Cosmos Quest (Naruto/Lupin III)

[FurikoMaru]

how so?

stupidly complex plans are fun, and we can use them later, theres no need to go all out on a kiddy test like this.

Click to shrink...

... yeah. Definitely in the wrong quest.

the proctors aren't our real opponents, the other examinees are.

Click to shrink...

It's fine if you want to play that way, I guess. But geez you're a wet blanket. The whole fun of the exam arc is that everyone is your real opponent.

 

[uju32]

yeah, i just glanced at your plan for a second, and....

Click to shrink...

Word of GM is that complicated, grandiose plans are in order.
So yeah.
Audacity.

Whelp. I think I owe a general all around apology at this point. I let myself go power-mad here and more or less went, "Can we do it? DO IT!" Focused on winning and winning in style. Going hardcore like this is apparently not OOC for us, but....yeah. Having taken a step back I can see why people have reservations.

Click to shrink...

My major issue is the possibility of painting a target on our heads.
We might be able to handle it, but Kiba? Ami?
People could strike at them to get at us.

So yeah. Thanks to people who were trying to keep me in check. I still think we should be aiming high, but I can admit I may be going too hardcore on this exam. And I say may less out of narcissism and more because I'm not sure which IS the desirable course of action here. From the perspective of the examiners at least.

Click to shrink...

These are Konoha shinobi.
They will be looking for smarts, leadership and forethought.
Combat ability just gets you in the door.
There was a reason that Shika was the only chuunin promoted in canon.

They might overlook the international relations bit as due to ignorance, provided you didn't go poking at allies.
Or at least didn't get caught.
But it wouldn't be unreasonable IMO to expect a chuunin candidate to consider things like that.

I mean we are sticking up for Konoha, although enabling Team Office Ladies to get in an exam where we are weeding out the people they have a chance of beating...yeah, okay, shoulda thought of that. We can play with the big boys. Even if we help them get to the prelims they stand a good chance of being slaughtered. They pretty much always did, but we're not making it easier in some regards. In other regards, giving Konoha nin a free pass they don't necessarily deserve might not be wise, Will of Fire or not. Making them get in over their heads is why Sakura dropped out in the first place.

Click to shrink...

On the other hand, if you can get them through the most dangerous phase intact, even if they get smashed in the combat parts, they lose within range of medical attention and oversight.
And the experience will be valuable for them; most people take these exams multiple times.
As is the possibility of growing our network of agents friends.
Ino is a people person after all.

If I get the chance I'll try and take some pruning shears to my plan and make it more legible. If people have some ideas or want to chime in, please do. I hope I have not driven people away by going power-gamer over here, and I'll try to avoid doing it again.
And I'm becoming wordy as fuck even when I'm trying not to be. Yeah, I need to dial this back...

Click to shrink...

Odd.
Because I have come to the conclusion that I wasn't aiming high enough.
Punching out teams by hand, one at a time? Risky, too much like work.
And not particularly predictive of cleverness, leadership, or the other things the examiners were looking for in canon.

So go big.
Really big.
Leave the penny ante stuff and strike for the motherlode.

PLAN
[X]Bathroom break , five minutes into the exam
Steal the answer key from escorting chuunin; you're a pickpocket of skill.
And I don't see Ino as currently characterized doing the boring work if there is an easier, or more exciting way to get it done.

[X]Summon Ririka while in the bathroom and set him/her to recon the area.
This cannot be the only stage of the exam, and advance knowledge means you have time to plan.
Work that intelligence network; that's why we got the Cat Summons contract.

[X]Return answer key to chuunin's pocket, with a signed thank you note.
It's only polite.
And apparently style counts.

[X]Transmit answers to allies using genjutsu and Throw Voice.
False Surroundings should work here, and you use Throw Voice to confirm your identity first.

[X]Use Throw Voice to unsettle select candidates.
This is the one element I'm unsure of.
I'm not really the right person to plan those kinds of shenanigans.

[X]Rendezvous with Ririka when exam ends.
You need advance knowledge of the rest of the setup.

[X]Recruit team Shika.
You could use Hinata's eyes, and they all have experience with you in previous heists.
Between your two teams, you should have sufficient manpower for the next step.

[X]Arrange heist of second stage scrolls.
Not all, because that would make them draw up a new batch, but 25-50%,
That's enough to limit the supply, but not enough to send them back to the drafting board.
Consider replacing with blank or forged scrolls.
And maybe leaving a thank you note.
Split the booty with friends, allies and charity cases.

[X]Blitz through the second stage
Profit.
Exhibiting the skills of information gathering, leadership, planning, teamwork, and the virtues of the Will of Fire, all in one op.
And for each extra scroll you take, you reduce the possible contestant pool by at least one team.
**********************************
Thoughts?

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Mmmm....I was about to try redrafting my own plan actually. Soon as I'm done dinner and laundry.

Notes before I go:

Ririka is just a kitten, she isn't a shinobi. She just happens to be the only kitten who knows Henge. I do not think she's a good choice for recon, or at least have no reason to believe she is aside from being a kitty.

