Song of a dolphin calling

The very same spot where Naoki left for his assignment over a year ago, in the leader chambers that now belonged to Mizukage. The spot would distort and a bubble of chakra carrying the former leader of this place would emerge. Surprisingly the password to pass the spacetime bridge protecting the village from unwanted spacetime intrusions had not changed in all this time. Naoki would stand still as the bubble collapsed around him. His appearance would not have changed much since he last saw Xyxer, his profile anyways. As always his active sharingan would remain hidden under the deceptive technique that shrouded his true eyes. His gear had changed significantly though, the manipulated fabric took shape of a pure white robe with the hood down at this moment and there was no longer a blade on his back. Well, most of the changes would probably remain unnoticed as they were rather minuscule when it came to appearances.

Naoki would look around but who knows what this chamber looks like after all this time...

Yare yare daze..

When the manipulation of reality started to occur, Xyxer was busy reading over a few of the documents that had been laid out before him. More irritations about the Wendigos, and the land they were taking up. It just would not end, and so the disruption was a welcome delight for the male, but naturally.. His reactions kicked in before his thoughts, and so he simply extended his index fingers instantaneously with little movement of the rest of his hands as he didn't need to angle them much, a thin spittle of water shooting from the tips of his fingers as soon as there was a hint of something not entirely right with the situation. So naturally, the water bullets emerged from the fingers of Xyxer at a speed and power of 119, both of them aimed towards the torso of Naoki when he physically manifested inside of the room.

Of course, Xyxer didn't expect either of these to hit him, nor would they hit the ANBU that were stationed behind him on either side of the door. They themselves did not assault the male as Xyxer's smile alerted to them that this male wasn't currently an enemy of theirs, nor would they be able to do much to the former of leader of Shimagakure even if they do desired.. but an admirable quality that had been drilled into them is to give their life for a greater cause.

The room they were both in had remained largely the same aside for a few things. The most striking one, obviously, would be the dogs that were chained at the wall now being much larger than they had previously been. The hounds were asleep currently, exhausted from a hard day of chewing up bones belonging to a poor Genin of the village. There were a few decorations, yet they were sparse in the room, merely achievements for the village. A few Wendigo horns were notable around the area, and perhaps even a tooth or two of Monarch's remained in the vicinity, but Xyxer had never been too big of a fan for aesthetics over efficiency, and so he still sat on his stone throne to remind himself that he should not remain comfortable in his position. Every leader before him had done so, and had suffered the price.

The smile on Xyxer's face had remained complacent for a few seconds now, and it was almost as if Xyxer recognised Naoki as a friend he had not encountered for a very long time, perhaps there was even a hint of emotion in the words he spoke next, "I thought I'd never see you again, Naoki." He didn't even bother to use the title he had given Naoki, perhaps he was genuinely happy to see his partner once more.

The short flare of chakra before him alerted Naoki that something was happening as soon as his physical self was fully in the room. Immediately his sharingan would track two needles of water making quick approach directly towards his chest. There were really many ways to deal with this and the first changes were already underway when the former leader of this village realized that the man who launched this attack, namely Xyxer, sitting behind an aquarium desk on the other side of the room, was smiling and his overall posture was non-threatening. Neither were the two ANBU standing beside the doors making any moves. So Naoki resolved to doing the bare minimum about the water bullets. The first change that was at this point already complete was something that happened almost instinctively to Naoki, he was actually not even sure if he willed it or it that was a natural response of his manipulated fabric. The material that made up his white robe would condense, making the surface of his chest expand slightly, taking on a gray color more than pure white as it hardened to negate the hits. A probably unnecessary note, the clothing that covered Naoki's legs weakened as a result. But uncertain to the power of the water bullets and to stay on the safe side the Uchiha also focused a bit of chakra and covered his torso using earth spear technique while simultaneously anchoring himself to the floor via chakra at his feet. As he foresaw, the water bullets shattered on the fabric and dripped to the floor, but he felt the blows of each strike and had he not anchored himself they would probably have pushed him back.

