Water Country: Site 28d, formerly Tea Country
Fuhen's rise to power, and the subsequent rise of New Tea had never been predicated on the idea that he would take back Tea Country, but he had always promised that he would fight for equality, for the liberation of the little people, for whatever form of justice that Fuhen had decided his country was to follow. It only made sense then, that the glorious Heart Empire would seek expansion by liberating those that were put upon, especially in the recent war. It took time to prepare, of course, the empire's might grew rather rapidly, but these things still didn't happen overnight.
The frog was older now, wiser in some ways, but still the old idealistic fool he had almost always been. It was only a matter of time before he was bound to go picking fights with schoolyard bullies. It really didn't take much discussion, with the inhabitants of New Tea being refugees of old tea, as well as inhabitants of the old Shark Country displaced by the war and attempting to return to their homes. The countries of River, Tea, and Gold all received their votes, and the decision was unanimous, reclaiming old tea would be a boon for the empire that all members of the empire would be willing to put soldiers into.
War was not something that left a pleasant taste in any of their mouths, but sacrifices needed to be made for the betterment of the people. Of course, this wasn't a war that any of them would settle simply, watching the results from their lofty chairs in expensive castles, but the leaders were ones that the people had chosen to represent them, and while not all were warriors, those that were would lead from amidst their people, not from the rear. This included the Grand Shogun, Iyashii Fuhen, who chose to be on the first boat to land.
This was their declaration of war, as the airships dropped off the first load of troops for the occupation to retake the homeland of Tea Country, before flying back off, ready to bring back reinforcements or supplies as necessary. Not every person brought was a soldier, either, some were doctors, diplomats, some of the new steam technicians, and more. The choice would be given to surrender, of course, but it seemed unlikely that every ninja or samurai of water country present would simply roll over at the presence of the Heart Empire... Unless they were pussies, anyway.
Reclaiming what was stolen
Reclaiming what was stolen
"It's so sad!" the reader said to the writer with a frown. "The character in my book just died!" The author turned to her and burst out into tears, "I know!" he said, "So did mine!"
Ninja Info CardsShow
 | Suzuko Just another girl |
Reclaiming what was stolen
The glass-walled tower rising from the centre of Kirigakure was a hive of chaotic activity even before news of the invasion arrived. The sudden and unexplained disappearance of the Juudaime Mizukage several months prior had left a yawning power vacuum at the heart of the village; with no council to assume governance—the last such body had been eviscerated on orders of the Kyuudaime—and no successor yet declared, the shreds of power fell to the varied nobility. The heads of the great houses and clans, the rich, the ambitious, and the elite, all converged to do what they did best: They schemed, plotted, and waged their invisible wars amongst each other in a brutal and ceaseless contest for dominance.
So it was that when the first messenger arrived, within several hours of the first sightings of foreign troops roaming the lands of former Tea Country, they burst into a chamber already in uproar. Panting, the runner shouted for attention with a report held aloft in one shaking fist, and had to repeat himself several times as he strode to the middle of the room.
"My lords! Lords! Dire news from the mainland!"
At first his voice was lost among the fracas, but the few nobles who glanced at the man hesitated and fell quiet; everyone present was familiar enough with the tower staff to recognise the man, though they weren't pleased with the interruption. He ignored their protests.
"My lords! We are under attack!"
That brought a wave of stunned silence and slack faces. The brief lull was just enough time to see confusion and uncertainly flash across some faces, and outrage or zeal spark upon others, and then, like a floodgate bursting, the arguments started anew. Only louder, and tinged now with a panicked and empassioned furor.
It was another hour before Aisu Naohiro, jounin of the hidden mist and veteran of the great war, stepped into the chamber. His eyes flicked quickly across its inhabitants, searching for clues about his abrupt and urgent summons; he felt that somehow he didn't belong here, in this chamber usually used by the kage's personal staff--and by the old council, in years gone by. He knew little enough about these men except that they sought power and opportunity, and that made him wary. He'd have to be careful to not become trapped as a pawn in one scheme or another.
He was briefed quickly, and in conflicting fragments, by a number of men and women who each appeared to think themselves in charge. Thankfully, none saw him as a saviour of the nation--he wasn't even among the strongest ninja in the village, let alone a kage--but he was one of the few who could be found, could be trusted, and could travel freely without risking too much. And so, since details on the sitation were still woefully scarce, he was tasked with being the village's diplomatic vanguard into the unfolding situation. He was not the only to be called, but he was the first to answer, and so their best hope at delaying the enemy long enough to muster an organised military response.
Seeing no better alternative, he bowed his head and accepted the duty. His nation was at risk, and as wounded as they were from recent events, he was one of the few who could at least attempt to help it. Right there in the former council chambers he performed a long set of hand seals and tore open a hole in the fabric of space, just big enough for himself, and stepped through. He emerged many miles away, at a border post near a road that ran south away from the border of Steam Country. He'd passed this way not too long ago, and knew the location well enough to transport himself there through space.
And with that, he took off at a run to the south and west, in the direction of the reports of the invaders. He followed the main roads as he ran. No longer were they poorly maintained dirt tracks devoid of traffic, either; since becoming a full part of Water Country, the area featured modern stone roads complete with post stations, and was plied by more merchants in a week than the former country would have seen in a year, with nary a sign of banditry anymore. It was hard to believe that just a few years ago this was an undeveloped backwater state, protected by Fire Country but otherwise ignored and exploited only for its crops. Now, it was Water Country's mainland hub and highway to the ever-growing Steam Country and all the tradelands beyond. The old puppet parliament was long gone, no doubt running from the consequences of their warmongering, and the population of the once tiny peninsula was booming.
Some resented the new occupants and leadership, of course, but as Naohiro passed through growing town after growing town, there was little sign of unrest. Most, it seemed, were content just to be at peace again, and grateful for the influx of civilization. Even the staunchest patriot of Old Tea nowadays struggled to deny that the overall transformation of the country was a good thing.
Naohiro paused only briefly at each town, dropping off sealed mobilisation orders to local garrisons and requesting updates on the invasion, and he was soon running onwards. The peninsula, so poorly defended under the watch of the old regime, now housed a sizeable defensive samurai force thanks to its position on the mainland, and the temporary council of Water Country would already be hard at work organising the nation's armies to respond to the new threat. Whoever the invader was, they would soon meet stiff resistance. Even the people who fondly remembered Old Tea were likely to stand and fight against another foreign threat.
Eventually, now much farther to the south and west, Naohiro stopped encountering fleeing locals, and spotted soldiers in unfamiliar armour. He hailed one, drawing out a scroll bearing the formal crest of Water Country, and introduced himself. Wearing formal robes and without an obvious weapon - despite wearing his usual vest and tools concealed beneath - it was obvious that Naohiro was not a soldier charging to attack, but rather here to talk and learn.
"I am Aisu Naohiro, a diplomatic envoy sent from Kirigakure. Please, take me to your commander."
So it was that when the first messenger arrived, within several hours of the first sightings of foreign troops roaming the lands of former Tea Country, they burst into a chamber already in uproar. Panting, the runner shouted for attention with a report held aloft in one shaking fist, and had to repeat himself several times as he strode to the middle of the room.
"My lords! Lords! Dire news from the mainland!"
At first his voice was lost among the fracas, but the few nobles who glanced at the man hesitated and fell quiet; everyone present was familiar enough with the tower staff to recognise the man, though they weren't pleased with the interruption. He ignored their protests.
"My lords! We are under attack!"
That brought a wave of stunned silence and slack faces. The brief lull was just enough time to see confusion and uncertainly flash across some faces, and outrage or zeal spark upon others, and then, like a floodgate bursting, the arguments started anew. Only louder, and tinged now with a panicked and empassioned furor.
It was another hour before Aisu Naohiro, jounin of the hidden mist and veteran of the great war, stepped into the chamber. His eyes flicked quickly across its inhabitants, searching for clues about his abrupt and urgent summons; he felt that somehow he didn't belong here, in this chamber usually used by the kage's personal staff--and by the old council, in years gone by. He knew little enough about these men except that they sought power and opportunity, and that made him wary. He'd have to be careful to not become trapped as a pawn in one scheme or another.
He was briefed quickly, and in conflicting fragments, by a number of men and women who each appeared to think themselves in charge. Thankfully, none saw him as a saviour of the nation--he wasn't even among the strongest ninja in the village, let alone a kage--but he was one of the few who could be found, could be trusted, and could travel freely without risking too much. And so, since details on the sitation were still woefully scarce, he was tasked with being the village's diplomatic vanguard into the unfolding situation. He was not the only to be called, but he was the first to answer, and so their best hope at delaying the enemy long enough to muster an organised military response.
Seeing no better alternative, he bowed his head and accepted the duty. His nation was at risk, and as wounded as they were from recent events, he was one of the few who could at least attempt to help it. Right there in the former council chambers he performed a long set of hand seals and tore open a hole in the fabric of space, just big enough for himself, and stepped through. He emerged many miles away, at a border post near a road that ran south away from the border of Steam Country. He'd passed this way not too long ago, and knew the location well enough to transport himself there through space.
And with that, he took off at a run to the south and west, in the direction of the reports of the invaders. He followed the main roads as he ran. No longer were they poorly maintained dirt tracks devoid of traffic, either; since becoming a full part of Water Country, the area featured modern stone roads complete with post stations, and was plied by more merchants in a week than the former country would have seen in a year, with nary a sign of banditry anymore. It was hard to believe that just a few years ago this was an undeveloped backwater state, protected by Fire Country but otherwise ignored and exploited only for its crops. Now, it was Water Country's mainland hub and highway to the ever-growing Steam Country and all the tradelands beyond. The old puppet parliament was long gone, no doubt running from the consequences of their warmongering, and the population of the once tiny peninsula was booming.
Some resented the new occupants and leadership, of course, but as Naohiro passed through growing town after growing town, there was little sign of unrest. Most, it seemed, were content just to be at peace again, and grateful for the influx of civilization. Even the staunchest patriot of Old Tea nowadays struggled to deny that the overall transformation of the country was a good thing.
Naohiro paused only briefly at each town, dropping off sealed mobilisation orders to local garrisons and requesting updates on the invasion, and he was soon running onwards. The peninsula, so poorly defended under the watch of the old regime, now housed a sizeable defensive samurai force thanks to its position on the mainland, and the temporary council of Water Country would already be hard at work organising the nation's armies to respond to the new threat. Whoever the invader was, they would soon meet stiff resistance. Even the people who fondly remembered Old Tea were likely to stand and fight against another foreign threat.
Eventually, now much farther to the south and west, Naohiro stopped encountering fleeing locals, and spotted soldiers in unfamiliar armour. He hailed one, drawing out a scroll bearing the formal crest of Water Country, and introduced himself. Wearing formal robes and without an obvious weapon - despite wearing his usual vest and tools concealed beneath - it was obvious that Naohiro was not a soldier charging to attack, but rather here to talk and learn.
"I am Aisu Naohiro, a diplomatic envoy sent from Kirigakure. Please, take me to your commander."
CharactersShow
Aisu Naohiro ❆ Jounin ❆ Kirigakure no Sato ❆ [Unit 12] [HHD] ❆ [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Reclaiming what was stolen
Naohiro's arrival would not be unexpected, even the bloodthirsty country of Water was bound to send a first wave, if with no other intention than to act as a spy for the current situation. He would be greeted first by guards asking his business, and after being made to wait, would be quickly greeted by two men at the gate.
The first was a gaunt man, slightly shorter, and likely the same age as Naohiro, but his incredibly thin, almost skeletal nature made him look ages older. He was wearing a traditional set of robes, a dark blue with white flowing patterns throughout, reminiscent of gentle waves. He was introduced as Venerable Aide of the Shogun: Sen Matsumatsu.
The second was perhaps the picturesque definition of a samurai, an older woman in her fifties with mostly gray hair tied back in a pineapple style, with several scars littered over her sharp features. In contrast, the woman was dressed for war, a set of tight-fitting red robes underneath a full set of samurai armor, traditional three-blade setup at her waist, and a helmet with the intimidating visage of a demon tucked under her arm. She was introduced as Warmaster: Botan Goda, her warrior's symbol on the left of her chestplate demarked her as being Natsubushi, and from the land of Plains and Sea.
