Looking Ahead [Open]

[Krethean]

It was a calm and warm morning as Ujiyasu undid the bandages on his arms and legs inside his apartment. The few serious injuries he had were going well they clotted fine and were healing nicely but he still had to make sure he didn’t disrupt the scab, lest he tart bleeding again. Several of the scabbed over wounds were dotted around his appendages, in a loosely packed bunch on his skin.

Certainly a much better state than the holed cheese that were his arms and legs during his stay at the Mizu no Kuni hospital.

He didn’t have to clean his wounds anymore, which was a blessing. He hated having to apply those herbs to the arms and legs, what with the searing nerve pain he felt. He found his mobility was returning to normal too, that and he didn’t look like a mummy. He fed himself some simple cereal once he changed his bandages, then got changed into a red-and-black shirt with black pants. He had to admit, he kind of liked the red and black colour scheme... it really grew on him.

He left his apartment afterwards and locked the place. He had something he wanted to do today, and his schedule was clear. No missions, no appointments, save for the possible ANBU messenger, informing him of Blanche’s summons. No, he had plenty of time today to simply look around the village for a suitable location.

He was planning to set up shop.

He knew that he would need ample funds in order to get everything he needed, but as far as the technique he was perfecting was concerned, he would be able to start off with some basic creations. It won’t earn him copious amounts of Ryo, but it would be a start. As much as he would like to, he wouldn’t be able to create impressive things right off the bat. It would be a slow and arduous process, but one worth doing in his eyes.

Ujiyasu wandered through the streets, looking at the buildings that were available for lease. A few seemed a little small for his liking, but he could always expand on those if needed. Hell, if he could get more practise in, he might be able to emulate Ryunnosuke’s form-changing hut. Make extensive renovations and adjustments to create a veritable fort and forge. That could be a project I could do in my off time I think... keep me occupied.

He simply continued his walk, examining the numerous structures, each one looked well made and well repaired. Seeing these afforded the boy a small smile: it was a mere month ago that he helped build, repair and renovate such buildings with the villagers, and he was keen on applying his new skills to that.

Perhaps he could go for such missions later.

[Apple]

It wasn’t as if I’d been looking for someone in particular. In one of my frequent walks around the village I found myself not only taking notice of someone that I knew, but too someone that I had things to discuss with. Of course, given the fact that at the moment I was much happier outside than cramped up in the sizeable office, I found no reason as to why it couldn’t commence in the great outdoors. It wasn’t as if I’d be discussing any classified information with him, anyhow. Nakamura, Ujiyasu, one of the genin that I’d permitted to join the chuunin exams. Having returned in quite a bad state from what I could tell in our previous encounter in the hospital within Kusagakure, I wasn’t expecting him to reveal the best, but at the same time all I wanted from him was the truth. If he failed, I was in understanding. The exams weren’t easy and although I stressed success and for my shinobi not to disappoint, I could admit that I’d messed up in the past- In too many things than I’d have like to, some which still haunted me up to this very moment. I could never forget that day. In some short moment of muse that overcame me, I soon, noticing him slowly disappear from the sight, would begin to make my way towards him, the giant sword samehada naturally gracing my back whilst my hips swayed to and fro as I approached the boy, my being gracing the atmosphere with its presence- I’d be noticed and surrendered to the very moment that I entered his field of vision. And with a figure like mine, who wouldn't be noticed at all times anyhow?

”..Nakamura, Ujiyasu”



I didn’t shout, but with a firm, authoritative voice I commanded his response.

"How did the exams go for you?"

