B-Rank Mission - The Blacksmith

[Junan]

They neared the small village and it was well into the afternoon. The sun had gone past its peak, but the heat remained. Heat which seemed more than simply a temperature gauge as there could be heard noise in the town itself. The noise of angry people, and the chiming sound of a hammer on metal, unrelenting, unwavering.

As the peasant led the, closer his own pace quickened Oh no. I told them to leave this to you guys. He said his head half turned to address the shinobi. He broke into a run as they entered the village and though he moved towards the smithery it wasn't hard to see or hear where it was.

The scene before them was strange. The huge blacksmith worked his forge, not paying any mind to the near hundred villagers who crowded outside his workshop. Two young men, toned and muscled, grimey and dirty like good smithy's should be had concerned looks on their faces. They faced the mob and tried talking to them, though from any distance their words were drowned out by the cacophony of yelling.

There seemed however to be some form of invisible barrier, there was no chakra to be felt being used, but the villagers seemed unwilling to push beyond a certain point. That point widened wherever the giant blacksmith moved towards, and if he ever raised his eyes to look at a group they would fall back. Despite their attempting bravery with numbers, there seemed a distinct lack of bravery.

On closer inspection three others were inside the smithy. Two woman and a man, older, and if one was attuned to looking at facial features one could see them in their sons who were the two smithy apprentices that faced the crowd and spoke with them.

 

[Santaru Rin]

The space between the smithy and the mob was the line between the human and the animal. "Flank me; Shinrya-sensei, follow behind me," Rin ordered the others. "Sir, please wait here," she yelled at the running client. "We can take it from this point. I would rather you stay safe."

Using chakra-based techniques on civilians was distasteful. Even the use of genjutsu was gauche, as its effects on the unfortified meat brains of those without chakra molding potential were unpredictable. And yet... She strode after the client, cloak ominously still despite the breeze.

"Do-san, you're on crowd control. Back up the two facing off against the mess." Do Natsu had been the mastermind of a riot in the capital; one hoped that his particular talent for trouble might also translate into the reverse--the ability to soothe, or at least dissuade, panic and violence. Probably not, though.

Her chakra pulsed with gentle menace, creating a path in the crowd. The Sennin had started at least one riot in her day, but knew also that mortal fear was an excellent way to quell--or scatter--those so timid that they could only protest in great numbers. Reducing the size of the crowd would be key in undermining support for whatever idiocy these small minded countryfolk had cooked up.

She stepped across the line, glancing at the two apprentices before entering the smithy.

"It seems you're quite the popular fellow," she addressed the smith. She ignored the nervous civilians sheltering nearby.

 

[Hameru Ren]

The Village appeared to be strangely empty to Natsu as the group entered. He had expected more children playing in the streets, women gossiping between each other and perhaps even some men heading towards the bar for an early drink. It was only afternoon, but it seemed a plausible scenario for Natsu. Not this dreadful heat and angry shouting somewhere off. About to make a remark regarding the oddity, their client moved faster, rushing off towards the sound of the shouting and clanging of a hammer as Natsu could now hear too. The Chunin could only groan. Why bother hiring expensive Shinobi if they were going to try and handle it themselves anyway? He listened to Tetsumushi's instructions however, swiftly following along.

Barrier between bravery or cowardliness; Line between civilized and beast; Call it what you will. To Natsu it appeared as curious study case of the human mind. Where one did not dare to go, plenty could march together. Yet if none of those plenty dared take that fearsome first and lonely step, it'd stay a pack of cravens nonetheless. Natsu had seen as much during his previous mission at Raiden no Me. The poor had been wanting to storm the rich, yet all cowered away in front of a few men with pointy sticks. Was it truly so simple to control a mindless mob? The appearance of power, of strength? It appeared to be so as Tetsumushi effortlessly made her way through the crowd, parting it like a messiah would split a sea.

