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Post by Masahige on Aug 22, 2013 14:37:02 GMT -5
A sea of black stood before him; all of them villagers of the Hidden Leaf here to pay their respects to the deceased Rokudaime Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. Masahige's eyes drifted to his predecessor and occasional mentor, and his heart felt the weight of sadness once again make itself known. Before he spoke, he looked to Naruto's family. Sakura looked to him and nodded for him to proceed. They could not keep this ceremony lasting any longer than it needed to.
Masahige's speech was not too long, nor too short. He spoke well of his predecessor, his connection to the village, and to the people within it. After Masahige spoke, he stepped aside to allow Sakura to speak. Many who had not been moved to tears already, now were. When Sakura's speech was done, she was the first to place her flower. Following her was Naruto's children, and then so-on. Masahige placed his next, and then the progression continued.
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Post by Sarutobi Sio on Aug 22, 2013 14:59:06 GMT -5
Sio's feet felt like they were coated in cement that morning, and her heart wasn't far behind. She knew that she just had to get through today, but man...it certainly wasn't going to be easy. Her normal tan flak jacket was replaced with one in black, her pants and shoes matching. Kurama had been silent all morning.
The service was beautiful. Sio and her grandparents were seated behind her good friend, Minato, biting her lip just to keep from crying. She made it through Masahige's speech, and felt fairly accomplished. But once Sakura started speaking, Sio just about lost it, weeping silently into her scarf. The day was almost over, but this was unbearable. Her stomach twisted itself into knots, causing her to squeak in pain with each sob. Sio made her way into the line, gripping her flower close to her as they approached Narutos' casket. Sio could feel a strange welling within her as she stood and waited for the line to progress. A welling of orange-red chakra began to seep out from around her, swiftly forming a tail. Kurama...what are you doing? she thought urgently to the fox as she took a step, realizing she was next. Her heart was pounding as the people behind her took a step back, eyes dancing with fear.
The chakra tail plucked a single flower from the arrangement on the pillar next to them, and as Sio set hers down, the second flower layered itself atop hers as well. And as quickly as the tail had come, it left, dissipating with barely a sizzle. It was a simple motion, really. But it did so much for Sio. It gave her strength. Stepping out of the way so that the next person could pay tribute, she just stood and watched, the tears still coming but not out of sadness. Now out of pride of being a pupil of one of the most loved shinobi in the village. The man who had helped to save the world. This was the legacy he had left her. And she would do it proud.
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Post by shinpachi on Aug 22, 2013 16:21:31 GMT -5
[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top]His head was low but his eyes were locked forward. Being one of the younger shinobi, he was placed closer to the front so it was all the more real for him. The body of the greatest leader this village had known lay lifeless before him. The sun was setting, casting the sky a hue of pink and orange and a setting sun just managed to illuminate the wood of the casket. He was managing not to cry somehow though he'd been close to the Hokage. His grandfather was a mentor to him and his father was a close friend so it was natural that Naruto would act as mentor to Shinpachi, like he did so many other youth in the village. He truly was a great shinobi but an even better man.
The speeches came and went, and the silver-haired Genin endured them because it was all he could do. No display of emotion, no action, nothing he could possibly do could stop the progression of words coming from the Hokage or Sakura's mouth. Nothing he could do could prevent the day from continuing as it would. A gust of wind blew as it was scheduled to blow; the procession would pass by Naruto's casket as it was scheduled to. It was all pre-planned. So organized. Part of Shinpachi's joyful soul dimmed as he finally realized the inevitability of death and the ceremonies surrounding it.
He placed down his flower atop the casket, taking a brief moment's pause. A shinobi is not supposed to cry, he remembered being told. And then he remembered all his encounters alongside Naruto and Minato and Sakura and his father when he was young and he knew Naruto would think it was okay.
So he shed one before he continued walking. Other people had to shed theirs too. |
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Post by D on Aug 22, 2013 16:47:30 GMT -5
[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top]Shinobi die everyday. Even the most prominent and powerful, but you never really think they can. Once they earn their claim to fame, some part of them becomes immortal. They are beyond the reach of the gods. For a time, we fool ourselves of this. But it all has to come to a shocking close when they bite the dust and end up in this casket, laying lifeless, facing the sky. D recalled his grandfather, A, telling him how the same had happened for his father after he took down 10000 men on his lonesome for the sake of his nakama. He laid in a similar casket and A looked on him thinking that such a day could never come.
D stood tall, his dark skin and light hair sticking out in the group of Konoha shinobi that he stood amongst. The Raikage was here to pay his respects to the man he'd heard so much about. The man who was somehow capable of besting his own grandfather's, and by proxy his own Raiton no Yoroi. He was truly legendary. And though he hailed from another village, he deserved the respect of the world and more.