Thank you note has some style, but it could also make who we are TOO obvious. Still, maybe. Depends when they find it, to be honest. After the exam, s'all good.

If we can get the good cats in the area canvassing it, then maybe yeah. It is tipping the summons, I admit, but if you wanted to go big with them now...

I still kinda want to take the proctor position because they have great seats. From there we can possibly see what everyone else in the exam is up to and maybe spot their tricks. Also, style.

And oh yeah, on punching out teams, apparently Menka can do whatever the fuck he pleases without repercussion to us, and every member of a team he KOs takes an entire team out the exam. So it's pretty good bang for our buck if we get good targets.

And oh yeah, my concern for international relations was less us being forgiven by Konoha and more if we actually mange to cheese off other Villages for our antics. But considering they're still alive to try again, maybe not.

 

[uju32]

Mmmm....I was about to try redrafting my own plan actually. Soon as I'm done dinner and laundry.

Click to shrink...

-Point about Ririka.
I was just hoping for a low cost summon to perform Intelligence work.
Henge might be good, but it's not actually essential for that role.

-Depends on when they find the note, of course.
And we don't need to use an actual name.

-Intelligence work is one of the roles they are especially good at.
If we are going to try to lift a bunch of scrolls before the second exam, we need advance intel scoped.
If the cats stay in cat form, or call a bunch of normal cats from around the village, the fact that they're summons might be missed.

-The current problem I see with the proctor thing is that it tips Anko's team off to guard against infiltration.
I was considering impersonating one of the proctors in this exam as a way to get at the scrolls for the next stage.
Don mask, impersonate one of the female chuunin from Ibiki's team, and go flirt with a male proctor on Anko's team as a distraction, while cats and accomplices steal scrolls.
But repeating tricks is a good way to get caught.


-Re: Menka
I don't know why it disturbs me, but it does.
Maybe because it doesn't seem fair to sic the equivalent of our bodyguard on random teen mooks.
Especially when said bodyguard is the cat equivalent of a near-adult, and looks the part in his human form.
Not a rational feeling though, so feel free to ignore it

************************
The one concern I have about using the Summons openly is that it's an effective declaration to the Fortress cats that these guys are going their own way, Contract and all.
And you know those assholes will look to start something.
So it might limit us to covert use, like for intelligence.
For our allies sake.

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

[X] The Monstrosity of Hymn

Sheesh. I go play Civ2 for a couple days straight, and when I come back this is waiting for me? I can't even read the whole thing without my eyes beginning to glaze over.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, that speaks poorly on my part....lemme see if I can cut it down for everyone's sake.

-Point about Ririka.
I was just hoping for a low cost summon to perform Intelligence work.
Henge might be good, but it's not actually essential for that role.

Click to shrink...

I suspect experience is more important.

-Depends on when they find the note, of course.
And we don't need to use an actual name.

Click to shrink...

No, but if we're the only they took out of the room, it's an easy deduction. Still I suppose considering the low standards it's fine.

-Intelligence work is one of the roles they are especially good at.
If we are going to try to lift a bunch of scrolls before the second exam, we need advance intel scoped.
If the cats stay in cat form, or call a bunch of normal cats from around the village, the fact that they're summons might be missed.

Click to shrink...

We only have an informal network, and can only summon inexperienced kittens right now. I really do not think the kittens are up to casing a place and stealing scrolls bigger than they are.

-The current problem I see with the proctor thing is that it tips Anko's team off to guard against infiltration.
I was considering impersonating one of the proctors in this exam as a way to get at the scrolls for the next stage.
Don mask, impersonate one of the female chuunin invigilating this stage, and go flirt with a male proctor as a distraction, while cats and accomplices steal scrolls.
But repeating tricks is a good way to get caught.

Click to shrink...

Only if they realize we're a proctor, and....honestly, I think we have some decent odds of being unnoticed. I guess it could be saved for later. And if we wanna be a female proctor from Ibiki's team, one is in the room right now and we can get her alone. It's a decent chance.

-Re: Menka
I don't know why it disturbs me, but it does.
Maybe because it doesn't seem fair to sic the equivalent of our bodyguard on random teen mooks.
Especially when said bodyguard is the cat equivalent of a near-adult, and looks the part in his human form.
Not a rational feeling though, so feel free to ignore it

Click to shrink...

No, definitely not fair. Menka being as good as he is is why I think we can knock a few teams out silently. If I could give him back up, I totally would though. Just because.

************************
The one concern I have about using the Summons openly is that it's an effective declaration to the Fortress cats that these guys are going their own way, Contract and all.
And you know those assholes will look to start something.
So it might limit us to covert use, like for intelligence.
For our allies sake.

Click to shrink...

This is true. Shame, I kinda wanted to study fuinjutsu and then use my seal trick to summon every big fighter we have to slaughter some poor opponent in the finals.




K, so I included options for who takes our place in proctor switcheroo. Not averse to change it or cutting stuff out, but figured I'd stick with it for now. Plus, it's ballsy. We have few enough balls as it is.


