Hell Arc (Itachi's, ask before joining)

Mystogan waited quietly outside of the Issaikages office, rotating a message scroll in his fingers, his eyes narrowed in deep thought. He thought back to what the message had said.

Dear Mystogan
It is my duty to inform you that the blood traitor of our Clan, Cyalus, has finally been located in the obscure Village Hidden in the Ash. While it is not your mission to do so, we felt we should give you the option to retrieve him yourself. We recommend a team if you choose to do so, the Village he is in does not take kindly to unwelcome guests so stealth is a must. I hope you are doing well Myst

Mystogan waited. He'd put out a request for volunteers but if no one showed he'd go it alone.

From the back room, a door opened and a young man walked out. He was about fourteen in age, but it was clear that his eyes said something different as to his experience. He had a short sword strapped to the side of each hip, along with several various weapon pouches, and a bow and quiver strapped to his back. He walked over and looked over at Mystogen for a moment as he parted the white hair that nearly covered his eyes.

"You the guy asking for volunteers?" the boy asked until he received a response. Once he learned who Mystogen was, he quickly shot a hand forward. "Name's Hissori. Hope I can help you out," he said simply.

Mystogan looked at the hand in a contemplative manner. He then reached out and grabbed Hissori's hand as he nodded in acknowledgment that he was, indeed, the guy who had asked for help. He pondered the boy in front of him, not much older than him. But the eyes said something that typical age defining features couldn't. Looking at Hissori's arsenal of weapons, Mystogan felt slightly out of place with only his three kunai. He reminded himself that Hissori probably wasn't as adept to unarmed combat as Mystogan was, but really all that mattered was Mystogan now had help. He released Hissori's hand and leaned back against the wall.

Hissori held the handshake until Mystogen let go, he wasn't sure how long the appropriate handshake should be in a situation like this. Still, things seemed to be going off well enough. "I was told about the mission, but I was informed that the specific details would only be given to me once I met up with the man in charge," Hissori said as he locked eyes with Mystogen. "So, may I ask what exactly you hope that I contribute to this mission of yours?"

Mystogan looked down and sighed. "3 years ago, before I came to Issaigakure to become a ninja, I trained under a great Sensei with one other student. You see, fire chakra is dangerous in my clan, and not many survive the clan initiation. We were the only three fire users in our whole clan. I was the younger of the two students, the older was Rakos. We trained with our Sensei day and night, mastering our chakra type in order to ensure the safety of those around us. But Rakos wasn't satisfied with the idea that we weren't allowed to hold positions of power in our clan. He thought we should rule. He got into a heated argument with our sensei, which ended in our Sensei dying. I snapped, did the typical foolish thing and exploded in fury. Levelled my home and my place of memories in the process, but I got my revenge. Or so I thought until 6 months ago when I got word that a man matching Rakos' description had been apart of a group of mercenaries."

Mystogan looked up. "If it is him, it's my job to either capture him or kill him. But I'll need help getting to him and perhaps dealing with him. That's why I sent out the request."

"Interesting, so this is personal for you," Hissori remarked as he looked up at the ceiling. His mind was already racing with thoughts. He now couldn't help but wonder if Mystogen was really the right man to lead such a mission. It was possible that his own feelings could get in the way and potentially cause him to make mistakes. He had a personal vendetta against this man, and it might cause the boy to make incorrect decisions. Hissori would just have to hope that they could assassinate this man before anything terrible happened.

"Very well than, I trust that you have a picture or accurate description of him so that the rest of us will know what he looks like?"

"He'll have a tattoo like this one" Mystogan said pulling down the bandana around the lower half of his face, revealing the swirling dragon tattoo over his eye. "And if all else fails hell be the fast moving one covered in and punching you with fire."

The last part was a joke, but the lack of emotion in Mystogan's face or in his voice did not betray this as he pulled up his mask. "I want to wait to see if one or two more people show. If not then its just you and me."

Hissori gave a small nod as he heard the serious intent that was in Mystogen's voice. So, this guy wasn't kidding with anything that he said. So, apparently they were hoping for more but it was possible that it might just be the two of them. "Very well, than for now we wait I suppose."

Miguel walked quickly walked through the office the back of mind filled with the thought of him being lostin this building. His mind was put at his ease when he spotted two ninja who by the looks of it seemed to be talking about something important. As he approched Miguel tried to plan on what he would say. That endeavour prooved fruitless however as he had nothing by time he walked up. instinctivly he greeted them "Hello, I heard someone was looking for volunteers. I am assuming by how you where talking that is one of you two?" 'They both seem a bit young.' He tought, before remembering that age does not always have a connection with skill. He held out a hand for which ever was the first to respond to him to take. "My name is Miguel, and I would like to help. I have some skill that may provide useful depending on what you need." He tried to prepare for what ever was needed, but for now he was to wait and see.

