The Leviathan & The Aegis

The greed of man was a curious thing to behold. The insatiable desire to force one's will upon others in the ultimate display of superiority. A desire many held yet seldom possessed both the will and the means to achieve such grandiose feats befitting a god. They were a rare breed of person yet their influence and actions on the world affected the masses, lesser beings subjugated to their will. That was the reality of much of the shinobi world now. Major shinobi villages occupying other villages and territories that were unable to resist the domineering actions of those who sought to expand their influence on the land. Events that Nobunaga was all to familiar with. His home, the former major shinobi village of Sunagakure no Sato was defeated and destroyed, it's surrounding country being assimilated into the controlled territory of the conquerors he now found himself in service to. The kingdom of Kumogakure no Sato had expanded far and wide under the efforts of ex-warlord and ex-Kage Maku. A man who's lust for power and greedy desire to horde extravagant items had led him to enforce his will on the world. 

Even now, Nobunaga found himself in a land won over by foreigners, outsiders who thought themselves superior enough to act upon it. Outsiders led by a force powerful enough to enthrall a new world order upon them. The world had become a place of those who were either conquered or those who were conquering. Or rather, it always worked as such. Was that not why Nobunaga took up the mantle of protector, a man who would guard the weak and powerless. A firmly planted, unmovable wall to act as a shield against the gargantuan, unstoppable beasts that sought to consume and devour the world. 

But it would seem that the desire, the hunger to feast upon the world and force it to bend to one's will was far superior to the will to protect others for the Hiyu had failed in his mission. He had failed to protect his leader and he had failed to protect his home. When most of his village had taken refugee in Konoha, Nobunaga failed when he chose to join the enemy instead, doing what he thought was his duty. His failure was made apparent when he later learnt that Konoha was taken. The leaf had fallen. It was drowning and he had been nowhere to offer himself as a guard against the tidal wave that shook the leaves from the trees and consumed the forest. Was his will to act as a guardian misplaced in a world such as this one? 

A lifetime of what felt like failure plagued the Hiyu's mind as he sat crossed legged in the light snow that covered the forests surrounding Konoha. His massive black cloak concealed the massive armored body hidden underneath save for his head and the large great sword resting almost parallel on his back and along the ground. Slightly hunched forward, in solitude Nobunaga rested and thought to himself. What was his place in this world? Where did he belong? Was his moral compass properly adjusted to this world or did it require realigning? 

"You are a sad creature to lay eyes upon, Hiyu." Hissed a feminine-esque voice from within the depths of his mind. "For such a tough man you are too easily broken." Nobunaga remained silent, seated in the cold that nipped at his flesh and tingled the extremities of his body. "Instead of wallowing in your sorrow, seek to make the world a better place for those who cannot. Use your power not to prevent, but to actively change the world for its betterment. For those who cannot do so themselves, for those whom you seek to protect. Seek out another way in which you can protect them." Of course, the opposite side of the pendulum was true too. Where there were those who sought to subjugate the world to their will, there were those who rather sought to influence the world instead, for its betterment. "You are right." Responded the Storm Operative out loud.  "You are not my first host Hiyu."Realign his goal to actively improve instead of protect that which already exists.Influence the world to make it better, a colossal task that the brute was willing to shoulder. Or so he thought.

The human mind was a fragile thing. Many sought confirmation for their thoughts to ensure they were within the parameters a civilisation had set for them... to be too ambitious was frowned upon. To simply cripple others in order to ensure your own position is higher than the others was an act so heinous that it was little more than a taboo only the wretched acted upon, or at least it was believed. One could lay a path forged solely from deceitful acts of treachery and obscene slaughters yet in the end who would care? Why would the survivors spare a single thought if the conqueror renamed his misdeeds and decorated them with fancy lies and nestled an olive wreath upon its disguised, abominable face.

Even more curious about the psyche of a mortal was the need to conform... to burn under another. During their darkest hours men would find solace in the actions of another and seek to imitate them, viewing them as an idol and a leader. Such an act was what people such as Xyxer preyed upon. The greatest game to play was with life. To challenge more than just the physical sense of a person, to break down the very foundations of their being; to show you understand them, yet you do not care. To break others was a tremendous performance, almost intimate.

