This mission is INVITE ONLY

Mission name: Setting Up Camp
Mission rank: A-rank Quest
Objective: As a (special) jounin, you are given the responsibility to lead small factions of the Resistance in a hit-and-run strategy. This can't be done without a proper base of operations, so build one up to your liking.
Location: Kumogakure
Reward: 1 EP + 1000 ryo
Mission Description: The Resistance is rising to take down the self-proclaimed Thunder God Hastur Miyamoto but can't do so openly as this is a direct transgression against Kumo law.
The Resistance is in need of leaders as much as they need a variety of safe places to plan their strategies. Find a suitable place, use your influence and resources to get it provisioned and start giving your orders for your own strategies.

This mission should easily span several days to get done properly. The difficulty lies in the fact that you are not alone. You'll be leading a dozen of people of varying degrees in skill and need to keep everyone coordinated and undiscovered as you build up the new hideout.
Development References: "Godslayer.", end of Hastur arc
Mission Details: 4000 wc. 3'200 wc (20% wc reduction)
Various challenges will rise up:
- members failing missions/tasks, internal conflicts to resolve. How will you make sure morale stays high will secrecy is preserved?
- several squads of shinobi, Jashinist and/or rogues needing to be dealt with in the course of time. These have B-2 stats if dealing with two groups (10 members) or A-2 stats if dealing with one squad (3 members). They have access to three elements and three specs, and weapons/armour of their stats' rank.
- lack of resources to be found, lacking proper influence to persuade people.
- guards patrol the streets with sensory and watch dogs/hawks, granting them B-rank equivalent sensory techniques and B-2 perception. Will you maintain a low profile or will you figure out a way to deal with them through stealth, bribery or death?

"Here should be fine, Suzume-chan"

'Nezumi', a street kid whispered as she lead the infiltrators inside an abandoned house. To the left and the right stood other houses, looking as dilapidated as the rest of the slums of Kumogakure, coated in eternal shadows created by the tall buildings. The street leading to it was small, barely allowing two people to stand next to each other, and it reeked of piss and rot. It was nothing to call home but for its future purpose it would be more than perfect. How many would be looking in the deepest areas of the slums, in the most forgotten alleyways to find one of the many fallout bases? Well, maybe a few smart ones would try, at least.

"Thank you, Nezumi."

The hermit named Suzume put some effort into opening the door and carefully slipped inside, trained eyes sweeping across the room to search for hidden traps and presences. She's further investigate the place by moving around, allowing her sage senses to help in the detection of living beings, and once she confirmed no ambush was waiting, she peeked outside again and beckoned the rest of the group. A small dozen of shinobi, young and old, low and high ranked. Some had taken to a life of mercenary work once they realised what Hastur was up to, others had gone into hiding and now came out to change the Village's future into a new direction. The hermit herself was supposedly a yamabushi from Iwagakure having felt the need to put a halt to the sinister darkness plaguing Kumogakure. Many were the reasons for the people to gather together today, but all of their goals surmounted to a single purpose - keeping the Raikage's resources occupied and weakening his overall strength with every passing day.

The idea was to do all of that with this room as one of the hideouts. A place to plan strategies, to rest and recover, and hide. The task ahead was not an easy one. Outnumbered, underpowered. The Jashinists swept the streets, plenty of key figures to take down before the false god's troops would scatter to the four winds. Liberate Kumogakure from their dark influence. Allies might end up getting caught, tortured for information, killed. Every loss one too much to bear. Civilians too might be targeted, as the Jashinists already did. Terrorised into submission. It would be difficult to convince the people of not gossiping around, unwilling pawns of a hidden war they never asked for.

"Let's get settled for the time being and acquaint ourselves with the region. It's been far too long since i wandered in the slums, and my last memory isn't a good one at that. We'll get to strategising afterwards."

Indeed, the last time the kunoichi had been in the slums, she had been a hair away from death. A genin still, biting more than she could chew. Were it not for her father intervening, the Steeltooth Alligators would have been successful in the assassination of yet another shinobi. Though now the roles were possibly reversed, the slums remained a place that discomforted the hermit sufficiently that she stayed cautious even when everything looked safe and sound.

