Private Ruined Moments [ Requesting Ruin/Kaen]

[Raizo]

Entered with NPC "Glutton" (dressed as Tenken [II])

It had been just over a year that Glutton had stood in place as Tenken (II). During that time, things had progressed as business as usual, in fact it might have felt more business-like than before as Kousuke, the man behind the current Tenken mask, seemed to be more efficiency-minded than his predecessor. With the sudden disappearance of Reaper, he became the sole force moving the ANBU vehicle. So with that, he carried out the previous Tenken's, his late leader Roku's, last wish for the ANBU. He removed them from the prison, separating them from feeling like wardens or prison guards, and relocated them to the waste of Old Suna. He didn't fully understand Roku's wish for the latter of this relocation, but he understood and agreed with removing themselves from the prison. They would remain a small presence there, but the majority of their internal operations would now be housed in this new HQ.

It would be in this new location, in his office, that the current Tenken would await an individual he had summoned; the one known as Ruin. This would be another lingering thing his previous leader had on the agenda, dealing with this member of the ANBU and the tasks he had been assigned.

"Send in Ruin when he arrives." The altered voice would beckon over the communication device as he waited.

 

[Kaen]

It had been quite some time since the last time he was officially summoned to Anbu HQ. With the recent Unbent epidemic on Suna's literal gates everyone had been exceptionally busy and thus Kaen, or Ruin in this case, had not seen or heard from many Anbu members aside from his own apprentices. Even that had been busy and Kaen's tutelage had not been required since their ascension into adulthood. Both of them possibly rivaled Kaen himself in power and skill, truly they both deserved to move past the meager title of apprentice and start to take on apprentices of their own.

As Kaen began his descent into the dark depths that held the old ruins of Suna, fond memories of time spent there came to mind. This was the best place to take someone to learn what people were really like, not the facade that the rich and gaudy that could live above. There was nearly always something nefarious on-goings amiss down here, especially in the Red Light District, where Akkuma's casino was located. Not to mention the Black Bazaar. Prime locations to take young apprentices who thought they might be hot shit by joining the Anbu. If they could survive, or stomach rather, the things they witnessed and had to deal with down here they just might be able to hand the rest of their career as a member of the Anbu corps.

The choice to relocate the HQ to this area was a wise choice. Not simply for the fact that being glorified prison guards was a silly waste of their skill, but to be more closely located to the core, root perhaps, of the ilk that ran through Suna's infrastructure. It was places like this, and the people that resided here, that proved without a doubt that he needed to become what he had to protect that which mattered most to him. Family, Kasen, and now his own house name given to him most graciously by Lord Sousuke himself. Kaen had more at stake now which meant it was even more imperative that the presence of the Anbu be at the center of it all.

As Kaen approached the unsuspecting building, he wondered if this really was the new location of the Anbu. With a heavy industrial ere about itself one could have easily mistook this building with any other in the area. But I suppose that was the very nature of how the Anbu operated, hidden and unseen despite being under the very noses of those that sought to bring them down. So either the message was a fake and this was a trap, or Kaen would be arriving perfectly on time.

The door would be closed tightly, the sound of rusty chains rattling on the other side. With a perplexing 'Hmm' he was beginning to have second thoughts about the legitimacy of his summons. Looking around for some way in the hooded figure known as Ruin would walk around the outside of the building looking for some way in. It was then that a single window on the top floor was propped open. Easily scaling the side of the building he would slide through the opening. A musty smell invaded his nose as more evidence suggested he had found the wrong building, at least until he saw an old service elevator with new mechanisms. Well, they looked old, but it was clearly a feigned appearance if you had an eye for it. Pressing a button on to the side of the elevator a voice came over a hidden speaker. "State your purpose trespasser..."

