"Quite the family alright..." Seijuro remarked, taking note of Kareha's gaze. While they all did not have to like each other, they had to work together. And so they were fitted into two-man cells and assigned to various villages, with the exception of Iwagakure receiving a four-man cell for the fact that it housed two Kage currently. Seijuro made note of each of the members' peculiar attitudes and their various quirks in silence.

One by one, the duos made their way out of the meeting room after clarifying where they each were going. Seijuro was left with Jaakuna, Sano, and Sebun. The four were to travel to Iwagakure and enter without suspicion. Once inside, Jaakuna was to pull off the role of crowd control by ensuring Sano a direct route to the Tsuchikage without any resistance, and to do the same for Seijuro on his way to visit the captive Mizukage. Sebun was crowd control in a different aspect, he was to fight head-on against anyone attempting to interfere with their plan. Sano was, well, he was to deliver a message to the Tsuchikage. Whether this message was delivered before or after a one on one standoff was at the discretion of the shark. Seijuro, on the other hand, was not on a mission to deliver a message nor was he plotting an assassination. He was to extract the necessary information from Ocha by any means necessary.

Jaakuna was going on and on about his usual nonsense. Though Seijuro was not so arrogant as to dispel these warnings. Although he seemed not to care, he had actually been paying close attention to the changes in Jaakuna since their timely resurrection. The cracks in his skin were of great importance to the puppet master. It was a sign of things to come should he not find a more stable vessel, if that was even a possible solution. Seijuro had kept his combat to a minimum, although a sense of unease permeated his hardened exterior. Although when Jaakuna mentioned how he couldn't go on fighting like this, Seijuro almost laughed. At the very least, he cocked his head at the fox and made eye contact, noticing the reddening of his sclera as he did so. "Did you really just tell me you can't keep doing this?" This wasn't a joke, he was staring at Jaakuna with a completely serious expression. "You do realize that we're dead, correct? And that your will holds utterly no significance in the matter of what you may or may not wish to do here? Your soul is bound to mine, old friend- and I use that term VERY lightly- and therefore you have no say in the matter. You can go from hero to villain, as you did in your past in coming to me, but you cannot reverse the process. Once your soul is tainted, you are forever stained. You are just as much an abomination as I, your soul belongs in Hell just as much as mine. It would serve you well to remember that fact. So with the knowledge you have of your own circumstance, you can wallow in self pity and try your best to play hero-fox once again only to fail, or you can accept your fate and play your part in this war, on the side you belong on. And in playing your part, together we will figure out a way to rid ourselves of this curse that plagues your physical body, for my own vessel will no doubt begin succumbing to this rot as I exert myself." Seijuro's little monologue ended quite abruptly. If Jaakuna were to respond, it would be on their journey to Iwagakure, for Seijuro was already halfway out the door, having everything he needed already stored inside of his body. There were two new seals on his arms, new tools for the war ahead.

"Sano, Sebun, let's move. The Tsuchikage needs to hear the will of the Yomigaeri. And our beloved Mizukage is in for quite the treat as well." With that, the four would set out to Iwagakure, and make it there just as the night took over the landscape

Later that night, the outskirts of Iwagakure...

Seijuro and company stood outside the village hidden in rocks, atop the stone mountains that the village was built into. These were the barricades that kept armies at bay, providing the most defense against attackers. Despite this functionality they now served as the easiest route of entry into the village for a small infiltration mission. Standing amidst two large mountains, they overlooked the largest tower in the village where the Tsuchikage resided.

Sano groaned as they finally paused for a brief moment. The shark did not like mountain climbing where there was very little water in the air. It's not like it mattered, he could turn the entire village into a puddle should it come down to it. "I can nearly taste his blood already... his delicious chakra.. all of it. I worked up quite the appetite making our way trough all those fucking mountains.. He will make a fine meal tonight." The shark grinned as he looked back toward the group. Seijuro had already disappeared, and this was Sano's cue to take over. Without saying another word to either Jaakuna or Sebun, he formed several handseals. "FUCK THE PLAN!!!" The maniac predator bellowed with rage.

"Water Release: GREAT EXPlODING WATER COLIDING WAVE!!!" He opened his massive jaws and released an ocean of water from atop the mountain, the colossal sea of water shooting upward and outward before utterly crashing down into the village. Such a surprise attack would certainly draw the attention of the entire village, while sending thousands to their deaths if they were not prepared for a fucking tsunami to come out of nowhere in the mountains. Buildings would be destroyed from the pressure, others would flood and force the citizens of the village hidden in rock to react to his onslaught.

Forming several more handseals, Sano leaped from the mountain as he grabbed Samehada from his back and released it from its bandages. He landed atop the water with a crash, sending ripples across the surface of the pool of water. As he landed, the water he had spewed forth would form a dome shape, its entirety at his feet. He was bold as fuck, though despite what could be perceived as a careless lack of caution for the enemy's home field, Sano was in essence taking away the home field advantage that the Shinobi of Iwagakure otherwise would have held if not for Sano's brash maneuver.

"COME OUT TSUCHIKAGE!!!! COME OUT AND DEFEND YOUR VILLAGE WITH YOUR LIFE!!!" Sano commanded as dozens of poor earth country citizens drowned inside of his bubble. There would be chaos in the streets and enough cover to allow the rest of the Yomigaeri to complete their own tasks.




After speaking with the snake of the Yomigaeri, the crow would land at the outskirts of the Hidden Leaf, outfitted in a black cloak and a mask with the appearance of a crow's skull over his face. He used the cover of nighttime as he entered the village he had called home for so long, and made his way to the Hokage's manor where the new Hokage resided. Kyo caught wind of Ginsho's death through Seijuro, but knew not of this Shinko character.

He stood on the steps of the manor and contemplated for a second. He looked back, gazing upon the village he had strived to protect for so long. This was his home.. or so he had once thought. He looked up at the Kage manor. Oh how he had once aspired to live in this building, to be the beacon of light for the people here. Such a foolish dream, he thought, before approaching the door and knocking. A curious way to invade a village, sure, but no one was to expect of him any malicious intent. After all, for all they knew, he was still very much connected to this village.

"What're you doing up there, foxy? Want to go eat something and talk about it? I'll pay."

Bumu's fingers relaxed, and he looked down to the streetlamp laden streets below. The fox shinobi sighed again, eyes laying down upon the ice fairy. Hime Yuki, huh? Bumu barely knew them, which was odd considering the social butterfly he tended to be. And yet... The more Bumu thought about it, the less he seemed to notice. The less he really knew other shinobi. He knew... Kaba. Barrier kid, really strong... Had Daddy issues? Kurin was a stiff guy who didn't smile much because he was all business. But why? Why was he all business. Stuff like that just kept repeating in Bumu's head. He knew so many people, but nothing about them.

"You'll pay, huh?" Bumu replied, after a good ten seconds of silence. He jumped down onto a lower roof, and then hopped down further till he was balanced on the very spikey tip of a lamp. He seemed... curious as he watched Hime. "Look, if you're here to pity me... Thanks. I need that a bit." He chuckled softly, as if he just got the world's greatest joke. Kind of twisted to be honest. But, he wasn't about to turn down charity. His nose wrinkled as he sniffed the air, and he knew just the shop to get food. "You like Ichiraku? The old man's a bit stingy with the broth, but his meat is cooked to perfection!" Bumu raised a hand, letting the oversized sleeves of his outfit roll back so he could claps his hands together and sigh. Dreaming briefly of chicken, the duo where well through ordering when he snapped out of it.

"So... Hime right? Your mom was... Uh..." He paused, trying to remember what village the Yuki clan even came from. She was a good few years older than him to start with, so it was kinda like talking to ones mom or something. "It's the water one, right?" Slurping up a string of noodles (With a noodle slapping his nose for extra measure) Bumu just let the whole thing sink in. "Look... To be honest, this whole thing is a mess..." He grumbled softly, glancing down the street where they had come from. "I don't even got proof the guy is my dad. This thing? Used to be one of his, but I pretty much cashed in everything on that." Hime probably knew that feeling too. Apparently she didn't even know who her dad was. There where guesses sure, and the Aka f- Wait a minute, that's where he knew her face!

It was about 8 years ago, human time. Bumu had approached the Aka estate, using the coat, a letter from his mother, and the family crest his mother had to prove his father's identity. They didn't take it well even then. Leaving the fox in a room for hours, thinking he couldn't hear them. He could hear everything. The bickering over money. Bumu didn't care about that, but that was humans. Until they sat him down, took a photo, and made a file. Fingers, DNA, everything before they filed it away. There where a lot of names there. Faces and photos all around... And Hime Yuki had been one of them, only now did he get why they had a filling cabinet.

"But hey... At least now that he's back I can say hello, right?" Bumu smiled, though it was weak, nervous, and... Sad. Part of him didn't even want to meet his dad at this point.




Conversation over... Huh. Jaakuna hated this, a complete shutdown of a conversation, as if he was being scolded. The Fox shinobi followed after Seijuro, pulling down the fox skull mask that had been chosen for him. His dark robes flourished behind him, as if he was still a hero and this was his cape. "I think you mistake what I mean." He hissed, walking alongside Seijuro. His 'partner' had a way of commanding all attention with a word. He hated that. But, there was no point arguing it for now, he'd have to get what he needed later. Because for now, there was an empty hole in his chest. A hole where Kurama used to lay and give him strength unimagined. Once upon a time he could have killed all these kages on his own, but now? He felt weaker, denied his significant strength. He should have beaten Ginsho two moves sooner!

Though, the night was at least nice. Jaakuna loved a good night time. Plenty of darkness, plenty of quiet. But Iwagakure was not the place to go running around at night. In fact, he silently cursed that there wasn't any Iwagakure shinobi in their little entourage. The village was... Probably on alert. After their little display in Konoha, he expected the Tsuchikage to be not only on guard, but extremely defensive. Jaakuna though ended up taking the lead, and by the time they had reached the village there wasn't a single shinobi who had seen them coming. "High alert seems to be the theme of the night, any battle plan beyond just showing up and wrecking shit?" He laughed softly, jumping ahead of the group, a little red tint to his skin as he kept active. He was going to break before Seijuro, just meant he had to start considering alternatives, but he wasn't breaking yet. Not yet... Not while he could fight.

At Iwagakure...

Jaakuna sat down, watching the village from above. He'd already split himself up, utilizing about a dozen clones in the process. Unlike last time, where he went hog wild, this was more stealth kind of stuff. Carefully positioning himself in the right places, relying on the intelligence gifted earlier by their little asshole from Kumogakure. Old guy... Jaakuna wondered briefly if they'd fought before, but he doubted it. He wasn't that good with faces through. Right now, it seemed the plan was... Wait a minute, where did Seijuro go? Jaakuna realized he was suddenly alone with Sano, a man who craved devouring chakra, and Sebun... A sword guy. He never really did figure out Sebun's moveset. "Wait, w-" Before he could speak, it seemed stealth was no longer an option. Jaakuna stood at the edge of the monument, looking down as a crashing wave of water gushed over the village. "You idiot!" Jaakuna snarled, glaring at the shark, and especially at the swordsman who was supposed to be his partner. "Ugh... Reel him in... I'll look for the Mizukage." Jaakuna ordered, pointing at Sebun. "Get it, reel? Like a fish?" Then he was gone.

