Reformation [ Private ]

[Morishige]

Gekido took his seat cautiously and obeyed Rin's directive. It was expected and he had no true reason to do otherwise. It wasn't like he had joined this to get his word in on the affair of Kumo. From what he had heard, Shin was being like a teenage girl. Self-conscious and worried how things were going. Gekido honestly thought he could do the job better, but only because he had the experience of leader the Inuzuka pack. However, there was no doubt the village was different than the savages in the woods. It required restraint, something Gekido lacked in most situations. But what Rin said next caused his eyes to turned wide. "How does she know?" Gekido questioned. "She is ANBU but I didn't think their information was that extensive-- to reach into the main branch sennin's intentions? No it had to be something else." the Alpha male sat quietly and paid close attention to those who remained in the room.

[Not much for me to say until spoken to. Skip me until I am needed]

 

[Santaru Rin]

"Then I bring to the table cause for likely more unhappiness. First, let me get my mea culpa out of the way. You know my temper, Hayata. You know me. We grew up together. Of all of us in this room, you, Masao, and I know best what a canker in our upper ranks can cause. I seem to have prodded one such abscess in my irritation."

She glanced at Masao. "Vice Commander. Please send one of your copies to retrieve the ledgers and packet from my office." She touched her headpiece. "Tenshi unit, send two escorts with Commander Takaki to my office. He will require some assistance in bringing materials to the Raikage."

With that out of the way, Rin stood at a loose form of attention. Her awareness gently enclosed the room such that no further untoward visitors could arrive without her knowledge. Within, she felt that fire rise, that feeling of rage and sickness which made her simply want to stay in bed in protest against injustice. This problem was not one she could simply cut down with a sword or burn to ashes in a fire jutsu.

"After chastising my husband for the incident in the Seki District, I wrote also to the Sennin of the Main Branch, Fujinami Souseiki. I wrote to criticize his handling of the incident as well. But my other intent was to remind him that he still has not replied to my request for a meeting. I have attempted to contact him for months now. I have been trying to settle a meeting time with him since you reinstated me as the ANBU Sennin. Fujinami evades all of my couriers and ignores my requests.

"Like I said... Hayata, you know my temper. I am sorry to say that our exchange of letters only escalated. Fujinami-san wrote a letter to my husband accusing me of an affair. Fujinami-san claimed that I had committed indiscretions with him, while simultaneously responding in letters with multiple attempts to suborn the ANBU branch. Given Fujinami-san's lack of interest in his own work thus far, I cannot take him very seriously on this account." Rin shrugged wearily. What could be done about that? Childish sexual humiliation was just one tactic in any manipulator's bag of tricks. She had needled Souseiki in turn.

"What I do take seriously is his attempt to frame and blackmail me with an invented conflict of interest concerning the likely fictional assets of one Takaki Rin. As you know, I have never changed my clan name from Santaru. Nor would I use the Takaki name as a flimsy veil for a fraud. I want for nothing and have no need for schemes. This threat is a clumsy attempt on Fujinami-san's part to deflect attention to his branch's ledgers, in which I found numerous errors and irregularities. I copied your secretary on the letters and documents, so you have at your perusal some independent evidence. I also told Fujinami-san of these, and he foolishly wrote a letter admitting to destroying the evidence." She lifted her hands in disgust. "I don't even know why.

"I am a thorough kunoichi. There is no place in this village which is hidden from me. I have obtained copies of the original faulty ledgers and copies of the ledgers he claims are accurate. I have provided a reconciliation of these new ledgers with all of the Main Branch assets and liabilities. As you will see, these new copies are false." Her pale face turned now to look at her disgraced former captain.

"And now this. I have obtained a new source of information, which I will tell you about privately if you like, Hayata... But let it suffice for now that Inuzuka-san has unwittingly shown me that Fujinami-san has dragged him into some cloak-and-dagger scheme. Fujinami-san has threatened Inuzuka-san's wife and child with death if Inuzuka-san doesn't do whatever it is that Fujinami-san wants. Apparently there are some nice documents with the Sennin's secretary which Fujinami-san will use to incriminate Inuzuka-san.

"So. You would not have appointed someone you knew to be incompetent and malicious, Hayata. I know that you intend the best for our village and our people. Fujinami-san's conduct is a serious problem for all of us." She looked at Souseiki. "Say what you will, Sennin, or drive that blade into my back if you think declaring me a traitor now would prove useful to your ends."

 

[Shu]

Shin waited as he listen to Rin explained her allegations. "You know my temper, Hayata. You know me. We grew up together. Of all of us in this room, you, Masao, and I know best what a canker in our upper ranks can cause. I seem to have prodded one such abscess in my irritation." She said.

"Hai..." Shin responded calmly. It was known by Shin that as a kunochi Rin was surprising contentious in her ordeals with mischievous or at least problematic in the eyes of the shinobi corps. As much as Shin was, Rin was no-nonsense kind of woman. She exhorted Masao as well as her ANBU unit with specific commands before continuing with her monologue. Her countenance reverted back to the tense and austere tone. Her words were rather strange and unfounded but not surprising. He was aware of the situation as described by Rin. Hitomi did deliver him a memo of a internal dispute but he kept it aside hoping his comrades would resolve the issue themselves and obviously, such hopes were left on the waste side. Fortunately, Shin has always planned a contingency plan.

