[EVENT] RoB: The Unyielding Stone

[Leaf Sage]

Rise of Beasts: The Unyielding Stone

In the wake of the Basilisk attack that shook the village down to it's foundation, cold nights were to follow as the village hardly resembled it's former glory. Small torch lights and bon-fires were used to light the village streets as the generators were down, and many villagers were going with power or running water. By the time the sun peaked over the horizon and light dressed the village, shinobi were gathering in mass for a ritualistic meeting. Near the top of the spire there was an open hall-level, exposed to the day-light and crafted from marble, top to bottom. In this ceremonial meeting of sorts, a council of elders gathered to discuss the future of the hidden stone with the shinobi who weathered the Basilisk's storm. A mere few hundred shinobi were able to file into the hall, platoon formation style for the meeting. Everyone from fresh academy students and older were invited to attend. The elder ninja and Jounin were expected to the front: they were the main ninja expected to serve as the mouth peace for their underlings to the back. In front of the ninja platoon stood a group of seasoned shinobi and other respected village figures, who stood as the wise council of the village. In the absence of the Tsuchikage, this council stood as an authority over the shinobi forces, and had come to guide the new leadership they'd elect today.
[spoilername="Rise of Beasts"]Welcome to the next chapter of the Rise of Beasts. All ninja of the hidden stone are invited and greatly encouraged to participate in this meeting.
Please make your presence known with an entry post and become familiar with the people around you. We are in for some exciting changes.[/spoilername]

 

[Karafuto Kaiju]

Kai entered the room. The large marble room that many of the people his age entered and marvelled at. He simply walked in, acknowledged the scale and size of the building. Colossal in nature and still more people behind his class of students.

He was being bumped and pushed around but what amused him slightly were the ninja that decided to walk up the walls and listen from there. Kaiju wished he knew how to to be away from the hustle and bustle of this crowd.

This reminded him of the time his father locked him in a cage and put it underwater so just his lips could poke out the top to teach him to remain calm in situations. After he shuddered the thought away he stood rosy lure despite not really being able to see and listened carefully. Awaiting to hear the news

 

[Okada Kaji]

As the Matsui family arrived on the scene for the all important meeting, the father Benjiro towered over the crowd, searching for where the senior ninja gathered. Meanwhile his son Jomei eagerly stepped out of his shadow, and plunged into the mass of low-ranking ninja that spanned most of the crowd. Before his father finished disappearing from the story, Jomei was already deep into the crowd and becoming reacquainted with fellow ninja while there was still time to mingle. Usually, there was a drawl to meetings like these, and time for small talk always preceded the big business. In his father’s presence, Jomei always wore his cloak to soften his appearance, and weaved through the crowd as just another ninja. The mass of young ninja surrounding him were like a crowd of gray faces, nameless souls that seemed to fill the gaps between the colorful characters that made this village what it truly was.

As Jomei continued to move through the crowd of bodies like obstacles on a course, he accidentally bumped shoulders with an unfamiliar face; it was a student given the lack of a village sigil on his uniform. Nervously, Jomei sprung to greet this stranger. “Excuse me,” he apologized with a pat on Kaiju’s shoulder. “The name is Jomei” he added with a friendly tone of voice. “I don’t think I have seen you around here before. What are you, a new guy, or are you one of those reclusive types?” Before the stranger felt crushed by the tension of a conversation about his awkwardness, Jomei shifted the conversation to the meeting that was only moments from kicking off. "Jeez, I really hate these kind of gatherings, yanno. My pops says that some important things are transpiring today, but I doubt it'll mean much to guys like us... right?" As Jomei made his assumption, he stood on his tip-toes in an attempt to get a better look at the elders gathering to the front. Among them stood his father, which seemed as stern, gentlemanly, and silk-smooth as always.

 

[Seijin]

Yabba Dabba Do! ​

Everybody dreaded the highly annoying Monday morning meeting. The bane of all office workers, the rambling of rich schmucks and kiss-ups was enough to drive most intelligent white collar workers insane. Fortunately, Umashi was more than preoccupied with going over the intel on the creatures that the turtles managed to dig up. Having examined some of the remains that they were able to grab from the last battle sight, a stream of theories were being mentally conveyed to the medic-nin.



Though he stood closer to the front than most due to rank and general shinobi banner shenanigans, Umashi still kept his earthy tone hood over his head and attempted to keep a low profile. Partially out of wanting to not get caught in some genjutsu trap, he figured it best if he blended in versus standing out like he normally attempted to gracefully convey. Whatever those creatures were and wherever they came from had better be figured out quick because quite frankly they couldn’t stand to have another one of those attacks or even worse, an even bigger one. Thankfully there were enough people holding conversations around him to where he shouldn’t be that noticeable. Then again, where were the actual branch higher-ups?



OOC: Topic Entered

 

[Ii Hissori]

Life was certainly going to be a day after the attack of the monsters. More importantly Hissori was certainly feeling it. The medical sennin did not sleep at all that night not only dealing with the fallout from a medical standpoint, but also from a physical perspective. It had been decades since the Inuzaka had fought anything in a serious manner, and fighting something that strong had left him properly with a permanent headache.

Hissori was in his normal medical outfit of black slacks, but today he was sporting a sky blue polo. Like always however, his belt had his Kirigakure emblem supporting it. Unlike most of the shinobi, Hissori was sitting off to the side of the council at a large table where the military leaders sat. Next to him, Buru was laying his whole front left leg in a compression wrap a wound for the wolfdog.