[X] Use a discreet False Surroundings or Throw Voice to inform Ami of the nature of the exam, and offer to pass along the answer key when you get it.

[X] Bathroom break time! For you or Menka. Take an examiner, and knock them out when you're alone. Disguise yourself as them so that now you are the proctor with a handy little key and....well, someone else is gonna be you.

-[X] Option one: Menka goes back to your seat as you and Menka.

-[X] Option two: summon Ririka, she goes back to your seat as the two of you. Menka lurks in the wings.

-[X] Option three: get Kiba replaced with the KO'd proctor Henged as sleeping Kiba via judicious use of Kawarimi. Akamaru is guard dog. Menka lurks in wings.

[X] So you're a proctor now, and with a great view! Keep an eye out for any special techs or secrets of the competition. Use your authority to boot some people out of the exam if you can manage it.

[X] Discreetly use False Surroundings and Throw Voice to give answers or hints to the Konoha teammates that need them. Coordinate and direct them as needed.
-[X] If the Hyuugas can spot some hints as to the next exam with their range, that'd be most appreciated.

[X] If you spot some students copying answers off others, you get the chance, and are confident you won't be noticed, use False Surroundings on them to make them copy the wrong answers.

[X] Sabotage time! See if you can set foreign teams against each other. Either sabotage each other now, or target each other in the exam. Spread rumors or false information.

-[X] Optional Menka sabotage, if he's available: he picks off weak links who leave the room. What comes back in the room should either be a very good Bunshin, an illusion, or some Henged object. If it can be arranged for people to have a good Kawarimi target that they think will get them out of the room and to answers or goodies, let Menka be waiting to clobber them and hide the bodies. If or when people suspect something is up, use the paranoia to fuel aggression towards each other and divert blame from you.

[X] Use Gaara's voice and bloodlust, possibly complete with hot breath or sandy breath breathing down on them, to try and scare people out of the exam. If we can get Gaara to speak loud enough for the entire room beforehand, even better. Priority on kicking the sensors out if we think we can crack them.

[X] If any of these tactics would be more effective prior to becoming a proctor, do so.

[X] Modify or discard plans that will get us caught or reveal our tricks or not work very well.

[X] Try and stay undercover at the end.
-[X] If KO'd proctor in the room in Kiba's place, have Menka Kawarimi with them and take Kiba's place.

[X] HoR uses Z-Slash! It's Super Effective!




So, there's me trying to summarize the plan. Thoughts? Desirable course of action?

Apparently if sensor's aren't nearly as good as us, maybe they wouldn't notice that the lump of chakra in one place is not the same one as before? It's a thought and would mean we don't need to worry as much about them.

Not sure if we can make plans RIGHT NOW to transition right into the second exam. Maybe? If we had better cats I'd be more optimistic, with kittens I'm not sure even a Z-Slash can save the plucky things.

 

[Unclouded]

I'd like to point out something I just thought of. We don't know about the scrolls for the second part of the exam. Heck we don't even know how many parts to this exam there are, do we? Even if we know canon stuff there's reason to believe that our actions could shake things up to cause what we know to not happen. So like I said before let's stick to the here and now and worry about the other options when they come.

Honestly we've worked on this plan good enough and I think so long as we don't get caught and we're good enough stealing the proctor's sheet and using genjutsu and throw voice to transfer it to our teams it should work. Contacting Shikamaru's team and helping them out could also help us further on in the test though.

Edit:

[X] Use a discreet False Surroundings or Throw Voice to inform Ami of the nature of the exam, and offer to pass along the answer key when you get it.

[X] Bathroom break time! For you or Menka. Take an examiner, and knock them out when you're alone. Disguise yourself as them so that now you are the proctor with a handy little key and....well, someone else is gonna be you.

-[X] Option one: Menka goes back to your seat as you and Menka.

[X] So you're a proctor now, and with a great view! Keep an eye out for any special techs or secrets of the competition. Use your authority to boot some people out of the exam if you can manage it.

[X] Discreetly use False Surroundings and Throw Voice to give answers or hints to the Konoha teammates that need them. Coordinate and direct them as needed.
-[X] If the Hyuugas can spot some hints as to the next exam with their range, that'd be most appreciated.

[X] If you spot some students copying answers off others, you get the chance, and are confident you won't be noticed, use False Surroundings on them to make them copy the wrong answers.

[X] Sabotage time! See if you can set foreign teams against each other. Either sabotage each other now, or target each other in the exam. Spread rumors or false information.

[X] Use Gaara's voice and bloodlust, possibly complete with hot breath or sandy breath breathing down on them, to try and scare people out of the exam. If we can get Gaara to speak loud enough for the entire room beforehand, even better. Priority on kicking the sensors out if we think we can crack them.

[X] If any of these tactics would be more effective prior to becoming a proctor, do so.

[X] Modify or discard plans that will get us caught or reveal our tricks.

[X] Try and stay undercover at the end.

[X] HoR uses Z-Slash! It's Super Effective!

 

[FurikoMaru]

So, uju and Hymn, you guys seem like the guys everyone else has entrusted their votes with. Can you come to an accord you both agree on?

