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Ninpocho Chronicles

Ninpocho Chronicles is a fantasy-ish setting storyline, set in an alternate universe World of Ninjas, where the Naruto and Boruto series take place. This means that none of the canon characters exists, or existed here.

Each ninja starts from the bottom and start their training as an Academy Student. From there they develop abilities akin to that of demigods as they grow in age and experience.

Along the way they gain new friends (or enemies), take on jobs and complete contracts and missions for their respective villages where their training and skill will be tested to their limits.

The sky is the limit as the blank page you see before you can be filled with countless of adventures with your character in the game.

This is Ninpocho Chronicles.

Current Ninpocho Time:

Regular Folks [Private/Sousuke]

Raizo

Raizo

11th Kazekage
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People watching was starting to become a habit, but in all honest Roku had returned to the Grand Palais in order to see if he would happen upon Okibi. His little pal was an exciting, romp of spontaneous that many of the older people he associated with lacked. While he had not happened to find the tiny tike lately, he did always manage to see someone interesting while make his way idly through the hustle and bustle of the area; really fat guy, really ugly woman, dog with mohawk, kid with lip piercings, etc. There never seemed to be an end of the human oddity in this locale.
 
Along the roof tops it could be seen, a grand white figure of sorts could be seen jumping from roof top to roof top at speeds difficult for the eye to discern. One moment it was stationary, and then another it was on its way again as it made laps around a series of towers. The form gave pause, and for that moment the form was clear as day. It was metallic, humanoid, and looked too heavy to proceed at the speeds it was moving at. The form was humanoid and was somewhat monstrous in size. It could tower over a few individuals save for Kuro and Raijin in particular. The mechanical entity had a bright yellow gemstone in the middle of its chest which gave off a soft glow.

The mechanical entity stepped forward and peered down over the masses. Its head turned from side to side overseeing the masses. It seemed like he was awaiting something or someone. Upon not being noticed immediately the form retreated. It stepped backwards and ultimately disappeared from view.

Sometime later, a mere three minutes in fact, the Steward himself was amongst the grounds in the Grand Palais. He seemed to be looking for someone. Well, in particular he was looking Okibi. His ward often times got into adventures of sorts around these parts. It sometimes disturbed the Steward given this place's reputation. No Okibi to be found at all. The Steward seemed relieved at this and took a seat on a bench.
 
So far his watching was proving uneventful, most of these slobs were almost lazy cookie cutters of the others. But before he could give up on his search he would notice individuals begin to freeze up, turning their gaze upwards. What could be the harm in joining in on the masses movements? Roku's head would lift upwards, allowing him to see just what was catching people in awe; a monstrous, shiny, white, thing that was blurring around the rooftops. "Now just what in the ever loving hell is that thing..." would be what slithered out of his mouth as his right brow arched upwards.

Just as quickly as it had appeared it would disappear. There was no real reasoning behind the things movements, it was just there and then it wasn't. Something about that, the lack of a purpose, really bugged Roku. Yet, he could not say his people watching wasn't eventful anymore, well if you could consider that oddity a person. While his mind was still trying to rack the questions of whatever the hell had just occurred his gaze would be shifted to another oddity; the Steward.

"Oi, bossman!"

And that is how he would start his conversation with the most influential figure in the village...


MFT - 208
 
The Steward didn't look up at first. After a few seconds he realized he was being spoken to, as only one person he knew in the village referred to him as 'boss-man', that of course was the roguish slang talking Roku. The Steward sat there trying to figure out how best to commence the art of conversation with this man. Should he break his proper training and resort to slang? What was that word that Shinji used? Suppe? Supp? Suppa? The Steward mentally face palmed as he could not recollect the word. Dare he use the word? "Salutations Roku."<i></i> He began as he decided not to use slang, "I trust that today has been exciting or successful in some way or another?"<i></i> The Steward would inquire as he attempted to make some idle chatter.

