Mission name: Far from the Tree.
Mission rank: C.
Objective: Protect the groves!
Location: Deep Forest.
Reward: 300 Ryo +2 EP.
Mission Description: The Sarutobi have somehow pushed the high brass of the summoning monkeys off-kilter in their clan leader's absence, leading relations to be less than amicable. The primates need a lesson on unacceptable behavior, or the orchard will be ruined! Yakiniku Q is spreading flyers to end the apes' rage and protect their precious smoking wood.
Mission Details: This faction of summon-monkeys only travel in ninja-like squads to avoid detection, and thus you'll likely only encounter three or four at a time. These monkeys are Taijutsu masters, adept in physical combat with two stats each of C-3 and C-2, but are universally a bit dull, with Perception of D-2. They all have access to the standard Katon libraries for ninjutsu, as well as being proficient users of the Transformation Technique, which they use to ambush those they detect coming after them.

Being rather single-minded, blunt, and obviously peeved, these primates won't cool off until defeated in battle. They are no splinter group, so even if you defeat this batch it's unlikely the arbor-arson in the area will cease....Nonetheless, turning them over to the Sarutobi clan's acting head is a requirement for mission completion. Additionally, you can fail this mission by injudiciously using techniques that burn or otherwise destroy the wood beyond use for smoking. (While no collateral damage whatsoever is appreciated, cutting techniques at least make it easier on the laborers.)

Lonely is the story of a flyer drifting upon the winds. Once given in confidence to a soul believed to be noble of heart, now cast away with disregard for the future that certain groves may see realised at the paws of shrieking apes. The life of a paper is nothing glorious, the message it carries nothing to brag about. But once in a while a flyer can feel like they won the lottery...

Caught fleeting in the air, amethyst eyes watched the boy wander about as he dispersed flyers in favour of a certain Sarutobi clan. Monkeys had gone wild, a harvest required protection. The only element not to be used was not one she owned. Behind the ANBU mask, measured breathes. Hidden under the black hood, a pensive mood. Acting like an animal to beat up an animal...? The Jugo would smile faintly, her hidden wandering through Konohagakure requiring her to maintain self-control the entire time. Old teachings and expectations of her mistress she felt like disregarding if only for a brief moment. Going wild. Letting the beast out. Tearing and thrashing through monkeys with equal weapons. Licking her lips briefly, the black cloak would transform into a black bird a second later and take flight. Moving towards the orchards.

The apes would not be as easily fooled. A raven this big was not something they had seen before and as such the crow sage would find herself pelted by twigs, nuts and apples as they screeched at her in anger. The bird would forcefully be transformed into a human and clumsily land upon the ground, rolling to mitigate possible damage. It would not take long before the first of primates decided to make his displeasure known. He'd run towards 'Valkyrie', full of rage, the specimen sporting a dark brown coloured fur would be opposed by a steel spear deftly swung around her figure as it kept the monkey at bay. Even more discontented, the primate would be pushed back towards his friends where the 'squad' of monkeys gave the impression they'd be discussing a plan. Leaving them little time to debate whatsoever, Valkyrie would create two clones in her image. Three ANBU in black cloaks would quietly gaze upon the primates, the feint smell of decay now lingering in the area.

"You lot are rude. Get back to your clan before I get really mean with you".

Screeching, the monkeys would place their fist upon the ground and stomp with their hind legs. They had no intention to return, neither did they have the intention to care about fair play. As two rushed forward, one would circle around the trio and a fourth would jump into the trees to hide itself as it repositioned itself. With the advantage in numbers and necrosis flowing through her spear, the two frontal attackers would be dealt with rather efficiently despite the hit and run tactics, even the slightest of touch with Einherjar causing patches of fur to fall away as necrosis ate at their skin. Nothing sufficiently horrible for the monkeys to end up in puddles of decay but the burning pain would make it clear she was not about to tone down if they continued their antics.

Occupied with the vanguards would leave an opening to the other two monkeys. Or so they thought. As one positioned itself within the nearby trees, ready to jump down, Valkyrie would sense its presence and throw her chakram from under her cloak. It'd cut the branch the monkey stood on on the underside, the primate jumping up and down as he mocked her for missing him so blatantly. But as the chakram returned to her hand, the branch would no longer keep the weight and the wild activity of the monkey. With a loud snap, monkey and branch would tumble down onto the ground in an uncomfortable way. The third monkey would jump up and around as it tried to scratch its aching pains.