On this cold day, Xyxer traversed the winter wonderland he found himself in. White canopies towered above him while the ground itself remained lightly coated with snow. Each step he made brought a soft crunch, although he assumed that would have happened even if he did not have Samehada on his back. He wore a navy cloak under the infamous sword with intricate stitching across it depicting a golden leviathan approaching a symbol that resembled the sun; maw agape. The gift had been amusing to him when he received it, and what a better time to wear it than in the outskirts of Konoha?

A deep voice resonated a short distance away from Xyxer and it would be at this moment that Gyuki alerted the other Bijuu of its presence. Xyxer meanwhile directly headed towards his location without much care for being hidden. He was no coward, he had no need to disguise his presence. After numerous crunches in the snow Xyxer rested his single burning eye alongside his icy one on the resting Hiyu. He'd been at Kumogakures delegation. This was one of their ANBU. A violent impulse gnawed at Xyxer yet it would go unheard for now, his white mane dropping in a curt nod, "What takes you so far from safety?" The words were presented neutrally, yet he knew that the man understood there was no safety in this world. At least... not while it was as dysfunctional as it happened to be.

To serve and protect. That was what once drove the Hiyu. It was the hypothetical inspiring tattoo he got imprinted on his body where other's would get Carpe Diem, or some love quote. He served under greater men than himself, learning from them where in turn he offered his sword and his body. He offered his life to protect them and to aid them in achieving their goals. He aspired to be the anvil in which they used to slam a hammer down on the sword that was their ideals. He would support those he served. But no more. No more would he be used as a tool for other men, greater or lesser than himself. He had done so his entire life. Now, it was time to make a change. Realign his moral compass to seek the betterment of the world he desired. 

Nobunaga's head slightly rose from its hunched position upon feeling the Rokubi stir from within his mind. It twirled around, it's attention diverted from Nobunaga and being drawn to an outside presence from behind the Hiyu. The only time this had happened prior to now was at the Kage Summit, when the caged beast had been in the presence of its brethren. Was there another Jinchuriki present within Konoha? It was at that moment that Nobunaga heard the light crunching of soft snow under someone's slow moving footsteps. It was that same moment that he felt the man's chakra and instantly recognized it. The Mizukage, conqueror of Konoha and host to the Hachibi. The Hiyu had memorized the war lord's chakra back at the summit, anticipating a future meeting with the man. But not under these circumstances. 

From his seated position Nobunaga would twist his head to look over the same shoulder which the long handle of his sword poked out over. With the same eye that had a scar running along it, he gazed at the individual now coming out of the surrounding trees and making himself visible. No formalities were given, he simply posed a question, a question that put Nobunaga's safety into question. Despite the calm and relaxed attitude Xyxer presented Nobunaga with and the cool tome of his voice, his words betrayed him. Albeit intentional, Nobunaga would not act to the meaning of the words but instead would remain calm himself. 

With the clinking of the heavy metal plates hidden underneath his black cloak, the Hiyu would slowly push himself off of the snow covered ground. Rising to his full height of six foot four inches while simultaneously turning around the face Xyxyer, the brute would remain silent for just a moment, stoically gazing into the multi colored eyes of the man standing before him. "You assume I require safety." Retorted Nobunaga in his usual coarse voice. Xyxer was a man who felt himself capable enough to roam the forest of Konoha just as Nobunaga was doing. The Hiyu felt himself no different. He was different in only that this was the man who invaded and ruled over other's where as Nobunaga attempted to protect and guard other's from people like him. "Is it not you who requires safety, Lord Mizukage? I imagine you have a pretty large target on your back around these parts." Standing tall and unmoving, the Hiyu made sure to show the white haired man that he posed no threat. But he too could speak words that intentionally betrayed that.

