Gaining Knowledge (P, Kozai)

Akaboshi paid attention to Kozai as the librarian suddenly pulled out a box of pamphlets from the cart before he would comment on his gathering of human bodies. "Ah yes, accidents. Those happen before we even know it" he replied with a smile. The red haired Uzumaki continued to listen attentively as the man explained how he was one to avoid confrontation as best as he could. Don't go looking for danger if it wasn't necessary. That would be the case for the redhead as well. Similar to Kozai he'd try to avoid getting himself into battles he couldn't win. "Trust me, I can relate. I prefer to remain on the background, make my hands dirty in a different way than through fighting alone." To say he never took a life would be a lie, but he also didn't go looking for trouble.

The Uzumaki kept watching and followed behind Kozai as the librarian took a stack of pamphlets and placed them on a nearby table. Was he about to show Akaboshi something or was he simply organizing some of his stuff? The redhead only realized just now that the entire time he might have been bothering the man, taking away his own time he might have wanted to spend on other things. Perhaps he had far better things to do then to explain things to Akaboshi. Which is why the red haired shinobi would make sure to offer his apologies and maybe even invite the man for a drink. But for now, he planned on absorbing every piece of information he could get his hands on. "So, what's all this about if you don't mind me asking?" Akaboshi looked at the pamphlets, awaiting the librarian's response.

(WC: 287, TWC: 3836)

"Ah, yes."

Kozai glanced back at the pamphlets, which he had also outsourced. It wasn't like he had time to be making these himself, of course. "These are for an upcoming panel and debate event." He picked one up and waved it around in a grandiose manner, indulging himself a little. He was not the best party planner, so it had taken him quite some time to get something like this organized. "We'll be inviting intellectuals from all over the village, and perhaps some from around the country as well. Isn't it exciting? If we pull the event off smoothly, we might be able to host events like this on an international level, someday." It'd put the Archives on the map, to be sure, but more importantly, it might draw shinobi from other villages into his grasp.

Kozai placed the brochure back where it belonged, noting with approval the symbols on the front. Along with the pertinent information were the characters for "hundred flowers, hundred schools". It seemed appropriately lofty for the kinds of people he intended to invite. "Anyways, with emotions starting to run high in some academic circles, I figured it was time to get the thinkers together for some civil discourse."

Akaboshi observed Kozai while the librarian started waving those pamphlets around, a sudden spark of enthusiasm seemed to course through the man's body the moment he began to talk about an upcoming event. "Intellectuals?" The red haired Uzumaki didn't mean to come off as rude, but he wasn't sure who he could consider an intellectual around the village. He certainly didn't take himself as one. On the other hand he understood why it meant a great deal for Kozai, if done right perhaps the Archives were able to gain attention. "Of course, you must be looking forward to it. But aren't you afraid the wrong individuals might show interest? I don't need to explain how people can be when they lay their eyes on something interesting, let alone something that could prove to be powerful or able to change maybe even lives." If anything Akaboshi would hate to see the event Kozai was looking forward to so much be ruined by someone else's lust for power or knowledge.

The librarian mentioned the plan of bringing those intellectuals together in order to avoid the tensions to rise even higher. "Besides putting the Archives on the map, what else are you hoping for? Solely from your point of view, what would be the ideal outcome?" Everyone had hopes and dreams, from a young kid to an adult like them, so why would it be any different for Kozai? Without a doubt there was something the librarian hoped to achieve.

