SoleAccord

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

The boy had agreed, and from the sounds that blade at his side wasn’t just a ‘spare’ weapon like most of the ANBU happened to carry, but he actually took the time to learn how to wield it. Through him the weapon would be an extension of his will, not only a ‘backup’ option for him. Takeo acknowledged that maybe this was more than just an overeager, dumb kid. The scroll he carried aside, he appeared genuinely innocent in his demeanor, and Takeo was old enough to recognize the fine line between true and false when it came to ones words and expressions. While the commander nodded in respect to his answer, Matsuka appeared a little bitter about his bringing her health into the mix. Perhaps it was only her mental health he need be concerned about.

“Hey, hey, hey …” Takeo held the bowl of ramen in his left hand, moving his right to her shoulder and squeezing it firmly in a comforting gesture. “I’m only making sure you’re considering all your options here. You don’t want your lungs turning blacker than ash by the time you’re my age. Trust me, whatever you get from it now, it won’t be worth it later.” She seemed to be putting some kind of distance between them now, leaving him to suspect Matsuka was either acting childishly about the fact he refused to talk private business with her, or was just plain bipolar. He knew her by name, even her title, but never really got to ‘know’ her. This wasn’t really doing wonders for her reputation, and attitude problems didn’t help anyone, much less a full-scale rebellion about to take place. Releasing her shoulder, Takeo returned to eating his bowl of ramen noodles quickly, able to finish the bowl in several short seconds. Placing the bowl on the counter, Teuchi had taken it almost immediately. Business had been so slow that there was very little for him and Ayame to do together.

“How much, Teuchi?”

“No charge.”

“Again? Teuchi, you can’t keep doing that, you’ve got a business.”

“I’ve got a good friend, and someone who’s always helped me when I needed it most. No charge, Takeo.”

Though there was still protest, Takeo nodded his head. This had to have been the third meal Teuchi had allowed him to not pay for. In his defense he had never stuffed his face here, only eating modestly and expressing genuine enjoyment for what Teuchi does. It seemed that their friendship over the years came with its own benefits in time. His eyes wandered to Ryozan, and then the money he had left on the counter for Teuchi to pay for his meal.

“Mind letting the boy keep his money too, then?”

“Hm?” Teuchi was surprised at Takeo’s question; he was a good man of course, but he had normally done that for those who supported the rebellion. Knowing that whatever his intentions they were pure, Teuchi nodded in agreement and took Ryozan’s bowl. “No charge then! I hope you’ll come back sometime!”

Teuchi had moved to wash the dishes personally, leaving Takeo and Ryozan alone for the time being. At first his instinct was to say farewell to him and go see his granddaughter, but Matsuka had already heavily implied tonight’s events would affect the entire village. If he left things as they were, there was a chance the boy might’ve kept his head down and out of the way of what the entire village was prepared for. This was a sensitive matter without much risk on the rebellion’s part anymore; he had no allegiance, and Takeo wasn’t the type to convince anyone to pick a side, but with the way the world was about to change neutrality was proving less and less realistic for anyone old or young.

“Matsuka isn’t exactly the most tactical woman around. I apologize on her behalf for her needless panic but when you’re a rebel I guess all you can do is jump or be jumped.” There it was. Takeo had openly said what both of them had known, the secret stopped being a secret since he had arrived here. At least Matsuka could make up for her critical mistake during the battle ahead, but she was no longer going to be one to go to for much else. Takeo looked away from Ryo and out towards the street ahead. Empty as they might be, perhaps direct eye contact could be established after the young man was confident that Takeo didn’t intend to kill him for what he knew.

“Takeo Watanabe: Jounin Commander of Konoha, and ‘Rebel’ Commander on top of that. Who might you be, young man?”

-

Kirigakure, much like Konohagakure, had become still with uneasiness. There wasn’t much certainty with the other village’s current occupation, but with Takeo Watanabe’s trip to Kiri it proved that both villages hadn’t become kind to Imperial control, which meant that their faith in the Kage that led them hadn’t shaken in spite of their loss six months ago. Overlooking Kirigakure was a young man of a lean stature, seventeen years of age and soft features much like his father. In his right hand was a mask common among hunter-nin, and in his left was absolutely nothing. His fist was balled, not out of aggression, but out of anxiety. Preparations were completed and all of the men and women who were prepared to free Kiri had known the jobs they were assigned.

“Sir,” A masked shinobi, a hunter-nin, came beside the young man in question, “Fifteen minutes and we’ll begin.”

“You know you don’t have to call me that anymore, none of you do. I gave up my command to another.”

“True, but …you remind us a lot of the Fifth.”

“Because I’m his son?”