Hissori himself had a lot of papers spread out in front of him for military plans that he and the rest of his cohort had been coming up with. Now just the hope was the rest of his leaders would arrive.

 

[Yaku]

The young girl wiped her eyes, trying to keep her attention on the possible happenings in the next few moments. Her eye lids drooping with ease, even in the now roaring room. It was a hard pressed effort, as she hadn't been getting to much sleep within the last few days. Training, helping out with the efforts, trying to find food and water, a place to live. It was all becoming a difficulty since her house was destroyed. Not to mention the other general hardships because of the monster attack. The communial baths and bathrooms were starting to leave an unsavery breeze to woft from them. Everything was starting to smell, though she was just getting use to it enough now to think it normal. Though she felt the grime on her, like a growing and festoring virus, trying to drag her down and spread to the next victim. Some guy rubed up against her and she felt like something rubbed off, though in which direction she was unsure. The room was becoming to cramped; uncomfortable. She pushed her way through a gaggle of people, she needed to get some air. Though doing such felt horrible.

It really wasn't that bad, but it felt like it to her. The conditions were far less nominal then she was used to. Though she certainly had it better then some others. Things were slowly getting hairy in the village, and infrustructure was still dwindeling. General comforts were a thing of the past. Personally, she would have felt more comfortable if she had gone to visit one of the outlieing villages, then again, in truth who knew what conditions they were in. There was more then just one single village in all the Earth Country, and she hadn't put much thought to how those other villages were doing.

Eventually she pushed herself passed enough people to reach the back, or perhaps far side of the room? She didn't care at the moment where she stood, to tired to tell even that much. In any case, she got a great view of the room in most every direction, seeming like the ground was just a little higher up where she was, and a wall not to far from her back. She looked around again, her eye lids drooping open and shut as she did. She saw a few familiar faces, most of them she didn't know, but recognized. She could now see the village in the background, a few twinkeling lights in the shadows of a glowing sunrise. She yawned, stretching slightly as she did, again rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her dress. Again she tried to push herself forcefully to be fully awake, trying to stir her own attention to be prepared for the coming attractions.

 

[Leaf Sage]

The hushed murmurs of the crowd of shinobi echoed around the halls of the meeting as the group of people were gathered. The front of the hall, on the elevated floor, the group of village councilors and leaders were gathered. Of course This would lead people to see that the Tsuchikage and every sennin besides Hissori was not there. Where were they? Well hopefully, the middle age brown hair women was who was going up to the podium was going to answer that question for the shinobi corps.

“Hello there wonderful defenders of Iwagakure. Today, we called you here to brief you on the situation we have before us. To give a brief recap, yesterday we were attacked by some sort of ancient reptile. Thanks to the many shinobi who defend us we were able to get away with only minor causalities and destruction only to Inner Marushi.

Unfortunately, one of those causalities was our Tsuchikage Kazehi Ryu. Currently, the man is resting peacefully, but unfortunately he is unable to continue his role as Tsuchikage. This means that we are on the verge of a new era here in Iwagakure.

And as this is a new era here in Iwagakure, we will need new leaders here to lead us to stability! Who will be the ones to do this?” The women finished once she drew in her breath looking out.

 

[Seijin]

#Buru4Kage ​

Oh my! Umashi himself stifled a gasp as his mind jumped a full ten steps ahead of what the lady was saying. He’d been there and done that and quite frankly he knew how this song and dance went all too well. Reminded of his own run as Kage though under quite different circumstances; the fact that Hissori was the only one here could only mean that he was the one next up to watch the throne. Of course the council of political folk could just as easily promote some no name prodigy from the academy but that wouldn’t go over so well with the shinobi folk. There was quite honestly no other choice but the medical Sennin and if Umashi was a gambling man . . . and he was . . . his hard earned yen was on a boy and his dog making history. A medic too? Not too many could probably say that they ever saw that coming



Reflecting on his own short stint as Hokage, Umashi grew a bit nostalgic as he remembered the Civil War that caused it all. How long had it been since he’d retired the hat to the next more peaceful generation? The years seemed to pass by but surely it was four almost five years now? Heck, for that matter there wasn’t much that he could say about retirement. He merely swapped one headband for another and thankfully it was with a close ally. He really ought to see about visiting the “good ol’ Leafies” back in Konoha. He hadn’t seen a tree hugging Senju in ages. Keeping the greater portion of his excitement to himself he wondered just why exactly the ANBU and Main Branch Sennin weren’t around if the Tsuchikage was the only person injured in the battle. For that matter where had they been this whole time because he could hardly remember a time seeing them before the previous Kage met his fate. He glanced around, not making eye contact but doing just a quick scan of numbers. Just how many high ranking shinobi did they not have for it to get even remotely this weird. Better yet, maybe it was best if he stopped politicking himself and waited for the lady to finish.





OOC: :O

 

[Ii Hissori]

Hissori would do his best to just stay quiet as he heard all the new the middle age women had to say. Of course, he knew most of it. What he did not know was that Kazehi Ryu was having to resign due to the injuries he had sustained in the fight. He thought somewhere his friend would come into the meeting to address the crowd. However, that did not seem to happen. Instead the room was left completely shocked and quiet. The next thing he felt was the eyes.

It was probably natural, the man who was the only active sennin for the man most people in the room though should replace him. However, it was something that that Hissori was a bit apprehensive to do. His whole life, Hissori had been thrusted into the spot light. First when he was the young age of thirteen becoming a medical chief. He spent years growing and learning from that age on how to control a crowd, and how to lead. Still every time the man found himself in a weird spot, he was thrusted into a leader ship role. He really did not know if this was going to be another time

“Owwww.” Hissori mumbled in his baritone voice as he felt Buru bite him gently as he went to rub his hand before he slowly, and a bit apprehensively went to stand up to signify that he was willing to lead.