(WC: 246, TWC: 4082)

"Wrong individuals? What on earth do you mean?" Kozai would gaze inquisitively at the other man. Surely, he didn't mean that someone would attack the event. That was just kind of... stupid? There would be security there, of course, and Kozai himself wasn't simply someone to mess with. That being said, it probably wasn't the kind of threat Akaboshi was talking about

"I plan on bringing in the folks from the Unseen University, some of the more outspoken folks from humanitarian groups, and even some thinkers from among the clergy." Perhaps the latter could be considered the 'wrong people', but Kozai certainly didn't think so. Even if they were opposed to his work here in Hoshi, bringing them into the debate wasn't ostensibly bad. Besides, this event was to serve another purpose, though Kozai didn't tell the Uzumaki of this at all. "If any of them qualify as the 'wrong people', then the village is really screwed, isn't it?" Kozai gathered up a pile of papers somebody had left on the table. The janitorial staff had already gone home for the evening, but had missed whatever this was. He'd have to have a *firm talk* with them when the morning rolled around.

The redhead had to agree, regardless of the past he didn't consider the village to be screwed. At least that was what he hoped. After everything that happened Akaboshi wanted to avoid chaos to return. In order to play a bigger part and increase his influence around Hoshigakure the red haired Uzumaki was always on the lookout, whether it be for things or people, as long as it would benefit the village. Everyone had their role, be it small or crucial, only if people were on the same page could they move forward. It seemed Kozai had figured out what he needed to do, or at least figured out a certain goal for himself and the Archives. Akaboshi could only commend the librarian for it.

The man then continued to clean some papers that were left behind. It made the Uzumaki wonder once more about the kind of help Kozai received to keep the Archives running. "I hardly doubt the librarian is even responsible for cleaning up? Besides your runaway assistant from before I hope it's not just the two of you keeping this going?" Not that he was applying for a side job, but the redhead simply wanted to know if there was anything he could help with. 

(WC: 209, TWC: 4291)

"Her case is special." Kozai didn't want to say too much more on the topic. Talking about what were essentially just extensions of himself was more likely than not to get him into trouble. Maintaining the illusion that these were, in fact, separate people was crucial. Kozai never stopped remembering that this fellow reported to the kage. His relationship with the various hogokages of the village had always been complicated, and had possibly become even moreso in recent months. There was simply no time for him to deal with somebody discovering that he'd placed agents like this in a variety of places.

"No, we're just short staffed tonight, I'm afraid. I could whip up some emergency help, but this work is nothing to me." Nothing like helping to re-establish Ame, only to find out that it had been taken apart in the matter of a single day... again. All that work, all those months gone to waste. It had been a hard lesson for Kozai to choose his investments more wisely. Time might not be as limiting for him as it was for other people, but he still needed to use it wisely. Apathy would be the death of him if he allowed it.

For now Akaboshi didn't plan on following through on the matter of personnel that did or didn't work in the Archives. He had no reason to believe that the librarian was lying or keeping anything from him, and even if that were to be the case, so what? The red haired Uzumaki usually trusted his gut feeling and didn't believe Kozai was a threat to Hoshigakure. If the man really would be endangering the future of the village he would surely already have done something by now. And from his meeting with the Hogokage the redhead remembered Kozai to be one of the three people he trusted the most. Perhaps by now their relationship had changed, but it still didn't change the fact that Yasaki mentioned the librarian as a trustworthy individual. 

"I understand you're wary of me, thinking I might go running back to Yasaki and tell him all about our meeting. To be honest, I doubt you would care. Something tells me you're the type of person who has a goal in mind and doesn't deviate from his path. On the other hand my self worth doesn't allow me to see myself as a mere spy or errand boy. I want what's best for Hoshigakure, I just haven't decided who'll be able to help me." Maybe Akaboshi lost Kozai with all his endless talking, but the Uzumaki insisted making himself clear about where his loyalty was. His loyalty lay with Hoshigakure, the village that existed and would keep existing for many more years to come, not with some passer-by who was already well at age. He was aware it sounded rather harsh when talking about their current Kage, and although he didn't mean no disrespect, deep down he knew there were doubts about their leadership.

"If I were to ask what you had to offer our village, what would you say? Knowledge, power? Or am I boring you with my talks about our current sitation?" Maybe the librarian simply wanted to call it a day and go home, but if there was even a slight chance that the man would be able to help Akaboshi ensuring the safety of Hoshigakure, the least he could do was push. 

