The Fellowship of the Ring [Requesting Exit]

[Seijin]

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.​

Dressed in his ANBU blacks, Musashi's mask was securely tied to his face and his garb gave off no overly defining features to identify who he was. His mask was generic as was his entire ensemble. Approaching the gates, he knew that Miro had already sent word ahead of him and certainly his rank as an ANBU Captain afforded him a certain measure of comfort in knowing that he wouldn't be grilled overly much. As simple as things seemed, there was one glaring issue with Musashi's plan, he had tagalongs. Yes there was the medic that he invited and the academy student that he was using as an excuse within the Wind Country, but the rest thought that they were sneaky and that Musashi was a fool. He saw the quickened actions and heard the hastened feet. Perhaps Miro thought that he'd need backup? As much as the move might have given others a need for offense, he was more concerned about dead weight. Watching an academy student was hard enough.

OOC: Requesting exit with Endo Sukishi and Ziren to go hunt Maru. Paperwork for Sukishi's training in Suna and Ziren accompanying Musashi is considered verified as a cover for the actual ANBU Operation. Any other's who show up to also live will be assumed to also be hunting Maru.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren heard the blood flows. With a slight movement of his head to hear the direction of the blood flows, he could tell that there was more than one person following them. It seemed that this mission, whatever it was, held a lot more weight than he thought. With a sigh, Ziren turned his attention to the girl that they had met at the hospital.

Why did the anbu think it was a good idea to bring a little girl on a dangerous mission? Even though he is good at reading people, he doesn't know the reason for this. He shook his head, and followed the anbu to the Gates.

 

[Keigo Oen]

With his satchel in place and a small pack of things to handle the wilderness along with his small amount of weaponry, but the travel would have him going to foreign lands. This would be in the midst of investigations on Junko where Eiji would have to travel to Tea Country to get info on why Junko had stayed there for so long, which he would use as an asset to the vast operation of his mission. Though on this day, as he arrived at the gates, he would feel the chakra of a man that he'd long forgotten about but someone that had helped him along the way to become the man he was today.

"...Musashi..." Eiji would say with a simple tone, calloused and betrayed by the absence of the man that had taken him under his own wing. The Man who knew of the works of Inu Endo... the primece of the very name he had. Endo. The Nomadic tribe that helped to build the ground they walked upon with their elaborate earth techniques and their links into the vast Clan of the Katai. Eiji felt hurt by the presence of this man but why had he reappeared now? And why was he leaving the village? Eiji would take this chance to leave with the group that seemed to be arriving now but what else would there be to this?

"...So you have returned? And without a messanger? Without a word?"

[OOC: Leaving with this group, Hijacking this leaving thread as part of my own! Muwahahaha]

 

[Sanyu]

Don't ask Sanyu how he knew about this mission. Word got from one person, to another, to another, and so forth until eventually Sanyu heard what sounded like Musashi leaving to hunt Yamaru, who had recently disappeared. Now, Sanyu wasn't close to many of his clan-mates, they all had their lives and Sanyu spent most of his time surrounded by plants. Still, Musashi could have asked if Sanyu wanted to tag along. He's known only two places in this world, his old village that ran him and his family out, and Kumogakure, now would be the perfect time to learn more about other cultures.

So Sanyu waited, relaxing on a sturdy, jagged rock until he heard the sounds of footsteps or voices. He heard both, though he initially only saw an ANBU, so Sanyu thought nothing of it. It wasn't until two others appeared, one of which Sanyu knew only scarcely as Eiji was technically in their clan as well. Once Musashi's name was mentioned, though, Sanyu knew this was the party he was looking for.

"Wait just one moment!" Sanyu rolled off the rock, landing mere feets away from the group, an accusatory finger pointing at his legal guardian. "You were just going to leave without inviting me!? You're even taking Endo-senpai and..." Sanyu looked at Ziren, a man he's never seen nor interacted with. "and I don't even know who that is!" Sanyu crossed his arms, took a deep sigh and pouted. "I'm coming with."​

[OOC: Also coming along, Umashi is aware.]​

 

[Wamuro Amaya]

"I'm sorry I'm late!" A voice calls as light footsteps tread towards the gates. Sukishi had with her a pack filled with the essentials like rations, a bedroll, a change of clothes, and a shoji board....yeah, totally the essentials. Stopping near the group, Sukishi has to stop to catch her breath, speaking as she gets a hold of herself.

