High Counsel from the Man Who Lived

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke sat at his desk pouring over reports of the surface. Ill reports that needed confirmation. Sousuke needed eyes and ears in play. Few were out there that could see but not be seen in return. There was whispers of a man. Retired. Retired and living... well maybe well, maybe poorly, maybe bored. Sousuke tapped his fingers and leaned back into his chair. He was thinking hard about pulling this man from retirement. Sousuke picked up the phone and with the rotary dial called a number. He awaited the rings. Several in fact. There was an old agreement, if the rings go past eight and did not stop then it was the call of the Steward. After the eight ring, Sousuke placed the phone down and hung up. It was a call sign of sorts.

To be honest, Sousuke knew he was out of league of sorts with people like Kuro and most people who were of the Cabal. Kuro was strong and had a very big heart with it. His lineage was something of stories and the likes to be told to children. Shouki was highly durable. Urufuu had access to the Original, and its terrible power. Fuu was nigh undetectable. Kaito had his experience and was a solider. Naganisa was intelligent and possessed a power over snakes. Then there was the enigmatic Saiga. A man supposedly held at random but of great physical prowess. Sousuke folded his fingers and held them underneath his chin. He was durable. He was smart. He possessed a mystical weapon that had allowed him to better understand the shadows. It all paled in contrast to the Cabal. Sousuke's mood seemed to grow dark and with it so did the room itself

Sousuke's mind snapped back to the present. The man who he had called was an expert in the gathering of intel. Surprisingly he was older than even his father by twenty years. The man carried with him experiences that would perhaps even put him above even Kaito. Most frightening was that the man was ... alive at his age. Good counsel was hard to find and with it someone who could still ... throw down as it were.

 

[Takahashi]

Somewhere within the midst of darkness and shadows, a single candle burned. The flame flickered and danced as though gentle breeze circulated around it, pushing its thin tip in mild spirals. The fire's light would shine down, revealing the wooden floors of a dojo shined to near perfection. The candle itself was on what appeared to be a shrine, ornate and beautiful with symbolic figurines placed here and there in the shapes of animals and elements. On the far side of the room, someone was sitting in a lotus position, resting palms on their knees. From the shadowed face, suddenly a single eye would glow an electric blue and the flame would change to the same color simultaneously. The crackling of the fire grew louder as the candle's wax dripped over the side, and then suddenly- A ring.

The glowing blue orb shifted to look towards a small pouch laying at his side, and he could see a light coming from inside. He'd make no movements, listening but in no haste to respond. Once the ringing had stopped, he'd lean forward placing a hand upon the wooden planks. His face was shown, strong and appearing to perhaps be in his fifties or so at best. His other eye covered and bound by a piece of cloth diagonally. Thin wrinkled lips curved into a subtle grin, and in an instant his body would turn completely black as shadow. The sound of a crow's caw would echo as the shadow divided itself into many little birds and faded into the darkness, leaving behind a single black feather that would disappear inevitably as well. The candle, left all by itself would out itself without help...Thin wisps of smoke snaking its way into the darkness from a dying ember.

---​

The window of Sousuke's office had been left open. Though their world was a subterranean one, it still helped to get air that was a little less stuffy than what would undoubtedly be inside any heavily enclosed spaces. Quickly and suddenly a crow flew into the room through the opening, zipping passed Sousuke and into the complete darkness of one of the room's corners. In just a second, out from the darkness stepped the man whom the steward had called mere seconds before. Standing at his rather average height, his physical fitness and posture would deceive anyone into believing he was at least thirty years younger. The midnight blue gi wasn't standard Shinobi attire in these modern times, but clearly at home back in the more archaic periods of the Shinobi world. Cloth greaves and bracers along with socks and tabi made him a living relic among the flashier denizens of the modern generation.

Jigoku-Mure, Denrei​

His grizzled hair seemed almost silvery in the dim lightning as he approached the acting Kazekage. Giving a slight bow, he would stand at full height and with an unchanging expression spoke first. "Jigoku-Mure, Denrei. At your service, Takahashi Sousuke." He spoke formally, and though he didn't use any extra honorifics or titles there was still a sense of extreme respect. The old man knew full well the happenings of the village, and how things had changed and whom certain higher ups were. Naturally he would know of the plight that Sousuke faced, having to act as Kazekage when he was in fact not one. A steward doing his best to fill a role he was never made for, and as such, Denrei wouldn't consider referring to him as such. The man was his superior though, and that much was clearly understood without any sign of reluctance. Even the way he stood gave off a powerfully disciplined military-type aura. Even the nearly unnoticeable obi and sheathed Ninjatō along with his belt pouches seemed as if he'd been ready for work since birth.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke lowered his hands and motioned for the man to take a seat. He half expected the man not to take one, due to some sort of occupational hazard. Men did not grow old like Denrei without taking many precautions. The Steward would not take the empty seat as an insult. It was just him being polite to an elderly man. Was Denrei a man for that matter? Was he something more? His presence was ... well ... complicated. He was old, but that was not the air Sousuke got. This was a man of a timelessness. He evolved. He upgraded. He gained knowledge relevant to the decade.

