Naruto SoundITP IC 1: A Melancholy Song of Hope To Come

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
"Not even a surname? Thats so sad, to not know what your family's history, where you come from or what your family is even named....its horrible! I can't even imagine what thats like. Clearly your entire family line has been done a great injustice if they couldn't keep the records. You'll never even learn what deeds your ancestor in the 7th century did! or what traditions your supposed to follow or at least pay lip service to! Truly a tragedy."
Yuyuyu sweatdrops a little and raises an eyebrow.
"...Its not that bad Kimi, most people don't know their family history and get along fine."
"Well yeah if want to live like a commoner, but she has a kekkei genkai, that requires higher standards of living! hyuhyu."
"....Yeeeeah, sure whatever you say." Yuyuyu responds, clearly not sure about that.
"As for the Tailed Beasts? Eh, I'm not personally interested in messing with those myself unless an opportunity for experimentation and research on them comes up, I don't need their chakra specifically to learn all jutsu after all. As for sapience, wasn't it Hashirama that captured all of them? The man of like peace and unity or whatever? I think the man who preached his beliefs like he was the second coming of the Rikudou Sannin would've get them to work with people peacefully if it was possible."

[Rater202]

"Kimiko, my 'kekkei genkai' is 'does not need as much training to be a ninja but periodically goes homicidally insane and sadistically murders anyone around them.' I was fully expecting to be kept under lock and key when I came to the Sound Village and offered my expertise in exchange for the resources to try ad cure my condition."

"The idea that I deserve some high standard of living because of that?"

Senko actually seems a little offended.

"There is a family history in the book, it is just very sporadic and focused on more recent history. My great uncle Gero was my inspiration for using science to treat my condition... Though he was significantly less ethical about it and died because he did not take proper precautions with his test subjects."

"My second cousin twice removed, Jenako, can apparently talk to animals. When my copy of the book was written she was a 'crazy hermit with an army of lizards' living in a cave somewhere in the Land of Wind"

"And the less we say about Kaede the better... Look, in order to become a biological researcher, you need to be elbow deep in a fresh corpse at least once just to get the job. I am not squeamish around death and gore, but... By all the gods above..."

"Most of my other relatives isolated themselves or... Well, let us just say they were lucky if they had a kaishakunin."

"Supposedly, an older distant has a more complete copy of our family history, but he is in hiding becuase he knows something that someone would kill to have forgotten and I have no way of knowing if he is still alive or where he is in hiding."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Gero and Kaeda are shoutouts but Jenako is an original creation.

[igordragonian]

]Campfire

Odayama for now is pleased with that, an open conversation has started. He listen, and if the conversation will need a push or guidance, he will add something.
Emotionaly open ninjas? Maybe Nozojo is right, and on the long run, their village has an important advantage.

Usagi eat with vigor.
'Well.. killing your family, is really terrible.' she agree.
'But I have made a deal, and forgotten about it. Mostly. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I see the blood rain... but it isn't a big deal. Maybe I could arrange something like this for you. But there is always a price.' she say, sounding almost apathic.
'Surnames are also overrated.' now even seems annoyed.



The Komoro Household

Many of Jirou's friends are probably Komoros. Some would say that the Komoros are at the heart of Ottokagure; They have inspired the first Ottokage and the other founders to develop the signature jutsus and tech that the village is known for.
The Komoros are usually sensitive, emotional and quifte often shy. Some blame them for being mentaly weak.
More cynical review of their attitude might suggest, that their friendliness and surprising generosity with their clan secrets is out tactics to gain allies and also have an edge to surprise allied and enemies alike.
They also not above jobs, that most shinobis would consider beneath them- teachers at the Academy, guards and even entertainers. But They have significant percentage of weapon and tech devolpers. Their deep understanding of sound, give them an edge at this field, some of them design personally designed sound based weaponry and gadgets.

The Head clan Tsukimaru, is also the head of the weapon development branch.

Their household was relativly normal- just a block of few building, but with some antenas, and the building are built, so the echo will be strong- so much like the Fukiami house household, it was almost impossible to surprise them. They were casual bunch, and their yard, was more or less a junkyard, which they claim to inspire them.

When Jirou (and Kikena?) arrive, Naibu, a Komoro Kunouichi about as old as Jirou greet him with a bow. Her bat ears are folded with shyness, and round glasses almost slide of her small nose.
'Jirou-san... what... a honor.' she chrip, looking down, shyly.

[Rater202]

"Usagi-san, with all due respect... Having most of your memories erased seems like a terrible way of coping with trauma and I would not true anyone who offered it to me. Once they are in your head... How do you know that is all they will do? I would rather live and die on my own terms, my freedom only curtailed by my conscent, than risk being someone's puppet."

Senko finishes her rations.

"It is getting late. We should work out a watch rotation and then start turning in. With five ninja, if we do two hours shifts then it will take ten hours for us all to get eight hours of rest."

Assuming no one has anything else to say, nothing particularly interesting happens over the course of the night.

[igordragonian]

Usagi smile. "I don't care if I am free, as long as I am not helpless. I am not forcing you or anything,Senko. I am just saying we had a similiar situation, and what works for me. I guess you weren't stupid like I was...' pause.