I'd told him that an ANBU would come to seek him when the time came where I'd be free enough to speak to him- but given that I was now approaching him without any guard in sight, it was expected that the meeting would commence outside, or- I guessed that he'd be able to twig that. My question was simple- I wanted a documentation of what had happened to him- What had happened to him exactly to put him in the state that he was currently at. Of course, It looked like it had been much worse previously during the exams themselves, but given that they were apparently on the way to being healed, and correctly bandaged, I hoped that he at least was feeling better now. Such maternal instincts ran deep within my core and I found myself fussing over the smallest details- Had he even been checked out by the doctors in our own hospital? I was unsure- But it was worth to ask later on after I'd gotten the explanation for his leave out of the way. Honestly; I preferred myself to be less approachable - But it couldn't be helped.

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[Krethean]

The sound of a familiar, female voice, calling out his name immediately made his blood feel cold. There was only one woman he had been interacting with since he became a shinobi, and that woman had instilled the impression of being intolerant to failure. And boy did Ujiyasu fail.

The wild haired boy turned to face the Kusakage as she approached him with a covered weapon held behind her. What kind of weapon is that? Maybe one of those Seven Swords? Be fitting of a Kage to have something so powerful, even if it didn’t originate from here. Noting that she was by herself, he guessed that it must have been a coincidental visit, and it saved her sending a messenger to call for him.

When asked about what had happened at the exams, he seemed to have resigned himself to his fate. There was no real point in lying, as he clearly isn’t a Chuunin, and there’s no point in sugar-coating it either, since the extent of his injuries was evident when he returned from the Land of Water.

“There’s not much I remember to be honest. I was out cold for most of it I guess. Muu and I ended up taking each other on. We were forbidden from helping, so we ended up going against each other to get dog tags. I don’t know how he pulled it off but he managed to get exploding pouches all through the area. Well... you can easily tell what happened from there.”

Ujiyasu lifted his arms lightly and looked at his legs too, indicating the results of the attack.

“I then got sent into the trees, and I guess I must have been out cold. All I can remember after that, even vaguely, was getting up slowly, and trying to get to the exit so I can get medical attention. It’s hazy and hard to remember clearly, but I do know that I felt like I had almost died then and there. I suddenly had no chakra, aside from that little bit that kept me alive. I was sure someone had taken things from me too.”

The Genin then pointed to his headband with a thumb.

“Next thing I know, I’m in a hospital bed with my headband on the bedside table, even though I was sure I had it on my forehead, even during that hazy moment. I got informed that medics had some difficulty trying to get me out because someone wanted to take me somewhere. I don’t remember any of this, so... I feel pretty uncertain about it all. I can’t imagine the medic would lie to me, but they weren’t Kusa medics... and they didn’t tell me who did it either. To prevent aggravation from slowing the healing process... or so they said.”

The boy exhaled slowly as he finished his recount of what he remembered. He looked at Blanche with an almost emotionless gaze.

“As you can tell, I’m not a Chuunin, and I failed in the exams. If you wanted to execute me for my failure, I guess now’s a good a time as any. You have that weapon on your back, I’m still quite weak and I am pretty shaken up. May as well get it over with if that’s what you want.”

[Apple]

As my call was soon returned by him, his attention having slowly been gained, I’d wait and watch him, his expression perhaps less than content that I’d come across to him. But- It wasn’t long until my request was met with compliance and he began to speak to me the tale of his journey in the chuunin exams. My own- I could only vaguely remember it as it hadn’t been a very good time for me, but regardless I’d managed to gain the title, although surely only because I hadn’t been feeling my best. I remember blood- my own, and that of a stranger, and that was it. But his own story? It seemed almost as if the odds had been against him through the entire thing, having been injured quite severely from what I could guess, some of the damage even dealt by a fellow member of the village. Of course- I was unsure of what to think about the ruthlessness that Muu had apparently shown against his own kind, but then again given that it was the exams, it was understandable for people to take things to the extreme. I stayed silent, listening to him as he kept reeling and reeling what had happened to him. Of course, needless to say I was somewhat dubious of the medical ability of those within Mizu no kuni, and I felt it much better for him to get checked up in his home village, which is why I would propose the idea to him later on after I’d managed to hear everything that he had to say. There he could get his dressings re-applied by a professional alike the people that I had personally hired to work there. Who knows what they could have done? As far as I knew they’d implanted tracking devices in the boy. But what he said about someone wanting to take him somewhere. It seemed.. off. Given that there were only two competitors and Muu had seemingly abandoned the boy after taking his dog-tags, who would wasn’t to move him, let alone remove his headband? It seemed like a problem, and one that I was perhaps a bit too keen to deal with. But of course- It was the exams that catered to such actions and attitudes, and with everything having been each man for himself, I couldn’t exactly blame the doings of each competitor but- what hadthey planned for him?

