[attr="class","APP3"]Shinko moved around to the front of the desk. There was a sparkle in her violet eyes that betrayed her enthusiasm despite her business as usual tone, “I appreciate your thoroughness and your discretion. In exchange for this, I will ensure any funding this new venture requires will be available to you.”
The Kazekage was grateful to have such a capable and like-minded individual in her ranks. His ambitions rivaled her own at that age… A danger if not properly cultivated.
“Very well. Dismissed.”
There was a rustling of papers as she grabbed a stack off the desk and returned to her work. She would pause to look back up at him just as he was about to disembark on the elevator. “Anotsu~ It's not often a shinobi impresses me. Don't leave me disappointed.”
[attr="class","APP3"]The crunching of leaves, the shifting of plate armour, the gurgling death of an ashigaru; these could be heard by the kazekage as she slunk back into the shadows, moving low to the ground and sticking to the dense underbrush of the wilds. A harsh roar of frustration ripped through the lines causing Shinko to freeze in place, her breath hitching in her chest. She watched for movement through the cover of dense foliage. The earth beneath her trembled with each step as Otakemaru lumbered past on his way to investigate the most recent in a string of baffling executions.
Shinko Osore weaved her fingers together in a familiar pattern as two shadow clones appeared flanking her position. The first leapt vertically into the canopy above while the other darted off towards the front line and the kazekage herself moved cautiously further into enemy territory, determined to keep the Akamichi in her sights as she caused what mayhem she could without being caught.
She’d called for the rest of the team to retreat the moment she’d seen him. He’d been one of their own and now it seemed his will had been turned against them; a disaster headed for the front lines and when he arrived the civilized world would fall beneath his massive fists. Her only thought was to delay him for as long as she could. Or perhaps to prey upon the one weakness she’d always teased him for back in their academy days. Otakemaru was, in a word, volatile; likely to fly into a blind rage given the slightest provocation.
If she could set him off here he would tear through the enemy ranks searching for her. If there was anything left of him inside that thick skull… Shinko reached for a kunai but her limbs felt heavy with an impending dread.
No. She would not end up like that. And this was not the end for the Rain. No one would tear down everything she’d spent a lifetime building up. Not while she had the strength left to fight.
[attr="class","APP3"]Shinko listened with her full body, her eyes occasionally straying to his hands as he spoke but primarily focused on his face while the grin on her own became more genuine as her busy mind settled into the report on his team. She was pleased with what she heard but cocked her head to the side at the pause and simply waited expectantly.
An idea? Shinko pulled the chair out from under her desk and perched gracefully on the edge; her fingers steepled in front of her. It wasn’t everyday that a respected jounin brought forth something like this and she wanted to give him the attention he deserved, despite the intense workload gnawing at the back of her mind.
The Kazekage remained silent for a moment further as her mind processed his proposal. She liked the concept. She knew from personal experience how effective a spy could be in this political atmosphere. It was something she had wanted to implement for a long time but putting it into practice could be complex and time consuming. The members of such a group would have to be loyal beyond question. They would have to be willing to stomach doing unconscionable things while maintaining their sense of self. “Not everyone is cut from the same cloth as you and I. The members of such a group would need to be carefully vetted and the training for such missions would be… intense. Can I trust you to handle this for me or do you propose another head to this organization?”
[attr="class","APP3"]The unassuming warehouse entrance led to a lobby of industrial design. The open space was abuzz with whispered chatter as an entourage of seemingly random shinobi in casual dark attire lounged in the corner to his right and also around the gently trickling fountain of koi to the far left. An insightful man as Anotsu would recognize these loiterers as members of the Kazekage’s personal guard. The many assassination attempts against Shinko Osore were close guarded secrets only a jounin of his stature would have heard rumor of but this Kage’s predilection for working uninterrupted was common knowledge.
The young man behind the desk barely glanced up, Kaito Uchiha being far too engrossed in whatever missive he was currently deciphering to acknowledge his cousin with the typical pleasantries. Instead, the chunin simply jutted his head towards the sliding grate behind him with a disinterested, “Go on in. She’s expecting you.”
Anotsu would be familiar enough with the elevator by now to enter without instruction. Once aboard, the crank operated elevator would lurch slowly up to the penthouse where the Kazekage both lived and worked. There were no stairs in this building and the frequent rains kept the limestone slick on the outside. The lightbulb dangling from the roof of the elevator would cast an unsettling flicker on the various floors as they passed revealing several to be walled off just outside the grate.