Crowd control.. How does she expect me to keep this bunch in line? Turn them all into sheep or something? Natsu wondered, slightly frustrated. The Squad Leader seemed perfectly capable of scaring the pack away enough to make a path for them. He couldn't control his presence or chakra so precisely though. At least not yet. Taking up point between the two grimey youths, seemingly close to his own age, he faced off against the crowd. He could only feel pity for the two apprentices, or so he assumed them to be. It was one thing to stand in front of this crowd yet a whole other thing to try and reason with them. The fact that their tutor seemed capable of radiating the same commanding aura as Tetsumushi did little to help, save for preventing the crowd from advancing into the smithy.

Channeling some chakra, he manipulated his voice to sound much louder and much more imposing to address the crowd. It was a trick he had picked up while learning the Classic variant of Ancient Kumogakurian. It wasn't how the language was meant to be spoken, but Natsu only needed to be heard this time, not practice his vocabulary. "Calm down." His voice would resonate through the crowd, loud and calm and revealing little to no trace off his anxiety in front of the huge mass. Wondering for a moment if he'd disturb the others doing this, he considered it unlikely. The ANBU had addressed the smith with little effort despite the yelling and clanging of hammer upon metal after all. "We are the Shinobi your Village has requested help from and will see the situation resolved. Please, calm down and return to your homes." Natsu was uncertain if they'd listen, but there was no reason they wouldn't either.

[Word Count: 555]
[Marked for Training]

 

[Shinrya Kitsune]

As they approached the village, Kitsune saw the rather large mob around the blacksmith’s workshop. They didn’t seem to be willing to get too close to the blacksmith despite vastly outnumbering him. She raised an eyebrow at that behavior and sighed. ”This’ll be interesting.” she mumbled ”Let’s hope that the mob won’t get in our way, hm?” she thought out loud as she followed the other two shinobi into the village. Then Tetsumushi spoke ”Flank me; Shinrya-sensei, follow behind me”
Upon hearing those words, Kitsune nodded ”Right behind you.” she said and followed right behind the ANBU as ordered.

She was ready to remove her mask instantly if it was needed, but she honestly hoped that it wouldn’t at all be necessary and that they could figure something out with either the blacksmith, or the crowd of people currently surrounding them.
Then she heard that the Chuunin would be doing crowd control and only a single thought went through her mind as she heard the words, and that was: Well. Good luck with that Do-san. After all, it wasn’t exactly like he had numbers on his side. But when she heard him speak with the power of a thunderstorm, she smirked a bit So he has a few tricks up his sleeve as well… Hopefully these people will listen to him when he’s using that voice of his. It certainly is loud.

Kitsune looked around in the smithy, making sure to make mental notes of where everything and everyone were, just in case it was needed to avoid tools being thrown in her direction. Of course, she had brought her own tools, namely a sword, and a whip. She had left her clawed gloves at home, hoping this situation could be resolved without her getting in hand-to-hand combat what so ever. Of course, it wasn’t that she couldn’t handle herself in a fist fight. She just preferred to take down her opponents at a distance.

[WC: 326]

 

[Junan]

Rin made her way through the crowd and though they fell silent for a moment their sound grew again, though they were a little more hesitant. It seemed like the numbers under the smithy had just grown. The man continued hammering a blade it was shortish, leaf shaped and thin. Skilled workmanship which went further than simply a human eye. There were no faults on it, not a single hammer blow went to waste, every strike was an act of precision. His voice was deep, as it always had been, matching his size.

"Hello old friend." He didn't look up, he didn't need to to see everything "I was noticing my popularity seemed to have taken a hit to be perfectly honest." The sound of the hammer blow continued. Until Natsu began speaking. At which point he stood upright, his 6'10" form towering over everyone, though the ceiling was built by his own hands, so the roof was high enough for him. A sigh escaped his lips as Natsu said the words he said. He couldn't act to stop the boy without possibly raising Rin's reactions, which would end up in combat. So he simply lowered his gaze to Rin's mask and shook his head.

Indeed, the blond boy tried to calm them, but then he told them who they were. For a moment silence descended. Then the furor began anew. Bravery seemed to return to them. The three who entered were shinobi, but not just shinobi who had come to visit the blacksmith, but shinobi who had come to get rid of him.

