A walk to remember [Shiori/Closed]

[Michael Jackson]

“We’ve sent for Lady Shiori, please enjoy yor studies, Lord Hokage,”

The Jōnin exclaimed with a privileged tone, as he bowed, allowing the silhouette of the Hokage to bypass his bent frame as Sonzai entered the more prominently isolated regions of the Village Library. After gathering a number of scrolls and other important reading materials, the red-haired protector made his way to a secret private study, established for seclusion. The door shut behind, and two Jōnin guarding the entrance, Sonzai found himself at piece in the highly lit room, only realizing his own existence in the private chambers.

Taking a seat behind the wooden table, he took a moment to scan over the documents that were laid in front of him. Using his position as Sandaime Hokage, Sonzai divulged into the more clandestine and restricted readings and positioned them comfortably on the table. He would begin reading, but forcing himself not to indulge himself too far into his studies. After all, he had to wait on his companion, Ori-chan to arrive. The reasons behind her specific attendance unknown at the moment, nonetheless, if Sonzai had requested her, it was obvious she’d come. Once she arrived at the Library, a Jōnin would be there promptly to escort her to the hidden location within the establishment.

[Sandy]

Saikudan Shiori casually strolled towards the Hokage’s tower, whistling a merry tune and punctuating her steps with periodic clicks of her heels and stomping. Having just returned from a mission, she wanted to conduct her report and go about making up for the training she skipped out on earlier. Unfortunately her morning routine had to take a backseat to the larger needs of the Leaf.

She charged up the steps and opened the doors, letting out one shrill whistle as she looked for someone that could direct her further. Myriad ninja meandered about but she paid them no mind, focusing instead on the receptionist who was busy filing a stack of documents.

“Hello!” Shiori greeted, pulling out the folded mission form from her pocket and waving it about. “I’m done with my assignment. When can I see Sonzai-sama?”

“He’s out right now,” came the reply. “I haven’t seen him for hours.”

“Whaaaaa… well… when will he be back? I’m kinda in a hurry.”

The receptionist shrugged. “He didn’t tell me anything.”

“He’s conducting important business,” answered an entirely new voice. Shiori turned around and laid eyes on a cloaked man wearing a porcelain owl mask. “He has requested you specifically.”

Shiori pointed at herself in confusion, and the ANBU nodded in clarification. He stepped forward, snatched the mission report out of her hand, and set it on the receptionists desk. “Please close and file this report.”

With a nod, the receptionist prioritized Shiori’s mission, and Shiori herself was lead out of the building and towards Konoha’s library. The owl-faced ninja lead the way past countless shelves and around many corners, until they eventually arrived at a narrow hallway that terminated in an iron-latched door. On either side of this door were two other ANBU personnel, who unlocked it and stepped aside, gesturing for Shiori’s admittance.

Having received no information on her way here via her deathly silent guide, she merely shrugged and walked in, not expecting any kind of attack or ambush, but nonetheless wary.

[Michael Jackson]

“Oii~ Welcome, Ori-chan,”

As the mention of the metal door opening gradually, and the entrance of the young Chūnin, Sonzai took from his seat punctually, smiling as he released a faint waving gesture. She had gotten the memorandum, and was promptly escorted by the Anbu; they were indeed constructive and did their job with peak proficiency. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the point here at this given moment. There was something more imperative the Hokage wanted to test and that wasn’t the rapidity of the Anbu’s swift execution. His goals were a tad more intricate in design.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked for your attendance,”

That was the obvious question any normal human being would ask after abruptly being shepherded to a foreign location. He hadn’t projected any other conceivable response from the Blonde Kunoichi. If her curiosity was as lively as her personality, it wouldn’t have been long before she inquired in regards to her presence anyway. He had just happened to beat her to the punch, yea, that was it. One hand prompted loosely on the table, tucked over an unwoven scroll, he eyed the document for a moment, asking in the last of the text before smiling.

“Before I explain more, would you tell me what you see here on the table?”

A rhetorical question; and would most likely be viewed as a redundant stall tactic. Nonetheless, is Shiori was as perceptive as Sonzai had expected, she wouldn’t be so rushed to answer, but rather, take the time needed to actually read over the scrolls in a brief skim while they were opened in front of her. Is she did so, she’d see numerous flies and other hypothetical and expounding information on the crafting of Space-Time manipulation. A long series of investigations beginning with the breakdown of the Summoning Technique.

[Sandy]

“Sonzai-sama, always a pleasure,” she said with a pleasant smile and a respectful bow. She moved around to the table he was seated at and slid her nimble fingers across its rigid surface, somewhat curious as to what was going on but probably not as eager as he most assuredly was.

He asked before she could, so she just shrugged and nodded. Her first inclination was that he was researching an old jutsu gleaned from these musty old scrolls. She was rather impressed that even the Hokage didn’t stop his education just because he was considered the strongest shinobi in the village. There was always more to learn and experience.