The Raikage laid his flower atop the casket as well as a small golden coin with the emblem of Kumogakure engraved into it.
"We'll miss you too, Hokage-sama. We'll miss you more than you know, brother."
He walked away thinking to himself, while they are still mortal, their immortality lives in those who would go on to remember them; recall their influence fondly and smile when they think back on those heroes of the past. Naruto would join a warm pantheon of shinobi who died for the good of their comrades. The founding and previous Hokage as well as his great-grandfather and grandfather. D, himself, hoped to meet him there someday. |
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Post by Osa on Aug 23, 2013 13:55:03 GMT -5
As the speeches went on Osa would remain steadfast. Death was a natural part of life and the risks grew exponentially higher for those that walked the path of the shinobi. For that reason, many ninja never spoke of living beyond a certain age. Managing to live until such an old age was a testament of the former Hokage's strength, but his most admirable feat was displayed upon all the sad faces in the crowd. This one man was able to touch so many hearts and brought about an era of peace.
The world would feel the weight of his loss soon enough.
Following behind his half-brother in the procession brought many questions to mind. Namely, the relationship between Kumogakure and Konohagakure. Placing his flower on the casket Osa made a silent vow. He would live up to the potential that Naruto saw in him when making him an ambassador. He would keep peace between the villages. It was the least he could do to honor this fallen hero.
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Post by Yagami Iori on Aug 23, 2013 14:38:01 GMT -5
Even the great ones die, though their legacy may live on forever. Naruto was undoubtedly a great shinobi, Hokage, father, friend, and mentor to the youth of his village. A staple that, even with his death, could never be removed or erased from the hearts of the people who he's made an impact upon; which judging from the amount of folks present at his funeral, was surly a lot.
The service was marvelous. The words spoken by the Hokage, and next, the newly dubbed widow, Uzumaki Sakura, wife of Uzumaki Naruto, were truly heart warming. Sitting in attendance, watching, the Kazekage was completely ensnared by the service just as everyone else was. Many came to pay home to the hero of the previous generation.
Matamune, who was clad in an all black attire fitting of the occasion, sat among the first couple rows, his seat wasn't too far from the Raikage's, who was ironically also attending the funeral--
"Rest in paradise, Hokage-sama." He said while placing his own flower upon the wooden casket. He also placed an amber token with the symbols for 'peace' and 'Sunagakure' engraved on both sides of it onto the casket before being escorted back to his seat.
He stepped slowly. As someone who knew Naruto, and his family, on somewhat of a personal level, he could not shake the emotion that was boiling at his core. This was truly a saddening time. But we all have our time in this world of ours, he knew that and he knew Naruto understood that as well. Uzumaki Naruto's name would live on for generations, but his will would, even in his death, never die.
For now, the savior of the world would be able to rest and reunite with all the legends who came before him. Until the day that he is reborn...
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Post by Terumi Rinruri on Aug 24, 2013 17:21:35 GMT -5
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[/ul] The pain of a lost family member is said to be unbearable in many cases. The pain for a friend just as so, and yet when the man who had saved not just your life but the life of almost all you know passed, you could feel the cracks in your heart...all you can do, is let the rain come...in hopes it hides your tears...
Standing in the long procession of ninja, among many of her fellow shinobi was Marā. While she did not know the former Hokage personally, she knew of him, and had worked under him, as did many ninja in the village. She was a young when Naruto became the Hokage, the older ninja having paved the way for her generation and those to follow. She saw the procession of his closest family, those who had the grace to be called his friends and family. The few tears she noticed struck her, not hard though, in a softer spot in her heart, for she could feel the pain of those lost around her. Of all the ninja there though, she was the only one looking up, the sky with clouds over head, speaking of a rain to come to wash away the pain. Had she willed it, the rain would come, but she thought that not for the best. For each drop on the ground was someones tear, someones pain, and those deserved their place and honor.
No one needed to hide their tears this day...
Each tear was a proud symbol, a sign that you knew what was lost, you knew the man who lay there and you will miss him. Each tear was earned, in the countless lives saved, in the crying of the baby as its mother cooed to it softly to calm it, in ever saddened face in the procession. Every tear had earned its place, earned the honor to be claimed for him... For him, it was worth the sadness, it was worth the pain...He, the Rokudaime Hokage, savior of Konohagakure no sato and the people therein, had earned his rest, and these small tears where the only gift they could now give him on this day...
