[Evaluation] Chowa & Eiji Vs The Jackal

[CelestialBlack]

The following is an entry evaluation spar to Naraka. In this particular evaluation most of the events will be considered canon for introductory purposes.
Rules are as follows: (Standard T1 - Official Standard)
Turn based, detailed posts.
Post Order: Team 4 > The Jackal > Repeat
Non-Cannon Element(s): Timeline differences, Some elements involving 2nd party shinobi (Eiji), Severe injuries sustained will not carry over.

Location Info:
Time of Day - Sunset
Weather: Cloudy, High Winds
Region: Outskirts of Kagetsuchi Town - spider-lily fields.
Scenario: Everything is a blur - and time is a concept that's long escaped prominent structure. A stranger in a strange land Chowa has awoken in a puddle (one of many) a'midst a field of spider-lilys in a land similar to the normal world but...different subtly (at first glance). The air here is heavy, putting a strong pressure upon the chest of the young boy. Not yet a fully fledged shinobi the feeling of air that is literally leaden with chakra could be daunting at first. Rousing to consciousness - it is a mystery how he even got here but further more...where is it that he arrived exactly?
​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

Within the vast and beautiful field of spider-lilies laid what appeared to be a young man with orange hair reminiscent of that of a carrot who just so happened to be situated within one of the many puddles of water that adorned the landscape of the area. As the boy whose name was Chowa Sozo lay there the water of the puddle seeping into his modern clothing that was far from what you'd expect a supposed shinobi to be wearing, his eyes would slowly open as his body rose until he was sitting up still seated in the puddle. The deep, vibrant green eyes of the young man would begin to take in the sights around him, but only for the moment as he would suddenly shoot up from his seated position as he realised that his clothes were soaked from his time spent laying in the puddle of water. After having pulled himself from the puddle Chowa would attempt to brush off dust or dirt before attempting to ring out some of the water that had been absorbed by his apparel. Chowa would seem to spend a few moments trying and ultimately failing to dry off his clothing as he took in the beautiful, picturesque landscape that surrounded him at this very moment.

"Wow! This place is gorgeous, but how the heck did I end up here?" Chowa would ask himself this question out loud and in the open, as he surveyed his surrounding in hope of finding others who may be able to grant the poor Sozo some idea of where he was or how he got there as these two questions currently weigh heavy on his mind as did the air of this place upon his lungs. Chowa's assessment of the area was still far from perfect, but from what he could gather from the subtle difference in the landscape and the heavy chakra leaden air helped to make it was clear that he wasn't in the Land of Fire no more. The sensation he was feeling from the difference in the atmosphere between here and his home was subtle but different enough that it took a few moments from Chowa's breathing to re-adjust to the conditions. Once he had adjusted to the conditions of his new location his main priority would become finding out where he was and why he was there as it was the most pressing question on his mind. "Hello! Is there anyone around here!" yelled Chowa as he decide to start walking around the field in the hopes of finding another person who could potentially help him.​

 

[Earljt4]

Spirited away or displaced, something synonymous with coming to Naraka but for this young man, it was more like the only thing that happened to him in this place. The young feminine-looking male known as Eiji Sarutobi was quite used to being displaced and moved around this strange realm to the point that now it almost was not a surprise when it happened. Where was he this time was the first thing to cross his mind while he was on guard? The second thing to pop into his head was is this another test or what? Third and fourth were, was there anyone else around and if so were they friend or foe?

As his thoughts were rushing greatly and intensely, his mind came forth as two voices broke his thought process. The first voice was that of Imperious whose voice came from the back of Eiji's mind, "Haha, I bet you're getting sick of this but this is funny to me. Well..." Imperious' voice paused for a moment after hearing an unfamiliar voice seeking out anyone. Eiji turned to face Imperious his gargonite puppet who looked like a mannequin before making sure that his space-time pouch was on him along with all of his summoning scrolls before moving from the far edge of the field close to the forest which he first came from to now head towards the voice he heard earlier. As he moved to the target's location Eiji and Imperious noticed someone who seemed as out of place as his former teammates and himself when they first came. He looked at the orange-haired young man for a moment before speaking to him in a soft tone though completely on guard against them in case they tried anything against Eiji, "Are you not from Naraka as well? You have orange hair... you remind me of someone... Where did you come from?" Eiji said before awaiting his response while keeping his senses up for any tricks or attacks.

 

[CelestialBlack]

He was anything but pleased about this. There upon the horizon of the field as the boy, a gentile to a new land got his footing and asked were there anyone around; all that would answer his question would be an indiscernible silhouette there on the horizon. He couldn't believe his eyes..he couldnt believe his senses. The jade armor clad figure pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, a pacifying behavior only to fail swiftly as shown by the stronger attempt to shrug off his thoughts via slapping the side of his helmet. Two quick whacks before he refocused his eyes upon the young man once more - trying to rectify the scrutiny passing in his mind. The time that the Doctor had spent here he had figured that this had to have been an isolated incident. A matter of psychological warfare being fought between two sides with far too much religious dogma and superstition. But here he was - now looking upon what he believed to be an aberration of the mind; he questioned how this could even be possible.
"Certainly its not possible. What form of mindgames are we playing here and how? I couldn't have been compromised at any point, there's no way. Okay - if it's games we're playing then it's games I'll win..."




