Tides of Time [Requesting Entry]

[Kouin]

The days were long, and the nights even longer. He longfully wished of the moment he would return home, but in what state would it be in after the events of the exam? Many questions were left unanswered, but he knew the answers would only open up more questions with less answers.

He approached the towering gate of Kumogakure, his sand shawl still masking his face. As he pulled it down he could feel the full briskness of the mountain air wash against his face and body, such a relieving feeling that many outsiders disagreed with, but his blood was originated from kumo, and it just felt as natural as the air in Kiri did.

He contemplated a repeat performance from his initial arrival, but he relinquished the thought and released a hefty shout over the gate, Anbu on deck, I have finished my investigation in Suna, and have returned home. He wondered who would meet him, would it be an old or new face? What could've changed in such a time he wondered.

 

[Keiji]

Whilst going over some paperwork at the gates, checking on security whilst also meeting up with fellow Santaru at their guard posts, Yoshi would be standing at the top, wearing a grey cloak, his rather blatant attempt at laying low in front of anyone who might recognise him, except for the posted Santaru that knew he'd be coming. He had just finished reading a report from one shinobi who had seen a shadow stirring around the gates. A concerning matter, but alas, the thought was interrupted by a shouter, a guard seeing another Shinobi approaching, the Hyuuga stationed easily identified the individual as Shinobi. Another recognised him as Kouin the then Sennin of the ANBU Branch making his return.
Yoshi called for an opening of the gates, as the highest ranking shinobi present at the time, it was his call to make.

Quickly Yoshi made his way down to the gates as they opened revealing the striking resemblance to the biography he had read on the current serving Shinobi.
The charming emerald green eyes, which clearly must've seen worse then they were letting on.
He seemed calm and reflective.

Yoshi stood with a stern look upon him. Whilst he trusted the shinobi recognition of seeing a fellow Kumo-nin, protocol dictates a showing passport and allowance of leaving, essentially proving that they are either returning from a mission or were given permission to leave the village in the first place. He'd be standing tall, at 6"7 wearing a dark long grey cloak, underneath a white tight shinobi outfit perfect for the cold weather coming in from the mountains. He glared with light-blue lightning coloured eyes at the Kumo-nin standing in front of him. "Papers and registrations. If you please." he would utter with a friendly and warm tone.
His yellow tinted hair was set in a ponytail at the top of his making his hair flow beautifully at his shoulders resting on top of the cloak, and his hands were wrapped in warm looking white leather gloves of the finest craftsmanship Kumo could ever offer.

Behind Yoshi a group of kumo-nin wearing the same white shinobi outfit closed in, their eyes staring, glaring at Kouin as well, clearly showing a protective stance and strong stance towards the shinobi standing in front of Kouin.

 

[Junan]

ACTIVATING MISSION #1 - Self Solo Mission S-Rank - Gate Duty.


It was a fairly busy day at the gates. A merchant was importing some goods to the village which had meant that Junan and the others on duty had needed to go through the standard protocol of making sure that everything was legal, documentation had been filled in. It was a hard thing to do, as they needed to make several judgement calls all of which could come back to bite them on the arse if it was the wrong thing to do.

They'd decided to open the crates and check the goods. They didn't have to strictly speaking, but it was often worth doing. It had meant that the shinobi entering and leaving the village were suddenly bunching up so they'd created a second and third line, just with fewer shinobi to process things than normal.

Junan had remained working on the merchant items. It seemed the merchant was bringing in fresh produce, always appreciated, but he wasn't someone that the village had seen before. This was usually a good thing, people liked to make a good impression in their first visit and knew that they would be checked. As it was in this case. But to do trade here he needed to fill in the paper work. After they had finished checking over the pallets of produce Junan let the others get to the still crowded gate and stood around with the merchant.

The merchant had several questions regarding the forms of course, it seemed he was a farmer himself and had decided to try his hand at cutting out the middle man. He'd left his farm in the hands of his sons while he attempted to sell the product and knew that the village was always in need of fruit and veg. Junan answered the questions and shared that he himself was a Jounin of the village, but that once much of this paperwork was done the farmer would be on record and wouldn't need to fill it out any more.

They discussed the difficulties of traversing the mountain passes, the farmer asking Junan if he knew any better paths, Junan did but it was difficult to describe with them being so far along. The conversation was nice and friendly. All was happy. Of course Junan was also wondering whether or not this guy would be a candidate for the organization to transport people. In this case he decided that he wasn't, he was a farmer, he wasn't a greedy merchant... yet.

