Going Against the Grain

Daiko walks where he needs to go, not paying too much mind to the town around him. It had been just recently that he had seen Saya and noticed that he hadn't seen her puppets around her the way they usually were. He wasn't sure if she was using chakra suppression or what it was, but he knew one thing for sure. Pinoch had told him to meet up with him in the Arts District of Kirigakure. It was interesting to say the least, considere3ing even though the two of them had gone on and given a tour of the village, they never once mentioned that there was a place to look at art. That would make sense though, considering new things were popping up all the time. Most recently, it had seemed that a stadium in Kirigakure had been finished being built by the Second MIzukage. Stretching out his arms, Daiko makes it closer and closer to this 'art district', paying mind to the stalls that were littered about. There were some places that were making masks, others that made puppets, and some things that were essentially no more than tourist trap shops with useless knick-knacks in them. 

Daiko turned his head slightly to the right and spotted a shop that was actually contained within a building. This one didn't seem like a pop-up for tourism, it seemed like this was a place that had been around for quite a long time. Not reading the name on his first way in, he noticed that it was some sort of tattoo shop. Walking in, he saw a few different things. Some people in here were artists, while some others were actually fuuinjutsu experts charging people to get seals put on them. Daiko recalled when Kiku had used some sort of seal to block one of his jutsu, and absorb it. Stretching out his shoulders, Daiko looks around at the people that frequented this place. Most of them were simple villagers, coming here to get a new tattoo every so often. Deciding to look at the wall to see what was there, he admired some of the designs. They were varied in their appearances, some looked like they were small, simplistic tattoos that people would get to add some extra flair. His favorite was probably the symbol of Kirigakure Ninja, on a deep blue background over an ocean. 

Looking around some more, Daiko noticed that there were some that were pieces that were meant to cover someone's entire arm, entire back, or some even covering someone's entire body. He was somewhat astonished at the complexity of some of them and didn't really want to look at the price tag. Going against his better judgment, he picks up one of the full-body designs and checks the back. Only 5000 ryo...? No, it was 5000 ryo per hour. That was quite the difference... Considering how much of the person's body would likely be covered and how long that would take, that would probably be one of the last things he could ever afford.

[511]

Today was going to be an amazing day. He'd made the decision to not take any missions for a couple days after what he and pupnochio was calling the "trash bag incedent" and he'd even managed to sleep in. It took him a bit longer to get out of the house as usual. Instead of using the elevator, which could have put him in contact with Saya or one of team puppet, he'd simply climbed up one of the smoke vent holes in his new Forge area. THe pipes were a bit sharp, and he wasn't exactly looking fantastic when he got out, but he'd planned for this. It was only a short walk from their new underground mansion to the suit shop he'd visited on his first day out of the house. He crossed the distance at a run, kicking his knees up to his chest as he moved, and popped in side, giving a wave to the salesman and slipping into a changing room.

Within the changing station there were already three perfectly tailored suits sitting on hangars, prepared for his arrival. He'd called ahead, thankfully, and with the volume of buisiness he had done with the shop lately the owner was more than glad to do exactly as he'd asked. He stripped off the work out clothes he'd worn, tossing them in a bag for later, and began dressing. The undershirt was a special surprise for later, something he'd planned when he set out his goals for the day under the assumption that Daiko would be down for his plans, and the suit was easy enough to fasten and button. This outing was special, and required a bit more flare than his mission suits would, so he'd ordered a custom burberry set up that was a dark forrest green accented with silver cufflinks and buttons. FInally finished with his new look, he headed towards the arts district that totally exists and is very real.

Now the arts district was a bit misleading. It sounded like a place where you'd hear music and see people painting or drawing, but this was kiri. As much as saya tried, they weren't really about that for the most part. What they did have, however, is a number of various art adjacent shops that sold various things. There was a painting gallery that was probably non stolen works that were definitely real and not forgeries, there was the now fully stocked musical instruments shop that saya had almost solely funded through hiring the workers to follow her around every day and provide accumpaniment for whatever she might need, There were various other seemingly high end retailers that sold arts goods of some type or the other, there was ita's doll shop, and there were a string of tatoo shops. Surprisingly, When he got into the district, he noticed daiko standing directly in front of the exact shop he was hoping to go to! What luck. Things really were looking up for the small puppet.

