Private Pre-Gaming

[Raizo]

Idly, he would spin around in his office chair as he waited. These past months had found him increasingly locked into this office, this prison of business and politics. He hosted diplomats, he dealt with vendors and contractors, and now he awaited one of the final pieces of the puzzle before he could get his Sennin Games operational. It would be his first time officially, and in-person, meeting the individuals he had summoned today. While this conversation would be oriented to the Sennin Games, he also knew that he had to do a better job understanding and embracing these individuals, especially if he ever hoped to see The Orders thrive once more.

"Lord Raizo, your guests are here" Yukina's voice would buzz forth from a speaker box on his desk. Placing a finger upon one of the few buttons on the box he would respond with, "Yukina, please escort them up to my office."

It was now time for him to formally welcome and address the heads of the three Orders. His understanding is that all three were relatively new to their leadership roles, most having been placed within the spot during these last few months as the previous heads had disappeared, retired, or had taken extended leave from all active duty. In his mind, it was even more important to set the appropriate first impression with them all, as he now had the opportunity to fully set the tone with each Order without any pre-existing bias or prejudices. One of his previous concerns was allegiances to the previous Kages potentially muddying up his first interaction with the Orders. Now, that concern was all but gone from his mind.

As the door would open, Raizo would stand up from his desk and begin to motion at the various chairs gathered around a coffee table.

"Welcome, I am Ryuzaki Raizo, and I look forward to getting to know each of you a bit better. Please, take a seat. Would anyone like a drink or any refreshments?"

 

[Sand Council]

The door would open and in would walk three distinctly different figures.

The smallest of the group would be a feminine-built individual concealed by a mask. Her real name was Koga Aki, but that name was merely a footnote in history as her title within the Order of Oracles was Oiwa.

The largest of the group would be a white-haired man, dressed in more formal kimono-style clothing with a sword placed at his hip. This would be the new head of the Order of Rangers, Oda Katsumi.

Lastly, the third individual was a red-haired younger man with an eye patch. He would seem less interested in the current request to take a seat and would be more interested in looking at the various nicknacks located within the Kazekage office. This individual was Takahashi Satoshi, the new head of the Order of Journeymen.

Katsumi would be the first to take a seat and would be the first to decline the offer of refreshments, "I do not require anything at this time, Kazekage-sama."

Waving lazily, Satoshi would be the first to give a drink order, "Give me something strong... I know it is afternoon but my brain could use a little waking up, Mr. Kage."

Lastly, Oiwa would appear next to Satoshi.

"I can't even see your eyes and yet I know you are glaring at me... fine, I'll sit down. Geez!"

This would lead to Satoshi being the second to take a seat, which in turn would lead to Oiwa being the last to find a chair. She would also be the second to decline a drink.

"I am good, thank you."

The three of them would loosely know of one another, as they each would oversee a different sect within The Orders, they would still be part of a giant, cooperative whole.

These three were the heads of The Orders.

 

[Raizo]

Ok... so they are a little bit weird. That's okay.

He would smile as he would head over to a cabinet and begin to pull out a bottle of alcohol and pour a glass for himself and for Satoshi.

"So introductions are a bit odd, all things considered, but just for formality's sake; I am Ryuzaki Raizo and I am the 11th Kazekage of Sunagakure no Sato."

He would place Satoshi's drink down before finding his own seat at the table and taking a sip of his drink.

"And because of the nature of my position, I am aware of the three of you; Oiwa of the Oracles, Satoshi of the Journeymen, and Katsumi of the Rangers."

Taking another sip he would place his glass down.

"As the three of you are aware, I have requested your Orders to assist with my upcoming Sennin Games. I just wanted to check on the progress and make sure everything is still in order..." he would chuckle a bit to himself without following up with the line he now wanted to say.

'make sure everything is still in order with the Orders'--oh boy, I am a riot!

"Any setbacks, any concerns, any confusion that I can help clear up?"

 

[Sand Council]

"Oiwa" Head of The Order of Oracles​

Oda Katsumi Head of The Order of Rangers​

Takahashi Satoshi Head of The Order of Journeymen​

The three would listen and process the information differently than the other. While the Kazekage was talking, Oiwa would summon forth a tome, one that looked old and worn, and would begin to scribble away within it. Satoshi would begin taking a drink when the Kazekage started and would have completely finished the drink by the time he stopped. Katsumi would maintain eye contact and nod at times, looking stoic, but at a certain point, a small expression of concern would appear on his face.

"Uh-oh, are the Rangers lagging behind on their end of the deal?"

Satoshi would immediately strike, somehow noticing the small change in the facial expression of Katsumi.

"The Rangers are ahead of schedule, we should be more concerned about how an aloof toymaker is doing holding up their end of the deal."

Satoshi would scoff at Katsumi, "Don't project your insecurities on me... you made a face while Mr. Kage was talking and now you are deflecting."