Cries for blood, murder, killing came from the crowd. They called for the Cloud shinobi to act, to do as their contract requested. They even pushed forward. A step inside the smithy.

"Your boy has a way with words." Akira said, "Please excuse me for a moment. I need to restore the safety that the fear provided these families."

He reached behind him where a rather massive blade was on display. A rounded circular disk sat at the base of the blade and top of the handle. As Akira's hand closed around it the metal shifted like flesh. The circle opened, an eye was revealed. An eye with a very particular Mangekyou Sharingan displaying the power about it. Rin would recognize it as Shinbatsu's. Shouten Mitsukai's own eye. The blade then moved from its existence to around Akira like a massive set of armor. His head was the last part to be enveloped.

He let loose a roar like that of a massive wild beast as he turned towards everyone. The two apprentices dove for cover under tables. The other three held each other close, closing their eyes and quivering. The group stepped back, some fainted, others fled. He took a step further and the rest broke.

Akira stood straight, still in his armor, once more and when the conscious were out of site he spoke "Get those bodies back to their houses. Just leave them on the porches and knock on the doors. I have business to attend." The armor pealed away from him and the sword reformed. He put it back on the wall and it once more resumed its previous sword-like form.

Moving to the two woman and the man he knelt down next to them, his voice taking a more pleasant tone "Please find a place to relax and be comfortable in the smithy." he said to them before standing and gesturing for Rin to follow. He didn't know the other two, in the end Rin would give them their orders.

 

[Takaki Saeko]

This mission has been put on hold due to Kushin's 2-week ban from the site. In this time you may start new threads in the village if you wish. You may also do self-modded missions for yen concurrently.

 

[Santaru Rin]

Rin smirked. "I didn't say the good kind of popularity." The hubbub outside bubbled up to a crescendo as the Chuunin inadvertently stoked the civilians' courage. She sighed. Well, her mistake for trying to get a riot-starter to prevent one. Chalk it up to an error in judgment. They pushed forward, past Do Natsu and the apprentices.

"A way with words? That he does..." She recognized the greatsword, that tacky thing he'd had in the office the last time she'd seen him. Instead of stepping in, she decided to observe. She leaned her back against one of the smithy's supporting beams and watched her former comrade go to work. The client had had his own reasons for hiring her team. She was interested in learning Akira's perspective, which she might not get if this negotiation devolved.

The sword was certainly a thing of fantasy, gussying up the Hyuuga like a tin man in mere heartbeats. With this much drama going on, certain individuals' heartbeats would be very quick indeed. The crowd's bellows turned to shrieks and, shortly, all that was to be seen of them were backs, dwindling among alleys and row houses. The bar sure would be quiet tonight.

"I thank you for your restraint. Shinrya-sensei, check the fallen. It would be a shame if some idiot keeled over from heart attack," and the blame got pinned on us. "Do-san, keep watch. Try to work the reverse of your magic trick there if anything comes up. Otherwise, just form a barrier with Shinrya-sensei." She turned and followed Akira.

"What's going on here?" she asked, once they were further away.

Go ahead and make your posts for this round, but this mission is going on hold until Kushin returns.

 

[Hameru Ren]

Well, that certainly had not gone as planned. At the mentioned of Shinobi the crowd had burst loose. The roars for blood were about as loud as his voice had been just a moment ago. Natsu had inadvertently set the first step to a riot, something he appeared to have a natural affinity for. The horde tried to force their way into the smithy. Not daring to harm them and give them even more of an incentive, he tried his best to push them back. It didn’t help much though, not even with the aid of the two apprentices. If anything, the Chunin had certainly made a good first impression on his squad members. Well, not exactly first, but one of the more memorable to be sure.