He slipped into one of the bars on the strip, stepping up to the counter, hopping up to stand on a barstool so he could be seen, and then finally speaking to the bartender. After what seemed like forever arguing about why he, who was not actually a six year old, could defintiely buy things in this establishment, he showed his ninja id, waited the appropriate time for it to be quadruple checked to prove it was a fake, attained confirmation that it wasn't a fake, and walked out and over to daiko with two brews in hand.

"OY Daiko! My man!!! been a while! trying to have a fun day since the wet blanket is out training?"

(TWc 620)

Daiko sighs, relaxing in his chair. The day was going pretty well, though he was a bit disappointed that he hadn't been involved in any of Saya's antics lately. It's not that he'd been too busy, it's just he was lazy. He wondered if everyone who reached C-Rank felt this way. He knew that he was a single heart away from actually becoming stronger, and being able to learn more powerful jutsu. He just... Couldn't bring himself to do it. He was having a hard time deciding if he should do it on his own, or take Niko along to help with his training. It was somewhat of a sad thought, to be completely honest, considering that he and Saya had been the ones taking on the missions before. Truth be told, since the last time they had battled together, he didn't want to burden her with more things that she would have to work through. Daiko's path wasn't as clear to him as some other people's were to them, and he decided to work on his own abilities and tactics before taking someone on. When he did, he decided that he would want to do it on his own, to prove to himself that he was able to handle himself on his own.

Finding somewhere to sit outside, he leans back and stares up at the sky. He could feel that there was something holding him back, but he wasn't sure what it was. For whatever reason as of late, his training had been more focused around doing the bare minimum of what he needed to do rather than reach for the stars, as he had tried to do when he first visited this village. Maybe seeing a friendly face is what he needed to knock himself out of his torpor. Either way, by the time he had actually started paying attention to his surroundings, he had gotten exactly what he had asked for. It was the homie. The main man. Homeslice incarnate. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MY BOY, PINOCH WHAT IT DO HOMIE" Daiko gladly grabbed the drink from him, which was hopefully followed by them smacking the glasses together, Daiko doing so at a might 5 strength. Taking a nice swig from the pitcher of ale that Pinoch had brought him, Daiko wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt before resuming his more casual disposition. "Hmn? Wet blanket? Who?"

Daiko wasn't entirely sure who he was referring to, but it was no matter. Stretching out, he glances around at the different shops and such that were all around, wondering exactly why it was that Pinoch had actually invited him out here. "Ay, so. My man. You wanted me to meet you out here right? Whatchu looking to get done?" Daiko tilted his head slightly, his eyes wandering around the somewhat bustling stalls of the different places, as well as young people and adults alike happily eyeing up the prizes in which they had shelled out ryo for. "There's a lot of shit going on here, man. Didn't expect it to be so poppin'."

[515]
{1026}

Pinochio would immediately extend his hand to try and do a complex handshake, thinking that it would just come naturally. In all the movies, when old friends meet up they do a complex set of hand movements including fist bumps and sometimes making wings with your hands and stuff, and it just worked. He didn't exactly account for the fact that these handshakes had been worked through and planned. Inevitably, it would be less cool than he thought, but he was here for the opportunity for coolness yanno? 

"Yanno. Tria. Haven't actually seen her in like a week! It's been so ni--OH! OH OH OH CHECK THIS OUT!!!" In emphasis, he'd run around the spot where Daiko was sitting several times, creating tight circles that would have ended with him tied up in chakra threads. When he stopped, it would be clear that the threads that had controled him for so long were not there. 

"I got like. No strings to hold me down! I'm a real manly man now, Which is why I asked you to be here. Listen. You've always been the homie, right. All Tria's other training partners and I haven't really gotten along, probably because I was going through some stuff--dealing with the realization that I was by far the weakest member of the team because I was her first puppet. Now that I'm unchained, I thought I could do things just for me. I've been on a bunch of missions, Got some money, Picked up some dope equipment..." At this He'd shift so that his hip was in clear view for the Tau boy. Held by a snap button leather belt frog was what looked like a Kama with a chain and ball on the end. 

