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]

---

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

---

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."

---

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?"

 

[Uziuke]

The same kind hearted Shin that he met way back when. A sense of satisfaction rested with Uzi knowing that Shin would handle the ongoings on Suna. The Kage that he missed in office sounded as though he held things together quite nicely. Great enough to put Shin back in the position that he deserved. Taking the cup, he began sipping at the tea as Shin continued on. He moves the cup down from his mouth, a grin now resting on his face. "Soon's Haven eh? I wish I could say that I had time to fancy their facility while I was gone." Uzi chuckled. "But the drink does remind me of those mornings that I woke up as a traveler." He thought back to the times when he was on the road with Akkuma. "The early mornings were like a breathe of fresh air. I made it through yet another night, and looked forward to better days." Uzi's grin left, but a smile replaced his face as he took another sip. "Who knew tea could contain such a feeling?" It was a kudos to Shin. "I'd have to visit for such tastes when there's time." He took one of the offered snacks. They weren't donuts from the bakery, but he had no complaints. There was nothing better than reuniting with someone that he considered close.

With the sight of the bottle of Sake, his eyes widened, but he kept his lips closed. As he listened to Shin explain what was going on he became attentive. He placed his tea cup down, finished with his snack, he focused on Shin. To hear that he missed a war riled him up, but this emotion couldn't fight a missed war. He calmed down, nodding as Shin continued on. He felt useless, being away. Of course he had good intentions, but he wanted to be there.

He didn't know the mechanics of the village. Being able to go underground and travel was amazing. Sunagakure was still a place that he'd have to learn. This gave the village great defense. Being able to submerge itself and come back up. Uzi nodded, noting the thought and keeping it in mind.

"Hmm. So we are in the midst of a war." This gave Uzi a few ideas. As he was asked a couple of questions by Shin, Uzi's eyes moved upward, showing that he was in thought. He was begining to cook up a few plans based off of what he heard. "Well, to begin, I left in an effort to find Raizo." He paused, looking Shin in the eyes. "No trace of him out there. So I decided to return back to the village. It was harsh, but nothing I couldn't handle." His explanation was something he'd keep close. He was tempted to go out and search again, but for now, he had another focus. "But I wonder how long I was gone? I lost track of time." The question didn't have to be answered, but at this point, Uzi didn't know his age anymore.

"More importantly, after hearing about the ongoings, I do have a few questions. One, I would require a team. I wish to pull a few Academy Students, or Genin, and raise a solid team under me while handling the affairs of the village. The ANBU branch is always open, and promotions can be handled after permission from you of course, but I want to mold a few of the greener Shinobi myself." He paused, giving the Kage a moment to think this over. "Two, do you know if the Airship project is still ongoing? I remember having the ok from Raizo to build an airship for future travels, but I have no idea how that's going as of currently." Again Uzi paused, this time to think things over and figure out if he had any more questions that he could bring up. He noticed they sounded more like demands, but he would require the ok from Shin before going on. "Three, if you could give me the names of the ones that you'd call reliable of the Medical Branch and Main Branch. Meeting with them and introducing myself would help relations with the branches of the village. It could also give us a chance to talk about how we will handle this current war." Pausing once more, he would keep his eyes on Shin. A slight grin would appear once more on his face. "Also, how are you suggesting we go about this war, and our current situations? I'm ready to follow you to the tea, Kage-Shin." He would follow without question, ready for whatever Shin would command.

Suna, the place that gave him another chance. He wouldn't let this place fall. Not for as long as he lived.

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

Shin's pale blue eyes studied Uziuke carefully, noting the years that had passed since their last meeting. His expression remained composed, though there was a faint flicker of something—relief, perhaps—at seeing a familiar face return during such turbulent times.

"Uziuke," he began, his voice measured and even. "It has been... some time. A couple of years, if my memory serves correctly."

He paused, a brief shadow crossing his features. The Chaos Era had left gaps in his recollection, fragments of time that didn't quite align as they should. But this wasn't the moment to dwell on such things.

"Your timing is... fortuitous," Shin continued, gesturing toward one of the chairs in his office. "Much has changed since you've been away. The village has endured assaults from the now late Steward Wei—who was manipulated by external forces—and now we face the threat of the Baron Twins. The very fabric of our security has been tested repeatedly."

He moved to stand near the window, hands clasped behind his back in his characteristic manner.

"I'm hosting Genin Exams soon. A large class this cycle... talented students from various clans. I would value your attendance, Captain. Not merely as an observer, but to evaluate which of these students might be suitable candidates for ANBU training under your tutelage. Your expertise in identifying raw potential has always been exceptional."