Odayama when they finish. '....Almost all ninjas and humans have deep suffering inside. At least we have each other. Let's rest. I'll take first watch"

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
She doesn't know what to say to you being offended. Its as if being offended by it is new to her. A kekkei genkai user declining the luxury that comes with her position? So....strange! So fascinating.
"You...don't like that idea? Hyu. hyu. ahyuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyu! You are truly fascinating, Senko. An unusual individual. I've never encountered someone with a kekkei genkai who holds such little value in status and wealth. Its like some of the weird stuff that Jirou keeps talking about but even more so."
She turns to Usagi
"Hm, being someone's puppet is detrimental to my goal of learning all jutsu, I got to admit..."

Jirou:
"Greetings Naibu. The honor is mine."
He does have a few friends in the research department who are Komoro, working on other projects. He doesn't keep up much with those but he does talk with them.
"Hiya Naibu! Yup, I said it once before in the academy, and I'll say it once again: if anything ever happened to poor, sweet Naibu, I'd kill everyone and then myself."
"I'd share the sentiment, but I'm kind of trying to be Otokage-like here. Showing favoritism would be bad."
"Oh come on, loosen up, you need a smilin' kage for this clan, be polite but also be y'know...personable."
"....Okay."
Jirou attempts to smile. The shark teeth makes it look terrifying.
"....Nevermind, just...go back to your mysterious stoicism."
He does and turns back to Naibu.
"Enough of that nonsense, let us go in shall we?"

[Rater202]

"I spent a good chunk of the time between leaving my home town and coming to found running around in the woods. It is a miracle that I did not go feral."

"When you, at eight years of age, have wrestled a deer to the ground and broken its neck with your bare hands before dragging it back to the cave you were living in at the time band skinning it with a rock to make clothes, a comfortable futon and a heater seem luxurious in comparison. Status and wealth? My needs are met, anything beyond that is excessive. If I were to have such things, I would rather it be becuase of my accomplishments than because someone decided that my unique biology entitled me to it. Besides, with status comes obligation: You were, until recently, involved in an arranged marriage done without your input, were you not? Do you think everyone has to deal with that kind of toxic politicking?"

"...Though, I would not say no to a small group of admirers who worship the ground I walk on and live to cater to my whims. Who does not fantasize about being pampered every now and then?"

The night is relatively uneventful, as is the rest of the journey to the border. Along the way, Senko continues to practice mist generation.

It isn't long before you make it to the border, the towering statues of Madara Uchiha and Tobirama Senju flanking the Valley of the End being visible in the distance, and you are stopped at a checkpoint

Official looking signage says that you are about to cross into the Land of Fire, while an Ashigaru equipped in armor typical of the Land of Fire's non-ninja military forces stands before you.

"Halt, present your passports and state your reasons for entering the Land of the Fire."

A few meters behind him, at a checkpoint for people leaving the Land of Fire for the Land of Rice, a Rice Ashigaru is imitating the movements of the man confronting you in a mocking manner. The Fire Ashigaru does not seem to notice.

Menko steps forward and presents her passport, hoping it will hold to scrutiny. These five Ninja are my escorts, protecting me from bandits as I, Menko Honda, Shrine Maiden and Priestess-in-training of the Great Shrine of Inari in northern Rice Country make a pilgrimage to the Great Temple of Inari in southern Fire Country."

[igordragonian]

Usagi beside physical training, train her scroll sealing and releasing abilities.
She has few ideas for those, and in a messed up way, a scroll has started her ninja journey.
when she has chance, she would try to compete with Kimiko over something. Probably something silly.

Odayama mostly.. was there. He also knew the land very well. Even the land of fire- he inflirated Konoha for a year, after all.
Usagi laugh from the imitation of that the Rice Ashigaru does.

Odayama keep his deadbit casual attitude.
'Yo.' he pull out a document.
'There are agreements about those things. If you need some papers, well her you go.' he say with a shrug.

----------

'You are far too kind.' Naibu chrip.
She blush a bit. 'A-and I don't mind Jirou-san's smile at all. I-it look... hmm... bad... bad-behind.' she fluster, as she try to translate the wording into something more respectful, but it come out wierd, and she mamble as she lead the pair, into the main builidng.

The Fukaimis, threw a whole feast in his honor.
Half of the Komoros are probably too busy with their project. But the main branch family is there, quite more casual.
Maybe they just socialy unaware, or maybe view Jirou as a family friend, rather then a fancy someone.
It might insult him, or flatter him- depend on he view such things.

The clan head, Tsukimaru is a pass middle aged man, with huge rimmed eyes, balding head, beside the greying fluffy pointy ears, he was fixing some radio when Jirou and Kikena have entered-
the table has food, but also tinkering tools.
'Oh, sorry about that.; His wife bowed, and in surprsiing speed, has cleaned those from the table.
Naibu bow,

Tsukimaru bowed his head 'Please, forgive us, we get distracted easily.'
'Jirou Ishikawa, and Kikena Masuku are... here... Can they sit down, dear father?'

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
He chuckles as he sits down.
"Don't worry. This all actually reminds me of my own clan in some respects. While we hold to traditions, true, there are informalities when it comes to fuinjutsu and many of us are constantly working on one project or another involving that. Half the table talk is just discussing sealing jargon."
Meanwhile Kikenna figures out what Naibu meant and grins. She decides to talk to Jirou about it after this dinner.