A massive roar, easily outmatching the calls of the crowd and his own chakra-powered voice stopped the tide. Looking behind him, Natsu raised an eyebrow at the sight of the giant clad in some sort of armor. Where had that come from? And what was up with the eye-blade thing? Who did he think he was, some kind of videogame antagonist? It was intimidating surely, but the Chunin couldn’t imagine it being practical at all. He considered trying it out himself for a moment, only with his skeleton rather than whatever substance the smith was covered in at the moment. He kept it from it as the man spoke at a normal volume again. No need for shouting with half the town passed out, the rest running.

Saito instructed someone, Natsu wasn’t certain who, to return the bodies to the matching houses. Considering the villagers were either passed out or had ran away and neither Natsu nor Kitsune or any of the ANBU had any reason to know who lived where, the Chunin could only assume he was addressing the apprentices. If he’d given been given clues along the lines of a striped-horse puzzle Natsu might’ve been able to deduce which craven lived where. 'The one who pooped his pants lives in the house with a red door.'; 'The house of the person with still clean underwear is right next to the house with an orange door.'; .. Luckily Tetsumushi was there to give him a more conclusive order.

The sarcastic remark made Natsu want to protest, but he knew it to be useless. It had happened, now was not the time to come up with excuses. The crowd eventually would’ve figured out who they were. Their headbands and the ANBU masks would have given it away even without him proclaiming it. Besides, he couldn’t have known they’d try to push the Shinobi like that. If they had reasoned logically, they’d have left the work they paid plenty of money for to the people who had accepted it. Then again, such an anxious mob rarely listened to logic. He should’ve known better. Trying to think of a way to assure any citizen brave enough to return and try to interfere, he’d follow Kitsune as the Med-nin would take care of the citizens.

 

[Shinrya Kitsune]

Kitsune watched, as the chuunin poured oil on the flames, and actually encouraged the villagers and she shook her head ”Ah well. Can’t win ‘em all…” she said in a low tone before turning around to watch Akira. Then she saw him take up the greatsword, and she blinked a few times as the sword changed its shape as the disk opened and an eye appeared. But not just any eye, oh no, it was a Mangekyou Sharingan eye. Kitsune wondered how he had gotten his hands on an activated Sharingan eyeball, as, according to her knowledge at least, there weren’t that many around, unless you factored in the vault under the hospital...

When Akira then became enveloped by metal, she blinked again to make sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. But no, it was true enough. The blacksmith was now a walking tin can. And that wasn’t all, oh no, he roared so much that her right ear popped and a few villagers fainted. Of course when Tetsumushi ordered her to check the fallen villagers, she immediately sprung into action without a word to the ANBU. As she kneeled down next to one of the fainted villagers, she checked his pulse and his breathing. It was like he was asleep, which of course meant he was fine. ”Just fainted. Still alive.” she mumbled to herself as Natsu followed her. ”Hopefully none of the others have been injured or otherwise hurt.” she said a bit louder but still in a low tone.

She knelt down next to another person, performed the same checks as on the last one, and again found that there was a pulse, and breathing. As she checked the remaining fainted villagers, she learned that they were all still alive, and figured that they had passed out due to fear alone. She shrugged ”Fear of the dark~ Fear of the dark~ I have a constant fear that someone’s always near~” she sung in a low tone, hopefully low enough for Natsu to not hear it. But she wasn’t entirely sure about that.

[WC: 347; MFT]

 

[Junan]

Akira walked back and placed his sword on its mantle before walking off a little with Rin. Around the side of the house he went to open the door and received a question from his former co-worker. She was usually straight to the point, and didn't disappoint.

"I don't know. Things had been fine for a long while, I worked my forge, took on apprentices and made a small life for myself. I was happy, the people around me seemed to be happy, unless my perception on people is waning I don't know what is going on. But I do have an idea." He opened the door and entered the building. Everything was heightened, it was so that he wouldn't need to bend over in his own home. It was a benefit to building it himself.

"Sit, can I get you a drink? I have water, whisky, and rum." he asked as he poured himself a water. He'd given up alcohol, the influence that Masao had had on him as a boy gone. Yet he still had a couple of bottles, for visitors which he rarely received. While getting a drink he also went about looking through some papers which were lying around. Finding what he was looking for he brought them over, with a drink if Rin requested one.

