Ember Within The Mist [P]

Winter was wrong in this village. Through squinted eyes the Mizukage gazed out from the window of the Hokage office to bear witness to the glossing of snow that wrapped around the village, cloaking it in a white veil. The snow was so delicate and brittle that it almost matched Konohagakure itself. In Kirigakure Xyxer was used to the freezing bite that the elements afforded him during this time of year, the chills that rattled bones and made parents warn children, coating them in so much fleece that they wandered around as little more than obese, unshaven sheep. While his grey and amber eyes glanced out onto the village that hosted three others, a wild idea streaked through his head.

Burn it all to indulge in the warmth.

The thought was so trivial that it was barely worth consideration; what was the point of sparing a village from the sword just to leave it all in ruins soon after? He needed no display of power in this land. Those who didn't know of his prestige were not worth their salt in a land where intel was the most important commodity. Turning around from the window, he made his way towards the seat of the Hokage and sat down at the tidied desk. Documents were stacked on one side of the desk with a tray in the center containing two glasses and a pitcher of OJ.

Not too long ago an emissary had been sent to one of the applicants to inform him of his requested presence at the Hokage building, yet little else would be divulged right now. Xyxer did not need someone to feel high and mighty when they came before him for the Leviathan's patience ran quickly in foreign lands. For now, he'd wait with any required documents on the side of the desk with both a marker and a regular pen on the other side.

This should be an interesting meeting.

There were some things people could never adjust to. For Kinzoku, that was the cold. He was a southern boy having been raised and lived most of his life in Suna. The desert was his natural habitat. Most people would consider Konoha a neutral environment. At times it was cold, at times it was hot but the majority of the time it was a comfortable environment. To the Nazar it was always chilly, even with his long black jacket. Today was the coldest it has been in Konoha since the Jounins arrival. It was snowing, a soft blanket of the white powder gently descending upon the citizens of Konoha. Kinzoku was no stranger to snow and the cold that came along with it. At the age of 18 all Nazar members had to take a Coming of Age Journey which required them to travel the world. It was meant as a soul searching journey and to help them reach the state of Enlightenment. On his own Coming of Age Journey, Kinzoku had come across snow and the terrible cold that came along with it. Though it was all relative.

Today, the cold did not feel nearly as bad as it had when he first encountered it. Back then the chill ate at him down to the bone. Now it was just the natural cold weather that that followed closely behind the snow like a child to a parent. Thus Kinzoku donned his usual black clothing with his black jacket. Only today the inside of his jacket and gloves were lined with animal furs to keep him warm. All topped off with the last few puffs of a cigar hanging from his lips.

An emissary had come to his place informing him his presence was required at the Hokage's office. The only reason he found himself outside in the cold right now. As he arrived he paused outside the doors before flicking the cigar bud into the snow. The remaining embers of it's tip melting the snow around trying to fight back its cold embrace as long as possible. Small and meek yet still burning. He stared at it for a moment, overthinking it's significance before he removed his hat and entered the building.

He stopped to pat down the snow off his hat and shoulders, freezing a moment before making the walk to the office. Something was off. The chakra signature he was sensing was not that of Risako's. It wasn't as potent. At least not a face value. But deeper down there was something darker, more sinister about the chakra he was sensing. He soon realized this was not going to be the meeting he had expected. Slowly composing himself, the Nazar finally made his way to the office.

Upon arrival he walked passed the secretary, picking up a flurry of emotions from her. Fear being the most prominent one. He gave a quick smile to her in a futile attempt to assure her there was nothing to worry about. But the only thing that would reassure her would be the departure of the man inside. He gave a couple of knocks on the door before opening it an entering the office. 

"Lord Mizukage" Kinzoku said as he brought hit hat to his chest while slightly bowing, greeting his leader.

Fear was the easiest thing for mortals to understand, the most essential emotion in order to survive. The fear that your entire existence and legacy could be snuffed out by a stronger adversary. While Kinzoku entered into the Hokage office, Xyxer tried to understand just how much the most potent emotion would dictate his emotions. A slight understanding of Kirigakure's mannerisms, "Close the door behind you. For future reference, you'll kneel rather than bow." He had no need to mince words with someone he had light knowledge of, especially one that was in the process of being vetted for a position that was essential in his future plans.

