Dragonball M, Chapter 1: Silent Menace Aproaches!

[Noldere]

"There's a couple of plans in motion to gather the remaining Dragon Balls, but what about the defense of the ones already here? What measures have you to conceal- and if necessary, protect- the ones in our possession on the off chance the tournament's merely a feint to make an attempt on the largest gathering of these things?"

"Ehh, Kami said something about being able to hide them if it came down to it and my tech couldn't. She said she was reluctant to do so unless absolutely needed, as hiding them woudl require much of her focus and power when the time comes. She said it is doable, but wanted to see what I could come up with first."

"If you'd like, I may be able to help with the former- that is, coming up with something to mask the Dragon Ball's presence. Unless the things are a whole lot odder or stronger than I think, I should be able to block whatever they emit- and the Dragon Radar over there detects- with a sufficiently defined barrier," Kai says as he creates a Dragon Ball sized barrier in the palm of his hand as an example. "If so, all that'd need to be done is figure out how to recreate what I'm doing with your tech and we'll be set."

~Sometime after Slak's meet and greet~

Though it had slipped his mind at some point during the first meeting, the end of the second had brought a certain matter back to Kai's attention. Namely, that of the Dragon Balls and their obfuscation and defense.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaah...

To be honest, the damn things really did seem more bothersome to keep around than not. Sure, the ability to get any two of one's desires simply fulfilled- no questions asked- was a temptation many would die- or kill- for, especially given how relatively straightforward (if not necessarily easy) the method of meeting the prequisite was even without the absurdity of a device that simply found them for you. But that, in itself, was the problem; something as powerful as the ability to warp reality in two ways of one's choosing was, in theory and evidentally in practice, as simple as completing the mother of all egg hunts.

It was absurd- no, it was infuriating.

Relatively powerless and inconsequential as he was, the idea that this world was currently in danger because some idiot thought granting wishes to anyone capable of finding seven little balls, a thing which was apparently now as easy as simply spending a bit of effort, money, and time to dig them up...

Well, to say that he wanted to tear his way to and through the heavens, rend them from the sky, and slaughter the gods that lived there, just so there would be no hope or recourse for the one responsible when he came for them would be an excessive exaggeration.

What wasn't an exaggeration- excessive or otherwise- was the fact he should probably go check with Jinzi on the matter of concealing the presence of the Dragon Balls from the enemy. But while the possibility- and feasibility- of simply destroying the Dragon Balls was currently unknown to him, he knew- or at the very least, he trusted- that the simpler act of concealing them was definitely possible.

It was just a matter of figuring out how.

With that purpose in mind, Kai set out to find their host.

[Sub-Zero MKA]

Totoma gave a brief nod of acknowledgement to Chou when he left, then turned his attention back to Sarada.

Ah, the name of the planet... did it even have a name? Hm.

"Planet Vejituh, I think," replied Totoma. "It's... about halfway between Vacado and Earth, but a bit closer to Earth."

It would have been a perfectly habitable planet, save for the wildlife, which was... not welcoming. Might be a good training place, though. Lots of food, water, higher-than-normal gravity... strong wildlife. Maybe that's why those Saiyans had stopped there?

"Still, that guy's strength was just unreal. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't been there," said Totoma. "I mean, how in the heck does someone even get that strong, in the first place?"

A thought occurred to Totoma. "...could he have been a Super Saiyan? I mean, normal Saiyans don't get that strong, so..."

He was (probably) a Saiyan and his power was definitely "super", so... that would make him a "Super Saiyan" in a sense, right?

She hadn't ever heard of that planet before. If a team of saiyans ended up there, she could only imagine that Mato wanted to try and annex the planet. It must have been at least a decent training ground. "Never heard of it."

When Totoma suggested that whoever it was was a Super Saiyan, she shook her head furiously. "No. No way. He'd have to be much stronger than that." According to the legends, Vocado had a power level in the hundreds of thousands when he transformed for the first time. Granted, that number had probably been inflated over the many, many years since it happened, but the point still remained.