Only one would be left, stepping inside Valkyrie's sage sensory. Making her turn around and cock her head as she eyed the monkey. Suddenly not so sure about itself, it screeched and decided instead to back off and run away with its friends. Not caring to chase them as that would only drive them further away, Valkyrie raised her senses and allowed her undeniable gaze to observe their actions.

The monkeys would move 'out of sight' where they'd decide to use the transformation technique. Where four primates had stood at first, now a couple of parents and two bratty boys had taken their place. They were remarkably detailed at that, their skill well beyond that of genin in the art of disguise. An interesting find for the ANBU would not have expected apes to have such an ability, the Jugo smiling wryly at the discovery of this little secret of the Sarutobi monkeys. However, where they excelled in disguises they still lacked in general stealth. Their chakra signature remained visible, the animals unable to hide from the carrion crow sage's enhanced senses.

---

851

-20ch Death-Bound Thrall
-10ch Carrion's Infection
-05ch Returning Providence
-10ch | -10sen Clairvoyance

275ch, 90sen left

The monkeys gathered together again, checking on each other. The necrosis biting at the skin of two, the bruises from a fall. They'd not let this go. It was their day out, whether others liked it or not. The apes returned, fiercer. Determination of Fire flaring, the four ran back to the ANBU in disguise. They'd fan out, four against the three Valkyries, two of them breathing in before spitting flames in their direction. The two flame-throwers covered a large section, leaving little room for the three valkyries to escape. The clones would perish as their tainted nature was purified by the flames, but the last Valkyrie remained standing. Lais dashed forward and engaged the two others that had been watching in glee. One monkey would be struck hard by Einherjar against the side, the bones in its shoulder fracturing under the pressure of the blow and quickly taking him out of the fight.

As the first one fell down grabbing its shoulder in pain, the chakram would fly through the air to the monkey on the left side while Lais engaged the second primate at the centre in melee. Blows were exchanged between the two, the monkey unexpectedly of greater skill than Lais had anticipated. He'd have the upper hand in the beginning and drove the girl back but as the fist trading continued that advantage slowly turned into a disadvantage. With every strike hit or blocked, necrosis would be left behind. On top of that, the heavy armour further enriched by her chakra cushioned every successful strike of the monkey.

Seeing failure draw closer, the monkey decided it was time to scamper. Under the distraction of another flame jutsu originating from the flanks, the last melee combatant disengaged as the flames burned away the last of the ANBU's defensive vestige. The last flames would die out and as the smoke cleared senbon would find the third ape's chest. The wounds caused were minor but the necrosis infused within them, now eating away at the chest would send the primate in a rotschreck, making him dance around in fear as he attempted to pluck the senbon out of his chest.

One monkey left to deal with. Lais ran up to the monkey, flipping over him as she dodged his strike rather than blocking his blow. With a flip through the air she'd land on her feet behind him, the monkey realising too late that the chakram send away before had to cross the monkey if it wanted to return to Lais. It'd cut his flank as it ended in her stuck out hand, the monkey howling in pain before Lais kicked him down and into the ground. Four monkey down. Lais sighed. This little job had taken more of her than she wanted to admit to herself.

"I hope you monkeys have all intention to behave?", she asked them as they gathered again, looking like dogs beaten with a stick. "Good. Now follow me back home. I'll get your wounds fixed there."

The group would move, defeated, towards the Sarutobi clan compound as she walked behind them. When they reached the intended grounds, a few men would apprehend and assess them. Realising that the wounds were not deep but that the necrosis had nonetheless left nasty wounds, they threw an askance glance at the ANBU with the spear.

"They weren't exactly friendly... but don't worry, I can fix their wounds."
"I'm sure they'll be fine. Sarutobi can take a beating. Isn't that right?"

The monkeys jumped up and down in proud excitement.

"Looks like it."

Crouching down she beckoned them one at a time, removing the necrosis and closing the wounds suffered. It was a slow process considering the low rank of her technique but it would be more than sufficient to remove the necrosis and the restore the minor wounds they had suffered in the process, the chakram cut being the exception. Once the four of them had been patched up, the clan head brought her a pouch with the promised reward.

"I hope you spared the orchard?"
"The orchard's fine.", the ANBU replied as she tucked away the money.
"To think an ANBU would be involved..."
"I was in the vicinity. I'll leave the rest to others as I have other matters to attend to."
"Of course."

---

[EXIT]

736
Total: 1587
-1500 Mission

Chakra: