Re: Not Another...[Village Warfare]

Sat Jan 07, 2023 5:56 pm

It was all only a matter of time really.

Each person, no matter how strong they were. No matter how much power or money they acquired, no matter how good or evil they were…would all perish. Time was limited to those affected by it. Time came for all, for time itself had no friends. And it would seem as though Hiko Tau’s time…was up…

During the intermittent delay of the gate guard doing nothing, his eyes would ponder over to him. Seeing as to what they would do next. Although they didn’t move towards the designated spot, what they were about to do was rather predictable. Bracing for the worst, whether it be on onslaught of attacks from any of the members within the area currently, Hiko would activate the third gate, the gate of Life. Immediately, all of his DR would be replenished, in time for the Ushitora to simply make a punching motion in the air. Hiko knew this attack, for he also had it within his arsenal. The attack would hit Hiko, but because of him opening up the gate, he wouldn’t die from it.

Instead, he would get to live to see the oh so glorious chaos of Aoki’s demonic transformation. The shadowy cloak, the swirling darkness. It was truly a fitting end for the scorpion. And while there still was that slight shimmer of hope which might beckon to most, the Tau still knew the Hokage had felt too slighted by this act. A maddening cackle would billow out from the mad man, the reasoning behind it unknown and left ambiguous. Was it for he had done his job of causing general chaos? Was it purely out of manically masochistic delight? Village nin showing their true dishonorable colors by refusing a challenge, and then attacking an otherwise pacified opponent? Or maybe it was for it showed that everyone had a little bit of a side which yearned for chaos no matter how small it may be? The cacophony would come to an end, and the answer would be taken to the grave.

And so there lay headless, within the grasp of Aokidanza, was the corpse of Hiko Shimada.

(Not gonna put WC because the char’s dead so it doesn’t matter now, but)

combat stuff:

Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:59 pm

It was inevitable, the flow of conflict lead many to take action. The Ushitora, unbeknownst to himself reacted instinctively the moment he witnessed the chakra that spewed from the Hokage. It spread as he changed and moved to remove himself from its field, whilst preparing some form of attach with much power from what he could see. Aokidanza knew well of the Eight Gates, but with the Rinnegan he knew even more than before. He could see the actual gates that have been opened within the young man. He could see the flow of chakra as it flushed his system and overran his very being. He could see it all.

The attack was released, not with chakra, but pure raw force. It reminded him of his brother, Raian, whom he defeated during a spar to see who was more dominating. This was no different, but this attack was also not intended for him. He could see the lineup for the attack, and as it passed through the fist of the Ushitora the Hokage merely whistled softly, in a pitch that could not be heard by human ears. In a instant he vanished in a flash of black and purple lightning. Only to reappear behind Yachiru with his right hand upon her left shoulder, teleporting to the seal he placed on her before leaving the village. It was a clear wise decision to make. For even if he was in a village with an interdiction seal, so long as he’s within that bubble he can still use his teleportation Jutsu all the same as long as it’s within that bubble. He would tighten the grip he had on her shoulder, to signal to her not to make a move. She was impulsive when faced with battle. He didn’t want her to attack the guard.

In the midst of his attack, the orb, meeting the head of the Missing ninja he would release the pull the moment he teleported, however that would have left the man flying from the momentum of the pull to meet his orb. After which, the orb would move upwards 25 meters before making its way back to its owner. However, this would mean that the body of the headless Tau would meet the full force of the pressurized air current that came from Akuma-, eh, the gate guard!

Aokidanza would stand there, looking on, seeing the distance that the Ushitora has made for himself. The guard would then speak, apologizing for the wait. Aokidanza couldn’t help but to notice that he wasn’t stepping closer, he understood why. “I never had any intentions on doing you any harm, merely testing to see if you would fold under pressure. Even if you did not do it consciously, you did act and that was enough for me to be satisfied. Human, by nature are often compelled to react when triggered. Now I see that even some yōkai can be triggered similarly. That is fascinating.” He would then remove his hand from Yachiru’s shoulder. Cutting his eyes to the corpse. “You may keep that, as both a reward and reminder…that Konoha does not take such acts lightly, and neither should you.”

His eyes would return to the Ogre. Yachiru, maintaining her stance of standing meditation she would focus. The Terrible One would mover to stand before her, one meter. [/color=gold]That is enough, Yachiru.[/color]” His words received an immediate cooperation from her. She ceased her stance. “Now then, will you be maintaining that form, if so we can continue this dance if you like. If not, I will ask you only once to power down and alert your Kage. I wish to speak with her, here.” He made his intentions clear, and he will see to them should he have too, but this time with Yachiru who was now capable of going all out. But, if the guard decided to heed his request, he too will power down.

WC: 656
TWC: 3,049

AP: 1190/1710

Rinnegan: -10 AP
Jugo DNA: +10 AP
NE Stack: 2/6 -1 = 1/6

True Sage Transformation: 50 AP | 240 Vigor and Chakra
True Sage Transformation: Cloak: 100 AP | 240 Power and Speed
Truth Seeking Orbs: 37 AP | 240 Power and Speed (1/10 orbs active, 1/10 in Attack Mode, 9/10 Passive Mode)
Whistle Trigger: 5 AP (seal)
Flying Thunder God: 18 AP | 190 Speed and Power (Short Distance)

Yachiru:
AP: 2011/2044
+10 AP (idle)
NE Stack: 2/6

Sun Jan 08, 2023 8:25 pm

With that, the heat fell, the red skin faded to its normal color. The rain was once again allowed to reach the body of the man.