"No, he'd have to be stronger. Vocado was in the hundreds of thousands when he ascended." Besides, there was no guarantee that he was even a saiyan. Saiyans just didn't kill other saiyans for no reason. When it did happen, it was during a duel, announced and agreed upon beforehand. Murder in any other circumstance was punishable by banishment. As for how anyone, including a saiyan, got that strong, she had no idea.

Vocado was an anomaly. Even exceptional saiyans only got up to around ten thousand at best.

It didn't take too long for Karine to reach the bathing area, it was more grand in size and style then she thought. Then again, our host is rich to put it lightly. Only stands to reason.

Being exposed to water was a pain for her kind, but it wasn't too bad besides slightly weakening her powers with prolonged use. Luckily the ideas of water acting like a sort of acid was wrong, among the host of other silly things like being unable to come into a home unvited. She was really baffled how that myth came about even if she knew 'vampires' were really bits and pieces of truth of her kind in a modern sense.

She could only conclude it had been from a particular serial killer that had their own quirk or trademark. It did fit something she knew of..

Shaking the musings aside, Karine stripped down before submering into the water. If she had her way, she would downsized the damned things in reference to her chest, they had certainly gotten in the way of things more then once though no one was here. Public beaches she'd probably have to be dragged kicking and screaming to, she couldn't remember the last time she had went in her older years. At least there wasn't anyone around.

Her content happy sigh and general peaceful mood faltered when just five feet away after the steam died down, she made out the form of Sarada. She didn't like the Sayain, but she could deal with being on civil terms. That she could handle at least.

A naked Totoma was another matter entirely.

Karine sunk deeper into the water in embarrassment, only the mop of her hair and red eyes were visible. Perhaps if she played it smart she could make her escape unnoticed by either..

"Eh?"

Someone else stepped inside the bath and immediately sunk down, as if hiding from sight. Sarada could just barely make out some hair and a pair of red eyes. Wait, it was that one girl who flipped her **** when Sarada taunted Totoma for being a half-breed. What was her name?

Karine?

For ****'s sake.

Well, she wasn't close to ready to get out yet, so she stayed still, only allowing a deep sigh to announce her annoyance.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

~Sometime after Slak's meet and greet~

Though it had slipped his mind at some point during the first meeting, the end of the second had brought a certain matter back to Kai's attention. Namely, that of the Dragon Balls and their obfuscation and defense.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaah...

To be honest, the damn things really did seem more bothersome to keep around than not. Sure, the ability to get any two of one's desires simply fulfilled- no questions asked- was a temptation many would die- or kill- for, especially given how relatively straightforward (if not necessarily easy) the method of meeting the prequisite was even without the absurdity of a device that simply found them for you. But that, in itself, was the problem; something as powerful as the ability to warp reality in two ways of one's choosing was, in theory and evidentally in practice, as simple as completing the mother of all egg hunts.

It was absurd- no, it was infuriating.

Relatively powerless and inconsequential as he was, the idea that this world was currently in danger because some idiot thought granting wishes to anyone capable of finding seven little balls, a thing which was apparently now as easy as simply spending a bit of effort, money, and time to dig them up...

Well, to say that he wanted to tear his way to and through the heavens, rend them from the sky, and slaughter the gods that lived there, just so there would be no hope or recourse for the one responsible when he came for them would be an excessive exaggeration.

What wasn't an exaggeration- excessive or otherwise- was the fact he should probably go check with Jinzi on the matter of concealing the presence of the Dragon Balls from the enemy. But while the possibility- and feasibility- of simply destroying the Dragon Balls was currently unknown to him, he knew- or at the very least, he trusted- that the simpler act of concealing them was definitely possible.

It was just a matter of figuring out how.

With that purpose in mind, Kai set out to find their host.

He can find him easily enough in CC proper.

[grampagen]

Gravity and Bots: Part 2

Settling his breathing, Ochazuke felt sweat gather within his grip. After the pressing weight of the gravity had subsided, coming down to the lightness of the deactivated chamber was as if standing in the stillness of a dream. But even unmoving, the world remains in flux; the idle world miles above on the knife-edge between a surface of serenity and utter hell.

"Give me eight."

