Katsumi knew that the village would be most deserted in the local trade areas, but it seemed as if he was being welcomed to enter further into the village. Almost no one was walking around, leaving Katsumi to assumed that perhaps the ANBU had already caught on to what he had done, but he doubted it. 'No one is that good...even Konoha's Black Ops...', Katsumi looked at the clouds interchanging their posistion in the sky, and then quickly brought the hat down over his face to mask the now dried blood that still hung on his skin, '...If they really know what's going on I'll have atleast 5 to 10 min, but perhaps the storm will slow things down and give me an extra 5 min or so...'

Katsumi watched a couple people run from cover to cover, in between the lightining bolts and thunder. He still felt his heart pumping in between the deafening roars of the thunder. He knew that soon he'd find the people who were responsible for his parent's death's and that he would be able to bring some peace to his mind. He took his time walking down the street paying careful attention to those who were running around, and when no one was on the street he would glance at the roof top's edge. He knew that the ANBU squads would be quick to take the high-ground and they'd die trying to hold it. Urban fights were always fun when you faced an opponent that was set to plan and unable to adapt to a change in pace. Katsumi knew that the greatest strength of the ANBU squads was also their greatest weakness. They all had someone of a particular skill set that made them somewhat of a contender in a fight, but normally that person did the thinking for the entire group, and normally the group grew accustomed to that ninja telling them what to do. Katsumi smirked and thought of Mr.Hahn's saying, ' Most sqauds have a leader, and as soon as he's dealt with then all you have to manage is a headless group of ninja running around in a panic...'

Kastumi knew that in some rare cases Mr.Hahn would be dead wrong, but for a large villages like Konoha, where a system was in place allowing for a uniform method of training to take place, he was right. Katsumi looked down at the ground for a moment to see if anything had been placed in the road to impede his progess, but again he only found that some civilians had left footprints; they were having fun trying to dodge the bolts of lightining they feared would hit them. He smirked to himself as he found a small bucket of water sitting outside of a noodle stand. He looked around for the owner or some store keeper to come out, but after waiting for a moment or so he took his hands and cupped the water. He ran the water over his face, washing the blood completely off his face. The lust to kill still was pumping through him, but the confusion that the blood lust had cost began to fade into the back of his mind. Katsumi only feared facing more ninja than he could handle, which would take more than most were willing to give.

Katsumi also knew that rumors were floating around that something big in the outside world was in the works. Katsumi knew that missing-nin were always after something, some goal that in the end wouldn't be met, or would but the situation would grow out of their control. He had met several missing-nin before, and from what he could tell most missing-nin were driven by an emotionless goal, something meaningless like money, which could help someone maintain focus, but in the end they were willing to give up. Katsumi wouldn't allow anything or anyone to get in the way of what was going to happen.

As Katsumi went to the bucket for another handful of water, he found himself staring at a young woman's hand. He looked up, and smiled for a moment. She smirked back and answered, "Do you stink so bad that you need to wash from our bucket?"

Katsumi laughed a bit to himself and replied, "Not at all, I just needed a moment from the storm. It's so loud..."

The young woman interrupted, "...but it is beautiful, isn't it?"

Katsumi nodded and asked, "What's your name?"

Most people would hesistate, but she didn't, "Chisato..."

"Nice to meet you Chisato, and thanks for the water. I'm going to be on my way now so that you can go back to work...", Katsumi tipped his hat and started walking away.

"I hope you don't intend to kill anyone with all those swords...This is a peaceful village with a lot of good people in it..."

Katsumi stopped and looked over his shoulder for a moment, "You don't have anything to worry about, just stay out of the storm..."

Chisato looked worried, but content enough with the answer to nod slightly and go back inside.

Katsumi looked down the road, the buildings focusing his vision down towards the center where the Hokage's tower was located. The buildings on either side maintained a standard gap inbetween them, and guessing from the look of it they averaged around 3 to 5 meters in width. Katsumi knew that if anything was about to happen he'd have several routes to get where he needed to go. Katsumi took his hands and formed the 'Rat' hand seal, allowing a small wave of chakra to rush over the area. Katsumi smirked and nodded, continuing to walk towards his goal.

The dark days were approaching once more. Persistant flashbacks from Izumi's past ran through her mind like a time wheel. Images of people being murdered right and left. Her father before she fled. The sound of the flames as they crackled and the smell of burning flesh filling her nose. She could remember it all very well. Sure, this case was not the same. Things weren't burning down yet but the fact that someone was infiltrating the village only made her mind wonder what more could come. Was this just the beginning of Konoha's fall or a simple missing nin attack? Well, she knew missing nin attacks were not that simple. Especially those to this degree. But most would get the idea.

Her burning gray eyes turned to the white haired Chunin nearby. She looked over every curve in his figure and every botch of discoloration she could potentially find. If he would be working with her she needed an idea of what he could. At the moment she knew of his abilities and now of his physique. But his overall power was unknown. She wondered what he thought of her as well. To most she was somewhat intimidating. But this didn't matter.

Checking her equipment to make sure she had everything she spoke to the Chunin once more before she would head out.

"Be careful, and don't die okay?" she said to him, her voice sounding caring despite her typical nature. Of course, to change the pace she then glared, "and watch your back for not only his but my attacks. Don't die and don't get in the way. Flow with me as I would you. Plan accordingly. We're a team but we're also solo."

She sounded hateful but this was necessary. She would watch his back but at the same time it was every man for himself with what they were facing. Her emotions then changed again as she stared forward, her eyes set on the rooftops before them. With a calm and cautious gaze, Izumi took off towards the battlefield. This was the life of a ninja. She didn't care about any rewards or what glory she may potentially get. What mattered most was that the village was protected at all costs and the criminal was captured or killed.