 

[Yaku]

The room grew silent suddenly, and the young girl drifted ever more so into her stupor from the lack of sleep and action occurring. The truth was she knew she would have a lack of clairvoyance to the happenings that were to occur, and an even lesser effect on the end decisions that were, will, and going to be made about what was happening in the village. Of course that would be partially to blame by her current status. She heard a loud voice boom out, though it was replaced by a dream sequence involving her and several others dressed in white robes standing over a indiscernible body. The head was covered with a sheet as the woman spoke. She was writing down notes as if she was taking down a dictation for a upcoming test question. She again looked over at the body and in the outside world, mumbled softly, "Was it a snake or a turtle?"

The woman continued to speak, her words spoken, to herself a passing thought in the dream, as she wrote down the words that she had just spoken unbeknownst to her. Then when the woman mentioned the name of the victim, the face was revealed to the group to be that of the Tsuchikage Kazehi. They were startled by the knowledge and all seemed to speak at the same time in loud yet hushed tones. His body and face rippled and burned, with some recognition to those that witnessed him fighting of his Jinchuuriki form, though the knowledge of the appearance unknown to her as to why. It was was moments after that harsh site that she woke up, seeing the woman a few feet ahead of her and shook herself awake, looking around, rubbing half her face to keep awake, trying to push a need to stretch and a slight amount of surprise and horror down. She was trying to grasp what was happening, a confused look on her face about what was happening. The woman continued to talk, and she recognized the voice of that from the woman in her dream. She spoke about a new era, and new leadership, as if asking a question to everyone.

'Was all that true?' She thought about the portions of the dream, trying to take what the woman was saying in it. She forgot most of the first half that was said, but remembered the stuff about an attack, and of Lord Kazehi. She looked around as people began to stir, wishing she had found a different location to watch from then up front, though everyone was looking in her general direction, she followed there gazes towards the man nearby with the dog, that she than saw bite him. Sara watched as he stood, and now trying to remember who he was as she got a small glimpse of half his face. She partially recognized him as someone of importance, thought hat could have been construed from where he was sitting and the shocked faces of the crowd that were looking to him. She was still to far out of it to bring the thought forward, as if it were sitting on the edge of her lips. The dog seemed important to her as well at that moment. As she was trying to gather her thoughts, it was enough to get her back to full attention, as she scratched her chest as if something were biting her.

 

[Leaf Sage]

Almost on cue, a raised voice echoed from somewhere behind everyone, as Hissori stood up. "Now, I think that right there is a great idea!", confidently spoken, an elderly man dressed in a rather flashy yellow dress suit with dark blue pants stood up in the back of the room. The man was an unknown; a closed eyed, white haired elderly gentleman with a long pointy mustache and beard. The man looked ancient, though there was a sense of regalia in his demeanor, a sense of purpose, sharpness and intelligence emanated from him. He leaned forward from his chair, planting himself just ahead of a small girl and three athletic looking buffed men that stood close behind. As anyone would have turned around, the little girl at his side seemed to rock back on her feet and give a big smile to everyone and a partial wave.

The girl, she could pass as belonging, as a few other women in the audience seemed to dress similarly enough; a white sleeveless kimono edged in fox fur that met at her chest tied onto a yellow bell, arm sleeves with red flowers, and a yellow pinkish frilly skirt with a red and yellow sash, paired perfectly with matching thigh socks and sandals. She even had the assemble finished off with a katana at her side with black and yellow braiding on the handle with yellow and red flowers decorating the scabbard. The only odd thing really about her were the black horns that stuck off her head with yellow flowers decorating it. The just shy of 4 foot girl white haired girl had a grand smile on her face, and the cutest eyes one could imagine. Her rust colored eyes and stance seemed to show no hostilities at all. Though the other three around her. The three men were dressed quite indicative that they didn't belong there, in black suits that obviously didn't fit properly. They toward over the man they stood behind, he at a 5’8”. They were quite muscular, a perfect description to fit for there profession.

The unknown old man raised his arm, waving his hand and fingers as he spoke, flauntingly, "New leaders, using a new system to run things should do us some good." The man slapped his cane on the ground, having it echo as he finished, as if marking the end of his words with some authority. "Perhaps this village would benefit from abandoning that painfully old Shinobi Kage business thing that you people so indicatively enjoy parading about." His face almost seemed smug though it hadn't changed really, it was just the feeling that emanated off of him. "The..." he murmured for a moment, "how to put it. Ahh! The NORMAL people of this fine village have taken a back seat to the military irresponsibility that has stuck around for long enough. I think, no no, I KNOW that the village would benefit greatly from a more.. Well, I guess a less focus orientation to that of which is being a shinobi you could say!"

The man almost seemed to be trying to insult those around him, for all were of course living the exact lifestyle he was suggesting to dissipate from. He let his words linger for a moment before continuing on, "This village needs a greater focus on other forms of economy then just your..single minded combative mannerisms." He was really trying to get on the participants' of this meetings nerves now, a response towards such being given by those nearby. The three men stepped forward as a few in the audience nearby did so, the tall burly men seeming to dissuade the few close to them. "Now now, I am not suggesting to just stop training young folk at the academy for you Shinobi's, just.. put your needs on a back burner for the time being. I think a entrepreneur such as thy would be a more "proper" stable leader as you put it, instead of a Tsuchikage as is custom."