Resting his eyes fully on the man that was sat down, somewhat amused. To find respite in the snow was a foreign concept to Xyxer, yet he could not tell just how long Nobunaga had been here. In fact come to think of it, he had not even heard that he'd arrived with the appointed delegation for Kumogakure when the chuunin exams had started. He understood the need to escape the bustle of the streets more than anyone else could, for a swordsman needed a clear state of mind in order to perform their art. To free their mind of any murky thoughts and cloudy judgments that could hinder their next move. Supreme clarity was needed in the heat of battle so that one did not find their own neck kissing dangerous silver.

When the man finally decided to stand up he revealed his full size, removing any doubt in the back of Xyxers mind that this was in the fact the ANBU Operative for Kumogakure. Same Bijuu, same height, same sword. The Silent Protector. Perhaps, soon to be The Dead Man. The thought coursed through his mind like a rabid dog until a strong force tightened around its over-eager throat. He'd worked wonders on his impulses as of late, his self-control now acting as a leash on the creature he had once been. Men such as himself had no need to follow the petty whims of flesh, even if it was his own. He was the master of not only his own, but everyone else's fate. He could decide whether the man before him ever saw his sweet village again... that was power.

How much information could he gain from this man about Kumogakure? Their defenses, their political structure, the unrest he could use against them. ANBU certainly had knowledge of their own villages deeply guarded secrets, yet they tended to be wholly unwilling to share these despite the maimings imposed upon them. This was a large man, and a lot of him was available to be maimed and disfigured, yet would it help at all? His expressions remained friendly while considering the best thing to do with the swordsman before him.

Hearing the words he spoke roused him, causing him to once again pay attention to the towering mound of muscle with a weapon equally as impressive as his own. A comment about safety, and a jab at Xyxer himself. The corners of his lips curled upwards into a light smile, his eyes locked onto Nobunagas. "Perhaps, but even the largest target is not worth attacking when the consequence is certain death without achieving the kill. Many men want to kill me, yet here I stand." The words were casually paced, talks of such nature bothering him little, "I do not need safety in the slightest. On the contrary, I am the bringer of it. Right now, the four major villages unite within Konohagakure because of me, and they fear nothing. This is the safest they will all ever be." The man finished, knowing full well that the man had been at the discussions for such an event occurring. Surely he knew what weight Xyxers mere gestures held, especially after the killing of Kotetsu.

The world was a chaotic place and Nobunaga a confused individual simply trying to find where he fit in the anarchy of things. It was in moments of solitude where he could truly evolve as an individual. Through thorough contemplation of his thoughts, his past mistakes and what the future held for him could he improve on himself. It was a difficult process to go through, one that required him to acknowledge his faults, accept his mistakes and realize his inadequacies. It was like ripping through the fleshand beating away at his bones until they were chiseled, perfectly sculpted to deal with any and everything that attempted to cut him down. The serenity of nature helped him with this enormous task. The calmness of the forest, the whistling of the wind, the crunching of snow. All of it helped sooth the soul and were the reasons for Nobunaga being out here. But why was the beast standing before him out here? Did he possess some semblance of humanity, one that required him to also enjoy the finer things in life such as peaceful solitude in nature, least he be devoured by the raging flames of this world? Nobunaga did not want to give this man the benefit of the doubt, but they were both here. Both men choosing to be alone despite the threat attached to solitude. Both here in the calmness of the woods, with weapons just in reach. Both here, now standing in front of each other, neither one choosing to leave the confrontation despite what it could lead to. 

What else did Nobunaga potentially have in common with this beast? A thought he would rather not entertain as he watched a thin smile poke its way into existence on the Hozuki's face. Nobunaga's words intrigued the Kage, an indication of just how much the two differed despite their potential similarities. This altercation was amusing to the conquering Kage. It was clear he enjoyed confrontations. He relished the chance to test the will of another against his own, to bend and contort them in an attempt to see their malleability, an attempt to see what it would take to break them. He was probing Nobunaga. He felt himself to be untouchable, unkillable. 

