The Leviathan & The Aegis

The Hiyu offered no response but silence to the words of the conqueror. Instead, his fierce gaze remained locked with Xyxer's as he exhaled mist from his nose like an enraged bull ready to charge. He was done with words. He cared not that the Kage believed his views to be delusional. He cared even less that the Hozuki believed himself and only himself to be the one graced with truth, the truth that he felt was his given right to bestow on the rest of the world. All of it was meaningless now for they were both aware that the conflict between the two of them could only end in one way.

As expected, the Mizukage accepted the Hiyu's challenge with a sly grin on his face. He relished the chance to strike at another with his blade, duke it out in glorious combat with another warrior and feel the thrill of the fight coarse through his veins. Nobunaga would easily grant him that thrill. Or so he thought. Upon hearing the request of the behemoth standing before him, the Hiyu would remain still as thoughts began racing through his head. If he lost, he would have to pledge his service to this man that he despised, the man that created a world which required people like Nobunaga in the first place. The type of man Nobunaga dedicated his life to fighting. Could he serve under such a tyrant? Could he willingly abandon Kyson simply because there was a chance he could put an end to his war mongering? With stone could eyes still locked on Xyxer, despite the conflict the Hozuki's request had created in Nobunaga the answer was quite clear.

"I accept."

As long as there was a chance to put an end to this mans war mongering, Nobunaga had to take it. What was his servitude worth compared to the countless lives that would be destroyed in Xyxer's quest for a world he believed to be truly free? There was no comparison, Nobunaga would gladly give up his freedom for the chance to save the innumerable lives that would be lost at the hands of Xyxer. And if he lost, his life would be in the hands of the enemy. But how was that any different than now? Yes, the Hiyu was in service to Kyson but he was nevertheless a shinobi of Kumo. Ever since the events of just over a year and a half ago Nobunaga had become a servant to the enemy kingdom responsible for the destruction of his home. He had become accustomed to being with the enemy, this would be no different. A small price to pay for the potential rewards.

From underneath his massive weather worn black cloak, gradually the Hiyu would raise his right hand and unclasp where the cloak met around his neck. Gracefully it would descend to the snow covered ground, falling around the Hiyu's feet and revealing the heavy armor he donned underneath, twenty-four seven. However, this was a duel between swordsmen. His armor had no place here. Just as Xyxer stood in his regular clothing, Nobunaga would do the same. Without cause to provoke Xyxyer, Nobunaga would reach over his left shoulder with his right hand and with a click Nobunaga would unhook his massive great sword from his back before thrusting it several inches into the frozen ground to his right, allowing him to now take his armor off. Disconnecting the bond between himself and his armor, one by one he would unclasp the straps connecting his armor. First his chest place would fall to the ground with a heavy thud, bringing his shoulder plates with it. Last but not least were the two sets covering his legs. Kneeling down onto one knee, Nobunaga would wrap all of his armor into his cloak before throwing it off to the side, far enough so that it would not get in the way during the bout.

Once everything was remove, the Hiyu would rise back to his full height, standing there with brown shin high boots, fairly loose beige pants and a black skin tight sleeveless shirt, revealing his massive arms an burly shoulders. Having never wavered in his stern gaze, the Hiyu watched Xyxer bring forth a monstrosity of a weapon. A long, large blade lined with fangs of varying sizes, a weapon unlike any Nobunaga had ever seen. But his own weapon was of the same nature for very few men dared wield a blade so large. Stretching his right arm to his side, Nobunaga would grab the long handle of his weapon and pull it out of the ground before bringing it in front of him at arms length. Masterfully wielding the slab of metal that was his sword with one hand as if it was a normal katana, with the sharp end of the blade facing both fighters he would widen his stance and slightly bend at the knees. Then angling the tip of the six foot six inch blade to face 45 decrees upwards, Nobunaga would grab the handle of the blade with his free hand, showing Xyxer that he was now ready for the duel.

The gauntlet was thrown and conditions accepted by both parties. The Mist would be tested against the conquered Sand. It was almost poetic, if only due to it being conquered once more. Maintaining his stance the entire way through Nobunaga's honourable actions. It was noble to dispose of his armour prior to the fight knowing that Xyxer himself would not be using it, the man proved himself a valuable asset to Kirigakure before he was even his. The weight of Tidebreaker became natural to the conqueror once more when Nobunaga discarded his bundle of goods to the side and assumed his own position. Deception was key in combat, and subtle misguidance was the greatest of all. Throughout the entirety of his stance the poised sword twitched upwards, then returned back to its natural position. It was a minor movement, yet enough to be caught by the eyes of a fellow swordsman. A telltale sign of the attack that would be used.

