Ryo: 53/861
Prestige Perks: 5/5: Accountant (Scaled); Connections (Scaled); Sheer Determination (Scaled); Sheer Determination 2 (Scaled); Omega
Org Jutsu: 194/250
Org Equipment: 137/250
Karagata, Kinsue
Kinsue: Age 16Show
Art created by Zippo
General Information
Through his years of working as a civilian, Kinsue has taken to wearing more formal garb as a matter of course. His favorite outfit is a black kimono and hakama with silver trim, over which is added a white haori and tasseled obi. The haori may also have a Karagata kraken in black sewn into its back, depending on the occasion. Personality:
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Battle Information
EquipmentShow
All the following equipment can be found in the pouches on Kinsue's belt.
Kaguya Bone Senbon: A set of 5 specialized Senbon imbued with special chakra. giving the set two different effects. When thrown it will cause for the thrower to become invisible to the naked eye for the next four posts as long as the thrower does not exceed 1/3 of their [Speed]. The needles themselves are able to alter their course of flight to home in on their intended target for the next two posts but are unable to make radical changes in their course of flight. Able to swerve left and right up to forty-five degrees in flight to respond changes from the target and to bypass objects that come between the target and the weapon. Operator Authentication Seal: A complex multi-layered fuuinjutsu seal, the bearer is marked with a small barcode-like formula of encrypted information which can only be decoded or removed using the [Hunter's Crypolect] in addition to advanced fuuinjutsu removal knowledge of equal or greater rank. The seal and its encoded information is unique to each bearer, and is connected to the bearer’s chakra network. The encoded information in the seal serves as a unique identifier and authentication token that can be scanned to unlock access doors into the HHD headquarters and any secured organisation outposts or bases, and provides the bearer with the ability to activate and safely traverse the HHD teleportation Black Network. The seal additionally serves as an emergency alert beacon to the organisation, lying dormant until such a time as the bearer’s chakra network ceases to function — as occurs in death — or the seal formula itself is damaged, removed from the bearer’s body, or is interfered with by a foreign chakra source. In such an eventuality, the seal activates and sends an emergency signal through the HHD headquarters and division captains through the [Secure Operator Network] and [Captain Authentication Seal]s containing a directional bearing and approximate distance, alerting them to the bearer's death or that the security of the seal has been compromised. This can not only aid the Division in locating the bearer's body, but prompts them to change the encryption and authentication of their teleportation network and base access doors. Doing so invalidates all existing Authentication Seals, forcing the organisation to remove and reapply fresh seals with the new encrypted passkey information to all other bearers. Kirigakure Flak Jacket:: A standard flak jacket worn by most Kirigakure shinobi ranked chuunin and above, this Flak jacket has [35] strength granting a minor defense to the wearer. In particular, the design of the flak jacket is meant to reduce the impact of explosions on the wearer, protecting them from suffering any internal damage to major organs in their chest and abdomen when hit by explosions with strength less than or equal to the strength of the Flak jacket. Kinsue wears his flak jacket while on missions. Nescience: Kinsue wears this thin silver bracelet on his left wrist. By channeling chakra into the bracelet, he can activate an expansion of space immediately around him. The 3 meters of space surrounding Kinsue will expand continuously at [50] speed for the next 5 posts, increasing the distance between him and nearby beings, objects, and jutsu. |
History
Important FiguresShow
Aisu, Naohiro
Karagata, Shinjiro
Karagata, Katsurou
Himora, Riki
Karagata, Himari
Karagata, Kaito
Karagata, Kosuke
Terumī, Kazuken
Matsou, Akari and Yamai, Daiki
Toukai, Tsubasa
A close partner to Kinsue and the other member of Unit 12, Naohiro has been close to the Karagata since they met in Kirigakure's first academy. The two of them lost contact for a time after earning the rank of Genin, but began to work together as shinobi after being tasked to investigate the death of a Karagata nobleman's son. They've maintained a keen bond ever since, and Kinsue considers Naohiro to be his closest friend.
