You don't know me...[Open]

Senshi’s eyes narrowed on Iesada. He was inclined to have Komon use the technique anyways and Senshi tensed his arms as he prepared to restrain the man before him. He had worked under Maku, Maku the missing ninja who had cut off Max’s arm. Maku who had mentally scarred his teammate Reizo, and made his Jounin Commander Itami look like an incompetent fool. Maku the one who had given him the scar across his face. He didn’t know why he spoke of Maku in the past tense but he didn’t intend to let him know anything else. “Genin Komon, use your technique. Iesada-san you will allow him to use it or I will restrain you and he will do it anyways. The option is yours.” Senshi didn’t move, or attempt to make himself appear more threatening. His deep voice and stern look however would give every indication that he had moved from attempting to be kind to a stranger to almost open hostility towards the man.

Komon noted that senshi seemed to tense up at the mention of the name maku, which was strange to him, he hadn't ever saw the man unnerved. His suspicion that Senshi wasn’t happy was confirmed when senshi took a rather harsh tone with the seemingly harmless newcomer, telling him that he would either allow Komon to do the jutsu, or he would be forced to allow Komon to do the jutsu. Personally he disagreed with Senshi’s methods, but he was outranked and what senshi said goes. So Komon turned his eye towards the man’s torso before activating the eye mind reading technique.

Komon would then enter the man’s subconscious, upon which he’d dig through the memories the man described. He had served as a diplomat under a man named Maku, who apparently was the leader of a village by the name of Yukigakure where he was required to travel. And according to the man’s memories he also had been away from his village in amegakure upon its destruction. He had returned to find his wife and child dead on the scene and had heard that the attack was carried out by a group called the akatsuki.

Now confident the man had been telling the truth Komon turned to senshi while releasing the genjutsu. “His story checks out, he’s a former diplomat of Yukigakure and served under a man named maku, the leader of the village until it happened to be destroyed by what he thinks was a group called the akatsuki” He would take a slight pause debating whether or not he should say the next part

"Is there anymore information you would like me to confirm, Senshi?"
WC: 715

"Very well," An understanding smile slipped across the man's face. "If you insist, one can never be too careful nowadays, I suppose."

Turning his violet gaze to the genin he studied the boy before him. The Hyuuga clan, yes, he had heard of them. In fact, he had met one, the former diplomat from the Bird Country. He had been a good man, hopefully the trait ran in the family. That said, to call the boy before him a man was a stretch and one of his primary gripes with the villages of shinobi, civilians were made into warriors and boys to men far too soon.

It was an odd thing to have one's mind sorted through by another. He watched his life go by as if he were a mere spectator and in some ways it made it all the more horrible. Once again he had to find his family and once again he had to dig their graves. Were he a weaker man he would have broken down then and there, but that was not the case. At the same time, however, he could watch his child again and feel the breath of his long lost wife. Nothing is ever all bad.

If the boy were to dig deeper he would find no ill will against Kumogakure. At worst he would find an annoyance with the chuunin he had just met. Strongarming a diplomat, even of a destroyed nation, was a poor choice especially when he bore the Saito name. Poor choice, indeed.

"As I said, I have no reason to lie." He cast a blank expression towards the chuunin. Kids these days.

Senshi merely gave a nod to the man to confirm that he did in fact insist on this course of action. He waited with arms poised to move, legs tensed for anything. When Komon finally verified that the mans story wasn't a lie he relaxed marginally. Senshi ignored the blank expression the foreigner was giving him, this was Kumo they took security seriously. Someone couldn't just expect to walk in here and do as they pleased after all. "Did you look for or find any ill intent towards Kumo, Komon? If he has none then we can take him to the registration office." Senshi would wait for Komon to confirm whether or not the man had an ill intent towards Kumo he would give his full focus back into Iesada giving a mildly respectful nod towards him. "Thank you Komon. Iesada-San thank you for allowing us to do our job. If you'll follow me we will get you registered. Were you looking for a visitors license ornare you wanting to become a member of the village?" 

Senshi would wait patiently for the man to respond turning slightly and starting to walk towards the registration office. He would ensure that Iesada at least was coming with him, matching whatever walking speed the man had. He looked to Komon out of the corner of his eye, he wanted to ask him what he had learned about Maku but that could wait until they weren't around Iesada. "Komon if you have other things you wish to do we can continue our conversation later. You are welcome to accompany us if you wish, however." Senshi turned his attention back to Iesada in order to give the man his full attention. His eyes continued to roam around ensuring that no one else needed his attention and that everything was normal on the street. Constant vigilance and all that after all.

Komon noticed senshi ease up upon learning the man was not lying but being cautious as always he asked if Komon had found any ill will towards Kumogakure, Komon thought back to the memories he had searched and couldn’t find a single memory that would lead towards wanting to hit Kumogakure or its citizens. “There were no hints of Ill intent in his memories, I trust him” He would tell the rather new chuunin.

