We Need to Talk [Sousuke]

[Mikaboshi]

Sousuke asked him about whether or not he had someone in mind for the fourth position within the winds and the truth was that Katsuo didn't really. He'd planned on making Kuro one of those four but with circumstances as they were... that wasn't a good idea. He could never expect them to work together as a team with things the way they were between Roku and Kuro and ultimately when it came down to it if he had to choose between the two of them he trusted Roku's judgement more than he did Kuro's at that time.

"In the past Death was the leader, War the muscle of the group, Pestilence provided their support and logistics and Famine was... well. The weird one." The legends didn't have much to say about Famine other than he was an expert in the occult and had a dangerous appetite for souls. As that thought hit his brain he considered potentially offering the position to Mikaboshi or Suna but that was an entirely different can of worms even if they knew where either of the last ancient lords had gone off to. "You guessed my intention right, my preference is that each of you join as a team. Honestly the actual responsibility isn't really different from what you do now... the important part is that it has a name and a symbol to go along with it. For a long time Sand has operated with it's people not really knowing who is protecting them. In layman's terms, I'd be making you kind of like officially sanctioned super heroes. I'd expect you guys to work together as a team, trust each other. We only beat Shouki by fighting together and we showed how strong we are when we coordinate. I'd like to use that."

He wondered if they'd go for it. It was sort of an out-there idea but Katsuo had seen the power of belief before in person. The human heart was strange in how much it could accomplish when given the right thing to believe in. The legends even said that was where the majority of Primus' power came from: the collective belief of all the people that followed behind him. Katsuo wasn't sure he believed that the faith of a people could turn a man into a demigod but he certainly believed it could change the world. Kazuki directed a question at him about his heritage and Katsuo nodded his head.

"I already know what you're about Kazuki. It doesn't matter to me. What matters is that you're playing for the right team." Katsuo responded to Kazuki's question about how much Sousuke had told him. The truth was that Sousuke had told him nothing but the temporary meeting of minds so to speak between Katsuo and Mikaboshi made things clear enough about Kazuki. Still, as far as Katsuo was concerned Kazuki's parentage didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that they were both fighting for Sunagakure. "You had our back when we went up against Shouki and you had my back when we fought Suna. That's good enough for me."

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Katsuo outlined the four winds. It was more or less a poor joke to make Kazuki not death. Roku more or less fit the build for the muscle, and Pestilence more or less was a Takahashi more times than not. Famine being the weird one was, well it was an apt description but it wasn't one that Sousuke would openly say. Akkuma had once put it that Sousuke was a good politician. Sousuke had a way with words, and in that he was able to avoid certain pit falls certain people did. His mind paused , as he considered the position of Pestilence. Pestilence was responsible for coming up with the technology to seal Mikaboshi in the Black Blade. Katuso had told him earlier to put his differences with Mother Suna in the past. Was Sousuke destined to become Pestilence, or was it part of a genetic history? The now Steward would hold his hands behind his back and he looked at the floor tiles. Mankind never did and perhaps never would have a proper peace with Ancients as a whole, let alone one particular court. What Ancients had done to humans was being revisited but now it was Humans who was doing it to Ancients. Was it really any different? It depended on the party who was being asked. Susumu if asked if Ancients deserved what was happening to them would answer yes wholeheartedly because the number of crimes Ancients had against humans was without limit. Shiori once said something to him many years ago that didn't make sense at the time, but it did now: 'Sometimes you just have to eat.' Yet the way how Sousuke saw it was complete and utter destruction when one consumed the soul of another. The odd part in all of this was perhaps the notion that Sousuke of all people was the most troubled by this, and most people claimed him to be a soulless machine. The oddity in all of this was Katuso. He achieved a peace, but Ancients were bound to get hungry. Was there no real alternative to their diet?

Kazuki would next make an inquiry of Sousuke, and what Kazuki knew of him. Katuso answered to which Sousuke would take a moment to explain how Katuso knew. "Katuso and Mikaboshi shared a body. I assumed the two shared minds as well."<i></i> It was a funny way how things worked out between Katuso and Mikaboshi. Mikaboshi claimed he killed Katuso, but he really had not. Katsuo was locked away and eventually mustered the strength he needed to take control of his body back and put Mikaboshi away. Sousuke had chosen to relinquish the Black Blade, Katuso in turn decided to break it, and free Mikaboshi. It removed certain liabilities, and room for concern. Still though, Sousuke could only theorize that a part of Mikaboshi remained with Katuso and vice versa. No on really gets clear of that. At the same time, if you are with a person long enough they acquire certain attributes. While all of this was being said Sousuke stood with his hands behind his back. While his mind was at work of all this, it stood to remind himself of the same thing.