Following the screaming voices and the coordinates she was given, Izumi made it to the battle field within a few minutes. She figured the attacker would have moved some ways from the original location and thus adjusted accordingly. She wasn't a sensor who could feel the ninja's presence but was able to move in enough from behind to spot him from his back flank. She already had her attack prepared on the way there and thus once she saw him, confirming where he was exactly, she released the jutsu. She was stationed at his back right flank. From there she hoped he wouldn't see her but she could see him. Hopefully the Chunin would be able to figure out where to go but he was the least on her mind right now.

The released chakra changed in nature to the lightning element and shaped into fifteen electrical birds within seconds; all each half the size of a kestrel. With a force they all flew forward towards the target. Izumi started her second set. From there the birds would hone in on him and surround him from all angles in maybe a few seconds. They circled around and around at only maybe two feet away from head to toe and thus trapped him. Had he moved he would be electrocuted. Of course, the birds wouldn't let there be too much of a time interval so in not even three seconds after surrounding him they would dive into him or wait. One at the top of his spine or his neck, one at each shoulder, one at his groin, one in his face, one at his chest, one to each knee, one at each ankle, and the remaining five would continue to circle if any of the original missed. That way they could attack if they needed too.

While this jutsu took place, the second set from the man's left flank would appear and dive towards him. Izumi obviously changed positions while preparing the second jutsu. The same system would occur and if he had somehow dodged then they would attack from this new angle. That is, if Izumi had seen where he went. Using the rooftops Izumi continued to move about while hoping to create an opening for the Chunin to move. If each bird hit the opponent would be stunned for quite some time (see jutsu below). Everything past the first released jutsu though depended on what the target would do or did.

Jutsu Used:

Katsumi's instincts had been right, and the purge wave revealed that two ninja were already on to him. It was obvious they had some idea of what they were doing, but the ninja that had attacked first had been far too aggressive, at least by Katsumi's standards. The purge wave gave him a good idea of where the attack would come, but it didn't reveal what exactly was coming. In this situation Katsumi would normally move, but he could tell that would only draw this out.

Katsumi turned to look over his shoulder, as the jutsu flew directly at him. He smirked and formed the hand seal: Ram. At the center of his chakra flow a small mass of chakra built up and expanded into a torrent of wind chakra. He waited for the shurkien to just break the edge of the jutsu's range, and within that moment he activated the Fuuton style jutsu. The jutsu had surrounded him, and given him little room for error if he was to attempt manuvering out of such an attack. The wind rose up and quickly breathed out from his body with suprising force. The elements combated for a small moment before the lightining fell vicitim to it's elemental weakness. Katsumi knew that this move would be used in combination with something else, and that he wouldn't have much time before something else happened. As he took several steps to his right he realized that all of the lightining had been tied to nothing (as in tied to a metallic object). The other 5 lightining formed jutsu rode it on to his posistion. He took his hands and formed the hand seal once more and countered the 5 other 'birds' in the same fashion. The sky lit up once more with a beautiful plasma bolt, delevering a shadow from the rooftops that allowed Katsumi a glance at his opponent's posistion.

The second set was already on its way leaving him a small window of seconds to counter, but again he waited until they were in the edge of jutsu's range (5m) before activating his jutsu. The wind rippled through the elemental birds, stopping them, and then causing them to fade into the dark skies background. The combination was easy enough to see, but use something like this meant only one thing... She knew that he was capable of out manuvering her. No doubt the other shinobi was on his way to block his exits, but there was too many for just two shinboi.

He knew to stay on the ground until the right moment happened to appear, but for now he would manage this posistion. He left his hands free to form seals, which he did, but he was preparing something inside without the use of handseals, which he knew would counter this lightining user.

He thought to himself, 'What would you do Mr.Hahn? Would you spare them? Would you take them to the very brink of pain and then cast them off the cliff of death?'

He felt his chakra start to fold out into its correct posistion; he started to feel the area around him rather than just observing his surroundings. He continued to glance at the roof tops from the edge of the hat as he continued to manage his chakra. His core tightened up and his forearms tensed. His legs tightened and his heart started to pump at 200 bmps. He felt somewhat lighter already, and his body started to relax as he waited for his new found opponents to move. He knew that something was coming, perhaps another lightining jutsu, but for the moment he knew to keep them moving would allow him more time to focus. The few steps he had taken moved him over a meter to the right, allowing him a better view of the area from where he was attacked. He watched as nothing else approached him for the moment. He walked those steps, measuring the time out between his opponent's attacks, trying to guess to as what rank they were, and to what he should do next.

During his small walk, it was on its way to stop them from trying to futher their movements. He watched as the posistion of it grew closer and closer to what he guessed would be the ninja's posistion.

Katsumi slipped his head down, allowing the hat slip slightly over his face, before yelling out, " Impressive! I didn't think Konoha would have anyone who would attempt to master such a radical element!"

He kept his words humble, even though countering the elemental attack was too easy for him.

Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

Listening to the jounin, Mitsu paid close attention. He had never dealt with a huge threat before. He was somewhat nervous, like any person would be, but he gathered himself and gripped his bow he had made tightly. His cloak on and at the ready, as well as feeling the quiver attached to his thigh, holding twenty-five normal arrows and twenty-five metal shaft coating arrows. Mitsu held an extra normal arrow in his hand and on the bow, the drawstring relaxed.

After ridding himself of the nervous tension, Mitsu nodded to her and then took off the rooftops with her, staying close behind. The journey to find this missing ninja that had apparently invaded the village seemed to be a blur, Mitsu barely realized that it even happened. He was just getting himself focused. Not excited, not nervous or scared. Just getting himself serious and focused. He didn't have a plan on dying, but he would sacrifice himself if needed, and he sure as hell wouldn't do so without fighting.