Sousuke sat back on the bench. Roku, like himself, was of some form of noble heritage of the First Men. It struck the Steward as odd that he did not embrace such a thing. Perhaps he was trying to escape the duties that came with nobility? Hard to tell. The Steward's eyes shifted to an on passer who was mumbling about the sight from earlier. The Steward raised an eyebrow. "Is something 'up'?"<i></i> The Steward would inquired as he himself was curious as to what exactly was going on from earlier. The Steward seemed unphased by the matter, but then again he was one to show very little expression. "I was around looking for my Ward, Okibi, but she doesn't seem to be around. She happens to ... have things happen to her as of late that are slightly concerning..."<i></i>
 
"Hah, don't really hear people throwing around 'salutations' around these parts." He would smirk to hopefully show that there was no hard feelings in his words. Remembering back to his first encounter with the Steward he recalled that he had a little soap box moment on speech, or something to that context. His focus was elsewhere at that point in the night though *cough*.

"Nah, wouldn't say anything was up. There was something strange happening earlier... it was like some big, white blur running around on the rooftops." making his way he would accompany the Steward to the bench but would not join him in sitting down. For whatever reason he was feeling rather fidgety today, so sitting down might prove to be an annoyance to the man in charge of the village. Sousuke then said something that caused Roku to tense up as his eyes narrowed in on the Steward. Upon hearing about something happening to the little one known as Okibi.

"Is the little lady ok..." His tone was now serious.
 
The Steward blinked, "Does the word salutation carry with it some sort of negative connotation in these parts?"<i></i> He inquired as he somewhat taken aback by Roku's comment. The Steward thought harder about the word. "Ah. No. You must mean that the word is no commonly used within this quadrant. How peculiar. Is the word 'sup used much more often then?"<i></i> The Steward thought it was best to inquire. While opposed to the use and concept of slang, it seemed that the Steward may have to in fact use such words.

What next Roku described seemed to not even phase the Steward. He didn't blink, react, or anything. He merely stared at Roku giving the man his fullest attention. His darkened eyes merely matched the man and stared back at him as if he was the only human present before him. "Ah. Yes. Truly?"<i></i> He spoke at first. The Steward went silent for a moment longer, "It seemed that Mark Two was flashier than intended. How troublesome. The speed needs to be increased then, perhaps it requires a thermal volt discharge to increase the speed from blurring to phasing."<i></i> The Steward spoke with a deadpanned expression. "Phase movements are only processed by the naked eye only once in every twelve processed images. Oftentimes people claim to have seen something flicker before them. It also helps that the average human capacity to retain visuals is only sixty-five percent accurate."<i></i> The Steward was cryptic in what he said. "I'm not sure if you follow... if you don't please do inform me so I can attempt to discuss the matter in a different manner."<i></i>

Then next came Okibi, the tone of Roku changed. It was if anything a total surprise. The Steward nodded his head. "Okibi is operating well enough and functioning at exceptional levels. I'm just merely... concerned about her at times. According to my parents, this concerned nature is to be expected when you are the legal guardian of another. Okibi has a habit of involving herself in 'grand' adventures. Ever since becoming Steward-Kazekage, I've found myself growing more concerned of others more and more."<i></i>
 
And it would seem that the word game with the Steward would continue as he still seemed to be perplexed by those that were more down to earth than himself. "Well no not negative... yea, I mean people know that word but it's more formal than what they would use to greet one another. It's pretty prudish... people will look at you like you're a d-bag."

At this point Sousuke went off on a tangent that had Roku lost completely for at least a full two minutes. After a moment it started to click together what the Steward was talking about was his way of explaining what had caused the ruckus earlier. What was even more confusing is it seemed that the Steward himself had some hand in the whole scene. Just what the hell did this guy do in his spare time? And was being a giant flash of light the best use of it? "Oh no, got it all. Makes sense now that you put it that way."