Offering a light nod once more before the dance begun, he'd proceed towards his opponent with a series of short, stable footsteps that crunched through the dusting of snow. Avoid stepping back into the trampled snow, keep the fight moving, don't relent. Closing the distance that protected the protector from the beast, maintaining the light twitches of the sword like an overexcited novice during their first swordplay lesson. A fatal error.

Stretching up into the sky, his six foot five inches greatsword threatened the heavens themselves before descending upon Nobunaga in silence with his final steps towards him. An overhead vertical slash initiated from 1.9 meters away, the most basic of maneuvers for those that relied on strength, with Xyxer further closing the distance. Little more than a tool to be utilised by Xyxer against this unproven combatant. The sword would follow the man whichever way he attempted to move, Xyxer even stepping after him should he try to move out of reach to continue the same slash, yet even more important was what would happen if the man tried to parry the attack. Should he lift his own sword to defend against the onslaught, Xyxer would now utilise the misguidance he'd laced into his twitches, alternating his grip on the hilt so that his hands now faced the opposite of where they had once been as soon as Nobunaga's line of sight on his hands was obscured by his own movement. If this maneuver was to go through then Xyxer suddenly diverted the path of the swing in a way that was impossible with his prior grip, causing it to suddenly drop and perform an arcing slash from the center-left of Nobunaga's ribcage down towards his right hip, avoiding Nobunaga's own sword with his angling. A glorious evisceration that would stain the snow beneath him crimson. A fitting offering for a rebirth.

The titan and the guardian now stood with their massive blades in hand, ready to settle what they're words could not. The conqueror would make the first move, wisely taking short steps forward to never put himself in a stance that would put him at a disadvantage. With such short steps his posture was maintained, leaving him ready to pounce at any moment like a predator stalking its prey. As he did so, Nobunaga stood firm in his stance, paying no heed to the twitching of the mans blade. Calm and stern as always, the Hiyu was focused solely on the impending attack coming his way. 

The attack finally came when the leviathan before him too his final step and rose his blade worthy of cleaving Bijuu into the air above his head. He was still quite some distance from the Hiyu, but nothing his massive fanged blade could not cross. The same went for Nobunaga. As soon as Xyxer's arm's moved to be raised above his head the Hiyu would react. Sliding his left foot forward and leaving his right leg extended behind him, his upper body slightly turning to the right with his left shoulder coming closer to Xyxer and his own sword moving closer to his right shoulder, Nobunaga would simultaneously crouch down to a waist high level. 

Now with his position dropped, Nobunaga created more of a distance for the vicious overhead swing that was coming his way, a distance Xyxer's arms would have to travel if he wanted to taste blood. This increased distance would afford the slower Nobunaga time to make his own move before the fangs of Tidebreaker attempted to burrow into his flesh. With arms half extended, Nobunaga would rotate his sword so that the blade of his weapon was perpendicular to that of Xyxer's and simultaneously swing the handle of his six foot six inch slab of weapon from his right shoulder to his left shoulder. Nobunaga's blade would be aimed to slice across the descending arms of the Kage, right at the wrists, aiming to segment his hands and Tidebreaker from the rest of his body. Due to the lower posture Nobunaga currently took and the angle of his upwards swing, the Hiyu's blade would be able to reach the faster swinging arms of the Kage. That was the plan at least.

In a heartbeat.

Like all great things, everything unfolded suddenly and with little time to process the situation. The body acts off of pure impulse in moments such as these, resorting to basic primal instincts so that it can survive. Modern shinobi liked to consider themselves more than mere animals but that was the greatest lie they were taught in their academies. To truly win in this world, you need not hide from the fact. You need only embrace it. The hard terrain of Kirigakure bred tough men and the conqueror was not exempt from this fact. Time and time again in that watery abyss his mettle had been tested, his ideals enforced. Some say that an idea can transcend a mortal into a whole new realm, that their very thoughts could act as the key to their apotheosis.