He was standing right there, directly in front of Nobunaga. The two of them were alone, no one else was around for miles. Nobunaga could strike him down right now and no one would ever know. All his conquests, all his war mongering would come to an end right here, right now. All the horrors he would inevitably bring into existence, all the potential lands he would lay waste to, all the suffering he would induce and the lives he would ruin. Nobunaga could end all of that if he cut down the man standing just before him. The Hiyu would shake the thought from his mind. Innocent people died when men try to win a war before it started. He would not be the spark that fanned the flames of yet another war.

Nobunaga would idly stand in place, listening to Xyxer speak as the seriousness of his facial expression never faltered. He remained stern and unmoved by the words of the Mizukage. Calmly he would exhale a steady stream of mist from his nose, the cold weather made apparent all around them, offering a moment of silence in response to the pale haired individual. "Your notion of safety is misguided." Nobunaga was always one to speak his mind, never side stepping from what he believed to be the truth. This was true even with Xyxer, despite knowing who this monstrosity before him was. The very man that led a Kage to betray his own simply by making a harmless gesture. The power he held was immense, and it was palpable. This man knew he possessed such power and influence and carried himself with the arrogance granted to an individual with such infamy. 

"What do you know of safety. You speak of a submissiveness bred by fear. You, are what people require safety from, not where they go when seeking safety. You are the bringer of storms. You are the reason why people like me exist. Protectors who work to shield others from tyrants that seek a claim to that which does not belong to them." Despite his stern facial features and the harsh opinions he spoke, Nobunaga's words were calm and formally spoken. "In time, you will learn that fear is a powerful motivator. " Nobunaga had seen enough of this man's actions and intentions to know that he cared little for the safety of others. From what he spoke of, it was clear that safety was not a part of his dictionary of words. He was fueled by spreading his bloated will and subjugating those bellow him to the fear of his dominance. But it was that fear that gave birth to uprisings, and shields who sought to protect the world rather than control it.

Retaining his upright posture, his shoulder lightly pulled backward, Xyxer watched the larger man with vague interest in what he had to say in response to his own words. Most scenarios could be quelled instantly with a sudden bout of overwhelming violence, yet there was no beauty in it. Nothing left to gloat let alone feel pride about, especially when the person had very little accolades of their own. What had happened to the days of old? Where each men had beaten shinobi of their neighboring villages, when skill and mastery had been revered. The world had decayed since the movements of Youka and Maku, soft like rotten apples, and here before him stood a man that enabled their actions.

The very same stated that Xyxer's idea on safety was incorrect, a sentence that made him reconsider whether he'd heard the ANBU Operative correctly. He feigned superiority in peace, claiming that fear held little value in maintaining safety. He even inserted himself into the own scenario as if he was any better than himself when he was merely the pawn of another that shared similar thoughts. To cut this man down for his views would be a waste, certainly so when his words leave more openings than a novice with a greatsword.

Dancing over his lips was the very same smile, words escaping his slightly parted lips as if there was a joke only he knew, "Yet the village you proudly defend is exempt from your judgment? Their assimilation of Sunagakure and the erasure of not only its culture but history too. The numerous minor villages that now fall under the banner. " His mask fell back into a neutral state, giving time for the man to digest his hypocrisy, "Konohagakure retains its own leadership, its history, its flag. Their people live freely. Do you know what that's like? Freedom?" He jabbed at the man, knowing full well that shinobi in a village teeming with zombies would have very little knowledge on it if they hailed solely from that land.

Shifting back into a friendly smile that betrayed the earlier tones, he continued on, "You may disagree with my deeds, you can whine about how I 'take things that don't belong to me', yet you can't argue with my results. The greatest act of peace happens within the village I so hostilely claimed. Four villages that were animous now work together for a brighter future in the world rather than against one another. Your view on this world is deluded. Everyone's a monster to someone, you're certainly not a protector to those you have to fight for your village." He finished, watching the mans stoic face with amusement still clearly depicted upon his face.