”Someone wanted to move you?
Can you remember any more about that?”

I inquisitively asked, very uncertain of the reason behind it. It sounded more like a kidnapping than an attempt to move him to the sidelines. But then- just as I was about to speak, he began to give way to words that very much reminded me of myself when I was perhaps only a few years older than he was at the moment.

”..If you wanted to execute me for my failure, I guess now’s a good a time as any..”



I drew not Samehada, but the sharp edged sword on my hip.

And drew it to his neck almost instinctively, its tip pressing uncomfortably against the soft skin.

..And then retracted it back to its holster after a few tense moments.

”..Keep your head up.
You managed to survive. Use what you’ve learned from that experience."

I crossed my arms, watching on at him.

"..Nobody is out to condemn you for slipping up.”

Perhaps it wasn’t exactly what he’d expected for me to say- But with such a kind tone of voice, out to soothe and forgive, I understood that he was young. He and Usio had managed to make problems for themselves recently, but none that I particularity cared for. He hadn’t become chuunin and I was somewhat disappointed from that- but not enough to kill him on the spot. Perhaps in the pat I’d have declined him and given him a lecture for failing to represent Kusgakure but I found myself overwhelmed with but empathy for his situation. All those years ago I wanted someone, anyone to tell me that it was all going to be OK when in honesty everything had turned to shit. He couldn’t have felt the same grueling pain as I had, but the sentiment was there and I wanted to make him know that he wasn't hated.

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[Krethean]

Blance drew another weapon from her side, a katana, and made a movement to the boy’s neck. He didn’t even flinch, having resigned himself to his fate. His eyes widened slightly, when she removed her blade from his neck, having barely pressed his skin and sheathed the weapon.

Given his current state, he held a low opinion of himself and his abilities. He was surprised she even showed a hint of mercy given the impression she left him.

She was right though: he did need to learn from this near-death experience if he was to better guard Kusagakure, and Kusa no Kuni. He survived, and he would use that experience to make drastic improvements. Like hell would he go through that again.

“I see... “

It was really all he could say regarding her pep talk. It would be a lie if he said his brush with death hadn’t shaken him. His entire outlook on life had been warped in that moment. His personality had shifted drastically and some nights he wakes up in a cold sweat, when the pain gives him enough of a respite to sleep. Anyone who knew him could see right away that he was not the same boy that left Kusa no Kuni for the exams.

His eyes no longer showed the vibrant, wild child of old. They showed an almost emotionless intensity, Eyes that could tell someone that they had seen death, and had been scarred from it. Eyes that were a window into the psyche of Ujiyasu.

His experience with the exams was one of those events that no-one had asked for, no-one wanted, but it happened anyway. The way he figured, someone might as well have slit his throat while they were at it. Everything went downhill fast and it simply refused to stop, and he wasn’t even conscious through most of it.

“And I’d tell more if I could remember. Unfortunately... or fortunately I guess... I was out cold through most of the exams. The only information I got while I was knocked out, was by a proctor and a nurse. The nurse was vague about telling me who moved me around like that, and took my headband. The proctor looked as if he was sworn not to tell. The only thing I could think of was that perhaps they didn’t want to slow the healing by inciting more emotion into me. Or push me to near-death again.”