Gesturing towards the seat before himself on the desk, he lifted up the pitcher and generously poured the contents into both the glasses, continuing on while he assumed the Nazar made himself comfortable in the presence of a civilised beast in the guise of a man, "I take it as you're curious as to why I invited you here?" Xyxer settled the pitcher back down onto the tray, taking a glass into his own nigh-motionless hand. His single amber eye burned into Kinzoku, while the grey one maintained icy contact.

Lifting the glass up towards his lips he drunk some of the contents, not caring too much for anything that Kinzoku would say in response unless it truly resonated with him, yet given the differing ideologies of the two this was unlikely to be the case. Lowering the glass once more, he opened the conversation up again, a casual tone in his voice that almost overshadowed his ruthless actions during the invasion, "You shot a bolt into that boy during the execution, when I told you all to take his life. A kill shot." He chewed lightly on the inside of his cheek for a second before continuing, "What was it like, Kinzoku? To kill a shinobi you were meant to protect, then to watch your village descend upon him like a pack of.. wild dogs?" He was curious as to whether the man before him knew the clan of the neutered stray.

It was a strange thing to see a man leading his armies to your doorstep, killing your fellow shinobi and shattering your Hokage's back to now see him civilized and seated behind a desk with a platter of orange juice. Maybe that's what it took to lead and conquer nations. Have the strength to take them out but also have the capability of being civilized. Even in his current state Kinzoku could feel the power oozing from the man. But what was he doing except sitting behind his desk? Was it his reputation, or the fact Kinzoku knew that the man could destroy the village if he simply felt like it. Whatever it was Kinzoku would need to be careful. He could not afford any slip ups during this encounter, whatever it may be for.

As he bowed he took the opportunity to scan the room to see if anything were out of the ordinary. He did not notice anything unusual. He did however, spot the stack of papers on the desk with a pen and marker resting beside it. Was this going to be some sort of interview? Was this to be done with multiple Konoha shinobi or just a select few, if at all? Only time would tell. At the moment he had more important things to concentrate on, like the fact he had already slipped up.

A mere bow, how foolish of Kinzoku to think that would be enough for Xyxer. He made them kneel on the battle field for him, why would it have been any different here? He quickly moved past the thought, closing the door behind him with a quick push as it gave a gentle 'thud' shut. He moved over to the seat in front of the desk, placing his hat on the corner of it as he removed his gloves and placed them in the inside pocket of his jacket. Watching the Kage pour the orange juice left the Nazar unsettled. He would never get use to the image of the man who conquered their village pouring orange juice. "I suspect it has to do with the note I filled out" Kinzoku answered as he too reached over for his glass of orange juice. He looked back at Xyxer as he thanked him for the glass, remembering those eyes from the battle field. Yet another feature of the Kage to leave you unsettled.

He said no more than what was required. He did not take a drink from the contents of the glass either, being more focused on what this meeting was for than whether or not he was refreshed. Straight to the point, Xyxer bringing up Kinzoku's execution of Salzem. Just like that the memories of everyone taking their piece of Sal before Kinzoku ended it came flushing in. Every detail still imprinted on the mind of the Nazar. A night he would likely never forget.  It was a pretty serious question to lead with. After all this was their first encounter. Xyxer was likely trying to gauge the man in front of him.

"I felt nothing" Kinzoku replied, the glass of orange juice still grasped between his right hand untouched. Kinzoku was not aware of Salzem's clan, thus believed Xyxer was simply comparing them to wild animals. "In moments like those, you need to leave your emotions behind and do what needs to be done. We had fought and lost. What more was there to do? Fight back and get whipped out or save the many for the life of one?" Kinzoku did not expect an answer from the Kage. He was not looking for one either. He wasn't even sure why he was asking it. Maybe he was asking himself, trying to validate his own actions. "In hindsight, it was a moment of weakness, a decision I wouldn't make again. You brought us down to our weakest point and took advantage. It's a mistake we cannot afford. One we can't make again." In the Nazar clan they tattooed themselves for every passing year, the tattoo marking something significant in that year. All Kinzoku's tattoos were wrapped around his right arm, hidden underneath his clothing. The last tattoo represented the war between Konoha and Kiri. The one before represented the take over of Suna. What would the next represent?

Kinzoku looked back at the Mizukage wanting to ask a question himself. Why Salzem? But deep down he had an idea why. Get rid of the weak and allow others to grow stronger. It was not something Kinzoku agreed with but at the moment it did not matter whether he agreed or not. Instead he finally took a sip from the OJ, remaining as calm and collected as he could be. Best way not to slip up was by not asking stupid questions.