"I agree with Satoshi" "Finally!" "but not because of his conclusion." "Well, now you are just being nitpicky..." "Instead, I agree with his pointing out that Katsumi did in fact show a look of concern. I am, unlike Satoshi, uncertain of the reason. I would need more context."

"There is no issue" the now clearly frustrated head of the Rangers would say.

"Oh come on Katsumiiiiiiiii~~, we are all fwiends around here!" Satoshi would say as he would begin to push at the shoulder of Katsumi.

"Satoshi has consumed what many would consider a small amount of alcohol but seems to be showing signs of inebriation. Could he be what some would be considered a 'lightweight' when it comes to consuming alcohol?"

"Hey there missy, you've only seen me drink in this office... who said I didn't drink beforehand?" he would say followed by a wink from his only uncovered eye.

"Enough of this nonsense, as embarassing as Satoshi is... I will admit what bothered me, but I am afraid it will cast me in a bad light with you, Kazekage-sama."

"Good, kissing his ass will help soften that..." Satoshi would say before blowing a kiss to Katsumi.

"I was, and again understand this is foolish, a bit irked by the fact I was listed last. Is it because you view the Rangers as lesser than the other Orders or that I am lesser than the other heads? I was the first to sit, I was the first to show respect-"

"Well, you be the first to buy him dinner and give him a big ole smooch then you might get named first!"

"Silence, lush. I am merely being honest because the Kazekage deserves a level of trust to be maintained by us heads of The Orders."

"How unfortunate; Satoshi was right-" "Ha! Knew it!" "-while still being wrong." "You really are a buzzkill..." "He was correct in the deduction that Katsumi's expression stemmed from insecurity, but not because his Order was failing to meet the assigned mission. Instead, he still seems to be holding insecurity related to his election as the most recent head of the Rangers, as the voting was almost nearly split between him and another. He must fear, while not knowing Raizo Ryuzaki, that the Kazekage may too also be one that supported his opponent over him."

"Enough, Oiwa. The point has been made."

"Are we all getting a psych eval today... cuz I would have worn a different eye patch if so."

"I am sorry, Oda Katsumi, as my intention was to not further distress you. Instead, I wanted to provide context while also processing this information myself. I will say, that you should worry less about this and instead embrace your role as a leader. While the vote was close, you still won by a majority, no matter how wide of shallow of a majority that might have been. Focusing on something in the past should not be the way of the Rangers, instead encroaching upon my territory, which is unacceptable."

"Your point is heard and understood, Oiwa."

"So basically, Mr. Kage, we seem to be on track. I have almost finished the designs you wanted, the Rangers were gracious to lend us some of their space for construction, and who honestly fucking knows what the Oracles are ever doing..."

"We are watching and documenting, which is what the Kazekage has requested of us for the event."

"Oh hell, give them the easy job why don't ya!"

Once more, these were the new heads of the esteemed and historic Orders...

 

[Raizo]

Yeeesh these guys are weird...

While he felt one way, he knew it was best to keep things diplomatic. There was an understanding that as Kazekage he could hold his thoughts but needed to keep his words in check. From the wrong tone to the wrong choice of words could levy a heavy toll upon those he spoke to, as his words, whether or not he was speaking from the heart, carried more weight now than they did when he was simply an upcoming heir in the Ryuzaki estate.

"Yeeeesh, yall are odd, huh?"

Yet, sometimes Raizo had to simply speak what he felt. Hopefully, some would find it endearing it.

"Oiwa...hmmmm..." there was something about the masked woman, who was now scribbling in a book, that seemed so familiar, "oh... never mind."

Deja vu?

"Anyways, yes... I just want you all to be prepared to do your jobs, and I am sorry if my order talking offended anyone, but I have absolute trust that you will all execute the needed missions I assigned you; Oracles will observe and keep score, Rangers will assist in keeping track of competitors, refereeing events when necessary, and will serve other purposes that may come up in the games, and lastly, but not leastly--" he wasn't sure that was a word, but he would continue regardless, "--the Journeymen will reinforce and designs the structures I requested. Once you are all prepared, send word to me either in person, by comms, or through a messenger of your choosing. I know some of you would rather stay in your Order's halls as opposed to coming into my office."

He would smile once more as he would begin to pour glasses for all of them or refill Satoshi's.

"Today we toast to the upcoming games, to The Orders, and to Suna!"

He would raise the glass up high.

MFT - 298

 

[Sand Council]

"Oiwa" Head of The Order of Oracles​

Oda Katsumi Head of The Order of Rangers​

Takahashi Satoshi Head of The Order of Journeymen​

"Leastly is not a word."

"Easy, Book Witch, let the man pay me proper respect!"

"I will cut you down here and now Satoshi if you do not watch your tongue."

