The Men Who Wait In Shadows

[Taiga]

phpBB [video] It would be futile to think the Great War would be the war to end all wars- even in a time of great peace and progress. As long as there would be hunger, there would be greed that festered in the soul of humanity like a blight. Such truths had been accepted by Taiga, and as such it came as no surprise to Taiga when he had heard of Iwagakure's transgressions and their plans to strike against Wind Country. It started as rumors that lead to hunches. The hunches lead to evidence of troop movement... and the evidence rose to a counter-strike lead by Konohagakure and it's former Hokage, Takeo.

The strike would go down in history as his last act as his his flame was extinguished- eviscerated from the world by the hands of Tatsuo. Their soldiers kidnapped or worse by the Iwagakure war machine. Calmly letting out a breath and centering himself lest his anger get the best of him, the Bannin and Phantom of Konohagakure slipped silently out of the cracks of a wall into the shadow of a compound he had not yet visited before- on orders from his good friend and former rival, Fanho. The new Hokage had been clear on what Taiga would need to do. Who he'd need to work with. He needn't join their ridiculous cult but he couldn't just operate on his own all the time.

Konohagakure's flame had been extinguished. A Senju and a top Bannin commander likely captured. Sunagakure had been incompetent in battle to the point of friendly fire... the village would need intelligence and to ensure their posture in the coming months.

Taiga would need to join the men who wait in the shadows. The men who sat at the ready beneath the shades cast by peace, sharpening their wits and weapons for a threat yet unknown. The men who knew there would always be a new threat. A new antagonist. A new zealot with a cause. Who prepared for that day with the deep belief that Konoha could not ever let its guard down, not now, not ever.

Hope they aren't all like Gene the bannin mused to himself as he continued his way through the shadows until he came upon a corridor. Deftly slipping into the ground with is next step he entered the ground, only to come out of it and poke his head up at the ground next to a man who had been seated in a chair.

"Tau Echo Nomad Zero Icarus Nomad, roger alpha beta?" he said with a heavily sarcastic tone as the rest of his body came up through ground behind his head until his full form was above ground.

"We've got a lot to talk about."

[Texas]

Tenzin had several different reports on his desk at this point. There were three main focuses that the Anbu would aid in. The first set of files, were references, people, and any kind of shinobi of interest that were within or affiliated with not only Iwa, but the war as a whole. This knowledge was more limiting than he expected. However, the knowledge of the participants in this war and others that participated in previous ones would only help Tenzin better prepare for next time. The second set of files were information regarding the royalty and shinobi within the Wind Country, but more specifically Sunagakure. This skirmish as a whole resulted in what Tenzin would call, a waste of resources. Based on the shinobi within the village it was clear that their downfall was only inevitable. ESPECIALLY if Fanho took Tenzin's advice. The main reason why Tenzin wanted to get a better knowledge of Sunagakure was not for... necessarily good reasons. The shinobi wanted to take advantage of a siege and potentially pick off some powerful abilities that could possibly be bestowed upon other Anbu Agents he had trusted. The third and final set of files were current Anbu Missions that needed to be put on a halt. Although Tenzin didn't want to aid Suna any more, it was important for the Anbu to establish a perimeter along the Fire Country. If those Neanderthals who sleep in rocks and caves start to sniff around Fire Country's border, Tenzin would like to know.

While organizing these files, something felt off to Tenzin. This feeling was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. With that being said, the silver haired (soon to be) Bannin stood up while channeling his chakra. The black chakra would emit from his body and if sensed, it would elicit a pit in whatever was around's stomach. Almost as if they ate something rotten. Since his surgical adjustments the man's chakra had a unique look and signature.

With the chakra flaring a face would appear from the ground. This was the Genma Host he had heard famously about. Another shinobi within the village Tenzin had avoided while performing within the shadows. His ability alone was famous... not to mention his.. personality. It seemed Konoha was filled with some nutty characters. Once Tenzin realized who it was, he had dissipated his chakra and sat back down with a slight smile. Although it was concerning that he could just enter their compound, it was good that it was just him. Maybe in the future Tenzin would have to test the limits of his abilities.

With a light hearted smile on his face and sitting at his desk Tenzin acknowledged his joke and his comment. "Seems you know our secret entrance code. I know we haven't formally met, but it is nice to actually meet you." Tenzin would do a half assed head nod to simulate a bow almost to acknowledge the individual but move on from the pleasantries. "We do have a lot to talk about. Where would you like to start Taiga." As he finished his sentence, he would lean in.