Finally the topic of Okibi was talked about. At first Roku was concerned as it seemed that she was in trouble by his original words. It, however, seemed that there was another simple failure to communicate within their conversation. His concern was with the attitude that Okibi had, a carefree one, and how he was concerned for her. "That is typical I bet, I mean you seem to be her parental figure so of course you'd be worried about her. I guess the same could be said about being the Steward, and how we all could be considered your children-family-whatever." I bet there are people around us having conversations about how cold it is, or how damp it can be living underground, and here I am discussing the personal responsibility a leader of a village must take on and how that can affect how he views the world from before his time as ruler. "Well what I am going to say about Okibi is this; she is young, young people do things that are a little... well, could potentially cause their wards a nervous breakdown. She might not fully understand the concerns that you see in the world, because the world is much simpler for her. She sees a dank dark hole as a cave full of potential wonders... while you may see it as the opening where a creature, or two, had borrowed into and made a home... waiting to cause harm to those that trespassed within their domicile. Let her enjoy life while she can, is all I am sayin' "
 
D-Bag? What was a D-Bag? Was it some sort of type of plastic bag? Perhaps a cloth bag? The Steward turned his head from Roku and tried to process the word. "D-Bag ... term unknown. Root-words too vague, cannot determine proper meaning from the concept of bag. Garbage bag, tea bag, recycling bag. Term does not match connotation of food or cleanly matter."<i></i> Sousuke spoke mechanically as he was trying still to decode the word. The Steward blinked twice, and turned his head back to Roku. "D-bag is not a term I am at all familiar with. Would you kindly provide me with the definition of the word? One must always be willing to expand their vocabulary."<i></i> He explained. The Steward was very much curious as to what D-bag meant.

Just as Roku had easily confused Sousuke, Sousuke seemed to have returned the favour. The Steward shook his head. He held out his hand and rolled back his sleeve. As he did so a mechanical texture began to overtake his skin. His whole hand became encased in an armored coating that was a dark grey. "Mark One, purpose and final model complete. Originally designed to enhance my lack of physical strength and speed."<i></i> The Steward made a fist, as his fingers touched the lower section of his palm a clinking noise could be heard as metal touched metal. He released the fist. "Mark two, much higher elevated levels of increased strength and speed due to size. Final designation unknown, theoretically capable of multiple phase shifting movements. Must reduce size and change colouring to avoid unnecessary detection in addition to volt mechanics."<i></i> The Steward looked to Roku. "People have their ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. To some it comes more natural but not to me. I merely use steel and iron to amplify my abilities and to aid in my truest purpose being the defense of this village and its people. Time until Sunahoshi returns: Unknown. No ETA. No timeline for the birth of one. Nothing."<i></i> The Steward added. "It is with great difficulty that I may have to adopt your view of letting Okibi enjoy her youth. I spent mine producing puppets, reading, and training in the Toraono dojos. I wasn't the Steward-Kazekage yet of course..."<i></i>
 
His eye brow seemed to continue to quirk upward. The Stewards analyzing of his word seemed to be very, inhuman, as if his brain functioned just a bit differently. He really could not put his finger on the strange sequence he seemed to outwardly project as he tried to internalize a meaning. "Ummm... stands for douche, douche bag. You know I never really understood why it was an insult, but it sounds unsavory and people don't seem to like being referred to it as either." It was interesting that he never really knew why he used the insult but that it was effective.

Sousuke once more went off on this tangent about Marks and armor, all of it was just confusing. While he tried to break it down for a simpler terms for Roku, the teen was feeling especially fidgety and lost focus almost as soon as the explanation began. His attention seemed to wane back in near the end when the Steward was explaining that the whatever the hell he was talking about was something he utilized to give him the same competitive edge in the shinobi arts as any other shinobi. What was interesting was that this wasn't some form of boost but was simply something that gave him the talent to be on an even field. Did the Steward have a weak body? Interesting thoughts.

