Mazakou Labs

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Under a seemingly inconspicuous Tree with a secret door located somewhere on the north side of the housing district, is the facility which currently serves as the home for a collection of destructive and hard to control monster children. The facility is an admittedly extensive series of under ground metal hallways, complete with "whooshing" doors, which the Mazakou apparently whined for long enough until they got them on account of how cool they were.

Because of the Mazakou's tendency to get into fights with one another almost constantly, most of the rooms are kept separated, and the Mazakou tend to be given more things and possessions as prizes for their service to the village. At the Moment, only two Mazakou have found themselves worthy of extra large suites complete with training equipment, those being the Original Mazakou, and current "Clan Head" Tsuniyoshi, and Hibiki, the first Mazakou to be initated into the standard student program like a normal boy, as opposed to Tsuni who was shipped off with the mercenaries while they retook the border for her training. There is a cafeteria and a lounge, but most of the Mazakou avoid leaving their rooms while in the facility for the dislike of running into the others, so these are generally deserted.

The metalic walls and floors seem to remind the Mazakou of the labs they were born in, so most tend to feel very much at home here.





The caretaker of the Mazakou, who constantly tries in vain to get them to act more normal now that they've been abandoned as adequate super weapons, is a sweet woman who loves them all as her own children, Doctor Emiko Gray. This being the younger Sister of the Doctor Gray that works at Oto Hospital.

She tries to teach them proper values and how to be good boy's and girls, however her kindness and nurturing often goes straight over their heads. Most all of them love her very much, of course, however this only serves to make them work all the harder to be the best super weapons they can be, so they can protect her, and their big bros and Sises, no matter what. All the Mazakou refer to her as "Doctor Mom". This of course isn't the same thing as calling someone "Momma" however, as they will all clearly explain to you....well, maybe not clearly. But it seems to make sense to them...  

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 6/200


Tsuni took a long slow breath, her human form feeling a little uncomfortable still, to tell the truth. While she had indeed taken to using it more and more now that she had returned from the border…she was still not entirely used to it. The steel floors of her room were a bit cold earlier in the morning before the furnace kicked on, but she didn’t particularly mind. She was used to the cold, and anyway it felt good when she was working as hard she currently was now, the sweat going down her weak human brow as she proceeded to lift the weights. That in her true form she could almost effortlessly toss around without trouble. It was, in a way, a good way to train, just like Wolfgang, Biggest bro, had suggested. When she was in her human form, she was much weaker and flimsier then her super cool awesome true form. It put great strain on her body to preform even the most menial tasks like “slaughtering her foes” and “crushing the weak peons who threatened her big bros”…so much so that it was a little like being taken back in time when she had been…weaker. Not as strong as she was now. She shivered slightly. She didn’t even like to think about that time, the time when she used to be a weakling. Those days were behind her now, now she was a strong unbeatable super weapon who could protect her big bros and sises, just like she had been able to protect Big bro Gil’s back during the war… well…she guessed that it wasn’t nessecarily a war. They wouldn’t call it that, for some reason. Or anyway that was what biggest bro had told her. It was just a border conflict. So, just like she had in the border conflict, then. She would be able to use her great strength to be able to undo those puny knaves that tried to threaten her precious family…she’d crush them like bugs if they tried to take away the people that she loved… Tsuni sniffled slightly, and she paused briefly to wipe away the tear from her eye. She couldn’t cry. Big sis Aira wouldn’t want her to cry. She would want Tsuni to be strong, the strongest. She would want Tsuni to beat the tar out of everyone who even TRIED to do that to anyone that she loved ever again…no one…NO ONE WAS GOING TO HURT HER BROS AND SISES EVER AGAIN!!! She continued to strain her body lifting the large weights, these actually the smaller ones of the set, which grew in sized until they looked roughly the size of the human body, save made a dense black metal. When Tsuni trained her weak human body, made it stronger, it affected her true form as well. Her body was as one…it was merely a matter of shifting itself around in order to take her true, most optimal form, or her weaker more unnatural state.

When one was trained, so too was the other, and it was a sure way to make use of her time training, without having to ask Doctor Mom for heavier weights. She didn’t want to trouble her or anything, and anyway Tsuni could get by with the one’s she had just fine…when she was done with these, then she would easily be able to crush anyone who ever tried to harm her family around her again…anyone who tried to hurt a member of Oto ever again. Doctor Mom always told her that she had to be a good little girl…and to Tsuni that meant viciously killing anyone who tried to hurt those she loved…to stop what happened at the border from ever…she sniffed. Ever happening again. It was like what biggest bro had told her. She had to be strong, on the inside as well as the out. She couldn’t cry… she just…couldn’t. She had to stand up and fight for everything that she loved and was trying to protect, as a super weapon! She had to crush and kill and lay waste to everything that she didn’t like! No one who wasn’t a big bro or sis could be trusted…she’d learned that. Anyone, no matter how nice they seemed, was just another target if they weren’t a big bro or sis. A lowly knave! If they became a threat or an enemy she would enjoy ripping them apart piece by piece!!

She hadn’t always thought so of course… she hadn’t always been as wise as she was now. She’d been…stupid! She’d been so stupid enough not to think as a she did now…and…

Tsuni frowned even as she continued to push herself…to make herself stronger…no matter how she had to do it...so that…would never happen ever again.  

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 13/200


Tsuni was so happy she could hardly contain herself, slithering along on her tail as she made her way through the offices and dark hall ways of the secret police headquarters. She was blushing immensely with pride and admiration for all the strong big bros and sises that were here, their really awesome and totally stylish uniforms completely making her starry eyed. This was the best day of her life. Here she was the chosen one, the best, the greatest, the original, being selected to be the first test subject to see if she could truly be capable of serving as a weapon. After all her hard work to be called good enough, she was finally getting some recognition, finally having convinced Doctor Mom to give her permission. She knew this meant that it was all going to be on her. That she was going to have to give everything that she possibly could to strive ahead and become strong enough for them to believe that she was a true super weapon…but she had faith in herself. After all, Doctor Mom had told her that she could do anything if she believed! And Tsuni did. She believed that with work she could become the greatest super weapon ever!

Then they would have to recognize the creators genius. That they hadn’t failed when they made her. Sure, all those others were just cheap knock offs, but she, she was special, she could become the super weapon that they wanted her to be, she could make them happy and proud of her! They’d cheer for her and be really super happy with her! She was smiling blissfully at this thought as she slithered into the room that they had indicated she enter, a scream nearby causing her to turn her head, but rather undisturbed to see what looked like a rough looking man in crappy armor wailing in agony as a really cool big bro with a mask stabbed him in a kunai.

“Wow! Tsuni wants to try!” She said eagerly as she saw the man give off another wail of pain.

“Number 27.” The cold voice of the man in the mask fell over her and caused Tsuni to shiver with amazement. Wow. This big bro was SO cool…. “I’ve been expecting you.” He put aside the Kunai, and set it aside without much ceremony, his eyes behind the mask turning to behold her. She fidgeted slightly, looking a little shy. This big bro was obviously totally super cool. She could tell. She hoped that he would approve of her… “I am Director Hisoka of the secret police…” the masked man said as began to wipe his hands clean of blood. Big bro Hisoka, yeah, a cool name like that was fitting for this obviously really cool big bro! “Tell me. Do you have any idea of what it is that you are requesting…?”

Tsuni immediately stood straighter, trying to look her bestest. She didn’t want this really awesome big bro to think she was just a weak little girl. She was a totally awesome super weapon. “Yes Big Bro Hisoka!” She stated in her attempt at a very serious and commanding tone of voice. “Tsuni wants to be given a chance to kill enemies and destroy stuff! She wants to prove to everyone that she can be a real super weapon!”

Hisoka was clearly doubtful behind his mask, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Really. Is that so?” He’d seen children like this before. Children who thought they were ready for the life of a ninja, eager and starry eyed…only to be faced with the reality, and nearly break. He suspected even if these Mazakou developed quickly into their current mentality, they would be little different when push came to shove…they were nothing more than dreamers waiting to be forced into the real world. “I see…then come here please.”

Tsuni obeyed with absolute trust as she slithered forward and stood before the prisoner that Hisoka had been interrogating, her tentacles wiggling slightly with excitement.

