A Bench???

Daiko Thread 

Nico was having a bad day. First he slept in so he got caught up in the busy streets of kiri. Then he found out that his preferred store 'Johnson's' supplies was closed for maintenance. He had absolutely nothing to do besides either do missions or train. The only missions Nico felt capable of where e and d ranks and he did not want to do a meaning less and mediocre task. So that meant he would go to train. What would he train today he had already mastered, most of the techniques he had learned from saya and created some puppets. 

Unable to decide what to do Niko headed to his second favorite place that being the library. There he looked so some scroll. Mostly on the history of kiri there bloodlines, or at least the ones available to public and such. He found history to be his second favorite subject of study after warfare. Though seeing as in this world the two were not far apart. Maybe he could look more into the topic later. After browsing and checking out some of the books for self study he made his way to the training area. 

Walking for a few moments acknowledging the beautiful sights that the village had to offer he had to ask why had he chosen to join kiri. The reasons where multiple and as follows. Mostly because of the location of the village. Nico had lived in island country for many many years. The last reason being how his parents had spoke of the village. They were kiri loyalist through and through. To join another village would be disrespectful to his parents image.

Nico while deep in thought walked past a bench. While you may ask what was so special about this bench I could not answer but for some strange reason Nico knew this bench was important and stopped in his tracks.
(TWC 319)

Ahhh, man. Daiko was having a busy week for the most part, with him knocking out tons of missions and other requirements that he had. His pockets were feeling pretty fat, and he was happy with the different things that the village had offered him so far. He wasn't concerned with taking his sweet time with the things that he wanted to achieve, he wanted to grasp them all as soon as he possibly could. There was a lot that had been going on. He remembered the poor life of the person who had been trying to attack Saya and him, and how that ended up. He truly wondered why people would try to attack out of nowhere when he did nothing to upset them. As much as Daiko wanted to say that he felt bad and was on a mission to become a better person, he truly didn't care about the life that he had taken. It didn't shake him or cause him to feel some sort of way. This was just a fact of life. Daiko recalls an old adage, saying that if you act up, you get smacked up. Interesting to think about, if nothing else. 

Stretching out his legs, Daiko finally gets out of bed. It was a pretty nice day out, it was sunny and such, so he put on some casual attire. He decided to just roll with black shorts and a black t-shirt. Though it was hot, Daiko liked the aesthetic. Making his way out of the housing that he had previously been provided, he decides to take a stroll through the town. Everything seemed to be in order, for the most part, the village was at its usual level of bustling. There were people here and there wandering about, but once again Daiko notices that there was hardly any ninja out and about. Either way, Daiko decides that his best option would be to take a moment to relax on the same bench that he always meets Saya at. With any luck, she would be wandering around doing who-knows-what and having a good time. Daiko considered the different options that there were for food. He wouldn't mind getting tofu, though he was more in the mood for some sort of meat. He had half a mind to grab a whole cow by its haunches and start munching away at it, though he figured that wouldn't go down too well.

Either way, while sitting at his awesome bench, Daiko notices that there's someone that had stopped and was looking at him with wide eyes. "Eh?" The character had violet eyes and seemed to be dressed somewhat nicely, along with having a pale complexion. Daiko wasn't entirely sure what this kid was staring at, though he didn't particularly mind it either way. Deciding that there was no reason not to interact with this strange character, Daiko decided to give the tried and true greeting that someone he didn't know would get from him. "What's up, little dude. How's life treating ya?"

[507]

Niko's all around boring day had taken a significant turn. This figure was a young man maybe in his early twenties, it was hard to tell how tall he was but it was easy for the inexperienced ninja to tell that the man was shorter than himself.  The man managed to look older then his appearance, the medium length messy blond hair supported his overall appearance. Meeting the mans eyes and letting his expressionless face show he responded to the mans question.

