Tending the fields

It was about three a.m in the morning Youka was leading a large group of civilians and nin now loyal to him out to the fields around Kumo. One each other exit from the village another large group of people loyal to him were doing the same things. Each group carried special poles with different instruments attached to them looking like very crude needles and straps. Stopping about 50 meters out from the destroyed village

"Remember everyone, three meters apart please, make them all diagonal of each other please. All you have to do is place the rods into the ground and drive them in about four feet deep for the to remain stabilized. If you break one of the poles you'll be placed on one of them."

In his death lord armor with silence on his back he would show them an example of how to place the rod and strike it into the ground without damaging the very expensive instruments attached to it. After one example he would begin walking the fields watching to ensure everyone was performing their task correctly. Of course there were some that fucked up and broke their poles, with a quick nod in their direction their friends or family whoever was closest would rush to them and hold them down carrying them off back to the village to await something much more sinister.

"You people are doing wonderful, I knew some of you had a spine in Kumo, It just takes a long time for it to be seen I see. You just hae to dig down and pull it out you know? i'm just the guy to do it as well, I'll make sure you all won't even flinch at the sign of a takeover or death for that matter. We will all be one unit from here on out. If one of us suffers, we all suffer. If one celebrates we all celebrate, yada yada."

With that said Youka would head over to the other sections of Kumo's borders and gates ensuring that his orders were being followed by the nin he put in charge while he was handling different areas. Each area was moving at a very steady pace while holding on to the ones that had previously fucked up and gotten their equipment either stuck or broken. There were about thirty to seventy people in each group that had broken their rods. Those numbers were astounding and it would cause Youka to shake his head in sadness and disappointment as to what this meant for them.

During this it was about five a.m when each group finished pushing in about four hundred and seventy five poles each. After examining each division and ensuring they were exactly three meters apart and diagonal he would flash a smile toward each group of workers and give a giant thumbs up. When this would done he would walk to each leader of the division and ask for them to go and retrieve their failures, the ones that had failed to follow some very simplistic rules.

"Ah, ok...hmm, this is where things get a little...errr...ahh..what's the word....tricky, yes we will go with tricky. As you can see each one of these poles have three I.V bags attached to them with syringes and straps."

Motioning for one of the failures to be brought to him with a offhanded gesture sort of like a flick of his wrist, one of the civilians would be brought forward. Youka would touch the poor lad on the shoulder patting it as the guy broke down into tears. Looking down towards the male, he would pick him up attaching the syringes to the mans arms allowing the chemicals to fully take control. The males would enter a semi state of euphoria for a brief moment before he was strapped to the pole, the straps would begin to tighten lifting the body up further before the rod activated piercing his body in various places causing blood to gush and flow freely only for it to coagulate right away. The sound of snapping bones could also be heard as he was impaled with no regard to his body structure only that vitals were not hit. This was due to the medical concoction taking hold healing the body while the poison took hold. The males screamed loudly at first for about seven or so minutes before the yells turned into a soft wail that was music to Youka's ears.

"Now it's your turn guys, I've shown you what is required of you, we have about three thousand traitors that won't change their beliefs . it's our duty to meet them out with a swift punishment. We are all one, and we are only as strong as our weakest link....please don't let me see you as the weakest link, I don't want to do this anymore than you do. The quicker we get this done, the quicker we can go eat breakfast, I'm starving."

The Kumo population looked and listened on in absolute horror as they found out what it was they were installing. Some threw up but quickly adjusted themselves in fear of being next on the chopping block. Others wept as they started attaching the equipment to their loved ones, whether they were moms, wives, sons, husbands, or sisters it didn't matter. In moments later there was a wide cry out of sorrow as the equipment activated all over Kumo's outside.The civilians were covered in blood of their own flesh and blood. They each stood and watched on helplessly as the bodies of the ones on the poles were contorted and punctured in varying places snapping knee caps or femurs without care. The great cry that echoed through the area soon died to various wails over a wide spread area that almost sounded like a haunting song, a prelude to death that would never come to these till they lived to a ripe age. The ones that had it the worst were the children, some were as young as seven, but punishment was punishment and it didn't play favorites.