The Nazar was on target with his judgement of the situation he found himself in, the white-haired man before him opening up with a brutal reminder of the wound he had inflicted upon his village. Given time the event may be forgotten if left unmentioned, he doubted such a weak shinobi curated any sympathy or friends during his short stay in the world. Xyxer had no intention to allow such mending.

It was vital that sacrifices were understood and remembered. A life given in exchange for many; a token to buy temporary respite. Kinzoku’s response offered a few quaint points that resounded with Xyxer, but whether he truly believed him or not was an entirely different question. As far as he was aware, the man had never witnessed an execution of such proportions before, a betrayal of a singular person by a large entity that professed to be family. A scar was formed by that event, and Kinzoku’s expressed emptiness provoked the hollow man.

For the most part, he understood the conventions of winning and losing, knowledge that was important yet seemingly forgotten by many of Konohagakure. Sipping from the glass in his hand inbetween the Nazar’s words, the refreshing taste reminding him of a simpler, albeit weaker time. That Kage would handle this situation far differently, leave too many openings for a rebellion to manifest. Every Kage Xyxer had known was weak when it came to empathy. They seemed to ignore the most important rule of being a shinobi - Attachments are a weakness.

Kinzoku finished by talking about not wanting to make the same mistake again, as if he believed Konoha would be placed in the same situation. A light silence hung in the air while the guest indulged in his drink, the distant footsteps of operatives within the building being the only audible sound while Xyxer watched him. “It is easy to say that you felt nothing, especially for people such as yourself. How easy it is to pull the trigger and think, ‘It is not I, it is the bolt. The blood of that boy is not on my hands. The bolt killed him, not I.” Xyxer kept his penetrating gaze on the Jounin, “But the bolt does not dream anything in the night.” He finished his thoughts on the boys displayed absence of empathy. Nobody in Konohagakure was able to forego their feelings from Xyxer’s experience, their Will of Fire inspired emotions within them that when too poorly measured resulted in an imbalance that caused fatal weaknesses.

He expected no response from the ninja, cyborg cowboy, so he continued on shortly afterwards. “In hindsight, I would have bathed your beloved village in the fire it claims to hone. Reduce the village of legend to naught but scorched rubble and cindered bodies, had I known how your village would repay my mercy.” The words were spoken calmly and without hatred, yet measured amply so that his point was as potent as the bolt which slay Salzem. Another sip of OJ before pressing further, “Yet my error in judgement persists, and I sit here, a humble servant of state, prepared to make it work out to mutual benefit. That is why we are both here.” Kinzoku’s history was largely unknown to Xyxer, yet something of note was the rather clunky arm of Kinzoku, metallic and inelegant.. artificial. “In my position during that war, Kinzoku, would you have done any differently? Witnessing innumerable dishonourable actions by your opposition? “ The Mizukage lightly probed the man while a stoic expression remained plastered on his relaxed features.

A silence followed after Kinzoku spoke. A silence that would leave most people uncomfortable and twitching in their seats in a situation such as this. But the Nazar felt no shift in his current mood. Silence was his home. In meditation, there were no sounds but ones own thoughts. In fact he welcomed the current silence. A brief but necessary respite to gather his own thoughts and make sure his mouth was no dry for the conversation to come. The Mizukage replied to Kinzoku's words. Easier to pull the trigger and let the bolt do the work than to get ones hands dirty and bloody. But at the end of the day it was still Kinzoku who shot the bolt. He performed the action and ended the boys life. Nothing could change that and Xyxer was right. It would stick with him, forever living in the back of his mind waiting to show up whenever his eyes closed. Whenever he prepared himself for meditation. The only solace Kinzoku took from this was that he had ended to boys suffering. A suffering he did not deserve.

It seems Kinzoku had not expressed himself as best as he had hoped. He did not disconnect himself from the killing of Salzem. He knew the blood was on his hands as much as every shinobi who participated. He needed no reminder of what he had done. Every morning he woke up he saw the tattoo painted around his right arm, reminding him of their loss and the execution of Salzem. Though he presented no agreeing reply to Xyxer's remarks for they were moving on. 

He continued to listen with the juice resting on his lap gently grasped in between his fingers. His gaze remained as sharp as ever, never losing focus from the silver haired man. Xyxer himself was calm as ever, calmer than Kinzoku had imagined possible. But that did not hinder the message in his words as they resonated with the Nazar. The man who brought an entire village to their knees was now speaking what could hardly be disputed. In between Xyxer's brief pauses, Kizoku followed them with a sip of his juice, at times unintentionally doing it at the same time as the Hokage. At times unconsciously doing so. 

