FLASHBACK | Maintain Peace

[Trigga]

Konohagakure No Sato
Three Years | ^Post-War
Flashback | ^{4 years}

Three years—long depressive at times, but more importantly, constructive, this span of extensive time gave birth to something well needed; a Leader. Abortive decisions made in the past which ultimately placed all in danger, it took quite some time, nonetheless, well used, to truly accommodate the vacantness of experience one once too youthful to understand the responsibility of his position. Kōketsu and his army of shinobi renegades had truly allocated a lucky hand upon the Ninja World, and all were forced to pay cripplingly. Entire nations destroyed in the blink of an eye with the very eyes (though augmented beyond comprehension) that the Hokage himself possessed. Such a powerful tool—no, an instrument was desired by another now.

Perched on solid ground, allowing sandaled soles to rest on the bed of smooth rock, Uchiha Ryūsuke stood calmly. Three years now marking his age at an appropriate, and mature twenty, the once naïve Hokage had developed well into his role. Nonetheless, not only had his mentality rehabilitated, but his appearance as well. Taller, and filling into his frame well, hair once a long, lush crimson was now stained a deep cherry blonde—medicine pushing the notion of transmutation during the planetary crisis years prior. Yet his eyes, the jewels of his soft, though shaped face still maintained their deep purple.

Garbed in an attire of jet-black, his long, and balanced hakuma complimented the dark kosode—his right sleeve completely severed, revealing a toned arm, protected within the coil of a dark steel chain. Medium bangs falling over his face, clouding his optic tools slightly, and it seemed the Hokage was awaiting the arrival of another. (“My first high-ranking mission in four years… I hope Tōketsu won’t feel I’m hindering him...”) thoughts that would not find verbal substance flooding through the young man’s mind, all the Uchiha could do was wait. An early morning over the Hidden leaf beckoned forth rays of blissful warmth, and with a sky smeared a distinct, and attractive light blue, it was almost begging to be browbeaten for the progression of Konohagakure.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: In Betrayal We Trust
Rank: B-Rank
Repeatable: Yes
Description: A mission which diverges from the Teachings of the Will of fire, it seems in the post-war period of peace, there are those who wish to spark another era of violence and bloodshed. As such, you’re to temporarily refute your relationship to the Hidden Leaf and infiltrate an organization that plots to deal damage to your home. Become one with their intelligence and advances and systematically destroy them from the inside out. Remember, you will be blacklisted, and if caught during your mission, the Hidden Leaf won’t claim you publicly so be discrete and return with a mission complete.
Reward: 2500 ryo, 100exp

[Katsumaru]

The war reached its end several year ago. The taunting taint of that hellish curse rung strong. Brothers and fathers met desolate ends in the battles that spanned the world, their deaths but a simple statistic, an expense for what was believed to be the greater good. So was the toll of conflict, truly bitter and eager to feed the mind with unwavering xenophobia. That was the second war Touketsu witnessed, and he was blessed, for he had committed no wretched sins as the battles raged on. During the first Great War, in contrast, he was no more than a damned curmudgeon drowning in his own piss. Men become devils when their life is at stake, but even fiends can achieve redemption, absolution, and liberty of the human spirit.

Touketsu trotted forth with a roughly grown beard, the hairs downright feral as they sat, untrimmed and wild. The Airontoku’s head was in no better shape, with hairs extending past the ears, distinctively different from the tidy cut of years ago. Heavy bags grew beneath his crimson eyes hinting at little sleep and a growing exhaustion, a facade worsened by the nigh constantly present scowl. Thick, deep black leather boots covered the feet, straps and strings keeping them secured. A sleeveless, light brown tunic covered the man’s torso, the cloth fabric covered in tears and dirt. His rigid trousers were in no better shape, the material covered in numerous cuts and blemishes. The years weighted heavily on Touketsu, for in the past he rarely presented himself so grizzled and ragged. An ebony hilted blade hung from his left hip, along with a pouch containing several tools and a bottle. Quite unfortunately, Touketsu had not yet overcome his alcoholism, but at this time, before the departure into the flames of righteousness, the man was completely sober. Surprisingly so.

