While some caravans would have their kage at the lead, the caravan from Iwagakure was quite different, with the Tsuchikage's procession more near the end. While his retainers, the elders, and his many assistants and Public Relations advisers had pleaded with him to lead the caravan, the Tsuchikage had declined, explaining that this event was for their proud to-be-Jounin shinobi. They should be the focus, and it was they who needed to arrive first anyways. Of course, the advisers had eventually given up trying to convince him otherwise, and had even stopped complaining about it at some point.

That wasn't the problem though....[hr]

One of the many guards for the Tsuchikage's fancy wagon had been marching along, when his commander bid him to make sure that [i]'Nazomeku-sama,[/i] be checked on to see if he needed anything at all.' Bowing his head to the man, the shinobi walked to the back of the wagon and knocked on the wooden portions of it in an attempt to arouse the kage's attention. When there was no response he knocked louder and spoke as well.

[i][u]"Tsuchikage-sama, is there anything that we can get you? Refreshments, pastries...a meal, tea perhaps?"[/u][/i]

No response. Not even the stirring of someone roused from sleep.

Frowning, the shinobi glanced at around and, seeing the coast clear, hopped onto the back of the wagon and opened the 'door' in the back. What met him sent a shock of panic through his entire body, and he stumbled off of the wagon. One of his fellow nin catching him, giving him a strange look, the shinobi turned to him and said words that everyone who had ever dealt with the Tsuchikage dreaded hearing.

[i][u]"He's gone!"[/u][/i][hr][center][color=#D4716E][h2][u][b]Nazomeku, Kazayatsu[/b] - [i]Kuroyaju[/i][/u][/h2][/color][img]http://safebooru.org//images/2198/9a7c2e65f2fcfec8acd53e4dedafdbe37a890d0f.jpg?2290062[/img]
[COLOR=silver][sup][b]Iwagakure | A | Tsuchikage[/b][/sup][/COLOR][/center][hr][INDENT][sup][COLOR=silver][b]TIME:[/b] [i]Present Day - Morning[/i] | [b]LOCATION:[/b] [i]Konohagakure - Stadium Observation Room[/i] | [b]INTERACTION:[/b] [i]Yogensha Kaguya [@Odin], Jaakuna Aka [@Reflection], Gisho Omawarisan [@Syn].[/i][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT][hr]Having ditched the caravan several hours ago, the Tsuchikage had found his way to the village among the throng of chuunin, yet none of them had noticed his presence. When they'd entered and the Iwagakure nin had been merged with the crowd of the city, he had disappeared further in. From afar he had heard the Hokage's speech, with a small grin on his face.

He had even watched the to-be-jounin decide on teams. He was proud of them and would have liked to continue watching. Of course, he had other matters to which he must attend, and so he departed. Before he would make his way to where he knew the Hokage and Amekage would meet, he stopped at some of the most famous restaurants in the city, including Ichiraku Ramen.

It was pretty good, and cheap too. Certainly an establishment he'd visit again if he could help it...and he could.

Finally, when he'd eaten, and drank his fill, Yatsu headed in the direction of the meeting room. He would be fashionably late, of course, but that was just as well. He was not known for being punctual or being much of a traditionalist at that.

Speaking of which, he'd had a marvelous idea for an entrance planned, but being so full, he'd decided against it. He would have used a few of his techniques to tunnel under the exact location of the room, and then rise up out of the earth all at once to appear amongst the kage. Instead he simply entered the building normally made his way to the room, knocked on the door, and then entered a moment after. A friendly close-eyed smile on his face, he bowed his head to his old friend and the Amekage; all the while his hands hidden in the wide sleeves as he held them together before him.

[color=#D4716E][b]"You know, Gisho, it's not nice to speak ill of friends behind their backs,"[/b][/color] he quipped with that same signature smile as he opened his eyes. Though, in all honesty, he was getting to be an [i]old bastard[/i] these days.

Glancing the way of the Amekage he bowed his head to her respectfully, though he did not kneel or kiss her hand as Gisho had it was clear that he acknowledged her position and gave her the appropriate greeting.

[color=#D4716E][b]"Well met, Yogensha-sama. I'm pleased to see you join us for this little gathering. It is always nice to have a more feminine touch added to things."[/b][/color] His smile never faltered as he made his way to a seat, and then took it, giving her plenty of space.

Glancing up he noticed the screen and his eyes lit up. [color=#D4716E][b]"How wonderful. Gisho, did you set this up? Brilliant. I did want to see how the young shinobi did in this new event you've cooked up. So accommodating,"[/b][/color] he said, shaking his head even as he retrieved a small flask from his kimono and took a small drink. He offered it up to Gisho and the Amekage, just in case she might want to try some of the sake from little ol' Iwagakure.

It was his favorite brew.

His offer made, Yatsu turned his eyes to the other fellow in the room, and what a strange one they were too. However, he said nothing, for Gisho had asked the question for him.

How convenient.