'Ruined' Plans [Requesting Kaen]

[Raizo]

A while back, in what had stretched for at least a year if not longer, he had issued an assignment for one of his operatives, Ruin, to complete. At this point, that task had went unaccomplished. Not a single piece had been completed from the looks of it. Ruin's pursuits seemed to have shifted to training progenies. There was nothing inherently wrong with that, but there was some belief, on the part of his own reasoning, that maybe his task should have taken a higher priority than what it seemingly had.

It was time to correct this.

"Sir, Ruin is en route."

He would not respond, there was still some discomfort with his setup. It had been a long time, maybe as long ago as his original mission for Ruin, that he had donned this attire. The persona of Tenken had been recently performed by Gluttony, one of his most trusted operatives, to allow him to live a day in the life of his other persona--Roku. It was an interesting daydream, walking around once more as a man unencumbered by the responsibilities of the Branch. That's all it was though--a daydream.

He would now await the arrival of the ANBU so they could have a conversation. The Co-Leader of the Branch would be sitting at a table in a room that Ruin would be escorted to by a blank-faced ANBU agent. Once to the room, the door would be opened for him and there would be only one other seat, across the table from Tenken. Before the leader of the ANBU would be several folders of various sizes, some definitely holding more content than others. Tenken's hands would be placed upon the table, with his elbows resting upon the table, as he waited.

 

[Kaen]

Kaen had just returned from his mission with Kanmuri, successful at that. That kid would go far, if he stayed focused and dedicated to his ninja way. Kaen could sense greatness in him, a mysterious power grew like a storm within him and one day would use it to bring great destruction, or peace upon the world. But like all things in Kaen's life, they were all pieces to a puzzle, one he could not fully see yet. So just as he moved a pawn forward, so too did the world move a Knight forward to greet him. He had been summoned this day.

It was always the same, walking the dark corridors of the Obsidian Palace. A plethora of portals leading to all sorts of places, the armory, offices, the cells, you name it. But today he would be walking past it all, onward to the one true force behind it all. The commander himself, Tenken's office. Kaen was escorted the entirety of the way, a fact that didn't go unnoticed. Why did he need supervision, what did they know? Thoughts like these were suddenly put on hold as the non-descript Anbu member opened the door for him. It squeaked as metal rubbed against metal, echoing down the dank hallways of the Palace. Tenken was already waiting for him inside, seated at a table with a lone chair awaiting Kaen. A number of files, each with their own respective quantities of paperwork filed inside were laied out on the table for him to see. Perhaps this was some sort of review, or he was about to be fire. Taking the seat offered, Kaen would place on leg over the other and rest his mask on his supporting hand. His expression was blank, awaiting some sort of news from his commander. His mask however smiled eerily back at Tenken, blank black slits where he could see out stared forward towards his superior.

"Tenken, it's been quite some time. How can I be of service today?"

 

[Raizo]

Through the glowing red eyes, he would take in the visage before him. A smile would appear behind his mask as there seemed to be something familiar yet quite different before him. It seemed that Ruin had grown, changed, a bit since the last they had spoken.

"Thank you for coming as soon as you could. I've read reports you've taken on not only one but two apprentices, quite a handful I am sure. Pardon, as my mind is drawing a blank-- "Body Bag" and what is the codename of your other?"

Official small talk of those that wear masks, even this seemed to carry a tinge of tension. He would wait for the update on the names of both disciples before continuing. He was genuinely interested in knowing the names of some of the newest, or at least one of the newest, recruits of the branch. They would be the future after all.

"Now as to why I have called you in, and what service you could provide for me--I believe you remember a task I had given you some time ago, a list of naughty individuals I needed you to round up? It seems that you have not completed a single bit of that task...but while results are what we are measured in, I believe there is more to the overall process. Tell me, have you encountered any leads or information on those that I tasked you to hunt?"

Sure, the big picture was the apprehending and bringing in of those individuals, but the lack of that specific result did not mean his ANBU completely failed. Maybe he had learned something of those targets. Either way, there was literally no harm in him asking. There was also more that needed to be discussed, but this was something that had to go first.

