So it was that another day in Kiri began. The sun had risen just over the horizon as it began the day and sparkled across the ocean around the huge island. Yet the island itself received only a portion of its light as what it was known for shielded it from all the warmth the sun had to offer. The mist that continuously hid the village stood like a phantom wall and defied the morning. Within it the villagers emerged to begin their day. Each of them locking the door behind them and hurrying into the depths of the white blanket quickly fading from the view of their homes. Workers here knew what the mist was and did not fear it most of the time. After all it was just a cold, wet part of life to them. There was one among them though the mist clung to ever more present. He seemed to embody it and fade in and out of it almost like a spectral figure. If one managed to catch site of him from a distance away they would quickly move back the way they had come and avoid him. Those who stepped too close however froze and prayed. They waited until the haunting figure passed them by. They could feel him like dread come to life and they could hardly breath so close to him. Sweat beaded their brow and still it felt cold as it trickled down and dripped off their chin. Yet the pale figure passed them and continued his hunt. His dead grey eyes never so much as glancing at them. The monster was not there for them. He had students to find.

through out the morning before noon he would find each of them doing whatever it was they did in the morning. Regardless of where they were or how many people were around them, even should they be in the center of their clan complex he would find them. A mist thicker then the villages mist would slowly roll in and the air would feel heavy and warm. To them the the sky would seem to darken and only then would they feel it. A set of eyes watching them from within the mist...from where they would not be able to see as Sero circled them from within the mist. His grey robes were hooded to hide him even further as those dull grey eyes pierced the veil and watched the prey he was hunting. They would feel him like a trickle of sweat down the spine...the hairs on the back of the neck rising and the animal like urge of fight or flight screaming at them from within. It would feel like Sero was everywhere and slowly a great maw was opening. A low growl filling the air as it slowly overtook them. The chakra pressure surrounding them and consuming the reality around them. He was an alpha predator and they were his hunt. He was there for them. Ever watching and studying them. Seconds like hours stretching on as one might wonder when the beast would pounce...when would he end the hunt? Was he tormenting them for enjoyment? No help was coming for them as time dragged on and for once against these odds they were truly alone...he was holding their fate in his claws and he had no intentions of releasing them. Still after only a minute he would flash step behind them. Careful to avoid their line of sight...they needed to pass his test to see him. He would aim a single strike to the base of the back of their skull with a calculated resistance to going full strength. Just enough to rock their brain and knock them out. Only than would he drag them to the gauntlet.

The three of them would awaken in very different settings but still in one piece. Likely with a head ache. Yet the room they were in was dark at first. As they tried to move they would realize they were restrained. Once they tried to move they would hear it...someone else in the room was shifting around and breathing in the dark. They weren't alone...another victim perhaps? Still a set of long double lights would flicker to life overhead and reveal the reality of it. They were in a square room with only two pieces of furniture. Brick walls on either side and marble floors. Across from them was a bearded older man...tattooed with pirate markings with multiple flags up their right arm. Both them and the pirate were tied to chairs with thick mooring rope. In the center of the floor was a Kunai between them and a door behind them and a door behind the pirate made of metal. A camera in the corner shifted as a speaker from somewhere flicked to life with a crackle sound. When the voice came over it the sound of it was cold and left no doubt the source of it had no sense of morality or humanity.

"Finally awake. Welcome to the gauntlet. The first room is a test of survival. Across from you is a member of the crew known as the crimson sea legion. A common legionnaire as their rank is called...each flag on their right arm is a confirmed murder. In order to progress you must free yourself and kill the pirate. Keeping in mind for the pirate...doing the same to you means the door behind you will open and he will be free once more. No one is going to save you....no one is going to stop him.....I suggest you begin."

