First Order of Business

War. War never changes.

The dust had settled from the battle that felt like a lifetime ago only recently. An emissary from Suna paid ryo in retribution. The Medical Ninja tended to any wounded and assessed the damage to their village. However, the victory was not without its costs. Nevertheless, the shinobi of Hoshi stood firm, ready to defend their village against anyone who dared to threaten it.

As the village began to return to normal, the Hoshi High Table met to discuss what to do with the newly acquired equipment. Some argued that it should be sold to fund the village's rebuilding efforts, while others argued that it should be distributed among Hoshi's elite forces. After much debate, it was decided that the equipment would be reforged and distributed to Have's most skilled and experienced ninjas. The process took several weeks, and the village's top blacksmiths, one of them Toneri Hyuuga, the Kage's brother, carefully inspected and repaired the equipment.

Once the equipment was ready, it was distributed to the Nova and Jonin squads. The new gear gave these shinobi an edge in battle and helped to cement their village's position as one of the most powerful ninja villages in the world. 

Today, a summons for a particular ninja was in the Kage's office. As the Nova Commander, Akaboshi was a skilled and experienced ninja known for his quick thinking and strategic prowess. When he was presented with the legendary armor of the silver samurai, Ayato hoped he would be honored to receive such a powerful piece of equipment.

The armor was beautiful, crafted from the finest silver, and adorned with intricate designs. It was said that the armor had been worn by a legendary samurai in a long-ago battle and had been imbued with powerful magic that would protect its wearer from harm.

"Akaboshi, hopefully, you know the great responsibility you have been entrusted with. The armor symbolizes your status as the NOVA Commander and a powerful tool that will make our will enemies know they faced a formidable foe and thought twice before daring to challenge the village's might."

Over the following weeks, Akaboshi was expected to train tirelessly with the armor, testing its limits and learning its secrets. As his childhood friend Kage did before him, when he held legendary equipment for the first time, Akaboshi would soon discover that this armor was not just a defensive tool but could also enhance his combat abilities allowing him to move faster and strike harder than ever.

And eventually, be known throughout the Ninja World as a fearsome warrior whose sight of him clad in the silver samurai armor struck fear into the hearts of their enemies as he led Hoshi's elite forces into battle time and time again and emerged victorious.

---

Giving Shozoku no Nakamaro to Akaboshi

Peace and prosperity. Some would take those things for granted while only a few knew their true worth. "Sometimes you have to lose something to realize its value". You only miss it when it's gone, or however the saying went. And among them were the people of Hoshigakure. Not once but twice was their existence threatened, self-proclaimed enemies attempting to achieve the impossible. The gates and shinobi of Haven stood firm, the Star village able to call itself victorious. Nevertheless, war rarely knew winners, only losers. What remained then was to deal with the battle's aftermath, claim the spoils and tend to the wounded.

The storm passed and the sky became clear once more, everything in and around the village returning to normal slowly but surely. Weeks went by ever since the most recent attack, time well spent discussing about the best ways to move forward. And then, after days of coming together, a decision had been made, the day arrived as a summons found its way to him. Dressed in his usual attire, the snowy white cloak firm around his body, the Captain made his way to the Kage Chambers. Akaboshi would smile and greet everyone he passed, the Red Nova making sure not to miss a single person as he did. A small gesture, yet one that could mean the world to some. 

A gentle breeze touched his skin, the wind softly moving through the Commander's hair which was as crimson as the renowned dojutsu he possessed. Goosebumps covered his body, a certain excitement came over him as he continued on his path before finally ending up at the Kage Chambers. He knocked three times before setting foot inside the office, both expecting and wondering at the same time. Unless stopped, Akaboshi entered, politely nodding and making his presence known to those present in the room. The Red Nova remained silent for the time being, listening to the Kage's words of encouragement as his childhood friend revealed the purpose and reason of his visit. 

He stood there completely in awe, admiring what would be an alluring piece of armor of which he would later learn the name, Shozoku no Nakamaro. Almost lost for words he finally found what he wanted to say, the feeling he meant to convey. "Clothes never looked so good" was what first came to mind, fully realizing the weight and responsibility it would come with. Nevertheless, he was ready. Doubts no longer filled his head or occupied his mind, the boy had become a man Hoshigakure could lean on. "I'm surprised Toneri wanted to help out, knowing it would find its way around my shoulders" Akaboshi jested, referring to the complicated yet entertaining relationship between himself and Ayato's brother. 

