Konohagakure Gate

[Comatose]

K O N O H A G A K U R E G A T E

The Konohagakure Gate serves as the gateway between Konohagakure and the outside world. The gate itself lies deep within the forest of death situated between the forest itself and the village major. The walls - made of solid slabs of stone, of the gate sprawl upwards about two stories before stopping. ANBU patrol this gate all day everyday year round. There is only one main official entry and exit point, secured by large steel doors. Caravans, travelers, and merchants have to pass through these doors and also report to a stationed ANBU before they are allowed entry or exit. Genin are not allowed to leave and enter as they please, only being allowed with the company of a Chuunin or higher, or with a proper mission to do so.

At night these gates close until the early morning hours to all but Konoha-nin who are conducting official business. 

[Anmida]

As nonchalant and carefree as always, Aneun waltzed up to the gate guards to hand them a mission posting as the reason for him leaving the village alone despite being only a Genin. The paper containing said info:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Investigate - New Threat
Rank: S
Description: It goes without question that anyone can see the giant pillar of light in the sky. Taking this mission, a mission of utmost importance, tasks you the Konoha-nin to leading our glorious country to greater understanding of the phenomenon. Go and investigate this pillar of light. At all cost. Special correspondence will be made to you when you take this mission, a letter from the most glorious Hokage.
Restrictions: None.
Rewards: 75 EXP, 5000 RYO

Once verified, Aneun would continue on his way at the same pace as before, nonchalant and carefree.

/Exit village.

[Hecatus]

Like the youth that had passed just seconds before him, Jack likewise handed the same information to the guards, validating his exit. Though a bit concerned regarding the mission difficulty despite it being open to all ranks, he'd proceed anyway due to an innate desire to move up a floor within their living quarters. Quality of life was a high priority for the lad...

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Investigate - New Threat
Rank: S
Description: It goes without question that anyone can see the giant pillar of light in the sky. Taking this mission, a mission of utmost importance, tasks you the Konoha-nin to leading our glorious country to greater understanding of the phenomenon. Go and investigate this pillar of light. At all cost. Special correspondence will be made to you when you take this mission, a letter from the most glorious Hokage.
Restrictions: None.
Rewards: 75 EXP, 5000 RYO

Without waiting for a confirmation, he'd continue on his way. The small perks of not being a second class citizen.

/Exit village.

[vegapunk]

Things certainly looked ominous to the young Sarutobi, tilting his head upward to witness the unnatural swirling of the dark cloud above him. However, a mission was just that, a mission, and after receiving his order he left the village gates with a partner in toe to unpack this mystery...

SPOILER: Click to show

{mission}Investigate - New Threat
Rank: S
Description: It goes without question that anyone can see the giant pillar of light in the sky. Taking this mission, a mission of utmost importance, tasks you the Konoha-nin to leading our glorious country to greater understanding of the phenomenon. Go and investigate this pillar of light. At all cost. Special correspondence will be made to you when you take this mission, a letter from the most glorious Hokage.
Restrictions: None.
Rewards: 75 EXP, 5000 RYO

[Axcel]

Akuseru was eager to join in on this investigation. Sure, the pay was absolute shit--a fact not surprising given their glorious supreme leader Hokage, but it was an S-rank mission. S-rank! The experience was too valuable to pass up and he left the village upon showing the proper documents in a hurry to see what that pillar was.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Investigate - New Threat
Rank: S
Description: It goes without question that anyone can see the giant pillar of light in the sky. Taking this mission, a mission of utmost importance, tasks you the Konoha-nin to leading our glorious country to greater understanding of the phenomenon. Go and investigate this pillar of light. At all cost. Special correspondence will be made to you when you take this mission, a letter from the most glorious Hokage.
Restrictions: None.
Rewards: 75 EXP, 5000 RYO

[Hecatus]

Regardless of the other two’s shenanigans, the more experienced shinobi remained unusually quiet for the return trip, responding only when directly addressed. Having seen more than his fair share of expeditions, the lad grimly reflected on what was to come after reporting that their team had failed to adhere to mission objectives. If the lot of them were to survive this ordeal, he had better come up with a well thought presentation to favorably sway their fickle overlord’s mindset.

