Re-Reconnecting with One's Roots

When Niko had gotten word of a mission he had been assigned he was slightly irritated at first. His day had been cut short. He had been wracking his brain for more ideas and designs he could employ in his chosen art. When he had gotten the news. Rushing towards the mission area he had gotten the mission description but before reading through it he was shocked at the massive A stamped on the top of the paper. A ranked missions were nearly the hardest type. For him to be requested did this show that the village had more confidence in him. Niko was slightly proud and his prior irritation vanished. The pay from this would be enough to fund his next design and then some. 

"Finally the ability to prove myself to the village. This has been what I have waited for." Niko would mutter. Reading through the rest of the mission he figured out why the mission had the A title. He and a group of one jounin and two other genin would be retrieving a legendary Hoshigaki crown. The village had learned that this crown had been acquired by a local lord and they had to retrieve it for the village.  Niko was nervous he had not faced a mission of this caliber. Though it was embarrassing Niko was confident in his ability to run from a fight that he could not win.

Though Niko would take this experience as a learning experience he would finally be able to meet a legendary jounin. High-ranking shinobi and masters of killing. Niko had met strong monsters such as Kiri's resident cosplay queen Saya who was able to toy with him as if he was a child. She was apparently a fellow genin. While the village might have been misranking her, it was more likely that he was out of his league. Niko thought that he would be able to meet a chunin before a jounin but now he would have to study this one's skills.

Arriving at the gates as quickly as possible, he noticed a lean gray man leaning on an object. Walking closer he would notice tiny gills along the man's face and a headband across his head. Niko would immediately assume that this man was on the same mission as himself so Niko would greet him.

"Hello Mr? I see that you are a shinobi by that headband you wear can I assume you are on the same mission as myself? To collect the artifact?" Niko would point towards his own headband and await a response.
(TWC 419)

The excitement of getting to start a new mission was tempered slightly be the ligistics behind the assignment. Saya had been cooped up for quite some time, deciding it best to just fight her troubles away after two missions that wen't quite badly. Now feeling better, she was faced with the repercussions of her actions. The past month started off with long days of intense fighting against her puppets. While one would assume that was preferable to her constantly blocking traffic with performances, There were some logistical issues with that plan that she was aware of, but chose not to consider. Mass destruction. The logistical issues were the near constant destruction of portions of the training facility. To be fair, she always used her wood style to put things back, and kept to portions of the training room that she knew she could repair should she need to, however There may have been a complaint or two.

Thankfully the answer to the problem was not to yell or threaten the small genin. Instead she noticed there were papers slid under her door from time to time that asked her to head off to do this or that for the village. It was an obvious ploy to occupy her mind for the sanity of the village, but she'd take that. She knew that the mission required them to go somewhere and find a super secret relic of some clan or something? Hogushiki? Holikari? onigiri? She'd figure that out later. As she headed out the door, she'd decided on a slightly different outfit than what she was normally seen in.

Her hair flowed down her back, blonde tresses braided in three different points with runestone beads every few inches and animal bones and teeth placed at strategic points. She wore an intricately woven leather cuirass that flowed down her chest. At the bottom edges a deep sea blue skirt flared out, granting her ease of mobility. Plus it looked hecking cute. On her back sat a white and blue punch shield with a silver sphere in the center. It clanged lightly against the buckles of the back pack as she walked. Unfortunately, none of this was even remotely usable, as it was all costume. The shield was made of foam with a light wood backing and the leather armor was maybe a half inch thick, uncured, and soft to the touch.

"Huh." As she approached, she turned back to her sister. It would seem Niko was also coming on this trip. They were supposed to be meeting a jounin at a specific spot picked out at the start. As the pair glanced about, the noticed the man clad in armor and both nodded.

Saya's look was a near perfect mirror of the tall woman who walked behind her, asside from a few specific details. The freyja puppet's shield was more ornate while Saya's armor held the bulk of the outfits intricacy. In stark contrast, the coach puppet shuffled along in the back of the group wearing the traditional garb of his people: a white t-shirt and short red gym shorts.


(TWC 518)

Dana was very tired and, honestly? She was was a teensy bit grumpy as well. There was no particular reason for why, exactly, she was so tired; she'd just had an absolutely awful night's sleep. In Dana's case, being grumpy had a very different meaning to most other people: where other people might be standoffish and snippy, Dana simply didn't smile as often. She was still her usual chipper and incredibly weird self, just minus about 25% of the smile. Her mood had, however, dramatically improved when she'd received a letter informing her that she had been selected to do a mission with a few others. Meeting new and interesting people was always a huge joy to Dana.