-drip- [/blockquote][/justify]
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Post by Wani Ryuze on Aug 24, 2013 18:57:16 GMT -5
It didn't take long for word to reach around the shinobi world that Amegakure was under new management. Only having been in office a year, Ryuze still had not even had time to completely unpack when the requests for meeting had started to roll in. At first, she let them pile up on her desk in annoyance...where were all the requests to know what was going on with Amegakure when they were at one another's throats for the greater part of sixty years? Then she stopped, breathed and thought. Those letters probably made it into the fireplace to warm the hands of the barbarians who had them under their thumbs for that time. Amegakure had been closed off and isolated during that time, but that was no more. Ryuze would keep an open mind, but she would be no greater village's lapdog.
Konohagakure had arrived first, and so that would be the first she would address. It was from Uzumaki Naruto...the legend, himself. Though Ryuze didn't get excited about much, there was a tickle of excitement up her spine. The Rokudaime Hokage was well-revered in Amegakure, even, despite the battles between Pain and the shinobi of Konohagakure. There was no denying that the existence of Uzumaki Naruto had done a great service to the Shinobi Alliance and to the world the way they knew it. She would be in the presence of, essentially, one of her childhood heroes. Stories of his deeds were what helped her to fuel the cause in Ame. It would have been the equivalent of a child meeting a real-life superhero.
But little could have prepared her for the news she would receive upon arriving at the gates. And what she would see while standing in the corner that day, listening to the teary voices and watching the line of tributes waiting to be paid. Though she did not know any of the people present there, her heart was heavy for them, knowing what it was like to lose someone so dear to you at what felt like far too soon. She did not sit...it was not her place. And she would find her way into the tribute procession last, long after everyone else had gone, paying her respects. That was the difference between childrens' heroes and real life heroes. Children never had to say goodbye to their heroes.
Flanked by one of her clansmen and a Konohagakure escort, Ryuze would leave once the service was over, heading back to her room for some moments of silence and preparation of her paperwork for the new Hokage for their meeting the following day.
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Post by HATA ŌJIN on Aug 25, 2013 20:17:37 GMT -5
[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top]"There is something you all should know, huh?"
He appeared as suddenly as a fly could enter into your vision and leave it moments later. The wind blew allowing his silk kimono to flourish, the colors bright and clear in stark contrast to the sea of black mourning before him. He donned a smile on his face as he tucked a tuft of golden blond hair behind his pale white ears. He tapped his feet, against the tile of the top of the building allowing them all to bring their attention to them. It would be to their best benefit.
"I am aware that three of the five shadows are here. And even the esteemed leader of the Rain Village. Hear me today, comrades..., I do hope we can be comrades in the coming days." he said, his voice's intonation showing he viewed them as equals despite his anonymity. "My name is Hata Ōjin and I have to tell you all, as well as the shinobi here that the Tailed Beast bestowed to the Hidden Sand Village, the Ichibi, is no longer sealed away. No. He is free."
His face grew to stone now, all signs of a lackadaisical nature being drained out. "Before you Kage begin arguing over plans, I'm going to tell you what will be done. Me and my friends have already devised what should be done. We're going to require you all cooperate with us a little, however, to ensure this happens peacefully and as quickly as possible."
He scanned over the crowd shortly, his gaze stopping on a select few before his purple lips curved up once again.
"The Jinchūriki of each of your respective villages. Give them to us. We have to remove their demons as quickly as possible and seal them away in a more... permanent fashion. So... will you work with us Bijūtsukai?" |
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Post by Wani Ryuze on Aug 25, 2013 23:05:16 GMT -5
Before Ryuze could even manage to make her way through the doors, she would immediately be cut off by a flourish of colorful fabric. Okay...I'll just go back to where I was...I guess. she thought to herself with a shrug, turning back and leaning against the wall. Things were about to get interesting. Nothing ever could just go smoothly, could it?
The thing that had blocked her exit now proved itself to be a person...man...thing. It was quite pretty. And colorful would be an understatement. And it apparently had a lot to say. Unfortunately, the news wouldn't be good. Ryuze didn't know everything there was to know about the biju and the jinchuriki. She knew OF them at the very best, and she knew enough to know that one on the loose was a very bad situation. Not her very bad situation, mind you. But bad for...whoever happened to come across the Shukaku, she supposed. She watched Ojin with an unchanging expression.
Oh good... there was a solution. A little smile played on her lips at this revelation. Was this what they had all been missing in Ame for 60 years? If so, Ryuze would gladly go home now and seal their gates for another sixty. Hidden Village couldn't even keep track of a sand raccoon, and now it's tearing around the countryside like a rabid cur. How on earth was she going to get help from any of these people when it was becoming so obvious that some of them couldn't even manage their own affairs. This "solution" that Ojin had piqued her interest, though. The villages giving up their jinchuriki? How would that sit with the Kage? Not well, she could only imagine. A jinchuriki was a valuable asset to a village that had one. Not that Amegakure would know anything about that. But that was neither here nor there, and something she was thankful for at this particular moment in time. Removal of the biju always resulted in death, as well. Ryuze knew that, and that part of the plan unsettled her. Though she had little opinion of biju and jinchuriki in and of themselves, what Ojin was planning would result in numerous deaths of hosts.