Kimiko:
Kimiko will continue practicing mist generation beside you as well. It seems to be a little easier for her. Kimiko will gladly compete with her over eating the hardtack rations she brought as food to prove which one is tougher- be warned though, her mother once made her eat nothing but hard rations for a while to get used to the taste to prepare her for life on the battlefield. She has experience.

She and Yuyuyu pullout their passports and show it to the soldier.

[Rater202]

And Senko provides her own passport.

the soldier examines them all closely as though looking for any possible sign of forgery before frowning and bitterly spitting out "enjoy your stay in the land of fire."

As you pass through the checkpoint, the Rice Soldier on the other side, manning the other checkpoint, hails you. "Ignore Takeshi-san. From what I can tell he took this position to feed his ego."

"I heard that!"

For some of you, this might be your first time out of The Land of Rice... How do you feel about that?

The next few days are mostly uneventful. Just walking, traveling, whatever training you can manage to fit in on the way.

At one point, when you stop to set up camp near one of the land of fire's famed forests, Senko wanders off for an hour without saying anything and comes back with a serene smile on her face.

If asked, she says something about "wilderness bathing*" and not wanting to pass up an opportunity.

Eventually, you get to a segment of road near a forest and, after verifying that you are not being watched, leave the road to travel through the trees.

Senko, as you may note, is physically climbing the trees rather than using tree walking.

And soon enough, you leave the trees for a grey, foggy road flanked by natural stone walls.

"Welcome to the entrance to Ryuchi Cave... Hopefully, Monaka isn't the one supervising this trial or we're gonna be here all day."

*Wilderness bathing is the act of going out in the woods and appreciating/meditating on the sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel, and the taste of the air. It's supposed to be very relaxing and has certain benefits for physical and mental health due to lowering stress.

[igordragonian]

Odayama enjoy the nature.

Usagi use the oppurtnity, and climb and jump from tree to tree using her hands.
She has learned to store her crotches in a scroll.

This was exciting. She was learning this enemy land, which kind of reminded her of the Rabbit Kingdom.
Will she find pale eyed ninja demons here?
This time, she won't be a helpless child.


Odayma is using this time, to train his sloth form, which this area seemed to make easier.
Ameoku demanded of him, to learn to block her claws, unless he want her to shave his skin off his 'pretty face'

Odayma 'Anything I should know about the process?' again in his human form.

------------

'Yes. Inspiring people are your clan.' Tsukimaru say with a smile.

The twins, older in year then Kimiko are also there, but their expressions are sour. Dai and Doi, which used their ears as part of the costumes. Both wore heavy rimmed glasses and looked quite cute, beside few acid scars.
They were dropouts, as far as it was known.
-'Ah. We never had chance to thank this what her name'
-'Kimiko. Yeah. So like-'
-'Thanks' the twin girls say in unison with apathic 'emo' tone.

Naibu looks frusrated
'Come on, Dai, Doi you are being rude! His sister has saved your LIVES!'

They roll their eyes. 'Well, it's not like we really ninjas anymore. Remember? So thanks will do'
'Just because, we do a favor here and there for Boss-Scratch* doesn't mean anything'

'Sure.' Their mother smile, as she serve the food.
their youngest children, 10 and 8 years old respectfully boys are jumping in their seats
'We heard Kimiko cutted an acid dragon with a tissue!'

'Yeah. Also her dual with Usagi was nice. Heh, she feel asleep on Usagi's neck!'


'BOYS!' Naibu scolded, blushing. 'I an really sorry for all that, my parents are quite light with the manners...'

The parents seemed unphased by theirc children too carefree attitude

'You were almost as bad them, Naibu-chan. Process has to happen. Why to alienate them? Scratch organize missions for them, and when they will feel ready, they will the tests.'

'THEY ARE NOT MISSIONS!' the twin girls protest


*Scratch is the leader of the Broken Record Club

[Rater202]

"Not really, just keep walking... It's a test of endurance... Just, like I said before we left, once we get into the cave proper don' eat anything they offer you..."

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
He nods to Dai and Doi.
"I will pass long your message to her."
He says equally toneless. Then comments on the boys exclamations.
"As for her feats....I'm pretty sure she didn't do the first, but definitely did the second."
He wonder if this how legends start: by children wildly exaggerating what some adults told them happened, and the adults learning the story from them, and not bothering to get the whole story. That might explain a lot of things actually.
"Ah, no need to apologize. Children deserve whatever happiness they can have while they can....as do we all, in a way."

Kimiko:
As they walk along she says in response
"So we're still on iron rations then?"
"I don't know how you stomach those bricks you call food."
"Look, you just get used to it when that is all your allowed to eat for a while. Y'know, like how ashigaru have to when they march."
"....Sigh."
She really needed to have to talk to Kimiko about her home life, get Senko in on it.
"Changing the subject, since I don't think talking about food at a time like this would be wise...Lets about our favorite manga or something."
They needed to keep themselves distracted from the fact its a test of endurance and make sure the hear each other through the fog. Things are easier to endure when your focused on something else.
"I personally prefer Sutībun'yunibāsu. It gets sappy at times but I like the messages it conveys. Especially the timeskip stuff, what the writer did with the protagonist was incredibly daring."

[igordragonian]

Komoro's household

The boys laugh.
"Wait."
"So how did Kimiko cut the dragon?"
Dai and Doi look annoyed. "Do we have to talk over and over about this incident?"
Their mother smile. "Well, you were the ones telling about an acid dragon defeating you. And Kimiko did ended up winning the battle there- so surely the boys would excited about how Kimiko has defeated a DRAGON."

