Requesting Entry Knock knock. It's Kumogakure (and 2nd in command)

[Shinrya Kitsune]

Upon landing the airship, Kitsune and Rei disembarked, transitioning from the spacious confines of the airship to the sleek, airconditioned, interior of the Maibatsu Regalia. This vehicle, which had become a symbol of Kitsune's authority and a testament to her inventive prowess, was to be their mode of transport for the final leg of their journey. They were a mere ten-ish-minute drive away from Konohagakure, their ultimate destination.

However, the journey was not without its uncertainties. Kitsune was unsure of the road infrastructure in the Leaf Country. Ideally, she would prefer to drive all the way to their final destination and park the Regalia there. But it was entirely possible that they would have to leave the vehicle at the gates of Konohagakure. Regardless of these uncertainties, Kitsune was at the helm, her hands steady on the wheel of her car. Rei, her trusted second-in-command, was seated in the passenger seat, ready to perform her duties as the navigator on their impromptu road trip.

After a short drive, they finally reached the gates of Konohagakure. They signaled a gate guard, ready to present their papers for inspection. Kitsune had prepared for this moment, providing Rei with a special passport that contained her chakra signature. This was a security measure that was as foolproof as a fingerprint, ensuring that the bearer of the passport was indeed the person they claimed to be. Kitsune held a similar passport, both of them emblazoned with the seal of the office of the Raikage. These passports contained recorded data about the person, further enhancing their security.

As they waited for the gate guard to come over and check their papers, they were acutely aware of the significance of this moment. They were on the threshold of Konohagakure, ready to embark on a mission that could shape the future of their countries. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, they were ready, their resolve unshaken and their spirits high. Hopefully.

 

[Toraono Michino]

The ride was mostly incredibly uneventful.

Every now-and-again the road got a little tricky to get over, still clearly meant for vehicles built from wood and pulled by horse, but Kitune’s prized car got them exactly where they needed to be. Rei could only imagine exactly what was going through the heads of the gate guards as they saw the Raikage’s slick machine roll up to a stop at their gates. Without hesitation the Sennin sat up, fixed her seat, took the passport out and carefully opened the door before stepping out. A gust of humid wind greeted her, fogging up her mirror shades for a moment while she just stood there; green ponytail whipping in the warm winds.

Rei was tired of all this sitting and waiting. She started to move away from the car, the ground beneath her footsteps starting to crack and dry as the soil was atomically destroyed by sheer accident as her stress began to pick up again. The passport, thankfully, was completely unaffected as it held her chakra signature. If there was one thing her chakra didn’t eat so far, it was herself…so far. She still couldn’t imagine actually using the power right now for fear it would; along with everything else in a twenty kilometer radius. Tightening the bonds of her seal with a simple hidden flex of a few muscles, and the chakra stopped leaking once more as she leaned on the hood of Kitsune’s car with her passport ready.

The plans had been made long ago and now it was time to solve the issues between their countries once and for all.

 

[Uchiha Takeshi]

Takeshi got the call from the gates pretty quickly with the new arrival it seemed that there was an interesting arrival for the day and one that Takeshi would have to go and personally meet with after all he would not just sit by and let them into the village considering the last meeting with Cloud at the gates that ended with him turning them away for their words and actions, he wondered if this would be the same situation or something more reasonable would be offered to him, as he moved to form the office he grabbed the Hokage Robes and Hat and slung them on his shoulders with ease.

As he moved down the familiar streets that he knew so well, making his way with ease as he came into sight of the gates, he raised an eyebrow and sighed at the sight that was in front of him. Talk about travelling discretely but apparently, this was not something Cloud could do. Walking past the guard he took the passports and looked at them for a few moments, it seemed that he would finally get past the grunts and actually speak to Raikage, well this was a change from the usual people in the way.

"Lady Raikage, honoured as we are by your presence in Konoha, for such a long way travelling I am sure you have a reason for coming to us than just sightseeing, can I enquiry what that would be?"

Takeshi waited to see what the response would be first before he would consider admittance, after all, he did need to find out what was going on, and he would make sure he got answers, but as always he respected the title, rarely meeting Kitsune, he couldn't judge her character and thus gave her the honours she was due as a Kage visiting.

[Topic Entered]

 

[Toshi]

Watching the Kage appear at the gates was quite eventful. These visitors were undoubtedly important people. The boy stood on patrol, leaning against the gates, watching as the Kage appeared before the visitors. The boy looked at the visitors, trying to identify them. He'd never seen them before. 'Where are they from?' The boy wondered as he continued to listen to the authorities at work.

