Office of the Bakufuu Security Agency, top floor.
Raiden no Me, Kaminari no Kuni
…0600 hours
The letter had been delivered via messenger hawk, which was the most expensive means available to send correspondence, but had a prime advantage that faster means of communication, like radio and telegraphy, did not – good security. The animals were trained to fly fast and low to the ground to avoid detection from above, and were experts at evading traps, blasts of birdshot, and interception jutsu sent off by enemies. It must have cost Kumogakure a pretty penny to do this, Masao reasoned, so whatever this meeting was about, it was important.
“Well, Margrave, I’ll be off now. Seems the top brass want me back in the village yesterday,” he said to the nobleman standing next to him, who was the Bakufuu Security Agency Director.
“Understandable, Vice Commander. We thank you for your work thus far. Eventually we’ll track down the people who comprise this seditious Congress,” said Mizuki, shaking Masao’s hand. “If you’d like, we can send you back via carriage. It’s raining cats and dogs out there.”
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s actually a little faster if I run. I am a shinobi, after all,” said Masao, smirking as he pulled on a heavy greatcoat and cloak and donned a dark tricorner hat that was the latest foreign fashion craze to hit the cities. Striding over to a nearby window, he opened it, letting the rainy wind from outside hit his body. “Give my regards to the Chancellor and Shogun,” he said, before leaping out into to the whipping storm.
He had made it back to Kumogakure within four hours, taking the rooftops, trees, and bridge spans, and only being forced to touch ground occasionally. Along the way, the daily life and trials of the country had gone on below him, but he had not time to tarry, for Hayata Shin wanted him back much sooner. One exception had been made to assist a woman who was about to be brutalized by a pair of thugs – he had dove from the trees and landed on them with his blades buried deep in their backs, but could not stop even to hear her thanks. Finally, he jogged up to the gates, panting, and gave the Deathwatch on patrol a shout to come and expedite his passage.
“Vice Commander Takaki… from Raiden’s Eye… Important meeting…" he coughed loudly. "No goods or perishables to declare…”
Raiden no Me, Kaminari no Kuni
…0600 hours
From the Office of the Raikage said:Gensui Rikugun Taishou Takaki Masao:
You are hereby summoned to Kumogakure immediately for an audience with Hachidaime Raikage Hayata Shin, Regent Commander Santaru Rin, and Medical Sennin Isaki Kushin. Further details will be given to you upon your arrival. Long Live the Raikage.
The letter had been delivered via messenger hawk, which was the most expensive means available to send correspondence, but had a prime advantage that faster means of communication, like radio and telegraphy, did not – good security. The animals were trained to fly fast and low to the ground to avoid detection from above, and were experts at evading traps, blasts of birdshot, and interception jutsu sent off by enemies. It must have cost Kumogakure a pretty penny to do this, Masao reasoned, so whatever this meeting was about, it was important.
“Well, Margrave, I’ll be off now. Seems the top brass want me back in the village yesterday,” he said to the nobleman standing next to him, who was the Bakufuu Security Agency Director.
Later…
He had made it back to Kumogakure within four hours, taking the rooftops, trees, and bridge spans, and only being forced to touch ground occasionally. Along the way, the daily life and trials of the country had gone on below him, but he had not time to tarry, for Hayata Shin wanted him back much sooner. One exception had been made to assist a woman who was about to be brutalized by a pair of thugs – he had dove from the trees and landed on them with his blades buried deep in their backs, but could not stop even to hear her thanks. Finally, he jogged up to the gates, panting, and gave the Deathwatch on patrol a shout to come and expedite his passage.
“Vice Commander Takaki… from Raiden’s Eye… Important meeting…" he coughed loudly. "No goods or perishables to declare…”