Kumogakure's tower is a massive structure that raises it above others, sitting like a crowned jewel near the center of the village and built of glass sectioned off with wood and steel. Inside is a reception area and a simple set of stairs that lead up into the top where the office of the kage rests. The current kage has piles of paperwork sitting on his desk that are partially done and an office full of weapons hanging from the walls.
Kage Towers These threads are a permanent fixture and pinned for the use of anyone. When you enter a kage tower thread check to see if an interaction is currently going on, and if there isn't then you should post a new interaction. Sometimes a kage may not be available, so please give an assistant a chance to speak with your character before they approach the kage.
[attr="class","APP3"]Seiichi Koji was never one for these excursions. In fact, the Jounin of Kumogakure often made efforts to be less present in this massive structure, a crowning jewel shamelessly dwarfing the structures that surrounded it and then those that stretched beyond the sight of his mundane eyes. It was a fitting marvel, considering the exports grown in his country, and proved a reasonable expression of what commercial feats Kumogakure had achieved. Although, that was the extent of his knowledge in business as where he knew much of discipline and even more in fighting, his knowledge was purposefully lacking in commerce -- chiefly for his distinct lack of care for it. Despite his patchwork of knowledge when the intricacies of trade, he recognized the high threat these delicate lines were under. Be it on dry land while the the vessel is docked and unloading its cargo or upon the turbulent waters being accosted by another cheap, the rewards were never less than the risk involved.
There was a heavy pat on the floor as he moved beyond the doors, his casual steps were often lacking in grace and quite loud due to the heavy padding beneath his feet. Seiichi found little reason to change clothing, even in these more 'special' occasions. Despite the audience he could be before, he often did little-to-nothing to improve his common routine: a pelt had sat atop his crown, the muzzle of a slain bear to extend beyond his nose and its arms cast over his shoulders as it remained understandably idle and a gi, one of the few he wore often, was worn torn at the shoulders and with considerable dirt on it.
"Pirates -- have there been reports?"
Seiichi asked as his longer-than-average stride allowed him to close the distance from the door to the desk fairly quick. He seemed intent on taking a mission and understood what was commonly requested and paid for. "What rank?" He pressed on in that gravelly voice of his, deep in its rumble and stentorian in its presentation; alas, he spoke quickly and gave little room for a response to his first question. The jounin waited patiently for a response, attention on the receptionist. He wshed for a higher payout so, naturally, the rank and the danger followed an upwards curve with payout.
What could he possibly be needing the money for? New shoes?
Last Edit: Sept 14, 2021 4:46:13 GMT by Seiichi Koji
[attr="class","APP3"]Behind a desk that wrapped around in a semi-circle which enclosed him into a wall sat a man with dark hair neatly stamping papers and sorting them. The sound of Seiichi's voice seemed to rouse him from the zoned out boredom of approving routine requests of the village beauracracy on the behalf of the kage. To either side of him were large shoji door made of the finest oak, and embossed with golden designs of otherworldy serpents.
"Koji-san, it's nice to see you again," He said in a warm voice. There was something disenginous in his gaze, as he kept glancing back at his work and then to Seiichi. "I don't think we have-"
"Hey Benjiro!" a voice called from the doors behind him. "Yes sir?" the assistant replied, stiffening up a bit and glancing back. "Who is that? Is that the yosenabe?" "Ah, no sir. It's Seiichi Koji." "What? Oh. Hey send him in!"
"Yes sir. Follow me please, Koji-san," Benjiro asked. He unlatched a part of his rounded desk and began to slide open the shoji on the left. He'd guide the jounin to enter the chamber, neatly kept and furnished with expensive sculptures and artwork along an expansive library of scrolls nestled in shelves along the walls. The room was absent a kage, but Benjiro took him past another door that slid open and out onto a balcony deck that overlooked the village.
Sitting on the balcony facing towards the village below was the raikage in his usual attire. In his hand was a pipe emiting smoke and the smell of fine tobacco. He was rested on a cushion with a somewhat dishelved stack of papers sitting in front of him and a quill and ink waiting for his return to duty. "Seiichi, nice to see you," Isana greeted with a grin as he looked over at the jounin with a smile. He gave Benjiro a dismissive wave that also dispersed some of the smoke around him. The assistant would disappear behind the door. "Got time to take a load off?" he asked gesturing towards another set of cushions resting on the balcony.
