[COLOR=GRAY][H3][SUB][color=D7BE69]TIMES[/color] IMMEMORIAL: LET [color=D7BE69]BYGONES[/color] BE BYGONES [/SUB][/H3][/COLOR][table][row][/row][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/ie441kj.png[/img]
[COLOR=GRAY][sub]INHERITANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY: TELLTALE OF [color=D7BE69]PROPER[/color] HEARTS[/sub][/color] 
[sub][color=d7be69]Theme: [/color][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZsJDEiKSpQ][x][/url][/sub]
[sup]__________________________________________________________[/sup]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/pPdgKCs.png[/img]

[/cell][cell][right][url=https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/73164836][img]https://i.imgur.com/N8ZME5n.png[/img][/url]
[/right][/cell][/row][/table][color=gray][right][sup]There circulates a certain distinction between you and the others. 
You haven't realized yet-- The certainty and depth of your potential.
Ah... But with such depth, it will attract the covetous hands of those swept by jealousy.
But you are bound to surmount the hardship assiduously...
--For you wouldn't be part of the [color=d7be69]family[/color] otherwise.[/sup][/right]

To move a person's spirit, the first thing you have to abide by is their sense of self.

Realizing such, you begin to weave the commonalities between them and what's real. To understand a person, you first need to walk a mile in their shoes. That's one thing reality takes for granted most of the time. Sometimes, understanding becomes a burden due to the faculties we have to dismantle. Fairness becomes a tipping scale of the foundations that build us up, the beliefs that sustain the person battling against what we're willing to dispose of. Sacrifice becomes a constant, a word used to both excel human achievement, while simultaneously servicing them long enough to make them slaves of their own pursuits. How much is too much? How much have you already left behind? How much are you willing to give up to become the hero?

That question beckons wildly upon our person, at one juncture in our youths we've all had time where we dreamed about soaring, about savoring the skies. About experiencing the freedoms of limitless potential. A time where fear didn't rule our steps, where our feet traversed the future with the subtlety of the tenuous breeze. Assiduously facing our realities as if they were the stars. But with time we understood that some dreams and aspirations are far more translucent than ours, that their light eclipses our skies. And soon the sea of possibilities becomes but a quaking, anxious sprint-- A sprint for a finish line that seems to get progressively farther, a finish line so that we could know happiness. Some reach their goal, others slowly stem away their desires and abide by what's comfortable. Nothing assuages hope more than natural incapability. Some are great, other become great, but most are just ordinary. A statistic

And now a days, a statistic... is nothing more than a fraud. 

Old man Kaseki was an enigma, at best. If we were to say that he is the family's lap dog, that in itself would be a dishonor for the family. Kaseki fulfilled his role, whatever it was to a proper end. Everything from his stance, to his breathing, to the gait of his step exudes natural charisma and purpose. The scent of glamoured cologne and suit ironed to perfection, not a single wrinkle at notable view would ultimately tell the man's habitual need to present himself eloquently. Even at this juncture where his only purpose was to escort me to the designated location, his focus didn't waned in the slightest. He was more like a polished gun, something the family took pride in, exuberantly so. He would be called for the utmost critical task, and he would even speak to the heads without much hesitation. Some say that his fealty and record has gained the trust of even members who's name are hidden behind a security wall. Kaseki wasn't a man who spoke much outside of that...  As far as their relationship went, Kaseki was no more different than a stranger. 

[color=39b54a]"I heard you skipped the graduation."[/color] -The old man spoke, offering the door to the youth who seemed to be lost at his own thoughts. The black vehicle almost seemed standard from the previous one, a quick look at the license plate would tell that this wasn't the case but simply assuming that they wouldn't replace it at will would be foolish. Entering the car, Proper 12 sat across the old jaded man, who signaled the driver to move before putting his seat belt on.

