Private The price for information (Raizo)(Momo)

[Chigokai Yuna]

Even though it has been a day since her visit from the Oracle library, it surely has left a foul taste in her mouth. The threat of people watching her gives the anbu an all time alert. As if having to deal with Akkuma's antic of whatever the demon might cook up isn't enough. More importantly, someone doesn't want her to know who else has information on Akkuma. Those two Oracles that she met...Benzaiten and Fukurokuju. The male was about to give away the information when Yuna guessed that Benzaiten had been the one to interrupt their conversation. She had also noted that he stopped before she walked in, a headset was used, so there could easily be a third member.

Either way, it is high time to report back to the Kazakage, and even though her knowledge of the whole thing is slim, she does have a letter to give to him from the Raikage. Just one more thing. She would find Momo, and slip her a note.

Spoiler: note

Follow me to the Kazekage tower. It is time. Please just follow my lead on this and just stay quiet and observe. Look for anyone tailing us or anything out of the ordinary.

Once Momo would follow her, Yuna would then make her way to the Kazekage tower. Of course she was stopped by the secretary, in which the anbu operative would give them a letter.

Spoiler: Code phrase for the Kazekage

I wish for you to call the Kazekage to negotiate a funding for a shared sublevel basement library.

With that, she would wait patiently for the word to get to Raizo.

(Request Momo and Raizo)
(Continuation from friends and enemies and learning the lore)

 

[Raizo]

The secretary would be rather confused by the sudden written request but would relay it to the Kazekage. Even more surprising was his response; "Send them up immediately"

Without further delay, she would inform the guest the Kazekage would see them immediately and would escort them to an elevator. Before they could get on, the door would open revealing the Kazekage. The secretary would be a bit taken aback, not because she didn't think he would do such a thing but more so she was just surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Sorry, I needed to warm up my legs a bit" he would start slapping the sides of his legs in a joking manner "anyways, getting a lil too old working this desk job life!"

His words would be followed by his usual boisterous laugh. The secretary would reluctantly smirk and bow to the Kage before bidding the party goodbye.

"Silent. Not Silent" his right eyebrow would raise a bit as this would be a rather new development "it seems we are needing to have a little chat. Come on aboard and we will head up to my office."

He would motion for the two to join him. Once inside the elevator, he would press the button for the appropriate floor. If they refused or hesitated, he would remain inside the elevator, pressing the button to keep the doors open every so often.

 

[Momo]

BIG HAT MOMO

What up! What up! Waaaaaz up! Good morning all you hard working and not so hard working Shinobi! Thank y’all for keeping the peace and tuning in to the number 1 radio station in all the land of Japan! We only play the hottest hits ya dig! Speaking of the hottest! Up next, you know her, you love her! Blessing us with yet another hit! Big Hat Momo kicking ass in the dunes of Suna, the newest hit single “Serpent’s Grace!” So kickback and relax! Most importantly, listen to this track! I wasn’t expecting to hear from Silent so soon, pun not intended. She actually sent me a really weird note. It was sort of cryptic. Must be a thing people who wear mask do. Follow me to the Kazekage tower. It is time. Please just follow my lead on this and just stay quiet and observe. Look for anyone tailing us or anything out of the ordinary. Just what did she mean by the last part? I’m an international superstar now. If I didn’t have suspicious individuals tailing me, then I was doing something wrong. I couldn’t help that I was now an object of desire. With a shrug, I lined my eyes and puckered my cherry red lips in the mirror before winking at the beautiful goddess staring back at me. My smile could kill and my music could raise the dead. There was nothing to worry about. If you ask me, Silent just needed to relax a little. Take off the mask once in awhile. Maybe ditch the hobo get up and put on some stilettos and a tight dress. Hit the town with yours truly and let a big strong Suna man show her a wild time. I doubt they’d call her Silent after that. I grabbed my trustee surf green Duesenberg Starplayer II electric guitar and my signature Big Red Hat before ditching my humble abode. It was actually a luxury palace owned by this really wealthy merchant. Or was he a diplomat? Not important. I finally met up with the paranoid, all business and no fun Silent. Ironically she wanted me to be hushed while she did all of the… err talking? We would finally arrive to meet the Kazakage and I must admit that I found this whole cloak and dagger vibe a bit exciting. I’d stay quiet and smile politely as if I were Silent’s eye candy at least for a little while. She expected me to play roadie but when was the last time you saw a roadie in blood red designer talons aiguilles chers (expensive thigh high heels). I would tip my giant crimson red skull hat to the Kazakage before joining him on his elevator. A simple wink once our gaze cross was all I would give him for now. A girl’s gotta leave something’s to the imagination.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Yuna was glad to see the Kazekage, almost a relief some would say. This is because it would bring her one more step closer to finishing this mission that has been crazy with all of its twists and turns. Joining Momo and the Kazekage in the elevator the anbu would wait until the doors slid close and the elevator would move. She would wait one second... Two... Three before speaking in a hushed tone. To write something down on a note would waste too much time. "Kazekage-sama, I do hope that this library you have in mind lives up to the expectations of holding all future and past high security documents. Such as that it would be hard for those who don't have the right credentials to enter." Again, she would say this barely above a whisper, and she would also keep staring forward, to throw off any potential espionage. It does also help that she is wearing her mask to prevent anyone from trying to lip read what she is saying.

She hoped that Raizo would pick up what she's putting down. She wishes for absolute certainty that the location of their discussion will not be overheard by any undesirables, furthermore, a more of a stretch, but she hopes that he understands that Yuna might be watched. She doesn't really know who to trust, and the only ones that she knows for sure are Raizo and Momo. The whole time spent at the Oracle library has her on edge.

 

[Raizo]

The elevator door would close and he would press a button that would cause a small compartment to open. He would then press it, this time giving off a small amount of chakra into the sensor, causing gears around the elevator to begin to churn and grind.

"I... like your hat," he would say to the new person, smiling as she winked at him, before turning his attention to Silent.

He would momentarily be stunned, as the female would begin to use her voice instead of the notepad, which was a pleasant change of pace. He would smirk a bit as he listened.