Carving downwards towards the defender, a distortion left in its wake. His adversaries hands shifted to Nobunagas own right shoulder. Avoid it. Circling around the man to the left side of Nobunaga. Measured steps. Whistling blade. Over. Tidebreaker finished its movement while Nobunaga moved to cut off his wrists, avoiding the attack by stepping around the man to Xyxers right. Sharp fangs rest against the bare neck of his opponent, so delicate as to not perforate the skin, but the cold kiss of metal in winter was ever the shock to the system. Xyxers eyes had been focused on Nobunagas own, the window to a man's soul and their next movement. If he continued to try slash at the man, Xyxer would complete his maneuver by pressing the sword through the ANBU's neck and pulling on it to sever the spine as quickly as possible. If that wasn't required and his blade stopped of his own volition, words would escape his parted lips. Words that Nobunaga had hoped he'd not have to hear.

"I win."

Lifting the burden of death from the mans neck given that he'd disarmed himself in response, an eerie silence filling the area where a great event had just taken place. Very few people would ever know of this, yet the two men would remember it likely for the rest of their life. Ideals had smashed against the shores of their wills, neither of which swept away the other. Stepping forward with a soft crunch, he held a single hand out towards the shinobi of Kirigakure to help him rise, this time as a true protector rather than the feigned aegis he had believed himself to be. Under Xyxer, he would truly be a shield for others to hide behind. Just as he had always desired.

An almighty titan, a sole protector. The trill of victory, the agony of defeat. A clash of ideals breeding a conflict that came to a poetic end with one decisive blow. The chance to end a lifetime of suffering only shone a light on a lifetime of failure. From the death of his beloved friend, to the fall of Suna and now his failure to guard the world. His moral compass had led him astray, into the depths of darkness and now, he had to suffer the consequences cultivated by his inadequacies. 

His eyes followed the slick moving Kage as he moved along the same path as the brute's sword. The white haired man out maneuvered Nobunaga's own attempt at doing so. In an attempt to cut off the man's action before he could complete it, Xyxer did the exact same thing. By simultaneously moving during his strike, he rendered Nobunaga's counter strike ineffective. 

The snow beneath the two combatants would give way as if a tiny explosion went off when Xyxer's heavy blow came to a sudden stop at the nape of the Hiyu's neck, the fanged blade licking his flesh, mere inches away from tasting blood. Nobunaga's own swing would come to a stop a few inches to his left. In that instant he knew he was defeated and the only thing standing between him and death was his own attack. Unmoving, with his blade out in front of him, the Hiyu's eyes would shift from Xyxer down to the blade right up against his neck. This was the closest the Storm Operative had ever been to death. Fitting for his greatest failure. 

The words of the conqueror plunged into Nobunaga deeper than the razor edged sword at his neck could have had it not been stopped. At that instant he closed his eyes in shame, descending his head and simultaneously letting go of his weapon. His arms hung down his sides in defeat as the slab of metal that was his sword crashed onto the ground before him. "I have failed you Kyson... Koroshi...." Thought the Hiyu. In that instant, a slew of thoughts flooded Nobunaga's mind, a life basking in failure. His failure to act, his failure to protect, his failure to be whom the world needed him to be. If only he had swung faster, if only he had moved better, if only he had made the right decisions. None of these would be afforded to the Hiyu as the events that took place could not be rewritten. A moment that was bigger than he was had presented itself, a once in a lifetime opportunity granted to no one. And he failed.

If Nobunaga was anything, he was a man of his word. The crunching of snow and the release of the blade from Nobunaga's neck made him open his eyes and crane his head to look up at the man who had defeated him, his eyes falling upon the victors hand being offered in assistance. For a moment, Nobunaga remained knelt down in silence, the only sound being the breath escaping his nostrils from his exhaling. Begrudgingly, Nobunaga met Xyxer's hand with his own firm grip and rose to his feet. Raising to his full height, the stern brute would gaze upon Xyxer in a palpable silence. Despite the stoic expression blanketing his face, the agony of his defeat and the failure of his actions were tearing him up inside and what would be said next would serve to only further shatter him. 

"My sword... is yours."

He accepted the extension of Xyxer, lifting up from his defeated position. Little did he know, but from this moment he would be reborn. Weakness cast into the past and discarded. Cut from his body and burned to make room for only strength. Kirigakure would not suffer cowards, nor bumbling fools that lamented on the past that could not be changed. Tidebreaker faded into nothingness while the aegis stood up to his full height, no longer wallowing in pity as far as Xyxer could see. If he could see behind the facade of Nobunaga, what would he say?

