The Mending of Flesh

In a  moment the boy's body would shift into light particles, a rather strange feeling to say the least. Max would then find himself standing next to the Hogokage in the hospital, and it wouldn't take long for one of the medical ninja to notice the boys injury and guide him to a room to rest while waiting briefly for a doctor. 

Max would take a seat on the cot, waiting for whatever treatment would be coming his way. It probably would be something simple like a shinobi using Mystical Palm or something of the like on him. At least he hoped that Hoshi had good enough doctors to do such, otherwise he would have to resort to more... drastic methods of repairing himself. 

"So, I'll answer any questions you have while we wait, Lord Hogokage." Such a title felt strange and stumbled out of the mouth of the small blonde necromancer. The only person he had ever referred to as Lord before was the former Raikage Mortarion... It wasn't that this man standing before him was any less deserving of such a title, more that it felt odd as he spoke the words. 

"What would you like to know first?" the boy would ask, not sure where to begin.

A brilliant flash, and suddenly they would be in the hospital. The nurses, orderlies, and doctors around would notice the flash of course and were long since used to it. Turning to the newcomers swiftly “Yes Hogokage-Sa-” A nearby nurse would begin to say as she turned to him before cutting off and seeing the blonde haired, blue eyed, and more importantly, one armed boy next to him. Immediately any and all formality would be out of the window as the woman focused on her job. She would immediately page for a doctor to go to a nearby room before escorting Valen and Maximilian to it. The nurse would begin to run a check up, checking heartbeats, blood pressure, breathing, etcetera before leaving to go handle other patients. As they waited the young man would say that they could begin answering any questions while they waited. 

Valen would shrug “We can do that later if you’d rather, let you get some rest first. It’s up to you, but if you want to start answering questions, why not start with what happened? Just tell me the full story, where, what, who, how, and if you know, why.” He would say, looking toward the door as he wondered how long it would take a doctor to come. He knew there weren’t many talented medics in Hoshigakure anymore with Kenshin gone. As a matter of fact their best was in Konoha at the moment for the Chunin Exams. As such they wouldn’t be able to regenerate the boys arms. Actually, Kenshin was the only medic that Valen knew of that could do that regardless. As such he didn’t think the young Yamaguchi would be able to get the arm back unless he chose to use a prosthetic. “There’s not a rush on this conversation Max, you can wait till you feel better if you’d rather. So don’t feel required to answer those questions until you feel better.” He would say simply, intending to make sure that the young boy knew that he could take his time. 

WC: 343

The medical staff was quick to get the process rolling, though they looked to be fairly understaffed or simply there was too much to do for the few people that they had. The room was rather plain looking but it got the job done. The nurse would quick to take in the basic check up info, and leave to fetch the proper doctor. 

"I appreciate the concern, but I am tougher than I look. This isn't the first time I've been in this type of situation." Max would say, lifting up his puppet arm, pulling his shirt up to reveal the place where it is effectively attached to his arm. The sickly grey color clearly contrasts with his natural skin tone. 

"I welcome any questions you have, as you have shown me great hospitality. Plus, this give me a chance to ask a few of my own." The boy would gaze up at the stoic looking man as he thinks back on exactly what happened. It wasn't something he truly wanted to think about, but he had to. If anything it would be yet another constant reminder that when tested, he merely broke apart against a real foe. He couldn't allow this to happen again... no he simply would not. Perhaps he simply needed a better set of tools to best the creature. Max would shake the thought and return to the moment out from the recesses of his mind.  


"I was in Wind Country not far from Sunagakure looking for Sabaku. I was attacked from behind by an odd, pale man with long hair. I can say that I've never encountered something quite like him before. In a flash he was within arms reach and crushing me with chains, much like those created through the use of the Uzumaki bloodline. He was toying with me, it seemed, but I imagined his arrogance would be his downfall. I slit his throat, but he just smiled and pulverized my arm. He seemed invincible..." The thought of the pain burned into his memory of that event made him wince, his discomfort obvious. He didn't want to think about the event, especially his clearly pathetic showing against such a powerful enemy. He was defeated without any effort... Was he truly deserving of his rank that a random bandit could best his so easily? No, that man was no mere bandit... he was a monster. 

"As far as why... well, I was a Kumo shinobi, and I think that he has some sort of issue with our empire. He claimed to have killed my countrymen in Rain as well." Kumo had few allies, but he didn't think that they had enemies of that caliber.