She exited her room through the window because she couldn't be fecked to deal with her landlord, and jumped to the ground. Her cloak had been left behind in lieu of more fancy clothes, as Dana had recently had a small influx of disposable income from all the missions she'd been doing recently. The young Senju was dressed like a proper businesswoman: with a white blouse, dark slacks, and black slip-ons. Since she figured there'd be a little bit of sailing on this mission, Dana had opted to wear the dark tricorn hat that Saya had gifted her a couple of days ago. It would be an absolute travesty if she went sailing and didn't wear the pirate hat, after all.

Dana spotted the wide form of Coach before anything else, just after turning a corner. He was wearing an amazing outfit that Dana would definitely copy some time. She increased her pace by skipping and went past the large puppet's frame, "Hey Coach, I love yer outfit!" She called out and approached Saya, "Ye too! Hey Saya!"

As she sped past Saya, Dana would attempt to give the girl a fist bump. Regardless of her fellow Senju reciprocating her friendly gesture, Dana would press forward towards the gates and see her other friend Niko saying hello to a random person. Said person was wearing armor and had a ridiculously large sword so Dana assumed he was the other person on the mission with them. She slowed down on the approach and gave Niko a radiant smile, "Greetings Niko, how's the form?" She asked.

Dana turned to the stranger and dipped her head respectfully towards him, "Hello sir, the name's Dana Senju. It's wonderful to meet ye!" She punctuated the greeting by looking up and offering a polite handshake.

WC: 421

"So this is our team" 
Niko had noticed the late arrivers that of course being the noble Dana Senju, and the venerable cosplay queen Saya. Having been greeted by the former Niko would respond.

"The form? I have no idea what that means. Though how are you doing anyway," Niko still remembered his last interaction with the Senju where she had pranked the pale puppeteer and caused him to freak out. It seemed that Niko would always be the but of almost every joke. Seeing Saya approach with an individual that was new to him this was neither the Ai puppet nor coach and Pinnochio but rather skinny ginger with a muscular form wielding a sort of nordic shield. If This was another puppet then the design was simply immaculate. So Niko would bring up the subject.

"Hello, Saya! May you introduce me to this fair Lady?" Niko playing towards the puppeteer's delusion of having 'living' puppets would ask about this individual in a way that covered both outcomes. She was either another individual that Saya knew or was simply a well-designed puppet. Turning his attention to the fish-gir, I mean Fishman Niko would respond to the question that he posed.

"Hello, Gonk Hoshigaki my name is Niko Kazan it is an honor to meet a shinobi of your stature, I'm sure I will learn much from you and your abilities." Niko would then give a slight bow and would take notice of the monkey. Momo was named so Niko would continue. "It's also nice to meet you as well Momo." While Niko was surprised at the appearance of a talking monkey it was not the most insane thing he had experienced in his employment as a mist shinobi.

Following the shark man as he went towards the docks of Kirigakure one of the few places that Niko had yet to explore. Taking note of the various landmarks in his vicinity he would pose yet another question. This one is towards their resident Hoshigaki. 

"So this artifact what importance does it have to you're clan? Religious or historical? I like to make myself out as a seeker of knowledge, and the power that comes with it." He was certainly curious about the origin of the crown but he also wished to know more about the feudal lord that they were visiting he was on Niko's list and he needed to confirm or deny his suspicions. 
(824)

"Aya no." The moment the small monkey her eyes grew wide. A barelly audible squeak of excitement slid from pursed lips until the Ai puppet slid form her position behind Freyja, Stopping the reaction in it's tracks. Wasn't it Pinochio's job to ruin her fun? She'd hoped that with him real and off doing this or that, she wouldn't have her excitement stomped on so quickly! Obviously it was for the best, however, so she didn't actually complain.

"OK! So. I'm Sayatria Senju. This is my big sister Ai, Our teacher and protector Freyja the goddess of blessings and gifts, and that's coach snaptrap. He's both a gym coach and a snap trap so that's what we called him. We're team puppet! Well. We're most of team puppet. Theres one other, but he's real now so like. He's off 'punching trees real hard to rise up the ranks and prove himself in the eyes of the village for the glory of the mizukage' or something like that. " As she introduced her team, each waved in turn, except for coach. From the large backpack on his back he pulled a sign with the words 'Hello Gonk' on it. Honestly. How does he even have these things prepared?!

"Dana!!!! Always so nice to see you! We've been feeling a heavy norse vibe since I've been training with my summons so often. If things get serious, I'll def bring Ragnar out so everyone can meet him! Hey Niko. Long time! I assume your hand has healed up good and propper? This is the one I was telling you about forever ago. Freyja, Vissage of the Vanir!" This group seemed just great. The sharky ninja who named himself team leader seemed pretty strong. She looked him up and down, searching for any indication of his rank within the village. Maybe he was a chuunin? Unfortunately, She'd fallen asleep in the 'village rank denoting clothing options' portion of her academy training. It didn't seem that important. He was probably stronger than she was. That's all that matters.

