Seven Bells Saga
The Long Road Arc
Act One: …and that day.
Scene One: The Insignificant Mission

Secret Supply Lines:

Now

“Oomi, you’ve done enough don’t you think?” Harou’s voice would fall on deaf ears, a thing he knew sorely. “Already you’ve done your duty, it’s best you stay here with me and rest.” Of course he felt he knew what was best for his daughter. What father wouldn’t? Yet like any parent he knew his child would object as though his far wiser judgment were in some way flawed – inherently. The older man sighed gently as he watched Oomi lace the slender leather bands of her rice sandals up around her shins. He’d come into her room moments ago as she fastened the band of cloth which bore the metallic brand of the village upon it about her somewhat high sitting ponytail. Even then he could still see the little girl she once was – not that she’d changed much over the years as far as he was concerned. Sitting there at the edge of her bed she seemed far to young to be involved with what the outside world was offering. This battle in no way involved her, it didn’t involve the Adechi period. They’d never wronged this stranger they called Seven Bells…

Oomi rose from her seat and stretched her arms out from her body. “Mmmmph.” She grunted as she did so just before shooting her seemingly trademarked wide lipped grin at the man. “You’re just worrying too much. This is the stuff I was trained for, Pop.” She accentuated her statement with a pair of imaginary guns made of her hands. That of course did inspire any confidence in her father. “Really, I’ve not done enough yet if you ask me…” Oomi continued. “I mean what… broke those things, planted a friggin stone.. that’s it though!” She balled her hands into tight fights and pumped her arms angrily in unison. “That’s not nearly enough, I’ve got to do more!” She chimed as she turned to rummage through her closet. “Besides, how could I possibly sit back while the rest of the village is at war… there are even people from other villages here!” She’d encountered at least one so far, an Uzumaki from… well, she actually wasn’t sure where he was from he’d never given her a straight answer.

“Oomi…”

“Nope, I’m off to save our home and that’s final!” Oomi mused just as she found the thing she was looking for – an black cloak which certainly seemed far too big for her. It had been made with its previous owner, Wolfgang, in mind. Thusly when she slung it over her body the ebon cloth hung down nearly to her knees, and the hood needed to be pulled back some to free her face of its embrace. On the back was the grim reaper himself, a symbol Wolfgang had deemed worthy to dawn. The garment had come in handy previously and she wouldn’t be leaving home without. The Kunoichi turned to face her father, that same goofy grin still crossing her face. “Don’t worry, I’m sure they wont give me anything I can’t handle, and I definitely wont be alone.” She said giving the old man a thumbs up for reassurance.

“I suppose they wouldn’t… but, it’s not the judgment of the village leaders that I’m worried about here.” Harou said flatly. “I’m your father, Oomi. I’m saying that you’re staying here – it’s not your fight out there. What sense does it make for a Genin to go to war?!” His frustration with the choice of allowing Genin to participate in the battle was apparent, but he understood the need. However, they could make do without his child. God, if only he’d foreseen something like this happening when he agreed to allow her to attend the Academy. What was he thinking? Of course she was bound to find some dangerous predicament if he’d allowed her to become a shinobi, but what were the odds that she’d come across such danger while she was still so young – such a goddamn flake of a rookie. True, when she was younger she’d proven to be the jewel of her class. The girl had always been the first to learn the newest jutsu the academy had to offer, even if she didn’t bother to retain the information after graduation… Graduation. Ha. It had been years after her classmates had done so before she was awarded the title of Genin. Often the complaint would be the girls lack of serious concern for her studies, or the world around her for that matter. Somewhere along the way, the girl simply lost touch with what they considered to be reality – not that you’d know it speaking to her now… right.