“Here, take this.” Hisoka said, watching the girl carefully as he handed her a kunai, the smile still on her face as she accepted it obediently. He gestured to the man. “This man is a bandit…one of the many deserters from the fire country that have been infesting our borders and pillaging the lives of the people of rice there…they are the enemies of Oto, who have sworn to protect rice.”

Tsuni listened to all this with open eyes and ears, obediently logging away all this information.

“I have just finished collecting all the information I need from him. What do you think that we should do with him…?” he was sure that he would get one of the usual answers. Lock him up forever, beat him up more anyway! Make him serve us! He had answers ready for all of these, explanations as to why they were not feasible options, why it had to be a death and nothing else…but instead…

“Tsuni thinks we should kill him!” Hisoka blinked behind his mask, showing a hint of surprised.

“Really…?” He inquired with a raised brow. “So then you believe he should die?”

“Well yeah.” Ysuni said cheerfully. “He’s and enemy of the Hidden Sound, so that means he’s worthless now. It’d be to troublesome to do anything else with him, so Tsuni would just kill him.”

Hisoka took this in for a moment. It wasn’t the the first time he’d gotten the right answer…but what broke them all was what came next. He wanted to beat this nonsense down now, before it got too bothersome. Children were not made to be weapons without years in the academy, and he didn’t want to bother wasting resources on putting one of these monsters through that only to find out that they simply lacked the potential. That was why if she was being given this chance, she would be assigned with the mercenaries retaking the borders…but there was no point in doing that either. He didn’t see the purpose in throwing a usless child into that. There was no point. It was war… so he would show this creature that she didn’t have what it took to face war now, before it became a bother. “Then do it.” Hisoka’s voice was dark. “Kill him.” It was always the same. The look of shock on their faces when asked to do it. The widened eyes the sudden fear and hesitation. Children were okay entertaining the idea of killing…but when it was there own hand, when faced with the truth…they all caved…

At least…usually.

“Yes Big Bro.” The Kunai sunk into the man’s eyes socket like a hot knife through butter, the prisoner’s life ending quickly with one final shriek, the Mazakou’s innocent smile never fading throughout the process. It was done with all the grace of swatting a fly, of cleaning up a stain on a counter top. It was as though he had asked to do nothing more significant than brush her teeth before bed. And the girl had obeyed. Without hesitation, without delay, and without pause…

Hisoka stood in shock for a few long moments, the monster looking back at him as though she wanted a pat on the head. No…no that was exactly what she wanted. “Did Tsuni do it right big bro…?” she asked with a eager smile, a smile begging for recognition, for praise.

“Yes.” Hisoka raised a hand and gave the girl what she wanted, patting her on the head and causing her too giggle and squirm with delight. “You did well…27.”

“Tsuni is glad!” she exclaimed happily. “Does that mean that Tsuni did it? She can go destroy the enemy!?”

Hisoka gave another moment of pause, a grim resolve setting itself behind his face. She was perfect. She was just the sort of weapon that would serve his purposes… and with her being trained on the battlefield.. a true test of her capability….yes. She would be perfect for what he had in mind.

“Yes.” Hisoka told her with a very calm tone. “You may.”

“Tsuni is so happy!”
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 16/200


And she was happy. Why wouldn’t she be. Those were the words she had been wanting to hear for so long. A sing that she worthy. A sign that she could fulfill her purpose. A word of praise for being a weapon, a word of praise that she wasn’t a failure of a super weapon. She had passed the awesome big bros test and made him happy. Made him proud of her and what she could do.
And all she’d had to do was kill that usless knave…that pathetic piece of garbage that was an enemy of what she loved. All she had had to do was rid the world of him, something she was happy to do, glad to do, LOVED doing, and she had gotten praised for it. Gotten the recognition she so desperately wanted… it was all that she asked for.

And now she was being sent to the front, placed under the command of Wolfgang, leader of the mercenaries of Granzenstraum. Leader of the men and women who were going to crush the enemies of Oto who were infesting their borders. He was her commander, her keeper, and he was…SO COOL!

“So…27, is it?” the large grizzled man seemed to give her a somewhat gruff, but bemused smile, as though getting a kick out of her enthusiasm.

“Tsuni is also called that.” Tsuni confirmed with her best attempt at being serious while she saluted, slightering next to the man as he led the way out to the caravan that would take them to the front. The long line of covered wagons and armed people looking more than ready for the heat of war, at least to her eyes. She couldn’t wait. She was absolutely sure this was going to be the start of a new life for her. It was the start of her brand new life as a super weapon. She would be able to fulfill her purpose, he dream. The dream of her creator. This…this was it! “But Doctor Mom calls Tsuni, Tsuni, and her file also says “Tsuniyoshi.””

Wolfgang gave a slight laugh and a smile. “Well then,” he said in his deep, slow way, his voice sounding well considered and planned out with every word.
One could tell this wasn’t a man who spoke idly. “Tsun it is.”

“Tsuni appreciates it big bro Wolfgang!”

Wolfgang gave a nod. “You’ll be sticking close to me from now on, understand? Hisoka wants me to teach you, to train you be just like any other warrior of the grandzestraum, to prove that your worthy to fight for the Village…are you prepared for that?” he seemed to already suspect the girl’s answer.

“That’s all Tsuni wants!” Tsuni cheered losing her serious attitude as her true cheer broke through. “Tsuni will follow you around and do whatever you say big bro! She’ll become as upper strong super weapon! You’ll see!”
Another chuckle. “Well, alright then.” The pair walked down along the side of the caravan, many eyes being drawn to Tsuni. She was used to it by now. All the staring. She didn’t care. Tsuni knew that she was a monster, it was what she was supposed to be. She was a weapon made to be a super powerful monster that could protect Oto…so there was no harm in her looking like one.

Even if she did…sometimes wish…that they all didn’t have to look at her with those eyes. She WASN’T adorable! But that was, regardless of what she might want, what everyone thought when they saw her. She was such a cute little monster that everyone, regardless of who they were, refused to take her seriously! It was always “Oh how adorable!” or “Oh my your so cute!”. She was a scary super weapon! She wasn’t cute at all! Why couldn’t people see that!? She would just have to show them! She’d show them all how strong she was!

“So, if you’re training to become a ninja, have you learned all the academy jutsu?”

Tsuni gave a nod. “Tsuni learned them all, big bro! She wants to be the very best! She…isn’t quite up to level of being a genin yet, but she still tries really hard! She’ll get there, she’s sure! She just needs a chance to prove herself!”
Wolfgang gave another slight laugh.

“Tsuni is serious!” Tsuni pleaded. “Everyone always laughs at her, but she’s serious! Tsuni really will be a powerful weapon of mass desctruction!” tears welled up in the girl’s eyes, but Wolfgang only gave her his confident knowing grin.

“I wasn’t doubting you, Tsuni.” The man said in his ponderous way. “I just find your enthusiasm refreshing. I’ve no doubt that you can do it if you truly are willing to give it your all.”
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 22/200


Tsuni seemed to looked shocked and pleasantly surprised. “R-really…?” she wiped away her tears. “No one besides Doctor Mom’s told Tsuni that before…” she used on of her tentacles to fidget with her nose, turning slightly red. “…thank you, big bro.”

Wolfgang gave a nod. “Now of course, I won’t make it easy one you. We go through a strict training regimen around here, and moving with the army, it’ll take a while to get down to the border, slow going. So you’ll have plenty of time to brush up on your skills. Whether you like it or not.”

“Tsuni WILL like it!” Tsuni assured back to being excited! She’s ready to get started right now!”

Wolfgang gave a chuckle. “Well, let me introduce you around first, to the people that you’ll be needing to know. You’ll be with me most of the time, but I’m busy, so I’ll be assigning someone else to look after and teach you when I can’t.”

“Tsuni cannot wait to meet them!”

The caravan began moving, Wolfgang and Tsuni stepped into the largest wagon in the long train, the interior of it looking something like a make shift war room. There were various maps of the regions, a table covered by various colors pins and orders, and at the front of the wagon just behind the driver, was a woman to who looked to be in her early twenties.

“Aira.” The woman looked around to see Tsuni for the first time, and Tsuni was very sure she was the coolest big sis that she had ever seen. She had long, long black hair that shone almost like silk, and a really pretty face with eyes that reminded Tsuni kind of like really shiny gemstones. She had a large sword strapped behind her back, a HUGE sword, even, shaped like a katana that Tsuni had seen one of the other men carrying…only bigger, which in Tsuni’s mind meant that it was that much better and more impressive.