Finally the subject was back on Okibi. "Yea, I mean she could have easily taken the route you did to get where you are now, but she seems to be more like a wild animal. Trying to break her would have only been met negatively and resentment. Then hell when she gets to be a little bit mature and a teen... all hell is going to break loose anyways." Roku was not versed in parenting but he had been around women enough to understand, to some extent, the impending changes coming her way and how those might be a bit of a challenge for the Steward.
 
Sousuke raised an eyebrow as the word in question came to light. "That seems ... very strange to insult people with such a term, considering its supposed application. I suppose one could insult another by calling them toothbrush bag or something. T-bag? I suppose that would be the insult proper then. It is a slightly repulsive term, that I can agree to."<i></i> The Steward spoke as he completed his understanding of such terms. He paused for a moment. "Hrm. Such an interesting way to insult people, have you ever insulted an individual and not have them realize it? Is this common?"<i></i> The Steward inquired as he was intrigued by this use of slang to insult individuals.

The topic returned to Okibi, the Steward again raised his eyebrow as Roku spoke of breaking her. He didn't quite grasp the concept right away. "Break as in breaking one's bones? Or breaking a wild horse? Both would be met with negativity, that much can certainly be assure. Very much indeed. I have heard that teenage years are rough. I found my childhood to be ... unpleasant. Not because of how my parents raised, more due to the fact that I didn't ... "<i></i> The Steward searched for a word. He raised his fingers to do air quotes. "I didn't 'jive' or intermingle with particular childish social groupings. That led to me being the target of their ridiculing... which of course was never pleasant. I wonder though if some of my peers back from my days in public school resent their previous actions considering now that I am their 'boss man' as you would put it."<i></i> The Steward paused for a moment and made his own inquiry. "What were you like in your single digit years of life?"<i></i>
 
Feeling a bit more comfortable about the situation, Roku would further loosen his tie and sit down next to the Steward. "Nah, I think the application of the item is what makes it an insult. Calling someone a toothbrush bag wouldn't have the same affect. I mean most brush their teeth, they don't see the toothbrush as something vile. Now you could insult their lack of teeth brushing, maybe a jab at their funky, butt breath?" Looking around he would wonder if any of the simpletons strolling by realized whose ass was parked amongst them today. "Yea every now and then you will insult someone and it will fly over their head; those people are simple minded. A good insult isn't just some use of a disgusting term or action, it is a cleverly, crafted barb at a person, hitting their psyche and bringing about your own intended reaction."

He made insulting seem like something beautiful, only to hear that the Steward was bullied as a child. Well now that was a bit of a bummer, and definitely made Roku feel like he parked his foot into his own mouth. "I bet most of them regret it, but would only ever realize it when they interact with you. Aside from that they would live pretty blissfully in their ignorance... not to mention they work for you know and I doubt any of them have said any sort of apology about the fact, yet expect you to be a provider for them. And also, yea I was referring to it as in breaking her like an animal... at least I guess. Sounds weird that way." What a wonderful segue into a question about his own younger years. "What was I like? Independent. Grew up being raised by my older brother. Learned to be charming from him, never really had a chance to learn shame properly so I was able to make friends within the academy pretty easily, while pissin' off a good portion of the instructors. The village was my playground and I got the 'opportunity' to learn on my own through a lot of my youthful naivety." His frame would lean would lean forward as his arms rested their elbows on his legs and his hands, clasped together, hung under his chin. "But it was fun, can't say it was perfect, but what ever is in this crazy world?"

MFT - 399
 
The Steward took a moment to think about the insult Roku had toyed with. "Ah. Yes."<i></i> The Steward began while he thought about the nature of the insult. "It is very simple to insult one, but to cause the level ... injury you desire seems to require one to be more mindful of the intellect that they are dealing with."<i></i> The Steward thought it was best to put that topic to bed ultimately.