A few hours ago

“Taaaakkkkkke, taaakkkkeee meeee hooooomee~ Cause I don’t rememmmmbeerrrr~ Taaaaakkkke taaaakkkkeee meeee hooooommmeee~” The young girl sang as she seemingly effortlessly bounded up the craggy rock face of one of the many islands that littered the seas surrounding Kirigakure. This particular isle lie at the edges of the domain of the Shogun of Mizu no Kuni. Despite the near vertical face Oomi found little trouble in climbing the jagged thing – it was so uneven that little work was required to find the next foothold to push herself further up. It was only a short time before she’d ascended the wall completely and her fingers found the soft dirt which await at the top. There were certainly other places on the island that she could have entered, but this cliff was closet to her destination – not to mention she’d have missed out on rockclimbing had she chosen to arrive by any other means. Oh, and don’t forget the style points that she had racked up for not only running across the water but launching herself nearly halfway up the hundred meter face with the simple use of her unique entropy style chakra and jutsu.

The island itself was a secluded tiny thing that’s importance was based solely upon its location. It would serve as a road marker to the coming Konoha fleets. While typically a mission of this nature would be common work, a thing meant merely to mark safe passage into the land, during these times of war even these simple missions become far more pivotal, however insignificant they might be. Before her spread out a thin forest of green foliage and brown tree trunks. Beyond this point somewhat to the north west was a large clearing from which the sea route the fleet lead by the Hokage himself would take. It was there that Oomi was tasked with placing the chakra infused stone that the Hokage’s scouts might find it and know it to be safe to pass through this area without fear of Seven Bells’ armada attacking them prematurely. This point itself was actually behind the Seven Bells line, though so much so that it was nearly within waters belonging to the nation of Fire. It was because of this that only a single shinobi was sent. There were far more pressing matters to attend to, however, and higher ranking shinobi could not be called upon to complete such a menial task regardless of the heightened risk during wartime. Enter Oomi, the Genin willing to do just about anything if it meant she’d get stronger and possibly make a bit of a name for herself. Not that she’d expect anyone to be singing her praise for this particular job.

“Right, I just plant the stone and head back to the real action.” The girl said as she performed a vehement right handed fist pump. The stone was neatly tucked away within her gi, where it could be kept safe. God forbid she lose the damned thing and have to go back and get another one or something of that sort. “Shouldn’t be too hard… now let’s see.” The girl placed an inquisitive index finger against her chin. “Which way were they coming from, again?” That same finger was licked and held to the wind as if determining that might help her determine which direction she herself should go in. It of course served no purpose, but it sure felt like the right thing to do. It was actually by sheer luck that the youngster made the right choice in direction. In moments she was amongst the spacious forest of the island. For whatever reason the trees which grew here allowed a far amount of breathing room between them, and their trunks were far barer than other trees in the area. She’d assume it had something to do with the proximity to the land of fire. Perhaps, this was a forest of trees native to their lands? The girl shrugged as she darted between them at top speed.

“OI! HOLD IT RIGHT THERE MISSY!” The voice had come from her right, somewhere beyond her line of sight… or perhaps above it. She didn’t have time to discern that before a kunai came hurtling at her from the front. The thing was easily dodged though it did accomplish its job. The girl came to a halt after rolling to the left. She wasted no time in falling into a battle ready stance – her usual, legs no further apart than her shoulders and fists just inside of that. “Don’t know who you think you are, but this is Rowdy Boy territory and you’re trespassing.” The voice continued, now much closer. The territory of which he spoke was just before the break in the tree line that would have led her to her destination. The area itself showed signs of the already thin forests thinning. Here various leaves that had fallen littered the ground, and midsize to even nearly full tree sized logs could be found rather easily and not far off.

“That’s right. Rowdy Boy territory, bitch.” The second voice was far gruffer, its own was more quickly visible. Though he’d thrown the kunai he was intending on facing his enemy head on, and as such emerged from the trees and took his own battle ready stance. He was a burly thing, no more than eighteen at the most. His thick red locks were unkempt atop his scalp though short enough that such was barely noticeable. His attire suggested that he was from one of the smaller villages that littered the sea, but he did wear a headband that bore the mark of Kirigakure on it. He was no missing nin, however. He’d probably recovered some poor ninja’s lost item and taken to wearing it himself.