The Vigilant God will be with me as I strike true.


The Hokage, Ryusuke, awaited in the distance, the years having changed his appearance. With several steps, Touketsu closed in and greeted Ryusuke with a bow. ”I have arrived. Do we depart now?” Disturbingly so, the Airontoku was rather thrilled at the prospect of battle with the scoundrels whom they were to infiltrate. Truly, the man was an intermingling of contradictions. He hated war, ye he loved the battle that was to come. Perhaps he had lost his mental stability, but the implications of such, the terror, he rather not entertain. Today, simply, a duty was to be completed. No more.

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[Trigga]

Briefly before the arrival of his mission confidant, did the Hokage take it upon himself to further educate his senses on the situation at hand. A small, fawn envelope would find itself dragged to the light as the Uchiha reached into the confines of his attire and drew forth its parchment. Marked with a sequence of words and codes signifying its title and prominence, the young man sighed and soon dragged the document open casually. Eyes a deep purple, the Sharingan had not found refuge and with his normal perceptive tools, he quickly skimmed over the instructional measures. Knowing full well the dangers of this permeation, he wanted to be as prepared as he humanly could.

Soft steps, those of a trained assassin didn’t go disregarded, and with a plodding turn of his neck, allowing his head to shift in the direction opposite the main gate in which he stood in front of , Ryūsuke smiled. It had been quite some time since he had seen the older war veteran, and while both were chief shinobi within the Konohagakure municipal, it was needless to say, difficult to acquire the time to converse with old friends when construction and renewal was overtaking the village’s resources. His services were needed elsewhere, but with this fleeting window of freedom, the Hokage would use it to get out of the village and rejoin his fellow shinobi in dangerous arms.

“Ah, hello Tōketsu-san.” He greeted the newly arrived Jōnin with a bow paralleling with the opposition’s stand of respect. Both had changed ominously in appearance, though the Uchiha’s appearance surely came as the more drastic surprise. Drawing attention from his mutated hair, yet remaining eyes, Ryūsuke proceeded into a standard decorum of a true leader—something he learned over the course of the last four years; ephemeral the subordinates and take the initial stand. “We’re to travel several miles north into the forest of Hi no kuni, infiltrate the Bōjō order, gather intelligence, and discreetly destroy their foundation from the inside out—we have only seven days to accomplish this.” He paused, allowing the briefing to seep into his friend’s mind and consciousness for the time being before transitioning into his final dialect.

“It’ll be dangerous, and returning home alive isn’t assured…I understand is the risk outweigh the gain and you decide not to accompany me.”

[Katsumaru]

Touketsu reached into his pouch and pulled forth a bottle, a tag wrapped around with delicate writing. Masroot Alep The treacherous alcohol treated the throat and tongue horribly with its bitter, burning taste, but it was the cheapest the man could find. With a flick of his wrist, the Airontoku swallowed one gulp after another, gut warming and throat stinging. Damned be this drink, but it felt so grandiose, so soothing. Touketsu felt himself inexpiably drawn to the bottle. How utterly foolish; it had almost ended his life in Bakudon Gai. Alas, this should be simpler, for they were dealing with simple rapscallions. At least in this matter the Airontoku was overconfident, senses booming with downright arrogance. ”We will not fail. The task is simple.”

[/color] the man grumbled, his voice a deep, almost guttural growl.