"It is hard for many to see past your initial actions" Kinzoku began, bringing the glass back down. "Much of the younger generation simply see you as the man who killed our shinobi and took over of our village." There was a slight break before continuing, thinking of his own students and the conversation they had not too long after the battle was fought. "I for one, can appreciate your... generosity." Was that a poor choice for words? His 'generosity' to refrain from burning the village after having slain our shinobi and forced us do to the same. "I was not offered the same fate in Sunagakure and the entire village was lost. A mutually beneficial arrangement with Konohagakure is something I can work with." Unless Kinzoku was reading the situation wrong, Xyxer called him here to be apart of the discussions between the Konoha and Kiri relationships. If so, it was best he did not screw this up. After all, the interests of the village were at stake. 

The question that Xyxer followed with left Kinzoku reaching deep into the crevices of his mind to search for a suitable reply. The simple answer would have been 'no'. But there was no simple answer. A simple answer would not do justice to the question asked. This question alone could reveal the entire essence of a being. It was a well timed question by the Mizukage in his venture to continuously prod at the mind of the Nazar. Kinzoku felt that in order to properly answer the question he needed to know the reasons for Xyxer's actions. What drove him to attack Konoha, yet allow it to retain its status as a major village. "I'm afraid I don't have a simple answer for you, Lord Mizukage" Kinzoku began, watching closely to see how Xyxer received his reply. "I don't claim to know your reasons for conquering Konoha. But you're currently allowing us to work under you, to our mutual benefit" he added while waving his two left fingers back and forth slightly, implying their villages and not simply just the two of them. Though could there really be any mutual benefits if one village owned the other? "I see that as an attempt to unite. Not destroy. If my interests were to move towards a mutually benefiting relationship, I would not have attacked. But..." he added, sipping his drink which now contained about a fourth of its original volume. "had I gone to conquer, allowed them to surrender, been met with resistance time and time again, I cannot say I would have acted differently. My methods would have been different, but necessary to achieve the goal."

It was a harsh thing to admit, that you would have acted in the same manner as a man many regarded as a monster. But it was the truth of the matter. Sometimes, examples needed to be made. "I believe in second chances. I believe it to be necessary in order for this... arrangement to work out."

Kinzokus words were well thought out and carried some weight with them, something befitting of a man that had covered the role of Hokage during the absence of Risako. Xyxer did not need Konoha to see past his initial actions. On the contrary, he needed that memory to remain a bitter scar in their psyches, a brutal reminder on what would happen should they find their loyalty to Kirigakure ebbing.

It was just then that the cowboy mentioned an appreciation for Xyxer's generosity which caused his eyes to narrow onto him for a few seconds. Were these words spoken genuinely and freely, or because he feared for not only his own life, but the lives of his people? Words spoken when doused in fear could seldom be taken as truth, the main weakness in Xyxer's organic manipulation of others. Respect would have to blossom within the fear, or it was little more than the words of a trembling man that did not wish to see himself beneath the blade of an invader.

Sunagakure's fate was not new to Xyxer, he'd heard of its subjugation by Maku, and as an extent Kumogakure. The tension this man must have with that village would be palpable and likely to be exploited. He most likely had friends that were taken there that he would want to save, to ensure they were not slaughtered either by the Village of Rot, or by the inevitable expansion of the Mist. A light nod was offered to show that Xyxer had listened to Kinzokus response.

It was expected that the man was uncertain on the answer to what the Mizukage asked. Was there any single answer that worked for all people? Failure to defend yourself left a bitter taste in ones mouth, moreso when your life remained solely due to the mercy of the conqueror. To know you gave it your all.. and it was inadequate. Simply inferior. Kinzoku hinted at not truly believing that Xyxer had set out with an alliance in mind, a theory that was entirely correct, although he would not confirm it. "I offered an alliance many years ago, Kinzoku. I did it by letter, written by my own hand. I merely decided to ask face-to-face this time." Xyxer spoke softly, "Since that Hokage, I believe many have replaced him. Three? Four? It's difficult to keep up. Kageship is fleeting in this world, and this village especially.. until now. Now that I'm here, things will change." Xyxer ran his finger along the rim of his glass for a single complete circle.

