Whippin Excursion

Tue Dec 14, 2021 5:25 am

A light breeze swept across the small land masses that surrounded the Tempest. Before long, the Jugo found himself by an island with a small, feeble looking canoe parked on the shore. By the canoe sat an elderly gentleman, a sign by his side stating ‘Entry Into The Village, 20 Ryo’ – to the Jugo it felt like a small price to pay but he couldn’t quite grasp how the old timer planned to pass the massive Tempest that surrounding the extremities of the village. Arching a brow, his ember mask adapting to his shift in facial expression, he approached the male.

Satoru didn’t hesitate, tossing 20 Ryo into the old mans lap. The gentle rustling of the coins woke the man from his slumber. There wasn’t as much as an exchange of pleasantries. Instead, the old timer got onto his makeshift boat, gesturing the Jugo on-board before starting off on a steady path towards the Tempest. “A mad man.” Thought Satoru as anxiety overcame him to some extent; he wasn’t one to get nervous and the old timer didn’t look crazy and so he rested his immediate future on whatever this elderly gentleman decided to do.

Naturally, Satorus hands were twitching, his body eager to form a handful of hand seals as a means of defending against the ever approaching Tempest but it had to be said that the Jugo didn’t want to arise any suspicion. His aims was to spend but a few days inside the village and so he thought it best not to raise any red flags from the get go.

A short while passed, the sound of the Tempest got louder and louder but before long the canoe came to an abrupt stop. Satoru looked up from behind his cloak, observing the tempest situated a dozen or so meters away. His eyes widened, the mask adapted to reflect the facial expression – his thumb nervously pressed against his pinky ring as he sat motionless observing whatever was to some.

WC - 332

Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:41 pm

The stormy wind ripped through Gonk’s hair and clothes as his ship neared the storm barrier. Sea spray dripped down his slick ANBU mask and his uniform was covered in beads of seawater. However, Gonk wished he could feel these on his skin, as he found nothing to be more refreshing, save actually being submerged in the water.

Gonk was here on official orders to investigate a wandering shinobi who had appeared at the borders. Latest intel said that he was headed towards the storm barrier, so that’s where Gonk went. As an ANBU, Gonk had full command over the fearsome ring of storm that protected Kirigakure from intruders.

“We’re almost there,” one Gonk’s shadow clones, who were manning the sails, called, straining it’s voice to be heard over the wind.

“Right,” Gonk replied. “I’ll start parting the barrier now."

Taking some of his concentration away from the steering wheel, Gonk willed the wall of water, wind, and lighting to part around the boat, creating a sphere, 20 meters in radius, that started from Gonk, and extended a bit past the ends of the boat. Even though the air was cleared, the seas were still extremely rough and turbulent, and it took most of Gonk’s seafaring prowess to keep the boat on course. He had sailed in worse waters before, namely after the meteor hit the capital, but this was still challenging.

After a minute or two, the boat broke free of the storm, just in time for Gonk to see a small canoe approaching the storm barrier. This vessel contained two people, an old man who was steering, and a young man who was wearing a strange metallic mask.
As he entered the calm waters outside the storm barrier and approached the odd duo, Gonk handed the wheel off to his clone, and walked to the front of the ship.

“Hey,” he called, “I’m ANBU agent Mako of Kirigakure. State your purpose for approaching this barrier.”

Gonk maintained a neutral tone, however he was ready to go at a moment's notice should the strange traveler try something.
[WC=348]

Wed Dec 15, 2021 2:37 pm

The wait felt almost like an eternity. The Jugo rolled his eyes, his body hunched, covered by the likes of his Jet black cloak. “This is a waste of time.” He thought to himself as the Tempest failed to shift despite being ever closer to the canoe. Resting his knee on one side of the canoe, he couldn’t help but observe the raved tenacity of the Storm Barrier. Having experience in the area of Fuuinjutsu, Satoru was quickly able to determine that some traits of the barrier aligned with the notion of being created by man.

For a moment, he cast his mind back to the Kage summit where the ferocious Mizukage cast a veil on the Tea room with her overwhelming presence. “I wonder if there’s more as stronger as her in this village?” thought Satoru his eyes wondering for bit a moment before the likes of the Tempest began open. The Tempest opened in such fashion that it effectively created a 20 meter hole in the wall, big enough for the Canoe to enter while also big enough for the ever approaching ship.