Dai and Doi murmur and focus on eating.
Naibu look embaressed at her family.
They all seems... quite free in expressing their feelings, and their parents doesn't seems to judge them for that.

Tsukimaru smile. "Huh. I see now what old sneaky bastard Nozoko see in you."
"Father!" Naibu whined. "You are talking like this about the Ottokage infront of his assitant and pupil!"
"-Then by now, Jirou surely know that Nozojo is a sneaky bastard. We all know it's true. It doesn't mean I disprespect or dislike Nozojo. Things would have gone very diffrently if Ameoku would have take the leadership back then. And they will change, if she become the leader now."
----

Odyama nod. If anything he had endurance and patience.

Usagi walk on her hands.
"....Are mangas really that good?"

[Rater202]

"I do not much engage in leisure. When I am not researching methods of controlling my condition or conducting research for the good of the village, I mostly research other things."

"In truth, the only frivolity I allow myself is the occasional meal out or purchased confection. Have you ever had one of Fuyuki'san's snowcones? I have no idea how he manages to create such perfect ice crystals but..."

"What's a manga?"

Meanwhile, back at the village

Ichika, trained medic-nin and voluntary genin for life, decided to treat herself on her way home from her shift at the hospital. Fuyuki-san's frozen stand was on the way.

"How do you make these things so perfect?"

"Family Secret."

Meanwhile, back at the plot

After a few hours of walking, you unceremoniously come to... A cave. An actual cave.

"Well, this isn't normal. We should have been going for another hour at least, and... Normally there's a big fancy building upfront."

"Well why bother when some little blather mouth spoiled the first two tests!"

A woman in a fancy white furisode fades into view. She's floating off the ground.

She has black hair done up in odango and the same color eyes as Menko. She is pale, but not unusually so the way Menko is...

"Little trouble maker. Constantly running off, constantly complaining about how she doesn't want to be a Sage... Then you come back and..."

The woman's skin suddenly turns white. Not pale white, white white, the absence of color. Obvious scales appear and then her face stretches out into a massive snake head.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just eat you right now and stop your troublemaking one and for all?"

"Monaka-san, I'm a bound familiar now. You know as well as I do that it is my sworn duty to prepare my master for the Whit Snake Sage's trials to the best of my ability. There's no rule that says I am not allowed to want her about the tests ahead of time, and even if there was my status as a retainer supersedes most of those rules. You wouldn't want me to throw my own honor and that of the Snake Clan into question, would you?"

...Menko seems to be enjoying talking down to this Monaka-san may be more than is healthy.

The second snake licks the air and then glares at each of you.

"You brought a cat summoner who smells like butt, a rabbit kingdom vassal...

She licks the air again, then, surprisingly, bows to Kimiko and Senko.

"My apologies. I did not detect the scent of your... noble lineages in your chakra the first time. It brings me joy to welcome you."

She then unceremoniously pinches Menko's nose enough to make the young summon wince in pain.

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
"Indeed. She is the type that would want us to become strong at the cost of what we value and hold scared as a village. And we cannot forget what makes us human at the cost of mere power. Not if we are to live happy lives. I actually prefer this kind of discussion, Naibu. It occurs too little in this world, shrouded by lies and manipulation. Ameoku would just have us forget all that for force and strength, discipline without heart and power without meaning."
Much like his own mother he reflected. But he need not bring her up at this table.
"Yeah, whats life without some pleasure y'know?"
Kikenna adds in with a grin.

Yuyuyu:
Yuyuyu will go
"None? Wow, I feel sorry for you Senko, when we get back we need to give you a dinner and have some fun ASAP. Your missing out if you don't live it up a little! as for Menko...its simple, a manga is a book, but with pictures AND words! and tells stories with those pictures because a picture is worth a thousand words."

Kimiko:
When they get to the snake lady, she will respond politely as etiquette dictated. Clearly this snake was of high society worth speaking to!
"Why thank you, Monaka-San. Mind not the help, I am Kimiko of Clan Ishikawa. This is Senko of
...a Clan Unknown to us. Senko is the one who is taking these tests, I am here accompanying her as far as I can, as loyalty to a comrade dictates. The other three people of our group are apart of our team and we are from Otogakure."
Yuyuyu makes a respectful bow and says
"Greetings Monaka-san, I am Yuki Yuuna Yukimura. Everyone just calls me Yuyuyu however. Just accompanying Senko as kimiko said."

[igordragonian]

Odyama sniffed his armpit.
'Well, I am an adult man, and didn't showered for some days. But ain't very fair' he say calmly.
"And I am sort were married into summoning cats. I don't mind snakes, really. I am just the Commander of this team which guard Senko. So let's just get along."


Usagi:"I am Usagi! I was trained by the rabbits! Do you have an issue with me?!" She growled defiantly.


-#####
Naibu fold her ears, as if she was scolded. She seemed to be worked up over her and her clan's reputation.
Tsukimaru nod. "I am happy, that you aren't a clone of your mother. New generation should have open ears for new ideas. I think I will be happy to call you Ottokage one day."
He clean his glasses. "You just need an 'Oomf" moment. Like Nozojo has raised those... wierd sound like wave walls, so the Leaf Ninjas had to focus on the gates. He also was recongnized be a legend like Odokuro. If you need help to create such 'oomf" moment, I will gladly help you. Sadly Ameoku has her nice title, and war stories.'