Again, though...not her problem. Not yet, anyway. She she had no stake in this. Had no reason to ever ally with Ojin and his ilk. Still, though, she felt compelled to stick around and see what came of this. These were no small peanuts that they were dealing with, and the reactions of the present three Kage might steer her into deciding which of them, if any, would be worth her time.
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Post by Masahige on Aug 26, 2013 1:14:49 GMT -5
Moments before the intruder had made his grand entrance, a masked shinobi appeared at Masahige's side. It was one of the ANBU monitoring the barrier around the village, and he provided Masahige with information that somebody has trespassed into the village before disappearing a moment later. Masahige's brow furrowed, and he signaled for guards to position themselves nearby.
At the moment of the intruder's grand entrance, Masahige was not truly surprised. He looked at the man dressed in questionable style and sighed after he'd finished speaking. This was not what Masahige had wanted to deal with on the day of Naruto's funeral. This did not need to occur. And yet it was occurring. There was a likely unavoidable conflict approaching.
"I wonder," Masahige began, "If you truly believed your words would hold any weight, would you not have scheduled a meeting with us at a more convenient time?"
Yes, he was chastising the intruder. What else was there to do? His ANBU were already surrounding the area, ready to make their move against the intruder. He was prepared to enter combat himself, but he hoped this man would come to realize the futility of confrontation at this moment.
"The Hidden Leaf Village will not provide you with it's Jinchūriki. Though I cannot speak for my guests, the Lord Raikage and the Lord Kazekage, I suggest that you leave my village now."
A pit of tar had formed in a space clear of people, though no hand seals had been necessary for it's formation. That, and the Tar Clone that emerged from it, were a simple statement from Masahige that he was not at all pleased with this intrusion.
DOTON MASTERY EARTH RELEASE: TAR PIT TAR CLONE
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Post by Sarutobi Sio on Aug 26, 2013 11:12:49 GMT -5
Their mourning would not go without interruption. What was supposed to be a day of honor and reverence would be desecrated by the arrival of Ojin, soaring in on a symphony of technicolor. Sio only stood and watched, but she could not help but feel a certain prickle on her spine at his arrival.
This man would not be heralding any sympathies of condolences. He came to shake things up. Even Kurama was uneasy for some reason, and she felt the fox stirring within her. The words that would leave Ojin's mouth would give some cause to that stir. "The...Shukaku...broke free?" Sio muttered to herself, eyes wide. First of all, she had heard that it could happen, but it always seemed like one of those things that one always was warned about but would never happen. Kind of like running with your shoes untied, tripping and breaking your neck. That never happened to anybody, right? But the Shukaku escaping would yield more than a skinned knee for whoever came across it. That crazy bastard is on the loose. Kurama growled. He's dangerous, for no other reason than he's always been batshit insane.
Sio's heart rate was rising now. This was bad news. And if it could happen to the Shukaku's host, it could happen to any host. It could happen to her. Not that Kurama seemed to have any interest in breaking free. Surely, he could have done it already. Sio was not the strongest shinobi in the village. He could probably blow that seal and take off into the night if he wanted to. So...why hadn't he.... There would be no time to contemplate this latest thought, though, as the next words out of Ojin's mouth would shock the entirety of the crowd present for the funeral.
The Jinchūriki of each of your respective villages. Give them to us. We have to remove their demons as quickly as possible and seal them away in a more... permanent fashion. Sio's breath caught in her throat. He wanted Konoha to...give her away? So they could strip Kurama from her and seal him away forever? And...by extracting Kurama from her, she would die. They wanted to essentially kill her and get rid of the Biju forever. Sio didn't want that at all. She had never met any other jinchuriki, but she had to imagine at least some of them wanted to live. She knew she wanted to. And though she was none too excited when Naruto told her of his plan, she had gotten used to it by now. And was even beginning to appreciate it. She was starting to like talking to Kurama. She had no idea if he liked her, too, but she didn't want it to end. She didn't want to die, and she didn't want Kurama to be sealed away forever.