The paper when looked at was what appeared to be a newspaper page. There were articles abound on it, but the one which would catch Rin's eye would be the one titled 'Shinobi Strike!' in reading the article she would see that a number of villagers in southern Lightning Country had been killed recently, the attack was fast and people died without ever noticing an attacker. The attack was deemed to be only possible at the hands of a shinobi.

Before she could ask about how this might be the issue Akira spoke again "There have been many articles of this sort recently. Almost in every newspaper there seems to be an article where a shinobi has done something. I did some research into one of the cases which was in a nearby town, I figured that Cloud would likely be unaware as these are papers which are only circulated amongst the smaller towns and villages. What I found out was that the man killed was the head of a group of criminals. It was logical that this was a mission approved by Cloud, probably on request by some official. Yet the paper made shinobi out to be in the wrong."

He then passed a second piece of paper he'd taken from the desk. This one was an advert which read 'Frightened of what lurks in the dark? With rising incidents with Shinobi the people of International Business Technology (IBT) are working on a solution for you. Contact us or come visit our premises so that we can help you.'

As she read that he continued again "The rumor is that this group are helping people get stronger. I've seen talk of one man describing seeing a normal man able to breath fire. This is likely to have been a shinobi, but the claim is that he was just a normal farmer who went and visited this IBT and returned with this ability. I don't know who they are but based on the location of where they're set up they look like they might have something to do with a group which was set up during the early stages of the civil war. I know they were a huge help in rebuilding Marsh and Bear countries after that war as well."

---------------------------

Outside the house the two apprentices set to work on picking up some of the downed bodies, they waited for Kitsune to clear them of being in any trouble and then carried them home.

After everything was done the pair looked at the other two, one of the two spoke.

So you're shinobi? Our master has been teaching us how to use our 'katra', or I think that's what it's called.

Chakra you tool. Shit. Anyway, yeh, he's taught us how to walk on walls and stuff. It's been really fun. Do you guys get to do all that stuff?

 

[Santaru Rin]

"Water's fine," she replied. She'd given up on foreign liquors, and alcohol probably wasn't the best addition to the situation. Well, he's not forgotten hospitality, anyway. "Thank you." She sat, wincing as something in her hip caught. "I begin to understand why Shinbatsu chose not to grow old," she sighed. "So tell me about this inkling of yours..."

Akira returned with water and a folded newspaper. She scanned it as he deposited the paper before her. "You know, someone started up one of these in Kumo," she murmured, skimming the most likely article. Reporting on... Shinobi activities? she wondered. That was typically against policy. One of the articles fingered shinobi as troublemakers in the recent Capital riots. Shit, Do Natsu... Even if it were only speculation and rumor-mongering, some of these articles came too close to the truth. Moreover, if they painted shinobi, especially loyal shinobi, as villains and dangerous beasts. "Hayata-sama will want to hear of this."

She shook her head as she looked at the advert. "Civilians with chakra molding... Or something like it. This is foolish. What is IBT after? Replacing us? There's no comparison between a civilian and someone with our training, even if you were somehow able to graft our techniques onto a normal human. This is only going to result in disaster." That was no speculation at all, simply fact. What kept loyal shinobi in check was unlikely to be present in an un-indoctrinated citizen... Or worse, a foreigner. She silently digested the information.

"This comes at an unfortunate time." She met Akira's eyes. "But you said things had been fine here lately. These people should know you by now. Why would they suddenly turn on you? Even if you're an outsider, they should understand..." She shook her head. Or maybe not. It only took a few bad turns to pit people against each other, or a sudden influx of outsiders, or... In this case... A disaster befalling a neighboring town. This was why she demanded her ANBU be circumspect and to do their utmost to, frankly, frame other interests during their assignments.

"Regardless... Our mission is to see you back to Kumogakure. That doesn't mean you can't ever return, but it may be best--for their sakes--" She nodded towards the front of the smithy, "To let things cool down for a while, and perhaps contribute to building a profile on IBT."