Shin turned back to face Uziuke directly.

"As for current operations, the airship project has been suspended. After the assault by Wei and the subsequent threat from the Baron Twins, we've returned to underground travel. The airships are in storage for now. Functional, but... premature given our current vulnerabilities."

He moved to his desk, pulling out a mission brief.

"The Main Branch remains under the steady leadership of Lord Toraono Kuro—he continues to be our pillar of strength. The Medical Branch is now led by Byakko Kyuji, my former sensei and the victor of the World Martial Arts Tournament."

A slight pause, then: "For the most current defense protocols and homeland security matters, I suggest you coordinate with Lady Uzumoreru Chiyoko, our Sennin of Homeland Security. She will have the detailed information you'll need for operational readiness."

Shin's expression hardened slightly, his tone dropping to something more grave.

"Which brings me to why your arrival is so... timely."

He slid the mission brief across the desk toward Uziuke.

"I'm assigning a critical operation to the ANBU Branch, in coordination with our Sennin. The target: the Golden Sanctuary. Your objectives are twofold. First: intelligence gathering on the Baron Twins' operations and capabilities..."

He paused, letting the weight of the moment settle.

"...and second: assassination of the Baron Twins themselves."

His pale blue eyes locked onto Uziuke's, unflinching.

"They were responsible for manipulating Steward Chikamatsu Wei. They are the architects of the chaos we now face. If we allow this war to escalate further, too many lives will be lost. We end this threat at its source, Captain. Surgical. Decisive. Final."

Shin stepped back slightly, his posture returning to its usual composed state.

"I understand this is a significant operation to assign immediately upon your return. But circumstances have forced my hand. The village needs the ANBU Branch operating at full capacity, and it needs a leader who can execute missions of this... complexity."

He tilted his head slightly.

"Are you prepared to accept this assignment, Captain Uziuke?"

 

[Uziuke]

'Years! I may not know my age anymore! Is this what it's like to be old! I might be an old person.' Oh yeah. It was setting in now. He didn't consider himself to be in a mid-life crises, but it was weird not knowing your age. He decided he wouldn't keep up with it anymore. His health would determine his age from here on out. Uzi agreed with Shin on his timing. If he lingered out there too long, he probably would have missed the war altogether. He was relieved he'd be able to participate in the efforts to keep Suna alive. Uzi took the seat he was gestured to, his mind shifting to the sake bottle Shin showed him. He began to listen attentively.

There were names he kept in his mental. To hear that they've been messing with the security of the village got Uzi to thinking that they've tried to penetrate the gates multiple times. 'Sounds like we have it rough.'

He continued to watch Shin's movements. 'Hmm, the Genin Exams.' He knew there would be potential there. Definitely a place where he could pull a few graduate hopefuls to the side and introduce them to the ANBU. Uzi would nod, beginning to plan his two cents for the Exams. His eyes met Shin's as he turned away from the window. He also noted that the airships were down. 'So it isn't time to unveil them yet.' He knew getting the Airships out would be a process, but he would be patient. Priorities, priorities.

'Kuro.' Uzi had heard the name plenty of times before. He really needed to approach him to find out who he really was. He remembered hearing the guy had a dojo when he was younger, he wondered if it was still up. The medical branch lead sounded promising as well. Adding Chiyoko to the list of names he had to memorize, he summed up a to do list so he could get his tasks done.

Uzi looked to the mission briefing slid his way, going over it as Shin continued to speak.entioning the assassination, Uzi looked up, his eyes meeting Shin's. His expression was bland at that very moment. Lips that didn't have the slightest curve, and bland eyes.

"Well..." Being dramatic, Uzi stood up. He reached under his shroud, pulling out an ANBU Mask from underneath. It was his bear ANBU Mask, but with the addition of rose petals painted over it. "As I told Raizo, my code name is Rose Petal when names aren't to be spoken." He placed the mask on his face, keeping eye contact with Shin. "And, if this is what it calls for, yes. I am ready for it all, as a Shinobi of Suna." He took a graceful bow, showing respects again to his Kage. Coming back up, he continued on. "But you can use whatever name, Kage-Sama." Uzi removed the mask and placed it back under his shroud. He would be happy to take the tattered thing off when he would reach home. He loved wearing nice attire, and this just wasn't cutting it. "As for what I need for this mission... I will require at least two of our current ANBU alongside me, if possible." An idea came to mind as he continued on. "Could we summon them here by messenger pigeon?" A question that Uzi hoped would have a great response. If he could meet those ANBU today, it would help greatly with his planning. He also knew it was short notice, but he was sure if the Kage needed an audience, that the ANBU should be prepared to answer without question.