“Wow!” Tsuni exclaimed pointing to the blade with amazement. “That’s SOOO COOOOL! Tsuni wants a sword like that one!”

Wolfgang and woman both gave a laugh. “I’ll make you a deal Tsuni.”
Wolfgang said as he walked over and sat by a stool next to the table. “If you manage to take down ten opponents single handed…I’ll get you one.”

Tsuni flushed with admiration. “Really!” she squealed before realizing her loss of control. “Uh, T-tsuni means uh, Ahem.” She adapted a more serious face, looking adorable at the attempt. “Tsuni would enjoy this. Thank you big bro.”

Aira laughed. “Oh she’s just darling.” The woman said as she walked over and stood next the Mazakou, tussling her hair. “She’s just precious.”

“Hey!” Tsuni puffed up her face in indignantion. “Tsuni is NOT precious! She is a scary weapon of death! Only Doctor Mom is allowed to call her darling!”

Aira burst out laughing. “All the MORE reason your precious kiddo! I like that fire in ya!”

Tsuni looked confused by this. She thought she was precious BECAUSE she was a weapon of death…? Tsuni suddenly turned about entirely, looking overjoyed. She was being praised then! As a real weapon! “Oh! Big Sis should have said though! That’s okay!”

Aira nearly doubled over, laughing at the little monster with a elated look on her face. “Oh Boss, this one’s a treat. I’m gonna LOVE this!”

“What is big sis going to love?” Tsuni inquired quizzically. Wolfgang gave her a another one of his smiles, nodding towards the woman as though to indicate her.

“She’s the one I was talking, Tsuni. This Woman is called Aira. She’s a great warrior. She’ll be the one who looks after you and teaches you the ropes.”
Tsuni looked up at the woman as though she had just been elevated to
“Supreme ruler of the known universe".

“Woooooow…” Tsuni remarked with her jaw practically hanging on the floor. This woman was going to be the awesome warrior who taught her how to be awesome too…? Tsuni felt stronger already!

“Come on kiddo,” aira gestured. “Boss as some stuff to plan out, I’ll take you back through the caravan and introduce you. When we reach the rendezvous point and stop to rest, we’ll start training.”

“Okay big sis Aira!”

The caravan quickly became a second home to Tsuni, even that first day as he jumped from wagon to wagon behind Aira, meeting all the other warriors in this particular section, seeing their smiles and laughter and hearing them tell her how impressive she was. They were saying it to make her feel better, to make her feel more at home, but it worked. It worked because the fact they were willing to do that for her…it made her feel that Doctor Mom’s words were really true after all. That Oto was her family. She felt the warmth and comradeship in the caravan, felt their words comfort her…and she knew that it was true. That this was what it was like to have a family. A real one. And for the first time, she truly knew that she had been right to be willing to do anything. She had been right to be willing to go as far as she was able to protect and hold on to something like this. If her purpose was to protect these people, then she would do it gladly!
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 28/200


“And this rascal here is Gil.” Aira introduced with flick to the young man’s fore head, causing him to shoo her hand away.

“Hey!” He complained with half a smile. “Enough huh? Why do you always have to tease ME Ai? Do you hae something against perfect people?”

“I’ve got something against perfectly cocky individuals.” Airia teased good naturedly, bopping the boy on the shoulder. “And you qualify all the way of the Kage office.”

“Pffft,” Gil looked up in bemusement at seeing Tsuni. “well well, I guess this would be our latest recruit. Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand, Which Tsuni looked at quizzically. “Heh,” the silver haired young man laughed.
“You’re supposed to shake it.” He said with a encouraging smile.

Tsuni blinked innocently, bringing up two of her tentlces and shaking the boy’s hand at the wrist.

“Ahahaha!” Aira burst out laughing while Gil merely sweat. It seemed that wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.

“Heh, well, I guess that works too.” He turned to a more cheery smile. “So, Tsuni, I hear that you’re going to put us all to shame on the battlefield, is that true.”

Tsuni turned red and began twiddling her fingers looking shy. “T-Tsuni will try big Bro…” she stated bashfully, hugging one of her own tentacles in front of her face to hide her embarrassment. She’d never really been complimented by such a handsome looking big bro before on being a godless killing machine…it made her feel all funny and warm in her face…

“Hahaha!” Aira slapped Gil on the back. “Ho ho! Looks like you’ve got a fan, Gil! Good Luck!”

The cook was even nicer to Tsuni, preparing her seconds and even thirds when she asked reallt nicely. He was a gruff man, like Big bro Wolfgang, but Tsuni could tell that underneath it all he was a really amazing person, also just like Wolfgang. That night when they stopped at the rendezvous point, and Tsuni’s training begin, Tsuni was fairly sure that she had never been tired out so quickly in her entire life. Big Sis Aira was totally amazing. She trained her like their was no tommmorow! She had Tsuni lifting weights, punching and sparring and studying up on her ninjutsu, she young woman seemed far more intense then Tsuni had even been on herself up to that point, teaching the Mazakou the proper form and way to throw a punch, on example of this lesson causing Barry, one of the friendly boy’s she’d met that day, to tell absolutely everyone that Tsuni hit like a brick wall, earning Tsuni even more compliments amongst the caravan…Tsuni went to sleep that night happier than she could ever remember being…

The next day, however…

“Tsuni, we’re heading into the village, you stay here alright?” Wolfgang told her as they stopped next to a smaller village, you stay with Aira while the rest of us stock and resupply. I need to talk to the elder here, so I will be a while.”

“B-but…Tsuni wants to come with you big bro! Tsuni’s never seen a small village like this!”

Wolfgang gave aher his smile. “Tsuni. Not everyone would understand your…appearance, like we do. It’s best we don’t cause a stir.” He patted her on the head. “It’s alright. You stay here and we’ll be back before you know it.”
Tsuni gave a disappointed nod. She supposed that was…fine. But…she frowned clenching her fists at her sides. She wished that…she could go with them. That she didn’t always have to be a weapon. That she could just be able to walk alongside the people she was sworn to protect without drawing so many weird looks… that she could…

She felt her chakra building up inside her…a strange…metamorphosis taking place with her. She felt almost like she her entire body was shifting and moving around within her skin…and that in the end even THAT was changing. There was strange glow emanating from her now, a strange iridescent light come from her, drawing Wolfgang and all the rest’s eyes…

“What the…?”

And then the transformation seemed to be complete, And Tsuni felt…different. Very very different.

That was the very first time that she had ever actually taken her human form, and for the life of her it was one of the weirdest feelings that she had ever experienced. And BOY was it exhausting when she sfirst pulled it off….so much so that she wasn’t actually able to turn back for quite a while after, Wolfgang and others purely tickled and astounded by their new little members ability to shift back and forth. It had been theorized that the Mazakou might possess such a power, but until Tsuni had demonstrated it, it had only been theory. Now, though, now she was gaining some control over it, able to shift back and forth when she needed to, even if it was still a somewhat tiring process.

Aira’s training continued, the woman being as a firm as ever, but just as successful. Whether in tsuni’s human form or her True form, her teacher worked her tirelessly whenever they stopped and got the chance, the woman having Tsuni study Ninjutsu while they road in the caravan. It was the hardest time Tsuni had ever had…and it was most fun that she had ever had, the happiest she had been. Whenever Aira would smile at her, or give the thumbs up and say how proud she was, that was all Tsuni needed in the entire world. That was all that she wanted.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 36/200


“Okay,” Airia said with her usual devil may care grin. “Now pay attention Tsuni, since you have a different center of gravity while in your real form, you need to be careful to adjust for that...just like this.”

Tsuni copied the woman’s stance as best she could, striking a serious face as beads of sweat ran down her face. She was exhausted, but Tsuni never quit. It was one of the many reasons that she had come as far as she had with the training. She was currently in the process of learning Gouken, a special form of Taijutsu that apparently would allow her to kick twice as much butt as normal. The style was difficult to master, Tsuni had to admit, but at the same time she couldn’t really see any sort of end where she didn’t manage to master it. There was a certainty in her punches and her big sis’s words that assured that she could do it…that she could master it. The biggest thing about her efforts at the moment was that they were having to work on the move, so Tsuni herself was being forced to work on much of her forms while cramped up in the wagons with the others, but she didn’t mind of complain. It just meant that she had people to keep her company while she trained, so there was no problem for her.