Straightening himself Naoki's expression would remain reasonably calm as he slowly exhaled through his nose while the fabric shifted back to its normal state and color and the chakra on his feet and torso dissipated. "You should know my resolve when it comes to this village better than anyone, Xyxer." He would respond with a word and smile to the man who called himself Mizukage. Shoot first and greet later, that sounded like Xyxer, he should have expected something like this. Naoki figured not to say that for a while there he too thought he might not see the village or its people again. In fact, for now he decided not to speak about his little adventure in the land of nowhere to anyone at all. "I assume the ryo you sent me to acquire as well as the intel found you successfully." Naoki sort of inquired while looking around the chamber, noting the few changes in decoration and the sleeping dogs chained to a wall.

Witnessing the male before him not move before the bullets, there was a moment of delight in Xyxer.. was he about to kill Naoki within seconds of his reappearance? Would the blood of this man finally sate him? He knew what the answer would be, but it didn't inhibit him from hoping so. Was it truly him hoping for the end to the bloodlust, or the ideal of Atlas? Regardless, he didn't have much time to ponder the permanency of his wrath, as all that hinted to Xyxer that his bullets had even hit the man was a slight jutter of his shoulder moving backwards with the momentum, and even then it wasn't too much. He even noticed how his clothes at that point had lost their dazzling whiteness, becoming rather grey.. colour changing clothes did seem like a rather innovative idea, and for that, he would have to thank Naoki when he stole the idea from him. It was then that the familiar, yet nigh forgotten voice emerged from the figure before him. Naoki's will for the village had extended a great deal, after all, he had surrendered it to the male to keep his people alive, or at least that was what Xyxer presumed. He was a tricky individual to truly understand, but that just make the chase of psyche that more interesting. Xyxer's head nodded soon after his next sentence, looking around the room for a moment before he lifted his hands to gesture around, "As you can see, I spruced up the place a bit." He looked at the horns for a few moments himself at this point, temporarily considering drinking from one.. then the tales of the cannibalism that came from that contact reminded him that it was a foul idea, and he shook it from his head, "The ryo you sent is being stored in a safe place, barely even spent. You'd think we were trying to rake up interest with how little it's been touched over the years, but I find it's better to wait before you spend so you don't acquire frivolous things.. wouldnt you say so yourself, Naoki?"

Xyxer pushed back from the stone throne he was seated on, no longer finding a need for it when he shared the presence of someone he considered to be, at least, near his level. A person that was almost like him in terms of power. A true comrade. As Xyxer stood up from the desk, his hand idly ran over the hilt of Samehada that was propped up beside him, feeling the skull pommel for a few seconds in the palm of his hand. Pressing his hand down into it to feel the pressure exerted against his palm by the teeth of the skull, he turned his head to look out from the panels of glass that made up the entirety of the wall behind the throne. He looked at Shimagakure, and yet at the same time he was looking at Kirigakure. This was the village the two men had both lead, and yet it was vastly different under both of their rulings. A bright, vibrant place under the rule of Naoki, known for it's excessive partying and relaxed lifestyle, yet under Xyxer.. it was cold. It had taken the ideals of Xyxer, and they were as much a part of the village as the dirt that made the foundation of the buildings. An amusing notion came to Xyxer while he admired the view, causing him to turn his head a little to look over his shoulder towards his partner, "Did you hear about Haru Hyuuga's reign as Mizukage?" Xyxer inquired, not too sure on how well news traveled outside of the xenophobic village. It had been an interesting affair to say the least, but that had been the proof he needed the most to understand that while he may not be the best person within the village, he was the person that could unite every shinobi within it. They understood fear, and they understood the promise of glory. With Haru, he promised safety and a quiet life.. yet the people had not seemed very recipient, they wanted the return of the demon.. a request that had been heard by the masquerader.