Karagata, Shinjiro
The son of Kosuke's older brother Izune; Shinjiro was raised almost from birth to be the perfect warrior. While he and Kinsue were never close in their youth, his rise to prominence as the host of Vorashu no Katagenma has had a significant impact on the older of the two. As an immediate relative of the Jinchuuriki, Kinsue has been subject to a greater amount of attention from the Karagata in an attempt to prevent any scandal from tainting the reputation of such an important tool. While Shinjiro is too cruel for Kinsue to look upon him favorably; the man has nothing but respect for his skill and determination.
Karagata, Katsurou
Kinsue's elder brother by 7 years, Katsurou holds a great amount of kindness considering the family in which he was born. From a young age he was groomed for a role representing the Karagata's trade interests, and was expected to one day take over his father's role within the family. After Kosuke's death, he took up many of the dealings that his father had previously been involved in and proved himself a more than capable Karagata and successor. He takes great interest in Kinsue's career, and the two share a close bond.
Himora, Riki
A Jounin in service to the Karagata. Riki first came into contact with Kinsue's branch of the family many years ago; when he was tasked to guard Kosuke and Katsurou as they went to a trade meeting outside of the village. He grew close to Katsurou, and when he realized that Riki's combat style matched Kinsue's own hired him as an off-the-record tutor for the young shinobi. Kinsue developed greatly under his critical eye, and owes much of his progress he made before being promoted to Chuunin to his lessons. The siblings maintain close contact with Riki, and Kinsue views him much as he might a third blood brother.
Karagata, Himari
Before she married Kosuke, Himari came from a small but wealthy family of which she and her children are the last surviving members. Whilst a hard women suited to a life in Kirigakure no Sato; she is kinder than her husband and will often spend time with her children offering what help she can. A former Jounin, Himari has recently retired and now spends working with her husband in the Karagata shipping industry. She occasionally assists in teaching at Kirigakure's first academy, imparting her extensive knowledge of Genjutsu upon the village's next generation of shinobi.
Karagata, Kaito
The younger of Kinsue's two brothers, though still older than him at 26 years old. He possesses a mentality common among village shinobi, being cruel, harsh and condescending. The man is however looked poorly upon by the Karagata, as his achievement faltered after he was granted promotion to Chuunin as a teenager. With little drive to improve further, Kaito seems destined to remain one undistinguished ninja among the many of his rank. He and Kinsue failed to maintain much contact as they transitioned out of childhood, as neither thinks much of the other.
Karagata, Kosuke
Kinsue's father. Kosuke is a hard man, determined to see his children succeed. He often comes off as cold to his family, and is more interested in seeing his children develop greater strength than he is in spending time with them. Despite his apparent coldness, Kosuke holds his family in incredibly high regard, and considers his treatment of them to be kind, at least compared to his treatment of most others. Outside of the family home, Kosuke is a cruel yet efficient man, and holds a high position within the families shipping industry. He primarily deals with trade between Kirigakure and Lightning Country, but occasionally overseas some trades with Earth Country.
Kosuke passed away when Kinsue was 19, partially resulting in the young man's resignation from military service.
Kosuke passed away when Kinsue was 19, partially resulting in the young man's resignation from military service.
Terumī, Kazuken
Kinsue's great grandfather. The man was a renowned Jounin and assassin in his day, and was believed to have been one of the most accomplished combat sensors in the village. The truth, however, was that Kazuken had mastered the use of the bloodline of the Terumī; the Dōjutsu known as the Toramugan. He never told anyone the truth behind his abilities, but instead left behind memoirs of his life which were found by Kinsue. His legacy now serves as an important motivating factor in Kinsue's life, as he seeks to gain the strength to match that of his ancestor.
Matsou, Akari and Yamai, Daiki
Two shinobi assigned alongside Kinsue to an unassuming C-Rank mission during his time as a Genin. They were both killed when they were ambushed by a group of highly skilled Nukenin, while Kinsue escaped in order to inform the village of the threat. Their deaths initially pushed the boy into a state of great self-doubt and weakness; however, he has long since come to terms with the events that led to their demise. Now, his memories of them push him to greater heights as he strives to ensure that he can prevent any future partners from suffering the same fate.