"I had to...talk to the caretakers...." She says, stretching as she stands tall and looks over the rather large group. "They kept saying 'No, Sukishi! Wait for the young master, Sukishi! Don't...."her voice was slightly mocking in tone before fading while her eyes skim between the people here.

She pauses as she sees Eiji. Her face turning red in shame as she realizes who they were. "Eep!" She cries bowing in front of Eiji. "Forgive me for making them mad! I didn't mean anything by it."

[Requesting Exit with the gang]

 

[Kagami Miro]

A shinobi and a kunoichi stood by the gates while construction personnel worked diligently in the notoriously cold kumogakure weather. Both dressed in standard ANBU greys without masks they stood proud at the gates while following leaving procedures for traveling patrons. As the line moved up a figure in all black ANBU clothing closed the gap between them. Tall in stature the kunoichi awaited his approach. The two members were on the lookout for suspicious activity and nothing was off putting about the ANBU ninja… at the moment.

Soon after his arrival another blue haired figure encountered him, followed by another with dreads. The two ninja looked back at each other then returned their glances back at now another ninja interacting with the three others. Everything seemed to be in order until another… definitely not a ninja rolled up to the party. Embarrassed for her tardiness she was the most energetic of them all. At first glance of the unmasked figures the Kunoichi paged through the paper on her clipboard. Matching faces to names. “Passport.” The kunoichis' cold voice echoed out for the party to hear, looking up from her clipboard momentarily. Expecting no hesitation from any members for its routine to have passports handy. Behind everyone's vision a hand remained behind her back to signal the shinobi to radio their superior.

Before her voice echoed in the radio the ANBU Sennin had already been listening. Mirō had adorned an all black cloak with a loose hood tossed over her head. A gold one horned mask was the only distinct feature that could be made. Aside from issuing orders to other masked members and assisting with main branch jounin. The presence in the air had shifted.

Shinboi boots agitated the gravel, the cloaked girl walked around the group, out of sight, toward the kunoichi with the clipboard. Subtly leaning over her shoulder the woman did not move a finger as red hues ran down the listing. Standing straight Mirō looked at the small forming party. Behind the mask her voice rang out. “You heard her. Passports are required to leave Kumogakure.” The black hood shifted as her head peered around the towering giant who she knew already to the rest of the lot. Eiji stood among them, somewhat awestruck. The rest were people she had never seen before. “I know why two of you are here. What about you three.” A hand wrapped in bandages lazily extended outward to point to the three oddballs, demanding an answer.

 

[Seijin]

Fortunately they hadn't needed to wait too long although Musashi did pause out of sheer concern when the ANBU operative only acknowledged two having a verified story. Racking his brain for a reason why, it dawned on the man that it most likely very much had to deal with the fact that Sukishi was an Academy Student. Normally they weren't allowed outside of the village for obvious reasons such as death, dismemberment and the general principal that many of them were small children. Yuck! Trying to think quickly on his feet, Musashi realized that while he needed the girl as a probable cause for waltzing into the Wind Country, that that wouldn't exactly fly concerning getting her a free pass out of Kumo. About to give up on the pursuit, he remembered that there was actually a tournament being held in Konohagakure for Students. Smirking to himself he produced his paperwork and instead of writing his way out, he decided to speak.

"Here's the paperwork for the two that are with me. Standard fare trip to the Wind Country for diplomatic reasons. The kid is tagging along because she wants to join up in that Konoha Student Tourney thingamabob and well . . . we shouldn't just let a kid travel on their own." The measure seemed logical enough, a "Student Tournament" for actual students should and would at some point involve actually sending students to said tournament for students. The question remained though, if the boss-lady would buy it. If she didn't then he might attempt to just slightly nudge things along, and if that didn't work then he'd back off. There was no point or merit to testing that which was ironclad in this instance. Plus, he was doing his best to be on his best behavior. Eyes alert to what the Sennin was doing, he could only imagine what was going on in her mind he couldn't read it but he sure could only imagine all the many colorful words that she was internally screaming at him.