The pair of them would be... at least pleasant, bowing appropriately, giving him greater deference, his being the first wave of diplomat meant he was either expected to be a sacrificial lamb, or that he was one of the better options they had. After appropriate greetings at the gate were made, he would be brought inside the simply erected walls around the town they'd made their base of operations. Their walk through the town would be brisk, but surprisingly casual, neither of the two paying too close of attention to Naohiro, though Sen would attempt to engage in simple conversation, likely something about the prices of grain, or the weather.
The trip was quick, though long enough for the Kirigakure ninja to assess the scene around them. Certainly the takeover hadn't been entirely peaceful, but the streets didn't run red with blood, either. Many samurai gave up almost immediately upon seeing the overwhelming numbers, others, especially those believers in old tea country, had switched sides. Some diehards, both water country and ex-tea country samurai alike felt it an assault on their honor to not fight to the death, and so they did. Troop numbers would be hard to gauge, though Naohiro would perhaps be the first ninja to ever see one of the grand Sunflower class airships lift off and head back for the mainland, likely heading to gather more troops or supplies.
Their journey would lead them to the southern edge of the town, where a large, plain tent would be set up, a banner planted in front proudly held the mark of the Heart Empire. Botan would enter first, the flap closing behind her, and Sen would follow after, holding it open for Naohiro to enter. The tent would be nothing terribly impressive on the inside, either. The interior walls were painted with what Naohiro would likely recognize as fuuinjutsu, designed to protect the area, and some to prevent sound from leaving the tent, though the hustle and bustle of the city would still be audible from the interior.
There would be three others in the tent aside from the three who just entered. Leaning against the far corner would be a man in the newer style dress of the Heart Empire, finely tailored clothes, a stick lazily drooling smoke hanging out of his mouth. He was a younger man, with sharp features, whose sleeves were rolled up, his left hand and arm covered in some kind of bandages. He took a drag from his cigarette and stared at Naohiro, but said nothing, before returning to a relaxed position, though his attention was high.
The other two were seated at a low table near the middle of the tent, one was a young child wearing full samurai regalia, the symbol on her breastplate demarking her as a Fuyubushi of Shark Country, and her general appearance being one Naohiro might recognize as being from the Shuryō clan, the vast majority of which now belonged in Kirigakure territory. To her right, at the 'head' of the table was a long-haired man in fine clothing and a crown atop his head, the regalia on his chest different from those around him, proudly marking him as "Iyashii of River." The pair were reading from a scroll, and the younger girl was... giggling at whatever the contents were.
Botan strode forwards to the table, giving a deep bow to the table, rather than anyone in specific, before taking a seat to the Shogun's right, looking every bit prim and proper. Sen took a couple steps forwards, before turning to the side. "Iyashii-sama, may I introduce... Aisu, Naohiro -- A diplomat from Kirigakure-no-sato. Aisu-sama, this is Grand Shogun, Iyashii Fuhen." Fuhen looked up for the first time, meeting the eyes of his Aide first, and then the eyes of Naohiro, a gentle smile on his face, he slowly rose from his seat, offering the man a slight bow, something that the aide visible winged at. The Shogun was not supposed to bow to anyone, especially of a lower station, but it was something the two would disagree on till the day one of them died.
"A pleasure, Naohiro-san. Koshō, would you mind preparing tea for our guest?" The young girl had the... audacity to give the shogun a pout, before rolling up the scroll, and getting up, heading over to a chest to pull out a small box of tea leaves and get to work. Fuhen gave the man an appraising look. He recognized the name Aisu, he had met, and slain, a few of them, both during and before the war, mostly to do with slave ships. He held back his judgements of the man, for now. "Nae need for all the ceremony, sit, sit." Fuhen gestured to the empty seat directly across from him, the casual nature of the seating arrangement in some kind of contrast to the severe nature of the business. Sen had the dignity to regain his composure completely, before stepping to stand behind the Shogun's left shoulder.
"We're missing one, too, she may arrive soon, if she's not too busy, but she never was a fan of these diplomatic sorts of meetings..." Of course, neither was Fuhen, but unlike him, Oban had a choice in the matter. "You've been sent with a message, tae start, perhaps?"
The first was a gaunt man, slightly shorter, and likely the same age as Naohiro, but his incredibly thin, almost skeletal nature made him look ages older. He was wearing a traditional set of robes, a dark blue with white flowing patterns throughout, reminiscent of gentle waves. He was introduced as Venerable Aide of the Shogun: Sen Matsumatsu.
The second was perhaps the picturesque definition of a samurai, an older woman in her fifties with mostly gray hair tied back in a pineapple style, with several scars littered over her sharp features. In contrast, the woman was dressed for war, a set of tight-fitting red robes underneath a full set of samurai armor, traditional three-blade setup at her waist, and a helmet with the intimidating visage of a demon tucked under her arm. She was introduced as Warmaster: Botan Goda, her warrior's symbol on the left of her chestplate demarked her as being Natsubushi, and from the land of Plains and Sea.
The pair of them would be... at least pleasant, bowing appropriately, giving him greater deference, his being the first wave of diplomat meant he was either expected to be a sacrificial lamb, or that he was one of the better options they had. After appropriate greetings at the gate were made, he would be brought inside the simply erected walls around the town they'd made their base of operations. Their walk through the town would be brisk, but surprisingly casual, neither of the two paying too close of attention to Naohiro, though Sen would attempt to engage in simple conversation, likely something about the prices of grain, or the weather.
The trip was quick, though long enough for the Kirigakure ninja to assess the scene around them. Certainly the takeover hadn't been entirely peaceful, but the streets didn't run red with blood, either. Many samurai gave up almost immediately upon seeing the overwhelming numbers, others, especially those believers in old tea country, had switched sides. Some diehards, both water country and ex-tea country samurai alike felt it an assault on their honor to not fight to the death, and so they did. Troop numbers would be hard to gauge, though Naohiro would perhaps be the first ninja to ever see one of the grand Sunflower class airships lift off and head back for the mainland, likely heading to gather more troops or supplies.
Their journey would lead them to the southern edge of the town, where a large, plain tent would be set up, a banner planted in front proudly held the mark of the Heart Empire. Botan would enter first, the flap closing behind her, and Sen would follow after, holding it open for Naohiro to enter. The tent would be nothing terribly impressive on the inside, either. The interior walls were painted with what Naohiro would likely recognize as fuuinjutsu, designed to protect the area, and some to prevent sound from leaving the tent, though the hustle and bustle of the city would still be audible from the interior.
There would be three others in the tent aside from the three who just entered. Leaning against the far corner would be a man in the newer style dress of the Heart Empire, finely tailored clothes, a stick lazily drooling smoke hanging out of his mouth. He was a younger man, with sharp features, whose sleeves were rolled up, his left hand and arm covered in some kind of bandages. He took a drag from his cigarette and stared at Naohiro, but said nothing, before returning to a relaxed position, though his attention was high.
The other two were seated at a low table near the middle of the tent, one was a young child wearing full samurai regalia, the symbol on her breastplate demarking her as a Fuyubushi of Shark Country, and her general appearance being one Naohiro might recognize as being from the Shuryō clan, the vast majority of which now belonged in Kirigakure territory. To her right, at the 'head' of the table was a long-haired man in fine clothing and a crown atop his head, the regalia on his chest different from those around him, proudly marking him as "Iyashii of River." The pair were reading from a scroll, and the younger girl was... giggling at whatever the contents were.
Botan strode forwards to the table, giving a deep bow to the table, rather than anyone in specific, before taking a seat to the Shogun's right, looking every bit prim and proper. Sen took a couple steps forwards, before turning to the side. "Iyashii-sama, may I introduce... Aisu, Naohiro -- A diplomat from Kirigakure-no-sato. Aisu-sama, this is Grand Shogun, Iyashii Fuhen." Fuhen looked up for the first time, meeting the eyes of his Aide first, and then the eyes of Naohiro, a gentle smile on his face, he slowly rose from his seat, offering the man a slight bow, something that the aide visible winged at. The Shogun was not supposed to bow to anyone, especially of a lower station, but it was something the two would disagree on till the day one of them died.
"A pleasure, Naohiro-san. Koshō, would you mind preparing tea for our guest?" The young girl had the... audacity to give the shogun a pout, before rolling up the scroll, and getting up, heading over to a chest to pull out a small box of tea leaves and get to work. Fuhen gave the man an appraising look. He recognized the name Aisu, he had met, and slain, a few of them, both during and before the war, mostly to do with slave ships. He held back his judgements of the man, for now. "Nae need for all the ceremony, sit, sit." Fuhen gestured to the empty seat directly across from him, the casual nature of the seating arrangement in some kind of contrast to the severe nature of the business. Sen had the dignity to regain his composure completely, before stepping to stand behind the Shogun's left shoulder.
"We're missing one, too, she may arrive soon, if she's not too busy, but she never was a fan of these diplomatic sorts of meetings..." Of course, neither was Fuhen, but unlike him, Oban had a choice in the matter. "You've been sent with a message, tae start, perhaps?"
JutsuShow
Hard Work Style 
Promising Soldier
S-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Despite being full of limitless potential and filled with vigor, Fuhen appears as nothing more than your average man in all aspects. This 'technique' implies that nothing about Fuhen's body language portrays that he is a trained/experienced killer, and everything from the way he walks to how his chakra appears to casual observers reinforces the idea that he is, if anything, clumsy and likely incapable of fighting. This is most useful in passing himself off as nothing special, putting most into a false sense of security, though with minimal effort Fuhen can break out of this technique to reveal his true self.
Convincing Demeanor
B-Rank Renjutsu Discipline
A foundational technique for the rest of Fuhen's Reichou Renjutsu, this discipline means that while addressing a crowd, even if they are against him or his goal, in the beginning, he can read the room and approach them in a way to draw them to his side. This can be done in many ways, such as by picking out individual members to bring over, creating a domino effect, or making appeals to logic or emotion.
Promising SoldierS-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Despite being full of limitless potential and filled with vigor, Fuhen appears as nothing more than your average man in all aspects. This 'technique' implies that nothing about Fuhen's body language portrays that he is a trained/experienced killer, and everything from the way he walks to how his chakra appears to casual observers reinforces the idea that he is, if anything, clumsy and likely incapable of fighting. This is most useful in passing himself off as nothing special, putting most into a false sense of security, though with minimal effort Fuhen can break out of this technique to reveal his true self.
Convincing Demeanor
B-Rank Renjutsu Discipline
A foundational technique for the rest of Fuhen's Reichou Renjutsu, this discipline means that while addressing a crowd, even if they are against him or his goal, in the beginning, he can read the room and approach them in a way to draw them to his side. This can be done in many ways, such as by picking out individual members to bring over, creating a domino effect, or making appeals to logic or emotion.
"It's so sad!" the reader said to the writer with a frown. "The character in my book just died!" The author turned to her and burst out into tears, "I know!" he said, "So did mine!"
Ninja Info CardsShow
| Suzuko Just another girl |
Reclaiming what was stolen
If nothing else, Naohiro's bearing made him seem a likely diplomat. He was a noble through and through, born and raised to formality and pride in equal amounts. He waited patiently, his robes immaculate and hands steady, and bowed to each of the two people to whom he was introduced. Respectfully, if not deferentially, it was a smooth and practised motion which said more than words of greeting could: these people were beneath him, but he did not begrudge them that fact, and if anything offered them more respect than their apparent stations should garner. He took particular notice of the Natsubushi Goda; enough whispers of the Heart Empire had circled the globe for him to understand that it was a high and respectable rank, and its bearer walked with the quiet, dangerous confidence of an experienced soldier. He knew that walk well, but today he chose a different one.