Toukai, Tsubasa
One of the most talented shinobi from Kinsue's class in the Academy. Tsubasa always seemed destined for greatness; she was brave, charismatic, and highly skilled in her clan's unique Jutsu. Unfortunately for her, she was matched against Kinsue's brother Kaito in her Chuunin exam, and was killed in the battle by the older and more experienced Genin. To honour Tsubasa, Kinsue took on her aspirations as his own, and refocused his attentions on achieving power as a shinobi.
PrologueShow
Early LifeShow
Kinsue was born as the third son of Kosuke, an important figure within the Karagata shipping industry, and Himari, a Jounin of the village. With both of his parents being important members of the Karagata, Kinsue enjoyed an incredibly privileged lifestyle growing up as a noble of Kirigakure no Sato. At the same time, however, he was placed under a large amount of pressure to excel for the benefit of the family.
Kinsue's training in the shinobi arts began at the age of 6, two years before he was admitted into Kiri's First Academy. As a younger child of the family, he did not stand to inherit Kosuke's role in the Karagata business (a role for which his oldest brother, Katsurou, was being groomed for). Instead, Kinsue and his other brother, Kaito, were trained to be shinobi by Himari. Kinsue showed little promise in either Genjutsu or Taijutsu, but seemed to have great potential in the use of Ninjutsu. He also displayed a strong battle instinct. Himari honed in on strengthening Kinsue's potential, and the boy displayed a notable affinity in utilizing both Suiton and Fuuton by the time of his 8th birthday.
Kinsue's training in the shinobi arts began at the age of 6, two years before he was admitted into Kiri's First Academy. As a younger child of the family, he did not stand to inherit Kosuke's role in the Karagata business (a role for which his oldest brother, Katsurou, was being groomed for). Instead, Kinsue and his other brother, Kaito, were trained to be shinobi by Himari. Kinsue showed little promise in either Genjutsu or Taijutsu, but seemed to have great potential in the use of Ninjutsu. He also displayed a strong battle instinct. Himari honed in on strengthening Kinsue's potential, and the boy displayed a notable affinity in utilizing both Suiton and Fuuton by the time of his 8th birthday.
The AcademyShow
Midway through the 9th year of his life, Kinsue was accepted into the first and most prestigious Academy of the village. During his time there he established his fighting style as being grounded in defensive and supplementary Ninjutsu. He also began his studies of Kiri's signature Mist Style. Due to his relatively shy nature, he did not forge many bonds during his time at the Academy, instead forming close relationships with a few other students. Aisu Naohiro, another of the students in his class, was one of these friends. Due to having a two year head-start on his training, Kinsue progressed through the Academy without much difficulty, and graduated a few weeks after his 10th birthday on his 1st attempt.
As Kinsue's time at the Academy began, his older brother Kaito finished his own studies. Eager to flaunt his superior strength, he spent a great amount of time “training” with his younger brother. This training would generally involve Kinsue being beaten down and abused by his brother, creating a relationship between the two largely dominated by anger and hatred.
As Kinsue's time at the Academy began, his older brother Kaito finished his own studies. Eager to flaunt his superior strength, he spent a great amount of time “training” with his younger brother. This training would generally involve Kinsue being beaten down and abused by his brother, creating a relationship between the two largely dominated by anger and hatred.
Years as a GeninShow
Kinsue enjoyed a promising start to his career as a Genin, finding success in his first few D rank missions both on his own and with other Genin, including several missions with his classmate Naohiro. His relationship with Naohiro faltered when he was 11, however. Trouble within Naohiro's family caused him to turn away from his career as a shinobi, though Kinsue never learned of the reason that he no longer saw his friend. Since then, he began to undertake more missions by himself.