Humans seal us into jinchuriki in order to use our chakra and our powers to fight their ridiculous wars with one another. Kurama thought bitterly, his anger beginning to mount. Then, when we become too much of an inconvenience, when we're no longer under their control and jurisdiction, they want to get rid of us. Kurama...Take it easy... Sio urged. She could feel her chakra beginning to surge. This guy doesn't know us. You can't lose control here...it could be bad for us. The fox snarled, tempering his anger and settling down. Still, there would be a dull buzz within Sio that she could feel deep down. He was enraged, and would not be settled so easily. I'm not going to let him take you. Or any of the others. she assured him. Kurama started to scoff, but caught himself, put his head down and closed his eyes. He knew deep down that she was right. That he couldn't reveal himself to Ojin. It was better this way. But still, it was not Kurama's style to just let it go.
Masahige took the helm now, stepping forward to confront Ojin. He, like many of the funeral goers, was none too pleased to have their day interrupted with this, though he would be one of the few to be vocal about it. It made Sio feel a bit better to hear him say with such conviction that he would not give her up, and suggested that Ojin leave the village, punctuated by the arrival of a tar clone from the pit that had just appeared. Sio couldn't help but get amped up now. This was their Hokage in action. If Ojin insisted on pushing the issue, he was going to see why this was the man chosen to succeed Uzumaki Naruto.
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Post by HATA ŌJIN on Aug 26, 2013 14:49:03 GMT -5
[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top]"Oh, Hokage-sama, you flatter me with your display. I didn't come here to fight you all and I understand I'm interrupting dear Naruto-sama's funeral... it is quite the shame that I had to do this, but you don't understand the urgency. Perhaps I should let you all in on a secret...," he peeked around as if to tell a secret. He cupped a hand around the side of his mouth, his eyes widening, crazed. "Ichibi... he's in Hi no Kuni. And he's not behaving. He's killing."
He dared not move from his spot lest he have to resort to a fight. That'd simply be too troublesome. He sighed, placing his palm against his head. "I am of the Hata clan. You must know if us, Hokage. We're a clan of ninja who didn't accept our invitation into the Hidden Leaf and we reside in the forests of this country as all of our ancestors did. It is true, I have no sense of comradery with your shinobi of this village by virtue of homes. But we share comradery in being shinobi, as did all those years ago when the Ten Tails terrorized this world a second time. As such, we realize the good that can come from taking a few lives to save the whole. Your founding leader, Senju Hashirama understood this. The Uchiha and Senju only joined forces because he'd kill himself over his brother.
"Jinchūriki, as shinobi themselves, should have this same will. Save your brother by taking your own life. My father told me being a Bijūtsukai meant being strong enough to be a Jinchūriki, but not being one. I am an empty shell capable of holding a Bijū. So were I chosen to be the vessel of one of those cursed beasts, I would gladly give my life so that you could all live.
"I won't monologue any further. I'll simply leave you all with this. The Jinchūriki of the Gobi gave her life. She willingly came with us, but naturally, the Gobi would not have himself be sealed away so easily. I, alone, brought him down and sealed him away. My friends are of equal capabilities as I. Kage. Leaders of villages. You are responsible for the bloodshed these beasts cause, because you cling to them instead of putting them away forever. In efforts to obtain power you put your people at risk. It's a shameful thing. I ask once more. Give me your Jinchūriki." |
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Post by Yagami Iori on Aug 26, 2013 15:12:08 GMT -5
His gaze was upon the the new arrival, watching as a bystander would as he arrived and attempted to sway those present with his words. It seemed that the colorfully clad disturbance wasn't there to cause any trouble, yet they were present only to petition for the three Kage to hand over their Jinchūriki. He brushed his hand against his side, the end his haori tucked backwards allowing Matamune to grasp his pipe as he made his up to the podium that was at the very front-end of the space.
Before all those who heard the announcement given by Ōjin, the Kazekage stood firmly, just as the Raikage and Hokage should. He was unembarrassed, with barely any notice of a reaction to the monologue.
"What he says is true," he confirmed the part of the speech that was relevant to him with a nod, his furry arms folding inward over his black attire. "In recent days the Ichibi has been lost, some might even say that it broke the sealing that bound it to its' Jinchūriki. While my Forces are currently on the verge of apprehending and returning the Shukaku to my village, our friend here, though abrupt and rude, may have a valid point."
He took a moment to let his pipe smoke, graying clouds billowed and fluttered from the bowl. His big pools of green looked out to the sea of black, the congregation of shinobi who stood before the podium he stood atop of.
"Hokage-sama, Rakage-sama," he beckoned for the attention of his allies at arms, "The analysis gathered on the Ichibi states that it subdued its' Jinchūriki by sheer will, taking over the host's body. With these powers, I almost feel inclined to urge you to listen..." Matamune stopped for a moment as the man of the man escaped him.