With that being said he stormed forth, his mind was nowhere in the realm of acknowleding the other shinobi. Another aberration he assumed - it was one of the child that had come to see him in his clinic, memories to pull from his mind and turn against him, that had to be it. In this moment as he approached his mind was on nothing else except putting aside the speculations that he had about the situation, rectifying this obscene bastardization of his memories that no one were meant to be privy to. There was already a cacophony of regrets, guilt, and introspection that he had put aside in his mind to address at a later date once he could get out of this place. The last thing that he would do was let someone interrupt his solace by dragging out memories that he was not quite ready to address yet. If anything would be his own it was his body and mind...and he would not have that taken from him a second time...​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

Having not long arrived in this new and strange location, Chowa had been wandering around like a deer in headlights with no clue where he was or how he got there. It wasn't long before he began to wonder if there actually was anybody around or if he was truly alone. This was a thought that hurt him especially after he had recently lost his only parent he had known, alongside finding o0uthis biological mother was dead after saving the world and now may never see his family or his new teacher again. Fortunately, for young Chowa these thoughts would soon be shattered and cast aside as a certain sound could be heard. It seemed to be the sound of someone calling out to him. The voice seemed to be a response to his earlier question about if there was anyone else with the field of flowers. As the sound of the voice hit the ears of Chowa his attitude changed and his eyes lit up with excitement as he was seemingly no longer alone. This prompted Chowa to spin around on the spot to see who was their, and while it wasn't anyone he knew the person didn't seem to be aggressive or dangerous. Well at least not him at this exact moment.

"This is great I'm not alone," said Chowa as he made his way over to the individual who's visage became much clearer up close, revealing them to be a young feminine-looking male not much older than he himself with brown hair and what appeared to be pink-eyes that reminded him of his older brothers ex-girlfriend followed closely by what appeared to be some kind of puppet made from some unique and sort of alien material that Chowa was unfamiliar with. In the past such a sight probably would have worried him, but when a well known Hokage tries to murder you under the guise of training you tend to be a less likely to judge someone based on what you see or what others say. As Chowa made his way over it wouldn't take long to reach the young boy and once standing before him Chowa would proceed to answer the boys own question to him. This question confused Chowa a little a first though, as he had no clue what this Naraka was. Was it the name of this place? It had to be right? There was no way he'd have asked otherwise. These were all thoughts that rolled through his head as he attempted to answer the boy. "Well, firstly the names Chowa Sozo and it's a pleasure to meet you. As for my hair that can be explained by my Sozo heritage, almost all Sozo have orange hair except my nephew. Now as for where I'm from, that's an easy question, I'm from the Land of Fire," replied Chowa attempting to answer all the boys questions before taking the opportunity to ask his own. "If you don't mind me asking. What you nameand what is this Naraka. Is Naraka where we are now?" asked Chowa trying to get to know the young man along with figuring out just exactly where he was.​

 

[Earljt4]

After he approached the young man with orange hair, Eiji was quickly given a response from him. Eiji nodded a bit listening to Chowa's answers though his face showed that he knew everything except his name. If Chowa was well versed in the clans of Konohagakure he would be able to tell pretty well that although quite feminine looking, Eiji was a member of the Sarutobi clan. Eiji was scanning the Sozo up and down with an inquisitive look before the young man shot a question back at Eiji, "Well that's a stacked question... I can't answer that myself. Sorry to say but I do know we aren't in our realm anymore. I know someone here similar to you who probably has the answers we seek but he's very... whimsical and hard to get help from to my knowledge." Eiji responded to Chowa before stopping as he and Imperious seemed to get on guard. If Chowa was able to perceive danger in his own way would yet to be certain but Eiji through the use of Axon could sense it coming.

Malice which seemed to be dense mixed with confusion and irritation was moving quickly towards Chowa and Eiji. Eiji's timid side flared up in front of the Sozo as he began to scratch his arm nervously after sensing this incredibly strong and potent mass of negativity coming toward them. His scarlet eyes seemed to go from kindness and softness when looking at the kind Chowa to an aggressive glare with fear hidden beneath them. Eiji backed up a bit as Imperious seemed to stand in front of Chowa almost in a protective manner as the reason for their sense of dread appeared before them. Moving at them in an aggressive manner, it was someone who resembled the Doctor who helped Eiji before. This apparition was different though, as he stated before the doctor was a whimsical figure to him, someone who Eiji did not think could be truly serious. This person was a different breed it felt like the time he watched Kiyoshi change into his other side, terrifying, horrifying, and downright unfamiliar.

Eiji would not say anything to the figure simply pulling out some kunai with strange kanji written upon the hilts, "遅い" preparing to throw them at the apparition the minute he showed signs of attacking them in any form. His hostility was potent but for the moment showed no form of bloodlust or killing intent, not even the slightest willingness to attack yet could be felt by Eiji. Imperious was standing in front of Chowa slowly preparing and changing his method of attacking the man as the gargonite around his body seemed to have small sparks of chakra running through it though very few would be able to tell as the chakra was not coming from outside but purely within from the gargonite core in Imperious almost similar to how a shinobi focusing chakra throughout their body but not letting it out would be hard for a normal sensory nin to track or notice. Both Eiji and Imperious were preparing though for Eiji it was out of fear and for Imperious it was the need to protect both Eiji and Chowa who were still in the phase of growth and yet to show their full potential.

 

[CelestialBlack]

(Listen for Immersion)
There he was - approaching at an increased rate now and the entire time up to the moment that he started to close the gap neither party had looked upon him. Till finally - the feminine boy seemed to operate off sheer intuition and netted himself a glance at the approaching Jade assailant. He couldnt see it by the armor that was fitted upon the man - but when he looked at him there was a snide frown upon his face almost as if to say "So what? What're you gonna do?" as he realized he had been detected. The man had been running towards him and as much as the conversation between the two seemed to be legitimate - he did not care for the charades nor would he be fooled by them; thats a good act. Undeterred, the man started to run towards them and then suddenly his body would start to become transparent, ghostly - and the ability to sense him would be neigh impossible at this point despite the fact that visually he was still there. This was in thanks to a lighter version of his technique he had used before in Konoha - Stero-Neutrino Veil allowing his body to become synthesized into stero-neutrino particles that interacted with matter on our plain on such a light level that he nearly becomes not even existent on the same plane. But he cant attack like this, so why did he go into it? The answer was simple - mobility; suddenly a spectral wisp darted around the side of them in an arch, now aside Eiji's view in less than a blink and clearly in the unsuspecting Chowa;s view at this angle. But he moved fast - and would close the gap just as quickly seeming to fly across the air in how he manipulated his paricles. The man front flipped up into the air barreling towards the back of Eiji's head where he would expand out of the flip and straighten his body into a dropkick aimed directly for the back of the boy's head. He was aiming to strike hi quite hard - enough to make his face shoot straight to the ground, but not hard enough to kill...this was not a murder - he was unsure, confused, and felt violated by a force that could very well in all possibility not be behind this...though he had strong doubts. Had this blow landed the man would springboard off the boys head into a front-flip back into the air - becoming tangible and releasing the veil just quick enough to land the blow - he would arch through the air in a backflip weaving handseals.
"Cosmic Style: Twilight Gap."
And as he recited this his body would start to glow at the edges - like he was containing a bright starlight inside of his body only for him to stick the landing and on impact, a burst of lights shoot from his body. These lights would not cause harm at first - but they would shoot out and take up position all around them for the extent of a sixty foot range around them. These lights would look liek stars once set, and in fact the entire area that they were in would now look like an observatory; a darkened sky surrounded by stars and glowing nebula. Apparent that he had done something to their current range of engagement. The man would rise to a full stance - the imposing physique encased in the intimidating armor as the gold fangs of the faceplate glint in the lighting as he inhaled deep and exhaled before speaking - huffing like a beast taken the form of man: "You, are not here. There's no way and I refuse to believe it. I. Shall draw the curtain. On this parlor trick of yours!"
​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