"Interesting, at least this meeting has grown to be of some use." Shin said folding his hand showing his usual aura of curiosity. "However, I am rather disappointing that this issue has not been resolved in a civil manner, especially as highly ranked shinobi." Shin turned toward Rin raising his hands to calm her last words. "There is no reason to insinuate the situation even further". He returned towards Souseki. "By law it states that I must take action, conversely, it would be naive for me to make a judgement now considering our current crisis. We will need to consult with the council to propose a proper sentence, there you can defend yourself impartially, but until then your power as main branch sennin will be diminished. You will not be able to do anything without the consensus of your fellow sennin and myself. Moreover, I will require you to give a formal apology to Gekido and his family. It will be a private meeting and I will arrange it. If you attempt to go rouge at any point during this crisis you will be hunted. I do not desire your life to be taken. Understand that this is act is not out of animosity but I can not tolerate this type of behavior. Let this be a learning experience that you may grow into a better leader. Am I clear?" Shin said.

"As for you Gekido-san, I will humbly apologize for the recent actions taken against you and as an addendum to my apology I will like to visit your family and offer a meal" Shin said as he made short bow toward Gekido.

 

[Junan]

So investigations had already taken place. That was good, meant less needed to be done now. All that Masao required was something that should be easy to find out. Of course if the man didn't exist then no evidence would be found and it'd take time to check over everything to be sure. It would also need to be checked to make sure what was found out was from before the date that the name was taken.

Kushin nodded once as he spoke Of course.

Standing they could hear Rin's voice from where they were. Not able to make out the words clearly or anything, but still able to hear them. Kushin wondered what was going on. It sounded so... interesting. His eyes betrayed his interest on the situation, deliberately, he hoped Masao would pick up on it and would let him know bits and pieces as to what was going on.

I will be training several medical shinobi in basic ANBU tactics and techniques using my own experiance. I am hoping that this will allow the medical shinobi to be more useful in terms of keeping up with the more difficult tasks which are likely to come about and thus be more capable at reinforcing positions. My branch has sat back for too long and simply sheltered behind the auspices of research. He also knew an ANBU who would likely be willing to lend a hand towards that training. It would mean that the mednin would be more thoroughly trained than what Kushin could do. Though Kushin's own abilities were substantial, just in their own way.

 

[Morishige]

Well this was quite a change of pace. Gekido watched as Rin spoke with authority on matters that he had no prior knowledge of. Therefore, he was a bit confused from what she was talking about at least the parts that didn't include him. So when she began with the brawl in the Seki, but that topic seemed to have been addressed behind closed doors because she quickly turned onto a subject of letters and Souseiki seemed to have made some mistake somewhere. Gekido couldn't help but wonder how someone as eloquent as him could make a mistake in literary avenues, but there was a first time for everything. The Inuzuka sat quietly and watched the scene unfold.

It appeared that Souseiki had made more than one mistake. Sexual jokes or something? And then something about ledgers. Gekido could hardly care about these things, so he paid them no mind. In fact, he questioned why he was still here. It was obvious he wasn't going to attack, so the Alpha Inuzuka wondered why he had not been escorted out. But in this moment of self question, Rin's visage turned to face him, the former ANBU captain. Gekido's left eyebrow rose, expecting to have something dictated at him. But she still spoke to Shin, about the information that she seemed to learn in just that moment. But who knows? Perhaps she had eyes everywhere... The ANBU were mysterious like that. But, it would seem Rin would conclude without needing some word from Gekido. And he was just fine with that.

Now it was Shin's turn...

A formal apology? Diminished power? Gekido never understood the dealings of those in politics. If he had the chance, he would suggest that Souseiki and he have a simple bout. No matter the victor, all would be forgiven in his mind. But such was the way of things in the highly complicated system of Kumogakure's authority. However, his final words toward the Main Branch Sennin troubled the Inuzuka. A simple scolding was all he would receive for now? Souseiki was dangerous and Gekido knew this well. In fact, the sennin in question practically bragged that the way he rose to power was through using others to get his way. Manipulative and Tactical; no doubt a genius in that regard. An argument could be made that he was a great ninja because of this; but Gekido would not ever agree to that. For him, true power is shown through a fight-- not through words.

Suddenly, his attention was called and his apparent scowl disappeared. When did he scowl? Gekido must have let some emotion taint his expression from the thoughts he was having. Then the unthinkable. Shin bowing to a former missing ninja. Gekido's uncovered eye turned to look at Rin to see just what she might think. He would not stand for that might be interpreted as a move to attack, so he nodded his head. "I'm not so sure you would want to come to the Inuzuka camp. It would be better if I brought my wife and three eldest here." he responded. Thoughts of Shin walking through the snarling camp made him smile. They weren't so kind to outsiders... Even those damned Haku who lived on the outskirts of their territory.