The ding of a bell and the clatter of the door sliding off to the side on its own would signal him to step forward into the Kazekage’s office; a room designed primarily for function and secondarily for comfort. An aria played softly in the background, though no musicians or vocalist could be seen.
A mature woman with stark white hair stood with her back to him as she filed a report in one of many cabinets built into the wall behind her desk like the slabs in a morgue. She slid the door closed and turned to face him with a polite grin. “What can I do for you, — anotsu uchiha?”
Last Edit: Oct 16, 2021 19:07:58 GMT by Shinko Osore
Shinko's only tell of emotion was that of micro transitions of her facial features not in limbo or to show a freeze of emotion, and a blink when he spoke of a dust release. But quite simply, although she was interested to know it was a unique application, she didn't care to know or regard it as anything important on his behalf. "It sounds like you're asking for a shortcut without asking for shortcut." Her statement was clear. But, it was one that she could abide by. He was nervous, but as far as she saw it this was exposure to a condition he wasn't used to, and for that she would offer him no reprieve or relief. Stress was what made a shinobi - if you couldn't cope, you didn't deserve to be one.
Shinko's answer was to mull, she walked past Daichi - looking throughout the office. She did eventually pluck a book from one on her shelf, to that end she returned and offered it to Daichi. The book was plain beige, with an inkblot on the front and an unassuming name, which she would pluck. "This will be helpful." Shinko understood that if there was anything to be read from its plot, it would be one that would reveal itself to Daichi. Of course, he would have his own interpretation. That was fine.
"Don't come back until you are ready." A statement of vague interpretation, whether that meant toward the end of the book - until a greater rank, until he was a "Kage" level shinobi? Plenty of meaning to be left, but at least enough to buy her some time from the boy. "Become useful to me and you'll be here more often." She would say. She would not offer reprise or a method of feeling to alleviate the boy's concerns or inadequacy - he was a Shinobi and a warrior dog and would be treated like one unless he proved himself otherwise.
She would go and sit down at her desk, crossing one leg over the other - and hit a switch to her left and out of Daichi's sight. The door would open a few seconds later. "Bring me the travel files for anybody travelling to the Hidden Sound." As she had intended on doing before Daichi's return - a few minutes from her day was nothing.
"Right away, Kazekage-sama." The assistant said, leaving the door open. A way out for him.
Other Kage - or Jonin shinobi might have laughed Daichi out of the room. Others might have had an insightful word - though to come to the Kage for express admiration was not something that Shinko was used to. She stood there, hands by her sides untimid and eyes trained on Daichi. She listened intently - and a part of her wanted to interrupt because she felt she already knew where it was going but let the boy finish first. Then a gulp of silence to show she had been listening.
Shinko would step to the side, open the door again - and stared through it and watching the buzz of energy fly past the door. They weren't even paying attention to Shinko: for they had been taught to do their thing unless they were called upon. "All of those people in my employ are there because they are the best to do so." From that doorway, the more open and buzzing lights of electricity were common. "They all have their place here as long as it is useful for them to be so." and the door would shut again.
This was similar to conversations that she'd had before.
"There is no special trick, gimmick or training technique. I simply do what I specialise in the best and that is not something that requires blood. That seat could be easily occupied by anyone of a clan background if they were better. They are not." It would have been a lie if Shinko knew this Genin by name - she did not. She did not know everybody in the village, but she did see things for their value. Daichi was not one on her radar and would continue to not be after he'd left the office. She did not want Daichi under the impression that she had freely earned the position of Kazekage: no, she had clawed for everything she had. So yes, perhaps there was a unique sense of application which she did that made her stand out - but little else.
But, those words were not cryptic: and she waited for any other questions he might have had. It would not fall far from the tree of logic to suggest that she wasn't the most extroverted person. She didn't offer Daichi any tutelage and simply answered his question.
The office laid waste to a large foyer with a surprising amount of bustle, with around ten assistants moving to and fro the space - the only separation between them and the Kage's office. So, for any one of them that Daichi would pin down, the rest of them hadn't spared a thought for the boy. The one who he had stared back at him through thick rimmed glasses and wispy pieces of red hair, raspy and grumbly as preambling gurgles rose from their throat before Daichi had even spoken. The request heard; deliberated and they responded.