Naoki maintained a placid expression during Xyxer's momentary afflatus. He actually did not expect that kind of foresight or maybe wisdom even to come from the one who took the village from him. Unless of course it was just greed masked with smart talk. Although he had to admit the resourcefulness that this man had displayed, solely with the feat of merging two villages together. However, the ryo that Naoki acquired for the village concerned him to least. The Uchiha valued other things, namely intelligence, knowledge and preparedness to face the challenges. As such his thoughts remained on what interested him the most on this topic. "Then the note about the state of Kumogakure and its new leadership reached you as well." He would surmise aloud. Figuring not to ask about any attempts to contact him, but letting his collocutor bring it up himself should there have been any, Naoki took a minute to wonder if he should reveal the current situation in the Hidden Cloud right away or find a more suitable opportunity.

The Uchiha did not get to make a decision as Xyxer moved from his stone throne. As he did Naoki noticed the massive sword that the Mizukage seemed to lean on. The man was looking through the window wall behind where he was just seated so Naoki followed the view only to see the area covered in thick mist, just as he had left it. He slowly blinked while his expression remained the same, but inside he wondered what had his village been actually transformed into. From here he could only see the result of his efforts to save it, silhouettes of a few buildings and maybe some people walking the streets, but not much beyond that. What became of Shimagakure's citizen, how did the two peoples integrate, how are his shinobi treated and is the village adequately managed and defended. Such questions silently clawed his mind until his attention was captured by Xyxer's words regarding the previous Mizukage. Apparently his reign had a break while the so labeled herald was gone. Retaining a straight face Naoki responded "I don't believe I have heard anything regarding that." Naoki took a moment in attempt to remember anyone by that name. "Was he one of yours?" He finished his response with a question, of course meaning that there was nobody with that name among Shimagakure's shinobi at the time of him handing the village over, as far as he knew anyways.

Naoki questioned Xyxer momentarily about the change of leadership in Kumogakure, in which the Abysswalker was relatively well informed. Takeo had visited that village not too long, and upon his return had noted how.. wretched it had become. Bodies strewn all over as a defense, the dead used as a way to keep others out. It was dishonorable, and that irked the male who had not too long ago fed a boy to his dogs. Pressing his palm deeper onto the pommel of Samehada, he'd likely be bleeding by this point if he did not hydrify that part of himself, allowing a faint trickle of water to move down the hilt while he forced himself to remain in the present. Pain did that to him, he had noted. An absence of pain led one to grow too comfortable in their position, and regardless of how well he liked somebody, he should never grow complacent in their company. That was how usurping worked, and Xyxer more than anyone knew how possible that event was. Finally, he'd speak up regarding Kumogakure to divulge his information with the male, nodding his head once, "I've heard our well esteemed friend, Youka Tau-" as soon as 'Youka' was mentioned, one of the dogs that had otherwise been sleeping ear's twitched, it's eyes opening up shortly afterwards while it stretched it's body out onto it's legs, waiting for instructions. Xyxer merely watched the hound, bemused by it's actions before he turned around and took a step towards his desk. Opening up the top drawer of the aquariam, he'd pull out a spare pig rib, feeling the heft of it for a moment before he tossed it over towards the pile of dogs. Of course, Youka being the first dog awake got the first bite of the bone, but the ravenous tug of the chain woke it's brethren who soon engaged in the scrap for the bone. At this point, Xyxer didn't bother to look outside of the window again, instead leaning forward onto the desk that was before him, applying his body weight onto the palms of his hands while on the desk. "Yes, I heard about the destruction, I'm sure you made news of that. My brother also visited the village not too long ago, 'seeing new sights' he claims to call it. He told me about how the leader was doing, and how the village was an echo of it's former self. It's filled with rot and the dead, and they serve as that cursed village's defense." Xyxer's shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, he hadn't received confirmation on the where abouts of Maku, but it seemed only right that the pair who had remade the Akatsuki together had remained together.