"Good job guys, I'm proud of you all! Lets go eat breakfast, we can start again later in the evening and get the rest of this up and running!"

With that Youka would calmly walk back to the inside of the still rubble village as it was being cleared still to be rebuilt. The safe Kumo civilians followed without hesitation in fear of being next. They were afraid on the inside but they were quickly being rewired to let this not phase them. Youka simply walked with a smile on his face.

(Rot forest built :D)

It was early morning when a moderately sized sloop pulled into a dock on in the land of lightning. The trip itself had been rather long, a few days due to a headwind that developed a few hours after leaving the island on which the Volcano village sat. As much as Lucian loved the sea he was honestly getting sick of smelling only salt and sleeping in what felt like constant motion. Sure, he had been on the ocean plenty of times, more times than he could count in fact, but never once had he been at sea for so long so far from shore.

All in all, the trip had been quite an experience. Naturally, his time on the ship was fairly regimented. He spent much of his time meditating on the bow while the rest of the time he was not eating or sleeping he spent poring over his designs. With the endless idle time aboard the ship Lucian had rounded out and perfected his plans. The puppet he decided would be named Delito. Delito, it just rolled right off the tongue. Since leaving his home village the blueprints had not been changed too drastically. The dimensions remained the same and most of the mechanisms as well. The only real difference being that the designs were cleaner and better drawn. Plus, he added chakra canons and jets to the puppet. 

However, currently the blueprints were safely tucked away in one of the many pockets in Lucian's pack. At long last the ship arrived at the land of lightning. Talking to the captain of the ship he ascertained how exactly to get to the main village. As it turned out he probably did not need directions as he simply needed to follow the most well worn path. After saying his farewells and thank yous to the Nazar captain, Lucian set out hopefully with Taios at his side.

Surprisingly the road that looked so well trodden was empty. Lucian chalked it up to the time of day. It was after all quite early in the morning. Had the boy given his conclusion any real thought he would see a few flaws. Like why were no fishermen coming and going between the village? Why were there no vendors plying their wares to any and all passersby. Then again he was far too engrossed in the natural wonders around the road than what was happening on the road to even care.

The well traveled road started out flat as could be, but that quickly changed as the pair walked deeper inland. Trees began to appear more frequently and the incline of the road shifted upwards. The rolling hills became rocky cliff faces and the lush greenery became a darker green shade indicating the hardier plants that grew there. The trees lining the road were unlike anything Lucian had seen on his tropical island as they lacked real leaves. Rather they had needles. He really wasn't in Kansas anymore especially considering Kansas was unknown to this world.

Then at last the road crested at a mountain peak. It was from here where he caught his first glimpse of the grand village of Kumogakure. Well, it would have been had he arrived naught, but a few days earlier. Instead his gaze was greeted by smoldering fires and distant wails. Had they somehow come back to the Volcano village? Surely it was not the case. Maybe he was dreaming. Either way he had to look presentable upon getting to the village. Taking his time at the crest of the mountain pass he adjusted bits of his clothing to looks less....shady, yeah that was the word.

The conical straw hat hung on his large backpack leaving his bald head exposed to the cool morning air. He also wore his typical clothing: a blue high collared shirt layered over by a bleach white tunic. Matching his tunic the pants reached down to the middle of his ankle where they met with a pair of leather sandals. Topping off his appearance shone the headband of the Volcano village around his neck. Feeling as ready as ever he began descending into whatever new hell the billowing smoke suggested.

After another ten minutes of walking the pair of travelers would find themselves ten meter away from the remains of the main gate and odd a string of medieval devices with people strapped to them. Perhaps had Lucian not grown up around the horrors of the Volcano village he would retch at the sight. However, he simply starred at the grisly scene with a deadpan look on his face expressing more boredom mixed with annoyance than anything else. Other villages are supposed to be different he thought to himself, but the scene in front of him could very well take place in the Volcano village. 

