By the New Moon's Shadow

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    The meeting with Arata Namikaze had given Kuroda much to think about. Namely, what role the Uchiha would play in their nation's future. Arata's words then had stung - as keeping out of the Daimyo's affairs was how Kuroda believed the Uchiha would be able to avoid problems.

    But problems came for the Namikaze. While the reasons for the Namikaze being nearly destroyed was not known to Kuroda, Arata had made a strong point. Waiting for the Daimyo's successors in the future with the hope that they would be a better leader was a fool's gambit. And if he wanted to truly protect the Uchiha, then actions he would otherwise consider to take things too far had to be considered.

    And it was also the will of the Clan. Kuroda had posed this very issue to them, and the vast majority had chosen to stand up and take action. But Kuroda denied the calls for outright offensives towards the Daimyo - the Uchiha are strong, but not strong enough to challenge one such as the Daimyo and his armies. If the Uchiha were to oppose the Daimyo in any way, the village would not protect them, even with the camouflaging Jutsu hiding it from view.

    They needed a stronger base. A fortress from within which they could strike out from, and retreat to if necessary. And unfortunately, that left only one possibility. The Fire Temple. Kuroda had attempted reconnaissance once before, only to run into a trouble maker that botched the mission. But this time...

    Kuroda had chosen to come in the dead of night this time, sticking to the shadows of the forest. He silently scales the northwestern wall, and crouches low upon reaching the top...

---

Item: Shinobi Armor, Elite Shinobi Armor


HP: 440 (340+100 with Shinobi Armor)

CP: 17/17

WC: 285


Abilities: Sharingan (LOCKED), [Base] Fierce Fire

[Yōsuru Shin]

"So this is the Fire Temple huh? Impressive. I can see where the reputation comes from." An unfamiliar voice spoke in a low, hushed whisper. A few steps away from the Uchiha's position. If Kuroda turned to look his gaze would be met by darkly coloured eyes, barely illuminated by the moonlight. 

The figure the eyes belonged to was similarly crouched down and hidden, sticking to the shadows just as the young Shinobi was. And though his focus was on the Uchiha, he wasn't poised in any sort of attack stance or offensive position. It seemed as if he was truly just observing. For now at least.

"You're him, right? The Uchiha Clan Head. I suppose I thought you'd be a little older, but maybe that's just envy guiding those thoughts." The figure joked, shaking his head silently. If Kuroda took any offensive moves or aggressive stance the man would simply raise his hands in mock surrender. "Easy there firecracker. I'm not working security for the keep or anything. I'm here to check it out, same as you." It wasn't entirely a falsehood, but not the entire truth either. What was the truth was that the pair were not in direct opposition to one another, not yet anyway.

Another truth was the fact that despite being mostly hidden in shadow the man's attire and method of speech betrayed a simple fact. He wast not a native of this land. Hailing instead from the Land of Wind.

"Your presence here is a curiosity, but if you're skulking about. It must be for something important. So, let me offer my services. I'm interested to see how the Uchiha head operates in such an environment."

Rank: D
NP: 15
HP: 340/340
CP: 17/17
CPR: +5 Per Post
NE: 0/0
CDN: N/A

WC: 282
TWC: 282

[Kozakura Senju]

