GlitchyBugger

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Niji Yakei - A peaceful mission might be nice

The new mission that Shinichi had picked for them at least seemed simple enough, some peace and quiet helping out others with easy tasks was a nice way to ease them all back into the swing of missions, plus she'd likely be able to spend some quality time with Kamiria as her friend instead of a retainer of sorts... She liked this idea.

The moment Shinichi said they were good to go and pack, and that they would need to pack whatever they thought they'd need for a week, Niji was gone and already on her way to her home. She'd used the body flicker to get moving faster as she'd land into a run, rushing back to her home to get herself ready, she was somewhat excited about getting to do something aside from training.

She'd bust through the doorway as her parents opened the door, about to step out themselves to find themselves interrupted by their daughter. "I've got a mission, got to pack for a week!" She called back to them as she barrelled up the stairs.

"O-Okay.... That's great to hear." Her father managed to say before bringing a palm to his face. "She didn't hear me, did she?" There wasn't even a need for much more of a response from his wife other than a small shake of her head. "I didn't think so."

Niji meanwhile was packing the few things she needed, such as a spare change of clothing, one of her books and a small bundle of smoke tags. Food would be easily sorted whilst they were in town, right? Niji was still pleased about something to do, perhaps more pleased than she once though... Why was she so happy about it? It was just a mission, sure she hadn't had one in a while but that shouldn't change anything, unless it was because Kamiria was finally well enough to take part as well? That... would explain a lot... It didn't stop her being enthusiastic about it though, sure she should be happy about spending time with someone she was a team-mate with instead of just a hired guard.

Once packed, she walked to the front gate to find Shinichi and Kamiria already there.

"Turns out I'm a bit late... I must've got side-tracked whilst I was getting ready..." She had gotten a bit distracted, having decided to triple check she had everything she needed before actually leaving her home. "Time to go, right?"
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Kumogatarui Dobustu

After her explanation, Naoto seemed confident in the plan Kumoga had, but Takeshi definitely brought up a thought that she'd unintentionally overlooked. [b]"Using clones to hunt the target and capture him in a web? That does sound like the best thing to do, if Hatake-sensei and I are able to set him down one of few paths then we will be able to capture him easily, I do not wish to rely on a single trap though, so I would like to make several as we give chase if we cannot capture him in the initial encounter... What about your parts of the mission, Fujiwara-san, Shiratori-san?" She suddenly looked between the other two genin, wondering which of them would want to speak up about their part of the mission next.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Kumogatarui Dobustu

Takeshi's smile and thumbs up reassured her that he was well, as intended. This was mostly due to the fact that so long as the rest of the team were fine, she'd be in safe hands, which was always reassuring. For now she continued to follow Tora, but soon she came to a stop near a tree that had a number of broken branches, they were near to the target? Is that what she was saying?

The thought of being close to the pre-determined prey brought a small chill up Kumoga's spine, they would be working on capturing whomever this man was soon and possibly having to handle missing nin if the information was correct. If it were the case, Kumoga wondered just how well she might fare against shinobi who have gone rogue... That was very concerning for her, if she proved to be capable of fighting with such shinobi and winning, what would happen? What if she failed to defend herself and was captured by them as a hostage?

She needed to stop thinking like that, Tora just wanted them to explain their part of the mission...She could do that, right?

Neither of the other two wanted to explain first, which somewhat left her to take the field first. "Well... we may as well go in the order of what needs to be done in the plan. So with Hatake-sensei's help I will attempt to capture the target. The most likely method I will use is through rapid application of my webbing, and perhaps a clone, to entangle our target, then I will administer a bite to weaken and nauseate him for a short time, tackling his body guards should be easy enough with the jutsu I can use to fire a fully-formed web from my mouth and at a target. It'll wrap them up or forcibly stick them to whatever is behind them and take them out of the action... Does that sound good to everyone? I'm not one hundred percent certain about it, but I think the idea is more likely to work than not." She's now go quiet, looking to the others for their opinions on the matter.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Niji Yakei

Niji simply watched as Kamiria bowed and apologized before them, saying how she had been useless. Niji wouldn't disagree, but she wouldn't say she was either, everyone had their times of uselessness and Kamiria was no different. She was going to better herself from her feeling of weakness and failure, it was a good thing that she wanted to do this, she'd be even more useful now, considering her sensor abilities.