949

The fog concealed most of her vision, the moist air brushing against her skin while walking around the village. She was slightly excited for the day, it was meant to be the day in which she would meet the rest of her team. It would be a riveting new experience for the Jugo Clan female, it was unsure what type of people they would be. She couldn't help but imagine what the people would be like, though she wasn't sure were she was supposed to meet them exactly. She never had the chance to discuss with the team leader, there was no clue on where she was supposed to meet the fellow members of her squad. Pacing through the village, curious and wondering a sudden chill would roll down her spine. Something was watching her, something was following the girl, it's eyes focused on her. It's presence had loomed over her, it felt as if it was a hand that was slowly following and closing in around her. The presence felt like it a was one with the fog, it was large, wrapping around and covering the entire area, it was so suffocating, so over powering. This feeling was something like no other, or at least nothing like what she had felt before. Familiar with the sense of being hunted, she would pick up her pace, trying to escape the overwhelming aura of her predator but it would still follow. She never ran from a fight, but whatever this was it would be no fight, it would be a slaughter if she tried to face it. Trying to move away it would prove futile as the feeling of chop would strike the back of her neck, her vision faded as all of the girl's vision was clouded before nothing but darkness was there.

Things started to become visible soon, and the only thing that could be heard was a voice, looking up she would see the man that sat across from her. There sat an old looking pirate, she looked at his clothing, examining his body while she listened to the man that spoke to her. His voice was so cruel and ruthless, there was no doubt that this had to have been the person that kidnapped her and that was sure. It slightly irked her, she knew the man was most likely far superior to her in skill, but it she didn't appreciate being kidnapped at all, it only brought the anger out. She would play along, there was probably a reason she was brought here after all, but she would have to let out a little steam out on this killer. This boring room would soon become a burial ground for the poor pirate and that she would be sure of.

She started to press her body against the rope, the constricting fabric held her back but it wouldn't be for long, her body would start to change. She started to use her clans battle transformation technique, her skin began to change turning to a dark slate grey color. The sclera of hers eyes turned black, her mouth opened up revealing her teeth, her canines appeared to be slightly longer and sharper, while a few teeth behind them also become more sharp.Her muscles seemed slightly more prominent, she increased her own physical strentgh in order to make escaping easier. Her nails had become similar to that of claws, while her hands and forearms became harder and encased like armoring, her feet and calves also underwent a similar transformation. They would be useful for blunt force, she would press against the rope as her body changed to tear apart the rope slowly with pure force. Now free she would walk up to the pirate, staring at him with intense and evil eyes, she looked like a monster, giving of a terrifying presence that might have overwhelmed the pirate. No matter what the pirate had did or how he would react the girl would begin to attack him. She would slam her first into him, kick him and try to pierce her claws through his flesh in attempt to tear through his flesh. After the dead had been done she would wait to move onto the next room saying one thing after slaying the man.

"I've done what I've needed to do, may I move on now?"

The anger was building, that's what using this form would do to her but it was the best method she had right now, if this was a test made by a monster, she would need to become one. Hopefully the rage would not consume her, she didn't want to be a monster but she saw it necessary for this test.

Jutsu Used:

Chakra: 135/150
Wc: 788

Sero glanced at the camera idly as all three had began to awaken. Female in gender, all young in age and each ranked as genin. Varied heights, skin tone and hair color. He quietly flipped through the files in front of him on the table ignoring the groans of the prisoners around him. All three were ninjutsu specialists with skills in Taijutsu, bukijutsu and medical. A balanced squad for certain with more power at a range but capabilities up close. He flipped the file closed again with his pale fingers and picked up his tea as he watched the screens. Sipping at the hot drink as he watched them all dispatch of their targets differently. Two of them breaking free in order to do the deed but one did it differently. An eyebrow rose at the way that was done. Doing things out of order could often lead to showing tactical awareness above others. Either way they each had dispatched the target in a brutal way with no hesitation. He could see why they would be allowed to be under his supervision if taking a life meant so little to them. Not one of them stopped to vomit or looked away. Interesting indeed. Still he listened to them shout at him over the walls and smiled as he figured they could hear each other too.