(WC: 455)

The Nova Captain glowed with comfort and solidity as he gazed upon the armor but was surprised to learn that Toneri Hyuuga had been crafting the armor of the silver samurai. Akaboshi had probably heard rumors of the young Hyuuga's exceptional skills as a blacksmith but had never had the chance to witness them firsthand.   Despite his temperamental issues, Toneri had no problems performing well in shinobi work and other settings - the Kage's brother mainly chose not to.

 "The honor of forging the armor will always be mine, and the shame of breaking it will be Akaboshi's." The memory of Toneri's words stayed with Ayato. 

"I'm confident Toneri knew that the armor was a precious resource for Hoshi and that you are responsible for using it wisely and protecting it at all costs. That reminds me" A rough, callused hand reached for one of his drawers and magicked up an ashen wooden box.

Ayato had an additional gift in the form of 70 legacy kunai. He knew these kunai were highly valued among the ninja community and could be exchanged for rare and powerful equipment at certain outlets. Few more people of the Hoshi's Nova and Jonin forces had been honored and grateful to receive such a gift and knew he had been entrusted with great responsibility. The legacy kunai were valuable and a symbol of the trust and respect that the Kage had for Akaboshi. Through these kunai, he could acquire powerful weapons and equipment to make him an even more formidable warrior.

"Make a mental note to search for the best outlets for exchanging the legacy kunai and use them wisely and strategically to obtain rare and powerful resources. You could keep them as memorabilia, but you'd miss out on specialized jutsu scrolls, chakra-enhancing elixirs, and unique items." 

WC: 280

---

Midthread claim:
Giving 70 Legacy Weapons to Akaboshi

Approve

Akaboshi would nod upon hearing his Kage's statement. "I'll protect it as it will protect me". The Cloak of Prodigy had done its job up til now, but simply fell short compared to the legendary equipment crafted by the Golden Hyuuga. Perhaps it were exactly those blacksmith skills that allowed Toneri to find an equal success with the women of Hoshigakure. "I should visit him soon to offer my thanks, I'm sure he would love it" the Nova Captain couldn't help but laugh, aware Ayato's brother would rather shave his head than witness Akaboshi's smirk. "I'll wear it with honor and pride". Doing so, he would become even more of a symbol of the Nova Corps as well as the village of Hoshigakure. 

Accepting the additional gift the Red Nova slowly started moving on to another topic. "But let's hope I won't need it too often". If he did, it meant the village was in trouble. It wasn't often that the two of them had some time to meet and discuss, both men having their own responsibilites that required quite the attention. "How did you enjoy the Tournament, did it go as you expected?". The outcome hardly came as a surprise, but the future of the Nova Corps was something that couldn't be ignored. 

(WC: 214, TWC: 669)

The Red Raven listened to both Ayato's answer and concern regarding the Nova Tournament. "Unfortunate, but nothing lasts forever" Akaboshi replied to the news of Yohei and Morio's sudden retirement. Coming from a generation before their time, it was expected that the veteran Hozuki would someday hang up his cloak and chase a different path. "I hope retirement fits him as well as the white uniform of the Swords". A bigger surprise was the young Hoshimura knight deciding to exit their ranks as quickly as he entered them. "He proved his worth during the fights, even though I would have liked for them to stick around there is nothing more we can do but to respect their decisions". They were capable men, loyal to the T. 

The conversation progressed but remained on the topic of the Nova Corps. Akaboshi agreed with his friend's remark and how they would need to fill the positions left behind, listening attentively to the Hogokage's thoughts and suggestions on the matter. On one hand they could hold another tournament to decide the new Swords while on the other there was the possibility of picking candidates from their current ranks, two options he would give a moment to consider. "Perhaps a tourney might be best, even though it is important to have heart, it is equally important to possess the right skill". And going by the previous event, it was something the entire village of Hoshigakure ended up enjoying, a boost in morale if you may.

Awaiting Ayato's response, the Captain would snap his fingers before two of his personal enforcers would enter the room. "You might remember Aemon and Raven". Both the justiciar and young knight would bow in front of their Kage, standing up straight once they had carried out their greetings. "I sent each of them on their own secret mission, ones involving the capture of individuals marked as potential risks". Akaboshi would then nod and give the signal for the men to retrieve the respective scrolls, each one containing the body of a traitor. "In here is the body of Rotwang, a self-proclaimed scientist, similar to Stein of Konoha" the Red Raven explained why he had someone take care of the Kamigawa.