Just like that, the words of the Mizukage sliced through Nobunaga like a sharpened knife, revealing the inner turmoil within the brute. Nobunaga's gaze slightly shifted downwards upon realizing the truth of the mans words, a truth he was aware about, a truth that was tearing him up. He went to Kumo out of a sense of duty and loyalty to serving Kyson. But how could he do so honorably when he was now serving the very kingdom responsible for the destruction and assimilation of his people. He thought he was doing right by Suna by protecting the last remnants of his village but at the same time he was failing the memory of Koroshi by furthering the future of Kumo. Immediately his gaze would raise back to meet the multi colored eyes of the Hozuki, remaining stern for despite the truth in his words the Hiyu had not given up on his stance. 

He spoke of his results as if they were something to be admired of, Konoha retaining their freedom simply because they still existed. Nobunaga scoffed at the idea. This man was truly blinded by his own arrogance. Only a fool could think a village forced to submit to someone elses rule was free. But this man was clearly no fool, only misguided by his view of the world. That did not mean Nobunaga had the correct way of viewing the world, but he was not as apathetic as the beast standing before him. The Mizukage was making a case for the means justifying the end. But if the means required the death, destruction and servitude, then the results did not matter to the Hiyu.

"I did not fight for my village, I fought to protect my village." Retorted the Hiyu, taking objecting to being called someone elses monster. He doubted his words would change this mans view of the world, a man who clearly saw himself above everyone else to the point where he saw himself necessary to bring in a new world order. But the Hiyu would reveal his truth nonetheless. "I am a Sunagakure shinobi assimilated into the kingdom of Kumo after their conquest of my home. I do not seek to advance their agenda, I seek to protect the last remnants of my home from their corrupting grasp." Nobunaga was a protector at heart and he sought only to protect Kyson from Kumo, a conquering nation no different to Kiri. "I know what freedom is because I once had it. Konoha is not free." Nobunaga would frown, the sternness of his face transforming into a more severe, harsh one. "Simply because the village still stands does not make them a free people. You sully my intelligence by implying so, as if you yourself did not know this."

Nobunaga's tone would grow every so slightly deeper, coarser than usual all the while remaining stern and unmoving in his stance. "The only way to peace is not through war. There are other roads that can be taken to reach the same destination. Yet you chose war because it suits who you are." Pausing for a moment, never wavering from Xyxer's gaze, Nobunaga would let out a breath of air before continuing. "I may have failed in protecting Suna and I cannot be there to protect everyone who requires it. I may be a monster for joining the enemy responsible for the destruction of my home but I am a protector nonetheless. I will forever act as the aegis against those who walk the path of war, a shield to repel the real monsters of this world." That was Nobunaga's mission at heart. Despite his short comings and his failures, he would always seek to protect the world against people like the beast standing before his very eyes.

For a brief moment that was a chink in the armour of Nobunaga, his gaze falling as if he’d heard a truth he could not refute. The man understood the irony in him denouncing the glories of Kirigakure over Konohagakure when his own village had committed atrocities that far exceeded the Mist. This point he could twist and malform to suit his own needs as it clearly harmed the Hiyu soldier. Out of everything that had been said, that had the greatest effect on him.

Shortly afterwards he explained how he was not born and bred within the decrepit walls of Kumogakure, but rather, he was the victim of one of its conquests. The most iconic one. He hailed from the dusty land of Sunagakure; a grain of sand in a vast ocean of it. The idea that he thought Sunagakure had ever been free was laughable, even Xyxer himself understood that they’d had a Kazekage implemented from Konohagakure under Viper’s ideas, that damned Uchiha.

His wish was noble in that he wished to defend what remained of Sunagakure and the only fair way he saw the accomplishment of this goal was by joining with the invaders. A peculiar choice, yet the mind works in wondrous ways when stress overloaded it, and Xyxer knew better than most how the loss of ones home could significantly alter you. Voicing his opinion, he retained the same calm tone he’d had since the start, seemingly unaffected by anything that had been uttered, “Sunagakure was free only in the sense that the leash was hidden. Koroshi was the brother of the Hokage, he acted for Konohagakures interests under the pretense of a partnership. You’ve never known freedom and you’ll never taste it upon your tongue if you continue the way that you do.”