Rolling his left shoulder backwards into the socket, he'd stretch the muscle of his back out a little, using this stretching movement to push back from the desk once more. This time, however, he'd start to walk around the edge of the desk towards the position of Naoki himself, his left hand dragging behind himself to curl his grip around the hilt of Samehada, dragging it across the floor with him as they approached the former kage. "He was a shinobi from Tengakure," Xyxer dismissed him as one of his almost instantly, still having difficulty to respect that village, even with all the of the events that had occurred, and how he had still kept their villagers alive when it was fully within his capability to cull them, "He became Mizukage had a brief stint, I wanted to roam, you see.. Everyone I knew was roaming." Xyxer paused for a moment, allowing a smile to form on his features upon remembrance of everyone he knew who seemed to have been untethered to anyone, no need to heed any creed. "So a few events unfolded, and the noble Haru Hyuuga became Mizukage after me. He was a durable, strong character. He heavily believed in defense, he was a Hyuuga after all, and you of all people I'm sure know about that clan." He lifted his shoulders limply at that point, a single, faint laugh coming from him as he remarked on the next part of the male's saga, "I returned but a month later, and he was entirely willing to hand over leadership again, Naoki. This village.. Our village, it's different now. It's changing to the times. We're not as barbaric as those filthy shinobi in Kumogakure, nor are we as weak as the shinobi in Konohagakure." He paused after noting these points, curious as to how Naoki would reply now that he stood roughly three feet in front of him, leaning onto Samehada by his side.

Naoki heard half of the confirmation, though that was enough. He observed in silence as the Mizukage threw a piece of meat to the dogs that now seemed to wake up one after another. These beasts were a decent characterization for Xyxer. The cruel and obedient hounds of the hunt were not your usual pets of companionship and caring. Naoki almost submitted to thoughts about such an existence, but Xyxer's words once again made him shift attention back to reality. Although the mention of a brother was something rather interesting that the Uchiha made sure to note, the overall was clear and only served to confirm what the herald of the mist already knew. What became of Kumogakure after Youka took over was regrettable and the part Naoki played in all of it continued to weigh on his consciousness. If an opportune moment presented itself, he was resolved to correct his mistake. And should the fate allow it, make sure nothing like that ever happened again. But for that the Uchiha had to find out about the many secrets of the world and master them. He knew full well that simply forcing his way was never going to work. That is why he would compromise his position, get close to the powerful and the more and more he got tangled in the strings of fate, the clearer the picture became, the more he knew and the more each single move he made would influence the world and those around him. For now, he simply made a nod to confirm everything that Xyxer said he learned from his brother.

The conversation turned to the subject of the previous Mizukage. As the blue haired one rose from the desk again, Naoki's seemingly black eyes would follow the man, slowly walking through the room, dragging his giant weapon alongside him. Xyxer would verify that Haru was from Tengakure and continuing the story explain that he himself had left the village in order to roam free and that is when Haru's reign happened. Live and learn, as they say, and Naoki today learned one more thing about the man who made him surrender - Xyxer valued freedom more than ruling. That or he was a man of fashion and succumbed to doing what everyone else seemed to be doing. The latter being most unlikely given the few decorations this room was covered in. All in all, Naoki based on everything he knew about the man formed a picture that suggested Xyxer's brutality was not random and his cruel nature towards others was probably based on some kind of belief, possibly even thinking that it was in order to make others strong like him. The last leader of Shimagakure made a slight nod to acknowledge his knowing of the Hyuuga, after all he studied about the clans of Konoha, himself secretly being from one of them, and Hyuuga was among the most renown. The story was finished with a rather unexpected turn. Naoki was rather certain what the man leaning on his sword less than a meter from him wanted to relay by talking about Haru in the first place. Xyxer's proximity seemed somewhat like a threat and possibly there even was a threat in his message. Or maybe it simply served to imply that Naoki was weak. Although the Uchiha's concealed sharingan constantly watched for any hostile movement and he was ready to blink out from harm's way at any moment, there was a less rational part of him that simply wanted to show no weakness. Maybe he no longer felt as helpless as back then, maybe it was his understanding that neither one of them actually wanted a conflict as it would probably tear this building if not half the village to pieces, or maybe his pride just wouldn't have it, despite their deal making him Xyxer's servant. In the end, Naoki acted exactly how he felt and how his logic dictated. Eyes slightly narrowing the Uchiha would ask "What do you mean by that?"