“Who in the sam hell monkey shit are you?!” Oomi exclaimed in frustration. This was supposed to be something easy, a quick little job that she could accomplish… maybe catch a glimpse of the Hokage… maybe even get a ride back with him. Oh how wondrous would something like that be?

“We just told you… the Rowdy Boys.” The first of the two spoke, he’d finally come down from his hiding place high in the canopy. He definitely looked smarter than the bear of a boy that had spoken so roughly. His voice was far smoother as well. “So, here’s the deal. You give us all you’ve got.. plus a little extra, and we let you off the island alive.” He added with a smirk.

“Fuck that… I’ve been itching for a fight.” The second boy said.

“Now, now Dee. We’ve got to at least give the lady a chance, don’t we?”

“No… no we don’t, Ro…”

“If it’s a fight you want…” Oomi wouldn’t wait for them to make their decision. The two were no more than ten meters away, a distance she could cover in no time. Luckily for her, these two were no faster than the average Genin. Though that didn’t stop Ro from getting out of the way. She couldn’t attack the both of them at once, now could she?

In an instant, Oomi was upon them. She’d chosen to target Dee first thinking he the stronger of the two and thus the more dangerous. The burly boy didn’t have a moment to move out of the way, nor did he think he needed to. As Oomi came within arm length of him she brought her right foot down in a hard stomp, and threw her elbow into the young mans gut. In response he moved his hands downward looking to knock her blow off course, or absorb the brunt of it with those powerful manipulators. Oomi proved faster than he’d realized, however, and the point of her elbow dug deep into his gut just beneath his diaphragm nearly knocking the wind from him. Meanwhile, Ro had stepped to Oomi’s left and was preparing an attack of his own. He’d underestimated the girl’s battle prowess. She’d not dare charge in without some kind of plan, though most believed that’s what she was doing. No, this girl always planned ahead… how far ahead and how good of a plan she’d devised were questionable though – always. This time, however, she’d find success. In the moment that her elbow found its mark, she’d extend her free hand outward, fashioned as though it were a gun, and of course aimed at Ro. Zzat! Zzt! Zzzt! Three shots. She’d sent Raiton chakra through her fingers and fired it like bullets out of a pistol at the man from near point blank range. He’d have no time to dodge, only to be hit in the chest with each shot thusly causing him to stumble back about four feet or so.

Here is where Oomi’s failure to plan far enough ahead becomes her downfall. With her attention split between the two of them, Dee was granted the extra second required to recompose himself and counter the Kunoichi. A well place hammer like strike from clasped hands found her back and C Ranked strength forced her to the ground like a rag doll. “Umph!” Had she been of lesser make the wind might have been knocked from her, but this girl wasn’t going to be beaten so easily. Or so she thought… Dee wasn’t done with his assault; his heavy foot came down upon her back threatening to snap her spinal cord… Though the girl wouldn’t realize just how strong he really was. Without the hindrance of pain the girl was able to react far more quickly. Hands pressed against the dirt, and the entropy which she was manipulating’s focus was shifted from speed to strength. She’d not be as strong as him, but nearly was close enough. Dee lifted his foot for a second stomp as Ro approached to join him. In that moment Oomi pushed herself upward with the added power in order to nearly throw herself to her feet. This would startle Dee, who’d not been expecting her to get up so fast. Though Ro, seemed prepared. A lightning fast kick came from Oomi’s left side, but it was seen and superior reflexes allowed her to not only dodge the kick but catch the man’s leg in her grasp as it came hurting toward her chest. Ro hand performed a round house kick of sorts, so that despite his being to her left his target would have been her chest.