A few weeks after his 12th birthday, Kinsue was assigned a run of the mill C rank mission alongside 2 other Genin his age: Yamai, Daiki and Matsuo, Akari. The mission seemed to be an ordinary bodyguard mission for a minor noble in the Land of Water. When the three Genin let their guard down, expecting an easy mission, they were attacked by two powerful missing-nin. The noble was the first casualty of the fight, with Kinsue's comrades falling soon after. Kinsue managed to escape back to the village with word of the attack, and the missing-nin were swiftly dealt with by Kiri.
Unfortunately this failed mission, coupled with an already existing sense of self-doubt thanks to Kaito's “training”, convinced Kinsue that he wasn't fit to be a shinobi. Lacking inspiration and blaming himself for the death of his comrades, he stopped making any progress for the next 2 years, only taking the occasional D rank mission to satisfy his family. Instead of training he spent a large amount of time hiding in the lower tiers of Kiri, away from the pressures and expectations placed upon him by the upper classes of the village. Katsurou was aware of what Kinsue was going through, and tried to convince him to get back to his regular training, but the boy kept the rest of his family in the dark regarding the nature of his lack of progress.
It was when Kinsue was 14 that he turned back into the shinobi he used to be. He and his family attended Kaito's Chuunin exam; where he was matched against Toukai, Tsubasa: one of the most skilled students from Kinsue's time at the academy. Unfortunately, she was poorly matched against her older and more experienced opponent. The day ended in her demise. To Kinsue it was clear that his brother had attacked Tsubasa even as she was declaring her surrender, but the exam's proctor agreed with his defence that the event was a reasonable mistake. Kaito was granted the rank of Chuunin. Urged on by Katsurou, Kinsue took that day as a motivation. He took on Tsubasa's goals as his own, and swore to become a great shinobi in the names of her and the team he had failed to defend years ago.
A few weeks after his 12th birthday, Kinsue was assigned a run of the mill C rank mission alongside 2 other Genin his age: Yamai, Daiki and Matsuo, Akari. The mission seemed to be an ordinary bodyguard mission for a minor noble in the Land of Water. When the three Genin let their guard down, expecting an easy mission, they were attacked by two powerful missing-nin. The noble was the first casualty of the fight, with Kinsue's comrades falling soon after. Kinsue managed to escape back to the village with word of the attack, and the missing-nin were swiftly dealt with by Kiri.
Unfortunately this failed mission, coupled with an already existing sense of self-doubt thanks to Kaito's “training”, convinced Kinsue that he wasn't fit to be a shinobi. Lacking inspiration and blaming himself for the death of his comrades, he stopped making any progress for the next 2 years, only taking the occasional D rank mission to satisfy his family. Instead of training he spent a large amount of time hiding in the lower tiers of Kiri, away from the pressures and expectations placed upon him by the upper classes of the village. Katsurou was aware of what Kinsue was going through, and tried to convince him to get back to his regular training, but the boy kept the rest of his family in the dark regarding the nature of his lack of progress.
It was when Kinsue was 14 that he turned back into the shinobi he used to be. He and his family attended Kaito's Chuunin exam; where he was matched against Toukai, Tsubasa: one of the most skilled students from Kinsue's time at the academy. Unfortunately, she was poorly matched against her older and more experienced opponent. The day ended in her demise. To Kinsue it was clear that his brother had attacked Tsubasa even as she was declaring her surrender, but the exam's proctor agreed with his defence that the event was a reasonable mistake. Kaito was granted the rank of Chuunin. Urged on by Katsurou, Kinsue took that day as a motivation. He took on Tsubasa's goals as his own, and swore to become a great shinobi in the names of her and the team he had failed to defend years ago.
Chapter 1: BondsShow
Several months after his brother's Chuunin exam, Kinsue met several other Genin of interest during his duties as a shinobi. The first was his old friend Aisu, Naohiro; whom he was partnered with during the investigation of the accidental death of a Karagata at the hands of an Aisu. He went on to reconnect with his old friend, and soon found himself assigned to the same team as the young Aisu. Kinsue was not the first member of the relatively new Unit 12, but as time went by he and Naohiro would be the only two to remain a part of the team while other Shinobi came and went. Before long the two Genin formed a close and competitive rivalry, each attempting to gain the skill needed to outdo the other when the time came for their Chuunin exam.
