A Successful Expansion

[Hayate]

Unlike the other pugnacious countries that had toiled and embroiled themselves in wars ranging from the minor to major leagues, the Lightning Empire had always been set on a more exploratory expansion. The'd spent most the great war conquering the Northern Continent, and today, all their hard work in Yaseyama had paid off.

The accretion of the nation since dropping it's hermit status and opening itself to the world had been phenomenonal, and, Nakajima Hayate would surely go down in the history books. Under his reign they had increased the life span of the entirety of Lightning Country. Become the first shinobi nation- spread technology throughout not only the Empire but to the world by establishing continental rail lines. This had also served to build peace between nations, and make it easier for the common man not the shinobi to achieve a high standard of life.

These had all been forever the Emperor's goals. To increase standard of living. To create economic dependencies and partnerships that made countries think twice about war... but only a fool would think that expansion and such dreams came for free... That was why they were in the new continent. He had seen a prime chance to conquer half a continent filled with mountains, caves, and minerals. Value-able resources unclaimed by anyone else due to nothing short of shinobi being capable of surviving such a sparse environment.

Putting his hat on he made his way to his desk. The doors would open soon and his top leaders of the expansion would filter in one by one to give their report. When the reports finished, they'd have a small celebration and announce their glorious achievement to the rest of the Empire.

He eyed his list- first up was Akihiko. Had this boy matured to a man during his trials and tribulations in the great white north?

[Texas]

Kumogakure didn't really feel the same. Aki had spent the better part of a year providing support in Yaseyama. Honestly, the young man didn't really know the full details of how long he had been spending over there. He was constantly on missions and really didn't have time to keep track... of.... time. When Aki had arrived he didn't want to really be noticed. The teenager had figured after his massive speech that he was going to be gone, it would have been weird if he came back so soon. Plus in his mind, the mission wasn't even close to being done. He still had so much to do in the cold eastern continent, it seemed silly if he was seen walking around Kumo. When the young lad had arrived, he looked at some of his crew and higher ups that traveled as well. To the boy's surprise there were some black ops members that greeted the crew.

Yuck, why was he still being watched. He was practically alone in Yaseyama and perform perfectly fine. Well... at least semi fine. There were several moments where he thought he was going to die. Whether it was bandits, a giant black squid monster, or even a bear. Regardless, the child folded his arms and looked at the black ops members with annoyance. The child had some scars and looked older, but the pink hair and eyes were a clear given on who was before them. They gazed upon the young lad and one of them said "This way Aki, we will follow you in." The boy tsk a couple of times and shook his head.

Akihiko would turn to the older leaders from the expedition and give them a devilish look. It concerned one of them so much that they quickly tried to lock eyes with one of the black ops members. By the time the black ops members saw the concerned general and figured out something was afoot, they heard a snap of a finger. When the noise ended, a fleeting noise, Aki was gone. One of the black ops member clenched his fist and simply said "god damnit Akihiko".

They then looked at each other and turned to the other leaders. "I guess we will just be guiding you guys then, come with us." The boy held in laughter as he silently ran to the Raikage's building where his office was. Within the 2nd Layer of the Limbo Realm, the boy simply ran through people and sprinted as hard as he could. It was way quicker than walking with the Black Ops members and overall. Aki thought he was being watched over, so it was a simple mistake due to previous experiences.. could you blame the pink haired brat?

The child walked through the front doors silently and to Aki's surprise, the Raikage's door was slightly cracked. He would creak it open as he focused on his chakra and snap his finger again. The door would open with seemingly no one doing it, to then the pink haired young man appearing before the Raikage. Aki would be wearing his traditional Kumo Chuunin garb and salute the Raikage, to then a slight bow. Upon raising his head he only say a few words. "You rang lord Raikage?"

[Hayate]

Hayate had become accustomed to Aki's antics by now, but also, he was not a young man and had little energy to chide him. He took a deep breath.