"I thought to myself, I said Pinochio Pinochio--that's my name now. First and last. I thought it would be really cool. Pinochio. Who should I share this awesome moment with? The easy answer was my old buddy Daiko, so. Daiko. Do you wanna get all tatted up?" For the first time probably since his creation, Pinochio's face was alight with excitement. He'd been thinking about this since he was created. What is more manly than getting needles stuck in your body over and over again by someone creating awesome pictures, right? That seemed right, and he counted on daiko to confirm or deny. Honestly he hadn't had to consider what was and wasn't manly until right now because of the whole being a puppet whose consciousness was an extension of Saya's thing. It made some things much easier. 

As he waited for an answer his gaze shifted to the tatoo shop. He'd been scoping this place out for weeks. At first, he thought he would get like. Some badass skulls or flames or something, but that wouldn't make sense. None on his team even used fire style, and while he now had a skull, He liked it inside of his skin and having them drawn on the outside just felt like it had dangerous implications. 

(TWC 1126)

Daiko listened to what pinoch had to say, and was surprised. It was pretty cool. It seemed that for all intents and purposes, Pinochio was now a real boy. Daiko didn't understand the reference, however, it is notable that the pun had been a few months in the running. He silently wondered if this was the intent for Pinoch all along. Either way, Daiko would nod his head. "Oh yeah. Totally badass name. Such a good name you say it twice. Like Moto Moto." Daiko faintly remembers from his past there being some sort of large water mammal that liked them both big, and chunky in unison. It was an odd combination, and as such he doesn't recall much more than that. Daiko wondered what kind of technique could've led to Pinoch being in such a real form. Daiko always thought he was pretty tough and pretty cool, but now seeing him as more than just a construct of Saya seemed to be very interesting. It was as if all the energy that was put toward him usually was poured into making him his own thing, with thoughts and feelings. Crazy. 

Either way. Daiko listened to the few words he had to say about getting pictures on his body. "Oh actually. I was just in a tattoo shop moments ago. I saw a lot of really cool things in there. There were definitely a handful of skulls. There was one that was the symbol for Kiri, and one that was like... A full-body mural of some kind. I don't know how to describe it. They also had a really weird one, of the Mizukage's face doing a thumbs up." Daiko thought back on that tattoo. It seemed to fill up the full-back or front side of someone, and it was the Mizukage going full Steevo style, giving a thumbs up and a goofy face. "Let's head in there. Let's check out what they had." When they walked back in, Daiko noticed something was different. Maybe he had just imagined it but... The strange tattoo he had seen of the Mizukage was gone, and where he had originally thought it was just a mural of a weird-looking armadillo. That reminded him of that little guy. What was his name... Ram? 

Daiko gives Pinoch a thumbs up. "Check out all the sweet stuff they got in here yo. They've got a ton of options. I heard that every once in a while there are some fuuinjutsu specialists that end up coming here. Pretty wide variety of stuff, wouldn't you say?" Daiko nods his head, taking a moment to pick out one of the books that have a variety of smaller designs, or designs that aren't exactly the most sought after or used there. The book was pretty thick and was about the size of a phonebook. Not that ninja had any need for those. This isn't 20 questions, though it was definitely around the same size as a bread box. Or, something like that. 

[504]
{1530}

"Heck yea man! Pinochio pinochio has a dope ring to it. Also I've started a forge buisiness. Got to repair the armor of the legendary Keita uzumaki and some other guy who paid me pretty well. Their equipment was actually crazy looking. Everything is coming up Pinochio pinochio." This was blatantly untrue, however, for the sake of his sanity, he was looking on the bright side of things. Even though everything that could have possible gone wrong had gone wrong every single day that he'd tried to do something productive, he was still making forward progress, and that was the goal after all. He'd been doing missions, gaining power, and getting stronger every single day. Sure, he'd managed to find a way to hurt himself, pour trash on himself, and just generally find the worst possible method of completing every single task, but they'd gotten done.