[Taiga]

"We don't need security codes where we're going." the Phantom of Konohagakure teased as he bowed his own head, brushed himself off, and took a seat across from Tenzin at his desk.

As Taiga settled into the chair he propped his feet casually onto the ANBU commander's table, he made an audible hmm. The Phantom of Konohagakure was a renowned figure, and his reputation was likely not lost on Tenzin. As Yoru's successor Taiga figured he probably knew everything about him. Whether it was void chakra, sankton, or moving through physical objects Tenzin likely knew the extent to which Taiga could bend the rules of even the most unconventional security systems. Hell, he probably even knew Taiga's shoe size and the men he liked to "spend time with".

Taiga's legs phased through the desk falling to a natural position as he curled himself back upright and dramatically set his elbows on the table with a thud, looking Tenzin right in the eyes. Something seemed off about this guy and he couldn't quite but his finger on it. Something was just weird. Unnatural really.

"Fanho has "asked" me to work with you. I don't work so well with others but the village comes first above all else..." he said with a smile. "We need to secure the future of this village."

While Taiga's demeanor was casual and his banter light-hearted, he was dead serious and held a will rivaled only by the new Hokage.

"We need intel. Arms. To be a step ahead of the revolutions happening in Iwagakure and Kirigakure. We can't fall behind them, or even our allies such as Kumogakure." Taiga said before leaning back in his chair.

[Texas]

Tenzin smirked at Taiga's "Joke". It had seemed that yet again, another light hearted "coworker" that would make jokes and act how they pleased. Although Tenzin wasn't necessarily against it, he did not understand how these powerful beings could act so leisurely. His first true experience of this was when he met an interested fellow named Fuhen who had the aura of a frog swamp monster. It was almost as if the stronger they were, the more carefree they became. Since the silver haired shinobi himself was more on the serious side when talking to these men... did that make him week? That was a question for his hypothetical therapist and one train of thought that would be wasted on exploring.

The shinobi looked Taiga in the eyes as he borderline acted out. The odd change in behavior when his leg phased through the desk only for him to stare back at Tenzin with his eyes. Tenzin could sense something residing within him, in fact it was as if his chakra naturally took a different identity than normal ones. A unique trait that was common in different Genma hosts. "Secure the future of THIS village is the best way to put it." The turquoise eyed man put an emphasis on this. It was and always will be his position to strictly act in the name of Konoha. Regardless of Enemies, Allies, and even other shinobi within the village. His actions, through his eyes, was only to benefit the future of the village. So hearing that was music to his ears.

Tenzin leaned back in his chair and gazed upon the famed phantom beast himself. Tenzin was performing posturing mirroring, it was an attempt to gauge Taiga a little bit better and psychologically understand him even on a micro level. The man would nod in agreement with him. "All of those are being worked on, but the main thing right now is intel. Anbu are going to pull back a little bit from foreign distribution and focus on securing the Fire Country a little bit more than normal. I know you don't work well with others, but working with you would be an honor." Tenzin swung his right hand to a drawer under his desk. This is where he pulled out two folders and placed them on the table in between the two shinobi. "One is your file and the file of another. I would never be the one to tell you what to do, however would you ever consider being your own singular squad? We do have a few missions both outside of the village and within that could use your... expertise." Tenzin had prepared a way to approach Taiga, but with him literally appearing out of nowhere it was a better time than any to present his plan to the legend himself. The first folder was a very minor trimmed down file of Taiga, the real folder was deep in the archives below the building. However, the second folder was intel on another genma host. Even less information was on the new Genma Host. Tenzin had planned for Anbu to watch over the new village asset, however with Taiga involved it could almost work perfectly. He could be the sensei figure that the next gen could really use at a time like this.

[Taiga]

Taiga's eyes tightened as Tenzin moved similarly to himself, minus the ability to phase his body through objects. For a moment it almost seemed as if he was subtly copying Taiga's movements. Blinking slowly and tightening his eyes he stared coldly at the ANBU commander before him. Was this guy mirroring him? Deciding to have a little fun with it he huffed as a small puff of smoke escape his mouth and he struck a few more exaggerated poses, from thinking man to putting his finger on the tip of his nose... He'd keep doing this the entire time Tenzin talked, pushing the limits to see how far Tenzin would attempt mirror him and to what lengths he'd go.