"I am doing good at the moment, though it seems this boring and dull day has taken a strange turn." Niko could tell something was off with the man, he just could not tell what. He would keep his guard up, but he was in the middle of Kiri. Only someone extremely brave, or extremely stupid would attack a Kiri ninja in broad daylight. Though, Niko never wore his head band he was starting to be recognizable to the shinobi population and some of the citizen population of Kiri. He would never say he was famous. Simply put, Nico did not believe he deserved such a level of recognition.

"Though if I may ask, what is your name? Mine myself is Nico, Nico Kazan." Finding room on the bench he would go to take a seat. First looking towards the man for his approval. Maybe this man was a ninja himself. And while though he lacked the signature headband so did Nico.

After taking a seat Nico would then ask "I cant help but feel like you have some strength, you have this air about you. I myself am i Kiri ninja." Nico would investigate into this person. They could be a threat to village security so it could only be seen as his duty as a Kiri ninja to look into the matter and perform a quick threat assessment. Maybe he could befriend the man if Nico finds him to be acceptable.
(TWC 644)

Daiko leans back in his seat slightly, relaxing with his hands behind his head, soaking up the sun. He wasn't exactly a fan of getting some sort of tan, though the heat did feel nice for the time being. Daiko found it somewhat funny that the man tensed up when he began speaking to him, due to the fact that NOTHING was off about Daiko in the slightest. Though he had on shorts and a t-shirt, he had never actually ended up ripping apart his flesh with his clan techniques, so he looked indistinguishable from a regular ninja. Either way, it was no real issue. Daiko would continue to enjoy the amusement for a bit, maybe scaring the man a little bit for good measure. 

The man ended up giving away his name to Daiko, and told him that he went by Nico Kazan. "Oh, that's what's up. Nice to meet you." Daiko's blank expression then turned serious for a moment, and he turned his head so that he was looking directly at this stranger. "Wait... Did you say... Your name was Nico..?" He then stood up and cracked his neck looking directly into this random stranger's eyes. "I was sent to find somebody named Nico... You know what I was sent to do?" Daiko tries his best to use a gaze that would pierce through the man's soul, and Daiko would instantly break out of character and start laughing, sitting back down on the bench if the young man in front of him made so much as a slight movement. He seemed reasonable enough, but it was funny seeing a ninja being so jumpy.

Daiko then listens to him explain how he's a ninja of Kirigakure. "Oh hey, that's cool. I've met a couple of your comrades, everyone around here seems pretty nice. My name is Daiko by the way. Just Daiko." Daiko gives the man a thumbs up. "I'm just a wandering ninja. I basically do whatever, wherever. With the permission of the leaders." Daiko then leans back and stares up at the sky for a moment. "To be honest, other than just me and the Mizukage, I thought everyone in the village was just teenage girls." Laughing for a short moment, Daiko turns his attention back to the young man in front of him. "Eh... An air of strength? I'm legit just sitting here. Now, if you're trying to go to the spicy tofu shop or something, that'll definitely give me some strong air about me." Daiko stands up, and looks over at the young man whom he had just met. "Speaking of, I'm in the mood for some food. You wanna join me? Tell me about ya'self while we walk." Daiko then begins to walk towards an unknown destination, though he had a perfect plan where he wanted to take this guy he just met. It would be a true test of skill, mental fortitude, and what someone would be willing to do in order to go along with one of Daiko's stupid ideas.

[509]
{1016}

Nico was spooked, was the man here to kill him. He may have upset some bandit clans and groups, but surely not enough to warrant an assassination. Surely the bandit clans would not order a hit against a meager genin. Standing up abruptly and bringing his chakra strings to life.

"I see so that's how it is" Nico would tense up waiting until he heard laughter originate from the man. Looking quite stupid and seeing many people eyeing him he blushed slightly from the attention and sat back down. How could he, have been so stupid would the contract not have his descriptions. 

"Well don't I feel stupid now you were simply making a joke." chuckling in stupidity for a moment. Nico continued with, "Daiko, where have I heard your name before." Nico thought for a brief moment and continued, "Do you know a ninja by the name of Saya perhaps?" Nico had remembered, the day he first met the strange young puppeteer. It was the day he made his first major improvement as a ninja.