"Maybe it is time that we revert back to the times of old, and fight solely as shinobi, without the the use of bijū among our ranks. Lives may be lost," he took a breath, his eyes show upward, glancing at Ōjin. "But we will continue to secure the world as we know it."
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Post by D on Aug 26, 2013 15:52:51 GMT -5
[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top]"This is bullshit." the Raikage would offer, his mouth curling up into a scowl. His eyebrows trembled deeply, anger imprinted onto his face. How could this all have happened? How could this all transpire so quickly, without even the slightest bit of information leaking across the world? A Tailed Beast, the most savage of them all, if you asked D, was running free in the very country he was currently in. And to further it, the cat didn't think it imperative to tell the rest of the world leaders gathered here. To add insult to injury, this painted bitch was here ruining one of his hero's funeral. Someone had to pay. His grandfather wouldn't stand for this. He'd break a table. It was time to break a table.
"I will not stand for this type of shit. I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS SHIIIIIIIIT! IKUZO!! An eruption of chakra would burst from the boy kage before he was surrounded in lightning. He glared holes into the painted bitch's forehead before he appeared behind him, faster than any eye present that day would be able to trace, a lightning-imbued kunai resting close to his lithe neck.
"You will leave this village now. No Jinchūriki will be given to you today!" His eyes shifted to the cat. "You! Catbitchkage. You have explaining to do!"
Ōjin laughed nervously, throwing his hands up as a sort of white flag. "Ohohoho, Raikage-sama, hot as ever, woooohoooo~! Worry not, Kage. I have no violent intentions, as I've told you. Here--I'll give you all two months to come to a consensus before I return for them. It'll give you all time to get over your shame," he smiled coyly at the Kazekage, "and anger." He looked to the Hokage before looking back at the rash Raikage standing before him.
"We'll handle this all later, kaaaay~!" he smiled before disappearing from sight.
As he did, the lightning's cackle would silence and the display subside. D returned his kunai to leg pouch, eyes still locked on the cat.
"Hokage-sama, how shall we proceed? This funeral is obviously spoiled now. A shame the great Naruto would have his period of mourning marred in this way." he finished, knowing full well he was getting more than a few odd glances from the black sea of shinobi. |
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Post by Uzumaki Minato on Aug 26, 2013 16:09:16 GMT -5
He sat silently through most of the ceremony, keeping to himself as he fought to stay strong and hold back all his tears that he wanted to release. This wasn't the place for that though, or at least that's how he felt about it. He'd come to grips less than twenty four hours ago with his Grandpa Naruto's death, and he felt he shouldn't mourn the loss of a person he would one day see again.
Something held him back though, something stopped him from viewing and placing his token upon the casket when the rest of his family did. Palm resting against his forehead, he gritted his teeth.
He was on the very last row, looking onward as everything began to unfold. As everyone's attention as drawn to the vibrantly clad man, who spoke with a weird accent and weird hair.
"Who the hell is that?" he asked himself as he stood from his seat, just like most of the other attendants did as well. Though he could hear a majority of what was going on, his view wasn't the best.
Unfortunately, he couldn't see much, so he made his way around the crowd in hopes of finding a better view. The task, though it theoretically seemed easy, it wasn't. With the appearance of the man who called himself Ōjin, many from the crowd began to scatter. The good appeared to be turning towards the worse, and seemed to be coming quickly, and they didn't want to be apart of it.
"Move move move," he repated multiple times as he finally got himelf in a close enough proximity that he'd be able to both hear and see--
By then he was too late. It seemed the visitor would be leaving, though, he was able to at least catch a glimpse of the man's pale face. It was a face he wouldn't forget; for now though, that was the lesser of two evils. As he arrived, standing not too far behind as Hokage, he heard what the boy Kage asked his sensei, Masahige--
"Nothing!!" yelled Minato, "You can't let anything happen to Sio-chan, sensei...!!"
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Post by Masahige on Aug 26, 2013 16:43:16 GMT -5
Masahige remained silent for a few moments. He was not just angry at what had transpired or what had just been revealed; he was furious. He let his Tar Clone collapse into the tar pit it stood upon, and then he raised his arm to the side. The ANBU surrounding the area gathered behind him and remained still, nervously waiting for their leader to give their next orders.
Before he addressed the Kazekage or the Raikage, Masahige looked to his villagers and took in their facial expressions and the reactions they were giving. Some of them were staring directly at Sio. "Guard the Jinchuriki with your lives," Masahige stated, and quit loudly. "Anyone who attempts to take her before my decision is made is to be put down."
Some of his villagers gave him distressed looks, while others gave him a mix of pleased and displeased looks. Those that didn't hear him speak were soon told by those who did, and the message continued to travel through the crowd. In the end, however, they began to disperse and return to their homes.