"When you look at Risako, what qualities do you see in her? What qualifies her to lead you and your people?" Xyxer inquired with interest lining his voice. The girl had served him well, yet her stance was too careless in most scenarios. She'd be more of a burden than an asset in the future, and such things must be taken care of before they can escalate into problems that choke a defenseless throat.

The slight narrowing of the Mizukage's eyes did not go unnoticed by the Nazar. The Nazar's special ability known as the Arahant allowed them to read people's movements with precision and ease. Although it was not always active, years of experience and training had lead Kinzoku to pick up on the slightest of details. The Mizukage's suspicion towards Kinzoku's words were all the easier to pick up considering how the two were looking right at one another. Kinzoku was not surprised by the Mizukage's suspicion either. 'Generosity' was a peculiar choice of a word to use towards the man who nearly tore the Hokage in half and decapitated an ANBU operative. He understood the Mizukage's mistrust in the word as Kinzoku was likely one of few, if any, to believe the Mizukage had been generous. But anyone who had been through a takeover before, or thought through it and knew what the Mizukage could have actually done would understand the use of the word. 

Kinzoku still had not adjusted to the soft spoken, calmness the Mizukage was currently speaking with. It wasn't something he expected. But to be an accomplished shinobi in this world it took more than just power. It took diplomacy. He was showing that he possessed both. Kinzoku left eyebrow raised ever so slightly to the mention of the letter. That he had inquired about an alliance with Konoha in the past. That failed, so he decided to meet us head on. It made Kinzoku wonder if the first time was in fact for an alliance and not simply to get closer to Konoha to strike at a later time. In the long run, perhaps a takeover was always his end game? He could not say for he did not know the Mizukage's motives nor did he fully understand the village situations at the time. Political situation, military power, alliances, everything could have been different back then compared to now. Like having a consistent leader. 

It was no secret that Konoha went through Hokages like the changing of seasons. He wasn't sure why this was the case but his guess would be lack of training. The higher ups likely did not train predecessors and thus when a Hokage died or resigned, there was no one qualified to take the spot. It was true for the current Hokage and it as true for Kinzoku currently acting as Deputy Hokage. One could only imagine how long this trend had been going for. Though that would be coming to an end if the Mizukage's words were to be believed. The problem was not that Kinzoku did not believe Xyxer's words. He was just uncertain as to how he would stop such a thing from happening. There was so much unpredictability in this world. As he said himself, 'Kageship is fleeting in this world'. "Times have changed" Kinzoku said acknowledging Xyxer's words before finishing the remainder of his orange juice. Were they changing for better or for worst?  

He leaned over just enough to place his glace back on the platter giving himself a moment to think over the question. As he leaned back into his chair he gently intertwined his fingers with one another, softly resting his arms over his lap. His eyes peering up as though he were taking a look into his own mind . "Respect" he said, meeting the gaze of Xyxer once more. "She has the respect of the shinobi of this village. It's more than the respect garnered for carrying the title of Hokage. It's the kind that brews over the years... years of working and fighting for this village." He took a moment before continuing to make sure his words that followed were chosen wisely and nothing was misspoken. "It takes more than just respect to lead a village. There was a hole in Konoha's leadership with no one to fill it but her, unprepared, as everyone was. It was an unfair situation to be in but one that needed to be done. The village appointed her and she took the responsibility." Kinzoku assumed Xyxer was aware of the Nazar's role in the village now. That he had replaced Risako during the Gokage Summit. His following words were based on that assumption. "The village trusted her to be our Hokage so I trust her as our Hokage. Neither of us were prepared for our roles but I suppose that's apart of being a shinobi isn't it. Dealing with the unexpected. All I can do now is work with the Hokage... and you. To repair the holes in this village."

Swirling the orange liquid in his glass for a few seconds, Xyxer kept his gaze narrowed on the Deputy.The light circular motions were helping to warm and loosen the wrist of the Mizukages right hand, stimulating better circulation of the blood in his arm. Once that was done and his company finished their own drink off, he settled the glass and its swirling contents onto the desk. No need to finish it just yet, not while bigger, more interesting matters were at hand.

Nestling back into his chair, the Nazar folded his arms over his lap yet otherwise seemed relaxed in himself. Fortunate, it appeared that he'd been able to discern how to make this man comfortable in his presence. It wasn't always an easy feat to accomplish when interacting with people who've witnessed dark deeds committed by the hand that now feeds them. Little fear was shown by the cowboy at the moment, which was optimal. It'd help the man do what he needed to do to privately convey a message without too much fuss.

