Mr Calcium and Ser H2O [Kots]

Flames of war continued to rage throughout the defeated village as they walked down the streets, making their way directly to the most important building within the village. The bulbous headed Hokage chambers. There was little need to make small talk with Kotsuzui on this journey, as he believed the weight of the situation would be settling it around about now if it hadn't already. Happening accross the piles of rubble and incendiary furnishings of a village that had once believed itself immune to recompense. They will not repeat that mistake.

Soon enough, they were walking inside the vacated Hokage Chambers, before Xyxer paused for a moment, turned towards his comrade, who had hopefully dropped Risako off somewhere to be healed, and spoke to him, "I haven't been here before. Where's the room?" He assumed it'd be on the highest floor, sure, but which door? Different villages different traditions, and he could only imagine this village was no different.. after all, their defense had been less then impeccable. He was sure they made up for it somewhere though.

The Kaguya got to see how truly destroyed the village had been as he followed Xyxer down the main road. If a building wasn't on fire, it had suffered some kind of structural damage. It would take forever to rebuild the village, though it was fitting. The village was weak. Xyxer displayed that for everyone to see as clear as daylight. They would have to rebuild the village in its entirety, the actual village itself as well as its ninja. Just like the village, rebuilding their ninja would likely take forever as well. But it was a process that needed to be done. And as much as the Kaguya hated to admit it, Xyxer may just be the perfect man to build Konoha up to what it needed to be. It still irked the Kaguya to think the man he wanted to kill was the man they needed.

It didn't take long for the Kaguya to realize they were headed for the Hokage tower. They reached it in no time, though to Kotsuzui it felt like an eternity. Seeing the destruction of his home hit him hard, mostly because he had the perfect opportunity to end it and failed. Now he had the live with that every time he saw Xyxer and heard his voice. By the time they reached the doors some of Konoha's own forces had reached the building. Kotsuzui handed them their fallen leader so that she could be taken to their best medics and healed. They were going to need her for the rebuilding of the village.

"Up stairs" Kotsuzui said as he decided to lead the way up the spiraling stairs. Luckily the Kaguya knew where the office was because he had only actually been in it once. Upon his return from the Jounin exams following the attack on Suna, he had to be debriefed of what he had seen. At the time it had been a different Hokage, one with a large familiar as a pet. He wondered if the outcome would have been different with her leading the charge. Though it was pointless to think about such trivial matters. What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way. 

It didn't take the two long to arrive upon the single wooden door leading into the Hokage's office. Kotsuzui turned to face Xyxer as he lifted his left hand towards the door, indicating it was this one. "Need me to open it for you?" he'd ask, a little bit of sarcasm in his tone. Obviously if Xyxer had asked the Kaguya to do so, he would have to. Regardless he would follow the man inside the office. Kotsuzui was still uncertain what the man wanted with him. But he would surely find out sooner or later.

The Kaguya responded quite promptly to his question, which would be fine if the answer wasn't vague. "There's more than one flight of stairs here, Kotsuzui." He retorted, following behind the male in the staircase. With each step, Xyxer felt like the eyes of a dozen secret operatives should be focused on him.. piercing into his flesh with their rigid gaze.. yet they had been absent during the war. Security had been at an all time low in this village, and it was likely because of the frequent changing of Hokage if news was anything to go by. Granted, when your source of news came from wary travelers and fishermen, often inebriated with rum just so the fear of the misty isles didn't shake them, then it was questionable at best. Yet.. when one drunkard backs up the story of another with almost the exact same details.. then attention must be paid. How many Hokages had it been since the man had last held such a title? Four? Five? He knew little of the successors, yet his hatred of Viper could only escalate; the leader that abandoned his people before they could defend themselves from the consequences of his actions.

Once they came to the appropriate floor, conveniently the one at the top, his companion sought fit to jest with him. Had others been around, the price for such an action would be more severe than he'd anticipate.. yet he was fortunate. Only Gyuki shared the floor with them, and he felt merciful to the taijutsu specialist. "Go for it, sport. Maybe you can open a door better than you can take a punch." Xyxer quipped, although the humour was mostly lost in translation. His thoughts were too distracted by the potential of what he may find.. what he might uncover in regards to the past he couldn't forget. 