Kashou, Akish was another Genin that Kinsue found himself interacting with during the 15th year of his life. The boy's beliefs helped inspire Kinsue to turn the shame of his failures into a base which he could use to achieve more in the future. As a result, his determination only grew, and he began to take more difficult missions more frequently. Even when he wasn't on mission, he would be training, and before long he could see his skills improving remarkably. His determination had become so that when he had encountered Kaikyo Kohan by chance, it wasn't long before the man had agreed to spar with him in order to help train the boy's skills. Throughout the encounter Kinsue realized that those in charge were not necessarily unapproachable, invincible figures, as he had always imagined. Instead, he realized that the only difference between the two groups was experience and skill, traits that he was determined to gain. If anything, the experience only reaffirmed his aim of gaining his own level of authority within the village.
As the days went by Kinsue grew ever closer to the level of skill that he knew he would need to achieve the promotion to Chuunin that he was striving for. It was at this time that Kyuo Kai, the Kyuudaime Mizukage, attained the most esteemed of ranks within Kirigakure. The event showed Kinsue once again that leadership consisted of more than simple coldness. Seeing how Kai approached the people in the village gave Kinsue an example that he felt he could follow. He could never be someone who sent faceless men to some faceless death, he didn't believe anyone could. Someone who did all he did for the benefit of the village, who cared for the people under his rule and truly wanted what was best for them. That was what Kinsue wanted to be. It was the day of Kai's coronation when Kinsue discovered how much he truly wanted to gain influence within the village. He no longer pursued his goals in order to compensate for his prior mistakes, but instead to help his village on its way to greater heights.
Not long after the coronation of the new Kage, Kinsue found himself working less and less with other Genin, and more with Naohiro. He knew that it would not be long until he would face his Chuunin exam, and so he made a point to redouble his training. It was during one of these training sessions that an odd occurrence occurred. Kinsue found himself in possession of a unique bloodline ability, inherited from his mother's side of the family. In learning of this ability, the Dōjutsu called the Toramugan, he discovered an old Journal written by the last man to have the ability, Terumī, Kazuken. Kinsue became obsessed with the legacy that his ancestor had left him, and quickly set out to master his bloodline. It seemed the final piece in preparing for his imminent chance at promotion.
When that chance came, Kinsue and Naohiro both gave their all in a closely matched battle. At times, Kinsue seemed to have gained the advantage with the use of his mist and his new ability. However, when the bout ended Naohiro emerged the victor and earned his promotion to Chuunin. Kinsue had failed, but for the first time his failure did not dismay him. He had come truly close to besting his long term rival, and he couldn't begrudge the Aisu such a well-earned victory. Instead, he continued his training. When the time came for his second opportunity for promotion; he defeated his opponent with ease. At long last, Kinsue was promoted to Chuunin at the age of 15.
Kashou, Akish was another Genin that Kinsue found himself interacting with during the 15th year of his life. The boy's beliefs helped inspire Kinsue to turn the shame of his failures into a base which he could use to achieve more in the future. As a result, his determination only grew, and he began to take more difficult missions more frequently. Even when he wasn't on mission, he would be training, and before long he could see his skills improving remarkably. His determination had become so that when he had encountered Kaikyo Kohan by chance, it wasn't long before the man had agreed to spar with him in order to help train the boy's skills. Throughout the encounter Kinsue realized that those in charge were not necessarily unapproachable, invincible figures, as he had always imagined. Instead, he realized that the only difference between the two groups was experience and skill, traits that he was determined to gain. If anything, the experience only reaffirmed his aim of gaining his own level of authority within the village.
