Gazing Upon What Once Was

Max had completed his work for the day fairly early, something that he was both happy and a smidgen concerned with. There was always a ton to do, and there not being as much could mean trouble. Of course, it could just be that the boy's pace has increased as he grows more accustomed to the workload of leading the village. Still, it was a moment of freedom, something he desired greatly. He's barely left the Kage's Chambers since taking over and some fresh air would do him good. Of course, Kumo was still far from being able to provide "fresh air" to the young leader. There was of course one place that had supposedly been untouched by the plague of The Rot Lord, and so Max would send word to Kiseragi, taking him up on his previous offer.


Once Max had heard word that the message had been delivered, he would gather up his things and make his way towards the mountains surrounding the village. He wasn't familiar with where the Ametsuchi compound was exactly, but a stroll through the beauty of the mountains alone was worth the trip. The clouds would drift by slowly, no storm clouds in sight. The crisp mountain air filled the boy's lungs as he wander about seeking the location of Kiseragi's home.

Today had been rather interesting for Kiseragi as he had just returned to the mountains from the western side of the village in order to gather some supplies to provide maintenance on his abode. Many things had happened since his return to active shinobi duty, but none other than finally joining the cause that the young Raikage had proposed. He was even training two ninja to become better able to protect their home in the future. All in all, things were looking rather interesting for the young male as he stepped foot into the caverns toward his home. Something sat idle on his mind as he opened the door and put the supplies where they were supposed to go before heading to the Ametsuchi compound. He had remembered that he had extended the invitation to Max when they had first met and didn't know if the male would ever truly take him up on the offer. Never the less he moved up the mountain with some haste, his eyes slowly looking around as the small forms of wolves and other animals slowly filled the scene.

When he had arrived the first thing he would have done would have been to go into the main compound, setting his flak jacket and sword onto a single table that had been freshly prepared before moving on to ignite the flame inside of the stove. He wasn't expecting anyone but having the stove ready for tea was very much something that was important. Within his solitude he learned many thing and some came easier to him as he continued to read journals and books that the other Ametsuchi and his own master had left him. He decided to move all of those things up to here instead of keeping them in the caverns because of the simple fact that people liked to snoop in the mountains every once in a while. Though as he read the sound of wings filled the air which caused him to stop what he had been doing to figure out what had been going on. Taking the message from the bird he smiled for a moment before laughing," It would seem I was wrong in this regard huh."

Taking the note inside he simply called for a single group of wolves and instructed them to wait at the half-way point of the mountains where they split into the eastern and western sections. Upon there they would be able to find the boy Kage and lead him to the compound. With their instructions they set out to do what they were told though some where...hesitant on letting someone they didn't know or trust into the depths of the mountains, but they did trust the one giving the command. The wolves were on the wind and Kiseragi sat in front of a monk statue and meditated as he waited. For the young male he would be able to hear the fierce beating of wolf paws as they came down the mountain, their howling alerting the other wolves of the mountain that they had a friendly guest. Of course the others stayed clear, but for those curious they would idly watch as the boy traversed the mountain.

Once he had reached the half way point he would find the ground of wolves sent to escort him and with only a few gestures they would motion for him to follow. Should Max do just that, he would find himself going up a small, winding path that would soon lead to stone lanterns and steps. The lanterns themselves would be simply ornate, but the stairs were neatly cut and only slightly worn. The area as he began to reach the compound changed into a more feudal but regal looking area until he had arrived at the main gates. The wolves themselves howled twice before dispersing alerting the male within that his guest had arrived. Kiseragi slowly walked to the gates and opened them giving the young male a rather small smile before motioning him to come in. " I didn't expect you to take me up on my offer so soon. How are you faring?," the question was simple and to the point as he turned around and began walking deeper into the compound with Max in tow hopefully.

