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• Nodachi [Main Melee]
  Rank: C
  Type: Primary / Melee
  Description: Known as a 'Field sword', the Nodachi is a large two-handed weapon, retaining the shape of the traditional katana, but boasting a much longer blade - sometimes up to five feet in length.
  Cost:
  
  
• Light Bow
  Rank: C
  Type: Primary / Range (50 meters)
  Description: The Light Bow is a small bow that is easy to carry and normally made out of wood. The Light Bow has a standard range of 50 meters; however, this can be improved upon by incredible use of strength or stamina. It requires Arrows to be spent in order to be used.
  Cost: 1,000 Ryo
  

• Arrow
  Rank: D
  Type: Secondary, Melee/Range
  Quantity: 10 Packs [100]
  Special: 10 Arrows / Pack
  Description: Arrows can come in multiple shapes and sizes, depending upon the user's choice. The average length of an arrow from tip to fletching is 27".
  Cost: 500 Ryo / Pack

I am not one to be contentious but Sen's logic is flawed. The greatest testament of a Kage would be to establish diplomacy among the various nations. If the Tsuchikage wanted to convey the appearance of a nation healing its wounds nothing would be a more potent antidote than a strong unity to one of the Five Great Nations in such a marauding time. It would actually be in the best interest of the Tsuchikage to do so as it would show a compelling agenda and a composed leader; the first day of his inauguration and he has already constituted an alliance? I would be insurmountably impressed with the Raikage if upon my return he had already manifested a bond between another nation. First impressions meant the world to a lot of people, especially feeble civilians who expect a movement from their leader. Security would caress over the people of Iwa knowing that a neighboring Country has their back in such a faltering time.

"I apologize to badger this thought, but nothing would be considered a greater service to your people than to fabricate an Alliance. Our people in Kumo feel insecure, I doubt your people are much different. We need each other not for the three of us, but for our people -- and nothing speaks an alliance more than the silent words of an empowered handshake between two noble Kage's."

I step back hesitantly, raising my right arm onto my left while dropping my head; it was not like me to fuel a potential debate but Kumogakure was everything to me and I felt strongly of my opinion. Maybe it was not Iwagakure I cared about at all... maybe it was the profound worry I acquired for the people of Kumogakure and the desire for them to feel safe. I will not say I am deficient of consideration to the people of Iwa, but peace of mind would not be granted upon the happiness of their nation and distress within my own. I am a Chuunin of Kumo, dedicated with my life to my Village and everything in it down to the last crack in its vast face, so I disagree withmy own natural being by speaking up. Something I rarely do.

"Pardon my words, it is unlike me to speak so urgently on a matter of controversy, but I fear for the state of this world. It is a daunting time, shrouded by evil creatures who wish to hear nothing more than the drums of war and to see nothing but the blood on their hands. Whatever your decision may be, I will stand by it as an ally of Iwagakure but I will be returning to Kumogakure with word of our alliance though it will never sound as genuine if it not from your own voice."

Freeing the idea from my head, it floated away into the dawning sky like a balloon from a child's hand. My piece was delivered and I hated to argue over senseless semantics, but this was not senseless semantics at all. This had a purpose, a message, an impeccable effect. With the pronouncement of my opinon, my crimson iris' would stare deeply at the two allies. I didn't want to debate the logistical perspectives of our standing opinions and so if anything else was said, my tongue would be held in tight confinement. I stepped closer to the edge with my back to the two Iwa-nin, my hands cupped behind my back and my eyes set transfixed upon the promontory below. As the wind rustled within my hood, throwing my flowing white hair with the current, I wait with patience for something to be said.

We traverse steep cliffs -- though it seems everywhere you look the presence of one is nearby -- and scale the deft staircase that draws us up atop this forsaken wall. I'm tired, I don't want to walk any more, but I muster enough strength to persevere without so much as a grunt. My silent steps escalate the wall, absorbing the sights and sounds of this vast nation. We reach the top and the calm reticence was shattered by the Tsuchikage's voice, though I'm glad. We have much to discuss and I don't really have the time to salivate over the majestic views or marvel over the impeccable sounds, so when his choice of words were not along the lines of 'isn't this view just gorgeous' I was undeniably relieved.

"I know the Raikage holds Iwagakure as an ally on paper, but as to the specificity of His personal opinion is unclear. I wasn't sent here on orders, but more so out of due diligence to Kumogakure itself. Our bond is thin, tied down by no form of action, only words and honor. If we have learned anything in these times, honor runs short and words are only heard. I came here to Iwagakure myself to prove our allegiance was strong through action, little did I know our allegiance would be tested through an act of war. I feel as if the death of Anemone becomes contingent upon our alliance as it is the first proof of action between our two nations. And the Raikage is as eager to solidify our relationship as I am, surely."

A definitive deadline was given to me -- tomorrow. Maybe my presence here is unwanted, or maybe the urgency of ascertaining the relationship between the Raikage and the Tsuchikage is staggeringly important. Either way, I do need to get back to see how things are going on my neck of the woods. It's only been a day, but as AnBu, what we can do in a day may put another man's year to shame. Not to mention I am increasingly curious as to know what the Raikage will make of all this and what his standing is. Because ultimately my ambassadorship here means nothing if the Raikage so chooses to dissolve all ties and throw our allegiance by the wayside. The smoke needs to clear between our two nations to further advance our potentially fortunate unity.