Having only just finished introducing himself and answering all of the questions that the other boy had proposed, Chowa would choose to calmly and patiently wait for the boy in question to answer his own in return. The boy name Eiji whose identity was still unknown to Chowa soon began to make his own reply as he started to answer Chowa's own questions Unfortunately for Chowa, this would soon lead to more confusion as Eiji had answered that I was a stacked question which he himself had no answer too. The only saving grace was that the boy named Eiji seemed to make it clear that both he and Chowa did come from the same place, though the way he spoke seemed to indicate that this place wasn't within the same place. This was a topic that Chowa knew he had to circle back to but for now, he had to figure out how to get home. "Damn, so you don't know either. This is going to be a long trip. I wish my teacher was here he'd know what to do," said Chowa as he replied to the answers given to him by Eiji still completely oblivious to the presence of the jade armour-clad demon who approached the two boys. Luckily for Chowa while he was oblivious due to not possessing any real skill in sensory due to his lack of training, the other boy present with him seemed to be capable as he was able to perceive the incoming aggressor once he was within his range if by skill or instinct the boy knew and his sudden change in demeanour was enough to alert you Sozo. Chowa had seen this look before when he nearly died to the twisted actions of the Worst Hokage a situation he only survived due to his mentor Takewa who unbeknownst to Chowa was present in the form of the jade demon who approached them at high speed.

As the man approached Chowa would shift his gaze towards the oncoming aggressor as Chowa took in his appearance the boy would remember the advice he had received from the younger Ryojin in the past about using his eyes to help him with his perception and assist his growth an act that would grant his unmatched vision other the systems of the body in the form of the Sozo Clan's legendary Naibugan. As he faced the being who approached them Chowa's green eyes would begin to shift in colour slightly as they seemed to grow brighter and seemingly let off a faint glow as a sign of him activating his Naibugan. Unfortunately, for Chowa who was hoping to grasp some insight into the structure of the body of the opposition, he would hit a brick wall as this armour would block his sight something that hadn't happened to him before. On the other hand, the low tier mastery of his clan Dojutsu did grant him slowed perception that allowed him to perceive the world around much easy even if he still couldn't react to the high-speed movements himself. Within the time he would notice the being and activate his Naibugan he would see his body seem to phase out of reality while still being visible. The sight of this technique began to spark an inclination to what he was seeing as he had a kind of feeling that this was similar to something he had seen before, but he couldn't put his finger on it. This was most likely due to his inexperience and the stress of the intense situation as Chowa clearly shocked a freaked out by the sudden approach which soon shifted to a disappearance as the being had seemingly disappeared from Chowa's view. As this occurred Chowa simply turned back toward Eiji as he reach back with his right hand before removing three needles from the pouch the he had strapped to his leg. The needles seemed to be situated in between his fingers reminiscent of a child mimicking the superhero Wolverine as it was seemingly his only form of weapon. The whole time this went down it would be clear to see the slight shake in the boy's knees as while he had already experienced a dangerous situation that could have killed him he had his brother and mentor there to protect him but this time he was going to have to fight and protect himself. While he was scared and slightly shaking he still stood strong not going to let his fear control him as he stood tall even if he was scared.

​

 

[Earljt4]

The sudden emergences of the Jade armored warrior who rushed in the direction of the two boys and what Eiji thought was Imperious but was really just his secondary unnamed puppet. As the man lept towards Eiji aiming to kick the back of his skull, the puppet behind Eiji who seemed to be guarding Chowa would move swiftly. Even though the movements were somewhat crude, almost like the joints weren't moving in a humanistic way, the puppet could do what it sought to do and grab Eiji by the shirt color throwing him backward towards Chowa. As he was thrown backward by his unnamed puppet Eiji looked a bit startled but dropped the kunai that he was once holding, down on the ground where he once stood and where the Jade assailant was going to land.

Had the man not had a way to stop his landing in the area around the where the kunai was dropped he would find it hard for his foot to move from the ground. Almost as if some ice was clinging to his foot from the heel up to the ankle while even if he did have a way to avoid landing he would have a hard time avoiding the attack the nameless puppet was preparing if he was not paying close attention to the mannequin who's chest area seemed to be changing greatly or what seemed to be changing but was really opening up and release what looked like bombs forward towards the man. These bombs seemed to have unusual smiles upon them, rather than bombs they looked like rockets being launched at high speeds and pushed out of the puppet's chest by an invisible but powerful force that was followed by a loud ringing sound that echoed through the area. The rockets were aimed at three areas in a widespread area above the man, below the man, and directly where he was at the moment when he was trying to come down upon Eiji's head.