"The Kazekage is out at the moment-" One of the assistants spoke up, a general complaint handling that she would have done with anybody without an appointment. For all intents and purposes, a Genin was not going to be seen by the Kazekage if any of them had anything to say about it. To hold an air of suspension or disbelief, Shinko had not been there and then she was, having returned from whence she had been. If Daichi had not noticed it, he certainly might have with the very sudden flicker of the assistant's eyes, a slight change in light from her taller-than-his figure, or a general impending sense of doom.
"Why does a Genin think to command the attention of a Kage?" a woman crowed behind Daichi. Taller than him - not quite purring in his ear mind but enough to feel the heat of her breath on the skin of his neck. Certainly while Daichi had formerly an arrogant air turned into a freakish puddle of nerves, the Kage's more pragmatic attitude cut through the tension in the air with an agonising substance. A true terror, despite her calm and unimposing physique.
Shinko stepped past the boy and to her office: its place, opening the door up and stepping through, only stopping by the door to turn with a hand on the handle for him to walk through. "Come in." and the door would shut behind the two of them by her hand when he did step through. Shinko didn't offer him a seat and unless he chose to take position there (in which she would take no complaint) he would be awkwardly standing there in the space between her desk and the door, with her not quite directly in the way - but one large step out of the way and facing the wall.
And she was certainly at ease in the well lit office of scattered books and stacks of paper, or the dual staircase behind her desk that led up to areas unknown to the boy. "Your questions?"
Shinko is famous for infiltrating the Hidden Sand and breaking the seal on a powerful artifact, unleashing a demon on the village in order to save her own. She has risen to the ranks of the military leader of Amegakure and the territories of the Land of Wind, serving her daimyo loyaly. Her reign thus far focused on securing her borders with Iwagakure and the Empire.
Despite being one of the greatest conquerors in their own rite for being an effective one man army, Shinko is a surprisingly humble individual with a pragmatic and realistic outlook towards warfare: it is necessary, and being able to have times of peace means being able to exert extreme violence: Shinko is generally one of efficient restraint.
As a leader and in the public face she is known to be relatively quiet - but firm in her leadership. She is a born ruler and one that makes decisions after a considered approach.
Proficiencies
Stealth [Grand Master] The 'now you see me, now you don't' phrase would actually only have applied to Shinko if she were ever there in the first place: a grand strategist of the invisible, Shinko has fully enveloped herself in nothingness that she seems to fade in and out of existence as and when her attacks take place. This isn't actually true and she is very much real, but to say her body is in absolute tension when she moves is an understatement: no movement is wasted, no movement is unnecessary, where Shinko can even mask her chakra signature. The rest of her abilities are generally focused around this, and her ability to remain hidden without a sound, smell or sight is unparalleled.
Shurikenjutsu [Master] What is additionally revered by her is her attacks come from all around: and they are especially deviant, well positioned, well poised attacks at the joints as what small weaponry are precisely designed to do. She is incredibly deadly, aiming with precision from far distances and even advanced abilities to aim, curve, rebound and otherwise make shots and still hit despite not even looking at her opponents makes her such a formidable person to find, let alone even attack because one shuriken would come from another, and one from another place: and she would be gone from that position. But, if you happened to be where she was: shame on you.
Fuinjutsu [Veteran] Even if you were under the assumption you could catch her, you would instead of finding her figure one of her many traps, as her intelligence and remaining hidden also comes in the form of exploding traps, traps of shrapnel or one to expel mists of coal to blind a person to make open to other attacks. But, if you somehow manage to catch her in the same room and can actually see her, this same equipment that she lays out like a pro can also be used to unfurl a battlefield of thrown equipment ejected from her scrolls.
Taijutsu [Journeyman] To back up her shurikenjutsu and constant use of bodily autonomy she is also a strong and nimble individual, capable of putting the same punching power that could concuss someone into a metal the size of a palm. Though not her preferred method of combat to meet someone in open combat, she would not have gone very far if she was unable to be an assassin that didn't delve into the close range. Shinko's method of fighting style in Taijutsu tends to rely on openings that she herself has created using her other repertoire - and those attacks tend to delve into the more cautious and shrewd sort, being well placed enough.
Shadow Clone [Journeyman] Shinko is able to split her chakra between herself and three clones. These clones are capable of using her jutsu within the limits of the chakra used to create them, and upon taking a blow dissipate. Shinko can remeber the pain of the blow that killed her clones as well as the things that they heard once it dies.