"Please, take a seat." he said as he motioned to the seat. He didn't wait though, and his hand waved as a gust of wind would take the seat back and another gust would pull Aki forward with a surprising force, the chair pulling back into him and under his butt.

The Raikage cleared his throat.

"I've called you here to talk about- let's just get to the point. A grave offense you and your friends committed Akihiko, that I have only recently become aware of." he said as his eyes delivered an electrifying gaze to Akihiko. He put his hands together. "My hand has been forced here and I'll have no choice but to give you a sentence..." the kage said in a very straight voice. He did not seem in a jovial mood.

[Texas]

Internally Aki got frustrated. The deep sigh and ignoring Aki's sudden appearance didn't phase the old geezer. The boy smiled and snapped his finger with a fingergun following before he took a seat on the other side of the Raikage's office. "Sure Lord Emperor Raikage Nakajima Hayate of Thunder", a simple gest at all of Hayate's titles and lordships. As the child sat down, he leaned back in his chair and kept his eyes on the Raikage. The boy was listening to him, but at the same time was trying to see an opening to potentially cause the man some grief.

The child couldn't help but giggle at Hayate's comments towards the boy. Those whitey tighties were sooo white and the visual of them almost falling of Shiun gave Aki flashbacks to when he would have fun messing around. It really was a 180 compared to what he had been doing in the Eastern Continent. Man, getting old sucked, the boy didn't want to have responsibilities but it seemed it continuously fell in his lap.

After a slight giggle, Aki raised his hand. He interrupted Hayate for two reasons. The main reason was to cover for his friends and the other was to try to reinforce the first one by being slightly rude. If he could channel Hayate's frustration with him, then he would have successfully made sure that Shiun and Suzuko were not labeled as accomplices. "No friends were involved, it was just me. The reports should state that as well. So bring it on, I will take whatever punishment you give me."

The child continued to be laid back in the chair waiting for Hayate to finish where he got interrupted.

[Hayate]

Having been a sensei at the academy for years and raised two girls, Hayate had gained quite a good sense of humor himself for the antics of the juvenile, but, the entirety of Akihiko's performance had caused Hayate's face to do a gold medal performance in face-contortion-olympics. This kid was like Fanho dialed up to 11. Clearing his throat, he was preparing to continue his own practical joke when Akihiko straight up began to admit to something- or take responsibility at least. Hayate's eyebrows waved until one landed stuck, raised high up.

In truth, he'd done nothing wrong and Hayate merely wanted a report and to award the boy the rank of Captain. It was his own from of a joke... and yet here Akihiko was, about to confess to something.

Heh, perhaps he could have a little fun of his own? With the straightest of faces he looked into Akihiko's eyes and took a deep breath.

"The punishment for such acts, treason, is death." he said as his eyes became scary... "Unfortunately your lies to protect your comrades-" Hayate had to guess here based on who the boy usually hung out with "Suzuko and Shiun- will only seal their fate to in a rather... dubious international fiasco." he said as he placed his hands together.


"Mariya, as your commanding officer will need to pay too for her misgivings in not correctly supervising you and your guests." he said as he linked, then went silent.

He was really going to sell this.

[Texas]

Pity Aki left his puppets on the boat. They would have been useful right now. The child would gaze upon Hayate continuing to smile through the true thoughts spiraling in his mind. Even his genma had a few words to say. "If we get rid of him now, we could do whatever we wanted hahahaha". The boy would begin to channel his chakra. His chakra would give off a sense of calming presence, a deceptive chakra that emitted from Ryeunso to fully trick someone from his intentions. With this genma merged with Aki, it was the effect that Aki presented when his chakra was overall sensed.

"Oh Hayate, I barely know those girls, but I do know Marry pretty well. Maybe we could discuss my punishment FURTHER." The word further, was emphasized because he slightly due to that is where he started performing his actions. The child lifted up his feet to kick himself backwards. By utilizing the table as leverage, the boy would send himself backwards and grab a kunai from his pouch. This was all a slight distraction as he created his Silhouette right next to Hayate ready to strike if he engaged even a little bit. The boy figured that if he was going to go out, he would try to make himself worse so that the others would not be punished for his underwear crimes.