 

[Kaen]

Ah yes, his apprentices. Teke, AKA 'Body Bag', was indeed quite the handful. The exact nature of her relationship with the previous Kazekage was still something of a mystery to him, but a choice piece in this game of chess called life. She was talented, though her appetite voracious, Kaen enjoyed her company. Kanmuri was different in his own unique way. The progeny of the Miroku Clan Leader, Akkuma, his place in this world was undetermined. A war was brewing within the young boy, not even Kaen knew where he would stand in the end. Kaen would remain calm and nod along with Tenken. "Body-Bag, she's something alright. She has much to learn, restraint respectfully. But her exact... Household for lack of a better term, it isn't impeding my ability to train and hone her already useful skill set. She's doing well, I expect her to become a full fledged member very quickly." Kaen would re-position himself in his chair before continuing"As for my second apprentice, he's... special, useful and yet dangerous. His father is none other than Miroku Akkuma, whether this is a blessing or a curse has yet to be determined. As for his capabilities, he's still young and trying to find his way. But I sense something within him, something that may yet change his future. His skill set is something of enigma to me, I've never see anything like it. I see, or feel rather, glimpses of his nature, but then when I look closer it's gone. I intend to test and gauge this power myself, I will find out what phantasm resides within this boy. He will be known as 'Mirage'.".

But this was not the real reason he was summoned here today, no. His superior wanted an update to the mission he gave him soon after his return from Lightning Country. It was true he had not presented any hard evidence of progress, this much was true. But he had not been doing nothing all this time. Though the exact nature of his activities regarding the matter was not something he intended to share this day, but there still much more he could. Perhaps it would satisfy Tenken's doubts in Kaen's ability. After Tenken had finished speaking, a low chuckle would resound outwards from behind his simple white mask. He understood his reasoning, where he was coming from so to speak. To the naked eye it really did seem like Kaen had shrugged off his duties. But Kaen had been busy, in a sense. "I do have a number of things to report. I apologize for my tardiness in relaying this information. I simply thought the exact value of this Intel was negligible until I had actually acquired the targets. Please give me a moment..."

Kaen would then reach up to his temple, concentrated a small amount of chakra into his intent and purpose, and pulled forth a small flickering ball of fire. His own unique way of transferring 'Snapshots' to another recipient. "If you'd like to take a look, I have already looked into this Akkuma. He's been blatantly infiltrating his way into the Academy and teaching the young about forbidden practices such as Kinjutsu or Cursed Seals." Now Kaen didn't entirely care about the exact nature of the learning subject, he did however think it unwise to allow these unregistered outsiders to guide the future caretakers of Suna. More specifically, Mother Suna would not approve of a Demon watching over her flock. "Not only that, he placed one such seal on one of the students, and allowed that chaotic mess to ensue." Kaen would give Tenken a moment to watch the memory Kaen had provided before speaking further.

Whether he watched it or not, Kaen would find an opening and continue; "While it may appear that I have failed in this attempt, he only delayed the inevitable." Kaen would need to tread carefully from this point forward, how much information he shared may or may not lead him down a path he could not recover from. But he was confident, he's done well enough hiding what he was to the common rabble so far. But therein lies the issue, doesn't it. Tenken was certainly not common. Well, more specifically he overplayed his hand. Overconfident and cocky, this Miroku invited me to his own place of business, The Devil's Lair Casino." Yep, you can't slip up if you tell the truth. Not that Kaen had really done anything wrong, aside from being what he was, who cares if you made a deal with the devil to find your kin? "I obliged his invitation, of course. For some unknown reason or another, he seems interested in me. More interesting, he has a laboratory, beneath the casino. It would appear he runs a sort of hospital half-way house for the cast out and rejected. He's helping people, in a way. Before I left, however, he did inquire about sensitive data, our data here at HQ. I believe he's ready to be brought in for your inspection, you only need give the word."

Kaen would re-adjust himself in his chair, it was rather uncomfortable to remain seated for so long. He was no desk jocky after all. "As for Azusa, I've learned nothing aside that she recently participated in the would tournament in Tea Country, she was not victorious. From what I heard though, she seems quite formidable and will not be easy to convince her to come nicely. Riyota, from the photo in our records, I've managed to track his general frequented locations, the Red Light District specifically. It shouldn't be a problem finding and collection him, I figured save the easiest for last. Reiko, however, I know nothing." That was pretty much everything useful he had to offer, hopefully it would satisfy. Kaen would remain silent until spoken to once more.