So once Shinichi had finished trying to reassure her, suggesting they do a mission to get back into things, Niji gave Kamiria a light smirk. "You're forgiven for thinking yourself useless, but I'm impressed, taking on more responsibility like a combat role will do you some good without a doubt." She disregarded Shinichi's mention of her new sword, she'd visited Kamiria plenty of times whilst the girl was unwell so she'd shown her the blade before, instead she offered Kamiria a hand so she would stand and then give her a hug. "I've already shown her the sword."

"A mission sounds good to me, what do you think?" She'd release Kamiria after that, waiting to hear the girl's opinion on it.

(Blugh, very lacking in postability today...)

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Kumogatarui Dobustu - The scenario is the mission?

Naoto was the last to arrive, although thankfully she wasn't late, even if she seemed a bit pale... Maybe she wasn't feeling well? But that would be bad if they were going on a mission, it could put everything on it's head and they wouldn't be able to do anything about it if they were out of contact with one another.

She would have to worry about that later, the mission was going to begin soon regardless of the other person who was actually late, supposedly. Regardless of that they were going to be going now, and Hatake-sensei was going to be explaining the mission, the fact that it was the scenario she had given them already during their personal sessions caused Kumoga to perk a brow in interest. She'd made use of their own opinions on one another to form the line up for this exact scenario... She should've expected something like that, Hatake-Sensei was a smart woman and Kumoga liked to think that was the main reason she'd become a Jounin, although judging by their conversation, she had more than just that which granted her jounin status.

As they sped up, Kumoga moved to keep pace with Naoto. "Shiratori-san, you seem quite pale... Are you feeling well?" She mostly wanted to make sure everyone was in fit fighting condition, even /if/ they didn't have to fight specifically, that was good, right? She changed a glance towards Fujiwara-san as well, trying to make sure he was well also.

Missing-nin were strong, weren't they? If so, would they really be able to manage against them, even as a team? It worried Kumoga that there might be people who would wipe the floor with them, she'd rather not be utterly defeated after only just returning to the life of a kunoichi.
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Niji Yakei - Team Shinichi, unite!

There was a simple nod of understanding from Niji as Shinichi said not to say a thing about any of this to Kamiria, it felt strange to try and keep such a secret from someone so close, but she'd already agreed to not tell so she couldn't go back now, could she?

Then Shinichi challenged her to a race, and as soon as he even started to mock her she took off to catch up. She'd been around the area near Kamiria's home enough to know the fastest ways in and out of the area, so she already had the upper hand, but she really gained her footing in the race when he slipped on some loose dirt. She took the lack of control as the perfect moment to jump mid-run, plant a foot on the top of her sensei's head and leap ahead whilst trying to push him backwards. "What's wrong, a patch of dirt slowing you down, sensei?" The chuunin called back as she hurtled back into the village, already taking a seemingly random turn, this was the fastest route to Kamiria's from here after all.
-Quick skip in time-

Despite the extra time and the quickness of the route, she arrived at roughly the same time as Shinichi, if not a moment sooner.

Now they'd be able to meet with Kamiria and be a team once more, honestly Niji was excited, even if she visited the near-blind kunoichi many a time during her times of illness.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Kumogatarui Dobustu - The mission is at 7am and expectations are high!

Kirigakure gates, the place she was told to go to meet up with the rest of the team via a message from Hatake-sensei, fortunately Kumoga had been up about two hours before then, she'd needed to make sure she was at her best for the rest of the team. Sure... Hatake-sensei said they didn't need another nin to lead, and Kumoga didn't want to lead, but at least appearing to be in a state of order where she was calm and perfectly fine was something she should focus on, yes? Having a disorderly and distressed team member wouldn't do at all, would it?