JutsuShow

Asashin to Supai - A Simple Lie
D-Rank Taijutsu Technique
By adjusting body language and focusing on the lie itself, Akihiko had a knack for falsifying his words... otherwise known to lie. A simple technique, but unless the opponent has a perception technique of equal rank or higher, they would fall victim to the deceit.

1st Layer • Akihiko Silhouette
C-Rank Ninjutsu
Create a Limbo Realm being, not to be mistaken as a clone, although it does share size and features. This is a silhouette that attacks and defends based on commands given mentally upon creation. The silhouette's speed and strength stats are dictated by the [Control] stat.

[Hayate]

Hayate's eyes were now burning lasers into the soul of Akihiko. Aware of even the most subtlest of Akihiko's moves, the Raikage would play things cool for now, disregarding whatever Akihiko was attempting.

"Oh the punishment will be the same for all of you..." Hayate said as he calmly and slowly stood up for his seat, leaning over the table and looking at Akihiko. He began to remove his hat- and in the middle of it disappeared in a blur, putting himself behind Akihiko as his hat gently floated to the ground, his sword, Kusanagi drawn.

Growing tired of the charade, Hayate burst into laughter and sheathed his sword.

"So I was kidding around- but now I'm curious what it is you clearly think you're guilty of..." he said chuckling as he grabbed his side. "I'm punishing you with the responsibility of a promotion Aki." he said as he moved across the room and dropped onto one of the sofas on either side of a coffee table, the table-top a piece of glass over the map of all Lightning Empire.

"Did you do something bad in Yaseyama?"

USEDShow

Lightning’s Shadow • Watchful Eye
A-Rank Discipline Taijutsu
Possessing immense perception capabilities, Hayate is cognizant of even the most subtle details around him, to a point where he can even pick up on the slightest tension changes in an opponent’s body allowing him predict their movement before it is complete or even read what someone is writing by the way the top of their pencil moves. At times his eyes seem to move on their own will, rapidly tracking an amount of movements equal to his [Instinct]/3. A downfall to this technique however is that while his eyes may be aware of movement, his body is not always capable of knowing and keeping up.

Lightning’s Shadow • God of Lightning
A-Rank Stance Taijutsu
Having obtained the ability to center himself and keep a sense of calm in addition to utilizing the many psychological and emotional observations his skill in perception gives him, Hayate is capable of maintaining an insane amount of confidence and calm in any situation- causing him to seem eerily unworldly and causing existential conflict in those around him as if they were in the presence of a god. Those who see his unnatural coolness will find it much harder to falter his willpower and utilize their own, this translating to a -5 willpower debuff. Of course those with high level techniques in centering themselves will find this less detrimental to themselves.

Lightning’s Shadow • Violent Arcing Nature
D-Rank Discipline Taijutsu
Hayate has learned how to move at maximum speed at all times, in part by moving in arching pivots that allow him to build speed explosively and keep his momentum when changing directions. This is particularly useful for performing feints or quickly getting out of harms way.

Lightning’s Shadow • Volatile Nature
C-Rank Stance Taijutsu
An advanced footwork technique that makes use of good sense of space and high speeds, when Hayate strikes a target he strikes "through" them with grazing blows to move past or by rotating his body past them. This means essentially with each consecutive strike he places himself on the opposite side of his opponent for his next strike. If Hayate's movement speed is greater than the opponents Willpower, this will seem like a blur and will be hard to follow as he dances in an untraceable flurry around them.

[Texas]

He wasn't notorious for his speed because he was slow.... Aki couldn't even fully process the situation and by the time him and his Silhouette could, Hayate was behind him. The Silhouette was given a command to strike if he moved, unfortunetly for everyone in the room.... the silhouette was much much slower than Hayate. The invisible creation would swing it's fist aimed at Hayate only a mere second ago and catch the Raikage hat in the cross fire as it slammed it's fist into the chair. This would destroy the backrest part of the chair. Maybe it will help Hayate's hunch back and make him sit more upright in the future.