 

[Takaki Saeko]

“Our tactics and techniques, eh? If you mean teaching your mednin how to fight cohesively in squads and in concert with my branch’s forces, then I’m all for it. One thing we’ve not been able to provide our operatives for a while is on-scene medical support,” said Masao’s blonde-haired path to Kushin, the ahoge on her head forming the shape of a heart to signal her approval. “Hold the phone...something interesting is coming up.”

"Vice Commander. Please send one of your copies to retrieve the ledgers and packet from my office,” ordered Rin to his ‘original’ path, still standing next to her.

“Yes, Regent Commander,” he said, nodding. Next to him, a sheen of golden dust poofed into existence, and in its wake, another path, this one a younger man with an eyepatch and surly expression on his face. Like the original, it also seemed to be a chain smoker. Without acknowledgement, the new path left for the Sileo. Back in the antechamber with Kushin, the female path rubbed her head in annoyance.

“You’ll have to be a bit slower when you speak from now on, Doctor. Whenever I manifest another body in the physical world, my concentration becomes more strained. You try manipulating three of yourself at once...” said Masao’s blonde-haired path to Kushin, ‘her’ ahoge flipping around in annoyance like a gasping fish. “Ah, you want to know what’s going on? Essentially Regent Commander Santaru is presenting evidence to the Raikage that Main Branch Sennin Fujinami is trying to blackmail her with invented claims of fraudulent accounting, which seem to in actuality plague his own branch. In addition, he has apparently taken Inuzuka Gekido’s family hostage in some form or fashion. Her summary of it all is that Fujinami-dono is ‘incompetent and malicious’.”

At this moment, the eyepatched path, along with two heavily-burdened operatives flanking him, now appeared carrying heavy boxes of accounting ledgers, as well as a satchel of letters. Presenting them to the Raikage, Masao’s paths all thought in unison: I am so glad I didn’t actually DRAW Dick-Butt…

“Ah, now the Raikage has offered to take the Inuzuka clan out for dinner. Somehow I think lobster would be wasted on those mongrels, but hey, it’s Shin’s money.”

 

[Santaru Rin]

A corner of Rin's mouth twitched up in a hint of a smile as Hayata chastised her for her final remark to Souseiki. Some things don't change, I guess. Now that the Raikage had taken command of the scene, she could take care of the loose ends created by her... Hm. Confession? Testimony?

She turned her head and subvocalized into the microphone resting on her throat. "Dispatch Raikage Guard Jackal unit to the Inuzuka compound as guards. Buntaichou to parley with alpha. Protective cordon, not restrictive. Clan-permeable only. Contact Haku Yomoko and extend the assignment."

With protective arrangements already turning over, she looked at the fallen captain. "Inuzuka-san, a protective perimeter is going into place around your compound. I apologize for the inconvenience, but it should not affect your clan's day-to-day. You're an important witness. It is important to the village that nothing happen to you." The quieter tone was, in contrast to her strident orders before, almost intimately apologetic.

Sorry to skip, but wanted to get that out of the way.

 

[Junan]

Good, he had support for his plans. It would be better for all branches if the medical branch could get more involved. If ANBU were sent into a location where even with their skill and training they were taken out and left stranded then who could hope to retrieve them? More ANBU? Who's to say the earlier squad wouldn't simply die during the retrieval process. If medical shinobi were skilled enough to accompany them, he wasn't under any pretence that his shinobi would be as good as the ANBU, then those losses could be minimised.

Before he could thank Masao he was told to hold on a moment. So he waited. And not for naught as it turned out.

Masao informed him on what was going on, it sounded like Souseiki was a fool. Why would one try and blackmail the ANBU Sennin with any kind of claims? The ANBU were the sneakiest of the sneaky when it came to shinobi. They were the best of the best, that was what made them ANBU. They couldn't perform medical techniques to a great level, but they also couldn't perform other tasks which the main branch held strong. Yet their strengths meant that if they were threatened they wouldn't simply sit idly by and let you manipulate them so easily. In something the size of a whole branch there are going to be issues, issues which as Sennin they couldn't know about or change. The ANBU would almost definately find dirt on your own character, and they had access to everything you've ever done. A failed mission could be made to look like it was something more than it was if they chose to do so. Also the threatening of a shinobi's family? Well it did seem as though Gekido wasn't the cleanest of shinobi, he had just spied on a meeting of Sennin and the Raikage, and it sounded like the Raikage was going to let that crime not only go unpunished, but gift the family a meal in his presence.

No... that would be a gift if it wasn't the current Raikage.

The Raikage's of old, the ones with the mystery and hinted at power. Those were the shinobi who were thought to have ascended to godhood. Hayata Shin would be given a title, something like "the kind" or "the giving", in unofficial circles it would be "the weak".