“…Because it’s like he never left us, and because you demonstrate all the qualities he had. Sangetsu isn’t a bad leader, but-“

“He isn’t my father. I understand.” Takeshi Yuki, son of the Fifth Mizukage and ex-leader of the Kirigakure rebellion turned to look at his comrade. Much life his father his features were soft and delicate; brown eyes, neat dark hair with bangs framing his face all the way down to his chin, and pale skin. In spite of how his answers were framed, he was happy that both Kiri and Konoha could at last perform what they’ve been forced to hold in all this time. The Fifth had left behind two children, Takeshi’s sister Kotomi was elsewhere within the village. She was strong and eager, but her leadership qualities were unfortunately lacking. Overzealous was one word to describe her, but she would rejoin him soon. They had agreed on taking one objective together, as brother and sister. Father always intended for their bond to remain strong, and Takeshi had never betrayed his hopes.

“When the mist rolls in, we’ll move. Remember: The Barracks are to be my sister and I's target alone…push them towards it, that’s where they’ll run. It’s the only place safe for them here and they know it.”

“Yes sir, good luck!” The hunter-nin had vanished, leaving Takeshi to his thoughts. Returning to the fortress of the Empress would’ve taken longer from here than Konoha, so Kirigakure was to start early. The era of the ‘Bloody Mist’ was gone, but with how this attack was going to go it would be as if it had never left.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

Kinda spoiling this for chukkle given he's not even met Kakuzu and Hidan yet ... but let's be real that kill was hella plot shield.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

Kinda getting a Mordin vibe from Mass Effect 2 with her.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

chukklehed said
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm still watching you guys. I just got introduced to sora. And they started training. Together

That's filler. Pass it. No filler is worth it until you get to the ANBU Kakashi stuff and the Kakashi Gaiden special.

SailorMoon said
How did I not see Yog's post?

Too busy fighting evil by moonlight.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

yoshua171 said
Lol Sole xD That heartfelt talk though.

Naruto stopped being human the minute he one-shot Kakuzu, I'M JUST SAYING THOUGH!

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

Yes and on that note: Lyfe, Syn, you should decide how you'd like your engagement to end fairly soon. After a short conversation by Kaede and Natsumi, I intend for shit to be off the hook son.

And by that I mean sunset and the plays are made :I

ruronihs said
It's not a mistake made, it's a series of mistakes made. It doesn't mean she's a bad character. I mean, when was the last time Naruto succeeded at blending in? lol.

Implying a god needs to blend in when he can wipe out 98% of the Narutoverse, and the other 2% through a heartfelt talk.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

chukklehed said
I'm not denying that her paranoia is amusing, but you keep talking like it was some kind of mistake I made. That's just how Matsuka IS, she has a hard time dealing with people outside a battlefield, training field, or bar

No, MATSUKA made the mistake, that's it. It's fine.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

chukklehed said
You're really oversimplifying those second and third steps. Matsuka is not "tripping, she's responding to her instincts the way I created her personality. Do you have a problem with how I created my character?

Oh man now its not what you did in particular we're poking fun at, but your character in general? You're taking this much too personal; you gave Ruro ammo bro, and I pointed out, amused, that even Ruro was LOGICALLY PUTTING IT TOGETHER THAT MATSUKA WAS NOT NEUTRAL XDDDD

Yo but seriously don't make this about how you created your character, it's just about what she did. It's hilarious when you get down to it.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

chukklehed said
You would also know not to underestimate a potential enemy, no matter how harmless he seemed. Remember that he opened his "talk" by posing a hypothetical ambush he might be part of, and explaining how the target could be inside the ramen stand.

ruronihs said
Ryozan took a seat at the ramen stand, leaving an empty chair between Matsuka and himself, and ordered a small bowl. He wasn't very hungry, but it would look ridiculous if he sat down at a stand without ordering anything. He doubted that Matsuka would recognize a new Jounin like himself, so he figured it would be up to him to break the ice. "This has been some strange weather, hasn't it senpai?" he said in a calm, even voice. He looked over at the woman to see her reaction, unsure if he ought to offer her a handshake or not. Introductions were always rather awkward for him.

No, no he didn't chukkle. He talked about the weather. Then you went on a 'BETTER HIDE THAT SEAL SON CAUSE WE KILLS THEM EMPIRE FOLK ROUND THESE PARTS!' path and THEN you started talking about hypothetical stuff like 'If I WAS an Empire guy, would I do this?'.

Come on Chukkle, just admit Matsuka be trippin'.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

chukklehed said
Matsuka has every reason to have an itchy trigger finger right now. She's several hours away from a battle in which her and everybody around her dying is a distinct possibility.

Again, he's seventeen years old, she is double his age, and all he wanted to do was eat some ramen and have a talk. If you want to rationalize this, feel free, but it's not going to be justified to certain people. If you're trained in combat and went on missions where 'force' is required, I think some guy sitting next to you at a ramen stand isn't very threatening when you've probably stared death in the face a few times. That's just me though.