As the days went by Kinsue grew ever closer to the level of skill that he knew he would need to achieve the promotion to Chuunin that he was striving for. It was at this time that Kyuo Kai, the Kyuudaime Mizukage, attained the most esteemed of ranks within Kirigakure. The event showed Kinsue once again that leadership consisted of more than simple coldness. Seeing how Kai approached the people in the village gave Kinsue an example that he felt he could follow. He could never be someone who sent faceless men to some faceless death, he didn't believe anyone could. Someone who did all he did for the benefit of the village, who cared for the people under his rule and truly wanted what was best for them. That was what Kinsue wanted to be. It was the day of Kai's coronation when Kinsue discovered how much he truly wanted to gain influence within the village. He no longer pursued his goals in order to compensate for his prior mistakes, but instead to help his village on its way to greater heights.
Not long after the coronation of the new Kage, Kinsue found himself working less and less with other Genin, and more with Naohiro. He knew that it would not be long until he would face his Chuunin exam, and so he made a point to redouble his training. It was during one of these training sessions that an odd occurrence occurred. Kinsue found himself in possession of a unique bloodline ability, inherited from his mother's side of the family. In learning of this ability, the Dōjutsu called the Toramugan, he discovered an old Journal written by the last man to have the ability, Terumī, Kazuken. Kinsue became obsessed with the legacy that his ancestor had left him, and quickly set out to master his bloodline. It seemed the final piece in preparing for his imminent chance at promotion.
When that chance came, Kinsue and Naohiro both gave their all in a closely matched battle. At times, Kinsue seemed to have gained the advantage with the use of his mist and his new ability. However, when the bout ended Naohiro emerged the victor and earned his promotion to Chuunin. Kinsue had failed, but for the first time his failure did not dismay him. He had come truly close to besting his long term rival, and he couldn't begrudge the Aisu such a well-earned victory. Instead, he continued his training. When the time came for his second opportunity for promotion; he defeated his opponent with ease. At long last, Kinsue was promoted to Chuunin at the age of 15.
Chapter 2: GrowthShow
Kinsue took the next few years as an opportunity to train and improve his standing within the village. He found himself placed under increased scrutiny from within his family; as his younger cousin Shinjiro, the son of Kosuke's brother Izune, was granted the honour of becoming host to the Katagenma: Vorashu. At the same time it became increasingly clear that Kaito might never rise above the mediocrity of his position as a Chuunin, and so the hopes of his parents began to fall more squarely on him and his potential as a shinobi.
Kinsue met this increased scrutiny with a determination to match. He took more difficult missions at an increased rate and saw them through to success; slowly improving his skills to the point where he could be selected for a promotion to Special Jounin. Despite the dissolution of Unit 12 once neither he nor Naohiro were Genin the two of them continued to work together frequently. Over time, the two of them continued to use each other to reach new heights of power.
When Kinsue was 19 years old; he and Naohiro were assigned to a mission that looked much like a test of their worth. The Daimyo of Water Country had finally reached out to Kirigakure for assistance in the matter of a powerful and thoroughly corrupt national official: Onho, Yukimura. With enough wealth to field a veritable army of skilled guards, the target seemed defended enough that the mission would have certainly been better assigned to an experienced assassination squad. The pair instead saw that a success was exactly what they needed to earn a long coveted promotion.
Finding passage to the official's residence on the ship of a man named Kaeda, the team snuck past Yukimura's security with ease. What they hasn't realized until it was too late was that Kaeda himself was one among many on the official's payroll. Kinsue and Naohiro were ambushed in Yukimura's chambers by a truly overwhelming number of enemy combatants. The pair were captured and placed in captivity while their fate was to be decided.
Their captors knew that the two of them were shinobi, and thus held significant value as bargaining tools should the need arise. However, despite being forced to weather torture for several days neither of them revealed their true value; that they were members of prestigious families and that one of them even possessed a priceless bloodline ability. Had Yukimura known the true value of his hostages, he might have found a deal with a pay-out greater than anything he could have imagined.
Instead, he elected to use the two shinobi in a show of force. After gathering his allies he made an event of the two shinobi; forcing them to battle beasts, slaves, and eventually each other to the death for his own twisted amusement. Kinsue struck down his closest friend, and after the day was done seemed to have been broken entirely. To prevent his captors from taking his life he told them of his family and of his value as a hostage.
