Lunatic Ringing Bells [T]

[Pwn]

I had heard a lot about this new village or rather “reconstructed village”, Otogakure, but I wanted to see what it was like for myself. Being a user of Ototon with my flute, it seemed like more of a home to me than Konohagakure did. However, that would be something I would determine upon my arrival. All I had to do was cross the Valley of End to enter its territory, Ta no Kuni. It had an abundant amount of rice fields, and appeared to be a great place for harvesting various crops. My first task would be to ask around. I needed leads of how to find this village. With it being hidden like the rest, something like this wasn’t easy.

I didn’t let it intimidate me. I could appreciate the etiquette of their people. Each of them had a wealthy stature, which is something I admired. Yet, by looking into their eyes, I could tell all of them were snakes. I would need to be careful if I wanted to survive. Given my skills, I’m sure taking out a few of them would be no problem. I was a Jōnin for a reason, and it was a title I didn’t mind boasting. Searching everywhere, I asked questions. What the people had to say would benefit me more than blindly searching areas I didn’t know about, and risking being attacked by those who deem me suspicious.

It would take at least 24 hours, but when it came to task like these, I was more than diligent. I had found the location of Otogakure. By following the sounds vibrating through the air, and tingle the hairs upon my body, I knew exactly where to go. When I arrived, it was more elegant than I thought. I definitely wouldn’t mind living here. After determining who the leader is, and speaking to them, I might just do that. Perhaps I could finally begin accomplishing my goals. There were a few of them, but I only looked forward to one. Stepping to the gates, it was time for me to make myself known.

SPOILER: Click to show

/move from Ta no Kuni to Otogakure

[Yox]

The last seven years had seen development within the village. Although the progression had seemed slow, Otogakure was on the rise once again. The infliction of the Minakami family seemed like nothing more than an old wives tale now. The best part of being hidden away underground was that little attention was drawn to the village. Beneath the surface we rebuilt ourselves, hidden away from the light of the world above. Not many dared to poke their noses around here across the years. Otogakure was always enshrouded in mystery. The cautious stayed away. They knew what was good for them. Others tried to push that boundary. They went where they shouldn't.

I stood alone at the entrance of Otogakure. A deep black cloak enshrouded my body, accompanied with a hood hanging over the top of my head. A purple bow was wrapped around my waist, holding the coat together at the front. I stood within the shadows, on a ledge above the entrance to the village. It allowed me to look down at the gates below to see whoever passed in and out. How Otogakure had changed in these last seven years. How things were different now.

The red-headed stranger stuck out like a sore thumb as he made his way toward the gates. I narrowed my eyes on him, trying to focus on any aspect that would reveal anything regarding where his allegiances lay. Of course the lack of illumination down here really made it difficult to conduct proper surveillance. First-hand investigation would be required if I wanted to find out more. Thus, it was time for me to make my decent from above. Moulding chakra to my feet, I made my way down from the platform above until I arrived at the entrance to the caverns of Otogakure. Both of my hands remained in my pockets. I stood at least 12 metres from the man as he made his way closer. I only wondered what he truly wanted in a place like this. I remained fully cloaked. The only bit of colour on me was the purple bow strapped around my waist.

"Halt. State your business here."

[Pwn]

A dim lit cavern provided the perfect cover when it came to shinobi villages, but maintained the disadvantages that came with it. There would be no need for me to lower my eyes given the lack of sunlight, and with somebody already entertaining my company, my primary focus was set. I could see a silhouette shading its figure as it made its way down to my area, 12OC with the distance resembling that number. Once the being made contact with the surface I stood upon, I wasted meager time to observe the purple tinted bow dangling from the half-point of its abode. It spoke to me with haste, but not a single word from me before scrutinizing would be spoken until it was completely finished. With the final increment of statement expressed, I smiled with open arms, displaying my whitened grin while exhibiting the rest of my features.

"Kyoei, from Konohagakure. Here to speak with your leader."

[Yox]

A ninja from Konohagakure. He was not that far from home. I wondered why he had entered my village. My hands remained on my hips as he finished announcing himself. I attempted to study the man and draw some sort of conclusion as to what intentions lay within him. I wasn't half-bad in understanding people. I suppose spending the last seven years of my life alone for most of the time made it rather difficult. Nevertheless, I was intrigued to discover what it was this man wanted here. Especially if it was a shinobi.