Words came from Nobunaga that evoked a smile from the swordsman. One that was exempt of any gloating or superiority that could be expected from the victor in a duel that had held the future of his village at stake. If Kirigakure could no longer conquer, it would cease to be. A warmachine to gather dust until the cogs were no longer able to function and it became a relic of a bygone age. The age of glory that Xyxer was bringing, ceased by a swing from Nobunaga... a terrifying proposition. Instead, the smile on his face seemed friendly, as if the two were no less than childhood friends in the presence of one another.

"You are mine." Xyxer soon corrected while maintaining the smile, releasing his grip on the mans hand now that he was fully standing. A monster among men in the physical sense, yet he wanted little more than to protect people. How many would turn him away because of how imposing he looked? How many children had he frightened from his size alone? His existence must be tortured. Lending his sword to Sunagakure, then to the conquerors of Kumogakure, and now the duel that cost him to belong with Kirigakure. Where did he belong in this world?

Almost as if outwardly revealing his thoughts Xyxer spoke, "You belong in Kirigakure. We're not the demons the world portrays us as, otherwise Konohagakure would no longer stand and we'd have already marched on the other villages." He spoke as calmly as he had at the start of the interaction, the duel seemingly not phasing the leader, "Tell me..." It was around about this point when Xyxer realised he did not know the name of the man before him. They'd both offered so much to the other with such little knowledge that even their names were enigmas. "What's your name? I'm Xyxer Tadashi. Tell me, though... if you were to be granted the secrets of my village, and access to hidden areas within the village, would you betray us? Would you kill the children and ninja to further the agenda of your old village? Do I have your full loyalty?" Xyxer queried the nameless man, a large decision on the verge of being made about his future. He trusted the man on his word alone, he didn't seem like one to lie as he hadn't sweetened the words he'd said to the Mizukage when the risk of death was as present as the winter.

Sternly the Hiyu gazed upon the now smirking Kage, a smirk that varied greatly from his previous one. Where before Xyxer smirked at the opportunity to do what he was bred to do, to test his might against another and smite them, now he smirked has if in the presence of an acquaintance. Nobunaga did not detect an ounce of gloating in his facial expression, no bloating about his swift victory over the brute who had proclaimed himself the protector of this world. There was now a humbleness emanating from this man that Nobunaga had not anticipated. Quite honestly he was caught off guard. The famed conqueror was showing humility in victory, an etiquette that did not befit a war monger. Yet here he was, standing before Nobunaga as a modest victor. Was this his true nature? A passive, prideful beast morphed into the infamous warlord the world now knew due to circumstances out of his control, ones that bred him into a leviathan.

Nobunaga stood firm upon listening to Xyxer's correction of his statement. These were words that one could expect to break a man. The harsh reality of knowing that your life was now in the hands of another. That you had to submit to them, pledging your sword and your life in service to them. A bitter pill to swallow, but one Nobunaga was accustomed too. He was bred to be a warrior for Suna, a tool to do its bidding. Then he served a man forced to join the kingdom of Kumo, subsequently forcing Nobunaga to serve the very village responsible for the destruction of his home. Now, he was to serve the man standing before him. How would it be any different? He lived a life in service to others, an agent to do their bidding. That was what he knew, that was what this would bred him to do.  

Demons came in all shapes and sizes. But Nobunaga could not doubt the words of Xyxer for he had witnessed the same thing in Kumo. Despite the fact that Kumo was known for its expansion efforts and the rot that festered around it, Nobunaga had encountered good, decent people withi the village. People just trying to get by and shinobi trying to do what they thought was best despite the village they served. He had seen it with his own eyes. "Time will tell if I come to see Kirigakure no Sato as you do." Calmly responded Nobunaga, no sign of fear or anxiety present given the fact he just lost the duel that had decided his fate. He did not doubt Xyxer's words nor was he fully willing to believe them. He would have to witness it for himself just as he had in Kumo.