(WC: 369, TWC: 4660)

Through the cold indifference, Kozai felt a spark of annoyance. What was the redhead's game here? Kozai didn't let any of his cynicism show on his face or in his body language, of course. Nevertheless, the man's blather about "self worth" was irksome. Either do your duty, or don't, Kozai thought. Determine what it is you really want, and pursue it, but don't ask *me* about it. What position do you think I'm in to-

And that's when Kozai realized it. Even shinobi like this one, for whatever reason, looked up to him, or at the very least respected his work. He'd established something in Hoshigakure in defiance of its most powerful organization. Even if Akaboshi was, for the moment, unaware of just how much power Kozai was capable of bringing to bear, he still saw Kozai as an authority figure of some kind. Kozai didn't see himself as having a responsibility to the village in general, but he'd already set expectations for others. Failing to fulfill them would be more of an advantage than not doing so.

"I suppose I offer either one, though whether you can turn knowledge into power is up to you. Do you think you have the means to do so?"

It was quite the interesting concept, to turn knowledge into power. With so much information available, it was crucial to decide and work out the things you wanted and needed to learn more about. Without a doubt, Akaboshi knew that Kozai had to be one of the individuals who were successful in turning their expertise into power. The Uzumaki wondered if there were many that the librarian helped attain a new form of strength. Going by the man's last sentence, he assumed Kozai willing to share what he had learned over the years. Whenever someone gained something that was valuable, more often than not would they share it with others who will also benefit from the piece of information. But depending on the type of knowledge it would not always be the case. Some things better remained a secret, but Akaboshi hoped that Kozai wouldn't mind sharing in order to help him and therefore Hoshigakure grow stronger.

Akaboshi knew he had to give Kozai an answer to his question, but how does one find the right words to reply to one like that? "If I'm supposed to convince you then simply 'thinking' I have the means would be the wrong answer. On the other hand I won't stand before you acting all arrogant as if it was a piece of fake. What I can do is be honest, so yes, I believe I am one capable of having what it takes. Knowledge is power, I intend to shape it into something that will have us achieve great results." One of the Uzumaki's bad habits was talking too much when it could be said in fewer words, but unfortunately speeches became sort of his thing. All that's left was hoping Kozai could see at least some bit of promise. 

(WC: 297, TWC: 4957)

Us? Who did he think he was talking about? Kozai remembered Echo's admiration for shinobi with temerity. Sadly, Kozai didn't share that liking. His former kage wouldn't approve of this attitude, but thankfully, Echo was long gone now. He'd last seen him in Kumo, when he'd given Kozai control of Iwagakure and the people and resources within. He'd chosen Kozai over the other candidate, Agito. A mistake, Kozai thought now. Agito would have fought back. He wouldn't have betrayed his best friend, like I did. Looking back on it now, Maku hadn't been that powerful. They stood a chance to win... but no, that was delusional. Escape was victory. If Kozai let himself slip, if he allowed the preconceptions of others to redefine victory for him, he had already lost, and loss was not acceptable.

"Yes, well", Kozai began, sitting down in one of the wooden chairs, "that's what they all say, isn't it?" He wasn't about to ask the other man for proof of his achievements. Despite suppressing his own chakra constantly, Kozai was still able to sense Akaboshi's, and it wasn't trivial. Nothing like Echo's or Denkiteki's, but who had chakra like that? Honestly.

"Take this, and study it. Learn it if you want, or don't, it doesn't matter to me." A truth.
"When you're finished with it, apply what you've learned. You're sure to see results, and as they say, 'God smiles on results'." A truth.
"It's not like I can use it anyway." A lie.

Kozai handed the young man the scroll containing the formulae and usage for Kanade, one of his own personal techniques.

"Of course, I needn't remind you not to tell anyone of this."

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