Still he noted that they missed something he felt was important. As a weapons specialist he wasn't happy that not a one of them collected the weaponry available. No matter...they would regret it soon enough. Sero flicked the first switch on three different panels and all three doors swung open. The three of them were still separated by a crudely made brick wall but the metal doors obviously meant to proceed to the next room. He would wait until they entered it to close the door behind them...cutting them off from retrieving the weapon. Once more a crudely hanging overhead light would flicker to life revealing only on thing in the room. A table with a man tied to it. His arms, wrists, legs, ankles, waist and neck bound by leather straps...his mouth stitched shut with wire but his eyes were filled with panic as each of the young men saw a newcomer enter the room. There were no tools available but once again a camera in the corner shifted to look at them. The lens zooming in and out and following their movements. On the other side of the room was a metal door but this one had a key hole in it. They were left there in silence for a moment before the loud speaker crackled to life again. Sero holding the microphone in his pale hand as his thin lips split apart in an almost sickening smile. His voice was so cold it almost dropped the temperature but at the sound of it each man tied to the tables began to violently attempt to get free. Some memory haunting them of that voice.

"Well done passing the first room of the gauntlet. However leaving the available weaponry behind is a mark down. Especially for you, bukijutsu user. It will certainly make this next part far more hands on and difficult. Before you is a young man whom you do not know the history or life of. He could be evil or innocent...you have no way of knowing. Your orders are to retrieve the key he swallowed two hours ago. It is the only way to proceed from here. Have fun doing it without a knife."

1547

She kept her monstrous form, after the man had been killed she would scoff slightly, it was slightly sickening but it was what she needed to do. With the job done she would proceed forward, walking through the door as it had opened, walking into a dark area where she could barely see a thing. The door slamming down, trapping her within this new room, she couldn't see anything now, only her other senses to guide her at this moment. It sounded as if there was something in there making noise. The source of the noise would be revealed as the room was brought to life. In front of her, across the room was a struggling man on a table, he was tied down thrashing with little to no noise coming from his mouth. She would approach the man looking over his body, his mouth was sewn tightly shut, his arms and legs bound so he couldn't resist. The man that was doing this was some sick and demented creep, she was sure of that. With he speaker crackling to life that cold voice would be heard, it was time for another set of directions she assumed. His words, they felt like some sort of insect crawled around her body, she didn't like it one bit, she would absorb his every word. Listening to how they would have to get the key out of the mans stomach, his mouth was sewn shut, and it was unsure if he innocent or not. This was a the work of a demon that was for sure, but she was going to solve it without harming him.

She peered down onto him, the man staring into her strange eyes, his pupils shrinking as he would begin to thrash around more. He was afraid of her, it was a normal reaction upon seeing something like this. She would use her claws and place them on the wire, carefully cutting through it. As the wire would snap and the mans mouth would be freed she would hear a loud scream come from his mouth. "GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MONSTER, GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!!!" A sigh parted from her lips, this was an annoyance but was surely expected. Giving the sweet smile she normally gave, she would speak gently, seemingly unfit for the Jugo female's appearance.

"Please shut the hell up for a sec and allow me to make this better for the both of us, neither one of us is going to like what I'm about to do."

The girl would move the male's head sideways, she was going to make him puke out the key, and if his head was facing up there was a chance he'd choke on his own throw up. Sliding her fingers down the mans mouth gently, making sure not to cut his body at all with her nails his gag reflex would kick in. The vomit would spew across the floor over her hand, seeing the key clank across the ground. Wiping her hand off she would approach, picking up the key she would walk over to the man and slice one of his arm restraints.

"I won't undo the rest, I don't know your past hence why I didn't kill you, but I can't trust you so I will allow you to free yourself, as I should be gone when you do. I don't want the risk of you attacking me when I try to leave."