Xyxer paused momentarily before he entered into the Hokage chambers after Kotsuzui, taking a glance around the rather sparse room. A wooden desk, that was standard. Windows.. nice. Shelves and drawers with scrolls? Seems like the best place to start. Shifting his feet, Xyxer made his way towards the nearest drawers, throwing them open before he flicked through the records, pulling out an abundance of them which he'd pass to Kotsuzui, repeating the motion multiple times over. Although he was currently trying to know the people, what his heart truly sought were answers.. ones he'd likely never receive given the disappearance of Viper. "You waged this war over a ghost." Gyuki snorted, yet Xyxer ignored him for now. Doing all of this work without talking might be quite bothersome, so the Mizukage would speak once he was about two drawers in, "How many Kage have you had since Viper Uchiha? Were any of them good people?" The latter part was redundant. A villain could be good if the intent was there, yet it was interesting to see what the underlings thought of those above them.. How they were treated. It wasn't too long after that before he spoke once more regardless of the answer, "This war.. is this the first traumatic event you've experienced, Kotsuzui?" He inquired, pausing momentarily to glance backwards at the boy before rummaging through the drawers again.

The Mizukage replied to Kotsuzui's own response about there being multiple flights of stairs. Rather than answering, he would simply lead the man to his destination. Though his retort to Kotsuzui's sarcastic remarks was a clever punch back, one Kotsuzui wasn't sure he could even reply to. Even though it had been a direct shot to Kotsuzui's poor performance, he couldn't help but crack the smallest of grins. But they moved on and entered the Hokage's office. Once entered Kotsuzui closed the door behind him and stood in front of it, watching Xyxer as he scanned the office. He watched the Kage closely. If he wasn't going to find out what the Kage wanted with him, he would surely find out what the Kage was looking for. Hopefully.

His eye's followed the Kage as he walked over to a number of drawers and pulled them open. Kotsuzui could only imagine what kind of information those held, but he assumed they weren't of the utmost importance. Otherwise they would be sealed away. His best guest is that they likely contained information on the ninja of the village, maybe even the village defenses. Rather the lack of defenses. Whatever he was looking for, it seemed some of the folders had piqued his interests as he removed them from the drawers and proceed to hold them behind him for the Kaguya to take hold for him. "This can't be what I'm here for" he thought to himself as he approached and grabbed the folders from Xyxer. Now Kotsuzui started to believe that there were no true reasons why he was here. Xyxer was simply playing his games and having the Kaguya follow him around like a pet. 

After a number of folders being handed to him he was caught off guard by Xyxer's question, not expecting any real conversation to occur. But the question got the Kaguya thinking. He had never really paid attention back at the academy during History time, so his memory was quite foggy on the subject. He began to mentally count the number of Kage's since Viper as best as his memory served. "Six, i think" he began, grabbing another folder and stacking it onto the pile being held by his left hand/forearm. "There was Navi. I don't know much about him other than he was known as the fast Hokage. Then Jason Senju. As far as I'm concerned he died relatively early into his tenure as Hokage. He was followed by a Kurisu. I know little about him also. I heard he was quite powerful. Though just like the Kazekage he disappeared and has yet to be seen." Kotsuzui paused briefly for the next two. These two he knew. Ashi Inuzuka had been the first Hokage he actually met and spoke with. A moment most distinct in his memory was having tea with her and Kisuke. She had told the two she would help them train once given the time. But just like the previous Hokage she too left. Next was Ayumi, Kotsuzui and Kisuke's own sensei. He knew her relatively well. A very reserved person but always willing to care for others. He never imagined she'd be a Hokage, not sure if the role suited her. Rather if she suited the role. Yet she still took it on, that meant something about her character. But Kotsuzui wasn't about to get into it with Xyxer. They weren't buddies.