At a moment, he was operating in stealth mode, and it would be tricky to catch him. Most importantly, floating behind him where five wisps, sailing behind the fox shinobi. Clearly he was ready to fight if it came his way. But, the mission? That was what was important right now.

---

---

Jaakuna had left him high and dry, but he managed to keep himself somewhat composed while the chuunin were in hearing distance. The lava around him vented steam and plumes of toxic ash into the air as he breathed steadily. Slowly it cooled and then began to dissolve, but it took him around ten minutes to do it. Typically he could do it faster, but he was angry and itching to show those sorry criminals a glimpse of retribution before he struck them down...one by one.

He closed his eyes, face screwed up as he worked at banishing the violent thoughts, the destructive impulses...the pulsing in his chest that was not just his beating heart. He grit his teeth and bore it. When his retainers approached, along with other shinobi he greeted them and assured them—seemingly with calm—that he was just fine, no worse for wear in fact.

He attended the funeral, sad to see that Ginsho was gone, and unsure about the revelation that was his twin brother's existence. At the very least he was grateful that Konohagakure would have a Hokage in these troubling times. Through it all a fire simmered in his gut. He ate very little and drank more than usual from his flask of sake.

The journey back home was rough, but he was happy to see that his chuunin had survived largely intact, he was not particularly pleased with the looks of sorrow or disappointment on some of their faces. A few of them looked terrified at the prospect of returning home and this disturbed him some, but he drank and stored it for later.

The entire journey home he stayed put and whenever offered food, company, or drink he declined all but the third.

When he arrived home he sent his retinue, his accountants, assistants, retainers, servants, and office workers on a mandatory vacation for three days. He did it through writing, still as silent as he had been on the way home.

Finally, when it was night and his manner was empty with no one to see or hear him through the sound proofed walls he let the rage that he had fostered finally boil over.

He screamed...and screamed and screamed. He yelled and roared until he was spent and his throat hurt. He did it until he was hoarse. He let the tears run down his face from the pain and the anger. When he was done he summoned a healer and while they worked on his torn up throat he wrote a hundred and one letters, each addressed personally to someone in his village.

He put the village on high alert, but not as he usually did. Knowing that something was brewing after the blatant attack on Konoha and the attempt on his life, he informed everyone in the village—civilian or otherwise—that they were to cooperate and be on the lookout for strange activity. The barrier nin were put in place, rotating in shifts on standby.

Chakra was charged into the system of seals concealed deep beneath the earth of Iwagakure as preparations were made. At some point the Mizukage was delivered to them and he was secured. Kazayatsu made no effort to speak with him for a time, but the man was fed and treated more as a guest than a prisoner.

The Tsuchikage may not have liked the man's methods and he certainly did not trust him, but he did not believe the rumors or proclamations of criminals either. Still, he was a cautious man. The Mizukage remained in a cell that suppressed and locked his chakra completely. He would be incapable of jutsu of any kind while within it. Numerous failsafes were in place, including one that the guards were only to activate if someone infiltrated and attempted to capture the man.

Once all the preparations were in place he made an announcement. Ai Kabe was elected as his second assistant alongside the eminent Kisuke. Everyone questioned his reasoning, but he kept his mouth shut and they soon stopped asking.

Thus, with the stage set he took to waiting.

On the seventh night since the Hokage's funeral they infiltrated his territory. They killed or incapacitated the barrier nin along one path to the village, but those nin did not die in vain. Their deaths and subsequent inability to report was what tipped the kage off, and so he rose from his bed and no more than two minutes following their death, the Chiki hyōryū-sha(Earth Drifters) were deployed.

When Sano unleashed his attack, many buildings crumbled, and some were shaken, but only the former flooded. As the criminals dispersed, Kazayatsu watched from the top of his mansion, one hand on his spear, the other behind his back, clenched into a fist. His fingers dug into his palm, a serious expression on his face, brow faintly furrowed, his mouth a flat line.

As Sano's wave struck his home, it remained, immovable with its kage atop it. His spear raised once before coming down, striking the roof beneath him. His chakra shot through the ground like lightning, going deep, then shooting forwards as he performed handseals quickly behind his back.

The earth buried beneath the waves of Sano's jutsu erupted upwards in a path 10 meters wide, the water parting as it shot upwards. The kage raised his hand into the air and signaled.

The huge path of stone suddenly split apart into numerous thinner pillars, each which positioned itself throughout the village. He struck his spear against the ground again, but this time nothing happened immediately.

Moments passed, the roaring waves and the wind the only sounds to be heard. Kazayatsu hit the earth again, this time a much smaller pathway, only 3 meters wide, formed and he stepped down onto it. As he approached Sano, his steps carrying him across the pathway, the earthen pillars around the village seemed to sag. The water around them began to boil hotter...and hotter. Steam began to rise from the water he'd unleashed as the pillars became lava, and the lava heated the water.

The kage met the shark's eyes and if Sano though himself a predator, than he would see much the same in the eyes of his adversary.

“When I am done with you, they will not call you the shark nin. Indeed they will not call you human. They will look your way, but not see you. Instead they will see only ash.”

The pathway below him, and the water that lapped against it, began to heat up, the stone turning red, the water boiling, then releasing steam.

Amidst the destruction and chaos, Kuroyaju stirred.

"You know, there's one thing about the Camouflage Technique that not too many people take advantage of." A voice from behind Jaakuna would speak, and not just a clone of Jaakuna, but the real one. But how?

"It's not just the sounds I hear when you run through this village, not with your thirty-something clones running around..." The man would pull his hood down to reveal a thick head of scarlet red hair, parted down the middle and sticking up at the sides. He was quite tall, and looked to be of a toned, highly athletic build. His eyes carried a certain depth to them that pierced beyond the casual glances that enemies often exchanged. He was looking at the man beneath what his opponent portrayed on the exterior.

"...or the fact that I simply headed in the direction of the point in which your chakra signature first disappeared.. oh and by the way, you're quite far from that original point. I almost ran right by you, so that tells me you're quite the fast individual.." The man continued, moving his cloak aside to reveal two swords at his hip. His left hand rested casually on the wakizashi as he looked at where he knew Jaakuna's eyes were.

"..and it's not even the minute distortions in the air around you from the way the technique bends light.." He was just showing off at this point, flashing his analytical skill and hunting prowess.

"...it's the fact that you fucking wreak like a wet dog." He said as his eyes narrowed in a wildly fierce manor, as if he had just become immensely serious and was about to go all out. His composure changed dramatically a split second later as he began laughing it off, his tense demeanor shifted radically to a carefree, lackadaisical one in under a second. Though even as he laughed off the seriousness of the situation, his left hand still rested on the wakizashi cautiously.

"My name is Kisuke Sagara, and I am the Assistant to the Tsuchikage, Yatsu-chan." Kisuke finally gave Jaakuna a formal introduction after quite literally sniffing him out. "So would you mind, like, telling me what you and your friends are doing in Yatsu-chan's village? He has his hands full up there apparently, so it's only logical that I should be covering down here where he can't." The explanation was unnecessary, and it felt like Kisuke was almost just initiating small talk to see how Jaakuna would react. His eyes danced all over the place as he moved from one thing to the next, always landing back to his opponent's gaze, as if gauging every little reaction he had to each specific notion of speech.

"I saw your friend-the slithery one, not the snarky blue guy- slink away into the shadows just around the corner here." He pointed his finger behind Jaakuna, assuming that he had at least turned to face Kisuke once he had been called out. "You can go ahead and go after him if you'd like..." He mused with a certain sense of matter-of-fact-ness in his voice. "That is, you know, if you think you're fast enough to turn your back on your enemy and get away before I can fucking murder you..." Oh boy was he tempting the fox. He knew that Jaakuna had a certain level of speed due to the distance he could close from the point his chakra disappeared to where they were now, and he knew that this was achieved without even trying. To say the very least, this intrigued Kisuke. To a degree, the swordsman was tempting the fox to provoke a reaction, to try and fool the fox into arrogantly turning his back on an enemy due to the pride he had in his own speed. Though, in truth, Kisuke did want to find out how fast Jaakuna really was.

It wasnt long after the Kage Summit Bakuto had returned to his village. The whole summit seemed to be a moot point now, the only part of it Bakuto cared about was how were the kage going to deal with the rogue shinobi organization. The Mizukage's incarceration left a weird feeling in Bakuto that left with a few questions that he kept to himself. Spying and infiltration were the crimes the Mizukage was left with. Bakuto thought the idea of imprisonment when there is a larger threat was ridiculous but he never said these thoughts on this subject being more concerned with what was going to be done about the rogue shinobi group. Bakuto didn't fully trust the new hokage. The distastefulness of how this man announced his spot for being the Hokage at his own brother's funeral. This man didn't even wait until his brother was in the ground before taking his spot. Something about the situation didn't sit well with Bakuto but he did understand getting a new kage as soon as possible but the way it happened just was wrong in Bakuto's mind.

Bakuto was sitting at his desk in his village when word arrived to him about the two rogue shinobi that are in his village. They were in one of the plaza's within in the village. Bakuto wasted no time in giving out orders, ordering the plaza to be evacuated and for word to be sent to the other great shinobi villages immedeatly. Bakuto was going to met the two rogue shinobi against the advisment of his closest advisors, the rumors of the rogue shinobi group were going after the kage of the great shinobi villages. Bakuto knew this as well but that is the main reason he was going to meet the two. If they were after him then he wasnt going to have them ransack the village looking for him. Before leaving Bakuto made four lightning shadow clones also grabbing his two weapons his signature sound gauntlet and his tuning fork sword two weapons made for Bakuto's jutsus and fighting style. These two rogue shinobi were bold enough not to hide so Bakuto was going to use that against them.

Bakuto's clones surrounding the plaza and the café in four separate corners preparing for Bakuto's Black lightning barrier. The villagers evacuation increased the moment one of the clones got into position. Bakuto was careful as he made his approach the one of the two was confirmed to be a former shinobi his village. The former dreaded general of Kumogakure Gozubura Starru. Before Bakuto's time during the great war this man was a hero of Kumogakure but left and abandoned the village. Killed hundreds on his way out with one of his ninjutsu. Bakuto might not agree with leaving the village but the latter is what drives Bakuto despise him. Now rumored to associating himself with a rogue shinobi organization it was just another thing to push Bakuto to coming out personally.

