Broken Record (Maku)

The sand was blowing slightly, the young Jounin was no where to getting used to this new environment. Still looked at as a Kage to some people. But also looked at as an enemy to some as well. A lot of people knew Kyson had come from Kumo but he earned their trust eventually. But to some, that trust has be crushed. Being a little suspicious as to how Koroshi suddenly disappeared. Then a Kumo native was chosen to be Kazekage. Then the entire village has now bowed to Kumo. One side, Kyson felt like he did right thing.. or at least what he could've done. And one side he feels like he let them all down. 

Sitting on top of one of the tallest buildings in Suna. Kyson is just sitting over the ledge and watching the village from above. So many things going on in his mind. So he decides to just sit back on the roof of the building. With his legs hanging off the ledge and his back laying on the ground. Thinking about what he could've done or what he should have done; kept playing over and over again.

A mere couple of days had passed since the takeover. It was odd how little anything had changed. Sure the people's moods waxed and waned, but with the absence of blood, servitudes, and really anything at all......most people seemed content to bide their time. Maku had spent the majority of this time hidden deep within the village. He had spent much of his time as an MN completely hidden from the eyes of the law. Adapting and acting to fit in was natural. It was easy almost to forget he was here, except for when he stopped hiding and his chakra shone like a lighthouse.

He had given the new "Kazekage" enough time to put together the files of the village. The money was done, but there was still the matter of citizens and shinobi. He had declared his percentages and plans. He now wished to view the actual assets of the place and make good on this promise.

He had spent enough time to find the Kazekage. Feeling him out, he would vanish from his hotel room. Behind the man Maku would appear standing and smirking. Currently his appearance was that of black on black in a fine tailored suit. On his head his mask was transformed to create a kage hat, except where the village sign should be the akatsuki cloud instead rested. His eyes were blue, and his blonde hair peeked through the hat blowing slightly in the wind.

He had appeared a couple feet above the ground and there for his the ground and staggered slightly. He was still having issues with exact landings, the ground never seemed to be where he wanted it. Adjusting himself and fixing his shirt and tie he would look at the boy who was sitting.

"Sooooo, I think it might be time to go over the place, nothing lasts forever.......even this place". He would say with a sad sort of smile. He wasn't overly enjoying it all, it was just part of the job. Without the struggle, this whole thing had become just another thing to do.

As Kyson was laying on the ground, he would open his eyes for a split second and see someone appear in front of him. First time ever seeing some just appear out of no where like that. He had on a kage hat with some red cloud symbol on it. Village hidden in the Clouds or something? Couldn't be, but Kyson didn't pay too much attention to it. 

The boy would begin to sit up, still sitting on the ledge of the building. Hearing the words of the man, hearing those words didn't really make him feel better. Though, I doubt the reason he was here was to cheer him up. Plucking small rocks off the roof of the building, Kyson would then speak. "Yeahhh I guess that's true. First day on the job and the village is no more. Gotta love happy endings." Kyson would say in a sarcastic way. 

"So what's the next step?" Kyson would say to Maku. He would quit plucking rocks off the building and just stare down at the village. The sun was gazing down harder than ever. But he is well used to this weather by now. His clothes blowing along with the wind, his hair slightly going along with the gust. Awaiting to hear the man's reply.

"The hard is really over now.....". Maku would mention sitting next to the man. "From here, you surrender all your documents. It'll take me a day to look through them, then I'll make the final decisions." He would say all this very casually. As though a majority of the village wasn't going to be displaced or sent back to Kumogakure.

"Id like the shinobi documents first. I'll split most of your forces. Having them enter the ranks of what already exist. Easier for them to assimilate and not get any crazy ideas." Again he said it casually, and even as if he was trying to help. Which in some ways he was. Keeping the entirety of the force together would promote suna loyalty and bravado, something that could lead to drinks and rash decisions......which meant blood and the death of any sand shinobi.

"From there we will start the even split of who will come to my side and who will be free to decide where they want to go." He would say casually. He would then reach his hand out, as if to shake on it. If Kyson would grab his hand they would both teleport to the Kazekage office. "So......while you fetch the books I think we should talk about your gal pal." He would mention letting his hand go and giving a laugh.

Listening to the words of the man. It was more business talk between the two and the next step. Kyson still wasn't fully sue what his true motive is as of yet. But for now, they are just taking it one step at a time. The documents he mentioned were all ready to go. They were actually ready to go since their meeting at the office. But since this is the first time seeing the man in a couple days, he never really had the chance to physically give it to him. "Everything is ready to go, back at the office." Kyson would say in response.