by the new moon's shadow It had been weeks since Kozakura and Arata Namikaze had met beneath the teashop in Otofuku Gai, and struck up an uneasy alliance between the scattered remnants of the Namikaze that Arata headed, and the mighty Senju clan. Their broader goal was to enact justice on Itsuki, the daimyō of the Land of Fire. But unlike the others who'd attended that meeting, they were shinobi, not dreamers. They had chosen a target. Their first goal was to conquer Tonika Village, and then Yosuga Pass. They'd been studying, gathering intelligence, learning patrol routes, and gathering allies in the time since, keeping in touch through encoded messages sent through paper birds. Kozakura had found something, some information she'd gathered shortly after confronting the head of the Kinata clan a few days prior. The Fire Temple was home to one of the oldest and most well-kept libraries in all of the known world, and rumor had it that within it's walls and shelves it housed important documentation on smuggling routes in and out of Tonika. The kind of routes that would allow a band of rebels to slink in past the outer patrols and show up right in the heart of things. Arata Namikaze Meet me at the Fire Temple in the southern Taika Province. I believe they may hold records that will increase our odds at Tonika. Be advised discretion is a must. The monks do not take kindly to snooping shinobi. Don't be late. Kozakura had sent that letter a day prior, tucked into the mouth of a wooden bird statue that would seek him out and then transform back into a wooden figuring when it's task was complete. She had scouted out the place shortly after sending that letter, and had determined the best time to sneak inside would be in the dead of night, blanketed by shadow, and the easiest point of entry would be the northwestern wall. She knew Arata was fast, so she expected he would waste no time in catching up with her. As she called the wall, she heard voices above her. At first, she thought that perhaps the Monks had realized the gap in their defenses and posted guards, but the low hushed voice mentioned something about the head of the Uchiha clan. Kozakura's blood ran cold, as a terrible memory flashed vividly before her eyes. This was unexpected. This was terrible. This meant that the new leader of the Uchiha, who she had been avoiding meeting, was now in between her and her ambitions. This would not deter her. She slunk up the wall, taking a position on the opposite side of the Uchiha than the stranger that had addressed him. She did not need to search her mind for his name, she had drilled the names of each and every Uchiha into her mind long ago. "Kuroda Uchiha," she began. "a curious place to find you, don't you think? You've picked a very strange place to take a late night strol.." There was an air of teasing in her voice, but it was just a well put together front. On the inside, Kozakura was frantic. Arata Namikaze > Kuroda Uchiha > Yōsuru Shin Items: Shinobi Armor

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 340 | Chakra: 17 | Regen: 5/post

---

TAGS: Kuroda Uchiha@kozakura@riyota

---

NOTES: 

Arata should have been grinning. He should have been overjoyed. After almost a year and a half of seeking a path forward for his clan—a path which would involve striking out against Itsuki and establishing some semblance of safety for the Namikaze—he had finally begun to take concrete steps forward. His clan’s new alliance with the Senju, as well as his own brief talks with the Uchiha, had left him feeling that daimyo was more vulnerable than ever. A plan was even in place: take and hold Tonika Village and its nearby Yosuga Pass. It was no small feat, but a month of planning, reconnaissance, and gathering up allies had convinced him of its possibility. All that was left was some of the final touches.
He should have been ecstatic.

Instead, his face was set as the wind whipped through his hair. Leaping through the forest that surrounded the Fire Temple, he was only aware of the ever-growing sense of intense focus which had filled his stomach since his meeting with Kozakura beneath that tea shop in Otofuku Gai. It was neither a feeling of anger nor of joy—just a deep determination. These days, everything seemed clearer to him. When he had gotten Kozakura’s request that he meet her at the Fire Temple, he had wasted no time in departing for Taika.

He dashed to a halt on the edge of the forest, gazing at the Temple which now loomed above him. He had circled the fortress twice, noting its defenses and any visible patrols. One spot in particular appeared to be the weakest: a narrow strip along the northwestern wall, mostly hidden in shadow and abandoned by the guards. At least, it had looked that way up until a moment ago. Now, in the pale moonlight, Arata thought he could make out two or three other figures crouched on the rooftops. Shinobi, he wagered, judging by the fact that neither guards nor monks tended to perch like that on their own fortresses and temples. Had Kozakura brought allies?

Arata shot out from the tree line, continuing his sprint up the northwestern wall. Leaping into the air, he landed silently in the shadows a few paces away from the three figures. One of them was, as he had guessed, his Senju ally. Another was a red-haired, pale-skinned man he had never seen before, and the third—Arata blinked. Kuroda Uchiha? What is he doing here?