[spoilername="Man"]

[/spoilername]
[spoilername="Young Girl"]

[/spoilername]

 

[Takamura Yuichi]

Yuichi tread slowly towards the designated location of the village meeting. As he picked his way through the rubble, his mind hazily went back to the time that the disaster had struck. It had happened so suddenly that he wasn't even particularly clear on what he was doing at the time. He only vaguely remembered that some higher ranked individual had suddenly dropped by, and had issued out some quick orders to him before dashing off again.

His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the area around him once more. The image of the ruined town, which had been so full of life just a few days ago, really hit him hard. He had moved to the Village of Iwa after the Village of Mist had been taken down almost overnight by the Frost. It wasn't just the fact that his new home had been demolished; it was the fact that he still hadn't become strong enough to help protect his new home. It was all he could do to follow the simple instructions that he had been given in the chaos.

As he stopped in front of the building, Yuichi shook his head to clear it of the thoughts that he had been mulling over. Now was not yet the time to reminisce and wallow in self-pity. He had to be thankful that none he was close with had perished. He had to consider, along with the rest of the survivors of what they could only term a natural disaster, what he could do to help the village recover in the future. Pushing the door open softly, he walked in and settled down near the back, next to a yawning, blue haired girl. As he had come late, he felt that it wouldn't be too appropriate to try to huddle in closer to the center.

Almost as soon as he settled in, Yuichi startled, hearing that even the Tsuchikage had fallen victim to the disaster. Almost on cue, another group suddenly started loudly voicing their intention to become the de-facto leader of the Village. The various murmurs rippling through the crowd echoed his own sentiments of how timely an interruption these so-called entrepreneurs had sprung. He knew better than anyone how important money was. However, to go so far as to suggest that the Village of Iwa forgo electing a proper Tsuchikage and instead install a business-person as the head...

Isn't it now that the defense of the Village is even more important...?

[MFT]

 

[Okada Kaji]

Whispers echoed through the crowd after a group of strange faces invited themselves into the lime-light. Many of the ninja surrounding them backed away in sequence, parting wide enough to reveal the slim man, little girl, and husky mob for all to see. The maester who led the ceremony became just as quieted as the masses, and looked around at the fellows of her council. That’s right, just about everybody seemed a little confused as they sought the man who’d speak against their Order. Their surprising idea sprouted like a blade of grass growing from a crack in the pavement, but to the square-jawed, stern-backed people of the stone, their idea was an itchy weed. More sounds of confusion and unbelief passed through the masses as the well-spoken man and his company embraced the idea of breaking a time-honored tradition. A laugh echoed out in disbelief, some random ninja most-likely. It wasn’t like most of his people to appeal to a change in tradition like that, but the same couldn’t be said for a curious mind.

“S’cuse me” were the accompanying words. Attempting to squeeze through the cracks of a wall of crowded ninja, Jomei accidentally pushed himself between two stiff bodies, and they resisted him like a stone gate until one finally budged under his pressure. Jomei spilled out from behind the masses, and saw the faces of these strangers first hand. His elders were so quick to put on sour faces on their stage, and even the few high ranking ninja seemed at odds. Maybe the quieted hall presented that illusion. But there was Jomei, who called for attention erroneously, and froze in the spotlight.

“Oh, umm…” He fumbled his words when nothing legible came to mind. On onset mental block in the face of pressure made him a cushion for the daggers shooting from his father’s eyes. Mere seconds passed as the crowd waited for him to say a word.

“I’m sorry” he cowered, and cheekly turned his back, but another support pushed him forward once again. “Go ahead, you can tell ‘em” said some overzealous bystander.
With no option but to make a statement, Jomei considered the stakes and why he wanted to see the faces of these forward-thinkers for himself. They sought the polar opposite of the traditional values that made his village a second rate society. And they dared to do so without a stone sigil to be found.

“Does your new leadership come with a solution to another Basilisk attack?” Anxiously, Jomei asked a inquiry burning at his core. Why they were piling into this hall and standing in formations, more monsters were out there, waiting. Was there a cycle of failure in The Stone’s Tsuchikage tradition?

 

[Seijin]

Every dog has its day . . .​

The entire time that the guy was talking, Umashi just got more and more annoyed. Truthfully it was because the man was too much like himself. Beside that fact was the point that the little girl caught in the world of politicians was just as much a clear copy of Kami all those years ago. Too many flashbacks and Umashi knew all too well how this was going to end if he allowed this man to catch even a whiff of power over the affairs of the village. Internally he really didn’t want to do what he was about to do but he’d made a promise to some promising kids back in Konoha that he wasn’t going to let the evils of the world repeat history on his watch.



Stepping forward he walked along the edge of the line between the shinobi and the man’s guards. Surely they had to be trained in some sort of defensive arts because it was highly unwise to upset the local shinobi while standing on their turf. Raising his voice added his point to the numerous voices that had joined to denounce the man’s claims that he’d do a better job. “With all due respect good sir, it would seem that you are behind on the times. Perhaps you missed the announcements when the gates were being threatened, or perhaps you missed the news when there were innocents being evacuated.” A master of the contract summoning arts, as he walked there seemed to appear in the wake of his step equally cloaked figures who showed clear signs of being anthromorphic turtles. The shape of their shells and the not so normal lack of human digits gave them announcement enough to encircle Hissori as Umashi moved to stand in the space between Hissori and the man.