"No worries, privacy and security go hand in hand with the plans I have in mind for your library. On that note, it seems like maybe you've looked at an additional contractor without previous consultation with me, should I be offended or concerned about this project and our progress moving forward?"

Sticking with the motif, he would begin to try and play into the coded language that Silent started. He was concerned about who this new person was, as it was not Speaker. It should be understandable that in such a tense situation, bringing in someone completely new would be met with hesitation at the very least. They had the elevator ride to sort out that little piece, as the elevator would shake and begin to move.

It might not have been noticeable at first, especially for the newcomer, but the elevator was not going up. Instead, it was traveling down. This would be different for Silent, as their original journey to his office was one where they had gone up to the tenth floor. Now they were going down, but the elevator panel did not indicate that there were any floors below the 1st floor, which was ground level. It wouldn't take long, as the elevator would come to a stop by the door would not open. Instead, it would remain close, as he waited to hear Silent's response.

And if it wasn't a good one, there was a chance this elevator would return back to the first floor and this adventure would be a short-lived one...

"Oh, nice guitar too," he would casually say to Momo before placing his hand next to the opened, previously, hidden compartment. His attention would shift back to Silent.

 

[Momo]

BIG HAT MOMO

​ As the elevator doors shut and the contraption was in motion, I patiently waited for the sound of elevator music that never came. Not sure what I was expecting but the sound of gears turning and grinding made this feel like a slasher flick. Thank goodness I wasn’t claustrophobic or anything. We would stand there awkwardly until the strangest thing happened. A very low mumble emitted from the sockets of Silent’s toga hut helm mask thingy. It was very low but for trained shinobi ears, Silent was no longer silent. She spoke or something! I wasn’t sure if those were actual words, however, the Kazakage seemed to understand just fine. His response, factiously cryptic. I couldn’t help but smile. The irony of Silent and I having our roles reversed. It had its humor. Except I didn’t have a note pad handy nor did I dress like I got my outfit from the lost and never found. My gaze peered past the Kazakage with the meanest side eye. In vein of course. The stoic companion militarized and eyes front. How was I just now finding out that she had a voice? I thought that she was mute. Sneaky sneaky Silent. We were going to have a talk when this was over. Girl talk, like where she could get affordable clothing that didn’t make her look like a roadway bandit. Oh, nice guitar too “Thank you! This is a very special guitar to me. And trust me she is more than just a pretty face. Do you play guitar by chance? I haven’t come across to many musical players around this country. Meaning none actually.”

[mft]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Yuna nodded, they'll need all the privacy for what she'll need to discuss. Bringing out her notepad, since she wants a little bit of things on this elevator to be rather read and not said, now that it seems that they have all the time in the world since the doors won't open, she would speak quietly also while writing, "This here is Momo, a Cloud ninja been granted access into your wonderful village."

She would hand the note over to Raizo for him to read,

Spoiler

She had fought Myakashi Kiko, the rogue ninja Akkuma had employed when the rogue ninja had attacked the Cloud gates. I trust her that she can help us with our Akkuma problem.

"Sorry for not getting a hold of you sooner on the matter. I've been rather busy."

 

[Raizo]

"A pleasure to meet you, Momo," he would say as he was passed the note from Silent, pausing a moment to notice a peculiar look coming from Momo. While reading it, he would continue, "Sadly I don't think I have ever attempted to play any musical instruments. Bladed weapons, blunt weapons, projectiles, wire... I've 'performed' with a lot of those 'instruments'. My father was adamant in my upbringing that I should focus on building physical power and a mind for leadership, so soft skills sort were often limited or things I had to explore outside of his watchful eye... is playing the guitar easy to pick up?"

With the note read, he would release the button allowing the elevator doors to open. Before them would be a wide lobby space, with various arrangements of sofas and chairs. The room would be a circular shape, with several doors located around the radius.

The Sanctum was only used for special occasions, but it was believed that one of the rooms led to a pathway that would take one to an observation deck overlooking the Ruins of Suna. Regardless of the doors and what they contained, the main area seemed to be where the focus would reside today.

"Join me for a seat... or are either of you thirsty? I don't think we have any snacks supplied down here, but I could always check."

Making his way to a cabinet, he would motion to the sofas and chairs within the space, "Please take a seat wherever you'd like."

Opening the cabinet space he would pull out a glass, waiting to see if either Momo or Silent would request a drink as well. In either case, he would pour himself a drink, merely of water, and return back with whatever drinks were needed. Taking a seat, he would take a sip of his water as his attention would shift back to Silent.

"So tell me, what's on your mind, 'Silent'?"

While he understood why they established the coded language to get them to this point, and what he wanted from her in this scenario, he still, because of her new addition, wanted Silent to get the ball rolling. He was still attempting to feel out this whole situation and did not wish to make the first move in the wrong direction. He was also curious if Silent would fulfill the rest of his requirements at this meeting. She was already speaking with her own voice, making the name Silent rather silly, so he would merely wait to see where the Kumo nin would guide him.

 

[Momo]

BIG HAT MOMO

Wonderful village? Sure, it has its highlights. But, let’s not forget that it was a village made of mostly dirt. What’s worse, I’ve seen what this village keeps hidden below. The other side of the village crammed with the poor and forgotten. Most of my time here in the village, was spent down there. I’ve never seen such disparity. There, is where I was able to do some good for once in my life. My music cured the sick and nursed the unhealthy. Crime there thrives with the absent eye of the law provided by shinobi. This village was 50 shades left of wonderful. I nodded and smiled in response to the Kazakage’s brief summary of an unpleasant childhood. I don’t know who I’d be without music. He’d release the button he was holding causing the doors to open. This wasn’t an office. At least, it wasn’t what I was expecting. This was more of a lounge. All it needed was a little color, a stage, and a bar to make it my type of scene. Our host would offer us a drink after ushering us to take seats. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take something strong. Make, not so Silent anymore, a double please.” Silent was full of surprises. Perhaps a little alcohol was enough to get her loosen up. Maybe even out of those clothes. Two ladies and a Kazakage… I could be into it. I’d even let her keep the mask on. I’d bring myself back to focus although it was an interesting thought. Like the Kazakage, I also wondered what this was about.​