To his command, the nanite-concrete floor opened a small portal in the chamber and a procession of Capsule Orbs streamed single-file in the air before settling in a perimeter around him. Initiating with a hollow chime, the chrome surface of the Maelstrom Orbs began to glow white. Where he stood in the centre Ochazuke settled into an open guard as the air ionized before each.

"Initialize the program. Set gravity, 300%."

Their host's design was a hallmark of efficiency. Not a wasted moment was spent after his utterance to mount the pressure, the air simply seized him at 3 times normal gravity immediately. Sinking on perpendicular knees, he felt a pressure greater than it was before, but his earlier revelation of the roots so entrenched in his training burned a fire in his chest. The phantom pain just above his heart seized him for a moment as he struggled, widening his stance. Hands set to his sides, he drew them inward, breathed in, and extended from the shoulders and raised his fingertips. Pulling his arms back, he reached behind his head to get the measure of leadened limbs, then took a step forward and fired a Dodonpa at one of the droids.

On impact the energy refractor absorbed the energy and fired it back.

If the energy work of the form eludes you, then you are a fool wasting his breath which each step, the dance of an uninitiated fool.

Raising his hand he struck the bolt and sent it flying back into another refractor. Immediately the levitation gyros behan to whir as the eight orbs drift in unison, sending the course of the energy around, passed between each member, and firing it back at calculated angles.

But we are initiated, aren't we, Ochazuke?

He'd been at this for hours, session after session. Muscles crushed and pulled against sinew and bone, surrounded in skin that felt as if it was on fire. Desperation singled out his survival instincts and brought them to greater heights of sense-awareness.

Dragging his feet in step, he retracted inward, twist, and moved out again. Equidistant. Controlled. The bolt shot behind him and grazed his temple, the shock of momentum adding what felt like tonnes to the base of his neck. He wheeled around to compensate, but the increased weight of the chamber stifled the reaction.

As breath feeds your life, so the energy tempers the body. It is the germ of your greatest weapon.

The Dodonpa shimmered in the air and bounced off the mirror surface of the Maelstrom orbs. Condensed, quicker, and computing blind spots, a repeated echoing of his first shot.

Buried memories did not rot, only take root and rise once more. * Near hundreds of rehearsed steps traced a pattern in the centre of the chamber as he dodged, his own beam grazing him ever closer with each successive reflected volley. The eight orbs with each impact slowly closed inwards.

When the time comes for you to assert the knowledge I have imparted to you against the four other pretenders, what will you do?

The beam closing in on him, he snapped a finger up and attempted to neutralize it with a second shot, but fatigue and gravity set his aim off by a mere degree; his Dodonpa missed its counterpart and sailed right into the refractor as the first beam struck him full on in the chest and spun him around where he stood and sent him to the floor one knee.

You will not retreat. You will not break. You will not yield.

Cursing to himself, Ochazuke pressed his palms to the floor, the tightened breath in his fatigue rattling the back of his throat as a horrid crushing force bore down on him. That was when he noticed a darkness start to creep into his vision.

Death.

The fire of a thousand years shall forge you into a weapon that will take the enemy even as it shatters.

Lungs burning his field of vision narrowed, desperately his knees shook as gravity took them. Blood-hot the sweat broke and flowed on his skin as he fought the very air to breathe. He fell to his knees and reared back.

The life of a mortal to claim an demon's. That is Kikojutsu.

Ochazuke raised his head and smirked silently to himself. Wheeling around, he broke his solid stance and kicked the Dodonpa straight upwards into the ceiling of the chamber. With no more energy to place in its acting program the chamber slowed, the gravity gradually titrating back to normal levels.

[The Dog]

“I believe I do, actually. If I may, I would like permission to make a single adjustment to a device located in the back of each of your necks. May I?”

Shiro and Midori looked to each other before turning back to him and nodded, Midori adding with a small smile "Just be gentle, it's our first time." Shiro responded by giving her sister a flat look, getting a laugh from Midori.

[Sion Reaver]

Totoma happened to look over and make direct eye contact with Karine. That was... not what he expected. Not what he expected at all. Hoo boy, if he'd looked over just a moment earlier, she wouldn't have been mostly submerged and he'd have gotten an eyeful... for the second time today.

