this dagger stabs three ways [invite]

[Fushigi Ketsuro]

There was a fly on the wall, and the Fushigi had sent it. Ketsuro ignored it at first, and talked to the receptionist. Their exchange was brief; she knew who he was, and she was more afraid of him than a deer was of a bear. Ketsuro was used to that reaction. Flies were seen as an evil thing in Kaminari no Kuni, and the Fushigi were known for their dark ways in old wives tales. Truth be told, the secretary’s reaction was like sex to him, sweet in all the right ways.

With a nervous nod she took him down the hall and towards the office of the Raikage. Ketsuro allowed the fly to slowly crawl after him. It was recording, he knew, and it’d record the entire meeting between the Shikaku and the Raikage. But that was intended. Nurturing a tree of betrayal required taking certain risks, and this was one of them.

Ketsuro awaited his summons into the office, hands dead at his side.

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] D was unlike other Kage. It was because he was a boy, yes, but also because he didn't have all the tons of paperwork to mill through. He'd did away with paperwork the moment he stepped into the office, handing a copy of his stamp to the Yoippari who'd grown up with him and were made into his attendants even to this day. They sat in the room below his, stamping away until their forearms burned while D sat in his office... doing whatever it was the fuck he wanted to. So when D was informed that the Shikaku was to be in his office shortly, he didn't have much shuffling to do to even appear as though he was prepared. He was weary of the meeting however. The decision to make a Fushigi the Shikaku was a decision D could never understand. In fact, it was one of the only decision his grandfather made that D couldn't fathom. There was no good blood between the bloodline and the Fushigi... no one had good blood with the Fushigi. Being involved with them was an omen in and of itself. Even moreso than the omen of if a fly flew into any particular room. He recalled his youth when his mother taught him how to kill a fly with a kunai. And she told him... kill them all. 'If you see a fly, even if you're about to be stabbed by a man, kill the fly before anything else. You'll find your luck turns up faster than you know.' It was a mantra he followed to the letter. He stood with his back to the door as the receptionist would let in the frail excuse for the leader of the ANBU. It was so ironic that the man whose sole responsibility was to report to the Raikage was not trusted by the very man. A family name could carry relationships so far, unfortunately. In the few meetings they'd had since D was made Raikage did nothing in the way of fixing it. "Fushigi Ketsuro," D began, turning and walking over to his chair. He extended a hand to let the man know he could be seated before his face exploded. "A FLY! KETSURO-KUN, KILL IT PLEASE! KILL IT IMMEDIATELY!!!" He reserved back into tranquility once the outburst finished... It was one thing to have an idea of a clan and talk dirty behind their backs, but to insult the clan to its face was rude and out of line. His mother would have sent him to live with the cats for a month were she here. It was still unfortunate that the flies had their good name marred by such a dark clan, however. Poor flies... "I apologize, Ketsuro-san...," D frowned and casting his head down. "I have been incredibly disrespectful in just seconds of you being here. I hope you can forgive me..." The second ability of the Aogan stems from the extra somatic neurons which specialize in electroreception. These neurons are highly specialized and specific and provide the user of the Aogan a sixth sense of electrolocation. By sensing the electrical impulses which stimulate muscle twitch, the Aogan user is capable of sensory. These neurons emit a small amount of chakra constantly and when trained can extend from the basic five meters to a higher twenty meters.

[Fushigi Ketsuro]

D’s outburst gave Ketsuro a thin smile. He was a child when compared to his grandfather, and him becoming Raikage was no doubt because of his bloodline...and whatever scant amount of skill it had given him. That same bloodline had instilled within the roots of the village the desire to rebel; a desire that Ketsuro thought was one of the purest of all.

“No offense taken, Raikage-sama,” Ketsuro replied. He took his seat and looked over to the fly. His smile had yet to fade. “It’s fine, Raikage-sama. Flies are as harmless as the weather.”

And so the game had begun. Ketsuro knew that D was strong, but his intelligence had yet to prove itself. He turned back to face the young leader and he placed his hands in his lap. Everything he said from here on out would either be a lie, a half-truth, or a revelation; he hoped that D could divine what he needed to know out of it.

“I’ve come to bring you an important report, Raikage-sama. One day ago, a war began between two bordering countries: Tsuchi no Kuni and Taki no Kuni.” Ketsuro’s voice was bored as he spoke. The actual war meant nothing to him, it was just the easiest way to convey his message.