After accepting their greetings he strode foward into the camp. His bearing was such that, to any onlookers, it would surely seem not as if he were being escorted under guard, but that he was instead allowing an honoured entourage to accompany and announce him. He did not speak to the pair after their greeting, though did momentarily quirk an eyebrow at Matsumatsu's idle chatter about grain prices; surely the man knew that the economy in the region was finally stable—flourishing, honestly—or had been until their invasion. Nothing beget poverty and famine like a good war. Instead of wasting his breath on a reply, Naohiro kept his mouth closed and watched. His searching eyes counted heads—combatants and noncombatants alike—and assessed conditions, saw the signs of violence and surrender, and finally a glance at what appeared to be some sort of large ship—a flying ship—which rose steadily into the air by no contraption he could see. Fascinating. He tucked the memory of it away for future thought, though no doubt his viewing of it was an intentional means to impress upon him the capability of the invading force.
He paused inside the entrance of the large tent, waiting for one of his escorts to announce him, and eyed the fuuinjutsu lining its walls. It was an unexpected sight, and though his eyes searched it, he was careful not to show any outward sign of wariness. His face was schooled to impassivity as he was introduced to the Grand Shogun. Naohiro stepped forward and bowed again, this time deeper and more respectfully—though just as perfectly—not only to Fuhen, but to each of the three figures in the tent, including the girl. If they were important enough to attend the Shogun, and his audience with them, he would treat them with that level of respect.
"Thank you, Lord Iyashii, it would be my pleasure." Naohiro inclined his head again and walked forwards, keeping his eyes on Fuhen, then took a place at the low table across from Fuhen and his flanking advisors. That he was alone now in the company of so many warriors did not phase him, just as the ignored fuuinjutsu did not, and he appeared entirely comfortable despite the circumstance. Meanwhile, he pondered more about the man across from him. He knew of Iyashii Fuhen, and his presence here heightened the severity of the situation greatly. It spoke of his confidence in his invasion. By all accounts the Grand Shogun was a determined and powerful man, shrewed, determined, and wise for all that he appeared now as a average person. But what folly of wisdom had brought him here?
“Of course," Naohiro began, smoothing his sleeves and cupping his hands patiently before him on the table. "I have been provided with sealed lists of demands and reparations," he paused, and he returned a hint of Fuhen's smile, "but we both already know what they say, and what you will say, don’t we?”
From within his robes he drew out a small paper envelope anyway, thick with sheets beneath an ornately worked seal, and set it face up on the table between them. Then, as the young girl presented their tea—he thanked her by name and bowed his head respectfully for her offering—he used the envelope as a coaster for his cup. It may as well serve some purpose, after having carried it so far.
“Please, allow us to dispense with the mandatory threats and veiled promises of nations at odds. Neither of us are simple men who would be discouraged by one or swayed by the other. Let us speak man to man, and understand one another." He spoke clearly and calmly, his voice level.
"“So I ask—Why are you here, Grand Shogun Iyashii Fuhen? Why have you brought war and bloodshed back to these lands?" He paused for effect, glancing momentarily to meet the eyes of all those before him, as if all were on the line to answer.
"You know where you are, and what these people have endured. Have they not suffered enough, bled enough? Why do you bring the sword to them now, when they are finally beginning to find hope and stability in their fair lands again? Do you hate them so? Or is it greed that drives you?” He frowned, then shook his head, remembering to whom he was talking. The Grand Shogun, the grand liberator, who had claimed nation after nation from the clutches of tyrants. “...No; there are easier targets for plundering. Unless we are talking about an ideological greed. Are you so eager for that, that you will become the oppressor and set this land awash with the blood of its sons and daughters, all so that you may claim their supposed liberation? From what, if not from what you yourself now bring unto them?”
He paused again, cradling the cup for its warmth but not yet drinking. Not out of fear, but out of appropriateness, and his expression echoed his seriousness. Where before he spoke carefully, Naohiro now found himself addressing the tent from the heart, and he hoped at least part of his sincerity would reach these assembled invaders.
“I do not know what rumours you have heard, or what your advisors have told you, but now you are here and you are not blind: This is not a nation of broken, subjugated people. They are free. More free, in reality, than they have been in generations. Yes, their flag has changed, and I respect the desire of men to stand up and fight for what once was, but the reality is all around us. No longer is this land an exploited puppet of Fire Country, a stifled colonial asset in all but name. This is good, fertile land, and that its society has been forcefully kept away from development and progress for so long under the thumb of a supposed ally is frankly a crime.
Water Country does not, and will not, treat them as such. For this is Water Country, just as much as the Island and the endless sea. We are one people, and mutually the better for it." He thumped his right fist to his heart in emphasis, a motion which was once used by the old Tea Country samurai when pledging honesty or loyalty. It was a strong opening, he thought, with little that could be denied, so long as the eyes and ears of these men and women saw clearly and not only what they wanted to see.
After accepting their greetings he strode foward into the camp. His bearing was such that, to any onlookers, it would surely seem not as if he were being escorted under guard, but that he was instead allowing an honoured entourage to accompany and announce him. He did not speak to the pair after their greeting, though did momentarily quirk an eyebrow at Matsumatsu's idle chatter about grain prices; surely the man knew that the economy in the region was finally stable—flourishing, honestly—or had been until their invasion. Nothing beget poverty and famine like a good war. Instead of wasting his breath on a reply, Naohiro kept his mouth closed and watched. His searching eyes counted heads—combatants and noncombatants alike—and assessed conditions, saw the signs of violence and surrender, and finally a glance at what appeared to be some sort of large ship—a flying ship—which rose steadily into the air by no contraption he could see. Fascinating. He tucked the memory of it away for future thought, though no doubt his viewing of it was an intentional means to impress upon him the capability of the invading force.
He paused inside the entrance of the large tent, waiting for one of his escorts to announce him, and eyed the fuuinjutsu lining its walls. It was an unexpected sight, and though his eyes searched it, he was careful not to show any outward sign of wariness. His face was schooled to impassivity as he was introduced to the Grand Shogun. Naohiro stepped forward and bowed again, this time deeper and more respectfully—though just as perfectly—not only to Fuhen, but to each of the three figures in the tent, including the girl. If they were important enough to attend the Shogun, and his audience with them, he would treat them with that level of respect.
"Thank you, Lord Iyashii, it would be my pleasure." Naohiro inclined his head again and walked forwards, keeping his eyes on Fuhen, then took a place at the low table across from Fuhen and his flanking advisors. That he was alone now in the company of so many warriors did not phase him, just as the ignored fuuinjutsu did not, and he appeared entirely comfortable despite the circumstance. Meanwhile, he pondered more about the man across from him. He knew of Iyashii Fuhen, and his presence here heightened the severity of the situation greatly. It spoke of his confidence in his invasion. By all accounts the Grand Shogun was a determined and powerful man, shrewed, determined, and wise for all that he appeared now as a average person. But what folly of wisdom had brought him here?
“Of course," Naohiro began, smoothing his sleeves and cupping his hands patiently before him on the table. "I have been provided with sealed lists of demands and reparations," he paused, and he returned a hint of Fuhen's smile, "but we both already know what they say, and what you will say, don’t we?”
From within his robes he drew out a small paper envelope anyway, thick with sheets beneath an ornately worked seal, and set it face up on the table between them. Then, as the young girl presented their tea—he thanked her by name and bowed his head respectfully for her offering—he used the envelope as a coaster for his cup. It may as well serve some purpose, after having carried it so far.
“Please, allow us to dispense with the mandatory threats and veiled promises of nations at odds. Neither of us are simple men who would be discouraged by one or swayed by the other. Let us speak man to man, and understand one another." He spoke clearly and calmly, his voice level.
"“So I ask—Why are you here, Grand Shogun Iyashii Fuhen? Why have you brought war and bloodshed back to these lands?" He paused for effect, glancing momentarily to meet the eyes of all those before him, as if all were on the line to answer.
"You know where you are, and what these people have endured. Have they not suffered enough, bled enough? Why do you bring the sword to them now, when they are finally beginning to find hope and stability in their fair lands again? Do you hate them so? Or is it greed that drives you?” He frowned, then shook his head, remembering to whom he was talking. The Grand Shogun, the grand liberator, who had claimed nation after nation from the clutches of tyrants. “...No; there are easier targets for plundering. Unless we are talking about an ideological greed. Are you so eager for that, that you will become the oppressor and set this land awash with the blood of its sons and daughters, all so that you may claim their supposed liberation? From what, if not from what you yourself now bring unto them?”
He paused again, cradling the cup for its warmth but not yet drinking. Not out of fear, but out of appropriateness, and his expression echoed his seriousness. Where before he spoke carefully, Naohiro now found himself addressing the tent from the heart, and he hoped at least part of his sincerity would reach these assembled invaders.
“I do not know what rumours you have heard, or what your advisors have told you, but now you are here and you are not blind: This is not a nation of broken, subjugated people. They are free. More free, in reality, than they have been in generations. Yes, their flag has changed, and I respect the desire of men to stand up and fight for what once was, but the reality is all around us. No longer is this land an exploited puppet of Fire Country, a stifled colonial asset in all but name. This is good, fertile land, and that its society has been forcefully kept away from development and progress for so long under the thumb of a supposed ally is frankly a crime.
Water Country does not, and will not, treat them as such. For this is Water Country, just as much as the Island and the endless sea. We are one people, and mutually the better for it." He thumped his right fist to his heart in emphasis, a motion which was once used by the old Tea Country samurai when pledging honesty or loyalty. It was a strong opening, he thought, with little that could be denied, so long as the eyes and ears of these men and women saw clearly and not only what they wanted to see.
JutsuShow
[Vigilance]
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
The user maintains a constant state of vigilance with respect to their immediate surroundings and all persons in their vicinity. This allows the user to effortlessly identify and recall the environment, obstructions, and structures around them to passively recognise entry and escape routes, vantage points, probable sources of cover, and so forth. Additionally, the user can quickly recognise and differentiate civilians from trained (D-rank or higher) persons, such as by analysing gait, body structure, reactions, deftness, and the target's awareness.
[Reaper]
S-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
The user has trained themselves to become perfectly attuned to all manner of sounds in a wide vicinity of their person, and can focus their hearing to up to 150 metres to identify and track targets. This passive technique allows the practitioner to accurately identify and differentiate people, animals, and all sources of noise within 50 metres of their person, even in the face of loud complicated distractions, noise, or interference. Over 50 metres, the accuracy of the technique suffers slightly and hearing at such an extent requires fewer distractions. Over 100 metres, the user requires silence in their immediate vicinity and can only gauge an approximate direction, distance, and quantity of noise sources, but can still identify the type of creature. The maximum range of this technique is 150 metres. Additionally, the user has learned to interpret vibrations through the ground as a rudimentary tremorsense, and is able to accurately track sources of movement through vibrations within 50 metres of their location.
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
The user maintains a constant state of vigilance with respect to their immediate surroundings and all persons in their vicinity. This allows the user to effortlessly identify and recall the environment, obstructions, and structures around them to passively recognise entry and escape routes, vantage points, probable sources of cover, and so forth. Additionally, the user can quickly recognise and differentiate civilians from trained (D-rank or higher) persons, such as by analysing gait, body structure, reactions, deftness, and the target's awareness.
[Reaper]
S-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
The user has trained themselves to become perfectly attuned to all manner of sounds in a wide vicinity of their person, and can focus their hearing to up to 150 metres to identify and track targets. This passive technique allows the practitioner to accurately identify and differentiate people, animals, and all sources of noise within 50 metres of their person, even in the face of loud complicated distractions, noise, or interference. Over 50 metres, the accuracy of the technique suffers slightly and hearing at such an extent requires fewer distractions. Over 100 metres, the user requires silence in their immediate vicinity and can only gauge an approximate direction, distance, and quantity of noise sources, but can still identify the type of creature. The maximum range of this technique is 150 metres. Additionally, the user has learned to interpret vibrations through the ground as a rudimentary tremorsense, and is able to accurately track sources of movement through vibrations within 50 metres of their location.
CharactersShow
Aisu Naohiro ❆ Jounin ❆ Kirigakure no Sato ❆ [Unit 12] [HHD] ❆ [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Reclaiming what was stolen
Fuhen glanced at the envelope proffered, and quirked a brow at the man's casual dismissal. The way he carried himself and spoke, this did not seem like the efforts of a diplomat. He thought for a moment, and then visibly relaxed, leaning back to sit back off his knees and instead on his bottom. This made more sense. This was more like Kirigakure no Sato. They hadn't sent a diplomat. They had sent an assassin. In truth, he'd expected less diplomatic effort from the village hidden in the mist, and this sort of attack, to him, spoke that he'd taken them by more surprise than he'd even expected. Whoever had taken over for the Mizukage seemed all the weaker for it.