All of this could be put the side. Sousuke's mind was brought back to the present. Curiously, Katuso had compared the notion of the Four Winds to being sanctioned super heroes. He considered it for a moment. We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. It was a phrase he had heard when he was a boy. Something his mind decided to keep a hold of and bury it deep within his mind. Sousuke always discarded the notion of magic, yet what was happening right here, right now and the formation of the Four Winds. That was magic. Not magical in the sense that this was sorcery or arcane which he abhorred. No this was something of a more practical magic. Sousuke would look over to Kazuki, then to Roku. "Well. I don't know about the two of you, but I'm agreeable to this. A super hero is a person who has something extraordinary about them be it ... well, honestly most people present here are the closest thing to a super hero. I've always been a person invested in technology and not sorcery... but my tech has always been comparable in some form or another."<i></i> Sousuke already had designs in his mind playing about for his Pestilence design. It seemed like for a moment he went glossy eyed. "Having an alter-ego is beneficial in dealing with the Daimyo. It gives me a little bit more breathing room in terms of operational parameters. That and ..."<i></i> Sousuke scratched his head a little bit. For a moment it seemed like he was turning slightly red, which is something that rarely happened. "... super heroes are kinda cool."<i></i> There was some childish notion to be shared here, but it would only detract, so he kept it to himself.
Mft 300+

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

”In the past Death was the leader, War the muscle of the group, Pestilence provided their support and logistics and Famine was… well. The weird one.”<i></i> Katsuo would finally explain who those Four Winds were called. Death, War, Pestilence and Famine. Upon hearing those names, Kazuki would eye his fellow Sennin and former Kage. Roku was clearly the muscle there. Sousuke was clearly their logistics technician. The Senju Overlord couldn’t be their leader because he was the odd duck there. His assignment as Sennin had been seen very badly by the people of Sunagakure because he was not a native to the Wind Country. Becoming leader of the legendary group, known as Four Winds, would be a very terrible move from the last Sunahoshi. And he couldn’t start with such a shot in the foot. So no, even though Death was probably the best moniker he could have, he couldn’t become it. Famine was all that was left, even though the Kazekage had only described it as the weird one. ”You guessed my intention right, my preference is that each of you join as a team. Honestly the actual responsibility isn’t really different from what you do now… the important part is that it has a name and a symbol to go along with it. For a long time Sand has operated with it’s people not really knowing who is protecting them. In layman’s terms, I’d be making you kind of like officially sanctioned super heroes. I’d expect you guys to work together as a team, trust each other. We only beat Shouki by fighting together and we showed how strong we are when we coordinate I’d like to use that.”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2] Katsuo would finish his explanation and the White Wolf would use the opportunity to make a very important question. What the new Kazekage new about the nature of one of his Sennin. The last Sunahoshi would nod before replying. ”I already know what you’re about Kazuki. It doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that you’re playing for the right team.”<i></i> He didn’t say exactly they had talked about it, only that he knew. The Shadow Sword was quite certain that the last Sunahoshi was not clairvoyant. So how did he know? ”Katsuo and Mikaboshi shared a body. I assumed the two shared minds as well.”<i></i> Sousuke would interject, shedding some light upon the non-verbalized inquiry. ”You had our back when we went up against Shouki and you had my back when we fought Suna. That’s good enough for me.”<i></i> the Kazekage would finish the subject about Reaper’s nature. The Occult Sennin would nod back. ”It is quite ironic. The Kazekage before you had a monster as one of his Sennin. He then replaced one for another. And now you too have them.”<i></i> He was, quite clearly, talking about Mikaboshi and himself. But he was not the sole monster of the team. Although he seemed human, Roku was far from it. He remembered clearly the talk he had with the Street Sennin, of how he had absorbed Suna’s essence and had been changed by it. Sousuke himself was less human by the minute, replacing body parts with metallic prosthetics. They were a bunch of freaks.[lb2][/lb2] ”Well. I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m agreeable to this. A super hero is a person who has something extraordinary about them be it… well, honestly Kuro and Katsuo here are the closest thing a super hero. I’ve always been a person invested in technology and not sorcery… but my tech has always been comparable in some form or another.”<i></i> the Takahashi Highlord would become absent for a few moments before adding. ”Having an alter-ego is beneficial in dealing with the Daimyo. It gives me a little bit more breathing room in terms of operational parameters. That and… super heroes are kinda cool.”<i></i> The Deep Court Hybrid had been gazing Sousuke as he spoke and he could almost swear he had seen the man’s face attaining a slight red tint. Was he blushing? Could Robocop actually blush? ”If you believe this will give us an edge, I won’t be the grain of salt in the gear that blocks everything. I am here to facilitate things.”<i></i> Kazuki would declare. Time to start the plan to demolish the Wind Daimyo and his group.​ </TD> <TD td0="null" td1="1">[td=null,1]Freedom Fighters [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Raizo]

"It seems that lunacy runs with whoever holds the title. To continually give an outsider..."

He would turn to Kazuki.

"...no offense"

Returning back to the two lunatics in question.

"...just seems like a most frustrating choice. At least he is less of a foreigner now, so maybe you are less insane then Sousuke?"

He would shrug. It wouldn't matter. Those that sat at the top seemed content with playing the same game over and over again. Hopefully this iteration got more results than the recent previous versions.

"Not a stick in the mud, so whatever is going to help let's do it. I guess getting another 'mask' isn't going to be that hard to incorporate."

He was accustom to donning a mask, whether a literal physical mask, projecting a new persona through his actual face or the odd habit his body seemed to have of slightly altering itself. Whatever it was, he was not unaccustomed to taking on a new role and playing a part. This seemed to be another moment in doing just that.