After the girl spoke she would walk over to the door, sliding the key into the door hearing it unlock. She wondered what challenge would be on the other side. She was sure this wasn't the last of the trials whoever kidnapped them had planned.

Chakra: 130/150
WC: 621

Word Count: 1562
Total Word Count: 2448

Sero set down the straight razor he had been working with as his current project had passed out again. His blood stained pale fingers releasing the tool of his trade with a clatter as his dead grey eyes turned to look back at the grey screens. Really it was just the camera's showing in black and white...he hadn't cared to invest in better equipment than what was readily available in the manor. Still each of them were progressing about as well as he may have hoped for anyone being placed under him in a squad. He wasn't sure anyone in the country was capable of falling in line with him but these three were molding nicely. Still he watched their lips move as they shouted obscene things at him. Well really it was just the first one that was loud about it. He picked up a rag long since stained red from a pale of water and wiped off his fingers....leaving a red tinge on them but other than that they were clean. He tossed the rag back into the pale of water with a slight splash before he moved back over to the files on the table. He didn't care to remove his blood stained apron for the time being. Instead he flipped open all three files. The loud one was from that clan that specialized in under water tactics. They had the ability to breath under the surface of liquids similar to H20. The other two were more quiet but he knew that wasn't what really rested within. A shape shifter from a clan known for issues with control...and the true monster of the group...strictly based on the history of her clan...an Uchiha. He was rather surprised the first two had passed up killing the subjects in the second rooms....yet he had suspected it would be the Uchiha for sure that would actually end the life of the person in their care. With some brutality too... He smiled a little as he waved his hand and all three files closed. Either way they had all three managed to pass the first two trials even if not perfectly. Those trials however were simple in comparison. The final and third trial of the gauntlet he had prepared was what would truly test them as a squad. If they were to chance death in any of the three rooms the third would be the one it would happen in.

......................................................................................................................................

As the three girls entered through their doors and stepped through they would smell water and feel the damp air. Once again the doors would close behind them as lights would flicker to life high above them. There was no longer walls separating them from each other and as such they could clearly see each other. The room they were in was a massive room with about two meters of floor they could walk forward that stretched from wall to wall. It was obvious now that the hallways they had just emerged from were not the original design of the building. Perhaps a large ballroom at some point. Still across the large room was one more brick wall with a single door in the center. After the two meters the floor looked as if it had been wiped out by some impressive force before being filled with tap water from the hose. This stretched on for a good twenty meters with four wooden floating platforms set across it. Each platform was five by five meters with five meters between them and five meters between the platforms and the floors on either side. For the moment it was fairly still but that was obviously about to change. The Radio flickered to life once more with some static as once more Sero's cold tones spoke out as he held down the intercom button.

"Welcome to your final trial children. This is the day you waited for. The day you progress into a world of bloody evolution. You rise quickly to the situation or you fail and fall. You each acted in your own way to achieve a goal for yourself and while flawed you managed to get this far. Now you will have to rely on each other as not one of you is strong enough for this alone. You are about to meet a hit squad that has been promised freedom if they can end you. They are D ranked like yourself yet have proven effective in the past against single targets because their teamwork makes them stronger than most people alone could be. End them before they end you and we will finally meet. DO NOT disappoint me."

Sero released the button and the radio released to static before clicking off again. They would have about a minute to interact before the door on the other side would open briefly and three individuals would step in. One man with short hair and a beard and an almost golden skin with gills. He smirked and showed a row of sharp teeth before he ripped off his shirt and revealed rows of flags from his neck down to his waist. Standing there in shorts. On the other side a young man in a white tank top and blue pants seemed to fade from skin to water and back again. His long blue hair hung about his shoulders as striking blue eyes took them in. A member of the clan that could become water to avoid damage obviously. Lastly was a girl that was a little shorter than the two of them. She was wearing a black long coat and turtle neck with black pants. Her hair was white and the right side of her hair was shaved while the left side was shoulder length. None of them displayed weapons or were wearing shoes. Still the moment the door closed behind them they moved into action. The fish man dove into the water and faded beneath the surface from view. The Pale boy with the body fading to water leaned down and touched his fist to the water as the liquid formed around his fists and became swirling drill knuckles. He launched off his spot and onto the wall on the side and began running side ways towards the three girls. The girl on the team clapped her hands together and spread Raiton between her hands as they separated forming a bow before green chakra formed in the bow...wind chakra crackling with a mixture of raiton. She launched off three arrows at once...each aimed at the girls moving at ten meters per second from twenty meters away.