The loud ringing sound would be even more noticeable once the rockets finished coming out of the puppet's chest and if he had not avoided them he would be bombarded harshly by the cruel reality of his body being crushed by an invisible force that would launch him backward almost like taking the almighty push head-on. The puppet itself after launching the rockets would spring forward running behind the rockets aiming to attack the man had he dodged them all or found some way to block them. The ringing from its chest slowly became fainter and fainter but still there. Eiji in the background of all of this seemed to be weaving hand seals at an astonishing rate while making sure to protect the newer Chowa if Chowa was looking at Eiji he would see the sweat dripping from the back of his neck, his hairs standing on end and the somewhat trembling arms that were noticeable even while he was making hand seals. The hand seals were preparing a jutsu in advance ready to strike the Jade armored individual before he could get in range of the two if need be.

 

[CelestialBlack]

-Foomph-
The dropkick from the back of the younger male's head subsequently kick started the man off into the air. Upon his approach to landing the attack the Doctor could notice a few things transpiring here in the moment as it were, among them were...rather interesting developments and most of all - a conflict of self-confidence. When he had approached he noticed that the would be illusion of Chowa had started to activate his Naibugan...more then just a cheap parlor trick - for through the utilization of his own Naibugan he would notice the finer details of the inner workings there-in. Optic nerves firing off, synapses hard at work analyzing the information (or lack there of) he was or wasnt receiving in some regards rather than others. He was both uncertain what it was that he was looking at and at the same time increasingly irritated. Soon the boy prior was sent sliding across the ground away from him as he backflipped through the air from the back of his head, and as he rainbow through the air to his landing point he watched the boy pull the senbon from his pouch. Senbon? He pondered internally. If this was an elaborate hoax, then the creature must have been one of the best actors that Takewa had ever witnessed in cinema history...he was selling it more and more by the moment. Certainly, had the creature meant to cause him harm he would brandish more then senbon, fitting the persona or not. Regardless - there was more going on here then that. As the twilight set in the area The Jackal started to rise to a stand watching the boy...drinking it all in. The shakey form, the weak knees...perspiration if not only a bit still present - a reaction to stress; and the way that his brain functionality was going - there was focused heat in very particular cranial regions of the boy's skull - indicating that certain facilities were firing off more and high at use here...in this case - the process of deliberating between fight, flight, and fighting off the more common in between response - freeze. This is where it all comes in towards the point of an issue of over-confidence. Was he being over-confident? He was certain he was being played and there was no way that he had found his way to this hell-scape...but at the same time Takewa was absolutely assured of the capabilities of his Naibugan. He knew that there was no way that he could be fooled in that capacity even if it was an elaborate illusion crafted from his very own memory...or was this simply the product of hubris? He was going t0 launch an attack but in the moment he couldnt help but think - and his Sozo imperative was fighting with him. Killing out of necessity was one thing, eradicating an illusion - never alive in the first place was another; but the risk and possibility of not only taking an innocent life, but it being one of his own? And Chowa at that? A member of his very own lineage that was still growing into his role in this world, and still yet to muddy his hands in the soil of corruption that was the shinobi world?
He would never be able to forgive himself and he knew it.
That being said he stood straight up, though his hands were still curled into tight fists as he looked over at the boy that had been kicked and then back at Chowa. With a deep inhale and pacifying roll of the neck he did what he does best, he did what he had always despised about himself, he did possibly one of the worst patterns that he kept that always telescoped into a worse scenario for him...he gave it a chance. His voice sounded similar however reverberated and distorted behind the mouth piece of the helmet's faceplate - but soon he would pose a simple inquiry directly towards the boys: "Who are you? And why are you here?"​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

The situation around him continued to unfold rather rapidly as the boy who had been at his side the whole time had suddenly found himself unceremoniously sent sliding away across the ground before him as he watch the jade clad demon who had charged them flip through the air like a graceful dancer as the being landed seemingly prepared to unleash his wrath upon the unassuming young Sozo who was armed with nothing more but the sebon needles he had drawn previously. All this time his new friend and their attacker had interacted, the boy attempted to make the best of the situation as he had attempted to focus on the actions of the jade destroyer, but be it a lack of skill that was coupled with fear and street he seemingly found himself unable to properly make use of one of his clans greatest weapon the Naibugan. As he watched the man a number of thoughts rolled through his head as his synapses fired off as his mind and body tried to decern what to do. Was it best for the young boy to run? Was it best for him to fight? What was the right move? These questions would conflict so muchuntil he remembered that at the moment the demon who stood before him had arrived the young brunette boy had attempted to shield him and protect him. This was an act that hit Chowa close to home, especially seeing that he was raised with the mindset of doing everything he can to help those around him and protect others. Due to this, he knew he couldn't run even if his limbs were shaky and his knees were wobbly the young Sozo would need to stand his ground even if he had to risk his life against the monster that stood before them.

"You can do this Chowa. Don't run and don't hide. You need to stand your ground and be the hero. You need to prove that Takewa wasn't wrong in choosing to mentor you," This thought would become prelie\vent in the mind of Chowa blocking out his other fears as he attempted to hold his ground even if it did nothing to stop the way his body shake with fear and stress from the situation. Though for Chowa who was deciding what to do next and how he could save his new friend he would hear something new, it was a sound that was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. It was seemingly none other than the voice of the jade warrior who question the identity of the boy and why he was there. As the distorted voice of the being before him came forth CHowa still couldn't even fathom who it could be and why even though distorted it had a sense of familiarity, though at the time it wasn't important, what was important was to survive this incident so that he could protect his new friend and meet his Teacher once again. "I don't know who you are or why I'm here in this place, but I will not allow you to hurt my new friend. I may not be as strong as you, but I swear on my name that I Chowa Sozo will protect my friend and defeat you even if it kills me." The words would suddenly out of nowhere still somewhat shaky just like his limbs, but would quickly grow more confident even if the shakiness never truly disappeared. For Chowa this was the first time in his life that he had put himself on the line like this, and it was his first time living up to the beliefs of the Kyūmeiken (救命拳, Literally meaning: Life-Saving Fist) and its ideals of trying to preserve the lives of all even if it meant risking you own in the process.