[OOC MFT, Snapshot link is here: LINK, It's in the middle of the thread, but that's when I started using it.]

 

[Raizo]

He would watch and he would listen. It seemed that Ruin had gathered more information on the man out of his list he had given the ANBU the most. So that was good, some work had done. The idea of taking in the child of Akkuma and someone that he was attempting to twist were both valuable.

Good job, Ruin.

However, Akkuma was a cancer. He not only multiplied, but he attempted to corrupt all that he touched. Ruin might be on the side of the ANBU for now, but how much more would the cult leader need to push until he found what the man behind the mask wanted? He would need to look further into the personal life of Ruin to see if he was a high risk to targetting and accepting of the works of the cult; was he from a mysterious and/or broken family and past--if so he was essentially catnip for the walking bag of shit.

"I see, to think he would so brazenly wander into our academy. This village, how it turns a blind eye to all of this... pardon, ruin, around it is discerning. The inactivity of Mikaboshi, the previous branch leader, to do nothing but serve himself is not the sole reason for this decay of our village security, but it did not help."

He would pause for a moment, his eyes glancing around behind his mask. He knew the rumors, the fears of using the name of that Ancient within these walls as not to call him upon you like some magical entity. He was a boogeyman, and that was something that worked well as ANBU, but now it seemed to be a ghost story for the current crop of ANBU. Tenken wasn't afraid, however. Not any more.

"Akkuma is a stray dog, yapping around wildly within this village. The time will come when he gets put down in the ditch that he deserves, luckily his cult... his "family", those troubled souls down in his laboratory that he calls "family", are mostly harmless. Just broken toys he finds along his journey, fill with false hope and claims of something greater and just uses them up until they are no longer of a need for him. His little notion of infiltrating our ranks, this village, isn't something new... in fact it's become a fun game to see who all foolishly get caught up within his web, makes rooting them all out that much easier when the time comes. He is no Mikaboshi. He is an idiot. "

It would not be unreasonable to assume that some of those words had a double meaning, a direct warning to Ruin. Again, there was no reason to doubt the operative, but he also understood the sway a figure like Akkuma could possess. Everyone, especially those from a torrid past, had something they wanted. He would promise it and they would become his new little toys.

"No worries about the others, Ruin. Keep tabs on that rabid little dog, however. What I called you here for was to not only get an update, but also to give you a new assignment. This one should be easier in scope, but execution might be just as difficult. Someone has returned to this village, an assest and a threat to our village; a woman known as Michi. She is an operative of Mikaboshi, she provided information to the village on The Sovereign, but her allegiances are not with this village and her knowledge alone, could not only topple our village but this whole country. Her returning, in the party of Sennin Senju Kazuki and his sister, is perplexing, but all I want is information on her."

He would hand a picture of the female over to Kaen. It was a sketch drawing based on memory and work with someone whose skills lied heavily in such aspects, but would be a fairly lifelike detailing.

"She is a shadow, she seemingly knows this village better than someone who has lived here their whole life. She possesses knowledge and has a terrifying understanding of people; she knows the correct buttons to push to get the outcomes she wants. Be wary of her and what she may attempt to tell you if she discovers you observing her; it is a job she has had before so you seeing her before she sees you will be tough. I want you to determine what she is up to and should the opportunity present itself or if you feel it is warrented, I want you to apprehend her and bring her in."

There was a long history between the man behind his mask and the woman behind this new face. It was painful, it was emotional and it was one in which both parties felt betrayed. His request could be viewed of that of a jealous spurned lover, and it might not have been entirely false, but it was also fueled by duty as well. She was a threat. She made it clear her intentions to use this village to not only defeat the daimyo but to destroy both parties in war mutually.

"Call me if needed when you are making you move, otherwise use your best judgment. This task is not easy, there is a high risk. She has survived a lot, and living in such a way has made her a terrifying person to oppose. Can I trust you with this task?"