"Lord Raikage," Masahige addressed him. "For the moment, I think it is best that yourself and the Lord Kazekage return to your villages as soon as possible. I'm afraid I will need time to calm the Hidden Leaf after this unsightly intrusion. If there is anything I can provide you with before your journey back to the Hidden Cloud, I'm willing to oblige. I would also like to request that we meet again at another time to discuss this situation thoroughly after things have become more settled."
Then he turned to the Kazekage, who had failed to mention Shukaku's current status.
"Lord Kazekage, you must be aware of how displeased I am that your problem has now become mine, and that I was made aware of it by an intruder in my village. I respectfully advise that the Hidden Sand deals with this situation more quickly."
Finally, Masahige looked to his newly acquired pupil. Minato didn't seem to truly understand the reality of the situation at hand. "I will do what I must for the sake of the village," he replied.
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Post by Sarutobi Sio on Aug 26, 2013 17:56:10 GMT -5
Sio was paralyzed by fear. Not only because of what Ojin was saying, but because it made sense. She was scared that she not only understood what he was saying, but that she saw how others might come to agree with him. If what happened to the Shukaku was true, then no one was immune. It could happen to any of the other jinchuriki. It could happen to her. The jinchuriki of the Gobi knew this, and that was the most frightening part of all. When a crazy idea is crazy, everybody knows it and nobody wants any part of it. But when a crazy idea makes sense, and one person jumps on board, like a flock to their shepherd, others will follow. Even if it's not other Jinchuriki, it could mean other people sharing the sentiment. And the masses were hard to overpower.
Ojin's departure would not mean the end of her worries. She felt a collective of eyes shift to her now that the spectacle was gone. Some of them were sympathetic, apologetic, and understanding. Others...burned into her with something that she did not have a name for. Kurama... Sio thought to herself nervously. You...you wouldn't do what the Shukaku did...would you? She had to know. Even if he lied to her, it would make her feel better. She had to know...she had no idea where they stood. But even Kurama was shaken by the ordeal. Shut up, Sio. he snarled, addressing her by name for the first time that she could recall. Normally, he just called her "whelp" or some variation of it. I...I just....I kind of see what he's saying. I don't want to. I want to think he's some crazy, blathering bastard. But... I said....shut up. I'm trying to think. I don't want you to get sealed away forever. Ojin thinks you're just a thing, but I know that's not true. Konoha knows it's not true. You're smart. And strong. And you have hopes and dreams, like me. Don't you, Kurama? You know what life and death are. You know what it means to be happy, to be angry...And you haven't done anything wrong.
Masahige's booming voice bought her back. Everyone was still watching her. ""Pro...tect me...t-take me? Put...down..." she mumbled each of these things, the words seeming hollow and meaningless. But inside her mind, she knew exactly what they all meant. They meant that the idea of her even surviving to celebrate a sixteenth birthday just got cut down drastically. Sio wasn't Naruto. She didn't have what Naruto had. She wasn't some phenom. She wasn't some sage. She wasn't the master of her biju. She had only had him six days at this point and already, there were more people who wanted her dead than she could probably count on both hands and toes.
Unable to take it anymore, Sio turned and sprinted out of the building and down the road. She had no idea where she was going or what she was doing...this was all she had at this moment. And she ran until she felt like her lungs were going to burst and her legs were going to wobble out from under her. But this was one problem that she wasn't going to be able to run away from.
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Post by Terumi Rinruri on Aug 26, 2013 19:05:41 GMT -5
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[/ul] When the Hokage spoke, people listened, when she heard the news and witnessed the incident form where she stood, little could she think to do besides protecting the others if a battle did ensue. But the station of hostilities subsided for the most part, her eyes trained from each shinobi and person in the area of the conflict, finally the eyes of the cloud fell upon Sio.