 

[uju32]

I suspect experience is more important.

Click to shrink...

You might well be right.
Best ask Furiko.

But it's not beyond Ririko to collar the local Summons cats in Konoha so that by the time the exam ends we have backup.
Or at worst we could ask MENKA to do recon, and have Ririka take his place until he returns.

No, but if we're the only they took out of the room, it's an easy deduction. Still I suppose considering the low standards it's fine.
We only have an informal network, and can only summon inexperienced kittens right now. I really do not think the kittens are up to casing a place and stealing scrolls bigger than they are.

Click to shrink...

Can only summon kittens cheaply.
IIRC we were summoning, or were supposed to be summoning, one of the bosses to give Ami lessons.
So we can.
Or use Menka for recon, and have Ririka take his place inside the exam hall.

Only if they realize we're a proctor, and....honestly, I think we have some decent odds of being unnoticed. I guess it could be saved for later. And if we wanna be a female proctor from Ibiki's team, one is in the room right now and we can get her alone. It's a decent chance.

Click to shrink...

Fair enough.

No, definitely not fair. Menka being as good as he is is why I think we can knock a few teams out silently. If I could give him back up, I totally would though. Just because.
This is true. Shame, I kinda wanted to study fuinjutsu and then use my seal trick to summon every big fighter we have to slaughter some poor opponent in the finals.

Click to shrink...

Yeah.
We'll have to give them time to figure themselves out; the fact that they are now a Summons Clan again will take some getting used to.
It might not be a bad idea to prepare a single precharged emergency summon scroll, though, with the baddest, meanest summons available.
For emergencies.

K, so I included options for who takes our place in proctor switcheroo. Not averse to change it or cutting stuff out, but figured I'd stick with it for now. Plus, it's ballsy. We have few enough balls as it is.
[X] Use a discreet False Surroundings or Throw Voice to inform Ami of the nature of the exam, and offer to pass along the answer key when you get it.
[X] Bathroom break time! For you or Menka. Take an examiner, and knock them out when you're alone. Disguise yourself as them so that now you are the proctor with a handy little key and....well, someone else is gonna be you.

Click to shrink...

*shrug* You wanna play proctor?
Go ahead.

-[X] Option one: Menka goes back to your seat as you and Menka.
-[X] Option two: summon Ririka, she goes back to your seat as the two of you. Menka lurks in the wings.
-[X] Option three: get Kiba replaced with the KO'd proctor Henged as sleeping Kiba via judicious use of Kawarimi. Akamaru is guard dog. Menka lurks in wings.

Click to shrink...

Option four: Ririka goes to your seat as the two of you. You play proctor.
Menka goes off to do recon.

I would nix the idea of using Kiba for anything requiring delicacy or subtlety, though.
Remember Nabiki's wedding?

[X] So you're a proctor now, and with a great view! Keep an eye out for any special techs or secrets of the competition. Use your authority to boot some people out of the exam if you can manage it.
[X] Discreetly use False Surroundings and Throw Voice to give answers or hints to the Konoha teammates that need them. Coordinate and direct them as needed.
[X] If you spot some students copying answers off others, you get the chance, and are confident you won't be noticed, use False Surroundings on them to make them copy the wrong answers.

Click to shrink...

No real objections here.

[X] Sabotage time! See if you can set foreign teams against each other. Either sabotage each other now, or target each other in the exam. Spread rumors or false information.

Click to shrink...

No opinion on this.

-[X] Optional Menka sabotage, if he's available: he picks off weak links who leave the room. What comes back in the room should either be a very good Bunshin, an illusion, or some Henged object. If it can be arranged for people to have a good Kawarimi target that they think will get them out of the room and to answers or goodies, let Menka be waiting to clobber them and hide the bodies. If or when people suspect something is up, use the paranoia to fuel aggression towards each other and divert blame from you.

Click to shrink...

Already given my opinion that he would be better off doing something else;intelligence gathering, for one.
KOing mooks is of strictly secondary importance IMO.

[X] Use Gaara's voice and bloodlust, possibly complete with hot breath or sandy breath breathing down on them, to try and scare people out of the exam. If we can get Gaara to speak loud enough for the entire room beforehand, even better. Priority on kicking the sensors out if we think we can crack them.

Click to shrink...

Gaara hasn't actually displayed bloodlust in this exam, or anything out of the ordinary.
Only sensors have noticed there's anything amiss with him; that restricts your viable targets.

That's about it from me.

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

You may be right about the scrolls changing. Although the first exam looks to be same as canon. I never particularly expected Furiko to let us beat two exams in one update, but if we can nab intel anyway...

Still, working on what's in front of us, true. I think the main disputes amongst everyone is how far we go on our mission for victory and what tactics we employ.

So, uju and Hymn, you guys seem like the guys everyone else has entrusted their votes with. Can you come to an accord you both agree on?

Click to shrink...

Honestly, as long as we get some significant amounts of awesome thievery or ninja play in the next update? I could be happy with nearly whatever gets used.

