Let's do it this Way [ Requesting Kage ]

[Uziuke]

Entering the building, Uzi kept his hands in his pockets underneath his tattered shroud. The shroud was the only visible form of clothing he had on, unless one peeked underneath the holes in the tattered thing. A pristine red suit would be noticed if one could puzzle together what laid under the shroud. He looked to the receptionist desk, asking for the "Current Kage", emphasize on current. He didn't know if Raizo had been found, or if someone else was appointed Kage. It sounded like a toss up into the air, anyone could have won that jump ball. There were a few that deserved the title, but with what was going on during those times, he wouldn't be able to put a finger on it. He already came up with a few ideas on how to help the village, but he needed some help himself. He had to find his stride while he was back within the village. Those Outer Village areas could really take a out a lot from an individual traveler. The shinobi behind the desk told him he would have to wait, of course. He expected nothing less with the village going through it's troubles.

He moved away, looking back to the entrance of the place. 'How long was I out there?' Uzi wondered to himself, hoping someone would be able to answer the questions that he had lodged up in his mind. This comeback, he would run things a little differently. Get a bit more involved with the happenings around the village. Gate duty was cool, but there was more to be done. Uzi could only await his meeting as his thoughts continued to race through his mind.

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

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PRIMUS TOWER - THE KAZEKAGE'S OFFICE
Late Afternoon - An Unexpected Return​

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The reception desk on the ground floor of Primus Tower operated with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, three shinobi manning the onyx surface, each representing one of Sunagakure's branches. Today it was Tanaka of the Main Branch, Hideki of ANBU (in civilian dress), and Nurse Yamamoto from Medical. They handled the steady stream of afternoon business with practiced ease: mission assignments, document filings, requests for audience with various officials.

A figure approached the desk, tattered shroud concealing most of his form, hands buried in pockets underneath the worn fabric. Only glimpses of pristine red fabric showed through the holes, an odd contrast that immediately caught Tanaka's attention.

"Can I help you?" Tanaka asked, his tone professional but curious.

"I need to see the current Kage," the man said simply. Not "Lord Kazekage" or any formal title. Just... current.

Tanaka exchanged a quick glance with Hideki, whose hand shifted almost imperceptibly toward the concealed kunai in his civilian jacket. The phrasing suggested either disrespect or a very long absence from the village.

"The Kazekage is Lord Shin, the Twelfth," Tanaka explained carefully. "He's available, but I'll need your name for the appointment."

Tanaka would wait for his response before continuing.

If his name was given recognition would flicker across Tanaka's face. A veteran shinobi. Someone who'd served under previous administrations and then... disappeared into the outer territories. The weathered appearance suddenly made sense.

"Of course. Please wait here while I send word ahead."

Tanaka formed the quick hand sign, sending a communication orb zipping upward through the tower's central shaft: "Lord Kazekage, Captain Uziuke has returned to the village and requests audience."

"He looks like he's been through hell," Nurse Yamamoto murmured quietly, her medical training automatically cataloging signs of prolonged hardship. "The outer territories aren't kind to solo travelers."

"He's back now," Hideki said simply, his posture relaxing slightly. "That's what matters."

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KAZEKAGE'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER​

Shin had just finished filing the genin mission protocols when Tanaka's orb arrived. The name triggered immediate recognition from personnel files he'd studied extensively when assuming the Kazekage position.

Miroku Uziuke. A shinobi who'd served faithfully and then vanished into the outer territories during the chaos of previous administrations. Someone who'd been gone long enough to not even know who currently led the village.

"Send him up," Shin said into the dissipating orb, his voice carrying calm authority. "Top floor, my office. He's a returning shinobi of Sunagakure, treat him with the respect that service deserves."

He moved to the refreshment table with practiced efficiency. Not the most elaborate spread, but simple hospitality: two cups of green tea, some dorayaki and rice crackers. A returning shinobi who'd spent extended time in the outer territories would appreciate substance over ceremony.