As he listened to Tenzin's opinion on who needed protection, he had to admit, he wasn't fully ready to forsake his allies, but he knew that they couldn't be caught out with their pants down defending losers like Sunagakure again.

"Yeah, make Konoha Great again or something like that..." he jokes as his grey dead-eyes gazed straight into Tenzin's turquoise eyes. He nodded his head twice, then pulled on his left ear lobe with his right hand, still testing if Tenzin was subtly copying him. "Our territories have widened a bit to much after the war..." he said trailing off. If Iwa was bold enough to push a war onto Konoha and Fire Country, he doubted the motherland would be the first strike.

As the discussion progressed, it was clear Tenzin had something in mind for him. Brushing the files aside defiantly, Taiga wouldn't even take a look at the files or go through them- he couldn't have cared less and he already figured out where this was going. Two- someone like him, someone who needed his expertise.

"Well, it's more like others don't work well with me..." he said softly under his breath before continuing "I thought the Fusion Genma was... destroyed. Does this mean you want me to be a baby sitter for the new brat they decided to put a god-level spirit in."

[Texas]

Babysitting. A triggering word for the silver haired shinobi. Especially since the adults in the Anbu have either retired or been captured... except for Takeshi. With that, the man had been actively trying to recruit a younger generation to eventually take over in missions. The hope would be for them to act on missions while Tenzin could go back to doing experiments on lost souls....

The silver haired man smirked as Taiga caught on to what he was doing and participated in goofy like movements. A sharp eye on him, one that Tenzin wanted to gain within the organization. The shinobi watched on as Taiga spoke, but expressed great distain for babysitting. A feeling that could be related to with great ease. "Well, I suppose babysitting is the informal way of putting it. But I actually have a few missions I could use you for that would help Konoha." The shinobi would stand up and go over to his little bookshelf. It was there he took out the bingo book. Tenzin would sift through the pages as he turned back around to the table, only to stop on Shinji within Kiri. Tenzin would place this book down with Shinji on the page while taking a seat and assuming the same position. "So Taiga, would you have any interest in possibly assisting the Anbu? We have a few missions, only someone with your experience can handle."

The man was purposely not going to say why he placed Shinji on the table. Tenzin wanted to see Taiga's reaction, but also take note of his reaction to his offer. Essentially Tenzin was outwardly recruiting Taiga into the Anbu. He had already assumed that the notorious ninja would reject it, but given the war circumstances... anything is possible.

[Taiga]

As the conversation had progressed Taiga wouldn't have paid any attention to Shinji's file. He wouldn't pick it up,. He wouldn't look at it and he certainly would not talk about it. It was as if it didn't even exist- as if he was completely unable to comprehend that it was on a table sat in front of him... and in that regard, it was entirely uncharacteristic of him to not take interest in the file... not that Tenzin knew Taiga that well or his tendencies to push his curiosity.

By the time Tenzin would levy his knew requests the topic of Shinji's file would be dead in the water. After a brief pause, Taiga would let out a laugh.

"Would I be interested in possibly assisting the Anbu?" he said in a slightly higher pitched voice, before his eyes narrowed to slits and he stared at Tenzin. His head tilted and he blinked dramatically, only once, and then stared straight into Tenzin, letting silence sink in for tends of seconds before he responded. He also was thinking about how something about this guy looked off...

"I didn't come here just because I was lonely..." he said with a sarcastic tone as he stopped their mimicking game and leaned back against his chair and shrugged his shoulders. "...helping the ANBU helps the village and that is the entire reason I am here." the Bannin said with a strong conviction.

His fate was already set in the village. He was not meant to be one of the men who was celebrated or paraded. He was not meant to cast light on the village and warm it in his embrace. No, Taiga was meant to be the one in the shadows cast by Fanho's light- the one in the shadow watching after the fringe of society. Keeping the threats stuck in the shadows and building a boundary that denied them any path into the light.

The day when he fought Fanho, the truth was, he realized where he could have the most impact and it wasn't as Hokage. Men who could control entire villages via Genjutsu and slip in and out of nigh anywhere were not the frontlines heroes...

"I can't say I'm interested in your good soldiers follow orders ANBU, Tenzin, by I am interested in doing whatever I can to secure the nation from the shadows, which I am sure you understand." he said as he stood up from his chair and raised his arm over Tenzin's desk, his hand outstretched.