It had been some time since Touketsu had spoken to the Hokage, for the reconstruction of Konohagakure had been a tedious task. The very earths wept with the terror that had struck so long ago. The sweet melody of peace ceased so abruptly as the young and old died alike. That tune had returned, mostly, these days for the villages were no longer at war. Yet, certain thugs remained who were a threat not only to tranquility, but to the very stability to which Touketsu, again, had grown accustomed to. It was simply his duty to raise his blade, weave his hands, when the safety of Konohagakure was at stake. The man felt weary, only twenty-seven years old, but the weight of the years, the grief, and his own foolishness weighted heavily upon the shoulders. ”Good, then let us depart.”[/i]

Touketsu returned the bottle to the pouch, his fingers wrapped around the glass tightly. ”The destruction of our home, those years ago, how did that leave you feeling? Thinking? It seems as if now we are closer to your ideal, peace. But at such great a cost”[/i] the Airontoku mumbled, staring off into the distance. Was there truly a cost too great for the serenity that many men hope for? Thugs as those two were to hunt, such monstrosities, lust for a world at war, slaughter, death, bloodshed. Most disturbingly, as a soldier, Touketsu somewhat understood their motivations for wanting yet another era of chaos.
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[Trigga]

It was a sight the young Hokage hadn’t seen in quite some time, nonetheless, it was a sight he could live without. Knowing the conditions that ensued after the ingestion of such a brew, as well as the psychological and physical disadvantages it added to his recovering friend, the consumption of alcohol was rather disgusting. Retreating from the notion of utilizing his crimson masteries, he would have reflexively ruined the battle and seared the contents within the moment it became detectable. Nonetheless, they had some ways to go, and whatever thrill he had attained from his drink would surely be gone upon their arrival. After all, he’d be coming seven days without his next drink at the least.

“Let’s be on our way,” Tōketsu’s words of adherence had given the leader hope, nonetheless, they had wasted enough time stalling their voyage. Still a number of hours off from the drop, they would have to leave now. Knowing this, the Uchiha spun on his heel, facing the grand gate as its wooden reinforcement severed, splitting into two as it opened outwards. Nodding his head towards the gate guard, he’d promptly make his exit, in hopes that his confidant would follow behind expeditiously. As such, the gates would in essence devour air as they were sealed once ore, defending all within from the outside world. The two were off.

Once out of the path of the closing fortification, Ryūsuke proceeded into a brisk stroll forward, deep into the forest terrain. Lost in pace, the words in which left Tōketsu’s mouth however didn’t go disregarded. A day he’d have liked to elapsed still etched into his mind by those that survived the hellish encounter with death. Sighing, and still facing forward, it was unlikely that he was ashamed to look back, but better yet, he couldn’t. A body lost in a train of thought that purposely attempted to look for the right answer to a question that needless to say, had many. It would be time soon to reveal his answer.

“This my friend, isn’t the peace I desired. Nothing came from that except death and destruction, and seven years later, families are still mourning loved ones lost, and reconstructing structures destroyed in the name of false peace. Look at the mission we’re on? Stopping an organization bent on causing more problems? This is not what a wanted… and this is nowhere near what I envisioned for the future.”

[Katsumaru]

I was a fool that day. Accompanying a man, a leader and a father to his, yet, I could not resist the rapture of that damned ale. Over the years, I prayed for redemption, absolution from my failings and sins, but with each dawn, life remained the same, unchanged and distant from the hopes that guided all desires. A jounin is expected to lead, but I simply sat and mourned over my own ineffectuality. I overcame the addiction at a later time, but the lost years were never regained, the humility never forgiven. Eventually, the prayers were heard. And I became a change man. But on that day, I was not.