Nobunaga went on to expose a piece of Xyxers psyche which was cause for minor concern. Had this man been analysing him? His features remained relaxed and unshowing of the brief confusion he’d experienced. No, it was clear that he enjoyed war after all of his deeds, his desire to wield a blade and experience the taking of a life once more. Every swordsman had a desire for battle.

Nodding his head lightly as if he understood the belief of the agent from Sunagakure, he replied curtly, “I fight because it is what I was made to do.” Emotion dropped from his features once more, leaving only the hollowness that he’d felt the entirety of his life when he did not wear a mask. Conflict was fundamental in existence, to prove you were better than the tribe over the other side of the hill, to ensure your clan was not smothered and massacred by rivals who sought more land. “I’ve experienced what happens when you tend solely to your own village. Engaging petty diplomacy. When you ignore the scheming and machinations of rival countries with their own agendas that inevitably conflict with your own. My ruined village now graces the ocean bed, home to fish and the dead. All because I did not make us feared all those years before. ” A heavy silence hung in the air, more palpable than the others. Perhaps Xyxer had revealed information truly close to his heart, yet this could just be another lie he’d woven to endear himself to others. Burning through Nobunaga with his gaze he snarled, “Never again.”

Nobunaga watched as the titan before him remained calm and collected at all times. Regardless of what he said or what was said to him, he showed no signs of wavering from the stance he currently held. Did he truly deny everything Nobunaga had said with absolute certainty or was he too wearing a mask? Like Nobunaga, had he trained himself to remain stoic, to veil what he may be thinking on the inside from the outside world? Did his current posture and aura betray his true inner thoughts or was he simply the stone cold shinobi he was playing himself off to be. Nobunaga had currently shown a sign of weakness for even someone as stoic as him faltered at times. Could this man show some sense of humility as well?

Like a shark smelling blood in the water Xyxer continued stabbing at Nobunaga's heart upon claiming Sunagakure was not free. The village Nobunaga once called home was simply the mouth piece for Konoha, implying that they were no different to Konoha at this moment. Just like Konoha was submissive to Kiri, Suna was once submissive to Konoha. This time however, Nobunaga would not falter in his expression. Standing tall and stoic as if carved right out of stone, the Hiyu would not accept the mans words. Clearly he had a disdain for anything that resembled freedom or peace if it did not come from his own hands.

"The life I had in Suna will have had more freedom than you could ever offer to the people you rule in Konoha. Koroshi took it upon himself to take a back seat to his brother's wishes but he did so to ensure our freedom, he's not a man who would take it away in order to implement his own deranged view of what freedom is." Suna of old was vastly different from Konoha right now. Konoha had no choice but to submit to the will of Kiri. Koroshi worked with his brother for the prosperity of his Suna. Xyxer spread his influence to rule the land under his ideals. He had no right to spit on Koroshi's name for Konoha would no longer experience true freedom, only an illusion of it that was handed down to them like scraps at a soup kitchen.

With slight confusion, Nobunaga watched the Hozuki nod his head after hearing who the Hiyu believed himself to be. Then, upon hearing the Kage's words Nobunaga realized what he already knew. He understood why he needed to be a shield for this world. Because men like the Hozuki ruler were the swords. Nobunaga gazed on as Xyxer's facial expressions changed, something the Hiyu had not expected to see, something that told him what was coming next was fundamental to who Xyxer was as a man, as a shinobi. He walked the path of war because he had previously traversed the other paths, paths that did not satisfy his desire to fight nor lead the outcomes he wanted. Roads that left his home sunken at the bottom of the ocean. 

It was at that moment that the Hiyu knew no amount of words would change the man standing before him, nothing would alter his perception of the world just as none of it would shake Nobunaga's understanding of the world. They were two sides of the same coin. Just as his home drowned in the vast oceans surrounding their world because of decisions he felt he failed to make, Nobunaga's blew away in the wind along with the rest of the sand dunes in the Wind Country because he had failed to act. Just as Xyxer fought because it was his calling, Nobunaga protected because it was his own. They were both bred from similar situations, fighting for different reasons. Fighting was all they knew.