The room Sousuke occupied seemed to lighten slightly. "Denrei."<i></i> He inclined his head at this man. "Seven Cabal members known. One a mystery to me. Others locked up and another in the wilderness presumed dead. One of a skillset that is a perfect stalker. The stalker is of concern, but not in a foreground manner."<i></i> He explained. He then formed a few hand seals and formed a small replica of the surface world. "One part of the desert recovers from a demonic influence, Inferno, another part of it falls under the sway of a bandit lord who lusts for power in the form of artifacts. A deviant. I grow concerned about this man called Tao. Enlighten me if you can about him. A middling man of sorts. Loud and obnoxious, trying to play like a bigger chess board piece, but doesn't quite seem to fit?"<i></i> The last bit seemed to be more of a question. A question for the old man to answer. "There are a lot of Pretenders out there lately... people pushing their luck. Weekly I am dealing with bandit raids on Project Rebirth. If Tao turns his gaze upon us, I need to know whether to be cautious with him or his artifacts. The Cabal member who is a stalker concelled me that artifacts need to be locked up for the safety of the deviants and not for the good of the people. I agreed with her, but we too are pretenders of a sort."<i></i> He revealed. He paused. "Pretenders we may be, temptation ever present, but my policy right now is the demolition of artifact weapons, if not a proper sealing of them."<i></i>

 

[Takahashi]

Jigoku-Mure, Denrei

"Samurai Battle March"
Japanese War Music​

Things played out more or less the way Sousuke probably expected them to. There was something of a slight nod, followed by a near inaudible grunt of acknowledgement or gratitude but- He remained standing. He didn't survive as long as he did by blending in or making others feel at ease, not in the conventional ways that is. Instead, Denrei was ever alert and intense. That singular blue eye of his saw through demons men never knew they had, or at least he gave off that impression. His form seemed rigid, with merely the fabric of moving to the gentle night breeze. Even then, his shoulders seemed to be slightly slouching and arms hung limp. It was as though he could spring to life and unleash havoc at any time, without trying. After Sousuke's debriefing, and a short silence, he'd begin. "Hai."

"Tao, the Bandit Lord as he's become known, is not what you think. He doesn't actually exist." As odd as it might have sounded, he continued without interjection with full confidence in every following word. "The character known as Tao was something dreamed up by a man named Kojima Kosuke. It's an alter-ego he works through in a sense. With a small cabinet of top lieutenants they swap figureheads posing as the loudmouth, each expendable and trained to imitate the facade Kosuke himself made years ago. Before you called, I killed one of three extracting information." Reaching into his pouch steadily, he would pull out what appeared to be an eye bearing an active Sharingan. Though clean and perfectly smooth, it would soon become apparent it was the real thing. "His name is unimportant. I was meditating on how best to proceed approaching the second lieutenant, Iwasaki Takeru. Iwasaki possesses the Hakumei Byakugan, which will make approaching him without alerting him a problem, if not impossible."<i></i>

"Another option to forced altercation. Iwasaki was a former member of the Zephyr Sect. They operated out of a budding Shinobi village, where he was a medical specialist. It was after he went rogue and sold the medical secrets of their village to all their enemies, including their weaknesses, that the village was wiped out. All that's left of them now is a small group of monks in hiding somewhere out in the mountains of Wind Country. Unimportant. He's a hand-to-hand specialist due to his surgical techniques. Currently he's somewhere in a small city on the southern shore, he is unaware of his ally's demise. My next move will have to be made before word spreads of his disappearance."<i></i> With an eye that gleamed brightly for a split second he would wrap up his debriefing. "Kosuke's whereabouts are currently unknown, with his last known direct contact being with Iwasaki." Clearing his throat, he would fill some holes. "With most energy and time focused on the Cabal, I took initiative scouting the source of the bandit influx. After of course turning in my application for Sensei status, sir." Then, just like that everything went dead...Even his breathing was shallow and made him seem like stone. As though he had no pulse, but his lips gave a proud smirk now. He wasn't without self-pride.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke opened up his notebook and scribbled down in code what Denrei said to him. He paid attention to the fact that Tao was a moniker of sorts but the real individual was several hosts unto this false one. It was not entirely a lie of course as these pretenders were in fact what the host was several years ago. Sousuke stopped recording and twirled his pen about before tapping it on the notebook three times. "You wouldn't want to make things too easy now would you?"<i></i> He entwined his fingers as he thought of something to help the old man in his game. "Wide vision is so good as you can see what is hunting you. I suspect there is a high level of maintenance with that eye of his..."<i></i> He suspected that Denrei knew where he was going with this. The concept was to strike at the man while he was having eye surgery or a checkup. Implants were not always accepted well by the host body, and from time to time rejected as such.