Aboard the Ship stood a masked individual, as he came into view he directed a question at the old man who in turn gestured his hands in the direction of the masked and hooded Jugo. “Trade.” Replied Satoru in response to the purpose of approach.

It was a simple answer but likely one that would trigger a further line of questioning. Nevertheless he had prepared for it. His voice on this occasion, sounded rather old, frail, creating the pretence of an elderly gentleman – one whom didn’t show any signs of being a threat. Naturally, he was on-guard; Satoru was no stranger to masked individuals – he knew full well that they were village operatives and for one of them to addressed a small travelling canoe with such authority it begged the question of their position in the natural food chain of the village.

Satoru reserved himself, he didn’t speak too much nor too little – instead sitting silent in wait of any additional questions.

WC -= 347

Wed Dec 15, 2021 10:21 pm

The voice that came from behind the mask was old and frail, something contrary to what Gonk expected. To be fair, the intel hadn’t specified age, but Gonk hadn’t expected someone of this man's apparent age to be a missing ninja the village wanted to investigate.
“Though, who’s to say he really is an old man” Gonk thought as he looked at the missing ninja through the slits in his mask. The body beneath the robe didn’t exactly carry itself like that of an old man, although Gonk supposed if he truly was an elderly missing ninja, he was probably in pretty good shape.

However Gonk was even more sceptical about the answer the man gave. Trade. Quite possibly the most vague and sketchy answer one could possibly give. There are a number of things one could trade, food, weapons, crafts, drugs, contraband, humans. So it begged the question, what did this man intend to give the people of Kirigakure access to. So, Gonk asked just that.
“What do you intend on trading and where are they?” Gonk responded, not moving an inch.

If the man had a satisfactory answer, he would consider leading them into the village, as Kirigakure had a fairly moderate policy towards missing ninja. But unless the man explained himself and his goods further, Gonk wouldn’t grant him entry through the raging storm barrier and into the village. The fact that the missing ninja didn’t appear to have any tradable goods on him made Gonk suspicious, however he would wait for the masked man to answer before reaching a final conclusion.
[WC=265]
[TWC=613]

Thu Dec 16, 2021 6:20 am

Firm and direct. That was the tone of voice of this Anbu operative. He didn’t come across as one to mess about with his work nor one who played with his food. It was quite interesting seeing a special operative in their element – the likes of the high level of security really intrigued the Jugo. “War must be looming.” He thought to himself – most villages have regular Shinobi guard the entrances not special operatives like this gentleman.

One thing Satoru observed was the young mans voice, he didn’t sound too old nor too young but his voice still carried an element of authority with every passing word. As the masked operative queried onto what the Jugo was trading, Satoru couldn’t help but smile: his mask naturally adjusting to portray his facial expression. “Who said I had anything to trade, sir?” – Satoru frail voice – his impression of an old man from Yew Neck exasperated in his effort to conceal his identity.

Reaching into his cloak, he slowly fished out a pouch of Ryo – dropping it atop the canoe to allow for a heavy thud to signify its density. The motion in which the Jugo retrieved the pouch was fluid but somewhat shaky in an effort to milk the so called old-man act. He took care, withdrawing the pouch from a small pocket in his cloak such that there was no sight of his weapon pouches. “I am merely a travelling merchant – here to procure the infamous materials of the Mist Village.” His mouth began drying – it wasn’t easy to maintain this impression as he had to draw out his breaths which in turn dried his mouth and tongue. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite drink through his mask and he had no intention of taking his mask off so he had to think on his feet.

“I will only be here for but a few days. A cask of ale, a few batons of bread and the materials I’m lookin’ for should be quick and easy to gather.” His head still arched downwards, observing the pouch by his feet. His senses tingling. Neither Sunagakure nor Kumogakure forced upon the Jugo such an extensive line of questioning. Nevertheless, he understood that it was likely on the back of the events that transpired in the summit so had no doubts about the intricacy of his situation.

His right hand slowly descended to his hip. Naturally, it was concealed by the likes of his overwhelmingly oversized cloak. But the intent was for Satoru to utilise his hand seals with haste and without alerting his interrogator in the event that the young man decided to see the Jugo as an enemy.

