Third Eye with Villain himself so he can see and learn new things as Villain continues his own plans.

    Naturally these instructions take much longer than normal due to Villain's...unique way of speaking, but it also takes less time than it could've. A sign that Khamsin is getting used to his new brother-in-arms.

    In the meantime, Villain focuses on his goals and on the situation at hand. Having observed the samurai, Villain sees value in having them on his side, one way or another, and given that his base is in this country, it'd also be good to have a guarantee of safety.

    He can of course, attempt subterfuge, win the hearts of certain samurai in various ways and rise up the ranks via favors and via organizing a coup of sorts, or he can simply fight, utilizing the Magnetism function on his gauntlets, best the head of the samurai, Mifune, in combat, earn his respect, and/or take control of this country and the army of samurai. Or...he can try to strike a deal of convenience with Mifune, maybe provide a service, make a deal that mutually benefits both sides, such as...mass production of firearms and ammo. Not only does this give him the ability to re-up, but it strengthens the samurai from long range and gives them a further advantage over any meddling ninja.

    And of course, Villain can put the issue on the shelf and simply leave to look for another recruit. From his readings in the Sand Village, the Leaf is full of great clans which could yield young fighters with potential, including what should be a jinchuuriki if the Nine Tails Fox attack, dated just 12 years ago, is anything to go by. On the other hand, the Cloud is known to be the strongest of the villages, with the most military power, and they...look most like him in skin tone. Perhaps in a world where that is rare, he could use that to his advantage. The Rock is second, and the Mist...well they just had a purging of their bloodlines it seems, so that can swing to either extreme as far as worthy candidates go.

    He could even return to the Sand Village...though that would be fairly risky as they would soon notice their distinct lack of a demon host, who also happens to be the Kazekage's son.

    So what will he do...

    [] Appear from the shadows and surprise Mifune
    [] Ambush Mifune and take him down
    [] Meet with Mifune face to face (diplomatically)
    [] Challenge Mifune head up (to a fight)
    [] Subtly contact the other samurai, see what they need/want
    [] Shelve any issues in the Land of Iron and leave to another country
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Subtly contact the other samurai, see what they need/want

    Whether we go for diplomacy or force, knowing the dynamics of the Iron will give us more leverage.
     
    [X] Challenge Mifune head up (to a fight)
    Remember where he comes from, violence is always the answer
     
    The Sun Shines Light on the Iron's Impurities
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    • Before contacting their leader, Villain decides to...get the lay of the land a bit. He starts by contacting other samurai, both high and low ranking, under an alias, and of course by letter. Ironically, if he met them in person, with his signature mask and attire, he wouldn't be able to disguise himself. The letters are basic and probing, asking about life in Iron Country, framing himself as an investor at times, a samurai hopeful at others.

    What he found was...

    As an investor, the samurai don't want too much. They have what they feel to be good leadership, good money, a nice amount of resources, and they feel relatively safe...the only exception being...the Ninjas. Samurai aren't dumb and while they train exclusively to counter ninjas, moving fast enough to interrupt their handseals and what not, they can't help but to notice the advantage that ninja have from range, and with their monstrous outliers.

    What can a samurai do to a man who can summon a mountain of wood in a split second? If they're close, they can cut off his hands and/or his head. But if they're far away...

    They're helpless. And in that case, when confronted by someone as great as Hashirama Senju, could they even cut off his hands? Would they be quick enough? Strong enough? Good enough? And he's not the only one. Over the years, the ninja have gotten weaker, yes, but they still produce monsters that seem...difficult for any samurai to contend with. Like Itachi Uchiha. Orochimaru. A the Raikage, and so on. Most of what they call 'Kage-level' ninja would pose a grave threat to almost the entire samurai forces and if they banded together...it could get ugly.

    That is the main concern of the other samurai, and it is a concern Villain can help with. Ninjas were quick, but for the most part, bullets are quicker. And given his skirmish with Khamsin, who has yet to be damaged by any ninja that he fought, yet who's sand wasn't strong and fast enough to withstand a barrage of his .50 caliber rounds...guns would be very effective.

    So that's nice to know. And while Mifune, their current leader seems...unbothered by the ninjas, he would be the opposite. Active and anti-ninja to the fullest. Even if his reasoning was simply for conquest.

    On the 'fellow' samurai side, the main issue is the lack of training, or so they say. While samurai train every day, and sharpen their swords both physical and mental, the training is very...focused. Normally that would make sense, but with the threat of the Ninja World breathing down their neck, some would like more broad training, such as countering genjutsu.

    Villain could also help with that...once he himself learned it. So again, he's confident in his ability to resolve these samurai issues. The question is...how does he go about doing it?

    [] Continue to press upon these samurai's concerns and offer his solutions, his promises if made leader
    [] Bring these concerns to Mifune, diplomatically
    [] Usurp the role of their leader by defeating Mifune in battle
    [] Go in person to these samurai and see how much support he can gather
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Usurp the role of their leader by defeating Mifune in battle
    We gain their respect and offer a live demonstration of what our tools can do
     
    [X] Usurp the role of their leader by defeating Mifune in battle

    Defeat Mifune in a shocking display of firearms, promise to share firearms as a tool against ninja.
     