"Yep! That's actually why I asked you to come to this district. The shop across the way is actually AMAZING! I thought we could get some sick ink to make us look hella masculine and stuff....That's what i'm supposed to be worrying about right? I'm still really new to this being a person stuff, but i've been watching all the ninja who wear only back and throw rotten tomatoes at Saya when she performs and i've learned you have to not show emotion, be super tough, and hit things to prove your manliness. I think i'm really starting to understand humanity!" Oh. Oh pinochio. Another poor soul was claimed by the fates, doomed to a life of toxic habits. It's his decision to make, but I would not be the humble and kind narrator I am if i didn't emphasize how incredibly off his analysis is.

He followed Daiko in, giving a wave to the people in the shop. There was a tall biker dude who looked like the only thing he'd ever done in his life was lift weights standing at the counter. At each of the conveniently only two tatoo chairs were a woman with long hair, the left dark and curly, and the right a firey red.

"I've got such a hype tattoo idea. You're gonna actually have your mind blown by this!!!" He gave a nod to the red head. He'd paid in advanced, and honestly probably well overpaid, for both of them to get what they wanted. While his goal since becoming human was to separate himself from his puppet past, His body felt a bit strange.

"Any idea what you might want to get? I bet they could do like. a stitch patern that goes across your body and stuff and look really cool." Honestly, he hadn't considered how uncomfortable Daiko was with the effects of his bloodline. He'd hidden it from team puppet for so long because he was worried about something or the other. Still, he'd agreed to be here. That meant maybe he was getting comfortable in his skin the way saya was. he hadn't seen her in weeks without her Senju bangles, though he also hadn't really seen her in weeks.

(TWC 1643)

Daiko nodded his head, staring off into space. He felt sudden.. Urges. He had felt this when he had been with Saya earlier, though he didn't want to bring it up right this moment... Fuck.... 

"Yo, Pinoch. My main man... I don't know why but... I feel very sick.. If you wanna head in there... and see what's up with appointments... I'll join you in an hour or so... I gotta use the bathroom or something, I don't know.." Daiko sighed deeply, and then ran off with no further explanation. He would make good on his promise to come back, though.. Right now... He felt like he had other things to do.. 

[Exit]
Will make WC Claims later

Approved for exit

He'd picked out two tatoos in particular that he just knew he needed right now. THis was such a good day! THe only task left was for daiko to figure out what he wanted, and then it was chair time.

"Check it out! theres this one that's like an armadillo wearing the mizukage's hat and he's giving a little thumbs up! I'm so gonna get this across my entire back! I'm so hyped for thi--" It was exactly at this point that he'd notice the grumbling of his friends stomach. This sounded pretty bad. He explained, and the explaination was more than justifyable. THere was no one who could ever consider this a low point in their day. It's not like he was suddently dodging pinochio to go do something else right? ......Right? HOnestly, Pinochi was devistated, but he put on a tough smile. He wouldn't head in without his buddy. Part of getting tatoos together was like. both of you getting them together yanno?

"Yea no stress. Hey I'm gonna head back to the bar and top off my brewski, maybe catch some pull up shots across the bathroom door, yanno as you do. Hit me up when you're back and we can figure out this ink. I don't know if they really had anything that I really wanted anyway really. " He was saying really alot. The two tatoo artists gave the tiny taijutsu user an odd look. He'd been in and out of this shop every day this week, working with them and setting up for today. He'd prepaid quite a hefty margin. Pinochio would say nothing, just leaning against the bar in as cool of a way as possible until daiko was out of sight.

"I'm so sorry. Uh. Listen. He'll definitely be back. Can you just hold on to my despite and I'll contact you when we're officially ready again and then we can come back?" He'd accepted he would be losing his deposite. That didn't actually matter. What was a little money when your student is stupid freaking rich because her mom pays a hefty sum to keep her quiet right?

"Yea, That's fine kid. If you want this other one I'll start drawing up a piece that will fit your back. DOn't worry about the extra charge, you've paid well enough. See you next time. " Pinochio gave a slight nod. Downside: his bro day of tatoos and beers was put on hold for a time now. Upside: Now he got to spend the rest of the evening in the bar showing off his rippling muscles and getting a slew of followers who would end up buying his drink all night. Maybe he'd even get his favorite drink when he got back in there. An appletini sounded really good right now.

(TWC 2109 claiming 21speed andputting 2109 towards gate of opening (2189/2500) previous training exit and topic closed

Approved