___________________________________________________

Touketsu clasped his calloused, thin fingers around the bottle, knuckles whitening. The glass shattered, shards plunging to the grounds. With a furrowed brow the man stared downwards, observing the liquid as it drenched the grounds. His hands remained uncut, thick skin resistan. Proceeding with slouched shoulders and a downward chin, the Airontoku began to saunter, steps rapid. A heat emanated from the soldiers body with each breath. The two departed, Hokage and Jounin, their duty crucial in a time of ephemeral serenity. Ryusuke understood the risks of the task, and deadly it was, for neither of them could be associated with Konohagakure should they be captured. The chains of failure will not drape around their wrists, the Airontoku believed with supreme enthusiasm, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

The flora merged with the trees as Touketsu continued his stroll, vibrant plants dancing with the wind. Wrapping the russet cloak around his body, the Airontoku glimpsed upward. Clouds dappled the azure skies, leaving the sun uncovered to smirk gloriously. Wildlife scampered through the bushes, ever wary of the hungering hunter hideously skulking through the shadows. Touketsu bobbed his head with the Hokage’s response, edges of the lips curling upwards. The man’s left hand still dripped with alcohol, the stench beginning to permeate. A sigh escaped his mouth, for Ryusuke’s words rung true; Touketsu slumped his shoulders even further upon realizing that it was not simply misanthropy that distorted his view. Another agreed with him. That was the day a dangerous idea began to form in the jounin’s mind. Revolution.

”The women of my people were oppressed, and within time, they rose and overthrew the men. We too, all of us, you, I, and other shinobi experience the same now, bound in chains. I began to understand that change can only be brought through battle, as we have seen when our home was ruined. Words can only do so much. Pleading does nothing. Only by bringing rebellion to those who keep us in this illusion can we bring the peace that you desire, Hokage-Sama. Ironic, isn’t it?”

[/i]

Touketsu bit his lip upon finishing the declaration, the pungent reality weighing heavily upon his heart. The Airontoku believed to carry wisdom, and it was of no concern whether his presumptions carried any truth, for he was certain that there was no other truth than that springing forth from rosy retrospection.
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[Trigga]

Listening to the words Tōketsu spewed with a slurred, slipshod tone, evidence of intoxication settling, the Hokage could only ponder. Words spoken with a combination of false truths, and saddening realities, maybe the world he had envisioned was truly beyond reach; at least by the measures he was willing to involve. Death had never been a strong suit, or the standing argument he pushed when considering alternatives to world peace. What his travel companion—a man bred from war seemed to speak with a skewed clarity, the cherry blonde couldn’t help but sigh. There had to be another way, a less atrocious, and painstaking route to achieve what most considered a nirvana on earthen soil.

With his free hand, the Uchiha reached onto his side, dragging from tucked between his forearm and side, a dark, dilapidated cloak. Draping it over his body with one, fluid coil around his body, the Shinobi garbed his identity in its dark brown concealment. Taking off his Hitai-ate, and tucking it deep within the confines of one of his pouches, for the first time in his life, the purple-eyed native of the Hidden Leaf disowned his motherland. A saddening thought considering his honor and intimacy with his home. Nonetheless, for the sake of what he planned to protect from this day on, it was something it had to be done. They would arrive in a few hours, as such they would have to get all the conversation they intended to out of the way while they walked. The perfect time to answer the older counterpart’s statement.

“I rebellion does little other than shed light to another opportunity to do the same to us. When you take the risk of opposing those who have subjugated you, you open your life to the risk of a repeated cycle. A never-ending resolution of hatred, deception, and death. I want an alternative—a want an answer to the answerless. I want peace without the use of extreme violence. Kōketsu’s ideals weren’t sprung arbitrarily, there was purpose… his anger was, most likely fueled by another source… thus the never-ending circle of hate we, as Shinobi, are forced to live with… and stimulate—I want to end this cycle of hate and replace its fuel with something else.”

Thoughts expressed in truer words spoken through a concerned soul, Ryūsuke didn’t stop in his pace, but continued onward. Tōketsu was capable of both listening and walking, and thus he’d be forced with such a task. If he decided to contest the argument posed, this debate would continue until they arrived at their location. It was odd, to say the least. Allies who shared dissimilar views, but didn’t hesitate to work alongside one another. A bitter incongruity, that only stemmed from optimistic aspects birthed from free-will. This, nonetheless didn’t hinder their effectiveness in terms of working with one another.