"So I was right in assuming you were a ninja. Sorry if the question was abrupt I've always had this strange ability to sense others, I've had for as long as I can remember." Nico then listened to what Daiko said next. After processing his sentence he had to ask, "So you have met the Mizukage how is he? I've heard good things but I have never met the man. I know strange for a Kiri ninja."

"Sure ill join you, not sure if you'll find me to be good company but whatever works." Getting up to follow the man he would await what he had to say. He had wanted to meet the mizukage but between his other plans and that one, he prioritized his training instead.
(TWC 948)

Daiko nods his head. After he had stood up, it had seemed that the person who he had just now met was willing to go get food with him. Nice. Daiko was somewhat excited about what they were going to do, and he truly knew that this man had no idea what would be awaiting them. Daiko trails pretty slowly, taking the paths laid out by the village's ancestors, basically, Daiko was taking the road. As they traveled, he passed the old mappo tofu shop that he had been at before, and his stomach grumbled slightly. He wouldn't have minded stopping just here and then worrying about whatever else he wanted to do later. Rather, Daiko decided that he would take this man to a special spot, one that Daiko had been meaning to go for quite some time. "So, you said you're a Kirigakure ninja, ey?" Daiko nodded his head, looking in Nico's direction. "Very interesting. A lot of the ninja here seem to be pretty cool, and I assume you're no exception, haha. Tell me something about yourself. What are you doing here? Were you raised in this area or what? Also why the hell are you so pale?" Daiko chuckles slightly before his face sinks back to the completely neutral expression that is usually expressed by him.

Daiko nods his head at whatever response the man had given him. They were getting closer to where they needed to be, and Daiko began to smell the spices filling the air. Grinning for a second, Daiko walks up to the stall that had a man feverishly shaking a wok, tossing an assortment of peppers and chicken inside the pot to cook. Once you're within 5 meters of this place, you get smacked in the face by the smell of spicy food. Absolutely hay-makered by the spices. Daiko was genuinely curious how the man survived without wearing a full protective suit. Either way, Daiko looks over at Nico. "Don't worry man, this one's on me." Daiko orders 'the special' and pays for both of their meals. Looking over at Nico, Daiko has a blank expression on his face. "So, here's what we're going to do. I need to see if you're ninja material." The man then serves up hot wings that were a bright red color, and some sauce spilled out of one of the bowls. A fly landed in the stray sauce, rubbing its hands together for not even a moment before dying in the puddle of seasoning. 

Daiko got to work, eating the first wing, the expression on his face not changing in the slightest. He looks over at his friend, curious as to what he would be thinking at this moment. "You gotta eat these. They're a method of divination. They can tell you what your true power could be later in life." Daiko nods, and by his own reaction it would come off as even though it looked quite scary, the wings weren't hot. The sad truth would be that they were so spicy that some ninja over-confident about their limits had died eating these very wings.

[520]
{1536}

Nico followed the small Ninja, while he had looked intimidating before, the apparent height difference made the traveling ninja look significantly less intimidating. Nico watched as he saw the ninja nearly navigate via smell, allowing himself to breathe through his nose he smelt, what he assumed was a sauce. The smell was good but he could tell the product would be a flavor train. 

Listening to the ninja express his question he listened hearing the man chuckle he took that as his cue and responded with, "I wouldn't say I am cool, I come from a village on the outskirts of island country. The usual story parents died when I was younger and in a quest to gain strength I became a ninja. My mother was a retired Kiri ninja so I followed in her footsteps and made a home here." Taking a breather he would wait a few seconds before continuing. "As to why I am so pale, well I assume it's inherited my mother had such a tone as well" Niko would give the man some time to process what he had said. After giving ample time he would pose a question of his own. "What about you, traveling is quite rough eventually I traveled for a few years and settled down here." Awaiting a response he continued to follow the shinobi.