"So who is what Wind?"

Now that was a tongue twister.

 

[Mikaboshi]

A different man might have taken offense at Roku's comment about lunacy running in the position for Kazekage but to that Katsuo could only offer a lopsided grin. Maybe it did. The idea he had was... out there, a little bit. Even he had to admit that. But they had to embrace some level of unorthodox ideas if they were going to turn things around for the better. So far the Ishii Regime had outplayed them at every turn and this was their opportunity to start fighting back. The first step in that was winning back the people whose trust had been injured by the attacks carried out against Sunagakure. They needed to be reminded that there were still people fighting for them and more importantly that there was still something they could believe in.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Katsuo laughed in response to Roku's comment about him being less crazy than Sousuke. It hurt to laugh and afterwards he almost immediately began to cough but the fit quickly subsided. It was painful but at the same time it felt good. It felt normal. It felt like maybe he wouldn't be trapped in the steel coffin that he wore around himself to keep his own body from tearing itself apart forever.

"The original four were a unit. Kazuki, I appoint you as Death. Your role will be strategy and intelligence." Death had, classically, also been the leader of the group but Katsuo wasn't ready to appoint any of the four the leader of the group yet. It remained to be seen if his crazy idea even held water. "Sousuke, I appoint you as Pestilence. Your role will be support and provision."

It didn't sound impressive but out of the four it was perhaps Pestilence that had left the greatest mark on Sunagakure. The original Pestilence had been one of the first Journeymen and a craftsman that understood all forms of artifice in a way that few men at the time or even since then had. It had been his work that had trapped Mikaboshi within the Black Blade and it had been his hands that had crafted Tatsumasa and the Diamond Throne to the specifications of Sunahoshi Nori. Katsuo then looked to Roku who had thus far been... not resistant to the idea but... well. He was skeptical, to say the least and Katsuo couldn't fault him there.

"Roku, I appoint you as War. Your role is the combat specialist."

They were all strong fighters. Individually each one of the men standing in the Kazekage office at that time represented a portion of Sunagakure's elite fighters and were remarkably powerful on their own. Katsuo wasn't sure how Roku would take being assigned the role of War but at the end of the day it was a vote of trust in him. Or at least in the strength that he'd displayed. Katsuo was putting his chips on Roku either being the strongest of the new generation of the Four Winds or at least having the most potential for it.

"As for Famine..." Katsuo trailed off for a moment before looking over his shoulder at the door. He'd originally thought to assign the role to Kuro but given the tensions in the room only minutes before and the fact that Kuro had resigned his position as Sennin... it didn't seem right. He'd need to find a fourth before they could move forward with this plan.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke tried not to take the remark about him being a lunatic personally. He would fold his hands behind his back. "The difference between lunacy and brilliance is a matter of success."<i></i> Did Sousuke consider himself successful? Yes, and no. He considered himself successful in the drastic measures taken that allowed Roku to actually be standing here today. Roku might not have appreciated it, but Roku knew why Sousuke did it. The reason was that they were friends. "Not that I have always been successful, but I have learned accordingly from my mistakes."<i></i> He admitted. The roles of each Wind was given out. It didn't surprised Sousuke that he was to become Pestilence. It was fate seemingly. Either way, this was something Sousuke was going to become and remain until terminal failure. The other two appointments did not come as a surprise. If it came down to who was the better fighter between Roku and Kuro, Sousuke would with good reason put his bet on Roku.

The newly named Pestilence would look to his companions. They were indeed one short it seemed. There was a pause from Katsuo. He was looking at the same door that Kuro had stormed out of. Sousuke had an proposition for Famine. It wasn't exactly the best candidate, but so far the individual had kept his word. Unfortunately this individual had a very rocky history with Sungakure and at one point or another feuded with those present in the room on multiple occasions. Roku and Kazuki would no doubt veto the individual Sousuke was willing to entrust with the position. Mikaboshi. The Ancient of the Deep was an individual who ... kept Katuso's body safe despite it was for a sake of power and having a proper body. Mikaboshi in return, he too, needed to be kept safe from the Daimyo. It wasn't that the Steward underestimated Mikaboshi, it was the fact that there were a number of individuals remaining on that list of Sovereign academy. "Famine."<i></i> The Steward began, he seemed hesitant. "We are presently at a time of peace with Mikaboshi. It would be in a gesture of good faith to see if he accepts the position? I am fully aware of what he's done in the past, but I would like to bring up he's kept his end of all present agreements."<i></i> It seemed ironic that the former Pestilence was the one who did him wrong, while the newly appointed one seemed to be trying to make a case for him. "A proposition, nothing more, nothing less."<i></i>