Or whatever entertains you. Pick and choose. Although I think Unclouded went and opted for Menka taking our place at the desk, so they aren't voting for Menka clubbing people over the head outside. *shrugs*


And I'll respond to uju now....

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

But it's not beyond Ririko to collar the local Summons cats in Konoha so that by the time the exam ends we have backup.
Or at worst we could ask MENKA to do recon, and have Ririka take his place until he returns.

Click to shrink...

Eh. Maybe Ririko can get stuff going, I dunno. I guess we can try and mobilize. And I'd like to keep him within shouting range should we need a beatdown, at very least we'd need a good meeting point. We also can't lose points for whatever he does.

Still, I guess recon is an option. I wouldn't be betting on Furiko letting us meta-game the entire second exam in advance, but maybe. He's not exactly trained for espionage though, so it seems like what he learns in 40 minutes is luck based. Hitting stuff seems more in-line with his talents.

If Ino and Menka really thought they could figure something out, I guess. If we could avoid summoning around here I suppose it would be nice. Unless we can get out of sensor range or something. Eh.

Can only summon kittens cheaply.
IIRC we were summoning, or were supposed to be summoning, one of the bosses to give Ami lessons.
So we can.

Click to shrink...

It's not cheap at ALL though. I know this from OOC with Furiko, it costs like two days of chakra in order to put the guy on the field. So summoning one of the big ones will probably floor us.

Yeah.
We'll have to give them time to figure themselves out; the fact that they are now a Summons Clan again will take some getting used to.
It might not be a bad idea to prepare a single precharged emergency summon scroll, though, with the baddest, meanest summons available.
For emergencies.

Click to shrink...

What, a summon scroll for pulling them here? If we CAN have one...failing that, my idea for siphoning chakra from tags we makeand using the stockpiled chakra to summon a horde was my plan for when we got it. And keep lots of copies on us.

I would nix the idea of using Kiba for anything requiring delicacy or subtlety, though.
Remember Nabiki's wedding?

Click to shrink...

Eh. With us feeding directions into his ear or sight and him just having to sit looking like us, plus with Z-Slash? It's possible. Admittedly not my first choice.

Already given my opinion that he would be better off doing something else;intelligence gathering, for one.
KOing mooks is of strictly secondary importance IMO.

Click to shrink...

Furiko's got a lot of ringers in here. I think we could knock off a few people of importance by targeting their teammates.

Furiko does not seem to mooks, in fact. Not when she can avoid it. So I'd be very careful about generalizing that way....

Gaara hasn't actually displayed bloodlust in this exam, or anything out of the ordinary.
Only sensors have noticed there's anything amiss with him; that restricts your viable targets.

Click to shrink...

It does. So if we can get Gaara to make some kind of declaration and use that to strongarm other people....

Well, it'd be a good opportunity if we can get it.

That's about it from me.
[/quote]

 

[FurikoMaru]

It's not cheap at ALL though. I know this from OOC with Furiko, it costs like two days of chakra in order to put the guy on the field. So summoning one of the big ones will probably floor us.

Click to shrink...

Ah, that was if you still wanted to have chakra to carry on with the rest of your exam-prep. I'm not nearly good enough with numbers to make a formula to describe the relationship between energy exerted, chakra expended, and chakra capacity as increased over time by doing the first two, so you'll just have to trust me when I say that it doesn't cost two days' worth to summon Tsumujikaze. In fact I have no intention of describing chakra in terms of exactly how fast it replenishes; I'm not very smart that way.

Furiko does not seem to mooks, in fact. Not when she can avoid it. So I'd be very careful about generalizing that way....

Click to shrink...

Oh, I write mooks, I just give them backstories and stuff so I know what I want them to do.

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Ah, that was if you still wanted to have chakra to carry on with the rest of your exam-prep. I'm not nearly good enough with numbers to make a formula to describe the relationship between energy exerted, chakra expended, and chakra capacity as increased over time by doing the first two, so you'll just have to trust me when I say that it doesn't cost two days' worth to summon Tsumujikaze. In fact I have no intention of describing chakra in terms of exactly how fast it replenishes; I'm not very smart that way.

Click to shrink...

Huh. So what can we summon up and still have juice for the rest of the chunin exam?

Oh, I write mooks, I just give them backstories and stuff so I know what I want them to do.

Click to shrink...

Ah, but once they have backstories, they're no longer faceless nobodies, they are characters.

 

[uju32]

Eh. Maybe Ririko can get stuff going, I dunno. I guess we can try and mobilize. And I'd like to keep him within shouting range should we need a beatdown, at very least we'd need a good meeting point. We also can't lose points for whatever he does.

Click to shrink...

It's an hour long exam; we're unlikely to need physical backup for at least that long.
Send Menka off to take a quick look around for 30 minutes or so.
After which he can try your elimination round on the unwary.

Do note that he can only do it on those Ino escorts out; any others would require taking on their escorting chuunin as well.