[mft]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Yuna wouldn't deny that a stiff drink would be something to calm her nerves. Being an anbu operative puts a lot of stress on you. Being an anbu operative with the fate of peace on your shoulders does even more. She wouldn't intervene if Raizo were to take Momo's word and give her an alcoholic beverage. She would listen as the Kazekage spoke, asking what is on her mind. First things first, she would produce a letter from a summoning scroll. Raizo and Momo would easily recognize the Raikage seal on the letter. She would give him the letter and she spoke, "I have my orders from the Raikage, get as much information on Akkuma and any other incriminating knowledge on the matter. Once I have that, my mission will be to eliminate Akkuma. The other part of my orders is to hopefully rebuild and further strengthen the alliance that has been shaken between our Villages along with letting you know that the Raikage has intentions of visiting Sand Village once her business is done in Leaf. I might assume that she might be taking it upon herself to try and rebuild the alliance with Leaf since the last visit with myself and my previous colleague, Speaker, had left a sour taste in our mouths."

The letter, given to Raizo;

Spoiler: Letter for the Kazekage

Dear Kazekage,

I am writing to you to inform you that I will be visiting Sunagakure in the near future. I will be visiting Konohagakure first, and then I will be coming to Sunagakure. I hope that we can meet and discuss the possibility of an alliance between our two villages. I will be bringing a gift, as a token of my good will. I hope that we can meet soon.

Sincerely,
Shinrya Kitsune
Raikage of Kumogakure, Ruler of Lightning Country

"Now to get to the real reason of why we are here," She would reach up to her mask with the clear intention of taking it off, but before she did it, she spoke up once more, "You wanted to speak on equal terms, face to face. You want to know the name of the person you will be divulging this type of sensitivity of information with. As an anbu operative, I understand that. But also since I am am Anbu operative I have my own request to make. Keeping one's own identity unknown is vital for an anbu operative and their names shouldn't be thrown around so casually and whatnot. This is a request for both you Kazekage and you Momo. Especially you Momo, since you are from my Village. All I ask in return from you Kazekage is this Sensitive information you had talked about before along with answering some sensitive questions. And Momo, I'd like to know more in detail about Myakashi Kiko who had attacked Cloud Gates that you fought against. What you seen and noticed. Along with that, to not utter my real name or any other descriptive information about my looks and how Silent is this other ninja. If you two agree with that I will continue on. If not, feel free to stop me before I take off my mask."

The anbu operative would wait a few seconds before fully taking her mask off giving them ample time to reconsider if they so choose to before showing her cascading purple hair that would roll out

of her mask. The mask itself had the animal pelt piece stuck to its back for her to easily hide her hair. Both Raizo and Momo would see that the purple hair would cover over her right eye and what they could see from the visible eye was that there was a tint of red around the iris, but not in an unhealthy type of way, but rather seemed more... Natural. She would study their faces, trying to discern what they might be thinking of before she spoke. "My name is Chigokai Yuna, pleased to finally make your aquantance." She would say, it was more of an ice breaker, trying to break any tension that might be around from what she had talked about and the weight of her revealing her identity. She gave a soft smile, though deep down her mind was screaming at her to put the mask back on, that she is far from being in a safe place where she can relax.

(Mask off)

 

[Raizo]

Providing the two with their drinks, one who requested and one who was requested for, he would smile a bit at the notion of repairing village alliances and relationships. For him, he had never truly considered, or fully cared, for the other villages. The way their country was designed, both in sheer size and geographical makeup, they were rather isolated. During his brief time as Kazekage it felt more akin to being the leader of an island nation, but his island was landlocked and not an island at all. The fact that Leaf had reach out to him to tell him their alliance or agreement was called off made him mad, sure, but honestly made a part of him laugh. Someone he had never seen before or heard of was telling him that they no longer wanted to, in essence, see them anymore. What was lost? Paperwork.

Unlike Konoha, the visitors from Kumo had been much more personable, essentially being that they came in person to deliver their news. They did not threaten, when they could have, and were willing to have a conversation. If the small window of shinobi he had met from Kumo had been a reflection of the leadership and village itself, he found it rather easy to maintain an alliance with them. Konoha on the otherhand...

Taking a sip of his water he would listen to the words of Silent. It would appear that her mission had evolved a bit since joining the village, and she even handed him a piece of paper from the leader of the Kumo village.

She...?

A small smirk would come over his face as he began to read the note. The thoughts of Speaker and the examples of truly strong women he had met so far from the village hidden in the clouds caused him, a man thinking of the future of his own bloodline, to be excited to meet yet another of their rank. The leader of the village no less! The leader of the country... wait--

Wait a minute... leader of the country? She is the leader of both the village and the country itself... who is this warlord!?

He would choke a bit on his beverage as he would compose himself, placing the note back down, and returning to Silent as she further explained what she wanted and the new terms she was set to meet his terms. He would nod in compliance. And with that, she would remove her mask and the purple hair he had seen for a brief moment previously would once more appear.

"Pleasure to meet you, officially, Yuna," he would say with a humble smile and a polite bow. The mood would shift suddenly.

"I'll answer any of your questions to the best of my ability... but I just want to clarify one thing, and it is something I said to your previous partner but I would like to solidify now that we are entering a new stage; you can have Akkuma for his crimes, you can have him in general whether you find enough evidence to satisfy your own needs or not... but I am the one who will put down that mangy beast. His remains, his head, any news your village would like to break or reputation you'd claim for slaying him... keep it all. I don't even need it to be recorded it was me. You, this wonderful Momo and her glorious hat, your Raikage, someone else from your village you care about... they can all be there, they can all be present, and we can all work together-"

Picking up his glass once more, he would peer into the still water that remained, staring deep into it.

"But I want it to be very clear, especially as he resides within the borders of this country, that I will be the one there to see his last breath."

Did he mean it? Who knew...