 

[Hameru Ren]

The clean-up of the now very empty streets went smooth enough. No bothersome civilians to pester them while they took care of the abandoned fools. Natsu actually wouldn't have been surprised if someone had shouted at them not to work their satanic ninja magic on the 'normal' humans. The shouter would no doubt be hiding inside their homes but it could be enough to incite another storm like before. The Chunin found himself wondering why the village had bothered hiring them when they appeared to be as distrustful of them as they were of the blacksmith. While it proved true enough that they stood no chance whatsoever against the hulking man, if they would disregard the Kumogakurian Shinobi, their presence would likely make no difference at all.

The Med-Nin worked silently though she seemed to be muttering something. The mask covering half of her face and the softness of her voice prevented him from understanding a single word however so he disregarded it. If Kitsune had need for him she'd no doubt call him out louder than that. Their work went swiftly enough, and soon the last of the passed out villagers had been dropped off at their respective houses. Lacking further orders, Natsu was about to make his way back towards the inn as the duo of apprentices addressed them. Their master seemed to become more curious by each passing second. Not only did the blacksmith possess an impressive physique and own a most curious blade, he only seemed to be sufficiently skilled in Chakra control to teach it to others.

Natsu saw no reason not to entertain them however, and nodded at them. He made his way towards the blacksmith as he told them: "It's a common exercise for increasing your precise control over your Chakra. And it has it's everyday uses." It was true. Natsu couldn't recall how often he had avoided long queues at bakeries in the morning to get his daily dose of donuts by simply walking past them on the ceiling and dropping right in front of the counter. 'T was but one of the many uses, yet the one he was most fond of. "To what extent has he taught you? Just the walking? Or actual techniques as well?" He was curious just how thorough the blacksmith had been in raising his apprentices.

 

[Shinrya Kitsune]

As the two apprentices carried off the downed people, Kitsune looked on, stretching and walking back to the chuunin to stand next to him, watching the two carry out the task they had been given. ”They make it look so easy” she said with a grin. ”Then again, it probably is, with muscles like those.” she gestured to the two apprentices rather powerful build and smirked. ”So. Do-san. How’s the main branch doing lately? Everything been good since Masao-san took over?” she asked the chuunin and looked at him, wondering how things had been since her academy buddy had taken over the ailing branch of Kumo’s proud shinobi forces.

It had been ages since Kitsune had done anything that involved a chance of having actual combat. Even though it might just be with civilians. Not that they posed any great threat to the three shinobi. Kitsune had an idea about what she could do to prevent any aggression against herself and Donut, it involved Kitsune revealing just what her eyes were capable of, by making a ring of fire. Or perhaps making a laser show of things. Then she heard the little conversation between the apprentices and Donut, and she smiled a bit.

”It truly is useful. Who wouldn’t want to walk on walls or ceilings? It’s neat.” she said and grinned ”I’ve used it before to skip lines at the cafeteria at the hospital; I don’t mind admitting that. Then again, I’ve got quite the appetite.” She stretched a bit and ran a hand through her hair, ruffling it a bit so it would sit a bit better.

[WC: 269]

 

[Junan]

[OOC: Sorry for delay, excuses go (in order) Assignment -> Birthday -> Recovery]

Rin's responses were expected, and what they'd been sent here for was understandable. Akira could see why he would need to do so. Yet instead of simply agreeing as he would have on any other day his head turned and he looked out the window aimlessly. The next words he knew he'd need to choose carefully, but then he'd never had a way with words.

"I'd rather die than leave this place." He shook his head and walked to the window, yet now he visibly looked downwards "Haven't you noticed something's missing? Something is different here, something gone that I can't ever retrieve." His hands tightened into fists, his knuckles going white, pain flew through his every sense, but that was the only sign. That and perhaps the wistfulness in his voice.

----------

The two apprentices nodded in agreement one even vocally saying "yeah", though when asked about other techniques they looked at each other and grinned.