[Rater202]

Kimiko:
When they get to the snake lady, she will respond politely as etiquette dictated. Clearly this snake was of high society worth speaking to!
"Why thank you, Monaka-San. Mind not the help, I am Kimiko of Clan Ishikawa. This is Senko of
...a Clan Unknown to us. Senko is the one who is taking these tests, I am here accompanying her as far as I can, as loyalty to a comrade dictates. The other three people of our group are apart of our team and we are from Otogakure."
Yuyuyu makes a respectful bow and says
"Greetings Monaka-san, I am Yuki Yuuna Yukimura. Everyone just calls me Yuyuyu however. Just accompanying Senko as kimiko said."

"Yes, yes... It is always a pleasure when a strong blooded descendant of the Ōtsutsuki comes to take our trials."

Odyama sniffed his armpit.
'Well, I am an adult man, and didn't showered for some days. But ain't very fair' he say calmly.
"And I am sort were married into summoning cats. I don't mind snakes, really. I am just the Commander of this team which guard Senko. So let's just get along."


Usagi:"I am Usagi! I was trained by the rabbits! Do you have an issue with me?!" She growled defiantly.

"My only problem is that I'm not allowed to eat you."

Monka leads you all into the cave.

It looks like a normal cave. There are stones to sit on and a narrow opening at the back leading into some sort of passage way.

From inside that passageway emerges what appears to be an eight-year-old with the same pale complexion as Monaka's human form, dressed in the same kind of robe, but with bleach white hair pulled up into a regal top-knot.

"Welcome to... Wait, are we not..?"

"The runaway brat spoiled the first challenges to her sworn master. There's really no point."

The newcomer then notices Menko and immediately flies over and sticks a finger in Menko's mouth in order to pull out her cheak before pinching it.

"Aw, I saw you'd gone and gotten yourself a master... And look at you, dressed up all fancy. You're moving up in the world."

Menko's eyes twitch. "Hebehime-san... I have been meaning to ask... You're sixty human years old. Why is your human form so young."

The pinching becomes harder and Menko winces.

"You know damn well not to tell a woman's real age, child. You'd better hope your master passes my trial, lest I slurp you both down like the damned noodles you won't shut up about."

"I do not appreciate the bullying of my familiar."

"This isn't bullying, it's discipline. She wouldn't have to worry about it if she just did what she was told in the first place."

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
"Hm....I'm actually thinking of a plan to catch Futility-San. It requires the cooperation and the coordination of both you and the Fukaimi Clan however, and the coordination of the entire villages forces. I can't reveal it yet due to security concerns. It could be such a moment you speak of, if I pull it off."
Sure he could still read his mind, but he had a counter for that that will just require a certain kind of tag and the right sound equipment. Something that Komoro could help with.
"On an unrelated note, could your clan help me with coming up with some...chill beats? Y'know, low-fi stuff. If I'm going to be Otokage, I do need to establish a clear identity while also carrying on Nozojo's legacy in some way, so while I can't replicate the shows he does, the radio is still an important part of our village and I do think some calming music while people go about their day would be helpful, don't you think?"
C'mon, Catch the hint, catch the hint....

Kimiko:
"This ...banter is distracting us from our business here, Hebehime-san. Please let us focus on the task at hand, what is the third trial?"
She says to keep them from getting any further distracted from their goal with this nonsense.

[igordragonian]

Odayama change into his sloth form.
His mind was in mediative like state. Almost asleep. But not.
It was more like passing volumes of his senses-less of seeing with his eyes,more hearing, more nature and spiritual kind of sensing. His fighting was almost automated, and Ameoku did trained him to better control this form.
For years he didnt had an actual motivation,beside being good enough to get by.
But his failure at the bell test...
He was training very motivated and powerful ninja girls.
But they were young, and needed guidance and support. Especialy Senko, needed somepje powerful.
He probably couldn't keep up with those prodigies for years. But he had to be good enough to contaim them in those sensitive years,if needed. To protect them.
He can do this much.


Usagi laugh. "I actually enjoy seeing Menko bullied. It's funny. She almost cute like that."

----

"The Fukaimi aren't very fond of our clan... I believe such operation would require trust."
Tsukimaru say in matter of factly tone.
Naibu chrip up. "Oh! I am great with the chill beats! My grades at the academy rose in 25% when I have studied while hearing to my beats, and the effectivness of my team's trainings went up by 40%!"
She blush and fold her ears. "....Sorry. I have talked out of place.'
Both her parents roll their eyes with a chuckle.
Naibu seemed to have more conservative outlook then her parents. Or she is a pleaser kind of person, and try to please a certain kind of ninjas.

[Rater202]

Menko actually looks hurt that Usagi says that.

"I am sorry, but only the supplicant and, I suppose, her familiar are permitted onto the next tests. Unless you have other business in this cave, the rest of you will have to remain here."

"I have a condition where-in—"

""We are aware of your bloodline's power, child of Asura's shadow. There was another of your clan who came here, long ago. Not to take our trials, but to ask Her Excellence what she knew of the Otsusuki. If, if you pass on to the Hakuja Sennin's final trial, we will allow those who accompanied you this far to witness either your success or your failure and employ whatever safety measures you have devised. But not a moment before."

With little fanfare, Senko and Menko are herded down the passageway leaving you with only Monaka.