“Gouken is the art of turning your body into the perfect weapon…it’s about force, and power, but applied the proper way. It’s about taking your natural strength, and using it against your opponents to break them completely…you have to turn your body into your own weapon…and not give pause to anything. When you punch, you put your power behind it, when you strike with your fists, your are striking with your soul. Do you understand?”

Tsuni nodded, punching the air in front of her with a set look on her face as she even seemed to be bringing her tentacles’ into the mix, striking and attacking with precision and power as she fell through the forms of the taijutsu style, her eyes hardened within her cute face as she battle to maintain focus and accuracy, following Aira’s words and example to the best of her ability.

The other members of the caravan were sitting around watching the pair with smiles on their faces, some of them training as well, but most of them having put aside such things to rest for the coming dawn. It was time. They had reached the destination they had been aiming for, and with the rest of the Granzenstraum at their back, they were set to retake the border… they were ready to begin this battle in earnest…and put the fear of the Sound into these wretches. The air was thick with mixed emotions. Excitement for the coming battle, trepidation, grim resolve. These things danced in the air like a cloud above the camp, and only some of it was lost on Tsuni. She knew enough to know that the time battle would be upon them was close at hand. The first strike of the war. Her own first strike at real combat. It wouldn’t just be her inside of a test chamber, it wouldn’t just be a matter of a sparring…this would be battle…this would be war. She would at last be able to show her stuff as a weapon and fulfill her purpose… she would reign down her wrath on the enemies of her family… she would protect her big bros and Sises. This was it…and she had never been more excited…and nervous, about anything in her entire life.

“Are you afraid…?”

The words cause Tsuni by surprise as she and Aira finally decided to take a break, Tsuni plopping down immediately taking deep breath, while the young woman came to slow seated position beside her. That was a weird question.

Tsuni was nervous, she would admit to that… but afraid? Tsuni didn’t really know if she had ever been afraid of anything that wasn’t…being a failure. That was what had always scared her. It wasn’t about fighting and dying, it was about living and being useless. Being unable to fulfill her purpose. That scared Tsuni more than anything. Even dying. She was certain that so long as she was given a chance to succeed, so long as she could fight as a super weapon and fulfill her purpose, she didn’t have anything to be afraid of.

“No…” Tsuni said shaking her head. “Tsuni isn’t afraid so long as she can be a weapon. She’ll fight so long as she can fulfill that dream.”

“It that your dream though…?” Tsuni looked over at her big sis in surprise. Of course it was Tsuni’s dream to be a super weapon! That was her entire purpose for existing! No matter what anyone else said, telling her that she was a failure and that she couldn’t be a Super weapon, she was going to show them that she could, she was going to show them they could be proud of her.

“Of course it is, big sis!” Tsuni insisted, pushing herself up into a seated position with her tentacles. “Tsuni will work to be a final weapon with all her heart! That’s all that she wants!”

Aira was looking at Tsuni with…a slightly more sad smile then normal. “Are you sure…? What is it that you really want Tsuni?” Tsuni was about to repeat herself, but Aira merely gave her a warm smile. “Isn’t it that you want to be accepted and praised? Don’t you just want your family to acknowledge you?

Tsuni looked slightly surprised at this, her eyes widening at Aira’s words.

Well…she supposed that was true to a certain extent…but… “There are other ways to do that then being a Weapon you know. You can do all sorts of things to help the village and be recognized, I’m sure of it. You don’t have to take this path.”  

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 44/200



Tsuni seemed to fall silent at these words, her face becoming blank and confused. She had never even considered something like that before. Not be a weapon? That was just…wrong. She WAS a weapon. Tsuni was absolutely sure of it. That was what she had been made to be.That was her destiny, he very reason for drawing breath. All of her goals and dreams rided on that hope, that purpose… and Aira was telling her that wasn’t what she had to be…? That she had a choice…? It sounded a lot like what Doctor Mom always told them, but it carried a lot more weight because Doctor Mom was just a super super super nice lady who loved them all so much that she didn’t want them to get hurt, so you couldn’t really trust her to be honest about “weapon stuff”. Aira though a super tough big sis. A warrior. She was someone who had chosen to be a weapon, someone who dedicated their life to fighting, but she was telling Tsuni that she didn’t need to take the same path to be great…to be acknowledged. It was the same as Acknowledging her even if she wasn’t a weapon, again something that only Doctor Mom had done before.

“Tsuni….Tsuni wants to be a weapon anyway, even if she doesn’t have too.” Her eyes turned upwards, towards the sky. “Because…Tsuni’s creator told her a story once…and Tsuni. Tsuni wants to believe that it can be true.”

Aira looked slightly curious at this, raising a brow in the Mazakou’s direction.
“A story…? What kind of Story?”

Tsuni blinked still looking up at the stars, be began to tell it, he large eyes still gazing longingly up at the heavens. “When Tsuni was still really little, and her Creator was rocking her to sleep in her containment case,” Aira sweat slightly, but let her continue “He told Tsuni that there was once a really scary and terrifying monster that ravaged the land…that he was feared by everyone and even saying his name caused people to get scared and run away…” Tsuni still seemed as though she was gazing off into the eternity of her own imagination.

“He was strong enough that he could destroy whole cities with one attack, and so tough he could take one all the five Kage’s at once! Just like that.” She swapped one of her extra appendages unto the ground for effect. “But because he was so strong and scary, the perfect weapon, he didn’t have any friends. Everyone was too afraid of him, and he was too wild and uncontrollable to try and change their minds.” Tsuni held up a hand to the sky as though she was trying to touch the stars. “But one day the Monster met a young boy who wasn’t afraid of him…he thought the monster was super cool and awesome.” Aira chuckled slightly at Tsuni’s vocabulary, but let it pass.

“And he and monster became friends. The Monster stopped rampaging all over the land, and he only fought to protect the boy… and because of this, it was said that the monster became even bigger and stronger…because he finally had something that was worth fighting for.” Tsuni closed her eyes, apparently getting sleepy. “Eventually, the boy and the Monster became so great, that the gods decided they were too good for the earth anymore…so they took them up and put them in the sky.” She pointed upwards to a particular section of stars. “That’s them there…”

Aira seemed to look slightly exasperated at the girl’s naivete, but leaned back, looking up at the sky with her. “So…you want to be like the monster from the legend? You want to protect someone?”

“Not just someone,” Tsuni corrected. “Tsuni wants to protect her family…she wants to protect everyone in Oto. That way when she becomes great enough, she and Oto will be able to just go up in the sky together where everyone will be safe…” she smiled at this…slowly drifting off to sleep. “Then…Tsuni…will be soooo happy…”

Aira looked sidelong at the girl as she fell asleep, the young woman giving a long sigh. “Oh kiddo…you really are too good for us…” she tussled the little monster’s hair, and went to get a blanket to toss over her…

“You know Hisoka wouldn’t be very pleased if he heard you were trying to convince his new pet project not to be a warrior.” Aira looked to the left in time to see Wolfgang emerging from out of the corner of her eye, his usual calm smile in place.

Aira merely looked away. “She’s a sweet kid. She doesn’t deserve to be thrust into this life without being given a choice…”

“She’s made her choice.” Wolfgang said smoothly, apparently rather confident in the matter, though showing no signs of impatience or anger. Despite his rough ways he seemed rather serene on the matter. “She chose to be a weapon long before she even met us, Aira. Tsuni will become a great warrior. I truly believe that.”

But Aira clenched her fists. “Long…Boss she hasn’t been alive for “long.” She looked back at Tsuni. “She choosing this path because she doesn’t even know any better…that isn’t a real choice. She walking this path because she feels it’s the only way that she can happy and loved…a kid shouldn’t have to feel that way! She could be able to be happy without having to resort to what we do! I do what I do so that kids like her don’t HAVE to fight or worry about what we do. I believe in what Lord Orion says. But we’re just supposed to sit back and turn this girl into a weapon?!”

Wolfgang sighed. “Aira…I know this may seem hard to believe…but sometimes it’s not up to us who chooses to fight and who doesn’t. Tsuni may be young, but she’s strong, and like it or not, she wants nothing more right now then to use that strength to protect the village and make you and I happy. She wants to fight…and I think it’s wrong for us to try and stop her.”

Aira frowned, looking away, and said nothing more as she headed off to get the blanket. Wolfgang sighed.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 49/200


The morning came with a swiftness, Tsuni standing at Wolfgang’s side as they knelt in the brush, the camp of bandits sprawled out in the valley below them.