This group had the power to kill a kage already and Bakuto wasnt going to let his guard down. If he acted in the wrong way it could end up badly for himself and his village. He could walk in and see what do the two want but in a closed in area like the café it would make for a disastrous area. Instead Bakuto decide to use his very great hearing skills to hear what was going on inside first he build chakra up in his mouth then spoke using his Hyper Voice technique speaking with chakra magnified voice making it boom out loudly even making it shake by the sheer power of his voice, "General Gozubura Starru welcome back to the village. You and your companion did a number to get noticed, I assume you wanted my attention. By all means you have it, now tell me why have you come to my village. Don't feel the need to yell when you answer I can hear you clearly even in that café you two are hold up in. So have at it, why are you both here!?"

Asking the question that Bakuto already had an answer for, trying to at least get the pair talking to get more people out of the way before his lightning barrier jutsu can be put up to limit the casualties that may occur should these two get violent right away at Bakuto's presence. Choosing to keep his distance to keep them from acting right away or at least keeping at least a wall between himself and the rogue shinobi giving himself somewhat a bit of time to act or at least that is what he thinks. Whether or not this works the way Bakuto remains to be seen Bakuto just has to wait to see what will they do.

---

As the curtain set on the Kage Summit, Shinko left worse for wear. There was no real point of him attending this meeting with the rest of the Kage staring him down with burning eyes. Although there was one leader who had been there, Yogensha, the Amegakure village leader who seemed less than perfect in health. Whatever the case was, it was now on Shinko to form the teams that would serve as the Special Forces in order to protect the rest of the villages. Sending all of his ninja out to defend the rest of the countries? Konoha would be left exposed again and no one had come to the aid of Konoha during the village’s demise. Had it not been for the convenience of the tsuchikage and the ame leader who knows what the village’s state would have been? The fleeting urge to participate in one of these contrite agreements was painted all over Shinko’s face. Konohagakure needed a new policy, a form of isolation. Shinko would uphold the role as Hokage and rule with an iron fist, he needed to be the villain the country needed, not the savior his brother was. Look how far that had gotten him.

Weeks later the Hokage had been informed that the Special Forces would have to be established and moved out right away. Begrudgingly enough he grabbed the letter from the summit mediator and gave it a quick glance over. Making a few hand seals, the Hokage split off into several clones that vanished while he sat at the head of his desk. He knew he was due for a visitor sooner rather than later. The first clone appeared before each of the chosen Chunin for the intervention on Kumo. First up was Ryokō Niken followed by Kaba Joukaku, Jaakuna Hinoko, and Kiku Kurama. The last of the group was accompanied by the newly crowned wind jonin from Sunagakure, he could kill two birds with one stone. “As you know I didn’t appear before you to discuss simple pleasantries so listen carefully. You will be part of a Special Forces group designated for the safety and defense of the remaining villages. You were chosen due to your experience and efforts during the invasion. This first hand combat with these wretched villains makes you the most ideal to deal with threat.”

“You four will be the first group tasked with protecting the Raikage and the villagers of Kumogakure. You will leave immediately and be there by days end. God Speed” It seemed a bit of his brother was still alive within him. The message was replicated for the next two villages, Shinko appeared before the amegakure group with the same speech just catered to Yogensha and Amegakure as the targets. Within this group was Tashiro Hokori, Kai Otsutsuki, Nousagi Hyuga, and Kurin Senju. Last but not least was the intervention on Sunagakure which seemed to hold the most potent ninja of the three teams, considering it contained two Jonin and two ninja who were originally from Sunagakure. Kamui Uzumaki, Shizuka Ichimi, Sakana Uragiri, Date Watari. With all of the messages delivered the clones dissipated into smoke and leafs, leaving the Chunin/Jonin onto their new missions. Or rather quite possibly their final destinations.

As for Shinko he had personal matters to attend to, he hadn’t turned a blind eye to Namine or her daughter, it seemed like he was the only one to attend both funerals. Only the one for her daughter was empty in comparison to the Hokage’s perhaps that was his own undoing. Before she could leave the village Shinko appeared before her facing the opposite direction of her new conquest. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked waiting for her reply. As for Shinko’s main body the Hokage didn’t waste a minute with the force on the other side of the door, he swept the doors open for the boy to usher himself in. Drapped in black garb with the skull of a massacred crow on his head, at least it wasn’t a raven, the true sign of death. “So the prodigal son returns. What do you have for me kid? Looks like he got to you before I did. How foolish of me.”
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The presence of new strangers wasn't lost on the sick Yogensha. By now, her condition was still manageable, although she was severely slowed and confined to her estate. Initially, she found the newcomers through the use of the Rain Tiger at Will jutsu, which she had employed to detect new chakra patterns entering the area. However, later new reports came in from the Sakai ban'nin that a powerful entity had crossed the borders. “Escort him,” she had commanded, and the Amegakure nin with their black uniforms and black facemasks of hardened steel bowed and left immediately. They weren't quite the best Amegakure had to offer but they were certainly not the worst. Immediately a crow left the tower to visit Kaito Chosokabe and Sayuri Nisshoku, her two newly chosen apprentices.

Meanwhile, Havoc would be closely monitored until he found himself next to a great lake - too big to walk around, so crossing it would naturally have to happen by augmenting chakra. It was here that the Sakai ban'nin came forwards and hailed Havoc, standing at a distance.

“Stranger, you have penetrated the borders of Amegakure,” the leader said. They were remarkably non hostile for an intervention team. “Normally we would ask you to leave. But the lady Yogensha herself has decided to open her arms to you and wishes us to escort you to our village. If you decline, we're afraid we have to ask you to return to the border and travel around it.”

The shinobi that were there with him, three of them in total, with the fourth being the leader, were remarkably calm under Havoc's presence. Some of them carefully eyed the person that was with Havoc, while others were simply observing the man himself.

In Yogensha's residence, they would prepare for the arrival of Havoc. She wasn't aware of who it was, but she expected a visit from some of the strangers whom had attacked Konohagakure and killed the Hokage. Of course, it was fully expected that she'd be attacked - hence her two new students were called, as well as a group of the black ops. Not that she expected them to be capable of stopping him - but perhaps just to stall him enough for the man to retreat if he did attack. Never the less, she was open to the dialogue. As long as Sayuri and Kaito were there in front of her.

---

A lot had happened in the short period of time. Life came at you fast and who else was wiser to that than Shizuka, the wind seeker. Life was a lot like the double edged sword that was wind, it could blow itself in and make a grand entrance or sweep you away and erode you over time. Shizuka with the help of the others did not participate in the fight, however they didn’t stand idly by either. After catching up and discussing the whereabouts of their comrades and the enemy ninja the team formulated a plan that focused more on the provisional safety of the village and its people. While they might not have been directly engaged in combat they were helping with damage control and survival. The group saved a few ninja like the fox boy that went by bumu and reunited with Kurin before he was crushed under his own constraints as the class president.

Before they could make heads or tails of the situation, time was up. Not by choice, rather by the will of the gravitation ninja to the east of them. A walloping force of repulsion concussed a majority of the forest directly adjacent to them. With the explosion carried an almost sudden disappearance of the criminal ninja attack the village. There was only a trice of silence that followed the calm after the storm. Little did they know the silence of the destruction was also the death of justice. Once all was said and one the message broke out like a plum of wildfire. The death of the Hokage, Ginsho Omawarisan. A gunshot to the head of trepidation, there was a sudden lull in peace, the feeling of a bottomless choked in the heart of the villagers and ninja. Shizuka never experienced death, nor had he met anyone who had succumbed to the fate that plagues all men.

This was a new experience, something to be intoxicated by. While he didn’t know Ginsho personally besides common pleasantries, he did feel a secular tinge of sorrow form in his expanding range of emotions. Was this remorse or loss? Either way the funeral was now the main event and center stage for the rest of Konohagakure. The day was cloudy and scattered with rain showers, the dark ominous nimbus clouds were unlike the ones he was fond of. Cloudy eyes were the only ones he seemed interested in, luckily for him the two of them had gone to the funeral together. Shizuka’s usual attire of his red with white striped track suit was omitted, replaced with a slim fitting black suit. It was a refreshing change of pace for the boy, if only it had been on better circumstances. Like the others the dolorous boy carried a black umbrella that was shared between him and Kiku, his arm gently wrapped around her shoulders.

Sorrow and mourning was replaced with confusion and revelation, the village had been fed a lie. Shizuka ingested this horrid truth with a grain of salt. He had not known why such a great man would go to great lengths to hide such a secret, or why they couldn’t share two separate lives, but he did know it took sacrifice and put the protection and betterment of the village forefront as opposed to the lives of their own. While tensions were incredibly high, Shizuka narrated his own decision on his own accord. The flowing breeze would see Ginsho as a pillar of hope and strength, the same symbol he always was. Not a man to be coveted or jealous of, just a ninja who served as he lived. The will of fire was strong with him and he completed his ninja way, now if Shizuka was only half the man he was, he’d figure out his own purpose. A small drip of rain bounced of the puddle below him, hitting him in the face as he looked over to the lavender haired girl once more. ”Could I be so noble?”

Before the scene could fade to black, the assistant announced the ninja who successfully gained the rank of Jonin. Shizuka kept his head down, he was nervous and pessimistic on his performance on the exams. He wasn’t strong enough to prevent the scars of pain suffered by his allies with the earth exams lava, he wasn’t worthy. ”…..Ichimi, Shizuka…" the voice rang in his head with a surge of electricity. He passed? What about Kurin? He was the class president after all, the other hotheaded ninja who tried to contend for group leader. Or Kiku with her knack for sensing and saving Shizuka from falling to his death. Or even the young thunder god, why him? There was an amalgamation of joy and guiltiness forming in his stomach. Only to be tossed aside by his next announcement, Shinko would be the new self-appointed Hokage, we can't change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails to always reach our destination.

In the weeks passing in what was almost a month now, the dust had settled for the most part within the walls of the village. The downtrodden attitude that filled the villagers was once again spry and cheery, that wasn’t without factions emerging between the reputation of their once great Hokage. For now, Shizuka was untethered by such idiocrasy’s. Rather he was transfixed on seeing his favorite cloud. Bustling through the streets with alarming speed, his ball of air ripped through the alleys and roads that paved the leaf village. The image of Kiku coming into focus spurred on his childlike excitement, while strudel frosting had been caked on the corners of his mouth. Reaching his destination the two spoke for what seemed like hours. Despite the connection they had, Kiku was still disheartened by not passing the exams. Shizuka tried as he might with helping to console her, but she refused to let him partake in her stress.