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] Funny. Just those few words he spoke provided D with enough information about what this little "chat" would be about. Ketsuro might have doubted the boy kage's intelligence, but that was his first and largest mistake in dealing with him. D was known for being silly in situations where no threat was posed to him, but he was always known as a shinobi above all else. Espionage was inherent in the profession and it was easy to known when one was spying in such a blatant way. No doubt, Ketsuro knew the reputation his clan's summon had about the entirety of the country. Not to kill it, even in the face of his leader... it was the most blatant sign he would throw out to start the meeting. D internalized the thought, smirking as he Ketsuro looked at him after turning away from the fly. "Are they really not harmless? Interesting... they have such tiny brains, flies. My mother said they weren't brains at all. Just a little conglomeration of cells posing as brain cells. I always thought something so dumb had no business being alive." They were venomous words and in truth, D was speaking of the Fushigi clan, not just their flying companions. D was sure at this point that they both knew this "conversation" would be a battle between wills. But he could continue to hide behind the curtain that was his playful demeanor. "I was supposed to kill them on sight back in the compound. But my mommy is not here today," he smiled as he leaned back in his chair and turned to look to the small red compound eyes of the fly. His would flash green and like that, he was in. "She's not here to see me play with this little thing." he smiled "innocently" as he made the fly zoom over and land atop his finger. He looked over to Ketsuro so he could examine his face as his leader played with his little black bug without regard for his feelings. He wouldn't make a move on it yet. He would simply let it sit as news of the war hit his ears. He yawned in reply. "Really?" He chuckled. "That Tsuchikage over there sure is a firecracker, huh? "This is somewhat troublesome however. The international arena can't really handle a war right now with these people running around looking for Biju also can they? Think that maybe they're vying for one another's beasts? Iwa did lose the Gobi and Takigakure is in possession of the Shichibi. Drama, drama! However, I can tell by how bored you are with this that there is something... more to the story? Perhaps something completely unrelated?" He allowed the fly to buzz about the room some more before bringing it back to his desk so it could crawl atop the tip of his sandals. It kind of tickled when it touched his flesh. "Perhaps these flies aren't as evil as mother led on. They're too dumb to be harmful, huh?" Higamigokoro ■ Warped Mind ■ 僻心 ■ Unranked Higamigokoro is a hypnotic ninjutsu relying on the Aogan's ability to hypnotize it's opponents. This technique is used after establishing eye contact with the intended target; the user creates an impulse of chakra establishing a link to the target's brain. By utilizing this chakra link, the user of this technique is capable of stopping actions potentials that already exist and creating new ones in another person's body. Typically, people are unable to resist the hypnotic effects of this hiden, however, people of particularly high will power are capable of dispelling this technique.

[Fushigi Ketsuro]

D was as aggressive as his grandfather, that was for sure. Like a bully on the playground, he played with the fly, and everything he said was just another jab at the Fushigi clan; however, Ketsuro didn’t really care. Of course, he kept his smile, and his crossed arms made it seem like he was listening, but truth be told, the Fushigi clan and their rebellion was...well, one doesn’t really get mad when their toy is insulted.

“Nothing unrelated, I assure you Raikage-sama. In fact, I think this news from Taki no Kuni is probably the best we’ve received in a long time. With a place with as many legends as that being invaded, I’m sure some will be proven and others found out as false, yes?” Ketsuro smiled wider now. “And as for the flies, no, they aren’t evil at all. Just a bit misunderstood, I think. All they want to do is feed, and to live to continue on their genetic legacy. But…”

Ketsuro stopped talking for a moment and reached into the white jacket he wore. What he pulled out was a plain scroll with no markings on it. Placing it on the table, Ketsuro smile disturbingly grew from ear to ear. This entire conversation was arousing him in a way no woman ever had, and given the fact that he was a eunuch, this was the only way he could feel pleasure. With a flick the scroll fell over, crushing the fly. Old man Daisuke would be mad that his spy died, but he wasn’t going to live much longer.

“...Sometimes they get a bit too overzealous, and then it gets swatted. If Iwa wins their little war and marches on us, or those bijuu hunters come, it’ll be hard to fight when dealing with such an annoying swarm, now won’t it?”