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

”It seems that lunacy runs with whoever holds the title. To continually give an outsider…” Roku would say before turning to Kazuki. ”… no offense…” and then back to two lunatics. ”… just seems like a most frustrating choice. At least he is less of a foreigner now, so maybe you are less insane then Sousuke?” Katsuo would laugh in response to Roku’s comments. Laughter turned to coughing that was quickly killed. ”Maybe. Maybe not.”<i></i> ”The different between lunacy and brilliance is a matter of success. Not that I have always been successful, but I have to learned accordingly from my mistakes.”<i></i> Sousuke would also respond to the Street Sennin’s words. Kazuki too, could probably say something about it, but he felt it to be unnecessary. He had not been offended by Roku’s words. He was an outsider, perhaps lessened now, but he was not a native like those three were. He had born in a different country and served a different Hidden Village. No matter how many years passed, there would always exist a gap between them, but it was thanks to this gap that he could bring more to the table than they could. He had a different set of experiences they would never have access to. It was why he had been appointed as Sennin despite not being born in Sunagakure. A strategic choice, no more no less.[lb2][/lb2] ”Not a stick in the mud, so whatever is going to help let’s do it. I guess getting another ‘mask’ isn’t going to be that hard to incorporate. So who is what wind?” Roku would question. The Senju Overlord understand where he was going. With so many titles and positions, he too was donning masks over masks. What was one more? ”The original four were a unit. Kazuki, I appoint you as Death. Your role will be strategy and intelligence. Sousuke, I appoint you as Pestilence. Your role will be support and provision. Roku, I appoint you as War. Your role is the combat specialist.”<i></i> And that was it. All three had been appointed. Sousuke was logically the one connected with logistics, Roku was the strongest so he got tied with combat and the White Wolf’s background had always been about intelligence so he got that position and a very fitting name to boot. ”As for Famine…”<i></i> the Kazekage’s voice would trail for a moment as he looked over his shoulder to the door that Kuro had used to leave the room. The Shadow Sword was certain the last Sunahoshi had considered the Toraono Warlord for the position of Famine but the Boarder Sennin was no longer eligible for it.[lb2][/lb2] ”Famine.”<i></i> the Takahashi Highlord began hesitantly. ”We are presently at a time of peace with Mikaboshi. It would be in a gesture of good faith to see if he accepts the position? I am fully aware of what he’s done in the past, but I would like to bring it up he’s kept his end of all present agreements. ”<i></i> The Occult Sennin would turn to gaze Sousuke. Was that madness? Was he actually offering this position to a declared enemy of Sunagakure? Did Mikaboshi kept his word? They had no actual way to verify that. The Ancient Lord of the Deep Court was a notorious deceiver, a trait the Deep Court Hybrid also carried. There was no love lost between them and perhaps he was biased in his judgment, but he saw no logical reason to make such appointment. ”What are Famine’s roles? And why do you think Mikaboshi would be a suitable choice for it? Do I have to remind you he has declared us enemies, regardless if it seems he had not moved against us? I am not here to create another bridge between him and Suna, but they made their choice long ago and I do not believe we can deter them.”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 647]​ </TD> <TD td0="null" td1="1">[td=null,1]Freedom Fighters [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Raizo]

Sousuke would say something that would surely not end up being hilarious within the next few moments. A mental note would be taken as the conversation turned to the naming of The Winds. It would seem that Kazuki was going to stay in his wheelhouse with Death, the guy would appear and noticeably drop the temperature of the room and dressed in way too much black. Sousuke being named Pestilence would be good for the simple fact that he could call him "Pest". Himself getting the title of War was definitely something that made him feel like he could get more on board with this whole "The Winds" thing. His naming and the rationale for it made sense, and on a quick self reflective moment it would honestly seem that he had always been at war with something; emotionally, physically or quite literally with different opponents. His life was consumed in conflict, the name was essentially the greater universe acknowledging that he would assume.

Then Sousuke would do something that he had suspected he would do; validate his earlier thoughts that Sousuke would prove his madness. When the time came to list the final member of the four, the new Kage would look towards the door, which either meant someone was about to appear or that he might have been assuming the former Sennin Kuro was going to serve that role before leaving.

Good riddance... would've been a waste.

While it may have seemed like an eternity since the beast man had left, it had only been a few moments in reality. His anger over the idiocy of the former Sennin had not had the chance to simmer or die down in the slightest. Sousuke would then provide his own suggestion; Mikaboshi. It would seem everyone would have a thought on the suggestion, with Kazuki's being very sensible. He would provide his own comments on the matter.

"Really eager to test that line between lunacy and brilliance, aye?"

He could not help but laugh. This was essentially his comment on whoever held the reigns of Kage-ship was mad coming back full circle. One could have not wrote a better a situation playing out if they had tried.

Awaiting Kazuki's question on the role of Famine to be answered, he would quickly follow up with another question to keep this trainwreck moving.

"So once we get the fourth, what is the next step? We've really drug our feet on this and The Sovereign have already took action against us within our own village; aside from the comments you've made publicly, we really need to put into action the mobilization of our entire shinobi force. Not saying we have to march on Sora or anything like that, but within the village we need to start legitimately prepping for battle... and prepping for that battle to happen here within our village and out there in the greater country. Our forces are still in the rebuild following The Cabal insurgency... so prepping for an actual war hasn't been a priority within the ranks. We need to get this village in shape as quickly as we can."