Still, Shiori was one of his bodyguards, and she wondered why this was the first time hearing about Sonzai’s interest in clandestine techniques. Perhaps he just had never felt the need to openly express it, or he struggled to find the time amidst his busy schedule. Whatever the reason, him asking for her company was becoming clearer.

“Scrolls,” she responded plainly. Shiori wasn’t sure if this was some sort of test or what, but she had a habit of speaking simply and acting big. Her perception wasn’t dull, just practical. Now she was beginning to wonder if he regretted asking for her assistance; hopefully he wouldn’t give up on her.

[Michael Jackson]

He found the simplicity of her answer rather convenient, and something he hadn’t expected from Shiori. Nonetheless, he could sympathize and assumed the lack of information amongst the sudden retrieval of her could only spike such a practical answer. Smiling, he walked to the side of the table, meeting her as he ran his hand across her head, patting the mass of blonde locks as he laughed faintly.

“Not just any scrolls.” He paused for a moment, his eyes diverting back to the incalculable array of scrolls and books on the desk. He pondered on the words he needed to say for a moment, making sure he could form a sentence that would best suit the situation and what exactly he was feeling.

“These are the scrolls that will help me better protect our village,”

Vague, but the actuality of him presenting his projected goals should have been enough to produce some form of admiration in Shiori’s heart. Yes, he was Hokage, and most assumed once you reached such a pedestal of power, you simply stopped. However that was rather from the truth, and this was only evidently proved with Sonzai’s current endeavors.

“The texts of these scrolls and books will help me not only understand, but also to create my own Jikūkan Ninjutsu”

[Sandy]

Shiori shifted a bit under the weight of him rustling her hair. They were like family and she didn’t mind his kid sister-like treatment of her, though she nonetheless found it a bit embarrassing. Luckily the room was devoid of any creepy ANBU; Shiori was certain that they gossiped endlessly among themselves to make up for not talking to anyone else.

“You don’t think you protect the village well enough already?” Her question was confusing because its speaker was confused. Sonzai was strong and smart, and she didn’t think he should be learning new techniques to make up for his inadequacy. Then again, she had never seen him fight before so maybe he was only the strongest shinobi in the village because no one else stood up to accept the position?

She didn’t want to think so negatively about such a good friend so she put it out of her mind. She absorbed the rest of his explanation without interruption, reserving any questions she might have until the end. Not wanting to deter him, she tried to keep it as positive as possible.

“Oooh, I hear those are really strong and hard to learn,” she nodded sagaciously, then let the obvious ignorant tension waft through the air before clearing her throat. “I have no idea what that is.”

Jikūkan Ninjutsu? It sounded like a type of shinobi art focused on food.

[Michael Jackson]

She had placed the obvious sensation of reservation cleanly into the air, and allowed Sonzai to clearly see the confusion that ran down her adorable, round face. Yes, he was Kage, and that title implied much, indeed. Nonetheless, the unwritten peculiarity that any leader should have was that of adaption. Each day, a person was born, and each day someone dies. Each day a realization is established, and each day dreams are met. But with all positives, there were negatives. The prime latter being Konohagakure was on the receiving end of abhorrence post war. No matter how strong Sonzai was individually, his power, or even that of the villages couldn’t endure an onslaught if those who hated the Hidden Leaf banded together to form a mass alliance. If was Sonzai’s job to transcend his talents to fit any given situation, as such, adaption.

“Ori-chan, don’t think carelessly of my power. Nonetheless, I am human as well; I’m involuntarily constantly finding ways to better myself daily. This is just a conscious choice that will help me save the lives of those I love.”

His village was more than an obligation to him, it was a family. A support system transcending generations, and host to such multiplicity and culture. He knew his place in the village- a protector. Nonetheless, he was also aware of his stature in Shinobi world- a target. If he ever planned on maintaining a safe haven around the Hidden Leaf drastic measures would have to be taken, and this was one of them.

She highlighted her own perplexity, and Sonzai smiled. She was young, and such Shinobi Arts weren’t universally experienced in her time; honestly, they weren’t really practiced throughout his time. Nonetheless, he knew they existed, and the documents on the table proved as much. Even the Summoning Technique was a testament to their reality. A reality Sonzai would soon make his own.

“The manipulation of Space and Time, Ori-chan,”

[Sandy]

“Oh.”

Shiori picked up one of the books on the table, read the cover, and then looked back up at him with feigned interest.

“Neat.”

Truth be told, Shiori had never been big on reading books and studying scrolls; she was more of a hand’s on type of girl. Everything she had learned originated from punching logs and diving off of boulders. She felt most at peace when she was sore, tired, and dirty from a hard day’s work. She knew Sonzai was as renowned for the sword as he was for medical ninjutsu, but she didn’t think he had ever experienced physical hardship the same way she had.

She couldn’t fault him for that, though. They were both products of their environment, and Shiori’s environment was the outdoors. Furthermore, he was the Hokage, but even before that he was a very busy and highly successful Jōnin. She was still relatively young and cutting her proverbial teeth. Perhaps when she grew older and more experienced, she’d retreat to the safety of the indoors as well.