Senshi then excused him, telling him that they would continue their conversation at a later date and also offering him the opportunity to continue along with him. Komon had already had a long day however and was feeling rather tired, so he took this time to say his goodbye. “If you have this under control I think I’m going to head back home, we can continue our conversation tomorrow.” He would then turn to the man he had just scanned through the memories of and almost felt sorry for him, he had lost family members too and knew it hurt, feeling he should address the man in some way he turned to him. “Thank you for your cooperation Iesada, whatever you’re looking for I hope you find it, please enjoy your stay.”

Exit
WC: 921
Requesting 9 AP

"A visitor's license will do nicely," He wrinkled his nose ever so slightly. "I don't expect to be here too long."

The chuunin's thanks would fall on unsympathetic ears. Apparently, the days of peace were long gone. Or maybe it was just Kumogakure? Either way, it said a lot about the village hidden in the clouds and none of it was good.

"Farewell Hyuuga-san," Poor kid he thought turning his attention back to the chuunin. "Well, shall we?"

As the pair walked off Iesada took special care to take in his surroundings. On one hand, he did not fancy getting lost again and thought it best to be able to retrace his steps. Then, on the other hand, the architecture was interesting as it began to get more and more sophisticated as the pair went deeper into the village. The whole village seemed a paradox rotting from the outside in.

"If I might ask," He started having walked in silence for quite a while. "What happened here? The Kumogakure I read about is nothing like, well..."

He paused and gestured around him as he walked.

"Like this."

His tone was not one of disgust, but rather feigned interest. Feigned interest insofar as his mind now rebelled at the world around him. Something must have happened...

Senshi nodded to Komon, he didn’t want to waste the Genin’s time. While he currently outranked the boy he knew that Komon was on the cusp of becoming a Chuunin as such Senshi went to great lengths to treat the boy as a peer. Especially since he had been a Genin far before Senshi himself had been. Senshi simply assumed that he had been lucky to complete his Chuunin Exams before Komon had. “Thank you for your assistance Komon, I’ll find you later to continue our talk. It is just as beneficial for me to learn from as well.” He wanted to stress that he appreciated what Komon had done, but it was not something he was used to doing and as such he came across as slightly awkward and formal.
 
He turned and started walking away with Iesada, hoping that Komon understood what Senshi had been trying to do. He listened to the man talk and hear the slight disgust in his voice, however it wouldn’t offend the young man. He agreed that the beginning districts of Kumo were rotten to the core and roughshod, rundown, falling apart buildings were clearly obvious as they walked. “Of Course Iesada-Taishi.” Senshi didn’t care if the blue haired man was unsympathetic, he was merely trying to be polite while at the same time carrying out the strict security protocols that were required from him.
 
Senshi was completely unsympathetic to any pain he may have caused this visitor. As they walked it was clear that the village was steadily getting nicer. Senshi made several turns taking the man on a slightly longer route so that he could point out the Inn he would be allowed to stay at. “A few years ago, when I was still an Academy Student, Lord Raikage showed up in the village.” Senshi paused running through his history lessons, he didn’t think there was anything he needed to keep hidden about the takeover. It was rather well known in the village and Iesada would be able to learn it from the general section in the library or even any person he spoke to in Kumo.
 
“After defeating the previous Raikage and destroying a large section of the village, he proceeded to focus on ensuring the loyalty of his new shinobi by enacting a new set of laws and executing all of the current Jounin and above.” Senshi gave a slight shrug as though to say there wasn’t much more he could add. “However ever since the Lord Raikage’s marriage to Lady Akihana, rebuilding efforts have increased and we are steadily improving the quality of life for the villagers. Too little too late in some cases, but at least we are beginning to do something.” Senshi flushed slightly, he had possibly added too much with that last line but he was still young in mind and a new Chuunin to boot. He was bound to make such mistakes especially against someone of Iesada’s experience.
 

As they continued on Senshi pointed to a large, nicely built modern building. It was sprawled out forming
a large square with what was obviously a nice courtyard for people who stayed there to relax in. It had
several small grills, picnic tables and a rather nice park. A small sign outside of the building labeled it as
the Kuraudoairandoin or the Cloud Island Inn. As he pointed to the building he spoke, “This is the Inn
you will be allowed to stay at. As an Ambassador of a foreign village you will be granted a discounted
rate. If you’ll follow me we should be at the passport office soon. Would you like me to brief you on the
rules before we arrive in order to expedite the process?”

Listening is perhaps the greatest skill a man can possess, not wealth, power or prestige. Certainly, such things could be important and acceptable goals, but none were attainable without the ability to listen. Now, you might be thinking, dear reader, that I am wrong here. After all, people can be born into wealth and power without any inherent skills of their own. Yes, the world is filled with such people, that much is undeniable. However, such people are born of men and women who listened; who listened and learned before speaking. So, without such skills, a person will lose whatever prestige they may have, listening is important. Long story short, Iesada listened to the chuunin with a disinterested detachment.

Kumogakure had undergone a hostile take over, there was an interesting tidbit. Moreover, it explained the rubble he had seen coming into the village. Yes, interesting would be the proper word here. Kumogakure itself was interesting.