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] Now he'd piqued D's interest even further by killing the fly. He looked over at the scroll then at Ketsuro. 'I'm going to have to replace this one.' "Excuse me, Ketsuro-san," he started as he sat back up straight in his chair once again. "I know I am young, seventeen to be exact, many years your junior... but I am no novice to military tactics. I have served on of the most revered platoons of shinobi to ever grace the earth, after all. Iwa is half the continent away. To march on us, they'd have to cross many countries and place their troops far from home. It's not... impossible for them to attempt to march on us, but I place more faith in the intelligence of the Tsuchikage as to know they cannot simply march on Kaminari no Kuni without being absolutely obliterated. We know these lands better than anyone else. These mountains that line this nation are treacherous and not just anyone can traverse them. "There is a far more pronounced threat in the Tailed Beast Tamers since we know nothing of their tactics and whatever else. But I am confident we can suppress them if they make their way east." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I would be rather concerned however if this fly swarm were to befall our village however. You might like these flies, but I assure you the country as a whole is suspicious of them. They cannot simply swarm without repercussions, don't you think so? "Furthermore,... you think I would allow this without blowing them each up one at a time? I know you are no fool, Ketsuro-san."

[Fushigi Ketsuro]

Ketsuro let out a barking laugh at D and leaned back in his chair. He crossed one leg over the other and propped up his face with his left hand. His smile was smaller now, but no less apparent on his face.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Raikage-sama. I must thank you; your grandfather never indulged me like this. But, regardless, I’ve learned a lot about you just now. As has my clan.”

At that, Ketsuro snapped his fingers and the seal binding the scroll faded away, allowing him to unravel it. “In that scroll are the whereabouts of every single fly summoned by my clan within the last sixty years. You’ll find that most of the shinobi villages have been infested, though Konoha, Kiri, Taki, and Suna’s flies have all gone quiet for one reason or another. More importantly, you’ll find that for the last ten years, my family has been very interested in the activities of the other clans.

“Almost seventy years ago, on this very date, the Uchiha clan was wiped out. Now, while it’s said that they were killed by Uchiha Itachi for seemingly no reason, doesn’t it strike you odd that a clan was wiped out before having the chance to get help? It’s almost as if the whole village was in on it, yeah? Now imagine that in reverse. Imagine as if a large portion of the village was trying to kill their leader. Wouldn’t it strike someone odd that he died without getting any help from his village?”

At that Ketsuro leaned in. His legs were uncrossed, and his elbows rested on his knees. There was a predatory look in his eyes, as if he was currently hunting some prey. It wasn’t far from the truth. “And if that happened, it’d mean there’s a chasm in the village, and no mountains would protect us then.” Ketsuro’s smile suddenly faded, and his face turned deadpan. “And then I would die, and then I’d be pissed. When your grandfather appointed me, he gave me a very special order before he died, and due to certain circumstances, every Raikage from him on would have my undying loyalty. It’s a bit of an annoyance sometimes, but I guess it’s the price we pay for fun in this life, yeah?

“So, as your Shikaku, Raikage-sama, I’ve brought you this information. The Fushigi are conspiring with other shinobi clans to kill you. They plan on using me to make that opening. I’m their double-edged dagger. But I’m a dagger that stabs three ways, Raikage-sama.”

Ketsuro leaned back again and grinned. He moved his hands slowly through the air, as if asking D to take in everything around them. “So how about you and I do that pretty little secretary outside a favor and kill all these flies before they get us all killed, yeah?

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] 'Either my grandfather was a fool or wise beyond anything else I've ever fathomed.' D was no less wary of the man before him despite his "revelation". One thing A taught him was to always be distrustful. Ninja have no room for trust in their repertoire of thoughts and emotions. To be trustful was to be a fool. To be a fool meant you would die. And so did D form his interactions with all people he met in his life. His grandfather told him all of this when he was a small child, so he even grew to think his own mother would kill him someday, gullible as he was. But it wasn't important now. D knew he either gained a valuable ally if he proved true or a vapid serpent had just slithered into his office. "Once again, Ketsuro, I tell you I am not a fool. I know what they call me. Child of the Seal. I know my sole purpose in being born was to protect my father and his father's bloodline. I am the seal that seals my clan in place as the leading family of this village that sits above the clouds themselves. I am also the seal that will eventually bring this village to internal conflict. "It is also fairly obvious my only true allies are the Yotsuki clan and the Yoippari clan, one of which I have a blood tie to and the former of which has enjoyed a prosperous friendship with my clan for many generations. There is one other I might call friend... but the Fushigi is certainly not among them. "I assume gramps made you the leader of the ANBU because he knew that while your clan as a whole would never ally to us, he could at least put one probe into such a clan. Rest assured, Ketsuro-san... I am my grandfather's successor but I am not my grandfather. You may be a dagger that strikes three ways. You may not. You are one who plays the game, as my grandfather did. "I understand the politics of this village more than you might credit me. But that doesn't mean I will play into them. I won't be making shady moves like Konoha did in eliminating the Uchiha clan. I am overt in my ambitions. I will kill anyone who opposes me in sight of the sky, the gods who live up there, and the people who live atop the lands below. "You are a dagger which stabs three ways, so you say. I now tell you, I am a bolt of lightning fallen from the sky. "And I only strike once. And I leave nothing behind." He smiled now at Ketsuro. "But I won't mind killing flies!"