He would stand up before bowing deeply to the Hokage.

"Thank you for providing a chance to right my wrongs."

A few seconds later he would stand back up, if not given a statement by the Hokage to do such, and walk back towards the 'gate' that was little more than an opening in a simplistic fence.

Assuming that the Hokage had also 'powered down', he would continue. "One moment, please. I am unsure if I will have to go inform the village of the request myself, but can attempt one thing first."

Kuruoshiki turned to face the village proper. Though far, he had reason to think there would be someone keeping an eye on this exchange. Dai Cho had seemed concerned, and she had ended up being correct. While the village was far, father away than where the trio had walked from, it was easy for Dai Cho to have run the distance, or even some if it, in the time it had taken the trio to walk to where Kuruoshiki had once stood.

He made several sweeping motions on repeat. Far from a full alphabet, they were at least a rudimentary form of communication until the village had something better to deal with how they had chosen to guard everything.

If requested, he would explain what he was doing as he went.

"These motions are simply a means to garner attention. It is... a very new system, so we have many issues to work out-"

It was at this moment that Kuruoshiki would be able to register two bright, targeted flashes. That was confirmation that he was being watched. "If you noticed the flashes, it means someone is watching and confirming."

While Kuruoshiki was uncertain of this, that was a VERY quick response. He felt good in a guess that he was likely being watched for awhile now.

From here, Kuruoshiki would make five movements on repeat. Slowly at first, narrating them, then each at an identical (enough) speed. "Confirm" he said, clasping his hands together. "Important" was the word he used when one finger was pointing at his head, another pointing vaguely behind him. Not directly at Aoki, probably, unless Kuruoshiki got lucky without looking. "Discussion" he said, one hand over his mouth.

"Kage" he said, fingers, hands, and arms forming a triangle over his head, as if imitating a Kage hat. He would make this symbol twice, and state the word each time.

Three cycles of this, plus the slower cycles to explain, before two flashes came from the village itself. Kuruoshiki stopped, then five more flashes. Confirming five messages received.

He would raise one arm to his forehead. A salute towards the village, back still to where Aoki had been when Kuruoshiki first turned around.

Then three more flashes from the village. The salute was a confirmation: message over. The three flashes were confirmation that "message over" was received.

With that, Kuruoshiki would turn to wherever he would see the Hokage at this time.

"It will likely take them time to organize the meeting. I would personally suggest getting at least some cover from the rain, light as it may be, if you wish to hold it out here." This second sentence would only be said if they had not, for example, found cover under a nearby tree while Kuruoshiki's back was turned. There would, however, be a notable lack of trees within the fenced border. Though there were spaces that looked like they could be rice fields in another part of the year.

There was already a small crowd of ninja and would-be ninja around the entrance to the village when Emi arrived. She did notice that the crowd was dispersing, except for those that noticed her. Not out of some knowing, very few knew the hodgepodge of words. Rather, Emi was... actually well known by this point. Not that she was outspoken as a kage, but she had done enough, made herself known enough, willingly or unwillingly, that it had just sort've... happened. She walked to get a debriefing and found... Zenyatta.

He gave her the creeps but... she had no reason to think he was a bad guy. Thankfully, he was not the one she had to 'speak' with. Rather, one of the regular volunteers walked over to her, after Zenyatta gave a bit of a prodding.

"There was an incident at the outer gate."

Emi looked around, mostly at the people standing there. "I did gather as much."

"Ah yes, sorry. There was a confrontation between Kuruoshiki and an unknown, as well as two more individuals standing nearby the confrontation, possibly also involved. The first unknown is now believed to be dead, and Kuruoshiki seems to have stopped fighting and has signalled the village. 'Confirm', 'Important', 'Discussion', 'Kage', 'Kage'."

Emi pursed her lips. A fight at the gates, and Kuruoshiki was signaling for her? And signalling 'Kage' twice? She was not certain how to interpret that. "Have they started making their way in already?"

The individual looked uncomfortable. "They... are staying out there."

Emi just blinked at that, and said 'fuck'. Zenyatta, however, would make his presence known, and share his ideas on the matter.

A hundred meters within the fences whose gap constituted the outer gate, several things would appear. Emi herself had her hand on her forehead while strapped to her was a round table. The straps would be easy to break, if she wanted, and, after she arrived, she did want to, quickly flexing to weaken them and then ripping them, no longer needing her hand to her forehead.

The table would tilt forwards, and she would guide it to the ground before carrying it, walking to the gate to greet the individuals.

Alongside her appeared Zenyatta who, just moments before, had had his arm held by Emi. He would also walk forwards, though not so far as Emi would.

Kuruoshiki, seeing the pair, would first introduce them before running to grab the table from Emi.

"Lady Emi Tanaka, Komekage. Lord Aokidanza Senju, Hokage." That... caught Emi off guard. Kuruoshiki had signaled 'kage' twice, and now she knew what he meant.

Calling for her, and mentioning another kage was involved.

She was making a concerted effort it ignore what exactly lay near the gate, covered only by Kuruoshiki's undershirt that he had taken off and torn.