"I will return to Kumogakure with word of our happenings here. Shortly after you can expect the arrival of either me or a messenger hawk to deliver the message... But what did you mean by the new Raikage?"

A tight grip would be slapped upon the man's shoulder, speaking "I don't know what Iwa will do either as I cannot speak on their behalf. But I can say this -- even though it's no one's decision to make but the Raikage -- I know Kumogakure will retain its allegiance with Iwagakure after my return and I spread the news of your loss. Kumo is not the kind of nation to turn a blind's eye on a friend in a time of need, or in any time at all. We are a loyal nation, if we still have not lost the ideology of our previous ancestors in this dark time."

I felt my composure returning to me like the fresh season of spring overtaking the winter, melting its icy grip on the land. My heart was cold, chilled with this blundering calamity; but now it seems the Tsuchikage's death did not go in vain, restoring the life within me. Now it seems things have fallen into place, a death in sacrifice for a cemented alliance. I realized that through the hardship of the Kage's death, my outgoing charm had eluded me and so I'll look to bring it back.

"We've been so distracted by our loss we have forgotten ourselves. Let us not focus on the tragedy but look to it as the beginning of a new age, a new bond between Kumogakure and Iwagakure; that's what Anemone would have liked us to do. And it starts with you and I." With a large grin, my free hand that is not tightly fastened on his shoulder extends to meet his, an amiable gesture of a greeting. Honestly, it should have been the first thing I did. "Uchiha Fusion, Chuunin of Kumogakure and ally of Iwagakure --"

And so, through the shrouded despair of a terrible loss, I found myself, and found myself a bud. "Pleased to meet ya'!"

A discouraged figure drags through the Village Gates approaching a pump on the roadside. My eyes with their acute sense of perception detailed him to be the man I was searching for. Though I barely got a glimpse of him on the field, with what little information I acquired through my eyes, I pieced together information through common sense. He carried the remains of a body and handed them over to a guard. Unless it was a strange coincidence, that was the body of the Tsuchikage and this man was clearly whom I sought out. He approached me and now I know it is him. Hands concealed within his pockets his energy is similar to mine by the outcome. No greeting would be expressed, no shake of the hands or friendly words of encouragement really... we are not children and we know the reality of the loss, words of optimism really won't help my cause.

"I don't want to sound scripted, so the formality ends here. Look, I know you were out there... and what you saw may be a bit confusing seeing as how you came for the tragic end of it all. But know this:" I pause here, considering my words carefully because I did not plan for the conversation to go this way, but sometimes what we expect to say and what we actually say are two entirely separate things. I guess the moment got the best of me.

"I gave all that I had in efforts of keeping the Tsuchikage alive, even if that meant sacrificing my own life. I killed one of the assailants but She died shortly after by the other, I could not help her at that point and in any other ways than I did. It is fucking horrible, the loss is, I know that, and believe me when I say that I'm truly sorry for your entire nation for the way it turned out, but this is all I can offer to console your spirits if that is what you need."

I pause to reflect, maybe to let it sink in for him know the sincerity of my words, or maybe even to let it sink in so I can know the sincerity of my words. I usually don't feel attached like this in such a way, but my mission was a failure and that is what truly affects me. "I need to understand why Iwagakure was targeted. You may not be the man to ask but I will ask all the same. Why was the Tsuchikage there, out in the open like that? It was almost as if it was planned; I get that strange feeling. No protection except for me, and I had no idea the potency of the situation until the enemies arrived. So why was Iwagakure targeted, and why did she make herself so vulnerable out in the open like that?"

It truly made no sense.

||enter.

As I approached the Gates of Iwa, I felt a disturbance within my heart that left me emotionally crippled. The Tsuchikage is dead... I have no excuse for my failure; I have no excuse for the civilians, nor the valiant shinobi of Iwagakure; I have no excuse for the blood on my hands. Hands stained red from the boy whom I slayed, whom I'd slay again many times over, and the blood of a magnificent leader whom I failed to save. I do not take blame for her death, for I genuinely offered all I had to preserve her life, but the burden of her life weighs upon my heart like a thousand sins. I gambled my own life for a Village that I knew nothing about, I risked everything for a talented young woman whose hand of acquaintance I did not have the honor to receive, but I felt distraught for the people of Iwa. I desired my intentions to be perceived in a positive light, as a symbol of Kumogakure's allegiance to Iwa that stops at nothing but death.

With a slouched composure and drowsy shoulders I pass the guards. I passed early today but with a different aura about me, almost an entirely different person. I was optimistic then, now only broken. The gates yawn open as the guards recognize me from a few hours ago. My acceptance in their Village brought happiness upon my original entry, but now it failed to alleviate the disappointment. We faced formidable opponents, and Anemone died a noble death, but it was a fruitless death all the same. Gratification was nonexistent as nothing advantageous developed from her sacrifice... yet. I need to seek out the man who appeared from Stone who praised our attempt. It was unfortunate I was unable to speak with him given my circumstance, but now I need to collectively assemble, to regroup on behalf of this nation. To achieve one goal:

Anemone's death will not go in vain.

||exit.