---

542

OOC: sorry for weak intro. Had a hard time focusing x.x

Once more another order to act against the Raikage had found its way into Daremo’s clutches. Instead of a messenger-bird or some courier-nin, the information came to him by the word of a prostitute. She has gained it from one of her clients, who knew of the silver-haired male tendencies in hanging around the slums of Kumogakure when not with his family. The woman had spoken the words to him in code and informed him of a certain hermit being apart of the mission. He knew who the hermit was, and just the thought of her being on the mission brought a smile to his face.  Time has passed since he had seen the woman who roped him into the little group of hers, and he was looking forward in seeing how the world treated her.

With the information passed on, he had the prostitute to run a small errand for him. He was a family man, thus, needed to let those are at home know of his whereabouts and doings. Watching the blonde haired woman leave to do what she asked, though, not before making sure it was one with her boss, Daremo smiled at the woman sitting across from him, “I hate to cut this short - - “, the rise of her hand stopped him from speaking. “Nonsense boy, you go handle whatever it is you are doing. Just remember to visit this old woman and her girls more often.”Nodding, he grabbed the expressionless mask on the coffee table. There was nothing special about the mask; just a black mask with a pair of slits. He needed a means to hide his identity, in case someone decided to target his family, which was the last thing he wanted, and the mask suited his needs.

Clasping the mask on, he left the establishment. To the denizens of the area, seeing someone dressed in a dark grey kisode, black hakama, and matching haori, would have raised some eyebrows, but, they only knew one person who had a preference for kimonos, therefore, none of them paid him any mind. In the slums, one did not ask unneeded questions, and it was better to keep to one own’s busy than trying to get into someone else's. Citrine eyes peered through the slits of the mask, taking stock of the surroundings before he seemingly disappeared to meet up with the hermit, and those who she would be leading.

Much like a ghost, he appeared amongst the group of men and women without a sound, blending in amongst them, and not saying a word. Eyes shined with recognition upon seeing the hermit, yet, he did not make a move to speak with her, instead remain amongst the others, as they descended to the worse areas of the slums. Abandoned by all, even the common thugs prefered to stay away from the area. The smell of rot, decay, and piss did not bother hi at all. He had unfortunately smelt worse as a medic-nin. The area would be the person place to set up hideout for the rebellion with none being any of the wiser.

Stepping inside, he unclipped his mask, allowing those apart of the rebellion to see his face. Was it a risky move on his part? Most definitely, for there could very well be spies amongst them or those who can be sway when given the right motivation. Though, he was prepared to kill everyone in the room, if it meant protecting his family. For rebellion or not, his family came above them all. Strapping his mask to his side, he looked around the room, the senses provided to him by senjutsu, gave him a knowledge of the life within the vicinity, and so far, asides from them and some wildlife, there was nothing. Though that is not to say the circumstances couldn’t change. His inner musing came to a halt at the words of the hermit.
 
As another spoke, a young man who seems to be familiar with who the hermit was, Daremo shook his head. It was a good thing no enemies were about else, the male would have given away the name of one of the prominent members of the rebellions. The boy made a mistake, though, it was not Daremo’s place to tell him such. “I shall also accompany you. While I don’t venture out this far, I do know a bit about this region.”, he spoke, separating himself from the others. Eyes danced with amusement as they look at the hermit, “That is of course if you wish for me to come.”

---

774

Mission WC Item| This is somewhere on him:

"I'm delighted to have the both of you on board.", Mizuki stated to the two most familiar faces in the current makeshift base.

An old table was flipped back onto its legs with a swift movement of her legs. A scroll rolled open, a quick sketch of the area became visible, marked by a couple of flags and a single word that served as a reminder. The hermit beckoned people closer, her hand gliding over the map until it rested upon an unmarked spot - their hideout. It was deliberately unmarked just in case someone would snatch the map away somehow, and didn't lay neatly in the middle of the map either. Matter of throwing thieves off if they intended to look for the centre of operations. The hermit then pointed to each other marked spot, slowly clarifying what they meant.