No... It wouldn't do in the slightest.

She intended to arrive no later than five minutes to seven, wherein she'd see Fujiwara-san and Hatake-sensei already there and waiting for the last two to arrive. She seemed a touch more cheerful than she had been yesterday, likely due to putting the negatives of yesterday behind her.

"Good morning Hatake-sensei, Fuiwara-san." Kumoga greeted the pair with a low bow before righting herself. "We are just waiting for Shiratori-san to arrive?" She then asked, looking around as if to check for her. "I do hope she wont be late, she did deliver the message after all."

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Don't worry about Niji's secret group stuff, she's staying in the team but could be called away if there is some reason for her to do anything sans her team.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Niji Yakei - "What secret?"

Throughout everything that Shinichi said, ranging from a vague blanketing of what he'd done to just what kind of people wanted him dead, Niji was silent and gave merely a nod by the end of it. "What should never get out, sensei? I have no idea what you're talking about." She suddenly chimed with a grin, as if pretending he hadn't just confessed to having once been a murderer of renown.

It didn't matter much to her, if he'd changed for the better then why turn on him now when he was clearly no longer the man he once was? She'd come to know what she believed to be the real man whom was her sensei, not some murdering, thieving scumbag that he claimed himself to previously be because it wasn't what he'd grown to become now. But of course if someone higher up caught word about it he'd be done in without hesitation apparently... She wouldn't doubt someone would try to kill him for his past though, she certainly would if she'd lost someone to a killer and found out they were living in her village now.

"No doubt our new team member is getting tired waiting for us to show up." Niji added as she followed beside him, arm resting slightly on her katana as they walked. "Do you know if Kamiria is being transferred back into our team? She's back on her feet now, so I'd guess she'll be back in the team soon, if not in another one." That idea had a fluttering in Niji's thoughts, what if they transferred Kamiria to a different team? Of course, she wasn't meant to guard her any longer, but she would undoubtedly worry about her when she couldn't at least check up on her. It actually made her tense slightly, she would've liked to have her back in the team after all.

"I just hope she is back in our team, it'll feel like it used to... At least for me it will, our missions with our old sensei went well enough to say she'd do well to be back with us." This was the footnote to her thoughts and vocalisations about Kamiria's current state.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Takeru's offer.
The Fifth Raikage other side?

A collab between Glitchy and Gerontis.

Summary :

Niji has been requested to come to the office of the Raikage by a messenger of the leader. It hasn't however been revealed to the young woman why she had been requested to pay the leader of the Cloud a visit. And why she had to come alone to the man.

An offer.

Of all the shinobi in Kumogakure, Niji did not expect herself to be called to the Raikages office, she expected that of someone of a higher rank in favour of herself. But whatever his intentions were, she had no idea about them herself.

Having been shown the way to the office, Niji lightly knocked on the door, "My presence was requested, Lord Raikage?" She called through, waiting to be told to come in.
The doors that would lead to the rather spacious office of the Raikage were opened. By each side stood an ANBU guard. ''Yes, please. Please, take a seat. One moment.'' The masked man was reading a paper as he then sighed. Picking up a pencil he wrote something down before he would fold the paper and look up to Niji. ''I am glad you could come, Niji.'' Raising his left hand, Takeru waved with it. The doors were closed and the two ANBU guards were gone as well. It was just now Takeru and Niji.

At the request to enter, Niji did so and looked to the ANBU stood at the door before she turned her gaze towards the Raikage again, she barely realised that the ANBU had left when the doors closed, but she could no longer feel their gaze watching them, so they seemed to be alone. "If it's not too soon to ask, why was I called up to your office, sir? I wouldn't imagine myself to be of any importance high enough to be requested here privately."

Leaning forward, Takeru took the moment while Niji was asking him the question to examine her. ''For a very good reason, Niji.'' Takeru said. His voice seemed to be friendly and he spoke in a most polite manner. As if he wasn't her highest superior, but a mere collegue that was trying to be nice to her. ''The reason why I asked you here, is because I was reading your profile the other day. Quite something you can be proud off. I heard you also fought against the oppression some time ago. Mind enlighten me on your experiences?''