"Ith hard for me to wathch my thongue..."

Satoshi would say while exaggerating his tongue's involvement while speaking. A slight sound would come from behind the mask of Oiwa, something that was hard to decern but sounded like a snort or quiet chuckle. Satoshi would immediately slide up to the female with a smug look on his face.

"Seems my rugged charm has finally melted the icy heart of our dear Book Witch... giving me such a chuckle, admit it; you are falling head over heels for me!"

"It would seem that Takahashi Satoshi suffers from delusions of reality. It may be wise to hold a revote within his Order to find a more suitable--"

"--Oy, hold your Sand Runners, I am perfectly fit!"

"To be drawn and quartered for your behavior."

"You think I'm scared of you because you have the fighting-oriented Order... you don't think I could knock your thick, meathead, skull right off your shoulders?"

Holding his hand out, a small hammer would begin to emerge from the palm of Satoshi's right hand. Suddenly it would flood with a strange feeling chakra, causing the hammer to grow to large proportions. The hammer would be coated in strange runes and symbols, and within the center of the hammer would be a strange glowing orb that seemed to emit the same strange chakra that had been coming from Satoshi before.

"It seems the rumors are true, Satoshi has used forbidden practices to forge a portion of his own soul into his weapon."

"Easy, kitten, you are talking about someone's dark family secrets. While you may be falling in love with me, should you choose to keep talking about a matter you shouldn't, I won't hesitate to close that book of yours... permanently."

Katsumi placed his right hand on the hilt of his blade and quickly, almost to a degree that was in human, he would draw his blade and send it cutting across the face of Satoshi. The wound was deep enough that it would have easily cut into the brain of the Journeyman. Blood would begin to spray before rushing down to the floor like a waterfall of red. Faces would look on in horror as Katsumi would merely sigh and sheath his blade. His eyes would begin to glow a strange color.

"Be Kind. Rewind."

Suddenly, it would be like reality blinked, and the carnage of his attack would no longer be found. Instead, deja vu would seem to strike once more.

"You think I'm scared of you--"

"Easy, Satoshi, I know what you are capable of, but this place is a bit too cramped for either of us to really show what we can do. Instead, I propose a different competition, one with drinking."

"My Mother Suna, it seems the big oaf CAN speak my language!"

Meanwhile, a strange chill would run down Satoshi's spine, causing him to sober up a bit, as he wouldn't understand why it felt like someone had suddenly died. Oiwa, face obscured by the mask, would begin to scribble away. It was at this time the Kazekage would offer them drinks and a toast, all three of them taking up a glass and lifting it as well.

"To Suna!"
"To Suna."
"To Satoshi!"

These were the new heads of the Orders... can't stress that point enough.

They would take their drinks and cut up a bit more with the Kazekage before the three would begin to take their leave. Katsumi and Satoshi would leave first, off to conduct their drinking battle, while Oiwa would linger a bit.

"As per your non-Sennin Games request for me and my Order. I shall fulfill my duty, but only on the condition that you understand, it is observation and reporting. I or my Order will not get further involved in your request. Once I have observed the names you gave me, I will report back to you with any and all findings that may be uncovered."

She would bow before turning to leave but would pause.

"Are you sure it is wise to surveil your soldiers in such a secretive manner?"

Regardless of his response, Oiwa would merely nod and take her leave.

[NPCS have left this thread]

 

[Raizo]

There would be a strange feeling that would wash over him like there was something he had missed... maybe it was just another instance of deja vu?

"Well you guys enjoy your competition, and hopefully you both are still standing by the end of it!"

As the leader of the Rangers and Journeymen departed, his attention would in turn to Oiwa, who would turn her attention to him as well. Prior to this meeting, he had requested another mission of Oiwa and The Oracles, one that required them to watch and observe certain names of the village.

"It shouldn't be a problem, I do not ask you all to do anything outside of your specialty. Should you or any of your agents get noticed and confronted, I actually encourage you to simply state your directive. That should hopefully keep you all from getting any unnecessary backlash, and should that backlash form it will be appropriately aimed at me."

Was what he was asking of her unreasonable? He didn't think so, but she would then question his motives. Yet, she questioned him based on the directive he had given her; "observe and report on the actions of the following names within the village". She knew what he wanted, and she knew how he wanted it accomplished, but she did not have the why of it all. Maybe that bothered her?

"I feel like you are taking this more seriously than you should. I told you, I told everyone... we are having some games. Well this game has a much bigger board than the participants might realize... the Sennin Games officially start once you leave this room... and will technically start once I receive word from Satoshi on the stage being completed. So, enjoy this... this is for fun, this is for our future, this is my Game."

What he meant, what he wanted, who he was looking at... all would soon become clear.

https://media.tenor.com/AbFXM2lMKpkAAAAC/luffy-grin.gif[img]

OOC: Thread left unless stopped.