[attr="class","APP3"]The Jounin had little to wait on as Benjiro tore himself from his more bureaucratic tasks. He nodded, his short response upon being greeted by the narrow-framed, dark haired man. He had passing familiarity with Benjiro, mostly on account that the man who had been effectively acting as an extension of the Raikage's own authority. It was--as decided by Sarutobi himself--he who worked in the Raikage's stead when engaging activities of a more mundane nature. Having shared a birth year with the Sarutobi--while growing up alongside the man in the times where he hadn't secluded himself to train-- he knew a great deal more about his leader that he could care to admit. He knew that Izuna had never been a paper's man, though most certainly a people's man.
". . ."
A brow rose and a crease mounted his forehead, resetting the demeanor of his stony visage. The jounin had seldom changed, being ever difficult to gauage any disappointment to Benjiro's response brief response. An exchange occurred and not a noise left the Jounin, despite the visual flare of his nostrils as he drew a metered breath, filling his lungs. That voice had belonged to none other but one man. Seiichi nodded, as it naturally followed, and soon tailed the homely man as he led him beyond the doors. Not much had changed, saved the acquisition of finer art -- perhaps a relic he hadn't recognized before? It didn't seem implausible that it was an object exchanged in good tidings with Otagakure and her Hokage. Their stay here was only a brief excursion as the rich scent of fine tobaccos permeated into the room, growing bolder the closer they moved to the second sliding door.
". . ."
He took a breath. "Greetings, Raikage-Sama," Seiichi Koji returned, greeting with a bow a quick bow that had been performed shortly after; despite his unkempt appearance, the Jounin was no deliquent or knave. Seiichi moved as if Sarutobi's gesture were a command, briefly to stand upon the pillows before settling to sit, crossing his legs in a similar fashion to the Raikage. He seemed to be distracting himself from something, briefly observing the messy stack of papers and quill pleasant, and now the Jounin served furth to distract him -- was this his intention all along? "I will make time, Raikage-Sama." Seiichi responded, in truth caught off guard by this interaction. The man's attention was now outward. A slow breath filled his lungs as sea-green eyes were greeted with a numbering of sights, much of the village exposed to him from where he sat. "Was there something you were wanting to talk about?" He had asked, despite not feeling particularly moody, it was hard to explain his glare cast over the balcony as anything other than a glower.
Last Edit: Sept 15, 2021 4:17:57 GMT by Seiichi Koji
[attr="class","zacwords"]Why was he so loud…? Then again, it didn’t matter. With his forced conscription now in play, Chinetsu figured hanging out by the tower would not only keep his bill collectors at bay, but also give him a chance to make new “friends" - that is, those best suited to assist him in escaping his financial distress, or so at least, in the long run. He was never one for official settings or the practice or worshipping such, but if he planned to play the part properly over time, this was most likely an excellent genesis.[break][break]
And make friends he would, which is why, despite being taken aback by his brash, booming demeanor, Chinetsu was in position to complain or critique. The large, portly, imposing man shouting about pirates seemed to have gained an audience with the fearless leader. Perplexed looks by the local guard meant their combination of fear and amazement would lax their guard, and as such, allow, for the moment, Chinetsu to have some room to be more like his "usual self". Before the doors could close, he slipped in, hoping to catch a lesson or two in shinobi diplomacy.[break][break]
[attr="class","APP3"]“H-Hey!” Benjiro called out at Chinetsu as he flicked his hands up, with a series of six kunai flying from his kimono and hovering into the air on invisible strings of chakra.
“Hm,” the raikage muttered. “Pretty bold of you to slip in here uninvited.” “Your orders sir?” Benjiro said in his combat ready stance. “That’s okay Benjiro, come in and have a seat,” Isana replied. Finally, he turned his attention back to Seiichi. Benjiro let out a sigh and the kunai returned neatly into the inside of his wardrobe as he slipped back away and into the inner chamber to leave them to their devices.
The raikage took a deep drag of his pipe with his eyes closed, and then after a brief pause, he let it roll out of his nose with his head tilted to point it away from his guests.