2663

Unhappy with the task previously she would walk through the room making it passed the gruesome trial. Her hair brushed back as a slight breeze came in through the door. Walking down she smelled something, what was that slight smell, it had to be water, the fragrance was distinct. The area she had walked into was dark, there was no way to clarify at the moment but she could just tell, that was the scent of water. The air also felt damp, as if it was blanketing around her skin, she was now sure, the man had taken to an area with water. With this thought the lights would flicker on revealing the occupants of the room and what the next challenge would be. The room illuminated, the area revealed to be some room filled with water and platforms on it, this seemed to be a challenge on the physical side. In the open room she was free to see the other girls who were stuck in this situation like her, she would look them over to get a grasp of her partners. A woman who appeared to be shark like in nature, that was surely interesting, never had she met someone like that. And the other was an Uchiha, at least that's what she found out based of the rambling of the Hoshigaki. She understood now, giving a bright chuckle before smiling to the other girls, she spoke in her friend unfitting matter. "Nice to meet y'all, I'm Oreiko, glad to see why this makes sense." These had to be to be the teammates she was supposed to meet, just a shot in the dark but it seemed obvious. "A shark, a girl with killer eyes, me a rampaging monster and what i assume to be a sadistic bastard who has something to do with this team. I look forward to working with you fellow my fellow monsters." she laughed.

With this their challenge would appear, the speakers roaring to life as a group of people stepped forth from across the room. The cold words of the bastard that kidnapped them echoed from the speakers throughout the room. Of course this was fitting for what the previous challenges were and that was sure. Fighting to the death with a group of people seemed appropriate, they were experienced together, and by the sounds of it were murdering scum. That means the Jugo would have no qualms killing the people before them, but would they be able to kill them all. She was sure she could kill one of them if she was by herself, but these guys had teamwork, they knew how to make up for others weaknesses. They would prepare for the fight, what types of moves would they pull off against them, all she knew is it would require her to keep an eye on her teammates. She didn't know their skills or qualifications, she had the ability to inflict massive damage and heal them if they were wounded but she would just have to observe. With the drop of the hat both sides would step into battle moving to attack them all. first it would start with arrows heading towards them why the two melee ones drew closer.

"I get you guys know how to fight but be careful, they know how to work together and we don't, now don't be stupid and make sure to keep an eye on everything." She smirked, her fangs glaring, she then uttered one last phrase before preparing to head into combat. "Alright, let's show these bastards what a group of monsters can do."

She would attempt to jump above the arrow that had headed towards her, as she saw the man with water running on the wall she would run towards him. As she moved closer she would use her raging cannon, she sent an explosive ball of chakra towards him, then she would hop on the wall, chakra flowing on around her feet allowing her to walk on the wall. Charging towards the man she would attempt to claw and punch him. Her attacks fast and vigorous, while keeping an eye on her teammates and enemies. She had learned to prepare for the worse, she needed to see how they fought, how they reacted, it was important when fighting more experienced teams.