When he grabbed the table from her, she motioned to something on the table. "The cloth is for the... incident. We will determine what to do afterwards." While she said it in hushed tones, she would make no other attempts to hide what she said from the Hokage. Not purposedly nor conciously, at the least.

Kuruoshiki took the table to the gate, touching the middle side to the fence, then took the blanket to the corpse, covering it up.

"I apologize for the circumstances, Lord Hokage. I hope your wait has not been too long." While speaking, Emi removed a large umbrella she had had strapped to her back, while Zenyatta began removing the various chairs he had carried with from the various portions of his body they were stuck to with tape and wrappings.

"And apologize for the quality of the chairs we could manage to bring with."

There were three chairs in total. Zenyatta placed on on the close side of the table, closer to Tanbogakure, and gave the other two to Kuruoshiki to place on the far side of the table. Then the two would find their way to behind the chair Emi now stood behind. Gesturing to the pair of chairs across from her, she would say, "Please, feel free to take a seat, if you so desire."

If he did, Emi would take her own seat. If Aoki refused, or delayed, or otherwise remained standing, however, she would also remain standing, behind her chair. They were simple - folding chairs. But they were easy to carry along, so that had been the decision.

"I am unsure how far introductions have gone so far, so I shall fill it in." She raised one hand towards Kuruoshiki, saying "The person on my left is Kuruoshiki. I presume you are at least mildly acquanted with him. The individual to my right is Zenyatta."

Emi would look serious as she asked this next thing. "I would very much like to know what happened out here."

OOC:

Mon Jan 09, 2023 11:03 am

The air that was heavily drowning in danger, evil intent, lust for blood and carnage had flipped, just like before. The hair of the Demon returned to its original form, the horns receded as the cloak of malevolence faded. The Hokage powered down, the orbs faded from existence and the eyes returned to their crimson state. Aokidanza merely nods at the Ushitora once he gave thanks. The guard would then go to explain step by step without giving too much information on what he and his comrades were signaling. Watching him and listening to his explanation of it all helped the Demon realize that it was that complicated.

Yachiru, a member of Aokidanza’s Root was also keen on this. She didn’t speak much after the fun was said and done, she merely stood at her lord’s side. After it was all said and done the guard took the time to inform him about the time frame for organizing the meeting. That was no issue, the Demon could wait. “I am in no rush.” The group made a collective decision to move out of the ran.

Meters away the pair, Aokidanza and Yachiru could see someone come into view. They hauled a table strapped to them as they did. The Terrible One merely raised a single brow as the first thought that came to mind was “Seems that one is fond of grandiose entrances.” catching the attention of Yachiru, who’s laughed softly. “Why bother carrying it and not just riding in one it from the heavens?” This made Aokidanza chuckle. It was clear that the two found humor in others showing off their strength in a non-subtle way. And this was exactly one of those moments.

They would acknowledge the one next to her, Aokidanza before his guard. The Sharingan of the demon recording the muscle movement of the man as he walked with his lord, Aoki could see that he had no physical prowess at all. What’s more, the man was religious - given his symbols and markings which constitutes to a monk, something that Aokidanza was well versed in.

The gate guard would then introduce the two, Komekage and Hokage. After which the Demon could see that the Komekage was doing her best to ignore the headless corpse on the ground nearby, even going as far as to bring a proper covering for it. It was time to begin. He would establish direct eye contact with her. “Do not stress the small things, I’ve been around for some time now, waiting is a necessity of life that I’ve adopted to my benefit.” He made clear, Yachiru glancing over to the man with the many chairs. “This lot…” She thought.

The Komekage would also apologize for the quality of the seatings, but the Hokage wouldn’t even make the effort to give a reaction about them. Once offered a seat he would oblige her for the hospitality. “We have met. I am Aokidanza Senju, Hokage of the hidden leaf village. To the right of me is Yachiru, my trusted subordinate.” Yachiru did not take a seat, it wasn’t wise to as she was on active duty as his body guard.

The face of the Hokage would give off a haze expression to the question. Then recollecting what she meant he would laugh. His eyes would cut over to the corpse. “You mean the dead Tau? Did they not inform you of what they observed? Odd. That there is a man, was a man named Hiko Tau. He was a Missing Ninja who was using my status as leverage to attempt a bribe at your gate guard, even your village. I did not like that. Thus I’ve come and dealt with him accordingly. While allowing your guard the opportunity to remedy the reputation of your village. I find it distasteful for a lowly missing ninja to threaten a village without any power of their own. But what I find even more distasteful than that is a village that cannot deal with a mediocre threat alone. I would hope that you didn’t do anything as shameful as to drag someone else into the matters of your home. Believe it or not, other nations frown upon that.”

The Demon would then adjust himself in the seat. His demeanor alts completely as the air tinged with suffocating tension. His eyes hued as his gaze locked on the Komekage. “Now then, with that out of the way, let me cut straight to the chase. The way that I see it, I’ve done you and your people a solid. Dealing with a “threat” if that’s what you want to call it while also helped restore your Village credibility. I have never been one for charity work, nor will start now. This will cost your village, a significant sum at that. No Kage should have to leave the confines of their village to deal with another’s threat, at least not for free. You seem like a wise and reasonable person…are you a wise and reasonable person, Lady Komekage?” He asked, his voice tinge with malevolence and chill. He would read her for any form of confusion, or misunderstanding.