Kari probably would have died of embarrassment. He didn't know why... back during their school years, she'd had a lot of admirers among the guys. Though, despite that, he couldn't remember her ever having a boyfriend. Kinda weird, but... eh, maybe it was a cultural thing. Like, maybe Nosfer... pires could only date and marry others of their kind. He'd never really asked.

After an awkward moment of silent eye contact, Totoma averted his eyes and then spoke up: "Oh, hey Kari. What's up? Thanks for dragging me to the healing tank earlier. I owe ya one."

Wait, had she been the one to strip him, or the Chuan guy?

Karine made a strange audible noise in the back of her throat, though muffled when she had been caught just as she was about to slink off. Her head rose slightly above the water so she could talk properly but still keeping herself hidden. She was resigned more or less to her fate with a slight sigh. "We'll, I wanted a bath I just didn't expect it to be pre occupied with people already in it." Or the company. Was the thought, of course knowing he and Sarada didn't get along yet they hadn't killed each other. Somehow.

"It's...good you're back in good health.." She said, somewhat awkwardly trying to take her mind off the situation that was semi turning her mind into jello. She had never been good with these sorts of things. Hell, since she didn't even go to the beach this was quite the step forward.

She hadn't ever heard of that planet before. If a team of saiyans ended up there, she could only imagine that Mato wanted to try and annex the planet. It must have been at least a decent training ground. "Never heard of it."

When Totoma suggested that whoever it was was a Super Saiyan, she shook her head furiously. "No. No way. He'd have to be much stronger than that." According to the legends, Vocado had a power level in the hundreds of thousands when he transformed for the first time. Granted, that number had probably been inflated over the many, many years since it happened, but the point still remained.

"No, he'd have to be stronger. Vocado was in the hundreds of thousands when he ascended." Besides, there was no guarantee that he was even a saiyan. Saiyans just didn't kill other saiyans for no reason. When it did happen, it was during a duel, announced and agreed upon beforehand. Murder in any other circumstance was punishable by banishment. As for how anyone, including a saiyan, got that strong, she had no idea.

Vocado was an anomaly. Even exceptional saiyans only got up to around ten thousand at best.



"Eh?"

Someone else stepped inside the bath and immediately sunk down, as if hiding from sight. Sarada could just barely make out some hair and a pair of red eyes. Wait, it was that one girl who flipped her **** when Sarada taunted Totoma for being a half-breed. What was her name?

Karine?

For ****'s sake.

Well, she wasn't close to ready to get out yet, so she stayed still, only allowing a deep sigh to announce her annoyance.

After a bit more of a pause, Karine spoke up. "..Listen, we don't have to like each other or be each other's best friend, but if we're to work together we can at least be civil. We didn't..start off the right foot but that's no reason we have to be at odds all the time. Besides, even the strongest needs their meat shields." She was of course teasing, hoping to both soothe Sarada's ego and lighten the situation.

They probably never be friends, and she may have been wasting her breath but at the same time someone had to try to be the adult for group cohesion if nothing else. Easier said then done.

____

Time Power Jutsu Activate)

[B]
The life of a mortal to claim an demon's. That is Kikojutsu.

Ochazuke raised his head and smirked silently to himself. Wheeling around, he broke his solid stance and kicked the Dodonpa straight upwards into the ceiling of the chamber. With no more energy to place in its acting program the chamber slowed, the gravity gradually titrating back to normal levels.

It took some doing on Karine's part, though she managed to track the slightly grumpy and elusive martial artist down. Since it was her personal project to get to know the various members of who would be on their team, they seemed like a good start as they barely said a word. The Oni, the androids and...the toilet creature she wasn't sure was on the list or not. Mainly because she barely understood them.

At reaching her destination, she knocked and patiently waited.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Jinzi has them each lay down and he gently begins working on both their necks. They would feel slight bit a pressure, and after about five minutes each, a flood of energy rushes into their systems. He closes their necks and lets them up with a smile.