Still, I guess recon is an option. I wouldn't be betting on Furiko letting us meta-game the entire second exam in advance, but maybe. He's not exactly trained for espionage though, so it seems like what he learns in 40 minutes is luck based. Hitting stuff seems more in-line with his talents.

Click to shrink...

The effort counts.
Remember, we're being graded for planning and forethought as well.
And cats have natural talents in that direction.

If Ino and Menka really thought they could figure something out, I guess. If we could avoid summoning around here I suppose it would be nice. Unless we can get out of sensor range or something. Eh.

Click to shrink...

If we need to summon, do so in the bathroom.
It should be far enough away from the exam hall not to draw particular attention; might pass as regular background Konoha activity.

It's not cheap at ALL though. I know this from OOC with Furiko, it costs like two days of chakra in order to put the guy on the field. So summoning one of the big ones will probably floor us.

Click to shrink...

Huh.
Good to know.

What, a summon scroll for pulling them here? If we CAN have one...failing that, my idea for siphoning chakra from tags we makeand using the stockpiled chakra to summon a horde was my plan for when we got it. And keep lots of copies on us.

Click to shrink...

Final exam.
Maybe.
More likely a post-exam project though; I wanna go into the finals with a working tessen and a Ranton surprise.

Eh. With us feeding directions into his ear or sight and him just having to sit looking like us, plus with Z-Slash? It's possible. Admittedly not my first choice.

Click to shrink...

Not my first or second choice either.
And adding a KO'd proctor into the mix increases the variables massively.
I'd prefer to avoid that wrinkle.

Furiko's got a lot of ringers in here. I think we could knock off a few people of importance by targeting their teammates.
Furiko does not seem to mooks, in fact. Not when she can avoid it. So I'd be very careful about generalizing that way....

Click to shrink...

Fair enough.
Pointing out, again, that if Ino doesn't escort the person out, Menka would have to engage both the escorting chuunin and the exam candidate.
No way I see him pulling that off without possibly lethal combat.

It does. So if we can get Gaara to make some kind of declaration and use that to strongarm other people....
Well, it'd be a good opportunity if we can get it.

Click to shrink...

Add it as a variable, then.
Just not a core part of the plan.

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

It's an hour long exam; we're unlikely to need physical backup for at least that long.
Send Menka off to take a quick look around for 30 minutes or so.
After which he can try your elimination round on the unwary.

Click to shrink...

Meh. I dunno. Yes, this is a thing we can do, but Menka stumbling on this just seems pure luck. If you're not comfortable with Menka wailing on the teens, I'm not comfortable with this whole idea where we go out for recon and expect to have info about the second exam fall into our lap. I'm honestly more partial to Menka just taking our place instead of using our summoning contract in the presence of sensors, just so we can send Menka out on a hope and a prayer.

I guess you can spin it as clubbing people over the head being the same thing, but if we can replace one person with a illusion we can replace another.

Real shame we don't have poisons or Tree Binding Death. Between the two of us we could cover more ground.

Do note that he can only do it on those Ino escorts out; any others would require taking on their escorting chuunin as well.
The effort counts.
Remember, we're being graded for planning and forethought as well.
And cats have natural talents in that direction.

Click to shrink...

We're kinda passing that with flying colors as is. We did our research. And like I said, sensors. Potentially revealing one of our trumps on a lark seems contrary to planning and forethought.

If we need to summon, do so in the bathroom.
It should be far enough away from the exam hall not to draw particular attention; might pass as regular background Konoha activity.

Click to shrink...

Eh. We can't really know so I'm still uneasy for the above reasons.

Final exam.
Maybe.
More likely a post-exam project though; I wanna go into the finals with a working tessen and a Ranton surprise.

Click to shrink...

We have a working tessen already. Ranton, no. But I am pushing fuinjutsu if we can crank up to max potency, which is us not just using it as a summoning aid, but to recharge our chakra reserves by siphoning our stored chakra.

Massive increase to staying power.

Not my first or second choice either.
And adding a KO'd proctor into the mix increases the variables massively.
I'd prefer to avoid that wrinkle.

Click to shrink...

Meh. Maybe. It does get us a good view of the room though, and if we're unnoticed we can use our stuff with much greater impunity because who's looking at the proctors for cheating?

Fair enough.
Pointing out, again, that if Ino doesn't escort the person out, Menka would have to engage both the escorting chuunin and the exam candidate.
No way I see him pulling that off without possibly lethal combat.

Click to shrink...

Eh. Element of surprise can mean a lot, and Z-Slash helps. But point taken.

Add it as a variable, then.
Just not a core part of the plan.

Click to shrink...

I figured that was covered well enough by [X] Modify or discard plans that will get us caught or reveal our tricks

But I can add, "If we don't think it'll work".

 

[uju32]

Meh. I dunno. Yes, this is a thing we can do, but Menka stumbling on this just seems pure luck. If you're not comfortable with Menka wailing on the teens, I'm not comfortable with this whole idea where we go out for recon and expect to have info about the second exam fall into our lap. I'm honestly more partial to Menka just taking our place instead of using our summoning contract in the presence of sensors, just so we can send Menka out on a hope and a prayer.
I guess you can spin it as clubbing people over the head being the same thing, but if we can replace one person with a illusion we can replace another.
Real shame we don't have poisons or Tree Binding Death. Between the two of us we could cover more ground.