Stepping out from the shadows, Arata nodded to Kozakura, speaking softly, “It’s good to see you again, Lady Senju, but you’ve chosen an interesting location for a party. I wasn’t aware we were going to be joined by such high company. Or any company at all, for that matter.” He didn’t know what to make of the other two shinobi standing on the roof with them, but the night already carried an uneasy feeling. Kozakura had supplied little information on why they would need to meet at the Fire Temple, nor had she mentioned that anyone else would be present. Who was the pale-skinned man? Why was the head of the Uchiha clan here? It all smacked of trouble.

He shifted his gaze over to Kuroda, “Lord Uchiha,” he nodded with a soft smile. Despite their differences, Arata liked the man. “Let’s keep our explanations short before the guards start wondering why the rooftops are whispering.” He glanced at the only person he hadn’t met on the roof. “Who are you?” Turning back to the rest of the group he added, “And what are we all here for?”

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda reacted the instant sound reached his ears - in a blur of whipping cloth, Kuroda turned on the voice, drawing a short blade and pointing the edged tip straight at the person's throat. Or, at least, in that direction. The person kept talking, albeit in a lowered voice.

    Kuroda's brows furrow.

    "You seem to have me at a disadvantage. You have an idea of who I am, but you... I don't recognize you." Kuroda replies, keeping the blade pointed at the newcomer. Somehow, this person had managed to sneak up on him; that, or Kuroda was losing his touch. "Quite the first impression, inviting yourself into a situation you don't know."

    And given the only light available was from the moon and evenly spaced wall sconces, Kuroda was surprised this person noticed him at all. But, apparently this wasn't the only one. Another voice comes forth, drawing Kuroda's dark eyes - and his throat tightens.

    "...Senju... Kozakura!" Kuroda starts, now leaping back and away from Kozakura and the newcomer. He lands on the ground on the exterior of the wall, now falling into a defensive stance. If Kozakura was here... Had he somehow stumbled into an ambush?! "Damn it...!"

    A third voice reached Kuroda, a polite, familiar voice. The Uchiha turns, and sees Arata stepping up near Kozakura! His eyes narrow as Arata puts on an airy, unassuming behavior - had Arata been an ally of Kozakura's? If so, he had invited a spy into the Uchiha village, eaten with them, and let them go unharmed. How much had Arata given to the Senju? The entire situation screamed ambush to Kuroda, especially with Kozakura present.

    And if she were here, why not a dozen more Senju? Kuroda, in his foolishness, had come to this place alone. For all appearances, and the suddenness by which these three had appeared, Kuroda's heart was hammering so hard he could feel the pulse in his neck.

    "I could ask why any of you are here, but I can probably make an assumption..." Kuroda says after a few moments, clearly no where near ready to drop his guard. "Since you're here, Keikan, should I assume this is just another pound of flesh our clans are so keen to take from each other?"

---

Item: Shinobi Armor, Elite Shinobi Armor

HP: 440 (340+100 with Shinobi Armor)
CP: 17/17
WC: 375

Abilities: Sharingan (LOCKED), [Base] Fierce Fire

[Yōsuru Shin]

Yōsuru chuckled quietly as two other Shinobi joined them up on the wall. Mostly amused by Kuroda's immediately defensive nature. Though he supposed he couldn't fault instincts like that. It was a wise thing to wind up hurting feelings rather than winding up dead.

And although initially he had presumed the two joining them up on the wall were allies. It soon became evident that was not the case. Whatever the relationship was here, it was evident there was some bad blood stirring. 

His dark eyes scanned over the pair of newcomers. Two individuals he'd heard of through the passage of news and his own gentle research into the Land of Fire. Leaders of the Senju and Namikaze clans respectively. Along with the Uchiha, it seemed he was in the presence of quite prestigious company. Company whom seemingly hadn't the foggiest idea who in the hell he was.

However, it did seem that they were rather interested in knowing who he was. Even if it was admittedly for security reasons rather than any genuine curiosity. He adjusted his comfortable sitting position slightly, casting a glance down at the temple below to see if the behaviour of the monks within had changed at all.