With their footsteps slowly approaching the gate, he’d follow the usual protocol to gain entry while looking back at the other two. Perhaps they had come up with some brilliant scheme? Probably not.

[Anmida]

"Uuuuuuuuu. . ." moaned Aneun as he dragged himself to the Gates of Konoha. For far too long he'd been outside and away from the confines of his home. Pushing any thoughts aside for the moment, he needed to get home to recharge his NERDism before the next mission he'd be forced to take part of.

Showing his credentials to the guards, he lumbered behind Jack whom had led the trio. He would leave the explaining of the mission and its subsequent failure to Akuseru. There was no point in him getting involved with whatever was to come.

[Axcel]

Although they had gone to the Rice country and back, the hard part has yet to arrive. They needed to explain to Hokage what happened with godlike being, Yokozuna, and Akuseru still had a weak understanding of what did happen despite having been there. Between the flash of visions and encountering what literally may have been a god, would the Hokage even believe their story?

Akuseru figured he would blame whatever the Kage was unhappy with in regards of how the situation played out on Aneun playing his music again. Hopefully Jack or Masafumi had a better explanation than that, though.

[Comatose]

I had of course been there already, watching the trio come back unscathed from their mission. Had they failed? Or had they simply been a resounding success? It was hard to tell on first glance.

"Stop."

With a wave of my hand from atop the gate I commanded such before they entered, revealing I had in fact been waiting for them after hearing they were on their way back.

"Report, now."

Lifting my legs over the side of the wall I fell gently down in front of them, two ANBU rushing to break my fall as I did, taking the brunt of the force of my landing before shuffling away quickly. The majority of the ANBU gate force formed standard military rank behind me, kneeling in lines within their small squad groups. While I hadn't asked them to do anything they had understood the protocol and did as they had been trained to do, which was good considering they would need to understand what we were or weren't up against in the future and repeating such information could be tiring.

"I'm very interested in knowing how you survived and what that is." My hand pointed to the sprout which they had brought back to them for an unknown reason.

[Hecatus]

Well shit. This was exactly what Jack wanted to avoid. Though deep down inside the lad knew the Hokage would make a personal appearance at some point, he had sincerely hoped it was after he had given the mission report to the secretary and been given more time to flesh out his presentation. Faced with the imposing pressure exuding from the line of ANBU with their glorious leader front and center, what choice did he have but to oblige?

Still hesitant, he’d begin with a hopeless plea to delay time. “Uhh… with all due respect, I don’t feel like the events that occurred should be discussed publicly. Unless you’re vaguely aware of what was supposed to have transpired, in which case I’ll continue…” Giving a desperate look to the two genin behind him, he’d shrug before recounting their experience in the Land of Rice.

“The squad arrived at the designated pillar of light in question in a timely fashion. Upon arriving we spotted a single shinobi from Sunagakure that had arrived just shortly before us. Adhering to your correspondence, we engaged with the target. Roughly 6 seconds after engaging, the pillar of light condensed into a form with substance and took on a humanoid appearance that scaled to an upwards of sixty meters. Upon doing so, the creature, hence forth referred to as a godling for brevity’s sake, let out a devastating scream resembling jutsu from the Sound release that decimated what I estimate to be at least the one hundred meter surrounding – if not more. The attack caused no sustainable damage despite sending several of us flying and inducing a heavy sense of nausea. It is important to note that the creature did speak. Its words were “You insolent-“ before releasing the wail.

Shortly after this attack, a shinobi from Iwagakure arrived on site. Our forces were rendered neutralized for a brief period due to the godling’s shout and thus did not respond immediately. Sarutobi, as an exception however, was able to preemptively prepare defenses, which only furthered to anger the godling. At this point, it became apparent that the godling was able to sense motive as well as chakra. It spoke again, stating “Your hurt me-“, while globs of liquid the size of boulders, which I assume to be its tears, crashed from the sky.