He sipped his tea calmly as the ninja monologued, the first sip being met with an audible "Tss!", too hot for his tastes. He set the cup down as well, on the envelope next to Naohiro's. Despite the calm look on the Shogun's face, the Aide behind him looked highly perturbed, and quickly pulled a scroll out from his robes and began to scribble furiously, taking notes on what the Aisu clansmen was saying, and likely formulating some kind of official response. Botan continued to stare directly ahead across the table, eyes over the young shark clan girl across from her. The younger girl looked very intense, and kept shifting her gaze from one end of the table to the other like the crowd of a tennis match. The man in the corner took another deep puff of his cigarette, the smoke floating up to the top of the tent.
"A powerful blade you've drawn." The Shogun said as the man finished, picking his cup back up and taking another sip, finding the temperature more to his liking. Sen leaned over his shoulder, and started to whisper some kind of advice into his ear, but Fuhen held up a finger to stop him, meeting Naohiro's gaze as the crown atop his head activated, allowing him a peek into the man's mind. "Sen, what kind of man am I?"
The Aide blinked. "My lord?"
The Shogun laughed. "Beyond your lord, what kind of man am I?"
He looked blankly, first at Fuhen, and then at the man across from the table, and gulped. He wanted to speak solely praises of the man, to exonerate the lord, but he knew that his Shogun would not stand for baseless flattery. "Iyashii-sama is... a man of many kindnesses, who sometimes acts without considering the consequences for himself, and takes many burdens on his shoulders that I have, time and again, asked he pass off to others."
Fuhen nodded, slowly, shaking his head for a moment as if weighing his Aide's words. "Koshō, what do you think?"
The girl blinked, not expecting to be involved in the conversation at all, looking at him with wide eyes, and then looking at the Aide behind him who was giving her a mighty glare, before turning to face their guest. "Fuuey's the greatest and strongest of all warriors, and the biggest, too!"
He laughed at her childlike innocence in the face of the dire situation, and reached out a hand to pat her hair gently. "Botan? You can speak freely, no need to wait for permission."
The very moment his sentence ended, the serious looking samurai woman turned her head away from the thousand yard stare, and slammed one fist down on the table, staring at Fuhen with a fire in her eyes that had only just been ignited. "The Grand Shogun is a contemptible fool whose heart is bigger than his brain. His new age ideals have no room on the battlefield, and his caring nature will be his own doom, and likely the doom of those following him." She then turned to face Naohiro, her head snapping to meet his gaze. "But the future he dreams of is worth more than any of us could possibly give up in our lifetimes."
The shogun made another face, mulling over the words. The man in the back of the room took another long drag of his cigarette, and spoke without being prompted. "The Shogun is either a god or a demon made manifest." Nobody acknowledged or looked in his direction, and he continued to puff at his death stick.
"I try not to hold much of an opinion of meself these days, ya ken?" Another sip of his tea, and he stared deep into Naohiro's eyes, gauging his warrior's spirit, and if the Aisu looked back, he would see many things, pain, playfulness, a patriarch, a piece of gold... But how much the man could decipher was hard to say. "I hear nobody here call me a greedy man, but perhaps I am, that ideological greed. Hmm. But perhaps not in the way that you presume."
He shifted his position to make himself a little more comfortable, and as he did so, a bit of tension seemed to be relieved in the room, and Botan retracted her fist from the table and returned to her thousand yard stare. "I take Tea Country back not because I see that you would abuse her people further, but because the people who once lived here and formed New Tea wish to take back their homes. They are happy where they stand, but the scars inflicted by Water in the Great War will not heal. I would agree that Fire Country, and these days even Wind seem to have grown selfish and gluttonous, but they are a... tale for another day." He reached out and took another sip of his cup, his voice low.
"Tell me, young ninja. If you held a status quo with an ally, and were content, and an enemy who had been kidnapping your family members to use as slaves for generations came and rousted your status quo to call themselves your friend?" He let the question mull for a moment. "Water Country may call itself the owner and ally of what was once Tea Country, but those scars run deep, not just in the refugees who left, but in those who were unable to leave, as well."
The Shogun sighed. "But, I suppose, we are sidetracked. Tea Country is just a beginning. I do not want war, but it is as you said..." Fuhen held one hand up, and the Aide behind him stared for a moment, before scrambling, reaching into a pocket to retrieve a very similar sealed envelope to the one Naohiro had set before him, emblazoned with the regalia of the Shogun, setting it into his lord's hand. He slid it across the table. It was sealed, but not with any kind of fuuin enhancement that would prevent the man from opening it, if he so desired. "We both know what your masters will say, don't we?"
"You've got me at a disadvantage now, Naohiro-san. You know so much about me, and I, so little about you. Let me ask, do you know the name... Aimi Kaguya?" He quirked a brow, but did not wait for a response. "He was once a very good friend of mine, and was once a ninja of Kirigakure as well. He told me much of the place, and his story is corroborated by others I met in my travels as a youth... Ahh, the good old days..." A bigger tinge of sadness entered the Shogun's eyes, the burdens that had been placed on his shoulders growing all the heavier for a moment. "I have to wonder what kind of men find their home where people are stolen from their beds at night and experimented on, where an entire group of people can be considered subhuman, and sleep well at night at the top of the castle."
His words held malice, though clearly not directed at the 'diplomat' before him. "It is a societal rot to believe such things are acceptable, and one whose roots run deeper than any scars inflicted could cut out. I do not want war, Naohiro. Only peace. But peace cannot exist in a place where men's warrior spirits are tainted, where the weak are taken advantage of. Is your heart tainted so, too? To abide by these cultural aberrations that are considered the norm amongst your people?" He straightened his posture a bit, and waited for a response now, having met monologue with monologue as was tradition.
He sipped his tea calmly as the ninja monologued, the first sip being met with an audible "Tss!", too hot for his tastes. He set the cup down as well, on the envelope next to Naohiro's. Despite the calm look on the Shogun's face, the Aide behind him looked highly perturbed, and quickly pulled a scroll out from his robes and began to scribble furiously, taking notes on what the Aisu clansmen was saying, and likely formulating some kind of official response. Botan continued to stare directly ahead across the table, eyes over the young shark clan girl across from her. The younger girl looked very intense, and kept shifting her gaze from one end of the table to the other like the crowd of a tennis match. The man in the corner took another deep puff of his cigarette, the smoke floating up to the top of the tent.
"A powerful blade you've drawn." The Shogun said as the man finished, picking his cup back up and taking another sip, finding the temperature more to his liking. Sen leaned over his shoulder, and started to whisper some kind of advice into his ear, but Fuhen held up a finger to stop him, meeting Naohiro's gaze as the crown atop his head activated, allowing him a peek into the man's mind. "Sen, what kind of man am I?"
The Aide blinked. "My lord?"
The Shogun laughed. "Beyond your lord, what kind of man am I?"
He looked blankly, first at Fuhen, and then at the man across from the table, and gulped. He wanted to speak solely praises of the man, to exonerate the lord, but he knew that his Shogun would not stand for baseless flattery. "Iyashii-sama is... a man of many kindnesses, who sometimes acts without considering the consequences for himself, and takes many burdens on his shoulders that I have, time and again, asked he pass off to others."
Fuhen nodded, slowly, shaking his head for a moment as if weighing his Aide's words. "Koshō, what do you think?"
The girl blinked, not expecting to be involved in the conversation at all, looking at him with wide eyes, and then looking at the Aide behind him who was giving her a mighty glare, before turning to face their guest. "Fuuey's the greatest and strongest of all warriors, and the biggest, too!"
He laughed at her childlike innocence in the face of the dire situation, and reached out a hand to pat her hair gently. "Botan? You can speak freely, no need to wait for permission."
The very moment his sentence ended, the serious looking samurai woman turned her head away from the thousand yard stare, and slammed one fist down on the table, staring at Fuhen with a fire in her eyes that had only just been ignited. "The Grand Shogun is a contemptible fool whose heart is bigger than his brain. His new age ideals have no room on the battlefield, and his caring nature will be his own doom, and likely the doom of those following him." She then turned to face Naohiro, her head snapping to meet his gaze. "But the future he dreams of is worth more than any of us could possibly give up in our lifetimes."
The shogun made another face, mulling over the words. The man in the back of the room took another long drag of his cigarette, and spoke without being prompted. "The Shogun is either a god or a demon made manifest." Nobody acknowledged or looked in his direction, and he continued to puff at his death stick.
"I try not to hold much of an opinion of meself these days, ya ken?" Another sip of his tea, and he stared deep into Naohiro's eyes, gauging his warrior's spirit, and if the Aisu looked back, he would see many things, pain, playfulness, a patriarch, a piece of gold... But how much the man could decipher was hard to say. "I hear nobody here call me a greedy man, but perhaps I am, that ideological greed. Hmm. But perhaps not in the way that you presume."
He shifted his position to make himself a little more comfortable, and as he did so, a bit of tension seemed to be relieved in the room, and Botan retracted her fist from the table and returned to her thousand yard stare. "I take Tea Country back not because I see that you would abuse her people further, but because the people who once lived here and formed New Tea wish to take back their homes. They are happy where they stand, but the scars inflicted by Water in the Great War will not heal. I would agree that Fire Country, and these days even Wind seem to have grown selfish and gluttonous, but they are a... tale for another day." He reached out and took another sip of his cup, his voice low.
"Tell me, young ninja. If you held a status quo with an ally, and were content, and an enemy who had been kidnapping your family members to use as slaves for generations came and rousted your status quo to call themselves your friend?" He let the question mull for a moment. "Water Country may call itself the owner and ally of what was once Tea Country, but those scars run deep, not just in the refugees who left, but in those who were unable to leave, as well."
The Shogun sighed. "But, I suppose, we are sidetracked. Tea Country is just a beginning. I do not want war, but it is as you said..." Fuhen held one hand up, and the Aide behind him stared for a moment, before scrambling, reaching into a pocket to retrieve a very similar sealed envelope to the one Naohiro had set before him, emblazoned with the regalia of the Shogun, setting it into his lord's hand. He slid it across the table. It was sealed, but not with any kind of fuuin enhancement that would prevent the man from opening it, if he so desired. "We both know what your masters will say, don't we?"
"You've got me at a disadvantage now, Naohiro-san. You know so much about me, and I, so little about you. Let me ask, do you know the name... Aimi Kaguya?" He quirked a brow, but did not wait for a response. "He was once a very good friend of mine, and was once a ninja of Kirigakure as well. He told me much of the place, and his story is corroborated by others I met in my travels as a youth... Ahh, the good old days..." A bigger tinge of sadness entered the Shogun's eyes, the burdens that had been placed on his shoulders growing all the heavier for a moment. "I have to wonder what kind of men find their home where people are stolen from their beds at night and experimented on, where an entire group of people can be considered subhuman, and sleep well at night at the top of the castle."
His words held malice, though clearly not directed at the 'diplomat' before him. "It is a societal rot to believe such things are acceptable, and one whose roots run deeper than any scars inflicted could cut out. I do not want war, Naohiro. Only peace. But peace cannot exist in a place where men's warrior spirits are tainted, where the weak are taken advantage of. Is your heart tainted so, too? To abide by these cultural aberrations that are considered the norm amongst your people?" He straightened his posture a bit, and waited for a response now, having met monologue with monologue as was tradition.
JutsuShow
Usin dat mind readin' crown and whatnot
Hard Work Style Promising Soldier
S-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Despite being full of limitless potential and filled with vigor, Fuhen appears as nothing more than your average man in all aspects. This 'technique' implies that nothing about Fuhen's body language portrays that he is a trained/experienced killer, and everything from the way he walks to how his chakra appears to casual observers reinforces the idea that he is, if anything, clumsy and likely incapable of fighting. This is most useful in passing himself off as nothing special, putting most into a false sense of security, though with minimal effort Fuhen can break out of this technique to reveal his true self.