 

[Kaen]

Kaen laughed silently in his head upon hearing Tenken's bold description of the Miroku demon. In truth he shared most of Tenken's view regarding Akkuma, though most mortals usually acted the same. Humanity, chakra potentials mostly, appeared as such, a cancer. An infestation of sorts, spreading from place to place, draining the area of resources before moving onto the next place.

As time went on, and Kaen's experiences expanded, he was drawing ever closer to a realization about life; trust no one, expect everyone to betray you. There are of course a few exceptions to this particular opinionated point of view, such as close family or fellow kinsmen. Or at least that's the way Kaen felt in this moment. Mother Suna might very well be trying to use and abuse her young firebug before his usefulness ran dry and he be discarded. Yes, the beings of this world were slowly twisting Kaen into possessing a pessimistic view on life. But nothing is ever set in stone, life is ever changing and Kaen's life has potential to be long. There is always time to change his mind.

Getting back on track, Kaen was no fool. Despite his occasional overzealous tendencies, and his brash fighter nature, there was still a calculating mind somewhere in there. Hidden behind his mask, a single brow rose with intrigue. Whoever this Tenken truly was, their intuition was remarkable. Not somebody to carelessly try and get one over one to be sure. But Kaen did hear Tenken's inconspicuous underlying message. A warning he would take to heart. He would not be taken advantage of, least of all to a demon.

Had Kaen not been wearing a mask, Tenken would have seen his ears perk up and his eyes light up. A new assignment meant more opportunities for a win. Life was a game, everyone a player. Kaen intended to be the victor. That and he aspired to be something more, to climb the ranks of the Anbu until he was on top. A higher standing meant more trust and responsibility, and nobody ever wants to challenge the underlings. Where's the fun in that. Not to say he would use that status for his own means, like Mikaboshi. Kaen would play the part well, whatever it may be. After all his main goal was to not be discovered, why not help the village succeed. Mother Suna would be pleased to see her land prosper. Sunagakure's security would not decay, instead it would climb to new heights, towering over the rest of the shinobi world.

Tenken would hand him a photograph of this 'Michi'. Based on Tenken's description of her, and this sketch, she appeared stern, professional and serious. She already had the advantage seeing as how Kaen has not lived here his entire life. Being an operative of Mikaboshi, ex or otherwise, she would surely give Kaen a challenge. She would not be as easy to tail compared to some of his previous targets. But Kaen never backed down from a challenge, in fact he welcomed and embraced them. Today would be no different, he would pocket the photo with excitement. 'Not Easy', 'High Risk', 'Terrifying'. These things only made him want it more. "Consider it done, I will not fail you." Kaen replied with much fervor. "Is there anything else you require of me, Tenken?" Kaen would begin to stand, but stopped just before getting up. He did not want to be rude, but he was more than excited. So much so he was beginning to lose control over himself. Just the idea of facing someone on par with the skill levels of an Anbu was invigorating. It was in this moment a fleeting thought rushed into his mind. Tenken was head of the Anbu, surely he was strong. He merely only had a taste so long ago when he first ventured into this place. And much of Kaen had changed or evolved since then. He would try to remain composed, as best he could, until he was dismissed or otherwise.

 

[Raizo]

It was pleasing to hear that Ruin would undertake the mission. The ANBU seemed fairly skillful, and his initiation was one in which a small sampling of his power was displayed. Even without testing him, he could feel, or at least reasonably assume, that such power had grown since then.

"Good to hear that, I expect great things from you Ruin. Speaking of which, your Mirage and Body Bag, continue to raise them up. This Corp has not yet seen its true potential, but we are getting closer. That is all for now, best of luck in your hunt."

OOC - Short post is short! Sorry, currently a hectic time with le holidays, and really didn't have a whole heck of a lot more to say. Good luck out there, ya fire-bug!

 

[Kaen]

Kaen would rise from his chair upon being dismissed. Giving a respectful bow to his superior, Tenken, Kaen would bid his farewells. "I will, they might very well surpass me. But that is the goal, isnt it, to see that our future suceeds and becomes better than we were. I appreciate your support, I will return after I have acquired what you seek." And with that Kaen would exit the room and walk down the cold, stone steps of the Obsidian Palace and out into the real world. "Michi... I'm coming for you..."


[OOC Short post is also short, topic left]