"So then, and I am sorry Momo as I am not sure how much of the loop you are tied into of the previous conversation between myself and your fellow Kumo shinobi, where would you like to begin, Yuna? The floor is yours, and again I will answer your questions as forthright as I can."

 

[Momo]

Silent’s words seemed to flutter around me like inconsequential background noise, while my world revolved around the intoxicating drama of the moment. My fingers tapped against my thigh in absent-minded rhythm. The mention of the Raikage’s orders was met with a dismissive flicker in my gaze. Rebuilding alliances, strengthening bonds, how quaint. These matters held the same allure as a bouquet of roses – beautiful on the surface, but prickly and thorny underneath. Why concern myself with such mundane tasks when there were more thrilling pursuits to indulge in? And would a man capable of waltzing a top the under city, really have compassion for noble causes?My eyes flicker over to Raizo, who seems as odd to me as a unicorn in Sunagakura. His musings about alliances and relationships are as exciting as watching paint dry on my perfectly manicured nails. But Silent's actions, her summoning of a letter with that unmistakable Raikage seal, well, that's a spectacle that manages to tug at my attention.

However, the main event was yet to come. The true crescendo came as Silent’s fingers danced towards her mask. A gesture that could mean the unveiling of the true face beneath, a vulnerability rarely offered. My eyes widen as I sat straight in my seat nodding. Yet, even in this act, Silent retained her wry humor, her sardonic edge. She requested an agreement, a pact of secrecy from both myself and Raizo in return for the truth she was about to reveal. Her request to keep her identity concealed struck a chord within me. After all, I had mastered the art of using mystery to my advantage, letting others wonder about the real me. The power of anonymity was something I reveled in, and I had no intention of letting that slip away. So when she asked for my cooperation, I couldn't help but admire her audacity. It was a move I might have made myself.

The moment of reckoning arrived. As Silent steps toward revealing her face, I can't help but feel a frisson of curiosity. The anticipation of the unveiling, the tension that crackles in the air, it's intoxicating. And then, with a flourish, Silent's mask is removed, and the world shifts slightly on its axis. Silent’s mask slipped away, revealing her cascading purple hair and the glimpse of an eye tinged with a crimson hue. She watched us with a mixture of curiosity and self-assured poise, fully aware of the tension that now hung in the air. As her soft words introduced her as Chigokai Yuna, I couldn't deny the slight flutter in my chest. There was something magnetic about her, a captivating allure that drew me in, despite my initial dismissal of her as "weird." Her soft smile and cautious words, an attempt to ease the atmosphere, didn’t escape my attention. I watched her like a cat poised to pounce, assessing every nuance of her being. The attraction between us was like a subtle undertone, a current of energy beneath the surface, as undeniable as the fire that burned within me. And in those fleeting moments, as her smile met mine, I felt a connection, a spark that seemed to transcend the art of manipulation. “Chigokai Yuna, what an introduction,” I purred with a smirk, letting my voice linger like a lingering chord on a guitar. My eyes twinkling with mischief, a silent acknowledgment of our roles in this little play.

As the exchange continued, my thoughts lingered on Yuna’s reveal. My gaze traced every contour, memorizing every nuance of her unveiled face. The request for secrecy, the tantalizing notion of withheld identity – it was all part of the captivating script laid out before me. Yuna’s soft smile, a bridge of connection amidst the tension, was as irresistible as the crescendo of a symphony.

Raizo’s musings and the shifting dynamics of alliances took a back seat to my growing interest in Yuna. The leader of Kumo’s note, the potential warlord revelation – they were elements of a grand narrative that revolved around my desires. The moments of intrigue, of secrets and declarations, drew me in like a moth to the flame.

Yuna’s name lingered on my lips, my purr a promise of unspoken connection. The notion of turning the conversation more intimate resonated with my indulgent persona. Oh, how I longed to uncover more secrets, to explore the depths of Yuna’s hidden self. I could not resist the undercurrent of attraction that defied explanation, revealing the hidden desires and intentions. I found myself drawn to the enigmatic figure before me, the stage set for a performance that promised to be both thrilling and intoxicating. And then came the inner admission of my attraction to Yuna. It was a sensation that tugged at my thoughts, a hint of something unexpected and intriguing. As much as I prided myself on my ability to read people and situations, this twist was something I hadn't fully anticipated. But perhaps that was the beauty of it – the unpredictable nature of human emotions and connections.

In the end, Yuna's bold moves and calculated charm left me both amused and speechless. It was a dance of power, perception, and vulnerability that I couldn't help but admire. As the conversation shifted towards the resolution of Akkuma and the forthcoming collaboration, I felt a sense of excitement. The stage was set, and I was ready to play my part in this intricate narrative.

[mft]

[ooc: I apologize for the novel but Yuna’s unmasking is a special occasion!]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

She would study their reactions as they would take in her appearance and name. Raizo, who had already seen her face, but no name to match it, had kept up with the business matter of things. Whereas Momo... Yuna couldn't put a finger on it, but it does seem that she has the rocker's full attention. Her soft smile turned stern and business like once the conversation turned to both the matters on Akkuma and what she has in mind for continuing the conversation. Nodding, she would say, "As an ANBU, I am not going to seek fame or fortune by laying claim for the one to kill Akkuma. Only thing I need to do in regard to that part of my mission is to ensure that he is dead. Whether it be by your hands or not doesn't matter to me. Though it would be foolish of us to think that we would catch him in a one-on-one battle. Though the only real link we have of Akkuma having is with this Myakashi Kiko, I wouldn't put it past him that he would have other acquaintances. As for my question, or rather questions, there has been a lot that has been plaguing my mind that I would want to find the answers to at earliest convenience. First question. The day that me and Speaker had been welcomed into your Village, when you had to excuse yourself. First off, I will apologize for the eavesdropping, though it was hardly that since one of your own ANBU agents, Psychosis, was yelling about. I understand that our arrival at the gates and the talk of the Ancients there can have consequences after the fact. The mention of not just them, but any type of individuals trying to eavesdrop on a conversation is unnerving. It is not my position to do something in the affairs in which even with the history lesson, I would still know far less then the average Sunan, but I will need to know one thing. And that's where they stand. With Akkuma or not. My father believed nearly everyone has redeeming qualities if given the chance, and maybe, just maybe the same can be said about these Ancients or Hybrids. I just want to know who I can trust when my back is facing them, when I'm most vulnerable." She would pause, studying the Kazekage sure that she might be overstepping some boundaries, but also feel as if this needs to be cleared before going into some more deeper things and issues.