Convincing Demeanor
B-Rank Renjutsu Discipline
A foundational technique for the rest of Fuhen's Reichou Renjutsu, this discipline means that while addressing a crowd, even if they are against him or his goal, in the beginning, he can read the room and approach them in a way to draw them to his side. This can be done in many ways, such as by picking out individual members to bring over, creating a domino effect, or making appeals to logic or emotion.
Unrest
B-Rank Renjutsu Maneuver
After successfully winning a crowd over, Fuhen causes general unrest amongst the populace. This causes the people affected to be consistently less satisfied with whatever Fuhen has brought to their attention, whether it be the color of the sky or their current leadership. This makes winning a crowd back to an opposing side much more difficult and can have long-term effects even leading to rebellion.
Hard Work Style
Promising SoldierS-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Despite being full of limitless potential and filled with vigor, Fuhen appears as nothing more than your average man in all aspects. This 'technique' implies that nothing about Fuhen's body language portrays that he is a trained/experienced killer, and everything from the way he walks to how his chakra appears to casual observers reinforces the idea that he is, if anything, clumsy and likely incapable of fighting. This is most useful in passing himself off as nothing special, putting most into a false sense of security, though with minimal effort Fuhen can break out of this technique to reveal his true self.
Convincing Demeanor
B-Rank Renjutsu Discipline
A foundational technique for the rest of Fuhen's Reichou Renjutsu, this discipline means that while addressing a crowd, even if they are against him or his goal, in the beginning, he can read the room and approach them in a way to draw them to his side. This can be done in many ways, such as by picking out individual members to bring over, creating a domino effect, or making appeals to logic or emotion.
Unrest
B-Rank Renjutsu Maneuver
After successfully winning a crowd over, Fuhen causes general unrest amongst the populace. This causes the people affected to be consistently less satisfied with whatever Fuhen has brought to their attention, whether it be the color of the sky or their current leadership. This makes winning a crowd back to an opposing side much more difficult and can have long-term effects even leading to rebellion.
"It's so sad!" the reader said to the writer with a frown. "The character in my book just died!" The author turned to her and burst out into tears, "I know!" he said, "So did mine!"
Ninja Info CardsShow
| Suzuko Just another girl |
Reclaiming what was stolen
Naohiro did not miss the concerned expression on the face of Fuhen's aide following his own speech, though the Shogun himself seemed to remain calm and unmoved. Troubling, he thought, is he heartless, immune to it all, and already set in his decision? Or just unconvinced? His hopes, and many lives, depended upon it being the latter.
He watched and waited with growing but well-hidden apprehension at Fuhen's opening tactic. Is he just dodging my questions, like the scheming and politicking heads of the great houses would? That would be distateful, if true, though... No, I do not believe it so. I hope it is not so. Instead of showing any outward reaction, Naohiro listened carefully, moving his head in turn as the various aides and attendants answered.
He was surprised by the words teased from each of the people around the room, each answer as different as its speaker, but none of them bad. They spoke highly of their Shogun, though it did not appear to be blind, sycophantic praise, exaggerated in the moment; the hestitation of Sen and Koshō, the eagerness of Botan, the bluntness of the other man, and the personalities coming through from each voice made their claims sound... genuine. Naohiro was not surprised in the least about their loyalty, though their attitudes and words were still a little shocking. It said a lot about Fuhen that he surrounded himself with, listened to, and even encouraged, such people.
Naohiro's thoughts sidetracked for a moment away from the pantomime of support for the Shogun, instead wondering about the smoking man in at the back of the tent. Who was he? Had it been an intentional slight to not introduce him, as would've been proper? Or just a blunder? With the relationship Fuhen appeared to have with his attendants it was impossible to determine if the smoker was an honoured colleague, a bodyguard, or a servant, though clearly he thought highly of himself. If a bodyguard, hopefully his presence would remain unnecessary; Naohiro did not intend that kind of negotiation.
Quickly, though, he reset his concentration to the matter at hand. That Fuhen was beginning with this little display clearly showed that the man was skilled at dealing with people, not just in the way he treated and respected those around him—perhaps they were somewhat alike in that regard—but also in the way he seemed to be strategically approaching the negotiation. Paving his words with authority and just intention before he ever spoke them. Naohiro had thought he himself would've been met with surprise by coming as a diplomat, wielding words and logic as his only weapons, but instead he found himself humbled. The Shogun, it seemed, was just as formidable a warrior across a table as he was known to be on the field.
Finally, the Shogun began to answer properly. Naohiro met his eye and read every detail he could in the man's face and tone, tucking away each fragment for later consideration. Any opportunity to better understand this man who so threatened the peace of the world could help stay the course of yet another global desolation. Naohiro sat patiently, occasionally sipping at his tea, and allowed the man his time to finish. He accepted the proffered envelope and placed it neatly on his side of the table, hoping that its pre-written contents would not be necessary if only he could help the people here see reason. If he failed, however, he would have no choice but to deliver it to those who held power in Kirigakure upon his return. What a time to be without a kage! He kept his face schooled to stillness, even at the mention of the murderer and traitor Aimi Kaguya.
"I knew of him," Naohiro admitted, "he was a... troubled man, plagued both by circumstance as well as his own actions and perceptions. His is a tragic tale." He said no more, though as Fuhen continued, Naohiro's thoughts were on the power of propaganda and the dangers of a one-sided, single-source story. As a senior medical-nin of the village, Naohiro was one who had been able to access Aimi's file, locked away in the archives of Kirigakure's central hospital. It was a case study on an angry, violent, and bitter youth, who saw only negatives in the world around him and sought to rage against them rather than try to resolve any. He regretted that'd he'd never been able to meet and talk to the man and decipher the way his mind had worked. Unfortunately, it seemed Aimi had instead spoken to this man, and with no other inside scoop of Kirigakure for contrast, it had apparently jaded his perceptions. Yes, some of Kirigakure's practices were dated and barbaric—for all that much of the world operated in similar ways, albeit less successfully—but most seemed eager to forget that Kirigakure was born from oppression, and shaped by desperation. Naohiro would as soon live in a safe and just society—the shared dreams of citizens the world over, surely—but dreaming a thing and realising it were two very different things in a world as harsh as the one they lived in. It would take a man of great strength and character to change things for the better, but lately all these men seem to desire is blood, he thought, while watching Fuhen.
It was only then he realised that Fuhen had finished talking but was still staring at him, as if waiting for his thoughts to manifest. He'd allowed the Shogun's words to goad him, though thankfully only internally. Everyone seemed to be waiting, with only the crackle and puff of the unnamed man's pipe to occupy the silence, so Naohiro attempted to bring the conversation back on track.
"I regret I must agree, in part, with the Lady Botan," Naohiro eventually continued, momentarily inclining his head to the stern-faced warrior before returning to meet Fuhen's gaze. "I do not believe you a fool, though I do worry that even good and noble intentions, enacted rashly, can lead to... unforeseen consquences.
"I understand the depth of scars, and as I said, I respect those who dream for the return of that which they loved. But, ultimately, men of power—men like you, Grand Shogun—must take care to remember that sometimes the world cannot always abide such desires. Some might consider it terribly selfish, would they not, to ignite a second world war only to temporarily quell the hurts of a cherished few. A kindness to those who long for Old Tea could very well beget the doom not only of our two peoples, but of this entire region. Quite possibly of the entire world, once the balances are knocked from the scales. Don't you see?
"Even moreso than before the Great War, the peace we have fought so hard to achieve is tenuous. All the great nations—new and old, it seems—are hyper-militarised, searching for opportunity at every turn to seize the advantage. The hard-earned peace we have now was only achieved by Water Country's stabilising foothold in this region, delicately countering the power of Fire Country to the north, and that peace relies upon this delicate balancing of powers. The Great War was the result the last time the scales shifted. Remember, for all our societal rot, it was not Kirigakure that started that war. We only ended it."
Internally, Naohiro continued to ponder the invasion. Another world war seemed almost inevitable at this point; if Water Country resisted it would of course be war, and a summons for all the other nations to take sides and strike in the confusion. And if they instead acquiesced, ceding the region to a foreign power who could not resist Fire Country—not while so zealously focused on Water—and who showed no inclination to support Steam Country or uphold its peace? That was just as surely a death knell to the power equilibrium that held back another world war. He had not lied about the redevelopment and investment that now let the region of Old Tea flourish and prosper, but a large part of the reason why that was happening was because it was essential that the region be protected from Fire Country's endless ambition. The mutual border to and support of Steam Country as an internationally agreed buffer state indirectly protected all the surrounding lands. It didn't take a military genius to see what would happen if that delicate arrangement was sundered by a third, outside party. Surely this man could see that? Botan could, it seemed.
"But the world is changing. That much is clear to everyone, surely to yourself most of all. And with that change comes the death of the old ways, including, perhaps, these cultural aberrations that were born of necessity so long ago. But it seems to me that some—" his eyes flickered quickly around the room, gauging the effect of his words in an attempt to determine who was the most fervent warmonger present, "—are inclined to try and forestall that change for a last chance to settle scores 'the old way'.
"I do not deny Water Country's past transgressions, nor those of Old Tea, but I do deny that the cycle of violence can be ended with this invasion of yours. Righting one perceived wrong will only create a dozen more. You and I have both lived through that cycle before, and I believe you know it to be true. I respect the desire for what you do, but not the outcome. Lord Fuhen: There is no peaceful end to this fighting which does not make of this fair country a wasteland, and rend its people to carrion for the birds. How many millions more need die for these misplaced ideas of 'liberation'?
He took a breath, then shook his head slowly, sadly. "The words of your attendants suggest to me that perhaps we dream of the same things, Grand Shogun. They speak of kindness, duty, and of a better future. A good cause. But this is not the way to realise it."
He watched and waited with growing but well-hidden apprehension at Fuhen's opening tactic. Is he just dodging my questions, like the scheming and politicking heads of the great houses would? That would be distateful, if true, though... No, I do not believe it so. I hope it is not so. Instead of showing any outward reaction, Naohiro listened carefully, moving his head in turn as the various aides and attendants answered.
He was surprised by the words teased from each of the people around the room, each answer as different as its speaker, but none of them bad. They spoke highly of their Shogun, though it did not appear to be blind, sycophantic praise, exaggerated in the moment; the hestitation of Sen and Koshō, the eagerness of Botan, the bluntness of the other man, and the personalities coming through from each voice made their claims sound... genuine. Naohiro was not surprised in the least about their loyalty, though their attitudes and words were still a little shocking. It said a lot about Fuhen that he surrounded himself with, listened to, and even encouraged, such people.
Naohiro's thoughts sidetracked for a moment away from the pantomime of support for the Shogun, instead wondering about the smoking man in at the back of the tent. Who was he? Had it been an intentional slight to not introduce him, as would've been proper? Or just a blunder? With the relationship Fuhen appeared to have with his attendants it was impossible to determine if the smoker was an honoured colleague, a bodyguard, or a servant, though clearly he thought highly of himself. If a bodyguard, hopefully his presence would remain unnecessary; Naohiro did not intend that kind of negotiation.
Quickly, though, he reset his concentration to the matter at hand. That Fuhen was beginning with this little display clearly showed that the man was skilled at dealing with people, not just in the way he treated and respected those around him—perhaps they were somewhat alike in that regard—but also in the way he seemed to be strategically approaching the negotiation. Paving his words with authority and just intention before he ever spoke them. Naohiro had thought he himself would've been met with surprise by coming as a diplomat, wielding words and logic as his only weapons, but instead he found himself humbled. The Shogun, it seemed, was just as formidable a warrior across a table as he was known to be on the field.
Finally, the Shogun began to answer properly. Naohiro met his eye and read every detail he could in the man's face and tone, tucking away each fragment for later consideration. Any opportunity to better understand this man who so threatened the peace of the world could help stay the course of yet another global desolation. Naohiro sat patiently, occasionally sipping at his tea, and allowed the man his time to finish. He accepted the proffered envelope and placed it neatly on his side of the table, hoping that its pre-written contents would not be necessary if only he could help the people here see reason. If he failed, however, he would have no choice but to deliver it to those who held power in Kirigakure upon his return. What a time to be without a kage! He kept his face schooled to stillness, even at the mention of the murderer and traitor Aimi Kaguya.
