A Meeting of the Minds

Kouji looked around avidly. He was in a busy intersection of the village and hadn't been given clear instructions. He was told to wait here to meet an academy student. No additional information was given. Not where to wait aside from at this intersection, or why meeting this academy student may be particularly fruitful. But he wasn't one to question orders. So he waited.

A moment passed. Then a minute. Then a collection of moments. Then a collection of time that was distinctly long enough to be 'awhile" in Kouji's mind. With that, he popped into a local ramen shop, placed an order and then sat in their outside area.

While a diligent servant of the village he didn't see why filling his belly with delicious ramen could do anything to detract from the mission at hand. And he didn't have long to confirm his theory. He soon was faced with a steaming bowl full of delicious broth and an assortment of toppings. He took a moment to make a private prayer for the village but then dug in.

The intense flavor washed over him, so intensely that even his avid and dedicated mind couldn't focus on the task at hand. The world was instead deluged with the tasty, satisfying meal he had in front of him. It would take an outright ninja attack to drag him from this bowl. As he continued to consume it with a rabid and singular focus that he lost track of his surroundings as he waited for the academy student he was supposed to introduce himself to.

WC: 263
TWC: 263

There were times during the learning process of those within the Academy that they are sent to basically shadow or meet with those who are of higher rank then themselves. Usually it was to some Genin to get a feel of what to expect once they had graduated but sometimes if the person was free it could be someone of a much higher station. Mako was out and about because he was suppose to meet up with the one he was suppose to be shadowing and the like, though for some reason the directions given weren’t exactly clear on the meeting place. Just a vague location and a vague description of the person he was suppose to be meeting with and when Mako says vague he means it just says Male Genin on his slip and the area they are suppose to meet is Busy Intersection.

Having grown up working on the sea where they used as precise directions as you could get when they would be able to, he also had to work with similarly vague directions but this was subjective on the location. After all most of the intersections here in the village could be considered busy depending on the time of day but here he was walking around looking just for another guy who happened to be a Genin which was like trying to pick out a particular zebra hidden in its own herd. A growl came from the young man’s stomach and the scent of ramen wafted through the air, deciding that maybe a full stomach would help him in the long run Mako went to the local ramen shop and ordered some ramen, due to his size he chose to sit outside to make it easier to run into the person he was suppose to meet though if they gave the other person as vague of instructions as they did for him it might be sometime before they meet up. Heading outside with his food he noticed a man out there eating and deciding to test his luck that maybe just maybe if the stars were aligned that this was the person he was suppose to meet up with.

“Excuse me, I’m suppose to meet a Genin here to shadow them or just talk to them the instructions weren’t very detailed to say the least.” Mako said as he put down his food on the other side of the table and took a seat, producing the slip he had received and placing it so the man could see what he was talking about. “I’m hoping that the person is you but honestly it could be anyone around here. I’ll hurry up and finish my food and leave ya alone.” Mako said just in case it was the wrong person.

WC: 464

The crisp chill air flowing across his hair made Shiro smile while walking around the busy intersection of the Trade area of Kirigakure. His white hair stood out from the crowds of people along with his overall height. His blue and green eyes surveying the situation at hand, everything seemed relatively peaceful for now. The people were simply chattering about their days, some handing over Ryo in order to buy food. He had some amount of cash to spare, his hand reaching for his pocket, pulling out a small dark pouch filled to the brim with Ryo. Trotting over towards some of the counters to see the wares that were being sold. Ripe Bananas, juicy apples, small containers of raspberries and tangerines lined the aisle of the fruit vendors and merchants from around the globe. Itching to trade with some of Kirigakure finest for their money. Shiro peered into one of those small stand up shops, the blue covering hiding most of the items for sale, along with the prices associated with them.

“Could I have a look at what you're pedaling sir?” Shiro was met with the sudden appearance of a rather short and slender gentleman, his skin was like that of an olive, almost slightly green in nature. He didn’t exactly look sick, but he didn’t look very healthy either. His eyes were like that of a snake, almost slit like in nature, yellow iris’s peering upwards to meet with Shiro’s own. A small, crooked grin etched on his face before he’d give Shiro a look at what the man was selling, it mainly was berries that you could snack on, yet the pricing for them was a bit much in his opinion, yet he needed something to snack on, especially since he was out patrolling the city today. When the man had turned his back to go and look for one of the containers of Raspberries and Strawberries, Shiro’s blue eye turned a silverish white, his vision extended greatly, seeing on and on towards and throughout the very village he walked, all he found was the same old, the same signatures of chakra, the same people walking along their street corners and bumping into acquaintances. Yet there was something he found to be very interesting, one that caught his eye more than anything else. A member of the Hoshigaki clan, clear as day, sitting around inside of a small little Ramen shop at the corner of the road. When the merchant man had come back with the assorted berries inside of a rather large container, Shiro immediately grabbed the Ryo and tossed the man a rather large sum of Ryo, more then what the berries were worth, but he was curious about this new prospect. The Hoshigaki were a strong people, having gained a fish like appearance due to their constant swimming and using Water chakra to help filter their breathing, it eventually gave way for their physiology to change somewhat, at least that’s what Shiro was led to believe.