Suddenly, Shinko had appeared in front of the two, interrupting their conversation. It appeared as though following the summit, there would be groups of Special Forces comprised of the ninja who partook in the invasion. The ordinance was an honor, until he mentioned that the two would attend different squadrons. The cheerful news and great responsibility was weighed down by his emotions and feelings of attachment to Kiku. He had sworn to protect her, but now he would be in a different country unaware of her status and for how long? The clone exploded into leaves and smoke before the wind boy could ask any questions. ”I guess it makes sense that I was born and lived in Suna. Maybe I can ask someone to switch. What do you think?” the boy asked with gnawing paranoia.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---

"Not with you. With professionals. Prostitutes. The 'No means Yes' type of deal. Anything else can be binned."

A swift, brutish swing of his hand would have the older man snag the handkerchief from the lass he was partnered with, before employing it on the remarked stained on his visage. The General was not one for delicacy and care, nor immense camaraderie. A true professional, one that could work with many profiles, but didn't seem to enjoy any of them.

"These men are, for the most part, dead. Admittedly, you may want to keep an eye on those in your four o'clock. They hold a position my men may not be able to successfully compromise. Nonetheless, you should focus on this new 'Special Operatives' the Summit created."

With another sip, Gozubura waited patiently for a sign of life from the Raikage. It would eventually be answered, with an overwhelming echo from the blind Kage. Bakuto was being cautious, a smart move, but also a risky one if the well-being one was his priority. Gozubura was a very straightforward and merciless man when he left, and there was no reason to assume he had changed since his departure. The truth was that he was quite possibly worse as age slowly consumed him.

The General took his time to respond, finishing his coveted coffee while keeping eye contact with his more chatty partner. His gaze said a lot, a form of cue for Yui to prepare herself and go on with the plan they had formulated. He spoke in his usual, deep voice without any effort to have it heard by anyone else than his partner.

"It is a shame you do not come and join us, Raikage Bakuto. You know I am one for proper behavior. And you also know I am one with a very precise, and well designed plan. When I ask for your presence, it means I want you here, and I'll use leverage if needed."

Somewhere in Kumogakure, existed one of the art museums one would eventually find in a big settlement. A bit tourist attraction, massively visited by the public. Today, it would have two abnormal visitors, one man and one woman, identical to two individuals who had entered the museum two hours ago, but the staff simply couldn't tell. With the flick of a switch of Gozubura's watch, they would both have a device in their pockets beep. When hearing this, these odd people would suddenly stare right at each other with empty eyes, before dashing at each other's direction. One they'd inevitably tackle each other, a massive explosion could be heard from the Plaza.

Casualties and details of damage would be unknown, but considering these were peak hours, one could deduce the death toll would be huge.

"You will not know how this was performed. And there are more sordid ways to get you to do as I say, Raikage Bakuto. Perhaps a hospital should be my next target?"

His finger slowly slid onto a second switch on his watch.

"I assume you can hear this? Present yourself to this café, and we shall proceed. Nobody else has to die today, for we are only here to take your life, Raikage Bakuto. And yours alone. It is your duty as a Kage to die for your people, after all."

A nod at the direction of Yui would be her signal to start keeping an actual watch on what was going on. The explosion would likely get a few jumpy, and backup was surely going to arrive soon. With his hand diving into his coat, he'd whip out a device similar to a detonator, and tossed it at her direction.

"Some of the fakes will listen to you, some others have the order to blow up once their transmitter beeps with the flick of one of the switches. You know what to do."

---

---

Someone was dying and the dregs of society provided the cure. Kyoka was the brains providing the goods in the new operation going on, but the enforcer was far too aware of the plan that was to be executed. Though as glorious as it may be, the wild bull that was Rumia couldn't help but constantly remind herself of her prey that got away. This behemoth, the jackpot for her pride, had to escape their clutches. While certainly satisfying, she wasn't happy with it. He needed to fall, and she had to be the one to do it, not some Sakana or even her own cousin.

Before the red-alert came to be, Rumia could sniff out the abnormal presence near the outskirts. His sensory could barely reach that area, but as someone living in the more questionable parts of town, it'd be easier for the lass to reach onto the farther ends where foreigners would usually enter. The overwhelming amount of chakra in one point, and the unique way it interacted with other forms of chakra, it was impossible for the Shinrikyo to be mistaken.

With the giant water attack basically confirming the deduction, Rumia's face swiftly distorted into a scowl. The left half morphed into the sage transformation abomination added to the creepy factor. Sano was here to take the Tsuchikage, but Rumia was here to take Sano. But it seemed the village leader's initiative would halt the shark's attempt to drown the city completely, and turn the water-bubble ability he'd employ against the user.

"Tch. This 'ere is muh prey. Y'all can fuck right off."

Tentacles emerged from her back, tips dilated in order to emit spheres of concentrated Senjutsu Chakra. Now all whipped together in one direction, the multiple beams fired would covered into one, giant blast fired right at Samehada's direction, and thus, Sano's. She used the blade's overwhelming levels of chakra as a reference when targeting in quite the clusterfuck of a battlefield. A straightforward blast, that that'd keep Sano on hit toes, and perhaps disrupt his water jutsu completely, though perhaps at the expense of the Tsuchikage's own strategy. Nonetheless, the giant beam would leave quite the gaping dent on the water bubble, with every H2O in its way evaporated much faster than the slow-moving magma would.

But her combat experience taught the brawler that this monstrosity wasn't going to go down so easily. No, he was her prized prey. He had to put up a fight, at the risk of having all this hype fall flat in a very No Man's Sky kind of way. Cannons now turned Jets, the monstrous girl would have rocketed herself high up in the Iwagakure air, orange eyes fixated onto the Shark that had quite obviously wormed his way out of his current sticky situation.

"C'mon fucka', I ain't need no Kage to kick yer ass again."

Hime Yuki

Interaction: @Reflection Bumu Aka

"Well everyone needs a bit of pity from time to time, that's what mum said about it at least." Was Hime's initial response before taking the foxish shinobi to Ichiraku like he had suggested and ordering something that was filling for the both of them at the very least, what it was exactly didn't matter that much.

And from there, Hime patiently listened to Bumu's brief monologue of sorts, struggling it seemed with the concept that Jaakuna was actually his father. "Kirigakure, yeah, never knew why we moved, but we did. As for your dad, you're right, you can say hi... And then give him a solid punch in the face for screwing things up for you and the rest of the family." She even made a wild punching gesture, as if to emphasise her point.

Then, with a dismissive shrug Hime indulged in her meal. "That might not be your thing, eh? But I'd say if it feels right at the time, you should totally do it." There was a confirmatory nod afterwards before Hime seemed to pick at the parental scab of the conversation. "I'd definitely do it if I ever found my father, mum always said she'd give him a big kiss before slapping the heck out of him for leaving her all on her own. She'd say even someone who's like a gift to the world deserves a good smack every once in a while, don'tcha think? Then again she'd also want to smack all the people asking either me or her who my father was, then they'd ask about Jaakuna and it didn't make sense. I mean, why ask about one guy, and then ask about one the of the most famous people in our time? You get what I'm on about, right?"

With the dots that Bumu had joined up in his head, it was probably obvious that 2 + 2 was not equalling 4 for the ice shinobi. "Anything else you want to talk about whilst we're here? Or has this whole dad issue been the weight you've wanted off your chest? I'm all ears for any other troubles, foxy."

---

Interaction: @Savato Fuhrer Bradley @BladeSS4 Bakuto

Yui's grip on the handkerchief was swiftly overcome by Gozubura as he attended to cleaning his moustache himself, in turn she hid the subtle pout she wanted to make and settled back down into her seat to continue with her coffee, slowly growing her hair out with minute applications of chakra so she was ready to strike as soon as the cue was made. "I see... Well that's fair, it would be a bit too personal a relationship when you account for the kind of group we're in, wouldn't it?"

The Raikage's eventual arrival was certainly a... loud one, but of course the General's own noise was proven to rival his words as an explosion rung out in the distance of the village, already there were unwelcome sounds of screaming and panic amongst the folk near and caught in the blast. Yui idly brushed some hair from her face as a way to somewhat cover up her rather disdainful expression, it may have been a touch too soon to start setting off their bombs, but this is how their fine General worked after all... No matter how it irked her to get the civilians involved.

"Please do be civil, sir Raikage. One life for many, it's a noble sacrifice for your people, isn't it? At least come out to meet a previous acquaintance face to face, any kage worth their title would do it." By this point, with the occasional flick of her hair or shuffling of her position in her seat, she'd grown her hair out a good few feet and she kept her wits about her as she caught the device that was tossed to her.

"I'll get right to it, sir, do try to be safe." Yui would casually survey the area around the cafe like a tourist gazing over beautiful scenery, it wasn't hard to see the ideal hiding spots for shinobi to take whilst waiting in the wings for an order from their leader.

Meanwhile her two clones, having heard the blast began to converge upon the cafe as well, likely soon to have an advantage over the surrounding shinobi through the sheer fact that the clones would be coming from outside of the more or less cordoned off area. The pair would be ready to strike once they had an eye on the situation, and the raikage clones that were preparing to form their barrier would be as helpless as fish in a barrel as soon as hostilities kicked off.

Chis reluctantly gathered with the rest of his associates. He sat, only listening to the back and forth and absorbing any pertinent information that was uttered. He did not expect to be remotely friendly towards any of the members around him, but he would carry out his orders and move to benefit the success of the Yomigaeri. He had his own underlying objectives, and this just so happened to be a convenient and unique faction. The Black Dragon would be sure to reap all the benefits for the forthcoming chaos that the Yomigaeri would introduce to the shinobi world.

No one could tell due to his mask, but Chis' eyes were closed. His arms were folded, and his legs were crossed while he sat in his seat just listening to those around him. A tap on his shoulder broke forced his concentration to shift. 'Why don't we go to the Sunagakure the Land of Wind has never been touched by Lord Jashin, and I am sure whatever is under that mask could use some sun.' Chis' arms would unfold as he let out a quiet "Hmph..." in response to his partner's suggestion. He stood, and faced her for the first time. Their difference in height caused him to look down on the woman. He knew of her, but wasn't too familiar. But as long as they worked together, she would have his respect. Chis ultimately disapproved of religion, but he refused to judge the Jashin follower. Before he could properly respond, she had started towards the exit and Chis followed suit.



During their trek, there was little conversation outside their coordination of their attack on Sunagakure. That was the way Chis preferred it. He wasn't a very social person, and he also considered it dangerous to get to close to what he deemed as a 'business assocaite'. Hours slowly passed, but eventually the duo came upon their destination. Chis had only been to Sunagakure once before as a young teenager. The land was clearly different since then. He did not enjoy the desert environment, but he could tolerate it. Traveling through sand was a burden, and if not for his useful abilities the cold of the desert night would have nearly frozen him. Chis gazed at the now-peaceful village, admiring it's subtle beauty. He knew it was a shame that he and Akuno would soon lay waste to the major village, but it was something that needed to be done and there was no way he'd fail. While ready to begin the assault, Chis was interrupted by a question from his colleague. 'Why do they call you the Black Dragon?' Under his mask, Chis smirked. He continued to look forward towards Suna before barely answering. "Rather than explain, it would be best to allow you to witness on your own. I'm sure you will have your answer soon."