"I knew of him," Naohiro admitted, "he was a... troubled man, plagued both by circumstance as well as his own actions and perceptions. His is a tragic tale." He said no more, though as Fuhen continued, Naohiro's thoughts were on the power of propaganda and the dangers of a one-sided, single-source story. As a senior medical-nin of the village, Naohiro was one who had been able to access Aimi's file, locked away in the archives of Kirigakure's central hospital. It was a case study on an angry, violent, and bitter youth, who saw only negatives in the world around him and sought to rage against them rather than try to resolve any. He regretted that'd he'd never been able to meet and talk to the man and decipher the way his mind had worked. Unfortunately, it seemed Aimi had instead spoken to this man, and with no other inside scoop of Kirigakure for contrast, it had apparently jaded his perceptions. Yes, some of Kirigakure's practices were dated and barbaric—for all that much of the world operated in similar ways, albeit less successfully—but most seemed eager to forget that Kirigakure was born from oppression, and shaped by desperation. Naohiro would as soon live in a safe and just society—the shared dreams of citizens the world over, surely—but dreaming a thing and realising it were two very different things in a world as harsh as the one they lived in. It would take a man of great strength and character to change things for the better, but lately all these men seem to desire is blood, he thought, while watching Fuhen.
It was only then he realised that Fuhen had finished talking but was still staring at him, as if waiting for his thoughts to manifest. He'd allowed the Shogun's words to goad him, though thankfully only internally. Everyone seemed to be waiting, with only the crackle and puff of the unnamed man's pipe to occupy the silence, so Naohiro attempted to bring the conversation back on track.
"I regret I must agree, in part, with the Lady Botan," Naohiro eventually continued, momentarily inclining his head to the stern-faced warrior before returning to meet Fuhen's gaze. "I do not believe you a fool, though I do worry that even good and noble intentions, enacted rashly, can lead to... unforeseen consquences.
"I understand the depth of scars, and as I said, I respect those who dream for the return of that which they loved. But, ultimately, men of power—men like you, Grand Shogun—must take care to remember that sometimes the world cannot always abide such desires. Some might consider it terribly selfish, would they not, to ignite a second world war only to temporarily quell the hurts of a cherished few. A kindness to those who long for Old Tea could very well beget the doom not only of our two peoples, but of this entire region. Quite possibly of the entire world, once the balances are knocked from the scales. Don't you see?
"Even moreso than before the Great War, the peace we have fought so hard to achieve is tenuous. All the great nations—new and old, it seems—are hyper-militarised, searching for opportunity at every turn to seize the advantage. The hard-earned peace we have now was only achieved by Water Country's stabilising foothold in this region, delicately countering the power of Fire Country to the north, and that peace relies upon this delicate balancing of powers. The Great War was the result the last time the scales shifted. Remember, for all our societal rot, it was not Kirigakure that started that war. We only ended it."
Internally, Naohiro continued to ponder the invasion. Another world war seemed almost inevitable at this point; if Water Country resisted it would of course be war, and a summons for all the other nations to take sides and strike in the confusion. And if they instead acquiesced, ceding the region to a foreign power who could not resist Fire Country—not while so zealously focused on Water—and who showed no inclination to support Steam Country or uphold its peace? That was just as surely a death knell to the power equilibrium that held back another world war. He had not lied about the redevelopment and investment that now let the region of Old Tea flourish and prosper, but a large part of the reason why that was happening was because it was essential that the region be protected from Fire Country's endless ambition. The mutual border to and support of Steam Country as an internationally agreed buffer state indirectly protected all the surrounding lands. It didn't take a military genius to see what would happen if that delicate arrangement was sundered by a third, outside party. Surely this man could see that? Botan could, it seemed.
"But the world is changing. That much is clear to everyone, surely to yourself most of all. And with that change comes the death of the old ways, including, perhaps, these cultural aberrations that were born of necessity so long ago. But it seems to me that some—" his eyes flickered quickly around the room, gauging the effect of his words in an attempt to determine who was the most fervent warmonger present, "—are inclined to try and forestall that change for a last chance to settle scores 'the old way'.
"I do not deny Water Country's past transgressions, nor those of Old Tea, but I do deny that the cycle of violence can be ended with this invasion of yours. Righting one perceived wrong will only create a dozen more. You and I have both lived through that cycle before, and I believe you know it to be true. I respect the desire for what you do, but not the outcome. Lord Fuhen: There is no peaceful end to this fighting which does not make of this fair country a wasteland, and rend its people to carrion for the birds. How many millions more need die for these misplaced ideas of 'liberation'?
He took a breath, then shook his head slowly, sadly. "The words of your attendants suggest to me that perhaps we dream of the same things, Grand Shogun. They speak of kindness, duty, and of a better future. A good cause. But this is not the way to realise it."
CharactersShow
Aisu Naohiro ❆ Jounin ❆ Kirigakure no Sato ❆ [Unit 12] [HHD] ❆ [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Reclaiming what was stolen
Fuhen nodded. Aimi WAS a troubled man, and if anyone understood that it was Fuhen, who held a piece of his soul inside of him now. He had seen the troubles before then, of course, his insight into the man's warrior spirit had existed before the man's death. But these troubles came from somewhere, and while all men are held responsible for their own actions, the quality and character of those around them can also be held to blame. None of this changed the fact that Fuhen reciprocated a cycle of madness he had been born into, either, and as his own mind wandered, Naohiro's offered him insight. He held back a chuckle as he heard the man think of propaganda. All men were also victims of propaganda, no matter who they were, and it only mattered whose propaganda stuck in their hearts first.
"The first cut, both warriors waver. A clash. A parry." He remarked without a hint of irony. "Warmaster Botan is here for a reason, as are many who would speak out against me." A smile brightened his face. "Even you would have a place amongst my court." Botan's expression shifted at this to one of sour distaste, clearly she did not like the idea. "They refer to me as the Grand Shogun, a title I did not ask for, a title I struggle to accept." Sen's own face made a similar turn, though for different reasons, internally he scolded himself for having not taught Fuhen well enough that such a phrase could be seen as a sign of weakness, something he knew his master did not have much of.
"Perhaps were I more of a tyrant, we might see some kind of peace in our lifetime, if I did not consult those around me, if I did not ask for their worries, their fears, their hates, their loves." He shook his head, and the man smoking the back chuckled mournfully, earning a sudden head tilt from Botan, staring at the man for the first time with a look of mild anger. "All warriors in this tent, aye?" One by one, Botan, the man in the back, and Kosho would nod. Sen would hesitate, and certainly be the last, but would slowly nod as well. "And what does a true warrior do?" There was no hesitation this time, and all present spoke in unison.
"Lets their heart lead the way."
He quirked a brow across the table to Naohiro. "I could not have trained them to do that if I tried. They all understand as warriors that they may never know peace in their lifetimes. This is where their hearts have led them." And he sighed. "I think we can drop the facade of a nation speaking to a nation, we both know that Kirigakure has no leadership, and even if they did, they would never listen to an outside source. This is not unique to Kirigakure, and not a slight to your home village. Let us speak man to man." For a moment, Sen looked impressed, Fuhen's speaking had almost never sounded so good.
"This future that Botan spoke of..." He trailed off, and his eyes left Naohiro's for a moment to give him the internal peace of not hearing the man's thoughts for a moment, before slowly going back to meet him. "It's a future without anyone in this tent still alive. Almost everyone in this camp will be gone. Maybe their children, too." Botan's gaze turned from the man in the corner to a look of sadness, and her gaze fell to the table. Kosho poured her a cup of tea, and Botan had the pride to sip it and return to being a lioness. "While the warrior's spirit will never die, the concept of the warrior cannot exist forever if we want peace."
Kosho refreshed the Shogun's tea as well, and he took a long, slow drink from it as he let the Kirigakure assassin ponder that. "You speak a lot of truths, Naohiro. War and anger only lead to more war and anger, but no war leads to festering hate towards oneself, ones family, ones country. Where does it end? How do we stop this cycle? The longer we go without a war, the more children hear war stories from their fathers, and grandfathers, and finally those who have not even seen war and aggrandize it to a mythical level where war itself becomes a god they worship. I do not know of your familial situation, but I'm sure if you had an elder family member they likely spoke of the old wars before this last 'great' war. It planted a seed in you, in your countrymen, in all men everywhere."
Another sigh. "If war is a tree, then the forest we are in covers the entire world. If you chop down a tree, all the others around it thrive. If you burn the forest, the forest will grow back twice as strong. These hard times make hard men, who in turn only choose to make harder times for harder men, leading to the creation of..." There was a pause, Fuhen slowly looked down at the hand holding his cup of tea, his hand. "Monsters." The man in the back spoke up again, and Botan's expression got sad once more. "The death of mankind." The shogun seemed to agree.
Fuhen seemed to regain some composure. "I do not seek to right wrong with wrong, but it is as you said, these cultural aberrations were born of necessity, and yet now that the necessity no longer exists, the aberration is as strong as ever." He stopped and stared. His eyes burned with a passion so fierce that it would burn to look directly into them, yet if he did, his warrior's spirit would be laid bare to Naohiro, all that the man was, is, and could ever be presented. "Man to man, I said. So a deal, man to man, I will offer."
"Return home. Kill all your leadership. Slit their throats, cut off their heads, and the heads of those whose ideals are laid in mimicry of their fathers. Bring their heads to me as a peace offering. Plant the trees that instead of hard bark will bear fruit long after both of us are dead, and I, I..." He looked down at the cup in his hand again, and with the slightest twitch, the cup would shatter, scalding tea burning down onto his hand and fingers, leaving him with the smallest shard of ceramics. This action seemed to worry everyone in the room, Kosho most of all, who immediately started speaking worries quietly while working to clean up. He lifted up his left arm slowly, and with the piece of ceramic in his right, he drew down, pulling a cut across his flesh that let out only a single drop of blood, right on the saucer that held Naohiro's cup. "I will offer myself as payment, a public execution of the Grand Shogun, seppuku, the death of the monster, the death of the warrior. My people will retreat back to the Heart Empire. The symbol of peace provided by both sides will send shockwaves, wouldn't you agree? The forest may bloom, but no longer for war."
"The first cut, both warriors waver. A clash. A parry." He remarked without a hint of irony. "Warmaster Botan is here for a reason, as are many who would speak out against me." A smile brightened his face. "Even you would have a place amongst my court." Botan's expression shifted at this to one of sour distaste, clearly she did not like the idea. "They refer to me as the Grand Shogun, a title I did not ask for, a title I struggle to accept." Sen's own face made a similar turn, though for different reasons, internally he scolded himself for having not taught Fuhen well enough that such a phrase could be seen as a sign of weakness, something he knew his master did not have much of.
"Perhaps were I more of a tyrant, we might see some kind of peace in our lifetime, if I did not consult those around me, if I did not ask for their worries, their fears, their hates, their loves." He shook his head, and the man smoking the back chuckled mournfully, earning a sudden head tilt from Botan, staring at the man for the first time with a look of mild anger. "All warriors in this tent, aye?" One by one, Botan, the man in the back, and Kosho would nod. Sen would hesitate, and certainly be the last, but would slowly nod as well. "And what does a true warrior do?" There was no hesitation this time, and all present spoke in unison.
"Lets their heart lead the way."
He quirked a brow across the table to Naohiro. "I could not have trained them to do that if I tried. They all understand as warriors that they may never know peace in their lifetimes. This is where their hearts have led them." And he sighed. "I think we can drop the facade of a nation speaking to a nation, we both know that Kirigakure has no leadership, and even if they did, they would never listen to an outside source. This is not unique to Kirigakure, and not a slight to your home village. Let us speak man to man." For a moment, Sen looked impressed, Fuhen's speaking had almost never sounded so good.
"This future that Botan spoke of..." He trailed off, and his eyes left Naohiro's for a moment to give him the internal peace of not hearing the man's thoughts for a moment, before slowly going back to meet him. "It's a future without anyone in this tent still alive. Almost everyone in this camp will be gone. Maybe their children, too." Botan's gaze turned from the man in the corner to a look of sadness, and her gaze fell to the table. Kosho poured her a cup of tea, and Botan had the pride to sip it and return to being a lioness. "While the warrior's spirit will never die, the concept of the warrior cannot exist forever if we want peace."