“I will allow you to present an offer and I will either accept it, or deny it. Depending on if it is adequate to my stepping in.” He said, then giving her the floor to speak.

WC: 896
TWC: 3,945

AP: 1190/1710

Sharingan 3 Tomoe: -10 AP
Jugo DNA: +10 AP
NE Stack: 2/6

Yachiru:
AP: 2021/2044
+10 AP (idle)
NE Stack: 2/6

Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:07 pm

After speaking his own introductions, Aoki would explain the situation. At least, it would be explained from his point of view, as well as explaining what he sought, now that the situation was 'over'.

At this, Zenyatta would "speak up", a slight, quiet clap of his hands showing he wished for a moment's attention. "There is something Zenyatta wishes to do, so-" but she would pause a moment. "Ah, I should explain somewhat. Zenyatta is from a Monastery near here. He has taken a vow of silence. He does, however, have other ways of communicating. He wishes to do such, and wanted to inform us of such." She would look to the man now. "Is it something where I must provide additional warning?" Zenyatta shook his head, meaning that whatever he planned would likely not involve the Hokage or his party.

Rather, Zenyatta would reach over to Kuruoshiki and touched his arm loosely. Zenyatta would share his memories of standing guard at the inner gates when news of 'something big' reached him. Kuruoshiki still disliked this, but he knew what this meant, and had accepted the 'conversation' so to say. He shared back the memories of the encounter at the gate, from when the trio arrived, to when he started signalling back to the village.

When the memories ceased flowing, Zenyatta smiled and turned forward to face Emi, tapping her on the shoulder.

Emi also hated this feeling, and the shoulder tap meant he wanted to use the more annoying one. "Pardon," she would say to those across the table before turning towards Zenyatta.

He would place his palm against her forehead, and suddenly she remembered getting the memories of Kuruoshiki. Despite Zenyatta having been the one to do such. He would then remove his hand and return to his position, hands clasped in front of him.

"Thank you, Zenyatta, I see what happened now." She would look across the table to the Hokage.

"I was informed of what was observed, but it was far from a complete picture. Even now, I do not imagine I have the complete picture." Emi would lean forward in her seat, elbows on the table, hands clasped, with her mouth behind the "fist" of her hands.

Emi could not allow there to be enough time for him to form a counter statement. Luckily, she had the memories to work off of.

"There is, however, something that truly bothers me. You say it would be shameful to drag others into matters of my own home. Now, that you did us a favor cannot be denied. But I am quite curious what brought you to these lands. I would ask if one of my subordinates had reached out, asking for assistance, but for two things. First, I believe they are smart enough to not do such. Second, you yourself said that Hiko summoned you here."

Emi let that marinate in the air for a moment. Zenyatta has a smile on his face. One he had had when they arrived, and that had not changed the entire time here, aside small movements one might expect of a person being idle.

"There is a great concern in that idea alone, that a village would have such close ties to a missing ninja so prone to threatening other lands. Whether by accident or not, a missing ninja with apparently very close ties to a foreign kage has recently threatened my village. Said kage then shows up and deals with the threat, immediately afterwards asking for compensation."

Emi would stare directly to his eyes now. She was pissed. Far more than she had been when she first arrived.

Zenyatta would squeeze her shoulder, an almost imperceptible motion. But likely one that could be perceived by the one across the table. Emi would sit up, release a sigh, look across the table, fingers interleaved with one another, and calm her look. Not a happy look. She desperately wanted to know: was this man the 'anonymous ally'? If he were, why should she owe anything, seeing as he was the reason Hiko was a threat to begin with? But she was at a marked disadvantage here. She had seen, in a sense the ease with which the Hokage had killed Hiko. That was not some she, nor possibly anyone else in her village, could match.

He had won.

"But as I said, that you did us a favor cannot be denied, and the threat was dealt with. Whether dealt with as part of a ploy, or because the ninja went too far, the difference may not be worthwhile, even if curiosity could kill. So let us see. Were I to do a similar thing, at the behest of a foreign national, I do believe I can parcel out what the rate would be. There is the matter of base pay, the matter of the danger of what is being hunted, add on the sheer distance that is required to be covered. So lets start around 70,000 ryo before incorporating travel. That is an overestimate, I do believe. Let us say a clean 100,000 Ryo if the individuals are providing monetary recompense rather than proper transportation. And for how efficiently it seemed the issue was handled, certainly simpler than I could have, why not increase the return? Let us say around 150,000 Ryo. With a final part to sweeten the deal."

Now she would lay her hands separate, flat against the table. "A deal. Not with me, but with The Northern Rice and Sake Trading Company. A trade deal, specifically. Allow them to operate in your lands, and should they require protection, fill that at request a standard market rate. Do such and they will pay your village for the honor. Two thousand ryo, weekly. I do not speak for the company, but they have given me permission to offer this as a deal to any who would take it. Is this amenable?"

That would be the deal she would offer.

OOC:

Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:29 am

“”is this…amenable?”” He challenged. His voice, tone colder than any plane, tinged with haze and disavowal. The Sharingan, hugged by black scleras, sat firmly on the eyes of the woman. His mind backpedaling the information that was presented to him. The Demon would stand, taking a few steps from the table, his back turned to the Komekage and her escort and guard. Yet, Yachiru kept her eyes intensively on them. Aokidanza, his mind in a maze of questions that swells from within him, a constant struggle of equilibrium between being a Kage and being a Demon.