He was in his ANBU attire, his bird mask fit snugly in place, concealing his own identity. Looking at the way they came in, they were really about their business. The gate guard knew everything would be alright if everything checked out, but he wasn't sure of their chances of being allowed entry into the village. 'Is this a scheduled meeting? Or is this just another passerby? Visitors are always great, but we've seen so many problems at the gates for the past few months, that I doubt those without an important agenda could be denied.' He noted the different routines that took place at the gates. His watch duty had matured, and their was no word going around that anyone abandoned the village recently. He always made sure to watch how duties were handled when it came to allowing or denying entry. It was not a system allowed on the feelings of the guard, but rather, the duties one were to uphold. Of course the stakes of the village were put on the line, but he knew that a good heart could help a traveler with their problem.

[ MFT | WC: +250 ]
[ Topic Entered ]

 

[Seijin]

In a world where most people still walked or rode in the back of carriages, heck, even flew, the sound of a motorized engine tearing up the countryside was enough to get people to talking. Talking amongst humans led to talking among insects, birds, bees, fish, naked mole-rats and the like. While he was out enjoying his time and wondering where the heck his letter from Kumo was, it became really clear, really quickly that something was afoot, and as the days and weeks dragged on, the sage spent his time catching up with old friends and making new ones as well. With his semi-retirement mostly boring at this point, the time spent was time enjoyed to the fullest. It was while he was enjoying a spot of tea when one of the aforementioned birdies caught word of an approaching persona and they in turn passed that information along to a spider who had once instructed a pig who couldn't help but to squeal to the ANBU. Some people were still loyal to the leaders of old and that was how Umashi came to be informed of the Raikage making her way to Konoha. Quickly closing out his tab and excusing himself from his table, he rushed off to get some better clothes on before Kitsune truly showed up in force.

It was when he approached the gates, a mere few hours later that he approached with caution and a bit of excitement. Meetings like this hardly happened everyday and he aimed to be in some way, a witness to them all. Sporting a subdued grey kimono of Konohagakurian design, he approached the meeting in action while enjoying a freshly made dango. "Now this... this is one for the books!" Giving a hearty laugh, he shook his head at some internal joke that he'd thought up. Standing an equal pace away from the Hokage and the Raikage, he popped a another dango dumpling into his mouth and finished chewing as he took in the whole scene once more. Surprised but not overly at Kumo sending someone, Umashi was torn between intrigue that Kitsune would come herself, and the fact that there was quite literally a metal behemoth that she'd arrived in. "Your aura is as strong as ever milady, but this trusty steed of yours..." He pointed with the dango stick. Has simply stolen the show! The coat, the cuts, the character... Surely this filly is a prize winner just as much as she's a showstopper! I'll have to have one for my own stables. Yes, I'll see to it that my breeder contacts yours!" Going on about the creation that Kitsune and company had arrived in, Umashi mostly left the two current Kage to things while he continued to more thoroughly inspect the his new fascination.

 

[Shinrya Kitsune]

With an air of authority and poise, Kitsune exited the Maibatsu Regalia, her vehicle of office. She stood tall; her silhouette framed against the car's sleek form. She was dressed in a formal black pinstripe suit, the sharp lines of her attire a stark contrast to her wild mane of red hair. Her tie, as vibrant as her hair, added a pop of color to her ensemble. In her hands, she held the documents that would grant them entry into Konohagakure, ready for inspection.

However, she was taken aback when she saw who had come to greet them. It was none other than Takeshi himself. His presence was unexpected, but she greeted him with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with genuine warmth. "Why of course," she responded to his inquiry, her voice steady and confident. "I received a letter from a mutual friend of ours, and I figured it'd be best to handle it in person. I've brought with me my right-hand woman, Ryuu Rei, the Main Branch Sennin." Her words were truthful, yet she left the identity of their mutual friend unspoken, a shared secret between them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure in ANBU attire, their identity concealed behind a bird mask. She paid them no mind, their presence seemingly inconsequential to the situation at hand. And then, as if on cue, Umashi appeared. He was the very reason for her visit, the catalyst for this diplomatic mission.

Umashi's comment about her car elicited a light shake of her head. He had clearly been away from Kumo for too long. "Umashi, old friend," she began, her tone laced with gentle amusement, "it's not a horse. Or an animal. It's an automobile. A machine you can steer and control. I have a factory making these back in Lightning Country. Even the common man can afford a car. Not this kind of car. But a car."

With the attention momentarily disrupted, Kitsune redirected it back to Takeshi. "But beyond the aforementioned letter, I’m also here to, hopefully, re-establish diplomatic ties with Konoha," she continued, her tone becoming more serious. "Given new information that’s come to light about the attack on our gates that we could’ve potentially averted had we received intel from the Lady Asuka. But perhaps this isn’t the best place to chat? Do you have a location I can park my car safely, or do I have to leave it here by the gates?" She finished, gesturing towards the Maibatsu Regalia.