Kekkai Ninjutsu [Journeyman] While her primary abilities lay in the art of killing and remaining unseen, it goes worth noting that her offensive abilities are not her sole area of focus. She is reasonably capable of creating barriers, especially those as a defensive mechanism or to aid her in the setting up of traps (as nothing says 'trap' like shutting off the escape from a room with a boom button in it) as well as some ability to manoeuvre using these invisible platforms (affixed to an object, of course).
Unlike most kage offices, the Amegakure tower does not stand out among the many buildings that make up the Hidden Rain Village. Making sure that one has the right address is usually part of the routine of going to meet with the kage or collect a mission. Inside is a nice lobby with a fountain of koi, and a receptionist. If the kage is willing to see you, you'll be led to an elevator with a hand crank that can be used to ascend to the top floor much quicker.
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.
The Hidden Rain Village began as the defense force of a large city state attempting to keep its independence from the Leaf, Sand, and the Stone. The decimation of Konoha benefited Amegakure most, stopping them from getting in the middle of disputes with the Leaf and Stone, giving it an opportunity to flourish while the Sand diminished. Amegakure is the largest city in the world, surrounded with towering buildings.
The military uniform of the Hidden Rain consists of a one piece suit darkly colored down the front while off-white on the sides. Traditionally the uniform is worn with a rounded conical hat and rebreathers are very common accessories.
Shinobi Population: High
Country Wealth: Above Average
Leadership Disposition: Strict
Government: Daimyo rules country
Population Density: High
Chief Export: Technology
Chief Import: Iron
Wildlife Threat: Medium (Extremely High in the Desert)
Criminal Threat: Medium (Bandits in the countryside, crime syndicates in the city)
Allies: None currently
Enemies: Iwagakure, Taiyou Empire
Historical Events
Year -120 to -91 Konoha and Iwa wage war in Ame's territory, leaving its countryside scarred and its people in famine. The city itself falls into disrepair until the shinobi reach a ceasefire. Slowly but surely refugees began returning to the war torn country.
Year -90 The city renames itself Amegakure and builds a respectable shinobi defense force to deter other shinobi villages from encroaching on their territories.
Year -69 to -40 With the fall of the Hidden Leaf, the Hidden Sand loses many of its imported resources. They begin putting pressure on Amegakure to provide, offering little in return and threatening military action for non-compliance. Amegakure refuses to cooperate and gains the alliance of Kusagakure willingly over their fears of Iwagakure and a desire for independence. The Rain and Sand fight a bloody war, with neither side coming out on top. The first two leaders of Amegakure died during these trying times.
Year -39 to -35 Taiyou Empire forces begin raiding the outskirts of the city, but powerful barrier specialists manage to save the city from invasion over countless attempts.
Year -34 to -13 Growing more desperate for resources and seeing the Rain crippled from battle, Sunagakure began a second war with Amegakure. There were heavy casualties for both sides throughout the war, and Amegakure used up many precious resources on technological advancements to give itself an edge. Near the end, the sand held a portion of the city under their control.
Year -12 to Present Shinko Osore does the unthinkable, infiltrating deep into the territories of the Land of Wind. She sought out a powerful artifact of legend said to be buried in the sand. Shattering the artifact, she let loose and ancient evil that went on a rampage across the desert. In the wake of destruction Sunagakure lost their Kazekage and their village. After taking such a devastating loss, Amegakure was able to turn the tides of the war in their favor. Much of the surviving leadership of Sunagakure was imprisoned, while common soldiers were brought into the fold to serve Amegakure. The Hidden Rain declared itself the new seat of the Land of Wind, and crowned their hero as the first Kazekage of Amegakure.
Shinko's mind has never turned from war, eyeing the lands of Iwagakure to the North and the Empire to the East. She makes plans to work with the distant Land of Water to disrupt the naval forces of the Empire, hoping to cripple them in a future conflict, but right now they are only in the negotiation stage.
Note: 0 on the calendar is the first year in the roleplay, spanning from June 2021 to the end of 2021.
The young man behind the desk barely glanced up, Kaito Uchiha being far too engrossed in whatever missive he was currently deciphering to acknowledge his cousin with the typical pleasantries. Instead, the chunin simply jutted his head towards the sliding grate behind him with a disinterested, “Go on in. She’s expecting you.”