 

[Mikaboshi]

"Right now we are a point of non-aggression with either of the ancient lords that we know are still alive. I've seen to that." There was a hint of regret to the way he reflected upon his choice to save Suna's existence. He didn't regret saving her but rather that he had to do it at all. He'd jumped into the fight between Kazuki and Suna thinking that Kazuki had engaged a Sovereign agent and went at her with everything he had. Together they'd brought her down but that was not how Katsuo had wanted to meet the creature that was perhaps single-handedly responsible for a large part of the mythology that had been built up around his family. "But we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that means we're friends. Mikaboshi has said we are allies but that only means that we aren't actively trying to kill each other. As much as I hate to say it, there's no way to know how the scales might tip once we're rid of our mutual enemy the daimyo."

Mikaboshi was a creature of quintessential deception. It wasn't out of choice or malice that he was nebulous in the words he chose, he did so because that was his nature as an ancient. Still, Katsuo knew better than anyone in the room the lengths that Mikaboshi had gone to in seeking his freedom from the Black Blade and part of that had been to use Katsuo's spark of Primus to carve out a piece of himself and divest himself from his own nature. That decision had freed Mikaboshi from the shackles that bound him to certain aspects of behavior but it had also burdened the Deep Lord. For the first time Mikaboshi experienced pain and anger the way a human being did. He "chose" with true free will and experienced loss in a similar manner. From the memories that had been imparted to him from their union, Katsuo only knew of one other creature that had ever done something similar to what Mikaboshi had done to himself and that creature had earned for himself the epithet of "Mad Ancient" as result of the chaotic behavior that rose in him afterwards.

Kazuki asked about the duties of Famine and Katsuo searched for a way to describe it. Not to grind too fine an edge on it but once upon a time Famine had been considered the weird one, more or less. Where Death organized and directed the group, War was the backbone of their muscle and Pestilence provided enhancement and technical expertise, Famine was the one that did most of the solo work. Commonly thought of as the black sheep of the group for the grimmer nature of Famine's work, Famine's work was a web of secrets and intrigue.

"Famine's role was investigation and information." And interrogation, thought Katsuo even though he didn't add it out loud. Many accounts of the Four Winds were, at this point, either ancient history or straight up mythology but a constant theme among those that wore the mantle of Famine was the fact that many of them were either half-demon or something else that made their reputation a darker sort than the others. They were feared and misunderstood in a way that the others were not. "I have some thoughts but for now we'll table the role of Famine."

"For right now our operations should focus on two things. First and foremost should be development of our forces. We've got plenty of shinobi in Sand who have been allowed to be lone wolves for a long time but we need to come together and start acting like an organization if we're going to win this conflict. Stunts like what Kuro pulled could hurt us a lot more than they help us." Katsuo explained in response to Roku's question. "Second should be outlying disruption of the daimyo's grip on Wind Country. By proving to the other powers in Wind Country who are otherwise too afraid to stand up to him that fighting back isn't impossible we can start pulling ground back from him. In an outright war against a united Wind Country, we lose unless we find a way to keep our city supplied with things like food and fresh water but the same is true for Ishii Shiro. If we start actively disrupting his grip on things like trade routes and supplies, we prove that he isn't untouchable."

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Soususuke shook his head at Kazuki. "No. I am not asking you to create a bridge between us and Ancients. We are what we are, and they are what they are. We are not at war with Mikaboshi, not at this particular moment in time, and I would prefer to keep it that way."<i></i> Between Mikaboshi and Mother Suna, Sousuke would sooner put his faith in Mikaboshi. Moments ago Katuso had told him to put whatever it was he had against Mother Suna in the past. Yes. Quite simply put he had to lock and hole up the notion of his disappointment that the being that this very city-state was founded upon was a fraud. There was the other problem too that she had killed his uncle and his aunt. He too was to put this in the past. His liege lord bid him to do this, so it was to be done. Mother Suna's goals were problematic at best, and disastrous at their absolute worst. She wanted to bring back Homura and Fuujin, and she claimed she had done so. It could have been a lie, considering if it was in fact true the entire country would be under siege by two of the most prominent Ancient Lords in antiquity. Sousuke had been vigilant in trying keep an eye on any oddities involving tremendous firestorms or lightning storms. Perhaps to his luck, or other forces nothing had happened in that regard. "I trust Mikaboshi far more than certain parasitic individual... who attained status by a particular marriage."<i></i> Sousuke would shake his head once again and release a metallic sound which resembled frustration. "I refer to Miroku Akkuma. He boasts numbers, but the intelligence Mikaboshi and Roku have provided us have done far more for us than Akkuma's 'numbers' because he has so many 'agents' walking about."<i></i> Sousuke made quotation gestures with his fingers.

Roku spoke up and asked Sousuke if he was that eager to test the limit. "With all due respect, my friend Roku, it has worked on you, literally."<i></i> One might have thought the remark to be sarcastic, but it wasn't. Sousuke had perhaps indeed blurred the lines and done something short of insanity. Sousuke had Roku brought back from the brink and had him resituated in the double digits when Roku's body broke down. When asked why by Roku that Sousuke had it done, he told the man it was because he was his friend. The implication was that friends looks after each other. "If we really wanted to test the line, I would have suggested Akkuma."<i></i> He would add with brutal honesty. Sousuke's eyes would shift in the direction of where Kuro had stormed off to. Sousuke would fold his arms behind his back, and listen to Katuso. He would confirm a peace of sorts with Mikaboshi and Mother Suna. The cost of the latter of the two was present before them. There was a slight unease with Sousuke. There was a peace present, and Mikaboshi had proven himself to be different from most Ancients. Perhaps in part, Sousuke wanted to pay back Mikaboshi, balance the scales, something.