Smirking under the mask he looked around to see if there was a camera hidden somewhere. Perhaps, like the speaker, it was even beyond his own sight. "Ruin, reporting as requested." A few seconds went by before anything happened, but the elevator doors would open up to reveal an equally dismal scene of decay and rust. A moment after he was aboard the doors would shut and enclose him in a veil of darkness. The low thrum of the machine told him he was moving further and further down. The elaborate ploy to keep this place completely hidden and secure was amusing, even if he understood the need for it. Thankfully to his delight the doors would open and reveal something closer to home and up-kept. The odor as well had expired and was replaced with a most welcome aroma of steel and cleaning solution.

The echo of his footsteps reverberated along the hallway, doors lined each side every so often with the occasional hallway branching one way or the other. But he had not seen any other masked ally along the way. The message indicated it would be the last door at the end of the hall, and soon Ruin came upon it. With a twist the door opened without issue opening up a intercession type room akin to an office. A masked individual sat behind a desk would press a button on the desk as he entered and informed someone on the other side he had arrived. They would then inform him that he was to enter the next room as he had been expected. With a subtle buzzing sound the receptionist would release the locking mechanisms on the following door and he would be allowed entrance. An all too familiar sight sat behind a sturdy desk. The glowing eyes and steel mask, there was no mistaking this visage. Reminded of the authority that Lord Sousuke held, Kaen thought he should work on his social skills even among his peers here. And so with a respectful bow he would initiate this impromptu meeting.

"Tenken, it's been far too long. How may I be of service, sir?"

 

[Raizo]

"Ruin, have a seat."

Upon the table would be two folders, both containing the same amount of material. Tenken (II) would slide one folder to Ruin and then would open up the remaining one for himself, giving the ANBU time to process through the paperwork and images. Within it would be reports detailing the damage done to the Obsidian Palace, to some of the staff and prisoners, the names of missing prisoners including two names marked as "SOVEREIGN MEMBER", along with photos of the scene and the damage caused.

"Within the past year, we have removed ourselves of the prison as I did not wish to have the ANBU confused with prison guards. Our full presence will never leave that place, for obvious reasons, but our daily interactions there have faded to allow an actual prison staff and warden to facilitate operations as usual."

He would then remove two photos from his folder, photos that would be found in Ruin's folder as well. One would be of a male ANBU figure, very round frame, with the moniker "Maniac" under it. The second photo would be a more feminine looking ANBU member with a bunny-like mask on, with the moniker "Usagi" under it.

"Usagi and Maniac were two operatives that had remained in the facility at this time. Maniac's skill in the interrogations department still found merit in the prison, whether for ANBU or the prison itself, and Usagi severed as overwatch for the facility until a new staff member could be trained and brought on to handle the... complexity... of the place."

His second hand would procure a third photo, this one of a badly damaged Usagi, mask cracked and body clearly showing signs of being in a fight.

"On the night of the wall defense, ANBU were released of their shadow roles to serve out their main branch responsibilities. I withheld a small force of masked operatives to maintain perimeters throughout the interior of the village. Usagi and Maniac were still serving their normal roles within Obsidian. During the assault on the gates, a small group infiltrated the prison. During which time, they killed three prison staff members and beat Usagi to the point she is still in a coma. Medical shinobi, upon finding her, said that the physical damage was one thing but that her body seemed to be almost completely devoid of any chakra, as if it was drained from her. Maniac on the other hand..."

He would drop the photo of the beaten Usagi and hold up another of the body of Maniac lying on the hallway of Obsidian.

"...was slain. He suffered various amounts of trauma until ultimately being asphyxiated. Sand was found under his mask and throughout his respiratory system, but not on the outside of his body."

He would then place the photos down on the table and would pause for a moment. Kousuke, under his mask, would stare down at the images, emotions begin to well up.

"Why I asked you here, Ruin, was because I have an important task for you... but first I need you to do some 'clerical' work. You still have two apprentices, correct? I need you to get them both trained up to full ANBU status. Then, I will need you to do an inspection of the current roster of ANBU, doing a full inventory of what we poses and what we lack. Lastly, I will need you to then begin scouting those within this village who are not currently wearing a mask, to see if they could be conscripted into our ranks. If you can complete all that for me, I will have a job for you."