At this point, the Sand shinobi approached the creature and attempted to reason with it despite its child-like mentality. The woman from Iwa proceeded to go into a hormonal fit of lunacy which oddly resembled a maturing woman in her late thirties desperately trying to bear a child despite her years running short. From an objective stand point, I believe she too attempted to console the creature with words. As for our own men, we acted independently. Sarutobi , who should be returning shortly, ceased his aggressions after Song and I both insisted. One of our men promptly joined in on reassuring the godling, approached it and gave it a hug…” He’d stop there for a moment in order to catch his breath. Having not dared once to look up during his report, he’d finally send a quick glance in order to gauge their kage’s reaction. Despite not throwing out Akuseru by name, it was rather clear who hadn’t been accounted for in the most recent bit of detail. He also left out the tidbit regarding Song’s horrible karaoke in order to not paint his team as entirely idiotic. Only 66% so.

“The creature then disintegrated into dust after having been successfully reassured by one of our own men.” At this point he’d mumble something very quietly as a side thought while continuing though a violent coughing fit. “Please don’t hit me despite how ridiculous this sounds.” “We were then overwhelmed with a dizzying sense and we believe we were connected to the godling’s mind. Countless visions were displayed to us, and from what we’ve discussed, the only conclusive bit we can all agree upon was the fact that several individuals gathered around a sacrifice and that they all bore a tattoo with the word “Manji” on it. Upon coming to, the godling was gone…

The Iwa nin who claimed to be a scout named Mimi then approached Akuseru and the Sand shinobi, and appeared to want an alliance. You’ll have to confirm from Akuseru due to my distance from the woman not making her intentions one hundred percent clear. Following standard protocol, I informed the woman to go through proper channels in order to contact a representative of our village. Given her demeanor and nonchalant attitude with regards to establishing village relations, I suspect it was either the Tsuchikage or a close aid. The Sand nin then identified himself as the Kazekage and the two exited together. We did not intervene due to our isolationist policy.

As for the sprout… it was found where the godling once was. Akuseru insisted on taking it and I agreed due to my suspicion that it might be a one of a kind plant. With proper resources and research, I believe it can be cultivated and turned into a potent elixir which we can make use of. On a final note, it was discovered on our way back that we’ve all been marked with this.” He’d hold up his hand, indicating the one surrounded by the elements. “We’re still unsure what it does… however we suspect it bolsters our chakra reservoirs by a significant margin.  That concludes the mission report.”

His report finally finished, several more beads of sweat would drip down his brow as he looked up nervously to yet again gauge the kage’s reaction. “With all due respect sir, given the circumstances presented, I believe the achieved outcome was ranked first in the village’s interests – assuming you didn’t want that thing alive to raze the village to the ground.  If so, our apologies.”

And now? It was time to pray.

[Axcel]

Akuseru simply nodded as he listened to Jack recount their legendary tale. His face scrunched up when he heard his comrade indirectly rat him out by detailing everyone's actions except his and then mentioning "one of our men" as the one who stopped Yokozuna from crying. With Akuseru being the only one not accounted for, the Hokage would know exactly what had happened. Hopefully he didn't think Jack was full of shit when he began getting into the strange experience they went through when Yokozuna connected with everyone's mind.

"Its name is Yokozuna. . ." Akuseru added onto Jack's report when he had finished speaking.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}

[Anmida]

Akin to his team leader, Aneun would allow Jack to recount the tales of their rather strange adventure to the Hokage. He however, could not help but let out a small chuckle as Jack's story clearly pointed out Akuseru as the one whom hugged the godlike being despite all common sense. He also did not fail to notice that Jack intentionally did not mention his singing which Aneun could not help but have mixed feelings about. While not wanting to anger the Hokage any further than he might be upon receiving such an insane tale, he also did not enjoy having to lie about his favorite song. Nevertheless, he would leave the story telling to Jack.

It was only after Jack had finished and Akuseru had made a small comment on the godlike beings name did Aneun speak. "Ah. I should probably add on that the area hand been covered in a fine mist of chakra unseen to the naked eye. Yokozuna, as Akuseru calls it seemed to be made of pure chakra akin to the Bijuu of legend. The intensity of its chakra fluctuated with its emotional state. It also emitted uniquely colored chakra into the sky which affected the weather. I assume that is how its powers worked but I cannot be sure. I confirmed all of this with my Sharingan."