 

[Toraono Michino]

Of everything she had been expecting, to see those old robes and hat was not one of them. He just seemingly appeared out of thin air, the Hokage all but appearing without a sound or grand gesture at all. One moment there was airspace, the next it was Takeshi staring them down. The man all but just simply walked up, but Rei didn't even noticed until he spoke; it made her jump a little. Powerful was the first thing Rei caught from the man. His very presence set her on edge for a moment, very nearly causing her chakra to unleash and eat through her friend’s prized vehicle, yet his voice and questions were anything but vulgar. The Sennin had read on the reports from Miro about the people of Konoha and their direct attitude towards outsiders but…so far, that seemed right off a lie. There was no hostility. There was apprehension but that couldn’t be blamed considering the circumstances.

Before Rei could even get a word out, half of their entire reason for coming out came out of hiding all on his own. Upon seeing Umashi’s face a torrent of mixed emotions flooded the woman; most of them far from benign. This man had single-handedly nearly caused an international incident that would of easily lead to war if those in power at Lightning didn’t decided to try diplomacy first; which for a lot of reasons was actually big of them to try. The mysteriously missing information regarding the Missing shinobi that attacked Konoha and then Kumo, which was already a slight most nations wouldn’t have put up with, and the fact that one of their most trusted soldiers had defected to that said village would have been far beyond the tipping point. Thing was, Kumogakure was ‘new’, again. Between changing the way the entire Lightning Country was governed and filling in the missing spots of their military…there was no real way they could have come to blows without losing much of what they had just gained. Thankfully the wild fluctuation of emotions were calmly hidden behind the neutral facial expression and her mirror shades that would only reflect what they were pointed at. Her red eyes, irises at pinpoint, were the only well hidden indicator of Rei’s anger. When Kitsune called out to point out the Sennin’s presence, she simply raised a hand in greeting while handing over her documents to be checked. She waited to see where and how things would be played out. Would the meeting be one-on-one? Would she get a chance to actually get to explore the hidden village? There was also her own personal problem she’d like to address if they ever got the chance, but that hinged entirely on how well the diplomacy went.

So she waited, calmly. Her stress was strangely starting to even out in Takeshi’s presence despite the raw power dripping from the latent chakra in the air emitting from the Hokage. Much like Kitsune, it was a reminder of how far apart a kage was separated from the Sennins. Knowing Konoha’s leader was at least as powerful as her friend gave the scientist a small touch of relief. If there was one thing she had noted in her short life, it was those with that kind of power to rule, and not control, were always far more peaceful than one would imagine. Based on everyone ease in Takeshi’s presence, Rei assumed the man came more naturally by the former rather the latter...so it looked like diplomacy was the right foot to start this path with after all.

 

[Uchiha Takeshi]

Takeshi listened as he looked at the two, handing them back their passports, he allowed a small laugh to come to his lips as the simple fact that so many people had turned up just at the gates for two people, well at least it couldn't be said that they were lacking in proper gate duties as well as being vigilant at this current time. He paused for a few minutes before listening about the vehicle that they had come in, always seemed like they were attempting to be innovating or at least trying to create new things in this world.

"Unfortunately, I cannot say where to park this vehicle, where ever you see fit we will make sure it is protected and looked after within our care. Considering how the last message we received for Lightning Country was....delivered, indeed I believe we should discuss many things, with Asuka no longer the leader of Leaf, we have much to discuss and to make corrections to errors from both sides, but alas politics is not a talk for the gates."

He waved towards the gate guards giving approval for them to enter, before turning his attention back to the Raikage.

"We can discuss matters over dinner, out at one of Konoha's many food establishments, or inside my Clan House as an invited guest to the Uchiha Mansion. Alternatively, I have my office, however, as for accommodation, you again can stay in one of the many hotels inside of the village, or inside of the Uchiha Clan, we can have a separate apparently made up for both of you?"

He knew full well that he needed to discuss matters and see what the entire story was, each village had been left in the dark for too long, and they needed to make sure that they put this straight.

[Entry Granted]

 

[Toshi]

All seemed to go smooth. The conversation had become personal, so the boy's attention began to take to the environment. Everything seemed to be calm, and that's when the guy that stumbled upon the scene of the murder at the Hokage Rock approached. From behind his mask a curious expression came to his face, but said expression remained concealed behind his mask. 'Is he here for the Kage as well?' The boy wondered. The guests seemed to take to him rather nicely. It was great to see such peace at the gates, rather than a flood of attacks. It was a break during the storm.

From the Kage's expression iy seemed they would be let in. There was only one question going through the boy's mind.

Who was going to watch this sweet ride?