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It wouldn't take long before the wolves Kiseragi spoke of turned up. Despite their caution towards the outsider there would be one that seemed to beckon young Max in a particular direction. The boy would follow the wolf, it surely knowing the terrain far better than the boy had. In mere moments they would come to a worn set of stairs, leading towards what he expected to be the compound. The architecture and layout felt... very feudal, like it came right out of a history book or such. It looked so different from Kumo, yet the whole place felt... strangely peaceful. 

The wolves would howl before leaving, likely alerting Kiseragi of the boys arrival at the gates. It wouldn't take long for Kiseragi to come out and welcome the boy. Max would greet the Uchiha with a light bow, showing respect to his elder as he was welcomed in. "I finished my paperwork early today, though I know not whether that should be concerning or a great relief. I expect I will find out tomorrow." The boy would say in jest, keeping the tone light at the moment as he continues to follow his host. 

"You were right, this place was untouched by the plague..." Max would say nearly in amazement as he gazed around the nearly undamaged compound. "I never dreamed that such a place could exist so close to Kumo. It truly is beautiful. I hope that all of Kumo can follow in this places example, wiping away the filth to leave something truly wondrous and worthy of admiration." 

Max would ask a question, hoping to learn of his host but not pry too deeply. "This place seems to hold a special place in your heart. Is this where you intend to... to bury your mentor?" Max's heart was heavy, as loss was no foreigner to the boy.

"Paperwork huh? Never a dull day for the Kage now is it? Though i'm thinking its more of a good thing since too much paperwork does things to ones mind," the smile was honest to a fault and he found himself remembering past times, but for now dwelling on the present was much more important. Kiseragi turned for only a moment to look around at the courtyard and nodded in affirmation to the younger males statement," It has some signs of wear and tear yes, but in its entirety lies its beauty and a statement that the past will be preserved through our efforts and our minds. The mountains luckily survived many a cataclysmic events like the ancient volcano eruption and even the Tyrant's raid. Its good to still have that reminder that things can and will go back to what they once was." Motioning for the young Kage to follow him, he would continue their conversation as they exited the courtyard and into a connecting walkway that would lead into the inner sanctuary of the compound.

"This place indeed does hold a special place in my heart. It was where I unlocked my bloodline for the first time. Where I was taught in the arts of weaponry and fuuinjutsu, despite not using the latter. It was also...where I was first hospitalized," there came an immediate chuckle from that as he felt his right arm a bit. He could still feel the breaking sensation from his bones from that very day. For a moment he stopped and looked at a nearby wall after the two had entered the compound itself. On the wall were several pictures of a group of people, and a few of them individually. Where he stood had one such group photo and a single picture of a raven haired male with a cigarette in his mouth," This is indeed where I intend to bury him and his friends once they are down. This wasn't much in the way of his home, but it was a place he held dear. His master, the Raikage before him, was the daughter of the Ametsuchi head so he spent a lot of his time here as well. I think it would be fitting if I put his body here to rest as well," as he spoke he pulled down two pictures and handed them both to Max.

One was a picture of all of them together. His mother, his master and a few others. In the other hand however was a singular picture of his mother, probably during the time she was the secretary for the Raikage at the time," You can have these two should you want to. I figured you didn't have many photos of her so here's one you can remember her by. He'd give the male a moment to take in the picture and also allow him time for other things should he allow it. While he had done that he too stared at one picture in particular. It was him from a long time ago, but one of the finest moments he had ever experienced in his life so far. The first picture of him and his Master sitting among the mountains, enjoying his first albeit very distasteful cigarette. Kiseragi had kicked the habit in his isolation, but still kept a pack of his sensei's favorite cloves in his vest pocket out of a sentimental feeling. After their small moment should his company be ready, he would motion for the male to follow him as he continued the small tour and would respond or answer to any questions the young male would have.

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Max was happy to follow his host, listening as he spoke fondly of this place and the memories that he had growing up here. It felt good to be allowed in to a place that means so much to the man, as it allowed the boy insight into who Kiseragi was, and who he currently is. Despite knowing the man for only a short while, there was a growing bond of comradery in the heart of young Max. “It is good to see an example of a place where the will of the people can keep what once was a reality and not simply a memory.”
 