Nico was fine until a wave of scents and spice hit him in the face. He had never been to this part of Kiri so the smell was quite different than what he was accustomed to. Hearing Daiko says that the meal was on him he nodded and said "thanks." If the man wanted to offer Nico free food who was he to argue. Mimicking Daiko in sitting down he watched a fly fall in a bit of the sauce and die almost instantly.

Nico thought 'will I die if I eat this' The food looked enticing and had he not seen such a display and smelled the obscene air in the area emitted, he probably would have immediately started digging into the food. Instead, he took the time to question Daiko saying, "are you trying to kill me." Not awaiting a response he would immediately start to take a bite. Taking a chunk of the wing in his mouth he first tasted the flavors, and the abundant texture these wings tasted great. But suddenly he was nearly knocked out by the spice. Immediately choking up and taking water that was offered to him by a bystander. 

Taking the water and immediately downing it washing away the spice he said, "these wings are good but, why do I get the feeling you were trying to kill me." Nico had thought that maybe the traveling ninja was insane as he ate the wings at ungodly speeds. Perhaps he had no sense of taste. Nico had no idea but surely the man was insane.

(TWC 1434)

Daiko listens to the man's story, taking in some of the information. It had seemed that at one point, this ninja had also been the type to travel around the different lands of ninja, finding what he could. This was pretty cool, as it was something that Daiko could personally relate to in the future. Daiko listened to the explanation about why he was pale, among other things, and waited a moment before he had taken the time to respond. "Well, honestly. I was just kinda roaming about. I've been lucky enough to stay here." Daiko nodded his head for a moment. "I've mainly just been wandering around, looking for things to do. I've run into a couple of fun people, though not everyone is super friendly." Daiko would then scratch his chin. "That's about it." Daiko had left out basically everything about his past, including the time that when he was nearly still a toddler when his mother punted him like a football out of the house. Either way, small details like that probably weren't important. Neither was the fact that he had somewhat recently consumed the hearts of his enemies. 

Daiko watches as the man next to him was eyeing up his meal before even considering it. Holding his own laughter when the man asks if he was going to die from a chicken wing, Daiko watches as without missing a beat he goes for the first morsel. Daiko continues to stifle abrupt laughter as the man comically chokes on the first bite, leaving him to down water. Finally having enough, Daiko lets out a laugh. "Hahaha, somebody, oh. He needs some milk." Daiko let the owner of the establishment know, and the man behind the counter shook his head. He pulled out a big jug of a somewhat thick milk fluid, something that was guaranteed to knock all the spice out of the wings. Pouring a big cup out for Niko, Daiko would pay for that as well. Though a bit thicker than average milk, this drink had a proficiency for coating the mouths of people who came by, knocking the ungodly heat down to a minor spice that even an old woman could handle. Considering that Daiko had just met this ninja, he was already somewhat fond of him for actually taking on his challenge. 

After they had finished their meal, Daiko would stretch out in his seat, before taking the receipt for the meal and stashing it away in a pocket. Standing up, he would look at the ninja in front of him, considering for a moment what it was he wanted to do. Other than food and the general vibe of the area, there wasn't much to do. There were a couple of different sights that they may be able to train and different locations that the pair could visit. Thinking about it for a moment, Daiko decided to see if the man had anything to offer. "Hey, I'm glad you made it through those wings. I know of a couple of other locations around the village, but I'm curious. What kind of stuff do you like to do around here? Lately, I've been bored out of my mind."

[534]
{2070}

Nico took the glass of milk and immediately chugged it. That wing was good but it tasted like the depths of the underworld. After thoroughly coating his mouth with the offered milk and quickly finishing the wings, to not prolong his pain, he would then face the man. "you do know that attempted murder is a crime here right. God all mighty" He then tries his best to stifle a small gagging sound. The man had probably brought him to the spiciest place in town. Not that Nico did not enjoy the food, he did. But it was quite the experience.