His fists clenched as he felt bitter and angry. It wasn’t as if he had enjoyed being left in the dark regarding these peculiar circumstances himself, but he had to admit he didn’t need to learn the identity of the person, or people who had brought him to that point. The way he saw it, these exams were supposed to determine who was better fit for the title of Chuunin. Trying to kill another and steal one’s headband went far beyond what was mentioned to all of the Genin.

If other nations felt that playing dirty was how they could get ahead, then so be it.

“I guess, since someone decided to almost kill me, steal my headband or do whatever to me... I guess other shinobi won’t mind if I do something similar to them. Though I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to restrain myself... all of the time.”

Like that, even for a brief moment, Ujiyasu’s eyes showed a hint of killing intent. Not at Blanche, or anyone in Kusa... but for the people who saw fit to push him to this state. To the other nations. If bringing peace meant bloodshed to those who would deny peace... then he would gladly eliminate them for the sake of the people.

[Apple]

I was exceedingly good at reading people.
Being a medic, it was a skill I had to learn in my training – it came naturally to me.

And from what I could easily see from the way he portrayed himself to me and the body language he displayed, he seemed a bit off. I hadn’t managed to meet with him before the exams but I’d seen him around the village and he was very much a vibrant figure, from the clothes that he wore to the loud sounds that usually came from him as I passed by. Now.. as I looked on with my blue eyes, I could see that he was considerably duller than he had been before. Covered in bandages it was almost too clear that the chuunin exams had been a gut-wrenching event for him, the way that he spoke displaying the surely alien feelings of hate that he had inside him from his unfortunate experience. Lowering my hands to my hips, I’d shake my blonde hair back away from my face so I could grasp a better look at him as he spoke. He appeared to be calm enough as he spoke but I was sure that inside he was hysterical about what had happened. Although I hadn’t been in the direct same situation as him, I’d been in several similar occasions, one or two of which chilled me to the bone to merely think of even in my current state. I had been there, slightly older than him- And instead of allowing myself to breathe and recollect back then, I simply drove myself forwards in to a fiery inferno of disorientation. Needless to say, I didn’t want him to follow in my footsteps – Although in this disturbing era of harmony, I could feel myself slipping each and every day.

As he questioned the professionalism of the medics in Mizu no Kuni, for a moment or so I had to coincide as, personally being one of the best in that given field it was natural for me to doubt the ability of others, especially in foreign countries. But the chuunin exams board surely had hired able medics to treat the wounded from the games. I had no way of telling or finding out, but for the sake of fairness I simply hoped that his doubts about the treatment they had given him were incorrect. Not explaining who had caused him such damage as far as moving him went was understandable to a degree. If he was to be told the name and the village, as far as they knew they could be unleashing another risk of war between villages if either party had taken things too far by taking rivalry out of the games and out towards the world. In a way I figured it was good that he hadn’t learned the identity, but at the same time I understood his need for revenge on what had happened to him, it was something that we all wanted.

”..Though I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to restrain myself... all of the time.”

”..Hey.”

I attempted to draw his attention away from his anger.
My knees shifted, dropping me a few inches to match eye-level.

”You remind me too much of myself.
And that’s not necessarily a good thing.”

I said, the same soft smile lacing my lips as I spoke to him. He was displaying the same kind of feelings that I had felt so long ago, and from that came a maelstrom of things that I hadn’t control of. Although at the moment I felt more in touch with my 18 year old self than ever, such clarity allowing me to see through the barriers I’d previously placed up myself and prevent me from building up the same rage which had enveloped me, to have him follow the same path.. He was a stranger, and yet at the same time, I didn’t want to wish it on anyone. If I could at least do something to prevent him from doing so, then I’d be content. The look in his eyes was painfully familiar. ”People are more dependable than you may think. Don’t let this skew your view on the world.” I spoke, seeking to soothe the anger which had built up within him since his return from the exams. ”..Ignore my guidance, Ujiyasu, and I promise you – You’ll regret it once you get to my age.” I spoke as if I was much older than my true age- I wasn’t even that old, but I’d already seen a lifetime of things. Shinobi tended to follow that and perhaps this was the first disturbing event he’d had occur to his life. It had been waiting to come but if he concentrated his thoughts and health on that single moment, then he’d end up losing a lifetime of possibilities. Hypocritical, I lived in the past, but- I wanted him to avoid the mistakes that I’d created.