Kinzoku commented on the girl having the respect of the village, a comment that was scratching the roof of Xyxers mouth. He was not a man of poor manners, so he waited until the man finished his commentary on Risakos capability to lead before he finally spoke himself in turn, verbally pressing his companion, "If the village respects Risako, then why did some refuse to kneel under her command? Why did one perform handseals while feigning submission like some deplorable creature?" A slew of additional words followed immediately afterwards, "Conviction, sacrifice, honour. Those are the markings of a good Kage. The knowledge to not only understand, but submit when you are outmatched, rather than feebly struggle to pry the jaws from around your foot before they tire of the game and simply snap. The children of this village struggle against their own kage, and she refused to put the boot down.. to discipline them herself, despite the potential consequences of Kirigakure." The words finished for a moment once more, his body language remaining casual as he engaged in this conversation.

Lowering his eyes momentarily towards the single hand made of flesh, bone and sinew on the cowboy, he nodded his head towards it, "Roll your sleeve up." He glanced towards the metal arm with mild curiosity, "How did you lose this one? Birth defect? Combat?" Xyxer finished off on, the look of curiosity on Xyxer's face was artificial yet melded on the mask he wore as if it was heartfelt. A humanising trait to ease the situation should aid the flow of things.

Separating his hands from one another, Kinzoku ran his right hand across the top of his hair combing his slick black hair back. It wasn't necessary but it was used as a type of distraction. Close his eyes for just a bit to allow them a rest. Looking at the same thing with such focus for extended periods of time often left the eyes weary and trying to find something else to focus on for just a moment. In certain circumstances, such as this one, it would not due to have the eyes wondering around the room. It could very easily be taken as a slight and that was the last thing Kinzoku needed. After smoothing out his neck-long hair, his hands met each other once more over his lap as the Mizukage began his reply. 

The entire time Xyxer spoke Kinzoku was thinking, he had a point. The Hyuuga had remained standing when the Hokage told us to kneel. Yensung had begun performing hand seals which caused the Mizukage to strike and essentially start the battling. Perhaps Kinzoku was wrong. Maybe Risako had not gained the respect of her shinobi that he believed she had. Perhaps there was more to it. Things were often not always as black and white as they seemed. 

"Their pride got the best of them" Kinzoku admitted speaking of those who failed to follow the Hokage's orders after Xyxer finihsh. "They believed fighting and losing was better than kneeling and surrendering. There is a curtain admiration to hold for such conviction, right or wrong. Maybe that's what changed our Hokage's mind to stay and fight." There was a slight gap before Kinzoku continued speaking, thinking back on Xyxer's own words. "The Hokage does need to discipline those who defy her. I believe they know not to defy her now. We've all seen where that leads us." Leads to the death of many and the execution of one of our own.

The conversation took a sharp turn. One moment they were speaking about the Hokage, the next Xyxer was asking Kinzoku to roll up his sleeve. The gesture left Kinzoku confused. It was easy to see his gaze shift downwards towards his hands but Kinzoku expected it was due to his metal hand. Apparently that would come later. Now, Kinzoku was pulling both his arms out of his jacket revealing the black long sleeved shirt below as he allowed the jacket to fold over the back of the chair. It was easier to roll up the sleeves of just a shirt rather than a shirt and jacket. But why? Did he know of the Nazar tradition to tattoo their right arm? Unlikely. There was something else at play here. One Kinzoku was not too eager to find out about. With one swipe Kinzoku lifted his sleeve up to his elbow revealing the array of tattoos. Beginning from just above the wrist each one circled the arm moving past his elbow. The ones above the elbow remained hidden by the sleeve as it would have been a little harder to roll it up past that point. Then came the question Kinzoku had anticipated.

"I was on a mission as a Genin" he began as he looked down at his metal hand, flexing his fingers in and out of a fist as memories of the event flashed through his mind remembering it like it were yesterday. "We were tracking rogue shinobi who had stolen village documents. We tracked them into a tomb. On the way out we accidentally set off explosives. My teammate, my brother pushed me out of the tomb. I came out with my life, losing my arm in the process. A small price to pay for his." He was his brother but not by blood. In the Nazar community your brothers and sisters were those you grew up with. "This tattoo is for him" Kinzoku said pointing to one of the tattoos on his upper forearm. It was a sword that circled his arm from tip to hilt, the same sword his brother used. Within the sword was his name. He looked back up to meet the gaze of Xyxer once more waiting to see what this was all about.