“What were we talking about again? Oh. Yea,” he said. “Did I ever tell you about the time I snuck onto a pirate ship and staged a whole mutiny just wearing an eyepatch as a disguise? It must have been… twelve years ago. No, probably before that… when it happened isn’t really important.”
He took another drag and peered out over the village, then exchanged a glance with both Seiichi and the other gentleman that he could recognize from his face but not by name.
“I basically just walked right on the ship and started swabbin’ the deck as soon as I got on it,” he said. “Nobody Is going to argue with a guy who cleans. I was probably on that ship for eight months and I’ve gotta say that crew really treated everyone like family, it was a hard mission to finish at the end.”
[attr="class","APP3"]Seiichi looked the moment Benjiro's voice rose what seemed an octave in alarm. It raised out of surprise that someone would act so brashly, while also serving to notify the two men he had left at the balcony about the abrupt event. The assistant had a fancy trick, suspending hidden kunai with hidden strings, though the jounin was neglected the opportunity to see them in action when the Raikage's at-ease demeanor called for a cease in the dark-haired man's fire. Benjiro left them once again, but with new found company in the shape of a figure Seiichi only recognized by appearance. He was older-- much older and had bore what seemed to be a distinct distaste for living or--perhaps--for the situation he was living in.
It wasn't long before the man looked back to the Sarutobi. With no measure of alarm in his voice, the Raikage proceeded to lament to them a tale, recanting an experience long past. It was a story of his stealth and cunning, with an educational ending which reminded that one's mission must be seen through. Despite their tenure as shinobi together, Seiichi himself knew little, if nothing, about this. If there were any patchwork of knowledge that he had about the tale itself, it was out of being in earshot of another retelling the story. Ever the conspirator, the jounin believed firmly that there was a greater reason he chose to recant that tale, save for alleviating what boredom came about reading documents and deciding whether or not they were fitting of his signature.
The bear-pelted shinobi eventually shook his head, expressing that he had never told Seiichi about the tale. "It's a fair reminder: we shouldn't become attached to the roles we play," he mentioned what stood out to him the most in that gravelly voice, loud despite not intending for his words to carry so far. "Why do you mention it now, Raikage-Sama? Ghosts of your past mean to haunt you?" The jounin then probed, wanting to get behind the meaning of such an old tale retold today.
Last Edit: Sept 16, 2021 2:01:03 GMT by Seiichi Koji
[attr="class","zacwords"] The response was lightning quick and most sudden, like a hidden prey cloaked in the jungle, finally able to pounce and end its chase. Weaponry took flight with the assistance of what Chinetsu would assume was the use of some form of chakra, elemental or otherwise – though he still left the door open to other more frightening possibilities. Then again, with his memory slowly being restored now that his long bouts of alcohol consumption have come to an abrupt stop, he recollected the deadliest strike was also almost the simplest, most efficient one.[break][break]
Chinetsu, of course, knew better than to respond. So this killer’s name is Benjiro….? He was preparing an eloquent speech about how he had been away for so long due to “medical reasons”, and that as such, he had forgotten some of the proper manners that needed to be employed by shinobi of his ilk, when in the tower, and especially around the Raikage himself. But somewhere along his excuse’s construction, he concluded that in his situation, silence was most likely golden. Or so, at least, a variation of it. ”My apologies…it is my first day back in action, and at your service.” A small but efficient bow followed soon after.[break][break]
Not wanting to overcome to obvious personal conversation between the Raikage and what appeared to be one of the village’s top agents, Chinetsu would remain quiet yet observant. Despite his uncouth entry, he was still offered an opportunity, and soon, the Raikage dove back into his own discourse, bringing the Chuunin into the fold. Around this time, he also had gotten an excellent chance to quickly yet efficiently scan the room, and thus, better himself with his surroundings.[break][break]
Instruments of war, in all shapes, sizes, and designs, would decorate the walls in a most symmetric fashion, inscribed with text that, although unreadable from the distance he stood from them, most likely contained a blurb behind its history and purpose. It was a fascinating sight, though not the most enticing of excitement for someone who’s main profession was that of healing. And while he did understand that peace required proper force at times in order to be attained, he was a man of fists and chakra. Weapons, although extensions of the warrior when wielded by the proper hands, never truly motivated him.[break][break]
Arms crossed, Chinetsu would ignore the assistant’s glare, and instead let himself be distracted by the Kage’s tale. I was never fond of boats… As the recollection progressed, the medic would find himself giving life to the novella inside his very own head. The man-bear’s comments on ghosts of the past would snap him back into reality. He did, after all, know a thing or two about skeletons in his closet. And while, at his age, it was best to simply move on, the distraction inebriation brought never truly allowed him the luxury. And now, it all but stares at him in the face.[break][break]
In the end, a silent nod in his part, arms still locked across his chest, would accentuate the end of their verbal exchange. He was eager to know more.[break][break]
[attr="class","APP3"]Izuna tilted his head and took a deep breath with is eyes closed, exhaling light smoke.