OOC: Calling an audible and throwing in an escort mission to the Leaf Student Tourney for Sukishi.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

So they made themselves known, two other people that have been on Ziren's radar finally made themselves known, both of which obviously have ties to this Anbu operative.

The blondie seems to be even more mad about the fact that this Anbu operative is leaving without telling him. "Chigokai Ziren. Mednin."He answered when the blondie said he didn't even know who he was. It seemed to be quite a group of people at the Gates. Ziren would wonder what makes them good for this mission, but his thoughts were cut off when he heard another blood flow. That is, aside from the ones standing guard at the gates. He was aware someone was around, but figured it was probably another one person trying to follow them out. When one of the gate guards asked for a passport, he brought it out, a picture of him that was only taken a few days ago, made by his Sennin Midori when he had asked for one.

That was when, another voice rang out. It came from another anbu operative. And judging by how she is speaking, she carries authority. She spoke of showing passports along with asking what was the reason for their travel. He listened as the anbu man spoke, so they are going to Wind country for diplomacy? Somehow Ziren can't buy that, considering how urgently he had once spoken to him at the hospital.

Well, he should play along at least, thankfully his training when he was in the ANBU branch keeps him from showing a surprise look on his face whenever it is actually needed. But now he has to say something. He gave a small smile, and said, "This man asked for my help to go to Wind. I'm a Mednin that would prove useful to him in case if we get caught in an ambush or if anyone needs proper healing."

 

[Sanyu]

Sanyu sighed, his yelling an accusations mostly ignored, though it seemed as though he was accepted to come along. He turned back to Ziren, realizing his rude behavior was unnecessary and unbecoming of him. Sanyu took a slight bow toward the man, "Sorry I should have introduced myself." He held out a hand for the medical ninja to take. "I'm Yamamoto Sanyu, as you could probably tell by my family name I am Musashi's adopted son." Sanyu gave a genuine, heartfelt smile at meeting a new person.

The smile immediately dropped when a child joined the group, and the pout returned. "Wait, you were going to take a student and not me!?" Once again the accusatory finger pointed at the newest arrival. Though after a few seconds of consideration Sanyu realized that didn't make sense. Theres no way a student could handle such a task as hunting down a rogue shinobi, so obviously Musashi isn't putting this girl's life in danger for that. So why is she here? Sanyu's question was answered when two other ANBU operatives appeared, asking for their passports.

Sanyu didnt' have a passport. He didn't have time between hearing about this mission and leaving to go request one. This was a problem, but if Sanyu was anything, he was a problem solver. He took out a folded up piece of paper that he colored to kind of look like a passport, but it obviously wasn't. "I'm sorry I didn't have enough time for this, but hopefully it will suffice." Surely the two ANBU would at least look inside. "I was not originally a part of this mission, but once I heard that my legal guardian was leaving on something dangerous I felt it was my duty to stay by his side. After all he saved my life when it was a child and I should be there whenever he needs me to save his." Sanyu had hoped to appeal to the ANBU's sense of duty and compassion. He didn't bat an eye at Musashi speaking about the student tournament in leaf, in fact it made complete sense at that point. Surely she wasn't there for the actual mission.

​

Spoiler: Inside the "Passport"

"If you let me out to protect my legal guardian you will have first dibs on the apples that I grow in the farm of my estate. They're really tasty, the best in all the lands I promise you. Please and Thank You."

​

​

 

[Keigo Oen]

Eiji felt like he'd just been snuffed in front of everyone by the likes of Musashi, there would be much to change once they returned to the village after this was all over but Eiji wasn't following the same path as this group that seemed to include his sister... his little freakin sister. The moment she arrived, Eiji would point his glare directly at the man leading the group. No words were said but, if something happened to his sister, this village, and most of all Musashi would feel the wrath they hadn't seen in thousands of years.

"Endo Eiji. I have my own detail that I'm personally on. Aside from some diplomatic talks in Sand." Eiji would frown as he handed over his paperwork and such to the ANBU Guard before looking to Musashi and Sanyu. They were related but something told him he hated the both of them. They were the Yamamoto. And before today Eiji felt little angst towards them. The ability to do those things and get away with it? Eiji would not stand for anyone that held that name once he came back to the village.