The young man would dismiss Valen’s offer without issue, explaining that it wasn’t the first time he has been in such a situation before. Going so far as to lift his arm and show that his only working arm was in fact a prosthetic. ‘If Kenshin were here I could’ve had him healed, but no more.’ Valen would think to himself sourly before the young man went into his explanation. It was at this point that the kage’s blood ran cold. Pale man, long hair, those two descriptions alone could physically describe any one of a million people in their world. However the use of the Uzumaki Chains, and the ability to simply shrug off damage like a slit throat. Only one individual met that description. The ashen haired man eyes narrowed as he looked toward Maxes eyes. “Silver hair? Did he happen to have a single blue eye while he fought?” He’d ask in curiosity. The blue eye would’ve been Kenshin’s Seigan, the transplanted eye which, to this day, Valen knew not the powers it gave the stitched and scarred former ANBU. Should Max confirm his curiosity Valen’s eyes would narrow. Why would Kenshin attack Kumogakure Shinobi of all people? Their empire was the largest single entity on the continent sure, but what did Kenshin gain from it? The Lord of Light had absolutely no hesitation in knowing that Kenshin was doing what he was doing for some sort of gain, curiosity? Entertainment? He couldn’t say. 

“It would appear Kenshin Uzumaki has an interest in Kumogakure no Sato for some reason. You’re lucky to be alive as far as I’m concerned Max. We can’t replace the arm as far as I’m aware. We can however clean the wound, and use the mystical palm technique to ensure it’s healed off. Any.. avenues.. To get back to fighting form you utilize are going to have to be your own business I’m afraid.” He would say frankly as a doctor saw his way in and began to do exactly as Valen stated and clean the wound and begin to perform said technique on Maxes injured arm. “I’ll answer any questions you might have if I’m able, however first I have at least one more for you. Tell me of Kumo, not it’s defenses, or it’s power, or any of that garbage. Earlier, you said ‘supposed’ Kage. Is Komori Hozuki your Raikage or not? Or rather, was he the Raikage at the Summit?” He would ask simply. He wanted to know if they had been lied to, if Kumogakure had leadership issues then that was it’s own problem. However if the man who came to Summit was lying to all of them about his rank and title then it would be good to know in for future correspondence with the village.

WC: 468
TWC: 811

Valen would make a remark about the physical description of the man and the haze over his thoughts and memories of the event would lift, everything being far more vivid than just a moment ago. He would see the cold, heartless eyes of his attacker looking at him as if he were nothing. No challenge, no threat to his status or well being. Max was bust a bump in the road for the creature, its contrasting eyes and sadistic smile the two things he couldn’t shake from his mind. “Yes, he had silver hair. And his eyes were differing colors. One was blue, as you mentioned and the other was a Sharingan.” He would say this to clarify that it was very likely that the man that attacked him was the man Valen spoke of.
 
Everything felt… off. There was this detachment from it all. He recalled the entire thing, but it almost felt as though his mind was trying to rapidly cover up the trauma, and suppress his own terrors regarding the man that wiped the floor with him. Max could recall the pain, and his heartrate would elevate but for some reason… his mind wouldn’t allow him to truly be afraid or feel the terror it should have. There was this strange disconnect from it all, almost as if something in the boys mind was changing… adapting to the new situation to protect him.
 
When Valen asked about the Raikage, Max would shake his head. “His going to that event was his declaration of his newfound title to the world, yet nobody in the village was really made aware of it besides a man named Nobunaga and perhaps Kyson, though I cannot say for sure about Kyson knowing. He was Raikage because he said that he was, and Maku and Mortarion hadn’t been there to remind him of his place…” Max likely already said far more than he should have, and while he wasn’t fond of Maku or Mortarion, those were the people Max saw as the leadership of Kumo. Now Kumo seemed to have no leadership at all… at least for now.
 
“In order to get myself back in order, I’ll need access to a… well, a corpse. It need not be one that was a shinobi, if you fear my taking of village secrets or whatnot. I simply need a human limb to fashion into a proper replacement.” Max didn’t feel any particular was about mentioning his work or how he intended to fix himself, but he did make sure to ask when Valen was the only person in the room. He didn’t need an angry mob with torches and pitchforks coming after him. Hopefully Valen wouldn’t have issue with his request, but it would be understandable if there was hesitation. It was a rather… different request.
 
“Also, I’m sure that someone in your position could set up a meeting with anyone in the village, no? Could you get word to my mother that I am here to see her? Her name is Akihana.” Max would almost smile thinking about her. She would make all the bad things melt away.

The identity of the man was now confirmed, a red eye, that Valen hadn’t even mentioned or known about. Valen knew the colour of Kenshin’s original eyes, did these give some kind of new power to the silver haired teen? What was he kidding of course they did. Kenshin did nothing that didn’t further his own power and ambition. He did what he wanted, when he wanted to do it. A thought that made a deep chuckle stir within his mind as the voice of the Gobi made itself known to him. ‘Wouldn’t you like to do the same? Your silver haired friend doesn’t care who is harmed in his desire for power and what he wants. Why would you let anything get in yours?’ The beast would ask in a tone laced with curiosity. Valen’s eyes would narrow after the question was asked and his response would be swift ‘Because I have morals, and ideals. I have a belief in what is right and wrong.’ He would say, to which the beast would laugh ‘And how have they treated you thus far?’ He would ask, a tone of mocking and condescension in it’s voice now. Valen didn’t have an answer. However at the moment Max was more important. 