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[Krethean]

I’m too much like her? What did she mean?

Blanche’s words sent his mind into confusion. Had she been pushed to this crossroads that Ujiyasu found himself at? Perhaps... she is the Kusakage after all. She had to have been at this unconscious impasse at least once in her life. From what she told him, she must have picked the wrong path.

His vision of the world around him had been twisted through the utter ruthlessness and deviousness of the nations that bordered Kusagakure. His memories of the villagers here taking a dislike to him because of who he was also burned in his mind, but he quelled those thoughts by remembering how people saw him once he had started his career as a Shinobi, shortly after Kusagakure’s revival. He wasn’t anyone special other than having a chakra nature few had. He had heard rumours that those who displayed similar abilities to what he held were feared and resented. Those were in the Mist though.

But what of Ujiyasu?

He held similar abilities, and is right now teetering between various emotions that had been brewing ever since the Exams ended. He then thought of Ryunnosuke and the Old Woman. Two people who had been like a foster family to him and taught him about the craftsman trade. His own parents, who he had grown up and survived the war with. His friend Usio, who he knew since he was young despite being separated by the war.

He still had them. He still had those influences in his life. They would be slapping him across the face very hard (frighteningly hard in the Old Woman’s case) to snap him out of this rut he found himself in. Here’s the Kusakage herself telling him to get a hold of himself in a rather... empathetic manner. He didn’t want to know how badly broken she had to have been but he was grateful for her help.

His body seemed to settle down as the hate that reeked from his very being seemed to dissipate. He exhaled as he looked at the Kusakage with a less intense gaze. It wasn’t a bright and positive look, but it was an improvement from his cold-blooded stare from a moment ago.

“I’m not sure what you had gone through, but you’re leading a village now, and are counted among one of the most powerful and influential people in the land. Whatever you had gone through has pushed you to defend us.”

He looked to the village, his voice seemed to have dulled a little as the rage he felt earlier exhausted him physically. Even though he was well on the road to recovery, his body still felt somewhat weak and the emotional overflow had drained him more than he would have liked.

“That experience that made you who you are... I think I only just now can begin to understand what you really mean. Despite this veil of peace, this world is still nothing but deceit and chaos all running amok under the lie of prosperity. Having my life toyed with among others at an event that was supposed to showcase what each village has, showed me just how desperate they are to shove their ideals... their ways of thinking and living down our throats.”

“I know there is some good in this world, but until this chaos ends, it can never grow. The exams have told me what I want to do with my life... and that is to keep Kusa no Kuni safe. I intend to do that by remaining as a Shinobi... but also to create whatever I can to help us.”

Ujiyasu waved a hand out to the street in general, motioning some of the empty buildings.

“Soon I plan on opening a place where I can create and build weapons, armour and various other things for this village. I can pour in this experience into my creations and better protect everyone.”

His gaze turned to his leader with a bit more warmth, and a... fire. Despite his chilling abilities, he is a very passionate boy about the things he likes doing. This was certainly on the top of his list.

“Because now I have a path I will follow till the day I die. I will do what I can for the people and bring true peace to these people. As a Genin, Chuunin, Jonin... whatever.”

“It may be a wild dream, but I want to end this chaos. I will bring an end to this hell.”