"I'll be off if thats all you need...", then turning to his sister, "Sukishi. If they let you go, be safe...", then lastly to Musashi, Eiji found himself taking back his paperwork and stuffing it in his satchel stopping before the man that was covered in the ANBU mask get-up 'Miro must be behind him coming out of retirement or whatever hole he was hiding in...' thinking before stopping right in front of him but holding his tone down so he would be able to speak in a more personal manner, a whisper would ensue, "...Me and you will talk before we return. I'll seek you out, and you will explain to me everything to me. Got that?" And with that Eiji would leave unless he was stopped for whatever reason...

[Topic Left unless stopped or denied leaving]

 

[Kagami Miro]

Mirō’s red orbs stared into those of the eyes of the cloaked man, Eiji, the uppity blonde and the medic and child. They grew suspicious instantly, squinting at the lie Umashi was pulling at. But, what purpose? Did he really want the kid to get killed? Or to prevent unnecessary fighting between sand officials and cloud ninja. Even so, she didn’t have a passport and the mission against Maru needed to be prioritized in her eyes. ‘In and out. Like a stab.’ Naibu chimed in. “The student tournament in Leaf? Main branch ninja are there to escort her safely. She will not travel with you. Not with the current mission you’ve been tasked with.” Mirō stated.

The Sennins attention turned to the young girl, a free hand fanning her away.. That gaze averted itself to the medical ninja who said he was accompanying Umashi. Mirō looked the man up and down. A multitude of questions continued to arise. Did the medical ninja's presence mean Umashi couldn’t handle the Mutt alone? She pondered that during the conference with the Raikage. Could the Mutt beat Umashi… Erasing the thought from her head a new idea moved in.

“Chigoki Ziren was it? If you’re running with this man you will adorn a mask.” Mirō hadn't fully overcome the ability to order people around. Regardless of her serious demeanor, it still felt foreign to her. On top of the uncertainty if the current Medical Sennin cared if their medical ninja worked with ANBU unmasked. Mirō dismissed that intrusive thought. The ANBU branch was hers, and she would dictate it in what she saw fit. “If you need one I can create one for you.”

Mirō stepped away from the Kunoichi who held the listing and in front of the uppity blond. Umashi was quite the father, even though he would disappear for months on end. Fingers grabbed the… “passport” the boy was issued and at immediate glance it was an obvious fake. If he could see her face, the angry glare on would never have faded. “Denied.” Mirō spoke sternly. The quickest way to her bad side, childish tom-foolery.

While Mirō dealt with the other members, the kunoichi inspected Endo Eiji’s passport. Everything had been neat and orderly with nothing overdue. Granting him a swift approval rating. “Approved. Safe travels.” With haste she returned his passport to him. An arm rose to signal the gate to open.

[Eiji approved to leave.]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren shook the younger man's hand as he introduced himself as Sanyu, but his eyes narrowed at the mention of Musashi... A wave of memories came flooding back to Ziren. One in particular of when Ziren first visited his family's grave. He didn't show it, knowing full well that this Anbu operative may as well been sleuthed by a careless slip of the tongue. Had Ziren still been in the ANBU branch he might've gave this younger man a smack upside the head for doing such a thing. Granted, he knows where the kid was coming from, of wanting to protect his father. He even made mistakes, but he never ever slipped up and brought information out of when he was in the anbu branch nor the names of others. Not even now, when he is a Mednin of Cloud, when years ago he was an AIT in Leaf. But even something as low as that would pose a threat in terms of knowing who else was part of said branch.

He let go of the kid's hand from their brief handshake as the blondie wined about Umashi bringing an academy student over him. Ziren took a moment to look at Eiji, get a feel of what type of person he is. It was obvious that he has a dislike to both Umashi and Sanyu, that Ziren can tell from the way he is staring at them.

Finally, he turned his attention the the feminine ANBU operative that seems to have that authoritive feel to her. She straight up denied the girl's chance of coming along. Then he felt her eyes on him, he was studying her as she was him. Finally she spoke, she spoke of him needing a mask, and if he needs one, then she'll make one for him.

Ziren nodded. So... It was getting more and more interesting to say the least. This mission that Umashi is on, is requiring Ziren himself to go incognito as well. He pondered on just how dangerous this really is. He brought up a hand to make a hand seal. Three other Ziren's popped into existence. Well... If that was the case, then Ziren would rather not be followed to have eyes on him when he changes attire. Him and his clones scattered about Cloud, eventually meeting back up before going separate ways again. A simple tactic to make it hard to track down the real Ziren.