Niji gave a wary look as he asked about her experience of the oppression lead by Shoji a couple of years back now. "My experience? Well... I guess so, although it isn't that exciting, myself, my sensei and another member of our team at the time managed to escape before it fully began, although we did run into some issue on the way out which had me injured for a spell." Before she continued, Niji finally took it upon herself to sit down.

"Not long after, we were followed by some of the soldiers and got caught up in a large fight, but we managed our way through that before we safely reached a small village that sensei knew about and hid out there, my injuries were seen to and we had begun to make a plan to assist from outside of Kumo. But by the time we got back, it turned out that they'd thrown off the oppressors and liberated themselves not long beforehand. Aside from those key incidents, there wasn't much of importance that happened."
He listened to her and though the mask was preventing the face of the Raikage, his body language gave away that he was paying attention to what Niji was telling him. Or at least, it seemed like that. Without the face, it would be hard to guess what the man was looking or what emotion was being displayed on his face. ''Were you badly injured? I am sorry if that has happened. A lot has happened in that period that could have been prevented.'' Takeru replied, with a kind of saddened tone.

"It was mostly internal damage like bruising and cracked ribs, but they healed after I was seen to. I don't know the politics of any of what happened, but I have a feeling someone should've taken the man seriously before he got so out of hand. Although insight like this is only realised after it's happened, so my opinion on that matters very little."

Becoming silent for a moment, Takeru then sighed as he nodded. ''Yes. It would have been a lot of help if something would've been done about it. And don't think like that. It is your opinion and so far I know, it is only you who decide how much it is worth. At least, that is my opinion on it.'' Takeru said, his voice sounding like he did tried to make a half hearthed joke about it. ''But I guess you are aware that I haven't called you for some idle chat time.'' Sounding more serious, the masked man folded his hands together as he leaned backwards in his seat.

Niji shook her head at his guess. "Were it for idle chat, I doubt I would've been called up to your office alone. And I'm sure there are other people in the village that you would be more likely seen having a casual conversation with in favour of some kunoichi."

''Quite good.'' Takeru said. His tone was serious. ''The reason why I called you here wasn't to praise or either to do the opposite. You might realize that Kumogakure is finally growing. In both military as economical strength and power. Unlike in the rules of the Second, Third and even Fourth, we have grown stagnant. But I haven't called you neither for a history lesson.'' Standing up from his seat, the man turned around as he would walked to the rather broad window. The one that gave a nice view on Kumogakure. ''Would you mind to come over here and tell me what you see?''

She didn't need to get up to see what would be out that window, it was Kumogakure and that was about it, but she stood up and approached the window anyway. "It's Kumogakure, the same as it has been and the same as it likely always will be, even with our growth in power I imagine we're likely to keep our village more or less the same. The real change in this village will be on the inside of the buildings, with the people as they influence and are influenced by the events that revolve around them." It was quite insightful, she felt, maybe a bit too deep into it, but insightful nonetheless.

''Is that everything?'' Takeru asked. His head wasn't looking down on Kumogakure, but up. Like to the horizon. ''You have said in a manner I kind of like. But is that it? Kumogakure can't possibly be the end of what you can see, hmm?'' Takeru paused for a moment. ''If you look at the horizon, did you never wonder what was laying there? What kind of places there would be over there? Maybe vastly different villages and countries than that of ours. But maybe the same kind off. What would you think of that?'' Takeru asked, still staring at the horizon.

"What I think? Well I think that beyond the horizon there's no doubt other villages and countries, maybe even some we've not seen or heard of before, but it would be difficult trying to expand or reach out to these villages without the other Kages noticing our actions. We would need to be as discrete as possible if we didn't want to paint a massive target on ourselves."