When Shiro made his way out of the rather cramped Trade sector of the village with a few people still trying to rush into it in order to grab some last minute items, Shiro was instead walking towards the small Ramen Shop at the corner of the street, his Byakugan still active for a small moment to see that the Hoshigaki was now talking with another boy, someone who he had not recognized as a Genin beforehand, yet their face was familiar. It didn't matter to him when he walked through the door of the Ramen Shop, immediately being greeted with either some small stares, or someone coming to try and introduce themselves. But he simply either gave small greetings, or waved them off that he was here for a matter of importance. As Shiro would approach the two who were sitting at the small high chairs of the ramen shop.

“Yo, I saw you two earlier today, I don’t think we’ve met? But it’s a pleasure to meet what I can only assume to be a new graduate of the Academy.”

Shiro’s hand would reach out to offer a handshake towards both of them, a small smile on his face from seeing new recruits.

WC:708

Kouji was still slurping up noodles from his ramen bowl when a tall shark man approached him. He greeted a man with a large smile, at least he attempted to, but a large amount of noodles were still swirling up loudly to his mouth. When he could finally speak a faint blush had settled on his cheeks.

"Pleased to meet you, yes I was sent to find a young Academy student. I'm so pleased you found me. I'm Kouji Masaki." He gave the man a slight nod of the head as an acknowledgment and small show of respect. As he got ready to dive into a more detailed conversation a high-ranking shinobi approached them.

“Yo, I saw you two earlier today, I don’t think we’ve met? But it’s a pleasure to meet what I can only assume to be a new graduate of the Academy.”

Kouji immediately stood up and gave the man a bow of respect. As he did so he tried to subtly signal Mako to do the same with some gestures from his hand. Regardless of whether or not the student complied he would continue with the conversation.

"A pleasure to meet you sir! I'm Kouji Masaki, and you're dead right I'm a fresh Genin only recently graduated from the academy. This is an Academy Student I was assigned to meet. His name is..."

Kouji trailed off and waited patiently for the student to answer. He hoped he wasn't too overcome with meeting a high-level ninja as Kouji knew he would have been back as an Academy Student. Even though it had only been a short time ago he already felt like it was a lifetime. Being a Genin meant actually getting important missions and finally training beyond the basics. He was an absorptive sponge for these changes and sucked up all the learning he could, still hopeful to one day become a sensei and able to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of ninja.

WC: 330
TWC: 593

Mako was glad to see that he had found the person he was suppose to meet up with, though it still made him wonder why they gave such vague details to one another or maybe the Genin named Kouji Masaki had simply decided to go ahead and grab some food instead of looking for him as Mako didn’t know if the man had been giving actual directions unlike Mako’s very basic and not very useful instructions.

He had just sat down when it seemed that someone important showed up and started talking to them, it was a white haired man looking to be similar age to Mako. Kouji seemed to be trying to signal that he should stand up for the guy, though as far as he knew it wasn’t the Mizukage as that was a man with Bright red hair that had come from Hoshigakure. So maybe this was the young guy who had been the prior Mizukage or something, Mako wasn’t sure as he hadn’t really cared about the village politics when he had been just a regular citizen and only started paying attention recently when he enlisted into the shinobi side of things.

Following Kouji’s lead Mako at least stood up and of course towered over both guys, Mako hadn’t met someone near his height in quite some time and he was just glad they were outside or else he would probably have to bend down a little bit. “Hello, I am Mako Hoshigaki, A academy student that is suppose to shadow a Genin today as required by the Academy.” He explained as he looked over the two people. He wasn’t prideful or arrogant but his food was getting cold and his noodles soggy and he would rather they all sat down so they could finish the food before this new person had them running around doing something else. Higher ups were always hit or miss if they took in what their juniors were doing into account before they made them do whatever it is they needed done.

WC: 341
TWC: 805

As Izu wandered around alone in a classic day off the shinobi missions, she did the usual when she had a day of break to relax and recuperate from her missions. She wandered trough the town with her loose outfit, more casually dressed than usual, wearing her training atire of baggy pants and sweatshirt more ample to let her skin breathe. 