As Xyxer stopped before the figure of Naoki, his icy eyes started to flick over his positioning with more scrutiny than they did when he was seated. Something was different about the male that stood before him now as opposed to the one that had first encountered the true incarnation of Xyxer at the seizing of his village. Could he sense this was not the same Xyxer? That the demon had been tamed to some extent, and so he need not be as afraid as he had once been? Did he.. grow comfortable with him? That was an amusing notion knowing what he did about Naoki, and so Xyxer would simply put more faith in the ability of Naoki and assumed that he was merely acting more comfortable in the presence of Atlas. There was no doubt that there was a certain tension between the two of them, after all, they had once been on the verge of trading blows and had both stood by one another when the destruction of Amegakure unfolded. They'd shared more than their fair share of destructive experiences, and they knew the capability of the other if they do so desired to enact their will. That was, after all, why they were both known as S-Rank Shinobi.. they were able to exert their strength over others, whether for better or worse was irrelevant. In fact, it was around this train of thought that Xyxer noticed a slight twitch in Naoki's eye towards Samehada. Looking down towards the weapon himself, he paused for a few seconds to let the thought linger in the male, as was customary with Xyxer to make others feel uncomfortable, before soon speaking in light of the positioning of his weapon, "I do apologize if this is making you uncomfortable, Naoki, but I've grown rather fond of Samehada. I can't simply abandon it when I move around, after all, all pets need exercise of some sort, even ones with no limbs." Xyxer offered the statement to Naoki, although he didn't expect the male to lower his guard entirely around him. After all, even Xyxer thought that would be a foolish action for someone who was as intelligent as the Fuinjutsu, and Space time master before him. That was what had kept him alive when Xyxer took the village, because the usefulness of this male was boundless if he was given a goal, and only time would tell whether their ulterior goals would tie in together.

Xyxer watched Naoki for a few more moments as he questioned the Mizukage's intentions by his words, and truly, he was unsure himself. It merely felt pleasant to be talking to someone who could be seen on the same level as himself. Someone with a drive. However, it was clear to Xyxer that Naoki seemed to be extremely wary right now, even though he did not want to properly convey that in his body language. That meant he felt safe enough physically, but not mentally when he was around Xyxer.. that implied he had an immediate escape if he so desired, and that wasn't a surprise to Xyxer.. but the question was.. what? He was well versed in both Fuinjutsu and Spacetime, so his abilities were endless.. Xyxer had once dabbled in Fuinjutsu himself so he knew summoning was very possible, yet he'd also seen people simply.. disappear. Was Naoki one of those now? Regardless, Atlas had learned a lot about Naoki from his very few words, as well as his concern over Samehada, and the inquiry about his spiel.

Lifting his shoulders up a few moments after, he'd looking around the room for a few seconds before refocusing his gaze onto the Uchiha, "You see, Naoki. This village has grown to be more than a mere, tropical island. No longer is it seen as just a nice holiday destination. Perhaps you were content with that label on your village, it's not too damaging. Now.. look at it. It's a hardened zone." Xyxer spoke, gesturing one hand behind himself in a wave, while the other remained pressed against the hilt of Samehada. "People fear what lurks within the storm, Naoki. Shinobi, animals, civilians.. They know that inside the storm, there is no mercy being shown. Everything is being honed, and we're becoming the most efficient Shinobi the world has ever recognized." Xyxer paused once more, thinking about the village once more. A popular holiday destination that had hosted wendigos on other islands.. that was an amusing notion. Then, he thought again.. had he been the one to bring the wendigos? After all, he had killed his own allies in each village he'd been in, and now he wielded a blade much akin to a shark, a species well renowned for cannibalising their own young.. perhaps he was the curse that brought them, "What I'm saying, Naoki, is that we don't want to be on the back foot in the New World. We want to be the ones who usher in the new age, instead of the ones who are drug along with it." Xyxer didn't bother to move from his position yet, remaining the short distance from the male while awaiting a response to his musings.

Naoki would not respond to Xyxer's reaction when he noticed the Uchiha's concern about the massive sword, or whatever that was. Well, he would blink, but not much more than that. He did take note of every word spoken and the most intriguing part was Xyxer speaking of is he considered the sword to be hit pet of some sort. Though to a man not knowing the true nature of Samehada as Naoki actually was, this meant rather little and the Uchiha treated it as one more piece of the puzzle that might eventually fall into place... or it might be nothing more than a strange piece of Xyxer's already strange personality. Only time will tell.