Thank you Masao. It sounds like Souseiki believes himself to be more than he is. Having someone trying to cause friction between the branches and even within his own branch doesn't sound like leadership. Even if the perception of him is that he is up to no good how can he lead his branch? As they say, perception is reality, at least in the eyes of the beholder, and if his character has been questioned to this extent then surely there must be someone else who can perform his duties with the trust of their branch and our Raikage. His voice was sad, it was nice to know he wasn't alone in what he did, it was just sad to know that someone who had apparently managed to get to the same rank that he had, likely using the same methods and tactics was so bad at them.

I have things I need to attend, expect a courier with the information you requested within twenty four hours. We will continue looking past that time and anything new we turn up will be sent to you as well, but I figure it's best to get you information sooner rather than later, and there might be something in the dead mans history which could give you some clues. I wish you luck in your investigations, and if you need me you know where you can find me.

He had been speaking slowly, and only when it looked like Masao was paying attention. He figured it would be best to end the meeting now, letting Masao have his attention spread over a smaller number of paths, thus if a fight were to break out Souseiki wouldn't have an easier first target.

[Topic left - will read Masao's next post in case there's any reply]

 

[Kamitake]

He would not raise a single word in objection to all of the accusations while he smoked his entire pack of cigarettes. The simple joys of poisoning one’s self were far more pleasurable than hearing the masturbatory whines of others in their pathetic attempts to deconstruct him with nothing more than sweet lies, candy coated obscenities, and silly misrepresentations. Souseiki ignored the charade that developed in front of him as he smoked casually even as tensions flared drastically. He ignored Rin’s accusations and he ignored Gekido’s tomfoolery until a silence so deafening that even Hayata Shin might burst into a psychotic rage. Thus was necessary to avoid an escalation of blades as his was so apt to enjoy.

”Oh? They’re finally done? I was getting lost in the fantasy. I was seriously hoping that a dragon or two might make an appearance to make it a bit more fleshed out. I once read that in this part of the world those creatures are manifestations of evil and well, with all the accusations flying about, a dragon in the tale would have condemned me so much thoroughly,” he finally emitted as he put out his final cigarette out on a convenient ashtray. He walked with all the bravado and charm inherent in the character before he halfway drew his sword, not as a threat but as a sign of respect to the Kage. ”I guess for once it’s time for the shadows to reveal the secrets they are so used to obfuscating.”

The blonde Nanjirou ignored all the usual customs as he made his way to stand next to Shin. His hand waved about the ancestral blade tied to his body showing all the intricacies of the millennium spanning sword. ”Before I advance to the most serious of the supposed crimes I am accused of I must clarify one thing. Nanjirou’s never go anywhere without their blades and not because we enjoy threatening others with our steel but because they are a piece of ourselves. My ancestors and I are inseparable as are any Nanjirou and his ancestors and the fact that your ANBU Sennin and Medical Sennin were so incompetent to be fooled by an impostor without one already should indicate their prowess of observation,” Souseiki smiled at a joke nobody but him would understand. The blade howled for blood but the blonde’s restraint was overpowering. ”If ANBU is so incompetent at their jobs that they cannot discern a Sennin from an amateur impostor, I would seriously investigate reforming that branch under the authority of the Main Branch for the future. Their incompetence is deadly and directly threatens us all.”

Souseiki put the blade entirely back into it’s holster before he sighed. Everyone was so eager to lie regarding his activities because they were so ignorant of them all. They would have to be punished in time, every single one of them for their audacity but much more so for their inability to make it stick. He turned quickly and snatched the nearby phone. ”As for account discrepancies, let’s see how Rin’s accusations hold up despite the fact that she has no access to any records in the Main Branch.” He clicked a few numbers before a soft, female whisper could be heard on the receiver. Souseiki asked her to bring the survey results of Kaminari archaeological expeditions three decades ago before he bade a farewell and hung the phone up. Souseiki smiled once again as he rested himself on the desk.

"The records are hidden at different locations at differing intervals of time under my order. The copy available publicly is a false one meant to deceive potential espionage from both in and outside the village for obvious reasons. Data can be lethal in the wrong hands," he informed as they waited. A tense dozen minutes later, a petite young woman walked through the doors of Hayata Shin’s office with a manila folder brimming with papers. She dropped them with a loud smack onto Shin’s desk before Souseiki thanked her and began thumbing through them all. "It's all here at your convenience . You'll discover that we run a tight ship with little excess with high profitability with minimal casualties. All accusations of laundering or siphoning are completely false.

The Sennin fell into a nearby seat before placing his feet on the desk. Hayata Shin was a good enough person, a man whose hands were clean of much of the sticky, red gore that most individuals in this profession managed to attain. Unfortunately he was discovering that the lack of calluses on the Raikage’s soul made him a bit too tender when it came to certain realities of this black and deadly life. Souseiki would have to be his protector for the time coming. He was still too useful for this village at peace and too popular to be taken away despite the wishes of the traitors in the other branches.