“Our apologies if you haven’t heard dear sir, the Sandaime Tsuchikage Ii Hissori is fully competent and fully capable of continuing to protect not only this village but the entirety of this nation. To belittle the efforts of past Tsuchikage is to consider their sacrifices and by extension many of our own as less than deserving of merit. I for one find rather . . . offensive.” Umashi wasn’t intentionally trying to start a fight but if the man was going to go around intentionally ticking people off then he’d better recognize that they weren’t going to stand for any foolishness while there was work to be done, nor ever for that matter. He hadn’t endorsed a candidate since the incident with the twins back in Konoha. He’d left the village their care along with a few other good shinobi.

So far as he knew, Chiyuki had maintained a fine Kage record while also keeping her brother Chiaki close in her inner circle. Umashi had just as much an obligation to assist the next leader in Iwa as he had in Konoha. “Currently we are awaiting orders and plans for our next course of action to prevent a new enemy from doing any more harm to our people, including the likes of your type. Perhaps it would be best if you either contributed to the defensive effort by helping to rebuild the gates or take your ways to Maruishi above. Otherwise if either of the two doesn’t suit you, be gone, because you have no power here.” Surely it could be that easy, just summon a bunch of goons and scare off the competition before things got messy. Now all Umashi needed was for Hissori to not make him look like the fool. Just accept the role and roll with it . . .



OOC: I totally just promoted Hissori to Kage . . . council make it happen! XD

 

[Yaku]

People were upset, and some were even resorting to violence on the streets, trying to take what they could. What the man said made some sense, focusing more onto those that they themselves protected, the people, was of most importance as of right now. Though she hadn't seen any thing that would suggest that if the current system, well prior as it was, was any cause of what happened. In fact it might have helped more so. But in truth, she might have missed something along the lines that might support the mans words. After all, things were spiraling out of control using the old system. Maybe the man could be on to something, at least for the time being. He didn't want to do away with shinobi, just place more importance on other skills than fighting, at least that was how she saw it. And she could agree with such. Perhaps she was biased though, she wanted to be a medical practitioner more so then a fighter after all.

The man finished speaking and now those that he was speaking of, those that he were speaking against, at least in there eyes came forward. First was someone she had known. Jomei, a sensei to she, though his personality seemed soft at the time. She remembered him to be a bit more strong and forward in his personality. Here she saw a different side of him. He seemed unsure, quite, and meek. The crowd pushed him on to speak. She watched, gaining steam, energy, as she watched. The man, though his last words did bother her, seemed to speak with conviction. She didn't like that he wished to be leader, almost like his words before were mostly marked for such. Though she could tell that he inspired, whether positively or negatively, those around him. Jomei then asked if he had plans to combat any further threat that the monsters were to pose. She would listen on as the man would give his response. If, IF, there was to be another attack, which very well could be as she had seen smaller creatures pass by that she had no idea what was done to it prior to the defeat of the beast, something would need to be done.

After he would answer the man, another spoke in turn. It was the red figure she had seen fighting the beast before, and had seen at the end with some of it on him as well. She listened, expecting the worst now as she continued watching. He was now between the man and those before him, as if separating the two groups. Though it was the figures behind him, monstrous in there own right that stood along side him growing the border between the two groups. His words with some reknown towards the effect of protecting what had been achieved by shinobi within the village. He even spoke of whom should be the next Tsuchikage, Ii Hissori. The name so familiar to her. She knew of the Medical Sennin of course then it hit her, that was the man she had recognized before. The man a few feet ahead of her. The man in red suggesting he to be the next Kage for this village. She could get behind that, she knew of some of his exploits, and even admired him, professionally of course.

Though the man went on the offensive after that. He spoke of the man belittling those that had proceeded as Kage. She thought quickly of what the sitting man had said. Military irresponsibility? Single minded combative mannerisms, perhaps that was what was getting to the man? She could understand somewhat how that could be insulting. He might have been the definition of what the man felt wasn't needed. But the man in red was defending his views and the need for a Kage admirable. She could, well actually, she did care that he spoke of the man as a threat. Perhaps he knew something she didn't. But it was hard for her not to want to hear how the man would respond to the questioning nature of his response. She looked back over at the sitting man after Umashi finished speaking, though before looking over at Hissori to see how he would react as well.

[Training]
WC: 716

OOC: Originally I read (Umashi) your post about going to Maruishi as an insult to them. Missed that word either before.

 

[Leaf Sage]

The man watched as the people before him shifted in there demeanor. Some, outraged that an outsider, one that wasn't apart of there ranks, suggesting such a thing as a new method of thinking and leadership should take place. He could hear people asking whom he was, others saying strength or defensive posturing were of greater importance. Most, wary of coming out and saying anything. He looked to the man with the doggy, the most likely candidate that he knew of, standing, seeming to calculate a response but not coming forward in earnest. He could respect such, but now was the time to ring in on his end. "The people's needs are of greater importance in the long run to keep Iwagakure, and Maruishi running. To keep the village and country together.. prospering.. and to dig itself out of this mess. The people you protect need this. More so than you could understand." He spoke his words with confidence, now going away from a offensive nature, to a more unifying perspective. He also watched to see how people reacted to his words. Watching for those that would, wanted, to come forward.