 

[Seijin]

"Au-to-mo-bile..." Saying the words slowly as if they were alien. Umashi finished his dango and left the stick in his mouth as he continued to inspect the car. This strange and foreign concept was such that Umashi knew that he had to have one for himself, or if nothing else, he needed to make sure that he could build them. Thinking of his Tsukumogami familiars, he wondered if they could help him with this endeavor and knowing them as well as he did, he knew that they could at least get close enough with their efforts. If even the common man could enjoy such a luxury as an automobile or car, Umashi would aim to make it so that the common man could enjoy something just as good, if not better than what Kitsune had presented for them today. Mostly half listening to what was being said otherwise, Umashi's ears pinged to attention when Takeshi spoke again. "We have much to discuss and to make corrections to errors from both sides, but alas politics is not a talk for the gates." Errors on both sides? If Umashi hadn't had plans to invite himself to the meeting before, he definitely was going to do so, now. Takeshi listed a number of places where they could meet. For as much the aesthetic appeal of things, Umashi would prefer if they had the meetings at the Uchiha Mansion if for no other reason than to see how Kitsune would act around her kin, but unfortunately he wouldn't be the one to decide. Instead, he'd fall in line with the rank and file and keep his ears and eyes open for updates.

OOC: Topic left unless stopped

 

[Shinrya Kitsune]

Kitsune paused, her gaze distant as she weighed her options. The bustling village of Konohagakure offered a myriad of choices, but her thoughts gravitated towards one particular avenue. The tantalizing aroma of Konohagakure's renowned cuisine had reached even the distant corners of the Lightning Country, and it seemed like the perfect backdrop for their discussions.

With a glint of anticipation in her eyes, she turned to Takeshi, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I've heard high praise for the Konohagakurean kitchen. The tales of its culinary delights have even reached Kumogakure. So, why don't we discuss matters over dinner? I trust you have a recommendation for a place that showcases the best of what your village has to offer?" She glanced over at Rei, who nodded in agreement, her own curiosity piqued.

The matter of parking the Maibatsu Regalia loomed in her mind, but she brushed it aside for the moment. Such logistical concerns could be addressed later. Perhaps they could find a spot near Takeshi's office or another secure location within the village.

"Why don’t we get going, shall we?” she asked before letting her attention shifted back to Umashi; her tone playful yet firm, ”And Umashi, you're not getting off that easily. You're joining us. There's a particular letter I've been meaning to discuss with you." Her words hinted at a deeper story, a shared history between the two that was waiting to be unravelled over the course of the evening. Or maybe it was just that she got a letter from Umashi, and it needed to be discussed. Who knows?

[Village Entered; Topic Left With Rei and Takeshi]

 

[Toraono Michino]

The proposal of food sounded amazing, but Rei would be lying if she wasn’t still more worried about the other upcoming proposals. Kitsune’s quick wit to assure Umashi came along with the meeting was a good catch; the Sennin was just wondering about that. While it would have hurt diplomatic relations by a bit, she had been prepared to ensure the hero of the last war in Lightning would be there; after all, he was nearly the entire reason they were there. Diplomacy for the most part could have easily been done through enough letters or even a simple meet in an undisclosed location to hammer out ground work that could be built on. However, with the advent of one of Kumogakure’s top soldiers deciding to make his vacation to Konoha permanent, some extra measures were needed.

It was still mostly a show, but hopefully was still a move powerful enough to sway Takeshi into being lenient on the terms they wanted to set. Only time could tell. Rei lifted herself off the car and considered for a moment putting the vehicle into a scroll, since there were no “safe” parking…not that it was really needed. The car was a beast and the weapon tests Rei oversaw against the damn thing had been eye-opening. It would most likely be just fine sitting right where it was.

Hands in her pockets and without much to say, Rei entered the famous Village Hidden in the Leaves. She wondered privately how well Konoha’s beer would match up to Kumo’s.

[Village Entered; Topic Left Unless Stopped]

 

[Uchiha Takeshi]

Takeshi turned to leave as he allowed himself a few moments to look towards the others that had turned up at the gates, noting a familiar face that always seemed to be here when the moment was required, it was clear that this boy had potential. He would have to see what Keiji made of this at some point, making a mental note to do so once he had managed to entertain the visitors, after all it was an interesting time to be inside of Konoha, and he hoped that these discussions would come out the way he wanted them to do so.

"Indeed, I will make arrangements, for today feel free to wander the streets, look around and see how much of Konoha has changed since your last visit, I will make arrangements for you to be collected when the dinner is ready, and as per your instruction I will make sure to include the invitation to Umashiashikabihikoji as well."

With that Takeshi walked inside the village with the others, it seemed that something was changing and maybe just maybe for a second he could allow himself to hope that the future was starting to get a bit brighter for everyone.

[Topic Left with Kitsune and Rei]