Taking a short breath and smelling the heavy iron smell of blood in the air Lucian did what any reasonable guest would do: ask to talk to the manager. As chance would have it a group of what could only be villagers passed by. Taking the initiative for Taios, Lucian projected his voice outwards.

"Good morning, can we talk to whomever is in charge here?"

Hopefully the villagers were not brain dead and would inform who they had to. In the meantime Lucian would remain at the rubble that once served as the the main gate. He did not wish to invite ill will upon himself by being discourteous especially considering he did not yet understand what was going on here in Kumogakure. It was no the village he had been told about nor the one he had read about. No, the village he now gazed upon was something, something far different than Kumogakure.

Ships.....what could you say about ships. What could you say about harboring a match within kindle, but keeping it from igniting. That was the most apt description Taios could imagine. He had mostly kept himself hidden away in one of the cabins that he had claimed as his own. There he had meditated and delved deeper into his own being. There he had met with the demon. However he had not ignited the ship so all in all a successful voyage.

It had taken longer than expected but time meant very ljte to him now. As far as he could tell he was immortal to things like disease, famine, and ewen age. It gave kne a patience when things like delays occurred. As the voyage had finally ended he had given the captain a gruff goodbye and had walked shoulder to shoulder.....well in a way, next to Lucian as they crossed into the unfamiliar country. The signs of oddity were apperant. The lack of people, the seemingly emptiness, it just didn't seem right. However, this was part of the job, the mission so any grim business would be met with.

His armor covered only his waist and down. His torso remained bare to the elements. The Bloody Moon hung against his back at an angle due to the sheer length of the weapon. Even with his own tremendous size it took on a new meaning of over kill. The time on the ship had offered slight oppurtunities to clean up, so his beard was well trimmed and long braid bounced across the flat of his back.

The gate and then the forest would slowly come into view, and it reminded him of home. Even as he saw all this though, he shrugged bringing his weapon off his shoulders to lean into the ground. Leaning on the weapon t gave the impression of simply helping keep balance while he waited.

Lucian had handle the speaking portion of the proceedings so now all there was to do was wait: anyone or village that did this would be hard to trust. Taios barely trusted his own home, knowing favor changed like the wind. It would be best to be on guard, remain vigilant, and avoid stepping in the slough of shit that seemed to ooze from the bodies that hung on pikes, at least for now.

Youka had made it back inside the village gates and had sat down for a late breakfast only to be interrupted just as his plate made it to him. Two visitors were asking to speak to the leader of the village, one of them carried a giant weapon readied it seemed. Standing once more Youka would head out of the tent grabbing Silence on the way out attaching it to the back of his armor. He didn't know if these were violent threats or not but he would be prepared none the less. Allowing carnage once more to seep from his pores covering his face with the red and black symbiote once more he would make his way to the eastern gates to meet these travelers.

Of course he took his time getting there formulating strategies on how to handle multiple threats till he finally said fuck it and would just go by the feeling in his gut. Akuoy had already sent a mental note asking if his paths and he should meet him which was promptly said no to. Finally reaching the gate and in proxy the wailing fields of his newest attraction he could feel the chakra of the individuals that were some five meters ahead of him now. One of them were slightly more potent than the other but he knew that was never a indication of ones power, it was how they used it that truly mattered. Stopping only two meters away from the two Youka would reach his arm to the left of him and poke the grotesque bulging stomach of one of the humans that had ripened incredibly fast. The organs ans white puss would pop out and seep into the already saturated ground that was becoming much more soft and plyable as time went on.

"What can I do for you two?"

A slight tilt of the head was the only indication that Lucian cared about the the eruption of puss that poured from the body. Internally he balked at the ghastly sight as anyone would. However, doubling over and retching would get him nowhere, so he restrained himself. The man who came to greet them was very clearly quite used to the gore. Thus, it would be unwise to show disgust outwardly. After all first impressions were key even if they were with some sick gore enamored madman as the odd black shrouded figure.