    Head of the Iron vs. The Sun Blackened by Villainy
  • Threadmarks
    • "Mifune, your leadership has come into question, it's time that the samurai receive God's Blessing, defending, against shinobi with God's weapons."

    Villain issues the challenge, not just to Mifune's face, but to the entire surrounding area, as he projects his voice via his mask. Instantly, the other samurai are alert, vigilant in their search for this new (possible) threat, swords drawn, and eyes peeled. Leading the charge is Mifune, having come out of his 'office' and into the trenches.

    Saving them the time, Villain chooses to reveal himself, dropping down in front of Mifune, all but declaring his presence as his challenger.

    "Who are you? And what business do have here?" Mifune asks calmly, hand inching towards his blade. Villain cocks his head to the side and takes his time to look and analyze his environment. Right now he and Mifune are in a confined space, near buildings and alleyways, and Mifune is backed by at least fifty of his men. If they fought now...it'd be entirely to Villain's advantage, and that...just isn't fair.

    "I am the Black Sun, tamer of the Desert Wind, stay your hand on your sword, if we rumble I would win. We should move to an open space, so your resistance is less feeble, The man with no face, I hear the grievance of your people, and wish to lead you."

    Mifune furrows his brow at the...strange words from this strange, masked man. It takes an extra second to decipher the meaning, and even then...something is missing. It then dawns on him.

    "So you are the one contacting my men." He states clearly. It seems the men answered Villain's inquiries, but did not keep them a secret. Mifune either picks up on these thoughts, or just assumes that the question will be asked as he responds to them with a bit of a chuckle. "Did you think that my men would betray me so easily? They may have wants and fears and such, but they are still loyal soldiers, samurai in name and in heart, which means they have honor." He explains. "So if you wish to take me down, do not expect to win command of them, unless you do it honorably. In a duel with no interference."

    "The Sun rises again, and moves towards an open field, if his rays burn here, the man who just spoke will be yoked and killed. We can duel once there, metal clashing and blood spilling, but I cannot promise honor, as there's no honor amongst Villains." Villain again asserts his point, before making his move to a more open area. Mifune hesitates, but eventually turns to his men and signals, telling half of them to follow, and the rest to gather the other samurai.

    Mifune is only a few seconds behind Villain, as they reach a clearing, devoid of buildings and civilians, but it takes a few minutes for the other samurai to catch up. As they arrive, they slowly form a circle around the two, and Mifune draws his sword and points it towards his masked opponent.

    "This...villain has challenged me for the right to rule the samurai and thus the Land of Iron. I have accepted with some hesitance due to his strange words and his strange manner, but I have accepted nonetheless. May the best man win!" He shouts loudly, letting every samurai in the vicinity hear his voice and understand his declaration. Mifune then re-sheathes his sword and takes his stance, as he nods to another, high ranking samurai in the crowd. The samurai nods back and draws his word, raising it in the air.

    "Now begins the duel between Mifune and the masked man." He then lowers his sword in a swift movement. "BEGIN!"

    Mifune's grip tightens on his sword and his pupils seem to dilate as he watches his unknown opponent closely. Villain...

    [] Pulls out his Desert Eagles and begins blasting
    [] Uses the Magnetism on his gauntlet to disarm Mifune the moment he attempts to attack
    [] Uses two shotguns this time to force the samurai back
    [] Shoots a fireball from his gauntlet
    [] Uses the lightning from his gauntlet
    [] Equips his EMP Gun to try to KO his opponent
    [] Slowly leaks chlorine gas from his gauntlet, hoping to poison his opponent
    [] Waits for his opponent to make a move...
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Uses the Magnetism on his gauntlet to disarm Mifune the moment he attempts to attack
    -[x] Then pull out Desert Eagle and begin blasting
    --[x] If possible, avoid killing Mifune, he is honour bound and seems like he would make a good soldier
     
    [X] Uses the Magnetism on his gauntlet to disarm Mifune the moment he attempts to attack
    -[x] Then pull out Desert Eagle and begin blasting
    --[x] If possible, avoid killing Mifune, he is honour bound and seems like he would make a good soldier
     
    [X] Pulls out his Desert Eagles and begins blasting

    Parry this, you filthy casual.
     
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    [X] Pulls out his Desert Eagles and begins blasting
    Remember, part of this is a showing of what we can offer and I doubt we can give others our magnetism
     
    Black King said:
    [] Uses the lightning from his gauntlet
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    This isn't chakra lightning. Isn't Mifune wearing metal armor and using a metal sword?

    [X] Uses the lightning from his gauntlet

    Mifune could possibly dodge or parry bullets; he can't parry actual lightning and with its speed and his metal equipment, it would be near impossible to dodge.
     