Folding his arms, he would wait for Ruin to have a moment to process the requests and give an answer whether he would do it or not.

 

[Kaen]

"Yes, of course."

Complying immediately Kaen would take up a chair opposite to Tenken. After finding a comfortable position his superior would slide over a file folder and open up his own copy of the documents. Taking the folder in hand Kaen, or Ruin, would open it and peruse the contents with intrigue. After glancing over each image and scanning the information inside he would speak to indicate he was ready to continue with whatever it was that Tenken called him for. "Quite the scene in here, you have my attention..."

Ruin listened on as Tenken briefed him over a few minor things. In truth he himself was perfectly fine withdrawing from that place, their reputation as Anbu seemed to dwindle down to mere guards instead of the elite members they are meant to be. Upon the mentioning of Usagi and Maniac Ruin would pull out the two pictures that met the description and laid them onto the cold table. Though he never officially met Maniac, he'd at least heard Usagi over the radio often when coming or leaving the Palace. The next photo to be laid out on display would be a second image of Usagi, only this one was less of a head-shot and more of a morgue picture. But apparently she was not dead in this picture and had managed to survive the apparent attack.

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat he would listen as Tenken explained the events of that fateful night. While his own efforts at the wall most likely were appreciated, somehow he couldn't help but feel he would have been more useful here for this disastrous happenstance. Though there was no way of knowing that this would have transpired. The state that both individuals were found in was most perplexing. What kind of fighter could devour chakra like this. But his thoughts quickly went to the method that his own full blooded kind consumed the souls of the living. Was this merely a coincidence, or was there a parallel here?

Raising a hand to the side of his mask he would rest his head upon it in a thinking position as he examined the photos of the beaten Usagi and murdered Maniac. The sand part was most troubling for him, his knee would begin to bounce as his foot pushed up and down from the floor. It wasn't nervousness, but more distressed or uneasy. She had disappeared off the face of the earth, no sign or sight of her for years now. Could she finally come out of the shadows, or were there more like her, Ancient-like that possessed similar abilities out there. Considering that there was himself and Kasen that existed it wasn't entirely unfeasible that others could exist as well. Upon mentioning his name aloud, Ruin would cease his fidgeting to better pay attention.

"Why I asked you here, Ruin, was because I have an important task for you... but first I need you to do some 'clerical' work. You still have two apprentices, correct? I need you to get them both trained up to full ANBU status. Then, I will need you to do an inspection of the current roster of ANBU, doing a full inventory of what we poses and what we lack. Lastly, I will need you to then begin scouting those within this village who are not currently wearing a mask, to see if they could be conscripted into our ranks. If you can complete all that for me, I will have a job for you."

Kaen would nod in response to the first question. This was something he was wanting to get done for a very long time, but it always seemed to be one thing or another with one or both of them. Occasionally even the blame fell to him. But this wasn't a game of finger pointing, Tenken was right. It was high time that the metaphorical foot stopped dragging and finished his work in them. One of the tasks asked of him was a bit confusing though.

"I'm sorry, but what do you mean by what we poses and lack?" After hearing the explanatin he would continue responding to the initial conversation. "Yes, both of them I personally feel are ready to advance, but specific requirements have yet to be met. I take responsibility for this shortcoming." As mentioned before, he failed in helping them aquire the specific anbu-based missions that would qualify them for promotion. But there was a task he meant to do long ago that should fit the bill for a final mission for both of them. "I have a few faces in mind already, both very promising." He was, of course, referring to Daijamitsu and Kazu. The young Ryuzaki had proven himself capable with his valor displayed the night of the Unbent attack. And Daijamitsu, a young but highly intelligent genin, was quickly proving himself as well. There was surely more out there, he simpy needed to look harder. "Naturally I will accept this task. I've been craving a productive task for some time now. Meerly thinning out herds of Unbent is not a sufficient use of my skill set."