Discrete. Takeru smiled behind his mask as he heard that word. It was a funny word in this situation. ''Again, nicely spoken. As shinobi we need to be discrete as well. To reach the goals we have or the objectives the leaders of the village. All for the greater good of the village or the country itself.'' Takeru became silent as his tone was more calm, but still held a very serious undertone to it. ''May I ask for your honest opinion on the Cloud, Niji?'' Takeru asked. ''We are alone and I am not going to change what I have planned for you, if you would tell me you don't look with a positive look on the Cloud.''

Niji looked over the village once more at the window, seemingly thinking for a moment. "Well, I could say a lot about Kumogakure, not all of it nice, but I would also be saying the same thing of every other village like it. Where civilians are trained to spill another's blood in some bizarre claim of maintaining the peace, whilst some of it is understandable, such as bandits and aggressors from other villages... I imagine that if chakra had not been discovered as a source of power to fight with, we would be a bit more peaceful and stable a world, where certain people wouldn't be able to shape the land with a mere technique." She paused briefly and gave Takeru a sideways glance.
"I would also imagine that in our time of growth, the people would gain a boost of morale to see their leader's real face, but that is a double-edged blade, as you may turn out to be someone they once ridiculed. So you would either gain a massive following or be shunned by your own village. If fortune were to pick a following, the people of Kumogakure would be greatly motivated to follow your words, and even become a formidable force of their own in terms of productivity and workmanship... But that's all in my imagination, I think the people need more of a reason to continue their daily lives aside from just keeping the world as it is, a collective purpose, I guess. Like... Well I'm not quite sure for an example, I can barely think of a purpose of my own, much less one for an entire village."

As before Takeru became silent as he listened to the words of Niji. He kept looking at the horizon, even while the chuunin mentioned something about his face. ''Hhmm.'' He hummed as he turned his head a bit, looking sideways back at her. His hands were still at his back, but slowly he raised his left hand to his chin, rubbing it. ''It is interesting. More in the past have thought about it. If chakra wasn't there that the world would be more peaceful. The men that came walking armed and carrying weapons said the same. That ninjutsu and everything that used chakra caused more wars. But in the end, they also spilled blood of the innocents they said they were protecting against us shinobi.'' Takeru said. He looked back at the horizon.

''And I suppose you're right. Though the reason why I wear this mask has to do with that the village needs to follow my commands. My words. The face isn't what should be important. I am seen as the person who represents Kumogakure during its time both war and peace. If I should carry a face, I prefer it to one that is a mask. With the symbol of the Cloud on it.'' Pausing, Takeru chuckled for a moment. ''But I like how you think. It is certainly something else than how the elders of the village think. May I ask you if you have heard of the Storm Guard? It is a new organization, but by any doubts, heard anything of it?''

The counter-arguement he gave was pretty standard, in saying that the men whom came claiming that chakra was a tool for murder were also killing with chakra-less methods. "Humans can and will find a way to kill one another if they have a strong enough belief in something, especially if those others don't believe the same as them... All of this is sounding very ominous though, saying that Kumo needs only the mask with their cloud to follow in favour of the man behind it."
At the mention of the Storm Guard, Niji returned a shake of her head. "This would be the first I've heard of such a group. I could simply guess that they're a group you are capable of directing personally for tasks that are either too important or too obscure for a normal team of shinobi. And assuming your mention of this group is part of the reason you called me here, I couldn't figure why you would ask me when there are far more capable and powerful shinobi in the village to bring into your ranks."
''Simple. As it seems always.'' Takeru answered. His left hand made a gesture, towards the village they both saw through the broad window. ''It is like you said about my words about the mask I am carrying. It sometimes is very ominous. And sometimes decisions like these don't seem to make much sense to those who aren't making them. But if there is one lesson I may teach you.'' Takeru paused as the left hand went to the mask, resting on it as Takeru would move it. ''Everybody always have their own agenda's and reasons. Covering it up in nice words is something shinobi have done since decades. Same as deceiving one with saying one thing and keeping something hidden away.''