”I’m not going to pussyfoot around this topic Shin. You took the counsel of a known traitor rather than even listen to me for a single second before you stormed off to protect his family from a man you yourself a year ago placed into this position. Tell me, were you so inexperienced a year ago that all of a sudden now an untrustworthy whisper had inspired this much disbelief in me? Do you think of me so evil a monster that I would injure his family in revenge? And for what? Money? Power?” he asked. His voice was smooth and calm but his words smashed through all the scaffolding called a plot in front of him. Rin tried to emotionally manipulate the Raikage with pointless stories of their childhood as it that mattered whatsoever. Souseiki had never abandoned his post willingly unlikely the knocked up fraternizer. “If you honestly think of me in that way and believe the lies and manipulations of Rin, Gekido, whoever else, relieve me of this position and relieve me of all duties to Kumogakure right now. I will not serve with brothers and sisters so depraved that they would project their insecurities onto me. I will not risk my life for those who do not deserve it. Make it quick and just and you‘ll never hear from me ever again. For your sake I hope that whoever you side with is either telling the truth or you believe you can manipulate them well enough to at least convince them that they‘re manipulating you.”

[OOC: This topic took one hell of a random curve when I was gone and there was so much to address. I'm still not exactly sure if I'll edit it again.]

 

[Shu]

Humorous but expected. Souseiki quickly became contentious as he delivered his retort despite Shin stating his day of petition had not arrived. He railed Santaru Rin and Isaki Kushin lack of observation being easily fooled by Gekido's obvious ruse. He unsheathed his sword revealing its glory for all to see waving it as if orchestrating It was a logical deduction to say the leas, perhaps they should have perused the disguised Gekido carefully when he entered. However, it is understandable.

He continued taking the liberty to defend himself as he made some inquires on his headset. A few minutes later a young woman walked calmly into the office with a large folding flooded with papers poking out from various sides. She slapped the folder onto the conference made her formal greetings to the rest of the group and left. Presently, there was a large box of papers on and a large folder with papers idling waiting for Shin to examine. Instead of focusing on the immediate crisis at hand he was going to dive into a internal dispute. Shin hoped that such an event would not occur but it could not be helped. At least he was aware of such a possibility. He claimed that Rin's statements were a complete fallacy. He was brimming with confidence sitting languidly in a chair as he continued speaking in a debonair fashion.

”I’m not going to pussyfoot around this topic Shin. You took the counsel of a known traitor rather than even listen to me for a single second before you stormed off to protect his family from a man you yourself a year ago placed into this position. Tell me, were you so inexperienced a year ago that all of a sudden now an untrustworthy whisper had inspired this much disbelief in me? Do you think of me so evil a monster that I would injure his family in revenge? And for what? Money? Power?” he asked. His voice was smooth and calm but his words smashed through all the scaffolding called a plot in front of him. Rin tried to emotionally manipulate the Raikage with pointless stories of their childhood as it that mattered whatsoever. Souseiki had never abandoned his post willingly unlikely the knocked up fraternizer. “If you honestly think of me in that way and believe the lies and manipulations of Rin, Gekido, whoever else, relieve me of this position and relieve me of all duties to Kumogakure right now. I will not serve with brothers and sisters so depraved that they would project their insecurities onto me. I will not risk my life for those who do not deserve it. Make it quick and just and you‘ll never hear from me ever again. For your sake I hope that whoever you side with is either telling the truth or you believe you can manipulate them well enough to at least convince them that they‘re manipulating you.”

Shin took a moment to himself. Soueski's final words reminded him of his father or at least how much his father professed against what Souseki was stating.

"My father expressed these words to me as young boy: 'if a man does not see himself completely intolerable he does not know what depravity is'. The village believed him to be a true misanthrope and a man completely out of his mind. The only person who believe otherwise was my mother." Shin began.

"Yet, everyone knew that my father understood what it really meant to be a shinobi. His actions were rarely sprung by the inefficiency of the human will as much shinobi are. The goal of a shinobi was to be an effective tool. I spent most of my life holding this realization and if it was not for the selflessness of my mother it would have render me senseless." Shin glanced at Masao and Rin.

He did have assistance with his generation during his primitive years. His comrades reminded him of his overbearing humanity. At least he should not completely rid of himself it and perhaps his father was not entirely right. His view went back to Souseiki.

"To speak plainly, yes I do see you as a monster but so is every single person in this room." Shin said. Of course, he was leaving out Deta from the mix. The purpose of his creation was enacted by his father -- to remove emotional human will from a shinobi. At least, Deta was mirrored after that research.
Moreover, Deta is still able to understand emotion but can not be influenced by it - a missing but vastly important piece to the puzzle.

"My actions toward Gekido is not simply out of mercy but it is more effective for an enemy to become an ally. I am aware of his treachery and I am studying him constantly. Also, it is irrelevant if the person you are serving is worthy or not; you have forfeited that choice when you first wore that banner. You speak with such serene but you are words are dressed with anger. If you are so confident why do you wish for a quick judgement then wait until an appropriate judgement is settled. As I stated before, your power has diminished or simply stating that your power is that of the headmaster should suffice. It would be pointless to relinquish your power or your duties; all it will do is fuel your pride. So I will reiterate, an impartial hearing will be sanctioned at the end of this crisis. Or do you have more persistent statements to tell me?"