Click to shrink...

Fine.
Have Menka take our place, while we play proctor.
Keeps the summoning contract under wraps.

We're kinda passing that with flying colors as is. We did our research. And like I said, sensors. Potentially revealing one of our trumps on a lark seems contrary to planning and forethought.
Eh. We can't really know so I'm still uneasy for the above reasons.

Click to shrink...

*shrug*
Not a dealbreaker for me.

We have a working tessen already. Ranton, no. But I am pushing fuinjutsu if we can crank up to max potency, which is us not just using it as a summoning aid, but to recharge our chakra reserves by siphoning our stored chakra.
Massive increase to staying power.

Click to shrink...

We'll worry about it then.
But depending on how many slots we get, I'm leaning towards picking up Ranton as a final flamboyant touch.

Meh. Maybe. It does get us a good view of the room though, and if we're unnoticed we can use our stuff with much greater impunity because who's looking at the proctors for cheating?

Click to shrink...

Fair point.

Beginning to think I've held this up enough.

PLAN
[X] Use a discreet False Surroundings or Throw Voice to inform Ami of the nature of the exam, and offer to pass along the answer key when you get it.

[X] Bathroom break time! For you or Menka. Take an examiner, and knock them out when you're alone. Disguise yourself as them so that now you are the proctor with a handy little key and....well, someone else is gonna be you.

-[X] Option one: Menka goes back to your seat as you and Menka.

-[X] Option two: summon Ririka, she goes back to your seat as the two of you. Menka lurks in the wings.
-[X] Option three: get Kiba replaced with the KO'd proctor Henged as sleeping Kiba via judicious use of Kawarimi. Akamaru is guard dog. Menka lurks in wings.

[X] So you're a proctor now, and with a great view! Keep an eye out for any special techs or secrets of the competition. Use your authority to boot some people out of the exam if you can manage it.

[X] Discreetly use False Surroundings and Throw Voice to give answers or hints to the Konoha teammates that need them. Coordinate and direct them as needed.
-[X] If the Hyuugas can spot some hints as to the next exam with their range, that'd be most appreciated.

[X] If you spot some students copying answers off others, you get the chance, and are confident you won't be noticed, use False Surroundings on them to make them copy the wrong answers.

[X] Sabotage time! See if you can set foreign teams against each other. Either sabotage each other now, or target each other in the exam. Spread rumors or false information.

-[X] Optional Menka sabotage, if he's available: he picks off weak links who leave the room. What comes back in the room should either be a very good Bunshin, an illusion, or some Henged object. If it can be arranged for people to have a good Kawarimi target that they think will get them out of the room and to answers or goodies, let Menka be waiting to clobber them and hide the bodies. If or when people suspect something is up, use the paranoia to fuel aggression towards each other and divert blame from you.

[X] Use Gaara's voice and bloodlust, possibly complete with hot breath or sandy breath breathing down on them, to try and scare people out of the exam. If we can get Gaara to speak loud enough for the entire room beforehand, even better. Priority on kicking the sensors out if we think we can crack them.

[X] If any of these tactics would be more effective prior to becoming a proctor, do so.

[X] Modify or discard plans that will get us caught or reveal our tricks or not work very well.

[X] Try and stay undercover at the end.
-[X] If KO'd proctor in the room in Kiba's place, have Menka Kawarimi with them and take Kiba's place.

[X] HoR uses Z-Slash! It's Super Effective!

Click to shrink...

That acceptable?

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Fine.
Have Menka take our place, while we play proctor.
Keeps the summoning contract under wraps.
Fair point.

Beginning to think I've held this up enough.

That acceptable?

Click to shrink...

Sure. I have considerable regret for us not hiding the body of proctor victim in plain sight as Kiba, cause you can't beat that for audacity, but if it'll get the next update, sure. It's pretty much what Unclouded voted for anyway. And I can't argue all night tonight, and I won't be very available tomorrow so I need to wrap this up or hand it off to others.




So Furiko, guess you've got your result.

 

[FurikoMaru]

[X] A cunning drama with a mysterious plot begins

Ami squeaks her chair twice to let you know she received your message, and you raise your hand.

"May I use the restroom?" you ask meekly.

Ibiki stares balefully at you for a moment, but nods at one of the female proctors, and she steps forward to collect you.

She's at least six inches taller than you.

You mentally curse as she snaps the cuffs around your wrists. You thought you were in the zone, what with the nearest proctor being the shortest; Ibiki specifically picked a taller one at the end of the line. You didn't think Ibiki knew about your little mask hobby, but apparently so. Stupid proud-Dad and his stupid friends who can supposedly keep a secret...

... huh. Wait a second.

You glance back over at Ibiki, and he meets your eye for just a moment before looking away again. His expression doesn't change, but that's perhaps the strongest giveaway.

What's the next exam going to be like that he doesn't want people to know I can steal faces?