This particular band had apparently been ruling the region in the absence of proper authority, and was the first of many that would need to fall if Rice’s borders were to be called her own again. Tsuni could practically feel her heart pumping in her chest, the beat of her blood in her veins almost calling her to battle as she clenched her fists at her sides. This was the moment that she had been waiting for at last… the moment that she was going to show them…to put herself to the test… she took a deep breath. Wolfgang gave the signal, and they charged.

Like a tide the Granzestraum fell upon the bandits, those what were Ninja trained among them, herself included, taking the lead as they barreled down upon them. The tree’s and forest streaked by as Tsuni thrashed forth, her breath quick and her fists as tight as they had ever been in her life. It was just like in training…she just needed to follow the motions…only this time she could keep to her instincts as a weapon. She didn’t need to give pause and she didn’t need to hold back, she could kill her foes with impunity, she could destroy and crush and break like the weapon that she was born to be… the bandits were slow to react, taken by shock as surprise as they rushed to mount a defense, to get their weapons, but it was too little too late. The Mercenaries of the sound feel on them like a wave, and the conflict begin in a rush of steel and blood. Tsuni saw him, the foe closest to her, the one directly ahead of her, the first that she seemed destined to annihilate…the second life to fall at her hands… The hit was direct center, her powerful fist slamming into her opponents chest as he fumbled with his weapon, the stolen katana in his hand fumbling as Tsuni whipped her tail about under him, knocking off his balance as she twisted about, again driving her fist into his chest. He was off guard, broken with the second hit, but she didn’t stop. The man was horrified and confused at what she was, why this was all happening, but he didn’t have long to think of it. Tsuni hit him and hit him and hit him again, blood staining her hands, her teeth bared like a proper monster as she at last heard a resounding crack from within his body, his spin severing from the force of her blows to his shattered chest. Tsuni whipped herself up not even looking back at her fallen opponent, the first to fall to her battle. She would not remember his face, she would hardly even keep the moment in thought for much longer as she continued to charge, seeking out the next foe to fall to her. The next was indeed better prepared, keeping her back with wide strokes of his spear as he constantly forced her to bob and weave using her tail of evade his stabbing motions.

She was having a hard time getting close, this one clearly far better trained then the last, his eyes hardened against her strange appearance and caring only, it seemed, for his own survival. Tsuni dashed forward, slashing at him with her tail only for the man to jump back, Tsuni’s hands dashing through a series of signs before in a burst of smoke two clones charged him, their fists raised in a fury as though to strike. With a turning arc of the his spear the man dismissed the two clones, but it was all the opening Tsuni need, her own hands at last breaking through the man’s defenses as she slammed through them with a powerful blow to his face, her tentacles reaching for his spear and wrenching it from his grasp with a sharp twist, leaving the man unarmed. Her next punch flew towards his mid section but the man blocked, his own feet flying up in a kick towards he face with was stopped by a tentacle, Tsuni’s body twisting and turn about once more as she swept low for his feet, the man jumping up to avoid but leaving himself vulnerable in the air, her fist driving up into his gut as she knocked the wind from him, another blow to his head sending him crashing back to the ground. Taking up the man’s own spear into her hands, the tentacle handing it back to her, she jammed the weapon into the man’s rib cage…and her fell still. Suddenly though an arrow whizzed by her head, leaving a long cut on the side of her face. Tsuni growled bearing her teeth once more as her eyes zeroed in on the shooter, her body once more taking off into the frey, dashing between other conflicts as she made her way towards the archer, only for her blind rage to cost her. A blow came out of nowehere, slamming into her and sending her sprawling back into a flip, her tai keeping her on balance as she reared herself forward, once more just in time to catch another blow from this opponent, a man wielding a large unruly club.

Tsuni delivered a kick towards the man chest but shifted her weight at the last minute changing it into a fierce punch, the blow landing on the man’s clavicle, and quickly sending the man to the ground in surprise. Before he could have a moment to recover, Tsuni’s hands grabbed his neck, her tentacle’s restricting him as well, before giving a sharp turn, breaking her enemies neck. This was marked with another arrow making it’s way to her, this stabbing one of her tentacles.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 54/200


“AHH!” Tsuni made a pained face, tears welling up in her eyes for but a moment, but she seemed to recover herself, clenching her teeth as he flung herself forward yet again, this time being able to reached the man, just baring avoiding another arrow fired at her center mass this time by a swirling slithering motion with her tail. Her fists slammed into the more delicately built bandits throat, a kick sending him back unto the ground as jumped herself up into the air before coming back down in a pile driver, her elbow landing squarely on the man’s throat and driving the life from him. Tsuni was ruthless, she was efficient, and she was most certainly that which she had wanted to shape herself to be. Whatever her cute appearance, whatever her true nature, towards the enemies of her village she showed no quarter, viciously having ended three lives without pause or remorse, flipping herself back up to her feet and sending out her tentacle just in time to seize the wrist of a man armed with a hatchet, who been preparing to bare down upon her. A punch to his ribs, stomach, then finally the throat. The man looked dazed and wounded, before she twisted her body about entirely, knocking the hatchet from his hand and reaching out with her extendable appendages to strangle the life from him where he lay, the rest of her body striking a combat pose and looking around for more opponents as she finished this one off. As the life faded from him, she was off once more, moving with the tide of the battle as they swept deeper into the camp, her crimson eyes ever searching for her next victim. She found it in a man who seemed to be fleeing from the first wave, running for his life as his comrades fell…pathetic knave. Tsuni swept along the the ground, lifting a cast aside sword as she passed, and hurled it towards him with a mighty pitch, the blade sticking the man in the leg and halting his retreat. In a moment she was upon him, her fists not even giving him the chance to look her in the eye and seized in head while he was down, twisting once more with force, and finishing him off. That was five now. She whipped herself up and looked around the camp, a few of the mercenaries charging in along with her, Gil himself cleaving a man in twain not far to her left with his large sword.

The main part of the bandit camp was enclosed on the underside of a large cliff, their wooden fortifications and tents the only real cover that they had. They had nowhere to run…this was about to turn into a slaughter. So Tsuni merely did as instinct dictated. She charged once more into the fray. The sound of clanging steel, battle cries, and the ending of lives filled the air, each breath bringing with it the scent of iron in the air, the scent of blood. This was battle. This was what she had been preparing herself for, and it was everything that she had imagined it might be. This was the moment she could shine, could show that she was capable of being a weapon for Oto…and all she had to do was destroy any enemies that she came across…until none remained. The next to fall before her was a tall man with long braided hair, pair of katana’s in his hands as he charged the girl with a vengeance. Tsuni was finally fighting an opponent that outmatched her in raw strength, her little body’s unnatural applied force thusly outweighed by the man’s own, however despite this the way he wielded his katana’s was slow and clumsy, his strikes as he tried to coordinate the two off aim and wild at best. Tsuni allowed Tsuni enough of an advantage to get off her own blow’s in, but she still needed to rely on clones to turnt he extra tide. She wasn’t amazing at avoiding blows herself, and tended to be mre the sort to endure punishment then avoid it, but by slowing the man down bit by bit, taking a defensive stance, she was able to wear him down, finally getting the moment to strike… her hands rose into a sign, her fingers streaking through the hand signs as her breath in took sharply, before she let loose with a massive blast of fire. The man screamed as Tsuni set loose her only real attack Ninjutsu, the flames consuming him as her chakra burned away, leaving her exhausted, but victorious, the man slowly gasping for his own breath as he slowly rose himself off the ground. He was badly burned, and barely able to stand…and Tsuni struck, her fists collided with his chest sending him back, only of her appendages swipping one of the swords he’d dropped from the ground, the heat from her jutsu burning the hilt slightly, and causing pain even as she took it into her hands. Still, she paid this no mind, friving the weapon home into the man’s heart, before immediately turning about and seeking the next foe.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 61/200


The excuse for one that she found was a woman, fighting desperately to convince her that she wasn’t one of the bandits, fighting to trick Tsuni…but it didn’t matter. Tsuni had been ordered to destroy anyone in the enemy camp.
And anyway, if she wasn’t one of the bandits than why was she armed? Did she think Tsuni was stupid. The women dropped the knife behind her back in shock as the monster paid her false pleas no mind, her life slowing fading as the Mazakou merely strangled her with he tentacles, the woman not strong enough to break free. With little pretense, Tsuni tossed the corpse aside, just in time to meet another foe, charging upon bare fisted. Fighting her like that was stupid…she was too strong for civilian to take on bare fisted like that. He died quickly, little more than a fly buzzing before her as she broke his fist heading into hers, then his arm, then his neck. Dropping his limp form lifelessly to the side, Tsuni continued to whirl about, seeking an unengaged opponent, only to find none, so she didn’t wait. She headed straight into the conflict between another mercenary and a bandit cutting and sweeping the bandits legs out from under him, allowing the mercenary a chance to disarm him, before Tsuni went in for the kill…. How many had it been now…?