"Hmm, though it is quite fun being the mystery man in the shadows. I suppose that's not how this works." He admits with a shrug, turning his attention back to the three, hoping he didn't find them all scuffling with each other. "Yōsuru Shin..." He answers simply, casting a glance at all three of them. If any of them had an interest in the goings-on of the Land of Wind there was a decent possibility they'd heard his name somewhere. Though his clan didn't exactly hold much prestige unlike those of the Senju or the Uchiha. So it was possible he fell beneath their notice.

"Do we think we can maintain a calm and collective demeanour here or are some fists about to be thrown? I can sense a bit of tension here but this isn't exactly the time to settle anything." He would try and act as a neutral party for whatever was occurring in front of him. 

"Surely with the talents of three of Fire's finest we can complete our mission with ease?" He would smile softly. Even if they groaned and didn't take him seriously from that point, he'd take that over a scuffle within their ranks.

"What are we here for Lord Kuroda?" He asks curiously.

Rank: D
NP: 15
HP: 340/340
CP: 17/17
CPR: +5 Per Post
NE: 0/0
CDN: N/A

WC: 415
TWC: 697

[Kozakura Senju]

by the new moon's shadow Having Arata beside her was a comfort. He appeared on the wall beside her, emerging from shadow just as tensions were ratcheting up toward the highest they could be before things would come to blows. Kozakura did not know yet if she wanted to betray that she was unaware she would be seeing Kuroda here, as Arata mentioned that he had not been aware that they would be joined by others. Especially, she noted, seeing how Arata seemed to have familiarity with the Uchicha lord. But this did not seem to be an ambush. Years of skirmished, espionage, and guerilla warfare had taught her what that looked like. What the calm before that storm of steel and blood smelled like on the wind. The way it sounded, how it felt. And she could see the panic in a man's eyes as he prepared himself for battle at an instant; something she noticed, though well handled, in the Uchiha. If he were the cold blooded murderer his father was, he would have attacked already. No Uchiha worth their pinwheel would see the leader of the Senju and not attack on sight. But as the odds stacked against him, Kuroda remained, gathering himself and asking for some explanation as to why he suddenly was in the company of so many shinobi. He wasn't a coward then. Something he didn't share with his father. "Not that my comings and goings are the business of the Uchiha," Kozakura began, trying to present herself as casually and as confident as she could, despite her tremoring nerves at the possibility of a fight breaking out. "But I imagine I am here for much the same reason you are. This place has something I want inside of it, and thus I plan to go inside and get it. I see you have met Arata, so perhaps there is no introduction needed there. But I'd very much like to know who the stranger among us is. A name is not enough explanation when in company of Lords." Kozakura asked, re-affirming Arata's question and looking to Yōsuru for answers. Arata Namikaze > Kuroda Uchiha > Yōsuru Shin Items: Shinobi Armor

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 340 | Chakra: 17 | Regen: 5/post

---

TAGS: Kuroda Uchiha Yōsuru Shin Kozakura Senju

---

NOTES: 

Arata raised an eyebrow at Kuroda’s defensive posture. His own grip tightened around the staff he carried in his left hand but only for the briefest moment. “So…” he whispered, almost inaudibly. It was not a pre-arranged meeting at all. Of course not. To find the Uchiha and the Senju cooperating—even secretly—would be nigh unthinkable. Too much history had passed between their two clans. Too many peace talks had fallen into ruins. Brief alliances dotted the two clans’ histories, often overlapping with the Namikaze clan’s own allegiances, but very rarely did such arrangements stand the test of time.

“We did not come here for a fight, Kuroda,” Arata spoke, holding up his hands in a gesture of good will. “Well…I suppose a more accurate statement is that we did not come here to fight you. The guards below might be in for a surprise eventually. It’s good to see you, friend, even if your presence in unexpected.”