Mystogan nodded. "Thank you for your assistance. I had not expected to be able to enlist anyone other than a couple of egotistical Genin. I appreciate both of your help. We should be on our way. While we're on our way to the Village Hidden in the Ash I'll discuss with you techniques to counter-act several of my clans techniques, for its believed that our target has created a small group of pseudo technique users. By the way, my name is Ukiton Mystogan, and my specialties lie in close quarters hand to hand combat. This is Hissori. I think it would be best we become acquainted with each others style before wading into combat."

Mystogan started walking out of the office and out of Issaigakure. If anyone had bothered to notice he was completely bare of any supplies typically seen for a journey save for a kunai holster on his left thigh and, if one looked carefully, a kunai secreted in his right sleeve.

"Hissori Bikou," Hissori said as their leader thought that it would be best to understand one another's names and capabilities. He was right of course, no team could function blindly without knowing what was needed from the others. They would have to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, or else they would not be able to do much for one another. "I specialize in the use of weapons, stealth, and reconnaissance. I was raised in Ame to be a true shinobi, no offense to either of you," Hissori said sincerely as they left the city. "They wanted me to be taught in the old ways, how not to be seen and how to most effectively kill your target before they know you're even there."

"I guess this is a foreign policy here." Miguel looked towards his hand with a bit of disappointment. As the other introduced themselves he began to think of what he would say to them. When they finished he quietly cleared his throat before he began talking. "Well then, my full name is Miguel Hiton, and I am a puppet master." Miguel took great pride in saying that. For the most part that made him different, and he enjoyed that feeling. "Other skills I own is that I also have some medical training, and fire justu, that is in my opinion barely enough to call basic." He decided to wait until they had started walking before he said anything else. To tell the truth he didn't know how much he should say. " Like Hissori, my training came from elseware, but rest assured the skill I possess is sharpened and ready tfor use."

'How interesting, all three of us trained outside of the village but all came to Issaigakure.' Mystogan thought to himself as he walked.

Upon Hissori's comment about being trained in the old ways of being a ninja Mystogan waved a hand. "No offense taken. I'm not even really a ninja, I can't even make a simple clone of myself haha. It'll be good to have stealth on our side.

As he listened to Miguel he nodded. "Puppets maybe useful and medical ninjutsu is invaluable on a mission. We're lucky to have you along on this. Thank you both, I probably would have perished alone but my honor dictates I handle this stain on my clans honor."

Hissori gave a nod, glad that his comment had not made enemies amongst the people that he would be working with. It would be bad to start off with a strained relationship after all. The puppet user was bound to be helpful, puppet jutsu always was. Perhaps there would be a way for them to make use of that. Hissori's strategic mind was already contemplating the possibilities.

"You obviously have the right to keep this to yourself if that is your wish," Hissori began as he looked to Mystogen. "However, I would humbly request that you share with us what this man did to your clan exactly. If I know the full story, I might be able to use that to my advantage against him."

Miguel pondered about what was being said before making a remark to Hissori's. "I think I will stay neutral on that one. Weither he tells us or not would mostly be extra information we might not even be ablr to use." He didn't really see anyimportance to the information, but then again he didn't know it either. It could proove usefull, but it also could not Miguel just didn't want to waste time at the moment. "I also had an Inquiry if you would indulge me. How long do you suspect this little mission would take? I have no problem with length I just need to know how much supplys would be needed for it."

Mystogan paused. "He corrupted the flame that is supposed to be used for protection of others into a weapon of mass murder. Not only did he kill our master, he killed many of our clan including my sister and father. The head of the clan was wounded to such a degree he had to pass on the leadership well before he should have needed to, and if it is him in the reports he is desecrating my clans name just by using the techniques he learned for personal gain. And as to your question, I don't foresee this taking longer than a week. By then well be dead or he'll be dead."

Mystogan then continued walking. "The thing to know about my clans techniques is that while they are of elemental alignment, in this case fire, there is tremendous strength and speed behind each attack. It is said that a master of one of our styles is the equivilant of a tailed beast in speed and strength, though the masters make a point never to release their full potential for it would undoubtably destroy wherever they were in the process. Combonation techniques are most effective, specifically water and earth. It prevents high speed movement and can foil both the fire and the physical force of our blows. Thankfully he never learned the higher ranked techniques, or these tactics may in fact be useless. But without the training and the scrolls, which I am the sole owner of, he has no hope of unlocking further than 2, maybe three of the Dragon Gates."

Hissori gained the smallest of smiles, though beneath his face mask it was very hard to see, and looked over at Miguel. "I was taught in Ame not only how to kill your enemy, but make sure that their spirit never recovers even if their body does. To know the man that we are trying to take down....I will need to know everything," Hissori said as he looked over at Mystogen. "That is how I will be the best to you. If you must hold back information so be it, but do it knowing that you limit my capabilities by doing so," he remarked.