It Begins

Chis pulled a hand from one of the pockets of his cloaks and clenched it into a fist in front of his face. A sudden warmth would wash over his comrade's body. "As we agreed, I will undoubtedly draw the target out, I expect you to take care of her without fail, Jashin... Leave the village to me." In another moment, Chis' body would soon be reduced to a black smoke that would fly away with the Suna winds. Using the acquired intel, Chis swiftly infiltrated the sand village as a plume of smoke. He made his way to the middle of the village, standing atop a large structure where he learned that the elder council presided. From his body, 4 clones escaped as dark wisps. Each figure posted in four different areas of the village. The first found itself atop Suna's main hospital. The next would post next to the village's own shinobi academy. The third clone found itself among the heavily populated shopping district, and the fourth stood among the village cemetery, particularly next to the resting areas of the previously deceased Kazekages.

The figures did not attempt to hide, and a couple were actually noticed, but by that time it would be too late. Suddenly, the Sunagakure air would ring with numerous sounds of explosions coming from all directions. Due to the hours in which the pair initiated the attack, many of the villagers were sure to be asleep but now they would all almost surely be awakened by the extremely loud detonations that shook the entire land like thunder. Buildings caught fire and thick smoke began to cloud the air. Blood curdling screams would haunt the innocent as Chis terrorized the once peaceful land. Shortly after the detonations, the clones, along with Chis himself, would coordinate to manipulate the smoke that began to rapidly fill the areas. Soon the smoke would cover most of the village, turning it into Chis' own environment. Many citizens would find themselves quickly in need of air, and many would perish either to flames or smoke inhalation. Chis' goal was to make the people of Sunagakure suffer as much as he could, and any that chose to oppose him would be welcomed to try. He enjoyed the sudden chaos and knew it wouldn't be long before the Kazekage made her move, which he was then sure that Akuno would handle. The destruction was undoubtedly splendid. The pour souls would bow before the Yomigaeri.

The doors to the Hokage manor opened, and Kyo entered without a word. Shinko spoke as if he had known exactly what had occurred. Kyo cocked his head to the side to look at the Hokage, and then turned his head and took in every detail of the inside of the manor. He had been there several times before to receive praise from Ginsho about his performance on certain missions. He couldn't help but recall all the times Shinko had stood in the corner and silently watched the young Uchiha grow.

"I used to want nothing more than to call this place my home... not just this manor, but this village... I wanted to sit where you sit, sleep in the bed you sleep in, to bask in the opportunity to speak before the people of Konoha and have them look up to me for protecting them and doing the right thing." He paused, removing his mask and looking at Shinko. His three-tomoe Sharingan was active. "They don't look up to you, do they Shinko? They don't praise you either. In fact, I bet most of them resent you. And for what? Doing the right thing, whatever that means..." His eyes fell to the floor, lost in thought in his own definition of right and wrong. It was a blurred description at best, a gray area in his mind. For a split second he considered reaching out to Shinko and asking for help. He visibly shook his head. This was probably the most emotion Kyo had ever displayed in front of the Hokage since his Genin years.

"But you don't care about that, do you? You don't care about their recognition of you or their perception of you. An admirable trait, I admit, but admiration won't keep you alive... You do realize that, don't you? That they're going to crucify you for being a liar who protects them? But that's your goal, isn't it? To die a self-righteous fucking martyr on the cross like your brother?! IS THAT WHAT BEING A HERO MEANS TO YOU?!"

The boy was obviously having trouble choosing a side. Why else would he have come back? But his words certainly held weight, his eyes may have had the power to analyze his surroundings, but his mind allowed him the ability to see into the mind of others. And with it he formed his own perception of the illusion Shinko and Ginsho had elaborately taken so many years to build up only to have it all torn down. And for what?



Lost in thought, Namine almost didn't see Shinko's clone coming. But she did, and she readied a rebuttal before he even arrived in her way. "Don't try to question it." She interrupted him before he could even finish his sentence. This was uncharacteristically rude of her, contrary to her normal calm and patient demeanor. Her eyes were narrowed and filled with pain. There was a fierce determination embedded in them that challenged Shinko. She dared him to try and stop her from doing whatever it was she was doing, during the time of her grieving.

"After covering for you and your brother's lies all these years? YOU are going to question ME? Save your breath, Shinko, we both know I'm a better liar than even you are, and if I wanted to, I could tell you anything right now. So let's just pretend like I'm going to visit the Akizakura shrine just outside the village, and I'll be back tomorrow. Okay? Does that lie suit the liar himself?" Her tone was harsh, she was obviously in immense pain for her to be unable to control her emotions. She clenched one of her fists, the crumpling sound of paper could be heard. She was holding a note in her left hand, obviously not speaking about it for a reason.

She gave Shinko another fierce glare, before turning her gaze past him to the path leading out of the village. She stomped her heels against the ground like hooves of an elephant, walking directly into Shinko and throwing her shoulder into his ribs as she attempted to brush him out of the way. She was quite forceful for a slender woman.

The loss of her best friend and her daughter in the same day had taken quite a toll on her psyche. And while some would say she was acting out of turn and not thinking straight, she was in fact controlling her temper fairly well for the situation she was in, and she knew exactly what she was doing. This was not simply an impulsive decision, this was the only path left for her to walk. She did not have a choice, whether Shinko and the rest of the village realized it or not.

Watching her partner disappear though the wall of wind surround the Sunagakure, Akuno quickly followed. The village itself was a oasis in the desert and did not match the harsh living beyond the fierce gales surrounding it. Akuno took note of the quiet as she snuck in and waited for some signal that the assault had begun. Quiet frankly she had not been this excited in a long time, most of her recent sacrifices had not been as grand as this one, even thinking about the weight the Kazekage's life had and how her death could create so much destruction made Akuno want to dance. In the next moment it seemed as if Jashin answered her prayers, a lovely tune rang throughout the city that was sure to wake her new neighbors and cause quite a ruckus.


As the Black Dragon played the perfect tune to match her mood she watched from a roof top as the city was lit ablaze. The bright lights, screams and explosions all added to the magnificent tune. The smoke seemed to choke the air right out of the peoples lungs and Akuno could only clap and sway her hips as she felt the beat rise. She did notice some of the civilians trying to run near by and swooped down on them, to them she appeared as a black figure wearing a human skull for a mask. She quickly summoned Kurushimi and went to work on blessing these poor souls, and moments later wold leave the ally covered in blood and littered with corpses. Akuno knew she would have time to play later and needed to be ready for the Kazekage to show herself, so she perched up on a building close to the Kage's mansion hiding in the shadows of smoke and the darkness of the early morning all the while enjoying her new favorite tune produced by the Black Dragon himself.

Well, that cinched it. It was really obvious that Hime was one of Jaakuna's kids, but... Maybe it was best she didn't know right now. Maybe at one time it would have been a big deal, but now? Probably best it remained forgotten. "To be honest... All this ninja stuff? It's not for me. You remember Chojiro Akimichi, right?" Bumu asked, though he wasn't entirely sure if anybody did. "He died in the exam. To be honest, I don't think anybody noticed. But... You know, it's just kind of haunting me." There was a short pause as Bumu looked down to his bowl. Stirring around a chunk of meat, he scarfed it down in one go. "I mean, I've killed people before you know. But it was just always they where the bad guys, and I was the good guy kinda stuff. I'm not a kid, and yet I still feel like. I still get a rush, like it's all for fun! And Chojiro was one of the good guys, and he died!"

Bumu looked to the ice fairy, wondering if she knew that feeling. She was a hero too, still kinda a kid in her own right. Or maybe she was just so simple minded that she never thought about it. Maybe ignorance is bliss, but not for Bumu. The fox had always craved new things. New experiences, even when he lived at the shrine with his half-siblings. "Well... You know, the whole thing really gets you thinking about what you're doing with your life. I thought being a ninja was fighting bad guys. But with Jaakuna being a bad guy, and Ginsho dying, and Chojiro... I just... I'm thinking of going back to the shrine. You know, where my mom is." He frowned, and stirred his chopsticks around a bundle of noodles. "I mean, now that I have ninja moves I can probably protect the shrine from vandals. And hey, the others won't have a worry about a b-bastard child messing with their family legacy more! Y-You kn-know!?" Bumu hunched over, but there where no tears. Instead, there was a choking sound, teeth clenching together. Foxes didn't cry, but now Bumu wanted more than anything to fight evolution. "I-I can't even cry right! What the hell is wrong with me?" Fingers brushed through his scarlet hair, eyes wide in mixed grief as he looked down to the bowl in front of him.

"What a fucking mess this whole world is!" Bumu half shouted, muffled as he was face down into his ramen. "You think you're going to fix something, and what happens? You just end up making it worse by the end of things. Ginsho went to fight Jaakuna, and now he's dead! I wanted to be a Jonin, and I got Chojiro killed! Why fight for anything if somebody is going to die like that? Miles from home in a puddle of fucking water!?" This was as close to tears as Bumu could get... And still it felt so tangible.






The fox came into view, a smile on his lips as he looked at Kisuke. "Well... Aren't you the observant one?" He asked, hands on his hips, but despite how relaxed he seemed... Jaakuna was on high alert. Not everybody could pinpoint him that easily, but hey, just means the man was deserving of some kind of prize. Maybe a chat, since it seemed the man's goal was merely to keep him busy for now. "I like you, Kisuke. I like your name too. Maybe you'll like me too. But, if you're really curious about why we're here, beats me." He shrugged to add emphasis to his claims. "I'm just a distraction for all the big fighters wasting their time punching each other and letting loose."

Kisuke was clearly a hand to hand kind of guy. Makes sense if he was the Tsuchikage's guy. The Tsuchikage himself seemed pretty hand to hand when he wasn't outright spitting lava around like a freaking fool. But while he thought all this, Jaakuna's hand lifted up to his back. Fingers drummed against the war fan sitting comfy on his back, as if he was waiting to pull it out and fight back. He'd know when Kisuke was ready, any kind of flair up in intent would make it clear a million miles away what was about to happen. The five orbs that fluttered behind him seemed rather pleased with themselves too. As if this whole thing was just teetering on the edge. "Between you and me, I'm sure we're just going to be wasting time while we fight. But... That's what we both want. To waste time."

Jaakuna struck first, swinging his war fan in a wide arc. He expected Kisuke to block it, the reason behind the well telegraphed attack. Because his second move was to use one of the orbs floating next to him. Without warning, a wave of fire erupted forth from it, aimed directly at Kisuke and scorching everything in its path. The rooftop of the building turned an ashy black, charred and filling the air with the smell of burning clay. The heat alone caused the air to ripple and wave in distress. Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku!

Jaakuna started by keeping it simple. After all, he wasn't sure what Kisuke was capable of, so starting off with a fire jutsu seemed like a great point to test the man's metal.