 

[Raizo]

*poses---I meant possess xD

"I want you to assess our current roster. What are our strengths, weaknesses, what could destroy our ANBU... and what sort of destruction could our ANBU unleash. Are we an operation better suited for small operations, sending single operatives? Do we have enough to lead larger group operations, such as destabilizing a location an extracting or removing a target or targets? What is it that we can do?"

It was an odd question because it was something that he, as Tenken (II) should have known, correct? But the previous leader, Roku, was fixated. He worked towards bettering the branch, but his highest priority was tunneled in on one overall goal. He wasn't any different. His fixation had appeared, and it was narrowed in on those who had taken his leader from him, those who had taken his friends from him.

"I am glad you have new faces in mind. Conscript them in, give them a new face, teach them our ways. I am going to be turning my attention to the matter involving the Obsidian Prison. I fear it is connected to the night that we lost the previous Kazekage, Sunahoshi Katsuo, and the Sennin, Roku. So I will be trusting you as the eyes and ears here within the village and within the ranks of the ANBU."

Normally, this would be Usagi, as Roku had trained them all to keep things close to the vest, close to their squad. Now, however, he was the only member functioning in the squad, and potentially only one of two still alive. He had to rebuild, it is what Roku would have done. So now he turned his attention to someone who was piquing the interest of the first Tenken. Yet, and because he was a student of Roku, he could not just immediately trust him on face value. He needed more. Needed to see more.

"Assess the corps, conscript in those who have caught your eye, and officially clear your current apprentices--once you have completed these things, I will have something that may quench your thirst for a more productive task."

 

[Kaen]

For the most part Kaen understood what he was being asked to do. Evaluate the Anbu Corps. as a whole and run through it with a fine comb, dissecting it to examine all facets and aspect. Discern what worked, what didn't, where could they fine tune, where could they cut back. This task was going to be very biased and opinionated considering he was not being given specific parameters. But this was a boon that Ruin would not be quick to dismiss. Whether through personal experience or other, there was a few things that could be tweaked. Who knows what else may turn up given it would earn his full attention.

The thought of something capable of satiating his thirst, his hunger for a higher calling piqued his curiosity to the highest degree. Kaen was not one to back down from a challenge, more so one that would yield promising results and reward on his part. The prerequisites were not all that steep either, it should be accomplished with relative ease. There was the matter concerning elevating his current apprentices to full Anbu. Teke might not prove and issue, Kanmuri had become most difficult to track down. This coincided with another idea he had for the Corps. Pushing his chair back he would rise up to a standing position and hold out his hand towards Tenken.

"Thank you for the opportunity, sir. I look forward to the task you have given me. I believe I can yield some fruitful results for the betterment of not only our Corps, but the village as a whole. There was one more thing I needed to ask of you though..."

There was no real way of telling, but there most definitely was a devilish grin plastered on his face. He hoped the answer would be yes, in fact he was almost sure it would be. It pertained the goal in mind, the task at hand. He had even gone so far as to be polite and use the word sir. Time with Sousuke wand related events had helped him find a new found respect for those in higher standing. Or at the very least giving them the benefit of the doubt.

"Do I have your permission to hold a... let's call it some training exercises. I want to gauge everybody's capabilities, both mental and physical, individually and as a group. Additionally, may I inquire as to the general whereabouts of where your investigation will take you? We've lost far too many people to risk losing Tenken himself. And how can I get a hold of you should anything go awry during your absence? What if I am unable to locate or contact you, what should I, or the Corps do should anything transpire? Would you have us simply confer with the Kazekage?"