Katuso spoke of calling people into line. Considering the inward threat of the Miroku clan this was going to be a tricky matter. Sousuke would look over to Roku on this one. The latter discussion, Sousuke would partake in. "Roku had intelligence of a slave trade at work in Wind. I've been working in secret and under the cover of darkness in an attempt to dismantle it. I've been keeping a low profile on the matter because, should the Daimyo know that I of all people were the one doing this he would flip it on us and make it look like we were the ones who were taking slaves. The Daimyo's retaliation would be swift, and I am not keen on fighting Shouki or any of his companions in a solo situation. In my ... three operations the last one was a food supply cart, which I had redistributed to fringe communities under our protectorate. Sora is not a place I'm well read in, but if I were attacking food supplies, we could be accused of ... starving his 'suffering' people."<i></i> Again Sousuke made quotation marks as he spoke. "At the same time, I've run into a vigilante who ... well he did not cause me to suffer a terminal failure but he, or at last I think it is a male, he's been making a round or two as well and brutally dispatched the caravan. I'm lacking full details, but ... I ... am ... working on that."<i></i> In short Sousuke was trying to put into words he ran into someone who he had a scuffle with, he was not left for dead, but he obliterated a trade caravan to Sora.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

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"No. I am not asking you to create a bridge between us and Ancients. We are what we are, and they are what they are. We are not at war with Mikaboshi, not at this particular moment in time, and I would prefer to keep it that way."<i></i> Sousuke would note as he shook his head. Kazuki immediately realized what was wrong with the former Kage’s response, but he couldn’t blame the man. It was his own fault. He had used the wrong word. He said bridge when he meant gap. ”I actually meant gap. The wrong word slipped out of my mouth.”<i></i> the Senju Overlord would note as he shrugged. Such common mistakes were not exactly common, he rarely made such mistakes. But he was still human and prone to them. [lb2][/lb2] ”Right now we are a point of non-aggression with either of the ancient lords that we know are still alive. I've seen to that. But we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that means we're friends. Mikaboshi has said we are allies but that only means that we aren't actively trying to kill each other. As much as I hate to say it, there's no way to know how the scales might tip once we're rid of our mutual enemy the daimyo."<i></i> the newly appointed Kazekage would share with them, in response to Reaper’s words.[lb2][/lb2] ”I trust Mikaboshi far more than certain parasitic individual... who attained status by a particular marriage. I refer to Miroku Akkuma. He boasts numbers, but the intelligence Mikaboshi and Roku have provided us have done far more for us than Akkuma's 'numbers' because he has so many 'agents' walking about."<i></i> the Takahashi Highlord would clarify as he made quotation marks with his fingers. ”Really eager to test that line between lunacy and brilliance, aye?” would be Roku’s comment about Sousuke’s suggestion of offering the position of Famine to the Elder Shadow. ” With all due respect, my friend Roku, it has worked on you, literally. If we really wanted to test the line, I would have suggested Akkuma.”<i></i> the Cyborg would retort. The White Wolf kept his silence while those two bickered with each other. There was still a palpable tension in the room, even after Toraono Kuro had left it.[lb2][/lb2] ”So once we get the fourth, what is the next step? We've really drug our feet on this and The Sovereign have already took action against us within our own village; aside from the comments you've made publicly, we really need to put into action the mobilization of our entire shinobi force. Not saying we have to march on Sora or anything like that, but within the village we need to start legitimately prepping for battle... and prepping for that battle to happen here within our village and out there in the greater country. Our forces are still in the rebuild following The Cabal insurgency... so prepping for an actual war hasn't been a priority within the ranks. We need to get this village in shape as quickly as we can.” ”Famine's role was investigation and information. I have some thoughts but for now we'll table the role of Famine. For right now our operations should focus on two things. First and foremost should be development of our forces. We've got plenty of shinobi in Sand who have been allowed to be lone wolves for a long time but we need to come together and start acting like an organization if we're going to win this conflict. Stunts like what Kuro pulled could hurt us a lot more than they help us. Second should be outlying disruption of the daimyo's grip on Wind Country. By proving to the other powers in Wind Country who are otherwise too afraid to stand up to him that fighting back isn't impossible we can start pulling ground back from him. In an outright war against a united Wind Country, we lose unless we find a way to keep our city supplied with things like food and fresh water but the same is true for Ishii Shiro. If we start actively disrupting his grip on things like trade routes and supplies, we prove that he isn't untouchable”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2] That was Katsuo’s plan. Organize the village and form a proper army and disrupt the Daimyo to prove a point. To show he was not untouchable, that his reign could be contested and to show those unwilling to act against, could actually do so, if they were to join Sunagakure’s liberation effort. It was a good plan but it required guidelines, otherwise, they would probably starting doing separate efforts and their efficiency would decrease tenfold. ”How do you propose we do that? It is better if we leave this room with a consolidated plan and specific tasks for each of us, otherwise, we risk unintended sabotage or all of us working on the same end.”[/color] he would note.[lb2][/lb2] ”Roku had intelligence of a slave trade at work in Wind. I've been working in secret and under the cover of darkness in an attempt to dismantle it. I've been keeping a low profile on the matter because, should the Daimyo know that I of all people were the one doing this he would flip it on us and make it look like we were the ones who were taking slaves. The Daimyo's retaliation would be swift, and I am not keen on fighting Shouki or any of his companions in a solo situation. In my ... three operations the last one was a food supply cart, which I had redistributed to fringe communities under our protectorate. Sora is not a place I'm well read in, but if I were attacking food supplies, we could be accused of ... starving his 'suffering' people. At the same time, I've run into a vigilante who ... well he did not cause me to suffer a terminal failure but he, or at last I think it is a male, he's been making a round or two as well and brutally dispatched the caravan. I'm lacking full details, but ... I ... am ... working on that.”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2] ”Do you have any details about that vigilant that you can share? I may have additional information about this individual that can help us pinpoint who he is. Me or any of us for that matter.”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 1057]​ </TD> <TD td0="null" td1="1">[td=null,1]Freedom Fighters [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Raizo]