A wide mischievous grin crossed her lips just before the woman spun to her right, dragging the poor Ro with her. The added strength would make such a feat possible, not to mention having done something unexpected and catching the young man off guard. One near 360 degree spin later Ro was used like some blunt weapon against his companion Dee. This would send both stumbling back another five feet, and Dee himself onto his back. “C’mon, you can do better than that.” Oomi mused as she took up her stance once more, with a slight bounce in her step. It was good to be winning. These two obviously weren’t nearly as strong as the opponents she’d faced lately. They’d be done in no time…

“Little bitch…” Dee growled as he rose to his feet. “Let me handle this, Ro.” The baby behemoth said as he pushed Ro aside, who was barely regaining his own balance. “Need to be taught a lesson ‘bout fucking with the Rowdy Boys.” Dee’s expression changed, where he’d seemed the big oaf before suddenly sat the visage of a seasoned fighter. His stance resembled a boxers, more so than Oomi’s. He was definitely going to be a heavy hitter. Though she’d not be thinking about that. The girl had explained away his previous success as a lucky shot rather than his own actual strength. “Let’s do this shit!” He yelped as he quickly closed the distance between the two of them. He wasn’t exactly slow… it was just that she was faster. Thusly, when he’d arrived and thrown his first punch – a left handed jab, the thing was swifty knocked aside and Oomi was allowed access to the mans torso.

She’d keep it simple today,  no need to show out. Not right now anyway, there was still another person present. She wouldn’t want to get caught while performing some some amazingly flashy combonation now would she? Thusly, she merely delivered four lightning quick strikes to Dee’s gut. The speed had been achieved by through the use of Raiton chakra, as opposed to her typical method. The intention was to send a jolt of electricity through the mans body and slow him even the smallest bit. It would give her less to worry about and allow her the extra second needed to seek out his companion, whom she’d admittedly lost sight of. Dee took the shots like a champion, he’d seen his fair share of battle and though they were decidedly painful he coped quite well. If it weren’t for the sudden jump in his muscles, he might have been ready when her knee came hurtling into his gut. She needed to put him down, quickly. Already Ro was rounding her left side in preparation for a strike. She’d thought she’d be able to escape him, but much to her dismay Dee managed in the instant she was distracted by Ro’s proximity, to grab her by the shoulders. However, rather than finding the young woman he’d thought he’d trapped, he’d find one of the many midsize logs in his grasp. Unfortunately, the puff of smoke had blocked Ro’s view somewhat and he was unaware of this until it was too late. The kick he’d thought would find Oomi’s back, instead knocked the log from Dee’s hands and into his groin. Needless to say the man fell to the ground in agony.

Oomi on the other hand, who had seemingly instantly teleported just under 2 meters away stood with a hand over her mouth giggling. The wasted time allowed Ro to discover her treachery. He’d not waste words on the matter, however. Instead he chose to dart directly at the girl. If anything he could outclass her in his prowess as a martial artist, of this he was sure. Yet as he approached the woman she once again pointed her hands at him as though they were guns. He’d seen the technique before… he was prepared. Five shots in total were fired upon him, making for 8 of the 15 she was allotted. Yet, not a single one would find its mark. He may not have been particularly fast, but this slender shinobi was definitely possessing of above average reflexes. Especially now that he was prepared for what was coming. The shots wasted, and the man now upon her, Oomi prepared for close combat.

Ro’s first attack was a powerful forward boot, meant to nearly stop the woman’s heart if he had his way. Unfortunately, Oomi too was quite quick on her feet as she’d proven time and time again, and merely rolled in a complete circle to her right. As she did so, she brought the backside of her left hand around to smack it against Ro’s cheek. He’d have none of this, however, and ducked below the strike. Whilst doing so he slid his right foot outward and swept it across Oomi’s heels knocking her from her feet. The woman now on her back, he stood and planted a firm stomp to her gut which caused the woman to fold – ironic that it was merely a natural reaction to the blow rather than the agony it should have caused. Brought to nearly cupping his foot with her body, Oomi was granted the proximity needed to grasp the mans leg, which she of course did. Ro’s eyes grew wide, having expected her to have been crippled by pain. With his leg now in her possession, Oomi rolled to her left, pulling the poor Rowdy Boy down on his face.
That done, Oomi quickly jumped to her feet only to find that the other Rowdy Boy, Dee was upon her. He delivered a quick strike jab, that sent her head back and her eyes rolling into the back of her head. Now.. now she knew just how strong he really was. Half dazed there was little the woman could do when he unleashed his flurry of punches. Six would find their mark upon her face and body before she was able to finally raise her guard causing Dee to find only her forearms. That didn’t stop him, however, a follow-up punch was thrown rather slowly considering their difference in speed, at Oomi’s ribcage. That was fine, however, it meant that he was a little more open. She’d take the punch, what did it matter when she was about to put an end to the man. Two punches is all that it would take, two punches that would find Dee’s face so quickly he wouldn’t even know what hit him. He would, however, realize how much agony he was in. His nose had been broken with the greatest of ease, perhaps fractures even graced the surrounding area of his skull. Yet, he found himself unable to move for the moment. Raiton chakra had been sent through his skull immobilizing him for the briefest time. Long enough for Oomi to turn her attention to Ro, who was finally getting up again.