A young man pushed his way through the crowd to get closer. The old man's gaze focused on him, and a smile came to his face, 'Finally, someone is coming forward to speak WITH ME!' The crowd went silent so all could hear what would have to be said by this singled out man, growing from the front of the crowd to the back in a wave. At first he seemed to be stuttering, unsure or probably some fear to be the first to speak openly. Another from behind nudged him on, trying to give get him out of his scrupulous pattern. From behind the man, the girl spoke with some ferocity, "Wow, he is a good looking guy." Though she was seeing something much more different than her allies next to her. Her next few words more quieter, yet could be heard by Jomei, "And he has great potential. Shame he is hiding some of it." Her eyes gazing deeply at the young man, giving him a flirtatious wave and wink. The old man laughed softly, always amused by the girls ever seeing and lustful act, in a room that was so on edge one could hear a pin drop. The boy finally got his act together and spoke his dire question.

It was amazing to see how quickly the crowd changed from rooting him on to wanting to kill the boy. His question, important as it was, was well beyond the interests of the mob. The one that had spurred him on pushed him harshly from behind. Others stepping towards him, pointing and yelling obscenities. The booing, yelling and such was problematic to the man and he gave a slight hand motion. The girl behind him stepped forward, touching the boy for a moment to make sure he was okay. Then something miracles happened before everyone's eyes. The girl grew four additional arms, seeming to just, in a fairly gruesome and methodical way, take shape, heal, and grow skin before there eyes. It appeared painful, but the girl showed nothing but anger on her face. She stood in front of the boy, as if protecting him. Her arms moved quickly, grabbing her sword with one hand, and then grabbing three others from the men in black, and exchanging them to have two on each side and slamming them on the ground, cracking the stone in four different spots violently with a loud boom and releasing a roar greater then those from the people. "THE MAN ASKED A GREAT (removed for posterity and imagination) QUESTION! SHOW SOME RESPECT YOU PIECE OF SHIT COWARDS!" Two of the swords coming to a defensive stance in front of her and the other two outwards as if drawing a line to separate them. The old man looked at the crowd and nodded, disturbed by the quick turn onto one of there own.

Their outrage might have been just. Here most were completely against the man's ideas of a rest of the traditional kage system. They didn't even want to acknowledge it as an idea to take into thought. But the boy, Jomei, had. He acknowledged the thought as being a possibility, one that the next person after his question was answered wouldn't consider as an option.

"What a bright young man you are. You should all take a page out of this man's book if you want things to get better here. He thinks of more then himself, a true showing of leadership and renaissance." The crowd was quieter from the girls actions, and as the old man stopped speaking for a moment, she relaxed her stance and stepped back in line behind the old man, looking down at the boy afterwards and smiling at him, giving him another friendly wink as Uko continued to speak. "Of course we need to consider another attack by these..horrid beasts as being a possibility. I can assure you, that there are more of them. As it is, I managed to capture one of these beasts alive. I hired a special team of scientists to study this creature in depth to find weaknesses, and methods to counter it if needed. And of course I will be happy to shar...

A man in the back of the room made his way forward as he spoke and interrupted him in mid stride. The girl by his side grimacing slightly as he made his way towards them. Her breathing grew quicker and her arms now rigid in anger. It wasn't his words that caused such, but to everyone else, it would appear as such. As he announced that Li Hissori should be the next kage, and that the man was belittling those Kages of past, the girl stepped forward, her arms lessening and moving to attack. But the old man put his arm out to stop her in mid stride. He looked at her with a blank look with a slightly different expression then before on it, unnoticeable to most. She looked at the old man with hate, the obviousness that she could just as easily disregard her master's needs at the drop of a hat. His words fading from her mind, and his face taking full accord to her. Two of the swords drooped down, the tips touching the ground as she continually stared at Umashiiashikabihikoji. During this attempt to quell the girl from acting, the old man then turned to listen to his last few statements. The guards in black on full guard, as the room was now occupied by more than the shinobi of Iwagakure. The man in red's actions seeming to be that towards violence, they were ready to act. The old man finally stood up. Was he going to do just as the man said? Leave the room, beaten by the man in red just like that?

"Greetings Nidaime Hokage Umashiashikabihikoji. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The old man gave a slight bow to him, then turned towards Li Hissori. "I am guessing then that man you are protecting is your answer for the future?" He bowed towards the man as well, "As to you too future Sandaime Tsuchikage Hissori." The old man looked back at the Hokage, "I am surprised that they aren't nominating you for Kageship. Though past.. mistakes are probably hampering such. Or perhaps they don't want an outsider such as yourself being Tsuchikage." His face had some anger creep in. The man seemed to not take heed of the man's warnings to him. And to even know him by name, and his past. Chances are few knew of such that were in this room. How was he connected to the man in red?

He looked at the crowd and addressed them again, "I..am not your enemy. I am a voice for the people of Iwagkure. For the weak that you defend with your pride, and unyielding phantasmal strength. I..We are thankful that you saved our lives, the lives of those that aren't as strong, or skilled as you people are. Even with that strength though, to regain our glory and prior strength, it is us, the people not here in this room, that will be needed." The old man looked around the room again, hoping that the words would set in. If someone else had something to say, he wanted to address it.

He then looked at the man that was to lead the future, Hissori, as if waiting for some words to escape his mouth towards the ends of what was happening at this very moment. The old man wanted to know for sure if his next adversary was going to be the man with the dog, or if it was going to be someone else before he would leave. The girl by his side still watched the man in red with a harsh expression on her face. It had grown weaker, but it was still there. Her need to bypass her master was strong, but she was squelching the feeling. She managed to turn away from him, her eyes looking downwards away from him finally.