"I'm the leader of this village," I announced to him rather abruptly after he finished talking. I was quick with my words, overshadowing my passive impatience. "We can converse here rather than within the village. Tell me what it is you want here with me, and my people." Although my hands remained in my pockets by my side, my muscles tensed a little. If the unknown shinobi from Konohagakure began to show any signs of hostility, my hands would form into signs of their own. An array of jutsu was up my sleeve, potentially some of which that this man had never seen before. Though he had that advantage on me as well. I did not know any ninja from Konohagakure, and of the secrets they possessed.

I remained ready for anything this man had to offer. Was he here to talk peace between the separate villages we belonged to, or was there another reason? I grew rather anxious for his response. It was better off for me to attempt to maintain my coolness, but sometimes it was merely impossible. My emotions fuelled deep within me and slowly churned around my body. My heart-rate increased and as did my awareness for the environment around me. Slowly, I was becoming less inclined for talks. Yet I had not given the man a chance to respond. That, after all, would decide everything that followed.

I grew wary.

[Pwn]

For the leader himself to rendezvous with me was admirable, yet unorthodox when compared to the greater villages, and their system of operation. Konoha would of had at least two ANBU guards, and multiple Chuunin stationed at the gate, waiting to be given the word. Folding my arms over one another, my grin vanished into a smirk, my lips folded with an inclination upward displaying my delight. "That's fine. We can talk here," I began taking steps forward, each of them nearly inaudible as to not alert the man. "Konohagakure," my hand extended to my forehead, and I gripped my headband. "Has been destroyed," I separated it from my body, throwing it into the abyss. "I wish to join Otogakure," my request was straightforward. "However, I demand that nobody knows I'm from here," my arms folded behind my back. "And that I'm able to carry out my operations with secrecy," I giggled, five meters away. "Is that understood?"

[Yox]

I was taken aback slightly from what I had just heard. The legendary Konohagakure had been destroyed? It had been too long since I had ventured out into the real world. I had missed out on a few things it seemed. It was definitely time for that to change.

I watched the man toss aside his forehead protector like it meant nothing to him no more. It was an interesting sight to see; that a shinobi could dedicate their life to a village and once it' was gone, the entire feeling  is simply brushed away. I felt the same about the place I called home as well. Nothing was really here for me as well, it was like my village too had been destroyed. Well, figuratively.

He was quick to reveal his intentions as to why he was here. Another recruit for Otogakure stood in front of me. I nodded my head to his concerns of secrecy. Otogakure was enshrouded in mystery, so he would have no issue with hiding who he was. After all, we all had hidden secrets deep within. He added a menacing giggle to his words. It made him seem like some sort of mad scientist to me. The possibility of insanity edged through my mind. Or perhaps my paranoia was getting to me. This had been the first human interaction I had experienced in a few weeks. It was good to reconnect with the living every so often.

I studied him closer. Perhaps it was finally time. 

"I have guarded Otogakure for the past seven years. It is now time for me to go on my way. Good luck with your endeavours here, my journey begins elsewhere," I announced to him whilst unravelling the purple bow from my hips. I let it drop to the ground, and slowly unwrapped my headband from my forehead. Placing it within my pockets, I smiled to the man. It was the first time that I had smiled in a while. It felt good to feel this emotion again. I felt exhilarated and ready to depart. I nodded once to the man, and then made my way past him in a slow walk. My hands remained in my pockets. 

[Estilo]

Rei: + 16 EXP.

Yox: + 26 EXP.

[Pwn]

Otogakure was finally within my grasp. As the man left, all I could do was smile knowing that I now had the resources to begin my plan. Rubbing my hands, this was going exactly how I foresaw it. Crossing my fingers over one another, performing the special seal used for Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, five clones popped into existence, surrounding me from every direction roughly five meters away. I stared each of them down, and all shared the same intent as me. Nodding at them, they dispersed through the darkness, off to their destination. First, I needed to do some "recruiting". "Hehehe," the thought of what I really wanted to do caused me to giggle. I continued forward until I disappeared within the shadows.

/exit