His eyes shifted to the pale-faced stranger as he offered his name. Kozakura was right as she pushed back against such a limited introduction. Few in the Land of Fire would recognize Yōsuru Shin’s name, and even fewer still would know the stories which it carried. Such tales belonged to a distant land and an earlier time in Arata’s life, travelling through the endless deserts of the Land of Wind. “Yōsuru Shin,” the shinobi repeated, nodding. “An exile turned clan leader, if I recall correctly? What in the world would bring you—”

The night exploded the loud clanging of a gong. Arata flinched, tensing into a combat position, but chuckled a few seconds later. He nodded to the courtyard below, where a young novice was winding up to strike the gong again. “The call to prayer,” he noted, “The monks will keep a vigil in the Temple proper for the next half hour or so. It's as good a time to move as any.” He turned back to Yōsuru. “Once we hear an explanation from our friend from the Shin clan, of course.”

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda gazes at the three, each in turn as they speak. Kozakura was somewhat haughty - but Kuroda could detect a waiver in her voice. Tiny, barely noticeable, but there. All three of them made their own assurances that they were not in fact here for him, though Kuroda remains wary. He sheathes his blade, and answers Yōsuru's query first.

    "I came here to scout the Fire Temple." he admits. "...The Uchiha Clan has voted to move ourselves to a more secure location. Lord Arata Namikaze - I relayed what you said to me to my Elders, and the decision was made for the Uchiha to step out of the shadows. But we are not willing to stick out our necks, without armor to defend them."

    Kuroda turns to Kozakura - and ignores the firelight glint off her bright hair.

    "If the Senju are after something within the Temple... then I suppose it would be prudent to know what it is, and where to find it." Kuroda says evenly. "Ideally, before the Uchiha come to attempt to take possession of the Temple. I'm... tired of our clans bleeding over every thing."

    Kuroda glances at Yōsuru as Arata and Kozakura turn their attention to him, and he seems rather relaxed for the most part. When the bell rang, Kuroda, for his part, did not flinch. He had known it was coming - and had been planning to slip inside the Temple during this very time.

    "Explanations can wait." Kuroda says, leaping back onto the wall near Kozakura. He looks her dead in the eyes for a moment, and then nods. "This window is small; and there won't be another for some hours. If we move, we move now. If we can get you what you're looking for, and I can get the lay of the fortress, then we both gain here."

    He holds out his hand to Kozakura.

    "If you can trust an Uchiha." he adds.

---

WC: 323

[Yōsuru Shin]

Kozakura's attitude caused Yōsuru's eye to twitch ever so slightly. And as much as he wanted to retort that everybody present was to him a Lord in name only, he held his tongue as to not stir the pot even further. He supposed it was just one of those cultural things. Not that he could entirely blame her for wanting to know more about a stranger in her midst, but the demand of it left much to be desired.

Normally when explaining things he enjoyed striking a match and lighting his pipe, but he wasn't stupid enough to ignite a naked flame way up high on the wall when anyone could see it. He opened his mouth briefly to respond to Arata's questions about him. Glad that at least someone here knew of the world beyond their borders, but before he could the Namikaze was cut off by a loud sound ringing out below them.

Yōsuru's hand went to his belt in a rapid movement but slowly he pulled it back up and away when he realised it wasn't an alarm. At the very least, not a security alarm. Simply a notifier to all within the temple that they were about to start their prayers. At least as far as Arata knew.

"It appears we'll be moving soon so I'll keep it brief. I currently lead the Shin clan over in the Land of Wind. I came here for a brief holiday to see what's happening over here and may or may not have caught wind of this little event. The important thing is, I mean nobody here any harm. Quite the opposite in fact. It benefits me not to defend this temple or support your Daimyo. If you want to kill me, it can wait until afterwards."

He spoke quickly and quietly, hoping the explanation would at least sate the Senju. He only hoped that being in close proximity with the Uchiha is what had put her in a bad mood and she wasn't just a grumpy individual. Else this was going to be a very long night.