Lowering his hand, Takeru moved it the hand to his back. ''But that is just the rambling of me. Forgive me. But yes, the Storm Guard.'' Takeru shook his head lightly. ''There are some fine jounins and ANBU's who would have the skill and talent to join the ranks of what I am trying to build. But is it always power that we must value? Is it always the skill to hurt another that is important? Does it make any sense that the Kage of a village must the be one that is the strongest? Or are we taking a wrong look at the whole picture?'' Takeru asked, pausing to then glance at Niji. ''You have shown me today that you think. In my opinion that is more important than to know how to use a deadly technique. If I wished for a mere army of puppets and pawns, I would be like the Third Raikage. I have no such desires if I may be so honest with you, Niji.'' Sighing, Takeru looked back at the village. It was a sight that he had always found rather peaceful. ''So that is the reason why I am offering you this chance. You will still be placed and kept in a team. The only difference is that you will get my permission to a more... extended field of research material or anything you wish for. Of course, as long I don't mind it.''

"Unfortunately it's become a trend for the Kage to be powerful people, should a weak Kage show up the others may consider the village itself as weaker due to the Kage representing their people... That's the only sense that can be made, but they would also wonder if that weak Kage was hiding his stronger forces elsewhere." It was another insight on the topic at hand, unrequested but given regardless.

"Research hasn't been my strong point for a long time, but it's never too late to pick up a hobby, I guess. I would also assume that if you had a task for your Storm Guard, you would likely round everyone up for it and take them away from their teams or other duties. Expanded research and a broader range of equipment are a high promise without considering what you might be asked to do. As you said yourself, everyone has their own agenda." Niji shot a knowing glance Takeru's way before she spoke again. "What if I were to dislike this group of yours after joining?"

''The Storm Guard isn't like many other groups. I won't call you unless the need is dire. You will still hold the same rank and duties as before. It may just show that I have more faith in your capabilities and favor you enough to let join the organizations ranks.'' Takeru told her. ''As for either refusing or later disliking the group, would mean you would be able to walk away without much of a fuss. It is your choice in the end. However, if I have the thought you used the group for something supicious or anything that can cause harm to Kumogakure, I hope you understand that I will need to take an action against it.'' Glancing at her, his tone became more serious. ''I don't like to threat as I view it as weak, but I dislike those who think they can lie and deceive those who have nothing but the best intensions for them. Besides,'' Takeru turned around as he would walk back to his desk.

''I have heard that you have somebody to look after. Somebody important, because of some tradition? It could benefit you if you would be able to find better ways to protect that said person. Wouldn't you agree?''

"I strongly doubt I would attempt anything that could harm the village, I wouldn't dare intentionally bring harm to my family." She was swift to explain and shoot down that possibility. Although his mention of someone she was looking after, along with better methods to protect them, made Niji's gaze fall upon him. "She and I were paired up with the intention of me helping her whenever she needed it, it was better due to the proximity of our age. And if there were a better way to protect her, I would hope that I already know of it... But to be honest, I see no harm in possibly finding a better method to tackling foes I have no intention to kill. Oh, I'm not sure how up to date you are about me, but I've gone off the indiscriminate death side of being a shinobi, unless I have to kill, I wont shed the blood of another... It was a recent decision. Anyway, I'll join this Storm Guard if you really wish me to be part of it, but I cannot guarantee a permanent stay just yet."

Taking his place on his chair, Takeru replied back to Niji. ''There is a difference in killing and stopping somebody. If you believe that you're doing it better with stopping somebody without ending their life, then I need to say that you're taking a more difficult path than others. But one I can respect and will do so.'' Takeru paused. ''Killing isn't something I see as a virtue, so I hope that it is clear that you don't need to worry I will be thinking less of you now. Same counts for not able to guarantee the permanent stay. Such decisions are acceptable as long as they are backed up by reason.'' The masked kage would look around his office, before he decide to ask her something. ''Do you have also any questions for me, Niji?''