Despite the oddity of not knowing each other's names, the two of them knew more about each other than a name could ever tell. You could learn much from a duel, when swords are brought into the equations and a mans life is on the line. "Xyxer Tadashi... I am Nobunaga Hiyu. How shall I refer to you from now on?" Despite now knowing his name, he was still Mizukage, ruler of Kiri, conqueror of Konoha and now master of the former aegis of Suna. There were formalities that the Hiyu needed to be aware of, proper titles in order to not overstep his boundaries. "My honor may mean little to others, but it is all I have. You have my word that no harm will come upon the citizens and shinobi of Kiri by my hand. As agreed upon, my loyalty is now yours." Nobunaga's home was gone, his allies now enemies and enemies now allies, his mission failed. Honor was all he had left, the last remnant of the man he once was and hoped to become. Honor was the effigy of Nobunaga and he would old onto it until his dying breadth.

During their exchange of formalities his body moved back towards resting blade of Samehada, his feet retracing the same prints they had initially left. It was almost second nature for Xyxer to do this; one set of tracks made it difficult for others to know whether you had truly left the area. While it posed no tactical advantage at the moment it was not something he could simply forego, it was ingrained into him just as much as swordsmanship. Lifting the bulk from the tree he slung the sash over his head and across his shoulder, adjusting his companion momentarily so that it was no longer a strain upon his shoulders. Leading two villages was enough of that.

When it came to what the man wanted to be known as Xyxer paused for a few seconds. It was a peculiar thing to be asked, most simply referred to him as Lord Mizukage other than his brother. Turning back on the spot towards Nobunaga he scanned the mans face. Was this some kind of joke? His analysis revealed no smile or amused expression. "Lord Mizukage is perfectly fine. It's custom to kneel in my presence. If others are not around, Xyxer is perfectly fine." His hand remained on the strap around his chest, a natural position.

The next few sentences from the Kirigakure shinobi were delightful. His words had been reaffirmed by the man so that there was no loophole that could be exploited without directly breaking the pact. If he truly was honouring his side of the deal, then Xyxer had no reason to fear him becoming a turncoat. Who else would he offer his life in a duel? "You'll retain your rank within the Mist and serve our goals from here on out. Return any and all equipment you received from Kumogakure back to their delegation, inform them of what took place here. You'll be traveling with me on my ship. You can't miss it." He informed the man, turning around to take his leave should he not be interrupted. The Silence stretched into the sky in the harbour, swaying with its fearsome sails and the golden maw of a leviathan as the prow. A beautiful design for monstrous deeds.

[Exit]

Nobunaga's Kirigakure now boi.

4471 WC

4400/6000 Mastery of GSB (25% word discount)

Standing still, Nobunaga watched Xyxer systematically retrace his steps backwards towards the location where he had left his massive weapon. The Hiyu watched, now wondering why the Mizukage had chosen not to use the weapon he carried around on the daily. Did he carry the massive weapon simply for aesthetics? Or was the weapon not fit to be used in a duel between swordsmen? In time, Nobunaga felt he would learn the truth of that specific weapon. 

It seemed like an odd question to most, but to Nobunaga formalities mattered. Previously he always referred to Koroshi as Kazekage, whether in public or alone. He referred to Kyson at all time as My Lord. Knowing he had to refer to Xyxer by Mizukage in public and that just his name was suitable when they were alone was exactly why Nobunaga had asked his question. Knowing that he was also required to kneel in his presence was something new to Nobunaga. He would simply nod in response. Crossing his arms, Nobunaga would remain silent while listening to Xyxer explain what Nobunaga was required to do next. 

"It shall be done." Grunted Nobunaga, dreading the inevitable meeting he was going to have with Kyson. Revealing the truth of what happened here required Nobunaga to tell Kyson he could no longer serve under him and that from here on out he would be serving Kiri. Technically that labeled Nobunaga as a missing nin for he knew the secrets of Kumo and was now abandoning them. However that was an issue for later. Silently and unmoving Nobunaga watched Xyxer walk away and disappear behind the thick canopy of trees around him. Now alone as he was before the intrusion of the kage and the subsequent duel, Nobunaga solemnly picked up his sword and walked over to retrieve his cloak bundling his armor. Before putting it on however, the Hiyu would take a set in front of a tree. He needed to spend some more time on his own. He needed more time to think about the situation he was currently in and what the future held for him. 

EXIT

My title has already been changed but for the sake of things, claiming Kiri ANBU.
Technically Im also an A rank missing nin now?

6485 words
EDIT: coupons stack
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@ Xy, I could of sworn you already that mastered, but I can't find a record of it anywhere, so approved I supposed.

@ Nobu, Approved at everything but MN Status since the Raikage (whoever that is) will need to decided what to do about that. (If another mod has an issue with my ruling on that, feel free to overule me.)