I can't do witty topic titles (Invasion)

The man called Kuushou uttered a curse shortly after Den finished speaking, which confused the young man. Kuushou then told Taiga to leave the room. Though Den was confused, he did take note of the fact that this Kuushou person seemed to be the one who was really in charge, even though Taiga claimed to be the village leader.

Despite being told to leave his own office, Taiga seemed compliant. He simply told Den he wished to speak with him further, than jumped off of the balcony of his building, leaving Den and Kuushou alone.

"Is there something you wish to discuss with me?" Den was still confused, so instead of waiting for the man to talk he uttered the simple question, and waited for Kuushou to begin explaining why he had sent the village elader out of his own office.

Echo glances towards the window where Taiga left before he walks over and shuts it, turning towards the man and shaking his head with a slight sigh "Taiga means well, but he's much too willing to bend at the knee at the sign of a problem...If he doesn't start showing some backbone or something I'll have to have him replaced.." Echo states putting off answering the question of Denkiteki for now.

Instead he sits in the desk and sighs looking tired and a little bit depressed at this revelation, he liked that one. "I can read minds you know." Echo states calmly "And no, that's not important right now...I knew of Minorin, she was a friend of mine...A really good friend, first time I've ever met someone that I knew wouldn't try to kill me at some point.." He states with a small frown marring his face "I assume you've been to Konoha? I have connections everywhere Den, Yukigakure and Iwagakure are where you are most likely to find me." Echo explains is eyes hardening and turning towards the former-Tenkage as he explains this. "I'm going to help you, no this is not up for debate and from what Gobi said you'll be needing the help and I just so happen to be very strong...and have numerous other strong Shinobi under my employ...So if you find something, I can help you investigate...If you find who did it...Quickly inform me and you will have a task force along with myself for you to enact your revenge." Echo explains his own anger burning through his eyes and expression.

Echo is the Sage of the Wolf Canyon, he was taught there ways and adopted several of there ideals...
One which stands out among all the others in his mind is very simply.
The Alpha must defend the Pack, if an member of the pack is killed...The pack kills what killed there Brother/Sister.
That is the way of the Wolf.

Have him replaced? This Kuushou person was indeed interesting, he had this much influence over Takigakure even though Taiga was apparently the village leader.

After closing the window Kuushou sat down in Taiga's desk, and told den that he could read minds. That was something that startled Den for a moment, and perhaps would have startled him more if he had actually been hiding something. What startled Den more was that this man knew of Minorin, and when he mentioned Konoha Den realized that this was possibly the man who had taken Minorin there, or perhaps had met her during her stay. Den wondered if perhaps he could give Den information, but instead the man offered Den his assistance and the assistance of others.

It wasn't often that Den smiled, but he probably could have now if Kuushou hadn't just heard of Min's death and was upset by it. Now he could perhaps muster a force capable of defeating these bastards that killed Minorin, and finally avenge her. "As soon as I find out more I'll seek you out, or as soon as the Gobi tells me where these guys are."

The look on the mans face brings a smile to his own, it's not kind..it's more of a twisted grin then anything else "Good." He remarks simply before glancing backwards and stating "Kumogakure, two weeks, Yukigakure, two weeks after that, Iwagakure one week and Tengakure for two weeks...That's where you can find me in that time-frame, I suggest coming to meet me during one of those points so you can get my next whereabouts or send a letter and I'll send a reply...or come myself along with some of my men." He states with a shrug of his shoulders, depending on what's happening he can do either...

He won't miss killing some of those men for anything however..
He glances towards the man "I'll have some funds laid aside for you should you find yourself in need of them, however I suggest against spending frivolously I ain't made of cash, but I can you enough to pass by." He tone becomes more casual once more mid-sentence and he stretches slightly "Alright guy, good luck, no matter how strong the Gobi thinks they are..." Echo begins as he slides open a window and steps onto the window seal he glances back over his shoulder his eyes now slit and bleeding crimson "I'm stronger." He says, these words bringing about his display of power for a mere instant, a flash of a maw filled with rows upon rows of teeth a crimson horror which brings about an awful weight from the sheer power that radiates from those words. The creature preparing to swallow all in it's path whole, a maw wide enough...
To Devour the Sun.
With those words and the flash vanishing the man simply body flickers from the window seal off into the village...
He just found something interesting...
[Exit.]

Taiga had been walking the village, he picked up some food and was now headed back to his office. Then he felt a tremendous power sky rocket from his office, this couldn't be, the box of rice had been dropped as he speed off towards his office. He arrived outside the building just barely seeing Echo disappear into a body flicker as he rounded the corner, he ran up the wall of the building and into the window Echo used as and exit. He was now standing behind his desk looking at the Den fellow from before, "Well, Your alive and my building isn't destroyed meaning things went well." He smirked as he began speaking further to Den, "So are you friend or foe?" saying this he offered his hand for a shake to Den hoping for the best, if not his left hand was resting on the hilt of the katana for safety precautions. Well that isn't true it was truly resting there because Taiga is too lazy to even hold up his own hand, but now it truly had a purpose.