Cutting the mental conversation short he would sigh deeply. “I see, Kenshin Uzumaki, A, probably S ranked Missing Shinobi now. However I couldn’t be sure on the rank upgrade myself. He’s dangerous, I suppose he left you to live? Or did he assume you would die?” Valen would ask. His thoughts taking him to the time where Kenshin had systematically taken him to task in his own foolish pride. He had been oh so very weak back then. Kenshin could of killed him as easily as pushing baby ducks below the water. It was quick, brutal, the very definition of efficient. It had done the job well. Valen had trained hard, honed his skills and strength, sought the help of others and eventually even took down one of the great beasts itself on his own. Of course he lost to one soon after but he had kept the secret of his own hosting of the original one he had defeated from everyone. Only Hikari, Xyxer, and one of the ANBU from Kumogakure knew him as a Jinchuriki. 

Maxes voice, answering his next question would cause Valen to focus and keep his mind on task. The words however, only brought rage to him. A tanned hand gripped the hilt of Seraphim, using so much strength to do so that his knuckles turned white. His eyes narrowed and his posture stiffened considerably. All in all, too many ‘tells’ to show with a foreign shinobi in company. He almost assuredly gave his anger away. “So, a pretender to the title then eh? Who is meant to be the Raikage then? Who do I address the letter I’ll be sending to?” He would ask, fighting the urge to clench his teeth in his fury. A certain amount of deception when meeting other heads of state was expected. It was part of the job after all. However, deceiving all of them by claiming the rank of ‘kage’ without having earned it himself? And the fool had the gall to call Valen a coward. 

Max would speak again, a request now, one that took Valen a moment to fully understand. A replacement? From a corpse? Well, if that’s what the boy wanted then he could see it done. “I’ll give instructions to the next team going out that when they run into any hostiles to bring a corpse back. We have a large bandit organization called the ‘Jaws of Grima’ in our country that like to cause trouble. They have some shinobi in their ranks nowadays. With their recent activity, it shouldn’t take long for us to acquire what you need. I apologize for the need to wait. I find the idea of one of our civilians being used for such..distasteful, and our shinobi corpses are off limits for obvious reasons.” He would explain, he would send the order upon the return to his office, so it should be obtained within the next few days. 

Another request, this one to reunite the boy with his mother. Something that the ashen haired teen would be more than willing to do. At least, until the name came out of the boys mouth and an ice cold ball of lead settled into his stomach. He hadn’t expected to be forced to give such bad news to someone today, but it appeared he would be forced to. Taking a deep breath he would look Max straight in the eye. “I’m sorry Max. Akihana passed away months ago. She took to a disease that we just couldn’t cure, no matter what we tried. We have others with the disease as well, some live, but it is a small number. Akihana was not one of the lucky ones. We cremated her, we weren’t sure how the disease was spread at the time, we still aren’t certain as a matter of fact. So we had to be careful. Her gravestone is in the public part of the palace gardens. You’re welcome to go visit of course. I..I wasn’t aware she had a son, or I would’ve sent word… I’m sorry Max. If there’s anything I can do, don’t hesitate to ask.” He would say, regret showing on his features as he finished. He didn’t know what it was like to lose a family member, as far as he knew he didn’t have any in his direct family, although Akihana and him would have to be distantly related given their last names and Light Release. The worst death of a loved one he’d had was Denkiteki. However the man hadn’t been family, not close family. 

WC: 970
TWC: 1781

Max would consider for but a moment the words of the man standing before him. He would think back to what the monstrous assailant had said. Max could only assume that he was left alive on purpose, as the final words of the attacker were for Max to learn from it, and grow strong enough to show the world. One doesn’t leave words like those if they meant to kill their target…
 
“I’m fairly certain my life was spared, though I am uncertain why.” Max really couldn’t imagine why someone bent on proving Kumo was not the superpower it claimed to be would have let him live after his fairly short and lackluster showing. Perhaps his sheer tenacity in the face of certain doom, but Max couldn’t be sure. He wouldn’t squander the chance he was given though, no his path forward was clear.
 
Max would note the rage shown by Valen, as it was understandable. Their deception brought nothing but anger and uncertainty to young Max, though he knew them on a much more personal level. Of course, lying to foreign leaders at talks of peace probably wasn’t the best course of action to take, as a certain level of trust is needed for any true peace to be. “Kyson,” is the name Max would reply with, “Kyson is the closest person to the true Raikage, wherever he may be.” Max would of course not mention that he fully intended to claim the position when he returned, as Kumo needed a new direction. It needed a leader that would not sit back in the shadows as the land around them rots away and the shinobi grow weak.
 