"He was followed by an Ashi Inuzuka. She had a relatively short tenure as well before she left. She was replaced by my sensei Ayumi. Then there's Risako who you're familiar with. Now here we are" he finished. Not until Xyxer had asked if any of them were good people.  Kotsuzui found that an odd question coming from him. But he didn't know where he was coming from and what purpose the question held. Maybe that had something to do with all these folders? "Some were" he answered, "but that doesn't matter anymore. They're either gone or dead and can't change what has happened here. I'm sure everything you want to know can be found in these folders. I'm more concerned with the here and now" referring to why he was here, among other things. There were a lot of uncertainties now that Xyxer was leading Konoha. But he was certain time would reveal all.

"Yes" Kotsuzui replied when Xyxer glanced back at him, looking right into his eyes. He hesitated to admit it and did not delve into it at all. The last impactful event on Kotsuzui's life was when his father had been imprisoned. But he was too young to really understand what had happened. This however hit him hard. He was never going to forget this. But Kotsuzui had a question of his own, one he had already asked before. "Why Konoha? Do you even have a reason, or were we the first on the list of your blood thirty conquest?" Kotsuzui asked. Xyxer's last answer had proven a point. Knowing why wouldn't change what had just happened or make it any better, and the Kaguya knew that. But he still wanted to know if there were a reason for it, or if he was simply a power hungry man who wanted to rule everything.

As Kotsuzui listed the names of his former leaders, the blue haired male paid attention despite his current actions occupying him. He shifted from one drawer to the next, pulling out clumps of files that he believed to retain information relevant to both the former Hokages. Had the plot been known by everyone in this succession? How many families would he have to burden with the debt left by their egocentric god. Xyxer paused a little when Kurisu's name was spoken.. he recognized that name, yet not from this place. He was the Raikage some time before the Akatsuki claimed that land. He'd lived long enough to stake his claim in the land of fire.. yet he'd also left? Was it cowardice or weakness? The weight of leadership? He was unsure, but curious for the answer he couldn't know.

Opening up a final drawer, Xyxer revealed a list of ninja considered to be enemies of the village. Details regarding their last known whereabouts as well a rather cumbersome red stamp blotting the center of the pages with "MISSING NINJA RANK X" He flicked through the list momentarily, yet the people meant nothing to him. Standing back up from the ground, Xyxer nodded towards the desk in order to redirect the Kaguya's current inventory. Meanwhile, the Mizukage nudged the drawer shut and handed the Missing Ninja files over to Kotsuzui, speaking as he rounded the desk to the other side, the one reserved for the Hokage, "Have a read of them, tell me what you know about them. Dangerous? Cowards? I trust you won't reveal anything said within this room to people outside of it." Xyxer at this point started to look through the files that had now accumulated on the desk, skimming them mostly. Perhaps a single sentence could confirm his suspicions, a comment on their actions.

Yet, Kotsuzui spoke once more, repeating the question he'd heard earlier during the heat of war. It seemed to truly be gnawing at the boy. Glancing towards the shinobi on the other side of the desk, he put the file currently in his hands down, shrugging his shoulders as if it was releasing some heft that'd been weighing him down, "If this was a bloodthirsty conquest we'd have killed every other ninja in that line. You killed one." Tensions were quite obvious within the room. If someone just burned down your ice cream parlour, then had you follow them around carrying their books, you'd be pretty damn inquisitive as well. "This village has procured nothing but trouble for those dearest to me. It used its vast power to ruin my home, to kill my treasured sensei. I came to kill those responsible, yet they're gone for one reason or another." Xyxer seemed to smile momentarily, as if he was about to crack a joke, "If I had any sense at all I'd have drowned the village like Sameonna did back in her day.. but look where that got her." He snickered, glancing at Kotsuzui as he quipped about the death of his only sensei.

He wondered what it would have been like. To see all of these defenseless people drowning within the safety of their village. The blanket that kept the monsters away from the child being used to smother it. He had the capability to perform such a heinous deed, and he certainly did not care for the people that formed the shinobi in this village.. but it would have provided nothing for him. To kill harmless children was a foul deed; there was no sport in it. No honour. He wouldn't repeat the mistake of those before him.. or so he hoped. As the smile remained, he decided to fire another question back at Kotsuzui, slowly building rapport, "Tell me why you came charging directly towards me. You must have heard of my name. My battle prowess. Yet you charged at me to what could have been certain doom had I not felt kind. What possessed you?" He asked, resting his hands on the edge of the desk before him.