“Hey! Thanks a lot Tsuni!” The mercenary was one of the one’s she knew from the caravan, she smiled cheerfully, pleased to her core. She’d helped…she was showing them…

“Tsuni is a terrifying weapon big bro, she is just doing her job!” though her face was lit with a huge grin even as she cut back into the thick of the conflict, wrapping her tail around a woman who had been charging towards where Gil was fighting, only to find leavin g her back exposed to be last mistake she make, Tsuni grabbing the woman’s neck in a familiar hold before a loud snap reverberated from it. Again getting into the ritual of tossing her dead opponents aside, Tsuni whipped about just in time to Big Bro Wolfgang enter in from the field out front, most of the attacking force at his heels. It meant that they had cleared up the intial area, that all that was left was these knaves here…

Turning about as Wolfgang’s lightning jutsu seemed to rip through several of the opponents around him, Tsuni whipped about yet again to drive into the thick of it, cruising headlong into a fray that had been stalled over by one of the largest tents. Leaping in beside one of the other Mercenaries, Tsuni thrashed three of the men back with her tail, the mercenaries on either side of her pressing the advantage as she too bore down of the foes’ another exchange of blows sending him to his maker before the Mazakou preformed a flip, making her way into the tent alongside four of the mercenaries, Tsuni herself striking a pose like stance, ready for more…

There, standing over the bodies of two of the other mercenaries, was a rather…intimidating man. He stood tall, wild red hair falling behind him, a large piercing gone through the side of his face as he turned to look at them, a sadistic grin in place. “Hn…well well well…what the hell is that…? You pathetic hired swords I can understand…but are the Otobe sending cute little monsters after us now…?”

The mercenaries didn’t respond charging the man with Tsuni beside them.

“Heh…” the man merely gave a large smirk.

His fists moved like wildfire. One of the mercenaries to Tsuni’s left flew back as a hard blow caught in the throat, choking and hacking, and suddenly tsuni was punching air as behind her the man seized one of her comrades, kicking him high into the air before seizing his midsection, and spinning him around rapidly, slamming his body into the ground, as his neck snapped, Tsuni saw red. One of her big bro’s….one of…her….

“AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH!!!” Tsuni roared, her eyes flashing ferally as she charged the man fists flying, the man striking a pose of his own as flashing forth his own hands in the form of blocks.

“Heh…what the hell…? A monster that know’s Gouken…? AHAHAHA!” A hard fist collided with Tsuni’s stomach, knocking her back a ways but she managed to stay on balance with her tail, his fangs bared as continued to snarl at the man in her rare.

“Tsuni is going to RIP YOU APART!!”

The man laughed, looking almost insanely eager. “HAHAHAHA! Is that right little monster…? Go ahead!” his smile was mad, his teeth exposed in a berserk smile. “Come and show me what you’ve got!!!”

Tsuni roared yet again as she barreled towards him, their fists once more colliding in a mad frenzy as the two opponents clashed. He was using the same art that she was using. Gouken….but…but he was much better at it then she was…and to top it all off he was stronger, faster…

“HA!” the move came again, Tsuni suddenly punched air while the man appeared behind her. Kicking her hard up into the air. Tsuni felt another kick, another, pain shooting through her body causing her to cry out. Her caught her in a vice grip as she began to feel them turn around…then the grip was gone, lighting flashing through the air as the man’s voice cried out in agony.

Tsuni managed to catch herself, stumbling, but she remained upright, despite coughing up a bit of blood.

The man himself was blasted back through the roof of the tent, an arc of lightning still connecting him to Wolfgang, who was standing in the entrance to tent with a stern look on his face. With a suddenly grab of his blade, the took a single step forward, and the latter half of the tent seemed to split open from a cut too fast for Tsuni to see. The wild haired man looked back at them with a slightly agonized smirk on his face revealing long stone passage into the Cliffside, even as Wolfgang began another jutsu, the man rushed inside, barreling down the hallway as he fled, Wolfgang’s jutsu ripping at the Cliffside as the passage shut behind him.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 66/200



That night there was a massive celebrations through as the mercenaries returned to their camps, Tsuni herself merely sitting bandaged up as the medic Nin sent from Oto tended to her wounds. The camp fires seemed like hundreds of shining lights of hope, sending embers off into the sky. Tsuni listened to the songs of victory and accepted her congratulations from her brothers and sister at arms, all the while sitting there contently and not at all paying mind to the pain of her injuries nor the weariness of her body. She was as happy as she had ever been, even if she was going to still have to wash off later to get all the blood off her from those useless knaves she’d killed. She was a real weapon, she’d been field tested in combat now! She’d destroyed 14 enemies of Oto with her own hands, and she was getting praised for it so warmly! It was among the best days of her entire life. So she didn’t join in the celebration, she merely sat by and watched like a proper would, an enormous smile on her face the entire while. Seeing them all so happy, seeing them victorious while those that wanted to hurt them lay dead, defeated, crushed… it gave her a warmth in her chest that made Tsuni want to get up and dance as well…but of course, Weapon’s didn’t dance! She had to maintain self control, after all! She nodded to herself. So she just watched, that smile in place, as the night wore on and the music, music from the far off west, was played on strange instruments that Tsuni was sure hadn’t been in her lessons. She asked questions about them and got all sorts of funny facts, such as that many of them were either made from trees, or a few were even carved out of cow hide…how peculiar. She didn’t know that cow’s did anything besides make milk…

“Tsuni…”

Tsuni looked up before getting an even more adorable look of cheer on her face. “Big Sis Aira!”

Aira was standing over the girl with a forced smile in place, looking down at her with a basket from the kitchen in hand. “Hey there kiddo. Mind if I take a seat?”
Tsuni shone with joy as she gestured for her to take said seat next to her. Airia did so, setting the basket down and sharing the content with Tsuni with her smile in place. “So Kiddo…I hear it was tough battle battle out there for you today.”

Tsuni shook her head. “Tsuni was okay! Big bro Gil and I led a charge in with the others into the main part of their camp, but we beat em no problem!” she then seemed a little less cheerful “Well…until we got that red haired guy…he was really tough.”

Aira nodded, taking a bite from one of the loaves of bread from the basket. “His name is Kojijo the Bloody lotus. He’s a high C-ranked criminal.” She stared out over the camp with a detatched look taking over her smile. “He was there leader, you should be proud that you were able to stand up against him at all…he was the strongest opponent on the field today, most likely, consider the trash we were fighting.”

Tsuni took a hungry bite of the meat that was in the basket the woman had brought, her eyes shining with delight and contentment. “Tsuni could tell that that knave was strong, but he still ran away like a chicken from Biggest bro! Next time Tsuni see’s him she’ll be stronger, she’ll beat him for sure!”

Aira looked over at the little weapon with a slightly lamenting expression.
“Tsuni…say,” she turned her heads back up to the sky, which was slightly dimmed by the light of the campfires, but still shone brightly with stars. “You killed a lot of people today, didn’t you…?”
Tsuni nodded, apparently taking this as more praise. “TSuni did! She vanquished 14 knaves! Everyone was so proud of her! It made Tsuni really happy!”

Aira seemed to be even further saddened by this, looking away. She had to admit she thought that it was funny at first. A little monster like this being a weapon. But after having trained her, after having spent so much time with her… she was far too sweet for this…for the kind of life that she herself had chosen. She didn’t deserve to be thrown into battle and forced to kill other people… It wasn’t amusing ti her anymore…it wasn’t…right. “Tsuni, are you sure you don’t need to talk about…?”

Tsuni completely misunderstood what she was saying. “Sure! First, there was this one that was still surprised from the attack, Tsuni took him down easy with a few quick punches and broke his back with-“

“NO!” Tsuni stopped looking slightly surprised and startled, cringing slightly as though she had suddenly been slapped. Aira was looking away now. “That’s…not what I meant.” She said, finally looking back, Tsuni now merely looking confused. “I meant do you need to talk about…how your feel about what happened…?”