[Katsumaru]

Touketsu gasped deeply, his every inhalation expanding the lungs slightly before the air was released in a burst through the teeth, the stench of alcohol escaping with his every breath. It was a surprise that the man succeeded in rising to Jounin over the years, considering his failings and foolishness, but the Airontoku functioned just well enough, fingers clasped tightly upon what little sanity was left. It is often said that acknowledging that one is mad implies the direct opposite, yet that helped little in regards to overcoming the feelings of utter futility. It was asinine of Touketsu to think so, for he was quite capable a warrior, but irrationalities are quick to fill the brain, creep into ones every thought.

The Airontoku pulled forth a kunai with the left hand and an exploding tag with the right, delicately wrapping the parchment around the bladed projectile. This process was repeated with all of the kunai within the pouch, a necessary precaution taken to ease matters once battle erupts. Regardless of the diverted focus, he heard the Hokage’s every word, nodding slightly occasionally. While he did not agree fully with Ryusuke’s words, especially in regards to histhoughts on rebellion, again he was captivated by the Hokage’s ideals, the grandiose dreams that burned within his mind. Mayhap that is why Touketsu was so loyal to the man, a reality he was quick to deny. Not because it was his duty as a soldier, nor because adherence was almost breed into the members of his blood, but rather it was the sheer positivity in times of struggle that brought the fondness to rise.

”The shinobi’s very purpose seems to be battle. Trained for war, raised for war, so is the life of men as we, I fear.” the Airontoku muttered, voice unusually soft. After a snort he continued. ”I begin to believe that the cycle of hate is only ended by eliminating the cause, the perpetuating factor. Us.” the man declared regretfully, gaze averted to the left. As he spoke, the man paused for almost a second between each word, the sheer bitterness of the thoughts worrying him. ”Are you certain that you can be safe from corruption, distant from the anger that fueled Koketsu?”

With hastened steps Touketsu continued, partially lost in thoughts as memories of the past flashed through his mind. The very fury which had struck Konohagakure, and the seemingly endless slaughter that tainted the world before even that. What frightened the Airontoku the most is that he, too, had ended the life of men and women who could no longer defend themselves during the first Great War, and it was this refusal to truly acknowledge his past that tainted his view and filled the soldier with an overwhelming misanthropy. A self-fulfilling prophecy, doomed to one day shatter completely.

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[Trigga]

“Absolutely.” He exclaimed almost immediately after.

All that the Airontoku had spoken held some true, and a frail substance of existence easily swaying the decisions that could give it reality. Nonetheless, spoken as a man both true to his morals, and true to his people, such a conception of fear changing his mentality wouldn’t surface in the Uchiha; not today, not ever. It seemed in a world shaped by destruction and chaos, rationality only favored the visible and more routine route. Ignoring alternatives because they were far-fetched when placed upon a pedestal against oppositions such as war and rebellion. Needless to say, there was always an alternative.

Garbed in his dark grey cloak, his sum shrouded from reality, all the Uchiha could do was continue in his walk forward. Some time had passed, and they would arrive at their location in a mere hour’s time. Much had to be prepared beforehand, and new identities constructed. The title Hokage was set aside, and the surname Uchiha wouldn’t exist on this mission. After all, the notion of espionage was based on the notion of never revealing one’s true self. An entirely new individuality would have to be collected, Ryūsuke was well aware, and as such had already began constructing ideas he would share with Tōketsu in due time. A new name, origin, and most importantly, a motive surfacing in time to come.

“From here on, I’ll be known as Nazumi Esei. I’m from the Hidden Waterfall Village, and my objective is to bring rebellion to the constructing Shinobi world". A brief synopsis of a completely complex character design, the now deemed Esei continued forward—smoke emerging in the forefronts, evident of civilization emerging in due time. They were almost at their destination. Hopefully the opposing Shinobi had his guise in mind and was willing to share key details. They would have to be on the same page if they were thought of accomplishing this mission with a success rate exceeding the failure.