Aki's shoulder's scrunched up, not because he was going to die, but because at the end of the day he didn't want to damage anything that symbolized the great Lightning Empire....

Looks like this little accident did this so swiftly. The boy stood there and slowly lowered his shoulder's at Hayate's laugh. God damnit, Aki was pranked and the ember in his belly turned into a forest fire. The child contemplated going scorch earth for being embarrassed and not being the one causing issues to others in a pranking way. Ugh, the child swallowed his pride and just embraced the appreciation of a good prank. Once the child mentally accepted it, he began to laugh. "Sorry about your hat and chair, but that was funny Hayate." The child would move back to his chair, before he got there, his silhouette would be waiting. The silhouette would pick up the chair and brush it off before Aki sat down. It would then push him into the desk. At this point, the child would keep his silhouette around just in case, maybe he should get in the habit of doing this more often.

If Hayate stayed behind him or moved around or walked back, Aki would adjust his positioning to keep eye contact with the speedy old man as he spoke. "I was talking about Yaseyama, but nothing really happened that would cause harm. You should see all my reports Hayate." It was a half lie. Yes he was lying about panty raiding the Raikage, but he was also telling the truth that a lot happened in Yaseyama and the Eastern Continent so far. The reports started off simple, but would get weirder and weirder. It started with Aki only dealing with wild life like man eating deer and large powerful bears. Then it quickly transitioned to tribes, raiders, and even large black monsters. It seemed the further they went into the Eastern Continent, the more surprises they were running into.

As Aki's mind finally caught up with his ears, the child shook his head a little bit. "Wait... a promotion?"

[Hayate]

Damn, that was my favourite hat and my favourite chair.

Hayate wouldn't return to his desk, and would instead stay on the sofa, his eyes peering at Aki from his laying position, he rested the back of his head in his palms, elbows out, as he twiddled his legs off the end of the sofa. He'd sent a bunch of children to the great white norths of Yaseyama- but he'd done it to make them adults. To him it was the most humane way to mature the children without sending them into an active war zone or a risk. It was a coming of age journey. He'd spent the past month reading all the reports, but Akihiko's had stood out to him.

He let out a gentle sight about the chair and waved his hand in a "no problem- don't mind" manner, letting out a barely audible donmai.

The boy had grown a lot in his skill. He'd even gained Mariya's approval and trust completely. Hell, if Hayate wasn't as fast as he was he probably would have taken an invisible fist to the face. He hadn't the slightest idea of how to even deal with the limbo clones, as Aki was the first host of Ryuenso, since Ryuenso became property of the Lightning Empire.

"Yes that is what I said." he responded.

"You've matured- not enough, but you've matured Akihiko. And the only way to keep maturing is more responsibility..." the emperor said as he sat up, leaning on the back of the couch and now fully facing Aki.

The truth was, Hayate was looking for a successor... and having seen Akihiko's ability to make friends across the world, and his legendary growth as a Jinchuuriki, he believed there was something special about him. He was after all the first Jinch in over 15 years of Hayate's tenure as the Raikage to master a genma and he did so in record time.

"Your report tells a tale of someone who is ready for more- but tell me, are you?"

But the world was dark. It wasn't as idealistic as this child was and the Raikage needed to be a shrewd tactician that knew the ebbs and flows of the international political community.

[Texas]

The pink haired young man noticed Hayate taking a semi-permanent residence to his couch. So instead of breaking his neck looking at him, the boy would lift up is left hand and lift his pointer finger up. The child would swirl it in a circle and the que gave the Silhouette direction to turn Aki's chair so that Aki was facing Hayate. Wait... was this.. no. It was! Aki was getting recognition?? The boy rarely got it and never truly knew what to do when received. The child would just smile and look back at Hayate. A fleeting feeling when the backhanded expression "Not enough, but you've matured" left his mouth. However, Aki's brain was working too quickly and he realized that it was overall true. He had matured but he did have a lot of growing to do.