Tsuni blinked not understanding her. “Tsuni feels happy that she was able to do good as a weapon…” she suggested, as though still not sure what sort of answer he big sis wanted from her on the matter.

Aira cringed slightly at this answer, again looking away. “I….see.”

Tsuni blinked, tilting her head slightly, clearly confused. “Did Tsuni…do something wrong, Big Sis?”

Aira turned round with a warm smile, suddenly reaching out with her arms and taking the little monster into a hug. “No Tsuni…you…didn’t do anything wrong.” Tsuni looked surprised at this action. On the one hand, it felt really warm and nice to be held like this. It felt like what she’d imagine having a Momma felt like. It was how Doctor Mom hugged her. On the other hand, weapons did most certainly NOT indulge in stuff like hugs.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 72/200


She wriggled trying to get free. “B-Big Sis! Tsuni is a big scary weapon and she does not need hugs! She is very embarrassed by them!” Aira was laughing, still hugging the girl.

“Well too bad. Big Sis Aira says that you need a hug!”

“Awwwww!” Tsuni whined. “Big Siiiiisss! Let Tsuni go please! This is NOT weapon-like behavior!”

“Oh really,” Aira said releasing the girl, “Then how about THIS.” And the girl began to tickle the monster causing Tsuni to let loose her bizaare, yet somehow adorable, laugh.

“FuafuafuafuafuafuafuaA!” Tsuni giggled as the woman tickled her. “B-big Sis Stop it! Weapon’s don’t get tickled either! Fuafuafuafuafuafua!” But Tsuni’s warm delighted smile was back on her face, joy in her heart even as she tried to escape the woman’s tickling.

“Hey now, you wouldn’t happen to be picking on Tsuni now, would you Aira?”
Wolfgang was walking up to them, a smile in his lips as usual.

“Hey boss.” Aira said ceasing in her tickling, and giving bit more of a smile to him.

“B-biggest bro!” Tsuni pointed at Aira. “Tell Big Sis Aira not ta tickle Tsuni!”
Wolgang gave a low gruff chuckle at this. “Sorry, I think I’m a bit too tired to after getting you…this.” Wolfgang reached behind him, and pulled from around his back a massive six foot Dai-Katana, just like the kind that Big Sis Aira had.

Tsuni’s jaw nearly dropped in joy. “B-b-b-b-Biggest Bro…”Tsuni’s eyes welled up with Tears of joy. “For Tsuni?”

Wolfgang merely nodded. “I said that when you’d taken out your first ten opponents I would didn’t I? I’m a man of my word.” He handed the girl the blade and the monster almost immediately began to snuggle it as though it was teddy Bear.

“OOOOOOH! Thank you biggest bro! Tsuni loves it SOOOOOOOOO much!

She promises to use it to rain death on her enemies!” she actually leapt up and gave the man hug herself, causing Aira to laugh.

“What happened to big tough weapons not giving hugs huh?” Aira inquired with a loud laugh in her voice.

Tsuni turned red and released the Mercenary leader, her tentacles taking the Daikatana and stowing it away behind her. “T-Tsuni made an exception in this case! She is still a super strong and deadly weapon!”

Wolfgang, Aira, and several of the other mercenaries nearby, started laughing, Tsuni puffing up her face into an indignant pout, but it slowly melted away into a smile. Yes. This was definitely the happiest day of her life.


The next morning however, when Tsuni emerged from her own tent with a large stretch, and approached her big sis Aira for training usual, she found Gil waiting for here instead, offering her one of his usual friendly waves.

“Good morning Big Bro Gil,” Tsuni greeted with her usual attempt at being a proud and noble deadly weapon. “Where is big sis Aira, is she busy today?”

Gil gave a light shrug. “Dunno, she asked to be reassigned to another duty. I think the Boss said something about being sent out on Scouting missions.”

Tsuni's attempt at being stern and professional faltered slightly, a tinge of hurt entering her face. Big Sis Aira…didn’t want to teach her anymore…? But…she’d seemed so happy just the last night, she said that…that… Tsuni suddenly thought back now. Now that she thought about it, Big Sis Aira was the only one who hadn’t mentioned to her what a good job she had done. Everyone else had told her how amazing she had done…especially biggest bro…but big sis Aira… she hadn’t. Was…was Tsuni not doing good enough…? Was she not good enough for big sis to teach…? She held in her feelings of dejection. She probably just…didn’t think that Tsuni needed anymore help…right…? Tsuni shook her head. No. That wasn’t right at all. Tsuni still needed a lot of help. She was weak compared to people like Big sis Aira and that red haired guy from the day before. She could take on non-shinobi and maybe a few people who were vaguely trained in chakra use, but when she came up against a real Ninja, she would be in for the fight of her life. There would be little to no way that should be able to withstand the wrath of a real warrior in her current state. She still had such a long way to go until she could truly call herself a successful weapon….she knew that very well. So why was it that her big sis would want to move away from her training? She had been doing well, she thought, she had been learning so much and her big Sis was so strong! She knew that she had so much more that she could learn, so much more that Big Sis had to teach her… but…

“Say, you okay there my little terror?” Tsuni looked up at Gil who was raising a brow at her apparent attempt to hide disappointment and dejection.
“Heeey, it’s okay, Boss man says that I can train with you from now on.”
Tsuni tilted her head slightly. “But…big bro gil isn’t any stronger than Tsuni…” she pointed out as though this was obvious.

Gil chuckled. “Cheeky little whip,” he noted with a slight slanted grin but gave her a wink. “but fair enough. All the more reasons we can work to get stronger together. We’ll work just as hard side by side, and all that.”

Tsuni gave a small recovery of a smile. “Tsuni supposes…that she would like that.” But deep down, she couldn’t really say that she was entirely satisfied. Not really. She didn’t feel right lying to a big bro, of course, but…she didn’t want to disappoint one even more. There was no reason to burden him with her troubles…

The few days, as the mercenaries continued to move south, driving forward the Hidden sound’s wrath to those that had defiled rice country…no, the Rice Federation, Tsuni drove herself into her training like a thing possessed. For every moment she was given she pushed herself to the brink of what her body could handle, even practicing her fire Ninjutsu as a last resort should her fist’s fail her. She thrashed and slashed, and swung her new Dai-Katana until her hands bled… and all the while she refused to even so much as allow herself to rest. In turning her aside, in turning her training to another so casually, Aira had, it seemed, unintentionally driven Tsuni far harder than she might have even had she continued to teach her. And Gil, the poor young man, was forced to do so alongside the girl…it was by far among the most grueling times of her life, shortly after one of the happiest… but if anything, that only made Tsuni realize that if one truly wanted happiness…if one truly wanted to be content and get what they desire, then they needed to cast aside childish things. They needed to become strong and purge themselves of weakness….or, if not for everyone, then it was the only way that a weapon could be happy. It was the only way that someone like her could be satisfied.
 

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 77/200

Blades clashed, Tsuni’s Dai-katana sending sparks of Gil’s own large sword, before the two spun about, Gil having to perform and last second flip in addition to avoid a swipe from the girl’s tentacle, a smile on his face. “Heh, hey Tsuni…” Poor Gil had been forced to keep up with the girl’s relentless strive for perfection, and though he would admit that he was improving his own skills vastly because of it, it was…exhausting, keeping up with her, to say the least.

“You know we’re supposed to be going on a mission later, don’t you think that we should give it a rest…? Conserve our energy?” He wasn’t really sure when he had started seeing the little monster as equal, but when one saw her fighting like she did, putting so much into the effort, Gil for one couldn’t really say that he considered her just the troops adorable little mascot anymore.

Tsuni was sweating just as profusely as Gil, her breath labored as one of her extre appendages reached up to wipe her brow. “….Okay…” she admitted, sitting back on her tail while Gil gave a sigh of relief and slumped down into a sitting position. It wasn’t that Tsuni was any less exhausted that Gil, she merely had a brighter fire driving her onward, powering her through the fatigue, and pushing her to keep going in spite of it. “Tsuni…wanted to know…?” Gil looked up at her as he took up a nearby flask of water, unscrewing the top as he raised a brow. “What…sort’ve mission is she and Big Bro Gil going on…?”
Gil took a long swig from the flask before tossing it to Tsuni, who caught, naturally, with one of her tentacles. He swore she was just getting better and better with those things. “Dunno. The Boss didn’t say, but…” he seemed to adapt a more thoughtful pose. “On a guess…?” he leaned back after he tossed the water to Tsuni, looking speculative and allowing his muscles to relax. “I’d say that we’re probably going to be sent out to scout the surrounding villages. We’ve pretty much pacified this particular region, so before we move we’re just sending out enjoys to ensure the situations stable. Don’t wanna get caught fighting a battle on two fronts ya know?”