“Perhaps, Seiichi, very insightful of you,” the raikage responded. “Anyways they had this turtle soup dish that I really miss. I really regret not getting the recipe.”
He peered at both shinobi in his presence back and forth, scanning Chinetsu as he rubbed his chin. He then looked back over to the bear-clothed warrior, and then down at the paperwork he was neglecting. He started rifling through things. “You must be here for a job eh?” he said, still shuffling through scrolls. “I’ve got an A-Rank that hasn’t been assigned yet here somewhere… Ahh! Here it is…
One of our clients is a large shipping company that connects us with the mainland and helps make our country prosperous. We’ve got intel that Kirigakure is planning to send shinobi to infiltrate and hijack a cargo ship after it is supplied and sent out into the open sea. We suspect they are already hiding among the crew.”
The raikage cleared his throat and paused for a moment. “You just came back on active duty again huh, probably going through processing. Seiichi, meet your newest addition to platoon two and assitant in this task - “
He paused for a moment as he gestured at Chinetsu. He was terrible at remembering names.
[attr="class","APP3"]Seiichi listened on as Izuna lamented, regaling them of his final account spent on his numbering days with a crew that still lived on his mind-- perhaps only his mind. There was no doubting the commitment that was involved with such a feat, nor was there ignoring the terse nature of that environment: a single mistake would have had him bound, gagged and then thrown overboard to sink far beneath the surface. When he had finished, returning briefly to his pipe, Seiichi spared Chinetsu a glance, but his focus returned to Izuna not long after.
To his benefit, so it seemed: the man presented him with an opportunity that Benjiro could not. The jounin listened on as he read, explaining what had been gathered so far in the realm of information. It was a detailed report that was clear in its message. As soon as the Raikage had finished reading it, though, he moved to Chinetsu and addressed the man. It was there, in a matter of seconds, that the vacancy in his platoon was filled.
Seiichi looked to Chietsu and then back to Izuna and nodded. He stood up, resuming that towering height of his; in gazing at Seiichi, it was difficult to tell how far past seven feet the man had grown.
"We'll be on our way to that task, then." He held his hand out for the paper inscribed with the task. Seiichi wouldn't waste anymore time as he lead himself and Chinetsu through the sliding door if there was nothing more to be said. He nodded to Benjiro, gesturing his farewell.
Any ancillary information, he figured, would be found on that paper.
[attr="class","zacwords"]And now he knew the man-bear’s name, as well. Seiichi, huh…? It seemed his stealth and spying plan had worked! Sarcasm aside, it would appear most of his problems were solved rather easily. While he had received more than sufficient notice that be had been re-enlisted under his last rank, not much more information was afforded in terms of whom he’d be working with. His handler, you see, had little regard for him, and viewed the village’s offer to forgive his many, many civil transgressions in exchange for his skills as a waste of time. Asshole… Still, even he answered to a higher power, and so, like it or not, he was supposed to set Chinetsu up. [break][break]
And that he did, but not in the way he had hoped. Fortunately for the medic, one embarrassment had been traded for the other. It seemed to him that appearing as bumbling, or unintentionally rude, was better than looking like someone that did not bother to read his briefing at all, labeling him flat-out irresponsible, and thus, unreliable. In a normal setting, a dossier regarding his platoon would most likely be supplied, including information on his teammates deemed helpful for cohesion by the higher ups. But in Chinetsu’s case, he got a few passing words as a cloud of unwanted smoke swatted his face, courtesy of his mutually hated handler. Why do all you arrogant types always smoke...? Talk about an overused trope.[break][break]
“Chinetsu, at your service.”