Before Xyxer proceeded to answering Kotsuzui's question, he directed the Chuunin over to the Hokage's desk. Was Kotsuzui going to have to stand there and watch as he went through all the folders he retrieved from the drawers? Strolling over to the front of the desk Kotsuzui dropped the stack of folders he had been holding, placing his right hand atop the pile as to make sure nothing spilled over. He grabbed the last set of flies handed to him and was about to place it atop the pile he had just placed upon the desk. However he refrained from doing so due to Xyxer telling him to have a read of the files and tell him what he knew. He looked down at them with suspicion, not sure why Xyxer wanted him to take a look at them and why he would even know anything of value. But upon opening the first file he understood why. These files contained information about Konoha's missing ninja, those who abandoned their village. Cowards. But why was Xyxer handing this kind of information to Kotsuzui? As he stated, nothing spoken of was to leave this room. Was he trying to create some form of trust with the Kaguya?

Whatever his reasons, he decided to answer Kotsuzui's previous question. The very first thing he said informed the Kaguya that it indeed was not a conquest, otherwise he would likely have killed everyone. If not those who survived would have probably been taken as prisoners. He reminded the Kaguya that it had been them who killed one of their own in the line. To be honest, Kotsuzui would have done the same without skipping a heart beat if a meant saving everyone else. Though for reasons unknown at the moment, he wasn't in that line. But he listened on, and then it hit him. Was Xyxer really the bad guy here? From the way he spoke it sounded like Konoha had made the first move and he had only been doing what he thought was just. Or rather he was trying to get revenge for the damage Konoha had done. But the people he was looking for were gone, maybe that's what he was looking for in all these drawers and files. If someone had killed his own sensei, now Hokage, would Kotsuzui act any differently himself? "Maybe you should have" Kotsuzui replied to the drowning remark. "Now you've provided us with cause for 'revolt'. Not now, but eventually" he added. Though truth be told, that would be nowhere in the near future. It was made clear Xyxer possessed power that no one in Konoha could contend with. Oddly enough, Kotsuzui's own perception of his new leader had shifted slightly. Though he wasn't sure if he could forgive him just yet. A question still rattled around his head. Should the children suffer for the sins of their ancestors? Until he had an answer to the question his opinion may not change on the man, although he had still shown them remorse...

With that he peered down to the desk and opened up the files to take a look at them. The first one revealed the name of Orokana. Kotsuzui remembered him. He met him at a cemetery, ironically the first place he had seen both Salzem and Hikari as well. "Orokana. I know nothing of his capabilities other than being a nuisance. From first glance he didn't seem like much of a threat to me." Back at the cemetery all Kotsuzui remembered was wanting to knock the day light out of him. Next was someone he knew relatively well. "Ryou Kenshin, a Kaguya as well. He came over from Suna after its invasion. I had no idea he fled Konoha. He won't be a threat. Possessed little knowledge of combat and usually fought from a distance. He did have one technique that could be bothersome. Nothing that can't be dealt with." Little did they know he had already died. Next in the files was an Ari Hiyu. Based on her picture Kotsuzui felt like he recognized her but couldn't place his finger on where he had seen her or who she was. So he chucked it up to "I've never seen her before". The last person he came upon was "Love Sakumo. I remember her from the Jounin exams, a Hyuuga. Kurisu spoke highly of her performance, even going so far as to say she was close to obtaining Jounin but needed some more experience. She should be some fun" Kotsuzui's said, a slight grin on his face. It was pretty clear Xyxer had been gathering these files because he planned on have these people hunted down. About time.

Closing the files, Kotsuzui paused before thinking. There was someone who wasn't listed in the files likely due to the fact he wasn't a missing nin. At least no yet. But he hadn't shown up to kneel when Kiri arrived, and he wasn't there to kneel when Kiri won either. Searching through the stack of folders Xyxer had pulled, Kotsuzui quickly found the one he was looking for. "Ita Uchiha, that damned traitor." The two had fought in the Jounin exams along side Jace Uchiha. What was the point of obtaining Jounin rank for your village if you weren't going to defend it? "He may be troublesome. Uchiha always are. He has this jutsu that slows you down with no indication of its activation." Placing his files with the others, Kotsuzui looked up towards Xyxer before saying "I beat him once before, I can do it again." Ita had unwillingly picked a grudge with the Kaguya the moment he hadn't showed up to help defend Konoha. He needed to pay.