"Akkuma is a stray mutt that has gotten fat off eating scraps and feels like it owns the yard because we haven't had the heart to put his pitiful ass down. He is a blight that the Toraono brought into and sheltered in this village... but he is garbage that can be dealt with after we've handled the bigger issue at hand; the Daimyo."

There focused had been so zeroed in on the Sovereign, the Daimyo and trying to stay ahead of Mikaboshi that they lost sight of the growing and festering nuisances that were sprouting up within their village. He, however, had not. His personal ANBU cell were putting all their efforts to being his eyes and ears while he allowed himself to go full bore at the Sovereign. They, the growing sickness within, would be dealt with when it made the most sense.

"Well then, it seems it is up to the new Kazekage to get his house in order. What else is needed of me before I make my exit?"

He was ready for results, just needed to see if anyone had a direction to point him in before he started his own course of action.

"Oh... yea..."

Something would pop into his head, something that he wanted to have addressed immediately.

"Give Sousuke a Sennin title, to replace Kuro. It would be too weird to see him just go to regular Jounin status..."
<i></i>
There, that nagging feeling in the back of his mind was finally settled.

 

[Mikaboshi]

"For now, I'm not worried about Akkuma. So long as we don't uncover some evidence that he's working against us somehow, we can deal with him later. There's no shortage of lowlives for us to round up both here in Suna and abroad."

Katsuo knew that perhaps better than most. He'd spent most of his adult life traveling the frontier and putting out the fires that were bandit and mercenary groups, demons, monsters, and everything in between and there was always another bad guy. Always another person out there who wanted to make someone else hurt for the sake of their own selfishness regardless of what form that selfishness took. Some men wanted money, some wanted power. Some like Shouki just liked to hurt people. Akkuma rubbed Katsuo the wrong way in every sense but for now he had to make the war a priority.

"Sousuke, follow up with your information on this vigilante. If you say he's working against your efforts against the daimyo, he could be an agent for their regime. If he's not and he's just misguided, we might be able to bring him in and get him working on the same page as us. Right now every ally counts."

Kazuki had asked for specific orders and Katsuo's mind grasped at what he wanted each of them to do but as it did he felt a wave of vertigo and exhaustion hit him. He was still very much recovering from the operation that had sealed him-- hopefully temporarily --within the mechanical suit he wore around his body at the current time and the complex emotions that had run so hot while confronting Kuro had certainly taken their toll on him. Taking a deep breath, Katsuo looked up to Roku and nodded at him.

"We've got a Sovereign agent holed up in the Obsidian Palace from what I understand." Katsuo said, referring to Oogami Taro. He had no idea that Roku and Mikaboshi had captured Juu some time ago and that she had seemingly vanished off of the internal records of prisoners. "Have a talk with him. See what he knows. If it's possible to turn him, turn him. If not... well."

Katsuo gave Roku a hard look-- perhaps the first time that any of them would have ever seen a little bit of the ruthless mercenary-killer that Katsuo had once comported himself as called the Iron Wolf. Once upon a time Katsuo had been a stern advocate of the old Ranger axiom "Good is what evil fears and justice is when those fears are made reality" and there was a long list of bad men that had heard those words before the Iron Wolf had sent them on to meet whatever waited for them in the next world.

"... Either way make sure he's not a threat to us anymore." Katsuo would then give Roku a gesture that he was free to go. It wasn't a curt dismissal but rather a confirmation that he was done saying anything important that Roku needed to hear and that if the sennin wanted to be about his business he was free to do that. "Kazuki as I understand it you're in charge of the Ranger corps and we need them now more than ever. Get them ship shape for duty, we need them out in the field."

Katsuo gave Kazuki the same permission to leave if he so chose and then finally Katsuo looked to Sousuke. It was a strange juxtaposition between them. Katsuo had never thought of himself as having any real claim to the position of Kazekage since Sousuke had been the only Kazekage that he'd been able to meet and he'd never known his father. It was a strange feeling knowing that Sousuke would be looking after Katsuo's business and not the other way around.

