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"Yeah. I guess shaping is just as important as nature transformation." Hiro was nodding along with Bumu's logic as she began walking away from the targets. Off a bit in his head thinking about charka chaping and nature transformation, he was caught a bit off guard when she turned and threw the cylindrical chakra construct at him. "Oh geez... oh geez..."

The oblong shape caused it to spin through the air slower than a perfect sphere would have, which was probably better for Hiro's chances of actually catching it. Hiro put his hands out before him not entirely sure how the best way to catch the thing would be. "Probably shouldn't just try to stop it immediately like I would catching a ball or other object."

Hiro gently cradled Bumu's chakra shape as it approached, slowing it down in the air before stopping it and holding it in his hands to keep it from bursting. "Ha ha! Got it!" Hiro added a bit of his own chakra to the mix, working to refine the shape more. Despite his efforts, the best he could manage was a slightly more round oblong mass, kind of egg shaped. Hiro gave the new shape a gentle push through the air, spinning it back towards Bumu.

"Nice job!" Hiro was excited that Bumu had been able to catch the oddly shaped chakra ball. He watched her use her own chakra to form the spheroid, inching closer to an orb. "We're making progress. Now we'll see if we can keep it up"

As the chakra construct approached him through the air, Hiro adopted the same stance and strategy as the last time. He created a cushion of chakra in his hands and planned to use it to gently slow down the projectile until he could stop it. Putting action to thought, Hiro began slowing the wobbling thing, but hadn't accounted for the spin that the strange shape had placed on it. Nearly as soon as it touched the cushion of chakra between his hands, the blob spun out and hit Hiro directly in the chest.

Since the blob was a little unstable to begin with, when it impacted Hiro's body, it burst with a small concussive force. While not large, the burst was enough that Hiro was lifted from his feet and had the wind knocked out of him. Sitting up, Hiro rubbed the spot where the chakra construct had hit. "Oof... That stings. Didn't account for the thing spinning out of my grip. Shall we try again?"

Shinken stood outside the village. His disguise would get him inside, and from there he would carry out his plan. He had been waiting and training for this day for a long time. Ever since he had left the village to chase his friend gone rogue, the ninja had always intended to come back. Seeing as how he was now a rogue ninja, and a member of the hidden leaf he would most likely not be welcomed back with open arms. That left him with only one choice. He would have to take the village by force.

The young Uchiha wasn't going to have an easy fight ahead of him. In fact it would be the most difficult task he had ever undertaken. However before he could even worry about how he was going to deal with the Anbu, and Jin, he was going to have to get inside the village. The simplest way he could do that would be to wait in line like everyone else, and that was exactly what he did. He spent almost 30 minutes in that line as they questioned everyone who entered the village. His current disguise was that of a merchant, and he had brought goods with him to sell, along with his trademark gear for when the fighting got started. He had taken great pains to hide his gear knowing that it would give him away.

When he finally arrived at the massive gate he flashed the guards a smile from beneath his hood and facemask. He was heavily robed, and wore a cloth facemask as well as goggles protect him from any sandstorm that might occur.

"What is your reason for entering the village hidden in the sand?" The guards demanded. Jin had really stepped up security in the time that Shinken had been gone. The Uchiha counted at least six men at the gate and they were all wearing headbands.

"I am a merchant. I come to sell my wares. Would you like to see them?" Shinken asked. He didn't even have to make an attempt to disguise his voice, as it had changed in the time he had been gone. The guards nodded and Shinken pulled off his backpack and slowly began to take out well-crafted wooden masks, along with books and several paintings on scrolls.

"There are more in the cart if you would like to see." The Uchiha said pleasantly. The guards however were convinced by the show of what was in his backpack. They gestured for him to move into the village and he gave them a nod of thanks. The first step in his plan was complete. Now all he had to do was find a way into the Kage's office.

That would be easier said than done. If there was this much security at the gate, then the Kage's office would be swarming with ninja. Perhaps there were still gangs that Shinken could take advantage of. If he could convince them to go to war they could keep the ninjas occupied while Shinken dealt with Jin. It was better than no plan at all the ninja thought to himself as he made his way down the streets. The young Uchiha was surprised at how barren the streets were. When he left they had been bustling with life, now they seemed somehow still and quiet. Shinken wondered about his parents, and Shisara. Had they been persecuted because of the actions of others himself included? If his parents had been hurt he would make Jin wish he was dead.