[Katsumaru]

Truly. Ryusuke and Touketsu were of ascetically dissimilar temperament. One filled with dreams and the other with budding sullenness. So roughly their views collided, yet Touketsu’s loyalty did not wane in even the fiercest of circumstances, when betrayal was so easy when the world was at war. As shown those years ago when facing the bandits, the two also cooperated well in battle, a fierce duo capable of crushing any obstacle. In union, on this day, the Uchiha and Airontoku shall liberate these men from their ironclad, juvenile desires. Failure was not an option.

Touketsu knelt and dug into the ground with his left hand, the thick skin impervious to the sharpened rocks beneath the grounds. With a sigh he let the filth fall over his hairs and face, leaving the stains of soil on his cheek. The process was repeated to cover the arms, and to further taint the clothing. His intention was to appear as no more than a rapscallion, a façade of a simple thug who had travelled the world with little desire other than battle, the shedding of blood. The act was rather simple, as many years ago, during the first war; Touketsu was but a mere scumbag.

”Refer to me as Ebuki Tamani. Rebellious mother and father murdered by the daimyo’s samurai. I want revenge, a simple enough motivation, yet understandable. Also from the Hidden Waterfall. May be suspicious if we claim to be from different villages.”

[/i] Touketsu grumbled, his speech low and sharp. Deception, therein success shall lie. The Airontoku pulled his cloak around the body closely and assumed a position entirely different from his natural one, a hunched back with both arms hanging low. Trickery was not simply a matter of changing ones name, but a subjugation to a different persona, a loss of the self. The alcohol had lost its effect and Touketsu had returned to his full senses, but the stench remained.

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[Trigga]

“Tamani It is,” He Exclaimed with a sly grin, though naturally concealed beneath the tattered cloth of his hooded cloak. Light footfalls carrying the man forward as his companion armed himself in fifth and earthen soil; a sly tactic nonetheless, but a process the Uchiha wouldn’t repeat. Placing too much effort into a masquerade would surely arouse distrust. And while hailing from identical lands, they surely wouldn’t fall from the same economical class. The simplicity in hosting an entirely new name would suffice his efforts from this point on. His appearance changing considerably from what the world previously known him by, his transmutation from the meteor would do as well. Now it was a simple matter of arriving at the drop-point.

It would be an estimated five hours of quiet walking, Ryūsuke adeptly straying from conversation with a rationale in mind. Spies roamed, and as they grew closer, the ability to infiltrate would become more difficult if their identities were to slip. Though these thugs were trained in combat, they weren’t nearly as skilled as a Shinobi, as such noticing their scantily hid presence in the shadows was near second nature. The Uchiha however failing to make direct eye contact, or even hinting to his attentiveness; for all they knew as they looked on with preying eyes, the two were ignorant ducks.

Moving onto an upwards incline, the dirt road was sullied in mud as ran fell from the sky profusely. Once darkened, the corridor engulfed by dense woodland brightened with the recognition of lanterns and torches; they had arrived. A low growing snicker echoed silently as the young Hokage eased closer, charily holding his cloak together in attempts to hide his hodgepodge of weaponry. His head slightly lifting as the light strengthened, and their owner’s, two rather loutish guards looked down, almost sniggering at the two smaller individuals. Obviously not impressed with their size, they broke into a hysteric laughter, the Uchiha coughing only slightly to gain their attention.

“Aye you two idiots. Before I have my friend here shove your head, up his ass” Almost assumingly, the Hokage pointed towards the one on the left, calmly dragging it to the one on the right. “We’re the two new recruits Shiva assigned. The name’s Esei, and that’s Tamani… Sooo, ya goin’ let us in, or have us freeze our asses off in this rain?” Truly repulsive it was the use of profanity; nonetheless it added to his guise and surely wasn’t expected of one who rested in such a high regard as the Fire Shadow

[/color] himself. After some meticulous reflecting, and realizing who had given them entry, the guards wasted little time in allowing them, entrance. A large set of two wooden edifices erupting open, opening the two’s eyes into a world once unknown. A large, silver tower resting a mile ahead. That was their destination.