Continuing on, she would then say, "Second question. Can you tell me more about the Oracles known as Benzaiten and Fukurokuju? The reason why I brought them up, when I had visited the Oracle library to learn more about the Ancients and Hybrids, I also wanted to gather more information on Akkuma, to see if I can find any more discriminating evidence on the Demon and if there were any others working for him. Turns out someone had already checked out Akkuma's records and is either safeguarding them, or also keeping an eye on him. Either way, when I had asked about who it might be, Fukurokuju was about to tell me when he had gotten a call on his headset. Our conversation was interrupted and Benzaiten came in. But before she did, Fukurokuju had warned me that I was being watched. Heavily at that. Now despite my want to immediately think it might be Akkuma, I do feel as if there might be something else going on. The only time I have come into contact with Akkuma whilst in anbu garb, was when Speaker and I have first entered into Wind Country. And frankly, I feel as if that first interaction wouldn't be enough for him to try and do a full surveillance mode on me, especially since I had changed my anbu attire to fit easier with the climate of this country. Or I could be wrong about it and Akkuma does have agents in the Oracle Order. Neither outcome seems good in my opinion." Pausing once more, she would let the information sink in, before continuing on.

"Lastly. I think it is prime time for us to do an update on the Bingo Book. Cross check each others notes, as you might say. Fill ours with names that are written down in Sand, and vice versa. Though my own won't be as updated as Momo's since I've been out of Cloud for a longer time." Yuna would say, hinting for Momo to hopefully produce her own Bingo Book. If not, she will bring forth her own when asked.

Turning to Momo, "Speaking of people in the Bingo Book. I suspect that Myakashi Kiko is in that book as well. Can you please tell me about the fight at the Gates? Did she hint anything during the attack, and what type of fighting style does she favor?"

 

[Raizo]

He would listen to the questions, especially since he was addressed first, but there was still something tugging at him. Bothering him. He wasn't quite sure what it was until the attention, even for a brief moment was turned to the one known as Momo.

That's right...

The realization would set in on the feeling that he couldn't quite put his finger on but was still gnawing at him. It was the value of this specific person. She seemed nice, she had a hat and a guitar, which both were admittedly cool looking and if this was a casual get-together, he felt that Momo would be an excellent third.

This wasn't a casual get-together.

"Before I answer, I am curious about this exchange between the assumed helper of Akkuma and yourself, Momo."

Honestly, now that he found himself focusing more on the Momo of it all, he found himself getting irked by their inclusion. Was this a test by Silent? Was Silent just that naive? Or did this Momo possess a legitimate reason for being roped into this? Was it simply because they were also from Cloud and just happened to be in Sand?

Oh, that might be an issue worth raising a flag over...

It was evident why Yukina was his trusted advisor, she probably would have seen the issue almost immediately. Here he was, however, caught in the mud. But for as much as he failed to act earlier on this issue, the focus was now shifted to Momo. Earlier he gave Yuna the chance to validate them being here, and it allowed him to both literally and figuratively open the door. Momo's turn now, and they could just as easily end this matter just as quickly as they were included.

She watches Silent like a cat... but a cat would have been more appropriate to bring as a pet. Hmm, what to make of Momo... and what does it say of Yuna?

"So please, Momo, tell me about this battle and the combatant you faced."

His tone had not changed, nor did his expression, yet there would be tension in the air.

MFT - 345

 

[Momo]

In the spotlight's glare, all eyes turned to none other than moi – the show's undeniable star. But this time, an odd unease gripped me as I met those gazes. It wasn't the attention, mind you; it was the question aimed my way that sent a shiver down my spine. "Myakashi Kiko..." The name alone made my skin crawl. Just mentioning it whisked me away to that nightmarish juncture. They hungered for details about the clash against Kiko at Kumo's gates – what horrors I'd witnessed, her combat prowess, even hints of her sinister motives.

I took a beat, a mere moment, to gather my thoughts. A sip from my glass, a gulp heavy with the weight of my memories, and the liquid courage couldn't quite steel me for my response. The glass emptied, still leaving me uncertain how to articulate the truth. My oversized crimson hat found its way off my head, settled onto my lap – a gesture that underscored my sincerity.

"Prepare yourself for the utterly implausible, for what I'm about to unravel may seem as improbable as that hat gaining sentience." A sigh spilled forth, a prelude to the odd tale I was set to spin. "Kiko, my dear inquisitors, is a dastardly Anbu from Konoha. Yes, you heard me right – a Konoha Anbu. So, unless some hapless soul has misplaced their headgear, she's unmistakably a native."

I leaned in, a conspiratorial edge to my voice, a sardonic glint in my eye. "Now, brace yourselves, for Kiko and her rather unusual companion – a puppet that'd make a worm seem enchanting – performed a fusion dance of sorts. Imagine a nightmarish ballet, a duet that birthed a nine-foot-tall demon armed with a menacing spear. Unearthly speed, inhuman strength – it was the stuff of your darkest fears."

As I spoke, I sensed their rapt attention, their disbelief hanging in the air like a fog. "We didn't simply stand by, mind you. We managed to unravel this monstrous duet – broke their eerie harmony, so to speak. The Anbu Sennin did her fancy time-space ninjutsu dance, splitting the two apart, ensuring they'd never tango in unholy unison again. And guess what? Kiko's fight fizzled, like a firecracker deprived of its spark. She yielded, oh so willingly, for the price of her peculiar, squishy companion – a surrender so swift it left us suspicious."