His bow at the ready once his target was in range, he quickly drew back and took aim in front of the man's path, aiming at his right thigh from his right side flank. Mitsu then drew out another arrow while changing his position from across the rooftops and fired two more normal arrows rapidly, one at his chest, the other at his left shoulder, this time from his front. If the man moved to dodge the first arrow, Mitsu would aim accordingly with these two. He then moved his hand which held the bow and pointed on finger while the other hand drew another arrow. He fired a finger bullet at the direction the man would move if he had dodged, if not, he would aim for the center of hit chest. Afterwards, Mitsu would prime his shots with his arrows whenever the man moved, and he would keep him in range by moving if he had moved out. Now he had to hope Izumi's distraction/attack had worked in their favor.

Jutsu Used:

jutsu used:

Shihouin moved from the darkness into the cackling light of the thunderstorm. With each flash of lightning, the flapping white cover-vest around his Jounin attire flickered like a mirror, reflecting the bright flashes. Each clap popped heavily and lightning seemed to be like a god from above, expressing anger and wrath upon the sins of the village, heavy sins which resulted in some damaged buildings and some fires. Was this the product of an aura? The manifestation of malevolence and hatred? He perched far from the battle area, at least 100m and thought of the situation. His ANBU chatted lightly, coming up with battle strategies.

One of them had a bad idea. "You should take centerfold and have everyone else support you." They moved a bit closer, slower than before to buy time. "Yeah, and then what? They just happen to throw kunai at the correct moment or do a jutsu capable of capitalizing perfectly on an opening, presuming I create one?" The ANBU looked down a bit, and remained in silence, yet the other one spoke up. "What you're implying is simply... We can't sacrifice the villages shinobi for information!!" Shihouin placed a secure foot on a wet rooftop and jumped to the next building, landing on a wet rail without effort, moving to another railing, another rooftop and another after. He kept silent from them.

Again with the thunderclap, and the rain which drizzled down like tears from a crying sinner. A drop of water cracked between his eyes and ran down his nose, scattering itself all over its face. He blinked once. "I'm supposed to be the strongest ninja, and I'm willing to die. I don't think death is necessary if we gather information. It's not my fault if they can't survive, but at the same time I understand the notion of the Will of Fire. Rushing in without thinking is the last thing you can do against the unknown. Sure Sharingan helps... But at the end of the day..." He pointed his wet finger up and dug it into the drenched locks on the side of his head. "It comes down to using your brain to benefit the village." He was done with their insolence. "Dismissed! He's apparently already defeated enough of you. Go make preparations to evacuate the elder council if you're so concerned about someone dying..." And they scattered on command, like streaks of rain under the saddened clouds.

With Sharingan he began to watch his approach as he got evermore closer to the battle area. At this distance he was coming up against three chakra signatures, two of which were familiar. Some chakra in the area dissipated, evidence of ninjutsu and they seemed to be at a temporary stand still. Maintaining his distance from the lot of them, he set forth to come under a guise. 'Shihouin' moved and continued on towards the area as he approached the both of them ten meters behind their back, a top of a water tower, which everyone including the intruder could see. "Both of your attacks failed! Don't sit there! Do something or I will kill you for letting the lives of innocent go to waste!" He knew he was being obvious at this point in the situation but he hoped things would pan out correctly.

Shihouin was somewhere else maintaining a distance away from the battle area by some odd thirty meters preparing a special trick which had a certain requirement. From his water top position 'Shihouin' moved towards his ninja pouch very quickly and dispatched a set of shuriken at the opponent below him. There were only five, but they were fired one after the other, staggering a meter after one another. He kept his body posited and compensated for the weather... Hopefully the Konoha ninja would be smart enough to use this as cover while they added on to the attack.

Spoiler:

It seemed that these shinobi were dedicated to minimizing his movements, leaving him only counter and reset his position with the small amount of land he was given inbetween each attack. Katsumi knew that something like this would happen; it wouldn't be in their best intrest for him to get moving, but in this case they had waited far too long. Zentai's muscles tensed as his chakra finally polarized, rippling through out the small area (.5m) around him. The wind rotated with an incredible force, following the boundries of his chakra, causing his kimono to lift and set repeatedly with speed. As this jutsu started to form, Zentai's speed increased with each step he was allowed to make.

The shuriken and the arrows that his second and third opponent threw/fired rippled into the armor's flow, stopped at the edge of the armor's length, and were thrown further down the street; each shurkien landing with a loud ring that caused Katsumi to take notice. He had heard more than the 'arrows' breaking down on his position but he hadn't had the the time to worry about them. He was concerned about stopping his first opponent.

He quickly drew his smallest blade, Benzaiten, and brought it to bear. Zentai started moving directly where the projectile was fired from, looking directly at his opponent. He had already prepared his counter, and he would ensure it got its target on time. He took careful steps, making sure not to over-stride, but arrive with enough haste to cause his opponent's to hesitate for a moment. As he made his way to the building, he took his blade and arched it over his shoulder, throwing it into the wall just under his opponent's position. The blade was set at about a 1/3rd of the building's entire height. The blade's hilt stuck out of the wall, with enough metal to flex so that the blade wouldn't break when used for its real purpose.

He jumped, and took his right foot and landing it onto the blade's handle, pushing off to gain height. The blade flexed, but didn't break as he grew closer to the male shinobi who had been firing at him. As Katsumi reached the brink of the building's roof, 'he' took his hands and brought out two three-pronged kunai. Then with incredible quickness, 'he' jumped from the edge of the roof directly at the chuunin, furthering himself from the edge. Then, in an quick and emotionless act, 'he' took both kunai and stabbed them into 'his' own gut. This counter had been prepared while he walked to his last position. The wait had been to see who all would arrive, and no doubt he had little time before more arrived.