He must come to terms with himself, understanding the point of his beginning to his now. He acknowledges that, he accepts the fact that he has done a grave many terrible things to get to where he was now, to protect the ones that are dear to him - Takara, Yachiru, Ooetsu and now Ishimaru and Goto along with the village - his decision defined him, marking him as The Terrible One, The Demon, The Embodiment of Evil and now…and now the God of Destruction. He sighs, for he knew that he would end up doing it again, and again, and again? He was a monster, a devil cursed with walking this creation. A plague to mankind’s existence. Corruption twisted into the image of a man. He smiles…gently. His thought process determined that this was an insult, it all was. 150,000 ryo and 2,000 ryo weekly while some company of commodities infest his county to harvest his resources while at the whim of their prudence? Who to blame, should they harvest their fill? Who to blame, should they deem they are no longer satisfied and wish to go elsewhere? Who to blame, should they elect to cut ties? His people would not depend on another, nor should they have to suffer from a half ass deal such as this. Tanbo, showed its hand to the God of Destruction, capable of proposing deals on behalf of another entity while benefiting from the connection, yet walks away free of the blame should the deal go south…

No, no, no, no, this is not it, it is not right. The Demon turns to face them, standing but only seven meters from them. The mask he wore of an expression was that of a menace, ear to ear smile, a smile so nerve wracking and tense that even the most fearless will find some discomfort in it. “I did not come here for that, Komekage. I came here to deal with an annoyance and I did. I requested your presence…being reasonable. I could have came and found you, while leaving a blood drenched path in my glorious wake, but I did not…I was being reasonable. A show of respect for your position, for your efforts and yet you come to me with one hundred and fifty thousand ryo and a piss off two thousand allowance deal that I did not ask for nor do I care to even entertain. You slight me, you slight me in such a way that even you cannot seem to fathom, not yet anyway.” His tone held a touch of madness, bloodlust, death calling within it. His presence was foreboding. He cared little of this village, even less for its people and he understood why he was like this. The world was full of humans that are selfish and never disappointing in that regard. A realm of shinobi expected to be honorable as if their true nature was not the exact opposite definition. Emi Tanaka was no different, a child playing Kage. Toying in the affairs of the mighty. Shaming the title of a shadow.

Just as I have given your gate guard the opportunity to remedy the blemish on their reputation I will bestow you the same opportunity, child. Fix…this. 150,000 ryo will not suffice, 300,000 will. Do not play coy with me and pretend you do not possess it because only one of us will not find the outcome of that favorable, that I will assure you. I am a monster first, Kage second. I do not expose myself unless I am confident and I…am…confident, Komekage. You trade deal is of no use to me, so remove it from that table immediately. Offer me the amount I am asking for, kindly asking for and allow our audience to close. But be warned that if you refuse me, I will level this entire village down to the last atom and I will do things to your people that will make the idle empty threats from that dead Tau look like butterflies and sunflowers.”

He finally showed himself. The same Aokidanza that smiled and laughed in the face of Kenshin Uzumaki at the gates of Sunagakure. The same Demon that stepped and walked on the necks of all those that dared to challenge him. Emi was no fool, Aokidanza could see that. She was aware of their differences in power, even with her escort and her guard they were nothing close of a threat to challenge him. They knew that. You see, this is the side of politics that many do not see, or are too blind to see it. The internal war zone that combatants undergo while using words. The Demon would stand his ground, fully alert to her position as well as the others. Should he have to he will act and slaughter them all. However, part of him did not wish to spill more blood today. He found no joy killing a child and her protectors.

But he will…

WC: 929
TWC: 4,874

AP: 1190/1710

Sharingan 3 Tomoe: -10 AP
Jugo DNA: +10 AP
NE Stack: 3/6

Yachiru:
AP: 2031/2044
+10 AP (idle)
NE Stack: 2/6

Thu Jan 12, 2023 8:53 pm

Simpler days. Emi had to think of simpler days. That would help her get through this. She kept telling herself that.

Even as Aoki exclaimed his superiority. Emi had to think of a simpler time. When she checked out that beach place. She had had a great time, performing for people. She had dragged her equipment all the way there. And it was a blast. Some people paid her for it. Or donated, maybe? She was unsure if there were weird technicalities around those words or not. Either way, it did not particularly matter. She had gone to had fun. She had had fun, playing music for a crowd. That money was involved was simply a bonus.

She had been able to enjoy so much. The sun had beamed down. She had actually been able to get a tan! On purpose! That wasn't the result of backbreaking labor in the rice fields!

She had played some fucking epic jams. Turned heads, too. Sure, she had only played some 'safe' stuff. No swears, none of those things. This was a public place, there were kids. But her tastes in music were... decidedly different. It was new, for many people. There had been hecklers. Performing in public was a magnet for hecklers. But the people cheering her on, or at least being nice, far outweighed the hecklers. Even when they were physically louder, whether the small crowd around her was quiet and listening, or the heckler was shouting at the top of their lungs, there was always something that stirred within the crowd: resentment towards the person fucking up the music. They themselves would often find themselves heckled by far more people.

At one point an individual had even been chased off. So Emi had been able to play in peace.

When Emi had encountered weird, spooky things? Honestly that had not been that bad either. Things were strange, certainly, but the world seemed to overall be enjoying it. She had heard some glorious tales of those times. Of people doing this and that, finding things that were, sometimes, beyond simple comprehension.