Then came another question from the man, asking why the Kaguya had charged at him reminding him that death was certain had he felt like it. The answer was quite simple to the Kaguya. "I don't fear death. It's apart of our lives the moment we chose to be a ninja, following us like our own shadows. If it means having the opportunity to keep my home safe, I'll do it." Kotsuzui knew what a cliche that was. But it's who he was. "The moment you went after our Hokage you became my target. The loss of our Hokage meant the fall our of village. I couldn't let that happen." He did let it happen. "I expected to die in that battle. But you had me healed, twice. Why me?" he asked. Why hadn't Xyxer showed such remorse to Risako, who he nearly split in two. Why hadn't he showed such remorse for the decapitated ANBU who's head still dangled at his hip? Why did he choose to keep a Chuunin alive and well?

It became readily apparent that Kotsuzui was not once to mince words. He'd offhandedly just suggested that drowning his village was perhaps the superior option to pick. That a rebellion was soon to be established to remedy the blight his people had brought upon them. Those weren't the words of someone willing to suppliant themselves to a cause they didn't believe in. He made no false remark about how Xyxer had done the right thing and he need not worry himself about the consequences, if the Kaguya had said such a thing then the tension in the room would likely have become palpable as Xyxer recognized he was in the presence of a liar. A coward. The most dangerous kind of person. The men who would sooner turn away from their village during its time of need, leaving a breach in their defenses for the enemy to power through and slaughter them all. A blunt man was someone that could be trusted.

A revolt had been something Xyxer anticipated. If Kirigakure were unable to mend relationships with these people through some event or another, it was inevitable that they'd rise up when Kirigakure was weak and see their tragedy repaid in kind. It was the human condition to exact unto others as they had done to you. A full-scale destruction of the village only begged for the same to unfold in the future when he was too weak to defend against the new shinobi. To watch as everything you've built with your own bare hands through incredible violence and unprecedented sadism be tore down because you didn't know when to reign it in. Fear would only control a populace for so long, and it wasn't wholly reliable. 

Kotsuzui started speaking about the Missing Shinobi files he was currently reading over as Xyxer skimmed through the available Hokage files briefly. The sensitive information regarding them was scarce for obvious reasons, likely locked away in a deeper, more secure area. As he read through their histories briefly and listened to what the Kaguya said, he was somewhat confused when he got to the last file. Risako had been listed as a Jounin in rank, yet a Deputy Kage in title; forced to defend her land against an invader when she was far outclassed. To step into the shoes of something greater than her and to play the role. She had done rather well, come to think of it. Putting the file down, he closed it to ensure no information was revealed from this particular set yet looked towards the files regarding the criminals of the village. He gave small tidbits of insight, and even revealed the name of the one that had abandoned them all. Ita Uchiha. The Uchiha just had a penchant for leaving their people when needed the most, it must be hereditary. "I'm sure you know why I had you read them. Study their faces until it feels like you've known them the entirety of your life. They're going to be apprehended, and letters will be sent announcing the price of their heads soon enough." The boy seemed rather intent on fighting on them, so it was clear these people weren't to be reasoned with.. or had the Hozuki simply came along one of the few people who shared his passion for combat? To feel alive whilst dancing with defeat and lady death.