Tsuni nodded, She could see how that could a problem. It was difficult to maintain a defensive line with enemies coming from multiple directions, and even harder when they were coming from two opposite ones. She herself though, didn’t really care how the battle was situated, she was a weapon born to stand and fight…born to destroy. It was her purpose, and whether the enemy came from all directions or one, she would fight just the same. “But then…” Tsuni inquired lifting a brow. “we’re just going to be poking around a bunch of serf dwellings…? That doesn’t sound very exciting…” she stated, more than complained. She didn’t want to complain after all, it wasn’t her place. Even as comfortable as she was with Big bro Gil, she still knew her place as a weapon. She followed the orders of her Big Siblings.

Gil laughed at her observation. “Well, hopefully at any rate. The best scouting mission is one where you don’t find anything…if we do end up finding an enemy, it’ll only be the two us to deal with it.”

Tsuni merely sat up straight, as though rather haughty. “Tsuni will protect Big Bro Gil with her life! He doesn’t have to worry!”

Gil gave another laugh and a smile. “Thanks Tsuni. I know you’ve got my back.” At this Tsuni’s reserved nature melted away into a bashful smile and she wiggled slightly, content with the praise. Gil shook his head in bemusement. He didn’t at all have the same moral problems with Tsuni’s situation that Aira did. As far as he was concerned, Tsuni was one of them, and fighting was just what they did. It was just another part of life and leisure. So a few bandits and no good scum got put down, what was it to give a little to those who gave…? That was the destiny of those who took lives. So long as you were willing to die at the hand of the people you were killing, there was else to be done. War was the game of people risking their own lives to take those of their enemies. In Gil’s eyes he was nothing more than a gambling man, and Tsuni…? Well she was just a born gambling girl. No matter who she killed in the line of duty, no matter what “evil’s” she committed, so long as she had the same attitude she did now about it, it couldn’t dark her soul. He supposed that Aira was working under some delusion that the whitest paper stained the blackest, but Gil knew Tsuni better than that. Tsuni was far from white or innocent. She was fully aware of what it meant to take a life…she just didn’t care. She knowingly cast aside the worth of people she didn’t consider precious, because she thought was what made a good weapon. There was no point in trying to say that Tsuni didn’t know any better. She was a killer, she knew was a killer, and Gil couldn’t care less. He liked Tsuni as a sister at arms, and their hands were just as blood stained as each others…what was point in looking down on Tsuni just because she was young…? Gil may have loved Aira to death, but he still didn’t really approve of her just dropping Tsuni as her pupil like that. As the person who’d taken the rough place of her, even it was more as an equal sparring partner, he got a look first hand at how it affected the Mazakou.  

[The Ghost of Xmas Awesome]

Tsuni
Human Form
LV. 5
Hp: 55
Cp: 65
MHp: 45

Training: The Power of the Mazakou! I'm the strongest weapon!
Description: Tsuni will lift weights until she becomes the strongest EVER!
Forumla: 1d20+Str mod
Str: (human form) +2
DC: Str mod +10
Roll: 10 or more
Train: 83/200



“Tsuni, Gil,” one of the many other Mercenaries that Tsuni had made friends with approached them with a casual smile, a scroll in his hand. “Orders from the boss, looks like you two are headed out.”

Gil gave a sigh and laugh, springing back to his feet. “Heh, damn, already? Yer killing us Iki.” He gave a long stretch as Tsuni also picked herself from the ground, looking ready to go after another wipe of her brow, finishing the flask of water Gil had tossed her in the same moment.

“Tsuni is ready to go!” the Mazakou informed striking her practically trade mark combat pose, as though to prove she was ready rather than merely say it.

Gil rubbed his neck slightly, but looked ready none the less. “So where are we headed then?”

Iki tossed the Gil the scroll, resting both hands in his hips as he did so. “Looks like you two are heading out to Nonoua. Boss doesn’t foresee any problems, should be a pretty blue milk run. Just the usual. Scout the area, talk to the elder, make sure it’s all on the level, blah blah blah.”

Gil read the scroll regardless, finishing it before rolling it up and giving a sigh. “Well, it’s not the closest of the potential villages, but we’re set to rendezvous back by the end of the week at least. Not much more that we can ask, I guess.” He hinted at Tsuni. “Let’s go Tsu.”

Hauling up his big sword and securing it cross his back, Tsuni storing her own away behind her, the pair stocked up on supplies for the journey, and set off, the Oto countryside soon all that greeted them on either side.

The South of Rice Country, overlapping it’s border with the vast and endless forests of the Land of Fire, was lush and green, and far more thick with the same vast forests as said neighbor, than the rest of the country which tended to be rather flat, if fertile. Perfect terrain for growing rice, of course, but then that was how the Land got it’s name. In reality, even it was sort’ve amazing how one man could have changed a country to such an extent. Long ago, 600 years, by common reckoning, a man by the name of Orochimaru had come to rice country. A Ninja with the powers of a Kage, and the vision of a mad man, had come and turned rice country to his cause…he became the very first Otokage. The very first sound shadow. He forged the wandering clans of Rice into the Village hidden in the sound, and with a great deal of effort over the years, long after the first’s death, that village turned into a thriving metropolis. But even more so, this man planted the seeds for so many more things to grow, beyond his evil intention, beyond his wicked ways, he was the reason that Tsuni was standing their now, that Gil was standing their now. If not for the Otobe, he would never have come to this land, and Tsuni would never have been born without his research. It was almost strange how one man’s greed and lust for power could someday turn into something…good. When history had it’s say, it was the deeds that outlasted a man, and not the intent behind them. It was his deeds which would carry on through history, far longer than the intent behind them. The ripples in the water that was the world were still going from one man’s actions so long ago… in a way, Orochimaru, the man who sought immortality, had gotten what he’d wanted…in a way. Though he had been killed, his legacy carried on beyond those of his opponents. It had outlasted them, and in the end Orochimaru’s efforts to attain that which he wanted, and born fruit…merely not in the way the First Otokage had been expecting.

Tsuni was glancing around at the surrounding forest, her body having shifted into human form before they had left to avoid the usual stir that came with her appearance. She didn’t really mind being in human form that much now, she was used to it. True it was very different indeed from her true form, but she supposed that was to be expected. She would just have to train until this for was strong too! She had not yet discovered that when one form got stronger, so too did the other, but she was already slowly starting to see the results. Whereas before only her skill benefitted her considerably weaker human form, now all her training in her true form and given it muscle, allowing to at least be able to look the part of the average beginning Genin. She hadn’t yet been given her head band, but Wolfgang had already promised her that he’d ordered one, the girl’s talents already well qualifying her for the position. This of course was one of the most exciting things ever to the little Mazakou. She would be considered a member of the village’s official shinobi force, as approved by the Otokage himself. She would be one more step along her path to becoming a great weapon of Oto!

The village eventually came into sight through the tree’s as the pair traveled along, their eyes coming to rest on a small watch tower in the tree’s above, and the villager on watch signaling to another of their coming presence.
“Huh…”

This mere mention was enough to cause Tsuni to look over at Gil quizzically. “What is it big bro?”

Gil was lifting a brow slightly, giving an odd glance at the action of the villager, and indeed, the fact that they had such a guard tower at all. “Nothing, it’s just a little odd that they’d be that on guard way out here. I mean sure there’s been some rough times of late, but they’re a farming village and two travelers passing through shouldn’t be too much of a thrill.”

“Maybe they’re paranoid after all the bandits in the area…” Tsuni theorized.

“They might be scared little babies because the old weak guy in charge couldn’t protect them like the New Oto can…”

Gil seemed to humor the idea. “well I suppose that might be one idea…and I guess we are ARMED travelers at least.” He dropped the matter as they continued to approach the small village, their arrival rather unceremonious as life in the little hamlet seemed to going on as usual.