Kinsue endured several more days of torture while Yukimura attempt to seek the highest bidder for a Karagata nobleman. Among the many scars inflicted, his torturers branded him with the very symbol he would wear so proudly on a regular day. A mark of shame, they called it, commemorating how he had failed to stay strong through his captivity.
In the end, all Yukimura achieved was to dreadfully underestimate the shinobi. Kinsue and Naohiro had faked the latter’s death through the use of his Hyouton Jutsu, and Kinsue had given them the truth about his family only as a ploy to buy the team enough time to regain their strength. When Kinsue's guards got complacent, thinking he was no longer a threat to them, he killed them easily in his escape. On the 15th day after he and Naohiro were ambushed, the two regrouped and successfully assassinated Onho, Yukimura.
On their return to the village, both Kinsue and Naohiro were awarded the rank of Special Jounin.
Over the ensuing weeks Kinsue's wounds were treaded such that scars did not even form. However, he requested that the brand of the Karagata remain. It would go on to serve as a reminder of what had come close to his darkest moment, and how he had overcome it with his will just as much as he had with his strength. Now, he continues to elevate his strength even further as he reaches for yet another promotion.
Kinsue met this increased scrutiny with a determination to match. He took more difficult missions at an increased rate and saw them through to success; slowly improving his skills to the point where he could be selected for a promotion to Special Jounin. Despite the dissolution of Unit 12 once neither he nor Naohiro were Genin the two of them continued to work together frequently. Over time, the two of them continued to use each other to reach new heights of power.
When Kinsue was 19 years old; he and Naohiro were assigned to a mission that looked much like a test of their worth. The Daimyo of Water Country had finally reached out to Kirigakure for assistance in the matter of a powerful and thoroughly corrupt national official: Onho, Yukimura. With enough wealth to field a veritable army of skilled guards, the target seemed defended enough that the mission would have certainly been better assigned to an experienced assassination squad. The pair instead saw that a success was exactly what they needed to earn a long coveted promotion.
Finding passage to the official's residence on the ship of a man named Kaeda, the team snuck past Yukimura's security with ease. What they hasn't realized until it was too late was that Kaeda himself was one among many on the official's payroll. Kinsue and Naohiro were ambushed in Yukimura's chambers by a truly overwhelming number of enemy combatants. The pair were captured and placed in captivity while their fate was to be decided.
Their captors knew that the two of them were shinobi, and thus held significant value as bargaining tools should the need arise. However, despite being forced to weather torture for several days neither of them revealed their true value; that they were members of prestigious families and that one of them even possessed a priceless bloodline ability. Had Yukimura known the true value of his hostages, he might have found a deal with a pay-out greater than anything he could have imagined.
Instead, he elected to use the two shinobi in a show of force. After gathering his allies he made an event of the two shinobi; forcing them to battle beasts, slaves, and eventually each other to the death for his own twisted amusement. Kinsue struck down his closest friend, and after the day was done seemed to have been broken entirely. To prevent his captors from taking his life he told them of his family and of his value as a hostage.
Kinsue endured several more days of torture while Yukimura attempt to seek the highest bidder for a Karagata nobleman. Among the many scars inflicted, his torturers branded him with the very symbol he would wear so proudly on a regular day. A mark of shame, they called it, commemorating how he had failed to stay strong through his captivity.
In the end, all Yukimura achieved was to dreadfully underestimate the shinobi. Kinsue and Naohiro had faked the latter’s death through the use of his Hyouton Jutsu, and Kinsue had given them the truth about his family only as a ploy to buy the team enough time to regain their strength. When Kinsue's guards got complacent, thinking he was no longer a threat to them, he killed them easily in his escape. On the 15th day after he and Naohiro were ambushed, the two regrouped and successfully assassinated Onho, Yukimura.
On their return to the village, both Kinsue and Naohiro were awarded the rank of Special Jounin.
