Covering the Tracks [P,IO,NK]

While Kozai was making preparations to leave for Bear Country, he began setting things up to run smoothly in his absence. The library would be adequately staffed, and the other portion of his plan seemed to be moving along just fine. While he needed the princess to complete his goals, gaining more information about the resentment against the change in government in the village would be useful while he was out. Kozai remained quite convinced that within the heart of each civilian in the city was the desire for a strong nobility. Social factors aside, people wanted their choices to be made for them; to gain peace of mind by having a ruling class. However, he had to make it seem organic. The common folk and the soon-to-be destroyed Church would probably not appreciate any further shinobi "meddling" in their affairs. While there wouldn't be many consequences for him, since none of these people could touch him, there would most likely be a dynamic shift in the relationship between the shinobi and the people they had been tasked to protect. Better not to make trouble for anyone else. After all, making other shinobi upset with him could be potentially problematic.

To that effect, he needed to be careful, which he had failed in so far. As it turned out, unlike Iwagakure or Amegakure (the two places he had resided previously), Hoshigakure was much larger and much more crowded. People were more likely to notice things, and information spread far more quickly than anywhere else he'd lived. Well, the more he found out, the more he realized that he could learn. He didn't know how people had realized that something was wrong with the Councilman that he'd controlled, but as it turned out, they had. Naturally, being what they were, they had no idea what precisely the problem with the man was, but it seemed that his new jutsu had been somewhat imprecise in the memory erasure. He cursed his own haste and lack of attention to detail. For somebody who was so precise, it was baffling that he had made such an egregious mistake. As it turned out, his lack of experience with genjutsu seemed to be coming into play. Well, it would be easy enough to cover it up. Would it not be easier, however, to let things run their course? Eventually, the councilman's disorder would pass, and things would go back to normal. At the moment, the public only thought that he had undergone a mental breakdown. As such, he didn't see any risk in simply letting events simply run out.

Currently, Kozai was in the council building itself, waiting among the throng of petitioners, lobbyists, and other scum of the city. While he kept one ear out for any useful information that was flying around, he watched to see if the concilman turned up today. If he appeared without any issues and behaved more normally than he had in the past week, Kozai would know that all was well and that he could simply leave to Bear Country to retrieve the princess (by force, if he had to). However, if the man appeared dazed and confused, Kozai would be forced to immediately course-correct and fix the problem right then and there. It wasn't like any of the civilian population could detect a genjutsu, even if they were trying to. He only hoped that there weren't any stronger shinobi in the area. While his chakra sensory was deployed, he knew full well that there were Hoshi nin who could easily hide their signature and get underneath his radar.

[600]

He was at his downstairs enjoying, he appreciated the peak moment of his life. He was reading his favorite book, the final divination. It was a reference to the recent tragedy that happened to his former ninja. A great day, or was it not. The book of his placed on his head as he took a slight nap. Just recalling the moments of his life passing by. Yasaki relaxed down peacefully as he waited upon what would happen next. He always hoped what would be the next out come for the village.

The only one around seemed to be the kage, who hadn't noticed, or so it seemed to Kozai. The Councilman didn't give any reaction, but seemed to relax and be less jittery. Good. Inwardly, Kozai sighed in relief without showing any outward signs and separated himself from the crowd, heading toward the kage. If the man was keeping an eye on him, Kozai wouldn't be able to leave for Bear Country so easily. The princess was there, and Kozai fully intended to retrieve her. However, the kage didn't need to know that. His concern wasn't with the political landscape of Hoshi, but with the shinobi therein. A most vital task, to be sure, but one which shouldn't get in Kozai's way, if all went well. As far as the library was concerned, however, politics was extremely relevant. Being a public institution, it was on pressure from both the Council and the Church, and Kozai intended to do away with both, in some manner of speaking.

Kozai approached the kage, who seemed to be reading some book. He recognized it vaguely, as he'd seen in in his library before. A historical text? Modern, too. Ultimately, however, the book was unimportant.

"Yasaki." Kozai would greet the man as an equal, especially now that he'd performed an intensive surgery on him. "I trust the results of our meeting have been fruitful?" Naturally, Yasaki would know that he was talking about the information that he had given him, as well as the new set of eyes that he now possessed.

