Butterfly Effect [Kikuko]

The estate remains a buzz of activity despite the Mizukage's absence. A number of the village's residents have been rudely exposed to the serious side of the sweet old grandma that has taken up the Deputy's role, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Fortunately, her guest today will likely only see her sunny side. Chizu has been tasked with identifying the village's brightest fuinjutsu users to take on the techniques that Keita Uzumaki has begun to develop. Saya does not have the appropriate elemental makeup or... disposition to be given such potentially potent techniques at the moment, but there is one candidate that can be trusted with them.

Chizu has invited Kikuko Hayashi to the Mizukage's office, where she is greeted with Murata's cluttered desk, somewhat tidied by the deputy who sits behind it. Before Chizu is Kikuko's files, a cup of tea, and a small dish of saltwater taffees - one of which she will offer to the girl the moment she shows up.

"Kikuko Hayashi," Chizu says, confirming her identity. "Take a taffee, please. We have much to talk about. Would you like a drink?"

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"I certainly hope not," Chizu says with a soft laugh, pressing a button on the brass office phone to page the desk and picking up the reciever. "Only the Deputy for a little while, fate willing. Nagisa," she calls gently into the phone, "Could you have somebody bring in a cup of tea for my guest? Thank you."

Chizu studies the girl, unnerving pale eyes of her clan looking for... something. Even without her Byakugan active, it feels like she sees right through you.

"I have been told that you are a gentle soul, Kikuko," she says. Academy records describe a temperament suited for a medic-nin, but no talent for the art. Chizu continues, words dissonant with her gentle appearance. "War is at our doorstep. What is it that you provide to our village? What is your future as a shinobi in Kirigakure, where you are to be judged based on your capacity to do violence?"

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TWC 344

The deputy? Okay. Okay, that made a lot more sense. A summons from the deputy, while severe, still had less pressing and somewhat worrisome connotations than otherwise presented by a direct summons from the Mizukage. That of course, still left her actual reason for the summons up in the air. Brown eyes meet those pale ones, staring for a few seconds before looking away nervously.


There was something different about her gaze, far from that of Mitsu’s. While she didn’t know the Hyuuga for that long, there was an experience and calculating behavior in the woman’s eyes that went beyond the abilities of a bloodline. It was experience, deduction, pure and simply reasoning happening right in front of her. It made her feel a bit like a rabbit in the hunting range of a hawk- and she was wondering at what point she might have to jump or bolt to save her own life.


Still, here she was. “A gentle soul? I’m not sure how to respond to that without sounding either full of myself, or refuting that outright.” Kikuko would smile, before frowning slightly. What she had been asked was a serious question, one which she had no right answer to. War. She had anticipated it, to an extent. With the recent happens, and the public announcements being sent into the village, soon enough conflict was shining on the horizon. And what was she to do about it? What would be her goal among it all?


“Well. That depends, Lady Deputy. Would the village rather see me as a wall, or a weapon? Or something else entirely?”


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[687]

Chizu smiles. "You are welcome to be full of yourself, dear. Thank you," she adds, as one of the staff enters the office to place a cup of tea in front of Kikuko. It smells very nice. "Please savour it. Our Mizukage has a lot of apologizing to do before we'll be getting any more of that blend."

The deputy sips her own tea, contemplating the girl's evasive response.

"What do you want to do, Kikuko?"

Chizu listens, the old woman's gaze even and attentive. It may be a mystery what she is thinking, but just from her expression Kikuko will know that she is listening.

"The way of Kirigakure was blood and steel," she says. "But Kirigakure is dead. We succeed it, we bear its name, but as any child, our village is not the same as its parents."

"When the Leviathan came to these islands, to erase their history in vain attempt to bring back the dead, I was already long past the days where I could put up a real fight. I had lived my entire life in service to the people here. I continue to do so. Whatever it takes."

Chizu reaches to draw something from her person - an old, but well cared-for hitai-ate on white cloth. It is stamped with spreading palm leaves, an emblem seen in stolen glimpses around the villages, a symbol from years gone by. Shimagakure. Chizu takes Kikuko's hand in hers and gently presses the headband into it.

"Right now we face the consequences of where the First has lead us," she says. "When we come through the other side, we will have the opportunity to choose who we will be as a village, no matter what name it may carry. That is what the Second has granted us, whether he knows it or not. This headband is a personal gift from me. Do not do disrespect to our Mizukage by wearing it on official business, but please keep it safe and let it serve as a reminder."

Unlocking a drawer in the desk, Chizu draws out an ornate box, lifting it gently on to the table.

"As for why I brought you here... what we see in you is passion. I have a project for you." Chizu draws three scrolls from the box. "I would like to offer you a promotion to Jonin of Kirigakure, and two of our village's secret techniques to aid you in keeping yourself and our village safe. If you accept this position, your first assignment is this." She points to the scroll in the center. "You may take this scroll from the office for personal study. It contains an advanced fuinjutsu technique developed by Keita Uzumaki. I would like you to push it further, and explore what potential it holds."

"As for the other two scrolls - they are the Tempest element, which will be necessary to fully understand and put into use what Keita has started. The second is the Great Water Shark Bullet."

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TWC 843

-2,500 ryo from village coffers for Shinobi Headband with Shimagakure's symbol, gifting it and a Scroll of Divine Calligraphy to Kikuko

Exit, granting Kikuko Jounin rank and access to GWSB and Tempest element in addition to what's stated in above post. Training 16AP for Murata with 843 WC.