Emi thought it, at least in no small part, to be hogwash. She had heard too many individuals say, more or less, the same thing. Could there truly be seven nearly identical cosmic entities bent upon destroying the planet, all foiled in simple ways?

The answer was not 'no', necessarily, but the answer most certainly was 'that seems unlikely'.

Even with the tall tales, the frivolous outcomes, it was still fun. Emi had truly enjoyed listening to those various people tell their various tales. Those that stalk the night facing those that stalk the unknowable. There had been a particularly well spoken individual, one that she expected most of all had made it up. For her stories had not perfectly matched, not in the ways such stories normally were, yet were so eloquently spoken. It was beautiful, truly. She had been the one to use that prose. 'Those that stalk the night facing those that stalk the unknowable." It had sent a shiver down Emi's spine at the time.

Now it paled in comparison to the one in front of her.

It was these sorts of happy thoughts that gave her the conviction. She knew what she had to do. It hurt. She disliked it. But she had a role to fill. These memories gave her energy. Energy to not fight. To just get it done.

She could remember mere moments ago, as Kuruoshiki had taken the table from her, she had already been affronted (not on purpose, of course, probably), by the Hokage's chakra. Perhaps 'assaulted' was the wrong turn. It was not as if he were constantly hostile. Or perhaps he was. Perhaps this was less "Emi was rather new to the sense and overestimating it". Maybe he was just actively, or passively, hostile about such. It would not surprise her, based on the discussion so far. But it set a tone about him. Whether it was her inexperience convincing her of something not true, or something else, she had a gut feeling: he was not lying.

"Understood," she would say. "I will need to go to the village vault. One moment."

Emi raised her hand to her forehead, and in a moment she was back within Tanbogakure, within the Komekage's office. Teleporting was far faster than if she had taken the time to walk back. The Hokage seemed like the sort who was willing to wait, but would prefer not being made to wait unnecessarily. She would take a moment to grab a piece of paper and a pen before walking while writing, at the last second also grabbing a ribbon from her drawers. She did not want to keep the Hokage waiting, after all. He had made his stance clear.

She handed the paper to her aide, exchanging a few words, and to make sure it was handled.

Now it was off to the vault. It took some time to walk to it, and some to open it. It had to be secure, after all. Of course, as Kage, and currently the only Kage, she had access to it. Emi stepped inside, closing the barriers behind her. She would grab the requisite items, and take a breather. She needed a moment before dealing with this all.

OOC:

I cannot use Instant Transmission again until my next post

Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:29 pm

Destructive, corrupt, hateful, malevolent, sinful, immoral, not matter how you said it, phrased it, evil will always be the definition. Aokidanza was all of those things, those words, no room for redemption, hope, light. A bottomless abyss, ever twirling, ever suffocating and drowning. He was a force, undeniable, unbending in will. He was a monster, created by the natures of mankind, their greed, their toxicity it all forged his growth. The Demon of the leaf gazed deeply at the Komekage, awaiting her answer while observing her body language - Sharingan recording and explaining what her subtle, yet instinctive shouts of movements. Emi was overwhelmed…

Her body screamed with frustration due to the sudden shift of the situation. Was she in over her head? Maybe. Her status within the village came with much more than just power and luxury, it came with hard-decisions, liabilities, plans and obstacles. Compromise, impasses. These things can weigh heavily on another, if they are not yet ready for it. The seat seems favorable to many eyes, but it is not welcoming to everyone. It can be spiteful, venomous at times. Conflict plagues the throne just as much as the power.

Predicting the next moves of the woman seconds before she even did them, the demon did nothing to stop her from expanding the chakra within her from core to head and toe. He allowed her to do what she must to please him. He knew, he saw it in her eyes that she knew he wasn’t making a threat that he couldn’t keep.

The eyes of the demon would shift to the mute, he brought his hands to form signs of speech to communicate with him. “A vow of silence? Commendable, not many can manage such, especially when I’m crossed.” A message, one that was both dark and insightful. The God of Destruction was not jesting. He was on the verge of dropping calamity upon this country if he felt slighted any further.

Yachiru remained calm, idle as she kept her eyes in the mute as well. She was growing restless with all this waiting, but she would restrain herself further…just a little further.

WC: 358
TWC: 5,232

AP: 1190/1710

Sharingan 3 Tomoe: -10 AP
Jugo DNA: +10 AP
NE Stack: 4/6

Yachiru:
AP: 2041/2044
+10 AP (idle)
NE Stack: 2/6

Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:37 pm

IMPORTANT OOC NOTES IN SPOILER BELOW

Spoiler:

Aokidanza cannot claim to have memorized Emi's signature, unless he or the NPC have a way to reduce wordcount, or still be in 'the chakras presence' from more than two kilometers away. Getting this out pre-emptively.

Those with the Sensory specialty no longer need to sense chakra with restrictions actively, and this skill's passive range is increased to 20 meters around their person. Additionally, they can passively feel any chakra stat regardless of their own. Those with this skill can memorize chakra signatures for 2,000 words while they are in the chakra's presence to be learned. This 2,000-word requirement does not conflict with any training, but it must be claimed at the thread's end before it can be used.

I'm not trying to argue some "YoU nEeD sEnSoRy SpEc" or anything. That would be dumb!