My thumb found my chin, a pensive pose that concealed my amusement. "But here's the kicker, the twist in this twisted tale. Kiko, before her final bow, whispered something cryptic. 'Commencing test number two,' she uttered. Baffling, isn't it? I can practically hear you scratching your heads, wondering what on earth 'test number one' entails. Kiko, you see, treated this gruesome ordeal like a macabre game. A true menace she is."

I glanced to my hat, the tangible prop that anchored my account, and flipped it over theatrically. From its depths emerged my bingo book, a prop worthy of my storytelling prowess. "As for Kiko, well, she's an enigma. It's a thin tome, my bingo book, when it comes to her – seems she's been holding back, perhaps even craving our pursuit. A performance, if you will, that earned her captivity and, ultimately, a swift escape."

With a flourish, I extended my bingo book towards Silent, a gesture weighted with intrigue. "There it is, the latest, ripe for your discerning eyes. Who is this Kiko, really? A puppeteer of chaos, a dancer with darkness, a maestro of mayhem – that's the tale etched within those pages."

And so, dear listeners, the spotlight swung back to me, the consummate narrator of a story spun from the threads of mystery and intrigue.

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

There was little spoken about Kiko from Momo that left the Chigokai to piece together what it all means. She flashbacked to when she met back up with Miro, the picture that was sketched to describe how this mystery person looks. She recalled a very inhuman type of look about the picture. She took a sigh and spoke, "Despite my and Speaker's not so warm welcome at Leaf Gates upon breaking alliance with them, you will know that Myakashi Kiko is not a Konoha ANBU. But rather a Shinobi from Moon Country. Upon capture, which I can only guess would be part of her plan, she was interrogated. From the interrogation, the anbu learned the she had taken orders from the "Ancients of Sand". Both of which would in a sense only be half truths. The one that she works for is in Wind Country. You both have heard the name pop up enough to know who I'm going to say. Mirokou Akkuma. As for the Ancients of Sand, both me and Speaker were enlightened on Sands history to know that would just be a handle to point some blame upon Sand, along with have foreigners like us to come asking questions about the Ancients, which will cause a negative stir upon the Sunan populace. Now, for the bingo book."

Even though her Bingo Book was a little bit outdated, it would do well to pin down any suspects that could be potential conspirators with Akkuma. She had first noticed a quick scrawl on her part, the name Myakashi Kiko with no known features. She sighed, when she gets back to Cloud, she will definitely need a update on her bingo book. Flipping through the pages, her eyes scanned through. "Kaze Raiden, wanted for being a Missing ninja from Kumo. Otsuki Uta, Murder, theft, missing nin from Kumo. My-" She paused, to reread the excerpt and the following few that were... quite telling. "Myakashi Migoya, Hakanai Hisao, Kazumaki Doku, Myakashi Yong, all for treason against Konoha. After that they are followed by a Rikutsuchi Miraku, treason against Kumo. While I feel all of these should be updated into your own Village's Bingo book, the main focus here will be the ones with a treason against Konoha. Migoya and Yong in particular, same clan as Kiko, it seems. If only the Leaf Shinobi weren't so headstrong on puffing their chests, we would have them here to answer some questions about this group." She looked over at Raizo, "Along with my other questions already asked, would you happen to know any Myakashi clan operating within the Village? Or any word of this treason against Leaf? It seems that this particular event had happened at the height of the alliance between the three Villages since these people have their names in Cloud bingo books"

She would slide the bingo book for Raizo to read and look at if he feels the need to. It was at this point that she had noticed another bingo book sliding her way from Momo. nodding her thanks to the rocker, she would take a drink. It tasted bad coming down, but her insides were warm and she felt oddly focused from it. "Myakashi Kiko, powerful contract summons. That'll be something to look out for. Momo, did you notice anything else? What bloodline or core ability Kiko may have? From the book, it is suggested that she may be a puppet. Being able to gauge just what type of abilities she may have will considerably help in case we find ourselves fighting this puppet as well as Akkuma. As for the other names... Mizuki Monika, desertion and treason against Kumo. Yamamoto Maru, assassination of ANBU Sennin and treason against Kumo. Tsukinowa Shinjo, two accounts of murder and desertion. And finally Mizu and Xaiyu, a pair of fox kin that had been the initial ones to initiate the attack on the ANBU Sennin along with treason on Kumo." She slid Momo's bingo book over to Raizo as well, as long as the rocker doesn't stop her. "Do any of these names ring a bell Kazekage-sama?"

(Bingo book a tad bit outdated, nothing past Nov 2 2022 with the exception of Myakashi Kiko's name scribbled in the front page)
(Momo's bingo book is up to date, and showing that one too.)
(Have permission from both Raizo and Momo to edit in to include noticing Momo giving Yuna her bingo book since it more up to date than Yuna's)

 

[Raizo]

"Very wonderful tale there, Momo."

It was indeed an interesting tale, if not a little bit too theatric. That said, he couldn't fault Momo. She was given the spotlight and was dedicated to making the most of it. That said, and while some of the information didn't excite him all that much, or was just fluff to the story, what he did take away from it was the following;

"Kiko was testing Kumogakure, I assume your response to her attack. Then that would mean the attack Leaf blamed on us was done under the same guise; they were testing Konoha and left the clues of Sand as their prop there. Kiko surrendering is an interesting take, does she care for that worm of her's that much or was it just simply to be caught?"

He would wonder a bit.

"Konoha is tied to this all, but I think it's safe to assume that they aren't involved in the nefarious side of it. Based on your Bingo Book information, it would probably be easier to just assume that these Myakashi are using Akkuma as much as he is them; they may be using Akkuma's plan for their own efforts to retaliate against Konoha."

Taking a sip of his own glass of water he would process it a bit more, while also leaving out one more thought he found interesting;

Cloud's ANBU Sennin utilizes space and time jutsu, I'd like to see that.

"Ancients that the confused shinobi was yelling about--was most likely just that. He seemed far more panicked than to just be reacting normally. I sent my attendant to check up on him while Speaker, you and I continued our meeting. She reported he was experiencing a mental breakdown of sorts. Alternatively, he could have come across someone else listening into the conversation, since your friend Speaker mentioned 'Ancients' so openly upon your entrance to the village, who happened to be a Hybrid and was interested in the pursuit of what it is you two were talking about. The least likely was that he was approached by an Ancient."