“See? Wasn’t that bad,” Patting one of the two guards’ on the shoulder, Esei progressed in.

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[Katsumaru]

I did not know why I followed that man, why I was willing to die for him. Some say that opposites attract. He believed in peace whereas I was bred for the direct opposite. That had nothing to do with it. Men like him are the ones who took away a soldiers duty, my duty. Perhaps that is a good thing. The world does not need more men like me. The things I have done are best not done again. So, do I see something in him that is greater than I, or am I simply using that loyalty as an excuse, something to fulfill that desire for duty? Too many questions

________________________________________________

The road grew long and weary, Touketsu’s feet becoming heavier by the moment. To march into a possible end, so was the task, one he approached without fear. The slightest bit of worry arose not for the trepidation of bittersweet death, but the fear of failure, a sudden shift from the mighty confidence earlier. Touketsu had failed numerous times. Bakudon Gai, Konohagakure, both moments of utter regret without the slightest hint at success. What drives a man on when he had failed so many times? Delusions. The Airontoku believed that with future accomplishments, past wrongs and faults will be forgotten. So was the penultimate flaw of Touketsu. Long had he drowned in his own hubris, a flaw no less severe, yet similar, for it showed how far away from reality this man slipped. Foolish belief after foolish belief clung to his mind, an eternal, dissociative damning.

By all means, Touketsu was fully functional, aside from the alcoholism, but more and more his mind disintegrated as apparitions replaced the dissatisfactory. His very philosophy found its grounds in a imprudent misinterpretation of the world. Men fought daily, but to use that to fuel bitterness each morn was simply an excuse, a further flaw of Touketsu that he refused to acknowledge. But none of that mattered. He was but a mere pawn in an international gambit. Else he would not be sent on a mission so lethal; that, at least, he believed with certainty. A bitterness began to grow as the two walked the lengthy way, the Airontoku’s mind again and again tracing over that idea, that he was but a piece in something greater that a simple man simply could not understand. So intense were the musings that jounin’s senses did not register the spies.

Ryusuke’s words rammed the Airontoku back into reality. Instinctively, his right hand slipped to grab the ebony hilt, but the blade remained sheathed as he grasped the severity of the situation – the two had arrived. With a deep growl he spoke, voice guttural, quite different from his usual manner of speech. ”Damned filth scroungers, stop standing around like hoodlums and do your jobs.”

[/i] he grumbled, hand moving away from the hilt. Fortunately he had regained his senses quickly enough to react reasonably to the situation, donning the alter ego.

________________________________________________

Without further words, Ebuki stepped through the gates. The tale had reached its climax. Would he die as a tragic hero or simply a buffoon? Nay, neither, he believed as the previously lost confidence returned.


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[Trigga]

Trekking through the mile-long pathway towards God’s know what, Ryūsuke was attentive in his advance. While using inside information and gaps to essentially walk in unobserved, their identities could still be easily given away with one, fatal slip. His own dealings in this matter more communal then personal, a task accomplished always sufficed—failure wasn’t an option. The citizens of Konohagakure, and their lives all depended on this. As a Shinobi, the art of secrecy and deception were required, a nimble mind was just as needed as nimble footing. Hopefully Tōketsu’s intoxication would fade in due time. They would need both their strength and consciousness to achieve their goals.

Running on thin lines in enemy territory, Ryūsuke would use this brief moment of isolation from outside ears to convey the plan to his accomplice. “Listen close, we’ll begin the execution of my plan at dusk. For now we’ll rest and re-gather our strength. If you’re questioned further then what you feel is necessary, don’t hesitate to end the conversation and push the notion of silence. The less more know about us, the better. Once we reach the tower, they’ll allocate us a room—I’ve dabbled in their plans, and made it so that we’ll be stationed in the same cabinet.” And with that, he proceeded. Hours passing until finally, the large, darkened steel construct was but a mere meter or so from their footing. A guard approaching from the opened gate.