​

 

[Earljt4]

Everything happened so fast, his disillusion from the only thing he's given the trust to in the past decade disappearing on him, his team removing him from their ranks, and now meeting this new kid who just came to Naraka. It was a blur and what happened next came even faster as the man forced Eiji to slam face-first into the ground as he approached the young man known as Chowa Sozo posing both boys a question. Eiji whose face was planted into the ground was thrown off and confused by the question and even more confused by the voice that accompanied it. The Jade demon's voice although distorted reminded him a bit of someone who Eiji wanted to be his mentor or at least one of the only two he saw could mentor him out of everyone he had met so far.

The voice of the Jade demon and his question however perplexing they were, were not the thing that caught Eiji's attention most nor threw him off the hardest, it was Chowa's reply. He uttered the word friend through what could be made out as a trembling voice. His voice was not as weakened or shakey as Eiji's when he first came here but one thing Eiji could tell was that this young man, was scared but mustering courage that he probably did not really have within him. He was showing a different form of kindness, respect, and acceptance that Eiji never felt before from anyone. At that moment that Chowa began to prepare to attack the Jade demon had they both been paying attention, they would hear a laugh coming from Eiji.

A soft laugh at first that would become stronger as time went by the laugh vibrating beneath the feet of the Jade Demon as Eiji would stand up quickly looking at the Jade Demon with a trembling smirk across his face. The laughter would continue for a moment before stopping abruptly and the Jade Demon would notice Eiji's brown eyes staring at him intensely. He could tell Eiji was scared but he was standing up to him and preparing to fight alongside Chowa who was attempting to not only befriend him but defend him even if he did not think he could. Eiji's axon could feel the negative emotions coming from all three parties including himself but he knew that if need be they could try to escape or find a way through this struggle.

Eiji would touch one of the summoning pouches on his side as a puff of smoke would appear around him covering the area for about five feet in front of him and behind him. His silhouette appeared in the smoke alongside another one as his chakra could be felt spiking for a moment before the sound of metallic feet rushing towards the Jade demon could be heard. As the smoke cleared it appeared that Eiji was gone being replaced by a puppet that was holding a rather unique coffin on it's back. The puppet seemed to place down the coffin before continuing to run at the Jade Demon. The sound of Eiji's breath could be heard in the vicinity of where he once was but he was no longer visible. The only thing left was the Puppet charging at the Demon. The puppet seemed similar to that of Kankuro's Karasu though instead of extra arms it had what looked like a scorpion tail and was made from Gargonite. As it got within range of the Jade armored person it swung its tail aimed at the left side of their stomach. Had this strike landed they would be pierced through by the tail causing immense pain along with other misfortunes, even a scratch could prove fatal in this scenrio had known anything about Eiji and what he received from the doctor before.

 

[CelestialBlack]

The boy started to come to a full on stance - lifting himself upright to face the opposition that stood before him. As he did this Takewa watched the boy with a stoic expression underneath the helmet. The moment that the boy had mentioned that he would not allow the man to harm his new friend The Jackal couldnt help but chuckle with a scoff and tilt his head. What a secular notion that someone that he had only just met in a land so far away both logistically and morally could become something as intimate as a "friend" so soon. The man's form was imposing and his posture was strong, proper, regal in a way as his broadened shoulders rolled a bit as he looked over at the human boy peeling himself up off the ground, contemplating - what a lowly specimen to mark as one's "friend"; analyzing him as he shambled along up until the moment that Chowa mentioned his notion to protect him even if it cost him his life. At that, Takewa's eyes slanted to the side looking at him out of the corner - signified by bright green orbs glowing in the darkness of the polarized eye slits of the helmet and directing at him. The first part? Yeah, that could be a farce by the creature - after all at this point Takewa was allowed access to some of the files on the beast and the methods he chooses while he was at the castle. Referring to Eiji as a friend? Very well could be a ploy to manipulate the naive boy in a way that would keep him close. The creature's way of staking claim over his new target. But that last part? That was something that was harder to emulate, and all the while that he was here he had kept his mind in a distant place - one that would not relinquish ideology and moral compass to the mercy of the creature...this was a bit too genuine to emulate.
With that being said Takewa would let him finish talking, and the moment that Eiji stated to stand back up and began laughing he would tilt his head and then look over at Chowa, pointing over to the boy using his own moment in this scenario to cooperate the point he was about to make: "That? Thats your new friend? Griped in a bout of laughter like a mad man, were I you I would be more careful with who I befriend. This one has all the makings of a sociopath as it is currently. Even he doesnt know how to get a grip on it. Do you boy? Tell me, been feeling quite a bit of mania after that snake bite you endured havent you?" Eluding to the fact that there may be more going on with the body of the young boy and Chowa's new friend - then even he may be aware of. He clenched his fist rolling his neck a bit - for the next part was harder for him in a manner of the things he needed to surmount within his own mind. It was a notion that he had suggested before and only a few people whom he considered to be visionaries understood - and on the inside he already knew the answer but he had to hear it of his own accord: "Some people may not be worth saving. Had you ever considered that one of the most effective remedies for the planet, is to allow natural selection to excise certain aspects of it by virtue?" What he had suggested was something that he had fought with for a very long time, and one of the main things that inspired him to maintain a position in the black market of the shinobi world. His connection with the living source was stronger then ever despite this mindset - mainly because he meant it in every ounce of the notion. It was his belief that this was a true path to protecting the world. In his last moments, he believed too that the pillar of peace must have been of like mindedness even though he never got to speak with him in those long gaps in between personally. But from the shadows he had followed his deeds and he could tell the signs were there. His only question now would be....what of Chowa? Or this strikingly accurate likeness there of? A puppet struck forth, in doing so Takewa was already prepared - the farce there in did not fool him what so ever; his eye gave no quarter to trickery and deception, though in this moment The Jackal would treat the boy as he did all humans and undermine the efforts all together. Once the Twilight gap had gone up he was standing there in a radius of stars and celestial bodies. The moment that the puppet entered the fray and was inside of that field The Jackal simply held a single handseal to his chest as he stepped aside. The elements and aspects of gravity within that spatial plain alleviated by Takewa's control of the Dark matter aspects of his celestial chakra. Nebula began to fade, dwindling like weak candlelight, obviously being spent to some degree to achieve this feat as the puppet would have been sent off the ground and in an arch over The Jackal - allowing him to side step with ease and lean out of the way of the attack. Once the puppet was up and over he would walk past it stepping forward showing that his central focus was upon Chowa's response. Though his hand darted down to his side with two fingers brandished, stiff as a blade. And what would come forth there after would be the sparking of a very peculiar lightning, surroundings and chaining across his body in preparation.​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