[TWC 856]

It was a fascinating book which he ultimately made some time ago. We based it on one of the most recent shinobi who fell in battle. He eyed the youthful man as if he was some prodigy, but guessing how the outcome was, it was unfortunate. The fate of him was already set, and it was supposed to happen. But Yasaki wished he died in a more comfortable death rather than dying unnaturally. Everything has a reason, but this book he created was also his reason to keep going every day. The name of the shinobi wasn’t given but he and himself only know this person. He was working on a new book.

As an old man, he wondered what was going to be his next step. He then recalled Tanji Heiji, the fifth recently about him on some personal matters which he was curious to know. It was about the future of the village and as well the past. And eventually finding out the truth about the fourth. He was busy reading his book, not knowing an unknown figure approached him; the voice was familiar. A grin appeared from his face, nodding. The first meeting went how it was supposed to be, Yasaki was curious and as well worried on how things would go. But now he was here, so whatever the problem, he would be happy to solve it with him. 

Since obtaining the new eyes from the man known as Kozai. The prior days were strange and be marvelous. It felt as if someone trapped him inside some genjutsu. But in reality, he was here, breathing gently. He was hungry for more and would seek more. The old man eyed Kozai as he placed his book on his lap facing towards him. He would sit properly adjusting his chair. The man who he trusted sometime ago and the process that happened. It was an exciting concept. Especially learning the power of his own clan, and how the surgery went perfect. “Kozai.” He said in a tone of calmness. He let out a deep sigh as he continued and recalled the moments he and Kozai performed the surgery and as well how it all went. He shook his head as he let out a response. “You know that already I already trust you on that. It went how it was supposed to be and I am glad it was successful.” 

WC:402

"Good." Keep it terse, and move on. Kozai sat down across the man, and noticed an object beneath the table. Ah, good. it seemed that he would have something to pass the time after all. It was interesting that Yasaki *trusted* him, of all things. A mistake, to be sure. Kozai didn't trust much of anybody, especially not anyone with a great amount of power. People in those kinds of positions rarely played fair to get there, if ever. As such, none of them were particularly trustworthy. If one appeared to be particularly honest, it was more likely than not that he was the most crooked out of all of them.

Not that Kozai minded the corruption, much. As long as it didn't affect him, leaders like that were free to go on as they pleased. He wasn't about to go off on a crusade for integrity and justice. Didn't mean he had to trust them, though. Especially if it was someone who could influence his actions so directly, like the shinobi leader in a village; in other words, the man sitting directly across from him now. Well, if that was the case, he needed to ensure that the man wouldn't stop him from doing what he needed to do in order to secure the future of the library. How best to begin?

"Do you play chess, by any chance?" He removed the object from beneath the table and unfolded it, revealing a pristine wooden chess set, complete with pieces and spares. With a few quick movements of his hand, he put it into place and set the pieces on the board. "I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to test myself against any opponents for a few years, now, what with my being nearly deceased and all." He gave Yasaki the white side, allowing him the first move. Courtesy didn't hurt, especially since he was playing against an ally.

After a few seconds, Kozai would speak again. "I intend to travel to Bear Country shortly. There is somebody there I need to retrieve and bring back to the village, if you know what I mean." The both of them knew that it was the princess, but Kozai would rather not risk saying it with all the rabble of the civilians around. No telling what kind of information might get into the hands of the Church, though they wouldn't be a problem soon.

[TWC 1259]

Saki was glad to see the man he trusted right in front of him. The last time they met business was business and but he was curious to know what Kozai needed at this point in time. Just like any other day this one was a blessing and a lot was going to happen either way. He decided it was best to write up his new book something more familiar than the last one but different. This one was going to surpass the previous ones and especially increase the numbers to get better. He faced the man in front of him wondering what was going to happen. 

It has been some time since he played chess and was curious to find out what would the outcome be. What was the point of all this, either way, Yasaki shook his head gently. He remembered when he was a tiny kid and those days where he would play the chess game with his brother. It was a tough moment where he would lose mostly but in his best days got through a win. He eyed the man in front of him as he pulled out the wooden chess. “During my youth days I would play little brother.” He would let out a gentle laugh.

