Leaving Kumogakure

[Junan]

Kushin entered the gate house and waited there for Akira to arrive with his new passport with the different name and details.

After about an hour the giant arrived and handed it to him.

Be careful Kushin, I don't know what this man is going to ask of you but we do want you back in one piece. Akira knew that this might insult Kushin a touch, but it was true enough.

I don't know who you think I am but I'm the last person you should be worried about being in pieces. He said looking Akira in the eye What is it you see? Why are you worried, I've heard so many stories about you and none of them speak of you concerning yourself with anything. The scowl on his face as he looked at Akira was almost semi-permanent, so nothing unusual, but he was curious.

I don't know. Something about the village doesn't feel right. I've heard stories from different individuals saying different things. I think something is going to happen, but I've been too disconnected to know what.

Interesting. Perhaps it will be for the best? In the tropical countries they can get unbearably warm, but it's not the heat that makes it unbearable but the humidity. After it rains it feels like a weight has been lifted. Perhaps Cloud just needs it to rain.

Perhaps. But what if it floods?

Then be the wall that Cloud needs you to be. Be the demi-god that Shinbatsu's followers proclaim you to be. Remember who you were. You'll find your strength there.

It was an unusual conversation, two potential enemies having a discussion. From the first time they had met Akira had wondered if Kushin would attack him, but it had never happened, he measured Kushin and had built him two blades to tell him his thoughts. Kushin on the other hand had measured Akira as well, but from Akira he was measuring Shin, and whether Shin was worth keeping alive. Akira's strength had been enough to ensure the kage's survival.

I wonder what this Leafy needs help with. I'm almost surprised he came. Kushin said looking out the window keeping an eye out for the man.

Don't know. But he seems strong himself. If it's something which requires a substantive amount of combined strength then he was lucky to meet you.

No. There must have been others he could call on. Perhaps I'm just the one he could stand losing.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

The sound of Kazuki's steps, the footsteps of doom, were easily the precursor of his arrival. Fewer sounds spread terror in the heart of his enemies. Only the inexorable advance of his offensive was certain to be more potent in that department. The Overlord was a relentless man, almost to implacable man levels, once his purpose had been set. Unfortunately for his enemies, the Silvery Haired Man's focus could not be more fixed. His heart and soul burned with the desire of avenging Konohagakure and to execute a certain Daimyo. Cooperating with foreigners, such as Kushin, was just as good as enlisting his own kin in the upcoming war. But not every man was a key ally. The Dread Lord knew that the Medical Sennin of Cloud was powerful. He had seen it firsthand. He had helped the man acquire more power in the form of a Cursed Seal. The Green Haired Man had a debt to pay and he would pay it in full. Reaper wanted no less and would not be satisfied until proper payment had been met. The former Sennin heard two men talking inside the gate house. He recognized their voices, but what they were saying he did not.

"It seems that knowing your way around the village really pays off." he would state, announcing his presence at the same time. The meaning of his sentence was left ambiguous on purpose. It could either mean that his late arrival was due to not knowing Kumogakure or it could be targetting Kushin's apparent ease on forcing others to obey his wishes. "Your medical facilities are most interesting I should say. Quite impressive indeed. And the knowedge they store? Superb. I wish I had more time to study some of your tomes. Perhaps in another time." Kazuki noted as he waited for someone to exit the gate house.

[Topic Entered]

 

[Junan]

Kushin nodded at the others words.

Yes, I have worked hard to update many of the information we have. I hope that in my absence the research I made capable of happening has continued, but of course this is the issue with disappearing isn't it? You lose the control you once had. He looked out to the snow capped mountains before pulling his fur jacket close Lets hope that the sacrifice was worth it. He had gained vast amounts of knowledge from his study. Yet he feared becoming just another Karubin. Someone who people knew was powerful, but lost in their own world only to show their face for short periods of time.

Akira noted down their leaving in the ANBU records.

Good travels to you both. I wish you both the best of luck.

[topic left with both Kushin and Akira. Kushin to go out of the village and Akira back in.]

 

[Senju Kazuki]

"Thank you. Protect your Kage, without him a Hidden Village is nothing but a target for its enemies. A leaderless village is a sitting duck in a dangerous world." Kazuki thanked as he turned away to leave. "I'll make sure your Sennin is returned in one piece." he added while he was still in hearing range. Bringing Kushin in one piece was easy, returning him alive was a different subject. The road ahead was dangerous, filled with unknown dangers and powerful enemies. There was no certainty that they had what it took to win in the end. Time would tell.

[Topic and Village left I suppose.]