[Fushigi Ketsuro]

“Kekeke,” Ketsuro laughed, “kekekekahaahha! You are great. So, so, so, so much more fun than your grandfather! But still, there is a price for everything in this world, Raikage-sama.”

Ketsuro rose a finger into the air. “When A made me Shikaku, it was a purchase, not an appointment. He knew the Fushigi couldn’t be trusted, and he knew that they were likely going to rebel at some point. I told him I’d destroy the clan. That is why I am a eunuch, Raikage-sama. Once the clan is destroyed, I will be the last Fushigi by blood this world would ever see.

“In return, I would gain access to the secret techniques stolen by my clan. When Kumogakure formed, and even before then, we had a nasty habit of eating clans from the inside, kinda like maggots, yeah? We stole a long of techniques passed down in secret...a lot of techniques that could make a man really strong, or a village impossible to defeat. So in return for the death of every Fushigi, I would gain the knowledge of these techniques, and from there I would use them to recreate the Fushigi as the true ANBU for Kumogakure no Sato.

“That price still stands, Raikage-sama. If I lead the Fushigi to their demise, I want that knowledge. And I want to create this new ANBU.”

Ketsuro lowered his hand. His grin had long since faded. Things were business again now, and before either party could move on, the terms had to be agreed too.

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] "I see," D laughed. "So you let my grandfather cut your cock and balls off for some knowledge." D couldn't help but grow even more weary. Any man willing to part with their dick for power was someone who would not stop. He has no dick after all... nothing else to live for. However, eliminating the Fushigi was in his own interest. But was it worth creating a second Fushigi loyal to this man and not D himself as the Raikage? It was a large trade off and he wondered why his grandfather did it in the first place. Once again, he was either a fool, or actually placed a certain degree of faith in the man's loyalty to the village above all else. "I suppose the offer still stands. I am not in the position to question my predecessor's decisions, nor would it be right for me to overturn them without seeing what results of them. "That being said, we are tentatively of the same arrangement. Ketsuro-san, I am a different man though I'm sure my grandfather held the same stipulation with you, even if he wasn't so bold as to tell you to your face. I will tell you now. I will allow you this knowledge. I will allow you to create a new ANBU on the condition that your loyalties remain with me and me alone. The same goes for the ANBU you raise up. You are my liason to them, but not their leader. I am their leader. "So long as you keep this in mind and do not turn your back on me, I shall not strike you down. If you remain loyal to the office of the Raikage, I will not kill you."

[Fushigi Ketsuro]

And so it was done. Ketsuro ran a hand through his hair as he stood up, and his grin had returned. It was good knowing things were going to plan, and even better knowing that years of work and sacrifice hadn’t been in vain. The Fushigi would hate him, of course. But this wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last, that Ketsuro was to be cursed by people who once thought him loyal. But he was a fly, not a serpent, and just as his clan wanted to preserve themselves so did he.

Ketsuro raised his left hand and a fly crawled from his sleeve and into his palm. “I leave this guy here for you, Raikage-sama. The Fushigi have never been open with their seals, but if you show this to some of the specialist in the village, I’m sure it can be reverse engineered. Consider it a show of good faith.”

With that Ketsuro motioned to leave, but as he reached the door he turned and looked over his shoulder. His grin was as sly as a fox, and his eyes as dark as a demon’s. “And do take care to listen to the old wives tales, Raikage-sama. There’s more truth to the legends than you know.”

THREAD END!!!