Over the ensuing weeks Kinsue's wounds were treaded such that scars did not even form. However, he requested that the brand of the Karagata remain. It would go on to serve as a reminder of what had come close to his darkest moment, and how he had overcome it with his will just as much as he had with his strength. Now, he continues to elevate his strength even further as he reaches for yet another promotion.
InterludeShow
While Kinsue had been earning his promotion to special Jounin, tensions had been rapidly rising within Kirigakure. The Mizukage, Kyuo Kai, had ordered the assassination of the village council. The five family heads, unable to stomach the threat to their power posed by the new Mizukage, reached out to the powerful Bannin Yami Kasai with the task of usurping Kai. Soon after, Kasai proved greater than Kai, and Kiri found itself under the rule of an 11th Mizukage.
Kasai soon organized and led a failed invasion of Soul Country, one in which Kinsue dutifully played a minor role. The turn of events proved a blow to the young shinobi. Kasai was a mighty shinobi, an unmatched weapon, but Kinsue found much to fault with his directives as leader. The invasion of Soul Country was poorly planned, with no heed paid to the opposition that would be faced. In the absence of being given a target Kasai had simply created one to strike at, and all it had done was weaken the position of the village.
At the same time, Kinsue’s father Kosuke developed a grave illness. Katsurou was granted full control over Kosuke’s former business affairs, and began working day and night to ensure the family’s power wouldn't fail due to the transition.
Kinsue knew that his brother was struggling without their father’s guiding hand, and at the same time was beginning to realize that he could no longer serve with the zeal he once had as a shinobi. Kinsue still believed in the code once drilled into him as a boy; that a shinobi must be willing to act without compromise as an extension of the Mizukage’s will.
There seemed to be only one honorable course of action left. So it was that Kinsue offered his resignation to the village council, and offered to work as an aide to Katsurou in civilian service. From then on, Kinsue’s contribution to the village would no longer be by force of arms, but instead through helping to uphold the dealings that underpinned the Karagata family’s power within the village.
For the next 6 years, and through the Great War, Kinsue worked alongside his brother. He found he had a mind for the business of the Karagata. An eye for deception was one already encouraged in a shinobi, and he found himself suited to the detailed and complex work of allowing trade to flow. Yet, even to this day the work paled in comparison to the highs he had lived through as a shinobi. At his core, Kinsue hopes still that something may bring him new hope for the village and its purpose; and allow him to serve again as he once did.
Kasai soon organized and led a failed invasion of Soul Country, one in which Kinsue dutifully played a minor role. The turn of events proved a blow to the young shinobi. Kasai was a mighty shinobi, an unmatched weapon, but Kinsue found much to fault with his directives as leader. The invasion of Soul Country was poorly planned, with no heed paid to the opposition that would be faced. In the absence of being given a target Kasai had simply created one to strike at, and all it had done was weaken the position of the village.
At the same time, Kinsue’s father Kosuke developed a grave illness. Katsurou was granted full control over Kosuke’s former business affairs, and began working day and night to ensure the family’s power wouldn't fail due to the transition.
Kinsue knew that his brother was struggling without their father’s guiding hand, and at the same time was beginning to realize that he could no longer serve with the zeal he once had as a shinobi. Kinsue still believed in the code once drilled into him as a boy; that a shinobi must be willing to act without compromise as an extension of the Mizukage’s will.
There seemed to be only one honorable course of action left. So it was that Kinsue offered his resignation to the village council, and offered to work as an aide to Katsurou in civilian service. From then on, Kinsue’s contribution to the village would no longer be by force of arms, but instead through helping to uphold the dealings that underpinned the Karagata family’s power within the village.
For the next 6 years, and through the Great War, Kinsue worked alongside his brother. He found he had a mind for the business of the Karagata. An eye for deception was one already encouraged in a shinobi, and he found himself suited to the detailed and complex work of allowing trade to flow. Yet, even to this day the work paled in comparison to the highs he had lived through as a shinobi. At his core, Kinsue hopes still that something may bring him new hope for the village and its purpose; and allow him to serve again as he once did.