Katsumi smirked as he felt the wind against his back, and looked sky directly above him. The timing would have to be remarkable to make this work, but it was what he was known for. Katsumi brought his right hand and pointed it in the hand seal that transfered just enough chakra to activate the tags nearby. He waited for him to clear the roof top's edge as he activated the tags. The wind first rippled as the tags went off, and then the explosion was amplified by the wind jutsu held within the clone.

The entire roof shook as the tags went off, and the fire ignored the rain for the brief moment that it existed. The explosion covered the entire roof top, leaving little to no room for escape. The kunai had both been wrapped with explosive tags around their handles, and as the clone commited it 'suicide' it forced the kunai and the chakra with in it to be thrown at the chuunin. The wind aided the explosion's density, and volume as it pushed everything directly at the opponent.


Jutsu Used:

Spoiler:

A rough start but they would pull through. As the birds neared and Izumi progressed forward with her second set of lightning birds, she leapt to a new rooftop. This placed her more towards where his left flank would be had he not moved. If he turned towards her she would be moving towards the front right of him. She could see that he used a type of wind barrier to eliminate her birds and immediately recognized he out-elemented her. This meant she would need to plan more carefully with her next move sets. Problem was she could not read Mitsuhide's mind so whether he may help or hinder her was based around trust. No matter what she would proceed forward and hoped he used his ninja ways to read her methods, their opponents, and of course visual the ultimate goal the two of them had. Protect Konoha. Now that the Hokage had arrived there was even more pressure. But it appeared the man was not affected by Shihouin's appearance anyway. Shihouin yelled with power that caused her to listen but keep focus on the fight at hand. While Shi was using his tools and assistance in the fight, Izumi was making a path from the top of a building set at about ten meters high to a rooftop at eight then finally at roughly four meters. This would give her roughly ten meters between her and her opponent when the height distance was taken into consideration and she was at her goal.

Right after she had formed the jutsu for her birds she allowed a small break to witness the birds have no affect. By then the Hokage arrived and shouted. After his words he released an attack and during this time she formed a seal for her next jutsu while she continued to move. She was using chakra but after this things should begin to form together. Open minds were always needed in battle though. This jutsu would aid in her pursuit to defeat her target at a later time. While some footsteps carried off to the opposite side of the building from where their opponent lurked, Izumi drew three kunai. She kept her eyes on the target and moved away from Mitsu's position while looping around from her starting point to her target's right, if he faced her, or left if he was facing towards Mitsu's direction. This would place her parallel to Mitsu's position so he wouldn't be in her way and vice versa. The moment she would hit this point was when he drew his blade.

She slowed her speed down but still kept moving forward; while remaining near the edge of the roof tops so she could see. She was at about jogging now. When he drew the blade at a quick rate, Taijutsu?, he lifted it to throw. Izumi mimicked his throw movements and just before he threw the blade she launched the three kunai in her hand. They would zone in on her opponent back since he was now facing Mitsu's direction.

'Move' she then thought after the kunai left her hands, she continued forward and drew out two more kunai that she quickly launched as well. Delays. All sounded a tad bit off then your average kunai. Yes, she would wear down her body but this mild run was nothing she was not used to. After all, she was toned with good endurance so as long as she wasn't full blast running she would be okay. Besides, she could have a cool down time at the end of this fight. Her eyes, still set on her target as she looped from his right back flank towards his left again. She withdrew one kunai. and readied herself for what was next. The building then exploded. Wait, what?

She dared not glance at the building as she heard it explode. She was far from it but could feel some wind from it travel towards her. It was minor and didn't affect her. But what of Mitsu? She kept her focus on the target. She had no room for error nor distractions. Besides, Mitsu was a Kaguya. Surely he could handle himself. Right?

'Sorry Mitsu, I cannot worry about you' she told herself as she eyed her target. The kunai would near within seconds as previously stated, carried by her dexterity and gravity. Once the first hit, the second set would be soon to follow.

Jutsu Used:

Mitsu backed up from the edge of the building to keep himself from being seen by the intruding ninja, but it was already too late. As expected from a ninja that was able to easily infiltrate the village, he was smart. Mitsu saw him appear from the edge of the building, so Mitsu started to react by making a bone arm sword. Then noticing the kunai Mitsu was about ready to defend himself when the unexpected happened. As it was already dashing to him, the clone stabbed itself after activating the tags. This was totally unexpected, and Mitsu could do nothing but stand there. Mitsu saw the fire and wind blast out to him before he heard the explosion. He tried to desperately to make armor, but he was only able to cover his heart with a thin sheet. Luckily, this was enough to save his life, but that was it. The pressure from the explosion popped his ears and flew him back, burning his flesh and knocking him off the building, past the next rooftop, then falling to the ground.

Mitsu was knocked out a few seconds after getting hit with the explosion, so most of the pain was not felt. But all that damage, along with hitting the ground hard, did all that it needed and finished it all, putting Mitsu into a coma state. Although knocked out, part of Mitsu was still there in his head. His body was just drifting through the darkness, unable to move. "Is this it? I remember the explosion but...I couldn't do anything. Gah I was so stupid! There was so much I haven't done! There was more to discover about where I came from, more to discover about the ninja arts! And Hana...I never told Hana how I felt...What god was I anyway? She was progressing so much further than I was! She learned everything so quickly! It's...it's...how things go I guess...So what do I do now? I don't know what comes next, so do I just drift here? No, I actually am starting to feel tired. A nap actually sounds good right now, yeah, I think I'll have a good nap..." And that was the last true thought that went through his head before his thoughts shut down completely as his body lay there, burned.

