soul_campaign | [video] February 2nd, Dawn

[Filtered to Shibusen]

There's a large force amassing from the southeast! They aren't Kishin Eggs, and don't appear to have souls at all, despite most of them greatly resembling humans. I'd say they were dead, if my vision didn't prove otherwise. They're accompanied by an aerial force of large birds and 5 powerful souls that appear to be headed directly for the city!

[Filtered to Sasuke, Clare, and Tenten]

The city is falling under attack. Unfortunately, I can't continue to search for them until my district is under control. I'll rejoin you later.

Clare, I truly appreciate your assistance thus far. I won't drag you into anything else unless it's by your own decision.

[Filtered to Watch]

We're under attack. Spirit-san has issued the Watch directives to assist in the evacuation of the civilians, then join their operatives on the field to combat the threat.

[Filtered to Outer Residental Quarter III]

Those of you have partners or even temporary ones, your abilities are put to better use defending the city. The rest of you that have kept hold of your sanity, come with me. We're aiding in the evacuation of the citizens of this district before the force breaches the outer wall.

[Public]

[Those filters out of the way, Neji turns strung-out eyes to the network itself, speaking over the sirens that flare up in the background]

Morning training is cancelled, and I don't advise anyone come out to the training field needlessly. The district is being evacuated, along with the rest of the city. It's time to put everything you've learned to use.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Direction, Neji!

They're coming from the southeast, roughly 400 meters out-- getting close. I can't detect the Witch souls at all anymore..

Does this look like a diversion, then? And how many roughly are coming?

Without a doubt, the main force is a diversion, to keep as many pairs occupied as possible defending the city from attack while the Witches hone in on their targets... Shibusen has warned against attacking them however...

At any rate, the number of reanimated dead are a few hundred, it's difficult to estimate aerial forces in their constant motion and some swing out of my vision now and again.. There are also another couple hundred smaller creatures- ants.. spiders.

[Yep. Just a hint of disdain at that last bit, clearly looking at them from afar, but he gets over it] It's a large, full-scale assault, no doubt timed to coincide with the wave of madness spreading throughout the city.

Did you get a sense of the Witches' heading and what their target might be? Or were they too far out for that?

[He's on the move, headed for his place and his Meister.]

Few hundred, couple hundred... so you are estimating a number around a thousand? But these at least are not Kishin, and so other tactics may work on them?

[Gai nods grimly.]

Of course it was timed. No doubt it was part and parcel of the plan. And our heads still are not entirely clear.

Unfortunately, all I saw of them were their souls heading straight for the city before they disappeared.

[He shakes his head, only grateful for the fact that he'd seen them at all and was able to issue a timely warning]

Yes, most likely. I'm hopeful that's the case, at any rate. I have a temporary partner for now, but...

[Gai frowns. Lain, unreliable? He's not surprised, but he's not going to say anything right now.]

How temporary? Would you like to work together for a time until I find Kakashi?

[With that, Neji seems to come to attention from being focused outside of his immediate surroundings so long]

..Kakashi-sensei's missing? I have Clare, though; she's been with me all through the evening and early morning helping me search for Lain and Naruto. She doesn't seem to be tired..

He is not missing so much as I was on a run and he is likely reading somewhere. I know his spots.

[A flash of... something goes across his face at the mention of who his weapon is. Well, better than Lain, slightly, except Clare's being a distraction at an urgent time too.]

If she is working to your satisfaction then continue to use her. Perhaps next training session I will seek her out and speak to her on... timing. It is hard enough to focus with the polluted water in our systems; she does not need to be distracting.

Ah, I see.

[Strangely, he almost feels like defending Clare, but it's true, he's not fond of the strange distraction. Still, it's not like he has a lot of choice unless he wants to try wielding Sasuke. That could never go over well]

I'd rather not take you from Kakashi-sensei. I'm sure it won't take long to find him. Doubtless, he'll be looking for you as well.

[Gai nods, though there's a small bit of humor in his eyes as he continues to move.]

If he has looked up from his book.

[The sirens are going. Gai knows Kakashi is aware by now and looking. After all, they're both expertly trained ninja. But for as much as Kakashi teases him, sometimes Gai has to joke around too.]

Perhaps we shall speak on partnerships later, after this attack and after our systems are clean again.

[And by perhaps he means he intends to find Neji and address the topic as carefully (hah) as he can, but that now isn't a good time.]

[His brows crease, turning to look at the feed, feeling a surge of annoyance that he quickly tempers by nipping his tongue. Lain's missing- driven insane by the madness, and that's neither of their faults. If anything... Neji shakes his head]

Perhaps.

[He sees the change in Neji's brows and knows his student isn't pleased, but Lain's never been stable, and her posessiveness and manipulation toward Neji bother Gai more than he's said. And now Clare is trying to insist on something after the fight that Neji doesn't seem to want to give, and that really bothers Gai.

Gai's students deserve equality, the way he has it, the way Tenten has it. And until they get that, Gai simply will not be happy. But as they're both about to go into battle now is not the time to pursue the topic. Later, he will.]

Fight well, and I will see you after.

[There's confidence in his voice. He will not lose his students. Gai will go first, he's determined on this point, but he'll not go anytime soon.]

[Yes, now is not the time for it, as sensitive as the topic is, and as ready as he is to defend their position. But he nods and turns his attention back to the field]

Take care.

[And now the smile is bigger, though it's still not at full strength. He's not completely done with the Black Blood in his system, which makes all of this more difficult.]

I always take care! And you will do well, my student. You always do.

[Then he's shutting off his device, focusing on finding his Rival and entering the fray. ...And also ending the conversation before there can be any comments about him not taking the best of care of himself.]

[video] February 2nd, Dawn

[Video]

[Video]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]