If one thing was clear to the former diplomat, it was that Kumogakure was ruled by a brute. Execution of all shinobi jounin and above? Fields of the half dead surrounding the village? People who were more drones than individuals? Such things were not erased by progress, the village would have to deal with what they had done with at some point, that much Iesada was certain. Of course, it was not his place to serve as executioner of such justice, but it would come. It would come from someone, somewhere.

Naturally, Iesada's inner thoughts would likely not be discerned from his expressions. He nodded here and there where appropriate. He walked at a smooth comfortable clip trying not to outpace the chuunin. He probably came off as a well-polished machine with each movement measured and words well thought out.

"Thank you for the accommodations," he said earnestly, the inn did indeed look plesant—all things considered, of course. "They look lovely."

A brief pause as he considered his options regarding the rules.

"Yes, a quick run down would be greatly appreciated."

He had been through more than a few briefings in his time, it was to be expected. Unfortunately, he also knew that there was no avoiding these things. Such was the nature of the give-and-take in foreign relations for better or for worse.

While Senshi had some small training in noticing peoples body language and reading it, he was young and Iesada was not only much older, wiser and more skilling in hiding his body language but he had also had a career in diplomacy. Meaning that despite all of Senshi’s training the older male would be able to easily hide any true reaction he had to something. It was why Senshi had decided to order Komon to read the man’s mind despite his obvious objections to it. Someone as skilled at Iesada was at hiding what he was thinking was a possible threat, and Senshi did not allow anything to threaten his village.

Despite how run down, and rotten some areas were this was his home and not something that he would allow to be tarnished any further. He would protect this dump with his life, because it was his duty. Senshi merely gave a slight nod to acknowledge Iesada’s words. “You should know that as Diplomat of the former Yukigakure you will be granted a suite for free for a week. After such time you will have to pay for your accomadations.” Senshi didn’t know how other villages did it but Kumo tended to lean towards being generous when it came to how to handle diplomats of foreign countries, even if the foreign country was destroyed.
 
As they continued walking, and Senshi offered to explain the rules so that the process would give much slower he was glad that Iesada had agreed to it. “The rules are fairly simple, if you break any of our laws then you will be detained and your possession seized and searched. You are allowed to roam through the village at your will, but you will enter no government building except the vistors office or the Mission Office. If a crime is committed against you, report it to the visitor office and the culprits will be dealt with immediately.” Senshi paused speaking as they made a right down a street. He could see the visitor office from where they were but the sign denoting what the building was, was not visible just yet.
 
“You will be allowed access to the public library, however you will not be allowed access to any jutsu’s higher than D rank. If you wish to learn C rank and above techniques then you must request access at the mission office.” Senshi pointed to a building as they passed it, the building had a large sign that read Library across it. “That is the public library, the mission office is one street up from here.” They continued walking reaching the Visitor Office building and Senshi paused outside of it. “You will be allowed access to Training Grounds one through three, do not attempt to go to any others. You will be under occasional surveillance, to ensure you break no laws and to ensure that you are not the target of any crimes.”
 

Senshi finally moved forwards opening the door and holding it for Iesada so that he could walk in. Once the man had done so Senshi would follow him walking up to the desk and grabbing the packet of forms. He offered on to Iesada and began filling out his own. The forms Iesada had would ask basic questions such as why he as visiting Kumo, his name, age, village affiliation, how long he planned to stay, where he was staying, and who had given him access to the village. Senshi filled out the information on his form quickly before offering it to Iesada. “In the event you need assistance I will be your sponsor. If you need anything merely come here and request that they send me a message and I will be by to assist as I can. Whenever you wish to leave the village, come here and let them know so that I can escort you safely past the defences.”

A generous offer to be sure. Perhaps were he younger and less experienced Iesada would have declined the free accommodations. What was it with young people and their pride? No, now he took gifts in stride. Indeed, he found it much better to remain neutral in these matters. There was a fine line every person walks in matters such as these between being too thankful and not being thankful enough. The Yukigakure native had more than enough experience walking that line and so he did and so he would.

"Thank you, that is very kind."

This was all the chuunin would get from Iesada. Nothing more and nothing less; he played the game well.

The details about missions and training grounds did not feel that important, but still he nodded politely through them. Iesada did not consider himself a shinobi and, as a result, could not see himself running missions beyond diplomatic ones. Plus, he had very little actual combat experience. Maybe he could just stay in shape with a bit of exercise? Yes, that would probably be the extent of his stay.

"That sounds fair," he said with a final nod. "Though I doubt I will be doing many missions nor am I much of a fighter, so never fear."

Followed by a good-natured smile he stepped through the door held open for him. Go figure, the chuunin actually had manners. Perhaps not all was lost for the kid?

The forms were nothing special either, business as usual. He only planned to stay a few weeks until he could map out a proper course of action. He needed a way to find out more about the identity of Yukigaure's attackers and Kumogakure did not seem to be the place to do that. However, now that he was here, he figured he might as well learn more about the twisted village, call it research. On the forms, he called it a pitstop on a greater journey. Maybe he could get help from Kumogakure's leader?

"I think that's everything," He handed back to necessary forms. "And if that is all I would like to call it a day. I've traveled a long way and the road has been anything but easy."

No, the road was never easy, was it?

[Sorry, not a horribly inspired post.]