Yeah, that was the other thing. The figure was dressed quite strangely. Sure, the shinobi world was quite odd, but nothing prepared him this weird attire. Sadly it seemed that thus far Kumogakure was no different than Funkagakure. Shame really, he was expecting something different. Luckily he was not left long in his disappointment as he could distract himself with conversation.

"Good morning." A slight bow accompanying his greeting. "My name is Lucian Nazar and this here," he waved vaguely in  Taios' direction, "Is Taios. We hail from the Volcano village, Funkagakure. Our journey for spiritual enlightenment has brought us here and we're hoping to gain admittance to your fine village."

There was not much else to say. Undoubtedly there would be an assortment of questions maybe even mind reading if the village was especially paranoid. However, Lucian had no qualms as he had nothing to hide. Unfortunately, he was not too sure about Taios. He knew little of the man and his motives for coming with him. Though, for now he could only trust in the man.

Giving a curt nod when his name was mentioned, Taios continued to lean heavily on the staff weapon. Truly a bizarre weapon, it was like it was plucked from a fable of the man in a table as the pendulum came ever closer. Only it was part of no story. It stood in life, held by a man possessed by a demon. Unknowingly he had met perhaps one of the few that could truly synpethize with him. If he needed sympathy.

Looking their host up and down he took in the oddities and the complexities of his appearance. Taios knew enough of the ninja world to discern a few fact. Men who dressed like that were either idiots or powerful. Considering he was the one to meet them he had to go with the latter and only a touch of the former until proven otherwise. For now though he allowed Lucian the floor so to speak. Diplomacy....wasn't his strong suit if it didn't involve seeing how deep one could thrust an axe.

Even as he thought of all this he considered striking out at the man. He wanted to know his strength, the cunning, what lay beneath that mask. That was how one measured a man. In that mortal embrace of combat. Only there could you strip away the masks and falicies bringing the truth to light. Taios would let his chakra flux and press outwards away from him. He knew he didn't hold the highest rank, knew he didn't know as many jutsu or posses the powers of the ancient clans....but what he did know was how to fight. It wouldn't be an outright challenge, but merely a statement. "I'm here, and I'm not intimidated....don't take us lightly". Is what it would seem to say. In these foreign lands, maybe a mistake. He wouldn't be himself however, if he did not make his precense known.

"Lucain, Taios, my name is Youka it's a pleasure to see Funkagakure ninja traveling to Kumogakure. I welcom-."

Youka felt a pressure being pushed from the more naked of the two. It wasn't attacking in nature but still carried a feeling that one should be careful around such a man. Even the weapon he carried seemed to be haunting in nature with its design begging for attention to be drawn to it. Had this been another time when Youka was younger and a lot less subdued or the Demon was in charge this act of aggression would have been enough to push him to engage in a "test" of power. Luckily for all those in attendance he had learned when and how to pick his battles. Exhaling slowly and loosening his body once more he allowed Carnage to withdraw back under his skin revealing his original face albeit deformed slightly to the experimentation done on himself. His eyes were beady yet still held a inner flame, his cheeks were sunken in with a few miniature holes that allowed one to see through to his gums. His once proud red hair was now stringy and dying. He pretty much looked like he was on deaths door at all times yet vitality coursed through him.

Stepping forward to close their distances to touching range Youka would offer his hand with a smile to each of them for a hand shake starting with Lucian. If accepted he would give a firm shake with a small nod of his head. Stepping to Taios the he would offer the same smile and hand, if accepted however his grip would tighten just enough to cause the other males fingers to fold on themselves before letting go. His strength was something he hadn't been beaten at so he was confident he would come out on top of that exchange.

"I'll have to admit, Kumo isn't exactly visitor ready yet. I just finished planting my garden not too long ago. The only things truly done are the walls surrounding two burrows. You're more than welcome to look at that if you'd like. You're more than welcome however to come on in and stay as long as you like, just don't get in the way of the civilians rebuilding and we shouldn't have a problem which ends badly for us all."

Turning to his side he would wave his right hand in the direction of the gates offering them the right of way to begin. If taken he would walk besides them answering any questions they might have and of course asking his own in return. However, just in case this was to turn sour, his paths and clones were each closing in on his location but keeping a distance of twenty meters at all times to not come off as sketchy.