"I'll have to accompany you," the proctor says in a bored tone, and you nod.

Oh well. Guess I'll find out later. Thanks for the freebie, craterhead.

You try not to let too much of a spring into your step as you stroll down the hallway, jingling slightly.

=

"Was that really necessary? She could have a concussion, man!"

"She'll be fine," Menka says dismissively, "she just won't be waking up for about an hour. Now quick, get her tied up."

Doing so and memorizing the answer key, you henge into the woman and Menka follows suit. Having checked each other over for imperfections, you eventually head back to the exam room, passing a couple of dejected washouts on the way.

Peeking in the window in the door, you hit Ami, Chouji, Lee, and (on a good-natured whim) the SSS squad with a False-Surroundings genjutsu, layering the correct answers over their test papers with a little 'trace away with love from Ino' tag in the upper left corner. You debated whether or not to help Tenten (she's never given you the impression she's much of a book person), but finally decided she'd be just as likely to out you as take the damn favour.

Only when this is done do you reenter the classroom, leading Menka-as-you by the cuffs back to your seat and unlocking him.

And now your real exam begins.

"That's you finished, kid," you tell the Kusa-nin who avoided Gaara, crooking a finger at him. There ain't room for two sensors in this exam, buster.

"W-wha-?" he stammers, blinking at you.

You point at the checklist of the proctor next to you. "I got you twice earlier, this guy got you twice while I was out with blondie over there, and just now makes five. You're out."

He frowns. "But-"

One of his teammates across the room swears loudly and gets to her feet, grumbling something about wishing she'd partnered with some name you don't quite catch. "C'mon, Pato. I saw a bar on the way in, the trip doesn't have to be a total loss."

The two are joined by a third boy at the door and depart, Pato throwing one last confused glance in your direction. You wink.

You aren't a ruthless proctor, but not from lack of trying. The simple fact is that most of these people weren't overconfident in their skills when they signed up for the exam; there are a lot of very competent cheats in this room. The incompetent ones were all filtered out while you were perfecting your henge.

The Oto trio, for example, haven't lost any points at all. Your pride is injured somewhat that the answers you put elbow grease into stealing are apparently not beyond the ken of an eight-year-old girl, but at least you know those three most definitely are ready for primetime, which is more than you knew about them when you walked in.

A member of the Suna elite team sticks his hand up. "Can I hit up the bathroom?" he asks.

The proctor beside you stands, and you realize that it isn't a proctor at all, but a puppet.

How creepy!

[X] Sabotage the puppet in some minor but vital way, exposing the whole scheme publicly.

[X[ Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."

[X] Leave the puppet be. It's not as clever or audacious as your own plan, of course, but not everyone can be perfect.

[X] Look to Ibiki to get his wordless input on the matter. There's no way he hasn't spotted an extra proctor.

 

[Happerry]

[X[ Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."

 

[Serous]

[X] Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."

 

[Jack Trade]

[X[ Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."

 

[Selias]

[X] Look to Ibiki to get his wordless input on the matter. There's no way he hasn't spotted an extra proctor.

On one hand, getting them kicked out would probably ruin the plan for the invasion. On the other hand, if that happens, Gaara will probably remain a psychopath. I'll leave it up to the GM.

 

[The Nobody]

[X] "-2 points" on the puppet.
- and wink at Ibiki.

Also, how do I '+respect' people here?

 

[iamnuff]

[X[ Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."


I would laugh my ass off if we checked the line of proctors, and it turned out that every single one of them bar Ikibi was a fake.

I would seriously lose my shit at that.

 

[WizardTwo]

[X] "-2 points" on the puppet.
- and wink at Ibiki.

Also, how do I '+respect' people here?

Click to shrink...

Top right of the post, little grey up arrow.

 

[Unclouded]

[X[ Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."

 

[The Nobody]

@ Wizard Two: Thanks.

 

[hunter09]

[X] Look to Ibiki to get his wordless input on the matter. There's no way he hasn't spotted an extra proctor.

 

[Guile]

[X[ Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."
In the puppet, if we can.

Hey, clearly this guy is a brilliant mastermind to come up with the idea of impersonating a proctor.

 

[Vindictus]

[X] It's Mastermind vs Mastermind time now~!
-->[X] Do not sabotauge the kid's puppet. I mean, you could do that- But then you wouldn't get the chance to show off what an awesome thief you are. Unless the puppet has a brain, or something of that sort, it'll need to have filched the key for it's master- So what you're going to do is steal that key, and replace it with a slip of paper emblazoned with "-2 points. Try harder~"
-->[X] If the above goes off without a hitch, then puppet-boy will suddenly be in a major bind- He'll need those answers desperately, and probably go to great lengths to get them. You will shut down those attempts, one after another- Preferrably without him, or anyone else, realizing it's you doing it.
-->[X] ... In the end though, go ahead and give him the answers. DO tell him who you are this time, as he will without a doubt be absurdly grateful and in your debt for helping him, even if it's 'On a whim' and at the last minute.

 

[overmind]

[X] Leave a note on the puppet reading "-2 points."