Shin poured the tea himself, the ritual centering his thoughts. This wouldn't be a mission briefing or political negotiation. This was someone who'd served Sunagakure returning to find everything changed... leadership, circumstances, perhaps even the physical location of the village itself given their recent submersion.

Questions would need answering. Context would need providing. And most importantly, a shinobi who'd spent significant time alone in harsh conditions would need to know he still had a place here.

"Welcome home, Uzi-san," Shin murmured to the empty office, hands folded calmly as he settled into his chair. "Let's see what you need to move forward."

The door stood open, welcoming. Below, his old friend Uzi was climbing toward answers, whether he knew what questions to ask yet or not.

 

[Uziuke]

'Lord Shin!?!' Two different emotions flooded Uzi's being. Both excitement and a trace of sadness. 'So Raizo hasn't been found. On the flip side, Shin is now in office. They definitely made the correct decision.' Uzi looked forward to speaking to Shin again. The last time they spoke, he and Uzi were talking about a Medical - ANBU connection. It was awesome that Shin took initiative to reach out to the ANBU forces. He already held sure signs of a leader. "The name is Uziuke." He gave a smile, a bit relieved about the village's current condition. There was still a lot to do, but knowing that they would be working under Shin's leadership was calming.

Making his way to the Office after getting the go ahead, Uzi decided to get his mind right, focusing on what was needed while the village was going through it's troubling times. 'I'll be a bit more interactive this time around. Maybe getting the village to a better era could be achieved with a bit of planning.' With the door open Uzi could see a figure sitting in a chair. He was used to seeing Shin on his armored suit, hints of his medical robe underneath.

"Shin-Sama! Or should I say, The New Kazekage of Sunagakure! Congratulations!" Uzi would give a bow, giving his respects. Coming back to his standing posture, a smile would be gracing the ANBU's face. "How late am I on your promotion?" He would ask, still wondering how long he was gone. So many topics to discuss, but Uzi felt he had so little time. With his quick summary of the ongoings, he could only wonder what threat the village faced. He give his hand in preparing for what was to come. After he gathered enough knowledge to access the situation of course.

All in all, it was great to see a familiar face in office.

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

Shin's face lit up with a smile as Uziuke entered the room. He quickly rose to his feet and bowed back with a smile on his face. "It's fine to still call me Shin, Uziuke-san." The last time they had interacted they were peers working on melding the division of the village's forces and striving to save the lives of the ANBU Operatives. It was thanks to Uzi and Tanatsu Neko that these changes were able to be set into place. Now the survival rate for missions have increased significantly.

"Well, let's just say there's been another Steward and a Thirteenth Kazekage since your departure looking for Lord Raizo, but I have reclaimed my seat as Kazekage."

Shin paused for a second before pouring tea into two cups, and setting one in front of Uziuke.

"This is a blend I have been working on, let me know how it tastes. The goal is to make you think of Soon's Haven resorts."

He chuckled before making sure the snacks were within reach before taking a second to go to the desk and pulling out a small bottle of sake. He grinned.

"This might be needed for this chat."

He settled back into his chair, his expression becoming more measured... not heavy—not really—but thoughtful. The kind of look that suggested the story was complicated.

"The abbreviated version: the Steward turned out to be a traitor working with oil barons from the Diamond Ocean. We had a short civil war, beat the Steward, but had to submerge the entire village underground to escape the aftermath. We've been mobile ever since... traveling through ancient sandworm tunnels beneath the desert."

He gestured vaguely upward, indicating the world above them.

"We surface every three months for air and sunlight. The village operates on a completely different system now. And those oil barons? We call them the Baron Twins, and they're preparing another assault as we speak."

Shin took a sip of his own tea, letting that information settle.

"There's more, of course. Always more. But that's the landscape you've returned to, a village that's learned to move, a war that isn't over, and a lot of people who could use someone with your experience."

He leaned forward slightly, his pale blue eyes studying Uziuke with genuine curiosity.

"So. What questions do you have? And more importantly... what brings you back now?"