After all of the information was given, Hissori couldn't help but be fascinated by all of this. Interesting, a man wiping out his own clan and family. There were some seeds ready to be planted in this man's mind, and Hissori knew just how do it. "Mystogen, if asked would you be able to draw pictures of your clan members? I believe that it might be useful to me if you could."

"So it must be safe to assume that this flame is very powerful?" Miguel asked as he wondered if it was the flame that was told to them or the person using it. "There could be other scenario's that could be key, but saying them all may take more time then anyone should ever spend on the topic." He then turned towards Hissori the topic that the other volenteer said seemed logical. "That's one think I will agree with you on at least. Knowing who needs to be crushed is almost as important as how hard it will be to crush them. Well that may not be the best of word choices, but it works." He had put much thought into it until he had said it, but after it was said he nodded in approval to his own statement. "we may also make haste to begin the longer we spend talking, even walking as we are it feels like we are underutiziling the time we have to get out there."

Mystogan pulled a couple of frayed pictures out of a pocket inside of his shirt and handed them to Hissori. He then nodded to Miguel. "It's considered in my clan to being a fire user is both a gift and a curse. We wield tremendous power, but many of us lack the control to use it without destroying everything around us."

He walked up to a rock, checking around it quickly first to make sure there was nothing flammable or even alive on or around it. "I'll demonstrate."

He drew back his hand and punched the rock quite forcefully, causing it to break where he struck it. However, this was only the force of the punch. A blast of flame struck the rock as well and continued onwards for a feet, leaving the rock steaming and creaking until it fragmented further as it started cooling. "That is our most basic strike. So you can imagine what our higher level attacks are capable of. And you are of course right Miguel. Let us continue quickly."

He turned and blurred as he started running quickly through the woods towards a distant smoking volcano.

Hissori took the photos and quickly began flipping through them. Yes, these would do nicely. He'd have to some help from Mystogen, but perhaps Hissori's skills would come even more in handy than he initially thought. If this man was really anything like Mystogen described, they were going to need all the help that they could get.

Hissori watched as the technique struck the rock and performed the damage that it did. He stuck the photos on his inside shirt pocket, not wanting them to be damaged in any way. "Fascinating, seems like we'll have to make sure not to get hit at all," Hissori remarked. "Luckily stealth is a specialty of mine," he admitted with a smile before watching Mystogen run to the volcano.

Hissori quickly flickered and began to follow.

Miguel nodded as he wathed Mystogen's demenstration "I see, well I know a bit of fire myself. It is obviously not as powerful as this, but I do have some knowlage of techniques of this nature." He turns his head towards Hissori " I do hope they help you. I don't think I would get much use out of them however." Miguel had taken a little to think, but when he snapped back into reality the two others had begun running through the woods towards a volcano. He quickly sped up so he could catch them before they noticed he wasn't right behind. "You should be better at those techniques right? He didn't pull too far a head when it came to training correct?" He didn't feel to great asking, but he had a strong feeling that he must know who was the stronger.

Mystogan shook his head. "Neither of us was the stronger. While his strikes had more force than I could generate behind them I could control the techniques better and thus focus the damage. He is a flame thrower, I'm a cutting torch. Which would you rather get hit by."

As the continued running the skies grew darker, but not from rain. Ash was heavy in the air, small particles of it dancing like snow around them. Mystogan pulled up short and waited for the others to gather around him. "Now, from what I understand we don't have great information on this Village due to its location and ever changing appearance. We should be more cautious in our approach now. You two, however, are far more seasoned than I am so I am more than willing to listen to your input on this. I need your help after all."

((WOW! Sorry guys, dropped the ball. I legitimately did not notice a post. My bad!))

"They'll help me," Hissori remarked with a confident smile. "I don't quite know how yet, but I assure you that they will in the end. There is the physical battle of the shinobi, and the mental. Both are important, if we can't outnumber him or out beat him than I plan to out think him," Hissori explained but left it at that. The specifics of his plan he'd keep to himself for now. After all, there was no point in bringing it up unless he could foresee a future opportunity.

"With a village like this, stealth would be the best approach. We don't know how they treat foreigners, we might draw a lot of attention by just showing up," Hissori remarked. "However...I think I could come up with a way to sneak in without arousing much, if any, suspicion," he offered. "My former master taught me how to change appearances without using any chakra, the old fashioned way," Hissori said with a smile.

"With your permission Mystogen, I could make sure that none of us looked as we appeared to be. I could make it so that they'll think we are weary travelers, they won't even suspect us of being shinobi," Hissori added. He paused for a moment before adding the last part. "However, since I've never worked with you two before I will admit that it will take some time....if we can afford it, I do think that it would be the safest way to enter the village. It would also guarantee that your enemy will have no chance of recognizing you or your chakra....yet."

((If Crimosn doesn't post tomorrow I'll post))

((I am having a little bit of trouble setting up my temporary computer. My ability to type with athis laptop is a little messed up as well. every other letter needs to be pressed twice.))