To the north, an encircled area marked the territory of the Steeltooth Alligators. An elitist criminal gang that took part in heavy criminal activity since years. They were few but powerful, and thus posed a threat to the younger and weaker members of the resistance. Remembering her own predicament as a genin, the hermit emphasised a need for care when venturing in that area as the gang was notoriously known to be merciless. Even now, they had no trouble killing chuunin and even careless special jounin infiltrating their territory. Another mark denoted an unfortunate need to enter that danger zone, as a heavily guarded storage room not only served as a weapon cache for the gang but had recently also become a meeting spot between the Alligators and the Jashinists. Kids, kidnapped by the Alligators, waited for the Jashinists to show up, where they'd be traded - a healthy sum for the criminals. New victims for the cult to indoctrinate. The Konoha Chuunin Exams all over again, but backed by the safety of their own 'homeland'.

To the north-east were two marks close to each other. They fell slightly outside of the Alligator area. One marked a control post of the Jashinists where they often held collective meetings to refresh their devotion towards their dark god. It was not uncommon to involve sacrificial offerings, mass murder or suicidal acts of delivery. The place was not all that well guarded, the stink of death and old blood sufficient to drive off those nearby and the screams of the dying at times loud enough to have people avoid asking questions. In the slums, curiosity was not a healthy business. And that counted two-fold in these late times.
Whereas the first mark was an optional strike point that allowed the resistance to disturb the routine of the Jashinists and compromise their supposed of being untouchable, the second mark reflected the presence of a higher stationed member of Hastur's forces. A shinobi of considerable power administrating the movement of local task forces much like the resistance was currently doing in their own little quarters. There was no saying if he had dealings with the Steeltooth or monitoring them in turn, but a key figure like that was worth an attempt at assassination.

To the south and south-east were another few marks. Two included Jashinist propaganda speakers who publicly made it clear they held control over the area, oppressing the people. As if they didn't suffer enough hardships in their poverty. Curfews were maintained, public executions and punishment was delivered. Figures that could be taken down but ran the risk of easily being discovered. Still, earning the people's trust and support might prove fruitful in the long run - options worth taking into account.
Another couple of marks denoted the arrival of provisions and arms, as given by undercover informants. The accuracy of the information was difficult to be guaranteed but if it was correct, a swift hit-and-run strategy to steal the carts for their own gains further strengthened the strike force of the resistance. Such carts came with their escorts though; deciding on striking them meant the resistance would have to focus quite a few resources despite the lack of guarantee of success. The members currently available were of genin and chuunin rank at best, with less than a handful holding sufficient power and strategic insight to lead such ambushes.

After having explained every mark on the map, the hermit's eyes scanned the group that surrounded the table. Gauging their reaction. There was confidence to be seen in the eyes of some, and worry in that of others when they realised the daunting tasks that laid bared behind enemy lines. A few rubbed their chin as they tried to figure out what to do, while still others felt like they had all the pieces of the puzzle already, speaking out with ignorant confidence about 'how obvious' it all was.

"I believe that dividing our strike points would be in our best interest. I know Mister Yin to be capable enough to deal with the god's key figure. A swift and deadly blow to the snake's head could leave them with temporary loss of control and earn us more intel all the while.", she stated, looking at Daremo. A man of which she knew him to be former ANBU, and had already seen his darker side. "At the same time, turning the tables on the public executions might take their attention away from that staged heavy blow. We mingle with the crowd and jump out to take them down at the right moment, only to vanish right after. If we succeed at those two objectives, it might inspire sufficient fear into their hearts to open up the path towards further projects.

Any questions or suggestions?"

---

952
Total: 1'494

OOC: updated required wc. Thanks, Daremo.

Citrine eyes transfixed on the other man who had spoken moments for he had. The facial image of the individual would be engraved into his mind, much like the others who had taken off their masks in a sign of trust or perhaps foolishness. If something was to go wrong in the mission, or if a rebellion member gets cold feet during any part of the mission and tried to escape their duties, Daremo will know what they look like and hunt them down. There will be no sympathy for those who decided freeing the country from a madman was not worth risking their lives for. They would be cut down by the silver-haired male without a second thought in the matter.