All done Junan went back to the desk and helped to clear the masses.

A few hours later and all was good. A single shinobi approached the gates, Junan could tell the difference between a shinobi and a non-shinobi by the way they walked as they reached the end of their journey.

The man called for ANBU, but Junan didn't give a damn, he was on duty and so he'd go and help sort this guy out.

Walking out he bowed his head politely. He recognized the ANBU Sennin after all. But it seemed that someone else had moved ahead of him. That was fine. Junan simply took his place by the gates and watched. It was Yoshi, they hadn't formally met yet, but they had been on duty together for a short time, his shift recently started while Junan's was close to ending. It seemed like he had a little group which followed him around, to say he had piqued Junan's interest would be an understatement.

Still, he would sit back and watch.

 

[Kumori]

Gate duty.

Kumori hated gate duty. It reminded him of how small his cage was in comparison to the outside world. He often wondered what beauties and horrors lived on the other side of the natural wall that surrounded Kumogakure. He remembered the day he could take it no more, and tried to escape, just to be stopped by a medic with big boobs and a giant ANBU. He was helpless back then, but it was different now. Now, -he- was different. The beating of his extra heart reminded him of the fact every second without rest.

His eyes had been closed for a while as he slept, hidden from the hardworking men at the gates. There was no need to work hard on a day like this. Nothing interesting would happen, and if something did happen, the jounin would take care of it. But it was time to go back, his shift was almost over… again, this was just another day… or so he thought.

Who was that man with the blond hair and the ugly glasses?

He knew that man. This was not -just- another day. No. This was -the- day. He was no longer that helpless little coward that had been beat almost to his death on that cold night at Cronopolis. He was no longer helpless, and the fear that had controlled him just days ago had been replaced with the courageous heart of his enemy.

“I know you.” – he said quietly, loud enough for Junan to hear, but not for anybody else. He placed a finger on his lips to reassure the man that they were still sealed. After all, he did not look forward to getting trapped into that deadly genjutsu, or swallowed whole by his puppet body. He paused for a second, taking a deep breath and another step forward. “Tell me mister, why is it I feel that heart does not belong to you?” – a smile grew on his face, wide and with a hint of evil intent hidden in its innocence.

He could not ask everything he wanted to ask, he could not say everything he wanted to say, for they were not alone, and to be honest… he did not want to be alone with him. For now, his crappy metaphors would have to do. Kumori looked past the man, and towards the small gathering on the other side of the gate. It was the ANBU sennin, there was no doubt about it. He had done his research, he needed to know everybody who held a position of importance in the village publically if he wanted to someday take over. The man next to him was Santaru Yoshi, the head of the Santaru clan, which explained why he was surrounded by so many uniformed shinobi. At least, for the moment he would be safe.

He raised a brow at Junan, expecting an answer

 

[Kouin]

He could hear a call to open the gates to his arrival; the reassuring sound of the gates pull open it was a sound he had long wished to hear. Has they pulled open he saw the regal appearance of striking blue-lightning eyes framed well by sleek blond hair. A grey cloak was draped over the mans body, as were several units behind him. His attention fixated on the man before him, I don't believe we've met before? He took a whiff of the air, and couldn't help but grin, Yet I smell the storms about you.. I guess an apple can tell another apple from the bunch. Even though his position was a recognized one, they had to take required precautions versus transformative techniques.

He stuck his left hand into his jacket pocket and produced his anbu profile; the picture in the profile would be blank as most anbu's would, but they had another identifying mark that is given to them. He would turn his left hand over to show the underside We all have a symbol the define us or identify; I am the rift. He would pass his chakra through the mark specifically, and suddenly the mark would begin to make itself appear. Once Yoshi got a good enough look, and returned his papers, It's quite a gathering you have up here. His eyes scanned the area briefly, but two things caught his eyes.

The first was a gentlemen who had the majority of his points originating from a singular point, his heart, and then stretching strings out to all his joints. An odd fellow... He heard of people similar to him; transmogrified themselves to be more akin to puppets than actual people, but still easily able to assimilate into normal shinobi life, I'll have to keep an eye on that man. There was an aura about him that didn't sit right with him, but he wasn't one to confront someone in front of subordinates, at least not on just a hunch. He noticed someone by him; he couldn't make him out from just a glance, but he appeared to be apart of the AiT program.

He would step to Yoshi's side, but no far enough to enter without the permitted entry, but if permitted he would venture closer to the trainee, and place a seldom hand on the boys shoulder; Hasn't anyone told you it's rude to ask where people got their internal organs? He let out a light hearted chuckle and fixated on the weird fellow once more.