Normally one to keep such info to himself, Aneun had felt his actions in Jack's tale didn't amount to much and he hoped this would boost his contribution factor. Enough at least to not receive some form of punishment.

[vegapunk]

It had taken him a fraction longer to make it back to the gates of the village than the three-man cell. A lot had been playing on the young shinobi's mind after the events that transpired, and trying to to piece together what had happened caused him to become distracted on his way back. His final movement was like that of a flicker and without notice his body appeared a few feet back from the party that formed at the Konoha's gates. Waiting idle for a moment, he observed, and from what he saw it looked like the Hokage had been waiting for their arrival.

At that moment Jack was finishing describing the events of the mission, and looking across at the Hokage, Fumi raised his hand and pulled his sleeve down to reveal the mysterious marking on his palm, coinciding with Jack's mentioning of how they were all marked. But there was one question Fumi wished an answer for, something that had bugged him on his way back, and as the others finished he quickly attentioned the Hokage - his voice light and curious.

"Hokage-sama, what did you mean when you said 'Protect the Light'?"

[Comatose]

I listened to their account of events with a raised eyebrow, not quite sure what they were pulling. It was all quite fantastical with talks of gods, suspected Kage, and Akuseru's quelling the god's anger with a simple hug. My hand went to my forehead, my palm resting against it as I took everything in with obvious confusion and derision. Surely they knew that such jokes would have their head, didn't they? If they had failed it was one thing but to come up with such a story that was so far-fetched was quite something else.

"You'll have me believe that you. . ----"

I stopped for a moment, analyzing the seal which Jack held up with his hand a moment, noting it's significance even from this distance. The seal was something that everyone that knew Fuuinjutsu was familiar with - a primal seal of sorts, something that formed the basis of all Fuuin. No sealist to date had been able to actually replicate the seal successfully as despite it's simplistic look placing a seal such as that permanently was a feat within itself. It took an individual of great chakra control, who had immense knowledge of every release, and had studied Fuuin for decades to produce a similar inferior seal which lasted but a few minutes.

There was two clear avenues, either they were telling the truth, or one of them knew or was the greatest sealist to ever have lived. Unfortunately - that is for the sake of my sanity, I knew each of their histories intimately and none of them knew anyone who fit the description. I sighed, before tossing my head back in laughter, the ANBU behind me looking toward one another as I continued to do so, confused.

"So. . a God, huh? And. . Akuseru 'defeated' it?" My laughter grew, almost maniacal.

"This is unbelievable; unbelievably wonderful. You four have more than exceeded my wildest expectations. Maybe there is hope for you yet, lapdogs."

"Don't worry about what I meant either, Sarutobi." My demeanor shifted, my laughter ending as I became serious I pointing to the plant.

"Akuseru, take care of this plant. If I find out it dies, you'll die. Jack, monitor it and make sure Akuseru doesn't mess up. Song, you should also make sure it isn't doing anything funny on that spectrum."

I turned my back to the four, before lifting my finger, forgetting something.

"Oh, you four will be paid once you enter Konoha. You'll be recognized as the top team for now, until someone else does something sufficiently wonderful. Don't be happy about it though, it just means you have a huge target on your backs. Nobody likes the teacher's pet. Though, this does means you guys are most likely next in line for promotions. We'll talk again soon, as this whole god fiasco has given me cause to do something I've always wanted to. ."

My voice trailed off as I jumped, wings forming from seemingly thin air as I flew back into the interior of the village.

[Hecatus]

Budging not a single inch until the Hokage was safely out of sight and out of mind; Jack would slowly rise from his kneeling position while letting out an incredibly heavy sigh of relief. “Hoooooolyyy craaap. We’re alive! And we’re going to get paid! That could’ve gone SO MUCH WORSE…” Wiping what little sweat remained from his brow, he’d laugh heartily and then pat his team mates on the back. “All we need to do now is keep Sprouty here alive and we can keep our heads… for now...” His demeanor quickly sobered up as these words were spoken. Finally recollecting his resolve, he’d proceed past the gates with his fellow villagers. “First round of drink’s on Sarutobi for almost getting us killed!” he’d declare while tromping in.

/exit thread; enter village