Odayama, with the senses of your sloth form, you are the first to notice: Someone else is coming from outside the cave.

"Oh, cr—"

The snake woman starts to run for the cave entrance only for someone else to quickly shove in past her.

"It's funny. I was under the impression that an illusion delayed one from finding this cave but it was a rather straightforward walk."

It's Tomoe Kurogane, the Ronin you met on your way here.

She looks around.

"Where is your friend, Sound Ninja? Where is the Oni of Debuita?"

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
"Oh no, the plan won't require you to be in the same group or anything, you probably won't even get near them. Its very much something that the entire village's forces will participate in to some extent, its just your two clans are specifically important to catching Futility-San for certain reasons I'll reveal later."
He says reassuring them.
"Glad to hear it Naibu. I'll need your services then. We'll talk more about the specifics later."
When it would be private.

Kimiko:
She will grab the Origami-No-Tsurugi and draw it from its sheathe.
"As if I'd tell you where my friend is, ronin! I told you I have it well handled after all, hyuhyu. As if I'd lie about my abilities! If she becomes a problem, I can simply seal her to keep her from killing anyone, furthermore this entire mission has been to cure her of her condition! Your nothing but a vagabond who is in the way of the solution that presents the lowest amount of life lost, those are values everyone here is concerned about yes? If your so concerned about saving people from her, simply wait and it will solve itself! That is the most use you can have now at this moment."
She says, grinning like a shark as explains the situation in her own boastful, arrogant way.
"Why I'm thinking of even leaving you alive just to comprehend how useless you were in finding the best possible solution! Perhaps it will serve as a lesson to you. I have killed before, but I'm willing to be magnanimous
if it means showing how counterproductive you were to solving the problem your so concerned about. Hyuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyu!"
Yuyuyu will brandish her umbrella
"Senko may have some funny ideas about this or that, be socially awkward, but she doesn't deserve to die because of something she can't control! I know you mean well-but I must stand my ground for the sake of my friend, Tomoe-san!"

[igordragonian]

Usagi felt bad.
She was quite bad at joking and socializing.
Will she able to apoligize later?


Odayama in sloth form turn toward Tomoe.
'Don't you worry, you shall not pass me. No point to worry about that.'
His voice is wierd. He seems to be in sort of trance.
'Those claws of mine. They have ripped a Konoha Jounin's heart. You are alone, there is no shame in backing off, when you stand no chance.'

Usagi had an idea to deal with this one.
'Hey! Bully snake lady! Will it be an issue, if I'll summon rabbits right here? I might be rude, but I don't want to make things more complicated, between rabbits and snakes- I just want to protect my..... teammate.'


----

The dinner eventually concludes, there is no offical ending- simply, when everyone has finished eating, Tuskimaru and his wife- the heads of the clan, collect the dishes and go was them, going here and back, Dai and Doi slipp away.
Naibu apologize again. 'My parents aren't really into the offical manners.... no wonder so many other clans look down on us. I am really ashamed and sorry on their behalf.'

Her mother chuckle. 'Don't be so uptight Naibu-chan. Jirou is welcomed here- he can go when he feel like it, or talk to us again, we ain't far. Not every social enconter need to be a kabuki play'

[Rater202]

"I am sorry but we can not permit the summoning of foreign creatures within these hallowed caves."

"Is that what she told you? That she could not help it? Could not control herself? She had to kill them? Have you any idea how many murderers use that excuse?"

"Even her claim, that the Oni of Debuita hates herself more than the survivors do? Every corrupt noble or wealthy merchant who gets away with murder, rape, or some other serious crime gives a similar platitude."

"How, Ishikawa, how is bringing her to this den of snakes, often sought out by the most depraved in a tireless search of power, meant to prevent the Oni from taking more lives? How is making her more powerful to make her less dangerous?"

"The basic facts of the matter, Sound Ninja, are that your friend, your teammate, slaughtered people she proclaimed to be friends in cold blood. Husbands lost wives, parents lost children. Babies left orphaned. Dozens of people mutilated to death and left to rot as those who escaped were too fearful to return an perform funerary rights."

"Do you expect me to go back to the handful of people, people who want justice, people who only wish that there sons and daughters, their parents and grandparents, can finally rest in peace and tell them that their loved one's murderer said she was sorry? That that would satisfy them?"

"If your friend was truly repentant, she would have submitted herself to justice years ago. She would have demanded that she be imprisoned indefinitely, and yet here she is, walking free, a ninja's headband on her head..."

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
"No need to apologize Naibu. I honestly enjoy the casual conversation. I wish I could have more like it. See? Your mother gets it. More formal speak is just there to be official sounding for official stuff, and the clans just bring it into their family lives as a form of practice which I think is a little much. So what time you want to discuss making the chill beats? It is quite important actually, and it needs to be done in a soundproof room, preferably."
"Yeah agreed on the kabuki thing. I prefer my performances to be private....one on one....and in bed."
Kikenna winks at Naibu shamelessly.