The files had told their stories to Xyxer as much as he cared to heed them, for now he wanted to speak to the man he'd brought into the office with him above all others. He'd wanted to defend his home from the invaders, a common feeling that was evoked when foreigners came to their home. Change bred disdain, especially if one thought the creators of said change did it out of a lust for power. He replied to the boy's question, "To be killed by a single kunai before you enter a fight is reprehensible. I couldn't allow it, despite you being my enemy for that battle. I had you healed the first time so I could see if there was any merit to you: Glory seeker, Taijutsu god, a fool? I'm still not sure, yet you didn't beg for your life. You still fought me despite seeing the ANBU's death before you.. the maiming of your deputy Hokage. I'm still not sure what you are." He paused momentarily, going on a small tangent, "Any ANBU that survives the invasion of their village should feel worthless and if they had any honour, commit seppuku. I honoured the ANBU's oath to her village and granted her a death worth being remembered, rather than the one who stood by and watched as everything burned." Xyxer explained. His thoughts on ANBU and their goals were rigid, they should be unflinching to their village and embracing of death regardless of the outcome as long as it fulfilled their vows. His act that could be seen as barbarism was a mercy in his mind, one that the village didn't need, yet received. "I plan for you to fight one of my own once a week passes. Kozurou. He also likes taijutsu. Prove yourself to me in this fight, as I'm teetering on the edge at the moment.. should I have you as my harbinger for this village? To ensure things are done respectably, and to quench any rebellions before my mercy is depleted to the extent of aforementioned drowning?" He broached the subject about Kotsuzui potentially becoming, in essence, Xyxer's left hand man within the village. A curious tactic to incite mutual respect and a declaration of his admiration for how he carried himself throughout the war.

After Kotsuzui had scanned over the files, Xyxer informed him why he had been given such files. Kotsuzui pretty much figured it out on his own, that they were going to be hunted down and brought back. What he hadn't been certain of was whether it would be him doing it, or if Xyxer was simply getting all the information he could for when he assigns his own men. It had been the former. That had excited the Kaguya. The possibility to bring in those who had betrayed his home and abandoned them was one he could not pass up on. So he left the files on the desk opened up to study their faces. He highly doubted these files would be allowed to leave this room, so this would be his only opportunity to memorize them. Glancing over their hair styles, eye colors, any scars one may have, even taking the time to look at the size and shape of their mouths. There would be a price on their heads giving all across the land the chance to bring the runaways in for a prize. If Kotsuzui was lucky it wouldn't come to that. That was boring. It removed the possibility of having him bring them in himself.

Xyxer decided to answer the Kaguya's question. At first he was a little surprised no reply about a possible revolt came from the man. Probably do to the fact Xyxer was well aware of a possible revolt and was already taking measures to prevent such a thing. But his question was answered and Xyxer was right. Dying from a single kunai was reprehensible, it embarrassed and shamed the Kaguya to nearly be taken out in such a manner. So he basically had Kotsuzui healed to see if there was in value in keeping him alive. Hearing such only helped prove that he wasn't simply on a conquest, helping diminish any doubts the Kaguya may have. "Taijutsu god sounds nice" Kotsuzui said slightly joking. Although the moment didn't really call for it, sometimes the Kaguya couldn't help himself. Joking and instigating people was simply apart of who he was. But Xyxer's words informed him that the Kage was well aware of Risako only being a Deputy Kage. No doubt he had just found out in the many files he had glanced over. Would he find that insulting, that the actual Hokage herself did not come to face him. Instead a Jounin. Or would he simply see that as another reason to rebuild this village into what it should be.

In earnest, seeing the ANBU's decapitation and maiming of Risako only fueled Kotsuzui even more to want to fight and kill Xyxer. But it was hard to disagree with the man's words. It was the ANBU's job to give their lives for the village or die trying, as the decapitated one had done. Otherwise they should take their own lives. Oddly enough, Kotsuzui held many of the same values Xyxer had just mentioned ANBU should have. That was probably why he aspired to be ANBU as well. "You may have honored their oath" Kotsuzui answered, "but it's brutality diminished any understanding of that. It's purpose seemed more as a message than an honor." A message Kotsuzui believed was meant to burn itself into the minds of every Konoha ninja and remind them of what their new leader was capable of. What he would do to them he they dare challenge him. He continued, feeling the need to add to Xyxer's comments about not knowing what Kotsuzui was aiming for. "I seek no such titles. Call me what you like but I seek one thing and that's to protect my home" he said as he looked at Xyxer, the one who had shown how inadequate the Kaguya was at the job. A reminder every time he looked at him.