After all the morning of hanging out at the beach underneath the shade of a tree to throw her senbons and practice, Izu took uppon herself to relax under the sound of the waves crashing into the sandy shore, and decided to do a long and menial task while enjoying the sea. With her umbrella that was also a weapon, she loaded a hundred of her unique acupuncture senbons into 5 compartments of 20 each into it, making it ready should the need arise. But aside from preparing gear and keeing her accuracy on check, Izu was getting hungry and decided to go for a snack at one of the most popular ramen shop in town. 

As she packed her gear and walked in the town with her umbrella protecting her from the hot and high sun of the island, she strolled trough the street until she stopped at the ramen shop in a street more bustling than ever. Its there that she recognized two of the three presence there, and activated her byakugan to see who they were from a distance. It was none other than her own brother Shiro, greeting Kouji and another, a new face, towering over the others, with a skin of grey complexion and markings of the shark-like Hoshigaki. As she arrived, slowly walking behind them all in total silence to not be heard using her silent killer technique, Izu just bumped Shiro shoulder to notice him of her arrival and fist bumped him.

''Well it seems its already busy in here! Whats up Shiro, how are ya? And you too Kouji, we seem to bump at every corner uh?''  Said the girl toward the two boys she already knew, her face cold and neutral as usual, with her eyelids heavy as if she was too calm or sleepy. As she folded her umbrella inside and sat at the table, she turned her gaze toward the tall shark man.

''The name's Izu Momochi. Whats yours?'' added the girl looking at the newer member, extanding her hand to give a handshake to the man as young ones did to present one another or say hi.

As she listened to him present himself, Izu looked at the menu and chose what she wanted to order.

''So what are you all doin' here?'' asked Izu, also ordering herself a small bowl of seafood ramen filled with smoked eels, grilled octopus and shelfish broth with hot peppers, as well as a side of crunchy pickled vegetables to eat with this. As she listened to the conversation, Izu stood ready to ask questions, getting the news on her brother and on Kouji, as well as getting to know better the new shinobi of the hidden mist.

He had expected them to at least introduce themselves just outside of the Ramen shop, but too see that one of them had jumped up at the opportunity to meet him surprised the previous Mizukage a great deal. He had not met these two before, but something about them seemed rather familiar to him. But what surprised him the most was the person who introduced himself first, calling Shiro sir, and addressing himself as Kouji Masaki. The boys appearance was similar to his own, light, almost snowy like skin, pale as can be in similarity in appearance with blue eyes, yet they were different as well, Shiro being much taller, his eyes were a bright blue color, and his hair was a stark white in contrast to the sea-like hair of Kouji.

Mako’s introduction was to the point and rather blunt in what he was assigned to accomplish, trailing a Genin and learning from them was an excellent idea. That old Sharp Turtle Moku was sure to have concocted this kind of scheme. Even an old dog can teach new tricks. Shiro smiled, but waved off the idea of being labeled as sir. His hand raises up to motion Kouji to take it easy.

“Shiro is just fine, it’s a pleasure to meet you two, I was just checking in to see-” He was cut off by his sister's introduction into the group, a brief roll of his eyes as it seemed that Izu was going to be everywhere now. Yet she was in full casual clothing, a long sleeved sweater that went partially down to her stomach with a gray shirt underneath it for layering. She was lucky that Kirigakure’s weather was controlled by the barriers around the village. Shiro’s focus was returned immediately with a small greeting towards the three of them. His original eye catching the ramen bowl on the counter that was just waiting for the Hoshigaki it seemed.

“Why don’t we discuss this all further inside of the Ramen shop, and it’s nice to see you again Izu,” He commented before beginning to make his way inside of the Ramen shop for the second time today.

WC:361
TWC:1069

“Hello, I am Mako Hoshigaki, A academy student that is suppose to shadow a Genin today as required by the Academy.”

Kouji smiled and gave the student an approving nod. He was pleased he could take a cue. While it may be uncommon amongst ninja nowadays his father had drilled into him the importance of manners. Being polite can go a long way, even for a seasoned shinobi.

“Shiro is just fine, it’s a pleasure to meet you two, I was just checking in to see-”

He was pleased to see the man wave off his need for honorifics. That was a kindness he did not have to give. However, as he was speaking a friendly face arrived. If others were watching they would notice his smile for her was different than it was for the others. Izu was a shining role model of a ninja to him, and he hoped to be as skilled as her one day.

''Well it seems its already busy in here! Whats up Shiro, how are ya? And you too Kouji, we seem to bump at every corner uh?'

At her words he gave her a nod but didn't speak, not wanting to overshadow his student or Shiro.

''The name's Izu Momochi. Whats yours?''