-------------------------------
Against Rukia...

Aerial targets? Those are easy. Especially when they probably don't see you coming. Just a clone for now, but that was a good enough place to be for Jaakuna right now. A shuriken in each of his hands as he stood on a rooftop, a fair enough distance away that the airborne lass may not notice. But he was there, and he was aiming on her focus to be all on the shark man. Two shuriken spun in his hand, and he threw them. But two became two hundred, all aimed directly at the flying girl's exposed back. Enough spread was accounted for just in case she made a sudden swerve in her flight path. As the shuriken got closer, they suddenly exploded. A few may have hit her in the back, or another may have gotten itself stuck in her boosters. That's probably hurt, bring her down to ground level. Let's see how well she does against somebody who enjoyed a good joke, unlike the shark man who wouldn't know decent humor if it swam up and ate his young.




"So, this is the Mizukage? Creepy."
Ocha Kyusu felt... Well not humiliated. In fact, he seemed pretty good natured about this whole mess. Even if he was in cuffs. The most important thing was that he wasn't dressed in his usual outfit. That wasn't fit for a prisoner of Iwagakure it seemed, since they gave him a kind of orange jumpsuit. Sleeveless of course, and he refused to wear the shoes they offered. Though what probably stood out was his skin. Pitch black, with only the orange glow of his eyes and his teeth adding any kind of splash of color to the whole thing. Sharp teeth, kind of like a monster out of a child's fairy tail. Or something looking up from the depths of the ocean. The smile he flashed to the two guards across from him, both having been tasked with collecting his 'stuff' and dressing him into his new uniform. Something they had to wear thick gloves for.
"I just, never really thought about what lay under that outrageous outfit, you know?" The first guard said as he watched Ocha from the other side of the cell.
"Oh yeah, you weren't around for the war, where you kid?" The second guard, a much older man said with a small laugh. "This guy was responsible for breaking the stalemate at Toshi River."
"Toshi river?" Ocha asked from his seal, legs crossed as he took a seat on the only chair he'd been allowed. He figured this currently rather dull setting was just a stand by until something nicer was ready to be provided. "Oh yes, now I remember you." Ocha smiled, clearly amused at how small the world was. "You where the one who asked who I was. The others... All to scared to approach me. Especially after my... Little display."

"What did he do?" The younger guard asked, leaning in as he became... Curious about the Mizukage.
"See, this loony wrapped up like a corpse showed up one day around the second month of the stalemate. Back when Kiri and Iwa where working together. See, Tsuchikage wasn't happy with how little progress we where making, and we requested support from the Mizukage who was dealing with his own bag of trouble." The older shinobi said, slowly weaving his story. "So instead of an army of support, we got this one guy. Showed up personally, and even some of the Kiri guys in the group didn't know who he was. But he went directly to the captain, and started asking questions. Didn't speak to anybody else, just met with the captain who seemed... Scared. I didn't know it was for good reason at the time." Ocha laughed, clearly enjoying this recounting of the battle. "Suddenly, he walks to the edge of the trenches. He began to strip off bandages till he was in his pants. He began forming handseals, and suddenly this mist began to roll in. He told the rest of us to get inside something, and we sealed the whole thing up as he walked out onto the field with a hand picked group of like twenty kiri ninja in full body gear. Gas masks, the whole deal! A few of the guys with sensory techniques relayed the whole thing. That mist seemed to be poison! Anybody who got caught it in started screaming in pain till we could hear it from well across the river."
"And when they opened up the doors to their hide-y hole... The entire Konoha battalion was dead." Ocha added, wrapping up the story rather tightly.
"That they where." The old timer said, looking over to his fellow guard who looked... Amazed, yet scared.
"And we have to guard this guy?" He asked, pointing to Ocha.
"Kage's orders, can't say no. Besides, that nullification field is more than enough to keep him for using that poison mist of his." The senior replied, almost smiling.

"Not really, but you caught me on a good day." Ocha smiled, leaning back and letting his toes brush against the metal bars of his cell, balancing himself out. Ocha laughed softly, and tilted his head as he heard a sound. "Oh, it seems you're under attack. Just so you know, it's not one of mine. I didn't even sanction anything of the like with my assistant before I left." He wasn't really looking too hard into it, but he could tell something was wrong. "I'm excited. This whole day just gets more and more fun."




Itsuki Hozuki, prized apprentice of the Mizukage, was troubled. Before him sat a series of papers... Mostly they where all letters, but what was written in them was of concern. "And you're sure about all this?" Itsuki said, looking to his left at the messenger. He was perplexed, judging from the look of confusion on his face. But Itsuki had to admit, this was a case he was unfamiliar with.
"Yes, Lord Itsuki." The messenger said, sorrow in his eyes. "These are all photos and letters from the people of Kuniumi, the island closest to the..."
"Yes, the dark continent." Itsuki interrupted, looking back to the photos. There where fisherman, islanders in all these photos. All bedridden. That alone wasn't of much concern, but it was something else that caught his eyes. In some of the pictures, there where lumps forming underneath the skin. Pressing up and stretching out the bones in disgusting ways. Some of them made it look like people where growing horns. Then... There was the corpses. The lumps where just the first in a series of terrible mutations. Specifically, bones. Most of the corpses where malformed skeletons, with bones growing out and their own organs impaled by the sudden growth that went inwards. The villagers claimed that it was one in a generation, but now, it was an epidemic. "They're requesting medical assistance, but... Until we even know how it's spreading we can't risk the usual medical teams. I may have to go personally." He sighed softly, and rubbed his temples, raking his mind for any other ideas. He couldn't handle an epidemic on his own, but nobody else could be risked for something like this, much less allowing the risk of it laying dormant and returning to the mainland. Itsuki's unique body structure allowed him to do this, but others...

"Give me some paper, I have to send a letter to somebody who I know can help." Itsuki said, smiling as a sheet was handed to him. Pen in hand, he began to write , beginning with the name of the shinobi he planned to address. Namine Akizakura, the only medical shinobi he knew who could help with this kind of epidemic. Handing the letter off, he took a seat, and began to wait.

Waiting and listening Bakuto was trying to do this delicately but when the explosion happened up the way in a new museum Bakuto's calm demeanor completely left. Bakuto almost acted on his pure impulse from the rage that filled him. Bakuto wanted to do nothing more than to activate his Black lightning armor and smash his way through to his enemies and make them pay for this injustice but he held back.

Bakuto signalled for his clones not to act and for any of his village shinobi not to act either as he didn't want anymore things to set these two off to kill more villagers. Bakuto took a deep breath letting his frustrations out by breathing then made his way to the café as instructed. The General is basically holding the Raikage's village hostage to get what he wants. Bakuto walks to the doors of the café then opens and enters the door way then enters.

"Leave my village and its people out of this. To think a former Kumo shinobi could raise their hand against their village's people. Its appalling that you were once called a village hero. You are no better than the men who took over the village after the annex after the war. Your organization wants to take the lives of the kage to what end? I fall another will take my place to protect this village. The same can be said about the other villages kage. If you want to take the life of kage and do it in the heat of battle General. Isn't that where you strived General on the battlefield? I respected your demands to meet in this place, now respect the title of one bestowed the name of Kage. What have you General? Or has the rogue shinobi life changed the honor among soliders.", Bakuto spoke as he entered the café facing Gozubura. Trying to keep a calm voice tone even though he was filled with rage by the actions of Gozubura. Looking to use the General's solider's way of life to honor how one solider or warrior should treat another. Bakuto shared a simlar kind of pride one to respect another warrior. Bakuto is the kind of person who when fighting another warrior he would rather fight a warrior in battle then to just execute one who cannot fight back.

Not letting his guard down as he entered the café either. Bakuto fully well knew these two could attack at any minute but with the General's reputation Bakuto knew he would respect his own terms but he could say the same for his female friend. Bakuto took note of the sound of the surroundings trying to keep the location each person within the café still in his head which allowed him to move as if he wasnt a blind man without bumping into things or other people. Keeping his composer that of a person of his authority and title As he made his appearance known while standing in front of the two rogue shinobi Gozubura and Yui with the stature of being the Raikage. His sword at his side along the gauntlet attached to his right arm he was still armed should he need to act and defend himself within the small area within the café.

---

After speaking to Kamui after the funeral, it was quickly decided that Kamui and Sakana made a crack team. Despite his promotion, Sakana did not feel different - such was fate, so he would endure it - but he felt a sharp pang of dis-empowerment after he realized that the two trash-shinobi from Iwagakure, Rumia and Kyoka, were far stronger than he was at this point. He was convinced it was his actions in the first part of the test, as well as the fact that he managed to keep team Fire together during the latter stage of the test that earned him the promotion - as it should've been - but feelings of inadequacy were hard to get rid of. Such was fate too. In them he found a motivation to keep going and become stronger. He'd prove to them that their filthy kekkei genkai were not a free ticket to shinobi godhood.

It was not entirely surprising that, a few weeks later, the 'new' hokage showed up with the message that he was selected for a new team, together with 'Shizuka Ichimi', who'd been one of the new jonin recruits. Alongside them was Kamui Uzumaki, with whom Sakana was intimately familiar at that point, and who he'd be able to use expertly. Then there was some person called 'Date Uchiha,' some Uchiha brat with a kekkei genkai. It didn't matter - the team was decidedly this way, and Sakana could only agree. “Hai, hokage-sama,” he replied to the hokage. He was still unsure how to feel about him, but his style of leadership was unarguably much more robust and strict than that of the late Ginsho.

Sakana left his clan compound - which was full of fish ponds. The clan compound was not exceptionally large, but it seemed much smaller than it was because only 10% of the land was used to house people in a multiple story building. The rest of it was dedicated to nature, work places and ponds. He paused briefly as he passed the final - and biggest - pond of fish in the entire compound. It was the most beautiful of all for it contained the fish that were represented in the Uragiri clan symbol. The fish themselves were special because they were said to have lived for over two hundred years already, and had given the Uragiri clan their peculiar looks.



Sakana bowed deeply and pushed his hand through the water, looking at the two fish. To the clan they represented balance. To him, they represented fate and change. The rest of the clan saw only when the fish swam around each other, calmly, in circles. But Sakana had seen the fish fight on several occasion, and the one that represented fate, the black fish, always won. He looked at them for several seconds more, before standing up and shaking his hand to get rid of the water.

---

First he collected Kamui, at the Uzumaki clan house. Larger than his own, for sure, but it didn't phase him. The Uragiri clan knew their place in this village. He'd simply ask one of the people for Kamui's place, and then went to find him. He knocked before entering but didn't wait too long to enter. “Kamui,” he said solemnly, glancing around the boy's room. He pondered whether or not the boys' room reflected his personality, but was quickly reminded of his purpose here and looked the boy in the eyes again.