"Yeah, the only real nice person I have met here was a weird puppeteer. But other than that the rest of town has been neutral. Though I do happen to know a supply vendor by the name of johnson he is pretty cheerful." Nico thought briefly about his experience with the young showgirl named Saya she really was quite eccentric. Nico would then continue with, "Soon ill need to meet the mizukage. Though I assume you have met the man, seeing as you brought him up earlier. How would you describe him?" Nico had heard very little about the kage but what he had heard was quite good. 

"it's embarrassing to admit but all I do around here is missions and training. I have started eating at this tofu place near the training area, due to recommendation. To be honest you probably know more regarding this place than me, seeing as you directed me to this place. It is a little sad seeing as I am a shinobi of this village." Nico was a little perplexed the supposed foreigner knew more regarding the geography of this place than him, a resident. 

"Perhaps you could join the village. Even with my limited knowledge, I know that we are always looking to add experienced shinobi to our ranks. Don't feel pressured though, give it some thought." Nico always liked meeting new people. Developing relationships is an essential part of what it means to be human so of course, he would enjoy it. Nico wished to see where the man would bring him next. Maybe he could see some of the skill, Nico presumed he had.
(TWC 1808)

Daiko got a fair bit of amusement at the man's reaction the what they had just been through, and he continued to listen to what Niko was beginning to talk to him about. Wait, for a moment Daiko thought that he had misheard this guy. He was saying that he met a puppet master in Kiri? That could only mean one thing. He was probably talking about Saya. Thinking back to the past few days, he considered for a moment why he would refer to her as weird. He had murdered for her in the past, and Daiko shortly wondered if this man had some sort of distaste for her. "Eh... Saya? Is that who you're talking about?" Daiko tilts his head a bit, and his eyes squint slightly. "I wouldn't say she's weird. Excitable, maybe but...." Daiko picks up one of the forks off of the table and flips it in his hand, eyeing up this Kiri shinobi's throat. Pausing for a moment, he puts down the fork. Right, civilized society. Not to mention the looming dread of being hunted down by the Mizukage. "She and I are actually pretty close. I assume that you've tried the tofu?"

Daiko continued to listen, hearing Niko bring up about wanting to meet the Mizukage. "Hmn... How would I describe him..?" Daiko momentarily thought back to the short encounter that he had been a part of with the leader of this village. "Honestly, he seems alright to me. Pretty laid back, and I mean, he gave me a place to stay while I do missions for the village." Daiko nods, continuing. "Considering you're one of the ninja that actually lives here, I'm sure you'd get along fine." Continuing to listen to the man's responses and such, Daiko chimes in after his statement about only doing training and such, as well as confirming Daiko's suspicion that he had tried the tofu shop that he and Saya always go to. "Well, the only reason I know the area so well was because Saya and I were tasked with actually giving a tour of the village to some vacationers." Daiko shrugs for a moment. "You tend to pick up things pretty fast when she gets hyper. Otherwise, you'll be too slow to catch up." Smiling for no longer for a second, Daiko decides to stand up and find something to show to the young man. "Honestly, I know a place that we can go. Follow me." 

Walking at a somewhat brisk pace, Daiko begins to head towards the old kage monument. Daiko got a weird feeling whenever he ended up looking at it or being around it, and he was somewhat curious to see if this ninja knew anything about the guy that was forever captured in stone to be looked on by the villagers. "Join the village...? Man, I'm already here. I'm too old to be going through the academy or any boring shit like that... I think I'm technically considered a genin already, so, unless I'm going to be going up from here I don't see any real point." Daiko shrugs, and by the time that they were done conversing they would've likely ended up at the monument. 

At the base of the statue, there was a plaque, as well as the statue seeming somewhat larger than life. Turning towards Niko, Daiko decides to be upfront and ask "So, Niko. You said you live here, yes? What do you know about this guy, if anything? It seems that he was the first leader of this village, though... I'm curious what he did to create this village."

[603]
{2673}