Kimiko:
She honestly didn't care about Tomoe's moralizing in the least. Senko was her friend, intellectual equal and fascinating specimen who might lead to so much knowledge to learn! Though she did admit that Tomoe's moralizing sounded very similar to Senko's, it didn't matter because Tomoe was just some boring ronin compared to Senko's interesting ambitions and ideas. Kimiko wanted a friend and lab partner, while if her and Senko's paths diverged she would be happy calling her a rival- she needed someone with vision to compete with her dream of learning all jutsu after all. She is on some level here out of scientific curiosity of what will happen when Senko gains the power of the snake. but she couldn't just say all that. That would be showing her hand way too soon, not to Tomoe but to her own team and by extension the Sound Village. The real game was the whole world, and these were just the opening moves on the board. She doesn't even know who the other players were yet.

No. She had to focus this back on Tomoe. Better to attack her beliefs.
"Hyuhyuhyu. What subjective abstract things you believe in. Yet in the end, all the things that can be criticizing about redeeming people can also be said about bringing them to justice: those like you who seek to right wrongs are often angry, full of pain over one thing or another, unable to accept their failures in the past. Every person who calls for justice is just calling for vengeance by a more polite name as they are often the injured party and thus their viewpoint is clouded by the pain they feel. You are human like anyone else, and you cannot possibly hope to fool me that you are some automaton of justice with no selfish desires in your heart! You don't want to kill Senko for some ideal, but because deep down you believe you failed in some manner and need to seek revenge for something done to you or someone you care about, unable to turn the other cheek you go seeking blood to wash away the imperfections you see in this world.

You know you have no legal legitimacy to it, so you wander as a vagabond and with no proof, you find some random ninja who might fit the description of the girl your hunting and assume she is somehow this rumored Oni of Debuita. So you come to us trying to convince us that she is the Oni and thus allow you to commit murder against our own comrade without any proof that she is this monster your hunting? Your not some wanderer dispensing justice, your just some hobo with a sword trying to use a little girl as either a scapegoat for some tragedy, or to convince yourself you've finally found the body that will wash away your failure to save someone else. I am not going to be an accomplice to your murder, hyu hyu."
She says back, grinning. Yes, that will work.
"Yeah! You don't have any proof of this, your lying for your own advantage."
Yuyuyu says backing her up.

[Rater202]

"Four years, two months, and three days from its date, in the early evening, a survivor of Debuita who was sitting down to dinner overheard a shouting of "Senko, you need to calm down," coming from his neighbor's house. He knew Senko as the same as the neighbor's child and stepped out to investigate to find a massive hole in his neighbor's house and a small, goblin-like creature with a face and horns resembling an oni savaging his neighbor before charging off to attack a crowd of people who'd come out to view the commotion."

"The child, Senko, was known to most of the survivors as it was a small town. She was described as being six years old at the time, which would make her ten now, with hair the color of a carrot that she wore short and eyes the color of amber."

"Your companion is a ten-year-old girl carrot-top with amber eyes and short hair with the name Senko... Even if she hadn't given herself away with her comment, your first response to my coming here was to confirm that Senko was the Oni of Debuita by defending her crimes."

"There is a bounty on her head, and even a wanted fugitive has the right to collect bounties. There are people who want the killer of their loved ones brought to justice because the governments of the Land of Rice refuse to carry out justice properly.."

"And you're wrong about my motivation... Tell me, does it say in your Bingo Book why I became a Ronin? Becuase I distinctly recall leaving a formal letter of resignation and submission to exile citing my Lord's gross violation of the oaths sworn to him and the code of Bushido as reasons why I could no longer serve him... I am no longer welcome in my home, but I am no fugitive and there should be no bounty on my head."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
Oh. She had witnesses. Kuso. And she admitted she was defending her. Double kuso. Oh well. Best filibuster this as long as possible then like the nitpicky nerd she is. The more time she buys for Senko to get her cure, the better.
"Oh how convenient you have such a forgiving Lord. You are correct of course, my brilliant memory can recall that bingo book flawlessly: it is not your own nation that put any bounties on you, as bingo books are made by the villages separately to evaluate people outside of their particular village regardless of whether they official affiliation with a nation or not. Tons of shinobi loyal to their villages have such bounties placed on them by villages not their own. It is simply common practice to give a bounty to anyone that is a threat and your opposing official Sound village business is proof enough that you are one.

However- you are still motivated by your failure and thus wish to make up for it in some way. Your failure to save your comrades. Your desire for "justice" whatever that is- one of those strange subjective concepts without any empirical way to observe it- is what motivates you. So of course you go nations far outside your jurisdiction pursuing a child. Can you truly punish a child as you would an adult?

As for Senko well....did I say anything? I think you misheard. After all, its just your word against mine. You don't have a way to record my words. As for those witnesses did they actually see her become this "Oni"? Judging by what you say, I don't think they did. They heard voices, then they saw a rampaging demon. That doesn't prove she is what you say, only that she was nearby when the Oni attacked, are you going to try act upon coincidence?

As for the Sound Village, the reasons why Senko is apart of our forces is top secret. I can't say too much of why of course, but suffice to say that you have no reason interfering in Sound village business. But what I can tell you is that a young little girl named Senko with no home came to us and my brother out of the kindness of his heart decided to take care of her. That is something that is completely true and not a secret at all. Continue pursuing Senko and you will bring down the villages wrath upon you for more reasons than one. We may not be the strongest village in the world, but we are still stronger than a single lone ronin.