At her words, if Mako was looking, he would give the towering teen an encouraging smile and nod. He hoped that was enough to signal him to take the offered hand and continue with the niceties. Making a good impression on your fellow shinobi was also important, regardless of their rank or status.

“Why don’t we discuss this all further inside of the Ramen shop, and it’s nice to see you again Izu,”

Kouji would gladly follow, signaling the Academy Student to follow suit if they seemed unsure. Once inside Izu ordered in earnest and asked, ''So what are you all doin' here?''

"I was supposed to meet Mako today and show him the ropes. Luckily we bumped into all of you. I could think of no better experience than getting to know and learning from you all." He paused for a moment and then asked. "What brings the two of you here today? I'd imagine you would both be on urgent village business."

He then added for Mako's benefit, "These two are both highly respected shinobi in the village. Of course, with fame also comes gossip. Izu, it's not true that you beat up an elderly woman the other day, is it? I need to find who started that one and set them straight. Rumours like that are harmful and only reduce the honour of Kirigakure."

He waited eagerly for her reply. He'd overheard the rumour a few times yesterday and each time had looked for the perpetrator to set them straight. Unfortunately, he'd been in a crowd and unable to catch them. If he needed he might request a day off soon to track down the culprit and stop the slander at its source.

WC: 496
TWC: 1089

For such a simple task for the day Mako didn’t expect to end up at some Shinobi get together of people of various standings within the village. At first it was just the Genin Kouji, who struck Mako as a simple hard working guy who might be a bit eager to please people but seemed good natured, then there was Shiro a white haired man who seemed relaxed and was the prior Mizukage before the current took that spot there didn’t seem to be any bad blood on that front which was interesting and said a bit about both people, now there was a short blonde haired woman here by the name of Izu who seemed to know both of the others at least decently. Kouji seemed to be good friends with Izu on the account that he was actively looking for whoever started the rumor that Izu apparently assaulted an old woman at some point.

Mako looked at this woman with her hand out reached for a handshake and went ahead and returned it his own hand dwarfing hers, now that the pleasantries had been exchanged he wished to return to his food on the table near them and they could all share their stories or whatever highers did in this situation but as he went to sit back down everyone started to head inside on account of Shiro’s suggestion of moving things in there. This upset Mako, he already had his food, they were already at the perfect place to eat especially for someone of his size but now they had to get up, move inside all while his food grew cold and soggy. This was exactly what Mako had been worried about when dealing with those of higher standing, they just did whatever and didn’t care what those beneath them on the totem pole were doing. With a loud sigh he just swallowed the whole bowl of food and followed the rest inside visibly annoyed with the change in location with him purposely bending over more when moving through the doorway and slouching noticeably when inside the building. These places were made for average size people not those close to eight feet in height, same with a lot of the seating areas inside the place Mako himself would end up taking up one side of a booth or end up having to move a chair in the walkway to be able to be comfortable in this place.

For first impressions, Mako wasn’t impressed already.

WC: 417
TWC: 1222

Everyone seemed so pressed to get inside the ramen shop, even if Mako was eating on the outside area to enjoy the weather, and even if izu had ordered outside too to enjoy the sun and wind of the sea... With everyone pressing to enter, Izu turned to Mako.

''Well it seems we wont get to enjoy the oustside...'' whispered the blonde kunoichi with her tone disapointed, sharing the feeling of the tall shark man. 

As both followed in, Mako bending to enter and Izu carrying her food to the table with her face of 'really?' to show her feeling, they all sat at the same table. Of course Kouji asked about something, and Izu wasnt shy of telling the truth, even if she was bored that this was the type of things the young shinobi with glasses remembered about her instead of the myriad of missions they did together. Nonetheless, she wanted to adress the rumors before it began to have a toll.

''Its not a rumor. I beat her up. We were both in the training facility and at first I took her for a lost old lady, since it was odd to see her there. She began insulting me and be all jumpy, and said she was a ninja, so I treated her like any other ninja who would insult me. I treated her like we should in the bloody Mist. The only thing that bring dishonor about it is that there is a rumor about it. People need to learn to shut up.'' Answered Izu, her tone calm as she ate her food calmly too, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. After a few bites, she added ''So if you want to set it straight lets get out of here. Try to straight me out.'' Said Izu smiling a bit as she looked into Kouji eyes, her face a bit disturbing as she was smiling out of agressiveness. As she calmed down, Izu turned her attention toward Mako, the newest addition toward the village.

''So you are tailing Kouji to learn? What kind of ninja you want to be Mako? Wanna use weapons? Ninjutsu? Maybe I could teach you a trick or two. Maybe we all could! Depend what you want.'' Said the girl, intrigued to say the least.