What came next truly caught the Kaguya by surprise, but he could understand it. He needed someone who would keep the village in check. What better way to do it than one of their own home grown ninja. If it had been a Kiri ninja there was a possibility that Konoha simply wouldn't heed his words, or may even take him out when he had the chance. But if it were one of their own, that was less likely. It drastically reduced the chances of Kotsuzui becoming ANBU, quite possibility removing such an option completely from the equation. But this could be a lot more beneficial to him. It would allow him to help protect his village while at the same time being able to stay close to Xyxer. Who knew how close it would allow him to be, but anything was better than nothing. The purpose of the role would be to make sure Konoha stays in check and doesn't rebel, one Kotsuzui would gladly take up. Konoha was in to state to rebel and wouldn't be anytime soon. Though it may also allow him to be aware of Kiri's own strengths and that could be more beneficial than anything else.

Although all of this were simply possibilities and it wouldn't happen unless he proved himself against the one known as Kozurou, also a taijutsu user. That helped. Kotsuzui despised genjutsu as it had always been his weakness. Often ninjutsu user's tend to fight from a distance. A taijutsu user put him right at home. Kotsuzui likely didn't have a say in the matter of whether to fight Kozurou or not, but either way he was going to do it. It would not only provide him with the opportunity to prove himself to Xyxer and make up for his poor attempt at fighting the Kage, but it was also his chance to show the rest of Kiri what he could do. "I'll fight him." Kotsuzui replied, not bothering to ask what would happened if he failed to prove himself. He was quite certain he could. He doubted Kozurou was as good a hand to hand combatant as Xyxer himself. There was a brief pause before he continued, only just thinking of his next question. "What are your plans for the Deputy Hokage. You chose to keep her alive, I can only assume you have plans for her as well." He may not get the answer, but he wanted to know what direction the village was heading in. And their Hokage and Deputy Hokage were the ones who decided such things. Of course now it would be done alongside Xyxer.

He spoke about his affinity for the nickname of 'Taijutsu God' which caused a faint smile to crack across the lips of Xyxer. Half an hour ago they had been fighting one another in a furious battle which could have resulted in death for either of them, yet here.. they talked as if they were friendly. As if the struggles they had just endured meant nothing to either of them as the victor decided to hold back on his torturous ways. Kotsuzui was starting to grow on Xyxer, as he truly reminded him of people from his own village. Perhaps they weren't so different after all.

He spoke in retaliation to the oath of the ANBU, even seeing through the words of Xyxer to pinpoint a more sincere meaning. Whilst he had enabled the Special Ops the luxury of death rather than a life of failure, he had done it in a more brutal fashion than was needed. A move that was intended to break the spirits of Konohagakure's soldiers once they laid their eyes upon their masked hero being cut down as if she had been a defiant child standing in the path of a raging bull; the results were bloody, and the message clear. Xyxer shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly about the murder as he spoke, "There's no time for kindness during war. The more brutal the kill, the simpler the message is. The easier it's understood. You'll learn someday, Kotsuzui, that the best way to get things done is with a message." He explained, continuing on with his next breath, "I could have killed twenty or so of your shinobi quick and clean, but then more would have died. Brutalize one so horrifically that nobody wants to follow suit? In the end.. there isn't a choice. Perhaps I just value life more than you do." Xyxer jabbed, his dead eyes watching the boy with a glint. That should be enough to get his point across.

Kotsuzui was willing to fight Kozurou, which was a welcomed result. He'd be able to see the boy's aptitude at combat against others more around his skill level. Would he prove himself worthy of Xyxer's attention, or fall beneath the boot like a trampled child? Only time would tell. "I'm going to execute her in the center of the village so all can wallow and weep about their gloomy future." He chuckled, finding pleasure in mocking the potential death. There was nothing that could be do about it if he wanted to be so callous, yet.. he didn't. "No, she'll be fighting Yensung Aburame. He tried to kill her. She'll want revenge. I want the person who desires Hokage the most to be at my side, not the one that simply has it handed to them. One final thing, Kotsuzui. If you win.. you'll be considered a shinobi of Kirigakure." There was a momentary pause before Xyxer nodded towards the door, "We'll talk again after the tournament. Farewell." Given that Kotsuzui heeded the suggestion, Xyxer would lift the files up once more, going through them slowly and deliberately.. one could even be forgiven for believing he was searching for a spelling error.