His gaze turned back to the woman who had greeted them, Mizuki. Once again he found himself helping his friend in another endeavor. First it was the Siege of Inayamaba, where he helped her take on a Konoha shinobi and their partner, who had kidnapped a Kumo Anbu member. Then it was dealing with the Raiu who had been kidnapping Chuunin entries during the Chuunin exams. Now, once more, he is helping her in dealing with something else. He did not mind in helping her though. She always seems to find trouble in some way, shape, or form, and it allowed him to stretched the darker side of him which was often bored with mundane day - to - day activities. With her, he gets to play, even if it is for a little while.

With she accepting their aid, he watched as she kicked the leg of the table, flipping it upright. The furniture wobbling a few seconds before becoming. A scroll, the contents of it being revealed as a map, was rolled out onto the table with everyone beckoned closer to the table. Almost naturally, Daremo flanked Mizuki’s right, in almost a guard like a manner, as if protecting her from anyone who might try to harm her. With his position beside his friend secured, he gave his undivided attention to the woman as she began speaking on what they will be having to deal with. Up till now, the details of the mission had been vague at best, with him not knowing what opposition they face, but, such questions were about to be answered as several marks were pointed out on the map.

The northern part of the map belonged to a single group, instead of being split up between two. Once split between the Black Alligators and Steel-tooth Terrors, both criminal organizations, somehow, came to an agreement and merged into one, calling themselves Steel-tooth Alligators. The exact reasons for the merger were not unknown by that outside of the two groups, even his own people were clueless why it happens. Though, there was some speculation that it had to deal with the sudden peace agreement between 'The Rusty Penny Cartel and The Backwater Bar, and rumors of The Rat Diamonds becoming more organized than ever. With the shift in the other prominent gangs there came a need for Black Alligators and Steel-tooth Terrors to work together.

Now though, the Steel-tooth Alligators seem to have found a benefactor to help them out in the ever-shifting criminal world. The benefactor being none other than the Jashin cult, and by proxy, the current Raikage. With their skills in human trafficking, the gang had been abducting and selling children to the jashinites for, his Daremo’s mind, a hefty sum of money or leeway. The kidnapping of children reminded him heavily of the Chuunin exams, and briefly made him wonder was the former Raiu a member of this group as well? The thought was dismissed as he gauged the reaction of those around him as Mizuki about the gang’s weapon storage had been changed to a meeting point for the precious cargo(children). The revelation would not cause any reaction out of Daremo. He had been apart of the criminal world long enough for such activities not to affect him, much. It was just another part of life for those who live in that work. Though, while he was not affected by the words, some of the resistance members were clearly were. Anger and disgust were apparent in the eyes of many of the resistance members as the thought of children being forced to serve the Jashin played within their mind.

Two marks were pointed out, to the northeast of the previous mark. Although outside of the Alligator’s territory, Daremo did not have any doubt the groups help each other out. From Mizuki’s word, one mark indicated a meeting point for Jashins. The place being where members refresh their devotion to the dark god through the form of killing, in some manner. It would not surprise Daremo if some of the kidnapped children, or some street urchin who wouldn’t be missed, ended up being used sacrifices to the Jashin’s God. The area wasn't guarded much due to the stench and sounds that came from it. The people who lived in the slums knew better to stick their nose in business that wasn’t theirs for that is how to trouble gets invited.

Another mark was pointed out and was indicated to be a place where a high concentrate of Hastur’s forces was located. A shinobi of considerate power was overseeing the activities of those under their command. Most likely, the shinobi was the one who allowed the kidnapping of children to happen. Who allowed the unsanctioned murders to take place. They probably used their position of power to get anyone, who might to investigate the area, to turn them away or make them disappear through other means. Whoever was the one leading the forces, it was important for them to be removed as soon as possible. Assassinating them would be a big blow to Hastur’s forces.