 

[Keiji]

"Haha, an apple indeed" Yoshi chuckled at the comment on apples from a bunch. "You won't find a sweeter apple than this though I'm afraid." He continued as he reached out for the passport and papers. He tilted his chin to the side with a stern look on his face as Kouin turned his hand and let the mark appear.
"I see, you should be good then."

Without turning around, without even moving to even check their presence, as he was handing back the passport he uttered. "Unless any of you have any interjections or any protocols I am not aware of?" addressing the two individuals having approached from behind, simply watching the whole thing unfold in front of them. Judging, assessing, reading the situation.
The guards had halfway turned towards them when Yoshi had begun talking to them, quickly realising whom he was addressing.

If they had no further comments, Yoshi would prefer to simply walk away, back up to finish the paperwork he had so eagerly to await him at the top of the gates.

 

[Junan]

Junan was relaxed, leaning against the frame of the gate watching as what looked like the ANBU Sennin returned from his time in Sand. A smile fixed on his face, looking on the surface friendly enough, but something about their combination with the glasses gave it a more sinister feel. He noticed the potential ANBU Sennin before him look at him, not in the eyes or rather glasses, but to where he truly was. He had some ability to sense chakra then, he was far from alone in that regard.

From behind him there was a voice, quiet, but not one he recognized. Perhaps it was the organisation sending him a message?

But then he heard the words.

Nope, not them. Didn't matter who it was then.

Before him in the mean time the man had been identified by Yoshi, and so the man was of the village, ANBU based on the call sign, and that meant that he was who he looked like. The Sennin that had been made such despite wrecking havoc in the village. Such an interesting individual.

Before he could reply to the words spoken quietly behind him the Sennin, Kouin, spoke up, obviously overhearing what had been said. He somewhat scolded the boy for asking about Junan's heart. He had moved around Junan to get to the boy, and Junan had followed the man, turning his frame, and then looking at the boy.

Oh, it's okay, it's nothing really. He said, his voice taking on a friendly tone. He looked at the boy and then said Besides, it's not my heart that doesn't belong to me. The grin grew on his face, a more vicious smile appearing as he said it, yet the tone remained. He recognised the child. Perhaps he should have turned this boy into a puppet instead of that other child.

He heard movement now to his right, where Yoshi and his guards had been left by Kouin.

Lifting himself from the gates frame he moved inside, out of the way of the group so that they could enter without obstruction.

 

[Kumori]

Just what the hell is this guy?

Kumori made sure to whisper what he had said to Junan. There was simply no way the sennin could have heard unless he was some sort of super human. But then again, he -was- sennin, so that must have been the case, Kumori thought. Rude? I think taking those organs would be a bit ruder. Don’t you think? Kumori smiled. Instantly his eyes went wide with fear. Oh lord. What if he can read minds? What have I done? I just fucked up big time! If Kouin had some mind-reading jutsu, this would be the end of Kumori. The puppet would find out he was just thinking of his potential murderous rampage and kill him, and if he somehow survived thanks to the all powerful sennin being there, he would go to prison for killing that family. Not that they didn’t deserve it. Probably the girl did not deserve it… she was just unlucky she saw.

“Ka- Kaze-sama.” – he bowed his head slightly as he said the words. He was starting to get nervous. Two big village figures were in front of him. The ANBU sennin, the man whose job he was planning on eventually taking, and the head of the Santaru clan, the most powerful clan in Kumogakure. “I met your brother a few days ago. I was impressed by his use of genjutsu.” – he nervously said, trying to change the topic and perhaps get some appeal from the sennin… even though it was obviously a lie. Kumori hated genjutsu. He simply could not stand his mind being tinkered with.

Then Yoshi spoke. “Santaru-sama.” – he smiled, calming himself down in sight of Yoshi’s peaceful demeanor. “I believe that’s all there is to it.” He took a step away from Junan, making sure that he was far away enough to dodge or something, if his mind had been actually read.

 

[Kouin]

He stared into the depths of his trainees eyes; the small stutter in his voice as he timidly spoke his name and bowed his name. He could see two beating rhythms pumping in his chest, Hm.. Another one like Hyazo... Interesting, maybe he could be of some worth. He turned his head towards the gate guard that let him in, I'm sure we'll cross paths again Santaru-san; the storms rarely drift far from each other. He was a curious fellow that Santaru was, he didn't introduce himself, nor did he establish a rank. Just who was he in the village; just how much has he missed since he had been gone for such a period of time? So much had changed....