After hearing Naoki's response Xyxer shrugged again. He seemed to be doing a lot of that today. Maybe he felt more relaxed than the last time. Would make sense, really - he was at home here. With Naoki have been gone and the village in his rule for more than a year he had the village tailored to his designs, he probably was now safer than ever, even a person of possibly equal power a mere meter from him. Or maybe it meant that he was unsure in some way, there there was really no point he was trying to relay. The words, posture and gestures of a somewhat casual manner actually didn't tell much more than both being possible and maybe even both being true. After all, what he said was not much more than an insult to Naoki's leadership and a praise to his own. All in all, the man's ego and warmongering tendencies shined through the sentences very clearly. The former leader of the islands was a peace loving man and while he was unsure as to how much did the villagers suffer or how was the village changed since the take over, at least with Xyxer in charge his people were relatively safe from outside threats, which was something that Naoki valued. His views may have been different, but there was absolutely no point in trying to preach them to the man in front of him, so remaining about as expressionless Naoki responded. "I hear you, Xyxer. As they say, fortune favors the bold." He would suppress the desire to add the bit about wisdom tampering foolishness and then speak once more. "I'm inclined to leave this discussion of philosophy for another time. If you will let me, I would like go see the village, how the two peoples have integrated. It's been a while since I've been back. Then after I've rested I intend to visit the graves of my fallen friends." While it was his true intention, it was also somewhat symbolic for him to say so. After all, graves is what you get when you're bold, but foolish.

While Xyxer's words flew to Naoki, he started to believe that his enthusiasm for the village was being mistaken as something else. Something more.. punishing. There was barely any emotion on the face of Naoki, no smile, no frown.. just a cold, calculating stare. It actually started to irritate the creature that stood before Naoki, and so in response to these impulses Xyxer lifted his spare hand up, scratching lightly at the side of his neck in an attempt to distract himself from what the demon urged him to do. Now was not the time, nor was it was a good idea, Naoki was a friend and should be afforded the courtesy of one. The male spoke of wanting to explore the village rather than spitball ideas with him, which was rather understandable given how confrontational Xyxer could be, after all, he was already standing when he could have remained seated for the entire ordeal, but it was not in his nature to let the male enter the village so quickly, and yet wander through it almost immediately, unsupervised that is. "Of course, Naoki. Have a wander through our village, and tell me what you think of it. I'm sure you have a fine eye after your ventures for the defenses of a village, given Kumogakure and all." Xyxer said with a slightly curved smirk before following it up almost immediately, "Although, I do hope you don't mind me accompanying you for a part of this. I'm sure you can understand why, so I won't insult your intelligence by telling you the reasoning."

At this point, if Naoki had not voiced any complaint for Xyxer joining him on the travel, the male would simply swing the blade, Samehada, his weapon, up from the relaxed position it was currently in so that it would slice about a foot away from the side of Naoki, allowing it to travel the entire range of motion before he rest it on his shoulder, walking towards the door of the room which was promptly opened by Wraith, "Do forgive me, Naoki, but not all of us are afforded the ability to appear where and when they please, through the use of teleportation at least." The male quipped, but on second thought realised that the male was probably quite sensitive around Xyxer and would likely take that as an insult to his power. It'd be interesting to see how he did take it, none the less. Taking the exit from the room, Xyxer would walk down the hallway and into the elevator lift that was open, waiting for their exit should Naoki decide to take the walk with Xyxer out of the building. Once they were both inside the lift, he would press the button to take it to the ground floor with a light 'ting' to warn the two of the closing elevator doors, which were well known to be a hazard for shinobi. With the ensuing, generic elevator music, Xyxer thought it would be a good time to make small talk, of course this was if the male had taken the ride with him, "So, Naoki. What have you been up to? I looked for you when I left the village, yet I found nothing. Did you find the token I left at the temple?"