It wasn't long before Shinken's keen eyes spotted something going on that shouldn't be. The dealing of illicit materials was happening in broad daylight. Was Jin really that incompetent? Or did he just not care? Either way Shinken was going to put an end to it. He waited until the dealer was alone and ambushed him in a secluded alleyway.

"Where is your leader? You must have a supply chain, and a chain of command. Where are they?!" Shinken growled as he lifted the man up off the ground. The man laughed and spat in Shinken's face. The young Uchiha smiled under his mask and put the man into a horrific Genjutsu. He ended the technique just before the man passed out.

"I can make that last forever. Now tell me where they are." He growled again. This time the man was far more cooperative. He told the young Uchiha exactly where he needed to go. There was a building on the outskirts of town. It had been abandoned for some time, and a gang had begun to use it as their base of operations.

"Much appreciated." Shinken said with a grin before knocking the man unconscious. He didn't need to make any enemies. At least not right away. Not before he had the entirety of the village Anbu at his back. With that he quickly made his way towards the building that the man had spoken of. It took him almost half an hour to arrive, but when he did he found the building deserted, or at least so it seemed. Shinken carefully made his way up onto the roof, and crawled through a window. He could now hear voices. People were talking about profits, and their illicit business. Apparently they were bigger than Shinken had originally thought. That served his purpose just fine.

As silently as was humanly possible Shinken made his way across the ceiling until he was standing above the person he presumed to be the leader. He began to form hand seals and as the last seal finished he let out a shout. When the gang members looked up they sealed their fate. Shinken's Genjutsu quickly took control of them as in their minds black smoke forced its way down their throats and then they were under his control. With a single thought he commanded them to go out and gather their forces. He would use them as a distraction to enter the Kage's office. They would also proclaim that Jin had made a deal with them and then broken it. He would use these mind controlled puppets to sow dissent within the ranks.

As they ran off to do their job Shinken smiled and began to unpack his gear. Now that he had checked that he had everything he needed he placed it back into his backpack in a more accessible location, and began to make his way towards the Kage's office. When he was within a few blocks he slipped into a building and began to change into his combat outfit. He secured each piece of his equipment before sliding the mask onto his face. The Devil of the hidden sand would show his face in his home once more. He had everything he required, and he commanded the gang and all of the allies they could recruit the start causing commotion in several different locations around the village.

Shinken watched the Anbu exit the Kage's office with gleeful anticipation. Jin's leadership was questionable at best. He allowed two rogue ninja to escape on the same day. Had taken to punishing people for defending themselves and had branded Shinken a traitor for going after a deserter. Yes he had his moments of kindness, but seeing the state that the village was in now the young Uchiha knew that taking down the soon to be former Kazekage was the right thing to do. When he was sure that the last of the Anbu had left the office he stepped out into the open, and in one powerful jump propelled himself into the window of the office. As he perched on the window he smiled behind his mask.

"Where are you Jin? I think it's time we had a talk." The Uchiha said as he activated his Sharingan. He wasted no time in activating the techniques that would enhance his combat style. It was a good thing that he did too, because Jin appeared in front of him making hand seals almost faster than he could see. He barely had time to get out of the way as a blade of wind sliced through the office.

"Well now that was a little closer than I would've liked. I think you've been in power for too long. You've steered this village to disaster. I'm going to take it from your cold dead hands." Shinken said as he locked eyes with Jin. That was the Kazekage's first mistake. He was flung into a Genjutsu. Inside of the illusion Jin would feel heat inside of his body that quickly turned to burning pain. He would smell the smoke and burning flesh as his blood boiled his innards. To his credit the Kazekage did not let this stop him. Even through all the pain he began to weave seals, forcing Shinken to break the illusion to get out of the way of an air bullet.

"Is that all you got Shinken?! I thought the sand village would've taught you better than that." Jin growled as the illusion faded and he was free to weave seals at full speed. Shinken knew that he might be in trouble and began to form his own hand seals as quickly as he could. Just as Jin completed his technique Shinken was able to throw up a Genjutsu of the Kage's brother jumping in front of the attack. This caused him to hesitate just long enough for the young Uchiha to get out of the way. While he did this he also absorbed much of the chakra used to fuel the opposing technique. With his reserves bolstered Shinken let out a whistle. This whistle carried his chakra in the soundwaves, and when Jin heard it he would be placed in an illusion where white-hot chains would wrap themselves around his legs and arms causing searing pain and restricting his movement.