[break]
Spoken in a deep but calm tone, it was a truthful and meaningful acknowledgment that would both address the Raikage’s faith in him to add him to such a seemingly dangerous task, as well as his new platoon leader. It seemed hulking visage adorned in the remains of a bear would most likely be more desirable as an ally, rather than an enemy, after all. After a small, quick pause, Chinetsu shot a one-sided grin, his outer edge of the right of his mouth arching upwards ever so slightly – and with that, his finely glossed mustache. He motioned to the nearest exit, a route the titan seemed to already have embarked on.[break][break]
Kumogakure's tower is a massive structure that raises it above others, sitting like a crowned jewel near the center of the village and built of glass sectioned off with wood and steel. Inside is a reception area and a simple set of stairs that lead up into the top where the office of the kage rests. The current kage has piles of paperwork sitting on his desk that are partially done and an office full of weapons hanging from the walls.
Kage Towers These threads are a permanent fixture and pinned for the use of anyone. When you enter a kage tower thread check to see if an interaction is currently going on, and if there isn't then you should post a new interaction. Sometimes a kage may not be available, so please give an assistant a chance to speak with your character before they approach the kage.
Deep in the forest a call was sounding... he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire and the beaten earth around it.
Korogaru sprinted to the top of the stairs, her bear Nomi trailing just behind her and taking up the entirety of the ledge, causing several shinobi to lean out over the edge or climb up onto the cliff to avoid being knocked off of the mountain and sailing through the clouds. The Inuzuka didn’t seem to notice the inconvenience she’d created for everyone as she burst into the kage tower, beaming brightly.
She took a few steps and looked around. Korogaru didn’t have a particular reason for being there. She hadn’t been summoned or anything but she needed some attention so maybe looking for someone to inconvenience would help alleviate her boredom. Besides, Izuna always had the best stories.
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[attr="class","APP3"]Behind a desk that wrapped around in a semi-circle which enclosed him into a wall sat a man with dark hair neatly stamping papers and sorting them. The air of a cool day and a breeze disturbed him, when he looked up he seemed to be in shock.
"Ahhh! Korogaru-chan! You can't just bring a bear in here!" Benjiro, the assistant to the kage replied.
To either side of him were large shoji door made of the finest oak, and embossed with golden designs of otherworldy serpents. He didn't seem intent to summon the raikage unless he could be convinced that Nomi was safe, or is she dismissed him.
Deep in the forest a call was sounding... he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire and the beaten earth around it.
Korogaru stopped and looked back at the door Nomi had poked his head through. The chunin’s brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before she turned back to Benjiro with her response, “I think he can fit… We’ve come in here before.”
Her response clearly indicated a lack of understanding about the rules of the tower. Mrooo. A loud animal groan behind her caused Korogaru to glance over her shoulder at her bear. Nomi had squeezed his shoulders through the door one paw at a time but the pooch around his middle was thicker than the rest and the ninja bear could feel the pressure of the door as he attempted to pull himself forward.
“Hmm…” Korogaru pondered for a moment, “He has been binging on foreign food quite a bit lately, you know how it is.”
The chunin clambered over her bear and braced her back against his back side to push with her legs. Nomi decided to help by clawing at the floor as he desperately tried to pull himself forward, leaving long gouges in the previously immaculate floor. Nomi slid a few inches forward before catching on the door frame which was beginning to bow outward.
Korogaru stood up, panting from the effort with little beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She grinned sheepishly at Benjirro and called through the door from behind her bear. “I think you might have been right. He’s really wedged in there!”
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Behind a desk that wrapped around in a semi-circle which enclosed him into a wall sat a man with dark hair neatly stamping papers and sorting them. The sound of Seiichi's voice seemed to rouse him from the zoned out boredom of approving routine requests of the village beauracracy on the behalf of the kage. To either side of him were large shoji door made of the finest oak, and embossed with golden designs of otherworldy serpents. 