“You two will be sleeping in Cell E4, directly up the elevator, fourth floor and to the right. Now make it quick, I don’t want to drag your conscious bodies there.” He sniggered. Ryūsuke yielded all pride at this moment and simply nodded, doing as the man instructed, and making his way in. The door sealing behind himself and his companion upon their entry. Motioning towards the elevator, and imputing the codes for its activation, they would promptly ascend into the peak of the edifice. As the door slid open, the Uchiha wasted little time and securing their room, ignoring the passing grunts and novice employers of this facility; simply entering with his partner and sealing the door behind.

Looking around, the room was rather small, and held dim lightning. Two beds set across from one another at opposite ends of the room, the Uchiha hovered towards the one closer to the right. “Rest, Tōketsu, we’ll need it for tomorrow." And with that, he would lay his items down, and soon position himself on the hard, metal bed in a resting position. Thin blankets and a single pillow to comfort him. This would have to make due for now, they had a mission in mind after all.

[Katsumaru]

Soon the battle would begin, a fateful encounter wrought with deception and death, the latter which Touketsu longed to prevent for his own people, the citizen of Konohagakure. The women and children who cannot raise a blade and shape their chakra suffered most horribly from the war, for they could not prevent the deaths of their fathers and brothers. A wicked life it is, to witness growing chaos with little ability to change matters. Such a damnation was worse than any pain; it was a hell in itself, a damned abyss with flames fiercer than the wildest of storms. The Airontoku breathed deeply as Ryusuke spoke, mind racing at the variety of possibilities, the likelihood of failure.

Some time passed before the two settled in the cell, their home for the night. The conditions were quite wretched for the common man, but soldiers, and those with ideals had long ago abandoned their desire for a fine home. Men with the will to change are a special breed, for their goal matters so much more than their own comfort. Once a man abandons such, he had taken a further step towards losing his roots and becoming embraced by the groupthink that guides the mob. Rebels, soldiers, shinobi, they were no more than a deliberately guided mob, no different from peasants with torches and pitchforks. With an audible grunt the Airontoku sat on the bed, leaning back against the wall, his breaths quiet. ”Should I lose my life, I’ll see my mother and father again, Esei. Good thing, eh?”

[/i] he spoke rather loudly, the declaration a petty attempting at making his false identity more believable.

Touketsu waited not for a reply as he pulled forth his pouch, removing the tools one by one, crimson eyes caressing the weaponry to be used for this battle. A soldier was nothing without his weaponry; not in the metaphysical sense, there is nothing deeply philosophical about life as a warrior, but simply because it is rather difficult for most men to end an opponent’s life with fists. The Airontoku placed the ebony hilted, double edged blade against the wall, a sense of unease washing over him as the thought of sleep crossed the mind. What if they were to meet their ends during rest? Nay, those thugs were fools, incapable of seeing through their false identities. None of that mattered now, for battle was not long from biting the heels. With a heavy sigh the Airontoku leaned back, closing his eyes.

_________________________________________________

The Vigilant God will watch over me as I seek my own redemption. The soul will be freed, liberty of the self for the sins I have committed. Acting under orders was not an excuse, for I had burned a church, a church of the Vigilant God with women, children and the elderly within. Relentless service to the Vigilant God, only then can I be forgiven, only then can my life become better. That I continue tell to myself, but is that simply an attempt to make my wrongs easier to bear? Guilt and regret are wicked things, and perhaps they have tainted my mind so much that I will simply fall into the same footsteps again.

[/i]

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[¤ Tenkai ¤]

Taizo ;; +65x2 = 130 exp added

katsu ;; +66x2 = 132 exp added