Rather, I want people to focus in on the second part, specifically these words:

Code:: Those with this skill can memorize chakra signatures for 2,000 words while they are in the chakra's presence to be learned.

Let's look at where, in Aoki's posts, Emi first shows up, and follow that all the way until she uses Instant Transmission away. Note that Emi first arrives well outside the range of Chakra Sensory, but I am including those words too, for simplicity.

Meters away the pair, Aokidanza and Yachiru could see someone come into view. They hauled a table strapped to them as they did. The Terrible One merely raised a single brow as the first thought that came to mind was “Seems that one is fond of grandiose entrances.” catching the attention of Yachiru, who’s laughed softly. “Why bother carrying it and not just riding in one it from the heavens?” This made Aokidanza chuckle. It was clear that the two found humor in others showing off their strength in a non-subtle way. And this was exactly one of those moments.

They would acknowledge the one next to her, Aokidanza before his guard. The Sharingan of the demon recording the muscle movement of the man as he walked with his lord, Aoki could see that he had no physical prowess at all. What’s more, the man was religious - given his symbols and markings which constitutes to a monk, something that Aokidanza was well versed in.

The gate guard would then introduce the two, Komekage and Hokage. After which the Demon could see that the Komekage was doing her best to ignore the headless corpse on the ground nearby, even going as far as to bring a proper covering for it. It was time to begin. He would establish direct eye contact with her. “Do not stress the small things, I’ve been around for some time now, waiting is a necessity of life that I’ve adopted to my benefit.” He made clear, Yachiru glancing over to the man with the many chairs. “This lot…” She thought.

The Komekage would also apologize for the quality of the seatings, but the Hokage wouldn’t even make the effort to give a reaction about them. Once offered a seat he would oblige her for the hospitality. “We have met. I am Aokidanza Senju, Hokage of the hidden leaf village. To the right of me is Yachiru, my trusted subordinate.” Yachiru did not take a seat, it wasn’t wise to as she was on active duty as his body guard.

The face of the Hokage would give off a haze expression to the question. Then recollecting what she meant he would laugh. His eyes would cut over to the corpse. “You mean the dead Tau? Did they not inform you of what they observed? Odd. That there is a man, was a man named Hiko Tau. He was a Missing Ninja who was using my status as leverage to attempt a bribe at your gate guard, even your village. I did not like that. Thus I’ve come and dealt with him accordingly. While allowing your guard the opportunity to remedy the reputation of your village. I find it distasteful for a lowly missing ninja to threaten a village without any power of their own. But what I find even more distasteful than that is a village that cannot deal with a mediocre threat alone. I would hope that you didn’t do anything as shameful as to drag someone else into the matters of your home. Believe it or not, other nations frown upon that.”

The Demon would then adjust himself in the seat. His demeanor alts completely as the air tinged with suffocating tension. His eyes hued as his gaze locked on the Komekage. “Now then, with that out of the way, let me cut straight to the chase. The way that I see it, I’ve done you and your people a solid. Dealing with a “threat” if that’s what you want to call it while also helped restore your Village credibility. I have never been one for charity work, nor will start now. This will cost your village, a significant sum at that. No Kage should have to leave the confines of their village to deal with another’s threat, at least not for free. You seem like a wise and reasonable person…are you a wise and reasonable person, Lady Komekage?” He asked, his voice tinge with malevolence and chill. He would read her for any form of confusion, or misunderstanding.

“I will allow you to present an offer and I will either accept it, or deny it. Depending on if it is adequate to my stepping in.” He said, then giving her the floor to speak.

“”is this…amenable?”” He challenged. His voice, tone colder than any plane, tinged with haze and disavowal. The Sharingan, hugged by black scleras, sat firmly on the eyes of the woman. His mind backpedaling the information that was presented to him. The Demon would stand, taking a few steps from the table, his back turned to the Komekage and her escort and guard. Yet, Yachiru kept her eyes intensively on them. Aokidanza, his mind in a maze of questions that swells from within him, a constant struggle of equilibrium between being a Kage and being a Demon.

He must come to terms with himself, understanding the point of his beginning to his now. He acknowledges that, he accepts the fact that he has done a grave many terrible things to get to where he was now, to protect the ones that are dear to him - Takara, Yachiru, Ooetsu and now Ishimaru and Goto along with the village - his decision defined him, marking him as The Terrible One, The Demon, The Embodiment of Evil and now…and now the God of Destruction. He sighs, for he knew that he would end up doing it again, and again, and again? He was a monster, a devil cursed with walking this creation. A plague to mankind’s existence. Corruption twisted into the image of a man. He smiles…gently. His thought process determined that this was an insult, it all was. 150,000 ryo and 2,000 ryo weekly while some company of commodities infest his county to harvest his resources while at the whim of their prudence? Who to blame, should they harvest their fill? Who to blame, should they deem they are no longer satisfied and wish to go elsewhere? Who to blame, should they elect to cut ties? His people would not depend on another, nor should they have to suffer from a half ass deal such as this. Tanbo, showed its hand to the God of Destruction, capable of proposing deals on behalf of another entity while benefiting from the connection, yet walks away free of the blame should the deal go south…