The stranger in a strange land, Chowa stood there before the might of his intimidating and rather daunting opponent having only moments before he had made his attempt to stand his ground. The action itself and the words he spoke had helped to calm the mind and body of the youngster even if he was still fearful of the imposing figure who stood before him he was no longer petrified. He would take the moment to access the situation focusing on the boy he was trying to help and the being who stood before him as he waited for the reply which rather quickly came forth as the jade demon began to question the answers that Chowa had provided to his questions while to the side the boy he called his friend who had tried to help him had begun to act letting out a somewhat disturbing laugh. As the boy laughed Choiwa would switch his attention back to the armoured figure that stood before him still who spoke more implying that not all lives were worth saving and that at times death is the only answer. For Chowa though, this was far from doable as he swore an oath to treat all life as sacred and to never end another as all people deserve to be saved.

"I don't know who you are or what led you down this path that thinks ending the lives of others is justified, but I will never agree with that statement. All life is sacred and all people deserve to be saved. You say that I should be careful of who I befriend, but from where I'm standing you attacked him and me. At that moment when you came at us, he chose to risk his life to protect me even though he hadn't known me for more than a few moments, but you say I shouldn't trust him because of a scary laugh. If I didn't trust myself and my belief in others I'd be dead already," said Chowa as he continued to stand his ground as his mind drifted to the moment he met Takewa who had done the exact same thing upon meeting Chowa for the first time. He had chosen to help the boy who he had never met before and protected him from the wraith of an unstable Hokage who attempted to end his life on the spot for no reason. "If it wasn't for my mentor Takewa sensei I wouldn't be standing here. He didn't know me, we had never met before and all we shared was a bloodline. Even though that was all he chose to take the time to save me and further protect me from the Hokage who tried to kill me. Now when someone else is trying to help me and is in a similar situation you expect me to throw them away. I refuse to do that, I will not go against my beliefs even if it comes back to bite me in the future," Chowa spoke with a firm and unwavering tone as each word that flowed from the boy's mouth seemed to gradually lose all notion of shakiness as he was starting to overcome the fear as he reinvigorated himself through his own words as he stood strong backed by his beliefs.

The moment wouldn't stay this way for long as Chowa would be caught off guard by the sudden appearance of what had appeared to be a strange puppet that the other boy had brought forth as he was finishing his speech. The suddenness of the action left Chowa without words as he could only stand there and watch as the assault by his new comrade seemed utterly ineffective as the jade armoured demon sent the puppet flying over his head as if there was some kind of field that stopped you from approaching him.

 

[Earljt4]

All of Eiji's actions were all for not, the Jade demon easily avoided his puppet while the illusion Eiji attempted to set up was not even able to slow the man down. The laughter being used to attempt to alter what the man could perceive was seemingly countered which once more showed Eiji he was not a big fish in a small pond. He was a goldfish in his own bowl and the world outside the bowl only saw him as a nuisance. He began to think about a way that he could attack the Jade demon or escape with Chowa to a place of safety. Anyone could tell from Eiji's expression that he was scared, confused, flustered, and irritated all at the same time as he had no clue what to do.

The only thing he could do was attempt to attack the man who was attacking them but it would be smarter to attempt to keep himself hidden and try to sneak attack the Jade demon while he attempted to convince Chowa to attack or let Eiji die alone. He would wait for the moment that the Jade demon took his eyes off Eiji to look at Chowa and at that moment he would fill Eiji's chakra for a split second as a curtain of concealment seemed to cover over Eiji who seemed to vanish completely the only thing that could be noticed where he once stood would be soft breathing sounds that would be heard as he moved around swiftly. The sound of his footsteps seemed to be damped or almost non-existent as he moved swiftly his breath being heard from the Jade demon's left side as a swarm of kunai with strange kanji launched from nowhere aimed at the Jade demon attempting to pierce him through. The kunai was over forty in number and aimed at vital points upon the demon's body and thrown with enough speed to pierce through steel.

If the Jade demon lost focus even for a moment the sound of Eiji's breathing would slowly begin to fade away though he wouldn't be able to tell where, Chowa would as he felt a soft nudge to reassure him that Eiji was there attempting to defend him and make a way for them to get away safely. While Eiji was doing all this the puppet was attempting to float its way down to the ground beneath to be able to stand on the ground and get back into the battle.

 

[CelestialBlack]