    Last edited:
    Adhoc vote count started by Black King on Mar 24, 2021 at 5:36 PM, finished with 5 posts and 5 votes.
    • [X] Uses the Magnetism on his gauntlet to disarm Mifune the moment he attempts to attack
      -[x] Then pull out Desert Eagle and begin blasting
      --[x] If possible, avoid killing Mifune, he is honour bound and seems like he would make a good soldier
      [X] Pulls out his Desert Eagles and begins blasting
      [X] Uses the lightning from his gauntlet
    Click to expand...
    Black King threw 1 2-faced dice. Reason: 1 = Magnetism, 2 = Guns Total: 2
    2 2
     
    The Sun's Heat Melts the Iron Blade
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    • Villain pulls out two foreign weapons (as far as Mifune is concerned), long, seemingly heavy, with a strange design to them. Mifune's eyes notice a trigger of sorts that needs to be pulled, and he can't help but to notice the barrel of the gun, a hole from which something is clearly meant to come out.

    These observations, along with Mifune's honed senses and incredible speed, keep the head samurai alive as the first volley of bullets make their way towards him. CLANG! SLICE! Mifune dodges the first of the bullets by instinct, but has no such luck with the other two. Not expecting supersonic projectiles, Mifune is nearly caught off guard, as he just barely deflects one of the bullets off of his sword, and slices the other in two before it can reach him. It all happens in less than a second, and by the end of it, Mifune's heart is pounding, threatening to claw its way out of his chest from the excitement and stress.

    Even so, the strongest of the samurai and current leader of the Land of Iron makes his move, dashing swiftly towards Villain, attempting to disarm him and possibly behead him with his sword. In less than a second, Mifune is upon the masked man, sword merely inches from his arms, and even with that on his side, he can't help but to feel uneasy.

    BANG! A shot comes right for Mifune's head, cutting him off mid-charge, forcing him to block the bullet. BANG! Another one follows and it's all Mifune can do, to crouch to the ground to avoid it. BANG! Another comes, and Mifune is forced to jump, not a great place to be given his opponent's choice of weapon, and so Mifune must make it count. Bringing his sword back, he prepares to descend upon his enemy and slice him in two, hoping his armor will protect him from the projectiles for the time being.

    "Block, slice, and dodge my shots, with bullets glancing, then charge The Mask, as your sword swings in tandem. In an ancient times the Villain almost fell to the tantrum, your fatal flaw is you are not as fast as the Phantom." Villain speaks as he raises his guns and begins firing on his airborne opponent. Luckily for Mifune, he's more useful alive than dead, and thus the countless shots fired are aimed more at his sword, than anything else.

    BANGBANGBANG! As Mifune tries to swing his sword, it's met with a bullet, and then another, and then another, knocking said weapon from his grasp. Mifune's eyes widen as he draws nearer and nearer to his deadly opponent, without a weapon of his own, and without much of a choice of what to do next. Being an experienced warrior, Mifune can fight without his sword, and it looks like he's forced to do so, as he attempts to shift his weight into a flying kick of some sort.

    BANG! The bullet grazes his leg, causing Mifune to hiss in pain. BANGBANG! His arms are hit as well as he lands in a heap in front of Villain. He looks desperately for his sword, only to find it nowhere to be seen. Did his opponent do something to it? Did the force of the projectile send it flying that far? Breathing heavy, Mifune feels Death is upon him, and wishes to speak his final words.

    "Wait!" He yells loudly, hopefully interrupting his execution. "I acknowledge that I have lost but...please allow me a few words before I am sent to Death." Villain's emotions are unreadable through his mask, but he does not raise either gun to finish Mifune off. Instead he speaks.

    "You can't be sent to what stands in front of you, but speak if you must, with an easel and brush." The former head of the samurai nods as he swallows his spit. He would bow properly with his hands placed together if he could, but the pain in his limbs prevented that.

    "Thank You. First, I ask that you maintain the peace between samurai and ninja. I...we do not have the numbers nor the power to sustain a war with the shinobi. Second, I ask that you take good care of my men, as they deserve the best. And third...you mentioned someone that nearly defeated you in battle. A phantom. Before I die, I'd like to know who nearly succeeded where I failed?" Villain stares at his defeated foe, letting silence reign for a good minute, before answering.

    "In this case, the Mask will be honest. Your first request cannot be promised. To the second, that is the plan, with the resources that I will have at hand. As long as they remain loyal, they will sow fertile soil. The third question is where you ask the most. Unknown to you, the White Phantom moved so fast he could float. Leader of the Killer Bees, the one named Ghost."

    Mifune doesn't fully understand all of it, but he nods his head nonetheless, accepting his fate.

    With that handled, Villain...

    [] Kills Mifune, making an example out of him
    [] Assigns him a new role: as Khamsin's trainer
    [] Exiles the former Head of the Land of Iron
    [] Commands him to kill himself to restore his honor
    [] Pretends to ask him to kill himself, but if he goes through with it, stop him
    [] Lets/Asks the samurai what they wish his fate to be
    [] Gives Mifune a high level mission, to prove himself worthy of returning to the Land of Iron
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Assigns him a new role: as Khamsin's trainer

    This gives him some degree of influence and lets him and the former Samurai that were loyal to him at ease. Good for Khamsin.
     
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