 

[Raizo]

"You have my permission to do whatever is necessary to bolster and affirm the strength of the ANBU. You do anything that crosses a line, however, you will be held accountable by me. We have already lost members of our ranks... do not do anything hasty or reckless ot bring about more damage. Outside of that, we trust your judgment, that is why we assigned you with this task."

Kousuke had realized it made more sense to refer to himself as 'we' while operating as Tenken at times. The main reason, some of these thoughts weren't his own and it felt wrong to claim them as such. Many of these thoughts, especially pertaining to Ruin. Ruin was Roku's pet project, not his own. So when a thought was something that he merely supported or was enacted because of the wishes of Roku, he would not claim it to be him, but 'we'.

"I can be reached on frequency 152.3 if you encounter any issues. I feel like you shouldn't really encounter as many, as I will be assigning you the role of ANBU Captain on a probationary status. Complete the task I laid out for you and then complete the mission I have waiting for you, and the probation period will be over. Until then, you are wearing this title to see if you truly possess what it takes to be a leader of the masked shadows of our fraternity. I trust you will not fail in this."

He would then press a button as a faint buzzer sound would be emitted. He would then raise up from his seat. Luckily, Kousuke was of a similar heigh to Roku, both easily being giants among the normal population of the village. Kaen, much like them, was one of the tall people.

"As ANBU Captain you are an authority to all ANBU and ANBU in Training within the corps. You are peer to fellow Captains, under my and Reaper's authority, and at the service of the Kazekage. As for what I will be doing... we have created a program not too long ago, a reform project for the worst of the worst trapped within Obsidian. Those who had no hope of ever escaping the confines of that hell. I will be leading these expendable warriors on a mission to extract a price that must be paid by those who have taken the life of fellow ANBU. This mission, will put us directly into the territory of two different enemy fronts: the Daimyo, if he still lives, and Dominus, as his Swarm's reach as expanded out past Godsfall now."

From behind Ruin, three more individuals would enter the room, each with a number visibly sealed upon their bodies.

"Captain Ruin, meet the first class of Zero Squad. In your folder, the last few pages cover these Deadmen."

Spoiler: ZERO SQUAD

NPC Group:

Name: Haku Saburou
Codename: 01
BL/CA: Haku
Kinjutsu: Jinchuriki (Water/Spiritual)
Previously used: https://ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?p=228456#p228456 ; https://ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?p=233958#p233958;
Background:
Haku Saburou was a member of the main branch of the Haku clan within Wind Country. Because of their affinity towards the ice, and their ability to manifest the advanced element, the clan quickly rose to a place of prominence in the country. Their fortune and power were relatively easy to accrue, and because of that, they lived a protected and lavished life. Within the family, there was one who had grown too accustomed to this power, Saburou. His opinion of those outside of the clan, and even within his clan, were lowered. He believed himself to stand above such insignificant peasants, so it should have been much of a surprise that he found himself involved in the human trafficking ring that had infested the country.

Where he failed as a Haku, unable to manifest his ice powers, he excelled as a flesh peddler. Buying, selling, using and discarding, he was well versed in it all. The protection of his family, the protection of the powers overseeing the human trafficking, everywhere he looked he could only see the powers that be supporting him, and he grew arrogant. It wasn't until he was apprehended by an ANBU named "Joker" (Player Kagari) that he would realize his true place in the world. During his first detention, he was introduced to one of the leaders of the ANBU Corps, "Tenken". Following this moment, he was continually interrogated for his information on the human trafficking network, its involvement with the Merchant Lord Hisamaru Mako, and his own illicit.

Following the final rounds of interrogation, Tenken began implementing a "reform school" approach to several of the inmates of Obsidian Palace. This reconditioning process was intended not to reform the prisoners as members of society, but reform them into tools for service. All of them, except for maybe Saburou, were marked for death anyway, so seeing an opportunity to attempt to make something out of the little time they had left did not seem like a bad idea.