"Ceasing someone's actions allows for apprehending them and granting you access to what they might know, it's a bit more useful than killing someone." Niji flatly said in tandem to Takeru's commentary about killing or not killing. "I can't think of much, although. In mentioning my charge, it's just me being pre-cautious, but did you just bring her up as a way to encourage me to join, with the safety of her in mind. Or are you planning something that she is involved with, perhaps to have me needing to stay within the guard? Of all people, I doubt I should suspect you of an underhanded ploy like that, but you can never really know until it happens."

If Niji would see Takeru's face, she would see a smile. Sadly or maybe for the better, she couldn't see it due the mask that obstructed her view from it. ''I mentioned her to show that I am also precautious of who I let in such an organization Niji. I have no intention to drag her into something that neither of us would want or cause any harm to her. If that would happen however, it would be ,merely an act cause there is no other option.'' Takeru told the chuunin. He was pondering on debating what Niji had said before, that capturing somebody to then see what they knew, but decided against it. The purpose of Niji's visit had been completed and Takeru had other things on his mind. ''And I think it is in your right to be cautious. We live in a world where many things aren't certain or appear as they really are. But this offer is genuine, that is something I can assure you.''

Quietly Niji listened to Takeru, and finally she seemed more or less content, placing her hands on her hips and facing him. "Well if that's the case, would I be able to work on some seals and tags for things such as chakra disruption and incapacitation, if that is possible with what research material is at the Storm Guard's disposal, sir?"
''That is something you could. Though the library at the Guard's requires a pass, the information still needs to be expanded. I can't allow yet that some scrolls and books from my personal Raikage library will be placed there. But it should be possible never the less.'' Takeru answered. He opened a drawer to grab some papers. Arranging them in a few divided piles, he continued. ''Though I hope you can be discreet with this knowledge. It is not going to be taken with kindness when you would spoiler all kind of information the library of the Storm Guard has. If you want, I can also arrange... a special mission for you. But that is for later. Think we have covered quite a lot of today, haven't we?'' Takeru politely asked as the masked head looked up to Niji.

There was a small nod from Niji now. "We really have, sir. If that is all you need me for I'll be on my way out and let you get back to your work, and if you feel the need to give me a mission, I'll fulfill it to the best of my abilities." She bowed respectfully and awaited confirmation to leave.

''I am glad to hear that. I wish you a good day, Niji.'' Takeru responded with a friendly and polite tone. As a sign of respect back, he would nod back towards the girl. In his opinion it would be a bit off if he would make a bow back as the difference in their rank was a bit too big for him to be either that formal. Focusing back on the paperwork that was in need of his attention, the doors of the office were opened. Like if the ANBU that were guarding the entrance knew that it was time that Niji could leave.

The doors opened and Niji rose from her bow, glancing towards them before she looked to Takeru. "Thank you for your time, sir." She added before turning on her heel and walking out in one fluid motion, giving a brief bow to the ANBU outside the office and then she was gone... Storm Guard, eh? Well it looked like Niji had something to now wonder about... Just what sort of things did the Raikage have planned if he needed to construct an covert unit such as that?

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Kumogatauri Dobustu - Time for action, and seeing Sensei

Naoto was okay, she just needed to catch her breath, and Takeshi was excited and eager for more action... Understandable, he'd managed to grab the bells from Kakashi's tail, even if there were only really just one. Now herself and Naoto had to go get the other bell, and maybe a third if there was one? Who knew, maybe there was only one bell?

But time for pondering such intricacies was over, they had to go see Hatake-Sensei as soon as possible, Kakashi had even recommended it... That was also a surprise, that Kakashi could talk. "For now we must go see Hatake-Sensei and show her that we got the bell." She then turned her head to look to Kakashi, but he'd poofed away already at the same time the bell went. "Maybe this will be the end of the exercise, but if we're meant to have two bells, maybe Hatake-Sensei has another plan for us today... Let's go." She spoke with a firm nod, but inside she almost felt bad for not having gotten the bells herself, that had to be pushed down however as she lead the way back to the training field.