WC - 444

Thu Dec 16, 2021 10:05 pm

It would seem the mask that the cloaked man wore was quite an advanced piece of technology, as a smile crept across it.
The man went on to explain that he didn’t have anything to trade, but instead was looking to buy materials, the elderly voice persisting the whole time. To prove his intentions, the man revealed a large pouch, presumably filled with ryo.

“Alright,” Gonk said to the robed man, nodding his head. “I’ll give you permission to enter the village, but be on your best behavior.”
Gonk didn’t attach a specific threat to the statement, but it was clear from his tone that there would be serious consequences if any rule breaking occurred.

The two vessels were side by side at this point, so Gonk threw down a ladder towards the man.
“Cimb aboard,” Gonk instructed him, motioning with his hand.
Once the missing ninja was aboard the vessel, Gonk would raise his hand in farewell towards the operator of the canoe, and with the assistance of his clones manning the sails, turn the boat around and back into the storm barrier, the passage forming once more after Gonk preformed the secret hand seal combination. He of course did these away from the prying eyes of his passenger, making it impossible for the man to learn the secrets.

The boat made it back to Kirigakure smoothly, and soon it was in the docks, and Gonk was leading the cloaked figure up to the gates.
The area was empty, and as they went through, Gonk glanced through the window of the guard house to find Romp fast asleep, his reading material of choice laying across his face.

“Typical,” Gonk muttered, sighing, yet a semblance of a smile formed beneath his mask. Gonk remembered being taught one of the village's secret taijutsu techniques from the man, and how he had been doing the exact same thing before Gonk woke him up with enthusiastic yelling.

Once they were inside the village, Gonk turned to the man and spoke.
“Before you can freely roam the village, you’ll need to talk to the Deputy Mizukage. Follow me, and I’ll see if you can talk to her now.”

Gonk then led him through the village and to the Mizukage’s estate, where the deputy’s office was also located.
When the duo walked into the building, Gonk led the way to the receptionist to inquire about the availability of Chizu.

“Excuse me,” Gonk said, “this man needs to speak with Chizu, is she busy?”

“Let me check,” the secretary replied, flipping through a schedule. “Nope, nothing planned currently, you can head up right now.”

“Alright thanks,” Gonk said to the woman, before turning back to the missing ninja.

“Follow me,” he directed, before walking towards the elevator, and pressing the up button. With a soft ding, the doors slid open, and soon the duo were traveling up several floors until they arrived in front of the Deputy Mizukage’s office.

Gonk rapped his knuckles against the wooden door twice before taking a step back, and waiting for a response.

[WC=512]
[TWC=1125]

Fri Dec 17, 2021 12:56 pm

Before long, Satoru was given permission to board the ship that would come to carry him into the Mist Village. He picked up his pouch of money before patting the old man on his shoulder. Satorus body still hunched – he fished out his cane to support himself as he began moving towards the ladder offered to him by the special operative. The Jugo began to climb with relative difficulty – he had to keep up appearances to it took him a little while to finally get abord the ship. Once abord, he couldn’t help but let out an exasperated sigh before dropping on the ground for some rest. The Jugos hands were armed with thin jet black gloves that concealed his callused hands from the nearby operative.

Now on-board he was guided towards the gates of the village. But he wasn’t scot free – the operative instructed the Jugo that he would have to meet with the Deputy Mizukage before being allowed to roam free in the village. He responded to the statement with a simple nod, continuing to tail the operative to the Mizukages tower. “If she’s as formidable as the Mizukage then this might be a handful.” Thought Satoru as they slowly approached the building.

Satoru didn’t know much about his surroundings but he knew enough about general architecture to ascertain the strategic importance of certain buildings within the village. He memorised the path back to the port for future reference and went as far as to observe areas of interest on his short excursion through the village.

Eventually, the arrived at the appropriate location before being coming upon the door to the Deputies office. The operative knocked respectfully while the Jugo followed – his cane tapping against the ground with every step to offset the pressure on his spinal cord from the Quasimodo-esque posture.

WC - 304

Fri Dec 17, 2021 5:14 pm

The brass phone on the deputy's desk rings, and Chizu picks it up, setting down the expenses report she's been reviewing. Mako is bringing in a weird old man from the borders to see her...? Well, isn't that something. She leans back in her desk and activates her Byakugan, observing the pair as they make their way up to see her.