(I'm back xD)

Den listened carefully, taking mental notes of where this man would be within the next few weeks.

"Well, I could easily meet you at Yuki, and perhaps in Tenga as well even though the current kage has apparently spread some terrible rumors about me. Don't worry about funds, I have more than I could need already."

The Display of Power was... well...definitely a display. Den's eyes actually widened as he saw the immense power before him, this man was certainly powerful.

Then he was gone, having body flickered into the village. Den returned to a sitting position and wondered what he should do when Taiga reappeared through the window. He mad ea silly comment about how Den was alive and the building wasn't destroyed, so things most be going well. He then asked if Den was friend or foe.

"I guess I'm a friend."

The handshake ignored Taiga didn't care as he returned it to his side, he was still curious about the sketchy character and was yet happy to hear him say 'friend' Taiga wanted to learn more about him but figured today must be an interesting day indeed. Taiga looked at him and began to speak care free now as he no longer felt he had to worry about a fight in the peaceful village, "So Den, you were lead a village so I would like to know what kinda strength you have." his voice had an intrigued tone to it as he continued on "You wouldn't mind a simple spar would you?" If Taiga received a yes to the spar he would turn and walk over to the bookshelf at the back of the room, which he would then reach through one of the shelves and turning a little hidden knob which opened the bookcase to a stairwell. This if were to occur would lead him to say "I have a private training area below the building, If you would follow me we can begin."

Taiga would then begin down the stairs which would eventually lead to a simple door which opened up into a large area (200x200) it was lush with grass, it had a small pond that was fed by water that come from the wall. "We are 200 feet below my administration building, so when your ready we can begin."

If Taiga's offer to spar was refused he would simply sit into his chair and ask, "So how long do you plan to relax in Takigakure?"

"Sure why not." It had been awhile since Den had fought anyone, so why not engage in a simple spar? That's what led Den to a small underground training area underneath the administrative office. It was weird that the place had grass, but Den didn't really think much of it. The door into the room was in the center of the northern wall. Water came form a hole on the eastern wall, in the center as well. The pond was a semi circle with a radius of about 5 meters, with the center being where the water came in from the wall. Den couldn't figure out how deep the pond was, but he imagined it was a decent size.

Den would walk into the center of the area. Apparently Taiga didn't move after entering the room, so unless he did so he would be 50 feet, or about 15 meters, from Den.

Den unclipped his cloak, fully revealing his jounin-esque gear, and turned to Taiga, "Alright, I'm ready."

Taiga was very excited though he didn't get giggly like a school girl, he was very interested to see how a Kage level ninja fights. He watched Den as he entered the room and began observing the scenery of the training zone they were in, It would appear to Taiga that Den must have been deciding how to use the area and it natural resources as an advantage. Taiga knew the basic layout but he really hadn't taken all his time to focus on how it looked till now, it was really a simple training ground but simple was better. He noted it would be face to face with no where to hide and that was perfect for Taiga, as a Taijutsu specialist he knew face to face was his strong suit.

The words rang in Taiga's head it was time to begin, he noted the jounin style armor Den had been wearing. Strange he thought as the man claimed he was an ex-kage, but maybe it was just comfortable to him. Taiga was wearing his natural attire as it was infused with a fuinjutsu to enhance his speed, a great gift from Taiga's father after all these years. It consisted of a long black trench coat which he never buttoned all the way to the top, he also wore black ninja trousers which were tucked into his combat boots. His charcoal black hair was setting steadily on top his head, he had a katana strapped to his side also completely black and his large Zanatou on his back.

Taiga reached with his right hand across his body grabbing his katana with a tight grip, then sliding it from the sheathe until the blade reached the tip of the blade he flicked his wrist pointing the tip down towards the ground. He was prepared but he only stood prepared to fight, he figured it would be best to merely let his opponent go first to see what tone the fight would begin at.

All Taiga did was draw his sword. Maybe seeing as this was his turf or whatever he expected Den to attack first. What exactly do you plan on doing? Just end it already.

This tempted Den to sit down actually, seeing as the Gobi wished for him to end the fight so quickly. What exactly should I do after I finish the fight? Will you tell me where Minorin's killers are?

No

Well in that case, Den was more than willing to make the fight last as long as he wanted. who knew maybe he'd learn a new trick or two. Still, Den wanted the fight to get started at least. Den drew his own sword, Shapeless, in his left hand. The sheath was strapped to his right hip, so it was easily removed. Den held his sword with only one hand with the tip pointed towards the ground, his arm relaxing after performing the action of drawing the blade. He held the weapon at his side as he debated what action to take next.

"I'm really not good at this whole sparring thing." With that Den reached into the weapon pouch on his right side and picked up a smoke bomb. He lightly tossed it onto the ground a meter in front of him, though with just enough force to burst it open. Smoke would begin to fill the area around the bomb, and would reach 4 meters in front of Taiga if he didn't take any actions.