Takewa watched the boy as he spoke. His eyes were set upon him the entire time that he was going about his retort to the man's advice and the more that he heard, the more that he did not like. For multiple reasons. It was complex honestly - and something that he was never able to convey to his travel companions in a way that anyone would understand. He remembered long nights where the thought ailed him and he tried to explain to his assistant in the lab why exactly it was something that he could not shake so well...fruitless those nights were; and he could not help but consider that the fruitlessness of the explanation may be in part due to the fruitlessness of the philosophy as a whole. Why try and make sense of something senseless? Why try and make use of something utterly useless? Why try and be productive with an ideal that was otherwise unproductive? This was one of the blights upon the planet of earth that he had observed in his own right as he had come here. The world was cursed with this affliction that human's brought in their own greed. There were good ones - goodness were there. But it seemed that everywhere Takewa went and tried to help. Everywhere that he would go. There were those plagued by greed, pride, envy - tp such a detriment that they would be willing to mess up a good thing without a moments hesitation if need be to suit their means...even worse then without hesitation - they would vindicate their misdeeds in any way that they saw possible, no matter how ridiculous that it were. This was one of the things that brought Takewa the most disdain in hearing this, something that otherwise should confirm a good thing for him and bring relief. This? This was certainly no aberration of mental torture. It was truly Chowa. But not only did his presence here in such a dangerous land bring him stress...but the clarification of his beliefs overlapped an image of Heiwa in his mind - another person that he was not able to save whom (in his mind) fell victim to humanity's vanity. Having given all that he could to be their pillar of peace, and for what? So that when he needed them most none could be found at his aide; while he sacrifice his flesh to an entity created to erect judgement for humanity's sins, not his own. He'd hoped that Chowa would not fall victim to a similar fate due to his beliefs. That hopefully he would perfect the art of keeping this belief close to the chest while still surviving - or in his hopes, be deterred from charging headstrong down that path in the first place. He spoke his thoughts to that matter a'loud to the boy: "You're still young. You'll come around as you get older." he commented as his body became formic once more - transparent to the eye as he stepped around in an arc. He didnt need to keep a direct look upon the other boy. He was keeping track of him from his peripheral and he knew (perhaps more then the boy himself at this rate) that his methods and schemes were those of the dishonorable. You dont take your eyes from someone like that. He was in control of the boy's puppet, though be it not in the literal sense - but as the puppet was in his twilight gap he could control his "orbit" per se. The Kunai would find no target in the first place. Not with him in his neutrino veil, but as an added precaution Eiji would find his puppet being arched around by a simple hand motion, manipulating the gravitational flow within this particular space to put the puppet in the way of the Kunai, riddling the puppet with this litany of ninja tools before he himself stepped away. By the time the puppet would have been done taking the brunt of his owner's kunai barrage The Jackal would have stepped around before Chowa, but not before his eyes scanned the area that he could hear the boy's breathing coming from. With the use of his Naibugan it would be easy - dustless bewildering and jutsu of the like hid most things...but not everything. However Takewa would not net him the effort in this moment. Instead, he started to remove his helmet. Unfastening latches at the bottom where it connected to the neck of the suit before finally he whipped it from his head and vibrant carrot tinged locks of orange burst out into the air like a blooming flower. The radiant Naibugan of Takewa as well as his calm, if not stern countenance fell upon Chowa as he met him with not endearing greetings from his mentor long disappeared, but of the stern and concerned inquiry of a kinsman that considered him to be a vanguard of the Sozo clan's reputation and safety: "Chowa...what in the name of The Source are you doing here, of all places?"

​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

Chowa not long having finished his retort to the advice that had been laid before him by the jade-clad menace who seemed to be trying to gauge something about the young Sozo while questioning his belief and motives behind his actions. Now that his words had been laid out before the jade demon Chowa couldn't help but wonder how the entity before him would react to what he had said. As he waited he would keep his gaze looked upon the jade warrior as his bright green eyes of his Naibugan still struggled unable to breach the armour making it impossible to grasp what the being was going to do next, though at the same time he would notice a barrage of kunai unleashed towards the man before him only to see them and the rest of the actions that followed made useless by the mysterious, but also somewhat familiar techniques preformed by the jade demon. As the scene continued to unfold as Chowa looked on still unable to grasp who this being before them was. As he looked on he could only wonder what was going on in the person's head beneath the armoured helmet though in the near future this would no longer be a problem, but before that the jade demon s voice would soon be heard again still masked by the distortion.

As the being spoke the words sounded different from before, it was as if the aggression and intimidating pressure that his speech instilled had begun to fade following Chowa's last retort which lead to his lastest comment that Chowa was still young and would come around when he's older. This caught Chowa off guard as he wasn't expecting something like that in reply to his previous retort, though his attention would soon be drawn towards the puppet of the boy he called his friend as it was riddled with ninja tools. The sight was rather crazy as he seemingly made swiss cheese from the puppet, though this wouldn't hold his attention for too long as his peripheral vision would pick up the jade warrior's hands moving towards his helmet. The action of reaching for the helmet caused Chowa's focus to snap back to the man before his as his identity was about to be exposed to the boys. This whole time Chowa had had one glaring question on his mind and that same question was about to be answered and it would be qui9te the shocking answer. As the man finally unfastened the latches before quickly removing and exposing to Chowa what appeared to be locks of vibrant orange hair not too different from his own and the radiant bright green eyesof the Naibugan. It would soon become clear before the man could speak. The jade-clad demon who had seemingly terrorised the duo was none other than Chowa's own mentor and fellow Sozo kinsman Takewa Sozo. As soon as the face of Takewa was unveiled Chowa felt both relief ad shock as he would suddenly hear the undistorted voice of his mentor speak. The tone of the words he spoke seemed to be rather stern, but clearly were ones of care and worry for the boy as Takewa questioned how and why Chowa was there.

Chowa was caught off guard by the words of his mentor but, he knew he needed to answer right away to help try and clear up the miscommunication or whatever that had led to this confrontation. "Ta-Ta-Takewa sensei! Is that really you? Why did you attack me? Why am I here? What is this place? How did I get here?" As soon as Chowa's mouth opened he didn't answer he was to confused and shocked to and simply unleashed a torrent of question that would seemingly still answer the questions asked by Takewa as it was made clear that Chowa was clueless as to how or why he was here or what here was.

 

[Earljt4]

Information is something everyone, everything needs. Information is what drives our instincts and decisions in the direction they choose to take. Yes information, something Eiji was sorely lacking at the moment for several reasons but one piece of information stood out to him the most during the current situation, this man who wore the armor was not another hallucination or something the Salesman set up to test him or possibly Chowa. This man was actually the doctor he had met before at Mebu Castle, the one who aided him in understanding what had been lodged into his body from the attack earlier.