Chakra: 105/150
Words:723

Jutsu used:

Sero sat back from his 'project' as the screen began to light up with combat. It wasn't great quality but he didn't need it to be. For the moment he wanted to watch how these girls shifted to an evolving situation. Anyone could turn a team fight into a straight up power match but typically there was a key to be found in taking down an enemy team. Some ace up their sleeve they were hidden that would need to become the focus point of annihilation if they were to survive. However their team lacked that coordination at the moment. They would need to learn how to work together in order to survive and overwhelm the enemy. Truth was the enemies focus point and coincidentally team lead was about to reveal herself as such. As it was they had separated into one on one fights but it wasn't likely to stay like that for long. The team he had set them against was far too focused to fall in line like that as specialists. He had hinted at such when he pointed out they specialized in single target elimination tactics. He had proven far too capable for them but had they taken him on in his genin days he may of been beaten himself. No; this fight was right on the verge of a dramatic shift. Even if it appeared his squad was winning with one enemy down they had no idea what was coming.

The shark mans neck snapped and a small trail of blood escaped his mouth. His thoughts drifted and began to darken as he drowned unable to move his body as he was dragged along. Aozame had proven she was superior rather quickly in a one on one fight with her surprise use of raiton but he was still dying slowly. Yet panic was not taking over his mind. Her guard was lowered and she had halted her attack short of actually dealing a death blow. Breaking a neck usually meant your opponent was done...unless one had a capable med nin on their team. He smirked a little as the light began to fade from his eyes and his gaze shifted to the platform above. The shift was coming. As soon as they hit the surface the female of the enemy group looked over and sighed jumping back a platform for space. The smelly one had already used up his time and needed her assistance. Quickly as she launched backwards she lifted her right hand and a green orb formed before she threw it at Aozame and her victim. Directly over them the green orb burst and green flecks of light filtered down over them harmlessly. Yet as they did the shark mans body jerked and with a sickening snap his neck fell back into place. The moment it did the man formed a single hand sign and a burst of bubbled from the water flew up all around them cutting off vision for a second and unless Aozame had a defense it would shove her up against the shore and break her grip on him. When the bubble fell he would have faded from view. The moment he resurfaced though he was re-positioned and monstrously larger. That healing orb had forced a transformation on him as well. However his resurface had happened right behind the platform Teru was on and his massive scaled arm would sweep out to try and spike her full speed from behind at the far wall away from her allies. As that happened the Hozuki fighting Oreiko would punch the wall and cause the water on his fists to slam down in a spiral into the water below to create an orb of water to wash up around Oreiko and seal her there. A simple D rank but enough for the Hozuki to pursue Teru whether she took the hit and was flung at the wall or if she managed to dodge and lifted his spiked fist. Pointing it at her as water spikes flung from it...three of them at ten meters per second that could punch an inch deep aimed at her legs. This was their team work. The leader provided transformations and healing while the other two focused down a single target at a time.

3385

---

Word Count: 657
Total Word Count: 4110

Sero paused as he watched the screen displaying the fight between the two squads. The stitch job on the man he had been torturing done poorly but functional. He had seared the wound from further bleeding but he wanted to close it up for the time being. Utilize the man for more entertaining story time later. After all the man had already delivered four renditions of the same story each different from the last. Information wasn't lining up and each time Sero suspected the man was holding out on him punishment was due. If the man did not finish before the sands finished draining he was punished. At this point the man had foamed at the mouth and passed out though so Sero could ignore him for the time being. He felt no remorse as his blood soaked fingers tied a knot in the stitches before slicing the thin wire with a fingernail. His new squad thought they had won at first having dispatched one enemy before any of them could receive a wound. However as it was they had not predicted the team work provided against them by a nearly elite team as far as genin went. An important lesson to learn was now in effect. Never underestimate an opponent and kill them all. Had she done more than break a neck and sliced his throat from ear to ear he likely would at least be having issues breathing still. Truly a pity she hadn't. Still he would watch the fight as his red fingers reached out and picked up his tea cup. Red staining the outside of the white cup as he sipped his beverage. How would they get out of this one?