Pausing for a moment, he wasn't sure which of the two choices was the right one, but based on Yukina's report it seemed more like the first option.

"We do not have a hybrid registry, we are only aware if they make themselves aware to us. Because of the past history of this village, it has been a taboo subject and my predecessors probably found identifying all of the Hyrbids and keeping a record would have been more antagonistic than helpful. In fact, I believe one of the previous Kazekage's was helping them integrate in the village secretly with the hopes of them just absorbing into the populace and lessening any anxiety between them and the general human population."

Not entirely sure where he actually stood on the matter, he tried to keep his tone neutral. His childhood was built upon the legacy of killing the Ancients and their spawn.

"Akkuma is a salesman, I don't doubt he has infiltrated the ranks, because he uses his charm to delude people into joining him. He makes people feel like they matter, but he is also selfish so not just everyone buys into his ploy. He mostly targets the broken and weak, so I can only assume him and his conspirators using the Ancients as a calling card would be to stir up turmoil in this village and cause us to force the Hybrids we may have in our ranks straight into his arms."

The more he learned about the attacks on both Leaf and Cloud, coupled with the information willingly given by Kiko, it almost seemed all but certain that was part of Akkuma's plan.

"As for your second question, I would try to balance your worry there. Fukurokuju is a rather mischievous Oracle, but the reality is that Oracles are constantly watching everything in this village and country for the sole purpose of documenting it. They aren't sanctioned by me but by their Order, which lies deeply within the past of this village and country, so my assumption would be that it was meant less malicious than how it might have came off."

He would think about it for a moment longer.

"That said, you are an outsider who is snooping around, maybe they are taking special interest in you? While they are masked, they are not ANBU. They are skilled record keepers who will observe a fight but would rarely involve themselves directly in something like this... had you been threatened by an ANBU member that would be different.... but you are a guest and you feel off put by it, I will make sure to have a word with them and their leader. That said, you will also find yourself watched even more heavily as part of the Sennin Games, so just making you aware of that now."

They were all going to be heavily monitored by the Oracles for the games, but the Order didn't necessarily act at his request. Their calling was to maintain the scribing of history, but still, if Yuna was concerned he would check itn to the matter and make sure he didn't have any rogue writers.

"I do not recall any mention of the Myakashi Clan's involvement here in Suna, but because they've formed a partnership with Akkuma it would be wise to assume that they have wormed their way into this country and village before. I hope this has answered your questions so far."

It would become clear once more that this might have always been intended as a conversation between Yuna and himself, but this was the hole that Silent decided to drag Momo into, so she might as well sit back and enjoy the free drink.

MFT - 944

 

[Momo]

I glanced across the room at my newest BFF, Yuna. Once a ragged hobo but now a rivaling hottie brimming with questions about that battle, her curiosity evident in her sparkling eyes. Her words hung in the air like a tantalizing invitation. "Momo, did you notice anything else? What bloodline or core ability Kiko may have?" The bombshell was yet to drop. Hinting at Kiko's possible involvement as a puppet. "A puppet?" I repeated, my mind whirring to make sense of it. I tilted my head, considering her question. “A puppet? Well, no strings attached and no Pinocchio nose when she lied,” I replied with a smirk, unable to resist a little humor even in the face of this serious topic. "She did have a knack for long-range taijutsu, if that helps."

With a casual shrug, I settled back, content to let the conversation flow around me like a river. It was becoming increasingly complex and difficult to follow, and honestly, the politics and cloak-and-dagger business were beginning to hurt my head. Ancients? Oracles? It was like being thrust into a world of cryptic riddles and mysterious secrets.

I decided to tune out the baffling chatter and pulled a stick of red lipstick from my purse. Twisting the cap, I applied it gently, savoring the cherry-flavored sensation on my lips. "Mmm," I purred, glancing over at Yuna with a playful glint in my eye. The vivid red hue perfectly matched my crimson attire. Puckering my lips, I made a show of it, as if daring her to join in the fun.

A mischievous thought crossed my mind, and I couldn't resist winking at her. The lipstick, the wink, it was all a part of the Momo charm. While they delved into their tedious discussion, I filtered through their words, only latching onto the most critical details. For me, it was simple: take down the bad guys. So what was the hold-up?

Two nations boasting formidable Shinobi military forces were grappling with a handful of individuals? It sounded utterly ludicrous. With all their resources—Anbu, intelligence officers, you name it—you'd think they could have squashed this problem yesterday. But there was an underlying issue, one that frustrated me to no end. Instead of taking action, like marching over to Skeletor's lair and dealing with it, we were here, stuck in this never-ending conversation.

I drummed my perfectly manicured nails on the table, yearning for a solution that could swiftly return us to more important matters—like me, of course. I couldn't help but feel the impatience creep in, a burning desire to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and get things moving. My fingers itched to strum my guitar, to fill the room with the resonant, commanding pitch that could jolt anyone to attention.

Finally, unable to bear the endless babble any longer, I seized my guitar and strummed it, the sound echoing and vibrating through the room. It was as if I had summoned everyone's attention with a single chord.

"Sorry to cut in," I began, my voice cool and collected, "but it sounds like we don't know our enemy at all." I cast a pointed glance at the Kazakage, who seemed to have a wealth of information. "No wonder he's been such a problem. Kazakage-sama, you seem to know a great deal about this Akkuma and how he operates. Are you speaking from intel, or do you have a more personal experience with him?"

I couldn't help but shrug my shoulders, my skepticism clear. "It's already hard to place trust without this Akkuma business. But with him having his hand in so many pots, it's hard to discern who is a friend and who's an enemy. For all we know, someone in this very room could be an agent of his."

My gaze shifted to Yuna, who had just revealed her identity. She had shown courage, and it struck me as a turning point. "Let's take a beat from Yuna and lay our cards on the table."