He's taught us a few other things.
Yeah, some weird handsigns that we need to focus the chakra through.
Mainly stuff to do with metal though, oh and of course that martial art he calls 'taijutsu' or something like that.
He's been teaching us sword techniques though he said he's not that good with a sword compared to other shinobi. the boy puffed out his chest proud at the next statement He said that if a shinobi of his abilities and he were fighting and the other one used a sword he would be better off just using his bare hands. Can you believe that? Bare hands against an armed opponent! That's so awesome!

The other was nodding his head and grinned.

He took us both on after we learned a couple of techniques and was even able to lecture us while doing so. He's so fast for a guy so massive.
He told me off for relying on my strength too much, said that I needed to focus on technique and that once I had that down I could add my strength into it.

 

[Santaru Rin]

"You don't need to leave forever," Rin replied, looking carefully away. She didn't like seeing vulnerability in anyone, let along someone she served with. There was something too ugly and raw in it. Too... Intimate. "But you have to know... It's not likely to come back. Things won't be like they were before." Whomever was at the root of inciting demonstrations against shinobi had, in the end, stolen a home from Akira--someone who knew too keenly the cut of exile. That loss was something she, too, felt.

What had a return to active service done? Her country home, gone. The quiet life, over. It was something she could not return to, knowing that, again, she might be pulled away at any time. And things there were probably the same as in this hamlet. She doubted she would be welcomed back with open arms. She had a way of not inspiring that reaction.

"We can't ever go back," she said at last.

 

[Hameru Ren]

Time-skipping back and fro, Natsu found himself momentarily back in time, before he had addressed the two apprentices. "Hmmhm, I can't complain. He sure has a unique way of leading. It makes me wonder if he is a genius or simply just doing whatever seems hilarious to him. So far it has always worked out however, so I'm willing to believe the former. The dress code he implemented isn't too bad either. The tailors are greedily making use of it though. I've paid twice the original price already and still they're unwilling to put any haste into it." The Spymaster concluded. He himself had not made too much progress yet, still trying to get all of his newfound minions servants slaves subordinates under his control. Most Jonin and several Chunin weren't all too happy with his sudden promotion.

Back to the future, Natsu listened to what Kitsune had to remark. So it appears I'm not the only one who skips waiting lines like that then. The Chunin discovered as Kitsune revealed her secret. The boys seemed to accept his explanation, and Kitsune's example, easily enough and broke out into a waterfall of words when they heard his question. That Blacksmith most certainly is not your Everyday Joe Natsu was forced to admit, wondering just what their goal for this mission was supposed to be. The mission was becoming more complex by the moment. "Cloud has an Academy devoted to teaching about Chakra and it's techniques. The two of you may be a bit older than the usual recruits, but I'm sure you would still be accepted if you'd apply." He told the men before sinking into thought.

The smith did not strike him as familiar, something his massive stature no doubt would have done, so was he a known Shinobi to Cloud? And if so, was he a former Cloud-nin or a foreigner they were just supposed to keep tabs on. Cloud's leadership had recalled both Santaru Rin and Takaki Masao though. The latter had just recently been promoted to Main Branch Sennin and his wife was ANBU Commander. So why not recall this giant of a man? Surely he would've proved an amazing asset in their trouble with Makoro. And why was he tutoring these men instead of sending them to the Academy? Any children with an aptitude for controlling Chakra were normally tracked down and sent there. Most curious indeed. Reaching the smithy, he called out. "Everyone returned safely. No incidents. Further orders?"

[Word Count: 415]
[Marked for Training]
[Edit: Fixing forgotten bold tag.]

 

[Shinrya Kitsune]

Kitsune had decided to take the passive approach to things, and just walked over to the entrance to the smithy, and leaned against the wall so she could let her mind wander to all sorts of places. I wonder what I’m gonna make for dinner… Probably… Hmm… Something with rice… And I’ve got a craving for salmon. And pork. And beef. And noodles. Hmm... I know! Giant bowl of ramen, with everything I crave in it, except rice, and delicious sauces with rice on the side!
She was definitely someone that enjoyed her food, and lots of it. She wasn’t picky either, so she could eat practically anything. While thinking of the food she’d consume at a later time, her stomach rumbled and she decided to silence it with a quick snack: an apple she had brought with her.