As Maku made further request of what he wanted. Kyson would nod to the man, showing him that he accepts his terms and would make sure its given to him. It seemed he already knew how the troops were going to organized with his existing troops. It was obvious, something big was coming eventually. As Maku reached out his hand to shake on the deal, Kyson would look at his hand for a brief second and proceed to shake on it. A deal is a deal. As the he shook his hand, he almost instantly arrived at the Kazekage's office. That was quick. Kyson would think to himself. A pretty convenient jutsu. That explains how he showed up behind Kyson without him noticing.

As Kyson walked over to the file cabinet to give Maku the documents. He mentioned Kyson's "gal pal." Kyson was a bit confused as to who he was referring. "Whhat girl are you referring too?" Kyson said as he goes through the file cabinet and picks up all of Suna's important documents. It was a pretty big load of paper work. but everything was neatly organized and separated into sections. He would walk back over to Maku to hand him the documents.

Taking the documents Maku would have a seat in a guest chair, leaving the Kazekage chair for Kyson. It was his by right anyway, even if the title was soon to be done away with might as well afford him the comforts for a little while.

Flipping through the pages two distinct piles would start to form. Though it wouldn't be obvious what each one meant. This whole thing reminded him of working as the leader of the village hidden in snow. A lifetime ago, it had been fun, though this part had not. His mind drifted to the students he had once taught.......one was kept with him at all times. His eyes prof of that.

He continued to sort by seemingly random, "Some girl with red hair. I think she thinks she's better than you. Best keep your people in line." He would say off handedly. He wouldn't throw a lot of details his way, it would be up to Kyson to figure out how to deal with such things. If one watched really close the council of suna would all be in the same pile, that being the made up name he had given the group that had stood in this office not that long ago. The final folder in his hand however was Kyson's. Turning it so the Kazekage could see it, Maku would smile and drop it on his left covering the face of that Akari guy.

"Your coming with me I guess, but then again you might have always known that. These people, are free to go...". He would say gesturing towards his right. "These will assimilate into the Kumo army. Most will be broken off and placed in established vanguards. One unit will comprise of Suna nin, which you and Kira Uzumaki will run. Any questions?"

He would smile and grab additional documents starting to flip through expenses, exchanges, enterprise and resources. Slowly starting to separate them as well. Years, decades deep in foundation, being torn away in seconds by the motion of paper.......how quietly empires fall.

Taking a seat in the Kazekage chair. As he heard him describe the girl. Kyson knew right away he was referring to Kira. Which he didn't find surprising. Her and Raizuko were not too pleased to find out Koroshi told Kyson and the elders of the village that he would be next up for Kage. Kyson would just reply simply, "Yeah, yeah I hear you." He would say with a casual tone in his voice. As if he didn't have enough drama going on as it is. As Maku was going through the documents. He would show Kyson a folder and dropping it in front of him.

As Maku explained how things were going to go. They seemed easy enough. The suna ninja will handle the Suna forces and Kumo will handle their forces. But Suna will always be under Kumo regardless. After all of this is done, it would probably be a good idea to make a huge announcement. Letting the civilians know, they are not force to stay here if they wish to leave. And if they want to stay, then that will be their choice as well. It was almost like saying goodbye and hello at the same time.


"Seems simple enough, so when do we start?" Kyson would ask Maku out of curiosity. Things were going to be a lot different now. So he best get ready for it as soon as possible. He would lay back in the chair, since this was probably his last time sitting in it. Wondering if Kage's always have to go through harsh decisions like this. Cause if so, it was definitely not for him.

"We start now.....". He would say simply reading through paper after paper. In all honesty he was going so fast one would question if he was truly reading or just playing around. "The suna group I spoke of will work as my personal guard. I leave it to you to choose the participants. Kira Uzumaki will be second in command. The first and foremost responsibility will be my protection. It'll be a group comprising of no more than 15 shinobi, can't be having a parade. To which our first destination is Hoshigakre, to call home an alliance formed by bedfellows." He would say. Being forthright with the plan. Kyson was a kumo nin now, there was no need to hide things.

"As for the people here, again they will be free to go in waves, or stay. I'll charge you with getting that information out." He skimmed through some of the receipts of village trade and products. "The remainder of sunagakure funds, split them between yourself and the girl, outfit your men. Outfit yourself, and for gods sake wear something nice, your my honor guard, I can't be seen with dregs."

He would let the man respond, though the meeting would encompass the greater part of the next 4 hours. During this time Maku would explain to Kyson the entirety of the kumogakure expansion. In short though he might not initially know it he would be the second most knowledgable shinobi on the subject after this meeting. The talk was broken up with questions on suna funds and products. Deals were made out, and information carried over. Parts of suna trade set up to supply provinces of the new kumogakure kingdom.