Hoshigaki. She remembered hearing the name, but she couldn't put a finger on where. Something about this man seemed so familiar.... It was almost like they'd met before briefly.

"It is a pleasure to make your aquantance formally Gonk. We had hoped to actually meet you after that day at the gates.." THE GATES!!!!! As Ai commented about their previous meeting memories flooded into the small konoichi's mind. She'd definitely met him before! With that other ninja who didn't talk much. They must be the same rank, or on a team or something. What if they were jounin?! SHe'd not actually met a jounin before......She didn't think. \

"Um. If its useful, I have a boat. Two actually. A Galleon and a longship. The galleon is much easier for large stuff but the longship can go down river chanels. I mean, if you need it. I assume you probably already set up passage for us since you know all the mission details and stuff, BUT if it were helpful I thought i'd point out that I can offer my services"

(TWc 1039)

It seemed that her attempt at giving Saya a fist-bump had fallen through as the girl either completely missed it, or was upset at Dana for some reason. This was a truly tragic situation that made Dana wonder just what she was doing wrong? First Daiko had missed her handshake, and now Saya. It happening one time could be excused, but twice? On two different people? There was definitely a pattern emerging here and she didn't like where it was headed. Thankfully, the shark guy with a huge sword accepted her handshake and laid all these brimming insecurities to rest. She gave him a thankful grin and turned to address Niko after letting go of Gonk's hand.

"That's excellent to hear." She smiled mischievously and didn't elaborate what she meant by 'form', "I'm doing great, thanks fer asking." It was good to see that he didn't appear to be holding a grudge for the unfortunate circumstance that had happened the last time they had met. Dana had a tendency to take things too far when her attention slipped, and she was sorry to anyone caught in the 'crossfire' so to speak.

Dana didn't know what these 'Norse vibes' were but she was happy that her friend had found something that excited her. Dana personally was in a 'pirate' phase, and it wasn't one she'd grow weary of anytime soon. She still absolutely adored the gift she'd gotten from Saya and frequently wore it even when she didn't go out. She recognized the name Ragnar - he had been the talking Otter Saya had spoken about last time, was he not? Dana remembered wondering about the security risk that having otters wandering about the Village was.

Truth be told, Dana hardly paid any attention to Gonk whilst he explained what they would be doing and everything. It wasn't his fault, just... Dana was too caught up looking at the massive 3m long sword, wondering how one went about their day-to-day life with it on their person, let alone fight with it. If it was strapped to his back, how did he walk around with it without it dragging along the floor? How did he walk through crowds without injuring everyone else within a 3m radius of himself? How the feck did he get through doors? Her mind was a whirl of questions and she didn't hear much until the shark man brought out a literal monkey.

She gasped and walked up to the monkey which talked. This was the most incredible thing she'd ever seen and already her intense green eyes were studying the moment to burn it into her permanent memory storage. "May I hold ye?" She directed the question towards the money rather than Gonk, seeing as how he could speak and seemed to possess enough intelligence to speak for himself. She asked because, as a pirate, a shoulder monkey was a vital part of her aesthetic.

Regardless of whether or not the monkey accepted the invite, Dana would follow the others to whatever boat they ended up getting on.

WC: 512
TWC: 933

"Freyja. Hmmm, that one is new. A visage of the Vanir" Niko would remark just as he thought he was getting closer to the Senju in puppetry she surprises him yet again Niko would have to step up his game and he would rather do so sooner rather than later. While his imperfect attempt at eternal life had fallen short Niko would continue to research the topic let no one say Niko's only goals were revenge.

"Well then, it is an honor to meet you Freyja of Vanir, I am Niko Kazan lowly genin of Kirigakure." Niko would 'introduce' himself to the puppet. Giving a slight bow at the mention of his own title. While he was still unknowledgeable about this 'Vanir' that Saya spoke off Nico would just go with it. If it turned out that this person was not a puppet and a person indeed Niko would look stupid and possibly anger the faction she represents. Which Nico would prefer not to do.

Taking note of the exchange between the monkey of the young Hoshigaki and Dana Senju Niko would pause. This made him think briefly of the peace he had experienced since his arrival in kiri so long ago. When he was roaming the depths of Island country he had done questionable things, things that Nico had to do in order to survive. He had only experienced the present peace when he was a child arguably the greatest part of his life.

"A symbol of leadership? Interesting, I would be proud to help you reclaim this artifact, though if I may ask is this some sort of power struggle or something as it seems simple enough to retrieve your birthright?" Niko would question. Why would a jounin need the support of some genin in order to retrieve a clan artifact? It was a little suspicious. Following the man to the boat in which the village had given them Nico would say his dues and head to the room in the middle taking a moment to breathe and lower his stress before going to sleep hoping to rise in the morning.
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