Lucian felt it even without carefully attuned chakra senses and Youka very clearly felt it as he stopped talking mid word. It felt like a warm wave, the only point of reference the boy from the Volcano village could base it off of was from a funeral he once attended. The Nazar clan had a tradition in which all dead clan members were lowered into a volcano. Yes, he had felt this warm wave before as he watched one of his fellow Nazar clansman be lowered ceremoniously into the volcano. It was the warmth of a volcanic funeral pyre. 

Lucian, however, did not have much time to reflect on the wave of chakra Taios released, because, as if on cue, Youka's black suit seemed to melt away. It seemed he would witness curiosity upon curiosity today and he was only in the first week of his trip. Go figure. Though, honestly he could not tell, which was more disturbing Youka with a mask or without. With one he looked like a black demon and without he looked much like a puppet a strip, a corpse given a spark of life. Indeed, Kumogakure was quite a weird village, but who was a Funkagakure shinobi to judge what is weird and wrong?

When Youka moved to shake his hand Lucian did the only polite thing and gave him a firm handshake in return. As he shook hands it felt like he was shaking with a corpse. Sure, Youka was no doubt strong, but he just felt...wrong? He could not place it. In fact, he may never. All the same, assuming all went as planned Lucian would follow Youka deeper into the village picking up the conversation where the Kumogakure shinobi left off.

"Well, I assure you we are not much of the tourist types, so the state of disrepair will not be a problem in the slightest. If you do not mind me asking what exactly happened here?" 

As the group of three walked through the wrecked village Lucian could not help, but notice that it looked like a bomb or two had gone off in some places. Surely it was not normal. Naturally, the boy would nod along with what Youka said as he could do nothing, but take the man at his word. After the explanation he would fire off another question with a more personal note.

"Also, if it is not too much trouble, would you happen to have a ready supply of steel? I am more than willing work or pay for it. I simply need it to continue an art project of mine." 

He was not lying in the slightest. The boy saw the creation of a puppet as an art form. And sure enough, were Youka to inquire about what type of art he was working on, well, he would tell him without a second thought. It was, after all, unwise to be rude to the host.

Taios gave no cue of what he thought about the change in the mans appearance. He came from Funkagakure, he knew how little appearance mattered. The dark God often changed the looks of many creatures human and beast alike. Their weak appearance often only his the strength that was held underneath. This man was clearly no different. He had met them at the gate, he had armor, he radiates authority....Taios wasn't fooled by such things.

He would watch as he shook Lucians hand. Though he made no movement he had prepped himself mentally for the necessity of swinging the moon to protect his companion. Albeit he might have take he Nazar with the one known as Youka, but with his death the glory of the kill would be entwined.....so he hardly could have complained of ghosts could speak. Next he made his movements toward where Taios stood. Reaching it his hand he immediately began to smile. The strength of the tiny hand in his own began to slowly compress his knuckles. A popping sound briefly could be heard before his own hand would begin to squeeze back in return.

A heat would also be felt for the moment that Youka kept the shake going. The lava spear would only cover his hand as that was the point it began. Raising his strength, and allowing the man to feel the heat of the Volcano. Rather than be angered Taios let out a bark of a laugh, and squeezed down hard for a moment. Attempting to cause the same pop he had just felt. Not out of anger, but almost embracingly, as brothers might do.

Releasing and letting the lava spear retreat as quick as it had come he would offer a single statement with his gravely voice. "This is a place, we can fit in. This is a place I like." He would then hoist his weapon and shoulder it. Completely making it obvious he was not combative at all. He like this greeting, he liked how the man had conducted himself. He would mostly observe and once again allow Lucian to do the majority of the talking. When the Nazar had mentioned steel however Taios offered another line.

"Possibly women as well. Not so migh a project but still.....wouldn't mind the use." He would say. If one looked he was dead pan serious. Not a joke, not playingly, it was a legit request. His eyes would keep moving gathering in the area, to learn all that he would see.