All in all by the end Maku could feel his brain hurting from so much number crunching and talking, though the man loved to talk. During this time he would also inform Kyson on the relationship of the marriage alliance of Kumo and Hoshi, and explain everything he knew about Hoshigakure, including his own ties to ya underground. Finally he would reveal the plan to move the political capital of the Kumo empire to Hoshi while making Kumo the military academy and stronghold.

"What do you think?" He would ask relating to this last move. Hoshi was out of the way, more suited for diplomats and comfort. Kumo had to much open area for his liking. Besides he preferred to keep the rot away from his windows. It was a plan he had thought about for awhile, but just now explaining out loud. Military and politics shouldn't live that close together he thought. He could make a village around struggle, blood, violence.....soldiers not tainted by civility. At the same time he didn't want such monsters next to him either except on his own terms.

His other major reasoning was the Kumo empire was simply to big. Having a base at both ends only made sense, and he couldn't trust the running to Hoshi. He was going back......that much was settled.

Guess things were happening ASAP, things were progressing quickly. Seeing as Kyson was in charge of choosing the guards. He had two shinobi in mind other than Kira. Things will never be the same here on out. Whether he liked it or not, he was now back home in Kumo. The place he's been running from his entire life. Feeling as if he failed his people, but at the same time he felt it was best for the people then forcing them to submit. "I have a couple people in mind.." Kyson would say in response to maku. 

But soon, Kyson will make an announcement to the village, telling them everything that happen and whether they want to leave or not would be up to them. Seeing as Kyson was in charge of the funds along with Kira. He would make sure any Suna ninja in the village was well. Since these are still his people. He must take care of them whether they think they can trust him or not. "I guess a suit and tie would be fine? Looks like your style." Kyson would say to Maku. He never been a highly flashy person, but nonetheless it would fit him if he tried. 

The two would have a long brief conversation about how everything will go. Kyson never had talk about politics and military before. He's always been the type to just stay in the back and get the job done. Not really caring about what was happening in the background. Though that wasn't probably the smartest thing to do. But for a kid his age, who could blame him. Kyson was a bit clueless on some of this information, he didn't even realize how much was going on in the background. This was all completely new to him. Trying his best to sync all of this information at once. He started to think if Koroshi went through this everyday. And if so, being kage didn't seem as fun to Kyson. Especially on top of everything that has been going on.

But Hoshi kept coming up in the conversation, Kyson never heard of that place. But the other guy that was with Maku that was part of Suna's destruction said he was with Hoshi. So there is no way Kyson would love that place. But at this point, he'll just play it cool and go with it. It's not like he has a choice. But Kyson was given a lot of information about the ties between Kumo and Hoshi. As much as he hated the places, it was a bit interesting hearing about them.

"...... You really planned this out thoroughly. All this politics stuff is kind of new to me. But basically, this Hoshi place is going to be the main head quarters. And Kumo will be the military aspect. And to think Youka was married, from what I heard from others. He ain't really seem like the marrying type. But either way, I think I cracked down most of this information." Kyson would say to Maku. All of this was new to him but it was interesting to hear what was going on around the world. Kyson would have never known. Which made him think what Suna and Konoha had going on in the background. But seeing how things are, he'll never know.

"A suit and tie, that'll be good for you. As for your men and the women, well they need geared for combat, but like I said..." he would say waving his hand in the air, "make it decent to look at. My honor guard can't be a pain to look at, simply can't take it." He would say with a laugh. In truth he was doing the Suna nin that Kyson picked a favor. There was no doubt those assimilating into the kumo vanguards would be met with hazing or at best a feeling of distrust. The ones Kyson picked would have no such thing. Though, it would be interesting if he would pick up on this.

"Not so much, some things are just better to be winged. You have to know when to give and when to take. Critical thinking, can't be taught, you just have it or you don't." He would say putting down the last couple of papers. He would begin writing notes on what he wanted to happen with the sunagakure assets. "And never forget how quickly legends tumble, with but a few words." He would finish and hand Kyson the information. Written was total assimilation of sunagakure assets into Kumo. Just like that one of the oldest and proudest shinobi villages was dismantled and taken by another. The anti-climacticness of the moment would be hard to miss, Maku's words to be taken seriously. No one stands the test of time......except for himself if he can keep his pace.

"Hoshi is our next step. Pick your men, report to me in the morning, 7am. Your working for me Kyson, think of yourself however you want. Secretary, lieutenant, assistant, right hand, whatever. I told you titles mean nothing without something to back it up. From this moment, what you make of it is on you. Remember though, you aren't with Kumogakure, your mine...". With that Maku would vanish from the room. Leaving Kyson to relay the rest of the information to the appropriate bureaucrats.

(Exit)