Roku went through an interesting detailing of his life. The Steward nodded his head, "I heard that my birth was extraordinarily difficult for my mother. I had been kept under a watch of sorts since my childhood years. I didn't quite have the independence you had, my childhood was spent doing tests of various sorts ... usually involving a close observance of my physical health, and to a small degree my mental health."<i></i> The Steward spoke, he paused for a moment as if trying to find something else he wanted to add to the conversation. Upon finding what he wanted to say he said it. "Well there is one thing that is perfected and that's a grade seven metal null vector. I use it to get sentience to some of my constructs, but that's another story entirely."<i></i> The Steward returned to the concept of childhood. "Perhaps I should have the education system reformed. It's an old system that does have its ... its advantages, but at the same time it is an unwieldy system for you and me. I found myself later in life, in the sense that I was maybe Okibi's age when finally certain things came together. Perhaps I should have an enquiry started on the matter... another time perhaps once I've got more facts to work with."<i></i> The Steward thought about the matter, "Between you and me, Kumiko seems to doubt your intellect but I must say I think you've handled yourself quite well in your childhood or else you wouldn't be at the level you are now. You two seem to be acquainted on some level, I would think that you two have a prior history? Childhood friends or was it merely my holiday gathering that created such an aquaintance?"<i></i>
 
The Stewards hesitancy to approach his comments about insults really made Roku feel like a bag of crap, he knew how his words were probably interpreted and even more so because it seemed that Sousuke had a harder time as a child. What a miserable feeling. Well it's not like I use my 'power' for evil... well, it's not like I intentionally hurt... well, it's not like I have ever insulted him. And that is where his moral compass would land in order for him to overcome any sort of feeling like he was a terrible person.

His conversation about how there might be some reform that could be brought to the education of the youth was interesting. "Yea I would like to hear what your thoughts are when you have them... but I will admit, I can be bit of a cynic. I mean when it comes to educating young ones, do you ever think there will be a correct way? I'm sure changing the current system would be great but give it time and that system will stop meeting the overall needs and new reforms will be needed.... well I think I went off track. Don't think that was your intention. Guess I am feeling chatty today." Which indeed was different.

The Steward then brought up a topic that caused Roku to almost swallow his tongue; Kumiko. "Ah... wah.... huh." His right arm would come up as he tried to search for the words to describe the female that he had a chance encounter with not all that long ago. In fact that was the last time he had seen her, for better or worst. It wasn't the first time he had met a female only to never see her again after the following morning but this time did feel a little different. "I guess you could say we are acquaintances... apparently I had met her before the party." His right hand would begin to dig into his scalp as if he were trying to unearth information locked within his golden hair. "So she said something about my intelligence... she did seem to have a pretty foul mouth on her. I think she is just a natural crabby, little girl." His closing statement would be said with a smirk.


MFT - 381
 
"No two children are the same, but they can belong to particular groupings. It's a sort of archetype approach I would aim towards, and then over time I would inegrade or have each grouping meet with another who is in some way similar. It would ultimately have all student groupings meeting together in forming a harmonious unit."<i></i> The Steward explained, "It's ... idealistic in the extreme, but it does have a proper foothold to get itself going."<i></i>