Katsumi turned and heard a collection of thrown weaponary hit the ground, each kunai marking a short distance from his fall. He knew that the remaining shinobi wouldn't throw kunai anymore because they'd be deflected, unless... Katsumi flipped himself to run flush with the wall, landing on his sword. He quickly took his feet and slammed them against the wall, gaining grip through his chakra. He snatched his sword from the wall, looking up at the street as he did so. The storm meshed beautifully overhead, lighting the world for Katsumi to see. He didn't know if his last attack had worked, but he was willing to take a chance and see.

He turned and ran up the wall, grip no longer being an issue. The rotating wind eased his movement, allowing him to show only signs of his true talent for speed. He took hold of the roof's burnt edges and pulled himself up. He ran to the center of the roof top and looked for signs of an escape. He didn't see a body, and he knew that he'd have little time before the other ninja came after him again. He looked over the opposite edge for a moment and then looked up. The other roop top running along the one he stood on showed signs of damage, enough to peak Katsumi's curosity. He jumped and landed on the opposite end of the rooftop, looking for any signs of the young ninja that had been the target of his attack. He looked down into the alleyway and finally saw his prize. He didn't jump down, instead he started to slowly let his armor fade into the storm's background. The armor snapped as it faded pushing a small amount of the shingles from his position.

He looked at the body, which still showed signs of life. He didn't know what to do, and in his confusion he waited, only for a slight moment, to remember what his former master had said to him, " Katsumi...to find war is common, to take from someone is easy...I'm asking you to do much more, to find something uncommon...And that is peace. I'm asking you to help those that can not help themselves, forgive those that didn't ask for it, and most of all to fight for peace."

Katsumi shook his head and sheathed his sword. His heart felt heavy for a moment, leaving him only to the silence in between each lightining bolt and thunder clap to think. He knew that it would be a long shot, and that his need for revenge would still remain but this didn't need to happen. He didn't need to kill the young man. Katsumi turned to face where the explosion had happened. He took in all the details of the area, making sure that during his little moment with his thoughts he didn't give up his rear flank. He took his hands and formed the hand seal: Rat. The area was quickly covered in a thin layer of his chakra, allowing him to see who or what could possibly be around. He didn't know what part of him was trying, but something within him wanted to go down in the alleyway and kill the young ninja. He tensed his hands as he let them fall to his sides.

Katsumi yelled out into the darkness, "Come and face me with your lightining! If you wish to attack me do so and don't continue to waste my time!"

He took his taijutsu fighting stance, and prepared for something to happen.

The kunai that were thrown at his direction ripped through the air towards Izumi's target with a slight hiss. There was the very faint sound of what seemed like paper in the wind. It was barely audible though unless the man possessed the tracking technique. When the first three hit the wind armour around him they would each detonated. One loaded kunai zoned in on his back as it was aimed and the other three would hit the armour closer to his sides due to them separating lightly when in flight. In other words, they would hit him from his center back, right flank, and left flank near his sides. After this the next set would zone in on him and much like the other two would detonate as well. These were aimed slightly higher and thus would be closer towards his upper back or chest area. The shock from these tools at a close range would hopefully do wonders on the man and his armour. If the second set somehow missed though, despite the fact the surprise should typically cause a minor set back in his mind, there was always a back up plan. Luckily it wasn't raining out, just lightning and thunder, or else these tags may have some trouble.

After the first tags exploded on the kunai then Izumi would take a crouch to where she could watch but not stand out so much. Once she could confirm the tags worked or not she could continue to move about the rooftops. Her position moving from her spot to the eight meter high building she had spoken about earlier. From there she could then plot and prep her next attack if nothing came after her first.

After the first set of kunai struck and created a cloud of smoke around Katsumi, as normal exploding tags would. 'Izumi's' figure appeared from behind the building she originally started on. This time she was in the alleyway. In her hands was a slingshot as well; the strap loaded with a small black ball that looked like a smoke bomb with a yellow band wrapped around it. The moment she stepped out from behind the corner of the building and confirmed her target, whom would have had his back turned to her, the second set would hit or else he would somehow dodge. No matter what way he went - 'Izumi' would have the slingshot preped and already ready to be aimed and fired. If he stayed still, the ball would shoot forth and hit her target within the smoke. If he dodged then she would time it to where it would hit him as he moved. From her position he only stood maybe seven meters away. The force of the sling shot was enough for a good strike.

Once the shot was fired then 'Izumi' would fall back behind the edge of the building in order to hide once more. Besides, these two didn't need to pay to much attention for someone had an eye on their target all along; to the point she was able to move with him.

The lightning snapped and arched its crooked back sharply across the cry with the thunder breaking out in a low rumbling scream. The winds pushed the cloak around on his back in a flurry of movement, shifting and stretching even the fine wrinkles. Shihouin looked on from his position as his set attack was deflected and realized what exactly was going on here. Rather than move, the clone that had thrown the prep attack simply dispersed itself into a rolling cloud of smoke to be wiped out by the storms fury.

Shihouin who had been preparing for some accurate description of the enemies attack was in chakra-watching distance with Sharingan, moving closer as he deemed fit and safe to do so. The attacker was someone not to be underestimated and Mitsu had fallen dearly because of it, and Izumi would have as well. Sure they didn't have the ease of Sharingan and any chakra sensing capabilities which could be used in direct combat, but at this point it was obvious.