With the white piece in front of him and as well the wooden pristine chess. It looked like he was going to make the first move either way. He took a moment to think, wondering where to start from. He picked up the pawn as he eyed at Kozai. “It has been years since I played this and to think of it to be here right now is truly giving me some flashbacks.” Saki placed the pawn in the first row only by going up one square.

And by his understanding of the entire process it meant he just had to play it easy and realize it was just a friend who needed to catch up some time. By hearing what's next about his plans elsewhere, Yasaki understood what it was and went for it. “As long you do what must be done then so be it.” Was his words he had plans himself but it was really an enjoyable time to catch up with his comrade in strength. A lot was on the way, and Saki was glad to have him by his side this was a new start.

WC:402

Mid topic claim

896 Words to Flying Thunder God

Approved

So, Yasaki was willing to allow him to go to Bear Country? Excellent. Well, now that he had the kage's permission, there was nothing in the village that could stop him from achieving his plans. To be honest, that had been his only worry. Kozai had no idea how strong Yasaki was, and he was not particularly keen to find out first hand. The fact that his body had been inactive for so long had caused some of his tissues to atrophy, and he wasn't feeling in peak shape at the moment. Nevertheless, perhaps he'd be more open to the idea when he regained more of his former power.

Kozai would, without much consideration, move his pawn to e5. He wasn't sure about Yasaki's unconventional approach, but it was impossible to know what the man was going for on the first move. There was also the possibility that the man was *making fun of him*, but this was most likely not the case. Their relations had been fairly good so far, and Kozai didn't think that it was in the man's somewhat upstanding character to do something like that. Nevertheless, this put Kozai's presence firmly in the center of the board with but a single move.

"Once I retrieve what I need from Bear Country, I will most likely be making some adjustments to institutions like the Church." Yasaki, though the village leader, most likely didn't have the kind of jurisdiction that would give him governance over the Church. To be fair, Kozai technically didn't either, but Kozai had several things on his side. Firstly, he was in control of a body of power, the Archives, that was also an independent organization of its own, ostensibly. Secondly, he had power, REAL power. The kind that could determine which future took place. Lastly, of course, he had the drive and ambition to move first against the other septs of power in the village independently.

This last, in particular, was what qualified him to begin tipping the balance in Hoshigakure. From what he'd been told by his captive, the tensions between the Church and the shinobi had to do with one who had been deceased for some time now. If that was indeed the case, they most likely wouldn't see him coming.

"Once I do," he continued to Yasaki, "the civilian rabble of the village will have no choice but to fully accept our place here. They made the wrong decision in trusting us, so the time has come for me to make the decision for them."

[TWC 1684]

He had recalled the moment of him playing chess at his young age with his little brother. It seemed Kozai was someone who he perfectly trusted. Someone who he would call a brother and rely on whatever occurred. But to by his understanding, the man in front of him needed to visit a nation which he understandably shook his head. It wouldn’t cause any issue and by that, he was happy with the outcome of his decision. But Yasaki continued to face forward. He needed to get more power in his hands. And by doing so, the man in front of him would hopefully be the one to help him out.

The wooden chess placed on the table and with the move of Kozai placing his next move, Yasaki let out a warm smile. It was a smart move, but he was going to be the one to out-class him either way. He would eye the chess as he picked up with his giant hand, a knight chess piece as he moves it to nc3. It would not be easy with this decision he made. “Gotta say you are playing smart here so I applaud you for this.” Yasaki would taunt kozai, letting out a slight smirk. 

So he made his move and now it was to wait on Kozais chess move, Yasaki, a man who believed in peace and equality but to all to hear such things coming out of his mouth was intriguing. He didn’t really expect to hear it from a shinobi like him. He would focus on what was being said. As a shinobi of himself, he preferred everything to be in a manner of calmness. But it was hard to hear coming from a man he trusted respectfully. He needed to ask before he went into judgment instantly. 

Yasaki closed his eyes as the pair of his enhanced Sharingan appeared as he opened them. He would speak in a tone of calmness and ease. With his chair tucked in, mainly focusing on the man in front of him, eyeing him up and down. “What decisions are you talking about? Are you telling me you will force these people onto their knees and get what you want or is it a unique method that I am not aware of.”  He needed to hear his side of the story. With the chessboard game on the table, this was going to be an interminable night.


WC:407