This doctor removing his helmet was an even more shocking situation as he took it off, Eiji remembered a story his father told him about someone who was related to the first and second Hokage. A man of great strength whose clan still prospers within Konohagakure and is considered the greatest clan of Doctors around. This man reminded him of the picture of Heiwa Sozo his great Grandfather Hiruzen handed down in the family. The doctor who looked young was a resemblance to the man who is known to be one of the greatest Hokage's ever, it was striking, to say the least. Eiji was not sure how to respond to this situation as beyond just knowing who this was but knowing it was someone else from Konohagakure and someone who had been here much longer than himself it was startling. Why was he here? What brought him? Eiji could tell that Chowa his new friend thought of this man as a mentor but how were they actually connected? How did they meet? And what would be the outcome of the current situation?

Would this man continue to attack them? Would he stop and help Chowa become accustomed to this forsaken place? Would he give Eiji more answers on what's going on with himself? He obviously knew more than he told him last time they talked. He also seemed wary of Eiji just like everyone else. Rather than speaking him up, Eiji would continue to monitor the situation from nearby Chowa's side as the sound of his breathing could be heard moving away slowly towards the Southern direction behind Chowa and the now approaching Doctor. He would take time to think of whether he could approach or even if the doctor would give him the time of day for his questions. He wondered if Chowa would be another person who would outgrow him and behind miles ahead to where Eiji was a detriment to his safety. So many things bogged down his mind and he needed time to think.

 

[CelestialBlack]

After he had asked the question of Chowa he could see the shock on his face. What was to come after was something that should have been expected - as it was nothing but a litany of words and expression that matched along with the initial result. Confusion. Chowa hadn't even finished his inquiry(s) by the time Takewa was already nodding his head to his own thought and inaudibly mouthing: "No clue, gotcha." before letting the boy finish and rubbing his chin. So he really was here was he? This was a bigger problem then he had initially thought of and had more meaning behind it one way or another then he had prepared himself for. This meant one of two things: Either Chowa had been brought here directly as a diversion or mind game against himself - which would mean the creature was in his head somehow; or that Chowa showed enough potential to warrant himself as a target for the salesman's ravenous appetite. Either one was not good - choosing the lesser of two evils was never something that Takewa was much if a fan for in the first place. Either way - the opportunity could not be overlooked and as such he figured that here was just as good a place as any, if not similar to where he would have inevitably had to pull Chowa away for such a conversation anyhow...it was convenient in a way and as such Takewa's inner thoughts manifest outwards in his voice: "Yes Chowa it sincerely is me. It's been a while. We have...much to discuss. But first things first. Your new friend has a hard time listening to his superiors so do me a favor and tell him to drop the cloak routine. A technique like that would do him no good against me anyway." He'd request as he shuffled his helmet around under his arm, pushing his hair from his face as he inhaled deeply trying to get his mind and body out of a combat focused state. He started to step aside with his hand upon his chin before finally coming to rest with his shoulder on a near tree as he sorted his thoughts. The best place for starters? The main questions that he had in the first place: "You are in a place known to its residents as Naraka. A completely different plain of existence from the world of shinobi that we commonly know. This world is the native home of those that refer to themselves as "Oni"; mayhap you've heard or read of them or one in particular. Izanagi Uchiha, fourth lord of the Uchiha clan after Kamui and Shi'Chi Rou Uchiha. The Azure Death - whom carved a bloody path through the waring era of the shinobi world and lay waste to Kumogakure. The Sensei to others of oni heritage such as Sam'e Narukagami. You have been brought to the place that they refer to as home, and for reasons - beyond my understanding. While you were in the waking world, what do you remember? Were you drowned at all...perhaps in the waters at the Valley of the end? There are others from our world that have wound up here, each of which drowned at some point to trigger the transport here. Hm - though either way...I'm afraid your presence here is by far no mistake. Those that come here were either meant to at some point, or forced along the way by an entity that we have yet to fully understand. "​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

The situation that was seemingly unfolding around the young Sozo had him at loss for words after having let loose the slightly jumbled and all-over-the-place questions to his mentor's own questions, questions to which he would soon receive some answers too but in the meantime, as he waits for said answers to be revealed to him other actions where being carried out. Unbeknownst to Chowa his new friend had begun to move around him trying to hide his presence something that made him completely invisible to Chowa's own lack of sensory abilities. While these actions occurred Chowa would hear the familiar and calming voice of the man he called his mentor, the man Takewa Sozo he looked up to had begun to speak and revealed some of what he knew about this place answering the boy's questions as well as he could seemingly. Though before that he was instructed to let his new friend know to drop his cloak and dagger routine. "Oh, hey, there is no need to be worried. It had to be a misunderstanding. Takewa sensei is a nice person. Now that everything is sorted out we're safe," said Chowa with a friendly smile as he shifted his gaze towards Eiji whose name he had yet to learn as Takewa's words had helped the boy calm himself down as he had been freaked out and on edge moments before. Now that he had spoken to Eiji, Chowa would switch his focus back to Takewa who would continue to inform the boy of what he knew.

As Chowa listened to the words his mentor spoke he heard a number of familiar names come from Takewa's mouth one of which happened to be his stepfather who he had unfortunately never had the pleasure to meet just like his mother who had died defeating the evil Naraku Uchiha. Though for Chowa the name that really stood out was the name Shi'Chi'Rou Uchiha. the name was one that didn't only belong to a fellow clansmen of theirs but to his own great grandfather. He had only heard the name when researching his family line but he never would have exp[ected that not only did his mentor have a connection to this strange place but so did his own paternal great grandfather and his stepfather. Other than the realisation that he had connections to numerous people who themselves were connected to this plane but he also had to contend with the rest of the explanation that he was provided on how most arrive and the fact that this was no mistake. While he had no knowledge of why he was there it was clear that someone or something brought the body to this place for a reason. "Wait sensei, are you saying that not only was my stepdad from this place but my great-grandpa Shi'Chi'Rou who I read about in books is also from here too? Wait a minute, could my relation to Shi'Chi'Rou be why I'm here or could it have something to do with your or...." Chowa suddenly become lost in thought as numerous things ran through his mind as he realised the numerous connections to this place he had without even knowing of its existence.