“Stay down!” She screamed, frustrated with his tenacity. Her right hand was swung in a diagonal motion toward the man, just as he turned to face her – a mistake on his part. He’d find that she’d performed yet another jutsu, one that produced a blade of wind capable of cutting 3 – 4 inches deep. This would spell disaster when it found his face. That had not been the intent, but it was what happened… Dee looked on in horror unable to move still. This woman had slaughtered his best friend right before his eyes… Yet, even as he regained mobility the woman had already turned to him. The gentle crackle of electricity could be heard, though it was not that that he came to fear. It was the obvious blade that had formed about the womans right hand. She’d not even realized that she’d created it.. not until those final moments before it was put to use.

“You’re not dead…” The woman whispered as she leaned in against his body. Ironic that he could move now, that he could have done something. “Why aren’t you dead? What’s wrong with me?” She asked in that same hushed tone. How had she punched him with all her might and he’d still survived? What did this say about her? She could barely handle herself against other shinobi, and now these lowly bastards had proven that she was in fact far weaker than she’d thought herself to be. “…I should be stronger.” She said as she slowly dug the blade into the shinobi’s gut. He would die silently. There was something in her voice, though she’d not said anything particularly menacing.. it had an air about it. There was some sinister thing which dwelt within, some thing that had frozen the man with fear. Or perhaps he’d merely not been prepared for this level of combat..

The lifeless husk fell from her and the young Genin turned to complete her task, stepping upon the body of the other as though it were merely part of the landscape.

“I swear I’ll get stronger.”

Now

“It makes as much sense as your not wanting me to go, Daddy.” Oomi said as she leaned into her father and embraced him. “I know you don’t want me to get hurt, but I have to protect the village. If I just sit back and this guy wins I’ll never forgive myself, especially not if something happens to you or any of the others because of it.” The girl whispered into her fathers ear just before letting him go. “I’ve got to go to do this.” With that she left the man to stand alone in her room. In truth as much as she honestly wanted to protect her village, the young woman only wanted to test her skill again. She wanted to taste battle once more, the cool rush of adrenaline in her veins… she wanted to prove that she was stronger than even just a few hours ago.

Mere minutes passed before she was given her next mission. One of defense. Word had come that Seven Bells was to soon launch some kind of aerial attack against the Kirigakure, chain of command. Teams of Genin and Chuunin were expected to take up defensive positions. Surely this meant it was more than a single Genin could handle but she was hoping to be alone when the time came. She’d of course accept help if it arrived, but she wanted nothing more than to take on one of Seven Bells’ shinobi head on… not one of those lowly soldiers that she’d encountered with Ren and Taiga… no she wanted to test her metal against someone that would be clearly stronger than her.

[Exit Thread]

[Word Count: 4,290 ]
[Mission: 1,000 / 1,000 ]
[Training; Oomistyle: Baby Grass Cutting Sword (B Rank): 1,350 / 1,350]
[ Extra Words for Word Bank: 1940 ]
[Extra Words to be used HERE ]
[Chakra: 100 / 150]

Jutsu Used

Entropy Style: Entropy Distortion ( C Rank )
Lightning Release: Shock Bullets ( D Rank )
Oomistyle: Baby Grass Cutting Sword ( B Rank ) [ New Jutsu Being Learned! ]
Substitution Technique ( E Rank )