Kosho refreshed the Shogun's tea as well, and he took a long, slow drink from it as he let the Kirigakure assassin ponder that. "You speak a lot of truths, Naohiro. War and anger only lead to more war and anger, but no war leads to festering hate towards oneself, ones family, ones country. Where does it end? How do we stop this cycle? The longer we go without a war, the more children hear war stories from their fathers, and grandfathers, and finally those who have not even seen war and aggrandize it to a mythical level where war itself becomes a god they worship. I do not know of your familial situation, but I'm sure if you had an elder family member they likely spoke of the old wars before this last 'great' war. It planted a seed in you, in your countrymen, in all men everywhere."
Another sigh. "If war is a tree, then the forest we are in covers the entire world. If you chop down a tree, all the others around it thrive. If you burn the forest, the forest will grow back twice as strong. These hard times make hard men, who in turn only choose to make harder times for harder men, leading to the creation of..." There was a pause, Fuhen slowly looked down at the hand holding his cup of tea, his hand. "Monsters." The man in the back spoke up again, and Botan's expression got sad once more. "The death of mankind." The shogun seemed to agree.
Fuhen seemed to regain some composure. "I do not seek to right wrong with wrong, but it is as you said, these cultural aberrations were born of necessity, and yet now that the necessity no longer exists, the aberration is as strong as ever." He stopped and stared. His eyes burned with a passion so fierce that it would burn to look directly into them, yet if he did, his warrior's spirit would be laid bare to Naohiro, all that the man was, is, and could ever be presented. "Man to man, I said. So a deal, man to man, I will offer."
"Return home. Kill all your leadership. Slit their throats, cut off their heads, and the heads of those whose ideals are laid in mimicry of their fathers. Bring their heads to me as a peace offering. Plant the trees that instead of hard bark will bear fruit long after both of us are dead, and I, I..." He looked down at the cup in his hand again, and with the slightest twitch, the cup would shatter, scalding tea burning down onto his hand and fingers, leaving him with the smallest shard of ceramics. This action seemed to worry everyone in the room, Kosho most of all, who immediately started speaking worries quietly while working to clean up. He lifted up his left arm slowly, and with the piece of ceramic in his right, he drew down, pulling a cut across his flesh that let out only a single drop of blood, right on the saucer that held Naohiro's cup. "I will offer myself as payment, a public execution of the Grand Shogun, seppuku, the death of the monster, the death of the warrior. My people will retreat back to the Heart Empire. The symbol of peace provided by both sides will send shockwaves, wouldn't you agree? The forest may bloom, but no longer for war."
"It's so sad!" the reader said to the writer with a frown. "The character in my book just died!" The author turned to her and burst out into tears, "I know!" he said, "So did mine!"
Ninja Info CardsShow
| Suzuko Just another girl |
Reclaiming what was stolen
Naohiro remained quiet for a long time, one finger drumming a mournful tempo on the tabletop in stark counterpoint to the racing of his thoughts.
"That... is an intriguing offer, Grand Shogun," he shifted and steepled both hands together, lips pursed in consideration. "Strangely, I even believe you would honour it, despite the obvious advice and wishes of your companions." No doubt he'd convince them, too, before the end. Something about the man's words and mannerisms dug at Naohiro, seeding a faint sense of trust where ordinarily should be suspicion. Part of him wanted the man to be right.
He did not consider the offer a betrayal; it would not be selling out his nation to an enemy, and such actions were not unheard of within Kirigakure to secure one desirable future or another for the good of the village. But it was distateful, and not something Naohiro had at all expected to ever consider doing himself.
But could it work? Theirs were two powerful, hyper-militarised nations in the wake of a global conflict, with recent feuds and every reason to break their strength upon one anothers' spears. Shockwaves is right. Setting their conflict aside and pronouncing peace instead would turn the eye of every political figure in the known world, undoubtedly. Many would fear a truce or perceived alliance between Water Country and the Heart Empire, and who would stand up to oppose it? Likely none had the ability. It was a unique way out of their current predicament that might not result in even more instability. It could work, albeit perhaps not for belief in the same reason Fuhen intended.
But the local stage was another matter entirely. As the man said, Kirigakure was without leadership—how exactly Fuhen knew that was a concern, though a distraction from the matter at hand for the time being—and so it was the heads of the houses that now vied for power. Silencing that crowd was perhaps not beyond his ability—a brief memory came to him of Kaikyo Kohon's legacy in a time when the council was significantly stronger than those he'd met earlier today—but the symbolism of such a move would likely be lost upon the village. Kirigakure survived and existed only for the pursuit of strength; removing one seat of power only created opportunity for another, as was happening right now. Another group would follow, then another, and all would see Naohiro as their new commander for his actions. At least until someone else overcame him; he was far from the strongest in the village, despite their recent losses. Taking charge himself could work—and, though he did not crave the seat of power in the least, the idea of being able to spare his people and address the aberrations of their society was oddly inspiring in the moment—though he did not think that was the implication in Fuhen's offer.
"And what of after, if I were to agree? How could we know one imperial successor or another would not simply return with blade held high and a warcry on their lips, seeking vengeance for your loss? How could you trust Kirigakure, too, to stay the course?" He considered, then almost without realising, shook his head slowly and continued. "Kirigakure would need a leader still. A strong, stabilising figurehead, to ever lead it in a new direction. Someone capable of guiding the warrior's spirit, as you call it, of the whole nation towards a worthier goal. I see no other way." Not if they wanted to pursue this offer as a means to avoid the growing conflict between them.
Though he'd unwillingly been thinking out loud, he was still not wholly convinced. He pulled his eyes away from the Shogun and stared at the silver ring on his left thumb, the sigil of the Hirohito, and pondered. There was a certain appeal to removing the machinations of the current 'council' and consolidating power on top of stopping the war, but it felt too... easy. Even if they did see eye-to-eye here today, surely Fuhen would not—could not—ritually remove himself from the world just on the hope that Naohiro and his village would not simply renege on the deal. That would be a powerful hope. Powerful enough to inspire abeyance? Possibly.
Either way, unless the Shogun was simply joking with him in particularly bad taste, the offer itself was progress in their negotiations, and regardless Naohiro began to see options opening up ahead whichever way the conversation went next. But the part of him influenced by Fuhen's words wanted to hear more.
"That... is an intriguing offer, Grand Shogun," he shifted and steepled both hands together, lips pursed in consideration. "Strangely, I even believe you would honour it, despite the obvious advice and wishes of your companions." No doubt he'd convince them, too, before the end. Something about the man's words and mannerisms dug at Naohiro, seeding a faint sense of trust where ordinarily should be suspicion. Part of him wanted the man to be right.
He did not consider the offer a betrayal; it would not be selling out his nation to an enemy, and such actions were not unheard of within Kirigakure to secure one desirable future or another for the good of the village. But it was distateful, and not something Naohiro had at all expected to ever consider doing himself.
But could it work? Theirs were two powerful, hyper-militarised nations in the wake of a global conflict, with recent feuds and every reason to break their strength upon one anothers' spears. Shockwaves is right. Setting their conflict aside and pronouncing peace instead would turn the eye of every political figure in the known world, undoubtedly. Many would fear a truce or perceived alliance between Water Country and the Heart Empire, and who would stand up to oppose it? Likely none had the ability. It was a unique way out of their current predicament that might not result in even more instability. It could work, albeit perhaps not for belief in the same reason Fuhen intended.
But the local stage was another matter entirely. As the man said, Kirigakure was without leadership—how exactly Fuhen knew that was a concern, though a distraction from the matter at hand for the time being—and so it was the heads of the houses that now vied for power. Silencing that crowd was perhaps not beyond his ability—a brief memory came to him of Kaikyo Kohon's legacy in a time when the council was significantly stronger than those he'd met earlier today—but the symbolism of such a move would likely be lost upon the village. Kirigakure survived and existed only for the pursuit of strength; removing one seat of power only created opportunity for another, as was happening right now. Another group would follow, then another, and all would see Naohiro as their new commander for his actions. At least until someone else overcame him; he was far from the strongest in the village, despite their recent losses. Taking charge himself could work—and, though he did not crave the seat of power in the least, the idea of being able to spare his people and address the aberrations of their society was oddly inspiring in the moment—though he did not think that was the implication in Fuhen's offer.
"And what of after, if I were to agree? How could we know one imperial successor or another would not simply return with blade held high and a warcry on their lips, seeking vengeance for your loss? How could you trust Kirigakure, too, to stay the course?" He considered, then almost without realising, shook his head slowly and continued. "Kirigakure would need a leader still. A strong, stabilising figurehead, to ever lead it in a new direction. Someone capable of guiding the warrior's spirit, as you call it, of the whole nation towards a worthier goal. I see no other way." Not if they wanted to pursue this offer as a means to avoid the growing conflict between them.
Though he'd unwillingly been thinking out loud, he was still not wholly convinced. He pulled his eyes away from the Shogun and stared at the silver ring on his left thumb, the sigil of the Hirohito, and pondered. There was a certain appeal to removing the machinations of the current 'council' and consolidating power on top of stopping the war, but it felt too... easy. Even if they did see eye-to-eye here today, surely Fuhen would not—could not—ritually remove himself from the world just on the hope that Naohiro and his village would not simply renege on the deal. That would be a powerful hope. Powerful enough to inspire abeyance? Possibly.
Either way, unless the Shogun was simply joking with him in particularly bad taste, the offer itself was progress in their negotiations, and regardless Naohiro began to see options opening up ahead whichever way the conversation went next. But the part of him influenced by Fuhen's words wanted to hear more.
CharactersShow
Aisu Naohiro ❆ Jounin ❆ Kirigakure no Sato ❆ [Unit 12] [HHD] ❆ [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Reclaiming what was stolen
Silence filled the war tent for an uncomfortable amount of time after Fuhen made his offer with a blood sacrifice. For a moment the only sounds that could be heard were the bustle of the camp outside the tent, and the man in the back taking a rather long drag of his cigarette, seemingly unbothered by this offer. Sen was the most obviously shocked, despite being the most well versed in diplomatic matters, he was not the most stalwart man, while Kosho stared up at him with stars in her eyes! Hadn't she seen something like this in one of the samurai theater presentations? How cool!
Botan's stern gaze turned to the Shogun at the head of the table, and her eyes pierced into his with a blazing fire to match his own, and her gaze did not leave him, unblinking and ferocious even as Naohiro began to speak once more. She even began to answer for him, not even faced in Naohiro's direction still. "Our foolish Grand Shogun can make no such promises, and he knows well that Kirigakure can also not hold true on its end of the deal, he asks an impossible task." Fuhen's grim expression turned to one of playful exhaustion.
"A standstill, the staredown, hands on blades, both resheathed..." He said, turning his gaze from his guest to Botan. "The empire that has formed in the wake of this war will have other immediate concerns. I do not have an heir, Naohiro-san. Clearly, neither did the late Mizukage. Sen?" The man's expression turned much more formal as he quirked a brow at his master's word. "Who will take my place?" The aide looked back and forth between the pair again. He did not wish to discuss these kinds of matters with an enemy present, diplomat or not. He stuttered a bit, but spoke up after another uncomfortable silence. "As you have requested, Iyashii-sama, a handful of your most trusted allies will stand in your place until they can agree on a proper heir that could ever manage to fit within your shoes."
A smile slightly brightened the Shogun's face. "Young Kosho, perhaps?" The little girls face brightened even brighter than the stars in her eyes. "Grand Shogun Kosho would do your warrior's spirit great honor!" Fuhen nodded. She would, but she was far too young, and her youthful naievity might never leave her. In some ways, he hoped it never would. He turned his gaze back to the guest across the table, and with a flash of pink chakra, the wound on his arm would heal itself over, the blood seeming to evaporate except for the sole drop on the man's saucer. "I havenae tried to find a single heir, such is the folly of someone in my position. I've worked hard to instill good morals and values into my people that they may find my replacement for me. I feel my time coming to an end whether by my hand or another's... But..."