"Now for the rest of you." Shin said delivering his voice for the rest to hear. "Does anyone have anything to retort on this subject, it would better to focus on the pressing matter at hand."

 

[Takaki Saeko]

You’re being pissy because you’ve lost a fight you shouldn’t have started, thought Masao to himself as well as Souseiki, halfway hoping that there was some way for the Nanjirou to actually eavesdrop on such things. The Main Branch Sennin’s entire attempted rebuttal was tiresome and sounded like the desperate midair flailing of a man just hoisted by his own petard. Of course the ANBU had access to the damned financial records of every other branch! It had been their godrotting job for the past forty years to know exactly what sort of tax evasion and offshore accounting skullduggery the branches, including the ANBU, was up to. What would be more interesting to hear, however, was Shin’s response. The bombing of Port Cirrus and the war had been the first major crises of his reign, and so far he had handled those relatively well. But a clash between the major heads of his own village government was something that could easily fluster a leader and render him ineffective in the eyes of his people. Come on, Shin, lay your foot down firmly, whatever side you choose. We can’t have a pussyfoot for a Kage.

And so the Eighth Raikage spoke, and they all listened.

Bravo, old friend, Masao thought, glad with relief and also a little ashamed that he had doubted Shin in the deepest recesses of his mind. Kagetsu Kiyo had not erred this time. There would be no spineless dilettante of a Raikage ripe for ouster by the first self-styled despot to cross the gates, as she had let happen forty years ago. Shin was a different specimen than Eimin. Strong, calculating, decisive. Kumo’s children would have a future to look forward to.

"Does anyone have anything to retort on this subject, it would better to focus on the pressing matter at hand."

“Not a retort, Raikage-sama, but a suggestion,” said Masao, clearing his throat. “Despite the fact that Sennin Fujinami has gone astray in his duties, he is still a worthy shinobi of Cloud and has contributed years of service in your name. I think it would serve the best interests of the village, especially in a time of low morale such as this, if he were allowed to relinquish his title in lieu of a trial. In this way, he may continue to serve the village honorably, his name and clan will not be shamed, and the Main Branch will be given the chance for a fresh start.”

 

[Santaru Rin]

Rin listened to Souseiki's defense with her eyes half-closed. What foolishness. How could she put this? Minus sixty points. Still, part of her worried that Hayata would be swayed by suspicion: suspicion of the ANBU, who had earned it, suspicion of herself, as she had been gone so long. And I'd thought he was just being careful of record security, she thought, reflecting on Souseiki's pronouncement that she couldn't access his records. Obviously that much was false. She had them, despite the trouble. Though if he doesn't want ANBU looking, it may be worth the effort to take a deeper dive. The ghost of herself which was always planning began sorting through a list of likely names for such a task.

He seemed to come to the end of his steam at last, issuing the Raikage an ultimatum. That, at least, inspired Hayata to put his foot down. There would be a trial. It's a waste of time we don't have, she thought, But the law is the law, and our test is whether we stand by that as a village even when it's inconvenient. This wasn't the high court of the capital, nor the military court of the bakufuu. A trial of a Sennin had not occurred in Cloud in her memory.

She nodded thoughtfully in response to Hayata's proclamation. Everyone here is a monster. That much was certain. She believed Souseiki as capable of killing Gekido's family as he was of destroying an anthill. It would mean little to him. The same act would mean as little to her, if she had chosen threats as a tactic. Rin believed very little in threats, and very little in extortion. Such schemes overcomplicated themselves, and for the energy that had to be invested, often yielded too scant profit. What she did not want in ensuring the village's security was complication. Today had already displayed what complication did for security--which was, in short, to make it a fantasy.

"Does anyone have anything to retort on this subject, it would better to focus on the pressing matter at hand," Hayata declared.

“Not a retort, Raikage-sama, but a suggestion. Despite the fact that Sennin Fujinami has gone astray in his duties, he is still a worthy shinobi of Cloud and has contributed years of service in your name. I think it would serve the best interests of the village, especially in a time of low morale such as this, if he were allowed to relinquish his title in lieu of a trial. In this way, he may continue to serve the village honorably, his name and clan will not be shamed, and the Main Branch will be given the chance for a fresh start,” Masao replied.