Sousuke's plan was put on pause when he heard of the implant user's original occupation. "Pity. I suspect he trusts no one but himself in that case then."<i></i> Sousuke reassessed the situation, with a frown of sorts. Before he could put together the next part of the plan, the old shadow surprised him explaining how he would set up the next act. A well timed approach one that Sousuke himself would have difficult pulling off ... it did have a reliable success rate. "If you've destroyed the body that'll slow things down. Men of this... association tend to... find themselves with a lot of money and ... frequenting exotic locations. Such is the thing when you're not working every moment of every hour. You have my permission to do what is required. Just dispose of the bodies accordingly. Slowing things down for investigation usually gives us a good head start in running. Luckily my investigations at home here are ... less clean. I would admit that even you would perhaps give me momentary pause in an investigation if it were me investigating a sight you've cleaned up properly."<i></i> Sousuke wouldn't openly admit it, but it was a challenge he looked forward to.

Denrei's final remark about the sensei remark caused Sousuke to look up from his notes. "Mako is trying to veto your status. I don't think she likes the concept of there being someone her senior."<i></i> Sousuke shrugged, "Not like it is going to work though."<i></i>

 

[Takahashi]

Jigoku-Mure, Denrei​

Not one to speak out of turn, he'd patiently allow Sousuke to mull over the details verbally. Some people did better going over things with a fine comb, even if they had to talk out loud to themselves in order to put the pieces together. Some might have considered it a disadvantage, but records proved that more often than not people with such traits excelled above the rest. Sousuke continued to prove that theory with the accuracy of his hunches about Iwakasi's habits. However; wherever the steward failed Denrei would be there to cover the flaw. For a while it would appeared as if the old man didn't have an opinion, or anything to say, that was until a familiar name left the youngster's lips. Her name brought a smile to his own lips, but his thoughts on her would have to wait. "Iwasaki's the real deal. No maintenance necessary for his Byakugan. Having mastered the Doujutsu at a young age is what helped him excel in the medical field, specifically surgical techniques." As the grim facts became more clear, Takeru seemed more and more dangerous.

"The largest known field of vision for a naturally trained Byakugan is 2,000 meters, or 6,561.68 feet in virtually every direction. Byakugan implants functioning in a body lacking the natural genes caps out at 1,500 meters, or 4,921.26 feet. However; the Hakumei Byakugan is in a completely different league. It's max power is estimated at around 5,000 meters, or 160,404.2 feet. Many of the techniques associated with the Hakumei remain a mystery, as few known have ever reached that level. It was shortly after unlocking his Hakumei Byakugan that Takeru left his village behind." Holding up the disembodied Sharingan between his index and middle finger, Denrei examined it further while speaking. "He doesn't trust anyone, but with eyes that powerful he doesn't really need to. At all times he's able to see through clothing, armor, and look directly at every single vital organ, blood vessel, and bone in your body. For this reason he doesn't have any henchmen, he watches his own back. His ultimate goal and reasoning for siding with Kosuke is unknown. Unlike his more worldly compatriots, like the one I killed, he seems to require higher purpose than vice and comfort. Making him stand out to me. It makes you wonder what kind of strength or influence Kosuke himself has, in order to attract such a heavy hitter, sir." Tilting his head to the side and giving a soft chuckle, there was more to go over.

"This guy's body doesn't exist anymore. Even if they can't find him for a while, they're sure to be checking brothels and gambling dens. Places he'd frequent." Pride was taken in the compliment paid to him by the steward, being a ghost was his life's work. "At least now I know how Mako feels about me." Maybe that's as close as you'd get to a moment of comical relief with Denrei, an almost mischievous thoughtfulness gleaning in his eye alone. His lip curved into a smirk, followed by a simple nod. It was unsaid, but clear that the man was at the very least entertained by Mako's antics and yet... Quite pleased to hear her name and to know that she was still as rambunctious as he remembered. To a man like him, even she was a child. It would be difficult for him to be annoyed or irritated by anything she did. More than two or three decades older than her, he was already a ghost and a retired legend by the time she was born. Tales about his exploits were akin to urban legends of the Boogeyman, and with his elusive nature he certainly didn't leave a warm and kindly impression on that generation. Perhaps Mako had a point, someone older and more experienced than her would have a lot to offer and Sousuke wasn't fool enough to ignore that. Mako herself no doubt felt her position in a number of ways would be in jeopardy, but Denrei could care less about such things. He was here to serve his nation once more, in these most difficult times.