“Your creator was quite clever. There is a device in the base of both your necks that regulates how powerful you can become. It was set at your basic level. I bumped the device up one notch. You’ll find that you will slowly, over the course of a few days, find more energy filling your bodies as they adjust to the new power setting. There are more levels they can be set at, but jumping to them right now would rip your bodies apart. So for the moment, I set it at level 2 and later on I can adjust it as needed.”

[Noldere]

He can find him easily enough in CC proper.

OOC:

Assuming easily enough implies what I imagine would be standard security measures for a place like this are currently handwaved.

IC:

After a bit of searching, it became rather obvious that Jinzi was no longer with them in the Geofront, needed as he likely was- as men as such as he usually likely were- elsewhere. So, he ascended, back into the halls of Capsule Corporation proper and discovered- post a few polite questions- their host's current whereabouts. After that, it was simply a matter of moments of motions before reaching him. Though the man didn't seem to be too busy, it was best not to assume.

"Would you possibly have a moment or two to spare to speak more on the matter brought up at the meeting earlier?" Kai asked as he approached as near as the situation allowed for. "That is to say, the effort you and your team are undertaking to come up with a way to conceal the Dragon Balls from the detection of several groups currently after them?"

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

She hadn't ever heard of that planet before. If a team of saiyans ended up there, she could only imagine that Mato wanted to try and annex the planet. It must have been at least a decent training ground. "Never heard of it."

When Totoma suggested that whoever it was was a Super Saiyan, she shook her head furiously. "No. No way. He'd have to be much stronger than that." According to the legends, Vocado had a power level in the hundreds of thousands when he transformed for the first time. Granted, that number had probably been inflated over the many, many years since it happened, but the point still remained.

"No, he'd have to be stronger. Vocado was in the hundreds of thousands when he ascended." Besides, there was no guarantee that he was even a saiyan. Saiyans just didn't kill other saiyans for no reason. When it did happen, it was during a duel, announced and agreed upon beforehand. Murder in any other circumstance was punishable by banishment. As for how anyone, including a saiyan, got that strong, she had no idea.

Vocado was an anomaly. Even exceptional saiyans only got up to around ten thousand at best.



"Eh?"

Someone else stepped inside the bath and immediately sunk down, as if hiding from sight. Sarada could just barely make out some hair and a pair of red eyes. Wait, it was that one girl who flipped her **** when Sarada taunted Totoma for being a half-breed. What was her name?

Karine?

For ****'s sake.

Well, she wasn't close to ready to get out yet, so she stayed still, only allowing a deep sigh to announce her annoyance.

Ah, so... not a super saiyan, at least in anything except a metaphorical sense. That was a...

...no, that really didn't make him feel any better. There still some super-strong guy running around out there, more than capable of killing a top-class Saiyan. That in itself was terrifying.

"Hm, still... even if he wasn't a super saiyan, that sort of strength just isn't normal," said Totoma, shifting his gaze back to Sarada. "And it's been ten years, so the bastard, if he's still out there, is probably stronger than he was back then."

That was a scary thought. Both his mother and he had gotten the impression that her killer had been holding back during the battle, so...

Totoma suppressed a shudder and pushed the thought from his mind. He'd probably never run into that bastard again, so it wasn't any of his concern. And if he did...

...well, that would be the end. Game over, man.

"Anyway... I do actually think my mother would have taken an interest in you. She..." He paused and considered his next words carefully. "...did not like to see earnest effort go unrewarded. Though I think her training methods might have taken you a bit of time to wrap your head around, even though they were remarkably simple. They're... kind of counter-intuitive for purebred Saiyans."

Saiyans, left to their own devices, would train to the limit daily, with very, very little rest, according to his mother. But the body, mind, and spirit all needed time to recuperate... to adjust to new experiences. That is to say, she trained similarly to a Saiyan, but allowed herself days to rest and relax. It was a simple change, but ran contrary to Saiyan dogma and, to some extent, Saiyan instinct.

"But they work, especially for Saiyans that don't get good results from the usual methods. Heck, she took her parents, who were weaker than us, and raised them up to... I think 300 or so in about a year. And that was after being slaves their entire lives, which... probably didn't do wonders for their bodies, I'd guess."