My words may have come across as accusatory, but it needed to be said. It was a gambit, a risky move, but one I believed was worth taking. I was sure the Kazakage wondered if he could trust me, but the feeling was mutual. He was holding something back, and secrecy was our profession. Trust was often a liability among shinobi, but to defeat an enemy like Akkuma, we had to adopt trust as an occupational hazard. It was the only way forward.

[mft]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Yuna would listen to what Raizo had to say on the whole matter, and then Momo had spoken up, about her own concerns on the whole situation. A sly smile crept on her face, but then she fixed her posture and retained the serious business style face. She thought about the evidence up to this point, what to expect, how to go about this newfound information, along with making sure the alliance between the two Villages stay. "There will be only a few more things I would like to discuss with you Kazekage-sama that only you will know. Firstly, do you have a bingo book with Sand's current fugitives? See if there may be a further connection that would point to who might be working with Akkuma. Along with this, the sensitive information that you would like to talk about that was the original reason for us gathered here.. As for talking to the Oracles. I think it might prove fruitful to only let the Oracle Leader know of the situation but ask her to not act on it but just observe if she can. Call it an Anbu's instinct, but I still feel like there could be more to the whole interaction I had with Fukurokuju and Benzaiten than meets the eye."

She would then look over at Momo. "Momo, I am glad for your inclusion on this matter, but I don't think for a moment that neither the Kazekage nor you are working for Akkuma. If we are to overthink the situation and think that he indeed does have eyes everywhere, then it would only sow doubt and distrust in between our own allies, something that can sometimes befall a nation before the enemy ever actually strikes. That being said, I'm not done laying all my cards on the table. Kazekage, I am well aware of the risks of being in the Sennin Games, given my own case of being watched every which way. Something I plan to actually use to my advantage. Momo, if you agree, this is where you come in. While every eye is focused on me, trying to size me up and whatnot, I'll need you to well, not attract attention to yourself. In the sense of trying to gather information. Instead, play your music, meet and greet the citizens of Sand, and if you can, connect to them on a personal level. All of this is for you to basically listen to the whispers being said without you being the actual center of attention, thus there will be less eyes on you, but more on me. Speaking from a psychological point of view, not only am I participating in the Sennin Games, but I am also a masked foreigner that both refuses to talk and refuses to let my identity be known. This marks red flags all over me, from regular citizens of Sand and potential enemies of Sand alike. They will all be watching to see how I do, and what I do. As for someone who is here to make music and just have a good time? They'll get attention, but in a different way that would mean their defenses are lowered. This would be for those who work for Akkuma. Along with this, Momo, I ask that you be my pair of eyes in the audience in case you spot anyone suspicious both the participants of the Sennin games and those in the audience as well." She would pause before speaking up once more, "I also plan on talking with Akkuma personally to try and get into his head of the whole matter. I will only ask a couple questions, to try and cross check what we know and see if he is telling the truth. Along with that, he might just slip on some information if he is feeling cocky enough. Once my conversation is done, I will of course fill you in on it Kazekage."

 

[Raizo]

He would listen to them both. His expression wouldn't change, it would remain neutral, but within there would be some disdain towards the words of Momo, further dividing his feelings on her inclusion in this whole matter and his feelings towards Yuna for including her. But that would be something he would manage within because it would not bear any fruit in this garden. Instead, he would answer both of them.

"Akkuma has fluctuated between nuisance and welcomed guests during his time in Wind Country and within Sunagakure no Sato itself, or at least that is how it seemed from how those I respect talked of him. How I speak of him is a mixture of personal experience and intel. Before I got here, he was already rooted within this village as some sort of scamp or irksome presence. When I got here, I understood that description of him, so I attempted to get to know him. When I speak of him being an idiot, a self-absorbed ass, it is from personal experience. While he was treated like a friend by some and a pariah by others, it appeared to me that he was an orphaned animal looking for attention, looking for a home. I tried to give him that, but he attempted to bite my hand."

Pausing he would take a drink. There were a few details missing from that description, but he had been honest, much further than he felt he needed to be to someone in Momo's situation. In his mind, it was more for Yuna's information anyway.

"At that time I banished him from the village but kept his 'family' as being able to remain in the village because with Akkuma it is not so much fighting him, it's mitigating interference and damage to those he has tricked. My hope was to keep him out but slowly shake free those who he had convinced had no other options but to serve him. If I had just booted the whole Miroku clan from our village, it would have simply been a rallying cry for them to fortify around him even tighter. My fault was that I was unaware of the extent of his scheming behind the scenes... for him to attack villages if you would have asked me months ago if he had such an ability. I would laugh because again I felt him to be an orphan looking for attention. It seems I colored him too lightly, but I wasn't necessarily wrong; he was seeking attention. He now has it."

Turning to Yuna, he would continue.

"I can give you a copy of our Bingo Book, but I will let you know now that it doesn't contain any foreign threats nor does it include Akkuma at this time. Again, I personally felt giving him such a spotlight would have been almost in his benefit; that's what he wants. While I now see I can no longer ignore him, I also refuse to give him the attention he craves. Since I will be the one to strike him down, I don't need to offer a reward for people to haphazardly hunt him."

He would then consider her words about talking to Akkuma as part of the upcoming Games.

"Be careful, you are entering his game when you allow him a chance to talk back."

Considering the notion of Momo remaining in the village, he would take another sip of his drink while thinking a bit more.

"As for the both of you; you are free to carry out the plan that Silent is concocting, and Yuna, you and I will continue to meet, whenever the need arises. The both of you will always be watched because of your status as an outsider, but if you believe Momo can blend in enough to serve a great purpose, then I see no harm in it. That said, I can't guarantee any assistance from myself or the village to that endeavor, all I can promise is to keep things minimized around the both of you as much as I can. So try to keep as much of a clean profile as you can while within these village walls."

It shouldn't be that hard to realize; he was the leader of this village and if his allegiance was to be questioned by his people because of his actions towards those from outside of the village, it would cause headaches for all of them at various levels. His drink was now empty, but it felt like this conversation was winding down.

"Any further questions I can help you with, Silent?"