No, no, no, no, this is not it, it is not right. The Demon turns to face them, standing but only seven meters from them. The mask he wore of an expression was that of a menace, ear to ear smile, a smile so nerve wracking and tense that even the most fearless will find some discomfort in it. “I did not come here for that, Komekage. I came here to deal with an annoyance and I did. I requested your presence…being reasonable. I could have came and found you, while leaving a blood drenched path in my glorious wake, but I did not…I was being reasonable. A show of respect for your position, for your efforts and yet you come to me with one hundred and fifty thousand ryo and a piss off two thousand allowance deal that I did not ask for nor do I care to even entertain. You slight me, you slight me in such a way that even you cannot seem to fathom, not yet anyway.” His tone held a touch of madness, bloodlust, death calling within it. His presence was foreboding. He cared little of this village, even less for its people and he understood why he was like this. The world was full of humans that are selfish and never disappointing in that regard. A realm of shinobi expected to be honorable as if their true nature was not the exact opposite definition. Emi Tanaka was no different, a child playing Kage. Toying in the affairs of the mighty. Shaming the title of a shadow.

Just as I have given your gate guard the opportunity to remedy the blemish on their reputation I will bestow you the same opportunity, child. Fix…this. 150,000 ryo will not suffice, 300,000 will. Do not play coy with me and pretend you do not possess it because only one of us will not find the outcome of that favorable, that I will assure you. I am a monster first, Kage second. I do not expose myself unless I am confident and I…am…confident, Komekage. You trade deal is of no use to me, so remove it from that table immediately. Offer me the amount I am asking for, kindly asking for and allow our audience to close. But be warned that if you refuse me, I will level this entire village down to the last atom and I will do things to your people that will make the idle empty threats from that dead Tau look like butterflies and sunflowers.”

He finally showed himself. The same Aokidanza that smiled and laughed in the face of Kenshin Uzumaki at the gates of Sunagakure. The same Demon that stepped and walked on the necks of all those that dared to challenge him. Emi was no fool, Aokidanza could see that. She was aware of their differences in power, even with her escort and her guard they were nothing close of a threat to challenge him. They knew that. You see, this is the side of politics that many do not see, or are too blind to see it. The internal war zone that combatants undergo while using words. The Demon would stand his ground, fully alert to her position as well as the others. Should he have to he will act and slaughter them all. However, part of him did not wish to spill more blood today. He found no joy killing a child and her protectors.

But he will…

Destructive, corrupt, hateful, malevolent, sinful, immoral, not matter how you said it, phrased it, evil will always be the definition. Aokidanza was all of those things, those words, no room for redemption, hope, light. A bottomless abyss, ever twirling, ever suffocating and drowning. He was a force, undeniable, unbending in will. He was a monster, created by the natures of mankind, their greed, their toxicity it all forged his growth. The Demon of the leaf gazed deeply at the Komekage, awaiting her answer while observing her body language - Sharingan recording and explaining what her subtle, yet instinctive shouts of movements. Emi was overwhelmed…

Her body screamed with frustration due to the sudden shift of the situation. Was she in over her head? Maybe. Her status within the village came with much more than just power and luxury, it came with hard-decisions, liabilities, plans and obstacles. Compromise, impasses. These things can weigh heavily on another, if they are not yet ready for it. The seat seems favorable to many eyes, but it is not welcoming to everyone. It can be spiteful, venomous at times. Conflict plagues the throne just as much as the power.

Predicting the next moves of the woman seconds before she even did them, the demon did nothing to stop her from expanding the chakra within her from core to head and toe. He allowed her to do what she must to please him. He knew, he saw it in her eyes that she knew he wasn’t making a threat that he couldn’t keep.

A quick check will confirm that this is only 1,897 words, and that this includes everything from Emi teleporting in to Emi teleporting out, every single word. Just short of the requisite 2,000. Further, Emi is simply no longer in their presense.

Emi was tired of this. If this was the world of ninja, if this was how they were expected to interact, what could she honestly expect from a summit of these people? Their collective insanity would be far too much. No, Emi would rather focus on something else entirely.

The paper? A note to Rin, delivered by now, as Emi stood there in the vault.

The ribbon? The same one sent by the Chikage.

The orders to her subordinates? To evacuate. Out the back, through the castle, far from the village, including the civilians. This would be ongoing, but a not insignificant amount would already be secured. Out of the village. With very specific instructions to not use any pathways that were in view from the central gates.

The requisite items that Emi had grabbed?

All the Ryo of Tanbogakure. All the scrolls and other documentation describing how to perform village techniques, or use village skills. Anything that, to another person in another universe, might be referred to as 'village exclusives'. The vaults were rendered bare. And even now, Emi knew her office would be burning. That was the final command given. It was far in the back of the village. And the orders were strict: wait until she was in the vaults.

But Emi would not get a chance to experience any of this. With the vault cleaned up, the fire not even close to her location, no other worldly threats to her life or well being, nor any other possible ways to harm her besides the persons who were too far away to interfere, Emi ended her previously mentioned breather. With her last moments in the village, her last moments with a home, she left. Teleported away. To the farthest point she could. The farthest place away she had ever been. At least, within the rice. Far from Aoki and his entourage. Far from danger. Not over some chasm, or in some person or intersecting some thing. Simply: far. With everything she had gathered in a large tarp that Emi is carrying, and thereby she is carrying all of it actively.

OOC:

Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:57 pm

^ I don't want to edit the post but it's pretty obvious that this is meant as a long range teleport exit from thread and village

If forgetting THAT DETAIL is what bites me in the ass, WELP

100 AP spent