He watched as the tides turned rather abruptly. Enjoying the faded smell of mint and honey though he could not taste it. He had heard this was perhaps the most popular tea mix at the shops he was banned from. Still he assumed it was good and continued to sip on it. So Aozame had seen what was about to happen and charged forward while all three enemies converged one the Uchiha. It was a bit of a pleasant surprise when she managed to avoid the initial blow and deflect the secondary attack almost entirely. However that was merely an almost. She had been hit in the thigh. A debilitating wound if it hit the right spot. In his experience a hole in the muscles of a leg meant large amounts of pain. However his eyes were drawn to something else as the wave of water crashed across the room. Shaking the entire thing as waves crashed against all the surfaces and the enemy was flung back while Aozame and Teru would be flung back to their side. Dust would shake off the poorly placed together brick walls on either side and above Sero the Chandelier providing light swayed as shadows played across his face. The Jugo was leaving. His dead gaze watched patiently as one finally fled. Their medic had run away and abandoned them and so this fight was lost. With a leg wound like that and the enemy still having a medic and now superior numbers, Aozame and Teru would be quickly decimated if this continued. He supposed it was time for him to introduce himself.

Sero rose from his seat and set his tea cup down. Silently and patiently he placed his hands in a bowl of water and calmly washed off the less resistant blood. Still his pale fingers were dyed red for the time being. He himself was in a pair of black pants with combat boots and a blue/grey vest that resembled the ANBU vest highly. Over that he was wearing a lab coat he had claimed from someone else some time ago with a hole in the back right about heart level and blood long since stained around it. Around the hems of the sleeves and the bottom were splotches of dried and new blood too. Still he dried off his hands and moved across the room. He neared the door and quietly turned the handle. From inside the enemy team hoisted itself out of the water and prepared to utilize a unified attacking front on the remaining two. Some three man combination jutsu in retribution for the jutsu that just crashed into them all. However all three froze and looked behind them as something began to happen. The light in the room seemed to slowly begin to dim as a black mist seemed to seep out around the door and coat it before crawling along like tendrils and slowly blackening the wall. The room would suddenly be filled with a sense of dread as the now barely lit room would feel like on the other side of the door, death itself was coming. An Apex predator here to kill them all as the last bit of light in the room was dimmed. The door creaked open and in walked or almost glided as young man with grey eyes as dead as the grave looking to everyone there. Each time that gaze fell on a person it would feel like it was looking through them, Seeing every secret they wished to hide and violating their inner most privacy. Still Sero spoke as he walked passed the now cowering enemy squad.

"You did as I asked and pushed them to their limits. I would accept this as a win for you. One is wounded and their medic has fled while all three of you are in good health. Run now as we agreed. If you should operate in my territory again, there will be no second chances for you. I will bury you." His eyes looked to the three now as they looked away. No doubt registering there. Simple terror was all they knew of this man. He had wiped all three out in an instant and they were not eager to test him again. Still as they got up and ran as fast as they could out of the room Sero turned to Aozame and Teru as he slid those red fingers of his casually into his pockets. "Introductions than. I am Osada Sero Jr. Jounin rank and member X-32 of the ANBU corp. Code name Mercy. I am to be your new instructor. Would you like refreshments?" His voice held no emotion and never changed pitch. A dull noise like the dead speaking. No part of him seemed alive. Not his pale skin, his dull voice nor his never blinking grey eyes that held no shine in the dim light yet seemed to be seen ever so clearly.

4501

Sero watched as the team fled from him. He could recall when they had arrived on his island with the sole purpose of taking him down with team tactics. Had they been closer to his level they may have had a chance but as it was they were decimated in moments. At first as he held them as captives they tried escapes and even surprise assassinations. Enough so that he had been impressed with their creativity and resolve. However given a minute with someone he could inflict enough pain that they would never forget having crossed him. Oh but with weeks alone with him they gradually learned who was the true monster there. Each attempt met with whatever pain he could imagine for the day. Skin would grow back and broken bones could be reset and unset once more. Repeating it over and over again. In the beginning they cursed his name...then they began to beg but it wasn't until recently that they had given in and merely mewled at his attentions pathetically with no remaining hope of escape from such a hellish place. However they had survived much and so Sero had given them a chance to get away. One they had taken with near madness.