[Texas]

Hmm a tonal shift? The complexity of Taiga's brain intrigued Tenzin greatly. It was too bad they both fell under the same banner, is mind and genetic code would have been a dream to truly dissect and study. The shinobi listened as the man spoke; the difference in tones, sarcasm, and his overall body language made the shinobi feel as if he struck a cord. What made this shifting monster tick? Well, as far as the silver haired man could tell, it was taking orders. Although Tenzin had planned for this, he didn't expect to get here so soon in their conversation. It was the window of opportunity the slightly insane shinobi was waiting for... NOW WAS THE TIME TO STRIKE.

Tenzin continued to lean back in his chair, the fact that Taiga didn't look at the file meant that the Anbu Commander had already pushed his limit with the Phantom Beast. Maybe it was time to try to draw him back in with an offer he couldn't refuse. Or maybe it was time to give him the opportunity to come up with the opportunity on his own... as if it was his idea.

The silver haired man gazed upon Taiga and drew out a smile the second he mentioned taking orders. "Ah, yes the good soldier thing is out dated, I actually agree with you about that. It's a policy I don't fully enforce on experienced shinobi and agents that operate within the Anbu." Tenzin would actually use his right hand to reach down in his drawer again, to take out yet another folder. Tenzin would toss this folder in between the two and it would land over the other ones. What Taiga might not have known is that his folder was empty... maybe the way it slightly landed on the table slower than the others would be a good indication. This action was 100% a joke. An attempt to mess around with Taiga just a little bit to show that he wasn't serious all the time. "I appreciate you coming here Taiga, we have been looking for a few more veteran shinobi within the ranks. I know it's not your cup of tea, but I would like to extend a spot within the Anbu. You would be your own captain in charge of your own squad. It can be yourself or others you deem fit. I wouldn't tell you what to do ever. I may ask you if you would be interested in certain missions, but I can assure you... even if I could I wouldn't force you to do anything. As a captain you would be in charge of yourself and unit." Subtleties combined with blatant obvious points was Tenzin's conversation style. The the Anbu Commander it was important for him to articulate what his intention was. Down to brass tax as the kids say.

This was the official invitation. In truth, the invitation was probably not necessary. He did say he was already going to work with the anbu, however offering a hand out for an official title could give the man some structure. What Taiga might not realize that he would have more official clearance instead of phasing wherever he wanted. The man sat there and waited, reading his face and body for any kind of unintentional reactions.

[Taiga]

Hmm a tonal shift? The complexity of Taiga's brain intrigued Tenzin greatly. It was too bad they both fell under the same banner, is mind and genetic code would have been a dream to truly dissect and study. The shinobi listened as the man spoke; the difference in tones, sarcasm, and his overall body language made the shinobi feel as if he struck a cord. What made this shifting monster tick? Well, as far as the silver haired man could tell, it was taking orders. Although Tenzin had planned for this, he didn't expect to get here so soon in their conversation. It was the window of opportunity the slightly insane shinobi was waiting for... NOW WAS THE TIME TO STRIKE.

The Bannin blinked slowly, almost completely uninterested in the conversation at his point, and waiting for Tenzin to continue it. For Taiga there really wasn't that much more to say. Watching Tenzin shift his weight and lean back in his chair, Taiga leaned back in his, his head placed gently into his own hands, his elbows outstretched into a resting position creating the perfect, comforting support. His eyes followed Tenzin. Followed his arm. His hand. Followed as it reached into the drawer. As his voice spoke about how the policy was outdated.

And then followed as a folder slapped down onto the table- something off comparative to the others, but Taiga careful not to show any reaction different from before.

Stonefaced, cold, he looked back to Tenzin's eyes yet again ignoring the file completely. He didn't care what was in it, if anything was in it, or what it was about.

"The title doesn't matter- but again, I'm here to help. If it makes your job easier you can call me ANBU. My fate is to be the shadow Hokage of this village. To do the things that I know Fanho lacks the resolve to do..." Taiga said as he leaned forward and looked at his hands. He fixated on them.

He saw the blood roll over them.

"I'm a man with no honor and no shame, for anything I ever had was already taken from me..." he said as he put his hands at his sides and looked at Tenzin. He was sure the man had read his Great War files. Seen the amount of people he'd killed. Seen the comrades he got killed. The people he held in his arms as they made their last wishes to him.

He let out a sigh.

"There's nothing these hands won't do for the village" he said as he a puff of smoke escaped his lips.

"The fact of the matter is I need resources and you have them. So if being a Captain in your cosplay convention gives me those- gives me people I can send to places they need to be. Intel that can put me in the right places to be that's fine."