The alternative was acceptable, she indicated with a slight nod. The smell of Souseiki's dead cigarette reminded her of the deals she had witnessed as a Genin trainee in the seedier side of things. Destruction would be a better option. Perhaps a heroic monument to seal the deal. Whatever the outcome of the trial, she would have to reinforce the village's security--something she could not see her fellow Sennin's place in. This may merit a visit to the Aesculapium. If only Ataeru hadn't abruptly resigned. And left me with his failed experiment. Now she had to take on part of Souseiki's responsibilities by proxy, thanks to Hayata's command. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Morishige]

Gekido merely sat there listening because it was not his place to discuss these matters. Sure he had an opinion, but what was the point of saying them? He wasn't a registered NPC and really shouldn't be posting here. It was only out of the grace of the rest in the topic that he remained. At this point, they could escort him out if they wanted to have a more confidential discussion~

 

[Kamitake]

”Oh Shin, do you truly expect me to adhere without question to a system that indoctrinates eight year olds into a lifelong social contract?” he questioned as he lit a cigarette. It didn’t truly surprise Souseiki that Hayata Shin was a versed in the more recent enlightenment perspectives. Still, he had erred in his manner of attack and he had exposed his ideological tenderness. Souseiki drew his wit slowly. Theory had sharpened it, righteousness would make it strike true. The blonde Sennin smiled as he suddenly thrust it forward to strike at the heart of the argument.

”I’ve paid my dues in blood and sanity while others paid with their very lives in service under an oath administered long before I was conscious enough to understand what it meant. You speak of social contracts and ties but you neglect that your system strikes into our minds long before we understand the consequences of our decisions. Did you think at the age of eight I understood that in time I would be sent to murder, to paint the world red with blood at a price?” he began as he slipped a cigarette into his mouth. Perhaps if he were a little less jaded he might have argued that life having a price was abominable but it was too late. It didn’t matter, Souseiki knew how cheap life could be. The Nanjirou arose from his seat as he wandered the room. He found himself up to where the mythical Haruspex still stood cemented into a wall from one of the former Raikage‘s Aion‘s rage. His hand caressed the pulsing handle before he gripped it firmly. ”No Shin, you cannot expect a rational adult to hold this contract stripping him of his ability to determine his own future as a man. It’s the realization I have come to in my life and the realization so venomous that it threatens to unravel everything if it spreads. So eventually your illiberal society will have no choice to repress me and condemn me for the sake of continuation, you‘ve made that obvious in your refusal to let me go. You will have me jailed or executed for failure to conform to the same mindset an eight year old had, for being human and learning from their experiences because you have to. The only shame is that I thought you might understand before that day came that change was upon us and you could either be the hero or the villain in this dialectical melodrama. But all of that's a moot point in the end, even if it is a fun intellectual exercise.”

Souseiki stopped speaking. He pulled hard on the immovable Haruspex. He felt a flood of rage, sadness, love, and hate flow into him as the inert spirits came alive once more. The blade had come alive again seeking the one that brought the dawn’s light, to re-united once more with it’s lover that had been so kind to it. The sword didn’t budge from it’s spot. Souseiki was nothing more than a shadow cast by light. He was a figment of the complete whole. Haruspex rejected him and the blonde shinobi was forced to let go as the ancestral spirits nearly burned his hand off. The blonde smiled as he blew smoke into the room. It didn't want him, not yet anyways, not until the night came alive and dawn was nothing more than a forlorn memory of forgotten day.

He was growing bored of the minor power struggles ANBU seemed content in engaging with. The minor annoyance of having to watch his back to avoid usurpation from a group of crypto-fascists. Their subtlety was non-existence, everyone else’s ignorance was appalling. The duo had disappeared for over a decade only to return as suddenly as they left and everyone had welcomed them as reminder of halcyon days gone past. Souseiki hadn’t been fooled. They returned with insidious agendas and every day had proved him right. They whispered falsehoods into Shin and demanded the delegation of Main Branch duties to him. The cigarette continued filling the room with smoke. Souseiki let the ashes fall upon the soon to be cleaned carpet in his apathy to find an available ashtray.

" For someone burdened by so much work, you sure find sufficient time to spy into my affairs and the non-existent flaws of my branch. If you would like to enjoy my company, you are always welcome to simply schedule an appointment rather than the usual ANBU procedure of stalking me. We can even discuss your brazen attempts to extend ANBU hegemony outside of its proper peripheries into the heart and soul of Kumogakure on baseless accusations, well at least those not rooted in aggrandizement of your ego” he finally retorted to the ANBU duo. How juvenile their navigation. Souseiki knew his death would expedite their grab, it's why they accused him in front of the Raikage rather than have him killed. They hoped his temperament would trigger his pride and force his vacancy. The only certainties in life was death. ”The Main Branch functions well enough considering the state of the international economy. If you would like to help Kumogakure then I humbly suggest you two stay out of my affairs and I will not have to dedicate so much time in wondering if a pair of former deserters are trying to stage a coup on this government.” His cigarette finally petered out. He flicked the butt into the nearby trashcan. "For once innocence will be my shield. Do tell Rin, Masao... what will protect you when it becomes obvious that you two are power hungry slanderers?

 

[Santaru Rin]

Rin sighed. "That is literally the most stupid thing I've ever heard from a Sennin, Fujinami-san, as well as openly seditious and disrespectful to your lord, Raikage Hayata. Second, as you well know, we didn't desert. We retired with the blessing of the Raikage Shinbatsu. Third, I attempted multiple times to schedule an appointment with you, which is documented in these letters as well as my arrangements with couriers. You evaded and rebuffed my efforts. When you have something worthwhile to spend air on, then you should open your mouth. Otherwise, you're only showing yourself for a child with stung feelings." She stood and pushed the chair in. "Speak of baseless accusations when you yourself didn't start the avalanche."