"Suffer." Shinken growled as the chains tightened around Jin's limbs and began to pull them from their sockets. There was a sick tearing sound and Jin would feel hot blood spray across his chest as in the illusion his limbs were torn from his body. When the illusion ended Jin stood panting and sweating, but to his credit he was still standing.

"I won't die that easily." He growled as he formed a single hand seal. Shinken barely had time to activate a defensive technique in which he cloaked himself in flame.

"Hidden Jutsu: Sand Bullets!" Jin cried as from the back wall projectiles made of compressed sand slammed through the wall and into Shinken. The young Uchiha stumbled forward from the impact. The flames had disintegrated most of the sand, but a few projectiles had still made it through. His arm was bleeding now, and he was forced to make one-handed seals.

"Not bad old man, but I can do better." Shinken's voice echoed through the air as his body dispersed into a flock of flaming crows. It was of course a Genjutsu, but each time the crows scratched or pecked at the Kage he would feel a burning pain flood his body. When Shinken reformed he was met with another Ninjutsu technique. This time Jin had brought segments of stone out of each of the walls in an attempt to crush Shinken. The young Uchiha simply laughed as his mask cracked away and his mouth split open sideways. A murder of crows flew out of his gaping maw, slamming into the stones and stopping them from progressing any further. In reality Shinken had simply placed Jin under yet another illusion, which prevented him from completing the attack. Shinken absorbed the chakra from this attack as well. He was winning the war of attrition.

"Now..DIE!" Shinken yelled as he cast every illusion he had in rapid succession. The young Uchiha watched as Jin twitched and spasmed. He was sure that not every illusion had found its mark, but he could tell that Jin wouldn't have much left after all of this. He was surprised however when Jin collapsed unconscious on the floor. Uchiha wasted no time in beheading the Kage. It was done, now all he had to do was go finish off the remainder of the gang that he had under his control. He commanded them to gather at the Kage's office. When they did he began to weave hand seals and finished with a whistle. They all clutched their heads before the back of their skulls blew out. Soon after the Anbu arrived, and Shinken tossed Jin's head at their feet.

"Jin was a traitor. He was using the village's money to fund criminal activities to add to his own fortune. Anyone who found out about it or opposed him was banished. This included me. I claim the title of Kage through right of combat. I Shinken Uchiha am the next Kazekage." Shinken declared. There were several Anbu looked as if they would try something, but they looked down to Jin's head, hesitated, and decided it would be better not to oppose Shinken. It was done he was now the Kage.

As the attack happened, the jonin fled, Bumu looked at Hiro and said, "I think we're supposed to go to the academy in case of an attack." She pointed at the training field, mostly comprised of students and genin and said, "We should make sure the students get there safely too!" She ran past Hiro and began to gather a few frightened looking students. A boy with blue hair and red eyes, a blonde girl with glasses, and a red headed boy who looked ready to fight. After some dialogue with the red headed boy about how he wouldn't stand a chance against anything that made it past the villages jonin, and a final selling point on how his friends would need his help, Bumu returned to Hiro and said, "Grab some students, we'll get them back to the academy, there should be some jonin that stayed behind to protect them ... and us ... from whatever is happening." Bumu really wished that she could use her byakuugan to see the unseen as they ran to find safety at the academy, but she hadn't quite reached that level of skill yet. All she had were her weapons and her fist. She took a kunai from her bag, "Hiro, grab your bag too!" She looked to her squad of kids. "I'll take the front, Hiro take the rear. Kids, don't let me out of your sight." The two boys seemed to become more confident after having been given a mission, the blonde in the glasses still seemed worried. "We'll try to stick to the shadows on the way there, hopefully we won't encounter whatever is causing the chaos." Once Hiro seemed ready she would do a final check with the students and move from the field to the city, clinging to the walls. She would slink into an allyway, but she saw a beaten man with blood on his clothes. He was breathing she thought, but the kids didn't need to see this. She sent them back to the city streets and they made their way towards the academy. They kept moving as the Kazekage's office had holes appear in it with a loud thunking noise. They arrived at the academy before the screams of pain could be heard screaming from inside the office. They waited there as the men came and told them that there had been a hostile takeover by a missing nin who had been from Sunagakure.
"Thats not how it works. There are hundreds of ninja here, he can't just barge in and take over. He can't beat them all." But alas here cries were not heard. After all the plot bus had to move forward somehow.

1800 + 448 = 2248

(Go ahead and make one more post and we'll call this complete. I saw that you posted to claim exp already.))