The Steward watched and analyzed Roku. The man had gone through a series of movements and face gestures. Apparently the Steward had concerned him on some matter. "Fascinating."<i></i> He spoke after observing all of the movements and reactions Roku had shown. "She said something like that too, and reacted similarly."<i></i> The Steward spoke. He almost cracked a grin, but didn't it seemed like his lips curled ever so slightly but the expression failed to manifest completely. "She wasn't crabby with me, as far as I have observed she failed to exhibit any demonic heritage featuring crustacean attributes."<i></i> The Steward paused for a moment as his analysis of the situation didn't seem to be entirely accurate. "Ah. You meant that she ... is somewhat moody. I didn't observe that either in our interactions. I was giving her several books to read, and to give to her brother."<i></i> The Steward went silent for a moment. "What I am about to say, is not a command, it is more in the realm of advising you as my father advised the Sunahoshi. my observations are based on the type of character you two are, and perhaps a chemical sort of observation."<i></i> The Steward coughed and cleared his throat. "I think it would be wise of you to attempt or continue your acquaintances with Kumiko. The two of you are similar in certain matters, granted of course Kumiko is more educated in the area of manners, but you yourself are a respectable individual. Your speech patterns are alike, and so are your thought patterns. I am unsure of your clan name, but you carry with you the grace of an higher leveled noble house. I think you spite said status because of events that had occurred long ago, but you have never gotten them. You take pride in surprising people because it is ... in essence 'a treat' to watch people's faces change and distort into expressions of sheer stupidity when they witness your infinite capabilities. We Takahashi are an older house, but we are not financially capable like others. You dress the way you do, as to hide something, perhaps it is the game you like to play with others or because you don't like the style of high nobility."<i></i> The Steward paused for a moment. He inhaled and exhaled. "Kumiko is forced into a position of high nobility due to having Uchiha blood, and her brother is not a man for high court. She doesn't like having to attend to high court, but she is able to carry herself proper. She prefers the simpler things such as person to person interactions instead of the extreme distance between individuals at high court. It is something she isn't fond of but she does it because there is no true alternative."<i></i> The Steward motioned the two his hand together. "They say opposites attract, but at the same time there is a sort of common ground. I think what binds you two is your dissatisfaction with the establishment of court, which is something I am incapable of affecting because it would involve quite a bit of time to make changes in the sort of a generational sense. In that I have failed you as a leader of change, but we Takahashi are not known for being liberals, we are conservative as we are holding the diamond throne in tact for the return of the Sunahoshi. "<i></i> The Steward held out his finger to signal for a one moment pause. "There is other places I can go with this, but I think I might lose you in the explanation because ... it is exhaustive in the extreme. Oh, and your hair. I think she likes your hair."<i></i>
 
Kumiko, the wicked witch of the west. She was a vile, hotheaded, arrogant little squirt that was overly self entitled for no reason other than her clan name. Those were the types that made Roku's blood boil. Those that have a 'name' and because of that feel they deserve special treatment or certain freedoms average people are not granted. And while he could feel a sense of that from Kumiko, he didn't hate her. She was caged, she just didn't realized it. Raising up from his hunched over position, Roku would extend his arms, and their wide wingspan, over the top of the bench. Hopefully this wouldn't bother the Steward but it was a fairly casual thing to do among friends. His head would turn its gaze upwards, looking to the ceiling of he village. A village with a ceiling and not a sky, ludacris. As Sousuke began his assessment of not only Roku but Kumiko and ultimately how the two pair sync up, he would only smile and wait for him to finish. Upon his final word, and with much information to digest, Roku would take a brief pause before taking his turn to speak.

"Kumiko and I, even if on paper seem like we share similarities, are of two different worlds. She has known, and always will know, nobility. That is what she chooses to define herself on; tradition and blood. I have been, or have, shunned that sort of notion. She will follow what traditions lays before her; I will continue to define nontraditional." Sliding his legs outwardly he would move to a more reclined position in the bench. "Can I be frank? I like you Steward, more so now than before I ever got a chance to talk to you. I, like you've noticed, am not a fan of the current status quo. It has nothing to do with you, again you are a very down to earth person with a lot of caring inside of you... even if you take a funny approach at showing it and not everyone may notice it. You, sadly, are in the same position as Kumiko. A prisoner of blood and tradition. Maybe one of these days I can free you and her from that prison..." The sentence would wander off as it seemed his focus was shifting, or maybe he realized what he was saying could be misinterpreted as treason. This would quickly set off a chain of laughter from him as he returned to a more formal way of sitting. His smiling face would turn to Sousuke, with the cheesiest grin on his face that could be mustered.

"So she said she likes my hair, aye? Ladies love the locks." This would be followed by a wink and chased up by more laughter.