Still he watched them run away the way a child does as his toys are donated to someone else or tossed out. A play thing that he would likely never touch again. However something else would draw his attention as the door closed behind the three. His head would snap back around and he would suddenly be looking directly at Aozame. It held no doubt that his attention was fully on her. She was yelling at him? Of all people to raise one's voice too she had picked him. A frown painted itself on those pale lips finally giving character to his face before suddenly he was across the room. The water began to split and fall back in on itself well after his passing as it splashed back and forth violently. Now he was face to face with Aozame with his head tilted as he studied her eyes. This close she would be able to see no life in those eyes. As if they were as dull as the eyes of the dead staring into her own seeking out her soul. A communion with the reaper of Kiri in that moment. Blood, old and new would be the scent that filled their nostrils as that aura seemed to choke the room away from them. As if the room itself was drawing inwards and fading into a little black box.

A single pale hand rose with a claw like nail on it stained a deep red. It hovered in front of Aozame's face a moment before a small grey mist swirled around his finger taking the form of a wolves head almost about to bite her before he paused. He spoke once as to be heard by both of them. "You are here because it is where I chose for you to be...if you take that tone with me again though...my efforts not to permanently harm you may have been done in vain." Suddenly he would tilt his head again and sniff as the water senbon in Teru's leg faded away. He could smell it. The blood now seeping out of her wound. His nostrils flared as if he had forgotten she was wounded and slowly a sick smile played on those lips. He spoke once more. "For now you pass. Your gear is on a table in the next and last room. Next to the tea. Refresh and regain your items before you take your team mate to a med nin. When you return...Pick a room on the second floor. You live here now and answer to me when I call. Stay off the top floor and you will live. As for the next lesson. On this island is a man named Kensei Uchiha. Find him and fight him individually. If either of you beat him I have a reward for you. If he takes both of you down...he receives it so he is highly motivated. Aside from that I will be waking you early in the morning if I have to rip you out through the wall." With that speech he looked to Teru with a small, lifeless smile almost like pity before he suddenly pressed the wolf to her thigh without warning. Steam and burnt flesh erupted from the spot before with a chuckle Sero was gone again. He had seared the wound closed. Still he was given pause as he settled on the top floor of his estate. His students had shown limitations and now he wondered how they would grow. His pale finger tapped at his chin in thought. Oh how he would have to get creative now. After this event he would need to press them in order for them to grow if they didn't intend to flee. He would almost suspect that was going through their heads now. No part of what he had put them through could be considered anything less than abusive. In order to get out they would have to take one of the paths they had come from and review their work. See the dead men who they had chosen survival over. As for the two men they had spared. He reached over and clicked on a tv as a security monitor flickered to life and grey eyes watched as two men who had been meant to die were escaping into the woods. So they would become a problem later he supposed. Perhaps that would be something he would have them handle when they became chunnin. Two out of three of them had failed to realize anyone he was putting to death on the island he had permission to do with as they pleased. Kiri did not take prisoners so the two men escaping now had been sentenced to death. Murderers and good ones at that. He would let them flee for now simply because they served a greater purpose later on. He would allow the girls the comfort of not knowing until later and at that point. They would kill their mistakes.

5552

Exit thread. Half off EP 1 training

Fūinjutsu B- A 1460/2500
http://www.narutosaga.com/t18494-a-lesson-learned-invite-only-training#155289
Fūinjutsu B- A 2500/2500


Spending 3 more EP for half off training
Fūinjutsu A - S 4512/4500

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Training:
Doton: C-Rank to B-Rank