Rank: D
NP: 15
HP: 340/340
CP: 17/17
CPR: +5 Per Post
NE: 0/0
CDN: N/A

WC: 351
TWC: 1'048

[Kozakura Senju]

by the new moon's shadow Kozakura listened, taking in what she could of each man's words, and though she held a great many opinions on what they had said she did not let a single feature of her face betray her feelings on the matter, a cold, firm expression greeting them in response. She witheld any comment, simply nodding at them and dropping low as the bell rang out. There was a moment, however brief, of uncharacteristic hesitation in Kozakura as Kuroda held out his hand to her. She wasn't sure if she could trust him. Uchiha or not. But right now, her alternatives were limited. She would have to figure out what this meant for her and her clan at a later date. She reached out, clasped his hand tightly eyed him. "Trust is earned, Kuroda. But I will aid you, this night. Don't make me regret it." She nodded to him, then to Yōsuru and then finally she gave a far more trusting look towards Arata, before snapping a branch from a nearby tree and dropping it from the wall, making use of her Mayfly technique to merge into the branch and fall with it, silently reappearing in the bushes of the courtyard below, before signalling the others to move with her. Arata Namikaze > Kuroda Uchiha > Yōsuru Shin Items: Shinobi Armor | Koza used [Wood Release: Mayfly]

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 360 (460 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 17 | Regen: 5/post

---

TAGS: Kuroda Uchiha  Yōsuru Shin  Kozakura Senju

---

NOTES: Are we going to want a narrator for this?

Arata nodded at Yōsuru's quick response. Under the present circumstances, it was enough—but he would have more questions for the Shin once the evening’s work was done. Along the same lines, he had a question or two to direct Kuroda’s way. Such a change in his clan’s mentality was equal parts encouraging and concerning. It added powerful pieces to the board—a board he’d been studying for the past few months. If the Uchiha were moving, he would eventually need to know how they factored into all of this.

Later, though. The time for study would come later—the time to act was now. As Kozakura dropped a twig off the roof, Arata sprung into motion. He landed on the ground an instant after the Senju, crouched in an athletic position, and surveyed the courtyard.

It was a standard monastic cloister, surrounded on all four sides by covered walkways which would normally be blocked off from public access. The four shinobi were likely the first outsiders to set foot in the courtyard in years. The dominating feature of the space was an ancient maple tree, it’s red-leafed branches shooting high into the night sky. The gong used to call the monks to prayer rested at its base, swaying slightly from its ringing just moments earlier. Throughout the rest of the courtyard, a small stream flowed, and various gardens and benches filled the space. The outer bushes, where he and Kozakura now crouched, were tucked comfortably against the cloister walk, wedged in the shadows between the torches which burned softly every dozen paces or so.

Four Temple guards stood huddled around a fire, whispering silently among themselves. Good, he thought. Don’t you worry yourselves about what’s going on over here. If all went well, their night watch would pass by uneventfully.

A three-towered silhouette, looming to their left and wedged between the cloister and the guesthouse, was the library. At least, his sources had said so. While there was no telling where the hidden records on Tonika Village would be, he felt certain that the library would be the first place to check. Turning to Kozakura—and whoever else had followed their drop to the courtyard below—he nodded to the structure, suggesting their next move.

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    To Kuroda's surprise, Kozakura took his offered hand, giving him a sharp look and firm words. She was right, of course - and they would both have a reason to be trustworthy to the other, if they were both to benefit from this situation. Kozakura uses a peculiar Jutsu to drop, merging with a branch of all things.

    "Wood Release..." Kuroda mutters, guessing at her ability. Kuroda moved silently and swiftly as Kozakura gave the all clear gesture. He lands quietly near Kozakura, and glances at Arata, who gestures towards the temple structure. Kuroda nods and starts forward, gazing intensely at the structure's boundaries.

    There were plenty of dark patches in this night for them to make use of. For Kuroda, he was looking for sentries and sentry stations. Knowing where the defenders would typically be stationed was key to determining the proper course when the time came to attack. He spots a single guard at ground level, attending to a lantern. He clicks his tongue at Arata, gesturing at the guard. His eyes said knock that one out and hide them.