It was understandable hearing Valens stance on where he can get a replacement. Max didn’t wish to cause any issue here in his mother’s homeland and so he would happily wait for the delivery. “Thank you.” He would add at the end, grateful for the hospitality Hoshi was showing him.
 
Of course, his joy would soon be gone, shattered by the news he was about to receive. The Kage informed Max of some terrible news. His mother was… “Dead? She died? But how?” Max would ask, tears now streaking down his face. As Valen spoke of how she died, another pang of white hot rage would fill his gut. She died of a disease? Like a plague of some sort? “Mortarion…” Max would utter under his breath, though an experienced shinobi of Valen’s rank and caliber should have no difficulty hearing the name. Tears continued to roll down his cheeks, but he was not sobbing or blubbering like a child. These tears were those of unimaginable rage, the kind that doesn’t go away easily.
 
Nobunaga was right… Kumo corrupts everything it touches. Nothing is sacred, nothing is given sanctuary from its awful grasp. No… it was a breeding ground of nothing but the worst of humanity. Everyone that he loved that had anything to do with the village died, and all in fairly odd ways. The boy was tired of it, tired of suffering at the hands of those above him. Max made the decision that he would lose nobody else that he loved, though it wasn’t a declaration of his status as a protector. No, it was his separation from this world, disassociating himself from it. He had no more love to give after everything was taken from him. Originally, he wanted to better the village… but would it matter? Would he be able to save others from the tainted village that plagues this world like a cancer? Well… we shall see.

---Possible Exit, depending on Valen---

TWC: 1784 (Max and Napa split wc 892 each)

Max's Claims: 
8 AP
892 WC Towards Mind's Eye of the Kagura -> (892/4000)
Same WC towards learning Val's Chakra Sig (1292/2000)

Napa Claims:
4 stats
892 wc towards Chakra Scalpel -> (2455/4000)
Same WC towards learning Val's Chakra Sig (1292/2000)

Valen would nod at the name he was given, this ‘Kyson’ would be the man he would write a letter to requesting additional information about the young man in front of him and if he was truly meant to be here. If he was, that would be that. If he wasn’t, then Valen would personally remove the blonde haired kid as soon as he was done visiting his mother’s grave and he had a replacement arm. Those were the very least he could do for the preteen. At the news of the previous queens death Max would begin to cry, but even a fool would be able to know exactly what was causing those tears. It was anger, and as Maximillian uttered a single name under his breath Valen knew the boy had a vendetta. ‘Mortarion? Is he the cause of this disease?’ He would think as he pondered the thought before shaking himself out of his thoughts. “Well Max, I’ll leave you to your grief, if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask me. You can usually find me in my office.” He would say before setting a visitors pass on the side desk. He had one or two in his pocket when he went to visit the gates in case he needed one. He’d quickly scrawl Maxes name on it as well as his own signature and nodding quietly. “This pass will show you as a visitor to the village. I’ll still need to contact Kyson to confirm your claim though. Keep this on you and if you’re challenged by a shinobi show it immediately. They should leave you alone so long as you aren’t breaking any laws.” He would say as he wondered to himself if Max even heard a word he’d said. 

It wouldn’t matter in the end regardless. He had work to do and Max needed time to grieve, so without another word Valen would flash away in a bright light to the door that led to his office. Natsumi, his secretary, would look up at the sudden appearance of her boss and nod in greeting. “Good morning Valen-Sama, everything well today?” She would ask to which Valen would shake his head. “Visiting Kumo shinobi and having to give someone the news of his mother’s death. Natsumi, there’s a child in the hospital, blonde haired, blue eyed, and missing an arm. His other arm is a prosthetic. I want him on suicide watch. His name is Maximilian Yamaguchi and he’s just received some devastating news. At the moment anger at the man he thinks caused his misfortune is keeping him going but I want him watched, carefully. Also, the next team to go out into the field against a Jaws of Grima raid is to bring back a corpse of one of them with orders to bring it to the boy. He’s a Kumo shinobi who was injured by Kenshin, apparently, he can fashion a replacement from the arm of a corpse, how I’m unsure. However considering Kenshin being on the loose is my fault then helping him is the least I can do.” He would say, finishing off his orders to the woman who would only nod as she wrote messages. Already having been writing after Valen had ordered the suicide watch. Valen would nod in satisfaction before stepping into his office, intent on sending the letter to Kyson as soon as possible. 

WC: 569
TWC: 2350

[Exit]

Claims: All of it toward Sovereign Will putting it at 3060 from here and here

Approved unless overruled