Saburou, after a year of this "program", found himself as one of the first "graduates". Through his grueling hardships he was able to finally manifest his ice powers, but none of that mattered. He was a new person. He was now "O1" of the ANBU's "Zero Squad"

---

Name: Ranbō
Codename: 02
BL/CA: Reckless
Kinjutsu: Hachimon
Background:
Ranbō was the typical template for someone that would end up in the confines of the Obsidian Palace. Born into the slums, abandoned after birth, and left to be raised on his own, Ranbō quickly learned that power was not only a tool but a means of survival, and the thing that had helped him survive as long as he had was his body. With an innate ability to open the chakra gates at a young age, paired with unbelievable physical strength, he was able to secure his own little spot in the world. It also made him a visible target to those looking for a strong henchman. So that is what he would become, not having a formal education and never really understanding the concept of developing human relationships, he was manipulated to accept crime as his way of life. Eventually, his personal penchant for hitting things hard earned him a spot as a hitman within a gang that was vying for complete control of the village in the Cabal incursion but instead found himself getting locked up with the vast majority of the rebel rousers during the conclusion of that brief chaotic episode. Unlike most, Ranbō felt at ease in the prison. Life was simple, he could just relax and wait for the end of all this. He may not have been the sharpest knife, but he knew his fate would look similar to all the lives he had beaten out of existence. There was no repentance, just a man who had come accustom to being told what to do, no longer having something to do. He was a dog in a kennel. Until he was recruited for the "Reform School".

Because of the conditioning he had already experienced in life outside of the prison, he was one of the quickest to take to the program. It was almost like a purpose had returned to him, and a little spark was back in his eye. He was one of the easiest members of the first class to deem "ready" or "reformed", and would soon find himself a new name and a new life, as "02" in the "Zero Squad".

---

Name: Kiyomeru Hinote
Codename: 03
BL/CA: Ashenheart
Kinjutsu: Jashinism (Faith of the Flame)
Background:
Hinote was a warrior monk in his prime. Attuned to only his religion, his people and his training. As a deeply religious man, he felt the calling to spread his teachings to others, bringing in more to the fellowship. Unfortunately, his religion was based around the notion of worshipping an all-consuming flame. The Faith of the Flame was thought of, by those within the faith, as a religion but to everyone else, it was one of the most dangerous cults in all of the desert expanse. Much of their actions, the consuming of non-believers and heathens into the flames, were hidden by the Diamond Maelstrom. Eventually, however, Suna's services were called upon by residents of the desert to deal with the continually growing threat.

The resulting bloodbath led to Hinote, and his surviving followers, to be incarcerated within the Obsidian Palace. Within his confinement, the elder cult leader continued to indoctrinate others into his flock. Hinote was one of the hardest participants in the "Reform School" program as he had been using similar means within his cult. Yet, he willingly continued to participate in the trials to earn himself a spot within the "Zero Squad". While it is highly suspected he might have aspirations to flee, he still remains within the squad as a willing member. There may also be some bloodlust and flamelust that he needs to quelch that this opportunity actually provides him, but a religious man like himself would never admit such.[/fontsize]

03 would begin to laugh, his eyes were hidden under the weight of his wrinkled face.

"My my, it seems the air around you is a bit different... master. Then this little child here, he has an interesting heat coming off of him... boy, can I tell you about the AllFire--"

"That is enough, 03."

"Of course, Tenken-sama."

OOC: Kaen is Temporarily Promoted to ANBU Captain

 

[Kaen]

Tenken's stipulations for whatever Ruin was planning were precise and unwavering. He would not be able to perform things the way he used to, years ago. But many things change in such a span of time, not just regions, but the minds of those who dwell within. Kaen too underwent such changes and has become somewhat cooler in a sense. With the disappearance of Mother Suna, the sudden death of Miroku Akkuma and the personal deal struck with Lord Sousuke there was little left to distract the Flame Court Hybrid from positive progress. He understood what it would mean should he disobey and do something nefarious with this task, he would not intentionally allow anything malicious to transpire during Tenken's absence. "Yes, of course. I give you my word that nothing condemnable will arise while you are away." Kaen's tone sounded genuine as he bowed with respect towards his superior, there should be little doubt that he was in fact telling the truth. This appeared to be a moment where his talents and skills were being affirmed, being given these tasks, he would not waste this opportunity for success.