Something in the young ones eyes caught Marā, and she waited, seeing the events unfold as they did. When the girl ran though, it was the job of the Jounin to protect the younger Genin and people of the village. Marā disappeared in a blur of motion, along the rooftop she would appear, trailing behind the young girl, taking the Hokage's words to heart. With her current state and without others nearby, the man whom demanded the Jinchuuriki could be in a prime position to just take what he asked for. This line of thought entered her head, and so she stayed close to the girl. Finally she would appear on the road in front of her, standing up from her crouched position. Marā adjusted her glasses and looked to the young girl, a soft smile, as if to say everything was going to be alright
[/i]"[/color][/ul] She said, very softly, as she stood her ground in front of Sio. Marā as a ninja and member of this village, as a woman who had been through dark times, not unlike the things Sio was currently parading through her mind, knew what Sio wanted. And she was asking her to wait, to stop running and listen, not because Marā was older or wiser, not because she knew the girl personally or cared for her like a family member, but because... Today was not the day for fear... Today was to honor Naruto Uzamaki, and his courage and commitment to the village. Running away, was not what he would have wanted. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
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Post by Wani Ryuze on Aug 26, 2013 21:14:39 GMT -5
This was all extremely interesting and even more dramatic. But she was getting exactly what she needed from this entire exchange. If she didn't think he was halfway to being a complete nutjob, Ryuze might have thanked Ojin for his intrusion. She let her gaze trail the three shadows, starting with the Raikage. Hot-blooded fool. He's cute, though. Give him another seven years or so... she thought to herself, looking at D. Next, she found herself at the cat. Now that...that just ain't right. she thought, furrowing her brow. Besides being all kinds of wrong, he put the entirety of the shinobi world at risk with his inaction. Finally, she looked to the Fire shadow. Impulsive, yet determined. A bit of the hot-blood, himself, but it's excusable, given the circumstances.
But she couldn't help but reflect on Ojin's words. What he was saying was neither ridiculous or untrue, when one really put things into perspective. Given the facts available now, he was quite right. Jinchuriki were not needed. Villages such as Amegakure and Kusagakure were proof of that, never having been in possession of one in shinobi history. Biju were dangerous when not properly maintained. The loosed Shukaku was proof of this. And the fact that he was now in Hi no Kuni proved to be a major point of contention for them. Perhaps his ideals, though controversial, were not baseless or without merit. Though once Ojin was gone and every eye in the village fell upon a young, dark-haired girl in a maroon scarf, it didn't take long for Ryuze to see what was going on. And for her to feel sick at the very thought of extracting the Biju from that girl and snuffing out her life.
Shinobi were what they were. They knew what they had to do, and that's all there was to it. That much was universal throughout the villages. By that rationale, though, Ryuze was a poor shinobi. She was soft. This much she was aware of, and did not seek to change it. Her clanmates always chided her gently for bawling when a comrade was lost, or for refusing to leave anyone behind. Life was sacred to her...it was an attribute, while not necessarily fitting or conducive to being a shinobi, that she treasured. She had not freed Amegakure out of any sense of duty to it. She had not sullied her soul and desecrated her purity out of dedication to the shinobi code. No..even if she was a civilian armed with nothing more than a stick and a rock on a string, she'd have still gone to war with those tyrants because she loved her home. She loved it and everyone in it, and didn't want to bury any more of her comrades. She wanted children to grow up and play instead of washing blood off their hands.
She was a shinobi with her heart in her hands.
It would be on this note that she would turn and leave, not too soon after the young Jinchuriki would bolt out in grief. She was not a part of the discussion of Ojin's proposition, and thus would not stay and be party to it. Instead, she would head down the road where a confrontation of sorts would be taking place. A kunoichi had stepped in the path of the frustrated Jinchuriki, attempting to stop her from getting away. Though it was not her place, Ryuze decided that if she was to make any enemies here, it would be from doing what felt right.
"She needs to clear her head. " Ryuze said, approaching the pair. "Let her go on ahead, fair kunoichi." She could see the muscles twitching beneath Sio's skin as she gritted her teeth and balled her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palm. Ryuze did not know what it was like to basically be told in front of God and everybody that your life means nothing, and that you should die for the good of the people. She had to imagine that it felt pretty shitty. But she did know what it was like to just not be able to deal. To be on the verge of shutting down. Ryuze knealt down next to Sio, and took a tense fist into her hand. It would seem strange, coming from a complete stranger, but she hoped Sio would understand, and if she needed to yell at her or hit her, she would be ready to take it.
"Listen...That was some terrible, heavy stuff that you had to hear back there. And it's okay to be scared, and mad, and hurt, and it's okay right now not to know what to do. Go and do whatever you need to do to get your head together. And deal with this, then. But no matter how hopeless it seems, don't you ever give up. Six kids against a clan of tyrants seemed hopeless eleven years ago, too. But I came out of it okay, eventually. " Ryuze stood, her eyepatch and scarred left side illuminated by the street lights."Not great, but okay. And that's all we can really ask for. And I know you'll come out of this okay, too."
Giving Sio's hand a squeeze, she then let go and gave her shoulder a pat, turning and starting to walk away. What would happen to the young jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed fox, she honestly did not know. But she knew looking into that soul as tortured as her own, if not moreso, that what she needed more than anything was hope. At that age, when nothing seems right and it all seems insanely out of whack and you're just not sure how you're going to get through the day, much less the next fifty or so decades, one can't overestimate the value of a hand on a shoulder, a hug or someone to just say "I understand."
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