"Never again." Nobunaga would repeat, his eyes firmly locked with Xyxer's. 'Never again' was right but not for the same reasons as Xyxer's. Never again would he fail to let the world know they needed to fear him. But never again would Nobunaga let men like him spread fear across the world. Fighting was all the two of them knew. On one side Xyxer fought to spread fear and on the other side Nobunaga fought to halt it's spread. "Never again will I sit idly by and allow the world to suffer at the hands of other men." Nobunaga said, speaking out loud but to himself. Now direction his words to the leviathan before him, the brute would say "We have both experienced a life that has bred us into fighters. So let us end this fickle chit chatting and speak with our swords instead." 

With a moment of silence, to see how Xyxer reacted to the words of the Storm Operative, Nobunaga would then offer his challenge. "I.. challenge you.. to a duel. Should I win, you cease all future plans of war and conquest." This was Nobunaga's chance to be the aegis the world needed. The biggest threat the world currently faced was standing right in front of him and he would be the protector he needed to be in order make up for a lifetime of failure.

Their words clashed just like their ideologies. Neither was willing to relent to the other's perspective, because in the end, a man's code was all he truly had in a world that was willing to take everything from them. Had Nobunaga bowed down to Xyxers dream after a single meeting he'd consider the man little more than a snake attempting to get close to him, a hissing head to be crushed beneath his boot rather than entertained. His words offered little to Xyxer in terms of soundness, most of what he spoke seemed to be the prattle of a man who had not witnessed the horrors committed in the world when those of weak constitutions were allowed to rule over entire villages. People who could not make the hard call had no right to lead. It was the leaders responsibility to bear the burden of their actions rather than shifting them off onto the village as a whole. To understand that war was the only acceptable outcome because if they were not the instigators, they were the defenders against those that plot against them.

"Spoken like a man that embraced the failure of his leader. Your delusion blinds you from reality, but eventually, you will awaken and realise all of what I have imparted upon you today was truth you need only heed." The barb escaped his lips with little care as to what the man would respond with. Neither of them cared for what the other had to say in this matter, as had been demonstrated the entirety of this meeting. A god tells others how to think, they do not concern themselves with what the lesser beings believe.

The words that followed drew the attention of the warmonger. A direct challenge against Xyxer in order to prevent the inevitable bloodshed he would bathe the world in. The countless families that would grieve because of the children he would take from them on the glorious battlefield. Nobunaga sought to end all of this before it even began. Respectable, perhaps even commendable. "I accept." A genuine smile graced his features. Combat was where he proved himself, to defeat others was the sole calling in his life. Ideologies only mattered for those who could enforce their own, and here, he would make sure the Hiyu understood the painful lessons that many before him had endured. "To properly protect, you have to be on the winning side. To ensure that I do not mistreat that are beneath my banner. In line with your vocation, Nobunaga Hiyu, I offer you a chance at fulfilling the role you wish to hold in this world. Should I win, you will be mine. A soldier of Kirigakure. Both a weapon and a shield to be utilised however I see fit. Do you still accept?" Xyxers hand escaped the cloak he'd been wearing, the fabric dissipating into another dimension while he removed the sash of Samehada before resting it against the hulking trunk of a tree next to him.

That was not to be his choice of weapon in a duel so fun.

His clothing beneath the cloak consisted of black pants with a tight grey shirt that enabled him the most movement. Returning to existence was a bulky blade, one that had claimed so many lives it was legendary in its own right. Gnarled fangs jutted out all along the sword that had claimed the former Raikage Youka Tau's defeat. Tidebreaker. The greatest weapon of all. He held the fearsome weapon out before him to its full length, enough space around the two in the forest to ensure that a tree would not be struck unless they moved too far to one side. At the same time, his right foot drew itself backwards in a semi-circle so that his posture was wide enough to enable devastation with each of his strikes.