MFT - 465
 
Whereas the Steward could leave people speechless his expanded speech, Roku could do so with fewer words. The Steward leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and covered his mouth and nose with both his hands. "If my mother had a son or daughter before me, then that child would have been Steward and I would be locked myself up in my labs and forges working away. That of course is not an option for me. If I hadn't become Steward-Kazekage or if the Sunahoshi never went missing, then perhaps you would be having this conversation with someone else? Perhaps no one at all, because there is no one else like me, only me. Time seems to make a difference."</B><i></i> The Steward thought hard. In a way he would have been a lot like Bruinetto, Kumiko's brother. The Steward picked up on Roku's laughter. It was to mask what he had said earlier. Words like those were dangerous. The Steward sat up and was silent for a longer time than usual. Ambition was a dangerous thing, or so history often revealed.

The Steward's eyes went wide. Was it anger? Was it grief? Shock perhaps? A weariness? The expression seemed to attempt something at that. Some would say that eyes were the windows to the soul, and in that Roku would see only darkness and an emptiness. Something always seemed amiss in the Steward, but perhaps more so than usual it was evident. "I have done as my father did, as his father did before him and his father thrice before... we have endured and preserved like the metal we work with from beneath the ground. Legacy cannot be tossed away so easily. I do not desire a golden crown, or a diamond one. Tradition may be, but it is not my right, nor is it something I want. My ancestor Takahashi Shiro, he was even offered the hand of Sunahoshi Kai. He refused it because..."<i></i> The Steward's words were heavy if anything. His tone was the same, but his words spoken seemed to bear with them a large mass capable of crushing the normal man with burdens beyond all.The Steward himself would never know why. "... because he could? Perhaps he had a better sense of duty than most? Maybe he did not want to share the duties of a throne because he hated doing so for eighteen years as he was Regent Lord?"<i></i> The Steward gave Roku a few answers. The a sense of dread came over the Steward as the thought was unsettling. Total power. It was something that to the Steward seemed outlandish. "Some people want it all Roku. Some people want nothing. Some people want to be comfortable. Some people just want to be spiteful and burn it all."<i></i> The Steward raised his right hand and covered half of his face. What did he want? "What is it that you want Roku? Setting aside what you just said of course."<i></i>

The conversation took a break from the heaviness. "Ah. No. she didn't directly say it, but I have the strong feeling she would. Like you said ... "<i></i> The Steward coughed for a moment to clear his voice. <B>"Ladies love the locks." The Steward spoke replicating Roku's tone and sound of voice.
 
It seemed his words struck a bit of a cord with the Steward-Kazekage, which was a bit refreshing as it meant that this person could reach some emotions he had been hiding for the most part. He kept his response rather tempered, of course questioning one's ancestors would send even the most even keeled noble into a tirade. This wasn't so much a tirade as an explanation but it still carried the undertones of something Roku knew all too well, insult. Roku was good at bringing that feeling to people, for better or worse. A figure like Sousuke, one who either purposely or instinctively hid their emotions needed to have a good release at times, even if it brought out resentment. An yet, at the same time, this person could not get out their full range of emotions. There were echoes of what lied within a normal human but this man seemed to lack the full substance. How odd.

"What do I want? Hmmm, maybe I want to be Kazekage? Maybe I want to be happy? Maybe my drive is finding a warm body to lay next to and a bed to sleep in for the night? Maybe I want to take a shit wherever I please?" He would smirk following that before standing up himself. "Maybe I don't know what I want? I wonder, could there simply be a person that has no real motivation to move forward other than to just see what happens? Someone that continues to go forward, not to obtain anything in particular but just to see how the story unfolds? Maybe I am a wanderer, maybe I have ambitions, maybe I just like to talk out my ass... either way life is interesting, don't ya think? Ambitions, greed, duty, honor, tradition, hatred, love, redemption, power, weakness, blood, free will... all make this little underground world we live in a pretty neat existence." This would then cause his expression to change momentarily, as a child just realizing something, "Oh ya! In terms of things I want, I would like to go venturing outwards at some point. It's so confining to stay cramped up down in this hole in the ground. Interested to see what a night sky really looks like."