As they continued to head farther into the complex, they would leave the courtyard behind and come across a wall of pictures, all depicting a time before Mortarion and his reign of terror. It was glorious, to put it lightly. Such wondrous pieces of history, captured by the past for the future to help them remember what once was. When Kiseragi handed Max the two pictures, his face would light up.
 
His mother… She was so lovely. She looked to be so happy here, her troubles nonexistent. It was before she was kidnapped, before she was coerced to marry a monstrous creature. It was a moment that she looked to be truly…. Happy. The boy would smile, happy to see his mother’s shining face again. Having this picture as a keepsake meant the world to young Max. A sincere smile would find its way to his face, his troubles melting away as he gazed upon the picture. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.” Max would place the pictures in his Dimensional Storage, the safest place to keep them from harm.
 
The boy would look over the other pictures, taking in the views of all of the happy moments frozen from times constant flow. It would seem as though Kiseragi was gazing upon one in particular. Max had no intentions of disturbing the man’s trip down memory lane and would wait for the man to stir from his fixation before addressing him. “He looked like a great man. I am sure that he gazes down on you with pride.” Max would say in a soft tone, trying to be compassionate towards the man’s loss.
 
“So how are the students faring? Do you think Jiro will be ready enough for the Suna expedition?” Max would ask he followed the Jounin as they continued on the tour of the compound. The date was set, and there wasn’t a great deal of time.

Kiseragi returned the smile as he looked at the pictures and as he looked at his own there were many things going through his mind. He had missed the man so much that it almost hurt, but like many everyone had a time in which they needed to return to the pure world. His master was like a father to him, one in which he often wished replaced his own. Max's words shook him from his trance as he touched the picture and chuckled," He was a like a father to me. Even if it wasn't the case, he was a good man. Many saw that in him...many just saw a wild beast. Given he was once incarcerated, but rose to the highest rank of our village," though the very mention of the wild wolf looking down on him caused Kiseragi to simply laugh before shaking his head," I would very well doubt he'd want to do something as boring as that. Though you have a point. He was proud of me...and i'll continue to do his legacy proud," at that moment he would begin to walk off and deeper into the compound.

At the mention of the students he shrugged for a moment and looked to the side at Max," Jiro is an interesting one for an Uchiha. I haven't met many, but the so called "Curse" our clan holds doesn't seem to have taken root in him as of yet. I did however remind him that his ambitions are just like a double sided blade and he should be careful. I also met one of the Chuunin of our village. Guren. He is definitely an oddity. I do think Jiro will be ready for the expedition, but i'd like a little more time with him before he departs. I should also get back into training myself while those of our village go on this mission. Might be a good thing just in case something ever happens," as he said this they would have came into a grand hall. The architecture for this single place shared a mixture of feudal and regal motifs though in the center was a single fountain with what looked like a broken fountain.

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Max would continue to follow Kiseragi, listening as the man spoke of the Uchiha known as Jiro. "The curse you speak of... do you mean the Sharingan?" Max would ask, wondering it this is what he had been referring to. Max never would have assumed that anyone would call a powerful clan bloodline a curse, but perhaps there is much more to it than he thinks. 

Max would wonder what Jiro's ambitions were for Kiseragi to warn him, but that was between them and the boy wouldn't pry. "The mission is planned for the 15th of Summer, so you still have a bit of time with him to prepare. I imagine he understands the gravity of the mission. Gathering information on Kenshin is important to the well being of Kumo, and hopefully he takes this mission as seriously as it needs to be taken." Max had faith in his shinobi especially in just a recon situation, but a little part of him constantly worries about them not coming back. 

"This Chuunin Guren, isn't he a Hyuuga?" Max would inquire, vaguely recalling the name. A Hyuuga's perceptive eyes would likely prove advantageous for a scouting mission. Max knows just how capable the Byakugan is in the hands of someone capable. "I might have to talk to him." 