"This Iwakasi character... I think he's a sign that this whole thing goes a lot deeper." Once more, the elder shifted things back to more immediate matters.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke drank in the details of their foe. Seemingly getting the drop on him was impossible. Still though there was a way to have things done. He leaned back into his chair. He considered the concept of a ranged siege. "Henchmen at his level are a liability... but it doesn't make life that much easier."<i></i> He commented. There was something missing. "I have to wonder how much of a crutch that eye is of his. Usually these things have something to be taken advantage of. Although it out not your favoured skill or toolset, we could attempt to use a photon-bomb. If you detonate it on the outskirts of his range of sight he could be blinded entirely. We would need to have it air delivered at a location nearby. Timing it might be difficult. The timer needs to hit 0:00 at the exact point of entering his sight range."<i></i> He turned to Denrei, he was curious as to what exactly the man had to comment upon his strategy. "If you wish to dissolve this puzzle on your own, then let me know and I will leave well enough alone."<i></i> He held up his hands. This man was his senior. Senior to his grandmother and his father. This man did not really need some young punk telling him what to do. "This is entirely your project... as you are my informant."<i></i>

The Steward raised an eyebrow as Denrei spoke of his grandmother. Oh. Yes. Well ... his grandmother tended to have a lasting impression on people. It was interesting to watch Denrei react to this news. A smirk appeared and that was something he had yet to see form on the man. Denrei and Sousuke were alike in the manner that the two of them were ... void of emotion but for very different reasons. The concept of his grandmother went back to the wayside as he spoke of Iwakasi. "Everything is not as it seems. I would be surprised if something was what it was supposed to be at face value. Daimyos are destroying their ninja populations. Shouki, one of the Cabal is the bastard son of the Wind Daimyo. One must expect he is very much aware of his son's actions... but more importantly that he supported him. There is a traitor in our midst, and he is one of us. Who I do not know, but he had access to a dormant version of the plague. He put that into Magnetica and hoped it would destroy us all. Luckily she was relocated ... and ... her final defeat was absolute."<i></i> Sousuke turned down and looked at his hands. It was a disturbing sight. Her finals moments. The truth was he was ... not going to give any form of sympathy towards her. She had tried to destroy Sungakure and take a seat of power. She was unwillingly conscripted by the Cabal. She was destroyed. Entirely. One less threat on the table.

 

[Takahashi]

Jigoku-Mure, Denrei​

The old veteran would take the advice with a stone face, already coming up with something on his own. Sousuke was onto something, but bright lights weren't going to trouble their foe much. Still, the Steward's faith in him was duly noted as full power over the case was handed over to him smoothly. Giving a slight bow he would freeze steadily, single blue eye locked onto the space between them. "I'll continue gathering information on Iwasaki, recon is all I can recommend at this point. We have a lot of information, but it's not enough to give us a definitive edge. I suggest playing it close, and seeing if he makes contact with Kojima. Maybe word spreading about the other's death could end up in our favor. If we can ensure it doesn't reach until I've got eyes on him, then by the time we do I'll be able to track his movements. A crow at high altitude in all surrounding directions might be able to stay out of his range. If not, simultaneous convergence gives us a lock on him regardless."</COLOR><i></i> His strategy would kill two birds with one stone, intended simply spy but capable of tracking if needed.

Narrowing the lids on his single exposed eye, he continued on another matter. "Daimyō Ishii Shirō... He's never liked anything he couldn't control." As old as he was, it took little effort to rewind his memories to the days when Suna and Sora had closer ties. <COLOR color="#0000CC">"Word is he's building an army, but apparently no one knows to what end. If you're right, and you usually are, then we're to be expecting trouble from Sora as well. With the internal problems our village suffers from, we're waiting to be torn apart. I'll see how quickly Iwakasi can be dealt with, if you need me to divert focus towards Ishii, just say the word."<i></i> He had been isolated for too long, and knew not many of the faces that wandered Sunagakure in its new age. However; his skills allowed for him to gather information on any target of his choice with little effort and his sharp mind dissected all possibilities. Turning away from the future Kazekage and walking towards the window from which he came, he would lean against the wall and peer out. "We're in for one Hell of a storm, sir. I'll do what I can to tie up loose ends before we're dealt another heavy blow. If Kojima and his men are as ambitious as they make themselves out to be, I wouldn't be surprised if they found themselves in Ishii's pocket as well. Denrei, out."<i></i> With a nod his whole form would suddenly turn black, and ebony wings flapped against one another. One after another crows flew out the window until none remained, leaving but a single feather. Sunagakure had been targeted on all sides, quick action was the only action left.

[Topic Left /Unless Stopped]​