 

[Ii Hissori]

Hissori had been standing onto the podium listening to what the crowd was saying. It was a bit of a balancing act the man was having to perform. On one hand, Hissori truly felt that at this point he was going to have to be the best qualified to run the village given its current state. However, he also knew that he was for all intensive purposes an outsider. He had to not seem like this was going to be a coup that the medical head was about to start. However, it seemed that a lot of the people were positive towards the sennin getting elected to the highest position in the village which certainly made Hissori feel better about himself.

However it seemed to be that there was certainly a crowd of descenders in the building. Not at Hissori specifically, but the idea that they should have another singular leader. It wasn’t something that Hissori really expected. One of the first things he had learned when he assumed the role of sennin was that this village had been without a leader for a long time. Still though the crowd growing restless was a bad sign of a fight breaking out and that was not going to be a good thing. Hissori had to put a stop to it.

“That is true good sir. ALL of the people’s needs are more important to the village than one specific class or area. I will make sure of that. I will make sure this village begins to prosper once again. The first thing we need to do now however, is make sure all the houses and the entrance to the village have been fixed and mended to make sure everyone can live peacefully.” Hissori spoke out into the crowd. He watched the crowd to watch the reactions of the group.

Little did he know was that Jomei was in danger. Out on the large platform he couldn’t make out much in the sea of faces. He could hear some gasps and murmurs from the crowd as they saw Jomei’s arms slowly disappear from his body. Like everything done improperly, that would probably only fool’s gold from whatever problems Jomei may thought those extra arms would have. His emerald green eyes would catch the fight that was about to break out, and the medical doctor prepared to step in to stop it. However, that old man seemed to be the one the fight from happening as he looked out inspecting them.

“I can assure you that I will defend this place like it was my own. Because that is what it is. It has been my home ever since I came here and froze over. I have nothing back in Kirigakure, but the frozen solid relative of my family who could not make it out. Kirigakure is dead, and with that in mind, I will be more than happy to accept the position of Tsuchikage, like I was born and raised here my whole life. Iwagakure is where I want to die, and if my role in the rest of my life is to be the leader of this village to keep it safe, and thriving than that is what I will do. So if it is alright with council I will more than happy to dawn that hat from this day forward.” Hissori spoke out in an even and calm voice not letting it waver hoping to inspire confidence.

 

[Seijin]

Stoke a fire hot enough and you’ll never run out of things to burn.​

Umashi didn’t too much like name droppers, especially the kind that he never saw coming. Heck, for that matter he really just flat out didn’t like surprises. They irked him because that meant that he wasn’t fully prepared for them and at this moment he was woefully unprepared for this particular revelation. To be blunt about the matter, though it wasn’t a major secret, it wasn’t exactly something that he ran around flaunting. The fact that he was the former Hokage was more of a fact for those who needed to know. Hissori was on the need to know list, this other man . . . was not. At least not by any count that Umashi could measure. To imply that he was cruising for a bruising would have been comical at best but it was a possibility if the spark wasn’t stopped in time.



Umashi noted the girl who wasn’t a doll like he’d assumed. Apparently the young heiress had a few fangs, perhaps a claw or two. He also noticed the fact that when she reacted shadows in the background moved to the ready. Thank goodness for the lifetime ANBU patrol assigned to watch him least he fall prey to a bad situation or if he decided to divulge old secrets. For them to be seen by him though, meant that this wasn’t an expected occurrence to them either. In the time that the man had taken to say his full name, most foes would have been on the ground incapacitated but Umashi stilled his instincts and instead smirked. He wasn’t about to fall for this trap. In his ears he could just barely begin to hear the heartbeats of those around him. With a little more focus and he could cause this older gentleman to have an unfortunate timed heart attack, aneurysm or any a number of blood clot stemming issues. Alas, Umashi liked it here and no sooner had Hissori spoke then he was let off the hook with having to reply in kind.



Thank goodness for Kal-El and Krypto. The grin on Umashi’s face grew a bit as he heard Hissori finally take the darn lead. He probably could have simply allowed Hissori to leave the final note but instead he decided to nibble just a bit on the bait. “Many of us call this land home for various reasons. What we were matters little when we compare it to what we are today. Today being a day that sees natural born and refugee, shinobi and businessman alike, trying to solve the problems laid before us. Shall we set this measuring contest on hold and move on to the more important task at hand?” With that Umashi held his hand out to shake the elder man’s hand. Internally though, Umashi just wanted to get this coronation over with so that he could get down to figuring out who this new player was to the field. To have known who Umashi was in his former life meant that he might have been present during the War, that or he had access to the list of names of those who officially crossed borders. Fortunately one of the new Sennin in Konoha was Iwa-born. Umashi would have words with him to figure out everything that he had seemingly missed out on intel wise.



OOC: Very few NPCs have stumped me in my RPing day. I applaud the Stone Prophet, lol.

 

[Akechi]

”Pretty words. Pretty, diplomatic and ultimately empty,” the Uchiha would speak out, a silhouette of a man garbed in standard Uchihan robes emerging from the sea of indistinguishable faces. This world that they inhabited was not for them. It was wrong and unfair, but reality is often these things with a side of depression… maybe even a topping of despair. The weak needed to be protected by the strong. Not because they deserved it or anything close to the sort, but because that was the natural order of things in this world. The strong made the rules; the weak merely abided by them and were rewarded with protection as compensation for their subjugation. It was why wars were won by the violent and ingenious, or why history was merely written by the victors of these wars.