[Texas]

After the brief conversation, one thing was clear to Tenzin.... these two personalities didn't click all too well. However, if you peel the onion a little bit, they had the exact same ideals and resolve. Both of them would do what the Hokage couldn't do, but within the shadows. This gave Tenzin a slight feeling of relief, especially since he himself was going to go through a transformation that would limit his capabilities for a while. Tenzin adjusted his face to a smile, artificial and not the greatest, but a smile none-the-less!

"I love to hear that, it will be a mutual partnership where both of us can benefit from. Although you don't need it, there are rooms here you can claim for living quarters if you would like. You don't have to use it, but a safe place to store stuff doesn't hurt either. We have training groun--" Why was Tenzin telling him this? It was clear that he was going to do what he wanted. So the silver haired banin stopped mid sentence and approached it differently. "Welcome to the squad, Captain, I do have a first mission for you if you're interested. It involved going to Kiri."

In that moment, Tenzin would stand up and place his right hand out. A handshake, gentleman's agreement, the boysss. Tenzin mentioned the mission to the Jinch in hopes it would peak his interest. "Due to the impending war, most of us are scattered and I am temporarily going to stay within Fire Country. We know Iwa is going to advance forward to Suna, so I have to prep for that. However, what we need to know is what Kiri is going to do and their stance in all of this. If you have any contacts in Kiri you would like to stealthy communicate with, we would appreciate any and all intel you could obtain."

Regardless of if Taiga shook hands with him or not, Tenzin would move the hand back to his side. "If you take on this intel and infiltration mission, you are free to take what supplies you like and utilize our intel to ensure the success of the mission. If you need anything else, you can pop in as you normally would." Hopefully Taiga understood the importance of this mission. If Iwa would continue to press down on Suna, it was imperative to understand what Kiri plans to do with this madness ensuing. Will they try to use this as an opportunity to attack a different nation? Will they join Iwa and cripple Suna? Anything Taiga could get, if he was to accept, would greatly help not the Anbu, but Konoha as a whole.

[Taiga]

Taiga nearly winced at the sheer unnatural, uncanny, and creepy smile Tenzin have delivered. Thoroughly washing that from his mind he looked at Tenzin and took a deep breath at the first ask the man had given him- to speak with Kiri. It would appear that perhaps Tenzin was aware of his relationships to the other hosts- and one in particular.

It was at this point that Taiga wanted to scream out in defiance- but he had promised Takeo he'd work together with others. He had promised Fanho he would speak with Tenzin. He couldn't go back on that promise just because he felt the urge to run away at a situation he didn't want to wind up in.

Looking at Tenzin's hand, then to the clock behind him, then back to him, he let out a sigh.

"Just what makes you think I am your guy for Kiri intel? Or that I have Kiri knowledge or contacts?" Taiga asked as he leaned back in his chair. What kind of intel did this Tenizn man possess? What drove him to make the decision that Taiga was the best horse to attach the kiri-intel cart to.

[Texas]

At the end of they day, Tenzin had no true intel on Taiga's relationship. He only had a hunch; if anyone would have a contact, it would be some kind of Genma relationship. That small hunch was just a stepping stone that rolled into a full blown theory that Taiga would be perfect for this job. Even if he didn't, he could phase his way through the village and out. Tenzin sat back down and leaned in his chair, removing the ridiculous smile he had. "Well Captain, I think ability wise, you would make the most sense and have the best capabilities for a mission such as this. I am in no sense telling you what to do or how to do it, however I know you would be best suited for this mission and I could trust your judgement without having to worry about you."

Tenzin glared into the dead looking eyes of Taiga, the ashy hair, and his overall demeanor. Did Tenzin strike a cord? "What do you think? Can Konoha count on you for this?" A simple question with heavy weighted implications involved. What would Taiga do?

[Taiga]

Taiga put on a very well put facade, but on the inside, it was as if worms squirmed beneath his skin.

He'd long been voiding his contact in Kirigakure- one that gave him much confusion. Much fear. He avoided him to protect himself from a fate he was certain would some day come. Standing up and pushing in his chair, then collecting whatever files or things Tenzin had, the bannin would let out a sight and mumble mendokusee- troublesome. There wasn't all that much more to say or do.

The truth of the matter was for nation, he had to do this. They were all just men- beasts really. Beasts with love but bound by nation.

"Aye- I'll see what I can do." Taiga said as he let out a huff of smoke then dropped through the floor leaving the office suddenly- his mind deep in thought.