Several other marks were pointed out. Their're being two preachers of the Jashins propaganda, who publicly made it known that they control the area. The power allotted by them allowing them to opposed curfews, and do public executions and punishments on those who deserved it or earn their wrath. If they were taken out the oppressed people would surely be thankful for their savors and would work with them. Though, removing the speakers would not be easy with how publically known they were. Daremo had his own idea on how to handle the two speakers, but, he would not voice the thoughts until later.

The other mark indicated supply carts. Hitting those would definitely slow down the Jashins movements, while given the resistance additional supplies. The supply carts seemed to be easy to take out with only a noteworthy chuunins to worry about, but, none having any major influence. Though, he briefly wonders if any of the guards for the supplies had any intel on other people working for Hastur. There were ways to make an individual spill their secrets, and he wonders did they have any to share?

Dismissing the thought as Mizuki started talking about dividing the strike points. It made sense to hit multiple points at once, for it prevented reinforcements from the other points from being called. Citrine eyes locked onto Mizuki as she mentioned that he would be dealing with the god’s key figure. He will be the one responsible in taking out the head figure of the operations that were going on in the northeast section. He did not have any problem in doing that. It would allow him to stretch his legs out a bit. While some of the resistance question on why he was given the job beside someone else, Daremo paid them no mind. He and Mizuki both knew why he was chosen

When Mizuki asked if there were any questions or suggestions, the young man from earlier would speak his intentions. The man wanted to follow Daremo in the assassination of Hastur’s shinobi. Putting asides the information that was revealed between Mizuki and the young man, citrine eyes focused on the young man’s. Daremo’s predatory eyes, much like a reptilian, were cold and harsh, staring into the man’s soul to value his worth. “Very well, you can come along. But, I expect you to follow orders and have a level head on your shoulders. That goes for anyone else who wishes to follow me.” He preferred working along in these types of matters, but, he was going to make an exception for this one.

His gaze returned back to Mizuki, “Regarding my mission. Cutting the head off of leadership only causes discord among members, who run amuck with no one controlling them, or worse, joining other Jashins groups. If you allow me, I prefer to kill them all off, to prevent any other issues from arising.” he spoke. His gaze look between Mizuki and Kyosouke, “You know my methods. You seen my handy work. I hope your student you have a strong stomach and mind for what they will witness.” The warning was given. Those who follow Daremo will see the reason why he was chosen for this.

---

1552[2326]

---

845
Total: 2'339

The young man’s request, to accompany Daremo, was denied and rightfully so. While the silver haired male had no problem in taking others along for the task, he did not feel this individual was ready for mission. Not only were the people they will be going against powerful, but also merciless. There would be no hesitation in striking down another, or using them in a hostage situation. Furthermore, those who will be following him will be doing tasks that were not for the faint of heart. Any one can kill another person, but it takes someone unique to perform the darker of arts, something which Daremo had no trouble in doing.

Unknown to the other members in the room, Daremo smirked when Mizuki gave him free reign in dealing with the opposition. The parallels between them were night and day. While he had no problem in handing the darker aspects of the shinobi lifestyle, something he relished in on a conscious level, Mizuki seemingly had a preference to stay away from the darkness. His friend cared not for the darker side of the shinobi life, almost like she wishes to maintain some innocent that would be lost if she knew the horrors some shinobi did in name for their village. He can admire that aspect of her. His line of work was not meant for everyone, and he was perfectly fine with that.

Citrine eyes glanced towards Noemi, the woman having identified herself by walking towards him. For a brief second, he stared at the woman through the opening of his mask, with her meeting his gaze without flinching back. “Interesting.”, he spoke, nodding in approval at something unseen by others. Mizuki had eluded to the woman having skills similar to her own during the Siege of Inabayama, and, if that was true, Daremo knew he had nothing to worry about with her. The only thing he hoped was that she didn’t have a weak stomach. Though he was confident in Mizuki’s ability to choose those who were suitable to work with him.

With the members having been split up amongst the groups, Daremo waited for the members to put their masks back on. Quick words were spoken to his members, giving them their orders, how they were supposed to handle the opposition that they would be facing. Members were told to kill the opposition swiftly and silently, and take their place in the forces, once enough details on the mannerisms could be established before make it convincing. The operation would not be a short one, but expand over days for those who will follow him. He did not want to deal with those who didn’t want to be there in the first place.