Kiseragi would mention training himself as the others went on the mission. "It never hurts to be prepared. Especially considering how powerful our adversary is." Max would state as he made his way towards the broken fountain, gazing around the area to take in the details of the room. "It also doesn't help that the Mizukage is pressing us, hoping that we will buckle under his reputation alone. I fear that Kumo won't know peace anytime in the near future, so we must ready ourselves while we can."

"Not specifically the sharingan. That can be either a blessing or a curse depending on the who wields it. That I know all too well, but isn't what I was referring to. Do you know about the Uchiha's "Curse of Hatred" Max?," he would let the question sink into the boy's mind before he had begun to speak once more," In the distant past, a well known figure of Konoha described it as "the Uchiha are people greatly devoted to love and friendship, yet they tend to conceal their more affectionate traits. When the object of their affection is lost, an Uchiha's love can instantaneously turn into hatred, leaving them more inclined to do anything and everything in their power to achieve their goals and show their own superiority, regardless of the consequences and repercussions of their actions." This in turn as we knew it gave us our sharingan and its evolution so to speak. The eyes bred from the emotions that we felt. Eventually that would push us to a point in which...well nothing is out of the realm of possibility to do someone or for someone."

He knew that Max most likely had the knowledge that Kiseragi had been an Uchiha and it was something he could hide very well among the populace and even others due to his last name. In all honesty it had been sometime since he had even activated the doujutsu in its entirety. Taking a brief moment of silence he would return back to the point," That was what I meant more or less. I wanted to make sure the thoughts of the past, stayed dead there. To be fair, I was not too far and almost returned to that cycle with the death of my Master, but those aren't my chains to bare. For that I will make sure those that carry those eyes do not do the same," Kiseragi did his study and knew the history of his own clan. At some point it had been erased with time, but as anyone knows history would often repeat itself. It would be up to him and many others to assure that the black stain on their history no longer came back, but if it did much like a plague, it would consume masses.

"...He's a Hyuga huh? Just when I thought I wouldn't have to deal with another one. But yes him. I would say he could be of an asset to the mission, but that doesn't say much for his fortitude or mental thought process. I'd honestly say test both of them four days to a week before the start of the mission to assure they are up to the task. Sending power but no mental fortitude would jeopardize the mission and cost us lives," his eyes left the male and wandered for a moment seemingly lost in his own thoughts for a moment. He would have volunteered to go himself, but the village came first. In case of an attack it would need the upper echelons of its force, and he was more suited to intervillage combat than anything else.

When he mentioned the Mizukage his brow raised for just a moment, realizing that the young male had a point. Kumo wouldn't know peace if they were being pressed from multiple oppositions," It is daunting, but we cannot give in....Not when we are so close to taking back our lives and rebuilding them. A nation isn't ruled by tyrants or those who wish to oppress but cover it up by "thoughtful" means. It is by the people who have slaved and toiled that a nation can be rebuilt for the better. I would say make alliances while we can, but with Konoha under Kirigakure's foot...Well who can what we do?," he didn't trust Konoha for as long as they remain subservient to Kirigakure, they were Kirigakure in some capacity.

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Max had never heard about this curse before. He had some basic knowledge in the function and capabilities of the Uchiha clan, but he didn't know much about their history or anything of the sort. Hatred was an easy feeling to harbor, especially when one has lost the ones they loved. It is a easy hole to fall in, and all of that feeling can bring one to do either great or terrible things... sometimes both. Max would try not to dwell to much on these thoughts, as great loss is what fueled all of the boy's successes but it was painful to think about. 

"I hope that Jiro doesn't fall victim to this hatred... His mother and father recently passed... and it was my own fault." The boy would lower his head, his sorrow clear in his voice. "I believe they were fleeing Suna... and the Rot Monsters attacked them..." Max hadn't been referring to the Virulent Citizen as rot monsters as of late, but he felt as though such a title was more fitting in this instance. "If I had pressed to exterminate them instead of seeking a cure his parents would still be among the living." This decision weighed heavily on the boy, as his choices had consequences that impacted much more than just himself. "I am grateful that he has an experienced shinobi such as yourself to support him through this."