"Well, look at you," she murmurs to herself as those veins bulge, smirking as she zooms in on the hunched figure through the walls, picking out a few interesting things. She deactivates her dojutsu by the time the pair arrive, sipping a cup of tea.

"Come in, Mako," she calls. Upon the pair stepping in, she turns her calm gaze to Satoru. "Please, sit down, take a toffee. May I ask why you've been lying to my ANBU, young man?"

Fri Dec 17, 2021 11:20 pm

A couple moments after Gonk knocked on the door, he was told to come in by Chizu. Gonk stepped into the office only after the traveler had entered, and once they were both in, Gonk shut the door.

Gonk had known Chizu for quite some time due to the fact that she was the one who had diagnosed and treated Wakame’s illness years back. For all the years he had known her, Chizu was always kind and sweet, yet stern when necessary. All in all the ideal grandma figure. In Gonk’s eyes, if there was anyone suited to fill the deputy kage position, it was her, due to her intelligence and skill at dealing with people.

When she addressed the old man and requested him to sit, Gonk also took a seat, wanting to see what would become of this strange traveler. Then, Gonk heard the final words that Chizu said to the missing ninja, and Gonk's eyebrows rose behind his mask. There were only a couple of things that the traveler could have been deceiving Gonk about. His intentions or himself. The fact that Chizu knew indicated that it was the latter.

"Right, the byakugan," Gonk thought as he looked from Chizu to the missing ninja. "So I guess he's not actually an old man, but it raises the question of why he wants to conceal his true identity. Is he just cautious, or is there something else?”

At the moment, there wasn’t much Gonk could add to the conversation, so he merely sat in silence and waited.
[WC=259]
[TWC=1384]

Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:04 am

It took but a few moments before the Anbu Operative and the Jugo were invited into the Deputy Kages office. The Jugo entered, slowly making his way into the centre of the room – his can tapping away at ground the lined the interior of the room. The entrance was quite tactical in nature – the Anbu operative ensured that the Jugo entered first before tailing Satoru into the room for the purpose of mitigating risk of escape or attack. Satoru admired the near military-esque approach to this procedure.

His gaze shifted to the elderly women seated behind the desk as the Anbu stopped by the now closed door of the room. The Anbu operative took a seat – but it was one by the door not the one located but a meter from the Jugo. By way of measurement there was a 5 meter gap between Satoru and the operative by the time the Jugo descended into the seat offered to him by the Deputy Kage. Before his bum even touched the chiselled oak chair – the Deputy Kage burst out with an accusation which immediately turned the Jugos facial expression and in turn the mask – sour.

The women brazenly stated that the Jugo had been lying to her Anbu operative, how inconsiderate of her. Resting his cane against the chair, the Jugo wiggled into his seat to secure a footing before observing the womens white iris, their color and tint commonly attributed to the Hyuuga Kekkei Genkai. “So she’s got that ey’?” Satoru thought to himself as his facial expression neutralised.

Raising his head, his crimson mask looked up at the elder women who too was 5 meters away from Satoru – except there was a gap and a table between the Jugo and the lady and she was seated. This room was quite large in nature and it made sense why both the Deputy and the Anbu operative were positioned in such strategically opportune positions. Briefly – his metallic mask locked eyes with the female – “How bold – accusing a foreign merchant of being a liar after only having met but a moment ago-…” he thought to himself once more. He cared not that the women made mention of a young man – she had no way of knowing whether the Jugo had a voice condition – nor whether he had a psychological defect that forced him to walk in the way that he did.

In truth, a lie hadn’t parted the Jugos lips so he was very much interested in seeing what the women was going to accuse him of. Nevertheless, he was on guard – his peripheral vision briefly moving with the slight adjustment of his head to allow him to periodically observe his surroundings and in turn the Anbu operative located to his rear. Naturally, he couldn’t observe his blind spot but he was ready to act at a moments notice.

“If it’s not too presumptuous, please kindly enlighten me as to the nature of the lies that I have imparted onto your operative?” his facial expression was serious – his mask naturally adapted, his voice was elderly – tired, and beyond recognition. His right hand tapped rhythmically against the seat in anticipation of a response.

WC - 502

Whippin Excursion

Whippin Excursion

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