The more Totoma spoke of his mother, the brighter and more excited his tone became. Anyone listening would be able to tell, instantly, that he truly admired and respected his mother from the depth of his heart, even now, ten years after she'd been killed.

[Lord Falcon]

"It is a pleasure as well," Slak says and finds he means it. He has heard tales about Frost Demons and most are not exactly flattering, yet he has found common ground with this one. Born of shared frustration and worry it may be, but it is common ground all the same.

"I... suspect communication is not exactly our current host's main focus if our interaction with him is any indication." Slak is not familiar with the concept of lab rats. If he was, he'd be using it. Jinzi had essentially played with them. For their benefit, of course, but there is no denying the man had enjoyed himself a bit too much. "Regardless, you are right. Something must be done, and I think there is something I can do, rude as it may be."

"Attention, everyone! Slak focuses and broadcasts his voice telepathically over the building."I am Slak of Planet Namek, chosen by this planet's guardian just as you have been. In the spirit of cooperation, I believe it necessary to inform you that a few others and I encountered the one you know as Old Kami earlier today. He is currently in possession of one of the Dragon Balls and terrifyingly strong. I do apologize for the intrusion, but I feel the lack of communication between us necessitated it. If at all possible, I'd ask you to consider a more formal exchange of information later... a meet an greet if you will."

It is probably the bluntest Slak has ever been, yet he has a feeling Earthlings require that approach.

A voice spoke, but from no direction. There was communication, but no sound. The voice manifested as if coming directly from Asha'rah's own mind, yet was not. As she listened, she realized one of the team was speaking to them mentally. A Namekian, as the "speaker" himself confessed, going by the name of Slak. He brought news with him of Old Kami - had one of the groups encountered him already? If he was so powerful, how had the group escaped unscathed?

I will be there, Slak.

[The Dog]

Jinzi has them each lay down and he gently begins working on both their necks. They would feel slight bit a pressure, and after about five minutes each, a flood of energy rushes into their systems. He closes their necks and lets them up with a smile.

“Your creator was quite clever. There is a device in the base of both your necks that regulates how powerful you can become. It was set at your basic level. I bumped the device up one notch. You’ll find that you will slowly, over the course of a few days, find more energy filling your bodies as they adjust to the new power setting. There are more levels they can be set at, but jumping to them right now would rip your bodies apart. So for the moment, I set it at level 2 and later on I can adjust it as needed.”

"I didn't know that." Midori said, turning to Shiro as she asked "Did you know."

"No, but it makes sense. He probably wanted to ensure we didn't accidentally harm innocent people while fighting by putting in too much power into our attacks. We were fighting mostly men armed with guns and the occasional tank." Shiro replied.

"Yeah, but at least now we know of a way to increase and even decrease our strength as necessary." Midori said with a smile. Turning to Jinzi, Midori and Shiro gave a low bow as Midori said "Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Pantaloons. If you ever need anything from us, please don't hesitate to ask."

[The Chou Lives]

Chou was in the Geofront. More blasts, making them charged so they were bigger. As he had fought a gigantic robotic opponent, not using his weapons or tk as he hits the offending metal Fists with bare hands. Blood from hands, scrapes of metal flying as that damn voice was in the back of his mind.:

“ No one likes you. This team. They despise you. You are a monster, always was, always will be. The circus? They tolerate you for your tricks.”

Shut up. He thought. As he remembers his first memory. A crack in stone, alone and naked in rain. Wild animals trying to kill him. He in turn killed them and ate their flesh. Covered in their blood.


Present

He soon enough explodes the metal fist with his own. As second dust attempts to crush him. Grabbing it and tugs at it. Soon wires tear, circuits break. Sounds made as he yanks the mechas arm off and tosses it as he plunges himself inside of it. As he tears the still beating engine heart of the thing. As the light fades. He walked off to find sleep area. He will nap for now. Good for muscle growth.


Setting alarm in mask. When he washes. Gravity training.:

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

OOC:

Assuming easily enough implies what I imagine would be standard security measures for a place like this are currently handwaved.