Max would then hear the mans thoughts regarding Guren, taking mental notes. "Perhaps I overestimate his capability. I assumed that his status as a chuunin would have suggested that he was capable. Perhaps I place too much stock in such things." Max would say this recalling that he also overestimated Jiro's capabilities due to his rank and bloodline. 

"I just hope that my actions don't doom Kumo." Max would state, thinking on whether or not his choices were the right ones. The right choices weren't always clear and obvious, as a war on two fronts was one that surely would be no simple task. 


"Kiseragi, I had another thing I wanted to discuss with you." Max would say as his eyes shifted back to the Jounin. "I truly value your council, and..." The boy wasn't sure how to phrase it, as it was all very new to him. He had never been in this position before, but he would just be direct. "You are not only capable, but I feel as though I can trust you. Would you do me the honor of becoming a part of my Storm special forces?"

"You cannot blame yourself for doing what you thought were best for those in the village. Some of those...citizens are mothers and fathers to some. Some are even children, brothers, sisters and so on. They too deserve a chance to live again after having their lives taken from them. I know how it feels to lose family to something out of our own control and I sympathize with him, I truly do. Yet holding yourself accountable for something that had been out of your control will be your doom young Max. If he has not harbored such feelings for you, then you shouldn't harbor such a burden on yourself. Who's to say if you had exterminated them, they wouldn't have perished to another fate? Its a....not so simplistic way of thinking, but as i've seen things happen to us that we cannot control. What we can control is how we proceed after what has happened," the elder male simply leaned against the broken fountain as he spoke, eyes laid on the male as he explained his train of thought.

Life had many lessons and of the many that Kiseragi had learned from experience is that sometimes you have to roll with the punches that are thrown to you....and sometimes you have to punch back. In this case it was as simple as accepting what had happened and doing what you could to assure it wasn't to happen to others. Max was doing all he could to quickly remedy the rot and the citizens so that life in this war torn village could at last go back to normal, it was just something that would slowly have to click in his mind. As he came onto the topic of Guren he held up his index finger and replied in kind," I make no claim that he isn't capable, but he also does need some more conditioning in my opinion at least to be optimal. There are many things one can learn in the heat of battle, and there are many things one can learn as they live life. As a man I find him lacking, but as a ninja? Well I think he has a skill set that would be useful as time goes on," he only reported what he saw, as he saw it but his reading of people could be a little skewed sometimes.

"As long as you believe that the things you are doing for the better of this village and this people? You assured to go on the right path, but as you delve deeper into self-doubt you will find that the line between knowing you are doing right and seeing you aren't become muddled and blurred. The people are happy under your banner and are doing all they can to remove the marks of the past. That in itself shows you are doing the right thing. I doubt they would ever want to be under another tyrannical rule, so show them that their leader can once again be benevolent... and strong when the time comes for it," the words were more for encouragement and to also show the young Kage that not everything came with a manual. Some things simply came with the flow of time and as he spent his time as the Raikage, he would come to see that what one reap they also sow.

His right brow raised as the male brought up another matter to discuss with him, not exactly knowing what he would be bringing up now because of the conversation. As he began to finally reveal what he was going to discuss, the male was taken aback and almost tripped over his own feet as he took a step back. A member of Kumo's ANBU unit...him? After all that happened with him essentially deserting his post, he was yet worthy of something as illustrious as this. There were a few blinks as the male looked the young Kage over frivolously to detect any hint of a life and yet there wasn't. A small exhale of breath escaped his lips as he thought about what was just offered to him before he nodded to the male and bowed lightly," I...Didn't see that coming I will not lie. But if you are sure about this and want me to take this position then I, Kiseragi Onomori of the Uchiha, will humbly accept," it felt weird for him to say all of that at once. But it felt he was walking in the steps of his master and yet it was something completely different as well. What would come of this opportunity was a branching path that he would surely begin to walk as the days went on.

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