 

[Takaki Saeko]

“We’re shinobi, not normal people. We don’t have the luxury of determining our own futures, going our own way, or sticking it to The Man because we feel constrained by the oaths we took. You know, I talked once with Captain Inuzuka over there after he had returned to the village. When I asked him why he’d run and blown his entire future to shit when he could’ve been the next Sennin of the ANBU, he told me it was because he felt ‘confined’. If you’re going to blackmail him by threatening his family, at least have the decency to acknowledge that you two aren’t that different after all. Just one of you happens to hold a higher position,” Masao responded, shrugging.

“And if you feel you’ve been gypped by signing a contract you didn’t understand you can always back out. Shinobi are allowed to retire at any age and rank and cease their duties to the village as long as you don’t engage in treason. You don’t want to serve Raikage Hayata Shin? You don’t have to. But I think, Sennin Fujinami, you rather like that nice title of yours, with its nice salary and even better opportunities to profit on the side. You like to hobnob with the nobility and enjoy the parties and court intrigue and the sex. You like having the feeling of control over other shinobi without the attendant responsibilities of watching over them and cleaning up after their fuckups. That’s why you don’t have the willingness or the guts to actually pursue whatever grand societal agenda you pretend to espouse. You’re Yukimura Enishi without cojones, my friend. I have nothing more to say."

 

[Morishige]

Inuzuka Gekido - dNPC

"Well that escalated quickly. Or maybe I wasn't paying attention..." he thought. Gekido watched as the leaders of Kumogakure bickered among themselves. It seemed that Souseiki already felt that he was already in a ditch and was just digging deeper. Turns out that Souseiki had other problems aside from his own...too which Gekido still wasn't sure on how Rin learned of it. But from the sound of things, Anbu had their grubby little hands in every department within Kumogakure, so it wouldn't be surprising if Souseiki's assistant were an informant somehow. But with each new stinging statement, Gekido's smile grew. He enjoyed arguments like this since they were the closest thing to a fight he could get. If only they would go to blows, that would be heavenly.

 

[Shu]

“Not a retort, Raikage-sama, but a suggestion. Despite the fact that Sennin Fujinami has gone astray in his duties, he is still a worthy shinobi of Cloud and has contributed years of service in your name. I think it would serve the best interests of the village, especially in a time of low morale such as this, if he were allowed to relinquish his title in lieu of a trial. In this way, he may continue to serve the village honorably, his name and clan will not be shamed, and the Main Branch will be given the chance for a fresh start,” Masao replied.

Consistent. A word to describe the Takaki Masao and Santaru Rin after they delivered their say. They both felt it was necessary to efface Souseki's current status as Main Branch Sennin despite Shin's stating otherwise . If Shin were to comply with their suggestion what good would the outcome be. Would Souseki use this as a means to create division between himself and the village? It was not until Souseki spoke that the answer was unveiled. Souseiki maintained his suavity as he rejected Shin's words with such eagerness; it was as if these words were crafty prepared beforehand. There were no long pauses in his words nor were they forced by inchoate emotions. All in all, he was distinctly decrying the shinobi doctrine as debauchery.


"Ah..." Shin said his eyes widening ravishing the revelations with glee and expectancy. "Now we are getting somewhere. However, time is against us." He shifted his head toward the right where he darkness creeping out of the closed window. It was apparent it was near daybreak by the sudden change in temperature. The air was cool and uplifting which lessening the tension in the group. "If I were to continue this discussion it would never end. I must return to my duties. We can continue this meeting another time.[/b]"


It was an abrupt but needed ending.


[[Leaving Topic]]
[Lets get this thread over with]

 

[Morishige]

Inuzuka Gekido - dNPC

Gekido looked at each of them. Standing slowly, the Inuzuka moved for the door. "If none of you need me, I have my family to attend to." he stated. Walking out the door, he turned right to go retrieve his companion so that he could make the trip back into Inuzuka territory. Looking down to Judo, Gekido smiled and scratched his head. "That went better than expected, and quite strangely. It seems that there is discord and we are a reason for it. Perhaps we should lay low for a while...." Gekido said aloud as he walking out the nearest exit.

[Topic left]

 

[Santaru Rin]

Shoop, forgot about this topic.

Rin merely made a slanted smile, almost a grimace, as her Raikage departed. The Inuzuka took that as a dismissal as well. She nodded to Masao and the masked ANBU, who collected the materials and followed her as she in turn made certain that the Inuzuka left the precincts. Someone willing to intrude where he was unwanted and listen in uninvited was not someone to leave to his own devices. She was not concerned to the point of action, though. Inuzuka Gekido had his own reasons to need to stay silent, lest he jeopardize his own safety and that of his kin. Moreover, she needed to contact Yomoko. The squad captain would be kept busy by a worthy assignment like this, and thus all of her idle hands would be occupied with needful work.

[Topic Exit - Inactivity]