“We're selected. We're going to Sunagakure. Come with me.” He was stoic as ever, and gave his orders like he was already the teamleader - well, technically he outranked Kamui now, but he'd even acted this way when Kamui and him were both chunin. It seemed like Sakana was just something of a natural leader. Regardless of what Kamui'd respond, Sakana would wait a few minutes for the boy to prepare before taking off to find Shizuka, jumping to a roof and running off. He'd expected to find him at his own home, but on the way there they passed Kiku's home, where Sakana luckily managed to catch Shizuka's voice.

He listened from above for a while, asking Kiku whether or not he should request a transfer. It was then that Sakana pushed himself off of the rooftop, landing besides Kiku and Shizuka with a single hand pressed onto the floor to steady his fall. He'd raise slowly and look Shizuka in the eyes. “Shizuka, Kiku,” he'd say as a matter of greeting. He'd learned after the fight in the forest of death that Kiku and Shizuka were the two that had abandoned Kurin Senju and Jaakuna Hinoko. He paused briefly, his black eyes staring intensely at the two of them. He was wondering just what these two were thinking. Then he'd speak up, posing a question in as neutral of a tone as he could muster, though he was sure Shizuka wouldn't like it. It was a question that had to be asked, however. “First you'd abandon your team in the forest of death when me and my team came for your scrolls, now you'd abandon us too when you're faced with another challenge?”

Phlatsh. He spat on the ground, before glancing at Shizuka again, seeing what he'd have to say for himself. “You're a jonin now,” he'd follow up, making sure to stress the word jonin, “so follow orders and do your job.” He shot a final glance at Kiku, before jumping to the rooftops again. He expected Kamui and Shizuka to follow him, and although Shizuka was a jonin like he was, his failure to accept the mission regardless of how he felt about it meant that Sakana seemed like the more proper leader in this mission - at least for now, and only to Sakana, since he could hardly know how Shizuka, Kiku or Kamui felt.

Last on the team list was 'Date Uchiha.' Obviously he'd be found in the Uchiha quarters of the village. A rapid travel there was quickly achieved and before anyone knew it, they were in front of Date's home. Knock knock. As soon as Date'd opened the door, Sakana would alert him to the mission ahead of them. “Uchiha, Date. I'm Sakana Uragiri, this is Shizuka Ichimi. We're the jonin for your team for this mission. The other chunin here is Kamui Uzumaki, who will be supporting our mission. Please grab your gear and get ready. We have five minutes.”

It was quite visible that Sakana treated Date slightly different - more distant perhaps. It made sense if you knew Sakana, since he was pretty disgusted by kekkei genkai. The Uchiha clan was perhaps the most prominent userbase of kekkei genkai. So, working with one from that clan would prove to be quite difficult for Sakana. But the mission came first.

It had been 2 years of roaming solitude, 2 years without her companion that she had grown accustomed too in only a 4 year span. Now at the brimming age of 20, which Kyo didnt even know her own age, the young horned maiden was full of exuberant life. She had nobody these past two years to subside the demon inside of her....well, demons. The girl was a very interestingly dressed little thing - adorned in memories of some of her favorite trinquets she acquired over the years. The mask of an Anbu member hung from the right horn, covering the golden eye of the mismatched orbs - a pleasurable fight. This was also a very new addition to the walking china cabinet - merely only a week old. Also adorned on both horns was a rare posinous kind of flower gifted to her long ago that she continued to refind and rewear, at this point in  time she had found some lavender to pair with her horned bouquet. A very finely made Kimono ensemble that had a matching shirt and arm sleeves that matched her thigh high sock, a complimentary red school-girl styled skirt,  and no shoes. Of course, also with her was her scroll, katana, and her most prized possession - an umbrella. It held not much purpose for the girl except for fond memories of someone that one day she had hoped to reencounter. For now, the umbrella sufficed.

But today, she wasn't adorned in these beautiful and memorable items. Her signature silver hair, and different colored eyes were all masked by her reconstruction jutsu - she now bore black hair that was tied high upon her head, if her face could be seen it was a lot sharper - her eyes brown, cheek bones higher. The ANBU mask she had just recently began to wore came from that of an Ame black ops member named Jihiro Gensha - the girl put up a great fight, but alas Kyo finished the job she set her mind too. Stealing the girls identity and clothes, Kyo proudly strolled through Ame completely masked as another being. It was about a year and a half ago that tunnel vision set in as a repressed memory ignited a flame inside of her to find answers. Answers leading to her attempted kidnap at the orphanage, and of course when you're not a sane person - you believe that this could happen again, and again, and again. She had to find them, had to find them before they found her - all these years later. Kyo had it in engraved in her head to find them, so for the past year and a half she had been scouring all over the land for answers. Barely finding any, and making more enemies along the way which now lead these 'Dead or Alive' posters being laid around. The sight of them didn't send not a single shiver of fear down her spine, instead it was a challenge. 

The girl now stood in the office of the Leader of Ame, she hadn't spoke a word since arriving in Ame. Merely nodding, and keeping the mask over her face incase of giving herself away. The young girl may not be all right in her mind, but for serious situations it seemed the more intellectual side of her split personality came forth to take control of the reigns of the demon that constantly poked and prodded her to kill. "We need these answers, so don't fuck it up....But think about it, the best kill is right here. In  this room. We could kill a leader.." She thought to herself, her head twitching slightly to the right. Kyo examined the room - taking in all o f her 'fellow' Black Ops members. She pursed her lips under the mask, wondering if any of the people here were directly affiliated with the kidnappings. How many could she take out just right here? Maybe the whole room if she really tried...But she was amongst some of the elite. Kyo watched as the lovely yet sickly Yogensha sauntered into the room, accompanied by her assistants. Kyo's eyes glued to her, breaking down the ill woman in her mind. "How easily one could just slice her throat in this weakend state...." Her mind began rolling with thoughts, she laced her fingers behind her back and inhaled deeply. The excitement of just leaping forward and killing a great figure - dismantling a nation. The idea of it almost made her drool. "Don't...even think about it..." This time the words bubbled past her lips lowly, her head twitched again as she continued to argue with herself mentally. Quickly, she regained herself in hopes that nobody had seen the very very minor manic episode.

Kyo's head turned as she listened to Yogensha mingle with her assistants - some powerful figure was to come and meet with the Madam. This really held no interest to her, she wanted answers on the orphanages and kidnappings. She needed to find them, and soon. Now with her face plastered all over, it could lead to them finding her first. Unless he kept this guise for a while, she wouldn't have to worry about that. She wondered how long this would take, the longer she stood her - the higher her anticipation rose with ideas of how to slaughter every single being in this room. Her eyes moved back to Yogensha - wondering what her sickly blood would taste like, and how much chakra she could absorb through it. "Are you okay Jihiro?" A deep scratchy voice softly came from the body next to her, she didn't respond instead continued to stare forward, "Hey Jihiro" The voice came again, this time with a bump to the shoulder - she turned her head to see a male standing a bit taller than her, he wore the same outfit as her - his face covered by a mask. She nodded, and turned her head forward. "You're a lot more silent than usual..." Kyo clenched her jaw, and swallowed a lump in her throat "I'm just tired is all..." The voice matched that of the girls, thanks to the DNA sample - Kyo had everything she needed from a simple drop of blood. Kyo then faced back towards Yogensha, her heart beat starting to increase with the excitement of everything. Now she almost wanted to be found out. But she was creeping in closer and closer to the answers she wanted, this soon would lead to the bloodshed she had been aching for for the past year and a half. Her journey almost complete.

---

---

It didn't take long for Kamui's small exchange of words with the now-jounin Sakana to end, naturally dropped since neither of the boys was in a specially talkative mood due to the inauspicious occasion in which it happened, but even so it represented quite the change in Kamui's lifestyle, since it pretty much served to seal their status as a team of some sort - an arrangement that, ehile fairly simple in nature, undoubtedly represented quite the evolution in comparison to the Uzumaki's usual behaviour as well as his loyalty to the arrangement he made with the elders of his clan, since it actually demonstrated that he was, while fairly unmotivated, willing to actively fill a role instead of simply running away and hiding somewhere.

With that being said, it wasn't as if his routine faced any immediate change after that, for he still passed most of his days in the Uzumaki compound - an strangely large and fancy area in despite of the fact that only a few "true" Uzumaki shinobi lived there, with most of the clan's members residing in Uzushiogakure instead - without doing anything specially productive save for some occasional maintenance of his equipment, ultimately enjoying his own laziness without anyone to bother him - specially since the only other Uzumaki Shinobi with the same standing as him in the compound was an equally unruly fellow, who would hardly force him to do anything. In the end, the real change in Kamui's behaviour was only apparent in the following week, after his team and mission were announced by Sakana, who actually managed to find his way througj the compound and came to fetch him on his room in the main residence - a surprisingly well-maintained though fairly plain in appearance suite, with the visible area lacking any expressive decoration other than his large bed, a simple wardrobe and a low table, with the only differential of having an ungodly amount pillows over his bed and equally abnormal amount of books organized in piles over the table.

Unsurprisingly, Kamui's answer to Sakana's authoritarian behaviour was fairly weak, consisting of him getting out of his bed while voicing a seemingly affirmative "Mm" - though even that was somehow hard to get from his somehow weak voice - stretching for a moment and walking away too fetch his equipment - unsurprisingly held inside enclosure seals - in the wardrobe before following Sakana out of the compound - a fairly smooth process that clearly denoted how organized Kamui really was, though even that was most certainly motivated by his willingness to waste energy having to search things - jumping through the roofs with a distinct lack of elegance due to his not-so developed physical prowess as he followed Sakana towards the residence of the next member of the team.

Surprisingly, it didn't that long for them to reach their next stop, though that was clearly more of a coincidence than a planned stop, since one of the two other members of their team was seemingly in the middle of a visit to his girlfriends home to express his unwillingness to go without her - earning quite the harsh response from Sakana, who openly expressed his disdain for Shizuka's lack of responsibility. Kamui, in comparison, seemed as indifferent as always amidst the confusion, hardly caring for the situation in despite of also learning that Shizuka and Kiku were the missing team members of Kurin back in the forest of death - after all, it wasn't as if he specially cared for their lack of moral in one specific occasion, specially since back then they didn't expect to face truly deadly situations - and seemingly didn't have any specially strong opinion about Shizuka's desire to be left behind with Kiku. Even so, he did seem to have something to add as he waited for a bit after Sakana left, staring the couple for a second and voicing a single sentence clearly directed to the recently promoted Shizuka before he leapt towards the roof after Sakana: "Go explode, Riajuu."

From there on, though, the sleepy shinobi returned to the same inexpresive behaviour as always, quietly following Sakana through Date's clan compound and letting his self-declared - and yet approved - team leader do the talking as he quietly doze off, seemingly still in the process of waking up in despite of how he followed Sakana through all the way here - a clear signal of how lazy his habits truly were, since they weren't exactly early in the morning as of now and Shinobi are supposed to be always fairly aware in despite of the occasion.