[Apple]

From the words that he spoke, I felt perhaps not justified, but some degree of pride that he thought of me in such a way. Months, years ago perhaps I’d have taken this as nothing but now it almost hurt how much I could actually feel, although, alike everything else I had no confidence in how long it would actually last. I could feel the ticking in my head, but there was no telling when I’d be forcefully ripped from this peaceful plane of existence. Turning my attention back to the boy as he began to speak, recollecting on his experience in the chuunin exams, I simply listened, as that was all that was needed sometimes. As I did my best to wrench him back from the borders that he himself had created in his mind, it made me feel sorrowful, perhaps only for a minute or two before the feeling disappeared as quick as it had surfaced. His intention to stay as a shinobi and his oath to protect the village was understood, although he was just a child, even at 17. Preferaby I’d have wanted him to experience such an event later on in life but some things simply couldn’t be helped. At 19 I’d already experienced things that other shinobi couldn’t even fathom going through, and although I despised even looking back at those sour months of pain, Ujiyasu was correct. I’d become the leader of my village and I was actively helping restore it to be better than what it had been when I’d left. I had, in some ways, completed what I’d always dreamed of doing.

..Right?

”The chaos will never end.
But we can do all we can to make it bearable, if only for a little while at a time.”

I spoke the truth. The shinobi world was unpredictable, and we could never prepare for a lifetime of peace as there was bound to be someone or some people out there to jeopardize it all. In the past, I had been that person at times, and now as I could clearly reflect on my life, I felt as if this- My new start as Kusakage, could justify all of the wrongdoings that I’d done. I could cleanly remember my own blade scathing the necks of others and crimson pools erupting from cuts. Even simply thinking of it brought me back and urged me to draw myself back to that lifestyle, but with the self-control I’d managed to harbour, I could prevent myself, and for that I was thankful. Giving a small smile to the boy before me as I continued to stand at eye level, listening as he unveiled his plans to help the village through assumedly becoming a craftsman to create weaponry and who knows what else. Personally, I was unfamiliar with the trade as I’d been a medic all my life, but I knew that only good could come from his adventures in the profession. While I doubted that he’d be able to end the hell that he spoke of, he showed enough spirit now to at least give himself the potential to do something good for the village when the time came.

"..Then I wish you good luck on your chosen path, Nakamura, Ujiyasu.
Remember to never stray from it."

I'd speak these words, my angelic traits combined with the same soft tone of voice almost making it out to be a true blessing rather than a simple good luck. I mused for a few moments, before soon coming to a conclusion; "..Oh." I'd pause for a few moments, before turning my attention back to the idea of a shop that he had revealed. "..I'm aware that your friend, Yamamoto, Usio has become a herbalist. The database had been updated.." I'd tell him, although I wasn't focused on that. "..I'm interested in purchasing customized items using the gas that herbalists can create from poisons.." A pause.

"..I’m sure it would be an interesting project for you two."

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[Krethean]

Hearing his leader’s doubts about bringing an end to the chaos did nothing to dampen his drive. There had to be some way to do that. Even if it’s not going to be possible to achieve the true peace he wanted to bring, there had to be something that was better than what is present now.

Right now this amounted to a warring states era. Every nation is vying for power, trying to outdo one another in a bid for global supremacy. It’s the people who suffered in this time of strife, despite the protection shinobi offered. It may sound impossible, but ending this chaos was all Ujiyasu wanted. Not to become the greatest there is, not to obtain more power. To him, those would be a means to an end, if he were to somehow accomplish them. His true goal was to bring peace.

Not even the Kusakage will steer him away from that path.

When Blanche referred to the shop he mentioned, she was surprised that she already offered him a job once he opened his store. Gas-based weaponry? Sounds simple.

“When I can get the place running with everything I need, I can get right on it. It will be somewhat expensive for expendable explosives or thrown weapons but combined with the gas that Usio could make, I think it’d be worth the price.”

He looked at his leader as he spoke. He was quite honest when he mentioned it would be pricey: simply making such weapons would likely be more expensive than the traditional exploding tags or Kunai, but with things like exploding pouches, he may be able to get more worth in them.

Of course there is the benefit of people not expecting variations on a simple tag.