Her lightning attacks were deflected by a wind technique, and that obviously should have put her on edge when it came to ninjutsu and elemental manipulations. But both of them were not focusing on information gathering, but rather defeat in a single move. Shihouin's thoughts ran for a single second as he watched Mitsu and a the frame work of the building crumble easily. 'This guy.... His use of chakra and the way he applies it. It's his attacks and his ability to use his chakra in conjunction with his physical ability....He took out Mitsu in a single blow, and for Izumi....'

Shihouin knew that if Izumi kept this up any longer than it would have to be she would end up maimed, or even worse. She as important to his plan one hundred percent but this attacker was something else. He was capable of making a plan change with a single sword stroke, someone that was worth talking to even at the price of guards who had been committed to Konoha and it's citizens.

As the stranger escalated to Mitsu's body, Shihouin's image would seem to manifest from behind her as he rushed her quickly. Her hands were forming seals for ninjutsu, but Shihouin planed his wrist around her and caught her with surprise putting his arm around her waist. Definitely throwing her off guard with his speed, he spoke softly. "Braveness is good, the will to defend the village is better." Disappointment leaked into his tone. "But don't get yourself killed! He took out Mitsu in a single blow and would have killed you if you didn't high tail it! He destroyed the roof of that building with ease, and he could have done the same to people as well if you could see the way his jutsu works with these eyes...Send a summon or shadow clone for Shiro to collect Mitsu... And go think about what you just did. You fought so recklessly and your comrade fell because of it. It isn't your fault, but you contributed to it... He released the grip on her hands and moved around her, nearing the edge of the building. He moved closer to the strangers position after he shouted out to the sky.

It was a damaged rooftop not too far from his position, close in fact that a good reaching leg would be enough to hop the distance. Showing his calm demeanor and lack of threat, he put himself in a position where he was open and walked slowly to the edge of the rooftop. The only real way he could react to any attack was to jump down or compromise his footing by trying to run back on the damaged shingles and structure. "I don't mean any harm, even though the village thinks I should." He looked down on Mitsu and thought about Hana. "A Hokage is supposed to go all out right now but that isn't the Will of Fire. As much as I don't believe in that garbage I think I can honestly take a candle to it..." He looked towards him, black eyes that showed no threat of Sharingan and preached something that even he could heed to. "Redemption occurs when we realize the past struggles in our lives and realize that we don't need to be belittled by revenge and hate. I killed the only family that was close to me, my father because hatred. That hate has only twisted me and made me unstable..." He wasn't that good with words, but he could try. "I don't know much more to say, but you almost killed him. Maybe you can use that talent to protect the good values you have, and the people of this village... Whether it be here or from afar.

Had he said too much? Had he made the situation a lot worse now? He wasn't good at reading people, but he hoped he was good with his words and ability to use them for the better. As twisted as someone like him was, he still couldn't get over the fact of his past hatred and the experiences it brought with him and how it molded him to day. He somehow and maybe it was a premonition, felt something similar from this fellow.

Katsumi looked to the sky and said the word 'redemption' as the sky lit up once again. He had known that his emotions had gotten the best of him, and in the larger scheme of things he had done nothing other than harm innocent people trying to protect what was theirs. He slowly looked down to the ground and took in a deep breath, relaxing his stance. He stood for several moments as thoughts raced through his head, 'Will he really accept me? Is this a ruse? Or is he really taking in the situation as it stands? He seems to be genuine with his words, otherwise I wouldn't think he would stop the battle so that he could say them...He watched, he was the other shinobi and no doubt by his commands he would have surely made things almost impossible. I feel strangely relaxed around him though...As if I had known him in a former body and just now we're able to meet.'

Katsumi took out his largest blade Amateratsu and planted it firmly into the roof top. A long drawn out yell from the blade's metal echo'd through out the rooftops. This was the universal sign of truce, and as long as the blade remained there Katsumi wouldn't take further action.

Katsumi finally spoke, "I see that you're worried about your subordinates? Well, that's a true sign that you're a leader, to care even about those that are weak and helpless, I can't help but admire that. I must ask you to listen to me Hokage-sama...', Katsumi smirked as the honorific suffix was uttered out of his mouth, "...I am Katsumi of the Zentai clan, and I hail from the Village Hidden in the Rain. I have come here to seek revenge, yet with all this fighting I have found nothing, but emptiness. Even with the young man's suffering I could not find myself any satisfaction, only disgust in what I was doing. Though your ANBU officers killed my parents I can not bring myself to hate the people of this village. I don't know what to say, and I know any apology won't help considering what I've done already and I've planned to do... But I will not continue this nonsense. I can not, and I will not kill unless it is in the name of peace. A long time ago when I was just training one of your known animal-nin allies tolled me that if I was to become the strongest shinobi in the lands I must first realize that only peace will allow me the time and the ability to do so. I now realize that he was saying that both peace and strength are one in of the same when harbored with the right care. I know that you and I have seen our fair share of hate in this world, and that for the most part we became people of hate ourselves, but you've taken action where I have not and you're stronger because of it. For some reason this village thinks you're able to lead them, and I can see why... Objective concern is still concern and no one should forget that. I know it seems I'm rambling and perhaps I am, but it's all to lead to this: I must ask for your aid, for your knowledge of the ninja arts, and for your forgiveness for what I've done..."

Katsumi lowered his head, his emotions spelled out in the stormy skys. His thoughts soon were filled with memories of Mr.Hahn, 'You knew so much about what I was doing and how wrong I really was, didn't you Mr.Hahn? I know it must have been because you didn't want me to find hatred and allow it to cloud my vision for my real goals...'

Visions of the temple which he trained at, and the methods in which he trained. Katsumi knew what he was preparing for...His own death. If this ninja wanted to, he could force Katsumi to risk fighting at his strongest and no doubt Katsumi was worried that his life would hang in the balance. He didn't wish to test fate today, and more so he knew he had to come with peace with himself.