While Hayate spoke, Aki's brain looked like detective white's board trying pin when he got more mature and where he could get more mature. It was borderline madness inside of the teenager's mind. In a moment of clarity, he came to and listened to the end of Hayate's sentence of asking him if he was ready. The boy shifted his body slightly and raised his right hand in the air and met it with his forehead. A salute. He would try to be as serious as he could. "Of course I am ready Lord Raikage, I can literally do anything and everything."

[Hayate]

Hayate chuckled lightly at the boys clear sense of achievement and change in demeanor and body language.

Akihiko the amazing accident, an abrasive and annoying, accidentally affable, and all-around abundantly able anchor amongst anyone actually aware of abnormal ambitions, an axe to abusive agents and adamant ally of amicable authenticity. A truly terrific, typically turgid tyke that transcended toil and turmoil to touch the terribly traditional, tedious teachings of totally tight, taut truths by tenacious tolerance and tender transfers of timid talks.

Hayate had to pause as it felt like his brain was malfunctioning.

A petrifying pause to ponder putrid prose, painstakingly produced to prove the patience and piety of a palpably pure patriot and paragon of pleasant peacemaking, a paragraph of pandering productive to pageantry.

Clearing his throat and trying his best to clear whatever had taken him over, Hayate said softly:

"Tell me, Aki. In Yaseyama what were your mistakes- what could you have done better?"

[Texas]

The boy had to think about this one for a moment. He wanted to say it properly without throwing anyone under the bus. He had a kinship with his fellow soldiers that were taking on the expanse of the cold eastern continent.

Akihiko the airheaded armament placed ahead of others in order to apprehend the abundant continent. After actually articulating the aerodynamic argument given by others, Akihiko attended multiple abject arguments to appease the higher brass and ascend his attentive appreciation to the agricultural agronomy that was afoot.

Aki's brain almost completely shut off as he went on a mind storm of thinking of A's to get him back in focus. The boy's last few brain cells snapped him back into gear as he gazed upon the Raikage. "Nothing would change with how things are going. I would change how I enter into situations. I tend to be less cautious and go in head first without fully thinking. It has both helped my comrades but continuously put myself in danger. I will figure it out, but I just have to learn how to be more on the ball with what is a good first strike when it comes to my actions."

The child would sit oddly and then a smirk painted accross his face. "However, I would like to note our work hasn't even begun to get that hard Lord Raikage. We still have a few important countries to migrate too and then there is a large elephant encased in ice we have to deal with. Kirigakure no Sato."

The child would scan Hayate's face to see if his minor switch to being serious caused him to be taken back. He knew only stories of their Raikage, so as far as some minor issues within Yaseyama, Aki figured it was best that he read them from reports. At the end of the day the boy couldn't tell if Hayate was a Magnanimous leader or not. The boy was hoping he would get some kind of reaction out of him. Although he was playing it up to get a reaction from Hayate, his words were true. Although it is a frozen wasteland their work was only the tip of the iceberg.... pun intended.

[Hayate]

Hayate listened patiently, his eyes fixed on the boy as he transitioned to a more serious tone.

Perhaps it was the flawed thinking of an old man, but the younger generation had it easy... The civil war ended before many academy students and genin had even been born and during the Great War, the Lightning Empire had avoided conflict with any major or minor power.

Short of an internal power struggle in Soul with Banri, the Empire had focused on a peaceful annexation of a neighboring ally who hoped to avoid attack from greater powers and otherwise focused on expanding uncharted, unpopulated swathes of land in the far continent to the east.

Without some trauma the younger generation weren't forced to mature as quickly or see the world through a hardened, skeptical lens. They didn't get the experiences to drive them to be shrewd decision makers and that was precisely why he had sent Akihiko and many of the younger generation to Yaseyama. It was pre-peration for greater tribulations- and Aki had hit the nail on the head.