[@All of Iwa]
@Ganryu Ai Kabe @Pirouette Kyoka Haizenberuku (Directly interacting with)

Back in Iwagakure, Koma found herself enjoying a short amount of quiet time in the coming days before the assault on Iwa itself by the very people who had already laid siege to Konohagakure, what they were after was beyond her and she wasn't exactly of a mind to try and find out either.

But they were at her doorstep now and she, like all the other shinobi of Iwa, had to do something about that whilst trying their damnedest to make sure everyone evacuated safely. That specifically wasn't Koma's job, her's was the same as it had always been, ranged support for her allies whilst remaining out of the enemy's line of fire and when they got too close, she would get out of there.

And there was of course, their Kage, stood before everyone and prepared to take on any who approached with his lava release. It was quite the intimidating sight to see, even if she was on his side.

From where she was she could pick up the presences of the three main foes approaching, flanked and assisted by several more who's chakra signatures were moving faster than her technique could accurately track. In lieu of that, she abandoned the sensory technique and activated her Eagle Eye technique to get a better view of where some of the signatures were headed, and to try and spot them whilst they're on the run.

It took a moment of following flickers of movement, but she soon caught sight of a couple of them moving here and there throughout the village and between buildings. A slow, careful draw of her bow was all she needed so that she could accurately aim and lead her shot to one of the invisible entities, loosing the arrow after a moment once she was certain she would hit and catching it in the knee and watching it topple over and turn into a puff of smoke.

There would then be a crackle on the radios the others had in their possession as she called through to them. "All shinobi, keep your eyes and ears open, there are about a dozen fast-moving targets through the village. They seem to be clones, cloaked with some kind of camouflage technique. I'll try to shoot down as many as I can from here. Kabe, Haizenberuku, can I leave leading everyone else to you two?" Once she finished transmitting the information she went back to her watch, trying to track down the movement of other invisible targets darting around whilst dipping down onto one knee and activating her own cloak to begin to hide her own visible presence from anyone who might be watching.

---

Hime Yuki

@Reflection

Bumu definitely wasn't done with his frustrations, the foxish shinobi all but endlessly continued to explain how he felt and what was bothering him without little more than that one question she'd given him. And there was a lot of stuff to get through, maybe more than Hime had any right to comment on, but she was going to do it anyway seeing as he was being so vocal.

"Right, Bumu! We'll take this one step at a time, cause you are cut out for ninja life, but everyone's a bit overloaded due to what's happened." Hime began, gently patting Bumu on his shoulder. "He, like any shinobi, knew that death was always round the corner, it's the whole point of us being here. Shinobi life is bloody and not everyone makes it. But think about it this way, imagine if it was him that survived and you that had died, ontop of everything else that happened. What do you think he would do? Give up on something he set his heart to from the get go?" The question was left to linger for a moment, just so Bumu could do some of the thinking himself.

"No! He wouldn't give up, he'd keep going and use his memory of you to push him further so he doesn't let that happen again whilst he's there to help. He'd have a bigger reason to keep improving himself other than because being a ninja is freakin' cool! No shinobi dies in vain, Bumu, they all serve to remind those of us that are left that we have to work even harder in their stead because they can't keep going, no matter how many more fall around us, we keep picking up the slack, train new shinobi and pass our duties onto them so they can take it into the future! You fight on to honour those who died, to keep their will burning through your own heart instead of theirs and then you pass it onto the next generation, because you're the one who can still do it!" At some point, Hime had acquired herself a glass of milk that she had already drunk half of.

"But before all that, what you do is you promise to their grave and their spirit that you'll do everything you can to try and stop anything like that happening again. It hurts, but it's essential to make sure they know what you're doing for them. The same goes for Old Man Ginsho, he's been ready for death since he became a shinobi and we'll punch Jaakuna in the face for doing it because Ginsho can't do it and we'll make him apologize for it until he can't speak anymore." The fairy seemed fired up, but that enthusiasm quickly died down as she finished her drink and took a breath.
"As for the crying thing? It can be hard to cry when you're supposed to, Bumu, harder to hold back from crying when you've gotta be strong in front of others. But crying on the outside isn't important, if your heart is tearing itself apart from how you feel about Chojiro, Jaakuna and Ginsho, then you're doing all the crying you need to on the inside where all your feelings come from."

"Think about it like that and maybe you'll finally be able to do it when you go home where no one but you and your family are, dump your head into your mum's shoulder and just bawl like a little baby for a while. It's what I did, I saved all my tears for when I got home cause mum said us Yuki's shouldn't be sad, we should be the snow that comes to bring everyone joy during the winter times. We could be happy, angry, tired, stern... Anything but sad, you know? It wouldn't be very Yuki of me to cry in front of a few of mum's old friends when I was always such a cheerful kid."

Hime felt she might have gotten a bit carried away, but she rounded back to Bumu now that she was done. "And it's not very Bumu of you to be in a downer when you're always skipping about and being so cheeky and foxish. You're cut out for ninja life for sure, maybe your heart is still a bit weak, but that's what hardships are for, to strengthen your heart when things get tough. If you lose a friend you fight on their behalf and you live to prevent anyone else from going through it too."

There was a brief moment of silence now, perhaps Hime had run out of things to say, perhaps she was thinking of something else to add, but in the end it just lead up to her sighing softly. "Uhh... People don't tend to listen to me properly when I talk cause I'm a little bit dull in the head, so... Do you need me to make it super simple?"

---

_{A cause worthy of a goddess}

As explosions sounded off Ichi and the other foxes met Ishi in the Kazekage’s office. They knew that they were being attacked, no doubt by a similar force that attacked Konoha.

“Shun.” She started, but the foxes were already snarling. The size of a hunting hound each of them were thirsty for blood. Ichi made her way to the top of the Kazekage mansion as everyone began evacuating. She did not take her time, but she did not run. This kind of attack did not read wanton destruction or chaos. And while she had spent quite a bit of time and money remodeling the infrastructure of Sunagakure, it left her without a Jonin for aid. Luckily, she had her friends.

Tokuina and his cubs would know what to do without her being there. Thus, it was her and Shun, a pack. They reached the roof of the mansion and Ishi alongside Ichi, Ni, and San. She gazed out upon the destruction and made a few handseals, rather quickly.

“Sabaku no Yūdai,”

Ishi whispered, as if casting a prayer to a god. But that’s exactly what she was. As she said the words and performed the three handseals, citizens would notice the entire environment shift. All of the buildings would have domes of sand created around them as a massive pool of water formed in the center of the village, pooling out from the Oasis that was usually at the center.

The clouds overhead bunched together and begun to storm down on the rest of the area, lightning cracked and the gods themselves reached out so that the attackers knew they were unwelcome. With her job done and as many of the civilians lives as she could protect safe, Ishi jumped down onto the center of the pond. Approximately 30m in radius it was fairly massive and even pretty deep, around 10 feet of water had come seemingly out of nowhere.

“Ishi,” Ni started. “You won’t be able to use that technique for 24 hours!” He said in a hushed voice, looking at her concerned.

“That is correct little one.” She said patting his head dutifully. “I’m afraid those here will not require much effort to ease into an early grave.” She said with a warm, motherly smile.

“Come out you foolish cowards.” She commanded, her voice booming across the now nearly empty and silent village streets.

---

---

_{A Podunk Girl in a Podunk Town}
Kareha regaled Havoc with tales of heresy, love, and heroism the whole way from the Yomigaeri HQ to Amegakure. By the time they made it anywhere near the village they were met with a force that seemed pretty friendly. Cool!

”Normally we would ask you to leave. But the lady Yogensha herself has decided to open her arms to you and wishes us to escort you to our village. If you decline, we're afraid we have to ask you to return to the border and travel around it.”

Kareha nodded along with what they were saying. It seemed like they had their ducks balanced. Or whatever.

But Havoc was shaking slightly. At first she thought it could’ve been pre-show jitters. But it seemed more akin to anger. From his back Kareha covered his eyes and bopped him on the head with her chin. “Focus you big oaf.” She said kicking her heels into his side like he was a horse.

“Eyes on the prize.”
 

---

Sayuri panted as the invasion came to a close. She was instructed by Yogensha to stay behind in the village until the funeral, as a show of good will to a village whom had just lost an important figure. Over the coming days Sayuri would put in the work the village needed, repairing infrastructure and helping where it was needed. By the time the funeral rolled around she was able to see Yogensha again. They exchanged more than just pleasantries, Sayuri reporting anything she thought was attempting to remain innocuous. She had been training her chakra control in order to become more talented at concealing her Byakugan. She reported everything to Yogensha who was only looking worse for wear. The elder woman simply patted Sayuri on the back and informed her that if anyone should worry it was her.

She instructed Sayuri to go out that night, she’d have an incredibly busy schedule once they began to head back to Amegakure.

So Sayuri went to a small bar after the funeral, she was given clearance to drink to her heart’s content and her neighbour seemed to have a similar plan of action.

Sayuri was somewhat dazed by the point of actually being able to comprehend what the girl was saying, she was phasing in and out from her actual words.

"... And the fucka's like 'Is tha' all y'all jounin got?' when we were kickin' his scaley ass?!"

“ Oh fug da shi.”

"Fruity fucks be all tryin' to get the attention. Freakin' dicks, pussies 'n' asshole, that's the only type o' people yer gonna find in this dumb hole of a shinobi world. Did I tell ya' 'bout why it's like that?"

“N-nah you ain’t said a single… Noise.”

"Ehhh, maybe later."

“Ahh ya that’s how it is.”

"So where ya' from again? That Rain village or somethin'?"

“Hmmmmmmmm? Little ol’ me? Awwww yeah you know that I’m always where it’s *hic* wettest.”

The next day Sayuri found herself being force fed an army ration pill and being told to march. Her head hurt like a bitch.

---

The Kage Summit was a strange time for Sayuri. She was sent as a representative of Amegakure and Yogensha herself and as such was told to be on the highest level of alert possible. Her new technique for funneling small amounts of chakra to her eyes to keep them active ended up paying off fairly well, she was able to keep a distinct eye out and went ahead with a unanimous agreement to keep Ocha locked up. The Mizukage’s people and he himself had apparently orchestrated the attack on Konoha. While Sayuri wasn’t incredibly sure what the validity of that was, she did know that keeping her mouth shut from here on out was most likely the best decision she could make.

She was happy to see Amegakure heading towards a global seat of power, especially with Kirigakure in the proverbial shitter.

---

While Yogensha was telling her men to greet the intruder’s to their village Sayuri stood on Yogensha’ right, with Kaito on her left. They awaited to enemies to be welcomed in their gate, once more Sayuri slowly and methodically watching their progress all the while hiding the presence of her Byakugan to any who should be looking with the eyes of man.