For the briefest moment Katsumi felt his chin touched, and lifted. A shade of Mr.Hahn was looking at him, and even if what a dellusion of a past memory is was more than welcome.

"Katsumi, my former student, what are you doing here in? Are you here to find your parent's killers and seek retribution? Or are you doing what I asked of you?"

Katsumi answered him with a slight whisper, trying not to appear anymore insane than he already did, "I'm here to present peace...And to hopefully get a chance to learn as your former allies did the arts and the 'Will of Fire' you spoke about."

"Good, you're finally on the path to becoming the Iron Sage that you were meant to be."

Katsumi smirked and stepped forward, resting his hand ontop of Amateratsu; waiting for his answer.

Each word spelled out something that was close to his heart strings. It was as if he could feel his arteries moving around a bit, readjusting and compensating for the flow of words that circulated through his body. It was the feeling of being able to realize and walk on common ground with people on the same path. That feeling that hate was irrelevant in a world where peace and understanding could bring swords to rest and pain to pleasure. A connection with someone, his comrades and his people and this man in front of him. Understanding and friendship, knowing each others pain, understanding pain isn't weakness it's strength.

Shihouin felt a bit bad at the same time as well though. He had lied so many times before, and now the lies were there... all laid out before him. Morals rising more now than they ever did, he wanted to place his arms down and swing them across to clear everything and start all over again. Yet he was in such a bind emotionally and politically, he couldn't move. Maybe, maybe he could walk with this man and understand and correct his own wrong doings.

Shihouin didn't know what to say, but whatever came to him was spoken. "I'm disappointed in her and I am disappointed in all the ninja that didn't show up, and I'm disappointed in everyone." He sighed. "But I have to be disappointed in myself as Hokage.... I am the one they follow after, the role model and the goal they want to become. I haven't been holding up to the true nature of Hokage though.. However, I think we can make an example out of ourselves to the village, that no matter how much hate has changed us and has gripped us, that we can stride to overcome those obstacles and truly see an era with peace." He moved a bit from his position, adjusting for the weather and winds.

"It's hard though! Exceptional swordsman-ship and ninjutsu, Sharingan... These abilities are not the best ways to bring peace." He chuckled a bit. "It's hard to bring peace when you have to sometimes sacrifice for it, even if it isn't anything you own. But that task we can worry about later. Mitsu, as much as he tried died as a hero to stop you and will be hailed as so with a hero's funeral and the trimmings to send him off to cross 'that' river." Shihouin reached around in his pocket, and pulled out a piece of black fabric with a strap of metal bolted down on to it. He folded it up and wrapped it with the Konoha logo showing and tossed it towards Katsumi.

"My name is Shihouin Uchiha, the Sandaime Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves... As long as I am in this village you will be treated as a wandering Sage, and a shinobi with no restrictions. Take that headband as a marker. For now it'll be difficult getting the situation cleared up, you know there's always things like investigations and custodial work... But for now I would like you to participate within this village. With someone like you gathering intel for the village and keeping threats at bay, we could benefit from it greatly. I hate being locked down in this village, so I need someone with your ability who can keep me tuned in with the outside world, if that isn't a problem. If you need any supplies or anything, I would like to.." Shihouin backed up quickly from a piece of crumbling roof, to a more secure position on an air conditioning unit. "I would say formally welcome, but casually seems to fit more."

Aside from his small humor, Shihouin honestly felt change in the air around them. Not one of candy-coated peace, but the ability to change what they could with their own hands and to lead the villagers down the path to a better life. As for Mitsu, he would hold a funeral and inform Hana of it and prepare her for the bad news. Even though it would be hard getting the daimyo and other council members to accept the new shinobi, he would do so with or without their consent. None of them could deny the village being destroyed completely some 180 years ago and the lone ninja who created peace with the attacking shinobi. Shihouin gave him one last look.

"Izumi here will assist you in moving around the village if she wants, unless you want to do it yourself. That headband is a bit special, there's a couple of dents and nicks on it which ANBU know about. Keep it visible so they don't bother you. Other than that, I'll meet you in my office if you have any more questions."


OOC: terrible post lol, too much dialogue but I have to be going.

Izumi had been prepared to utilize her next motion of attack to take out the enemy but before she knew it a hand grasped around her wrist and an arm was placed around her waist. It didn't take her long at all to figure out just who was behind her. She had been caressed by these arms before and thus she didn't fight back. He obviously had a good reason for stopping her. However the turn out was not something she enjoyed. She could have stopped the missing nin. She knew she could. But what she failed to see was her Chunin helpful had fallen. He was a Kaguya though. Surely he could have thought of something to evade? Apparently not. She was wrong and now her hands were stained in blood. This was the way of the ninja though. Shit happened whether you liked it or not.

Heeding orders she stuck two fingers in her mouth and gave a sharp whistle. From out of the ground rose another Izumi. She shook her head to get some dirt off before she made her way to the back of the building to assist Mitsuhide. Who was this Shiro though? Izumi sent her other clone out to find this said Shiro anyhow. In the meantime she followed close behind Shi's side as she stood a few feet behind his left flank. What all happened next was not something she may have wished to hear. Mainly how disappointed Shi was in her for her failure. But she didn't wish for him to be disappointed in himself. It was not necessarily his duty to act as much as it was theirs. He was the last back up when all else has failed. Look at the stories of Namikaze in the ancient past. Last resort. However his declaration of peace was rather enlightening. She figured this was always in his agenda though. What is it that he hasn't done to hold true to being Hokage? Izumi felt like she was missing some important details here. Aside from feeling blind though she was still rather heartbroken about the failure. You couldn't win them all no matter how much you tried but still. She made a fool of herself in front of the whole village. More importantly before Shi. She would truly have to live up to her nickname now if she wished to keep some dignity. The people wouldn't be happy with her. Then again, they probably wouldn't be even happier with Shi.