These thoughts were reinforced upon hearing Tenken's next sentence. It was no easy task to do so, to get such a distinct and noticeable reaction from Kaen. Snapping back to an upright position, his mask nearly shifting from its fixed position. He was in shock, speechless even. This was not something he thought attainable given his non-sunan born status along with Sousuke's knowledge of his exact nature. For the first time in a long time Kaen was excited, thrilled even. It was almost unnerving for him, it nearly felt like anxiety at first. "I trust you will not fail in this." Snapping out of his stupor Kaen would stumble his words at first, recovering shortly after starting as he regained his composure. "Y-yes sir, I won't sir." Eager elation was slowly overtaking the young hybrid, the air around him becoming noticeably warmer by several degrees in a rapid manner. After many years he had attained the level of control needed to mask his aura, his intense flames of his court. But this sudden development was proving difficult to manage internally.

Fortunately his attention was redirected as Tenken pressed a button, a low buzzing sound could be heard as Tenken stood up from behind his desk. He would go on to explain his role of Captain, interim that is, and who he still answered to in the chain of command. Being in the Anbu for a number of years now Kaen understood the position he was being put in. Then Tenken would go on to disclose the mission he would be undertaking as well as a undisclosed and classified program that he had no knowledge of. This would be the first time hearing about this reformation program, and it's potential candidates. As he continued to listen Ruin felt a bit apprehensive about the location this particular operation would take him. Could Suna afford to lose their Anbu commander at such a critical moment of history? He thought not, be he was not aware this was Tenken II and Roku has already been lost. Many things were in play and undisclosed and even more unknown.

"Captain Ruin, meet the first class of Zero Squad. In your folder, the last few pages cover these Deadmen." Tenken would conclude his summary with another interesting development as three individuals entered the room. Maskless and intimidating they were, but Kaen was composed as the pressure of their cumulative power exuded its pressure. [Fearless] A distinct seal was branded upon their bodies labeling each of them. He wondered what else the seal was intended for, perhaps to vie control should they attempt anything heinous or attempt to flee from captivity. He would not read their files yet, he felt it rude to simply stop all of a sudden and make them wait. For now their numbered emblem would suffice. "Deadmen eh?" Kaen would start as he turned to gaze upon the visage of the initial results of this reformation project of Tenken's. Suddenly the older one with the elongated beard began to laugh.

"My my, it seems the air around you is a bit different... master. Then this little child here, he has an interesting heat coming off of him... boy, can I tell you about the AllFire--"

"That is enough, 03."

"Of course, Tenken-sama."

Kaen wasn't entirely sure what exchange had just taken place between number three and Tenken, but he was still intrigued in general. Folding his arms he would retort with skepticism. "So... These expendable felons are meant to be your support? You can't honestly trust these three to back you up, can you?" Why would he choose to take these guys with him instead instead of another squad of reliable Anbu? It didn't make much sense, but Tenken knew better than him, it was his project after all. There was much that Kaen did not know, there was the question about their seals, perhaps that was the purpose after all. Ruin only had another few questions for Tenken, communication was key, especially in this odd sort of situation. "When are you expecting to depart, sir? Also is there a contingency plan should you fall?" He did not wish for Tenken's death, but this was a harsh reality of their line of work. That and he was venturing forth into dangerous territory where not only the Daimyo might be waiting, but the Unbent and Dominus himself. And with backup like this, the odds were not in his favor...



[OOC MFT]

 

[Kaen]

[OOC leaving topic, inactive. Keeping everything as canon though]