When Do Natsu went over, and asked if there were any further orders, she started paying attention, as what was said might also pertain to her. She didn’t stop eating her apple though. And man was it a tasty apple, sour, yet not too sour, juicy, yet not dripping. Yummy.

[WC:189; Sorry for the short post. Inspiration took a vacation.]

 

[Junan]

He nodded silently, his eye passing over the small tree in the back yard. It was Mojo's favorite type of tree. He hoped that his friend, his ally, his brother would have appreciated his planting it above the small creatures grave. Akira's bond with that monkey was what kept him here. He couldn't abandon the grave of his pet, not a pet who had fought so long and so hard alongside Akira.

"I have something I will have to do."

He stepped out of his house and back to the forge.

The four outside had seemingly had an alright time, but the pair could see the subtle changes in Akira's face and moved about the forge without a word spoken, their eyes trained to the ground.

Akira picked up a slab of metal, throwing it into the fire he pulled out a hammer, tongs and a chisel. The pair cleaned a surface nearby and then moved to where the shinobi were standing. Akira pulled the sheet of steel out of the fire and cast it onto the stone surface. He set about hammering, sparks flew and the sound echoed from the houses around.

Finally he picked the sign up from the surface and walked around the back, placing it on the ground by the tree.

"I shall move now. You two are free to do as you wish, I am going to return to the village, perhaps I will do as my father always wanted and will finally take the mantle of the head of the Saito clan. Rin, I will leave with you now."

The boys stood there and looked to their parents, they spoke thanks to Akira and to the other shinobi and left to resume their lives. The only possession that Akira would take with him was his sword.

If checked the slab of metal on the ground by the tree said:

Here lies Mojo, a monkey who knew nothing of limitations. If any touch this tree or this land then death will find them.

 

[Takaki Saeko]

Oh god not MOJO!!!!! Rin says to go on without her, and to control her actions as if she was an iNPC is necessary to move this along

 

[Hameru Ren]

"No incidents? Considering your earlier work that somewhat surprises me." Tetsumushi's snide remark came. She certainly had a fondness of making him look like a moron. "For now just stand-by. Make sure no civilian tries to be a last minute hero." Natsu simply nodded. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of trying to resist. Not that the Chunin was all too certain she actually took pleasure in it. But she most very likely was having a jolly good time behind her mask there. If anything, she certainly proved herself to be a skilled diplomat. And if he had to base it on this mission alone, she had a much better way with words than him. Or maybe she'd beaten the smith into submission. If the workplace hadn't looked the exact same, Natsu would've considered that option.

The man followed obediently enough, on the condition his final request be granted. The meaning of it escaped Natsu, but he could read the atmosphere well enough to know it was an honorable thing. Something as a final greeting to the place and people that had been a part of the man's life. The Spymaster would not pry after the inscription of the slab of metal. It felt too personal to intrude upon. Instead, he simply said his goodbye to the apprentices, once more extending the offer to come to Kumo's academy. The Chunin preferred not having to send a squad of the Academy Scouts and retrieve the Chakra users by force.

Tetsumushi once more took the lead, signaling for them to move out. She let the ANBU take the lead, she herself following close after. Natsu followed along, catching up to the smith. "If you don't mind me asking, ser, what are your plans once we return to Kumogakure?" Tetsumushi seemed to have no intention of locking the man away. Depending on the man's answer, Natsu would follow it up with another. "I have heard from your apprentices that you are a great Taijutsu fighter. And the trick with the sword and armor was most impressive. Would you perhaps do me the honor of teaching me a thing or two?" He asked as the group, a collection of uncommon individuals, made their way back to Kumogakure. What a mission this had been..

[Topic Left Unless Stopped]
[OoC: Rin's character controlled with permission. If any issues would arise, it shall be editted.]