Furthermore we're currently in the land of fire. Need I remind you that if we do not get the power of the snakes, it will be eventually be taken by the Leaf Nin as they always do? If Ryuichi cave is so dangerous, surely its more dangerous in the hands of the superpower dominating much of the continents arable land. In the hands of Sound it will at least be balancing things a bit. Furthermore we're both foreigners here. If the Leaf Nin come, they'll only see enemies. Surely you don't want to spend too much time here and risk getting killed along with us so they can protect their claim on this summoning contract? There are far bigger things at work here than your little quest for justice.

While I, Kimiko Ishikawa, Heiress of the Ishikawa clan, Wielder of the Origami No Tsurugi, Shining Star of the Hope Generation and Slayer of Futility-San is someone you do not want to face! No amount of honor or righteousness will help you survive and enforce your ideals. I suggest you rethink your decisions before your righteousness gets you killed."

Jirou for the record is not famous, and people outside of Sound village would have no idea of who he is.

[igordragonian]

Odayama. 'This girl is under my responsibility.' he say.
'We, in the Village Of Sound, giving the broken ninjas a second chance. What in the past, is in the past. I will fight to the death to protect my team, as if they were my own daughters- and no matter what they did, I will protect them. You are outnumbered, and outpowered. Be reasonable.'

Usagi frown.
'Silly gooffy cowardly noodles.'

she land herself on the floor pulling her harp bow placing four arrows.
'Just one step further, please. Please, I beg you. Try to come for my teammate's head. Give me an excuse to do a hedgehog transformation jutsu on you.'





-----------------------


Naibu release a bat like shriek. 'EEEE', blush covering her face.
'We have such room on every floor, for stuff like that....' she offer to lead them

[Rater202]

"Forgiveness has nothing to do with it, Shinobi. The Land of Iron has no Daimyo and is ruled unilaterally by the general of the Samurai corps. My Lord was a Samurai and is bound by the same code of conduct that all Samurai must swear and he broke it. He cannot demand my head or compel me to cut my throat without also cutting his own belly and he knows it."

"In truth, I feel bad for every samurai sworn to a feudal lord. The Daimyo of the Shinobi nations have grown fat and lazy on the tribute given to them in exchange for maintaining the state, they care not for the responsibilities of their position or the lives their actions affect and are even more eager to make war for the pettiest reasons than even Shinobi. Any samurai sworn to serve such a fool is trapped, forced to abide by suffering lest they be ordered to end their lives for 'dishonoring' someone with no honor to begin with or be forced to live a life as criminals. Or they've been brainwashed."

The idea that a samurai could act in corrupt manner of their own accord does not seem to occur to Tomoe.

"What's past is prolog, sloth-slayer. That which has come before defines what comes next. Your student in your care slaughtered a village senselessly. That doesn't just go away because she has convinced you that she is sorry. Responsibility must be taken: If she is truly remorseful, then she will submit herself to justice, and since there isn't a court on the continent that actually cares about due process and isn't constantly bent to serve either the whims of Yakuza or of Shinbi..."

"I have no quarrel with you. My business is with the child. I will speak to her, and I will render judgment."

"So about that..." comes a voice from behind you all.

A new snake is present, looking like a middle-aged woman who has aged very gracefully who is rather... Top heavy, let's say, wearing the same regal robes of the other attendants.

The deliberately childish Hebihime is also present.

"So, the good news is that your friend passed both my excessively youth-obsessed college's complicated trick-question sudoku puzzle and she technically passed my test of character."

"The bad news is she turned into a horrifying monster and is going on a rampage as we speak and she's shrugging off every Genjutsu we have that might calm her down."

Tomoe looks very smug right now.

"Do you have a dodge for that one, Ishikawa?"

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
They both stare at Naibu for a moment then Kikenna whispers to him
"Jirou, I wholeheartedly support this potential extramarital affair, wish you both happiness and swear to love any children produced from it as if it were my own."
Jirou facepalms and whispers back
"This is not the time!"
"Your already putting on the moves though..."
"Not everything is about banging, Kikenna!"
"I disagree with that on deep and comprehensive psychological and philosophical grounds."
"Look, it may or may not become a thing, I'm not opposed to it becoming a thing personally, but there are other circumstances to consider, and this something more important!"
When he and Naibu get into a soundproof room, Kikenna will wait outside to guard it. In the room, Jirou will say
"Okay now that we're in the room where Futility-San porbably can't hear us, I'm going to tell you: while I do need those chill beats you can make them however it is you feel appropriate, let your creativity soar. What I really need is a certain sound, at a frequency beyond the range of normal human hearing. and I need it very loud. I believe it could be the key to defeating him while hurting as few people as possible. Of course this sound would be hurtful to both the Komoro and Fukaimi clans so it is why I need their cooperation so as to figure how to best use it while making sure they aren't endangered...as someone who engineers sound, your probably the best person to ask to produce such a thing, which is why I need your help, Naibu."
Of course the existence of such a sound would be just one part of his plan. He needed to keep his cards close to chest. The fewer people that know the full plan, the better if Futility-San can truly read minds.

Kimiko:
"Hyu....hyuhyuhyuhyuhyu....Are you kidding?"
She grins the widest shark grin and shows not one, but a handful Sealing tags she has prepared just for this very situation
"This is exactly the contingency I prepared for! Watch as I replicate a feat I've already done that you in your narrow samurai skills could never hope to achieve: saving my friend! Everyone come, I'm going to need as many distractions as possible!"
She then takes off running in the direction of Senko, arms stretched out like wings as she goes towards Senko, Yuyuyu runs after her.