He turned his gaze back to Botan, who was still staring directly at him, but his returned gaze seemed to strike a chord in her, and her face reddened, before looking down at the table, clearly working to hold back words, and perhaps tears. "Neither side can take either's word for anything, ever. We are samurai and ninja, enemies as old as the continent itself, but we are men. I can tell you are not the strongest amongst your people, but I feel your warrior's spirit all the same, and I think you're beginning to understand mine. If you have any loyalty to your country, as so many of your ninja seem not to, then you understand the problems I have laid in front of you. If I can change your mind, then the minds of your countrymen can all be changed, and so can mine."
"Country to country..." He began.
"We are in a precarious position. The people hunger for a resolution to their homeland being gone, their families being separated and split. Their hearts do not yet know rest." Botan interrupted, looking back up and staring ahead dutifully once more, a single tear having been allowed to streak down her cheek.
"Aye. But I don't need to be the one to offer this resolution." The Shogun responded, shaking his head slowly. "In fact, the symbol that has been placed upon my head, the liberator, the shogun, the rising sun..."
"People expect too much of the god they have made." The man in the back interrupted this time. Fuhen nodded, the first time he'd properly acknowledged the man's existence.
"A sun cannot stay risen forever, Naohiro. If you, or perhaps as you say a strong leader, were to be a new sun rising as mine set, the cycle would be more complete in their minds. Perhaps I'm too idealistic for my own good..."
"You are."
"But the change needed to make our countries coexist peacefully must come from within, elsewise either Kirigakure or the Heart Empire will be razed before the people are satisfied, and I assure you..."
Botan's gaze snapped to Naohiro, that fire burning brighter than ever before, a literal fire that seemed to ignite off her shoulders, and her face seemed to resemble the mask on her helmet a lot more closely. "The Heart Empire will not fall."
Fuhen nodded. "Not a threat, a promise of endless war and strife whether I fall or not. I do not wish this, I think you do not either." He sighed and shook his head. "Of course, if you do as I've asked and bring the appropriate heads before me, I don't think that Kirigakure would stand back up against us as an act of war. As for holding my end of the bargain... I think you misunderstand the implications of seppuku, but you are ninja, I do not blame you for the misunderstanding. This suicide is not my honor on the line, it is the honor of the Heart Empire. No samurai who took my place would destroy the honor of the entire Empire. Certainly, not all will be made satisfied by these actions from either of our sides, but it will be on the honor of each country to deal with the aftermath. I would not make this offer if I thought for a moment that my country would betray my word, or that your country would not be held accountable for theirs. But Botan is right. There can be no guarantee beyond my blood and my word. I ask much of you, and of myself, to be held on the word of a poor fisherman's son. Accept it or don't, but do not waste either of our times, if you wish to delay my assault in hopes that Kirigakure may pull itself together long enough to mount a counterattack, then you may lead me into the village yourself so that I may take only the bravest of your warriors down with me."
Botan's stern gaze turned to the Shogun at the head of the table, and her eyes pierced into his with a blazing fire to match his own, and her gaze did not leave him, unblinking and ferocious even as Naohiro began to speak once more. She even began to answer for him, not even faced in Naohiro's direction still. "Our foolish Grand Shogun can make no such promises, and he knows well that Kirigakure can also not hold true on its end of the deal, he asks an impossible task." Fuhen's grim expression turned to one of playful exhaustion.
"A standstill, the staredown, hands on blades, both resheathed..." He said, turning his gaze from his guest to Botan. "The empire that has formed in the wake of this war will have other immediate concerns. I do not have an heir, Naohiro-san. Clearly, neither did the late Mizukage. Sen?" The man's expression turned much more formal as he quirked a brow at his master's word. "Who will take my place?" The aide looked back and forth between the pair again. He did not wish to discuss these kinds of matters with an enemy present, diplomat or not. He stuttered a bit, but spoke up after another uncomfortable silence. "As you have requested, Iyashii-sama, a handful of your most trusted allies will stand in your place until they can agree on a proper heir that could ever manage to fit within your shoes."
A smile slightly brightened the Shogun's face. "Young Kosho, perhaps?" The little girls face brightened even brighter than the stars in her eyes. "Grand Shogun Kosho would do your warrior's spirit great honor!" Fuhen nodded. She would, but she was far too young, and her youthful naievity might never leave her. In some ways, he hoped it never would. He turned his gaze back to the guest across the table, and with a flash of pink chakra, the wound on his arm would heal itself over, the blood seeming to evaporate except for the sole drop on the man's saucer. "I havenae tried to find a single heir, such is the folly of someone in my position. I've worked hard to instill good morals and values into my people that they may find my replacement for me. I feel my time coming to an end whether by my hand or another's... But..."
He turned his gaze back to Botan, who was still staring directly at him, but his returned gaze seemed to strike a chord in her, and her face reddened, before looking down at the table, clearly working to hold back words, and perhaps tears. "Neither side can take either's word for anything, ever. We are samurai and ninja, enemies as old as the continent itself, but we are men. I can tell you are not the strongest amongst your people, but I feel your warrior's spirit all the same, and I think you're beginning to understand mine. If you have any loyalty to your country, as so many of your ninja seem not to, then you understand the problems I have laid in front of you. If I can change your mind, then the minds of your countrymen can all be changed, and so can mine."
"Country to country..." He began.
"We are in a precarious position. The people hunger for a resolution to their homeland being gone, their families being separated and split. Their hearts do not yet know rest." Botan interrupted, looking back up and staring ahead dutifully once more, a single tear having been allowed to streak down her cheek.
"Aye. But I don't need to be the one to offer this resolution." The Shogun responded, shaking his head slowly. "In fact, the symbol that has been placed upon my head, the liberator, the shogun, the rising sun..."
"People expect too much of the god they have made." The man in the back interrupted this time. Fuhen nodded, the first time he'd properly acknowledged the man's existence.
"A sun cannot stay risen forever, Naohiro. If you, or perhaps as you say a strong leader, were to be a new sun rising as mine set, the cycle would be more complete in their minds. Perhaps I'm too idealistic for my own good..."
"You are."
"But the change needed to make our countries coexist peacefully must come from within, elsewise either Kirigakure or the Heart Empire will be razed before the people are satisfied, and I assure you..."
Botan's gaze snapped to Naohiro, that fire burning brighter than ever before, a literal fire that seemed to ignite off her shoulders, and her face seemed to resemble the mask on her helmet a lot more closely. "The Heart Empire will not fall."
Fuhen nodded. "Not a threat, a promise of endless war and strife whether I fall or not. I do not wish this, I think you do not either." He sighed and shook his head. "Of course, if you do as I've asked and bring the appropriate heads before me, I don't think that Kirigakure would stand back up against us as an act of war. As for holding my end of the bargain... I think you misunderstand the implications of seppuku, but you are ninja, I do not blame you for the misunderstanding. This suicide is not my honor on the line, it is the honor of the Heart Empire. No samurai who took my place would destroy the honor of the entire Empire. Certainly, not all will be made satisfied by these actions from either of our sides, but it will be on the honor of each country to deal with the aftermath. I would not make this offer if I thought for a moment that my country would betray my word, or that your country would not be held accountable for theirs. But Botan is right. There can be no guarantee beyond my blood and my word. I ask much of you, and of myself, to be held on the word of a poor fisherman's son. Accept it or don't, but do not waste either of our times, if you wish to delay my assault in hopes that Kirigakure may pull itself together long enough to mount a counterattack, then you may lead me into the village yourself so that I may take only the bravest of your warriors down with me."
"It's so sad!" the reader said to the writer with a frown. "The character in my book just died!" The author turned to her and burst out into tears, "I know!" he said, "So did mine!"
Ninja Info CardsShow
| Suzuko Just another girl |
Reclaiming what was stolen
Naohiro expected the outburst from Botan, and could feel it brewing even as he spoke. The woman's passions were strong. He weathered it, sitting impassive once more, and watching the exchange among his many adversaries in the tent. Once the back-and-forth was over, and the Shogun began his next appeal, Naohiro nodded his head slowly along with the man's words.
"Yes... I believe you are right. In this short time I have come to understand you—several of you, unless I mistake myself—better than I expected, and I can feel your resolve. I see that, in the long run, you mean well; as well as I do for my own people. My intent in coming here, aside from that, was to see that the people of this peninsula do not get crushed between our well-meanings. I see this as a worthy opportunity to that end.
My Lady Botan, I hear you. But this hunger is not one that can be sated, no matter how alluring the scent, by blades touching flesh and blood again and again. Your Shogun sees the truth of that now, I think. I ask you to seek his council as he seeks yours, and find in his hope a future where their hearts can truly rest."
He paused for time to think a little more, before eventually nodding again. "What you say makes sense, Grand Shogun. I have always believed that change best comes from within. I think, perhaps, we have an opportunity here to avert a crisis and inspire both our nations towards better futures. And your honour has touched me. I hope to find within my people a similar fire. Yes, I will think upon your offer, and before the first armies meet, I hope to have for you an answer." It was this chance, or the war he'd come to prevent. He decided in the moment that it could be worth the attempt, even if it could cost him everything in failure. This was something only he could do for his people. Perhaps both of their peoples.
He waited a little longer and finished his tea, then bowed respectfully, to Fuhen first, and then a quicker, smaller inclination of the head to the others, and slowly rose to his feet and turned to leave, unless he was stopped or interrupted. At the flaps to the tent he paused and looked back at the smoking man, then Botan, Sen, and young Kosho.
"The thing about Gods is that they tend to grow stronger after they're gone. Whatever the next days bring, I will remember yours. If I succeed in this task I will take the honour of Kirigakure upon my shoulders, as he does for your Empire. On my word, I will carry it as best as a lowly ninja can."
Then, unless there was more to be said that stopped him leaving, he would slip silently away through the flaps. He'd pause outside long enough to take a deep breath and glance up at the sun, then, before any potential escort had time to approach, he'd begin to channel. A radiant shroud of light would engulf him and, when it faded a moment later, he'd be gone, whisked away through time and space.
"Yes... I believe you are right. In this short time I have come to understand you—several of you, unless I mistake myself—better than I expected, and I can feel your resolve. I see that, in the long run, you mean well; as well as I do for my own people. My intent in coming here, aside from that, was to see that the people of this peninsula do not get crushed between our well-meanings. I see this as a worthy opportunity to that end.
My Lady Botan, I hear you. But this hunger is not one that can be sated, no matter how alluring the scent, by blades touching flesh and blood again and again. Your Shogun sees the truth of that now, I think. I ask you to seek his council as he seeks yours, and find in his hope a future where their hearts can truly rest."
He paused for time to think a little more, before eventually nodding again. "What you say makes sense, Grand Shogun. I have always believed that change best comes from within. I think, perhaps, we have an opportunity here to avert a crisis and inspire both our nations towards better futures. And your honour has touched me. I hope to find within my people a similar fire. Yes, I will think upon your offer, and before the first armies meet, I hope to have for you an answer." It was this chance, or the war he'd come to prevent. He decided in the moment that it could be worth the attempt, even if it could cost him everything in failure. This was something only he could do for his people. Perhaps both of their peoples.
He waited a little longer and finished his tea, then bowed respectfully, to Fuhen first, and then a quicker, smaller inclination of the head to the others, and slowly rose to his feet and turned to leave, unless he was stopped or interrupted. At the flaps to the tent he paused and looked back at the smoking man, then Botan, Sen, and young Kosho.
"The thing about Gods is that they tend to grow stronger after they're gone. Whatever the next days bring, I will remember yours. If I succeed in this task I will take the honour of Kirigakure upon my shoulders, as he does for your Empire. On my word, I will carry it as best as a lowly ninja can."
Then, unless there was more to be said that stopped him leaving, he would slip silently away through the flaps. He'd pause outside long enough to take a deep breath and glance up at the sun, then, before any potential escort had time to approach, he'd begin to channel. A radiant shroud of light would engulf him and, when it faded a moment later, he'd be gone, whisked away through time and space.
CharactersShow
Aisu Naohiro ❆ Jounin ❆ Kirigakure no Sato ❆ [Unit 12] [HHD] ❆ [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]
Hachiya Kotori ၜ Genin ၜ Iwagakure no Sato ၜ [Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.] ၜ [Gold] [#BF8040] ၜ [Thread Tracker]