[color=d7be69]"Yeah. What of it?"[/color] Proper 12 wasn't really in the mood to follow up. But at the same time he felt no harm in hiding such oblivious nonsense from the family, especially Kaseki who was always three steps ahead. [color=39b54a]"Treat you victories like your last, Proper 12. You're only 21, before you know it life has passed you by and all you'll be left with are the regrets of not doing something better."[/color] The very moment those words began to even surface into his space Proper 12 felt a long, winded sigh escape his throat. [color=d7be69]"It's almost like you think that I had a choice in the matter."[/color] Proper 12 responded without as much as looking at the man in the eyes.

[color=d7be69]"How long have I been at this bullshit? Since 18? Graduation was a certainty the moment I went through those doors. It's almost as if they hand crafted my very life for fighting and survival, huh? Not to rain on your logic there, Kaseki, but after a couple history books, some bullshit alien theory and three useless courses about jutsu, you pretty much know how everything else is gonna pan out. If graduation is a means to celebrate achievement, then sorry to say, I didn't really feel I earned anything. The rest is really walking on eggshells."[/color] Kaseki remained silent, pondering how ignorance could be so bliss. 

[color=39b54a]"The family will benefit from this. Having someone with access can aid us in the long run. Just be sure to get recognized long enough to make it to Chuunin." [/color]Kaseki pulls out a smoke and offers it to Proper 12, who accepts it without a second thought. Silence over took them for a second, the thoughts were void and nothing really peered through. This was as standard issue as it could get. He would be called out on a random occasion for work and he needed to arrive, regardless of the circumstances. Thus was the nature of their deal, no matter the cost.

[color=d7be69]"How's Yosuke doing?"[/color] Kaseki didn't speak as he lit a smoke of his own. [color=39b54a]"His ear's doing better. The boss didn't take too kindly to his sudden departure, so obviously the standard wouldn't suffice. After cutting his ear off, it would be enough to relieve him of his standing and of any correlation with the family. However, someone like Yosuke wasn't your ordinary type of man. He held secrets and position. Of course, a man with the name Iron Wall would herald respect form his peers. Bastard had to let himself get caught with his heart... Nothing as frail as a man with something to lose."[/color] Kaseki inhaled once more, and led out a long, hefty exhale. Proper 12's eyes seemed distracted, as if he already knew the answer to his question. As the time kept nearing, getting closer and closer to the location point.

[color=d7be69]"I guess getting rid of the trash has always been my job."[/color] Proper 12 said almost solemnly, taking one last smoke and pressing the bud onto the ash tray in the middle of the two. [color=d7be69]"But I guess this is how it has always been. When your plans get in the way of the brighter ones, you going to get snuffed out by those with the power to do something about it."[/color] Kaseki couldn't really find the words, so he decided to pull out a card he had hidden in the inner pocket of his blazer. Proper 12 opened it, and when he read the details of its contents, he couldn't help but to break into a laugh. 

[color=d7be69]"What the hell? This has to be some kind of sick, pathetic joke." [/color]

[color=39b54a]"I'm afraid it isn't." [/color]

[color=d7be69]"Out of all the dumb--"[/color]

[quote][sub]Proper 12. Of course, you find yourself reading these instructions. Although I specifically made it clear to Kaseki to explain the details carefully, I cannot rule out the possibility of Kaseki's own sense of justice to intervine with the full abidance of regular procedures. So instead, I will give you the details in the most direct means possible. Get rid of Yosuke Kataguri's fiance. [/sub][/quote]

[color=39b54a]"Like I said, Yosuke's important."[/color] 

[color=d7be69]"Yeah, I just find it funny. You build up your name through code and honor, even among petty criminals and then you point your gun at them so they know who calls the shots around here. If we were to base ourselves over fear, I guess we wouldn't be any different than those pigs at the police station." [/color]

[color=39b54a]"We have an assignment." [/color]

[color=d7be69]"I know. But just keep in mind, I'm officially a shinobi now, can't let my record be stained so easily."  [/color]
 
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