    Kuroda then spots a balcony two floors above them, and the sentry there was distracted - no, two sentries. Kuroda performs a single-handed seal, and smoke covers him for all of a second. He now looks exactly like one of the guards stationed at the ground level. Kuroda leaps up to the balcony, surprising the two guards.

    "What - is something up?" one asks. Kuroda glances at their distraction - they were playing a game called Gō.

    "No, everything's fine... I'm just more tired than I should be." Kuroda answers, rubbing his eyes. "I still have some lanterns to light, but I'm tripping over my own feet. I need to splash some water on my face. Think you two could light the rest - I'll owe you."

    "Oh, yeah, sure. Go get yourself refreshed - and try to get your sleep this time once your shift ends, alright?" one of them admonishes with a sympathetic grin.

    Kuroda smiles sheepishly and nods.

    "I appreciate it, thanks." he says, turning towards the door. The two guards stand and stretch, and start down the wooden steps down the side of the building, facing away from Kuroda's sudden allies in this venture. As they did so, Kuroda turns his head slightly towards the others, using as little motion as possible to sign to them the coast was clear.

---

WC: 400

[Yōsuru Shin]

The Shinobi of the Land of Fire all had their swift, silent but still impressive means of descending down the wall. If he didn't know any better he'd think they were all showing off. With a silent yawn and a subdued stretch Yōsuru let himself fall to the side down the wall, he connected one hand and one foot to it with chakra a few moments before hitting the ground, slowing his descent before hopping down fully and joining up with this group of strange bedfellows that had assembled.

He crouched low and follow Kuroda's lead. Though he wondered if Kozakura going first was a sign that she intended to take charge of the situation. He hoped such a matter didn't default to bickering, otherwise he would be tempted to just hand himself over to the temple guards.

For now it seemed everyone knew their role, and he was content to just stand back and observe them. He had nothing to prove yet. He wasn't going to pull any fancy tricks to try and earn their admiration whilst risking blowing the whole operation. If something was asked of him, he would do it. Simple as that.

The group moved together, Kuroda signalling to Arata that a guard needed to be taken out, before cloaking himself in the visage of a guard and using it to decieve a pair of sentries. A very clever ruse. Though he shouldn't be surprised coming from an Uchiha, they were known to be tactically brilliant as well as powerful. 

As they kept moving he found his gaze falling upon Kozakura. Curious as to what she would do, and indeed why she was here. All three of this Land's Shinobi seemed to have a different goal in mind for the temple. He could only hope that they weren't conflicting goals.

[Kozakura Senju]

by the new moon's shadow As expected of shinobi, it had not taken moments between her signal and when all of her company on this infiltration mission had joined her in the grounds below the wall. Kozakura scanned the grounds, taking in everything she could see that would be useful information. A few paces away by a fire four guards were huddled, and to their left was their target: the library. It was exactly as described to her by the one who supplied her intelligence, and though Kozakura expected that the lowly ex-monk shinobi who had sold her this information knew better than to lie to her, there was always the possibility of betrayal. As Kuroda approached the sentries, Kozakura grinned as she saw a familiar handsign and watched as Kuroda's form shifted from his own to that of a guardian monk of the temple. She had expected a more brash tactic from a Uchiha, but was surprised to see that he made use of his disguise to beguile the monks into leaving their post. She peered into the dark, making note of their features. As Kuroda gestured for them to follow through with the coast clear, Kozakura pressed her hand against the wooden framing of the building, once again calling on the power of the Mayfly jutsu to disappear into the wood, appearing at the steps besides Kuroda. With a practiced flick, barely a hand sign, Kozakura transformed herself into the visage of one of the two departed sentries, and gestured for Kuroda to continue leading the expedition. She didn't enjoy following after a Uchiha, but she much preferred it to having one at her back. Arata Namikaze > Kuroda Uchiha > Yōsuru Shin Items: Shinobi Armor | Koza used [Wood Release: Mayfly] | Koza used [Transformation Technique]

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