Then hearing the Steward-Kage repeat his comment from earlier brought a proud smile to Roku's face as he patted Sousuke on the shoulder. "They sure do, Sousuke... they sure do..."
 
The Steward was trying to figure out if Roku was being serious, or if he was joking. If anything he was an ambitious man. "You... want a great deal of things. Some more severe than others, and some requires ... an arsenal."<i></i> The Steward thought hard for a moment. "Some I can help with, because I am a man with an arsenal and armoury. I once sent Kumiko to the surface to collect a meteor for me. I wanted to fashion with it a skeletal structure to affix to my own. Human bones, especially mine are brittle. I merely ... desire the ability to be strong physically on my own. My mind is strong enough. At any rate if you wish to go to the surface I could provide you with a skin-suit to explore the realm above. Granted there are terrors on the surface. Things that I am working to understand."<i></i> The Steward paused for a moment. "The storms above aren't calming down either. Skin-suits have been able to prolong one from suffering from exposure, but I have yet to discover the true limit."<i></i>

Roku of course was an Anbu. There were things he needed to know about the surface. "My father thought it was safest to put us in the ground. Do you resent him for making that decision? People have a habit of ... not quite understanding the grand motives one has"<i></i> The Steward inquired. Kumiko seemed to rather have enjoyed his father's personality type.
 
"No I don't resent him for putting us in the ground, it saves us the time of not having to dig our own graves. I resent the fact that people accepted this fate. A stubbornness to latch onto this area as if it is the end-all-be-all of our existence." Maybe that was a harsh assessment. "There is an entire world out there, yet we choose to cower under the raging storm, for what? Because this is the land that was settled by our forefathers? Because this land hold a special meaning, a special value, to those that inhabit it?" He was always curious about that. "Is it because the storm, while seemingly our 'enemy' provides us with the best line of defense in keeping our village secret? I've just never really understood why those of us down here just accept our fate, under the crust of the world. But then I realize that people who've never seen the night sky, the sun light, would have a hard time grasping it's importance." Reaching down into his pocket he began to search for something. "So no, I don't resent your pops. He was merely a man with power making a decision, it's the people that should be resented. No objections, no challenge to the decree, no searching for something better. Resignation." Finally finding what he had been searching, Roku would pull out the item, a cigarette, and place it within his lips but would not make any attempt to light it. "And about traveling upwards... thanks for the suit offer, might take you up on it. Or hell... I can be a bit reckless so I might just see how bad that storm really is, something I've always been curious about anyways."


MFT - 290
 
The Steward without warning plucked the cigarette from Roku and crushed it with an armoured hand. "Tobacco. Cancerous and addictive. Not useful for human consumption."<i></i> He spoke as he then dropped the cigarette and stomped on it. "Highly addictive, and expensive. Probable outcome, sickly, welfare recipient, and will no doubt cause mental stress to others."<i></i> The Steward reached into his labcoat and removed a toothpick. He placed it in Roku's mouth. "Toothpick. Less dangerous, promotes a form of dental hygiene, possible splinters, but success rate to penetrate gum with toothpick under 0.5%."<i></i> The Steward's speech was mechanical.

The Steward looked up for a moment, and continued to answer Roku in a sort of mechanical mathematic manner. "Diamond Storm provides 65% zero sum defense. The other 35% equates to humans being lost. 74% surface life forms are unknown. There is a 43% chance of that surface life forms have adapted to the storm, but human evolution and adaptation is less than 0.1%."<i></i> The Steward paused for a moment, he coughed and rose. "I'd best be off. I'm going to go make you a suit for your exploration. Let me know when you are ready to proceed. I intend to make your surface travels beat the chances. It will be my undertaking. I wish you many successes today, and in the future."<i></i> With that the Steward made his usual nod and departed.

(Sousuke has left the topic)
 
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