His attention returned to the two closest to him. He couldn't get a bead on the man with glasses, something just screamed that something was off about his disposition. He couldn't quite pin what it was, and his overly smug grin didn't help his case in the least bit, Something strikes me that you aren't completely human my friend... But really what we shinobi can do... are any of us truly human? He let the question linger for a few moments, and patted Kumori on the back, I had an acquaintance who was very similar to you, but he has disappeared... He let out a brief sigh; he had no idea where Hyazo had ran off too, but last he remembered he was in Stone with Shashu.... Fuck that bitch.

He raised a curious brow at the boy, if he had encountered Mori he must of also realized his proficiency with making genjutsu's appear to be reality, which could be scary for people who aren't accustomed to the mind altering effects. If he wasn't particular immune to the affects himself, he wasn't quite sure how he would personally feel about the wavering mental effects the jutsu could impose. My brother is good kid, if not a little meek physically, but he is a very bright child; you could learn much from him. He would study the boys face after his initial comment on his brother's genjutsu, and could sense and almost disdain for the mental arts and decided maybe he'd be better off training the boy himself, help build the youth of his branch. Kumori-chan, meet me at the training fields tomorrow evening; I would like you to show me what you can do. He gave a farewell pat on his shoulder and began making his way into the village.

[Topic Left/ Unless Stopped]
[Village Entered]

 

[Kumori]

Kaze Kouin.

He was one of the most interesting people inside Kumogakure. Kumori wanted to rank up, and he wanted to do it fast. He felt that it was his duty to prove that he was strong, for his sake, for the sake of his brother, and for the sake of his parents who had died in a low-ranked mission. Ever since he was young he had been treated like scum for this very reason. The people of his clan had refused to aid him or his brother during their time of need after their parent’s death because they saw them as weak, and as genes that shouldn’t be passed down in the clan. But that had to change. ANBU Sennin Kaze Kouin was his way out, and he was ready to do almost anything to get a ticket to his mentorship.

I had an acquaintance who was very similar to you, but he has disappeared...

Just what had he meant by this? The question lingered in Kumori’s mind for a while, as the sennin placed his hand on his shoulder. He had been let in, and had no reason to stick around for a chat, yet Kumori felt the urge to call for him. Letting Kouin get away was like pretending he hadn’t seen an opportunity. Letting an opportunity escape him was like accepting his own weakness. But he wasn’t weak. He had changed. He simply had to prove it.

“I could… but genjutsu is just not my thing.” – he offered an awkward smile, working his mind to think of something else to follow up the initial comment. Kumori glanced at Junan before turning around to look at Kouin, fixating his eyes on his for a second before lowering them. He had the rinnegan. Kumori wondered what the extent of his skills was. He had heard that upon his initial arrival at Kumogakure, he had defeated the previous ANBU sennin, and killed two of her guards. He wondered if he could ever defeat Kouin. Probably not.

Kumori-chan, meet me at the training fields tomorrow evening; I would like you to show me what you can do.

That was it.
Kumori took a deep breath and nodded, choosing to stay silent as he watched the sennin enter the village. He had no use for words anymore… it was time to speak with actions. Tomorrow was the day he would prove himself to be more than just the son of two failures.

[Topic Left]

 

[Keiji]

"All good then!" He concluded as he clapped his hands together with a smile.
"With that done" he said as he'd turn to his personal guards and towards the gates again. "Let's get back to work."
He began to just, simply, walk back up, to finish the paperwork he was working on before Kouin had made his appearance.
The paperwork was still sitting up there at the tower with the others awaiting the conclusion eagerly, as Yoshi assumed, none of them really respected him properly yet.
yet..

[topic left]
[Apologies for the delay]

 

[Junan]

Junan turned his attention to Kouin as he was directly engaged by the man. Kouin mentioned something about him not being completely human, the lilting tone told Junan that he wasn't attempting to accuse Junan of anything, and he asked whether any shinobi can truly be called human. Looking at the man Junan didn't know if he was meant to answer or not, the grin slipping from his face, leaving as blank an expression as he could give. It wasn't deliberate, it simply was his expression. He didn't care enough to hide his emotions, in this case he simply had none.

The other shinobi with the guards headed off to do the paperwork that needed to be done.

Kouin headed into the village, patting the kid on the back and gaining himself a fan.

Junan watched everyone going their directions and raising his watch he realised he was now officially off duty.

It was killing time.

[topic left]