[Potential exit]

Kotsuzui listened as he spoke about the importance of sending a message. The Kaguya was right to assume there was more to simply honoring the death of the ANBU. Brutality meant a clearer message. As much as Kotsuzui wouldn't admit it, there was truth in his words. That much he could not deny. It was in fact quite similar to what Konoha had done themselves. Xyxer brutalized one to send a hard and heavy hitting message to all instead of killing many to send the same message. Whereas Konoha killed one to save the lives of the many. Albeit they were forced to do so, in the end the decision still rested on their hands and they made a choice.

Maybe he valued life more? At first glance that seemed like a preposterous statement to make. He came here with an army and killed the lives of so many. But it only took a few moments for Kotsuzui to realize that it had in fact not been his initial intentions to do so. He had provided Konoha with an alternative to battle and death, life under the rule of Kiri. It was us who did not heed his words. More and more it was becoming harder for Kotsuzui to see Xyxer as the 'bad guy' now that he was starting to understand things from his view point. Thus he remained silent, hearing his words but not verbally admitting that he possibly agreed. Though sometimes silence spoke louder than words and Xyxer would likely pick up on that.

Unfortunately, Kotsuzui could not find his humor for Xyxer's joke as his relaxed gaze had slightly adjusted to a more stern looking one. At first he wasn't even sure if it was a joke until Xyxer had confirmed it himself. The worst thing about it was, if he truly wished to execute Risako, it would happen and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. That was why Kotsuzui couldn't join Xyxer in his joke. Besides that fact it would have been a useless death. He had already sent his messages, this one would have been for naught. He had plans for Risako and Yensung to battle for the spot of Hokage. Yensung, because he decided to show his power at the very end of things and tried to rally his troops, then take out Risako and claim the titled himself. Now he was going to have his opportunity. "That coward" Kotsuzui uttered in disgust. "No one's going to follow that man into battle. I sure as hell wouldn't." Kotsuzui could only hope that Risako handled the child-sized man and prevented him from taking the reigns.

His final words had taken Kotsuzui aback. Considered a shinobi of Kiri? For all intensive purposes they were still considered the enemy to Konoha even though they now ruled over the village. How could he willingly become one of them, them who attacked and killed his fellow ninja? Be an enemy to the village he tried protecting? It almost seemed like a joke and Kotsuzui was waiting for Xyxer's chuckle and his follow up stating so. But it never came because it wasn't a joke. Kotsuzui came close to objecting to such a statement, but quickly refrained from doing so. If he was chosen to be Xyxer's harbinger it only made sense he became one of their own. Ignoring the fact he would be joining the enemy, it had its merits. It would allow him to get closer to Xyxer, learn about the shinobi of their village, learn of their powers and possibly even learn of any weaknesses. It was quite frankly a great opportunity for the Kaguya as much as he despised the idea. He wouldn't be able to protect Konoha from threats being away from the village, but it would help with protecting them from any threats coming from Kiri. 

Kotsuzui's views on Xyxer maybe have changed slightly getting to know him only a little bit more than earlier. But as it stood he still wanted to kill the man and that hadn't changed. At least for the time being. "I suppose that would only make sense. It'll be easier for me to know what you want of Konoha if I'm close by." Kotsuzui replied, briefly stating he understood the reasoning behind it. Or so he thought. That concluded what Xyxer wanted of the Kaguya, informing him they'd speak after the 'tournament'. So that was where his match and the match for Hokage would be taking place. He wondered who else would be participating. Who Hikari have to fight as well, even Kisuke? Regardless, he took one last glance at the missing ninja files before closing them up and stacking them on the desk. "Until then" he finished, slightly nodding for his new ruler. He wasn't too sure how Xyxer wanted to be referred to being their new leader so he simply refrained from naming him at all. He turned around and made his way out the office. Things were going to change for Konoha. Whether what was for the good or not only time would tell. But a path had been laid in front of the Kaguya and he needed to seize it.

[EXIT]

TWC: 4419
2000 words for Lightning element
2419 words for 24ap