Bume shook her head and whispered back, "I'm not disputing that he is strong, he proved that already, but remember our history lessons on the bloody mist? Welcome to the village of the Bloody Sand. How long do you think the might makes right policy will hold up? We are in a dictatorship, ran by a murderer who fled the village after committing a crime, only to come back stronger and commit a worse crime. Bullying of that level shouldn't be rewarded." She seemed worried. "Bad guys shouldn't sit in that seat. Its a place of honor that symbolizes what our village stands for. Him being in that office disgraces the entire village." She wiped away the beginnings of tears as her mind wandered with uncertainty about what would happen next. She imagined Shinken Uchiha going door to door and murdering anyone who didn't acknowledge him as the rightful leader and Kazekage of Sunagakure. She imagined the sands stained in blood. She imagined war with neighboring countries. She imagined an end to the future she had hoped for and the beginning of a life lived in fear of the man who called himself their leader. She imagined the books she had read ... okay the action movies she had watched from the Land of Iron series where the corrupt nobleman calls in the hero to be punished and two of the bosses goons are holding the hero between their arms as he hangs there limp from a fresh beating. She imagined the nobleman, now with the face of Shinken Uchiha, standing and kicking the hero in the gut before putting out his cigar on the soft flesh of the hero's neck, laughing as he screamed in pain. At some point the hero escapes and gets his revenge, but often times he must live a life of oppression before he can be freed. That was her story arc now, she had to live with this life of oppression and become stronger, that way she could run away and return as a hero when she was strong. She was too young to run away now, but soon she would be a young adult and be able to fend for herself in the wilds. Once she passed the chunin exams, she would run. It seemed very far away, but it was a goal.
She wiped the tears as a look of determination came back over her. "What are we training on next Hiro?" Anticipation weighing heavy on her breath as her fingers curled into fist and she began shadow boxing the air in front of her and Hiro.

2637+464=3101

Hiro started when Bumu seemed to respond to his thoughts. "Did I say that out loud? Must have. Whoops. Best just keep quiet. I don't want to inflame a rough relationship with my potential new teammate. I'm still not sure I agree though. The Hidden Mist gets their reputation from the way they forced students to fight each other to the death at graduation. While violence isn't the normal method of changing the leader of one of the ninja villages, it seems like an accepted practice. When it comes down to it, it's those with the most strength that will seize power. Combat strength, political strength, deceptive strength, all seem to be equally viable."

Hiro took a moment to consider Bumu's question about training. "Well, I'd guess that the new Kazekage is going to change some of the way the Village is run. We may get sent out on missions relatively soon, so I guess we should do something that would prepare us for our first mission. We might want to consider some physical training of some sort. Whether that's combat or stealth or something. I knew we learned some of that at the academy, but until we officially get put on a team with a higher-ranked mentor, I think it'd behoove us to learn what we can on our own."

The jōnin present there at the academy gave them the 'all clear' for the danger having passed, so Hiro started walking back towards the training fields, pausing to allow Bumu to catch up.

"You know, the instructors at the Academy assumed the same thing. Everyone thought I'd be a fire type. It came as quite a surprise to them that I'm actually primarily a Wind type. There may be some fire in there somewhere, but wind was the dominant nature." It was a conundrum that Hiro considered often. Did his apparent lack of the Fire affinity mean he was less of an Uchiha?

"Yeah. Let's not talk about Genjutsu scores. Mine weren't anything to write home about either." Hiro thought a moment about Bumu's comment about standing out before replying. "I tried not to stand out during our Academy time. While I don't think there is anything wrong with excelling at what you do, a ninja's job is rarely to be noticed. I'd much rather be quiet and unassuming, let people underestimate what I can do. Especially if I need to be subtle, you know?"

As they walked towards the training grounds, Hiro became more thankful that they'd avoided the fighting during the new Kazekage's takeover. There was still some evidence of the mayhem that the higher level shinobi had dealt with while the new guy, Shinken, was confronting the old Kazekage, and Hiro was certain that their group would not have fared well in the crossfire.

Fortunately, the training fields were still in good shape. Most of the other shinobi there had either gone to defend the village from the disturbance or gone towards the Academy to help protect the young ones. "Well, before the interruption, we were doing some exercises that catered to my specialty. Let's try something that will let you show off a bit and hopefully I'll learn a thing or two in the process." Hiro deposited his bag off to the side again and looked at Bumu, waiting to see what she'd prefer.