IC:

After a bit of searching, it became rather obvious that Jinzi was no longer with them in the Geofront, needed as he likely was- as men as such as he usually likely were- elsewhere. So, he ascended, back into the halls of Capsule Corporation proper and discovered- post a few polite questions- their host's current whereabouts. After that, it was simply a matter of moments of motions before reaching him. Though the man didn't seem to be too busy, it was best not to assume.

"Would you possibly have a moment or two to spare to speak more on the matter brought up at the meeting earlier?" Kai asked as he approached as near as the situation allowed for. "That is to say, the effort you and your team are undertaking to come up with a way to conceal the Dragon Balls from the detection of several groups currently after them?"

“By all means. What would you like to discuss?”

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

Karine made a strange audible noise in the back of her throat, though muffled when she had been caught just as she was about to slink off. Her head rose slightly above the water so she could talk properly but still keeping herself hidden. She was resigned more or less to her fate with a slight sigh. "We'll, I wanted a bath I just didn't expect it to be pre occupied with people already in it." Or the company. Was the thought, of course knowing he and Sarada didn't get along yet they hadn't killed each other. Somehow.

"It's...good you're back in good health.." She said, somewhat awkwardly trying to take her mind off the situation that was semi turning her mind into jello. She had never been good with these sorts of things. Hell, since she didn't even go to the beach this was quite the step forward.



After a bit more of a pause, Karine spoke up. "..Listen, we don't have to like each other or be each other's best friend, but if we're to work together we can at least be civil. We didn't..start off the right foot but that's no reason we have to be at odds all the time. Besides, even the strongest needs their meat shields." She was of course teasing, hoping to both soothe Sarada's ego and lighten the situation.

They probably never be friends, and she may have been wasting her breath but at the same time someone had to try to be the adult for group cohesion if nothing else. Easier said then done.

Totoma had to suppress the urge to tease Karine over this little mix-up. It'd be funny, he figured, but Kari was probably on the verge of dying of sheer embarrassment, so he'd keep his trap shut for once. Besides, he couldn't think of anything to say for some reason.

"New and improved, you might even say," said Totoma, driving his right fist into his left palm. "After this, some food, and then... more food. Then some training."

Not the most complex schedule, but it'd have to do. There wasn't much to do here other than train, eat, heal, sleep, and socialized. Suited him just fine.

...wait, crap, he'd have to find the sleeping quarters.

Hm, well... okay, one little tease can't hurt. Totoma smiled deviously.

"Hey, I've got a great idea! We could share a room! It'd be like a sleep over every night!" Totoma clenched his fists in front of him like an over-excited, overgrown kid. He was joking of course. Mostly.

He didn't mind sharing rooms with someone, to be honest. It was always great having someone to talk to. Okay, not always, but it got kinda lonely rooming alone. The past year had taught him to deal with being alone, but he still liked having friends nearby.

"And Sarada'll probably just leave you alone if you do the same," he said, calming down a bit. "I'm the one that's an affront to the species, according to her, not you."

[grampagen]

(Time Power Jutsu Activate)

It took some doing on Karine's part, though she managed to track the slightly grumpy and elusive martial artist down. Since it was her personal project to get to know the various members of who would be on their team, they seemed like a good start as they barely said a word. The Oni, the androids and...the toilet creature she wasn't sure was on the list or not. Mainly because she barely understood them.

At reaching her destination, she knocked and patiently waited.

OOC: Another one BITES ZA DUSTO

IC:

The torque of his body carried his strike as he impacted the blast with his shin, kicking the dense energy beam into twain fragments that rocketed into the ceiling, shaking the heavy air of the chamber on impact.

Turning on the follow-through he sank in his step, gasping as he felt pain shock through his foot as it landed. So too did the raised reddened flesh streaked across his torso spike into his consciousness.

In the silence of the moment, when he faced the door Ochazuke heard a tinny impact at the door of the chamber. Still recovering, he could only speak.

"End program."

As orderly as they arrived, the Maelstrom Orbs left the chamber. As his blood reversed its flow, the clarity in his vision returned as he beheld his visitor. The shadow-walker woman from Cask, Karine.

"Enter."