Lights of Hoshi (IO)

“I remember all too well.” The Kage answered, his memories flying back to him like a swarm of Raven. “You might be the first man with Hozuki blood that has a fear of water. Or woman.” He put a rough, callused hand underneath his jaw and leaned back into his chair. “A kunoichi from Kiri that fought in the Hoshi Chuunin exams also had the bloodline now that I recall. Ban Hozuki was her name. She did not show much of it, as she didn’t make it past the second route.”

His white eyes examined the figure of Yohei, the first time he ever saw the samurai. It was in the snowy mountain on the Heaven border. Ayato, Nova then, and his partner Akabayashi had traveled there to flush out Valens traitors hiding in a village. Only to find out that a tall white-haired man had already taken care of them. The same man fought for the loyalists in the Hoshimura rebellion and saved Ayato’s life there. But after his injuries, he became a drunk, highly trained, dangerous, and unpredictable. That behavior couldn't be on the cloak.

Now Yohei's is old tattered uniform was soaked in water, dripping on the fine wooden floor. “Dusk.” Ayato let out. “How good is our laundry here?”

“I’m afraid, sir, nobody is that good.” He said as he stared at the war veteran contemptuously. “I can imagine. I should arrange for a new outfit.” The Hyuuga magicked up a leaflet from somewhere and started scribbling down. 

“A Ronin or vagabond could walk around shirtless. But not a shinobi in the service of a village. His conduct reflects his Kage and his people.” He commented as he wrote. The reassuring sound of the pen against wood echoed in the room. A sound that brought him back to his father’s solar, with the older Hyuuga sitting in that dimly lit room, a fire was raging in the hearth.

“All done.” The Hogokage took a moment to admire his handwriting on the paper. It was good writing. But nowhere half as good as his younger sister’s. Natsuki Hyuuga was an expert in calligraphy as he was at healing. “I am going to pass you to Natsuki’s care. Now make no mistake; the war between Kiri and Suna might be on our doorstep any day now. So after your treatment, you'll be expected to serve Hoshi more actively than ever."

WC: 402
TWC: 2207

The Kage spoke of a Ban Hozuki, a Chuunin Exam competitor from Kiri. They did not perform well, but a participation trophy was better than nothing. In the former Nova’s eyes anyway. As the Seventh stared down at him, Yohei felt uncomfortable. However, he tried his best not to let it show. There was no malice in those white eyes of the Hyuuga. This Hyuuga. A resolution in that gaze hinted Ayato Hyuuga was nobody's fool and would fight to the bitter end and then some. Perhaps that’s what Stein saw, and his spirit broke down.

Yohei would be glad to be rid of the tatters he wore. It was whatever remained of his old uniform, having melted on top of him essentially. Ironically enough, these were his most formal clothes. He tried to make himself as presentable as possible—a slight difference made to the Hydrificaiton made him look like a wet cat. It seemed that Ayato would arrange a new outfit for him.

"Thanks, you are most generous." He said and nodded to Ayato’s comment about a village shinobi looking the part. The Kage was done writing on paper, a paper that held Yohei’s future course. “Natsuki Hyuuga.” He said, understanding the name. Ayato’s sister was known for her ability in the healing art, but even more for her ability to use Iryojutsu to cause damage. For some, that came as a surprise, but not to Yohei. Men and women who are taught to reconstruct the body also know how to destroy it.

“Do you want a war, sir? Or do you want to give me clearance for a transplant?” He would be ready to serve again then. Protect the weak and the innocent, and fight all enemies of Hoshi.

wc: 291
twc:2264

"Yasaki used to say always aim for peace. But if you can't aim for peace, aim between the eyes." The kage proclaimed with confidence. "I'd never ally our great Nation with Suna. A Hoshi traitor built it, and two or three cutthroats followed him. As for Kiri and Mizukage.” 

There were tensions between the armadillo man and Ayato at the summit last year. However, the letters between the two for the negotiations of his imprisoned villager were pleasant. They solved with lightning speed. Shina and his two representatives from Kiri sealed what a done deal was. 

"Aloide Terumi and I have an understanding, after the entire Chuunin Exam fiasco and Kita Hajime. Except for what that minor anomaly could have said upon his return to Kiri." Ayato wanted to think he told tales of how strict but fair Hoshi's justice was. Which meant it was not likely. Sometimes all it needed to start a war was someone willing to play the role of the martyr.

"If they want to stir the pot, they better be ready for what comes out of it. Anyways " Ayato leaned forward and extended a rough, calloused hand towards Yohei. "Welcome back to my Nova, Kawashima-san." Upon the former hero accepting his handshake, the Kage would activate that jutsu and teleport him towards another marked target, Natsuki. Ayato had already relayed the information to her via the siblings' telepathic bond.

Once only Ayato and Dusk remained in the office, his childhood friend would speak. 

"Are you sure he is going to stay true to his word?"
"That man for the sake of Hoshi is willing to be dishonest thousand times, for himself never. Someone with such loyalty to our village is not to be despised."

WC: 297
TWC: 2504

WC Claims:
--2,500 words to S-rank Rotation for Natsuki with 50% LC universal discount for the creator's jutsu
--4 words to charity

Mission Claims: Forging the White Swords (2500/2500)
--10,000 ryo 
--50 AP converted to Ryo at a ratio of 1:50 due to max Bonus AP. 2500 ryo
--15,000 bonus from Kage rank

27,500 ryo in total added to Ayato's wallet

Congrats you two.  Approved and claims are good to go!