With a grin, Hayate gently clapped. Akihiko wasn't ready to be Raikage, nor was he ready to be a leader just yet... but he showed all the promise. He just needed the experience injected now.

"Good, good. You've picked up on the real threats and the next steps. I've seen you lead a squad.. but the next level and to widen your impact is to lead not a squad, but dozens of them." Hayate said as he put his hand to his chin.

"I won't lie- you're not the man for the job on paper and this is going to ruffle some feathers... But I am making you second in command under Admiral Hayabusa on the next chapter of our expansion; Frost Country." Hayate sat up slowly from his position, then stood, walking back towards his desk.

"That fauna and flora is deadly... there few inhabitants, though there is multiple nomadic tribes here. I forbid violence against the tribes unless self-defense- but our goal is to assimilate them into the empire." he paused, looking into Aki's eyes.

"Clear?"

[Texas]

....

Aki's brain for the first time ever stopped overthinking, stopped being distracted, but most importantly became extremely focused on the words that left the Raikage's lips. Did he say second in command? Aki was no longer a child in both age and rank. Sure he was immature and most of the time took it too far with joking, but he has made it very evident that when it comes to missions the young man took it seriously. This.... This was recognition of that. The pink haired shinobi couldn't believe it. No, he was almost flabbergasted by the situation.

The Special Jounin stood up from his chair and bowed to the Raikage, holding back tears. This was a big moment, his hard work was finally showing. It didn't matter if he was ready or not for the job, to Aki he couldn't believe that his hard work was being recognized AND rewarded. Upon lifting up his body, the invisible Silhouette would push in the chair to the desk. Aki would glare Hayate in the eyes for a second or two before speaking. "Lord Raikage, you will not regret this decision. I will do everything in my power and more to ensure a successful mission. I will not leave the Eastern Continent until my mission is complete and we are victorious." The boy would continue to glare as he continued. "I promise to bring not just honor to my own name but to the great Lightning Empire."

For the first time, Aki was serious. There was no sarcasm, no smirks, no tricks, no playing, no games, no nightmares, no dreams, no adhd loops, nothing. This was the boy slowly becoming a man and showing not only his appreciation, but providing a sense of duty to be displayed. This was his moment!

[Hayate]

It was always interesting how people re-acted when given a greater purpose. This was a strategy- a tool really, that Hayate had learned to use first as an academy teacher and mastered as the Raikage. It wasn't done in a manipulative mean- but rather a way to elevate and give growth to those around him. He smirked.

"You're quite frankly not ready- but that's the only way we learn. Don't fuck it up, kid." Hayate said as he walked over to his table picking up his torn up hat. He put it on his head then tipped it to Aki, before beckoning him out of the room with his left hand, nodding his head once more. It'd probably be fine. By now he was inure to Aki's antics.

"Have them send in the next one."

Once the door closed Hayate would let out a sigh- it'd probably be fine. Maybe. Probably. Probably not. Maybe okay? Hopefully okay. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake and putting too much on the boys shoulders.

And now to talk to Asuka about her new role...

Knowing her she was busy figuring out how to bilk some business partner.

[Texas]

Aki heard the words Hayate said, in fact he reiterated his point. Which made it very clear. Aki wasn't ready, he was given an opportunity, and DO NOT FUCK IT UP. The boy nodded and pointed at the door when Hayate said to bring the next one. When he pointed the child, turned to face the door with his arms out. The Silhouette walked over and picked him up by his arms that were winged out. The child seemingly was floating in the air.

The boy made his final remarks as he was carried out, but percieved as floating out. "Don't worry Hayate the next time you see me I will be a literal god and bring great honor to my family and my country. For I am. Akihiko the Frozen God!" The boy wanted to be serious, he really did. But how cool did he look floating out of the Raikage's office.

As the child floated out of the Raikage's office, the black ops members guarding the door groaned. Aki turned to someone who was waiting in line. A rather cute girl? "Don't worry M'lady, you are next," he remarked as he continued to float away.