“So… um… why do you need me?” She asked, looking up at him with sincerity. Shiori returned the book to the table and brushed a long lock of hair out of her eyes. “I don’t know any of this stuff, Sonzai-sama. Heck, you don’t even let me go on A-rank missions by myself.” She laughed dismissively, though wanted to also set the seed for giving her more career freedom as well.

[Michael Jackson]

“Because I have faith that you’ll be a motivational support that I desperately need,”

Yes, nothing he did was without a cause. This wasn’t for his own egocentric gain in the least bit. His intentions were pure and the deliverance of village, the generations to come in the future depended on his ability to not only protect those who he cherished, but to also maintain a characteristic of guidance unforeseen. Maybe if Shiori could view his allegiance to the village, she would grasp a better understanding of not only the consequence of his position, but to understand him as a person even more so then she already has.

“And I have faith that if anything shall happen to me, you can be a testament to Konoha’s bright future,”

And with this statement, a more philosophical meaning came into play. As the Kages before him, Sonzai was willing to stake his life for the sake of the village. And if, though god forbid, the time had come for him to leave this world, Shiori would be the sole denizen to his legacy, but more prominently, a beckon of hope for the future. Her trials and tribulations weren’t easy to overcome, but she pushed through them with a resolution that transcended her age. She was a living testament to the youth of the village. Sonzai was fighting for them. Picking up a book, he smiled, running his eyes through the open pages of text.

“And plus, you might learn something,” He laughed.

[Sandy]

Shiori didn’t have as much faith in herself as Sonzai did. She remembered hating the academy and suffering through tests and book work. It wasn’t that she couldn’t do it, but her attention span could not last long enough to accomplish anything meaningful.

Still, it was a request from the Hokage, so she begrudgingly took a seat across from him and leaned on her fist, sliding over the nearest book and examining the cover. It was titled “Yūkaku Shinobi” and just glancing over its well-worn pages made her yawn. In order to endure and be the help Sonzai requested, she began to mentally steel herself with a mantra she often used: “In order to complete this task, I will take it as a challenge. I never lose a challenge!”

She hoped it would be enough.

“I don’t think these books will interest me nearly as much as you, Sonzai-sama…” she pushed Yūkaku Shinobi aside and scooped up a cardboard scroll tube. With a flick of her thumb, the lid popped off and she poured out its contents, which included dust, dead bugs, and a half-disintegrated parchment. “Oh, gross.”

The idea of one day being named the Hokage was the dream of every young ninja, and Shiori was no exception. She had never entertained the idea that her friendship and close ties with Sonzai would grant her unique favors, nor did she want them. She wanted to become strong enough to earn the distinction on her own, and Sonzai seemed to think that helping him with his clock and car ninjutsu would lead her down the right path. It was a romantic notion that helped to keep her awake far more reliably than her mantra.

“You know, Sonzai-sama,” she began, flicking the desiccated corpse of a beetle off the table. “Akujin-san knows a lot more about ninjutsu than I do. If you’d like, I could call him and the three of us could work on this together.”

[Michael Jackson]

Sonzai speculated as much to Shiori’s mutiny against surreptitiously helping him. Over the years, he had gathered that her ability lied in observing then practicing, nonetheless, that’s how most gained a new capacity. He was simply trying to instill the more gradual, meticulous arts of study into her. After all being a Shinobi, and more importantly, a Kage required just more then a strong body, but also a strong mind and resolve. Sighing momentarily, Sonzai attempted to play off his awareness to her discomfort and smiled. She still wanted to take part however, but offered the assistance of someone else. Someone who was known for his Ninjutsu Prowess and dazzling Dōjutsu.

Nodding in conformity, Sonzai looked took a seat, placing his head into one of the numerous books and directed his indirect attention to the young Chūnin. “Just ask one of the Anbu outside the door to find him, if you will,” He finished his statement, eyes scanning over with peak efficacy, the fine text that detailed the theory behind relationship between Time and space. He didn’t give her eye contact after that, he simply read. Half the battle was knowing, and as such, he was gradually accomplishing that goal.

[Sandy]

Shiori nodded and rose form her seat, brushing the accumulated dust off her lap and approaching the door. She knocked on it once and motioned to do it twice, but before she could it opened and she nearly punched the mannequin-like ANBU on the other side.

“Um, c-can you summon Uchiha Akujin for me… er… us. Please?” She wasn’t often put in a position to give orders, so she wasn’t entirely sure what to say or how to act. In case her word wasn’t good enough, she thumbed over her shoulder. “Hokage’s orders.”

The masked man tilted ever-so slightly past Shiori to get a look at Sonzai, just to confirm that this wasn’t a prank or some clever ruse to thin their numbers. When he had the confirmation required, he blinked away like an old-fashioned television being turned off, and Shiori returned to her seat.

She slid another book over and cracked it open, thumbing through its contents and periodically taking note of words that seemed to correspond with Sonzai’s request. Then again, seeing as how all of these books dealt with the same topic, “time” and “space” were probably too vague to be reliable.

“So… what exactly am I looking for, Sonzai-sama?”