As she lead the way back Kumoga frowned inwardly, if the test was of who could get the bells and that there would be a second bell to acquire on the way back, she wasn't certain if she actually wanted the bell or not... The praise for getting the bell would be nice, no doubt, but surely she could praise herself enough for being able to put on a strong facade as a leader, being able to fake the calm and the control that one would have despite her internal struggle with leadership. She didn't really need the bell, did she? "...Shiratori-san? If there is a second bell, do you want to claim it?" There would be a brief time to talk in the forest as they headed back towards the training field, so maybe they could decide who should have it on the way?

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Niji Yakei - Sometimes being right is a bad thing...

It was genuinely relieving that Shinichi would help her to the best of his ability, even if it was just his word and nothing more it helped her feel better about this entire mess. She followed alongside him as they walked, not yet realising how accurate her statement had been until he stopped. Unsure as to why Shinichi had stopped, Niji continued walking a moment longer due to the sentence not registering in her head for a few seconds.

But as soon as it clicked, she turned around on her heel and looked at him in mild confusion that slowly became realisation to the fact that what she'd said jokingly was almost a perfect match to Shinichi. But the weirdest thing was that it didn't exactly scare her that he had a life filled with death prior to this, all shinobi's lives would be slowly filled with death whether they liked it or not, it was more concerning that he'd been keeping so quiet about it and had needed to change his name to hide from it... But now he was feeling as bad, if not worse, than she had not five minutes ago. Now he needed reassurance from her, someone to confide in.

”I’m not him anymore…”

What didn't help was that he was looking right at her as he said it, meeting her gaze and no doubt trying to see how she was reacting to it all. She simply steeled herself on the inside and held out her hand, palm facing him in a "stop" gesture. "Of course you aren't, you're Shinichi Kyousuke. And because of that you'll never be, or have to be, Kazuma ever again. Since I met you you've been Shinichi, you taught myself and Kamiria as Shinichi, when got out of Kumogakure not two years ago to avoid that war you were Shinichi. It doesn't matter who you used to be anymore because the only side of you I've known and need to know is Shinichi, you don't need to worry about who you were. Who you've become now and who you're going to be is more important, Shinichi Kyousuke; a dedicated shinobi of Kumogakure, who knows, you could be raikage at some point. But what you are no longer, is Kazuma." She finished with a brief pause. "I know my pep-talks aren't the best, but it's better than me staying quiet or trying to say I understand how you feel... You can never understand how another person feels. But what I can do is reinforce to you what you need to know, you're not him and never will be ever again... If you somehow became him again, I'd take you down until you came to your senses. You can trust me to do that."

She wasn't entirely sure if he'd respond to that well or not, but at least she tried to help him, maybe it was the thought that counted?
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Kumogatarui Dobustu - Wait what? He was her all along!?

The first of many things to catch the little kunoichi off guard right now was when Kakashi turned into Hatake-Sensei, which lead to the second thing, Hatake-Sensei managing to set off some smoke tags and obscure her clone's dispelling, which wrought a brief yelp and a flailing of arms from Kumoga as she was covered in smoke. A short bout of coughing would follow as she stumbled out and saw what was before her, Kakashi's bell in Takeshi's hand, but there was only one, there was meant to be two! Could bells now make shadow clones!? How many tricks did Hatake-Sensei have up her sleeves?

Kakashi's suggestion, along with Naoto's arrival, brought a sense of urgency from Kumoga as she dispelled her last two clones, whom splashed into the dirt after the chakra vanished. "Shiratori-san! We have to go see Hatake-sensei, Fujiwara-san has one bell but there's meant to be a second... Are you okay to continue?" She was meant to be the leader here, apparently, and a good leader would make sure the team was well, right? Yeah, if she wanted to look like a good leader she'd have to make sure the others were well... But she didn't want to be a leader, did she? She wanted to stand at the back and let someone else lead.

"Fujiwara-san, how about you? Are you feeling well also?" Kumoga asked whilst stood near Naoto, looking her over to see if she was well or not, she seemed tired which was a worry. But hopefully the girl would be fine. "We best hurry."