 

[Chikamatsu Shin]

The faintest smile crossed Shin's lips at the sight of the mask, rose petals painted over a bear's face. Understated and deliberate. Very Uzi.

"Rose Petal it is, then."

he paused for a moment.

"The full weight of the ANBU Branch will be behind you on this. I won't send you into the Golden Sanctuary with anything less. The Baron Twins have had months to fortify their position and demonstrate exactly what they're willing to do to this village. We will not be underestimating them a second time."

He moved to his window, hands clasped at his back, the familiar posture of a man organizing his thoughts.

"I've already reached out to all three Sennin. They will attend the full briefing. This isn't a surgical strike we can hand off quietly and hope for the best, if the Sanctuary's defenses hold even a fraction of what our scouts have observed, this operation will require coordinated force at multiple levels simultaneously. The Sennin understand that."

He turned back to the desk.

"I'll introduce you to someone specific first, he will be able to assist with planning."

Shin raised one hand, chakra gathering at his fingertips. A small desert finch materialized with a shimmer of golden light, chirping once as it oriented itself.

"Find The Brat. Tell him the Kazekage requests his presence in the Tower immediately. Full operative uniform."

The bird took flight through the cracked window without hesitation, disappearing into the ventilation currents of the underground city.

Shin settled back into his chair, pouring a measure of sake into two cups and sliding one toward Uziuke.

"Code Name: The Brat, you'll understand the callsign when you meet him. He's one of our newer ANBU Operatives, but don't let that fool you. He was present at the original assault on the village. Stood in the thick of it, watched firsthand what the Barons were willing to do." His pale eyes were steady. "That kind of experience leaves a mark. It also leaves a very clear understanding of exactly what we're walking into. His read on the Sanctuary and the people inside it will be worth hearing before the full briefing."

He lifted his own cup.

"The full briefing will be in two days. Sennin Chiyoko will be present, she's spent the interim building her own intelligence network, and what she's compiled on the Sanctuary's operations is... significant. More comprehensive than anything we had going into the first engagement."

A pause, something carefully measured in his expression.

"I won't pretend this will be clean, Uzi. The people inside that Sanctuary have spent months preparing for us to come for them. They know we know where they are. The question isn't whether they're ready, it's whether we're more ready."

He set his cup down.

"Use these two days. Meet The Brat. Review what Chiyoko's network has gathered. Get your footing back under you. And then we walk into that briefing as a unified force with a plan that doesn't leave room for the Barons to walk away from."

His pale blue eyes held Uziuke's across the desk, calm, certain, and carrying the full weight of a man who had already paid dearly for underestimating this enemy once.

"Welcome back to Sunagakure, Captain. We're glad you're home."

 

[Toraono Ryota]

Sweat and old cotton candy lingered on the panda's head. As the child tugged at his fuzzy arm, Ryota blinked through the mesh eyeholes and saw a trail of snot fall down the child's chin. He suppressed a laugh and gently patted the child's head with his enormous paw because the last time he had become excited, a toddler had fallen face-first into the ground and screamed loudly enough to warn half of the security.

Behind him, the thugs were arguing again. Their voices were low, but Ryota had spent three weeks memorizing the cadence of their breathing, the way the tallest one cracked his knuckles before lying. Today, though, they weren’t talking about smuggling routes or bribes. They were debating whether to kill a guy named Tamachi.

A pigeon landed on the bench beside him, pecking at a stray popcorn kernel. Ryota didn’t react, not until it hopped onto his knee and dropped a tiny rolled paper into the seam of his panda suit. The kids didn’t notice. They were too busy trying to climb his legs like he was some kind of furry jungle gym.

The message, when he finally managed to unfold it with clumsy paws, read: *Kazekage tower, now.* Ryota sighed. The pigeon, now perched on his shoulder, gave him a look that felt judgmental.

He extracted himself from the swarm of sticky-handed children with the practiced ease of someone who’d done this too many times. The thugs were still talking, but Tower meant Tower.. Ryota waddled toward the nearest alley before making his way quickly to the Tower.

Once there, he would take the best way in... THE WINDOW. "The Brat, ready for... Oh hai." He said quietly and got inside before making a bow like ANBU often did, dropping to one knee. "The Brat, reporting... to the message..." He did undo his panda head before them, wearing his ANBU attire below it. "I was busy on a mission... Excuse the Panda." It was true... he was on a mission, but... eh. Getting called was getting called. No change in between.