"Roku's right, you deserve more than a Jounin rank. We'll have to draw the papers up for the transfer of position but consider it done... Pestilence."

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Kazuki had inquired about the vigilante who had been working against the Daimyo, but at the same time he in essence had been working against Sousuke. "From limited engagement I had, the individual was perfectly fine with ... dismantling the Daimyo's soliders in the harshest manner possible. That is to say he was systematically executing them ... with extreme prejudice."<i></i> Sousuke would explain. He would place his index finger against his forehead. "Civilian military based, with tech that ... does not match my own but was very much a junker-tech. This person in question is funding themselves, and is not of any significant financial standing."<i></i> Sousuke did not doubt for a moment that this individual he would run unto again. It was just a matter of time, and how big the stage is. The Kazekage would encourage him to keep going at it and attempt to figure out more. "It will be done."<i></i>

The tension was high but the mood calmed down as Roku said his peace about Akkuma. Sousuke was not a fan of the man. He was very much most of what Roku had said, except Sousuke would have put it into scientific terms. The Steward would think for a moment about if anything else was needed of Roku before he left. "Remain functioning and well enough."<i></i> In times like these, one often forgot to look after themselves in pursuit of a particular goal. Roku was the sort to push himself too hard, and Sousuke was very much the same. The Steward was given pause for a moment as Roku spoke up about having promote or give Sousuke the title of sennin. It stunned the Steward for a moment, indeed his political power was going to vanish the moment that Katuso took power, and while Sousuke was very much okay with this, there would be certain people in the village who would not be okay with such.

Sousuke would remain silent while he waited for Kazuki and Roku to be sent their own ways. He had not been dismissed yet, which meant something else was left to be said between the now Kazekage, and the former one. Katuso would agree with Roku with the transfer of position to sennin. The Steward would nod his head. Takahashi Sousuke once upon a time was the Steward-Kazekage, and in a time of crisis he had taken the full mantle of Kazekage. Now that a Sunahoshi was on the throne and was in a position to hold the title with confidence, it was time to become something else. "Does this feel odd at all to you? I've been expecting this for a long time. It feels right. Perhaps the most right thing to have occurred in some time."<i></i>

 

[Senju Kazuki]

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”Akkuma is a stray mutt that has gotten fat off eating scraps and feels like it owns the yard because we haven't had the heart to put his pitiful ass down. He is a blight that the Toraono brought into and sheltered in this village... but he is garbage that can be dealt with after we've handled the bigger issue at hand; the Daimyo.”<i></i> Roku would declare. The man’s distaste for Akkuma was quite clear and probably shared by everyone in the room. ”For now, I'm not worried about Akkuma. So long as we don't uncover some evidence that he's working against us somehow, we can deal with him later. There's no shortage of lowlives for us to round up both here in Suna and abroad.”<i></i> the new Kazekage would state. Katsuo was right, although if left unchecked and the Miroku’s motives proved to be less than friendly, it could be a nuisance hard to control in the future. But the last Sunahoshi was still right that the most emergent threat was the Daimyo and his super powered soldiers.[lb2][/lb2] ”From limited engagement I had, the individual was perfectly fine with ... dismantling the Daimyo's soldiers in the harshest manner possible. That is to say he was systematically executing them ... with extreme prejudice. Civilian military based, with tech that ... does not match my own but was very much a junker-tech. This person in question is funding themselves, and is not of any significant financial standing.”<i></i> Sousuke would give his assessment after being requested by Kazuki. At the moment, the Senju Overlord had no idea who this man, or woman, could be, but he was going to sweep some sources and see what he could come up with. ”Sousuke, follow up with your information on this vigilante. If you say he's working against your efforts against the daimyo, he could be an agent for their regime. If he's not and he's just misguided, we might be able to bring him in and get him working on the same page as us. Right now every ally counts.”<i></i> the new Kazekage would instruct the old one. ”I will check with a few of my agents and I will see if I can find anything useful for you.”<i></i> the White Wolf would offer. It was a meager offer but it was what he could do at the moment.[lb2][/lb2] ”Kazuki as I understand it you're in charge of the Ranger corps and we need them now more than ever. Get them ship shape for duty, we need them out in the field.”<i></i> ”I will shape them up or die trying. If you do not mind I will enlist the aid of Konohan shinobis to reinforce us.”<i></i> Reaper would wait a bit to see if Katsuo had anything to say about his idea and if allowed, he would leave the room.[lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 476][lb][/lb] [Topic left unless stopped]​ </TD> <TD td0="null" td1="1">[td=null,1]Freedom Fighters [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Raizo]

He would glance over at Sousuke, listen to his request and nod. Unfortunately he would ultimately be unable to oblige the request fully, but that was a different story.

He had his orders and he had ideas, but one thing that naturally needed to be taken care of in the near future was the handling of the ANBU.

“We can meet up at the HQ and get the masked folk in order when you get done doing your own prepping.”

His words would be directed at Kazuki. There was a rush but it also seemed like the Senju had things on his mind, so he would give him his time.

With that, he would depart from the longest meeting in his life.


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