Once Ziren was satisfied that he wouldn't be followed, he kept his clones in separate locations, hanging out, while he himself went back home to change into more proper clothing.

Walking into the house, he was greeted by his wife and children, Yuna and Moji, twins, who are now thirteen years old. He looked to them and said,

"I'll be gone. I don't know for how long, but it will be to protect you all. I love you all."

He could see the hurt in their eyes, as he packed for bare minimum of few days worth of food. He then put on one of his more recent clothes that he has made in case of needing to conceal his identity. A white spiral mask with a purple uniform. He also made sure to wear a sleeve over his left arm to hide the fact that it was made of metal. He even went as far as to add colored eye contacts, brown, to hide the fact of his bizarre eyes. He cut some of his hair off to make it easier to wear the mask that covers the entire head.


With that done, he would head back to the Gates. Once there, he looked over at the female Anbu operative.

"I can assure you I am the same man you had talked to previously. The only question I have is since I'll be traveling to another Village, how would they let me in, without showing my passport and thus giving away my identity?"

It was a question that needed an answer. He knew of the ways in Leaf with anbu travels, but that could be a different story for Cloud. He definitely doesn't want to show up to Suna, looking like an anbu operative but failing to know or show that he can have business there. Though he has experience in the branch, it can only get him so far with acting the part until they ask him to prove his worth of travel into another Village whilst still wearing the anbu clothing.

(ooc note: came back with some new threads.)

 

[Sanyu]

Sanyu's chipper and upbeat attitude dropped upon hearing the masked lady's denial. He figured. At least he attempted, you get nowhere without taking any risks. His frown changed to a soft smile, one of calm acceptance. He gave a slight bow to the lady, who he could clearly tell was 100% done with his tomfoolery. "Very well, sorry for using your time." He was, however, a little miffed that she didn't at least look inside, he spends a lot of time on those apples. Well, now she doesn't get any. Whoever she is. Those masks make blacklisting people so difficult.

He turned to address the group that was leaving, though Eiji had already taken his leave. This left the medical ninja, the student, and Musashi. Sanyu sighed and shrugged. "Oh well, guess I can't come with then." Sanyu began to leave, giving Musashi a playful punch to the shoulder. "Don't die on us, alright?" Without waiting for a response Sanyu walked off.​

[TLUS Into the Village Q~Q]

 

[Seijin]

The thing that most people didn't understand about Musashi was that usually calculated the odds long before he cast the dice. Sure, he considered himself to be a net positive of fifty percent, but adding a medic gave plus forty, an otherwise useless Academy Student an additional three . . . a ninety-three percent chance at passing a mission was far better than zero but odds were odds because anything less than a hundred percent chance at succeeding had a percent chance at failure. As he watched Eiji get allowed to leave before his own party he scoffed. It figures that the boy with a grudge, a literal flint chip on his shoulder would be allowed on his way while his kin stood at the gates waiting for their papers to check out.

While Ziren was away changing clothes in the most non ninja way ever, Musashi tested the waters with his branch Sennin. If Ziren didn't pack a spare set of clothes via scroll then it wasn't Musashi's job to wait for him to put one pants leg on at a time. "Main branch ninja are there to escort her safely". Musashi was sure that Miro meant to imply that there would be people to take Sukishi to Konoha but she'd said "there" without point to where. The old man would have his fun at her expense. "Their being there means they're not here to take the child there . . . no?"

From behind his mask he smirked as he audibly chuckled. "Alas, no need to fret, I'll make the adjustment if you'll provide me with one of those mask that you said that you could make. Surely our relationship is such that a forget-me-not is an appropriate gesture of appreciation. After all, the thing about the Wind Country is that everything tries to kill you, from the sky above to the earth below, the feet that trek the desert sands and everything in between. The last time I showed up there ill prepared it literally cost me an arm and I'm not trying to lose a leg for equal measure."