'Letting a Missing nin waltz around, what is the Hokage thinking?'

'He killed a man, why is he not in jail?!'

She could hear it all now...

Izumi's luminescent grey eyes peered over at Shi as he continue to speak to the missing nin. She gave him a confused look as she stared with curiosity.

'Shi...what are you thinking? What is your plan to allowing this to happen? There must be one. Why let him waltz so freely? You know the citizens won't like it. You said so yourself. Is this an act of showing you can do as you please? I of all should know....but I don't' she thought, looking back at the missing nin towards the end. It appeared his name had been Katsumi. Just like the name of Konoha's old Hokage from the past.

"Izumi here will assist you in moving around the village if she wants, unless you want to do it yourself. That headband is a bit special, there's a couple of dents and nicks on it which ANBU know about. Keep it visible so they don't bother you. Other than that, I'll meet you in my office if you have any more questions."

She gave Shi a look of grief before she stepped forward beside him and stared at the missing nin. She wouldn't argue against him but would expect a talk later. Was this punishment for her loss? She not only lost to this man but now she had to show him around town too? That was like telling Konoha, look at me! I fucked up and this was who I lost too! Rather upsetting but Izumi presisted on showing no emotion now. Her face listless as she stared down like a thoughtful doll. Oh she would expect a talk with Shi later. No doubt about that....

Katsumi saw the look in the woman's eyes. It was something that he had seen before, and he was more than ready to cope with. He smiled and looked at her, and with a calm voice said, "You seem to think you would still be living if not for your leader's actions...I assure you that he has just saved your life and many more by his actions. Regardless if you think you're above this all or not, war is coming, and you will need help."

Katsumi would have easily killed the woman, no doubt her actions were sloppy at best, which resulted in her partner's dispatch. 'One move...', he thought,'...and I could have killed a young man who did nothing but attempt to protect his family...And this woman thinks she would have faired better it seems. Heh, no doubt, she tried to use lightining against me in repeated form. Hmph, she has much to learn, but so do I... I need to get to their scroll room and learn all that I can if I'm going to help them obtain peace.'

Katsumi quickly sheathed his weapon and looked at the woman. She still retained the look of someone who was cheated. Katsumi had seen warriors with this look before, and he would confront it with his words since she obviously still didn't know what had happened. With the same calm tone as before he explained himself, " What was your next move? Hm? I do wish to know, because from what I've seen you'll allow someone to almost die before revealing your hand. I know that your ally still lives, but in the condition he is in he may not last much longer than a few hours with out treatment. ", Katsumi took several steps towards the edge of the roof, and with a stern face he stared into her eyes, "...Don't dare believe that you were stopped today form killing me, because infact you were mere moments from facing your end. "

He then saw her face draw out of all emotion. She was bottling up her emotions, but he didn't care. She would get over it and her partner would live. She didn't see the hand her leader was dealt, and with out a doubt she didn't understand what he was doing for her and the village.

He then looked at the Hokage, and his tension relaxed, smirking as he spoke to him, "Thank you for your help, but all I will need from your shinobi is the location of your library, or the room in which you hold scrolls of your techniques, along with some minor equipment. I believe that we are in the need of ninja who are able to ward off true assassins.

As Katsumi finished his last statement, he looked at Izumi keeping the same smirk he had held on his face during his last thanks to the Hokage. He winked at her, and ran off the roof, landing in the street between the houses. He walked into the open road where he was first attacked, and picked up his straw hat. He dusted it off. and placed it on his head. He looked to the skies still crashing about and waited for his escort to lead him to the Village's library.

Izumi stared back into the eyes of the missing nin / new konoha shinobi. She felt he got off too easy. He should serve at least some jail time or some "community service" in her mind. But then again maybe he would turn out to truly be a valuable asset. His strength was obvious already and she had to admit her rage was getting in the way of her thoughts. When he spoke not a word seemed to be aimed for causing more havoc. He seemed truly unhappy with what had happened to Mitsu as well. And his skill, truly remarkable.... She truly was acting rather arrogant towards him. Mostly this was from feeling jealousy or irritation from her loss. She let out a sort of sigh after he was finished speaking, breaking eye contact for a moment to calm down.

"My move is unimportant now," she said somewhat quietly, "maybe if we spar again in the future you'll know. Of course.... the situation would probably be different then..."

When her light gray had to his returned though she appeared a bit less off edge and stood with a calmer demenor. Average Izumi was back, thus why she seemed to relaxed. A sense of worry was conveyed through the thoughtful hues and in her tone when she spoke but this was because she still thought about the citizens and how it would affect Shihouin. She also hoped this ninja would stay true to his word as he acted towards peace. She could keep an eye on him but what if he truly was good. That would make her seem unappreciative, a bit stalkerish, and it would represent distrust towards Shihouin. She figured she would just let it go for now and flow with whatever Shi had in mind.

She had narrowed her eyes at him and grew a little red in the face when he winked at her. Turning her attention away for a moment she glanced off towards the other buildings with her arms crossed. He struck a nerve with that one. When he walked forth and landed back in the streets through she turned her attention back towards him. Now she needed to give escort duty. She wasn't too happy but the sooner she led him the sooner she could get away.

"This way" she said after leaping down and landing nearby. She had turned her attention toward the inner village and began walking, listening behind her to see if he were following.

[OOC: Shi already left. Sorry for the shitty post]

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