The older man may have contended against these facts, or maybe he’d even agree with such a sentiment. However, did any of that matter? In the moment that a tinge of disrespect was spewed in his direction, the girl’s body had exploded with extra appendages as she took on a more threatening appearance. They claimed to be more “enterprising” figures, but they were nothing more than thugs. Even the enterprising… no, especially the enterprising were the ones to be most weary of. Perhaps, that was why they feared the Uchiha so much. ”Class is irrelevant at a time likes this as barely anyone can prosper under the constant fear of another attack from these monsters,” Akechi would let that comment linger for a bit, squinting his eyes as his reddened eyes shifted from individual to individual. ”Promises of diplomacy are empty adaptations of an ideal of peace. Look at this wondrous vision that we’re being treated to on this stage,” Akechi would laugh, stretching an arm in direction of the “newly elected” Kage. ”Extending an arm for peace…” Allowing his comment to linger, he would shift his attention over toward the older man and his… weapon. ”While arming every conceivable arm for battle at the mere hint of disrespect.” Was his point made? Maybe. Maybe not. He didn’t care…

”It’s empty and it’s fragile. Pointless to even discuss in times like this,” Akechi responded, grinning as he stared back out into the crowd with a mischievous grin. ”Protecting these people is our job. That means killing those beasts. Everything else is irrelevant… a topic for another day.”

 

[Yaku]

Hissori, the man with the dog answered forth. He wished to help those of the village that weren't in this room. And that the village would be back to a former glory being top residence in the short term. More questions needed to be answered, and the old man had the intention to respond to any questions aimed at him for his call for a different type of leadership. Jomei, one whom she knew stepped forward, though slowly as it was. His question after being asked, hadn't sat well it seemed with the crowd. Sara watched as, well, all she could do was watch as Jomei, her sensei for a class she participated in not long prior to this tragedy was attacked from behind by a by-standard close by. The pointless attack being made for a reason she didn't understand as being for the dismay of the many towards something he had said. She couldn't even react and barely noticed what had happened by the time the woman with the old man had stepped forward and taken a stance behind Jomei to stop the crowds assault. Her display similar to a look that Jomei had made, though with greater strength, finesse and intimidation. She had produced several limbs, just as Jomei had as well before, and struck authority in a swift movement to protect someone she figured they didn't know. Still, Sara moved forward in reaction just to stop herself that moment after it had already gone down to see that any further action would not need to be taken. She was awed by what had happened, and she felt others were as well.

The old man complemented Jomei, and had started to answer his question after a, what she would call a pointless political pandering, though he still worked on answering the question. Though the answer was cut off by the man in red. He ended finishing his statement to acknowledge the man whom came out. Though instead of entering into a confrontation with him, as seemed to be a slight aim to her, he just went on to greeting the man, and stated some interesting facts about the man in red that surprised her. Hokage, he was of such high authority? It had caste wonder on why he was here. She didn't have the knowledge of the past, a weak subject for her really. But if a man such as he was supporting and pushing for Hissori, it only seemed fitting that he should be made into the next Tsuchikage.

The old man addressed the crowd again, trying to come across as being peaceful and then restating his reason for being here. Hissori responded with a less resounding gusto that he had every intention of following suit as the old man, though she noted with a different method being followed. Two different ideas to reach a similar clause. Which was best? Which way was right? The man in red stepped in speaking and then reaching a hand out to the older gentleman. His words seeming much more even nature and compromising then before. Was some form of respect, or perhaps uncertainty towards the man speaking of the Hokage in such a familiar tone that which unnerved him. Perhaps all he wanted to do was bring Hissori into the fray, any way he could. But, one more, a new face stepped forward.

He spoke freely, though for and towards whom she couldn't be sure. He spoke of a caste system being a pointless topic as all were affected greatly by the monsters and the possibilities that the future of such had wrought. He spoke slowly, and most seemed to listen to the red eyed man with a red fan on his back. He looked towards Hissori saying, or rather emphasizing that he stood for peace, while looking back at the old man and woman saying they stood for and proclaimed for war. Such an idea making very little sense to her, as what she saw was the old man and woman stepping forward to defend someone that wished to have an answer to something he thought and to her too was important. Though to confuse where he stood more so, he then stated that the job was to protect everyone, and war on the beasts whom attacked was what needed to be focused on foremost.

Sara spoke from the back of the room, or rather the front, but back from where the action was happening. She was confused greatly by what had just been said and seemingly gone down. She had gotten a little more fired up when Jomei was attacked, and was now able to keep up with what was being said. Sara spoke up needing some clarity on the subject. "I don't understand what just happened here... Jomei asked how he would handle the situation differently for the most part, than we would. Then he is attacked from behind and as that girl came to his defense we call into question where they stand! WHAT THE...HOLY...SHIT is happening here! If one whom used to be in the position believes Hissori can properly control the needs of the village, great! Fantastic. But that is no reason this man should be dismissed so easily!" Sara was getting flustered. Perhaps it was to early to attempt to go into a rant or try to understand what was happening. Though, the young and inept girl attempted to get a point across, "I...We...He could..Maybe we shouldn't dismiss so easily? ...Why not have him join the counsel at the very least. Maybe he could help in ways we can't think of!?"

As Sara spoke, the words seemed to just cease to come to her, having her mind draw upon blanks. Something here was amiss. Maybe she was missing something that the others knew about this old man? Though everything she had seen here showed a difference and lack of acceptance to logical and concise ideas that she was missing entirely. Though her last few words were more of an attempt at getting a coherent thought into place to not seem idiotic to all before her. The final words came from something Hissori had said about the council seeing him as fit. What was the council but a group of people designated to help council the one in charge. Perhaps having him as the leader was to much at the moment, but having him work with the leader at the very least seemed a possibility.

[Training]
WC: 1081