To emphasize his point, Musashi held up his left arm and waved his hand towards the leaving Eiji, wiggling all of his fingers a bit too enthusiastically. Ziren was no doubt on his way back by now and so Musashi turned his attention to Sukishi and Sanyu. "Make sure that she gets proper training in the basics of the elementary doton style of ninjutsu." Like a tough father, instead of indulging in his child's antics Musashi showed a stiff upper lip and assigned Sanyu the task of being more than a brat, that of being a teacher or at least a decent guide. With little left to actually say and with all meaning implied, Musashi took passing interest at the now reimagined Ziren decked out in the classical Eastern war garb of a familiar people. Nodding with approval, he'd turn back to face Miro, the proverbial ball in her court.

OOC: Requesting that Miro give Musashi a handcrafted mask and accepting that only he and Ziren will be able to venture forth.

 

[Kagami Miro]

In a moments notice Ziren left to get prepared even more for the adventure at hand. A fine brow rose into the air at the lack of Ziren’s ability to be prepared. Taking a mask from her would’ve been an honor and hand crafted to adhere to his face without the need to string it up. Surprisingly, the blonde haired ninja took his denial like a man. Acceptance was the first hurdle people had to overcome when they desired something they couldn’t have.

Now her attention drew back towards the towering man. He flipped her words onto her, giving him an annoyed and unimpressed stare into his mask sockets. Mirō’s train of thought was always too logical for jokes, flirtation, and the occasional smile of happiness. Perhaps the past event in her life made her too cynical. Standing at the edge of the border to become a nihilist.

“You want a mask too? Heh, I wonder what my chakra will create for someone as special as you.” Prodding at his history of teaching her for a full year then abandoning her. A recurring theme he possessed from what his kin have mentioned and Eiji’s strange behavior regarding Musashi. Mirō stepped back to give herself some space. Both arms emerged form underneath her black cloak. Her fingers interlocked in front of her chest, slowly they pulled apart but what remained in the middle was the formation of a small ball consisting of paper that peeled away from her fingers and palms. Hovering in front of her was a mask refined with paper that mimicked the strength of steel, a perfect fit for the long face Umashi had. A unique feature was the markings towards the eye sockets of the mask. They were a tinge of green.

A free hand cupped the plain white mask with green features. “Maybe if I focused more I could design them from my brain.” Unbeknownst to her, her chakra molded the masks based on a pinch of another's chakra. Mirō extended the conjured mask outward toward Umashi. Right when Ziren appeared in a newly fitted attire. “Finally you both look ready to leave.” Red hues pierced into the sockets of Ziren then back at Umashi. Her silence spoke volumes. The want for both of them to return back alive, Eiji as well.

Her hand rose into the air again to signal the gates to open for the two of them. “Safe travels.” Mirō stepped back, granting them both access to leave the village. If she were no longer needed she would shift back over towards more ANBU officials remaining towards the tower.

[Passports approved for Ziren and Umashi. Access Granted]
[Topic left unless stopped.]

 

[Seijin]

Looking at the mask, Musashi nodded and accepted it. "This'll do. Thanks." Taking a good long look at the village itself, he ducked his head and discreetly switched mask. He found Miro's mask to be a nice personal touch for an otherwise mundane mission in the grand scheme of things. ANBU hunted and Maru despite having history with him, was just another target in the long list of targets. Light and easy enough to breath in, Musashi started to suggest that Miro should create all ANBU mask personally but he stopped short of making the moment more sappy than it needed to be. Instead, he nodded to his superior and motion to Ziren for the man to follow him. "Look, don't ask for anything and don't touch anything because you aren't getting anything. We do the job, get in, get out and go on about completing the mission. Got it?" Like every parent ever who was taking their child to the store, Musashi needed Ziren to completely understand just how important sticking to the plan was. Their very lives could truly depend upon both of them not deviating from what was agreed upon. Quickly rushing out the gates without much more of a fuss, he steadily quickened his pace because time as always, was of the essence when dealing with the sort like Maru. Intel placed him in the Wind Country. There was no telling just how long that would last.

OOC: TLUS

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Ziren let out a small sigh for his question was either avoided or not of any importance to either anbu. Ziren just figured to himself that he'll just have to go with the flow to do whatever it is. His frustration was added when Umashi tried to scold him like a parent would a little kid before going out to an important place.

But once they get to a safe area, Ziren will have all the questions for this man. But for now, he too, would take his leave, following after the man, speeding out of the Gates.

(Topic left)