A Tentative Return [Village Entry]

Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:47 pm

After a short absence, Satoru made his way back to Kumogakure. He was approaching the massive, heavenly gates; fatigue setting in as he neared. His eyes seeking out a bottle of sake as he slowly but surely began entering withdrawal. Sweat building on his forehead, his mask feeling tight and stuffy. Placing a palm on the metallic construct, he channelled 5AP to disconnect it from his face at which point it collapsed harmlessly into his palm.

Scanning the entrance, there wasn't anyone that Satoru could recognise but before long he found himself at a checkpoint waiting to be identified. He was dressed in his typical jet-black attire, his orange hair concealed by his black balaclava with only his eyes being visible via the cutouts. His oversized cloak concealed the entirety of his armaments.

Thu Apr 27, 2023 12:45 am

But Saturn was alerted to the identity of the mysterious visitor, by his very specific height. The Raikage was about 6'3, and Duncan was no less than 7'4. The man he resented the most was somewhere in between, right at 6'7. His stature, the eyes peaking through his suspicious balaclava and the fact that the Raikage had personally assigned Saturn to gate duty for the first time since the incident all but assured the Genin of the identity of the man who stood in front of him. A balaclava. Seems about right. His bland face showed the minute hints of a scowl when he looked at the next visitor in line. Although the fortuneteller had forgiven the snitch, had made it out in one piece from his trial by combat, and had emerged from his trial a better man with a wicked, but clear sense of purpose, he still felt some indignation when looking at the man in front of him. He wished to spar him. Their fight or lack thereof never got the chance to get going.

The gate guard was in a white robe, and his long unkempt blonde hair had grown out since their last meeting. It was now at his nape and shoulder when flared out. His face was clean shaven. He looked up and into the eyes peering back at him through the cutouts, with his piercing blue eyes. A lot had happened since their last encounter. He had a new arm, a new creed, and even a new appendix. Is this a prank? He thought to himself, his eyes scanning around for fat Gin or maybe even the Raikage himself hiding among the gate guards, holding in their laughter. He looked back up and into the eyes of the visitor once again, holding his clipboard with his silver metal hand before clearing his throat.

"State your full name and your purpose of visit. Also, take off the bandit mask."

WC: 325

Thu Apr 27, 2023 3:52 am

Satoru was progressively ushered closer and closer to the front of the queue before eventually being handed off to one of the gate guards. As the Jugos large stature progressed towards the white cloaked gate guard, he couldn’t help but feel as if he was experiencing De Ja Vu but rather the demeanour of the character he was approaching had long changed since they had first met all those months ago.

The Yamanaka had carried himself differently, he looked to have aged significantly in the passing of a few short months; Satoru couldn’t help but imagine the trials and tribulations that he had been put through considering the punishment that the Yamanaka had received from the Raikage. The young man’s long blonde hair suited him, it added to the aged aesthetic. The aura emanating from Saturn was night and day to when the duo had first interacted.

At the first instance, the expression on Saturns face was comparable to disbelief… Cracking a smile, Satoru reached up carefully rolling his bandana up to eye level before passing the eye threshold in one fell swoop. His Bandana was now rolled up, still concealing his orange locks of overgrown hair but it made his face very much visible. His tattooed face peered down at the aptly dressed Yamanaka. The black tattoos on his face and body had concealed the assortment of scars, heat, and chemical burns for quite a few years. He had grown fond of them as he couldn’t quite picture his face or body ever being free of the jet-black markings of a former slave.

Still smiling he responded to the Yamanaka. “How rude to have forgotten me already.” The Yamanakas tactical arm caught Satorus eye. “How interesting…” he thought while observing the metallic construct. “Interesting gauntlet.” he motioned his finger in the direction of the tactical arm before continuing – “If you have forgotten, it’s Satoru… As for the purpose of my visit; I’m but a humble man looking to retreat to the comfort of the hot springs.” His smile evolved into a toothy grin as he thought back to the young Yamanaka tracking him to the hot springs during his previous visit.

“I see you’ve been keeping well… your frame looks significantly stronger than when we last met.” He gestured his hand towards the depth of strength emanating from the Yamanaka. It was evident to Satorus naked eye that Saturn had grown considerably in strength; the depth and the young man’s newfound presence would no doubt make him a formidable warrior for Kumogakure…

Satoru was impressed and likewise pleasantly surprised by the Yamanakas growth, it had seemed that the Kumogakure regime had proven to be successful once again.

Thu Apr 27, 2023 8:43 am

Saturn formed the handseal for Mind's Eye of The Kagura with his mechanical arm to verify that the man indeed spoke the truth. He squinted his eyes using his Sixth Sense skill to be doubly sure.

Dango, Daifuku, Mochi, Grilled Salmon, Tea, Grilled Lamb, Pain. Fighting. Eggs. Shows of disrespect towards the elderly. Himself. Death. Hornets. Cats. Bullies.

"So it is you." Saturn stated, his eyes void of expression, losing their lustre upon confirming the visitor's identity. He then motioned to Satoru's mask and then himself as he spoke in a deep coarse voice with a raspy touch. "I would argue that it is much ruder to wear a bandit mask in front of yours truly, royal gate guard." He cringed slightly when he saw the scars on the Jugo clansman's face, and he pointed up with his index finger, the tip angled towards Satoru's cheeks as his face showed a slight hint of a snide smirk. "But for someone with a face as ugly as that.... I'll consider it an act of kindness."

The Genin wrote down the visitor's details in the record book. He cracked a grin when Satoru mentioned the Hot Springs, where the fortuneteller's cutlass had failed him in the past. As their eyes met, any lingering feelings of animosity that Saturn bore for the visitor lost their bitterness. For some reason, he felt as though he was looking at an old friend. He could not shake the feeling of wanting to fight him however. The voices in his head told him that the man he faced was a worthy opponent, deserving of salvation.

He looked at his gauntlet as it was complimented. It was still a prototype, but he had lots of ideas to make it more than usable - perhaps even more so than the hand he lost. He put his head down before looking into Satoru's gaze. "My strength is bestowed upon me by my Lord. And I think that he favors you as well."

"If you ever need a new face while you're in town, I know of a jutsu to make you a little more handsome. I don't know how much of a difference it would make in your case though. Please, put your balaclava back down all the way, and be on your way. "

WC: 383

Granting Village Entry to Satoru

Fri May 12, 2023 4:43 pm

Satoru bopped his head in the affirmative to the So it’s you, remark. The Genins face was devoid of expression; Satoru felt as if he had scarred the young man with their prior interaction, but Saturn was one certain way to learn the standards of Kumogakure. The balaclava ascended; his bright orange eyes caught an expression all too familiar to the Jugo yet one he never saw in the face of his Kumogakure comrades. Bowing his head, he released the bally.

Taking a moment to reflect, he wasn’t angered, disheartened nor emotionally impacted by the young man’s remark. On the contrary, it filled the Jugo with an element of desire that he had long forgotten about. Turning his head in the northern direction, he nodded.

“You present yourself... better.” he nodded – “Your lord is indeed very fortunate to have you among his ranks… I hope you come to bring great glory to Kumogakure.”

Flashing an artificial smile, he passed the Sentobi clansman. Effortlessly drifting past him and in the direction of the Iron Bank of Kumogakure.

[Exit]

Fri May 12, 2023 7:04 pm

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A Tentative Return [Village Entry]

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