“I don’t plan on making too much of a profit from Kusa natives, but I do need to afford the materials at the very least. This job will be good to start with I think... I can experiment with different methods and possibly think of new things to test out down the road.”

“I’ll let the village know when I’m set. I just need to find a good place and raise enough funds to get the tools I need. With luck that shouldn’t take long, then I can work on that job. There is one thing I do need to ask though: do you have a preference for explosives, projectiles or both?”

He had planned on experimenting with both, but if he knew what the Kusakage preferred, then he knew what he should focus more on. She didn’t elaborate on what they would be used for, so he didn’t know what would be ideal.

[Apple]

”The price won’t be a problem.”

As he spoke about price, I couldn’t help but find myself grin somewhat as I spoke in response to his hint about the price. There was no money wasted in useful items, especially ones of such calibre as the ones that I had in mind. I wouldn’t be able to get them anywhere else, not knowing another shinobi bearing the same profession as Ujiyasu, so at the moment he was my best bet. I’d been looking for such things for a while now and unfortunately, I found myself more wrapped in my medical work than ever, and because of that I couldn’t delve in to the world of herbalism just yet. However, such things were my plans for the future, and I knew that I’d fulfil them one day. It was a very interesting profession, and to say the least my interest in poisons was perhaps too great for me not to become one. I highly respected their abilities as I was so entranced by the possibility of being able to create such wondrous things from plants. Perhaps it was simply me placing such things in high esteem, but I waited patiently for such things to come to me. Some day I’d be able to create such creations on my own- I swore on it.

”Perhaps if you show enough determination I may be able to help you where the cost is involved.” I’d tell him- I didn’t mean I’d help him now, but in the near future when I myself was more grounded with my money. I had things to buy at the moment, and I couldn’t afford to lose a single ryo. I was sure that he’d make for a good craftsman. ”And me?” I’d pause. ”I prefer explosives, personally. And gas canisters which don’t make the obvious bang.” It was simply making it that bit more stealthy if they didn’t release with a large bang, then again the effects would perhaps be a bit slower, but regardless it would make things much more interesting. However- as interested as I was in speaking to him about my need for gas based weaponry, I soon found came to the conclusion that I needed to get back to the atrium to continue sorting out the papers I’d received yesterday. Taking one step away from him, I’d nod my head a single time in some show of thanks for his offer. ”I’ve got to go- Go get yourself checked out at the hospital at some point, Ujiyasu.” I’d say, unsure whether or not to trust the judgement of the medics within Mizu no kuni. I was sure that they were capable- but there was nothing wrong in being safe. Turning, I’d soon make my leave, golden curls trailing behind me.

EXIT!

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[Krethean]

Blanche stating that price would not be a problem did surprise the boy. He had seen how much materials fetch for in the market, and he had been considering the possibility of just gathering it himself somehow. Particularly for the higher grade materials. Goodness knows those would be utterly amazing to work with, but the price for them would ensure that he would stick to making non-disposable weapons for that grade. Unless the client happened to have a lot of disposable income.

That being said, she is the Kusakage. She would likely make quite a bit of money in running the armed forces of Kusagakure. He shouldn’t be surprised at her willingness to splurge, especially in regards to a new weapon and the like.

Hmmm, explosives, and the more silent variety. I think I can examine some stock items and fit something in to suit her tastes.

As the Kusakage mentioned her preferences, several ideas sprang to mind. He would get to those in time, first thing’s first: he did need to get a suitable place to actually get his business going.

“Farewell Lady Kusakage. I’ll check by later. I just want to pick a place first before I go.”

Several places did look pretty good. He just hoped at least one of them would give him the ability to make extensive modifications to the place.

Ryunnosuke and The Old Woman did carry on their teachings to him after all, and one of those was to create a work environment where he could create anything he would be paid to, or that he would want to create.

OOC: Exit.

[KEITH]

+55 @ Kreth
+45 @ Apple