He would then point at the second scroll, the one containing the body of Kujaku. "I'll admit this one is a bit more personal, a young Uchiha who dared to dirty both my clan's honor as well as that of our village". The Nova Commander explained how he was able to find out about the boy's attempt of fleeing Hoshigakure and joining up with a group of rogues. A shame for the proud Uchiha and the Land of Heaven in general. "They're alive, for now. I'll let you decide what to do with them". Both the matter of the Nova Corps as well as the one involving the two traitors would end up being important for the future of the village.

(WC: 491, TWC: 1160)

- scroll with Rotwang sealed
- scroll with Kujaku sealed

Seated calmly in his office, Ayato, the Seventh Hogokage of Hoshigakure, listened attentively to Akaboshi's responses, his Hokage cloak resting gently on his shoulders, the village's emblem serving as a reminder of his responsibilities.

"Change is the only constant, isn't it?" Ayato remarked, his voice tinged with a touch of nostalgia. "Yohei and Morio have served their time and now venture down new paths."

Akaboshi's perspective on the Nova Corps vacancies resonated with Ayato's thoughts. "Skill and heart, the core of any protector," he agreed, reflecting practicality. "A tournament could be a fitting way to select our new guardians, a spectacle for the village."

Aemon and Raven, the silent operatives, entered the room and received Ayato's nod of acknowledgment. "Aemon, Raven, the silent sentinels of our village. Your covert missions form the backbone of Hoshigakure's security."

As the scrolls were presented, Ayato's gaze shifted between them, registering the seriousness of their contents. Rotwang, the curious scientist, and Kujaku, the prodigal Uchiha, offered complex stories.

"Rotwang's pursuit, a tale of curiosity that led to trouble," Ayato quipped with a hint of irony. "We'll carefully look at his findings, aiming to learn without repeating his mistakes." A memory flickered in Ayato's mind of a battle against the scientist named Stein, whose ambition mirrored that of Rotwang. Ayato had emerged victorious but couldn't help but wonder about the similarities. 

Ninjas always remember their first battle, and while Ayato might have etched the memory of his triumph over Kiri and Suna forces, the first war against Stein held a different significance. Before that pivotal moment, Ayato was considered untested in the eyes of many. However, his victory in the village warfare, followed by defeating Stein, set aside doubts in public perception and within himself. 

Shifting his focus to Kujaku, Ayato's tone was sad. "Kujaku's actions have caused harm to your clan and our village," he noted. A misguided attempt to join a rogue band. It was a stark reminder of a reality – the allure of ambition leading people to overreach.

As Ayato shared the updates with Akaboshi, his thoughts turned inward, contemplating the complexities of leadership.

"Hard decisions," he mused, momentarily distant, "Come with this role. The gift of mercy is a double-edged sword. While it can be a beacon of compassion, it can also cloud judgment and fester into future grievances."

He understood the weight of the choices they had to make and how, at times, they had to set aside personal emotions for the greater good of their village.

[WC: 427]

As the discussions ended, Ayato nodded with a sense of finality. It was time to conclude the meeting. With genuine appreciation, he addressed everyone in the room, acknowledging their unwavering dedication and hard work.

"I want to express my deep gratitude for each of your contributions to our village," he said, his voice reflecting the sincerity of his words. "Your tireless efforts are the very foundation of our strength."

Shifting his attention to Akaboshi, Ayato offered a warm congratulations. "Akaboshi, I want to congratulate you again on the Shozoko no Nakamaro. Remember, it's not just about the legendary equipment. The character and spirit of the one who wears it make it legendary."

With the meeting concluded, Ayato collected the scrolls, carefully placing them into a secure suitcase. He nodded to his advisors, silently thanking them for their counsel.

Leaving the office, he made his way to the chamber that held countless scrolls, each a sad reminder of the sacrifices and difficult choices that came with leadership. He added these new scrolls to the collection, knowing that they held the bodies of traitors and enemies of Hoshigakure. It was a solemn duty, a reminder of the weight of leadership, and a testament to the price of safeguarding the village.

[EXIT]
[WC: 208]
[TWC: 1,663]

---

Final Claims 
 
2x Deddo Scrolls containing 
-Kujaku  
-Rotwang

1200 wc to 46 AP for Natsuki [Living Clone] last trained here 

Creation Rebirth AP: 554/600
Adding AP: 46
New CR AP: 600/600

with 25% discount for Ayato
463 WC to A-rank Iron Leg Dragon [463/2072]