Finally, if no member had the nerve to handle the mission, then, he advised them to stay here with the others. Surprisingly, none of those in his group opted to stay. They all wanted to get their pound of flesh from the Hastur supporters. They have all grown tired of Hastur’s antics, and wanted to hit back at the man, even if their deeds would be unknown to all but those in the room. While their vengance for the man was there, none of them was stupid enough to act without some thought, thus they listened to the instruction given. Once everything was in order, Daremo and his group headed out to complete their task.

Four days have passed since Daremo, and his group, had let the hideout and made their way to the northeast part of Kumogakure no sato, slightly outside of the Alligator’s gang territory. With their small numbers, the team was able to dodge the patrolling fractions in the area, slipping by with very little problem. Finding some resident to stay was easy, there being many abandoned buildings scattered throughout the area, given them perfect places to make a temporary base for the night before moving on in the early hours of the morning. With each place they stayed, none of the members left any evidence of them being there.

Both Daremo and Noemi took the role of leadership, the woman being thrust into the position by the silver-haired male. The decision proved fruitful with both of them working in tandem in calming the nerves of a few members when the screams and sounds of horror, ever present in the area, shook their nerves, and made them wish they were elsewhere. As much as it hurt the group, none of them could interfere in the daily activities of those running the area, unless they wish to blow their cover. Thus, they could do nothing as men, women, and children disappeared off the streets at random to never be seen again.

The feelings and desires of the members were put to use with them started their plan. Every day and night, one or two of the members broke out from the scouting parties, eliminating a target that had memorized the mannerisms of, and took their place. Now within the group, the members began feeding information to the other members, given them reports on what they would be facing. Soon, it was only down to Daremo and Noemi, the pair being the last one of the group remaining to act. Now, though, it was time for them to move.

Nightfall blanketed the area with the only light coming from a few street lamps in the surrounding area. The light being just enough for Daremo and Noemi, both hidden within the shadows, to see the patrolling guards. Although only a few of them had dogs with them, both members of the resistance have seen the birds that soar above the area, acting like aerial sonar. No words were spoken between the pair, both of them already had their orders. Bypassing the detection of the patrolling guards and dogs, the pair appeared atop of one of the buildings overlooking the area. According to one of their informants, their target

Speaking of their target, the man was coming out of the main building, flanked by two of the guards. The three were talking about some internal problems going on at another one of their sites. Apparently some of the men had found out their own loved ones had been targeted by their comrades, unknowingly, and this has caused some issues to arise. As the conversation continued, both Daremo and Noemie made their move. A single arrow would embed instead into the neck of one of the guards, instantly killing him. At the same time, the leader of the group would find himself headless courtesy of Daremo, who had just down to perform the execution with his whip-sword. Just as the last member went to sound the alarm, two patrolling guards showed up.

The look of relief on the man’s face was short-lived as one of the guards knocked him out. “Good work.”, Daremo spoke quietly. The two patrolling guards were members of the rebellion group. They had taken over the roles of the former guards. “Now let’s see what the man knows.”, Daremo spoke, lifting the unconscious man onto his shoulders, and heading back towards their hideout. The screams of the man, as he was tortured by Daremo, would go unheard throughout the night as silent seals blocked any noise from escaping the room. For the men and women who were apart of Daremo’s group, they would witness the darkest side of the shinobi art, and learn of Daremo’s talent for torture. Once the last bit of information was squeezed out of the man, his body was disposed of like trash, with his murderers returning back to their main hideout, meeting up with the others who were there.

Information was given to Mizuki and the other members, Daremo leaving out on how he obtained the information, but, the green looks of some in his group would hint at what he did. After the information was given, and any other orders were received, Daremo left, but not before wishing them a farewell.

[exit thread]

---

1346[3672]

Mission: 3200 out of 3200 | Completed

---

976
Total: 3'315

Artemis (outdated):

Hizamazuku, Mizuki's War Quiver (outdated):

B rank - Suzume Seishin, Sparrow's Flight: